JP2012060696A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stop a slot machine reel by only employing one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation without providing a special vibration control component to the slot machine reel.SOLUTION: A slot machine rotates a rotation reel at a constant speed by exciting one phase and two phases alternatively with a four-phase stepping motor. In a deceleration sequence, the slot machine acquires the number of excited windings. When windings of two phases are excited, the machine does not start the deceleration sequence. When winding of one phase is excited, the machine adjusts the frequency of the excitation so as to decelerate the reel to stop, while maintaining the one-two phase excitation of a rotating period. As the machine does not perform three-phase and/or all-phase excitation in a deceleration sequence, current consumption can be saved. No excitation is necessary after a reel stops, and the time necessary to stop a reel can be greatly shortened.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine including a reel and a stepping motor that rotationally drives the reel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotational gaming machine, slot machine) having a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on an 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. Also, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of reels in a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. Control is performed to stop a plurality of reels. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

When the reel is stopped, all-phase excitation, three-phase excitation (one phase for attracting the rotor and two phases shifted by 90 degrees with respect to this one phase), all excitation cancellation Control the stepping motor in order. JP, 2002-159627, A Excitation is performed in order of two-phase excitation and all-phase excitation, and a reel is stopped without a sense of incongruity. It is described that excitation may be performed in the order of one-phase excitation, two-phase excitation, and all-phase excitation. When performing stop control, current consumption is suppressed by performing two-phase excitation after performing a deceleration process using a physical deceleration mechanism, compared to when all-phase excitation is used. JP, 2003-117076, A two-phase excitation is followed by a three-phase excitation, and a reel is stopped. The reel is stopped using the primary brake and the secondary brake, but the primary brake excites the phase that was excited in the step before the start of the stop control.

  As a motor for rotating a reel of a gaming machine, a stepping motor having a four-phase winding (coil) as a stator is used. A stepping motor includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. is there.

  In a conventional gaming machine, when stopping the reel at a desired position, the coil is stopped when the current is reached or immediately before it, and the reel stop position is securely held. Current was passed through all four phases (all-phase excitation). In all-phase excitation, current flows through many coils, so that the current consumption of the stepping motor is maximized. After the reel stops, a current continues to flow through the stepping motor for a certain time (for example, 250 ms).

  In Patent Document 1, when the reel is stopped, first, all-phase excitation is performed, and then three-phase excitation is performed.

  In Patent Document 2, two-phase excitation is performed before all-phase excitation when the reel is stopped. Specifically, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are repeated at the time of rotational driving, but the motor is decelerated by maintaining the two-phase excitation after the end of the two-phase excitation of rotational driving, and then (See Fig. 5 of Patent Document 2), or immediately after the two-phase excitation of rotation drive, the motor is decelerated by performing two-phase excitation, and then all-phase excitation is performed (Patent Document). 7), or one-phase excitation is performed immediately after two-phase excitation of rotational drive, and then the motor is decelerated by subsequently performing two-phase excitation, and then all-phase excitation is performed (Patent Document 2). Fig. 7).

  In Patent Document 3, the reel is stopped by two-phase excitation, but a special damping member is provided for the realization.

  In Patent Document 4, two-phase excitation is performed when the reel is stopped, the reel is decelerated, three-phase excitation is performed to hold the reel after it is stopped, and one-phase excitation is performed during game standby.

  In Patent Document 5, when the reel is stopped, a two-step stop operation of a primary brake and a secondary brake is performed. In the primary brake, two-phase excitation is performed, and in the secondary brake, the brake is applied by one-phase to three-phase excitation or all-phase excitation. Patent Document 5 cites Patent Document 4, and referring to the description of Patent Document 4, the primary brake is for deceleration, and the secondary brake is for holding the stopped reel so as not to move. Is.

  An electric current is required to rotationally drive the stepping motor. In general, the drive current of a motor is larger than that of an electronic component such as an IC, and the change is severe (current is zero when not driven, but large current at the time of driving, particularly at the start of coil excitation). Consuming). For this reason, when the stepping motors are driven to rotate at the same time, a larger amount of current is consumed than when supplied to the main board and the sub board. As a result, a drop in power supply voltage (voltage drop) occurs, adversely affecting the main board and sub board (a drop in the power supply voltage may disturb the operation of the IC or the like even if it is for a very short time). , May put a burden on the power supply. Such an operation is not preferable because an excessive load is applied to the power supply unit to shorten its life.

  That is, the conventional gaming machine has the following problems.

(Problem 1) Current consumption is large because three-phase or all-phase excitation is performed when the reel is stopped (Patent Documents 1, 2, and 4).
The three-phase or all-phase excitation consumes a larger amount of current than the one-phase or two-phase excitation for rotating the reel, and thus the above-described problem occurs.

(Problem 2) In order to reduce the number of phases to be excited when the reel is stopped, it is necessary to provide a special damping member (Patent Document 3).
Providing a special damping member complicates the configuration and increases the cost.

(Problem 3) Even after the reels are stopped, the motor is excited for a certain time (Patent Documents 1, 3, 4, and 5).
If the motor is excited for a certain period of time even after the reels are stopped, there is a problem that the current consumption is large as in the above problem 1. The reason why the motor is excited after the reel is stopped is to prevent the reel from moving due to the inertia of the reel or the reaction after the stop (for example, the center of the reel is stopped but the periphery is moving slightly). In other words, there may be a situation where the structure of the reel is distorted at this time), that is, “the reel is forcibly stopped”. If no reaction occurs when the reel is stopped, for example, if the entire reel can be stopped at the same time, excitation of the motor after the reel stops should be unnecessary. The fact that Patent Documents 1, 3, 4, and 5 are performing excitation of the motor after the reels stop means that the deceleration sequence is inappropriate and the reaction occurs on the reels.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems 1 to 3. The reel can be stopped only by one-phase and two-phase excitation without providing a special damping member, etc. An object is to provide a gaming machine that does not need to be excited after being stopped.

The present invention relates to a reel unit that includes a plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a plurality of motors that respectively rotate the reels, and a control unit that controls rotation and stop of the plurality of motors. In a gaming machine comprising
The plurality of motors are stepping motors having a four-phase winding as a stator,
The control unit is configured to at least one of the motors.
The reel is rotated at a predetermined constant speed by exciting one and two of the four-phase windings alternately for a predetermined first time,
When stopping the reel,
The following deceleration sequence is not executed when the two windings are energized,
When one winding is energized (the energized winding is referred to as “A winding”), after the excitation of the A winding has been completed, the deceleration including the following first to fifth steps The sequence is executed.
(1) Excitation of the two phases of the A winding and the B winding adjacent to the A winding and positioned in the rotation direction of the motor for a fourth time that is approximately twice the first time. First step (2) After the excitation of the first step is completed, only one phase of the B winding is excited for the fourth time. Second step (3) After the excitation of the second step is completed, A third step of exciting two phases of the B winding and the C winding adjacent to the B winding and positioned in the rotation direction of the motor for a second time which is approximately three times the first time ( 4) After the excitation of the third step is completed, a fourth step of exciting only one phase of the C winding for a third time that is approximately four times or five times the first time. (5) The fourth step The fifth step of releasing the excitation for all the four-phase windings after the excitation of

The present invention relates to a reel unit that includes a plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a plurality of motors that respectively rotate the reels, and a control unit that controls rotation and stop of the plurality of motors. In a gaming machine comprising
The plurality of motors are stepping motors having a four-phase winding as a stator,
The control unit is configured to at least one of the motors.
The reel is rotated at a predetermined constant speed by exciting one and two of the four-phase windings alternately for a predetermined first time,
When stopping the reel,
The following deceleration sequence is not executed when the two windings are energized,
When one winding is energized (the energized winding is referred to as “deceleration sequence first winding” in this claim), after the excitation of the deceleration sequence first winding is completed, A deceleration sequence including first to third steps is executed.
(1) The two phases of the first winding of the deceleration sequence and the second winding that is adjacent to the first winding of the deceleration sequence and is positioned in the rotational direction of the motor are approximately 3 in the first time. First step for exciting the second time of the second time (2) After the excitation of the first step is finished, only one phase of the second winding is carried out for a third time of about 4 times or about 5 times the first time. Second step of exciting (3) Third step of releasing excitation for all of the four-phase windings after the excitation of the second step is completed.

The controller is configured to stop the reel when the one winding is energized (the energized winding is referred to as “the 0th winding” in this claim). After the excitation of the zero winding is completed, a pre-stage deceleration sequence including the following fourth and fifth steps is executed,
(4) The second phase of the third winding, which is adjacent to the zeroth winding and the zeroth winding and is positioned in the rotational direction of the motor, is a fourth that is approximately twice the first time. Fourth step of time excitation (5) After the excitation of the fourth step is completed, the fifth step of exciting only one phase of the third winding for the fourth time after the excitation of the fifth step is completed, The deceleration sequence may be executed using the third winding as the deceleration sequence first winding.

The reel unit includes a frame on which the plurality of motors are fixed.
The frame is both on the front upper side and the lower side when viewed from the gaming machine, on both the upper side on the rear side and the lower side on the front side, on both the upper side on the front side and the lower side on the rear side, or on the rear side. It is fixed inside the gaming machine at any position on both the upper side and the lower side.
Or
The reel unit includes a frame on which the plurality of motors are fixed.
The frame is fixed inside the gaming machine at any position on the lower side on the front side, the lower side on the rear side, the upper side on the front side, or the upper side on the rear side when viewed from the gaming machine.

  According to the present invention, since only the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation are performed when the reel is stopped, it is possible to suppress current consumption and to shorten the time required to stop the reel.

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 block diagram of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of the drive circuit of the stepping motor of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view of a driving method of the stepping motor of the slot machine. FIG. 6A is a front view showing a manner of mounting the rotary reel unit of the slot machine and the casing of the first form, and FIG. 6B is a left side view thereof. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rotation reel which comprises a rotation reel unit. FIG. 8A is a front view showing an aspect of attachment of the slot machine to the rotary reel unit and the casing of the second form, and FIG. 8B is a left side view thereof. It is explanatory drawing of the deceleration sequence by embodiment of invention. FIG. 9A shows a deceleration sequence of the casing of the first form, and FIG. 9B shows a deceleration sequence of the casing of the second form. It is a process flowchart of the deceleration sequence by embodiment of invention (the housing | casing of 1st form). It is a process flowchart of the deceleration sequence by embodiment of invention (casing of a 2nd form). It is explanatory drawing of the deceleration sequence by embodiment of invention. FIG. 12A shows a deceleration sequence of the casing of the first form, and FIG. 12B shows a deceleration sequence of the casing of the second form. FIG. 13 is a graph showing a change in reel speed in a deceleration sequence according to an embodiment of the invention (a case where the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9A and 12A is applied to the housing in the first form in FIG. 6); FIG. . 12 is a graph showing a change in reel speed in an embodiment of the invention to a comparative example (a case where the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the housing in the first form in FIG. 6). . It is a graph which shows the speed change of the reel of a comparative example (what applied the deceleration sequence by all-phase excitation with respect to the housing | casing of the 1st form of FIG. 6). FIG. 13 is a graph showing a change in reel speed in a deceleration sequence according to an embodiment of the invention (a case where the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9A and 12A is applied to the housing in the first form in FIG. 6); FIG. (back reverse). 12 is a graph showing a change in reel speed in an embodiment of the invention to a comparative example (a case where the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the housing in the first form in FIG. 6). (back reverse). It is a graph which shows the speed change of the reel of a comparative example (what applied the deceleration sequence by all-phase excitation with respect to the housing | casing of the 1st form of FIG. 6) (reverse rotation). 13 is a graph showing a change in reel speed in a deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention (a case where the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the housing in the second form in FIG. 8). (back reverse). FIG. 13 is a graph showing changes in reel speed in an embodiment of the invention to a comparative example (applying the deceleration sequence in FIGS. 9A and 12A to the housing in the second form in FIG. 8); (back reverse). It is a graph which shows the speed change of the reel of a comparative example (what applied the deceleration sequence by all-phase excitation with respect to the housing | casing of the 2nd form of FIG. 8) (reverse rotation). It is a left view which shows the other attachment aspect to the housing | casing of a 1st form. It is a left view which shows the other attachment aspect to the housing | casing of a 2nd form.

  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.

  In addition, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. 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 to third reel) 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 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 reel rotation / stop and medal payout. 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 to the third reel is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start rotation of the first reel to the third reel and an opportunity to execute the 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 a random number 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), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and 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 a 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 a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which 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 rotates the first to third reels by a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to third reels are driven. Control that permits the pressing operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating reels in a state in which the rotation speed of the motor reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute). And a control to stop the first reel to the third reel, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, according to the lottery flag setting state (result of the internal lottery).

  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 to third reels.

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

  Here, in the stop control table, the position of the first reel to the third reel (press detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated and the actual stop position (or the slip from the press detection position) of the first reel to the third reel. (Number of frames) is set. Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first reel to the third reel may be prepared.

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes a reel index (not shown) made of a photosensor, and the reel control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the reel index every time the reel rotates once. By determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the step motor) from the reel reference position (the frame detected by the reel index), the current rotation state of the reel can be monitored. . That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

  The reel control means 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kick-out processing as control for stopping the reel. The pull-in process is a control process for stopping the reel so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose 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. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the reel 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 the non-winning combination cannot be won) This is a control process to be stopped. 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 reels that have already stopped (types of display symbols) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. ) Etc., the stop control table is set so that the stop position of each reel changes. 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 to the third reel so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first to third reels are set to a control state in which the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. ing. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating reel, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each reel stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  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 to the third reel. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first reel to the third reel are stopped, It is determined whether or not it is a predetermined winning combination.

  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 payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

The reel unit 203 includes three reels (details will be described later), and one stepping motor is attached to each of the three reels. A stepping motor includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. is there. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the reel of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases).
Stepping motors include unipolar and bipolar types.
The unipolar type is provided with a winding provided with a center tap, and is suitable for a method in which a current is always supplied to one winding in a fixed direction (unipolar driving). This drive system has the advantage that the drive circuit is simple, but on the other hand, the use efficiency of the winding is bad (1/2 compared to the bipolar drive below) and the output torque at low speed is low. There is.
The bipolar type is suitable for a system (bipolar drive) in which a normal winding without a center tap is provided and current is bidirectionally supplied to one winding. This driving method has a demerit that the driving circuit becomes complicated, but has an advantage that the use efficiency of the winding is good and the output torque at the time of low-speed rotation becomes high.
The embodiment of the present invention can be applied to both unipolar and bipolar stepping motors.

  The stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

• Single-phase excitation Always allow current to flow through only one phase of the winding. Positioning accuracy is good.

・ Two-phase excitation
Current flows in two phases. An output torque approximately twice that of single-phase excitation can be obtained. The positioning accuracy is good and the stationary torque is large when stopped, so that the stop position can be held reliably.

・ One-two-phase excitation
A current is passed by alternately switching between one phase and two phases. Since the step angle can be halved in the case of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation, smooth rotation can be obtained.

  In the slot machine, for example, a four-phase stepping motor having a basic step angle of 1.43 degrees is used, and one-two-phase excitation is adopted as a pulse output method.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a drive circuit for the stepping motor of the slot machine. In FIG. 4, elements such as an index for detecting the position of each reel are omitted.

  In FIG. 13, reference numerals 1310-1 to 1310 denote ON / OFF (current flow) of coils 203 (A phase coil) A-1 to A and coils (B phase coil) 203B-1 to 203 B of stepping motors 203M-1 to 203M-1. This is a drive circuit for switching whether or not. Reference numerals 1320-1 to 1320 are excitation circuits that cause current to flow to the coils 203 </ b> A- 1 to 203 </ b> A- 1 and 203 </ b> B- 1 to 3 according to the output of the drive circuits 1310-1 to 1310-1. The coils 203A-2 and 3 and 203B-2 and 3 are not shown.

Coils 203A-1 to 203A-3 are A-phase coils and are of a unipolar type including two types of coils A and / A. Each phase includes a common terminal COM in addition to the A terminal and the / A terminal, but the illustration thereof is omitted. A bipolar type can also be used. In the case of the bipolar type, current is supplied in the direction opposite to A at / A. The same applies to / B.
Coils 203B-1 to 203B-3 are B-phase coils, and include two types of coils, B and / B. The A-phase coil and the B-phase coil are alternately arranged, for example, A, B, / A, / B,. When excited in the order of A → B →..., The motor rotates forward, and when excited in the order of B → A →. If the interval for switching the excitation of each phase is shortened, the motor rotates faster, and if the interval is increased, the motor rotates slower. If the current continues to flow through the same stator without switching the phase to be excited here, the rotor is fixed at the same stator position, and the motor continues to hold the current position.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the stepping motor of the slot machine. The figure shows an example of one-two-phase excitation. A circle in the table indicates that a current is flowing through the coil. If current is passed through the coil in the order of steps 1, 2,..., 8 in the table of FIG.

Next, a specific configuration of the rotating reel (rotating drum) will be described.
6A is a front view of the reel unit 203, and FIG. 6B is a left side view thereof.
As shown in FIG. 6A, each reel (rotating drum) 40a to 40c is configured as a rotating reel (rotating drum) unit, and is attached to the frame 151 via a bracket (not shown). Each reel 40a-40c is provided with a stepping motor 155, and each reel (rotating drum) 40a-40c is driven by the motor 155 to rotate.

  The frame 151 which is the main body of the reel unit 203 is a substantially U-shaped metal member (aluminum plate) whose sides are slightly larger than the diameter of the reel (rear side, that is, the back side of the gaming machine is open). The width is larger than the total width of the three reels 40a to 40c. The substantially U-shaped open side may be the front side.

  The front side end of the lower surface of the frame 151 when viewed from the front of the gaming machine is bent in a small L shape downward in FIG. 6, and fixing holes for the reel unit 203 are provided at both ends of the part. Yes. The reel unit 203 is fixed to the inside of the gaming machine by inserting the screw 161b into the screw hole of the substantially horizontal lower bar 161 connected to the frame of the gaming machine. In FIG. 6, the connection state of the lower bar 161 and the frame (not shown) of the gaming machine is not shown, but the end portions 161a of the lower bar 161 are each firmly connected to the frame of the gaming machine housing. .

  Further, in FIG. 6, the upper bar 162 is similarly provided at the upper end of the front side of the reel unit 203, and screws 162 b are respectively inserted into fixing holes provided at both ends of the upper back of the frame 151. The reel unit 203 is fixed inside the gaming machine by firmly tightening the screw hole of the upper bar 162. In FIG. 6, the connection state of the upper bar 162 and the frame (not shown) of the gaming machine is not shown, but the end portions 162a of the upper bar 162 are each firmly connected to the frame of the gaming machine.

  That is, according to FIG. 6, the reel unit 203 is fixed at both the upper end and the lower end of the front surface thereof.

The structure of each reel (rotating drum) 40a-40c is shown in FIG.
Each of the reels (rotors) 40 a to 40 c is configured by a reel (rotor) belt 154 attached to the outer periphery of a reel (rotor) drum 153. A symbol is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel (rotor) belt 154.
A lamp case 156 is provided inside the reel (rotor) drum 153 behind the reel (rotor) belt 154, and back lamps 157a, 157b, and 157c are provided in the three chambers of the lamp case 156, respectively. It is attached. These back lamps 157 a to 157 c are mounted on a substrate 158 as shown in FIG. 5B, and the substrate 158 is attached to the back of the lamp case 156. A photo interrupter 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 the shielding plate 160 provided on the reel (rotor) drum 153 passes through the photo interrupter 159 as the reel (rotor) drum 153 rotates. The detection signal of the shielding plate 160 output from the photo interrupter 159 is also called an index detection signal, and is sent to the main board 200.

  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 reel (rotor) band 154, the three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 157 are individually illuminated from behind, and the symbol display Three symbols are projected on each window 13.

  FIG. 8 shows a manner of attaching the reel unit 203 different from that in FIG. In FIG. 8, a substantially horizontal lower bar 161 connected to the frame of the gaming machine by inserting a snap latch (plastic stopper) 161c into the fixing hole of the reel unit 203 at the front bent portion of the frame 151 is shown. The reel unit 203 is fixed inside the gaming machine by being fitted into the mounting holes that are not. In FIG. 8, it may be fixed with screws as in FIG.

  That is, according to FIG. 8, the reel unit 203 is fixed only on the lower side of the front surface thereof.

  Comparing FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, it can be said that the former is more firmly fixed inside the gaming machine than the latter. In other words, in the attached state, the former is more rigid than the latter.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention. As a result of experiments using actual gaming machines, it has been found that it is better to switch the deceleration sequence in accordance with the difference in the mounting manner of the reel unit.

  FIG. 9 (a) shows a deceleration sequence suitable for the attachment mode shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, this attachment mode is referred to as the “first type casing”). During steady rotation of the reel, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are repeated at a constant frequency (668 pps) as described above. However, when stopping the reel, a deceleration sequence is performed after one-phase excitation, not two-phase excitation. Start. In other words, two-phase excitation is performed for about three times the time during steady rotation (one-third frequency), and after this, one-phase excitation is performed for about four times the time during normal rotation (quarter frequency). Stop the reel by doing. Immediately after the reel is stopped (after the end of the one-phase excitation), the excitation is released immediately. According to this deceleration sequence, current consumption can be suppressed because excitation of three or more phases is not performed. In addition, since the excitation for holding the reel after stopping is unnecessary, the effect of suppressing the consumption current is very large.

  FIG. 9B shows a deceleration sequence that is suitable for the mounting mode shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, this mounting mode is referred to as “the casing of the second mode”). Similarly, during steady rotation of the reel, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are repeated at a constant frequency (671 pps, which can be set to 668 pps in FIG. 9A). Start the deceleration sequence after one-phase excitation, not two-phase excitation. That is, two-phase excitation is performed for approximately twice the time (one-third frequency) during steady rotation, and one-phase excitation is performed for the same time. After that, two-phase excitation is performed for about three times the time during steady rotation (one-third frequency), and after this, one-phase excitation for about five times the time during normal rotation (one-fifth frequency). To stop the reel. Immediately after the reel is stopped (after the end of the one-phase excitation), the excitation is released immediately. Even with this deceleration sequence, excitation of three or more phases is not performed, so that current consumption can be suppressed, and excitation for holding the reel after stopping is unnecessary.

  Comparing FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, it can be seen in FIG. 9B that the two-phase excitation and one-phase excitation sequences are added before the deceleration sequence of FIG. 9A. . Although the details of the reason why the difference in the preferred deceleration sequence is different due to the difference in the mounting manner of the reel unit 203 are not clear, it is not the difference in the reel unit 203 itself but the difference in the mounting method, that is, the rigidity of the reel unit 203 due to this Presumed to be due to differences. There is no difference in the basic structure of the reel unit 203, the stepping motor used, and the reel between the case of the first form and the case of the second form, and the difference between the two is almost the way of attachment. In the former case, since the reel unit 203 is fixed at the top and bottom, the reel unit 203 is integrated with the housing, and its rigidity is increased. For this reason, since the reaction at the time of deceleration is received by the entire gaming machine, there is little deformation of the reel unit 203 and it is considered that the reaction hardly occurs. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is difficult to say that the reel unit 203 is fixed only at the lower part and thus integrated with the gaming machine, and the reel unit 203 is deformed in order to receive the reaction at the time of deceleration exclusively by the reel unit 203. Seems to be big.

  FIG. 10 is a process flowchart of the deceleration sequence in FIG. The processing in FIG. 10 is performed by the reel control means 1300 (the same applies to FIG. 11).

S1: S2 to S8 are executed when the stop switch 140 is pressed to stop the reel at a predetermined stop position.

S2: Grasp the excitation state as rotational drive. If it is two-phase excitation (NO), it waits until it becomes one-phase excitation, and if it becomes one-phase excitation (YES), it waits for the end.

S3: Determine whether one-phase excitation has been completed.
When the one-phase excitation is completed (YES), the process of S4 is started at that timing.

S4: Start two-phase excitation in the deceleration sequence and start a timer to measure the excitation time.

S5: The two-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TBa.
The time TBa is a time corresponding to 222 pps (about 4.5 ms).

S6: Next, one-phase excitation in the deceleration sequence is started, and a timer is started to measure the excitation time.

S7: One-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TBb.
The time TBb is a time corresponding to 167 pps (about 6.0 ms).

S8: Since the reel is stopped when the processing of S7 is completed, excitation is stopped for all phases (excitation release).

The excitation time (666 pps, 1.5 ms: first time) during reel rotation, time TBa (second time), and time TBb (third time) are generally in the following relationship.
Time TBa = 3 × excitation time during reel rotation Time TBb = 4 × excitation time during reel rotation

  As will be described later, time TBb = 5 × excitation time during reel rotation (third time) may be used (see FIG. 20 and its description).

FIG. 11 is a process flowchart of the deceleration sequence in FIG.
Since S1 to S3 are the same as those in FIG. 10, their description is omitted. In addition, S10 thru | or S13 are made into the front stage deceleration sequence for convenience.

S10: Start two-phase excitation in the deceleration sequence and start a timer to measure the excitation time.

S11: Two-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TSa.
Time TSa is a time corresponding to 336 pps (about 3.0 ms).

S12: Next, one-phase excitation in the deceleration sequence is started, and a timer is started to measure the excitation time.

S13: One-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TSa.
The time TSa is a time (about 3.0 ms) equivalent to 336 pps as in S11.

S14: Next, the two-phase excitation of the deceleration sequence is started, and a timer is started to measure the excitation time.

S15: Two-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TSb.
Time TSb is a time corresponding to 224 pps (about 4.5 ms).

S16: Next, the one-phase excitation of the deceleration sequence is started, and a timer is started to measure the excitation time.

S17: Two-phase excitation is continued for a predetermined time TSc.
Time TSc is a time corresponding to 134 pps (about 7.5 ms).

S18: Since the reels are stopped when the processing of S17 is completed, excitation is stopped for all phases (excitation release).

The excitation time (666 pps, 1.5 ms) during reel rotation, time TSa (fourth time), time TSb (second time), and time TSc (third time) are generally in the following relationship.
Time TSa = 2 × Excitation time during reel rotation Time TSb = 3 × Excitation time during reel rotation Time TSc = 5 × Excitation time during reel rotation

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the switching of the excited phase will be described. Please refer to FIG. 5 and the description thereof.

  As can be easily understood from FIG. 12, the phase switching order is the same as that during rotation. That is, the stator windings adjacent to each other in the direction in which the motor rotor moves are sequentially excited. In order to stop the rotor, the adjacent winding on the opposite side of the rotation direction is excited, and the winding on the opposite side across the rotating shaft and the winding that was excited immediately before or immediately before is not performed. Absent. Patent Documents 4 and 5 perform such excitation.

  Specifically, the deceleration sequence in FIG. 9A performs the following excitation (FIG. 12A).

・ When one-phase winding is excited (the third winding in FIG. 12 (a), where the excited winding is the “first winding”), Execute deceleration sequence after excitation is completed.

-Two phases of the four-phase windings, and the first winding (the third phase in FIG. 12A) and the second winding adjacent to the first winding in the rotational direction (FIG. 12) The second phase of (a) is excited for a time TBa.
Next, the second winding (the second phase of FIG. 12 (a)) is excited for a time TBb.

• When the above excitation is completed, release the excitation for all the four-phase windings of the motor.

  The deceleration sequence in FIG. 9B performs the following excitation (FIG. 12B). In addition, (e) and (f) in FIG. 12 (b) are the preceding deceleration sequence.

When the one-phase winding is excited (the excited winding is referred to as “0th winding, A winding”, the third phase in FIG. 12B), the first winding The deceleration sequence is executed after the zero winding excitation is completed.

A third winding that is two of the four-phase windings and is adjacent to the 0th winding (the third phase A in FIG. 12B, the A winding) and the rotation direction of the 0th winding. The line (second phase O, B winding in FIG. 12B) is excited for a time TSa.

Next, the third winding (the second phase of the power in FIG. 12B, the B winding) is excited for a time TSa.

Next, a third winding (second phase of key in FIG. 12B, which corresponds to the first winding) and a winding adjacent to the rotation direction of the third winding (FIG. 12 ( b) the first phase of the key (C winding) is excited for a time TSb.

Next, the winding (the first phase of C in FIG. 12B, the C winding) is excited for a time TSc.

• When the above excitation is completed, release the excitation for all the four-phase windings of the motor.

  Graphs obtained by applying the deceleration sequence described above to an actual gaming machine and measuring the movement of the reel at that time are shown in FIGS. Each of these shows two rotation speeds and four-phase drive pulses of a stepping motor for one reel. The horizontal axis of the graph represents time, and the vertical axis represents the rotation speed and the voltage value (current value) of the pulse. The origin of the vertical axis of the graph indicates zero speed. Four pulses are shown, and the numbers at the left end of the graph indicate the phase numbers. The display of each pulse means that the winding is excited at its high level and is not excited at a low level.

  FIG. 13 shows the speed change of the reel of the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention, that is, the case where the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9A and 12A is applied to the case of the first embodiment of FIG. It is a graph.

  FIG. 14 shows an embodiment or a comparative example of the invention. The speed change of the reel is shown in the case where the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the case of the first embodiment of FIG. It is a graph to show.

  FIG. 15 is a comparative example, and is a graph showing a change in reel speed when a deceleration sequence by all-phase excitation is applied to the first embodiment of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 13, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention, it can be seen that the reel stops (speed zero) in a very short time (about 14 ms) (the deceleration sequence is the left end of o in FIG. 12A). (The same applies to FIGS. 14, 16, 17, 19, and 20). The reel position is stable even though the excitation is released immediately after the stop.

  On the other hand, in the case of all-phase excitation in FIG. 15, it takes about 32 ms (about 2.5 times that in FIG. 13) until the speed becomes zero, and it cannot be stopped in a short time (the deceleration sequence has all phases The same applies to FIGS. 18 and 21, starting at the time of excitation. In addition, after the speed becomes zero, it moves to the opposite side, and vibration is generated, so that it does not stop completely. Wait for the vibration to stop and stop completely.

  Therefore, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the present invention (the case where the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9A and 12A is applied to the housing of the first embodiment), (1) the time required for the reel stop Short, (2) Current consumption is low because it is stopped by 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation, (3) Since excitation is released immediately after the speed becomes zero, no current is consumed after stopping, (4) Speed becomes zero There is a particularly remarkable effect that no vibrations will occur.

  Referring to FIG. 14, when the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the case of the first form of FIG. 6, the reel speed becomes zero in a short time (about 18 ms). I understand that This is half of all-phase excitation in FIG. However, vibration occurs after the speed is zero. The magnitude of the vibration is larger than that of the all-phase excitation in FIG. 15, which is because in FIG. 14, the excitation is released after the speed is zero, that is, the brake is not applied.

Therefore, according to the case where the deceleration sequence of FIG. 9B and FIG. 12B is applied to the case of the first form of FIG. 6, (1) the time required to stop the reel is short, (2) Since the current is stopped by the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation, the current consumption is small. (3) Since the excitation is released immediately after the speed becomes zero, the current is not consumed after the stop.
As an effect, it can be used when it is desired to make the reel appear to swing and stop when the reel is stopped.

  16 to 18 show graphs at the time of reverse rotation. 16 to 18 correspond to FIGS. 13 to 15, respectively. In the case of reverse rotation, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  Referring to FIG. 16, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the present invention, the reel stops in a very short time (about 14 ms), and the position of the reel is released even though the excitation is released immediately after the stop. Is stable.

  On the other hand, looking at the case of all-phase excitation in FIG. In addition, vibration is generated.

  Therefore, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention, (1) the time required for stopping the reel is short, (2) the current is stopped by the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation, and (3) the speed is zero. Since the excitation is released immediately after it is turned off, the current is not consumed after the stop, and (4) the vibration after the speed becomes zero does not occur.

  Referring to FIG. 17, when the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the case of the first form of FIG. 6, the reel speed becomes zero in a short time (about 16 ms). I understand that This is half of all-phase excitation in FIG. However, vibration occurs after the speed is zero.

Therefore, according to the case where the deceleration sequence of FIG. 9B and FIG. 12B is applied to the case of the first form of FIG. 6, (1) the time required to stop the reel is short, (2) Since the current is stopped by the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation, the current consumption is small. (3) Since the excitation is released immediately after the speed becomes zero, the current is not consumed after the stop.
As an effect, it can be used when it is desired to make the reel appear to swing and stop when the reel is stopped.

  FIG. 19 shows the speed change of the reel of the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention, that is, the case where the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9B and 12B is applied to the case of the second embodiment of FIG. It is a graph.

  FIG. 20 shows an embodiment or a comparative example of the invention. The speed change of the reel of the case of applying the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9A and 12A to the case of the second embodiment of FIG. 8 is shown. It is a graph to show.

  FIG. 21 is a comparative example, and is a graph showing a change in reel speed when a deceleration sequence by all-phase excitation is applied to the case of the second embodiment in FIG.

  FIGS. 19 to 21 show cases of reverse rotation, but it is clear from comparison of FIGS. 13 to 15 and FIGS. 16 to 18 that they are not different from the case of forward rotation.

  Referring to FIG. 19, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the present invention, the reel stops in a very short time (about 12 ms), and the position of the reel is released even though the excitation is released immediately after the stop. Is stable.

  On the other hand, in the case of all-phase excitation in FIG. 21, it takes about 50 ms until the speed becomes zero, and it cannot be stopped in a short time. In addition, vibration is generated.

  Therefore, according to the deceleration sequence according to the embodiment of the invention, (1) the time required for stopping the reel is short, (2) the current is stopped by the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation, and (3) the speed is zero. Since the excitation is released immediately after it is turned off, the current is not consumed after the stop, and (4) the vibration after the speed becomes zero does not occur.

  Referring to FIG. 20, it can be seen that the case where the deceleration sequence of FIGS. 9A and 12A is applied to the case of the second form of FIG. 8 has a reel speed of zero in about 50 ms. . Then, vibration occurs after the speed is zero. Examining the graph, it seems that it takes time to reach zero speed because the speed is not zero at the time of excitation release. Therefore, the time until the speed becomes zero can be obtained by making the last one-phase excitation (f) in FIG. 12 (a) a little longer (for example, 134pps, 7.5ms) so that the excitation is released after the speed becomes zero. It seems that it can be done to the same extent as 19.

Therefore, according to the case where the deceleration sequence of FIG. 9A and FIG. 12A is applied to the case of the second form of FIG. 8, (2) it is stopped by one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. There is an effect that the current consumption is small, and (3) since the excitation is released immediately after the speed becomes zero, the current is not consumed after the stop. It should be noted that the effect of shortening the time required to stop the reel can be expected by making the last one-phase excitation a little longer as described above.
As an effect, it can be used when it is desired to make the reel appear to swing and stop when the reel is stopped.

  Note that, with respect to the reel unit 203, the housing of the first form in FIG. 6 is fixed on the top and bottom of the front side of the frame 151, but the present invention is not limited to this. Another mounting mode is shown in FIG. 22A is fixed at the upper end on the rear side and the lower end on the front side, FIG. 22B is fixed on the upper end on the front side and the lower end on the rear side, and FIG. 22C is the rear side. It is fixed at the top and bottom. The embodiments of the invention can be applied to these.

  8 is fixed at the lower end on the front side of the frame 151, the present invention is not limited to this. Another mounting mode is shown in FIG. 23A is fixed at the lower end of the rear side, FIG. 23B is fixed at the upper end of the front side, and FIG. 23C is fixed at the upper end of the rear side. The embodiments of the invention can be applied to these.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the invention, in the reel deceleration sequence, instead of the conventional all-phase excitation, the frequency is adjusted while the 1-2 phase excitation is maintained, and the deceleration is stopped. The current consumption value can be suppressed for both the second-type casing and the first-type casing.

  In addition, vibration when the reels are stopped can be suppressed.

  Further, since the excitation is released immediately after the reel is stopped, it is not necessary to provide a period during which the stop is not accepted. In conventional gaming machines, the maximum allowable value of the power supply current is low and all-phase excitation is applied when the reels are stopped. Therefore, if all-phase excitation is performed with two or more reels, the current exceeding the maximum allowable value Therefore, a period for not accepting the stop was provided. According to the embodiment of the invention, such a problem does not occur, and it is not necessary to prepare a program for a period during which no stop is accepted, and the program capacity can be reduced.

  The embodiment of the invention can be applied not only to a normal reel rotation decelerating sequence, but also to a decelerating sequence at the time of forward rotation or reverse rotation during an effect using a reel.

  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.

40, 40a to 40c Reel 155, 203M-1 to -3 Stepping motor 203A-1 to -3 A phase / A phase coil (stator)
203B-1 to -3 B / B phase coil (stator)
203 Reel unit 1300 Reel control means (control unit)

Claims (3)

A game comprising a reel unit including a plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a plurality of motors that respectively rotate the reels, and a control unit that controls rotation and stop of the plurality of motors. In the machine
The plurality of motors are stepping motors having a four-phase winding as a stator,
The control unit is configured to at least one of the motors.
The reel is rotated at a predetermined constant speed by exciting one and two of the four-phase windings alternately for a predetermined first time,
When stopping the reel,
The following deceleration sequence is not executed when the two windings are energized,
When one winding is energized (the energized winding is referred to as “A winding”), after the excitation of the A winding has been completed, the deceleration including the following first to fifth steps A gaming machine characterized by executing a sequence.
(1) Excitation of the two phases of the A winding and the B winding adjacent to the A winding and positioned in the rotation direction of the motor for a fourth time that is approximately twice the first time. First step (2) After the excitation of the first step is completed, only one phase of the B winding is excited for the fourth time. Second step (3) After the excitation of the second step is completed, A third step of exciting two phases of the B winding and the C winding adjacent to the B winding and positioned in the rotation direction of the motor for a second time which is approximately three times the first time ( 4) After the excitation of the third step is completed, a fourth step of exciting only one phase of the C winding for a third time that is approximately four times or five times the first time. (5) The fourth step The fifth step of releasing the excitation for all the four-phase windings after the excitation of The reel unit includes a frame on which the plurality of motors are fixed.
The frame is both on the front upper side and the lower side when viewed from the gaming machine, on both the upper side on the rear side and the lower side on the front side, on both the upper side on the front side and the lower side on the rear side, or on the rear side. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is fixed inside the gaming machine at any position on both the upper side and the lower side. The reel unit includes a frame on which the plurality of motors are fixed.
The frame is fixed inside the gaming machine at any position on the lower side on the front side, on the lower side on the rear side, on the upper side on the front side, or on the upper side on the rear side when viewed from the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 2.

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