US20040251625A1 - Gaming machine with reels capable of precisely controlling stop position of each reel - Google Patents
Gaming machine with reels capable of precisely controlling stop position of each reel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040251625A1 US20040251625A1 US10/752,228 US75222804A US2004251625A1 US 20040251625 A1 US20040251625 A1 US 20040251625A1 US 75222804 A US75222804 A US 75222804A US 2004251625 A1 US2004251625 A1 US 2004251625A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- drive
- reel
- reels
- control circuit
- circuit unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
- G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
- G07F17/3211—Display means
- G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
- G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gaming machine having a plurality of reels rotated by drive motors.
- the present invention relates to a gaming machine in which stop position of each reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- a gaming machine such as so-called Japanese pachi-slot machine, slot machine
- a plurality of reels (usually three reels) are rotatably arranged in a cabinet, and the reels starts to rotate at the same time that game is started. Further, when all reels stop, a game result is determined based on a stop state of symbols which are described on an outer periphery of each reel.
- a main control circuit unit for entirely controlling the gaming machine is usually arranged at a rear upper position in the gaming machine and a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the reel is almost arranged at a side position of the reel.
- the motors for rotating the reels are arranged at outside of the reels, but are arranged at underside of the reels.
- the gaming machines disclosed in the related art have no purpose to accomplish the above problems. Therefore, in the above gaming machines, it is very difficult to precisely stop the reels at the desired positions and it is required long electric wires to electrically connect the main control circuit unit, the rotation control circuit unit and the drive motors, and wiring of the electric wires becomes very complexed.
- the present invention has done to accomplish the above problems, and provides a gaming machine in which stop position of each reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- a gaming machine comprising:
- each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
- a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor
- a follower rotatably supported while contacting to an inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to a contact portion where the drive member is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member;
- cylindrical member is disposed between the drive member and the follower, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive member and the follower when the drive member is rotated by the drive motor.
- the drive member rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at the side edge of the reel and the follower rotatably supported while contacting to the inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to the contact portion where the drive member is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member.
- the cylindrical member of the reel is disposed between the drive member and the follower and the reel is rotated together with the drive member and the follower when the drive member is rotated by the drive motor.
- each reel is rotated by the motor the drive shaft of which is directly connected to the rotational axis portion of the reel, therefore moment of inertia of the reel becomes large while rotating. Thus, it is difficult to brake and stop rotation of the reel at the predetermined position.
- the reel is directly driven to rotate at the outer periphery of the reel, since driving force is transmitted to the reel by contacting the drive roller to the reel along one direction, rotational energy of the reel has to be caught at one portion when the reel stops. Therefore, it is difficult to brake and stop the reel at the predetermined position.
- a gaming machine comprising:
- each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
- a drive roller rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at a side edge of the reel;
- a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor
- a main control circuit unit for controlling an entire game conducted by the reels
- cylindrical member is disposed between the drive roller and the following roller, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive roller and the following roller when the drive roller is rotated by the drive motor;
- the drive roller rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at the side edge of the reel and the following roller rotatably supported while contacting to the inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to the contact portion where the drive roller is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member.
- the cylindrical member of the reel is disposed between the drive roller and the following roller and the reel is rotated together with the drive roller and the following roller when the drive roller is rotated by the drive motor.
- the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are arranged out of the reel in a state that the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are closely arranged with each other, there is no need for complex wiring when the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are electrically connected. Therefore, the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit can be easily connected and the reel can be easily removed. Thereby, disassembling processes of the gaming machine can be reduced when recycling thereof.
- the drive motor and the rotation control circuit unit or the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit can be integrally exchanged, thus the gaming machine can be easily changed to another gaming machine in which different games are conducted by recycling.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of display windows and reels of the gaming machine, in which the display windows and the reels are partially enlarged and shown,
- FIG. 3 is an explanation view showing a state that a front door of the gaming machine is opened leftward
- FIG. 4 is a A-A′ sectional view in FIG. 3,
- FIG. 5 is a B-B′ sectional view in FIG. 4,
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit construction including a main control circuit unit for controlling the gaming machine and peripheral devices electrically connected to the main control circuit unit, and
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a sub-control unit for controlling a display device and various lamps in the gaming machine and peripheral devices electrically connected to the sub-control unit.
- the gaming machine of the present invention is realized in a so-called Japanese pachi-slot machine and description thereof will be done, the present invention can be applied to any types of gaming machines such as slot machines which have mechanically reels. And though any types of game media such as coins, medals, tokens can be utilized in the gaming machine, it will be described the gaming machine in which coins are used as the game medium.
- FIG. 1 The basic construction of the gaming machine 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 14 In front of a cabinet 12 forming an outline of the gaming machine 10 , there are arranged three display windows 14 ( 14 L, 14 C, 14 R) each of which is formed into a longitudinally lengthy rectangular shape substantially positioned vertically. And on the display windows 14 L, 14 C, 14 R, there are arranged five pay lines which comprise horizontal three pay lines (center pay line L 1 , upper pay line L 2 A, bottom pay line L 2 B) and oblique two pay lines (pay line L 3 A the right end of which is directed downward, pay line L 3 B the right end of which is directed upward).
- center pay line L 1 center pay line L 1 , upper pay line L 2 A, bottom pay line L 2 B
- pay line L 3 A the right end of which is directed downward
- pay line L 3 B the right end of which is directed upward
- bet number display parts 16 which display pay lines (suitably abbreviated as effective lines) which become effective according to the number of inserted coins in the gaming machine 10 and the coin number betted.
- the bet number display parts 16 is arranged such as “3,” “2,” “1,” “2,” “3,” in order from the uppermost part.
- reels 26 In the cabinet 12 , three reels 26 ( 26 L, 26 C, 26 R) are rotatably arranged. On each outer periphery of the reels 26 , a plurality of symbols are described. Each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R can be seen through the display windows 14 L, 14 C, 14 R, respectively. As mentioned later, the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is driven to rotate so that the symbols described on the outer periphery of the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are moved from upper side toward lower side in the display window 14 L, 14 C, 14 R.
- a frontward projection portion 28 is horizontally formed.
- a display device 30 constructed from a liquid crystal display panel is arranged. On the display device 30 game histories are displayed and image direction in bonus games is conducted.
- a coin insertion slot 32 through which coins are inserted in the gaming machine 10 is formed.
- a coin detector 64 (see FIG. 6) is arranged and detects coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 32 .
- the 1-BET switch 20 acts to bet in one game only one coin among coins already inserted in the gaming machine 10 when operated.
- the 2-BET switch 22 acts to bet in one game two coins among coins already inserted in the gaming machine 10 when operated.
- the MAX-BET switch 24 acts to bet the maximum number of coins capable of betting in one game among coins already inserted in the gaming machine 10 .
- a start lever 34 is provided so as to be able to obliquely move. Based on that the player operates the start lever 34 which is obliquely moved, rotation of three reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is started. While three reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are rotated, symbols described on each outer periphery of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are variably displayed within the display windows 14 L, 14 C, 14 R.
- stop buttons 36 ( 36 L, 36 C, 36 R, mentioned later) become effective for operation by the player.
- stop button 36 L corresponds to the reel 26 L
- stop button 36 C corresponds to the reel 26 C
- stop button 36 R corresponds to the reel 26 R.
- a payout button 38 is arranged at the left side of the start lever 34 .
- the payout button 38 When the player presses the payout button 38 , coins inserted in the gaming machine 10 are paid out from a coin payout opening 40 positioned at the front lower position of the cabinet 12 and the paid out coins are accumulated in a coin tray 42 .
- a pair of speaker grills 46 are provided so that sounds produced by speakers 44 (see FIG. 3) installed in the cabinet 12 are spread out of the cabinet 12 .
- FIG. 2 An enlarged front view of the display windows 14 L, 14 c , 14 R of the gaming machine 10 and reels 26 ( 26 L, 26 C, 26 R) is shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 it is shown a state that the reel 26 L stops and both of the reel 26 C and 26 R are rotating.
- the reels 26 C and 26 R are expressed as if being rotated.
- the reels 26 L, 26 C and 26 R are respectively arranged behind the display windows 14 L, 14 C and 14 R, and three symbols among symbols described on each outer periphery of the reels 26 can be seen at the same time through each of the display windows 14 L, 14 C and 14 R.
- FIG. 3 It is shown in FIG. 3 a state that a front door 48 of the gaming machine 10 is opened leftward.
- speakers 44 are arranged so as to position to the rear sides of the speaker grills 46 .
- a main control circuit unit 100 is arranged, the main control circuit unit 100 entirely controlling the gaming machine 10 and games conducted therein.
- a rotation control circuit unit 150 for controlling rotation of the reels 26 L, 26 C and 26 R is arranged at the upper position of the reels 26 L, 26 C, and 26 R.
- a hopper 50 is also arranged.
- the hopper 50 accumulates coins inserted by the player and pays out coins to the player based on the game result.
- FIG. 4 it is shown the sectional view of the upper part in the gaming machine 10 sectioned along A-A′ line in FIG. 3. And it is shown in FIG. 5 the sectional view sectioned along B-B′ dotted line in FIG. 4.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 at the rear upper position in the cabinet 12 , the main control circuit unit 100 for entirely controlling the gaming machine 10 and games done in the gaming machine 10 is provided.
- the rotation control circuit unit 150 for controlling rotation of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is provided.
- each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R has a cylindrical member 27 .
- drive rollers 52 L, 52 C and 52 R are arranged respectively so that the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C and 52 R can rotate while contacting with the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 in each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- following rollers 56 L, 56 C and 56 R are arranged respectively so that the following rollers 56 L, 56 C and 56 R can rotate while contacting the inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 in each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- a stepping motor 54 L is fixed to the support member 153 A through a fixing member 155
- a stepping motor 54 C is fixed to the support member 153 A through the fixing member 155
- a stepping motor 54 R is fixed to the support member 153 A through the fixing member 155
- a drive shaft 157 of the stepping motor 54 L is connected to the drive roller 52 L so as to be able to rotate the drive roller 52 L and is rotatably supported in the support member 153 B.
- the drive shaft 157 of the stepping motor 54 C is connected to the drive roller 52 C so as to be able to rotate the drive roller 52 C and is rotatably supported in the support member 153 B.
- the drive shaft 157 of the stepping motor 54 R is connected to the drive roller 52 R so as to be able to rotate the following roller 52 R and is rotatably supported in the support member 153 B.
- each support member 153 B a U-shaped portion 159 is formed and the following roller 52 L, 52 C, 52 R is rotatably supported in the U-shaped portion 159 through a support shaft 161 .
- the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R for rotating the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are respectively contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 in each reel 26 between the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R and the rotation control circuit unit 150 , and each of the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R is rotated by the drive shaft 157 in each stepping motor 54 L, 54 C, 54 R driven by the signal transmitted from a motor drive circuit 154 (see FIG. 6) formed on the rotation control circuit unit 150 . Further, the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are respectively rotated by rotational force transmitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 from each of the drive rollers 56 L, 56 C, 56 R.
- the following roller 56 L is contacted to the inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where the drive roller 52 L contacts to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 , so as to hold the cylindrical member 27 of the reel 26 L between the following roller 56 L and the drive roller 52 L together with the drive roller 52 L.
- the following roller 56 C is contacted to the inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where the drive roller 52 C contacts to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 , so as to hold the cylindrical member 27 of the reel 26 C between the following roller 56 C and the drive roller 52 C together with the drive roller 52 C.
- the following roller 56 R is contacted to the inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where the drive roller 52 R contacts to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 , so as to hold the cylindrical member 27 of the reel 26 R between the following roller 56 R and the drive roller 52 R together with the drive roller 52 R. Therefore, when the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are rotated by the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R, the following rollers 56 L, 56 C, 56 R are rotated following to rotation of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- each of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is rotatably arranged around a axis portion 60 , which acts as the rotational axis of each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R and supported within each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R by plural spokes 58 (four spokes 58 L in the reel 26 L, four spokes 58 C in the reel 26 C and four spokes 58 R in the reel 26 R in this embodiment).
- a reel light 62 C is provided at the forward position (left position in FIG. 4) within the reel 26 C.
- the reel light 62 C irradiates from the backside of the portion which is visible through the display window 14 C in the surface of the reel 26 C, thereby the reel 26 C is brightened.
- various directions can be done by turning on and off the reel light 62 C according to the game condition.
- reel light 62 is, of course, arranged in both reels 26 L and 26 R.
- the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R for rotating the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R respectively, are connected to the rotation control circuit unit 150 .
- the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R as mentioned, transmit driving force to the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R, respectively, through the drive shaft 157 . Thereby, based on that the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R are rotated, the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are rotated.
- the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R, the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R and the following rollers 56 L, 56 C, 56 R are suspended from the rotation control circuit unit 150 arranged at upper position of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is held at the edge portion thereof by each drive roller 52 L, 52 C, 52 R contacting to each outer periphery of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R and each following roller 56 L, 56 C, 56 R contacting to each inner surface of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, thereby reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R become rotatable by driving force of the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R.
- each drive roller 52 L, 52 C, 52 r is connected to each drive shaft 157 of the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R. Accordingly, direct stop control of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R can be easily conducted.
- the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R and the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R are connected respectively at the upper position outside of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, thus the stepping motors 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are arranged outside of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, instead of within the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R. Further, it is not required complex wiring to connect the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R and the rotation control circuit unit 150 . Thereby, the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R can be easily removed, as a result, it can be reduced the number of processes for disassembling the gaming machine 10 while recycling thereof.
- the rotation control circuit unit 150 is positioned at the upper position from the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R and near the main control circuit unit 100 , thus both the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R and the rotation control circuit unit 150 are arranged near with each other and both the rotation control circuit unit 150 and the main control circuit unit 100 are arranged near with each other. Thereby, it can be easily done wiring among the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R, the rotation control circuit unit 150 and the main control circuit unit 100 , therefore the gaming machine 10 can be easily and simply designed and assembled.
- the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R and the rotation control circuit unit 150 , or the rotation control circuit unit 150 and the main control circuit unit 100 can be integrally exchanged, thereby the gaming machine 10 can be easily changed to another slot machine, in which different games are conducted, when recycling.
- the rotation control circuit unit 150 is positioned at the upper position from the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R and near the main control circuit unit 100 , it is unnecessary to set the rotation control circuit unit 150 at the above position so long as the same effect can be obtained, thus the rotation control circuit unit 150 may be positioned at any positions in the cabinet 12 .
- the reel 26 is held between the drive roller 56 and the following roller 52 and is rotated by rotation of the drive roller 52 , it is not limited to the above construction.
- the reel 26 may be rotated by another members such as a drive pinion and a following pinion.
- FIG. 6 It is shown in FIG. 6 the block diagram of circuitry including the control circuit for controlling the gaming machine 10 and the peripheral devices connected to the control circuit.
- the start lever 34 is connected to an interface circuit group 102 of the main control circuit unit 100 , and the interface circuit group 102 is connected to an input and output bus 104 .
- Start signal for starting the game produced by the start lever 34 is converted into desired signal in the interface circuit group 102 , thereafter the converted signal is provided to the input and output bus 104 .
- the input and output bus 104 is constructed so that data signal or address signal is input to and output from a central processing unit (abbreviated CPU hereinafter) 106 .
- CPU central processing unit
- buttons 36 L, 36 C, 36 R, the 1-BET switch 20 , the 2-BET switch 22 , the MAX-BET switch 24 and the payout button 38 are also connected to the interface circuit group 102 . Signals produced by pushing these buttons or switches are also provided to the interface circuit group 102 and converted into desired signals, thereafter the converted signals are provided to the input and output bus 104 .
- the coin detector 64 installed in the coin insertion slot 32 is connected to the interface circuit group 102 .
- Signal produced by the coin detector 64 is also input to the interface circuit group 102 and converted into desired signal, thereafter the converted signal is input to the input and output bus 104 .
- a ROM (Read Only Memory) 108 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 110 are also connected.
- the ROM 108 stores control program for wholly controlling game flow conducted in the gaming machine 10 . Further, the ROM 108 stores initial data for executing the control program, character data for displaying messages on the display device 30 and sound data for sounding various sounds from the speakers 44 .
- the RAM 110 temporarily stores flag data and variable values utilized in the control program.
- a random number generator 112 for generating random numbers is connected to the input and output bus 104 .
- the random number generator 112 randomly generates numbers within a predetermined range. For example, the random number generator 112 generates random numbers within a range of 0 ⁇ 65535 (corresponding to 2 16 ).
- the random numbers are generated by the random number generator 112 arranged out of the CPU 106 , the present invention is not limited to this construction.
- the random numbers may be generated by processing treatment of the CPU 106 without forming the random number generator.
- a flash memory 114 is also connected to the input and output bus 104 and the flash memory 114 stores a flag number indicating that rights for migrating to BIG BONUS game or REGULAR BONUS game are obtained.
- the above flag number is stored in the flash memory 114 , the present invention is not limited to this. It may be used any type of nonvolatile memories such as a hard disc drive capable of rewriting data.
- a communicating interface circuit 116 is also connected to the input and output bus 104 .
- the communicating interface circuit 116 can transmit game state data to and communicate with a server for controlling the gaming machines installed in a game arcade.
- a reel control circuit 152 formed on the rotation control circuit unit 150 is connected to the input and output bus 104 .
- the reel control circuit 152 controls each of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- a motor driving circuit 154 is connected to the reel control circuit 152 . And when the reel control circuit 152 receives commands to rotate the reels 26 or stop rotation of the reels 26 from the CPU 106 , the reel control circuit 152 transmits command signals for controlling the reels 26 to the motor driving circuit 154 , so as to suitably execute contents corresponding to the commands.
- the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R each of which rotates the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, respectively, are connected to the motor driving circuit 154 .
- Each of the stepping motor 54 L, 54 C, 54 R is arranged at the upper position of each of the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, respectively.
- both the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 C and the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R are positioned so that each drive shaft 157 of the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R coincides with each rotational center of the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R.
- each of the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R is positioned so as to contact to each of the outer periphery of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- each rotating force of the drive rollers 52 L, 52 C, 52 R is transmitted to each of the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R, thereby the reels 26 L, 26 C, 26 R are rotated.
- Drive control command produced in the CPU 106 is converted into drive signal by the motor driving circuit 154 and this drive signal is provided to the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R.
- the drive control command includes rotational velocity command, therefore not only rotational control and stop control of the stepping motors 54 L, 54 C, 54 R but also rotational velocity control thereof are conducted based on the drive control command.
- rotational angle position sensor 156 L, 156 C, 156 R each of which senses rotational angle of the reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R.
- the rotational angle position sensors 156 L, 156 C, 156 R are connected to a reel rotational angle position detecting circuit 158 which is formed on the rotation control circuit unit 150 .
- signal indicating the rotational angle position of each reel 26 L, 26 C, 26 R is output from the rotational angle position sensor 156 L, 156 C, 156 R, this signal is input to the reel rotational angle position detecting device 158 and converted into predetermined signal, thereafter the converted signal is provided to the input and output bus 104 through the reel control circuit 152 .
- the CPU 106 computes symbol code Nos. based on the provided rotational angle position information, thereby it can be specified symbol images which are displayed within the display windows 14 L, 14 C, 14 R.
- a sub-control unit 200 for controlling parts to inform the player of various information, such as the display device 30 , the speaker 44 , the effective line display lamp 18 , stop button lamps 72 L, 72 C, 72 R, the reel lights 62 L, 62 C, 62 R.
- the sub-control unit will be described hereinafter.
- a hopper driving circuit 250 is connected to the input and output bus 104 , and when the CPU 106 receives signal indicating that the payout button 38 is pressed or coins have to be paid out based on that the player wins a prize in the game, the CPU 106 sends coin payout signal to the hopper driving circuit 250 . Thereby, the hopper driving circuit 250 drives the hopper 50 and coins are paid out corresponding to the prize.
- an interface circuit 202 is connected to an input and output bus 204 , and image display command output from the main control circuit unit 100 is provided to the input and output bus 204 through the interface circuit 202 .
- Data signal and address signal are input and output between the input and output bus 204 and a CPU 206 .
- a ROM 208 and a RAM 201 are also connected.
- the ROM 208 stores display control program for producing drive signal provided to the display device 30 based on image display command output from the main control circuit unit 100 .
- the RAM 201 stores flags and variable values, which are used in the display control program.
- a video data processor (abbreviated VDP hereinafter) 212 is connected to the input and output bus 204 .
- the VDP 212 includes, so-called, the sprite circuit, the screen circuit and the pallet circuit, and executes various treatment to display images on the display device 30 .
- a video RAM 214 for storing image data corresponding to the image display command output from the main control circuit unit 100
- a video data ROM 216 for storing various image data such as image data of symbols, background and characters.
- a driving circuit 218 for driving the display device 30 is connected to the VDP 212 .
- the CPU 206 reads out the display program stored in the ROM 208 and executes the read out program, and makes the video RAM 214 store the image data displayed on the display device 30 according to the image display command output from the main control circuit unit 100 .
- the image display command includes display command such as background display command, symbol display command, character display command.
- the video data ROM 216 stores symbol image data used as the identifying information image in the game, character image data including animals and the like displayed when production is done on the display device 30 and background image data comprising background displayed on the display device 30 .
- the symbol image data is utilized when variable displaying and stopping of the symbols are done on the display device 30 , and includes image data displayed in various display manners, for example, such as enlarged images, reduced images, modified images.
- the character image data includes image data necessary for displaying a series of moving characters.
- a speaker driving circuit 220 for driving the speaker 44 is connected to the input and output bus 204 .
- the CPU 206 reads out the sound data stored in the ROM 208 and provides the read out data to the speaker driving circuit 220 . Thereby, predetermined sound is produced by the speaker 44 .
- a lamp driving circuit 222 is also connected to the input and output bus 204 .
- the CPU 206 receives signal indicating that the 1-BET switch 20 , the 2-BET switch 22 or the MAX-BET switch 24 is pressed from the main control circuit unit 100 , the CPU 206 send drive command to the lamp driving circuit 222 corresponding to the switch signal output from each switch. Thereby, each of the effective line display lamps 18 is driven to turn on according to the drive command.
- Sub-control unit 200 may be incorporated in the main control circuit unit.
- the CPU 206 sends drive command to the lamp driving circuit 222 , the drive command used for turning on or off each stop button lamp 72 L, 72 C, 72 R and each reel lamp 62 L, 62 C, 62 R. Thereby, each lamp is turned on or off corresponding to the drive command.
- the game condition means, for example, a case that the pressing order of three stop buttons 36 L, 36 C, 36 R is serially informed to the player in a special game such as ASSIST TIME controlled by the sub-control unit 200 .
- a special game such as ASSIST TIME controlled by the sub-control unit 200 .
- the stop button lamp provided with the stop button to be pressed and the reel lamp corresponding to the stop button are turned on and remained lamps are turned off.
Abstract
In the gaming machine 10, it is provided the drive rollers 52L, 52C, 52R each of which is rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27 at the side edge of each reel 26L, 26C, 26R and the following rollers 65L, 56C, 56R each of which is rotatably supported while contacting to the inner surface of the cylindrical member 27 corresponding to the contact portion where each of drive rollers 52L, 52C, 52R is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 27, thereby the cylindrical member 27 in each reel 26L, 26C, 26R is held between the drive roller 52L, 52C, 52R and the following roller 56L, 56C, 56R. Each reel 26L, 26C, 26R is rotated together with the drive roller 52L, 52C, 52R and the following roller 56L, 56C, 56R when each drive roller 52L, 52C, 52R is rotated by the stepping motor 54L, 54C, 54R.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims a priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-003769 filed on Jan. 9, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a plurality of reels rotated by drive motors. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine in which stop position of each reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- In a gaming machine such as so-called Japanese pachi-slot machine, slot machine, a plurality of reels (usually three reels) are rotatably arranged in a cabinet, and the reels starts to rotate at the same time that game is started. Further, when all reels stop, a game result is determined based on a stop state of symbols which are described on an outer periphery of each reel.
- Therefore, bringing game contents in the above gaming machine into focus, it is no exaggeration to say that the moving state of the reels is the most important point for a player.
- In the above previous gaming machine, it is general that a rotational axis portion of the reel and a drive shaft of a drive motor to rotate the reel are directly connected with each other. When the reel is rotated, the rotational axis portion of the reel is rotated by the drive motor, thereby the reel is rotated.
- Here, in the reels of the previous gaming machine, though a peripheral portion of the reel is formed in a strip construction to display various symbols thereon, there exists only spokes in an inner side of the reel, the spokes having function to connect and fix the rotational axis portion and the peripheral portion. Thus, most of total mass of the reel is concentrated near the peripheral portion due to its structure. Therefore, in the reel having the above structure, it may occur a problem that a very large torque is necessary when the reel is driven, in order to stably rotate the reel by rotation of the rotating shaft thereof.
- Taking the above situation into consideration, it is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined publication Nos. 10-33749 and 2001-231915 gaming machines which have construction that the reels are driven to rotate at the peripheral portion thereof.
- In the gaming machines shown in the above mentioned Publications, since rotational force of the reel is obtained at the peripheral portion thereof through a drive roller or a drive pinion when starting rotation of the reel, the reel can start rotation thereof by less torque in comparison with the gaming machine in which the rotational axis portion of the reel and the drive shaft of the drive motor are directly connected.
- However, even in the gaming machines shown in the above mentioned Publications, there may still occur a problem as follow.
- That is, in the gaming machines shown in Japanese Unexamined publication Nos. 10-33749 and 2001-231915, though the reel can start rotation thereof by less torque in comparison with the gaming machine in which the rotational axis portion of the reel and the drive shaft of the drive motor are directly connected at start of reel rotation, the reel in rotation has large moment of inertia, thus it is required very large braking force to stop the reel in rotation. Here, in the above mentioned gaming machines, it is not described or suggested braking construction for controlling stop of the reel in rotation. Therefore, it is very difficult to precisely control stop position of the reel in rotation in the above mentioned gaming machines.
- And, in the above mentioned gaming machines, a main control circuit unit for entirely controlling the gaming machine is usually arranged at a rear upper position in the gaming machine and a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the reel is almost arranged at a side position of the reel.
- Here, the motors for rotating the reels are arranged at outside of the reels, but are arranged at underside of the reels. Thus, it is required long electric wires to electrically connect the main control circuit unit, the rotation control circuit unit and the drive motors, and wiring of the electric wires becomes very complexed.
- Further, since construction of the reels, the drive motors and the other parts arranged around the reels is very complexed, it is required many processes for mutually assembling them and there is lack in consideration for recycle of the gaming machine, the recycle of products becoming social problem in recent years.
- As mentioned, the gaming machines disclosed in the related art have no purpose to accomplish the above problems. Therefore, in the above gaming machines, it is very difficult to precisely stop the reels at the desired positions and it is required long electric wires to electrically connect the main control circuit unit, the rotation control circuit unit and the drive motors, and wiring of the electric wires becomes very complexed.
- Further, in the gaming machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Publication No. 2001-231915, in order to stop the reel by stopping the drive roller, it is necessary that enough frictional force effectively acts between the drive roller and the reel. To realize this function, the drive roller has to be arranged so as to give enough force toward a normal line direction in the contact surface where the drive roller and the reel contacts with each other. At the same time, it is necessary that the reel can resist the force given from the drive roller without distortion.
- In the above case, if there are arranged any parts for stopping the reel while reducing the force given from the drive roller to the reel, the reel can stop without distortion even if it is used the reel generally utilized. However, since such parts are not arranged in the gaming machine, the reel in the gaming machine must have a strong construction so as not distort by the force acted on the peripheral portion of the reel. Due to this, cost of reels increases, as a result, there may occur a problem that total cost of the gaming machine increases.
- The present invention has done to accomplish the above problems, and provides a gaming machine in which stop position of each reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- To accomplish the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is provided a gaming machine as follows.
- That is, it is provided a gaming machine comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a plurality of reels rotatably supported in the cabinet, each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
- a drive motor for rotating each of the reels;
- a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor;
- a drive member rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at a side edge of the reel; and
- a follower rotatably supported while contacting to an inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to a contact portion where the drive member is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member;
- wherein the drive member is connected to the drive motor, and
- wherein the cylindrical member is disposed between the drive member and the follower, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive member and the follower when the drive member is rotated by the drive motor.
- In the above gaming machine, it is provided the drive member rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at the side edge of the reel and the follower rotatably supported while contacting to the inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to the contact portion where the drive member is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member. Thereby the cylindrical member of the reel is disposed between the drive member and the follower and the reel is rotated together with the drive member and the follower when the drive member is rotated by the drive motor. As a result, direct stop control of the reel can be easily conducted and rotation stop position of the reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- Here, in many of the previous gaming machines with plural rotatable reels such as Japanese pachi-slot machines, each reel is rotated by the motor the drive shaft of which is directly connected to the rotational axis portion of the reel, therefore moment of inertia of the reel becomes large while rotating. Thus, it is difficult to brake and stop rotation of the reel at the predetermined position. And in the gaming machine in which the reel is directly driven to rotate at the outer periphery of the reel, since driving force is transmitted to the reel by contacting the drive roller to the reel along one direction, rotational energy of the reel has to be caught at one portion when the reel stops. Therefore, it is difficult to brake and stop the reel at the predetermined position.
- Taking the above situation into consideration, in the gaming machine according to the invention, since it is constructed so as to hold the side edge portion of the reel between the drive member and the follower, stop control of the reel can be easily done by the drive member and the follower. Thereby, direct stop control of the reel can be easily and precisely conducted
- Further, since the side edge of the reel is held by the drive member and the follower, pressure exerted from the drive member to the reel is canceled by pressure exerted from the follower to the reel, there is no need that the reel is strongly constructed. Thereby, cost of the reel can be reduced, as a result, total cost of the gaming machine can be also reduced.
- Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a gaming machine comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a plurality of reels rotatably supported in the cabinet, each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
- a drive roller rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at a side edge of the reel;
- a following roller rotatably supported while contacting to an inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to a contact portion where the drive roller is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member;
- a drive motor for rotating each of the drive rollers;
- a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor; and
- a main control circuit unit for controlling an entire game conducted by the reels;
- wherein the cylindrical member is disposed between the drive roller and the following roller, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive roller and the following roller when the drive roller is rotated by the drive motor; and
- wherein the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are arranged out of the reel in a state that the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are closely arranged with each other.
- In the above gaming machine, it is provided the drive roller rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at the side edge of the reel and the following roller rotatably supported while contacting to the inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to the contact portion where the drive roller is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member. Thereby the cylindrical member of the reel is disposed between the drive roller and the following roller and the reel is rotated together with the drive roller and the following roller when the drive roller is rotated by the drive motor. As a result, direct stop control of the reel can be easily conducted and rotation stop position of the reel can be easily and precisely controlled.
- Further, since the side edge of the reel is held by the drive roller and the following roller, pressure exerted from the drive roller to the reel is canceled by pressure exerted from the following roller to the reel, there is no need that the reel is strongly constructed. Thereby, cost of the reel can be reduced, as a result, total cost of the gaming machine can be also reduced.
- In addition, since the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are arranged out of the reel in a state that the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are closely arranged with each other, there is no need for complex wiring when the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are electrically connected. Therefore, the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit can be easily connected and the reel can be easily removed. Thereby, disassembling processes of the gaming machine can be reduced when recycling thereof.
- And wiring among the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit can be easily conducted and designing and assembling of the gaming machine can be simply and easily done.
- Further, the drive motor and the rotation control circuit unit or the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit can be integrally exchanged, thus the gaming machine can be easily changed to another gaming machine in which different games are conducted by recycling.
- The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention.
- In the drawings,
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention,
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of display windows and reels of the gaming machine, in which the display windows and the reels are partially enlarged and shown,
- FIG. 3 is an explanation view showing a state that a front door of the gaming machine is opened leftward,
- FIG. 4 is a A-A′ sectional view in FIG. 3,
- FIG. 5 is a B-B′ sectional view in FIG. 4,
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit construction including a main control circuit unit for controlling the gaming machine and peripheral devices electrically connected to the main control circuit unit, and
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a sub-control unit for controlling a display device and various lamps in the gaming machine and peripheral devices electrically connected to the sub-control unit.
- Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described based on the embodiment embodying the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Here, in the embodiment, though the gaming machine of the present invention is realized in a so-called Japanese pachi-slot machine and description thereof will be done, the present invention can be applied to any types of gaming machines such as slot machines which have mechanically reels. And though any types of game media such as coins, medals, tokens can be utilized in the gaming machine, it will be described the gaming machine in which coins are used as the game medium.
- [Construction of the Gaming Machine]
- The basic construction of the
gaming machine 10 is shown in FIG. 1. - In front of a
cabinet 12 forming an outline of thegaming machine 10, there are arranged three display windows 14 (14L, 14C, 14R) each of which is formed into a longitudinally lengthy rectangular shape substantially positioned vertically. And on thedisplay windows number display parts 16 which display pay lines (suitably abbreviated as effective lines) which become effective according to the number of inserted coins in thegaming machine 10 and the coin number betted. Concretely, the betnumber display parts 16 is arranged such as “3,” “2,” “1,” “2,” “3,” in order from the uppermost part. - When a player presses a 1-BET switch20 (mentioned later), one pay line among five pay lines, for example, the pay line L1 is made effective. When the player presses a 2-BET switch 22 (mentioned later), three pay lines among five pay lines, for example, the pay lines L1, L2A and L2B are made effective. And when the player presses a MAX-BET switch 24 (mentioned later), all pay lines of five pay lines, that is, the pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B are made effective. The effective pay line is brightly indicated by lightening an effective line display lamp 18 (see FIG. 6, mentioned later) which is arranged behind the bet
number display part 16. - In the
cabinet 12, three reels 26 (26L, 26C, 26R) are rotatably arranged. On each outer periphery of the reels 26, a plurality of symbols are described. Eachreel display windows reel reel display window - Further, at lower position of the
display windows frontward projection portion 28 is horizontally formed. In the center of thefrontward projection portion 28, adisplay device 30 constructed from a liquid crystal display panel is arranged. On thedisplay device 30 game histories are displayed and image direction in bonus games is conducted. - At the right side of the
display device 30, acoin insertion slot 32 through which coins are inserted in thegaming machine 10 is formed. In thecoin insertion slot 32, a coin detector 64 (see FIG. 6) is arranged and detects coins inserted through thecoin insertion slot 32. - At the left side of the
display device 30, the 1-BET switch 20, the 2-BET switch 22 and the MAX-BET switch 24 are provided. Here, the 1-BET switch 20 acts to bet in one game only one coin among coins already inserted in thegaming machine 10 when operated. The 2-BET switch 22 acts to bet in one game two coins among coins already inserted in thegaming machine 10 when operated. And the MAX-BET switch 24 acts to bet the maximum number of coins capable of betting in one game among coins already inserted in thegaming machine 10. When theBET switch - At the left side of the front surface of the
frontward projection portion 28, astart lever 34 is provided so as to be able to obliquely move. Based on that the player operates thestart lever 34 which is obliquely moved, rotation of threereels reels reels display windows - And when rotational velocity of the
reels - At the center of the front surface of the
frontward projection portion 28, threestop buttons stop button 36L corresponds to thereel 26L, thestop button 36C corresponds to thereel 26C and thestop button 36R corresponds to thereel 26R. When the player presses thestop button 36L thereel 26L stops, and when the player presses thestop button 36C thereel 26C stops. Similarly, when the player presses thestop button 36R thereel 26R stops. - And when the
reels reels - At the left side of the
start lever 34, apayout button 38 is arranged. When the player presses thepayout button 38, coins inserted in thegaming machine 10 are paid out from acoin payout opening 40 positioned at the front lower position of thecabinet 12 and the paid out coins are accumulated in acoin tray 42. - At the upper side of the
coin tray 42, a pair of speaker grills 46 are provided so that sounds produced by speakers 44 (see FIG. 3) installed in thecabinet 12 are spread out of thecabinet 12. - An enlarged front view of the
display windows gaming machine 10 and reels 26 (26L, 26C, 26R) is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, it is shown a state that thereel 26L stops and both of thereel reels reels - As mentioned in the above, the
reels display windows display windows - At the front part of the
display windows reels - It is shown in FIG. 3 a state that a
front door 48 of thegaming machine 10 is opened leftward. - At the lower position of the rear side in the
front door 48, speakers 44 (onespeaker 44 is only disclosed in FIG. 3) are arranged so as to position to the rear sides of the speaker grills 46. - At the rear upper position in the
gaming machine 10, a maincontrol circuit unit 100 is arranged, the maincontrol circuit unit 100 entirely controlling thegaming machine 10 and games conducted therein. And a rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 for controlling rotation of thereels reels - At the lower position of the
cabinet 12, ahopper 50 is also arranged. Thehopper 50 accumulates coins inserted by the player and pays out coins to the player based on the game result. - In FIG. 4, it is shown the sectional view of the upper part in the
gaming machine 10 sectioned along A-A′ line in FIG. 3. And it is shown in FIG. 5 the sectional view sectioned along B-B′ dotted line in FIG. 4. - In FIGS. 4 and 5, at the rear upper position in the
cabinet 12, the maincontrol circuit unit 100 for entirely controlling thegaming machine 10 and games done in thegaming machine 10 is provided. - And at a position upper than the reel26 (26C) and near the main
control circuit unit 100, the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 for controlling rotation of thereels - Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each
reel cylindrical member 27. At side edge positions of thereel drive rollers drive rollers cylindrical member 27 in eachreel drive rollers rollers rollers cylindrical member 27 in eachreel - Here, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, arranging construction of the
drive rollers rollers control circuit unit 150, asupport member 151 is fixed, and a pair of suspendingmembers support member 151, corresponding to each combination of the drive roller and the following roller. - As shown in FIG. 5, a stepping
motor 54L is fixed to thesupport member 153A through a fixingmember 155, a steppingmotor 54C is fixed to thesupport member 153A through the fixingmember 155 and a steppingmotor 54R is fixed to thesupport member 153A through the fixingmember 155. And adrive shaft 157 of the steppingmotor 54L is connected to thedrive roller 52L so as to be able to rotate thedrive roller 52L and is rotatably supported in thesupport member 153B. Similarly, thedrive shaft 157 of the steppingmotor 54C is connected to thedrive roller 52C so as to be able to rotate thedrive roller 52C and is rotatably supported in thesupport member 153B. And similarly, thedrive shaft 157 of the steppingmotor 54R is connected to thedrive roller 52R so as to be able to rotate the followingroller 52R and is rotatably supported in thesupport member 153B. - At the lower part of each
support member 153B, aU-shaped portion 159 is formed and the followingroller U-shaped portion 159 through asupport shaft 161. - Based on the above mentioned construction, the
drive rollers reels cylindrical member 27 in each reel 26 between thereels control circuit unit 150, and each of thedrive rollers drive shaft 157 in each steppingmotor control circuit unit 150. Further, thereels cylindrical member 27 from each of thedrive rollers - Further, the following
roller 56L is contacted to the inner surface of thecylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where thedrive roller 52L contacts to the outer periphery of thecylindrical member 27, so as to hold thecylindrical member 27 of thereel 26L between the followingroller 56L and thedrive roller 52L together with thedrive roller 52L. Similarly, the followingroller 56C is contacted to the inner surface of thecylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where thedrive roller 52C contacts to the outer periphery of thecylindrical member 27, so as to hold thecylindrical member 27 of thereel 26C between the followingroller 56C and thedrive roller 52C together with thedrive roller 52C. And similarly, the followingroller 56R is contacted to the inner surface of thecylindrical member 27 at the contact portion where thedrive roller 52R contacts to the outer periphery of thecylindrical member 27, so as to hold thecylindrical member 27 of thereel 26R between the followingroller 56R and thedrive roller 52R together with thedrive roller 52R. Therefore, when thereels drive rollers rollers reels - And each of the
reels axis portion 60, which acts as the rotational axis of eachreel reel reel 26L, fourspokes 58C in thereel 26C and fourspokes 58R in thereel 26R in this embodiment). - And, for example, as the
central reel 26C is shown in FIG. 4, areel light 62C is provided at the forward position (left position in FIG. 4) within thereel 26C. Thereel light 62C irradiates from the backside of the portion which is visible through thedisplay window 14C in the surface of thereel 26C, thereby thereel 26C is brightened. Further, various directions can be done by turning on and off thereel light 62C according to the game condition. Here, though only thereel light 62C in thereel 26C is shown in FIG. 4, such reel light 62 is, of course, arranged in bothreels - And the stepping
motors reel control circuit unit 150. The steppingmotors drive rollers drive shaft 157. Thereby, based on that thedrive rollers reels - According to the construction mentioned above, the stepping
motors drive rollers rollers control circuit unit 150 arranged at upper position of thereels - As mentioned, in the
gaming machine 10 of the embodiment, eachreel drive roller reels roller reels reels drive rollers drive roller drive shaft 157 of thestepping motors reels - Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the
drive rollers stepping motors reels stepping motors reels reels stepping motors control circuit unit 150. Thereby, thereels gaming machine 10 while recycling thereof. - As mentioned, the rotation
control circuit unit 150 is positioned at the upper position from thereels control circuit unit 100, thus both thestepping motors control circuit unit 150 are arranged near with each other and both the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 and the maincontrol circuit unit 100 are arranged near with each other. Thereby, it can be easily done wiring among the steppingmotors control circuit unit 150 and the maincontrol circuit unit 100, therefore thegaming machine 10 can be easily and simply designed and assembled. - Further, the stepping
motors control circuit unit 150, or the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 and the maincontrol circuit unit 100 can be integrally exchanged, thereby thegaming machine 10 can be easily changed to another slot machine, in which different games are conducted, when recycling. - Here, in the above embodiment, though the rotation
control circuit unit 150 is positioned at the upper position from thereels control circuit unit 100, it is unnecessary to set the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 at the above position so long as the same effect can be obtained, thus the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 may be positioned at any positions in thecabinet 12. - Further, in the above embodiment, though the reel26 is held between the drive roller 56 and the following roller 52 and is rotated by rotation of the drive roller 52, it is not limited to the above construction. The reel 26 may be rotated by another members such as a drive pinion and a following pinion.
- [Construction of Control Device for Gaming Machine]
- It is shown in FIG. 6 the block diagram of circuitry including the control circuit for controlling the
gaming machine 10 and the peripheral devices connected to the control circuit. - The
start lever 34 is connected to aninterface circuit group 102 of the maincontrol circuit unit 100, and theinterface circuit group 102 is connected to an input andoutput bus 104. Start signal for starting the game produced by thestart lever 34 is converted into desired signal in theinterface circuit group 102, thereafter the converted signal is provided to the input andoutput bus 104. The input andoutput bus 104 is constructed so that data signal or address signal is input to and output from a central processing unit (abbreviated CPU hereinafter) 106. - And the
stop buttons BET switch 20, the 2-BET switch 22, the MAX-BET switch 24 and thepayout button 38 are also connected to theinterface circuit group 102. Signals produced by pushing these buttons or switches are also provided to theinterface circuit group 102 and converted into desired signals, thereafter the converted signals are provided to the input andoutput bus 104. - Further, the
coin detector 64 installed in thecoin insertion slot 32 is connected to theinterface circuit group 102. Signal produced by thecoin detector 64 is also input to theinterface circuit group 102 and converted into desired signal, thereafter the converted signal is input to the input andoutput bus 104. - To the above input and
output bus 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 108 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 110 are also connected. TheROM 108 stores control program for wholly controlling game flow conducted in thegaming machine 10. Further, theROM 108 stores initial data for executing the control program, character data for displaying messages on thedisplay device 30 and sound data for sounding various sounds from thespeakers 44. - The
RAM 110 temporarily stores flag data and variable values utilized in the control program. - A
random number generator 112 for generating random numbers is connected to the input andoutput bus 104. Therandom number generator 112 randomly generates numbers within a predetermined range. For example, therandom number generator 112 generates random numbers within a range of 0˜65535 (corresponding to 216). Here, in the embodiment, though the random numbers are generated by therandom number generator 112 arranged out of theCPU 106, the present invention is not limited to this construction. For example, the random numbers may be generated by processing treatment of theCPU 106 without forming the random number generator. - A
flash memory 114 is also connected to the input andoutput bus 104 and theflash memory 114 stores a flag number indicating that rights for migrating to BIG BONUS game or REGULAR BONUS game are obtained. Here, in the embodiment, though the above flag number is stored in theflash memory 114, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be used any type of nonvolatile memories such as a hard disc drive capable of rewriting data. - A communicating
interface circuit 116 is also connected to the input andoutput bus 104. The communicatinginterface circuit 116 can transmit game state data to and communicate with a server for controlling the gaming machines installed in a game arcade. - Further, a
reel control circuit 152 formed on the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150 is connected to the input andoutput bus 104. Thereel control circuit 152 controls each of thereels - Further, a
motor driving circuit 154 is connected to thereel control circuit 152. And when thereel control circuit 152 receives commands to rotate the reels 26 or stop rotation of the reels 26 from theCPU 106, thereel control circuit 152 transmits command signals for controlling the reels 26 to themotor driving circuit 154, so as to suitably execute contents corresponding to the commands. - Further, the stepping
motors reel motor driving circuit 154. Each of the steppingmotor reel stepping motors drive rollers drive shaft 157 of thestepping motors drive rollers drive rollers reels drive rollers reels reels - Drive control command produced in the
CPU 106 is converted into drive signal by themotor driving circuit 154 and this drive signal is provided to thestepping motors stepping motors - As mentioned, based on that the
CPU 106 controls thestepping motors stepping motors - To each of the
reels angle position sensor reel angle position sensors position detecting circuit 158 which is formed on the rotationcontrol circuit unit 150. When signal indicating the rotational angle position of eachreel angle position sensor position detecting device 158 and converted into predetermined signal, thereafter the converted signal is provided to the input andoutput bus 104 through thereel control circuit 152. - The
CPU 106 computes symbol code Nos. based on the provided rotational angle position information, thereby it can be specified symbol images which are displayed within thedisplay windows - Further, to the input and
output bus 104, it is connected asub-control unit 200 for controlling parts to inform the player of various information, such as thedisplay device 30, thespeaker 44, the effectiveline display lamp 18, stop button lamps 72L, 72C, 72R, the reel lights 62L, 62C, 62R. The sub-control unit will be described hereinafter. - And further, a
hopper driving circuit 250 is connected to the input andoutput bus 104, and when theCPU 106 receives signal indicating that thepayout button 38 is pressed or coins have to be paid out based on that the player wins a prize in the game, theCPU 106 sends coin payout signal to thehopper driving circuit 250. Thereby, thehopper driving circuit 250 drives thehopper 50 and coins are paid out corresponding to the prize. - The block diagram of the
sub-control unit 200 is shown in FIG. 7 - In FIG. 7, an
interface circuit 202 is connected to an input andoutput bus 204, and image display command output from the maincontrol circuit unit 100 is provided to the input andoutput bus 204 through theinterface circuit 202. Data signal and address signal are input and output between the input andoutput bus 204 and aCPU 206. - To the mentioned input and
output bus 204, aROM 208 and a RAM 201 are also connected. TheROM 208 stores display control program for producing drive signal provided to thedisplay device 30 based on image display command output from the maincontrol circuit unit 100. And the RAM 201 stores flags and variable values, which are used in the display control program. - Further, a video data processor (abbreviated VDP hereinafter)212 is connected to the input and
output bus 204. TheVDP 212 includes, so-called, the sprite circuit, the screen circuit and the pallet circuit, and executes various treatment to display images on thedisplay device 30. - To the
above VDP 212, avideo RAM 214 for storing image data corresponding to the image display command output from the maincontrol circuit unit 100, avideo data ROM 216 for storing various image data such as image data of symbols, background and characters. Further, a drivingcircuit 218 for driving thedisplay device 30 is connected to theVDP 212. - The
CPU 206 reads out the display program stored in theROM 208 and executes the read out program, and makes thevideo RAM 214 store the image data displayed on thedisplay device 30 according to the image display command output from the maincontrol circuit unit 100. Here, the image display command includes display command such as background display command, symbol display command, character display command. - The
video data ROM 216 stores symbol image data used as the identifying information image in the game, character image data including animals and the like displayed when production is done on thedisplay device 30 and background image data comprising background displayed on thedisplay device 30. - The symbol image data is utilized when variable displaying and stopping of the symbols are done on the
display device 30, and includes image data displayed in various display manners, for example, such as enlarged images, reduced images, modified images. And the character image data includes image data necessary for displaying a series of moving characters. - To the input and
output bus 204, aspeaker driving circuit 220 for driving thespeaker 44 is connected. TheCPU 206 reads out the sound data stored in theROM 208 and provides the read out data to thespeaker driving circuit 220. Thereby, predetermined sound is produced by thespeaker 44. - Further, a
lamp driving circuit 222 is also connected to the input andoutput bus 204. When theCPU 206 receives signal indicating that the 1-BET switch 20, the 2-BET switch 22 or the MAX-BET switch 24 is pressed from the maincontrol circuit unit 100, theCPU 206 send drive command to thelamp driving circuit 222 corresponding to the switch signal output from each switch. Thereby, each of the effectiveline display lamps 18 is driven to turn on according to the drive command.Sub-control unit 200 may be incorporated in the main control circuit unit. - And, according to the game condition, the
CPU 206 sends drive command to thelamp driving circuit 222, the drive command used for turning on or off each stop button lamp 72L, 72C, 72R and eachreel lamp - Here, the game condition means, for example, a case that the pressing order of three
stop buttons sub-control unit 200. In this case, in order to inform the next stop button to be pressed by the player among three stop buttons, the stop button lamp provided with the stop button to be pressed and the reel lamp corresponding to the stop button are turned on and remained lamps are turned off. Although described with a gaming machine with stop buttons, the present invention is applicable to those without stop buttons, video slot machines, and the like. - The effect described in the specification is merely enumerated as the most suitable effect obtained by the present invention, therefore the effect is, of course, not limited to the effect described in the specification.
Claims (8)
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a cabinet;
a plurality of reels rotatably supported in the cabinet, each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
a drive motor for rotating each of the reels;
a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor;
a drive member rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at a side edge of the reel; and
a follower rotatably supported while contacting to an inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to a contact portion where the drive member is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member;
wherein the drive member is connected to the drive motor, and
wherein the cylindrical member is disposed between the drive member and the follower, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive member and the follower when the drive member is rotated by the drive motor.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the drive motor is arranged at an upper position of each of the reels.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein the rotation control circuit unit is arranged with the drive motor at an upper position of the reel.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3 , further comprising a main control circuit unit for controlling an entire game conducted by the reels,
wherein the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are closely arranged with each other.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 4 , wherein the drive member, the follower and the drive motor are suspended to the rotation control circuit unit through a suspending member.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a drive roller connected to a drive shaft of the drive motor, and
wherein the follower comprises a following roller.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a drive pinion connected to a drive shaft of the drive motor, and
wherein the follower comprises a following pinion.
8. A gaming machine comprising:
a cabinet;
a plurality of reels rotatably supported in the cabinet, each of the reels having a cylindrical member with an outer periphery, on which symbols are formed;
a drive roller rotatably supported while contacting to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member at a side edge of the reel;
a following roller rotatably supported while contacting to an inner surface of the cylindrical member corresponding to a contact portion where the drive roller is contacted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical member;
a drive motor for rotating each of the drive rollers;
a rotation control circuit unit for controlling rotation of the drive motor; and
a main control circuit unit for controlling an entire game conducted by the reels;
wherein the cylindrical member is disposed between the drive roller and the following roller, and each of the reels is rotated together with the drive roller and the following roller when the drive roller is rotated by the drive motor; and
wherein the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are arranged out of the reel in a state that the drive motor, the rotation control circuit unit and the main control circuit unit are closely arranged with each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003003769A JP2004215720A (en) | 2003-01-09 | 2003-01-09 | Game machine |
JP2003-3769 | 2003-01-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040251625A1 true US20040251625A1 (en) | 2004-12-16 |
Family
ID=32501233
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/752,228 Abandoned US20040251625A1 (en) | 2003-01-09 | 2004-01-07 | Gaming machine with reels capable of precisely controlling stop position of each reel |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040251625A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1437698A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004215720A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004200025A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200400171B (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050176492A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2005-08-11 | Jesse Pierce | Reel slot machine and rotator |
US20080119263A1 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-05-22 | Haga Matthew H | Gaming Machine and Gaming Machine Reel Assembly |
US7942417B2 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2011-05-17 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US20110159955A1 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2011-06-30 | Jvl Corporation | Flat screen game terminal |
US20150194021A1 (en) * | 2014-01-06 | 2015-07-09 | Fayez Idris | Hybrid mechanical and video slot machine apparatus and methods |
US11763780B2 (en) | 2021-09-27 | 2023-09-19 | Igt | Electronic gaming machine having transmissive reels with reel strips that provide space symbols for image displays |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2008183243A (en) * | 2007-01-30 | 2008-08-14 | Aruze Corp | Game machine |
AU2008207690C1 (en) | 2007-09-12 | 2016-04-21 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | A gaming system and a method of gaming |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4754658A (en) * | 1986-10-09 | 1988-07-05 | Gutknecht Leroy H | Reel mounting apparatus |
US5205555A (en) * | 1991-05-23 | 1993-04-27 | Takasago Electric Industry Co., Ltd. | Electronic gaming machine |
US5752881A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1998-05-19 | Eagle Co., Ltd. | Symbol display device and gaming machine including the same |
US5762552A (en) * | 1995-12-05 | 1998-06-09 | Vt Tech Corp. | Interactive real-time network gaming system |
US6712694B1 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2004-03-30 | Igt | Gaming device with rotating display and indicator therefore |
US6998805B2 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2006-02-14 | Aruze Corp. | Motor stop control device |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE898171A (en) * | 1983-11-07 | 1984-03-01 | Lopez Herbon Pedro Antonio | Display unit for fruit machine - comprises belt carrying images rotated between wheel by electric motor and has photoelectric cells for detecting image |
DE3413990A1 (en) * | 1984-04-13 | 1985-10-31 | Th. Bergmann & Co, 2084 Rellingen | Rotating member with a symbol displays for gaming machines |
GB9404437D0 (en) * | 1994-03-08 | 1994-04-20 | Barcrest Ltd | Entertainment machines |
GB9918848D0 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 1999-10-13 | Starpoint Electrics Ltd | Spinning reel mechanisms |
-
2003
- 2003-01-09 JP JP2003003769A patent/JP2004215720A/en active Pending
-
2004
- 2004-01-06 AU AU2004200025A patent/AU2004200025A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-01-07 US US10/752,228 patent/US20040251625A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-01-09 EP EP04000359A patent/EP1437698A3/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-01-09 ZA ZA200400171A patent/ZA200400171B/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4754658A (en) * | 1986-10-09 | 1988-07-05 | Gutknecht Leroy H | Reel mounting apparatus |
US5205555A (en) * | 1991-05-23 | 1993-04-27 | Takasago Electric Industry Co., Ltd. | Electronic gaming machine |
US5752881A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1998-05-19 | Eagle Co., Ltd. | Symbol display device and gaming machine including the same |
US5762552A (en) * | 1995-12-05 | 1998-06-09 | Vt Tech Corp. | Interactive real-time network gaming system |
US6712694B1 (en) * | 2002-09-12 | 2004-03-30 | Igt | Gaming device with rotating display and indicator therefore |
US6998805B2 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2006-02-14 | Aruze Corp. | Motor stop control device |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050176492A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2005-08-11 | Jesse Pierce | Reel slot machine and rotator |
US7556562B2 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2009-07-07 | Igt | Method and system for converting a slot machine |
US20080119263A1 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-05-22 | Haga Matthew H | Gaming Machine and Gaming Machine Reel Assembly |
US8662984B2 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2014-03-04 | Multimedia Games, Inc. | Gaming machine and gaming machine reel assembly |
US8382110B2 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2013-02-26 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US20110177860A1 (en) * | 2007-11-27 | 2011-07-21 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US8628083B2 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2014-01-14 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US7942417B2 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2011-05-17 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US9027927B2 (en) | 2007-11-27 | 2015-05-12 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming machine with reels |
US20110159955A1 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2011-06-30 | Jvl Corporation | Flat screen game terminal |
US20150194021A1 (en) * | 2014-01-06 | 2015-07-09 | Fayez Idris | Hybrid mechanical and video slot machine apparatus and methods |
US10204491B2 (en) * | 2014-01-06 | 2019-02-12 | Igt Canada Solutions Ulc | Hybrid mechanical and video slot machine apparatus and methods |
US11763780B2 (en) | 2021-09-27 | 2023-09-19 | Igt | Electronic gaming machine having transmissive reels with reel strips that provide space symbols for image displays |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1437698A2 (en) | 2004-07-14 |
EP1437698A3 (en) | 2005-09-07 |
AU2004200025A1 (en) | 2004-08-05 |
JP2004215720A (en) | 2004-08-05 |
ZA200400171B (en) | 2004-08-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP5642921B2 (en) | Slot machine | |
US20050170879A1 (en) | Gaming machine | |
US20070123349A1 (en) | Gaming machine | |
US20070123332A1 (en) | Gaming machine | |
JP2009232926A (en) | Game machine | |
US20050170878A1 (en) | Gaming machine | |
JP2005342343A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2006246925A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2007289483A (en) | Game machine and game system | |
US20040251625A1 (en) | Gaming machine with reels capable of precisely controlling stop position of each reel | |
JP4766550B2 (en) | Slot machine | |
JP2007089671A (en) | Game machine | |
JP6118878B2 (en) | Slot machine | |
JP2009077982A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2008148775A (en) | Slot machine and playing method of slot machine | |
JP2007117588A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2008148789A (en) | Slot machine and playing method of slot machine | |
JP2008148741A (en) | Slot machine and playing method of slot machine | |
JP2008154875A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2009178220A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2009101002A (en) | Game machine | |
JP5927245B2 (en) | Slot machine | |
JP2007105510A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2008048856A (en) | Game machine | |
JP2004181228A (en) | Game machine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ARUZE CORP., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OKADA, KAZUO;REEL/FRAME:015689/0369 Effective date: 20040107 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |