JP2023021280A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately control a unipolar type stepping motor and a bipolar type stepping motor by a simple configuration even when the two stepping motors are used in parallel.

SOLUTION: A game machine of the present invention includes: a controller 342 for transmitting a serial signal; a plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements 222 capable of converting a serial signal at least to 4-bit parallel signals; a unipolar type stepping motor 220 operated by the 4-bit parallel signal, which is connected to a first serial-parallel conversion element 222a and 222b of the plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements; a bipolar drive element 232 operated at least by 3-bit parallel signals of the 4-bit parallel signals, which is connected to a second serial-parallel conversion element 222c and 222d of the plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements; and a bipolar type stepping motor 230 connected to the bipolar drive element.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to give a game profit to a player.

In general, in a gaming machine (pachinko machine), a game ball is shot toward a game area in a game board by a player's steering wheel operation, and a game ball that has flowed down the game area enters a starting hole. A lottery related to the design is executed. Then, the special symbols are variably displayed on the special symbol display device, and the special symbols determined by the lottery are stopped and displayed to inform the player of the result of the lottery. At this time, when a specific special symbol indicating a big hit is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device, a big win game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game is started. In this big win game, the attacker device opens and closes a predetermined number of times, allowing game balls to enter the big winning opening, so that the player can receive a lot of payout balls.

In such a gaming machine, in order to make the player expect that the variable display on the special symbol display device is a big win, an accessory provided in the gaming machine is driven in accordance with the variable display. I sometimes do performances. Therefore, inside the game machine, for example, output information, which is information for driving a role product, is generated, and the generated output information is output to each driving element as a serial signal represented by a bit string. Then, the drive element converts the serial signal into a parallel signal, and rotates, for example, a unipolar stepping motor to drive the accessory.

Also, in the game machine, as in Patent Document 1, a bipolar stepping motor can be used as a driving source for the accessory in place of the unipolar stepping motor.

JP 2019-005269 A

Such unipolar stepping motors and bipolar stepping motors have different driving methods and control signals in principle, and a dedicated drive element (motor driver) must be prepared according to the target stepping motor. must.

In view of such problems, the present invention provides a game machine capable of appropriately controlling both a unipolar stepping motor and a bipolar stepping motor with a simple configuration even when the two are used in parallel. is intended to provide

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises a controller for transmitting a serial signal, a plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements capable of converting the serial signal into at least 4-bit parallel signals, and the plurality of serial - A unipolar stepping motor connected to a first serial-parallel conversion element among the parallel conversion elements and operated by the 4-bit parallel signal, and a second serial-parallel conversion among the plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements. a bipolar drive element connected to the device and operated by at least 3-bit parallel signals out of the 4-bit parallel signals; and a bipolar stepping motor connected to the bipolar drive element, wherein the controller comprises the 4-phase excitation signals for driving the unipolar stepping motor are transmitted as serial signals to the first serial-parallel conversion element, and 2-phase excitation signals and enable signals for driving the bipolar stepping motor are provided. is sent as a serial signal to the second serial-parallel conversion element.

According to the present invention, even when a unipolar stepping motor and a bipolar stepping motor are used in parallel, both can be appropriately controlled with a simple configuration.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine showing a state in which a door is opened; FIG. 1 is a front view of a game machine; FIG. It is a block diagram of a game machine. It is a block diagram for explaining the control mode of the effect display unit, the effect accessory device, the effect lighting device, and the music output device in the sub control board. 4 is a flow chart showing a control mode in a sub-control board; It is an explanatory view for explaining the control mode of the rotating accessory. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining output timings of parallel signals to a unipolar stepping motor; It is an explanatory diagram for explaining another control mode of the rotating role. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining output timings of parallel signals to a bipolar stepping motor; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining still another control mode of the rotating accessory; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific circuit configuration of a permission circuit; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining output timing of a permission circuit; 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine; FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door opened, for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine; It is a figure which shows the pattern arrangement|sequence of a reel. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a slot machine; FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings. do.

In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described first, and then specific processing on each board will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment, showing a state in which the door is opened. As shown, the game machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which a space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed, and the A front frame 106 attached to the middle frame 104 by a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable is provided.

Similarly to the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has a surrounding space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and a game board 108 is held in this surrounding space. Further, the front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially parallel to each other while maintaining a predetermined distance. , the game board 108 becomes visible through the transparent plate 110 .

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. FIG. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 projecting toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the lower portion of the front frame 106 . The operating handle 112 is provided so that the player can rotate it, and when the player rotates the operating handle 112 to perform a shooting operation, the strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112 is applied (not shown). A game ball is shot by the shooting mechanism. The game ball shot in this manner rises between rails 114 a and 114 b provided on the game board 108 and is guided to the game area 116 .

The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110, and is an area in which game balls can flow down or roll. The game board 108 is provided with a large number of nails and windmills, and the game balls guided to the game area 116 collide with the nails and the windmills to flow down and roll in irregular directions.

The game area 116 is provided with a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of entry of game balls differs from each other according to the firing intensity of the shooting mechanism. The first game area 116a is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116b is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. located on the right side of the Since the rails 114a and 114b are located on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball fired by the shooting mechanism with a shooting intensity lower than a predetermined intensity enters the first game area 116a and is shot with a shooting intensity equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity. The played game ball enters the second game area 116b.

In addition, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning opening 118, a first starting opening 120, and a second starting opening 122 into which game balls can enter. When a game ball enters the second start hole 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more, and the number of prize balls to be paid out may be different for each of the general prize winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, and the second starting opening 122. , may be set to the same number of prize balls. At this time, it is also possible to set the number of winning balls to be put out by entering the first starting port 120 to be smaller than the number of winning balls to be put out by entering the second starting port 122.例文帳に追加be.

A first starting region is provided within the first starting port 120 , and a second starting region is provided within the second starting port 122 . Then, when the game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and enters the first start area or the second start area, one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is selected. A lottery is held to determine 1 special symbol. Each special symbol is associated with various game benefits such as whether or not a large winning game advantageous to the player can be executed, and what kind of game state the subsequent game state should be. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first start hole 120 or the second start hole 122, the player can obtain a predetermined prize ball and at the same time obtain an opportunity to obtain rights to receive various game benefits. becomes.

In addition, a movable piece 122b is provided in the second starting port 122 so that it can be opened and closed. It's becoming Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second starting port 122.例文帳に追加On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the entry area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a normal pattern lottery is performed, and when winning is won by this lottery, the movable piece 122b is opened for a predetermined time. controlled by In this way, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second starting hole 122, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 122. In addition, here, when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state, it is assumed that the game ball cannot enter the second starting port 122, but when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state In some cases, it may be configured so that the game ball can be entered with a certain frequency.

Furthermore, the game area 116 is provided with a big winning opening 128 into which game balls can enter. An openable/closable door 128b is provided in the large winning opening 128. Normally, the opening/closing door 128b closes the large winning opening 128, making it impossible for game balls to enter the large winning opening 128. It's becoming On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big win game is executed, the opening/closing door 128b is opened, and the entry of the game ball into the big winning opening 128 becomes possible. Then, when a game ball enters the big winning hole 128, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

In addition, at the bottom of the game area 116, a game ball that has not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the first start opening 120, the second starting opening 122, and the big winning opening 128 is played from the game area 116. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side of the board 108 .

The game machine 100 includes a performance display device 200 comprising a liquid crystal display device, a performance accessory device 202 comprising a driving device, and various lighting modes and emission colors as performance devices for performing performance during the progress of a game. A production lighting device 204 made up of a lamp, a music output device 206 made up of a speaker, and a production operation device 208 that accepts a player's operation are provided.

The effect display device 200 is provided with a effect display unit 200a consisting of an image display unit for displaying an image. are placed. In this effect display section 200a, effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c are variably displayed as shown, and the player is notified of the result of the large role lottery by the stopped display mode of each of these effect patterns 210a, 210b, and 210c. will be executed.

The effect accessory device 202 is arranged in front of the effect display section 200a, and moves and rotates in an area visible to the player, thereby giving the player a sense of anticipation of a big win. For example, the rotating accessory 202a as the effect accessory device 202 in FIG. 2 is interlocked with the rotation of the motor (pulse motor or geared motor) that is the drive source during the variable display of the above-described effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c. and rotate about the longitudinal axis. Also, the moving accessory 202b as the effect accessory device 202 in FIG. It moves to the front of the effect display section 200a.

The effect lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and is provided in the effect accessory device 202, the game board 108, etc., and variously lights up in accordance with the image displayed on the effect display section 200a. controlled.

The music output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 or the lowest position of the outer frame 102, and outputs various music to the front side of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with the images displayed on the effect display section 200a. to output

The effect operation device 208 is composed of a button that receives a player's pressing operation and a rotation operation unit (for example, a jog dial) that receives a player's rotation operation. It is provided below the transmission plate 110 . The effect operation device 208 is activated in accordance with the image displayed on the effect display section 200a, and when the player's operation is received within the operation valid period, various effects are executed in accordance with the operation. .

In addition, behind the effect operation device 208, there is an upper tray 132 to which the prize balls paid out from the gaming machine 100 and the game balls rented from the game ball lending device are guided. , the game ball is guided to the lower plate 134 . Also, the bottom surface of the lower tray 134 is formed with a ball removal hole (not shown) for ejecting game balls from the lower tray 134 . This ball removal hole is normally closed by an opening/closing plate (not shown), but by sliding the ball removal knob 134a in the horizontal direction in the drawing, the opening/closing plate slides integrally with the ball removal knob 134a. Then, the game ball can be discharged below the lower tray 134 through the ball extraction hole.

In addition, on the game board 108, a first special symbol display device 160, a second special symbol display device 162, a first special symbol holding device, and a first special symbol display device 160, a second special symbol display device 162, and a first special symbol reserve are provided outside the game area 116 and at positions visible to the player. A display device 164, a second special symbol reservation display device 166, a normal symbol display device 168, a normal symbol reservation display device 170, and a right-handed information display device 172 are provided. Each of these displays 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations relating to the game.

(Internal configuration of control means)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of control means for controlling the progress of a game. The main control board 300 controls the basic operations of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads the program stored in the main ROM 300b based on the input signals from the detection switches and timers and performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device and display, or the result of the arithmetic processing. Send commands to other boards accordingly. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

The main control board 300 includes a general winning hole detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning hole 118, and a first starting hole for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starting hole 120. A detection switch 120s, a second start opening detection switch 122s for detecting that a game ball has entered the second start opening 122, a gate detection switch 124s for detecting that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, and a large winning opening 128. A large winning opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered is connected, and a detection signal is input to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

In addition, the main control board 300 has a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122, and a large winning prize opening solenoid 128c that operates an open/close door 128b that opens and closes the large winning prize opening 128. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port 122 and the big winning port 128 .

Furthermore, the main control board 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol reservation display 164, a second special symbol reservation display 166, a normal symbol display 168, and a normal symbol display. A symbol holding indicator 170 and a right-handed information indicator 172 are connected, and the main control board 300 controls the display of each of these indicators.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment mainly includes a special game that is started by entering a game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and a game ball that starts when the game ball passes through the gate 124. It is roughly divided into ordinary games that are played. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for progressing special games and normal games, data necessary for various games, and tables.

A payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300 .

The payout control board 310 performs control for shooting game balls and payout prize balls. This payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout control board 310 , and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is transmitted via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312 . , is output to a hall computer or the like of the amusement arcade.

The payout control board 310 is also connected with a payout motor 314 for paying out the game balls stored in the storage portion to the player as prize balls. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 to pay out predetermined prize balls to the player. At this time, the number of put-out game balls is detected by the put-out ball counting switch 316s, and it is grasped whether the prize balls to be put out have been put out to the player.

Further, the payout control board 310 is connected with a full-dish detection switch 318 s for detecting the full state of the lower tray 134 . This full-dish detection switch 318s is provided in a passage leading game balls paid out as prize balls to the lower tray 134, and every time a game ball passes through the passage, a game ball detection signal is sent to the payout control board 310. It is designed to be entered.

Then, when the lower tray 134 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of game balls, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower tray 134, and are directed toward the payout control board 310 from the tray full detection switch 318s. , the game ball detection signal is continuously input. The payout control board 310 determines that the lower tray 134 is full when the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined period of time, and transmits a full tray command to the main control board 300 . On the other hand, when the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the full-dish command is transmitted, it is determined that the full-drained state is canceled, and the full-dish full-drain release command is transmitted to the main control board 300 .

Also, the payout control board 310 is provided with a launch control circuit 320 for controlling the launch of game balls. The payout control board 310 is connected with a touch sensor 112s provided on the operating handle 112 for detecting that the player touches the operating handle 112, and an operation volume 112a for detecting the operating angle of the operating handle 112. ing. Then, when a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the shooting control circuit 320 controls the shooting solenoid 112c provided in the game ball shooting device to energize and shoot the game ball.

The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or during standby. This sub-control board 330 includes a sub-CPU 330a, a sub-ROM 330b, and a sub-RAM 330c. connected as possible. The sub CPU 330a reads the program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on the command transmitted from the main control board 300, the input signal from the timer, etc., performs arithmetic processing, and executes and controls the performance. At this time, the sub-RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub-CPU 330a.

Specifically, the sub-control board 330 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display section 200a. The sub ROM 330b stores a large amount of image data such as patterns and backgrounds to be displayed in the effect display section 200a. Controls image display. Also, the sub control board 330 drives and controls the performance accessory device 202 , controls lighting of the performance lighting device 204 , and performs music output control for outputting music from the music output device 206 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the control mode of the effect display unit 200a, the effect accessory device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the music output device 206 in the sub control board 330, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a control mode to be performed. A sub CPU (CPU) 330a provided on the sub control board 330 functions as effect determining means 332 and effect executing means 334 in cooperation with a program stored in a sub ROM 330b and a sub RAM 330c. The effect determining means 332 interprets the command transmitted from the main control board 300 and determines the effect pattern (contents indicating a series of effects) corresponding to the command. The effect executing means 334 transmits a command to each device such as the image IC 340a, the controller 342, and the music IC 346a based on the determined effect pattern to execute the effect. Both the effect determining means 332 and the effect executing means 334 are processes (interrupt processes) corresponding to interrupts, and are executed at interrupt timings associated with respective devices.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the effect determining means 332 waits for the arrival of a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 33.3 msec) (NO in S10), and when the predetermined interrupt cycle arrives (YES in S10), Image data based on the effect pattern (data corresponding to the image displayed on the effect display section 200a among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect executing means 334 transmits an image command capable of specifying image data to the image IC 340a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The image IC 340a, also called a VDP (Video Display Processor), reads image data specified by an image command from the image ROM 340b to an image RAM (VRAM) 340c, and sequentially outputs the image data to the effect display section 200a. Some kind of image is always displayed in the effect display section 200a. Therefore, the effect determining means 332 always determines the image data for each interrupt period. The image RAM 340c has different layers, and each layer can hold different image data. Then, image IC 340a superimposes the image data held in a plurality of layers, and outputs the superimposed image data to effect display section 200a.

In addition, in parallel with the control over the image IC 340a, the effect determining means 332, when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 2 msec) has arrived (YES in S10) with the determination of the effect pattern, performs a role based on the effect pattern. An object pattern (contents indicating a series of actions of the production accessory device 202 among the effects indicated by the production pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect executing means 334 sends a command indicating at least one of the advancing direction (rotating direction), advancing amount (rotating amount), advancing speed (rotating speed) to the controller 342 at predetermined time intervals according to the character pattern. It transmits (S12) and repeats the processing from step S10. The controller 342 drives the performance accessory device 202 according to such commands. Here, the performance accessory device 202 operates only when the accessory pattern is determined. Note that the performance accessory device 202 is a temporary performance accompanied by physical actions that heighten the player's expectation of a big win. Object patterns are determined infrequently.

In addition, when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 33 msec) comes along with the determination of the effect pattern (YES in S10), the effect determination means 332 determines the lighting pattern based on the effect pattern. content indicating a series of lighting modes of the lighting device 204) is determined (S11). Then, according to the illumination pattern, the effect executing means 334 transmits a command of 1 (ON) or 0 (OFF) to the controller 342 at predetermined time intervals (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10, in the same manner as the character pattern. . The controller 342 turns on or off the FETs that drive the effect lighting device 204 according to such commands. Thus, lighting control of the lamp, which is the effect lighting device 204, is performed. It should be noted that the effect lighting device 204 is always repeatedly turned on and off. Therefore, the effect determining means 332 always determines the effect pattern for each interrupt period.

In parallel with the control over the image IC 340a and the controller 342, the effect determination means 332 determines the effect pattern, and when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 50 msec) arrives (YES in S10), the effect pattern is executed. (S11). Then, the effect executing means 334 transmits a music command capable of specifying music data to the music IC 346a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The music IC 346a reads music data specified by the music command from the music ROM 346b to the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the speaker, which is the music output device 206. FIG. Some kind of music is always output to the music output device 206 . Therefore, the effect determining means 332 always determines the music data for each interrupt cycle. The music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and each music buffer can hold different music data. Then, the music IC 346 a superimposes the music data held in the plurality of music buffers, and outputs the superimposed music data to the music output device 206 .

Furthermore, the sub control board 330 receives detection signals from the depression detection switch 208s that detects that the effect operation device 208 is pressed down and the rotation detection switch 209s that detects that the effect operation device 208 is rotated. is entered. When a detection signal is input from the effect operating device 208 (press detection switch 208s or rotation detection switch 209s), the controller 342 notifies the effect determination means 332, and the effect determination means 332 inputs the detection signal. Various effects such as displaying an image on the effect display section 200a are determined depending on the situation.

Here, a series of functional units such as sub-CPU 330a, sub-RAM 330c, image IC 340a, image ROM 340b, image RAM 340c, controller 342, music IC 346a, music ROM 346b, etc. are integrated into one integrated circuit as SoC (System-on-a-Chip). are accumulated in However, it is possible to arbitrarily set which function units are integrated in such SoC. Also, the sub CPU 330a, sub RAM 330c, image IC 340a, image ROM 340b, image RAM 340c, controller 342, music IC 346a, music ROM 346b, and other functional units may be integrated as different integrated circuits and electrically connected.

A power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power supply via the power supply board.

(Unipolar stepping motor)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the control mode of the rotary accessory 202a, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the output timing of parallel signals to the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d. is. Here, an example in which a rotating accessory 202a as the effect accessory device 202 is rotated by a unipolar stepping motor 220 (220a, 220b, 220c, 220d in FIG. 6) will be described. The sub control board 330 is connected to a unipolar drive board (unipolar drive module) 350, and the controller 342 controls the rotation of the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d via the unipolar drive board 350. Here, four unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d are described as objects to be controlled, but the number is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. Needless to say.

As described above, in the sub-control board 330, the effect determination means 332 determines a character pattern based on the effect pattern, and the effect execution means 334 follows the character pattern, for example, rotates the effect accessory device 202. Generate commands that specify direction, amount of rotation, and speed of rotation.

The controller 342 is connected to a plurality of unipolar drive elements 222 (222a, 222b, 222c, 222d in FIG. 6) provided on the unipolar drive board 350, as shown in FIG. Here, the controller 342 outputs output information to the unipolar drive element 222 by synchronous serial communication. Synchronous serial communication is a communication method in which serial signals are transmitted and received in synchronization with a reference clock signal.

The data transmission unit 342a of the controller 342 generates output information consisting of a plurality of bits (here, 16 bits) to be output to the production accessory device 202 based on a command or the like, serializes the output information, and converts the serialized serial A signal is sent to the unipolar drive element 222a (see FIG. 7). In parallel with the serial signal, the data transmission unit 342a also transmits a clock signal, which is a synchronization signal for obtaining the serial signal, to the unipolar drive element 222a.

The unipolar drive element 222a is a so-called serial-parallel conversion element, receives a serial signal from a serial input terminal (SI) based on a clock signal input from a clock input terminal (CI), and holds it in an internal shift register. do. Then, based on the latch signal (at the rising edge of the latch signal), the output information held in the shift register is latched in units of bits to the output ports (Q0 to Q3). 4 bits) is output in parallel. Here, parallel output means outputting output information in parallel and independently in units of bits. Also, from the output port, a discrete signal of either Hi (high level) or Low (low level) (binary digital signal) is continuously output until the next latch timing. Hereinafter, such a bit-unit signal that is continuously output until a latch signal is received will be referred to as a parallel signal.

The serial signal input to the serial input terminal of the unipolar driving element 222a is transmitted from the serial output terminal (SO) with a delay corresponding to the number of bits of the shift register (the number of bits of the parallel output, here 4 bits). A clock signal input to the clock input terminal is also output from the clock output terminal (CO). The unipolar drive element 222a is connected to the unipolar drive element 222b, the unipolar drive element 222c, and the unipolar drive element 222d in a daisy chain as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d are connected as shown in FIG. 6, 16-bit output information is transferred to each of the shift registers of the four unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d by 4 bits. will be retained.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the latch signal is input while the 16-bit output information is positioned (held) in the shift registers of the corresponding unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d, Output information is latched at each output port, enabling 16-bit parallel output. The unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d have their respective output ports (Q0 to Q3) connected through amplifier circuits such as FETs to four phases (A phase) in each of the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d. , B-phase, /A-phase, /B-phase) to drive and control the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c and 220d. Accordingly, one unipolar stepping motor 220a, 220b, 220c and 220d corresponds to each of the unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c and 222d.

The unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d output discrete signals of Hi or Low to the excitation phases of the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d, respectively, to perform 1-phase excitation, 2-phase excitation, or 1-phase excitation. Rotation drive control is performed by -2-phase excitation. For example, in the case of one-phase excitation, the unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d turn ON/OFF the current in turn for each phase as shown in FIG. Rotation drive control is performed so that one of the B phases becomes Hi and the other three phases become Low. An excitation pattern can be formed by sequentially switching the phases that become Hi.

By managing the output to the unipolar stepping motor 220 by serial communication between the controller 342 and the unipolar driving element 222 in this way, the following versatility can be obtained. That is, when output information is added, it can be handled by allocating it to a spare (reserved) output port without changing the number of harnesses or the routing of harnesses. Moreover, even if there is no spare output port left, it can be dealt with only by modifying the software by simply adding the unipolar drive element 222 .

A data receiver 342b of the controller 342 receives the serial signal from the unipolar drive element 222d based on the clock signal. In this way, the actually output information can be taken into the sub CPU 330a.

(First embodiment in combination with stepping motor)
An example in which the unipolar stepping motor 220 rotates the rotary accessory 202a has been described above with reference to FIGS. Compared to bipolar stepping motors, unipolar stepping motors do not require an operation to change the direction of the current, and the process can be completed simply by switching the coils through which the current flows. . On the other hand, a bipolar stepping motor can rotate more efficiently than a unipolar stepping motor even if the number of coil turns is the same. It is excellent in that it can be reduced and the low-speed torque is large. Therefore, depending on the specifications of the gaming machine 100, a unipolar stepping motor, a bipolar stepping motor, or both may be used.

However, a unipolar stepping motor and a bipolar stepping motor are different in principle in terms of drive method and control signal, and a dedicated drive element must be prepared according to the target stepping motor. For example, a unipolar stepping motor must generate signals for four phases (A phase, B phase, /A phase, /B phase), whereas a bipolar stepping motor has two phases ( A-phase, B-phase) signals may be generated. In addition, a bipolar stepping motor requires an enable signal, which will be described later, in order to specify that both of the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) are valid signals. don't need Therefore, when a unipolar stepping motor and a bipolar stepping motor are used in parallel, it is necessary to prepare control lines (serial signals) for controlling the driving elements individually for each driving element.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another control mode of the rotating accessory 202a, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining output timing of parallel signals to the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b. . Here, a rotating accessory 202a as the effect accessory device 202 is rotated in parallel by a unipolar stepping motor 220 (220a and 220b in FIG. 8) and a bipolar stepping motor 230 (230a and 230b in FIG. 8). A working example will be given. The sub control board 330 is connected to a common drive board 360, and the controller 342 controls the rotation of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b through the common drive board 360.

However, as described above, the serial signal for controlling each drive element must be provided individually for each drive element. That is, the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b have different serial signal systems. Specifically, in the controller 342, a serial signal system composed of a data transmitter 342c and a data receiver 342d is prepared in addition to a serial signal system composed of a data transmitter 342a and a data receiver 342b. do. The rotation of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b is controlled by the serial signal transmitted from the data transmission section 342a, and the rotation of the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b is controlled by the serial signal transmitted from the data transmission section 342c.

The rotation control of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b in FIG. 8 has substantially the same functions as those described with reference to FIG. will be described in detail.

A data transmission unit 342c of the controller 342 generates output information based on a command or the like, and transmits a serial signal obtained by serializing the output information to the unipolar drive element 222c. The unipolar driving elements 222c and 222d receive a serial signal from the serial input terminal based on the clock signal input from the clock input terminal and hold it in an internal shift register. Then, the unipolar driving elements 222c and 222d latch the output information held in the shift register to the output ports (Q0 to Q2) in units of bits based on the latch signal, thereby transmitting the output information to the bipolar driving element 232 (FIG. 8). (232a, 232b) in parallel.

The bipolar drive elements 232a and 232b are drivers of the so-called bipolar stepping motor 230, and drive the discrete signals of Hi (high level) and Low (low level) input from the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) in the forward direction. They are replaced with discrete signals of the current and the reverse current and output from the excitation phase outputs (AO, BO). Therefore, the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) of the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b are connected to the output ports Q0, Q1 of the unipolar drive elements 222c, 222d.

In addition, the bipolar drive elements 232a and 232b output either a forward current or a reverse current due to the characteristics of the bipolar stepping motor 230, so excitation output from the excitation phase outputs (AO, BO) is permitted. There is an enable terminal (E) for An enable signal indicating that the excitation phase input (AI, BI) is a valid signal must be input to the enable terminal. If the enable signal is not validly input, the excitation phase outputs are all invalid (for example, Low) regardless of the excitation phase input. Therefore, the enable signal is used to disable the excitation phase output and release the excitation when the gaming machine 100 is powered on or when the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b are stopped. The enable terminals of the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b are connected to the output ports Q2 of the unipolar drive elements 222c, 222d.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 9, when the latch signal is input in a state where the 8-bit output information is positioned (held) in the shift registers of the corresponding unipolar driving elements 222c and 222d, the respective output ports The output information is latched in , and 8-bit parallel output becomes possible.

The bipolar drive elements 232a and 232b have their excitation phase outputs connected to the two phases (A phase and B phase) of the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b, respectively, to drive and control the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b. . Therefore, here, one bipolar stepping motor 230a, 230b corresponds to each of the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b.

(Second embodiment using a stepping motor together)
In this manner, the unipolar stepping motors 220a, 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a, 230b can be operated in parallel. However, in the configuration of FIG. 8, two serial signal systems must be prepared, which complicates the arrangement of control lines. In addition, the controller 342 also needs to control the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b, respectively, using the two serial signals as targets, which complicates control processing. rice field.

Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the unipolar stepping motor 220 and the bipolar stepping motor 230 are used in parallel, they are appropriately controlled with a simple configuration.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining still another control mode of the rotating accessory 202a. Here, as in FIG. 8, the rotating accessory 202a as the effect accessory device 202 is rotated by the unipolar stepping motor 220 (220a and 220b in FIG. 10) and the bipolar stepping motor 230 (230a and 230b in FIG. 10). An example of rotating in parallel will be described. The sub control board 330 is connected to a common drive board 360, and the controller 342 controls the rotation of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b through the common drive board 360.

However, unlike FIG. 8, the serial signal system is shared between the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b. Specifically, the controller 342 transmits one system of serial signals from one data transmission unit 342a, and controls the rotation of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b all at once. Further, here, common processing for operating the unipolar stepping motor 220 is performed for the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b and the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b.

The rotation control of the unipolar stepping motors 220a and 220b in FIG. 10 has substantially the same functions as those described with reference to FIG. will be described in detail.

In FIG. 10, the data transmission section 342a of the controller 342 generates output information based on a command or the like, and transmits a serial signal obtained by serializing the output information to the unipolar driving element 222a. The unipolar driving elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d receive serial signals from serial input terminals based on clock signals input from clock input terminals, and hold them in internal shift registers. The unipolar drive elements 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d latch the output information held in the shift register to the output ports (Q0 to Q3) in units of bits based on the latch signal, thereby unipolar stepping the output information. Along with the parallel output to the motor 220, the output information can be parallel output to the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b.

As described above, the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b are also subjected to the common process of operating the unipolar stepping motor 220, as described above. In the bipolar stepping motor 230, rotation control is performed by two-phase excitation. The operation timings of the A phase and the B phase in the two-phase excitation are the same between the unipolar stepping motor 220 and the bipolar stepping motor 230 . Therefore, the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) of the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b are applied to the output ports Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3 of the unipolar drive elements 222c, 222d corresponding to the A phase and the B phase. Connect to Q1 only. Instead of the output ports Q0 and Q1, it is also possible to connect only to the output ports Q1 and Q2, the output ports Q2 and Q3, or the output ports Q3 and Q0. The bipolar drive elements 232a and 232b replace the discrete signals of Hi (high level) and Low (low level) input from the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) with discrete signals of forward current and reverse current. and output from the excitation phase output (AO, BO).

The bipolar drive elements 232a and 232b have their excitation phase outputs connected to the two phases (A phase and B phase) of the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b, respectively, to drive the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b. Control. Therefore, here, one bipolar stepping motor 230a, 230b corresponds to each of the bipolar drive elements 232a, 232b.

However, as described above, the bipolar drive element 232 has an enable terminal (E), to which an enable signal indicating that the excitation phase inputs (AI, BI) are valid signals is input. There must be. However, if common processing for operating the unipolar stepping motor 220 is performed for the bipolar stepping motors 230a and 230b, four phases (A phase, B phase, /A phase, /B phase) are output, but the enable signal is not output.

Here, if a part of the parallel signal is newly allocated to generate the enable signal, it becomes necessary to add a corresponding parallel signal, which not only increases the circuit scale but also allows the controller 342 to generate the enable signal. You will have to add a new process to generate the . In addition, the output port of the unipolar drive element 222 is often configured with a power of 2, such as 4 bits or 8 bits. If only one bit of signal is added, the total becomes 5 bits, and the regularity of the signal cannot be maintained. If priority is given to signal regularity, one unipolar driving element 222 is required for one bit, and the number of unipolar driving elements 222 increases unnecessarily. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to suppress the increase of the unipolar drive element 222, the regularity of the signal is sacrificed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the enable signal is not assigned to the output port of the unipolar drive element 222, but is generated by hardware (enable circuits 234a and 234b) as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific circuit configuration of the permission circuit 234, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the output timing of the permission circuit 234. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the permission circuit 234 is composed of three OR elements L1, L2 and L3. The logical sum element L1 calculates the logical sum of the parallel signal (excitation signal) of the output port Q0 of the unipolar drive element 222 and the parallel signal (excitation signal) of the output port Q1. A logical sum is calculated between the parallel signal (excitation signal) of the output port Q2 and the parallel signal (excitation signal) of the output port Q3. Logical sum element L3 calculates the logical sum of the output of logical sum element L1 and the output of logical sum element L2, and outputs the logical sum to the enable terminal of bipolar drive element 232. FIG. Although three 2-input OR elements are used here, if there is a 4-input OR element, the 1 OR element can be used to output ports Q0, Q1, Q2, Q2 of the unipolar driver 222. A logical sum of the parallel signals (excitation signals) of Q3 may be calculated and output to the enable terminal of the bipolar drive element 232 .

Here, regardless of whether the target stepping motor is the unipolar stepping motor 220 or the bipolar stepping motor 230, common processing is performed to operate the unipolar stepping motor 220 through the unipolar driving element 222. there is Therefore, regardless of whether the target stepping motor is the unipolar stepping motor 220 or the bipolar stepping motor 230, as shown in FIG. The phase of at least one of the output ports Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3 of the drive element 222 is always Hi. In this way, when the excitation signals are output as parallel signals from the output ports Q0, Q1, Q2, and Q3, the enable signal, which is their logical sum, is always valid (for example, Hi). On the other hand, when the game machine 100 is powered on or when the bipolar stepping motor 230 is stopped, that is, while no parallel signal is being output to the unipolar drive element 222, the enable signal becomes invalid (for example, Low). Thus, the excitation of the bipolar stepping motor 230 can be released when the gaming machine 100 is powered on or when the bipolar stepping motor 230 is stopped.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the unipolar drive element 222 is fixedly provided on the common drive substrate 360, and depending on the type of the stepping motor, for example, when a bipolar stepping motor is used, the unipolar drive element 222 , and further connect (arrange) the bipolar drive element 232 and the enabling circuit 234 . When a unipolar stepping motor is used, the unipolar driving element 222 is directly driven and controlled, and when a bipolar stepping motor is used, the bipolar driving element 232 connected to the unipolar driving element 222 is driven and controlled. With such a configuration, it is possible to allocate an arbitrary number of unipolar stepping motors and bipolar stepping motors on a common substrate (common drive substrate 360). Also, when changing the stepping motor, it can be easily changed only by the presence or absence of the bipolar drive element 232 and the permission circuit 234, so the degree of freedom in designing the game machine 100 is increased.

In addition, regardless of whether the target stepping motor is a unipolar stepping motor or a bipolar stepping motor, drive control can be performed by common processing for operating the unipolar stepping motor, thus reducing the design load. can do. Further, even if the specifications of the game machine 100 are compatible only with unipolar stepping motors, a bipolar stepping motor can be applied by common processing for operating the unipolar stepping motor.

Thus, even when a unipolar stepping motor and a bipolar stepping motor are used in parallel, both can be appropriately controlled with a simple configuration.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine includes a symbol determining means for determining one of a plurality of types of symbols including a jackpot symbol, and a symbol display when a predetermined variation time elapses after the symbol is determined. a symbol display means for displaying symbols on a part; a big win game executing means for executing a big win game composed of a plurality of round games when a big winning pattern is displayed on the symbol display part; A game profit imparting means for imparting a predetermined game profit when a game ball entering a big winning hole enters a specific area during a preset specific round game, and an effect execution means for executing a performance during the big win game. and a pachinko machine. However, not limited to this case, a winning combination lottery means for determining one of a plurality of types of winning combinations by lottery based on the operation of the start switch, and a plurality of types of symbols corresponding to the operation of the start switch. The rotation of a plurality of arranged rotating reels is controlled, and in accordance with the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel, the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is selected based on the lottery result of the winning combination lottery means. It can also be applied to a slot machine provided with reel control means for performing stop control and effect control means for executing any one of a plurality of types of effects. The slot machine 600 will be described in detail below.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 600)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 13 and 14, the slot machine 600 can be opened and closed by a housing 602 that is a substantially rectangular box and a connecting member that can rotate with respect to the front opening of the housing 602. a front upper door 604 attached to the front upper door 604; A tray portion 608 is provided below the door 606 and stores the medals dispensed from the medal discharge port 608a.

An operation unit installation table 622 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 606, and a medal insertion unit 624, a bet switch 626, a start switch 628, a stop switch 630, an effect switch 632, and the like are arranged on the operation unit installation table 622. ing.

A medal insertion unit 624 located on the right side of the operation unit installation table 622 accepts insertion of medals as game media through a medal insertion port 624a, and inserts medals into a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back of the lower front door 606. send. The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted and non-standard medals to the medal discharge port 608a, and a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted within the insertion period. An inserted medal detection section 624b for detecting the passage of the is provided. Here, the medals guided to the medal ejection port 608a are ejected to the tray portion 608. FIG. When a player inserts medals in excess of a specified number of inserted medals, which is the number of inserted medals required to start one game, the number of medals exceeding the specified number of inserted medals is reduced to a predetermined number (for example, 50). ) is electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credit) inside the slot machine 600 . The above one game will be described in detail later.

Also, here, the prescribed number of inputs is set to "3" or "2". In addition, when the number of medals required for executing one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified number of inserted medals, the maximum number of the plurality of specified number of inserted medals is called the maximum prescribed number of inserted medals, and the smallest number of medals is called the maximum prescribed number of inserted medals. is called the minimum prescribed number of inputs. If the specified number of inputs can be selected from 1 to 3, the maximum specified number of inputs is "3" and the minimum specified number of inputs is "1".

The bet switch 626 is a push button switch for inserting (betting) a specified number of inserted medals among credited medals. When the bet switch 626 is pressed in a state in which the prescribed number of inserted medals or more is credited, one game can be started and the number of credited medals is reduced by the prescribed inserted number.

A start switch 628 located on the left side of the operation unit installation table 622 is composed of a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a player's start operation of one game. Also, the start switch 628 can be configured by a button switch whose pressing operation can be detected.

A colorless and transparent pattern display window 636 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower portion of the upper front door 604. At a position corresponding to the pattern display window 636 in the housing 602, a reel A unit 634 is provided. The reel unit 634 has three rotating reels (a left reel 634a, a middle reel 634b, a right The reels 634c) are independently rotatable, and the player can view the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c through the symbol display window 636. FIG. When the start switch 628 is operated, the reel unit 634 starts rotating the left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, and right reel 634c.

A stop switch 630 positioned in the center of the operation unit installation table 622 is a button switch capable of detecting a player's pressing operation, which is provided corresponding to each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c. A player's stop operation to stop each of the reels 634a, middle reel 634b, and right reel 634c is detected. The three button switches associated with the stop switch 630 are particularly referred to as stop button switches, and are designated stop button switch 630a, stop button switch 630b, and stop button switch 630c in order from the left according to their positions.

The effect switch 632 is composed of a push-type button switch and a jog dial switch rotatably arranged around it, and detects a player's push operation or rotation operation. Such effect switch 632 is mainly used during the effect, and the effect mode can be changed by the player's operation.

A liquid crystal display section 638 for displaying various images associated with the production is provided at approximately the center of the upper portion of the front upper door 604 . In addition, on the upper part and on the left and right of the front upper door 604, there are provided lamps 642 for effect, which are composed of, for example, high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Also, between the pattern display window 636 and the operation unit installation table 622, a performance accessory device 660 consisting of a driving device is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, on the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display section 638 on the rear surface of the upper front door 604 and on the left and right positions on the inner surface of the rear surface of the lower front door 606, there are speakers for producing auditory effects such as sound effects and musical tones. 640 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 634 in the housing 602, a medal dispensing device (medal hopper) 764 for dispensing medals from the medal ejection port 608a is provided. The medal payout device 764 includes a medal storage portion 764a for storing medals, a payout control portion 764b for ejecting the medals stored in the medal storage portion 764a from the medal ejection port 608a, and the medals ejected from the medal ejection port 608a. and a payout medal detection unit 764c for detecting . Specifically, the payout control unit 764b is rotatably supported by the main body exterior of the payout control unit 764b, and has a plurality of medal insertion holes in the circumferential direction into which the medals dropped from the medal storage unit 764a are inserted one by one from above. Equipped with a disc (not shown) and a disc motor (not shown) for rotating the disc. By rotating the disc, the medals fitted into the medal insertion holes are pushed out one by one through the push-out mechanism. The medals are continuously discharged one by one by discharging the medals to the outside and sequentially inserting the next medals into the medal insertion holes opened by the discharge.

Also, although not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, inside each of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c, there are pattern display windows for the patterns provided on the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c. A reel backlight 644 that individually and independently illuminates the upper, middle, and lower patterns of the reels 634a, 634b, and 634c corresponding to 636 (which can be the target of the payout line, which is the payout line). (see FIG. 16) is provided. In addition, a reel upper light 646 is provided on the upper back surface of the pattern display window 636 to directly illuminate the front of all the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, on the operation unit installation table 622, a main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit are provided on the substantially horizontal surface of a stepped portion 622a provided between the symbol display window 636 and the stop switch 630. 654 is provided. A sub-credit display section 656 and a sub-payout display section 658 are provided between the symbol display window 636 and the operation section installation table 622 . The main credit display portion 652 and the sub-credit display portion 656 display the number of credits, and the main payout display portion 654 and the sub-payout display portion 658 display the payout number of medals. It should be noted that the sub-credit display portion 656 and the sub-payout display portion 658 can also display various numerical values associated with the effect.

A power switch 648 is provided at an arbitrary position within the housing 602 . The power switch 648 is configured by a switch such as a rocker switch that can detect a pressing operation, and is operated by the administrator who manages the slot machine 600 to switch between two states, a power-off state and a power-on state. Used.

In the present embodiment, the above-described one game is the insertion of medals through the medal insertion unit 624, the insertion of credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 626, or the display of a replay combination on the activated line. After one of the medals is automatically inserted based on the above, the rotation of a plurality of reels 634a, 634b, and 634c is controlled according to the operation of the start switch 628 by the player, and a winning combination lottery is executed to win a prize. Rotating reels 634a, 634b, and 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, and 630c are controlled to stop, respectively, according to the lottery result of the combination lottery and the operation of the plurality of stop button switches 630a, 630b, and 630c by the player. If a player wins a winning combination that can receive a payout of medals, the game is played until the payout of the medals is executed. In addition, when the winning combination that can receive the payout of medals is not won, or when the player wins but does not win, one game ends when all the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c stop. However, the start of one game may be read as the operation of the start switch 628 by the player instead of inserting medals or winning a replay combination. Also, the number of times such one game is repeated is the number of games.

(Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 600)
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 600. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the slot machine 600 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, a main control board 700 and a sub control board 702 sharing the functions of the control board will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, the main control board 700 executes particularly important processes such as the lottery of the winning combination to be used in the game and the winning of the prize, and the sub control board 702 executes other processes such as effects. running with In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 700 and the sub control board 702 is one-way from the main control board 700 to the sub control board 702 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Limited to direction only. However, if there are no such restrictions, two-way communication is technically possible electrically.

(Main control board 700)
The main control board 700 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 700a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 700b that stores programs and the like, a main RAM 700c that functions as a work area, etc., and controls the entire slot machine 600. do. However, the main RAM 700c is connected to a backup power source (not shown), and even if the power is turned off, the data will not be erased unless the settings are changed and the main RAM 700c is initialized. retained.

The main control board 700 functions by the main CPU 700a cooperating with the main RAM 700c based on the program stored in the main ROM 700b. 806, determination means 808, payout control means 810, state transition means 812, command determination means 814, command transmission means 816 and other functional units.

The initialization means 800 executes initialization processing in the main control board 700 . A betting means 802 bets medals to be used in a game. Here, bets are made on the basis of the insertion of credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 626, the insertion of medals through the medal insertion unit 624, and the display of the replay combination on the active line. including any case of automatic input. A winning combination lottery means 804 determines one of a plurality of types of winning combinations including minor combinations, replay combinations, and bonus combinations, and a losing combination by lottery based on medal bets and operation of the start switch 628. do.

The reel control means 806 controls the rotation of a plurality of reels 634a, 634b, 634c according to the operation of the start switch 628, and operates a plurality of stop button switches 630a corresponding to the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c. , 630b and 630c, the reels 634a, 634b and 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b and 630c are controlled to stop. In addition, the reel control means 806 activates the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game in response to the operation of the start switch 628, and then activates the stop switch 630 by the player in order to display the lottery result of the winning combination lottery. The time until the operation is validated (invalidated due to the completion of the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game) is extended beyond the prescribed time, during which the reels 634a, 634b and 634c are rotated in various manners. A reel effect (freeze effect) may be performed. In the reel performance, an arbitrary switch that should be enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, processing that should be executed is suspended for a predetermined time, or a signal of an arbitrary switch that should be transmitted and received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized by doing or not.

A determination means 808 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line. Here, the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line may simply be called winning. A payout control means 810 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination decided by the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line (that the winning combination is won). . The state transition means 812 transitions the game state based on the winning of the bonus combination and the prize winning.

The command determination means 814 sequentially determines commands related to the game associated with the operations of the betting means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, the reel control means 806, the determination means 808, the payout control means 810, the state transition means 812, and the like. The command transmission means 816 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination means 814 to the sub control board 702 .

The main control board 700 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection section 624b, the bet switch 626, the start switch 628, and the stop switch 630. Based on the received detection signals, the betting means 802 and the winning combination lottery means 804, reel control means 806, and determination means 808 execute the various processes described above. A main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit 654 are connected to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 displays the number of medal credits and the number of payouts on both display units 652 and 654. Control.

A reel driving control section 758 is connected to the main control board 700 . This reel drive control unit 758 drives the stepping motor 762 based on the rotation start signal of each of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, and 634c transmitted from the reel control means 806 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 628, and stops it. A stepping motor 762 is driven based on the stop signal of each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c and the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 760, which are transmitted from the reel control means 806 according to the operation signal of the switch 630. to stop.

A medal payout device 764 is also connected to the main control board 700 . The main control board 700 receives a detection signal from the payout medal detection section 764c, and the payout control means 810 counts the number of payout medals according to the detection signal. Controls the ejection of medals.

Also, the main control board 700 is provided with a random number generator 700d. The random number generator 700d sequentially increments the count value, loops (0 to 65535) within a predetermined total number (eg, 65536), and extracts the count value at a predetermined point in time to generate (obtain) a random number. A random number generated by the random number generator 700d of the main control board 700 (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination lottery random number) is used to give a game profit to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 804 executes a winning combination lottery. be done.

(Sub control board 702)
The sub-control board 702, like the main control board 700, has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 702a that is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 702b that stores programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 702c that functions as a work area. , based on the command from the main control board 700, especially controls the performance. The sub-RAM 702c is also connected to a backup power source (not shown) in the same way as the main RAM 700c, so that data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. The secondary control board 702 is also provided with a random number generator 702d, similar to the main control board 700. The random number generated by the random number generator 702d (hereinafter referred to as the effect lottery random number) mainly reflects the mode of effect. used to determine

In addition, the sub-control board 702 functions by sub-CPU702a cooperating with sub-RAM702c based on the program stored in sub-ROM702b, initialization determining means 830, command receiving means 832, effect control means 834, etc. It has a functional part.

The initialization determining means 830 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 702 . The command receiving means 832 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 700 and processes the commands. The effect control means 834 receives the detection signal from the effect switch 632 and determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display section 638, the speaker 640 and the effect lamp 642 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 834 controls the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 638, the effect lamp 642, the reel backlight 644, the reel upper light 646, the sub-credit display unit 656, the sub-payout display unit 658, and the like. Illumination data for performance through the illumination equipment is determined, and audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 640 is determined. And the production|presentation control means 834 performs the production|presentation of the determined game.

Effects include effects executed by the main control board 700 such as the reel effects described above and effects executed by the sub control board 702 . The effects executed by the sub-control board 702 are liquid crystal display section 638, speaker 640, effect lamp 642, reel backlight 644, reel upper light 646, sub-credit display section 656, and sub-payout display section as the game progresses. 658, etc., and can give a story to the game and suggest the result of the winning lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting winning of the bonus game is performed over a plurality of games, and the player's sense of expectation can be heightened. In addition, even if none of the winning roles have been won, it is possible to make the player feel the expectation of a high payout through an effect as if the player had won, so that the player does not get bored. It becomes possible.

In the slot machine 600, the performance accessory device 660 functions as the performance accessory device 202 described above, and the sub CPU 702a functions as the sub CPU 330a described above.

202 production accessory device 220 unipolar stepping motor 222 unipolar driving element 230 bipolar stepping motor 232 bipolar driving element 234 enabling circuit 342 controller

Claims (1)

a controller that transmits a serial signal;
a plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements capable of converting the serial signal into at least 4-bit parallel signals;
a unipolar stepping motor connected to a first serial-parallel conversion element among the plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements and operated by the 4-bit parallel signal;
a bipolar drive element connected to a second serial-parallel conversion element among the plurality of serial-parallel conversion elements and operated by at least a 3-bit parallel signal among the 4-bit parallel signals;
a bipolar stepping motor connected to the bipolar drive element;
with
The controller is
transmitting excitation signals for four phases for driving the unipolar stepping motor as serial signals to the first serial-parallel conversion element;
A gaming machine, wherein an excitation signal and an enable signal for two phases for driving the bipolar stepping motor are transmitted as serial signals to the second serial-parallel conversion element.

Images