JP2005296263A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can carry out the performances using an endless belt without being associated with no complicated control. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine 10 has the cabinet 11 and a front door 12 which is provided on the front part of the cabinet 11 and openably supported on one side part of the cabinet 11. When a start lever 71 provided almost at the central left part of the front door 12 is operated, visually recognizable reels 42L, 42M and 42R are started to turn through display windows 31L, 31M and 31R. When stop switches 72-74 are operated, the reels 42L, 42M and 42R corresponding to the respective stop switches 72-74 are stopped. At this point, the control is made for the performances, for example, by making the symbols of the reels 42L, 42M and 42R line up in the same symbols until the reels 42L, 42M and 42R reach the fixed speed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

  As a gaming machine that stops after rotating a plurality of reels, for example, there is a slot machine. In the slot machine, a plurality of symbols are given to the outer peripheral portion of each reel, and a part of the symbols given to each reel is visible through the display window. Each reel starts rotating when a player inserts a medal and operates the start lever. After each reel starts rotating, each reel is operated by operating a stop switch or elapse of a predetermined time. Stop sequentially. Inside the slot machine, a lottery is performed on condition that a medal is inserted and the start lever is operated. As a condition, a predetermined number of medals are paid out, and a privilege such as the occurrence of a predetermined game (special game state) advantageous to the player is given. In recent years, a slot machine has been proposed in which an auxiliary display unit such as a liquid crystal display is provided in order to enhance the fun of the game, and various effects are produced by the auxiliary display unit.

  However, the real pleasure of a slot machine is that you can actively participate in a game where you watch a change in a symbol and stop at a predetermined symbol. Therefore, it is preferable to produce the effect with the reel from the point of concentrating the player on the rotation of the reel, and a proposal has been made to teach the symbol to be stopped on the effective line with the reel (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to rotate each reel at an individual acceleration when performing control to rotate at least the symbols, and the processing load of the control device that drives and controls each reel increases. is there.

The above problems are not limited to slot machines, but also apply to other gaming machines that rotate a plurality of endless belts and then stop the rotation of reels and other endless belts based on the player's operation. is there.
JP 2003-180936 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing an effect using an endless belt without complicated control.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in the embodiment of the invention is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
Each endless belt starts to rotate based on the operation of the start operation means, and each endless belt based on the operation of the stop operation means or with the passage of a predetermined time (maximum rotation time). Drive control means (main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop the rotation of the image, and when the endless belt is stopped, the picture is located at an effective position visible from the display window. In a gaming machine configured to grant a privilege (bonus game, medal payout, etc.) to a player on the condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by
The drive control means includes
Initial drive control means (processing function in the acceleration period of the main controller 131) for initial drive control of the drive means to start rotation of the endless belts to reach a first set rotational speed (first rotational speed) )When,
After the initial drive control is executed by the initial drive control means, constant speed drive control means (constant speed processing function of the main controller 131) that controls the drive means at a constant speed so that the first set rotational speed is maintained. When,
During the execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means, the synchronous picture forming means (synchronous variation processing of the main control device 131) that drives and controls each of the drive means so as to form a synchronous picture aligned with the combination of the specific pictures. Function)
The synchronous picture forming means includes
Based on the detection result of the pattern position detecting means (reel index sensor 55) for detecting the position of each endless belt, the pattern position determining means for determining the positional relationship of the specific pattern attached to each endless belt ( Motor control processing and synchronization fluctuation processing function of the main controller 131),
Based on the grasp result of the picture position grasping means, one endless belt starts to rotate so as to form the synchronous picture when the endless belts reach the second set rotational speed (second rotational speed). Calculation means for calculating a standby time until the other endless belt starts to rotate later (synchronization required time calculation function of the main controller 131);
Based on the operation of the starting operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotation speed, and the corresponding drive means is controlled to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed. In addition, synchronous drive control means (of the main control device 131) controls the drive so that the other endless belts start to rotate with a delay of the waiting time calculated by the calculating means after one endless belt starts to rotate. Synchronization fluctuation processing function)
The drive control means, when a synchronous picture is formed by the synchronous picture forming means, and when the effective operation of the stop operation means is not performed within the predetermined time, without being based on the operation of the stop operation means, A gaming machine comprising stop drive control means (synchronization stop processing function of the main control device 131) for stopping and controlling each of the drive means to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position.

  According to the means 1, a new suggestion / notification form that has taken a step further from the conventional method in which the suggestion or notification of the game situation is performed by relying only on the auxiliary screen by forming the synchronous picture by the movement of the endless belt. Can be provided. In addition, since the endless belt is attracting attention from the player as the center of the game, the player does not have a risk of overlooking even if the synchronous picture is formed by the endless belt for a relatively short time. In addition, since the game is in the initial drive control state before the constant speed drive control state in which each endless belt is stopped by the player, so to speak, a synchronous pattern is formed in the preparation stage, so that the conventional game Compared to the stop operation mode of the player in the machine, there is an advantage that a different operation mode is not compulsory and an uncomfortable feeling is not given. In addition, in such a preparation stage, in the past, the player had to wait simply until the time to perform the stop operation, but as a result of using such a preparation period to expose the synchronous pattern to the player , Even during the preparation period, the player can watch the movement of the endless belt. Furthermore, when forming a synchronous picture, the waiting time from the start of rotation of one endless belt to the start of rotation of the other endless belt is calculated from the positional relationship of the picture and is delayed by the waiting time. Since the rotation of the other endless belt is started, it is only necessary to measure the rotation start timing without performing complicated acceleration control until the endless belt reaches the second set rotation speed. In addition, since the endless belts are rotated at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed in the synchronous picture formation stage, the waiting time calculation process is relatively easily performed. As a result, a synchronous picture can be formed by relatively simple calculation and control. Further, when the synchronous picture is formed and the stop operation means is not effectively operated within a predetermined time, each driving means is used to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position without being based on the operation of the stop operation means. Is stopped and controlled. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to alleviate the problem that the player is disappointed that the synchronized picture has been formed but did not stop at the effective position.

Mean 2. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
Each endless belt starts to rotate based on the operation of the start operation means, and each endless belt based on the operation of the stop operation means or with the passage of a predetermined time (maximum rotation time). Drive control means (main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop the rotation of the image, and when the endless belt is stopped, the picture is located at an effective position visible from the display window. In a gaming machine configured to grant a privilege (bonus game, medal payout, etc.) to a player on the condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by
The drive control means includes
Initial drive control means (processing function in the acceleration period of the main controller 131) for initial drive control of the drive means to start rotation of the endless belts to reach a first set rotational speed (first rotational speed) )When,
After the initial drive control is executed by the initial drive control means, constant speed drive control means (constant speed processing function of the main controller 131) that controls the drive means at a constant speed so that the first set rotational speed is maintained. When,
During the execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means, the synchronous picture forming means (synchronous variation processing of the main control device 131) that drives and controls each of the drive means so as to form a synchronous picture aligned with the combination of the specific pictures. Function)
The synchronous picture forming means includes
Based on the detection result of the pattern position detecting means (reel index sensor 55) for detecting the position of each endless belt, the pattern position determining means for determining the positional relationship of the specific pattern attached to each endless belt ( Motor control processing and synchronization fluctuation processing function of the main controller 131),
Based on the grasp result of the picture position grasping means, the synchronous picture is formed when each of the endless belts has a second set rotational speed (second rotational speed) that is slower than the first set rotational speed. As described above, a calculation means (synchronization required time calculation function of the main control device 131) for calculating a standby time until one other endless belt starts rotating after the other endless belt starts rotating,
Based on the operation of the starting operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotation speed, and the corresponding drive means is controlled to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed. In addition, synchronous drive control means (of the main control device 131) controls the drive so that the other endless belts start to rotate with a delay of the waiting time calculated by the calculating means after one endless belt starts to rotate. Synchronization fluctuation processing function)
The drive control means, when a synchronous picture is formed by the synchronous picture forming means, and when the effective operation of the stop operation means is not performed within the predetermined time, without being based on the operation of the stop operation means, A gaming machine comprising stop drive control means (synchronization stop processing function of the main control device 131) for stopping and controlling each of the drive means to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position.

  According to the means 2, a new suggestion / notification form that has taken a step further from the conventional method in which the suggestion or notification of the game situation is performed by relying only on the auxiliary screen by forming the synchronous picture by the movement of the endless belt. Can be provided. In addition, since the endless belt is attracting attention from the player as the center of the game, the player does not have a risk of overlooking even if the synchronous picture is formed by the endless belt for a relatively short time. In addition, since the game is in the initial drive control state before the constant speed drive control state in which each endless belt is stopped by the player, so to speak, a synchronous pattern is formed in the preparation stage, so that the conventional game Compared to the stop operation mode of the player in the machine, there is an advantage that a different operation mode is not compulsory and an uncomfortable feeling is not given. In addition, in such a preparation stage, in the past, the player had to wait simply until the time to perform the stop operation, but as a result of using such a preparation period to expose the synchronous pattern to the player , Even during the preparation period, the player can watch the movement of the endless belt. Furthermore, when forming a synchronous picture, the waiting time from the start of rotation of one endless belt to the start of rotation of the other endless belt is calculated from the positional relationship of the picture and is delayed by the waiting time. Since the rotation of the other endless belt is started, it is only necessary to measure the rotation start timing without performing complicated acceleration control until the endless belt reaches the second set rotation speed. In addition, since the endless belts are rotated at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed in the synchronous picture formation stage, the waiting time calculation process is relatively easily performed. As a result, a synchronous picture can be formed by relatively simple calculation and control. Further, by setting the second set rotational speed to a rotational speed slower than the first set rotational speed, a synchronous picture is formed for the player through the slow rotational speed when each endless belt rotates at a constant speed. It is possible to suggest that the rotation start time between the endless belts can be clearly different. As a result, it is possible to suggest that a synchronous picture is formed for the player also from the difference in the rotation start timing of each endless belt. Further, when a synchronous picture is formed and the stop operation means is not operated effectively within a predetermined time, each driving means is used to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position without being based on the operation of the stop operation means. Is stopped and controlled. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to alleviate the problem that the player is disappointed that the synchronized picture has been formed but did not stop at the effective position.

Means 3. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow some of the patterns to be visually recognized with respect to the endless belts;
Start operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
Each endless belt starts to rotate based on the operation of the start operation means, and each endless belt based on the operation of the stop operation means or with the passage of a predetermined time (maximum rotation time). Drive control means (main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop the rotation of the image, and when the endless belt is stopped, the picture is located at an effective position visible from the display window. In a gaming machine configured to grant a privilege (bonus game, medal payout, etc.) to a player on the condition that a combination of specific pictures formed by
The drive control means includes
Initial drive control means (processing function in the acceleration period of the main controller 131) for initial drive control of the drive means to start rotation of the endless belts to reach a first set rotational speed (first rotational speed) )When,
After the initial drive control is executed by the initial drive control means, constant speed drive control means (constant speed processing function of the main controller 131) that controls the drive means at a constant speed so that the first set rotational speed is maintained. When,
During the execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means, the synchronous picture forming means (synchronous variation processing of the main control device 131) that drives and controls each of the drive means so as to form a synchronous picture aligned with the combination of the specific pictures. Function)
The synchronous picture forming means includes
Based on the detection result of the pattern position detecting means (reel index sensor 55) for detecting the position of each endless belt, the pattern position determining means for determining the positional relationship of the specific pattern attached to each endless belt ( Motor control processing and synchronization fluctuation processing function of the main controller 131),
Based on the grasp result of the picture position grasping means, one endless belt starts to rotate so as to form the synchronous picture when the endless belts reach the second set rotational speed (second rotational speed). Calculation means for calculating a standby time until the other endless belt starts to rotate later (synchronization required time calculation function of the main controller 131);
Based on the operation of the starting operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotation speed, and the corresponding drive means is controlled to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed. In addition, synchronous drive control means (of the main control device 131) controls the drive so that the other endless belts start to rotate with a delay of the waiting time calculated by the calculating means after one endless belt starts to rotate. Synchronous fluctuation processing function),
During the execution of the drive control by the synchronous drive control means, the rotation speed of each of the endless belts is the second set rotation speed under a situation where the synchronous pattern passes through a position visible through the display window. A rotational speed adjusting means (synchronous fluctuation processing function of the main controller 131) for driving and controlling each of the driving means so as to have a slower third set rotational speed than
The drive control means operates the stop operation means when a synchronous picture is formed by the synchronous picture formation means and an effective operation of the stop operation means is not performed within the predetermined time (maximum rotation time). A game machine comprising stop drive control means (synchronization stop processing function of the main control device 131) for stopping and controlling each of the drive means so as to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position.

  According to the means 3, the synchronization pattern is formed by the movement of the endless belt, so that a new suggestion / notification form that has taken a step further from the conventional method in which the suggestion or notification of the game situation is performed only by using the auxiliary screen is provided. Can be provided. In addition, since the endless belt is attracting attention from the player as the center of the game, the player does not have a risk of overlooking even if the synchronous picture is formed by the endless belt for a relatively short time. In addition, since the game is in the initial drive control state before the constant speed drive control state in which each endless belt is stopped by the player, so to speak, a synchronous pattern is formed in the preparation stage, so that the conventional game Compared to the stop operation mode of the player in the machine, there is an advantage that a different operation mode is not compulsory and an uncomfortable feeling is not given. In addition, in such a preparation stage, in the past, the player had to wait simply until the time to perform the stop operation, but as a result of using such a preparation period to expose the synchronous pattern to the player , Even during the preparation period, the player can watch the movement of the endless belt. Furthermore, when forming a synchronous picture, the waiting time from the start of rotation of one endless belt to the start of rotation of the other endless belt is calculated from the positional relationship of the picture and is delayed by the waiting time. Since the rotation of the other endless belt is started, it is only necessary to measure the rotation start timing without performing complicated acceleration control until the endless belt reaches the second set rotation speed. In addition, since the endless belts are rotated at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed in the synchronous picture formation stage, the waiting time calculation process is relatively easily performed. As a result, a synchronous picture can be formed by relatively simple calculation and control. Further, in a situation where the synchronous pattern is visible through the display window, the rotation speed of the endless belt, that is, the variation speed of the pattern is slower than the second set rotational speed so that the player can identify the synchronous pattern. Adjusted to speed. Therefore, the player can easily identify that the synchronized picture is formed and what the pattern that forms the synchronized picture is, so that the interest of the game can be enhanced. Generally, when an object that fluctuates at a speed slower than this speed after visually recognizing an object that fluctuates at a certain speed, the latter object is viewed as if it fluctuates more slowly than the actual speed difference. Therefore, it is possible to more easily identify the pattern on which the synchronous pattern is formed. In addition, it is possible to clearly teach that the change in the synchronous pattern is performed as an effect rather than an accident that occurred in the process of the endless belt reaching the constant speed state. Further, when the synchronous picture is formed and the stop operation means is not effectively operated within a predetermined time, each driving means is used to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position without being based on the operation of the stop operation means. Is stopped and controlled. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to alleviate the problem that the player is disappointed that the synchronized picture has been formed but did not stop at the effective position.

  Means 4. In the above means 3, the synchronous drive control means makes the second set rotation speed slower than the first set rotation speed.

  According to the means 4, when forming a synchronous picture, each endless belt rotates at a constant speed at a second set rotation speed that is slower than the first set rotation speed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suggest to the player that a synchronous picture is formed because the rotation speed when each endless belt rotates at a constant speed is low. Further, if the second set rotation speed is set to a low speed, it is possible to provide a clear difference in the rotation start timing between the endless belts. As a result, it is possible to suggest that a synchronous picture is formed for the player also from the difference in the rotation start timing of each endless belt.

  Means 5. In any one of the above-described means 1 to 4, the stop drive control means performs the stop drive control under a situation where the endless belts are rotating at a constant speed at the first set rotational speed. A gaming machine.

  According to the means 5, stop drive control is performed to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position under the condition that each endless belt rotates at a constant speed at the first set rotational speed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the trouble that the player is confused by the stop drive control of each endless belt before entering the constant speed drive control state in which the stop operation of each endless belt is performed. It becomes.

  Means 6. In any one of the above means 1 to 5, the stop drive control means performs stop drive control of each of the drive means based on the same stop pattern.

  According to the means 6, each drive means is driven and controlled based on the same stop pattern when the rotation of the endless belt is stopped. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the control load of the stop drive control means. Furthermore, in general, when the rotation of the endless belt is stopped, there is a possibility that the rotation may be distorted. Therefore, by controlling the driving of each driving means based on one stop pattern that does not cause such inconvenience, It becomes possible to stop the rotation of the endless belt.

  Mean 7 In any one of the above means 1 to 6, the stop drive control means individually performs stop drive control on each of the drive means.

  According to the means 7, the driving means are individually controlled to stop. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the concentration of processing load on the stop drive control unit.

  Means 8. In any one of the above means 1 to 6, at least one of the plurality of endless belts is provided with a plurality of one specific pattern in the circumferential direction, and the stop drive control means is the drive means. The game machine is characterized in that the stop drive control is individually performed, and the corresponding drive means for stopping the specific design of the same type as the specific design forming the synchronous design at the effective position is controlled.

  According to the means 8, at least one of the plurality of endless belts is provided with a plurality of one specific pattern in the circumferential direction, and when the stop drive control is performed, the specific pattern forming the synchronous pattern is formed. The same kind of specific pattern is used. Therefore, even if each drive unit is configured to be individually controlled to stop and drive, the synchronized picture can be stopped at the effective position in a relatively short time. In addition, by individually controlling the driving of each driving unit, it is possible to suppress the concentration of processing load on the stopping drive control unit. Note that “same kind” here means that the privileges given when stopping at an effective position visible from the display window are the same, and the shape of the pattern is the same.

  Means 9. In any one of the above means 1 to 7, the stop drive control means performs stop drive control of each of the drive means so as to stop the specific picture forming the synchronous picture at the effective position. .

  According to the means 9, each drive means is controlled to stop and drive so that the specific pattern on which the synchronous pattern is formed is stopped at the effective position. By stopping the specific pattern that formed the synchronous pattern at the effective position, it is possible to strongly impress the player that the synchronous pattern has been formed and that the synchronous pattern has stopped at the effective position, It becomes possible to make the player pay more attention to the movement from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the stop of rotation.

  Means 10. In any one of the means 1 to 9, the operation of the stop operation means or at least from the start of rotation of the one endless belt to the constant speed rotation at the first set rotational speed, A gaming machine comprising invalidating means (main control device 131) for invalidating an operation result.

  According to the means 10, the operation or the operation result of the stop operation means by the player is invalid until one of the endless belts starts to rotate and at a constant speed rotation at least at the first set rotational speed. It is said. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from canceling the effect of forming the synchronous pattern using the endless belt prepared at the corner.

  Means 11. In the means 10, the invalidation means invalidates an operation or an operation result of the stop operation means performed within a second predetermined time slightly shorter than the predetermined time when the synchronous pattern is formed by the synchronous pattern forming means. A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the means 11, the operation or the operation result of the stop operation means performed within the second predetermined time is invalidated, while the operation and operation of the stop operation means is performed after the second predetermined time elapses until the predetermined time elapses. The result is valid. With this configuration, the player can fully enjoy the effect of forming the synchronous pattern using the endless belt within the second predetermined time. Further, it is possible to allow the player to select whether to further enjoy such an effect or to operate the stop operation means by himself / herself during the period when the operation of the stop operation means and the operation result are valid thereafter.

  Means 12. In the above means 10, the invalidating means invalidates the operation or the operation result of the stop operation means performed within the predetermined time when the synchronous picture is formed by the synchronous picture forming means. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 12, the operation or the operation result of the stop operation means by the player is invalidated until a predetermined time elapses when the synchronous picture is formed. As a result, it becomes possible for the player to visually recognize both the effect of forming the synchronous picture using the endless belt and the effect of the synchronous picture stopping at the effective position without being based on the operation by the stop operation means. It is possible to increase the production value of the production formed.

  Means 13. In any one of the means 1 to 12, the picture position grasping means grasps the positional relationship of the specific pattern before the endless belt of the one starts to rotate.

  According to the means 13, the positional relationship of the specific pattern is grasped at a stage before all the endless belts start to rotate, and the standby time is calculated based on this result. By setting the standby time to be calculated before each endless belt starts rotating, that is, based on the positional relationship between each specific pattern in a static state, it is possible to easily and reliably form a synchronous pattern. Become. When the waiting time is calculated from the specific pattern attached to the rotating endless belt, that is, when the position of the specific pattern in the dynamic state is detected to form a synchronous pattern, the detected dynamic state This is because an error may occur in the position of the specific pattern.

  Means 14. In any one of the means 1 to 13, the synchronous drive control means controls the drive means so that the time from when the endless belt starts to the second set rotational speed is the same. A gaming machine characterized by driving control.

  According to the means 14, each endless belt is driven and controlled so that the time from the start of rotation to the second set rotational speed is the same. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the calculation unit. Since the time required for each endless belt to reach the second set rotational speed and the variation distance of the specific pattern are the same, the standby time is varied, and the variation distance between the specific patterns varies with the specific pattern at the second set rotational speed. It is because it becomes possible to calculate uniquely from the time in the case of doing.

  Means 15. In any one of the above-described means 1 to 14, the synchronous drive control means is configured such that each drive means is based on the same acceleration pattern from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed. A game machine characterized by controlling the driving of the machine.

  According to the means 15, each drive means is driven and controlled based on the same acceleration pattern from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed. By adopting such a configuration, it is only necessary to drive-control the driving means corresponding to the other endless belt based on the calculation result of the calculating means, and the processing load on the synchronous picture forming means can be reduced.

  Means 16. In any one of the above-described means 1 to 15, the synchronous drive control means includes a period from the start of rotation of the endless belt to an intermediate period in an acceleration period from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed. A game machine, wherein the initial drive control means controls the drive of each drive means based on the same acceleration pattern as the acceleration pattern that is drive-controlled by the intermediate period.

  According to the means 16, each drive means is driven and controlled based on the same acceleration pattern from the start of rotation of the endless belt to an intermediate period regardless of the types of the synchronous drive control means and the initial drive control means. Generally, when the endless belt starts to rotate, there is a risk of causing step-out or rotation instability, and the acceleration pattern of the initial drive control means is set so as not to cause such a problem. Therefore, even when the synchronous drive control means controls the driving of each drive means based on the acceleration pattern, it is possible to avoid the above problems even when forming a synchronous picture.

  Means 17. In any one of the above means 1 to 16, the synchronous drive control means is configured so that each of the endless belts has the second set rotational speed from the start of rotation until the specific pattern changes by approximately one pattern. A gaming machine characterized by controlling driving of a driving means.

  According to the means 17, the endless belt rotates at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed from when rotation starts until the specific pattern fluctuates by approximately one pattern. If the endless belt is rapidly accelerated from the stopped state to the second set rotational speed, the endless belt may be stepped out or rotational instability may occur. On the other hand, when it is configured to accelerate to the second set rotational speed with a small acceleration, it takes a relatively long time to form the synchronous pattern, which may impair the fun of the game. Therefore, it is possible to perform drive control that does not cause problems in the rotation of the endless belt while achieving the above harmony.

  Means 18. In any one of the above-mentioned means 1 to 17, the synchronous drive control means, after forming the synchronous picture, each of the synchronous pictures passes through a position visible through the display window at least once. A gaming machine characterized by controlling driving of a driving means.

  According to the means 18, the formed synchronous picture passes at least once through a position visible through the display window. With such a configuration, it is possible to teach the player that the synchronous picture has been formed more actively. If the synchronized picture does not pass through the position visible through the display window, that is, the synchronized picture is formed only at the position where it is not visible, the player knows the order of the pictures attached to each endless belt. This is because the user does not notice that a synchronous pattern has been formed unless it is.

  Means 19. A gaming machine according to any one of the above means 1 to 18, further comprising a synchronous picture determining means (main control device 131) for determining whether or not to form the synchronous picture.

  According to the means 19, the synchronous picture may or may not be formed depending on the determination result of the synchronous picture determining means. As a result, for example, if a winning pattern is formed by an internal lottery or if a synchronous pattern is formed with a predetermined probability, it is possible to enhance the expectation of winning when the synchronous pattern is formed.

  Means 20. The means 19 includes lottery means (lottery process of the main control device 131) for lottery for determining whether or not the combination of the specific patterns can be stopped at the effective position based on the operation of the start operation means, The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the synchronous picture determining means determines whether or not to form the synchronous picture on the condition that the lottery means is won.

  According to the means 20, there is a possibility that the synchronous picture is formed only when the result of the lottery is won. By associating the lottery result by the lottery means with the formation of the synchronous picture, it is possible to tell the player that the lottery by the lottery means has been won at least when the synchronous picture is formed.

  Means 21. Any one of the above means 1 to 20 includes a picture determining means (main control device 131) for determining which picture among the plurality of kinds of pictures is used to form a synchronous picture. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 21, the picture forming the synchronous picture is determined by the picture determining means. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to form various synchronous patterns using a plurality of types of patterns provided on the endless belt, and it is possible to widen the range of effects using the endless belt.

  Means 22. The means 20 includes a picture determining means (main control device 131) for determining which picture among the plurality of kinds of pictures is used to form a synchronous picture, and the drawing determining means is selected by the lottery means. When it is determined that the winning pattern is selected by the lottery means as the pattern for forming the synchronous pattern, the gaming machine is selected.

  According to the means 22, when the result of the lottery is winning and a synchronous picture is formed, the synchronous picture is formed by aligning the winning picture in a predetermined combination. By associating the synchronized picture with the winning picture, the winning picture can be taught to the player. Therefore, the player only has to operate the stop operation means so that the winning picture stops in a combination that causes a situation or scene advantageous to the player, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  Means 23. In any one of the above means 1 to 22, the synchronous picture forming means forms the synchronous picture so that the specific picture can be visually recognized almost simultaneously through the display window.

  According to the means 23, the synchronous pattern is formed so that the specific pattern forming the synchronous pattern can be visually recognized almost simultaneously through the display window. With this configuration, even when the endless belt is rotating, the player can easily recognize that the synchronous picture is formed.

  Means 24. In any one of the above-described means 1 to 23, the stop drive control means has the same rotation start order of the endless belts driven and controlled by the synchronous pattern forming means and the rotation stop order of the endless belts. A game machine characterized in that the drive means is controlled to be stopped.

  According to the means 24, when the synchronous picture is formed, the rotation of the endless belts is stopped in the same order as the order in which the rotation was started. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to make the driving load of each driving means uniform, and an effect of extending the useful life of each driving means can be expected.

  Means 25. In any one of the means 1 to 24, the driving means rotates the endless belt so that the picture can be visually recognized through the display window as if the picture fluctuates from above to below. Each of the endless belts is arranged side by side, and the synchronous pattern forming means forms the synchronous pattern by aligning the specific pattern in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction.

  According to the means 25, the picture is visually recognized as if it fluctuates from the upper side through the display window, and the synchronous picture fluctuates from the upper side to the lower side in a state of being aligned in the horizontal or substantially horizontal direction. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to make the synchronous pattern visible from the display window for a long time as compared with the case where the synchronous pattern is aligned in a non-horizontal direction such as an oblique direction. Can be improved.

  Means 26. The gaming machine according to any one of the above means 1 to 25, wherein the display window is formed in such a size that a plurality of the patterns can be visually recognized per one endless belt.

  According to the means 26, since it is possible to visually recognize a plurality of patterns with one endless belt, it becomes easy to identify the patterns. Moreover, it is suitable also in the meaning which improves the visibility of a synchronous pattern.

  In addition, as a gaming machine to which each of the above means can be applied, “a picture row made up of a plurality of pictures (specifically, a reel to which a picture is attached) is variably displayed (specifically, the reel is rotated). Variable display means (specifically a reel unit) for confirming and stopping display of the columns is provided, and the variation of the picture is started due to the operation of the start operation means (specifically the start lever), and the stop operation means ( Specifically, a special game that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the change of the picture is stopped due to the operation of the stop button) or after the elapse of a predetermined time, and the confirmed picture at the time of the stop is a specific picture A privilege such as occurrence of a state (bonus game, etc.) is given, a ball receiving tray (top plate, etc.) is provided, a charging device for performing a loading process for taking in a game ball from the ball receiving plate, and a game on the ball receiving plate Paying out a ball A game machine in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused, such as a game machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when a game ball is thrown in by a throw-in device. Also mentioned.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in the case of application to a spinning cylinder type gaming machine which is a kind of gaming machine, specifically, a slot machine will be described in detail based on the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 opened, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the door 12, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 that forms an outer shell thereof. The casing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, a back plate 11c, a left plate 11d, and a right plate 11e formed in a wooden plate shape, and the adjacent plates 11a to 11e are fixed by a fixing means such as adhesion. Thus, it is formed in a box shape with the front surface opened as a whole. In addition, each board 11a-11e may be comprised with a synthetic resin panel or a metal panel other than being comprised with a wooden panel, or it is comprised by forming in the box shape integral with a synthetic resin material or a metal material. May be. The casing 11 configured as described above is attached by, for example, driving nails against a so-called island facility at the time of installation in the game hall.

  A front door 12 as a front open / close door is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be openable and closable. That is, the left side plate 11d of the housing 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 25a and 25b. Each of the support shafts 25a and 25b includes a tapered shaft portion that protrudes upward. On the other hand, the front door 12 is provided with support fittings 26a and 26b having insertion holes into which the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted corresponding to the support shafts 25a and 25b. Then, the support brackets 26a and 26b are arranged above the support shafts 25a and 25b, and the front door 12 is lowered, whereby the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted into the insertion holes of the support brackets 26a and 26b. It is assumed that it was done. Thereby, the front door 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the both support shafts 25a and 25b with respect to the housing 11, and the front opening side of the housing 11 is opened by the rotation. It can be closed or closed.

  The front door 12 is brought into a locked state that cannot be opened by a locking device provided on the rear surface. Further, a key cylinder 20 serving as an unlocking operation unit is provided at the upper right side of the front door 12. The key cylinder 20 is integrated with a locking device, and is configured such that the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 20. Therefore, an outline of the lock mechanism including the locking device will be described.

  On the right end side of the front door 12, that is, on the opposite side of the opening / closing axis of the front door 12, a locking device is provided on the back surface. The locking device extends vertically and is fixed to the front door 12, a key cylinder 20 provided so as to extend from the upper part of the base frame to the front of the front door 12, and moves vertically with respect to the base frame. It is provided with a long interlocking rod 21 assembled as possible. And only the key cylinder 20 is provided in the state which protruded ahead of the front door 12 among the locking devices. The position where the key cylinder 20 is provided is the thin upper portion of the front door 12, and as a result, a versatile key cylinder 20 having a short overall length can be employed. In the present embodiment, Omlock (trade name) having a high function of preventing unauthorized unlocking is used as the key cylinder 20. The interlocking rod 21 is moved downward by operating the key inserted into the key cylinder 20 clockwise. The interlocking saddle 21 is provided with a pair of upper and lower saddle fittings 22 having a bowl shape. When the front door 12 is closed with respect to the casing 11, the saddle fitting 22 is supported on the casing 11 side. Is locked. In addition, the urging member 22 is provided with an urging member such as a coil spring for urging to the side maintaining the locked state. When the key is operated clockwise with respect to the key cylinder 20, the interlocking rod 21 moves downward, and the saddle fitting 22 is moved against the biasing force of the biasing member. The locked state with the support fitting 23 is released, and the locked state of the front door 12 with respect to the housing 11 is released.

  A game panel 30 for notifying the player of the game state is provided above the center of the front door 12. In the game panel 30, three vertically long display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are formed side by side. The display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are made of a transparent or translucent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 is visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be combined into a single display window.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the housing 11 is vertically divided into two by a partition plate 40, and a reel unit 41 constituting variable display means is attached to the upper portion of the partition plate 40. The reel unit 41 includes a left reel 42L, a middle reel 42M, and a right reel 42R each formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). The reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may be configured as at least an endless belt, and are not limited to a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is rotatably supported so that the central axis thereof is the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are arranged on the same axis extending in the substantially horizontal direction, and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R correspond to the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R on a one-to-one basis. . Accordingly, a part of the surface of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is visible through the corresponding display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Further, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated forward, the surfaces of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are projected as if moving from top to bottom through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R.

  Each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is coupled to the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R, and each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is individually, that is, independently, driven by the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R. Thus, it can be rotationally driven. Since these reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have the same configuration, here, the left reel 42L will be described as an example with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the left reel 42L.

  The left reel 42L includes a cylindrical skeleton member 50 that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is affixed on the cylindrical skeleton member 50 through a pair of seal parts formed along the both sides of the long side of the belt so as to maintain the wound state. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. In addition, it is good also as a structure which forms the cylindrical frame member 50 and a belt integrally, and affixes a symbol separately on the outer peripheral surface of this belt. In such a case, the integrally formed outer peripheral surface corresponds to an endless belt. A boss 51 is formed at the center of the cylindrical skeleton member 50, and is attached to the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L via a disc-like boss reinforcing plate 52. Accordingly, when the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L is rotated, the cylindrical skeleton member 50 is rotated around the drive shaft so that the left reel 42L circulates along the annular reel surface. It has become.

  The left reel stepping motor 61L is fixed to the side surface of the motor plate 53 arranged in an upright state in the reel unit 41 (FIG. 3) with screws 54. The motor plate 53 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 55 in which a light emitting element 55a and a light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the base end portion 56b of the sensor cut bun 56 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 42L with a screw 57. The front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56 is bent at a substantially right angle and is positioned so as to pass between both elements 55a and 55b of the reel index sensor 55. Each time the left reel 42L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is made. Therefore, main controller 131 can confirm and correct the angular position of left reel 42L for each rotation based on this detection signal.

  The stepping motor 61L is set to rotate once by giving, for example, a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter), and the rotation position of the stepping motor 61L, that is, left The rotational position of the reel 42L is controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 55 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is visible from the display window 31L, or to visually recognize an arbitrary symbol from the exposure window 31L. It is possible to perform control to achieve a proper state.

  Of the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, the number of symbols that can be visually recognized through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R is mainly determined by the vertical lengths of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. Is limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, three reels are provided. For this reason, when all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player.

  Here, the symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R will be described. FIG. 7 shows a symbol arrangement drawn on the belt wound around each of the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R. As shown in the figure, each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is provided with 21 symbols in a row. Although numbers 1 to 21 are assigned to the respective reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, these are given for convenience of explanation, and are not actually attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. . However, in the following description, the number is used for explanation.

  As a symbol, there is a “7” symbol as a first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. As for the “7” symbol, the white one (for example, the left belt No. 20; hereinafter referred to as “White 7” symbol as appropriate) and the red one (for example, the left reel No. 19). And). In addition, there is a “BAR” symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as the second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. Further, there is a “replay” symbol (for example, the eleventh left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, a “watermelon” symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), a “bell” symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), and a “cherry” symbol (for example, left) as the small character symbols from which the small character is paid out. Belt 4th). As shown in FIG. 7, the number of various symbols and the arrangement order are completely different in the belt wound around each reel 42L, 42M, 42R.

  Each reel 42L, 42M, 42R of the reel unit 41 is an example of variable display means for variably displaying identification information, and constitutes a main display unit. However, the variable display means may have other configurations. For example, other mechanical reel configurations such as a type in which the belt is rotated instead of rotating may be used, and instead of or in addition to the mechanical reel configuration, a liquid crystal display or a dot matrix display It is also possible to provide a display that variably displays the identification information by electrical display such as, and in this case, it is possible to provide a variety of display forms.

  A total of five combination lines are attached to the game panel 30 so as to connect the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R, three in parallel in the horizontal direction and two in the diagonal direction. Of course, the maximum number of combination lines may be 6 or more, or less than 5, and the maximum number of combination lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition. Corresponding to each of these combination lines, effective line display sections 32, 33, and 34 are provided on the left side when viewed from the front of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. The first effective line display unit 32 is notified by lighting or the like when the central horizontal line (center line) of the combination lines is activated. The second effective line display unit 33 is notified by lighting or the like when the upper and lower horizontal lines (upper line and lower line) of the combination lines are activated. The third effective line display unit 34 is notified by lighting or the like when a pair of diagonal lines (a right-down line and a right-up line) among the combination lines is enabled. Then, when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined combination on the activated combination line, that is, on the activated line, a winning is made, and a predetermined medal payout process, a transition process to a specific game, and the like are executed.

  Here, the payout number regarding each symbol when winning is explained. Regarding the small role design, when the “Watermelon” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line, 15 medals are paid out. When the “Bell” design is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line Pays out 8 medals, and when the “cherry” symbol on the left reel 42L stops on the active line, 2 medals are paid out. That is, the “cherry” symbols of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are irrelevant to the medal payout. In addition, for the “cherry” symbol, the medal payout is performed regardless of the combination with other symbols, and therefore, a plurality of effective lines of the left reel 42L overlap (specifically, the upper or lower row) with “ When the “cherry” symbol is stopped, medals are paid out by multiplying the number of overlapping active lines. As a result, in this embodiment, four medals are paid out.

  For other symbols, the combination of “White 7” symbol or “Red 7” symbol, which is a combination of the first special symbol (Big Bonus symbol), is aligned with the left, middle and right on the same line. In the case of “BAR” symbol, which is a combination of 15 medal payouts and second special symbols (regular bonus symbols), 15 medal payouts are also made when they are aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line. In the present embodiment, for example, the “white 7” symbol and the “cherry” symbol may be established at the same time, but the medal payout in this case is fifteen. This is because the upper limit number for one medal payout is set to 15.

  Further, when the “replay” symbol, which is the combination of the third special symbol, is aligned with the left, middle, and right on the active line, the medal payout is not performed. In other cases, that is, when the “cherry” symbols of the left reel 42L do not stop on the active line and the same symbols as the left, middle, and right are not aligned on the active line, no medal payout is performed.

  On the lower left side of the game panel 30, a start lever 71 is provided that is operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R all at once (not necessarily simultaneously). The start lever 71 constitutes start operation means or start operation means operated to start rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, that is, to start variable display. The start lever 71 is a lever that is pushed by the hand when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 52 is operated while a medal is inserted, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R start to rotate all at once.

  On the right side of the start lever 71, button-like stop switches 72, 73, 74 that are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 42L, 42M, 42R are provided. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 is arranged directly below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R corresponding to the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be stopped. The stop switches 72, 73, 74 constitute stop operation means operated to stop variable display based on the rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Each of the stop switches 72, 73, 74 can be stopped when a predetermined time elapses after the left reel 42L starts rotating, and is stopped by lighting a lamp (not shown) during such a state. It is notified that the operation is possible and is turned off when the rotation stops.

  On the lower right side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, there is provided a medal slot 75 for inserting a medal as an investment value. The medal slot 75 constitutes an input means for inputting the investment value. Further, if attention is paid to the point that the medal insertion slot 75 has an operation of directly inserting a medal by the player, it can be said that the medal insertion port 75 constitutes a direct input means for directly inputting the investment value.

  The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 are guided to either the storage passage 81 or the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 as passage switching means provided on the back surface of the front door 12. That is, the selector 84 is provided with a medal path switching solenoid 83, which is set to the discharge path 82 side when the medal path switching solenoid 83 is not excited, and switched to the storage path 81 side when excited. The medal guided to the storage passage 81 is guided to the hopper device 91 housed in the housing 11. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 82 is guided to the medal tray 18 from the medal discharge port 17 provided in the lower front portion of the front door 12 and returned to the player.

  A hopper device 91 as a payout means for giving a medal to a player is composed of a storage tank 92 for storing the medal and a payout device 93 for paying out the medal to the player. The payout device 93 rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge the medal to the opening 94 provided in the central right part of the discharge passage 82 and to the medal tray 18 through the discharge passage 82. To come out. Further, a reserve tank 95 is provided on the right side of the hopper device 91 in order to avoid storing a predetermined amount or more of medals in the storage tank 92. A guide plate 96 for discharging medals from the storage tank 92 to the reserve tank 95 is provided inside the storage tank 92 of the hopper device 91. Therefore, when medals are stored more than the height at which the guide plate 96 is provided, the medals are stored in the reserve tank 95.

  A button-like return switch 76 is provided below the medal slot 75. The return switch 76 is a switch that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal slot 75 is jammed in the selector 84. When this switch is pressed, the selector 84 is mechanically operated to operate the selector 84. The medals packed in 84 are returned from the medal discharge port 17.

  On the lower left side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, there is provided a button-like first credit insertion switch 77 for inserting three virtual medals credited as investment values at a time. Further, on the left side of the first credit insertion switch 77, a second credit insertion switch 78 and a third credit insertion switch 79 are provided as button switches smaller than the switch 77. The second credit insertion switch 78 is for inserting two credited virtual medals at a time, and the third credit insertion switch 79 is for inserting one virtual medal. Each of the credit insertion switches 77 to 79, together with the medal insertion slot 75, constitutes an input means for inputting an investment value. Further, if the medal insertion slot 75 is accompanied by an operation of directly inserting a medal by the player, each credit insertion switch 77 to 79 is only accompanied by an operation of inserting a virtual medal based on the storage memory. It can also be said that it constitutes an indirect input means for indirectly inputting the investment value.

  The first credit insertion switch 77 has a built-in lamp as a light emitting member (not shown) to urge that the maximum number of medals that can be inserted per game (three) has not been reached. The lamp is turned on when the switch operation of the first credit insertion switch 77 is valid and prompts the operation of the switch 77. However, when there is no credited virtual medal or three medals have already been inserted. It is turned off under the circumstances. Here, instead of the above-described lighting, the player may make it easier to understand the prompt for medal insertion by blinking.

  A button-like changeover switch 80 is provided on the left side of the start lever 71. The change-over switch 80 is configured to be a toggle type that is turned on when pressed once, turned off when pressed again, and turned on / off every time the pressing operation is performed. The changeover switch 80 is operated to change the handling format of inserted medals inserted into the medal slot 75 more than necessary, or acquired medals returned to the player as a result of a predetermined game.

  When the change-over switch 80 is in the ON state, the “credit mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 50 medals) and winning medals are stored and stored as credit medals. " When the changeover switch 80 is in the OFF state, the “direct mode” is set so that surplus inserted medals and winning medals are paid out as actual medals. If there is a credit medal when the credit mode is switched to the direct mode, the corresponding credit medal is paid out as an actual medal. Thus, the player can execute the game in a format according to his / her preference by switching between the credit mode and the direct mode. The changeover switch 80 constitutes a changeover operation means for changing over the input value and game value handling formats. Further, if paying attention to the function of paying out a credited virtual medal as an actual medal, it can be said that the changeover switch 80 constitutes a settlement operation means for actually paying out the stored game value. In addition to being configured to switch between the “credit mode” and the “direct mode” by operating the changeover switch 80, the virtual medal stored and stored is paid out when the changeover switch 80 is operated by always setting the “credit mode”. It may be made to function as only a settlement switch.

  Below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R of the gaming panel 30, there are a remaining number display section 35 for displaying the number of medals activated and stored in the credit mode, and in a special gaming state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. For example, a game number display unit 36 for displaying the number of remaining games and an acquired number display unit 37 for displaying the number of acquired medals are provided. Although these display parts 35-37 are comprised by the 7 segment display, it is naturally possible to substitute by a liquid crystal display etc. FIG.

  Here, a procedure for betting medals will be described. In both the direct mode and the credit mode, a bet is made when a medal is inserted from the medal slot 75 at the start of the game.

  That is, when the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 75, the first effective line display section 32 is turned on, and the corresponding center line becomes the effective line, and the second medal is the medal insertion slot. When the number 75 is inserted, the second effective line display section 33 is turned on, and a total of three combination lines including the upper line and the lower line corresponding to the second effective line display section 33 become effective lines, respectively, and the third medal is a medal. When it is inserted into the insertion port 75, the third effective line display unit 34 is further turned on, and a total of five combination lines including a pair of diagonal lines corresponding thereto become effective lines.

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal slot 75, the surplus medals exceeding three are switched to the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 if the current mode is the direct mode. It is returned from the outlet 17 to the medal tray 18. On the other hand, in the credit mode, it is stored inside the slot machine, and the number of stored sheets is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35. An upper limit number is determined for the number of stored sheets (for example, 50), and when a medal exceeding the number is inserted, it is returned from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18.

  In addition, when a game is played in the credit mode and the number of stored items is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the virtual number is displayed even when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed. A medal is inserted and a bet is placed.

  When the third credit insertion switch 79 is pressed, the numerical value displayed on the remaining number display section 35 is decremented by one as a virtual medal is inserted, and the first effective line display section 32 is displayed. Illuminates and the center line becomes the active line. When the second credit insertion switch 78 is pressed, two numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as two virtual medals are inserted, and the first valid line display unit 32 and The second effective line display section 33 is lit and a total of three combination lines become effective lines. When the first credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, three numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as three virtual medals are inserted, and all the effective line display units 32 to 32 are decremented. 34 lights up and a total of five combination lines become effective lines.

  In addition, when the virtual medal to be inserted when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed is not stored, for example, when the display of the remaining number display unit 35 is 2, the first For example, when the credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, all the values in the remaining number display section 35 are decremented to 0, and a bet is made for the amount of virtual medals that can be inserted.

  On the upper part of the front door 12, there are an upper lamp 13 that lights up or flashes as the game progresses, and a pair of left and right sounds that make various sound effects as the game progresses and inform the player of the game state Speaker 14 and an auxiliary display unit 15 for giving various information to the player. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display for the purpose of diversifying display contents and increasing the display effect. However, other displays such as a dot matrix display may be used. Good. The auxiliary display unit 15 is for executing various display effects as the game progresses, and it can be considered that the game by the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is caused by the main display unit. This is referred to as an auxiliary display unit 15. On the back surface of the auxiliary display unit 15, an upper lamp 13, a speaker 14, and a display control device 111 for driving the auxiliary display unit 15 are provided. The positions and numbers of the upper lamp 13 and the speakers 14 are not limited to those described above.

  A lower plate 16 on which a model name, a character related to a game, and the like are displayed is mounted above the medal tray 18. In addition, an ashtray 19 that can be reversed to the lower side on the front side is provided on the left side of the medal tray 18.

  A power supply box 121 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 91 inside the housing 11. The power supply box 121 includes a power switch 122, a reset switch 123, a setting key insertion hole 124, and the like. The power switch 122 is a start switch for supplying power to each unit including the main controller 131.

  The reset switch 123 is a switch for resetting various states of the slot machine 10. This slot machine 10 has a backup function for various data, and even if a power failure occurs, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power supply is shut down by a normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the power shut-off is stored, but if the power switch 122 is turned on while pressing the reset switch 123, the backup data is reset. It has become so. If the reset switch 123 is pressed while the power switch 122 is on, the error state is reset.

  The setting key insertion hole 124 is used by a hole manager or the like to adjust the appearance of medals. That is, the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the slot machine 10 can be changed from “setting 1” to “setting 6” by operating the hole manager or the like by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 124. It has become.

  A main controller 131 is attached to the back plate 11 c of the housing 11 above the reel unit 41. The main control device 131 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port that communicates with various devices, time counting and synchronization. A main board including a clock circuit and the like used in the case of planning is provided, and the main board is accommodated in a board box as an encapsulating means made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other so as not to be opened by a sealing unit as a sealing means, whereby the substrate box is sealed. In addition, it is good also as a structure which connects a box base and a box cover so that opening is impossible using a key member.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control device 131 is equipped with a microcomputer centering on a CPU 151 as arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121, the CPU 151 is connected to a clock circuit 154 that outputs a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 155, and the like via an internal bus. The main control device 131 functions as a main base incorporated in the slot machine 10.

  On the input side of the main controller 131, there are a start detection sensor 71a for detecting the operation of the start lever 71, stop detection sensors 72a, 73a, 74a for individually detecting the operations of the stop switches 72, 73, 74, and a medal slot. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a for detecting a medal inserted from 75, the credit insertion detection sensors 77a, 78a, 79a for individually detecting the operations of the respective credit insertion switches 77, 78, 79, and the switching for detecting the operation of the changeover switch 80. Detection sensor 80 a, reel index sensor 55 that individually detects the rotational position (origin position) of each reel 42, payout detection sensor 91 a that detects medals paid out from the hopper device 91, and reset detection sensor that detects the operation of the reset switch 123 123a, set to setting key insertion hole 124 Chromatography are connected various sensors such as setting the key detection sensor 124a for detecting that it has been inserted, the signals from these various sensors are outputted to the CPU151 through the input and output ports 155.

  The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is actually composed of a plurality of sensors. That is, the storage passage 81 extending from the medal insertion slot 75 to the hopper device 91 is configured such that medals can pass in one row. The storage passage 81 is provided with a first sensor, and the second sensor and the third sensor are close to each other on the downstream side more than the width of the medal. The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is constituted by each of the first to third sensors. The main control device 131 monitors the time from the first sensor to the second sensor, and if the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, the main control device 131 considers that there has been a medal clogging or fraud and makes an error. If an error occurs, an error notification is performed and an operation by the player until the error is canceled is invalidated. The main controller 131 also monitors the order in which the second sensor and the third sensor are turned on and off, both the second and third sensors are off, only the second sensor is on, and both the second and third sensors are on. Only when the third sensor is turned on, both the second and third sensors are turned off, and when the time for switching to each on / off switching is within a predetermined time, it is determined that the medal has been normally taken in. Otherwise, an error is assumed. The reason for this is to prevent injustice that the medal is reciprocated in the vicinity of the inserted medal detection sensor 75a and misidentified as the medal inserted in addition to the clogging of the medal in the storage passage 81.

  Further, a power failure monitoring circuit 161 b provided in the power supply device 161 is connected to the input side of the main control device 131 via the input / output port 155. The power supply device 161 includes a power supply unit 161 a that supplies driving power to the electronic devices of the slot machine 10 including the main control device 131, the power failure monitoring circuit 161 b described above, and the like.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 161b is for monitoring the power-off state and generating a power failure signal not only at the time of power failure but also at the time of power-off by the power switch 122. For this reason, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b monitors the stabilized drive voltage of 12 VDC in this example output from the power supply unit 161a, and determines that the power supply is shut off when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts. Power outage signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 151 and the input / output port 155, and the CPU 151 recognizes this power failure signal and executes a power failure process described later.

  The power supply unit 161a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 131 even when the output voltage is reduced to less than 10 volts. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main controller 131.

  On the output side of the main control device 131, each active line display section 32, 33, 34, remaining number display section 35, game number display section 36, acquired number display section 37, and each reel 42L, 42M, 42R are rotated. Stepping motors 61 (61L, 61M, 61R), a medal path switching solenoid 83 provided in the selector 84, a hopper device 91, a display control device 111, an external concentration terminal plate 171 capable of transmitting information to a hall management device (not shown), etc. Are connected via the input / output port 155.

  The display control device 111 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15, and includes a substrate in which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like for driving these are integrated. Then, after receiving a signal from the main control device 131, the display control device 111 independently drives and controls the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15. Therefore, the display control device 111 is a sub-base that executes auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 131 that is a main base that manages and manages games. In other words, the sub-base is provided for voice, lamp, and display related to indirect games, thereby reducing the burden on the main base. In addition, it is good also as a structure which the display control apparatus 111 controls the various display parts 32-37.

  The CPU 151 described above stores various control programs executed by the CPU 151 and a ROM 152 storing fixed value data, and temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 152 is executed. In addition to the RAM 153 for securing the area, although not shown, various processing circuits necessary for the slot machine 10 such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit, as well known, and a credit counter for counting the number of credits are known. Various counters such as are built-in. The ROM 152 and the RAM 153 constitute a main memory as storage means, and a program for executing the processes shown in various flowcharts shown in FIG. 9 and subsequent figures is stored in the ROM 152 described above as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 153 has a configuration in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121 and data can be held (backed up) even after the power of the slot machine 10 is cut off. In addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data and the like, a backup area is provided.

  In the backup area, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. when the power is shut down (including power shutdown by operating the power switch 122; the same applies hereinafter) When the power failure is resolved (including power-on by operating the power switch 122. The same applies hereinafter), the slot machine 10 is in the state before power-off based on the backup area information. It is possible to return to the state. Writing to the backup area is executed when the power is cut off by the power failure process (see FIG. 11), and the restoration of each value written in the backup area is executed in the main process (see FIG. 12) when the power is turned on. Note that a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as flag generation processing is immediately executed.

  Subsequently, each control process executed by the CPU 151 in the main controller 131 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the CPU 151 is broadly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in a cycle of 1.49 msec in the present embodiment), and an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b of the power supply device 161 generates a power failure signal and outputs it to the main controller 131. In the main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal, NMI interrupt processing is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, in step S 101, the data of the used register provided in the CPU 151 is saved in the backup area provided in the RAM 153. Subsequently, in step S102, the power failure flag is set in a power failure flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. Thereafter, the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 153 in step S103 is restored to the use register of the CPU 151 again. With this return processing, the NMI interrupt processing ends. If the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data in the register used by the CPU 151, the saving and restoring processing to the backup area can be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process periodically executed by the main controller 131. A timer interrupt is generated by the CPU 151 of the main controller 131 every 1.49 msec, for example.

  First, in the register saving process shown in step S201, the values of all the registers in the CPU 151 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S203, and a power failure process is executed.

  Here, the power failure process will be described with reference to FIG. Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register saving process in the timer interrupt process, other interrupt processes can be executed without interruption. Therefore, for example, during the process of transmitting various commands, during the process of reading the switch state (on / off), the process at the time of power failure is not executed by interrupting each process. It is no longer necessary to create a power failure processing program that also takes into account This simplifies the processing program for power failure processing and reduces the program capacity. This also applies to a processing program for power recovery processing described later.

  In step S301, it is determined whether command transmission has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, the process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process to terminate the command transmission. In this way, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process, the transmission process is prioritized when the transmission is incomplete, and the power failure process is executed after the unit command transmission process is completed. By doing so, it is no longer necessary to construct a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed during command transmission. As a result, the power failure processing program can be simplified and the ROM 152 can be reduced in capacity.

  If step S301 is YES, that is, if the command transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as a stop process, and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 155 is cleared, and all actuators not shown are turned off. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum at the work area address of the RAM 153. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the checksum of the RAM 153 to 0, subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. Thereafter, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the power supply being completely shut down and the processing being impossible. In consideration of, for example, the case where the power failure flag is set erroneously due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, the power failure state is restored, so that writing to the RAM 153 is permitted, the power failure flag is reset, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. If the power outage signal is continuously output, the infinite loop is entered.

  The power supply unit 161a of the power supply device 161 holds the output of the stabilization voltage (5 volts) used as the drive voltage for the control system for a time sufficient to execute the above-described NMI interrupt processing and power failure processing. It is comprised so that. In the present embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, if the power failure flag is not set in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed.

  That is, in step S204, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R, which are the respective rotary drive motors, is performed. In step S207, sensor monitoring processing is performed to monitor the state of various sensors (see FIG. 8) connected to the input / output port 155. In step S208, timer calculation processing for subtracting the value of each counter or timer is performed. In step S209, a counter process for outputting the bet number of medals and the result of counting the number of payouts to the external concentration terminal board 171 is performed.

  In step S210, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the display control apparatus 111 is performed. In step S211, a segment data setting process for setting segment data displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the game number display unit 36, and the acquired number display unit 37 is performed. In step S212, segment data set processing in the segment data setting processing is supplied to the display units 35 to 37, and segment data display processing for displaying corresponding numbers, symbols, and the like is performed. In step S213, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 155 is performed. In step S214, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S201 is restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 151. Thereafter, in step S215, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and this series of timer interrupt processes is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main process in the main controller 131 executed after the power is turned on. The main process is executed when the power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on the power switch 122.

  First, in step S401, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 151, and an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, various settings for the register group in the CPU 151, the I / O device, and the like are set. And so on.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S402 whether or not the reset switch 123 has been turned on. If the reset switch 123 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S403, and all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared as a RAM clear process.

  After confirming that the reset switch has not been operated in step S402 or performing a RAM clear process in step S403, it is determined in step S404 whether or not a setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124. To do. If the setting key has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected from the six preset setting states (“Setting 1” to “Setting 6”), internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. .

  In step S406, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set. When the power failure flag is not set, that is, when the data in the RAM 153 is cleared in the previous step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process in step S407 to be described later, and this process ends.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S406, the process proceeds to the power recovery process shown in step S408 and thereafter. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that subroutine processing such as RAM clear processing in step S403 and setting change processing in step S405 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM 153 is not rewritten at all, and the power recovery process requires confirmation processing such as whether or not the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  For this purpose, first, in step S408, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the value of the checksum in the RAM 153 is checked to check whether the value is normal, that is, whether the value of the checksum including the RAM determination value is 0. If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal in step S408, that is, if the checksum value is not 0, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM 153 has been destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, an error display process is performed in step S409. As error display processing, interrupt processing is first prohibited and all output ports in the input / output port 155 are cleared to control all actuators connected to the input / output port 155 to an off state. Thereafter, an error display for notifying the occurrence of an error to the hall manager or the like is performed, and this state is maintained until the reset switch 123 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S410, the stack pointer value stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 151, and the stack state before the power is shut off is written. Return to the state. Next, in step S411, a power recovery command that tells execution of power recovery processing is transmitted to the display control device 111. Thereafter, in step S412, the game state is stopped and automatic settlement setting storage processing is performed. In step S413, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 71a are initialized. After the above processing is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S414, and the processing returns to the address before the power is shut off. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S204) is executed.

  Next, normal processing for performing main control related to the game will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a medal is bet. If a medal is bet, it is subsequently determined in step S502 whether the start lever 71 has been operated. If both step S501 and step S502 are YES, the lottery process in step S503, the reel control process in step S504, the medal payout process in step S505, and the special game state process in step S506 are executed in order, and the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if no medal is bet in step S501 or the start lever 71 is not operated in step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the lottery process in step S503 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, the random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the slot machine 10, the number of medals bet, and the small / probable combination probability. Here, the setting state of the slot machine 10 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning probability of the combination when “setting 1” is set. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, the random number table having the highest winning probability of the combination is selected. The number of medals bet is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that as the number of bets increases, the winning probability of winning combination increases. For example, the winning probability of a winning combination when three bets are higher than the winning probability of winning when a single bet is three times. In addition, there are two types of small role probabilities: a random number table with a high small role winning probability is selected when the current payout rate is lower than the predetermined expected value, and small when the current winning rate is higher than the predetermined expected value. A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In step S602, a random number table selected in this way is used for lottery in light of the random numbers latched by the random number counter when the start lever 71 is operated. In step S603, it is determined whether or not any of the winning combinations has been won. If any of the winning combinations has not been won, the process is terminated. If any of the winning combinations is won, the process proceeds to step S604, where a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and an effective line to be aligned is determined. Further, when the winning combination is a big bonus such as “White 7” symbol, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to perform synchronization fluctuation, which will be described later, and in the case of synchronization fluctuation, the synchronization fluctuation flag storage area of the RAM 153 is selected. Set 1 In step S605, a slip table for reel stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153. Here, when the symbols on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed are different from the symbols to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is a predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is a table that defines how much the reel slides so as to stop on the active line.

  Next, the reel control processing in step S504 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is performed in step S701. This wait process is a process of waiting without starting the reel rotation in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game. Therefore, even if the player bets a medal and operates the start lever 71, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may not immediately rotate. Following the wait process, the reel rotation process in step S702 is performed to rotate the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 8 seconds) has elapsed since the left reel 42L started to rotate. If not, the process waits until the predetermined time elapses. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S704, where one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed to generate a reel stop command, more specifically from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a. It is determined whether an ON signal is received. That is, in this embodiment, a period from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until a predetermined time elapses is set as an invalid period, and even if the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed during this invalid period. The ON signals from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are invalidated. This is a device for suitably performing the synchronization fluctuation described later. If no stop command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S705 to determine whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S704, and if the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S706 to perform a forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the rotating reels sequentially.

  On the other hand, if any of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed in step S704 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S707, and reel stop processing is performed. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped. If a winning combination is won in the winning lottery and the winning flag is set, the reel is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 153. With reference to the sliding table, control is performed so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is set so that it stops on the lower line. Slide the reel as much as you can. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing of pressing the stop switch. Even in the forced stop processing in step S706, if the winning flag is set, the same processing is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S709, and the slip table changing process is performed. In this slide table change process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align a combination on the selected active line, and when a combination of combinations does not occur, the process proceeds to the next step as it is. When a combination of combinations occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of a combination” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line when the “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line. Refers to cases. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, when the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S708, the process proceeds to step S710, whether or not the second stop command is received, that is, one of the three reels is stopped and the two reels are rotating. It is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. If it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S711 to perform stop eye determination processing. In this stop eye determination process, when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two symbols are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “White 7” symbol. When a sound effect or the like is generated from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the auxiliary display unit 15 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S706, after the slip table change process in step S709, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S710, or the stop eye determination process in step S711 is performed. Thereafter, in step S712, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, and 42R have stopped. If step S712 is NO, the process returns to step S704. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in the subsequent step S713, and then the process ends. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination, and if not, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and 0 is set in the scheduled payout number storage area. If they match, the number of payouts corresponding to the combinations arranged in the payout amount storage area is set.

  Next, the medal payout process in step S505 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the medal payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the payout number counted by the payout number counter in step S801 matches the planned payout number stored in the payout planned number storage area. If the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, it is determined in step S802 whether or not the game is being performed in the credit mode. If it is in the credit mode, it is determined in step S803 whether or not the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (the number of stored medals is 50). If the upper limit is not reached, the count value of the credit counter and the number of payouts are each incremented by 1 in step S804. Accordingly, the remaining number display unit 35 and the acquired number display unit 37 are each incremented by one.

  On the other hand, when the game is performed in the direct mode, or when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, the medal payout rotary plate is driven in step S805 and the medal is discharged from the hopper device 91 to the medal discharge port. 17 through the medal tray 18. At this time, in step S806, the number of payouts is incremented by 1 according to the medal detection signal of the payout detection sensor 91a attached to the hopper device 91. As a result, the number of acquired number display section 37 is incremented by one. Then, after the payout number is incremented by 1 in step S804 or step S806, the process returns to step S801 again. When the number of payouts and the planned number of payouts match in step S801, the medal payout rotating plate of the hopper device 91 is stopped in step S807, and this process is terminated. The payout number / acquired number display section 37 is reset when the start lever 71 is operated next time.

  Next, the special game state process of step S506 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the description of the special game state process, the bonus game will be described. The regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) game is composed of 12 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which only one bet is allowed, and is a game with a very high probability that the JAC symbols (replay symbols in this case) are aligned on the active line, that is, the probability of establishment of the JAC symbols. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. When the JAC symbol is established 8 times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches 12 times. On the other hand, the big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) game is composed of 30 small role games and 3 JAC ins. A small role game is a game in which a small role is won with a high probability (“Bell” symbols etc. are on the active line), and JAC in means entering the JAC game 12 times. When JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, JAC in is established. The JAC game is the same as that of the RB game. Also, when the JAC game by the third JAC in is finished, the BB game is finished even before the small role game reaches 30 times, and before the JAC in reaches 3 times after the 30 small role games are finished. Even if there is, the BB game ends.

  In the special game state process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the game state is a bonus game. If it is not during the bonus game, the process proceeds to step S902, and bonus symbol determination processing is performed.

  In this bonus symbol determination process, as shown in FIG. 18, it is first determined in step S1001 whether or not the RB winning flag is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S1002, and the RB symbol on the current effective line is determined. It is determined whether or not (for example, “BAR” symbols) are aligned, and if the RB symbols are not aligned, this processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the RB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1003, the RB winning flag is reset and the RB setting flag is set to set the RB game as one type of bonus game, and the RB game initial setting process shown in FIG. To finish this processing. If the RB winning flag is not set in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the BB winning flag is set in step S1004. If it is not set, the process is terminated. When the BB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1005, where it is determined whether or not the BB symbol (for example, “white 7” symbol) is aligned on the current effective line. To do. On the other hand, when the BB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, in step S1006, the BB winning flag is reset and the BB setting flag is set to set the BB game as one type of bonus game, and the BB game initial setting process shown in FIG. Execute this to finish this process.

  19 and 20, the remaining small role game counter represents the remaining number of small role games (also referred to as the remaining small role game number), and the remaining JAC in counter represents the remaining number of remaining JAC in (remaining JAC in number). The remaining JAC establishment counter represents the remaining number of times that the JAC symbol can be established (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC formations), and the remaining JAC game counter represents the number of remaining JAC games (also referred to as the number of remaining JAC games). Represent. The number of remaining small role games, the number of remaining JAC ins, the number of remaining JACs established, and the number of remaining JAC games are displayed on the game number display unit 36 as appropriate. By the way, if a small role winning flag or replay winning flag is set by winning a small role or replay in the role lottery, those winning flags will not be aligned on the active line in the game. Will be reset, but if the RB winning flag or the BB winning flag is set by winning the RB or BB in the winning lottery, even if the RB symbol or BB symbol cannot be aligned on the active line in the game The winning flag will be carried over to the next time. In the lottery process in the next game that carries over the BB or RB winning flag, a lottery regarding whether or not a small role or replay is won is performed, but a lottery regarding BB or RB is not performed. In addition, when a small combination or replay is won in a state where the BB or RB winning flag is carried over, a slide table is stored so that the small combination or replay is preferentially aligned.

  Now, returning to FIG. 17, when the gaming state is a bonus game in step S901, it is determined in step S903 whether the bonus game is a JAC game. If it is not a JAC game, it means that the BB game is in the small role game, so the process proceeds to step S904, and it is determined whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the JAC game is started in step S905 and the JAC game initial setting process during the BB game shown in FIG. 20B is performed, and this process ends. On the other hand, when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S904, the small role game has been consumed, so in step S906 the remaining small role game number is decremented by 1, and in step S907. It is determined whether or not the number of remaining small role games has become zero. When the remaining small role game number is not 0, the present process is terminated. When the remaining small role game number is 0, the process proceeds to step S908, and a special game state end process for appropriately resetting various setting flags, BB setting flags, various counters, etc. or performing an ending process. To end this process.

  When the gaming state is a JAC game in step S903, the process proceeds to step S909 to determine whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line. When the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, the number of remaining JACs established is determined in step S910. Decrement by one. After that, or when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S909, one JAC game has been consumed, so the number of remaining JAC games is decremented by 1 in step S911. Subsequently, in step S912, it is determined whether or not any of the remaining number of JACs or the number of remaining JAC games has become 0. If neither is 0, that is, the JAC symbol has not yet been established 8 times. If the JAC game has not been digested 12 times, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if any of them is 0, that is, if the JAC symbol is established 8 times or the JAC game is digested 12 times, the JAC in is digested once, so in step S913 the remaining JAC in The number of times is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S914, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining JAC in is zero. When it is 0, the special gaming state termination process of step S908 described above is performed, and this process is terminated. Incidentally, if the bonus game is an RB bonus, the initial remaining JAC in number is 1 (see FIG. 19), so it becomes 0 in step S913, and an affirmative determination is made in step S914, and the special game in step S908 The RB setting flag is reset in the state end process.

  On the other hand, when the number of remaining JAC ins is not zero in step S914, that is, when the JAC in has not been digested three times in the BB game, after performing the JAC game end processing for resetting the JAC game setting flag in step S915, When the player enters the game, one of the small role games is digested, so the number of remaining small role games is decremented by 1 in step S906, and then whether or not the remaining small role game number has become 0 in step S907. If it is determined that the number of remaining small role games is 0, the special game state ending process in step S908 described above is performed, and this process is ended. On the other hand, when the remaining small-combination game number is not 0, the small-combination game in the BB bonus has not reached 30 times and the JAC in has not reached 3 times.

  Next, the stepping motor 61 for rotating each reel 42 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 21 is a connection diagram showing the operation principle of the stepping motor 61. In the present embodiment, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor that employs a 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the stepping motor 61. Note that the stepping motor is not limited to a hybrid type or two-phase, and various stepping motors such as a four-phase or five-phase stepping motor can be used.

  The hybrid type stepping motor 61 includes a rotor (rotor) 62 disposed in the center and first to fourth poles 63 to 66 disposed around the rotor 62.

  The rotor 62 includes a front rotor 62a magnetized at the N pole and a rear rotor 62b magnetized at the S pole, and teeth (small teeth) and teeth provided around the front rotor 62a. In between, it is attached to the rotating shaft in a state of being relatively shifted by ½ pitch so that the teeth provided around the back rotor 62b are positioned. A cylindrical magnet (not shown) is attached between the front rotor 62a and the back rotor 62b.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the exciting coil L0 and the exciting coil L2 are bifilar wound around the first pole 63 and the third pole 65, and the winding end of the exciting coil L0 and the winding start of the exciting coil L2 are connected. A predetermined DC power source + B (for example, +24 volts) is applied here. Similarly, the excitation coil L1 and the excitation coil L3 are bifilar wound around the second pole 64 and the fourth pole 66, and the winding end of the excitation coil L1 and the winding start end of the excitation coil L3 are connected. Power supply + B is applied.

  Here, an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L0 of the first pole 63 to excite the first pole 63 to the S pole and the phase to excite the third pole 65 to the N pole. The phase in which the excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L2 of the third pole 65 to excite the first pole 63 to the N pole and the third pole 65 to the S pole is referred to as the reverse A phase. Similarly, an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L1 of the second pole 64 to excite the second pole 64 to the S pole and the phase to excite the fourth pole 66 to the N pole. A phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L3 of the fourth pole 66 to excite the second pole 64 to the N pole and the fourth pole 66 to the S pole is referred to as an inverted B phase.

  When the stepping motor 61 is a one-phase excitation drive system, the rotor 62 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by sequentially applying excitation signals to the A phase, B phase, reverse A phase, and reverse B phase. It can be driven.

  That is, for example, when the A phase is first energized, the protrusions of the first pole 63 that is the S pole and the teeth of the front rotor 62a, the protrusions of the third pole 65 that is the N pole, and the teeth of the back rotor 62b, respectively. When facing each other by the attractive force and then energizing the B phase, the projection of the second pole 64 and the teeth of the front rotor 62a which are S poles, the projection of the fourth pole 66 and the teeth of the back rotor 62b which are N poles Facing each other by the attractive force, and then energizing the reverse A phase, the projection of the first pole 63 that becomes the N pole, the teeth of the back rotor 62b, the projection of the third pole 65 that becomes the S pole, and the near side When the teeth of the rotor 62a face each other by suction force, and then the reverse B phase is energized, the protrusion of the second pole 64 that becomes the N pole, the teeth of the back rotor 62b, and the fourth pole 66 that becomes the S pole The protrusion and the teeth of the front rotor 62a are respectively Face by the suction force. By exciting in this order, the rotor 62 rotates clockwise in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, 1-2 phase excitation drive that alternately performs one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation is employed. In the 1-2 phase excitation drive, excitation is performed according to the following excitation sequences (excitation order) (1) to (8).

  That is, only one set of excitation is one-phase excitation, and two-phase excitation is the excitation of two phases simultaneously. Therefore, as shown in FIG. (1 phase excitation), (2) Energize both A phase and B phase (2 phase excitation), (3) Energize B phase, and (4) Both B phase and reverse A phase Energize, (5) Energize reverse A phase, (6) Energize both reverse A phase and reverse B phase, (7) Energize reverse B phase, (8) Both reverse B phase and A phase Is driven, and then returns to (1). In the present embodiment, since the reel makes one round by the drive signal of 504 pulses, the angle change based on the drive signal of 1 pulse, that is, the angle change per step is about 0.714 °.

  A drive signal (drive signal data) for the stepping motor 61 is given to the motor driver 67 as excitation data shown in FIG. This excitation data is stored in the RAM 153 of the main controller 131, and appropriate excitation data is output to the input / output port 155 by timer interrupt processing. An excitation phase for the stepping motor 61 is determined by the excitation data, and an excitation signal (current) is supplied to the excitation phase.

  If the above-described excitation order is incorrect at the start of rotation, that is, initial excitation, the excitation intervals are short, or the excitation intervals are extremely uneven, the step-out may occur or the rotation may become unstable. Here, the excitation interval is a data writing interval to the output port in the input / output port 155, and this means an output interval of excitation data from the output port in the input / output port 155.

  Now, when the stepping motor 61 (61L, 61M, 61R) is used as the rotating drum drive motor of the slot machine 10, the drive characteristics as shown in FIG. 23 are required.

  This drive characteristic can be broadly divided into an acceleration period Ta and a constant speed rotation period (constant speed period) from when the start lever 71 is operated until the stepping motor 61 starts rotating and reaches a constant constant speed rotation. The rotation period is divided into a maintenance period Tb in which the rotation speed is maintained until the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed, and a stop period Tc in which the rotation is stopped with a predetermined slip based on the pressing operation of the stop switches 72 to 74. It is done.

  While there is no restriction on the length of the acceleration period Ta, there is a restriction that the time obtained by adding the acceleration period Ta and the maintenance period Tb when the stop switches 72 to 74 are not operated must be 30 seconds or more. ing. Also for the stop period Tc, it is required to fix the excitation phase of the rotary drive motor (stepping motor 61) within a maximum of about 190 msec after the stop switches 72 to 74 are operated.

  Here, it is desirable that the stepping motor 61 shifts from the acceleration state to the constant speed rotation state as soon as possible. To that end, the interruption to the excitation phase for the stepping motor 61 (the switching from the one-phase excitation that is the excitation phase to the two-phase excitation and the switching from the two-phase excitation to the one-phase excitation) may be accelerated. As described above, there is a risk of causing step-out and rotation instability. Therefore, it is necessary to perform optimum interrupt processing within a range not involving such a concern.

  In the present embodiment in which the excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil by interrupt processing, it is necessary to set an appropriate interrupt timing for the excitation phase. For this reason, first, until the rotational fluctuation of the rotor 62 during motor acceleration is suppressed, the excitation state is fixed by the same excitation phase.

  Basically, it is considered that step-out and rotational instability are difficult to resolve unless the state of initial excitation (excitation at zero initial speed) is maintained to some extent. This is related to the degree of convergence of the rotational fluctuation of the rotor 62 (micro vibration with reciprocation) that occurs when the teeth of the rotor 62 are attracted to the protrusions of the poles 63 to 66 during the initial excitation. Although it differs depending on the inertia of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, etc., according to the experiment, the rotor 62 stopped after the swing that reciprocated once in 30 msec repeated 5-6 reciprocations. Accordingly, it has been found that in order to perform acceleration processing while eliminating rotational fluctuation, it takes 150 to 180 msec after initial excitation as the time for fixing in the same excitation phase. Therefore, a time exceeding this time may be set as the initial excitation holding period for fixing the initial excitation phase. In this embodiment, since the timer interruption is set to 1.49 msec, the initial excitation holding period is set to 193.7 msec (= 1.49 msec × 130 interruption). Since it is only necessary to exceed 180 msec, 180.29 msec (= 1.49 msec × 121 interrupt) may be set as the initial excitation holding period. In the initial excitation holding period, excitation data for excitation signals shown in FIG. 24 (for example, excitation data 09H shown in excitation order 2) (H is hexa-digital display) is continuously output from the input / output port 155 to the motor driver 67. .

  In the acceleration period Ta, if the acceleration period for initial excitation is the first acceleration period and the acceleration period until the constant speed rotation is the second acceleration period, for example, as shown in FIG. In the acceleration period, interruption processing of the excitation signal to the excitation phase is frequently performed in order to reach constant speed rotation.

  Here, there is a problem whether the excitation phase of initial excitation is one-phase excitation or two-phase excitation. The initial excitation requires the rotor 62 to rotate with high torque, and the excitation phase of the initial excitation is preferably two-phase excitation that provides higher torque than single-phase excitation. This is because of the following reasons.

  First, in a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor adopting a 1-2 phase excitation method as a stepping motor, two-phase excitation can be considered in addition to one-phase excitation as an initial excitation phase during acceleration. One-phase excitation drives only a specific excitation phase, and the rotational torque at the initial speed is obtained by this one-phase excitation. On the other hand, the two-phase excitation drives two specific excitation phases simultaneously, and the rotational torque at the initial speed is obtained by the two-phase excitation. Although it differs depending on the size of the reel, inertia, etc., it is possible to accelerate the reel from the initial speed zero even with one-phase excitation if it is a normal slot machine. However, in the case of one-phase excitation, a sufficient initial speed may not be obtained because the rotational torque generated is smaller than that in two-phase excitation. Since the possibility of step-out increases if sufficient initial speed cannot be obtained, initial excitation is preferably two-phase excitation. Further, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are braked (braking) based on the pressing operation of the stop switches 72 to 74, they are slid and stopped by a predetermined step angle from when they are actually stopped. When slipping and stopping, it is necessary to perform the next acceleration process while absorbing the deviation of this angle, and it is preferable that the electromagnetic attraction force in the initial excitation is as large as possible. In the case of two-phase excitation, the electromagnetic attraction force is larger than that in the one-phase excitation, so that it is possible to quickly absorb the rotational fluctuation caused by this angle shift. Considering the above comprehensively, the initial excitation is preferably the two-phase excitation rather than the one-phase excitation.

  A timing example as shown in FIG. 25 is suitable as an interrupt timing for quickly reaching a predetermined rotational speed within the second acceleration period when the initial excitation is set to two-phase excitation. As the two-phase excitation as the initial excitation, the earliest excitation order 2 can be selected from the excitation orders shown in FIG. Of course, depending on the excitation phase when rotation is stopped, the excitation order may be different (excitation order 4, excitation order 6 or excitation order 8). The excitation state is maintained for 130 interrupts (193.7 msec) after applying the excitation signal in synchronization with the interrupt timing every 1.49 msec.

  In the second acceleration period, the 1-2 phase excitation is alternately repeated. However, as the interruption timing to the excitation phase, in other words, the phase excitation holding period, as shown in FIG. The excitation holding period of excitation is finely controlled. In this example, when entering the second acceleration period, the interrupt is gradually shortened so that the one-phase excitation following the two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and the next two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts. And the excitation time is gradually shortened, and finally, normal 1-2 phase excitation in which excitation phases are sequentially switched at the minimum interruption interval is set. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, when the last excitation phase in the second acceleration period is two-phase excitation and this is one interrupt, the first excitation phase in the next constant speed rotation period is one-phase excitation. The interrupt interval is 1 interrupt. In this way, the interrupt processing timing in the second acceleration period is shortened sequentially as it approaches constant speed rotation, so that high-speed acceleration processing can be realized in a short time, and smooth transition to constant speed rotation is possible. Is possible. The second acceleration period shown in FIG. 25 is an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 317.370 msec, and when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to a different time, It goes without saying that the second acceleration period is selected according to the time and interrupt processing different from that in FIG. 25 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, during the acceleration period, when the “white 7” symbol passes through the range visible from the display window, the “white 7” symbols of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned in the horizontal direction Synchronous fluctuations that fluctuate at a speed slower than the previous speed are performed. In order to perform this synchronous fluctuation, other types of tables having a second acceleration period different from that shown in FIG. 25 are provided as the acceleration period Ta, and such configurations are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 26 shows an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 329.29 msec (221 interrupts). In this example, when entering the second acceleration period, the interrupt is gradually shortened so that the one-phase excitation following the two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and the next two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts. 25, the excitation time is shortened gradually. This is the same as the data shown in FIG. 25. However, the excitation from the acceleration sequence 18 to 24 is performed for 3 interrupts, and the acceleration sequence 25, that is, the last excitation is 2 interrupts. It is different from doing a minute. Similarly, FIG. 27 is an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 412.73 msec (277 interrupts), and excitation in the acceleration order 5 to 25 in the second acceleration period is performed for 6 interrupts. Different. Therefore, the acceleration process based on FIG. 25 has the largest acceleration, and the acceleration process based on FIG. 27 has the smallest acceleration.

  Returning to the description of the drive characteristics of the stepping motor 61, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped, the slip process (rotation process for 1 to 4 symbols) and the brake process are performed for a predetermined time ts as described above. (= 190 msec) must be performed. When brake processing is performed, four-phase excitation is performed immediately after two-phase excitation. When the braking process is performed only by the two-phase excitation, there is a possibility that the rotation speed is drastically decreased due to a strong braking force and the rotation is distorted. However, by performing the four-phase excitation immediately after the two-phase excitation, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R can be stopped smoothly without disturbing the rotation. Further, since it is easier to specify the rotational position in the case of the two-phase excitation than in the case of the one-phase excitation, the stop position accuracy can be improved by performing the four-phase excitation immediately after the two-phase excitation.

  The above-described drive signal generation process for driving the stepping motor 61 is performed in a timer interrupt process periodically issued to the CPU 151. As the drive signal, excitation data (see FIG. 24) according to the excitation order stored in the RAM 153 is used, and excitation data corresponding to the motor driver 67 is supplied in accordance with this excitation order. For this reason, the excitation data stored in the RAM 153 is read from the RAM 153 and written to the output port of the input / output port 155 every time a timer interrupt occurs. The excitation data written in the input / output port 155 is immediately supplied to the motor driver 67, thereby energizing the corresponding excitation coils L0 to L3.

  Here, the control related to the rotation of the reel performed by the main controller 131, specifically, the reel rotation process (step S702 in FIG. 15) performed in the reel control process of the normal process and the timer interrupt process are performed. The stepping motor control process (step S206 in FIG. 10) will be described. For convenience of explanation, the stepping motor control process will be described first, and then the reel rotation process will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart regarding the stepping motor control process.

  When the initialization process related to the control of the stepping motor 61 is completed in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102, and a drive signal for rotation control for the stepping motor 61 that is mainly a drive motor (specifically, described later). Since it is excitation data, the following generation process is performed, and the generated excitation data is temporarily stored in the RAM 153. In the motor control processing, in addition to the excitation data generation processing, symbol offset processing, symbol number update processing, and the like are performed.

  Excitation data generation processing for rotation control (excitation data acquisition processing from the RAM 153) and the like are sequentially executed for the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. Excitation data generation processing for one reel, for example, the left reel 42L, is performed using rotation control data (described later) for the left reel 42L provided in the work area of the RAM 153, and when the generation processing ends. Then, the process proceeds to excitation data generation processing for the next reel, for example, the middle reel 42M. Therefore, in step S1103, a transition process (address change process) to the next work area is performed in software, and in subsequent step S1104, it is confirmed whether the excitation data generation process for all reels has been completed. If excitation data generation processing for all reels has not been completed, the process returns to step S1102, and excitation data generation processing for the remaining reels is performed.

  When the rotation control process for all the three reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, that is, the excitation data generation process, is completed, the process proceeds to step S1105, and among the data stored in the RAM 153, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are processed. Excitation data is output to the input / output port 155.

  Since the output to the input / output port 155 is a data writing process to the corresponding output port of the input / output port 155, the excitation data is supplied to the motor driver 67 simultaneously with the writing of the excitation data to the input / output port 155. It will be. As a result, the stepping motor 61 immediately performs energization processing for the excitation phase designated by the excitation data, and excitation processing for the rotor 62 is performed.

  FIG. 29 shows a specific processing example of the motor control processing S1102 described above. In this motor control process, at least a wait timer, an acceleration counter, and an excitation order pointer (all of which are software processes using the RAM 153) are used.

  Here, when one timer interruption period is a unit excitation time T, the number of timer interruptions (excitation time) in the same excitation mode is set in the wait timer. Examples thereof are shown in FIGS. In the first acceleration period, the two-phase excitation mode (acceleration order 1) is continuously executed for 130 units, that is, 130 interrupts. Therefore, 130 is set in the wait timer. Similarly, for example, in the second acceleration period, in the acceleration order 2, the one-phase excitation mode is continuously executed over 8 units (= 8 interrupts = 8 excitation times). Is set.

  The acceleration counter is for designating the acceleration order in FIGS. The acceleration process is composed of 25-step excitation patterns (acceleration order 1 to 25). In order to designate a specific acceleration position, a counter value from “0” to “24” may be designated. Therefore, the initial value of the acceleration counter is originally “24” or “0”. The initial value set in the acceleration counter is “25”. Details will be described later.

  Since each data of FIGS. 25 to 27 is tabulated and stored in the ROM 153, these may be referred to as an excitation time and acceleration counter table. In the following description, the data shown in FIG. 25 is called a “high speed table”, the data shown in FIG. 26 is called a “medium speed table”, and the data shown in FIG. 27 is called a “low speed table”.

  The excitation order pointer is a pointer used when determining the excitation phase for the stepping motor 61 shown in FIG. When the stepping motor 61 of 1-2 phase excitation is used, 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation are performed alternately, and the phase excitation pattern at that time is 8 patterns as shown in FIG. Which excitation data is acquired as output excitation data at which phase excitation and which is temporarily stored in the RAM 153 is designated by the value (0 to 7) of this excitation order pointer.

  The value of the excitation order pointer at the start of rotation, which will be described in detail later, differs depending on which pattern the excitation phase used when the stepping motor 61 is stopped immediately before belongs. During rotation, it is used while sequentially updating the excitation order pointer value.

  Next, the motor control process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 29 in relation to the operation of the start lever 71 and the stop switches 72 to 74. The following description is merely an example of processing for the stepping motor 61 for controlling one reel.

  First, processing in a state where the start lever 71 is not operated will be described.

  The value of the wait timer before the start lever 71 is operated is 0, and the value of the acceleration counter is also 0. Therefore, an affirmative determination is made in the determination process of whether or not the wait timer is 0 in step S1201, and the process proceeds to step S1211. In step S1211, it is determined whether the value of the acceleration counter is not 0, but this determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step S1212. In step S1212, the output excitation data is set to “0”, and this process is terminated. Accordingly, the stepping motor 61 remains stopped until the start lever 71 is operated.

  Next, processing associated with the operation of the start lever 71 will be described.

  The operation of the start lever 71 is detected by normal processing (step S502 in FIG. 13). When the operation of the start lever 71 is detected, the value of the acceleration counter is set to “25” in a reel rotation process described later.

  Even if the start lever 71 is operated, the value of the wait timer is 0, so in this case as well, the process proceeds to step S1211 through step S1201 to determine the value of the acceleration counter. Since the value of the acceleration counter is set to “25”, in this case, a process of decrementing the value of the acceleration counter by 1 is performed in step S1221. In step S1222, it is determined again whether or not the value of the acceleration counter is zero. Since the value of the acceleration counter at this time is “24”, the process proceeds to step S1231, and the excitation time at the value “24” of the acceleration counter is referred to from the acceleration counter table corresponding to the synchronous speed flag, which will be described later. To the wait timer. In this embodiment, the high-speed table, the medium-speed table, and the low-speed table correspond to the first acceleration period. Therefore, “130” is set as the excitation time.

  When the process for setting the wait timer is completed, an update process for incrementing the excitation order pointer by 1 is executed in step S1232. In step S1233, excitation data corresponding to the updated excitation order pointer value (“5” in this example) is acquired from the table shown in FIG. 24, and the excitation data (06H) is obtained for the left reel 42L. It is stored in the RAM 153 as output excitation data. The stored excitation data is simultaneously output to the input / output port 155 as shown in FIG. 28 after obtaining the excitation data for the stepping motors for other reels.

  Thereafter, the symbol offset value is updated in step S1234, and a reel rotation detection process by the reel index sensor 55 shown in step S1235 and subsequent steps is performed. Of these, steps S1244 and S1245 are reel abnormality processing, and processing is performed when the reel does not rotate normally despite the excitation data being applied, and steps S1251 to S1254 are rotations with respect to the stepping motor 61. This is a stop process (brake process).

  As will be described later, if the motor acceleration process is normal, steps S1244 to 1254 are skipped and the process returns to the timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the start lever 71 is operated, the counter value “25” is set in the acceleration counter, and the motors for the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R corresponding to the three reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, respectively. Each of the rotors 62 is started by supplying excitation data for starting. When the next timer interrupt time comes, the motor control process is called again. The processing at this time will be described next.

  In this case, since the value of the wait timer is “130”, the process proceeds to step S1202, a subtraction process for decrementing the value of the wait timer by 1 is executed, and the process returns to the timer interrupt. As a result, the values of the acceleration counter and the excitation order pointer hold the same values as at the previous timer interruption. That is, the motor acceleration process by the same excitation phase (in this example, two-phase excitation) is continued. The motor acceleration process using the same excitation phase is continuously performed for a total of 130 interrupts, and the wait timer is subtracted every time a timer interrupt occurs. As a result, when the 130 interrupt is performed, the value of the wait timer becomes zero.

  On the other hand, the value of the acceleration counter does not change at all during the first acceleration period. When the 130 interrupt is completed and the value of the wait timer becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S1221 via step S1211, and the acceleration counter is subtracted. Thereafter, in steps S1222 and S1231, the excitation time corresponding to the decremented acceleration counter value “23” is acquired from the tables of FIGS. 25 to 27 (8 interrupts), and this acquired excitation time value (= 8). ) Is set in the wait timer. In steps S1232 to S1234, the value of the excitation order pointer is incremented by 1 to “6”, and the zero-time data “02H” (one-phase excitation) corresponding to the value “6” of this excitation order pointer is used as output excitation data in the RAM 153. To store. Thereafter, similar output excitation data acquisition processing is performed for the other reels 42M and 42R, and when the output excitation data acquisition processing is completed for all the reels 42L, 42M and 42R, these output excitation data are input and output. Each is output to the port 155, and the process for the second acceleration period is started. Accordingly, at the beginning of the second acceleration period, one-phase excitation is continuously performed for 8 interrupts.

  The beginning of the second acceleration period is a process corresponding to the acceleration order 2 (see FIGS. 25 to 27). When the timer interruption is completed for 8 interruptions in the acceleration process in the acceleration order 2 (YES in step S1201), the value of the acceleration counter is further decremented in step S1221. Then, the excitation data “03H” in which the value of the excitation order pointer is “7” is read from the table of FIG. 24, and the continuous acceleration process for 7 interrupts is now performed by the two-phase excitation.

  As described above, since the acceleration process is executed during the second acceleration period while sequentially subtracting the acceleration counter, the value of the acceleration counter eventually becomes “0”. If the value of the acceleration counter becomes “0” as a result of the subtraction process in step S1221, a negative determination is made in step S1222, and the flow proceeds to step S1223. In step S1223, processing for setting the value of the acceleration counter to “1” is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1231, and a value corresponding to the excitation time corresponding to the acceleration counter value “0” when subtracted in step S1221 is set in the wait timer. Thereafter, in steps S1232 and S1233, the excitation order pointer is updated, and in this example, excitation data “01H” corresponding to the pointer “0” is read from the table of FIG. 24 and set as output excitation data. Therefore, when the value of the acceleration counter in step S1221 becomes “0”, excitation is performed for one timer interrupt when referring to the high speed table, and twice when referring to the medium speed table. Excitation is performed for the timer interrupt. When the low-speed table is referenced, excitation is performed for the six timer interrupts.

  Even if the value of the acceleration counter becomes “0” in step S1221, the value of the acceleration counter becomes “1” in the process of step S1223. Therefore, in the next timer interruption process, in the next processing step of the acceleration order 25 (FIGS. 25 to 27) which is the excitation order, the process proceeds to step S1221 via step S1211 and the acceleration counter is subtracted again. As a result, the value of the acceleration counter becomes “0” again. In step S1231, the excitation time corresponding to the acceleration order 25 in FIGS. 25 to 27 is set again in the wait timer. Further, as a result of the excitation order pointer being updated to “1” in the process of step S1232, the excitation phase is switched to two-phase excitation.

  That is, from the timer interruption process following the acceleration order 25, the acceleration counter “0” and “1” addition / subtraction processes are alternately repeated in steps S1221 and S1223, while in step S1231, the acceleration counter “0” is always set. Set the excitation time for the wait timer. Further, since the excitation data is updated every time in steps S1232 and S1233, the stepping motor 61 is in a rotation mode in which one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated. This is nothing but the constant speed process. In other words, when the excitation process proceeds to the acceleration order 25, the mode changes to the constant speed rotation mode thereafter. Therefore, the rotation speed in the constant speed rotation mode differs depending on the acceleration table referred to. The rotation speed is the fastest when the high-speed table is referenced, and the slowest rotation speed when the low-speed table is referenced. It becomes. More specifically, the reel rotates once in about 0.75 seconds in the constant speed rotation mode based on the high speed table, and the reel in about 1.5 seconds in the constant speed rotation mode based on the medium speed table. In the constant speed rotation mode based on the low speed table, the reel rotates once in about 4.5 seconds.

  Next, processing associated with the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 will be described.

  When the player operates any stop switches 72 to 74 to stop the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R during the constant speed rotation mode, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated by the following processing. Stop.

  Prior to the rotation stop process, the symbol offset and symbol number will be described. When excitation data is acquired in step S1233, the symbol offset value is updated in steps S1234 and S1235, and reel rotation detection processing by the reel index sensor 55 (see FIG. 6) is performed. In step S 1235, it is confirmed whether or not the reel index sensor 55 has detected the passage of the sensor cut bun 56. If the passage of the sensor cut bun 56 is detected, it means that the reel has made one rotation, so the process proceeds to step S1236, and the values of the symbol offset counter and symbol number counter are reset to zero.

  The symbol number indicates the symbol number by serial number. Since a total of 21 symbols are prepared, the symbol number takes a value of “0” to “20”. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, “1” corresponds to the symbol number “0” and “21” corresponds to the symbol number “20”. The symbol offset is a value obtained by dividing one symbol into 24 equal parts in the rotation direction of the reel, and takes a value of “0” to “23”. When the symbol offset value becomes “24”, it is checked in step S1241 and the process proceeds to step S1242, where the symbol number is updated and the symbol offset value is reset to zero.

  Even if the brake is applied, the rotor 62 slips, so that it slides for 3 to 4 steps and stops. Further, as described above, it is preferable that the excitation phase at the time of starting the motor is two-phase excitation, and the operation of the stop buttons 72 to 74 is performed so that the brake is started immediately after the two-phase excitation, that is, at the timing of the one-phase excitation. It is necessary to know the motor stop time (reel stop time) regardless of the timing.

  Therefore, a processing step for determining the reel stop time as in step S1251 is set as a processing after the symbol number update processing or the symbol offset reset in step S1242. In this step S1251, it is determined whether the excitation phase currently being output is two-phase excitation and whether the symbol offset value is in a range that does not exceed the predetermined offset value. Here, whether the current excitation phase is two-phase excitation may be referred to the value of the excitation order pointer, and whether the predetermined offset value is exceeded may be referred to the symbol offset value. The symbol offset value is taken into account because the greater the symbol offset value, the greater the relative displacement of the symbol position with the adjacent reel at the time of stop. If the human discriminating power exceeds 4 offsets, it becomes possible to clearly recognize the shift of the symbols. Therefore, when the symbol offset value is 4 or less, it is necessary to execute rotation stop processing.

  Therefore, when this condition is not satisfied (NO in step S1251), this process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. When the reel stop condition is satisfied (YES in step S1251) and any one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed, the current symbol number and the symbol number of the stop symbol set in step S1252 are Make a comparison. If both symbol numbers do not match, this process is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. However, if both symbol numbers match, the process proceeds to step S1253 to perform a brake setting process. The stop symbol referred to here refers to a symbol corresponding to the winning combination that is drawn when the start lever 71 is operated.

  In this brake setting process, the brake excitation data setting process is performed. In this embodiment, setting is performed so that four phases are excited simultaneously. Also, the brake time is set in the wait timer. In this embodiment, 159 interrupts (= 236.91 msec) are set as the brake time, and “159” is set in the wait timer. In addition, the acceleration counter is reset (= 0). When the wait timer is set to the above-described value (= 159), the processing in steps S1201 and S1202 is performed for 159 interrupts. During this period, the brake excitation data is continuously output, and thus the rotor 62 is completely stopped.

  When the brake setting process is completed, in step S1254, an adjustment process for the excitation order pointer used at the next rotation is performed. The excitation order pointer adjustment process takes into account the slip of the rotor 62. As described above, when the braking process is performed, the rotor 62 almost always slides for about 3 to 4 steps and then stops. For example, when the brake is applied with the excitation order pointer “0” shown in FIG. It is estimated that the rotor 62 is stopped at the position of the excitation order pointer “4”. Therefore, the adjustment of the excitation phase is advanced by “4 excitation phases”. As a result, the value of the excitation order pointer after the update in step S1232 becomes “5”.

  At the end of the motor control process, a process when an abnormality occurs in the rotation of the reel will be described.

  As already described, in the acceleration period, the symbol offset value is updated in accordance with the addition / subtraction of the acceleration counter, and in the constant speed rotation period, the symbol offset value is updated each time a timer interrupt is performed. When the symbol offset value becomes “24”, the symbol number is updated and the symbol offset value is reset. Further, when it is detected that the reel has made one rotation (the sensor cut bun 56 passes the reel index sensor 55), the symbol number and the symbol offset value are reset. By performing these processes, it is possible to determine which symbol is visible through the display window 31 with reference to the symbol number value, and which range of the symbol is visible from the display window 31 according to the symbol offset value. You can see if it is. For example, when the symbol number is “0” and the symbol offset is “0”, symbols of symbol numbers “0” to “2” are visible from the display window.

  In the case of normal rotation in which the stepping motor 61 is normally accelerated by the operation of the start switch 71 and reaches constant speed rotation, the above-described situation is reproduced. However, when acceleration is not performed normally or when the reel is intentionally pressed to stop the rotation, the following abnormal rotation processing is performed.

  First, as described above, the reel rotates once by the excitation signal of 504 pulses. Therefore, if normal rotation is performed, the passage of the sensor cut bun 56 is detected again when the excitation signal of 504 pulses is output after the passage of the sensor cut bun 56 is detected. However, if acceleration does not occur normally and the reel does not start rotating, or if the reel is deliberately pressed and stopped rotating, it will pass through the sensor cut bun 56 even if an excitation signal of 504 pulses is output. Is not detected. As a result, since the symbol number reset process in step S1236 is not performed, the symbol number is updated to “21” exceeding the maximum value “20” in step S1242. Even if the value of the symbol number becomes “21”, the counter addition / subtraction processing is performed in the next processing, so that the symbol offset value is updated as before.

  In this case, the value of the symbol number is checked in step S1243 after step S1241. Since the symbol numbers are from “0” to “20”, when the value becomes “21”, it can be regarded as an abnormal rotation state. However, since the cause of the abnormal rotation state may be due to variations in the operation of the stepping motor 61, it is determined for the first time when it is determined whether or not the symbol offset value has been updated by 4 offsets or more in step S1244. It is determined that the rotation state is abnormal, and the abnormality process in step S1245 is performed. In abnormal processing, the initial value “25” is set in the acceleration counter, and acceleration processing is performed again from the next timer interruption period. Incidentally, there are variations in the operation of the stepping motor 61, and ideally one rotation = 504 pulses, but in some cases, one rotation with 503 pulses or 505 pulses may be considered. Therefore, in step S1244, four offsets are set as abnormality detection values with a margin.

  When the number of abnormal processes in step S1245 exceeds a specified number (for example, three times), a process for notifying this abnormal state (flashing process for an abnormal lamp provided in the hall, buzzer notification to the hall manager) Processing).

  Next, the reel rotation process performed in the reel control process of the normal process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1301, timer interrupt processing is first prohibited, and in subsequent step S1302, it is confirmed whether or not the synchronization fluctuation flag is not zero. If the synchronization fluctuation flag is 0, the process proceeds to step S1303, and 0 is set to the synchronization speed flag. When the synchronous speed flag is set to 0, the “high speed table” is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) during the motor control process described above. Thereafter, in steps S1304 to S1306, "25" is set in the acceleration counter of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R, and timer interrupt processing is permitted in step S1307, and this processing is terminated. As a result, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R start rotating based on the timer interrupt process.

  When the synchronization fluctuation flag is 1, that is, when synchronization fluctuation is performed, 1 is set in the synchronization speed flag in step S1308. When 1 is set in the synchronous speed flag, the “medium speed table” is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) in the motor control process described above.

  In step S1309, the positional relationship of predetermined symbols on the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M, and the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R is grasped. Specifically, “(middle (right) reel 42M (R) symbol number) − (left (middle) reel 42L (M) symbol number) +21” is calculated. In this embodiment, the “white 7” symbols are synchronized in a state where they are aligned horizontally. However, since the “white 7” symbols are assigned to the 20th reel (see FIG. 7), symbol numbers are used. It is possible to grasp the positional relationship of the “white 7” symbol simply by calculating the above. 21 is added to prevent the calculation result from becoming negative, and is a device for reducing the processing load of the main controller 131.

  Thereafter, “25” is set in the acceleration counter of the left reel 42L in step S1310, and timer interrupt processing is permitted in step S1311. As a result, the left reel 42L starts to rotate. On the other hand, since the acceleration counters of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R remain “0”, the stopped state is maintained.

  In step S1312, the time required for synchronization required for rotation with the predetermined symbols of the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M aligned horizontally is calculated. Specifically, “(24 offset) × (2 interrupts) × (calculation result of step S1309)” is calculated. Briefly explaining the meaning of such calculation, “24 offset” corresponds to the size of one symbol, “2 interrupt” corresponds to the excitation time in the constant speed state in the medium speed table, “calculation in step S1309” “Result” corresponds to how many symbols are separated. That is, “(24 offset) × (2 interrupts)” corresponds to the number of interrupt processes (time) required when the symbol in the constant speed state rotates to the position of the next symbol. By multiplying this value by the calculation result in step S1309, the time that the middle reel 42M needs to wait for rotating in a state where the predetermined symbols are aligned horizontally is obtained. After performing such a calculation, it waits until the time required for synchronization elapses. When the time required for synchronization elapses, the process proceeds to step S1313, and "25" is set in the acceleration counter of the middle reel 42M. As a result, in addition to the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M also starts to rotate. However, the right reel 42R is still stopped. In steps S1314 and S1315, the same processing is performed for the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R. Through the above processing, all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R rotate with predetermined symbols (20th “white 7” symbols) aligned horizontally.

  In steps S1316 and S1317, it is determined whether or not the symbol number is “14”, and the process waits until the symbol number becomes “14”. In this embodiment, since the symbol numbers of all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated at the same number at this time, the symbol number of one of the reels may be confirmed. As a result, the program configuration can be simplified.

  If the symbol number is “14”, the process advances to step S1318 to set 2 to the synchronous speed flag. When 2 is set in the synchronous speed flag, the “low speed table” is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) during the motor control process described above.

  In step S1319, synchronization fluctuation is started. Specifically, “(24 offset) × (6 interrupts) × 7”, that is, “1008” is set as the synchronization variation time, and the process waits until the interrupt processing corresponding to the value is performed. “6 interrupt” is the excitation time in the constant speed state in the low speed table, and “7” is a value required when changing the 20th “white 7” symbol at least from the upper line to the lower line at a low speed. is there. More precisely, it is a value that causes synchronous fluctuation until the first symbol from the fifteenth symbol passes through the lower line.

  In step S1320, interrupt processing is prohibited, and in step S1321, the synchronization speed flag is set to “0”. As a result, the “high speed table” is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) during the motor control process performed after step S1321. In steps S1322 to S1325, “21” is set in the acceleration counters of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, interrupt processing is permitted, and this processing ends. In the process in step S1319, the symbol is offset by 1 in 6 interrupts. Therefore, by setting “21” in the acceleration counter, acceleration processing is performed using the acceleration sequence 4 of the high-speed table, that is, data after 6 interrupts. And acceleration processing can be resumed smoothly. In addition, the acceleration processing based on the high speed table is started at the same time for each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, so that the rotation of the 20th "white 7" symbol is maintained while maintaining the state aligned in the horizontal direction. Can do.

  Here, an example of the synchronous fluctuation | variation which can be visually recognized from the display window 31 is demonstrated based on a series of fluctuation | variation aspects of FIG.7 and FIG.31 (a)-(h). Note that FIG. 31 illustrates a case in which the 20th “white 7” symbol is stopped in a state where it can be visually recognized through the display window in order to facilitate understanding, but is limited to this case. is not.

  FIG. 31A is a diagram illustrating a state where the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped before the start lever 71 is operated. On the left reel 42L, the first “bell” symbol, the 21st “watermelon” symbol, and the 20th “white 7” symbol from the top are stopped. The 21st “bell” symbol, the 20th “white 7” symbol, and the 19th “BAR” symbol from the top are stopped on the middle reel 42M. On the right reel 42R, the first “bell” symbol, the 21st “BAR” symbol, and the 20th “white 7” symbol from the top are stopped. That is, the CPU 151 of the main controller 131 recognizes that the 20th “white 7” symbol is separated by 20 symbols for the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M, and 22 symbols for the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R (see FIG. 30 step S1309).

  As shown in FIG. 31B, the left reel 42L first starts the acceleration process in accordance with the operation of the start lever 71. The middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R remain stopped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 31C, when the time required for synchronization of the middle reel 42M has elapsed, the middle reel 42M also starts the acceleration process. The right reel 42R is still stopped. The time required for synchronization of the middle reel 42M is 960 excitation time (step S1312 in FIG. 30). That is, after the 20th “white 7” symbol of the left reel 42L fluctuates by about 16.5 symbols, in other words, by about 3.5 symbols upstream of the 20th “white 7” symbol of the middle reel 42M. When the 20th “white 7” symbol of the left reel 42L passes through the position separated to the side, the middle reel 42M starts the acceleration process. As described above, the reel shifts to the constant speed rotation by the excitation data after the 25th time. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 31 (d), the 20th “white 7” symbol of the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M is shifted by one excitation data from the lower line (the symbol offset value is 1). ) Will be aligned in the horizontal direction, and thereafter the variation will continue in this aligned state. When the time required for synchronization of the right reel 42R elapses, the right reel 42R also starts acceleration processing as shown in FIG. The time required for synchronization of the right reel 42R is 1056 excitation time (step S1314 in FIG. 30). That is, after the 20th “white 7” symbol of the middle reel 42M has changed by about 18.5 symbols, in other words, by about 3.5 symbols upstream of the 20th “white 7” symbol of the right reel 42R. When the 20th “white 7” symbol of the middle reel 42M passes through the position separated to the side, the right reel 42R starts the acceleration process. The 20th “white 7” symbol of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R is in a position where it cannot be visually recognized through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Will be aligned horizontally. As a result, the variation occurs in a state where the 20th “white 7” symbols of all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned in the horizontal direction. At this time, since the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are fluctuating based on the medium speed table, the symbol has a speed that is offset by 1 per 2 interrupts. On the other hand, in the normal state where no synchronous fluctuation is performed, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are fluctuating based on the high-speed table, so that the symbol is offset by one offset per interrupt. Therefore, when such a process is performed, the symbol changes at a speed about one-half that of the normal time, and the player can predict that the synchronous change will be performed.

  When the 20th “white 7” symbol of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R approaches the display window 31L, 31M, 31R, the rotational speed of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R decreases rapidly. Then, as shown in FIGS. 31 (f) to 31 (g), the “white 7” symbol moves slowly from the upper side to the lower side of the display window. At this time, since the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R change based on the low-speed table, the symbol has a speed offset by 1 for every 6 interrupts. That is, the speed at which the symbol fluctuates at the time of synchronous fluctuation is about one-sixth compared to the normal time, and about one-third compared to the speed at the time of processing of “white 7” symbols. Therefore, the player can clearly identify the “white 7” symbol without moving his eyes at the reel rotation speed (symbol fluctuation speed). Furthermore, to show the player the symbol that rotates at a high rotation speed first, and then the symbol that rotates at a low rotation speed, the rotation speed decreased more than the speed that actually reduced the player. And the “white 7” symbol can be identified more easily.

  When the "white 7" symbol moves below the display window, more specifically, when the first symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line, each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is a high-speed table. The acceleration process is resumed based on Eventually, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R shift to the constant speed rotation based on the high speed table, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 are turned on, and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R can be stopped for the player. It will be notified. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the synchronous fluctuation is performed after the left reel 42L starts rotating, and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped in a relatively short time of 8 seconds. This is to avoid the possibility that the player becomes frustrated and loses interest in the game because the stop switches 72 to 74 are not effective.

  Here, the temporal change of the rotational speed in each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the difference in rotational speed between the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R when the synchronous variation is performed and when it is not performed. The two-dot chain line shown in the figure indicates the temporal change of the rotational speed during normal rotation without performing the synchronous fluctuation, and the solid line shown in the figure indicates the temporal change of the rotational speed during the synchronous fluctuation. Is shown. In addition, in actuality, as described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27, constant speed rotation is achieved while gradually changing the acceleration. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the rotation speed in the constant speed state of each acceleration table is set. It will be described as being accelerated uniformly.

  In the case of normal rotation, all reels 42L, 42M, and 42R start to rotate at the same time as the start lever 71 is operated, and the rotation speed is increased based on the high-speed table, and at the first rotation speed v1 that is the set rotation speed. It becomes a constant speed state. When a predetermined time te elapses after the left reel 42L starts to rotate, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 are turned on to inform the player that each reel 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped. . That is, the ineffective period of the stop switches 72 to 74 is set from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until a predetermined time te elapses. The predetermined time te is set longer than the time required for all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R to be in a constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1.

  When the synchronization fluctuation is performed, the left reel 42L first starts to rotate as the start lever 71 is operated. At this time, the left reel 42L increases the rotation speed based on the medium speed table, and is in a constant speed state at the second rotation speed v2. The middle reel 42M starts rotating when the required synchronization time has elapsed after the left reel 42L starts rotating (ta in the figure). At this time, the middle reel 42M increases the rotation speed based on the medium speed table, and is in a constant speed state at the second rotation speed v2. The right reel 42R starts rotating at the time (tb in the figure) when the required synchronization time has elapsed since the middle reel 42M started rotating. At this time, the right reel 42R increases the rotational speed based on the medium speed table, and enters the constant speed state at the second rotational speed v2. When the 20th “white 7” symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are arranged in the horizontal direction in this way, the lower line is the 15th symbol attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the time when the symbol passes (tc in the figure). Thereafter, all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are reduced to the third rotational speed v3 based on the low speed table, and the first symbol from the 15th symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line. The third rotation speed v3 is maintained until the time point (td in the figure). As a result, in the period from tc to td shown in the figure, the “white 7” symbols aligned in the horizontal direction are visually recognized by the player through the display window. Thereafter, all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R increase the rotation speed to the first rotation speed v1, which is the set rotation speed, based on the high speed table, and enter the constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1. When a predetermined time te elapses after the left reel 42L starts to rotate, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 are turned on to inform the player that each reel 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped. . That is, when the synchronization fluctuation is performed, the period from the start of the rotation of the left reel 42L to the elapse of the predetermined time te is set as an invalid period of the stop switches 72 to 74. The predetermined time te is set to be longer than the time required for all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R to be in a constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1 when the synchronous fluctuation is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined time te from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective is set to the same time during both normal rotation and synchronous fluctuation. This is a device that leaves room for the player to expect that the synchronization fluctuation may occur within the invalid period even if the first rotation speed v1 is reached quickly during normal rotation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the maximum rotation time has elapsed without operating the stop switches 72 to 74 in the game times that have undergone synchronous fluctuation, the “white 7” symbol is stopped on the active line as a forced stop process. Synchronization stop processing is performed. Therefore, the forced stop process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1401, it is determined whether or not the synchronization fluctuation flag is 1. If the synchronization variation flag is 1, that is, if the game time has undergone synchronization variation, the process proceeds to step S1402 to determine whether all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotating. If all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotating, the synchronization stop process shown in steps S1403 to S1409 is performed. In step S1403, it is confirmed whether or not the symbol number of the left reel 42L is 18. If it is not 18, the process waits until the symbol number becomes 18. When the symbol number of the left reel 42L becomes 18, measurement of the elapsed time t used to determine the stop timing of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R is started (step S1404) and the left reel 42L is stopped. Left reel stop processing is performed for this (step S1405). With this process, the “white 7” symbol attached to the 20th of the left reel 42L stops on the middle line. When the left reel stop process ends, it is checked in step S1406 whether the elapsed time t has reached the first elapsed time T1. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not 370 msec has elapsed since the symbol number of the left reel 42L became 18. When the elapsed time t reaches 370 msec, a middle reel stop process for stopping the middle reel 42M is performed in step S1407. Since the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R rotate at a constant speed based on the high speed table when the forced stop process is performed, when the elapsed time t reaches 370 msec, the middle reel 42M It will be a half turn. By performing the middle reel stop process at this timing, the “white 7” symbol attached to the eleventh of the middle reel 42M is stopped on the middle line. When the middle reel stop process is completed, it is checked in step S1408 whether or not the elapsed time t has reached the second elapsed time T2. Specifically, it is confirmed whether 740 msec has elapsed since the symbol number of the left reel 42L became 18. When the elapsed time t reaches 740 msec, a right reel stop process for stopping the right reel 42R is performed in step S1409, and then this process ends. When the elapsed time t is 740 msec, the right reel 42R is rotated about once. By performing the right reel stop process at this timing, the “white 7” symbol attached to the 20th of the right reel 42R is stopped on the middle line. With the above synchronization stop processing, the “white 7” symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned and stopped on the middle line.

  On the other hand, if the synchronization variation flag is not 1 or if any of the reels is stopped even if the synchronization variation flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S1410, and a reel stop process for stopping the rotating reel. Are sequentially performed, and then the present process is terminated. In the reel stop process, the elapsed time t is not confirmed unlike the synchronous stop process, and the next reel stop process is performed at the timing when one reel stop process is completed.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  Providing a new suggestion / notification form that has taken a step forward from the conventional method of suggesting or informing a game situation by relying only on the auxiliary screen by forming a synchronous symbol using each reel 42L, 42M, 42R Can do.

  When performing the synchronization fluctuation, the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is shifted so that the 20th “white 7” symbols of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R rotate in a horizontally aligned state. This gives the player a sense of expectation that the “White 7” symbols can be arranged during the acceleration period because the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is different from the normal rotation. Is possible. In addition, such an effect becomes remarkable by adopting a configuration in which synchronization fluctuation is performed when passing through the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R. Furthermore, since the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective after the synchronization change, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the player forgets the symbol for which the synchronization change has been performed when operating the stop switches 72 to 74. .

  Since the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 is invalidated during the acceleration period, the player can stop the stop switch by aligning the “white 7” symbol in the horizontal direction and performing synchronous fluctuation during the acceleration period. It is possible to suitably perform an effect by the reel without interfering with the act of stopping the symbol that is aimed by operating 72 to 74. If an effect such as synchronous fluctuation is performed when the stop switches 72 to 74 during the constant speed period are in an effective state, the design aimed at utilizing the constant speed rotation at the first rotation speed v1. For a player who stops the game, there is a possibility that the timing at which the symbol appears in the display window is shifted, and the target symbol cannot be stopped. This can undermine the fun inherent in slot machines, that is, the enjoyment of stopping the target pattern. Furthermore, if the configuration is such that the operation of the stop switches 72-74 is effective during the acceleration period, or if the synchronization variation is performed during the constant speed period, the player stops the reel before the synchronization variation is performed, There is a possibility that the synchronized fluctuation effect prepared at the corner may be wasted. Therefore, in order to eliminate such a possibility, it is possible to stop all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R regardless of the player's action after performing the synchronization fluctuation, but in this case, the symbol aimed by the player The pleasure of stopping is completely lost. Therefore, it can be said that it is best to perform the synchronous fluctuation during the acceleration period in which the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 is invalidated. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the synchronous fluctuation is performed during the acceleration period, the player pays attention to the reel from the start of the rotation of the reel, and it becomes possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  By making the big bonus won in the lottery of the combination as one of the synchronous fluctuation execution conditions, it is possible to tell the player that the big bonus has been won by performing the synchronous fluctuation. Further, by performing the synchronous variation using the “white 7” symbol, the player can be immersed in the game without being confused. If the Big Bonus is won and the “Replay” symbol is used for the synchronous fluctuation, the player may aim for the “Replay” symbol, and the distrust of the “Replay” symbol is not complete. Because there is a fear of holding. In addition, the fact that winning the synchronous lottery is one of the conditions for implementing synchronous fluctuation, so that even if there is no synchronous fluctuation, it is possible to have the expectation of winning the big bonus, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game It becomes.

  When the “white 7” symbols are arranged in the horizontal direction and the synchronization is changed, the same acceleration table (medium speed table) is used as the acceleration table for accelerating each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. The control of arranging the “white 7” symbols is facilitated. Since the time from the start of rotation of the reel to the second rotation speed v2 is the same, if the positional relationship of the “white 7” symbol before the left reel 42L starts to rotate is determined, This is because it is possible to easily determine from which time the rotation start timing of the reel 42M and the right reel 42R should be set based on the time required for synchronization. Further, by performing the synchronization fluctuation by arranging the “white 7” symbols in the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to show the synchronization fluctuation to the player longer than in the case where the synchronization fluctuation is performed in the oblique direction. As a result, the player can easily recognize that the synchronization variation is performed with the “white 7” symbol. In addition, the position of the 20th “white 7” symbol is grasped before each reel 42L, 42M, 42R starts to rotate, and the synchronization required time is calculated based on this result. Can be easily and reliably formed. If it is configured to detect the position of the “white 7” symbol when the reel is rotating and calculate the required time for synchronization, for example, the “white 7” symbol of the left reel 42L is the “white 7” symbol of the middle reel 42M. If the middle reel 42M starts to rotate at the timing when it is aligned with the symbol, there may be an error in the result of detecting the position of the “white 7” symbol on the left reel 42L. This is because the “white 7” symbol may not line up in the horizontal direction.

  By adopting a configuration in which the rotation speed of the reel is slowed when performing the synchronous fluctuation, it becomes possible to impress the player with the “white 7” symbol that is subject to the synchronous fluctuation more clearly. By showing the player a symbol that rotates at a high rotational speed first, and then showing a symbol that rotates at a slow rotational speed, the player is given the illusion that the rotational speed has decreased more than the actual reduced speed. Because it can. In addition, it can be prevented that the “white 7” symbols are accidentally arranged during the acceleration period.

  When preparing a high-speed table, a medium-speed table, and a low-speed table as the acceleration table and do not perform synchronization fluctuation, or use the high-speed table when the synchronization fluctuation ends and align the “White 7” symbol Uses a medium speed table and uses a low speed table when performing synchronous fluctuations, so that these effects can be performed simply by replacing the acceleration table. It is possible to suppress an increase in load.

  When grasping the positional relationship of symbols (reel rotation processing step S1309), the symbol number of the left (middle) reel 42L (M) is subtracted from the symbol number of the middle (right) reel 42M (R) and 21 is added. Thus, for example, when the “white 7” symbols attached to the 20th of the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M are stopped in a horizontal direction, the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M start to rotate simultaneously. This can be avoided, and it becomes possible to provide a clear difference in the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. As a result, it is possible to teach that the synchronous fluctuation is performed from the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. At this time, by using the medium speed table instead of the high speed table, it is possible to more actively teach the player that the synchronization fluctuation is performed. When the “white 7” symbols are arranged using the high-speed table, the excitation time in the constant speed state is one interrupt, so the time required for synchronization is 2 minutes compared to the case where the medium-speed table is used. 1 Therefore, there is a possibility that the player may not be aware of the deviation of the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. Further, since the constant speed state is reached at the second rotation speed v2 that is slower than the first rotation speed v1, it is possible to teach the player that the synchronization variation is performed.

  Instead of enabling the stop switches 72 to 74 on the condition that each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has reached the first rotation speed v1, it is on the condition that a predetermined time has passed with the first rotation speed v1. By making the stop switches 72 to 74 effective, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game. Even when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are at the first rotation speed during normal rotation without synchronous fluctuation, the player expects that the synchronous fluctuation effect will be performed until the stop switches 72 to 74 are activated. This is because it waits for the stop switches 72 to 74 to become effective.

  When the maximum rotation time elapses without operating the stop switches 72 to 74 in the game times that have undergone synchronous fluctuation, by performing a synchronous stop process in which the “white 7” symbol stops on the active line as a forced stop process It is possible to increase the production value of the game while enhancing the production value of the synchronous fluctuation. In the case of synchronized fluctuations, the player attempts to stop on the active line by aiming at the “white 7” symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, or prays for a big bonus and maximizes the rotation time. It is common to wait for the elapse of time. Therefore, if the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are stopped because the “white 7” symbols are not aligned when the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the player who waits for the maximum rotation time to pass while praying for the big bonus will be very disappointed. there is a possibility. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which synchronization stop processing is performed in such a case, it is possible to give the player an impression that the player's prayer has been stopped and all the “white 7” symbols have been stopped. The production value of can be increased.

  When the forced stop process is performed, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the main controller 131 by adopting a configuration in which the rotating reels are sequentially stopped individually. This is because when the rotating reels are configured to stop simultaneously, the processing load is concentrated on the main controller 131. Further, when the synchronization stop process is performed, the left reel 42L and the right reel 42R use the 20th “white 7” symbol, and the middle reel 42M uses the eleventh “white 7” symbol. It becomes possible to align and stop the “white 7” symbol on the active line. As in the present embodiment, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotated based on the same acceleration pattern and the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are individually stopped to suppress an increase in processing load on the main controller 131. In order to align the 20th “white 7” symbols on the effective line, the middle reel 42M stops after one rotation after the left reel 42L stops, and the right reel 42R stops after one more rotation. Because it will be.

  When the “white 7” symbols assigned to the 20th of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned and synchronized, the rotation is started in the order of the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R. In the synchronous stop process, the rotation is stopped, so that the driving loads of the stepping motors 61L, 61M, 61R for rotating the reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be made uniform. Accordingly, it is possible to extend the service life of the stepping motors 61L, 61M, 61R and thus the reel unit 41.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the 20th “white 7” symbols of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R slowly change from the upper side to the lower side of the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R in a state where they are horizontally aligned. However, it is not limited to the 20th “white 7” design, and the 5th “white 7” design of the left reel 42L, and the 20th “white 7” design of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R, It may be configured to vary in a state where the symbols are arranged, or may be configured to vary, for example, “bell” symbols other than the “white 7” symbol. Moreover, it is good also as a state arranged not diagonally but diagonally. In other words, any configuration may be used as long as the same symbol varies with the arrangement of the combination lines.

  (B) In the above embodiment, when the synchronization fluctuation is performed, first, the left reel 42L starts to rotate, and sequentially rotates the reels 42M, 42M, so that the 20th “white 7” symbols rotate in the horizontal direction. Although 42R is configured to start rotating, the order of the middle reel 42M → the right reel 42R → the left reel 42L may be used, and the order of starting the rotation is arbitrary. In a case where the synchronization variation is performed using a plurality of types of symbols other than the “white 7” symbol, the order of starting rotation may be different depending on the symbol performing the synchronization variation. In addition, when it is set as these structures, it is preferable to perform a synchronous stop process in the same order as the order which started rotation. This is because the rotational loads of the stepping motors 61L, 61M, 61R are equalized.

  (C) In the above embodiment, when grasping the positional relationship of symbols, the symbol number of the left (middle) reel 42L (M) is subtracted from the symbol number of the middle (right) reel 42M (R) to uniquely identify the symbol. 21 is added, but 21 may be added only when the calculation result when grasping the positional relationship between symbols is negative. In such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the time required until the “white 7” symbols are arranged in the horizontal direction.

  (D) In the above embodiment, when the synchronization fluctuation is performed, after the 20th “white 7” symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line (more precisely, the first The reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are accelerated to the first rotation speed based on the high speed table when the symbol passes), but the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R perform the first rotation based on the different acceleration tables. It is good also as a structure accelerated to speed. In such a case, the 20th “white 7” symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R can be changed from a state where they are aligned in the horizontal direction to a state where they are not aligned. As a result, it is necessary to stop by aiming at the “white 7” symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, and increase the sense of achievement when the “white 7” symbol is aligned and stopped on the effective line. It becomes possible. That is, it is possible to enhance the enjoyment inherent in the slot machine. Further, when the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are accelerated to the first rotation speed based on different acceleration tables, the control is performed so that the 20th “white 7” symbol is shifted by a predetermined number of symbols. In the stop process, the “white 7” symbol assigned to the 20th of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped on the effective line in a relatively short time.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the “white 7” symbol is changed in synchronization to clearly indicate that the symbol is changing in the horizontal direction, but the predetermined symbol is aligned during the acceleration period. It is good also as a structure which makes it fluctuate | variate but does not change at low speed. With such a configuration, only a player who has a skill capable of identifying the changing symbol to some extent will notice such a configuration, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the player having the symbol identification skill. In this case, it is preferable that the presentation be performed using a symbol that can be easily identified as compared with other symbols such as the “white 7” symbol and the “red 7” symbol. This is because a configuration in which even a player with a low symbol identification skill is aware is desirable.

  (F) You may perform together the effect which arranges a pattern, and changes, and the effect by a lamp, an auxiliary display part, etc. An example is shown below.

  As a first example, when the “white 7” symbols are aligned and varied, a so-called full-rotation effect in which the “white 7” symbols are also varied in the auxiliary display unit is performed.

  As a second example, in a normal state, a portion that can be seen from the display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R of each reel 42L, 42M, and 42R is illuminated with an illuminating member. Turns off the lighting member as the start lever 71 is operated, and turns on the lighting member only when the aligned “white 7” symbols pass through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Or it is set as the structure which illuminates only the arranged "white 7" design with an illumination member. In this case, a color corresponding to the aligned symbols, for example, “white 7” symbol may be illuminated by white light, and “bell” symbol may be illuminated by yellow light, and a configuration in which the aligned symbols are also taught from the light color may be employed.

  Needless to say, the above configurations may be used in combination.

  (G) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the slot machine 10 that wins a prize when a combination of the same symbols (excluding “cherry” symbols) is aligned on the active line is shown. The slot machine 10 that is awarded when the combinations are aligned on the active line may be configured to perform synchronous fluctuations according to such symbol combinations. For example, when “7,7, BAR” and left, middle, and right are on the active line, the game moves to a regular bonus game after winning, and “BAR, BAR, BAR” and left, middle, and right are active lines In slot machines that shift to a big bonus game after winning a prize, if this “7/7 BAR” is aligned horizontally and synchronized, it should be aimed at the player. It becomes possible to teach a design suitably. If the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured to teach the player by displaying “Regular Bonus Established”, a player who does not fully understand the combination of winning symbols will be “BAR / BAR / BAR”. This is because there is a possibility that the reels are aimed and stopped so as to be aligned.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the invalid period is set from the start of rotation of the left reel 42L to the elapse of the predetermined time te. May be set. In the case of normal rotation, the constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1 is reached more quickly than in the case of performing synchronous fluctuation, so the invalid period for normal rotation is set shorter than the invalid period for performing synchronous fluctuation. To do. With this configuration, it is possible for the player to identify the presence / absence of synchronization variation from the difference in invalid period.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the period from the start of rotation of the left reel 42L to the elapse of the predetermined time te is set as an invalid period regardless of the presence or absence of synchronization fluctuation. The period until the rotation time elapses may be set as the invalid period. In this case, the “white 7” symbol is stopped on the active line without a stop operation by the player, and it is possible to increase the effect value of the synchronous fluctuation. When the synchronization change is performed, the player does not operate the stop switches 72 to 74, but simply waits for the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R to stop while being immersed in the reverberation in which the synchronization change has been performed. Because. Furthermore, if the effect of assisting synchronization fluctuation is performed within this invalid period using the auxiliary display unit 15 or a lamp, it is possible to appeal to the surrounding players that the synchronization fluctuation has been performed. Therefore, it is possible to immerse the player not only in the reverberation in which the synchronous variation is performed, but also in a sense of superiority with respect to other players. As a result, it is possible to fully enjoy the effects due to synchronous fluctuations. Or it is good also as composition which makes invalid period to several seconds before the maximum rotation time passes (for example, 3 seconds). In such a configuration, after having fully enjoyed the effect due to the synchronous fluctuation, while waiting for the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to stop while further enjoying the effect due to the synchronous fluctuation, or aiming at the "White 7" design The player can be given the option of taking pleasure to stop.

  (J) In the above embodiment, the maximum rotation time until the forced stop process is performed is the same time when the synchronous fluctuation is performed and when it is not performed, but may be a different time. For example, if the maximum rotation time when performing synchronous fluctuation is shorter than the maximum rotation time when not performing, the player stops the “White 7” symbol on the active line before stopping the “White 7” symbol. It becomes possible to make the player feel unexpected.

  (K) In the above embodiment, when the synchronization stop process is performed, the middle reel 42M stops when the first elapsed time has elapsed since the symbol number of the left reel 42L becomes 18, and the right reel when the second elapsed time is reached. Although 42R is configured to stop, the time set as the elapsed time is arbitrary. For example, if the “white 7” symbol assigned to the 20th of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is stopped on the active line, the first elapsed time may be set to 740 msec and the second elapsed time may be set to 1490 msec. . Or it is good also as a structure which determines the stop timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R with the elapsed time from the rotation start of the left reel 42L, or the stop of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R with a symbol number. It is good also as a structure which determines a timing.

  (L) In the above embodiment, the control at the time of the forced stop process is changed depending on whether the synchronization fluctuation is performed or not. That is, even when synchronization fluctuation is not performed, the reels are stopped after waiting for the elapsed time. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of programs in advance, so that it is possible to reduce the risk of an increase in the storage capacity of the main control device 131. In addition, in the game times in which the synchronization fluctuation is performed, the “white 7” symbols are stopped on the active line even though the game is stopped at the same stop timing as in the case where the synchronization fluctuation is not performed. It becomes possible to give the player an unexpectedness and to enhance the interest of the game.

  (M) In the above embodiment, the synchronization stop process is performed under the condition that the synchronization fluctuation flag is 1 and that all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are rotating when the maximum rotation time has elapsed. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a lottery for determining whether or not to perform synchronization fluctuation is won and a synchronization stop process is performed when a lottery for determining whether or not to stop synchronization is won.

  (N) In the above embodiment, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are sequentially stopped in the forced stop process. However, it goes without saying that the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R may be stopped simultaneously. Nor. In this case, it becomes possible to align and stop the “white 7” symbol on the effective line in a relatively short time.

  (O) In the above embodiment, when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed during the invalid period, the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 invalidates the ON signals of the stop detection sensors 72 a to 74 a. If it is within the invalid period, the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a may not output the ON signal to the main controller 131, that is, the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a may be invalidated. As a means for realizing such a configuration, an example in which an AND circuit is provided between the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a and the main controller 131 can be given. The stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are configured to output an ON signal to the main control device 131 when both the signal from the main control device 131 and the signals from the stop switches 72 to 74 are received, and the main control device 131 is effective. A signal is output to the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a during the period. With such a configuration, the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 only has to set the signal to the ON state and confirm whether the ON signals from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a have been received. It becomes possible to reduce. Or it is good also as a structure which invalidates pressing operation of the stop switches 72-74 within an invalid period. As a means for realizing such a configuration, an example is provided in which a pressing operation restricting member is provided so that the stop switches 72 to 74 cannot be pressed during the invalid period. Specifically, a notch is provided in the back of the stop switches 72 to 74 when viewed from the front of the slot machine 10, and a solenoid is configured to engage with the notch in normal times. This solenoid is connected to the main controller 131 by electric wiring. When the effective period is reached, the engagement between the solenoid and the notch is released by an electric signal from the main controller 131, and the stop switch 72 ˜74 can be pressed. With such a configuration, since the stop switches 72 to 74 cannot be pressed, it is possible to tell the player that the stop switches 72 to 74 are invalidated.

  (P) In the above embodiment, the rotation speed of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is reduced from the second rotation speed v2 to the third rotation speed v3 when the synchronization fluctuation is performed. The rotation speed may be changed as shown in FIG. Here, only differences from the above embodiment (see FIG. 32) will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 34A, when the 20th “white 7” symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned in the horizontal direction, the lower line is placed on the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the attached first symbol passes the lower line. When the first symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line (td in the figure), the rotational speeds of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are increased to the first rotational speed v1. In this case, in the period from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until the time td elapses, the rotation speed at the time of synchronous fluctuation is slower than the rotation speed at the time of normal rotation. It becomes possible to identify that the “white 7” symbols are changing together. The configuration is such that the 15th symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R gradually accelerates (for example, acceleration 0.1 or the like) until the first symbol passes the lower line after passing the lower line. Also good.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 34B, when the 20th “white 7” symbols attached to the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are aligned in the horizontal direction, the lower line is placed on the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the time point when the attached 15th symbol passes (tc in the figure). Thereafter, the rotational speeds of all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are increased to the first rotational speed v1 with an acceleration smaller than the acceleration during the normal rotation. In this case, the player can easily identify that the “white 7” symbols are changing together due to the difference in acceleration between normal rotation and synchronous fluctuation.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 34C, the rotation start timing of each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is controlled so that the 20th “white 7” symbols are arranged in the horizontal direction based on the acceleration table during normal rotation. Each reel 42L, 42M, 42R maintains the first rotational speed v1 until the 15th symbol attached to the lower line passes (tc in the figure), and then the rotational speed is increased to the second rotational speed v2. When the first symbol attached to each passes the lower line (td in the figure), the rotational speeds of all the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are increased to the first rotational speed v1. Then, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 are turned on after a predetermined time te has elapsed from the start of rotation of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, and the reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped for the player. Is notified. In this case, since the 20th “white 7” symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R passes along the effective line side by side, the rotation speed decreases, so that the player can easily “white 7” symbol. It is possible to identify that all are fluctuating. For example, the rotational speed may be reduced so that the second rotational speed v2 is reached when the 20th “white 7” symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes through a predetermined line such as a middle line. Any configuration may be used as long as the rotation speed is reduced so that the player can identify that the “white 7” symbols are all changing. In addition, since the rotation speeds of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are not the first rotation speed v1, but the stop switches 72 to 74 are enabled after a predetermined time te has elapsed, the player can set the reels 42L, 42L, and 42R. , 42M, 42R will wait for a period until the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective while expecting that the synchronous fluctuation will be performed even if the first rotational speed v1 becomes the first rotation speed v1, and can enhance the interest of the game. it can.

  As described above, if the reel is controlled at a rotation speed or acceleration different from that at the time of normal rotation, the player can easily identify that the synchronization variation is performed from the difference. In order to actively teach the player about the synchronization fluctuation, it is desirable to set a clear speed difference between the first rotation speed v1 and the second rotation speed v2.

  Needless to say, the above configurations may be used in combination. For example, if all of the synchronous variation patterns of FIGS. 34A to 34C are provided and used in accordance with the game situation, it is possible to give a wide range of effects performed using the reels.

  (Q) In the above embodiment, the synchronization variation is performed using the 20th “white 7” symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, and the “white 7” symbol is on the effective line during the forced stop process. However, the synchronous stop process may be performed so that the “red 7” symbol stops on the active line during the forced stop process. In such a case, the combination of symbols that have undergone synchronous variation and the combination of symbols that will eventually stop change, but in this embodiment both the “White 7” symbol and the “Red 7” symbol are big bonus symbols. Therefore, there is no change in the number of medals obtained by the player and bonuses such as bonus games. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a surprise and enhance the interest of the game.

  (R) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the synchronization variation is performed in the slot machine 10 including the auxiliary display unit 15 has been described. However, the configuration in which the synchronization variation is performed in the slot machine 10 that does not include the auxiliary display unit 15 may be employed. . In the slot machine, the reel is an indispensable member, and the synchronization variation can be performed by reel control by the main controller 131. Therefore, the presentation can be performed without increasing the number of parts, which can contribute to the cost reduction of the slot machine.

  (S) In the above embodiment, a two-phase stepping motor motor that employs the 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the drive motor. However, a four-phase stepping motor or a 4-5 phase excitation that employs the 3-4 phase excitation method is used. You may use the 5-phase stepping motor etc. which employ | adopted the system.

  (T) In the above embodiment, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R in a state where all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are stopped. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be of a size that allows the 12 symbols to be visually recognized. The sizes of 31L, 31M, and 31R are arbitrary. However, in consideration of increasing the visibility of the synchronization fluctuation, it is desirable that the configuration allows more symbols to be visually recognized than in the above embodiment.

  (U) In the above embodiment, a slot machine having three reels arranged in parallel and having five lines as effective lines has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, five reels arranged in parallel It may be a slot machine provided or a slot machine having seven effective lines. Further, the present invention is not limited to the so-called A type slot machine, but can be applied to any slot machine such as B type, C type, A type and C type composite type, and B type and C type composite type. In any case, it is obvious that the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (V) The symbols of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R are not limited to pictures, numbers, characters, and the like, but may be geometric lines or figures. In addition, the design can be configured by light, color, or the like, the design can be configured by a three-dimensional shape or the like, and the design can be configured by combining these. That is, it is sufficient that the symbol has a function as identification information (identification information).

  (W) In the above embodiment, an example in which the slot machine 10 is embodied has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused. That is, in the slot machine, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions, a gaming machine having a ball insertion and ball payout function such as a pachinko machine may be used. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, only a ball can be handled as a gaming value in the gaming hall. Therefore, the gaming value seen in the current gaming hall in which pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed is used. Problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and balls and restrictions on the location of the gaming machine can be solved.

The front view of the slot machine in one embodiment. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door. The rear view of a front door. The front view of a housing | casing. The assembly perspective view of a left reel. FIG. 3 is a development view of a belt-like belt constituting each reel. The block circuit diagram of a slot machine. The flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. The flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. The flowchart which shows the process at the time of a power failure. The flowchart which shows a main process. The flowchart which shows a normal process. The flowchart which shows a lottery process. The flowchart which shows a reel control process. The flowchart which shows medal payout processing. The flowchart which shows special game state processing. The flowchart which shows a bonus symbol determination process. Explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of RB game initial setting process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a BB game initial setting process, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of a JAC game initial setting process in BB game. The connection diagram which shows the operation principle of a stepping motor. The connection diagram which shows the drive system of a stepping motor. The figure which shows the drive characteristic of a stepping motor. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between an excitation signal (excitation data) and an excitation order pointer. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of an acceleration process, and the relationship between an acceleration counter. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of an acceleration process, and the relationship between an acceleration counter. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of an acceleration process, and the relationship between an acceleration counter. The flowchart which shows a stepping motor control process. The flowchart which shows a motor control process. The flowchart which shows a reel rotation process. Explanatory drawing which shows one embodiment of a synchronous fluctuation | variation. Explanatory drawing which shows the rotational speed change at the time of performing a synchronous fluctuation | variation. The flowchart which shows a forced stop process. Explanatory drawing which shows another structure of a synchronous fluctuation | variation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine as a gaming machine, 11 ... Housing which comprises a part of gaming machine body, 12 ... Front door which constitutes a part of gaming machine body or opening / closing member of gaming machine body, 15 ... Auxiliary display part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 42 ... Reel which comprises a rotating drum or an endless belt, 61 ... Stepping motor as a drive means, 71 ... Start lever as a starting operation means, 72-74 ... Stop switch as a stop operation means, 111 ... As sub control means , 131... Main controller constituting various control means such as main control means, 151... CPU constituting various control means such as main control means, 152 and 153... ROM, RAM, 161 as storage means. ... power supply.

Claims (1)

A plurality of endless belts with a plurality of kinds of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
A display window that allows a visual recognition of some of the patterns for each of the endless belts;
Start operation means operated to start rotation of each endless belt;
A driving means provided for each of the endless belts, for rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means operated to stop the rotation of each endless belt;
The rotation of each endless belt is started based on the operation of the start operation means, and the rotation of each endless belt is stopped based on the operation of the stop operation means or with the passage of a predetermined time. The drive control means for driving and controlling each of the drive means, and when the endless belts are stopped, a combination of specific pictures formed by the pictures is established at an effective position visible from the display window. In a gaming machine configured to grant a privilege to a player on condition that
The drive control means includes
Initial drive control means for initial drive control of each drive means to start rotation of each endless belt to reach a first set rotational speed;
After the initial drive control by the initial drive control means, constant speed drive control means for controlling the drive means at a constant speed so that the first set rotational speed is maintained;
Synchronous pattern forming means for driving and controlling each of the driving means so as to form a synchronous pattern aligned with the combination of the specific patterns during execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means,
The synchronous picture forming means includes
Based on the detection result of the pattern position detecting means for detecting the pattern position of each endless belt, the pattern position grasping means for grasping the positional relationship of the specific pattern attached to each endless belt;
Other endless belts after one endless belt starts to rotate so that the synchronous pattern is formed when each endless belt reaches the second set rotational speed based on the grasp result of the picture position grasping means. Calculating means for calculating a waiting time until the rotation starts,
Based on the operation of the starting operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotation speed, and the corresponding drive means is controlled to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotation speed. And synchronous drive control means for controlling the drive so as to start rotation of the other endless belt with a delay of the waiting time calculated by the calculating means after one endless belt starts to rotate,
The drive control means, when a synchronous picture is formed by the synchronous picture forming means, and when the effective operation of the stop operation means is not performed within the predetermined time, without being based on the operation of the stop operation means, A gaming machine comprising stop drive control means for stopping and controlling the drive means so as to stop the synchronous picture at the effective position.

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