M5StickC Plus2: Create a Mini Slot Machine Project-3

Installation and Operation

Precondition

Software dependency: Arduino IDE, VScode or text, etc.

Hardware requirements: USB-C cable, M5StickCPlus2, etc.

Dependencies: M5StickCPlus2 library, Arduino library, etc.

Installation of dependencies

1. This change involves two main parts. Let's first walk through the first part, building on the modifications introduced in the previous section. We’ll analyze each change step-by-step, starting from the top.

• Automation Definition: We defined the automation switch, which allows you to toggle between automatic and non-automatic modes.

• Interval Settings:

  • time_MAX and time_MIN: These variables represent the range for the stopping time interval.

  • initTime_MAX and initTime_MIN: These indicate the initial stop time interval during the early stages of the game.

• Stop Count Limits:

  • startCount_MAX: This defines the maximum number of stops from the beginning of the game.

  • initTime_MAX and initTime_MIN: (Reiteration) These represent the initial interval settings for stop time selection.

  • startCount_MAX: This variable also controls how many stops can occur from the start.

With these variables, you have more control over timing and automation, allowing for smoother transitions between manual and automatic modes. In the next part, we’ll explore how to implement these intervals and switches in the code, bringing flexibility to your project.

2. Next, let’s look at the setup() function. We’ve added srand(time(0)) to initialize the random function with the current time, ensuring unique random values in each run.

Now, let’s examine the loop() function. First, we use Automation as a switch to determine whether the system operates in automatic or manual mode. If manual mode is selected, no changes are required. Our focus, however, is on the automatic mode.

In automatic mode, the primary task is to decide whether the spindles should stop. The spindles stop gradually based on a randomly generated stopping time (Count_Num), so there’s no need for the user to press the button multiple times.

When Button A (BtnA) is pressed, or the counter reaches the stopping condition, the spindles will stop one by one automatically.

• State: SLOTS_INIT In this state, all spindles start spinning simultaneously, and a random count determines when they stop.

• The spindles stop automatically under two conditions:

  • Button A is pressed.

  • The random counter reaches the designated stop time.

This logic ensures smooth operation in automatic mode, making the spindles stop without manual intervention, enhancing the slot machine’s gameplay experience.

// Initialize M5StickC Plus2

#define Automation 1
#define Time_MAX 80
#define Time_MIN 45
#define InitTime_MAX 100
#define InitTime_MIN 80
#define StartCount_MAX 6

void setup() {
        srand(time(0));//added on top of the original few
}

void loop()  {
  static int Slot_Start = 0; // Control the number of spindle starts
  static int Slot_Stop = 0; // Whether to stop the spindle
  static int Count_Stop = 0; //Count the heartbeats of the stop spindle
  static int Count_Num; // Randomly generated stop times in automatic mode

  M5.update(); //Update button status

  if (Automation) { // If automatic mode is enabled
    if (M5.BtnA.wasPressed() || Slot_Stop == 1) { // button press or auto mode trigger stop
      if (state == SLOTS_INIT) { // If in the initialization state
        for (int i = 0; i < SLOT_COUNT; i++) {
          slots[i].start(); // Activate each spindle
        }
        state++;
        Slot_Start = 1; // Record startup status
        Count_Num = rand() % (InitTime_MAX - InitTime_MIN - 1) + InitTime_MIN;// Randomly generated stop times
      } else if (state < SLOTS_STOP) { // If the spindle is running
        Slot_Start++;
        slots[state - 1].stop(); //Stop the current axis
        state++;
      }
    }
    Slot_Stop = 0; // Reset stop sign
  } else { // manual mode
    if (M5.BtnA.wasPressed()) { //Press the button to start or stop the spindle
      if (state == SLOTS_INIT) {
        for (int i = 0; i < SLOT_COUNT; i++) {
          slots[i].start(); // Activate each spindle
        }
        state++;
      } else if (state < SLOTS_STOP) {
        slots[state - 1].stop(); // stop spindle
        state++;
      }
    }
  }
}
        

3. Next, let’s look at the second part, which focuses on making each column stop randomly. This section is placed at the end of the loop function and cannot be moved. Our focus here is only on the automatic mode.

In this part, automatic mode is enabled when the macro Automation is defined as 1. In automatic mode, the user does not need to press a button to start or stop each spindle. Instead, the code automatically manages the start and stop process for each spindle.

When Auto Mode is enabled:

• The system automatically starts the spindles and uses the counter Count_Stop to keep track of the elapsed time.
• Each time the counter reaches a pre-generated random stop time (Count_Num), the system triggers the stopping of one spindle.
• Once all spindles have been stopped, the system resets its state and prepares for the next round of operation.

// Initialize M5StickC Plus2
 if (Automation) { // If in automatic mode
  if (Slot_Start && Slot_Start < StartCount_MAX) { //When at least one shaft has been started and the maximum number of starts has not yet been reached
    Count_Stop++; // Counter increments to record time progress
    if (Count_Stop == Count_Num && state < SLOTS_STOP) { //If the counter reaches a randomly generated stop time
      Slot_Stop = 1; // Trigger auto-stop spindle
      Count_Stop = 0; //Counter resets to zero in preparation for the next stop
      Count_Num = rand() % (Time_MAX - Time_MIN - 1) + Time_MIN; //Randomly generate the next stop interval
    }
  } else if (Slot_Start == StartCount_MAX) { // If all spindles have been activated
    Slot_Start = 0; // Zero the startup counter in preparation for the next startup
  }
}


        

Compile and Run