JP5669012B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders 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. In addition, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and according to the result of the internal lottery triggered by the player's stop operation. The control which stops a some rotary drum in the aspect is performed. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

Some slot machines move the spinning cylinder when notifying internal winnings. Normally, the spinning cylinder rotates at the start of the game by pressing the start switch and stops when the stop switch is pressed, but in a slot machine with an effect function by the spinning switch, the period from the start switch pressing to the stop button pressing More precisely, during the period from when the start switch is pressed to when the rotating cylinder reaches steady rotation, the internal winning may be notified by performing a special operation such as irregularly moving each rotating cylinder up and down ( Since the movement of the spinning cylinder in a normal game is regular in one direction and at a constant speed, it can be easily distinguished from the movement of the spinning cylinder by production). Such an operation of the reel is called a spinning effect.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned spinning effect may be performed after all the spinning cylinders have been stopped and before the medal insertion acceptance start relating to the next game.

  Specifically, the movement (rotation) of the rotating drum is realized by driving the stepping motor with a predetermined excitation pattern (details will be described later). There is a specific relationship between the excitation pattern and the rotational position of the motor (rotor position), and a predetermined excitation pattern is used according to this relationship.

  By the way, when the motor is driven with a predetermined excitation pattern in order to rotate the rotating cylinder that has been stopped, the motor does not move smoothly unless the excitation pattern at the time of stop coincides with the excitation pattern at the start of rotation. In a stepping motor, a so-called “step-out” phenomenon is known in which the control is disturbed because the load is too large or the pulse frequency is too high and the control is disturbed. That is, if the change of the excitation pattern and the rotation of the rotor of the stepping motor match, it moves smoothly, but if it does not match, it does not move smoothly. This is because the control circuit of the stepping motor is not provided with a feedback circuit and performs open loop control, so that even if there is a mismatch between the excitation pattern and the rotor position, this cannot be known. Similarly, when starting, if the excitation pattern that should originally be given in the stop state does not match the actual excitation pattern, the movement is disturbed and the movement does not move smoothly.

  For example, if the excitation pattern of step 6 in FIG. 12A is the previous stop of the spinning cylinder, the excitation pattern of step 4 in FIG. 12B is selected at the start of the spinning effect. If the motor starts smoothly, another excitation pattern is selected, and if it is the excitation pattern at the start of rotation, the motor shakes and does not start smoothly. When the excitation pattern is sequentially switched over time, the excitation pattern 4 in FIG. 5B is eventually obtained, and since the rotation starts before long, the rotating cylinder does not start. However, since it seems that the spinning cylinder does not rotate in the meantime, there is a possibility that the player may be suspicious. Eventually, interest may be lost.

  In a conventional gaming machine that does not perform the spinning effect, there is only one process for performing the spinning control (rotational control program related to the game), so start with the excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop. It was easy to rotate. However, in a gaming machine that performs a spinning effect, there are a plurality of processes for performing the spinning control, that is, a spinning control program and a spinning effect program relating to the game (a plurality of excitation pattern groups exist as shown in FIG. 12). ). In these processes, if the rotation of the rotating drum is started from an arbitrary excitation pattern, it does not always coincide with the excitation pattern at the time of stop, and the above-described problem arises. That is, the gaming machine performs the spinning effect, and the above-described problem at the time of starting the spinning cylinder has arisen. Such a phenomenon occurs, for example, when an abnormality of backup data is found immediately after power is turned on.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to smooth the movement of the spinning cylinder at the start of the game and / or at the start of the spinning effect in a gaming machine that performs the spinning effect.

The present invention provides a reel unit including a plurality of spinning cylinders, a plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of spinning cylinders, a start switch for starting rotation of the plurality of spinning cylinders, and the plurality of motors, respectively. A rotation control means for rotating the plurality of rotation cylinders by supplying a drive signal of a predetermined excitation pattern; and an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether or not a winning combination is made based on a start signal from the start switch; In a gaming machine comprising
The spinning control means rotates the plurality of spinning cylinders in order to play a game, and performs a spinning performance that performs a predetermined performance according to the operation mode of the spinning cylinder.
A game excitation pattern storage unit for storing a predetermined game excitation pattern;
An excitation pattern storage unit for a spinning effect that stores a predetermined excitation pattern for the spinning effect,
A stop excitation pattern storage unit that stores an excitation pattern at the time of stopping the rotating drum,
The spinning cylinder control means includes:
Read the excitation pattern from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stop, perform the spinning effect based on the read excitation pattern, or rotate the spinning cylinder based on the excitation pattern to play a game,
When the excitation pattern cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stop, the spinning effect is prohibited, but the rotation of the spinning cylinder for playing a game is permitted.

At least the stop-time excitation pattern storage unit holds stored contents when the gaming machine is powered off,
When the power is turned on, at least the stored contents of the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stop are inspected, and if the stored contents are abnormal as a result of the inspection, the excitation pattern cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stop You may make it.

The spinning cylinder control means includes:
(1) When performing the spinning effect, the excitation pattern is read from the stop excitation pattern storage unit, and the excitation pattern that matches the read excitation pattern is retrieved from the excitation pattern storage unit for the rotation effect and searched. Based on the excitation pattern for the rotator effect with the excitation pattern as a starting position, the motor is driven to rotate the rotator,
(2) When rotating the spinning cylinder to play a game, the excitation pattern is read from the stop excitation pattern storage unit, and the excitation pattern that matches the read excitation pattern is retrieved from the game excitation pattern storage unit. Then, the motor may be driven based on the gaming excitation pattern to rotate the rotating drum with the searched excitation pattern as a starting position.

An excitation pattern conversion table that stores in advance a correspondence relationship between the excitation pattern included in the game excitation pattern storage unit and the excitation pattern included in the excitation pattern storage unit for rotation effect,
The stop excitation pattern storage unit stores identification information of an excitation pattern at the time of stopping the rotating drum,
The spinning cylinder control means includes:
(1 ′) When performing the spinning effect, the identification information is read from the stop excitation pattern storage unit, and the excitation pattern for the spinning effect is referred to the excitation pattern conversion table based on the read identification information. Identify the excitation pattern of the storage unit, rotate the rotating cylinder by driving the motor based on the excitation pattern for the rotating effect with the identified excitation pattern as a start position,
(2 ′) When the rotating drum is rotated to play a game, the identification information is read from the stop-time excitation pattern storage unit, and the game is referred to the excitation pattern conversion table based on the read identification information. An excitation pattern stored in the excitation pattern storage unit may be specified, and the motor may be rotated by driving the motor based on the gaming excitation pattern using the specified excitation pattern as a start position.

  The excitation pattern of the rotation effect excitation pattern storage unit may include an excitation pattern that rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation of the motor by the game excitation pattern storage unit.

  According to this invention, the excitation pattern of the motor when the rotation of the rotating cylinder is stopped is stored, and when the rotating cylinder is rotated again, the excitation pattern corresponding to the excitation pattern at the time of stopping is set as the start position, and the excitation pattern is switched from there. Since the rotation effect is prohibited when the excitation pattern at the stop cannot be read, the rotation of the rotation device does not become unnatural at the start of rotation of the rotation effect.

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 explanatory drawing of the hardware constitutions of a main board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing of the excitation pattern memory | storage process at the time of the rotation stop which concerns on embodiment of invention, and a memory backup process. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a setting change process flowchart. It is a perspective view which shows the reel unit of a slot machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rotating drum which comprises the reel unit of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of the drive circuit of the stepping motor of the slot machine. It is a block diagram of the excitation pattern control part which concerns on embodiment of invention. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of the excitation pattern for gaming according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of the excitation pattern for spinning effect according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a game process. It is a flowchart (subroutine of S4 of FIG. 13) of the spinning drum effect process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the game spinning cylinder rotation process which concerns on embodiment of invention. FIG. 15A is a subroutine of S5 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15B is a subroutine of S6 in FIG. It is a block diagram of the other excitation pattern control part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the excitation pattern conversion table of the other excitation pattern control part 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.

  Further, 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 spinning cylinders. 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 above 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 (rotating cylinder) unit 203 including three rotating cylinders 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 spinning cylinders (first to third drums) 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 reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  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 used for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and for performing processing such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. 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.

Connected to the main board 10 are switches such as a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a setting change key switch 2054, and a setting change switch 2055.
The setting change key switch 2054 is a switch for changing the setting, and the setting change switch 2055 is a switch for changing the setting value or resetting the apparatus. Setting change key switch 2054 and setting change switch 2055 are provided on the operation panel of power supply unit 205.
Further, a reel (rotating drum) unit 203, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81 (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) are connected. Has been. 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 an unillustrated rotating disk of 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 (insertion accepting means) 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 based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions. Then, a process of permitting the start operation of the first to third cylinders for the start switch 134 is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is 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. From the point when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop switches 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when the medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even 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 generating means 1100, 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. For example, when a predetermined result is displayed when the reel is stopped by operating the stop button 140, the winning probability of replay varies. 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 spinning cylinder control means 1300 rotates the first to third cylinders with a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by a player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to Press operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating cylinder in a state where the rotation speed of the third cylinder reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute) ) And control to stop the first to third cylinders driven to rotate by the stepping motor according to the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, 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 the signal, the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

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

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes an index sensor composed of a photosensor, and the spinning cylinder control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the index sensor every time the spinning cylinder rotates once. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (the frame detected by the index sensor), the current rotation state of the drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. 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 spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). 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 to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine, the first to third cylinders are set to a control state in which the rotating cylinder corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from when the stop button 140 is pressed. Yes. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder 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 stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. 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 to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  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 spinning cylinders 40a to 40c (see FIG. 8), and one stepping motor 155a to 155c is attached to each of the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c (see FIG. 9 and its description). . In addition, there are provided rotating position detectors (index sensors) 159a to 159c for detecting the position of the rotating cylinder, respectively. Note that the stepping motors 155a to 155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor.

  Based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 for each rotation of each of the rotating cylinders 40a to 40c, the rotating cylinder control means 1300 detects the reference position (the frame detected by the reel index) of the rotating cylinder 40. By obtaining the rotation angle (counting the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor), the current rotation state of the rotating drum 40 can be monitored. That is, the main substrate 10 can obtain the position of the rotating drum 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating drum 40.

  The stepping motor 155 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. It is. 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 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 an explanatory diagram of the hardware configuration of the main board 10. The main board 10 shown in FIG. 3 is actually realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. That is, a CPU (processing device), a ROM (nonvolatile storage unit), a memory M (a readable and writable memory, RWM), and an I / O (input / output device) are connected to a bus BUS composed of a plurality of bits (wiring). It is connected. Note that the CPU, I / O, and the like may be formed on one chip and grouped as one unit (IC). The memory M is at least partially backed up by a battery or is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and the stored contents are retained even when the power is turned off. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, “memory M” refers to a memory that retains stored contents even when the power is turned off.

  Switches such as a start switch 134 and a stop switch 140 are connected to the I / O in FIG. Therefore, the CPU can receive signals from various switches through the I / O.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention will be described.
It should be noted that the rotation effect processing, the game rotation rotation processing, and the configuration for executing these, which will appear in the following description, will be described in detail later (FIGS. 8 to 17 and their descriptions). See).

  The spinning cylinder control means 1300 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention rotates the plurality of spinning cylinders 40a to 40c in order to play a game, and performs a predetermined notification according to the operation mode of these three spinning cylinders. Produce. The rotation control means 1300 includes a game excitation pattern storage unit that stores a predetermined game excitation pattern, and a rotation effect excitation pattern storage that stores a predetermined rotation effect excitation pattern. And a stop-time excitation pattern storage unit for storing the excitation pattern when the rotor is stopped (refer to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 for the description of the game excitation pattern and the rotation effect excitation pattern). Wanna)

  An explanation will be added to “store the excitation pattern when the rotating cylinder is stopped” with reference to FIG. There are two patterns.

  First, it is a pattern for storing an excitation pattern at the time of stopping the rotation at the end of the rotation effect (S30). This specific processing is shown in FIG. Details thereof will be described later.

  Next, it is a pattern for storing an excitation pattern at the time of stopping the spinning at the end of the game (S31). This specific process is shown in FIG. Details thereof will be described later.

  As described above, the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the spinning cylinder is stored, and the spinning effect production process and the gaming cylinder rotation process are performed based on the read excitation pattern. This is to avoid becoming. This is particularly a problem in the spinning effect.

  That is, when the motor is driven with a predetermined excitation pattern in order to rotate the rotating cylinder that has been stopped, the motor does not move smoothly unless the excitation pattern at the time of stop coincides with the excitation pattern at the start of rotation. If the excitation pattern that should originally be given in the stop state does not match the actual excitation pattern that is given in the start-up state, the movement is disturbed and the movement is not smooth. This is because the control circuit of the stepping motor is not provided with a feedback circuit and performs open loop control, so that even if there is a mismatch between the excitation pattern and the rotor position, this cannot be known.

  For example, at the time of factory shipment or when a backup error (described later) occurs, there is a problem that the operation becomes unstable as described above because the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the rotation cannot be read.

  Therefore, the spinning control means 1300 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention reads the excitation pattern from the stop-time excitation pattern storage unit, performs the spinning effect based on the read excitation pattern, and performs the game When the spinning cylinder is rotated and the excitation pattern cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stopping, the spinning effect is prohibited, but the rotation of the spinning cylinder for playing a game is permitted. Specifically, by performing (permitting) at least one game, the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the spinning cylinder at the end of the game is stored (S31 in FIG. 5). It becomes possible to perform the performance naturally. It should be noted that when rotating the spinning cylinder for gaming, there is no problem even if the stop excitation pattern cannot be read. This is because the rotation of the spinning cylinder in the game is a simple control of rotating at a constant speed in a certain direction, so that an unnatural operation for the player does not occur.

  “The excitation pattern cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit when stopped” refers to the following case.

(1) A backup abnormality was detected in a check (inspection) at power-on.
When the power is turned off, backup processing as shown in S40 and S41 of FIG. 5 is performed. That is, an interrupt process is performed in response to a known power-off notice signal, and the contents of the memory such as a winning flag at that time are written in a battery-backed memory or a non-volatile memory (S40), and then the power is turned off ( The power supply voltage is reduced) (S41). Even if the power is cut off, the power supply voltage does not decrease during this process, and a predetermined backup process can be executed. The backup abnormality means that the content backed up in the memory backup process (S40 in FIG. 5) performed when the power is turned off does not match the content read when the power is turned on. For example, a checksum is obtained for all the contents backed up in the memory backup process S40, and the checksum is stored together (backed up), and a checksum is obtained for all the contents backed up when the power is turned on. When these are inconsistent, it is determined that the backup is abnormal. In this way, the backup process is to copy the contents of a predetermined area of the memory M (non-battery backed up) when the power is turned off to the memory M backed up by the battery, and obtain and store the checksum. It is processing.

  In the case of a backup abnormality, the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the spinning cylinder that was backed up when the power was turned off may be lost, so as described above, the spinning performance is prohibited, but the spinning cylinder for playing games is prohibited. Rotation is allowed.

(2) When power is turned on for the first time after shipment from the factory Since the memory contents are cleared at the time of shipment from the factory, the excitation pattern when the rotor is stopped is not stored.

  In this case, since the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the spinning cylinder is not written in the first place, as described above, the spinning performance is prohibited, but the rotation of the spinning cylinder for playing a game is permitted. Even in this case, a backup abnormality is detected.

(3) When a failure occurs such as when the memory is broken or the wiring is broken If there is a trouble such as a failure in the memory or its wiring for some reason, the excitation pattern cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit when stopped.

  If the memory suddenly breaks during the game, it can be detected as a reading / writing abnormality to the memory.

  I was able to read the excitation pattern, but it turned out that it was different from the excitation pattern at the time of storage (for example, memorize the parity of each bit of the stored excitation pattern and compare it with the parity of the read excitation pattern It is also possible that “the excitation pattern cannot be read from the stop excitation pattern storage unit”.

  The operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This figure is a typical example corresponding to the case (1).

S50: It is determined whether backup is abnormal.
Determine if there is a backup error immediately after turning on the power. Specifically, the checksum is inspected as described above.
If the backup is abnormal (YES), the process proceeds to S55, and if not, the process proceeds to S51.

S51: It is determined whether the setting change switching condition is satisfied.
For example, it is assumed that the setting change switching condition is satisfied if the setting change key switch 2054 is on.

In the ROM of the main board 10, for example, a plurality of lottery tables (not shown) respectively corresponding to the setting values 1 to 6 are stored, and lottery processing is performed using the lottery tables corresponding to the setting values set by the setting change. Is done. The set value is associated with each of a plurality of lottery tables prepared in advance, and is for selecting one of the plurality of lottery tables. Setting change is changing the setting value. The probability of winning / winning depends on the type of table. The setting change procedure will be described later.
If the setting change switching condition is satisfied, the process goes to S53 to change the setting, and if not, the process goes to S52 to perform a state return process so that a normal game can be performed.

S52: State Return Process The state return process is a process for expanding the backed up data to a memory area normally used in the game process and returning the data to the state immediately before the power is turned off.
In S52 and later, the spinning effect is not prohibited.

S53: Setting Change Process The process shown in FIG. 7 described later is performed to change (set) the set value.

S54: Revolving effect protection After the setting change process is performed, the revolving effect is protected (prohibited). Note that this protection is automatically canceled when the game is played once (when the excitation pattern can be read).

S55: Cold start process The cold start process is a process in a mode in which either an error notification or a setting change can be performed, and the gaming machine cannot be put into a gameable state without changing the setting. Specifically, the processing is S53, S54, S56, and S57.

S56: It is determined whether the setting change switching condition is satisfied.
This is the same as the processing of S51.
When the setting change switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S53, and otherwise, the process proceeds to S57.

S57: Backup error An error notification is performed. You cannot play in an error state.

  Note that if the error notification (S57) is not issued after it is determined as “abnormal” in the backup abnormality determination of S50, the process of S54 is always performed. Therefore, in the case of a backup abnormality, when the game is ready, the spinning effect is always prohibited, and it is canceled after one game. In the case of error notification (S57), since the game is not possible in the first place, there is no problem that the movement of the above described spinning cylinder becomes unstable.

  When the excitation pattern at the time of stop can be read out by performing the above processing, the excitation pattern corresponding to the excitation pattern at the time of stop is set as the start position, and switching of the excitation pattern is started from that position. Since the rotation effect is prohibited when the rotation pattern cannot be read and the prohibition of the rotation effect is canceled after the excitation pattern at the stop is stored, the rotation of the rotation effect may become unnatural at the start of rotation of the rotation effect. Absent.

Next, the setting change process will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing (setting change procedure) in the setting change state.

S60: It is determined whether or not the setting change switch (setting change switch 2055) has been pressed. If pressed (YES in S60), the process of S61 is performed.

S61: Change the set value.
Specifically, each time the setting change switch 2055 is pressed once, +1 is added to the setting value. The set value is an integer from 1 to 6, and when the setting change switch is pressed in a state where the set value = 6, the setting value is returned to 1.

S62: It is determined whether or not the start switch 134 has been pressed. If pressed (YES in S62), the process of S63 is performed.
Note that even if the start switch 134 is pressed, the set value is only confirmed, and even if a medal is already betted, the reel does not rotate. (Of course, after the setting change is completed, the start switch 134 is pressed). Then the reel will rotate and the game will start).

S63: Determine the set value.
This will fix the setting value. The set value is no longer changed even when the setting change switch is pressed.

S64: It is determined whether the setting key switch 2054 is turned off. If it is turned off (YES in S64), the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  Next, a description will be given of the spinning effect processing, the game spinning rotation processing, and the configuration for executing these.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the reel unit 203.
Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c is a main part of the reel unit 203. Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 a to 40 c is attached to the frame 151 via a bracket 152. Each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40a to 40c has a belt 154 attached to the outer periphery of the drum 153. On the outer peripheral surface of the belt 154, 21 symbols (not shown) are drawn. Each bracket 152 is provided with a stepping motor 155, and each rotating reel (rotating drum) 40a to 40c is driven by these stepping motors 155a to 155c to rotate.

Fig.9 (a) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rotating drums 40a-40c.
A lamp case 156 is provided inside the drum 153 behind the belt 154, and back lamps 157a, 157b, and 157c are attached to the three rooms of the lamp case 156, respectively. These back lamps 157 a to 157 c are mounted on a substrate 158 as shown in FIG. 9B, and this substrate 158 is attached to the back side of the lamp case 156. A photo interrupter (index sensor) 159 is attached to the bracket 152. A photointerrupter is a case in which a light emitting element (such as a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (such as a phototransistor or a photodiode) are arranged to face each other, and a detection groove is provided between them. The passage is detected without contact. The photo interrupter 159 detects that an index (shielding plate) 160 provided on the drum 153 passes through the photo interrupter 159 as the drum 153 rotates.

  The back lamps 157a to 157c are individually controlled to be turned on by a lamp driving circuit (not shown). By turning on each of the back lamps 157a to 157c, among the symbols drawn on the belt 154, three symbols located at the front of each back lamp 157 are individually illuminated from behind, and 3 symbols are respectively displayed on the symbol display window 131. Individual designs are projected.

  In the description of the present specification, reference numeral 40 is used to indicate any one or a plurality of spinning cylinders, and reference numerals 40a to 40c are used to separately indicate three spinning cylinders.

  FIG. 10 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. 10, elements such as an index for detecting the position of each cylinder 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. 12A 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.

  The on / off pattern of the coil current in steps 1, 2,..., 8 is referred to as an excitation pattern. The example of FIG. 12 (a) shows a combination of eight excitation patterns, and FIG. 12 (b) also shows a combination of eight excitation patterns, which is the reverse of the motor rotation from FIG. 12 (a). Become.

  When stopping the rotating drum at a desired position, switching of the coil through which a current flows is stopped at the time of reaching the desired position or immediately before. This will stop the rotating drum, but as mentioned above, it is possible to obtain an output torque that is approximately twice that of single-phase excitation by flowing current in two phases. May flow. In the case of multi-phase, it is good to flow current to all phases (coils), but even if current is flowed to 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. In all-phase excitation, current flows through many coils, so that the current consumption of the stepping motor is maximized. A current continues to flow through the stepping motor for a certain time after the rotation is stopped.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the excitation pattern control unit 300 according to the embodiment of the invention. The excitation pattern control unit 300 is a part of the spinning cylinder control unit 1300, for example, and is realized by hardware such as a memory or a controller or software by a program.

  An excitation pattern reading unit 301 selects an excitation pattern based on an internal lottery result and outputs it as a command signal. The excitation pattern reading unit 301 selects the rotation effect excitation pattern 303 when the internal lottery result is to perform the rotation effect, and otherwise selects the game excitation pattern storage unit 302.

  The excitation pattern reading unit 301 selects the excitation pattern 303 for the spinning effect. (1) When notifying that the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means has been issued (the spinning effect at that time is the lottery effect) (2) When notifying that the result of the lottery for determining the number of AT (assist time) games performed on the main board 10 has been issued (the rotation effect at that time is Corresponding to the result of the lottery). When the main board 10 receives a command to execute a predetermined spinning effect (the spinning effect at that time is the result of a lottery for determining the spinning effect pattern executed at the timing. (Corresponding) may be processed similarly.

  A game excitation pattern storage unit 302 stores game excitation patterns in advance. The game excitation pattern is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 303 denotes a rotation effect excitation pattern storage unit that stores a rotation effect excitation pattern in advance. For example, the excitation pattern for the rotating effect is as shown in FIG. This is the simplest one that does not change the speed or direction of rotation, which is the reverse of the rotation of the spinning cylinder in normal games. The actual excitation pattern for the spinning effect is obtained by adding the pattern of FIG. 12A to FIG. 12B, or the motor stops in the middle (the excitation pattern does not change). It is more complicated. However, in terms of the operation of the embodiment of the invention, there is no difference whether the excitation pattern for the spinning effect is simple or complicated, and is a diagram showing an example of the simplest excitation pattern for convenience of explanation. 12 (b) will be referred to.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a stop-time excitation pattern storage unit that stores an excitation pattern when the rotating cylinder stops. The stop excitation pattern storage unit 304 stores the excitation pattern at the time of stop regardless of the rotation of the normal game and the rotation of the rotation effect. It should be noted that a unique stop excitation pattern storage unit may be provided for each of the normal game and the spinning effect.

  The excitation pattern tables 302 and 303 and the stop-time excitation pattern storage unit 304 are provided in the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 or the drive circuit 1310 or are provided independently thereof.

  FIG. 13 is a process flowchart of the main loop of the gaming machine. This figure shows an outline of the game process and shows only the basic operation (replay process and other displays are omitted).

S1: Game medal insertion and start switch processing This processing corresponds to processing performed by the insertion receiving means 1050. In response to the insertion of the game medal, the start switch 134 is activated.

S2: Internal lottery process This process corresponds to the process performed by the random number generation means 1100 and the internal lottery means 1200. When the start switch 134 is pressed, an internal lottery process is performed.
S2b: Is the rotation effect protected?
When not protected (NO), the process proceeds to S3, and when protected (YES), the process proceeds to S5 (at this time, the spinning effect is not performed).
In the case of “YES”, the number of AT (assist time) games performed on the main board 10 is determined when (1) the notification of the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means is given. Even when it is informed that the result of the lottery for performing has been issued, the spinning effect is not performed. If it is decided whether or not to perform the spinning effect in the lottery, the lottery itself does not have to be performed, and even if it is decided to perform the spinning effect by the lottery, the spinning effect is not performed. May be.

S3: Is there a spinning effect?
When the spinning effect is generated (YES), the spinning control means 1300 performs the process of S4.
Based on the result of the internal lottery process, it is determined whether or not to perform the spinning effect. As a result of the internal winning combination being determined in advance (for example, in the case of “big hit”), the spinning effect is performed (YES).
If YES, S4 is executed, and if NO (when the spinning effect is not performed), S4 is skipped and the process of S5 is executed.

S4: Perform a spinning effect production process.
The content of the spinning effect is predetermined. For example, the rotating drum is repeatedly moved up and down and then stopped. The stepping motor is controlled according to the contents of this effect.
Specifically, the processing of FIG. 14 is performed, and the description of FIG. 14 will be described later. The contents of the spinning effect follow the stored contents of the excitation pattern storage unit 303 for the spinning effect.

S5: A game cylinder rotation process is performed.
The three spinning cylinders are simultaneously rotated in a predetermined direction. This is usually a spinning cylinder for gaming.
Specifically, the processing of FIG. 15 is performed, and the description of FIG.

S6: A rotating cylinder stop process is performed.
When any of the three stop switches 140 is pressed, the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 stops the corresponding spinning cylinder. Do the same for all three laps. Specifically, the process of FIG. 15B is performed. The description of FIG.

S7: Winning determination is performed.
The winning determination unit 1400 determines the presence / absence and the type of winning based on the result of the internal lottery and the stoppage of the spinning cylinder.

S8: Payout process When a prize is won, the payout control means 1500 pays out.

  With reference to FIG. 14, the spinning effect processing will be described.

S10: An excitation pattern at the time of the last rotation stop is obtained.
The excitation pattern stored from the excitation pattern storage unit 304 at the time of stop is acquired.
For example, assume that the acquired pattern is step 6 in FIG.

S11: A pattern matching the excitation pattern acquired from the excitation pattern storage unit 303 for the spinning drum effect is searched.
When the same pattern as the acquired step 6 in FIG. 12A is searched from FIG. 12B for the spinning effect, step 4 in FIG. 12 is the same.

S12: The matched pattern is set as the excitation start position.
According to the above example, step 4 in FIG. 12B is the start position.

S13: The excitation pattern is sequentially switched based on the excitation pattern storage unit 303 for the spinning drum effect.
For example, the excitation pattern is switched as shown in steps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1,... In FIG. As a result, the stepping motor rotates.

  Note that the excitation pattern for the spinning drum effect is arbitrary. For example, by preparing patterns such as 4, 5, 6, 7, 6, 5, 4,. If it is a pattern such as 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7,..., It can be operated to rotate after a certain angle and then stop.

S14: It is determined whether or not the turning effect is finished.
For example, the rotation effect is ended when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the rotation effect by a timer (not shown). Alternatively, the end of the spinning effect may be determined when the excitation pattern as shown in FIG. 12B is repeated a predetermined number of times.

S15: The rotating drum is stopped.
At the end of the spinning effect (YES in S14), the switching of the excitation pattern is stopped. This stops the rotator.
Note that the spinning rotation of the normal game may be continuously performed without stopping (which can be recognized by the player) from the spinning performance. For example, the stop includes a slight stop that does not allow the player to visually recognize the stop of the spinning cylinder (the rotation speed of the spinning cylinder does not become zero even when switching of the excitation pattern is stopped). The process of S15 means the end of the turning process, and the stopping of the turning process is a typical example, and the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. If the stop is not the boundary between the turning effect and the turning rotation of the normal game, S15 may be omitted.

S16: The excitation pattern at the stop is stored.
For example, when stopping at the excitation pattern in step 8 of FIG. 12B, the excitation pattern is stored in the stop excitation pattern storage unit 304.
The “stop” means the same as described in S15. If S15 does not exist, the excitation pattern when it is determined YES (end of the spinning effect) in S14 is stored.

  With reference to Fig.15 (a), the rotation rotation process in a normal game is demonstrated. A rotating rotation process is performed for each of the three rotating cylinders.

S20: An excitation pattern at the time of the last rotation stop is acquired.
The excitation pattern stored from the excitation pattern storage unit 304 at the time of stop is acquired.
For example, assume that the acquired pattern is step 8 in FIG.

S21: A pattern matching the excitation pattern acquired from the game excitation pattern storage unit 302 is searched.
When the same pattern as the acquired pattern 8 in FIG. 12B is searched from FIG. 12A for the spinning effect, Step 2 in FIG. 12 is the same.

S22: The matched pattern is set as the excitation start position.
According to the above example, Step 2 in FIG.

S23: The excitation patterns are sequentially switched based on the game excitation pattern storage unit 302.
For example, the excitation pattern is switched as shown in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1,. As a result, the stepping motor rotates in a certain direction.
The rotation at the time of a normal game is a regular rotation, which is a rotation at a constant speed in a certain direction, unlike at the time of the spinning effect. Therefore, every gaming machine has the same or equivalent excitation pattern as FIG.

With reference to FIG. 15B, the rotating cylinder stop process will be described.
S24: It is determined whether or not the stop switch 140 is pressed.
When any of the three stop switches 140 is pressed (YES), the process proceeds to S25.

S25: Stop the spinning cylinder.
When any of the three stop switches 140 is pressed, S24 becomes YES, and the rotation of the corresponding rotating cylinder is stopped. That is, switching of the excitation pattern of the stepping motor of the rotating cylinder is stopped.

S26: The excitation pattern at the stop is stored.
For example, when stopping at the excitation pattern in step 6 of FIG. 12A, the excitation pattern is stored in the stop excitation pattern storage unit 304.
S27: It is determined whether or not all the cylinders have stopped.
If all the spinning cylinders are stopped (YES), the process of FIG. 15B is ended, and if the spinning cylinder is not stopped (if there is an unpressed stop switch 140) (NO), the determination of S24 is repeated. .

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the excitation pattern when the rotation of the rotating cylinder is stopped (excitation pattern update is stopped) is stored, and the excitation pattern used when the rotating cylinder is rotated again with the stored excitation pattern when stopped. With reference to the group, the excitation pattern corresponding to the excitation pattern at the time of the stop is set as the start position, and switching of the excitation pattern is started therefrom, so that the movement of the rotating cylinder at the start of rotation can be made smooth.

  Thereby, the blur of the rotating cylinder at the time of a rotation start can be reduced, and malfunctions, such as a step-out, can be prevented.

  In the above-described example, the excitation pattern itself at the time of stopping is stored, and the start excitation pattern at the start of rotation is searched based on this. Instead of the excitation pattern itself, identification information of the excitation pattern may be stored.

  An example of this configuration is shown in FIG. The difference will be described in comparison with FIG.

Reference numeral 301a denotes an excitation pattern conversion table for converting a game excitation pattern into a spinning effect excitation pattern and conversely converting a rotation effect excitation pattern into a game excitation pattern. The excitation pattern conversion table 301a stores in advance the correspondence relationship between the excitation pattern included in the game excitation pattern and the excitation pattern included in the rotation effect excitation pattern (matching each other).
In the case where the spinning effect is not performed (for example, when S4 in FIG. 13 is bypassed), the stored patterns are Y1 to Y8 for games, and the patterns to be used are Y1 to Y8, which are the same. Therefore, the conversion by the excitation pattern conversion table 301a may not be performed.

  For example, the contents of the excitation pattern conversion table 301a are as shown in FIG. In the figure, Y1 to Y8 are symbols (identification information) indicating game excitation patterns, and Y1 to Y8 correspond to steps 1 to 8 in FIG. Further, E1 to E8 are symbols (identification information) indicating excitation patterns for the spinning drum effect, and E1 to E8 correspond to steps 1 to 8 in FIG. In FIG. 17, Y1 and E1, Y2 and E8,... Correspond to each other, which is shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). It can be understood that the matching excitation patterns are associated with each other. Therefore, by referring to FIG. 17, it is possible to perform processing equivalent to S10 and S11 in FIG. 14 and S20 and S21 in FIG. That is, according to the configuration of FIG. 16, it is not necessary to directly compare the excitation patterns.

  Reference numeral 304 'denotes a stop-time excitation pattern identification information storage unit that stores identification information of the excitation pattern when the rotating cylinder is stopped. The stop excitation pattern identification information storage unit 304 ′ stores the excitation pattern at the stop regardless of the rotation of the normal game and the rotation of the rotation effect. Unlike the stop excitation pattern storage unit 304, excitation is performed. The identification information is stored instead of the pattern itself.

  In the case of stopping after rotating the rotating drum using the game excitation pattern storage unit 302, any one of the identification information Y1 to Y8 corresponding to the excitation pattern at the time of stop is used as the excitation pattern identification information storage unit 304 ′ at the time of stop. To remember. For example, if the excitation pattern at the stop is step 8 in FIG. 12A, Y8 is stored.

  In the case of stopping after rotating the rotating cylinder using the excitation pattern storage unit 303 for the rotation effect, any one of the identification information E1 to E8 corresponding to the excitation pattern at the time of stopping is used as the excitation pattern identification information storage unit at the time of stop. Store in 304 ′. For example, if the excitation pattern at the stop is 6 in FIG. 12B, E6 is stored.

  The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is almost the same as that of FIGS. 14 and 15 described above. Differences from these will be described.

  First, differences from FIG. 14 will be described. Instead of S10 to S12, the following processes of S10 'to S12' are performed.

S10 ': The identification information of the excitation pattern at the time of the last rotation stop is acquired.
The identification information corresponding to the excitation pattern at the previous stop is read from the excitation pattern identification information storage unit 304 ′ at the time of stop.

S11 ': With reference to the excitation pattern conversion table 301a, the identification information corresponding to the excitation pattern in the rotation pattern excitation pattern storage unit 303 is searched.

S12 ': The excitation pattern corresponding to the matched identification information is set as the start position.

  If the read identification information is Y6, E4 is obtained based on the excitation pattern conversion table 301a. This is 4 (step 4 in FIG. 12B) of the excitation pattern storage unit 303 for the spinning drum effect. With this as the excitation start position, the processing from S13 is performed.

  Next, differences from FIG. 15A will be described. Instead of S20 to S22, the following processes S20 'to S22' are performed.

S20 ': The identification information of the excitation pattern at the time of the last rotation stop is acquired.
The identification information corresponding to the excitation pattern at the previous stop is read from the excitation pattern identification information storage unit 304 ′ at the time of stop.

S21 ': The identification information corresponding to the excitation pattern in the game excitation pattern storage unit 302 is searched with reference to the excitation pattern conversion table 301a.

S22 ': The excitation pattern corresponding to the matched identification information is set as the start position.

  If the read identification information is E8, Y2 is obtained based on the excitation pattern conversion table 301a. This is step 2 of the game excitation pattern storage unit 302 (step 2 in FIG. 12A). With this as the excitation start position, the processing from S23 onward is performed.

  The modified examples of FIGS. 16 and 17 also have the same operational effects as the above-described embodiment.

  16 and 17 need to additionally provide an excitation pattern conversion table, but there is an advantage that the excitation pattern search process is simplified and the processing load on the CPU can be reduced.

  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.

40a to 40c Cylinder 134 Start switch 140 Stop switch 155, 203M Stepping motor 203 Reel unit 301 Excitation pattern reading unit 301a Excitation pattern conversion table 302 Excitation pattern storage unit for game 303 Excitation pattern storage unit for rotation effect 304 Stopping excitation pattern Storage unit 304 ′ Stopping excitation pattern identification information storage unit 1200 Internal lottery means 1300 Revolution control means 1310 Drive circuit 1320 Excitation circuit

Claims (4)

A reel unit including a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of cylinders, a start switch for starting rotation of the plurality of cylinders, and a plurality of motors that are predetermined A game machine comprising: a rotation control means for rotating the plurality of rotation cylinders by applying an excitation pattern drive signal; and an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether or not a winning combination is made based on a start signal from the start switch. In the machine
The spinning control means rotates the plurality of spinning cylinders in order to play a game, and performs a spinning performance that performs a predetermined performance according to the operation mode of the spinning cylinder.
A game excitation pattern storage unit for storing a predetermined game excitation pattern;
An excitation pattern storage unit for a spinning effect that stores a predetermined excitation pattern for the spinning effect,
A stop-time excitation pattern storage unit that stores an excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop of the rotor,
The excitation pattern of the excitation pattern storage unit for the spinning effect includes an excitation pattern that causes rotation in the direction opposite to the rotation of the motor by the excitation pattern storage unit for gaming,
The spinning cylinder control means includes:
The excitation pattern at the time of stop of the previous spinning cylinder is read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stopping, and the spinning effect is performed based on the read excitation pattern, or the excitation pattern is used to play a game. Rotate the cylinder based on
When the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the previous spinning cylinder cannot be read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stopping , the spinning performance is prohibited, but the rotation of the spinning cylinder for playing a game is allowed. A gaming machine characterized by At least the stop-time excitation pattern storage unit holds stored contents when the gaming machine is powered off,
During power-on, the stored contents of at least the stop excitation pattern storage unit inspection, of the test result, when there is abnormality in the storage contents of said rotary cylinder of the last from the stop excitation pattern storage unit The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the excitation pattern at a stop cannot be read. The spinning cylinder control means includes:
(1) When performing the spinning effect, the excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop of the spinning cylinder is read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stopping, and the excitation pattern that matches the read excitation pattern is the spinning effect. The excitation pattern storage unit is searched, and the motor is driven based on the excitation pattern for the rotating effect with the searched excitation pattern as a start position to rotate the rotating cylinder,
(2) When rotating the spinning cylinder for playing a game, the excitation pattern at the time of stopping the previous spinning cylinder is read from the excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stopping, and the excitation pattern that matches the read excitation pattern 2. The game excitation pattern storage unit is retrieved, and the motor is driven to rotate the rotating drum based on the game excitation pattern using the retrieved excitation pattern as a start position. Or the game machine of Claim 2. An excitation pattern conversion table that stores in advance a correspondence relationship between the excitation pattern included in the game excitation pattern storage unit and the excitation pattern included in the excitation pattern storage unit for rotation effect,
The excitation pattern storage unit at the time of stop stores the identification information of the excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop of the rotor,
The spinning cylinder control means includes:
(1 ′) When performing the spinning effect, the identification information of the excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop of the spinning cylinder is read from the stop excitation pattern storage unit, and the excitation pattern is based on the read identification information. An excitation pattern stored in the excitation pattern storage unit for the rotation effect is specified with reference to the conversion table, and the motor is driven based on the excitation pattern for the rotation effect using the specified excitation pattern as a start position. Rotate
(2 ′) When the spinning cylinder is rotated to play a game, the identification information of the excitation pattern at the time of the previous stop of the spinning cylinder is read out from the stop excitation pattern storage unit, and the identification information read out Based on the excitation pattern conversion table, the excitation pattern stored in the game excitation pattern storage unit is specified, and the motor is driven based on the game excitation pattern with the specified excitation pattern as a start position. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trunk is rotated.

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