JPH0796049B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly, by exchanging a reel tape of a rotary reel,
The design of the rotating reel is easily changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of slot machine, a plurality of rotating reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are respectively displayed, a stepping motor for individually rotating these rotating reels, and a stepping motor are supplied. A count table that counts drive pulses, a reset means that resets the count means by detecting the reference position of the rotary reel, and a pattern table that associates the count value of the count means with the arrangement of the symbols displayed on the rotary reel. A device having a read-only memory having the above is known (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-43111).

[0003]

However, in the conventional slot machine described above, when changing the arrangement of the symbols on the rotary reel, the data written in the symbol table of the read-only memory must be changed. There was a problem that changing the arrangement of the symbols on the rotating reel was troublesome.

Therefore, the invention described in claims 1 to 4 has been made in view of the problems of the above-mentioned prior art, and the purpose thereof is to replace the reel tape of the rotary reel. The present invention intends to provide a slot machine in which it is easy to change the arrangement of symbols on the rotary reel. Particularly, in the invention according to the second aspect, the code information can be easily recorded by using the bit data.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the amount of information can be increased by using the bar code. Claim 4
The described invention is to record code information magnetically,
The amount of information can be further increased.

[0006]

The present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the contents thereof will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention according to claim 1
Has the following nine configurations. The first is multiple times
On the reels (12-14), these reels (12-14)
Is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Each is displayed.

The second is a stepping motor (32).
The stepping motor (32) is, for example, as shown in FIGS.
In addition, individually rotate the plurality of rotating reels (12-14).
It is for the purpose. Third is the code information (54).
The code information (54) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Identify the type of design (52) displayed on the reel (12-14)
In order to correspond to each design (52), each spinning reel (12-14)
Each is recorded near each pattern (52) in.

The fourth is a code information reading means (60).
The code information reading means (60) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Code information (54) recorded on each rotating reel (12-14)
Of the rotating reels (12-14) for each rotating reel (12-14).
It is read during rotation. Fifth is random access
Memory (74), this random access memory (74)
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the code information reading means (60)
The code information (54) read by the
Design development area to be stored for each rotating reel (12-14)
A (71-73).

The sixth is a read only memory (75).
The read-only memory (75) has, for example, as shown in FIG.
The game program is written in. 7th is middle
Central processing unit (76), this central processing unit (76)
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the stepping motor (32)
Drive pulse to the stepping motor (32).
Rotate each rotating reel (12-14) by driving to open the rotation.
After starting, while each rotating reel (12-14) makes one turn,
It is recorded on each rotating reel (12-14) by the card information reading means (60).
Read the recorded code information (54) and read the code
The information (54) is used to expand the random access memory (74).
A (71 to 73) and write to the read only memory (75)
Read the written game program and read this
According to the game program executed, the random access
It is written in each symbol development area (71 to 73) of the memory (74).
While reading the code information (54)
Control the drive of the motor (32) and
While the drive pulse is being sent to the motor (32),
Recorded on the rotating reels (12-14) by the information reading means (60).
If the read code information (54) cannot be read,
Of the stepping motor (32) that rotates the reels (12 to 14)
This is to detect out-of-step.

Eighth, each of the rotating reels (12-14) is
Reel drive driven by stepping motor (32)
The drum (40) and the outer circumference of the reel drum (40).
From the reel tape (50) where several kinds of designs (52) are displayed
Each is configured. Ninth, the reel tape (5
The code information (54) is recorded in 0).

The invention according to claim 2 is the code information (54)
Is composed of a combination of bit data representing one bit depending on the presence or absence of the mark (55) displayed at a predetermined position on the reel tape (50). In the invention according to claim 3, the code information (54) is a barcode (110).
It is recorded on the reel tape (50) by.

The invention according to claim 4 is the code information (54)
Is recorded magnetically on the reel tape (50).

[0013]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1,
It has the following effects. First, read-only memory (7
The game program written in 5) is read by the central processing unit (76), and the drive of the stepping motor (32) is controlled in accordance with the read game program. When the stepping motor (32) is driven, each rotating reel (12-14) is individually rotated by its driving force.

While the rotating reels (12-14) are rotating, the code information reading means (60) causes the code information (54) recorded on the reel tape (50) of each rotating reel (12-14) to It is read for each rotating reel (12-14). And the spinning reel
After starting the rotation of (12-14), each rotating reel (12-14) once
While reading the code information, the code information (54) read by the code information reading means (60) is read in the order of reading on each rotary reel (12 to 1).
For each 4), it is stored in the symbol development area (71 to 73) of the random access memory (74).

The central processing unit (76) drives the stepping motor (32) in accordance with the read game program while reading the code information (54) written in the symbol development areas (71 to 73). Control. Also the central operation
The processing device (76) drives the stepping motor (32) with a driving pulse.
Is being sent to the code information reading means (60).
The code information (54) recorded on the rotating reels (12-14)
If it cannot be read, spin the rotating reel (12-14).
Detect step-out of stepping motor (32).

Furthermore, when changing the arrangement of the symbols (52) of the rotating reels (12 to 14), it is sufficient to replace the reel tape (50) of the rotating reels (12 to 14), and change the game program. Does not need

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the code information reading means (60) displays the mark (55) displayed at a predetermined position on the reel tape (50) of each rotating reel (12-14). By reading, the code information (54) can be read from the combination of bit data representing 1 bit depending on the presence or absence of the mark (55). According to the invention of claim 3, the bar code (110) is read from the bar code (110) by reading the bar code (110) of the reel tape (50) of each rotating reel (12-14) by the code information reading means (60). The code information (54) can be read.

According to the invention of claim 4, the code information reading means (60) reads the code information (54) magnetically recorded on the reel tape (50) of each rotating reel (12-14). You can get out.

[0019]

1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a slot machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a slot machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a reel unit. FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the reel unit, FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the reel tape on the left side is the front side, and the right side is the rear side, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing the symbol development area, 7 shows each flowchart.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine. A rectangular window portion 11 is formed in the center of the height of the slot machine 10, and a plurality of window portions 11 are provided in the window portion 11. In this embodiment, three rotating reels 12 to 14 are arranged. The three rotary reels 12 to 14 are, in order from the left side in FIG. 2, a left rotary reel 12 and a central rotary reel.
It is composed of 13 and a right rotation reel 14.

On the glass surface of the window portion 11, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of five lines 15 to 19 displaying the winning lines of the three rotating reels 12 to 14 are displayed. Above line 15
~ 19 is a substantially horizontal center line 15 and upper and lower lines 16 and 17 which are located above and below and parallel to the center line.
And diagonal lines of upper and lower lines 16 and 17 on both sides, and is composed of a diagonal line 18 rising to the right and a diagonal line 19 descending to the right, intersecting in a dot pattern at the center.

As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion slot 20 is provided on the lower right side of the three rotary reels 12 to 14, and a medal insertion slot is provided on the left side of the three rotary reels 12 to 14. A 7-segment 2-digit display section 21 for displaying the number of credits of medals inserted through the mouth 20 is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, below the three rotating reels 12 to 14, the rotating reels 12 to 14 are associated with the rotating reels 12 to 14, respectively.
3 stop switches for individually stopping 14 22
~ 24 are arranged respectively. The three stop switches 22 to 24 are composed of a left stop switch 22, a central stop switch 23, and a right stop switch 24 in order from the left side in FIG.

On the left side of the three stop switches 22 to 24, as shown in FIG. 2, is a lever-shaped start switch.
25 are arranged. On the left side of the start switch 25, as shown in FIG. 2, two switches 26 and 27 are arranged one above the other. The upper switch 26 is a credit insertion switch 26 for inserting a credit medal.
The lower switch 27 is a settlement switch 27 for settlement of credit medals.

Further, below the front of the slot machine 10,
As shown in FIG. 2, a hole having a rectangular shape is provided with a medal discharge port 28 for discharging a medal to the outside. On the other hand, inside the slot machine 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a reel unit 30 including the above-described three rotating reels 12 to 14 is built. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reel unit 30 is roughly divided into a frame-shaped base frame 31, and a plurality of fixed units in the base frame 31, here, the rotating reels 12 to 12.
Three stepping motors 32 of the same number as 14 and three rotating reels individually rotated by each stepping motor 32
It has 12 to 14 and.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the rotating reels 12 to 14 is composed of a reel drum 40 rotated by a stepping motor 32 and a reel tape 50 wound around the outer periphery of the reel drum 40. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, the reel drum 40 has its shaft center directly connected to the output shaft of the stepping motor 32.

On the front surface 51 of the reel tape 50, as shown on the left side in FIG. 5, a plurality of kinds of symbols 52 are displayed at predetermined intervals, for example, 21 pieces each. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the types of the symbols 52 are divided into, for example, seven types. 7 types of designs 52
To illustrate, the pattern SE of the number "7", the pattern BE of the picture of "bell", the pattern CH of the picture of "cherry" of the fruit, the pattern ST of the picture of "star (star)", the "apple" of fruit Picture pattern
AP, fruit OR "orange" picture design OR, fruit "plum" picture design PR is composed.

On the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, as shown in FIG.
The surface of the reel tape 50 as shown on the right side of
Code information 54 for identifying the type of the symbol 52 displayed on the symbol 51 is recorded corresponding to each symbol 52 and near each symbol 52. The types of the code information 54 are divided into seven types, the same number as the types of the symbols 52. In this embodiment, since there are seven types of code information 54, 3-bit data is used. Not limited to 3-bit data, if the number of types of code information 54 is small, it can be displayed as bit data of less than 3 bits, and if the number of types of code information 54 is large or the number of types is 3 bits, The excess bit data may be used.

More specifically, the code information 54 is, as shown in the following correspondence table between the types of the symbols 52 and the code information 54,
It is coded using 3-bit data for each type of pattern 52.

[0029]

[Table 1]

As shown on the right side of FIG. 5, the code information 54 is displayed in a binary number on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, and a black circle mark 55 is provided only at a portion corresponding to the binary number "1". It is printed. As shown in FIG. 5, the mark 55 forming the code information 54 is the surface of the reel tape 50.
Along the center line of the center of the pattern 52 of 51, the upper bits, the intermediate bits, and the lower bits are displayed in order from the right side.

The mark 55 is the back surface of the reel tape 50.
In addition to directly printing on 53, it may be printed on a sticker or the like and later attached to the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50. Further, the mark 55 is not limited to being directly behind each pattern 52 on the front surface 51 of the reel tape 50, and may be displayed at a position slightly deviated. On the other hand, a code information reading means 60 for reading the code information 54 on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50 is fixed to the base frame 31 of the reel unit 30, as shown in FIGS.

The code information reading means 60 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, and detects the mark 55 forming the code information 54 by utilizing the reflectance of light. Next, the control circuit of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit of the slot machine 10 is mainly composed of a central controller 70.

At the input side of the central control unit 70, as shown in FIG. 1, a code information reading means 60 is provided as an input / output means (I / I).
O) connected through 80. In addition, the central controller 70
As shown in FIG. 1, each stepping motor 32 is connected to the output side of each of them through a motor drive 90. As shown in FIG. 1, the central control device 70 has symbol development areas 71 to 73 for storing the code information 54 read by the code information reading means 60 for each rotating reel 12 to 14 in the reading order. A random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM") 74, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM") 75 in which a game program is written, and a game program written in this ROM 75 are read out and read out. A central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") 76 for controlling the drive of each stepping motor 32 while reading the code information 54 written in each of the symbol development areas 71 to 73 of the RAM 74 according to the game program. ing.

The symbol development areas 71 to 73 of the RAM 74 are
As shown in FIG. 1, three areas equal to the number of rotating reels 12 to 14 are secured. Each pattern development area 71-73
As shown in FIG. 6, a pattern 52 on one reel tape 50
, For example, 21 store positions equal to 21. Next, a slot machine having the above configuration
The operation of 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, during the rotation of the respective rotary reels 12-14,
As shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to step 100 and the reel tape 5
It is determined whether or not the marks 55 forming the code information 54 on the back surface 53 of 0 are detected by the code information reading means 60. This determination is performed by the CPU 76 (FIG. 1) of the central control device 70, and the CPU 76 is proceeding with the processing according to the game program read from the ROM 75.

Although the detection of the mark 55 is performed for each game, of course, when the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on,
The rotation reels 12 to 14 may be rotated to detect the mark 55. Further, the detection of the mark 55 is started at the time of starting the stepping motor 32 to speed up the detection of the mark 55, but of course, the detection of the mark 55 is performed after the rotation speed of the stepping motor 32 becomes a constant speed. May be started.

If the mark 55 is detected in the above step 100, as shown in FIG.
Proceed to 101. In this step 101, mark 55 is R
Store in the corresponding symbol development areas 71 to 73 of AM74.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the code information reading means 60
If it is located directly behind the "OR" pattern OR,
The code information reading means 60 sends the code information 54 of “110” in binary to the CPU 76 (FIG. 1). CPU
When 76 inputs the code information 54, as shown in FIG.
Hexadecimal "6H" is written in the first store position.

After the above processing is completed, the process proceeds from step 101 to step 102 as shown in FIG. In this step 102, "1" is added to the previous store position in the symbol development areas 71-73. As a result, for example, the store position advances from the first position to the second position. After the above processing is completed, the process proceeds from step 102 to step 103 as shown in FIG. In step 103, it is determined whether 21 marks 55 have been detected. This is because the number of the symbols 52 on the reel tape 50 of each of the rotating reels 12 to 14 is 21 in total, and it is to determine whether each of the rotating reels 12 to 14 has completed one round. .

In step 103, the mark 55 is 2
When one mark is not detected, as shown in FIG. 7, the process returns to the previous step 100, and every time the mark 55 is detected, the mark 55 is stored at the next store position of the previous store position. . For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the symbol SE is “7” located in the front of the rotation direction next to the symbol OR of “orange”, the binary number is “001”, so the second store Hexadecimal "1H" is written at the position (FIG. 6).

In this way, when the 21st "star" symbol ST (Fig. 5) is detected and the hexadecimal "4H" is written in the 21st store position (Fig. 6), the process concerned To finish. In step 100, mark 55
If is not detected, the step 100 is repeated. However, if a prescribed number of drive pulses are sent to the stepping motor 32 and the mark 55 is not detected, it is possible to detect step out of the stepping motor 32.

That is, in this embodiment, the code information 54
In addition, since the binary number "000" is not used, the previous pattern
Step-out can be detected within a range of a dozen degrees from the mark 55 of 52 to the mark 55 of the next pattern 52. Therefore, the mark 55 can also be used as a position signal for detecting out-of-step. On the other hand, in the conventional slot machine, the reference position of the rotating reel is detected and the counter of the stepping motor is reset every one rotation of the stepping motor, so the step-out is detected until the stepping motor makes one rotation. I couldn't do that, and I was delayed by that amount. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect out-of-steps early and deal with them.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a left side of the reel tape is a front surface and a right side thereof is a partial plan view of the back surface.
A feature of this embodiment is that the bar code 110 is used for the code information 54 as shown in FIG. That is, on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, a bar code 110 for identifying the type of each pattern 52 displayed on the front surface of the reel tape 50 is formed. Code information 54 is recorded almost directly behind each pattern 52, as shown on the left side of FIG.

The code information reading means 60 is composed of, for example, a bar code reader, and as shown in FIG. 8, the base frame 31 (not shown) is arranged along the position of the bar code 110 on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50. Fixed). In addition,
The bar code 110 may be directly printed on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, or may be printed on a sticker or the like and attached to the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50 later. Also, barcode 110
Is not limited to being right behind each pattern 52 on the front surface 51 of the reel tape 50, and may be displayed at a position slightly shifted.

Further, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to the present embodiment, by reading the bar code 110 by the code information reading means 60, the same operation as that of the first embodiment described above is performed. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the left side of the reel tape is a front surface and the right side is a partial plan view of the back surface.

The feature of this embodiment is that the code information 54 is magnetically recorded as shown in FIG. That is, on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9, the magnetic recording layer 120 coated with the magnetic material is provided on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50 substantially at the center of the band width. It is formed in a strip shape along the length direction.

The magnetic recording layer 120 includes a reel tape 50.
Code information 54 is magnetically recorded, for example, by a digital signal, almost directly behind each pattern 52 on the surface of the.
The code information reading means 60 is composed of, for example, a magnetic sensor, and as shown in FIG. 8, the base frame 31 is provided along the position of the magnetic recording layer 120 on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50.
It is fixed to (not shown).

The magnetic recording layer 120 is the reel tape 50.
In addition to forming it directly on the back surface 53 of the reel tape 50, the magnetic recording layer 120 is printed on a sticker, etc.
You can put it on. Further, the magnetic recording layer 120 is not limited to the center of the band width of the reel tape 50, but the back surface of the reel tape 50.
It may be formed along the entire back surface of 53 or along at least one of the edges in the width direction. Further, the magnetic recording layer 120 is formed continuously along the length direction of the reel tape 50,
It may be formed intermittently corresponding to each pattern 52.

Code information 54 is added to the magnetic recording layer 120.
It may be recorded by a digital signal or may be stored by an analog signal. Further, the code information reading means 60,
It may be a contact type or a non-contact type. Further, the code information reading means 60 may utilize an optical sensor as well as a magnetic sensor.

In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to the present embodiment, the code information reading means 60 magnetically reads the code information 54, so that the same operation as that of the first embodiment described above is achieved. According to this embodiment, the reel tape
When changing the arrangement of the symbols 52 of 50, the contents of the code information 54 can be easily changed by rewriting the code information 54 recorded in the magnetic recording layer 120.

[0050]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following three effects as described below. Firstly, according to the invention described in claim 1,
Code information, each pattern development error of random access memory
Since it is deployed in the rear, it detects code information one after another
To speed up the processing of code information compared to conventional ones
be able to.

Secondly, according to the invention of claim 1,
Depending on whether or not the
Since the key is detected, the reference position of the rotating reel is detected.
It is possible to detect out-of-step earlier than the conventional one.
Wear. In conventional slot machines, stepping motors
The rotation reel reference position is detected every 1 rotation of the
Since the counter of the topping motor was reset,
Step out can be detected until the stepping motor makes one turn.
I can't do it, and the response is delayed accordingly.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the code information
Stepping motor out-of-step is detected by detecting
Therefore, it is possible to detect out-of-steps early and deal with them.
Wear. Thirdly, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the rotary reel
By changing the reel tape,
The arrangement of the symbols can be easily changed.

In addition to this, according to the second aspect of the invention, the code information can be easily recorded by using the bit data. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the information amount of the code information can be increased by using the barcode. According to the invention of claim 4, the code information is magnetically recorded, so that the information amount of the code information can be further increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a slot machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the reel unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the reel unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the reel tape according to the first embodiment, with the left side facing the front and the right side facing the back.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing a symbol development area according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the reel tape according to the second embodiment, with the left side facing the front and the right side facing the back.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a front side on the left side and a back side on the right side of a reel tape according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 slot machine 11 window 12 to 14 rotating reel 15 to 19 line 20 medal slot 21 display 22 to 24 stop switch 25 start switch 26 credit slot switch 27 settlement switch 28 medal slot 30 reel unit 31 base frame 32 stepping motor 40 reel drum 50 reel tape 51 front surface 52 pattern 53 back surface 54 code information 55 mark 60 code information reading means 70 central control unit 71 to 73 pattern development area 74 random access memory (RAM) 75 read only memory (ROM) 76 central processing Unit (CPU) 80 Input / output means (I / O) 90 Motor drive 100 to 103 Each step 110 Bar code 120 Magnetic tape

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of rotating reels each displaying a plurality of types of symbols, a stepping motor for individually rotating these rotating reels, and a type of the symbol displayed on each rotating reel are identified. For this reason, the code information recorded near each symbol on each rotary reel corresponding to each symbol and the code information recorded on each rotary reel are read while the rotary reel is rotating for each rotary reel. A code information reading means, a random access memory having a symbol development area for storing the code information read by the code information reading means for each rotating reel in a reading order, and a read only memory in which a game program is written. , Sends a drive pulse to the stepping motor,
Drive the stepping motor to rotate each rotating reel.
After the start of rotation, each spinning reel
It is recorded on each rotating reel by the code information reading means.
Reads code information and renders the read code information
Write to the symbol development area of the mobile access memory,
Read the game program written in the memory card
According to the game program read out,
Write in each symbol development area of the random access memory
While reading the embedded code information,
The drive pulse is sent to the stepping motor while controlling the drive of the motor.
In this state, it is recorded on the rotating reel by the code information reading means.
If the read code information cannot be read,
Central processing unit for detecting step-out of a stepping motor for rotating the reel, each of the rotating reels is wound around the reel drum rotated by the stepping motor and an outer peripheral portion of the reel drum. And a reel tape on which the symbol is displayed, and the code information is recorded on the reel tape. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the code information is composed of a combination of bit data representing 1 bit depending on the presence or absence of a mark displayed at a predetermined position on the reel tape. . 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the code information is recorded on the reel tape by a bar code. 4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the code information is magnetically recorded on a reel tape.