JP2011036586A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can serially transfer data by one electric wire without causing bit deviation. <P>SOLUTION: In a lamp control part 150, whether a first period of time from completion of serial transmission of dummy signals to an accessory control part 160 by a first transmission part 155 has passed or not is determined by a first determination part 156. Then, after the first period of time, serial transmission of control signals to the accessory control part 160 by a second transmission part 157 is started. Meanwhile, in the accessory control part 160, whether a second period of time equal to or longer than the first period of time from detection of the completion of the dummy signal transmission by a detecting part 165 has passed or not is determined by a second determination part 166. After the second period of time, formation of an internal clock of the accessory control part 160 is started by a forming part 167, and a receiving part 168 receives the control signals serially transmitted from the second transmission part 157 synchronously with the internal clock. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that includes a transmitting device and a receiving device, and serially transfers data from the transmitting device to the receiving device.

  A gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine includes a plurality of boards such as a main control board that controls the operation of the entire gaming machine, and an effect control board that controls various effects such as image display and sound. As this type of gaming machine, one that performs communication between boards by serial transfer is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The gaming machine described in Patent Literature 1 includes a liquid crystal control board for controlling a liquid crystal panel, and an opening / closing door control board for controlling a door for production arranged near the liquid crystal panel, in addition to a main control board and an effect control board. ing. In addition, a relay board is provided between the liquid crystal control board and the door control board and the effect control board. The production control board is connected to the relay board by a first transmission line including a serial data line and a serial clock line, and the relay board is liquid crystal by a second transmission line including the serial data line and the serial clock line. The control board and the door control board are connected. When a predetermined command is input from the main control board, the production control board transmits a serial clock signal to the relay board via the serial clock line in the first transmission line, and in accordance with the serial clock signal, A serial data signal is serially transmitted to the relay board via the serial data line in the first transmission line. The liquid crystal control board and the door control board are configured to share the second transmission line in order to reduce the number of wires.

JP 2008-220409 A

  By the way, in order to further reduce the number of wires in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to form a transmission line composed of two signal lines, a serial data line and a serial clock line, with a single electric wire. Thereby, the cost reduction of a game machine is realizable. However, when the transmission line is simply composed of one electric wire, there is no synchronization between the transmission side and the reception side (in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, between the effect control board and the relay board). As a result, there was a risk of bit shift.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of serially transferring data with a single electric wire without causing a bit shift.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. In addition, the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine that includes a transmitting device (150) and a receiving device (160), and serially transfers data from the transmitting device (150) to the receiving device (160). The transmission side device (150) includes a first transmission unit (155), a first determination unit (156), and a second transmission unit (157). The first transmission means (155) serially transmits dummy data, which is a dummy of actual data, to the receiving device (160) prior to serial transmission of actual data to the receiving device (160). The first determination means (156) determines whether or not a first time has elapsed since transmission of dummy data has been completed. The second transmission means (157) starts serial transmission of actual data to the receiving device (160) on condition that the first determination means (156) determines that the first time has elapsed. One receiving device (160) includes a detecting means (165), a second determining means (166), a generating means (167), and a receiving means (168). The detection means (165) detects completion of transmission of dummy data by the first transmission means (155). The second determination means (166) determines whether or not a second time equal to or longer than the first time has elapsed since the detection means (165) detected the completion of transmission of dummy data. The generating means (167) starts generating the internal clock of the receiving device (160) on the condition that the second determining means (166) determines that the second time has elapsed. The receiving means (168) receives the actual data serially transmitted by the second transmitting means (157) in synchronization with the internal clock generated by the generating means (167).

  With the configuration described above, the synchronization reference point (internal clock generation timing) can be detected based on the elapsed time from the completion of transmission of dummy data in the receiving device. For this reason, when serial transfer from the transmission side device to the reception side device is performed using a single electric wire, real data can be serially transferred without causing a bit shift.

  The receiving device includes a substrate that drives a movable accessory, and the transmitting device includes a control substrate that generates a control signal for the substrate. However, the transmitting device and the receiving device may be other devices. For example, a transmitting device and a receiving device may be provided in one substrate.

  A rotating shaft (73) in which a plurality of electrically conductive layers including a signal layer (75) are laminated in a radial direction with an insulating layer (76, 78) interposed therebetween, and each electrically conductive layer extends in an axial direction (51). The motor (71) which has may be provided. In this case, the receiving side device is fixed to one end side of the rotating shaft (73), and is electrically connected to one end side of the signal layer (75) and the rotating shaft (73). The other end of (73) is electrically connected to the signal layer (75) in a state where it is not fixed to the rotating shaft (73). Then, serial transmission of dummy data by the first transmission means (155) and serial transmission of actual data by the second transmission means (157) are performed via the signal layer (75).

  The transmission side device and the reception side device are electrically connected (communicable) via one signal layer provided on the rotating shaft of the motor. The present invention is preferably applied to such a configuration. Since the actual data and the dummy data are serially transmitted through the signal layer, there is no need to draw a signal line that is twisted as the motor rotates in the receiving device. For this reason, it is effectively prevented that defective transmission of actual data or dummy data occurs due to the disconnection of the signal line accompanying the rotation of the motor.

  The receiving side device is constituted by a light emitting element (164) or a rotating substrate (60) for controlling the display device, on which the light emitting element (164) or the display device is mounted, and the transmitting side device is a control for the rotating substrate (60). You may comprise by the control board (15) which produces | generates a signal. In this case, the second transmission means (157) serially transmits the control signal as actual data to the rotating substrate (60).

  Examples of the receiving-side device include a movable accessory that performs a predetermined light-emitting operation or a predetermined image display based on a control signal as the rotating substrate rotates. The above configuration is preferably applied to the control of such a movable accessory.

  The plurality of electrically conductive layers may include a power supply layer (77) that is electrically connected to the rotating substrate (60) on one end side of the rotating shaft (73) and supplies power to the rotating substrate (60). Good. In this case, the rotating substrate (60) operates the light emitting element (164) or the display device by the power supplied via the power supply layer (77).

  With the above configuration, there is no need to route a signal line for transmitting a control signal to the rotating board and a power line for supplying power to the rotating board. For this reason, in addition to the defective transmission of the control signal due to the disconnection of the signal line, the malfunction of the light emitting element or the display device due to the disconnection of the power supply line is effectively prevented.

  The signal layer (75) is preferably disposed on the inner side in the radial direction of the rotation shaft (73) with respect to the power supply layer (77).

During driving of the motor, a magnetic field for rotating the rotating shaft is formed inside the motor body. When the signal layer is disposed outside the power supply layer in the radial direction of the rotation axis, it is conceivable that the control signal deteriorates due to the influence of the magnetic field. According to the above configuration, since the signal layer is arranged inside the power supply layer, the control signal is deteriorated due to the influence of the magnetic field, and as a result, it is effectively prevented that the light emitting element or the display device malfunctions.

  The plurality of electrically conductive layers include a ground layer (79) that is grounded via an electric wire (88) that is electrically connected in a state where it is not fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft (73). 79) may be arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (73) with respect to the signal layer (75) and the power supply layer (77).

  It is considered that the possibility that the control signal is more strongly affected by the magnetic field and deteriorates as the position of the signal layer is located outside the radial direction of the rotating shaft. According to the above configuration, since the signal layer and the power supply layer are covered with the ground layer, the control signal is effectively prevented from being deteriorated due to the influence of the magnetic field.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a reference point for synchronization with a transmitting device based on an elapsed time from the completion of transmission of dummy data in the receiving device. For this reason, when serial transfer from the transmission side device to the reception side device is performed using one electric wire, real data can be serially transferred without causing bit shift.

Schematic front view of gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment Schematic plan view showing a part of the gaming machine 1 Enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. Schematic perspective view of the accessory unit 70 Vertical sectional view of the rotating substrate 60 Schematic perspective view of the rotating shaft 73 of the accessory motor 71 Sectional drawing by the side of the 1st connection part 81 of the rotating shaft 73 Schematic sectional view of the accessory unit 70 The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus of the gaming machine 1 Functional configuration diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with the game machine 1 which concerns on this embodiment. Timing chart showing a control signal serially transmitted from the lamp control unit 150 to the accessory control unit 160 and an internal clock of the accessory control unit 160

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration and operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is, for example, a pachinko gaming machine configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by a predetermined operation of a player wins a prize. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 on which a game ball is launched, and a frame member 5 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 5 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the game board 2 via a hinge (not shown), and is configured to be detachable from the game board 2.

  A game area 20 for playing a game with a game ball is provided on the front side of the game board 2. When the player grasps the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, a game ball is launched from a launching device (not shown) with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 31. The game board 2 is provided with a guide member (not shown) for guiding a game ball, and the game ball launched from the launching device is guided to an upper position of the game area 20 by this guide member. The game ball falls down along the front surface of the game board 2 while changing its moving direction by contacting a game nail (not shown), a windmill or the like arranged in the game area 20.

  On the front surface of the game board 2 in the game area 20, a first start port 21, a second start port 22, a big winning port 23, a normal winning port 24, and a gate 25 are provided as winning and lotteries. . In addition, on the front surface of the game board 2 in the game area 20, there is provided a discharge port 26 for discharging game balls that have not entered the winning holes 21 to 24 to the outside of the game area 20.

  The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are arranged in two upper and lower stages at a predetermined interval with the first start port 21 as the upper side of the second start port 22. When a game ball enters the first start port 21, the first special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) starts. That is, the first start port 21 operates a predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 23) and / or a predetermined special symbol display (for example, a first special symbol display 41 described later). This is a winning opening related to winning a game ball. When a game ball enters the second start port 22, a prize is awarded and the second special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) is started. In other words, the second start port 22 operates a predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 23) and / or a predetermined special symbol display (for example, a second special symbol display 42 described later). This is a winning opening related to winning a game ball.

  Between the first start port 21 and the second start port 22, an electric tulip 27 as a normal electric accessory is arranged. The electric tulip 27 has a pair of blade members imitating tulip flowers, and changes in posture between a posture in which the pair of blade members are closed (see FIG. 1) and a posture in which the pair of blade members are opened. It is configured to be possible. The pair of blade members change their postures by driving the electric solenoid, and light up or blink as the posture changes.

  In the state where the electric tulip 27 is closed, the approach path to the second starting port 22 is closed by the electric tulip 27 and the first starting port 21, and the game ball does not enter the second starting port 22. When the game ball passes through the gate 25, a normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery of the electric tulip 27) is started. When the normal symbol lottery is won, the closing operation after the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is maintained for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) is repeated a specified number of times (for example, 3 times). Thus, by winning the normal symbol lottery, the second start port 22 is opened, and the game ball can enter the second start port 22.

  A big prize opening 23 is provided below the second start opening 22. The special winning opening 23 is opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery (the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery). A plate for opening and closing the big prize opening 23 is provided at the opening of the big prize opening 23. The special winning opening 23 is normally in a state in which no game ball enters because the plate is in a posture that forms the same plane as the game board 2. When the special symbol lottery is won, the upper end side of the plate is tilted toward the front side of the game board 2 so that the game ball can enter. When winning the special symbol lottery, for example, predetermined conditions (30 seconds have passed since the grand prize opening 23 opened, 10 game balls won in the big prize opening 23, accumulated release time within 1.8 seconds, etc.) The operation of closing the special winning opening 23 after the plate maintains the state where the special winning opening 23 is opened until the plate is filled is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or twice). The lottery is not started even if a game ball wins the normal winning opening 24.

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 may vary the jackpot probability that the jackpot will be lottered during the special symbol lottery under a predetermined condition. For example, the gaming machine 1 has a state in which the jackpot probability is relatively low (low probability state; for example, the jackpot probability is 1/300) to a state in which the jackpot probability is relatively high (high probability state; for example, the jackpot probability is 30 minutes) There is a case to shift to 1). In addition, in the gaming machine 1, under a predetermined condition, the special symbol variation time during the special symbol lottery is shortened, the winning probability during the normal symbol lottery is increased, or the normal symbol variation time during the normal symbol lottery is shortened. There is a case. Moreover, the opening time of the blade member of the electric tulip 27 may be extended, or the number of times the blade member of the electric tulip 27 is opened and closed may increase. This is generally called electric Chu support.

  Here, the payout of prize balls will be described. When a game ball enters the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, the number of award balls corresponding to the winning place is paid out. For example, when a game ball is won at the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, four prize balls are paid out, and when a game ball is won at the big prize port 23, 13 prize balls are paid out. When a game ball wins the winning opening 24, 10 winning balls are paid out. Even if the game ball passes through the gate 25, the game ball is not paid out.

  Note that the gaming machine 1 in this embodiment is provided with two starting ports (first starting port 21 and second starting port 22) as starting ports for winning a prize when a game ball enters and starting a special symbol lottery. However, the number of start ports is not limited to two. That is, one or three or more start ports that win a prize when a game ball enters and start a special symbol lottery may be arranged in the game area 20. In addition, a plurality of large winning holes having the same function as the large winning hole 23 may be arranged in the game area 20.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame member 5 includes a stop button 33, an eject button 34, a speaker 35, a frame lamp 36, an effect button 37, an effect key 38, in addition to the handle 31 and the lever 32. And a dish 39 are provided.

  The tray 39 is provided so as to protrude from the frame member 5 to the front side of the gaming machine 1, and temporarily accumulates game balls supplied to the above-described launching device. The game balls (prize balls) paid out as described above are discharged onto the plate 39. When the player holds the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the tray 39 are supplied to the launching device at predetermined time intervals and are launched into the game area 20. The take-out button 34 is provided on the front surface in the vicinity of the position where the dish 39 is provided. When the player presses the take-out button 34, a part of the lower surface of the tray 39 is opened, and the game balls accumulated on the tray 39 can be dropped into a box (not shown) arranged below the tray 39. The dish 59 may be composed of a single dish, or may be composed of two dishes, an upper dish for storing game balls and prize balls supplied to the launching device, and a lower dish for collecting only prize balls. May be. In this case, the takeout button 34 is provided on the lower plate.

  The stop button 33 is provided on the lower side surface of the handle 31. When the player presses the stop button 33 in a state where the lever 32 is rotated clockwise, the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped.

  The speaker 35 and the frame lamp 36 perform various effects for notifying the gaming state and situation of the gaming machine 1. Specifically, the speaker 35 outputs music, voice, sound effects, and the like, and produces a sound effect. The frame lamp 36 changes a lighting or blinking pattern, a light emission color, and a light irradiation direction. And so on.

  The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are provided for the player to input the effect. The effect button 37 is provided on the side of the upper surface of the plate 39. The effect key 38 has a center key and a plurality of (four in this case) peripheral keys arranged around the center key, and is provided on the upper side of the plate 39 adjacent to the effect button 37. In the gaming machine 1, a predetermined effect is performed by pressing the effect button 37 or the effect key 38. For example, the player can select any of a plurality of images displayed on the image display 6 (see FIG. 1) by operating the peripheral keys of the effect key 38. Further, the player can input the selected image as information by operating the center key of the effect key 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image display 6 that displays images for various effects is provided at a position on the front surface of the game board 2 that is easily visible by the player. The image display 6 notifies the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result) by displaying, for example, a decorative symbol according to the progress of the game by the player, or a notice by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item. Display the production. The image display 6 includes a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) dot display, and a 7-segment display (hereinafter referred to as a 7-segment display). However, any other display device may be used.

  On the front surface of the game board 2, a board lamp 8 and a movable accessory 7 used for various effects are arranged. The board lamp 7 emits light according to the progress of the game by the player, thereby performing various effects by light. The movable accessory 7 performs various effects by rotating with respect to the game board 2 while emitting light. The configuration of the movable accessory 7 and the accessory motor 71 that rotates the movable accessory 7 (an example of the motor of the present invention) will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The display device 4 displays information on the result of the special symbol lottery or the normal symbol lottery described above and the number of holds. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 4 includes a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a first special symbol hold indicator 43, a second special symbol hold indicator 44, and a normal symbol display. A device 45, a normal symbol holding display 46, and a game state display 47 are provided.

  The first special symbol display 41 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the winning of a game ball at the first starting port 21, and is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display device. For example, when a game ball wins at the first starting port 21, the first special symbol display 41 displays the lottery result by variably displaying the special symbol (first special symbol). The second special symbol display 42 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the winning of a game ball at the second starting port 22, and is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display device. For example, when a game ball wins at the second start port 22, the second special symbol display 42 variably displays the special symbol (second special symbol) and displays the lottery result. The normal symbol display 45 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the game ball passing through the gate 25, and is configured by an LED display device, for example. For example, when the game ball passes through the gate 25, the normal symbol display 45 displays the lottery result by variably displaying the normal symbol.

  The first special symbol hold indicator 43 displays the number of times the first special symbol lottery is held. The second special symbol hold indicator 44 displays the number of times the second special symbol lottery is held. The normal symbol hold display 46 displays the number of times the normal symbol lottery is held. For example, during the period in which the display symbols are variably displayed by the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, or the normal symbol display 45 (while the variation display for one winning is being performed) When a game ball is newly won, the change display of the display pattern for the winning game ball is held for a predetermined number of times (for example, four times) until the change display for the previously won game ball ends. . The fact that such a hold is made and the number of the hold (the number of undrawn times) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 43, the second special symbol hold indicator 44, and the normal symbol hold indicator 46. . For example, the first special symbol hold indicator 43, the second special symbol hold indicator 44, and the normal symbol hold indicator 46 are each composed of LED display devices arranged in a row, and display the number of times of hold depending on the lighting mode. .

  The game state display 47 displays the game state at the time when the gaming machine 1 is turned on. A plurality of gaming states (for example, a normal gaming state, a probability variation gaming state, a time-saving gaming state, and a latent gaming state) are set in the gaming machine 1. Then, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the gaming state display 47 notifies the gaming state. For example, the gaming status indicator 47 is composed of a plurality of LED display devices, and displays the gaming status according to the lighting mode.

[Configuration of the accessory unit 70]
Next, the configuration of the accessory unit 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the accessory unit 70. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotating substrate 60. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the rotating shaft 73 of the accessory motor 71. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft 73 on the first connection portion 81 side. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the accessory unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the accessory unit 70 is configured such that the movable accessory 7 disposed on the front side of the game board 2 is fixed to one end side of the rotation shaft 72 of the accessory motor 71, thereby 7 and the accessory motor 71 are configured integrally.

  The movable accessory 7 performs various effects by rotating while lighting / flashing a plurality of LEDs 164 (an example of the light emitting element of the present invention). As shown in FIG. 4, the movable accessory 7 includes a rotating board 60 (an example of a receiving side device of the present invention) on which the LED 164 is mounted, and a support that fixes the rotating board 60 to a rotating shaft 73 of the accessory motor 71. And a member 59. In the drawings other than FIG. 4, the support member 59 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  In addition to the plurality of LEDs 164, the rotating substrate 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 162, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that constitute a later-described accessory control unit 160 (see FIG. 9). 163 is implemented. The accessory control unit 160 controls lighting / flashing of each LED 164. In the present embodiment, the rotary substrate 60 is circular in plan view, but the shape of the rotary substrate 60 is not limited to this. That is, the shape of the rotating substrate 60 in plan view may be an ellipse, a star, a rhombus, other polygons, a shape imitating a part of an animal or plant, and the like according to the arrangement of the LEDs 164 to be mounted. . In FIG. 4, the CPU 161, the ROM 162, the RAM 163, and the like are omitted.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional shape of the rotating substrate 60 before the LED 164 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 61 is formed at the center of the rotating substrate 60. The through-hole 61 is configured to have two cylindrical spaces with different diameters that pass through in the thickness direction of the rotating substrate 60 (the vertical direction in FIG. 5). Specifically, the through hole 61 is provided on the front surface 64 side of the rotating substrate 60, and has a small diameter portion 62 having a cylindrical space having a diameter A and a height C, and the rear surface 65 side of the rotating substrate 60. A large-diameter portion 63 having a diameter B larger than A and a height C which is the same as the small-diameter portion 62. As will be described later, the distal end portion of the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 of the accessory motor 71 is disposed in the internal space of the small diameter portion 62, and the distal end portion of the power supply layer 77 of the rotating shaft 73 is disposed in the internal space of the large diameter portion 63. Is arranged (see FIG. 8). For this reason, the diameter A, the diameter B, and the height C are set to appropriate values according to the dimensions of the tip portions of the signal layer 75 and the power supply layer 77. In the present embodiment, the small diameter portion 62 and the large diameter portion 63 are formed so as to have a cylindrical internal space, but the shapes of the small diameter portion 62 and the large diameter portion 63 are not limited to this. . For example, when the tip of the signal layer 75 is formed in a triangular prism shape, a small-diameter portion 62 having a triangular prism-shaped internal space is formed on the rotary substrate 60 so that the signal layer 75 fits inside. Also good.

  A plurality of LEDs 164 are mounted on the surface 64 of the rotating substrate 60, and a conductor pattern 66 is formed to which the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 (see FIG. 9) is electrically connected. The conductor pattern 66 is for transmitting a control signal to the accessory control unit 160. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the conductor pattern 66 is also arranged at a position close to the small diameter portion 62 on the surface 64 of the rotating substrate 60.

  A conductor pattern 67 for supplying a power supply voltage to each LED 164 is formed on the back surface 65 of the rotating substrate 60. The conductor pattern 67 is formed so as to connect the anode and the cathode of each LED 164 and is used for supplying a power supply voltage to each LED 164. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the conductor pattern 67 is also arranged at a position close to the large diameter portion 63 on the back surface 65 of the rotating substrate 60.

  The accessory motor 71 rotates the movable accessory 7 and functions as a transmission path for a control signal to the rotating substrate 60 and a power supply voltage. As shown in FIG. 4, the accessory motor 71 includes a motor body 90, a first wiring portion 91, a second wiring portion 92, and a rotating shaft 73.

  The accessory motor 71 is a two-phase excitation stepping motor in the present embodiment. The rotating shaft 73 is rotatably supported by bearings 72 and 74 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) provided in the motor main body 90. Although not shown in the drawing, a magnet rotor is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 73 with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and a stator is fixed to the periphery of the magnet rotor at a predetermined interval from the magnet rotor. In addition, the internal structure of the motor main body 90 in which the magnet rotor and the stator are arranged is the same as that of a conventional stepping motor. For this reason, in this embodiment, illustration of the internal structure of the motor main body 90 is partially omitted, and detailed description regarding the internal structure of the motor main body 90 is omitted.

  A first wiring portion 91 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the motor main body 90. The first wiring portion 91 is provided with four signal lines 96 to 99 for inputting excitation signals to the motor main body 90. These four signal lines 96 to 99 are connected to a drive circuit (not shown). The drive circuit outputs an excitation signal corresponding to a pulse signal output from the CPU 151 (see FIG. 9) of the lamp control unit 150 to the motor main body 90 via signal lines 96 to 99. Thereby, rotation of the accessory motor 71 is controlled.

  One end side (left side in FIG. 4) of the rotating shaft 73 extends in the axial direction 51 (see FIG. 6) to the outside of the motor body 90, and the other end side (right side in FIG. 4) also extends to the outside of the motor body 90. It is extended (see FIG. 8). A second connection portion 82 (see FIG. 6) described later is provided on the other end side of the rotating shaft 73, and a second wiring portion 92 is provided outside the motor main body 90 so as to cover the second connection portion 82. It has been. The second wiring portion 92 includes three electric wires, that is, a signal line 86, a power supply line 87, and a ground line 88. As will be described later, one end of each of the signal line 86, the power supply line 87, and the ground line 88 is electrically connected to each of the conductive layers 75, 77, and 79 of the rotating shaft 73, which will be described later, inside the second wiring portion 92. Is done. The other ends of the signal line 86, the power supply line 87, and the ground line 88 are the lamp control board 15 (an example of the control board of the present invention and an example of the transmission side device of the present invention) constituting the lamp control unit 150 described later. Are electrically connected to each other (see FIG. 4).

  The rotating shaft 73 transmits a driving force to the movable accessory 7 and functions as a transmission path for a control signal and a power supply voltage for the movable accessory 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotating shaft 73 includes a signal layer 75, an insulating layer 76, a power supply layer 77, an insulating layer 78, and a ground layer 79 extending in the axial direction 51 of the rotating shaft 73. 73 are laminated concentrically in order from the inside to the outside in the radial direction. The electric conductive layers of the signal layer 75, the power supply layer 77, and the ground layer 79 are laminated with the other electric conductive layers adjacent in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 73 and the insulating layers 76 and 78 therebetween, so that they are insulated from each other. Has been. Here, the signal layer 75 is an electrically conductive layer that transmits a control signal from the lamp control board 15 to the rotating board 60. The power supply layer 77 is an electrically conductive layer that supplies a power supply voltage to the LEDs 164 mounted on the rotating substrate 60. The ground layer 79 is an electrically conductive layer that is grounded, and is disposed on the outermost periphery of the rotating shaft 73 so as to cover the signal layer 75 and the power supply layer 77.

  On the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 73, two protrusions 53 and 54 that protrude outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 73 are provided at predetermined positions on the first connecting portion 81 side of the rotating shaft 73 to which the rotating substrate 60 is connected. Is formed. Although not shown in the drawing, the base end portion of the support member 59 (the bottom of the support member 59 that supports the back surface 65 side of the rotating substrate 60) is configured to fit these two protrusions 53 and 54. Yes. For this reason, the rotating substrate 60 is fixed to one end side of the rotating shaft 73 by fixing the rotating substrate 60 to the support member 59 in which the protrusions 53 and 54 are fitted in the base end portion by screwing or the like. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 73 rotates, the rotating substrate 60 also rotates together.

  A first connection portion 81 is provided on one end side of the rotation shaft 73. As shown in FIG. 6, the first connection portion 81 has the tip of the power supply layer 77 protruding toward one end of the rotating shaft 73 (in the direction of the arrow 50) from the tip of the ground layer 79, and the tip of the signal layer 75 is the power supply. It protrudes from the tip of the layer 77 toward one end of the rotating shaft 73. Further, the tip of the insulating layer 78 protrudes toward one end of the rotating shaft 73 (in the direction of the arrow 50) from the tip of the ground layer 79, and the tip of the insulating layer 76 is closer to one end of the rotating shaft 73 than the tip of the power supply layer 77. It protrudes. As described above, in the first connection portion 81, the electrically conductive layers 75, 77, 79 and the insulating layers 76, 78 are formed in a stepped shape. For this reason, the front end surfaces of the signal layer 75 and the power source layer 77 and the outer peripheral surfaces at the front end portions are exposed to the outside. With this configuration, the electrical connection between the signal layer 75 and the conductor pattern 66 of the rotating substrate 60 and the electrical connection between the power supply layer 77 and the conductor pattern 67 of the rotating substrate 60 can be easily performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the diameter W of the signal layer 75 in the first connection portion 81 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension A (see FIG. 5) of the small diameter portion 62 of the rotating substrate 60. Further, the outer dimension X of the insulating layer 76 in the first connection part 81 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter dimension B (see FIG. 5) of the large-diameter part 63 of the rotating substrate 60. Further, the distance Y from the front end of the insulating layer 76 to the front end of the signal layer 75 in the first connection portion 81 is set to be slightly larger than the height C of the small diameter portion 62 (see FIG. 5). Further, the distance Z from the front end of the power supply layer 77 to the front end of the insulating layer 76 in the first connection portion 81 is set substantially equal to the height C (see FIG. 5) of the large diameter portion 63. For this reason, the first connecting portion 81 of the rotating shaft 73 is inserted into the through hole 61 of the rotating substrate 60 from the back surface 65 side of the rotating substrate 60, whereby the small diameter portion 62 and the large diameter portion 63 of the rotating substrate 60 are The signal layer 75 and the insulating layer 76 in the first connection portion 81 of the rotating shaft 73 are fitted. The front end of the signal layer 75 protrudes from the front surface 64 side of the rotary substrate 73 in a state where the front end surface of the power supply layer 77 is in contact with the peripheral portion (conductor pattern 67) of the through hole 61 on the back surface 65 of the rotary substrate 73. (See FIG. 8).

  The tip of the signal layer 75 protruding from the surface 64 of the rotating substrate 73 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 66 on the surface 64 by the solder 55. Further, the power supply layer 77 in contact with the back surface 65 of the rotating substrate 73 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 67 on the back surface 65 by the solder 56. As described above, the first connection portion 81 electrically connects the signal layer 75 to the conductor pattern 66 on the front surface 64 of the rotating substrate 60, and electrically connects the power source layer 77 to the conductor pattern 67 on the back surface 65 of the rotating substrate 60. Connecting. The electrical connection between the signal layer 75 and the conductor pattern 66 and the electrical connection between the power supply layer 77 and the conductor pattern 67 may be performed by, for example, conductive rubber instead of the solder 55 and 56.

  A second connecting portion 82 is provided on the other end side of the rotating shaft 73. As shown in FIG. 6, the second connection portion 82 has a tip of the power supply layer 77 that protrudes from the tip of the ground layer 79 toward the other end of the rotating shaft 73 (in the direction of the arrow 49), and a tip of the signal layer 75 It protrudes from the tip of the power supply layer 77 toward the other end of the rotating shaft 73 (in the direction of the arrow 49). The tip of the insulating layer 78 slightly protrudes from the tip of the ground layer 79 toward the other end of the rotating shaft 73 (in the direction of the arrow 49), and the tip of the insulating layer 76 is located on the other side of the rotating shaft 73 than the tip of the power supply layer 77. It protrudes slightly to the end side. Thus, in the second connection portion 82, the respective electrically conductive layers 75, 77, 79 and the insulating layers 76, 78 are formed stepwise. For this reason, the front end surfaces of the signal layer 75, the power supply layer 77, and the ground layer 79 and the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion are exposed to the outside. With this configuration, the electrical connection between the signal layer 75 and the signal line 86, the electrical connection between the power supply layer 77 and the power supply line 87, and the electrical connection between the ground layer 79 and the ground line 88 can be easily performed. . The second connection portion 82 is disposed inside the second wiring portion 92 described above (see FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIG. 8, a slip ring 192 having three pairs of terminal pins 193, 194, 195 is provided inside the second wiring portion 92. Among these three pairs of terminal pins 193, 194, 195, the ground wire 88 is electrically connected to the terminal pin 193, the power supply line 87 is electrically connected to the terminal pin 194, and the signal is supplied to the terminal pin 195. Line 86 is electrically connected. The slip ring 192 has a pair of terminal pins 193 that are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ground layer 79 of the rotating shaft 73, and a pair of terminal pins 194 that are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the power supply layer 77 of the rotating shaft 73. 195 is disposed in the second wiring portion 92 so as to be in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73.

  As described above, the second connection portion 82 electrically connects the signal layer 75 to the signal line 86 through the terminal pin 195 and electrically connects the power supply layer 77 to the power supply line 87 through the terminal pin 194. The ground layer 79 is connected to the ground line 88 through the terminal pin 193.

  For this reason, the ground layer 79 of the rotating shaft 73 is grounded via the ground wire 88 connected to the second connecting portion 82 and the lamp control board 15. The power supply layer 77 is electrically connected to the accessory control unit 160 and each LED 164 through the conductor pattern 67 on the back surface 65 of the rotating substrate 60 connected to the first connection unit 81, and the second connection unit. The lamp control unit 150 is electrically connected through the power supply line 87 and the lamp control board 15 connected to 82. In addition, the signal layer 75 is electrically connected to the accessory control unit 160 via the conductor pattern 66 on the surface 64 of the rotating substrate 60 connected to the first connection portion 81 and also connected to the second connection portion 82. The lamp controller 150 is electrically connected through the signal line 86 and the lamp control board 15. As a result, it is possible to transmit a control signal from the lamp control unit 150 to the accessory control unit 160 via the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 and to control the accessory from the lamp control unit 150 via the power supply layer 77. The power supply voltage for the LED 164 can be supplied to the unit 160.

[Configuration of control device of gaming machine 1]
On the back side of the game board 2, a control device for controlling the operation of the game machine 1 is provided in addition to a ball tank for storing payout game balls. This control device has a main board and a sub board. The main board includes a main control board constituting the game control unit 100 that performs internal lottery and determination of winning, a payout control board that constitutes a payout control part 120 that controls payout of prize balls, and the like. The main board is disposed in a sealed state in a case made of a transparent member so that a trace remains when the main board is modified. One sub-board is an effect control board that constitutes an effect control unit 130 that comprehensively controls the effect, an image sound control board that constitutes an image sound control unit 140 that controls effects by images and sounds, and various lamps ( The lamp control board 15 which comprises the lamp control part 150 which controls the production | presentation by the frame lamp 36, the board lamp 8), and the movable accessory 7 is comprised. In addition to the main board and sub board, a switching power supply that converts 100V AC power supplied to the gaming machine 1 to DC power and outputs it to the main board, sub board, etc. is provided on the back side of the game board 2. Is provided.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device of the gaming machine 1 includes a game control unit 100, a payout control unit 120, an effect control unit 130, an image sound control unit 140, a lamp control unit 150, and an accessory control unit 160. ing.

  The game control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. Based on the program stored in the ROM 102, the CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processes related to the number of payout prize balls such as internal lottery and determination of winning. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. Hereinafter, main functions of the game control unit 100 will be described.

  The game control unit 100 performs a special symbol lottery (the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery) when a game ball wins the first starting port 21 or the second starting port 22, and whether or not it is won in the special symbol lottery. Determination result data indicating such is transmitted to the effect control unit 130. In addition, the game control unit 100 has data indicating a variation setting of the winning probability determined according to the special symbol lottery (for example, a variation setting from 1/300 to 1/30), a special symbol variation time shortening setting, Data indicating the normal symbol variation time reduction setting determined according to the symbol lottery is transmitted to the effect control unit 130.

  The game control unit 100 controls the opening time when the blade member of the electric tulip 27 is in the open state, the number of times the blade member is opened and closed, and the opening / closing time interval from when the blade member is closed until it is next opened. In addition, the game control unit 100 holds the number of special symbol lottery due to the game ball winning the first start port 21 or the second start port 22 and the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the gate 25. Manage numbers.

  The game control unit 100 controls the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 23 according to the result of the special symbol lottery. For example, the game control unit 100 determines that a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds have elapsed after the grand prize opening 23 is opened, ten game balls are awarded to the big prize opening 23, or the cumulative opening time of the big prize opening 23 is reached. It is controlled so that the round in which the plate of the big prize opening 23 protrudes and tilts and maintains the open state of the big prize opening 23 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or 2 times) until it is satisfied within 1.8 seconds. In addition, the game control unit 100 controls an opening / closing time interval from when the special winning opening 23 is closed until it is opened in the next round.

  When a game ball is won in the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, the game control unit 100 is predetermined per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 120 is instructed to pay out game balls so as to pay out a number of prize balls. For example, the game control unit 100 has four prize balls when a game ball wins the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, and 13 prize balls when the game ball wins the big winning port 23, a normal winning port. When a game ball wins at 24, a command is transmitted to the payout control unit 120 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Note that even if the game control unit 100 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 25, the game control unit 100 does not instruct the payout control unit 120 to pay out a prize ball in conjunction therewith. When the payout control unit 120 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 100, information regarding the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 120 is sent to the game control unit 100. Then, the game control unit 100 manages the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the information acquired from the payout control unit 120.

  In order to realize these functions, the game control unit 100 includes a first start port switch 111, a second start port switch 112, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 113, a gate switch 114, a big prize opening switch 115, a big prize opening opening / closing. The unit 116 and the normal winning opening switch 117 are connected. Further, the game control unit 100 includes the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, the first special symbol hold display 43, the second special symbol hold display 44, and the normal symbol display 45 described above. The normal symbol hold display 46 and the game status display 47 are connected.

  The first start port switch 111 detects that a game ball has won the first start port 21 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The second start port switch 112 detects that a game ball has won the second start port 22 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The electric tulip opening / closing unit 113 opens and closes the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 by operating an electric solenoid in response to a control signal sent from the game control unit 100. The gate switch 114 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 27 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The big prize opening switch 115 detects that a game ball has won the big prize opening 23 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100. The special prize opening / closing unit 116 opens and closes the special prize opening 23 in accordance with a control signal sent from the game control unit 100. The normal winning port switch 117 detects that a game ball has won the normal winning port 24 and sends a detection signal to the game control unit 100.

  Further, the game control unit 100 causes the first special symbol display 41 to display the result of the first special symbol lottery started by winning the game ball in the first starting port 21. The game control unit 100 causes the first special symbol hold indicator 43 to display the number of holds that hold the special symbol lottery performed in response to the winning of the game ball to the first start port 21. The game control unit 100 causes the second special symbol display 42 to display the result of the second special symbol lottery started by winning the game ball in the second starting port 22. The game control unit 100 causes the second special symbol hold indicator 44 to display the number of special symbol lotteries held in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22. The game control unit 100 causes the normal symbol display 45 to display the result of the normal symbol lottery started by passing the game ball to the gate 25. The game control unit 100 causes the normal symbol hold indicator 46 to display the number of holdings of the normal symbol lottery performed in response to the passing of the game ball to the gate 25. The game control unit 100 causes the game state display 47 to display the game state of the gaming machine 1.

  Furthermore, the game control unit 100 is connected to a board external information terminal board 180 that transmits various types of information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall. The game control unit 100 transmits information on the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 120, information indicating the state of the game control unit 100, and the like to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 180.

  The payout control unit 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. Based on the program stored in the ROM 122, the CPU 121 performs a calculation process when controlling the payout of the payout ball. The RAM 123 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 121 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing.

  The payout control unit 120 controls the payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 100. Specifically, the payout control unit 120 receives a command from the game control unit 100 instructing to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won. Then, the payout control unit 120 controls the payout motor 125 so as to pay out the award balls in the number specified by the command. Here, the payout motor 125 is a drive motor that sends out a game ball from the ball tank.

  In addition to the payout motor 125, a payout detection unit 126, a ball presence detection unit 127, and a full tank detection unit 128 are connected to the payout control unit 120. The payout detection unit 126 detects the number of prize balls paid out from the ball tank to the tray 39 by the payout motor 125. The presence / absence detection unit 127 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball tank. The full tank detection unit 128 detects that the tray 39 is full with game balls supplied to the launching device or game balls dispensed from the ball tank. The payout control unit 120 executes predetermined processing according to the detection results of the payout detection unit 126, the ball presence detection unit 127, and the full tank detection unit 128.

  Further, the payout control unit 120 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 190 that transmits various kinds of information to the host computer. The payout control unit 120 provides information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout motor 125, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 126, etc. The data is transmitted to the host computer via the information terminal board 190. Also, the payout control unit 120 transmits similar information to the game control unit 100.

  The effect control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an RTC (real time clock) 134. Based on the program stored in the ROM 132, the CPU 131 performs a calculation process when controlling the effect. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time. An effect button 37 and an effect key 38 are connected to the effect control unit 130.

  The production control unit 130 sets production contents based on data indicating a special symbol lottery result or the like sent from the game control unit 100. At that time, when the effect button 37 or the effect key 38 is pressed by the player, the effect control unit 130 may set the effect content according to the operation input. In addition, when the game for the gaming machine 1 is interrupted for a predetermined period or longer, the effect control unit 130 sets an effect for waiting for a customer as one of the effects. Further, when the game control unit 100 outputs data indicating that the winning probability at the time of the special symbol lottery is changed, when outputting data indicating that the special symbol change time at the time of the special symbol lottery is shortened, and When data indicating that the normal symbol variation time at the time of the normal symbol lottery is shortened is output, the effect control unit 130 sets the effect content corresponding to the content indicated by the output data. Then, the effect control unit 130 transmits a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image sound control unit 140 or the lamp control unit 150.

  The image sound control unit 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, and a RAM 143. Based on the program stored in the ROM 142, the CPU 141 performs arithmetic processing when controlling an image expressing the content of the effect. In addition to the above program, the ROM 142 includes a symbol image and a background image displayed during the game on the image display 6, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a character for displaying a notice effect to the player. And image data such as items are stored. In addition, the ROM 142 synchronizes with the image displayed on the image display 6 or independently of the displayed image, various sounds such as music and sound output from the speaker 35, and sound effects such as jingle. Data is stored. The RAM 143 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 141 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The image sound control unit 140 controls the image displayed on the image display 6 and the sound output from the speaker 35 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Specifically, the CPU 141 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 130 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 142. The CPU 141 performs image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, and the like using the read image data, and the image data after image processing is displayed on the image display 6. Display. Further, the CPU 141 performs sound processing using the read sound data, and causes the speaker 35 to output sound data after the sound processing.

  The lamp control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. Based on the program stored in the ROM 152, the CPU 151 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the operation of the movable accessory 7. In addition to the above programs, the ROM 152 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and light emission color pattern data (light emission pattern data) for the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 130. Has been. The ROM 152 stores operation pattern data of the accessory motor 71 that rotates the movable accessory 7. The ROM 152 stores a first time described later. The RAM 153 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 151 executes the program, or a work area for data processing or the like.

  The lamp control unit 150 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the emission color based on the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Specifically, the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 152 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Then, the CPU 151 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 based on the read light emission pattern data.

  The lamp control board 15 constituting the lamp control unit 150 is electrically connected to each electrically conductive layer of the rotating shaft 73 via a signal line 86, a power supply line 87, and a ground line 88. Specifically, the lamp control board 15 is electrically connected to the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 via the signal line 86 and electrically connected to the power layer 77 of the rotating shaft 73 via the power line 87. The ground layer 88 is electrically connected to the ground layer 79 of the rotating shaft 73 via the ground line 88. The ground line 88 is connected to a predetermined zero potential point.

  The lamp control unit 150 controls the operation of the accessory motor 71 that rotates the movable accessory 7 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Specifically, the CPU 151 selects and reads out the operation pattern data stored in the ROM 152 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Then, the CPU 151 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read operation pattern data to the drive circuit connected to the signal lines 96 to 99. As a result, an excitation signal corresponding to the pulse signal is output from the drive circuit to the motor main body 90 via the signal lines 96 to 99, whereby the rotation of the accessory motor 71 is controlled.

  In addition, the lamp control unit 150 generates a control signal for causing the accessory control unit 160 to execute a light emission operation according to the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Then, the lamp control unit 150 serially transmits (serial transfers) the generated control signal to the accessory control unit 160 via the signal layer 75 of the rotation shaft 73 of the accessory motor 71 and the power supply layer 77 of the rotation shaft 73. The power supply voltage for the LED 164 is supplied to the accessory control unit 160 via.

  The accessory control unit 160 includes a CPU 161, a ROM 162, and a RAM 163. The CPU 161 controls lighting / flashing of the LED based on a program stored in the ROM 162. In the ROM 162, LED light emission pattern data corresponding to the content of the effect set by the effect control unit 130 is stored. The ROM 162 stores a second time described later. This 2nd time is time more than 1st time. The RAM 163 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 161 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The accessory control unit 160 controls lighting / flashing of the LED 164, emission color, and the like based on the control signal sent from the lamp control unit 150. Specifically, the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 162 corresponding to the control signal sent from the lamp control unit 150. Then, the CPU 161 controls the operation of each LED 164 based on the read light emission pattern data and the power supply voltage supplied from the lamp control unit 150.

[Functional configuration of lamp control unit 150 and accessory control unit 160]
Next, the functional configuration of the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 and the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 functionally includes a first transmission unit 155, a first determination unit 156, and a second transmission unit 157. The CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 functionally includes a detection unit 165, a second determination unit 166, a generation unit 167, and a reception unit 168.

  The CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 functions as a first transmission unit 155, a first determination unit 156, and a second transmission unit 157 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 152. The CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 functions as a detection unit 165, a second determination unit 166, a generation unit 167, and a reception unit 168 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 162.

  The second transmission unit 157 (an example of the second transmission unit of the present invention) of the lamp control unit 150 controls the rotary substrate 60 constituting the accessory control unit 160 via the signal line 86 and the signal layer 75 of the rotary shaft 73. The signal (actual data) is transmitted serially. Here, the control signal is a command that instructs the accessory control unit 160 to control each LED 164. The first transmission unit 155 (an example of the first transmission unit of the present invention) serially transmits a dummy signal (dummy data) to the rotating substrate 60 via the signal line 86 and the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73. Here, the dummy signal is a dummy of the control signal. For this reason, in the accessory control unit 160, the LED 164 is not lit / flashed based on the dummy signal transmitted from the first transmission unit 155. The first determination unit 156 (an example of the first determination unit of the present invention) determines whether or not a first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the dummy signal. Specifically, the first determination unit 156 counts the elapsed time from the completion of transmission of the dummy signal by the first transmission unit 155, and whether or not the counted elapsed time is equal to or greater than the first time read from the ROM 152. Determine.

  The detection unit 165 (an example of the detection unit of the present invention) of the accessory control unit 160 detects the completion of transmission of the dummy signal by the first transmission unit 155. The second determination unit 166 (an example of the second determination unit of the present invention) determines whether or not the second time has elapsed after the detection unit 165 detects the completion of transmission of the dummy signal. Specifically, the second determination unit 166 counts the elapsed time from when the detection unit 165 detects the completion of transmission of the dummy signal, and whether the counted elapsed time is equal to or greater than the second time read from the ROM 162. Determine whether or not. The generation unit 167 (an example of the generation unit of the present invention) starts generating the internal clock of the accessory control unit 160 on condition that the second determination unit 166 determines that the second time has elapsed. The receiving unit 168 (an example of the receiving unit of the present invention) receives the control signal transmitted by the second transmitting unit 157 in synchronization with the internal clock generated by the generating unit 167.

[Operations of the lamp control unit 150 and the accessory control unit 160]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a procedure of processing performed by the lamp control unit 150 and the accessory control unit 160 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a control signal serially transmitted from the lamp control unit 150 to the accessory control unit 160 and an internal clock of the accessory control unit 160. The processing of the lamp control unit 150 and the accessory control unit 160 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed according to instructions issued by the CPUs 151 and 161 based on programs stored in the ROMs 152 and 162.

  The first transmission unit 155 of the lamp control unit 150 determines whether or not a command related to the control of the LED 164 is input from the effect control unit 130 (step S1). When the 1st transmission part 155 judges that there is no command input from the production control part 130 (step S1: NO), it will be in a standby state.

  When determining that there is a command input from the effect control unit 130 (step S1: YES), the first transmission unit 155 starts serial transmission of a dummy signal prior to transmission of the control signal to the accessory control unit 160. (Step S2). Specifically, the first transmitter 155 changes the signal level of the signal transmitted to the rotating substrate 60 via the signal line 86 and the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 from LOW to HIGH (see FIG. 12).

  When the transmission of the dummy signal is started, the first determination unit 156 determines whether or not the transmission of the dummy signal is completed (step S3). Specifically, the first determination unit 156 determines whether or not the signal level of the signal transmitted by the first transmission unit 155 has changed from HIGH to LOW. If the first determination unit 156 determines that transmission of the dummy signal has not been completed (step S3: NO), that is, if the signal level remains HIGH, the process returns to step S3. If it is determined that the transmission of the dummy signal is completed (step S3: YES), the first determination unit 156 starts counting the elapsed time from the completion of the transmission of the dummy signal (step S4). In other words, the first determination unit 156 starts counting the elapsed time after the signal level of the signal output from the first transmission unit 155 changes from HIGH to LOW.

  The first determination unit 156 reads the first time from the ROM 152, and determines whether or not this elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first time (step S5). That is, the first determination unit 156 determines whether or not the period during which the LOW signal is transmitted from the first transmission unit 155 is equal to or longer than the first time. If the first determination unit 156 determines that the elapsed time is less than the first time (step S5: NO), the process returns to step S5.

  On the other hand, the detection unit 165 of the accessory control unit 160 determines whether or not the transmission of the dummy signal by the first transmission unit 155 has been completed (step S11). Specifically, the detection unit 165 determines whether the signal level of the signal transmitted from the first transmission unit 155 via the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 has changed from HIGH to LOW. If the signal level remains HIGH, it can be determined that the transmission of the dummy signal has not been completed, and if the signal level has changed from HIGH to LOW, it can be determined that the transmission of the dummy signal has been completed. . When the transmission of the dummy signal is not detected by the detection unit 165 (step S11: NO), the standby state is entered.

  When the detection unit 165 detects the completion of transmission of the dummy signal (step S11: YES), the second determination unit 166 starts counting the elapsed time from the completion of transmission of the dummy signal (step S12). In other words, the second determination unit 166 starts counting the elapsed time after the detection unit 165 detects that the signal level of the signal from the first transmission unit 155 has changed from HIGH to LOW.

  The second determination unit 166 reads the second time from the ROM 162, and determines whether or not this elapsed time is equal to or longer than the second time (step S13). In other words, the second determination unit 166 determines whether or not the period during which the detection unit 165 detects the LOW signal is equal to or longer than the second time. When the second determination unit 166 determines that the elapsed time is less than the second time (step S13: NO), the process returns to step S13.

  When the first determination unit 156 determines that the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first time (step S5: YES), the second transmission unit 157 of the lamp control unit 150 starts serial transmission of the control signal to the rotating substrate 60. (Step S6) (see FIG. 12). At that time, the second transmission unit 157 serially transmits a control signal to the rotating substrate 60 via the signal layer 75 of the rotating shaft 73 as in the case of the dummy signal. The second transmission unit 157 determines whether transmission of all control signals has been completed based on the presence / absence of a command input from the effect control unit 130 (step S7). When it is determined that the transmission of the control signal is not completed, the second transmission unit 157 continues the serial transmission of the control signal (step S7: NO). When the second transmission unit 157 determines that serial transmission of the control signal is completed (step S7: YES), a series of processes in the lamp control unit 150 ends.

  On the other hand, when the second determination unit 166 determines that the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the second time (step S13: YES), the generation unit 167 of the accessory control unit 160 generates an internal clock of the accessory control unit 160. Start (step S14) (see FIG. 12). The reception unit 168 receives a control signal serially transmitted from the second transmission unit 157 of the lamp control unit 150 via the signal layer 75 in synchronization with the internal clock generated by the generation unit 167 (step S1). : S15). For example, the reception unit 168 determines whether or not there is a control signal from the second transmission unit 157 based on whether or not a predetermined time has passed while the signal level of the signal transmitted from the second transmission unit 157 remains LOW ( Step S16). When the receiving unit 168 determines that the transmission of the control signal from the second transmitting unit 157 is not completed (step S16: YES), the process returns to step S15. Then, when the receiving unit 168 determines that the transmission of the control signal is completed (step S16: NO), a series of processes in the accessory control unit 160 ends.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the accessory control unit 160 determines the reference point (internal clock generation timing) for synchronization with the lamp control unit 150 based on the elapsed time from the completion of transmission of the dummy signal. Can be detected. For this reason, the control signal can be serially transmitted from the lamp control unit 150 to the accessory control unit 160 without causing a bit shift without providing an electric conductive layer for transmitting the clock signal on the rotating shaft 73.

  In the present embodiment, the control signal and the dummy signal are serially transmitted via the signal layer 75 and the power is supplied to the rotary substrate 60 via the power supply layer 77. Therefore, there is no need to route signal lines and power supply lines that are twisted along with them. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent the transmission failure of the control signal or the dummy signal and the malfunction of the LED 164 due to the disconnection of the signal line or the power supply line accompanying the rotation of the accessory motor 71.

  By the way, when the signal layer 75 is arranged outside the power supply layer 77 in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 73, it is conceivable that the control signal and the dummy signal are deteriorated by the influence of the magnetic field inside the motor body 90. In the present embodiment, the signal layer 75 is disposed on the inner side in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 73 with respect to the power supply layer 77. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent deterioration of the control signal and the dummy signal transmitted via the signal layer 75 due to the influence of the magnetic field inside the motor main body 90. Furthermore, since the signal layer 75 and the power supply layer 77 are covered with the ground layer 79, it is possible to more effectively prevent the deterioration of the control signal and the dummy signal due to the influence of the magnetic field inside the motor body 90, and as a result. A malfunction of the LED 164 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the transmitting device of the present invention is the lamp control board 15 constituting the lamp control unit 150 and the receiving device of the present invention is the rotating board 60 constituting the accessory control unit 160. explained. However, the transmitting device and the receiving device of the present invention may be provided on the same board in the gaming machine 1. That is, the serial transfer according to the present invention configures the serial transfer of data in the payout control board constituting the payout control unit 120, the serial transfer of data in the effect control board constituting the effect control unit 130, and the image sound control unit 140. The present invention can also be applied to serial transfer of data in the image sound control board, serial transfer of data in the lamp control board 15 constituting the lamp control unit 150, and the like.

  The actual data of the present invention is not limited to the control signal (command). The actual data of the present invention may be image data, information on the results of special symbol lottery or ordinary symbol lottery, information on the number of holds, information on the number of prize balls, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 7 Movable accessory 15 Lamp control board (an example of the control board of this invention, an example of the transmission side device of this invention)
51 Axial direction 60 Rotating substrate (an example of a receiving side device of the present invention)
66, 67 Conductor pattern 71 Service motor 73 Rotating shaft 75 Signal layer 76, 78 Insulating layer 77 Power supply layer 79 Ground layer 81 First connection portion 82 Second connection portion 86 Signal line 87 Power supply line 88 Ground wire (electric wire of the present invention Example)
150 Lamp Controller 155 First Transmitter (Example of First Transmitter of the Present Invention)
156 1st determination part (an example of the 1st determination means of this invention)
157 2nd transmission part (an example of the 2nd transmission means of this invention)
160 character control unit 164 LED (an example of a light emitting device of the present invention)
165 detection unit (an example of detection means of the present invention)
166 Second determination unit (an example of second determination means of the present invention)
167 generation unit (an example of generation unit of the present invention)
168 Receiving section (an example of receiving means of the present invention)
192 slip ring

Claims (6)

A gaming machine having a transmitting device and a receiving device, and serially transferring data from the transmitting device to the receiving device,
The transmitting device is:
Prior to serial transmission of actual data to the receiving device, first transmission means for serially transmitting dummy data that is a dummy of the actual data to the receiving device;
First determination means for determining whether or not a first time has elapsed since the completion of transmission of the dummy data;
Second transmission means for starting serial transmission of the actual data to the receiving device on condition that the first determination means determines that the first time has elapsed;
The receiving device is
Detecting means for detecting completion of transmission of the dummy data by the first transmitting means;
Second determination means for determining whether or not a second time equal to or longer than the first time has elapsed since detection of completion of transmission of the dummy data by the detection means;
Generating means for starting generation of an internal clock of the receiving device, on condition that the second determination means determines that the second time has elapsed;
A gaming machine comprising: receiving means for receiving the actual data serially transmitted by the second transmitting means in synchronization with the internal clock generated by the generating means. A plurality of electrically conductive layers including a signal layer are stacked in a radial direction with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and each of the electrically conductive layers includes a motor having a rotating shaft extending in an axial direction,
The receiving side device is fixed to one end side of the rotating shaft and electrically connected to the signal layer and one end side of the rotating shaft,
The transmitting device is electrically connected to the signal layer in a state not fixed to the rotating shaft on the other end side of the rotating shaft,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein serial transmission of the dummy data by the first transmission unit and serial transmission of the actual data by the second transmission unit are performed via the signal layer. The receiving device is constituted by a rotating substrate that controls the light emitting element or the display device, on which the light emitting element or the display device is mounted,
The transmitting device is configured by a control board that generates a control signal for the rotating board,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the second transmission unit serially transmits the control signal as the actual data to the rotating board. The plurality of electrically conductive layers include a power supply layer that is electrically connected to the rotating substrate on one end side of the rotating shaft and supplies power to the rotating substrate,
The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the rotating substrate operates the light emitting element or the display device by power supplied through the power supply layer.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the signal layer is disposed on a radially inner side of the rotation shaft with respect to the power supply layer. The plurality of electrically conductive layers include a ground layer that is grounded through an electric wire that is electrically connected in a state of being not fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft,
The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the ground layer is disposed on a radially outer side of the rotation shaft with respect to the signal layer and the power supply layer.

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