JP2013000328A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that reduces a bound amount during stop by reducing the speed of a rotor when returning to a stop position.SOLUTION: When a predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is satisfied, this game machine executes first rotation control processing that controls the rotor to rotate to a scheduled stop/held position where the rotor is stopped and held; then executes first excitation processing for supplying an excitation current for a first period in a specific step corresponding to the stop/held position; after finishing the first excitation processing, executes a first excitation opening processing in which no excitation current is supplied to any phase for a second period; and, when the rotor is returned to a vicinity of the stop/held position, executes second rotation control processing for supplying the excitation current again in a specific step.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

  Conventionally, for example, a slot machine is known as one of game machines. In this slot machine, when the reel is rotated by inserting a medal and operating the start lever, the role is determined internally by internal lottery, and the reel is stopped by operating the stop button. When a combination of symbols predetermined according to the internal determination is displayed, a combination is established. When a winning combination with payout of medals is established, a prescribed number of medals corresponding to the established winning combination are paid out.

  A stepping motor is generally used for rotationally driving the reels of the game table. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reel display device for a gaming machine that uses a stepping motor having a two-phase exciting coil to rotationally drive a reel.

JP 2007-7192 A

  The stepping motor rotates and moves the rotor by attracting (including repulsion) the magnetic poles of the rotor by the magnetic force of the stator coil corresponding to the next step. It will rotate while maintaining a constant speed until it reaches. Therefore, when the rotor is stopped while holding the excitation at the step that becomes the stop position, the rotor temporarily rotates slightly after passing through the stop position due to the inertia applied to the reel, and then returns to the stop position by the suction by the excitation. A reverse rotation operation is performed. Therefore, in this returning operation, there is a problem that the rotor rotates while accelerating due to attraction by excitation, and stops while bouncing greatly before and after the stop position.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game table that reduces the bounce amount when stopping by suppressing the speed of the rotor when returning to the stop position.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game stand according to the present invention, as one aspect thereof, is provided with a movable member movable in relation to the game, a rotor to which the movable member is connected, and a pulsed excitation current. A stepping motor having a plurality of phases, a phase for supplying the excitation current, and a plurality of types of steps in which the flow direction of the excitation current is sequentially switched to supply the excitation current, and to perform rotation control of the rotor Control means, and stop holding control means for holding a predetermined specific step of the plurality of types of steps and continuously supplying the excitation current at the specific step to perform stop holding control of the rotor. The rotation control means is configured to stop and hold the rotor by the stop and hold control means when a predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is satisfied. The first rotation control means for executing the first rotation control process for controlling the rotation of the rotor to the scheduled stop holding position, and the scheduled stop holding for the first period after executing the first rotation control process. First excitation means for executing a first excitation process for supplying the excitation current in the specific step corresponding to the position, and after executing the first excitation process, the excitation for any phase during a second period. A first excitation release means for executing a first excitation release process in a state in which no current is supplied, and the stop holding control means, after the rotation control means executes the first excitation release process, the rotor This is characterized in that stop holding control is performed.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the bounce amount at the time of stopping by suppressing the speed of the rotor when returning to the stop position.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing a relationship between a display area of a symbol display window and a pay line in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a surface arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a diagram showing a relationship between a symbol number counter and a symbol interval counter. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an appearance of a reel rotating device of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a reel drive unit that constitutes the reel rotation device of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view and a schematic front view showing a state in which the reel drive unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is assembled. It is a disassembled perspective view of the stepping motor used for the reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the magnetic pole arrangement | positioning of the stator of the stepping motor shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the content of the excitation table which excites the stepping motor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the content of the rotation control table which controls rotation of the reel of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a timing chart showing transition of rotation control data of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed typically operation | movement of the conventional stepping motor at the time of a stop. FIG. 6 schematically shows the operation of a stepping motor used in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention (first brake control). FIG. 6 schematically shows the operation of a stepping motor used in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention (first brake control). It is the figure which showed typically operation | movement of the conventional stepping motor at the time of a stop. FIG. 8 schematically shows the operation of a stepping motor used in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention (second brake control). FIG. 8 schematically shows the operation of a stepping motor used in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention (second brake control). In the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram for explaining how to align the reference position when the reel band is bonded to the reel frame. FIG. 6 is a graph showing experimental results regarding the reel outer peripheral speed at the time of reel stop of the slot machine subjected to the brake control according to the embodiment of the present invention and the slot machine subjected to the conventional brake control. 4 is a flowchart showing a main control unit main process flow of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the reel rotation start process of step S105 of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of main control unit timer interrupt processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the reel rotation control process of step S1007 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the reel control determination process of step S1105 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the acceleration control process of step S1204 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the 1st constant speed control process of step S1206 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the 2nd constant speed control process of step S1208 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the stop button reception process of step S1102 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the drawing-in counter setting process of step S1605 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the drawing-in control process of step S1211 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the brake control process of step S1210 of FIG. Flow of first sub-control unit main process, first sub-control unit command input process, first sub-control unit command reception interrupt process, and first sub-control unit timer interrupt process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention It is a flowchart which shows. It is a schematic block diagram of the stepping motor used for the slot machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically operation | movement of the stepping motor used for the slot machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started when a medal is inserted, and a medal is paid out according to the result of the game.

  A slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown in FIG. 1), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored. It is configured to rotate inside. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor.

  In this embodiment, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by attaching the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame member. When viewed from the player, three symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display unit that displays a combination of a plurality of types of symbols in a variable manner. In addition to the reel, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be used as such a display means. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  Backlights (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 are arranged on the rear surfaces of the reels 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are 5 winning lines. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added 3 When a book is valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. Note that the number of winning lines is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, and the lower right winning line The five winning lines and the upper right winning line may be valid as winning lines. Hereinafter, a valid winning line may be referred to as a valid line.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the nine display areas 1 to 9 of the symbol display window 113 and the five winning lines described above. In this embodiment, the upper horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L2) constituted by the display areas 1, 4, and 7, the middle horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L1) constituted by the display areas 2, 5, and 8, and the display. Lower horizontal winning line (horizontal winning line L3) constituted by areas 3, 6, 9; Upward winning line (diagonal winning line L4) constituted by display areas 3, 5, 7; display areas 1, 5, There are five winning lines, a downward-sloping winning line (diagonal winning line L5).

  The notification lamp 123 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been won internally in an internal lottery to be described later or that a bonus game is in progress. The game medal insertable lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one. When the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two are inserted, and when the medal insertion button 132 is pressed, 3 is inserted. A sheet is inserted. Hereinafter, the medal insertion button 132 is also referred to as a MAX medal insertion button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion port 141. It is. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. In the present embodiment, the stored number display unit 125, the game information display unit 126, and the payout number display unit 127 are configured by a 7 segment (SEG) display unit.

  The start lever 135 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired number of medals is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is referred to as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by the operation of the start lever 135, and are associated with the reels 110 to 112. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation, the first stop operation is referred to as a first stop operation, the next stop operation is referred to as a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. Also, the reel that is the target of the first stop operation is referred to as the first stop reel, the reel that is the target of the second stop operation is the second stop reel, and the reel that is the target of the third stop operation is the third stop reel. Note that a light emitter may be provided in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter can be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The payment button 134 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals.

Below the stop button unit 136 is provided a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and pasting various types of certificate. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened outward in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) is displayed in front of the slot machine 100 (game). The structure appears on the person side).

  In addition, even if it is not a liquid crystal display device, it should just be comprised so that various effect images and various game information can be displayed, for example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into main effects according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. A ROM 306 for storing a position, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency It is installed. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The basic circuit 302 includes a random number generation circuit 316 that is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535, and a start signal output circuit 332 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 332, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts a main control unit main process described later).

  Further, the basic circuit 302 is provided with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 every interruption time). Medal medal acceptance sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal medal payout sensor paid out from medal payout device 180, index sensor for reel 110, The index sensor of the reel 111, the index sensor of the reel 112, etc.) are monitored.

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random number generation circuit 316. Receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random value used for the lottery.

  Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 sensor are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the case input operation. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 180. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, and the index sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and each time a light shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes through L Become a level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 180. A drive circuit 326 for driving a motor, and various lamps 338 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, a stored number indicator 125, a game information display 126, and a payout number display 127) are provided.

  In addition, an information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is slotted into an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. The information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can transmit a signal such as a command to the first sub control unit 400, but the first sub control A signal such as a command cannot be transmitted from the unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives the control command transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface and controls the entire first sub control unit 400 based on the control command. Yes. This basic circuit 402 is equipped with a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, frequency, and the like. doing. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 stores a ROM 406 in which a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, data for controlling the lighting pattern of the backlight, various displays, and the like are stored. Provided.

  The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency dividing data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sound source IC 418, and speakers 272 and 277 are connected to the sound source IC 418 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls sound output from the amplifiers and speakers 272 and 277 in accordance with a command from the CPU 404. The sound source IC 418 is connected to an S-ROM (sound ROM) in which audio data is stored. The audio data acquired from the ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422. Various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. Is connected.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 controls the effect image display device 157, the shutter 163, and the like. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be configured by a plurality of control units such as a control unit that controls the effect image display device 157 and a control unit that controls the shutter 163.

  Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 receives a control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface, and includes a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter for measuring time, frequency, and the like. A timer 512 is mounted. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a ROM 506 that stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

  The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 for driving the shutter 163, and the shutter 163 is connected to the drive circuit 530 via an output interface. The drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a sensor circuit 532, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 every interruption time.

  The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 534 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 536 are connected to the VDP 534 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 536, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

<Pattern arrangement>
The symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) is developed in a plane.

  Each reel 110-112 has a predetermined number of symbols (in this embodiment, eight symbols) of a plurality of types (eight types in the present embodiment). The number counter is arranged only in detail later. Further, numbers 0 to 20 shown on the left side of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reels 110 to 112. For example, in the present embodiment, a chance symbol is arranged on the number 0 frame of the left reel 110, a BB1 symbol is arranged on the number 1 frame of the middle reel 111, and a replay symbol is arranged on the number 2 frame of the right reel 112. ing.

  When the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the active line becomes a symbol combination of a predetermined winning combination, it is determined that the winning combination is a winning combination. In the winning combination in this embodiment, in addition to a small combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out, a replay can be performed without inserting an operating combination, that is, a big bonus or a new medal that shifts to a bonus game. Replays that are roles to be included are also included. In other words, the “winning” in the present embodiment includes a case where a symbol combination of an actuator not accompanied by a medal payout (without medal payout) is displayed on the active line, for example, a big bonus or a replay Includes winnings.

<Reel rotating device>
Next, the reel rotating device 10 that rotates the reels 110 to 112 of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the reel rotating device 10 of the slot machine 100. The reel rotating device 10 is roughly composed of reel drive units 20 to 40 and a case member 12 for storing them. The reel drive units 20 to 40 are structurally composed of the same parts, except that the arrangement of symbols printed on the reel band 610 (see FIG. 4) is different. Each of the reel drive units 20 to 40 (hereinafter, the reel drive unit 20 will be described for the same configuration) is individually detachably housed in the case member 12.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the reel drive unit 20. FIG. 7A is a schematic side view showing a state in which the reel drive unit 20 is assembled, and FIG. 7B is a schematic front view thereof. 7A and 7B, some members are not shown for convenience of explanation. The reel drive unit 20 includes a reel 110, a drive device 604 that rotationally drives the reel 110, a rotation detection device 606 that detects the rotational position of the reel 110, and an internal configuration of the reel 110. And a reel illumination device 608 for illuminating symbols applied to each reel 110.

  The reel 110 is attached to a thin cylindrical reel band 610, a left reel side surface of the reel band 610, a first reel frame 612 that supports the left side surface of the reel band 610, and a right reel side surface of the reel band 610. The second reel frame 614 supports the right side surface of the reel band 610.

  The first reel frame 612 includes an annular frame portion 612A, six support portions 612B that extend from the frame portion 612A toward the center portion of the frame portion 612A, and the six support portions. The cylindrical portion 612 </ b> C is formed to project toward the driving device 604 with the distal end of the portion 612 </ b> B as a base end.

  In one of the six support portions 612B, a plate-shaped light shielding piece 612D is formed to project toward the rotation detection device 606. Between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the index sensor 606A described later, The light shielding piece 612D is configured to pass therethrough. The cylindrical mounting portion 612C is formed with four engagement recesses at substantially equal intervals (in this example, at intervals of about 90 degrees) at four locations in the circumferential direction. The four engagement recesses are respectively fitted to the four engagement protrusions of the movable body gear 620, whereby the first reel frame 612 is engaged and fixed to the movable body gear 620.

  The second reel frame 614 is made of an annular member having substantially the same diameter as the frame portion 612A of the first reel frame 612, and is disposed on the opposite side of the first reel frame 612 with the reel band 610 interposed therebetween.

  The drive device 604 includes a drive motor 616, a drive gear 618 attached to the motor shaft 616 </ b> A of the drive motor 616, a movable body gear 620 that meshes with the drive gear 618, and the movable body gear 620 with a support member 623 and a washer. The pedestal 622 is rotatably supported via the 621. The drive motor 616 and the pedestal 622 are fixedly supported on the plate-shaped metal frame 626 by a plurality of mounting screws 624.

  In this embodiment, the drive motor 616 is configured by a 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motor 700 (details will be described later). The movable body gear 620 is constituted by a gear having a diameter larger than that of the drive gear 618, and the movable body gear 620 and the drive gear 618 constitute a gear set. In addition, as described above, the movable body gear 620 is fixed to the first reel frame 612 using the mounting screws 624 and the washers 621 after being engaged with the mounting portion 612C of the first reel frame 612, and the pedestal. 622 is rotatably supported and has a structure that can be rotated together with the first reel frame 612.

  The rotation detection device 606 includes an optical index sensor 606A composed of a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and a mounting base 606B to which the index sensor 606A is attached. Between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the index sensor 606A. Is configured such that a light shielding piece 612D provided on the first reel frame 612 passes therethrough. The mounting base 606 </ b> B is fixed to the metal frame 626 by mounting screws 624. The slot machine 100 determines the position of the symbol in the rotation direction on the reels 110 to 112 based on the detection result of the rotation detection device 606, and the reels 110 to 110 so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114. 112 is stopped.

  The reel illumination device 608 includes an illumination substrate 608B having a single cold cathode tube disposed at the center thereof, and a guide for guiding light emitted from the cold cathode tube in a predetermined direction with the illumination substrate 608B attached. The illumination case 608C is configured to include an optical plate, and the rear cover 608A covers the rear surface of the illumination board 608B. The lighting case 608C is fixed to the metal frame 626 with mounting screws 624 in a state where the lighting board 608B and the back cover 608A are mounted.

<Stepping motor>
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the stepping motor 700. As shown in FIG. 8, the stepping motor 700 includes a motor shaft 710, a case member 720 that supports the motor shaft 710, a first bearing 722 that is disposed on the case member 720 and supports the motor shaft 710, and a second bearing 722. Bearing 724, a stator 730 made of a fixed electromagnet disposed inside the case member 720, and a rotor 740 rotatably attached to the motor shaft 710. The stepping motor 700 of this embodiment is a PM (Permanent Magnet) type stepping motor, and is configured such that the motor makes one rotation in 96 steps of 1-2 phase excitation. In this embodiment, since the gear ratio of the reel to the motor is 1: 5.25, the reel rotates once in 504 steps (= 5.25 × 96).

  Motor shaft 710 is a shaft to which driving gear 618 is attached and outputs power. Hereinafter, the end of the motor shaft 710 to which the drive gear 618 is attached is referred to as an output end 710A, and the opposite end is referred to as a rear end 710B.

  The case member 720 is a bottomed hollow cylindrical body including a substantially cylindrical base portion 720A having one end opened and a lid portion 720B disposed so as to close the opening portion of the base portion 720A. The case member 720 accommodates the stator 730 and the rotor 740 inside, and supports the motor shaft 710 penetrating from the bottom of the base portion 720A to the lid portion 720B via the first bearing 722 and the second bearing 724. ing. The base portion 720 </ b> A is provided with a fixing member 720 </ b> C having a hole through which a mounting screw 624 for fixing and supporting the metal frame 626 is inserted.

  The first bearing 722 is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that is disposed substantially at the center of the lid portion 720B of the case member 720 and supports the motor shaft 710 rotatably in the vicinity of the output end 710A.

  The second bearing 724 is a substantially cylindrical sliding bearing that is disposed substantially at the center of the bottom portion of the base portion 720A of the case member 720 and supports the motor shaft 710 rotatably in the vicinity of the rear end 710B.

  The stator 730 is disposed so as to surround the rotor 740, and a drive coil is wound over two upper and lower stages (A phase and B phase). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic pole teeth form a triangle (the upward direction is referred to as A phase and B phase, the downward direction is referred to as A-phase, and B-phase. The A phase and B phase are electrical angles. 90 degree phase relationship, A phase and A-phase, and B phase and B-phase are 180 degree electrical angle phase), and each magnetic pole (A phase, A-phase, B phase, B-phase) is 12 turns It is a tooth. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the stator 730. As shown in FIG. 9, the magnetic poles are arranged circumferentially in the order of A phase, B phase, A-phase, and B-phase in the clockwise direction.

  In this embodiment, the rotor 740 is composed of a permanent magnet, and the number of magnetic poles is 24.

  Here, the operation principle of the stepping motor 700 will be described. The stepping motor 700 causes a current to flow through a coil wound around the stator 730 to magnetize each phase of the stator 730 sequentially based on an excitation pattern described later, and rotates the rotor 740 by attracting the rotor 740 with a magnetic force. It is configured as follows.

  In the 1-2 phase excitation type, the four phases of the stator 730 described above are, for example, A phase (1 phase excitation) → A phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase, 2 phase excitation) → B phase (1 phase excitation). ) → A-phase and B phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase, two-phase excitation) → A-phase (one phase excitation) → A-phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB phase). Excitation) → B-phase (one-phase excitation) → A phase and B-phase (hereinafter referred to as AB-phase, two-phase excitation) → A phase (one-phase excitation) →. Is rotated in a certain direction.

  More specifically, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 outputs an on-level pulse signal (for example, a high-level signal) to the phase in which the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 is excited via the drive circuit 322, and at the same time, excitation. The excitation of a predetermined phase is performed by outputting an off-level pulse signal (for example, a low-level signal) to a phase that is not performed. Thereby, the rotor 740 of the stepping motor 700 is rotated by a predetermined angle (one step). For example, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 outputs an on-level pulse signal to the A phase of the stator 730 of the stepping motor 700 and simultaneously outputs an off-level pulse signal to the B phase, A-phase, and B-phase. Thus, only the A phase is excited to rotate the rotor by one pulse (one step), and thereafter the rotor is rotated by a predetermined pulse by switching the excitation in the above-described order. In addition, A phase-> AB phase-> B phase-> A-B phase-> A-phase-> A-B-phase-> B-phase-> AB-phase (or A phase-> AB-phase-> B-phase-> A-B- The rotation of 8 pulses (8 steps) of phase → A-phase → A-B phase → B phase → AB phase) is hereinafter referred to as one cycle.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the number of pulses necessary to rotate the reel once (360 degrees) is set to 504 pulses (63 cycles). Therefore, the rotation angle of the rotor 740 per pulse is about 0.71428 degrees (= 360/504).

<Excitation table>
A drive signal output from the CPU 304 to the drive circuit 322 is stored on the ROM 306 as an excitation table. The CPU 304 outputs the instructed drive signal by referring to this excitation table. FIG. 10 is a table showing the contents of the excitation table of this embodiment. The data of each excitation table (also referred to as rotation control data because it is data for controlling the rotation of the reel) is composed of six bit data (specifically, A-I0, A-I1, A-Phase, B-I0). , B-I1, B-Phase) are combined to represent the phase to be excited and the excitation force. Specifically, the combination of A-I0 and A-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the A-phase or A-phase coil, and A-I0 is 0, A- If I1 is 0, 0%, A-I0 is 1, A-I1 is 0, 20%, A-I0 is 0, A-I1 is 1, 60%, A-I0 is 1, when A-I1 is 1, it indicates 100%. When A-Phase is 1, it indicates A-phase excitation, and when A-Phase is 0, it indicates A-phase excitation. Similarly, the combination of B-I0 and B-I1 indicates the magnitude of the current (excitation force) for exciting the B-phase or B-phase coil, and B-I0 is 0, B-I1. Is 0%, B-I0 is 1, B-I1 is 0, 20%, B-I0 is 0, B-I1 is 1, 60%, B-I0 is 1 When B-I1 is 1, it indicates 100%. When B-Phase is 1, B-phase excitation is indicated, and when B-Phase is 0, B-phase excitation is indicated.

  For example, in the excitation table “55H” with the table number “B0”, A-I0 is 1, A-I1 is 0, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 1, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is 1 indicates that the AB phase is excited at 20%. In addition, the excitation table “26H” with the table number “C2” is A-I0 is 0, A-I1 is 1, A-Phase is 1, B-I0 is 0, B-I1 is 0, and B-Phase is Since it is 0, it indicates that the A phase is excited at 60% (the B-phase is 0%, so there is no excitation). Therefore, when the table number is switched from “C0” → “C1” → “C2” → “C3” → “C4” → “C5” → “C6” → “C7”, AB phase → A phase → It is possible to excite 60% of each phase in the order of AB-phase-> B-phase-> AB-phase-> A-phase-> AB phase-> B phase and rotate the rotor 740 by an angle corresponding to one cycle. it can. As described above, in this embodiment, the rotation of the reel is controlled by outputting excitation table data (rotation control data) composed of 6 bits to the drive circuit 322 as a drive signal. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the excitation force of 0% is expressed as no excitation, the excitation force of 20% is expressed as weak excitation, the excitation force of 60% is medium excitation, and the excitation force of 100% is expressed as strong excitation.

<Rotation control table>
FIG. 11 is a table showing the contents of the rotation control table of the present embodiment. The rotation control table is stored on the ROM 306, and stores the details of rotation control for each reel control status (specifically, the rotation control table is composed of a general-purpose offset counter value, an excitation table, and holding parameters). The reel control status is information regarding the reel control state stored independently for each reel 110 to 112, and is information indicating that each reel 110 to 112 is in a stopped state. “Stop control state (stop control)”, “acceleration state (acceleration control)” which is information indicating that each reel 110 to 112 is in an acceleration state, and each reel 110 to 112 is in a constant speed state. “Constant speed state (during constant speed control)” which is information indicating that there is information, “Retract state (during pulling control)” which is information indicating that each of the reels 110 to 112 is in a retracted state, reels 110 to 110 112 Stores any information of “brake state (during brake control)”, which is information indicating that each reel is in a brake state. It is. In the present embodiment, the constant speed state is further classified into two states having different excitation forces, and the first constant speed state (during the first constant speed control) and the first constant speed are set immediately after the acceleration state. There is a “second constant speed state (during second constant speed control)” set immediately after the speed state (during first constant speed control). The first constant speed state is provided in order to stably rotate the reels 110 to 112 and save power, and the second constant speed state suppresses heat generation of the reels 110 to 112 by weakening the excitation force. Is provided to do. The slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment changes the reel control status from stop control → acceleration control → first constant speed control → second constant speed control → retraction control → brake control → stop control. Thus, the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is controlled by selecting an excitation table (rotation control data) corresponding to each reel status.

  For example, when the reel control status is “acceleration control in progress”, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table “77H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “0” is set to “12” holding time, then The rotation control data of the excitation table “07H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “1” is “12” holding time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table “37H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “2” is “ 3 ”hold time, then rotation control data of excitation table“ 30H ”corresponding to general-purpose offset counter value“ 3 ”is set to“ 3 ”hold time, and so on. Set it up. Then, the reels 110 to 112 are accelerated by gradually reducing the holding time of the rotation control data that is sequentially set.

  The general-purpose offset counter value is a number indicating the order in which the respective rotation control data is executed in each reel control status (0 origin), and is a cyclic value that returns to 0 after 7. The holding time (holding parameter) indicates a time for holding the set rotation control data, and one holding time indicates one interruption time (1.504 ms). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, “during acceleration control” in the present embodiment is performed with 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation), and requires a time of 90.2 ms (= 1.504 × 60). It is configured as follows.

  When the reel control status is “during constant control”, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table “77H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “0” is set to “1” holding time. Next, the rotation control data of the excitation table “07H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “1” is “1” holding time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table “37H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “2”. The rotation control data is sequentially set from the top row to the bottom row of the table as “1” holding time, and so on, and the rotation control data described in the table is set as one set and repeated 16 times. In other words, the reels are stably rotated at a constant speed by switching the rotation control data set sequentially and executing 16 sets in one holding time. As a result, the “during constant speed control” of the present embodiment is configured so that it takes 192.512 ms (= 1.504 × 8 × 16 sets) with 1-2 phase 100% excitation (strong excitation). Has been.

  When the reel control status is “second fixed control”, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table “66H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “0” is stored in the “1” holding time. Next, the rotation control data of the excitation table “06H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “1” is set to “1” holding time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table “26H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “2”. The rotation control data is sequentially set from the top row to the bottom row of the table, such as “1” holding time,. That is, the reels are rotated at a constant speed by switching the rotation control data set sequentially in one holding time. As a result, “during second constant speed control” of the present embodiment is configured such that the state of 1-2 phase 60% excitation (medium excitation) is continued until a stop operation is performed.

  Further, when the reel control status is “during pull-in control”, the rotation control data used in “during second fixed control” is successively set. For example, when “secondary control is in progress” and the rotation control data of the excitation table “42H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “5” is set to “1” holding time and then shifts to “during pulling control” The rotation control data of the excitation table “62H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “6” is “1” holding time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table “64H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “7”. Is set to “1” holding time, and the rotation control data of each excitation table corresponding to the number of steps corresponding to the number of drawn frames (number of drawn frames × 24) and the general-purpose offset counter value 0 to 7 is set to “1” holding time. The setting is repeated sequentially one by one (in this embodiment, in order to stop at the AB phase).

  When the reel control status is “braking control”, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the rotation control data of the excitation table “55H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value of “0” is set to “6” holding time, The rotation control data of the excitation table “44H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “1” is “8” holding time, and then the rotation control data of the excitation table “55H” corresponding to the general-purpose offset counter value “2” is “12”. “Rotation control data of the excitation table“ 44H ”corresponding to the holding time and general-purpose offset counter value“ 3 ”, and rotation control data of the excitation table“ 55H ”corresponding to the“ 24 ”holding time and general-purpose offset counter value“ 4 ”. The rotation control data is set as “1” holding time. That is, the reel is stopped at a predetermined stop position by alternately switching the rotation control data for two-phase 20% excitation and the rotation control data for 0% excitation at a predetermined time. Conventionally, when the reel control status is “brake control”, the phase corresponding to the stop position is always in the excited state and the reel is stopped. However, in this embodiment, the non-excited state (excitation released state) is performed twice. By providing this, the load on the stepping motor 700 of the reel at the time of stop is reduced and the bounce at the stop position is reduced. The rotation control during the brake control is a characteristic operation of this embodiment, and will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing transition of stop control data after the second constant speed control. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the number of frames to be drawn in the pull-in control is zero.

  During the brake control, as described above, the rotation control data for the table number “B0” (rotation control data for exciting the AB phase by 20%) is set for 6 interruption times, and then the rotation control data for the table number “A0” ( Rotation control data without excitation) for 8 interrupt times, then rotation control data for table number “B0” (rotation control data for exciting AB phase 20%) for 12 interrupt times, then table number “A0” Set the rotation control data (rotation control data without excitation) for 24 interrupt times, and finally the rotation control data for table number “B0” (rotation control data for exciting the AB phase by 20%) for 1 interrupt time. The reels 110 to 112 are stopped. Hereinafter, the rotation control from “B0 (weak excitation) → A0 (no excitation) → B0 (weak excitation)”, which is the first half of the brake control, is referred to as “first brake control”, and the latter half of the brake control is “ The rotation control from “B0 (weak excitation) → A0 (no excitation) → B0 (weak excitation)” is referred to as “second brake control”, and each brake control will be described.

<Brake control>
Next, the brake control of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 13 to FIG. 18 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the stepping motor 700 at the time of stopping. The brake control of this embodiment incorporates a first brake control for reducing the speed of the reel that reaches the reel stop position and a second brake control for reducing the amount of rebound of the reel that exceeds the stop position. It is. 13 to 15 are schematic diagrams for explaining the first brake control. FIG. 13 is a conventional operation, FIG. 14 is a principle operation of the first brake control compared with the conventional one, and FIG. The operation | movement of the 1st brake control in embodiment is shown. FIGS. 16 to 18 are schematic diagrams for explaining the second brake control. FIG. 16 is a conventional operation, FIG. 17 is a principle operation of the second brake control compared to the conventional, and FIG. The operation | movement of the 2nd brake control in this embodiment is shown. In order to simplify the description, the excitation phase disposed on the stator 730 is set to 1/12 in FIGS. 13 to 14 and 16 to 17, and to 1/3 in FIGS. Further, FIGS. 13 to 18 show that excitation is performed in the order of A phase → AB-layer → B-phase → A-B-phase → A-phase → A-B phase → B phase → AB phase. The state where the rotor 740 is rotated clockwise is shown, and in each case, one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is stopped at the AB phase.

(First brake control)
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 13, when one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is stopped in the AB phase, it is sequentially excited in the clockwise direction with the AB phase, A phase,..., AB phase, B phase (retraction control). ) After that, the AB phase at the stop position is excited (brake control), so that one magnetic pole R is always at the stop position AB while being attracted and accelerated to the excitation phase that is the next step of the excitation phase where one magnetic pole R is located. It was supposed to reach a phase. Therefore, since the rotor 740 at the accelerated speed is immediately stopped, there is a problem that the load on the stepping motor 700 at the time of the stop is large.

  On the other hand, in the first brake control of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, when one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is stopped in the AB phase, it is sequentially excited up to the B phase one step before the AB phase. Since no excitation is performed for a predetermined period, one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 reaches the AB phase which is the stop position after rotating by inertia. For this reason, since one magnetic pole R reaches the AB phase which is the stop position in a state where the speed is reduced, when the rotor 740 is stopped by exciting the AB phase when the one magnetic pole R reaches the AB phase, the stepping The load on the motor 700 is reduced. As described above, in the first brake control of the present invention, the magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is rotated to a previous position (for example, B phase) before the stop position (for example, AB phase) to be stopped in advance, and then for a predetermined time. The stator 730 is not excited, and then the phase corresponding to the stop position to be stopped in advance (for example, the AB phase) is excited, so that the rotor 740 can be stopped at the stop position while the speed of the rotor 740 is suppressed. The load on the stepping motor 700 at the time of stop can be reduced.

  In the first brake control shown in FIG. 14, the preliminary position is set to a position corresponding to one step before the phase of stopping, but this is an example and may be several steps before. For example, in the first brake control of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, since AB phase excitation (B0) → no excitation (A0) → AB phase excitation (B0), as shown in FIG. In addition, a position one cycle before (eight steps before) is set as a prior position. That is, in order to attract one magnetic pole R to the AB layer which is the previous position, after exciting each phase sequentially to the AB phase, there is no excitation for a predetermined time (8 interruption time), and then the AB phase corresponding to the stop position Is excited. Therefore, in the first brake control of the present embodiment, the one magnetic pole R is stopped at a stop position corresponding to one cycle (eight steps) further from the previous position where the one magnetic pole R is drawn by the pull-in control. . In the following, in FIG. 15, the AB phase that is the prior position is denoted as P1, the AB phase that is the stop position is denoted as P3, and the AB phase that exists at the intermediate position between P1 and P3 is denoted as P2.

  More specifically, in the first brake control of the present embodiment, the AB phase excitation is first performed for 6 interruption times. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the position P1 corresponding to the one magnetic pole R corresponding to the AB phase. The magnetic pole R is attracted to the AB phase at the position P1 and decelerated until it reaches the vicinity of the position P2 corresponding to the AB phase after passing through. Further, in the first brake control of the present embodiment, since there is no excitation for 8 interruption times thereafter, the single magnetic pole R that has passed the position P2 has been decelerated as shown in FIG. 15 (c). When the speed reaches the AB phase that is the stop position P3 and the one magnetic pole R is in the vicinity of the stop position P3, the AB phase is excited, so the rotor 740 can be smoothly stopped at the stop position P3, The load on the stepping motor 700 at the time can be reduced.

(Second brake control)
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 16, when the AB phase at the stop position is excited and one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is stopped at the AB phase, the single magnetic pole R is large before and after the AB phase at the stop position. I was bound. That is, when the rotor 740 is stopped by continuing to excite the AB phase that is the stop position, it passes through the AB phase that is the stop position due to inertia, and a predetermined phase (for example, the AB-phase two steps ahead in FIG. 16). After rotating to the vicinity and stopping, reverse rotation operation for returning to the AB phase, which is the stop position, is generated by AB phase excitation. When the reversely rotated single magnetic pole R accelerates toward the AB phase that is the stop position, the single magnetic pole R passes through the AB phase that is the stop position again and passes through a predetermined phase (for example, 1 in FIG. 16). After stopping after rotating to the vicinity of the B phase before the step), a bounce that stops in the AB phase, which is the stop position, was generated by the excitation suction of the AB phase. As described above, conventionally, there is a problem that the vehicle stops while bouncing greatly before and after the stop position.

  On the other hand, in the second brake control of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, when the AB phase that is the stop position is excited and one magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 is stopped in the AB phase, at the stop position. Rather than continuing to excite a certain AB phase to the end, one magnetic pole R rotates past the stop position to a predetermined phase (for example, A phase one step ahead in FIG. 17), stops, and then reversely rotates. Since it is in a state of no excitation for a predetermined time from the start of the operation, the single magnetic pole R can be directed to the AB phase that is the stop position while being decelerated. Since the AB phase is excited again when the decelerated one magnetic pole R reaches the vicinity of the AB phase that is the stop position, the amount of bounce before and after the stop position can be reduced. Thus, in the second brake control of the present invention, after passing the stop position (AB phase) where the magnetic pole R of the rotor 740 stops in advance, the phase corresponding to the stop position until the one magnetic pole R starts to reversely rotate (for example, (AB phase) is energized, and then the stator 730 is not energized for a predetermined time, and then the phase corresponding to the stop position (for example, the AB phase) is energized. Therefore, the rotor 740 is kept in a state where the speed of the rotor 740 is suppressed. Can be stopped at the stop position, and the amount of bounce of the rotor 740 during the stop can be reduced.

  In the second brake control shown in FIG. 17, the position where one magnetic pole R rotates in the reverse direction is set in the vicinity of a position corresponding to one step ahead of the stop position. However, this is an example and is a few steps ahead. May be. For example, in the second brake control of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, since AB phase excitation (B0) → no excitation (A0) → AB phase excitation (B0), as shown in FIG. In addition, the position where one magnetic pole R rotates backward is set to the vicinity of the AB-phase four steps ahead. That is, in order to stop one magnetic pole R at the stop position, the AB phase that is the stop position is energized for a predetermined time (12 interrupt time) and then is excited for a predetermined time (24 interrupt time), and then the stop position The AB phase corresponding to is excited. Hereinafter, in FIG. 18, the AB phase that is the stop position is denoted as P4, and the AB phase that is four steps ahead of the stop position is also denoted as P5.

  More specifically, in the second brake control of this embodiment, first, AB phase excitation is performed for 12 interruption times, so that one magnetic pole R passes through the stop position P4 as shown in FIG. However, the magnetic pole R is attracted to the AB phase at the stop position P4 and decelerated until it reaches the vicinity of the position P5 corresponding to the AB phase. Then, as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C, the one magnetic pole R rotates reversely after being stopped, and is attracted and accelerated to the AB phase at the stop position P4. In the brake control, after that, no excitation is performed for 24 interruption times. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18 (d), the single magnetic pole R is not accelerated and is slowly accelerated to the AB phase at the stop position P4. To reach. Again, since the AB phase is excited again when the single magnetic pole R is in the vicinity of the stop position P4, the rotor 740 can be stopped at a reduced speed, and the bounding amount of the rotor 740 during the stop can be greatly reduced. Can do.

  17 and 18, only the second brake control has been described. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second brake control is performed after the first brake control is performed. As a result, the speed of the rotor 740 can be further reduced and stopped, and the bound amount of the rotor 740 at the time of stop can be further reduced.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining how to adjust the reference position when the reel band 610 of the present embodiment is bonded to the reel frame. FIG. 19A shows a conventional method. In a state where the light shielding piece 612D is detected by the index sensor 606A, the lower end of the reel band 610 is aligned with the position A, and the reel band 610 is pasted counterclockwise. It is shown that the center position of the symbol of the symbol number counter 0 arranged at the upper end of the reel band 610 comes to the position B. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the reel stops at a position that is 8 steps ahead of the retracted position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. After rotating 5.714 degrees (= 360/504 × 8), which is an angle of 8 steps from position A, the reel band 610 is pasted counterclockwise with the lower end of the reel band 610 aligned with the position C. . In other words, in the present embodiment, the reel band 610 is pasted from the front of 5.714 degrees, which is an angle corresponding to 8 steps with respect to the rotation direction.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the position of the symbols applied to the reels 110 to 112 is adjusted in view of the characteristics of the brake control described above.

  FIG. 20 is a graph showing experimental results regarding the reel outer peripheral speed when the reel machine is stopped in the slot machine 100 subjected to the brake control according to the present embodiment and the slot machine subjected to the conventional brake control. FIG. 20A shows a state of conventional brake control, and FIG. 20B shows a state of brake control according to the present embodiment. Here, the drive current A indicates the current that flows in the A phase, the drive current B indicates the current that flows in the B phase, the vertical axis (amplitude) indicates the magnitude of excitation, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the state of small amplitude corresponds to the weak excitation state of the present embodiment. Further, the forward rotation area of the reel outer peripheral speed indicates the rotation direction of the reel, the reverse rotation area indicates the reverse rotation direction of the reel, the vertical axis indicates the magnitude of the speed, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Therefore, the horizontal axis at which the reel outer peripheral speed is 0 indicates the stop of the reel. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20B, by performing weak excitation → excitation release → weak excitation in the first brake control, weak excitation → excitation release → weak excitation and excitation control in the second brake control ( The reel gradually decelerates, and the reel stops with a slight bounce. On the other hand, in the conventional brake control, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), the state in which weak excitation is applied is continued, so that the reel bounces largely and stops while repeating acceleration and deceleration.

  As described above, FIG. 20 shows that the number of times of bounding and the amount of bounding at the time of stopping are reduced in the brake control according to the present embodiment as compared with the conventional brake control.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the slot machine 100 including the above stepping motor 700 will be described.

<Main control unit main processing>
First, the main process of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit 300.

  Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 304 of the main controller 300, and the CPU 304 repeatedly executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG.

  When power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step S101. In this initial setting, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of interrupt prohibition, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, operation permission to the WDT 314, and initial setting Set the value.

  In step S102, medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of the medal. In addition, preparation is made for transmitting a medal insertion command indicating that a medal has been inserted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that when a re-win is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that it is not necessary for the player to insert medals. Also, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated, and if it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined and a valid pay line is determined and generated by the random number generation circuit 316. Get random numbers. In step S102, the first sub control unit 400 is prepared to transmit a start lever reception command indicating that the start lever 135 has been operated.

  In step S103, a winning combination internal lottery process is performed. In the winning combination internal lottery process, the winning combination internal lottery is performed using the random number acquired in step S102 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306. As a result of the winning combination internal lottery process, when any winning combination is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned on internally. Further, in this step S103, preparation is made for transmitting an internal lottery result command indicating the result of the internal lottery to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S104, reel stop preparation processing is performed. In the reel stop preparation process, reel stop data is selected for each of the reels 110 to 112 based on the result of the winning combination internal lottery process in step S103.

  In step S105, a reel rotation start process (details will be described later) for starting the rotation of all the reels 110 to 112 is executed based on the start operation.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not all reels have been stopped based on the reel rotation control process of the main controller timer interrupt process described later. If all the reels are stopped, the process proceeds to step S107, and if not, the process returns to step S106.

  In step S107, the winning determination of the symbols stopped when the stop buttons 137 to 139 are pressed is performed. Here, it is determined that the winning combination is won when the winning symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that has been won internally or the winning combination having the flag carried over is arranged (displayed) on the activated winning line. For example, if “replay-replay-replay” is arranged on the activated pay line, it is determined that the replay is won. Further, in this step S107, preparation is made for transmitting a display determination command indicating the result of the winning determination to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S108, a medal payout process is performed. In this medal payout process, if a winning combination with a payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In step S109, game state control processing is performed. In this game state control process, control for changing the game state is performed. For example, in the case of a BB (Big Bonus) winning, a BB (Big Bonus) game is prepared from the next time, and in those final games, Prepare to start normal games next time. In step S109, preparation is made for transmitting a gaming state command indicating the gaming state to the first sub-control unit 400.

  Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S102 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds. Note that the various commands prepared in the above steps are transmitted in a command setting transmission process (step S1008 in FIG. 23) of the main control unit timer interrupt process described later.

<Reel rotation start processing>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel rotation start process in step S105 of FIG.

  In step S201, a game time monitoring timer value is acquired. The game time monitoring timer is a timer stored in a specific storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and a time required for one game is a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds of the minimum game time). This timer is set for the purpose of limiting the number of game media to be acquired or lost per unit time and limiting the gambling of the game. The game time monitoring timer is set to a predetermined timer value (for example, a timer value corresponding to 4.1 seconds) in step S203, which will be described later, and each time a timer interrupt process (described later) of the main control unit 300 is executed. Decremented.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the acquired gaming time monitoring timer value has exceeded 4.1 seconds. When the game time monitoring timer value has passed 4.1 seconds or more, the current game may be started, and the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, when the gaming time monitoring timer value has not elapsed 4.1 seconds, the process returns to step S201 and the process is repeated. While the processing is repeated, the timer value of the gaming time monitoring timer is decremented for each timer interrupt of the main control unit 300, and when the gaming time monitoring timer becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the game time monitoring timer value is reset. Specifically, a timer value corresponding to 4.1 seconds is stored in a specific area of the RAM 308. In the present embodiment, the time when the game time monitoring timer value is set is the start timing of one game. The end timing of one game is when the next game time monitoring timer value is set. That is, one game is from setting the game time monitoring timer value to setting the next game time monitoring timer value. Further, since the game time monitoring timer value is set every time the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate, the time from when the reels 110 to 112 start rotating until the next reel 110 to 112 starts rotating. It can also be a single game. Note that the end timing of one game may be when the game time monitoring timer value becomes 0 and the game state control process of S109 in FIG. In addition, the start timing of one game is set when the valid start lever is accepted, and the end timing of one game is set when the valid bet button operation can be accepted. The period up to the time of accepting may be a preparation period for the next game start.

  In step S204, a reel rotation start command to be transmitted to the first sub control unit 400 is set and preparation for transmission is made. The reel rotation start command is a command indicating the start of rotation of the reels 110 to 112.

  In step S205, the status of the left reel 110 is set to “start rotation”.

  In step S206, the status of the middle reel 111 is set to “start rotation”.

  In step S207, the status of the right reel 112 is set to “start rotation”.

  In step S208, the reel control status is set to "acceleration state (acceleration control in progress)". As described above, the reel control status is information regarding the reel control state stored independently for each of the reels 110 to 112 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. "Control state (during stop control)", "Acceleration state (during acceleration control)", "First constant speed state (during first constant speed control)", "Second constant speed state (during second constant speed control)" , "Retraction state (during pulling control)" or "Brake state (during brake control)" is stored. In step S208, the acceleration start request flag is turned ON. The acceleration start request flag is flag information stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, and is referred to in an acceleration control process described later.

<Main control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, a main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 1.5 ms), and the main control unit timer is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. Interrupt processing is executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S1001, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step S1002, the WDT is counted periodically (to prevent detection of processing abnormality) so that the WDT 314 count value exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and no WDT interruption occurs. In the embodiment, the restart is performed once in about 1.5 ms which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S1003, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port status update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 318 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area.

  In step S1004, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing according to this status is performed. For example, if the interrupt status is in the medal insertion process, the medal insertion acceptance process is performed. If the interrupt status is in the payout process, the medal payout process is performed.

  In step S1005, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit. In this embodiment, specifically, the above-described subtraction update of the game time monitoring timer is performed.

  In step S1006, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S1003 are read, the presence / absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality, etc. are monitored, and an error is detected. Performs error handling. Further, according to the current gaming state, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 338, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set.

  In step S1007, if the status of each reel is “start rotation”, a reel rotation control process (details will be described later) is performed. In this reel rotation control process, the rotation of the reel is controlled, and from the plurality of reel stop data candidates selected in step S106 of the main control section main process, the reel rotation control process is performed according to the stop order and the stop situation of the reels 110 to 112. After the reel stop data used for the reel stop control is determined, the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 are stopped based on the determined reel stop data.

  In step S1008, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, basic command, start lever reception command, internal lottery command, rotation start command for starting rotation of reels 110 to 112, stop button for receiving operation of stop buttons 137 to 139 A reception command, a stop position information command associated with the stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command associated with the medal payout processing, a payout end command, etc.), and bits 0 to 10 are command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type). It is composed.

  The first sub-control unit 400 can determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, it is possible to determine the content of the effect control.

  In step S1009, external signal output processing is performed. In this external signal output process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652 that is separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S1010, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. If the low-voltage signal is on (when power-off is detected), the process proceeds to step S1012. If the low-voltage signal is off (when power-off is not detected), the process proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S1011, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S1001 is set in each original register. Thereafter, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S1012, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

<Reel rotation control processing>
Next, the reel rotation control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel rotation control process in step S1007 of FIG.

  In step S1101, it is determined whether the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid based on stop button validity information stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 and indicating whether or not the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. If the stop button valid information is set, it is determined that the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid. The stop button valid information is set in the second constant speed control process described later (see step S1510 in FIG. 28). If the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is valid, the process proceeds to step S1102, a stop button reception process (details will be described later) is performed, and then the processes of steps S1103 to S1109 are performed for each reel 110 to 112. Do. On the other hand, when the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is not valid, the processing of steps S1103 to S1109 is performed for each of the reels 110 to 112.

  In step S1103, index detection information stored in a predetermined area (index sensor storage area) of the RAM 308 is acquired. The index detection information is information indicating whether or not the index sensor 606A has detected the light shielding piece 612D, and is set in a second constant speed control process described later (see step S1508 in FIG. 28).

  In step S1104, reel control information is acquired. Here, the reel control information means the entire information related to the rotation control of the reels 110 to 112, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308. In the present embodiment, the reel control information includes values such as the above-described reel control status, general-purpose offset counter, reel control status transition counter described later, and holding counter.

  In step S1105, a reel control determination process (described later in detail) is performed based on the acquired reel control information.

  In step S1106, it is determined whether the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON. The reel drive signal switching request flag is flag information stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 308 of the control unit 300, and indicates whether or not the currently set rotation control data is to be switched. When the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON, the currently set rotation control data is switched. When the reel drive signal switching request flag is OFF, the currently set rotation control data is not switched. The reel drive signal switching request flag is set in each control process of the reel control determination process described above (specifically, an acceleration control process and a brake control process, which will be described in detail later). If the reel drive signal switching request flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1107. If the reel drive signal switching request flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1109.

  In step S1107, rotation control data is acquired based on the acquired reel control status and general-purpose offset counter value. Specifically, the corresponding excitation table (rotation control data) is acquired from the table shown in FIG. 11 based on the reel control status and the general-purpose offset counter value. For example, when the reel control status is “acceleration control in progress” and the general-purpose offset counter value is “0”, rotation control data of the excitation table “77H” is acquired.

  In step S1108, the rotation control data acquired in step S1108 is set.

  In step S1109, the reel control information is updated because the content of the reel control information has been changed in accordance with the processing described above.

<Reel control determination process>
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the reel control determination process in step S1105 of FIG. The reel control determination process is a process of sequentially switching the reel rotation control in accordance with the reel control status. Specifically, the processing is executed in the order of acceleration control processing, first constant speed control processing, second constant speed control processing, pull-in control processing, and brake control processing.

  In step S1201, the reel control status is acquired.

  In step S1202, it is determined whether or not the acquired reel control status is “during stop control”. If the acquired reel control status is “during stop control”, the reel control determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if the acquired reel control state is not “stop control in progress”, the process advances to step S1203.

  In step S1203, it is determined whether or not the acquired reel control state is “acceleration control in progress”. If the reel control state is “acceleration control in progress”, the process advances to step S1204 to perform acceleration control processing (control processing for accelerating the rotation of the reel; details will be described later). On the other hand, when the reel control state is not “acceleration control in progress”, the process proceeds to step S1205.

  In step S1205, it is determined whether or not the acquired reel control state is “during constant speed control”. If the reel control state is “during constant speed control”, the process proceeds to step S1206 to perform a first constant speed control process (control process for maintaining the rotation of the reel at a constant speed; details will be described later). . On the other hand, when the reel control state is not “during constant speed control”, the process proceeds to step S1207.

  In step S1207, it is determined whether or not the acquired reel control state is “during second constant speed control”. If the reel control state is “during second constant speed control”, the process advances to step S1208 to perform second constant speed control processing (control processing for maintaining the rotation of the reel at a constant speed; details will be described later). . On the other hand, when the reel control state is not “during second constant speed control”, the process proceeds to step S1209.

  In step S1209, it is determined whether or not the acquired reel control state is “during brake control”. When the reel control state is “brake control in progress”, the process proceeds to step S1210, and brake control processing (control processing for stopping the rotation of the reel; details will be described later) is performed. On the other hand, when the reel control state is not “braking control”, the process proceeds to step S1211.

  In step S1211, since the reel control state is “during pull-in control”, pull-in control processing (processing for pulling in the reel to the stop position; details will be described later) is performed.

<Acceleration control processing>
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the acceleration control process in step S1204 of FIG.

  In step S1301, it is determined whether there is an acceleration start request based on the acceleration start request flag. Since the acceleration start request flag is set to ON in step S208 of the reel rotation start process shown in FIG. 22, YES is determined in step S1301 of the first timer interrupt process (described later). In step S1304, since the acceleration start request flag is set to OFF, it is determined as NO in step S1301 of the second and subsequent timer interrupt processing. If there is an acceleration start request, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if there is no acceleration start request, the process proceeds to step S1306.

  In step S1302, an initial value of 0 is set as the value of the reel control status transition counter. Here, the reel control status transition counter is a counter that measures the number of repeated sets (cycle number) of rotation control data in one cycle and eight steps, and in this embodiment, is repeated three times as shown in FIG. And the acceleration control process is terminated.

  In step S1303, 0, which is an initial value, is set as the value of the general-purpose offset counter.

  In step S1304, the reel drive signal switching request flag is turned ON. Further, the acceleration start request flag is set to OFF.

  In step S1305, a dummy value of 0 is set to the value of the symbol interval counter (details will be described later). Note that the value of the symbol interval counter set in step S1305 is used in the second constant speed control process described later. After the process of step S1305 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1317.

  In step S1306, 1 is subtracted from the value of the holding counter. The value of the holding counter is set in step S1317, which will be described later, and 1 is subtracted by one timer interrupt process. Note that the initial value set in the holding counter in step S1317 is the holding parameter value corresponding to the set general-purpose offset counter value. For example, when the general-purpose offset counter value is 0 as shown in FIG. 12 is set in the holding counter as an initial value.

  In step S1307, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to OFF.

  In step S1308, it is determined whether or not the value of the subtracted holding counter is zero. If the holding counter value is 0, the rotation control data is being switched, the process proceeds to step S1309. If the holding counter value is not 0, the rotation control data is not being switched, and the acceleration control process is terminated. To do.

  In step S1309, since the rotation control data is being switched, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to ON.

  In step S1310, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter in order to set the next rotation control data.

  In step S1311, it is determined whether the added value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8. If the value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8, the rotation control of the set (cycle) is completed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1311, and if the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 8, the rotation of the set (cycle) is performed. Since the control has not ended, the process advances to step S1317.

  In step S1312, in order to shift to the rotation control of the next set (cycle), the initial value 0 is set to the general-purpose offset counter value.

  In step S1313, 1 is added to the value of the reel control status transition counter.

  In step S1314, it is determined whether or not the value of the added reel control status transition counter is 3. If the value of the reel control status transition counter is 3, the process proceeds to step S1315. If the value of the reel control status transition counter is not 3, the process proceeds to step S1317.

  In step S1315, since all the rotation control set during acceleration control has been performed, the reel control status is set to “during constant speed control”.

  In step S1316, the initial value 0 is set to the value of the reel control status transition counter. After the process of step S1316 is completed, the acceleration control process is terminated.

  In step S1317, the rotation control table is referred to, the reel control status is “acceleration control in progress”, the holding parameter value corresponding to the set reel control status transition counter value and the general-purpose offset counter value is acquired and acquired. Set the retention parameter value as the initial value of the retention counter. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the reel control status transition counter value is 0 and the general-purpose offset counter value is 0, 12 is set as the initial value of the holding counter, and the reel control status transition counter value is 1 and the general-purpose offset counter value is In the case of 7, 1 is set as the initial value of the holding counter. After the process of step S1317 is completed, the acceleration control process is terminated.

<First constant speed control processing>
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail the first constant speed control process in step S1206 of FIG.

  In step S1401, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter. That is, in the first constant speed control process, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, so that the value of the general-purpose offset counter is incremented every timer interrupt process. Since the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to ON in step S1309 of the acceleration control process, the switching process is not performed. Therefore, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set in the first constant speed control process and the first described later. During the two constant speed control processing, it remains ON. Therefore, in the reel rotation control process of FIG. 24, rotation control data corresponding to the added general-purpose offset counter value is set for each timer interrupt process (see step S1108 of FIG. 24).

  In step S1402, it is determined whether or not the added value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8. When the value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8, in order to shift to the rotation control of the next set (cycle), the process proceeds to step S1403. When the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 8, the value of the set (cycle) Since the rotation control has not ended, the first constant speed control process ends.

  In step S1403, an initial value of 0 is set to the value of the general-purpose offset counter in order to shift to the next set (cycle) of rotation control.

  In step S1404, 1 is added to the value of the reel control status transition counter.

  In step S1405, it is determined whether or not the value of the added reel control status transition counter is 16. When the value of the reel control status transition counter is 16, since 16 sets of rotation control have been completed (see FIG. 11), the process proceeds to step S1406, and when the value of the reel control status transition counter is not 16, The constant speed control process is terminated.

  In step S1406, since all the rotation control set during the first constant speed control has been performed, the reel control status is set to “during second constant speed control”.

<Second constant speed control process>
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing in detail the second constant speed control process of step S1208 of FIG. The second constant speed control process mainly performs a process of tracking the symbol position of the reel. In order for the main controller 300 to grasp the symbol position of the reel, the symbol position is monitored using two counters, a “symbol number counter” and a “symbol interval counter”. Here, the “symbol number counter” and the “symbol interval counter” will be described.

  FIG. 4 is also a diagram showing the relationship between the symbol number counter and the symbol interval counter. The symbol number counter is a counter for storing and holding a symbol located in the middle stage of the reel display window 113, which is a reference position. For example, for the left reel 110, the chance symbol at the upper end of the symbol row of the left reel 110 is the reference symbol. The count starts when the index sensor 606A passes through the light shielding piece 612D. Each symbol is associated with the count value in advance, and the main control unit 300 can determine the symbol that is stopped and displayed on the reel display window 113 from the symbol number counter value when the reel is stopped, and perform a winning determination. it can. The symbol interval counter is the number of drive pulses per symbol (number of timer interrupt processing), and is 24 (total number of 504 drive pulses). The main control unit 300 sets the number of driving pulses per symbol in the symbol interval counter, and subtracts each time the driving pulse is output, so that the symbol number counter is updated by 1 when the symbol interval counter value becomes zero. I have to.

  In step S1501, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter. In other words, in the second constant speed control process, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, so that the value of the general-purpose offset counter is incremented every timer interrupt process. Further, since the reel drive signal switching request flag remains ON, in the reel rotation control process of FIG. 24, rotation control data corresponding to the added general-purpose offset counter value is set for each timer interrupt process (FIG. 24). 24, step S1108).

  In step S1502, it is determined whether or not the value of the added general-purpose offset counter is 8. When the value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8, in order to shift to the rotation control of the next set (cycle), the process proceeds to step S1503. When the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 8, when the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 8, Since the rotation control has not ended, the process proceeds to step S1504.

  In step S1503, an initial value of 0 is set to the value of the general-purpose offset counter in order to shift to the next set (cycle) of rotation control.

  In step S1504, 1 is subtracted from the value of the symbol interval counter. That is, the value of the symbol interval counter is decremented every interrupt time.

  In step S1505, it is determined whether or not the subtracted symbol interval counter value is zero. If the value of the symbol interval counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S1506. If the value of the symbol interval counter is not 0, the process proceeds to step S1508.

  In step S1506, if the value of the symbol interval counter is 0, the next symbol is substituted, and therefore the initial value of 24 is set as the symbol interval counter value.

  In step S1507, 1 is subtracted from the value of the symbol number counter in order to update to the next symbol.

  In step S1508, the detection result of the index sensor stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 308 is acquired. The detection result of the index sensor 606A is detected when the passage of the light shielding piece 612D provided at the position where the symbol number counter value is 0 and the symbol interval counter value is 0 is detected.

  In step S1509, if the obtained detection result of the index sensor is detected, the process proceeds to step S1510, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step S1514.

  In step S1510, since the reel symbol position has been searched, stop button valid information is set.

  In step S1511, the initial value of 24 is set as the value of the symbol interval counter.

  In step S1512, 0, which is an initial value, is set as the value of the symbol number counter.

  In step S1513, an initial value of 0 is set as the value of the step-out detection counter. After the process of step S1513 is completed, the second constant speed control process is terminated.

  In step S1514, step-out detection processing is performed based on the value of the step-out detection counter. In the step-out detection process, when it is determined that step-out has occurred, the acceleration control process is performed again. After the process of step S1514 is completed, the second constant speed control process is terminated.

<Stop button reception process>
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing in detail the stop button acceptance process in step S1102 of FIG. The stop button reception process is executed in a state where the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received, that is, after the stop button valid information is set in the second constant speed control process shown in FIG. It is. The stop button receiving process is a process of determining the corresponding reel stop position based on the operation of the stop buttons 137 to 139.

  In step S1601, stop acceptance information is acquired. Here, the stop reception information is a part of the reel control information, and means all information necessary for determination of stop reception.

  In step S1602, a stoppable reel is determined from the acquired stop acceptance information, and set as stoppable reel information (for example, when it is determined that the left reel 110 is a stoppable reel, the left reel 110 is set. Set).

  In step S1603, it is determined whether a stop button corresponding to the reel corresponding to the set stoppable reel information has been received. If the stop button has been received, the process proceeds to step S1604. If the stop button has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1607.

  In step S1604, data relating to the reel to be stopped (stop target reel data) is acquired.

  In step S1605, a pull-in counter setting process (details will be described later) is performed.

  In step S1606, since the stop button has been received, the status of the reel having undergone the stop operation is updated to “stop”.

  In step S1607, stopable reel information is cleared. This is because the stoppable reel is changed by the pull-in counter setting process in step S1605 (for example, when the pull-in counter setting process is performed for the stopable left reel, the left reel can be stopped. Not a reel).

  In step S1608, the stop button LED information is updated according to the stoppable reel information. This is to update the LED information of the stop button according to whether or not each reel can be stopped. As an example, blue is set for a stopable reel and the stop button is pressed. , Red is set.

<Retraction counter setting process>
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing in detail the pull-in counter setting process in step S1605 of FIG.

  In step S1701, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired, and the position where the stop operation has been performed is detected.

  In step S1702, the number of drawn frames is acquired from the selected reel stop control data based on the position where the stop operation has been performed.

  In step S1703, the remaining number of interrupts is acquired with reference to the excitation table. Specifically, in the present embodiment, since it stops at the position corresponding to the AB phase, the next to the excitation phase indicated by the previously set rotation control data (the last rotation control data set during the second constant speed control). The number of steps from the excitation phase to the excitation phase immediately before the AB phase is acquired as the remaining interrupt number. For example, in the pull-in control shown in FIG. 12, there are three steps from C5 to C7.

  In step S1704, a pull-in counter value is calculated from the acquired number of pull-in frames and the remaining number of interrupts, and the calculated pull-in counter value is set in the pull-in counter. Specifically, a value obtained by multiplying the number of drawn frames by 24 and adding the remaining number of interruptions is set in the drawing counter. For example, in the pull-in control shown in FIG. 18, since the number of frames to be pulled is 0, 3 is set in the pull-in counter.

  In step S1705, the reel control status is set to “during pull-in control”.

<Retraction control processing>
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing in detail the pull-in control process in step S1211 of FIG. Here, the pull-in control processing is to realize stop control according to the result of the internal lottery, and when the reels are stopped, the reels are moved from the symbol positions operated by the stop buttons 137 to 139 to a predetermined number of frames ( In the present embodiment, 0 to 4 frames) is a process of sliding and stopping. As a result, the winning combination that was won internally by the internal lottery or the so-called flag carry-over winning combination is allowed to be displayed together with the corresponding symbol combination. The symbol combinations corresponding to are not displayed together.

  In step S1801, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter. That is, in the pull-in control process, as shown in FIG. 12, since the rotation control data is switched every interrupt time, the value of the general-purpose offset counter is updated every timer interrupt process. Further, since the reel drive signal switching request flag remains ON, in the reel rotation control process of FIG. 24, rotation control data corresponding to the added general-purpose offset counter value is set for each timer interrupt process (FIG. 24). 24, step S1108).

  In step S1802, it is determined whether or not the value of the added general-purpose offset counter is 8. If the value of the general-purpose offset counter is 8, the remaining rotation control of the set (cycle) has been completed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1803. If the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 8, the set (cycle) Since the remaining rotation control is not completed, the process proceeds to step S1803.

  In step S1803, the initial value 0 is set as the value of the general-purpose offset counter.

  In step S1804, the value of the pull-in counter is updated. Specifically, 1 is subtracted from the value of the pull-in counter.

  In step S1805, it is determined whether or not the updated value of the pull-in counter is zero. If the value of the pull-in counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S1806. If the value of the pull-in counter is not 0, the pull-in control process is terminated.

  In step S1806, since the value of the pull-in counter becomes 0 and the stop position has been reached, the reel control status is set to “braking control”.

  In step S1807, the initial value 6 is set as the value of the holding counter. Here, the set holding counter value 6 is the holding time of the rotation control data when the reel control status is “brake control” and the general-purpose offset counter value is 0 (see FIG. 11). Note that after the process of step S1807 is completed, the pull-in control process is terminated.

<Brake control processing>
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing in detail the brake control process in step S1210 of FIG.

  In step S1901, 1 is subtracted from the value of the holding counter. The value of the holding counter is initially set in step 1807 of FIG. 31 described above or step S1909 described later, and 1 is subtracted by one timer interrupt process. Note that the initial value set in the holding counter in step 1807 or step S1909 is the holding parameter value corresponding to the set general-purpose offset counter value. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the general-purpose offset counter value is 0. In the case of 1, 6 is set in the holding counter, and 8 is set as the holding counter.

  In step S1902, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to OFF.

  In step S1903, it is determined whether or not the subtracted holding counter value is zero. If the value of the holding counter is 0, it means that the rotation control data is being switched. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1904. If the value of the holding counter is not 0, it is not the time for switching the rotation control data. finish.

  In step S1904, since the rotation control data is being switched, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to ON.

  In step S1905, 1 is added to the value of the general-purpose offset counter in order to set the next rotation control data.

  In step S1906, it is determined whether or not the added value of the general-purpose offset counter is 5. If the value of the general-purpose offset counter is 5, the rotation control in the brake control has been completed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1907. If the value of the general-purpose offset counter is not 5, the rotation control in the brake control has not been completed. The process proceeds to step S1909.

  In step S1907, since all the rotation control set during the brake control has been performed, the reel control status is set to “during reel stop control”.

  In step S1908, the reel drive signal switching request flag is set to OFF. After the process of step S1908 ends, the brake control process ends.

  In step S1909, the rotation control table is referred to, the reel control status is “brake control”, the holding parameter value corresponding to the set general-purpose offset counter value is acquired, and the acquired holding parameter value is stored in the holding counter. Set as initial value. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the general-purpose offset counter value is 1, 8 is set as the initial value of the holding counter. After the process of step S1909 ends, the acceleration control process ends.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
The process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4B is a flowchart of command input processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and FIG. 4C is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. ) Is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S2001. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step S2002, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2003, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

  In step S2004, a first sub control unit command input process (details will be described later) is performed. In the first sub control unit command input process, it is determined whether or not a command is received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S2005, effect update processing is performed. For example, when there is a new command in step S2004, the effect data is read from the ROM 406 based on the result of each event process (for example, effect setting process, gaming state control process, etc.) corresponding to this command. When the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data of each effect device (speaker, lamp, liquid crystal image display device, shutter, etc.) is updated.

  In step S2006, a sound control process is performed. In the sound control process, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S2005, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step S2007, a lamp control process is performed. In the lamp control process, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step S2005, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

  In step S2008, an information output process is performed. In the information output process, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in step S2005, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S2002. As a result, the set control command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  Next, the first sub control unit 400 command input process will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub control unit 400 command input process is a flowchart showing the flow of the first sub control unit 400 command input process in step S2004 of FIG.

  In step S2101, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed command in the command storage area of the RAM 408. If there is an unprocessed command, the process proceeds to step S2102, and if there is no unprocessed command, the first sub-control unit 400 command input process is terminated.

  In step S2102, the process jumps to a process corresponding to an unprocessed command. For example, when the unprocessed command is a medal insertion command, processing at the time of medal insertion (explanation is omitted), when it is a command at the time of start lever reception, processing at the time of start lever reception (explanation is omitted), in the case of an internal lottery command In the case of an internal lottery process (details will be described later), in the case of a stop button reception command, a stop button reception process (not described), and in the case of a display determination command, a display determination process (details will be described later). ), In the case of a gaming state command, the processing jumps to processing during gaming state control (description is omitted).

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S2201 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms). Execute in the cycle.

  In step S2301, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S2002 in the first sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Accordingly, in step S2002, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S2302, an effect random number update process is performed.

<Other embodiments>
In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the PM type stepping motor 700 is used, but the type of the stepping motor is not limited to this. For example, an HM type (Hybrid Type) stepping motor may be used. FIG. 34 is an external view of the rotor 810 and the stator 820 of the HM stepping motor 800, and FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the excitation and rotation operations of the HM stepping motor 800. In FIG. 35, the excitation phase is shaded.

  The stepping motor 800 is configured such that the magnetic pole teeth of the rotor 810 rotate 63 times in 63,504 steps. Unlike the stepping motor 700 in which the stepping motor 800 sequentially rotates in the circumferential direction to rotate the rotor 740, the stepping motor 800 has a structure in which the same excitation phase is arranged in the opposite axial direction. As shown, the same phase arranged in the opposing axial direction is sequentially excited for 1-2 phases, and the rotor 810 is rotated in one direction. Also in this case, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the brake control, the excitation control may be performed in the flow of AB phase excitation, excitation release, AB phase excitation, excitation release, and AB phase excitation. Thus, the present invention can be applied to any stepping motor regardless of the type of stepping motor.

  In the present embodiment, the stepping motor connected to the reels 110 to 112 has been described as an example. However, the same control may be performed on the stepping motor connected to other movable members. Of course. For example, the same control may be performed on a stepping motor connected to a movable member such as a sub reel that performs reel control by the sub control unit or a shutter that shields a liquid crystal display screen or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the stepping motor connected to the movable member that is movable in relation to the game of the slot machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a pachinko machine, etc. The present invention can also be applied to a stepping motor used for other game machines.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 36, “a launching device 1010 that launches a ball into a predetermined game area 1002, a winning opening 1006 configured to be able to enter a ball launched from the launching device 1010, and a winning entrance A detecting means 1008 for detecting a sphere, a payout means 1012 for paying out a sphere when the detecting means 1008 detects a sphere, and a variable display device 1004 for variably displaying a predetermined symbol (identification information). When the game ball enters and wins, the variable display device 1004 may stop the display after changing the symbol, and may be applied to a pachinko machine 1000 "that notifies the game state transition.

  In this case, a stepping motor that drives a movable effect member of the pachinko machine 1000 (for example, a rotating variable display device that variably displays a symbol by rotating a reel), a launching device that launches a pachinko ball, or a pachinko machine. The excitation control of the present invention may be applied to a stepping motor that drives a dispensing device that dispenses a ball.

<Summary of Embodiment>
As described above, according to the gaming table (for example, the slot machine 100) of the above embodiment, a movable member (for example, a main reel, a sub reel, an accessory, etc.) movable in relation to the game, and the movable member A stepping motor (for example, stepping motor 700. PM, for example) having a connected rotor (for example, rotor 740) and a plurality of phases (for example, A phase, B phase, etc.) to which a pulsed excitation current is supplied. Any of a stepping motor of type HB or VR can be used (coil driving method can be either unipolar or bipolar), and a plurality of steps having different phases for supplying the excitation current and the flow direction of the excitation current ( For example, each step of A phase, B phase, AB phase, etc. The excitation phase can be either 1 phase, 2 phase, or 1-2 phase), and the excitation current is supplied by sequentially switching And a rotation control means (for example, main control unit 300, reel rotation control processing) for controlling the rotation of the rotor and a predetermined specific step (for example, AB phase) among the plurality of types of steps. And a stop / hold control means (for example, main control unit 300, reel rotation control processing) for continuing to supply the excitation current in the specific step and performing the stop / hold control of the rotor. When the predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is satisfied (for example, when a stop button is received), the rotation control unit is configured to stop and hold the rotor by the stop holding control unit. First rotation control means (for example, reel control stator) that executes first rotation control processing for performing rotation control of the rotor up to (for example, a position corresponding to a predetermined AB phase) The reel rotation control process during the period from the second constant speed control to the pull-in control) and the first rotation control process, and then the scheduled stop for the first period (for example, 12 interruption time) A first excitation means for executing a first excitation process for supplying the excitation current in the specific step corresponding to the holding position (for example, an excitation process for a second brake control when the reel control status is brake control); After executing one excitation process, the first excitation release process (for example, the reel control status is under brake control) in which the excitation current is not supplied to any phase in the second period (for example, 24 interrupt time) The first excitation release means for executing the second brake control excitation release in the second brake control, and the stop holding control means, after the rotation control means has executed the first excitation release process, The basic configuration is to perform the stop holding control of the data.

  In this embodiment, since the speed of the rotor when returning to the stop position can be suppressed, the bounce amount at the time of stop can be reduced.

  The first period is preferably a period from when the rotor passes through the stop holding position to when the rotation direction is changed in a direction toward the stop holding position.

  In this case, since the first excitation process has an effect of attracting the rotor that has passed through the stop holding position to the stop holding position, the amount exceeding the stop holding position can be suppressed.

  Further, the rotation control means further, when a predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is satisfied (for example, when a stop button is received), a predetermined advance position (for example, stoppage) before the stop holding position. A third rotation control process for controlling the rotation of the rotor up to the AB phase one cycle before the AB phase corresponding to the holding position (for example, the reel control status is in the pull-in control from the second constant speed control) The third rotation control means for executing the reel rotation control process until the third rotation control process, and the third rotation control process for the third period (for example, 8 interruption time), the excitation is performed in any phase. A second excitation release means for executing a second excitation release process (for example, an excitation release process of the first brake control when the reel control status is in the brake control state) in which a current is not supplied. The first excitation process after performing the fourth rotation control process, then it is preferable to perform the first excitation opening process.

  In this case, since the speed of the rotor toward the stop holding position can be reduced, the bounce amount at the time of stop can be further reduced.

  The second period is preferably longer than the third period.

  In this case, since the speed of the rotor toward the stop holding position is again slower after passing through the stop holding position than the speed of the rotor toward the stop holding position, excitation release according to the rotor speed can be achieved.

  Further, it further comprises timer interrupt means for generating a periodic timer interrupt signal, and the rotation control means performs switching of the step based on the timer interrupt signal, and the second period and the third period. Is preferably a period that is a natural multiple of the interval at which the timer interrupt signal is generated.

  In this case, the length of the excitation release period can be flexibly adjusted according to the characteristics of the movable member and the stepping motor.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, all forms have a special effect peculiar to a gaming machine. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiment of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Those with modifications or changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

100 slot machine 110, 111, 112 reel 113 symbol display window 114 winning line 130, 131, 132 medal insertion button 135 start lever 137, 138, 139 stop button 300 main controller 700 stepping motor 730 stator 740 rotor

Claims (5)

A movable member movable in relation to the game;
A stepping motor having a rotor to which the movable member is coupled, and a plurality of phases to which a pulsed excitation current is supplied;
A rotation control means for sequentially controlling a phase for supplying the excitation current and a plurality of types of steps having different flow directions of the excitation current to supply the excitation current and for controlling the rotation of the rotor;
Stop holding control means for holding a predetermined specific step among the plurality of types of steps and continuing to supply the excitation current at the specific step to perform stop holding control of the rotor. An amusement machine,
The rotation control means includes
When a predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is satisfied, a first rotation control process for performing rotation control of the rotor to a stop holding position where the rotor is scheduled to be stopped and held by the stop holding control means is executed. One rotation control means;
A first excitation means for performing a first excitation process for supplying the excitation current in the specific step corresponding to the scheduled stop holding position after performing the first rotation control process;
A first excitation release means for executing a first excitation release process in which the excitation current is not supplied to any phase in the second period after the first excitation process is executed;
With
The stop holding control means includes
A game table, wherein the rotation control means performs stop holding control of the rotor after executing the first excitation release processing. The game table according to claim 1,
The first period is
A game table characterized by a period from when the rotor passes through the stop holding position to when the rotation direction is changed in a direction toward the stop holding position. The game stand according to claim 1 or 2,
The rotation control means further includes
A third rotation control means for executing a third rotation control process for performing rotation control of the rotor to a predetermined advance position before the stop holding position when a predetermined condition for stopping the rotor is established; ,
A second excitation release means for executing a second excitation release process in which the excitation current is not supplied to any phase in the third period after the third rotation control process is executed;
With
A gaming machine comprising: executing the first excitation process and then the first excitation release process after executing the second excitation release process. The game table according to claim 3,
The gaming table, wherein the second period is longer than the third period. The game stand according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A timer interrupt means for generating a periodic timer interrupt signal;
The rotation control means includes
Based on the timer interrupt signal, switching the step,
The second period and the third period are:
A game machine having a period that is a natural multiple of the interval at which the timer interrupt signal is generated.