JP2006000150A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine efficiently detecting the rotating positions of reels. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine 10 is provided with a casing 11 and a front door 12 provided in front of the casing 11 and openably/closably supported to one side part of the casing 11. When a start lever 71 provided in an approximately central left part of the front door 12 is operated, reels 42L, 42M and 42R visible through display windows 31L, 31M and 31R start rotation. When a stop switch 72, 73 or 74 is operated, the reel 42L, 42M or 42R corresponding to the respective switch 72, 73 or 74 is stopped. The reels 42L and the like are so constituted that the respective reel is provided with a first sensor shielding plate and a second sensor shielding plate to detect the rotating positions at a plurality of parts of the reels 42L and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  As a kind of gaming machine, there is a rotating type gaming machine, for example, a slot machine. The slot machine is equipped with a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols, and each player starts rotating by inserting a medal and operating the start lever. After each reel starts rotating, the slot machine stops. Each reel is sequentially stopped by operating the switch or elapse of a predetermined time. In addition, in the slot machine, a lottery is performed on condition that a medal is inserted and a start lever is operated, on the condition that the lottery result is a win and the player wins a symbol on a preset active line. A predetermined number of medals are paid out, or a special game state (bonus game or the like) advantageous to the player occurs (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Each reel is configured to rotate by being driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor. Therefore, by monitoring the number of driving pulses input to the driving means, the rotation angle of the reel from a predetermined reference position is obtained, the rotational position of the reel (the position of the symbol on the reel) is grasped, and the predetermined symbol is obtained. It is possible to stop at a predetermined position or identify a symbol that stops on an active line.

Conventionally, a light shielding plate is attached to the reference position of the reel, and each time the reel makes a round, the light shielding plate is detected by a detecting means such as a photosensor, and the reference position of each reel is recognized. .
JP 2003-126337 A

  However, if the reference position is not detected after the reel has reached a certain speed (for example, 80 revolutions / minute), a more accurate reel rotation position (the position of the symbol on the reel) cannot be grasped. If it does not wait for the time from the start of rotation of the reel to a constant speed (for example, 0.32 seconds) + the time for one round of the reel (for example, 0.75 seconds), the reference position and thus the rotational position of the reel can be detected. There were cases where it was not possible.

  Therefore, during this time, for example, the process for performing the reel stop control such as enabling the stop switch cannot be started, and there is a problem in performing the reel stop control quickly. Further, during this time, the player has to spend time as a waiting time, which may hinder smooth game progress and reduce the interest of the player.

  In order to avoid such a problem, it is conceivable to arrange the detection means at a plurality of places and detect the light shielding plate at a plurality of places. There is a risk of inconveniences such as complicated wiring.

  The above problem is not limited to the slot machine, but also applies to other gaming machines that rotate a rotating body such as a reel and then stop the rotating body.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of efficiently detecting the rotational position of a reel.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned purpose will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to the means to respond | correspond as needed are added.

Means 1. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means;
A rotation position detecting means capable of detecting a rotation position (rotation angle position) of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state;
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected parts provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position, and have different lengths from a start end part that passes through the predetermined detection position first to a terminal end part that passes through the predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The rotational position detecting means is
A gaming machine configured to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in length of each of the detected parts.

  According to the above means 1, a plurality of detected parts are provided, and the rotational position of the rotating body can be detected based on the difference in length of each detected part, and the detected parts are detected at a plurality of locations of the rotating body. Since it can do, the rotation position of a rotary body can be detected efficiently. Further, after the rotating body is in a constant speed rotation state, the rotational position can be adjusted in a relatively short time (for example, a time required for the rotating body to rotate by a predetermined angle, for example, a half turn) without waiting for the rotating body to make one round. I can grasp. Therefore, processing for performing stop control of the rotating body, such as enabling a stop operation means for stopping the rotating body, can be performed relatively quickly after the rotating body enters the constant speed rotation state. it can. As a result, the waiting time of the player can be shortened to realize a smooth game progression, and the player's interest can be improved.

  In addition, except for providing a plurality of detected portions, a significant design change is made to the conventional configuration, that is, the configuration in which the detected portion is detected by a single conventional detection means, the configuration of the rotating body, and the like. It can be used as it is. In other words, it is not necessary to employ a configuration in which detection means are arranged at a plurality of locations and the detected part is detected at a plurality of locations, and the occurrence of problems such as an increase in production cost and complicated wiring is suppressed. be able to. In other words, in the above-mentioned means having the configuration “equipped with only one detecting means”, it is possible to efficiently detect the rotational position of the rotating body while suppressing problems such as an increase in production cost and complicated wiring. The effect of being able to be obtained can be obtained, and a remarkable synergistic effect is born.

Mean 2. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected parts provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position, and have different lengths from a start end part that passes through the predetermined detection position first to a terminal end part that passes through the predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The rotational position detecting means is
Based on the detection signal from the detection means, comprising a passing time measurement means for measuring the time with detection from the start of detection of the start end portion to the end of detection of the end portion in each detected portion,
A gaming machine configured to be able to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in detection time of each detected part.

  According to the means 2, the same effects as the means 1 can be obtained. Further, the same applies to the following means, but the rotational position detecting means detects the rotational position of the rotating body in the constant speed rotation state, and therefore, for example, compared with the case of detecting the rotational position of the rotating body in the acceleration rotation state. The calculation of the time with detection and the like can be performed relatively easily without performing complicated calculation processing. As a result, an increase in processing load can be suppressed.

  Means 3. With respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body, the plurality of detected portions are arranged such that the positions of the start end portions of the detected portions or the end portions of the detected portions are equiangularly spaced. 3. The gaming machine according to item 1 or 2, which is characterized.

  According to the means 3, the plurality of detected portions are arranged such that the positions of the start end portions of the detected portions or the end portions of the detected portions are equiangular with respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body. Yes. For example, when two detection parts are provided, they are arranged at an interval of 180 °, and at three intervals, an interval of 120 °. In a configuration in which only one detected portion is provided, the length between both end portions (starting end portion and terminating end portion) of the detected portion is set relatively long, and the both end portions (multiple locations) are detected. The overall balance of the rotating body may be deteriorated and the rotation may become unstable. However, according to the present means, it is possible to reduce such problems by arranging a plurality of detected portions in a balanced manner. it can. In addition, it is possible to reduce a problem that the distance between two adjacent detected parts (between detected parts) is biased. That is, an extremely long section (for example, a length exceeding the half circumference of the rotating body, etc.) in which the detected part cannot be detected is not possible, and the rotational position of the rotating body can be detected efficiently in a relatively short time. Such effects can be further enhanced. In addition, as an example of the case where the arrangement balance of the plurality of detected parts is poor, for example, the position of the plurality of detected parts may be concentrated in the lower part of the rotating body when the rotating body is stopped. In this case, there is a possibility that the load applied to the driving means at the time of starting the rotating body becomes large, and there is a possibility that the engine cannot be started at an appropriate starting acceleration. In addition, when the rotating body rotates, there is a risk of causing a problem that the rotating body swings and the rotating body rotates. Further, when the rotating body is stopped, there is a possibility that it may be difficult to stop at an appropriate position due to an influence of centrifugal force or the like.

Means 4. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected portions provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The plurality of detected parts are configured to have different lengths from a start end part that first passes through the predetermined detection position to a terminal end part that passes later, and each of the detected parts with respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body. It is arranged so that the positions of the start end of the detection unit or the end of each detected unit are equiangular intervals,
The rotational position detecting means is
Based on the detection signal from the detection means, the detection time from the start of detection of the start end portion to the end of detection of the end portion in each detected portion, and detection of the end portion of the predetermined detected portion A transit time measuring means for measuring a no-detection time from the end to the start of detection of the start of the next detected part;
A gaming machine configured to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference between the detection time and the non-detection time.

  According to the means 4, the same effects as those of the means 1 to 3 are achieved. Furthermore, each detected object is arranged by arranging a plurality of detected parts so that the positions of the start end part of each detected part or the end part of each detected part are equiangularly spaced with respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body. Based on the different lengths of the parts, the lengths between the detected parts are also different. Therefore, by detecting the difference in the non-detection time that is the passing time between each detected part, when the starting end part of the next detected part is detected, the detected part at which position the detected part is This can be grasped without measuring the time with detection from the start end to the end of the detected part. Therefore, the rotational position of the rotating body can be specified at an earlier stage. Further, the rotational position of the rotating body can be detected more reliably and accurately by looking at both the detected time that is the passing time of the detected part and the non-detected time that is the passing time between the detected parts. .

Means 5. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A first detected part and a second detected part provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The first detected part and the second detected part are provided so that the lengths from the starting end part that first passes through the predetermined detection position to the terminal end part that passes later are different, and the rotation direction of the rotating body The positions of the start end of each detected part or the end of each detected part are arranged at 180 ° intervals,
The rotational position detecting means is
Based on the detection signal from the detection means, the time with detection from the start of detection of the start end portion to the end of detection of the end portion in each detected portion, at the end of detection of the end portion of the first detected portion No detection time from the start of detection of the start end of the second detected part to the start of detection of the end of the second detected part until the start of detection of the start of the first detected part It has a transit time measuring means to measure the no detection time of
A gaming machine configured to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference between the detection time and the non-detection time.

  According to the means 5, the same effect as that of the means 4 can be obtained. Furthermore, the first detected part and the second detected part are arranged such that the positions of the start end part or the terminal end part are 180 ° apart. For this reason, the rotational position can be detected within a half turn (within a 180 ° angle change). As a result, the detection time can be shortened more reliably than in the case where the arrangement balance between the first detected part and the second detected part is poor. In addition, it is relatively easy to consider the arrangement balance with the origin position of the rotating body, etc., compared with the case where three or more detected parts are provided, and the installation work at the time of manufacture The number of processes can be suppressed as much as possible.

Means 6. The rotational position detecting means is
Passing time storage means for storing in advance the detected time corresponding to each detected part and the non-detected time corresponding to each detected part;
The detected time corresponding to the predetermined detected portion measured by the passing time measuring means or the non-detected time corresponding to the predetermined detected portion, and each detected detection stored in the passing time storage means A comparison means for comparing the time with detection corresponding to the part or the time without detection corresponding between the detected parts,
The gaming machine according to means 4 or 5, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be able to detect a rotational position of the rotating body from a comparison result by the comparing means.

  According to the means 6, the detected time corresponding to each detected part and the non-detected time corresponding to each detected part are stored in advance, and the rotation is performed by comparing these with the measured times. The position can be detected. As a result, an increase in processing load can be suppressed without performing complicated arithmetic processing or the like.

Mean 7 The driving means is configured to rotate the rotating body by a rotation amount corresponding to the number of the driving signals based on an input of a predetermined driving signal.
The drive control means is configured to control the drive means by outputting the drive signal to the drive means, thereby controlling the rotational position of the rotating body. A gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  According to the means 7, the rotational position of the rotating body can be controlled relatively easily by using a drive means such as a stepping motor that is driven based on the input of a drive signal (excitation pulse). Further, the driving unit can rotate the rotating body once by inputting a predetermined number (for example, 504) of driving signals (excitation pulses).

Means 8. The transit time measuring means is
Drive signal counting means for counting the number of drive signals output to the drive means;
The gaming machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the gaming machine comprises calculation means for calculating the various times based on the counted number of drive signals.

  According to the means 8, since it is not necessary to separately set a timer or the like for measuring the detected time of the detected part, an increase in processing load can be suppressed.

Means 9. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body by a rotation amount corresponding to the number of the driving signals based on an input of a predetermined driving signal;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means by outputting the drive signal to the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected parts provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position, and have different lengths from a start end part that passes through the predetermined detection position first to a terminal end part that passes through the predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The rotational position detecting means is
Drive signal counting means for counting the number of drive signals required for angle change (movement) from the start end to the end of each detected part based on the detection signal from the detection means,
A gaming machine configured to be able to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in the number of drive signals corresponding to each detected portion.

  According to the means 9, the same effect as that of the means 2 is obtained. Furthermore, the rotational position of the rotating body can be controlled relatively easily by using a driving means such as a stepping motor that is driven based on an input of a driving signal (excitation pulse). Further, the driving unit can rotate the rotating body once by inputting a predetermined number (for example, 504) of driving signals (excitation pulses). In addition, since it is not necessary to separately set a timer or the like for measuring the detection time of the detected part, an increase in processing load can be suppressed.

  Means 10. With respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body, the plurality of detected portions are arranged such that the positions of the start end portions of the detected portions or the end portions of the detected portions are equiangularly spaced. A gaming machine according to the means 9 characterized by the above.

  According to the means 10, the same effect as the means 3 can be obtained.

Means 11. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body by a rotation amount corresponding to the number of the driving signals based on an input of a predetermined driving signal;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means by outputting the drive signal to the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected portions provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The plurality of detected parts are configured to have different lengths from a start end part that first passes through the predetermined detection position to a terminal end part that passes later, and each of the detected parts with respect to the rotation direction of the rotating body. It is arranged so that the positions of the start end of the detection unit or the end of each detected unit are equiangular intervals,
The rotational position detecting means is
Based on the detection signal from the detection means, the number of drive signals required to change the angle from the start end portion to the end portion of each detected portion, and the following detected portion from the predetermined end portion of the detected portion Drive signal counting means for counting the number of drive signals required to change the angle to the start end of
A gaming machine configured to be able to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in the number of drive signals corresponding to each detected part and each detected part.

  According to the means 11, the same effects as the means 4 can be obtained.

Means 12. A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body by a rotation amount corresponding to the number of the driving signals based on an input of a predetermined driving signal;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means by outputting the drive signal to the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A first detected part and a second detected part provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The first detected part and the second detected part are provided so that the lengths from the starting end part that first passes through the predetermined detection position to the terminal end part that passes later are different, and the rotation direction of the rotating body The positions of the start end of each detected part or the end of each detected part are arranged at 180 ° intervals,
The rotational position detecting means is
Based on the detection signal from the detection means, the number of drive signals required to change the angle from the start end portion to the end portion of each detected portion, the start end of the second detected portion from the end portion of the first detected portion Drive signal counting means for counting the number of drive signals required for the angle change to the part and the number of drive signals required for the angle change from the terminal end of the second detected part to the start end of the first detected part With
A gaming machine configured to be able to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in the number of drive signals corresponding to each detected part and each detected part.

  According to the means 12, the same operation and effect as the means 4 can be obtained.

Means 13. The rotational position detecting means is
The drive signal number storage means for storing in advance the number of drive signals corresponding to each detected part and the number of drive signals corresponding to each detected part;
The number of drive signals corresponding to the predetermined detected portion counted by the drive signal counting means or the number of drive signals corresponding to the predetermined detected portions, and each of the detected signals stored in the drive signal number storing means. Comparing means for comparing the number of drive signals corresponding to the detection unit or the number of drive signals corresponding to the detected units,
The gaming machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the rotation position of the rotating body can be detected from a comparison result by the comparison means.

  According to the means 13, the same effect as that of the means 6 can be obtained.

  Means 14. Each of the detected portions is formed along the rotation direction of the rotating body, has a substantially arc shape having a length corresponding to a predetermined rotation angle of the rotating body, and is configured to have different arc lengths. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 13, characterized in that:

  According to the means 14, even if the length of the detected portion is made relatively long by making the detected portion substantially arc-shaped, each part of the detected portion similarly passes the predetermined detection position. Therefore, detection errors can be reduced and more accurate position detection can be performed.

Means 15. The rotating body includes a support shaft portion fixed to a driving shaft of the driving means, and a cylindrical rotating body main body to which the identification information is attached,
Any of the means 1 to 14 characterized in that each of the detected parts is provided closer to the support shaft part than the rotating body main body so as to be separated from the rotating body main body in the radial direction of the rotating body. The gaming machine described in Crab.

  According to the means 15, since the detected part is provided on the inner peripheral side of the rotating body with respect to the rotating body, the centrifugal force compared to the case where the detected part is provided on the outer peripheral part of the rotating body, that is, the rotating body. Relatively less affected by As a result, the instability of rotation, such as the rotating body rotating due to the rotation of the rotating shaft, is reduced, and the load on the driving means is reduced at the start of the rotating body to start the rotating body at an appropriate starting acceleration. It is easy to stop at the position.

Means 16. Each of the detected parts is a protrusion protruding along the rotation axis direction of the rotating body,
The detection means is a transmission type photosensor having a light emitting part (light emitting element) and a light receiving part (light receiving element) arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich the detected part at the predetermined detection position. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 15.

Means 17. The detection means is configured to perform the detection periodically (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec),
The difference in length of at least each of the detected parts is equal to or more than a movement amount of the detected parts during one detection period by the detecting means. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 17, it is possible to detect the difference in the length of the detected part (difference in detection time, etc.) more reliably.

  Means 18. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 17, wherein each detected portion is configured to be attached to the rotating body so as to be removable from the rotating body.

  According to the means 18, since each detected part is a separate body from the rotating body, the detected part can be replaced according to the application, and the recyclability can be improved.

Means 19. The rotational position detecting means is
Comprising signal monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of reception of a detection signal from the detection means;
It is configured to be able to detect the position of the starting end portion of the detected portion when the detection signal is switched from the non-received state to the received state.
Any one of means 1 to 18, wherein when the detection signal is switched from being received to not being received, the position of the end of the detected portion can be detected. The gaming machine described in Crab.

Means 20. A starting operation means for starting the rotating body, and a stopping operation means for stopping the rotating body,
The drive control means is configured to start rotation of the rotating body based on an operation of the start operation means, and to stop rotation of the rotating body based on an operation of the stop operation means,
Further, any one of the means 1 to 19, further comprising invalidating means for invalidating the stop operation of the stop operating means before the rotational position detecting means detects the rotational position of the rotating body. The gaming machine described in Crab.

  According to the means 20, since the stop operation cannot be performed unless the rotational position is detected, the rotating body can be stopped at a more accurate position.

  Means 21. Any of means 1 to 20 characterized in that a balance maintaining means for balancing the rotating body is provided between two adjacent detected parts (between detected parts). The gaming machine described in 1.

  According to the means 21, there is a concern that the balance of the rotating body may be lost due to the provision of the detected part. However, by providing the balance maintaining means such as a weight, the occurrence of such a problem is suppressed. be able to. As a result, the risk of unstable rotation can be reduced.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means are applied is shown below.

  A. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a revolving type gaming machine such as a slot machine. As a more detailed example, “a variable display means for confirming and stopping the identification information after rotating a plurality of rotating bodies with a plurality of identification information is provided, and a start operation means (specifically, a start lever) is provided. The rotation of the rotating body is started due to the operation, and the rotating body is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. A spinning-type gaming machine configured to be given game value on condition that the collected identification information is specific identification information.

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a gaming machine of a type in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are fused (especially a gaming machine of a slot machine specification that uses a gaming ball as a gaming medium). As a more detailed example, “a variable display means for confirming and stopping the identification information after rotating a plurality of rotating bodies with a plurality of identification information is provided, and a start operation means (specifically, a start lever) is provided. The rotation of the rotating body is started due to the operation, and the rotating body is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (specifically, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. A throw-in device that is configured so that game value is given on condition that the collected identification information is specific identification information, and that is further provided with a ball tray (such as an upper plate) and performs a throw-in process for taking a game ball from the ball tray And a payout device for paying out the game ball to the ball receiving tray, and a game machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means becomes effective when the game ball is thrown by the throwing device ”.

  In the following, an embodiment in the case of application to a spinning-reel 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. 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. In other words, 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 supporting metal fittings 26a and 26b having insertion holes into which the shaft portions of the supporting shafts 25a and 25b are inserted corresponding to the respective supporting shafts 25a and 25b. Then, the support brackets 26a and 26b are disposed 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. As a result, 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 to the housing 11, and the front opening side of the housing 11 is opened or closed by the rotation. It is configured to be able to.

  The front door 12 is brought into a locked state that cannot be opened by a locking device provided on the back side thereof. 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 shaft of the front door 12, a locking device is provided on the back side. 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 each having a bowl shape. When the front door 12 is closed with respect to the casing 11, the saddle fitting 22 is engaged with the support fitting 23 on the casing 11 side. Stopped and 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 urging force of the urging member in the previous period. 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 as rotating bodies formed in 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 connected to stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R as driving means, and each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is individually driven by the driving of the stepping motors 61L, 61M, and 61R. In other words, each of them can be independently driven to rotate. 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. Accordingly, a first sensor cut bun 56 and a second sensor cut bang 57 to be described later are provided in the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R, respectively. 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. These constitute the rotating body main body in the present embodiment. 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. A boss portion 51 constituting a support shaft portion 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 disk-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 as detection means at a predetermined detection position. In the present embodiment, as the reel index sensor 55, a transmissive photosensor in which a light emitting element 55a as a light emitting unit and a light receiving element 55b as a light receiving unit are held at a predetermined interval is employed.

  On the other hand, a first sensor cut bun 56 and a second sensor cut bun 57 extending in the radial direction are attached to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 42L. The base end portions 56 b and 57 b of the first sensor cut bun 56 and the second sensor cut bun 57 are fixed with screws 58. The front end portion of the first sensor cut bun 56 is bent at a substantially right angle, and a first protrusion 56a as a first detected portion that protrudes along the rotation axis direction of the left reel 42L is formed at the front end portion. Yes. Similarly, a second protrusion 57a as a second detected portion is also formed at the tip of the second sensor cut bun 57. The first sensor cut bun 56 and the second sensor cut bang 57 are aligned so that the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a can pass between the elements 55a and 55b of the reel index sensor 55, respectively. The reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a every time the left reel 42L makes a substantially half turn, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is made. The The reel index sensor 55 is configured to perform the detection periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 1.49 msec). Therefore, the main controller 131 can check and correct the rotation position (rotation angle position) of the left reel 42L almost every half turn based on this detection signal. Details will be described later.

  Next, the configuration and arrangement of the first sensor cut bun 56 and the second sensor cut bun 57 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the first sensor cut bun 56 and the second sensor cut bun 57 attached to the left reel 42L. In FIG. 29, the left reel 42L is counterclockwise (the arrow in FIG. 29). (Direction).

  The first sensor cut bun 56 and the second sensor cut bun 57 are formed in a substantially fan shape, and the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a are formed in a substantially arc shape along the rotation direction of the left reel 42L. More specifically, the length of the first protrusion 56a, that is, the length of the arc from the start end 56s that passes through the reel index sensor 55 to the end 56e that passes later, is the predetermined rotation angle 15 ° of the left reel 42L. It is the length corresponding to. Further, the length of the second protrusion 57a, that is, the length of the arc from the start end 57s that passes through the reel index sensor 55 to the end 57e that passes later corresponds to the predetermined rotation angle 30 ° of the left reel 42L. It has become a length. Accordingly, the lengths of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a are different by a rotation angle of 15 °. In the present embodiment, the position of the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a and the position of the start end 57e of the second protrusion 57a are equiangular intervals, that is, 180 ° intervals with respect to the rotation direction of the left reel 42L. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the left reel 42L is a reference in a range of 0 ° to 30 ° out of 12 areas obtained by dividing the left reel 42L at a predetermined angle of 30 ° (360 ° / 12) around the rotation axis. The first sensor cut bun 56 is arranged in the first area from the position, and the second sensor cut bun 57 is arranged in the seventh area from the reference position in the range of 180 ° to 210 °. Furthermore, the length of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a is an angle of 15 ° (360), which is a length corresponding to one half or more of the predetermined angle 30 ° (360 ° / 12). It has a length corresponding to an angle of ° / 24) or more.

  Now, 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; hereinafter the same). That is, the left reel 42L is rotated by a rotation amount corresponding to the number of drive signals, such that the left reel 42L changes by an angle of 5 ° with a 7-pulse drive signal. Further, the rotational position of the stepping motor 61L, that is, the rotational position of the left reel 42L is controlled by this drive signal.

  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. Then, depending on the number of pulses from the time when the rotation position of the left reel 42L is detected (for example, the time when the start end 56s of the first sensor cut bun 56 (first protrusion 56a) is detected), which symbol is displayed on the display window 31L. It is possible to recognize whether or not it is in a state where it can be visually recognized or to make an arbitrary symbol visible from the display window 31L.

  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 are a “red 7” symbol (for example, the left belt 20th) and a “white 7” symbol (for example, the left belt 19th) as the first special symbol for shifting to the big bonus game. . 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 9th left belt),
There are “Bell” symbols (eg, left belt eighth), “Cherry” symbols (eg, left belt fourth). 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.

  A total of five combination lines are attached to the game panel 30 such that three display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R are connected to each other and three in parallel in the horizontal direction and two in diagonal directions. Of course, the maximum number of combined lines may be 6 or more, or less than 5, and the maximum number of combined lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition. Corresponding to 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. When the upper and lower horizontal lines (upper line and lower line) of the combination lines are activated, the second effective line display unit 33 is displayed and notified by lighting or the like. The third effective line display unit 34 is notified by lighting or the like when a pair of diagonal lines (downward right line and upward right line) of the combination lines is activated. A winning is awarded when the symbols are stopped in a predetermined combination on the activated combination line, that is, on the activated line, 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, medals are paid out 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 the first special symbol (Big Bonus symbol) “Red 7” symbol or “White 7” symbol on the same line with the left, middle and right symbols In the case of “BAR” symbol, which is a combination of 15 medal payouts and second special symbol (regular bonus symbol), 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 “red 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” symbol of the left reel 42L does 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 71 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 is accompanied by the operation of directly inserting the medal by the player, it can be said that the medal insertion slot 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 inside 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 item 17 provided at the lower front portion of the front door 12 and returned to the player.

  The hopper device 91 as a payout means for giving a medal to the player is configured by 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 placed 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 more medals are inserted, they are returned to the medal tray 18 from the medal outlet 17.

  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. Even if a power failure occurs, the slot machine 10 maintains 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 the 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 control device 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 substrate 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 board built in the slot machine 10. The main controller 131 constitutes drive control means, rotational position detection means, passage time measurement means, drive signal counting means, calculation means, signal monitoring means, passage time storage means, and comparison means in the present embodiment.

  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. A detection sensor 80a, a reel index sensor 55 that individually detects the rotational position of each reel 42, a payout detection sensor 91a that detects medals paid out from the hopper device 91, a reset detection sensor 123a that detects an operation of the reset switch 123, and a setting key The setting key is inserted into the insertion hole 124. Various sensors such as setting the key detection sensor 124a for detecting are connected to it was, signals from these various sensors are outputted to the CPU151 through the input-output port 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. Therefore, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is output from the power supply unit 161a. In this example, a stabilized driving voltage of DC 12 volts is monitored, and when this driving voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts, it is determined that the voltage has been cut off and a power failure 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-board that performs auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 131 that is a main board that manages and manages games. In other words, a sub-board is provided for voice, lamp, and display related to indirect games, thereby reducing the burden on the main board. 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 processing 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 ROM 152 constitutes passage time storage means in the present embodiment.

  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 shut down 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 procedure. 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 point 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. After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed. In consideration of, for example, a case where the power failure flag is erroneously set 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, stepping motor control processing for driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R that are the respective rotation driving 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. If the power failure flag is not set, that is, if the data in the RAM 153 has been cleared in step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process in step S407, which will be described later, and this process is terminated.

  When the power failure flag is set in step S406, the process proceeds to the recovery process shown in and after step S408. 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. 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 medals 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. In the reel rotation process, as described later, a predetermined acceleration counter value based on the acceleration counter table is set in the acceleration counter of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R, and then the timer interrupt is permitted, whereby the timer interrupt process. The rotation is started based on the above. When the reel rotation process is executed, a process for determining whether or not each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R is in a constant speed rotation state is performed. The rotational position detection process of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is executed.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703, and it is determined whether or not the rotational position (rotational angle position) of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has been detected. If the rotational position is detected, 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, the period from when the reels 42L, 42M, 42R start to rotate until the rotation position of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is detected is set as an invalid period. Even if the stop switches 72 to 74 are depressed, the ON signals from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are invalidated. If no stop command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S705, and it is determined 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 the reels in a rotating manner.

  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 to perform reel stop processing. 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 process in step S706, if the winning flag is set, the same process 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 the sliding table that was in 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, and whether or not it is the second stop command, 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 the stop eye determination process, when two reels stop, it is determined whether or not the two symbols are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “Red 7” symbol. If they are not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step. 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 JAC symbols (here, replay symbols are substituted) are aligned on the active line, that is, establishment of JAC symbols is very high. 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, the symbol “red 7”) is aligned on the current effective line, and when the BB symbol is not aligned, the process is terminated. 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. To finish this processing.

  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). To express. 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. 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 end of the exciting coil L2 are connected. A predetermined direct current + B (for example, +24 volts) is applied thereto. 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. Current + 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 rotational drive motor of the slot machine 10, drive characteristics as shown in FIG. 23 are required.

  This drive characteristic is obtained during 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 (constant speed rotation state). In general, the constant speed rotation period is stopped with a predetermined slip based on a maintenance period Tb in which the rotation speed is maintained until the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed and a stop operation of the stop switches 72 to 74. It is divided into a stop period Tc.

  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 reciprocation of one reciprocation (cycle) 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. Accordingly, 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 the two-phase excitation, the electromagnetic manual attraction force is larger than that in the one-phase excitation, so that it is possible to quickly absorb the rotational fluctuation accompanying the deviation of the angle. 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 the interrupt timing for setting the initial excitation to the two-phase excitation and reaching the predetermined rotational speed in a short time within the second acceleration period. 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 even 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.

  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. (= 109 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, among the control related to the rotation of the reel performed by the main controller 131, the stepping motor control process (step S206 in FIG. 10) performed by the timer interrupt process and the reel rotation process (FIG. 10) of the reel control process. The reel rotation position detection process performed in step S702) will be described. For convenience of explanation, the stepping motor control process will be described first, and then the rotational position detection process will be described.

  FIG. 26 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 on 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. 27 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. An example thereof is shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 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 FIG. 25 is tabulated and stored in the ROM 153, they can also be called excitation time and acceleration counter 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.

  Subsequently, the motor control process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 27 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, the acceleration counter is set, and 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 the value of the acceleration counter is not zero. Since the value of the acceleration counter at this time is “24”, the process proceeds to step S1231, and the content of the excitation time at the value “24” of the acceleration counter is referred to from the table shown in FIG. 25, and the excitation time is set in the wait timer. . In this embodiment, it corresponds to the first acceleration period, and “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 the base point position 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). Note that the base point is detected in a reel rotation position detection process, which will be described later, performed in the reel rotation process (step S702 in FIG. 15) of the reel control process. That is, the base point is one of the start end portion 56s and the end portion 56e of the first sensor cut bun 56 (first protrusion 56a), and the start end portion 57s and the end portion 57e of the second sensor cut bun 57 (second protrusion 57a). Based on this base point, the starting end portion 56s of the first sensor cut van 56 (first protrusion 56a), that is, the origin position of the reel in this embodiment is also determined.

  As will be described later, if the motor acceleration process is normal, steps S1244 to S1254 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. Next, when the timer interruption 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 table of FIG. 25 (8 interrupts), and the acquired excitation time value (= 8) is weighted. Set to timer. In steps S1232 to S1234, the value of the excitation order pointer is incremented by 1 to “6”, and excitation data “02H” (one-phase excitation) corresponding to this excitation order pointer value “6” is output to the RAM 153 as output excitation data. 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. Therefore, during the second acceleration period, first, 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 FIG. 25). 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, excitation data “03H” in which the value of the excitation order pointer is “red 7” is read from the table of FIG. 24, and the continuous acceleration process for 7 interrupts is performed by 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 the table shown in FIG. 25 is referred to.

  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 interrupt process, in the next process step of the acceleration order 25 (see FIG. 25) 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 FIG. 25 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 next to the acceleration order 25, the acceleration counter “0” or “1” or the subtraction process is 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.

  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 the excitation data is acquired in step S1233, the symbol offset value is updated in steps S1234 and S1235, and the reel base position detection process is performed by the reel index sensor 55 (see FIG. 6). In step S1235, it is confirmed whether or not the base position of the reel has passed the predetermined detection position (reel index sensor 55). If it is confirmed that the reel base point position has passed, it means that the origin position of the reel has been determined, and the process advances to step S1236, and a symbol offset counter that matches the timing at which the origin position of the reel passes the predetermined detection position and The symbol number counter update process is executed. In other words, the value of the symbol offset counter and symbol number counter corresponding to each base point position of the reel is set, and the value of the symbol offset counter and symbol number counter is reset to 0 at the timing when the origin position of the reel passes the predetermined detection position. The update process is performed. More specifically, when the detected base point is the start end 56 s (origin position) of the first sensor cut bun 56, the symbol number value is set to “0” and the symbol offset value is set to “0”. When the detected base point is the end portion 56e of the first sensor cut bun 56, the symbol number value is set to “0” and the symbol offset value is set to “21”. When the detected base point is the start end 57 s of the second sensor cut bun 57, the symbol number value is set to “10” and the symbol offset value is set to “12”. When the detected base point is the terminal end 57e of the second sensor cut bun 57, the symbol number value is set to “12” and the symbol offset value is set to “6”.

  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 or not the current excitation phase is two-phase excitation may be referred to the value of the excitation order pointer, and whether or not 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 “for four excitations”. As a result, the updated excitation order pointer value in step S1232 is “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. When the base position of the reel is detected (the base position of the reel passes through the reel index sensor 55), the symbol number and the symbol offset value are reset according to the passage timing of the origin position. 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, when the excitation signal of 504 pulses is output after the reel origin position (starting end 56s) passes the reel index sensor 55, the reel origin position (starting end 56s) passes again. To detect. However, if the acceleration is not performed normally and the reel does not start rotating, or if the reel is intentionally pressed to stop the rotation, the reel origin position (even if a 504 pulse excitation signal is output) The passage of the start end 56s) 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 only when 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 position detection process will be specifically described. For convenience, first, the relationship between the arrangement of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, the drive signal, the rotation angle, and the lap time will be described with reference to FIGS. Thereafter, the rotational position detection process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart relating to the rotational position detection process, and FIG. 30 is a time chart relating to the rotational position detection.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the reel makes one revolution with a drive signal of 504 pulses. Therefore, the angle change based on the drive signal of 1 pulse, that is, the angle change per step is about 0.714 °. Therefore, in this embodiment, the timer interrupt is set to 1.49 msec, so that it takes 750.96 msec (= 1.49 msec × 504 pulses) to make one reel.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the length of the first protrusion 56a, that is, the length of the arc from the start end 56s to the end 56e is a length corresponding to a predetermined rotation angle 15 ° of the left reel 42L. Therefore, the number of drive signals required for movement (angle change) from the start end 56s to the end end 56e is 21 pulses, and the time t1 required for the movement is 31.29 msec (= 1.49 msec × 21 pulses). .

  The length of the non-detection section from the terminal end 56e of the first protrusion 56a to the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a is a length corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle 165 ° of the left reel 42L. Therefore, the number of drive signals required for the movement (angle change) in this section is 231 pulses, and the time t2 required for the movement is 344.19 msec (= 1.49 msec × 231 pulses).

  Further, since the length of the second protrusion 57a, that is, the length of the arc from the start end 57s to the end 57e is a length corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle 30 ° of the left reel 42L, the start end 57s. The number of drive signals required for the movement (angle change) from to the end portion 57e is 42 pulses, and the time t3 required for the movement is 62.58 msec (= 1.49 msec × 42 pulses).

  Further, the length of the non-detection section from the terminal end 57e of the second protrusion 57a to the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a is a length corresponding to a predetermined rotation angle 150 ° of the left reel 42L. Therefore, the number of drive signals required for movement (angle change) in this section is 210 pulses, and the time t4 required for the movement is 312.9 msec (= 1.49 msec × 210 pulses).

  In addition, a detection time (hereinafter referred to as ON time) t1 which is a time required from the start of detection of the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a to the end of detection of the end 56e, and the end 56e of the first protrusion 56a. No detection time (hereinafter referred to as off time) t2, which is the time required from the end of the detection until the start of detection of the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a, from the start of detection of the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a. The on time t3 until the end of detection of the end portion 57e and the off time t4 from the end of detection of the end portion 57e of the second protrusion 57a to the start of detection of the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a are stored in the ROM 152 in advance. It is stored and is taken into consideration in the comparison process described later.

  Next, the rotational position detection process in FIG. 28 will be described. In step S1301, whether or not a detection signal is received from the reel index sensor 55 is monitored. If a detection signal is received, it is determined in step S1302 whether or not a cut-bang on flag is set. The cut van on flag means that the first sensor cut bun 56 (first protrusion 56a) or the second sensor cut bang 57 (second protrusion 57a) is passing the reel index sensor 55, that is, one of the sensor cut bangs 56, This flag is set in a predetermined area in the RAM 153 when 57 is being detected.

  If the determination in step S1302 is affirmative, that is, if the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 have already passed the reel index sensor 55, an update process for incrementing the value of the drive signal number counter by 1 in step S1303. To finish this processing. That is, the detection signal reception state (hereinafter referred to as the ON state) is continued. The drive signal number counter is a counter set in a predetermined area in the RAM 153 in order to count the number of output drive signals, and is reset to “0” at a predetermined timing described later.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1302, that is, if the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 have not yet passed the reel index sensor 55, the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a or the second protrusion 57a It is determined that the start end 57s has passed and the detection signal is not received (hereinafter referred to as the “off state”) and switched to the on state, and in step S1304, a cut van on flag is set. In step S1305, a calculation process of the time (off time) that has been in the off state is performed. The off time is calculated based on the value of the drive signal number counter added during the off state. That is, it is calculated from the counter value × 1 timer interruption time (1.49 msec).

  Next, in step S1306, the calculated off time is compared with a pre-stored off time. Based on the result, in step S1307, the calculated off time is the time t2 corresponding to the section from the terminal end 56e of the first protrusion 56a to the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a, or It is determined whether it is time t4 corresponding to the section from the terminal end 57e of the second protrusion 57a to the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a. Then, it is specified whether the detected start end is the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a or the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a, and the rotation position of the reel is detected. Further, whether the detected start end is the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a or the start end 57s of the second protrusion 57a, the reel origin position (the start end 56s of the first protrusion 56a) ) Can also be confirmed. In step S1308, the value of the drive signal number counter is reset to “0”, and this process ends.

  If the determination in step S1301 is negative, that is, if a detection signal is not received, it is determined in step S1309 whether or not the cut-bang on flag is set.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1309, that is, if the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 have not yet passed the reel index sensor 55, an update process for incrementing the value of the drive signal number counter by 1 in step S1310. Execute this to finish this process. That is, the off state is continued.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1309, that is, if the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 have been passing through the reel index sensor 55, the end portion 56e of the first protrusion 56a or the second protrusion 57a It is determined that the end portion 57e has passed and switched from the on state to the off state, and in step S1311, a process of resetting the cut bang on flag is performed. In step S1312, the calculation processing of the time (ON time) that has been in the ON state until then is performed. The on-time is calculated based on the value of the drive signal number counter added during the on-time. That is, it is calculated from the counter value × 1 timer interruption time (1.49 msec).

  Next, in step S1313, the calculated on-time is compared with the previously stored on-time. Based on the result, in step S1314, the calculated ON time is the time t1 corresponding to the section from the start end 56s to the end 56e of the first protrusion 56a, or the second protrusion 57a It is determined whether it is time t3 corresponding to the section from the start end portion 57s to the end portion 57e. Then, it is specified whether the detected end portion is the end portion 56e of the first protrusion 56a or the end portion 57e of the second protrusion 57a, and the rotational position of the reel is detected. Further, regardless of whether the detected end portion is the end portion 56e of the first protrusion 56a or the end portion 57e of the second protrusion 57a, the reel origin position (the start end portion 56s of the first protrusion 56a) is thereby obtained. ) Can also be confirmed. In step S1315, the value of the drive signal number counter is reset to “0”, and this process ends.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the first sensor cut bun 56 (first protrusion 56a) and the second sensor cut bang 57 (second protrusion 57a) having different arc lengths are provided, and the left reel 42L and the like. Thus, the rotational position of the left reel 42L and the like can be detected efficiently. Further, after the left reel 42L etc. is in a constant speed rotation state, the rotational position is grasped in a relatively short time (the time for which the left reel 42L etc. makes about half a round) without waiting for the left reel 42L etc. to make a round. it can. Therefore, after the left reel 42L or the like enters the constant speed rotation state, the processing for performing the stop control of the left reel 42L or the like, such as enabling the stop switch 72 or the like for stopping the left reel 42L or the like, It can be done relatively quickly. As a result, the waiting time of the player can be shortened to realize a smooth game progression, and the player's interest can be improved.

  Further, except for providing two sensor cut buns (detected portions), the conventional configuration, that is, the configuration in which the sensor cut bang is detected by one reel index sensor 55 provided conventionally, the configuration of the left reel 42L, etc. It can be adopted without any significant design changes. In other words, it is not necessary to employ a configuration in which the reel index sensors 55 are arranged at a plurality of locations and the sensor cut bangs are detected at a plurality of locations, and the occurrence of problems such as an increase in production costs and complicated wiring is suppressed. can do.

  Further, the sensor cut buns 56s and 57s (projections 56a and 57a) are arranged at equal angular intervals (180 ° intervals) with respect to the rotation direction of the left reel 42L. Since 56 and 57 are arranged, the lengths between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are also different based on the arc lengths of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) being different. Therefore, by grasping the difference between the off times t2 and t4 that are the passage times between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, the start ends 56s and 57s of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) are detected. At this time, it is possible to determine whether the sensor cut van is the first sensor cut van 56 or the second sensor cut van 57 without measuring the on-time from the start end portion to the end portion of the sensor cut van. Therefore, the rotational position of the left reel 42L and the like can be specified at an earlier stage. Further, by looking at both the on times t1 and t3 that are the passage times of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 and the off times t2 and t4 that are the passage times between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, the left is more reliably and accurately determined. The rotational position of the reel 42L or the like can be detected.

  Further, on times t1 and t3 corresponding to the respective sensor cut buns 56 and 57 and off times t2 and t4 corresponding to the respective sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are stored in the ROM 152 in advance. The rotational position can be detected by comparing. As a result, an increase in processing load can be suppressed without performing complicated arithmetic processing or the like.

  In addition, since each sensor cut bun 56, 57 is attached to the left reel 42L so that it can be removed from the left reel 42L, etc., it can be replaced with various sensor cut buns depending on the application. Therefore, it is possible to improve the recyclability.

  The sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are separated from the outer peripheral portion of the left reel 42L and the like so as to be separated from the outer peripheral portion (cylindrical skeleton member 50, belt) of the left reel 42L and the like in the radial direction of the left reel 42L and the like. Is also provided inside. For this reason, it is relatively less susceptible to the influence of centrifugal force or the like as compared with a case where a detected portion such as a sensor cut van is provided on an outer peripheral portion such as the left reel 42L. As a result, instability of rotation such as the rotation of the rotation shaft and the rotation of the left reel 42L is reduced, and the load applied to the stepping motor 61L and the like at the time of starting the left reel 42L and the like is reduced, so It can be easily started at the starting acceleration or stopped at an appropriate position.

  In the present embodiment, the left reel 42L and the like are divided into equiangular intervals of a predetermined angle of 30 ° (360 ° / 12) around the rotation axis, and the range of 0 ° to 30 ° is included. The first sensor cut bun 56 is arranged in the first area from the reference position (origin position), and the second sensor cut bun 57 is arranged in the seventh area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 180 ° to 210 °. Has been. In addition, with respect to the rotation direction of the left reel 42L and the like, the position of the start end portion 56s of the first protrusion 56a and the position of the start end portion 57e of the second protrusion 57a are equiangular (180 ° interval). Yes. Suppose that only one detected part such as a sensor cut bang is provided, the length between both end parts (starting end part and terminal end part) of the detected part is set relatively long, and the both end parts (multiple places) are detected. In such a configuration, the balance of the entire left reel 42L and the like is deteriorated, and the rotation may be unstable. This is a problem that can occur even when a plurality of detected parts (sensor cut vans or the like) are provided if the arrangement balance of the detected parts is poor. However, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of detected parts (sensor cut bangs, etc.) can be arranged in a balanced manner, so that such problems can be reduced. Further, an extremely long non-detection section (for example, a length exceeding a half circumference of the left reel 42L, etc.) is not possible, and the rotational position of the left reel 42L can be detected efficiently in a relatively short time.

  Further, the arc length of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a is an angle of 360 ° which is a length corresponding to one half or more of the predetermined angle 30 ° (360 ° / 12). It has a length corresponding to an angle of / 24 or more. Therefore, the size (length) of each of the sensor cut buns 56, 57 (projections 56a, 57a) can be made relatively large with respect to the size (angular width) of the area. If the size (length) of the detected parts such as the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 is extremely small with respect to the size (angular width) of the area, the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are arranged. Even if the areas are arranged in a well-balanced manner, if the proportion of each area is small, the plurality of detected parts may not be arranged in a well-balanced manner as a whole. For example, the reference position (origin position) in the range of 0 ° to 90 ° out of four areas obtained by dividing the left reel 42L and the like at equal angular intervals of a predetermined angle of 90 ° (360 ° / 4) around the rotation axis. ), The first sensor cut bun 56 is arranged in the first area, and the second sensor cut bang 57 is arranged in the third area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 180 ° to 270 °. The length of the arc of the first protrusion 56a of the first sensor cut bun 56 is a length corresponding to a rotation angle of 5 °, and the length of the arc of the second protrusion 57a of the second sensor cut bun 57 is a rotation angle of 85 °. The case of the corresponding length is an example in which the ratio of the sizes of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 is bad. However, since the above configuration can ensure a better balance among the plurality of detected parts, such a problem can be reduced.

  Further, since the positions of the start ends 56s and 57s of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) are 180 ° apart, the left reel 42L and the like rotate within a half turn (within a 180 ° angle change). The position can be detected. As a result, the detection time can be shortened more reliably than in the case where the arrangement balance of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) is poor.

  Furthermore, it is relatively easy to consider the arrangement balance with the origin position of the left reel 42L and the like in comparison with a structure in which three or more sensor cut buns (detected parts) are provided, and manufacturing. It is possible to suppress the number of mounting work steps as much as possible.

  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 embodiment, the ON times t1 and t3 corresponding to the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) and the OFF times t2 and t4 corresponding to the intervals between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are measured. Thus, the rotational position of the left reel 42L and the like is detected. Not limited to this, the number of drive signals (number of pulses) required for the angle change (movement) from the start end portions 56s, 57s to the end portions 56e, 57e of the sensor cut buns 56, 57 is the main control as drive signal counting means. The device 131 may count and detect the rotational position of the left reel 42L or the like based on the difference in the number of drive signals corresponding to each of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57. In this way, it is not necessary to separately set a timer or the like for measuring the on-time or the like, so that an increase in processing load can be suppressed. Of course, in addition to this configuration, the number of drive signals required for changing the angle between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (non-detection section) is counted, and based on this, the rotational position of the left reel 42L and the like is detected. Good. Further, the various drive signal numbers may be stored in advance in the ROM 152 as the drive signal number storage means, and the rotational position may be detected by comparing these with the counted drive signal numbers. As a result, an increase in processing load can be suppressed without performing complicated arithmetic processing or the like. Therefore, the main controller 131 constitutes drive signal counting means and comparison means.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the left reel is based on the difference between the on times t1 and t3 that are the passage times of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 and the off times t2 and t4 that are the passage times between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57. A rotational position such as 42L is detected. Not limited to this, the left reel is based only on the difference between the on times t1 and t3, which are the passage times of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, that is, based on only the difference in length between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a). It is good also as a structure which detects rotational positions, such as 42L.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are arranged at equal angular intervals (180 ° intervals), but may not be arranged at equal angular intervals. However, considering the balance of the left reel 42L and the detection efficiency of the rotational position as described above, it is preferable to arrange them at equal intervals.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the length of the arc of the first protrusion 56a corresponds to a rotation angle of 15 °, and the length of the arc of the second protrusion 57a corresponds to a rotation angle of 30 °. It is length. The lengths of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a are different by a rotation angle of 15 °. However, the lengths of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) and the difference in the lengths are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the arc length of the first protrusion 56a may be a length corresponding to a rotation angle of 45 °, and the arc length of the second protrusion 57a may be a length corresponding to a rotation angle of 50 °. . Further, the difference in length between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections 56a and 57a) is that the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (projections are projected at least during one period of detection by the reel index sensor 55 (1.49 msec in this embodiment). It is sufficient that there is a difference corresponding to the length corresponding to the rotation amount of 0.714 ° or more, that is, the movement amount of the portions 56a and 57a).

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the detected portion is configured by the protrusions 56a and 57a provided at the front ends of the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 having a substantially fan shape that is attached to the left reel 42L or the like so as to be removable. Has been. However, the configuration of the detected portion is not limited to this, and for example, only the protrusions 56a and 57a may be integrally formed on the left reel 42L or the like. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which attaches a magnetic body instead of or in addition to protrusions 56a and 57a, and detects the said magnetic body with the magnetic sensor etc. as a detection means. Moreover, it is good also as a structure by which the to-be-detected part (sensor cut vans 56 and 57) was integrally formed. In this case, the mounting operation can be simplified, for example, by screwing a unit in which a plurality of detected parts are integrated into the vicinity of the central axis of the left reel 42L or the like.

  (F) In the above embodiment, a transmissive photosensor in which the light emitting element 55a and the light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval is employed as the reel index sensor 55 as the detecting means. It is not limited to this. For example, a light emitting element as a light emitting part and a light receiving element as a light receiving part are arranged on the same side with respect to the detected part (projections 56a and 57a), and the position of the detected part is reflected by the reflected light of the detected part. A reflection type photo sensor that detects (presence / absence) may be adopted as the detection means.

  (G) In the above embodiment, when the reel index sensor 55 detects the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, the reel index sensor 55 outputs a detection signal to the main controller 131, and measures the time in which the detection signal is received (ON state). Thus, the main controller 131 is configured to calculate an on-time that is a time with detection, and to calculate an off-time that is a time without detection by measuring the time when the detection signal is not received (off state). Yes. Not limited to this, the reel index sensor 55 outputs a detection signal to the main controller 131 when it detects a section where the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are not provided, and does not output a detection signal when the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are detected. It is good. In this case, the time with detection (detection signal off) means that the main controller 131 has detected the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 by measuring the time in the absence of detection signal (detection signal off state). No detection time (detection signal off time), which means that the sensor cut buns 56 and 57 are not detected by calculating the time (time)) and measuring the time when the detection signal is received (detection signal on state). ) Is calculated.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the CPU 151 of the main control device 131 invalidates the ON signal of the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed during the invalid period. If it is within the period, the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a may not be configured to output an 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.

  (I) In the above embodiment, a 2-phase stepping motor adopting the 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the drive motor. However, a 4-phase stepping motor adopting the 3-4 phase excitation method or a 4-5 phase excitation method is used. You may use the employ | adopted 5-phase stepping motor.

  (J) 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 are arranged in parallel. It may be a slot machine 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 those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (K) 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).

  (L) Between the two adjacent sensor cut buns 56 and 57 (non-detection section), a configuration may be provided in which balance maintaining means such as a weight is provided for balancing the left reel 42L and the like. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the balance of the left reel 42L and the like from being lost by providing the sensor cut buns 56 and 57. As a result, the risk of unstable rotation can be reduced. Further, in consideration of the arrangement configuration with the sensor cut buns 56 and 57, a balance maintaining means (weight or the like) may be arranged at an approximately middle point between the sensor cut buns 56 and 57. For example, a reference position (origin position) in a range of 0 ° to 30 ° among 12 areas obtained by dividing the left reel 42L and the like at equal angular intervals of a predetermined angle of 30 ° (360 ° / 12) around the rotation axis. ), The first sensor cut bun 56 is arranged in the first area, and the second sensor cut bang 57 is arranged in the seventh area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 180 ° to 210 °. Balance maintaining means (in the fourth area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 90 ° to 120 ° and in the tenth area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 270 ° to 300 ° respectively The weight may be arranged.

  (M) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the slot machine 10 is embodied has been shown. However, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are combined. 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. For example, a ball receiving tray (an upper plate or the like) is provided, and a charging device that performs a loading process for taking in a game ball from the ball tray and a paying device that pays out a game ball to the ball receiving plate are provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when is inserted. 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. Of course, you may apply to other game machines provided with the variable display means which rotates rotating bodies, such as a reel, and stops a rotating body after that, for example, a pachinko machine.

  (N) In the above embodiment, each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R of the reel unit 41 constitutes a rotating body, but the rotating body may have a configuration other than this. For example, you may comprise with a belt, a drum, etc. Further, for example, another mechanical reel configuration such as a type in which the belt rotates instead of rotating may be employed.

  (O) In the above embodiment, the range of 0 ° to 30 ° among the 12 areas in which the left reel 42L and the like are divided at equal angular intervals of a predetermined angle of 30 ° (360 ° / 12) around the rotation axis. The first sensor cut bun 56 is disposed in the first area from the reference position (origin position), and the second sensor cut bun 57 is disposed in the seventh area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 180 ° to 210 °. Has been placed. In addition, with respect to the rotation direction of the left reel 42L and the like, the position of the start end portion 56s of the first protrusion 56a and the position of the start end portion 57e of the second protrusion 57a are equiangular (180 ° interval). Yes. Further, the arc length of the first protrusion 56a and the second protrusion 57a is an angle of 360 ° which is a length corresponding to one half or more of the predetermined angle 30 ° (360 ° / 12). It has a length corresponding to an angle of / 24 or more.

  However, the number of sensor cut buns, the arrangement configuration, and the like are not limited to the above embodiment. The number of sensor cut buns may be two or more. Further, as shown in FIG. 31, for example, the arrangement configuration is 1 from a reference position (origin position) in a range of 0 ° to 30 ° among the 12 areas divided at equal angular intervals of the predetermined angle of 30 °. The first sensor cut van 356 is disposed in the second area, the second sensor cut van 357 is disposed in the fifth area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 120 ° to 150 °, and 240 ° to 270 °. The third sensor cut van 358 may be arranged in the ninth area from the reference position (origin position) of the range.

  In this example, the position of the start end of the first protrusion 356a of the first sensor cut van 356 and the position of the start end of the second protrusion 357a of the second sensor cut van 357 with respect to the rotation direction of the left reel 42L and the like. And the position of the start end part of the 3rd protrusion part 358a of the 3rd sensor cut van 358 is equiangular space (120 degree space | interval). In addition, each sensor cut van, like the first sensor cut van 356, has an angle 360 in which the arc length of the first protrusion 356a corresponds to one half or more of the predetermined angle 30 °. It does not have to have a length corresponding to an angle of ° / 24 or more. However, if the size (length) of each sensor cut bang is extremely small with respect to the size (angle width) of the area, a plurality of sensor cut buns may not be arranged in a balanced manner. In order to secure a better balance of the sensor cut buns, it is desirable that the size (length) of each sensor cut bang is set to a length corresponding to one half or more of a predetermined angle of the area.

  Further, the size of the area to be divided is not limited to that in the above embodiment. For example, 36 pieces of the left reel 42L and the like divided into equiangular intervals of a predetermined angle 10 ° (360 ° / 36) around the rotation axis. In the first area, a first sensor cut van having a length corresponding to a rotation angle of 5 ° is arranged in a first area from a reference position (origin position) in a range of 0 ° to 10 °. The second sensor cut van may be arranged in the 19th area from the reference position (origin position) in the range of 180 ° to 190 °.

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 BB game initial setting processing, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of JAC game initial setting processing during 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. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the content of the excitation time table at the time of an acceleration process, and an acceleration counter. The flowchart which shows a stepping motor control process. The flowchart which shows a motor control process. The flowchart regarding a rotational position detection process. The schematic diagram which shows the arrangement configuration of a 1st sensor cut van and a 2nd sensor cut van. A time (cycle) chart related to rotational position detection. The schematic diagram which shows the arrangement structure of the some sensor cut ban in connection with another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine as a game machine, 42 ... Reel which comprises a rotary body (rotating drum), 55 ... Reel index sensor as a detection means, 56 ... 1st sensor cut bang, 56a ... 1st as a 1st to-be-detected part Projection, 57 ... second sensor cut bang, 57a ... second projection as second detected portion, 56s, 57s ... start end, 56e, 57e ... end, 61 ... stepping motor as drive means, 71 ... start Start lever as operation means, 72 to 74... Stop switch as stop operation means, 131... Main control device constituting various control means such as rotation position detection means, 151... Various control means such as rotation position detection means. CPU, 152... ROM constituting transit time storage means, 153... RAM constituting various storage means.

Claims (1)

A rotating body with a plurality of identification information around it,
Driving means for rotating the rotating body;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive means;
Rotation position detecting means capable of detecting the rotation position of the rotating body in a constant speed rotation state,
At least the drive control means is a gaming machine configured to perform stop control of the drive means based on a detection result by the rotational position detection means, and to stop the rotating body at a predetermined position,
A plurality of detected parts provided to rotate integrally with the rotating body and pass through a predetermined detection position, and have different lengths from a start end part that passes through the predetermined detection position first to a terminal end part that passes through the predetermined detection position;
Detecting means for detecting each detected portion passing through the predetermined detection position and outputting a detection signal;
The rotational position detecting means is
A gaming machine configured to detect a rotational position of the rotating body based on a difference in length of each of the detected parts.

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