JP2000167228A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the interest of a player by relatively compact constitution. SOLUTION: This game device has a transparent falling surface 10 provided with many pins 10a where a medal M falls, a reciprocating target 2 disposed on the lower part of the falling surface and moved back and forth, a transparent thin type water tank 13 disposed in front of the falling surface, a large-sized display 7 disposed behind the falling surface and a medal supply mechanism 30 composed of a hopper 31 for pushing up the medal, an elevating guide path for guiding the carriage of the medal, first and second guide paths and a medal supply gear for supplying the medal to the falling surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a game device in which a medal or the like is inserted and a result of the game is determined by the movement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of such conventional game devices is a medal game device 100 shown in FIG. This medal game device has two seats left and right and can be operated by up to two operators. A drop surface 110 is provided in each seat unit. This falling surface is a vertical surface, and a plurality of pins 110a are set up to change the falling direction of the medal M falling like a pachinko machine. A pusher table 103 is provided horizontally below the falling surface to receive the medals M falling along the falling surface 110. In addition, a reciprocating arm (target) 102 that periodically reciprocates right and left along a falling surface 110 is provided above the pusher table 103. Furthermore, in front of the lower part of the pusher table 103.
A pusher field 104 is provided for receiving medals M that have fallen off the pusher table 103.
Further, a medal discharge pocket 105 is provided below the medal game device 100. Further, a medal insertion hole 106 is provided on the falling surface 110. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display (display device)
107 is provided.

[0003] In the medal game device 100 having such a configuration, an operator first operates a medal M owned by the operator.
Is inserted into the medal insertion hole 106 at an appropriate timing.
As a result, the inserted medal M falls on the falling surface 110 by gravity. At this time, the medal M hits a plurality of pins 110a provided on the falling surface 110, and the falling direction is changed. Then, in a situation where the reciprocating step 102 happens to be located on the falling path of the medal M falling in such a manner, the medal M is reciprocated one time.
02. A medal passing sensor is provided in the reciprocating section 102. When the medal M passes therethrough, the sensor generates a medal detection signal.
This signal is input to a control circuit provided inside the device 100, whereby the control circuit generates a medal supply signal. The medal supply mechanism provided in the upper part of the apparatus 100 is operated by this signal, and the medal supply mechanism supplies a predetermined number of medals M to the upper part of the falling surface of the seat.
The predetermined number of medals M supplied to the upper part of the falling surface in this way falls by gravity along the falling surface 110 like the medals inserted by the operator from the insertion hole 106.

When the medal M that has been inserted through the insertion hole 106 and dropped along the falling surface 110 has not entered the reciprocating member 102, it falls directly onto the pusher table 103. Also, as described above, the medal M that has once entered the reciprocating section 102 also falls onto the pusher table 103 thereafter. The medals M dropped on the pusher table 103 in this manner reciprocate together with the periodic reciprocation of the pusher table in the depth direction of FIG. When the pusher table 103 operates in the depth direction of the drawing, the portion on the depth direction side of the pusher table 103 is inserted into a table storage hole provided below the falling surface 110, and the upper surface of the pusher table 103 is placed on the falling surface 110. It is stored so as to substantially contact the lower end. At that time, if a medal is placed on that part, the medal is caught on the lower end of the falling surface 110, and is not stored in the table storage hole together with the pusher hood 103, and slides on the pusher table 103 as it is to return to the original position. stay.
As a result, the medals M on the pusher table 103 are pushed forward.

As a result of the medals M being dropped along the falling surface 110 one after another, a large number of medals M are
As a result, the medals M spill out of the pusher table 103 as a result of being pushed forward by the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 103 back and forth as described above. The medals M thus spilled fall on the pusher field 104. By the pusher table 103 reciprocating on the pusher field 104 back and forth, the medals M on the depth direction side of the medals M on the pusher field 104 are pushed forward by the pusher table 103. Therefore, when a large number of medals M accumulate on the pusher field 104, several medals M fall out of the pusher field 104 due to the medal pushing action of the pusher table 103.

[0006] Thus, the pusher field 10
The medals M that have spilled from 4 fall by gravity along a medal path provided inside the apparatus, and are discharged to the medal discharge pocket 105 as a result. The medals M thus ejected are owned by the operator at that seat.

[0007] As described above, the medals M that have fallen along the falling surface 110 enter the reciprocating space 102 and are detected by a medal passing sensor. As a result, a predetermined number of medals M are supplied to the upper portion of the falling surface 110. At this time, the liquid crystal display 107 clearly indicates to the operator that the medal M has entered the reciprocating space 102 in this way, and further increases the interest of the operator in the game apparatus 100 by a predetermined amount. Display the production program.

[0008]

In such a conventional medal game device, the liquid crystal display 107 is provided to increase the interest of the operator as described above, but is small as shown in the figure. Therefore, it is not always sufficient to clearly show the operator that the medal M has entered the round trip 102 and to increase the interest of the operator clearly.

It is preferable that a predetermined number of medals M be immediately supplied to the upper portion of the falling surface 110 by the medal supply mechanism when the medals that have fallen along the falling surface 110 enter the reciprocating space 102. Since the medals M have a predetermined size and weight, a large-scale medal supply mechanism is required to supply the predetermined number of medals M quickly. By providing such a large-scale mechanism, it becomes necessary to make the entire game device larger than necessary, and the cost increases.

In view of such a problem, the present invention makes it possible for the operator to clearly recognize the fact that the medal M has entered between round trips, and to greatly increase the operator's interest in the game device. And a game device capable of supplying a predetermined number of medals to an upper portion of a falling surface quickly when the medals M enter a reciprocating motion by a relatively simple mechanism. Aim.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus comprising: a display for displaying a predetermined image; a falling space defining member provided on a front surface of the display to define a falling space for a predetermined object. The falling space defining member has a configuration through which a predetermined image projected on the display can be viewed from the front, and the width of the falling space defining member is substantially equal to or smaller than the width of the display. Device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a selection unit for automatically selecting a predetermined image to be displayed on the display.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game device according to the first aspect, wherein the falling space defining member is made of a substantially transparent resin and a replaceable substantially transparent resin cover is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein at least one obstacle that changes a falling trajectory of a predetermined object is provided in the falling space.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game device according to the first aspect, further comprising a substantially transparent thin water tank provided in front of the display.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising control means for associating a predetermined object falling motion with a predetermined video motion projected on a display.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the falling space defining member has a plurality of falling space defining portions each of which can define a falling space of a predetermined object, and the control means controls the predetermined image projected on the display. 7. The game device according to claim 6, wherein the motion of the game device is associated with a falling motion of a predetermined object in each of the plurality of falling space defining units.

[0018] The present invention according to claim 8 further provides that a predetermined action can be given by a predetermined object,
The game device according to claim 1, further comprising: performing an operation associated with a motion of a predetermined image projected on a display.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a method wherein a predetermined action is given by a predetermined object, and a predetermined number of predetermined actions are given when a predetermined action is given by the predetermined object. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising: an object supply unit that supplies the object to the falling space; and a control unit that associates a supply operation of the object supply unit with an operation of a predetermined image projected on a display.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a method wherein a predetermined action is given by a predetermined object, and a predetermined number of predetermined actions are given when a predetermined action is given by the predetermined object. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising an object supply means for supplying the object to the falling space, wherein the predetermined number is determined depending on the display content of the display when the predetermined object enters the space. It is.

The present invention according to claim 11 is further characterized in that a predetermined action is given by a predetermined object and a predetermined number of predetermined actions are given when a predetermined action is given by the predetermined object. 2. The game device according to claim 1, comprising: an object supply means for supplying the object to the falling space; and a control means for associating the content of a predetermined image projected on a display with a predetermined number.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the falling space defining member comprises a plurality of falling space defining portions each defining a falling space of a predetermined object. The predetermined object is provided when a predetermined operation is given to any one of a plurality of arms by the predetermined object, and at least one group which can provide a predetermined operation to the predetermined object. Object supplying means for supplying a predetermined number of objects to the corresponding falling space, wherein the predetermined number is determined depending on the display content in a corresponding portion of the display when the predetermined object enters. A game device according to claim 1.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fall space defining member for defining a fall space of a predetermined object, a state in which a predetermined action can be given by the predetermined object, and a state in which the predetermined object can provide a predetermined action. A game device comprising object supply means for supplying a predetermined number of predetermined objects to a falling space while maintaining their respective postures constant when a predetermined action is given.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a falling space defining member for defining a falling space of a predetermined object, and a throwing number counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects thrown into the falling space by an operator. The game device comprises discharge number counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects discharged from the game device when a large number of input predetermined objects accumulate below the falling space.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the operation value obtained by the operation of the input number counted by the input number counting means and the discharge number counted by the discharge number counting means is within a predetermined value range. The game device according to claim 14, comprising control means for controlling supply of a predetermined object to the falling space so as to enter the space.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the object supply means includes a push-up means for pushing a predetermined object to an upper portion of the game device, and a push-up device for pushing the pushed predetermined object to the upper portion of the game device while keeping its posture constant. 14. The game apparatus according to claim 13, comprising: object storage means for storing a predetermined number of the objects; and supply means for supplying the predetermined objects thus stored to the falling space defining member while keeping its posture constant. is there.

The invention according to claim 17 is the game device according to claim 16, wherein the supply means intermittently supplies a predetermined number of predetermined objects directly above the falling space.

According to the present invention, the supply means is driven by a motor and has a stop means for stopping the motor by applying a brake every time a predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied. 2. The game device according to item 1.

The present invention according to claim 19 further comprises ascending guide means for guiding a predetermined object pushed up by the pushing means so as to be aligned in a predetermined posture and to reach the upper part of the apparatus, and the object storage means is provided. 17. The game device according to claim 16, further comprising supply guide means for guiding the predetermined object pushed up to a predetermined position on the upper portion of the game device to the fall space while maintaining its posture. .

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the object lifting sensor detects a predetermined object pushed up by the lifting means, and operates the lifting means when the predetermined object is not detected by the object lifting sensor. 17. The game device according to claim 16, comprising control means.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the falling space defining member comprises a plurality of falling space defining portions each defining a falling space of a predetermined object. The object supply means is provided to supply a predetermined number of predetermined objects to a corresponding fall space when a predetermined action is given to any one of the plurality of staves by the predetermined object. The storage means and the supply guiding means are provided in the same number as the number of the falling spaces so as to supply the predetermined objects to the respective falling spaces, and the predetermined objects pushed up to the upper part of the game device by the pushing means are further supplied to the plurality of object storing means. 17. The game device according to claim 16, further comprising a distributing means for distributing.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an object lift sensor for detecting a predetermined object pushed up by the push-up means, and an object storage for respectively detecting the predetermined objects stored in the plurality of object storage means. When the predetermined object is not detected by the sensor and the object lifting sensor, the push-up unit is operated, and the distribution unit is arranged so that the predetermined object is supplied to the object storage unit in which the predetermined object is not detected by the object storage sensor. 22. The game device according to claim 21, comprising control means for controlling.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 (a) and 3 (b), an outline of a medal game device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The medal game device 1 has four side-by-side four so as to be operated by a total of four operators.
Although it has a seat unit, it is roughly the same as the conventional medal game device 100 described above.

That is, a thin plate-shaped falling surface 10 is provided in each seat unit. This falling surface is a vertical surface, and a plurality of pins 10a are set up to change the falling direction of the medal M falling like a pachinko machine.
In this embodiment, a medal M having an outer diameter of 24.2 mm and a thickness of 1.7 mm is used. A pusher table 3 is provided horizontally below the falling surface 10 so as to receive the medals M falling along the falling surface 10.
In addition, the upper part of the pusher table 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a reciprocating arm 2 (target) that reciprocates right and left periodically along the falling surface 10 is provided. Such a reciprocating operation of the reciprocating machine 2 is realized by the reciprocating operation mechanism 2b shown in FIG. Furthermore, in front of the lower part of the pusher table 3. A pusher field 4 is provided for receiving medals M spilled from the pusher table 3. Further, a medal discharge pocket 5 is provided below the medal game device 1. Further, a medal insertion hole 6 is provided on the falling surface 10. Further falling surface 1
A large PTV (projection TV, projection television) (display device) 7 is provided behind 0. In addition,
The display 7 is not limited to the PTV, but may be another display device, a CRT (CRT), a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display, or the like. Such a display device 7 displays an image of a fish swimming in a water tank or the seabed.

In the medal game device 1 having such a configuration, an operator who stands or sits in front of a unit in each seat inserts a medal M owned by the operator at an appropriate timing (that is, in such a manner). Medal M is round trip 2
, And observing the state of the fish F displayed on the display 7 so that the medal M hits the round-trip 2 in a state where the largest fish are swarmed.)
It is inserted into the medal insertion hole 6. The inserted medal M falls on the falling surface 10 by gravity. At this time, the medal M hits a plurality of pins 10a provided on the falling surface 10, and the falling direction is changed. Then, in a situation where the reciprocating movement 2 is accidentally located on the falling path of the falling medal M, the medal M passes right behind the reciprocating movement 2. A medal passing sensor 2a is provided directly behind the reciprocating frame 2, and when the medal M passes therethrough, the sensor 2a generates a medal detection signal.

This signal is input to a control circuit 50 (to be described later) provided inside the device 1, whereby the control circuit 5
0 generates a medal supply signal. The dull supply mechanism 30 (described later) provided in the apparatus 1 operates according to this signal, and the medal supply mechanism 30 supplies a predetermined number of medals M to the upper part of the falling surface 10 of the seat. The predetermined number of medals M supplied to the upper portion of the falling surface in this manner falls by gravity along the falling surface 10 in the same manner as the medals inserted by the operator from the insertion hole 6.

Further, the falling surface 10
If the medal M that falls along does not enter the roundabout 2, it falls directly onto the pusher table 3 (FIG. 3).
(See (a) and (b)). Further, as described above, the medal M which has entered the roundabout 2 once afterward also has a pusher table 3
Fall on. The medals M dropped on the pusher table 3 in this manner reciprocate together with the periodic reciprocating operation of the pusher table in the depth direction of FIG. When the pusher table 3 operates in the depth direction of FIG. 3A, the portion of the pusher table 3 on the depth direction side is a table storage hole 10 c provided at the lower portion of the falling surface 10.
3 (see FIG. 3B), the pusher table 3 is stored such that the upper surface thereof substantially contacts the lower end 10b of the falling surface 10. At that time, if a medal is placed on that portion, the medal is caught on the lower end of the falling surface 10 and is not stored in the table storage hole together with the pusher hood 3, but slides on the pusher table 3 as it is to return to the original position. stay. As a result, the medals M on the pusher table 3 are pushed forward (to the left in FIG. 3B).

As a result of the medals M being successively dropped along the falling surface 10, a large number of medals M accumulate on the pusher table 3, which are moved forward by the reciprocating operation of the pusher table 3 as described above. As a result, some of the medals M fall out of the pusher table 3. The medals M thus spilled fall on the pusher field 4. As the pusher table 103 reciprocates on the pusher field 4 back and forth, the medals M on the depth direction out of the medals M on the pusher field 4 reciprocate back and forth on the pusher table 3 front end 3a.
3 (b). Therefore, when a large number of medals M accumulate on the pusher field 4, several medals M fall out of the pusher field 4 due to the medal pushing action of the pusher table 3. In this way, the medals M which have spilled from the pusher field 4 toward the front (to the left in FIG. 3B) enter the effective collection holes 4a provided therein, and as a result, the medal passages provided inside the device. Along the path, and as a result, the medal M is placed in the medal discharge pocket 5 of the seat.
Will be discharged. The medals M thus ejected are owned by the operator at that seat.

However, as shown in FIG. 3B, a medal holding plate 4b is provided at the front end (the left end in FIG. 3B) of the pusher field 4, and the pusher field 4 is pushed out to that end. The structure is such that the medal M won't easily fall from it. Further, invalid recovery holes 4c are provided on both sides of the pusher field 4, and if the spills from the pusher field 4 and enters the invalid recovery hole 4c, the medals M are stored in the effective recovery hole 4a. The player enters the medal accommodating box inside the device through a passage different from the passage through which the entered medals M pass, and is owned by an administrator who manages the game device 1.

As described above, the medals M that have fallen along the falling surface 10 enter the reciprocating path 2 and are detected by the medal passing sensor 2a. As a result, a predetermined number of medals M are placed above the falling surface 10. When supplied, the PTV display 7 clearly indicates to the operator that the medal M has entered the reciprocating movement 2 in such a manner and further increases the operator's interest in the game apparatus 1 for a predetermined time. Is displayed.

The game apparatus 1 has a speaker 11
Is provided, so that not only the visual effect operation by the display 7 but also an acoustic effect operation is performed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the falling surface 10
Is provided with a thin water tank 13. Note that FIG.
In (b), the distance between the back surface of the water tank 13 and the front surface of the falling surface 10a is approximately 6 mm, so that the outer diameter is 24 mm.
The 2 mm medal M has a pin 1 formed by placing the space between the falling surface 10 and the water tank 13 with the surface thereof being substantially horizontal to the surface of the falling surface 10.
At 0a, it falls while changing its falling direction.

Further, a pump 13a is provided below the water tank 13, and air is constantly sent to the water tank 13 so that bubbles B are introduced into the water tank.
Supply. As a result, when viewed from the front, as shown in FIG.
Looks like they are swimming inside. The falling surface 10 is made of transparent glass and acrylic, and the water tank is made of the same transparent material.
May be provided in front of (before). In addition, water tank 1
The liquid filled in 3 is not limited to water, but may be oil. In addition, as shown in FIG.
And a transparent cover 1 in front of the pusher field 4
2 is provided to directly operate the medal by hand by an unauthorized operator (for example, an operation of holding the medal M by hand and directly generating a medal supply signal to the medal sensor 2a by the medal sensor 2a). It is structured to prevent occurrence.

As shown in FIG. 4, a transparent acrylic cover 10d is also provided on the entire surface of the drop surface 10 made of transparent acrylic. When the medals M fall along the falling surface 10 as described above, many of the medals M fall while hitting the falling surface. As a result, the surface of the falling surface 10 is easily damaged and easily soiled. If the falling surface is damaged and soiled in this way, it becomes an obstacle when viewing the rear display 7 from the front. However, replacing the entire fall surface 10 is costly and cumbersome. In order to solve such a problem, in the present apparatus 1, the transparent acrylic cover 10d is provided on the surface of the falling surface 1 as described above. As a result, it is the acrylic cover 10d that is damaged and soiled by repeated drops of medals, and in such a case, the obstacle when viewing the display 7 can be easily and inexpensively removed by replacing only the acrylic cover 10d. .

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 (a), (b), (c)
The medal supply mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a medal supply mechanism 30 provided for two units on the right side of the four-seat units shown in FIGS. Further, in FIG. 5, for the purpose of making it easy to understand the mutual positional relationship between the members or the operation, a line which should be displayed as a break line (that is, a portion hidden behind other members, mainly a medal M), Some lines to be displayed as virtual lines (two states of the rising medal empty sensor 32a) are partially shown by solid lines. Medal supply mechanism 3
Reference numeral 0 denotes a push-up hopper 31 provided at a lower portion of the medal game device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to push up the medals M, and guide the medals M pushed up by the push-up hopper 31 so as to rise in a line. 32, the medal M thus raised along the ascending guide path 32 is supplied to the first guide path 3 by the medal path switch 32b.
3 and the second guide path 34. The first guide path 33 guides the medal M to the first medal supply gear 35, and the second guide path 34 transfers the medal M to the second medal supply gear 36.
Lead to.

Each medal supply gear 35, 36 supplies the medals guided by the first and second guide paths 33, 34 one by one to the respective supply guide paths 35b, 36b. Supply guideway 35b, 3
The medals M supplied to each of the supply guide paths 35
b and 37b are supplied to the upper part of the falling surface 10 of the unit at each seat.

A medal empty sensor 32a is provided above the ascending guideway 32. When the top of the ascending guide path 32 becomes empty as a result of the medal M raised by the push-up hopper 31 moving to the first and second guide paths 33, 34, this is detected by the ascending medal empty sensor 32a. The detection signal is transmitted to the control circuit 50, and the control circuit 50 drives the push-up hopper 31 to push up the medals M stored in the lower portion of the apparatus 1, thereby moving the ascending guide path 32 to the medals M.
It is configured to be satisfied with.

Each of the ascending guide paths 32 and the first and second guide paths 33 and 34 are used to convey the medals M in parallel with the paper surface of FIG. 5, that is, in parallel with the surface of the falling surface 10, as shown in FIGS. (B)
Has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the guide plates 32c, 32d, 34c,
34d are fixed, and each medal guide path is defined by these. The cross section of the first guide path 33 is shown in FIG.
Since it is the same as the cross section of the second guide path 34 shown in (a), its illustration is omitted. In addition, the supply guide path 35
b and 36b also have similar cross sections.

A first medal empty sensor 33a and a second medal empty sensor 34a are provided above each of the first and second guide paths 33 and 34, respectively. The medal M accumulated in the corresponding guide path 33 or 34 is supplied from the corresponding supply guide path 35b or 36b by one of the operations of the medal supply gears 35 and 36, and the corresponding medal M is emptied from the upper part of the guide path. The sensor 33a or 34a detects this. This detection signal is transmitted to the control circuit 50, and the control circuit switches the medal passage switch 32b so that medals are supplied from the upper part toward the empty guide path. Further, the push-up hopper 31 is driven to push up the medals, and the pushed-up medals are supplied to the guide path having an empty upper portion through the medal passage switch 32b, so that the guide path is filled with medals. It has become.

The medal rise empty sensor 32a
Is an arm whose center is rotatably supported by a shaft. The tip of the arm is lifted by the medals M while the medal M is present at the top of the ascending guide path 32. If there is no medal M at the top of 32, the state is lowered. As described above, a sensor utilizing the principle of a photo interrupter is provided at the tip of the arm in a state where the tip of the arm is lifted, and is configured to detect that light is blocked by the tip of the arm. Thus, the state in which the arm is raised and the state in which the arm is lowered can be detected, so that it can be detected whether or not a medal exists at the uppermost portion of the ascending guide path 32.

Similarly, the first and second medal empty sensors 33a and 34b are also sensors utilizing the principle of a photo interrupter, and are configured to detect that light is directly blocked by medals. Each of the first and second medal empty sensors 33a and 34b includes two sets of sensors as shown. That is, the first medal empty sensor 33a is
Consists of two sensors arranged one after the other along
The second medal empty sensor 34a includes two sensors arranged front and rear along the guide path 34. By providing the two sensors in this manner, even if the medals are arranged so that the gap between the medals just arranged is located at a position that interrupts the optical path of one sensor, the other sensors can be used. Is blocked by one of the two medals, so that the medals can be reliably detected.

Since the medal supply gears 35 and 36 have the same structure, only the medal supply gear 35 will be described. The medal supply gear 35 has a disk-shaped outer shape. As shown in FIG. 6C, a plurality of sets are provided on one surface of the medal supply gear 35 so that engagement grooves 35a and sliding contact portions 35b are alternately arranged along the circumference. On the other surface, a plurality of medal fitting grooves 35c are provided along the circumference. A Geneva gear 37 (a Geneva gear 38 as opposed to the medal supply gear 36) is provided adjacent to the medal supply gear 35. The medal supply gear 35 is driven by the Geneva gear 37 to a well-known Geneva. It is driven by the principle of a mechanism (Geneva drive). That is, the Geneva gear 37 rotates clockwise in FIG. 5 at a constant rotation speed, and accordingly, a drive pin 37a (a drive pin 38a in the Geneva gear 38) provided to stand vertically on one surface thereof rotates. The drive pin 37a that rotates in this manner enters the engagement groove 35a of the plurality of engagement grooves 35a of the medal supply gear 35 facing the drive pin 37a, and presses the inner wall of the engagement groove 35a as it is to supply the medal. The gear 35 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. In this way, the supply gear 35 is approximately 60
When rotated, the drive pin 37a comes out of the engagement groove 35a. After that, by the rotation of the Geneva gear 37, an arc portion 37b also provided on the same surface of the Geneva gear 37
(The arc portion 38b in the Geneva gear 38) contacts the sliding contact portion 35b of the facing medal supply gear 35, and the medal supply gear 35 without driving the medal supply gear 35 as it is.
While maintaining the rotation angle position of the
Glide over 5b. Thereafter, when the Geneva gear 37 further rotates, the circular arc portion 37b separates from the sliding contact portion 35b, and the driving pin 3
7a enters the next engagement groove 35a.

As described above, the medal supply gear 35 rotates substantially 60 ° as the Geneva gear 37 rotates at a constant speed.
The operation of stopping for a while and rotating again by approximately 60 ° is repeated and gradually rotated. Due to the rotation of the medal supply gear 35, the medal M falls from the first guide path 33 into the medal fitting groove 35c at the top while the medal supply gear 35 is stopped. The rotation of the medal supply gear 35 causes the next medal fitting groove 35c to move to the uppermost position, that is, the position facing the lower end of the first guide path 33. As a result, the next medal M falls from the first guide path 33 into the medal fitting groove 35c thus moved to the uppermost part. Such an operation is repeated, and the medals M that have entered the medal fitting groove 35c at the uppermost portion in this way are gradually moved downward.

At the lower left of the medal supply gear 35 in FIG. 5, a medal count sensor 35a (a medal count sensor 36a for the medal supply gear 36) is provided. This uses the principle of a photo interrupter, and detects the presence of a medal M by blocking the optical path of the sensor with the medal M. While the medal supply gear 35 is stopped, one of the medal fitting grooves 35c just faces the sensor 35a. Therefore, the medal M gradually moved downward by the rotation of the medal supply gear 35 is detected by the sensor 35a while the medal supply gear 35 is stopped. Then, when the medal supply gear 35 rotates next, the gap with the medal M fitted in the next medal fitting groove 35c will be located on the optical path of the sensor 35a, and then the next medal fitting groove 35c will be described. The medal M that fits in blocks the optical path of the sensor 35a. In this way, each time the medal M passes the sensor 35a, a state where the optical path of the sensor 35a is blocked and a state where the light path is not blocked are alternately generated. The number of medals M that have passed through the sensor 35a can be counted by detecting the occurrence of such two different states alternately.

With the structure of the ascending guide path 32, the first and second guide paths 33 and 34, and the medal supply gears 35 and 36, the medal M has a fixed posture, that is, the surface of the medal M is shown in FIG.
Is pushed up to the upper part of the medal game device 1 while maintaining a state parallel to the paper surface of
Further, it is transported to the medal supply gears 35 and 36 just above the falling surface 10 of the units in the left and right seats. Further, the medal supply gears 35 and 36 and the subsequent supply guide paths 35b and 36b supply the medal to the falling surface 10 while maintaining the posture. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the medal supply mechanism 30 and to always supply the medal M to the falling surface 10 in a correct posture.
Can be prevented from being clogged.

The Geneva gears 37 and 38 for driving the medal supply gears 35 and 36 are driven by a drive motor (not shown). Due to the principle of the Geneva mechanism, the medal supply gears 35 and 36 are intermittently rotated by 60 ° as described above even when the Geneva gears 37 and 38 are continuously rotated at a constant speed. However, in practice, it is often difficult to regularly and intermittently rotate 60 ° at a time due to the inertia (inertia) of the medal supply gear. If the medal supply gear 35,3
6 may not be able to be regularly rotated by 60 °, but may be excessively rotated due to inertia or the like, and an extra number of medals M may be supplied to the falling surface 10 accordingly. It can be. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, a braking mechanism is provided in each of the motors for driving the Geneva gears 37 and 38. This braking mechanism is controlled by the function of the control circuit 50 to generate the Geneva gears 37, 3
Each time the medal supply gears 35 and 36 are rotated by 60 ° by 8, the drive motor of the Geneva gear is braked and forcedly stopped, thereby stopping the rotation of the Geneva gear. As a result, each of the medal supply gears 35 and 36 surely stops every time it rotates by 60 °, and thus rotates extra due to its inertia and the like. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation of supplying.

The push-up hopper 31 has a structure as shown in FIG. The drum D, which has a ring shape and is installed diagonally as shown in FIG. 5 and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7, places the medals M accumulated at the bottom in order on the ring and rotates As a result, the sheet is transported to the position of the lower end portion E of the ascending guide path 32. The medal M reaching the lower end of the ascending guide path 32 is pushed into the lower end E of the ascending guide path by the rotation of the drum D, and is raised while being guided to the ascending guide path 32 as it is. A stopper T is provided adjacent to the lower end E to prevent the medal M once pushed into the lower end E from flowing backward. As the lifting hopper 31 having such a structure, for example, MODELDH-750 / U1 manufactured by Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. can be used.

Further, the medal passage switching unit 3 shown in FIG.
2b has a structure roughly as shown in FIG. The rod R is pushed forward by the coil spring S, and when the solenoid 32b-1 substantially fixed to the apparatus 1 is excited, the rod R is opposed rearward, that is, on the side of the solenoid 32b-1 against the force of the spring S. It is retracted in the direction of some illustrated arrows. A rotating member G is rotatably supported at the tip of the rod R at a first fulcrum P1. Further, the rotating member G is also rotatably supported by the second fulcrum P2. This second fulcrum P2 is substantially fixed to the device 1. Further, a first partition plate 32b is provided in front of the rotating member G.
-3 is rotatably supported, and a second partition plate 32b-2 is also rotatably supported on the side of the second partition plate 32b via a support column H provided to stand vertically.

In the state shown in FIG. 8, as shown, the first guide path 3 is moved by the first partition plate 32b-3.
The entrance I1 to the third partition 3 is closed.
2b-2 is a state where it is removed from the entrance I2 of the second guide path 34. In FIG. 5, the direction in which the rod R protrudes from the medal passage switching unit 32b having the structure of FIG. 8 is downward in FIG. 5, and the first partition plate 32b-3 is shifted to the right by the second guide path 34. Along the direction that extends down,
The second partition plate 32b-2 is installed vertically. Further, a guide structure (not shown) is provided so that each of the first and second partition plates is movable only in the vertical direction of FIG. 8, that is, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the rotating member G rotates in the depth direction of FIG. 5 in response to the forward and backward movement of the rod R, and as a result, the first and second partition plates 32b-3 and 32b-2 also move in FIG. It will move in the depth direction.

When the solenoid 32b-1 is excited, the rod R is retracted in the direction of the solenoid 32b-1, and as a result, the rotating member G is rotated, and the first partition plate 32b-3 is moved upward in FIG. 5, the first entrance I1 leading to the first guide path 33 is opened. At the same time, the second partition plate 32b-2 moves downward in FIG.
That is, it moves in the depth direction of FIG.
The entrance I2 leading to 4 is closed. In this manner, the medal path switching unit 32b switches the excitation of the solenoid 32b-1 to switch the respective partition plates 32b-
2 and 3 are moved, and the entrances I1 and I2 leading to the first and second guide paths 33 and 34 are closed / opened. The medals M that have been raised along the ascending guideway 32 are guided to the first guideway or the second guideway 34 as necessary.

Next, FIGS. 9, 10 (a), (b), 11,
The control method of the medal game device 1 will be described with reference to 12, 13, and 14. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing each element for a two-seat unit related to the control method, which is included in the game device 1 already described. However,
In FIGS. 9, 10 (a), (b), and 11, components related to the ticket ejector 45 are added in addition to the components described above. The ticket ejector 45 is a mechanism for enabling the following operation. The medals M that have spilled from the pusher field 4 to the effective collection hole 4a are not discharged to the medal discharge pocket 5 of the unit in the seat as described above, but indicate the number of medals to be discharged. The issued ticket is ejected. In this case, the medal discharge pocket 5 in FIG.

In order to enable such an operation, in addition to the ticket discharger 45, a discharge medal sensor 41, a discharge medal counting hopper 42, and a discharge medal count sensor 4
3 and a ticket ejection confirmation sensor 44 are provided.
The medals M that have spilled from the pusher field 4 into the effective collection hole 4a have a discharge medal sensor 41 that detects the passage of the medal at the seat by blocking the optical path when the medal passes there using the principle of the photo interrupter. pass. When the passage of the medals M is detected by the sensor 41, the discharged medal counting hopper 42 at the seat is rotated under the control of the control circuit 50. The hopper 42 has a structure similar to that of the hopper 31 shown in FIG. 7, except that in this case, the counting hopper 42 is not used to push up medals, but to count the number of medals passing therethrough. Used for Each counting hopper 42 is provided with a discharge medal count sensor 44 for detecting the passage of a medal by blocking its optical path when the medal passes therethrough using the principle of a photo interrupter. Like the above-described counting by the medal count sensors 35a and 36a, each time the medal M passes the sensor 43, it is detected that the state where the optical path of the sensor 44 is blocked and the state where the optical path of the sensor 44 is not blocked alternately occur. By doing so, the number of medals M passing through the sensor 43 is counted. The number of medals M counted in this manner is determined by the control circuit 50.
The number of tickets corresponding to the number of medals M that should be ejected is ejected to the ticket ejector 45 of the unit at that seat under the control of. Further, a medal insertion sensor 51 is provided in the medal insertion hole 6 of the unit in each seat. The sensor 51 allows the control circuit 50 to always recognize that medals have been inserted into the game apparatus 1 and the number of medals to be inserted. Thus, for example, when the medal M is thrown into the falling surface 10 which is rendered as if it is underwater by projecting the underwater where the fish swims in the background by the display 7, the software program of the control circuit 50 executes the “Pochan”. By generating the imitation sound from the speaker 11, it is possible to increase the interest of the operator. Alternatively or in combination therewith, it is also possible to further increase the interest of the operator, such that the fish displayed on the display 7 reacts also by the software program of the control circuit 50.

Further, the game device obtained by using the sensor 51 and the game medal obtained by using the discharge medal count sensor 43 give the operator (discharge the ticket indicating the number). With the given number of medals, that is, the number of medals discharged, it is possible to always obtain the ratio of the number of inserted medals and the number of discharged medals, that is, the actual medal discharge rate. By obtaining such a medal ejection rate, it is possible to control the size and quantity of fish displayed on the display 7 so that the medal ejection rate falls within a certain range.

Specifically, for example, the operation as shown in FIG. That is, in step S21 (hereinafter, the word "step" is omitted), for each unit of each seat, the number of tokens discharged as the total number within the past fixed period is divided by the number of inserted medals, and the seat in that period is divided. Calculate the medal ejection rate as a result in. Then, in S22, the amount of fish (the number of fish × the size of the fish, the same applies hereinafter) is determined in accordance with the medal ejection rate. That is, when such a calculated medal ejection rate is very large, the optimal fish quantity at that seat is determined to be relatively small, and conversely, such calculated medal ejection rate is very small. In such a case, a relatively large amount is determined as the optimal amount of fish at that seat. As described above, the number of medals supplied to the falling surface 10 of the seat when a medal enters the round-trip 2 in each seat as described above increases as the amount of fish projected in front of the seat at that time increases. On the contrary, the control circuit 50 controls so as to decrease as the number decreases. Therefore, by determining the optimal fish quantity in S22 as described above, it is possible to make the average medal ejection rate in each seat substantially constant.

In S23, the optimum amount of fish determined in this way is compared with the amount of fish actually projected in front of the seat for each seat. As a result, if they are substantially the same, it is not necessary to control the amount of fish displayed on the display 7 in particular. However, if the result is considerably different, the optimum amount of fish in each seat is actually determined in S24. From the data of the difference from the amount of fish previously projected, the amount of fish to be projected on the entire display 7 is comprehensively determined, and the optimal amount of fish to be displayed on the display 7 and the optimal amount of the fish on the display 7 are displayed. Determine the movement. As a result, it is possible to make the average medal ejection rate in each seat substantially constant as described above.

9 and 10 (a) is provided at the upper part of the apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and in addition to the effect of the display 7, a predetermined effect is always provided. Further increasing the interest of the operator by producing an illumination effect and / or performing a lighting operation so as to produce a special illumination effect when the medal M enters the round-trip 2 of the unit in a certain seat. Is possible.

A water switch 49 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 (a)) for detecting water leakage from the water tank 13 provided in front of or behind the falling surface 10 of each seat is provided. (In order to prevent extra medals from being supplied due to erroneous operation due to water splashing on the control circuit 50 or the like, resulting in extra medals being discharged). The excitation of the shutter solenoid 47 which is always excited is stopped, and a shutter (not shown) provided in the medal discharge pocket 5 or the ticket discharger 45 is operated to prevent the medal M or the ticket from being discharged. ing.

Further, the game apparatus 1 is provided with a tilt switch 48 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 (a)), and an unauthorized operator (for example, more medals M can be collected from the pusher field 4 through the effective collecting holes 4a). When the game device 1 is deliberately tilted, this is detected, and under the control of the control circuit 50, the excitation of the always-excited shutter solenoid 47 is stopped, and the medal discharge pocket 5 or a shutter (not shown) provided in the ticket ejector 45 is operated to prevent the medal M from being ejected. Alternatively, when a ticket ejector is provided, the shutter is provided in front of the medal counting hopper 42, so that the medals M are not counted, thereby preventing a corresponding number of tickets from being ejected.

In other cases, the excitation of the shutter solenoid 47 is stopped even when the power supply of the apparatus 1 is not turned on, and is not provided in the medal discharge pocket 5 or the ticket discharger 45 (not shown). The shutter is operated so that the medal M or the ticket is not discharged.

Further, as shown in FIG.
, A mechanism for realizing the normal reciprocating operation of the pusher table 3 of each seat unit, a mechanism 2b for realizing the normal reciprocating operation of the seat unit 2 and the reciprocating operation of 2
A motor for driving a pump 13a for generating bubbles in the water tank 13, and a mechanism 5 for filtering and refluxing the water in the water tank in order to prevent contamination of the water in the water tank 13.
2 is supplied with power at all times, and these normal operations are realized.

FIG. 11 shows the internal configuration of the control circuit 50 shown in FIG. The control circuit 50 includes a main board unit 50A for controlling the whole contents of the device 1 and controlling the display contents of the display 7 and a sub-board unit 50B for controlling the mechanical mechanism of the device 1.

The sub-board unit 50B is provided with a device control unit 50B-comprising a subroutine software program for controlling each mechanism intelligently.
1 is included. These subroutines are a subroutine for the push-up hopper 1 (the push-up hopper 31 for the left two-seat unit in FIG. 2), a subroutine for the medal supply gear 1 (a medal supply gear 35 for the leftmost seat unit),
Subroutine for medal supply gear 2 (medal supply gear 36 for the unit in the second seat from the left), passage switch 1 (medal passage switch 32b for the two-seat unit on the left side in FIG. 2)
Subroutine for the ticket ejector 1 (the ticket ejector 45 for the unit at the leftmost seat), the subroutine for the ticket ejector 2 (the ticket ejector 45 for the unit at the second seat from the left), and the push-up hopper 2 (FIG. 2, a subroutine for the push-up hopper 31 for the right two-seat unit, a subroutine for the medal supply gear 3 (the medal supply gear 35 for the unit in the second seat from the right), and a medal supply gear 4 (for the rightmost seat). Medal supply gear 3 for unit
6) Subroutine for passage switcher 2 (medal passage switcher 32b for the two-seat unit on the right side in FIG. 2) and subroutine for ticket ejector 3 (ticket ejector 45 for the unit in the second seat from the right) , And a subroutine for the ticket ejector 4 (the ticket ejector 45 of the unit at the rightmost seat).

Here, the term "intelligent" means that, for example, by providing a dedicated subroutine as described above, the individual mechanisms are controlled independently in principle while being related to the operation of other mechanisms as necessary. Refers to configuring a software program to obtain. In other words, intelligentization means that a dedicated subroutine for controlling the input and output necessary to operate each mechanism is provided, and the software program is configured so that the mechanism and the control software program can be handled as one means. is there. The purpose of making this intelligent is to simplify the control by combining the mechanism and the control software to function as independent means. It should be easy to do.

The input management unit 50B-2 and the output management unit 50B-3 input signals to the subroutines and input to the subroutines at the timing of an interrupt pulse supplied every two milliseconds by hardware. In this case, the transmission of these signals is controlled, and countermeasure processing for preventing the occurrence of noise called chattering is executed, so that the transmission of these signals is smoothly performed. The interrupt unit 50B-4 is a software program in which a job started by the input of the interrupt pulse is written. The memory notification request processing unit 50B-5 is a RAM from the main board unit 50A.
A read request (that is, a request for monitoring the state of each mechanism controlled by each subroutine of the device control unit 50B-7 by the main board 50A) is processed. Further, the commander 50B-6 appropriately analyzes the commands issued from the main board 50A and appropriately executes the subroutines so that the commands can be smoothly executed by the mechanisms controlled by the subroutines of the device control unit 50B-7. Communicate commands. That is, the commander 50B-6 converts the large section command sent from the main board 50A into individual small section commands, and supplies them to the corresponding individual units of the device control section 50B-1. The communication unit 50B-7 controls communication between the main board 50A and the sub-board 50B.

The main board unit 50A is provided with a main control unit 50.
A-1, an input / output control unit 50A-2, a sound direct control unit 50A-3, and a shared RAM 50A-4. The main control unit 50A-1 comprehensively controls the game operation in the game apparatus 1, and for example, upon receiving information indicating that a medal has been inserted into the reciprocating unit 2 of a certain seat via the sub board 50B, the main control unit 50A-1 A sub-board that determines the number of medals to be supplied to the falling surface 10, controls the movement of the fish displayed on the display 7, and controls the operation of each mechanism of the medal supply mechanism 30 in synchronization with the movement of the fish as appropriate. Issue a command to 50B. Further, control is performed while simulating the actual fish movement so as to realize the movement of the fish as determined by the above-described operation flow of FIG. In addition, by appropriately changing the pattern displayed on the display 7 in accordance with each movement of the fish (moving normally, eating bait, moving toward the water surface after eating bait, etc.), the movement of the fish becomes more realistic. Control to show. For example, as a pattern for moving a fish three-dimensionally, a pattern for specifying a target position and controlling the movement of the fish so as to head there, or a pattern for specifying the angular coordinates and controlling the movement of the fish so as to head there, etc. Conceivable.

The sound direct control unit 50A-3 directly controls the sound generated from the speaker 11. The voice control includes, for example, playing music as a normal background music, or generating an onomatopoeic sound “Pochan” when a medal is thrown into the falling surface 10 by the operator as described above. When a medal enters the round-trip 2 at the seat and as a result a large number of medals are supplied to the falling surface at a stretch, the fish first eats food and jumps over the water surface,
The control is such that a water sound falling on the water surface and a water sound when a predetermined number of medals are supplied to the falling surface at the same time are generated. By adding the acoustic control in this way, it is possible to more effectively increase the interest of the operator.

The input / output control unit 50A-2 is connected to the sub board 5
It has a function that enables smooth communication with OB. The interrupt unit in the input / output control unit 50A-2 is a software program, and is used for inputting an interrupt pulse generated from hardware every two milliseconds and for each job and one for scanning control of the display 7. Each job started by inputting an interrupt pulse of / 60 seconds (16.7 milliseconds) is written.

Further, the input / output control unit 50A-2 includes a communication unit connected to the communication unit 50B-7 of the sub-board 50B by the communication line 50C and performing communication between the main board 50A and the sub-board 50B. Further, as appropriate, a command from the main control unit 50A-1 is transmitted to the sub-board 50B, a command from the main control unit 50A-1 is transmitted to a sound unit in the same input / output unit 50A-2, and conversely, The status display information from the board 50B is transmitted to the main control unit 50A.
-1 is included. Further, the sound section included in the input / output section 50A-2 has a function of transferring a desired dummy sound waveform to a waveform memory in response to a request from the sound direct control section 50A-3.

The shared RA in the main board 50A
M50A-4 is used for transmitting information between the three CPUs of the main control unit 50A-1, the input / output control unit 50A-2, and the sound direct control unit 50A-3.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation of the game apparatus 1 performed under the control of the control circuit 50 when the medal M enters the round 2 will be described.

The falling surface 1 is inserted by the operator through the input hole 6.
As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the medal M inserted into 0
It falls along the falling surface 10 while hitting the pin 10a. Then, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the medal M enters the reciprocating movement 2 (S1 in FIG. 12), and then proceeds to S2 in FIG.
When the medals enter the round-trip 2, the number of medals to be supplied is determined according to the amount of fish displayed on the image in front of the seat. The operation of S2 may be executed between the operation of S3 and the operation of S4 instead of being executed before the operation of S3 and the operation of S4.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the lid of the shell K projected on the lower part of the display 7 is opened, and the bait J is discharged into the water (S3 in FIG. 12).

Next, in S4 of FIG. 12, the first and second of FIG.
Of the medals M supposed to be accumulated in the guide path for the seat in the guide paths 33, 34 of the above. Here, if there is a shortage, the fish F projected on the display 7 does not eat the bait released into the water as described above until the medal is filled by the operation of the hopper 31. Is controlled. At this time, for example, by expressing the situation where fish cannot find bait well, the situation where fish do not eat the bait despite the release of bait into the water does not look unnatural The movement of the fish is controlled.

Normally, the control circuit 50 controls the push-up hopper 31 so that the first and second guide paths 33 and 34 should always be filled with medals. In the case where the operation in which medals enter the reciprocating room 2 immediately before and the predetermined number of medals M are supplied to the falling surface 10 is performed a plurality of times consecutively in the adjacent seat sharing the hopper 31, The push-up of the medals may not be in time, and as a result, a state may occur in which the medals are insufficient in the first and second guide paths 33 and 34.

At S4, the medal supply mechanism 30 of the seat is set.
When the medal is full in the corresponding first or second guideway or when the medal is full in the corresponding guideway as a result of the lapse of time while the movement of the fish on the display 7 is controlled as described above. As shown in FIG. 13D, the image on the display 7 is controlled so that the fish F starts to eat the bait J. Further, the image is controlled, and the fish that has eaten in this way swims toward the water surface (that is, the upper end of the display 7) and disappears from the display 7 as it is (S5 in FIG. 12). Thereafter, the image is controlled so that the fish emerges from the upper end portion of the display 7 and dive into the water so that the fish that jumped on the water surface in this way temporarily fly on the water surface and then fall on the water surface. Then, the medal supply mechanism 30 is also controlled, and at the same time when the fish appears at the upper end of the display, the medals M of the medal supply number determined in S2 are supplied to the falling surface 10 of the seat (FIG. S6 of FIG. 12 and FIG.
(F)).

To realize such control, the software program of the main board section 50A causes the fish F existing in front of the unit at the seat to rise toward the water surface according to a predetermined program, and Using the data of the position, coordinate moving speed, moving direction, and the like of the fish F at the time of, the operation when the fish jumps above the water surface is simulated. As a result, the water surface falling time of the fish F is calculated, and the corresponding medal supply gear 35 or 36 is controlled so that the time coincides with the time at which the medal M is supplied to the corresponding falling surface 10. In addition to the method based on the time, a method of monitoring the coordinate value of the fish F and supplying medals when the coordinate value reaches a specific value may be used.

The display 7 includes not only the fish F, but also seaweed,
Rocks at the bottom of the water are also shown. These hardly move on the screen, but if they are projected for a long time in such a state, the screen of the display may be damaged and burnt. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, the software program of the control circuit 50 is used. Thus, the background moves in the horizontal direction little by little so that the operator does not notice it.

Further, in the game apparatus 1, a reciprocating arm 2 is provided for each of the four-seat units. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and one common reciprocating arm is provided for four seats. It is good also as a structure which passes in front of each falling surface 10 of a unit one by one. In the case of such a configuration, the medals M that have fallen along the falling surface 10 while the common reciprocating head passes in front of the falling surface 10 of the unit in a certain seat, and the common reciprocating motion occurs. It is sufficient that a predetermined number of medals are supplied to the falling surface 10 of the seat when the player enters the seat.

The game apparatus 1 has a unit having four seats. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The game apparatus 1 may have a unit having only one seat, or may have a unit having a larger number of seats. Further, the game apparatus 1 has a single-sided rectangular shape, but is not limited to such a type. For example, a double-sided type or a unit in which a plurality of seat units are connected in a circular shape may be used. Good.

In the game device 1, the falling surface 10
Although the thin pin 10a is used as an obstacle to the upper medal M, the pin is not limited to such a shape. For example, a thick cylindrical pin used in a pinball game machine may be used. In the game device 1, the pins 10a are made of metal from the viewpoint of strength. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the pins 10a are made of a thick cylindrical shape, the pins themselves are made of a transparent acrylic like the falling surface 10. It is also possible to make it.

Further, in the game device 1, the principle of the photo interrupter is used exclusively for the detection of the medal M.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mechanical detection method using a microswitch or the like may be used.

Further, a motor, a solenoid, and the like are used as power sources for each mechanism of the game apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and other types of power sources may be used as long as they have similar functions. It is also possible to use it.

The application of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned medal game machine, but is also applicable to a pachinko game machine or a pinball game machine having a similar falling surface.

Also, what is displayed on the display of the present invention is not limited to an underwater image in which a fish swims, but may be an image targeting an animal other than a fish, or not only an animal but also an image of a car race or a horse race. good. For example, when a zoo animal appears instead of a fish, it is conceivable to use a metal net instead of transparent acrylic for the falling surface. In this case, by setting the outer diameter of the medal M of the metal mesh to be sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the medal M, it is possible to prevent the medal M from falling on the other side or the medal M from being clogged.

Further, a vibration detector is provided in the water tank 13, and FIG.
By assembling the software program of the main board unit 50A in such a manner, it is possible to cause the fish displayed on the display to react when the operator hits the water tank.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other embodiments can be realized within the scope of the claims of the present application.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the width of the falling space defining member is made substantially equal to or smaller than the width of the display, the display occupies a wider portion of the field of view of the operator. Thus, it is possible to increase the impression of the display on the operator (claim 1).

Further, since the image projected on the display is automatically selected, various images are automatically selected without requiring a complicated operation. Therefore, various images are automatically displayed.
In this way, it is possible to increase the interest of the operator in the game device despite the easy management of the game device (claim 2).

Further, by providing a replaceable substantially transparent resin cover for the falling space defining member, it is possible to always keep the falling surface free from scratches and dirt by replacing the cover as appropriate. This makes it possible for the operator to always keep the display in a state in which it is easy to see, so that the effect of using the large display can be maximized, thereby increasing the interest of the operator (claim 3).

Further, since obstacles that change the falling trajectory of the predetermined object are provided, it is possible to realize various falling trajectories of the predetermined object depending on how the obstacle is provided.
Thus, it is possible to realize a fall locus that the operator does not expect, and it is possible to increase the interest of the operator (claim 4).

Further, by providing a substantially transparent and thin water tank in front of the display, it is possible to increase the reality as if the image on the display is in actual water by filling the area with water or oil and generating bubbles. It is possible. Accordingly, the mood of the operator can be enhanced, and the interest of the operator can be increased (claim 5).

Further, since the configuration is such that the predetermined object dropping motion is associated with the image on the display, the operator pays attention to the predetermined object dropping operation and also pays attention to the image on the display. It is possible to increase. Therefore, it is possible to raise the mood of the operator, thereby increasing the interest of the operator (claim 6).

Further, since the image on the display is associated with the falling motion of a predetermined object in each of the plurality of falling space defining portions, each operator attached to each of the falling space defining members has his or her own. The movement of a predetermined object in the falling space defining portion other than the falling space defining portion can be known to some extent through the image on the display.
Therefore, it is possible to know each other's game situations, enable a certain kind of communication between a plurality of operators, and increase each operator's interest in the game (claim 7).

Further, since the configuration is such that the operation of the mascot is associated with the image of the display, it is possible for the operator to look as if the illusion is integral with the image of the display. is there. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the mat for the effect, and to increase the interest of the operator (claim 8).

Further, since the object supply operation by the object supply means is associated with the image on the display, the operator pays attention to the object supply operation and simultaneously pays attention to the corresponding display image. Therefore, it is possible to increase the effect of the object supply operation, thereby increasing the interest of the operator (claim 9).

Also, the predetermined number is determined depending on the display content of the display when the predetermined object enters, or the video content of the display is related to the predetermined number. The operator pays attention to the image on the display and timely adjusts the change of the image so that a predetermined object is supplied to the falling space defining member so as to supply a larger number of the predetermined object. This makes it possible to deepen the relationship between the image on the display and the progress of the game. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the effect of the display, thereby increasing the interest of the operator (claims 10 and 11).

Further, since a plurality of falling space defining portions are provided, the operator sees the difference depending on the location of the display image to determine the most advantageous falling space defining portion of the plurality of falling space defining portions at that time. By selecting a section and throwing a predetermined object into the falling space defining section, it is possible to maximize the predetermined number supplied at that time. Therefore, the operator can proceed the game using a plurality of fall space defining portions without being caught by one fall space defining portion, and the operator's interest in the game dramatically increases. ).

Further, since the predetermined object is supplied to the falling space defining member while maintaining a fixed posture by the object supplying means, for example, when the predetermined object is a medal, the surface of the predetermined object is always dropped. Can be kept parallel to the plane. Therefore, the thickness of the object supply means can be reduced, and the thickness of the game device itself can be reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the restriction on the installation location of the game device (claim 13).

Further, since the predetermined object is supplied to the falling space defining member while maintaining a constant posture by the object supplying means, the predetermined object is always supplied to the falling space defining member in a correct posture. Is possible, it is possible to prevent a predetermined object from being clogged in the middle of the falling space defining member, thereby enabling a smooth progress of the game (claim 13).

Further, a throwing number counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects thrown into the falling space by the operator, and a game in which a large number of predetermined objects thrown into the falling space accumulate below the falling space. Since the number-of-discharges counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects discharged from the apparatus is provided, it is possible to monitor the progress of the game (claim 14).

Further, the operation value obtained by the operation of the number of pieces counted by the number-of-feeds counting means and the number of discharges counted by the number-of-discharges counting means is supplied to the falling space so as to fall within a predetermined value range. Since the number of the predetermined objects is controlled, it is possible to control the ratio between the number of input and the number of discharge to be within a predetermined value, and the number of discharges is too large or small compared to the number of input. It is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation that is too long, and it is possible to effectively manage the content of the game (claim 15).

Therefore, it is possible to effectively manage the contents of the game, so that the interest of the operator of the game device is appropriately increased, and it is possible to prevent a situation where a predetermined object is supplied too much. (Claim 14,
15).

Further, pushing means for pushing up a predetermined object to the upper part of the game apparatus, object storage means for storing a predetermined number of the predetermined object thus pushed up in the upper part of the game apparatus, Since the object supply means including the supply means for supplying the predetermined object to the falling surface is provided, it is possible to supply the predetermined object as needed at a required time with a relatively compact configuration, and timely supply the predetermined object. Can be supplied. Therefore, it is possible to make the game device compact, and to increase the interest of the operator.
6).

Further, by arranging the supply means directly above the falling space, it is possible to accurately control the timing of supplying a predetermined object to the falling space (claim 17).

Also, since the predetermined object is intermittently supplied to the falling space, the predetermined object can be easily counted.

Further, since the stopping means for braking and stopping the motor for driving the supply means is provided, a situation in which a predetermined object is excessively supplied due to excessive rotation of the motor due to inertia (inertia) of the motor and the supply means. Can be prevented. Therefore, smooth and appropriate operation of the game device is possible (claim 18).

[0116] The object storage means further comprises a lift guide means for guiding a predetermined object pushed up by the push-up means to reach a predetermined position on the upper portion of the game apparatus. Since the feed guide means is provided to guide the predetermined object pushed up to the position to be further supplied to the falling space, the predetermined object is surely guided in a fixed posture, pushed up to the upper part of the game device, and moved into the falling space. Can be supplied. Therefore, the game progresses smoothly (claim 19).

Further, an object lifting sensor for detecting a predetermined object pushed up by the lifting means and a control means for operating the lifting means when the predetermined object is not detected by the object lifting sensor. Thus, it is possible to always maintain a state where a predetermined number of predetermined objects are pushed up. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately supply a predetermined object when necessary. When a predetermined object needs to be supplied, it can be supplied immediately (claim 20).

Further, even when a plurality of falling space defining parts are provided, a plurality of object storage means and a plurality of supply means are provided and a plurality of object storage means and supply means are provided. Thus, it is possible to reliably supply a predetermined object to each falling space.
Therefore, even with a game device having a plurality of seat units, it is possible to effectively supply a predetermined object with a relatively compact configuration.

Further, an object lifting sensor for detecting a predetermined object pushed up by the lifting means, an object storage sensor for detecting predetermined objects stored in a plurality of object storage means, and a predetermined sensor by the object lifting sensor. If no object is detected, operate the lifting means,
The control means controls the distribution means so that the predetermined object is supplied to the object storage means on which the predetermined object is not detected by the object storage sensor. Of objects can be supplied. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately supply a predetermined number of predetermined members to each falling space when necessary. Even with a game device having a plurality of seat units, a predetermined object can be effectively supplied with a relatively compact configuration.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably execute a smooth game operation with a relatively compact configuration and to effectively increase the interest of the operator. An apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal game device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the medal game device shown in FIG. 1;

3 (a) is a view of a falling surface, a display, a pusher table, a pusher field and the like of a unit of one seat of the medal game device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the falling surface 10 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a medal supply mechanism provided inside the medal game device shown in FIG. 1;

6A is a cross-sectional view of the second guide path taken along line AA of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the second guide path and the ascending guide line taken along line BB of FIG. FIG. 6C is an enlarged plan view showing a part of a medal supply gear and a Geneva gear of a portion C in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing the principle of the push-up hopper 31 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a medal passage switching unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing elements related to a control method of the medal game device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram related to a control circuit of the medal game device shown in FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the control circuit of FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the medal game device of FIG. 1 when a medal is inserted between round trips.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the synchronization between the video on the display and the operation of the medal supply mechanism, particularly when the medal enters between the round trips in the medal game device of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for determining the amount of fish to be displayed on the display of the medal game device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a medal game device as an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Medal game device. 2 Reciprocating mat (target) 7 Display 10 Falling surface 10d Transparent acrylic cover 13 Water tank 30 Medal supply mechanism 31 Push-up hopper 32 Up guide path 32b Medal path switching section 33, 34 First and second guide paths 35, 36 Medal supply gear

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A display for displaying a predetermined image, and a fall space defining member provided on a front surface of the display and defining a fall space of a predetermined object, wherein the fall space defining member passes through the predetermined space and is projected on the display from the front. A game device having a configuration in which the image of the falling space defining member is substantially the same as or smaller than the width of the display. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection means for automatically selecting a predetermined image to be displayed on the display. 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the falling space defining member is made of a substantially transparent resin, and a replaceable substantially transparent resin cover is provided. 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein at least one obstacle that changes a falling trajectory of a predetermined object is provided in the falling space. 5. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a substantially transparent thin water tank provided in front of the display. 6. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for associating a predetermined object falling motion with a predetermined video motion projected on a display. 7. The falling space defining member has a plurality of falling space defining portions each of which can define a falling space of a predetermined object, and the control means defines a plurality of falling space defining movements of a predetermined image projected on a display. 7. The game device according to claim 6, wherein the game device is associated with a predetermined object falling motion in each of the units. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing a predetermined action by a predetermined object, and further performing an operation associated with a predetermined video motion projected on a display. 3. The game device according to claim 1. 9. When a predetermined action can be given by a predetermined object, and when a predetermined action is given by the predetermined object, a predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied to the falling space. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an object supply unit; and a control unit that associates a supply operation of the object supply unit with an operation of a predetermined image projected on a display. 10. A predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied to the falling space when a predetermined operation is given by the predetermined object and when a predetermined operation is given to the predetermined object by the predetermined object. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising an object supply unit, wherein the predetermined number is determined depending on display contents of a display when the predetermined object enters. 11. When a predetermined action is given by a predetermined object and when a predetermined action is given by the predetermined object, a predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied to the falling space. 2. The game device according to claim 1, comprising: an object supply means; and a control means for associating the content of a predetermined image projected on a display with a predetermined number. 12. The falling space defining member comprises a plurality of falling space defining portions each defining a falling space of a predetermined object, further provided for each of the plurality of falling space defining portions,
A predetermined number of predetermined objects are given when a predetermined action is given to any one of a plurality of staves by the predetermined object, and at least one arm to which a predetermined action can be given by the predetermined object. The object supply means for supplying the object to a corresponding falling space, wherein the predetermined number is determined depending on a display content on a corresponding portion of the display when the predetermined object enters. Game equipment. 13. A falling space defining member for defining a falling space of a predetermined object, a state in which a predetermined operation can be given by the predetermined object, and a case in which a predetermined operation is given to the predetermined object. A game apparatus comprising: object supply means for supplying a predetermined number of predetermined objects to a falling space while keeping their postures constant. 14. A falling space defining member for defining a falling space of a predetermined object, a throwing number counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects thrown into the falling space by an operator, A game device comprising discharge number counting means for counting the number of predetermined objects discharged from the game device by accumulating under a large number of falling spaces. 15. The falling space so that a predetermined value falls within a predetermined range of a calculated value obtained by calculating the input number counted by the input number counting means and the discharge number counted by the discharge number counting means. 15. The game device according to claim 14, comprising control means for controlling supply of a predetermined object to the game device. 16. The object supply means includes a push-up means for pushing up a predetermined object to an upper part of the game apparatus, and an object storage means for storing a predetermined number of the pushed-up predetermined object in the upper part of the game apparatus while keeping its posture constant. 16. The game apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a supply unit that supplies the predetermined object thus stored to the falling space while keeping its posture constant. 17. The game device according to claim 16, wherein the supply means intermittently supplies a predetermined number of predetermined objects directly above the falling space. 18. The game apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the supply means is driven by a motor, and has a stopping means for stopping the motor by stopping the motor each time a predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied. 19. The game apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: ascending guide means for guiding a predetermined object pushed up by the pushing means so as to be aligned in a predetermined posture and to reach the upper part of the game apparatus. 17. The game apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising supply guide means for guiding a predetermined object pushed up to a predetermined position to be further supplied to the falling space while maintaining its posture. 20. An object lifting sensor for detecting a predetermined object pushed up by the lifting means, and control means for operating the lifting means when the predetermined object is not detected by the object lifting sensor. 3. The game device according to claim 1. 21. A falling space defining member comprising a plurality of falling space defining portions each defining a falling space of a predetermined object, and a falling space defining member is provided for each of the plurality of falling spaces. A predetermined number of predetermined objects are supplied to a corresponding falling space when a predetermined action is given to any one of the plurality of rooms by the predetermined object, and the object storage means and the supply guiding means are respectively provided. The number of falling spaces is provided so as to supply the predetermined objects to the falling space of the game device, and the distribution device further comprises distribution means for distributing the predetermined objects pushed up to the upper part of the game apparatus by the lifting means to a plurality of object storage means. 17. The game device according to 16. 22. An object lift sensor for detecting a predetermined object pushed up by the push-up means, an object storage sensor for detecting predetermined objects stored in the plurality of object storage means, and a predetermined sensor by the object lift sensor. Control means for operating the lifting means when no object is detected and controlling the distribution means so that the predetermined object is supplied to the object storage means for which the predetermined object is not detected by the object storage sensor. Item 22. The game device according to item 21.