JP2015104642A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent continuation of excitation of a motor for driving a movable body when an error occurs in a game machine.SOLUTION: The game machine includes: a main board for executing a control related to a game including internal lottery processing; a sub board, upon receiving a command from the main board, executing processing related to a performance; a movable body including a movable element being movable within a prescribed range, and a motor for moving the movable element, and being used for the performance; and a movable body control part for drivingly controlling the motor in accordance with a signal from the sub board. The sub board executes: movable body processing that is repeated at predetermined intervals for controlling the motor of the movable body; and error processing including processing for releasing excitation of the morot. Even when the movable body processing for controlling the motor of the movable body is interrupted by the error processing, the excitation of the motor can be released in the error processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and particularly relates to a machine equipped with a movable body used for production or the like.

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

  In the gaming machine, various effects are made to improve the interest of the game. For example, a decorative member, a monitor, a speaker, and an LED lamp are attached, and an effect by appearance, an effect by video, an effect by sound, an effect by light, and the like are performed. Furthermore, a movable body (act) for production is attached, and production based on the movement has been made. The movable body is a movable decorative member, and is intended to improve the interest of the game by moving according to the game situation.

JP, 2013-521, A In a game machine provided with a movable object driven by a stepping motor, an energization waveform to the stepping motor is measured, a driving state of the stepping motor is determined based on the measured energization waveform information, and stepping is performed. When it is determined that the motor continues to operate without load for a predetermined time or longer, the driving of the stepping motor is stopped. The determination is made by comparing the measured energization waveform with the energization waveform when the stepping motor is normally driven. When it is determined that the stepping motor continues to operate without load for a predetermined time or more, the drive control means stops the driving of both motors, so that the occurrence of abnormality can be prevented.

  Although a specific example of the movable body will be described in detail later, a stepping motor is often used as a drive source for operating the movable body. The stepping motor is a synchronous motor that operates in synchronization with pulse power, and can achieve accurate positioning control with a simple circuit configuration of a pulse generation circuit and a pulse counting circuit. For this reason, it has the feature that positioning of an apparatus can be performed easily and correctly. The control system for the stepping motor is an open loop control system that does not include a feedback loop. The control system is simple and stable without any oscillation phenomenon. Because of these features, stepping motors are often used in gaming machines.

  In an actual gaming machine, a peripheral board (slave board) that controls a movable body is connected to a sub board in charge of production, and outputs excitation data for generating a stepping motor drive pulse from the sub board. This is held (latched) by the peripheral board, and the peripheral board generates a predetermined pulse signal based on the data and supplies it to the stepping motor. The stepping motor rotates by repeating the excitation state where the winding of the stepping motor is flowing and the open state where the current is not flowing.

  In addition, a signal (for example, an on / off or HL digital signal) from an index sensor for detecting the position of the movable body is received by the peripheral board, and the signal is converted into data of a predetermined format and related to reception of the excitation data. Transmission to the sub-board is also performed at the timing.

  By the way, the production including the movement of the movable body may be interrupted for some reason. For example, when a certain error occurs in a gaming machine and processing (error processing) such as notifying this error or outputting an error signal to the outside is executed, the priority of this error processing is the control processing of the movable body. Since it is higher than that, error processing is executed exclusively, and control processing of the movable body is not executed.

  This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The outline of error processing, movable body processing, electrical decoration processing, and image display processing and their relationship will be described later (see FIG. 8 and the description thereof).

  FIG. 15A shows a case where no error has occurred, and FIG. 15B shows a case where an error has occurred.

  In the figure, the arrow indicates the start of processing. “Excitation” and “open” of the movable body process indicate the state of the winding of the stepping motor that has received the activated movable body process. Excitation indicates that current flows through the winding, and open indicates that no current flows through the winding. Since the stepping motor is rotated by switching windings through which current flows, it is rotated by repeating excitation and release as shown in FIG.

  If no error occurs, the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process are regularly repeated at predetermined time intervals as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when an error occurs, the game is interrupted and only error processing is executed. Therefore, the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process related to the game effect are not executed. In the example of FIG. 15B, an error command is received at time te1, and error processing is executed by interruption. Thereafter, the moving object process, the illumination process, and the image display process are not executed. In the example of FIG. 15B, the movable body process started at time te0 (however, te0 <te1) is the last, and thereafter, the movable body process is not executed.

  If the movable body process at the time te0 is to excite the stepping motor as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the error process having a higher priority is continued as the release process to be performed subsequently. It is not executed because it is executed. For this reason, the stepping motor continues to be excited as shown in FIG. If the excitation state continues, unlike the case where the open state continues, current continues to flow through the windings, causing the windings to overheat, causing failure, and wasting power and violating energy saving.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a gaming machine including a movable body (an accessory) including a motor as a drive source, a phenomenon that the motor remains excited when an error occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the above.

A gaming machine according to the present invention is a processing unit that executes at least processing related to effects, a movable element that is movable within a predetermined range, and a motor that moves the movable element, and includes a plurality of windings and the plurality of windings. A stepping motor that rotates by repeated excitation and release of the winding, and includes a movable body used for the production, and a movable body control unit that drives and controls the motor according to a signal from the processing unit,
The processing unit is at least
A movable body process for controlling the stepping motor of the movable body, wherein the process is repeated at a predetermined interval, and
An error process that is started when a predetermined error occurs, and performs at least a process of outputting or notifying the error;
The error processing includes processing for releasing the excitation of the stepping motor.

The processor is
The first effect data including first movable body drive data for causing the movable body to perform a predetermined first movement and the first effect data are read out, and a predetermined second movement is applied to the movable body. An effect data storage unit that stores in advance second effect data including second movable body drive data to be performed;
At least an effect data reading unit that reads out the first effect data and sends the first movable body drive data included in the first effect data to the movable body control unit;
When the error process is started before reading the second effect data, a predetermined initial position or an initial position of the movable element based on the second movable body drive data of the second effect data is acquired. An error target position setting unit that sends the initial position as an error target position to the movable body control unit, and
The movable body controller is
Estimating the current position of the movable element when receiving at least the error target position from the processing unit;
The error target position from the processing unit is compared with the estimated current position, and based on this comparison, the moving direction and moving distance of the movable element are obtained,
The movable element may be moved to the error target position based on the obtained moving direction and the moving distance.

  According to the present invention, since the process of releasing the excitation of the motor is performed in the error process that is started when a predetermined error occurs and at least the process of outputting or notifying the error is performed, the motor of the movable body is Even when the movable body process to be controlled is interrupted by the error process, the excitation of the motor can be released. The state of excitation continues and it can be prevented that the current continues to flow in the winding, and energy saving can be realized.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. It is the schematic of a movable body. 4A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A. It is explanatory drawing of the open state (the figure (a)) and closed state (the figure (b)) of a movable element (shutter). It is explanatory drawing of the kind of error. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship between a process including an error process and a movable body process. It is explanatory drawing (flowchart) of the error process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a timing chart of the process concerning the production including the error process and the movable body process according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10A shows a case where no error has occurred, and FIG. 10B shows a case where an error has occurred. It is another twing chart of the process which concerns on the effect including the error process and movable body process which concern on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing (block diagram) of the drive system of the movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the error process in the movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention (continuation of FIG. 9). It is explanatory drawing of the movable body drive data of the movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention, and operation | movement explanatory drawing (timing chart) at the time of an error process. It is a twing chart of the process which concerns on the production including the conventional error process and movable body process. FIG. 15A shows a case where no error has occurred, and FIG. 15B shows a case where an error has occurred.

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

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

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  A movable body 50 is provided at the position (front) of the liquid crystal display device LCD. The movable body 50 includes two shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R. The two shutters 51L and 51R move to the left and right according to the effect, thereby enabling the liquid crystal display device LCD to be hidden. In the figure, the two shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened to the left and right, and the liquid crystal display device LCD is exposed (the player can see the screen).

  Note that the movable body 50 in FIG. 1 is an example, and there are other forms. For example, when the liquid crystal display device LCD is provided on the right side of the game display unit 131, the movable body 50 is also provided at the same position. What is hidden by the shutters 51L and 51R of the movable body 50 may be electrical decorations such as LEDs and light bulbs. The number of shutters may be one.

  Although the movable body 50 is a shutter type, there is a movable body having a rotating disk. For example, a disk is provided behind the fan-shaped display window, and a light-emitting element or decoration is placed on the disk, and the disk rotates in conjunction with other effects, so that the light-emitting element or decoration can be seen or not visible. Is.

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

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

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

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate 10 and a sub substrate (processing unit) 20 that receives a command from the main substrate 10 and operates as a main processing device. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

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

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

  The main board 10 counts the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel unit (including the reel driving device) 203, the reel position detection circuit 71, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. For this purpose, a medal detection unit 82 (which constitutes the hopper device 121 described above) is connected.

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

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

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

  A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20. Furthermore, the movable body control part 60 which controls the movable body 50 is connected. The movable body 50 and the movable body control unit 60 will be described in detail later. The index sensor 57 built in the movable body 50 will also be described later.

  The main board 10 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and based on the fact that medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions are inserted, A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first reel to the third reel is performed (input acceptance function). Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start rotation of the first reel to the third reel and an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

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

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

  The main board 10 performs an internal lottery (internal lottery function) in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like are performed.

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

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

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

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

  The main board 10 may perform control for changing the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition (replay probability changing function). The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  The main board 10 rotates the first reel to the third reel by the stepping motor based on the start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation) to rotate the first reel to the third reel. In a state where the speed has reached a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 revolutions per minute), control is performed to permit the pressing operation (stopping operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the spinning reels. At the same time, control is performed to stop the first reel to the third reel, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result) (reel control function).

  When the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) for the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), the main board 10 is based on the reel stop signal. By stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203, control is performed to stop each of the first to third reels.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the main board 10 determines the reel stop position corresponding to the pressed button from the first reel to the third reel. Control is performed to stop the reel at the stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first reel according to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. (stop operation mode) of the three stop buttons. The stop position of the third reel is determined, and the first reel to the third reel are stopped at the determined stop position.

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

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes an index sensor (not shown) including a photo sensor, and the main board 10 is configured to be a reel based on a reference position signal detected by the index sensor every time the reel rotates once. By determining the rotation angle (number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (frame detected by the index sensor), the current rotation state of the reel can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop button 140 is operated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

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

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

  The main board 10 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stop mode of the first to third reels. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first reel to the third reel are stopped, It is determined whether or not the winning combination is a predetermined combination (winning determination function).

  The main board 10 performs a winning process based on the determination result by the winning determination function. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The main board 10 performs a payout control process related to the payout of medals according to the game result (payout control function). Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out.

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

  When the replay wins, the main board 10 performs a replay process (replay process) for setting the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game (replay). Processing function). When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

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

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

  The sub-board 20 is, for example, a BUS composed of a plurality of bits (wirings), a CPU (processing device), a ROM (nonvolatile storage unit), a memory RWM (readable and writable memory), and an I / O (input / output device). ) Are connected. Processing to be described later is executed by the CPU operating according to a program stored in advance in the ROM. When performing processing, the CPU stores various data in the memory RWM, reads as necessary, performs processing, and stores it again as necessary. The memory RWM may have received a battery backup, and in this case, the stored content is retained even during power-off.

  The gaming machine determines that an error occurs when some malfunction occurs in the operation, and executes predetermined error processing such as processing for notifying the error.

  The error command generator 10E provided on the main board 10 generates a predetermined error command when it is determined that an error has occurred. The error processing unit 20E provided on the sub-board 20 performs predetermined error processing (for example, error notification and error signal output) based on an error command from the main board 10.

  With reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of the types of errors.

(Eracode E1) Backflow error This error occurs when the on / off state of the medal sensor S1 or the medal sensor S2 does not change in the correct order while the game medal can be accepted.

  The backflow error E1 is an error indicating that a medal has flowed back in the medal selector 1. The inserted medals pass through the medal sensors S1 and S2 in this order in the medal selector 1, but the main board 10 outputs a backflow error E1 when the sensors detect in the reverse order for some reason. There can be a case of cheating as if a sensor was deceived and a medal was inserted.

  The fraudulent action that causes the backflow error E1 corresponds to a so-called string pulling goto or a clerking goto.

(Error code E2) Empty error This error occurs when the off state of the medal detection unit 82 continues for a predetermined time (2100.384 ms) during game medal payout.

  The empty error E2 is generated based on the medal detection unit 82, and indicates that the medals stored in the hopper 121 are insufficient. When this error occurs, the hall clerk opens the front door 130 and replenishes medals.

(Error Code E3) Payout Clogging Error This error occurs when the medal detection unit 82 remains on for more than a predetermined time (172.040 ms) during game medal payout.

  If medals are excessively accumulated in the lower plate in which the paid-out medals are accumulated, the medal passage from the hopper 121 to the lower plate may be filled. In this situation, when the small role is won and the medal payout process is performed, the medal detection unit 82 remains detected. The error generated at this time is a payout jam error E3.

(Error code E4) Payout abnormality error This error occurs when the medal detection unit 82 remains on for more than a predetermined time (5.984 ms) in addition to during game medal payout.

  A description will be given of the payout abnormality error E4. Usually, the hopper 81 is rotated based on the winning of a small role, and medals are paid out based on the rotation operation, and the medal detection unit 82 detects the medals. However, even though the small role has not been won (that is, other than during the game medal payout), the payout abnormality error E4 occurs when the hopper 81 is rotated by some external force or the like and the medal is played out. Alternatively, even when the small combination is not won, the payout abnormality error E4 also occurs when the medal detection unit 82 is moved and detected directly by an external force or the like. As described above, the payout abnormality error E4 cannot occur under a normal game situation.

(Error code E5) Over error Occurs when an unillustrated overflow sensor (for example, a plurality of electrodes provided at different heights in the hopper tank 122) remains on for more than a predetermined time (700.128ms). Is done.

  When an over error E5 generated based on the overflow sensor occurs, the hall clerk opens the front door 130 and takes out a medal from the tank.

(Error code E6) Residence error This error occurs when the medal sensor S1 or the medal sensor S2 remains on for a predetermined time (131.648 ms) or longer.

(Error code E7) Backup error This error occurs when a backup error of RWM (write / read memory) is detected at power-on.

(Error code E8) Door opening error This error occurs when a door sensor (not shown) for detecting the opening / closing of the front door 120 has been on for a predetermined time (47.872 ms) or longer.

(Error code E9) Insertion error error When the medal sensor S2 is on after a predetermined time (269.280 ms) has elapsed since the blocker (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 is closed, or a game medal is inserted The number of game medals that have passed through the medal sensor S1 or the medal sensor S2 in the correct order and the number of game medals that have passed through an exit sensor (not shown) provided at the exit of the medal selector 1 during acceptance. Occurs when they do not match.

  A counter (not shown) is used for determination of an abnormal charging error. When the medal passes the medal sensor S1 and the medal sensor S2, the count value of the counter is incremented by one, and when the medal passes the exit sensor, it decrements by one. For example, when three sheets are continuously inserted, the value once becomes +3 based on the passage of the medal sensor S1 and the medal sensor S2, but becomes -3 by passing the exit sensor, and the value of the counter becomes zero. In this way, the value of the counter is normally converged to 0.

  The exit sensor is provided at a position where the medals that have passed through the medal sensor S1 and the medal sensor S2 pass through the exit sensor within 2 seconds from the passage, so the time for the counter value to converge to 0 is 2 A few seconds is enough. If the counter does not converge to 0 even after 2 seconds have passed since the medal sensor S1 and medal sensor S2, a so-called thread is used for the medal sensor S1 and medal sensor S2. It is presumed that there is a pulling goto or a clerk goto.

(Error code EE) Display determination abnormality error This error occurs when an abnormality is detected during display determination.

(Error code EA) RWM error error This error occurs when an RWM that cannot read or write a value correctly is detected during a cold start.

(Error code EC) Set value error error This error occurs when the set value for selecting the lottery table is outside the allowable range (other than 1 to 6) during internal lottery.

  Next, game processing in the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  Generally, in a gaming machine, one game is started from the insertion of medals (insertion of credits) until the end of payout (or until the increase in the number of credits is completed). There is a rule that it is not possible to proceed to the next game until one game is finished.

  First, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the start switch 134 is activated, and the processing of FIG. 6 is started.

  In step SS1, when the start switch 134 is operated, the start switch 134 is turned on. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SS2.

  In step SS2, an internal lottery is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to next Step SS3.

  In step SS3, rotation of the first reel to the third reel is started. Then, the process proceeds to next Step SS4.

  In step SS4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to next Step SS5.

  In step SS5, rotation stop processing is performed on the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first to third reels. Then, the process proceeds to next Step SS6.

  In step SS6, it is determined whether or not the stop button 140 corresponding to the three reels has been operated. If it is determined that all three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three reels have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step SS7.

  In step SS7, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols corresponding to the lottery flag are aligned on the effective winning line while the lottery flag is established, that is, whether or not the winning is confirmed. If it is determined that the winning is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step SS8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step SS8, a medal corresponding to the winning symbol is paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step SS8 is one game. When the standby process in step SS8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the movable body 50. 4A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A. In the figure, the drive unit including the stepping motor 54, the index 56, and the index sensor 57 are shown only for the right shutter 51R, but the same is provided for the left shutter 51L (the left one). Is not shown).

  The movable body 50 includes a left shutter (movable element) 51L and a right shutter (movable element) 51R, and an upper rail 52U and a lower rail 52L that slidably hold upper and lower ends of the shutters 51L and 51R, respectively. The rack 53a provided in parallel with the lower rail 52L inside the movable body 50, the pinion 53b meshing with the rack 53a, and the pinion 53b are attached to the rotating shaft directly or via a reduction gear mechanism (not shown). A stepping motor 54, a bracket 55 attached to a frame (not shown) located inside the right shutter 51R (the bracket 55, which is an armrest / extrusion bracket) is a mounting base for the stepping motor 54, and a right shutter 51R. Index 56 attached inside and index And a index sensor 57 for detecting a 6. In the drawing, the pinion 53b to the index 56 are shown for the right shutter 51R, but the left shutter 51L has the same structure, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5B shows a state in which the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened on both sides, and in the example of the figure, the index sensor 57 detects the index 56 in this state. The index sensor 57 is an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter or a contact sensor such as a microswitch. The movable range of the shutters 51L and 51R is the same, and in the center of the movable body 50 (specifically, the middle point of the right end of the shutter 51L and the left end of 51R in a state where the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened on both sides). Can move only to a certain middle point. The numbers 0, 50, and 100 in FIG. 100 corresponds to an intermediate point. The shutter 51L can move from 0 on the left side to 100 in the center, and the shutter 51R can move from 0 on the right side to 100 in the center. The index sensor 57 detects that the shutters 51L and 51R have come to the “0” position. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened (when the lower limit is reached), the end thereof is at the position “0”. When the ends of the two shutters 51L and 51R are at the position “0”, they are fully opened to the left and right, respectively, and the liquid crystal display device LCD is exposed (the player can see the screen). As shown in FIG. 6B, when the shutters 51L and 51R are completely closed (when the upper limit is reached), the ends (each of the right end of the shutter 51L and the left end of the shutter 51R) are at the position “100”. is there. When the right and left ends of the two shutters 51L and 51R are moved to the “100” position and are completely closed, the liquid crystal display device LCD is completely invisible.

  The rack 53a and the pinion 53b are mechanisms that convert the rotational force into a linear motion. The pinion 53b is a small-diameter circular gear, and the rack 53a is formed by cutting a tooth on a flat bar (toothed). When a rotational force is applied to the pinion 53b by the stepping motor 54, the shutters 51L and 51R move in the horizontal direction on the rack 53a as the rack 53a moves in the horizontal direction. According to FIG. 5, since the rack 53a is fixed to the frame of the movable body 50, the bracket 55 is attached to a frame (not shown) of the front door 130, and the stepping motor 54 is attached thereto. 51L and 51R move to the left and right of the front door 130.

  A stepping motor includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. is there. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the reel of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases). The motor shaft rotates by passing a current through the coil of the stepping motor in a predetermined order (excitation), and the motor shaft rotates reversely when a current is passed in the reverse order.

  The movable body shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is merely an example. Further, the definition of the positional relationship between the index 56 and the index sensor 57 and the positions of the shutters 51L and 51R is merely an example. For example, the moving range of the movable element (shutter) may be from −50 to 100, and the index sensor may detect a position such as −20, 0, +20. Here, a negative value means that the shutter 51L, 51R moves further outward (minus side) from the 0 position. For example, −50 is a position moved from the position 0 in FIG. 5B to the outside by a distance corresponding to the distance between 0 and 50 (opposite to the position 100).

  In the above example, the positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are detected by the index 56 and the index sensor 57, but other position detection means (sensors) may be used. For example, instead of the index 56 and the index sensor 57, a combination of a magnet and a reed switch can be used.

  In the following, in order to simplify the explanation, it is limited to one movement of the shutter 51L or 51R and the process for this. Hereinafter, the shutter 51L or 51R is referred to as a movable element 51.

  5 and 6, the index sensor 57 is provided at a position of 0 which is one end of the movable range (between 0 and 100) of the movable element 51. At the position 0, the index 56 provided on the movable element 51 turns off the index sensor 57, and the index sensor 57 outputs a signal. This signal becomes a position information signal of the movable element 51.

  The movable body control unit 60 detects (resets) the position of the movable element 51 based on a signal from the index sensor 57. In the above example, it is determined that the position of the movable element 51 = 0.

  In contrast to the index sensor 57 being at the position 0, a later-described cancel target position is set at a position of 100, which is the other end where the index sensor 57 is not provided. If the target position at the time of cancellation is 0 position that cuts off the index sensor 57, the target position at the time of cancellation can be directly detected by the sensor, so there is no need to estimate the current position described below.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the error process and the process including the movable body process.

  Error processing is performed on the sub-board 20 by the error processing unit 20E, and control of the movable body 50, control of illumination by the LED board 202, and image display processing by the liquid crystal control board 200 are performed on the sub-board 20.

  Control of the movable body 50 is processing for causing the movable body 50 to perform a predetermined movement corresponding to the effect for each effect.

  The control of the illumination is a process of blinking the illumination corresponding to the effect. The image display process is a process of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device corresponding to the effect.

  As shown in FIG. 8, error processing is highest in terms of priority, and other processing is lower than this. In FIG. 8, the movable body process, the electrical decoration process, and the image display process all have the same priority = medium, but these priorities may not be the same. When priority is given to the movable body process, the movable body process = medium, the illumination process = low, and the image display apparatus = low (in any case, lower than the error process).

  Error processing is executed by interruption upon receipt of an error command (note that when command reception is performed by a timer, error processing may be started at the timing of the timer. The parentheses in FIG. On the other hand, the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process are all started at regular intervals by a timer. The activation repetition intervals are 4 ms, 33 ms, and 33 ms, respectively, for the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process. On the other hand, error processing has the highest priority, and since the game is interrupted when an error has occurred, only error processing is executed continuously. During the execution of the error process, the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process related to the game effect are not executed.

  In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention, a predetermined error process is executed in the error processing unit 20E of the sub-board 20, and a process of releasing the excitation of the stepping motor 54 (a current in the winding of the stepping motor 54). ) Is executed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the excitation release processing of the stepping motor 54 is first executed (SS20), and then predetermined error processing such as error notification processing and error signal output processing is executed (SS21). . Since error processing is publicly known, its description is omitted. The excitation release process (SS20) may be performed at the same time as the error notification process in SS21, in addition to the case where the excitation process is performed at the beginning of the error process as shown in FIG.

  The sub-board 20 outputs excitation data for generating a drive pulse of the stepping motor 54 to the movable body control unit 60 that controls the movable body. The movable body control unit 60 holds (latches) based on the excitation data, and generates a predetermined pulse signal based on the excitation data and applies it to the stepping motor 54. The stepping motor 54 is excited by this pulse signal. When releasing the excitation, the release data for preventing the pulse signal from being generated is sent from the sub-board 20 to the movable body control unit 60, or the excitation data latched by the movable body control unit 60 is erased (cleared). Send a signal to

  In the excitation release process (SS20), release data or an erasure signal is sent from the sub-board 20 to the movable body control part 60 in the process of the error processing part 20E.

  8 and 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows a case where no error has occurred, and FIG. 10B shows a case where an error has occurred in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention.

  In the figure, the arrow indicates the start of processing. “Excitation” and “opening” of the movable body processing indicate the state of the winding of the stepping motor 54 for moving the movable element 51. Excitation indicates that current flows through the winding, and open indicates that no current flows through the winding. Since the stepping motor 54 is rotated by switching windings through which current flows, it is rotated by repeating excitation and release as shown in FIG.

  If no error occurs, the movable body process, the electrical decoration process, and the image display process are regularly repeated at predetermined time intervals as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when an error occurs, only the error process is executed, and the movable body process, the illumination process, and the image display process related to the game effect are not executed. In the example of FIG. 10B, an error command is received at time te1, and error processing is executed by interruption. Thereafter, the moving object process, the illumination process, and the image display process are not executed.

  If the movable body processing at time te0 is to excite the stepping motor as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the opening processing to be performed subsequently to this will continue with error processing with higher priority. Will not be executed.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9, since the excitation release process (SS20) is performed at the beginning of the error process, the excitation of the stepping motor 54 is released at time te1.

  Unlike the case of FIG. 15B, the excitation release process (SS20) does not continue the excitation state of the stepping motor 54. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the state of excitation continues and the current continues to flow through the winding, causing the winding to overheat and causing a failure, and wasting power and going against energy saving. Disappears.

  FIG. 11 is another timing chart of processing including error processing and movable body processing according to the embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 11A shows a predetermined initial position of the movable element 51 of the movable body 50 by driving the stepping motor 54 during or after error processing (for example, 0 in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B). ) 100 position). The game is interrupted due to an error, and the illumination and display image are in a state of notifying the error, but the movable body 50 is not used for the error notification, so the state of the movable body 50 can be set to the initial position. In this way, when the error is released and the game is resumed, the production can be resumed promptly (compared to the time when the movable element 51 is moved back to the initial position after the error is released). You can start production quickly).

  In FIG. 11B, the stepping motor 54 is driven during or after the error process to move the movable element 51 of the movable body 50 to the position of the effect to be executed next in preparation for the resumption of the effect when the game is resumed. Is. In this way, when the error is released and the game is resumed, the production can be resumed immediately from the initial position of the next production that is performed immediately after the resume (the movable element 51 is moved to the next production after the error is released). The production can be started earlier by the movement time to the position than when moving to the position).

  The operation of FIG. 11B will be further described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a drive system of the movable body according to the embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 12, the display of the error processing unit 20E is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a process flowchart when an error occurs in the movable body according to the embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram (timing chart) of the movable body according to the embodiment of the invention.

  In FIG. 3, the movable body control unit 60 is provided outside the sub-substrate (processing unit) 20, but can also be provided inside the sub-substrate 20. Only a part of the functions of the movable body control unit 60, for example, the error target position setting unit 20c which is a function at the time of error occurrence of FIG.

  An effect data storage unit 20a stores in advance effect data including movable body drive data that causes the movable body 50 to perform a predetermined movement. The movable body drive data indicates a change in the position of the movable element 51 from the start t1 to the end t3 of the effect as shown in FIGS. 14 (a1) and (a2). Specifically, it is a set of a plurality of data in which coordinates are arranged like 0, 1, 2,... Along the time axis. Alternatively, it is a set of target position data for each time, such as 0 at t = t1, 100 at t = t2, and 0 at t = t3. The effect data includes not only the movable body drive data for the movable body 50 but also blinking data of electrical decorations, etc., which are well-known and will not be described.

  The effect data storage unit 20a includes at least a first effect data including first movable body drive data that causes the movable body 50 to perform a predetermined first movement, and a predetermined first that is different from the first movement of the movable body 50. The second effect data including the second movable body drive data for performing the second movement is stored in advance.

  For example, the first movable body drive data is such that the movable element 51 at the position 0 is moved to the position 100 and then returned to the position 0 as shown in FIG. The same applies to FIG. 14A2 of the second movable body drive data.

  An effect data reading unit 20b reads the effect data corresponding to the command from the effect data storage unit 20a based on the command from the main board 10, and sends the movable body drive data included in the effect data to the movable body control unit 60. It is.

  In the following description, it is assumed that a command from the main board 10 first performs an effect based on the first effect data, and then performs an effect based on the second effect data. In this case, the effect data reading unit 20b reads the first effect data, sends the first movable body drive data included in the effect data to the movable body control unit 60, and then reads the second effect data and converts it into the effect data. The included second movable body drive data is sent to the movable body controller 60.

  20c is the second effect data when the error processing unit 20E is activated before the second effect data in FIG. 14 (a2) is read out while the effect according to the first effect data in FIG. 14 (a1) is performed. The initial position of the movable element 51 based on the second movable body drive data (symbol TP in FIG. 14 (a2)) is acquired, and this initial position is sent to the movable body controller 60 as the error target position. It is. The error target position setting unit 20c may send a predetermined initial position (for example, 0 or 100) to the movable body control unit 60 instead of the initial position based on the second effect data.

  The movable body control unit executes the process shown in FIG. 13 when an error occurs.

  The process of FIG. 13 is performed when the movable body 50 is moved based on the first effect data, but an error occurs before the second effect data is read. FIG. 13 is executed after SS21 of FIG. 9 after the error process is completed, but may be executed as a part of the process of SS21 of FIG.

SS11: The current position of the movable element 51 is estimated when an error occurs.
When the index sensor 57 detects the index 56 (when the index is cut), the position of the movable element 51 can be accurately grasped. In other cases, the position of the movable element 51 is estimated.

  For example, the current position can be estimated by preparing a counter, resetting the counter when the index sensor 57 detects the index 56, and moving the counter with a driving pulse of the stepping motor 54 or a signal corresponding thereto. The counter value corresponds to the current position. By switching the counting direction according to the polarity of the drive pulse (for example, from up-counting to down-counting), it is possible to cope with movements as shown in FIGS.

  For example, when the number of drive pulses required when the movable element 51 moves from 0 to 100 is 100, the counter is reset when the index sensor 57 detects the index 56 (counter value = 0), and then the drive is performed. The counter is driven with pulses. If the number of drive pulses is 50 and the counter value is 50 at the time of effect cancellation, it can be estimated that the current position = 50. Further, when moving from 0 to 100 and then moving toward 0, the count direction is switched (subtracted) according to the polarity of the drive pulse. At the position of 100, the value of the counter is 100, but thereafter there are 50 driving pulses of opposite polarity, and when the effect is canceled there, 100−50 = 50, so it can be estimated that the current position = 50.

  Alternatively, the current position can be estimated by preparing a timer and starting the time measurement when the index sensor 57 detects the index 56. If the relationship between the timer value and the position is determined in advance as shown in FIGS. 12A1 and 12A2, the current position can be estimated using the timer value.

  For example, the time required for the movable element 51 to move from 0 to 100 is t100. When the index sensor 57 detects the index 56, the timer is reset (timer value = 0), and the time measurement is started when the movable element 51 starts to be driven toward 100. If the time at the time of effect cancellation is t50 = t100 / 2, it can be estimated that the current position = 50. When moving from 0 to 100 and then moving toward 0, the time is subtracted according to the reversal of the moving direction. At time 100, the time is t100, but after that, it moves in the opposite direction, and the time is assumed to be t50 = t100 / 2. Therefore, when the effect is canceled, t100−t50 = t50, and it can be estimated that the current position = 50.

  The estimation of the current position may involve some error. Even if there is an error, it is possible to reduce stress on the driving device.

S11b: The effect data reading unit 20b acquires the initial position of the movable element 51 based on the second movable body drive data of the second effect data, and sets the initial position as the error target position.

  The initial position based on the second movable body drive data is read by the error target position setting section 20c and sent to the movable body control section 60.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the initial position based on the second movable body drive data is 0 (TP in FIG. 14 (a2)). This is the error target position TP.

SS12: The current position estimated as described above is compared with a predetermined error target position.
As described above, the error target position setting unit 20c determines which position is the error target position when an error occurs. For example, in the example of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the movable element 51 moves to the 0 position at the time of an error, as indicated by reference numeral TP. As shown in FIG. 14B, when an error occurs at time tc from 0 to 100, the position reaches TP = 0 at time t2. As shown in FIG. 14C, when an error occurs at time tc ′ returning from 100 to 0, the position reaches TP = 0 at time t3.

  In addition, instead of obtaining the initial position of the movable element 51 based on the second movable body drive data of the second effect data and setting the initial position as the error target position, an error is generated for each movable body drive data (for each effect). Time target position may be set

  Alternatively, it may be determined according to the position when the error occurs. For example, when the error occurrence position is 0 to 49, the error target position TP = 0, and when the error occurrence position is 50 to 100, the error target position TP = 100. Also good. Or you may make it determine according to the elapsed time from the start of production. For example, in the example of FIG. 14A1, when t1 ≦ error occurrence time <t2, the error target position TP = 100, and when t2 ≦ error occurrence time <t3, the error target position TP = 0. You may do it.

SS13: Based on the comparison result of SS12, the moving direction and moving distance of the movable element 51 are obtained.
The moving direction is a direction from the current position toward the error target position, and the moving distance (the number of steps and the number of drive pulses) is the distance from the current position to the error target position.

  Specifically, it is obtained by subtraction. Referring to the above example, when the current position = 50 and the error target position = 0, the moving direction is the decreasing direction (− direction), and the moving distance is 100−50 = 50 (step).

SS14: The stepping motor 54 is excited based on the moving direction and moving distance of SS13 to move the movable element 51 to the error target position.
In the above example, it is assumed that the moving direction of the stepping motor 54 is the decreasing direction (− direction) and the moving distance is 100−50 = 50 (steps).

  By controlling in this way, the movable element 51 becomes (current position) − (movement distance) = 50−50 = 0, and can reach the target position at the time of error.

  Even when there is an error in the current position, the movable element 51 can be moved close to the target position at the time of cancellation. When the error of the current position is Δx, the above equation is (current position) + Δx + (movement distance) = 50 + Δx + 50 = 100 + Δx. When Δx> 0, the target position at the time of cancellation is passed. However, since Δx is relatively small (for example, much smaller than 50), an excessive burden is not imposed on the driving device. When Δx <0, the movable element 51 stops before the target position at the time of cancellation. However, since Δx is relatively small, it is considered that the player is unlikely to feel uncomfortable.

  If it is important to reduce the burden on the driving device, a predetermined correction value (a value of about Δx) may be subtracted from the estimated current position so that Δx ≦ 0. . Conversely, in order to prevent the movable element 51 from stopping before the target position at the time of cancellation, a predetermined correction value (a value of about Δx) is added to the estimated current position so that Δx ≧ 0. You may make it do. Δx can be estimated by experiments or the like.

SS20 ': When the movable element 51 reaches the target position, the excitation of the stepping motor 54 is released.

  Due to the excitation release processing (SS20, SS20 '), unlike in FIG. 15B, the excitation state of the stepping motor 54 does not continue. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the state of excitation continues and the current continues to flow through the winding, causing the winding to overheat and causing a failure, and wasting power and going against energy saving. Disappears.

  In addition, since the initial position of the movable element by the second movable body drive data of the second effect data is acquired and the initial position is set as the error target position, the second movable body drive data executed after returning from the error is included in the second movable body drive data. Based on this, the movable element can be moved immediately, the production is not delayed, and the player is not kept waiting.

  Assume that an error occurs during the control based on the first movable body drive data in FIG. 12A1 and the error target position at that time is 100. The movable element stands by at the 100 position. Since the effect by the second movable body drive data to be started next starts at the position where the movable element is 0, the movable element must be moved from 100 to 0. During this time, the effect by the second movable body drive data cannot be executed, and the player is made to wait. When the effect by image, sound, and electrical decoration is started first, there is a possibility that the effect cannot be synchronized, and the effect is frustrated.

  In addition, according to the gaming machine of FIGS. 12 to 14, since the current position of the movable element is estimated, compared with the case where the maximum movable range (100) is always moved without estimating the current position. The movable element becomes difficult to be driven beyond the movable limit, and the stress of the driving device in the return process of the movable body when the effect is canceled can be reduced.

  In the above description, the sub board 20 controls the movable body 50, but the main board 10 may control the movable body instead of or together with this. In this case, the main substrate 10 serves as a processing unit that controls the movable body 50.

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

10 Main board 10E Error command generator 20 Sub board (Processor)
20a Production data storage unit 20b Production data read unit 20c Error target position setting unit 20E Error processing unit 50 Movable body 51, 51L, 51R Shutter (movable element)
54 Stepping motor (motor)
57 Sensor 60 Movable body controller

Claims (2)

A processing unit that executes at least processing related to performance, a movable element that moves within a predetermined range, and a motor that moves the movable element, and includes a plurality of windings, and excitation and release of the plurality of windings Including a stepping motor that rotates by repetition, and includes a movable body used for the production, and a movable body control unit that drives and controls the motor according to a signal from the processing unit,
The processing unit is at least
A movable body process for controlling the stepping motor of the movable body, wherein the process is repeated at a predetermined interval, and
An error process that is started when a predetermined error occurs, and performs at least a process of outputting or notifying the error;
The gaming machine characterized in that the error process includes a process of releasing excitation of the stepping motor. The processor is
The first effect data including first movable body drive data for causing the movable body to perform a predetermined first movement and the first effect data are read out, and a predetermined second movement is applied to the movable body. An effect data storage unit that stores in advance second effect data including second movable body drive data to be performed;
At least an effect data reading unit that reads out the first effect data and sends the first movable body drive data included in the first effect data to the movable body control unit;
When the error process is started before reading the second effect data, a predetermined initial position or an initial position of the movable element based on the second movable body drive data of the second effect data is acquired. An error target position setting unit that sends the initial position as an error target position to the movable body control unit, and
The movable body controller is
Estimating the current position of the movable element when receiving at least the error target position from the processing unit;
The error target position from the processing unit is compared with the estimated current position, and based on this comparison, the moving direction and moving distance of the movable element are obtained,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the movable element is moved to the error target position based on the obtained moving direction and the moving distance.

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