JP2002136639A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of surely detecting the current position of a pattern without complicating the structure. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a detector rotated simultaneously with a rotation body and having indexes formed of a plurality of rows of holes corresponding to each pattern, and a sensor having one light emission part and a plurality of light receiving parts corresponding to a plurality of holes, mutually opposedly arranged to hold the indexes of the detector in between. Light passing through the holes of the detector is sensed by the light receiving parts to detect the index by the sensor, and the position of the pattern is specified by the detection signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a rotating body on which a symbol is displayed, and to a gaming machine capable of detecting an absolute position of the symbol.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rotating body (for example, a rotating cylinder or a rotating plate) on which a symbol is displayed is rotated, and a predetermined symbol is stopped at a predetermined position to determine a winning, or to produce an effect accompanying a game. There are gaming machines to do. In recent years, these gaming machines also use a control device to perform stop control, so that the control device determines which symbol is facing the front and which symbol is to be stopped at a predetermined position. Need to be detected.

In the past, as a method, a sensor, a number of indices corresponding to a symbol, and a start index were provided, and a reel was determined based on how many indices corresponding to the symbol were detected after the sensor detected the start index. The current position during rotation was recognized. afterwards,
The reel is rotated using a stepping motor. In this case, the current position is detected based on the number of rotation steps after the sensor detects the start index.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional method, the count of the number of steps after the start index is detected must be stored, and a memory for that is required. Also, since the current position is not known until the start index is detected,
In some cases, almost one rotation is made before the start index is detected. Then, in order to perform control for stopping a predetermined symbol at a predetermined position, it is necessary that the sensors of all the rotating bodies pass the start index after the rotating body starts rotating.
Further, in a gaming machine in which the rotating body is stopped by operating the stop switch, the stop switch can only be operated after the sensors of all the rotating bodies have passed the start index.

Further, a disadvantage of using a stepping motor is that even if a rotation stop instruction is issued, the motor is excessively rotated due to inertia and stored in a memory as if it should have stopped. However, there is a problem that the design may be shifted. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of sensors to detect the index and detect the absolute position of the symbol, but there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

Accordingly, the inventions described in the respective claims have been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and have the following objects. (Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 is based on a request to specify the current position of the symbol immediately after the rotation of the rotating body, and to always specify the current position during the rotation, and the current position of the symbol. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of surely detecting a game machine.

In addition, the present position can be specified directly from the detecting means immediately after the rotation, during the rotation, before the rotation, before the rotation, or after the stop without providing the counting means, without providing an extra memory, and complicating the structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of detecting an absolute position without any change. (Claim 2) The invention according to claim 2 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the objects of the invention described above, the following objects are provided.

[0008] That is, the invention according to claim 2 provides a gaming machine in which a symbol position can be easily specified even when a complicated operation such as reverse rotation of a rotating body is performed and various effects can be produced. Aim. (Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 is the above-described claim 1.
Or, in addition to the object of the invention described in 2, the following object is also aimed.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of surely specifying a symbol position even when a rotating body is stopped. (Claim 4) The invention according to claim 4 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the objects of the inventions described in (1) to (3), the following points are intended.

[0010] That is, the invention according to claim 4 provides a design 2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably specifying the position of one gaming machine. (Claim 5) The invention according to claim 5 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the objects of the inventions described in (1) to (4), the following points are intended.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine which can achieve the above object. (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 is the above-described claim 5.
In addition to the objects of the invention described above, the following objects are provided.

In other words, the invention according to claim 6 is to provide a slot machine which can be used as an aid for pushing by displaying an index corresponding to each symbol on the front panel. (Claim 7) The invention according to claim 7 is based on claim 5 described above.
Or, in addition to the object of the invention described in 6, the object is as follows.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine in which a start switch can be operated in a short time after the start of rotation of a rotating reel.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems (Features) The inventions described in the respective claims are made to achieve the above objects, and the features of the inventions are shown in the drawings. This will be described below using embodiments of the present invention.

The reference numerals indicate the reference numerals used in the embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Also, the drawing numbers indicate the drawing numbers used in the embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. (Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 has the following features.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the frame F
And a rotating body formed rotatably by the motor M and displaying a plurality of symbols, and a control device for controlling the rotation of the rotating body and performing a winning lottery with a predetermined probability In a gaming machine in which the rotating body is used as a means for confirming a winning or an effect accompanying a game, the rotating body is rotated simultaneously with the rotating body, and a plurality of holes 46 corresponding to each symbol are formed. A detector having a row of indices, and a sensor having one light emitting unit 151 and a plurality of light receiving units corresponding to the plurality of holes are provided so as to face each other so as to sandwich the index of the detector. The light passing through the hole 46 of the detection body
It is characterized in that the sensor 150 detects the index by the sensing by the 152 and the symbol position is specified by the detection signal.

According to the present invention, an absolute position of a symbol is specified by detecting a symbol corresponding index by a sensor having one light emitting portion and a plurality of light receiving portions. Here, the “rotating body” is a rotating cylinder, a rotating plate, or another thing that rotates about a rotation axis, and
Includes characters, numbers, and colors. Also,
The “detecting body” may be any shape such as a cylinder or a disk that can provide the index. And, as the gaming machine according to the present invention, a prize is determined by the symbol displayed on the rotating body is stopped at a predetermined position, or a prize is used for a predetermined effect, for example, a slot machine or a rotamint is suitable. ing.

In the present invention, the index is constituted by a row of a plurality of holes 46 provided in the detection body. The number of holes 46 constituting one index differs depending on the number of symbols 61 displayed on the outer periphery of the rotating reel 40, and the rows of holes 46 are provided in the number of symbols corresponding to each symbol 61. Specifically, the number of symbols that can be specified by a row of n holes is 2n-1
Can be obtained by the following equation. For example, when an index is constituted by three holes, 23-1 = 7 symbols can be specified. When an index is constituted by four holes, 24-1 = 15 symbols can be identified. Can be identified. On the other hand, when it is desired to specify ten symbols, the index may be formed by four holes with 24-1> 10.

The detecting member may be attached to a motor shaft for driving the rotating member, or may be attached to the rotating member. On the other hand, when it is necessary to specify the position of the predetermined symbol of the rotating body, the sensor 150 emits a light beam from the light emitting unit 151 under the control of the control device, and the light receiving unit 152 detects the light beam passing through the hole 46. To detect the index. Then, the control device determines and specifies the position of the symbol corresponding to the index.

(Claim 2) The invention of claim 2 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention of claim 1 described above. That is, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the motor M is formed so as to be able to rotate forward and reverse.

According to the present invention, it is possible to make the rotating body perform a complicated movement. (Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the features of the invention described in 2, the following features are provided.
That is, in the invention according to claim 3, the detection body is formed in a cylindrical body, and the index is a hole 46 formed to have a slightly shorter length than the length obtained by dividing the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 45 by the number of symbols.
It is characterized by comprising.

According to the present invention, the hole 46 has a long hole shape. According to the present invention, since the interval between each symbol corresponding index becomes very narrow, the detection of the index is not hindered by the light receiving section 152 being located in the middle of the rows of the holes 46. (Claim 4) The invention according to claim 4 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the features of the invention described in any one of the above items 3 to 3, the following features are provided.

That is, in the invention according to claim 4, the number of the symbols is 21 and the index is a set of one to five holes 46, and two sets having different permutations are used.
One set is provided, and the sensor 150 has five light receiving units 152 that can simultaneously detect up to five holes. The present invention specifies an index and a sensor for specifying the position of 21 symbols. Here, “a set of 1 to 5 holes 46 as one set, and 21 sets each having a different permutation” means 11111, 1111 when the presence or absence of holes is represented by 1 and 0.
.. Indicate that there are 21 sets of 0, 11101,.

The symbol position judging means 120 identifies an index based on which of the five light receiving portions of the sensor 150 is detecting a light beam, and determines a symbol. (Claim 5) The invention according to claim 5 is the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the features of the invention described in any one of the above items 4 to 4, the following features are provided.

That is, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine has, as the rotating body, a rotating reel 40 around which a plurality of symbols 61 are displayed, and a start for starting rotation of the rotating reel. A switch 30, a stop switch 50 for stopping the rotation of the rotating reel, and a control device 20 for controlling the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. It is a slot machine in which medals are paid out on condition that a plurality of symbols 61 displayed on the side are aligned on an activated pay line in a predetermined direction set in advance.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine having the above configuration is used as a slot machine. (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 is the above-described claim 5.
The following features are added to the features of the invention described above. That is, in the invention according to claim 6, an index display section 67 corresponding to each rotating reel is provided on the front surface of the housing, and a row of the index hole 46 detected by the sensor 150 is displayed on the index display section 67. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, an index signal is displayed outside the slot machine to assist the eye-catching. The index display section 67 is provided, for example, below each of the rotating reels 40 and has five light emitters. This illuminant is turned on at the same time that the sensor 150 detects the index, and the illuminant of the five illuminants is the same as the arrangement order of the holes 46 constituting the index.

In the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the holes 46 are arranged so that the holes 46 gradually decrease (or increase) when the indexes are arranged. By doing so, the light emitting element is displayed as if it represents a waveform on the index display section 67 when the rotating reel 40 is rotating. The player can measure the timing of pressing the stop switch 50 while watching this waveform.

(Claim 7) The invention according to claim 7 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 5 or 6. That is, the invention according to claim 7 provides a stop switch after the rotating reel 40 reaches a certain speed.
It is characterized in that it is formed so that 50 stop operations can be performed.

The present invention provides the above index and sensor.
With 150, the current position of the symbol can be specified, and it is no longer necessary to wait for the sensor to detect the start index, so the stop switch 50 can be operated even when the reel 40 does not make one revolution. Things.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example. (Explanation of the Drawings) FIGS. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the input, control and output of the slot machine, FIG. 2 is a front view of the external appearance of the slot machine, and FIGS. 3 to 5 show schematic flows of the operation of the slot machine. 6 to 10 are views showing details of the index and the sensor 150. FIG. FIG. 11 is an external front view of a slot machine showing another embodiment of the present invention.

(Slot machine 10) Slot machine 10
Has a rectangular box-shaped housing 11, as shown in FIG. A rectangular window-shaped display window 12 facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the housing 11. In the center of the display window 12 at the center, a symbol display window 13 through which the symbols 61 of the three rotating reels 40 can be seen is formed.

As shown in FIG. 11, a production reel 44 dedicated to production may be provided separately from the three rotating reels 40 (game reels 43). Although not particularly shown, a rotating plate (roulette) dedicated to the effect may be provided. Although not shown, the slot machine 10
A control device 20 (see FIG. 1) for controlling the entire operation of the device 10 is incorporated.

(Control Device 20) The control device 20 is mainly composed of a CPU (not shown), and has a ROM, a RAM,
/ O, etc. Here, the number of CPUs is not limited to one, and may be controlled by two or more CPUs. Further, the CPU, the ROM, the RAM, the I / O, and the like may be integrated to form a single chip. And the CPU is RO
By reading the program stored in M, the following devices (1) and (2) are configured.

(1) Game control device 21 (2) Effect control device 22 The game control device 21 controls the rotation and stop of the rotating reel 40 by operating the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. The effect control device 22 is for controlling the display device 66 such as a lamp and a speaker. The details will be described later.

The control device 20 comprises a main control device and a sub control device, and the game control device 21 is used as the main control device.
By arranging the effect control devices 22 in the sub-control devices, various effects can be performed without changing the memory capacity of the game control device 21. Also, by replacing only the sub-control device, it is possible to perform completely different effects even with the same model.

(Input Stage) The input stage of the control device 20 includes:
As shown in FIG. 1, the following parts are connected. (1) Make switch 15 (2) Bet switch 16 (3) Settlement switch 17 (4) Start switch 30 (5) Stop switch 50 The input stage is limited to the above-mentioned parts (1) to (5) It is not something to be done.

(Closing Switch 15) As shown in FIG. 2, the closing switch 15 is a switch located diagonally below the rotating reel 40, and detects a inserted game medal. (Bet Switch 16) As shown in FIG. 2, the bet switch 16 is a switch located below the rotating reel 40, and is used for reducing the number of stored medals and replacing the inserted medals.

(Adjustment Switch 17) As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment switch 17 is a switch located diagonally below the rotating reel, and is for paying out the stored inserted medals. (Start Switch 30) The start switch 30, as shown in FIG. 2, is a lever located diagonally below the rotating reel 40,
This is for starting the driving of the reel unit 60 on condition that the player inserts the game, or on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous game at the time of “Replay”.

Here, "Replay" means "replay (Repla)" by the lottery of the winning lottery means 110.
y) ”is established and the symbols of“ Replay ”are aligned on the activated pay line, so that the player can play the game again without inserting a new medal in the next game. You can do it. (Stop Switch 50) The stop switch 50 is for stopping the drive of the reel unit 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the stop switch 50 includes three switches corresponding to each rotating reel 40,
It is arranged one by one below each rotating reel 40. When the stop switch 50 corresponding to the rotating reel 40 is operated, the corresponding rotating reel 40 is set to stop rotating.

The stop switch 50 is a rotating reel.
It is formed so that it can be operated when a certain speed is reached after the start of rotation. (Output Stage) The following parts are connected to the output stage of the control device 20, as shown in FIG.

(1) Reel unit 60 (2) Hopper unit 65 (3) Sensor 150 (4) Display device 66 (lamp and speaker) (5) Index display section 67 The output stage is as described in (1) above. The present invention is not limited to the parts (5) to (5).

(Reel Unit 60) Reel Unit 60
Are three motors M fixed or supported on the frame F,
And three rotating reels 40 fixed to each motor shaft S. As shown in FIG. 6, each rotating reel 40 includes a reel drum 41 made of a synthetic resin, and a tape-shaped reel tape 42 attached around the reel drum 41. On the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape 42, a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols 61 are displayed.

Further, the rotating reel 40 has a cylindrical body 45 fixed to the motor shaft S and rotating simultaneously with the reel drum 41. The cylinder 45 functions as a detection body, and is provided with a plurality of holes 46 to form an index. The details will be described later. Note that the detection body is not limited to the cylindrical body 45, and may be, for example, a disk shape.

Here, in the case where an effect reel 44 dedicated to effect is provided separately from the above-mentioned game rotating reel (game reel 43), the reel unit 60 includes four motors M,
And four rotating reels 40 fixed to each motor shaft S. The four rotating reels 40 form three gaming reels 43 and one effect reel 44. The game reel 43 operates under the control of the game control device 21,
The effect reel 44 operates independently of the game reel 43 under the control of the effect control device 22.

(Hopper unit 65) Hopper unit
Although not shown, 65 is for paying out medals to the player based on the result of the game. (Sensor 150) The sensor 150 has one light-emitting unit 151 and a plurality of light-receiving units 152, and detects an index provided on the cylindrical body 45 to specify a symbol.
The symbol specification using the sensor 150 will be described later.

(Display Device 66) The display device 66 is a speaker, a display lamp, or the like, for notifying a player of a winning or the like. Specifically, under the control of the effect control device 22, a prize sound is generated from a speaker at the time of a prize, and a display lamp is turned on or blinked to notify a player of a prize or the like.

(Index Display Unit 67) The index display unit 67 is a window provided below the three rotating reels 40, as shown in FIG.
There are five 68 in a row. When the sensor 150 detects an index, the illuminant 68 displays the detected index. The details will be described later.

(Game control device 21) Next, the game control device 21
Will be described in detail. The game control device 21 operates the start reel 30 and the stop switch 50 to operate the rotating reel.
It is for controlling the rotation and stop of 40. The game control device 21 functions as the following (1) to (4).

(1) Normal game control means 70 (2) Special game control means 80 (3) Winning lottery means 110 (4) Symbol position judging means 120 The game control device 21 includes the above-mentioned (1) to ( It is not limited to the means of 4), and may include other means.

(Normal game control means 70) Normal game control means
70 is for making a normal game play. That is, when the start switch 30 is operated under the condition that a medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted, or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous game at the time of “Replay”, the reel unit 60 is driven, and the reel unit 60 is driven. Revolving reels 40
Starts to rotate.

Thereafter, when one of the stop switches 50 is operated, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel 40 stops.
The stop switch 50 is operable when the rotating reel 40 reaches a certain rotation speed. Accordingly, the stop switch 50 can be operated in a short time after the rotation of the rotating reel 40 has started. When all three stop switches 50 have been operated, the rotation of all three rotating reels 40 stops. At this time, when the predetermined symbol 61 stops on the activated pay line of the display window 12, a predetermined number of medals are paid out via the hopper unit 65. Instead of paying out medals, credits may be given.

The winning is accompanied by a payout of a game medal.
There is no small medal prize that gives the player a profit, a special prize that gives the player even greater profits than this small prize prize, and there is no payout of game medals, but again without inserting new game medals "Replay" that can be played. If the lottery result is one of the winnings, a winning flag corresponding to the winning is established. Then, when the lottery result is a special winning, a special winning flag is established. During the special winning flag is established, the stop symbol of the rotating reel 40 of the reel unit 60 is stopped.
61 combinations are predetermined special winning symbols
The winning is determined on condition that it matches 61 (for example, three "7" s are on the activated pay line), and the player is made to play an advantageous special game. on the other hand,
The special winning flag was established by lottery, but the reel 40
If the combination of the stop symbols 61 does not match the special prize symbol 61, the right to establish the special prize flag is carried over to the subsequent games. If the winning flag of the small role cannot determine the winning in the game for which the winning flag has been established, the right of the winning flag establishment does not carry over to the next game.

While any of the winning flags is established,
Whether or not the corresponding winning symbols 61 can be aligned on the activated pay line depends on the timing of the stop switch 50 when the rotation speed of the rotating reel 40 is constant. Specifically, after operating the stop switch 50, 1
Since the rotation reel 40 is set to stop within 90 ms, after operating the stop switch 50, the rotation reel 40 can be stopped as it is or can be stopped within 190 ms. For example, in a case where the corresponding winning symbol 61 is included in the four consecutive drawable symbols 61 continuous from the stop symbol, the time until the stop is delayed, and the rotating reel 40 is placed on the activated winning line. Then, the winning symbol 61 is pulled in and stopped. on the other hand,
In a case where the corresponding winning symbol 61 is not included in the four drawable symbols 61, the winning symbol 61 cannot be pulled into the activated winning line and stopped.

(Special game control means 80) Special game control means
80 is for causing the player to perform an advantageous special game based on the lottery result of the lottery means. The above special games are roughly classified into the following games. (1) Specific introduction game (BB game) (2) Specific game (RB game) (3) Specific winning game (JAC game) Note that a specific game, for example, an RB game is a specific introduction game.
For example, there is a case where the game is performed during the BB game and a case where the game is performed alone when the game is not being performed. Further, the above-mentioned specific winning game, that is, a so-called JAC game, is performed during the RB game. Further, the special game is not limited to the above-mentioned games (1) to (3).

As shown in FIG. 1, the special game control means 80 is roughly divided into the following means. (1) Specific introduction game control means 91 (BB game control means 9
0) (2) Specific game control means 101 (RB game control means 100) (Specific introduction game control means 91) Specific introduction game control means 91
Is for controlling the BB game.

Specifically, in a normal game, although not shown, for example, when three symbols 61 such as “7” are aligned on the activated pay line, for example, 15 medals are paid out via the hopper unit 65. . At this time, the BB game is started. When the game shifts to the BB game, the game is started by inserting up to three medals as in the normal game, and when the rotation of each of the three spinning reels is stopped, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols are aligned on the activated pay line. Payout of medals.

Therefore, during the BB game, the lottery including the small combination is performed every time as in the normal game.
However, if the specific winning symbols for shifting to the RB game during the BB game are aligned on the activated pay line, then the process shifts to the RB game. Usually, B
During the B game, the transition to the RB game is supposed to be performed, for example, up to three times. Therefore, after the first RB game is completed, the lottery and control similar to the normal game described above are performed again. Is what is done.

In the BB game, the number of RB games in the BB game is a predetermined maximum number of times, for example, three times, or
A predetermined maximum number of regular games during the B game, for example, a maximum of 3
The BB game ends when the game has ended 0 times. (Specific game control means 101) The specific game control means 101
It is for controlling the game.

Specifically, when the game shifts to the RB game, one medal is inserted, and when a predetermined symbol 61 of the rotating reel 40 is aligned with the center line of the display window 12, a specific prize winning game is determined. Is what is done. And RB
In the game, a maximum of 12 specific prize games to determine whether or not to win
The winning can be confirmed up to eight times. That is, up to eight winnings are confirmed,
Alternatively, the RB game ends when the maximum of 12 specific winning games have ended.

(Winning lottery means 110) The winning lottery means 110
A lottery for a prize determination as to whether or not a prize is made is performed based on a predetermined lottery probability. Then, when the lottery result by the prize lottery means 110 is a prize, a prize flag is established, and during the prize flag is established, the combination of the stop symbols of the rotating reel 40 matches a predetermined prize symbol. The winning is determined, and the player is provided with a medal payout or a special game.

As shown in FIG. 1, the winning lottery means 110 is roughly divided into the following means. (1) random number generating means 111 (2) random number extracting means 112 (3) winning determination table 113 (4) determining means 114 The winning lottery means 110 is limited to the above (1) to (4) is not.

(Random number generating means 111)
A random number for a winning lottery is set in a predetermined area (for example, 0 to 10 in decimal).
65535). (Random number extracting means 112) The random number extracting means 112 is a random number generating means.
The random number generated by 111 is extracted under a predetermined condition (for example, operation of the start switch 30). The extracted random numbers are used as extracted random number data.

Here, the “random number generating means” includes
In addition to a random number that can be generated by the average sampling method as a soft random number, a counter that adds a fixed range of numbers one by one at a high speed can also be used. For example, a counter in which a number in the range of 0 to 16383 is sequentially repeated about 7 million times per second can be considered.
Then, the "random number extracting means" reads the number of the counter when the start switch is pressed.

When formed in this way, the "random number generating means"
Although the random numbers are not generated, the numbers extracted by the "random number extracting means" have a distribution like random numbers. As described above, means for obtaining a number indicating a distribution like a random number as a result is considered here as being included in “random number generating means” or “random number extracting means”.

(Winning Determination Table 113) The winning determination table 113 has a winning area of each winning item in the whole area of the random numbers taken by the random number generating means 111. (Determining Means 114) The determining means 114 determines, based on the extracted random number data extracted by the random number extracting means 112 and the lottery probability data of the winning determination table 113, each of the winning items in the entire region of the random numbers generated by the random number generating means 111. This is to collate with the prize determination area data including the prize area, and determine a prize corresponding to the prize area to which the extracted random number data belongs.

(Symbol Position Judging Means 120) The symbol position judging means 120 judges the current position of the symbol 61 represented around the rotating reel 40 by using an index and a sensor 150 provided on the cylinder 45 of the rotating reel 40. It is for doing.
Here, during the operation of the slot machine, it is necessary to specify the symbol position in the following cases. For example, in step 104 of FIG. 3 showing the outline of the operation of the slot machine 10, a process of stopping the rotating reel 40 is performed. In order to stop a predetermined symbol on the activated pay line, a control called so-called pull-in or kick-off is performed. Is performed. In order to do this, it is necessary to recognize which symbol is present at a predetermined position, for example, the activated pay line of the symbol display window 13 at the moment when the stop switch 50 is operated.

Even if a rotation stop instruction is issued, the spinning reel 40 spins excessively due to inertia, and the symbol stored in the memory as the one that should have stopped and the symbol actually stopped are shifted. It is necessary to confirm the symbol position at the time when the reel has completely stopped. Further, when the effect reel 44 is rotated or stopped in association with the game, it may be necessary to recognize the symbol position before, during or immediately after the rotation of the reel. In particular, when controlling a complicated operation such as rotating the effect reel 44 in the reverse direction, it is desirable to be able to recognize the current position of the symbol.

The symbol position determining means 120 performs control for specifying the symbol position by activating the sensor 150 and detecting the index when the above-described symbol position is required. (Index and Sensor 150) Here, the details of the index and the sensor 150 provided on the cylinder 45 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cylindrical body 45 includes a cylindrical portion 47 and a bottom portion 48 for closing the opening of the cylindrical portion 47 from one side. 49, and is fixed to the motor shaft S. Cylindrical part 47
Are provided with one to five holes 46 having different permutations in the axial direction, and the row of the holes 46 constitutes a symbol corresponding index. That is,
When the cylindrical portion 47 is expanded, it becomes as shown in FIG. The numbers from 0 to 20 at the right end in the figure represent symbol numbers, and the arrows represent the rotation direction of the rotating reel 40. Also, white circles represent holes 46,
Black circles indicate that no holes are open.

The hole 46 may have a long hole shape as shown in FIGS. That is, the length of the hole 46 is
The outer circumference of 45 is formed to be slightly shorter than the length obtained by dividing the number of symbols (21), and the gap between each index is made as narrow as possible. In this way, the sensor
Since the part where 150 cannot detect the hole 46 decreases,
Even when the reels are stopped, the symbol position can be reliably detected.

Each index consisting of a row of the holes 46 is
A cylindrical body 45 is attached to the motor shaft S so as to correspond to the symbol shown on the outer periphery of the rotating reel 40, and is formed so as to be rotatable simultaneously with the rotating reel 40. The positioning at this time can be performed by providing cutouts in the motor shaft S and the shaft hole 49, respectively, and forming the cutouts so as to engage with each other.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 150 is an optical sensor having one light emitting portion 151 and five light receiving portions 152. The light emitting portion 151 is provided inside the cylinder 45, and the light receiving portion 152 is provided. They are arranged outside the cylindrical body 45 with the cylindrical part 47 interposed therebetween, and are fixed to the frame F. And the light receiving section 152
Are integrally formed by arranging five holes 46 at positions corresponding to the holes 46 so that up to five holes 46 can be simultaneously detected.

The sensor 150 is connected to the symbol position determining means 120.
However, it may be operated in response to a request signal from the index display control means 130.
This will be described later. When a disk-shaped detection body is provided instead of the cylinder 45, the index is a row of 1 to 5 holes 46 arranged radially from the center of rotation of the disk, and the sensor 150 is The light emitting unit 151 and the light receiving unit 152 can be arranged so that a maximum of five holes 46 can be detected simultaneously.

(Specification of Symbol Position) Next, the specification of the symbol position performed by the symbol position determination means 120 using the index and the sensor 150 having the above configuration will be described. After the operation of the start switch 30, the symbol position determination means 120
Until all the stop switches 50 are operated, light is output from the light emitting unit 151 of the sensor 150,
The index is detected by the light receiving unit 152, and the symbol position is specified based on the detection result. Alternatively, the sensor 150 may be activated when, for example, an operation signal of the stop switch 50 or a signal indicating that the game situation has reached a specific state is received. Specifically, the detection result transmitted from the light receiving unit 152 is compared with the symbol corresponding index data stored in the storage device inside the symbol position determination means 120, and it is determined which symbol is at a predetermined position. Things.

The symbol-corresponding index data is the light-receiving section
It stores the correspondence between the symbol corresponding to the index detected at the position where 152 is installed and the symbol located on the front side of the symbol display window 13 or on a predetermined activated pay line at that time. is there. For example, assuming that the light receiving unit 152 is located at a position shifted from the front by 5 frames in the rotation direction, and when the light receiving unit 152 detects the five holes 46 shown in FIG. The determining means 120 can specify the symbol 1 and can recognize that the symbol 16 which has returned five frames from the symbol 1 is on the front side.

(Operation of Slot Machine 10) Next, the outline of the operation of the slot machine having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, FIG.
In step 100, the start switch 30 is turned on by operating the start switch 30. At this time, the symbol position determining means 120
N. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 101.

In step 101, the winning lottery means 11
With 0, a lottery process is performed. And the next step 1
Go to 02. In step 102, the rotation of the rotating reel 40 starts. At this time, when the sensor 150 detects the hole 46, the symbol position determining means 120 can confirm the symbol position immediately after the start of rotation. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 103.

In step 103, the stop switch 50 is turned on by operating the stop switch 50.
N. Here, the stop switch 50 is a rotating reel.
Operation is possible when the rotation speed of 40 reaches a certain speed. Since the current position of the symbol is always confirmed by the symbol position determining means 120, even if the rotation reel 40 has started to rotate for less than one revolution, the stop switch
50 operations are possible. The symbol position determining means 120 confirms the symbol position when the stop switch is operated, and stores the symbol position in the memory. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 104.

In step 104, the rotation stop processing of the rotating reel 40 is performed. At this time, since the symbol position at the time of operating the stop switch has already been confirmed, the symbol to be stopped can be stopped at a predetermined position without rotating the rotating reel 40 at least once. The symbol position determining means 120 confirms the symbol position when the three rotating reels 40 are completely stopped, stores the symbol position in the memory, and turns off the sensor 150.
Set to FF. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 105.

At step 105, it is determined whether or not the stop switch 50 corresponding to the three reels 40 has been operated. When it is determined that the stop switch 50 corresponding to the three rotating reels 40 has been operated, the process proceeds to the next step 106. In step 106, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols corresponding to the winning flag are aligned on the activated winning line while the winning flag is established, that is,
It is determined whether or not the winning is determined. At this time, the winning is determined based on the stop symbol when the three rotating reels 40 are completely stopped, which is confirmed by the symbol position determining means 120. And
If it is determined that the winning is determined, the next step 107
Proceed to.

At step 107, a medal corresponding to a winning symbol is paid out. Then, the game ends.
If it is determined in step 105 that the stop switch 50 corresponding to the three rotating reels 40 has not been operated, the process returns to step 103. Step 1
If it is determined in 06 that the winning has not been determined, step 107 is skipped and the game ends.

The lottery process in step 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 200, a random number is extracted by the random number extracting means 112 from the random numbers generated by the random number generating means 111 of the winning lottery means 110. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 201.

In step 201, the extracted random numbers are stored in the random number extracting means 112. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 202. In step 202, the random number extracted by the determination means 114 and the winning determination table 1
Comparison with thirteen winning determination area data is performed. And
Proceed to the next step 203.

In step 203, the determining means 114 determines which of the winning regions in the winning determination table 113 contains the extracted random numbers, and determines the evaluation of the lottery process. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 204. In step 204, kicking of a predetermined symbol and retraction of the predetermined symbol are set. Then, the lottery process ends.

The process of stopping the rotation of the rotating reel 40 in step 104 will be described with reference to FIG. In step 300, it is determined whether or not kick setting has been achieved for a predetermined symbol. That is, it is determined whether or not the kick setting has been achieved for the stop symbol specified by the symbol position at the time of operating the stop switch, which has been confirmed by the symbol position determination means 200. Then, when it is determined that the setting of the kicking of the predetermined symbol has not been achieved, the process proceeds to the next step 301.

In step 301, the rotating reel 40 is rotated by one symbol. That is, kicking is performed for one symbol. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 302. In step 302, it is determined whether or not the number of the symbols obtained by rotating the rotary reel 40 by one symbol described above corresponds to the fourth symbol after the stop switch 50 is operated. After operating the stop switch 50, the number of symbols shifted by rotating the rotary reel 40 one symbol at a time becomes four.
In the case of the number, the process proceeds to the next step 303.

In step 303, the rotation of the rotating reel 40 is stopped. Thus, the operation of the slot machine 10 from the insertion of the medal to the stop of the rotation of the rotating reel 40 is completed. When it is determined in step 300 that the setting of kicking of a predetermined symbol has been achieved, the process proceeds to the next step 304.

In step 304, it is determined whether or not a draw is set for any of the symbols. Then, when it is determined that the pull-in is set for any of the symbols, the process proceeds to the next step 305. In step 305, it is determined whether the pull-in setting has been achieved. When it is determined that the pull-in setting has been achieved, the process proceeds to the next step 303.

If it is determined in step 304 that the drawing is not set for any of the symbols, the process proceeds to step 303. If it is determined in step 305 that the pull-in setting has not been achieved, the process proceeds to step 301. In the step 302, after the stop switch 50 is operated, if the number of symbols shifted by rotating the rotary reel 40 one symbol at a time is not the fourth symbol, the process returns to the step 300.

In the embodiment described above, the stop processing of the rotating reel 40 is described in steps 301 to 305, but this example is an example of so-called minimum pull-in stop control, and conversely, maximum pull-in stop. It is good also as control. Further, for example, at the timing when the stop switch 50 is pressed, the reel
A so-called table stop control method for determining the forty stop positions may be used. This table stop control has a plurality of tables based on the presence or absence of a winning flag and winning symbols with the winning flag being established, and a table according to a game situation is appropriately selected from the plurality of tables. .

In the table stop control, when the winning flag is established, the stop position is previously determined on the table so that the symbols corresponding to the winning flag are aligned on the activated pay line. This is a type of so-called pull-in setting. Also, when the winning flag is not established, the stop position is determined in advance on the table so that other winning symbols are not aligned on the activated pay line, and is provided with a kind of so-called kick skip setting. is there.

(Effect control device 22) Subsequently, the effect control device
22 will be described in detail. The effect control device 22 is a game control device
Based on various effect request signals from 21, it is for controlling effects associated with the game, such as emitting a sound or blinking a display lamp in accordance with the progress of the game.
The effect control device 22 has the following means (1) and (2) as shown in FIG.

(1) Index display control means 130 (2) Rotating body control means 140 The effect control device 22 is not limited to the above two means, but may include other means. (Index display control means 130) The index display control means 130 is for displaying the index detected by the sensor 150 on the index display section 67 by turning on the light emitter 68.

The index display control means 130 includes a detection request means and a signal conversion means (not shown), which sends an index detection request signal to the sensor 150 and detects the detection data of the light receiving section 152 of the sensor 150. And converts it into blinking information of the luminous body 68 and outputs it.
Then, on the index display section 67, the arrangement of the holes 46 of the index detected by the light receiving section 152 is displayed.

When the start switch 30 is operated, the detection request means sends a request signal to the sensor 150, and the index display is constantly performed while the rotating reel is rotating. Alternatively, for example, when the start switch 30 is operated, whether or not to perform index display may be determined by lottery, and a predetermined number of games may be displayed. Also, the display may be performed during a specific game, for example, during a BB game or a challenge time game. Note that the challenge time game is such that a part of stop control for a small winning combination symbol can be stopped based on a lottery result of whether or not to shift to a challenge time of the winning lottery means 110.

Under the control of the index display control means 130, the row of the holes 46 constituting the index is displayed on the index display section 67 in correspondence with the rotation of the rotary reel 40.
Are sequentially displayed as blinking. And the arrangement of the holes 46,
For example, by configuring as shown in FIG. 8, the index display unit 67 when the rotating reel 40 is spinning,
The illuminant will be displayed as if it represented a waveform. While watching the waveform, the player
You can measure when to press 50.

(Rotating Body Control Means 140) Rotating Body Control Means 140
Is for controlling rotation or stop of a rotating body for effecting, for example, effect reel 44 or effect roulette. Specifically, based on the effect request signal from the game control device 21, according to the result of the lottery of whether or not to perform the effect performed in the effect control device 22 and the lottery of the stop symbol, the effect reel 44 and the effect for the effect The rotation and the stop are controlled so that the symbol 62 displayed on the rotating body such as the roulette stops at a predetermined position. The rotating body control means 140
The motor can be controlled so that the effect reel 44 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, a predetermined symbol can be stopped at a predetermined position to give an announcement of winning, or an effect of giving an announcement that a specific game has started.

Here, when the effect reel 44 is provided as a means of effect (see FIG. 11), the effect controller 22 operates the sensor 150 corresponding to the effect reel 44 to specify the symbol position. The symbol position determining means 120 is provided separately from the game control device 21. The symbol position determination means 120 performs the same control as the above-described stop control of the rotating reel 40 (game reel 43). At this time, the current position of the symbol 62 can always be confirmed by the hole 46 and the sensor 150 provided on the effect reel 44,
Complex movements, such as rotating in a reverse order, may be used.

When a rotating plate such as a production roulette (not shown) is provided as the rotating body, the same control as described above is performed.

[0102]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. (Claim 1) According to the invention described in claim 1, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Since the current position of the symbol can be specified directly from the detecting device without providing the counting device, the symbol position can be specified immediately after the rotation and even during the rotation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably detecting an absolute position without providing an extra memory and without complicating the structure.

Further, since the detection body can be provided separately from the rotating body, the existing rotating body can be used as it is. (Claim 2) According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention,
Even if a complicated operation such as rotating the rotating body in the reverse direction is performed, the symbol position can be easily specified, and a gaming machine capable of performing various effects can be provided. (Claim 3) According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or claim 2, the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of surely specifying a symbol position even when the rotating body is stopped. (Claim 4) According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably specifying the position of 21 symbols. (Claim 5) According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
A slot machine having the above effects can be provided. (Claim 6) According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
By displaying the index corresponding to each symbol on the front panel, it can be used as an aid for pushing. (Claim 7) According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 5 or 6, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to provide a slot machine capable of stopping a reel in a short time after the start of rotation of a rotating reel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an input, a control, and an output of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external front view showing the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing an operation of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a lottery process among operations of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of rotation stop processing of a rotating reel in the operation of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the present invention and is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotating reel.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the present invention and is a perspective view showing a cylindrical body.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of the present invention and is a developed view of a cylindrical body.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a development view of a cylindrical body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an external front view showing a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Slot machine 11 Housing 12 Display window 13 Symbol display window 15 Closing switch 16 Bet switch 17 Settlement switch 20 Control device 21 Game control device 22 Production control device 30 Start switch 40 Spinning reel 41 Reel drum 42 Reel tape 43 Game reel 44 Production reel 45 Cylindrical body 46 hole 47 Cylindrical part 48 Bottom 49 Shaft hole 50 Stop switch 60 Reel unit 61 Pattern 65 Hopper unit 66 Display device 67 Index display part 68 Light-emitting body 70 Normal game control means 80 Special game control means 91 Special introduction game control means 101 Specific game control means 110 Winning lottery means 111 Random number generation means 112 Random number extraction means 113 Winning judgment table 114 Judgment means 120 Symbol position judgment means 130 Index display control means 140 Rotating body control means 150 Sensor 151 Light emitting unit 152 Light receiving unit M Motor F Frame S Motor shaft

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A motor fixed to a frame body, a rotating body formed rotatably by the motor and displaying a plurality of symbols, controlling the rotation of the rotating body, and performing a lottery of a winning with a predetermined probability. And a control device for performing, in a gaming machine in which the rotating body is used as a means of confirming a winning or an effect associated with a game, the rotating body, simultaneously rotating with the rotating body, corresponding to each symbol A sensor having a detection object having an index composed of a row of a plurality of holes, a light emitting unit disposed opposite to the detection object so as to sandwich the index, and a plurality of light receiving units corresponding to the plurality of holes. And that the sensor detects an index by detecting a light beam passing through the hole of the detection body by the light receiving unit, and that the position of the symbol is specified by the detection signal. Gaming machine and butterflies. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said motor is formed so as to be capable of rotating forward and backward. 3. The detection body is formed in a cylindrical body, and the index is formed by a hole formed to have a length slightly shorter than a length obtained by dividing the outer circumference of the cylindrical body by the number of symbols. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of symbols is 21, the index is a set of 1 to 5 holes, and 21 sets of different permutations are provided. 4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising five light receiving portions capable of simultaneously detecting five holes.
The gaming machine described. 5. The gaming machine has, as the rotating body, a rotating reel displaying a plurality of symbols around the rotating body, a start switch for starting rotation of the rotating reel, and stopping rotation of the rotating reel. A stop switch for controlling the start switch and the stop switch, and a plurality of symbols displayed on the front side in a state where the plurality of rotating reels are stopped, in a predetermined direction predetermined The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine in which medals are paid out on the condition that the medals are aligned on an effective pay line. 6. An index display section corresponding to each rotating reel is provided on a front surface of the housing, and a row of holes of the index detected by the sensor is displayed on the index display section.
The described slot machine. 7. The slot machine according to claim 5, wherein a stop switch can be stopped after the rotating reel reaches a certain speed.