WO2011031634A1 - Systeme de commande pour mecanisme de bobines - Google Patents

Systeme de commande pour mecanisme de bobines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011031634A1
WO2011031634A1 PCT/US2010/047810 US2010047810W WO2011031634A1 WO 2011031634 A1 WO2011031634 A1 WO 2011031634A1 US 2010047810 W US2010047810 W US 2010047810W WO 2011031634 A1 WO2011031634 A1 WO 2011031634A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reel
stepper motor
driver
control system
recited
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/047810
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Colin Crossman
Anthony Jeffs
Original Assignee
Suzo-Happ Group
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suzo-Happ Group filed Critical Suzo-Happ Group
Publication of WO2011031634A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011031634A1/fr

Links

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
    • G07F17/34—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines
    • 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
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a reel control system for a gaming machine with multiple reels and more particularly to a reel control system which facilitates factory calibration of the radial position of the motor shaft to a home position on initial power up and automatically resets the home position on subsequent power-ups and maintains the standstill position of the reel mechanism while enabling unequally spaced symbols.
  • the reel control system is also configured to drive a plurality stepper motor drivers virtually simultaneously by way of a serial bus with multiple serial interfaces.
  • the reel control system can drive multiple reels, different distances, different directions as well as different reel types while reducing the manufacturing cost of these devices.
  • Gaming machines are well known in the art. Such gaming machines are known to include a plurality of reel mechanisms.
  • the reel mechanisms include a rotatable reel which carries a plastic strip imprinted with symbols.
  • the reel mechanisms are rigidly supported in such gaming machines in a side by side relationship such that the axes of rotation of the rotatable reels are essentially horizontal and co-linear.
  • Each rotatable reel is driven independently by a stepper motor, which, in turn, is under the control of stepper motor driver.
  • the stepper motor driver is a control system for controlling the operation of the stepper motor in response to external signals.
  • the external signals are normally provided by a host game application.
  • the host game application In response to user input, such as a pull of a game lever or depressing a pushbutton to initiate the game, the host game application generates a random number.
  • each reel is divided up into a predetermined stop positions. These stop positions are stored in memory and normally coincide with the center positions of each of the symbols on the plastic strip carried by the reel.
  • the random numbers generated by the random number generator are then associated with the addresses of the various stop positions for the reel mechanism.
  • each reel mechanism is independently controlled.
  • the host game controller generates a random number for each reel mechanism.
  • Known gaming machines are provided with three (3) to seven (7) reel mechanisms.
  • the host game controller generates a random number for each of the reel mechanisms.
  • the gaming machine includes a window for each reel mechanism on its front panel.
  • the reel mechanisms are mounted in the gaming machine so that one or more symbols on each reel are visible from the outside of the machine through the window.
  • Each reel assembly includes a fixed lamp rigidly carried by a frame member which also carries the stepper motor and the rotatable reel. The reel mechanisms and the lamp assemblies are located so as illuminate the symbols behind the windows.
  • Phase setting relates to calibration of the angular position of each reel so that the number one symbol on the reel is aligned within the payline on the gaming machine on power up.
  • each reel is mechanically coupled to a stepper motor shaft by way of a cross pin, as illustrated in detail in US Patent No. 4,410,178.
  • a through hole traverse to the shaft axis, is formed in the stepper motor shaft.
  • a cross pin is received in the through hole.
  • the cross pin is received by a mating slot on the hub of the reel to mechanically couple the stepper motor to the reel mechanism.
  • the stepper motor driver When the stepper motor driver is initially powered up, the angular position of the motor shaft is unknown in relation to the energized winding position. For example, for a 200 step motor with four (4) pairs of windings in full step excitation mode, each pair of windings will have 50 step positions in one revolution. Thus, when the motor is first energized, it is not known which of the 50 energized positions is aligned to the zero phase or home position. The home position is correlated to a home position on an optical encoder wheel. As such, the stepper motor is known to be factory adjusted by a procedure known as phase setting with no load on the motor shaft.
  • two windings of the stepper motor are energized in the field so that the reel assumes a permanent static position.
  • the motor is adjusted on the frame, so that the home position on the encoder aligns with a home position on the optical encoder. Rotation of the motor housing causes the zero phase position of the motor and the symbol on the reel, to be aligned to the payline.
  • Another problem with known reel mechanisms is the ability to control the reel position during a standstill condition.
  • State gaming laws e.g. Nevada gaming laws, require that the standstill condition be monitored and that an indication be provided should the reel move during such a standstill condition.
  • systems for monitoring a standstill condition normally utilize an optical sensor and an optical encoder wheel.
  • the optical sensor and the optical encoder are used to detect movement of the reel. Should the movement beyond an acceptable amount be detected during a standstill condition, a tilt condition is known to be indicated.
  • known reel control mechanisms are known to require separate serial control buses for each reel control mechanism thus decreasing the response time of the system.
  • known reel control systems are known to be limited with respect to their operational abilities. For example, known reel control systems cannot drive different types of reels simultaneously or drive multiple reels in different directions.
  • phase setting of the reel position is greatly simplified. More particularly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, phase setting of the motor shaft in an unloaded position is obviated thus simplifying the overall calibration procedure. Manufacturing phase setting calibration is done with a loaded rotor shaft. Instead of rotating the motor housing to align the first symbol with a payline, the stepper motor is energized causing the rotor shaft to rotate to a home position. The shaft is then rotated under software control until the first symbol is aligned with a payline. The angular distance to that position is stored in persistent memory as an offset along with the home position. On subsequent power-ups, the system retrieves the stored home and offset positions from the persistent storage and rotates the rotor shaft to the stored positions and writes these positions to the stepper motor driver as the home and offset positions.
  • the control system also provides a relatively accurate method for determining if a reel position has moved from a standstill position, due to low power, no power or outright tampering. Any movement of the reel can be corrected. In a lock mode and any games in progress can be allowed to continue. Alternatively, in a tilt mode, any games in progress are terminated and an alarm signal is indicated.
  • the control system takes advantage of the micro-stepping ability of the stepper motor driver to enable symbol strips with different size symbols to be implemented.
  • the reel control system is configured with multiple serial bus interfaces connected to a single serial bus that, in turn, can be connected to multiple stepper motor drivers which provides for fast response time to commands.
  • the reel control system can drive multiple stepper motor drivers configured with the same physical address to reduce manufacturing costs and is further configured to simultaneously drive multiple reels, different distances, different directions, with different numbers of symbols per reel as well as drive different types of reels.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a control system for a reel mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an Intelligent Reel Controller (IRD) configured to host configured to interface to an exemplary number of reel mechanisms.
  • IFD Intelligent Reel Controller
  • FIGs. 3A and 3B are process diagrams for phase setting of the reel mechanisms in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a software flow diagram for detecting movement of a reel mechanism during a standstill condition.
  • Fig. 5 is a two dimensional representation of a symbol strip with unequal symbol lengths in accordance with one aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram illustrating the operation of the reel control system in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is an exemplary simplified flow diagram of an exemplary application for use with the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is an exemplary simplified flow diagram for an Intelligent Reel
  • the present invention relates to a reel control system for a gaming machine having at least one reel mechanism, for example, as described in detail in US Patent Nos. 4,410,178 and 5,388,829, hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the control system in accordance with the present invention relates to a reel control system that includes various improvements relative to known reel control systems.
  • the reel control system is configured to eliminate known problems related to phase setting and detection of reel movement during a standstill condition.
  • the reel control system may also be configured to enable reels with unequal symbol lengths to be utilized which enabled the odds of a winning combination to be easily changed.
  • the reel control system is configured to control multiple stepper motor drivers by way of a single serial bus with multiple serial bus interface, for example, eight (8) serial interfaces, which improves the response time of the system and enabling the stepper motors to be operated at a relative fast speed, for example, full speed.
  • a reel control system in accordance with the present invention is generally identified with the reference numeral 20.
  • the reel control system 20 includes a Intelligent Reel Driver (IRD) generally identified with the reference numeral 22 and a multiple of reel mechanisms, generally identified with the reference numerals 26, 28 30 and 32.
  • the IRD 22 is used to interface a host controller 24 with one or more reel mechanisms 26, 28 30 and 32.
  • Each reel mechanism 26, 28, 30 and 32 includes a stepper motor and a stepper motor driver.
  • the electrical connections between the stepper motor and the stepper motor driver are made locally at each reel mechanism 26, 28, 30 and 32.
  • the connections from each of the stepper motor drivers are terminated, for example, by way of an exemplary connector (not shown) and routed to the IRD 22.
  • the connectors from the stepper drivers are mated with corresponding reel interfaces, generally identified with the reference numeral 34 on the IRD 22.
  • the reel interfaces 34 are configured as complementary connectors (not shown).
  • the reel interfaces 34 and the complementary connectors from the stepper drivers may be implemented as 18 pin Molex type MTA connectors.
  • the IRD 22 provides an interface between the host or master controller 24 and a plurality of stepper motor drivers, for example eight (8) identified with the reference numerals 26, 28, 30 and 32.
  • the IRD 22 acts as a client or slave with respect to the host controller 24.
  • the IRD 22 acts as master with respect to the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32 when sending commands to the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32 and acts as a slave when receiving data from the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32.
  • the IRD 22 communicates with each of the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32 by way of individual serial communication buses 34, 36, 38 and 40, for example, l 2 C buses.
  • Communication between the IRD 22 and the host controller 24 may be by way of serial communication buses 42 and 44, for example, an RS-232 bus and /or a USB bus.
  • the RS-232 bus 42 may be used to connect a host controller 24 to the IRD 22 while the USB bus 44 may be used for connecting the IRD 22 to a personal computer (not shown) for initialization, testing and calibration.
  • a common power supply 46 may be used to provide power to both the IRD 22 and the host controller 24.
  • Game controllers for example, as described in detail in US Patent No. 5,988,638, hereby incorporated by reference, are well known in the art.
  • Such game controllers may include a persistent memory device for storing all of the stop positions for each symbol on each reel in the gaming machine. These stop positions are used to identify the positions of the center of symbol position of each symbol on each reel and/or the position of one or more pay lines on each symbol.
  • the stop positions are stored in memory at various memory addresses and may be used to identify the center of the symbol positions and/or pay line positions with reels having equally spaced symbols and unequally spaced symbols, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
  • the random numbers may also represent the number of symbols each reel is to move.
  • the host application or controller 24 includes a random number generator (not shown) for generating random numbers that are correlated with the addresses of the stop positions of the reels in the gaming machine.
  • the random numbers may also represent the number of symbols each reel is to move.
  • the stepper motor drivers then cause the reels to rotate to the randomly selected reel positions. As will be discussed in more detail below, these randomly selected reel positions are configured as reel control commands by an Application Program Interface (API).
  • the reel control commands are sent to the IRD 22.
  • the IRD 22 converts the reel control commands to stepper motor driver commands which have the proper syntax and format for the stepper motor drivers.
  • These stepper motor driver commands are sent to the stepper motor drivers which drive the respective reel mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and 32 to the positions which correlate with the positions generated by the random number generator.
  • the stepper motor driver commands are sent the IRD 22 over one of the serial communication buses, the USB bus 42 or the RS- 232 bus 44 under the control of the IRD 22.
  • the IRD 22 acts both as a master and a slave depending on
  • the IRD 22 determines whether the IRD 22 is sending commands to the stepper motor driver 26, 28, 30, 32 or receiving data from the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30, 32. In particular, when the IRD 22 sends a command to the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30, 32, the IRD 22 acts as a master. When the IRD 22 receives data from the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32, the IRD 22 acts as a slave.
  • the intelligent reel driver is configured with multiple serial bus interfaces that can be connected to multiple stepper motor drivers which provides for fast response time to commands.
  • the exemplary IRD 22 is shown with eight (8) serial bus interfaces, for example, l 2 C bus interfaces, which allow the IRD 22 to control eight (8) reel mechanisms virtually simultaneously.
  • Each of the eight (8) serial interfaces is capable of driving, for example, thirty-two (32) stepper motor drivers since each stepper motor driver has a 5 bit address.
  • the IRD 22 is thus configurable to drive 256 (8 x 32) stepper motor drivers.
  • the IRD 22 is thus able to drive a relatively large number of stepper motor drivers and provide relatively fast response times.
  • the IRD 22 allows commands to be sent to the stepper motor drivers at a relatively fast speed, thereby reducing system response time.
  • known systems with a separate l 2 C bus for eight (8) separate stepper motor drivers would have an increased response time, i.e the difference in time from the time is sent to the stepper motor driver and the time the command is fully executed, on the order of a factor of eight (8).
  • the reel control system can drive multiple stepper motor drivers configured with the same physical address to reduce manufacturing costs.
  • the format of the address is generally one byte. Bits 6 and 7 are fixed as a "1" while bit 0 is preset as a "0". Bit 1 is hardwired while bits 2, 3, 4 and 5 are configured as OTP, one time programmable.
  • the OTP bits for all of stepper motor driver are set by way of a SetOTP command on the stepper motor driver.
  • the OTP address bits for all of the stepper motor drivers are set to the same physical address.
  • the hardwired bit, bit 1 is connected to the FPGA 56 (Fig. 2).
  • the FPGA 56 is configured as an eight (8) channel duplex time division multiplexer. As such commands from the IRD 22 are sent to the respective stepper motor drivers virtually simultaneously by way of time division multiplexing. Similarly, data from the stepper motor drivers is returned to the IRD 22 in the same fashion.
  • the reel control system is configured to drive different types of reels, such as reels having both an equal number of symbols and reels having an unequal number of symbols, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
  • the stop positions for all of the symbols on a reel are stored.
  • the radial distance that the reel is moved is calculated irrespective of the radial length of the symbols I.
  • the system can control reels with symbols having different radial lengths as well as a different number of symbols per reel.
  • the reel control system allows for movement of the reels in different directions.
  • the SetPosition command has a signed data bytes.
  • the most significant bit (msb), i.e bit 15 is used to determine the direction of rotation of the reel depending on whether the msb is a "1" or a "0".
  • the reel control system is configured to simultaneously drive multiple reels, different distances, different directions, with different numbers of symbols per reel and can also drive different types of reels.
  • FIG. 2 An exemplary hardware block diagram of the IRD 22 is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the IRD 22 includes a CPU 48, for example, a 32 bit ARM CPU and a non-volatile memory 50, for example, a EEPROM.
  • the IRD 22 also includes an LED matrix control circuit 52 which does not form a part of the present invention.
  • the stepper motor drivers for the various reel mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and 32 (Fig. 1) are connected to the IRD 22 by way of a plurality of connectors or reel interfaces 54.
  • Each reel interface 54 is connected to a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 56 by way of an l 2 C buffer, generally identified with the reference numeral 58 and an l 2 C interface, generally identified with the reference numeral 60.
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • the l 2 C buffers 58 and the l 2 C interfaces 60 are used to interface the l 2 C buses corresponding to the stepper motor drivers of the various reel mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and 32 to a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) 56.
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
  • These l 2 C buffers 58 and the l 2 C interfaces 60 may be implemented by way of one or more integrated circuits, for example CMOS Integrated Circuits (ICs) 40106 or 74HC14, which are hex inverting Schmitt triggers.
  • the FPGA 56 is configured as a multi-channel duplex time division multiplexer.
  • the FPGA 56 is configured as an eight (8) channel duplex multiplexer.
  • the FPGA 56 is used to transmit commands and receive data to and from the stepper motor drivers 26, 28, 30 and 32 by way of the reel interfaces 54.
  • an exemplary eight (8) reel interfaces are shown which would require a three (3) bit interface from the CPU 48 to the FPGA 56. The three (3) bit interface would thus allow the CPU 48 to address each of the eight (8) stepper motor drivers attached to the reel interfaces 54.
  • the FPGA 56 may also be used to interface an EEPROM 62 to the CPU 48.
  • the EEPROM 62 may be used for storing software which stores parameters for the instructions from the host controller 24 (Fig. 1) to each of the stepper motor drivers associated with the various reel mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and 32.
  • the EEPROM 62 may also be used for initializing each of the reel mechanisms 26, 28, 30 and 32 on power-up.
  • bi-directional communications between the host controller 24 (Fig. 1) and the IRD 22 is by way of a RS-232 communication link 42.
  • the RS-232 communication link is connected to a RS-232 port 64 (Fig. 2) on the IRD 22.
  • Bi-directional communication between an external PC (not shown) and the IRD 22 may by way of a USB bus 44 (Fig. 1).
  • the USB bus 44 would be connected to a USB port 66 on the IRD 22.
  • the host application 24 includes a random number generator (Fig. 6), generally identified with the reference numeral 49. All of the stop positions for each reel in the gaming machine are stored in a nonvolatile memory 51. As is known in the art, such random number generators 49 are generally responsive to player inputs 53, such as a lever pull, etc. In response to such a player input 53, the random number generator 49 selects an address for each reel stop position stored in the non-volatile memory 51 for each reel in the gaming machine. The randomly selected stop positions are formulated into various reel control commands by an Application Program Interface (API) 55. A simplified description of the API 55 is provided for a complete Understanding of the system.
  • API Application Program Interface
  • the reel control commands are sent to the IRD 22 (Fig. 1) over a serial bus, for example the RS-232 bus 42 or the USB bus 44.
  • a serial bus for example the RS-232 bus 42 or the USB bus 44.
  • Exemplary Spin commands generated by the API 55 are provided below.
  • the Y parameter specifies which reel or reels to start. This can be a single reel, e.g. "1", or a comma separated list of more than one reel, e.g. "2,4".
  • the API 55 keeps track of the symbol positions of each reel in the gaming machine and therefore can calculate the number of steps, half steps, etc., to move the stepper motor from the reel's current position to the newly randomly selected position.
  • Response-Reel Control Failed to spin, reel N has timed out Response-Reel Control: Failed to spin, reel N already spinning Response-Reel Control: Failed to spin, command not sent Response-Reel Control: Failed to spin, command not
  • system control is based upon positive feedback from the IRD 22 within a predetermined time period. For example, if one of the specified reels is already spinning when the API 55 issues the command to the IRD 22, the API 55 will return the response: "Reel Control: Failed to spin, reel N already spinning ". In this case, the IRD 22 is able to get the motion status of a reel in response to a GetFullStaus command to the stepper motor driver. This data is returned to the API 55. If the reel to which a command was sent indicates motion at the end of a predetermined time period, the API 55 returns the response: "Reel Control: Failed to spin, reel N already spinning.”
  • the "Spin command sent” response indicates that the command has been sent, but not necessarily that the reels have started spinning. After this response one or more event messages should be received. For example, a Response “Reel Control: Reel N started”, is generated confirming that each reel has started spinning, when confirmation is received from the IRD 22.
  • Commands from the API 55 are transmitted to the IRD 22 by way of one of the serial communication buses 42, 44. These commands are translated to the proper format and syntax for the stepper motor drivers by the IRD 22.
  • the IRD 22 writes these commands stepper motor drivers which controls the stepper motors according to the received command.
  • the ReelControl command from the API 55 is translated , i.e formatted into a command recognizable by the stepper motor driver.
  • the SetPosition command is provided to drive the stepper motor to a given absolute position.
  • the format and syntax of the SetPosition command is provided videow.
  • the entire command set for the stepper motor drivers is set forth in Model No. AMIS-30625, l 2 C micro-stepping motor driver, as manufactured by ON Semiconductor, described in detail in Publication Order No. AMIS 30624D, Rev. 4, Copyright 2008, published by ON Semiconductor, hereby incorporated by reference.
  • a method for translating a ReelControl command from the API 55 by the IRD 22 is illustrated below. Other commands can be translated in a similar manner.
  • the IRD 22 may includes a look up table in the EEPROM 62, which associates a ReelControl command from the API 55 with a SetPosition command for the stepper motor driver. Given the syntax and format of the SetPosition command as provided above, the CPU 48 creates the
  • SetPosition command by parsing the data from the ReelControl command from the API 55.
  • the data is provided in two (2) bytes. Bits [15:8] of the data are provided by byte 4 and bits [7:0] are provided by byte 5.
  • the CPU 48 uses the data to create the SetPosition command.
  • the SetPosition command is a five (5) byte command.
  • Byte 1 relates to the address of the stepper motor drive. This address corresponds to the reel control mechanism 26, 28, 30 and 32.
  • the next byte is the command byte. This byte corresponds to the number of the "SetPosition" command. In this case, this byte is 1001011.
  • the next two bytes are for position data. These two (2) bytes or sixteen (16) bits of data allow 1 of 65,536 positions to be specified.
  • the current position of the stepper motor is stored in memory on board the stepper motor driver.
  • the position may also be provided by an encoder wheel attached to the gaming reel.
  • the position of the stepper motor for each gaming reel can be read from the stepper motor driver by the IRD 22 by way of a "GetFullStatus2" command.
  • This command is configured with eight (8) bytes. Two bytes, bytes 2 and 3, together provide the 16 bit actual position of the stepper motor.
  • This position may be used to enable the CPU 48 to calculate the number of steps to rotate the stepper motor in order to get to the new symbol that corresponds to the position determined by the random number generator.
  • FIG. 7 A simplified exemplary flow diagram of the API 55 is illustrated in Fig. 7. As shown, the system waits in step 57 for a player input. Upon receipt of a player input, the host application 24 (Fig. 6) generates a random number by way of a random number generator. The API 55 reads the random number in order to determine the number of symbols to move each of the reels based upon the output of the random number generator. These randomly selected numbers are stored in step 59. The API 55 uses those numbers to construct a command, such as the ReelControl command discussed above in step 61. In step 63, the command is transmitted to the 10 047810
  • a position control command is generated for each reel.
  • the API 55 checks if commands have sent for all of the reels in the gaming machine. If not, the system returns to step 61 and repeats steps 61, 63 and 65 until commands for all of the gaming reels have been sent to the IRD 22. After all of the commands have been sent to the IRD 22, the system returns to step 57 to await additional player input.
  • FIG. 8 A simplified exemplary flow diagram for the IRD 22 is illustrated in Fig. 8.
  • the IRD 22 awaits a command from the API 55 in step 67.
  • the IRD 22 translates the command into a format and syntax, for example, as described above.
  • the exemplary ReelControl command is provided in terms of the number of symbol positions that each reel is to move.
  • the stop positions for all symbols on each reel are stored in the EEPROM 62 (Fig. 2).
  • the current position of each reel is returned by the stepper motor driver to the IRD 22.
  • the CPU uses this information to calculate the target position of the reel that corresponds to the number of symbols that the reel is to be moved.
  • the IRD 22 uses this number to construct a SetPosition command, for example, as discussed above in step 69.
  • the command is then sent to the stepper motor driver in step 71.
  • the IRD 22 reads various data from the stepper motor driver including the actual position of the stepper motor after the command has been executed in step 73.
  • step 75 the data from the stepper motor driver is stored and the system returns to step 67 to await another command from the API 55. Steps 69-71 are repeated until commands for all of the reels have been received and processed.
  • the stepper motor driver is used to drive a bipolar stepper motor in micro- stepping mode.
  • the stepper motor driver is an integrated circuit (IC), for example an AMIS 30624 IC, which acts as a either slave or a master to the CPU 56 on the IRD 22 depending on whether a command is being sent by the CPU 56 or data is being received from the stepper motor driver.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • AMIS 30624 IC an integrated circuit
  • each pair of stepper motor drivers is interfaced; i.e connected, to the IRD 22 by way of individual l 2 C buses 34, 36, 38 and 40.
  • Each stepper motor driver is connected to a stepper motor and an electrical connector (not shown). As mentioned above, these electrical connectors are connected to the reel interfaces 54, located on the IRD 22.
  • the stepper motor driver provides many important functions with respect to the control system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the stepper motor driver provides closed loop control of the reel positions.
  • the IC has built in motor position reference. When the motor is rotated, the IC automatically updates the physical position. More specifically, the stepper motor driver monitors the back EMF in the stator coils of the stepper motor to determine the actual rotor position. Whenever a SW input on the stepper motor driver is triggered, the rotor position of the stepper motor is saved in on-board memory on the stepper motor driver.
  • the host controller 24 can thus read back the physical position of the stepper motor from the stepper motor memory. As such, the host controller 24 does not need an external optic device and encoder to monitor the symbol positions and keep a log of reel positions.
  • stepper motor driver A brief description of the operation of the stepper motor driver, as provided below, will enable the present invention to be better understood.
  • Initialization of the reels is accomplished with a single optical sensor (not shown) on each reel mechanism 26, 28, 30 and 32, located at a "home" position.
  • the "home" position is defined as that position, where the first symbol on a reel is aligned to a pay-line, the optic sensor output is at a defined state, and the motor step position is known.
  • the "home” position may be adjusted through 360 degrees of movement by means of mechanical adjustment of motor, lamp array and optic device, on the frame.
  • the motor On power up / reset condition, the motor is rotated, and the optic device monitored.
  • the output is fed into the SW input of the stepper motor driver.
  • the motor step position is then saved to memory on-board the stepper motor driver as an absolute reference point.
  • the stepper motor driver can be used to set various control parameters.
  • the stepper motor driver enables master controller 24 (Fig. 1) to set the micro-step resolution, run current and hold current of the stepper motor.
  • the host controller 24 (Fig. 1) reads back the reel position from the stepper motor driver memory and calculates the difference in steps and/or micro-steps from the current reel position to the target symbol position.
  • the master controller 24 by way of the IRD 22, then commands the stepper motor driver to the target symbol position.
  • the host controller can then check the physical position of the reel by reading the memory on-board the stepper motor driver and correct if required. This is similar to incremental positioning; the key difference being the host can read the current reel position from the load and not rely on a previous incremental position, thereby avoiding positional errors.
  • the host controller 24 drives the stepper motor in the required direction and monitors the reel position from the stepper motor on board memory. The stepper motor is then stopped when the target reel position is achieved. .
  • phase setting relates to the position of the stepper motor shaft on power up. Since the reel is directly connected to the stepper motor on power up, the zero position of the rotor shaft is normally offset from a true zero position. More specifically, as discussed above, the zero position of a stepper motor relates to the position of the rotor on power up. This zero position is used for positioning the rotor to other positions. When a load such as a reel is placed on the rotor at power-up, the factory zero position may not correspond to the centerline of a symbol. As such, heretofore, the stepper motor housing was rotated to cause the centerline of the symbol to be aligned with the payline on power up.
  • each reel includes an optical encoder.
  • Each optical encoder is formed as a wheel rigidly secured to each reel.
  • Each optical encoder includes a number of peripheral slots which are positioned to correspond with various symbol positions on the reel.
  • the "home" position is defined as the reel position in which encoder corresponding to the first symbol is aligned with the optical sensor, rigidly secured to the reel mechanism 26, 28, 30 and 32 Ideally, the home position is aligned with a payline on the glass of a gaming machine. If not, the reel has to be rotated so that the first symbol is aligned with the payline defining an offset position.
  • the home and offset positions are normally stored in a volatile memory on-board the stepper motor driver IC. On power loss, this data is lost and the system has to be re-calibrated and the home and offset positions have to be re-stored on the IC. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system automatically restores the home and offset in the IC and re-positions the rotor to the correct position.
  • Fig 3A Calibration is accomplished electronically by way of an external PC connected to the USB port 36 on the IRD 22, as discussed above.
  • the external PC is connected to the IRD 22 by way of a USB bus 44 (Fig. 1).
  • the stepper motor is operated in micro-step mode, enabling the first symbol position to be precisely aligned with the payline.
  • the external PC functions as the master controller 24.
  • the external PC can take advantage of the native commands of the stepper motor driver for various purposes.
  • the external PC can cause the stepper motor driver to micro-step the reel to a position in which aligns the first symbol, for example, the centerline of the first symbol, with a payline on power-up .
  • the stepper motor driver includes a "GotoSecurePosition" command which enables the stepper motor to be micro-stepped.
  • the external PC can be used to micro-step the reel to a position in which the first symbol is aligned with a payline on the gaming machine. Once the first symbol is aligned with the payline, the offset from the aligned position to the home position can then be added to the home position and stored as the new home position.
  • the stepper motor driver includes a "ResetPosition" command for that purpose.
  • phase setting is initiated at the factory by applying power to the stepper motor. This may be accomplished by applying power to the battery supply pin VBB on the stepper motor driver, as indicated in step 68. On power-up the reel will rotate to a home position under the control of the stepper motor driver, as indicated by the step 70. After the reel rotates to its initial home position, the position of the first symbol with respect to the payline is checked in step 72. If the first symbol is not aligned with the payline on the gaming machine.
  • the reel is micro-stepped forward or backward until the first symbol on the reel is aligned with the payline, as discussed above, by way of an external PC, as indicated in step 74.
  • the offset between the initial home position and the aligned position is calculated by taking the difference between the initial home position and the aligned positions stored on the stepper motor driver. This difference or offset is stored, as indicated above in step 76.
  • the initial home position and the offset position are stored on board the IRD 22 concluding the manufacturing calibration, as indicated in step 80.
  • Fig. 3B illustrates the process steps involved after a power loss in the field.
  • the home and offset positions are lost in the stepper motor driver IC.
  • the home and offset positions are automatically restored to the stepper motor driver IC on subsequent power-ups Initially, power is applied to the stepper motor as described above in step 82.
  • the system automatically retrieves the home and offset positions from the IRD 22. Once those positions are retrieved, the reel is automatically rotated to its home position, as indicated in step 84. Next the reel is automatically rotated to the offset position , as indicated in step 86.
  • the home position and the offset position are stored in the stepper motor driver IC. That position is then set as a the reset position in step 90, by way of a "ResetPosition Command", available on the stepper motor driver. Standstill Detection and Control
  • the control system 20 can also be used to manage the monitoring of a standstill condition and the response to a condition where the reel drifts from a stop position either due to temporary power loss or a low power condition.
  • the stepper motor driver has a SW pin. Anytime the SW pin is triggered, the actual position of the stepper motor rotor is stored in memory aboard the stepper motor driver.
  • the master controller 24 can thus repeatedly request the actual position of the rotor by way of a "GetFullStatus2" command. Should the master controller 24 determine that the reel has drifted with respect to the standstill position, the master controller 24 can drive the rotor back to its standstill position by way of "SetPosition" command.
  • the system response to rotor movement from a standstill condition is user programmable. More particularly, the response can be set as a "tilt" condition and terminating a game in progress is terminated or simply returning the reel to its correct position and allowing the game to continue , as indicated in step 94.
  • the reel motor is spun and driven to a target position as determined by the master game controller 24 (Fig. 1) and stopped , as indicated by the logic blocks 96 and 98. Once the reel reaches its target position, the motor current is reduced in step 100, defining a standstill mode.
  • step 102 the reel position is read from the memory on board the stepper motor driver by the master controller 24. This position is stored as the standstill position in step 104.
  • step 106 the IRD 22 can compare the current position with stored standstill position. If the current position does not correspond with the stored standstill position, the IRD 22 will indicate a "tamper" condition, as indicated in step 108.
  • the current reel position is determined in two (2) ways. First, as discussed above, the current reel position is determined by reading the reel position from the memory of the stepper motor driver. Secondly, the current reel position is determined by way of the encoder wheel, as discussed above.
  • the system next determines the current reel position by reading the reel position, as indicated by the optical encoder, as discussed above, in step 108.
  • the IRD 22 determines if the reel position, as indicated in step 108, corresponds to the last stop position generated by the master controller 24 (Fig. 1). If not, the system proceeds to step 108 and indicates a tamper condition. If the IRD 22 determines that the current reel position corresponds to the last stop position generated by the master controller 24, the system determines that the current reel position is correct and to step 102 to monitor the current reel position.
  • the system may continuously monitor the current reel position until the game is over, as indicated by the host controller 24, in which case, the standstill mode is terminated, as indicated in step 112. Once the standstill mode is terminated, the system loops back to step 96 and awaits a motor spin.
  • the IRD 22 can be placed in a lock mode or a tilt mode. As mentioned above, the IRD 22 can be configured initially in either mode. Thus, in step 114, the IRD 22 checks a configuration register to determine whether it was initially configured in a lock mode or a tilt mode.
  • the IRD 22 simply drives the reel back to the correct position.
  • the system maintains that position by repeatedly checking the reel position on the memory of the stepper motor driver and driving the reel back to the correct position when the reel moves by a predetermined amount.
  • the game in progress may continue once the reel is returned to its correct position.
  • the IRD 22 reports a tilt condition back to the host controller 24.
  • the IRD 22 may also provide an alarm signal.
  • any game in progress may be terminated.
  • a reel basket is defined as a pair of spaced apart circular disks or rings that are connected together with a number of rungs that are juxtaposed around the periphery of the reels in a position generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the reels.
  • reel mechanism designs require various components to provide a solution. These components are designed for specific symbol types. Most symbol types are directly related to the stepper motor used to drive the reel. For example, a 200 step motor with reels configured with 25 symbols will utilize 8 steps per symbol, all equally displaced around the reel periphery.
  • Some known reel baskets include spacers at pre-defined locations to allow correct symbol illumination.
  • Other known reel baskets include predefined optical encoders for specific symbol types.
  • the host software is also pre-defined for specific number of symbols.
  • FIG. 5 Multiple symbol types are illustrated in Fig. 5 and may be accommodated within the design. This allows different symbol sizes to be used on a common reel mechanism. It also allows the host to change symbol type easily, if machines are rebuilt.
  • the reel basket design has no spacers that separate the spaced apart rings or spacers.. The symbol location may be in any position around the periphery of the reel basket. Such a configuration allows unrestricted backlight illumination.
  • the reel basket must have an encoder located in a known position, relative to the symbol location.
  • An optic flag is a component that is used to trigger / interrupt an optic device. This encoder may be fixed in that location for any symbol type.
  • Maximum symbol size is determined by the maximum viewable area on the game machine cabinet. For example, a viewing area of 45 degrees, will allow 8 symbols of 45 degrees height to be used.
  • the minimum symbol size is determined by the backlight components. For example an LED component may be mounted so that it provides 5 degrees of illumination spread. This limitation is due to the physical size of the components. This configuration allows up to 72 symbols to be used.
  • any number of symbols may be used, between the minimum and maximum values, and that all symbols may be stopped centrally about the pay line angle. This is achieved by utilizing the micro step feature of the stepper motor driver, as discussed above, and the ability to boost the holding torque, on micro step positions.
  • Fig. 5 is a two dimensional representation of a symbol strip with unequal symbol sizes, generally identified with the reference numeral 118.
  • each symbol on the symbol strip 118 has a different length.
  • each symbol on the symbol strip 118 can be correlated to a number of steps. The total number of steps for all of the symbols preferably adds up to 200.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de commande de bobines servant à résoudre les problèmes inhérents aux mécanismes de bobines utilisés dans les machines de jeux. Ce système de commande présente également un procédé permettant de déterminer si une position de bobine a changé par rapport à une position d'immobilisation, à cause d'une alimentation faible, de l'absence d'alimentation ou même d'altération. Tout mouvement de la bobine peut être corrigé. Le système de commande selon l'invention est également configuré avec des interfaces bus séries multiples connectées à un bus série unique qui peut, à son tour, être connecté à des pilotes multiples de moteur pas-à-pas. Dans d'autres aspects de l'invention, le système de commande peut entraîner des pilotes multiples de moteur pas-à-pas configurés avec la même adresse physique et il est également configuré pour entraîner simultanément des bobines multiples, sur des distances différentes, dans des directions différentes et avec des nombres différents de symboles par bobine, et pour entraîner différents types de bobines.
PCT/US2010/047810 2009-09-09 2010-09-03 Systeme de commande pour mecanisme de bobines WO2011031634A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24075509P 2009-09-09 2009-09-09
US61/240,755 2009-09-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011031634A1 true WO2011031634A1 (fr) 2011-03-17

Family

ID=43648194

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2010/047810 WO2011031634A1 (fr) 2009-09-09 2010-09-03 Systeme de commande pour mecanisme de bobines

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (3) US20110059787A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2011031634A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110059787A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2011-03-10 Suzo-Happ Group Control system for reel mechanism
AU2011239305B2 (en) 2010-11-02 2015-11-26 Aruze Gaming America Inc. Gaming machine and reel device thereof
JP6599602B2 (ja) * 2014-03-04 2019-10-30 コナミゲーミング インコーポレーテッド ゲーミングマシン、ゲーミング方法およびコンピュータにより読み取り可能な記録媒体

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283709A (en) * 1980-01-29 1981-08-11 Summit Systems, Inc. (Interscience Systems) Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
US5058893A (en) * 1985-01-02 1991-10-22 Igt Reel monitoring device for an amusement machine
US7137885B1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2006-11-21 Wms Gaming, Inc. Slot machine reel mechanism with dedicated local microcontroller
US7479065B1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2009-01-20 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for an enhanced gaming device
US20090104889A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2009-04-23 Nethawk Oyj Man-in-the-middle detector and a method using it

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4421310A (en) * 1979-09-17 1983-12-20 Summit Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for randomly positioning indica-bearing members
US4410178A (en) * 1981-05-21 1983-10-18 Starpoint Electrics Limited Gaming machines
US4711451A (en) * 1986-07-29 1987-12-08 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Reel mapping scheme for a gaming device
US5209479A (en) * 1988-08-12 1993-05-11 Sigma, Incorporated Clot machine
US5388829A (en) * 1991-09-02 1995-02-14 Starpoint Electronics Limited Reel mechanisms for gaming machines
US5413342A (en) * 1993-11-05 1995-05-09 Kaplan; Edward B. Pyramid slot machine
AU685536B2 (en) * 1993-12-24 1998-01-22 Universal Entertainment Corporation Gaming machine
US5553070A (en) * 1994-09-13 1996-09-03 Riley; Robert E. Data link module for time division multiplexing control systems
EP0791213B1 (fr) * 1994-10-31 2002-05-22 Starpoint Electrics Limited Ensembles d'entrainement
US5683296A (en) * 1996-11-22 1997-11-04 Wms Gaming Inc. Apparatus for detecting reel position in a reel-type slot machine
US5938529A (en) * 1997-03-17 1999-08-17 Unislot, Inc. Reel type slot machine having stepper motor monitoring system
US6003867A (en) * 1997-06-13 1999-12-21 Unislot, Inc. Reel type slot machine utilizing time-based random game result selection means
DE69711465T2 (de) * 1997-11-20 2002-11-21 Orion Casino Technology B V Spielgerät mit symbolwalze
US8342938B2 (en) * 2001-09-27 2013-01-01 Igt Gaming machine reel having a rotatable dynamic display
US7360761B2 (en) * 2004-06-24 2008-04-22 Wms Gaming Inc. Dynamic generation of a profile for spinning reel gaming machines
US8047910B2 (en) * 2005-08-31 2011-11-01 Bally Gaming, Inc. Gaming machines having rhythmic reels
US20090036195A1 (en) * 2007-08-02 2009-02-05 Scott Stewart Slot machine systems, methods, and apparatus
US8591328B2 (en) * 2008-06-09 2013-11-26 Wms Gaming Inc. Mechanical-based control of video reels in a game machine
US8298069B2 (en) * 2009-05-11 2012-10-30 Igt Gaming machine reel alignment
US20110059787A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2011-03-10 Suzo-Happ Group Control system for reel mechanism

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283709A (en) * 1980-01-29 1981-08-11 Summit Systems, Inc. (Interscience Systems) Cash accounting and surveillance system for games
US5058893A (en) * 1985-01-02 1991-10-22 Igt Reel monitoring device for an amusement machine
US7137885B1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2006-11-21 Wms Gaming, Inc. Slot machine reel mechanism with dedicated local microcontroller
US7479065B1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2009-01-20 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for an enhanced gaming device
US20090104889A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2009-04-23 Nethawk Oyj Man-in-the-middle detector and a method using it

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20120289305A1 (en) 2012-11-15
US20110059787A1 (en) 2011-03-10
US20120289304A1 (en) 2012-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2320636C (fr) Appareil de jeux de hasard a peripheriques communicants
US6899627B2 (en) USB device protocol for a gaming machine
US5912541A (en) Integrated DC servo motor and controller
CN102132126B (zh) 编码器***、信号处理方法
EP0456923B1 (fr) Système d'affichage
EP1399710B1 (fr) Systeme de determination de position d'etalonnage automatique
US20120289305A1 (en) Control system for reel mechanism
JP2004530889A5 (fr)
US20070054737A1 (en) Convertible single-turn to multi-turn gaming steering wheel
JP2013208664A (ja) ロボットの制御システム
US6219451B1 (en) Method and apparatus for counter based liquid crystal display panel identification for a computer
US20060164030A1 (en) Motor actuator
CN104348384A (zh) 旋转电机的控制装置及旋转电机***
JP2013211958A (ja) エンコーダシステム
JP2005143833A (ja) モータ駆動装置
US6771038B2 (en) Instrument reference system
CN116893341A (zh) 步进电机驱动器与步进电机测试方法、***、设备及介质
JP5472865B2 (ja) ステッピングモータ用のドライバ設定操作方法
CN113519143B (zh) 控制***以及控制装置
US6829706B2 (en) Device containing a functional unit that stores function data representative of its properties and a data processing program for operating with required function data
RU2347275C2 (ru) Протокол usb-устройства для игровой машины
EP1818818B1 (fr) Dispositif de traitement de données et méthode de réglage de données de programme
JP4217307B2 (ja) 顕微鏡用回転切換装置
CN114093280A (zh) 角度校正方法、角度限位器、显示单元和显示***
JP2023004194A (ja) ロボットシステム及びその誤配線検出方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10815943

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 10815943

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1