JP5659421B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine including a reel and a stepping motor that rotationally drives the reel.

  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.

JP, 2002-159626, A Except for all-phase excitation, excitation other than all-phase excitation is performed after all-phase excitation in order to correct a pattern shift. JP, 2002-159627, A In order to improve the accuracy of reel stop, all-phase excitation is performed after two-phase excitation. In order to improve reel stop accuracy and diversify the stop process such as sliding, switching between two-phase excitation and all-phase excitation is performed. JP, 2007-117257, A In order to correct the shift of the pattern, each setting of the stepping motor was adjusted so that the pattern moves on the reel by one phase after all-phase excitation. JP, 2007-117258, A In order to correct the shift of symbols, the position for performing all-phase excitation was determined for each symbol, and the symbols were moved by one symbol on the reel for all-phase excitation. JP, 2008-183019, A The displacement angle of a rotating drum is adjusted after all-phase excitation for correction of a pattern shift.

  The slot machine includes a plurality of stepping motors for rotating a plurality of reels. An electric current is required to rotationally drive the plurality of stepping motors. 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 motors for rotating the plurality of reels, respectively, a stepping motor having a plurality of phases including windings as stators;
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 to stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation corresponding to each of the plurality of reels;
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; In the equipped gaming machine,
The reel control means includes
When a stop operation is performed on any one of the plurality of reels, the stop operation on other reels is impossible during a period until a predetermined first time elapses from the timing of the stop operation. The first step;
Although the stopping operation is already performed among the plurality of reels, the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor is checked, and when the stator is excited, the other reels are not subjected to the excitation until the excitation is finished. A second step of making the stop operation impossible and allowing the other reel to perform a stop operation when excitation is no longer being performed.

The reel control means includes
When a stop operation is performed on any one of the plurality of reels, the stop operation on other reels is impossible during a period until a predetermined first time elapses from the timing of the stop operation. The first step;
Although the stop operation has already been performed among the plurality of reels, the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor is checked, and when the stator is excited, the stop operation for the other reels is accepted. The other reel may not be stopped until the excitation is completed, and a second step of performing a stop process for the other reel when the excitation is not being performed may be executed.

The reel control means replaces the second step with
Although the stop operation has already been performed among the plurality of reels, the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor is checked, and when the stator is excited, the first time is set to a predetermined second time. It is possible to extend the time and execute the third step that enables the stop operation for the other reels when the extended time elapses.

  Preferably, the second time includes a timing at which excitation of the stator of the stepping motor of the reel that has already been stopped is completed, and excitation of the stator of the stepping motor of the other reel. It is determined based on the difference from the start timing.

  According to the present invention, the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor of the plurality of reels of the gaming machine that have already been stopped is checked, and when the stator is excited, the excitation ends. The other reels cannot be stopped and the other reels can be stopped when the magnet is not being excited. Is no longer 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 a process flowchart which controls permission / denial of stop operation concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the stop process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a timing chart of the stop process which concerns on embodiment of invention (the case where all phase excitation does not overlap). It is a timing chart of the stop process which concerns on embodiment of invention (Case corresponding so that all-phase excitation may not overlap). It is a timing chart of a stop process (a comparative example, the case where all phase excitation overlaps). It is another process flowchart which controls permission / denial of stop operation concerning an embodiment of the 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 a numerical value 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 over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, 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 the internal lottery is set to the 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) I do.

  The reel control means 1300 performs control to stop the first to third reels that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor based on the stop operation in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result). Specifically, in a state where pressing operations (stopping operations) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 are permitted (validated), the player presses the three stop buttons 140, and based on the reel stop signal, 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 is won, the hopper 81 is driven and a medal payout control process is performed or credited (a predetermined maximum number, for example, 50 is increased and exceeded) When the replay is won, the replay process is performed, and when the big bonus or the regular bonus is won, the 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 the figure, reference numeral 1310-1 denotes a drive circuit for switching on / off (whether or not current flows) of a coil 203 (A phase coil) A-1 and a coil (B phase coil) 203B-1 of a stepping motor 203M-1. is there. Reference numeral 1320-1 denotes an excitation circuit that supplies current to the coils 203A-1 and 203B-1 in accordance with the output of the drive circuit 1310-1.
The stepping motors 203M-2 and -3 have the same configuration as the stepping motor 203M-1, but for the sake of simplification of the drawings, the stepping motors 203M-2 and -3 are each provided with a rotor provided therein. A phase coil and B phase coil are not shown. In other words, although not shown, the stepping motors 203M-2 and -3 include a rotor, an A-phase coil, and a B-phase coil, like the stepping motor 203M-1.
The drive circuits 1301-2 and -3 are the same as the drive circuit 130-1. The excitation circuits 1320-2 and -3 are the same as the excitation circuit 1320-1.

  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, the flow of current through two or more phases is referred to as all-phase excitation (when a current is passed through two or more phases when three or more phases are provided, This is called “all” phase excitation even if no current is passed through the phase). The timing of all-phase excitation is shown in FIGS. 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 FIGS. 8 to 10).

  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. However, even in this case, the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described later may be applied. In other words, the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be applied not only to all-phase excitation but also when at least a part of the stator of the stepping motor is excited.

  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. 6 is a process flowchart for setting whether to enable or disable pressing (stop operation) of the stop switch 140 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. The stop switch 140 is enabled (can be stopped) when three conditions are satisfied (specifically, when indexes are detected for all three reels) after the reel starts rotating. When one of the switches 140 is pressed, the fixed time is invalid thereafter (stop operation is impossible). FIG. 6 shows the latter process, and the display of the former process is omitted.

  The player can press the three stop switches 140 in any order. The first stop, the second stop, and the third stop will be referred to in the order of pressing. Among the three reels, the reel corresponding to the stop switch 140 related to the first stop is the reel related to the first stop. The same applies to the second stop and the third stop. In one game, the relationship between the three reels related to the first stop to the third stop and the three stop switches is fixed, but the relationship varies from game to game. In the following description, processing in one game will be described exclusively.

  The process of FIG. 6 is applied to all of the first stop to the third stop.

S1: It is determined whether or not the stop switch is pressed.
Based on the output signals of the three stop switches 140, it is determined whether any of them is pressed.

S2: Stop operation is disabled.
After pressing any one of the stop switches 140 (YES in S1), the stop operation by the other stop switches 140 is disabled for a certain time (about 200 milliseconds). Specifically, the reel control means 1300 ignores signals received from other stop switches 140. Alternatively, the wiring from the stop switch 140 is turned off. At this time, the illumination (LED) built in the stop switch 140 may be turned off.

S3: Start a timer.
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.

S4: It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
A predetermined time (about 200 milliseconds) is measured, and at least during that time, the stop operation is disabled (NO in S4). When a certain time has elapsed (YES in S4), the processes after S5 are executed.

S5: It is determined whether the first stop and the second stop have already been made.
It is determined whether an operation related to the stop switch 140 related to the first stop and the second stop has been performed. When the first stop and the second stop have not been made yet, for example, when the current stop operation is the first, NO is made in S5 and the process proceeds to S9.
When the first stop and the second stop have already been made, YES is obtained in S5.

  When it is considered that all three reels are all-phase excitation, it is determined that both the first stop and the second stop are performed as shown in FIG. When it is a problem that all the phases of the reels are excited, in other words, when it is a problem that the two-phase excitation is performed simultaneously, it is determined that either the first stop or the second stop is made. You just have to do it. In the latter case, the driving state of the motor related to the first stop or the second stop may be checked in S6, and the loop may be repeated at all phase excitation (YES) in either S7 or S8.

S6: The drive state of the motor related to the first stop and the second stop is checked.
Since the reel control means 1300 sends a command signal to the drive circuits 1310-1 to 1310-3 in FIG. 4, it is possible to check the driving state of each motor by checking what the command signal is.

S7: It is determined whether the motor related to the first stop is all-phase excitation.
When all phases are excited (YES), the process proceeds to S8.
When all phases are not excited, the three motors do not perform all phases at the same time, so there is no problem of excessive consumption of current. Therefore, the process proceeds to S9 and the stop switch 140 can be operated.

S8: It is determined whether the motor related to the second stop is all-phase excitation.
When all phases are excited (YES), the process returns to S7. Then, as long as both the motors for the first stop and the second stop are all-phase excitation, the processes of S7 and S8 are repeated (looped). In other words, the process does not proceed to S9, and the operation of the stop switch 140 remains impossible.

  When all phases are not excited, the three motors do not perform all phases at the same time, so there is no problem of excessive consumption of current. Therefore, the process proceeds to S9 and the stop switch 140 can be operated.

  FIG. 7 is a process flowchart relating to the stop. The processes related to the first stop to the third stop are common. FIG. 7 shows only processes necessary for explaining the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, display of processes such as winning determination / medal payout is omitted.

S10: It is determined whether or not the stop switch 140 can be operated.
Specifically, the period during which S2 to S5 in FIG. 6 is YES, S7 is YES, and S8 is YES (until immediately before S9) is a period during which the stop switch 140 cannot be operated. In contrast, the period after S9 in FIG. 6 is a period during which the stop switch 140 can be operated.

  In the process of FIG. 6, a flag for identifying whether the stop switch 140 can be operated may be used. For example, an operation enable / disable flag is prepared in the memory, the flag is cleared in S2 of FIG. 6, and the flag is set in S9 of FIG. In this example, if the flag is set, YES is obtained in S10 of FIG.

S11: If the stop switch 140 cannot be operated (NO in S10), the stop switch signal is not accepted.
For example, the CPU of the main board 10 does not execute a program for reading the signal of the stop switch 140. Even if the signal is read, it is ignored (erased). Alternatively, a hardware is provided such as providing a switch that prevents a signal from being output from the stop switch 140, or providing a switch that disconnects the output signal (a switch that prevents a signal from the stop switch 140 from propagating to the main board 10). The stop switch 140 is disabled in terms of wear.

S12: The signal of the stop switch 140 is received.

S13: It is determined whether or not the stop switch 140 is pressed.

S14: When the stop switch 140 is pressed (YES in S13), slip control is performed and the corresponding reel is stopped. Since this process is known, its description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where all phase excitations of the three reels do not overlap.

  In the figure, rotation of all three reels starts simultaneously at time t1, reaches a predetermined rotation speed at time t2, and thereafter rotates at a constant speed. At time t3, indexes are detected for all three reels. As a result, the reel control means 1300 can grasp the rotational position of each reel, and after that, the reel can be stopped. The stop switch 140 becomes operable at time t3.

  At time t4, one arbitrary stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the first stop). The reel according to the first stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts1. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz1.

  On the other hand, the operation of the stop switch 140 becomes impossible at time t4. This state continues for a period TA. Thereafter, the stop switch 140 can be operated again (time t41). This corresponds to YES in S1 of FIG. 6, S2 and S3 are executed, YES in S4, YES in S5, S6, YES in S7, NO in S8, and S9. Note that the time measured by the timer of S3 in FIG. 6 is TA.

  Next, at time t5, the other stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the second stop). The reel according to the second stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts2. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz2.

  On the other hand, the operation of the stop switch 140 becomes impossible again at time t5. This state continues for a period TA. Thereafter, the stop switch 140 can be operated again (time t51). This corresponds to S1 in FIG. 6 being YES, S2 and S3 being executed, S4 being YES, S5 being YES, S6 being executed, S7 being NO and S9 being executed.

  Next, at time t6, one other stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the third stop). The reel according to the third stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts3. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz3. After time t6, the operation of stop switch 140 remains impossible.

  Note that the slip times Ts1 to Ts3 change at every operation timing of the stop switch and are approximately in the range of 1.5 milliseconds to 180 milliseconds. The all-phase excitation times Tz1 to Tz3 are the same and are approximately 250 milliseconds. The time TA measured by the timer is approximately 200 milliseconds. The shorter the TA, the shorter the pressing interval of the stop switch 140 can be. However, on the other hand, the possibility of overlapping all-phase excitations increases.

  FIG. 9 shows a case corresponding to the processing of FIG. 6 so that all phase excitations of the three reels do not overlap.

  In the figure, rotation of all three reels starts simultaneously at time t1, reaches a predetermined rotation speed at time t2, and thereafter rotates at a constant speed. At time t3, indexes are detected for all three reels. As a result, the reel control means 1300 can grasp the rotational position of each reel, and after that, the reel can be stopped. The stop switch 140 becomes operable at time t3.

  At time t4, one arbitrary stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the first stop). The reel according to the first stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts1. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz1.

  On the other hand, the operation of the stop switch 140 becomes impossible at time t4. This state continues for a period TA. Thereafter, the stop switch 140 can be operated again (time t41). This is YES in S1 in FIG. 6, S2 and S3 are executed, YES in S4, YES in S5, S6 is executed, and NO in S7 (in FIG. 9, the first slip reel slip Ts1 becomes longer). In other words, the motor of the reel is not in full-phase excitation at time t41 when the timer times out), which corresponds to executing S9.

  Next, at time t5, the other stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the second stop). The reel according to the second stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts2. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz2.

  On the other hand, the operation of the stop switch 140 becomes impossible again at time t5. This state continues for a period TB. Thereafter, the stop switch 140 can be operated again (time t51 '). This is YES in S1 of FIG. 6, S2 and S3 are executed, YES in S4, YES in S5, S6, and YES in Szz and S8 at Tzz between times t50 and t51 ′ in FIG. However, after time t51 ′, NO is obtained in S7, and this corresponds to executing S9. S7 and S8 make it impossible to operate the stop switch 140 during the overlap period Tzz of all-phase excitation of the first stop and the second stop reel.

  Next, at time t <b> 6 ′, another one stop switch 140 is pressed (the reel corresponding thereto becomes the reel related to the third stop). The reel according to the third stop stops after a predetermined slip. The slip period is Ts3. All-phase excitation is performed when the reel stops. The period of all-phase excitation is Tz3.

  What is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 9 is a timing chart in FIG. As can be easily understood by comparing the two figures, TB = TA + ΔT and ΔT = t51'-t51. ΔT should be called a stop switch operation non-extension time.

  By the process of FIG. 6, the stop switch operation disabled period is extended as shown in FIG. 9, so that all phase excitations of those motors do not overlap for all three reels. Therefore, the current is not excessively consumed by the motor. 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.

  FIG. 10 is a comparative example of FIG. FIG. 9 corresponds to a process executed by a conventional gaming machine (a process not including S5 to S8 in FIG. 6).

  In FIG. 10, since the stop switch operation impossible extension time ΔT does not exist, the stop switch 140 can be pressed at time t51. If the stop switch 140 is pressed at t6 immediately after that and the reel related to the third stop is stopped in a short time (for example, the minimum slip time), all phases of the reel related to the first stop or the second stop immediately after that. Until the time when excitation is canceled (after the passage of Tz1 or Tz2) (symbol Txx), all three motors are all-phase excited. Excessive current is consumed during this period Txx. As a result, the power supply voltage may drop and adversely affect the main board and sub board (the applied voltage of the IC falls below the rated value and the operation becomes unstable, or the reset IC generates a reset signal and processing Etc.).

  On the other hand, according to FIG. 9, since the stop switch operation impossible extension time ΔT exists, the above problem does not occur.

  In the process of FIG. 6, the driving state of the motor of the reel related to the first stop and the second stop is examined, and the operation of the stop switch 140 is disabled as long as it continues. This is to repeat the excitation state monitoring process many times (S7 and S8 in FIG. 6 were looped). Another processing example is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows that when both the first and second reel motors are energized in all phases, a timer is started (S20), and after it times out (YES in S21), the stop switch 140 is turned on. It is to enable operation. The process of FIG. 11 can be said to be a process of extending the stop switch operation disabled time TA by a predetermined stop switch operation disabled extended time ΔT. In the process of FIG. 6, ΔT fluctuated for each game as a result, but in the process of FIG. 11, ΔT is constant.

  The following time can be adopted as the stop switch operation impossible extension time ΔT.

  The case of all-phase excitation for all three reel motors does not always exist, as can be seen from FIG. Rather, FIG. 10 is an exceptional case. The case of FIG. 10 occurs when the following conditions are satisfied.

-The first stop slip is the longest.-The second stop is performed as soon as the stop switch can be operated.
・ The third stop is performed as soon as the stop switch can be operated, and the third stop slip is the shortest.

  Next, in the above worst case, it is calculated to what extent all phase excitations overlap for all three reel motors. In the following example, the timing t4 of the first stop operation is used as a reference.

(1) The time from time t4 to the end of all-phase excitation of the reel motor related to the first stop is (maximum value of Ts1) + (period of all-phase excitation) = 182.51 milliseconds + 248.336 milliseconds = 430.846 milliseconds. t4 + 430.846 milliseconds = t51 '.

(2) The time from time t4 to the start of all-phase excitation of the reel motor related to the third stop is (period TA) + (period TA) + (minimum value of slip Ts3) = 203.456 milliseconds + 203. 456 milliseconds + 1.496 milliseconds = 408.408 milliseconds. t4 + 408.408 milliseconds = t7 in FIG. However, t5-t41 = 0 and t6-t51 = 0.

  In the time from (2) to (1) above, all phase excitations overlap for all three reel motors. This time is (1)-(2) = 22.438 milliseconds.

  As the stop switch operation impossible extension time ΔT, (1) − (2) = 22.438 milliseconds≈23 milliseconds may be employed.

  As can be seen from the above discussion, when the slip of the third stop is longer than the above (1)-(2) = 23 milliseconds, it is not necessary to extend the stop switch operation disabled time. . Also, when the above (1)-(2) becomes negative, it is not necessary to extend the stop switch operation impossible time. As can be seen from (2) above, if the period TA is somewhat large, all-phase excitations will not overlap for all three reel motors. For example, if the period TA = 220 milliseconds, (1) − (2) <0. The technique according to the embodiment of the present invention is significant when the time interval at which the stop switch 140 can be continuously operated is shortened.

  Note that the conditions under which all phase excitations of the motors of any two reels overlap are also examined.

(3) The time from time t4 to the end of all-phase excitation of the reel motor relating to the first stop is (maximum value of Ts1) + (period of all-phase excitation) = 182.51 milliseconds + 248.336 milliseconds = 430.846 milliseconds.

(4) The time from the time t4 to the start of all-phase excitation of the reel motor related to the second stop is (period TA) + (minimum value of the slip Ts2) = 203.456 milliseconds + 1.496 milliseconds = 204 952 milliseconds.

  In the time from (4) to (3) above, all-phase excitations can overlap for the motors of the two reels. This time is (4)-(3) = 225.894 milliseconds.

  In this case, by adopting the above (4)-(3) as the stop switch operation impossible extension time ΔT, in other words, what is added to the above (4)-(3) in the period TA is a new interval TB. By doing so, all phase excitations do not overlap with respect to any two stepping motor combinations.

  In FIG. 6, the stop operation is possible (S9) when a predetermined condition is satisfied (NO in S7 or S8). However, the stop operation itself is accepted, and is valid when the predetermined condition is satisfied. It may be. In this manner, the stop switch 140 can be operated at an arbitrary timing. However, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the stop switch 140 is made effective, and the reel control means 1300 starts the reel stop operation. This process corresponds to delaying the stop operation (the signal of the stop switch 140) by the above ΔT. According to this process, since the stop operation itself is effective, the player does not need to repeat the stop operation. In the example of FIG. 6, when the stop operation is ignored, the player needs to perform the stop operation again.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, since a plurality of stepping motors are not excited at all phases at the same time, 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)
TA First predetermined time ΔT Second predetermined time S1 to S4 First step S5 to S9 Second step

Claims (3)

A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of reels, respectively, a stepping motor having a plurality of phases including windings as stators;
Based on a random value acquired for each game, and a lottery table in which a correspondence between a role to be selected and a random value is set according to the gaming state from a plurality of types including a small role and a replay , An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a role is won,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game, and to stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation corresponding to each of the plurality of reels;
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; In the equipped gaming machine,
The reel control means includes
When the stop operation for any one of the plurality of reels is performed, the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor of the reel on which the stop operation is performed is checked, and the stator is excited The game machine is characterized in that when the excitation is completed, the stop operation for the other reels is impossible until the excitation is finished, and when the excitation is not being performed, the stop operation for the other reels is enabled. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of reels, respectively, a stepping motor having a plurality of phases including windings as stators;
Based on a random value acquired for each game, and a lottery table in which a correspondence between a role to be selected and a random value is set according to the gaming state from a plurality of types including a small role and a replay , An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a role is won,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game, and to stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation corresponding to each of the plurality of reels;
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; In the equipped gaming machine,
The reel control means includes
When the stop operation for any one of the plurality of reels is performed, as long as the excitation state of the stator of the stepping motor of the reel on which the stop operation is performed continues to the other reels A gaming machine, wherein the stop operation is impossible. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface;
A plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of reels, respectively, a stepping motor having a plurality of phases including windings as stators;
Based on a random value acquired for each game, and a lottery table in which a correspondence between a role to be selected and a random value is set according to the gaming state from a plurality of types including a small role and a replay , An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a role is won,
Reel control means for performing a control to rotate the plurality of reels for each game, and to stop the plurality of reels according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation corresponding to each of the plurality of reels;
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; In the equipped gaming machine,
The reel control means includes
When the stop operation for any one of the plurality of reels is performed, when the stator of the stepping motor of the reel on which the stop operation is performed is not being excited, the other reels A gaming machine that is capable of stopping operation.

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