JP6515971B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

As a gaming machine which is stopped after rotating a plurality of reels, for example, there is a slot machine. In the slot machine, a plurality of symbols are applied to the outer peripheral portion of each reel, and a part of the symbols applied to each reel can be viewed through the display unit. Then, the player inserts medals and operates the start lever to start the rotation of each reel, and after the reels start to rotate, the reels are sequentially stopped by operating the stop switch. Also, inside the slot machine , a lottery is made when the insertion of medals and the operation of the start lever are performed, and the result of the lottery is a winning, and the symbol winning on a preset effective line is When the game is stopped , a predetermined number of medals are paid out, and a bonus such as the occurrence of a predetermined game (special game state) advantageous to the player is given (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Here, the original enjoyment of the slot machine is to be able to actively participate in the game of watching the variation of the symbols and aiming at a predetermined symbol and stopping it. Thus, it carries out an effect at reel is not preferable from the viewpoint of concentrating the player to the rotation of the reel.

The above certain circumstances not limited to the slot machine to rotate the plurality of orbiting body is then circumstances also applicable to other gaming machines to stop the rotation of the orbiting member on the basis of the player's operation.

JP 2003-180936 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above illustrated situation or the like, and a purpose thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing desirably demonstrate using orbiting body.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, invention of claim 1 is,
A plurality of orbiting bodies, in which a plurality of types of patterns are attached in the circumferential direction,
A display unit for making it possible to visually recognize part of the patterns of each of the orbiting members;
Start operation means for starting rotation of each of the orbiting members when operated;
Drive means provided for each of the orbiting bodies and rotating the orbiting bodies;
Stop operation means for stopping rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when operated;
Lottery means for performing a predetermined lottery when the start operation means is operated;
The drive means is controlled so as to start rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when the start operation means is operated and stop rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when the stop operation means is operated. Drive control means and
A gaming machine for displaying the lottery result of the lottery means by the stop mode of each of the orbiting members,
An impossible state detection unit capable of detecting that the gaming machine has reached a predetermined non-playable state;
Stop pattern position grasping means for grasping the positions of the plurality of kinds of patterns when each of the drive means stops the rotation of each of the revolving members;
Equipped with
The drive control means includes predetermined pattern combination forming means for driving and controlling each of the drive means to form a predetermined pattern combination based on the grasped result of the stop pattern position grasping means.
When the impossible state detection means detects the predetermined non-playable state, the drive control means is operated based on the operation of the start operation means first after returning from the predetermined non-playable state to the playable state. Predetermined pattern combination disapproval means for preventing the drive control of each of the drive means by the predetermined picture combination formation means in the drive control;
Equipped with
As a lottery result by the lottery means, a transition result is set which enables the gaming state to be shifted to a specific state advantageous to the player,
If the lottery result by the lottery means is the transition result, and the symbol combination corresponding to the transition result is stopped at the effective position set at a position visible through the display unit, the game state is the specific state Means of transition to
Predetermined symbol combination lottery means for executing a predetermined symbol combination lottery whether or not drive control of each of the drive means is performed by the predetermined symbol combination forming means when the lottery result by the lottery means is the transition result;
Equipped with
In the case where the predetermined pattern combination forming means is a result that the result of the predetermined pattern combination lottery by the predetermined pattern combination lottery means causes the drive control of each of the driving means by the predetermined pattern combination forming means to be controlled. As a result, the predetermined pattern combination is formed during a predetermined invalid period before the stop operation by the stop operation means becomes effective after the rotation of each orbiting body is started in the game. Drive control of each of the drive means,
The predetermined pattern combination disapproval means is a combination of the predetermined pattern when the lottery means is selected based on the operation of the start operation means for the first time after returning from the predetermined non-playable state to the non-playable state. By preventing the predetermined pattern combination lottery by the lottery means from being performed, in the drive control by the drive control means based on the operation of the first start operation means, the drive means of the predetermined pattern combination forming means It is characterized in that drive control is not performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game machine capable of performing desirably demonstrate using orbiting body.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine in one embodiment. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. The perspective view of a slot machine showing the state where the front door was opened. Rear view of the front door. Front view of a housing. The assembly perspective view of the left reel. The expanded view of the strip | belt-shaped belt which comprises each reel. Block diagram of the slot machine. 5 is a flowchart showing NMI interrupt processing. The flowchart which shows timer interruption processing. The flowchart which shows processing at the time of a power failure. The flowchart which shows main processing. The flowchart which shows normal processing. The flowchart which shows a lottery process. 5 is a flowchart showing reel control processing. 6 is a flowchart showing medal payout processing. The flowchart which shows special game state processing. The flowchart which shows bonus design decision processing. Explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of RB game initial setting processing. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of BB game initial setting processing, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the counter setting at the time of JAC game initial setting processing in a BB game. FIG. 2 is a connection diagram showing an operation principle of a stepping motor. FIG. 2 is a connection diagram showing a drive system of a stepping motor. The figure which shows the drive characteristic of a stepping motor. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between an excitation signal (excitation data) and an excitation order pointer. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of acceleration processing, and the relationship of an acceleration counter. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of acceleration processing, and the relationship of an acceleration counter. The figure which shows the content of the excitation time table at the time of acceleration processing, and the relationship of an acceleration counter. 5 is a flowchart showing stepping motor control processing. The flowchart which shows motor control processing. 5 is a flowchart showing reel rotation processing. Explanatory drawing which shows one embodiment of synchronous fluctuation. Explanatory drawing which shows the rotational speed change at the time of performing synchronous fluctuation. Explanatory drawing which shows another structure of a synchronous fluctuation.

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

Means 1. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of types of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow visual recognition of part of the patterns of each endless belt;
Starting operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of the endless belts;
Drive means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts and rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of the endless belts;
The drive means is drive-controlled to start the rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means, and to stop the rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. And a drive control means (main controller 131), provided that the combination of the specific patterns formed by the patterns is established at an effective position that can be visually recognized from the display window when the endless belts stop. In a gaming machine configured to give a player benefits (bonus games, medal payouts, etc.) as
Impossible state detection means (door open sensor 24) for detecting that the game impossible state has been made due to the cause of the gaming machine side,
And stop pattern position grasping means (motor control processing function of the main control device 131) for grasping the positions of the plurality of kinds of patterns when each of the drive means stops the rotation of the endless belt.
The drive control means
Initial drive control means (processing function during acceleration period of main controller 131) performs initial drive control of each drive means to start rotation of each endless belt to reach first set rotational speed (first rotational speed) )When,
Constant speed drive control means (constant speed processing function of main controller 131) for performing constant speed drive control of each drive means so that the first set rotational speed is maintained after execution of initial drive control by the initial drive control means When,
Synchronous pattern forming means (synchronous symbol formation of main controller 131 to drive and control the respective drive means to form a synchronous pattern aligned with the combination of the specific patterns during execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means Processing function and synchronous fluctuation processing function)
The said synchronous pattern formation means,
Position relation grasping means (position relation grasping processing function of main control device 131) which grasps the position relation of the specific picture attached to each endless belt based on the grasping result of the stop picture position grasping means;
Based on the grasping result of the positional relationship grasping means, one endless belt starts to rotate so as to form the synchronous pattern when each endless belt reaches the second set rotational speed (second rotational speed) Calculation means (synchronization required time calculation function of main controller 131) for calculating a waiting time until rotation of another endless belt starts later;
Based on the operation of the start operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotational speed, and drive control of corresponding drive means to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotational speed And synchronous drive control means (the main control device 131 controls driving so as to start the rotation of the other endless belt by delaying the standby time calculated by the calculation means after the endless belt of 1 starts to rotate. Synchronization pattern formation processing function),
When the impossible state detection means detects the non-playable state, in the first drive control by the drive control means after returning from the non-playable state to the playable state, each of the synchronous picture formation means A game machine characterized by comprising synchronization disapproval means (synchronization fluctuation stop function of the main control device 131) for not performing drive control of the drive means.

  According to the means 1, by forming the synchronous pattern by the movement of the endless belt, a new suggestion / notification form that takes one step beyond the conventional method in which the gaming situation is suggested or notified relying only on the auxiliary screen Can be provided. Further, since the endless belt attracts attention by the player as the center of the game, the player can not miss even if the formation status of the synchronous pattern by the endless belt is relatively short. In addition, since the player is in the initial drive control state before entering the constant speed drive control state in which the endless belts stop operation is performed by the player, a so-called synchronized pattern is formed in the preparation stage, so There is an advantage of not forcing a different operation mode compared to the player's stop operation mode in the machine, and giving no sense of discomfort. Also, conventionally, in the preparation stage, the player had only to wait silently until it is time to perform the stop operation, but as a result of making the player expose the synchronous pattern using such preparation period. Even during the preparation period, the player can be made to watch the movement of the endless belt. Furthermore, when forming the synchronous pattern, the waiting time from the start of rotation of one endless belt to the start of rotation of the other endless belt is from the positional relationship of the pattern when the rotation of each endless belt is stopped Since the other endless belt is started to rotate after being calculated and delayed by the waiting time, complex acceleration control is not required until the endless belt reaches the second set rotational speed. It is only necessary to measure the timing of the start of the rotation. In addition, since the endless belts are rotated at the second setting rotational speed at a constant speed in the synchronous pattern formation stage, the calculation of the waiting time is also relatively easily performed. In addition, it is possible to form the synchronous pattern easily and reliably by setting the calculation of the waiting time from the positional relationship of each specific pattern in the stationary state of each endless belt, that is, in the static state. Become. If the standby time is calculated from the specific pattern attached to the rotating endless belt, that is, the position of the specific pattern in the dynamic state is detected to form the synchronous pattern, the detected dynamic state is detected. This is because an error may occur in the position of the specific pattern or the like. As a result of the above, it is possible to form a synchronous pattern by relatively simple calculation and control. Furthermore, when it becomes a game impossible state by the cause of the gaming machine side, in the first drive control after returning from the game impossible state to the game possible state, the drive control for forming a synchronous pattern is not performed. Thus, it is possible to avoid the problem that the synchronous pattern is not formed despite the start of rotation of the other endless belt delayed by the waiting time, with relatively simple control. For example, when the gaming machine is in a non-playable state, there is a possibility that the manager of the game arcade installing the gaming machine manually operates each endless belt, and the grasp result of the stop pattern position grasping means and the actual pattern This is because the position may be different.

Means 2. A plurality of endless belts (reels 42L, 42M, 42R) having a plurality of types of patterns attached in the circumferential direction;
Display windows (display windows 31L, 31M, 31R) that allow visual recognition of part of the patterns of each endless belt;
Starting operation means (start lever 71) operated to start rotation of the endless belts;
Drive means (stepping motor 61) provided for each of the endless belts and rotating the endless belts;
Stop operation means (stop switches 72 to 74) operated to stop the rotation of the endless belts;
The drive means is drive-controlled to start the rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the start operation means, and to stop the rotation of the endless belts based on the operation of the stop operation means. And a drive control means (main controller 131), provided that the combination of the specific patterns formed by the patterns is established at an effective position that can be visually recognized from the display window when the endless belts stop. In a gaming machine configured to give a player benefits (bonus games, medal payouts, etc.) as
Impossible state detection means (door open sensor 24) for detecting that the game impossible state has been made due to the cause of the gaming machine side,
Stop pattern position grasping means (motor control processing function of main controller 131) for grasping the positions of the plurality of kinds of patterns when each of the drive means stops the rotation of each endless belt;
Alignment determination means (pattern position alignment processing function of the main control device 131) for performing alignment determination whether the grasped result by the stop pattern position grasping means is correct or not;
The drive control means
Initial drive control means (process in the acceleration period of the main control device 131) performs initial drive control of the respective drive means to start rotation of the endless belts to reach the first set rotational speed (first set rotational speed) Function),
Constant speed drive control means (constant speed processing function of main controller 131) for performing constant speed drive control of each drive means so that the first set rotational speed is maintained after execution of initial drive control by the initial drive control means When,
Synchronous pattern forming means (synchronous symbol formation of main controller 131 to drive and control the respective drive means to form a synchronous pattern aligned with the combination of the specific patterns during execution of the initial drive control by the initial drive control means Processing function and synchronous fluctuation processing function)
The said synchronous pattern formation means,
Position relation grasping means (position relation grasping processing function of main control device 131) which grasps the position relation of the specific picture attached to each endless belt based on the grasping result of the stop picture position grasping means;
The synchronous pattern is formed when each endless belt reaches a second set rotational speed (second rotational speed) lower than the first set rotational speed on the basis of the grasping result of the positional relationship grasping means. And calculating means for calculating a waiting time until one endless belt starts rotating after one endless belt starts rotating (synchronization required time calculating function of main controller 131),
Based on the operation of the start operation means, the endless belts are individually started to rotate to reach the second set rotational speed, and drive control of corresponding drive means to rotate at a constant speed at the second set rotational speed And synchronous drive control means (the main control device 131 controls driving so as to start the rotation of the other endless belt by delaying the standby time calculated by the calculation means after the endless belt of 1 starts to rotate. Synchronization pattern formation processing function),
When the impossible state detection means detects the non-playable state, in the first drive control by the drive control means after returning from the non-playable state to the playable state, each of the synchronous picture formation means A game machine characterized by comprising synchronization non-permission means (synchronization fluctuation stop function of the main control device 131) which does not perform drive control of the drive means.

  According to the means 2, by forming the synchronous pattern by the movement of the endless belt, a new suggestion / notification form that takes one step beyond the conventional method in which the gaming situation is suggested or notified relying only on the auxiliary screen Can be provided. Further, since the endless belt attracts attention by the player as the center of the game, the player can not miss even if the formation status of the synchronous pattern by the endless belt is relatively short. In addition, since the player is in the initial drive control state before entering the constant speed drive control state in which the endless belts stop operation is performed by the player, a so-called synchronized pattern is formed in the preparation stage, so There is an advantage of not forcing a different operation mode compared to the player's stop operation mode in the machine, and giving no sense of discomfort. Also, conventionally, in the preparation stage, the player had only to wait silently until it is time to perform the stop operation, but as a result of making the player expose the synchronous pattern using such preparation period. Even during the preparation period, the player can be made to watch the movement of the endless belt. Furthermore, when forming the synchronous pattern, the waiting time from the start of rotation of one endless belt to the start of rotation of the other endless belt is from the positional relationship of the pattern when the rotation of each endless belt is stopped Since the other endless belt is started to rotate after being calculated and delayed by the waiting time, complex acceleration control is not required until the endless belt reaches the second set rotational speed. It is only necessary to measure the timing of the start of the rotation. In addition, since the endless belts are rotated at the second setting rotational speed at a constant speed in the synchronous pattern formation stage, the calculation of the waiting time is also relatively easily performed. In addition, it is possible to form the synchronous pattern easily and reliably by setting the calculation of the waiting time from the positional relationship of each specific pattern in the stationary state of each endless belt, that is, in the static state. Become. If the standby time is calculated from the specific pattern attached to the rotating endless belt, that is, the position of the specific pattern in the dynamic state is detected to form the synchronous pattern, the detected dynamic state is detected. This is because an error may occur in the position of the specific pattern or the like. As a result of the above, it is possible to form a synchronous pattern by relatively simple calculation and control. Furthermore, by setting the second set rotational speed to a rotational speed slower than the first set rotational speed, a synchronous pattern is formed for the player through the fact that the rotational speed at the time when each endless belt becomes constant speed is slow. It is possible to suggest that the endless belts start to rotate clearly. As a result, it is possible to suggest that a synchronized pattern is formed for the player also from the difference in the rotation start timings of the endless belts. Furthermore, when it becomes a game impossible state by the cause of the gaming machine side, in the first drive control after returning from the game impossible state to the game possible state, the drive control for forming a synchronous pattern is not performed. Thus, it is possible to avoid the problem that the synchronous pattern is not formed despite the start of rotation of the other endless belt delayed by the waiting time, with relatively simple control. For example, when the gaming machine is in a non-playable state, there is a possibility that the manager of the game arcade installing the gaming machine manually operates each endless belt, and the grasp result of the stop pattern position grasping means and the actual pattern This is because the position may be different.

  Means 3. In the means 1 or 2, the drive control means controls the drive means by the initial drive control means when the synchronization disapproval means does not control the drive of the drive means by the synchronous picture formation means. A game machine characterized by having an initial drive control.

  According to the means 3, when the game impossible state is detected, the initial drive control to reach the first set rotational speed is performed without performing the drive control for forming the synchronous pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to immerse the player in the game without making the player feel uncomfortable. The player feels uncomfortable when the initial pattern is not formed despite the start of rotation of the other endless belt delayed by the waiting time, and the initial drive control is subsequently made to reach the first set rotational speed. There is a risk of losing interest in continuing the game.

  Means 4. In any one of the above means 1 to 3, the synchronization nonpermission means prohibits the drive control by the synchronous pattern forming means before the start of the drive control by the initial drive control means. Machine.

  According to the means 4, the drive control by the synchronous pattern forming means is not permitted before the start of the drive control by the initial drive control means, ie, before the start of the rotation of each endless belt. With this configuration, it is possible to immerse the player in the game without making the player feel uncomfortable. The player feels uncomfortable when the initial pattern is not formed despite the start of rotation of the other endless belt delayed by the waiting time, and the initial drive control is subsequently made to reach the first set rotational speed. There is a risk of losing interest in continuing the game.

  Means 5. In any one of the above means 1 to 4, the apparatus further comprises a front door (front door 12) supported on the front side of the gaming machine so as to be openable / closable and including the display window, and the front door is opened when the front door is opened. It is a game machine where each endless belt is exposed, and the impossible state detection means detects that the front door is opened as the game impossible state.

  According to the means 5, the fact that the front door has been opened is detected as a non-playable state, and in this case, the process of forming a synchronous pattern is not performed. When the front door is closed, since each endless belt is covered by the front door, it is unlikely that the grasped result of the stop pattern position grasping means will differ from the actual pattern position. On the other hand, since the endless belts are exposed when the front door is open, one of the endless belts may be manually operated. That is, a situation may occur in which the grasped result of the stop pattern position grasping means and the actual pattern position are different. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the situation where the synchronous pattern is not formed although the process of forming the synchronous pattern is performed.

  Means 6. A gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 5, wherein the impossible state detecting means detects that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine as the non-playable state.

  According to the means 6, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, the process of forming the synchronous pattern is not performed. When an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, it is general to check various devices provided inside the gaming machine in order to eliminate the abnormality. At this time, for example, manual rotation may be performed to confirm the operation of each endless belt, or the other device may accidentally contact with any of the endless belts during inspection, and the endless belts in contact may rotate. That is, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, a situation may occur in which the grasped result of the stop symbol position grasping means differs from the actual symbol position. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the situation where the synchronous pattern is not formed although the process of forming the synchronous pattern is performed.

  Means 7. A gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 6, wherein the impossible state detecting means detects that the power of the gaming machine is shut off as the non-playable state.

  According to the means 7, when the power of the gaming machine is shut off, the state is detected as the game impossible state. When the power supply of the gaming machine is shut off, even if any endless belt is manually rotated, the gaming machine can not recognize that. That is, when the power of the gaming machine is shut off, a situation may occur in which the grasped result of the stop symbol position grasping means and the actual symbol position are different. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the situation where the synchronous pattern is not formed although the process of forming the synchronous pattern is performed.

  Means 8. Starting point passage detecting means (reel index sensor) for detecting, for each of the endless belts, any one of the above means 1 to 7 that the predetermined reference portion (sensor cut van 56) has passed the starting point position on the endless belt. 55), wherein the stop pattern position grasping means is based on the detection result of the origin passage detection means with respect to the origin position of the reference pattern attached to the position corresponding to the reference portion among the plurality of types of A game machine characterized by grasping relative position.

  According to the means 8, when the endless belts stop rotating, the plurality of pattern positions are grasped relative to the starting point position of the reference pattern attached to the endless belt at a position corresponding to a predetermined reference portion. It is grasped based on the position. By grasping the positions of the other patterns based on the relative position of the reference pattern, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the stop pattern position grasping means.

  Means 9. In any one of the above means 1 to 7, a starting point for detecting, for each of the endless belts, that one reference pattern (design of symbol No. 20) determined in advance among the plurality of types of patterns has passed the starting point position. The game is characterized by including passage detection means (reel index sensor 55), wherein the stop pattern position grasping means grasps the relative position of the reference pattern to the origin position based on the detection result of the origin passage detection means. Machine.

  According to the means 9, the grasping of the plural kinds of pattern positions when the rotation of each endless belt is stopped is grasped on the basis of the relative position with respect to the starting point position of one reference pattern set in advance. By grasping the position of another pattern based on the relative position of one reference pattern of a plurality of types of patterns, it becomes possible to reduce the processing load of the stop pattern position grasping means.

  Means 10. In any of the means 1 to 9, the synchronous drive control means is configured to set the rotational speeds of the endless belts in a state where the synchronous pattern passes a position where it can be visually recognized through the display window. Providing a rotational speed adjustment means (synchronous fluctuation processing function of the main control device 131) for driving and controlling each of the drive means to achieve a third set rotational speed (third rotational speed) which is lower than the second set rotational speed A game machine that features it.

  According to the means 10, the rotational speed of the endless belt, that is, the change speed of the pattern is slower than the second set rotational speed so that the player can identify the synchronous pattern under the situation where the synchronous pattern can be visually recognized through the display window. It is adjusted to the third set rotational speed. Therefore, the player can easily identify that the synchronous pattern has been formed and what the pattern forming the synchronous pattern is, and the interest of the game can be enhanced. Generally, when an object moving at a certain velocity is viewed and then an object moving at a velocity slower than the velocity is viewed, the latter object is viewed as if it is moving slower than the actual velocity difference. Therefore, it is possible to more easily identify the pattern on which the synchronous pattern is formed. In addition, it becomes possible to clearly teach that the variation of the synchronous pattern is performed as an effect rather than accidentally occurring in one process to reach the constant speed state of the endless belt.

  Means 11. In any one of the above means 1 to 10, the synchronous drive control means sets the respective drive means such that the time from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed is the same. A game machine characterized by driving control.

  According to the means 11, the endless belts are driven and controlled so that the time from the start of rotation to the second set rotational speed is the same. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the calculating means. Since the time required for each endless belt to reach the second setting rotational speed and the variation distance of the specific pattern become the same, the specific pattern changes the variation distance between the specific patterns at the second setting rotational speed. It is possible to unambiguously calculate from the time in the case of

  Means 12. In any of the means 1 to 11, the synchronous drive control means controls the drive means based on the same acceleration pattern from when the endless belt starts rotating until it reaches the second set rotational speed. A game machine characterized by driving control.

  According to the means 12, each drive means is drive-controlled based on the same acceleration pattern from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed. With this configuration, it is possible to drive-control the drive means corresponding to the other endless belt based on the calculation result of the calculation means, and it is possible to reduce the processing load of the synchronous pattern forming means.

  Means 13. In any one of the above means 1 to 12, the synchronous drive control means includes a period from the start of rotation of the endless belt to an intermediate period during an acceleration period from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the second set rotational speed. A game machine characterized in that the drive control of each of the drive means is performed based on the same acceleration pattern as the acceleration pattern which the initial drive control means drives and controls by the intermediate period.

  According to the means 13, each drive means is drive-controlled based on the same acceleration pattern regardless of the type of the synchronous drive control means and the initial drive control means from the start of rotation of the endless belt to the middle period. Generally, at the start of rotation of the endless belt, there is a risk of causing step-out or instability of rotation, and the acceleration pattern of the initial drive control means is set so as not to cause such a problem. Therefore, by performing drive control based on the acceleration pattern when the synchronous drive control means drives and controls each drive means, it is possible to avoid the above problem even when forming a synchronous pattern.

  Means 14. In any of the means 1 to 13, the synchronous drive control means is configured to set the second setting rotational speed until the specific pattern changes by approximately one pattern from the start of rotation of the endless belts. A game machine characterized by driving control of driving means.

  According to the means 14, the endless belt rotates at a constant speed at the second set rotational speed until the specific pattern changes by approximately one pattern after the start of rotation. If the endless belt is rapidly accelerated from the stopped state to the second set rotational speed, the endless belt may be out of step or unstable in rotation. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration in which the second setting rotational speed is accelerated with a small acceleration, it takes a relatively long time to form the synchronous pattern, which may impair the interest of the game. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform drive control which does not produce a fault in rotation of an endless belt, attaining the above-mentioned harmony.

  Means 15. In any one of the above means 1 to 14, after the synchronous drive control means forms the synchronous picture, the synchronous picture passes through the position visible at least once through the display window. A game machine characterized by driving control of driving means.

  According to the means 15, the formed synchronization pattern passes at least once at a position visible through the display window. With this configuration, it is possible to more positively teach the player that the synchronized pattern has been formed. In the case where the synchronous pattern does not pass through the display window and the synchronous pattern does not pass through the display window, that is, the synchronous pattern is formed only at the position where it is not visible, the player grasps the order of the patterns attached to the endless belts. It is because it does not notice that the synchronous pattern has been formed unless it has been done.

  Means 16. In any one of the above means 1 to 15, the apparatus further comprises a synchronization pattern determination unit (main controller 131) for determining whether or not to form the synchronization pattern, and the synchronization pattern determination unit makes a positive determination, and the synchronization A gaming machine characterized in that the synchronous pattern forming unit forms the synchronous pattern when the unauthorized unit does not disallow the operation.

  According to the means 16, the synchronous pattern may or may not be formed depending on the determination result of the synchronous pattern determination means. As a result, if, for example, the winning pattern is formed by the internal lottery, or if the synchronous pattern is formed with a predetermined probability among them, it is possible to enhance the expectation for winning when the synchronous pattern is formed.

  Means 17. The means 16 is provided with lottery means (lottery process of the main control device 131) for performing lottery of whether or not the combination of the specific symbols can be stopped at the effective position based on the operation of the start operation means. A game machine characterized in that a synchronization pattern determination means determines whether or not to form the synchronization pattern on the condition that the lottery means is won.

  According to the means 17, there is a possibility that the synchronous pattern is formed only when the result of the lottery is a winning. By associating the lottery result by the lottery means with the formation of the synchronized pattern, it is possible to teach the player that the lottery by the lottery means is won at least when the synchronized pattern is formed.

  Means 18. In any of the means 1 to 17, the operation of the stop operation means or the period from the start of rotation of the endless belt 1 to constant speed rotation at least at the first setting rotational speed A gaming machine comprising invalidation means (main controller 131) for invalidating an operation result.

  According to the means 18, the operation or the result of the operation of the stop operation means by the player passes the position where the synchronous pattern can be viewed through the display window after one of the endless belts starts to rotate, the first It is at least invalidated until constant speed rotation is achieved at the set rotation speed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from canceling the effect using the synchronized pattern prepared at a certain angle. Note that the operation or result of the stop operation means performed between the start of rotation of one of the endless belts and the first set rotational speed and the elapse of a predetermined time is invalidated, and means 16 Alternatively, by applying the configuration to the means 17, it is possible to avoid the problem that the player feels uncomfortable with the fact that the player can not stop the endless belts in the case where the synchronous pattern is formed and in the case where the synchronous pattern is not formed.

  Means 19. In any one of the means 1 to 18, the pattern determining means (main controller 131) for determining which pattern is to be used to form the synchronous pattern among the plurality of types of patterns is provided. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 19, the pattern forming the synchronous pattern is determined by the pattern determining means. With this configuration, it is possible to form various synchronous patterns using a plurality of patterns provided on the endless belt, and it is possible to widen the width of effects using the endless belt.

  Means 20. The above-mentioned means 17 includes pattern determining means (main controller 131) for determining which pattern is to be used to form a synchronous pattern among the plurality of types of patterns, and the pattern determining means is selected by the lottery means. A gaming machine characterized by selecting a winning pattern determined to be won by the lottery means as a pattern for forming the synchronous pattern when it is determined that

  According to the means 20, when the result of the lottery is a winning and a synchronized pattern is formed, the winning pattern is aligned in a predetermined combination to form a synchronized pattern. By making the synchronization pattern and the winning pattern correspond to each other, it is possible to teach the player the winning pattern. Therefore, it is possible for the player to operate the stop operation means so that the winning symbol is stopped in a combination that generates a situation or a scene advantageous to the player, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  Means 21. A gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 20, wherein the synchronous pattern forming unit forms the synchronous pattern so that the specific pattern can be viewed substantially simultaneously through the display window.

  According to the means 21, the synchronous pattern is formed such that the specific pattern forming the synchronous pattern can be viewed substantially simultaneously through the display window. With this configuration, the player can easily recognize that the synchronization pattern is formed even when the endless belt is rotating.

  Means 22. In any one of the above means 1 to 21, the driving means rotates the endless belt so that the pattern is viewed as if it moves downward from above through the display window. Each of the endless belts is disposed side by side, and the synchronous pattern forming means forms the synchronous pattern by aligning the specific pattern in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction.

  According to the means 22, the pattern is viewed as if it moves from top to bottom through the display window, and the synchronous pattern is changed from top to bottom in a state of being aligned horizontally or substantially horizontally. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the synchronous pattern visible for a long time from the display window as compared to the case where the synchronous pattern is aligned in a non-horizontal direction such as an oblique direction, for example. It is possible to improve the quality.

  Means 23. A gaming machine according to any one of the above means 1 to 22, wherein the display window is formed in a size such that a plurality of patterns can be visually recognized with respect to one endless belt.

  According to the means 23, since it is possible to visually recognize a plurality of patterns by one endless belt, it becomes easy to identify the patterns. Moreover, it is suitable also in the meaning of raising the visibility of a synchronous pattern.

  In addition, as a gaming machine to which each of the above-described means can be applied, "patterns after displaying a series of symbols consisting of a plurality of symbols (specifically, reels with symbols) are variably displayed (specifically, rotation of the reels) A variable display means (specifically, a reel unit) for displaying the columns in a fixed stop display is provided, and fluctuation of the pattern is started due to the operation of the starting operation means (specifically, the start lever). Specifically, the variation of the pattern is stopped due to the operation of the stop button) or when the predetermined time elapses, and the special game which is advantageous to the player as the necessary condition that the determined pattern at the time of the stop is the specific pattern A bonus device such as the occurrence of a state (bonus game, etc.) is given, and further, a ball receiving plate (upper plate, etc.) is provided, and an inserting device for performing an inserting process for taking game balls from the ball receiving plate Payment to pay out balls A gaming machine having a combination of a slot machine and a pachinko machine, such as a gaming machine having a device and configured such that the operation of the starting operation means becomes effective when the gaming ball is inserted by the inserting device. Can also be mentioned.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 opened, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the case 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the slot machine 10 is provided with a housing 11 forming an outer shell thereof. The housing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, a back plate 11c, a left side plate 11d, and a right side plate 11e formed in a wooden plate shape, and adjacent plates 11a to 11e are fixed by fixing means such as adhesion. Thus, it is formed in a box shape having an open front as a whole. Each of the plates 11a to 11e may be formed of a synthetic resin panel or a metal panel in addition to a wooden panel, or may be formed of a synthetic resin material or a metallic material into an integral box shape. You may The housing 11 configured as described above is attached by, for example, striking a so-called island facility at the time of installation in a game hall.

  A front door 12 as a front opening / closing door is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be openable / closable. That is, the left side plate 11 d of the housing 11 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 25 a and 25 b. The support shafts 25a, 25b are provided with a tapered shaft which protrudes upward. On the other hand, the front door 12 is provided with support fittings 26a and 26b provided with insertion holes into which the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted, corresponding to the respective support shafts 25a and 25b. Then, by arranging the support fittings 26a and 26b above the support shafts 25a and 25b and lowering the front door 12, the shaft portions of the support shafts 25a and 25b are inserted into the insertion holes of the support fittings 26a and 26b. It is assumed that the Thereby, the front door 12 is rotatably supported centering on an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the two support shafts 25a and 25b to the housing 11, and the front open side of the housing 11 is opened by its rotation It is configured to be able to be closed or closed.

  The front door 12 is in a non-openable locked state by a locking device provided on its back surface. Further, a key cylinder 20 which is an unlocking operation unit is provided at the upper right end side of the front door 12. The key cylinder 20 is integrated with the locking device, and is configured such that the locked state is released by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 20. Therefore, an outline of the lock mechanism including the lock device will be described.

  A locking device is provided on the back of the right end side of the front door 12, that is, the opposite side of the opening / closing axis of the front door 12. The locking device moves in the vertical direction with respect to the base frame, a base frame extending in the vertical direction and fixed to the front door 12, a key cylinder 20 provided to extend from the upper part of the base frame to the front of the front door 12, It has a long interlocking rod 21 assembled as possible. And only the key cylinder 20 is provided in the state which protruded the front of the front door 12 among locking devices. The position where the key cylinder 20 is provided is the thin top position of the front door 12, and as a result, a versatile key cylinder 20 with a short overall length can be employed. In the present embodiment, OMLOCK (trade name) having a high unauthorized unlocking function is used as the key cylinder 20. The interlocking rod 21 is moved downward by operating the key inserted into the key cylinder 20 clockwise. The interlocking hook 21 is provided with a pair of upper and lower hook fittings 22 having a hook shape, and when the front door 12 is closed with respect to the housing 11, the hook fitting 22 is a support fitting 23 on the housing 11 side. It is locked to the locked state. In addition, the wedge member 22 is provided with a biasing member such as a coil spring that biases to the side maintaining the locked state. When the key is operated clockwise with respect to the key cylinder 20, the interlocking rod 21 moves downward, and by moving the rod 22 against the biasing force of the biasing member, the rod 22 and the rod 22 The locked state with the support fitting 23 is released, and the locked state of the front door 12 with respect to the housing 11 is released. In addition, a door opening sensor 24 is provided on the back surface of the support fitting 23. The door opening sensor 24 detects that the locking state of the hook 22 and the support 23 is released, and a detection signal is output to the main controller 131 described later each time the detection is performed. Therefore, the main control device 131 can grasp whether or not the front door 12 is opened based on this detection signal.

  A game panel 30 for notifying the player of the game state is provided on the upper side of the center of the front door 12. The game panel 30 is formed so that three vertically long display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are arranged side by side. The display windows 31L, 31M, 31R are made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 is visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. The display windows 31L, 31M, and 31R may be integrated into one to be a common display window.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the housing 11 is divided into upper and lower parts by a partition plate 40, and a reel unit 41 constituting variable display means is attached to the upper part of the partition plate 40. The reel unit 41 includes a left reel 42L, a middle reel 42M, and a right reel 42R which are respectively formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R may be at least configured as an endless belt, and is not limited to a cylindrical (annular) shape. Each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is rotatably supported such that its central axis is the rotational axis of the reel. The rotational axes of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are disposed on the same axis extending substantially in the horizontal direction, and the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R correspond to the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R in a one-to-one manner. . Therefore, a part of the surface of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is visible through the corresponding display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. When the reels 42L, 42M, 42R rotate forward, the surface of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is projected as if it were moving from the top to the bottom through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R.

  The respective reels 42L, 42M and 42R are respectively connected to stepping motors 61L, 61M and 61R, and the respective reels 42L, 42M and 42R are individually, ie, independently, driven by the respective stepping motors 61L, 61M and 61R. And can be rotationally driven. Since each of these reels 42L, 42M, 42R has the same configuration, here, the left reel 42L will be described as an example based on FIG. 6 is an assembly perspective view of the left reel 42L.

  The left reel 42L is provided with a cylindrical frame member 50 forming a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound endlessly on the outer peripheral surface thereof. And it is stuck on the cylindrical frame member 50 via a pair of seal parts formed along the long side both sides of a belt so that the state where it was rolled may be maintained. A large number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The cylindrical frame member 50 and the belt may be integrally formed, and a design may be individually attached to the outer peripheral surface of the belt. In such a case, the integrally formed outer peripheral surface corresponds to an endless belt. A boss 51 is formed at the center of the cylindrical frame member 50, and is attached to the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L via a disc-shaped boss reinforcing plate 52. Accordingly, when the drive shaft of the left reel stepping motor 61L rotates, the cylindrical skeleton member 50 is rotated about its drive shaft so that the left reel 42L revolves along the annular reel surface. It has become.

  The left reel stepping motor 61L is fixed to a side surface of a motor plate 53 disposed upright in the reel unit 41 (FIG. 3) by a screw 54. The motor plate 53 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) 55 in which the light emitting element 55a and the light receiving element 55b are held at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the base end portion 56 b of the sensor cut bun 56 extending in the radial direction is fixed to the boss reinforcing plate 52 integrated with the left reel 42 L by a screw 57. The tip end portion 56 a of the sensor cut bun 56 is bent so as to be substantially perpendicular and aligned so as to be able to pass between the two elements 55 a and 55 b of the reel index sensor 55. Then, every time the left reel 42L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 55 detects the passage of the front end portion 56a of the sensor cut bun 56, and a detection signal is output to the main control device 131 described later each time. Therefore, the main controller 131 can confirm and correct the angular position of the left reel 42L every one rotation based on this detection signal.

  The stepping motor 61L is set to rotate once by giving a drive signal (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse, hereinafter the same) of 504 pulses, for example, and the rotational position of the stepping motor 61L, that is, the left by this excitation pulse. The rotational position of the reel 42L is controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, a plurality of, specifically, 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (surrounding direction). Therefore, it takes 24 pulses (= 504 pulses / 21 symbols) to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. And, by the number of pulses from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 55 is output, it can be recognized which symbol is in a visible state from the display window 31L or any symbol can be visually recognized from the exposure window 31L. It is possible to carry out control to set the status as normal.

  Of the symbols attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, the number of symbols visible in the whole through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R is mainly determined by the vertical length of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R It is limited to a predetermined number. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided. Therefore, when all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols are visible to the player.

  Here, the symbols attached to the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R will be described. FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of symbols drawn on a belt wound on each of the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R. As shown in the figure, 21 symbols are provided in a row on each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Although the numbers 1 to 21 are assigned corresponding to the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R, this is for convenience of description and is not actually attached to the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. . However, the following description will be made using the corresponding numbers.

  As the symbols, there are a "7" symbol (for example, the left belt twentieth) and a "youth" symbol (for example, the left belt nineteen) as a first special symbol for shifting to a big bonus game. In addition, there is a "BAR" symbol (for example, the 14th left belt) as a second special symbol for shifting to the regular bonus game. In addition, there is a "replay" symbol (for example, the 11th left belt) as a third special symbol for shifting to the replay game. In addition, the "watermelon" symbol (for example, the left belt ninth), the "bell" symbol (for example, the left belt eighth), the "cherry" symbol (for example, the left) There is a belt fourth). And as shown in FIG. 7, in the belts wound around the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R, the number and arrangement order of various symbols are completely different.

  The respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R of the reel unit 41 are an example of variable display means for variably displaying identification information, and constitute a main display portion. However, the variable display means may have a configuration other than this. For example, other mechanical reels may be used, such as rotating the belt instead of rotating it, and liquid crystal displays and dot matrix displays may be used instead of or in addition to the mechanical reels. It is also possible to provide one for variably displaying identification information by means of electrical display such as, and in this case, it is possible to make the display form have rich variations.

  A total of five combination lines, three in parallel in the lateral direction and two in diagonal direction, are attached to the game panel 30 so as to connect the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Of course, the maximum number of combination lines may be 6 or more, or may be less than 5, and the maximum number of combination lines may be changed according to a predetermined condition. The effective line display portions 32, 33, 34 are provided on the left side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R as viewed from the front corresponding to the respective combination lines. The first effective line display unit 32 is displayed and notified by lighting or the like when the center horizontal line (center line) of the combination lines is activated. The second effective line display unit 33 is displayed and notified by lighting or the like when the upper and lower horizontal lines (upper and lower lines) of the combination lines are activated. The third valid line display unit 34 is displayed and notified by lighting or the like when a pair of oblique lines (down-right line and up-right line) of the combination lines are activated. When a symbol is stopped in a predetermined combination on the activated combination line, that is, the activated line, a prize is awarded, and a predetermined medal payout process, a transition process to a specific game, and the like are executed.

  Here, the number of payouts for each symbol when winning will be described. With regard to the small character pattern, if the "watermelon" symbol is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line, 15 medals are paid out, and the "bell" symbol is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line In the case where eight medals are paid out and the "cherry" symbol on the left reel 42L is stopped on the effective line, two medals are paid out. That is, the "cherry" symbol of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R is irrelevant to the medal payout. In addition, in the case of the "cherry" symbol, medals are paid out independently of the combination with other symbols, so a plurality of effective lines of the left reel 42L overlap (specifically, upper or lower) " When the pattern of "cherry" is stopped, medals are paid out by multiplying the number of the overlapping effective lines, and as a result, four medals are paid out in the present embodiment.

  Also, for other symbols, if the “7” symbol or “youth” symbol, which is a combination of the first special symbol (big bonus symbol), is aligned with the left, middle and right on the active line with the same symbol Even if the "BAR" symbol, which is a combination of the 15 medal payouts and the second special symbol (regular bonus symbol), is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line, 15 medal payouts are also made. In addition, in this embodiment, although the case where a "7" symbol and a "cherry" symbol are simultaneously materialized may arise, for example, the medal payout in this case is 15 sheets. This is because the upper limit number in one medal payout is set to 15.

  Furthermore, when the "replay" symbol which is a combination of the third special symbol is aligned with the left, middle and right on the effective line, the medal payout is not performed. In other cases, that is, when the "cherry" symbol of the left reel 42L does not stop on the effective line, and when the same symbol as the left, middle or right does not align on the effective line, no medal is paid out.

  On the lower left side of the game panel 30, there is provided a start lever 71 operated to cause the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to start rotating simultaneously (not necessarily simultaneously). The start lever 71 constitutes start operation means or start operation means operated to start rotating the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, that is, to start variable display. The start lever 71 is a lever that the player manually presses to start the game and automatically returns to the original position after the player's hand is released. When the start lever 52 is operated while medals are inserted, the reels 42L, 42M, 42R start to rotate all at once.

  On the right side of the start lever 71, button-like stop switches 72, 73, 74 operated to individually stop the rotating reels 42L, 42M, 42R are provided. The respective stop switches 72, 73, 74 are disposed immediately below the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R corresponding to the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be stopped. The stop switches 72, 73, 74 constitute stop operation means operated to stop variable display based on the rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Each stop switch 72, 73, 74 can be stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed after the left reel 42L starts rotating, and a lamp (not shown) is turned on to display the stop during this state. It is informed that the operation is possible, and is turned off when the rotation is stopped.

  On the lower right side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, a medal insertion slot 75 for inserting a medal as an investment value is provided. The medal insertion slot 75 constitutes an input means for inputting an investment value. Also, focusing on the point that the medal insertion slot 75 involves an operation of inserting the medal directly by the player, it can be said to constitute a direct input means for directly inputting the investment value.

  The medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 is guided to either the storage passage 81 or the discharge passage 82 by a selector 84 provided on the back of the front door 12 as passage switching means. That is, the selector 84 is provided with the medal passage switching solenoid 83, which is on the discharge passage 82 side when the medal passage switching solenoid 83 is not excited, and is switched to the storage passage 81 at the time of excitation. The medal led to the storage passage 81 is led to the hopper device 91 housed inside the housing 11. On the other hand, the medal guided to the discharge passage 82 is guided from the medal discharge port 17 provided at the lower front of the front door 12 to the medal receiver 18 and returned to the player.

  The hopper device 91 as a payout means for awarding the medals to the player comprises a storage tank 92 for storing the medals and a payout device 93 for paying out the medals to the player. The payout device 93 discharges the medal to the opening 94 provided at the center right portion of the discharge passage 82 by rotating the medal payout rotary plate (not shown), and the medal to the medal receiver 18 through the discharge passage 82. Is supposed to pay out. Further, on the right side of the hopper device 91, a spare tank 95 is provided to prevent the medals of a predetermined amount or more from being stored in the storage tank 92. Inside the storage tank 92 of the hopper device 91, a guide plate 96 for discharging medals from the storage tank 92 to the spare tank 95 is provided. Therefore, when the medals are stored above the height at which the guide plate 96 is provided, the medals are stored in the spare tank 95.

  Below the medal insertion slot 75, a button-shaped return switch 76 is provided. The return switch 76 is a switch that is pressed when the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 75 is clogged in the selector 84. When the switch is pressed, the selector 84 is mechanically interlocked to operate. The medals packed in 84 are returned from the medal discharge port 17.

  On the lower left side of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R, a button-shaped first credit insertion switch 77 for inserting three credited virtual medals as investment value at a time is provided. Further, on the left side of the first credit insertion switch 77, a second credit insertion switch 78 and a third credit insertion switch 79 are provided as button-shaped switches smaller than the switch 77. The second credit insertion switch 78 is for inserting two credited virtual medals at a time, and the third credit insertion switch 79 is for inserting one virtual medal. Each of the credit insertion switches 77 to 79, together with the medal insertion slot 75, constitutes an input means for inputting an investment value. In addition, it should be noted that while the medal insertion slot 75 involves an operation of inserting a medal directly by the player, each of the credit insertion switches 77 to 79 involves an operation of inserting a virtual medal based on storage memory. It can be said that this constitutes an indirect input means for indirectly inputting investment value.

  Note that the first credit insertion switch 77 incorporates a lamp as a light emitting member (not shown) in order to promote that the maximum number of medals (three) that can be inserted per game is not reached. The lamp is turned on in a situation where the switch operation of the first credit insertion switch 77 is effective to urge the operation of the switch 77, but there is no credited virtual medal or there are already three medals inserted. It is turned off under the current situation. Here, instead of the above-mentioned lighting, the player may be made more understandable to prompt the player to insert a medal by blinking.

  On the left side of the start lever 71, a button-like changeover switch 80 is provided. The changeover switch 80 is turned on when it is pressed once, turned off when it is pressed again, and then switched on and off every time a pressing operation is performed. The changeover switch 80 is operated to change the handling type of inserted medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 75 more than necessary, and acquired medals returned to the player as a result of a predetermined game.

  When the changeover switch 80 is in the on state, the “credit mode is set such that surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (for example, 50 medals) or medals obtained at the time of winning are stored and stored as credit medals It becomes ". When the change-over switch 80 is in the OFF state, the "direct mode" is set such that a surplus inserted medal or an acquired medal at the time of winning is paid out as a real medal. When the credit mode is switched to the direct mode and there is a credit medal, the credit medal for that amount is paid out as a real medal. Thus, the player can play the game in a format according to his / her preference by switching between the credit mode and the direct mode. The changeover switch 80 constitutes a changeover operation means for switching the handling type of the insertion value and the gaming value. Also, focusing on the function of paying out the credited virtual medal as a real medal, it can be said that the changeover switch 80 constitutes a settlement operation means for actually paying out the stored and stored game value. In addition to being configured to switch between the "credit mode" and the "direct mode" by the operation of the changeover switch 80, it is always set as the "credit mode" and the virtual medal stored and stored is paid out when the changeover switch 80 is operated. It may be made to function as a settlement switch only.

  In the lower part of the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R of the game panel 30, the remaining number display unit 35 for displaying the number of medals activated and stored in the credit mode and special gaming states such as big bonus and regular bonus For example, a game number display unit 36 for displaying the number of remaining games and the like, and an acquired number display unit 37 for displaying the number of acquired medals are respectively provided. These displays 35 to 37 are constituted by 7-segment displays, but it is of course possible to substitute them by liquid crystal displays or the like.

  Here, the procedure of betting medals will be described. In any of the direct mode and the credit mode, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 75 at the start of the game, a bet is made.

  That is, when the first medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 75, the first effective line display section 32 is lighted, and the central line corresponding to this is the effective line, and the second medal is the medal insertion slot When it is inserted to 75, the second effective line display section 33 is further turned on, and a total of three combination lines including upper and lower lines corresponding thereto become effective lines, and the third medal is a medal. When it is inserted into the inlet 75, the third effective line display unit 34 is turned on, and all five combination lines including a pair of diagonal lines corresponding thereto are effective lines.

  When four or more medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 75, extra medals exceeding three are switched to the discharge passage 82 by the selector 84 if the mode at that time is the direct mode, and the medals It is returned from the discharge port 17 to the medal receiver 18. On the other hand, in the case of the credit mode, the money is saved in the slot machine and the number of saved money is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35. The upper limit number of sheets is determined (for example, 50), and when the number of medals exceeding that is inserted, it is returned from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal receiver 18.

  In addition, when a game is played in the credit mode and the number of stored sheets is displayed on the remaining number display unit 35, the virtual is also virtual when any of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed. A medal is inserted and it becomes a bet.

  When the third credit insertion switch 79 is pressed, the numerical value displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 is decremented by one as the virtual medal is inserted, and the first valid line display unit 32 It lights up and the center line becomes an effective line. When the second credit insertion switch 78 is pressed, two numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as two virtual medals are inserted, and the first valid line display unit 32 and The second valid line display unit 33 lights up, and a total of three combination lines become effective lines. When the first credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, three numerical values displayed on the remaining number display unit 35 are decremented as three virtual medals are inserted, and all the effective line display units 32 to 32. 34 lights up and a total of five combined lines become effective lines.

  In addition, when the virtual medal which should be inserted when one of the first to third credit insertion switches 77 to 79 is pressed is not stored, for example, when the display of the remaining number display unit 35 is 2, the first When the credit insertion switch 77 is pressed, etc., all numerical values in the remaining number display section 35 are decremented to 0 and bets are made for the virtual medals that can be inserted.

  In the upper part of the front door 12, an upper lamp 13 which lights and blinks with the progress of the game, and a pair of right and left which sound various sound effects and inform the player of the game state with the progress of the game The speaker 14 and the auxiliary display unit 15 for giving various information to the player are provided. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary display unit 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display for the purpose of diversification of display contents and thickening of display effects, but even if other displays such as a dot matrix display are used Good. The auxiliary display unit 15 is for executing various display effects with the progress of the game, and in the present embodiment, since the game by the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be considered to be by the main display unit It is called the auxiliary display unit 15. A display control device 111 for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15 is provided on the back surface of the auxiliary display unit 15. The positions and numbers of the upper lamps 13 and the speakers 14 are not limited to those described above.

  A lower plate 16 on which a model name and characters related to a game are displayed is mounted above the medal receiver 18. Further, on the left side of the medal receiver 18, an invertible ashtray 19 is provided on the lower side of the front side.

  A power supply box 121 is provided to the left of the hopper device 91 inside the housing 11. The power supply box 121 includes a power switch 122, a reset switch 123, a setting key insertion hole 124, and the like. The power switch 122 is a start switch for supplying power to the main controller 131 and other components.

  The reset switch 123 is a switch for resetting various states of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 has a backup function of various data, and maintains the state at the time of a power failure even in the event of a power failure, and returns to the state at the time of a power failure at recovery from power failure (power recovery). It can be done. Therefore, for example, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure as when the operation of the game hall is ended, the state before the interruption is stored and held, but when the power switch 122 is turned on while pressing the reset switch 123, the backup data is reset It has become so. If the reset switch 123 is pressed while the power switch 122 is on, the error state is reset.

  The setting key insertion hole 124 is used by a hole manager or the like to adjust the payout of medals. That is, the hole manager or the like can change the setting state (winning probability setting process) of the slot machine 10 from "setting 1" to "setting 6" by inserting the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 124 and operating it. It has become.

  A main controller 131 is attached to the back plate 11 c of the housing 11 above the reel unit 41. The main control unit 131 has a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores game programs, a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of a game, a port that communicates with various devices, time counting and synchronization. The main substrate is provided with a clock circuit and the like used in the case where it is intended, etc., and the main substrate is housed in a substrate box as a covering means made of a transparent resin material or the like. The substrate box includes a substantially rectangular box base and a box cover covering an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are unopenably connected by a sealing unit as sealing means, whereby the substrate box is sealed. The box base and the box cover may be connected unopenably using a key member.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The main controller 131 is mounted with a microcomputer having a CPU 151 as an arithmetic processing means. In addition to the power supply device 161 provided inside the power supply box 121, the CPU 151 is connected with a clock circuit 154 that outputs a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 155, and the like via an internal bus. The main controller 131 functions as a main base incorporated in the slot machine 10.

  On the input side of the main controller 131, a start detection sensor 71a for detecting the operation of the start lever 71, stop detection sensors 72a, 73a and 74a for individually detecting the operations of the respective stop switches 72, 73 and 74, and a medal insertion slot Switch to detect the operation of the inserted medal detection sensor 75a that detects medals inserted from 75, the credit insertion detection sensor 77a, 78a, 79a that individually detects the operation of each of the credit insertion switches 77, 78, 79, and the changeover switch 80 A detection sensor 80a, a door opening sensor 24 for detecting that the locking state of the hook 22 and the support 23 is released, a reel index sensor 55 for individually detecting the rotational position (origin position) of each reel 42, a hopper device Payout detection sensor 91a for detecting medals paid out from 91, reset switch Various sensors such as a reset detection sensor 123a for detecting the operation of 123 and a setting key detection sensor 124a for detecting that the setting key has been inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124 are connected, and the signals from these various sensors are input. The data is output to the CPU 151 via the output port 155.

  The inserted medal detection sensor 75a is actually composed of a plurality of sensors. That is, the storage passage 81 from the medal insertion slot 75 to the hopper device 91 is configured such that medals can pass in one row. Then, the first passage is provided in the storage passage 81, and the second sensor and the third sensor are in proximity to the downstream side further away than the width of the medal (the extent to which the state where the same medal is simultaneously detected in at least one time occurs) And the first to third sensors constitute an inserted medal detection sensor 75a. The main control unit 131 monitors the time from the first sensor to the second sensor, and when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, it is regarded as a medal jam or an error and is regarded as an error. If an error occurs, the error notification is performed and the operation by the player until the error is canceled is invalidated. The main controller 131 also monitors the order in which the second and third sensors are turned on and off, both the second and third sensors are off, only the second sensor is on, and both the second and third sensors are on. It is determined that the medals are taken in normally only when the third sensor is on and the second and third sensors are both off in this order, and the time to shift to each on / off switching is within a predetermined time. Otherwise, it is an error. This is done in order to prevent the fraud in which the medal is reciprocated near the inserted medal detection sensor 75a and misidentified as the medal insertion, in addition to the medal clogging in the storage passage 81.

  Further, a power failure monitoring circuit 161 b provided in the power supply device 161 is connected to the input side of the main control device 131 via the input / output port 155. The power supply unit 161 is mounted with a power supply unit 161a that supplies drive power to each electronic device of the slot machine 10, including the main control unit 131, and the above-described power failure monitoring circuit 161b.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 161b monitors the power-off state and generates a power failure signal at the time of power-off by the power switch 122 as well as at the time of power-off. Therefore, the power failure monitoring circuit 161b monitors the stabilized drive voltage of DC 12 volts in this example output from the power supply unit 161a, and determines that the power is shut off when the drive voltage decreases to, for example, less than 10 volts. And a power failure signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 151 and the input / output port 155, and the CPU 151 recognizes the power failure signal to execute power failure processing described later.

  Even when the output voltage drops to less than 10 volts, the power supply unit 161a is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts that is used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 131. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure by the main control device 131 is secured.

  On the output side of the main control unit 131, each of the valid line display sections 32, 33, 34, the remaining number display section 35, the number-of-games display section 36, the obtained number display section 37, and the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R are rotated. External stepping plate 61 capable of transmitting information to each stepping motor 61 (61L, 61M, 61R), medal passage switching solenoid 83 provided in selector 84, hopper device 91, display control device 111, hole management device not shown, etc. Etc. are connected via the input / output port 155.

  The display control device 111 is a control device for driving the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14, and the auxiliary display unit 15, and includes a substrate in which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like for driving them are integrated. Then, after receiving a signal from the main control device 131, the display control device 111 independently controls driving of the upper lamp 13, the speaker 14 and the auxiliary display unit 15. Therefore, the display control device 111 is a sub-base that executes auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 131 which is the main base that centrally manages the game. That is, by providing sub-bases for sounds, lamps, and displays regarding indirect game play, the burden on the main base is reduced. The display control device 111 may control the various display units 32-37.

  In the CPU 151 described above, a ROM 152 storing various control programs to be executed by the CPU 151 and fixed value data, and an operation of temporarily storing various data in executing the control program stored in the ROM 152 Aside from the RAM 153 for securing an area, although not shown, as well known, various processing circuits necessary in the slot machine 10 such as timer circuits and data transmission / reception circuits including an interrupt circuit as well known, a credit counter for counting the number of credits Etc. are built in. The ROM 152 and the RAM 153 constitute a main memory as storage means, and programs for executing the processes shown in the various flowcharts shown in FIG. 9 and the subsequent figures are stored in the ROM 152 as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 153 is configured to be able to receive (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 161 provided in the power supply box 121 even after the power supply of the slot machine 10 is shut off. In addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data, etc., a backup area is provided.

  In the backup area, when the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power outage, etc., the value of the stack pointer at the time of power shutoff (including the power shutoff by operating the power switch 122. The same applies hereinafter), values of each register, I / O etc This is an area for storing and when the power failure is canceled (including the power-on by the operation of the power switch 122. The same applies to the following), the state of the slot machine 10 before the power-off is based on the information of the backup area. It is possible to return to the state. The writing to the backup area is executed when the power is shut off by the power failure process (see FIG. 11), and the restoration of each value written to the backup area is executed in the main process (see FIG. 12) when the power is turned on. A power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 161b is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 151 at the time of power failure due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. NMI interrupt processing as flag generation processing is immediately executed.

  Subsequently, each control process executed by the CPU 151 in the main control device 131 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 18. The processing of the CPU 151 is roughly divided into main processing activated upon power-on, timer interrupt processing activated periodically (with 1.49 msec cycle in this embodiment), and NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). In the NMI interrupt process activated by the input of the power failure signal, for convenience of explanation, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described first, and then the main process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure monitoring circuit 161 b of the power supply device 161 generates a power failure signal and outputs it to the main control device 131. The main controller 131 that has received the power failure signal via the NMI terminal executes NMI interrupt processing.

  In the NMI interrupt process, first, at step S101, data of a use register provided in the CPU 151 is saved in a backup area provided in the RAM 153. Subsequently, in step S102, a power failure flag is set in the power failure flag storage area provided in the RAM 153. Thereafter, the data saved in the backup area of the RAM 153 in step S103 is restored to the use register of the CPU 151 again. The NMI interrupt processing ends with this return processing. When the power failure flag can be set without destroying the data of the usage register of the CPU 151, the save and restore processing to the backup area can be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process periodically executed by the main controller 131. The CPU 151 of the main controller 131 generates a timer interrupt every 1.49 msec, for example.

  First, in the register save process shown in step S201, the values of all the registers in the CPU 151 used in the normal process described later are saved in the backup area of the RAM 153. In step S202, it is confirmed whether or not the power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to step S203 to execute power failure processing.

  Here, the power failure process will be described with reference to FIG. Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register save process in the timer interrupt process, it can be performed without interrupting the other interrupt processes. Therefore, for example, during transmission processing of various commands, during reading processing of the state of the switch (on / off), etc., the processing upon power failure is not executed by interrupting each processing, and is executed at such timing. There is no need to create a program for power failure processing that also takes into account. As a result, the processing program for power failure processing can be simplified and the program capacity can be reduced. The same applies to a processing program for power recovery processing described later.

  In step S301, it is determined whether command transmission has ended. If the transmission has not ended, the present processing is ended to return to the timer interrupt processing, and the command transmission is ended. As described above, it is determined whether the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process, and if the transmission is not completed, priority is given to the transmission process, and the power failure process is executed after the unit command transmission process is completed. By doing this, it is not necessary to construct a power failure processing program which also takes into consideration that power failure processing is to be executed during command transmission. As a result, there is a benefit that the processing program for power failure can be simplified and the capacity of the ROM 152 can be reduced.

  If YES in step S301, that is, if the transmission of the command is completed, the process proceeds to step S302, and the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 151 is stored in the backup area in the RAM 153. Thereafter, in step S303, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared as stop processing, and the output state of the output port at the input / output port 155 is cleared to turn off all actuators not shown. In step S304, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area. Specifically, the RAM determination value is the 2's complement of the checksum at the work area address of the RAM 153. By storing the RAM determination value in the backup area, the checksum of the RAM 153 becomes zero. By setting the checksum of the RAM 153 to 0, the subsequent RAM access is prohibited in step S305. After that, it enters an infinite loop in preparation for completely shutting down the power supply and making processing impossible. In addition, for example, in consideration of the case where the power failure flag is erroneously set due to noise or the like, it is confirmed whether or not the power failure signal is output until the infinite loop is entered. If the power failure signal is not output, it means that the power failure state has been recovered, so writing to the RAM 153 is permitted and the power failure flag is reset to return to the timer interrupt processing. If the output of the power failure signal is continued, it enters an infinite loop as it is.

  The power supply unit 161a of the power supply device 161 holds the output of the stabilized voltage (5 volts) used as the drive voltage of the control system for a sufficient time to execute the above-described NMI interrupt process and power failure process. Are configured to In the present embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, when the power failure flag is not set in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed.

  That is, in step S204, the watchdog timer clear processing is performed to initialize the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of a malfunction. In step S205, interrupt termination declaration processing for issuing an interrupt permission to the CPU 151 itself is performed. In step S206, in order to rotate each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, a stepping motor control process of driving the stepping motors 61L to 61R, which are the respective spinning drum drive motors, is performed. In step S207, a sensor monitoring process is performed to monitor the states of various sensors (see FIG. 8) connected to the input / output port 155. When a detection signal from the door opening sensor 24 is received in the sensor monitoring process, a process of setting 1 in the door opening flag storage area of the RAM 153 is performed. In step S208, timer operation processing is performed to reduce the values of the counters and timers. In step S 209, a counter process is performed to output the result of counting the bet number of medals and the payout number to the external concentrated terminal plate 171.

  In step S210, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the display control device 111 is performed. In step S211, a segment data setting process is performed to set segment data to be displayed on each of the remaining number display unit 35, the game number display unit 36, and the acquired number display unit 37. In step S212, the segment data set in the segment data setting process is supplied to each of the display units 35 to 37 to perform segment data display process for displaying the corresponding numbers, symbols, and the like. In step S213, port output processing is performed to output data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 155. In step S214, the value of each register saved in the backup area in the previous step S201 is restored to the corresponding register in the CPU 151, respectively. Thereafter, in step S215, an interrupt permitting process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed, and the series of timer interrupt processes are ended.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing main processing in the main control unit 131 which is executed after the power is turned on. The main process is performed when power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or the on operation of the power switch 122.

  First, in step S401, as initialization processing, the value of the stack pointer is set in the CPU 151, and an interrupt mode for permitting interrupt processing is set, and then various settings for the registers in the CPU 151, I / O devices, etc. Etc.

  When these initialization processes are completed, it is next determined in step S402 whether the reset switch 123 is turned on. If the reset switch 123 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S403, and all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared as the RAM clearing process.

  After confirming that the reset switch has not been operated in step S402, or after performing the RAM clear process in step S403, it is determined in step S404 whether or not the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 124. Do. If the setting key is inserted, the process proceeds to step S405 to perform setting change processing. As the setting change process, first, all data stored in the RAM 153 is cleared. Then, after determining which setting state is selected out of six preset setting states (“setting 1” to “setting 6”), internal processing according to the selected setting state is executed. .

  In step S406, it is checked whether the power failure flag is set. If the power failure flag is not set, that is, if the data in the RAM 153 is cleared in the previous step S403 or step S405, the process proceeds to a normal process of step S407 described later, and the present process is ended.

  If it is determined in step S406 that the power failure flag is set, the process proceeds to the power recovery process shown in step S408 and subsequent steps. The fact that the power failure flag is set means that the subroutine processing such as the RAM clear processing of step S403 and the setting change processing of step S405 is not executed at all. Therefore, the data in the RAM 153 is not rewritten at all, and in the power recovery process, it is necessary to confirm whether the data in the RAM 153 or the like is normal.

  For this purpose, first, in step S408, it is checked whether the RAM determination value is normal. Specifically, the value of the checksum in the RAM 153 is checked, and it is confirmed whether the value is normal, that is, the value of the checksum added with the RAM determination value is 0 or not. If the value of the checksum added with the RAM determination value is 0, it is determined that the data in the RAM 153 is normal.

  If the RAM determination value is abnormal at step S408, that is, the checksum value is not 0, there is a high possibility that the data in the RAM 153 is destroyed. Therefore, in such a case, error display processing is performed in step S409. As an error display process, the interrupt process is first inhibited, and all the output ports in the input / output port 155 are cleared to control all the actuators connected to the input / output port 155 in the off state. Thereafter, an error display is provided to notify the hole manager or the like of the occurrence of an error, and this state is maintained until the reset switch 123 is turned on.

  If it is determined in step S408 that the RAM determination value is normal, the process proceeds to step S410, the value of the stack pointer stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 151, and the state of the stack is cut before the power is shut off. Return to the state. Next, in step S411, a power recovery command for notifying the execution of the power recovery processing is transmitted to the display control device 111. Thereafter, in step S412, the game state is hit down and the automatic settlement setting save process is performed, and in step S413, various sensors such as the start detection sensor 71a are initialized. After the above process is completed, the power failure flag is reset in step S414, and the process returns to the address before the power was turned off. Specifically, the process returns to the timer interrupt process described above, and the watchdog timer clear process (step S204) is executed.

  Next, normal processing for performing main control related to gaming will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether a medal has been betted. If a medal has been betted, it is then determined in step S502 whether the start lever 71 has been operated. If both step S501 and step S502 are YES, the lottery process of step S503, the reel control process of step S504, the medal payout process of step S505, and the special gaming state process of step S506 are sequentially executed, and the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, when the medal is not bet at step S501 or when the start lever 71 is not operated at step S502, the process returns to step S501.

  Next, the lottery process of step S503 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S601, based on the current setting state of the slot machine 10, the number of betted medals, the high / low probability of the small winning combination probability, and the like, a random number table for determination of success or failure is selected. Here, the setting state of the slot machine 10 is any of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number with the lowest winning probability of the winning combination in the case of “setting 1”. A table is selected, and when "setting 6", a random number table having the highest winning probability of combination is selected. Further, the number of medals betted is any one of 1 to 3, and a random number table is selected such that the winning probability of the winning combination becomes higher as the bet number is larger. For example, the winning probability of the winning combination when 3 bets are higher than three times the winning probability of the winning combination when 1 bet is made. Further, there are two types of small part probability, high and low, and when the current payout rate is below a predetermined expected value, a random number table with a high probability of winning a small part is selected, and when it exceeds a predetermined expected value A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In step S602, the random number table thus selected is illuminated with the random number latched by the random number counter when the start lever 71 is operated, and a lottery for a winning combination is performed. Then, in step S603, it is determined whether or not one of the winning combinations has been won, and if the winning combination has not been won, the present process is terminated. If one of the winning combinations is won, the process advances to step S604 to set a winning flag according to the winning combination and to determine an effective line for aligning the symbols. Also, if the winning combination is a big bonus such as the “7” symbol, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to perform synchronous fluctuation, which will be described later. Set Subsequently, in step S605, a slip table for controlling the reel stoppage is determined, and this is stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153. Here, if the symbol on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed is different from the symbol to be stopped on the effective line, the slip table is the predetermined symbol to be stopped. It is a table that defines how much to slide the reel so as to stop on the effective line of.

  Next, the reel control process of step S504 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the reel control process, first, a weight process is performed in step S701. This weight processing is processing for waiting without starting the rotation of the reel in the current game until a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of the rotation of the reel in the previous game. Therefore, even if the player bets medals and operates the start lever 71, the reels 42L, 42M, 42R may not rotate immediately. Following the weight processing, the reel rotation processing of step S702 is performed to rotate each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S703, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 8 seconds) has elapsed since the left reel 42L starts rotating, and if it has not elapsed, the process waits for the predetermined time to elapse. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S704, and it is determined whether or not one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed to generate a stop command for the reel, more specifically, from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a. It is determined whether an ON signal is received. That is, in the present embodiment, a period from the start of rotation of the left reel 42L to the passage of a predetermined time is set as an ineffective period, and even if the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed within this ineffective period. , The ON signals from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are invalidated. This is a device for suitably performing synchronization variation described later. If the stop command has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S705, and it is determined whether a predetermined maximum rotation time (for example, 40 seconds) of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R has elapsed. If the maximum rotation time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S704, and if the maximum rotation time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S706, and a forced stop process is performed to forcibly stop all reels in rotation sequentially.

  On the other hand, when one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed in step S704 and a stop command is generated, the process proceeds to step S707, and reel stop processing is performed. In this reel stop process, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop switch is stopped, but it is won in the lottery of the role, and if the winning flag is set, it is stored in the slip table storage area of the RAM 153 By referring to the slip table, it is controlled so that the winning combinations are arranged on the predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the stop switch is pressed at the timing when the "watermelon" symbol stops on the upper line, the symbol 2 is stopped to stop on the lower line. Slide the reels by one. However, since the range which can be slid is predetermined (for example, four symbols at maximum), the "watermelon" symbol may not stop on the lower line depending on the timing when the stop switch is pressed. Also in the forced stop process of step S706, when the winning flag is set, the same process is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switch has been pressed when all three reels are rotating. In the case of the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S709, and slip table change processing is performed. In this slip table change process, for example, it is determined whether combination of the combination occurs when trying to align the combination on the winning line which has won, and when combination of the combination does not occur, it proceeds to the next step as it is, When a combination of winning combination occurs, the winning line is changed to another valid line, and the slip line table is changed to match the new valid line, and then the process proceeds to the next step. Here, in the combination of the roles, for example, when trying to align the "watermelon" pattern on the upper line, a plurality of roles occur simultaneously as in the case where the "cherry" pattern appears on the lower line on the left reel Say the case. The slip table changing process may be performed other than when avoiding combination of roles.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S708 that the current stop command is not the first stop command, the process proceeds to step S710, and whether or not it is the second stop command, that is, one of three reels is stopped and two reels are rotated. At this time, it is determined whether or not the stop switch has been pressed. When it is the second stop command, the process proceeds to step S711, and the stop determination processing is performed. In this stop point determination processing, when two reels stop, it is determined whether or not the two are aligned with the bonus symbol such as “7” symbol, and if not aligned, the process proceeds to the next step as it is and is aligned. When there is an effect sound or the like from the speaker 14, the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether or not another condition other than two bonus symbols are aligned, or effects may be performed using the auxiliary display unit 15 in addition to the sound effect.

  Then, after the forced stop process of step S706, after the slip table change process of step S709, when the current stop command is not the second stop command in step S710, or the stop point determination process of step S711 is performed. Thereafter, in step S712, it is determined whether or not all rotations of the left, middle, and right reels 42L, 42M, 42R have stopped. If step S712 is NO, the process returns to step S704. If YES, the payout determination process is performed in step S713, and the process ends. In the payout determination process, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is aligned on the active line, and when the winning combination is not aligned on the active line, 0 is set in the expected payout number storage area of the RAM 153, and the winning combinations are aligned on the active line. If yes, it is determined whether or not the combination matches the winning combination, and if it does not match, an error is displayed by the upper lamp 13 or the like, and 0 is set in the expected payout storage area. If they match, the winning combination and the number of payouts corresponding to it are set.

  Next, the medal payout process of step S505 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the medal payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the number of payouts counted by the number-of-payouts counter in step S801 matches the planned number of payouts stored in the planned number of payouts storage area. If the number of payouts and the scheduled number of payouts do not match, it is determined in step S802 whether or not a game is being performed in the credit mode. If it is in the credit mode, it is determined in step S803 whether the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (the number of stored medals is 50). If the upper limit has not been reached, the count value of the credit counter and the number of payouts are incremented by one in step S804. As a result, the numbers of the remaining number display unit 35 and the obtained number display unit 37 are respectively incremented by one.

  On the other hand, when the game is being performed in the direct mode, or when the count value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit, the medal payout rotary plate is driven in step S805 to discharge medals from the hopper device 91 to the medal discharge port. Pay out to the medal receiver 18 through 17. At this time, in step S806, the number of payouts is incremented by one in accordance with the medal detection signal of the payout detection sensor 91a attached to the hopper device 91. As a result, the number of acquired number display unit 37 is incremented by one. Then, after incrementing the number of payouts by one in step S804 or step S806, the process returns to step S801 again. If it is determined in step S801 that the number of payouts agrees with the number of payouts, the medal payout rotary plate of the hopper device 91 is stopped in step S807, and the process ends. The number of payouts and the number-of-earnings display unit 37 are reset when the start lever 71 is operated next time.

  Next, the special game state process of step S506 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the description of the special game state process, the bonus game will be described. The regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as "RB") game is composed of 12 JAC games. The JAC game is a game in which only one bet is permitted, and is a game in which the probability that the JAC symbol (in this case, a replay symbol) is aligned on the effective line, that is, the probability of the JAC symbol being established is very high. When the JAC symbol is established in the JAC game, the maximum number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out. Then, when the JAC symbol is established eight times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches twelve 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 in which a small role is won with a high probability (a “bell” symbol etc. is aligned on the active line), and a JAC in means to enter 12 JAC games, a small role game When the JAC pattern is aligned on the effective line, JAC in is established. The JAC game is similar to the RB game. Also, when the third JAC-in JAC game ends, the BB game ends even before the small-combination game reaches 30 times, and when the 30 small-combination games end, before the JAC-in reaches three times Even if there is a BB game is over.

  In the special game state process, first, at step S901, it is determined whether or not the game state is a bonus game. If the bonus game is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S902, and a bonus symbol determination process is performed.

  In this bonus symbol determination process, as shown in FIG. 18, it is first determined whether or not the RB win flag is set in step S1001. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S1002, and the RB symbol on the current effective line is determined. It is determined whether or not (for example, "BAR" symbol) is aligned, and when the RB symbol is not aligned, the present process is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the RB symbol is aligned on the effective line this time, the RB winning flag is reset in step S1003 and the RB setting flag is set to set it as an RB game which is one kind of bonus game. RB game initial setting processing shown in FIG. To finish this process. If it is determined in step S1001 that the RB winning flag is not set, it is determined in step S1004 whether the BB winning flag is set. If not, the present process ends. If the BB winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1005, and it is determined whether or not the BB symbol (for example, symbol "7") is aligned on the active line this time. . On the other hand, when the BB symbol is aligned on the effective line this time, the BB winning flag is reset in step S1006 and the BB setting flag is set to set the BB game as one type of bonus game, and the BB game initial setting process shown in FIG. Execute and complete this process.

  In FIGS. 19 and 20, the remaining small combination game counter represents the number of remaining small combination games (also referred to as the number of remaining small combination games), and the remaining JAC in counter indicates the number of remaining JAC in possible times (the remaining JAC in times). The remaining JAC formation counter represents the number of times the JAC symbol can be established (also referred to as the remaining JAC formation number), and the remaining JAC game counter represents the number of remaining JAC games (also referred to as the remaining JAC game number). Represent. The number of remaining small winning combination games, the number of remaining JAC ins, the number of remaining JACs established, and the number of remaining JAC games are appropriately displayed on the number-of-games display section 36. By the way, when the small winning combination or the replay winning flag is set by winning the small winning combination or the replay in the lottery of the winning combination, these winning flags will not be aligned on the effective line of the small winning combination symbol or the replay symbol in the game. Is reset, but when the RB or BB winning flag is set by winning RB or BB in the lottery for the role, even if the RB symbol or BB symbol is not aligned on the effective line in the game The winning flag of will be carried over to the next time. In the lottery process in the next game carrying over the BB or RB winning flag, a lottery regarding whether or not a small winning combination or replay is won is performed, but a lottery regarding BB or RB is not performed. Further, when the small winning combination or the replay is won with the BB or RB winning flag carried over, the slip table is stored so that the small winning combination or the replay is preferentially arranged.

  Referring back to FIG. 17, when it is determined in step S901 that the gaming state is a bonus game, it is determined in step S903 whether the bonus game is a JAC game. If it is not a JAC game, it means that a small winning combination game of the BB game is being played, so the processing proceeds to step S904, and it is determined whether or not the JAC symbol is aligned on the effective line. When the JAC symbol is aligned on the effective line, the JAC game is started in step S905 and the JAC game initial setting process in the BB game of FIG. 20 (b) is performed, and this process is ended. On the other hand, when the JAC symbols are not aligned on the effective line in step S904, the small combination game is one game, so the number of remaining small combination games is decremented by 1 in step S906, and in step S907. It is determined whether the number of remaining small winning combination games has become 0 or not. If the number of remaining small winning combination games is not zero, the processing is terminated. If it is zero, the processing proceeds to step S908, where special processing state ending processing is performed to appropriately reset various setting flags, BB setting flags, various counters, etc. To complete this process.

  If it is determined in step S903 that the gaming state is a JAC game, the process proceeds to step S909 to determine whether the JAC symbol is aligned on the activated line, and when the JAC symbol is aligned on the activated line, the remaining JAC formation count is determined in step S910. 1 Decrement. Thereafter, or if the JAC symbols are not aligned on the effective line in step S909, it means that one JAC game has been consumed, so the number of remaining JAC games is decremented in step S911. Subsequently, in step S912, it is determined whether or not either the remaining JAC formation number or the remaining JAC game number has become 0, and when none has become 0, that is, the JAC symbol has not yet been established 8 times. If the JAC game has not been digested 12 times, this processing ends. On the other hand, when one of the JAC symbols has been established 8 times, or when the JAC game has been digested 12 times, since the JAC in has been digested once, the remaining JAC in has been dropped in step S913. The number is decremented by one, and it is determined in the following step S914 whether the remaining JAC-in count is zero. When it is 0, the special game state end process of step S908 described above is performed, and this process is ended. Incidentally, if the bonus game is an RB bonus, the initial remaining number of JAC ins is 1 (see FIG. 19), so it becomes 0 in step S913 and a positive determination is always made in step S914 and the special game of step S908. The RB setting flag is reset in the state end process.

  On the other hand, when the remaining JAC-in count is not zero in step S914, that is, when the JAC-in has not been consumed three times in the BB game, after performing the JAC game end processing of resetting the JAC game setting flag in step S915, the current JAC Since the small role game is consumed by one when the game is in, the number of remaining small portion games is decremented by 1 in step S906, and then it is determined in step S907 whether the number of remaining small portion games has become 0 or not. If it is determined that the number of remaining small winning combination games is 0, the special game state end processing of step S908 described above is performed, and the present processing is ended. On the other hand, when the number of remaining small winning combination games is not 0, the present processing is ended because the small winning combination games in the BB bonus have not reached 30 times and the JAC in has not reached 3 times.

  Next, the stepping motor 61 for rotating each reel 42 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 21 is a connection diagram showing the operation principle of the stepping motor 61. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor employing a 1-2 phase excitation system is used as the stepping motor 61. 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.

  The hybrid stepping motor 61 includes a rotor 62 disposed at the center, and first to fourth poles 63 to 66 disposed around the rotor 62.

  The rotor 62 is composed of a near side rotor 62a magnetized to an N pole and a far side rotor 62b magnetized to an S pole, and teeth (small teeth) and teeth provided around the near side rotor 62a. Between them, the teeth provided on the periphery of the rear side rotor 62b are attached to the rotation shaft in a state of being relatively shifted by 1/2 pitch so as to be located. And the cylindrical magnet which is not shown in figure is attached between the near side rotor 62a and the back side rotor 62b.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the exciting coil L0 and the exciting coil L2 are bifilar wound on the first pole 63 and the third pole 65, and the winding end of the exciting coil L0 and the winding start end of the exciting coil L2 are connected. A predetermined DC power supply + B (for example, +24 volts) is applied here. Similarly, the exciting coil L1 and the exciting coil L3 are also bifilar wound on the second pole 64 and the fourth pole 66, and the winding end of the exciting coil L1 and the winding start end of the exciting coil L3 are connected to each other. Power supply + B is applied.

  Here, an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L0 of the first pole 63, and the phase in which the first pole 63 is excited to the S pole and the third pole 65 is excited to the N pole is referred to as A phase. A phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the exciting coil L2 of the third pole 65 to excite the first pole 63 to the N pole and excite the third pole 65 to the S pole is referred to as reverse A phase. Similarly, the excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L1 of the second pole 64, the second pole 64 is excited to the S pole, and the fourth pole 66 is excited to the N pole. A phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the exciting coil L3 of the fourth pole 66 to excite the second pole 64 to the N pole and excite the fourth pole 66 to the S pole is referred to as reverse B phase.

  When the stepping motor 61 is a one-phase excitation drive system, the rotor 62 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by sequentially applying excitation signals to the A-phase, B-phase, reverse A-phase and reverse B-phase. It can be driven.

  That is, for example, when electricity is first applied to the A phase, the projection of the first pole 63, which is the S pole, the teeth of the near side rotor 62a, and the projection of the third pole 65, which is the N pole, and the teeth of the back side rotor 62b, respectively. When the suction force faces each other and the B phase is energized next, the protrusion of the second pole 64 which has become the S pole, the teeth of the near side rotor 62a, and the protrusion of the fourth pole 66 which has become the N pole and the teeth of the back side rotor 62b. When the power is applied to the reverse A-phase, the projection of the first pole 63 which has become the N pole, the teeth of the back side rotor 62b, the projection of the third pole 65 which has become the S pole and the front side The teeth of the rotor 62a face each other by suction, and then, when the reverse B phase is energized, the protrusion of the second pole 64 which has become the N pole, the teeth of the back side rotor 62b, and the fourth pole 66 which has become the S pole. The projection and the teeth of the near side rotor 62a Face by the suction force. By exciting in this order, the rotor 62 rotates clockwise in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a 1-2 phase excitation drive in which 1 phase excitation and 2 phase excitation are alternately performed is adopted. In the 1-2 phase excitation drive, excitation is performed according to the following excitation sequence (excitation sequence) of (1) to (8).

  That is, since only one set of excitation is single-phase excitation and two-phase excitation is simultaneous excitation of two phases, as shown in FIG. (1 phase excitation), (2) energize to both A phase and B phase (2 phase excitation), and so on, (3) energize to B phase, (4) to both B phase and reverse A phase Energize, (5) energize reverse A phase, (6) energize both reverse A phase and reverse B phase, (7) energize reverse B phase, (8) both reverse B phase and A phase And then return to (1). In the present embodiment, since the reel is configured to rotate once by the drive signal of 504 pulses, the angle change based on the drive signal of 1 pulse, that is, the angle change per step is about 0.714 °.

  The drive signal (drive signal data) for the stepping motor 61 is given to the motor driver 67 as excitation data shown in FIG. The excitation data is stored in the RAM 153 of the main control unit 131, and appropriate excitation data is output to the input / output port 155 by timer interrupt processing. An excitation phase for the stepping motor 61 is determined by the excitation data, and an excitation signal (current) is supplied to the excitation phase.

  At the start of rotation, that is, at the time of initial excitation, if the above-described excitation order is incorrect, the excitation interval is short, or the excitation interval is extremely irregular, in some cases, step out or rotation becomes unstable. Here, the excitation interval is the write interval of data to the output port at the input / output port 155, which means the output interval of the excitation data from the output port at the input / output port 155.

  Now, in the case where the stepping motor 61 (61L, 61M, 61R) is used as a spinning drum drive motor of the slot machine 10, a drive characteristic as shown in FIG. 23 is required.

  The driving characteristics can be roughly classified into an acceleration period Ta from when the start lever 71 is operated to when the stepping motor 61 starts rotation to a constant constant speed rotation and a constant speed rotation period (constant speed period). The rotation period is divided into a maintenance period Tb in which the rotational speed is maintained until the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed and a stop period Tc in which the rotation is stopped with a predetermined slip based on the press operation of the stop switches 72 to 74. Be

  There is no restriction on the length of the acceleration period Ta, but the restriction that the time including the acceleration period Ta and the sustain period Tb when the stop switches 72 to 74 are not operated should be 30 seconds or more. ing. Also for the stop period Tc, it is required to fix the excitation phase of the rotary drive motor (stepping motor 61) within about 190 msec at maximum after operating the stop switches 72 to 74.

  Here, it is desirable to shift the stepping motor 61 from the acceleration state to the constant speed rotation state as soon as possible. In order to do so, it is sufficient to speed up the interrupt to the excitation phase to the stepping motor 61 (which means switching from one phase excitation to two phase excitation and switching from two phase excitation to one phase excitation which is excitation phase). As a result, it may cause instability or instability of rotation. Therefore, it is necessary to perform optimal interrupt processing within the range that does not involve such a concern.

  In the present embodiment in which the excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil by interrupt processing, it is necessary to set an appropriate interrupt timing for the excitation phase. Therefore, the excitation state is fixed by the same excitation phase until the rotational vibration of the rotor 62 during acceleration of the motor is suppressed.

  Basically, it is considered that it is difficult to eliminate the step out and the instability of the rotation unless the initial excitation (the excitation at the initial speed of zero) is maintained to some extent. This is related to the convergence degree of the rotational vibration of the rotor 62 (minute vibration with reciprocation) which occurs when the teeth of the rotor 62 are attracted to the projections of the poles 63 to 66 at the time of initial excitation. Although it differs depending on the inner shears of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, according to the experiment, the rotor 62 stopped after 5 to 6 reciprocations of one reciprocation (cycle) were repeated in 30 msec. Therefore, it has been found that, in order to perform the acceleration process while eliminating the rotational shake, at least the time of 150 to 180 msec is required after the initial excitation as the time for fixing in the same excitation phase. Therefore, a time exceeding this time may be set as an initial excitation holding period for fixing the initial excitation phase. In this embodiment, since the timer interrupt is set to 1.49 msec, the initial excitation holding period is set to 193.7 msec (= 1.49 msec × 130 interrupts). Note that 180.29 msec (= 1.49 msec × 121 interrupts) may be set as the initial excitation holding period, as long as it exceeds 180 msec. In the initial excitation holding period, excitation data for an excitation signal (for example, excitation data 09H indicated in the excitation order 2) (H is a hexadecimal display) is continuously output from the input / output port 155 to the motor driver 67 in FIG. .

  Of the acceleration period Ta, assuming that the acceleration period in which the initial excitation is performed is a first acceleration period and the acceleration period up to the constant speed rotation is a second acceleration period, for example, as shown in FIG. In the acceleration period, interrupt processing to the excitation phase of the excitation signal is frequently performed to reach constant speed rotation.

  Here, it is a problem whether the excitation phase of the initial excitation is one-phase excitation or two-phase excitation. The initial excitation needs to rotate the rotor 62 with a high torque, and the excitation phase of the initial excitation is preferably a two-phase excitation in which a higher torque can be obtained than the one-phase excitation. This is due to the following reasons.

  First, in a hybrid (HB) two-phase stepping motor adopting a 1-2 phase excitation system as a stepping motor, two-phase excitation can be considered as an initial excitation phase during acceleration, in addition to one-phase excitation. One-phase excitation drives only a specific excitation phase, and this one-phase excitation obtains rotational torque at the initial speed. On the other hand, the two-phase excitation simultaneously drives two specific excitation phases, and the rotational torque at the initial speed is obtained by the two-phase excitation. Although it differs depending on the size of the reel, the inertia, etc., it is possible to accelerate the reel from the initial speed zero with one phase excitation in a normal slot machine. However, in the case of one-phase excitation, since the rotational torque generated is smaller than that in two-phase excitation, a sufficient initial speed may not be obtained. The two-phase excitation is preferable for the initial excitation, because the possibility of the step-out is high if a sufficient initial velocity can not be obtained. Further, the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are slipped and stopped by a predetermined step angle until the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are braked based on the pressing operation of the stop switches 72-74. When sliding and stopping, it is necessary to perform the next acceleration processing while absorbing the deviation of this angle, and it is preferable that the electromagnetic attraction force at the initial excitation be as large as possible. In the case of two-phase excitation, since the electromagnetic attraction force is larger than that of one-phase excitation, it is possible to quickly absorb the rotational shake associated with this angular deviation. Taking the above into consideration comprehensively, two-phase excitation is preferable to one-phase excitation for initial excitation.

  A timing example as shown in FIG. 25 is preferable as an interrupt timing to reach a predetermined rotation speed in a short time up to a predetermined rotation speed within the second acceleration period when initial excitation is set to two-phase excitation. Further, as the two-phase excitation as the initial excitation, the earliest excitation order 2 can be selected among the excitation orders shown in FIG. Of course, depending on the excitation phase when the rotation is stopped, the excitation order may be different (excitation order 4, excitation order 6 or excitation order 8). After the excitation signal is applied in synchronization with the interrupt timing every 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, but as the interrupt timing to the excitation phase, in other words as the holding period of the phase excitation, as shown in FIG. The excitation holding period of the excitation is finely controlled. In this example, when the second acceleration period is entered, one-phase excitation following two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and the next two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts, so that interrupts become gradually shorter. The excitation time is set to 0 to gradually reduce the excitation time, and finally it is set to be a normal 1-2 phase excitation in which the excitation phase is sequentially switched at the minimum interrupt interval. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, 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 The interrupt interval is one interrupt. Thus, high-speed acceleration processing can be realized in a short time by gradually shortening the interrupt processing timing in the second acceleration period as approaching constant speed rotation, and a smooth transition to constant speed rotation Becomes possible. The second acceleration period shown in FIG. 25 is an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 317.370 msec, and when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to a time different from this, It goes without saying that the second acceleration period is selected according to the time and interrupt processing different from that in FIG. 25 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, in the acceleration period, when the “7” symbol passes through the range visible from the display window, the “7” symbol of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is horizontally aligned and until Varying synchronization variations occur at a slower rate than the rate of. In order to carry out this synchronous fluctuation, another type of table provided with a second acceleration period different from that of FIG. 25 is provided as the acceleration period Ta, and such a configuration is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 26 shows an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 329.29 msec (221 interrupts). In this example, when the second acceleration period is entered, one-phase excitation following two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and the next two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts, so that interrupts become gradually shorter. 25 is the same as the data shown in FIG. 25 in that the excitation time is gradually shortened by setting to three, and the excitation order for acceleration order 18 to 24 is performed for three interrupts, and the acceleration order 25 ie the last excitation is two interruptions. It is different from doing for a minute. Similarly, FIG. 27 is an example when the entire acceleration period Ta is set to 412.73 msec (277 interrupts), and excitation of the acceleration orders 5 to 25 in the second acceleration period may be performed for six interrupts. It is different. Therefore, the acceleration processing based on FIG. 25 has the largest acceleration, and the acceleration processing based on FIG. 27 has the smallest acceleration.

  Now, returning to the explanation about the drive characteristics of the stepping motor 61, when stopping the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, as described above, the slip processing (rotation processing for 1 to 4 symbols) and the brake processing are performed for a predetermined time ts It is necessary to carry out within (= 190 msec). When performing the braking process, four-phase excitation is performed immediately after performing two-phase excitation. When the braking process is performed only by the two-phase excitation, the rotation speed may be sharply reduced by the strong braking force, and the rotation may be irregular. However, by performing four-phase excitation immediately after two-phase excitation, the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R can be smoothly stopped without disturbing the rotation. In addition, since it is easier to identify the rotational position when two-phase excitation is performed than one-phase excitation, it is possible to improve the stop position accuracy by performing four-phase excitation immediately after the two-phase excitation.

  The generation process of the drive signal for driving the stepping motor 61 described above is performed in the timer interrupt process periodically issued to the CPU 151. As drive signals, excitation data (see FIG. 24) according to the excitation order stored in the RAM 153 is used, and according to the excitation order, excitation data corresponding to the motor driver 67 is supplied. Therefore, the excitation data stored in the RAM 153 is read from the RAM 153 each time a timer interrupt occurs, and is written to the output port of the input / output port 155. The excitation data written to the input / output port 155 is immediately supplied to the motor driver 67, whereby the corresponding excitation coils L0 to L3 are energized.

  Here, the control related to the rotation of the reel performed by the main controller 131, specifically, the reel rotation process (step S702 in FIG. 15) performed in the reel control process of the normal process and the timer interrupt process The stepping motor control process (step S206 in FIG. 10) will be described. For convenience of explanation, the stepping motor control process will be described first, and then the reel rotation process will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart related to the stepping motor control process.

  When the initialization process related to the control of the stepping motor 61 is completed in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102, and a drive signal for rotation control for the stepping motor 61 which is mainly a drive motor as the motor control process (specifically described later) Since the excitation data is generated, the generation processing of the excitation data (hereinafter referred to as excitation data) is performed, and the generated excitation data is temporarily stored in the RAM 153. In the motor control process, besides the generation process of the excitation data, the offset process of the symbol, the update process of the symbol number, and the like are performed.

  The excitation data generation process (rotational data acquisition process from the RAM 153) for the rotation control is sequentially performed on each of the reels 42L, 42M, and 42R. The excitation data generation process for one reel, for example, the left reel 42L, is performed using the rotation control data (described later) for the left reel 42L provided in the work area of the RAM 153, and when the generation process is completed. Then, transition is made to a process of generating excitation data for the next reel, for example, the middle reel 42M. Therefore, in step S1103, transition processing (address change processing) to the next work area is performed by software, and in the subsequent step S1104, it is checked whether excitation data generation processing for all reels has been completed. If the process of generating excitation data for all the reels has not been completed, the process returns to step S1102, and the process of generating excitation data for the remaining reels is performed.

  If the rotation control process for all three reels 42L, 42M, 42R, that is, the excitation data generation process is finished, the process proceeds to step S1105, and the data stored in the RAM 153 for each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. The excitation data is output to the input / output port 155.

  Since the output to the input / output port 155 is a process of writing data to the corresponding output port of the input / output port 155, the excitation data is supplied to the motor driver 67 simultaneously with the writing of the excitation data to the input / output port 155. It will be. As a result, the stepping motor 61 immediately conducts the energization process to the excitation phase designated by the excitation data, and the rotor 62 is subjected to the excitation process.

  FIG. 29 shows a specific processing example of the motor control processing S1102 described above. In this motor control processing, at least a weight timer, an acceleration counter, and an excitation order pointer (software processing using the RAM 153) are used.

  Here, assuming that one timer interrupt period is a unit excitation time T, the number of timer interrupts (excitation time) in the same excitation mode is set in the wait timer. The example is shown in FIGS. In the first acceleration period, the two-phase excitation mode (acceleration order 1) is continuously executed for 130 units, that is, for 130 interrupts. Therefore, the wait timer is set to 130. Similarly, for example, in the second acceleration period, in the order of acceleration 2, since the 1 phase excitation mode is continuously executed over 8 units (= 8 interrupts = 8 excitation times), the weight timer is 8 and so on. It is set.

  The acceleration counter is for specifying the acceleration order in FIGS. The acceleration process is composed of a 25-step excitation pattern (acceleration order 1 to 25). In order to designate a specific acceleration position, the initial value of the acceleration counter is originally “24” or “0”, as it is sufficient to designate counter values from “0” to “24”. The initial value set to the acceleration counter is "25". Details will be described later.

  Since each data in FIGS. 25 to 27 is tabulated and stored in the ROM 153, these may be referred to as excitation time and acceleration counter tables. In the following description, the data shown in FIG. 25 will be referred to as the “high speed table”, the data shown in FIG. 26 as the “medium speed table”, and the data shown in FIG. 27 as the “low speed table”.

  The excitation order pointer is a pointer used when determining the excitation phase for the stepping motor 61 shown in FIG. When the stepping motor 61 of 1-2 phase excitation is used, 1 phase excitation and 2 phase excitation are performed alternately, and the phase excitation pattern at that time becomes eight patterns as shown in FIG. Which excitation data is acquired as output excitation data at which phase excitation and which is temporarily stored in the RAM 153 is designated by the value (0 to 7) of the excitation order pointer.

  The value of the excitation order pointer at the start of rotation is different depending on which pattern the excitation phase used when the stepping motor 61 is stopped immediately before is used, although the details will be described later. During rotation, the value of the excitation order pointer is sequentially updated and used.

  Subsequently, motor control processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 29 in relation to the operation of the start lever 71 and the stop switches 72 to 74. The following description is a processing example for the stepping motor 61 for controlling one reel.

  First, processing in a state where the start lever 71 is not operated will be described.

  The value of the wait timer before the start lever 71 is operated is zero, and the value of the acceleration counter is also zero. Therefore, in the process of determining whether or not the wait timer in step S1201 is 0, an affirmative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S1211. In step S1211, it is determined whether the value of the acceleration counter is not 0. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S1212. In step S1212, the output excitation data is set to "0", and the process ends. Therefore, the stepping motor 61 remains stopped until the start lever 71 is operated.

  Next, processing associated with the operation of the start lever 71 will be described.

  The operation of the start lever 71 is detected in the normal process (step S502 in FIG. 13). When the operation of the start lever 71 is detected, the value of the acceleration counter is set to "25" in the reel rotation process described later.

  Even if the start lever 71 is operated, the value of the weight timer is 0, so in this case as well, after step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1211, and the value of the acceleration counter is determined. Since the value of the acceleration counter is set to "25", in this case, the value of the acceleration counter is decremented by 1 in step S1221. In step S1222, it is determined again whether the value of the acceleration counter is not zero. Since the value of the acceleration counter at this time is "24", the process advances to step S1231 to refer to the contents of the excitation time at the value "24" of the acceleration counter from the acceleration counter table corresponding to the synchronous speed flag described later Is set as the wait timer. In the present embodiment, the high speed table, the medium speed table, and the low speed table correspond to the first acceleration period. Therefore, "130" is set as the excitation time.

  When the process of setting the wait timer is completed, an update process is performed to increment the excitation order pointer by one in step S1232. Then, in step S1233, excitation data corresponding to the value of the excitation order pointer updated (in this example, "5") is acquired from the table shown in FIG. 24, and the excitation data (06H) is obtained for the left reel 42L. It is stored in the RAM 153 as output excitation data. The stored excitation data is simultaneously output to the input / output port 155 as shown in FIG. 28 after acquiring excitation data for the stepping motors for the other reels.

  Thereafter, the value of the symbol offset is updated in step S1234, and processing for detecting one rotation of the reel by the reel index sensor 55 shown in step S1235 and the subsequent steps is performed. Among these, steps S1244 and S1245 are reel abnormality processing, and are processing when the reel does not rotate normally despite the application of the excitation data, and steps S1251 to S1254 are rotation with respect to the stepping motor 61. It is stop processing (brake processing).

  As these processes will be described later, if the motor acceleration process is normal, the above-mentioned steps S1244 to S1254 are skipped, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the start lever 71 is operated, the counter value “25” is set in the acceleration counter, and the stepping motor 61L, 61M, 61R corresponding to each of the three reels 42L, 42M, 42R is a motor. Each excitation data for starting is supplied and each rotor 62 starts. At the next timer interrupt time, the motor control process is called again. The process at this time will be described next.

  In this case, since the value of the wait timer is "130", the process proceeds to step S1202, a subtraction process of decrementing the value of the wait timer by 1 is performed, and the process returns to the timer interrupt. As a result, the values of the acceleration counter and the excitation order pointer hold the same values as in the previous timer interrupt. That is, the motor acceleration process by the same excitation phase (two-phase excitation in this example) is continued. The motor acceleration process using the same excitation phase is continuously performed for a total of 130 interrupts, and the wait timer is subjected to a subtraction process each time the timer interrupt occurs. As a result, when 130 interrupts are performed, the value of the wait timer becomes zero.

  On the other hand, the value of the acceleration counter does not change at all during this first acceleration period. When the interrupt 130 is completed and the value of the wait timer becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S1221 via step S1211 to subtract the acceleration counter. Thereafter, in steps S1222 and S1231, the excitation time corresponding to the value "23" of the acceleration counter decremented by 1 is acquired from the tables of FIGS. 25 to 27 (8 interrupts), and the acquired value of the excitation time (= 8 Set) to the wait timer. In steps S1232 to S1234, the value of the excitation order pointer is incremented by 1 to "6", and zero-time data "02H" (one-phase excitation) corresponding to the value "6" of the excitation order pointer is used as the output excitation data. Store in Thereafter, the same output excitation data acquisition process is performed for the other reels 42M and 42R, and the output excitation data is input and output when the output excitation data acquisition process for all the reels 42L, 42M and 42R is completed. It outputs to port 155, respectively, and starts processing for the second acceleration period. Therefore, at the beginning of the second acceleration period, one phase excitation is continuously performed for eight interrupts.

  The first of the second acceleration period is processing corresponding to acceleration order 2 (see FIGS. 25 to 27). When eight timer interrupts are completed in the acceleration processing in this acceleration order 2 (YES in step S1201), the value of the acceleration counter is further decremented in step S1221. Then, the excitation data "03H" in which the value of the excitation order pointer becomes "7" is read out from the table of FIG. 24, and this time continuous acceleration processing for seven interruptions is performed by two-phase excitation.

  Since the acceleration process is performed during the second acceleration period while sequentially subtracting the acceleration counter in this manner, the value of the acceleration counter eventually becomes "0". If the value of the acceleration counter becomes “0” due to the subtraction process in step S1221, a negative determination is made in step S1222, and the process proceeds to step S1223. In step S1223, processing is performed to set the value of the acceleration counter to "1". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1231, and a value corresponding to the excitation time corresponding to the value "0" of the acceleration counter subtracted at step S1221 is set in the wait timer. Thereafter, in steps S1232 and S1233, the excitation order pointer is updated, and in this example, the excitation data "01H" corresponding to the pointer "0" is read out from the table of FIG. 24 and set as output excitation data. Therefore, when the value of the acceleration counter in step S1221 becomes "0", excitation is performed for only one timer interrupt when referring to the high-speed table, and twice when referring to the medium-speed table. Excitation is performed for the timer interrupt, and when the low speed table is referred to, excitation is performed for the six timer interrupts.

  Even if the value of the acceleration counter is "0" in step S1221, the value of the acceleration counter is "1" in the process of step S1223. Therefore, in the next timer interrupt process, in the next process step of the acceleration order 25 (FIGS. 25 to 27) which is the excitation order, the process proceeds to step S1221 via step S1211, and the acceleration counter subtraction process is performed again. As a result, the value of the acceleration counter becomes “0” again, so in step S1231 the excitation time corresponding to the acceleration order 25 of FIGS. 25 to 27 is set again to the wait timer. Further, as a result of the excitation order pointer being updated to “1” in the process of step S1232, the excitation phase is switched to two-phase excitation.

  That is, from the timer interrupt process following the acceleration order 25, addition and subtraction processes of the acceleration counter "0" and "1" are alternately repeated in steps S1221 and S1223, while in step S1231 the acceleration counter "0" is always performed. Set the excitation time for the wait timer. Further, since the excitation data is updated each time in steps S1232 and S1233, the stepping motor 61 is in a rotation mode in which one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated. This is nothing other than constant speed processing, in other words, when the excitation processing proceeds to the acceleration order 25, after that, transition to the constant speed rotation mode is made. Therefore, the rotation speed in the constant speed rotation mode will differ depending on the acceleration table referred to, and the highest rotation speed will be obtained if the high speed table is referenced, and the slowest rotation speed if the low speed table is referenced. It becomes.

  Next, processing associated with the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 will be described.

  Now, when the player operates the optional stop switches 72 to 74 to stop the reels 42L, 42M, 42R in the constant speed rotation mode, the rotation of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is performed by the following processing. Stop.

  Before the rotation stop processing, the symbol offset and the symbol number will be described. When the excitation data is acquired in step S1233, the symbol offset value is updated in steps S1234 and S1235, and the rotation detection process of the reel by the reel index sensor 55 (see FIG. 6) is performed. In step S1235, it is checked whether the reel index sensor 55 has detected the passage of the sensor cut bun 56 or not. If the passage of the sensor cut-off 56 is detected, this means that the reel has made one rotation, so the process proceeds to step S1236, and the values of the symbol offset counter and the symbol number counter are reset to zero.

  The symbol numbers indicate the symbol numbers in serial numbers, and a total of 21 symbols are prepared, so the symbol numbers take values of "0" to "20". In the numbers given for convenience of explanation in FIG. 7, “1” corresponds to symbol number “0”, and “21” corresponds to symbol number “20”. The symbol offset is a value obtained by equally dividing one symbol into 24 in the rotational direction of the reel, and takes a value of “0” to “23”. When the value of the symbol offset becomes "24", it is checked in step S1241 and proceeds to step S1242 to update the symbol number and reset the value of the symbol offset to 0.

  By the way, even if the brake is applied, the rotor 62 is slipped, so it slides by 3 to 4 steps and stops. As described above, it is preferable to use two-phase excitation as the excitation phase at motor start-up, and operate the stop buttons 72 to 74 so that the brake is started immediately after the two-phase excitation, that is, at the one-phase excitation timing. It is necessary to grasp the motor stop timing (reel stop timing) regardless of the timing.

  Therefore, as a process after updating the symbol number or resetting the symbol offset in step S1242, a processing step of determining the reel stop timing as in step S1251 is provided. In step S1251, it is determined whether the excitation phase currently being output is two-phase excitation, and the symbol offset value is in a range not exceeding the predetermined offset value. Here, whether or not the current excitation phase is two-phase excitation may be referred to the value of the excitation order pointer, and whether or not a predetermined offset value is exceeded may be referred to the symbol offset value. The reason for considering the symbol offset value is that as the symbol offset value increases, the relative deviation of the symbol position with the adjacent reel at the time of stop increases. In human discrimination power, when the offset is 4 or more, the shift of the symbol can be clearly recognized. Therefore, it is necessary to execute the rotation stop process when the symbol offset value is 4 or less.

  Therefore, when this condition is not satisfied (NO in step S1251), the present process ends, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. When the reel stop condition is satisfied (YES in step S1251) and any one of the stop switches 72 to 74 is pressed, the current symbol number and the symbol number of the stop symbol set in step S1252 Make a comparison. If the two symbol numbers do not match, the present processing is ended and the processing returns to the timer interrupt processing. However, when the two symbol numbers match, the processing proceeds to step S1253, and the brake setting processing is performed. In addition, the stop symbol said here means the thing of the symbol corresponding to the part drawn when the start lever 71 was operated.

  In the brake setting process, setting process of brake excitation data is performed. In this embodiment, setting is performed so that four phases are excited simultaneously. Also, set the brake time in the weight timer. In the present embodiment, 159 interrupts (= 236.91 msec) are set as the brake time, and "159" is set in the weight timer. In addition to this, the acceleration counter is reset (= 0). When the weight timer is set to the above value (= 159), the processing of steps S1201 and S1202 is performed for 159 interrupts, and during that time, the rotor 62 is completely stopped by continuously outputting the brake excitation data.

  When the brake setting process ends, in step S1254, adjustment processing is performed on the excitation order pointer used at the next rotation. The adjustment processing of the excitation order pointer takes into account the slip of the rotor 62. As described above, when the braking process is performed, the rotor 62 almost slips for about 3 to 4 steps and then stops. Therefore, when braking is performed with the excitation order pointer "0" shown in FIG. 24, for example, It is estimated that the rotor 62 is stopped at the position of the excitation order pointer "4". Therefore, as the adjustment of the excitation phase, it is advanced by "four excitation phases". As a result, the value of the excitation order pointer after update in step S1232 becomes "5".

  At the end of the motor control process, the process when an abnormality occurs in the rotation of the reel will be described.

  As described above, the value of the symbol offset is updated according to the addition and subtraction of the acceleration counter in the acceleration period, and the value of the symbol offset is updated each time the timer interrupt is performed in the constant speed rotation period. Then, when the symbol offset value becomes "24", the symbol number is updated and the symbol offset value is reset. Further, when it is detected that the reel has made one rotation (the sensor cut bun 56 passes the reel index sensor 55), the values of the symbol number and the symbol offset are reset. By performing these processes, it is possible to know which symbol is visible through the display window 31 based on the symbol number value, and which range of the symbol is visible from the display window 31 according to the symbol offset value. You can see if it is. For example, when symbol number "0" and symbol offset "0", symbols of symbol numbers "0" to "2" are visible from the display window.

  In the case of normal rotation where the stepping motor 61 normally accelerates and reaches constant speed rotation by the operation of the start switch 71, the above-mentioned situation is reproduced. However, when acceleration is not normally performed or when the reel is intentionally pressed to stop rotation, the following abnormal rotation processing is performed.

  First, as described above, the reel is rotated once by the excitation signal of 504 pulses. Therefore, if normal rotation is performed, passing of the sensor cut-van 56 is detected and then an excitation signal of 504 pulses is output, and passage of the sensor cut-van 56 is detected again. However, when acceleration is not performed normally and the reel does not start to rotate, or when the reel is intentionally pressed to stop the rotation, the sensor cut-van 56 passes even if the excitation signal of 504 pulses is output. Does not detect As a result, since the symbol number reset processing in step S1236 is not performed, the symbol number is updated to "21" over the maximum value "20" in step S1242. Even if the value of the symbol number is "21", since the counter addition / subtraction processing is performed in the next processing, the value of the symbol offset is updated as before.

  In this case, through step S1241, the value of the symbol number is checked in step S1243. Since the symbol numbers are "0" to "20", when the value becomes "21", it can be regarded as an abnormal rotation state. However, since the cause of the abnormal rotation may be due to variations in the operation of the stepping motor 61, it is determined in step S1244 whether the value of the symbol offset has been updated by 4 offsets or more, and it is not the case. It judges that it is an abnormal rotation state and performs abnormal processing of step S1245. In the abnormality processing, the initial value "25" is set in the acceleration counter, and the acceleration processing is performed again from the next timer interrupt period. Incidentally, the stepping motor 61 has variations in operation, and ideally, one rotation = 504 pulses, but in some cases, one rotation with 503 pulses or 505 pulses may be considered. Therefore, in step S1244, four offsets are set as abnormality detection values with a margin.

  When the number of abnormal processes in step S1245 exceeds the prescribed number of times (for example, three times), a process for notifying this abnormal state (flashing process for the abnormal lamp provided in the hole, buzzer notification to the hole manager) Processing etc.).

  Next, reel rotation processing performed in the reel control processing of the normal processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1301, first, the timer interrupt process is inhibited, and in the following step S1302, it is checked whether the synchronization change flag is not 0 or not. If the synchronization change flag is 0, the normal change process shown in steps S1303 to S1308 is performed. Specifically, first, in step S1303, the door open flag is reset to 0. In the following step S1304, the synchronization speed flag is set to 0. When the synchronous speed flag is set to 0, the "high speed table" is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) in the motor control process described above. Thereafter, at steps S1305 to S1307, "25" is set to the acceleration counter of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, and at step S1308, timer interrupt processing is permitted, and this processing ends. As a result, each reel 42L, 42M, 42R starts to rotate based on the timer interrupt process.

  If the synchronization change flag is 1, the process advances to step S1309 to check whether the door open flag is 1 or not. When the door open flag is 1, this means that the front door 12 is opened before the start of reel rotation, so the normal change process of steps S1303 to S1308 is performed. That is, in the first game after the front door 12 is opened, synchronous fluctuation is not performed even if the synchronous fluctuation flag is one. This is a symbol that can be actually viewed from the display window 31 when the front door 12 is opened, and a symbol that can be viewed from the display window 31 that the main control device 131 has identified by the symbol number. There is a gap between them, which is a device to avoid the problem that synchronization fluctuation can not be performed. If the door opening flag is not 1, since the front door 12 is not opened before the reel rotation starts, the synchronous variation processing shown in step S1310 and subsequent steps is performed.

  As synchronous fluctuation processing, first, in step S1310, 1 is set in the synchronous speed flag. When the synchronous speed flag is set to 1, the "medium speed table" is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) in the motor control process described above.

  In step S1311, the positional relationship between predetermined symbols on the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M, the middle reel 42M, and the right reel 42R is grasped. Specifically, "(symbol number of middle (right) reel 42M (R))-(symbol number of left (middle) reel 42L (M)) + 21" is calculated. In the present embodiment, synchronous fluctuation is performed in a state where the “7” symbol is aligned horizontally, but the “7” symbol is given to the 20th of each reel (see FIG. 7), and is given to each of the reels. Since synchronous fluctuation is performed using the 20th "7" symbol, it is possible to grasp the positional relationship of the "7" symbol simply by calculating using symbol numbers. Further, adding 21 is to prevent the calculation result from being negative, and is a device for reducing the processing load of the main control device 131.

  Thereafter, in step S1312, "25" is set in the acceleration counter of the left reel 42L, and in step S1313, timer interrupt processing is permitted. As a result, the left reel 42L starts to rotate. On the other hand, since the acceleration counters of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R remain "0", the stopped state is maintained.

  In step S1314, the required synchronization time required to rotate in a state where the predetermined symbols of the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M are horizontally aligned is calculated. Specifically, “(24 offsets) × (2 interrupts) × (calculation result of step S1311)” is calculated. To briefly explain the meaning of this calculation, "24 offset" corresponds to the size of one symbol, "2 interrupts" corresponds to the excitation time in the constant speed state in the medium speed table, "calculation in step S1311 "Result" corresponds to how many symbols are separated. That is, “(24 offsets) × (2 interrupts)” corresponds to the number (time) of interrupt processing required when the symbol in the constant speed state rotates to the position of the next symbol. By multiplying this value by the calculation result of step S1311, the time for which the middle reel 42M should wait for rotating in a state where the predetermined symbols are aligned horizontally is determined. After performing this calculation, it waits for the required synchronization time to elapse. When the required synchronization time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1315, where "25" is set to the acceleration counter of the middle reel 42M. As a result, in addition to the left reel 42L, the middle reel 42M also starts to rotate. However, the right reel 42R is still in the stopped state. In steps S1316 and S1317, the same processing is performed for the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R. By the above process, all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R will rotate in a state where predetermined symbols (the 20th "7" symbol) are horizontally aligned.

  In steps S1318 and S1319, it is determined whether or not the symbol number is "14", and the process waits until the symbol number becomes "14". In this embodiment, since symbol numbers of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are rotated with the same number at this time, symbol numbers of any of the reels may be confirmed. As a result, the program configuration can be simplified.

  If the symbol number is "14", the process proceeds to step S1320, and 2 is set in the synchronization speed flag. When 2 is set in the synchronous speed flag, the "low speed table" is referred to in the wait timer setting process (S1231) in the motor control process described above.

  In step S1321, synchronous fluctuation is started. Specifically, “(24 offsets) × (6 interrupts) × 7”, that is, “1008” is set as the synchronous fluctuation time, and the process waits until the interrupt processing for this value is performed. "6 interrupts" is the excitation time in the constant speed state in the low speed table, "7" is a value required to change the twentieth "7" pattern at least from the upper line to the lower line at low speed . More precisely, it is a value which performs synchronous variation until the first symbol passes from the 15th symbol on the lower line.

  In step S1322, interrupt processing is inhibited, and in step S1323, the synchronous speed flag is set to "0". As a result, the "high-speed table" is referred to in the weight timer setting process (S1231) in the motor control process which is performed after step S1323. In steps S1324 to S1327, "21" is set in the acceleration counters of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R, and interrupt processing is permitted, and the present processing is terminated. In the processing in step S1321, since the symbol is offset by 1 in 6 interrupts, acceleration processing is performed using data in the acceleration order 4 for the high-speed table, that is, 6 interrupts, by setting "21" in the acceleration counter. It is possible to smoothly restart the acceleration process.

  Here, an example of the synchronous fluctuation that can be visually recognized from the display window 31 will be described based on a series of fluctuation modes in FIGS. 7 and 31 (a) to (h). In addition, in order to make an understanding easy in FIG. 31, although the case where the 20th "7" pattern is stopped in the state which can be visually recognized through a display window is demonstrated, in such a thing, it is limited Absent.

  FIG. 31 (a) is a view showing a state in which the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R are stopped before the start lever 71 is operated. On the left reel 42L, the first "bell" symbol from the top, the 21st "watermelon" symbol, and the 20th "7" symbol are stopped. On the middle reel 42M, the 21st "bell" symbol, the 20th "7" symbol and the 19th "BAR" symbol from the top are stopped. The first "bell" symbol from the top, the 21st "BAR" symbol and the 20th "7" symbol are stopped on the right reel 42R. That is, the CPU 151 of the main control unit 131 recognizes that the 20th "7" symbol is separated by 20 symbols for the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M, and 22 symbols for the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R (FIG. 30) Step S1311).

  As shown in FIG. 31 (b), with the operation of the start lever 71, the left reel 42L first starts the acceleration processing. The middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R remain stopped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 31C, when the time required for synchronization of the middle reel 42M has elapsed, the middle reel 42M also starts acceleration processing. The right reel 42R is still stopped. The synchronization required time of the middle reel 42M is 960 excitation time (step S1314 in FIG. 30). That is, after the twentieth "7" symbol of the left reel 42L fluctuates by about 16.5 symbols, in other words, about 3.5 symbols upstream relative to the twentieth "7" symbol of the middle reel 42M. When the twentieth "7" pattern of the left reel 42L passes the separated position, the middle reel 42M starts the acceleration processing. As described above, the reels shift to constant speed rotation with the 25th and subsequent excitation data. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31 (d), the 20th "7" pattern of the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M is a position deviated from the lower line by one excitation data (the position where the value of the pattern offset is 1) Will be aligned horizontally and will continue to fluctuate in this aligned state thereafter. When the time required for synchronization of the right reel 42R has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 31 (e), the right reel 42R also starts acceleration processing. The synchronization required time of the right reel 42R is 1056 excitation time (step S1316 in FIG. 30). That is, after the twentieth "7" symbol of the middle reel 42M fluctuates by about 18.5 symbols, in other words, about 3.5 symbols upstream relative to the twentieth "7" symbol of the right reel 42R. When the twentieth "7" pattern of the middle reel 42M passes through the distant position, the right reel 42R starts acceleration processing. The 20th "7" pattern of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R is a position which can not be visually recognized through each display window 31L, 31M, 31R, more specifically, a position shifted by 1 symbol and 1 symbol offset from the lower line It will be aligned horizontally. As a result, the variation is performed with the twentieth "7" symbols of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R aligned in the horizontal direction. At this time, since the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are fluctuating based on the medium speed table, the symbol has a speed which is offset by 1 per 2 interrupts. On the other hand, when synchronous fluctuation is not performed, since the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are fluctuating based on the high speed table, the symbol has a speed of one offset per one interrupt. Therefore, when such processing is performed, the symbol fluctuates at a speed about half that in the normal time, and the player can predict that synchronous fluctuation will be performed.

  When the twentieth "7" symbol of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R approaches the display window 31L, 31M, 31R, the rotational speed of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R decreases rapidly. And as shown in FIG.31 (f)-(g), "7" symbol moves slowly toward the downward direction from the upper direction of a display window. At this time, since the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are fluctuating based on the low speed table, the symbol has a speed which is offset by one per six interrupts. That is, the speed at which the symbol fluctuates at the time of synchronous fluctuation is about one sixth as compared with that at the normal time, and one third as compared with the processing speed at which the "7" pattern is aligned. Therefore, the player can clearly identify the "7" symbol without moving his eyes at the rotational speed of the reel (the changing velocity of the symbol). Furthermore, in order to show the player a symbol rotating at a high rotational speed at first, and then show a symbol rotating at a low rotational speed, the rotational speed is lower than the speed actually reduced the player. It is possible to make it easy to identify the "7" symbol.

  The "7" symbol moves below the display window, more specifically, when the first symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line, each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is placed on the high speed table. Restart the acceleration process based on it. When the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R shift to constant speed rotation based on the high speed table, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 light up, and the reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped for the player. Is notified. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, synchronous fluctuation is performed after the left reel 42L starts to rotate, and each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is in a relatively short time of 8 seconds until it can be stopped. This is to prevent the player from being annoyed and losing interest in the game because the stop switches 72 to 74 are not effective.

  Here, temporal changes in rotational speeds of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the difference in rotational speed between the reels 42L, 42M, 42R in the case where synchronization fluctuation is performed and in the case where the synchronization fluctuation is not performed. The two-dot chain line shown in the figure shows the temporal change of the rotational speed during normal rotation without synchronous fluctuation, and the solid line shown in the figure shows the temporal change of the rotational speed at synchronous fluctuation. Is shown. Actually, as described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27, although the acceleration gradually changes to reach the constant speed rotation, in order to facilitate understanding, the rotation speed in the constant speed state of each acceleration table is referred to here. It is described as being uniformly accelerated to the end.

  In the case of normal rotation, all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R start to rotate at the same time with the operation of the start lever 71 and increase the rotational speed based on the high speed table to set the first rotational speed v1 as the set rotational speed. It will be in a constant speed state. When a predetermined time te elapses after the left reel 42L starts to rotate, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 turn on to notify the player that the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped. . That is, the period from when the left reel 42L starts rotating until the predetermined time te elapses is set as the ineffective period of the stop switches 72 to 74. Further, the predetermined time te is set longer than the time required for all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be in the constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1.

  When synchronous fluctuation is performed, the left reel 42L starts to rotate in response to the operation of the start lever 71. At this time, the left reel 42L increases the rotational speed based on the medium speed table, and is in a constant speed state at the second rotational speed v2. The middle reel 42 </ b> M starts rotating at the time when the required synchronization time has elapsed since the left reel 42 </ b> L starts rotating (ta in the drawing). At this time, the middle reel 42M raises the rotational speed based on the medium speed table, and is in a constant speed state at the second rotational speed v2. The right reel 42R starts to rotate at a time (tb in the drawing) when the synchronization required time has elapsed since the middle reel 42M started to rotate. At this time, the right reel 42R raises the rotational speed based on the medium speed table, and is in a constant speed state at the second rotational speed v2. When the twentieth "7" symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is horizontally aligned in this manner, the lower line is the fifteenth symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the time when t passes (tc in the figure). Thereafter, all reels 42L, 42M, 42R are lowered to the third rotational speed v3 based on the low speed table, and the first symbol from the fifteenth symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line The third rotational speed v3 is maintained until the time (td in the figure). As a result, in the period from tc to td shown in the drawing, the player can visually recognize the "7" symbol aligned in the horizontal direction through the display window. Thereafter, based on the high speed table, all reels 42L, 42M, 42R increase their rotational speeds to the first rotational speed v1 which is the set rotational speed, and are in a constant speed state at this first rotational speed v1. When a predetermined time te elapses after the left reel 42L starts to rotate, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 turn on to notify the player that the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped. . That is, when synchronous fluctuation is performed, the period from when the left reel 42L starts to rotate until the predetermined time te elapses is set as the ineffective period of the stop switches 72 to 74. The predetermined time te is set to be longer than the time required for all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R to be in the constant speed state at the first rotational speed v1 when the synchronous fluctuation is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined time te from when the left reel 42L starts rotating until the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective is set to be the same time during normal rotation and during synchronous fluctuation. This is a device that leaves room for the player to expect that the synchronous fluctuation may be performed within the ineffective period even if the first rotation speed v1 is reached promptly at the time of normal rotation.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  Providing a new suggestion / notification form that takes one step beyond the conventional method in which the gaming situation is suggested or notified by relying only on the auxiliary screen by forming a synchronous pattern using each reel 42L, 42M, 42R Can.

  When performing synchronous fluctuation, the rotation start timings of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R should be shifted so that the twentieth "7" symbols of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R are horizontally aligned. By this, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation during the acceleration period that the player can arrange the "7" symbol from the discomfort that the rotation start timings of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R are different from the normal rotation time. It becomes. Moreover, such an effect becomes remarkable by setting it as the structure which performs synchronous fluctuation | variation when passing display window 31L, 31M, 31R. Furthermore, since the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective after the synchronous fluctuation, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the player forgets the symbol on which the synchronous fluctuation has been performed when operating the stop switches 72 to 74. .

  Since the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 is invalidated during the acceleration period, the player performs the stop switch 72 by performing the alignment of the “7” symbol in the horizontal direction and performing the synchronous fluctuation in the acceleration period. It becomes possible to suitably perform the effect by the reel without interrupting the act of stopping the target pattern by operating the ~ 74. If an effect such as synchronous fluctuation is performed while the stop switches 72 to 74 in the constant speed period are in an effective state, a symbol aimed at utilizing the constant speed rotation at the first rotation speed v1 For the player who stops the game, there is a possibility that the timing at which the symbol appears in the display window may be shifted and the target symbol may not be stopped. This can undermine the fun inherent in slot machines, that is, the fun of stopping the target pattern. Furthermore, in the configuration in which the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 is also effective during the acceleration period or the configuration in which the synchronous variation is performed during the constant velocity period, the player stops the reel before the synchronous variation is performed. There is also a possibility that the synchronous fluctuation presentation prepared at the same time may be wasted. Therefore, it is possible to stop all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R regardless of the player's action after performing synchronous fluctuation in order to eliminate such possibility, but in this case, the symbol targeted by the player The fun of stopping is completely lost. Therefore, it can be said that performing synchronous fluctuation during the acceleration period in which the operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 is nullified produces the best effect. Further, by performing synchronous fluctuation during the acceleration period, the player can watch the reels from the start of the reel rotation, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

  By setting the winning of the big bonus in the lottery of the role as one of the synchronous variation execution conditions, it is possible to teach the player that the big bonus has been won by performing the synchronous fluctuation. Also, by performing synchronous variation using the "7" symbol, the player can concentrate on the game without confusion. If the player makes a synchronous fluctuation using the "replay" symbol when winning the big bonus, the player may aim for the "replay" symbol and distrust the "replay" symbol does not match. Because there is a risk of Furthermore, by making synchronous fluctuation lottery also one of synchronous fluctuation execution conditions, even when synchronous fluctuation is not done, it becomes possible to have the expectation of big bonus winning, it is possible to raise the interest of the game It becomes.

  By using the same acceleration table (medium-speed table) as the acceleration table for accelerating each reel 42L, 42M, 42R when arranging the “7” symbol in the horizontal direction and performing synchronous fluctuation, “7 Control of arranging the symbols becomes easy. Since the time from the start of rotation of the reel to the second rotation speed v2 is the same, if the positional relationship of the “7” symbol before the left reel 42L starts to rotate is grasped, the middle reel This is because it can be easily determined from the synchronization required time which timing should be taken as the rotation start timing of the 42M and the right reel 42R. Further, by arranging the “7” symbol in the horizontal direction and performing synchronous fluctuation, it becomes possible to show the player a longer synchronous fluctuation as compared with the case where the synchronous fluctuation is performed by arranging them in the diagonal direction. As a result, the player can easily recognize that the synchronous fluctuation is performed with the "7" symbol. In addition, by grasping the positional relationship of the twentieth "7" symbol before each reel 42L, 42M, 42R starts to rotate, the synchronous symbol can be displayed by calculating the required synchronization time based on this result. It becomes possible to form easily and certainly. If the time required for synchronization is calculated by detecting the position of the "7" symbol when the reel is rotating, or if, for example, the "7" symbol of the left reel 42L corresponds to the "7" symbol of the middle reel 42M. If the middle reel 42M starts to rotate at the timing when it is lined up, there is a possibility that an error may be included in the result of detecting the position of the "7" symbol of the left reel 42L, and the "7" symbol is It is because there is a fear that it does not line up horizontally well.

  By setting the rotational speed of the reel to be slower when performing synchronous fluctuation, it is possible to more clearly impress the player with the symbol “7” that is synchronously fluctuated. By showing the player a symbol that rotates at a high rotational speed first and then showing a symbol that rotates at a low rotational speed, it makes the illusion that the rotational speed has dropped more than the speed actually reduced the player. Because you can do it. In addition, it is possible to prevent misunderstanding that "7" symbol is aligned by accident during the acceleration period.

  Prepare a table for high speed, a table for medium speed, and a table for low speed as the acceleration table, and do not perform synchronous fluctuation, or use the high speed table when synchronous fluctuation ends, and align the "7" symbol By using the medium-speed table and using the low-speed table when performing synchronous variation, it is possible to perform these effects only by replacing the acceleration table. It is possible to suppress the increase.

  When grasping the positional relationship of symbols (Step S1311 of the reel rotation processing), the symbol number of the left (middle) reel 42L (M) is subtracted from the symbol number of the middle (right) reel 42M (R) and 21 is added Thus, for example, when the left reel 42L and the 20th "7" symbol attached to the middle reel 42M are stopped in line in the horizontal direction, the left reel 42L and the middle reel 42M simultaneously start to rotate. Can be avoided, and it becomes possible to make a clear difference in the rotation start timing of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. As a result, it is possible to teach that synchronous fluctuation is to be performed from the rotation start timing of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. At this time, by using the medium speed table instead of the high speed table, it is possible to more actively teach the player that synchronous fluctuation is to be performed. When the "7" symbols are arranged using the high-speed table, the excitation time in the constant-speed state is one interrupt, so the required synchronization time is half compared to when using the medium-speed table. It becomes. Therefore, there is a possibility that the player may not notice the deviation of the rotation start time of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. In addition, it becomes possible to teach the player that the synchronous fluctuation is performed because the constant speed state is established at the second rotation speed v2 which is slower than the first rotation speed v1.

  Under the condition that each reel 42L, 42M, 42R has reached the first rotational speed v1, the stop switches 72 to 74 are not activated under the condition that the first rotational speed v1 becomes a predetermined time. By making the stop switches 72 to 74 effective, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game. Even if each reel 42L, 42M, 42R reaches the first rotation speed at the time of normal rotation without synchronous fluctuation, the player expects that synchronous fluctuation effect will be performed until the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective. While waiting for the stop switches 72 to 74 to become effective.

  In the next game in which the front door 12 is opened, synchronization fluctuation processing is performed to align the twentieth "7" symbols of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R by stopping synchronization fluctuation. It is possible to avoid the problem that the second "7" symbol is not aligned horizontally. Generally, the front door 12 is opened by the manager of the game arcade in which the slot machine 10 is installed, and when the front door 12 is opened, the reels 42L and 42M are provided to enhance the appearance of the slot machine 10. , 42R are manually operated to arrange the “7” symbols, an operation to turn on the reset switch 123, and the like to cancel the error display. That is, when the front door 12 is opened, there is a possibility that any one of the reels may be manually operated, even when it is accidentally touched. In the present configuration in which the symbol position (symbol number) is grasped at the time of drive control of the stepping motor 61, it is not possible to grasp the change in the symbol position accompanying the manual operation at least until the sensor cut bun 56 passes the reel index sensor 55. Therefore, in the next game in which the front door 12 is opened, the 20th "7" symbol is horizontal although the synchronous variation process is performed to align the 20th "7" symbol of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R. It is because the case where it does not align with direction may arise. Furthermore, although it is possible to determine whether or not the synchronous fluctuation process is to be performed after the sensor cut-van 56 has passed the reel index sensor 55, in the present configuration in which various controls are executed only by the main controller 131. There is a concern that the processing load of the main controller 131 may increase.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the twenty-seven "7" symbols of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are arranged to horizontally change so that the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R slowly change downward. However, the present invention is not limited to the twentieth "7" symbol, and the state where the fifth "7" symbol of the left reel 42L and the twentieth "7" symbol of the middle reel 42M and the right reel 42R are arranged For example, the "bell" symbol other than the "7" symbol may be variable. In addition, they may be arranged not diagonally but horizontally. That is, any configuration may be used as long as the same symbol fluctuates in the combination line arrangement.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the configuration is such that the synchronous variation is performed when the big bonus is won and the synchronous variation lottery is won, but even when the big bonus is not won, the synchronous variation lottery is won In this case, it may be configured to perform synchronous fluctuation. In such a case, it is possible for the player to suggest the winning of the response part to the player instead of the instruction by the synchronous fluctuation, and it is possible to give a width to the effect. Alternatively, the synchronous variation may be performed using a symbol different from the symbol winning in the lottery of the part. As an example, in a game in which a big bonus is won, for example, synchronous fluctuation is performed with a "replay" symbol. In this case, when the player stops the reels, the player does not have the "replay" symbol, which increases the expectation of winning the big bonus.

  (C) In the above embodiment, when performing synchronous fluctuation, the left reel 42L starts to rotate first, and each reel 42M, 42R is sequentially rotated so that the 20th "7" symbol is aligned in the horizontal direction. However, the order may be such that the middle reel 42M → the right reel 42R → the left reel 42L, and the order for starting the rotation is arbitrary. In the case of performing synchronous variation with a plurality of types of symbols other than the “7” symbol, the order of starting rotation may be different depending on the symbol performing synchronous variation.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the synchronous variation is performed using all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. However, synchronization is performed using the left reel and the middle reel, the middle reel and the right reel, or the left reel and the right reel. It is good also as composition which changes.

  (E) In the above embodiment, when grasping the positional relationship of symbols, the symbol numbers of the left (middle) reel 42L (M) are uniquely subtracted from the symbol numbers of the middle (right) reel 42M (R). Although 21 is added, 21 may be added only when the calculation result at the time of grasping the positional relationship of symbols is negative. In such a configuration, it is possible to shorten the time required for the “7” symbol to be aligned horizontally.

  (F) In the above embodiment, when performing synchronous fluctuation, after the 20th "7" symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line (more precisely, the first symbol) Is configured to accelerate each reel 42L, 42M, 42R to the first setting rotational speed based on the high-speed table at the point when it passes), but each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is first set based on different acceleration tables It may be configured to accelerate to the rotational speed. In this case, the twentieth "7" symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be changed from being aligned horizontally to being not aligned. As a result, it is necessary to aim at and stop the "7" symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R, and it is possible to enhance the sense of achievement when the "7" symbol is aligned on the effective line and stopped. Become. That is, it is possible to enhance the slot machine's original enjoyment.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the synchronous variation is performed to clearly indicate that the “7” symbol varies in the horizontal direction, but the predetermined symbol is aligned during the acceleration period to vary However, it may be configured not to change at a low speed. With this configuration, only the player having the ability to identify the changing symbol to a certain extent will be aware of such a configuration, and the interest for the player having the symbol identification skill can be enhanced. In this case, it is preferable to perform rendering using a symbol that is easy to identify as compared to other symbols such as the "7" symbol and the "youth" symbol. This is because it is desirable that a player who is low in symbol identification skill be aware of it.

  (H) The effect of aligning and changing the symbols may be performed together with the effect of the lamp, the auxiliary display unit, and the like. An example is shown below.

  As a first example, when the "7" symbols are aligned and varied, the auxiliary display unit performs so-called all-rotation effects in which the "7" symbols are aligned and varied.

  As a second example, during normal times, the illumination member is configured to illuminate a portion visible through the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, while the "7" symbol is aligned and varied. The illumination member is turned off with the operation of the start lever 71, and the illumination member is turned on only when the aligned "7" symbol passes the display windows 31L, 31M, 31R. Alternatively, only the aligned "7" symbol is illuminated by the illumination member. In this case, it may be configured to illuminate with the aligned pattern and a corresponding color, for example, red in the case of “7” pattern, or yellow light in the case of “bell” pattern, and may be configured to teach the pattern uniform from the color of light.

  Needless to say, the above configurations may be combined and used.

  (I) In the above embodiment, an example of the slot machine 10 that wins when the combination of the same symbols (but excluding the "cherry" symbol) is aligned on the effective line is shown, but different symbol In the slot machine 10 which is a winning when the combination is aligned on the effective line, the synchronous variation may be performed by the combination of the symbols. For example, when "7 · 7 · BAR" and left, center and right are aligned on the active line, it shifts to a regular bonus game after winning, and "BAR · BAR · BAR" and active line on the left, middle and right In a slot machine that shifts to a big bonus game after winning a prize if it is aligned with the top, if this "7 · 7 · BAR" is horizontally aligned to perform synchronous fluctuation, it should aim for the player It becomes possible to teach a pattern suitably. Temporarily, when it is set as the structure which teaches a player by displaying as "regular bonus formation" by the auxiliary | assistant display part 15, the player who does not fully understand the combination of the symbol which will be a winning is "BAR BAR BAR There is a possibility that each reel may be aimed and stopped to align with the

  (J) In the above embodiment, the synchronous fluctuation is canceled in the next game in which the front door 12 is opened, but instead of or in addition to this, the synchronous fluctuation in the next game in which an error occurs in the slot machine 10 May be canceled. When an error occurs, the administrator of the game arcade or the like performs an ON operation of the reset switch 123 to cancel the error, and at this time, there is a possibility that the reel is accidentally touched. Alternatively, the synchronization variation may be canceled in the next game after power recovery of the slot machine 10. This is because while the power of the slot machine 10 is cut off, there is a possibility that the reels 42L, 42M, 42R may be manually operated to arrange the "7" symbols in order to enhance the appearance. That is, the synchronous fluctuation may be canceled in the next game in which each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R may have been operated manually, not by the player's side such as lack of possession medals but by the game machine's side. The synchronization change may be canceled in the next game in which the game can not be played.

  (K) In the above embodiment, although it is configured to determine whether or not to cancel synchronous fluctuation in the reel rotation process, the value of the door open flag is checked at the time of lottery process, and the value of the door open flag is 1 If there is, it may be configured not to perform the lottery whether to perform the synchronous fluctuation. Even in such a case, the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  (L) In the above embodiment, the door open flag is reset before the start of rotation of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R. However, the door open flag may be reset after the rotation of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is stopped. With this configuration, for example, when the front door 12 is opened while the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are rotating, the door open flag is reset when the rotation is completed. Therefore, in the next game, it is possible to perform synchronous fluctuation, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the chance of performing synchronous fluctuation. Incidentally, when the front door 12 is opened during the rotation of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R, it is possible to correct the symbol position by the rotation of each reel 42L, 42M, 42R after closing the front door 12. Therefore, there is no problem that the twentieth "7" symbol is not aligned horizontally even though the synchronous variation processing is performed.

  (M) In the above embodiment, the period from the start of rotation of the left reel 42L to the passage of the predetermined time te is set as the ineffective period, but the ineffective period is separately for synchronous fluctuation and normal rotation. May be set. In the case of normal rotation, the ineffective period in the case of normal rotation is set shorter than the ineffective period in the case of performing synchronous fluctuation, since the constant speed state at the first rotation speed v1 is reached quickly compared to the case of performing synchronous fluctuation. Do. With this configuration, it is possible for the player to identify the presence or absence of the synchronous fluctuation from the difference in the ineffective period.

  (N) In the above embodiment, the CPU 151 of the main controller 131 invalidates the ON signal of the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a when the stop switches 72 to 74 are pressed within the ineffective period. The stop detection sensors 72a to 74a may not output ON signals to the main control device 131 within the invalid period, that is, the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a may be invalidated. As means for realizing such a configuration, an example in which an AND circuit is provided between the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a and the main control device 131 is given. The stop detection sensors 72a to 74a are configured to output an ON signal to the main control unit 131 when both the signal from the main control unit 131 and the signals from the stop switches 72 to 74 are received, and the main control unit 131 is effective. A signal is output to the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a during a period. With this configuration, the CPU 151 of the main control unit 131 may turn on the signal and check whether the ON signal from the stop detection sensors 72a to 74a has been received, so that the processing load can be obtained. It is possible to reduce. Alternatively, the depression operation of the stop switches 72 to 74 may be invalidated during the invalidation period. As means for realizing such a configuration, an example in which the pressing operation restricting member is provided so that the stop switches 72 to 74 can not be pressed during the ineffective period can be mentioned. Specifically, when viewed from the front of the slot machine 10, a notch is provided on the back of the stop switches 72 to 74, and a solenoid is engaged with the notch under normal conditions. The solenoid is connected to the main controller 131 by electrical wiring, and when the effective period is reached, the engagement between the solenoid and the notch is released by an electric signal from the main controller 131, and the stop switch 72 ~ 74 can be pressed. With this configuration, since the stop switches 72 to 74 can not be pressed, it is possible to teach the player that the stop switches 72 to 74 are invalidated.

  (O) In the above embodiment, the rotational speed of each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is reduced from the second rotational speed v2 to the third rotational speed v3 when performing synchronous fluctuation. The rotational speed of the lens may be changed as shown in FIG. Here, only differences from the above embodiment (see FIG. 32) will be described using FIG.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 33 (a), the lower line is attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R when the twentieth "7" symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is horizontally aligned. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the first pattern passes the lower line. When the first symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line (td in the figure), the rotational speeds of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are increased to the first rotational speed v1. In this case, in the period from the start of rotation of the left reel 42L to the passage of time td, the player can easily “slow” because the rotational speed at the time of synchronous fluctuation is slower than the rotational speed at the normal rotation. It becomes possible to identify that the 7 'pattern is consistent and fluctuating. In addition, as the composition to accelerate gently (for example, acceleration 0.1 etc.) until the first symbol passes the lower line after the 15th symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R passes the lower line It is also good.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 33 (b), the lower line is attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R when the 20th "7" symbol attached to each reel 42L, 42M, 42R is horizontally aligned. The second rotational speed v2 is maintained until the time when the fifteenth symbol passes (tc in the figure). Thereafter, the rotational speeds of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are increased to the first rotational speed v1 with an acceleration smaller than the acceleration at the normal rotation. In this case, it is possible for the player to easily identify that the "7" symbols are aligned and fluctuated from the difference in acceleration between the normal rotation time and the synchronous fluctuation time.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 33 (c), the rotation start timings of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R are controlled based on the acceleration table at the time of normal rotation so that the twentieth "7" symbol is aligned in the horizontal direction. Each reel 42L, 42M, 42R maintains the first rotational speed v1 until the point (tc in the figure) at which the 15th symbol given to the lower line passes (tc in the figure), and thereafter the rotational speed to the second rotational speed v2 The rotation speed of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R is increased to the first rotation speed v1 at the time when the first symbol attached to each of them is passed through the lower line (td in the figure). Then, the lamps of the stop switches 72 to 74 light up after a predetermined time te has elapsed since the start of rotation of all the reels 42L, 42M, 42R, and the reels 42L, 42M, 42R can be stopped for the player. Is notified. In this case, as the twentieth "7" symbols attached to the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R line up and pass on the effective line, the rotational speed decreases, so the player can easily align the "7" symbols. It is possible to identify that it is changing. For example, when the twentieth "7" symbol attached to each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R passes a predetermined line such as a middle line, the rotational speed may be reduced to the second rotational speed v2 The rotation speed may be reduced so that the player can recognize that the "7" symbols are all aligned and fluctuate. In addition, the player can set each of the reels 42L by configuring the stop switches 72 to 74 to be effective after the predetermined time te has elapsed, rather than when the rotational speeds of the respective reels 42L, 42M, 42R have reached the first rotational speed v1 , 42M and 42R reach the first rotation speed v1 and wait for a period until the stop switches 72 to 74 become effective while expecting synchronous fluctuation to be performed, thereby enhancing the interest of the game it can.

  As described above, if the reel is controlled at a rotational speed or acceleration different from that during normal rotation, it is possible for the player to easily identify that synchronous fluctuation is being performed from the difference. In order to actively teach the player synchronous fluctuation, it is desirable to set a clear speed difference between the first rotation speed v1 and the second rotation speed v2.

  Needless to say, the above configurations may be combined and used. For example, if all of the synchronous variation patterns shown in FIGS. 33A to 33C are provided and used according to the situation of the game, it is possible to give a width to effects performed using the reels.

  (P) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the synchronous variation is performed in the slot machine 10 including the auxiliary display unit 15 has been described. However, the synchronous variation may be performed in the slot machine 10 not including the auxiliary display unit 15 . The reel is an essential member in the slot machine, and synchronous fluctuation can be performed by reel control by the main controller 131. Therefore, since the effects can be performed without increasing the number of parts, the cost of the slot machine can be reduced.

  (Q) In the above embodiment, a two-phase stepping motor motor adopting a 1-2 phase excitation system was used as a drive motor, but a 4-phase stepping motor or a 4-5 phase excitation employing a 3-4 phase excitation system A five-phase stepping motor or the like adopting a method may be used.

  (R) In the above embodiment, a slot machine including three reels arranged in parallel and having five lines as an effective line has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, five reels arranged in parallel It may be a slot machine provided or a slot machine having seven effective lines. Also, the present invention is not limited to so-called A-type slot machines, and the present invention may be applied to any slot machine such as B-type, C-type, composite type of A-type and C-type, composite type of B-type and C-type, etc. It is obvious that the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained in any case.

  (S) The symbols on each of the reels 42L, 42M, 42R are not limited to pictures, numbers, letters, etc., and may be geometrical lines, figures, etc. Further, it is also possible to configure the symbol by light, color or the like, or the symbol may be configured by a three-dimensional shape or the like, or the symbol may be configured by combining these symbols. That is, the design should just have a function as information (identification information) with distinctiveness.

  (T) In the above embodiment, the slot machine 10 is embodied. However, the present invention may be applied to a gaming machine in which the slot machine and the pachinko machine are integrated. That is, of the slot machines, instead of the medal insertion and medal payout functions, a gaming machine having ball insertion and ball payout functions such as pachinko machines may be used. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, only balls can be handled as gaming value in the gaming hall, so the gaming value is found in the current gaming hall where pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed. It is possible to solve the problems such as the burden on equipment due to the separate handling of medals and balls and the restriction on the installation location of gaming machines.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine as a gaming machine, 11 Casing which constitutes a part of gaming machine body, 12 Front door constituting a part of gaming machine body or opening / closing member of gaming machine body 15 Auxiliary display part 42: Reel forming a rotating drum or endless belt 61: stepping motor as drive means 71: start lever as start operation means 72 to 74: stop switch as stop operation means 111 as sub control means Display control device 131 Main control device constituting various control means such as main control means 151 CPU constituting various control means such as main control means 152, 153 ROM, RAM as storage means 161 ... power supply.

Claims (1)

A plurality of orbiting bodies, in which a plurality of types of patterns are attached in the circumferential direction,
A display unit for making it possible to visually recognize part of the patterns of each of the orbiting members;
Start operation means for starting rotation of each of the orbiting members when operated;
Drive means provided for each of the orbiting bodies and rotating the orbiting bodies;
Stop operation means for stopping rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when operated;
Lottery means for performing a predetermined lottery when the start operation means is operated;
The drive means is controlled so as to start rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when the start operation means is operated and stop rotation of each of the orbiting bodies when the stop operation means is operated. Drive control means and
A gaming machine for displaying the lottery result of the lottery means by the stop mode of each of the orbiting members,
An impossible state detection unit capable of detecting that the gaming machine has reached a predetermined non-playable state;
Stop pattern position grasping means for grasping the positions of the plurality of kinds of patterns when each of the drive means stops the rotation of each of the revolving members;
Equipped with
The drive control means includes predetermined pattern combination forming means for driving and controlling each of the drive means to form a predetermined pattern combination based on the grasped result of the stop pattern position grasping means.
When the impossible state detection means detects the predetermined non-playable state, the drive control means is operated based on the operation of the start operation means first after returning from the predetermined non-playable state to the playable state. Predetermined pattern combination disapproval means for preventing the drive control of each of the drive means by the predetermined picture combination formation means in the drive control;
Equipped with
As a lottery result by the lottery means, a transition result is set which enables the gaming state to be shifted to a specific state advantageous to the player,
If the lottery result by the lottery means is the transition result, and the symbol combination corresponding to the transition result is stopped at the effective position set at a position visible through the display unit, the game state is the specific state Means of transition to
Predetermined symbol combination lottery means for executing a predetermined symbol combination lottery whether or not drive control of each of the drive means is performed by the predetermined symbol combination forming means when the lottery result by the lottery means is the transition result;
Equipped with
In the case where the predetermined pattern combination forming means is a result that the result of the predetermined pattern combination lottery by the predetermined pattern combination lottery means causes the drive control of each of the driving means by the predetermined pattern combination forming means to be controlled. As a result, the predetermined pattern combination is formed during a predetermined invalid period before the stop operation by the stop operation means becomes effective after the rotation of each orbiting body is started in the game. Drive control of each of the drive means,
The predetermined pattern combination disapproval means is a combination of the predetermined pattern when the lottery means is selected based on the operation of the start operation means for the first time after returning from the predetermined non-playable state to the non-playable state. By preventing the predetermined pattern combination lottery by the lottery means from being performed, in the drive control by the drive control means based on the operation of the first start operation means, the drive means of the predetermined pattern combination forming means A game machine characterized by not performing drive control.