JP4227323B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to a slot machine having a variable display device provided with a reel in which a plurality of identification information is arranged.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of general slot machine, the reel is driven by a stepping motor. In particular, in a slot machine, the reel must be accurately stopped with the target identification information. Therefore, when the condition for stopping the reel is satisfied, for example, two adjacent excitation phases of the stepping motor are excited simultaneously to Need to be stopped suddenly.
[0003]
However, when two reeling phases are excited at the same time and the reel is suddenly braked, the vibration when the reel stops cannot be sufficiently suppressed due to the transient response of the stepping motor. There was a problem that the reel vibrated “bull bull” and was unsightly.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, as the stop control method, an all-phase excitation method in which the reels are stopped by exciting all phases of the stepping motor simultaneously has been adopted. In detail, this all-phase excitation method stops the driving of the stepping motor by the following method.
[0005]
For example, in a stepping motor having four phases from φ1 phase to φ4 phase as excitation phases, the current that normally flows in the φ1 phase and the current of the same level that normally flows in the φ3 phase opposite to the φ1 phase It flows in the opposite direction as a flowing current. Therefore, no torque is generated due to the generation of different magnetic fields. However, a counter electromotive force is generated by the induced voltage during the rotation of the stepping motor, and for example, a torque of a difference between currents flowing in the φ1 phase and the φ3 phase is generated. For this reason, when the opposing φ1 phase and φ3 phase are excited, the reel is braked. This phenomenon occurs similarly when the opposing φ2 phase and φ4 phase are excited. For this reason, when all phases are excited, the stepping motor does not vibrate to the stable point of detent torque after the stepping motor is driven (slid) by a predetermined number of steps while decelerating after starting all phase excitation. Stop completely.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the all-phase excitation method, it is necessary to perform stop control in consideration of the number of steps that the stepping motor “slides” from the start of all-phase excitation. However, if the reel is stopped by the all-phase excitation method, the stop position varies due to mechanical factors such as reel speed, reel inertia, motor friction, and motor detent torque. In addition, when stopping at a position that is ahead of the planned stop position, the phenomenon that the rotor of the stepping motor is once pulled into the excitation phase (start phase) that was first excited when the reel is rotated next time will occur. There is a risk that unnatural movement may occur.
[0007]
The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of improving the accuracy of reel stop control and suppressing vibration at the time of reel stop. is there.
[0008]
[Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects]
  (1) A slot machine including a variable display device (for example, reel 4) having a reel provided with a plurality of types of identification information,
  A stepping motor (for example, a reel motor 402) that rotationally drives the reel;
  Control means for controlling the stepping motor (for example, game control board 100),
  The control means includesAfter rotating the reel by switching the excitation pattern of the plurality of excitation phases of the stepping motor every predetermined period,The condition to stop the spinning reel is satisfiedsometimes(For example, the stop symbol selected in response to the input of the stop signal has arrived at a position where it can stop at the stop position),
    AboveAmong a plurality of excitation phases (for example, φ1 to φ4),The stepping motor is located two and one before the stop excitation phase corresponding to the target stop angle position of the rotor in the rotation direction of the rotor.Two-phase excitation control (for example, excitation of φ1 and φ2) that excites both the first excitation phase and the second excitation phase.A period longer than the predetermined periodExecutionAnd suddenly braked the rotation of the rotor.Later (eg SM3),
    Adjacent to the stop excitation phase and the stop excitation phaseThe second excitation phaseandExecutes three-phase excitation control (for example, excitation of φ2, φ3, φ4) that excites the fourth excitation phase togetherBy(Eg SM5), the rotorIn the stop excitation phaseIt is characterized by being stopped.
[0009]
  According to the above configuration, the rotation of the rotor overshoots while rapidly braking by the two-phase excitation control. For this reason, if the target stop angle position of the rotor is set at the overshoot destination, the rotor is guided to the target stop angle position while rapidly reducing the rotational speed by the two-phase excitation control. After that, the rotor whose momentum has been weakened while obtaining the brake by the second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase by the three-phase excitation control is obtained.Stop excitation phaseStops at the holding torque stable point. Therefore, the target stop angle position isStop excitation phaseIf the holding torque stability point is set, the rotor can be stopped at the target stop angle position accurately and without causing vibration by the second excitation control and the third excitation control. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the reel stop control and suppress the vibration when the reel is stopped.
[0010]
(2) The control means controls the stepping motor by a 1-2 phase excitation method to rotate the reel (see FIG. 5).
[0011]
According to said structure, a step angle can be made fine and it becomes possible to perform fine control. Therefore, the reel can be stopped stably and smoothly.
[0012]
  (3) The control means satisfies a condition for stopping the rotating reel.sometimes(For example, the stop symbol selected in response to the input of the stop signal has arrived at a position where it can stop at the stop position) In accordance with the timing of switching from 1-phase excitation to 2-phase excitation in the 1-2 phase excitation method, The two-phase excitation control for stopping the reel is started (for example, SM2, SM3).
[0013]
According to said structure, it can transfer to the said 2 phase excitation control smoothly and easily using the timing which switches from 1 phase excitation to 2 phase excitation in 1-2 phase excitation system.
[0014]
  (4) The control means,in frontThe rotor is stoppedTheStableDetermining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed(For example, T2)Including
  The control means, until it is determined that the time has elapsed by the determination means,The three-phase excitation control is continued (for example, SM5, SM6).
[0015]
  According to said structure, a reel can be made into the state stopped reliably.
  (5) The control means executes the three-phase excitation control, and thenStop excitation phaseThe second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase are demagnetized (for example, SM7) while maintaining the excitation state.
[0016]
  According to the above configuration, after executing the three-phase excitation control,Stop excitation phaseSince the second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase are demagnetized while maintaining the excitation state, the second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase are not unnecessarily excited, and motor heat generation is suppressed. Can do. Also, the aboveStop excitation phaseSince the excitation state is maintained,Stop excitation phaseThus, the rotor stopped at the holding torque stable point will not move to the detent torque stable point.
[0017]
(6) The total number of steps of the stepping motor is an integral multiple of the total number of identification information arranged on the reel (for example, 168 steps in FIG. 4: 21 symbols × 8 steps).
[0018]
According to the above configuration, since the total number of steps of the stepping motor is an integral multiple of the total number of identification information arranged on the reel, the number of steps of the stepping motor is equalized for each identification information on the reel. Can be assigned. For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to assign and control the remaining steps obtained by dividing the total number of steps by the total number of identification information of one reel between the final identification information of the reel and the head identification information, and the control program Does not become complicated.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an overall front view of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 has a front door 2 attached to the main body so as to be openable. The front door 2 can be opened by rotating a predetermined key inserted into the keyhole of the locking device 53 in the clockwise direction.
[0021]
On the left and right of the lower part of the front door 2, there are provided a substantially lower right lower game effect lamp part 37 and a lower left game effect lamp part 38. Speaker covers 58 are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the front door 2, and a lower speaker unit 59 is provided below the slot machine 1.
[0022]
An upper front decorative frame 8 is provided in a region surrounded by the speaker cover 58, the lower right game effect lamp portion 37, and the lower left game effect lamp portion 38. A front decorative frame 9 is provided.
[0023]
The upper front decorative frame 8 includes an upper stage portion provided with the game effect lamp portions 30a to 30e and the winning symbol explanation display panel 5, a substantially elliptical middle stage portion provided with the game panel 6 and various display portions, and a game panel. 6 is formed to protrude from the lower part to the front surface side, and includes a medal insertion part 51, various operation buttons 43 to 46, 41L, 41C, 41R, a lower part provided with a start lever 42 and the like. The lower front decorative frame 9 is provided with a title panel 7 on which the model name of the slot machine is drawn.
[0024]
A liquid crystal display 50 for production is provided at a substantially central portion of the winning symbol explanation display panel 5. Below the lower front decorative frame 9, a medal payout hole 54 for paying out a medal as an example of a game medium and the lower speaker portion 59 described above are formed. Below the medal payout hole 54, a medal tray 55 with an ashtray 56 formed is attached.
[0025]
Around the game panel 6 of the upper front decorative frame 8, there are a right oblique upper game effect lamp portion 33, a left oblique upper game effect lamp portion 34, right middle game effect lamp portions 31a and 31b, and a left middle game effect lamp. Portions 32a and 32b are provided. Further, an obliquely lower left game effect lamp portion 36 is provided obliquely to the left of the start lever 42, and an obliquely lower right game effect lamp portion 35 is provided obliquely to the right of the medal clogging release button 46.
[0026]
The gaming panel 6 includes a see-through window 40 provided on the main body side of the slot machine 1 through which the left reel 4L, the middle reel 4C, and the right reel 4R can be seen through, and a small role notification display unit 24 positioned above the see-through window 40. , 25, 26, a single bet display unit 21, two bet display units 22 a and 22 b and three bet display units 23 a and 23 b located on the left side of the fluoroscopic window 40, and a game positioned on the right side of the fluoroscopic window 40 Over display unit 14, replay display unit 15, weight display unit 16, start display unit 17, insertion instruction display unit (also referred to as an insert medal display unit) 18, and credit display unit 11 located below the fluoroscopic window 40. A game number display unit 12 and a payout display unit 13 are provided.
[0027]
The credit display unit 11, the game number display unit 12, and the payout display unit 13 are configured by a 7-segment display in which an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is incorporated.
[0028]
The one-bet display unit 21, the two-bet display units 22a and 22b, and the three-bet display units 23a and 23b display the number of bets that the player has bet on the game. Each bet display unit corresponds to one of the five pay lines drawn on the fluoroscopic window 40 as shown in the figure, and is also used as an effective line display unit for notifying the effective pay line according to the number of bets so as to be identifiable. Has been.
[0029]
In the small role notification display sections 24, 25, and 26, one different type of winning symbol is drawn. Specifically, a “white 7” symbol is drawn on the small role notification display unit 24, a “pattern 7” symbol is drawn on the small role notification display unit 25, and a “BAR” symbol is drawn on the small role notification display unit 26. It is. These small role announcement display units 24 to 26 indicate that the predetermined small role winning is permitted by the control unit of the slot machine, that is, that the predetermined small role winning is internally won. It is a display part for notifying by lighting up the winning symbol corresponding to the small role winning.
[0030]
The game over display unit 14 is turned on when the game is stopped due to the end of the big bonus and when the game cannot be advanced due to some error. The replay display unit 15 is lit when a replay winning occurs. The start display unit 17 is turned on when a start operation can be performed by setting the number of bets, and is turned off when a valid start operation is detected. The insertion instruction display unit 18 blinks when the medal can be received, and turns off when the maximum bet number is set and the credit number reaches the upper limit, the game is started, or the like. .
[0031]
The weight display unit 16 is turned on when a start operation is detected during the wait time, and is turned off after the wait time has elapsed. The wait time is a game progress restriction period set in the slot machine to restrict the game from progressing too quickly.
[0032]
The credit display unit 11 displays the number of credits. The credit is the number of medals stored on the slot machine 1 side as a valuable value owned by the player. This credit is added and updated when a medal is inserted into the slot machine 1 and a payout with a payout occurs, and is subtracted and updated by setting a bet number or paying out a medal based on a settlement operation. The slot machine 1 can store a maximum value of 50 medals as credits. When the number of credits reaches the upper limit number (= 50), the insertion instruction display unit 18 is turned off. When a request for addition updating of credit exceeding the upper limit of storage occurs, medals exceeding the upper limit are paid out from the medal payout hole 54.
[0033]
The number-of-games display unit 12 displays the bonus winning status during the big bonus, the number of winnings during the regular bonus, and the like. The payout display unit 13 displays, for each game, the number of credits given to the player based on a winning that occurred during one game.
[0034]
On the upper surface of the part that protrudes from the lower part of the game panel 6 to the front side, a medal insertion part 51 in which a medal insertion slot 52 is formed, a checkout button 45, a single BET button 43, a MAXBET button 44, Is provided.
[0035]
The one-sheet BET button 43 is a button that is pressed when betting one credit. The MAXBET button 44 is a button that is pressed when a bet is placed on a game within the range stored in credits for the maximum number of bets allowed in one game (for example, three medals). The settlement button 45 is a button that is pressed when a medal payout is received from the medal payout hole 54 based on the credit stored in the slot machine 1.
[0036]
A start lever 42, a left stop button 41 </ b> L, a middle stop button 41 </ b> C, a right stop button 41 </ b> R, and a medal clogging release button 46 are provided on the side surface of the portion formed to protrude from the lower part of the game panel 6 to the front side. ing.
[0037]
The start lever 42 is a lever operated when starting the game. After setting the number of bets, the reels 4L, 4C, 4R start to rotate simultaneously by operating the start lever 42. An inter-reel closing member 57 for closing a gap between the reels is provided on the front side of the reels between the reels 4L, 4C, 4R.
[0038]
Each stop button 41L, 41C, 41R is a button that is operated when stopping the rotating reel after the game is started. The medal clogging release button 46 is a button that is operated when the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 52 is clogged in the slot machine 1 to clear the medal clogging.
[0039]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control board of the slot machine.
Of the various boards provided in the slot machine 1, the progress of the game is controlled by the game control board 100, and the effect control according to the progress of the game is performed by the effect control board 101. The game control board 100 is connected to the reel relay board 103a and the effect control board 101. Further, the game control board 100 is connected to the external output board 104 via the reel relay board 103a.
[0040]
Various commands for effect control are output from the control unit 111 of the game control board 100 to the effect control board 101 via the buffer circuit 122. The effect control board 101 includes a control unit 131 composed of a microcomputer, a speaker drive circuit 136 for outputting sound from each speaker (not shown), and a display drive circuit 137 for controlling display of the liquid crystal display 50. A lamp driving circuit 138 for lighting or blinking various lamps, a backup power supply 139, and a buffer circuit 141 are mounted. The buffer circuit 141 functions as an irreversible output unit that prevents a signal from being input from the outside to the inside of the game control board 100.
[0041]
The control unit 131 includes a CPU 132, a ROM 134 that stores a control program, a RAM 133 that can write and read necessary data, and an I / O port 135.
[0042]
A control unit 111 provided on the game control board 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112 that can execute a control operation in a predetermined procedure, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 114 that stores a control program for the CPU 112, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 capable of writing and reading necessary data, and an I / O port 115 for ensuring signal consistency between the CPU 112 and an external circuit are included.
[0043]
The game control board 100 also includes an initial reset circuit 118 that applies a reset pulse to the CPU 112 when the power is turned on, a clock generation circuit 119 that supplies a clock signal to the CPU 112, and a clock signal from the clock generation circuit 119 that is divided. A pulse frequency dividing circuit (interrupt pulse generating circuit) 121 that periodically supplies an interrupt pulse to the CPU 112, a random number generating circuit 123 that continuously generates a random number of a predetermined range at a high speed, and a random number generated from the random number generating circuit 123 A sampling circuit 124 for sampling, a buffer circuit 122, a switch circuit 116 to which signals from various switches are input, a backup power supply 125 for holding the memory of the RAM 113 in the event of a power failure, and a motor circuit 117 are provided. . The motor circuit 117 is connected to a reel motor 402 provided for each reel 4L, 4C, 4R via a reel relay substrate 103a.
[0044]
When a start signal indicating that the start lever 42 has been operated is input, the control unit 111 drives the reel motor 402 via the motor circuit 117 and starts rotating the reels 4L, 4C, and 4R all at once. Let
[0045]
The start signal is input to the control unit 111 and the sampling circuit 124 by the start switch 420 that detects the operation of the start lever 42 via the switch circuit 116.
[0046]
The sampling circuit 124 samples one random number from the random number generation circuit 123 at the timing when the detection signal of the start switch 420 is input, and delivers the random number to the CPU 112. The CPU 112 refers to the sampled random number and the winning determination table for each winning combination stored in the ROM 114 to determine whether or not the winning combination is permitted for each winning combination, and the determination result is determined. It is stored in the RAM 114. Accordingly, whether or not the winning combination is won is determined at the timing of the start operation. The fact that winnings are allowed is said to be “winning internally”. When any winning combination is won internally, a winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set inside the slot machine 1.
[0047]
The control unit 111 stops the reel that is rotating when a stop signal indicating that the stop buttons 41L, 41C, and 41R are operated is input or when a specified time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reel. Start control. The stop signal is input to the control unit 111 via the switch circuit 116 by stop switches 411L, 411C, and 411R provided for each stop button in order to detect the operation of the stop buttons 41L, 41C, and 41R.
[0048]
Control unit 111 stops any of the symbols within a predetermined retractable range (for example, within 5 symbols in the reel arrangement) from the time when the stop signal is detected. For example, in a game in which a winning flag is set, if the winning symbol corresponding to the winning flag is within the drawable range, the winning symbol is stopped. On the other hand, in a game in which the winning flag is not set, a symbol that does not generate a prize is selected as a stop symbol among symbols within the drawable range, and the selected symbol is stopped.
[0049]
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the reel motor 402. The reel motor 402 is, for example, a hybrid stepping motor, and includes a stator 402b and a rotor 402a facing the stator 402b. The rotor 402a has a number of gear-shaped salient poles (not shown), and permanent magnets magnetized in the same direction as the rotation shaft are incorporated therein. The reel motor 402 receives the pulse signal from the motor circuit 117 and rotates the rotor 402a by exciting each phase (for example, φ1 to φ4) of the stator 402b in a predetermined order.
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a development view of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R. In the figure, “Left” is a diagram showing the symbols drawn on the outer periphery of the left reel 4L, “Middle” is a diagram showing the symbols drawn on the outer periphery of the middle reel 4C, and “Right” is the right It is the figure which showed the design drawn on the outer periphery of the reel 4R. As shown in the figure, 21 symbols are arranged on each reel 4L, 4C, 4R. Further, the number of steps of the reel motor 408 is equally assigned to each symbol by 8 steps. For this reason, the total number of steps of the reel motor 408 (the number of pulses necessary for one rotation) is 168.
[0051]
Conventionally, the total number of steps of the reel motor has not been set to an integer multiple of the number of symbols arranged on the reel. For this reason, conventionally, for example, the remaining steps obtained by dividing the total number of steps by the total number of symbols are on the program between the final symbol of the reel and the first symbol (between the symbol of symbol number 0 and the symbol of symbol number 20). It was assigned and controlled. As a result, there is a problem that the control program becomes complicated.
[0052]
In this actual embodiment, since the number of steps of the reel motor is an integer multiple of the number of symbols arranged (168 steps: 21 symbols × 8 steps), there is a conventional problem that the control program becomes complicated. Does not occur.
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a control method of the reel motor 402. In the figure, φ1, φ2, φ3, and φ4 indicate the respective excitation phases of the reel motor 402, “ON” indicates an excited state, and “OFF” indicates a demagnetized state. Graph A shows the displacement of the number of rotation steps of the rotor of the reel motor 402.
[0054]
The feature of the stop control of the reel motor of the present invention is as follows. In other words, when the stop symbol selected by receiving the stop signal arrives at a position where it can stop at the stop position, and the condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied, the adjacent excitations among all the excitation phases Only two excitation phases (for example, φ1 and φ2) are excited at the same time and sudden braking is applied. To weaken. The point of the present invention is that the target stop angle position (reel stop position) of the rotor is scheduled at the overshoot destination. That is, immediately after the overshoot, immediately before the rotor enters the target stop angle state, the excitation pattern is switched to excite the excitation phase (for example, φ3: referred to as stop phase or hold phase) corresponding to the position of the target stop angle. By stopping the rotor by the holding torque of the excitation phase, the rotor is accurately stopped at the target stop angle. Furthermore, when exciting the stop phase, two opposite phases (for example, φ2 and φ4: referred to as a brake phase or a cancel phase) are excited together. When the rotor rotates just before the target stop angle position, the momentum of the rotor is attenuated, but not only the stop phase but also the two brake phases are excited simultaneously to increase the braking force and It is stopped accurately and without vibration at the target stop angle. Thus, the reel that rotates integrally with the rotor stops at the target stop position accurately and without vibration.
[0055]
Hereinafter, a method for controlling the reel motor 402 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0056]
In the present invention, the reel motor 402 is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method to rotate the reel until the condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied. In the period in which the reel motor is controlled by the 1-2 phase excitation method, the pulse signals for exciting φ1 to φ4 are turned ON / OFF at the timing shown in the figure, and as indicated by the circled numerals 1 and 2 in FIG. Along the rotation direction of the rotor, (φ2, φ3), (φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4), (φ4, φ1), (φ1). The excitation phase is excited alternately with the phase and the two phases. In this 1-2 phase excitation method, for example, (φ1, φ2), (φ2, φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4, φ1)... Compared to the method of always exciting only one phase in the order of φ2, φ3, φ4, φ1,..., the step angle can be made finer and fine control can be performed. Also, the 1-2 phase excitation method has less vibration compared to other excitation methods, and can shift to a more stable and smooth stop control.
[0057]
When the condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied (for example, when the stop symbol selected by receiving the input of the stop signal comes to a position where the reel can stop at the stop position), the two phases are excited. Shifts to reel stop control. For example, when the condition for stopping the reel is satisfied in the period indicated by the circled numeral 1 in the rightmost column in FIG. 5, the control is performed until the time ta at which the two phases are excited. Migrate to
[0058]
The reel stop control is performed in two stages as shown by “T1” and “T2” in FIG. The control performed at “T1” is called “two-phase excitation control”, and the control performed at “T2” is called “three-phase excitation control”.
[0059]
The two-phase excitation control starts from the stage (ta in FIG. 5) when the reel motor is controlled by the 1-2 phase excitation method and the state is switched from the state in which only one phase is excited to the state in which two phases are excited. In this control, the state in which the two phases are excited is held for a predetermined hold time T1. For example, in the case of FIG. 5, the ON state of (φ1, φ2) is held for the hold time T1. Since only the two phases (φ1, φ2) are excited for a predetermined time, the rotor of the reel motor that has been rotating at high speed is suddenly braked as shown in graph A.
[0060]
The hold time T1 is determined according to “the amount of overshoot that will cause a step-out”. The amount of overshoot differs depending on the magnitude of the motor holding torque, the reel inertia, the spring constant, and the like. For this reason, it is necessary to actually measure (for example, laser length measurement) the “overshoot amount that will cause the step-out” after confirming the transient operation.
[0061]
In this embodiment, description will be made assuming that the amount of overshoot is four steps of the stepping motor. In this case, the hold time T1 is set as a time required for the reel motor to drive for 3 steps. Then, the target stop angle position of the rotor is set three steps ahead from the stage where the “two-phase excitation control” is started in accordance with the hold time.
[0062]
For this reason, at the time tb when the hold time T1 has elapsed, the rotor is in a position immediately before the target stop angle and the rotational speed is braked. Therefore, at the time tb, the excitation pattern is switched to start “three-phase excitation control”. That is, φ1 is demagnetized, and a stop phase (φ3) corresponding to the stop angle position and two brake phases (φ2, φ4) at opposite positions across the stop phase are excited during the period T2. As a result, as shown by the solid line in the graph A, the rotor stops at the holding torque stable point of the stop phase φ3 while obtaining the brake by the brake phases φ2 and φ4. As a result, the reel that is integrally coupled with the rotor stops at the target position accurately and without vibration.
[0063]
The broken line in graph A indicates the transient response operation of the rotor when the two-phase excitation control is continued after ta. As shown in the figure, when the two-phase excitation control is continued, the rotor eventually converges to the equilibrium point, but it is inevitable that the reel vibrates unpleasantly until then.
[0064]
After the three-phase excitation control is executed during T2, the brake phases φ2 and φ4 are demagnetized, and the motor voltage is set to L while maintaining the excitation state of the stop phase φ3. The reason why the excitation state of the stop phase φ3 is maintained even after the rotor is stopped is to prevent the rotor from deviating from the holding torque stable point of the stop phase φ3 due to a phase difference between the holding torque and the detent torque or a shift due to the influence of friction. It is. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reel from finely moving after being temporarily stopped, and from deviating the starting position when starting the reel motor next time.
[0065]
Next, the above-described braking procedure for the reel motor will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a motor stop control process executed when the reel is stopped. The motor stop control process is executed by the control unit 111 mounted on the game control board 100. In this flowchart, the stop phase is φ3 and the brake phases are φ1 and φ2.
[0066]
First, it is determined whether it is time to start the reel stop control. For example, when the stop symbol selected in response to the input of the stop signal arrives at a position where the stop can be stopped, the determination is YES. (SM1).
[0067]
In this case, it is determined whether or not only one phase of the excitation phases φ1 to φ4 is excited (SM2), and if it is a period in which two phases are excited, one phase excitation is performed. Processing is waited until switching. If it is determined that it is the one-phase excitation period, for example, only φ1 and φ2 are excited to start “two-phase excitation control” (SM3). Then, “two-phase excitation control” is continued until the hold time T1 elapses. As a result, the rotor is braked rapidly.
[0068]
When the hold time T1 has elapsed (YES in SM4), for example, φ1 is demagnetized, and the stop phase (φ3) and the two brake phases (φ2, φ3) are excited to start “three-phase excitation control”. Processing is executed (SM5). Then, “three-phase excitation control” is continued until time T2 has elapsed. As a result, the rotor stops at the holding torque stable point of the stop phase.
[0069]
When the hold time T2 has elapsed (YES in SM6), the two excitation phases (φ2, φ3) that functioned as the brake phase are demagnetized, and only the stop phase (φ3) is in the excited state (SM7). As a result, the state where the rotor is stopped at the holding torque stable point of the stop phase is maintained. Further, since unnecessary excitation of the brake phase does not continue, motor heat generation can be suppressed.
[0070]
According to the present invention described above, the reel stops accurately and without vibration at the stable point of one excitation phase (stop phase), and smooth movement can be achieved even during restart by holding during standby. Further, since the electrical control is performed, the reel stop position is stabilized.
[0071]
Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment of the above invention will be listed below.
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the reel stop control is started from the stage where the two excitation phases (φ1, φ2) are excited and φ3 becomes the stop phase has been described with an example. However, the reel stop control is not always started from the stage where the two excitation phases (φ1, φ2) are excited.
[0072]
For example, referring to FIG. 5, when the condition for stopping the reel is satisfied at the timing of the first circled numeral 1 from the left, the two excitation phases (φ3, φ4) are excited. The reel stop control is started. In this case, after the excitation state of (φ3, φ4) is continued for the hold time T1, φ1 serving as the stop phase and φ2 and φ4 serving as the brake phase are excited.
[0073]
That is, the excitation patterns of “2-phase excitation control” executed immediately before “3-phase excitation control” are the following four patterns in the case of the stepping motor.
[0074]
(I) φ1, φ2
(Ii) φ3, φ2
(Iii) φ3, φ4
(Iv) φ1, φ4
The excitation pattern of “3-phase excitation control” is determined corresponding to the above four patterns. In (i), “Stop phase: φ3, Brake phase: φ2 and φ4” (ii), “Stop” Phase: φ4, Brake phase: φ1 and φ3 ”, (iii)“ Stop phase: φ1, Brake phase: φ2 and φ4 ”, (iv)“ Stop phase: φ2, Brake phase: φ1 and φ3 ” Become.
[0075]
(2) In the period T2 in FIG. 5, only the stop phase (for example, φ3) is excited without exciting the brake phase (for example, φ2, φ4), and almost the same as in the case of “three-phase excitation control”. It is also possible to stop the rotor. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable that the amount of rotor overshoot at the time tb is as close to the maximum value as possible (rotational speed is close to 0).
[0076]
(3) The reel final stop position after holding at the timing of the two-phase excitation can be stopped by the same control with two steps (1-2 phase excitation) ahead. However, in this case, as compared with the control in three steps ahead, since damping remains, an extra time for converging that amount is required, and therefore the time T2 may be lengthened.
[0077]
(4) Referring to FIG. 5, the motor voltage is switched from H to L during the period T2 in the figure, and the fluctuation cycle of the reel that has slightly fluctuated after entering the period T2 is lengthened. The reel may be smoothly stopped visually.
[0078]
(5) The reel is rotated by the 1-2 phase excitation method from the start of the reel rotation until the reel stop condition is satisfied. Instead of this, for example, (φ1, φ2), ( Two-phase excitation method that always excites two phases in the order of φ2, φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4, φ1), or only one phase in the order of φ1, φ2, φ3, φ4, φ1,. A one-phase excitation method for exciting the above may be adopted.
[0079]
(6) When the condition for stopping the reels is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 5, the process waits until time ta at which the two phases are excited, and the process proceeds to the stop control. Thus, when the condition for stopping the reel is satisfied, the stop control may be started without waiting for the transition to the state where the two phases are excited.
[0080]
(7) The slot machine 1 makes it possible to start a game by setting the number of bets placed on one game, and variation of identification information (for example, symbols) starts on a variable display device (for example, reel 4). Then, a display result is derived and displayed, so that a condition for ending one game is established, and a slot machine that can receive a prize according to the display result of the variable display device is configured. A game control means for controlling the game state is configured by the game control board 100. The effect control board 101 constitutes effect control means for controlling the effect contents of the slot machine.
[0081]
(8) A slot machine having a variable display device provided with a reel on which a plurality of identification information are arranged, the control means for controlling the rotation of the reel (for example, the game control board 100), A stepping motor (for example, a reel motor 402) that rotationally drives the reel according to control, and the control means includes a predetermined stop phase (for example, φ3) among the plurality of excitation phases of the stepping motor and the stop The rotor of the stepping motor is stopped at the position of the stop phase by exciting two braking phases (for example, φ2, φ4) adjacent to each other and facing each other. When the reel is stopped, the control means is positioned before the stop phase (for example, φ3) in the rotation direction of the rotor of the stepping motor before exciting the stop phase and the two braking phases. A braking phase (for example, φ2) and an excitation phase (for example, φ1) positioned before the braking phase are excited for a predetermined time (for example, T1).
[0082]
(9) In the above embodiment, the hybrid stepping motor has been described as an example of the stepping motor. However, instead of this, a PM (Permanent Magnet) type stepping motor or a variable reluctance type stepping motor may be employed.
[0083]
(10) Each embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a slot machine.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a game control board and an effect control board.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a stepping motor constituting a reel motor.
FIG. 4 is a development view of a reel.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a reel motor control method;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of a motor stop control process;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 slot machine, 4 reel unit, 4L, 4C, 4R reel, 41L, 41C, 41R stop button, 42 start lever, 100 game control board, 111 game control board side control unit, 402 reel motor (stepping motor), 402a Rotor, 402b Stator.

Claims (6)

A slot machine including a variable display device having a reel provided with a plurality of types of identification information,
A stepping motor for rotationally driving the reel;
Control means for controlling the stepping motor,
The control means, after switching the excitation pattern of the plurality of excitation phases of the stepping motor every predetermined period to rotate the reel, when a condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied ,
Among the plurality of excitation phases, first excitation phase respectively located on two front and one near the rotation direction of the rotor than the stop excitation phase corresponding to the target stop angle position of the rotor of the stepping motor and After performing two-phase excitation control for exciting the second excitation phase for a period longer than the predetermined period and applying rapid braking to the rotation of the rotor ,
Wherein said stop excitation phase, by executing the three-phase excitation control exciting together the stop excitation phase and adjacent the second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase, stopping the rotor in the stop excitation phase And a slot machine.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the stepping motor by a 1-2 phase excitation method to drive the reel to rotate. When the condition for stopping the rotating reel is satisfied, the control means is configured to stop the reel in accordance with the timing of switching from the one-phase excitation to the two-phase excitation in the 1-2 phase excitation method. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein phase excitation control is started. The control means, the stopped state of the prior SL rotor includes a predetermined determination means for determining whether time has elapsed to stabilize,
The slot machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit continues the three-phase excitation control until the determination unit determines that the time has elapsed . The control means, after executing the three-phase excitation control, demagnetizes the second excitation phase and the fourth excitation phase while maintaining the excitation state of the stop excitation phase . The slot machine according to claim 4.   6. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the total number of steps of the stepping motor is an integral multiple of the total number of identification information arranged on the reel.

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