JP2005152390A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which enables the alteration of the emission luminance with the lighting devices provided on the game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 1 is so arranged as to drive the lighting devices 26 and 27 and a game display device 22 provided on the bodies (2 and 3) of the game machine to emit light for carrying out the prescribed performances. It has a mode setting switch 29 provided on the bodies of the game machine to enable the selection of the automatic luminance adjusting mode, an illuminance detection means 32 which automatically controls the emission luminance of the lighting devices 26 and 27 for the performances and the game display device 22 according to the illuminance surrounding the bodies of the game machine in the selection of the automatic mode and a luminance control means having a judging means 25 and a current adjusting means 28. The luminance control means detects the illuminance surrounding the bodies of the game machine at the prescribed time interval and automatically controls the emission luminance of the lighting devices 26 and 27 for the performances and the game display device 22 according to the detected illuminance per prescribed time. This solves such problems as excessively high emission luminance of the lighting devices 26 and 27 for the performances and the game display device 22 despite the darkness in the field causing displeasure and lower emission luminance despite the brightness in the field causing a considerable reduction in the performance effects. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine capable of improving the light emission state of a lighting device for effect of a gaming machine arranged in a game hall.

  Generally, as a gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine, a game ball staying in an upper tray is launched on a game board in response to an operation of a launch handle, and then guided to an obstacle nail or a windmill on the game board surface. It is known that it is configured to flow down the board surface and enter various winning holes, or flow into the out hole at the lower part of the game board without entering (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the pachinko machine, when a player enters a general winning opening, a corresponding number of game balls are paid out, and when a player enters a start chucker, a jackpot lottery is performed and a predetermined number of games are played. The ball is paid out, and according to the result of the lottery, a predetermined effect display is performed on a special symbol display screen made of liquid crystal or the like provided at the center portion of the game board. When a big hit is generated, a big winning opening called an attacker is opened, and a large amount of game balls are paid out in response to the entry.

  Further, as a gaming machine, for example, a slot machine, three stop reels having three rows of symbol marks having a plurality of patterns in the circumferential direction are rotated based on a start lever operation, and then three stop buttons By pressing each of the buttons, the reel reels corresponding to each button are stopped in sequence, and when a predetermined pattern of the symbol marks provided on each reel reel matches, a large number of medals are received by the medal tray. A structure having a structure that is released to the surface is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the slot machine, a role lottery is performed by the lottery function of the ROM mounted on the main board, and when the reel reel is controlled to stop according to the result of the corresponding role, a visual effect is provided. Is going.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-236210 (see FIG. 2) JP 2003-275372 A (see FIGS. 1 to 3)

  By the way, in the amusement halls handling gaming machines as described above, ingenuity is made to decorate the hall with various lights to give a characteristic atmosphere, to brighten the hall or to emphasize the light emitted by the gaming machine. The brightness of the venue varies from game hall to hall. In particular, in the slot machine installation area of a game arcade, the lighting is usually set to be dark, but this setting also differs for each game arcade. It is also known that even within the same amusement hall, there are some differences in brightness depending on the time zone such as morning, daytime, and evening due to the amount of sunshine inserted from the outside.

  However, as described above, the light emission luminance of the lighting device for presentation provided in the gaming machine is set uniformly regardless of the brightness in the hall at each gaming hall and also in the same gaming hall in the time zone. It remains in the shape. For this reason, for example, when the light emission brightness of the lighting device of the gaming machine is too high despite the fact that the place is dark, there is a problem that the player feels dazzled and feels uncomfortable. On the other hand, there are cases where the lighting effect of the lighting device of the gaming machine is low despite the fact that the inside of the hall is bright, and the effect on performance for giving the player a sense of expectation is halved.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which the light emission luminance by the lighting device (means) provided in the gaming machine can be changed to solve the above-described problems.

The invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine in which a predetermined effect is performed by driving the lighting means for effect provided in the gaming machine main body to emit light.
A mode setting member provided in the gaming machine body and capable of selecting an automatic brightness adjustment mode;
A luminance control means for automatically controlling the light emission luminance of the effect illumination means according to the illuminance around the gaming machine body when the automatic luminance adjustment mode is selected by the mode setting member;
The luminance control means detects illuminance around the gaming machine main body at predetermined time intervals, and automatically controls the light emission luminance of the effect illumination means according to the detected illuminance every predetermined time.

The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming machine invention according to claim 1, wherein the brightness control means is
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the gaming machine body at predetermined time intervals;
Based on a comparison between the detected illuminance detected every predetermined time detected by the illuminance detection means and a reference value, a determination means for determining the emission luminance to be switched each time;
And a current adjusting unit configured to increase or decrease a drive current supplied to the effect lighting unit based on the determination by the determining unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by automatically controlling the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means in accordance with the illuminance around the gaming machine main body, the light emission of the effect lighting means of the gaming machine despite the fact that the place is dark. It is possible to solve the problem that the luminance is too high and the user feels uncomfortable, or that the lighting intensity of the lighting means for production is low and the effect on the production is halved despite the fact that the place is bright. Moreover, since the luminance control means automatically controls the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means according to the detected illuminance every predetermined time, even if the illuminance around the gaming machine main body fluctuates due to the light emission of the effect lighting means itself, It is possible to accurately control the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means while minimizing the influence of the illuminance fluctuation.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the gaming machine main body at predetermined time intervals and the comparison between the detected illuminance at every predetermined time and the reference value are performed each time. Since there is provided a determination means for determining the light emission luminance and a current adjustment means for increasing / decreasing the drive current supplied to the effect illumination means based on the determination, the light emission of the effect illumination means can be performed with a relatively simple circuit configuration. It is possible to realize a luminance control means that can accurately control the light emission luminance of the effect illumination means regardless of the illuminance fluctuation around the gaming machine body due to the above.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, a pachinko machine installed in a game hall or the like will be described with reference to FIGS. Of course, the present invention is applicable not only to the pachinko machine but also to a slot machine. 1 is a front view showing an external structure of the pachinko machine 1, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the pachinko machine 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the pachinko machine 1, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control in this embodiment.

  The pachinko machine 1 plays a game while launching a game ball onto the game board 7 by operating a launching device (not shown) by operating a launching handle 9 to be described later. The number of game balls corresponding to the number of game balls that have entered the attacker (large winning opening) 25 is paid out. The probability fluctuation (per probability change) means that when the jackpot of the probability change mode is won as a result of the lottery, at least until the next jackpot is drawn in the gaming state according to the probability change mode, an advantageous added value is given to the player. Means a special state to get. On the other hand, there is a “normal hit” as a big hit that does not become the special state.

  The pachinko machine 1 has a housing 2 and a front door 3 attached to the housing 2 so as to be openable and closable. A metal frame 5 having a glass 6 can be opened and closed on the front surface of the front door 3. The game board 7 is arranged behind the glass 6. Note that the casing 2 and the front door 3 constitute a gaming machine main body.

  A guide rail 10 is provided on the left side of the game board 7 in FIG. 1 to guide the launched game ball to the game area, and the center portion is made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, which produces a big hit. A game display device 22 for displaying a game mode such as the above is provided. Below the game display device 22, there are provided a start chucker 24 and an attacker 25 that repeats a predetermined number of opening / closing operations every time a predetermined number of balls are entered (or every time a predetermined time elapses) when a big hit occurs. An effect lighting device 27 is provided above the game board 7. In addition, on the left and right and upper parts of the metal frame 5 in the front door 3, lighting devices 26 for production are distributed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front panel 11 is provided at the center of the front door 3, and an upper tray 13 is provided at the center of the front panel 11. A ball supply port 12 through which game balls including prize balls and rental balls are supplied is formed in the upper left portion of the upper tray 13. A ball lending button 14 a and a private card return button 14 b are provided on the upper left wall surface of the upper tray 13.

  A photodiode 23 a is installed on the upper left side of the upper receiving tray 13 in the front door 3 so as to face the front of the front door 3, and on the upper right side of the upper receiving tray 13, the photodiode faces the upper side of the front door 3. 23b is installed, and the illuminance around the gaming machine main body composed of the housing 2 and the front door 3 is detected by the photodiodes 23a and 23b. Further, a mode setting switch 29 and a luminance setting switch 33 indicated by a broken line are installed on the back side of the right center portion of the front door 3.

  Below the upper tray 13, there are provided a lower tray 17 and a payout port 15 for discharging game balls into the lower tray 17 inside the lower tray 17. The payout port 15 is a game ball (prize ball) that has overflowed in the upper tray 13, and a game ball (foul ball) that returns from the upper tray 13 without being able to reach the game board 7 after being launched by a launcher (not shown). Alternatively, the game ball sent out from the upper tray 13 is discharged into the lower tray 17 by operating the ball removal lever 16 provided on the upper tray 13.

  On the front wall surface of the lower tray 17, an opening lever 19 is provided for discharging game balls staying in the lower tray 17. In addition, sound emitting portions 18 having speakers therein are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper tray 13, respectively. A firing handle 9 for operating a launching device (not shown) for launching a game ball toward the game board 7 is provided below the right side of the front door 3. In addition, the code | symbol 21 in a figure is an insertion port for inserting a private card.

  Next, the control system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the present control system has a main board 30 and a sub control board 31 connected to the main board 30. The sub control board 31 includes photodiodes 23a and 23b, a sound emitting unit 18, The effect lighting devices 26 and 27, the game display device 22, the mode setting switch 29, and the luminance setting switch 33 are connected.

  The photodiode 23a is installed so as to face the front of the front door 3 to mainly detect the illuminance on the front side of the front door 3, and the photodiode 23b is installed so as to face the front door 3. Thus, the illuminance on the upper side of the front door 3 is mainly detected.

  In response to the control by the sub-control board 31, the sound emitting unit 18, the effect lighting devices 26 and 27, and the game display device 22 perform a normal effect and a special effect during a big hit with sound and light. Note that the game display device 22 and the effect lighting devices 26 and 27 in the present embodiment constitute the “effect lighting means” in the present invention.

  The mode setting switch 29 is set and operated by a game hall attendant, and has a function of switching between an automatic mode (automatic brightness adjustment mode) and a manual mode, and the switching state is input to the sub-control board 31. .

  Similarly to the mode setting switch 29, the luminance setting switch 33 is set and operated by a game hall clerk, and the setting is effective under the situation where the mode setting switch 29 is switched to the manual mode. As this setting, “medium luminance” indicating medium emission luminance, “bright luminance” of emission luminance higher than medium luminance, and “dark luminance” of emission luminance lower than medium luminance are prepared.

  The main board 30 manages the entire operation of the pachinko machine 1, and includes a system program for managing the entire operation of the pachinko machine 1 and a semiconductor memory in which a game execution program is stored in advance. A storage unit (not shown) and a microprocessor (MPU) for executing these programs are provided.

  The sub-control board 31 includes illuminance detection means 32, determination means 25, current adjustment means 28, a timer 35, and a counter 34. The sub-control board 31 is mounted according to an effect control signal supplied from the microprocessor in the main board 30. Appropriate means comprising the electric circuit functions to drive the lighting devices 26 and 27, the game display device 22 and the sound emitting unit 18 in a timely manner so as to display effects that appeal to the player's vision and hearing. Note that the “luminance control means” in the present invention includes the illuminance detection means 32, the determination means 25, and the current adjustment means 28.

  The illuminance detection means 32 calculates each illuminance at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.2 second interval (see FIG. 4)) based on the light reception signals input from both the photodiodes 23a and 23b, and calculates the average value thereof. The illuminance is detected every predetermined time around the main body of the gaming machine consisting of the housing 2 and the front door 3. As a specific detection method at this time, for example, the following methods can be cited. That is, when the illuminance detection means 32 is irradiated with light to the photodiodes 23a and 23b, a photocurrent flowing in the direction from the anode to the cathode of the photodiode is input as a light reception signal in proportion to the amount of irradiation. The detected illuminance is obtained by current / voltage conversion with an operational amplifier (not shown).

  The determination unit 25 reads a count value from a counter 34 to be described later, and compares the detected illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit 32 every predetermined time with a preset reference value stored. The lighting brightness of the effect lighting devices 26 and 27 and the game display device 22 to be switched each time is determined (determined).

  Based on the determination by the determination unit 25, the current adjustment unit 28 functions to increase or decrease the drive currents supplied to the light sources such as LEDs provided in the effect lighting devices 26 and 27 and the game display device 22. The timer 35 measures time in the same manner as a normal clock, and the measured time (time) is sequentially read into the determination means 25. The counter 34 has a brightness count value that is set stepwise as a value of 1-8. When the luminance count value is used, the illuminance (luminance) detected at regular intervals and the reference value are compared. As a result, when the brightness is higher than the reference value by a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times), the current value Is determined to be brighter than the reference value, and when it is darker than the reference value more times than the reference value by a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times), it is determined that the current state is darker than the reference value, and the luminance state Adjust.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the mode setting switch 29 is appropriately switched by the game hall staff, this switching state is read into the sub-control board 31. At this time, when the mode setting switch 29 is switched to the manual mode, the switching state of the luminance setting switch 33 switched by the game hall staff is also read into the sub-control board 31.

  Then, the switching status of the mode setting switch 29 is determined. At this time, if the mode setting switch 29 is switched to the manual mode, the current adjusting unit 28 switches to the medium luminance according to the switching state of the luminance setting switch 33, and switches to the bright luminance higher than the medium luminance. Alternatively, the luminance is switched to dark luminance that is lower than medium luminance.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the mode setting switch 29 is switched to the automatic mode (automatic brightness adjustment mode), the process starting with the label of the brightness automatic setting process in FIG. 4 is started. In step S1, the determination unit 25 checks the time measured by the timer 35 to determine whether or not a predetermined time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed. As a result of this determination, if the predetermined time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2, and the illuminance detection means 32 detects each illuminance based on the light reception signals input from the photodiodes 23a and 23b. At the same time, these average values are detected (measured) as illuminance (ambient luminance) around the gaming machine main body. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S1, the process returns.

  In step S3, the illuminance detection means 32 calculates the illuminance at intervals of 0.2 seconds based on the light reception signals input from both the photodiodes 23a and 23b, and the average value of the calculated illuminances of the photodiodes 23a and 23b. Is detected as the illuminance at predetermined intervals around the gaming machine body. Subsequently, based on the determination unit 25 comparing the detected illuminance with the reference value, if the detected illuminance is brighter than the reference value, the luminance count value is incremented (added) by 1 in step S7, Proceed to S5.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that the detected illuminance is not brighter than the reference value, the determination unit 25 determines in step S4 based on comparing the detected illuminance with the reference value. As a result, when it is determined that the detected illuminance is darker than the reference value, the process proceeds to step S6, the luminance count value is decremented (subtracted) by 1, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the determination unit 25 determines whether the luminance count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As a result, if the luminance count value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, eight or more after 1.6 seconds have elapsed), in step S9, the luminance is reduced by one level, the luminance count value is initialized, and the process returns. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the brightness count value is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined in step S8 whether or not the brightness count value is less than or equal to the predetermined value. As a result, if the luminance count value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, in step S10, the luminance is increased by one level, the luminance count value is initialized, and the process returns.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, although the inside of the place is dark, the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means (26, 27, 22) of the pachinko machine 1 is too high and the user feels uncomfortable or the inside of the place is bright. Nevertheless, it is possible to solve the problem that the illuminance for the effect lighting means (26, 27, 22) is low and the effect on the effect is halved. In addition, the luminance control means including the illuminance detection means 32, the determination means 25, and the current adjustment means 28 automatically controls the light emission luminance of the effect illumination means (26, 27, 22) according to the detected illuminance every predetermined time. Even if the illuminance around the gaming machine main body (2, 3) fluctuates due to the light emitted from the effect lighting means, the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means (26, 27, 22) while minimizing the influence of this illuminance fluctuation. Can be accurately controlled. In addition, based on the comparison between the illuminance detection means 32 for detecting the illuminance around the gaming machine main body (2, 3) at predetermined time intervals and the detected illuminance for each predetermined time and the reference value, the light emission luminance to be switched each time Determination means 25 and current adjustment means 28 for adjusting the drive current supplied to the effect illumination means (26, 27, 22) to increase / decrease based on the determination, so that with a relatively simple circuit configuration, It becomes possible to realize a luminance control means that can accurately control the light emission luminance of the effect lighting means regardless of the illuminance fluctuation around the gaming machine main body caused by the light emission of the effect lighting means.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the suitable embodiment, the game machine of this invention is not limited only to the structure of the said embodiment, A various correction and change from the structure of the said embodiment. The gaming machine which has been subjected to is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is useful for a gaming machine in which a lighting device emits light at the time of production, and is particularly suitable for a gaming machine that needs to avoid discomfort to the player.

It is a front view which shows the external structure of the pachinko machine in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a part of pachinko machine in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the pachinko machine in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine)
2 ... Case 3 ... Front door 22 ... Game display device (effect lighting means)
25 ... Determination means 26, 27 ... Illumination device for production (production illumination device)
28 ... Current adjusting means 29 ... Mode setting switch (mode setting member)
32 ... Illuminance detection means 34 ... Counter 35 ... Timer

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine that performs a predetermined effect by driving the lighting means for effect provided in the gaming machine body to emit light,
A mode setting member provided in the gaming machine body and capable of selecting an automatic brightness adjustment mode;
A luminance control means for automatically controlling the light emission luminance of the effect illumination means according to the illuminance around the gaming machine body when the automatic luminance adjustment mode is selected by the mode setting member;
The brightness control means detects the illuminance around the gaming machine main body at predetermined time intervals, and automatically controls the light emission brightness of the effect lighting means according to the detected illuminance every predetermined time. . The brightness control means includes
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the gaming machine body at predetermined time intervals;
Based on a comparison between the detected illuminance detected every predetermined time detected by the illuminance detection means and a reference value, a determination means for determining the emission luminance to be switched each time;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a current adjusting unit that increases or decreases a driving current supplied to the effect lighting unit based on the determination by the determining unit.

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