JP2004136101A - Lever, lever unit, and slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give a player information by imparting reaction force to a start lever. <P>SOLUTION: The start lever 6 is equipped with a first magnet part 70 and a second magnet part 74. The second magnet part 74 is an electric magnet formed by winding a coil 76 around an iron core 75. When electric current is supplied to the coil 78, large attracting force acts between the first magnet part 70 and the second magnet part 74. Accordingly, when a player touches a knob 61 by hand to tilt a rod 60, the player's hand feels large reaction force when current is supplied to the coil 76. Thus, prescribed information can be given to the player by controlling current supplied to the coil 76. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a lever for applying a reaction force and a slot machine using the lever.

Slot machines and game machines are provided with levers for inputting player's operation instructions. Certain levers are biased by a spring provided therein to return to a predetermined state. When the player operates this lever, the spring is deformed in accordance with the displacement. Since the spring generates a force according to the displacement, the player receives a reaction force at the fingertip.

技術 Furthermore, there is disclosed a technique of adding a device for generating a reaction force using an electromagnetic force to a lever. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional lever. As shown in this figure, the lever 100 includes an operation element 110, a rotating shaft 120, an operation element pad 130, a spring 140, a permanent magnet 150, an electromagnet 160, and a support section 170. The operation element 110 is rotatably supported around a rotation shaft 120, and one end of the operation element 110 is arranged to be in contact with the operation element pad 130. The permanent magnet 150 is fixed to the lower surface of the operation pad 130, while the electromagnet 160 is provided on the upper surface of the support portion 170. Further, a spring 140 is provided between the operation pad 130 and the support part 170.

In the above configuration, when the player tilts the operation element 110, the operation element pad 130 is pushed down. At this time, since the spring 140 is compressed, the player feels a reaction force at the fingertip. Further, the magnitude of the reaction force can be adjusted by controlling the current flowing through the coil constituting the electromagnet 160.
JP 2000-195370 A

By the way, in the lever 100 described above, in order to return the inclination of the operation element 110, the operation element pad 130 needs to be displaced upward. Since the spring 140 is a member for urging the operation pad 130 upward, the spring 140 is an essential component for restoring the inclination of the operation element 110.

However, since the spring 140 has a mechanical configuration, if the player repeatedly operates the operating element 110, there is a problem that the repulsive force is reduced due to mechanical fatigue, and furthermore, the wire is disconnected. Particularly, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player often operates a start lever as if to hit. Therefore, when the lever 100 is used as a start lever of a slot machine, there arises a problem that the operator 110 does not return to a steady state due to mechanical fatigue.

ス ロ ッ ト In addition, in the slot machine, an internal lottery is executed based on the operation timing of the start lever, and an effect may be performed using the lottery result. A typical example is to provide a liquid crystal display device and display an animation indicating that a lottery result has won a specific prize.

However, since the liquid crystal display device is not an indispensable operation member for advancing the game, such as a start lever and a reel stop button, the player may overlook the effect. Further, in the notification by the liquid crystal display device, the content of the notification is known to other players, but there are cases where it is desired to notify the predetermined information only to the player playing the slot machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made to provide a lever having excellent durability, and to provide a slot machine for surely notifying a player of predetermined information and a control method thereof. Make it an issue.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

A first aspect of the lever according to the present invention includes an operation member (60) supported by a rotating shaft (61) and a first member (70) provided at an end of the operation member (60). A U-shaped second member (74) is disposed such that an end thereof is opposed to the first member (70) via a gap (G1, G2). One of the second member (74) is a magnet, and the other is a ferromagnetic material.

Since one of the first member and the second member is a magnet and the other is a ferromagnetic material, in an initial state where no force is applied to the operator, one end of the first member becomes the S pole and the other end becomes the N pole. At the same time, the end of the second member facing the S pole of the first member becomes the N pole, and the end of the second member facing the N pole of the first member becomes the S pole. Then, an attractive force acts between the S-pole of the first member and the N-pole of the second member, and between the N-pole of the first member and the S-pole of the second member. Here, when a person holds the end of the operation element opposite to the end to which the first member is fixed by hand and tilts the operation element, the positional relationship between the first member and the second member is obtained. Deviates from the initial state. At this time, an attractive force acts between the N pole of the first member and the S pole of the second member and between the S pole of the first member and the N pole of the second member. The force acts in the direction to return to. For example, when the operator is tilted clockwise, a counterclockwise return force acts. Then, the person feels this return force as a reaction force in his hand.

According to the present invention, the reaction force is obtained by the magnetic force. Therefore, since the reaction force is generated by an elastic body such as a mechanical spring or rubber, even if the operator is repeatedly operated, the magnitude of the reaction force is reduced or the reaction force is reduced due to fatigue or destruction of the elastic body. It is possible to provide a lever which is extremely excellent in durability without being obtained at all. Further, the present invention includes a case where the first member is a magnet and the second member is a ferromagnetic material, and a case where the first member is a ferromagnetic material and the second member is a magnet. Further, the magnet may be any one that generates a magnetic force, and includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. In addition, the operation element is a member to be operated by a person, and includes a knob if the knob is integrally formed. Further, the shape of the operation element may be a rod shape, or an end portion may have an arc shape or a triangular shape. In addition, it is desirable that it is symmetrical about the rotation axis from the viewpoint of balance.

According to a second aspect of the lever according to the present invention, the operating member (60) supported by the rotating shaft (61) and the first magnet portion (70) fixed to the end of the operating member (60) are both provided. And a second U-shaped magnet portion (74) disposed so that an end portion (B1, B2) of the first magnet portion faces the first magnet portion via a gap (G1, G2). One of the magnet part (70) and the second magnet part (74) is an electromagnet (74).

According to the present invention, if no current is supplied to the electromagnet, the member does not function as an electromagnet but functions as a mere ferromagnetic material. Therefore, in a state where current is not supplied to the electromagnet, a restoring force can be applied in a direction in which the inclination of the operation element is to be returned to the original, as in the first aspect of the lever described above. This return force is based on the magnetic flux generated between the first magnet part and the second magnet part. According to the present invention, since the magnetic flux can be changed by controlling the current supplied to the electromagnet, the magnitude of the reaction force can be adjusted.

The lever unit according to the present invention includes the lever according to the above-described second aspect having a light source, and a control unit that controls light emission of the light source when a current is supplied to the electromagnet (74). According to the present invention, it is possible to supply a current to the electromagnet to change the magnitude of the reaction force and, at the same time, cause the light source to emit light. In addition, the present invention also includes a device that causes a light source to emit light under a certain condition when a current is supplied to an electromagnet. When notifying a person of some information depending on the magnitude of the reaction force, if the magnitude of the reaction force received from the operator is different from that in a normal case, the person may think that the lever is broken. However, according to the present invention, the reaction force is changed and the notification is also made by light, so that it is possible to prevent a person from misunderstanding that the lever has failed. Further, the mode of causing the light source to emit light includes not only simple lighting but also blinking. When the light source is turned on and off, a person can be further alerted.

Further, the slot machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of display columns (R1, R2, R3) displaying a plurality of types of symbols, and the display columns (R1 to R3) are stopped and the display columns (R1 to R3) are stopped. When the winning combination (L1 to L5) crossing (R1 to R3) has a combination of predetermined symbols, a game value is given in accordance with the winning combination, and the rotation axis (61) ), A first member (70) provided at an end of the operation element, and both ends of the operation element (60) and the gap (G1, G2) with the first member (70). A U-shaped second member (74) disposed so as to face through the first member (74), one of the first member (70) and the second member (74) being a magnet, and the other being a magnet. Is for the ferromagnetic player to instruct the reels to start spinning Characterized by comprising a lever (6).

According to the present invention, one of the first member (70) and the second member (74) is a magnet, and the other is a ferromagnetic material, so that the player can instruct the reels to start rotating. The reaction force is obtained by magnetic force, and the reaction force is not generated by an elastic body such as a mechanical spring, so the magnitude of the reaction force is caused by fatigue or destruction of the elastic body. The lever does not become smaller or the reaction force cannot be obtained, so the lever has excellent durability.In particular, the lever for starting the rotation of the reel in the slot machine is operated very frequently. Therefore, a slot machine having excellent durability can be provided. Further, the magnet of the lever provided in this slot machine may be any magnet as long as it generates a magnetic force, and includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

The slot machine of the present invention includes not only a mechanical slot machine having reels but also a video slot for displaying images of reels on a display. The display row includes both the reels of the mechanical slot machine and the reel images displayed on the display.

In the slot machine according to the present invention, the magnet of the lever (6) is an electromagnet (74), and is based on game information (ISD) generated in accordance with the progress of the game to control the slot machine. And a controller (31) for controlling a current supplied to the electromagnet (74).

According to the present invention, since the magnet is an electromagnet, it can be controlled by the current for supplying the magnetic force, and the current supplied to the coil is controlled based on the game information. The reaction force applied to the lever can be adjusted. For example, information indicating the result of the internal lottery, information indicating that a special game such as an AT game is in the incubation period, and the like correspond to the information. Since the player operates the lever when starting the game, it is possible to reliably notify the player of predetermined information by controlling the reaction force. In addition, since only the player playing the slot machine can feel a reaction force, when a large number of slot machines are installed in a hall or the like, the player is notified to a player playing the game on another slot machine. It is possible to know the predetermined information without being performed.

In addition, the slot machine of the present invention, based on the operation timing of the lever described above, from among the lottery sections including each section corresponding to each prize group that is a group of one or more of the roles and a section of a loss, It is preferable that a lottery section (31, 33) is provided for selecting one and generating internal lottery information indicating a lottery result, and the control section (31) preferably uses the internal lottery information as the game information. According to the present invention, the result of the internal lottery can be notified to the player playing on the slot machine without being known to the player playing on another slot machine. The current value supplied to the electromagnet may be changed according to the internal lottery information.

Here, if the specific prize group among the prize groups indicates a prize for shifting to a special game state having a higher game value than a normal game state, the specific prize group It is preferable to perform control to increase the current supplied to the electromagnet (74) as compared with the case where it is not shown that the winning has been achieved. The special game state corresponds to, for example, a big bonus. According to the present invention, the current to be supplied is increased in the case of winning compared to the case of non-winning, so that a large magnetic force is generated by increasing the current, and a large magnetic force is generated when the player operates the lever. The reaction force will act. This allows the player to know that the player has won a particular prize group.

Further, if a specific prize group among the prize groups indicates a prize for shifting to a special game state having a higher game value than a normal game state, the internal lottery information (ISD ) Includes a winning flag indicating that the player has won the specific prize group. When the controller wins the specific prize group in a certain game, the control section wins the role corresponding to the specific prize group. It is preferable that the winning flag is carried over until the current is reached, and the current supplied to the electromagnet (74) is controlled based on the winning flag. In this case, the winning flag is carried over until a winning is achieved. Therefore, even if a predetermined combination of symbols is not aligned on the winning line in a certain game, the winning flag is not reset until a winning is achieved. Since a particular prize group is in a special gaming state, winning by an internal lottery is of interest not only to a player playing in the slot machine but also to a player playing nearby. High-skilled players can stop the desired symbols on the winning line, but low-skilled players can't stop the desired symbols on the winning line in a single game. become. Therefore, if the notification is made in a manner known to other players, the player with low skill will be ashamed until winning. In this regard, according to the present invention, since the notification that the player has won the specific prize group is not known to other players, even a player with a low skill can calmly enjoy the game. It becomes.

Further, in the slot machine of the present invention, the control unit (31) may control a current supplied to the electromagnet (74) when the internal lottery information (ISD) indicates that the specific prize group has been won. On the other hand, when the internal lottery information (ISD) does not indicate that the specific prize group has been won, the supply of current to the electromagnet (74) is stopped. There may be. According to the present invention, when a specific prize group is won, the magnetic force acts on the operator, and the operator moves, and when the specific prize group is not won, the operator is moved. Since the player returns to the original position, the player can know that the player has won the specific prize group by the movement of the controller.

Here, a detection unit (43) for detecting that the operating member (60) of the lever (6) has been rotated at an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined reference angle and generating a detection signal is provided, and the lottery unit (31, 33) performs a lottery based on the detection signal. When the internal lottery information (ISD) indicates that the specific prize group has been won, the control unit (31) performs the lottery. It is preferable to control the current supplied to the electromagnet (74) so that the operation member (60) is inclined within a range less than the reference angle. According to the present invention, even if the operating element is rotated by the repulsive force, the range is less than the reference angle, so that the player does not operate the lever. Therefore, the lottery unit can perform the lottery only when the player operates the lever.

Further, the control unit (31) turns on / off the current supplied to the electromagnet (74) when the internal lottery information (ISD) indicates that the specific prize group has been won. It is preferable to control. According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the player that a particular prize group has been won by vibrating the lever.

In the slot machine according to the present invention, the lever (6) has a light source, and the control unit (31) turns on the light source when supplying current to the electromagnet (74). It may be controlled. According to the present invention, when the reaction force is applied to the lever, the light source is turned on, so that the player does not mistake the notification based on the reaction force as a failure of the lever.

Next, the control method of the slot machine according to the present invention includes the operation member (60) supported by the rotating shaft (61) and the first member (70) provided at the end of the operation member. The first member (70) includes a U-shaped second member (74) disposed so that an end thereof faces the first member (70) via a gap (G1, G2). One of the second member (74) and the second member (74) is an electromagnet, and the other is a ferromagnetic material. The player has a lever (6) for giving an instruction to start rotation of each of the reels. 6) When the player operates, a plurality of display columns (R1 to R3) displaying a plurality of types of symbols are rotated, and the display columns (R1 to R3) are stopped, and the display columns (R1 to R3) are stopped. R3) on a winning line (L1 to L5) that crosses When the winning combination is completed, the game machine controls a slot machine that gives a game value according to the winning combination, and generates game information (ISD) for controlling the slot machine according to the progress of the game. Then, a current supplied to the electromagnet (74) is controlled based on the game information (ISD).

According to the present invention, since the current supplied to the electromagnet is controlled based on the game information, it is possible to adjust the reaction force applied to the lever in conjunction with the progress of the game in the slot machine. Since the player operates the lever when starting the game, it is possible to reliably notify the player of predetermined information by controlling the reaction force. In addition, since only the player playing the slot machine can feel a reaction force, when a large number of slot machines are installed in a hall or the like, the player is notified to a player playing the game on another slot machine. It is possible to know the predetermined information without being performed. In addition, if the magnitude of the current supplied to the electromagnet is controlled based on the result of the internal lottery, the reaction force applied to the lever can be adjusted according to the result of the internal lottery. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that some prize group has been won by the internal lottery, or the winning prize group or the like.

As described above, according to the lever of the present invention, the reaction force can be applied by a magnetic force without using a mechanical elastic body such as a spring, so that the durability can be dramatically improved. it can. Further, since the magnitude of the electromagnetic force can be adjusted by controlling the current supplied to the electromagnet, predetermined information can be notified. Further, in a slot machine using this lever as an operation member for instructing the start of reel rotation, it is possible to surely inform a player of predetermined information and to improve the enjoyment of the game.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
<1. Embodiment>
<1-1: External Configuration of Slot Machine>

Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the slot machine 1 includes a main body 2 and a front door 3 attached to the front of the main body 2. A liquid crystal display device 55 for presenting predetermined information to a player is provided in an upper stage of the front door 3. The panel display section D in the middle stage of the front door 3 is provided with three vertically long rectangular display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c. The display windows 4a, 4b, 4c are formed of a transparent material such as an acrylic resin. On the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c, three pay lines L1 to L5 are provided horizontally and two diagonally.

In addition, an auxiliary display unit 20 is provided on the left side of the display window 4a. The auxiliary display unit 20 includes five LEDs corresponding to the respective pay lines L1 to L5. When the player inserts medals or performs a betting operation described later, the number of winning lines L1 to L5 according to the number of bets becomes valid. In this slot machine 1, the pay line L1 is valid when the number of bets is one, the pay lines L1 to L3 are valid when the number of bets is two, and the pay lines L1 to L3 when the number of bets is three. L5 becomes effective. Each LED constituting the auxiliary display unit 20 is turned on when the corresponding pay line L1 to L5 is valid, and is turned off when the corresponding pay line L1 to L5 is invalid. This allows the player to know which pay line L1 to L5 is valid.

(3) Inside the panel display section D, three rows of left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 each having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on its outer peripheral surface are rotatably provided. Therefore, the player can observe the symbols of the left, middle and right reels R1, R2, R3 through the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c.

操作 Below the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c, there is provided an operation unit OP in which various operation members for a player to execute a game are arranged. The operation unit OP includes a medal insertion slot 5, a start lever 6, left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, a credit button 8, and a BET button 15.

(4) The medal insertion slot 5 is provided below the display window 4c so that medals can be inserted. When one medal is inserted, the pay line L1 is activated. When two medals are inserted, the pay lines L1 to L3 are activated. When three medals are inserted, the pay lines L1 to L5 are activated. Further, when the player inserts more than three medals, the slot machine 1 accumulates four or more medals as credits.

The BET button 15 is provided on the lower left of the display window 4a. The BET button 15 is used to specify the number of medals that the player bets in one game. By operating the BET button 15 by a player, a stored medal can be bet without inserting a medal from the medal insertion slot 5. Therefore, the pay lines L1 to L5 are appropriately activated according to the number of medals specified by operating the BET button 15. The relationship between the number of medals specified by the operation of the BET button 15 and the activated pay lines L1 to L5 is the same as in the case where medals are directly inserted.

The start lever 6 is provided below the BET button 15. The start lever 6 is used by a player to instruct the start of a game. When the player pushes down the start lever 6, the reels R1, R2, R3 start rotating at the same time, and the symbols in the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c are variably displayed.

Left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c are provided to the right of start lever 6. The left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c are used to stop the three rows of left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 rotating in the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c, respectively.

A credit button 8 for determining whether or not to store medals in the slot machine 1 is provided on the right side of the reel stop button 7c. By operating the credit button 8 by the player, it is possible to change whether the credit is valid or invalid. In a predetermined case, medals are paid out to the player from the medal payout exit 10a and stored in the medal receiving tray 10.

<1-2: Start lever configuration>

Next, the configuration of the start lever 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the start lever 6 is cut along a plane including the center axis thereof, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the start lever 6 cut along a plane orthogonal to the cut plane of FIG.

The start lever 6 includes a rod 60 (operator) having a substantially cylindrical shape. The rod 60 is rotatably supported about a rotation shaft 61. The cap 62 includes a guide tube 63 and a flange 64. The guide tube 63 has an annular shape, and a thread is formed on an outer periphery thereof. A hole is formed in the guide tube portion 63 from the inner peripheral wall to the outer peripheral wall, and the rotating shaft 61 is inserted therein. The flange 64 is formed integrally with the guide tube 63, has an inner diameter equal to that of the guide tube 63, and has an outer shape larger than that of the guide tube 63. A hole 65 is formed in the front door 3, and the cap 62 is fitted in the hole 65. A screw groove is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the stopper 66. The cap 62 is fixed to the front door 3 by screwing the thread of the guide tube 63 into the thread groove of the stopper 66.

球状 A spherical knob 67 is attached to one end of the rod 60, while a first magnet unit 70 is attached to the other end of the rod 60. The first magnet section 70 includes a first permanent magnet 71, a second permanent magnet 72, and a connecting rod 73. A first permanent magnet 71 is fixed to one end of the connecting rod 73, and a second permanent magnet 72 is fixed to the other end. Generally, a structure in which two permanent magnets are connected via a magnetic material is equivalent to one permanent magnet, so that the first magnet unit 70 functions as one permanent magnet.

In the following description, the surface of the first permanent magnet 71 facing the gap G1 is referred to as a first permanent magnet surface A1, and the surface of the second permanent magnet 72 facing the gap G2 is referred to as a second permanent magnet surface A2. In this example, the directions of the magnetic poles of the first permanent magnet 71 and the second permanent magnet 72 are set such that the first permanent magnet surface A1 has an N pole and the second permanent magnet surface A2 has an S pole.

Next, the second magnet part 74 is provided so as to face the first magnet part 70 via the gaps G1 and G2. The second magnet part 74 is an electromagnet, and includes a U-shaped iron core 75 and a coil 76. By passing a current through the coil 76, the iron core 75 acts as a magnet, whereas when no current is passed through the coil 76, the iron core 75 acts as a ferromagnetic material. In the following description, the surface of the iron core 75 facing the gap G1 is referred to as a first electromagnet surface B1, and the surface of the iron core 75 facing the gap G2 is referred to as a second electromagnet surface B2.

As described above, since the iron core 75 is a ferromagnetic material, a magnetic pole is induced in the iron core 75 by the first permanent magnet 71 and the second permanent magnet 72 without passing a current through the coil 76. In this example, the first electromagnet surface B1 has an S pole while the second permanent magnet surface A2 has an N pole. Further, the direction of the current flowing through the coil 76 in the embodiment is determined such that the first electromagnet surface B1 has an S pole while the second permanent magnet surface A2 has an N pole.

鉄 The iron core 75 is fixed to the mounting plate 78 by a plurality of screws 79, and the mounting plate 8 is fixed to the front door 3. As a result, the gaps G1 and G2 are kept at a constant interval.

The protection frame 77 is also fixed to the mounting plate 78 by screws 79. A plurality of windows W are formed in the protection frame 77. The two windows W shown in FIG. 2 are provided so that the first permanent magnet 71 and the second permanent magnet 72 do not hit the wall of the protective frame 77 when the rod 60 is rotated.

Additionally, a light shielding piece 431 is vertically fixed to the rod 60. The light shielding piece 431 has a tip protruding from the window W shown in FIG. 3 and crosses the photocoupler 432. The photocoupler 432 is fixed to the protection frame 77 by an L-shaped bracket 80, and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When the rod 60 is in a steady state (the state shown in the drawing), light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by the light shielding piece 431, while when the rod 60 is rotated, light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by the light shielding piece 431. Can be Therefore, it can be detected that a person has operated the start lever 6 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. A start lever sensor 43 described later includes a photocoupler 432, an amplifier, and a comparator. When the light receiving section outputs a light receiving signal of a level corresponding to the amount of received light, the amplifier amplifies the light receiving signal. The comparator generates a detection signal 43 a by comparing the output signal of the amplifier with a predetermined threshold, and outputs the detection signal 43 a as an output signal of the start lever sensor 43.

<1-3: Start lever operation>

Next, the force acting on the start lever 6 will be described separately for a state in which current is not supplied to the coil 76 of the second magnet section 74 and a state in which current is supplied.

{Circle over (1)} In a state where no current is supplied, the second magnet part 74 acts as a ferromagnetic material. FIG. 4 shows the magnetic flux when the start lever 6 is at the center position (initial state). In this state, an S pole is induced on the first electromagnet surface B1 and an N pole is induced on the second electromagnet surface B2 in the U-shaped iron core 75. The magnetic flux flows through a path such as the first permanent magnet surface A1, the gap G1, the first electromagnet surface B1, the iron core 75, the second electromagnet surface B2, the gap G2, and the second permanent magnet surface A2.

Next, FIGS. 5A to 5C show changes in magnetic flux generated near the gap G1 when the start lever 6 is tilted to the left. As shown in this figure, when the start lever 6 is tilted, the area of the opposing surface between the first permanent magnet surface A1 and the first electromagnet surface B1 decreases, but the magnetic flux density of the opposing surface increases. This is because the magnetic flux flows through the portion where the magnetic resistance is the smallest, and the opposite surface has the smallest magnetic resistance. Therefore, the force acting on the facing surface increases as the inclination of the start lever 6 increases. However, when the inclination of the start lever 6 becomes large, the magnetic flux leaks from the side surface of the permanent magnet 71 and enters the iron core 75, and this magnetic flux also acts as a force acting between the first magnet portion 70 and the second magnet portion 74. Has some effect.

FIG. 6A shows the force acting on the first magnet unit 70 when the start lever 6 is in a steady state, and FIG. 6B shows the force applied to the first magnet unit 70 when the start lever 6 is tilted to the left. It shows the acting force. First, in the steady state, the forces F1 and F2 act in the direction of the rotation axis and do not act in the normal direction. Therefore, in the steady state, a force for rotating the rod 60 does not act, so that a person does not feel a reaction force from the knob 67.

On the other hand, when the start lever 6 is tilted to the left, the north pole and the south pole attract each other, so that the force F1 acting on the permanent magnet 71 includes a component F1a in the normal direction and a component F1b in the rotation axis direction. The force F2 acting on the permanent magnet 72 includes a component F2a in the normal direction and a component F2b in the rotation axis direction. Accordingly, since the component force F1a and the component force F2a act as a force for rotating the rod 60 counterclockwise, a person feels a reaction force from the knob 67 to return the start lever 6 to a steady state.

That is, even when no current is supplied to the coil 76, when the start lever 6 is tilted, a force for returning to the steady state acts. Further, as the inclination of the start lever 6 increases, the magnitude of the force increases. Therefore, when the player operates the start lever 6, the player feels a reaction force corresponding to the inclination.

Next, a state in which current is supplied to the coil 76 of the second magnet unit 74 will be described. When a current is supplied to the coil 76, the number of magnetic fluxes interlinking the cross section of the iron core 75 increases according to the current value. Further, as the magnetic flux flowing through the closed magnetic path formed by the first magnet section 70 and the second magnet section 74 increases, the forces F1 and F2 acting on the first magnet section 70 increase. Therefore, when a current is supplied to the coil 76, the forces F1 and F2 become larger than when no current is supplied. Since the forces F1 and F2 increase as the current value increases, the magnitude of the reaction force can be adjusted by adjusting the current value.

<1-4: reel and role>

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 and the peripheral configuration. Twenty-one symbols are displayed on the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3. The player can observe the symbols of the left, middle and right reels R1, R2, R3 through the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c.

(4) Further, a light-shielding piece 491 is provided on a part of the right reel R3 so as to protrude from the reel body, and crosses the photocoupler 492 when the right reel R3 rotates. Note that, similarly to the right reel R3, the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 are also provided with a light shielding piece 491 and a photocoupler 492.

FIG. 8 shows an example of symbols displayed on the left, middle and right reels R1, R2, R3. As shown in this figure, 21 reels and 7 types of symbols are displayed on each reel R1, R2, R3, and symbol numbers PN = 1 to 21 are assigned to each symbol. The filled “7” is a red “7” (for example, the symbol number PN = 1 on the left reel), and the vertical hatched “7” is a blue “7” (for example, Symbol number PN of middle reel = 8)

In the game by the slot machine 1, when a predetermined combination of symbols is arranged on the pay lines L1 to L5 activated by inserting medals or the like, medals are paid out in a number corresponding to the aligned symbols. The medal is inserted into the slot machine 1 when starting the game, and is required for the player to continue the game. That is, the medal can be said to be a medium having a game value such as continuation of a game.

組合 せ The combination of symbols is roughly divided into "roles" that give a game value and "losses" that have no value. The roles of the present embodiment include the following.

1) Red 7 role This role is a combination of the symbol of symbol number PN = 1 or 10 on the left reel R1, the symbol of symbol number PN = 12 or 14 on the middle reel R2, and the symbol of symbol number PN = 7 on the right reel R3. It is.

2) Blue 7 role This role is a combination of the symbol number PN = 14 on the left reel R1, the symbol number PN = 8 or 19 on the middle reel R2, and the symbol number PN = 20 on the right reel R3.

3) BAR role This role is a combination of the symbol number PN = 3 or 9 on the left reel R1, the symbol number PN = 4 or 7 on the middle reel R2, and the symbol number PN = 12 or 16 on the right reel R3. is there.

4) Bell role This role is a symbol with the symbol number PN = 4, 7, 11, 15 or 20 on the left reel R1, a symbol with the symbol number PN = 2, 6, 11, 16 or 21 on the middle reel R2, a right reel. It is a combination of the symbol numbers PN = 1, 3, 5, 10, 14, or 18 in R3.

5) Watermelon role This role is a symbol with the symbol number PN = 6, 17 or 19 on the left reel R1, a symbol number PN = 18 on the middle reel R2, and a symbol number PN = 4, 8, 17 or 21 on the right reel R3. It is a combination of symbols.

6) Cherry role In this role, the symbol of the symbol number PN = 12, 16 or 21 on the left reel R1 may be stopped at the activated one of the pay lines L1 to L5. Irrelevant.

7) Plum role This role is a symbol of the symbol number PN = 2, 5, 8, 13 or 18 on the left reel R1, a symbol of the symbol number PN = 1, 5, 10, 13, 15 or 20 on the middle reel R2, This is a combination of symbols of symbol number PN = 2, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, or 19 on the right reel R3. Even if the plum combination is established, there is no payout of medals, but replays are possible. Replay refers to playing the game again without inserting a new medal.

役 For these combinations, the game value given to the player for each combination according to the game state is predetermined. Roles with 1 to 15 payouts, roles with advantageous gaming status such as big bonuses and regular bonuses regardless of payouts with prizes, and medals with no payouts There is a role of being provided with a re-game in which a game can be performed again under the same number of medal insertion conditions without performing the game. In addition, not all of these combinations are necessarily set as prizes in all gaming states. It is also possible to establish a prize in one game state but not a prize in another game state. That is, the game value given to the player for each winning of each combination is predetermined for each game state and is not always constant.

In the present embodiment, the game value given to the player in the normal game state is as follows: 7 bells, 15 watermelons, 2 cherrys are paid out, and the plums can be replayed. Role.

Among the various roles, the roles corresponding to relatively low game values, such as the award of 2 to 15 cards such as the bell, watermelon, cherry, and plum, as well as the award of replays, are generally referred to as small. Call the role. On the other hand, when the BAR combination is won, the gaming state shifts to a specific gaming state called a regular bonus (hereinafter abbreviated as “RB” as appropriate). In the regular bonus, the player can play the jack game 12 times, and the RB period ends when the player plays the jack game 12 times or wins a maximum of 8 times. The jackpot game is played by betting one medal and making only the central pay line L1 effective. As the role of the jack game, the role of plum is adopted. When the symbols constituting this combination are aligned with the pay line L1, the slot machine 1 pays out 15 medals. In other words, in the normal gaming state, replay can be performed even if the plum combination is completed, but in the jackpot game played during the regular bonus period, if the symbols constituting the plum combination are completed, 15 medals will be paid out. Can be. In addition, during the big bonus, which will be described later, a plum combination is assigned to a regular bonus prize. In the RB gaming state, a jack game that is not in the normal gaming state is performed. Therefore, it can be said that the RB gaming state is an advantageous gaming state for the player as compared with the normal gaming state.

When the player wins the role of Blue 7, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to a second gaming state called a normal big bonus (hereinafter, the big bonus is abbreviated as “BB” as necessary). . During the big bonus period, in addition to the regular bonus being able to be performed up to three times, it is possible to achieve up to thirty times the game with the small winning combination in the high winning probability state. The normal big bonus is a more advantageous gaming state compared to the regular bonus.

Further, when the player wins the role of Red 7, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to a third gaming state called a super big bonus. The super big bonus is different from the normal big bonus in that a small role is notified. As will be described later, in the slot machine 1, an internal lottery is performed, and when the symbols constituting the winning combination are aligned on the effective pay lines L1 to L5, a winning is achieved. Therefore, if the player can know the prize or the winning combination by the internal lottery, the player can acquire many medals by stopping each of the reels R1 to R3 in a timely manner. The notification of the small role informs the player of the type of the prize or the role that has been won by the internal lottery. Therefore, the super big bonus is a more advantageous gaming state than the normal big bonus.

<1-5: Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine>

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control device for controlling the game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a circuit configuration including peripheral devices related to the present invention among the components forming the slot machine 1.

The control device has the control board 30 as a main component. The control board 30 includes a CPU 31, a clock generation circuit 32, a sequence generation circuit 33, a RAM 34, a ROM 35, a transmission timing control circuit 36, a data transmission circuit 37, an input port 38, and an output port 39.

The CPU 31 is connected to each component of the control board 30 except the transmission timing control circuit 36 via a bus (not shown). The CPU 31 controls each component by executing the control program CP. The control program CP describes how the entire slot machine 1 operates. Therefore, the CPU 31 functions as a control center of the slot machine 1. The clock generation circuit 32 includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal oscillator, generates a fixed-cycle reference clock signal CLK, and supplies the reference clock signal CLK to the CPU 31 and the sequence generation circuit 33.

The sequence generator 33 is formed of a high-speed ring counter, and counts the reference clock signal CLK to generate count data CD. The numerical value range of the count data CD depends on the storage content of the prize group lottery table TBL1, which will be described later, and is, for example, 0 to 59999. The count data CD is constantly supplied to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 detects the timing at which the player has pressed down the start lever 6, and generates the sampling data SD by sampling the count data CD at the timing.

Since the player cannot know the value of the count data CD, the timing at which the start lever 6 is pressed down by the player is random. Therefore, the value of the sampling data SD is equivalent to a value obtained by sampling a certain value from random numbers. Since the sequence generator 33 operates in synchronization with the reference clock signal CLK, the cycle of the count data CD is extremely short. For example, if the frequency of the reference clock signal CLK is 30 MHz, the time required for the value of the count data CD to change from “0” to “59999” is 2 msec. Therefore, even if the player can know the value of the count data CD by illegal means, it is impossible to operate the start lever 6 to cause the CPU 31 to generate the sampling data SD having a desired value.

Next, the RAM 34 functions as a work area for the CPU 31 and stores intermediate results of arithmetic processing, data generated as necessary, and the like.

The ROM 35 stores a prize group lottery table TBL1, a stop table group TBL2, a winning symbol combination table TBL3, and the like, in addition to the control program CP. The winning symbol combination table TBL3 stores a combination of symbols of winning combinations and the number of medals to be paid out of winning combinations in association with each other.

As described above, the types of the role in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment include the role of seven red, the role of blue, the role of BAR, the role of bell, the role of watermelon, the role of cherry, and the role of plum. The formation of the role of Red 7 is an opportunity to shift to the super big bonus, the formation of the role of Blue 7 is an opportunity to shift to the normal big bonus, while the formation of the BAR role is an opportunity to shift to the regular bonus. Also, the game value that the player can acquire differs depending on the type of the small role. In the control of the slot machine 1, it is necessary to perform control according to the difference in the game value. Therefore, it is convenient to classify various combinations by paying attention to the game value. The role of Red 7 (Super Big Bonus) and the role of Blue 7 (Normal Big Bonus) have the same progress in a series of games except for the notification of the small role, as described above. Therefore, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment assigns one prize group to these roles. A prize group including the role of red 7 and the role of blue 7 is called a BB prize. In addition, the other roles have respective prize groups corresponding to the respective roles. The award group corresponding to the BAR role is the RB award, the award group corresponding to the bell role is the bell award, the award group corresponding to the watermelon role is the watermelon award, the award group corresponding to the cherry role is the cherry award, and the award corresponding to the role of plum. The group is called the Replay Award.

FIG. 10 shows the stored contents of the prize group lottery table TBL1. As shown in the figure, the prize group lottery table TBL1 stores lottery division data in first to seventh storage areas ADR1 to ADR7. The value of the lottery section data indicates the size of the lottery section corresponding to each prize group. For example, the lottery division data stored in the first storage area ADR1 corresponds to a loss, and the value is “54000”. The lottery division data stored in the seventh storage area ADR7 corresponds to the BB prize, and its value is “300”. Therefore, the probability of winning the BB prize is 1/180 of the probability of winning the losing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 31 in the internal lottery process using the prize group lottery table TBL1. First, the CPU 31 performs an initialization process (step S1). Specifically, the value of the variable N is reset to “0” and the value stored in the internal register is reset to “0”.

Next, the CPU 31 stores the first sampling data SD in the internal register (step S2), and subsequently changes the value of the variable N to N + 1 (step S3). Thereafter, the CPU 31 reads out the lottery division data from the N-th storage area (step S4). In the processing immediately after the initialization processing, the value of the variable N is “1”, so that the lottery division data is read from the first storage area ADR1. The value in this case is “54000”.

Next, the CPU 31 reads the stored contents of the internal register, adds the read data value and the lottery division data value, and stores the added value in the internal register (step S5). As a result, the content stored in the internal register is updated from the original data value to the added value.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the added value is equal to or larger than the reference value (step S6). The reference value is equal to the sum of the values of each lottery division data stored in the first to seventh storage areas ADR1 to ADR7.

If the added value is less than the reference value, the CPU 31 returns the processing to step S3, and repeats the processing from step S3 to step S6 until the added value becomes equal to or more than the reference value. Then, when the added value becomes equal to or more than the reference value, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S7, determines a prize group according to the value of the variable N, and generates internal lottery data. Specifically, when N = 1, the player loses, when N = 2, the replay prize, when N = 3, the cherry prize, when N = 4, the bell prize, when N = 5, the watermelon prize, and when N = 6, the RB. When the prize is N = 7, it is determined that the BB prize has been won. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the correspondence between the first sampling data SD and the prize group is as follows: SD = 59999 to 6000, loss: SD = 5999 to 4,200, replay award, SD = 4199 to 3000, cherry: An award corresponds to a bell award when SD = 2999 to 1740, a watermelon award when SD = 1799 to 900, an RB award when SD = 899 to 300, and a BB award when SD = 299 to 0.

Then, the CPU 31 generates the internal lottery data ISD based on the determination result. The internal lottery data ISD is 8-bit data. The first bit is a BB prize, the second bit is an RB prize, the third bit is a bell prize, the fourth bit is a watermelon prize, the fifth bit is a cherry prize, and the sixth bit. A replay prize is assigned to each bit. When one of the prizes is won by the internal lottery, the CPU 31 sets the value of the corresponding bit to “1”, and otherwise, sets the value of the bit to “0”. Therefore, by referring to the internal lottery data ISD, it is possible to know whether the game has been won or lost, and the winning prize group.

In the following description, the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD whose data value is “1” is called a BB prize winning flag, and the second bit of the internal lottery data ISD whose data value is “1” is RB. Called the prize winning flag. When the BB prize and the RB prize are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as a winning flag. Regarding small wins, even if an internal lottery is won in a certain game, medals are not paid out unless a prize is won in the game. However, when the RB prize and the BB prize are won by an internal lottery of a certain game, the winning flag is not reset even if the prize is not won in the game, and the winning flag is not erased until a prize is won in a subsequent game. This is called carryover of the winning flag.

Next, the stop table group TBL2 includes a plurality of stop tables. In each stop table, a symbol number PN displayed on the central pay line L1 and misplaced frame number data indicating the number of misplaced frames are stored in association with each other. Here, the number of shift frames is the number of symbols that advance from when the player depresses each of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c to when each of the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 stops. Means

た め Since the left, middle and right reels R1, R2 and R3 rotate at high speed, even if the player operates the stop button aiming at a specific symbol, skill is required to stop the desired symbol. There is an individual difference in the skill of the stop button operation. In particular, it is difficult for a player with low dynamic visual acuity to stop a desired symbol. On the other hand, a player with high skill can operate the stop button when a desired symbol is displayed on the winning line.

However, in order for low-skilled players to enjoy the game, it is necessary to make the symbols easier to match to some extent, but if the result of the internal lottery is lost, it is necessary to control the rotation of the reels so that the winning combination is not realized There is.

The stop table is used for controlling such reel rotation. The stop positions of the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 are determined with reference to a stop table. FIG. 12 shows an example of the stop table. This stop table corresponds to the left reel R1. The shift frame number data stored in the stop table is set so that the bell symbol easily stops on the lower pay line L3. For example, it is assumed that the player depresses the left reel stop button 7a at the timing when the symbol of the BAR specified by the symbol number PN = 9 is displayed on the central winning line L1. In this case, when the stop table is referred to based on the symbol number PN = 9, the shift frame number data in which the shift frame number is 3 is selected. Therefore, if the rotation of the left reel R1 is controlled based on the selected shift frame number data, the bell symbol (symbol number PN = 7) can be stopped at the pay line L3.

に Return to FIG. 9 and continue the description of the control device. The transmission timing control circuit 36 and the data transmission circuit 37 shown in the figure transmit the type of combination determined by the internal lottery and information on the stop table selected corresponding to the combination to the liquid crystal display control circuit 54. It plays a role. The liquid crystal display control circuit 54 includes a ROM storing various types of image data, reads out the image data as needed, and supplies the read image data to the liquid crystal display device 55. The liquid crystal display device 55 displays various images based on the image data. For example, the CPU 31 sends the internal lottery data ISD to the liquid crystal display control circuit 54 via the data transmission circuit 37 during the super big bonus, and the liquid crystal display control circuit 54 instructs the internal lottery data ISD. Image data corresponding to the winning combination is read from the ROM, and the read image data is supplied to the liquid crystal display device 55.

The input port 38 is an input interface for signals supplied from various sensors described below. On the other hand, the output port 39 is an output interface for supplying a control signal to each motor and various devices.

The main input signal generating means connected to the input port 38 and generating various input signals includes the following. The inserted medal detection sensor 41 detects a medal inserted through the medal insertion slot 5 and generates one output pulse for one medal. Therefore, the CPU 31 can detect the number of inserted medals by counting the output pulses.

The BET button sensor 42 detects an operation of the BET button 15. The start lever sensor 43 detects an operation of the start lever 6. The left / middle / right reel stop button sensors 44, 45, 46 detect the operation of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, respectively. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47, 48, 49 detect the rotation positions of the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 and generate detection signals 47a, 48b, 49c.

The right reel position detection sensor 49 includes a photocoupler 492, an amplifier, and a comparator shown in FIG. Photocoupler 492 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When the light receiving section outputs a light receiving signal of a level corresponding to the amount of received light, the amplifier amplifies the light receiving signal. The comparator compares the output signal of the amplifier with a predetermined threshold to generate a detection signal 49a, and outputs this as an output signal of the right reel position detection sensor 49. When the right reel R1 rotates, the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. Therefore, the rotation position of the right reel R3 can be detected by the detection signal 49a. The left / middle position detection sensors 47 and 48 have the same configuration as the right reel position detection sensor 49.

Main means connected to the output port 39 to receive various output signals include the left, center, and right reel drive motors 51, 52, and 53 and the electromagnet drive circuit 21.

The left / middle / right reel drive motors 51, 52 and 53 are motors for rotating the left / middle / right reels R1, R2 and R3, respectively, and in this example are constituted by stepping motors. Therefore, the CPU 31 adjusts the number of pulses of each drive signal 51, 52a, 53a supplied to the left / middle / right reel drive motors 51, 52, 53 to stop the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3. The position can be determined accurately.

各 Each of the motors 51, 52, and 53 is configured to make one rotation by 420 pulses. As described above, since 21 symbols are formed on each of the reels R1, R2, R3, one symbol can be advanced by supplying 20 pulses to the motor. The CPU 31 counts the number of pulses supplied to each of the motors 51, 52, and 53, and holds the count result as position data MD1, MD2, and MD3. The values of the position data MD1, MD2 and MD3 are reset at the timing when the detection signals 47a, 48a and 49a become active.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship among the detection signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3. As shown in this figure, when the detection signal 49a rises from a low level to a high level at time t1, the value of the position data MD3 is reset. Time t1 is a timing at which the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. At this time, as for the rotation position of the right reel R3, a symbol (bell) with symbol number PN = 1 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c. In other words, the attachment position of the light shielding piece 491 and the photocoupler 492 is determined so that the symbol is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c.

Then, when 20 pulses are supplied to the right reel drive motor 53 as the drive signal 53a during the period from time t1 to time t2, the right reel drive motor 53 rotates the right reel R3 by 1/21 rotation. As a result, the symbol (plum) with symbol number PN = 2 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c. Hereinafter, the symbols are sequentially displayed in the same manner, and at time t3, the right reel R3 makes one rotation and the symbol (bell) with the symbol number PN = 1 is displayed again. Thus, since the detection signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3 are closely related, the CPU 31 can detect the display state of the symbol based on the position data MD3.

The CPU 31 can detect the display state of the symbols on the left reel R1 and the center reel R2 based on the position data MD1 and MD2, similarly to the right reel R3 described above.

Next, the electromagnet drive circuit 21 supplies a drive current 21A to the coil 76 of the start lever 6 based on the control signal 21a. FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of the electromagnet drive circuit 21 and its peripheral configuration. The power supply voltage Vdd is supplied to one end of the coil 76, while the other end of the coil 76 is connected to the collector of the transistor 210 via the resistor 211. The emitter of the transistor 210 is grounded, and its base is supplied with the control signal 21a.

In the above configuration, when the control signal 21a goes high (active), the transistor 210 is turned on, and the drive current 21A is supplied to the coil 76. On the other hand, when the control signal 21a becomes low level (inactive), the transistor 210 is turned off, and the driving current 21A is not supplied to the coil 76. Therefore, if the control signal 21a is at a high level, the second magnet portion 74 can act as an electromagnet to apply a large reaction force to the start lever 6, while if the control signal 21a is at a low level, the second It is possible to make the magnet part 74 act simply as a ferromagnetic material, and to apply a small reaction force to the start lever 6.

In the present embodiment, when the RB prize or the BB prize is won in the internal lottery as described later, the CPU 31 sets the control signal 21a to the high level while the RB prize or the BB prize is not won. Then, the CPU 31 sets the control signal 21a to low level. Therefore, when operating the start lever 6, the player can know that the BB prize has been won based on the magnitude of the reaction force.

<1-6: Overall operation of slot machine>

Next, the overall operation of the slot machine 1 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the CPU 31 controls the slot machine 1 from the start to the end of one game according to the control program CP.

The CPU 31 determines whether or not the player has made a bet operation based on the detection signals from the inserted medal detection sensor 41 and the BET button sensor 42 (step S10). Proceed to S11.

In step S11, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the player has operated the start lever 6 based on the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43. When the player operates the knob 67 of the start lever 6, the rod 60 rotates. Then, the light shielding piece 431 that has shielded the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photocoupler 432 moves together with the rod 60, and the light receiving unit of the photocoupler 432 receives the light. The output signal of the light receiving section is supplied to the comparator via the amplifier. The comparator compares the output signal of the amplifier with a reference value to generate a detection signal. Here, the reference value is set so that the detection signal becomes active when the start lever 6 is rotated to some extent. Therefore, the detection signal does not become active due to shock or vibration when an object hits the front door 3, and the detection signal becomes active only when the player operates the start lever 6.

After that, the CPU 31 performs a process of prohibiting the bet operation (step S12). Thereby, even if the player inserts medals or operates the BET button 15, the acceptance is rejected.

Next, the CPU 31 executes an internal lottery process according to the control program CP (step S13), and sets a winning flag if a BB prize or an RB prize has been won (step S14). The internal lottery process and the setting of the winning flag are performed in the following procedure. First, the CPU 31 acquires the sampling data SD by sampling the count data CD at the timing when the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43 becomes active. Second, the CPU 31 generates internal lottery data ISD with reference to the prize group lottery table TBL1 stored in the ROM 35. For example, if the storage content of the prize group lottery table TBL1 is as shown in FIG. 4 and the value of the sampling data SD is “150”, the internal lottery data ISD indicates the winning of the BB prize. . In this case, the CPU 31 sets a winning flag in the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD.

Next, the CPU 31 executes a reel rotation process (step S16). Specifically, the drive signals 51a to 53a are activated. Then, the left / middle / right reel drive motors 51-53 start rotating, and the left / middle / right reels R1-R3 rotate accordingly.

After that, the CPU 31 executes a reel rotation stop process (step S17). The reel rotation stop processing is performed in the following procedure. First, the CPU 31 specifies the type of the pressed reel stop buttons 7a to 7c this time. Second, the CPU 31 selects one stop table from the stop table group TBL2 based on the internal lottery data ISD and the type of the specified button. Third, the CPU 31 determines the reel stop position with reference to the selected stop table. In this case, the CPU 31 detects the timing at which each of the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c is depressed based on signals from the reel stop button sensors 44 to 46, and acquires the symbol number PN at the timing. Then, the CPU 31 reads out the slip frame number data by referring to the stop table based on the symbol number PN, and controls each of the reel drive motors 51 to 53 so that the rotation of the reel advances by the slip frame number indicated by the data. Since each of the reel drive motors 51 to 53 is constituted by a stepping motor, the CPU 31 supplies a number of drive pulses corresponding to the number of sliding frames to each of the reel drive motors 51 to 53. Fourth, the CPU 31 determines whether or not all reels have stopped, and repeats the above-described first to third processes until all reels have stopped. When all the reels stop, the reel rotation stop processing ends.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a small combination has been won (step S18). If the small combination has been won, the CPU 31 refers to the winning symbol combination table TBL3 to determine the number of medals according to the winning combination. Each part is controlled to pay out (Step S19).

On the other hand, if the small winning combination has not been won, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the RB game is in progress (step S20). In the present embodiment, an RB flag indicating that the RB game is being performed is set in an RB game start process (step S23) described later, and the RB flag is reset in the RB game end determination process (step S21). I have. Therefore, whether or not the RB game is being performed is determined based on whether the RB flag is set or reset.

When the CPU 31 determines that the RB game is in progress, the process proceeds to step S21, and executes the RB game end determination process. In the RB game end determination processing, it is determined whether the RB game has been performed a predetermined number of times, and if the RB game has been performed a predetermined number of times, the RB flag is reset.

On the other hand, when the RB game is not in progress, the result of the determination in step S20 is “NO”, and the CPU 31 determines whether or not an RB prize has been won (step S22). If the player has won the RB prize, the CPU 31 executes an RB game start process (step S23). In this process, the RB flag is set.

Next, if the RB prize has not been won, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a BB game is in progress (step S25). As in the above-described processing related to the RB game, in this embodiment, a BB flag indicating that the BB game is being performed is set in a BB game start processing (step S27) described later, and the BB game end determination processing (step S25). Resets the BB flag. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the BB game is being performed is made based on whether the RB flag is set or reset. Note that the processing for the BB game from step S25 to step S27 is the same as the processing for the RB game from step S21 to step S23, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a replay prize has been won (step S28). When the player wins the replay award, the same pay line as the pay line activated in the previous game is automatically activated without performing a bet operation. Therefore, if the player has won the replay award, the CPU 31 returns the process to step S11.

Then, the CPU 31 determines whether the BB prize or the RB prize has been missed (step S29). The missing of the BB prize or the RB prize means that the BB prize or the RB prize cannot be won while the BB prize or the RB prize has been won in the internal lottery process (step S13). In the process of step S29, the CPU 31 determines that the BB prize or the RB prize has been missed when the winning flag is set and the RB flag or the BB flag is reset, and in other cases, It is determined that the BB prize or the RB prize has not been missed.

If the result of the determination in step S29 is "NO", the winning flag is cleared and the data value of each bit of the internal lottery data ISD is reset to "0" (step S30). As a result, carryover of the winning flag is eliminated.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S29 is "YES", the CPU 31 advances the process to the step S31 without resetting the winning flag and cancels the prohibition of the betting operation. As a result, the winning flag is carried over to the next game.

<1-7: Notification operation by start lever>

Next, the notification operation using the reaction force of the start lever 6 will be described. There are various objects to be notified, but in the present embodiment, as an example of the notification based on the result of the internal lottery, the notification that the BB prize or the RB prize has been won will be described. .

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process in which the CPU 31 generates the control signal 21a according to the control program CP. First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the winning flag is set with reference to the internal lottery data ISD (step S33). The winning flag includes a flag indicating that the BB prize has been won (the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD) and a flag indicating that the RB prize has been won (the second bit of the internal lottery data ISD). However, this example includes both. Accordingly, the determination result is “YES” when the RB prize winning flag or the BB prize winning flag is set, and the determination is performed when both the RB prize winning flag and the BB prize winning flag are reset. The result is "NO".

If the determination result is “YES”, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S34, and sets the logic level of the control signal 21a to a high level. As described above, the electromagnet drive circuit 21 supplies the drive current 21A to the coil 76 when the control signal 21a is at a high level. In this case, the second magnet section 74 acts as an electromagnet. That is, when the player has won the RB prize or the BB prize, the second magnet portion 74 acts as an electromagnet, and a large reaction force acts when the player operates the start lever 6.

On the other hand, if the determination is "NO", the CPU 31 advances the process to step S35, and sets the logic level of the control signal 21a to a low level. In this case, since the drive current 21A is not supplied to the coil 76, the second magnet part 74 acts simply as a ferromagnetic material. That is, when neither the RB prize nor the BB prize has been won, a smaller reaction force acts on the start lever 6 than in the case where the prize has been won.

Here, the value of the drive current 21A is set so that the player can feel a difference in the reaction force between the case where the winning flag is set and the case where the winning flag is reset. Therefore, when the start lever 6 is operated, the player can be notified that the RB prize or the BB prize has been won by the internal lottery.

However, since the internal lottery is performed by sampling the count data CD at the operation timing of the start lever 6, it is possible to know whether or not the player has won the RB prize or the BB prize by the internal lottery in the game. This depends on how the start lever 6 is operated, the processing speed of the CPU 31, and the like. If the processing of the CPU 31 is in time by the player slowly operating the start lever 6, the player can feel a change in the reaction force during the operation. On the other hand, if the processing of the CPU 31 is not in time by quickly operating the start lever 6 by the player, the player cannot feel a change in the reaction force during the operation.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the magnitude of the reaction force applied to the start lever 6 is adjusted based on the result of the internal lottery, the player can feel that the player has won the RB prize or the BB prize by the internal lottery. Can be notified. Since the game cannot be started unless the start lever 6 is operated, the notification by the reaction force of the start lever 6 can surely notify the player that the player has won the RB prize or the BB prize.

{Circle around (1)} The conventional visual notification uses the liquid crystal display device 55 attached to the upper part of the slot machine 1. However, the player in the game is watching the symbols displayed on the display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c. On the other hand, the notification that the player has won the RB prize or the BB prize informs the player of advantageous conditions for obtaining a prize. Is moved to confirm whether or not there is a notification. The short-minded player moves his / her eyes to the liquid crystal display device 55 in order to confirm the notification for each game. As described above, if the eyes are moved frequently, the eyes become tired in a short time, and the game cannot be enjoyed for a long time.

{Circle around (5)} The auditory notification is performed by emitting a special sound from the built-in speaker when the start lever 6 is operated or when the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b and 7c are operated. However, the hall where the slot machine 1 is installed is full of broadcast sounds for guidance and sound effects from other devices, and it is difficult to hear the sound. Therefore, the player may not be able to distinguish a special sound, and in particular, there is a problem that it is difficult for a distant player to recognize the notification of the odd angle.

However, according to the present embodiment, the notification is performed based on the magnitude of the reaction force applied to the start lever 6, so that the player's eyes are not tired or difficult to hear, and the notification is reliably provided to the player. It is possible to do. As a result, the player can enjoy a series of games with confidence.

<2. Application>

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the presently most practical and preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. Instead, the start lever 6 and the slot machine 1 with such changes can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or idea of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. It must be understood as being included. For example, it goes without saying that the following application examples are included in the present invention.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the start lever 6 has the first magnet portion 70 constituted by the connecting rod 73 and the permanent magnets 71 and 72. However, the connecting rod 73 is used as a permanent magnet, and permanent magnets 71 and 72 are provided at both ends thereof. An auxiliary member having the same shape as that of the auxiliary member may be fixed. Note that a ferromagnetic material such as iron is used as the auxiliary member.

(2) In the start lever 6 of the above-described embodiment, the second magnet part 74 of the first magnet part 70 and the second magnet part 74 is configured as an electromagnet, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first magnet section 70 may be configured by an electromagnet, and the second magnet section 74 may be a permanent magnet. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, it is preferable that the coil 70 </ b> A of the first magnet unit 70 be divided into left and right with the rod 60 as the center. This is because the rod 60 rotates about the rotation shaft 61 and thus needs to be balanced.

Furthermore, both the first magnet section 70 and the second magnet section 74 may be constituted by electromagnets. In this case, it is only necessary to supply a current to one of the magnets so as to act as a permanent magnet and control the current supplied to the other magnet. That is, at least one of the first magnet unit 70 and the second magnet unit 74 may be an electromagnet.

(3) In the start lever 6 of the above-described embodiment, one of the first magnet portion 70 and the second magnet portion 74 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, and the other may be a magnet. In this case, the reaction force can be adjusted if the magnet is constituted by an electromagnet, but the reaction force cannot be adjusted if the magnet is constituted by a permanent magnet. However, even when a permanent magnet is used, a return force for returning the rod 60 to the original state (initial state) is given by an electromagnetic force, and therefore, a conventional lever that applies a return force by a mechanical elastic body such as a spring. It is possible to dramatically improve the durability as compared with.

(4) In the start lever 6 of the above-described embodiment and application examples, a light source such as a light bulb or an LED may be incorporated. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the light source 90 may be arranged inside the knob 67, and the knob 67 may be formed of a translucent member. Alternatively, a light source 90 and a light guide member may be provided inside the rod 60, and light from the light source 90 may be guided to the knob 67 via the light guide member to cause the knob 67 to emit light. The knob 67 is susceptible to impact when operated by the player, but the impact is small near the rotation shaft 61. Therefore, by arranging the light source 90 at such a position, it is possible to protect the light source 90 from impact. Become. Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, the outer diameter of the flange 64 may be reduced, and the annular member 91 containing the light source 90 may be fixed to the flange 64.

As described above, in the start lever 6 having the light source 90 built therein, the current for lighting the light source 90 is controlled by the CPU 31 under the control of the CPU 31 only during the period when the current is supplied to the coil 76 of the start lever 6. ). Thus, it is possible to apply a large reaction force to the start lever 6 and make the light source 90 illuminate. When an unusual reaction force is applied, a player who enjoys a game with the slot machine 1 for the first time may misunderstand a large reaction force as a failure of the start lever 6, but by turning on the light sources 90 at the same time, Thus, it is possible to make the player recognize that the information is information. In addition, since the light source 90 is not turned on in the normal state, the effect of giving a sharp reaction to the progress of the game together with the application of a large reaction force is achieved.

In addition, during the period of supplying current to the coil, the light source 90 may be made to emit light after the start lever 6 is operated. Specifically, the CPU 31 detects that the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43 has become active during a period in which the control signal 21a is at a high level, and turns on the light source 90 for a predetermined time after the detection. Controls the current supply circuit. In this case, the player is not notified of predetermined information by turning on the light source 90 before operating the start lever 6. In other words, when the player operates the start lever 6, the player recognizes the lighting immediately after feeling a large reaction force. Therefore, a large reaction force at the time of operating the start lever 6 is impressed more, and it is possible to give unexpectedness and expectation to the presentation of the notification.

(5) The start lever 6 of the above-described embodiment and application examples can be applied to devices other than the slot machine 1. For example, the present invention may be applied to industrial machine tools and the like. In industrial machine tools, only some of the plurality of levers may be made effective depending on the work situation in order to prevent danger. In such a case, it is desirable to apply a large reaction force only to the lever activated, or to turn on the light source 90 together with the application of the reaction force. This makes it possible to inform the operator of the activated lever.

In addition, the start lever 6 of the above-described embodiment and application examples may be applied to an operation unit of a controller in a game machine. In this case, when any condition described in the game program is satisfied, a current is supplied to the coil, and a large reaction force is applied.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the control of the reaction force is performed based on the internal lottery data ISD. However, the present invention notifies the player of some information by controlling the magnitude of the reaction force. Alternatively, the reaction force may be controlled based on predetermined information other than the internal lottery data ISD. For example, the current supplied to the coil 76 may be controlled based on game information generated in accordance with the progress of the game to control the slot machine 1.

Since the game information is generated in accordance with the progress of the game in order to control the slot machine, for example, the internal lottery data ISD indicating the result of the internal lottery, information on the AT game, and the like are applicable. Here, the AT game is a game that notifies the type of the small win that has been won in the internal lottery and the pressing order of the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c that are suitable for winning the winning small win. Say. A series of flows of the AT game are performed, for example, as follows. First, when a lottery is lost in the internal lottery, a first lottery is performed to determine whether or not to generate an AT game right. Second, after the right of the AT game is generated in this lottery, a second lottery for further activating the AT game is performed. However, the second lottery is performed only when the right of the AT game is generated. Third, when the second lottery is won, the AT game is played a predetermined number of times. In other words, a series of flows leading to the AT game can be roughly classified into a latent period in which a right is generated but not activated and an activation period in which a small combination is actually notified. The incubation period and the activation period are collectively referred to as an AT period. In the control of the slot machine 1, information for distinguishing the incubation period from the activation period is generated according to the progress of the game. Then, the current supplied to the coil 76 may be controlled based on such game information.

For example, if current is supplied to the coil 76 when the game information indicates the incubation period, the player can know that the right of the AT game is generated when the reaction force of the start lever 6 increases. Can be. Further, a current may be supplied to the coil 76 during the activation period or the AT period.

(7) In the embodiment and the application example described above, by supplying an electric current to the coil 76 and applying an attractive force between the first magnet section 70 and the second magnet section 74, a large countermeasure is obtained. Although the force is applied, on the contrary, a repulsive force may be applied between the first magnet unit 70 and the second magnet unit 74 based on the game information. In this case, a current may be applied in a direction opposite to that of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the connection points X1 and X2 of the coil 76 in FIG. 13 may be connected in reverse.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing magnetic poles generated in the first magnet unit 70 and the second magnet unit 74. As shown in this drawing, an N pole is generated on the first electromagnet surface B1 facing the N pole of the first permanent magnet surface A1, and a second electromagnet surface B2 facing the S pole of the second permanent magnet surface A2 is provided on the second electromagnet surface B2. An S pole is generated. Therefore, a repulsive force acts between the first magnet section 70 and the second magnet section 74. Here, while the second magnet part 74 is fixed to the front door 3, the first magnet part 70 is supported by the rotating shaft 61 of the rod 60, so that the first magnet part 70 and the rod 60 It will rotate in the left-right direction. Therefore, the player can know predetermined information by the movement of the rod 60 and the knob 67.

For example, when the winning flag is set in the internal lottery data ISD as in the above-described embodiment, the current may be supplied to the coil 76 so that the repulsive force acts. By the way, the start lever sensor 43 includes the light shielding piece 431 and the photocoupler 432 as described above, and activates the detection signal when the amount of light received by the light receiving portion of the photocoupler 432 exceeds a threshold. Therefore, even if the rod 60 rotates a little, the detection signal does not become active. Here, when the angle of the rod 60 at which the detection signal becomes active with respect to the initial state of the rod 60 is set as a reference angle, the current supplied to the coil 76 is controlled so that the rod 60 is tilted within a range less than the reference angle. Is preferred. This is because even if the rod 60 rotates due to the repulsive force, the range is smaller than the reference angle, so that the player does not operate the start lever 6. Thus, the CPU 31 can perform the internal lottery only when the player operates the start lever 6.

Further, when the internal lottery data ISD indicates that the BB prize has been won, the CPU 31 preferably controls so as to turn on / off the current supplied to the coil 76. In this case, the player can be notified that the BB prize has been won by the vibration of the start lever 6.

(8) In the above-described embodiments and application examples, the mechanical slot machine 1 including the reels R1 to R3 has been described as an example of the slot machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a so-called video slot for displaying an image of a reel on a display is also included. In the video slot, the reel stop button is omitted, and when the player operates the start lever, the image of the reel starts variable display and stops automatically. That is, winning is determined only by operating the start lever. Therefore, a large reaction force applied to the start lever has a greater effect of producing an effect such as sharpening the progress of the game, rather than serving as a notification of information.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration in which a start lever 6 is cut along a plane including a center axis thereof. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the start lever 6 cut along a plane orthogonal to the cut plane of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing magnetic flux when a start lever 6 is at a center position. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a change in magnetic flux generated near a gap G1 when the start lever 6 is tilted to the left. (A) is an explanatory view showing a force acting on the first magnet unit 70 in a steady state of the start lever 6, and (B) is a force acting on the first magnet unit 70 in a state where the start lever 6 is tilted to the left. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, R3 and peripheral components. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the symbol displayed on left / middle / right reel R1, R2, R3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the storage content of a prize group lottery table TBL1. It is a flow chart which shows operation of CPU31 in internal lottery processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a stop table. 6 is a timing chart showing a relationship among a detection signal 49a, a symbol number PN, a drive signal 53a, and position data MD3. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electromagnet drive circuit 21. It is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the slot machine 1 when the CPU 31 executes the control program CP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a notification operation of a start lever 6. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a start lever 6 according to an application example in which the first magnet unit 70 is configured by an electromagnet and the second magnet unit 74 is configured by a permanent magnet. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an application example of the start lever 6 incorporating the light source 90. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing magnetic poles generated in a first magnet unit and a second magnet unit when a repulsive force is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional lever.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 slot machine 6 start lever 31 CPU (lottery unit)
33 Number sequence generator (lottery unit)
60 rod (operator)
70 First magnet part 71 First permanent magnet 72 Second permanent magnet 74 Second magnet part 75 Iron core (ferromagnetic material)
76 Coil 90 Light source R1 Left reel R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims (6)

An operator supported by a rotating shaft,
A first member provided at an end of the operator,
A U-shaped second member disposed so that both ends thereof face the first member via a gap,
A lever, wherein one of the first member and the second member is a magnet, and the other is a ferromagnetic material. An operator supported by a rotating shaft,
A first magnet section fixed to an end of the operation element;
A U-shaped second magnet portion disposed so that both ends are opposed to the first magnet portion via a gap,
A lever, wherein one of the first magnet part and the second magnet part is an electromagnet. A lever according to claim 2, comprising a light source;
When supplying current to the electromagnet,
A control unit that controls the light source to emit light. A plurality of display columns displaying a plurality of types of symbols are provided, and in a state where each of the display columns is stopped, a winning combination that is a combination of predetermined symbols is arranged on a winning line that crosses each of the display columns. In the slot machine that gives the game value according to the
An operator supported by a rotating shaft, a first member provided at an end of the operator, and a U-shape in which both ends are arranged to face the first member via a gap. A second member, one of the first member and the second member is a magnet, and the other is a ferromagnetic material for a player to instruct to start rotation of each of the reels. A slot machine comprising a lever. The said magnet of the lever of Claim 4 is an electromagnet, Comprising: The control part which controls the electric current supplied to the said electromagnet based on the game information produced according to the progress of a game for controlling a slot machine is provided. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein: 6. A lottery section is selected from lottery sections including each section corresponding to each prize group, which is a group of one or more roles, and a loss section, based on the operation timing of the lever according to claim 5. The slot machine according to claim 5, further comprising: a lottery unit that generates internal lottery information indicating a lottery result, wherein the control unit uses the internal lottery information as the game information.

Images