JP5031523B2 - Game device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device for visually recognizing an image through a half mirror.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a game apparatus that allows a user to visually recognize an image through a half mirror, there is a slot game apparatus provided with a virtual image / real object combination display device that combines and displays a virtual image and a real object (see Patent Document 1). The slot game apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a video display unit that displays a video image that is a source of a virtual image, a half mirror that forms a virtual image based on the video image of the video display unit, and both front and back sides of the virtual image. An area where a predetermined part of the real object is arranged in front of the virtual image is a real display area, and an area where the virtual image is arranged in front of the other part of the real object A virtual image display area is provided, and video control means for moving a virtual image video between the two areas is provided.
JP 2002-182150 A

  As described above, in the conventional game device, the video (virtual image) formed by the half mirror is used for the purpose of visual effect that is simply synthesized with the real object and visually recognized by the player. That is, in the game device of Patent Document 1, an operation that the player actually performs, for example, an operation that inserts a medal from a medal inserter, is merely a synthesis of a predetermined virtual image and a real object. Regardless of the direct relationship, the video (virtual image) by the half mirror was visually recognized by the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to make the player visually recognize the video through the half mirror in association with the operation performed by the player, thereby further improving the visual effect of the video of the game. An object of the present invention is to provide a game device that can be improved.

The present invention provides an input unit for inputting an object, a first play field on which the object input by the input unit is placed, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, A second play field installed at a position on which the object thrown in by the throwing means is placed so as to cover the first play field in the placed state; and the second play field a position detecting means for detecting the position of the placed the object, and the display, which is installed above the second playing field, is disposed between the second playfield with the display, the by transmitting the state of the second playing field causes visible to the player, the by projecting a displayed image on the display, movies on state of the second playing field And a display control means for controlling an image displayed on the display in accordance with the position of the object detected by the position detection means. And

  According to the present invention, the video associated with the operation performed by the player is controlled by controlling the video to be visually recognized by the player through the half mirror according to the position of the object placed on the play field. It is possible for the player to visually recognize the game via the video game, and it is possible to further improve the visual effect of the video of the game.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a medal game device 10 in the present embodiment. The medal game device 10 in the present embodiment is configured as a pusher game machine, and has a function of executing a mini game when an event occurs.

  In the medal game device 10 (a pusher game machine), a substantially cylindrical main body housing 11 is provided with independent play areas at a plurality of surrounding locations. In each play area, two players can each play a game. FIG. 1 shows only the periphery of one play area.

  The play area is covered with a transparent cover 12. As a result, the player cannot directly touch the mechanism inside the play area. Outside the transparent cover 12 in front of each play area, game selection / determination buttons 13, 14, a medal payout port 15, and a medal inserter 20 are provided.

  The game selection / determination buttons 13 and 14 are buttons that are operated when the player gives various instructions to the medal game apparatus 10. For example, it is used to input a selection instruction for a menu displayed on the main display 25 (described later) or a reel rotation stop instruction in a slot game executed in a specific situation.

  The medal payout port 15 is for paying out a medal to the player, and a dropped medal is carried out from a lower field 22 (described later) provided as a play field in the transparent cover 12.

  The medal inserter 20 is for inserting medals into the play field from the outside of the transparent cover 12, and two medal inserters are provided so as to be separated from each other to the left and right with respect to one play area. The medal slotter 20 is provided with a medal slot on the outside of the transparent cover 12. When a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot, the medal passes through the medal passage portion 20a penetrating to the inside of the transparent cover 12, and is discharged from the tip. The medal passage section 20a is provided with a medal insertion sensor for detecting the passage of medals, detects the inserted medal, and outputs a detection signal to the control section 40 (described later). The front end of the medal passage portion 20a is disposed so as to protrude to the play field, and medals discharged from the front end are put on the play field. Further, the medal inserter 20 is attached so as to be rotatable within a specified range so that the player can appropriately select the medal throwing direction. Thereby, the player can turn the tip of the medal passage portion 20a of the medal thrower 20 left and right within a predetermined range, and throws a medal at an arbitrary position on the pusher table 21 which is a play field. be able to.

  A pusher table (upper field) 21 and a lower field 22 are provided as play fields into which medals are inserted by the medal inserter 20. The lower field 22 is used as a platform on which medals are accumulated, and medals inserted from the medal insertion device 20, medals dropped from the pusher table (upper field) 21, and medals paid out by winning are accumulated. When a medal falls into a medal drop groove provided on the front side of the lower field 22 in the figure, the medal is discharged from a medal payout port 15 provided on the front surface of the main body of the medal game apparatus 10. Thereby, the player can acquire medals.

  The pusher table 21 is reciprocated along the upper surface of the lower field 22 by a pusher table drive mechanism 42 (described later) in the front-rear direction, for example, at a constant cycle. The pusher table 21 is used as an upper field on which medals are placed. When the medal on the pusher table 21 falls to the front side in the figure, it is placed on the lower field 22. When the pusher table 21 is not at the foremost position during the reciprocating movement, if a medal falls within the reciprocating movement range on the lower field 22, the medal is pushed by the pusher table 21 and accumulated in the lower field 22. It is pushed into many medals. When the medal is pushed in this way, the medal accumulated on the lower field 22 is pushed to the front side in the figure, and the medal falls into the medal dropping groove.

  A main display 25 is installed in front of the pusher base 21. The main display 25 displays various types of information (menus and the like) to be presented to the player, and a screen representing a slot game reel that starts when a medal passes through the checker 30 (see FIG. 4 described later). Etc. are displayed. On the screen representing the reels, numbers and patterns arranged in three columns are displayed so as to represent that the reels are individually rotating in the vertical direction. For example, in response to an operation on the game selection / decision buttons 13 and 14 The rotation display stops. The combination is determined by the combination of the pattern and the number when the rotation display is stopped, and the number of medals corresponding to the combination is paid out on the pusher table 21 or the lower field 22 from a medal return port (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a view of the play area as viewed from below. As shown in FIG. 2, a half mirror display 26 is provided above the pusher table 21 and the lower field 22. The half mirror display 26 is used to display an image projected onto the half mirror and visually recognized by the player.

FIG. 3 shows a side view in the play area.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the play area, a half mirror 28 is arranged between the pusher table 21 (play field) and the half mirror display 26. The half mirror 28 allows the player to visually recognize the state of the pusher table 21 and projects the image displayed on the display 26 for the half mirror so that the player can visually recognize the image superimposed on the state of the pusher table 21. Is for. The half mirror 28 is provided in a state in which the upper end side is inclined rearward so that the video displayed on the half mirror display 26 can be viewed by a player outside the transparent cover 12. The medals inserted from the medal insertion device 20 pass through the gap between the lower end of the half mirror 28 and the pusher base 21 and are dropped onto the pusher base 21.

  Above the pusher table 21, a camera 29 (for example, a CCD camera) for photographing the upper surface of the pusher table 21 is provided. The camera 29 captures an image of the upper surface of the pusher table 21. The image taken by the camera 29 is referred to in the process for detecting the position of the medal placed on the pusher table 21.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, an inclination is formed on the front side of the pusher base 21, and a checker 30 is provided on the inclined surface. The checker 30 is formed with a plurality of passages through which medals can pass in the width direction on the front side of the pusher base 21, and a checker sensor that detects medals sliding down in each of the passages is provided. By dropping a medal from the pusher table 21 so as to pass through a predetermined passage of the checker 30, an event such as a slot game is executed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image displayed on the half mirror display 26 is projected onto the half mirror 28.
The half mirror 28 is installed so that the video displayed on the half mirror display 26 is projected and the video is superimposed on the state of the pusher table 21 so that the player can visually recognize the video. For this reason, for example, it is possible to display a video representing a target position where a medal is to be placed on the pusher table 21, and to execute a game in which the player aims the position.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which numbers 1, 2, and 3 representing the target positions are displayed on the half mirror display 26 and projected onto the half mirror 28. The player aims at the target position projected on the half mirror 28, inserts a medal from the medal inserter 20, and places the medal on the pusher table 21. The game device can determine whether the position where the medal is placed corresponds to the target position projected on the half mirror 28, and can execute a game that proceeds according to the determination result.

  Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which the target position with respect to the pusher table 21 is projected, it is also possible to project an image that clearly indicates the passage (target) through which the medal of the checker 30 should pass.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the medal game device 10 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, each part of the medal game device 10 is controlled by the control unit 40. The control unit 40 includes a CPU that executes a program, a memory that stores various programs such as a basic program and a game program, and data. The control part 40 implement | achieves the function of the mini game control part 40a, the medal position detection part 40b, the display position calculation part 40c, the position determination part 40d, and the display control part 40e by executing a game program.

  The mini game control unit 40a controls a mini game that is executed when a predetermined condition is established during the game. In the game device of the present embodiment, a mini game is executed when a specific role is played (a pattern is complete) in the slot game, and the mini game receives a medal from the medal inserter 20 on the pusher base 21. It shall be executed by input. Details will be described later.

  The medal position detection unit 40b detects the position of the medal inserted from the medal inserter 20 and placed on the pusher table 21 when the mini game is executed. For example, the medal position detection unit 40b extracts a medal from an image obtained by photographing the upper surface of the pusher table 21 photographed by the camera 29, and detects the coordinate position of the medal on the pusher table 21.

  The display position calculation unit 40c calculates the display position on the half mirror display 26 based on the coordinate position on the pusher table 21 detected by the medal position detection unit 40b. For example, the display position calculation unit 40c can project an object such as a game character on the half mirror 28 so as to coincide with the position of the medal on the pusher table 21 visible through the half mirror 28. The display position at 26 is calculated.

  When the display controller 40e displays a video representing the target on which the medal is to be placed on the pusher table 21 by the display 26 for the half mirror, and the video is projected on the half mirror 28. It is determined whether or not the position of the medal detected by the medal position detection unit 40b is a position corresponding to the video representing the target. That is, the position determination unit 40 d determines whether or not the player has been able to insert a medal at the target position of the pusher table 21.

  The display control unit 40e controls the display of the image projected on the half mirror 28. For example, the display control unit 40e corresponds to an image representing the target position of the pusher table 21 or a game situation with respect to a medal placed on the pusher table 21. Display the video. When displaying an image corresponding to the medal placed on the pusher table 21, the display control unit 40e displays an image of a game character or the like according to the display position calculated by the display position calculation unit 40c.

The control unit 40 includes a pusher base drive mechanism 42, a payout mechanism 44, a medal insertion sensor 46, a checker sensor 48, a main display 25, a half mirror display 26, a speaker 50, a light source drive unit 52, a button input unit 54, And a camera 29 are connected.

  Under the control of the control unit 40, the pusher table drive mechanism 42 reciprocates the pusher table 21 provided in the play field, for example, in the front-rear direction at a constant cycle.

  Under the control of the control unit 40, the payout mechanism 44 discharges a predetermined number of medals from the medal payout opening (not shown) to the play field according to the result of the slot game, mini game, or the like. The payout port is provided at a position where medals can be paid out to the pusher table 21 or the lower field 22, for example.

  The medal insertion sensor 46 detects a medal that passes through the medal passage portion 20a of the medal inserter 20, and is used to detect that a medal has been inserted into the play field by the player.

  The checker sensor 48 is provided in each passage of the checker 30 and is a sensor for detecting that a medal has passed through the passage. When the checker sensor 48 detects that a medal has passed, it outputs a detection signal to the control unit 40.

  The speaker 50 is housed in, for example, the lower portion of the main body housing 11 and outputs sound effects, BGM (back ground music), various message sounds, and the like during game execution according to control of the control unit 40.

  The light source driving unit 52 controls lighting / flashing of a light source (lamp or the like) provided in the medal game apparatus 10 under the control unit 40.

  The button input unit 54 performs input control of buttons including the game selection / decision buttons 13 and 14 provided in the medal game device 10, and outputs an input signal to the control unit 40 in accordance with an input operation to the player's button.

Next, the operation of the medal game device 10 in this embodiment will be described.
The control unit 40 causes the pusher table drive mechanism 42 to reciprocate the pusher table 21 in the front-rear direction at a constant cycle. The player inserts a medal from the medal inserter 20 onto the pusher table 21 with an appropriate timing at which the pusher table 21 reciprocates. When the pusher base 21 is not in the foremost position and the medal is dropped to a position where no medal is deposited, the medal accumulated through the dropped medal as the pusher base 21 moves forward. Can be pushed out in the direction of the medal drop groove.

  When a medal falling from the pusher table 21 passes through a predetermined passage of the checker 30, the control unit 40 executes, for example, a slot game. Note that the control unit 40 arbitrarily selects a path for executing the medal game when a medal is passed from a plurality of paths and changes the path at a predetermined timing. At this time, the control unit 40 causes the half mirror display 26 to display an image for clearly indicating the passage selected as valid, for example, a target mark in accordance with the position of the passage, and the half mirror 28 through the half mirror 28. Make it visible to the player. The player can drop the medal from the medal thrower 20 so that the medal can be dropped into the corresponding passage with reference to the target mark visually recognized through the half mirror 28.

  When the slot game is started, the control unit 40 causes the main display 25 to display a screen indicating that three reels are rotating.

  The player can instruct the stop of the three reels displayed on the main display 25 by operating the game selection / decision buttons 13 and 14, for example. For example, each time the game selection / decision buttons 13 and 14 are pressed, the control unit 40 causes the main display 25 to display a screen in which three reels are sequentially stopped in a predetermined order. It is also possible to provide three buttons respectively corresponding to the three reels so as to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed button.

  When the reel rotation is thus stopped and the predetermined combination of patterns is not complete, the control unit 40 does not pay out medals.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined combination of patterns is prepared, the control unit 40 is a specific pattern combination that starts an event for executing a characteristic medal payout in the medal game apparatus 10 in the present embodiment. Or a combination of pictures representing general roles.

  For example, in the case of a combination of patterns representing general combinations with the same numbers, the control unit 40 controls the payout mechanism 44 to pay out medals from the medal payout opening to the pusher table 21 or the lower field 20. . When the payout of the predetermined number of medals is completed, the control unit 40 stops the medal payout by the payout mechanism 44.

  On the other hand, when the pattern combination is a specific pattern combination, the control unit 40 starts a mini game process that is a characteristic event in the medal game machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The mini game in the present embodiment is executed by, for example, inserting a medal from the medal inserter 20 so that the medal is placed at a predetermined position on the pusher table 21.

Next, the mini game processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the mini game is started, the control unit 40 moves the pusher table 21 by , for example, the pusher table drive mechanism 42 to eliminate medals placed on the pusher table 21 (step A1). In addition, as a method of clearing the medals on the pusher table 21, not only the pusher table 21 but also a dedicated medal removal mechanism may be provided. The control unit 40 stops the pusher table 21 from which medals have been removed at the position most moved to the near side (the foremost position).

  The control unit 40 causes the display control unit 40e to display the video for the mini game on the half mirror display 26 (step A2). In the mini game in the present embodiment, for example, a target position is set on the pusher table 21, and medals are inserted aiming at the target position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 40 displays numbers 1, 2, and 3 representing the target position on the half mirror display 26. The player inserts a medal from the medal inserter 20 aiming at the target position projected on the half mirror 28.

  When the medal insertion sensor 46 detects that a medal has been inserted (step A3, Yes), the control unit 40 detects the coordinate position of the medal placed on the pusher table 21. That is, the control unit 40 takes an image of the upper surface of the pusher table 21 with the camera 29, and detects the position of the medal with the medal position detection unit 40b based on the image (step A4). The medal position detection unit 40b extracts an area corresponding to the medal from the image by image processing, and obtains the coordinate position of the upper surface of the pusher table 21 corresponding to the area.

  When a medal is placed on the pusher table 21, the display position calculation unit 40c calculates a display position for a stereoscopic image corresponding to the coordinate position of the medal (step A5). Here, the display position on the half mirror display 26 on which an object such as a game character can be projected onto the half mirror 28 is calculated so as to coincide with the position of the medal on the pusher table 21 visible through the half mirror 28. To do. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when a medal 61 is placed on the pusher table upper surface 60, the display position corresponding to the medal 61 in the half mirror display 26 shown in FIG. 7B is calculated. To do. Similarly, when the medal 62 is placed on the pusher table upper surface 60, the display position corresponding to the medal 62 is calculated.

  The position determination unit 40d determines whether the position of the medal placed on the pusher table 21 matches the target position projected on the half mirror display 26.

  The display control unit 40e displays a video of a stereoscopic image (for example, a game character) for the dropped medal on the half mirror display 26 in accordance with the display position calculated by the display position calculation unit 40c.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the game character is displayed on the half mirror display 26 and projected onto the half mirror 28 in accordance with the positions of the medals 61 and 62 placed on the pusher table 21. The video for the medal placed on the pusher table 21 may be changed depending on, for example, whether or not the medal is placed at the target position. For example, the movement of the stereoscopic image representing the game character may be changed according to the position of the medal (for example, according to the amount of deviation from the target position), or the game character itself may be changed.

  Further, not only a stereoscopic image is displayed according to the position of the medal, but also a game according to the arrangement of the medal placed on the pusher table 21 may be executed.

  For example, parameters such as character type, power, energy, skill, etc. are set according to the shape in which a plurality of medals are arranged (for example, W-shaped, V-shaped, etc.) and the position of each medal (difference from the target position). It is possible to set and execute a battle game based on this parameter. The opponent may be a computer, a player who is playing a game in another play area of the medal game device 10, or a player who is playing a game in another medal game device 10 connected via a network. You can also.

  When a competitive game is executed, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to displaying a video related to the game on the main display 25, for example, a game character is performing a battle on the video projected on the half mirror 28. By displaying the video representing the situation, the effect at the time of game execution can be improved.

  In the mini game, it is determined that the game has ended when a predetermined number of medals are inserted or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the game. If it is determined that the mini game has ended (step A8, Yes), the control unit 40 determines the number of medals to be paid out in accordance with the mini game result, and the payout mechanism 44 applies the corresponding number of medals to the pusher table 21 or Payout to the lower field 22 (step A8).

  For example, the control unit 40 sets the number of medals correctly placed at the target position, the arrangement form of medals placed on the pusher table 21, the result of the battle game, etc. as a mini game result, and pays out according to this content The number of sheets shall be determined. However, the game content can be arbitrarily set.

  Thus, in the medal game device 10 according to the present embodiment, in the mini game process, the image projected on the half mirror 28 is controlled according to the position of the medal inserted from the medal inserter 20 on the pusher table 21. The That is, the video projected on the half mirror 28 changes according to the player's operation, so that the visual effect of the game video can be further improved compared to the case where a predetermined video is displayed. It becomes.

  In the above description of the mini game process, the medals placed on the pusher table 21 are excluded at the first stage of the mini game process, but the medals on the pusher table 21 are left as they are. The mini game process may be started. That is, the medals placed on the pusher table 21 before the start of the mini game process include those inserted by the player from the medal inserter 20 in order to drop the medals from the pusher table 21. If the medals are eliminated, it is difficult for the player to drop the medals on the lower field 22 after the mini game process is finished.

  Therefore, in the medal game device 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing a play field 70 dedicated to the mini game process, the medal on the pusher table 21 is left as it is and the mini game process is executed. Also good. The play field 70 shown in FIG. 9 is normally housed inside the housing inside the play field, but covers the pusher table 21 when the mini game is executed (when a predetermined condition is satisfied). Pulled forward. It is assumed that the play field 70 is installed so that medals inserted from the medal inserter 20 can be placed in the same manner as the pusher table 21 when the play field 70 is pulled forward.

  Then, after the mini game process is completed, the play field 70 is housed in the housing again. Since the medals on the pusher table 21 are in the original state, the game can be resumed from the state before starting the mini game process.

In the above description, the medal game apparatus 10 is targeted, but the present invention can be applied to other game apparatuses.
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example in which the configuration of the present embodiment is applied to a card game device. In the play field 72 shown in FIG. 10, cards 80 and 81 are placed at arbitrary positions by the player. The position of the card placed on the play field 72 is detected in the same manner as described above. The card game device controls the image displayed on the half mirror display 76 according to the positions of the cards 80 and 81 to project it onto the half mirror 78.

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the image that the player visually recognizes via the half mirror 78 in accordance with the player's operation on the cards 80 and 81.

  Similarly, the present invention can also be applied to other game devices that allow a video to be viewed through a half mirror other than a card game device.

  In the above description, as a method of detecting the position of the medal placed on the pusher table 21, an image of the upper surface of the pusher table 21 is taken by the camera 29 installed above the pusher table 21, and this The position of the medal is detected by executing image processing on the image, but other methods may be used. For example, the position where the medal is placed may be detected by providing a touch sensor on the upper surface of the pusher base 21.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the medal game device 10 in this embodiment. The figure which looked at the inside of a play area from the lower direction. The side view in a play area. The figure which shows a mode that the image | video displayed on the display 26 for half mirrors is projected on the half mirror 28. FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the medal game device 10 in this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the mini game process in this embodiment. The figure explaining calculation of the display position according to the coordinate position of a medal. The figure which shows a mode that the game character was projected on the half mirror 28 according to the position of the medal mounted on the pusher stand. The figure which shows the structural example which provided the play field 70 only for a mini game process. The figure which shows the structural example which applied the structure of this embodiment to the card game apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Medal game device, 11 ... Main body case, 12 ... Transparent cover, 13, 14 ... Game selection / decision button, 15 ... Medal return port, 20 ... Medal inserter, 20a ... Medal passage part, 21 ... Pusher stand, 22 ... lower field, 25 ... main display, 26 ... half mirror display, 28 ... half mirror, 29 ... camera, 30 ... checker, 40 ... control unit, 40a ... mini game control unit, 40b ... medal position detection unit, 40c Display position calculation unit 40d Position determination unit 40d Display control unit 42 Pusher table drive mechanism 44 Dispensing mechanism 46 Medal insertion sensor 48 Checker sensor 50 Speaker 52 Light source drive unit 54 ... Button input section.

Claims (5)

An input means for inputting an object;
A first play field on which the object thrown by the throwing means is placed;
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, it is installed at a position where the object thrown by the throwing means is placed so as to cover the first play field where the object is placed. A second play field;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the object placed on the second play field;
A display installed above the second play field;
The second play field is disposed between the second play field and the display so that the player can visually recognize the state of the second play field and project the image displayed on the display to thereby display the second play field. A half mirror for superimposing an image on the state of the field and allowing the player to visually recognize it;
A game apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling an image displayed on the display in accordance with the position of the object detected by the position detection means. The display control means displays an image representing a target on which the object is to be placed on the second play field on the display.
2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising position determining means for determining whether the position of the object detected by the position detecting means is a position corresponding to an image representing the target. The first play field is a pusher stand in a pusher game device,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit detects a position of a medal as the object.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising game control means for causing a game to proceed based on the positions of the plurality of objects detected by the position detection means. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit detects the position of the object based on an image obtained by photographing the second play field.

Images