JP2008237795A - Simulation program and simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simulation program capable of arbitrarily setting the arrival position of a game ball, and to provide a simulator. <P>SOLUTION: The simulator includes: a position detecting part 101 for detecting a specified position on a game board object which is indicated by an operation input device 20; an initial speed calculation part 102 for calculating the initial speed of a game ball object by which the game ball object, to be shot from the prescribed shooting position of the game board object, is made to arrive at the specified position; and a simulation performing part 103 for simulating the movement position of the game ball object which is shot at the calculated initial speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a simulation program for simulating the operation of a game machine with another device such as a game machine, and more particularly to an invention for controlling the arrival position of a game ball of a pachinko machine.

  An entertainment device in the field called a game machine is configured to be able to provide and execute an arbitrary software program. A software program called a simulation program faithfully simulates the operation of an actual game machine (hereinafter referred to as “actual machine”). The entertainment device can cause the entertainment device to function as a simulation device by executing such a simulation program.

As a conventional simulation program, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-181278, game board information can be changed, parameters relating to the material of the game board and game elements are set, and the game board is based on the parameters and the game board information. A simulation program is disclosed that calculates the trajectory of a game ball launched toward the game board on the game board and functions to display the calculated trajectory of the game ball on the game board (Patent Document 1, paragraph 0007). .
By using such a simulation program, it was possible to calculate a spherical trajectory close to an actual pachinko machine.
JP 2006-181278 (paragraph 0008)

  However, some players not only play pachinko games with a simulation device, but also operate the simulation device for the purpose of studying how to play game balls in order to obtain a large number of prize balls. Some people do.

  For a player with such a purpose, a simulation device that faithfully reproduces an actual machine as described in the above publication only presents an environment similar to the environment in which the actual machine is played, and the game ball is hit. On the other hand, there was no choice but to try and error just like the actual machine. In particular, it has been difficult for a conventional simulation apparatus to perform delicate simulations such as which nail position is easy to win when the game ball hits so as to reach.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a simulation program and a simulation apparatus that can arbitrarily set the arrival position of a game ball.

In order to achieve the above object, a simulation program of the present invention is a simulation program for simulating the operation of a game ball in a gaming machine,
1) a function of detecting a specific position on the game board object indicated by the operation input device;
2) a function of calculating an initial speed of the game ball object for causing the game ball object ejected from a predetermined ejection position of the game board object to reach the specific position;
3) A function of simulating the movement position of the game ball object ejected at the calculated initial speed;
It is a simulation program for executing.

Similarly, the simulation device of the present invention is a simulation device for simulating the operation of a game ball in a gaming machine,
1) a position detection unit that detects a specific position on the game board object indicated by the operation input device;
2) an initial speed calculation unit for calculating an initial speed of the game ball object for causing the game ball object ejected from a predetermined ejection position of the game board object to reach the specific position;
3) a simulation execution unit that simulates the movement position of the game ball object ejected at the calculated initial speed.

  According to such a configuration, the specific position on the game board object designated by the operation input device is detected, and the initial speed of the game ball object at the time of launching from the trajectory for the game ball object to reach the specific position is reversed. Since the simulation is executed so that the game ball object is launched at the calculated initial speed, the game ball object is repeatedly launched to the position to be reached without being distracted by the operation corresponding to the handle operation. it can.

  Here, in the simulation program, when it is determined that the ejected game ball object collides with a collision element, and when it is determined that the game ball object collides with the collision element, the game ball object And a function of changing the moving direction and the moving speed.

  Similarly, in the simulation apparatus, when it is determined that the emitted game ball object collides with the collision element, and when it is determined that the game ball object collides with the collision element, A game ball movement control unit that changes a movement direction and a movement speed of the game ball object.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to simulate the process in which the speed of the game ball object decreases due to the friction coefficient and the coefficient of restitution with the inner wall before being ejected while hitting the collision element. It can be reproduced.

  Here, in the simulation program, the function of calculating the initial speed of the game ball object is that the moving speed of the game ball object when ejected from the exit of the injection lane object arranged on the game board object is the injection position. The initial speed is calculated on the assumption that the speed is attenuated by a predetermined amount from the initial speed at the time of injection.

  Similarly, in the simulation apparatus, the initial speed calculation unit is configured such that when the moving speed of the game ball object is ejected from the ejection position when ejected from an exit of an ejection lane object disposed on the game board object. The initial speed is calculated on the assumption that the speed is attenuated by a predetermined amount from the initial speed.

  According to such a configuration, the initial speed is calculated based on the influence of friction and repulsion caused by the collision with the inner wall in the injection lane object, so that the required initial speed can be simulated under conditions approximate to those of the actual machine.

  Here, in the simulation program or apparatus, the area that can be designated as the specific position reaches without the game ball object ejected from the exit of the ejection lane object provided in the game board object colliding with the obstacle element. It is set within the possible range.

  In other words, an area that does not collide with many obstacle elements provided in the game board object, that is, a range in which the game ball emitted from the exit of the injection lane reaches the first in the actual machine, and a specific position is designated within that range. It should be possible.

  Further, in the simulation program or apparatus, the area that can be specified as the specific position is divided into a grid, and the specific position is designated by specifying one grid of the grid.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to specify a specific position where the game ball object arrives by subdividing the area that the game ball object can reach into by the grid and specifying each cell. For this reason, setting of the arrival position is simplified by performing, for example, the identification number of the mesh.

  Here, the simulation program may further include a function of reflecting the initial speed of the game ball object on the operation amount of the handle object.

  Similarly, the simulation apparatus may further include a handle control unit that reflects the initial speed of the game ball object in the operation amount of the handle object.

  According to such a configuration, after the initial speed of the predetermined game ball object is calculated, the handle operation amount for launching the game ball object at the initial speed is visually displayed. It becomes easier to reflect the standard on the actual machine.

  Here, the “gaming machine” is not particularly limited, but is assumed to be a gaming machine having a handle operated by the player. For example, a pachinko machine (including a first type pachinko machine and a second type pachinko machine) corresponds to that, and can be applied to other gaming machines as long as an operation unit corresponding to a handle exists.

  The simulation program of the present invention is stored in a storage medium and distributed. Such a storage medium is a computer-readable medium, such as various types of ROM, USB memory with flash memory, USB memory, SD memory, memory stick, memory card, FD, CD-ROM, ± R / Physical storage media such as W, RAM, DVD-ROM, ± R / W, RAM, etc. are included. In addition, the broad recording medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet capable of transmitting the program. This is because the program (downloaded) transmitted through the transmission medium is stored in the memory as it is and executed by the computer.

  According to the present invention, the initial speed of the game ball object for reaching a specific position on the game board object instructed by the operation input device is calculated, and simulation is performed so that the game ball object is launched at the calculated initial speed. Therefore, it is possible to repeatedly execute the game ball object launch play to the position to be reached without being distracted by the operation corresponding to the handle operation.

Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation of a gaming machine (pachinko machine) installed in a game hall or the like is simulated by reading a simulation program according to the present invention from a recording medium into a consumer entertainment device. The case is illustrated. However, the following embodiment is merely an application example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be variously modified and applied.
(Composition of entertainment equipment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external configuration of a consumer entertainment device 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the entertainment device 1 is roughly composed of a device main body 10, an operation input device 20, and a display device 30.

  The apparatus main body 10 sets the power switch / power lamp 11 for operating the power on / off, and the first external recording medium 44a at a position where data can be read by a first external recording medium drive 44 described later. And a second external recording medium 45a such as an SD card for recording program progress information (save data) at a position where the second external recording medium drive 45 described later can read / write data. Card slot 13 and recording medium eject button 14 are provided on the front panel, and a USB terminal for external input, a sensor bar connection terminal, an AV multi-output terminal, an AC adapter connection terminal, and the like are provided on the back surface (not shown). . In addition, a memory card slot and an operation input device connection port are provided in a lid on the upper surface of the device main body 10 (not shown).

  The apparatus main body 10 is configured to be able to transfer the simulation program stored in the first external recording medium 44a to the main memory 43 and execute it. In the present specification, a device that functions by the entertainment device 1 executing a simulation program is referred to as a “simulation device”.

  The operation input device 20 relates to the present invention, and an A button 21a, a B button 21b, a direction key 22, a + (plus) button 23a, a-(minus) button 23b, for an operator to perform various game operations. A home button 23c, a “1” button 24a, a “2” button 24b, and a power switch 25 are provided, and a pointer 26 is provided at the front end. A speaker is provided between the + button 23a and the “1” button 24a.

  The A button 21a and the B button 21b are operation buttons to which an operation is assigned during a game or a simulation. The A button 21a is provided on the front panel side, whereas the B button 21b is provided on the rear side. Is provided. In particular, the B button 21b is operated when the rotation amount input of the present invention is validated.

  In the operation input device 20, in particular, the pointer 26 detects infrared rays from the markers 15 </ b> L and 15 </ b> R on the sensor bar 15, and can detect the coordinates / twist / distance of the pointer with respect to the display screen 31 of the monitor device 30. The operation input device 20 includes a motion sensor (not shown) inside, and can detect acceleration and gravity around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The detected motion information is transmitted to the apparatus main body 10 together with operation input information of buttons by the operator. The motion information includes pointer displacement information detected by the pointer 26 and G information detected by the motion sensor. Details of the detection function of the operation input device 20 will be described later.

  The operation input device 20 is configured to be able to communicate operation input information and motion information to the device body 10 by a predetermined short-range radio. This wireless communication standard is not particularly limited, but the Bluetooth standard, which is a short-range wireless communication standard, is preferable. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication standard that uses radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band that can be freely used without a license, and can communicate at a speed of 1 Mbps, so that the movement of the operation input device 20 is transmitted in real time. This is because it has sufficient speed.

  The display device (monitor device, TV device) 30 externally outputs a display screen 31 such as a cathode ray tube type or a liquid crystal type for displaying an image generated by the device main body 10 and an effect sound generated by the main device body 10. Left and right speakers 32a and 32b for output are provided. A sensor bar 15 is disposed on the side of the display screen 31 and connected to the apparatus main body 10. The sensor bar 15 holds the markers 15L and 15R that emit infrared rays at a predetermined distance apart. The markers 15L and 15R are infrared light emitting means, and generate infrared rays that can be detected by the pointer 26 of the operation input device 20.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram inside the entertainment apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 10 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a control system CNTL including a main memory (RAM) 43, first and second external recording medium drives 44 and 45, an image processing unit 46, and an audio processing unit. 47 and an operation input processing unit 48.

  The CPU 41 is the center of the control operation of the entertainment device, outputs an I / O address via the system bus SB, selects a specific component, inputs and outputs data, and controls the entire device in an integrated manner. In particular, the CPU 41 transfers the simulation program of the first external recording medium 44a to the game program recording area 43a of the main memory 43 via the first external recording medium drive 44, and executes the simulation program to thereby entertain the entertainment device. Operates to function as the simulation apparatus of the present invention. Further, the CPU 41 generates image data and commands necessary for image drawing for each frame period, and transmits them to the image processing unit 46.

  The ROM 42 is a non-volatile memory that stores a startup program used when starting the entertainment device, a basic system program for operating the device, and the like. Immediately after the power is turned on, the CPU 41 executes the startup program of the ROM 42 and confirms that the first external recording medium 44a is mounted on the disc holder unit 12, and stores the data of the external recording medium 44a in the main memory 43. Operates to forward.

  The RAM 43 is a main memory, and a part or all of the simulation program and various data (effect image information, effect sound information, text information, etc.) transferred from the first external recording medium 44a are temporarily stored in the game program recording area 43a. In addition to recording and holding, the save data read from the second external recording medium 45a or work data in progress of the game is temporarily recorded and held in the game progress data recording area 43b.

  Note that the control system CNTL indicated by the chain line in the figure includes a DMAC (not shown). This DMAC is used for interrupt control and direct memory access (DMA) for peripheral devices connected to the system bus SB. By performing the transfer control, data can be directly exchanged between various peripheral devices and the RAM 43 via the system bus SB without going through the CPU 41, thereby allowing high speed and large capacity without the overhead of the CPU 41. Data transfer is realized.

  The first external recording medium drive 44 reads a simulation program and various data recorded on a first external recording medium 44a such as a DVD-ROM. The second external recording medium drive 45 reads and writes save data to the second external recording medium 45a such as a memory card or an SD card.

  The image processing unit 46 generates a stereoscopic image that constitutes a simulation image to be displayed on the display screen 31. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 46 generates a simulation image of 3D computer graphics (3DCG). Semiconductor devices such as an image decoder 46a, a GPU 46b having a frame buffer (VRAM) 46c, and a display controller 46d are provided.

Here, the image decoder 46a is read from the first external recording medium 44a, and the RAM 4
When the image data stored in 3 is image data that has been compression-encoded by the JPEG or MPEG system, the compressed image data is decoded and stored in the frame buffer 46c.

  The GPU 46b executes a predetermined image generation algorithm for generating 3DCG image data in response to a command from the CPU 41, and converts a video image for one frame generated by performing geometry processing, rendering processing, etc. into, for example, a bitmap format. To draw in the frame buffer 46c.

  The display controller 46d reads the image data drawn in the frame buffer 46c at each frame time at the next frame time, and the luminance signal (brightness information) and color signal (color information) corresponding to the read image data. Information) and a composite video signal (or RGB signal) is generated and output to the display device 30.

  The audio processing unit 47 is a semiconductor device that generates and processes game sounds such as sound effects and BGM output from the left and right speakers 32a and 32b of the display device 30. Specifically, the sound processing unit 47 includes a sound buffer (not shown), an SPU, and the like. The SPU synthesizes the sound data read from the sound buffer to generate an audio signal and outputs it to the display device 30.

  The operation input processing unit 48 includes a wireless reception antenna 48a, and is configured to receive operation input information and motion information transmitted from the operation input device 20 and transmit them to the CPU 41 via the system bus SB. The received information is latched at a port specified by a predetermined I / O address for each byte.

  The marker output unit 49 outputs an electrical signal for outputting infrared rays to the markers 15L and 15R of the sensor bar 15 that outputs infrared rays for detecting motion by the pointer 26 of the operation input device 20. . A predetermined modulation may be applied to the electrical signal in order to determine that it is a specific infrared ray.

(Simulation outline and configuration related to the simulation device)
FIG. 3 is an image display example of the top screen 50 displayed on the display screen 31 of the simulation apparatus.
The top screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 is an initial screen that is displayed first by executing the simulation program according to the present invention. The initial screen is displayed when the first external recording medium 44a storing the simulation program is inserted into the disc holder unit 12, the program stored in the first external recording medium 44a is taken into the apparatus main body 10, and the program is executed. Will be displayed first. On the initial screen 50, a “game start” icon 51 for instructing the start of the simulation game and an “end” icon 52 for ending the simulation game are displayed. The simulation operation is started when the player selects the “game start” icon 51 with the direction key 22 or the pointer 26 of the operation input device 20 and operates the A button 21a or the like.

Next, the relationship between the actual pachinko machine and the simulation screen will be described.
FIG. 4A shows a front panel image of a pachinko machine that is an actual machine.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a pachinko machine 50 as a gaming machine includes a board surface 51, a number of nails 52, a liquid crystal 53, an injection lane 54, a starting chucker 55, a special winning opening 56, an out hole 57, a handle H, and the like. Etc. In the above configuration, when the player rotates the handle H clockwise, the game ball B is launched at an initial speed corresponding to the rotation angle. The game ball B falls according to gravity while changing its direction while hitting the nail 52 on the board surface 51. When the game ball B enters the starting chucker 55 or the big winning opening 56, the game is won and a predetermined prize ball is supplied. If it does not enter any of these, the game ball B falls to the out hole 57 and is discharged.

  The simulation apparatus in the present embodiment is configured to faithfully reproduce each part provided on the front panel of the pachinko machine 50 with a three-dimensional object, and to simulate the physical movement of the game ball B. ing. An area to be displayed on the display screen 31 in the actual pachinko machine 50 is shown on the simulation screen 60.

  FIG. 4B is a display example of the simulation screen 60. The simulation screen 60 is generated by composing each part of the actual pachinko machine as a three-dimensional object, converting it into a virtual three-dimensional space, converting the coordinates as a perspective projection image when viewed from a predetermined viewpoint, and rendering it. Is done. Hereinafter, a part reproduced by a three-dimensional object in the simulation apparatus will be clearly indicated as “object” to be distinguished from an actual part.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, on the simulation screen 60, a board surface object 61, a nail object 62, a liquid crystal display object 63, an injection lane object 64, a start chucker object are associated with each part of the actual pachinko machine 50. 65, a special winning opening object 66, and an out hole object 67 are displayed. By the execution of the simulation program, a state in which the game ball object BP moves on the board surface object 61 along various routes is displayed, and a trajectory object RP is displayed in a trajectory through which the game ball object BP has passed. . In the illustrated simulation screen 60, the handle H part of the pachinko machine 50 is out of the picture, so the corresponding handle object HP is displayed in the window W.

  The pachinko machine object 50 is a three-dimensional (three-dimensional) moving image, and one frame image is generated for each frame period, and is updated for each frame. For example, the game ball object BP has a new position according to gravity that is updated every frame time. When the game ball object BP collides with the nail object 52 or the like in the process, the game ball object BP that collides with the nail object 52 The rebound direction according to the position is calculated, and the position after the rebound is calculated. The moving image moves on the board surface object 51 while moving in the same manner as the actual game ball B.

  FIG. 5 shows functional blocks of the simulation apparatus realized by the CPU 41 transferring the simulation program stored in the first external recording medium 44a to the main memory 43 and executing it.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the simulation apparatus of this embodiment includes an operation input device 20, a position detection unit 101, an initial speed calculation unit 102, a simulation execution unit 103, an image processing unit 46, and a memory 106. . The simulation execution unit 103 includes a collision determination unit 70 and a game ball movement control unit 71. Among these, the position detection unit 101, the initial speed calculation unit 102, and the simulation execution unit 103 are realized by the CPU 41 executing the simulation program transferred to the main memory 43. The image processing unit 46 is realized by the operation of the image decoder 46 a based on the control of the CPU 41 and the GPU 46 b and the display controller 46 d based on the control of the CPU 41. The memory 106 corresponds to the frame buffer 46 c inside the image processing unit 46.

(Operation input device 20)
As described above, the operation input device 20 has a function capable of detecting the movement of the operation input device 20 in addition to various operation buttons 21 to 25 similar to those of the operation input device of a normal game device.

  The operation input device 20 periodically outputs a detection value of the pointer 26 for motion detection and the motion sensor, and the operation amount detection unit 101 based on the detection value as described below. And the rotation amount around the X / Y / Z axis are calculated and detected.

  For convenience, the coordinate axis direction in the operation input device 20 is set like the XYZ axis direction display of FIG. The pointer 26 indicates the upper end surface direction (Y-axis direction) of the operation input device 20 in FIG. Further, when the operation input device 20 is held horizontally, the gravity direction is the Z-axis direction. One motion detection function in the operation input device 20 relates to the pointer 26, and the other relates to the motion sensor.

  The pointer 26 includes a detection window DW that receives infrared rays incident within a predetermined viewing angle. Specifically, the pointer 26 detects infrared rays from the markers 15 </ b> L and 15 </ b> R provided at both ends of the sensor bar 15 arranged on the display device 30, and coordinates / twist of the pointer with respect to the display screen 31 of the display device 30.・ The distance can be detected. The sensor bar 15 holds the markers 15L and 15R that emit infrared rays at a predetermined distance.

FIG. 7 shows the state of the marker detected by the pointer 26.
The sensor bar 15 is arranged in the frame of the display screen 31 of the display device 30. For example, when the sensor bar 15 is arranged on the upper part of the display device 30, the positions of the markers 15L and 15R recognized with respect to the detection window DW recognized by the pointer 26 and the position of the display device 30 are as shown in FIG. It will be something. If the positions of the markers 15L and 15R are detected, the position of the display screen 31 is relatively recognized based on the positions.

  FIG. 8 shows the positions of the markers 15L and 15R recognized in the detection window DW of the pointer 26. FIG. 8 illustrates how the direction of the pointer is determined according to how the light of the markers 15L and 15R is detected in the detection window DW in which the pointer 26 detects light. .

  The operation input device 20 detects the light of the markers 15L and 15R, and sets the amount of deviation of the intermediate point of the sensor bar 15 from the center of the detection window DW of the pointer 26 (intermediate point of the markers 15L and 15R) to the X axis and Z axis, respectively. Is output as a relative value. The Y coordinate is indicated by a relative value based on the case where the display screen 31 and the operation input device 20 are at a certain distance.

  For example, the position detection unit 101 assumes that the X and Z coordinates perpendicular to the Y-axis direction are zero when the sensor bar 15 center coincides with the center of the detection window DW as in DW0. The center measures and outputs the coordinates, twist, and distance of the sensor bar 15 according to the amount of deviation from the center of the detection window DW.

  By moving the operation input device 20 left and right and up and down, the position on the XZ coordinate plane pointed to by the pointer 26 is changed. For example, when the light from the markers 15L and 15R moves below the detection window DW as in DW1, the pointer 26 points relatively above the sensor bar 15, and conversely as in DW2. When the light from the markers 15L and 15R moves above the detection window DW, it means that the pointer 26 points relatively below the sensor bar 15. These are the cases where the X coordinate changes. When the light from the markers 15L and 15R moves to the left of the detection window DW as in DW3, the pointer 26 indicates the right side of the sensor bar 15 relatively, and conversely as in DW4. In addition, when the light from the markers 15L and 15R moves to the right of the detection window DW, it means that the pointer 26 points relatively to the left side of the sensor bar 15. These are the cases where the Z coordinate changes.

  Further, the distance (Y coordinate) between the operation input device 20 and the display device 30 and the rotation of the operation input device 20 can be detected. FIG. 9A shows a change in the position of the marker with respect to the detection window DW10 when the operation input measure 20 is moved away from the sensor bar 15. FIG. FIG. 9B shows a change in the position of the marker with respect to the detection window DW11 when the operation input device 20 is brought close to the sensor bar 15. Since the gap between the markers 15L and 15R is a fixed value, the distance (Y coordinate) between the sensor bar 15, that is, the display screen 31 and the operation input device 20, can be measured according to the distance between the markers 15L and 15R. .

  FIG. 9C shows a change in the position of the marker with respect to the detection window DW12 when the operation input device 20 is rotated without changing the X coordinate / Z coordinate of the pointer 26. Since the rotation of the markers 15L and 15R directly corresponds to the rotation of the pointer 26 around the Y axis, the operation amount detection unit 101 can calculate the rotation angle around the Y axis.

  As described above, if the relative position between the sensor bar 15 and the display screen 31 of the display device 30 is set to a certain degree, the position of the display screen 31 pointed to by the pointer 26 can be calculated almost correctly by the detection positions of the markers 15L and 15R. It is. The relative position of the display screen 31 with respect to the sensor bar 15 (that is, whether the sensor bar 15 is arranged above or below the display screen 31) can be set by a management menu or the like. Yes.

  Another motion detection function of the operation input device 20 relates to a motion sensor. The operation input device 20 includes a motion sensor (not shown) inside, and can detect acceleration and gravity around the X, Y, and Z axes. The motion sensor provided corresponding to each axis outputs a relative value of gravitational acceleration (G) on that axis. The operation amount detection unit 101 can calculate and detect the attitude of the operation input device 20 and the acceleration applied by the player to the operation input device 20 based on the relative values of these three-axis gravity accelerations. When the player holds the operation input device 20, camera shake occurs. Therefore, ring buffering is preferably performed to calculate and detect the average acceleration.

  For example, when the operation input device 20 is held horizontally, only gravity acts, so that the gravitational acceleration detected by the X-axis motion sensor / Y-axis motion sensor is zero, whereas the Z-axis motion is detected. The gravitational acceleration detected by the sensor is 1G. Similarly, when the operation input device 20 is held upward, the gravitational acceleration detected by the Y-axis motion sensor is -1G, and when it is tilted 90 degrees to the right, it is detected by the X-axis motion sensor. The gravitational acceleration is 1G. Even when the coordinates cannot be detected by the pointer 26, the operation amount detection unit 101 can detect the direction and rotation of the operation input device 20 based on the change in gravitational acceleration detected by these three-axis motion sensors. In order to detect motion with high accuracy, it is preferable to determine the motion of the operation input device 20 by combining the detection of coordinates and the like with the pointer 26 with relatively high accuracy and the motion detection with the motion sensor.

  Note that the operation input device 20 itself does not have calculation capability, and periodically outputs motion information including a relative value detected by each sensor through short-range wireless communication. When a relative value related to the indicated position detected by the pointer 26 is output, together with information indicating that the value is related to the pointer 26, the X-axis coordinate, the Y-axis coordinate, the Z-axis coordinate, etc. Or when the change occurs, the relative values are output. When the operation input device 20 outputs a relative value related to the acceleration detected by the motion sensor, the operation input device 20 outputs the relative value together with information indicating which motion sensor is the value, or the X axis The relative values around the circumference, around the Y axis, and around the Z axis are output in a predetermined order.

(Position detector 101)
The operation amount detection unit 101 of the apparatus main body 10 calculates the X coordinate / Y coordinate / Z coordinate indicated by the pointer 26 based on the relative value related to the pointer included in the motion information transmitted from the operation input device 20. ing. The X coordinate, the Y coordinate, and the Z coordinate are calculated using coordinate values that match the resolution of the display screen 31. Further, the rotation amount or acceleration around the X coordinate, the Y coordinate, and the Z coordinate is detected based on the relative value regarding the motion sensor included in the motion information.

Particularly in the present invention, the position detection unit 101 is a functional block that detects a specific position on the game board object indicated by the operation input device 20.
The “specific position” here refers to a position designated by the player on the game board object 61 using the operation input device 20 in order to achieve the object of the present invention. This specific position may be defined by a coordinate value or may be defined by a relative value such as an identification number.

  The operation input device 20 keeps outputting the relative value of the coordinates as long as the markers 15L and 15R can be detected in the detection window DW by pointing the pointer 26 toward the display screen 31. In order to show the position indicated by the pointer 26 on the simulation screen 60, the image processing unit 46 described later preferably displays the indicated position detected by the position detection unit 101 on the gaming machine object with a cursor. This is because the player can recognize the designated position of the pointer for specifying the specific position.

  When the player designates a specific position, it is appropriate that the player operates a predetermined operation button. Therefore, in this embodiment, while indicating the position to be specified with the pointer 26, when the B button 21b of the operation input device 20 is pressed, the specified position is recognized as a specific position.

  FIG. 10 illustrates an area that can be designated as a specific position in the game board object 61. As shown in FIG. 10, the specifiable area A is within a range in which the game ball object BP ejected from the exit 64b of the ejection lane object 64 provided in the game board object 61 can reach without colliding with the obstacle element. Is set.

  Here, the “obstacle element” refers to an object that collides with the advance of the game ball object BP. For example, the inner wall of the injection lane object 64, the nail object 62, the windmill objects 68a and 68b, and the decorative part object 69 are used. In an actual machine, the object is such that the game ball rebounds when the game ball physically collides.

  The game ball object BP is launched from the exit 64b at a predetermined speed, and then moves according to the trajectory of the game ball simulated by the simulation execution unit 103. A press plate is provided at the exit of the injection lane of the actual machine, and the game ball is ejected while being forcibly pressed against the side wall of the game board by the press plate. Therefore, in this simulation apparatus, it may be assumed that the injection position and the injection direction of the game ball object BP are always constant.

  Since the game ball object BP is set so that gravitational acceleration is applied as a large element in addition to deceleration due to friction with the game board object 61, the game ball object BP is parabolic as shown in P1 to P4 of FIG. Is simulated to move on the board surface of the game board object 61. The specifiable area A of the specific position according to the present invention is set within a range in which the game ball object 61 launched from the exit 64b can move until it first collides with the obstacle element. Range. In FIG. 10, the four trajectories reaching the positions P1 to P4 are indicated by broken lines. From the position P1 to the position P4, the speed at the time of launching from the outlet 64b is set to increase in this order.

  When designating the specific position by the coordinate value, the B button 21b is pressed while designating a desired position from the range of the specifiable area A by the operation input device 20. Thereby, one specific position is designated.

  It is difficult to determine whether or not the position indicated by the pointer 26 is in the specifiable area A. For example, the position indicated by whether the pointer is in the specifiable area A or not It is preferable to make the cursor shapes different from each other. Alternatively, the color density of the specifiable area A may be changed or shaded so that the player can visually recognize the area A from other areas.

(Initial speed calculation unit 102)
The initial speed calculation unit 102 is a functional block that calculates the initial speed of the game ball object BP for causing the game ball object BP ejected from a predetermined initial ejection position of the game board object 61 to reach a specific position.

  The “initial injection position” here is an initial launch position determined for simulating the trajectory of the game ball object BP regardless of whether or not it is displayed as an object.

  When the initial speed calculation unit 102 performs a strict calculation, first, the exit required for the game ball object BP launched in the extending direction of the injection lane from the exit 64b of the injection lane object 64 to reach the specific position. Physically calculate the injection speed. Next, assuming that the number of times that the game ball object BP collides with the inner wall of the injection lane before reaching the exit of the injection lane object 64, the injection position is assumed on the assumption that the velocity is attenuated according to a constant friction coefficient and restitution coefficient at each collision. The initial velocity of the game ball object BP required in is estimated and calculated. It is reasonable to reuse the speed and trajectory of the game ball object BP calculated here in the simulation execution unit 103 as they are in order to reduce waste.

  In order to reduce the calculation amount, the initial speed may be calculated backward from the injection speed required at the exit 64b based on the average value of the attenuation amount in the injection lane. This is because the amount of attenuation of the game ball object BP in the injection lane object is considered to be almost the same each time.

The trajectory and speed set for the game ball object BP to reach the specific position will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 shows the trajectory of the game ball object BP until it reaches the specific position that is the arrival point. It is assumed that the game ball object BP is ejected in the direction determined by the ejection speed v (t) from the ejection position p (t) at the exit of the ejection lane 64 at time t. As described above, in the trajectory calculation of the game ball object BP, the assumption is made that the injection position p (t) and the injection direction of the game ball object BP at the exit 64b are unchanged.

  Friction (friction coefficient kb) with the game board object 61 and gravitational acceleration g are always set on the injected game ball object BP. Therefore, the game ball object BP performs a parabolic motion, and the trajectory R draws a parabola. That is, assuming that the coordinates of the injection position p (t) are (X (t), Y (t)) and the elevation angle of launch is θ, the X and Y coordinates at time t + m are expressed by equations (1) and (2). Is done.

X (t + m) = X (t) + v (t) cos θ · (t + m) (1)
Y (t + m) = Y (t) + v (t) sinθ · (t + m) -g (t + m) 2/2 ... (2)

  If the specific position is reached at time t + T and the coordinates of the specific position are X (t + T) and Y (t + T), the injection position p (t) and the specific position p (t + T) are determined. By solving the simultaneous equations of equations (1) and (2), the injection speed v (t) at the injection position p (t) can be calculated. When the injection speed is determined, the elapsed time for each frame period from the time of injection can be substituted into equations (1) and (2) to determine the movement position of the game ball object BP in each frame period.

  FIG. 12 shows how the game ball object BP moves within the injection lane object. FIG. 12A shows a case where the collision occurs three times in the injection lane, and FIG. 12B shows a case where the collision occurs once.

  It is assumed that the game ball object BP is ejected from the initial ejection position p (0) at the initial speed v (0). It is assumed that the game ball object BP receives the friction defined by the friction coefficient k0 and receives the repulsion defined by the restitution coefficient j0 every time it collides. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the friction coefficient acts only on the velocity component in the traveling direction, and the restitution coefficient acts only on the velocity component in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

  When the velocity immediately before the collision of the game ball object BP is represented by v (i) and the velocity immediately after the collision is represented by v (i + 1), the velocity component v (i + 1) p in the direction parallel to the traveling direction of the game ball object BP immediately after the collision. Is the equation (3), and the velocity component v (i + 1) v in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is represented by the equation (4).

v (i + 1) p = k0 · v (i) p (0 <k0 ≦ 1) (3)
v (i + 1) v = −j0 · v (i) v (0 <j0 ≦ 1) (4)

  Since the game ball object BP is also affected by the gravitational acceleration g, even if the launch angle from the initial injection position is constant, the number of times of collision with the inner wall 64a of the injection lane object 64 depends on the magnitude of the initial speed v (0). It will change. For example, if there are three collisions as shown in FIG. 12A, the velocity component v (t) p parallel to the traveling direction at the injection position p (t) after the third collision is k03 · v (0). It becomes. On the other hand, if it collides only once like FIG.12 (b), the velocity component parallel to the advancing direction in the injection position p (t) after a collision will be k0 * v (0).

  As described above, if interpreted strictly, the number of collisions within the exit lane object varies depending on the initial speed. However, if a rigorous calculation is not required in the simulation apparatus for gaming, the number of collisions may be fixed so that the influence of gravitational acceleration and friction from the game board object are not received in the injection lane. For example, if the injection position is reached after a predetermined number of collisions, an attenuation amount for the predetermined number of collisions may be determined, and the initial speed may be calculated backward from the injection speed at the injection position p (t). If it is assumed that there is no attenuation due to the collision, the initial speed v (0) is equal to the injection speed v (t) at the equal injection position p (t), and the initial speed calculation can be simplified.

  Note that the calculation of the movement of the game ball object BP can be simplified. That is, in the simulation apparatus, it is only necessary to make the movement look like that when a game ball is hit with an actual machine. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a strict physical calculation, and parameters having little influence may be ignored. For example, the friction with the game board object 61 is an element on the premise that the actual game board 51 is normally tilted, but it is an element that has little influence and may be ignored in the simulation. Further, the physical conditions (friction coefficient, restitution coefficient, etc.) in the actual machine do not need to be set to the same value as in the actual machine, and may be changed to simplify the calculation. For example, it may be assumed that there is no friction (friction coefficient k0 = 1), or may be assumed to be totally reflected (repulsion coefficient j0 = 1).

(Simulation execution unit 103)
The simulation execution unit 103 is a functional block that simulates the overall operation of a pachinko machine, which is an actual machine, with a focus on motion control of the game ball object BP. In particular, the game ball object BP is characterized by the fact that the friction and repulsion received from the collision element are estimated by physical calculation and reflected in the actual movement position and speed so that the operation of the actual machine can be simulated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the simulation execution unit 103 includes a collision determination unit 70, a game ball movement control unit 71, a collection detection unit 72, a fluctuation detection unit 73, a lottery execution unit 74, a lottery table recording unit 74T, and a game information management unit. 75, a liquid crystal display image control unit 76, a special game processing unit 77, a display setting unit 78, a trajectory processing unit 79, and a viewpoint setting unit 80. Of these, the collision determination unit 70 and the game ball movement control unit 71 are particularly relevant to the present invention.

  The collision determination unit 70 determines whether or not the emitted game ball object BP collides with a collision element. When it is determined that the game ball object collides with the collision element, the game ball movement control unit 71 changes the movement direction and the movement speed of the game ball object BP. In particular, the game ball movement control unit 71 performs the position coordinate calculation of the newly launched game ball object BP on the premise that the game ball movement control unit 71 is launched toward the injection lane object 64 at the initial speed calculated by the initial speed calculation unit 102. ing.

  For example, the game ball object BP ejected from the initial ejection position p (0) is set inside the ejection lane object 64 every time the collision determination unit 70 determines a collision with the inner wall, The moving position of the game ball object BP is calculated in consideration of the attenuation of the moving speed affected by the friction coefficient and the restitution coefficient as described in the above formulas (3) and (4). On the premise that there is no friction in the injection lane, a simulation is performed to change only the moving direction of the game ball object BP.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows a case where the game ball object BP ejected from the exit 64 b of the ejection lane object 64 “falls” in accordance with the assumed gravity acceleration g and collides with the nail object 62.

  Here, the same collision determination and game ball movement control as in the injection lane object 64 are performed. As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the nail object 62 collides with the velocity v1 immediately before the collision and reaches the velocity v2 immediately after the collision. Assuming that the nail object 62 is totally reflected, the incident angle θ and the exit angle θ with respect to the tangent of the collision point before the collision are equal. The velocity v1 is a combination of the velocity component v1p parallel to the tangential direction of the collision and the velocity component v1v perpendicular to the collision. The velocity v2 is also a combination of the velocity component v2p parallel to the collision tangential direction and the velocity component v2v perpendicular to the collision. When the coefficient of friction in the direction parallel to the tangential direction of the collision received by the game ball object BP from the nail object 62 is represented by k0 and the coefficient of repulsion in the vertical direction is represented by j0 at the time of collision, the relationship as shown in equations (5) and (6) become.

  v2p = k0 · v1p (5)

v2v = −j0 · v1v (6)
If the friction and repulsion of the actual machine are simulated strictly, the friction coefficient and restitution coefficient are set in the range of 0 <k0 and j0 <1. If the simulation device is intended for game play and does not require strictness up to that point, it is assumed that there is no friction at all, and k0 = 1 is set. The calculation may be simplified by setting to 1.

  As described above, the collision determination unit 70 determines whether or not the game ball object BP collides with an obstacle element such as the nail object 62, the windmill objects 68a and 68b, the decorative part object 69, etc. at the movement position of the new game ball object BP. Whenever it is determined that the game ball object BP collides with the obstacle element, the game ball movement control unit 71 considers the friction and repulsion, and sets the speed and position of the new game ball object BP. It calculates.

  The recovery detection unit 72 simulates the movement when the game ball B reaches the recovery mechanism such as the start chucker 55, the big prize opening 56, the out hole 57, etc. in the actual pachinko machine. When a game ball object BP arrives at a position where a collection object such as a prize opening object 66 or an out hole object 67 is arranged, this is detected, and a collection signal for the game ball object BP is transmitted to the image processing unit 46. To do. Further, when the collection object that the game ball object BP has won (entered) is a specific object such as the start chucker object 65 or the big prize opening object 66, the collection detection unit 72 manages a predetermined prize signal in the game information management. To the unit 75.

  The fluctuation detection unit 73 detects whether or not a predetermined fluctuation start condition is satisfied during the progress of the simulation game. The content of the change start condition is arbitrary. For example, every time the game ball object BP reaches the position of the start chucker object 65, the change detection unit 73 detects that the change start condition is satisfied. can do. When the fluctuation detection unit 73 detects that the fluctuation start condition is satisfied, a fluctuation condition satisfaction signal is transmitted to the lottery execution unit 74.

  The lottery execution unit 74 receives each random number generator (such as a jackpot determination random number used for jackpot determination or a reach effect determination random number used for determination of reach effect) at the timing when the variation condition establishment signal is received from the change detection unit 73. A jackpot determination random number and a reach effect determination random number are acquired from a plurality of random number generators for generating a plurality of types of random numbers, and are compared with the jackpot determination table and reach effect determination table of the lottery table recording unit 74T. Together, determination of whether or not a hit determination (determination of big success or failure), whether or not a reach effect is executed, and the type of reach effect when the reach effect is executed is performed. The operation of the lottery execution unit 74 is basically the same as the lottery function in the actual pachinko machine.

  Information determined or determined by the lottery execution unit 74 is transmitted to the liquid crystal display image control unit 76 and the special game processing unit 77.

  Based on the number of game ball objects BP launched from the injection lane object 64 and the winning signal from the collection detection unit 72, the game information management unit 75 determines the number of winning balls (number of balls to be played), the amount of investment, the score of the game, etc. The game information update management is executed.

  The liquid crystal display image control unit 76 generates video data that reproduces a video displayed on a liquid crystal monitor in an actual pachinko machine, such as a moving image and a production video for notifying the result of the lottery by the lottery execution unit 74.

  The special game processing unit 77 operates when the jackpot information is received from the lottery execution unit 74, and reproduces the same game state that is advantageous to the player that appears when the jackpot is established in the actual machine. Execute.

  The display setting unit 78 accepts setting of various display conditions during execution of the simulation game in accordance with an operation of the operation input device 20 by the operator.

  The trajectory processing unit 79 generates data for displaying the trajectory object RP on the trajectory when the game ball object BP passes over the board surface object 61 including the ejection lane object 64. The trajectory setting management unit 79a, a basic object recording unit 79b, a ball position recording unit 79c, and a trajectory object generation unit 79d.

  The trajectory setting management unit 79 a sets and manages the presence / absence of trajectory display and the color of the trajectory based on the setting of the display setting unit 78. The basic object recording unit 79b records the shape data of the basic object E constituting the trajectory object RP. The ball position recording unit 79c records the position coordinates of each game ball object BP derived by the game ball movement control unit 71 over a predetermined frame time. The trajectory object generation unit 79d generates a trajectory object RP based on the data of the trajectory setting management unit 79a, the basic object recording unit 79b, and the ball position recording unit 79c.

  The viewpoint setting unit 80 accepts the movement of the position of the virtual viewpoint during execution of the simulation game according to the operation of the operation input device 20 by the operator, and in response to the operation of any one of the operation buttons, Change the position coordinates in the virtual space. Note that the viewpoint setting unit 80 can accept settings of other parameters for generating an image from the virtual viewpoint, such as the direction of the virtual viewpoint, the angle of view, and zoom.

  The image processing unit 46 constructs the pachinko machine object 60 shown in FIG. 4B in the virtual space, and in accordance with the data transmitted from the ball position deriving unit 71 and the trajectory processing unit 79, a game ball object for each frame time. A process of arranging or moving the BP and the trajectory object RP is executed.

  The image processing unit 46 generates a simulation screen 60 having a mode shown in FIG. 4B by rendering an image from a virtual viewpoint arranged at a position specified by a signal transmitted from the viewpoint setting unit 80.

  Here, the image processing unit 46 generates a handle object HP in which the initial speed set by the initial speed calculation unit 102 is reflected in the rotation amount of the handle H of the actual machine, and displays the handle object HP in the window W in the simulation screen 60.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the handle H in the actual pachinko machine.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the handle H includes a fixed portion 90 and a rotating portion 91, and the player is configured to operate the handle by placing a finger on the rotating portion 91. . In particular, the rotating portion 91 has a trigger mechanism for enabling the handle operation, and is unlocked by turning to some extent in the direction of the solid solid arrow in the figure (clockwise). Thereafter, the strength for launching the game ball changes in accordance with the amount of rotation of the rotation unit 91, that is, the initial speed of the game ball is increased. The rotating portion 91 is biased in the direction of the white broken arrow (counterclockwise) in the figure, and is configured to return to the non-operation position counterclockwise when the player releases the hand.

  In the actual machine, the game ball B is given an initial speed having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of operation of the rotating portion 91 in the clockwise direction. FIG. 14B shows a state in which the rotation unit 91 is rotated from the position Pa1 to Pa2 by a certain angle θa, and for example, an initial speed v (0) is given in accordance with this operation amount. . In the simulation apparatus, since the initial speed of the game ball object BP is calculated first, the operation amount (rotation amount) of the handle object HP corresponding to the calculated initial speed is conversely estimated and imaged. That is, the image processing unit 46 apportions the rotation angle of the rotation unit 91 so that the maximum initial speed calculated by the initial speed calculation unit 102 corresponds to the maximum operation amount of the handle H of the actual machine, and only the rotation amount corresponding to the initial speed. The rotating object 91 generates and displays the rotated handle object HP.

(Description of operation)
Next, simulation processing by the simulation apparatus of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 15 shows a switch fetch routine when the operation input device 20 is operated in the simulation device.
The operation input device 20 periodically scans the operation state of the operation button, and when one of them is pressed, the operated operation button is fetched as a predetermined switch code, and the operation main body 10 of the device body 10 is short-range wirelessly. The data is transmitted to the operation input processing unit 48. Further, when a change occurs in the detected value of the pointer 26 or any of the motion sensors of the operation input device 20, the relative value corresponding to each sensor is transmitted to the operation input processing unit 46 in the same manner as the operation buttons.

  When any valid information is transmitted from the operation input device 20, the operation input processing unit 46 latches it in a predetermined input port and issues an interrupt request to the CPU 41. When an interrupt request is output, the transmission information fetch routine shown in FIG. 15 is called.

  In step S <b> 10 of FIG. 15, the CPU 41 captures the reception information latched at the input port of the operation input processing unit 48 into the internal buffer. Next, the process proceeds to step S11, and the CPU 41 determines whether or not the received information is motion information. When the communication command between the operation input device 20 and the device main body 10 is in a multi-byte format, whether the data type is operation button information or motion information, and the motion information is a pointer in the first byte. It is possible to include a discrimination byte indicating whether the relative value information is related to the coordinates or the relative value information related to the gravitational acceleration of the motion sensor.

  If it is determined as the motion information as a result of the determination in step S11 (YES), in step S12, the CPU 41 stores the received information in a buffer for motion information. As a result of the determination in step S11, if it is determined that the information is not motion information (NO), it is determined that the information is related to the operation button, and in step S13, the CPU 41 stores the received information in the operation input buffer. With the above processing, the original processing is restored.

  Both the operation input buffer and the motion buffer are configured as a ring buffer, and the CPU 41 can write the received information in the input order and read the received information in the written order.

FIG. 16 is a main control routine of the present embodiment executed in the functional block shown in FIG.
First, in step S100, the validity determination unit 103 reads the operation input buffer, and in step S101, determines whether or not a switch code is input. When the switch code is not input (NO), the validity determination unit 103 continues to monitor the operation input (S100).

  If a switch code has been input in step S101 (YES), the validity determination unit 103 proceeds to step S103, and further determines whether or not the input switch code indicates the B button 21b. In the present embodiment, the pointer coordinates are validated only when the player designates the display screen 31 with the pointer 26 and consciously operates the B button 21b to input the designated position. The above process is performed to determine whether the pointer position information input to the motion buffer is valid or invalid.

  If the input switch code indicates the B button 21b (YES), since it can be determined that the pointer position should be reflected, the process proceeds to step S104, and the position detection unit 101 stores it in the motion buffer. Read relative value information.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S105, where the position detection unit 101 detects coordinates in the two-dimensional display space corresponding to the display screen 31 indicated by the pointer, based on the relative value information of the pointer stored in the motion buffer. As described above, the relative value transmitted from the operation input device 20 is the sensor bar 15 detected by the detection window DW and the Y axis direction (detection window DW center point) indicated by the pointer 26 for the X axis and the Z axis. This is the amount of deviation from the middle point. Therefore, the position of the display screen 31 indicated by the pointer is converted from the relative value to the coordinate value of the two-dimensional display space. For example, if the upper left of the display screen 31 is the reference point (0, 0) and the x coordinate and y coordinate (x, y) of the arbitrary position on the display screen 31 are indicated by the number of pixels in the right direction and the lower direction of the screen. The position detection unit 101 calculates the xy coordinate value from the relative value as the pointer position.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S106, where the position detection unit 101 designates the position coordinates indicated as the pointer position as the specific position of the present invention based on the specific position setting information stored in the specific position setting information storage unit 100. It is determined whether it is within the possible area. That is, it is determined whether the pointer position is designated in the specifiable area A as shown in FIG.

  As a result, if it is determined that the position is specified within the specifiable area (YES), it is determined that the input is valid, and in step S107, the initial speed calculation unit 102 determines the game ball object BP by the method described above. Calculate the initial speed. That is, the injection speed v (t) at the launch position p (t) that causes the game ball object BP to reach the specified position is calculated, and further the initial speed v (0) at the initial injection position p (0) is calculated. To do. Next, the process proceeds to step S108, and the game ball movement control unit 71 of the simulation execution unit 103 performs a simulation calculation of the movement position so that the game ball object launched at the calculated initial speed moves along the calculated trajectory. When the collision determination unit 70 determines that the game ball object collides with the obstacle element at the movement position, a ballistic change simulation is performed in which friction / repulsion occurs with the set friction coefficient / repulsion coefficient.

  If it is determined in step S106 that the position is not specified in the specifiable area (NO), the position detection unit 101 notifies the predetermined error notification (step S109) in order to notify that it is an invalid pointer instruction. Image or sound).

  If the switch code is input other than the B button in step S103 (NO), the simulation apparatus executes another operation process in step S110.

  After executing the simulation, the image processing unit 46 generates a simulation image 60 in which the game ball object BP is arranged at the determined movement position. Further, the handle object HP having an operation amount corresponding to the calculated initial speed is displayed on the window W.

(Advantages of Embodiment 1)
According to this embodiment, there are the following advantages.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the position detection unit 101 detects a specific position on the game board object 61 designated by the pointer 26 of the operation input device 20, and the initial speed calculation unit 102 has a game ball object at the specific position. The initial speed of the game ball object BP at the time of launching is calculated from the trajectory for reaching, and the simulation execution unit 103 executes a simulation when the game ball object BP is launched at the initial speed. It is possible to easily specify the launch of the game ball object to the position where it is desired to reach without having to worry about adjusting the strength.

  (2) According to this embodiment, the collision determination unit 70 and the game ball movement control unit 71 of the simulation execution unit 103 are affected by the friction coefficient and the restitution coefficient while the game ball object BP hits the collision element, and the speed decreases. Since the process can be simulated, the same conditions as the actual machine can be faithfully reproduced.

  (3) According to the present embodiment, since the initial speed is calculated by the influence of friction and repulsion received by the collision with the inner wall or the like in the injection lane object 64, the required initial speed can be simulated under conditions approximate to those of the actual machine.

  (4) According to the present embodiment, a specifiable range is set in advance and an error notification is given for designation outside the range, so that the range where the game ball object reaches first can be easily recognized.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a modification of the position designation method using a pointer.
FIG. 17 illustrates allocation of areas that can be designated as specific positions in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the specifiable area B of the present embodiment is a range in which the game ball object BP ejected from the exit 64b of the ejection lane object 64 can reach without colliding with the obstacle element. However, it is different from the first embodiment in that the specifiable region B is divided into a lattice shape. The specific position is indicated by designating any one of the grids.

A plurality of methods are conceivable for specifying the specific position.
In the first method, the position detection unit 101 detects the position indicated by the pointer 26, the initial speed calculation unit 102 detects which cell the specified position belongs to, and the center of the detected cell (geometric center). ) To calculate the trajectory and initial velocity for reaching the game ball object BP. In this case, it is preferable that the image processing unit 46 presents the position designated by the player so as to be easily recognized by changing the color of the cell specified by the pointer 26. It is preferable to perform processing such as recognizing a cell when the B button 21b or the like is operated as a specific position and further changing the color.

  In the second method, as shown in FIG. 17, the identification number assigned to the cell is displayed in a recognizable manner for the player, and the player operates the operation input device 20 directly. In this method, an identification number can be specified. If one cell is designated by the identification number, the trajectory and initial velocity for causing the game ball object BP to reach the center of the cell are calculated in the same manner as described above. When the operation input device 20 cannot directly input character information such as numbers, it is appropriate to display an input keyboard or numeric keypad on the display screen 31 and to input character information with a pointer.

  If the color of the cells is not changed, it is difficult to determine whether or not the position indicated by the pointer 26 is the specifiable area B. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the pointer specified position is the specifiable area. It is preferable to change the cursor shape indicating the designated position depending on whether or not it is in B, change the color density for the specifiable area B, or add shading.

  In the second embodiment, since the number of cells is limited and the positions thereof are fixed, it is possible to calculate and store a precise trajectory and initial speed in advance. The trajectory information, initial speed information, and the like are stored in a table corresponding to the cell identification number.

  According to the second embodiment, the area where the game ball object BP can reach is subdivided by the grid, and it is possible to specify a specific position where the game ball object reaches by specifying each cell, so Specifying the position becomes easier.

  In the second embodiment, when the trajectory information / initial speed information is stored in advance corresponding to the cells, the trajectory and the initial speed calculation after designating the specific position can be omitted, and the trajectory is strictly limited in advance. Since it is calculated, a more faithful simulation of the actual machine is possible.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above and can be implemented with various modifications.
Moreover, although the case where the simulation screen 60 was comprised with a three-dimensional image was illustrated in the said embodiment, it is natural that a simulation screen may be comprised with a two-dimensional image. Further, a video image obtained by photographing an actual machine may be applied to the simulation screen.

  In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine has been exemplified as a simulation target. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slot machine or other simulation apparatus that aims to designate a position and fly something to the position. The present invention can be applied to game devices. For example, in a golf game, it is possible to designate a cup position as a specific position and simulate a shot toward the specific position.

Configuration diagram of entertainment device (simulation device) according to an embodiment of the present invention Electrical block diagram of a simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention Example of simulation device top screen display (A) is the front panel configuration diagram of the actual pachinko machine, (b) is the simulation screen of the front panel of the actual machine Functional block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention Detailed functional block diagram of the simulation execution unit Relationship diagram between pointer operation window DW and markers 15L and 15R Explanatory drawing of the various aspects of the marker position with respect to the pointer operation window DW (A) When the operation input device moves away, (b) When the operation input device approaches, (c) When the operation input device is twisted The figure which shows the range of the specific position designation | designated area | region A in Embodiment 1. The figure explaining the track | orbit of the game ball object BP from the injection position of the exit of an injection lane It is a schematic diagram of the collision and repulsion of the game ball object, (a) in the case of collision three times in the injection lane, (b) in the case of one collision The figure explaining friction and repulsion of game ball object BP in nail object 62 which is an obstacle element It is explanatory drawing of the handle | steering-wheel in a real machine, (a) is a reference | standard state, (b) is an operation state, The figure corresponding to the display of the handle object HP in a simulation apparatus Flow chart showing transmission information capture processing Flow chart showing main control processing related to simulation Illustration of the grid specific position designation function

Explanation of symbols

SM slot machine 1 Entertainment equipment (simulation equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus main body 20 Operation input apparatus 30 Display apparatus 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
43a Game program recording area 43b Game progress data recording area 44 First external recording medium drive 44a First external recording medium (DVD-ROM, etc.)
45 Second external recording medium drive 45a Second external recording medium 46 Image processing unit 46a Image decoder 46b GPU
46c Frame buffer 46d Display controller 47 Audio processing unit 48 Operation input processing unit 60 Simulation screen 70 Collision determination unit 71 Game ball movement control unit 100 Specific position setting information 101 Position detection unit 102 Initial speed calculation unit 103 Simulation execution unit 106 Memory

Claims (12)

A simulation program for simulating the operation of a game ball in a gaming machine,
On the computer,
A function for detecting a specific position on the game board object indicated by the operation input device;
A function of calculating an initial speed of the game ball object for causing the game ball object ejected from a predetermined ejection position of the game board object to reach the specific position;
A function of simulating the movement position of the game ball object ejected at the calculated initial speed;
Simulation program for running The function to simulate is
A function of determining whether the emitted game ball object collides with a collision element;
A function of changing a moving direction and a moving speed of the game ball object when it is determined that the game ball object collides with the collision element;
The simulation program according to claim 1. The function of calculating the initial speed of the game ball object is:
Assuming that the moving speed of the game ball object when ejected from the exit of the ejection lane object arranged on the game board object is a speed attenuated by a predetermined amount from the initial speed when ejected from the ejection position. Which calculates the initial speed,
The simulation program according to claim 1. The area that can be specified as the specific position is set within a range in which the game ball object ejected from an exit of an ejection lane object provided in the game board object can reach without colliding with an obstacle element.
The simulation program according to claim 1. The region that can be specified as the specific position is divided into a grid pattern,
The specific position is indicated by designating one grid of the lattice.
The simulation program according to claim 1. A function of reflecting the initial speed of the game ball object in the operation amount of the handle object;
The simulation program according to claim 1. A simulation device for simulating the operation of a game ball in a gaming machine,
A position detection unit for detecting a specific position on the game board object designated by the operation input device;
An initial speed calculation unit for calculating an initial speed of the game ball object for causing the game ball object ejected from a predetermined ejection position of the game board object to reach the specific position;
A simulation apparatus comprising: a simulation execution unit that simulates the movement position of the game ball object ejected at the calculated initial speed. The simulation execution unit
A collision determination unit that determines whether or not the emitted game ball object collides with a collision element;
A game ball movement control unit that changes a movement direction and a movement speed of the game ball object when it is determined that the game ball object collides with the collision element;
The simulation apparatus according to claim 7. The initial speed calculator is
Assuming that the moving speed of the game ball object when ejected from the exit of the ejection lane object arranged on the game board object is a speed attenuated by a predetermined amount from the initial speed when ejected from the ejection position. Which calculates the initial speed,
The simulation apparatus according to claim 7. The area that can be specified as the specific position is set within a range in which the game ball object ejected from an exit of an ejection lane object provided in the game board object can reach without colliding with an obstacle element.
The simulation apparatus according to claim 7. The area that can be specified as the specific position is divided into a grid pattern,
The specific position is indicated by designating one grid of the lattice.
The simulation apparatus according to claim 7. A handle control unit that reflects the initial speed of the game ball object in an operation amount of the handle object;
The simulation apparatus according to claim 7.

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