JP2010246775A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an accurate stop control by enabling correct determination on how the reels rotate in the control of the reels in a slot machine. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes a stop forbidding timer 1300c and applies an index detection signal of an index sensor 159 to a rotating state-determining part 1300a after a fixed time passes. The stop forbidding timer 1300c counts the time obtained by adding, to the time for acceleration of the reels, the time required for a motor for rotating the reels to be shifted to the normal rotation from its acceleration. After the reels settle down to the normal rotation, the rotating state of the reels is determined and then, a stop button is validated. This enables the correct determination of the rotating state of the reels when the stop button is actually validated and thus achieves an accurate stop control when the stop button is depressed at any timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotating game machine, slot machine) having three reels with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. In addition, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of the three reels, and in accordance with the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. Control is performed to stop the three reels. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the three reels are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  The slot machine includes reel control means for controlling three reels. The reel control means receives a press operation (start signal) of the start switch by the player and rotationally drives the three reels by the stepping motor, and responds to them when the rotational speed of the three reels reaches a predetermined speed. Enable the three stop buttons. When the three stop buttons are pressed, control is performed to stop each of the first to third reels based on the reel stop signal. This stop control is performed in accordance with a lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result) by internal lottery.

  Each of the three reels is provided with an index and an index sensor (photo interrupter) for detecting the index. The reel control means is configured to select a reel based on a reference position signal detected by the index every time the reel rotates once. The current rotation state of the reel can be grasped by obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (the frame detected by the index sensor). When starting the rotation of the reel, in other words, during the acceleration in which the speed fluctuates, the accurate rotation angle (number of rotation steps) cannot be grasped, so the reel control means finishes the acceleration process (acceleration sequence) of the stepping motor. After that, the rotation state of the reel is determined.

JP 2004-89345 A JP 2005-237760 A JP-A-7-284553

  In the detection of the reference position of the reel in a conventional gaming machine, if the reel does not reach steady rotation when the index cuts the index sensor, in other words, there is a variation in the rotation speed of the reel, an accurate rotation angle (number of rotation steps) ) Immediately after the acceleration sequence is completed, the reel has just moved to steady rotation, and the rotation is not stable (the rotation speed varies). For this reason, the reel control means cannot grasp the accurate rotation angle (number of rotation steps) and cannot correctly determine the reel rotation state. Nevertheless, if the three stop buttons are enabled and the stop buttons are pressed immediately after reaching the steady rotation of the three reels, there is a possibility that correct stop control cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to correctly determine the rotation state of a reel in the reel control of a gaming machine, thereby realizing correct stop control.

The present invention includes a reel unit including a plurality of reels, a plurality of indexes that rotate together with the plurality of reels, and a plurality of index sensors that respectively detect that the plurality of indexes have reached predetermined positions, and the plurality of reels. A plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of reels, a start switch for starting rotation of the plurality of reels, and a plurality of stop buttons provided corresponding to the plurality of reels, respectively, for stopping the plurality of reels. The plurality of motors are each given a drive pulse based on a start signal of the start switch to start rotation of the plurality of rotating reels, and the plurality of stop buttons are enabled to enable their operation. The plurality of leads based on the stop signal of the stop button. In the gaming machine and a reel control means for stopping each
The reel control means determines the rotation state of each of the plurality of reels based on the outputs of the plurality of index sensors and the drive pulse,
The reel control means accelerates each of the plurality of motors at a time T1 from the time t1 to the time t2, where the start timing of rotation of the plurality of reels is t1, and the end timing of acceleration of rotation of the plurality of reels is t2. Providing said drive pulse for
In the period after t2, the reel control means gives the drive pulses for steady rotation to the plurality of motors, respectively.
The time ΔT is a time required for the plurality of motors to shift from acceleration to steady rotation, the time T2 is a time obtained by adding the time ΔT to the time T1,
Furthermore, a stop prohibition timer for measuring the time T2 is provided,
The reel control means includes
Determining whether the start signal of the start switch has occurred,
When the start signal is generated, start the stop prohibit timer to start timing,
Before the time T2 is counted by the stop prohibition timer, the rotation state is not determined by ignoring the outputs of the plurality of index sensors,
After measuring the time T2 by the stop prohibition timer, the outputs of the plurality of index sensors are received to determine the rotation state,
After the determination of the rotation state, the plurality of stop buttons are validated.

  When the time ΔT is different for each of the plurality of reels, a time obtained by adding the largest time ΔT of the plurality of reels and the time T1 may be the time T2.

When the time ΔT is different for each of the plurality of reels, a time obtained by adding the time ΔT and the time T1 for the plurality of reels is set as a plurality of elapsed times,
For each of the plurality of reels, the reel control means receives the outputs of the plurality of index sensors and determines the rotation state after the passage of the plurality of elapsed times, and determines the rotation state. Thereafter, each of the plurality of stop buttons may be activated.

  According to the present invention, the reel rotation state is determined after the time required for the motor that rotates the reel to shift from acceleration to steady rotation, and then the stop button is enabled, so the stop button is enabled. Since the reel rotation state is correctly grasped at the time, correct stop control can be performed even if the stop button is pressed at an arbitrary timing.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a perspective view which shows the rotation reel unit of a slot machine. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of a rotating reel constituting a rotating reel unit of the slot machine. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of the reel control means which concerns on embodiment of invention (only the mechanism for grasping | ascertaining the rotation state of a reel is shown). It is a timing chart of the reel control concerning an embodiment of the invention (the time of reel rotation start is shown). It is a flowchart of the reel control which concerns on embodiment of invention (The process for grasping | ascertaining the rotation state of a reel is shown).

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  Further, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to each of three reels (40a to 40c described later). It is. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided on the right side of the game display unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three reels (first reel 40a to third reel 40c) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the reel unit 203.
Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c is a main part of the reel unit 203. Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c is attached to the frame 151 via a bracket 152. Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c has a belt 154 attached to the outer periphery of the drum 153. On the outer peripheral surface of the belt 154, 21 symbols (not shown) are drawn. Each bracket 152 is provided with a stepping motor 155, and each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c is driven by these stepping motors 155 to rotate.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the structure of the rotary reels 40a to 40c.
A lamp case 156 is provided inside the drum 153 behind the belt 154, and back lamps 157a, 157b, and 157c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 156, respectively. These back lamps 157 a to 157 c are mounted on a substrate 158 as shown in FIG. 4B, and the substrate 158 is attached to the back of the lamp case 156. A photo interrupter (index sensor) 159 is attached to the bracket 152. A photointerrupter is a case in which a light emitting element (such as a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (such as a phototransistor or a photodiode) are arranged to face each other, and a detection groove is provided between them. The passage is detected without contact. The photo interrupter 159 detects that an index (shielding plate) 160 provided on the drum 153 passes through the photo interrupter 159 as the drum 153 rotates.

  The back lamps 157a to 157c are individually controlled to be turned on by a lamp driving circuit (not shown). By turning on each of the back lamps 157a to 157c, among the symbols drawn on the belt 154, three symbols located at the front of each of the back lamps 157 are individually illuminated from behind, and 3 symbols are respectively displayed on the symbol display window 13. Individual designs are projected.

  In the following description, reference numeral 40 is used to indicate any one or a plurality of reels, and reference numerals 40a to 40c are used to indicate three reels separately.

FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).
The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as rotation / stop of the reel 40 and payout of medals. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 is paid out from a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel unit (including a reel driving device) 203, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81 and a hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal slot 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting unit 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and determines that the medal corresponding to the specified number of insertions has been inserted. A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start rotation of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c, and an opportunity to execute an internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. When it is not in a state of accepting insertion of medals (when not permitted), even if medals are inserted, they are not counted by the medal sensors S1 and S2 and are returned as they are. Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET. When the bet switch BET is not valid (when not permitted), even if the bet switch BET is pressed, it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating random numbers for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generation means 1050, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), a replay, a small role (bell, cherry), a regular bonus (RB: bonus), and a big bonus (BB) :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  In the random number determination process, a random value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means (not shown) for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 134, and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random value. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

  A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, if the regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and if the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not the bonuses (small role and replay) other than the regular bonus and the big bonus are played even if the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. The replay processing unit 1600 will be described later again. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  The reel control means 1300 drives the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c to rotate by the stepping motor 155 based on a start signal by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first reel 40a. -Pressing operation (stop) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating reels 40 in a state where the rotation speed of the third reel 40c reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute). Control for permitting operation) and control for stopping the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor 155, in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, the reel control means 1300 receives the reel stop signal when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated). Based on this, by stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203, control is performed to stop each of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c.

  That is, the reel control means 1300 determines the stop position of the reel 40 corresponding to the pressed button of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c each time each button of the three stop buttons 140 is pressed. The reel 40 is stopped at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first according to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons 140 (mode of stop operation). The stop positions of the reel 40a to the third reel 40c are determined, and control is performed to stop the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions (press detection positions) of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or press detections) of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c. Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c may be prepared.

  In the gaming machine, as described above, the reel unit 203 includes the index 160 and the index sensor (photo interrupter) 159 for detecting the index 160, and the reel control unit 1300 performs the index every time the reel 40 rotates once. Based on the reference position signal detected by the sensor 159, the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel 40 (the frame detected by the reel index) is obtained (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor is counted). The current rotation state of the reel 40 can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the reel 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel 40.

  The reel control means 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kick-out processing as control for stopping the reel 40. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the reel 40 so that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on the winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process refers to the reel 40 so that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on the valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won). Is a control process for stopping the process. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the reel 40 that has already stopped (the display pattern of the display symbol) are performed in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each reel 40 changes according to the type). In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c are controlled to stop the rotating reel 40 corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. Set to state. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating reel 40, the number of frames required from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed until each reel 40 stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in). Range).

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stop mode of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c. Specifically, the symbol combinations displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first reel 40a to the third reel 40c are stopped while referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM). It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined maximum payout number are paid out according to the type of bonus that has been won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of reel control means 1300 according to the embodiment of the invention. The figure shows only a mechanism for grasping the rotation state of the reel 40. The figure shows a mechanism corresponding to one reel 40, and the same mechanism is prepared for each of the three reels 40. Since these operations are the same, in the following description, an operation related to an arbitrary reel 40 will be described unless otherwise specified.

  Reference numeral 1300a denotes a rotation state determination unit that determines the rotation state (current rotation position) of the reel 40 based on the output of the index sensor 159 and the drive pulse of the stepping motor 155. The rotation state determination unit 1300a is a counter provided in, for example, the RAM of the main board 10, and the count of pulses for driving the stepping motor 155 is stored along with the supply of the driving pulses for the stepping motor 155. When the output of the index sensor 159 is received, this is used as a reset pulse, and the count value of the counter is cleared to “0”. By this clearing process, the deviation that occurs between the movement display of each symbol on the reel 40 and the rotation of the stepping motor 155 is eliminated every rotation. The output (index detection signal) of the index sensor 159 indicates that the reel 40 provided with the index sensor 159 has rotated and the index 160 has reached a predetermined position (the position of the index sensor 159).

  1300b corresponds to the rotating reel 40 when the rotation state determination unit 1300a determines that the rotation speed of the reel 40 has reached a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: about 80 rotations per minute) and is stable. This is a stop button enabling unit that permits a pressing operation (stop operation) of the stop button 140 to be performed. Whether or not the rotation speed of the reel 40 has reached a predetermined speed can be known from the frequency (pulses / second, frequency) of the motor drive pulses, which are count pulses. As described below, it may be considered that the rotation is stabilized after receiving the reset pulse.

  Reference numeral 1300c denotes a stop prohibit timer that is activated in response to a press signal (start signal) of the start switch 134. The meaning of “prohibited” is that the output of the index sensor 159 is prohibited (inhibited) from being input to the rotation state determination unit 1300e while the timer 1300c is counting, and as a result, the stop button 140 is enabled. That is, the reel cannot be stopped. In other words, when the stop prohibition timer 1300c finishes timing, “prohibition” is canceled and the output of the index sensor 159 is input to the rotation state determination unit 1300e. Thereafter, the stop button 140 becomes effective and the reel 40 can be stopped (more precisely, after the stop prohibition timer 1300c finishes timing, the position of the reel is received by receiving the pulse P2 in FIG. 7). The stop button 140 becomes effective at the point of time when it is grasped.) The time measured by the stop prohibition timer 1300c is determined in advance. The predetermined time is a time T2 longer than the time T1 until the rotation of the reel 40 is stabilized, in other words, the time T1 until the control of the stepping motor 155 by the reel control means 1300 is changed from acceleration to steady rotation. is there. The difference ΔT between the time T2 and the time T1 is not zero and is, for example, about 50 ms. Incidentally, the time T1 is about 115 ms. If all the three reels 40a to 40c have substantially the same time T1, the time T2 can be made the same for all three reels 40a to 40c. In addition, when time (DELTA) T differs in each of the three reels 40a-40c, it can carry out as follows, for example.

(A) The time obtained by adding the time T1 to the largest time ΔT of the three reels 40a to 40c is defined as T2.
With this method, it is possible to correctly determine the rotation state of all three reels 40a, 40b, and 40c. When the stop button 140 is enabled, the rotation state of the reel 40 can be correctly grasped (after the stop prohibition timer 1300c finishes timing, the reel position is grasped by receiving the pulse P2 in FIG. 7). At that point, the stop button 140 is enabled). However, since the time T2 is determined by the reel 40 that takes the longest time until the rotation state is stabilized, the time until the stop button 140 becomes effective is increased under the influence of the reel 40.

(A) When the times ΔT of the three reels 40a, 40b, and 40c are ΔTa, ΔTb, and ΔTc, respectively, the times T2 are set as follows. T2a = T1 + ΔTa, T2b = T1 + ΔTb, T2c = T1 + ΔTc
Even in this manner, the rotation state of all three reels 40a to 40c can be correctly determined. When the stop button 140 is enabled, the rotation state of the reel 40 can be correctly grasped (after the stop prohibition timer 1300c finishes timing, the reel position is grasped by receiving the pulse P2 in FIG. 7). At that point, the stop button 140 is enabled). In addition, the other reels 40 are not affected by the reel 40 that takes the longest time to stabilize the rotation state. According to the above (a), the three stop buttons 140 become effective in order from the one with the stable rotation state. For example, if ΔTa <ΔTb <ΔTc, the corresponding stop buttons 140 in the order of the reels 40a, 40b, and 40c become effective. Therefore, the time until the stop button 140 becomes effective does not become long and the player does not wait.

  Reference numeral 1300d denotes a gate signal generation circuit that generates a gate signal based on the output of the stop prohibit timer 1300c. The gate signal generation circuit 1300d generates a gate signal that prohibits the output of the index sensor 159 from being input to the rotation state determination unit 1300e while the stop prohibition timer 1300c is timing. In other words, the gate signal is generated at least after the time T2 elapses after the start switch 134 is pressed.

  Reference numeral 1300e denotes a gate circuit (for example, an AND circuit) that receives the gate signal from the gate signal generation circuit 1300d and controls signal propagation from the index sensor 159 to the rotation state determination unit 1300e.

  The operation of the circuit of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of reel control according to the embodiment of the invention. This figure shows the start of rotation of the reel 40. When the reel 40 is stopped, the description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

  The rotating drum 1 in FIG. 7 shows an arbitrary reel 40. Although only one reel 40 is shown in FIG. 7, the operation is the same for all three reels 40, and so on.

  t1 represents the timing to press the start switch 134, t2 represents the timing to end the acceleration of the reel 40, and t3 represents the timing to cancel the prohibition by the stop prohibition timer 1300c. t3 is the timing when the rotation of the reel 40 is stabilized, in other words, the timing when the steady rotation is reached. Even if the driving pulse of the stepping motor 155 becomes a constant cycle (constant frequency) at t2, the rotation does not immediately become steady due to the inertia of the rotor of the stepping motor 155 not shown and the reel 40 itself. t2 to t3 are transient periods until the steady rotation is reached. During this period, the rotational speed varies somewhat. After t3, the fluctuation of the rotational speed is settled, the reel position determination is performed by the rotation state determination unit 1300a, and the stop button 140 is enabled. Here, T1 = t2-t1, T2 = t3-t1, and ΔT = t3-t2.

  From t1 to t2 (= T1), the driving pulse of the stepping motor 155 is an acceleration driving pulse. That is, as the time elapses, the cycle of the drive pulse is gradually shortened (frequency is increased). At t2, the period (frequency) of the drive pulse corresponds to a predetermined steady rotation. After t2, until the reel 40 stops, a driving pulse for steady rotation with a constant period (a constant frequency) is given to the stepping motor 155.

(A) shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the reel (rotating drum) and time. A solid line is a target of reel rotation control, and a driving pulse for acceleration is given to the stepping motor 155 from t1 to t2, and a driving pulse for steady rotation is given to the stepping motor 155 from t3. The dotted line shows the actual rotation of the stepping motor 155 (ie, the reel 40) (schematic diagram). At t2 to t3, for example, overshoot and undershoot are repeated to approach steady rotation. There may be only overshoot or only undershoot.
(B) shows the output pulse of the index sensor (photo interrupter) 159 of the reel, and (c) shows the operation of the stop prohibit timer 1300c. The vertical axis of (c) indicates the value of the stop prohibition timer 1300c, and a predetermined value is loaded with a start signal, which is decremented (decremented by 1) at a constant interval, and as a result, zero at time t3. This indicates that the timer operation is stopped.
(D) shows the start signal of the start switch 134, (e) shows the gate signal which is the output of the gate signal generating circuit 1300d, and (f) shows the output of the gate circuit 1300e. Since the output of the gate signal generation circuit 1300d is at the L level from t1 to t3, the gate circuit (AND gate) 1300e prevents the index detection signal from propagating during this period.

  When the start switch 134 is pressed at t1, the reel 40 starts to rotate immediately. The acceleration time of the reel 40 is from t1 to t2. At the same time, the operation of the stop prohibit timer 1300c starts and the gate signal becomes L level. Note that the timing at which the gate signal becomes the L level may be before t1. For example, the gate signal may be set to the L level at a timing after the three reels 40a to 40c are stopped (after the game is finished).

  At t2, the acceleration of the reel 40 is completed, and thereafter the steady rotation is performed. However, as described above, it takes some time until the rotation is stabilized.

  At t3, the operation of the stop prohibit timer 1300c stops (timer counter value becomes zero). In response to this, the gate signal returns to the H level. Therefore, after t3, the index detection signal is input to the rotation state determination unit 1300a. In the example of FIG. 7, four index detection signals P1 to P4 are shown. Of these, three of P2 to P4 are input to the rotation state determination unit 1300a, and P1 is discarded (ignored). . The rotation state determination unit 1300a can grasp the rotation state of the reel 40 after P2, and the stop button 140 can be operated after grasping the rotation state.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the reel control according to the embodiment of the present invention (showing a process for grasping the rotation state of the reel). FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing performed by the circuit of FIG. The circuit in FIG. 6 can be realized by causing the CPU to execute a program for performing the processing in FIG.

S1: It is determined whether a start signal is generated.
When the start switch 134 is pressed, S1 becomes YES (t1 in FIG. 7).

S2: Start the stop prohibition timer 1300c.
For example, a value corresponding to T2 in FIG. 7 is set in the timer 1300c.

S3: It is determined whether a predetermined time (= T2) has elapsed.
When the decrement of the value of the timer 1300c is repeated at regular intervals and the value becomes the specified value (zero), YES is obtained in S3 (t3 in FIG. 7).

S4: Enable the index signal.
An index detection signal is received.

S5: The rotational position of the reel 40 is determined.
The rotational state of the reel 40 is determined based on the index detection signal.
Since this process is known, a specific description is omitted.

S6: Activate the stop button.
When the reel rotation state is determined and the reel rotation state is known, the stop button 140 is validated. That is, the stop button 140 is lit to notify the player that the stop operation is possible, and when the stop button 140 is pressed, the corresponding reel 40 is stopped. Since the stop control process is known, a specific description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, after the reel rotation is stabilized, the index detection signal is received to determine the rotation state of the reel, and then the stop button is validated. Therefore, when the stop button becomes valid, the reel It is possible to correctly grasp the rotation state. Therefore, correct stop control can be performed even if the stop button is pressed at an arbitrary timing.

  In the above description, one index is provided on one reel. However, by providing a plurality of indexes, the time until detection of the index (time from t3 in FIG. 7 to the first pulse P2) is set. It can be shortened.

  For example, a second sensor for detecting the stop turning of the reel 40 is provided together with the index sensor 159, and a plurality of indexes (shielding plates) for this purpose are newly provided. For example, the additional plurality of indexes are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the reel 40. The positions of the additional plurality of indexes are predetermined. The sizes of the additional indexes are different from each other. Since a difference occurs in the output pulse width of the second sensor due to a difference in the size (width) of the index, the position of the reel can be directly estimated from the pulse width. By providing a plurality of additional indexes, the number of pulses generated in FIG. 7 increases, and therefore the time from time t3 to pulse P2 is shortened. Thus, the position of the reel can be quickly grasped by the second sensor. The index sensor 159 detects an index once for each rotation of the reel, and the second sensor detects, for example, indexes corresponding to the number of symbols for each rotation of the reel.

  In addition, a rotary encoder can be provided on the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 155 so that the rotation angle can be detected.

  Further, by increasing the size of the index so as to extend over a plurality of symbols, the time until the detection of the index can be shortened. As the index becomes longer, the pulse width in FIG. 7 becomes longer. Assuming that the repetition period is constant, the maximum value of time from time t3 to pulse P2 is shortened. Therefore, the time until detection can be shortened.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

40a 1st reel 40b 2nd reel 40c 3rd reel 134 Start switch 140 Stop button 155 Stepping motor 159 Index sensor 160 Index 1300 Reel control means 1300a Rotation state determination unit 1300b Stop button enable unit 1300c Stop prohibit timer 1300d Gate signal generation circuit 1300e gate circuit

Claims (3)

A reel unit that includes a plurality of reels, a plurality of indexes that rotate together with each of the plurality of reels, and a plurality of index sensors that respectively detect that the plurality of indexes have reached a predetermined position, and each of the plurality of reels is rotated. A plurality of motors; a start switch for starting rotation of the plurality of reels; a plurality of stop buttons provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels to stop the plurality of reels; and the start switch Based on the start signal, each of the plurality of motors is given a driving pulse to start rotation of the plurality of rotating reels, and the plurality of stop buttons are enabled to operate them. Each of the plurality of reels based on a stop signal In the gaming machine and a reel control unit for sealed,
The reel control means determines the rotation state of each of the plurality of reels based on the outputs of the plurality of index sensors and the drive pulse,
The reel control means accelerates each of the plurality of motors at a time T1 from the time t1 to the time t2, where the start timing of rotation of the plurality of reels is t1, and the end timing of acceleration of rotation of the plurality of reels is t2. Providing said drive pulse for
In the period after t2, the reel control means gives the drive pulses for steady rotation to the plurality of motors, respectively.
The time ΔT is a time required for the plurality of motors to shift from acceleration to steady rotation, the time T2 is a time obtained by adding the time ΔT to the time T1,
Furthermore, a stop prohibition timer for measuring the time T2 is provided,
The reel control means includes
Determining whether the start signal of the start switch has occurred,
When the start signal is generated, start the stop prohibit timer to start timing,
Before the time T2 is counted by the stop prohibition timer, the rotation state is not determined by ignoring the outputs of the plurality of index sensors,
After measuring the time T2 by the stop prohibition timer, the outputs of the plurality of index sensors are received to determine the rotation state,
The gaming machine, wherein the plurality of stop buttons are validated after the rotation state is determined.   2. The time T2 is defined as a time obtained by adding the largest time among the times ΔT for the plurality of reels and the time T1 when the time ΔT is different for each of the plurality of reels. The gaming machine described. When the time ΔT is different for each of the plurality of reels, a time obtained by adding the time ΔT and the time T1 for the plurality of reels is set as a plurality of elapsed times,
For each of the plurality of reels, the reel control means receives the outputs of the plurality of index sensors and determines the rotation state after the passage of the plurality of elapsed times, and determines the rotation state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stop buttons is activated after each time.

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