JP2003310975A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for varying the game state depending on a game player. <P>SOLUTION: A digitizer operated on detecting an object approaching a glass plate 3 mounted on the front of a game board is provided on the front of the glass plate 3. A plurality of light emitting diodes DnX, DnY are provided in a line at the ends A, C of the game board, and a plurality of photo-transistors PnX, PnY are provided in a line at the opposite other ends B, D thereof. In Fig. 1, the points of intersection of light rays 5X, 5Y of the light-emitting diodes DnX and the light-emitting diodes DnY correspond to the positions of patterns displayed on a special pattern display device 102. When a pattern displayed on the special pattern display device 102 is selected by the digitizer, the selected pattern is inverted and displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that allows a player to change a gaming state during a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional pachinko machine, the launch control of a game ball is performed by operating a handle (not shown).
A game ball is shot in the game area 1 indicated by. The game ball wins the starting winning opening 103, a special symbol starting switch (not shown) detects the winning of the starting winning opening 103, and thus the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 (hereinafter referred to as a special symbol) The fluctuation starts. During the change of the special symbol, the start winning hole 103 is won, and the special symbol starting switch (not shown) is used as a measure not to invalidate the detected amount. The ball display means 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is turned on.

When the special symbol becomes a predetermined specific symbol, the variable winning ball device 108 is operated by a special winning opening operating solenoid (not shown) during a predetermined condition (for example, within 30 seconds). , Or until the special winning opening switch detects 10 game balls).

Further, a variable winning ball device 108 is provided with a big winning opening switch (not shown) for counting the game balls won. While the variable winning ball device 108 is open, the game ball passes through the specific area 100 (continuation switch) in the variable winning ball device 108, so that the variable winning ball device 108 is opened again after the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 108 is completed.
Opens. The opening operation is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times). After the opening operation is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times), the hitting operation ends. If the game ball does not pass through the specific area 100 during the hitting operation, the hitting operation ends after the opening operation of that time ends. In the case where the special symbol is a hit symbol, and in the case of a more specific symbol (probability variation symbol) among the hit symbols, after the hit operation is completed, a predetermined condition is maintained (for example, until the next hit). , Or the number of times the special symbol fluctuates up to 10 times, etc.), the special symbol fluctuates so that the probability of becoming a winning symbol is high.

[0005] In addition, the game ball is controlled to be emitted by operating a handle (not shown), the game ball is launched into the game area 1, and the game ball is normally a symbol display device operating gate 10
4, 105, the normal symbol actuation switch detects the passage of the game ball, the fluctuation of the normal symbol display device 106 is started. Incidentally, while passing through the normal symbol display device operation gates 104, 105 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, as a measure not to invalidate the amount detected by the normal symbol operation switch (not shown), a maximum of 4, normal symbol display device operation Memories of passing through the gates 104 and 105 are stored,
Normally, the symbol holding lamps 109, 110, 111, 112 are turned on.

[0006] When the normal symbol display device 106 becomes a predetermined specific symbol (for example, a normal symbol display device 106 provided with two lamps for hitting and falling off).
In the case where the hit is lit, the electric motor accessory 107 stays in a predetermined condition by the operation of the electric motor accessory operating solenoid (not shown) (for example, 0.3 Second or game ball starts winning prize hole 1
Up to 4 prizes in 03, 3 seconds at the time of probability change that the winning symbol is a special symbol or until the game ball wins 4 individual prizes in the starting prize hole 103) By opening, the winning of the game ball in the starting prize hole 103 Makes it easy. In the gaming machine, the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 (hereinafter, referred to as a special symbol) is started to change by detecting the winning of the starting winning opening 103, and the symbol is a specific symbol (probability variation symbol). , A special game state is generated. Moreover, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol display device operating gate 104, the variation of the normal symbol display device 106 is started.

However, the various symbols are predetermined symbols, and the variation pattern thereof is uniquely determined when the type of gaming machine is determined. On the other hand, when playing a game, the player tends to select a gaming machine that is familiar with the game. As a result, the player sees the predetermined symbols of the gaming machine, which may reduce the interest of the game. In order not to spoil the interest of such a game, it is desirable to replace the game machine. However, since the price of one game machine is high and the number of game machines is large, the game machine can be replaced. However, there are restrictions on the replacement of game machines due to management reasons.

On the other hand, when changing the game contents, generally, only the game board is replaced, and the game ball launching device and the front frame are not replaced. Here, when changing the game content to a different type of game content, for example, when changing the game content from the throttle game to the fly type, the fly type does not use the variation time shortening switch, so the game board is replaced and the variation is made at the same time. The micro switch of the time reduction switch is removed and the push button of the variable time reduction switch is fixed so that it cannot be pressed. The reason why the micro switch is removed or the push button is fixed is to prevent the player from mistakenly operating the push button and shortening the mechanical life of the push button or the micro switch.

However, in the conventional pachinko game machine, the central accessory uses a variation time reduction switch, for example, in the case of a throttle game, a micro switch is attached by a fixture, and the central accessory operates the variation time reduction switch. When it is not used, for example, when it is a squirrel-cutter type, the micro switch is removed and a fixing part is attached so that the push button does not move. in this way,
In the conventional pachinko game machine, since the fixing parts were manufactured separately from the fixtures in case the variable time shortening switch was not used, there was a drawback that the number of parts increased and it was uneconomical. . In addition, in order to change the game contents, in addition to the fixture of the micro switch, it is necessary to provide a fixing component, for the game hall,
It is complicated and not preferable.

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, for example, "Pachinko gaming machine" disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-36861 and "With different game selection device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-269536. There is a "pachinko machine", the former provides a pachinko machine that can reduce the number of parts and is easy to maintain, and the latter is a pachinko machine with a heterogeneous game selection device that can select a game according to the player's preference. It is provided.

The pachinko game machine disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-36861 discloses a micro switch which is attached / detached according to the content of the game, a fixture for mounting the micro switch, and a player turning on the micro switch. In a pachinko gaming machine provided with a switch including an operation section for operating OFF, when the micro switch is removed and only the attachment tool is attached, the attachment tool can suppress the operation of the operation section It was done. With the above configuration, when the game content is to use a switch, the micro switch is attached by a fixture, and the player presses an operation unit, such as a push button, arranged on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine, thereby causing the micro switch. Can connect and disconnect.

Further, when the game contents are changed and the game contents are such that the switch is not used, the micro switch of the switch is removed and only the fixture is attached, so that the operation of the operating portion is suppressed by the fixture. As a result, the player cannot operate the operation unit. By changing the game contents, for example, when the variable time shortening switch is not used, the action of the operating portion can be suppressed by the micro switch attachment of the switch, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

On the other hand, the "Pachinko machine with different game selection device" disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-269536 is a display device for displaying a game in a proper position on the pachinko game board 30 as shown in FIG. The pachinko machine provided with 31 is provided with a screen conversion device 33 provided with a plurality of game selection buttons 32 for allowing the player to convert the screen of the display 31 into several kinds of games such as a seven machine and mahjong. Alternatively, in a pachinko machine in which a display 31 for displaying a game in a liquid crystal is provided in an appropriate place on the pachinko game board 30, a screen conversion device 33 provided with a game selection button 32 is installed on the side surface of the pachinko machine.

The pachinko machine with the different game selection device has a liquid crystal display display 31 provided at the center of the pachinko game board 30. The display device 31 can display on the screen several kinds of games, for example, games such as seven machines, mahjong, playing cards, and Hanafuda, which have different jackpot probabilities depending on how to reach and how to play consecutive chan. The screen conversion device 33 for converting the screen of the display device 31 is installed on the side surface of the pachinko machine 34 and connected to the display device 31, and a plurality of game selection buttons on the front surface of the screen conversion device 33 for the player to select a game. 32 (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d).

When a player starts a pachinko game,
Game selection button 32 provided on the side of the pachinko machine 34
By selecting and pressing any of (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d), the game displayed on the screen of the display 31 of the game board 30 is converted into a desired game and the game is played. When the button number 32a is pressed, the screen of the display 31 is 7, 5,
When the numbers such as 3 are combined, it becomes a big hit, a so-called seven game, when the button number 32b is pressed, the screen of the display unit 31 becomes the Mahjong game, when the button number 32c is pressed, the screen of the display unit 31 becomes the card game, and the button number 32d. Press to play Hanafuda game.

[0016]

However, this method has the following problems. That is, the above-mentioned JP-A-6
The "Pachinko machine with different game selection device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 269536 includes a screen conversion device 33 in which a plurality of game selection buttons 32 for converting into several kinds of games such as Mahjong are provided in a conventional pachinko machine. In order to install a pachinko machine on the island of a pachinko parlor, a space for the screen conversion device 33 is required. Further, a plurality of types of games are converted by a plurality of game selection buttons 32, and the screen conversion device 33 has a plurality of types of game specification devices in advance. Therefore, the game specification itself is changed, and the screen specification in the same game is not changed. In this way, a gaming machine that allows players to participate in the same game and change screen specifications is desired,
Among them, there was no game machine that can directly specify the design displayed on the screen.

The present invention solves the above problem and changes the game state without changing the game specification by the player, and directly specifies the player participation type game machine, especially the symbol displayed on the screen. The purpose of the game is to provide a game machine that can be used.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digitizer for outputting two-dimensional coordinates on a front surface of a glass plate provided on a front surface of a game board in a game machine described in claim 1. Is provided.

A second solving means is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device in the digitizer has a continuous frequency different from stray light mixed in the light receiving device for receiving visible or near infrared rays. The light receiving device in the digitizer includes a unit for emitting a pulse signal, and a unit for removing the stray light from a signal received by the light receiving unit to extract the pulse signal.

Further, a third solving means is the method according to claim 1 or 2.
In the gaming machine described in [1], the digitizer is effective only during a game.

A fourth solving means is a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a digitizer provided on the front surface of the game board for detecting and operating an object in proximity to the glass board is provided on the front surface of the glass board. The digitizer is provided corresponding to the symbol displayed on the display device provided in the game area, and when the symbol displayed on the display device by the digitizer is selected, It is characterized in that the selected symbol is highlighted.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is provided with a digitizer provided on the front surface of the gaming board for detecting an object in the vicinity of the glass plate, and allowing the player to approach or contact the glass plate with a finger. Can be changed to a predetermined game state. As a result, the player can feel as if he / she is controlling the operation of the gaming machine, which enhances the player's taste. Further, the digitizer is provided corresponding to the symbol displayed on the display device provided in the game area, and when the symbol displayed on the display device by the digitizer is selected, the selected symbol It is possible to provide a player participation type gaming machine by acting so as to be highlighted.

Further, the digitizer stabilizes the operation of the digitizer by emitting a continuous pulse signal having a frequency different from that of stray light to be mixed, removing the stray light from the received signal and extracting the pulse signal. Furthermore, since the digitizer is effective only during a game, the game state can be changed even if a player other than the player using the game machine touches the game carelessly without playing the game. Absent.

[0024]

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a pachinko machine), and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the pressure-sensitive digitizer 5. The mechanical structure of a pachinko machine is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-319252.
Since it can be the same as the conventional example as shown in the publication, the description will be limited to the components related to the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the digitizer is described as an optical type, but other than this, it may be a pressure sensitive type that senses a change in pressure, or an electrostatic type that senses an electric signal due to static electricity.

In the pachinko machine of the present invention, a digitizer for detecting and operating an object in the vicinity of the glass plate 3 provided on the front surface of the game board is provided on the front surface of the glass plate 3 as follows. That is, as many touch sensors are provided in the vertical and horizontal directions as many as have a resolution that allows the player to specify a predetermined position on the game board. In FIG. 1, the number of symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 102 is 6 horizontally and 2 vertically, but other than this, for example, the entire game board may be covered. Or ordinary symbol display device 1
06, it may be only the place where the other accessory is arranged. However, in such a case, the number of sensors (resolution) of the digitizer 5 is also set to a corresponding number.

First, an embodiment in which the digitizer 5 is an optical type will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of light-emitting diodes DnX (n is an integer, 1 to 2 in FIG. 1) that emit visible or near-infrared rays are provided in a row at one end a of the game board. Dn
A plurality of phototransistors PnX (n is an integer in FIG. 1) which receives visible or near-infrared rays emitted from the respective light emitting diodes DnX at the other end b facing X.
In, 1 to 2) are provided in a line. In addition, the plurality of light emitting diodes DnX and the phototransistor Pn.
At one end c of the game board in the direction intersecting with X, a plurality of light emitting diodes D for emitting visible or near infrared rays are provided.
nY (n is an integer, 1 to 6 in FIG. 1) are provided in a row.

Further, a plurality of phototransistors PnY (n is an integer in FIG. 1) at the other end facing the light emitting diode DnY receives visible or near infrared rays emitted from the respective light emitting diodes DnY. 1 to 6) are provided in a row. The intersections of the lights 5X and 5Y emitted from the light emitting diode DnX and the light emitting diode DnY in FIG. 1 correspond to the positions of the symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 102 as described later with reference to FIG. The numbers of the light emitting diodes and the phototransistors may be other than this, and even in such a case, the number of phototransistors facing the light emitting diode is the same.

The operation of the optical digitizer 5 is as follows. That is, the player uses a finger to place the optical digitizer 5 (special symbol display device 102).
When touching (the position of the pattern displayed on), the light 5X, 5Y emitted from each of the light emitting diode DnX and the light emitting diode DnY is the phototransistor Pn that receives it
It is blocked without being incident on X and PnY. The positions of the symbols displayed on the special symbol display device 102 are specified by detecting the phototransistors PnX and PnY in which the light is blocked as described later. All of the light emitting diodes and the phototransistors in the digitizer may be always operable, or a plurality of light emitting diodes are sequentially driven to sequentially output visible or near infrared rays, and the phototransistor is also used. May be enabled in synchronization with the drive signals of the plurality of light emitting diodes. The control of the light emitting diode and the phototransistor is performed by an output port and an input port of a gaming machine (not shown).

Next, an embodiment in which the digitizer 5 is a pressure sensitive type will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (a),
As shown in (b), the panel bonding surface T3 is bonded to the front surface 3a of the glass plate 3 with a transparent adhesive. The digitizer 5 is the same as a well-known digitizer used in a palmtop personal computer or the like, and an elastic member T3 connecting the touch surface T1 and the adhesive surface T3 between the touch surface T1 and the adhesive surface T3, and a switch portion. sa and sb are provided respectively. As shown in FIG. 2B, by pressing the touch surface T1 with the finger 9, the switch parts sa and sb are brought into contact with each other to be electrically connected.

FIG. 2C is a circuit diagram of such digitizer 5. The switch S is configured by the switch units sa and sb.
Xnm (n and m are integers) is formed. The switch SXnm corresponds to the position of the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102 as described later with reference to FIG. The voltage V is applied to one terminal of the switch SXnm and the inverter circuit An (n is an integer) via the resistor R, and the other terminal is connected to the collector terminal of the transistor Trn (n is an integer). The emitter terminal of the transistor Trn is grounded, the base terminal is connected to the output port of the gaming machine (see FIG. 5), the transistor T
A control signal is applied so that rn sequentially becomes conductive.

The operation of the pressure-sensitive digitizer 5 is as follows. That is, when the arbitrary switch SXnm is pressed, the voltage V is applied to the collector terminal of the transistor Trn. Then, when the switch SXnm is pressed when the control signal is applied to the base terminal, the input terminal of the inverter circuit An is grounded, its output becomes high level, and the selected switch is specified. When the player touches the place where the pressure-sensitive digitizer 5 is formed (the position of the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102) with the finger, the switch S at the touched position
Xnm is closed. By detecting such SXnm,
The position of the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102 is specified. The location of the switch SXnm in FIG. 2 corresponds to the position of the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102 as described later with reference to FIG. In addition,
The number of the switches SXnm may be other than this.

The digitizer 5 as described above is controlled so as to be effective only during the game, as will be described later. Here, “in game” is a state in which a game ball can be launched into the game area 1 by the operation of the handle 6 by the player. Hereinafter, the outline of the operation of the pachinko machine in the present invention,
It demonstrates using FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 of the game board in the conventional pachinko machine. The firing control is performed by operating the handle 6 shown in FIG. 1, and the game ball is shot in the game area 1 shown in FIG. The game ball wins the starting winning opening 103,
Not shown special symbol start switch, start winning opening 1
Special symbol display device 1 by detecting the winning of 03
The 02 symbol (hereinafter referred to as a special symbol) is started to change. As a measure not to invalidate the detected amount by the special symbol start switch (not shown) during the change of the special symbol, the winning symbol is stored in the starting prize hole 103. Performed, the reserved ball display means 2
(2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) lights up.

When the special symbol becomes a predetermined specific symbol, the variable winning ball device 108 is actuated by a special winning opening operating solenoid (not shown) during a predetermined condition (for example, within 30 seconds). , Or until the special winning opening switch detects 10 game balls). In addition, in the variable winning sphere device 108, the number of winning game balls is counted,
A special winning opening switch (not shown) is provided. After the variable winning ball device 108 is opened, the game ball passes through the specific area 100 (continuation switch) in the variable winning ball device 108, so that after the opening operation of the variable winning ball device 108 is completed,
The variable winning ball device 108 is opened again. The opening operation is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times). After the opening operation is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times), the hitting operation ends. If the game ball does not pass through the specific area 100 during the hitting operation, the hitting operation ends after the opening operation of that time ends. In the case where the special symbol is a hit symbol, and if it is a more specific symbol (probability variation symbol) among the hit symbols, after the hit operation is completed, a predetermined condition (for example, next time Until hit, or up to 10 times the number of changes in special symbols),
The probability that the special symbol will be a winning symbol changes so that it becomes a high probability.

Further, by controlling the operation of the handle 6, the game ball is controlled to be launched and the game ball is launched into the game area 1, and the game ball passes through the normal symbol display device operating gates 104 and 105, and the normal symbol operating switch. By detecting the passage of the game ball, the fluctuation of the normal symbol display device 106 is started. Incidentally, while passing through the normal symbol display device operation gates 104, 105 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, as a measure not to invalidate the amount detected by the normal symbol operation switch (not shown), a maximum of 4, normal symbol display device operation Gate 10
The amount passed through 4, 105 is stored, and the normal symbol holding lamps 109, 110, 111, 112 are turned on. When the normal symbol display device 106 becomes a predetermined specific symbol (for example, when the hit symbol is a normal symbol display device 106 provided with two lamps, a variation stop when the hit is lit). When the normal electric accessory 107 is operated, an ordinary electric accessory operating solenoid (not shown) is actuated during a predetermined condition (for example, normally, 0.3 seconds or a game ball is placed in the starting winning opening 103). Until the individual wins, the probability of making the winning symbol a special symbol changes for 3 seconds or until the game ball wins 4 individual prizes at the starting winning hole 103) By opening, the winning of the gaming ball to the starting winning hole 103 is facilitated. ing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control system of the pachinko machine. The block diagram will be described below, but the same parts as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, although the digitizer 5 is an optical digitizer in FIG. 3, it may be the pressure-sensitive type or the electrostatic type as long as it is a digitizer in which a game board surface can be seen. In such a case, an input port 207 and an output described later. The port 211 has a configuration corresponding to each. The control circuit of the gaming machine of the present embodiment is a light emitting diode DnX, a phototransistor PnX, a special symbol starting switch 201, a normal symbol actuation switch 202, a special winning opening switch, a special winning opening switch 203, a reset circuit 205,
Power supply circuit 206, input port 207, main control unit 208,
ROM209, RAM210, output port 211, special symbol display device 102, normal symbol display device 106, special winning opening operating solenoid 212, ordinary electric auditors operating solenoid 213, lamp display device 214, sound effect generator 21
5, a prize ball payout device 216, a ball launching device 217, and other switches 204.

The digitizer 5 is a light emitting diode DnX.
And a phototransistor PnX, which detects an object in proximity to the glass plate 3 provided on the front surface of the game board and operates to change the game state of the game machine. The output of the phototransistor PnX is input to the main controller 208 via the input port 207, and the game state is changed as described later. Further, the light emitting diode DnX emits an optical signal for a predetermined period according to a signal output from the main control unit 208 via the output port 211. As will be described later, the light emitting diode DnX includes a pulse generation circuit 7a1.
(See FIG. 6B), but the phototransistor PnX is provided with the stray light elimination circuit 7b1 (see FIG. 6A).

The special symbol starting switch 201 detects a winning by generating a trigger when the game ball hit by the player and winning the starting winning opening 103 passes through the special symbol starting switch 201. As a result, the main control unit 208
With the trigger of the special symbol variation of the special symbol display device 102, the main control unit 208 performs a lottery with a random number for winning the special symbol, triggered by the detection of the winning. If the special symbol is a winning symbol, the main control unit 2
Probability variation determination means (program) (not shown) in 08 is activated to perform a random number lottery of a probability variation symbol to determine reach and probability variation. Further, the main control unit 208 transmits the determination result of the probability variation determination means via the output port 211 as a display command signal (hereinafter, referred to as a command) via the display command signal receiving circuit in the special symbol display device 102. , To the control unit CPU. The special symbol display device 102,
Upon receiving the command, the acquired random number information described later is displayed on the variable display unit.

The normal symbol operation switch 202 is a game ball that has been hit by the player and passed through the normal symbol display device operating gate 104 and the normal symbol display device operating gate 105, and a trigger is generated when the normal symbol operating switch 202 is passed. However, it gives a trigger of the normal symbol variation of the normal symbol display device 106. The special winning opening switch 203 detects a winning of a ball to the variable winning ball device 108 when a win occurs. Further, the reset circuit 205 sets the main control unit 208 to the initial state. The power supply circuit 206 supplies power to the entire circuit. Further, the input port 207 takes in signals from each unit and transfers them to the main control unit 208.

The main control unit 208 is a CPU (processing device) for controlling the entire gaming machine, and includes a ROM (read only memory) 209 and a RAM (random access memory).
Even if you use a 1-chip CPU with a built-in 210, ROM
209 and RAM 210 with externally connected bus
U may be used. The ROM 209 is the main control unit 208.
A program for controlling the gaming machine using is stored. Specifically, the content of the game control processing performed by the CPU of the main control unit 208 is defined, and a game state parameter changed by a signal input from the digitizer 5 and a game control program that operates according to the parameter. I remember. The ROM 209 further stores various parameters for controlling the gaming machine. RA
M210 temporarily stores input / output data to / from the main control unit 208, data for arithmetic processing, various counters such as a random number counter related to games, and the like, the holding ball display means 2, the normal symbol holding lamp 109. , 110, 11
This is a random access memory for recording the information of the reserved balls displayed in Nos. 1 and 112.

The output port 211 outputs the signal from the main control unit 208 and transfers the signal to each unit. The special winning opening operating solenoid 212 opens the special winning opening 101 on the front surface of the variable winning ball device 108 when it hits. The normal electric accessory operating solenoid 213 opens the normal electric accessory 107 when the normal symbol display device 106 stops and displays a specific symbol. The lamp display device 214 is a display device of lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the main control unit 208. Thereby, the holding ball display means 2, the normal symbol holding lamps 109, 11
The numbers 0, 111, and 112 are also turned on when information is recorded in the holding memory on the RAM 210, and turned off when the holding balls are used up. Sound effect generator 215
Produces a sound associated with a game. Prize ball payout device 21
6 pays out a prize ball when a special symbol start switch 201, a special winning opening switch 203, and other switches 204 and the like detect a prize. The ball launching device 217 launches a ball into the game area 1 when detecting the ball launching motion of the player.

In FIG. 3, only the main control unit 208 is used as the control board, but in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the main control unit 208, the sub control units 208a, 2a and 2b are provided.
08b, 208c, 208d, and the sub-control unit 2
It may be a gaming machine that controls images, sounds, lamps, etc. by 08a, 208b, 208c, and 208d. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the digitizer 5
May be connected to the input port and the output port of the sub-control unit 208a, and the control thereof and the display of the variation pattern in the reach action may be performed by the CPU of the sub-control unit 208a. That is, the light emitting diodes DnX and DnY shown in FIG. 1 are connected to output ports, and the phototransistors PnX and PnY are connected to input ports.

6 and 7 show the pulse generation circuit 7 described above.
It is a figure explaining a1 and the stray light removal circuit 7b1. As described above, the digitizer 5 is composed of the light emitting diode DnX and the phototransistor PnX, operates by detecting an object in the vicinity of the glass plate 3 provided on the front surface of the game board, and emits light having a near infrared wavelength. A light emitting and receiving device that emits light and receives light of the near-infrared wavelength. Such a light emitting and receiving device has a light emitting surface and a light receiving surface facing in the game as shown in FIG. Therefore, light such as a fluorescent lamp or a light bulb illuminating the inside of the game arcade, or an electric decoration of another game machine becomes stray light En as shown in FIG. 6 and mixes into the phototransistor PnX. The stray light En is 50 Hz or 60 Hz,
Alternatively, it is the blinking frequency of the electric decoration of the game machine. The stray light En
As a result of being mixed into the phototransistor PnX, the operation of the digitizer 5 may become unstable.

In FIG. 6, the influence of such stray light En is removed,
Stray light removing circuit 7b1 for stabilizing the operation of the digitizer 5.
(FIG. 6A) and pulse generation circuit 7a1 (FIG. 6B)
It is an embodiment of. Further, FIG. 7 shows a phototransistor Pn.
It is a figure explaining operation | movement of X. Regarding its operation,
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the light emitting diode D
A pulse generation circuit 7a1 is provided in nX, and a stray light removal circuit 7b1 is provided in the phototransistor PnX. The pulse generation circuit 7a1 and the stray light removal circuit 7b1 may be provided in the main control unit 208. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the main control unit 208, sub control units 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d are provided, and the sub control units 208a, 208b, 208c, 20 are provided.
In the gaming machine that controls images, sounds, lamps, etc. by 8d, the digitizer 5 is provided in the sub-control unit 208a, and the pulse generation circuit 7a1 and the stray light removal circuit 7 are provided in the light emitting diode DnX and the phototransistor PnX.
b1 may be provided in the sub control unit 208a.

The pulse generating circuit 7a1 emits a continuous pulse signal having a frequency different from the stray light En mixed therein (a sufficiently high frequency). The stray light removing circuit 7b1 is
The signal received by the phototransistor PnX and the stray light E
The stray light En is removed by comparing with n, and the light emitting diode Dn
It acts so as to detect a change in the pulse signal Pn output from X.

The stray light removing circuit 7b1 in FIG. 6A has the following configuration. A voltage V is applied to the cathode of a phototransistor PnX that receives light having a near-infrared or red wavelength, and a resistor R1 is applied to the anode terminal.
Are connected. The amplifier A1 is an amplifier having a high input impedance, and its output terminals are connected to the resistors R2 and R3, respectively. The filter circuit formed by the resistor R3 and the capacitor C is input to one terminal of the amplifier A2, and the resistor R2 is input to the other terminal having a different polarity. The filter circuit formed by the resistor R3 and the capacitor C is determined so as to remove the pulse voltage Ep passing through the stray light En and output from the light emitting diode DnX.

The resistors R4 and R are connected to the output terminal of the amplifier A2.
5, an amplifier circuit consisting of R6 and amplifier A3 is connected,
The detected pulse voltage Ep is amplified to a predetermined amplitude. The output terminal of the amplifier A3 is connected to one input terminal of the comparison circuit CMP, and the comparison voltage VR is connected to the other input terminal of the comparison circuit CMP. The comparison circuit CMP
The output terminal (i) and the ground terminal (b) are input to the main control unit via an input port (not shown).

The pulse generating circuit 7a1 shown in FIG. 6B has the following configuration. The output terminals P0 and P1 of the pulse oscillator PP are directly connected to the anode terminal of the light-emitting diode DnX that emits light having a near-infrared or red wavelength through a resistor R7 and the cathode terminal directly. . Input terminal I of pulse oscillator PP
0 and I1 are connected to the main controller via output ports (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the stray light removing circuit 7b1. FIG. 7A shows the output signal Pn of the pulse oscillator PP, and FIGS. 7B and 7C show the pulse. It is a signal E in which stray light En is superimposed on the output signal Pn of the oscillator PP and the digitizer 5 does not operate (signals are input to the phototransistors PnX and PnY), respectively. P
It is a diagram when no signal is input to nX and PnY).
7D and 7E show the signal E0 at the output terminal of the amplifier A3 from which the stray light En has been removed, and the digitizer 5 does not operate (phototransistor PnX,
It is a diagram when a signal is input to PnY) and a diagram when the digitizer 5 is activated (a signal is not input to the phototransistors PnX and PnY). VR is a comparison circuit C
MP comparison voltage VR.

The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. When the gaming machine enters a predetermined game state, the main control unit 208 sequentially drives the light emitting diodes DnX and DnY to sequentially output visible or near infrared rays, and also outputs the phototransistors PnX and PnY to the light emitting diode DnX,
The phototransistor Pn is synchronized with the drive signal of DnY.
Take in the outputs of X and PnY. That is, the light emitting diode D1
While X is turned on, P1X of the phototransistor PnX connected to the input port is enabled, and the phototransistor PnY is sequentially scanned from Pn1 to Pn6 to be enabled. Next, while turning on the light emitting diode D2X, the P2X of the phototransistor PnX connected to the input port is enabled, and the phototransistor PnY is sequentially scanned from Pn1 to Pn6 to be enabled. Such control is performed by controlling the output port and the input port by the main control unit 208.

The scanning time depends on the player playing
Time sufficiently shorter than touching, for example, 1m
s period. Such a period is a time sufficient for the pulse oscillator PP to operate. If the player touches the digitizer 5 within the scanning time, no output is obtained from the phototransistors PnX and PnY at the touched position, and the touched position of the digitizer 5 is specified. .

As described above, the operable signal is sent to the input terminals I0 and I1 of the pulse oscillator PP through the output port. The pulse oscillator PP that has received the operable signal is
As the pulse signal Pn having a frequency sufficiently higher than the stray light En (50 Hz or 60 Hz, or the blinking frequency of the electric decoration of the game machine), it oscillates at a frequency of about 10 KHz, for example. A pulse signal Pn output from the pulse oscillator PP
Is applied to the anode terminal of the semiconductor light emitting diode DnX via the resistor R7, and is output as a signal EP as shown in FIG.

The signal EP emitted from the light emitting diode DnX becomes emitted light I1, and when the finger 9 is brought close to or in contact with the emitted light I1, the emitted light I1 emitted from the light emitting diode DnX is emitted. It is blocked by the finger 9 and does not enter the phototransistor PnX. However, the stray light En is mixed in the light incident on the phototransistor PnX as described above, and
A signal E in which the signal EP and the stray light En are superimposed as shown in (c) is obtained at the anode terminal of the phototransistor PnX. The signal E is impedance-converted by the amplifier A1 and input to the amplifier A2.

A resistor R3 is connected to one input terminal of the amplifier A2.
And a filter circuit including a capacitor C is connected, and the signal EP is removed by the filter circuit,
The signal En is extracted. Further, the signal EP and the stray light En are applied to the other input terminal of the amplifier A2, and the signal EP of the difference between the two is obtained at the output terminal of the amplifier A2 by the amplifier A2. The signal EP has a predetermined amplitude E by the amplifier A3.
It is amplified to 0.

The output signal E0 of the amplifier A3 is compared with the comparison voltage VR applied to one terminal of the comparison circuit CMP by the comparison circuit CMP. When the output signal E0 is larger than the comparison voltage VR (FIG. 6 (d)), it is determined that the digitizer described above is not operating and the comparison circuit CMP is used.
No signal is output to the output terminal (1), and therefore, the digitizer activation signal is not sent to the main controller. When the output signal E0 is smaller than the comparison voltage VR (FIG. 6 (e)), a signal is output to the output terminal a of the comparison circuit CMP as if the digitizer described above is operating, and the digitizer is input via the input port. Is input to the main controller.

When the main control unit 208 detects that the digitizer 5 is operated, it changes the gaming state of the pachinko machine as follows. In the following embodiment, an example of changing the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102 by the operation of the digitizer 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In addition, the change of the game state of the gaming machine made by detecting that the digitizer 5 is operated may be other than this, for example, when the digitizer 5 is touched a plurality of times, the special symbol display device 102 is displayed each time. The displayed symbols may be changed.

8 and 9 will be described. In such processing, the digitizer 5 is effective only during the game. That is, the light emitting diode Dn of the digitizer 5
The scanning of X, DnY and the phototransistors PnX, PnY is performed only during the game, and the digitizer 5 can be operated. As a result, the game state is not changed even if a player other than the player using the gaming machine touches carelessly without playing the game.

As described above, the game ball is the starting winning opening 10
The special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is started to change by winning in 3 and a special symbol starting switch (not shown) detects the winning of the starting winning opening 103. As a measure for winning the starting winning opening 103 during the change of the special symbol and not invalidating the detected amount by the special symbol starting switch not shown, a maximum of four starting winning holes 103
The game balls that have been won are stored as reserve balls, and the reserve ball display means 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is turned on.

The maximum number of stored reserve balls corresponding to the winning in the starting winning opening 103 is 4, and when more game balls are won, they are invalidated. On the other hand, the game balls that have won the start winning hole 103 are drawn, and when the predetermined process is completed, the number of reserved balls is decreased by one. As a result of the lottery, when a specific symbol is obtained, a special game state is generated. If the special symbol is a predetermined specific symbol, in particular, if it is a more probable variation symbol among the hit symbols, after the hit operation is completed, a predetermined condition (for example, until the next hit, Or, the number of times the special symbol fluctuates up to 10 times) changes so that the probability that the special symbol will be a winning symbol is high.

When the game balls are drawn, a reach action is carried out when the two symbols become specific symbols which are predetermined. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for carrying out a trump reversal action by the gaming machine of the present invention during the reach action. This processing is performed by the main control unit 208.
However, as described above, the sub control unit 20
8a may be performed. In the reach action, the special symbol display device 102 has a card Cn (n is 1 to 1).
2), the action message MS and the elapsed time display CD are displayed. The light emitting diode DnX forming the digitizer 5 and the light 5X, 5Y emitted by the light emitting diode DnY, respectively, are substantially at the center of the card Cn. 8 (a), (b), (c),
Screen development as shown in (d) and (e) is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the reach action. When it is determined that the reach action is the result of the lottery described above (step S2), all the cards Cn are displayed face down on the special symbol display device 102 as shown in FIG.
S, the elapsed time display CD is displayed (step S3), and the process proceeds to the next step S4. In step S4, the operation of the digitizer 5 is enabled as described above, the reduction of the permissible time CD for selecting a card is started, and the player's input is awaited (step S6). When the player selects two cards, the display of the selected card is highlighted as shown in FIG. 8B (step S7). When the permissible time CD for selecting a card, for example, 10 seconds has elapsed, the screen of FIG.
Proceed to.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the specified number of cards (for example, two cards) have been selected. If they are not selected correctly, the process proceeds to step S10, and a randomly selected card is selected and step S11. Proceed to.
In the above-mentioned lottery result, if the jackpot has already been determined, the process proceeds to step S13, and the selected 2
The screen of FIG. 8D is displayed so that the two cards are the same card. If it is not a big hit, step S
In step 12, the screen of FIG. 8E is displayed so that the selected two cards are different cards.

The reach action may be other than the symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 102, for example, the symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 106 may be changed, or the lamp display device 214 may be changed. The display timing and color may be changed, and the sound effect generator 215
You may change the type and sound quality of the sound effect of. By doing so, it becomes possible to enhance the interest of the player in addition to the symbols.

The digitizer 5 need not be in the game area 1 as long as the glass plate 3 is provided. In FIG. 1, the digitizer 5 is a front surface of the glass plate 3, that is,
The restriction of the game board 8 can be relaxed without the need to design the game board 8 which is provided outside the game area 1 and does not hinder the passage of the game balls.

[0064]

As described above, the gaming machine according to the invention described in claim 1 is equipped with a digitizer that detects and operates an object in the vicinity of a glass plate provided on the front surface of the gaming board. A person can change to a predetermined game state by bringing a finger close to or in contact with the glass plate.
By doing so, it is possible to realize a gaming machine in which the player can change the gaming state by himself / herself, and the player's interest in the game can be enhanced as if he / she participated in the game.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the digitizer emits a continuous pulse signal having a frequency different from stray light mixed in the phototransistor for receiving visible or near infrared rays, and the digitizer. By providing a unit for removing the stray light from the signal received by the phototransistor and extracting the pulse signal, the operation of the digitizer can be ensured.

According to the invention described in claim 3, since the digitizer is effective only during a game, a player other than the player who uses the game machine does not play the game and carelessly prepares. The game state is not changed even if you touch.

According to the invention described in claim 4, a digitizer provided on the front surface of the game board for detecting and operating an object in the vicinity of the glass plate is provided on the front surface of the glass plate, and the digitizer includes: Provided corresponding to the symbol displayed on the display device provided in the game area, when the symbol displayed on the display device by the digitizer is selected, by the highlighted display of the selected symbol,
The player can easily select a predetermined symbol and confirm it in an instant.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the pressure-sensitive digitizer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a control system in the gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when a digitizer is connected to a gaming machine having a main control unit and a sub control unit.

FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram when a digitizer is connected to the sub control unit.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a stray light removing circuit (FIG. 6A) and a pulse generating circuit (FIG. 6B).

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the stray light elimination circuit, FIG. 7A is an output signal of a pulse oscillator, FIG. 7B and FIG.
7C is a signal on which the stray light En is superimposed, and FIG. 7D and FIG.
(E) is a figure which shows the signal of the output terminal of the amplifier from which the stray light En was removed.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for carrying out a trump reversal action by the gaming machine of the present invention during a reach action.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a trump reversal action.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a game board in a conventional pachinko machine.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a conventional pachinko machine with a different game selection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game area 3 glass plates 5 digitizer 6 handles 9 fingers

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine, comprising a digitizer for outputting two-dimensional coordinates on a front surface of a glass plate provided on the front surface of the game board. 2. The light emitting device in the digitizer comprises means for emitting a continuous pulse signal having a frequency different from stray light mixed in the light receiving device for receiving visible or near infrared rays, and the light receiving device in the digitizer comprises: 2. A means for removing the stray light from the signal received by the light receiving device to extract the pulse signal.
Gaming machine described in. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the digitizer is effective only while the player is playing the game. 4. A digitizer provided on the front surface of the game board for detecting and operating an object in the vicinity of the glass plate is provided on the front surface of the glass plate, and the digitizer is provided in the game area. It is provided corresponding to a design displayed on the device, and when the design displayed on the display device is selected by the digitizer, the selected design is highlighted. Gaming machine described in.