JP2004201953A - Endless belt game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endless belt game device by which a player never gets bored of a game at its early stage and increase in payout is suppressed by making the game difficult. <P>SOLUTION: As for the endless belt game device, a jump table part 74 is turnably provided at the tip of a guiding rail 72 which guides a medal to the neighborhood of a field surface 61, and the end 74C of the jump table part 74 is vertically rocked by a wheel to be driven 81 supported by an eccentric shaft 82. Thus, even when the player adjusts the rolling out direction of the medal by operation, the elevation angle of the jump table part 74 is always changed and the reaching position of the medal is varied, so the game becomes difficult. As the result of this, the player never gets bored of the game at its early stage, and the providing amount of prizes to the player is not increased markedly, thereby increase in payout is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endless belt game machine that inserts medals so as to stop inside a predetermined contact area set on an endless belt that rotates.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the past, a game device for operating a car model has been used so that the car model does not come off a course set on an endless belt that rotates.
In addition, gaming machines that directly use medals inserted in gaming machines for games are also used. For example, a medal launching device that jumps up and launches inserted medals is provided, and this medal launching device launches and launches medals aiming at the target medal slot, and when a medal is inserted into the medal slot, 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine in which a lottery for determining a medal supply destination and the like is performed is known (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
[0003]
JP 2002-239202 A
[0004]
Alternatively, by operating a so-called shooter, which is a device for rolling and firing the inserted medals, the angle at which the medals roll out can be adjusted, and the medals can be inserted at an appropriate position within a predetermined area set on the play field. In such a case, a gaming device that provides a prize to a player is also used.
[0005]
The present applicant has proposed an endless belt game machine in which a predetermined contact area is set on a rotating endless belt (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-45183). In this endless belt gaming machine, when inserting medals into the shooter, the hit area is targeted, and the shooter is operated to adjust the angle at which the medals roll out of the shooter. And roll the medals. Then, when the medal falls down and stops in the hit area, a prize is provided to the player.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an endless belt gaming device, once the angle at which the medals roll from the shooter is adjusted by operating the shooter, the angle at which the medals roll from the shooter becomes substantially constant until readjustment is performed.
For this reason, the game becomes easy, and it takes a long time to get used to the game to the extent that the player can predict the medal arrival position, and there is a problem that the player may get tired of the game early. .
In addition, since it does not take long for the player to be able to predict the medal arrival position, the amount of prizes provided to the player increases, and the cost required for paying out the prizes, so-called payout, may be significantly increased. There are also problems.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endless belt game device in which the difficulty of the game is high, the player does not get tired of the game early, and the increase in the payout is suppressed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventions described below have been made to achieve the above-described objects, and will be described below with reference to embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings.
Note that, for convenience of description, the following constituent components are denoted by reference numerals used in the embodiments, but do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides an endless belt (60) which is provided with a planar track portion (61) having a surface on which medals can be placed, and which rotates circumferentially along a predetermined track, and a surface of the endless belt (60). A hitting area (66) set with an arbitrary number, area and shape, and a loading device (13) for rolling and guiding medals toward the planar track portion (61), and the loading device (13) An endless belt gaming device (10) which is awarded when a medal inserted into the planar track portion (61) falls on a hit point (67) set in a hit area (66) and stops. The insertion device (13) guides a medal insertion slot (13A) into which a medal is inserted and a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot (13A) to the vicinity of the planar track portion (61). A guide rail (72) and the planar track portion (61) of the medal inserted into the insertion device (13) from the guide rail (72). Wherein the angle changing mechanism for changing the guide angle and (80) are provided.
[0009]
Here, the angle changing mechanism is provided at the end of the guide rail (72) on the side of the planar track (61) so as to be able to protrude and retract on the upper surface of the guide rail (72), and detects the approach of a medal, When passing a medal, the tip protrudes from the upper surface of the guide rail, and the mechanism with a foldable rail whose protrusion amount changes randomly, or always swings and drives the guide rail (72) up and down Thus, a mechanism for changing the attitude of the guide rail (72) can be adopted.
[0010]
According to such an embodiment of the present invention, by starting the angle changing mechanism (80) with the start of the game, the player operates the insertion device (13), and is medal guided to the insertion device (13). Even if the rolling direction is adjusted, the angle changing mechanism (80) changes the aforementioned guiding angle, so that the guiding angle at which the medals roll is constantly changed, and the medal arrival position changes.
For this reason, the player cannot easily predict the medal arrival position, it takes a long time to get used to the game, the difficulty of the game becomes high, and the player You will not get tired.
In addition, since the player cannot easily predict the arrival position of the medal, the amount of prizes provided to the player does not increase significantly, and the increase in payout is suppressed.
[0011]
In the endless belt gaming device (10) having the above-described configuration, the angle changing mechanism (80) is configured to move the planar trajectory of the medal inserted into the insertion device (13) from the guide rail (72). In order to change the guide angle to the portion (61), it is preferable that the guide rail (72) is driven to change the attitude of the guide rail (72).
Here, the angle changing mechanism not only drives the entire guide rail (72) to change the overall attitude of the guide rail (72), but also partially drives the guide rail (72). Then, a part that changes the posture of a part (74) of the guide rail (72) can be adopted.
[0012]
In such an endless belt gaming machine (10), if the guide rail (72) is constantly driven so that the attitude of the guide rail (72) is constantly changed, the medal arrival position depends on the medal insertion timing. Are different, and it becomes difficult for the player to predict the medal arrival position. For this reason, according to the endless belt game device (10) as described above, means for detecting approach of medals and the like can be omitted, the structure of the angle changing mechanism (80) is simplified, and the endless belt game device (10) The overall structure is not complicated.
[0013]
Further, in the endless belt gaming machine (10) as described above, the guide rail (72) has an acceleration slope portion (73) provided with a downward slope in order to accelerate the medal by its own weight, and A jump table part (74) rotatably connected to an acceleration slope part (73) and capable of imparting an upward slope to jump the medal accelerated by the acceleration slope part (73). The angle change mechanism (80) is provided for engaging with the jump base (74) and changing the elevation angle of the jump base (74) in order to change the guide angle of the medal. It is desirable.
[0014]
With this configuration, it is not necessary to drive the entire guide rail (72) with the angle changing mechanism (80), and the angle changing mechanism (80) is provided only for the jump stand (74) that is a part of the guide rail (72). , The need for a booster or the like that generates a large driving force is eliminated, the structure of the angle changing mechanism (80) is simplified, and this also complicates the overall structure of the endless belt gaming device (10). Never be.
[0015]
Further, in the endless belt gaming machine (10) described above, the angle changing mechanism (80) is driven by being rotated by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt (60) while being in contact with the surface of the endless belt (60). A wheel (81), and the end (74C) of the jump table (74) is moved up and down by the rotational driving force of the endless belt (60) transmitted through the driven wheel (81). It is preferable that the lifting mechanism be driven.
[0016]
With this configuration, the motor that drives the endless belt (60) can drive the angle changing mechanism (80), and a dedicated motor for driving the angle changing mechanism (80) is not required. The structure of (80) can be simplified, and from this point, the overall structure of the endless belt game device (10) does not become complicated.
[0017]
In the endless belt game device (10) having such a configuration, the driven wheel (81) is provided on the jump stand (74) and is disposed at an eccentric position with respect to the driven wheel (81). The angle changing mechanism (80) is supported by the eccentric shaft (82), and the elevational movement of the eccentric shaft (82) by the rotation of the driven wheel (81), Is desirably changed.
[0018]
With this configuration, the angle changing mechanism (80) that vertically drives the end of the jump table (74) is driven by the driven wheel (81) that is rotated by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt (60), Since the driven wheel (81) is formed from an eccentric shaft (82) that supports the driven wheel (81) and the structure of the angle changing mechanism (80) is extremely simple, the endless belt game device (10) The overall structure is not complicated.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an endless belt game device 10 according to the present embodiment in a partially transparent state. In FIG. 1, an endless belt game device 10 includes a housing 11 as a casing that covers the entire device. A transparent plastic field cover 12 that covers an upper surface of the endless belt game device 10 is provided on an upper surface portion of the housing 11. Through the field cover 12, a field surface 61, which is a planar track portion of the endless belt 60, is visible. The field surface 61 is configured to move from the near side to the far side in FIG. 1 by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt 60.
[0020]
On the front side of the upper surface of the housing 11, a loading device 13 having a medal loading slot 13A is provided. The insertion device 13 is rotatable within a predetermined angle range in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 13A of the insertion device 13 are guided by the field surface 61 and roll on the field surface 61 from the near side to the back side. By operating the insertion device 13 clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the rolling direction of the medal guided by the insertion device 13 is continuously changed within a predetermined angle range within the field surface 61. It is adjustable.
The medal that has rolled out on the field surface 61 falls on the way of the field surface 61 and stops against the moving field surface 61, while the endless belt 60 moves, riding on the field surface 61, It is designed to be carried to the back side of the endless belt game device 10. The charging device 13 will be described later in more detail.
[0021]
A display panel 15 is provided upright on the back side of the housing 11, and game information such as a score display is displayed here.
As shown also in FIG. 2, a strip-shaped medal edge 16 extending so as to intersect the rotation direction of the endless belt 60 is provided below the display panel 15. Here, a gap having a size slightly larger than the thickness of the medal is provided between the medal edge 16 and the field surface 61.
Below the endless belt 60, a slope 17 is provided as medal collecting means for collecting medals that have rolled from the insertion device 13 to the field surface 61. In the vicinity of the lower end of the slope 17, a medal storage 19 for storing medals is provided. At the bottom of the medal storage 19, a medal hopper 18 for flipping medals toward the medal payout exit 14 is provided.
[0022]
Here, the medals that have rolled out on the field surface 61 fall from the terminal edge on the far side of the field surface 61, are received by the slope 17, slide down along the slope of the slope 17, and are thrown into the medal reservoir 19. It is supposed to be.
In addition, in the medal pool 19, not only medals collected in the slope 17 and the medal pool 19 but also a predetermined number of medals prepared for payout in advance before the game is started are accumulated. The medals stored in the medal storage 19 are appropriately flipped to the medal payout exit 14 by the medal hopper 18 and paid out to the player when a "hit" described later occurs.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the drive mechanism of the endless belt 60 and the medal detection mechanism. In FIG. 3, a drive roller 52 and a driven roller 53 are rotatably provided at positions corresponding to the edges of the field surface 61. An endless belt 60 is wound between the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 53 with an appropriate tension. The drive roller 52 is driven to rotate by a stepping motor 51 as a drive mechanism. Thus, the endless belt 60 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the left side of the drawing. In the present embodiment, the number of steps of the stepping motor 51 per rotation of the endless belt 60 is set to 490 steps.
[0024]
A hole 62A, which is a reference point 62 of the Y coordinate which is the coordinate in the circumferential rotation direction of the endless belt 60, is formed at a specific location on the left side of the endless belt 60. Further, on the left side of the endless belt 60, a reference point detecting unit 43 including a light projecting unit 44 that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit 45 that receives infrared rays is provided so as to sandwich the field surface 61. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting means 44 can pass through the hole 62A of the reference point 62 and be received by the light receiving means 45 only when the reference point 62 has moved to the position of the light emitting means 44. It has become. The position of the reference point 62 is detected by the light projecting means 44, the light receiving means 45, and the hole 62A.
That is, when the infrared light emitted from the light projecting means 44 is blocked by the endless belt 60, the light receiving means 45 cannot receive the infrared light, and therefore emits a low signal. On the other hand, when the infrared light emitted from the light projecting means 44 passes through the hole at the reference point 62, the light receiving means 45 emits a high signal by receiving the infrared light. The rise of the low signal to the high signal enables the reference point detection means 43 to detect the reference point 62.
[0025]
In the vicinity of the rear end edge of the field surface 61, 22 medal detection means 33 are provided side by side in the width direction along the end edge. As these medal detecting means 33, a contact type sensor for converting a mechanical displacement caused by contact with a medal into an electric signal, for example, a limit switch or the like is employed. Note that, as the medal detecting means 33, a proximity sensor that detects a medal without contacting the medal can also be employed.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, on the endless belt 60, virtual lines 63 and 64 perpendicular to each other are set vertically and horizontally.
That is, 22 lines 63 extending in the circumferential rotation direction are provided in the width direction at intervals of 19 mm. This interval is slightly smaller than the diameter (24 mm) of the medals used in the endless belt gaming device 10.
On the other hand, 490 lines 64 extending in the width direction are provided at intervals of 3 mm in the circumferential rotation direction (corresponding to a distance of one step of the stepping motor 51).
The intersection of these lines 63 and 64 is the detection point 65. Specifically, an X coordinate that takes a value from 0 to 21 along the width direction and a Y coordinate that takes a value from 0 to 489 along the circumferential rotation direction are set, and a total of 10,780 detection points 65 are set. Have been. A predetermined number of hit points 67 are determined for these detection points 65. The medal detecting means 33 is provided independently for each X coordinate, in other words, for each line 63.
Note that the X coordinate of the leftmost medal detection means 33 is set as “0”, the rightmost one is “1”, and is incremented by one each time it moves to the right, and the X coordinate of the rightmost medal detection means 33 is It is set as "21".
[0027]
Further, on the endless belt 60, a plurality of contact areas 66 having an arbitrary area and an arbitrary shape are set and described. The detection point 65 located in the hit area 66 is a hit point 67. Then, the endless belt gaming device 10 is set to be a "hit" when the medal inserted by the insertion device 13 falls on the field surface 61 and covers the hit point 67.
More specifically, in FIG. 4, when the medals 70a and 70b that have been inserted by the insertion device 13 and fallen on the field surface 61 fall from the terminal edge of the field surface 61, the plurality of medal detection units 33 Even if they come into contact, as described later, only the medal detecting means 33 that first comes into contact with the medals 70a and 70b detects the contact. In other words, in detecting the medals 70a and 70b, the medal corresponding to the X coordinate of the detection point 65 closest to the terminal edge of the field surface 61 among the plurality of detection points 65 covered by the medals 70a and 70b. Only the detection means 33 functions.
[0028]
Here, among the plurality of detection points 65 covered by the medals 70a and 70b, the detection point 65 closest to the terminal edge of the field surface 61 is the hit point 67 located in the hit area 66 (FIG. The fourth medal 70a) is "hit", and the score displayed on the display panel 15 is added. At this time, a flashing of the illuminations and a sound effect are also performed.
On the other hand, if the detection point 65 is located outside the hit area 66 (medal 70b in FIG. 4), the result is "losing", and the medal 70b is only collected by dropping, and special payout and production Is not done.
[0029]
Note that one medal may fall over a plurality of detection points 65 adjacent in the width direction. In such a case, as described above, the X coordinate of the detection point 65 detected first is determined as described above. Only one is to be used for hit determination. That is, when a certain medal detection unit 33 contacts a medal, the detection is invalid even if the medal detection unit 33 and the medal detection unit 33 adjacent thereto detect the contact for a predetermined time from the contact. And is not used for hit determination. The invalidity of this detection will be described later in detail.
[0030]
The insertion device 13 is for rolling and guiding the medal M toward the field surface 61 as shown in FIG. The insertion device 13 has the above-described medal insertion slot 13A into which the medal M is inserted, a casing 71 that covers the insertion device 13, and a guide rail that guides the medal M inserted from the medal insertion port 13A to near the field surface 61. 72 and an angle changing mechanism 80 for changing the guide angle of the medal M inserted into the insertion device 13 from the guide rail 72 to the field surface 61.
[0031]
In order to accelerate the medal M by its own weight, the guide rail 72 is rotatably connected to the acceleration slope portion 73 having a downward slope, and the medal M accelerated by the acceleration slope portion 73. In order to make a jump, a jump base 74 that can be provided with an upward slope is provided.
Here, the above-described angle changing mechanism 80 partially engages with the guide rail 72, in other words, engages with the jump base 74 which is a part of the guide rail 72 to change the guide angle of the medal M. The attitude of a part of the guide rail 72 is changed, and more specifically, the elevation angle of the jump stand 74 is changed.
[0032]
The acceleration slope section 73 includes an interior slope section 73A provided inside the casing 71 of the charging device 13, and an exterior slope section 73B provided outside the casing 71.
The interior slope portion 73A includes a rail-shaped bottom portion 75A that supports the weight of the medal M, and a pair of side wall portions 76A that are arranged on both sides of the rail-shaped bottom portion with a predetermined space therebetween.
Similarly to the interior slope portion 73A, the exterior slope portion 73B includes a rail-shaped bottom portion 75B that supports the weight of the medal M, and a pair of side wall portions 76B that are arranged on both sides of the rail-shaped bottom portion at predetermined intervals to face each other. It has. A jump base 74 is rotatably connected between lower end portions of a pair of side walls 76B provided on the exterior slope 73B.
Then, the medals M rolling toward the field surface 61 are guided by the rail-shaped bottom portions 75A and 75B, the side wall portions 76A and 76B, and the jump stand portion 74, and the medals M surely reach the field surface 61. ing.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the angle changing mechanism 80 includes a driven wheel 81 that is in contact with the surface of the endless belt 60 and is driven to rotate by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt 60. The rotation driving force of the endless belt 60 is transmitted via the driven wheels 81.
[0034]
Here, the jump base 74 is a substantially V-shaped member including a rail 74A for receiving the weight of the medal M and a support arm 74B for rotatably supporting the driven wheel 81. 77 is attached to the side wall portion 76B via the support shaft 78. The jump base 74 is provided with a through pin 79 that penetrates both the rail 74A and the support arm 74B. The through pin 79 maintains a V-shaped angle formed by the rail portion 74A and the support arm 74B at a predetermined angle.
[0035]
The driven wheel 81 is supported by an eccentric shaft 82 provided on the jump table 74 and disposed at a position eccentric to the driven wheel 81.
Here, the angle changing mechanism 80 is provided with the above-described driven wheel 81 and the eccentric shaft 82, and serves as an elevating mechanism that drives the end 74C of the jump base 74 up and down by the rotational driving force of the endless belt 60. ing. More specifically, the angle changing mechanism 80 changes the elevation angle of the rail portion 74A provided on the jump base 74 by raising and lowering the eccentric shaft 82 by rotation of the driven wheel 81. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the eccentric shaft 82 is rotated from the position below the driven wheel 81 by rotating the driven wheel 81, as shown in FIG. , And is driven up and down to a position above the driven wheel 81. By repeating this, the eccentric shaft 82 drives the support arm 74B provided on the jump base 74 up and down, and the elevation angle of the jump base 74 is changed by the angle changing mechanism 80.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows a game control means 20 for controlling a game operation of the endless belt game device 10 according to the present embodiment.
The game control means 20 is mainly composed of a microcomputer in which a game operation control program dedicated to the endless belt game device 10 is installed. More specifically, the game control means 20 includes, as its hardware, a ROM in which a control program and data necessary for control are stored, a CPU that executes this control program, a part of the control program that is executed by the CPU, It has a RAM in which parameters generated in the control process are temporarily written and stored, and an I / O interface for inputting and outputting signals such as data.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 5, the game control means 20 includes a plurality of types of software modules configured by a game operation control program.
The game control means 20 includes, as a software module, a hit determination means 21 for determining whether or not a detection point 65 at a position where a medal has fallen is hit, and a map including information such as coordinates of the hit detection point 65. Other than the hit information storage means 22, the payout control means 23 for controlling payout to the player, the X coordinate specifying means 30 for specifying the X coordinate of the position where the medal has fallen, and the detection point 65 detected first. Detection invalidating means 31 for performing invalidation processing for invalidating the X coordinate detection, invalidation releasing means 32 for releasing the invalidation processing of the detection invalidating means 31 after a lapse of a predetermined time, and specifying the Y coordinate of the position where the medal fell And a drive control unit 50 for controlling the operation of the stepping motor 51.
[0038]
The hit information storage means 22 has a map stored in a part of the storage area of the ROM. The map stores, for each detection point 65, game data such as hit coordinates and the like, which are hit information on whether or not the detected point 65 is the hit point 67. Specifically, the map of the hit information storage means 22 stores “1” as the game data for each detection point 65 if the hit point 67 is the hit point 67 and “0” otherwise. Is what you are doing.
[0039]
The X-coordinate specifying means 30 has input ports from address 0 to address 21 provided corresponding to each X-coordinate, and, when it comes in contact with a falling medal, the medal detecting means 33 outputs Is received through an input port at an address corresponding to the X coordinate. Then, upon receiving the contact signal, the X coordinate specifying means 30 specifies the address of the input port to which the contact signal has been input as the X coordinate of the detection point 65.
[0040]
Upon receiving the contact signal from the one medal detecting unit 33, the detection invalidating unit 31 invalidates the medal detection by the medal detecting unit 33 from the time when the contact signal is received until a predetermined time elapses. It is intended to do.
More specifically, the detection invalidating means 31 is provided between the time when the contact signal is first received and the time when the stepping motor 51 is operated by a predetermined number of steps, that is, the distance corresponding to the medal diameter (for example, 24 mm). Until the endless belt 60 is operated by the number of steps required for circumferential rotation (for example, 8 steps), even if the input port receiving the contact signal and the input port adjacent thereto further receive the contact signal, An invalid signal that causes the X coordinate specifying means 30 to ignore the signal reception is transmitted to the X coordinate specifying means 30, and thereby, invalidation processing is performed.
[0041]
The invalidation canceling unit 32 monitors the lapse of time from when the contact signal is first received until the stepping motor 51 operates by a predetermined number of steps, and when the time elapses, the contact received by the input ports again. The signal is made valid and the invalidation processing is released. Thus, the X coordinate specifying means 30 can restart the X coordinate specifying process of the detection point 65.
The drive control unit 50 adjusts the output timing of the drive pulse for driving the stepping motor 51 by a control program for the stepping motor 51 which is installed in advance, and controls the rotation operation of the stepping motor 51 in units of one step. In addition, the rotation of the endless belt 60 is controlled. Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the endless belt 60 is set to make one revolution in 490 steps.
[0042]
The Y-coordinate detecting means 40 includes a step-number storing means 41 and a step-number updating means 42. The Y-coordinate of the position where the medal has fallen is specified by the step-number storing means 41 and the step-number updating means 42. ing.
[0043]
The number-of-steps storage means 41 includes a storage medium such as the RAM described above, counts the number of drive pulses output to the stepping motor 51, and obtains the number of steps of the stepping motor 51. It is stored as data.
That is, each time the stepping motor 51 operates for one step, the step number storage means 41 stores a value obtained by adding 1 to the number of steps stored up to that time as a new step number. When a valid contact signal is input from the medal detection unit 33, the value of the number of steps stored in the number-of-steps storage unit 41 at that time is specified as the Y coordinate and used for the hit determination. It is to be done.
[0044]
Upon receiving the rising signal from the light receiving unit 45, the step number updating unit 42 resets the step number storing unit 41. In other words, upon receiving the rising signal from the light receiving unit 45, the step number updating unit 42 causes the step number storing unit 41 to clear the step number stored in the step number storing unit 41 at that time. The processing and “0” are stored as a new initial value of the number of steps, and the processing of starting counting the number of steps from “0” is performed again.
When the number of steps reaches “489”, the number-of-steps storage means 41 resets the counted number of steps to “0” by itself, and then restarts counting the number of steps from “0”. ing.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 3, the Y coordinate detecting means 40 detects the Y coordinate by the reference point detecting means 43 arranged at a position slightly deviated from the medal detecting means 33. This causes an error in the detection of. Therefore, the Y-coordinate detecting means 40 has a correction function for adding the number of steps corresponding to the amount of positional deviation to the number of steps stored in the number-of-steps storing means 41 when detecting the Y coordinate.
If the corrected number of steps exceeds “490” when executing the above-described correction function, the Y-coordinate detecting means 40 subtracts “490” from the number of steps to obtain an appropriate value. A correction function for correcting the number of steps is also provided.
[0046]
The hit determination means 21 specifies a detection point 65 at which the medal has fallen and covered, and determines whether or not the detection point 65 is a hit point 67. That is, the hit determination unit 21 specifies the detection point 65 at which the medal has fallen and covered from the X coordinate specified by the X coordinate specification unit 30 and the Y coordinate specified by the number of steps when the contact signal is input. The hit information corresponding to the specified function and the detection point 65 specified as described above is referred to from the hit information storage means 22, and whether the hit information is "1" or "0" is determined by a logical operation. A determination function is provided.
[0047]
The payout control means 23 drives the medal hopper 18 when the hit determination means 21 determines that the hit information is “1”, that is, when the detection point 65 that the medal falls down and covers is the hit point 67, A predetermined number of medals are paid out to the medal payout exit 14.
[0048]
Hereinafter, the hit determination process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Here, the processing described below is performed by sequentially monitoring the medal detecting means 33 arranged at each of the X-coordinates “0” to “21”, and determining which medal detecting means 33 detects a medal. Then, the X coordinate is detected based on the order of the detected medal detecting means 33. Here, the parameter indicating the order in which the X coordinates are monitored in order from “0” to “21” (hereinafter referred to as “monitoring order”) is “J” in FIG.
Also, “F” in FIG. ₀ "To" F _{twenty one} Up to "", a flag (hereinafter, referred to as a "detection flag") indicating whether detection of medals at the X coordinate indicated by the subscript is valid (value is "1") or invalid (value is "0"). It is.
[0049]
Further, “T” in FIG. ₀ "To" T _{twenty one} "Are parameters indicating the remaining time (hereinafter referred to as" remaining time parameter ") of the time during which the medal detection is invalidated at each X coordinate. Once set, the remaining time parameter is to be gradually reduced until it becomes 0 in accordance with the operation clock of the CPU, regardless of the progress of the control program.
[0050]
First, when the game is started, at the stage shown in S100, each detection flag is set, and thereby, the medal detection by the medal detecting means 33 of each X coordinate becomes effective. Further, each remaining time parameter is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S110.
At the stage shown in S110, “0” is substituted for the parameter J by the X coordinate specifying means 30, and the monitoring is started from the monitoring order “0”. Then, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S120.
[0051]
In the step shown in S120, the detection invalidating means 31 checks whether or not the detection flag related to the monitoring order indicates “invalid”. If it is "invalid", the process proceeds to the step shown in S130, and if it is "valid", the process proceeds to the step shown in S200.
At the stage shown in S120, if the detection flag related to the monitoring order indicates “invalid”, the remaining time parameter related to the monitoring order becomes “0” by the invalidation canceling unit 32 in the stage shown in S130. Is checked.
If it is “0”, it is considered that the detection invalidation time has elapsed, and at the stage shown in S140, the invalidation canceling means 32 sets the detection flag relating to the monitoring order again, and then proceeds to S300. Proceed to the stage shown.
On the other hand, if the remaining time parameter has not yet become “0”, the process directly proceeds to the step shown in S300.
[0052]
That is, from the stage shown in S120 to the stage shown in S300, even if a contact signal according to the monitoring order is input during a period from the previous check of the monitoring order to this stage again, the signal is not received. The absence of a stage to be used results in the contact signal not being used for hit determination and detection being invalidated.
[0053]
By the way, if the detection flag relating to the monitoring order indicates “valid” at the stage shown in S120, the period from the previous check of the monitoring order to the stage again at S200 Then, the X-coordinate specifying means 30 checks whether or not the contact signal according to the monitoring order is input. If the input has been made, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S210. On the other hand, if not input, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S300.
[0054]
At the stage shown in S210, the parameter J related to the monitoring order is specified as the X coordinate by the X coordinate specifying means 30. At the same time, the number of steps stored by the number-of-steps storage means 41 at the time of input of the contact signal is specified as the Y coordinate by the Y coordinate detection means 40. Then, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S220.
In the stage shown in S220, the hit determination unit 21 refers to the hit information storage unit 22 to the detection point 65 formed by the combination of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate specified in the stage shown in S210. Then, by performing a logical operation on whether the hit information corresponding to the detection point 65 is “1” or “0”, it is determined whether the hit information is “hit” or “loss”. In the case of "hit", the process proceeds to the stage shown in S230, and in the case of "losing", the process proceeds to the stage shown in S300.
[0055]
At the stage shown in S230, the payout processing is executed by the payout control means 23, but detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S240.
In the step shown in S240, the detection invalidating means 31 detects the detection flag related to the monitoring order and the detection flag related to the monitoring order before and after the monitoring flag (however, when the monitoring order is “0” or “21”, after or before, respectively). The flag is cleared. That is, the detection of medals in the monitoring order is invalidated. Then, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S250.
[0056]
At the stage shown in S250, the detection invalidating means 31 determines the remaining time parameter related to the monitoring order and the monitoring order before and after (however, when the monitoring order is “0” or “21”, after or before, respectively). The remaining time parameter is set. The set time is a time corresponding to eight steps as described above. These remaining time parameters are gradually reduced from the set moment in accordance with the operation clock of the CPU irrespective of the progress of the control program, so that the countdown is executed. Then, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S300.
[0057]
At the stage shown in S300, the game control means 20 determines whether or not the game is further continued. If it is to be continued, the process proceeds to the step shown in S310, but if it is not to be continued, this process ends.
At the stage shown in S310, the X coordinate specifying means 30 determines whether or not the monitoring order is “21”. If the monitoring order is “21”, the process proceeds to the step shown in S110, the monitoring order is set to “0” again, and the steps from S120 onward are repeated. On the other hand, if the monitoring order has not reached “21”, the process proceeds to the step shown in S320, 1 is added to the parameter J relating to the monitoring order, and the steps from S120 onward are repeated from the next monitoring order. Become.
[0058]
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, with the start of the game, the angle changing mechanism 80 is also activated, and even if the player operates the insertion device 13 and adjusts the rolling direction of the medal guided by the insertion device 13, the angle changing mechanism 80 remains Since the elevation angle, which is the guide angle of the rail portion 74A provided on the jump base portion 74, is changed, the elevation angle at which the medals roll is constantly changed, and the arrival position changes.
For this reason, the player cannot easily predict the medal arrival position, it takes a long time to get used to the game, the difficulty of the game becomes high, and the player You can avoid getting tired.
In addition, since the player cannot easily predict the medal arrival position, the amount of prizes provided to the player does not increase significantly, and the increase in payout can be suppressed.
[0059]
Further, an angle changing mechanism 80 is used in which a driven wheel 81 which is rotated and driven by the driving force of the endless belt 60 is supported by an eccentric shaft 82, and the jump table portion is formed by the driven wheel 81 and the eccentric shaft 82. Since the end 74C of the 74 is always driven to move up and down, the elevation angle of the rail 74A provided on the jump stand 74 is constantly changed, so that the medal arrival position differs depending on the medal insertion timing. This makes it difficult for the player to predict the medal arrival position. In addition, since the angle changing mechanism 80 as described above does not require a means for detecting the approach of a medal, the structure of the angle changing mechanism 80 is simplified, and even if the angle changing mechanism 80 is provided, the structure of the endless belt gaming device 10 Can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0060]
Furthermore, in order to accelerate the medals by their own weight, a jump base 74 is provided rotatably connected to an acceleration slope 73 with a downward slope, and the angle changing mechanism 80 changes the elevation angle of the jump base 74. Since the angle changing mechanism 80 eliminates the need to drive the entire guide rail 72 and the angle changing mechanism 80 drives only the jump base 74 that is a part of the guide rail 72, a booster that generates a large driving force This is unnecessary, and the structure of the angle changing mechanism 80 is simplified. In this regard, the structure of the endless belt game device 10 can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0061]
In addition, the endless belt 60 is driven by the rotation driving force of the endless belt 60 transmitted via the driven wheels 81, and the end change portion 80 is used to drive the end of the jump base 74 up and down. The prime mover can drive the angle changing mechanism 80, eliminating the need for a dedicated prime mover to drive the angle changing mechanism 80, simplifying the structure of the angle changing mechanism 80, and from this point also the structure of the endless belt gaming device 10. Can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0062]
Further, the driven wheel 81 is supported by the eccentric shaft 82, and the elevation angle of the jump table 74 is changed by the elevation drive of the eccentric shaft 82 by the rotation of the driven wheel 81. An extremely simple structure formed by the drive wheel 81 and the eccentric shaft 82 suffices, and from this point also, the structure of the endless belt game device 10 can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0063]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.
For example, the angle changing mechanism driven by the rotation driving force of the endless belt transmitted via the driven wheels is not limited to the one having the driven wheels supported on the eccentric shaft, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, an angle changing mechanism 80A having a driven wheel 84 supported by a center shaft 83 provided at the center thereof may be used. In this case, a cam 85 is provided which is driven to rotate in conjunction with the driven wheel 84, and when this cam 85 and the jump base 74 are engaged, the end 74C of the jump base 74 is driven up and down. An elevating mechanism can be formed.
[0064]
Further, as the angle changing mechanism, the rotation driving force for driving the endless belt is transmitted through the driven wheels, and thereby, the angle changing mechanism is driven using the driving force of the prime mover for driving the endless belt. Instead, as shown in FIG. 10, an angle changing mechanism 80C having a dedicated prime mover 87 for vertically driving the end 74C of the jump base 74 via a link mechanism 86 may be used.
[0065]
Furthermore, the angle changing mechanism is not limited to one that partially drives the guide rail to change the attitude of a part of the guide rail, and that drives the entire guide rail to change the entire attitude of the guide rail. May be. For example, the entire guide rail 72 in the first embodiment may be swingably provided on the input device 13, and the attitude of the entire guide rail 72 may be changed.
[0066]
Further, the angle changing mechanism is not limited to one that constantly changes the attitude of the guide rail, but includes a medal approach detection unit that detects the approach of medals, and instantaneously changes the attitude of the guide rail when a medal passes. It may be something.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.
(Effect of Claim 1)
According to the first aspect of the invention, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the game is started, the angle changing mechanism is activated, so that the player operates the insertion device to adjust the rolling direction of the medal guided by the insertion device. Even so, since the angle changing mechanism changes the above-described guide angle, the guide angle at which the medals roll is constantly changed, and the arrival position changes.
For this reason, the player cannot easily predict the medal arrival position, it takes a long time to get used to the game, the difficulty of the game becomes high, and the player It can prevent getting tired.
In addition, since the player cannot easily predict the medal arrival position, the amount of prizes provided to the player does not increase significantly, and the increase in payout can be suppressed.
[0068]
(Effect of Claim 2)
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the following effect is obtained in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention.
In other words, according to the second aspect of the present invention, if the guide rail is always driven to change the attitude of the guide rail at all times, the arrival positions of the medals will differ depending on the timing of inserting the medals. It is difficult for a player to predict the medal arrival position. For this reason, according to the above-described endless belt game device, a means for detecting the approach of medals can be omitted, the structure of the angle changing mechanism is simplified, and the overall structure of the endless belt game device is complicated. Can be prevented.
[0069]
(Effect of Claim 3)
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the following effects are obtained in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention.
That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to drive the entire guide rail by the angle changing mechanism, and the angle changing mechanism only needs to be able to drive only the jump stand which is a part of the guide rail. This eliminates the necessity of a booster or the like that generates the force, and simplifies the structure of the angle changing mechanism. In this respect, the overall structure of the endless belt game device can be prevented from becoming complicated.
[0070]
(Effect of Claim 4)
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the following effect is obtained in addition to the effect of the third aspect of the present invention.
That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the motor for driving the endless belt can drive the angle changing mechanism, and a dedicated motor for driving the angle changing mechanism is not required, so that the structure of the angle changing mechanism is simplified. This also makes it possible to prevent the overall structure of the endless belt game device from becoming complicated.
[0071]
(Effect of Claim 5)
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the fourth aspect of the present invention.
In other words, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the angle changing mechanism for vertically moving the end of the jump table is driven by a driven wheel that is rotated by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt, and the driven wheel is driven by the shaft. Since it is formed from the supporting eccentric shaft and the structure of the angle changing mechanism is extremely simple, the overall structure of the endless belt game device can be prevented from becoming complicated from this point as well.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially transparent perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a housing of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partially transparent perspective view showing a main part of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a main part of the endless belt of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the charging device of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the angle changing mechanism of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing game control means of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a modification of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a different modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Endless belt gaming device 11 Housing
12 Field cover 13 Charging device
13A Medal slot 14 Medal exit
15 Display panel 16 Medal edge
17 Slope 18 Medal hopper
19 Medal reservoir 20 Game control means
21 Judgment means 22 Information storage means
23 Payout control means 30 Coordinate specifying means
31 Detection invalidation means 32 Invalidation cancellation means
33 Medal detecting means 40 Coordinate detecting means
41 Step number storage means 42 Step number updating means
43 Reference point detecting means 44 Light emitting means
45 Light receiving means 50 Drive control means
51 Stepper motor 52 Drive roller
53 Driven roller 60 Endless belt
61 Field surface 62 Reference point
62A hole 63 line
64 lines 65 detection points
66 areas 67 points
70a medal 70b medal
71 Casing 72 Guide rail
73 Acceleration slope section 73A Interior slope section
73B Exterior slope part 74 Jump stand part
74A Rail 74B Support arm
74C end 75A rail bottom
75B Rail bottom 76A Side wall
76B Side wall 77 Apex
78 Support shaft 79 Through pin
80 Angle change mechanism 80A Angle change mechanism
80C Angle changing mechanism 81 Driven wheels
82 Eccentric shaft 83 Center shaft
84 Driven wheels 85 Cam
86 Link mechanism 87 Prime mover

Claims (5)

A planar track portion having a surface on which medals can be placed is provided, and an endless belt that rotates circumferentially along a predetermined track, and an arbitrary number, area, and shape are set on the surface of the endless belt. A hitting area, and a throwing device for rolling and guiding medals toward the planar track portion, and a medal thrown into the planar track portion from the throwing device is a hit set in the hit region. An endless belt game machine that wins when it falls over points and stops,
A medal insertion slot into which a medal is inserted,
A guide rail for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion slot to near the planar track portion;
An angle changing mechanism that changes a guide angle of the medal inserted into the insertion device from the guide rail to the planar track portion,
An endless belt game machine characterized by being provided with. The angle changing mechanism drives the guide rail to change a posture of the guide rail in order to change a guide angle of the medal inserted into the insertion device from the guide rail to the planar track portion. The endless belt game device according to claim 1, wherein the endless belt game device is operated. In order to accelerate the medal by its own weight, the guide rail has an acceleration slope section provided with a downward slope,
A jump table portion rotatably connected to the acceleration slope portion and provided with an uphill slope to jump the medal accelerated by the acceleration slope portion is provided,
3. The angle changing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing mechanism is configured to change an elevation angle of the jump base to engage with the jump base and change a guide angle of the medal. 4. Endless belt game machine. The angle changing mechanism includes a driven wheel that contacts the surface of the endless belt and is driven to rotate by the circumferential rotation of the endless belt, and the rotation driving force of the endless belt transmitted through the driven wheel. 4. An endless belt game machine according to claim 3, wherein the lifting mechanism drives the end of the jump table up and down. The driven wheel is supported by an eccentric shaft that is provided on the jump base and that is eccentric with respect to the driven wheel, and the angle changing mechanism is configured to rotate the eccentric shaft by rotating the driven wheel. The endless belt game device according to claim 4, wherein the elevation angle of the jump table portion is changed by the lifting drive.

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