Stepping motor driven reel mechanism having an encoder means integrally formed on the motor: apparatus and method
US5839957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/34
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A reel mechanism for use in a gaming machine including an integrally formed stepping motor/encoder assembly operatively coupled to a rotatable reel having an annular row of various symbols which are to be sequentially displayed in a visual field. The stepping motor/encoder assembly includes an integrally formed encoder wheel and sensing means. A processor/controller is operatively coupled to the stepping motor/encoder assembly for controlling the stepping motor drive signals, reading signals from the sensing means and storing in an associated memory a plurality of encoded reel stop positions which are a representation of physical stop positions on the reel. The processor/controller signals the stepping motor to spin the reel and while the reel is spinning, a random number generator means associated with the processor/controller determines a reel stop which corresponds to a specific position of a the reel. Simultaneously, the processor/controller cooperates with the integrally formed encoder means to provide a precise and fast response time in determining reel spin direction and absolute reel position to precisely control the stepping motor drive signals to stop the reel such that a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.