JP2017170267A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a capacity of a control table of a plurality of movable bodies.SOLUTION: There are provided: an operation table storing operation information for having a plurality of movable bodies perform prescribed operation which is shared by them; an operation selection table designating an operation mode with respect to each of the movable bodies; and a sensor selection table designating any of a plurality of sensors with respect to each of the movable bodies. Since the operation table can be shared with respect to the plurality of movable bodies, a capacity of the table can be reduced. Also, since cache hit rate of a CPU is improved by sharing the operation table, a decrease in processing speed is preventable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a plurality of movable bodies including a movable element such as a shutter used for production and a drive unit for moving the shutter.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders with symbols arranged on the 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. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  Various devices such as a liquid crystal display device, a display lamp for display (electric decoration), and a sound generator (sound device, speaker) are provided in the gaming machine as devices that play a role of enhancing the interest of the player. In addition, there may be provided a movable accessory (movable body) that includes a movable part and produces an effect by the movement of the movable part. In the following description, not only the liquid crystal display device, the electrical decoration, and the sound generation device itself but also their control devices may be referred to as “effect devices”.

JP, 2011-101699, A It is indicated that operation of an accessory is detected by a plurality of sensors. JP, 2014-151162, A It describes that the table which prescribed | regulated the series of operation | movement of the motor with respect to one motor is prepared.

  When a movable body is controlled, a number for identifying a drive unit (motor) or sensor to be controlled is virtually set, and an instruction may be given to the number. The operation instruction to the controlled object is performed according to operation information including a driving direction (motor rotating direction), speed (frequency of driving signal), driving time (number of steps), and the like. This operation information is prepared in advance for each movable body.

  By the way, a plurality of movable bodies having a symmetrical structure, for example, a double-open shutter, may perform the “same operation” in which the shutters on both sides open and close simultaneously. This “same operation” is the same movement in terms of operation start / end timing and movement speed, except that the operation direction is opposite. However, even when a plurality of movable bodies having a symmetrical structure perform the “same operation”, even if the “same operation” moves at the same speed, the number of sensors for detecting the moving direction and the movable element is different. . Therefore, the operation information is not the same. The operation information needs to be prepared for each of the plurality of movable bodies.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and detects the moving direction and the movable element in the control of a plurality of movable bodies that have a common operation in terms of the moving timing and speed of the movable element. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can use common operation information even if the sensor numbers for the same are different.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a first movable element, a first drive unit that moves the first movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the first movable element, and is used for production. A movable body,
A second movable element that includes a second movable element, a second drive unit that moves the second movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the second movable element;
A movable body control unit for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
In a gaming machine comprising: a processing unit (movable body control command generation unit) that controls the movable body control unit to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform a predetermined operation;
Operation information for causing the first movable body and the second movable body to perform the predetermined operation, which is operation information commonly used for the first movable body and the second movable body (for example, positive information) Rotation / reverse rotation, drive signal frequency, number of steps, monitoring sensor designation information = basic sensor ID + 1, etc.)
An operation selection table for designating operation modes (rotation directions CW, CCW) for each of the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
A sensor selection table for designating one of the plurality of sensors for each of the first movable body and the second movable body;
Specifically, the processing unit is
A first step of reading the operation information from the operation table;
In response to the operation information (forward rotation), a second mode that specifies the operation mode (either rotation direction CW or CCW) for each of the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the operation selection table. Steps,
Corresponding to the operation information (basic sensor ID + 1), one of the plurality of sensors is designated for each of the first movable body and the second movable body based on the sensor selection table (for example, basic sensor ID = 2 , 6 with a ID of 2 + 1 = 3,6 + 1 = 7)
A fourth step of causing the movable body control unit to drive the first drive unit and the second drive unit, respectively, in the operation mode specified in the second step;
According to the detection of the sensor specified in the third step, the fifth step of controlling the first driving unit and the second driving unit, respectively, is executed.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a first movable element and a first drive unit that moves the first movable element and that is used for production,
A second movable body that includes a second movable element and a second drive unit that moves the second movable element, and is used for production;
A movable body control unit for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
In a gaming machine comprising: a processing unit that controls the movable body control unit to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform a predetermined operation.
Operation information for causing the first movable body and the second movable body to perform the predetermined operation, and storing operation information used in common for the first movable body and the second movable body Table,
An operation selection table for specifying an operation mode for each of the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
The processor is
Read the operation information from the operation table,
Corresponding to the operation information, the operation mode is specified for each of the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the operation selection table,
In the designated operation mode, the movable body control unit drives the first drive unit and the second drive unit, respectively.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a first movable element, a first drive unit that moves the first movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the first movable element, and is used for production. A movable body,
A second movable element that includes a second movable element, a second drive unit that moves the second movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the second movable element;
A movable body control unit for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
In a gaming machine comprising: a processing unit that controls the movable body control unit to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform a predetermined operation.
Operation information for causing the first movable body and the second movable body to perform the predetermined operation, and storing operation information used in common for the first movable body and the second movable body Table,
A sensor selection table for designating one of the plurality of sensors for each of the first movable body and the second movable body;
The processor is
Read the operation information from the operation table,
Corresponding to the operation information, one of the plurality of sensors is designated for each of the first movable body and the second movable body based on the sensor selection table,
Based on the operation information, the movable body control unit drives the first driving unit and the second driving unit, respectively.
The first drive unit and the second drive unit are controlled in accordance with detection of a designated sensor.

The operation information of the operation table includes direction information for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit in either a first direction (for example, forward rotation) or a second direction (for example, reverse rotation), respectively. Including
The operation mode of the operation selection table corresponds to the rotation direction (CCW) of the first drive unit corresponding to the first direction, the rotation direction (CW) of the second drive unit, and the second direction. Including a rotation direction (CW) of the first drive unit and a rotation direction (CCW) of the second drive unit;
The processing unit may cause the movable body control unit to drive the first driving unit and the second driving unit in the rotation direction of the designated operation mode.

The operation information of the operation table includes direction information for driving the first driving unit and the second driving unit in either the first direction or the second direction, respectively.
The operation mode of the operation selection table includes a rotation direction (CCW) of the first drive unit and a rotation direction (CW) of the second drive unit, which are basic rotation directions,
When the processing unit is driven in the first direction, the processing unit rotates the first driving unit and the second driving unit respectively in the basic rotation direction, and when the processing unit is driven in the second direction, the direction information and May rotate the first driving unit and the second driving unit in opposite directions.

Each of the plurality of sensors of the first movable body and the second movable body is predetermined as one of the sensors (hereinafter, the reference sensor is referred to as “reference sensor”),
The operation information of the operation table includes relative position information (ID + 1) of other sensors based on the reference sensor,
The sensor selection table includes identification information (ID = 2, ID = 6) of the reference sensor,
The processor is
Any one of the plurality of sensors may be specified based on the identification information of the reference sensor and the relative position information (ID: 2 + 1 = 3, 6 + 1 = 7 with respect to ID = 2,6). Good.

  The present invention is applied to a gaming machine including a plurality of accessories. For example, the present invention is applied to control of a plurality of movable bodies that move synchronously and move in the same manner or symmetrically.

  Give unique numbers and basic information (reference sensor IDs) to the drive units and sensors required to drive the movable body, and specify the target of the drive unit and sensor with relative numbers when specifying the operation. Can be shared. The more movable bodies of similar structure that move in the same manner or move symmetrically synchronously, the amount of information required for control can be reduced and the capacity of the table can be reduced.

  According to this invention, the first movable body and the second movable body can be controlled based on an operation table that stores operation information commonly used for the first movable body and the second movable body. It is possible to reduce the amount of information required for those controls and reduce the capacity of the table.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. 5A is a perspective view of the jog dial, FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the jog dial, and FIG. 5C is a block diagram of the command transmission unit of the main board. It is explanatory drawing of the communication system of a sub board | substrate and a peripheral board | substrate. It is a block diagram of a data transmission part. It is explanatory drawing of the process regarding a peripheral board | substrate. It is a functional block diagram of VDP (video display processor). It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of each process of drawing data preservation | save in VDP, drawing execution, and a display. It is a block diagram of a sound controller. It is explanatory drawing of audio | voice data. It is a front view (conceptual diagram) showing the structure of a plurality of movable bodies concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of the sub board | substrate which concerns on embodiment of invention (only the process part which controls a movable body control part is shown). It is explanatory drawing of the table of FIG. It is a process flowchart of the movable body control command generation part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the command materialization process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the several movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (sequel) of the several movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a block diagram of the sub board | substrate which concerns on a comparative example (only the process part which controls a movable body control part is shown). It is explanatory drawing of the table of FIG.

<Structure of gaming machine>
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 spinning cylinders. At the center of the lower end of the front door 130, a medal payout port 135 is provided. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  A movable body 50 is provided at the position 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, and hide the liquid crystal display device LCD. 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).

  A jog dial PAN as an operation unit is provided between the stop button 140 and the medal insertion slot 132, specifically, on the upper right side of the rightmost stop button 140 and on the left side of the medal insertion slot 132.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the jog dial PAN includes two parts, a dial JD that is a ring-shaped part that is provided to rotate left and right, and a push button switch PHSW that is provided at the center of rotation of the ring. Prepare. The player can turn the dial JD of the jog dial PAN left and right, and can press the push button switch PHSW at the center top. Although not shown, a light emitting element is provided inside the push button switch SWSW, and lights up when pressed, for example. The dial JD is rotated in a plurality of steps (for example, the number of steps = 30, the angle = 12 degrees). A predetermined effect is performed according to the rotation direction and / or the rotation amount (angle) of the dial JD and the on / off state of the push button switch.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the jog dial PAN includes a push button switch PHSW and two sensors [1] JS1 and [2] JS2 for detecting the rotation of the dial JD. The sensors [1] JS1 and [2] JS2 output two digital signals of H / L according to the rotation. This will be further explained later.

  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 (rotating cylinder) unit 203 including three rotating cylinders 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 spinning cylinders (first to third drums) 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 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 a slot machine 100 as an example of a gaming machine to which this embodiment can be applied.

  In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit (power supply unit 205 in FIG. 2) for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC100V).

  The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is used for performing an internal lottery in response to the player's operation, and for performing processing (game processing) such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. 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.

<Main board>
The main board 10 has a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel (rotating drum) unit 203, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The part 82 (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

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

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

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors (index sensors) 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (note that The stepping motors 155a to 155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  The rotation control means 1300 is configured so that the reference position of the rotation cylinder 40 (a frame specified by a reel index (not shown)) based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 each time the rotation cylinders 40a to 40c make one rotation. Thus, the current rotation state of the drum 40 can be monitored by obtaining the rotation angle from (counting the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor). That is, the main substrate 10 can obtain the position of the rotating drum 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating drum 40.

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

  The insertion accepting unit (insertion accepting means) 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions. Then, a process of permitting the start operation of the first to third cylinders for the start switch 134 is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is 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. From the time when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop buttons 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when the medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generating means 1100, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

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

  The lottery table selection process allows the contents of the lottery to be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning can be increased or decreased), and the setting work is performed by the store in the hall where the gaming machine is installed. .

  A normal gaming machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles in advance. In the lottery of gaming machines, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing a setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as a setting change (hereinafter referred to as “setting change”).

  Conventionally, for example, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the front door 130 of the gaming machine is opened, and a setting change key is set on a setting change key switch provided in the power supply unit 205 With the key switch turned on, the game machine is turned on so that the setting can be changed. Each time the setting change button (push button) is pressed, it is displayed on a 7-segment display. The set value is incremented and the values from 1 to 6 are cyclically changed. When the desired set value is displayed on the display, the start switch is operated to determine the desired set value.

  In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 134, a random value (lottery random number) is obtained from the random number generating means 1100 for each game, and the obtained random number value is won by referring to the lottery table. Determine whether or not.

  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, when 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 when a big bonus is won by internal 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 spinning cylinder control means 1300 drives the first to third cylinders by stepping motors 155a to 155c based on the start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation). Pressing the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the rotating cylinders in a state where the rotation speed of the first cylinder to the third cylinder has reached a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute) While controlling to permit the operation (stop operation), the first cylinder to the third cylinder, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motors 155a to 155c, are stopped according to the lottery flag setting state (result of the internal lottery). Take control.

  In addition, when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), Based on the signal, the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motors 155a to 155c of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. The number of sliding symbols is a symbol that passes through the reference position between the operation of the stop button 140 and the rotation stop of the corresponding rotating cylinder when a specific symbol that can be visually recognized from the game display unit at the time of stopping the rotating drum is used as the reference position. The number of Since the turning cylinder control means 1300 stops each turning cylinder within 190 ms from the operation of each stop button 140, the number of sliding frames is in the range of 0 to 4 (however, 80 revolutions / minute, (In the condition of the number of symbols = 21). Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  As described above, the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 is based on the reference position signal (the frame detected by the reel index) of the spinning cylinder based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time the rotating cylinder makes one rotation. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor), the current rotation state of the rotating drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. 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 spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). 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 to third cylinders so as not to stop.

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

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. 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 to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

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

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. For example, when a predetermined turn is displayed when the spinning cylinder is stopped by operating the stop button 140, the winning probability of replay varies. 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.

  The error processing unit 1700 determines an error of the gaming machine based on the outputs of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), the medal sensors S1 and S2, and the medal detection unit 82, and notifies that when it determines that there is an error. To a predetermined state (for example, a state in which no operation is accepted).

  A door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor that detects that the front door 130 is closed, and is, for example, an electrical switch such as a micro switch or a contact. When the front door 130 is closed, the switch is turned on (or off) when the switch action part comes into contact with the back side of the front door 130. When the front door 130 is opened, the action part is separated and turned off. (Or on). The door opening / closing detection sensor may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter. The medal sensors S1 and S2 and the medal detection unit 82 have been described above.

Specifically, the error processing unit 1700 performs the following operation.
When the opening of the front door 130 is detected based on the output of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), error processing is performed.
-Based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2, the reverse flow of the medals (the detection order of the sensors S1 and S2 is reversed), the medal retention (the detection times of the sensors S1 and S2 are longer than a predetermined threshold) When error is detected, error processing is performed.
Based on the output of the medal detection unit 82, the medal clogging (the detection time of the medal detection unit 82 is longer than a predetermined threshold), hopper empty (the medal detection unit despite operating the hopper driving unit 80) When 82 detects no medal), error processing is performed.

  When the error processing unit 1700 determines that an error has occurred as described above, the error processing unit 1700 notifies the fact and sets the gaming machine to a predetermined state (error state). This state is canceled by a reset switch (not shown). The reset switch is provided on the panel of the power supply unit 205, for example.

  There are also errors that occur in the sub-board 20. Although this error does not result in an inoperable state, the liquid crystal display device or the like can notify that an error has occurred due to the processing of the sub-board 20 itself. The error occurs, for example, when an invalid command is received (including when the encrypted command cannot be correctly decrypted), and the error is canceled by the reset switch (from the main board 10 to the sub board 20). Reset command).

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

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

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, and one stepping motor 155a to 155c is attached to each of the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c. The stepping motor 155 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. It is. 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 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 stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

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

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

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

  Note that “driving” a stepping motor includes rotating the motor by the above-described excitation and exciting each phase in order to stop at a desired position and hold the position.

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

  10CG is a command transmitter that transmits a command to be sent to the sub-board 20. This command includes a command related to winning combination information, a command related to information on the number of inserted medals and the number of credits (stored number). Specifically, the command transmission unit 10CG is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the main board 10. The command transmission will be described later.

Next, the game processing in the main board 10 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. 4 is started.

  In step S1, the start switch 134 is turned on by operating the start switch 134. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  In step S2, a lottery process is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, rotation of the first cylinder 40a to the third cylinder 40c starts. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the rotating cylinder corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first rotating cylinder 40a to the third rotating cylinder 40c. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c has been performed. If it is determined that all the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three drums 40a to 40c have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, 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 S8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step S8, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step S8 is one game. When the standby process in step S8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

<Command transmission from main board to sub board>
The sub-board 20 receives a command from the main board 10 and performs effects and other processing according to the command. 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 sub-board 20 generates a command (liquid crystal display device command, drawing command) for displaying a predetermined screen on the liquid crystal display device LCD, for example, in accordance with a command from the main substrate 10. For example, when performing an effect by animation or the like, a large number of commands are continuously transmitted one after another.

  In FIG. 3, 20 CR is a command receiving unit that receives a command received from the main board 10. Specifically, the command receiving unit 20CR is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  As the above-mentioned command, there is a command for performing an effect suggesting the winning contents by the software on the sub-board 20 side. For example, as shown in the following AT, a suggestion for obtaining a ball is displayed on a liquid crystal display device so as to provide (assist) the player with the convenience of operation. The suggestion is not always issued, but in specific cases.

  The gaming machine includes an effect display device including a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a display lamp, and the like. This effect display device is controlled by the sub-board 20 to notify the player of a prize or the like, or in a so-called assist time (AT), the base itself teaches the user with some action during a certain game with some action. It is for doing. (Assist time (AT): Even if a specific small role is established, the player will not be refunded if the coins of the rotator are not aligned. ) Or any other opportunity to draw lots of assist time, and if this is won, the player is instructed the player with some action to align specific small roles during a certain game)

  FIG. 5C is a block diagram of the command transmission unit 10CG according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a command register that accepts the command to be transmitted. The command register 101 sends the command to the transmission data register 102 immediately after receiving the command. The command register 101 temporarily stores one command.

  The command is a set of data of a predetermined bit, for example, a set of data in units of 8 bits, and is created based on a predetermined command system.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a transmission data register (transmission FIFO) that stores a plurality of commands in the accepted order and outputs them in accordance with the accepted order.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a transmission shift register that receives a command output from the transmission data register 102 and transmits it to the sub-board 20.

  The main board 10 transmits the generated command to the sub board 20 by setting it in the command register 101.

  The command receiving unit 20CR receives a command received from the main board 10. For example, a command received as serial data is input to a serial-parallel converter (shift register), and is output every certain data (for example, 8 bits). The output data is transferred to the CPU of the sub-board 20 as a command, and is interpreted and executed.

<Sub-board>
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.

  Moreover, the output of the operation part PAN operated by the player is connected. The operation unit PAN is, for example, a jog dial. A signal from the operation unit PAN is input to the CPU of the sub-board 20 through an I / O (not shown).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the connection between the sub-board 20 and its peripheral board. As shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal control board 200, a speaker board 201, an LED board 202, and a movable body control unit 60 are connected to the sub board 20. These should be called peripheral substrates of the sub-substrate 20.

  The plurality of peripheral boards are connected as shown in FIG. 6 (the display of the LED board 202 and the movable body controller 60 is omitted). That is, a plurality of peripheral boards are connected to a common bus (communication line, communication path), and communicate with the sub-board 20 through the bus. The signal flowing through the bus is a signal on two lines, a data line and a clock line, such as a parallel signal (for example, a signal transmitted by an 8-bit line) or a serial signal (for example, I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)). ). In the following description, serial communication is taken as an example. In the example of FIG. 6, the signal output from the sub-board 20 returns to the sub-board 20, but this is an example, and the end opposite to the connection end is opened as in a general bus structure. Also good.

  The liquid crystal control board 200 has a built-in VDP (Video Display Processor), and the speaker board 201 has a built-in sound controller. The VDP and sound controller will be described later. The LED board 202 incorporates a latch that acquires and holds data and an LED that is an electrical decoration (the LED may be external). The movable body control unit 60 has a built-in latch that acquires and holds data.

  Data is transmitted from the sub board 20 to the peripheral board by designating an address. For example, when data is sent to the liquid crystal control board 200 as a peripheral board, an address previously associated with the liquid crystal control board 200 is designated and the data is sent to the bus. When the liquid crystal control board 200 recognizes that the data is addressed to itself by the address, the liquid crystal control board 200 takes in the data following the address into the latch. A predetermined operation is performed according to the fetched data. If the fetched data is a command for transmitting data acquired or obtainable by the liquid crystal control board 200 to the sub-board 20, the data is sent to the sub-board 20 (after receiving predetermined data, it is determined in advance. Data can always be transmitted to the sub-board 20).

  The speaker substrate 201, the LED substrate 202, and the movable body control unit 60 operate in the same manner as the liquid crystal control substrate 200.

  In the following description, the term “peripheral board” is mainly used when the operation is applied to an arbitrary transmission destination such as the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201 without specifying the transmission destination. When it is necessary to specify to which peripheral substrate the data transmission is to be made, it is specifically specified as “liquid crystal control substrate 200”.

  When transmitting data to the peripheral board, the sub-board 20 performs processing in units of data (for example, 8-bit data) in which a plurality of 0 or 1 data is collected. The sub-board 20 transmits a command (command) for causing the sub-board 20 to perform a predetermined operation. In this specification, the data includes the command. Note that the command is a set of predetermined bits of data, for example, a set of data in units of 8 bits, and is created based on a predetermined command system.

  In the following description, the term “data” is mainly used, but the term “command” may be used to clarify that the instruction is a command to the peripheral device.

In order to send data to peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201, the sub board 20 includes a data transmission unit 20TX.
FIG. 7 shows an internal block diagram of the data transmitter 20TX. Specifically, the data transmission unit 20TX is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  Reference numeral 2101 denotes a data register (command register) that receives data to be transmitted to the peripheral board. The data register 2101 sends the data to the transmission data register 2102 immediately after receiving the data. The data register 2101 temporarily stores one unit of data. In addition, since the content of data is well-known, description about what kind of data is transmitted is abbreviate | omitted.

  Reference numeral 2102 denotes a transmission data register that stores a plurality of data in the accepted order and outputs them in accordance with the accepted order.

  Reference numeral 2103 denotes a transmission shift register which receives data output from the transmission data register 2102 and transmits it to the peripheral board. The transmission shift register 103 converts data to be transmitted from parallel to serial.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram of data (command) transmission and operations of the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201 that have received the data (command) transmission.
The sub board 20 sends image data and audio data to the liquid crystal control board 200 and the speaker board 201, respectively (reference characters P and R). In response to the image data, the liquid crystal control board 200 displays a predetermined screen (symbol Q), and in response to the audio data, the speaker board 201 generates a predetermined sound (symbol S). Other sounds such as BGM and sound effects are generated in addition to the sound, but these are also included in the sound for convenience. Voice / voice data can be said to be acoustic / acoustic data. Unless otherwise specified, in this specification, “sound” includes other sounds such as BGM and sound effects as well as sound of normal meaning.

  Further, the sub-board 20 sends control data of the movable body 50 to the movable body control unit 60 (reference numerals T and U).

  As can be seen from FIG. 8, the command transmission by the sub-board 20 → the execution of the command by the peripheral board, the screen display, and the voice generation are presented. The sub-board 20 can control what command is sent to which peripheral board at which timing, and it cannot be specified at what timing the presentation of screen display or voice generation can be performed. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately manage the command transmission timing for each peripheral board.

<Configuration related to screen display and sound generation>
The configuration related to screen display and sound generation in the gaming machine will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, what is drawn on the memory is displayed as an image, and what is to be read out and displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD is referred to as a screen. In general, an object such as a character represented by a bitmap is an image, and a screen in which an object is arranged on a background and becomes a single picture is a screen.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the VDP. The VDP is an LSI provided on the liquid crystal control board, an interface I / F with the CPU, a drawing engine E1 that draws an image according to a command from the CPU, a video memory VRAM that stores the drawn image, and a video memory VRAM Is provided with a display engine E2 for reading out the image stored in the memory and sending it to the liquid crystal display device LCD. Each of these elements is connected to an internal bus BUS so that data can be read from and written to each other. The interface I / F can receive data such as commands from the CPU and can also output an interrupt signal from the display engine E2 or the like to the CPU. This VDP can draw and display 60 frames per second at an XGA size resolution (1024 × 768 pixel resolution), for example.

  When drawing and displaying at 60 frames per second (= 60 fps), the time for one frame is 16.67 ms. This is referred to as frame time. Two consecutive frames are referred to as V frames. Frame × 2 = V frame × 1. The time of the V frame is 33.33 ms, and the screen update rate (update frequency) is 30 fps. The frame and the V frame are a display unit and a processing unit. In the following description, the data in the frame and the V frame, the processing result (drawn image), and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD are displayed. It may mean. For example, when a number (symbol) is added, such as V frame 1, it indicates a specific V frame and may mean drawing data, image data, and display data corresponding to the specific V frame.

  The liquid crystal display device LCD is controlled in three stages: drawing data (including commands for the liquid crystal display device, moving image decoding information, etc.), drawing execution based on the drawing data, and display execution of the drawn image. That is, the CPU sends drawing data to the VDP, the drawing engine E1 of the VDP executes drawing, and the display engine E2 displays an image on the liquid crystal display device LDC. These three stages of processing are executed in parallel (independently). Since three stages are required until the image is displayed, at the timing when a certain image is displayed (V frame), the drawing execution draws an image to be displayed in the next V frame, and the storage of the drawing data is performed next. The image to be displayed in the V frame is saved. This is shown in FIG.

  Whether to save drawing data, execute drawing, and execute display is determined in one cycle for one V frame. In other words, drawing data storage (first processing), drawing execution (second processing), and display execution (third processing) are each performed in units of V frames (more precisely, frames included in the V frames). Processing is performed in units. For example, when there is data input during V frame update, drawing data related to data input in one of the two frames of V frame is saved, drawn, and displayed) . Therefore, the update frequency of the liquid crystal display device LCD of this gaming machine is 30 fps. This is a principle, and fps can change depending on the processing status.

  It takes a time corresponding to two V frames from saving the drawing data to executing the display. For example, in FIG. 10, the drawing data written with the code T1 is displayed with the code T3 delayed by two V frames. However, since storage of drawing data, execution of drawing, and execution of display are executed in parallel, the image on the liquid crystal display device LCD is updated in units of V frames. In the example of FIG. 10, the display is updated as V frame 1, V frame 2,.

  FIG. 11 shows an internal block diagram of the sound controller SC. This figure is a conceptual diagram, and shows only the parts necessary for explaining the operation.

  SC1 is a phrase data storage unit that stores in advance phrase data including a plurality of sound data to be reproduced in a predetermined order of reproduction.

  SC2 is a decoder that reproduces sound by decoding phrase data. The decoder returns predetermined sound data (for example, WAV) to sound, and since this process is well known, the description thereof is omitted.

  SC3 is a volume adjusting unit that adjusts the volume of the sound reproduced by the decoder SC2. The volume adjustment unit SC3 is configured by a digital or analog circuit. When the input is a digital signal, it is constituted by a digital circuit, for example, a multiplier, and the volume is adjusted by multiplying the value of the volume by the acoustic digital data. When the input is an analog signal, it is constituted by an analog circuit, for example, an amplifier, and the volume is adjusted by changing the amplification factor (variable resistor) of the amplifier. The output of the volume adjuster SC3 is sent to the speaker SP.

  FIG. 12A shows an outline of the contents stored in the phrase data storage unit SC1. When there are a plurality of effects such as effects A, B, C, D,..., A sound phrase (audio data) is stored corresponding to each. There is an upper limit on the number of sound phrases, and for example, 255 sound phrases can be stored.

  FIG. 12B shows the structure of audio data (for example, WAV) of effect A. The production A is composed of three sounds, that is, a first sound (cut-in sound), a second sound (character voice), and a third sound (developed sound).

  The cut-in sound is a sound associated with a cut-in that inserts another shot into a certain shot (scene). The character voice is the sound of the dialogue of the character displayed on the screen. The development sound is a sound that is added when the production develops to another production at the end of the production.

  The sub board 20 transmits, for example, data for reproducing the cut-in sound of effect A in FIG. 12B, data for reproducing the character voice, and data for reproducing the developed sound, to the speaker board 201, for example. In response to these three data (commands), the sound controller SC generates a predetermined sound.

<Movable body>
The movable body 50 according to the embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of movable bodies 50L and 50R. FIG. 13 is a front view (conceptual diagram) showing the structure of a plurality of movable bodies 50L and 50R. The plurality of movable bodies 50L and 50R are movable bodies that perform the same movement in the left-right symmetry synchronously, such as opening and closing of a double shutter. This “same operation” is the same in terms of operation start / end timing and movement speed except that the operation direction is opposite.

  The movable body 50 is attached to the left shutter 51L and the right shutter 51R, the belts 52L and 52R for moving the shutters 51L and 51R to the left and right, and the belts 52L and 52R, either directly or via a reduction gear mechanism (not shown). Motors 54L and 54R and sensors 57L and 57R for detecting shutters 51L and 51R, respectively.

  The motors 54L and 54R are stepping motors, for example. 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 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, and the motor shaft rotates in the reverse direction when a current is passed in the reverse order.

  FIG. 13 shows a state where the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened to the left and right ends, respectively. The sensors 57L and 57R are, for example, optical sensors such as photo interrupters or contact sensors such as microswitches. The movable ranges of the shutters 51L and 51R are the same, and the ends of the shutters 51L and 51R are in the center with the shutters 51L and 51R fully closed. When the shutters 51L and 51R are completely closed, the liquid crystal display device LCD is completely invisible.

  Each of the sensors 57L and 57R includes two sensors. The identification numbers ID of the two sensors included in the sensor 57L are 2 and 3, respectively. The identification numbers ID of the two sensors included in the sensor 57R are 6 and 7, respectively. The sensors 57L and 57R are provided in line symmetry, and the sensor with the smaller identification number ID is provided closer to both ends, and the sensor with the larger identification number ID is provided closer to the center.

  When the shutters 51L and 51R move from the state shown in FIG. 13 to the center, first, sensors with ID = 2 and ID = 6 detect the shutter. When the shutters 51L and 51R continue to move, the sensors with ID = 3 and ID = 7 detect the shutter. Since these sensors are provided symmetrically with respect to a line passing vertically through the center of the movable body 50 in the drawing, the initial positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are the same, and the moving speeds thereof are the same. In this case, the shutters detected by the sensors with ID = 2 and ID = 6 are simultaneously detected (errors due to variations in motor characteristics are ignored). The same applies to sensors with ID = 3 and ID = 7.

  The shutters 51L and 51R stop after the shutters 51L and 51R continue to move from the detection time of the sensors with ID = 3 and ID = 7. Therefore, the shutters 51L and 51R come into contact with each other and the shutter is closed. The movement of the shutters 51L and 51R will be described later (see FIGS. 18 and 19).

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the identification numbers ID are assigned to the sensors 57L and 57R. In addition, identification numbers ID are assigned to the motors 54L and 54R. 1 and 5 respectively. Since the shutters 51L and 51R are arranged symmetrically and move in synchronization with each other, the moving directions (rotational directions) of the motors 54L and 54R are opposite to each other. As shown in FIG. 13, when the movement in the shutter closing direction is defined as “forward rotation” and the movement in the opening direction is defined as “reverse rotation”, the rotation direction of the motor 54L with respect to “forward rotation” is “CCW”. The rotation direction of 54R is “CW”, the rotation direction of the motor 54L with respect to “reverse rotation” is “CW”, and the rotation direction of the motor 54R is “CCW”. For example, CW is the direction in which the rotation axis rotates clockwise when the motor 54L is viewed from the front, and CCW is the counterclockwise direction opposite to that.

  In the embodiment of the invention, the basic rotation direction is determined for each of the motors 54L and 54R. In the case of “forward rotation”, the basic rotation direction is set as the rotation direction of the motors 54L and 54R, and in the case of “reverse rotation”, the basic rotation direction. The direction opposite to that of the motors 54L and 54R is the direction of rotation (see FIG. 15B).

  In the following description, the part relating to the operation will be described exclusively using the identification number ID.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the sub-board 20 according to the embodiment of the invention. This figure shows only a processing unit that sends a command to the movable body control unit 60. The other parts of the sub-board 20 are not shown. Note that the movable body control unit 60 may be built in the sub-board 20.

  Reference numeral 2010 denotes a movable body control command generator that controls the movable body controller 60 to cause the movable bodies 50L and 50R to perform a predetermined operation.

  2020 is operation information for causing the movable bodies 50L and 50R to perform a predetermined operation, and is an operation table that stores operation information commonly used for the movable bodies 50L and 50R. The operation table 2020 includes, for example, whether the rotation of the motors 54L and 54R is “forward rotation” or “reverse rotation”, the frequency of the drive signals of the motors 54L and 54R (corresponding to the moving speed of the shutters 51L and 51R), and the number of steps. (Corresponding to the movement time / distance of the shutters 51L and 51R), when a specific sensor detects the shutters 51L and 51R, the following operation is performed. Information for designating a sensor to be monitored (for example, relative position information such as sensor = basic sensor ID + 1) is included (see FIG. 15A).

  Reference numeral 2030 denotes an operation selection table for designating an operation mode (for example, a rotation direction) for each of the motors 54L and 54R. In the operation selection table 2030, for example, either CW or CCW as the rotation direction is associated with “forward rotation” and “reverse rotation” for each of the motors 54L and 54R (see FIG. 15B).

  Reference numeral 2040 denotes a sensor selection table that stores information on sensors serving as references when specifying sensors to be monitored for each of the shutters 51L and 51R. The sensor selection table 2040 includes, for example, an ID of a basic sensor that serves as a reference for relative position information (see FIG. 15C).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of each table.

  FIG. 15A shows the operation table 2020. This shows an example in which the shutters 51L and 51R are moved from the open position (FIG. 18A) to the closed position (FIG. 19B) and the shutter is closed. Since FIG. 15A is shared by the motors 54L and 54R, the shutters 51L and 51R perform the same operation except that the moving directions are opposite.

  FIG. 15A is a table for generating a total of six commands (motion information) 1 to 6 for controlling the movable body control unit 60. 4 is a command for monitoring sensor detection, and the other is a command for rotating or stopping the motor. The rotation of the motors 54L and 54R is started at 1, the speed is increased at 2, the steady speed is reached at 3, and the rotation is continued until a predetermined sensor is detected. 4 designates a sensor to be monitored in order to determine the condition 3 by relative position information. After detecting the sensor at 5 and 6, the rotation of the motors 54L and 54R is lowered and stopped.

  In FIG. 15A, information in [] is information for indirectly specifying the rotation direction of the motors 54L and 54R and specifying the sensor to be monitored. Other information (for example, 100 pps / 4 step) directly defines the operation of the motors 54L and 54R, and the information is passed to the movable body control unit 60 as it is. On the other hand, indirect information is converted into direct information with reference to the operation selection table 2030 and the sensor selection table 2040, and then passed to the movable body control unit 60.

  FIG. 15B shows an operation selection table 2030. This is a table for converting indirect information (for example, [forward rotation], [reverse rotation]) specifying the rotation direction of the motor into a specific rotation direction for each motor ID. The motors 54L and 54R have ID = 1 and ID = 5, respectively. One of specific rotation directions CW or CCW is associated with the motor ID in advance. This is the basic rotation direction. In the example of FIG. 15B, ID = 1, the basic rotation direction of the motor 54L is CCW, ID = 5, and the basic rotation direction of the motor 54R is CW. In the case of [Forward rotation], the basic rotation direction is selected as it is, and in the case of [Reverse rotation], a direction obtained by inverting the basic rotation direction is selected. For example, if the command to rotate the motors 54L and 54R to CCW is defined as +1, the command to rotate to CW is defined as -1 and the stop is defined as 0, the [normal rotation] is a command in the basic rotation direction (ID = 1, motor A command that can be directly used for controlling the motors 54L and 54R can be obtained by multiplying +1 for 54L, ID = 5, and -1) for motor 54R by +1, and [reverse rotation] by multiplying the command by -1. Alternatively, the table of FIG. 15B may be searched based on two parameters of [forward rotation], [reverse rotation], ID = 1, and ID = 5, and the rotation direction during operation may be directly acquired. In the following description, “forward rotation” is taken as an example, and description of “reverse rotation” is omitted, but the processing content is not changed.

  FIG. 15C shows a sensor selection table 2040 (an example of [reverse rotation] is omitted). This is a table for designating a basic sensor ID for each motor ID (movable bodies 50L, 50R). By combining (adding) the relative position information of the operation table 2020 with the basic sensor ID, the ID of the sensor to be monitored can be obtained. In FIG. 15A, 4 is [basic sensor ID + 1], which means a sensor ahead of the basic sensor when [forward rotation]. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 15C, the sensor IDs to be monitored are the basic sensor ID: 2 + 1 = 3 and the basic sensor ID: 6 + 1 = for the motor ID = 1, 5, respectively. 7 In the example of FIG. 15C, the result of conversion from indirect information to direct information is incorporated in the table, but this may not be included in the sensor selection table 2040. As described above, as long as the ID of the basic sensor is known, the ID of the sensor to be monitored can be obtained by simple calculation.

  FIG. 16 is a process flowchart of the movable body control command generation unit according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17 corresponds to the process of ST13 of FIG. 16, and is a flowchart of a command materialization process for converting indirect information to direct information. These processes are performed by the movable body control command generator 2010.

ST10: Read a command from the operation table 2020.

ST11: Interpret the read command.

ST12: As a result of the interpretation, it is determined whether to use the operation selection table 2030 or the sensor selection table 2040.

  In the example of FIG. 15A, all of the commands 1 to 6 include [], so that the answer is YES in ST12. If the command does not include [] that only stops the motor rotation, NO is determined in ST12.

ST13: The sensor ID and the rotation direction are determined using the selection table. More specifically, as follows.

ST131: [Normal rotation] of the commands 1 to 3, 5 and 6 in FIG. For example, the control command for the motors 54L and 54R is multiplied by +1 in the normal rotation. In [Reverse rotation], the command is multiplied by -1. Or you may search the table of FIG.15 (b) and may acquire the rotation direction at the time of operation | movement for every ID directly.

ST132: [Basic sensor ID + 1] of command 4 in FIG. 15B is converted to the ID of the sensor to be monitored with reference to the sensor selection table 2040 and replaced.

  Since the basic sensor ID = 2 of the motor ID = 1, 2 + 1 = 3. Therefore, the sensor with ID = 3 is the monitoring target. Similarly, with motor ID = 5, the sensor with ID = 7 is the monitoring target.

ST14: If YES in ST12, the materialized command obtained in ST13 is sent to the movable body control unit 60. If NO in ST12, the command read in ST10 is read and the command interpreted in ST11 is directly sent to the movable body control unit 60. send.

ST15: When the next command exists, the process returns to ST10 and repeats the process.

  The above processing will be specifically described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of the movable body in FIGS. 18 and 19.

  Initially, as shown in FIG. 18A, the shutters 51L and 51R are both at the left and right ends, and the shutter is open.

  1 in the table of FIG. 15A is read (ST10). This includes indirect information [forward rotation] (YES in ST11 and ST12).

  With reference to the table of FIG. 15B, the [forward rotation] of the indirect information is converted into direct information (ST13). The rotation direction of motor ID = 1 is CCW, and the rotation direction of motor ID = 5 is CW. Since 100pps / 4step of supplementary information is direct information, no conversion is performed.

  A command that is direct information that can be interpreted and executed is sent to the movable body control unit 60 (ST14).

  As a result, the shutters 51L and 51R start to move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The movement directions are opposite to each other, corresponding to ID = 1 and ID = 5 in FIG.

  Read out 2 and 3 in the table of FIG. 15A and accelerate the shutters 51L and 51R. The processing of tables 2 and 3 is the same as that of table 1.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, the shutters 51L and 51R pass through sensors with ID = 2 and ID = 6.

  4 in the table of FIG. 15A is read (ST10). This includes indirect information [basic sensor ID + 1] (YES in ST11 and ST12).

  With reference to the table in FIG. 15C, the indirect information [basic sensor ID + 1] is converted into direct information (ST13). Since the basic sensor ID = 2 of the motor ID = 1, the sensor of ID = 3 is the monitoring target. Similarly, with motor ID = 5, the sensor with ID = 7 is the monitoring target.

  A command that is direct information that can be interpreted and executed is sent to the movable body control unit 60 (ST14).

  In FIG. 18C, when the shutters 51L and 51R reach the position of the sensor of ID = 3 and ID = 7, a detection signal is output, and the movable body post-natal command generation unit 2010 receives this. Then, the condition 3 in the table of FIG. 15A is satisfied, and the next operation is started.

  15 and 6 in the table of FIG. 15A are read, and the shutters 51L and 51R are decelerated. The processing of tables 5 and 6 is the same as that of table 1.

  At the end of deceleration, the shutters 51L and 51R stop as shown in FIG.

  In the above operation, the basic sensor ID = 2, 6 is not used, but is used, for example, in the process of [reverse rotation].

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of movable bodies 50L and 50R that perform a symmetric operation are provided with a plurality of sensor IDs = 2, 3 and ID = 6, 7, respectively. The law is given about. For example, as described above, an ID is assigned from the side close to the origin, and a large value is assigned to the ID for the installed sensor located away from the origin. An ID is also assigned to the motor. In this way, it is possible to abstract the command instruction content.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, since the operation table can be shared by the plurality of movable bodies 50L and 50R, the capacity of the table can be reduced. Since the cache hit rate of the processing unit (CPU) is improved by sharing the operation table, the processing speed is prevented from being lowered.

  A more specific explanation will be given on the table capacity reduction using a comparative example.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a processing unit according to a comparative example. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the table of FIG. 20 and 21 show examples in which different operation tables are provided corresponding to the movable bodies 50L and 50R without sharing the operation table.

  The table of FIG. 21 performs the same operation as the table of FIG. For convenience of explanation, assuming that 2 bytes are required to describe each row of the table, FIG. 15A shows 6 × 2 = 12 bytes, FIG. 15B shows 2 × 2 = 4 bytes, and FIG. Is 2 × 2 = 4 bytes (excluding reverse rotation) and a total of 20 bytes. On the other hand, FIGS. 21A and 21B each have 6 × 2 = 12 bytes, which is 24 bytes in total. The capacity of the table in FIG. 15 is smaller than the capacity of the table in FIG.

  This difference becomes more noticeable as the operation becomes more complicated, the larger the table, the more it becomes. For example, considering the case of performing the [reverse direction] operation of not only closing but also opening the shutter, in FIG. 15, a [reverse direction] table 6 × 2 = 12 bytes corresponding to FIG. The table 2 × 2 = 4 bytes in the [reverse direction] rotation direction corresponding to FIG. 15C increases by a total of 16 bytes. However, in FIG. In this way, the difference between the two increases.

  In the above description, indirect information in [] is used for both the motor and the sensor, but indirect information can be used only for either the motor or the sensor.

  If there is no sensor or there is only one sensor, it is sufficient to use indirect information only about the rotation of the motor. For example, this is a case where two disks arranged on the left and right are simply rotated in opposite directions. In this case, the sensor selection table 2040 in FIG. 14 and ST132 in FIG. 1 are unnecessary.

  When a plurality of shutters (movable bodies) move in the same direction, since the rotation of the motor is common, it is sufficient to use indirect information only for the sensors. In this case, the operation selection table 2030 in FIG. 14 and ST131 in FIG. 1 are unnecessary.

  The shutter is an example of a movable body. The embodiments of the invention can also be applied to rotating disks, clocks, meter hands, and the like.

  In the above description, ID assignment of a plurality of sensors is performed such that the numerical value of the ID becomes smaller as it is closer to the origin of the movable body, but this is an example. For example, ID assignment of a plurality of sensors may be performed such that the numerical value of the ID increases as the distance from the origin of the movable body is closer. This allocation method can be appropriately determined according to the structure and operation of the movable body or the number of sensors.

  The relative position information such as sensor = basic sensor ID + 1 is exemplified as information for designating the sensors for monitoring the shutters 51L and 51R. However, this is an example, and the sensor = basic sensor ID + 2, the basic sensor ID-1, etc. are movable. A command for designating a sensor to be detected in the motion table can be appropriately determined based on the structure and motion of the body or the number of sensors.

  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.

20 Sub-substrate 50 Movable body 50L Movable body (first movable body)
50R movable body (second movable body)
51L shutter (first movable element)
51R Shutter (second movable element)
52L, 52R Belt 54L Motor (first drive unit)
54R motor (second drive unit)
57L, 57R Sensor 60 Movable body control unit 2010 Movable body control command generation unit (processing unit)
2020 Operation table 2030 Operation selection table 2040 Sensor selection table

Claims (2)

A first movable element that includes a first movable element, a first driving unit that moves the first movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the first movable element;
A second movable element that includes a second movable element, a second drive unit that moves the second movable element, and a plurality of sensors that respectively detect positions of the second movable element;
A movable body control unit for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
In a gaming machine comprising: a processing unit that controls the movable body control unit to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform a predetermined operation.
The second drive unit moves in the same manner as the first drive unit in terms of operation timing and speed, except that the operation direction is different (hereinafter referred to as the first drive unit and the second drive unit). The direction of movement is described as “specific direction of movement”),
Operation information used in common by the first movable body and the second movable body in order to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform the predetermined motion, and indirectly specifying the motion direction An operation table that stores information (hereinafter, this information is referred to as “indirect information”),
An operation selection table for converting the indirect information of the operation table into the specific operation direction of the first drive unit and the specific operation direction of the second drive unit;
A sensor selection table for designating one of the plurality of sensors for each of the first movable body and the second movable body;
The processor is
Reading the indirect information from the action table;
Based on the operation selection table, the indirect information is converted into the specific operation direction of the first drive unit and the specific operation direction of the second drive unit,
A gaming machine characterized by causing the movable body control unit to drive the first driving unit and the second driving unit based on the converted specific operation direction. A first movable body that includes a first movable element and a first drive unit that moves the first movable element, and is used for production;
A second movable body that includes a second movable element and a second drive unit that moves the second movable element, and is used for production;
A movable body control unit for driving the first drive unit and the second drive unit;
In a gaming machine comprising: a processing unit that controls the movable body control unit to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform a predetermined operation.
The second drive unit moves in the same manner as the first drive unit in terms of operation timing and speed, except that the operation direction is different (hereinafter referred to as the first drive unit and the second drive unit). The direction of movement is described as “specific direction of movement”),
Operation information used in common by the first movable body and the second movable body in order to cause the first movable body and the second movable body to perform the predetermined motion, and indirectly specifying the motion direction An operation table that stores information (hereinafter, this information is referred to as “indirect information”),
An operation selection table for converting the indirect information of the operation table into the specific operation direction of the first drive unit and the specific operation direction of the second drive unit;
The processor is
Reading the indirect information from the action table;
Based on the operation selection table, the indirect information is converted into the specific operation direction of the first drive unit and the specific operation direction of the second drive unit,
A gaming machine characterized by causing the movable body control unit to drive the first driving unit and the second driving unit based on the converted specific operation direction.

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