JP2005237624A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which enables the smooth rotation of the rotary display bodies at a fast or low speed using a motor capable of generating the torque necessary and sufficient for the fast rotation of the rotary display bodies smoothly when the power with the prescribed voltage value is continuously supplied to the motor during the period of excitation in the individual phases thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A motor drive part which supplies the excitation signal to stepping motors 170-172 for driving the rotary drums 180-182 during the period of excitation in the individual phases thereof supplies the continuous excitation signal during the period of excitation in the individual phases of the stepping motors 170-172 when the rotary drums 180-182 are rotated at the first rotational speed and the excitation signal intermittented with the prescribed cycle and the prescribed duty ratio during the period thereof when the drums 180-182 are rotated at the second rotational speed lower than the first rotation speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a rotation display body, and relates to a technique for rotating the rotation display body.

A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is known that uses a rotating display body such as a rotating drum as a display device. In such a gaming machine, a plurality of symbols are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary display body along the rotation direction. Then, for example, when the rotation display body stops after rotating, when a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display window or when a combination of predetermined symbols is displayed, a privilege is given to the player.
Usually, in such a gaming machine, the rotation display body is controlled to a stopped state or a high-speed rotation state at a predetermined high-speed rotation speed. Therefore, in order to smoothly rotate the rotary display body at a high speed when a DC power source having a predetermined voltage value (for example, DC 12 V) is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase of the motor as a motor for driving the rotary display body. A motor that generates a necessary and sufficient torque is used.

By the way, for the purpose of enhancing the production effect, such a rotating display body may be controlled to a high speed rotation state at a predetermined high speed rotation speed and a low speed rotation state at a predetermined low speed rotation speed.
In this case, if the motor is rotated at a low speed using a DC power source of a predetermined voltage (for example, DC 12V), the motor torque becomes excessive and the rotation display body cannot be smoothly rotated.
In view of this, there has been proposed a gaming machine configured to supply power to the motor with different voltage values depending on whether the rotation display body is controlled in a high-speed rotation state or in a low-speed rotation state. (See Patent Document 1)
However, when such a configuration is used, it is necessary to provide a power supply circuit that outputs power supplies having a plurality of voltage values.
In view of this, there has been proposed a gaming machine configured so that the rotary display can be smoothly rotated at a high speed and a low speed without using power supplies having different voltage values. (See Patent Document 1)
In this gaming machine, when rotating the rotary display at high speed, power is intermittently supplied to each phase with a large duty ratio (ratio of pulse period to pulse width) during the excitation period of each phase of the motor. Yes. When rotating the rotary display at a low speed, power is intermittently supplied to each phase with a small duty ratio during the excitation period of each phase of the motor. That is, an excitation signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the rotational speed of the rotary display is supplied to each phase of the motor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-234953

In the conventional gaming machine described above, excitation signals with different duty ratios corresponding to a predetermined high-speed rotation speed or a predetermined low-speed rotation speed are supplied to each phase of the motor when the rotary display body is rotated at a high speed or a low speed. ing.
However, when a DC power source having a predetermined voltage value (for example, DC12V) is used and a DC power source having a predetermined voltage value (for example, DC12V) is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, the rotary display body In a game machine using a motor that generates a necessary and sufficient torque to smoothly rotate the motor at a high speed, an excitation signal with a different duty ratio is applied when the rotating body is rotated at a high speed and at a low speed. When the technology for supplying each phase is used, in particular, the rotation display body may not be smoothly rotated at a high speed due to insufficient torque due to the delay in the rise of the excitation current of the coil of each phase.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a point, and in order to smoothly rotate the rotary display body at a high speed when a power source having a predetermined voltage value is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase of the motor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of smoothly rotating a rotary display body at high speed and low speed using a motor that generates necessary and sufficient torque.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in the claims is configured.
(Invention of Claim 1)
The gaming machine according to claim 1 is a rotary display body having a symbol arranged on an outer peripheral portion thereof, a display section capable of displaying a symbol arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the rotary display body, and a stepping motor for driving the rotary display body. And a motor drive unit.
The “rotating display” of the present invention is rotatably arranged on the gaming machine, and a pattern is arranged on the outer peripheral portion, and when stopped after rotating, such as a display window provided on the gaming board of the gaming machine The display unit includes all rotating bodies that are configured to recognize symbols and symbol combinations (hereinafter referred to as stop symbols and stop symbol combinations). Using such a “rotating display”, a special symbol or a normal symbol that gives a privilege to the player may be displayed by a combination of a stop symbol or a stop symbol, or an effect display that enhances the player's interest is displayed. May be.

  A wide variety of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are included as gaming machines having a rotation display. Further, the number of rotation display bodies provided in the gaming machine may be one or more. When there are a plurality of rotation display bodies, the motors that drive the rotation display bodies correspond to the respective rotation display bodies. May be provided, or may be provided in common to a plurality of rotating display bodies.

The “motor drive unit” of the present invention includes circuits and components that sequentially output excitation signals during the excitation period of each phase of the motor. Typically, the “motor drive unit” includes a switching element connected to the input side of each phase of the motor, a drive circuit that controls on / off of the switching element, and the like. In addition, as a method in which the “motor driving unit” excites each phase coil of the motor by outputting an excitation signal during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, one-phase excitation, 1-2 phase excitation, two-phase excitation, etc. Are all included.
The “excitation period of each phase of the motor” indicates an output period of one excitation signal for exciting the coils of each phase of the motor. For example, in the case of one-phase excitation, this corresponds to an excitation signal output period for one step.

By the way, in such a gaming machine, as described in the prior art, when a power source having a predetermined voltage value is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, the rotating display body is smoothly rotated at a high speed. In some cases, it has been impossible to smoothly rotate the rotary display body at high speed and low speed using a motor that generates a torque necessary and sufficient.
In the gaming machine according to the present invention, in order to cope with such a problem, the motor drive unit supplies a continuous excitation signal to the excitation period of each phase when rotating the rotation display body at the first rotation speed, When rotating the rotation display body at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed, an excitation signal intermittent at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied during the excitation period of each phase.

The “first rotation speed” and “second rotation speed” of the present invention are preferably set in advance in the gaming machine. Further, it is sufficient that the “second rotational speed” is relatively low as compared with the “first rotational speed”.
The “continuous excitation signal” is a signal that is continuously on from the beginning to the end of the “excitation period of each phase of the motor” described above (on when the excitation signal is “H” level (high level)). And “on” at “L” level (low level)). On the other hand, “intermittent excitation signal” is a predetermined period shorter than the excitation period during the excitation signal output period. It means a signal in which the ON state / OFF state is repeated in a cycle of. In any of the signals, when the excitation signal is on, power is supplied to the corresponding phase of the motor.

The motor drive unit of the gaming machine of the present invention provides an excitation signal that is continuous at a high speed (first rotation speed) and intermittent at a predetermined period and a predetermined duty ratio at a low speed (second rotation speed). Is output. As a result, when a DC power source having a predetermined voltage value (for example, DC12V) is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, torque necessary and sufficient for smoothly rotating the rotating display body at a high speed is generated. By using this motor, it is possible to prevent insufficient torque during high-speed rotation and excessive torque during low-speed rotation, and to smoothly rotate the rotation display body during both high-speed rotation and low-speed rotation. In addition, power consumption during low-speed rotation can be reduced.
Furthermore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, since a continuous excitation signal is output during high-speed rotation, the duty ratio of the intermittent excitation signal may be one type for low-speed rotation. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of high-frequency pulse signals having different duty ratios, and it is not necessary to perform control for changing the duty ratio when rotating the rotary display body from high speed rotation to low speed rotation or from low speed rotation to high speed rotation. The configuration for controlling the motor drive unit is simple.

  According to the present invention, when a rotating display body provided in a gaming machine is supplied with power of a predetermined voltage value continuously during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, the rotating display body can be rotated smoothly at high speed. Using a motor that generates necessary and sufficient torque, it can be smoothly rotated at a high speed and a low speed.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a pachinko machine 100 that can display a special symbol related to the provision of a privilege to a player using three rotating drums will be described. In FIG. 1, the schematic block diagram of the rotating drums 180-182 arrange | positioned at the game board front surface of the pachinko machine 100 of this Embodiment is shown. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system of the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of a control circuit for the motor 170 that rotates the rotary drum 180. FIG. 4 shows a timing chart when the rotary drum 180 is rotated at high speed → low speed → stop with respect to the control circuit of the motor 170 shown in FIG.

First, a schematic configuration of the rotary drums 180 to 182 will be described with reference to FIG.
Each of the three rotating drums 180 to 182 provided in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface. The rotary drums 180 to 182 can recognize three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) in the display windows 180a to 182a with the rotary drums 180 to 182 stopped. Thus, the game board is rotatably arranged. Further, markers (not shown) indicating the reference position are provided on the inner sides of the rotary drums 180 to 182 on the rotary drums 180 to 182, respectively. Then, when the power to the pachinko machine 100 is turned on, the position of the marker is detected by using an origin position detection sensor (not shown), and the reference positions of the rotary drums 180 to 182 are recognized. Motors 170 to 172 corresponding to the rotary drums 180 to 182 are connected to the rotary drums 180 to 182 (refer to FIG. 2 together), and the rotary drums 180 to 182 are connected to the motors 170 to 172 based on the recognized reference position. Used for rotation and stop control.
In FIG. 1, the rotary drums 180 to 182 are stopped in a state where “7” is displayed in the lower stage of the rotary drum 180, “7” is displayed in the middle stage of the rotary drum, and “7” is displayed in the upper stage of the rotary drum 182. . In this way, when the rotary drums 180 to 182 stop after rotating, the combination of symbols that are in the horizontal (left-right direction in FIG. 1) or diagonally one row (in FIG. 1, “7” “7” “7” ) Is displayed, the player can recognize that it is a win.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 100 includes control devices such as a power supply device 110, a prize ball control device 120, a main control device 130, a sub control device 140, and a display control device 150. Each control device is configured as a control board on which electronic components, wiring, and the like are arranged, and the control boards are connected by a connector or the like.
The power supply device 110 converts the AC 24V power source into a control power source (generally DC 5V) used in each control board, a DC 12V power source used in a motor or the like, and supplies it to each control board.
Although not specifically shown, main controller 130 is provided with a CPU and a storage element in which a game control program is stored. The main controller 130 also includes a winning detector 131 for detecting that a game ball has won a winning opening (not shown) provided in the game board, and a starting opening provided in the gaming board. A start detector 132 that detects that a game ball has entered is connected to (not shown). When the control power is supplied from the power supply device 110 and the game is started by the player, the CPU of the main control device 130 reads the game control program from the storage element. Then, the CPU uses the game control program and based on the detection signals (winning signal, starting signal) of the winning detector 131, the starting detector 132, etc., the prize ball control device 120, the sub control device 140, the display control device 150, etc. The game is executed by controlling.
The prize ball control device 120 is connected to a prize ball device 121 that pays out a predetermined number of game balls when a game ball wins a prize opening.
The display control device 150 is connected to a display (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display for effect display.

Further, the sub-control device 140 is provided with a CPU 141. Among the output ports of the CPU 141, d0 to d3 are connected to the driving IC 142, d4 to d7 are connected to the driving IC 143, and d8 to d11 are connected to the driving IC 144. The driving ICs 142 to 144 are also connected to a high frequency pulse output terminal of the CPU 141. The outputs of the driving ICs 142 to 144 are connected to the inputs of the switching circuits 145 to 147, respectively. The outputs of the switching circuits 145 to 147 are connected to the phase inputs of the motors 170 to 172, respectively. Rotating drums 180 to 182 are connected to the motors 170 to 171, and the rotating drums 180 to 182 are rotated and stopped when the motors 170 to 172 are controlled to rotate and stop by the CPU 141.
In the present embodiment, DC 12V DC power is supplied to each of the motors 170 to 172. Further, each motor 170 to 172 has a torque necessary and sufficient to rotate the rotating drums 180 to 182 at a predetermined high speed when a DC 12 V DC power supply is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase. The motor which generates is used.

Next, an example of the driving IC 142 and the switching circuit 145 illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The driving IC 143 and the switching circuit 146, and the driving IC 144 and the switching circuit 147 are the same as the driving IC 142 and the switching circuit 145, and thus description thereof is omitted.
In the present embodiment, a case where the four-phase monofilament winding stepping motor 170 is unipolarly driven by the one-phase excitation method will be described. In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3, an AND gate (logical product circuit) is used as the driving IC 142. Generally, in the case of a DIP type IC such as “74HC08”, four AND gates are accommodated in one package.
Driving signals S1, S2, S3, and S4 output from the output ports d0 to d3 of the CPU 141 are supplied to one input pin of the AND gates 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d, and the high frequency of the CPU 141 is commonly used for the other input pins. A signal (excitation permission signal HF) output from the pulse output terminal is input. The bases of NPN transistors Tr1 to Tr4 of the switching circuit 145 (transistor array) are connected to output pins of the AND gates 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d, respectively. The collectors of the transistors Tr1 to Tr4 are connected to the respective phases (A, B, C, D) of the motor 170 and output excitation signals L1 to L4 of the respective phase coils. The emitters of the transistors Tr1 to Tr4 are connected to each other and grounded.
The “excitation permission signal HF” (corresponding to “a high level signal or a pulse signal having a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio”) is an excitation signal supplied to each phase of the motors 170 to 172 during high-speed rotation. The continuous excitation signal is used to make an excitation signal intermittent at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio during low-speed rotation.
The CPU 141 sets a mode for outputting a high-level signal from the high-frequency pulse output terminal or a mode for outputting a pulse signal, and setting the cycle (1 / frequency) and duty ratio of the pulse signal in a predetermined built-in register. It is executed by setting (storing) values (mode setting value, cycle setting value, duty ratio setting value). For example, the CPU 141 sets “0” as the mode setting value in the mode setting register to set the mode in which a high level signal is output from the high frequency pulse output terminal, and sets “1” as the mode setting value. By setting, a mode in which a pulse signal is output from the high frequency output terminal is set. Furthermore, by setting the desired cycle setting value and duty ratio setting value in the cycle setting register and duty ratio setting register, respectively, the cycle and duty ratio of the pulse signal output from the high frequency output terminal can be changed to the desired cycle and duty ratio. Set.
The CPU 141 corresponds to the control circuit of the present invention, the processing circuit built in the CPU 141 corresponds to the processing circuit of the present invention, and the register built in the CPU 141 corresponds to the storage circuit of the present invention.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment is the “gaming machine” of the present invention, the rotary drums 180 to 182 are the “rotary display” of the present invention, the transistors Tr1 to Tr4 are the “switching element” of the present invention, The AND gates 142a to 142d correspond to the “logical product circuit” of the present invention. The transistors Tr1 to Tr4 and the AND gates 142a to 142d are components of the “motor drive unit” of the present invention.

The operation | movement which rotates and stops the rotating drums 180-182 is demonstrated about the pachinko machine 100 with which such a control system was comprised.
When a game is started and a winning signal is input from the winning detector 131 to the main control device 130, the main control device 130 pays out from the winning ball device 121 the number of game balls corresponding to the input winning signal. A prize ball command signal instructing this is output to the prize ball control device 120. Further, when a start signal is input from the start detector 132 to the main controller 130, the main controller 130 controls a prize ball command signal for instructing to pay out a predetermined number of game balls from the prize ball device 121. In addition to outputting to the device 120, a lottery is performed to obtain lottery information, and a symbol command signal instructing to variably display symbols corresponding to the lottery information determination result is output to the sub-control device 140.

As described above, in the sub-control device 140 to which the symbol command signal is input, after the rotary drums 180, 181, and 182 are rotated, the rotary drums 180, 181, and 182 are combined with the stop symbol indicated by the symbol command signal. Stop. Hereinafter, details of the operation of rotating and stopping the rotary drum 180 will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. Since the same applies to the rotating drums 181 and 182, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The timing chart shown in FIG. 4 shows a case where the motor 170 is controlled so that the rotating drum 180 is rotated at a low speed (16 ms / 1 step) after being rotated at a high speed (2 ms / 1 step) and then stopped. ing. In this series of operations, the CPU 141 of the sub-control device 140 to which the symbol command signal has been input is used for the control program, pre-stored parameter values, and the aforementioned internal registers (for example, mode setting register, cycle setting register, duty ratio setting). Execute based on the value set in the register.
Here, the period (1 / frequency) of the pulse signal output as the excitation permission signal HF and the duty ratio (ratio of the period T at which the excitation permission signal HF is at the “H” level and the time x at which the “H” level is at [x] / T]), as described above, the torque necessary and sufficient to rotate the rotating drums 180 to 182 at a predetermined high speed when a DC 12 V DC power supply is continuously supplied during the excitation period of each phase. The motors 170 to 172 that generate the power are used, and during the excitation periods of the respective phases of the motors 170 to 172, the DC12V power is intermittently supplied at the same cycle and duty ratio as the excitation permission signal HF. The cycle and the duty ratio are set so that 182 can be smoothly rotated at a low speed at a predetermined low speed. Specifically, the CPU 141 sets a cycle setting value and a duty ratio setting value that satisfy this condition in the cycle setting register and the duty ratio setting register described above, respectively. In the present embodiment, the frequency (1 / period T) is set to 25 kHz, and the duty ratio is set to 15%.

During high-speed rotation, the CPU 141 outputs drive signals S1 to S4 of 2 ms per step to the driving IC 142. FIG. 4 shows waveforms of drive signals S1 to S4 of four steps at times t0 to t4 during high speed rotation.
During this time, as the drive signal S1, the “H” level is output from time t0 to t1, and the “L” level is output from time t1 to t4. Further, as the drive signal S2, the “L” level is output from time t0 to t1, the “H” level is output from time t1 to t2, and the “L” level is output from time t2 to t4. Further, as the drive signal S3, the “L” level is output from time t0 to t2, the “H” level is output from time t2 to t3, and the “L” level is output from time t3 to t4. Further, as the drive signal S4, the “L” level is output from time t0 to t3, and the “H” level is output from time t3 to t4.
Further, as the excitation permission signal HF, the “H” level is output at the times t0 to t4 (the mode setting value “0” is set in the mode setting register).
The outputs (excitation signals L1 to L4) of the AND gates 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d to which the drive signals S1 to S4 and the excitation permission signal HF are input are generated as drive signals S1 to S4 as shown in FIG. It becomes a pulse signal with synchronized timing and waveform. The excitation signals L1 to L4 are sequentially output to each phase (A phase, B phase, C phase, D phase) of the motor. As a result, the A-phase coil, B-phase coil, C-phase coil, and D-phase coil of the motor 170 are sequentially excited, and the rotor of the motor 170 rotates at high speed.
For example, when the motor 170 is a motor having a specification that rotates once in 240 steps, the excitation signals L1 to L4 at the times t0 to t4 described above are repeated 60 times (60 = 240/4) to make one rotation. . In this case, since it is 2 ms per step, the motor 170 rotates once in 0.48 seconds. In this way, the rotating drum 180 connected to the motor 170 is rotated at a high speed.
Note that the set value set (stored) in the built-in register may change due to noise or the like. Therefore, the CPU 141 sets a mode setting value (for example, “0”) for outputting a high-level signal from the high-frequency pulse output terminal to the mode setting register every predetermined time while rotating the rotating drum at high speed ( It is preferable to store (refresh). Thereby, the rotating drum can be reliably rotated at a high speed.

  The excitation signal L1 input to the A phase of the motor has a period from time t0 to t1, the excitation signal L2 has a period from time t1 to t2, the excitation signal L3 has a period from time t2 to t3, and the excitation signal L4 has The period from time t3 to t4 corresponds to the “excitation period of each phase of the motor” of the present invention. The rotational speed (2 ms / 1 step) of the rotary drum 180 corresponds to the “first rotational speed” of the present invention. Also, the excitation signal L1 in the period of time t0 to t1 shown in FIG. 4, the excitation signal L2 in the period of time t1 to t2, the excitation signal L3 in the period of time t2 to t3, and the period of time t3 to t4. The excitation signal L4 corresponds to the “continuous excitation signal” of the present invention.

Next, during low-speed rotation, the CPU 141 outputs drive signals S1 to S4 of 16 ms per step to the driving IC 142. FIG. 4 shows the waveforms of the four-step drive signals S1 to S4 between times t10 and t14 during high-speed rotation.
During this time, as the drive signal S1, the “H” level is output from time t10 to t11, and the “L” level is output from time t11 to t14. Further, as the drive signal S2, the “L” level is output from time t10 to t11, the “H” level is output from time t11 to t12, and the “L” level is output from time t12 to t14. Further, as the drive signal S3, the “L” level is output from time t10 to t12, the “H” level is output from time t12 to t13, and the “L” level is output from time t13 to t14. Further, as the drive signal S4, the “L” level is output from time t10 to t13, and the “H” level is output from time t13 to t14.
Further, as the excitation permission signal HF, a high frequency pulse signal with a frequency of 25 kHz and a duty ratio of 15% is output at times t10 to t14 (a mode setting value “1” is set in the mode setting register and the cycle setting register is set). “Set the cycle setting value corresponding to 25 kHz” and “Set the duty ratio setting value corresponding to 15%” in the duty ratio setting register).
The outputs (excitation signals L1 to L4) of the AND gates 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d to which the drive signals S1 to S4 and the excitation enable signal HF are input are logical products of the drive signals S1 to S4 and the excitation enable signal HF. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive signals S1 to S4 are intermittent signals that are repeatedly turned on / off by the excitation permission signal HF output during the "H" level period. That is, the transmission timing is synchronized with the drive signals S1 to S4 and the excitation permission signal HF, and a pulse-like signal having a waveform synchronized with the excitation permission signal HF is obtained. The excitation signals L1 to L4 are sequentially output to each phase (A phase, B phase, C phase, D phase) of the motor. As a result, the A-phase coil, B-phase coil, C-phase coil, and D-phase coil of the motor 170 are sequentially excited, and the rotor of the motor 170 rotates at a low speed.
For example, when the motor 170 is a motor having a specification that rotates once in 240 steps, the motor 170 rotates once by repeating the excitation signals L1 to L4 at times t10 to t14 60 times (60 = 240/4). . In this case, since it is 16 ms per step, the motor 170 rotates once in 3.84 seconds. In this way, the rotating drum 180 connected to the motor 170 is rotated at a low speed.
At this time, the excitation current of each phase coil decreases in accordance with the duty ratio even when the power supply voltage of the motor 170 is the same DC12V as that at the time of high-speed rotation (continuous energization pulsed excitation signal). The torque of the motor 170 at the time is reduced, and the rotating drum 180 rotates smoothly at a low speed.
Note that the set value set (stored) in the built-in register may change due to noise or the like. Therefore, the CPU 141 periodically sets a mode setting value (for example, “0”) that causes the mode setting register to output a high-level signal from the high-frequency pulse output terminal at predetermined intervals while rotating the rotating drum at a low speed. Set (store) a desired cycle setting value (for example, a cycle setting value corresponding to 25 kHz) in the setting register and a desired duty ratio setting value (for example, a duty ratio setting value corresponding to 15%) in the duty ratio setting register It is preferable to refresh (refresh). Thereby, the rotating drum can be reliably rotated at a predetermined low speed.

  During low-speed rotation, the excitation signal L1 input to the A phase of the motor has a period from time t10 to t11, the excitation signal L2 has a period from time t11 to t12, and the excitation signal L3 has a period from time t12 to t13. However, in the excitation signal L4, the period of time t13 to t14 corresponds to the “excitation period of each phase of the motor” of the present invention. Further, the rotational speed (16 ms / 1 step) of the rotary drum 180 corresponds to the “second rotational speed” of the present invention. Also, the excitation signal L1 in the period from time t10 to t11, the excitation signal L2 in the period from time t11 to t12, the excitation signal L3 in the period from time t12 to t13, and the period from time t13 to t14 shown in FIG. The excitation signal L4 corresponds to the “intermittent excitation signal” of the present invention.

Next, when stopping the motor 170, the CPU 141 continues to output an excitation signal in a predetermined phase of the motor 170 (phase A in FIG. 4). Also at this time, an intermittent signal that repeats on / off at a frequency of 25 kHz and a duty ratio of 15% is output as an excitation signal as in the low-speed rotation described above. As a result, the rotor of the motor 170 stops at a stable position when the A-phase coil is excited, and the rotary drum 180 is fixed at the corresponding stop position.
Thus, by using an intermittent excitation signal at the time of stop, power consumption at the time of stop can be reduced.
In order to prevent the set value set in the built-in register from changing at the time of stopping, the built-in register may be refreshed every predetermined time.

In this manner, continuous energization excitation signals are supplied to the respective phases of the motors 170 to 172 when the rotating drums 180 to 182 are rotated at high speed, and intermittent energization signals are supplied to the phases of the motors 170 to 172 at low speed rotation. As a result, a motor that generates a torque necessary and sufficient to smoothly rotate the rotating drums 180 to 182 at a high speed when DC 12 V DC power is continuously supplied during the excitation periods of the respective phases of the motors 170 to 172 is used. The rotating drums 180 to 182 can be rotated smoothly at high speed during high speed rotation, and the excitation current of each phase coil can be reduced during low speed rotation to prevent rattling of the rotating drums 180 to 182 due to excessive torque. The rotating drums 180 to 182 can be smoothly rotated at a low speed. That is, the rotating drums 180 to 182 can be smoothly rotated during high-speed rotation and low-speed rotation.
In addition, when the rotating drums 180 to 182 rotate at high speed, a continuous energization excitation signal is output to each phase of the motors 170 to 172, so that a power supply of a predetermined voltage value (for example, 12V) is used as much as possible. An inexpensive motor that can be used can be used.
Furthermore, when the rotary drums 180 to 182 are stopped, the intermittent excitation signal similar to that during low-speed rotation is continuously output in a predetermined phase, so that the power consumption can be reduced compared to the case where the continuous energization excitation signal is continuously output. Can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the coil of the phase that continues to output the excitation signal from being heated.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the circuit diagram shown in FIG.
The second embodiment is configured as a modification of the driving IC 142 shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, elements substantially equivalent to those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 5, a three-state buffer is used as the driving IC 242. In general, in the case of a DIP type IC such as “74HC244”, the three-state buffer accommodates eight elements in one package.
The drive signals S1, S2, S3, and S4 are applied to the input pins (input terminals) of the three-state buffers 242a, 242b, 242c, and 242d, and the gate input pins (gate terminals) (in FIG. 5, "L" active three-state control. Pins) are connected to each other, and an excitation cut-off signal HF obtained by inverting the level of the excitation permission signal HF with an inverter or the like is input. That is, in the present embodiment, the excitation cutoff signal HF is always at the “L” level during the high-speed rotation of the rotary display bodies 180 to 182 and permits the output of the drive signals S1, S2, S3, and S4. On the other hand, at the time of low speed rotation, it becomes “H” level at a predetermined cycle and a duty ratio of (1−predetermined duty ratio). While the excitation cutoff signal HF is at “H” level, the output of the drive signals S1, S2, S3, S4 is cut off.
The excitation cutoff signal HF corresponds to a pulse signal obtained by inverting the level of a pulse signal having a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio.
As an output signal output from the output pins (output terminals) of the three-state buffers 242a, 242b, 242c, and 242d connected in this way, the gate opens when the gate input is at "L" level, and the input drive signal S1 to S4 are output as they are. When the gate input is at the “H” level, the output is “undefined”, but the transistor outputs (excitation signals L1 to L4) are caused by pull-down resistors provided between the base and emitter of each transistor of the switching circuit 145. , “L” level. Therefore, the same excitation signals L1 to L4 (also see FIG. 4) as in the first embodiment are input to each phase of the motor.

  The transistors Tr1 to Tr4 of this embodiment correspond to the “switching element” of the present invention, and the three-state buffers 242a to 242d correspond to the “gate circuit” of the present invention. The transistors Tr1 to Tr4 and the three-state buffers 242a to 242d correspond to the “motor drive unit” of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, as the three-state buffer used as the driving IC, an IC in which eight elements are accommodated in one package as described above is often used. On the other hand, the AND gate used in the first embodiment is often an IC in which four elements are accommodated in one package. Therefore, especially when there are a plurality of rotating drums and motors, the number of ICs to be used is smaller and the mounting area of components is better when using a three-state buffer IC having a large number of elements included in the driving IC. Can be reduced. Therefore, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the first and second embodiments, and various changes, additions, and deletions are possible.
In the embodiment, the three rotary drums 180 to 182 provided with special symbols related to the provision of a privilege to the player are used. Symbols can be used, and various numbers of rotating drums can be used.
Although the case where the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 100 has been described in the embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to other types of gaming machines such as a slot machine.
In the embodiment, the one-phase excitation method is used as the excitation method for the motors 170 to 172, but various excitation methods such as a 1-2-phase excitation method and a two-phase excitation method can be used as the excitation method. It is known that in the 1-2 phase excitation method, the change in the angle of the rotor per step is halved so that the control can be performed more finely. In the two phase excitation method, the motor vibration suppression effect is known.
Further, the period (or frequency) and duty ratio of the excitation permission signal HF or the excitation cutoff signal HF at the time of low-speed rotation are not limited to the embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the AND circuit is configured using an AND gate, but may be configured using a NAND gate or the like.
In the second embodiment, a non-inverting output three-state buffer (outputs the input signal as it is) is used as the gate circuit. However, the inverting output three-state buffer (inverts the level of the input signal). Output) or the like. Furthermore, although an “L” active gate circuit (output when the gate signal is “L” level) is used, an “H” active gate circuit (output when the gate signal is “H” level) is used. You can also. In this case, an excitation permission signal is used as a gate signal depending on whether a three-state buffer or an inverted output three-state buffer is used, or an “L” active one or an “H” active one is used. Select whether to use HF or excitation cutoff signal HF .
As the control circuit (CPU 141), control circuits having various configurations can be used.

The present invention can also be configured as follows.
(Aspect 1)
“Rotary display body having symbols arranged on the outer peripheral portion, display portion capable of displaying the symbols arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the rotary display body, a stepping motor for driving the rotary display body, and a predetermined predetermined A gaming machine comprising a power supply unit that outputs a voltage power supply and a motor drive unit,
When rotating the rotating display body at a first rotation speed, the motor driving unit continuously supplies power output from the power supply unit during an excitation period of each phase, and the rotating display body is When rotating at a second rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of 1, the power output from the power supply unit is supplied at a predetermined period and a predetermined duty ratio during the excitation period of each phase.
A gaming machine characterized by that. "

The motor drive unit of the gaming machine of the present invention continuously supplies power of a predetermined voltage output from the power supply unit during the excitation period of each phase during high speed (first speed) rotation, ) During rotation, the power output from the power supply unit is supplied at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio during the excitation period of each phase. As a result, when a power supply of a predetermined voltage is supplied continuously during the excitation period of each phase of the motor, a motor that generates torque necessary and sufficient to smoothly rotate the rotary display body at a high speed can be smoothly used. It can be rotated at high speed and low speed. In addition, power consumption during low-speed rotation can be reduced.
Further, in the gaming machine of this aspect, the duty ratio of the intermittent energization excitation signal may be one for low speed rotation. Therefore, when generating an excitation signal, it is not necessary to prepare a high-frequency signal with a different duty ratio, and it is not necessary to perform control to change the duty ratio, so that the excitation signal is generated by controlling the motor drive unit. Became easier.

(Aspect 2)
“The gaming machine of aspect 1, wherein the excitation period of each phase when the rotary display body is rotated at the second rotational speed is each of the cases when the rotary display body is rotated at the first rotational speed. A gaming machine characterized by being longer than the phase excitation period. "
According to the gaming machine of this aspect, the rotation display body can be reliably rotated at a low speed.

(Aspect 3)
“A gaming machine according to aspect 1 or 2,
The motor drive unit supplies power output from the power supply unit to the predetermined phase of the stepping motor at the predetermined cycle and the predetermined duty ratio when stopping the rotation display body. A featured gaming machine. "
According to the gaming machine of this aspect, when the rotary display body is stopped, it can be fixed at a predetermined position and power consumption can be reduced.

(Aspect 4)
“A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 3,
The motor drive unit includes a switching element for supplying power output from the power supply unit to each phase of the stepping motor, a pulse signal having a length corresponding to an excitation period of each phase of the stepping motor, and a high level A logical product circuit that outputs a logical product signal to the switching element with a signal or a pulse signal having the predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio,
A gaming machine characterized by that. "

The “logical product circuit” in this aspect broadly includes a circuit (for example, an AND element) that can output a logical product signal of two input signals.
According to this aspect, it is possible to simply configure a circuit that outputs a continuous energization excitation signal or an excitation signal intermittent at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio.

(Aspect 5)
“A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 3,
The motor driving unit includes a switching element and a gate circuit for supplying power output from the power supply unit to each phase of the stepping motor,
The gate circuit includes an input terminal to which a pulse signal having a length corresponding to an excitation period of each phase of the stepping motor is input as an input signal, and a high-level signal or a pulse having the predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio. A gate terminal for inputting a signal as a gate signal; and an output terminal for outputting an output signal to the switching element. An input signal input to the input terminal when the gate signal is input to the gate terminal. Output from the output terminal,
A gaming machine characterized by that. "

(Aspect 6)
“A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 3,
The motor driving unit includes a switching element and a gate circuit for supplying power output from the power supply unit to each phase of the stepping motor,
The gate circuit inverts a pulse signal having a length corresponding to the excitation period of each phase of the stepping motor and a high level signal or a pulse signal having the predetermined period and a predetermined duty ratio. A gate terminal that receives the inverted pulse signal as a gate signal and an output terminal that outputs an output signal to the switching element, and is input to the input terminal when no gate signal is input to the gate terminal. Output input signal from the output terminal,
A gaming machine characterized by that. "

In Aspect 5 and Aspect 6, the description “output the input signal input to the input terminal from the output terminal” means that when the gate circuit is a three-state buffer, the input signal is output to the output terminal as it is, When the gate circuit is an inverted output three-state buffer, it means a mode in which the level of the input signal is inverted and output.
According to this aspect, for example, a DIP type IC such as 74HC244 in which eight three-state buffers are accommodated can be used as the driving IC (four AND elements are accommodated in the DIP type IC such as 74HC08). Therefore, the mounting area of components on the control board can be reduced. In addition, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

(Aspect 7)
"A gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 6,
A control circuit for controlling the motor drive unit;
The control circuit includes a pulse signal having a length corresponding to an excitation period of each phase of the stepping motor and a high-level signal or a pulse signal having the predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio. Is a game machine characterized by outputting. "
As this “control circuit”, a CPU incorporating a register (memory circuit) is typically used.
According to the gaming machine of this aspect, each signal can be easily output.

(Aspect 8)
“A gaming machine according to aspect 7,
The control circuit has a processing circuit and a memory circuit,
Depending on the mode setting value that the processing circuit stores in the storage circuit, a high level signal or pulse signal is output from the control circuit, and the cycle setting value and duty ratio setting value that the processing circuit stores in the storage circuit, A gaming machine, wherein a cycle and a duty ratio of a pulse signal output from the control circuit are set. "
According to the gaming machine of this aspect, it is easy to switch the output mode of the high level signal and the output mode of the pulse signal, and to set the cycle and the duty ratio of the pulse signal.

(Aspect 9)
“A gaming machine according to aspect 8,
The processing circuit has at least the mode setting value when rotating the rotating body at the first rotation speed, and the mode setting value when rotating the rotating body at the second rotation speed, A gaming machine that stores a cycle setting value and a duty ratio setting value at predetermined time intervals. "
Various noises are generated in the game hall where the gaming machine is provided, and the set value stored in the memory circuit may change due to the noise.
According to the gaming machine of this aspect, since the set value stored in the storage circuit is set (refreshed) every predetermined time, even if the set value stored in the storage circuit changes due to noise or the like, it is correct. The set value is stored. Thereby, the rotation display body can be accurately controlled.

The general view of the rotating drums 180-182 arrange | positioned at the player side front surface of the pachinko machine 100 of 1st Embodiment is shown. The block diagram of the control system of the whole pachinko machine 100 is shown. An example of the control circuit of the motor 170 that rotates the rotary drum 180 provided in the pachinko machine 100 is shown. The timing chart figure at the time of rotating the rotating drum 180 about the control circuit of the motor 170 is shown. An example of the control circuit of the motor 170 of 2nd Embodiment is shown.

Explanation of symbols

100 Pachinko machine 140 Sub-control device 142 Driving IC
141 CPU (control circuit)
145 Switching circuit 170 Motor 180, 181, 182 Rotating drum

Claims (1)

A rotation display body having a symbol arranged on the outer peripheral portion, a display section capable of displaying the symbol arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the rotation display body, a stepping motor for driving the rotation display body, and a motor driving portion. A gaming machine,
When rotating the rotation display body at a first rotation speed, the motor drive unit supplies a continuous excitation signal during the excitation period of each phase, and the rotation display body is moved to a lower speed than the first rotation speed. When rotating at a rotation speed of 2, an excitation signal intermittent at a predetermined cycle and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied during the excitation period of each phase.
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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