JP6497459B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  For example, a slot machine is known as a gaming machine that plays a game by rotating a plurality of circulating bodies and then stopping the circulating bodies (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, in a game using a slot machine, as is well known, when a player bets a medal and operates a start lever, the game starts, and when the start lever is operated by internal processing, the game is won. It is determined whether or not. And after it is determined that the player has won, if the player operates the stop button and the rotation of each orbiting body stops, and the winning symbols (pictures) are aligned, medals will be paid out, or a special advantage that is advantageous to the player. It is a game that shifts to a game, and it is possible to enjoy a wide variety of games.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-174739

  As illustrated above, for example, the circulating body accelerates in conjunction with the operation of the start lever, etc., then moves to a constant speed rotation, and repeats operations such as stopping in conjunction with the operation of the stop button, etc. As a driving motor suitable for driving a rotating body, a two-phase stepping motor, a four-phase stepping motor, a five-phase stepping motor, and the like are known.

  The present invention proposes a gaming machine capable of realizing suitable rotation in a gaming machine using the stepping motor as exemplified above.

The invention described in claim 1
A orbital body with a pattern,
A stepping motor for rotating the rotating body;
Control means for executing drive control processing for driving and controlling the stepping motor;
In a gaming machine that plays a game by stopping the circuit body after rotating the circuit body,
The drive control process for controlling the driving of the stepping motor is executed as part of a timer interrupt process periodically executed by the control means,
The timer interrupt process includes a predetermined indefinite time control process in which the processing time varies,
The drive control process for controlling the driving of the stepping motor is a process executed before the predetermined indefinite time control process in the timer interrupt process, and outputs an excitation signal for controlling the driving of the stepping motor. Processing,
The control means, as a drive control process for driving and controlling the stepping motor when starting the rotation of the rotating body, outputs the excitation signal to the initial excitation phase in a first specific period corresponding to a plurality of excitation signal output timings. A drive control process for driving and controlling the stepping motor in a case where the first process to be output can be executed and the rotation speed of the rotating body is accelerated from the start of rotation of the rotating body to a constant speed rotation As described above, the second process of outputting the excitation signal in a predetermined excitation phase is configured to be executable. When the rotating body is rotated, the first process is performed in the first specific period, and then the second process is performed. A means for executing the second process in a second specific period shorter than the one specific period is provided.

  According to the present invention, suitable rotation can be realized in a gaming machine using a stepping motor.

It is a perspective view in the state where the front door was closed when the gaming machine according to the present invention was applied to a slot machine. It is a perspective view of the slot machine in a state where the front door is opened. It is a circuit block diagram of a slot machine. It is an assembly perspective view of a left turn cylinder. It is an expanded view of the seal wound around the left rotating drum. It is a figure which shows the operation principle of a stepping motor. It is a connection diagram which shows the drive system of a stepping motor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an excitation process of 1-2 phase excitation. It is a figure which shows the drive characteristic of a stepping motor. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the excitation phase at the time of an acceleration process. It is a figure which shows the relationship at the time of the stop process of a rotating drum. It is a figure which shows the relationship between an excitation sequence and a slip of a rotor. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a power-on process. It is a flowchart of a main flow. It is a flowchart of a lottery processing routine. It is a flowchart of a spinning cylinder control processing routine. It is a flowchart of a medal payout processing routine. It is a flowchart of a special state processing routine. It is a flowchart of a bonus symbol / replay symbol determination processing routine.

  First, invention groups that can be extracted from the present embodiment are shown as means n (n = 1, 2, 3,...), And will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the present embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

(Means 1) “In a gaming machine that plays a game by rotating a plurality of spinning cylinders and then stopping the spinning cylinders,
A game machine in which an excitation phase of the drive motor at the time of the next rotation driving is controlled including a sliding amount of the rotation driving motor generated when the rotation is stopped. "
According to this gaming machine, the excitation phase (initial excitation phase) of the drive motor during the initial rotation of the rotating drum is determined in consideration of the sliding amount of the rotating drum, that is, the driving motor. By taking this sliding amount into account, the deviation from the original initial excitation phase is almost eliminated, and the stability at the start of rotation can be ensured. By securing the stability of the rotation start, the concentration power to the game is increased and the interest of the player can be promoted.

(Means 2) “A gaming machine characterized in that, in the means 1, the sliding amount is an amount of rotation from when the brake driving motor is braked to when the driving motor actually stops rotating.”
According to this gaming machine, the amount of rotation of the drive motor, which is the amount of rotation from when the brake drive motor is braked to when the rotation of the drive motor actually stops (rotation angle corresponding to so-called slip), is determined. Since the initial excitation phase is determined, stable rotation start can be realized.

(Means 3) “In the means 1, an initial excitation phase is determined based on an excitation phase corresponding to a correction amount derived from a sliding amount generated when the drive motor is braked. Pachislot machines. "
In this gaming machine, when the rotor rotation position detecting means is not provided in the drive motor, the step angle number corresponding to the rotor sliding amount cannot be measured. Therefore, the excitation phase is calculated using the correction amount derived from the sliding amount. Is determined.

(Means 4) “A gaming machine characterized in that, in the means 3, the correction amount derived from the sliding amount is calculated based on the measured value.”
In this gaming machine, the correction amount derived from the sliding amount is calculated based on the measurement value obtained by driving the drive motor, whereby a more accurate correction amount can be calculated and stable rotation start can be realized.

  As the measurement value, first, the approximate center value of the sliding amount can be used. The sliding amount is measured a predetermined number of times for the same drive motor. Since the measured value of the sliding amount is dispersed, the approximate center value (number of phases corresponding to the step angle number) of the dispersed measured values is obtained. The obtained center value is used as a correction amount, that is, a sliding amount of the drive motor. The excitation phase corresponding to the excitation phase that is advanced by the number of step angles by one step angle from the approximate center value of the sliding amount is selected as the next initial excitation phase. The amount of sliding when the brake is applied is different and usually varies and disperses, but since it has been confirmed that the variation and dispersion fall within a certain range, by using the approximate center value of the amount of sliding, Opening (difference) with the actual sliding amount is reduced, and there is no possibility of causing step-out or rotation instability.

  Second, the measured value may be an average value of the sliding amount instead of the center value of the sliding amount. That is, the amount of sliding is measured a plurality of times, and the average value of dispersed measurement values obtained at that time (the number of phases corresponding to the number of step angles) is used as the amount of sliding.

(Means 5) “A gaming machine characterized in that, in the means 3, the correction amount uses a peak value of a normal distribution indicating the sliding amount.”
In this gaming machine, since the measured value of the sliding amount has a substantially normal distribution, the peak value can be used as a correction amount (correction value). By using this peak value as the correction amount, step-out and unstable initial rotation can be cleared.

(Means 6) “The excitation phase calculated based on the measured value in the means 4 is the excitation phase in which the rotation start is most stable when the excitation phase circulates in even steps and the excitation phase is sequentially changed by two steps. A gaming machine, wherein a phase is selected and the initial excitation phase is set based on the excitation phase. "
In this gaming machine, when the excitation sequence circulates in an even number, for example, 8 steps, and returns to the original excitation order, the excitation phase is changed by 2 steps, and the situation at the time of rotation start is determined each time. To do. As a result, by setting the excitation phase with the most stable rotation start as the initial excitation phase after the next time, stable initial rotation can be realized without causing step-out. Here, the rotor rotation amount, which is the difference between the initial excitation phase thus obtained and the excitation phase when the brake is applied, becomes the sliding amount (center value) of the drive motor.

(Means 7) “In the means 1, the drive motor is provided with a rotational position detection means, and a rotational position detection signal from the rotational position detection means is used as a sliding amount when the drive motor is stopped. A game machine to play. "
According to this gaming machine, since the drive motor is provided with the rotational position detection means, the number of step angles corresponding to the sliding amount can be determined from the detection signal from the detection means. The next excitation phase that has been slid by the number of step angles from the excitation phase when the brake is applied becomes the initial excitation phase. Since the number of step angles corresponding to the amount of sliding can be accurately detected, the drive motor can be initially excited using the original initial excitation phase, and more stable initial driving can be realized.

(Means 8) “A gaming machine characterized in that, in the means 7, the rotational position detecting means is a rotary encoder.”
According to this gaming machine, by using the rotary encoder, step angle information (encoder output) corresponding to the amount of sliding from the timing when the brake is applied can be obtained immediately. The initial excitation phase can be accurately determined. In particular, when an absolute encoder is used as a rotary encoder, the rotational position of the rotor can be detected not only when the drive motor is stopped, but also when the power supply to the drive motor is turned on. Even when the rotor position is rotated and the rotational position at the start is different from the rotational position at the start, the rotational position at the start can be reliably detected, ensuring the continuity of the excitation phase and realizing a stable rotational start it can.

(Means 9) “In means 7, the rotational position detecting means has a plurality of rotational position detection sensors, and the plurality of rotational position detection sensors are arranged along the rotational direction of the rotating drum. A game machine to play. "
According to this gaming machine, a plurality of rotational position detection sensors are appropriately arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating drum, and the output of the rotor after the brake is applied by using outputs from the plurality of rotational position detection sensors. The number of step angles corresponding to the amount of sliding can be detected.

(Means 10) “A gaming machine according to means 1, wherein the drive motor is a two-phase stepping motor adopting a 1-2 phase excitation method.”
According to this gaming machine, since the drive motor is a stepping motor, high torque and high stop accuracy can be obtained. In addition, since it is a 1-2 phase excitation method, the excitation order of 8 types (8 steps) is determined by the combination of 2 types of 1 phase excitation and 2 phase excitation, and it advances by the number of step angles corresponding to the sliding amount. It becomes easy to specify the excitation phase to be applied.

(Means 11) “A gaming machine according to means 10, wherein the initial excitation phase of the drive motor is two-phase excitation.”
According to this gaming machine, by performing two-phase excitation as the initial excitation phase (high torque excitation phase), a high rotational torque can be obtained and high stop accuracy can be ensured. Even if the excitation phase next to the excitation phase advanced by the number of step angles corresponding to the approximate center value of the rotor sliding amount does not correspond to the two-phase excitation, the initial excitation phase is the two-phase excitation. In the case of 1-2 phase excitation, even if the excitation phase is out of order, it is for one phase, and the deviation of the excitation phase for one phase can be sufficiently absorbed. However, since the stepping motor usually stops at one-phase excitation when the brake is applied, the excitation phase is actually advanced by the number of step angles corresponding to the approximate center value of the sliding amount. The approximate center value is set so that the next excitation phase becomes two-phase excitation. Even when the rotational position (rotation angle) of the rotor is detected by the rotational position detection means, the initial excitation phase is set so that the initial excitation is two-phase excitation.

(Means 12) “In the means 1, the excitation state with respect to the initial excitation phase to which the excitation signal is applied is held at least until the rotational fluctuation of the rotor of the drive motor is suppressed at the time of motor acceleration of the rotating drum drive motor. A gaming machine characterized by that. "
According to this gaming machine, the initial excitation state is held (fixed) until the indefinite rotation at the initial stage of acceleration of the rotor (rotor) of the drive motor (referred to as short-term vibration including rotation fluctuation and rotation unevenness; hereinafter referred to as rotation fluctuation) is settled. Since the interrupt timing for applying the excitation signal is controlled so that the excitation signal for obtaining the next rotational torque is applied after the rotational shake has subsided, the step-out due to the missing excitation signal is eliminated, and the rotation due to the rotational shake is eliminated. Instability can be avoided. This makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can be immersed in the game without diverting the player's interest.

  In the case of two-phase excitation, a higher torque can be obtained than in the case of one-phase excitation. Therefore, the time (interruption interval) from the initial excitation to the second acceleration excitation is set slightly shorter due to the generation of this high torque. Even so, the convergence of the rotor with respect to the rotational fluctuation is accelerated, and a stable rotational torque can be applied.

(Means 13) “When the acceleration period in the initial excitation phase is defined as the first acceleration period in the means 12, the first acceleration period is selected as the shortest time for the rotation fluctuation of the rotor to converge. A featured gaming machine. "
According to this gaming machine, the initial excitation period, which is the first acceleration period, is selected as the shortest time during which the rotor (rotor) rotation converges, thereby minimizing the transition time to the next acceleration. Therefore, the time to reach constant speed rotation by stable acceleration of the drive motor can be minimized, and the waiting time from when the start button is pressed to when the stop button is pressed can be shortened as much as possible. This ensures the speedy button operation of the player.

  The interruption from the initial excitation to the next excitation signal is slightly different depending on the rotational fluctuation of the rotor. When the rotational fluctuation converges at 180 to 190 msec and the step interval of the drive motor is about 1.49 msec in terms of time, this time 1.49 msec is the minimum interruption time of the excitation signal. A time of about 130 interrupts (about 193.7 msec) is selected as the first acceleration period. Therefore, the output timing of the next excitation signal is after 130 interruptions.

  Since the first acceleration period as the initial excitation is 130 interrupts, the rotor vibration can be absorbed even when the stop position of the rotor is forcibly changed, and thus the rotation can be stabilized even in such a special case. There is no risk of sex being impaired.

(Means 14) “When the acceleration period from the first acceleration period to the constant speed rotation is defined as the second acceleration period in the means 13, the second acceleration period is substantially selected as the first acceleration period. A gaming machine characterized by
According to this gaming machine, by setting the second acceleration period to a time close to the first acceleration period, it is possible to shorten the time until constant speed rotation by stable acceleration. Actually, it is not completely the same as the first acceleration period, but is set to a period slightly shorter than the first acceleration period. Since the rotation of the rotor is stable, even if the time until the constant speed rotation is shortened in this way, there is no possibility that the rotation of the drive motor becomes unstable due to the occurrence of step-out or rotation fluctuation.

(Means 15) “A gaming machine characterized in that, in the means 14, in the second acceleration period, the excitation interruption periods of the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation are sequentially shortened.”
According to this gaming machine, control is performed so that the excitation interruption period of the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation becomes shorter as the constant speed rotation is reached, so that sufficient acceleration can be obtained even if the second acceleration period is short. In addition, since the excitation interruption cycle is gradually shortened, it is possible to smoothly shift to constant speed rotation in a stable high speed acceleration state.

(Means 16) “A game characterized in that, in the means 14, at the end of the second acceleration period, a transition to a constant speed rotation is made with a 1-2 phase excitation in which a one-phase excitation and a two-phase excitation are sequentially switched at a minimum interruption interval. Machine. "
According to this gaming machine, the end of the second acceleration period is set to 1-2 phase excitation in which the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation are sequentially switched at the minimum interruption interval. Smooth transition to constant speed rotation.

(Means 17) “When the revolution driving process is set as a part of the timer interruption process in the means 1, the excitation signal for the driving motor is driven without waiting for the completion of the processes other than the revolution driving process. A gaming machine characterized by output to the motor side. "
According to this gaming machine, even if there are a large number of processes other than the rotation driving process within the periodic interruption process, the minimum time is required without waiting for the processing time required for the processes other than the rotation driving process. The excitation signal can be output to the input / output port in synchronization with the interrupt cycle. Therefore, since the drive motor is always excited in synchronization with this interruption cycle, a very stable rotation drive can be realized.

  By the way, if the excitation signal is output to the input / output processing circuit (input / output port) after waiting for processing other than the rotating drum drive processing, the output timing to the input / output processing circuit will be the standard interrupt due to the length of time required for the processing. It becomes longer or shorter than the cycle. This is because the excitation signal interrupt cycle for the drive motor varies by this time variation, so phase excitation synchronized with the interrupt cycle cannot be realized, resulting in unstable rotational drive. Periodic interrupt processing can be realized by timer interrupt processing.

  (Means 18) "In any one of means 1 to 17, the gaming machine is a pachinko machine." Here, the pachinko machine has an operation handle as its basic structure, and a game ball according to the operation of the operation handle. Is started in a predetermined game area, and the display of the variation of the symbols on the display device is started on the condition that the game ball wins an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. In addition, during the occurrence of a special gaming state, a winning opening arranged at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner, so that a gaming ball can be won, and a valuable value corresponding to the number of winnings is given. It is a gaming machine designed to be played. The valuable value can be returned as a prize sphere, or valuable information corresponding to the valuable value can be written using a card-like recording medium such as a magnetic card.

  There are two types of pachinko machines: a special game state (big hit state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of game balls, and a normal game state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes game balls. There are different types of gaming modes.

  (Means 19) “In any one of means 1 to 17, the gaming machine is a slot machine.” Here, the slot machine has a plurality of components for identifying the gaming state according to the gaming state as its basic configuration. Is provided with a display device for confirming and displaying the symbols after the symbol string consisting of the symbols is variably displayed, and the variation of the symbols is started due to the operation of the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever), and the stop operation is performed. Due to the operation of the means (for example, stop button) or after a predetermined time has passed, the change of the symbol is stopped, and it is advantageous for the player that the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol. This is a gaming machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state.

  The above-described gaming machines include a special gaming state (a jackpot state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of gaming media, and a normal gaming state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes the gaming media. There are two types of game modes. Typical examples of game media used in this type of gaming machine include coins and medals.

  (Means 20) “In any one of means 1 to 17, the gaming machine is a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused.” Such a gaming machine (multi-function machine) has a basic configuration as follows: It is equipped with a display device for confirming and displaying symbols after a symbol string composed of a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying the gaming state according to the gaming state, and for operating the starting operation means such as an operating lever. As a result, the variation of the symbol is started, and the variation of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means such as a stop button or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is the specific symbol Special game state generation means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player as a necessary condition, using a game ball as a game medium, and starting to change the identification information Is on the occasion requires a predetermined number of game balls are configured gaming machine as upon occurrence of a special game state is a number of game balls are paid out.

  The above-described gaming machines include a special gaming state (a big hit state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of gaming balls, and a normal gaming state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes the gaming balls. There are two types of game modes.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the front door closed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door opened, and FIG. It is a block diagram which illustrates a general connection.

  In the slot machine 10 applied as this embodiment, the front door 12 is rotatably attached to the main body 11 with the left side as a rotation axis, and the front door 12 is locked by the locking device 20 when the front door 12 is closed. .

  The front door 12 has an upper lamp 13 that lights or flashes as the game progresses, and speakers 14 and 14 that sound various sound effects as the game progresses and inform the player of the gaming state. The upper plate 15 on which the model name and the like are displayed, the game panel 30 through which the left turn cylinder L, the middle turn cylinder M, and the right turn cylinder R can be seen through, and various buttons 51, 53 to 56 near the middle stage. , 61 to 63, the operation unit 50 provided with the start lever 52 and the medal insertion slot 57, the lower plate 16 on which the model name, characters related to the game, and the like are displayed, and the medal paid out from the medal payout opening 17. A receiving medal tray 18 is mounted. Inside the main body of the slot machine 10, a power supply box 85 (see FIG. 3) and a control device 70 (see FIG. 3) are mounted.

  The gaming panel 30 is disposed on the left side of the exposure windows 31L, 31M, and 31R, and the exposure window 31L that exposes the outside of the left and right rotation cylinders L, M, and R when the rotation and rotation of the right rotation cylinder L are stopped or rotating. Five bet lamps 32, 33, 33, 34, 34, and three display units (credit number display unit 35, game number display unit 36, and payout number) disposed below the exposure windows 31L, 31M, 31R Display unit 37).

  Each of the exposure windows 31L, 31M, 31R is formed in a size capable of exposing three symbols vertically for each of the stopped left turn cylinder L, middle turn cylinder M, and right turn cylinder R. For this reason, 3 × 3 = 9 (symbol) is displayed to the player in a state where each of the spinning cylinders L, M, R is stopped. Then, a total of five lines including the upper, middle, and lower horizontal lines and a pair of diagonal lines indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1 are appropriately activated according to the number of medals bet. The exposure windows 31L, 31M, and 31R can be combined into a single exposure window.

  An activated line is referred to as an “effective line”, and a combination where a predetermined award is assigned to the active line is referred to as a “winning”. However, when “cherry” is present in the symbol on the active line among the three symbols of the stopped left turning cylinder L, this is also referred to as “winning”.

  Since the left rotating cylinder L, the middle rotating cylinder M, and the right rotating cylinder R are configured by similar units, the left rotating cylinder L will be described as an example here with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 is an assembly perspective view of the left turn cylinder L, and FIG. 5 is a development view of the seal 47 wound around the left turn cylinder L. FIG. The left-handed drum L is obtained by winding a seal 47 in which 21 symbols (identification elements) are drawn at equal intervals around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical skeleton member 40 forming a cylindrical cage. 40 boss portions 41 are attached to a drive shaft of a left-turn cylinder stepping motor 71L via a disk-like boss reinforcing plate 42.

  The left-turn cylinder stepping motor 71L is fixed to a motor plate 43 suspended in the body 11 shown in FIG. 2 by screws 43a. The motor plate 43 has a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A rotating index photosensor (rotational position detection sensor) 44 is provided. A pair of photosensors (not shown) constituting the rotating index sensor 44 are arranged above and below the predetermined distance.

  A base end portion 45b of a sensor cut bun 45 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 42 integrated with the left rotating drum L with a screw 45c. The tip 45a of the sensor cut bun 45 is bent by approximately 90 ° and is aligned so that it can pass through the gap between both elements of the rotating index photosensor 44. Then, every time the left cylinder L makes one rotation, the cylinder index photo sensor 44 detects the passage of the tip 45a of the sensor cut bang 45, and outputs a detection signal to the controller 70 each time it is detected. Based on this detection signal, the angular position of the left cylinder L can be confirmed and corrected every rotation. In addition, the seal | sticker 47 wound around each spinning cylinder uses what differs in the order and the generation frequency of the pattern drawn on each.

  The stepping motor 71L is set so that the left cylinder L makes one round by a drive signal (excitation signal) of 504 pulses, and the rotational position is controlled by this pulse. In other words, since the 21 symbols are sequentially exposed from the exposure window 31L when the left cylinder L makes one round, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses / 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next. Based on the number of pulses from when the detection signal of the rotating index photosensor 44 is output, it is possible to recognize which symbol is exposed from the exposure window 31L or to expose an arbitrary symbol from the exposure window 31L. Can do.

  FIG. 6 is a connection diagram showing the operation principle of the stepping motor 71L. In this embodiment, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor employing a 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the stepping motor 71L. The stepping motor is not limited to a hybrid type or two-phase, and various stepping motors such as a four-phase or five-phase stepping motor can be used.

  As is well known, the hybrid type stepping motor 71L includes a rotor (rotor) 60 disposed in the center and first to fourth poles 601 to 604 disposed around the rotor 60.

  The rotor 60 includes a front rotor 60a magnetized at the N pole and a back rotor 60b magnetized at the S pole, and teeth (small teeth) and teeth provided around the front rotor 60a. In between, it is attached to the rotating shaft in a state of being relatively shifted by ½ pitch so that the teeth provided around the back rotor 60b are positioned. A cylindrical magnet (not shown) is attached between the front rotor 60a and the back rotor 60b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first and third poles 601 and 602 are bifilar wound with the exciting coils L0 and L2, and the winding end of the exciting coil L0 and the winding start of the exciting coil L2 are connected. A predetermined DC power source + B (for example, +24 volts) is applied to. Similarly, the exciting coils L1 and L3 are bifilar wound on the second and fourth poles 602 and 604, and the winding end of the exciting coil L1 and the winding starting end of the exciting coil L3 are connected to each other. Power supply + B is applied.

  Here, as described above, an excitation signal is applied to the first excitation coil L0 to excite the first pole 601 to the S pole, and the phase exemplified by the third pole 603 to the N pole is the A phase. The excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L2 of No. 3 to excite the first pole 601 to the N pole, the phase for exciting the third pole 603 to the S pole is set to the A-phase, and further to the second excitation coil L1. The excitation signal is applied to excite the second pole 602 to the S pole, the phase to excite the fourth pole 604 to the N pole is set to the B phase, and the excitation signal is applied to the fourth excitation coil L3. The phase in which the 2-pole 602 is excited to the N pole and the fourth pole 604 is excited to the S pole is referred to as a B-phase.

  In the case of the one-phase excitation drive method, the rotor 60 is rotationally driven clockwise (or counterclockwise) by sequentially applying excitation signals to the A-phase, B-phase, A-phase and B-phase. Can do.

  That is, for example, when the A phase is first energized, the protrusion of the first pole 601 that is the S pole and the teeth of the front rotor 60a, the protrusion of the third pole 603 that is the N pole, and the teeth of the back rotor 60b are respectively When facing each other by the attractive force and then energizing the B phase, the protrusion of the second pole 602 and the teeth of the front rotor 60a that are the S pole, the protrusion of the fourth pole 604 that is the N pole and the teeth of the back rotor 60b Facing each other by suction force, and then energizing the A-phase, the protrusion of the first pole 601 and the teeth of the back rotor 60b that become the N pole, the protrusion of the third pole 603 that becomes the S pole and the front side When the teeth of the rotor 60a face each other by a suction force and then the B-phase is energized, the protrusion of the second pole 602 that becomes the N pole, the teeth of the back rotor 60b, and the fourth pole 604 that becomes the S pole Protrusion and front rotor 60 And teeth facing the respective suction force. By exciting in this order, the rotor 60 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6 (one-phase excitation drive).

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, 1-2 phase excitation drive that alternately performs 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation is employed. In the 1-2 phase excitation drive, excitation is performed according to the following excitation sequences (excitation order) (1) to (8).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the 1-2 phase excitation drive, (1) the A phase is energized (1 phase excitation), and (2) both the A phase and the B phase are energized (2 phase excitation). Similarly, (3) energize the B phase, (4) energize both the B phase and the A-phase, (5) energize the A-phase, and (6) both the A-phase and the B-phase. In this drive system, (7) the B-phase is energized, (8) both the B-phase and the A phase are energized, and then the process returns to (1). By adopting this 1-2 phase excitation drive, the angle change per step is about 0.714 ° per step of 1 phase excitation drive.

  The drive signals for the stepping motors 71L, 71M, 71R are given to the motor driver 712 as excitation phase pattern data (hereinafter referred to as excitation data) for determining the excitation phase as shown in FIG. This excitation data is stored in the RAM 76 shown in FIG. 3, and is output to the input / output processing circuit 80 based on a command from the CPU 72 by a timer interruption process within a later-described cylinder control process routine. The excitation data determines the excitation phase for the stepping motors 71L, 71M, 71R, and an excitation signal (current) is supplied to the excitation phase.

  If the above-mentioned excitation order is out of order at the time of starting rotation, that is, at the time of initial excitation, the step-out may occur or the rotation may become unstable as will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the single bet lamp 32 is disposed on the left side of the middle horizontal line, and the two bet lamps 33 and 33 are disposed on the left side of the upper horizontal line and the lower horizontal line. The lamps 34 are arranged on the left side of the pair of diagonal lines. The timing when each of the bet lamps 32, 33, 33, 34, 34 is turned on will be described in the procedure for betting medals described later.

  The credit number display unit 35 displays the number stored in the slot machine when the credit function described later is valid. The game number display unit 36, for example, how many times JAC (jack) at the time of a big bonus. The number of times that the JAC symbol has been established and the number of remaining JAC symbols during the JAC game are displayed. The payout number display portion 37 is paid out when the same symbol is won on the active line. The number of sheets is displayed.

  The operation unit 50 includes a credit button 51, a start lever 52, a left-turn cylinder stop button 53, a middle-turn cylinder stop button 54, a right-turn cylinder stop button 55, a return button 56, A medal slot 57, a one-bed bet button 61, a two-bed bet button 62, and a max bet button 63 are provided.

  The credit button 51 is configured to be a toggle type that is turned on when pressed once, turned off when pressed once, and switched on / off every time the push button is operated. When the credit button 51 is in the off state, the credit number display section 35 disappears, and medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 57 and medals paid out when winning are paid out from the medal payout opening 17 to the medal tray 18. In addition, when the credit button 51 is in the on state, a number (“0” when it is turned off from on) is displayed on the credit number display portion 35, and the credit function is enabled. Here, the credit function is a function of storing the number of coins inserted from the medal slot 57 in the slot machine when the number of max bets exceeds three (here, three). Is displayed on the credit number display section 35. When one or more credits are displayed on the credit number display unit 35 and the credit button 51 is pressed to turn it off, the displayed number of medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 17 to the medal tray 18 and the medals are paid out. Each time the credit number display unit 35 is decremented, the value is decremented by one and the display disappears after the value becomes zero.

  The start lever 52 is a lever that is pushed by the hand when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 52 is operated while a medal is bet, the start switch 52a (see FIG. 3) is turned on and a start command is generated, and the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are simultaneously moved by the start command. Start spinning.

  The stop button 53 for the left turning cylinder, the stop button 54 for the middle turning cylinder, and the stop button 55 for the right turning case are used to stop the rotating left turning cylinder L, middle turning cylinder M, and right turning cylinder R, respectively. Is a button for pressing with a finger, and when each of the buttons 53, 54, 55 is pressed, a stop switch 53a for the left turning cylinder, a stop switch 54a for the middle rotation cylinder, and a stop switch 55a for the right rotation cylinder (FIG. 3) is turned on and a stop command is generated. Each stop button 53, 54, 55 is turned on by a lamp (not shown) while each cylinder rotates at a constant speed, and is turned off when the rotation stops.

  The return button 56 is a button that is pressed when a medal inserted into the medal slot 57 is jammed. When this button is pressed, the jammed medal is returned from the medal payout opening 17. The medal insertion port 57 is an entrance for inserting medals, and the inserted medals enter either the storage passage 91 leading to the hopper 86 provided inside or the payout passage 92 leading to the medal payout outlet 17. Led. Switching between the storage passage 91 and the payout passage 92 is performed by a medal passage switching solenoid 66.

  Each bet button 61, 62, 63 is a button for determining the number of medals to bet in the game before the game is started. Here, a procedure for betting medals will be described. When the credit button 51 is in the off state (when the credit number display unit 35 is turned off), or when the credit button 51 is in the on state and the stored number and the bet number are zero (“0” is displayed in the credit number display unit 35) When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 57 when it is displayed, a bet is placed.

  That is, when the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 57, the first bet lamp 32 is turned on, and the corresponding middle horizontal line becomes the active line, and the second medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 57. When inserted, the two-bet lamps 33 and 33 are turned on, and a total of three lines including the upper horizontal line and the lower horizontal line corresponding thereto become effective lines, and the third medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 57. When inserted, the three-bed bet lamps 34 and 34 are turned on, and a total of five lines including a pair of diagonal lines corresponding thereto become effective lines.

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal slot 57, when the credit button 51 is off, that is, when the credit function is not effective, the medals are returned from the medal payout opening 17 to the medal tray 18, When the button 51 is turned on, that is, when the credit function is valid, the number of medals inserted is stored in the slot machine with the valid line as it is, and the stored number is displayed on the credit number display unit 35. The upper limit of the number of credits is determined (for example, 50), and when more medals are inserted, the medal payout port 17 returns the medal to the medal tray 18.

  When 3 or more medals are stored, when the 1-bet button 61 is pressed, the numerical value displayed on the credit number display unit 35 is decremented by 1 and the 1-bet lamp 32 is lit to turn the middle stage. When the horizontal line becomes an active line and the two-bet button 62 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the credit amount display section 35 is decremented by two and the one-bet lamp 32 and the two-bet lamps 33 and 33 are displayed. Lights up to activate a total of three lines, and when the maximum bet button 63 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the credit number display section 35 is decremented by three and all bet lamps 32, 33, 33, 34 are displayed. , 34 are lit and a total of five active lines are activated.

  On the other hand, when two medals are stored, if the one-bet button 61 or the two-bet button 62 is pressed, the operation is the same as before, but if the maximum bet button 63 is pressed, the two-bet button 62 is When the single bet button 61 is pressed when only one medal is stored, the two bet button 62 and the maximum bet button 63 are operated. When pressed, the operation is the same as when the single bet button 61 is pressed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power box 85 includes a power switch 81, a reset switch 82, a setting key insertion hole 83, and the like. When the power switch 81 is turned on, it supplies power to each unit including the CPU 72. When the power switch 81 is turned on while the reset switch 82 is on, the contents of the RAM 76 are reset, and when it is simply turned on, the error state is reset. By inserting a setting key (not shown) into the setting key insertion hole 83, the setting key switch 83a (see FIG. 3) is turned on, and the setting state of the slot machine 10 can be changed from “setting 1” to “setting 6”.

  The hopper 86 includes an auxiliary tank 87 that stores medals, and a payout device 88 that pays out medals in the auxiliary tank 87 to the medal payout outlet 17 through an opening 93 that leads to a payout passage 92. The payout device 88 sends out medals to the opening 93 while rotating a medal sending rotary plate (not shown) by a hopper drive motor 65 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 70 is configured as a microcomputer centered on a CPU 72, and a power supply box 85 that supplies power and a clock circuit 78 that outputs a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency are connected to the CPU 72. In addition, a ROM 74 that stores a processing program, a RAM 76 that temporarily stores data, and an input / output processing circuit 80 are connected by a bus 79.

  The counter 77 is used to detect the rotation state of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R. The counter 77 is reset every rotation, incremented every 24 steps, and incremented every step. The symbol offset counter is reset in 24 steps.

  The control device 70 includes a detection signal from the cylinder index photo sensor 44, a reset signal from the reset switch 82, an on / off signal from the setting key switch 83a, and the bet switches 61a and 62a linked to the bet buttons 61, 62, and 63. , 63a, a bet signal from the credit switch 51 linked to the credit button 51, a start command signal from the start switch 52a linked to the start lever 52, left, middle and right turn stop buttons 53, 54, 55, stop command signals from the left, middle and right turn cylinder stop switches 53a, 54a and 55a, detection signals from the payout sensor 64 which detects medals paid out from the hopper 86, left turn cylinder L and middle turn cylinder M, Stepping motor 7 for driving left, middle and right turn cylinders 7 L, 71M, such as the position detection signal from the 71R is input through the input-output processing circuit 80.

  From the control device 70, a lighting signal to the upper lamp 13 and the 1 to 3 bet lamps 32, 33, 34, a display signal to the credit number display unit 35, the game number display unit 36 and the payout number display unit 37, a payout Drive signal to the hopper drive motor 65 that causes the device 88 to perform a payout operation, to the left, middle, and right turn cylinder stepping motors 71L, 71M, and 71R that drive the left turn cylinder L, middle turn cylinder M, and right turn cylinder R Control signal, a drive signal to the medal passage switching solenoid 66 for controlling whether the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 57 is guided to the hopper 86 or the medal payout outlet 17, and a sound effect generated from the speaker 14 is controlled. A command signal to the audio control device 84, a command signal to the display control device 94 for controlling the display content of the liquid crystal display 15, and the like are output via the input / output processing circuit 80.The control device 70 includes various counters such as a credit counter that counts the number of credits.

  By the way, when the stepping motor 71 (71L, 71M, 71R) described above is used as the rotating drum driving motor of the slot machine, the driving characteristics shown in FIG. 9 are required. This driving characteristic is that the stepping motor 71 starts rotating after the start button (which may be a start operation lever) is operated and reaches a constant constant speed rotation, a constant speed rotation period Tb, and a stop. In relation to the operation of the buttons 53 to 55, the operation is divided into a stop period Tc including a predetermined slip (slip used for symbol adjustment). While there is no restriction on how much the acceleration period Ta must be, when the stop buttons 53 to 55 are not operated, the time obtained by adding the constant speed period Tb to the acceleration period Ta must be 30 seconds or more. There is a regulation that must be done. During the stop period Tc, it is required to fix the excitation phase for the drive motor within about 190 msec at the maximum after the stop buttons 53 to 55 are operated.

  In the acceleration period Ta, it is necessary to shift to the constant speed rotation state as soon as possible. For this purpose, an interruption to the excitation phase for the stepping motor 71 (switching from the excitation phase of 1-phase excitation to 2-phase excitation and 2) It is sufficient to speed up the switching from phase excitation to one-phase excitation). However, as described above, step-out and instability of rotation may be promoted. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the optimum interrupt processing that realizes the shortest acceleration processing without causing step-out or rotation instability.

  When an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil by interrupt processing, it is necessary to set an appropriate interrupt timing for the excitation phase. For this purpose, especially during the acceleration of the motor, at least until the rotational fluctuation of the rotor 60 is suppressed, the excitation is performed. Holds the excitation state for the initial excitation phase to which the signal is applied.

  Basically, it is considered that step-out and rotational instability are difficult to resolve unless the state of initial excitation (excitation at zero initial speed) is maintained to some extent. This is related to the degree of convergence of the rotational vibration (microvibration) of the rotor 60 that occurs when the teeth of the rotor 60 are attracted to the tooth sides of the poles 601 to 604 by the attractive force generated by the initial excitation. Although it differs depending on the inertia of the rotating cylinders L, M, R, etc., according to the experiment, since the rotor 60 stopped after repeating the reciprocation (cycle) in 30 msec for 5 to 6 reciprocations, the rotational vibration was eliminated. However, in order to perform the acceleration process, it has been found that at least a time of 150 to 180 msec after the initial excitation is required as a time for fixing (holding) by the same excitation phase.

  Here, when the minimum timer interruption time for the CPU 72 described above is set to 1.49 msec and the time required for the rotation shake to stop is about 180 msec, the minimum stable time exceeding this time is set. It is set as the time for fixing the initial excitation phase. In this embodiment, 1.49 msec × 130 interrupt = 193.7 msec is set as the minimum stable time, that is, the initial excitation holding time. It is also possible to select a time shorter than this, that is, a time approximately equal to the time required for the rotation fluctuation to stop, as 1.49 msec × 121 interrupt = 180.29 msec as the initial excitation holding time.

  Excitation data for the excitation signal shown in FIG. 8 (excitation data 09H shown in the excitation order 2 in this example) (H is hexadecimal display) is output to the motor driver 712 so that excitation is continuously performed during the 130 interrupt period. Is done.

  If the acceleration period in which this initial excitation is performed is the first acceleration period and the acceleration period up to the constant speed rotation is the second acceleration period, the second acceleration period is substantially selected as the first acceleration period. The The rotor 60 is rapidly accelerated in the second acceleration period. In this example, the second acceleration period is set shorter than the first acceleration period.

  When the acceleration period is set to about 317.37 msec, 123.67 msec corresponding to 83 interrupts is selected for the second acceleration period, and the excitation phase is interrupted so that the predetermined rotation speed is reached in the second acceleration period. Processing is executed. Therefore, during the second acceleration period, an interruption process for the excitation phase of the excitation signal is frequently performed.

  In addition, there is a problem whether the excitation phase of initial excitation is one-phase excitation or two-phase excitation. In the initial excitation in which the rotation of the rotor 60, ie, the rotating cylinders L, M, and R, is zero, it is necessary to rotate the rotor 60 with a high torque. Two-phase excitation, which can obtain a higher torque than one-phase excitation, is more preferable. This is because of the following reasons.

  First, in a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor adopting a 1-2 phase excitation method as a stepping motor, two-phase excitation can be considered in addition to one-phase excitation as an initial excitation phase during acceleration. One-phase excitation drives only a specific excitation phase, and the rotational torque at the initial speed is obtained by this one-phase excitation. On the other hand, the two-phase excitation drives two specific excitation phases simultaneously, and the rotational torque at the initial speed is obtained by the two-phase excitation.

  Although it differs depending on the size of the rotor and the inertia, in the case of a normal slot machine, it is possible to accelerate the rotor from the initial speed zero even with one-phase excitation. However, in the case of one-phase excitation, the generated rotational torque is small, so that a sufficient initial speed may not be obtained and smooth rotation may not be expected. When sufficient initial speed cannot be obtained, it becomes easy to step out. From the viewpoint of the player, it is preferable that the acceleration time is as short as possible from the viewpoint of not detracting from the player's interest.

  Also, since the cylinder is slipped by a predetermined step angle from when the brake is braked to when it actually stops, when it stops at such a slightly deviated angle, When the rotating drum is rotated including this, it is necessary to perform acceleration processing while absorbing this angular deviation, and therefore it is preferable that the electromagnetic attraction force in the initial excitation is as large as possible.

  In the case of two-phase excitation, since the attractive force is larger than that of one-phase excitation, the generated rotational torque is also increased by that amount. As a result, the acceleration time from acceleration to constant speed rotation is one-phase excitation. It can be shortened than the case of. Further, even if slipping occurs when the rotating drum is stopped, the generated suction force is large, so that it is possible to quickly absorb the rotational sway associated with this rotational angle deviation. Therefore, considering these matters comprehensively, the initial excitation is preferably the two-phase excitation rather than the one-phase excitation.

  When the initial excitation is set to the two-phase excitation, and when the acceleration period is assigned to the first and second acceleration periods for the sake of convenience, it is possible to reach the predetermined rotational speed in a short time in the second acceleration period. As an interruption timing to the excitation phase, a timing example as shown in FIG. 10 is suitable.

  In FIG. 10, the first acceleration period is an initial excitation period, and in this embodiment, two-phase excitation is performed as described above. For the two-phase excitation, for example, the earliest excitation order 2 can be selected from the excitation orders shown in FIG. Of course, different excitation orders (excitation order 4, excitation order 6 or excitation order 8) may occur depending on the excitation phase when rotation of the drive motor is stopped.

  After applying an excitation signal by interrupting at an interrupt timing of 1.49 msec, this excitation state is maintained for 130 interrupts (193.7 msec).

  In the second acceleration period, the 1-2 phase excitation is alternately repeated. However, as an interrupt timing to the excitation phase, in other words, a phase excitation holding period, as shown in FIG. The excitation holding period of excitation is finely controlled. In this embodiment, when the second acceleration period is entered, one-phase excitation (excitation order 3 in FIG. 10) following two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and therefore phase excitation is held for eight interrupts. The next two-phase excitation is performed for 7 interrupts (excitation order 4), so that the interruption time is set to be gradually shortened to shorten the excitation time, and finally the excitation phase is sequentially switched at the minimum interrupt interval. The interrupt is set so that transition to normal 1-2 phase excitation is possible.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the last excitation phase in the second acceleration period is two-phase excitation and this is one interrupt, the first excitation phase in the next constant speed rotation period is one-phase excitation. Moreover, one interrupt is the minimum interrupt interval. In this way, the interrupt processing timing in the second acceleration period is shortened sequentially as it approaches constant speed rotation, so that high-speed acceleration processing can be realized in a short time and smooth transition to constant speed rotation is possible. Is possible.

  The second acceleration period shown in FIG. 10 is an example when the entire acceleration period is set to approximately 317.37 msec. Therefore, when the entire acceleration period is set to a value different from this, It goes without saying that the second acceleration period is selected according to the value, and interrupt processing different from the interrupt processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed accordingly.

  As shown in FIG. 14 to be described later, the drive control process for the rotating drum is performed in a timer interrupt process routine for the CPU 72. This drive control process routine is also processed in a loop of various process routines, and all the processes are completed. Information indicating the processing result at the stage is given to the input / output processing circuit (input / output port) 80 shown in FIG. However, since these processing times due to the interrupt processing differ depending on the events that occur, the output timing of the excitation signal for driving the drum is also affected by this interrupt processing time.

  As a result, an interrupt is performed every minimum interrupt time (1.49 msec), and excitation signal data required for one-phase excitation or two-phase excitation (for example, 8-bit data (hexadecimal display) as shown in FIG. 8). Output to the motor driver 712 via the input / output processing circuit 80, the output interval cannot be made uniform. That is, the output interval slightly varies depending on the length of other interrupt processing times. This makes it impossible to achieve more stable rotation of the cylinder.

  In order to solve this, the data output interval is made uniform by outputting the data for the excitation signal to the input / output processing circuit 80 side without waiting for the processing time of other timer interruption processing. In this way, the excitation signal data can always be output to the motor driver 712 at a constant interval regardless of the amount of other interrupt processing time. As a result, the phase excitation timing becomes constant, and the rotation of the stepping motors 71L, 71M, and 71R is stabilized. Therefore, the player can be concentrated on the game by the stable rotation of the rotating cylinders L, M, and R.

  Next, stop processing (brake processing) of the rotating cylinders L, M, and R will be described. After the stop button is operated, the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are stopped within the specified time ts (= 190 msec) shown in FIG. 1111 including the slip process (rotation process for 1 to 4 symbols as will be described later). I have to let it. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the stop process, the 1-2 phase excitation is switched to the 4-phase excitation. Since the attraction force acts on all the poles 601 to 604 by the four-phase excitation, the rotating cylinders L, M, and R can be smoothly stopped without rotating the rotation.

  The timing (interrupt) for switching from 1-2 phase excitation to 4-phase excitation is immediately after the 2-phase excitation. This is because stepping motors 71L, 71M, and 71R are easier to specify the rotational position when the two-phase excitation is performed than the one-phase excitation, so that the stop position accuracy is improved by performing the stop process immediately after the two-phase excitation. Because you can.

  By the way, as described above, when any of the stop buttons 53, 54, and 55 is operated, the drive motors 71L, 71M, and 71R are driven at a timing at which the rotating cylinders L, M, and R are stopped with a predetermined symbol. Is braked. When it is time to apply the brake, the excitation phase at that time is four-phase excitation as described above, and therefore all phases are excited simultaneously.

  Since there is inertia in the rotor 60 and the rotating drum, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the brake is applied at the timing of the A phase, the rotor 60 does not stop at the A phase and slides by a predetermined step angle. It is normal to stop from. Since one step angle is a rotation angle when an excitation signal is given to one excitation phase, for example, when sliding is stopped by n step angles, the excitation phase to be excited next to rotate the rotating cylinder is A When the rotor 60 is stopped by slipping by an amount of n step angles from the phase and slipping by the number of 4 step angles as shown in FIG. 12, it is the next excitation phase (A-phase and B-phase). The excitation phase becomes the excitation phase at the next rotation. By giving an excitation signal to this original initial excitation phase, a more stable start can be expected.

  Conventionally, since only the excitation phase at the timing when the brake is applied can be grasped, the excitation phase next to the excitation phase at the timing when the brake is applied is often used as the initial excitation phase at the next rotation. The reason why only the excitation phase at the timing when the brake is applied can be grasped is because there is no means for grasping the rotor rotation position (rotor rotation angle) of the drive motor 71.

  Therefore, in the past, the initial excitation phase at the next rotation of the rotating cylinder was determined based on the excitation phase when the brake was applied, so depending on the amount of sliding, step-out (rotation stopped in the forward or reverse direction) Or, it may become unstable initial rotation. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, it has been confirmed by various experiments that this phenomenon is likely to occur when the excitation phase is separated by about 4 step angles. Such a phenomenon that occurs in the early stage of rotation of the rotating drum can also reduce the interest of the player.

  Ideally, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 8, the brake is applied at the timing of the A phase, which is one-phase excitation, and the rotor 60 stops at the excitation phase (A-phase) advanced by four phases thereafter. Then, in the next rotation, the excitation phase that has advanced by four phases becomes the initial excitation phase, and this initial excitation phase is always two-phase excitation. Therefore, the next initial excitation phase in the case of FIG. 8 (FIG. 12 is the same) is the excitation phase (A-phase and B-phase) indicated by the excitation order 6.

  By doing so, excitation can be performed with exactly the same excitation order or with a deviation of ± 1 step angle, so that a step-out phenomenon such as a rotation stop that is likely to occur at the start of rotation and unstable rotation can be avoided. When absorbing these four phases in the two-phase excitation period, the amount of sliding can be absorbed without lengthening the first acceleration period. The initial excitation phase setting process can be performed when the drive motor 71 is stopped, or can be performed at the time of reading the excitation signal when performing the initial excitation, that is, at the start of rotation.

  Thus, in order to control the excitation of the next rotation including the sliding that occurs when the drive motor is stopped, the drive motor is provided with a rotor rotation position detecting means for detecting a correction amount derived from the sliding amount of the rotor. There are cases where it is provided and cases where it is not provided, so the following measures are possible.

  If no means for detecting the rotational position is provided, there is no means for directly measuring the amount of sliding. In that case, first, the brake process is repeated several times for the same drive motor, and the amount of sliding at that time is measured. Since the measured value of the sliding amount is dispersed, the approximate center value of the dispersed measured values and the average value (both are the number of phases corresponding to the step angle number) are obtained. Then, the obtained center value (or average value; the same applies hereinafter) is used as the amount of sliding after braking. Since various experiments have confirmed that the amount of sliding does not vary greatly or disperse, even if the center value is used, the difference from the actual amount of sliding is small. Therefore, by using this center value as the amount of sliding and using the excitation phase advanced by one step angle from the center value, the amount of sliding from when the brake is applied to where it actually stopped is absorbed. To do. Actually, the sliding amount = n step angle number varies from n = 3 to 7th place, and the central value is 4 step angle number or 5 step angle number place.

  The calculated center value of the sliding amount can be stored in, for example, the RAM 76 shown in FIG. 3, and the information obtained by adding the information to the initial excitation phase when rotating all the cylinders L, M, and R, in other words, In this case, the excitation phase advanced by one step angle from the center value is used as the original initial excitation phase. The calculated center value of the sliding amount can be prepared as fixed data in the drive motor control program. In this case, the initial excitation phase is immediately set, and excitation data for the set initial excitation phase is output.

  In this way, by setting the excitation phase that has been advanced in advance by the number of phases corresponding to approximately the center value of the sliding amount as the next initial excitation phase, the excitation phase does not fly significantly. Step-out and unstable rotation can be avoided. By using the approximate center value of the sliding amount, stable initial rotation can be realized even if the drive motor is not equipped with a rotational position detecting means.

  Even if the excitation phase next to the excitation phase advanced by the number of step angles corresponding to the approximate center value of the rotor sliding amount does not correspond to the two-phase excitation, the initial excitation phase is the two-phase excitation. In the case of 1-2 phase excitation, even if the excitation phase is out of order, it is for one phase, and the deviation of the excitation phase for one phase can be sufficiently absorbed. However, since the stepping motor usually stops at the one-phase excitation when the brake is applied, the stepping motor is actually one step angle more than the step angle corresponding to the approximate center value of the sliding amount. Since the approximate center value is set so that the advanced excitation phase becomes two-phase excitation, in the above-described example, the approximate center value is a 4-step angle number.

  The sliding amount is measured for each of the three drive motors 71 provided in the slot machine, and the approximate center value of each can be used. If the variation in the characteristics of the drive motor 71 is small, It is also possible to conduct an experiment on the sliding amount for one drive motor, for example 71L, and apply the obtained sliding amount to all the drive motors.

Since the measured values are almost normally distributed, the peak value can be used as a correction amount (correction value) derived from the sliding amount. Alternatively, when the excitation order circulates in even-numbered steps, the initial excitation phase can be set based on the excitation phase in which the rotation start is most stable when the excitation phase is sequentially changed by two steps. In the case of a 1-2 phase excitation stepping motor, the excitation sequence circulates in 8 steps, and the excitation sequence circulates in even steps with the excitation sequence returning to the original excitation sequence. Instead, the situation at the time of starting rotation is judged each time. For example,
(1) An excitation phase that is advanced by 2 steps (actually 3 step angle) from the excitation phase when the brake is applied is driven as an initial excitation phase.
(2) The excitation phase advanced by 2 steps (actually 5 steps) from the excitation phase when the brake is applied is driven as the initial excitation phase.
(3) Drive the excitation phase advanced by 2 steps (actually 7 steps) from the excitation phase when the brake is applied as the initial excitation phase.

  Thus, the stability at the time of rotation start when the initial excitation phase is changed is observed, and the excitation phase at which the rotation start is most stable is set as the initial excitation phase after the next time. Even if the initial excitation phase is set based on the excitation phase obtained by such a method, stable initial rotation can be realized without causing step-out. This is because the rotor rotation amount which is the difference between the initial excitation phase thus obtained and the excitation phase when the brake is applied can be used as a correction value derived from the sliding amount of the drive motor.

  When the rotational position detection means is provided in the drive motor 71, the initial excitation phase is calculated using the output from this detection means. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the rotational position detection sensor 44 for the drive motor 71 (71L, 71M, 71R), a rotary encoder 71RE may be attached in this example that functions as the rotational position detection sensor.

  As the rotary encoder 71RE, either an absolute encoder or an incremental encoder is used. In the case of an absolute encoder, the current position can be detected even when the slot machine power is turned on (when the power is turned on). In the case of an incremental encoder, the current position is not known when the device power is turned on, but if the origin is detected by rotating the drive motor only once, the current position can be detected by counting the number of pulses from this origin. .

  The resolution of the rotary encoder 71RE needs to be at least the number of steps of the drive motor 71 (504 steps in this example as will be described later). Preferably, a resolution equal to or equal to an integer multiple of the number of steps is easy to control because the step angle can be calculated simply by using the encoder output.

  By using the rotary encoder 71RE, the position of the symbol drawn on the seal 47 and the rotation angle within the symbol can be grasped respectively. Therefore, the rotor 60 based on the excitation phase when the brake is applied as shown in FIG. The amount of sliding can be detected from the output of this rotary encoder.

  For example, when the brake is applied in the A phase, the rotary encoder output REa at that time is temporarily stored in the RAM 76 as shown in (Usage Example 1) of FIG. 8, and the rotary encoder output REb when the rotor 60 is stopped is used. Then, the sliding amount, that is, the slip step angle number is calculated from the difference (ΔRE = REb−REa).

  When the rotary encoder output RE is output as a pulse corresponding to the step angle at 1: 1, the number of pulses from when the brake is applied corresponds to the step angle number of the sliding amount. If the excitation phase advanced by the number of pulses is set as the initial excitation phase, even when the excitation phase when the brake is applied and the excitation phase corresponding to the position where the rotor 60 actually stops are deviated, the rotor 60 Since the excitation phase corresponding to the position where the stoppage can be set as the initial excitation phase, stable initial rotation can be realized as described above. The adjustment of the initial excitation period and the end excitation phase is the same as in the above-described example having no rotational position detection means.

  Instead of detecting the sliding amount from the difference, the following means may be employed. As shown in (Usage Example 2) in FIG. 8, the rotary encoder output REb where the rotor 60 is stopped by applying a brake is temporarily stored. One rotation of the rotor 60 is 504 pulses. As shown in FIG. 8, the excitation order that makes a round is 8 steps, so the rotor 60 makes one rotation in 504/8 = 63 steps. Therefore, for example, when the rotary encoder output RE corresponding to one pulse for one step angle is obtained, the remainder of (REb / 8) is calculated to determine in which excitation order the rotor 60 has stopped. The excitation phase corresponding to the excitation order next to this stopped excitation order becomes the next initial excitation phase. These calculation processes are performed by the CPU 72 to obtain the initial excitation phase of the next rotation. When the rotary encoder 71RE detects the amount of sliding of the rotor 60, the initial excitation phase is determined, so that it is needless to say that the determined excitation phase is used as the initial excitation phase. The initial excitation phase setting process can be performed when the drive motor 71 is stopped (when rotation is stopped) or can be performed when the next excitation signal is read (when rotation is started) when initial excitation is performed.

  When determining the initial excitation phase at the start of rotation, the following problems can be dealt with. For example, in an amusement store where a slot machine is installed, an employee or the like turns the rotor 60 by hand before opening the store, and all three symbols have specific symbols (such as a regular bonus symbol and a big bonus symbol). There are amusement stores that adopt a technique that increases the degree of expectation of a big chance for players who enjoy the game at the same time as opening the store. In such a case, the rotor 60 is stopped at a rotational position that is completely different from the rotor rotational position that was stopped when the brake was applied (rotational position at the time of stopping).

  When an absolute encoder is used as the rotary encoder 71RE, the rotation position of the rotor can be detected not only when the drive motor 71 is stopped but also when the power is turned on. If the encoder output of the rotary encoder 71RE at the start of rotation, that is, the encoder output at the rotation position at the start is detected, the initial excitation phase can be easily determined from this encoder output, and the rotor 60 rotates intentionally. Even in such a case, stable rotation start can be realized.

  If a rotational position detection sensor 44 is provided in addition to the rotary encoder 71RE and a counter 77 described later is operated by an output from the rotational position detection sensor 44, the symbol position and the like can be grasped based on the counter output. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which both the rotary encoder 71RE and the rotational position detection sensor 44 are provided.

  Here, 21 symbols (see FIG. 5) are drawn on one seal 47. If a motor that rotates once in 252 steps × 2 = 504 steps is used as the stepping motor 71, a rotation angle of 504/21 = 24 steps is required to rotate one symbol. In FIG. 4, a rotational position detection sensor 44 for the rotating drum is provided. A counter 77 that is cleared by the detection output of the rotational position detection sensor 44 is provided. If the counter 77 is incremented by +1 every 24 steps, the counter value (design symbol number) corresponds to the symbol, and the value is “21”. It becomes a lap. In addition, since one step is equal to the unit rotation angle of the symbol, the rotational position of the symbol can be grasped by the number of steps (design offset). In this example, it is assumed that the counter 77 is composed of a symbol counter and a symbol offset counter.

  The rotational position detection means may be other than the rotary encoder 71RE. For example, it can also be configured by a plurality of rotational position detection sensors. By disposing the plurality of rotational position detection sensors while changing the mounting positions in the radial direction and the circumferential direction, for example, along the rotation direction of the rotating drums L, M, R, for example, in units of several step angles or The rotational position can be detected in step angle units.

  In the case where the rotor rotational position detecting means is provided, the initial excitation phase can be determined, so that step-out or the like hardly occurs. Accordingly, the first acceleration period can be significantly shortened compared to the above case. For example, a sufficient effect can be obtained even with about 10 interrupts.

  Both the rotation control process and the stop control process are performed in the spinning cylinder control process routine S230 (see FIG. 14) as will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described. When the CPU 72 of the control device 70 changes from the power-off state to the power-on state, the CPU 72 starts the power-on process shown in FIG. In this power-on process, first, it is determined whether or not the power switch 81 is turned on while the reset switch 82 of the power box 85 is pressed (step S100). When the power switch 81 is turned on while the reset switch 82 is pressed, the contents of the RAM 76 are cleared (step S110), and the power recovery flag is reset (= 0) (step S120). This power recovery flag is a flag that is set (= 1) when the power is turned off. That is, when the power is turned off, the power recovery flag is set, the state at that time is stored in the RAM 76 as power failure occurrence information, and the power failure occurrence information is held by the backup power source.

  After resetting the power recovery flag in step S120 or when the power switch 81 is turned on without pressing the reset switch 82 in step S100, a setting key (not shown) is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 83 of the power supply box 85. It is determined whether or not the setting key switch 83a has been turned on (step S130). When the setting key switch 83a is turned on, any one of six setting states ("Setting 1" to "Setting 6") can be selected by the setting switch 83a, so that it is determined which setting state has been selected. The internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed (step S140). Thereafter, the contents stored in the RAM 76 are cleared (step S150), and the power recovery flag is reset (step S160).

  After resetting the power recovery flag in step S160 or when the setting key switch 83a is not turned on in step S130, it is determined whether or not the power recovery flag is set (step S170). When the power is set, a power recovery process for returning to the state before the power is turned off is performed based on the power failure occurrence information stored in the RAM 76 (step S180), and then this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the power recovery flag is not set in step 170, the power supply processing routine is terminated as it is. By this power recovery process, for example, even if the power is turned off due to a power failure, the power returns to the state before the power is turned off.

[Main flow]
Next, the main flow of the slot machine 10 will be described. The CPU 72 of the control device 70 starts the main flow shown in FIG. 14 after the power-on process is completed. In this main flow, first, it is determined whether or not a medal is bet (step S200). When a medal is bet, the start lever 52 is operated to determine whether or not the start switch 52a is turned on and a start command is generated (step S210). When the start command is generated, the lottery shown in FIG. After sequentially executing the processing routine (step S220), the spinning cylinder control processing routine (step S230) in FIG. 16, the medal payout processing routine (step S240) in FIG. 17, and the special state processing routine (step S245) in FIG. The data generated by the process is output to the input / output processing circuit 80 (step S247). However, the data processed in the spinning cylinder control processing routine S230 is output to the input / output processing circuit 80 without waiting for the results of other processing routines.

  When the output processing to the input / output processing circuit 80 ends, the process returns to step S200. On the other hand, when no medal is bet in step S200 or when no start command is issued in step S210, the process returns to step S200.

[Lottery processing routine]
In the lottery processing routine, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 72 of the control device 70 first determines whether or not the game is successful based on the number of medals bet, the current setting state of the slot machine 10, and the probability of a small combination. A random number table is selected (step S250). Here, the number of medals bet is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that the larger the number of medals, the higher the lottery probability of the winning combination is. For example, the probability when three bets are bet is A random number table that is higher than three times the probability of betting one is selected.

  The setting state of the slot machine 10 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set by using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning lottery probability at the time of “setting 1”. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, a random number table having the highest winning lottery probability is selected. Furthermore, there are two types of small and high probabilities, the higher random number table is selected when the current payout rate is lower than the predetermined expected value, and the lower random number is selected when the current expected rate is higher than the predetermined expected value. A table is selected.

  Subsequently, the lottery of the winning combination is performed by comparing the random number table selected in this way with the random number latched by the random number counter when the start switch 52a is turned on this time (step S260). Then, it is determined whether or not the winning combination has been won (step S270). If the winning combination has not been won, this routine is terminated. If the winning combination has been set, the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination is set and the symbols are aligned. An effective line to be determined is determined (step S280), a slip table for turning stop control is determined and stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 76 (step S290). Here, the slip table is different in a symbol on a predetermined effective line at a timing when the stop button is pressed and a symbol to be stopped on the effective line (a symbol corresponding to a role selected and determined in advance). In this case, the table defines how much the rotator slides so that the symbol to be stopped stops on a predetermined effective line.

[Cylinder control processing routine]
In the rotation control process routine, as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 72 of the control device 70 first performs a weight process (step S300). This wait process is a process of waiting (waiting) without starting the rotation of the rotating cylinder in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the time when the rotation of the rotating cylinder started in the previous game. It is. For this reason, even if the player bets and operates the start lever 52, the left, middle, and right turning cylinders L, M, and R may not immediately rotate. Subsequent to this weighting process, a rotating cylinder rotation process, which will be described later, is performed (step S310), and the rotating process is performed for each of the left, middle, and right rotating cylinders L, M, and R so that the driving characteristics shown in FIG. Do.

  If the rotor rotational position detection means is not provided, the first acceleration period performs two-phase excitation for 130 interruptions in consideration of the amount of sliding, and the second acceleration period performs one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation. Accelerate by alternately performing predetermined interrupts. At this time, the rotational position information (fixed value) for correction is read with reference to the RAM 76, and this rotational position information is added to the rotational control information. As described above, the output timing of the excitation signal data when the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are rotating at a constant speed is synchronized with the timer interrupt processing timing as described above without waiting for any processing other than the spinning cylinder control processing. Is called.

  In the case where the rotary encoder 71RE is used as the rotational position detecting means as shown in FIG. 4, the correction encoded value obtained by the rotary encoder 71RE is stored in the RAM 76 as the rotational position information for correction. Therefore, the rotation of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R is controlled using this encoded value. In this case, as described above, the acceleration process is different from the acceleration process shown in FIG.

  When accelerating and rotating at a constant speed, the input / output processing circuit 80 is excited without waiting for the processing results of other processing routines (processing routines such as step S220 and step S230) shown in FIG. Excitation data for the power excitation phase is output in synchronization with the minimum interrupt unit. As the excitation data shown in FIG. 8, data stored in the RAM 76 is used.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a stop command is generated by pressing any of the left, middle and right turn stop buttons 53, 54 and 55 (step S320). It is determined whether or not a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) has elapsed (step S330). When the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S320, and when the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the rotation is in progress. The forced stop process for forcibly stopping all the cylinders is performed by switching to the four-phase excitation immediately after the two-phase excitation (step S340). When the stop process is performed, the symbol number and the value of the symbol offset counter 77 (see FIG. 3) (symbol number and symbol offset value) are stored in the RAM 76 each time.

  On the other hand, when any one of the left, middle and right turning stop buttons 53, 54 and 55 is pressed and a stop command is generated in step S320, a turning stop execution process is performed (step S350). In this rotation stop execution process, the rotation corresponding to the currently pressed stop button among the left, middle and right rotation stop buttons 53, 54 and 55 is stopped. The rotation stop is performed by switching to the four-phase excitation immediately after the two-phase excitation as described above. By switching to the four-phase excitation, the stepping motors 71L, 71M, 71R corresponding to the stop buttons 53, 54, 55 are in a kind of regeneration mode.

  When a winning combination is set and the winning flag is set, the winning table is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 76 so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined active line as much as possible. To. For example, if the symbol “Bell” is selected on the lower horizontal line and the button is pressed at the timing when the symbol “Bell” stops on the upper horizontal line, it is rotated by two symbols. Slide to stop on a horizontal line. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the symbol “bell” may not stop on the lower horizontal line depending on the timing of pressing the stop button. Note that the same processing is performed in the above-described forced stop processing when the winning flag is set.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop button has been pressed when all three spinning cylinders are rotating (step S360). In some cases, a slip table change process is performed (step S370). In this slide table changing process, for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align the combinations on the selected active line. When this occurs, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and the sliding table corresponding to the changed effective line is changed to exit this process.

  Here, the combination of the roles means that, for example, when the symbols “bells” are arranged on the middle horizontal line, the symbols “Cherry” appear on the lower horizontal line in the left swirl. When it occurs at the same time. The symbol “Cherry” is played when the symbols are aligned on a predetermined effective line, but the symbol “Cherry” has three patterns of the left turn cylinder L exposed from the exposure windows 31L, 31M, 31R. When one of the symbols is the symbol “cherry”, a combination is generated regardless of the symbols of the other spinning cylinders M and R. Further, the sliding table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, when the current stop command is not the first stop command in step S360, whether or not it is the second stop command, that is, one of the three spinning cylinders L, M, and R stops and the two spinning cylinders rotate. It is determined whether or not the stop button has been pressed (step S380), and when it is the second stop command, stop eye determination processing is performed (step S390).

  In the stop eye determination process, it is determined whether or not two of the drums are aligned with a bonus symbol (for example, “7”, etc.). The sound effects and the like are generated from the speakers 14 and 14 via the control device 84, and then the process is exited. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect other than the sound effect may be performed.

  Then, after the forced stop process in step S340, after the slip table change process in step S370, after the stop eye determination process in step S390, or in step S380, the current stop command is not the second stop command. If it is determined that the rotation of all of the left, middle, and right turn cylinders L, M, and R has been stopped (step S400), one of the left, middle, and right turn cylinders L, M, and R is determined. When the rotation is not stopped, the process returns to step S320 again. When all the rotations of the left, middle and right cylinders L, M and R are stopped, a payout determination process is performed (step S410), and this routine is finished. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, zero is set in the payout number storage area of the RAM 76, and the winning combination is aligned on the effective line. When it is, it is determined whether or not the winning combination matches the winning combination. If they do not match, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like and zero is set in the payout number storage area to match. Sometimes, 15 is stored as the upper limit in the payout number storage area.

[Medal payout processing routine]
In the medal payout processing routine, as shown in FIG. 17, first, the CPU 72 of the control device 70 first counts the payout number counter (also referred to as the payout number) and the numerical value (scheduled payout number) stored in the payout number storage area. (Step S430). If the number of payouts does not match the planned payout number, it is determined whether or not the credit switch 51a is turned on by operating the credit button 51. (Step S435) When it is turned on, it is determined whether or not the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (Step S440), and when it has not reached the upper limit, the count value of the credit count and the number of payouts are each incremented by one. (Step S450). As a result, the number of credits displayed on the credit number display unit 35 and the payout number display unit 37 are each incremented by one. On the other hand, when the credit switch 51a is off or when the count value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit, the hopper driving motor 65 is driven and a medal is issued from the hopper 86 through the medal payout port 17 by the payout device 88. While paying out to the tray 18 (step S460), the payout number is incremented by 1 according to the medal detection signal of the payout sensor 64 attached to the hopper 86 (step S470). As a result, the number of payout number display section 37 is incremented by one. Then, after the payout number is incremented by 1 in step S450 or step S470, the process returns to step S430 again. When the number of payouts matches the number of payouts in step S430, the hopper drive motor 65 is stopped (step S480), and this routine is ended. The number of payouts and the number-of-payout display unit 37 are reset when the start lever 52 is operated next time.

[Special status processing routine]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a special state processing routine (step S245) is included in the subroutine processing. This special state process will be described below. Prior to the description, the bonus game will be described.

  The regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) game is composed of 23 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which only one bet is allowed, and is a game with a very high probability that the JAC symbols (replay symbols in this case) are aligned on the active line, that is, the probability of establishment of the JAC symbols. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. When the JAC symbol is established 8 times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches 12 times. On the other hand, the big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) game is composed of 30 small role games and 3 JAC ins. A small role game is a game that has a high probability of becoming a small role per unit (with symbols such as “bells” on the active line). JAC-in means entering into 12 JAC games. When JAC symbols are aligned on the active line, JAC in is established. The JAC game is the same as that of the RB game. Also, when the JAC game by the third JAC in is finished, the BB game is finished even before the small role game reaches 30 times, and before the JAC in reaches 3 times after the 30 small role games are finished. Even if there is, the BB game ends.

  In the special state process, as shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 72 of the control device 70 first determines whether or not the gaming state is a bonus state (step S500). A replay symbol determination process is performed (step S524). In this bonus symbol / replay symbol determination process, as shown in FIG. 19, first, it is determined whether or not the RB is won in the winning lottery and the RB winning flag is set (step S700). This time, it is determined whether or not RB symbols (for example, symbol “BAR”) are aligned on the effective line (step S710). If the RB symbols are not aligned, an irregular flag is set (step S730), and this process is terminated. To do. This irregular flag is a flag for instructing to perform an irregular operation when starting the next rotation of the drum. On the other hand, when the RB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, the RB winning flag and the irregular flag are reset and the RB setting flag is set to set the RB state as one type of the bonus state, and the RB game of (Table 1). Initial setting processing is executed (step S720), and this routine is terminated.

  If the RB winning flag is not set in step S700, it is determined whether or not BB is won in the winning lottery and the BB winning flag is set (step S740). It is determined whether or not the symbols (for example, symbol “7”) are aligned (step S750). If the symbols are not aligned, the irregular flag is set (step S730), and this process ends. On the other hand, when the BB symbols are aligned on the active line this time, the BB winning flag and the irregular flag are reset, and the BB setting flag is set to the BB state which is a kind of bonus state. Processing is executed (step S760), and this routine is terminated.

  If the BB winning flag is not set in step S740, a replay symbol determination process is executed (step S770). That is, it is determined whether or not the replay winning flag is set and the replay winning flag is set and the replay symbols are aligned on the active line. The winning flag is set and the routine is ended in the replay state. In the replay state, the previous bet number in step S200 of the main flow is forcibly bet, but the player's medal is not consumed.

  In Table 1, the remaining small role game counter represents the remaining number of small role games (also referred to as the remaining small role game number), and the remaining JAC in counter represents the remaining number of times that JAC can be performed (both remaining JAC in number). The remaining JAC establishment counter represents the remaining number of times that the JAC symbol can be established (also referred to as the remaining JAC establishment number), and the remaining JAC game counter represents the number of remaining JAC games (also referred to as the remaining JAC game number). . The number of remaining small role games, the number of remaining JAC ins, the number of remaining JACs established, and the number of remaining JAC games are displayed on the game number display unit 36 as appropriate. By the way, if a small role winning flag or replay winning flag is set by winning a small role or replay in the role lottery, those winning flags will not be aligned on the active line in the game. Will be reset, but if the RB winning flag or the BB winning flag is set by winning the RB or BB in the winning lottery, even if the RB symbol or BB symbol cannot be aligned on the active line in the game The winning flag will be carried over to the next time.

さて、図１８に戻り、ステップＳ５００で遊技状態がボーナス状態のときにはそのボーナス状態がＲＢ状態か否かを判定し（ステップＳ５０２）、ＲＢ状態でないときつまりＢＢゲームの小役ゲーム中のときにはＪＡＣ図柄が有効ライン上に揃ったか否かを判定し（ステップＳ５０４）、ＪＡＣ図柄が有効ライン上に揃ったときにはＲＢ状態になる（ＢＢ状態と併存）と共に（表１）のＢＢ中ＲＢゲーム初期設定処理を行い（ステップＳ５０６）、このルーチンを終了する。一方、ステップＳ５０４でＪＡＣ図柄が有効ライン上に揃わなかったときには、ＢＢ状態で小役ゲームが１ゲーム消化されたことになるため、残小役ゲーム数を１ディクリメントし（ステップＳ５０８）、その残小役ゲーム数がゼロになったか否かを判定し（ステップＳ５１０）、ゼロでないときにはこのルーチンを終了し、ゼロのときには各種設定フラグやＢＢ設定フラグや各種カウンタなどを適宜リセットしたりエンディング処理を行ったりする特別遊技状態終了処理を行い（ステップＳ５２６）、このルーチンを終了する。

Now, returning to FIG. 18, when the gaming state is the bonus state in step S500, it is determined whether or not the bonus state is the RB state (step S502). Is determined to be aligned on the active line (step S504), and when the JAC symbols are aligned on the effective line, the RB state is set (coexisting with the BB state) and the RB in-BB game initial setting process in (Table 1) (Step S506), and this routine is finished. On the other hand, when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S504, one small role game has been digested in the BB state, so the number of remaining small role games is decremented by 1 (step S508). It is determined whether or not the number of remaining small role games has become zero (step S510). If it is not zero, this routine is terminated, and if it is zero, various setting flags, BB setting flags, various counters, etc. are appropriately reset or ending processing is performed. Special game state termination processing is performed (step S526), and this routine is terminated.

  When the gaming state is the RB state in step S502, it is determined whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the effective line (step S512). When the JAC symbols are aligned on the effective line, the remaining JAC establishment number is decremented by 1 ( Step S514). After that, or when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in step S512, one JAC game has been consumed, so the number of remaining JAC games is decremented by 1 (step S516). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not either the remaining number of JACs or the number of remaining JAC games has become zero (step S518). If none of them has become zero, that is, the JAC symbol has not yet been established eight times. If the JAC game has not been digested 12 times, the routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if any of them is zero, that is, if the JAC symbol has been established 8 times or the JAC game has been digested 12 times, the JAC in has been digested once, so the remaining JAC in times are reduced by 1 day. In step S520, it is determined whether the number of remaining JAC ins is zero (step S522). When the number of remaining JAC ins is zero, the above-described special game state termination processing is performed (step S526), and this routine is terminated. . By the way, if the RB symbol is aligned on the active line after the RB is won in the lottery of the combination and the RB winning flag is set, the initial remaining JAC in number is 1 (see Table 1), so in step S520. It becomes zero, and an affirmative determination is always made in step S522, and the RB setting flag is reset in the special gaming state end process.

  On the other hand, when the number of remaining JAC ins is not zero in step S522, that is, when JAC in has not been digested three times in the BB state, after performing RB state end processing for resetting the RB setting flag (step S523), this time JAC When the player enters the game, the remaining small role game number is decremented by 1 (step S508) because one small role game is consumed, and then it is determined whether or not the remaining small role game number becomes zero (step S508). S510) When the number of remaining small role games is zero, the above-described special gaming state termination processing is performed (step S526), and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the number of remaining small role games is not zero, the small role game in the BB state has not reached 30 times, and the JAC in has not reached 3 times, so this routine is ended. At this time, the RB state is canceled, but the BB state is continued.

  Thus, according to the present invention, in a gaming machine that plays a game by rotating a plurality of turn cylinders and then stopping the turn cylinders, the next turn The excitation phase of the drive motor with respect to the rotating drum during rotation is controlled.

  According to this, as the excitation phase of the drive motor during the initial rotation of the rotating cylinder, the deviation from the original initial excitation phase is almost considered by considering the correction amount derived from the amount of sliding of the rotating cylinder, that is, the driving motor. As a result, the stability of the initial rotation can be secured. By ensuring the stability of the initial rotation, it is possible to increase the concentration power in the game and to increase the interest of the player.

  When the rotational position detecting means is not provided in the drive motor, the step angle corresponding to the sliding amount cannot be measured. Therefore, the step angle corresponding to the approximate center value of the sliding amount is used. The excitation phase next to the excitation phase advanced by several minutes is selected as the next initial excitation phase.

  The amount of sliding when the brakes are applied usually varies, but since it was confirmed that the variation was within a certain range, the approximate center value of the dispersed measurement values (the number of phases corresponding to the step angle) By using, the difference (difference) from the actual sliding amount is reduced, and there is no possibility of causing step-out or rotation instability. Since the measured value of the sliding amount is normally distributed, the peak value is set as the approximate center value of the sliding amount, or an appropriate initial excitation phase is set from the rotation state when the excitation phase is shifted by two steps, for example. You can also Instead of the center value of the sliding amount, an average value of dispersed measurement values (the number of phases corresponding to the number of step angles) can be used.

  When using a drive motor provided with a rotational position detection means, the rotational position detection signal from the rotational position detection means is used as a correction amount (correction signal) derived from the amount of sliding when the drive motor is stopped. Is.

  According to this, the number of step angles corresponding to the amount of sliding or the step angle at the time of rotation stoppage can be determined from the detection signal from the detecting means. Since the number of step angles corresponding to the amount of sliding can be accurately detected, the drive motor can be initially excited using the original initial excitation phase, and more stable initial driving can be realized.

  The rotary position detecting means is preferably a rotary encoder. If a rotary encoder is used, all the rotational positions of one rotation of the rotating drum can be detected. Information on the step angle corresponding to the amount of sliding from the timing when the brake is applied by the rotary encoder (encoder output) can be obtained immediately. This step angle information and the step angle position at the time of rotation stoppage are used next time. The initial excitation phase can be accurately determined. Even when a rotary encoder is used, especially when an absolute encoder is used, even if the rotor is intentionally turned after the drive motor is stopped, the amount of sliding at that time, including the amount of rotation, in other words, the drive motor Since the rotational position at the start can be detected, an initial excitation phase that can realize a stable start can be set reliably.

  As rotational position detection means other than the rotary encoder, a plurality of rotational position detection sensors can be realized along the rotational direction of the rotating drum. According to this, a plurality of rotational position detection sensors are appropriately arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating drum, and the output of the plurality of rotational position detection sensors is used to obtain the amount of sliding of the rotor after the brake is applied. Since the corresponding step angle number can be detected, the initial excitation phase can be obtained in the same manner as the rotary encoder. In the case of the detection sensor, the rotational position detecting means can be realized at a lower cost than the rotary encoder.

  As the drive motor, a two-phase stepping motor employing a 1-2 phase excitation method is used. Since the drive motor is a stepping motor, high torque and high stop accuracy can be obtained. In addition, since it is a 1-2 phase excitation method, eight types of excitation sequences (excitation order) are determined by the combination of two types of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation, and the excitation is advanced by a step angle corresponding to the sliding amount. Phase identification becomes easy. As the stepping motor, a 4-phase stepping motor employing a 3-4 phase excitation system or a 5-phase stepping motor employing a 4-5 phase excitation system can also be used.

  Two-phase excitation is adopted as the initial excitation phase when the 1-2 phase stepping motor is used. This is because the two-phase excitation can obtain a high rotational torque and ensure high stopping accuracy.

  Even when the excitation phase advanced by the number of step angles corresponding to the approximate center value or average value of the rotor sliding amount does not correspond to the two-phase excitation, the initial excitation phase is set to the two-phase excitation. In the case of 1-2 phase excitation, even if the excitation phase is out of order, it is for one phase, and the deviation of the excitation phase for one phase can be sufficiently absorbed. When a brake is applied, the stepping motor usually stops at one-phase excitation, so in reality, the excitation phase advanced by the number of step angles corresponding to the approximate center value of the sliding amount is the two-phase excitation. The approximate center value is set so that Even when the rotational position of the rotor is detected by the rotational position detection means, the initial excitation phase is set so that the initial excitation is two-phase excitation.

  At the time of motor acceleration of the rotary drive motor, the excitation state with respect to the initial excitation phase to which the excitation signal is applied is held at least until the rotational fluctuation of the rotor of the drive motor is suppressed.

  According to this, the initial excitation state is held (fixed) until the rotation fluctuation in the initial acceleration of the rotor (rotor) of the drive motor is settled, and the excitation signal for obtaining the next rotation torque is applied after the rotation fluctuation is settled. In addition, since the interruption timing for applying the excitation signal is controlled, the step-out due to the excitation signal missing is eliminated, and the instability of the rotation due to the rotation fluctuation can be avoided. This makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can be immersed in the game without diverting the player's interest.

  When the acceleration period that is the initial excitation phase is the first acceleration period, the first acceleration period is selected as the shortest time during which the rotational fluctuation of the rotor converges, and the initial excitation phase given at this time is the amount of sliding. The excitation phase is advanced by the amount corresponding to the excitation phase.

  Since the initial excitation period, which is the first acceleration period, is selected as the shortest time for the rotor's rotational fluctuation to converge, the transition time to the next acceleration can be minimized, and the constant acceleration by the stable acceleration of the drive motor can be minimized. The arrival time for fast rotation can be minimized. As a result, the waiting time from when the start button is pressed to when the stop button is pressed can be shortened as much as possible. This ensures the speedy button operation of the player.

  Further, since the initial excitation is an excitation phase that is advanced by an excitation phase corresponding to the sliding amount, it can be accelerated while absorbing the sliding amount. Since the first acceleration period, which is the initial excitation phase, has 130 interrupts, the rotor vibration can be absorbed even when the rotor stop position is forcibly changed as in the case of forced setting by the store clerk. Even in such a special case, there is no possibility that the rotational stability is hindered.

  When the acceleration period from the first acceleration period to the constant speed rotation is set as the second acceleration period, the second acceleration period is substantially selected as the first acceleration period. By setting the second acceleration period to a time close to the first acceleration period, it is possible to shorten the time until constant speed rotation by stable acceleration.

  In the second acceleration period, control is performed so that the excitation interruption periods of the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation are sequentially shortened. Since the excitation interruption cycle for 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation is controlled to be shorter as the constant speed rotation is reached, sufficient acceleration can be obtained even if the second acceleration period is short, and the excitation interruption cycle is Since it is gradually shortened, it is possible to smoothly transition to constant speed rotation in a stable high speed acceleration state.

  At the end of the second acceleration period, 1-2 phase excitation in which one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are sequentially switched at a minimum interruption interval is used to make a transition to constant speed rotation. By doing so, it is possible to transition to constant speed rotation more smoothly.

  When the rotation driving process is set as a part of the timer interruption process, an excitation signal for the driving motor is output to the driving motor side without waiting for the end of the processes other than the rotation driving process.

  According to this, even if there are a large number of processes other than the rotating drum drive process within the periodic interrupt process, the minimum interrupt cycle is not required without waiting for the processing time required for the processes other than the rotating drum drive process. The excitation signal can be output to the input / output port in synchronization with Therefore, since the drive motor is always excited in synchronization with this interruption cycle, a very stable rotation drive can be realized.

  The gaming machine described above is a pachinko machine. The pachinko machine has an operation handle as its basic configuration, and in response to the operation of the operation handle, a game ball is launched into a predetermined game area, and the game ball is awarded to an operation port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition, the display of the variation of the symbols on the display device is started, and during the occurrence of the special game state, the winning opening arranged at a predetermined position in the game area has a predetermined mode. It is a gaming machine in which a game ball can be won by being released at, and a valuable value according to the number of winnings is given.

  The valuable value can be returned as a prize sphere, or valuable information corresponding to the valuable value can be written using a card-like recording medium such as a magnetic card. There are two types of pachinko machines: a special game state (big hit state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of game balls, and a normal game state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes game balls. There are different types of gaming modes.

  The gaming machine described above is a slot machine. The slot machine, as its basic configuration, is equipped with a display device that displays a fixed symbol after a symbol string consisting of a plurality of symbols for identifying the gaming state according to the gaming state. As a result, the change of the symbol is started, and the change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop button or after a lapse of a predetermined time. This is a gaming machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player as a necessary condition.

  This gaming machine includes a special game state (a big hit state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of game media and a normal game state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes the game media. There are different types of gaming modes. Typical examples of game media used in this type of gaming machine include coins and medals.

  The above-described gaming machine is a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused. Such a gaming machine (multi-function machine) includes a display device that, as its basic configuration, displays a fixed symbol after variably displaying a symbol string composed of a plurality of identification information for identifying the gaming state according to the gaming state. Furthermore, the variation of the symbol is started due to the operation of the starting operation means such as the operation lever, and the design is caused by the operation of the stopping operation means such as the stop button or when a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the change of the game is stopped and the fixed symbol at the time of stoppage is a specific symbol, and using a game ball as a game medium The gaming machine is configured such that a predetermined number of game balls are required at the start of variation of the identification information, and a large number of game balls are paid out when a special game state occurs.

  This gaming machine includes a special game state (a big hit state) that is advantageous to a player who can acquire at least a large number of game balls, and a normal game state that is disadvantageous to a player who consumes the game balls. There are different types of gaming modes.

  The present invention is not limited to the gaming machine of the above-described embodiment, and can of course be implemented in various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, the number of spinning cylinders may be two or more, and the display device including the spinning cylinder may be a vertical type or a horizontal type. The rotating directions of the rotating cylinders do not need to be aligned in the same direction, and the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine having rotating cylinders that rotate in reverse directions. The present invention may be applied to any slot machine such as B type, C type, A type and C type composite type, B type and C type composite type, etc. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a multi-function machine in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are combined, and it is obvious that the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained in any case.

  The above-described sliding amount is a numerical value used for convenience of explanation, and is not limited to this sliding amount.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Slot machine, 11 ... Main body, 12 ... Front door, 30 ... Game panel, 31L, 31M, 31R ... Exposed window, 40 ... Cylindrical frame member, 41 ... Boss part, 42 ... Boss reinforcement board, 43 ... Motor plate, 44 ... Circle index photo sensor, 45 ... Sensor cut van, 47 ... Seal, 51 ... Credit button, 52 ... Start lever, 53 ... Stop button for left-handed cylinder, 54 ... Stop button for middle-cylinder, 55 ... Right-handed cylinder Stop button, 70 ... Control device, 71L ... Stepping motor for left turn cylinder, 71M ... Stepping motor for middle turn cylinder, 71R ... Stepping motor for right turn cylinder, 72 ... CPU, L ... Left turn cylinder, M ... Middle turn Torso, R ... right-handed trunk.

Claims (1)

A orbital body with a pattern,
A stepping motor for rotating the rotating body;
Control means for executing drive control processing for driving and controlling the stepping motor;
In a gaming machine that plays a game by stopping the circuit body after rotating the circuit body,
The drive control process for controlling the driving of the stepping motor is executed as part of a timer interrupt process periodically executed by the control means,
The timer interrupt process includes a predetermined indefinite time control process in which the processing time varies,
The drive control process for controlling the driving of the stepping motor is a process executed before the predetermined indefinite time control process in the timer interrupt process, and outputs an excitation signal for controlling the driving of the stepping motor. Processing,
The control means, as a drive control process for driving and controlling the stepping motor when starting the rotation of the rotating body, outputs the excitation signal to the initial excitation phase in a first specific period corresponding to a plurality of excitation signal output timings. A drive control process for driving and controlling the stepping motor in a case where the first process to be output can be executed and the rotation speed of the rotating body is accelerated from the start of rotation of the rotating body to a constant speed rotation As described above, the second process of outputting the excitation signal in a predetermined excitation phase is configured to be executable. When the rotating body is rotated, the first process is performed in the first specific period, and then the second process is performed. A gaming machine comprising means for executing the second process in a second specific period shorter than one specific period.

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