JP2005199045A - Reel driving control device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a player from feeling the sense of unfairness by eliminating an occurrence of dispersion in a reel stop operable time by a player till forcibly stopping reels, in a reel driving control executing an important role in the progress of a game. <P>SOLUTION: In the control of automatically (forcibly) stopping the driving of reels 350A, 350B and 360C, when stop buttons 356A, 356B and 356C are unoperated for a predetermined time (30 seconds) while the reels 350A, 350B and 350C are started driving, a starting timing for counting the predetermined time is set after the reel driving becomes a steady state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotating cylinder for informing information based on a stopping mode when a rotating cylinder on which a plurality of information is displayed on a peripheral surface by a starting operation is driven by a driving force of a driving unit and stopped by a stopping operation. The drive control device, and a predetermined number of game media from the game media are put into a game-ready state, the game starts when the start operation is started, and the drive of the spinning cylinder is started. A game machine that notifies whether or not the winning lottery has been won by a display form of a pattern by the stop operation of the rotating drum and pays a dividend corresponding to the winning combination when the internal winning is notified Is.

  In addition, the “rotor” in the present invention refers to a structure that circulates a pattern that is continuous in a strip shape, and is a drum type that sequentially varies the pattern applied to the peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum, or along the longitudinal direction of the strip body. Including a belt drive type in which a pattern is provided, the belt is wound around a pair of rotating bodies, and circulated as an endless shape.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines, particularly pachislot machines, a predetermined number of medals are inserted and a start lever is operated to execute a lottery, and a plurality of rows (usually three rows) in which a plurality of symbols are displayed on the circumferential surface. The design variable reel (rotating drum) is rotated.

  The symbol variable reels that have started to rotate by the start lever can be stopped almost at the time that the player intends by operating the stop buttons provided corresponding to the reels.

  Here, when the start lever is operated, the internal lottery is executed and the winning / losing is determined, and the player performs the stop operation of each symbol variable reel by the stop button and wins the internal lottery. The rights will be exercised when the symbols corresponding to the winning are available.

  There are a small role and a big role, and for the exercise of the right for winning a small role, a payout of a preset game medium is executed (basically, a payout equal to or higher than the game medium thrown into the game). The small role includes replay (replay). At the time of replay, the right to replay is given on the assumption that a payout equivalent to the game medium inserted for the game is made.

  On the other hand, the exercising of the right of winning the big game shifts from the normal gaming state to a special gaming state for a predetermined period called a so-called bonus game (there are a regular bonus and a big bonus). In this bonus game, the winning probability of a small role (including replay symbols) increases dramatically, and many game media can be acquired in a short period of time (regular bonus). Note that a special game configured by combining the regular bonuses a plurality of times (three times) is referred to as a big bonus (see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, a stepping motor is applied as a driving source of the symbol variable reel that plays an important role in the progress of the game, and the driving control is performed with high accuracy (particularly, stop control).

  However, since stepping motors have a relatively low torque, it is common to drive them at an accelerated excitation pattern that is different from the excitation pattern at the time of steady rotation so that the rotational speed is reached at an early stage. There is a transition period (acceleration region) at the start of rotation, which is an unavoidable region.

Further, as a basic specification of the game, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the symbol variable reel started to rotate, it is forcibly stopped even if there is no stop operation (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-136740 A JP-A-9-262336

  However, in the conventional pachislot machine including the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the timer is started at the time when the start lever is operated, that is, immediately after the symbol variable reel starts to rotate, and for a predetermined time (for example, 30 When the stop operation is not performed after a lapse of seconds, the forced stop is performed, so that the acceleration region described above is included. Since the rotation of this acceleration region is unstable, the stop operation cannot be performed during the acceleration of the symbol variation reel from the viewpoint of the fairness of the game. Therefore, the time during which the player can actually stop the symbol variable reel during the predetermined time (30 seconds) differs depending on the model and the game, and may give a sense of fairness to the player. there were.

  In consideration of the above facts, in the drive control of the spinning cylinder, the player until the forced stop is started by starting the time count for the forced stop after the drive control by the acceleration control pattern is finished and the steady drive is started. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drive control device and a gaming machine for a spinning cylinder that can eliminate unfairness due to variations in the time during which the stop operation can be performed.

The invention according to claim 1 is based on a stop mode when a rotating cylinder having a plurality of pieces of information displayed on the peripheral surface is driven by a driving force of a driving unit by a start operation and stopped by a stop operation. A rotatory drive control device for informing, an acceleration drive control pattern for accelerating from a stop state to a steady drive state, a steady drive control pattern for maintaining the steady drive state, and the steady drive state Based on the respective patterns of the deceleration drive control pattern for decelerating to the stop state, the drive control means for controlling the drive means and the drive time by the steady drive control pattern after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern are measured. Timekeeping means, and the timekeeping means controls the drive means by a deceleration drive control pattern regardless of whether or not the stop operation is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Te, a forcible stop means for forcibly stopping the rotating cylinder
have.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the start operation is performed, the rotating drum is first controlled by the acceleration drive control pattern to start driving, and then controlled by the steady drive control pattern. Is maintained. If there is a stop operation in the steady drive state, the vehicle is controlled by the deceleration drive control pattern and stops while decelerating.

  Note that the deceleration drive control pattern has an accuracy of stopping almost immediately after the stop operation, and intentionally shifts and stops the stop position based on internal processing (in the case of a gaming machine, an internal lottery result). .

  Further, the forced stop means measures the drive time by the steady drive control pattern after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern.

  In other words, since the timing starts when the driving state under the steady drive control pattern is reached, it is possible to stabilize the time during which the operator (a player in the case of a gaming machine) can stop the spinning cylinder. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern, the position of the rotating cylinder is detected at at least one position of one rotation of the rotating cylinder. A position detection sensor is further provided, and the time measuring means sets the time when the position detection of the rotating drum by the position detection sensor is ended as a time measurement start time.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, immediately after the start of the drive control with the steady drive pattern, the position of the rotating cylinder is being detected by the position detection sensor, so whether or not the driving of the rotating cylinder is substantially stable. Is not known. Therefore, by setting the end of position detection by the position detection sensor as the timing start timing, it is possible to reliably measure the time when the rotation of the rotating drum is stable.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the position detection sensor completes the position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one round, and the time is determined as the acceleration driving of the rotating cylinder. It is characterized in that it depends on the drive control end time according to the control pattern and the speed at the time of steady rotation of the rotating drum.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the position detecting means detects while the rotating drum makes one round. The position detection period is theoretically zero if the position can be detected immediately after the start of the steady drive control pattern (immediately after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern of the cylinder). On the other hand, if the rotation speed of the rotating cylinder is Vrpm, the time (cycle) for one rotation is 1 / V. Therefore, the position detection time is between 0 and 1 / V.

  As described above, the time required for position detection is such that the position detection sensor completes the position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one turn, and the time is the drive control end time according to the acceleration driving control pattern of the rotating cylinder. As well as the speed of the rotating cylinder during steady rotation. After such an unstable time has passed, the time display for a predetermined time for forced stop is set as a timed start, so that the display form at the time of stop can be further stabilized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, a notification means for notifying that the stop operation is effective after the position detection by the position detection sensor is completed. It is characterized by further having.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is informed that the stop operation is effective when the rotating drum becomes completely stable. Thereby, a stop operation is not mistaken.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of game media are inserted from the game media to make it possible to play a game, a start operation starts the game, and the drive of the spinning cylinder is started. The winning lottery is executed, and whether the winning lottery is won or not is notified by the display form of the symbol by the operation of stopping the rotating drum, and when the internal winning is notified, a payout corresponding to the winning winning is performed. In the gaming machine, in the spinning cylinder, an acceleration drive control pattern for accelerating from a stopped state to a steady drive state, a steady drive control pattern for maintaining the steady drive state, and a deceleration drive control for decelerating from the steady drive state to a stopped state A drive control means for controlling the drive means based on the respective patterns, and the steady drive control pattern after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern. Time measuring means for measuring drive time, and forced stop means for forcibly stopping the rotating drum by controlling the drive means by a deceleration drive control pattern regardless of whether or not the stop operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. ,have.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, the drive control of the spinning cylinder plays an important role in the progress of the game. If the stoppage time is unstable, the player is given an unfair feeling. Therefore, the following drive control is performed.

  When there is a start operation, the rotating drum is first controlled by the acceleration drive control pattern to start driving, and then controlled by the steady drive control pattern, so that the steady drive state is maintained. Further, when there is a stop operation, it is controlled by the deceleration drive control pattern and stops while decelerating.

  Note that the deceleration drive control pattern has an accuracy of stopping almost immediately after the stop operation, and intentionally shifts the stop position to stop based on the internal lottery result.

  Further, the forced stop means measures the drive time by the steady drive control pattern after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern.

  That is, since the timing starts when the driving state is under the steady drive control pattern, the time during which the player can stop the spinning cylinder can be stabilized.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 5, the forcible stop means sets the time detection end time of the rotating drum by the position detection sensor as a timing start timing.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the position of the rotating cylinder is being detected by the position detection sensor immediately after the start of the drive control with the steady driving pattern, whether the driving of the rotating cylinder is substantially stable or not. Is not known. Therefore, by setting the end of position detection by the position detection sensor as the timing start timing, it is possible to reliably measure the time when the rotation of the rotating drum is stable.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the position detection sensor completes the position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one round, and the time is determined as the acceleration driving of the rotating cylinder. It is characterized in that it depends on the drive control end time according to the control pattern and the speed at the time of steady rotation of the rotating drum.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position detecting means detects while the rotating cylinder makes one round. The position detection period is theoretically zero if the position can be detected immediately after the start of the steady drive control pattern (immediately after the end of the drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern of the cylinder). On the other hand, if the rotation speed of the rotating cylinder is Vrpm, the time (cycle) for one rotation is 1 / V. Therefore, the position detection time is between 0 and 1 / V.

  As described above, the time required for position detection is such that the position detection sensor completes the position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one turn, and the time is the drive control end time according to the acceleration driving control pattern of the rotating cylinder. As well as the speed of the rotating cylinder during steady rotation. After such an unstable time has passed, the time display for a predetermined time for forced stop is set as a timed start, so that the display form at the time of stop can be further stabilized.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, a notification means for notifying that the stop operation is effective after the position detection by the position detection sensor is completed. It is characterized by further having.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is notified that the stop operation is effective when the rotating drum is in a completely stable state. Thereby, a stop operation is not mistaken.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the drive control of the rotating cylinder, after the drive control by the acceleration control pattern is finished, the player until the forced stop is started by starting the time measurement for the forced stop after the steady drive is started. It has an excellent effect that the unfairness due to the variation in the time during which the stop operation can be performed can be eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachi-slot machine 300 includes a main body 302 and an operation / decoration portion 303 as an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the main body 302.

  The operation / decoration unit 303 can be classified into a decoration unit 304, an operation unit 306, and a payout unit 310 from the top.

  The decoration unit 304 has a display panel unit 312 on which a printed picture or character is transmitted and illuminated by turning on a backlight unit (not shown). In addition, as a part of the decoration part 304, a three-dimensional electric decoration part 304A surrounding the decoration part 304 in an arch shape is also provided.

  The center of the display panel unit 312 of the decoration unit 304 is a display window 314. The display window 314 includes a transparent region that is integrally formed with the display panel unit 312.

  Inside the display window 314, a symbol variation portion 316 configured with three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C as main portions is disposed.

  Also, at the bottom of the display window 314, a 7-segment display unit 315A for displaying the number of medals paid out, a display unit 315B for displaying the remaining number of jack games and the game state (six levels), and 7 segments for displaying the number of credits A display portion 315C is provided.

  The operation unit 306 has an upper portion protruding forward, a medal insertion unit 320 is provided at the right end of the upper surface (table 306A) of the protruding portion, and a cancel button 355, one sheet in order from the upper left end. A bet button 352A and a max bet button 352B are provided. Further, a start lever 354, stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, and the like are provided in this order from the front left end of the protruding portion.

  The payout unit 310 includes a medal discharge port 326 and a tray 328 that receives medals discharged from the medal discharge port 326.

  By rotating the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, the symbols can be seen sequentially from the display window 314, and the symbols that are stopped in the central row of the display windows 314 are the basic stop symbol lines (effective lines). It becomes. Note that this basic stop symbol is a case where one medal is bet, and three medals can be bet in a maximum of one game, and in this case, it is stopped along the upward and downward lines. Symbols and symbols stopped on two diagonal lines are sequentially adopted as combination stopped symbol lines (effective lines) according to the number of medals invested.

  The stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are provided below the symbol changing unit 316 and correspond to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. That is, the rotation of the corresponding reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be stopped by operating the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the player.

  Further, by operating (tilting) the start lever 354 provided on the left side of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the reels 350A, 350B, 350C start to rotate. This rotation is normally such that the three reels 350A, 350B, 350C start rotating simultaneously.

  Further, the operation timing by the start lever 354 is a lottery timing, and hitting (winning) / off is determined by operating the start lever 354.

  Here, when the lottery is won (winning), the flag is established, and when the winning symbols are prepared after that, the right can be exercised, which is advantageous to the player. In addition, there are a major role (BB: big bonus, RB: regular bonus) and a small role in winning (winning), each of which has a different degree of advantageous state for the player.

  FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the pachislot machine 300.

  The control system of the pachislot machine 300 is configured with the main control unit 100 as a center, and the main control unit 100 includes stop buttons corresponding to the medal detection unit 102, the start lever 354, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. 356A, 356B, 356C, a MAX bet button 352B, a single bet button 352A, a cancel button 355, and a payout button 103 for returning a medal that is credited when the game is stopped, although not shown in FIG. , Generally referred to as an operation input system).

  In the main control unit 100, the operations of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C and the like are controlled in accordance with inputs from the respective operation input systems. In other words, the left (L), middle (C), and right (R) reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are connected to the main control unit 100, and the left, middle, and right reels 350A are respectively connected to the main control unit 100. , 350B, 350C are connected.

  The reel motors 106A, 106B, 106C applied to the present embodiment are four-phase excitation stepping motors (see FIG. 6).

  The main control unit 100 is connected to a display control unit 108 and a lamp control unit 110. The display control unit 108 includes a display device including the 7-segment display unit 315A, the display unit 315B, and the 7-segment display unit 315C described above. The display of the group 317 is controlled, and the display of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 313 provided for production is controlled. The lamp control unit 110 controls lighting of the lamp 112 and the like built in the lighting unit 304A. Further, the main control unit 100 is connected to a sound control unit 114 to control sound (sound effect) output from the speakers 305L and 305R.

  Further, a payout control unit 150 is connected to the main control unit 100, and by controlling the payout device 152, medals are paid out toward a tray 328 from a hopper (not shown) provided inside the device. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the display control unit 108, the lamp control unit 110, and the audio control unit 114 have been described separately from the main control unit 100. However, all functions may be mounted on the main control unit 100. The display control unit 108, the lamp control unit 110, and the sound control unit 114 may be combined to form a sub control unit.

  Here, when the lottery is a win, the flag is established, and after that, when the win symbols are gathered, it becomes a win and is in a state advantageous to the player. In addition, there are a big hit (big bonus) and a normal win (regular bonus), and the degree of the state advantageous to the player is different. Naturally, the big bonus is more advantageous than the regular bonus.

  Note that when the stop operation is performed by the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the slip control of a predetermined number of frames is executed according to whether the internal lottery is successful or not.

  That is, when the stop button 356A, 356B, 356C is operated at the stop timing of the symbol that stops only in the case of winning when the internal lottery is off, the stop position is shifted in order to intentionally avoid the stop at this symbol. (Kicking off).

  On the other hand, when the internal lottery is a win, if the winning symbol does not stop at the stop timing operated by the player, the stop position is intentionally shifted (retracted) to stop at this symbol.

  By kicking and pulling in, it is possible to have consistency with the lottery result, and even if the stop operation timing is slightly shifted, it is possible to align the winning symbols.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing a control system for normal game control in the main control unit 100.

  The start lever 354 is connected to the lottery unit 154, and after a predetermined number of medals have been inserted (betted), a lottery is executed with the operation of the start lever 354 as a trigger.

  The lottery unit 154 acquires a numerical value from the hardware random number counter when the start lever 354 is operated, and sends the acquired random number value to the symbol determining unit 158 of the winning combination via the table selecting unit 156. The table selection unit 156 obtains information indicating which gaming state is currently shown in FIG. 8 from the game program memory 162, and selects a table for determining a role / symbol. Based on the table selected by the table selection unit 156, the winning combination / symbol determination unit 158 determines the winning combination (small role (including replay), major role (RB, BB)) and winning symbol shown in FIG. And sent to the gaming state control unit 160.

  FIG. 8 shows a winning area division table for each internal lottery in the gaming state of this pachislot machine. FIG. 8 shows the winning area numbers in the row direction. 0 to No. In the 7 divisions up to 6, in the row direction, six game states are arranged: normal game, during BB internal selection, during RB internal selection, during normal operation during BB operation, during RB internal selection during BB operation, and RB game ing. In this table, unsuccessful winning means failure to draw. Replay means so-called (replay), and bell, watermelon, and cherry mean small roles. RB means regular bonus and BB means big bonus. FIG. 8 (chart) shows each winning area No. for each gaming state and for each set number of medals. The number of random numbers assigned to each is different. Also, at least for RB and BB, the number of random numbers assigned to the winning area varies depending on the setting values 1 to 6. In addition, “and RB” and “and BB” in FIG. 8 mean that even if the random numbers in the respective internal lottery are small roles and unjustified, RB and BB are reserved in the game, respectively. It is also possible to align.

  The game state control unit 160 is provided with a game execution control unit 160A, and program data is appropriately read from the game program memory 162, and processing is executed based on the program data. For example, in the normal game state, the normal game program is read from the game program memory 162, and in the big game state, the big game is played according to the internal winning state of BB and RB and the respective game states of BB and RB. A program is read and processing is executed based on each program data.

  Based on the start operation of the start lever 354, the reel drive control unit 164 drives the reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C after 4.1 seconds have elapsed from the end of the previous game, and controls the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. Start spinning. In addition, a flag management control unit 166 is connected to the gaming state control unit 160, and in the normal game control in the gaming state control unit 160, an internal winning combination is made based on information from the winning combination / symbol determination unit 158. The establishment / non-establishment of the corresponding flag is managed, and the information from the winning combination / symbol determining unit 158 is the winning area number of FIG. In the case of 0 to 4, the state of the flag is stored in the big game flag memory 170. In general, the state of the flag in the small role flag memory 168 disappears in one game (the flag is not established), and the state of the flag in the big role flag memory 170 is wisdom paper by each reel 350A, 350B, 350C. By displaying the big role symbol in a predetermined state on the display window 314, it is maintained until the big role is established.

  The states of the small role flag memory 168 and the big role flag memory 170 are sent to the reel drive control unit 164, and are slips for pulling or kicking in the stop control based on the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C. It is applied as a control parameter.

  Position detection sensors 172A, 172B, and 172C are attached to the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, respectively, and the stop positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are recognized by the reel drive control unit 164, and the slip control is performed. In addition, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped, and the symbol arrangement on the stopped reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is sent to the gaming state control unit 160.

  Based on the symbol arrangement of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C that have been stopped, the gaming state control unit 160 confirms whether or not the winning combination has been established. If replay control is executed, if a big player, a predetermined payout is executed, and then the big player game program is read from the game program memory 162.

  Here, after the start lever 354 is operated and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start driving, the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, thereby driving the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. Although it is normal to stop, if the player does not operate the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C, the reel drive control unit 164 will automatically start the reels 350A, 350A, after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). Control to stop 350B and 350C (forced stop).

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram for drive control including forced stop of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  The start lever 354 is connected to the reel drive start determination unit 10 and determines whether or not the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be driven. That is, the reel drive start determination unit 10 receives a game progress permission signal (not shown) that is output when the shortest time of one game has elapsed, and starts on the condition that the game progress permission signal is input. When the lever 354 is operated, the excitation switching timing control unit 12 is instructed to drive the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  Further, the big combination flag memory 168 and the small combination flag memory 170 are connected to the slip control unit 14. The slip control unit 14 controls the excitation switching timing control unit 12 to perform slip control (retraction or kicking) when the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is stopped based on the winning state of the winning combination and the type of winning combination. Instruct.

  An excitation pattern data memory 18 is connected to the excitation switching timing control unit 12 via an excitation pattern reading unit 16. The excitation switching timing control unit 12 instructs the excitation pattern reading unit 16 to read acceleration drive excitation pattern data from the excitation pattern data memory 18 at the start of driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. After the elapse of time, an instruction is given to read the steady drive excitation pattern data. In addition, when the stop operation signal from the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C is input from the manual stop instruction unit 20 to the excitation pattern reading unit 16, the excitation switching timing control unit 12 receives the deceleration drive excitation pattern data. Instruct to read.

  The excitation pattern data read by the excitation pattern reading unit 16 is sent to the excitation control unit 21. In the excitation control unit 21, the reel drivers 22A, 22B, and 22C are based on the synchronization signal from the excitation switching timing control unit 12. To control the driving of the reel motors 106A, 106B, 106C of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C.

  In addition, the excitation switching timing control unit 12 is connected to the reel index management unit 24 and sends an index start signal when starting steady driving. The reel index management unit 24 recognizes the positions of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on signals from the position detection sensors 172A, 172B, and 172C provided on the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, and once per rotation. Generate and manage the index signal. Position detection by the position detection sensors 172A, 172B, and 172C is performed while the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C make one rotation at maximum.

  That is, if the start of steady driving (when the index start signal is input) is exactly the detection timing during one rotation, theoretically, an index signal is generated at the same time (in 0 seconds), and then once per rotation. Are continuously generated. On the other hand, if the steady driving start (when the index start signal is input) is immediately after the detection timing has passed, an index signal is generated at the point of approximately one rotation, and then one index signal is generated per rotation. Generated continuously.

  For example, if the number of rotations of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C during steady rotation is 79.5 rpm, the reciprocal number (1 / 79.5≈0.01258 minutes≈0.755 seconds) is the period, and therefore the index starts. The time taken from the start to the end (the generation of the first index signal) is variable between 0 and 0.755 seconds.

  When the generation of the first index signal is completed, the position data of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is sent to the excitation switching timing control unit 12, and the winning / non-use of the function when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated, It is the standard for slip control based on the role. The excitation switching timing control unit 12 and the game execution control unit 160 exchange data with each other to synchronize the progress of the game and the driving states of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  In addition, when the generation of the first index signal is completed, the reel index management unit 24 controls lighting of the lamps 28A, 28B, and 28C included in the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C via the lamp drivers 26A, 26B, and 26C. To do. In the lamp drivers 26A, 26B, and 26C, when the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C is invalid (stop state, reel acceleration excitation drive state), for example, the lamp is lit in red and the stop operation is enabled. From the time (when the first index signal is generated) until the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C are operated. The player is notified of the validity / invalidity of the operation of the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C by the difference in the lighting color.

  Furthermore, the reel index management unit 24 is connected to the automatic stop timer management unit 30, and sends out an index end signal when the generation of the first index signal is completed.

  The automatic stop timer management unit 30 resets and starts the automatic stop timer 32 based on the index end signal. The automatic stop timer 32 is connected to the automatic stop time determination unit 34 and sends out a timer count signal as needed.

  The automatic stop timing determination unit 34 sends an automatic stop instruction signal to the excitation switching timing control unit 12 when the timer count signal reaches a predetermined count value (a count value corresponding to 30 seconds). In response to the automatic stop instruction signal, the excitation switching timing control unit 12 receives the automatic stop instruction signal from the excitation pattern data memory 18 from the excitation pattern data memory 18 even when the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated. Is controlled to read.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start to drive, undergo acceleration driving, and index management (position detection) of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C to be executed thereafter ends. The automatic stop timer 32 is configured to be reset and started so that the time can be counted after the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are driven stably. As a result, the stop control does not vary.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
(Normal game flow)
When a medal has been inserted and betting with the single bet button 352A and the max bet button 352B is completed, it is determined whether or not the start lever 354 has been operated. At the same time as this operation, winning / losing lottery is performed.

  The result of the lottery is determined, and in the case of winning, the flag is established in an internal control (internal winning), and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start to rotate.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the stop operation stops the rotation of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. However, the stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is performed in consideration of the slip control. Executed. That is, when the flag is established, the winning symbol can be stopped at an accurate eye-pressing timing. Further, a slight shift in the stop operation timing is corrected by slip control. On the other hand, when the flag is not established, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are caused to slip even if they are pushed, so that they do not stop at the winning symbol.

  Next, when all the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol is hit.

  If it is determined that the player is a major character, bonus game control is executed (exercise of the right). If it is determined that the user is a small character, predetermined payout control preset for the small character is executed. .

  It is assumed that the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C start driving and the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated by the player based on the operation of the start lever 354 in the progress of the game. When the player does not operate the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C, the player automatically stops (forced stop) at intervals to avoid permanent driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  In this case, in the past, timing was started immediately after the start of driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, but at the start of driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, the speed varies due to acceleration control, and the automatic stop is caused by this variation. This may affect the stop state (stop symbol state). Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is in the steady driving state, the timing for the automatic stop is started (particularly in the present embodiment, after the steady driving state). And start timing after the index ends.)

  Hereinafter, drive control of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the timing charts of FIGS.

  In step 200, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to start rotation, that is, whether or not the start time 354 has been operated under the permission to proceed with the game, and the determination is affirmative. After moving to 202 and setting the drive mode to the “rotation start mode”, the routine proceeds to step 204 (see arrow A in FIG. 6).

  If a negative determination is made in step 200, the start lever 354 has not been operated yet, so the routine proceeds to step 242 described later, and the stop lamps 28A, 28B, 28C remain red.

  In step 204, it is determined whether or not the drive mode is the “rotation start mode”. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 206 to read acceleration drive excitation pattern data, and based on this acceleration drive excitation pattern data, The reel motors 106A, 106B, and 106C are driven, and the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are driven and controlled (step 208).

  In the next step 210, the drive mode is set to the “acceleration mode” and the process proceeds to step 212 (see arrow B in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 204 (not “rotation start mode”), the routine proceeds to step 214. In step 214, it is determined whether or not the drive mode is “acceleration mode”. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 212.

  In step 212, it is determined whether or not the acceleration by the acceleration drive excitation pattern is completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 204.

  Further, when an affirmative determination is made in step 212, it is determined that the acceleration has been completed, the process proceeds to step 214, the steady drive excitation pattern is read, then the process proceeds to step 216, and the reels 350A, 350B, 350C are Drive control is performed based on the read steady drive excitation pattern.

  In the next step 218, the drive mode is set to “index waiting mode”, and the process proceeds to step 220 (see arrow C in FIG. 6). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 214, the process proceeds to step 220.

  In step 220, it is determined whether the current drive mode is “index standby mode”, that is, whether an index signal has been generated. If an affirmative determination is made in step 222, the reel 350A by the position detection sensors 172A, 172B, 172C is determined. , 350B and 350C are detected. That is, the symbol position information of each reel 350A, 350B, 350C is corrected based on the detected position. Next, in step 224, it is determined whether or not the position detection of all the reels 350A, 350B, 350C has been completed. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 218. If the determination in step 224 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 226, where it is determined whether or not the index detected flags for all the reels 350A, 350B, 350C are already set. As a result, if a negative determination (No) is made, the flag has not yet been set, and the process proceeds to step 272.

  In step 272, the all reel index detected flag is turned ON. Raise this flag. If the flag indicating that the index has been detected is set at step 226 (Yes), the stop lamp already turns green and the automatic stop timer has already been started. Note that if a negative determination is made in step 220, the process proceeds to step 234.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 226, it is determined that the position detection of all the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C has been completed (the first index signal has been generated), the process proceeds to step 228, and the lamps 28A, 28B, and 28C are determined. The lighting state of is switched from red lighting to green lighting, and the process proceeds to step 230.

  When the lighting of the lamps 28A, 28B, and 28C changes to green, the player knows that the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C can be stopped.

  In the next step 230, the automatic stop timer 32 is reset / started, and then the process proceeds to step 232 where the drive mode is set to “waiting for stop mode” and the stop buttons 356A, 356B, 356C can be stopped. Thus, the process proceeds to step 234 (see arrow D in FIGS. 6 and 7).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the process of step 232 is performed after step 228, and even if the lamps 28 </ b> A, 28 </ b> B, 28 </ b> C are switched to green lighting, if the player does not go through step 232, the player actually stops the buttons 356 </ b> A, 356 </ b> B, 356 </ b> C. However, since the processing from step 228 to step 232 is actually performed instantaneously, the player can feel that the operation of the stop button has become possible as well as the green lighting. Also, the timer 32 starts measuring time almost simultaneously with the green lighting.

  In step 234, it is determined whether or not the current drive mode is “waiting for stop mode”. If the determination is negative, it is determined that the reels 350 </ b> A, 350 </ b> B, 350 </ b> C are in a stopped state, and the process proceeds to step 242.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 234, the process proceeds to step 236 to determine whether or not the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are operated. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 238. Stop control of the corresponding reel 350A (or 350B or 350C) is executed, and the process proceeds to step 240. In step 240, it is determined whether or not all the reels 350A, 350B, 350C are stopped. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 204. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 240, the process proceeds to step 242.

  If a negative determination is made in step 236, the process proceeds to step 244, where it is determined whether or not the time measured by the automatic stop timer 32 is up in the automatic stop timing determination 34, and if a negative determination is made. Returns to step 204.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 244, the process proceeds to step 246, where the forced stop control of all reels 350A, 350B, 350C is executed (see arrow E in FIG. 7), and the process proceeds to step 242. In step 242, the lighting state of the lamps 28A, 28B, 28C is switched from green to red.

  Note that the deceleration drive control pattern for forced stop control has the accuracy to stop almost instantaneously after the conventional stop operation, and intentionally shifts the stop position based on the internal lottery result to stop the internal lottery. This prevents the occurrence of a situation where the winning symbols are aligned due to the automatic stop despite the failure. However, if automatic stop control of the reels 350A, 350B, 350C by forced stop is performed based on the internal lottery result, if the internal lottery result is a big hit, depending on the timing of the stop control of each reel, the big hit symbol by the automatic stop It is possible that they will be aligned. The possibility that the symbols of the winning combination by the automatic stop are gathered becomes even greater in the case of a small role or replay. If it is based on the idea that the occurrence of such a situation may cause the player to feel unfair, in the case of an automatic stop by forced stop, the main control unit 100 then plays an internal winning combination. Regardless of the case, the reel drive control unit 164 may be controlled such that the lost pattern is activated and the reel stops at the off pattern.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C have started to be driven and the stop buttons 356A, 356B, and 356C are not operated for a predetermined time (30 seconds), they are automatically (forced). In the control for stopping the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C, the timing start timing of the predetermined time (30 seconds) is set after the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is in a steady state. In particular, when the driving of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is in a steady state and the index is finished, the player of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can perform a rotation stop operation by resetting and starting the automatic stop timer 32. The possibility of time instability can be avoided, and no unfair feeling is given to the player.

  In the present embodiment, the reset / start timing of the automatic stop timer 32 is set at the end of the index, but it may be set at the switching timing from the acceleration drive excitation control to the steady drive excitation control, that is, at the index start time. After the start of the index, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are driven stably, and there is no variation in the predetermined time (30 seconds) until the set forced stop.

It is a perspective view of the pachi-slot machine concerning this embodiment. It is an operation control block diagram of the pachi-slot machine according to the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed functionally the control system mainly having the normal game in the main control part. It is a functional block diagram for drive control including the forced stop of the reel in the reel drive control part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reel drive control routine which concerns on this Embodiment. 6 is a timing chart (startup / acceleration → steady state) showing reel drive control according to the present embodiment. 6 is a timing chart (steady state → deceleration / stop) showing reel drive control according to the present embodiment. It is a table figure which shows the division | segmentation of the winning area for every gaming state of the pachislot machine which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reel drive start discrimination | determination part 12 Excitation switching timing control part 14 Slip control part 16 Excitation pattern reading part 18 Excitation pattern data memory (drive control means)
20 Manual stop instruction section 21 Excitation control section (drive control means)
22A, 22B, 22C Reel driver 24 Reel index management unit 26A, 26B, 26C Lamp driver 28A, 28B, 28C Lamp 30 Automatic stop timer management unit (forced stop means)
32 Automatic stop timer (time measuring means)
34 Automatic stop timing discriminator (forced stop means)
100 main control unit 106A, 106B, 106C reel motor 154 lottery unit 155 game progress speed management unit (game progress speed management unit)
160 Game state control unit 162 Game program memory 164 Reel drive control unit (drive control means)
172A, 172B, 172C Position detection sensor 300 Pachi-slot machine (game machine)
350A, 350B, 350C Reel 354 Start lever 356A, 356B, 356C Stop button

Claims (8)

Driving of the rotating drum for notifying the information based on the stopping mode when the rotating drum having a plurality of information displayed on the peripheral surface is driven by the driving force of the driving means by the starting operation and stopped by the stopping operation. A device,
Acceleration drive control pattern for accelerating from the stop state to the steady drive state, a steady drive control pattern for maintaining the steady drive state, and a deceleration drive control pattern for decelerating from the steady drive state to the stop state in the rotating cylinder Drive control means for controlling the drive means based on:
Time measuring means for measuring the drive time by the steady drive control pattern after the end of drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern;
Regardless of the presence or absence of the stop operation after a lapse of a predetermined time, the time measuring means controls the driving means by a deceleration drive control pattern, and forcibly stops the rotating drum,
A drive control device for a rotary drum having A position detection sensor for detecting the position of the rotating cylinder at least at one location of one rotation of the rotating cylinder after the end of the driving control by the acceleration driving control pattern;
2. The drive control device for a rotating cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring means sets a time when the position detection of the rotating cylinder by the position detection sensor ends as a timing start timing.   The position detection sensor completes position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one round, and the time is determined according to the drive control end time according to the acceleration driving control pattern of the rotating cylinder and the speed at the time of steady rotation of the rotating cylinder. 3. The drive control device for a rotary cylinder according to claim 2, wherein the drive control device depends on the rotation.   4. The drive control of the rotating drum according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that the stop operation is effective after position detection by the position detection sensor is completed. 5. apparatus. When a predetermined number of game media are inserted from the game media, the game is ready, and when the start operation is performed, the game starts and the rotation of the drum starts. It is a gaming machine that informs whether or not the lottery has been won by the display form of the symbol by the stop operation of the rotating drum, and when the internal winning is informed, pays a dividend corresponding to the winning combination,
Acceleration drive control pattern for accelerating from the stop state to the steady drive state, a steady drive control pattern for maintaining the steady drive state, and a deceleration drive control pattern for decelerating from the steady drive state to the stop state in the rotating cylinder Drive control means for controlling the drive means based on:
Time measuring means for measuring the drive time by the steady drive control pattern after the end of drive control by the acceleration drive control pattern;
Regardless of the presence or absence of the stop operation after a lapse of a predetermined time, the time measuring means controls the driving means by a deceleration drive control pattern, and forcibly stops the rotating drum,
A gaming machine having. A position detection sensor for detecting the position of the rotating cylinder at least at one location of one rotation of the rotating cylinder after the end of the driving control by the acceleration driving control pattern;
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the time measuring unit sets a time when the position detection of the rotating drum by the position detection sensor is ended as a time starting time.   The position detection sensor completes position detection while the rotating cylinder makes one round, and the time is determined according to the drive control end time according to the acceleration driving control pattern of the rotating cylinder and the speed at the time of steady rotation of the rotating cylinder. The game machine according to claim 6, wherein the game machine depends on the game machine. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising notification means for notifying that the stop operation is valid after position detection by the position detection sensor is completed.

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