JP5819081B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a mechanical reel.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pachinko machine that displays a symbol by a mechanical reel is known.
In a mechanical reel, when the stop surface of the reel is illuminated by a backlight, the reel area is divided and illuminated according to the display pattern.
This type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2009-195429 A

However, in the conventional reel unit having a backlight, since the structure and design numerical values are not sufficiently considered, the brightness is disturbed at the boundary portion of the divided illumination range, resulting in a decrease in design.
That is, conventionally, it has been difficult to improve the design at the boundary portion between the illumination ranges in a gaming machine including a mechanical reel that performs illumination with a backlight.
The subject of this invention is improving the design property in the boundary part between illumination ranges more in the game machine provided with the mechanical reel illuminated with a backlight.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine according to the first invention is:
A reel (for example, the reel body 12 in FIG. 3) having a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface, and a display area (for example, in FIG. 1) that displays some of the symbols attached to the reel. Area R1, R2, R3) and a light source (for example, LED 261a to LED 261a in FIG. 8) that is installed for each symbol area that displays one symbol in the display area and that emits light to the one symbol from the inner peripheral surface side of the reel. and 261 c), is provided for each of the symbol area, the entrance surface of the light facing the light source to form a plane across the display area, located on the front and back relationship between the incident surface of the light over the display region guide member having a light exit surface forming the curved surface along the inner peripheral surface of the reel Te (e.g., 265A～265c in FIG. 8) provided with, and, the boundary portion between the symbol region, adjacent said Formed by light emitted from the light guide member And wherein the door.

According to the gaming machine of the first invention, the light source includes a light source that emits light from the inner peripheral surface side to the symbol area of the reel, and a light guide member that guides light from each light source to the inner peripheral surface of the reel. Is formed by the light emitted from the adjacent light guide member.
Therefore, in a gaming machine equipped with a mechanical reel that performs illumination with a backlight, it is possible to further improve the design at the boundary between illumination ranges.

The gaming machine according to the second invention is
A reel with a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface, a display area for displaying a plurality of symbols among the symbols attached to the reel, and a symbol area for displaying one symbol in the display area A light source that irradiates light to the one symbol from the inner peripheral surface side of the reel, a light incident surface that is provided for each of the symbol regions and faces the light source, and an inner peripheral surface of the reel in the symbol region And a light guide member having a light exit surface along the line, and a boundary portion between the design regions is formed by the light emitted by the adjacent light guide member, and the light exit surface of the light guide member The reel is arranged close to a distance of 5% or less of the reel diameter .
According to the gaming machine according to the second invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of disturbance in the boundary of the symbol area due to the variation of the members and the like, and the shape and position of the boundary portion can be set more accurately .

A gaming machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the above first aspect,
The light emitting surface of the light guide member and the reel are arranged close to a distance of 5% or less of the reel diameter.
According to the gaming machine according to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the boundary of the symbol area from being disturbed due to variations in members and the like, and the shape and position of the boundary portion can be set more accurately .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the gaming machine provided with the mechanical reel which illuminates with a backlight, it becomes possible to improve the design property in the boundary part between illumination ranges more.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the mechanical reel 104a with which the effect symbol display apparatus 104 is provided. It is a side view which shows the structure of the mechanical reel 104a. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of a reel unit 10. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a structure of a reel unit 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reel tape 14. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure of a backlight unit 26 provided in the reel unit 10. FIG. 2 is a front view and a side view showing a structure of a backlight unit 26 provided in the reel unit 10. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a pachinko machine. It is a figure for demonstrating a 1st starting information storage area and a 2nd starting information storage area. It is a figure which shows the aspect of the stop symbol of a special symbol. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a control command. It is a timing chart which shows the input / output timing of a control command. It is a diagram showing the contents of the effect control command output from the main control device 210 to the effect control device 150. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process. It is a flowchart which shows the effect control process which an effect control apparatus performs. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation principle of the stepping motor 18. It is a figure which shows the excitation pattern of coils L1, L2. It is a schematic diagram which shows the boundary part of the adjacent illumination range. It is a figure which shows the example of the high-speed pattern in control of the stepping motor. It is a figure which shows the example of the low speed pattern in control of the stepping motor. It is a figure which shows the example of the data group corresponding to a high-speed pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the data group corresponding to a low speed pattern. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a boundary portion between adjacent illumination ranges in Application Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data which combined the designation | designated whether to carry out the variable display of a low-speed pattern, or the variable display of a high-speed pattern with respect to each of three reels according to the fluctuation pattern designated from the main controller.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine 1 that variably displays a plurality of symbols on the effect symbol display device 104 as shown in FIG.

(Composition of game board surface)
First, the configuration of the game board surface 102 in the pachinko machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a front portion of a game board surface in a pachinko machine, particularly a portion necessary for explanation.
As shown in FIG. 1, an effect symbol display device 104 capable of displaying an effect image with a mechanical reel is provided at a substantially central portion of the game board surface 102. The effect symbol display device 104 displays the symbols in a variable manner by rotating a cylindrical reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on its peripheral surface with a motor (see FIG. 6).

  The effect symbol display device 104 has a display window 314 that allows the symbols on the three reels 350A (left reel), 350B (middle reel), and 350C (right reel) to be visually recognized. Three regions R1, R2, and R3 capable of independently displaying the symbol Z1 (see FIG. 6) are formed. These three regions R1, R2, and R3 correspond to the three reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

  In each of the first to third regions R1, R2, and R3, the change display and stop display of the effect symbol Z1 drawn on the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are performed. Here, the effect design Z1 includes numbers. In the present embodiment, the effect design Z1 is composed of numbers and symbols. The variable display of the effect symbol Z1 means that a plurality of types of effect symbols Z1 are displayed in a scrolled state in each of the first to third regions R1, R2, and R3. Further, the stop display of the effect symbol Z1 means that the effect symbol Z1 is displayed in a stopped state in each of the first to third regions R1, R2, and R3.

The effect symbol display device 104 notifies the result of the winning lottery by the combination of the effect symbols Z1 that are stopped and displayed in the first to third regions R1, R2, and R3.
A stage 108 capable of rolling the game ball in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is provided below the effect symbol display device 104. In addition, a warp entrance 112 for discharging the inflowing game ball to the stage 108 is provided on the left side of the effect symbol display device 104. The stage 108 is open on the front side, and after the released game ball rolls, it is released to the game board surface 102. In addition, a game ball lead-out path 108a is provided on the back side of the central portion of the stage 108 in the left-right direction. Then, the game ball that has flowed into the game ball lead-out path 108a is led out on the game board surface 102 directly above a first start winning opening 111a described later.

  A normal symbol start gate 122 is provided on the left side of the effect symbol display device 104. When the game ball passes, the normal symbol start gate 122 detects the passing of the game ball based on the detection signal of the start gate switch 134 inside the normal symbol start gate 122, and gives a chance to draw by the normal symbol. Also, below the normal symbol start gate 122, two general winning ports 124 and 125 are provided that allow the game ball to be always won.

  A start winning device 111 is provided below the effect symbol display device 104. The start winning device 111 has a first start winning port 111a and a second start winning port 111b provided below the first start winning port 111a. The first start winning opening 111a is a winning opening (a so-called umbilicus) that is open upward so that a game ball can always be won. The second start winning opening 111b is an electric accessory (so-called electric tulip) capable of changing the winning probability. The second start winning opening 111b is normally closed so that the game ball cannot win, but is normally opened in a predetermined pattern when the display of the normal symbol display device 106 is in a specific mode. It becomes possible to win a game ball.

  When the game ball wins, the first start winning port 111a detects the winning of the game ball by the detection signal of the first start winning port switch 131a (see FIG. 9) inside the pachinko machine 1, and the effect on the effect symbol display device 104 The trigger for starting the variable display of the symbol Z1 and the trigger for starting the variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol display device 107a are given. When the game ball wins, the second start winning port 111b detects the winning of the game ball by the detection signal of the second start winning port switch 131b (see FIG. 9) inside the pachinko machine 1, and the effect symbol display device 104 The trigger for starting the variable display of the effect symbol Z1 and the trigger for starting the variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol display device 107b are given. The variation display of the special symbol and the effect symbol Z1 is stopped after a predetermined variation time has elapsed, and the result of winning the lottery and the effect are performed.

  Two special symbol display devices 107 a and 107 b are provided on the right side of the start winning device 111. Each of the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7 segment LED, a dot matrix LED, and the like. Each of the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b can perform variable symbol display and stop display of special symbols including numbers and symbols. And each special symbol display device 107a, 107b notifies the result of winning lottery by the special symbol stopped and displayed. At this time, the special symbol display device 107a notifies the result of the winning lottery performed with the winning of the game ball in the first start winning opening 111a. In addition, the special symbol display device 107b notifies the result of the winning lottery performed with the winning of the game ball in the second start winning opening 111b. Here, the gaming state in which the special symbol stopped and displayed in each of the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b becomes a specific symbol is referred to as “special prize state (winning)”. The special prize state refers to an advantageous gaming state that gives a predetermined gaming value such as paying out a large number of prize balls to the player. In addition, the display of the special symbol on each special symbol display device 107a, 107b and the display of the effect symbol Z1 on the effect symbol display device 104 are associated with each other.

  An ordinary symbol display device 106 is provided on the right side of the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b. The normal symbol display device 106 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix LED, and the like. The normal symbol display device 106 can perform change display and stop display of normal symbols composed of numbers, symbols, and the like. Then, the normal symbol display device 106 notifies the result of the lottery based on the normal symbol by the stopped normal symbol.

On the upper side of the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b, special symbol start information storage number display devices 109a and 109b and a normal symbol start information storage number display device 103 are provided. The special symbol start information storage number display devices 109a and 109b and the normal symbol start information storage number display device 103 are each configured by, for example, an LED or the like.
The special symbol starting information storage number display devices 109a and 109b are lit in conjunction with the fact that special symbol starting information, which will be described later, is stored in the special symbol starting information storage area in the RAM 240 of the main controller 210, and continuously. The number of times that the special symbol and the effect symbol Z1 can be changed and displayed (hereinafter referred to as the number of stored start information (so-called “the number of balls to be held”)) is displayed. Here, in the pachinko machine 1, the starting information storage number triggered by the winning of the game ball in the first starting winning port 111a and the starting information memory number triggered by the winning of the game ball in the second starting winning port 111b are set. , Display each individually. That is, the starting information storage number triggered by the winning of the game ball to the first starting winning port 111a is displayed on the special symbol starting information storage number display device 109a, and the winning of the gaming ball to the second starting winning port 111b is displayed. The number of starting information stored as an opportunity is displayed on the special symbol starting information storing number display device 109b.

The normal symbol start information storage number display device 103 lights up in conjunction with the start information of the normal symbol being stored in the start information storage area for the normal symbol in the RAM 240 of the main controller 210, and continuously The number of times that the variable display can be performed is displayed.
A big prize opening 115 is provided below the start winning apparatus 111. The special winning opening 115 is normally closed, but when a special prize state is generated, it is opened in a predetermined pattern so that a game ball can be won. In other words, the special winning opening 115 has an opening / closing member 115a installed on the front face of the special winning opening 115 when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b becomes a specific symbol and a special prize state is generated. Opening action is performed by opening.

  The opening operation of the big prize opening 115 continues until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins (one round). Further, the opening operation of the special winning opening 115 is repeatedly performed for the number of rounds set according to the type of the special prize state. Then, when a game ball wins in the big prize opening 115, the number of game balls won is detected by the detection signal of the big prize opening switch 132 (see FIG. 9) inside the pachinko machine 1, and a prize is awarded according to the number of game balls won. Pay out the ball.

An out port 110 for collecting game balls that did not win any of the winning ports is provided below the big winning port 115 and at the lowermost part of the game board surface 102.
On the game board surface 102, a plurality of nails (not shown) are arranged so as to guide the game balls to the winning holes.

  In addition, hereinafter, a gaming state in which the winning probability of winning the lottery after the end of the special prize state (win) is a low probability (ordinary probability) is referred to as “low probability state”, and the winning probability of the winning lottery after the end of the special prize state is low. A gaming state having a high probability (for example, 10 times the normal probability) compared to the state is referred to as a “probability variation state”. In addition, a gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol and the effect symbol Z1 is shortened is referred to as a “short time state”. In the short time state, the normal symbol lottery probability is higher than the normal lottery probability (for example, 10 times), and the opening time of the second start winning opening 111b is compared with the normal opening time. Extended.

(Reel structure of effect symbol display device 104)
Next, a specific structure of the mechanical reel provided in the effect symbol display device 104 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the mechanical reel 104a included in the effect symbol display device 104. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of the mechanical reel 104a. FIG. 2 shows a state where the reel tape 14 is seen through in order to show the internal structure.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mechanical reel 104a has a structure in which three sets of reel units 10A, 10B, and 10C are arranged in the axial direction.

Each of the reel units 10A, 10B, and 10C is provided with reels 350A, 350B, and 350C including the reel body 12 and the reel tape 14, and a part of each of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C (3 for each reel). A redundant portion corresponding to a symbol and an upper and lower portion of one symbol) is exposed from the display window 314 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
Further, a backlight unit 26 for individually irradiating each area of the three symbols exposed from the display window 314 is installed inside each reel unit 10A, 10B, 10C (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

Since the reel units 10A, 10B, and 10C have the same structure, one reel unit 10A (hereinafter simply referred to as “reel unit 10”) will be described as an example.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the reel unit 10.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the structure of the reel unit 10. FIG. 4 shows a state where the reel tape 14 is seen through in order to show the internal structure. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a part of the reel (dotted line portion) is seen through in order to illustrate the configuration of the backlight unit 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reel unit 10 includes a base bracket 16 whose main portion is a thin circular shape, and a stepping motor 18 is attached to the center thereof. The stepping motor 18 is driven and controlled by the display control unit 151 of the effect control device 150. In addition, the stepping motor 18 has an origin detection function by, for example, a method of detecting passage of a light shielding plate provided in the rotor with a photo interrupter, and can detect that the rotor has passed the origin position. The origin position detected by the stepping motor 18 is input to the display control unit 151. The display control unit 151 can detect the current rotation position of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C based on the origin position and the input step number. It is.

An axis 20 constituting the reel body 12 is attached to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 18. The shaft core 20 has a cylindrical shape, and five radial frames 22 are attached from its peripheral surface at a pitch of 72 ° in the radial direction. The shaft core 20 and the radial frame 22 may be integrally molded with resin.
One of the pair of ring frames 24 (one ring frame 24) is attached to the distal end portion of the radial frame 22.

The other of the pair of ring frames 24 (the other ring frame 24) is disposed close to the base bracket 16, and is disposed coaxially with the one ring frame 24. The pair of ring frames 24 are connected to each other when the reel tape 14 is wound thereon. The pair of ring frames 24, the reel tape 14, the radial frame 22, and the shaft core 20 constitute the reel body 12 having a cylindrical contour. Further, with the above configuration, the shaft core 20 and the stepping motor 18 are positioned on the inner space side of the reel body 12.
Here, when the shaft core 20 is rotated by the driving force of the stepping motor 18, the reel body 12 is rotated.

The reel tape 14 is a band-shaped sheet body made of a light-transmitting material, and a plurality of (here, 12) symbols are provided at an equal pitch along the longitudinal direction.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reel tape 14.
In FIG. 6, the reel tapes 14 installed on the reels 350 </ b> A, 350 </ b> B, and 350 </ b> C are shown as “left”, “middle”, and “right” reel tapes, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 6, the reel tape 14 includes a plurality of symbols “1” to “7”, “cherry” or other “offset symbols” corresponding to symbol numbers 0 to 11 (collectively, “ This is referred to as “design symbol Z1”).
Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement | positioning of the symbol of each reel tape 14 installed in the reels 350A, 350B, 350C is different.

(Configuration of the backlight unit 26)
7 and 8 are views showing the structure of the backlight unit 26 provided in the reel unit 10. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view, FIG. 8 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 8 (b) is a side view. is there.
7 and 8, the backlight unit 26 is installed on the interior side of the reel unit 10 behind the display window 314 and on the front side (display window 314 side) of the electrical board 26a. And a light guide 26b.

  The electrical decoration board 26a is a circuit board in which an LED drive circuit for illumination is formed on a flat board, and includes light sources such as LEDs that irradiate each of the three design areas at three locations on the board surface. Further, the electrical decoration board 26a is installed with the board surface having the light source facing the front of the reel unit 10, and includes an LED 261b for middle symbol display at a position behind the front of the reel unit 10, and an upper stage above the LED 261b. The LED 261a for symbol display is provided. Moreover, the electrical decoration board 26a is provided with LED261c for lower symbol display in the position symmetrical to LED261a on both sides of LED261b. In the present embodiment, these LEDs 261a to 261c use those that emit light of the same color (for example, white). However, as shown in application example 2 described later, LEDs 261a to 261c that use light emitting in different colors are used. Is also possible. In the present embodiment, each of the LEDs 261a to 261c is described as being configured by arranging two LEDs side by side in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction of the reel, but may be configured by one or three or more LEDs. is there.

LED261b is arrange | positioned in the position which orthogonally projected the design on the board | substrate surface of the electrical decoration board | substrate 26a with respect to the design stop position of the middle stage in the display window 314. FIG. On the other hand, the LEDs 261a and 261c are installed at positions closer to the LED 261b than positions where the symbols are orthogonally projected onto the board surface of the electrical decoration board 26a with respect to the upper and lower symbol stop positions in the display window 314.
With such an arrangement, the electric decoration board 26a is a flat board, and the upper and lower LEDs 261a and 261c are close to the reel inner peripheral surface (the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical reel tape 14). It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a difference in brightness of the entire light irradiation region in the display window 314.

The light guide 26b is configured by bonding three light guide members 265a to 265c corresponding to the LEDs 261a to 261c on the electric decoration board 26a.
The light guide members 261a to 261c are, for example, light guide plates configured by forming grooves on the side surfaces of an acrylic plate, and light from the LEDs 261a to 261c is incident from the surface (bottom surface portion) on the electric decoration board 26a side. Incident light is emitted from the inner peripheral surface (front surface).

Specifically, the light guide members 265a to 265c are surfaces facing the electrical decoration board 26a and are substantially parallel to the electrical decoration board 26a, and are in a positional relationship between the bottom surface and the front and back surfaces, and the reel inner circumferential surface , And a front surface portion made of a curved surface (for example, 5 mm or less) close to each other, and a top surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface, a left surface and a right surface, respectively.
The upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces of the light guide members 265a to 265c are configured such that the light incident from the bottom surface is reflected inside the light guide member due to the formation of the grooves, and the light reflected inside the light guide member is reflected from the front surface. Light is emitted toward the inner peripheral surface of the reel.
That is, the light guide member 265a guides the light from the LED 261a from the bottom surface portion to the inside and emits the light from the front surface portion toward the reel inner peripheral surface without emitting it from the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces. Thus, the light emitted from the light guide member 265a forms an illumination range of the upper symbol area (hereinafter referred to as “upper illumination range”).

The light guide member 265b guides the light from the LED 261b from the bottom surface to the inside, and emits the light from the front surface toward the reel inner peripheral surface without emitting the light from the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces. Thus, the light emitted from the light guide member 265b forms an illumination range of the middle symbol area (hereinafter referred to as “middle illumination range”).
In addition, the light guide member 265c guides light from the LED 261c from the bottom surface portion, and emits the light from the front surface portion toward the reel inner peripheral surface without emitting the light from the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right side surfaces. Thus, the light emitted from the light guide member 265c forms an illumination range (hereinafter referred to as “lower illumination range”) of the lower symbol area.

In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the front surfaces of the respective light guide members 265a to 265c is applied to the adjacent inner peripheral surface of the reel to form an upper illumination range, a middle illumination range, and a lower illumination range.
That is, the boundaries of the upper illumination range, the middle illumination range, and the lower illumination range are connected so that the ends of the adjacent illumination ranges coincide with each other, and when the adjacent illumination ranges are illuminated together, The boundary is inconspicuous and continuous.

  Further, notches are formed at both ends (ends on the left and right side surfaces) of the front surface of the light guide members 265a to 265c to avoid interference with the ring frame 24. That is, the front portions of the light guide members 265a to 265c are positioned closer to the reel inner peripheral surface of the reel unit 10 than the inner peripheral surface of the reel frame 10 while avoiding interference with the ring frame 24 by notches at both ends ( (For example, within 5 mm).

  Thereby, the light guide members 265a to 265c can be brought closer to the inner peripheral surface of the reel, and each illumination range can be more clearly formed. That is, when one of the adjacent illumination ranges is illuminated and one is not illuminated, the shape and position of the end in the illuminated illumination range can be accurately formed. In addition, when the front portions of the light guide members 265a to 265c are brought close to a distance of 5% or less with respect to the diameter of the reel, each illumination range can be more clearly formed.

In addition, the exit surfaces of the light guide members 265a to 265c are formed so that the upper illumination range and the lower illumination range are wider in the reel rotation direction than the middle illumination range.
As a result, the range irradiated by the LEDs 261a and 261c, which are closer to the reel inner peripheral surface than the LED 261b, can be made wider than the range irradiated by the LED 261b. Therefore, the brightness of the upper and lower illumination ranges and the middle illumination range It can suppress that a difference arises with brightness. Moreover, since it becomes easy to visually recognize the symbols positioned above the upper symbol and below the lower symbol in the display window 314, the player can recognize the front-rear relationship of the stopped symbols.

(Control system configuration)
Next, the configuration of the control system in the pachinko machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the pachinko machine.
As shown in FIG. 9, the pachinko machine 1 includes a first start winning port switch 131a, a second starting winning port switch 131b, a big winning port switch 132, and various winning port switches 133.
The first start winning port switch 131a detects the winning of a game ball to the first start winning port 111a, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 210. The second start winning port switch 131b detects the winning of the game ball to the second start winning port 111b, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 210. The big prize opening switch 132 detects the winning of a game ball in the big prize opening 115 and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 210. The various winning opening switches 133 detect the winning of the game balls at the general winning openings 124 and 125 and output detection signals to the main controller 210. The start gate switch 134 detects the passage of a game ball to the normal symbol start gate 122 and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 210.

The pachinko machine 1 mainly includes a main control device 210 and an effect control device 150 as control units. In order to prevent fraud, etc., the main control device 210 and the effect control device 150 are each mounted on separate boards. Further, data can be transmitted only from the main control device 210 to the effect control device 150 in one direction.
The main controller 210 mainly detects the winning of a game ball at the first start winning port 111a, detects the winning of a game ball at the second start winning port 111b, and detects the passing of the game ball at the start gate switch 134. In response, various random numbers are generated (extracted). Then, the main controller 210 performs control command transmission and overall game control based on the generated random numbers. Further, the main controller 210 includes special symbol display devices 107a and 107b, a normal symbol display device 106, a special symbol start information storage number display device 109a and 109b, a normal symbol start information storage number display device 103, a big prize opening solenoid 158, and the like. An electric tulip (not shown) is directly controlled (port output control).

Main controller 210 includes CPU 220, ROM 230, RAM 240, input port 250, and output port 255.
The input port 250 outputs detection signals output from each of the first start winning port switch 131a, the second starting winning port switch 131b, the big winning port switch 132, and the various winning port switches 133 to the CPU 220.
The output port 255 includes an effect control device 150, special symbol display devices 107a and 107b, a normal symbol display device 106, special symbol start information storage number display devices 109a and 109b, a normal symbol start information storage number display device 103, and a prize ball payout control. Control commands and control signals are output to the device 156 and the special prize opening solenoid 158, respectively. Further, the output port 255 outputs the output information and abnormality signal of the pachinko machine 1 to the hall computer 500. Thereby, the game situation etc. of the pachinko machine 1 are remotely monitored in the hall computer 500.

The ROM 230 stores a program for controlling the pachinko machine 1 executed by the main control device 210, game control data, and the like. The game control data includes various control commands for controlling the effect control device 150. Here, as various control commands, there are a symbol designating command, a variation pattern command, a start information storage number command, and the like.
The RAM 240 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control device 210, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, a lottery result and a flag for managing the game state. The RAM 240 has a start information storage area for special symbols and a start information storage area for normal symbols. Here, the start information storage area for special symbols is an area for storing start information (hereinafter referred to as first start information) acquired when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 111a. , A first start information storage area) and an area for storing start information (hereinafter referred to as second start information) acquired in response to winning of a game ball in the second start winning opening 111b A starting information storage area). Here, the start information is information such as various random number values acquired by winning the game balls to the start winning openings 111a and 111b (for example, hit determination random numbers, hit type determination random numbers, stop symbol determination random numbers, reach Determined random numbers, fluctuation pattern determined random numbers, etc.). Thereby, in the starting information storage area for special symbols, the first starting information and the second starting information are individually stored.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the first start information storage area and the second start information storage area.
Each of the first start information storage area and the second start information storage area stores start information up to a predetermined upper limit number (predetermined number). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first start information storage area has four storage units (A1 to A4) from the first to the fourth, and the first start is stored in each storage unit. By storing the information, four pieces of first start information are stored. In addition, the second start information storage area has four storage units (B1 to B4) from the first to the fourth, and by storing the second start information in each storage unit, Second start information is stored. Here, main controller 210 sequentially determines the starting information stored in each of the first starting information storage area and the second starting information storage area from the starting information stored in the first storage unit. Go and digest.

Also, in the normal symbol start information storage area, information such as random numbers acquired in response to the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 122 is stored up to a predetermined upper limit number (four in this embodiment). .
The RAM 240 has a command storage area for temporarily storing control commands to be output to the effect control device 150 and the like. In the pachinko machine 1, the RAM 240 is provided with a backup power source, and when a power interruption occurs due to a power failure or the like, a control command to be output that is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 240 is output when the power failure is restored. By doing so, the gaming state is restored to the state before the power is shut off.
The main controller 210 is connected to a power supply circuit 212 for supplying power.

The effect control device 150 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input port, and an output port, like the main control device 210.
The ROM of the effect control device 150 stores a program for controlling the effect, various data, and the like. The RAM of the effect control device 150 temporarily stores control commands input from the main control device 210, data for performing arithmetic processing, and the like. The CPU of the effect control device 150 executes processing according to a program stored in the ROM, thereby controlling the effect symbol display device 104 by the display control unit 151, controlling the lamp 154 by the lamp control unit 152, and a sound effect control unit. The output of the sound effect from the speaker 155 by 153 is controlled.

  The effect control device 150 controls the display control unit 151 that controls display on the effect symbol display device 104, the lamp control unit 152 that controls lighting and blinking of the lamp 154, and the effect of controlling the output of sound effects from the speaker 155. A sound control unit 153. The effect control device 150 generates an internal command to be transmitted in the effect control device 150 in accordance with the control command received from the main control device 210, and transmits the internal command, whereby the display control unit 151 and the lamp control unit 152 are transmitted. And the sound effect control unit 153 are controlled.

In particular, the effect control device 150 generates a display control command according to the control command received from the main control device 210. Then, the effect control device 150 controls the display control unit 151 by transmitting the generated display control command to the display control unit 151.
The lamp control unit 152 determines a lamp effect to be executed in accordance with an internal command input from the effect control device 150, reads control data corresponding to the lamp effect from the ROM, and determines a lamp effect based on the control data. 154 is turned on, blinked, turned off, etc.

The sound effect control unit 153 determines a sound effect effect to be executed in accordance with an internal command input from the effect control device 150, reads out sound data corresponding to the sound effect effect from the ROM, and outputs the sound data to the speaker 155. .
The display control unit 151 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a driver for driving the stepping motor 18, an input port, and an output port.
The ROM of the display control unit 151 stores a program for performing display effect control, various data for controlling the stepping motor 18 (for example, excitation pattern data), and the like. The RAM of the display control unit 151 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory.

  The CPU of the display control unit 151 executes a program stored in the ROM according to the display control command input from the effect control device 150, and controls the stepping motor 18 according to the display control command. Specifically, the CPU of the display control unit 151 executes a program for performing display effect control, thereby outputting excitation pattern data of the stepping motor 18 to the driver, and the reels 350A and 350B corresponding to the display control command. , 350C is controlled.

  Further, the CPU of the display control unit 151 executes a program stored in the ROM in accordance with the display control command input from the effect control device 150, and controls the backlight unit 26 in accordance with the display control command. . Specifically, the CPU of the display control unit 151 executes a program for performing display effect control, so that the LEDs 261a to 261c in the backlight unit 26 correspond to the fact that the reel unit 10 variably displays symbols. Control the lighting of.

(Aspect of stop display of special design and production design)
Next, the stop display mode of the special symbol in the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b and the stop display mode of the effect symbol Z1 in the effect symbol display device 104 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of a special symbol stop symbol.
In the pachinko machine 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the types of hits (special prize states) are “ordinary jackpot”, “probability 1 big hit”, “probability 2 big hit”, “probability 3 big hit” and “small hit”. Five are defined.

  Normally, when a big hit is made, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b display the special symbol in a time-short state corresponding to changing the gaming state to the short-time state, and the effect symbol display device 104 displays the effect symbol Z1 in the gaming state. Is controlled so as to be stopped and displayed with the time-short symbol corresponding to the time-short state. When the effect symbol display device 104 stops and displays the effect symbol Z1 with a short time symbol, for example, in the first to third regions R1, R2, R3 of the effect symbol display device 104, even numbers such as “222”, “444”, etc. The effect design Z1 is stopped and displayed with a combination of the same numbers. In addition, when it is a normal big win, the maximum number of times the big prize opening 115 is opened at the time of winning, that is, the maximum number of continuations of the round is 15, and the short-time operation state is entered in the 100 lotteries after the win. In addition, when the big hit is normal, the gaming state after the winning is set to a low probability state.

  When the probable variation 1 big hit is obtained, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b are controlled so that the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the probable variation 1 symbol and the effect symbol display device 104 is stopped and displayed with the probable variation 1 symbol. . When the effect symbol display device 104 stops and displays the effect symbol Z1 with one probability variation, for example, in the first to third regions R1, R2, and R3 of the effect symbol display device 104, “111”, “333”, “ The effect design Z1 is stopped and displayed with a combination of the same number of odd numbers such as “555”. In addition, when the probability variation is one big hit, the maximum number of continuations of the round is fifteen times, and the short-time operation state is entered after the hit. In addition, when the probability variation is one big hit, the gaming state after the winning is set to the probability variation state.

  When the probable variation 2 big hit is achieved, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b are controlled to stop and display the special symbol with the probable variation 2 symbol, and the effect symbol display device 104 to stop and display the effect symbol Z1 with the probable variation 2 symbol. . In addition, when the probability variation is 2 big hits, the maximum number of continuations of the round is 2 times, and after a hit, the operation is short-time. Further, when the probability variation 2 big hit is reached, the gaming state after the winning is set to the probability variation state.

  When the probable variation 3 big hit, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b are controlled to stop and display the special symbol with the probable variation 3 symbol, and the effect symbol display device 104 to stop and display the effect symbol Z1 with the probable variation 3 symbol. . In addition, when the probability variation is 3 big hits, the maximum number of continuations of the round is 2. In addition, when the probability variation is 3 big hits, if it is in a short time non-actuated state at the time of hitting (at the time when the symbol variation pattern for notifying the occurrence of hitting is started), it will be in a short time non-operating state after hitting, If it is in the operating state, control is performed so that the short-time operating state is continued after the hit (short-time continuous control). Further, when the probability variation 3 big hit, the gaming state after the winning end is set to the probability variation state.

Probability 2 big wins, 3 probable big wins, the period of one round (opening time of the big prize opening 115) is shorter than the normal jackpot (about several ms), and the maximum number of times of the round is only 2 times, so the player On the other hand, unexpectedness can be given as if the state suddenly shifted to the probability variation state without hitting.
When the small hit is reached, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b are controlled to stop and display the special symbol with the small hit symbol and to cause the effect symbol display device 104 to stop and display the effect symbol Z1 with the small hit symbol. The probabilistic 3 symbols and the small winning symbols that are stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display device 104 are composed of a combination of one or a plurality of specific symbols, and cannot be distinguished from each other. In addition, when a small hit is made, the maximum number of continuations of the round is two times, and control is performed so that the operation of the short-time function and the non-operation do not change after the small hit. Further, when the small hit is reached, the gaming state after the small hit is set to the same gaming state as the gaming state before the small hit.

Note that the winning type is not limited to the above type, and other types other than the above may be used. In addition, it is not necessary to provide all of the hit types, and according to the characteristics of the gaming machine, the hit types can be individually combined.
Furthermore, by making the hit type that can be generated based on the first start information and the win type that can be generated based on the second start information different from each other, a more varied game is provided, and the player Can improve the willingness to play.

Next, the structure and content of the control command output from the main control device 210 to the effect control device 150 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a control command.
As shown in FIG. 12, the control command is an identifier for identifying the classification of the control command, a mode (MODE) that is 1-byte digital data, and 1 byte indicating the content (function) of the executed control command. It consists of an event (EVENT) which is long digital data.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the input / output timing of the control command.
As shown in FIG. 13, the main controller 210 outputs mode (MODE) data triggered by the first rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when the command changes, and then the strobe signal (DUSTB). Event (EVENT) data is output in response to the second rising edge. Correspondingly, in the effect control device 150, the CPU generates an interrupt according to the input of the strobe signal (DUSTB), and the effect control command is stored in the RAM of the effect control device 150 by the interrupt process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the effect control command output from the main control device 210 to the effect control device 150.
As shown in FIG. 14, the presentation control commands include a symbol designation command, a variation pattern command, a start information storage number command, a presentation start command, a state designation command, and the like.
The symbol designating command is a command for designating a combination of effect symbols Z1 to be stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display device 104. Specifically, the symbol designating command includes any one of the off-stage effect symbol, the short-time symbol, the probability variation 1 symbol, the probability variation 2 symbol, the probability variation 3 symbol, and the small hit symbol as the effect symbol Z1 to be stopped and displayed on the effect symbol display device 104. specify. The symbol designating command is output at the start of variation of the effect symbol Z1. Here, when the change of the effect symbol Z1 starts, it almost coincides with the start of change of the special symbol.

The variation pattern command is a command for designating one of n (n = 1 to 104) types of variation patterns as variation patterns to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 104. The variation pattern command is output together with the symbol designation command when the variation of the effect symbol Z1 is started.
Note that either the variation pattern command or the symbol designation command may be output first. However, in the production control device 150, it is preferable to execute various lotteries related to the production in response to the reception of the symbol designation command. Therefore, it is desirable that the symbol designation command is output before the variation pattern command. Thereby, in the production | presentation control apparatus 150, before performing control, such as selection determination of a fluctuation pattern, the lottery concerning production can be performed, and a control burden can be reduced significantly.

  The start information storage number command is a command for notifying accurate start information storage number information to a control device (such as the effect control device 150) other than the main control device 210. Here, the start information storage number command notifies the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number separately. That is, main controller 210 outputs a start information storage number command corresponding to the number of first start information stored in the first start information storage area of RAM 240 to effect control device 150. Further, main controller 210 outputs a start information storage number command corresponding to the number of second start information stored in the second start information storage area of RAM 240 to effect control device 150. The start information storage number command is output when the main control device 210 updates each of the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number. That is, the start information storage number command is output when there is an increase or decrease in each of the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number.

The production start command includes m (m = 1 to 95) types of production start per 15R (normal jackpot, probability variation 1 jackpot), probability variation 2 jackpot performance start, probability variation 3 jackpot performance start, and jackpot performance start. This is a command to specify. The production start command is output at the start of hitting.
The state designation command is a command for designating the end and the start of time reduction. The state designation command is output at the end of the time reduction and at the start of the time reduction, respectively.

Next, game control processing executed by the main controller 210 will be described.
The CPU 220 includes a microprocessing unit and the like, and operates based on a game control program that can execute one cycle with a predetermined operation clock (for example, 4 [ms]), and is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 230. Is started, and the game control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the game control process.
When the game control process is executed by the CPU 220, the process first proceeds to step S100 as shown in FIG.

  In step S100, a per-decision random number update process for updating various random numbers related to the determination of a game that directly affects the player's profit is executed. Here, as various random numbers directly related to the determination of the appearance, there are a random number used for a lottery (hereinafter referred to as a hit determination random number), whether to cause a win, a hit type determination random number, a stop symbol determination random number, or the like. . In the hit determination random number update process, the hit determination random number value cannot be easily predicted by changing the initial value every time the hit determination random number makes a round.

Next, the process proceeds to step S102, where an effect control random number update process for updating the effect control random number (for example, reach determination random number, variation pattern determination random number, etc.) related to the effect is executed, and the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S104, input processing for inputting signals from the switches 131a, 131b, 132, and 133 via the input port 250 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S106. In the input process, a detection signal from the first start winning port switch 131a and a detection signal from the second start winning port switch 131b are input.

In step S106, a winning switch input process for updating the storage of the first start information and the second start information is executed, and the process proceeds to step S108.
In step S108, the winning setting is performed, and the variation setting process for determining the variation pattern of the effect symbol Z1 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S110, an electrical accessory actuating process for opening the special winning opening 115 in a predetermined pattern is executed, and the process proceeds to step S112.

In step S112, a prize ball payout management process for storing a control command for causing the prize ball payout control device 156 to perform a payout operation in a predetermined area of the RAM 240 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S114.
In step S114, an external information output process for outputting an external information signal related to game control to the hall computer 500 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S116.
In step S116, a gaming machine inspection signal output process for outputting a gaming machine inspection signal necessary for the inspection of the pachinko machine 1 is executed. In some cases, the process of step S116 can be omitted.

Next, the process proceeds to step S118, where the port output process for outputting the control command stored in the RAM 240 is executed via the output port 255, the series of processes are terminated, and the original process is restored.
In the port output process, an effect control command is output to the effect control device 150. At this time, a strobe signal is first output to the effect control device 150, and a control command including a mode and an event is output. In the port output process, the special symbol display devices 107a and 107b, the normal symbol display device 106, the big prize opening solenoid 158, the special symbol start information storage number display devices 109a and 109b, the normal symbol start information storage number display device 103, etc. Control information from the main controller 210 is also output.

Next, processing executed by the effect control device 150 will be described.
The CPU of the effect control device 150 operates based on a control program that can execute one cycle with a predetermined operation clock (for example, 2 [ms]), and is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM of the effect control device 150. The program is started, and the effect control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is repeatedly executed.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the effect control process executed by the effect control device 150.
When the effect control process is executed by the CPU of the effect control device 150, the process first proceeds to step S600 as shown in FIG.

In step S600, the effect control device 150 executes a start information storage number command reception process for receiving a start information storage number command, and proceeds to step S602.
In the start information storage number command reception process, the effect control device 150 receives the start information storage number command from the main control device 210, and stores the start information storage number indicated by the received start information storage number command in a predetermined area of the RAM. . At this time, the presentation control device 150 updates the start information storage number stored in a predetermined area of the RAM every time a start information storage number command is received from the main control device 210. Here, the production control device 150 individually stores the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number in a predetermined area of the RAM.

In addition, the production control device 150 generates a display control command (hereinafter referred to as a start information storage number display command) corresponding to the received start information storage number command, and displays the generated start information storage number display command as a display control unit 151. Send to.
When the display control unit 151 receives the start information storage number display command, the display control unit 151 displays the start information storage number indicated by the start information storage number display command on a storage number display LED (not shown) of the effect symbol display device 104. Let Here, the display control unit 151 individually displays the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number in the effect symbol display device 104. The display control unit 151 maintains the first start information storage number and the second start information storage number displayed on the effect symbol display device 104 until a new start information storage number display command is received.

In step S602, the effect control device 150 executes a variation pattern command reception process for receiving a variation pattern command, and the process proceeds to step S604.
In the variation pattern command reception process, the effect control device 150 receives a variation pattern command from the main control device 210. Then, the effect control device 150 generates a display control command (hereinafter referred to as a variation pattern display command) corresponding to the received variation pattern command, and transmits the generated variation pattern display command to the display control unit 151.
At this time, in the present embodiment, the effect control device 150 determines the variation pattern of the effect symbol Z1, and generates a display control command indicating the variation pattern.

Then, when receiving the variation pattern display command, the display control unit 151 starts variation display of the effect symbol Z1 by the variation pattern specified by the variation pattern display command in the effect symbol display device 104. At this time, the display control unit 151 causes the backlight unit 26 of the effect symbol display device 104 to perform illumination corresponding to the variable display of the effect symbol Z1.
In step S604, the effect control device 150 executes a symbol designation command receiving process for receiving a symbol designation command, and the process proceeds to step S606.
In the symbol designation command reception process, the effect control device 150 receives a symbol designation command from the main control device 210. Then, the production control device 150 generates a display control command (hereinafter referred to as a stop symbol display command) corresponding to the received symbol designation command, and transmits the generated stop symbol display command to the display control unit 151.

The display control unit 151 stops the display of the effect symbol Z1 with the combination specified by the stop symbol display command received in step S604 after ending the variation due to the variation pattern that has already started the variation display. At this time, although the variation time is constant for each variation pattern, the number of symbols to be fed is adjusted in the synchronization adjustment step, and the display is stopped and displayed in the combination designated by the stop symbol display command at the scheduled stop timing. The lighting states of the LEDs 261a to 261c in the backlight unit 26 are also in a state corresponding to the stop display of the effect symbol Z1.
In step S606, the effect control device 150 executes an effect start command receiving process for receiving an effect start command, ends a series of processes, and returns to the original process.
In the effect start command receiving process, the effect control device 150 receives an effect start command from the main control device 210, and executes a winning effect according to the received effect start command.

(Control of stepping motor 18)
Next, the control of the stepping motor 18 when the effect symbol Z1 is variably displayed will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an operation principle of the stepping motor 18.
The stepping motor 18 is a unipolar stepping motor, and has a configuration in which a rotating magnetic field is generated in a coil by 1-2 phase excitation, and the rotor is rotated by the rotating magnetic field.
The stepping motor 18 is provided with two coils L1 and L2. Note that both ends of the coil L1 are terminals Φ1a and Φ1b, and both ends of the coil L2 are terminals Φ2a and Φ2b.
Switches S1, S2, S3, and S4 (not shown) are respectively installed at the terminals Φ1a, Φ1b, Φ2a, and Φ2b of the coils L1 and L2, and the terminals of the coils L1 and L2 are connected via these switches. Grounded.

A power terminal M is installed at the center of each of the coils L1 and L2, and is connected to a power source for driving the stepping motor 18.
In the present embodiment, the display control unit 151 sets one or two of the switches S1 to S4 to a conductive state (ON) and excites the coils L1 and L2 in one phase or two phases. Then, the stepping motor 18 is driven.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating excitation patterns of the coils L1 and L2.
In FIG. 18, the correspondence relationship between the excitation pattern data for the display control unit 151 to control the switches S1 to S4 and the terminals Φ1a, Φ1b, Φ2a, and Φ2b through which the current from the power supply terminal M flows is shown. .
As shown in FIG. 18, the display control unit 151 outputs excitation pattern data (“0” is off and “1” is on) for controlling the switches S1 to S4. In accordance with the excitation pattern data output by the control unit 151, the conduction states of the terminals Φ1a, Φ1b, Φ2a, and Φ2b of the coils 1 and L2 are switched.

The display control unit 151 drives the stepping motor 18 while repeating 8 steps from the 0th step to the 7th step.
At this time, the display control unit 151 can set a plurality of speeds as the rotation speed of the stepping motor 18 by changing the switching speed of the excitation pattern data (that is, the pulse rate input to the stepping motor 18). It is.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 will be described.
First, the operation of the backlight unit 26 during illumination will be described.
The backlight unit 26 in the present embodiment illuminates each symbol area by turning on the LEDs 261a to 261c corresponding to the symbol variation display of the reel unit 10 under the control of the display control unit 151. At this time, the ends of the illumination ranges of the respective symbol areas (that is, the upper stage illumination range, the middle stage illumination range, and the lower stage illumination range) coincide with each other.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a boundary portion between adjacent illumination ranges, FIG. 19A is a side view, and FIG. 19B is a front view.
In FIG. 19, the boundary portion between the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range is described as an example, but the same applies to the boundary portion between the middle illumination range and the lower illumination range.
As shown in FIG. 19, light (broken line) from the LED 261a is reflected inside the light guide member 265a to form an upper illumination range on the reel inner peripheral surface. Further, the light (broken line) from the LED 261b is reflected by the light guide member 265b to form a middle illumination range on the reel inner peripheral surface.

In the present embodiment, since the front portions of the light guide members 265a and 265b are close to the inner peripheral surface of the reel, the boundaries between the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range are formed at coincident positions on the reel inner peripheral surface. .
Thus, when both the LEDs 265a and 265b are lit, the boundary between the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range is almost inconspicuous and is in a continuous state. Further, when one of the LEDs 261a and 261b is lit, one of the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range is clearly formed, and the shape and position of the end portion thereof are accurately formed.
Therefore, in a gaming machine including a mechanical reel that illuminates with a backlight, it is possible to further improve the design at a boundary portion between illumination ranges.

Next, the production control operation of the pachinko machine 1 will be described.
The pachinko machine 1 controls the stepping motor 18 as described above to display various symbol effects by the mechanical reel 104a.
Specifically, the variable display is started from the currently displayed symbol, and the stop symbol is stopped and displayed at a scheduled timing while the symbol is variably displayed in a preset variation time.
In order to realize such an operation, the display control unit 151 controls the stepping motor 18, and performs a non-excitation step, a pull-in step, an origin detection step, a synchronization adjustment step, a constant speed variation step, a deceleration step, a main variation display step. The effect display is performed by sequentially passing through the excitation holding step and the non-excitation step.

The pachinko machine 1 executes each control step independently for each reel.
Hereinafter, each control step will be specifically described.
Here, in the following explanation, the stepping motor 18 controls the one revolution of the reel in 240 steps and 12 symbols are displayed on one reel, that is, the case where the reel is controlled in 20 steps per symbol. Take the case of 0.5 msec per step as an example.
(Non-excitation step)
The non-excitation step is a state in which the symbol fluctuation display and the stop display are finished, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are stopped, and the stepping motor 18 is not excited.
Therefore, in the non-excitation step, the display control unit 151 turns off all the switches S1 to S4.

(Retraction step)
The pulling-in step is a step of exciting the stepping motor 18 with the same excitation pattern as in the previous stop and pulling the reels 350A, 350B, 350C back to the previous stop position.
Therefore, in the pull-in step, the same switches S1 to S4 as in the previous stop are turned on.
By executing the pull-in step, the stop symbol recognized by the display control unit 151 can be matched with the actual stop symbol of the mechanical reel 104a.

(Acceleration step)
In the acceleration step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are accelerated up to a set rotational speed (pulse rate) with an acceleration pattern that does not cause step-out (the rotational position deviation between the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C and the stepping motor 18) does not occur. To do. This acceleration pattern is a so-called slow-up operation in the control of a stepping motor, but is not simple linear acceleration control data, but a pulse rate data string that minimizes vibration of the driven object in units of steps. Is obtained in advance by a verification experiment or simulation, and based on the data, control is performed not by feedback control but by open loop control.

(Origin detection step)
In the origin detection step, when the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated once and the origin of the stepping motor 18 is detected, the internal display position information recognized by the display control unit 151 is reset to the origin position. As a result, the external mechanical display position matches the internal logical display position.

(Synchronous adjustment step)
In the synchronization adjustment step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated for the variation time instructed by the main controller 210, and at least the same time is obtained by combining at least two types of rotational speeds and the time for varying the rotational speeds. By selecting one appropriate adjustment pattern from a plurality of synchronous adjustment patterns with different symbol feed numbers and controlling the rotation, the target symbol is stopped and displayed at the scheduled timing.

  Specifically, in the synchronization adjustment step, the rotation speed of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C is changed from the first speed (initial speed) to the second speed (final speed) via an acceleration / deceleration pattern (acceleration pattern or deceleration pattern). To change. At this time, an intermediate speed between the first speed and the second speed may be inserted between the initial speed and the final speed. In this case, every time the rotational speed is switched, a predetermined acceleration / deceleration pattern is passed. These acceleration / deceleration patterns become a constant variation pattern (set time and number of motor drive steps) during the synchronization adjustment step. In particular, the number of motor driving steps is preferably designed so that the total number of steps related to acceleration / deceleration during synchronous adjustment is an integral multiple of the number of steps corresponding to one symbol variation on the reel. . This eliminates the need for offset fractional processing of less than one symbol and facilitates data design.

By such synchronization adjustment, the rotation speeds of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C can be changed while preventing step-out.
In the synchronization adjustment step, the time for executing the plurality of constant speed rotation speeds is based on the positional relationship between the symbol displayed when the synchronization adjustment step is started and the planned stop symbol, and the fluctuation display time. Determined.

(Constant speed fluctuation step)
In the constant speed variation step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated at a constant speed for a set time.
The rotation speeds of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C in the constant speed variation step are the same as or close to the final speed in the synchronization adjustment step, for example, a speed within a range in which direct shifting can be performed from the final speed without going through acceleration / deceleration control Yes.

(Deceleration step)
In the deceleration step, the rotations of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are decelerated from the rotation speed in the constant speed variation step to the rotation speed in the main variation display step, which is a main period for allowing the player to visually recognize the symbol variation display. .
At this time, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are decelerated to a rotation speed set by a deceleration pattern that does not cause step-out. Further, at this time, if the deceleration is performed slowly and gradually, the mode of deceleration of the reel becomes gentle for the player, which is desirable as a gaming machine.
As described above, “first step common variation” is defined as “retraction step” to “deceleration step” performed for each reel. This first and subsequent common fluctuations are referred to as main fluctuations. The main fluctuation includes an excitation holding step, which will be described later, but it may be defined that the main fluctuation does not include the excitation holding step.

(Main fluctuation display step)
In the main variation display step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated at a constant speed set so that the player can visually recognize the symbol variation display.
At this time, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are rotated in accordance with the variation pattern command instructed by the main controller 210.
(Excitation holding step)
The excitation holding step is a step of exciting the stepping motor 18 for a predetermined time or more with an excitation pattern in a state where the symbols are stopped and displayed, and holding the stopped state of the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C.

(Example of control pattern of stepping motor 18)
In the pachinko machine 1, the display control unit 151 executes the above-described control steps, thereby realizing various variable display patterns of the mechanical reel 104a.
Hereinafter, as a synchronization adjustment step, a pattern changing from low speed rotation to high speed rotation (high speed pattern) and a pattern changing from high speed rotation to low speed rotation (low speed pattern) will be described as examples.
It is possible to set three or more constant speed rotation speeds in the synchronization adjustment step.

(High-speed pattern)
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a high-speed pattern in the control of the stepping motor 18.
In FIG. 20, the relationship between each control step of the stepping motor 18 and the pulse rate (rotation speed) is schematically shown. In FIG. 20, examples of control time and pulse rate [ms / p] (control pulse frequency [Hz]) in each control step are shown as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the high-speed pattern, after the pull-in step, the reels 350A, 350B, 350C are accelerated to a low rotation speed in the acceleration step, and the origin detection step is executed in this low-speed rotation state. In the present embodiment, since origin detection is performed at a stable constant speed, it is possible to perform origin detection with high accuracy. In addition, to detect the origin before the next synchronization adjustment step, to match the external symbol position (symbol position visually recognized by the player) and the internal symbol position (symbol position recognized by the device), Even if a position shift occurs due to an external force or the like before the start of the change, the position shift is corrected, and after that, after changing the change pattern designed so as not to step out, a predetermined symbol is stopped. It becomes possible.

Then, in the synchronization adjustment step, the first symbol number is displayed in a variable manner at low speed rotation, and then the display is changed to the high speed rotation and displayed in a variable manner by the second symbol number.
After the synchronization adjustment step, symbol variation display is performed at high speed rotation in the constant speed variation step.
When the constant speed variation step is completed, the number of symbols up to symbols to be stopped and displayed is a preset number (for example, 24 symbols).

After the constant speed variation step, in the deceleration step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are decelerated to the rotational speed of the main variation display step.
Here, the time from the start of the origin detection step to the end of the deceleration step is set to the same total time in common for the high speed pattern and the low speed pattern.
Subsequently, in the main variation display step, after the variation display of the symbol is performed at a constant speed, the symbol is stopped and displayed, and the excitation holding step is executed.

(Low speed pattern)
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a low speed pattern in the control of the stepping motor 18.
FIG. 21 schematically shows the relationship between each control step of the stepping motor 18 and the pulse rate (rotation speed). In FIG. 21, examples of control time and pulse rate [ms / p] (control pulse frequency [Hz]) in each control step are shown as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the low speed pattern, after the pull-in step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are accelerated to a constant speed equal to or higher than the high speed rotation speed in the acceleration step, and the origin detection step is executed in this constant speed rotation state. Is done. In the present embodiment, since origin detection is performed at a stable constant speed, it is possible to perform origin detection with high accuracy. In addition, to detect the origin before the next synchronization adjustment step, to match the external symbol position (symbol position visually recognized by the player) and the internal symbol position (symbol position recognized by the device), Even if a position shift occurs due to an external force or the like before the start of the change, the position shift is corrected, and after that, after changing the change pattern designed so as not to step out, a predetermined symbol is stopped. It becomes possible.

Then, in the synchronization adjustment step, after the first symbol number is variably displayed at high speed rotation, the display is changed to the low speed rotation and variably displayed by the second symbol number.
After the synchronization adjustment step, symbol variation display is performed at a low speed rotation in a constant speed variation step.
When the constant speed variation step is completed, the number of symbols up to symbols to be stopped and displayed is a preset number (for example, 24 symbols).

After the constant speed variation step, in the deceleration step, the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C are decelerated to the rotational speed of the main variation display step.
Here, the time from the start of the origin detection step to the end of the deceleration step is set to the same total time in common for the high speed pattern and the low speed pattern.
Subsequently, in the main variation display step, after the variation display of the symbol is performed at a constant speed, the symbol is stopped and displayed, and the excitation holding step is executed.

(Method for determining the number of first and second symbols)
Next, a method of determining the first and second symbol numbers in the high-speed pattern and low-speed pattern synchronization adjustment steps will be described.
In the present embodiment, the time from the start of the origin detection step to the end of the deceleration step is a preset fixed time. In addition, the number of symbols that fluctuate in the main fluctuation step that transitions from the end of the deceleration step to the next and changes until the stop is determined according to the fluctuation pattern command from the main controller 210.
For this reason, in the present embodiment, at least two or more types of rotation speeds and time varying at those speeds are appropriately combined to match the displayed symbol with the fluctuation display time.

  Hereinafter, the number of symbols (integer) between the symbol displayed before the end of the synchronization adjustment step and the symbol displayed after the end of the synchronization adjustment step is referred to as “design offset”, and “SP1” is the number of the stepping motor 18. Rotational speed of 1 (low rotational speed), “n1” is the number of symbols for variable display at the rotational speed SP1 for each symbol offset, and “ΔN1” is the number of symbols that are variably displayed at the rotational speed SP1 (one symbol offset) Increase or decrease of n1), “SP2” is the second rotational speed (high rotational speed) of the stepping motor 18, “n2” is the number of variable display symbols at the rotational speed SP2 for each symbol offset, and “ΔN2” is rotated. As the number of changes in the number of symbols that are variably displayed at the speed SP2 (increase / decrease in n2 with respect to the symbol offset), the number of symbols that change at high speed and the number of symbols that change at low speed A method for calculating the number (the number of first and second symbols) will be described.

From the above definition, considering the number of symbol variations, when the symbol offset increases by 1, the total increase / decrease in ΔN1 and ΔN2 is equal to the symbol offset increase, ie, 1.
ΔN1 + ΔN2 = 1 (1)
The relationship is guided.
In addition, considering the variation time of the symbol, it is necessary to control so that the total of the variation time of the symbol at low speed and the variation time of the symbol at high speed does not change.
ΔN1 / SP1 + ΔN2 / SP2 + KT = 0 (2)
The relationship is guided. Here, KT is the time for an acceleration pattern for accelerating from SP1 to SP2. For example, the number of steps is one symbol, and the time is a fixed acceleration time because it is a constant acceleration pattern.

By setting SP1, SP2, ΔN1, and ΔN2 in which the relationship of the above equations (1) and (2) is established, a data group used for this synchronization adjustment step can be derived.
For example, SP1, SP2, ΔN1, and ΔN2 may be set as follows.
First, SP1 is determined. SP1 is set to the same rotational speed as the origin detection step, considering that the synchronization adjustment step is a step performed subsequent to the origin detection step.

Next, SP2 is determined. Since SP1 is set to a low value, SP2 is set to a high value. Here, SP2 is set to the maximum speed at which the reel does not step out.
Next, ΔN1 and ΔN2 are set in consideration of the ratio between SP1 and SP2.
For example, when SP1 = 333 Hz (1 / SP1 = 3 msec) and SP2 = 500 Hz (1 / SP2 = 2 msec), Equation (2) becomes 3 × ΔN1 + 2 × ΔN2 + KT = 0.

For simplicity, assuming KT = 0, from 3 × ΔN1 + 2 × ΔN2 = 0, ΔN1 = −2 / 3 × ΔN2, and from this equation, ΔN1 and ΔN2 are both integers and the absolute value is the minimum combination. , ΔN1 = −2, ΔN2 = 3, or ΔN1 = 2 and ΔN2 = −3.
Here, among the combinations of ΔN1 and ΔN2, those satisfying the expression (1) are ΔN1 = −2 and ΔN2 = 3.

The latter combination (ΔN1 = 2, ΔN2 = -3) is also true in terms of offset adjustment, but it is not the idea that the number of symbol variations increases by 1 when the offset, which is the concept of equation (1), increases by 1. If the offset increases by 1, the relational expression that the number of fluctuations of the symbol decreases by 1, that is,
ΔN1 + ΔN2 = −1 (3)
Since it is difficult to think, the former in which equation (1) is established is adopted here.
Thus, when ΔN1 = −2, ΔN2 = 3 from the equation (1). As a result, when the offset increases by 1, n1 decreases by ΔN1, that is, 2 symbols, and n2 increases by ΔN2 by 3, that is, 3 symbols, and increases by 1 symbol as a whole.
As described above, first, after determining SP1 and SP2 to be used, ΔN1 and ΔN2 are determined.

Next, a data group of n1, n2 after the determination of SP1, SP2, ΔN1, ΔN2 is constructed.
22 and 23 are diagrams showing specific data construction examples of n1 and n2, FIG. 22 is an example of a data group corresponding to the high speed pattern of FIG. 20, and FIG. 23 is data corresponding to the low speed pattern of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a group.
First, FIG. 22, which is a result of applying the above SP1, SP2, ΔN1, and ΔN2, will be described.
The number of combinations shown in FIG. 22 is the same as the number of symbols for one turn that requires offset adjustment.
Here, since the number of symbols per circle is 12, a total of 12 combinations, that is, combinations corresponding to offsets 0 to 11 are required.

First, when 1 is selected as the minimum value of n1, the maximum value of n1 is + 11 × ΔN1 (absolute value) = 23.
Here, it is assumed that the minimum value of n1 is not 0 because of the data configuration. If the minimum value is 0, symbol variation at that rotational speed is not performed, and the physical acceleration / deceleration speed changing step is different from the case where n1 is other than 0, which is not preferable.
For the maximum value of n1, the minimum value of n2 (1 similarly to n1) is selected. Thus, a combination of (n1, n2) = (23, 1) can be made.

Next, a combination of data when the offset increases by 1 is obtained.
Since ΔN1 = −2 and ΔN2 = 3, the next combination is (n1, n2) = (21, 4).
Similarly, combinations corresponding to all 12 types of offset values are obtained.
FIG. 22 shows a list of results obtained in this way.
In FIG. 22, when looking at the total variation time (excluding fixed variation), the combination corresponding to any offset is constant at 1420 (msec), and there are different numbers of symbol variations in the same variation time. It has been realized.

A fixed step corresponding to one symbol is inserted for acceleration control as control for switching from SP1 to SP2. In FIG. 22, the offset value is also taken into account for the offset value. Yes.
For example, when (n1, n2) = (23, 1), 23 + 1 = 24 symbols, which corresponds to two reels, so the symbol at the start of synchronization adjustment and the symbol at the end of synchronization adjustment are different. Match and the offset value is 0, but in actuality, since this fixed one symbol is inserted, 24 + 1 = 25 symbols, and the reel 2 rounds + 1 symbol advanced position is displayed. become. That is, the offset value is 1.

(Design offset selection method)
Next, in the present embodiment, a method for selecting combination data of n1 and n2 corresponding to any offset will be described with reference to FIG. 22 (also in FIG. 23).
In this embodiment, at the start of the synchronization adjustment step, the symbol offset is calculated as follows, and the control parameter corresponding to the symbol offset is obtained from the table storing the control parameters (see FIGS. 22 and 23). The stepping motor 18 is controlled.

Specifically, the symbol offset is calculated according to the following equation.
(Offset value for selecting combination data of n1 and n2 in the synchronization adjustment step) = X + (stop symbol number-current symbol number-variation number offset)% 12 (4)
However, “%” is a symbol that gives a remainder, and the remainder obtained by dividing by 12 is obtained in the equation (4). Further, “X” is a numerical value for raising the base for calculating the expression (4) with a positive number, and the number of symbols in the right side of the expression (4) × the number of symbols in one turn (here 12) is Is set. That is, in this embodiment, X = 24. The “variation number offset” is given by (total number of symbols that have changed since the end of the synchronization adjustment step)% 12. The “total number of symbols changed after the synchronization adjustment step” is a predetermined value for each symbol variation pattern, and is stored as data in the ROM of the effect control device 150 (not shown).

For example, the total number of symbols that have changed since the end of the synchronization adjustment step is a total of 24 symbols that vary in the constant speed variation step, 4 symbols that vary in the deceleration step, and 38 symbols that vary in the main variation display step. In the case of 66 sheets, the variation number offset is 6 at 66% 12.
In such a variation pattern, if the current symbol number is 10 and the symbol number of the stop symbol is 7, from Equation (4), the “number of symbols to be variably displayed in the synchronization adjustment step” is (24 + 7−10− 6)% 12 = 3.

As a result, a control parameter corresponding to a symbol offset of 3 is acquired, and if the example of FIG. 22 is applied in the synchronization adjustment step, a variation of 27 symbols in total is displayed with n1 = 19, n2 = 7, and fixed = 1. .
Since the current symbol number is 10, when 27 symbols are variably displayed in the synchronization adjustment step and the 66 symbols are variably displayed in the subsequent steps, 27 + 66 = 93 symbols from the current symbol number 10 are stopped and displayed. That is, since 12 symbols are displayed on the reel in one turn, the stop symbol is 7.

As described above, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment guides the light from the LEDs 261a to 261c and the LEDs 261a to 261c that illuminate the reel of the mechanical reel 104a from the inside of the reel unit 10 (reel inner peripheral surface side), It has light guide members 265a to 265c that respectively form an upper stage illumination range, a middle stage illumination range, and a lower stage illumination range, and has a configuration in which ends of the respective illumination ranges coincide with each other.
Therefore, when adjacent illumination ranges are illuminated together, the boundary between the illumination ranges becomes almost inconspicuous and continuous. Therefore, in a gaming machine including a mechanical reel that illuminates with a backlight, it is possible to further improve the design at a boundary portion between illumination ranges.

In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, notches are formed at both ends of the front surface portion of the light guide 26 b, and the front surface portion is closer to the inner peripheral surface of the reel unit 10 than the inner peripheral surface of the ring frame 24. Are close to each other.
Thereby, the front part of the light guide members 265a to 265c can be brought close to the inner peripheral surface of the reel, and when one of the adjacent illumination ranges is illuminated, the illuminated illumination range can be clearly formed. Therefore, the shape and position of the end in each illumination range can be formed more accurately.
That is, it is possible to further improve the design property at the boundary portion between the illumination ranges.

(Application 1)
In the first embodiment, the boundaries of the upper illumination range, the middle illumination range, and the lower illumination range have been described as being coincident with each other, but the boundary lines may be formed by separating the illumination ranges.
FIGS. 24A and 24B are schematic diagrams showing a boundary portion between adjacent illumination ranges in Application Example 1, FIG. 24A is a side view, and FIG. 24B is a front view.
In FIG. 24, the boundary portion between the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range will be described as an example, but the same applies to the boundary portion between the middle illumination range and the lower illumination range.
As shown in FIG. 24, in this application example, the light guide member 265a and the light guide member 265b are installed in a state of being separated with a gap therebetween.

And the light (dashed line) from LED261a is reflected inside the light guide member 265a, and forms the upper stage illumination range on the reel internal peripheral surface. Further, the light (broken line) from the LED 261b is reflected inside the light guide member 265b to form a middle illumination range on the reel inner peripheral surface.
At this time, since a gap is provided between the light guide members 265a and 265b, a gap is also formed between these front portions. Therefore, the light emitted from the front portions of the light guide members 265a and 265b forms the end of the illumination range at a position away from each other.

That is, the upper illumination range and the middle illumination range are connected so that the lower end of the upper illumination range and the upper end of the middle illumination range are spaced apart from each other, and a line with low brightness where the light from the LEDs 261a and 261b does not reach almost is reached. Forming.
Thereby, the dark line which divides | segments a symbol area | region can be formed in the boundary of an upper stage illumination range and a middle stage illumination range.
Therefore, in a gaming machine including a mechanical reel that illuminates with a backlight, it is possible to further improve the design at a boundary portion between illumination ranges.

(Application example 2)
In 1st Embodiment, although demonstrated as what uses LED which light-emits the same color as LED261a-261c, the color of adjacent LED261a-261c can be made mutually different.
In this case, the illumination ranges can be different from each other, and various colors of the illumination range can be selected according to the contents of the effects.
As a result, in a gaming machine equipped with a mechanical reel that illuminates with a backlight, it is possible to enhance the design at the boundary between illumination ranges while making the display color of the symbol area rich in color. .

(Application 3)
In step S602 of the effect control process shown in FIG. 16, the effect control device 150 can set an independent change pattern for each reel 350A, 350B, 350C according to the change pattern of the effect symbol Z.
In this case, the display control unit 151 that has received the control command generated by the effect control device 150 inputs a different excitation pattern such as a high-speed pattern or a low-speed pattern to each of the stepping motors 18 that rotate the reels 350A, 350B, and 350C. Thus, an independent variation pattern can be realized in each reel.

  In this case, as described above, the high-speed pattern is the variation illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 22, and the low-speed pattern is the variation illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 23. 20 and 21, the same fixed control is performed from the pulling-in step to the origin detecting step. That is, the same operation is performed for both the high-speed pattern and the low-speed pattern until the origin detection step.

Subsequently, the synchronization adjustment step has different fixed times in the examples of FIGS. If this is the case, the time from the pull-in step to the deceleration step will be different between the high-speed pattern and the low-speed pattern, and the same variation time based on the variation pattern specified by the main controller 210 will not be the same. And so that the entire time is the same.
For example, a fast pattern
(Synchronization adjustment step 1420 msec) + (constant speed step + deceleration step 4000 msec) = 5420 msec
The slow pattern is
(Synchronization adjustment step 3900 msec) + (constant speed step + deceleration step 1520 msec) = 5420 msec
The constant speed step and the deceleration step may be determined so that

This makes it possible for the player to have different variation modes, and to stop and display a desired stop pattern at the same time.
As described above, from the pull-in step to the deceleration step, a predetermined stop symbol can be stopped and displayed in the same time regardless of whether it is variably displayed in the high speed pattern or variably displayed in the low speed pattern.

A form in which the above contents are specifically applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing data that combines designation of whether to display the three reels in a low speed pattern or in a high speed pattern according to the fluctuation pattern designated from the main controller 210.
In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of (in this case, two) synchronization adjustment pattern groups composed of combinations of synchronization adjustment patterns on three reels are set, and the effect control device 150 is transmitted from the main control device 210. One of the synchronization adjustment pattern groups is selected and executed according to the fluctuation pattern command to be executed.

For example, when a variation pattern of normal loss is designated from the main control device 210, the effect control device 150 selects and executes a combination of all-reel high-speed patterns, which is the upper combination (synchronization adjustment pattern group). On the other hand, when the reach variation pattern is designated from the main controller 210, the lower combination is selected and executed by the effect controller 150.
Since the appearance of the low-speed pattern and the high-speed pattern are different, it is possible for the player to perceive reach when the left and right reels are in a different fluctuation mode.

(Application 4)
In the first embodiment, in the synchronization adjustment step, the first speed (initial speed), the second speed (final speed), and one or a plurality of intermediate speeds are described as being rotated at a constant speed. It is also possible to define various change patterns that transition from the first speed to the second speed, and to change the rotation speed of the stepping motor 18 along the change patterns.
For example, it is possible to define a change pattern of the rotational speed of the stepping motor 18 so as to draw an S-curve from the first speed to the second speed.
In this case, the rotation speed can be smoothly changed from the first speed, and can be smoothly converged to the second speed.

1 Pachinko machine 10, 10A, 10B, 10C reel unit, 12 reel body, 14 reel tape, 16 base bracket, 18 stepping motor, 20 shaft core, 22 radial frame, 24 ring frame, 26 backlight unit, 26a Board, 26b Light guide, 261a-261c LED, 265a-265c Light guide member, 102 Game board surface, 103 Normal symbol start information storage number display device, 104 Production symbol display device, 104a Mechanical reel, 106 Normal symbol display device, 107a, 107b special symbol display device, 108 stage, 108a game ball lead-out path, 109a, 109b special symbol start information memory number display device, 110 out port, 111 start prize device, 111a first start prize port, 111b second start prize mouth 112 Warp inlet, 115 Grand prize opening, 115a Opening / closing member, 122 Normal symbol start gate, 124,125 General prize opening, 131a First start prize opening switch, 131b Second start prize opening switch, 132 Large prize opening switch, 133 Various Winning mouth switch, 134 Start gate switch, 150 effect control device, 151 display control unit, 152 lamp control unit, 153 sound effect control unit, 154 lamp, 155 speaker, 156 prize ball payout control device, 158 large winning port solenoid, 210 Main control device, 212 power supply circuit, 250 input port, 255 output port, 314 display window, 350A, 350B, 350C reel, 500 hole computer

Claims (3)

A reel having a plurality of symbols on its outer peripheral surface;
Among the symbols attached to the reel, a display area for displaying some of the symbols,
A light source that is installed for each symbol area that displays one symbol in the display area, and that emits light to the symbol from the inner peripheral surface side of the reel;
The installed for each symbol region, said the over the display area to form a planar light incident surface facing the light source, of the reel over the display area located on the front and back relationship between the incident surface of the light A light guide member having a light exit surface forming a curved surface along the inner peripheral surface;
With
A gaming machine, wherein a boundary portion between the symbol regions is formed by light emitted from the adjacent light guide member. A reel having a plurality of symbols on its outer peripheral surface;
Among the symbols attached to the reel, a display area for displaying some of the symbols,
A light source that is installed for each symbol area that displays one symbol in the display area, and that emits light to the symbol from the inner peripheral surface side of the reel;
A light guide member that is installed for each of the symbol regions and has a light incident surface facing the light source, and a light emission surface along the inner peripheral surface of the reel in the symbol region;
With
A boundary portion between the design regions is formed by light emitted by the adjacent light guide member,
The light guide and the light exit surface and the reel member, Yu Technical machine characterized in that it is arranged close to a distance 5% less than the reel diameter. Wherein A the reel and the exit surface of the light guide member, the gaming machine according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that it is arranged close to a distance 5% less than the reel diameter.

Images