JP2006042916A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for which the accurate inclination angle of a game board is confirmed as a numerical value and the inclination angle of the game board is easily adjusted. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine comprising the game board 18 provided with: a game area A where game balls flow down; and a display means 8 displaying identification information, an inclination measuring apparatus S makes the display means 8 display the inclination angle of the game board 18. Further, a gyroscope sensor is used for an inclination sensor 9 and the accurate inclination angle of the game board measured by gyroscope sensor is displayed at the display means 8 of the game machine and external equipment 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine, and more particularly to a pachinko game machine that facilitates adjustment of the inclination angle of a game board.

When installing this type of ball game machine, for example, a pachinko game machine, the ball ball game machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “game machine”) is installed with a slight inclination behind the vertical line. If the inclination angle of the game board is too shallow, it becomes difficult for the game ball to get entangled with the game nail when the game ball flows down, and it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the winning opening. Even if the tilt angle is too deep, the game ball hits the game board base and jumps around. In other words, even if the angle of inclination is shallow or deep, the game ball may become unclear and a stable flow of the game ball cannot be expected. Therefore, the game board having such an installation cannot perform normal games and the player's interest is reduced. It will come off.
Thus, in order to enjoy a game with a gaming machine, it is an important issue to install the game board at an appropriate inclination angle in the work of installing the game board, and the shallow depth of the inclination angle of the game board is It is a very interesting element.

Therefore, when adjusting the inclination angle of the gaming board, conventionally, an inclination measuring means, for example, a bubble level, is provided on the outer frame of the gaming machine, and first, the outer frame has a specified inclination angle while visually checking the level. Then, the game board was attached to the outer frame that was installed by adjusting the inclination angle. Also, prior art that optically detects bubbles in a bubble level attached to the back of the outer frame and limits or stops the gaming state when the tilt angle deviates from a predetermined range (see Patent Document 1) Is also known.
JP 2002-35393 A

  However, as in Patent Document 1, when the inclination angle of the bubble level is in a predetermined range and the result is displayed, the exact inclination angle of the game board can be specifically obtained as a numerical value. However, it cannot be used as a measuring means at the time of adjusting the game board, and if the inclination angle of the game board is not suitable as a result of the adjustment, it is necessary to adjust the inclination angle again from the beginning. In addition, even if the amount of change in the inclination angle of the game board is a slight difference, the current accurate inclination angle of the game board and an appropriate value to be set should be set considering that the flow state of the game ball changes greatly. Obtaining information about an inclination angle such as an inclination angle is a great help for realizing adjusting the game board to an appropriate inclination angle.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to be able to confirm the exact inclination angle of the game board as a numerical value and to adjust the inclination angle of the game board. It is to provide an easy gaming machine.

  In order to achieve such an object, a gaming machine according to the first invention is a gaming machine comprising a gaming board having a gaming area A in which gaming balls can flow down, and a display means 8 capable of displaying identification information. The tilt angle of the game board 18 measured by the tilt sensor 9 is displayed on the display means 8.

  Thereby, the installer of the game board 18 can work while confirming the inclination angle of the game board 18, so that it becomes easy to adjust the game board 18 to an appropriate inclination angle, and the installer of the game board 18. Can be reduced. Furthermore, the player can select a gaming machine adjusted to a preferred inclination angle during the game.

  A gaming machine according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the gaming machine according to the first invention, a gyro sensor is used as the inclination sensor 9.

According to the present invention, the tilt angle measured by the tilt sensor 9 for measuring the tilt angle of the game board 18 is displayed on the display means 8 as in the first invention, and a gyro sensor is used as the tilt sensor 9. To do.
Thus, even if there is a disturbance factor such as ambient vibration, the accurate inclination angle of the game board 18 can be displayed. Therefore, the inclination angle of the game board 18 can be adjusted more easily, and the game board 18 is installed. The burden on the user can be reduced.

The gaming machine according to the third invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second invention, wherein the external output terminal 25 is provided in the device S including the tilt sensor and data can be output to the external device 26.
Thereby, since the inclination angle of the game board 18 can be confirmed using the external device 26, it is easier to adjust the inclination angle of the game board 18, and the burden on the installer of the game board 18 can be reduced. it can.

  According to the present invention, an accurate inclination angle of the game board can be confirmed as a numerical value, and a gaming machine in which the inclination angle of the game board 18 can be easily adjusted can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that this embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and is not construed as being limited thereto, and the design can be changed within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an example of a ball and ball game machine to which the present invention is applied, for example, a pachinko game machine. The pachinko game machine includes a game board 18 having various game members 20 on a game board base 19, and a display related to the game. And display means 8 for displaying the inclination angle of the game board 18 and an inclination sensor 9 for measuring the inclination angle of the game board 18.
In the game board 18 according to the present embodiment, at least a part of the game board base 19 may be formed of a transparent member.

In the pachinko gaming machine, an inner frame (base door) 2 is pivotally supported on the front surface of the outer frame 1, a display means 8 is fitted behind the inner frame 2, and the inner frame 2 A game board 18 is detachably mounted on the front side of the.
A front door 3 fitted with a glass plate 4 is rotatably supported on the front surface of the inner frame 2.
The lower part of the front surface of the inner frame 2 is provided with an upper plate 5 for receiving the rented and winning balls, a lower plate 6 for receiving the ball overflowing inward of the ball outlet when the upper plate 5 is full, and a handle 7 of the launching device.

  Then, by rotating the lever 7a of the handle 7 in the clockwise direction, for example, a built-in launch solenoid can be operated to launch the game ball 9 into the game area A.

  For example, the display means 8 variably displays a special symbol (left special symbol, middle special symbol, right special symbol) composed of identification information such as numbers and symbols in three horizontal rows when viewed from the front, or a specific symbol. The size of the display means is not particularly limited, and is a liquid crystal display (LCD) that performs presentation display using a predetermined character image or background image in conjunction with the variable display. In addition, the projection type image display means which refracts and displays the moving image or still image from a projector with a reflecting plate is also object, and various display means are applied within the scope of the present invention.

  The game member 20 refers to all members necessary for a game in a pachinko gaming machine. For example, the game member 20 defines a front game area A and guides a game ball 21 that is launched from a launch solenoid into the front game area A. The start winning opening 12 made of a tulip-type ordinary electric accessory that activates the variable display of the display means and activates a lottery process for determining whether or not to win, and a special electric accessory called an attacker that opens at the time of a big hit A large winning opening 13, left and right winning openings 14 serving as general winning openings, an out opening 16 for discharging out balls that have missed winning in the game area A, a large number of game nails (not shown) hitting the game board base 19, etc. Is given as an example.

Furthermore, a device S including an inclination sensor 9 (hereinafter referred to as an inclination measuring device S) is installed inside the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 11 and an external output terminal 25 are provided on the outer surface of the inclination measuring device S. The connector 11 is connected to the gaming machine. The external output terminal 25 preferably corresponds to a highly versatile standard, and corresponds to, for example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. The external output terminal 25 can be connected to an external device 26, for example, a computer provided with information display means, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or the like.
The installation location of the inclination measuring device S may be installed inside the gaming machine and may be built in the main control circuit or the sub control circuit of the gaming machine, and may not be visible from the outside.
Further, the inclination measuring device S has a facing surface 10. The facing surface 10 is a surface having a direction perpendicular to the direction of the inclination measured by the inclination sensor 9 (arrow S1 in the figure). When the inclination measuring device S is installed inside the gaming machine, the opposing surface 10 is installed facing the back side of the gaming board 18 in parallel.
In this embodiment, a case where the gyro sensor 9 is used as an example of the tilt sensor 9 will be described.

  In this embodiment, a rate gyro using a piezoelectric element is used as the gyro sensor 9, but a gyroscope such as a ring laser gyro or an optical fiber gyro may be used as long as the angular velocity of the game board 18 can be output. Furthermore, a circuit for correcting the influence of the drift of the gyro sensor by a gravity sensor or a geomagnetic sensor may be added.

Furthermore, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the inclination measuring device S according to the present embodiment incorporates a gyro sensor 9 and a detection circuit 50. The detection circuit 50 includes a differential amplification circuit 51, an integration circuit 53, and an addition amplification circuit 52 for causing the gyro sensor 9 to self-oscillate.
The differential amplifying circuit 51 amplifies the angular velocity data (voltage difference between the two points) of the game board input from the gyro sensor 9, and the amplified angular velocity data is integrated by the integrating circuit 53 to be played on the gaming board. It is converted into 18 tilt angle data.
The converted tilt angle data is output to the external input / output port (I / O) 31 of the main control circuit 30 of the gaming machine and the external device 26 via the connector 11 and the external output terminal 25, respectively. .
The summing amplifier circuit 52 converts the output from the gyro sensor 9 into a rectangular wave having a constant amplitude, and returns the converted rectangular wave signal to the gyro sensor, thereby causing the gyro sensor 9 to self-oscillate. In addition, although the detection circuit 50 is built in the inclination measuring apparatus S in the present embodiment, it may be provided outside the inclination measuring apparatus S.

  When the tilt measuring device S measures the tilt angle of the game board 18, the tilt measuring device S outputs data of the tilt angle via the connector 11.

  The gaming machine includes a main control circuit 30 and a sub control circuit 40. The main control circuit 30 includes an external input / output port (I / O) 31. The sub control circuit 40 includes a sub CPU 42 and a liquid crystal display device (display device). 8.

  The inclination angle data of the game board 18 output from the connector 11 of the inclination measuring device S is input to the external input / output port (I / O) 31 of the main control circuit and output from the main control circuit 30 to the sub control circuit 40. Is done. After receiving the tilt angle data, the sub CPU 42 performs processing based on the tilt angle data and displays the tilt angle on the liquid crystal display device (display device) 8.

(Inclination angle related processing)
Hereinafter, the operation of the sub CPU 42 in the tilt angle related processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sub CPU 42 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step 10, the sub CPU 42 determines whether or not tilt angle data has been received. Further, the sub CPU 42 proceeds to the process of step 20 when the tilt angle data is received, and ends the process when the tilt angle data is not received.

  In step 20, the sub CPU 42 displays the tilt angle data on the display unit 8. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the display means 8 displays the inclination angle (8′42 ″ in the figure) of the game board 18 measured by the gyro sensor 9 as the “current inclination angle”. .

In step 30, the sub CPU 42 determines whether or not the value of the standby timer is zero. If the value of the standby timer is 0, the sub CPU 42 proceeds to step 50. If the value of the standby timer is not 0, the sub CPU 42 proceeds to step 40 until the value of the standby timer becomes 0. Repeat the process.
In this embodiment, the above-described standby timer is configured to count down the time set in the timer in advance, but is not limited to this, and counts up the time. It may be configured as follows.

  In step 40, the sub CPU 42 switches the display of the display means 8 from the tilt angle screen display to the normal screen display.

Although not described in the above processing, a button 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) is provided on the gaming machine, and when the button 28 is pressed, the tilt angle data of the game board 18 is taken into the sub CPU 42. An external interrupt process may be performed to receive the tilt angle data of the game board 18 and the tilt angle related process may be performed. Thereby, the installer or player of the game board can arbitrarily confirm the inclination angle of the game board 18 by pressing the button 28.
Further, the process may be forcibly terminated and the normal screen may be displayed when the button 28 is pressed during the tilt angle related process or when a certain time has elapsed from the start of the process.

  When the inclination measuring device S of this embodiment measures the inclination angle of the game board 18, it outputs data of the measured inclination angle to the external output terminal 25. Since the external output terminal 25 corresponds to a general-purpose information transmission standard such as USB, it is connected to an external device 26 having an input terminal corresponding to the standard, for example, a general-purpose computer. Furthermore, the computer is provided with information display means.

  The computer may be installed in the vicinity of the gaming machine every time the game board is installed, or may be a hall computer that manages a facility (hall) where the gaming machine is installed.

  The tilt angle data of the game board 18 output from the external output terminal 25 is input to the computer, and the computer displays the tilt angle on the information display means of the computer.

  If the computer is installed in the vicinity of the gaming machine, the information display means of the computer can be arranged in a place where the installer of the game board can easily see, so that the installation work is further facilitated. If the computer is the hall computer, the inclination angles of a large number of game boards 18 installed in the hall can be centrally managed.

  When the external device 26 is a PDA, the external output terminal 25 of the inclination measuring device S is connected to the PDA as described above, and the PDA receives the inclination angle data of the game board 18 from the gyro sensor 9, The inclination angle of the game board 18 is displayed on the PDA display.

  Since PDA is easy to carry around, it is suitable for checking the inclination angle of the game board 18 when installing a large number of game boards.

  In this embodiment, the integration calculation processing for the input of the gyro sensor 9 is performed by the integration circuit 53 of the detection circuit 50. Instead of this integration circuit 53, the integration calculation processing is performed by the game machine or the external device 26. May be.

In this embodiment, a gyro sensor is used as the tilt sensor 9. However, a gravitational acceleration detection value acting on the game board is measured by an acceleration sensor that detects gravity, and the calculation is performed based on the gravitational acceleration detection value. By doing so, the inclination angle of the game board 18 can be obtained.
Even in this case, the tilt angle can be displayed in the same manner as in the present embodiment by inputting the tilt angle data of the game board 18 obtained by the calculation to the gaming machine or the external device 26.

(Block Diagram)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
The main control circuit 30 as game control means includes a main CPU 32, main ROM (read only memory) 33, main RAM (read / write memory) 34, and I / O 31 as control means. The main control circuit 30 controls the progress of the game.
The main CPU 32 is connected to a main ROM 33, a main RAM 34, and the like, and has a function of executing various processes in accordance with programs stored in the main ROM 33. Thus, the main CPU 32 functions as various means described later.
A program for controlling the operation of the gaming machine by the main CPU 32 is stored in the main ROM 33. In addition, a jackpot determination table that is referred to when a jackpot determination is made by random lottery or an effect is selected. Various tables such as an effect condition selection table referred to are also stored.

  In the present embodiment, the main ROM 33 is used as a medium for storing programs, tables, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other storage medium can be used as long as it is a computer-readable storage medium. For example, it may be recorded on a storage medium such as a hard disk device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a ROM cartridge. In addition, these programs may not be recorded in advance, but may be downloaded after the power is turned on and recorded in the main RAM 34 or the like. Furthermore, each of the programs may be recorded on separate storage media. In this embodiment, the main CPU 32, the main ROM 33, and the main RAM 34 are provided separately, but a one-chip microcomputer in which these are integrated may be used.

The main RAM 34 has a function of storing various flags, counters, timers, and data values as a temporary storage area of the main CPU 32.
The main control circuit 30 includes a command output port 35 for supplying a command to a sub control circuit 40 described later. The command output port 35 is connected to the main CPU 32. The command output port 35 corresponds to a transmission unit that transmits various commands to the sub-control circuit 40 (various units included in the sub-control circuit 40).

  The main control circuit 30 has an I / O 31, and various devices are connected to the I / O 31. For example, a V / count switch 28S, a count switch 29S, a general winning ball switch 16S, a passing ball switch 7S, a starting winning ball switch 6S, a starting port solenoid 6a, a large winning port solenoid 8a, a seesaw solenoid 8b, and a tilt sensor 9 are connected. ing.

  The V / count switch 28S is provided in a specific area in the special winning opening 13 provided on the game board. The V / count switch 28 </ b> S supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 30 when the game ball 9 passes through a specific area in the special winning opening 13.

  The count switch 29S is provided in a general area different from the specific area in the special winning opening 13. The count switch 29 </ b> S supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 30 when the game ball 9 passes through the general area in the special winning opening 13.

  The general winning ball switch 16S is provided in a general winning port 14 provided on the game board. The general winning ball switch 16 </ b> S supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 30 when the game ball 9 passes through each of the general winning ports 14.

  The passing ball switch 7S is provided in a ball passing detector (not shown) provided on the game board. The passing ball switch 7S supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 30 when the game ball 9 passes through the ball passing detector.

  The start winning ball switch 6S is provided in the start port 12 provided on the game board. The start winning ball switch 6 </ b> S supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control circuit 30 when the game ball 9 wins the start port 12.

  The start port solenoid 6a is connected to a blade member (variable blade piece) provided in the start port 12 via a link member, and drives the blade member in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the main CPU 32 to start The mouth 12 is opened or closed.

  The special winning opening solenoid 8a is connected to a shutter (door), and drives the shutter in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the main CPU 32, so that the special winning opening 13 is opened or closed.

  The seesaw solenoid 8b is connected to a seesaw provided inside the shutter in a plate state, and displaces the seesaw in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the main CPU 32 to change the inclination of the seesaw. As a result of the tilting of the seesaw, the seesaw is switched so as to easily pass through a specific area in the special winning opening 13 or to easily pass through a general area.

  The inclination measuring device S measures the inclination angle of the game board 18 and outputs data of the inclination angle to the main control circuit 30 to the external device 26 of the gaming machine via the connector 11.

  A payout / firing control circuit 80 is connected to the main control circuit 30. Connected to the payout / launch control circuit 80 are a payout device 81 for paying out the game ball 9 and a launch device 82 for firing the game ball 9. The payout / launch control circuit 80 is connected to the card unit 27, and the payout / fire control circuit 80 and the card unit 27 transmit and receive data related to the CR card inserted into the card unit.

  The payout / firing control circuit 80 receives a prize ball control command supplied from the main control circuit 30 and transmits a predetermined signal to the payout device 81 to cause the payout device 81 to pay out the game ball 9. . In addition, the payout / launch control circuit 80 performs a control of launching the game ball 9 by supplying a launch signal to the launch device 82. The payout device 81 is employed as an example of a payout means for paying out a prize ball when the game ball 9 that has been launched (injected) passes through a predetermined area.

  In addition, the launching device 82 includes a device for launching the game ball 9 such as the launching motor and the touch sensor described above. When the shooting handle 7 is gripped by the player and is rotated in the clockwise direction, electric power is supplied to the shooting motor in accordance with the rotation angle, and the game ball 9 stored in the upper plate becomes the shooting motor. Are fired sequentially on the game board. Such a launching device 82 is employed as an example of a launching unit that launches (injects) the game ball 9 in accordance with the player's operation.

  Further, a sub control circuit 40 is connected to the command output port 35. The sub control circuit 40 includes display control in the display device 8, control related to sound generated from the speaker 25, a hold lamp, a normal symbol hold lamp, and a decoration lamp according to various commands supplied from the main control circuit 30. The lamp 48 is controlled.

  In this embodiment, a command is supplied from the main control circuit 30 to the sub control circuit 40 and a signal cannot be supplied from the sub control circuit 40 to the main control circuit 30. The present invention is not limited to this, and there is no problem even if it is configured such that signals can be transmitted from the sub control circuit 40 to the main control circuit 30.

  The sub control circuit 40 as the effect control means includes a sub CPU 42 as the display control means, a program ROM 43 as the storage means, a work RAM 44, an image control circuit 45 for performing display control in the liquid crystal display device (display means) 8, and a speaker. 25, a voice control circuit 46 for controlling the voice generated from the lamp 25, a lamp control circuit 47 for controlling a lamp 48 including a hold lamp (not shown), a decoration lamp (not shown), the button 28, and the main control circuit. The command input port 41 is used to input signals from 30 command output ports 35. The sub control circuit 40 executes an effect according to the progress of the game in accordance with a command from the main control circuit 30.

  The sub CPU 42 is connected to the program ROM 43, the work RAM 44, the above-described button 28, and the like. The sub CPU 42 has a function of executing various processes according to the program stored in the program ROM 43. In particular, the sub CPU 42 controls the sub control circuit 40 in accordance with various commands supplied from the main control circuit 30. The sub CPU 42 functions as various means described later.

  Further, the data relating to the inclination angle from the inclination measuring device S is input to the sub CPU 42 by the external interrupt processing of the sub CPU 42 via the main control circuit, and the sub CPU 42 is based on the input data relating to the inclination angle. A command to display the tilt angle is sent to the image control circuit 45 according to the tilt angle related processing. The image control circuit 45 displays the tilt angle on the liquid crystal display device (display means) 8 based on the command.

In the program ROM 43, a program for controlling the game effects of the gaming machine by the sub CPU 42 is stored, and in addition, various tables such as a table for making decisions regarding effects are stored.
The program ROM 43 stores a plurality of types of effect patterns. This effect pattern relates to the progress of the effect display. The effect display is executed according to the display of the identification information.
In the present embodiment, the program ROM 43 is used as a storage means for storing programs, tables, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other storage medium can be used as long as it is a computer-readable storage medium. For example, it may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk device, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a ROM cartridge. Of course, the main ROM 33 may be used as the storage means. These programs may not be recorded in advance, but may be downloaded after the power is turned on and recorded in the work RAM 44 or the like. Furthermore, each of the programs may be recorded on separate storage media.

  Further, in this embodiment, the main control circuit 30 including the main CPU 32 and the main ROM 33 and the sub control circuit 40 including the sub CPU 42 and the program ROM 43 are separately configured. In this case, the program stored in the program ROM 43 may be stored in the main ROM 33 and executed by the main CPU 32. Of course, it may be configured only by the sub control circuit 40 including the sub CPU 42 and the program ROM 43. In this case, the program stored in the main ROM 33 is stored in the program ROM 43 and executed by the sub CPU 42. You may comprise.

The work RAM 44 has a function of storing various flags and variable values as a temporary storage area of the sub CPU 42. For example, various variables such as an effect display selection random number counter for selecting an effect pattern are positioned.
In this embodiment, the work RAM 44 is used as temporary storage for the sub CPU 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any readable / writable storage medium may be used.

The schematic perspective view which shows one Example of the pachinko game machine by this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the inclination sensor by this invention. The block diagram of the inclination measuring apparatus S containing a detection circuit. The flow figure (inclination angle related processing) of the control system of the pachinko gaming machine by this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the display means of the game machine which displayed the inclination-angle of the game board. The block diagram of the pachinko game machine by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A game area 8 display means 9 inclination sensor 18 game board

Claims (3)

A game board having a game area where game balls can flow down;
A ball game machine comprising display means capable of displaying identification information,
Provide a tilt sensor to measure the tilt angle of the game board,
A bullet ball game machine characterized in that an inclination angle measured by an inclination sensor is displayed on a display means.   The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensor is a gyro sensor. The ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an external output terminal is provided in a device including a tilt sensor.

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