JP4440914B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a slot machine having a variable display unit that variably displays a plurality of symbols (symbols), and a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine.

  For example, in a slot machine, a rotating reel type display mechanism is used as a variable display unit, in which a reel having a plurality of symbols arranged on its outer periphery is rotated by a driving means such as a stepping motor. During the game, when the rotation of these reels stops, the combination of symbols positioned on a predetermined winning line determines whether or not there is a winning, and in the case of winning, the number of coins and medals according to the winning type is paid out. .

  As described above, a gaming machine that performs variable display using a plurality of symbol arrays includes an electronic circuit such as a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) in order to prevent the probability of winning a prize from being extremely influenced by the skill of the player. The variable display is controlled by the control device.

  Specifically, in the case of a slot machine, when a player operates an operation lever or a start button, the game condition is satisfied, and the control device rotates the reel of the variable display unit and simultaneously samples a random value, and the sampling It is determined whether or not the value corresponds to a winning with reference to a predetermined winning table, and a symbol (stop symbol) to be displayed on the display window when the reel is stopped is determined based on the determination result. It is known to stop and control the rotation of the reel.

  In addition, in a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, when a game ball enters a winning area called a start port instead of the operation lever or the start button, the game condition is established, and the control device Sample the random value at the same time as the variable display is activated, determine whether or not a winning is made based on the sampling value and the winning table, determine a stop symbol, and stop the variable display after a predetermined time It has been known.

  Further, in a gaming machine equipped with a video variable display unit (for example, CRT), graphic data of symbol patterns is stored in a storage device (symbol ROM) according to a certain arrangement order, and a control device is transferred from this ROM to the variable display unit. The data of the symbol pattern to be displayed is read out.

  In any case, the gaming machine provided with the variable display unit as described above performs stop control of movement of a plurality of symbol strings displayed on the variable display unit by a microcomputer or the like.

  As described above, in the conventional slot machine, after all reels start to rotate and shift to the constant speed rotation state, the stop time symbol determined based on the winning determination result is displayed at the predetermined time at the stop time. Each reel is controlled to stop after elapse, but at this time, each reel does not stop at equal time intervals. This is because the symbols to be arranged on the winning line when the reels are stopped are at different positions for each reel, and the stop timing must be corrected in order to arrange the symbols on the winning line. That is, the time interval when stopping between the reels is irregular. For example, when three reels are rotated all at once and automatically stopped from the left in the order of the first reel, the second reel, and the third reel, the first reel stops and the second reel stops. And the time from the stop of the second reel to the stop of the third reel may be greatly different.

  In this way, since the stop timing of the symbol row of each reel is irregular, the player can determine that the symbols arranged on the winning line when the reels are stopped are not due to the chance according to the operation timing of the operation lever. I feel that it is a product made by a machine, and it is interesting. In particular, in a slot machine in which a reel stop button is not provided and the reel is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, this problem is likely to be significant. Also, in the ball game machine, the same problem arises because the time interval when each symbol row of the variable display section stops is irregular.

  In particular, in these gaming machines, the player knows whether or not a prize has been won when the symbol sequence is stopped, so the player watches the moment when the symbol sequence stops with great interest. On the other hand, if the stop timing of the symbol sequence is irregular, the player's interest will be further distracted.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to display a predetermined stop symbol in a gaming machine having a variable display unit that variably displays a plurality of symbols, except for irregularities in the time interval when the symbol string is stopped. It is to provide a gaming machine.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which the player's interest is not distracted by eliminating the unnaturalness when the symbol string is stopped.

Gaming machine of the present invention comprises a variable display unit for performing variable display of the symbol by moving in a predetermined direction a plurality of symbol columns in each symbol column, predetermined the variable display unit when the game condition is satisfied and drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for operating, a stop symbol determination means for determining a combination of stop symbols to be displayed when the stop of the symbol columns in response to the drive signal, the stop symbol the each symbol column position detecting means for generating a position signal to detect the position, the correction amount determining means for determining a correction amount for correcting the position of said stop symbols based on said position signal in response to the drive signal, the Based on the correction amount determined by the correction amount determining means from the start of the symbol row until each symbol row reaches a certain moving speed, each symbol of the variable display section is displayed. E Bei movement stopping at each symbol column of Le column and control means for controlling said variable display to stop at a predetermined time interval, the correction amount is the difference between the time that each symbol column reaches a certain speed It is characterized by that.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as a display mode when the variable display of the variable display unit is stopped, the control unit sets each symbol column so that the stop symbols determined by the stop symbol determination unit become one column. It controls movement and stop.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the correction amount determination means includes, in addition to the position signal, the position of the stop symbol in one symbol string among the plurality of symbol strings calculated based on the position signal, and the one symbol string. The correction amount for correcting the position of the stop symbol is determined based on the amount of deviation of the symbol section relative to the position of the stop symbol in a different symbol row.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, when a predetermined gaming condition is satisfied, the variable display unit is activated by the drive signal from the drive signal generating means, and the plurality of symbol strings move in a predetermined direction, thereby Variable display is performed. Further, in accordance with the drive signal, the stop symbol determining means determines a combination of stop symbols to be displayed when the symbol column of the variable display unit is stopped. On the other hand, the position detecting means detects the position of the stop symbol in each symbol column position signals occur, on the basis of the position signal, the correction amount determining means, for correcting the position of the stop symbols, each A correction amount consisting of a difference in time required for the symbol string to reach a constant speed is determined. The control unit controls the movement and stop of each symbol column of the variable display unit according to the drive signal. At the time of starting the symbol column, the correction amount determining unit controls the symbol column until the symbol column reaches a certain moving speed. The movement of each symbol column is controlled based on the determined correction amount. When the symbol sequence is stopped, each symbol sequence is stopped at an equal time interval and a predetermined symbol is displayed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the stop symbols determined by the stop symbol determining means are displayed in a line as a display mode when the variable display of the variable display section is stopped.

Further, the correction amount used for stopping each symbol column at a predetermined time interval can be determined based on the relative shift amount of the stop symbol position generated between the plurality of symbol columns. Therefore, the start order of variable display of each symbol column can be changed according to the position of the stop symbol in each symbol column.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of correction is determined for the position of the stop symbol displayed when each symbol row is stopped, and the movement of the symbol row is controlled based on the amount of correction. Can be stopped at equal time intervals, so that the player does not feel unnatural when the movement of the symbol sequence is stopped, and the player is not distracted as in the past.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of the slot machine of the first embodiment. In the main body 2 of the slot machine, three reels constituting the variable display section, that is, the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 are rotatably accommodated. The outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 3, 4, 5 are each divided into 13 sections as shown in FIG. In these 13 sections, symbols such as “star”, “BAR”, and “lemon” are drawn for each reel 3 to 5, and observation windows 6, 7, 8 provided on the front surface of the main body 2. Through this, a symbol row can be observed for each reel 3, 4, 5.

  In this slot machine, when the player inserts 1 to 3 medals into the medal slot 9, the winning line 10 is activated when the first medal is inserted. The activation of the winning line 10 is displayed to the player by lighting a lamp (not shown) provided on the front surface of the main body 2 corresponding to the winning line. On the front surface of the main body 2, a credit button 11 and a medal insertion button 12 are provided. When the player presses the credit button 11, for example, 1 to 50 medals can be credited. The number is displayed on the credit number display 13.

  After the medal is inserted, when the player operates the start lever 15, the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 start to rotate so that the symbols of the reels move from the top to the bottom. When the reels 3, 4, 5 rotate at a constant speed and a certain time elapses, the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 are sequentially arranged in a certain time interval, for example, two symbols at a movement amount. The reel stops at such a time that the deviation occurs. When a combination of symbols stopped on the winning line 10 corresponds to winning, a number of medals corresponding to the winning type and the number of inserted medals are paid out to the tray 16. If the number of medals credited when the credit button 11 is pressed exceeds the upper limit, the surplus number of medals is paid out to the tray 16.

  In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, by controlling the start timing of each reel at the start of reel rotation, the reels are controlled to stop at equal time intervals when the reel rotation is stopped.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic circuit configuration of the slot machine. The overall game progress is controlled by the control unit 22. The control unit 22 constitutes a system controller 28 together with a storage unit 23, a data storage unit 24, a correction amount calculation unit 26, a time calculation unit 27, and a reel control unit 36, which will be described later. A microcomputer is used for the system controller 28, and the CPU constitutes the control unit 22.

  The control unit 22 generates a game start signal when a medal inserted through the medal slot 9 is detected or when the medal insertion button 12 is operated, and a start signal is generated when the start lever 15 is operated. A start switch 31, a random number generator 32 that generates a random number in a predetermined range when the start signal is generated, and a sampling circuit 33 that samples the random number at a predetermined timing after the random number is generated are connected. At the same time, a credit number display 13 is connected via a driver 13a, and a medal payer 35 is connected via a driver 34, respectively.

  The reel control unit 36 (the function of which is achieved by a microcomputer program) that constitutes the variable display control means together with the control unit 22 rotates the reels 3, 4, and 5, as shown in FIG. Signals for controlling the driving of each reel are sent to drivers 41, 42, and 43 connected to pulse motors 44, 45, and 46, respectively. The rotation amounts of the pulse motors 44, 45, and 46 are controlled by the number of drive pulses supplied from the reel control unit 36, and the rotation speed is controlled by the pulse interval of the drive pulses. Three types of drive pulse intervals are prepared for acceleration control, constant speed rotation, and stop control, and are stored in the drive pulse timing table 40 of the control unit 22. For this reason, the acceleration time until each pulse motor 44, 45, 46 reaches constant speed rotation and the stop time until it stops from constant speed rotation are all the same. The number of drive pulses supplied from the reel control unit 36 to the pulse motors 44, 45, 46 is counted by three counters 36a, 36b, 36c provided in the reel control unit 36, respectively.

  The control unit 22 controls the driving and stopping of the pulse motors 44, 45, 46, in addition to the driving pulse timing table 40, a first reel that defines an arbitrary predetermined time for supplying a driving pulse to the pulse motor 44. A stop timer 47, a second reel correction timer 48 that defines a start timing for starting the supply of drive pulses to the pulse motor 45, a second reel stop timer 49 that defines a stop timing for starting the stop control of the pulse motor 45, And a third reel correction timer 50 for defining the start timing for starting the supply of drive pulses to the pulse motor 46, and a third reel stop timer 51 for defining the stop timing for starting the stop control of the pulse motor 46. These are configured to send and receive signals to and from the reel control unit 36.

  The first reel stop timer 47 is set with a predetermined time. In addition, the second reel correction timer 48 and the third reel correction timer 50 are set based on the delay correction time determined as described later. The first reel stop timer 47 and the second reel correction timer 48 are started when the time is set, and the third reel correction timer 50 is started when the second reel correction timer 48 is up.

Each of the second reel stop timer 49 and the third reel stop timer 51 is preset with a unique time so that the stop time interval between the reels is constant when the reels are stopped. By setting this stop time interval, as will be described later, from the relationship between the number of rotations N ₁ at the time of the reel's constant speed rotation and the total number of symbols A of the reel and the stop time interval, Until the reel stops, the next reel rotates and stops by 2 symbols in this embodiment, that is, the stop position of the next reel is 2 symbols compared to the stop position of the previous reel, It is configured to deviate in the rotational direction. The second reel stop timer 49 is started when the first reel stop timer starts after the first reel stop timer 47 is up, and the third reel stop timer 51 is started when the second reel stop timer 49 is up. .

  Photosensors 52, 53, and 54 for detecting the light shielding pieces 55, 56, and 57 of the reels 3, 4, and 5 are connected to the reel control unit. These photosensors output a pulse for resetting the counters 36a, 36b, 36c upon detection. That is, when reset pulses are output from the corresponding photosensors 52, 53, 54, the count values of the counters 36a, 36b, 36c are reset to “0”. Therefore, the count value of each counter corresponds to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel. Since the order of the 13 symbols arranged on each reel at a constant pitch is known in advance, the rotation angle from the reference position of each reel 3, 4, 5 is determined by the count value of each counter 36a, 36b, 36c. If it is known, it is possible to identify what symbol is on the winning line 10 at that time.

  The count values of the counters 36a, 36b, and 36c correspond to the 13 position codes “0 to 12” of the reels 3, 4, and 5, and are described above via the control unit 22 for each counter. It is updated and recorded in the data storage unit 24. The reel control unit 36 can grasp the rotation position within one rotation range for the symbols of the reels 3, 4, and 5 from the count value stored in the data storage unit 24 and a symbol table described later. .

  According to the circuit configuration described above, when the player operates the start lever 15 as described above, a start signal is sent from the start switch 31 to the control unit 22. In response to this, the control unit 22 operates the random number generator 32 and the sampling circuit 33 to sample the random number value. This random number value is sent from the sampling circuit 33 to the control unit 22.

  Next, a winning probability table 23a, a symbol table 23b, a winning symbol combination table 23c, and a sequence program 23d are stored in the storage unit 23 of FIG. The winning probability table 23a stores data for grouping the random number values generated from the random number generator 32 into “large hits”, “medium hits”, and “small hits” according to their sizes. The symbol table 23b stores data in which a symbol code representing the type of symbol arranged on each reel is associated with a position code “0 to 12” representing the rotational position from the reference position of each reel. . In the winning symbol combination table 23c, combinations of symbols constituting a big hit, a medium hit, and a small hit are written, and in the sequence program 23d, the processing procedure of the game program is written.

  The control unit 22 refers to the winning probability table 23a and determines to which winning group the random number value sampled as described above belongs. Then, if a win is found, one of the “big hit flag”, “medium hit flag”, and “small hit flag” is written in the data storage unit 24 corresponding to the type of the win. If the value of the random number is other than that stored in the winning probability table 23 a, the “missing flag” is written in the data storage unit 24. Next, the control unit 22 determines a combination of stop symbols that satisfies the flag written in the data storage unit 24 as described above.

  The stop symbol is determined before each reel rotates. For this determination, reference is made to the current stop position of each reel 3, 4, 5 and the symbol table 23b and winning symbol combination table 23c. The current stop position of each reel can be identified by the count values of the counters 36a to 36c. When the second reel 4 further rotates by two symbol sections from the first reel 3 and the third reel 5 further rotates by two symbol sections from the reels at the stop position, one line is formed. (In this embodiment, a combination of symbols having the smallest deviation between the reels is selected). This is because there may be a plurality of the same symbols on the reel. Therefore, as described later, it is selected so that the deviation of the stop position based on the stop time interval between the reels can be corrected, and this correction amount is small and efficient. This is to select the target. When the stop symbol is determined for each reel in this way, the position code representing the rotation position of the symbol is determined simultaneously from the position of the same symbol on the reel, and the next stop symbol position of the reel is uniquely determined.

  As described above, when the next symbol position to be stopped on the winning line is determined for each reel at the end of the current game, each reel is determined from the position code of each symbol currently stopped on the winning line. The “relative deviation amount” between symbols that are stopped when stopped at equal time intervals is calculated by the correction amount calculation unit 26. That is, the amount of relative deviation between the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 and the amount of relative deviation between the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 are calculated by the correction amount calculator 26. As will be described later, when the reels are stopped at a constant time interval after the reels are rotated at a constant speed, the relative deviation amount is set so that symbols to be stopped on the winning line are aligned horizontally. This corresponds to a “correction amount” for correcting the start of rotation of the reel. The relative displacement amount between the first and second reels (3, 4) and the relative displacement amount between the second and third reels (4, 5) thus obtained are sent to the time calculation unit 27.

In the time calculation unit 27, a delay corresponding to the difference between the drive start timings of the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 and the difference between the drive start timings of the second reel 4 and the third reel 5 from the above two “correction amounts”. Times T ₃ and T ₄ are obtained, and these time data are sent to the reel control unit 36 via the control unit 22. T ₃ and T ₄ are obtained from the following equations (1) and (2). Details thereof will be described later.
T ₃ = {(R ₁₂ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) −K ₁ } / (N ₁ · A) (1)
However, when (R ₁₂ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) <A, K ₁ = 0
When (R ₁₂ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) ≧ A, K ₁ = A
T ₄ = {(R ₂₃ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) −K ₂ } / (N ₁ · A) (2)
However, when (R ₂₃ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) <A, K ₂ = 0
When (R ₂₃ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) ≧ A, K ₂ = A
In the above formulas (1) and (2), T ₂ , T ₃ , T ₄ , R ₁₂ , R ₂₃ , N ₁ and A are as follows.

T ₂ : Stop time interval between reels T ₃ : Delay correction time of the second reel to start T ₄ : Delay start correction time R _{12 of the} third reel to start after the second reel starts: First start Number of symbol sections R ₂₃ required to move the reel symbols until they are in line with the stop symbol of the second starting reel R ₂₃ : Stop the second starting reel symbol of the second starting reel symbol Number of symbol sections N ₁ required to move the symbol until it is in line with the symbol N ₁ : Number of revolutions at the same reel speed (rotation speed)
A: all the symbols Reel controller 36 of the reel, based on the time data, the time T ₃ to the second reel correction timer 48 is set respectively time T ₄ to the third reel correction timer 50. Note that both the second reel stop timer 49 and the third reel stop timer 51 are automatically set to time T ₂ after their time is up, and the first reel stop timer 47 is also automatically set to time after the time is up. T ₅ is set.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 4, when a medal is inserted in step 1, the start lever 15 can be operated. When the start lever 15 is operated in step 2, a start signal is output to the control unit 22. In response to this, the control unit 22 operates the random number generator 32 and the sampling circuit 33, respectively, performs the random number sampling in step 3, and executes the winning determination of the sampled random number value based on the winning probability table 23a.

  If the winning determination result is, for example, “big hit”, the control unit 22 determines the reels based on the current stop positions of the reels 3, 4, 5, the symbol table 23, and the winning symbol combination table 23 c. A combination of symbols constituting a big hit (for example, “BAR, BAR, BAR”) is determined so that the relative deviation amount between them is minimized.

  Thereafter, in step 4, the control unit 22 detects the current position of the stop symbol “BAR” for each of the reels 3, 4, and 5 based on the symbol table 23 b.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram in which the first to third reels are developed and the winning line 10 is set to the origin “0”, and position scales are attached in accordance with the symbol arrangement pitch of each reel for the sake of easy understanding. Actually, as described above, the position code “0 to 12” is attached to each symbol position. Based on this position code, the symbol position of the reel during rotation or stop is obtained, and the relative deviation amount or the like is obtained. Calculated. In FIG. 6, each reel rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Further, if there is a stop symbol “BAR” at the position of ● in the stopped reel, the data of the position code of “BAR” on each reel is sent to the correction amount calculation unit 26.

The circles in FIG. 6 indicate that the reels are started all at once without correcting the rotation time of each reel, and the second and third reels are separated from each of the first and second reels by a time T _2. The position of “BAR” when the symbol “BAR” of the first reel is stopped on the winning line 10 is shown. Further, as will be described later, when the reels rotate at a constant speed, the symbols move by two symbol sections during the time T ₂ , so that the symbol “BAR” on all reels is aligned on the winning line 10. In order to stop them side by side, at the start of rotation so that the symbols “BAR” on each reel are arranged in the positional relationship indicated by ◎ in the figure at the time of starting the stop control of the first reels 3, and thus at the constant speed rotation of the reels. It is sufficient to delay-correct the timing. The correction amount calculator 26 calculates this correction amount from the position code data as the above-mentioned “relative deviation amount”.

That is, in step 5 in FIG. 4, a correction time for delaying the start timing between the reels is calculated. Specifically, the correction amount calculation unit 26 calculates the relative deviation amount from the position code data of the symbol “BAR” on each of the stopped reels 3, 4, and 5. The relative deviation amount is represented by {(R ₁₂ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) −K ₁ }, {(R ₂₃ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) −K ₂ } in the above formulas (1) and (2). Is the amount to be.

In FIG. 6 again, the positions of the symbols “BAR” on the stopped first and second reels are the positions “−3” and “−2” in the figure, respectively. In order for the symbol “BAR” on the first reel to rotate and move to the position of the symbol “BAR” on the second reel during constant speed rotation, the first reel 3 only needs to rotate by 12 symbol sections. In the above formula (1), R ₁₂ = 12. This is the number of symbol sections that the second reel waits until the first reel rotates. In this embodiment, if the stop time interval between reels T ₂ = 200 msec, and the number of rotations N ₁ = 46.15 rpm when the reels rotate at a constant speed, the number of symbols on each reel is A = 13. The number of symbol sections moved after one reel stops until the second reel stops is N ₁ · A · T ₂ = (46.15 / 60) × 13 × (200 × 10 ⁻³ ) ≈2.

Accordingly, the relative deviation amount for arranging the symbols “BAR” on the first reel and the second reel in the positional relationship indicated by ◎ in the figure at the constant speed rotation of the reel is 12 + 2 = 14 (for the symbol section). That is, at the start of the reel rotation, the rotation start of the second reel may be delayed by 14 symbol sections relative to the first reel. However, since the number of symbols on the reel in this embodiment is 13, 14 symbols When the section is corrected, the reel is corrected by one extra turn. Therefore, the correction may be for 14-13 = 1 symbol section. The reason why K ₁ is subtracted from (R ₁₂ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) in the above equation (1) is for this correction.

Similarly, since the calculation of the relative deviation amount between the second and third reels is R ₂₃ = 0, (R ₂₃ + N ₁ · A · T ₂ ) = 0 + 2 = 2 symbols. Since this is smaller than 13, K ₂ = 0, and the relative deviation between the second and third reels is two symbol sections.

The time calculation unit 27 calculates the correction amount of each reel as the delay correction time at the start of rotation from the above relative deviation amount. In other words, the time required for the symbol on the reel to move by one symbol section during constant speed rotation is 1 / N ₁ · A = 100 (msec). The delay correction time T ₃ for “1” is T ₃ = 100 (msec). Similarly, the delay correction time T ₄ for the relative shift amount “2” between the second and third reels is T ₄ = 200 (msec). Become.

When the data of the times T ₃ and T ₄ are sent to the reel control unit 36, the process of step 6 in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, time T ₃ is set in the second reel correction timer 48, and time T ₄ is set in the third reel correction timer 50. At this time, a predetermined time T ₅ is already set in the first reel stop timer 47, and a fixed stop time T ₂ is already set in the second reel stop timer 49 and the third reel stop timer 51. The set time T ₅ of the first reel stop timer 47 is set to an arbitrary time sufficient to achieve constant speed rotation of all reels in step 15 described later.

When the time setting of each timer is completed as described above (t _{1 in} the operation time diagram of FIG. 7), the reel controller 36 performs the processing of steps 7 to 9 of FIG. First, in step 7, the first reel stop timer 47 is started, and in the next step 8, a drive pulse is supplied to the driver 41, and the pulse motor 44 is driven, whereby the first reel 3 starts to rotate. In step 9, the second reel correction timer 48 is started. As shown in FIG. 7, the pulse motor 44 rotates the first reel 3 at a constant speed N ₁ at a constant rotation speed N ₁ at time t ₃ after time T ₁ from the start time (t ₁ ).

Next, in step 10, when the second reel correction timer 48 expires at t ₂ after T ₃ = 100 msec from t ₁ , the reel controller 36 sends a drive pulse to the pulse motor 45 via the driver 42. In step 11, the rotation of the second reel 4 is started, and in step 12, the third reel correction timer 50 is started. The pulse motor 45 rotates the second reel 4 at a constant speed at a rotation speed N ₁ at t ₄ after a time T ₁ from the start (t ₂ ).

Next, in step 13, when the third reel correction timer 50 expires at t ₅ after T ₄ = 200 msec from t ₂ , the reel control unit 36 sends a drive pulse to the pulse motor 46 via the driver 43. In Step 14, the rotation of the third reel 5 is started. Note that the pulse motor 46 rotates the third reel 5 at a constant speed at a rotation speed N ₁ at t ₆ after a time T ₁ from the start (t ₅ ).

  As a result, all the reels 3 to 5 are in the constant speed rotation state (step 15).

Thus, when the first reel 3 is at constant speed to time T ₅ after t ₇ o'clock t _3, the first reel stop timer 47 is timed up (step 16). At this time t ₇ , “BAR” of each of the reels 3, 4, 5 is in a positional relationship indicated by ◎ in FIG. At this time, the reel control unit 36 determines the winning line after the stop control is ended from the position code indicating which rotational position the symbol “BAR” of the first reel 3 to be stopped on the winning line 10 is. It is determined whether or not an appropriate rotational position has been reached so as to stop 10 (step 17 in FIG. 5). Then, when “BAR” reaches that position (t _x ), stop control is started.

In other words, the reel control unit 36 supplies the driver 41 with a stop control pulse read from the drive pulse timing table 40. Accordingly, the pulse motor 44 at t ₈ is stopped, to stop the first reel 3 (step 18). At this time, “BAR” of the first reel 3 is displayed on the pay line 10. At the time _tx , the reel controller 36 starts the second reel stop timer 49 (step 19).

Next, at step 20, when the second reel stop timer 49 has expired (t _x + T ₂ = t ₉ ), the reel control unit 36 supplies a stop control pulse to the driver 42. Thus, t ₁₀ at the pulse motor 45 is stopped to stop the second reel 4 (step 21). At this time, “BAR” of the second reel 4 is displayed on the pay line 10. Also, t ₉ times, the reel control unit 36 starts the third reel stop timer 51 (step 22).

Next, at step 23, when the third reel stop timer 51 is up (t ₉ + T ₂ = t ₁₁ ), the reel control unit 36 supplies a stop control pulse to the driver 43. Thus, t ₁₂ at the pulse motor 45 is stopped to stop the third reel 5 (step 24). At this time, “BAR” of the third reel 5 is displayed on the pay line 10.

  In this way, when “BAR-BAR-BAR” is displayed on the winning line 10, the control unit 22 refers to the winning symbol combination table 23c and the symbol table 23b to confirm a big hit. Thereafter, the control unit 22 operates the medal payout device 35 via the driver 34 to pay out a predetermined number of medals to the tray 16. When the credit button 11 is pressed and turned on, the medal is not paid out to the tray 16 and is credited. When the medal payout or credit is completed, the medal can be inserted in Step 1 of FIG. 4 and the next game can be started.

Note that the same variable display processing is also performed when the winning determination result is “out of”, and the three reels have a time of T ₂ = 200 msec in the order of the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5. Stopped at intervals.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it takes a little time to stop without stopping the rotation speed instantaneously at the time of stop control of each reel. A phase pulse motor may be used, and the rotation of the reel may be stopped instantaneously after the four phases are excited and held simultaneously.

  In the above embodiment, the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5 are started in this order. However, the start order of the reels 3, 4, and 5 may be changed based on the winning determination result. Good.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the symbols to be stopped on the winning line 10 in the current game are in the positions indicated by ●, the reels are in the order of the first reel 3, the second reel 4, and the third reel 5, respectively. When starting the reel, the time T ₃ is 1200 msec and the time T ₄ is 400 msec from the equations (1) and (2). Therefore, after the first reel 3 is started, the second reel 4 is started with a delay of time T ₃ = 1200 msec, and after the second reel 4 is started, the third reel 5 is started with a delay of T ₄ = 400 msec. However, in this case, the start time interval between the first reel 3 and the second reel 4 is relatively long, which makes the player feel uncomfortable.

In order to avoid this, if the second reel 4, the first reel 3, and the third reel 5 are started in this order as shown in FIG. 9, the time T ₃ is 500 msec and the time T _{3 according to the} equations (1) and (2). ₄ is 300 msec. In this case, the second reel 4 is _first started at t ₁ , and then T ₃ = 500 msec is delayed to start the first reel 3 at t _2. After the first reel 3 is started, T _{4 is} delayed by 300 msec. the third reel 5 it is sufficient to start at the time t _3. Thereby, the time difference at the start of each reel can be made smaller than in the case of starting in the order of the first, second and third reels. In this case, the time T ₅ set in the first reel stop timer 47 is obtained by subtracting the time T ₂ from the total rotation time of the second reel 4.

  In the above embodiment, there are three reels. If this is generalized and the number of reels is n (≧ 2), the starting order of these reels is n! Therefore, by selecting an order in which the time difference between the start times of the reels is minimized, the reels can be started so as not to give the player a sense of incongruity.

In the above-described embodiment, the acceleration time (T ₁ ) until each pulse motor 44, 45, 46 reaches constant speed rotation is constant, and the rotation timing of each reel is controlled by adjusting the start timing of each pulse motor. However, the acceleration time of each pulse motor may be changed at an arbitrary ratio, and the start timing may be set accordingly.

FIG. 10 shows a reel control mechanism of another embodiment. In the slot machine using this reel control mechanism, the time required for the three reels rotated at the same time to reach the rotational speed N ₁ at the constant speed rotation is changed, and the first reel 3, the second reel 4, the second reel The reels are stopped at equal time intervals in the order of the three reels 5 and the target symbols are displayed on the winning line 10. Therefore, in the reel control mechanism of FIG. 10, instead of the drive pulse timing table 40 (FIG. 3) of the above-described embodiment, a start rotation control pulse table 60 and a constant speed / stop rotation control pulse table 61 are controlled. 22 and the first reel correction timer 48 and the third reel correction timer 50 of FIG. 3 are removed.

  In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, each reel is started at the same time, and by changing the acceleration until they are rotated at a constant speed, each reel is stopped at equal time intervals when the reel rotation is stopped. To control.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of the start rotation control pulse table 60. The start rotation control pulse table 60 has reference acceleration data P _{1 to} P _M (M is a number determined by the data format) for generating a pulse for driving a pulse motor of a reel that first reaches constant speed rotation. And L types of accompanying acceleration data P _{L1 to} P _LM for correcting the relative deviation amount according to the relative deviation amount between the reels. These acceleration data are for changing the acceleration time of each reel as will be described later, and (A-1) accompanying acceleration data P _{L1 to} P _LM are required for the total number of symbols A of each reel. Therefore, L = A−1.

  The constant speed / stop rotation control pulse table 61 includes single constant speed rotation pulse data and single stop control pulse data.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 12, when a medal is inserted in the first step 30, the start lever 15 can be operated. When the start lever 15 is operated in step 31, a start signal is sent to the control unit 22. In response to this, the control unit 22 operates the random number generator 32 and the sampling circuit 33 to perform the random number sampling in step 32. In step 33, winning determination based on the winning probability table 23a is performed on the sampled random number value.

  For example, if the result of this winning determination is “big hit”, the control unit 22 selects the combination of symbols constituting the big hit as “BAR, BAR, BAR” based on the winning symbol combination table 23c as described above. Decided. After that, the control unit 22 executes the process of detecting the stop symbol position of each reel in step 34, and determines the “BAR” code for each of the stopped reels 3, 4, and 5 based on the symbol table 23b.

  Thus, as in the previous embodiment, when the symbol “BAR” to be stopped on the winning line is determined for each reel at the end of the current game, the position code of each symbol currently stopped on the winning line is determined. Therefore, the relative deviation amount between the reels is calculated by the correction amount calculation unit 26.

As described above, the correction amount calculation unit 26 calculates the relative deviation amounts “1” and “2” between the first and second reels and between the second and third reels, and sends them to the time calculation unit 27. The time calculation unit 27 calculates the correction amount of each reel from these relative deviation amounts as a delay correction time until the reel reaches constant speed rotation, and obtains T ₃ and T ₄ shown in FIG. Here, the acceleration time T ₂₁ of the first reel is determined from the reference acceleration data P _{1 to} P _M of the start rotation control pulse table 60 of FIG. 11, and T ₃ and T ₄ are determined at the determined acceleration time T _21. Are added to obtain acceleration times T ₂₂ and T ₂₃ for the second and third reels, respectively. That is, T ₂₂ = T ₂₁ + T ₃ and T ₂₃ = T ₂₂ + T ₄ . In addition, as the rotation duration time T ₂₄ of the first reel, an appropriate predetermined value is set in advance as in the case of T _{5 in} FIG.

Each data of the times T ₂₂ and T ₂₃ obtained as described above is sent to the reel control unit 36 via the control unit 22. Based on this, the reel control unit 36 uses the reference rotation data P _{1 to} P _M and associated acceleration data for reaching constant speed rotation at the acceleration times T ₂₁ , T ₂₂ and T ₂₃ from the start rotation control pulse table 60. _{P x, 1 ~P x, M} , P y, 1 ~P y, the process of selecting the _M (step 35). x and y are arbitrary numbers representing the data selected this time (where x, y ≧ L). During this time, the reel controller 36 sets the time T ₂₄ in the first reel stop timer 47.

Thereafter, the reel control unit 36 starts the first reel stop timer 47 in step 36 (step 36), and sets each pulse motor 44, 45, 46 to reference data P _{1 to} P _M , associated data P _x , _{1 to} P _x , _M , P _y , _{1 to} P _y , _M are driven by drive pulses generated based on _M. As a result, all the reels 3, 4 and 5 are rotationally driven simultaneously at the time of starting the reel shown in FIG. 13 (t ₁ ) (step 37).

The t ₁ hour at t ₂ acceleration time T ₂₁ elapses from the reel controller 36, the driving pulse for a constant velocity rotation based on pulse data read from the constant velocity and stopping the rotation control pulse table 61 Driver 41 From that time, the first reel 3 is rotated at a constant speed. Also, sometimes t ₃ has elapsed acceleration time T ₂₂ from time t _1, the reel control unit 36 sends drive pulses for the constant velocity rotation to the driver 42, rotates a constant speed of the second reel 4. Furthermore, sometimes t ₄ has passed acceleration time T ₂₃ from time t _1, the reel control unit 36 sends drive pulses for the constant velocity rotation to the driver 43, rotates a constant speed of the third reel 5. Thereafter, all the reels 3, 4 and 5 are rotationally driven at a constant rotational speed (rotational speed) N ₁ (step 38). This rotation, time-up of the first reel stop timer 47 is continued until it is determined (time T ₂₄ elapses from time t _1).

When the time-up of the first reel stop timer 47 is determined in step 39, the reel control unit 36 determines from the position code which rotational position the symbol “BAR” of the first reel 3 stopped on the winning line 10 is. In step 40, it is determined whether or not “BAR” has reached an appropriate rotational position. When reaching an appropriate position, the reel controller 36 supplies a drive pulse for stop control to the driver 41 based on the pulse data read from the pulse table 61 for constant speed / stop rotation control. Thus, at step 41, the drive stop control of the pulse motor 44 is started at t _5. Thereafter, the rotation of the first reel 3 is stopped, and “BAR” of the first reel 3 is displayed on the winning line 10. t ₅ times, the reel control unit 36, the start process of the second reel stop timer 49 for the next step 42 is also performed.

Thereafter, when it is determined in step 43 that the second reel stop timer 49 is timed up, the reel control unit 36 sends a drive pulse for stop control to the driver 42, and the pulse motor 45 at t ₆ (= t ₅ + T ₂ ). The drive stop control is started (step 44). As a result, the rotation of the second reel 4 is stopped, and “BAR” of the second reel 4 is displayed on the winning line 10. t ₆ times, the reel control unit 36, the start process of the third reel stop timer 51 in the next step 45 is also performed.

Thereafter, when the time-up of the third reel stop timer 51 is determined in step 46, the reel control unit 36 sends a drive pulse for stop control to the driver 43, and the pulse motor 46 at t ₇ (= t ₆ + T ₂ ). The drive stop control is started (step 47). As a result, the rotation of the third reel 5 is stopped, and “BAR” of the third reel 5 is displayed on the winning line 10.

  In this way, “BAR-BAR-BAR” is displayed on the winning line 10. When a predetermined number of medals are paid out, one game is finished.

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, it is not configured to take time until the reels stop at the time of stop control of each reel. As described above, using a four-phase pulse motor of 1-2 phase excitation drive system, The four phases may be excited and held simultaneously to stop the rotation of the reels instantaneously.

In this embodiment, the rising accelerations of the second reel and the third reel are delayed with reference to the rising acceleration (that is, the acceleration time) of the first reel. When the symbol is at the position indicated by ● in FIG. 8, the acceleration time difference T ₃ of each reel is 1200 msec and T ₄ is 400 msec, and the rising acceleration (acceleration time) of each reel varies greatly. Will give the person a sense of incongruity.

In order to avoid this, if the rising accelerations of the first and third reels are delayed with reference to the rising accelerations of the other reels, for example, the rising accelerations of the second reels as shown in FIG. In addition, the acceleration time can be prevented from varying greatly. Specifically, the second reel starts with the fastest acceleration at the same speed (shortest acceleration time T ₃₁ ), the first reel starts with an acceleration time T ₃₂ that is 500 msec longer than T ₃₁ , and the third reel. is to start at 300msec long acceleration time T ₃₃ than T _32, may be selected data of the start rotation control table 60.

  Thus, as described in the previous embodiment, when the number of reels is n, n! By selecting an order in which the difference in acceleration time is minimized from among the reel start orders, the reels can be started so as not to give the player a sense of incongruity.

  Although the slot machine has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention can also be applied to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine having a variable display unit. Alternatively, the total rotation time of the first reel may be obtained, and the second and third reels may be started or stopped based on the start timing and stop timing. Further, the total rotation time of each of the first to third reels may be obtained, and the start timing and stop timing of each reel may be obtained based on this time to control the rotation of all reels.

  In the above embodiment, the number of reels is three, but the number of reels may be two or four or more. In the embodiment, the reel stop control is performed sequentially from the left reel. However, the reels may be stopped at equal time intervals in order from the right, and further, the reels may be stopped at equal time intervals in any order. It may be.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the winning determination is performed with one horizontal winning line 10, but the winning determination may be performed by appropriately providing three horizontal winning lines or two diagonal winning lines. In addition to the reel, the symbol movement display may be graphically displayed by an electric display means such as liquid crystal, LED, or CRT.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a slot machine according to an embodiment. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the control means of a slot machine. The figure which shows the structure of a reel drive mechanism and its control circuit. 7 is a flowchart showing a reel control operation of the slot machine. The flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. Explanatory drawing of the position and symbol of a symbol of each reel. The time chart which shows the operation | movement of a drive and stop of three reels. Explanatory drawing when the position of the stop symbol in each reel differs from the example of FIG. FIG. 8 is a time chart when three reels are rotationally driven in a different order from FIG. 7. FIG. The figure which shows the structure which controls a reel drive mechanism with a control circuit different from FIG. The conceptual diagram of the pulse table for start rotation control used for the control circuit of FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a reel control operation performed by the control circuit of FIG. The time chart which shows the operation state of each reel at the time of driving a 1st reel with a reference | standard rising acceleration. The figure which shows the operation state of each reel at the time of driving a 2nd reel with the reference | standard rising acceleration.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... main body of the slot machine, 3 ... first reel, 4 ... second reel, 5 ... third reel, 6, 7, 8 ... observation window, 9 ... medal slot, 10 ... winning line, 11 ... credit button, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Medal insertion button, 13 ... Credit number display, 15 ... Start lever, 16 ... Receptacle, 22 ... Control part, 23a ... Winning probability table, 23b ... Symbol table, 23c ... Winning symbol combination table, 24 ... Data storage part , 26 ... correction amount calculation unit, 27 ... time calculation unit, 28 ... system controller, 36 ... reel control unit.

Claims (5)

A variable display unit that performs variable display of symbols by moving a plurality of symbol columns in a predetermined direction for each symbol column;
Drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal for operating the variable display unit when a predetermined game condition is established;
Stop symbol determining means for determining a combination of stop symbols to be displayed when the symbol row is stopped according to the drive signal;
Position detecting means for detecting a position of the stop symbol for each symbol row and generating a position signal;
Correction amount determining means for determining a correction amount for correcting the position of the stop symbol based on the position signal;
In accordance with the drive signal, the movement of each symbol column of the variable display unit is performed based on the correction amount determined by the correction amount determination means until the symbol column reaches a certain moving speed from the start of the symbol column. Bei example each symbol column when stopped and control means for controlling said variable display to stop at a predetermined time interval,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the correction amount is a difference in time for each symbol row to reach a constant speed .   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls movement and stop of each symbol row so that the stop symbols determined by the stop symbol determination unit become one row when the symbol row is stopped. In addition to the position signal, the correction amount determining means includes a position of the stop symbol in one symbol string among a plurality of symbol strings calculated based on the position signal, and a symbol string different from the one symbol string. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a correction amount for correcting the position of the stop symbol is determined based on a shift amount of a symbol section relative to the position of the stop symbol.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a ball game machine.

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