JP5757007B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and particularly relates to a machine equipped with a movable body used for production or the like.

  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.

  In the gaming machine, various effects are made to improve the interest of the game. For example, a decorative member, a monitor, a speaker, and an LED lamp are attached, and an effect by appearance, an effect by video, an effect by sound, an effect by light, and the like are performed. Furthermore, a movable body for production has been attached, and production by the movement has been made. The movable body is a movable decorative member, and is intended to improve the interest of the game by moving according to the game situation.

JP 2004-254974 A JP 2008-12194 A JP 2009-106546 A

  A stepping motor is often used as a drive source for operating the movable body. The stepping motor is a synchronous motor that operates in synchronization with pulse power, and can achieve accurate positioning control with a simple circuit configuration of a pulse generation circuit and a pulse counting circuit. For this reason, it has the feature that positioning of an apparatus can be performed easily and correctly. The control system for the stepping motor is an open loop control system that does not include a feedback loop. The control system is simple and stable without any oscillation phenomenon. Because of these features, stepping motors are often used in gaming machines.

  Incidentally, the rotation amount of the stepping motor can be easily known by counting the drive pulses, but the rotation amount obtained in this way is a relative value, not an absolute value. That is, it can be seen how much the rotation angle of the motor shaft has increased or decreased, but it cannot be known where the motor shaft is. Therefore, the movable body is provided with an index (a member for indicating that the movable element of the movable body has reached a specific position) and an index sensor for detecting this, and the motor rotates at the timing when the index sensor detects the index. By initializing the position or the position of the movable element and associating it with the specific position, the rotational position of the motor or the absolute value (position) of the movable element is grasped.

  As described above, the rotational position of the motor or the position of the movable element is calibrated by the index signal output from the index sensor, so that the accuracy is guaranteed. Conversely, if not calibrated by the index signal, an error will occur in the position of the movable element. Depending on the type of performance, the movable element may continue to move in a range where no index is detected. In such a case, there may be a discrepancy between the calculated position and the actual position for some reason. In particular, in slot machines, production is often performed according to the player's operation from pressing the start lever to pressing the three stop buttons, and it is impossible to predict when the player's operation will be performed. For example, in a very short time When three stop buttons are pressed continuously, the operation of the movable body becomes unstable, and as a result, the position may be shifted (the position information on the program does not match the actual position). Therefore, when the production is resumed by pressing the start lever, it is necessary to detect the index first.

  The reel (cylinder) of the slot machine is also driven by a stepping motor and includes an index and an index sensor for calibrating the rotational position thereof. However, since the reel makes one or more rotations in one direction, it is expected that the rotational position calibration is always performed. be able to. On the other hand, movable bodies, particularly those equipped with movable elements that move back and forth in a specific manner within the upper and lower limits, are expected to perform position calibration automatically in a short time like a reel. Can not. Therefore, in the control of the movable body, a process for reliably performing position calibration in a short time is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that can reliably detect an index when starting (resuming) an effect and can match position information on a program with an actual position. The purpose is to provide.

A gaming machine according to the present invention controls a main board that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub board that executes processing related to effects, a movable body for performing the effects, and the movable body. A movable body control unit,
The movable body includes a movable element that moves within a predetermined upper limit and lower limit, a drive unit that moves the movable element, an index provided on the movable element, and the movable element that detects the index to detect the movable element. An index sensor that outputs an index signal indicating that the position is in a predetermined position,
The movable body control unit includes a position information calculation unit that calculates position information of the movable element based on a drive signal given to the drive unit, a target position setting unit that sets a target position of the movable element, and the target position A drive signal generation unit that compares the target position of the setting unit with the position information of the position information calculation unit, and generates the drive signal for moving the movable element to the target position based on the comparison result;
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the target position of the movable element is set to a position where the index signal is output, and the position information of the position information calculation unit is the first to be a reference for the calculation. The value is set to a value larger than the upper limit or a value smaller than the lower limit, the movable element is moved toward the position of the index,
When the index signal is output, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a predetermined initial value corresponding to the index signal.
As for the execution timing of the initialization operation, when the sub-board is reset or the effect using the shutter is not performed (the shutter is positioned at the initial position in the effect), the effect of the movable body is once when the start lever is pressed in the game If the game is associated with the game, the movable body effect is stopped and the shutter is positioned at the initial position. With regard to an initialization operation when the start lever is pressed in a game that does not perform an effect using the shutter, the initialization operation may not be performed if an index is detected when the start lever is pressed.

The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in the upper limit position,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a value smaller than the lower limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation.

The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is at the lower limit position,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a value larger than the upper limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation.

The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in a position between the upper limit and the lower limit,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the target position of the movable element is set to the upper limit position instead of the position where the index signal is output,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to the lower limit or a value smaller than the lower limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation.

The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in a position between the upper limit and the lower limit,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the target position of the movable element is set to the lower limit position instead of the position where the index signal is output,
For example, when performing the initialization operation, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to the upper limit or a value larger than the upper limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation.

  The movable element of the movable body is a door that can be opened and closed, and the drive unit of the movable body includes a stepping motor that opens and closes the door.

  According to the present invention, the target position of the movable element of the movable body is set to the position where the index signal is output or the position that will pass the index, and the position information on the program is the first value that is the basis for the calculation. Is set outside the range between the upper limit and the lower limit, the index of the movable element can be reliably detected when the production starts, and the movable body can be appropriately controlled.

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 flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. It is the schematic of the movable body which concerns on embodiment of invention. 4A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A. It is explanatory drawing of the open state (the figure (a)) and closed state (the figure (b)) of the movable element (shutter) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a block diagram of the movable body control part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the movable body effect process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the movable body drive process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the movable body drive process which concerns on embodiment of invention. FIG. 4A shows the movable element (shutter) before the start of the initial operation, and FIG. 4B shows the movable element (shutter) at the end of the initial operation. It is explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the movable body drive process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the movable body drive processing concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is another explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the movable body drive processing concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is another explanatory drawing (timing chart) of the movable body drive processing 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 above the game display unit 131.

  A movable body 50 is provided at the position of the liquid crystal display device LCD. The movable body 50 includes two shutters (movable body elements) 51L and 51R. The two shutters 51L and 51R move to the left and right according to the effect, and hide the liquid crystal display device LCD. In the figure, the two shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened to the left and right, and the liquid crystal display device LCD is exposed (the player can see the screen).

  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. 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 counts the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel unit (including the reel driving device) 203, the reel position detection circuit 71, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. For this purpose, a medal detection unit 82 (which constitutes the hopper device 121 described above) is connected.

  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.

  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.

  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. Furthermore, the movable body control part 60 which controls the movable body 50 is connected. The movable body 50 and the movable body control unit 60 will be described in detail later.

  The main board 10 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 fact that medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions are inserted, A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first reel to the third reel is performed (input acceptance function). 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 (not shown). The random number generating means is means for generating a random number value 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 main board 10 performs an internal lottery (internal lottery function) in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like are 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 an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The main board 10 may perform control for changing the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition (replay probability changing function). 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 main board 10 rotates the first reel to the third reel by the stepping motor based on the start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation) to rotate the first reel to the third reel. In a state where the speed has reached a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 revolutions per minute), control is performed to permit the pressing operation (stopping operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the spinning reels. At the same time, control is performed to stop the first reel to the third reel, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result) (reel control function).

  When the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) for the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), the main board 10 is 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 main board 10 determines the reel stop position corresponding to the pressed button from the first reel to the third reel. Control is performed to stop the reel 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 an index sensor (not shown) including a photo sensor, and the main board 10 is configured to be a reel based on a reference position signal detected by the index sensor every time the reel rotates once. By determining the rotation angle (number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (frame detected by the index sensor), 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 main board 10 performs so-called pull-in processing and kick-out processing as control for stopping the reels. 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 main board 10 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stop mode of the first to third reels. 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 the winning combination is a predetermined combination (winning determination function).

  The main board 10 performs a winning process based on the determination result by the winning determination function. 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 main board 10 performs a payout control process related to the payout of medals according to the game result (payout control function). 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.

  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 wins, the main board 10 performs a replay process (replay process) for setting the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game (replay). Processing function). 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.

  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.

Next, game processing in the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG.
Generally, in a gaming machine, one game is started from the insertion of medals (insertion of credits) until the end of payout (or until the increase in the number of credits is completed). There is a rule that it is not possible to proceed to the next game until one game is finished.

  First, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the start switch 134 is activated, and the processing of FIG. 4 is started.

  In step S1, the start switch 134 is turned on by operating the start switch 134. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  In step S2, a lottery process is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, the rotation of the first reel to the third reel starts. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first to third reels. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three reels has been performed. If it is determined that all three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three reels have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols corresponding to the lottery flag are aligned on the effective winning line while the lottery flag is established, that is, whether or not the winning is confirmed. If it is determined that the winning is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step S8, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step S8 is one game. When the standby process in step S8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the movable body 50 according to the embodiment of the invention. 4A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A. In the figure, the drive unit including the stepping motor 54, the index 56, and the index sensor 57 are shown only for the right shutter 51R, but the same is provided for the left shutter 51L (the left one). Is not shown).

  The movable body 50 includes a left shutter 51L and a right shutter 51R, an upper rail 52U and a lower rail 52L that slidably hold upper and lower ends of the shutters 51L and 51R, and an inner side of the movable body 50. A rack 53a provided in parallel with the lower rail 52L, a pinion 53b meshing with the rack 53a, a stepping motor 54 with the pinion 53b attached to its rotating shaft directly or via a reduction gear mechanism (not shown), and a right shutter The bracket 55 attached to the inside of the 51R (the bracket 55 which is an arm bracket / extrusion bracket is also an attachment base of the stepping motor 54), the index 56 attached to the inside of the right shutter 51R, and the index 56 are detected. And an index sensor 57. In the drawing, the pinion 53b to the index 56 are shown for the right shutter 51R, but the left shutter 51L has the same structure, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5B shows a state in which the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened on both sides, and in the example of the figure, the index sensor 57 detects the index 56 in this state. The index sensor 57 is an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter or a contact sensor such as a microswitch. The movable range of the shutters 51L and 51R is the same and can move only to the middle point. The numbers 0, 50, and 100 in FIG. The shutter 51L can move from 0 on the left side to 100 in the center, and the shutter 51R can move from 0 on the right side to 100 in the center. The index sensor 57 detects that the shutters 51L and 51R have come to the “0” position. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the shutters 51L and 51R are fully opened (when the lower limit is reached), the end is at the position “0”, and as shown in FIG. 6B. When the shutters 51L and 51R are completely closed (when the upper limit is reached), the end is at the position “100”. When the shutters 51L and 51R are completely closed, the liquid crystal display device LCD is completely invisible.

  The rack 53a and the pinion 53b are mechanisms that convert the rotational force into a linear motion. The pinion 53b is a small-diameter circular gear, and the rack 53a is formed by cutting a tooth on a flat bar (toothed). When a rotational force is applied to the pinion 53b by the stepping motor 54, the shutters 51L and 51R move horizontally on the rack 53a. According to FIG. 5, since the rack 53a is fixed to the frame of the movable body 50 and the stepping motor 54 is attached to the shutters 51L and 51R by the bracket 55, the shutters 51L and 51R move.

  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 motor shaft rotates by passing a current through the coil of the stepping motor in a predetermined order, and the motor shaft rotates in the reverse direction when a current is passed in the reverse order.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the movable body control unit according to the embodiment of the invention.

  A position information calculation unit 61 calculates position information (position information on the program) of the shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R based on a drive signal given to the stepping motor (drive unit) 54 by the drive signal generation unit 63. . For example, when a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R by a unit distance in the plus direction (a signal for causing current to flow sequentially through the coils of the stepping motor 54) is given to the stepping motor 54, the current position information is incremented by +1. To do. When the pulse signal is in the minus direction, the current position information is decremented by one.

  A target position setting unit 62 sets target positions of the shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R. The stepping motor 54 moves the shutters 51L and 51R to the target position and stops when reaching the target position.

  63 compares the target position of the target position setting unit 62 with the position information of the position information calculation unit 61, and generates a drive signal for moving the shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R to the target position based on the comparison result. It is a drive signal generation part. For example, when the current position information is smaller than the target position, a pulse for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the positive direction is generated. On the other hand, when the current position information is larger, a pulse for moving in the negative direction is generated.

  64 is a position where a value larger than the upper limit (for example, “200”) or a value smaller than the lower limit (for example, “−50”) is set as the first value serving as a reference for calculating the position information of the position information calculating unit 61. It is an information initial setting unit.

  When starting control of the shutters (movable elements) 51L and 51R, the target position is set to a position where the index signal is output from the index sensor 57 (“0” in the above example), and the position information calculation unit The position information 61 is a value (for example, “200” “−50”) that is outside the upper limit (“100” in the above example) and the lower limit (“0” in the above example) as the first value serving as a reference for calculation. ). Accordingly, the shutters 51L and 51R are moved toward the position where the index signal is output. When the index signal is output, the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is set to a predetermined initial value (“0” in the above example).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the movable body effect process according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the movable body driving process according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 shows the entire movable body effect process, and FIG. 9 shows a part of the movable body drive process.

  According to the game flow chart shown in FIG. 4, the effect by the movable body 50 is performed in the range of S2 to S7 in FIG. When predetermined conditions are met during this period, the process of FIG. 8 is started.

S10: The movable body control unit 60 receives a start command related to the movable body effect from the sub-board 10.

S11: The operation content of the movable body 50 is determined. That is, the movement destinations (target positions) of the movable elements 51L and 51R are determined.

S12: A movable body drive process is performed.

S13: It is determined whether or not there is an interruption for stopping the movable body effect. When the interruption occurs (YES), the movable body effect is stopped immediately.

When the medal insertion related to the next game is performed, the movable body effect is stopped.
When the effect of the movable body is associated with one game, the initialization operation is performed with the suspension of the movable body effect, and the movable body is returned to the initial position (for example, 0).

S14: It is determined whether the operation of the movable body is finished. When the position information on the program reaches the target position (YES), the operation is terminated. Otherwise (NO), the movable body driving process S12 is repeated.

  Next, the movable body driving process of FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a process executed when the control of the movable body 50 is started, for example, when the effect of the movable body is first performed after the start switch 134 is pressed. In addition, as the start timing of the process, when the sub-board 20 is reset, when the start switch 134 is pressed in a game in which an effect using the shutter is not performed, and the effect of the movable body is associated with one game. In this case, the movable body effect is stopped. In either case, the movable body moves to the initial position.

S20: The position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is initialized.
As the position information, a value larger or smaller than a value that should be originally set (a value outside the range of “0” to “100”) is set. This makes it possible to reliably detect the index regardless of the position of the shutters 51L and 51R.

S21: A target position is set according to the operation content of the movable body 50.
Since the process in FIG. 9 is a process at the start of production, the position of the index (for example, “0”) is set as the target position as an initial setting.

S22: A drive signal is generated so that the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 approaches the target position.
For example, if (target position) − (position information) is positive, a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the positive direction is generated, and if negative, a pulse signal for moving in the negative direction is generated.

S23: It is determined whether an index is detected.
When the index is detected (YES), the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is calibrated based on the index detection (S24). For example, when the index is detected, if the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is “125” and the position of the index is “0”, “125” is set to “0”. Then, S25: Stops the generation of the drive signal and ends the process for starting the control of the movable body 50 in FIG.

  When no index is detected (NO), the process of S22 is repeated.

  The above processing will be further described with reference to a specific example.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the movable body driving process according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A shows the movable element (shutter) before the start of the initial operation, and FIG. 4B shows the movable element (shutter) at the end of the initial operation.

  Before the start of the initial operation, both the shutters 51L and 51R are at the position “75” as shown in FIG. At the end of the initial operation, the shutters 51L and 51R are both in the “0” position as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (timing chart) of the movable body driving process according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A shows the time change of the position information (solid line) of the position information calculation unit 61 and the actual positions (dotted lines) of the shutters 51L and 51R. FIG. 4B shows a timing chart of drive signals.

  In FIG. 11, the index sensor 57 is provided so as to detect the index 56 when the shutters 51L and 51R are at the lower limit position (= 0). The position information 61 indicates a case where the first value serving as a reference for the calculation is set to a value (= 200) larger than the upper limit (= 100).

  That is, at time t1, the position information calculation unit 61 sets position information = 200 and target position = 0. Since (target position) − (position information) = − 200 is negative, a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the negative direction is generated (FIG. 11B). As a result, the shutters 51L and 51R move in the minus direction. When the position becomes zero at time t2 and the index 56 is detected, the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 becomes zero at that time, and (target position) − (position information) Since 0, the drive signal is not output, and the shutters 51L and 51R stop at that position.

  In FIG. 12, the index sensor 57 is provided so as to detect the index 56 when the shutters 51L and 51R are at the upper limit position (= 100). The position information 61 indicates a case where the first value serving as a reference for the calculation is set to a value (= −50) smaller than the lower limit (= 0).

  That is, position information = −50 and target position = 100 of the position information calculation unit 61 at time t3. The actual positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are “25”. Since (target position) − (position information) = 150 is positive, a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the positive direction is generated (FIG. 12B). As a result, the shutters 51L and 51R move in the plus direction, and eventually position = 100 at time t4 and when the index 56 is detected, the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 becomes 100 at that time, and (target position) − (position information) Since 0, the drive signal is not output, and the shutters 51L and 51R stop at that position.

  In FIG. 13, the index sensor 57 is provided to detect the index 56 when the shutters 51 </ b> L and 51 </ b> R are at a position between the upper limit and the lower limit (for example, “50”), and when the control on the movable body 50 is started. , The target positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are set to the lower limit (= 0) position, and the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is the upper limit (= 100) or the upper limit as the first value serving as a reference for the calculation. Indicates a case where the value is set to a large value (for example, “200”).

  That is, at time t10, the position information calculation unit 61 sets position information = 200 and target position = 0. The actual positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are “75”. Since (target position) − (position information) = − 200 is negative, a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the negative direction is generated (FIG. 13B). As a result, the shutters 51L and 51R move in the minus direction, and eventually, when the position = 50 at time t11 and the index 56 is detected, the position information = 50 of the position information calculation unit 61 at that time. At this time, since (target position) − (position information) = 0−50 = −50, a pulse signal for moving in the minus direction is still generated. At time t12, position = 0 and (target position) − (position information) = 0, so that no drive signal is output, and the shutters 51L and 51R stop at that position.

  Note that the case of FIG. 13 is applied when the actual positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are shifted to the plus side from the index positions. If it is shifted to the minus side, it cannot be applied. In this case, for example, the processing is terminated when the position information on the program reaches “0”, or the timer is started at the start of processing, and it has exceeded a certain time. Sometimes the processing is aborted, and the index can be detected by performing the processing of FIG. 14 described below instead.

  In FIG. 14, the index sensor 57 is provided to detect the index 56 when the shutters 51 </ b> L and 51 </ b> R are at a position between the upper limit and the lower limit (for example, “50”), and starts control of the movable body 50. , The target positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are set at the upper limit (= 100), and the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 is the lower limit (= 0) or lower limit as the first value serving as a reference for the calculation. Indicates a case where the value is set to a small value (for example, “−50”).

  That is, at time t20, position information = −50 and target position = 100 of the position information calculation unit 61 are set. The actual positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are “25”. Since (target position) − (position information) = 150 is positive, a pulse signal for moving the shutters 51L and 51R in the positive direction is generated (FIG. 14B). As a result, the shutters 51L and 51R move in the plus direction. When the position 56 is detected at time t21 and the index 56 is detected, the position information of the position information calculation unit 61 becomes 50 at that time. At this time, since (target position) − (position information) = 100−50 = 50, a pulse signal for moving in the positive direction is still generated. At time t22, position = 100 and (target position) − (position information) = 0, so that no drive signal is output, and the shutters 51L and 51R stop at that position.

  Note that the case of FIG. 14 is applied when the actual positions of the shutters 51L and 51R are shifted to the minus side from the index positions. If it is shifted to the plus side, it cannot be applied. In this case, for example, the processing is terminated when the position information on the program reaches “100”, or the timer is started at the start of processing, and it exceeds a certain time. Sometimes the processing is aborted, and the index can be detected by performing the processing shown in FIG. 13 instead.

  In the above description, it is assumed that one game corresponds to one game, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied when a single game corresponds to a plurality of games. For example, the present invention can be applied to effects such as moving the shutter to the “50” position in the first game, and further moving “+25” to the “75” position in the next second game. . In this case, it is not necessary to perform the initialization operation between the first game and the second game (for example, when the start switch of the second game is pressed), and the shutter is moved from “50” to “75” as it is. It's okay.

  In the above description, there is one index, but a plurality of indexes may be provided. For example, the index may be provided at two locations of the upper limit “100” and the lower limit “0”, and calibration may be performed by detecting each index or detecting one of the indexes (for example, the one detected earlier). In this case, the position information is set to a value larger than the upper limit during the initialization operation. When the shutter is completely closed as an effect, the position information is set to a value smaller than the lower limit. Alternatively, the position information is set to a large value smaller than the lower limit. When the shutter is completely opened as an effect, the position information is set to a value larger than the upper limit.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the control of the movable body of the gaming machine is started, the target position of the movable element of the movable body is the position where the index signal is output or the position that passes the index. Since the position information on the program is set outside the upper and lower limits as the first value that is the basis for the calculation, it is possible to reliably detect the index of the movable element when starting the production. The movable body can be controlled appropriately.

  That is, by setting as described above, the movable element is moved toward the position of the index, and when the index signal is output, the position information on the program is a predetermined initial value corresponding to the index signal. Set to a value.

  This makes it possible to reliably detect the index when starting (resuming) the effect, and to match the position information on the program with the actual position.

  In the above description, a slot machine has been described as an example, but the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine.

  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 20 Sub board 50 Movable body 51L, 51R Shutter (door, movable element)
52U, 52L Rail 53a Rack 53b Pinion 54 Stepping motor 55 Bracket 56 Index 57 Index sensor 60 Movable body control unit 61 Position information calculation unit 62 Target position setting unit 63 Drive signal generation unit 64 Position information initial setting unit

Claims (6)

A main board that executes control related to a game including an internal lottery process, a sub-board that executes processing related to effects, a movable body for performing the effects, and a movable body control unit that controls the movable body,
The movable body includes a movable element that moves within a predetermined upper limit and lower limit, a stepping motor that moves the movable element, an index provided on the movable element, and the index that is detected by the index. An index sensor that outputs an index signal indicating that the position is in a predetermined position,
The movable body control unit determines a target position and controls the movable element to move to the target position and stop there.
A position information calculator for calculating position information of the movable element based on the pulse signal applied to said stepping motor, and a target position setting unit that sets the target position of the movable element, the target position of the target position setting unit And a drive signal generation unit that generates the pulse signal for moving the movable element to the target position based on the comparison result, and the positional information of the positional information calculation unit,
When starting or resuming the production, in order to ensure the position calibration of the movable element,
The target position of the movable element, while being set to the position where the index signal is outputted, the position information of the position information calculating section, a large value or than the upper limit as the first value as a reference of the calculation Set to a value smaller than the lower limit, the movable element is moved toward the position of the index,
When the index signal is output, the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a predetermined initial value corresponding to the index signal. The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in the upper limit position,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a value smaller than the lower limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation. The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is at the lower limit position,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to a value larger than the upper limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation. The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in a position between the upper limit and the lower limit,
Wherein the target position of the movable element is set to the position of the upper instead of a position where the index signal is outputted,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to the lower limit or a value smaller than the lower limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation. The index sensor is provided to detect the index when the movable element is in a position between the upper limit and the lower limit,
Wherein the target position of the movable element is set to the position of the lower limit instead of the position where the index signal is outputted,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the position information calculation unit is set to the upper limit or a value larger than the upper limit as an initial value serving as a reference for the calculation. Said movable element gaming machine according to any claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an openable door of the movable member.

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