JP2012065715A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Pachinko game machine 1 which can prevent an excessive load from being applied on a stepping motor 155 when stopping the stepping motor 155 for driving a movable gimmick 5.SOLUTION: The Pachinko game machine 1 includes: a driving circuit 154 which transmits an excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155 to drive the stepping motor 155; and a CPU 151 which monitors the excitation pulse signal, to determine whether the stepping motor 155 is in an excited state, while detecting that the movable gimmick reaches a prescribed stop position. In the Pachinko game machine 1, the CPU 151 stops transmission of the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155 by the driving circuit 154 only when the CPU 151 detects that the movable gimmick 5 reaches the prescribed stop position and also determines that the stepping motor 155 is not in the excited state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having drive control means for driving a movable body such as a movable accessory provided on a game board by a stepping motor.

  The pachinko machine executes a jackpot lottery with the winning of a game ball at the starting point, and also displays a special symbol indicating the result of the jackpot lottery after the special symbol is variably displayed. When the symbol is a predetermined jackpot symbol, the jackpot is opened so that the player can enjoy the jackpot game. In addition, some game machines of this type include a movable accessory configured to be movable with respect to the game board in order to produce a highly entertaining performance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a movable accessory moves to the left and right using a stepping motor as a drive source when the symbol display device informs that a big winning lottery has been won.

JP 2004-195084 A

  By the way, in the gaming machine as described in Patent Document 1, the driving for controlling the driving of the stepping motor at the timing when the detection signal indicating that the movable accessory has moved to the target stop position is received from the optical sensor. In general, stop control is performed such as stopping the stepping motor by stopping transmission of a pulse signal (excitation pulse signal). For this reason, when the detection signal is received from the optical sensor during the excitation of the stepping motor, the aforementioned stop control is performed during the excitation of the stepping motor, and as a result, an excessive load may be applied to the stepping motor. .

  Such a problem may also occur when a movable body (for example, a mobile display screen) other than the movable accessory is driven by a stepping motor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent an excessive load from being applied to the stepping motor when stopping the stepping motor that drives the movable body.

  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.

  A gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine (1) that performs an effect by operating a movable body (5) by a stepping motor (155), and transmits an excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor (155). A driving means (154) for driving a stepping motor (155), a determination means (151) for monitoring whether the stepping motor (155) is in an excited state by monitoring the excitation pulse signal, and the movable Detection means (151) for detecting that the body (5) has reached a predetermined stop position, and detection means (151) for detecting that the movable body (5) has reached the predetermined stop position, Only when the determination means (151) determines that it is not in the excited state, the drive control (154) stops the transmission of the excitation pulse signal to the drive means (154). And a stage (151).

  The determination means (151) determines whether the stepping motor (155) is in an excited state when the detection means (151) detects that the movable body (5) has reached the predetermined stop position. When the stepping motor (155) is determined to be in an excited state by the determination unit (151), the drive control unit (151) determines that the determination unit (151) is in an excited state. If it is determined that there is not, transmission of the excitation pulse signal to the driving means (154) may be stopped.

  The drive means (154) transmits an excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor (155) in a first cycle, and the detection means (151) performs a detection process in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the process of stopping the transmission of the excitation pulse signal is not performed during the excitation of the stepping motor. For this reason, when stopping a stepping motor, it can prevent that an excessive load is applied to a stepping motor.

Schematic front view showing an example of a pachinko gaming machine 1 Partial plan view of pachinko machine 1 The enlarged view which shows an example of the indicator 4 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 The figure for demonstrating the structure of the periphery of the movable accessory 5 The figure for demonstrating the stop position of the movable accessory 5 The figure for demonstrating the structure of the photo interrupter 60 The figure for demonstrating the structure of the photo interrupter 60 The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 The figure which shows the positional relationship of the photo interrupter 60 and the light-shielding plate 53 Timing chart showing relationship between detection signal from photo interrupter 60 and excitation pulse signal The figure for demonstrating the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 The figure which shows an example of the data corresponding to the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 The flowchart which shows an example of the main process performed by CPU151 of the lamp control part 150. Timing chart showing an example of excitation pulse signal transmission stop timing The flowchart which shows the modification of the main process performed by CPU151 of the lamp control part 150. Timing chart showing a modification of the transmission stop timing of the excitation pulse signal

  Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Schematic configuration of pachinko gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 3 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 3 is a member that supports a transparent glass plate (not shown) disposed in parallel with the game board 2 at a predetermined interval on the front side of the game board 2 (the front side in FIG. 1). The game board 2 is configured to be openable and closable via a hinge (not shown) and is configured to be detachable from the game board 2.

  A game area 20 in which a game ball moves is formed between the glass plate supported by the frame member 3 and the game board 2. When the player holds the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 clockwise, a game ball is launched from a launching device (not shown) with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 31. Although not shown in the drawing, the game board 2 is provided with a guide member that guides the game ball launched from the launching device to the game area 20, and the game ball is stored in the game area 20 by the guide member. Guided to the upper position. The game ball falls along the surface of the game board 2 while changing its moving direction by coming into contact with a game nail (not shown) or a windmill arranged in the game area 20.

  The game area 20 is provided with a first start port 21, a second start port 22, a large winning port 23, a normal winning port 24, and a gate 25, as winning items related to winning and lottery. In addition, a discharge port 26 for discharging game balls that have not entered the start ports 21 and 22 or the winning ports 23 and 24 to the outside of the gaming region 20 is provided below the big winning port 23 in the gaming region 20. .

  The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are provided below an image display device 28 described later. The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval with the first start port 21 as the upper side of the second start port 22. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a big hit lottery is executed by winning a game ball in the first start port 21 or the second start port 22. In the following description, the jackpot lottery executed when the game ball is won at the first start port 21 is called a first special symbol lottery, and is executed when the game ball is won at the second start port 22. The jackpot lottery performed is referred to as a second special symbol lottery, and the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery are collectively referred to as a special symbol lottery.

  Between the 1st starting port 21 and the 2nd starting port 22, the electric tulip 27 which has a pair of blade member imitating a tulip flower is arrange | positioned. The electric tulip 27 is configured to change its posture between a closed posture (see FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members are closed and an open posture (not shown) in which the pair of blade members are open. The posture is changed by the operation of the electric solenoid.

  In a state where the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is in the closed position, the entry path of the game ball to the second start port 22 is blocked by the member constituting the first start port 21 and the electric tulip 27, and the game ball Does not enter the second starting port 22. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 25, a normal symbol lottery (opening / closing lottery of the electric tulip 27) is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is opened for a specified time. The operation of returning to the closed posture after maintaining the posture is performed a prescribed number of times. Thus, by winning the normal symbol lottery, the approach path of the game ball to the second start port 22 is released, and the game ball can win the second start port 22. That is, the second special symbol lottery can be executed. The specified time and the specified number of times for the operation of the electric tulip 27 may be changed according to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The normal winning opening 24 is disposed below the gate 25. When a game ball wins the normal winning opening 24, the lottery is not executed, but more prize balls are paid out than when the game ball wins the first start opening 21 and the second start opening 22.

  The big prize opening 23 is arranged below the second start opening 22. The special winning opening 23 is opened according to the result of the 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. In a state where the special symbol lottery is not won, since the plate is in the same plane as the surface of the game board 2, the game ball does not enter the big winning opening 23. On the other hand, when the special symbol lottery is won, the upper end side of the plate is tilted toward the surface side of the game board 2 with the lower end side of the plate as an axis, and the special winning opening 23 is opened.

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

  An image display device 28 that displays various images for effects is provided in the center of the game board 2. As the game progresses by the player, the image display device 28 notifies the player of the result of the jackpot lottery by displaying, for example, a decorative pattern, or displays a notice effect by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item. Or The image display device 28 is described as a liquid crystal display device, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) dot display device, and a 7-segment display (hereinafter referred to as a 7-segment display device). ), But may be configured by any other display device.

  A panel lamp 29 and a movable accessory 5 (an example of the movable body of the present invention) used for various effects are provided at positions close to the image display device 28. The board lamp 29 emits light according to the progress of the game by the player, thereby performing various effects by light. The movable accessory 5 is configured to be movable with respect to the game board 2, and performs various effects by operating, for example, a built-in light emitting element according to the progress of the game by the player. In the present embodiment, the case where the decorative accessory configured to be movable with respect to the game board 2 is only the movable accessory 5 will be described. However, another movable accessory may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame member 3 includes a stop button 33, an eject button 34, a speaker 35, a frame lamp 36, an effect button 37, and an effect key 38 in addition to the handle 31 and the lever 32 described above. , And a dish 39 are provided.

  The tray 39 is provided so as to protrude from the frame member 3 to the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and temporarily stores the game balls supplied to the above-described launching device. The prize balls that have been paid out as described above are discharged to the plate 39. When the player grasps the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 clockwise, the game balls stored in the tray 39 are supplied to the launching device and are launched into the game area 20 at predetermined time intervals. The launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped when the player presses the stop button 33.

  The take-out button 34 is provided at a position close to the plate 39. When the player operates 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 fall into a box (not shown) arranged below the tray 39. The dish 39 may be constituted by one dish, or by two dishes, an upper dish for collecting game balls and prize balls supplied to the launching device, and a lower dish for collecting only prize balls. May be.

  The speaker 35 outputs music, sound, sound effects, etc., and performs effects by sound. The frame lamp 36 performs various effects by light, such as changing a lighting or blinking pattern, changing a light emission color, and changing a light irradiation direction.

  The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are provided for the player to input an operation for the effect, respectively. The effect button 37 is provided on the side of the plate 39, and the effect key 38 has a center key and a plurality of (here, four) peripheral keys arranged around the center key. 37 is disposed adjacently. For example, the player can select any of a plurality of images displayed on the image display device 28 by operating four peripheral keys included in the effect key 38.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The display 4 displays information on the result of the special symbol lottery and 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 variably displays the special symbol in response to the winning of the game ball at the first starting port 21, and then stops and displays the special symbol indicating the result of the first special symbol lottery. The first special symbol hold indicator 43 displays the number of holds in the first special symbol lottery. The second special symbol display 42 variably displays the special symbol in response to the winning of the game ball at the second starting port 22, and then stops and displays the special symbol indicating the result of the second special symbol lottery. The second special symbol hold indicator 44 displays the number of holds in the second special symbol lottery. The normal symbol display 45 variably displays the normal symbol in response to the game ball passing through the gate 25, and then stops and displays the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol lottery. The normal symbol hold indicator 46 displays the number of normal symbol lottery holds. The gaming state display 47 displays a gaming state (for example, a normal gaming state, a probability variation gaming state, and a short-time gaming state) when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the peripheral configuration of the movable accessory 5, FIG. 4 (A) shows the positional relationship of each member arranged around the movable accessory 5, and FIG. 4 (B) is the movable accessory. 5 shows a drive transmission mechanism. As shown in FIG. 4A, a support member 52 is fixed to the back surface of the movable accessory 5 in parallel with the back surface of the movable accessory 5 via a columnar connecting member 51. A light shielding plate 53 and a slide member 54 are fixed to the support member 52. Since the light-shielding plate 53 is inserted between two protrusions 64 (see FIG. 6A) of photo interrupters 60A and 60B described later, the light-shielding plate 53 is formed thinner than the separation distance between the two protrusions 64. In addition, the horizontal direction (the right direction 71 and the left direction 72) is suspended from the upper portion of the support member 52 with the longitudinal direction being the longitudinal direction. One slide member 54 transmits a driving force of a stepping motor 155 (see FIG. 8) to be described later to the movable accessory 5 and is fixed to the lower portion of the support member 52 with the horizontal direction as the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, gear teeth that mesh with the teeth of the gear 55 are formed in the lower portion of the slide member 54. The gear 55 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 155 (see FIG. 8), and the gear 55 is rotated by the driving force of the stepping motor 155. The rotational force of the gear 55 is transmitted to the slide member 54, and the slide member 54 moves in the right direction 71 or the left direction 72. As a result, the movable accessory 5 fixed to the slide member 54 moves in the right direction 71 or the left direction 72 via the connecting member 51 and the support member 52. Note that the moving direction of the movable accessory 5 can be switched to the right direction 71 or the left direction 72 by switching the rotation direction of the stepping motor 155 clockwise or counterclockwise.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a photo interrupter 60 </ b> A and a photo interrupter 60 </ b> B are provided on the moving path of the light shielding plate 53. These photo interrupters 60A and 60B detect the light shielding plate 53 described above. The photo interrupter 60A is provided at a position where the light shielding plate 53 is detected when the movable accessory 5 moves in the right direction 71 and reaches a predetermined first stop position (see FIG. 5A). One photo interrupter 60B is provided at a position where the light shielding plate 53 is detected when the movable accessory 5 moves in the left direction 72 and reaches a predetermined second stop position (see FIG. 5B). .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the stop position of the movable accessory 5, FIG. 5 (A) shows the first stop position, and FIG. 5 (B) shows the second stop position. As the game progresses, the movable accessory 5 starts moving in the left direction 72 starting from the first stop position, for example, according to the effect content displayed on the image display device 28. The movable accessory 5 that has started moving moves to the second stop position, and then moves to the right 71 and returns to the first stop position. The movable accessory 5 repeats this reciprocation according to the contents of the production. A CPU 151 (see FIG. 8) of the lamp control unit 150 to be described later moves the movable accessory 5 to the first stop position (when the movable interrupter 5 moves in the right direction 71 and the light shielding plate 53 is detected by the photo interrupter 60A). When the movable accessory 5 is detected to have moved to the left direction 72 and the light shielding plate 53 is detected by the photo interrupter 60B, the movable accessory 5 is moved to the second stop position (see FIG. 5A). It is detected that the robot has moved to (see FIG. 5B).

  Next, the configuration of the photo interrupter 60A and the photo interrupter 60B will be described. Note that the configuration of the photo interrupter 60A and the photo interrupter 60B is the same, and in the following description, when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish between them, the photo interrupter 60A and the photo interrupter 60B will be described simply as the photo interrupter 60.

  6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the photo interrupter 60. FIG. 6A shows its external structure, and FIG. 6B shows its internal structure. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the photo interrupter 60 includes a resin casing 61, a light emitting element 62 such as an LED, and a light receiving element 63 such as a phototransistor. The housing 61 has two projecting portions 64, and these two projecting portions 64 project from both sides of the base end portion 65 of the housing 61. Of these two protrusions 64, the light emitting element 62 is housed in one protrusion 64 (upper protrusion 64 in FIG. 6A), and the lower protrusion 64 in FIG. 6A. Since the light receiving element 63 is accommodated in the protruding portion 64), the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63 are arranged to face each other.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a slit 67 is formed on the inner side surface 66 of the protrusion 64. The slit 67 is provided on both of the two protrusions 64 of the housing 61 so as to face each other. Light emitted from the light emitting element 62 is applied to the light receiving element 63. Specifically, the light emitted from the light emitting element 62 travels to the outside of the protruding portion 64 through the slit 67 of the protruding portion 64 in which the light emitting element 62 is built. This light enters the projecting portion 64 through the slit 67 of the projecting portion 64 in which the light receiving element 63 is built, and is received by the light receiving element 63. Thus, since the light emitted from the light emitting element 62 is received by the light receiving element 63, an optical path 68 through which the light passes is formed in the space between the light emitting element 62 and the light receiving element 63. The light receiving element 63 that has received the light from the light emitting element 62 outputs an electrical signal of a level corresponding to the luminance (intensity) of the received light to the lamp control unit 150 described later.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where the light shielding plate 53 does not cover the slit 67 (that is, a state where the optical path 68 is not blocked by the light shielding plate 53). As shown in FIG. 6, when the light shielding plate 53 does not cover the slit 67, the luminance (intensity) of the light received by the light receiving element 63 is relatively large, and the light receiving element 63 detects the HIGH level detection signal. (Hereinafter referred to as “light reception signal”) is output to the lamp controller 150 described later.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the light shielding plate 53 covers the slit 67 (that is, a state where the optical path 68 is blocked by the light shielding plate 53), and FIG. 7A shows the external structure thereof. 7 (B) shows the internal structure. As shown in FIG. 7, when the light shielding plate 53 covers the slit 67, the luminance (intensity) of the light received by the light receiving element 63 is relatively small, and the light receiving element 63 detects the LOW level detection signal. (Hereinafter referred to as “light-shielding signal”) is output to the lamp control unit 150 described later.

  Therefore, when the light shielding plate 53 moves in the right direction 71 from the position shown in FIG. 6A along with the movement of the movable accessory 5 and reaches the position shown in FIG. The signal output from the light receiving element 63 changes from the light receiving signal to the light shielding signal. The lamp controller 150 to which the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is periodically input (for example, every 4 ms) has reached the first stop position or the second stop position by the change of the detection signal. Can be detected.

  The schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described so far. However, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above is merely an example, and the board configuration of the gaming board 2 (arrangement of prizes related to winnings and lotteries) is changed as appropriate. May be. For example, the movable accessory 5 according to the present invention is movable in the left-right direction, but may be movable in the vertical direction.

[Configuration of control device of pachinko gaming machine 1]
On the back side of the game board 2 (the back side in FIG. 1), a control device for controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided in addition to a ball tank for storing game balls to be paid out as prize balls. . Although not shown in the figure, the control device has a main board and a sub board. The main board includes a main control board that functions as a game control unit 100 that performs internal lottery and determination of winning, a payout control board that functions as a payout control unit 120 that controls payout of prize balls. 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 of the sub-boards is an effect control board that functions as an effect control section 130 that comprehensively controls the effects, an image sound control board that functions as an image sound control section 140 that controls effects by images and sounds, and various lamps (frames). Lamp 36, panel lamp 29, etc.) and a lamp control board that functions as a lamp control unit 150 that controls the effects of the movable accessory 5.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device of the pachinko 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, and a lamp control unit 150.

[Configuration of Game Control Unit 100]
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. The main functions of the game control unit 100 are as follows.

  The game control unit 100 executes a special symbol lottery when a game ball wins at the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, and determines to the effect control unit 130 determination result data indicating whether the special symbol lottery is won or not. Send. In addition, the game control unit 100 indicates data indicating the variation setting of the winning probability determined according to the special symbol lottery (for example, variation setting from 1/300 to 1/30), and shortening the special symbol variation time setting. Data, data indicating a shortened setting of the normal symbol variation time determined according to the special symbol lottery, and the like are 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 posture, the number of times the blade member is opened and closed, and the opening / closing time interval between the closing of the blade member and the opening thereof. 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 plate of the grand prize opening 23 protrudes and tilts until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, 30 seconds have passed since the grand prize opening 23 is opened, or 10 game balls are awarded to the big prize opening 23). The round for maintaining the open state of the big prize opening 23 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

  The game control unit 100 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game is won when a game ball wins the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24. The controller 120 is instructed. When the payout control unit 120 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 100, information on the number of prize balls paid out is sent from the payout control unit 120 to the game control unit 100. 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, and a big prize opening control. The unit 116 and the normal winning opening switch 117 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 part 113 has an electric solenoid coupled to the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 so as to be capable of driving transmission. The electric solenoid is activated in accordance with a control signal from the game control unit 100, and the posture of the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 changes. The gate switch 114 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 25 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 winning opening control unit 116 has an electric solenoid coupled to the plate of the special winning opening 23 so as to be able to transmit drive. The electric solenoid is activated in response to a control signal from the game control unit 100, and the special winning opening 23 is opened and closed. 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.

  The game control unit 100 is connected to a display 4 (see FIG. 3). The game control unit 100 displays the result of the first special symbol lottery on the first special symbol display unit 41 and displays the number of holdings on which the first special symbol lottery is held on the first special symbol hold display unit 43. The game control unit 100 causes the second special symbol lottery result to be displayed on the second special symbol lottery display 42, and causes the second special symbol lottery hold number to be displayed on the second special symbol lottery indicator 44. The game control unit 100 displays the result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display unit 45, and displays the number of holdings of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol hold display unit 46. The game control unit 100 causes the game state display 47 to display the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

[Configuration of Payout Control Unit 120]
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 arithmetic processing when controlling the payout of prize balls. 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.

  Based on an instruction from the game control unit 100, the payout control unit 120 controls the payout motor 124 so that a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball is won are paid out to the tray 39. Here, the payout motor 124 is a motor that sends out a game ball from a ball tank disposed on the back side of the game board 2.

  In addition to the payout motor 124, the payout control unit 120 is connected to a payout ball detection unit 125, a ball presence detection unit 126, and a full tank detection unit 127. The payout ball detection unit 125 detects the number of prize balls paid out from the ball tank to the tray 39 by the payout motor 124. The presence detection unit 126 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball tank. The full tank detection unit 127 detects that the tray 39 is full of game balls. The payout control unit 120 executes predetermined processing according to the detection results of the payout ball detection unit 125, the ball presence detection unit 126, and the full tank detection unit 127.

[Configuration of Production Control Unit 130]
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.

  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. In that case, the input of the operation information from the production | presentation button 37 or the production | generation key 38 is received, and the production | generation content according to the operation information may be set. Furthermore, when data indicating the variation setting of the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is received from the game control unit 100, when data indicating the variation setting of the variation time of the special symbol lottery is received from the game control unit 100, and the normal symbol lottery When the data indicating the setting for shortening the variation time is received from the game control unit 100, the contents of the effect are set according to these data. The effect control unit 130 transmits a command instructing execution of the effect of the effect content set in this way to the image sound control unit 140 and the lamp control unit 150.

[Configuration of Image Sound Control Unit 140]
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 the image and sound representing the content of the effect. The RAM 143 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 121 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The image sound control unit 140 controls the image displayed on the image display device 28 and the sound output from the speaker 35 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 130. Specifically, the ROM 142 stores image data such as decorative symbols for notifying the player of the lottery result and characters and items for performing a notice effect by the image display device 28. The ROM 142 stores various types of acoustic data such as music and voices output from the speaker 35. 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. Then, the CPU 141 performs image processing for symbol image display or the like using the read image data. Further, the CPU 141 performs sound processing using the read acoustic data. Then, the CPU 141 causes the image display device 28 to display an image indicated by the image processed image data. In addition, the CPU 141 causes the speaker 35 to output the sound indicated by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration of Lamp Controller 150]
The lamp control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. The CPU 151 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 29 and the frame lamp 36 and the operation of the movable accessory 5 on the basis of the program stored in the ROM 152. 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 CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 reads the light emission pattern data corresponding to the command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 from the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 152, and the panel lamp 29, the frame lamp 36, and the movable light. The light emission of a light emitting element (not shown) incorporated in the accessory 5 is controlled. Further, the CPU 151 reads out the operation pattern data corresponding to the command transmitted from the effect control unit 130 from the operation pattern data stored in the ROM 152, and rotates the stepping motor 155 that operates the movable accessory 5. Control. Specifically, the CPU 151 outputs an input pulse signal (clock signal) to the drive circuit 154. Then, the drive circuit 154 to which the input pulse signal is input generates an excitation pulse signal corresponding to the circuit configuration and the input pulse signal, and transmits the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155.

  The stepping motor 155 that has received the excitation pulse signal performs rotational motion at a rotation speed and a rotation direction according to the excitation pulse signal by sequentially exciting each phase coil (not shown). As described above, the rotation axis of the stepping motor 155 is fixed to the gear 55 (see FIG. 4B), and the driving force of the stepping motor 155 rotates the gear 55. The rotational force of the gear 55 is transmitted to the slide member 54, and the slide member 54 moves in the right direction 71 or the left direction 72. As a result, the movable accessory 5 fixed to the slide member 54 via the connecting member 51 and the support member 52 moves in the right direction 71 or the left direction 72 (see FIG. 4B).

  Further, the CPU 151 receives a detection signal from the photo interrupter 60. The CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position by detecting that this detection signal changes from the light reception signal to the light shielding signal. FIG. 9 is a view showing the positional relationship between the photo interrupter 60 and the light shielding plate 53, and is a view of the lower protrusion 64 shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the illustration of the upper protrusion 64 is omitted.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the detection condition for the CPU 151 to detect that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 9, when the light shielding plate 53 moves in the right direction 71 as the movable accessory 5 moves, the light shielding plate 53 approaches the photo interrupter 60 (in this case, the photo interrupter 60A). The positional relationship with the slit 67 provided in the protrusion 64 changes. When the light shielding plate 53 moves in the right direction 71, a light reception signal is output as a detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 in a state where the slit 67 is not covered (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Next, the light shielding plate 53 moves in the right direction 71 to cover the slit 67 (see FIG. 9C), and a light shielding signal is further output from the photo interrupter 60 as a detection signal. Thereafter, the state where the light shielding plate 53 covers the slit 67 continues (see FIG. 9D), and the second light shielding signal is output from the photo interrupter 60.

  The CPU 151 periodically receives the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 (for example, every 4 ms). However, as shown in FIG. 9, the “light reception signal” (see FIG. 9A) continuously in time-series order, When the “light reception signal” (see FIG. 9B), “light shielding signal” (see FIG. 9C), and “light shielding signal” (see FIG. 9D) are received, the movable accessory 5 is the first. Detect that the stop position has been reached. Note that the reason why the movable accessory 5 arrives at the first stop position only after the four detection signals are detected in the above-described pattern is to prevent erroneous detection due to chattering of the detection signal of the photo interrupter 60. The four detection signals are not necessarily required as long as erroneous detection is prevented. For example, when the CPU 151 receives “light shielding signal” and “light shielding signal” from the photo interrupter 60 in chronological order, it may be considered that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position. 9 shows the case where the light shielding plate 53 moves in the right direction 71, the same applies to the case where the light shielding plate 53 moves in the left direction 72. In this case, the light shielding plate 53 approaches the photo interrupter 60B, and it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the second stop position.

  Further, the CPU 151 determines whether the stepping motor 155 is in an excited state or a non-excited state. Specifically, the CPU 151 monitors the excitation pulse signal transmitted by the drive circuit 154 to the stepping motor 155 every 4 ms, determines that the stepping motor 155 is in the excitation state when the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state, When the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state, it is determined that the stepping motor 155 is in the non-excitation state.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 and the excitation pulse signal. FIG. 10A shows the detection signal received by the CPU 151 from the photo interrupter 60, and FIG. Reference numeral 10 (C) denotes an excitation pulse signal transmitted from the drive circuit 154.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 151 receives a detection signal (light reception signal or light shielding signal) from the photo interrupter 60 every 4 ms. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 151 monitors the ON / OFF state of the excitation pulse signal that the drive circuit 154 transmits to the stepping motor 155 periodically (for example, every 4 ms). It is determined whether 155 is an excited state or a non-excited state.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 10, the detection cycle Tc (for example, 4 ms) of the photo interrupter 60 is shorter than the pulse transmission cycle Tb. In such a case, as shown in (1) of FIG. 10A, the CPU 151 receives “light reception signal”, “light reception signal”, “light shielding signal”, and “light shielding signal” from the photo interrupter 60 in chronological order. (I.e., when it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the stop position), the excitation pulse signal monitored by the CPU 151 may be in an ON state (see (2) in FIG. 10B). It may be in an OFF state (see (3) in FIG. 10C).

  Conventionally, the stop control performed by the CPU 151 to stop the movable accessory 5 is the timing at which it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the stop position (that is, the timing (1) in FIG. 10A). The CPU 151 stops the input pulse signal output to the drive circuit 154. The drive circuit 154 stops transmission of the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155 by the stop control of the CPU 151, and the stepping motor 155 is stopped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the stop position, the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state (that is, the stepping motor 155 is in the excitation state) (FIG. 10 ( When the stop control is performed in (B), the driving of the stepping motor 155 in the excited state is stopped, and an excessive load is applied to the stepping motor 155.

  Hereinafter, a process performed by the lamp control unit 150 in order to solve such a problem will be described. Note that the processing described below can be realized by the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 executing a program stored in the ROM 152.

[Processing procedure of detection signal from photo interrupter 60]
11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60. FIG. 11A shows the configuration of the storage area 156 of the RAM 153, and FIG. 11B shows the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60. The correspondence relationship with data D1 to D4 in which detection signals are set is shown.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the RAM 153 of the lamp control unit 150 includes a storage area 156. The storage area 156 includes a first storage unit 156A, a second storage unit 156B, a third storage unit 156C, and a fourth storage unit 156D in order to store the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60.

  The detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is an analog signal. This detection signal is A / D converted by an input circuit (not shown) and input to the lamp control unit 150 as a digital signal. In the present embodiment, a 2-bit digital signal is input to the lamp control unit 150 as the detection signal. Specifically, if the luminance (intensity) of light received by the light receiving element 63 is 50% or more of the maximum value, a digital signal represented by “1” is input to the lamp control unit 150 as a detection signal. The digital signal represented by “1” is the above-described received light signal. On the other hand, if the luminance of the light received by the light receiving element 63 is less than 50% of the maximum value, a digital signal represented by “0” is input to the lamp control unit 150 as a detection signal. The digital signal represented by “0” is the above-described shading signal.

  As described above, the detection signal represented by “0” or “1” is periodically input (every 4 ms) from the photo interrupter 60 to the lamp control unit 150. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 stores the detection signal acquired first as data D1 in the first storage unit 156A, and the detection signal acquired after 4 ms as data D2. The detection signal stored in the second storage unit 156B and acquired 8 ms after the first acquisition of the detection signal is stored in the third storage unit 156C as data D3, and acquired after 12 ms from the initial acquisition of the detection signal. The detection signal is stored as data D4 in the fourth storage unit 156D. In a state where no detection signal is acquired, an initial value “1” is set in each storage unit as data D1 to D4.

  Thus, since the latest detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is stored in the fourth storage unit 156D as data D4, the latest detection signal data is stored in order to secure a storage area for the latest detection signal. At this time, the data D1 to D4 already stored are shifted. Specifically, the value stored in the first storage unit 156A as the data D1 is discarded, the value stored in the second storage unit 156B as the data D2 is stored in the first storage unit 156A as the data D1, The value stored in the third storage unit 156C as the data D3 is stored in the second storage unit 156B as the data D2, and the value stored in the fourth storage unit 156D as the data D4 is stored as the data D3 in the third storage unit 156C. To store. Then, the newly acquired detection signal data is stored as data D4 in the fourth storage unit 156D (see FIG. 11B). In this way, the old detection signal data is discarded, and the latest continuous four detection signal data D1 to D4 are stored in the storage area 156.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram specifically illustrating the relationship between the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 and the corresponding data D1 to D4. FIG. 12A shows the relationship between the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 and the data D1 to D4 at a certain timing, and FIG. 12B shows the next detection timing from the timing shown in FIG. The relationship between the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 and data D1 to D4 (after 4 ms) is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when four consecutive detection signals input from the photo interrupter 60 are “light reception signal”, “light reception signal”, “light reception signal”, and “light shielding signal”, the data is stored. The values of the data D1 to D4 stored in the area 156 are D1 = 1, D2 = 1, D3 = 1, and D4 = 0. When a “light-shielding signal” is input as a new detection signal from this state, the values of the data D1 to D4 are D1 = 1 (D2 value 4 ms before) and D2 = 1 (D3 value 4 ms before). , D3 = 0 (value of D4 before 4 ms) and D4 = 0.

  As described above, the data D1 to D4 change as appropriate every time the latest detection signal is acquired. In order to prevent erroneous detection due to chattering of the photo interrupter 60 as described above, the detection signals from the photo interrupter 60 are “light reception signal”, “light reception signal”, “light shielding signal”, “light shielding signal” in time series. That is, as shown in FIG. 12B, the data D1 is “1”, the data D2 is “1”, the data D3 is “0”, and the data D4 is “0”. As a condition, the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. Note that it is possible to determine from the rotation direction of the stepping motor 155 whether the stop position reached by the movable accessory 5 is the first stop position or the second stop position.

[Main processing procedure]
Hereinafter, the main process executed by the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 including the process of the data D1 to D4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of main processing executed by the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150. The following main processing is performed by periodic interrupt processing (every 4 ms).

  As shown in FIG. 13, first, the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 receives a command from the effect control unit 130 and determines whether the command is an instruction to move the movable accessory 5. (Step S11). If the CPU 151 determines that there is an instruction to move the movable accessory 5 (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU 151 determines that there is no instruction to move the movable accessory 5 or determines that a command from the effect control unit 130 has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 12, the CPU 151 functioning as a drive control unit starts outputting an input pulse signal to the drive circuit 154. On the other hand, the drive circuit 154 that has received the input pulse signal generates an excitation pulse signal corresponding to the circuit configuration and the input pulse signal, and transmits the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155. As a result, the stepping motor 155 rotates, and the rotational force is transmitted to the movable accessory 5 through the gear 55 and the slide member 54, and the movable accessory 5 starts moving in the right direction 71 or the left direction 72. .

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the value of the data F stored in the storage area (not shown) of the RAM 153 is 1. Here, the data F is data for determining whether or not it has been detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. As will be described in detail later, when it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position, the value “1” is set as the data F. The value “0” is set as the initial value for the data F.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the value of the data F is “1” (step S13: YES), that is, it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has already reached the first stop position or the second stop position. If so, the CPU 151 advances the process to step S20. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the value of the data F is not “1” (step S13: NO), that is, it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has yet reached the first stop position or the second stop position. If not, the CPU 151 advances the process to step S14.

  In step S14, as described above, the CPU 151 stores the latest detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 as data D4 in the fourth storage unit 156D as described above with reference to FIG. The data storage destinations of the data D1 to D4 are shifted one by one.

  Next, in step S15, the CPU 151 receives a detection signal from the photo interrupter 60, and determines whether the received detection signal is a light shielding signal or a light receiving signal. If the CPU 151 determines that the detection signal is a light shielding signal (step S15: YES), the CPU 151 sets a value “0” as the data D4 (step S16), and determines that the detection signal is a light reception signal (step S15). : NO), the value “1” is set as the data D4 in the fourth storage unit 156D (step S17).

  Next, in step S18, the CPU 151 functioning as a detection unit refers to the storage area 156 to determine whether D1 = 1, D2 = 1, D3 = 0, and D4 = 0 (step S18). . Thus, in order to detect that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position, the CPU 151 uses four detection signal data D1 to D4 that are temporally continuous as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the value illustrated in FIG.

  When the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position (step S18: YES), the CPU 151 sets a value “1” as the data F to indicate the detection ( Step S19). On the other hand, when it is not detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position (step S18: NO), the CPU 151 ends the main process.

  When it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position (step S18: YES) and the value “1” is set as the data F in the process of step S19, it functions as a determination unit. The CPU 151 determines whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in an OFF state (that is, whether or not the stepping motor 155 is in a non-excitation state) (step S20). If the CPU 151 determines that the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state (stepping motor 155 is in the excitation state) (step S20: NO), the CPU 151 ends the main process without performing stop control for the stepping motor 155 being excited. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state (the stepping motor is in the non-excitation state) (step S20: YES), the CPU 151 functioning as drive control means stops outputting the input pulse signal to the drive circuit 154. (Step S21). As a result, the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155, and the driving of the stepping motor 155 is stopped.

  The CPU 151 that stopped driving the stepping motor 155 by stopping the output of the input pulse signal in step S21 then resets the value of the data F (sets the initial value “0”) (step S22). It is determined whether or not the moving process of the movable accessory 5 has been completed (step S23).

  When it determines with the movement process of the movable accessory 5 having been complete | finished (step S23: YES), CPU151 complete | finishes a main process. By the way, when the movable accessory 5 has not finished its movement process, it reaches one stop position of the first stop position or the second stop position and stops (that is, the driving of the stepping motor 155 stops) After a predetermined time has elapsed, the movement is resumed toward the other stop position. When it is determined that the moving process of the movable accessory 5 has not ended (step S23: NO), the CPU 151 acquires time information acquired from the effect control unit 130 in order to determine whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed. Based on the above, measurement of the elapsed time after the driving of the stepping motor 155 is stopped is started (step S24), and the main process is terminated.

  Description returns to step S11, and when it determines with the command from the production | presentation control part 130 not being the movement instruction | indication of the movable accessory 5, or when it determines with not receiving the command from the production | presentation control part 130 (step S11: NO), CPU151 advances a process to step S25, and determines whether the movable accessory 5 is movable.

  When it determines with the movable accessory 5 being movable (step S25: YES), CPU151 advances a process to step S13. That is, after receiving the move instruction of the movable combination for the first time (step S11: YES), since the movable combination 5 is moving according to the instruction, the CPU 151 does not perform the process of step S12, but performs step S13. Perform the following processing.

  On the other hand, when determining that the movable accessory 5 is not movable (step S25: NO), the CPU 151 is measuring the elapsed time started in the process of step S24 based on the time information from the effect control unit 130. It is determined whether or not (step S26). When it is determined that measurement is not in progress (step S26: NO), the CPU 151 regards the movable accessory 5 as completing the movement process and does not require the next movement process, and ends the main process. On the other hand, when it is determined that measurement is in progress (step S26: YES), the CPU 151 determines whether or not the elapsed time during measurement has passed a predetermined time (step S27).

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S27: NO), the CPU 151 considers that the movable accessory 5 has not reached the timing of the next movement process, and ends the main process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S27: YES), the CPU 151 considers that the movable accessory 5 has reached the timing of the next movement process, and resets the elapsed time during the current measurement ( Step S28), the process proceeds to step S12. That is, the CPU 151 starts outputting the input pulse signal again. At this time, the CPU 151 reverses the rotation direction of the stepping motor 155 from the previous direction to the opposite direction by changing the output of the input pulse signal. Thereby, the movable accessory 5 starts moving from the first stop position toward the second stop position (or from the second stop position to the first stop position).

[Stop control timing]
Next, the timing of stop control of the stepping motor 155, that is, the timing at which the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing an example of the transmission stop timing of the excitation pulse signal. FIG. 14A shows the excitation pulse signal when the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position. FIG. 14B shows that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state when the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when the latest four consecutive detection signals are “light reception signal”, “light reception signal”, “light shielding signal”, and “light shielding signal” in time series order (FIG. 14A). ) (See upper stage (1)), the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the stop position (step S18 in FIG. 13: YES). At this time, the CPU 151 determines whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in an OFF state (step S20 in FIG. 13), but in the example of FIG. 14A, the excitation pulse signal is in an ON state (FIG. 13). Step S20: NO), the main process is terminated. That is, the CPU 151 does not stop outputting the input pulse signal. Thus, the drive circuit 154 does not stop the transmission of the excitation pulse signal (see the lower part (2) in FIG. 14A).

  Then, in the interrupt process after the next 4 ms, the CPU 151 proceeds in the order of step S11: NO, step S25: YES, step S13: YES, and whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state again in the process of step S20. Judgment is made. If the excitation pulse signal is OFF (step S20 in FIG. 13: YES), the CPU 151 stops outputting the input pulse signal (step S21 in FIG. 13). As a result, the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal (see the lower stage (3) in FIG. 14A).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position based on the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 (step S18 in FIG. 13: YES, upper stage in FIG. 14B) In the example of FIG. 14B, the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state (step S20: YES in FIG. 13), so the CPU 151 does not proceed to the next interrupt process described above, but the input pulse signal Is stopped (step S21 in FIG. 13). As a result, the drive circuit 154 immediately stops the transmission of the excitation pulse signal at the timing when the movable accessory 5 reaches the stop position (see the lower stage (2) in FIG. 14B).

  As described above, when the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the stop position by performing the main process shown in FIG. 13 every 4 ms, the CPU 151 determines that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state. Stops output of the input pulse signal. As a result, the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155, and the stepping motor 155 is stopped.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position, the stepping motor 155 is in the excited state (the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state). For example, transmission of the excitation pulse signal by the drive circuit 154 is not stopped. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a process in which an excessive load is applied to the stepping motor 155 such as stopping the stepping motor 155 while exciting it.

  By the way, when it is determined whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state, the detection of detecting that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position is performed. Even if the excitation pulse signal is OFF immediately before reaching the first stop position or the second stop position, the excitation pulse signal is not generated when the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position. The situation that it is in the ON state can occur. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, first, when it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position, whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state (stepping). Whether or not the motor 155 is in the excitation state) is determined. If the excitation pulse signal is in the ON state, transmission of the excitation pulse signal is stopped after the OFF state. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the control of stopping the stepping motor 155 being excited.

[Modification of main processing of this embodiment]
Hereinafter, a modification of the main process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a modification of the main process executed by the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150. In the following description, processes that are the same as those in the embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different portions are mainly described.

  The feature of the modification of the present embodiment is that the CPU 151 first determines whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state, and only when the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state, based on the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60. The point is that it is detected that the object 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position.

  Data D is stored in a storage area (not shown) of the RAM 153 of the lamp control unit 150. As described above, the detection signal represented by “0” (indicating a light shielding signal) or “1” (indicating a light receiving signal) is periodically (4 ms) from the photo interrupter 60 to the lamp control unit 150. Input). On the other hand, the CPU 151 of the lamp control unit 150 stores the detection signal acquired at the previous detection timing (4 ms before) as data D in the storage area. In the state where the detection signal is not acquired, the initial value “1” is set as the data D in the storage area. In this modification, the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position on condition that the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light-shielding signal twice in succession. Is done. Therefore, the data D is used as data for determining whether the previous detection signal (4 ms before) is a light shielding signal or a light receiving signal. In this modification, the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position that the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal twice in succession. Condition. However, this is to prevent erroneous detection due to chattering, and the detection condition is not limited to such detection conditions as long as it is a method that prevents erroneous detection due to chattering.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the CPU 151 starts outputting the input pulse signal to the drive circuit 154 (step S12), or when the movable accessory 5 is moving (step S25: YES), the CPU 151 First, it is determined whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in an OFF state (step S31).

  When it is determined that the excitation pulse signal is not in the OFF state (stepping motor 155 is in the excitation state) (step S31: NO), the CPU 151 ends the main process without performing stop control on the stepping motor 155 being excited. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state (stepping motor 155 is in the non-excitation state) (step S31: YES), the CPU 151 determines whether or not the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal. Is determined (step S32).

  If it is determined that the detection signal is not a light shielding signal (step S32: NO), the CPU 151 sets a value “1” indicating the light reception signal as the data D (step S33), and ends the main process. That is, when the detection signal is not a light shielding signal, the CPU 151 does not determine the light shielding signal twice in succession, so the CPU 151 does not determine whether the previous detection signal (4 ms before) is a light shielding signal. The value “1” of the current detection signal is set as data D, and the main process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal is a light shielding signal (step S32: YES), the CPU 151 determines whether the value of the data D is “0”, that is, the previous detection signal (4 ms before) is the light shielding signal. Yes, it is determined whether or not it is a light-shielding signal twice in succession together with the current light-shielding signal (step S34).

  When the CPU 151 determines that the value of the data D is “0” (step S34: YES), since the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal twice in succession, the movable accessory 5 is the first. It is detected that the stop position or the second stop position has been reached, and the output of the input pulse signal to the drive circuit 154 is stopped (step S36). Thereafter, the CPU 151 resets the value of the data D (sets the initial value “1”) to detect that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position (step S37). .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the data D is not “0” (step S34: NO), the CPU 151 sets a value “0” indicating a shading signal as the data D (step S35), and ends the main process. To do. That is, when the previous detection signal (4 ms before) is not a light shielding signal, the CPU 151 sets the value “0” of the current detection signal as data D because it is not a light shielding signal twice consecutively. End the process.

[Timing of stop control in this modification]
Next, the timing of stop control of the stepping motor 155, that is, the timing at which the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing a modification of the transmission stop timing of the excitation pulse signal.

  The CPU 151 determines whether or not the excitation pulse signal is in an OFF state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 16 every 4 ms (step S31 in FIG. 15). When the CPU 151 determines that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state (step S31 in FIG. 15: YES), the CPU 151 determines whether the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal (FIG. 15). Step S32, see the lower part of FIG. 16). However, as described above, in order to prevent erroneous detection due to chattering of the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60, the movable accessory 5 is the first on the condition that the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal twice in succession. The CPU 151 detects that the first stop position or the second stop position has been reached. (Step S34 in FIG. 15: YES). Therefore, the CPU 151 needs to receive the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 at least twice during the interval Td in which the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state. That is, it is necessary to satisfy the detection cycle condition that the detection cycle Tc of the photo interrupter 60 is smaller than 1 / 2Td.

  If the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state under the above detection cycle conditions (see (1) in the upper part of FIG. 16), if the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 is a light-shielding signal twice in succession, 2 It is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position at the time of the detection signal for the second time (see the lower stage (2) in FIG. 16). Then, when the CPU 151 stops outputting the input pulse signal to the drive circuit 154 (step S36 in FIG. 15), the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal (see the upper stage (3) in FIG. 16).

  As described above, when the CPU 151 determines that the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state by performing the main processing shown in FIG. 15 every 4 ms, the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position. The output of the input pulse signal is stopped at the timing when it is detected. As a result, the drive circuit 154 stops transmitting the excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor 155, and the stepping motor 155 is stopped.

[Function and effect of this modification]
According to this modification, it is not determined whether or not the detection signal of the photo interrupter 60 is a light shielding signal only when the excitation pulse signal is in the OFF state. That is, when the excitation pulse signal is OFF (the stepping motor 155 is not excited), it is determined whether or not the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. If the first stop position or the second stop position has been reached, the transmission of the excitation pulse signal can be stopped immediately. For this reason, it is possible to perform stop control without waiting for the stepping motor 155 to be in a non-excited state, and processing for applying an excessive load to the stepping motor 155 such as stopping the stepping motor 155 while being excited is performed. Can be prevented.

[Other variations]
In the present embodiment, there are two photo interrupters 60, and the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position based on a detection signal from the photo interrupter 60A, and detects from the photo interrupter 60B. It is assumed that it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the second stop position based on the signal. However, the number of the photo interrupters 60 may be one, for example, only the photo interrupter 60A, and the arrival of the movable accessory 5 at the second stop position may be detected by the CPU 151 based on the number of steps of the stepping motor 155.

  In the present embodiment, the light shielding plate 53 shields the light emitted from the photo interrupter 60 as the movable accessory 5 moves, whereby the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 changes from the light receiving signal to the light shielding signal. It is assumed that it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. Instead of this, the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60 may be changed from the light blocking signal to the light receiving signal to detect that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a light shielding plate 53 that is long in the horizontal direction, and when the movable accessory 5 has not reached the first stop position or the second stop position, the light shielding plate 53 includes the photo interrupter 60A and the photo interrupter. It is inserted between two projecting portions 64 of 60B, and shields light emitted from both photo interrupters (a light shielding signal is output from both). Then, when the movable accessory 5 moves in the right direction 71 and the left end portion of the light shielding plate 53 does not shield the light emitted from the photo interrupter 60B (a light reception signal is output from the photo interrupter 60B), the movable accessory 5 5 is detected to have moved to the first stop position, the movable accessory 5 moves in the left direction 72, and the right end of the light shielding plate 53 does not shield the light emitted from the photointerrupter 60A (from the photointerrupter 60A). When the light receiving signal is output), it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has moved to the second stop position.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 151 detects that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position based on the detection signal from the photo interrupter 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is detected that the movable accessory 5 has reached the first stop position or the second stop position. For example, when the movable accessory 5 reaches the first stop position or the second stop position, a mechanism in which a member fixed to the back of the movable accessory 5 physically presses the detection switch provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, the stepping motor excitation method is not mentioned, but a two-phase excitation method, a 1-2 phase excitation method, or other excitation methods may be used. In this case, the CPU 151 determines, for each phase, whether the current stepping motor 155 is in an excited state or a non-excited state, and stops outputting the input pulse signal for each phase according to the result.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming machine is the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the movable body provided in the gaming machine is the movable accessory 5, but the gaming machine including the movable body is limited to the pachinko gaming machine 1. It may be a slot machine or the like. The movable body is not limited to the movable accessory 5 as long as it is driven by the stepping motor 155, and may be a movable liquid crystal display or the like.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail using embodiment, the above-mentioned description is only the illustration of this invention in all the points, and does not intend to limit the range. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, it is to be understood that the terms used in the present specification are used in the meaning normally used in the art unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all technical and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 5 Movable accessory 53 Light-shielding plate 60 Photo interrupter 150 Lamp control part 151 CPU
154 Driving circuit 155 Stepping motor

Claims (3)

A gaming machine that produces effects by operating a movable body by a stepping motor,
Driving means for driving the stepping motor by transmitting an excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor;
Determining means for monitoring the excitation pulse signal to determine whether or not the stepping motor is in an excited state;
Detecting means for detecting that the movable body has reached a predetermined stop position;
An excitation pulse signal is transmitted to the drive means only when the detection means detects that the movable body has reached the predetermined stop position and the determination means determines that the movable body is not in an excited state. A gaming machine comprising drive control means for stopping. The determination means determines whether or not the stepping motor is in an excited state when the detection means detects that the movable body has reached the predetermined stop position;
When the determination unit determines that the stepping motor is in an excited state, the drive control unit transmits an excitation pulse signal to the drive unit after the determination unit determines that the stepping motor is not in an excited state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is stopped. The drive means transmits an excitation pulse signal to the stepping motor in a first cycle,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit performs detection processing in a second period shorter than the first period.

Images