JP5362415B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine including a reel, a stepping motor that rotationally drives the reel, and a motor for paying out game media.

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

Japanese Utility Model Open 06-29398

  The slot machine includes a plurality of stepping motors for rotating a plurality of reels and a motor for driving a hopper for paying out medals. The hopper is provided with a rotating disk for feeding out medals, and medals are paid out one by one as this rotates. The rotating disk is provided with a plurality of circular openings into which medals are fitted, and the medals held in the openings are sequentially sent out to the medal payout opening with the rotation. Accordingly, when the number of medals to be sent out increases, the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the rotating disk increases. The motor is for rotating a rotating disk. The greater the number of medals paid out, the longer the motor drive time or the greater the rotational speed (current consumption).

  In order to rotationally drive the plurality of stepping motors and the motor, an electric current is required. In general, the drive current of a motor is larger than that of an electronic component such as an IC, and the change is drastic (the current is zero when not driven, but a large current is consumed during driving, particularly during startup. To do). For this reason, when the plurality of stepping motors and the motors are simultaneously driven to rotate, a larger amount of current is consumed than when supplied to the main board and the sub board as the control unit. As a result, a drop in power supply voltage (voltage drop) occurs, adversely affecting the main board and sub board (a drop in the power supply voltage may disturb the operation of the IC or the like even if it is for a very short time). , May put a burden on the power supply. Such an operation is not preferable because an excessive load is applied to the power supply unit to shorten its life.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that does not adversely affect a main board or a sub board or places a burden on a power supply unit.

The present invention comprises a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of stepping motors for rotating the plurality of reels, each including a plurality of phases each including a plurality of windings;
Random values acquired for each game, and lottery tables in which the correspondence between the role to be drawn and the random value is set according to the game state from a plurality of types including bonuses, small roles and replays An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not the winning combination is based,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game and stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery with a stop operation as a trigger;
In a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won based on a symbol combination indicating a winning pattern predetermined for each winning being displayed on a winning determination line;
A hopper for paying out a predetermined number of medals when it is determined by the winning determination means that a winning combination has been won;
A payout control means for controlling the hopper;
In a gaming machine comprising a motor for driving the hopper,
The reel control means checks the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor, and when it is excited, waits until the excitation is completed, and when it is not being excited, permits the hopper drive permission signal,
The payout control means examines the hopper drive permission signal when the winning determination means determines that the winning combination has been won and pays out a predetermined number of medals, and if the hopper drive permission signal is prohibited, it permits it. When the hopper drive permission signal is permitted, the motor that drives the hopper is driven, and when a predetermined number of medals are paid out, the driving of the motor that drives the hopper is stopped, and The hopper drive permission signal is prohibited.

  The reel control means checks the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor, and when at least two phases of the plurality of phases of the stator are excited, waits until the excitation ends and then The hopper driving permission signal may be permitted, and when only one phase is excited, the hopper driving permission signal may be immediately permitted.

The present invention comprises a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of stepping motors for rotating the plurality of reels, each including a plurality of phases each including a plurality of windings;
Random values acquired for each game, and lottery tables in which the correspondence between the role to be drawn and the random value is set according to the game state from a plurality of types including bonuses, small roles and replays An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not the winning combination is based,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game and stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery with a stop operation as a trigger;
In a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won based on a symbol combination indicating a winning pattern predetermined for each winning being displayed on a winning determination line;
A hopper for paying out a predetermined number of medals when it is determined by the winning determination means that a winning combination has been won;
A payout control means for controlling the hopper;
In a gaming machine comprising a motor for driving the hopper,
The reel control means starts a timer when the plurality of reels stop,
The payout control means checks the timer when the winning determination means determines that the winning combination has been won and pays out a predetermined number of medals, and when the predetermined time has not elapsed, the time elapses. Wait until the time has elapsed, drive the motor that drives the hopper, and when a predetermined number of medals are paid out, stop driving the motor that drives the hopper and reset the timer; Is.

  The predetermined time may correspond to a time during which the reel control means excites the plurality of phases of the stepping motor after the plurality of reels are stopped.

  According to the present invention, when the reel is stopped and the winning is confirmed, it is determined whether or not each phase (stator) of the stepping motor that rotates the reel is energized, and when it is energized, the completion of the medal is waited for Therefore, the stepping motor and the hopper motor are not driven simultaneously, and the current is not excessively consumed. Thereby, the influence on the main board and the sub board can be reduced, and the burden on the power supply unit can be reduced.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of the drive circuit of the stepping motor of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view of a driving method of the stepping motor of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the drive method of the stepping motor which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the drive process of the stepping motor which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another flowchart of the drive process of the stepping motor which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another flowchart of the drive process of the stepping motor which concerns on embodiment of invention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).
The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

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

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

  The main board 10 is paid out from a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel unit (including a reel driving device) 203, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81 and a hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

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

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

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

  The insertion accepting unit 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and determines that the medal corresponding to the specified number of insertions has been inserted. A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first reel to the third reel is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start rotation of the first reel to the third reel and an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

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

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

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generation means 1050, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

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

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

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

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

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. The replay processing unit 1600 will be described later again. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  The reel control means 1300 rotates the first to third reels by a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to third reels are driven. Control that permits the pressing operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating reels in a state in which the rotation speed of the motor reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute). And a control to stop the first reel to the third reel, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, according to the lottery flag setting state (result of the internal lottery).

  In addition, the reel control means 1300 receives the reel stop signal when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated). Based on this, by stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203, control is performed to stop each of the first to third reels.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the reel control means 1300 determines the reel stop position corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third reels. The reel is stopped at the stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first reel according to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. (stop operation mode) of the three stop buttons. The stop position of the third reel is determined, and the first reel to the third reel are stopped at the determined stop position.

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

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes a reel index (not shown) made of a photosensor, and the reel control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the reel index every time the reel rotates once. By determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the step motor) from the reel reference position (the frame detected by the reel index), the current rotation state of the reel can be monitored. . That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

  The reel control means 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kick-out processing as control for stopping the reel. The pull-in process is a control process for stopping the reel so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on the winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the reel corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on the valid winning determination line (so that the non-winning combination cannot be won) This is a control process to be stopped. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the reels that have already stopped (types of display symbols) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. ) Etc., the stop control table is set so that the stop position of each reel changes. In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first reel to the third reel so as not to stop.

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

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stop mode of the first reel to the third reel. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first reel to the third reel are stopped, It is determined whether or not it is a predetermined winning combination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The reel unit 203 includes three reels (not shown), and one stepping motor is attached to each of the three reels. A stepping motor includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. is there. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the reel of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases).

  The stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a drive circuit for the stepping motor of the slot machine. In this figure, a two-phase motor is shown for ease of explanation, but the same applies to a four-phase motor. In FIG. 4, elements such as an index for detecting the position of each reel are omitted.

  In FIG. 13, reference numerals 1310-1 to 1310 denote ON / OFF (current flow) of coils 203 (A phase coil) A-1 to A and coils (B phase coil) 203B-1 to 203 B of stepping motors 203M-1 to 203M-1. This is a drive circuit for switching whether or not. Reference numerals 1320-1 to 1320 are excitation circuits that cause current to flow to the coils 203 </ b> A- 1 to 203 </ b> A- 1 and 203 </ b> B- 1 to 3 according to the output of the drive circuits 1310-1 to 1310-1. The coils 203A-2 and 3 and 203B-2 and 3 are not shown.

  Coils 203A-1 to 203A-3 are A-phase coils, and include two types of coils, A and / A. Each phase includes a common terminal COM in addition to the A terminal and the / A terminal, but the illustration thereof is omitted. Coils 203B-1 to 203B-3 are B-phase coils, and include two types of coils, B and / B. The A-phase coil and the B-phase coil are alternately arranged, for example, A, B, / A, / B,. When excited in the order of A → B →..., The motor rotates forward, and when excited in the order of B → A →. If the interval for switching the excitation of each phase is shortened, the motor rotates faster, and if the interval is increased, the motor rotates slower. If the current continues to flow through the same stator without switching the phase to be excited here, the rotor is fixed at the same stator position, and the motor continues to hold the current position.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a driving method of the stepping motor of the slot machine. The figure shows an example of one-two-phase excitation. A circle in the table indicates that a current is flowing through the coil. If current is passed through the coil in the order of steps 1, 2,..., 8 in the table of FIG.

  When the reel is stopped at a desired position, switching of the coil through which a current flows is stopped at the time when the reel is at the desired position or immediately before that. This will stop the reel, but as described above, by passing current in two phases, an output torque of about twice that of single-phase excitation can be obtained. Shed. In the case of multiple phases, it is preferable to pass current through all phases (coils). However, even if current is passed through two or more of all phases, there is a certain effect in that the stop position is reliably maintained. Hereinafter, in the case where a large number of phases are provided, this includes the case where current is supplied to two or more phases (including the case where current is not supplied to all phases but only to some phases). This is called phase excitation. FIG. 6 shows the timing of all-phase excitation. In all-phase excitation, current flows through many coils, so that the current consumption of the stepping motor is maximized. Note that the current continues to flow through the stepping motor for a certain period of time after the reel stops (see FIG. 6).

  Note that if a current is passed through only one phase, the current consumption will not be maximized. In this state, the main board or the like may not be adversely affected.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (timing chart) of the method for driving the stepping motor according to the embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to this figure.

  In the same figure, the spinning cylinders 1 to 3 of (a1) to (a3) are reels, and are driven by stepping motors 203M-1 to 203M-3, respectively. (B) shows the hopper drive permission signal which concerns on embodiment of invention. If the hopper drive permission signal is not permitted (in other words, prohibited), the hopper cannot be driven. (C1) and (c2) indicate hopper drive signals according to the embodiment of the invention. (D) shows the comparative example of a hopper drive signal.

  In the figure, rotation of the cylinders 1 to 3 starts at time t1, reaches a predetermined rotation speed at time t2, and thereafter rotates at a constant speed.

  The stop switch corresponding to the spinning cylinder 1 is pressed at time t3, but the spinning cylinder 1 stops at time t4 due to slipping (details will be described later). At this time, all-phase excitation is performed, and this continues until time t5. This period (time from t4 to t5) is predetermined. The rotating cylinder 2 and the rotating cylinder 3 are the same, and stop at time t7 and t10, respectively, and all-phase excitation continues until time t8 and t11.

  According to FIG. 6, since all-phase excitation is performed until time t11, the current consumption of the stepping motor is large. Therefore, the hopper drive permission signal is permitted at time t11 so as not to affect the main board 10 and the sub board 20 or to place a burden on a power supply unit (not shown) (previously prohibited). The hopper is driven when the hopper drive permission signal is permitted.

  As a result, the hopper is driven after the completion of all-phase excitation and no burden is placed on the power supply unit, regardless of when the winning decision is made in the winning determination after the three reels are stopped.

  For example, if the winning decision is after time t11 (t13) as in (c1), the hopper is driven immediately, but there is no problem because it is after the end of all-phase excitation. Even if the winning decision is before time t11 (t14) as in (c2), there is no problem because the hopper is driven from t11. When the payout is completed, the driving of the hopper is stopped (t12). At this timing, the hopper drive permission signal is prohibited.

  However, when the hopper is driven at time t14 as in the comparative example of (d), the driving of the hopper motor and the driving of the stepping motor (all-phase excitation) overlap from time 14 to time t11, which places a burden on the power supply unit. .

  The control of the reel control unit 1300 will be further described.

  A large number of pulses (for example, 504 pulses) are required to rotate the reel one turn (one stepping motor shaft). Since 21 symbols are evenly arranged in a vertical row on the surface of the reel, 24 pulses are required to rotate the reel by one symbol. Therefore, in order to rotate the reel from a certain proper stop position to the next successive proper stop position, it is necessary to output 24 pulses.

  When the player operates the start switch 134, the process waits until 175 milliseconds elapses. When 175 milliseconds have elapsed, it is determined whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game ended. A stepping motor that starts reel rotation at the same time when 175 milliseconds have elapsed since the operation of the start switch 134 and 4.1 seconds have passed since the previous game ended. A pulse is output to 203M-1.

  Next, acceleration processing is performed for each reel in order to gradually increase the rotation speed. When the acceleration process reaches a speed at which each reel makes one revolution in 750 milliseconds, the acceleration process is terminated. Then, in order to continue to rotate each reel at a speed of one rotation at 750 milliseconds, a constant speed process is performed at a constant interval (about 1.5 milliseconds) at which one pulse is output.

  The index signal is a signal indicating that a sensor light-shielding piece (not shown) provided on each reel has passed a photo sensor (not shown) provided adjacent to each reel. The position of the reel when the index signal is output is set as the reference position.

Next, stop control will be described.
In the stop control, each reel is stopped at an appropriate stop position based on the lottery result of the internal lottery means 1200 and the rotation timing position of each reel when each stop switch 140 is operated and a stop signal is output. The number of sliding frames is determined, and each reel is rotated according to the determined number of sliding frames, and when the appropriate stop position is reached, all-phase excitation is performed to stop each reel.

  “The number of sliding symbols” refers to the number of symbols that rotate and move after the stop signal is output until the corresponding reel stops at the appropriate stop position. The number of sliding frames is determined by a predetermined “stop table”. This stop table is used to determine the stop position to be immediately stopped or slid according to the state of the rotation amount from the reference position of each reel when the stop signal is output. The number of sliding frames when each reel is stopped is determined in advance based on the timing of the stop signal.

  For example, when the lottery result is “losing”, a stop table for losing is selected from the plurality of stop tables. For example, when the lottery result is “winning”, the winning table is selected from the plurality of stop tables. The number of sliding symbols is set based on the rotation timing position of the reel when the stop table is selected and the stop signal is output.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the driving process of the stepping motor according to the embodiment of the invention. The operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to this figure. It is the main substrate 10 that performs the processing of this figure.

S1: The reel is rotated. This corresponds to time t1 and after in FIG.

S2: The reel is stopped. This corresponds to time t3, t6, and after t9 in FIG.

S3: Winning determination is performed. This corresponds to time t10 and after in FIG.

S4: It is determined whether or not the winning is confirmed. If a prize is won, the processes of S5 and S6 are executed. If no prize has been won, the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.

S5: Determine whether excitation is in progress. When all the phases are being excited (when at least two phases are being excited), it is determined that excitation is in progress. If excitation is in progress, wait until excitation is complete. This corresponds to times t13 and t14 in FIG. If only a current is passed through one phase, the main board or the like may not be adversely affected. In this case, the process of S6 may be executed as NO in S5.

S6: When excitation is completed, the hopper is driven to perform payout. This corresponds to the times t13 to t12 and t14 to t12 in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is another flowchart of the driving process of the stepping motor according to the embodiment of the invention. This figure shows the details of the process of FIG. 7, in which the reel control means 1300 performs the processes of S11 to S13, and the payout control means 1500 performs the processes of S21 to S26. The processes of S11 to S13 are to permit the hopper drive permission signal, and the processes of S21 to S26 are to prohibit it. The processing of S21 to S26 is executed when winning is confirmed and payout is performed.

S11: Check the driving state of the stepping motor.

S12: Determine whether excitation is in progress. When all the phases are being excited (when at least two phases are being excited), it is determined that excitation is in progress. If excitation is in progress, wait until excitation is complete. In S12, NO is obtained when the excitation of the three reel stepping motors that have been excited to the end is completed.

S13: If not excited, the hopper drive permission signal is permitted. This corresponds to time t11 in FIG. If only a current is passed through one phase, the main board or the like may not be adversely affected. In this case, the process of S13 is executed.

S21: When paying out, the hopper drive permission signal is checked. Note that the processing of S21 to 1 is premised on payout.

S22: If permitted, execute S23-, otherwise (waiting), wait until permitted.

S23: If permitted, the hopper is driven.

S24: It is determined whether or not a predetermined number of medals have been paid out.

S25: When a predetermined number of medals are paid out, the driving of the hopper is stopped.

S26: The hopper drive permission signal is prohibited. This corresponds to time t12 in FIG.

  The hopper drive permission signal may be a flag. That is, a flag may be set in a predetermined area of the memory (RAM) in S13 (bit is set to 1), and the flag may be reset in S26 (bit is set to 0).

  In place of S11 and S12 in FIG. 8, it is checked whether or not the stepping motor has stopped. When it stops (corresponding to times t4, t7, and t10 in FIG. 6), a timer is started, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, processing after S23 is started. May be performed. A flowchart of this process is shown in FIG.

  In S12b, when one of the three reel stepping motors that has been rotated to the end stops, the answer is YES.

  The predetermined time serving as the determination criterion in S22b is the all-phase excitation time in FIG. The all-phase excitation time corresponds to t4 to t5, t7 to t8, and t10 to t11 in FIG. If the all-phase excitation time differs for each reel, the maximum value thereof is set as the all-phase excitation time.

  The timer is realized by software, for example, by the CPU of the main board 10 executing a predetermined program, or a dedicated timer IC.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, since a plurality of stepping motors and hopper motors are not driven simultaneously, a load is not imposed on the power supply unit. Accordingly, a decrease in power supply voltage (voltage drop) does not occur and the main board and the sub board are not adversely affected, and the gaming machine can be operated stably.

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

10 main board 1200 internal lottery means 1300 reel control means 1400 winning determination means 1500 payout control means 203M-1 to -3 stepping motor 203A-1 to -3 A phase coil (stator)
203B-1 to -3 B phase coil (stator)

Claims (4)

A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of stepping motors for rotating the plurality of reels, each including a plurality of phases each including a plurality of windings;
Random values acquired for each game, and lottery tables in which the correspondence between the role to be drawn and the random value is set according to the game state from a plurality of types including bonuses, small roles and replays An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not the winning combination is based,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game and stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery with a stop operation as a trigger;
In a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won based on a symbol combination indicating a winning pattern predetermined for each winning being displayed on a winning determination line;
A hopper for paying out a predetermined number of medals when it is determined by the winning determination means that a winning combination has been won;
A payout control means for controlling the hopper;
In a gaming machine comprising a motor for driving the hopper,
The reel control means checks the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor, and when it is excited, waits until the excitation is completed, and when it is not being excited, permits the hopper drive permission signal,
The payout control means examines the hopper drive permission signal when the winning determination means determines that the winning combination has been won and pays out a predetermined number of medals, and if the hopper drive permission signal is prohibited, it permits it. When the hopper drive permission signal is permitted, the motor that drives the hopper is driven, and when a predetermined number of medals are paid out, the driving of the motor that drives the hopper is stopped, and A gaming machine characterized by prohibiting a hopper drive permission signal. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
  A plurality of stepping motors for rotating the plurality of reels, each including a plurality of phases each including a plurality of windings;
  Random values acquired for each game, and lottery tables in which the correspondence between the role to be drawn and the random value is set according to the game state from a plurality of types including bonuses, small roles and replays An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not the winning combination is based,
  Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game and stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery with a stop operation as a trigger;
  In a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won based on a symbol combination indicating a winning pattern predetermined for each winning being displayed on a winning determination line;
  A hopper for paying out a predetermined number of medals when it is determined by the winning determination means that a winning combination has been won;
  A payout control means for controlling the hopper;
  In a gaming machine comprising a motor for driving the hopper,
  The reel control means checks the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor, and waits until the excitation ends when at least two phases of the plurality of phases of the stator are excited. When only is energized, enable the hopper drive enable signal,
  The payout control means examines the hopper driving permission signal when the winning determination means determines that a winning combination has been won and pays out a predetermined number of medals, and if the hopper driving permission signal is prohibited, it permits When the hopper drive permission signal is permitted, the motor that drives the hopper is driven, and when a predetermined number of medals are paid out, the driving of the motor that drives the hopper is stopped, and A gaming machine characterized by prohibiting a hopper drive permission signal. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of stepping motors for rotating the plurality of reels, each including a plurality of phases each including a plurality of windings;
Random values acquired for each game, and lottery tables in which the correspondence between the role to be drawn and the random value is set according to the game state from a plurality of types including bonuses, small roles and replays An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not the winning combination is based,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game and stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery with a stop operation as a trigger;
In a state where the plurality of reels are stopped, a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won based on a symbol combination indicating a winning pattern predetermined for each winning being displayed on a winning determination line;
A hopper for paying out a predetermined number of medals when it is determined by the winning determination means that a winning combination has been won;
A payout control means for controlling the hopper;
In a gaming machine comprising a motor for driving the hopper,
The reel control means starts a timer when the plurality of reels stop,
The payout control means checks the timer when the winning determination means determines that the winning combination has been won and pays out a predetermined number of medals, and when the predetermined time has not elapsed, the time elapses. Wait until the time has elapsed, drive the motor that drives the hopper, and when a predetermined number of medals are paid out, stop driving the motor that drives the hopper and reset the timer; A gaming machine characterized by that.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined time corresponds to a time during which the reel control means excites the plurality of phases of the stepping motor after the plurality of reels are stopped. .

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