JP2007082961A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which has a reclining mechanism on a seat of a terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with its body having the main control means which generates game programs and game input data for prescribing the progress of games and image data corresponding to the progress of games and the main display means for displaying images from the image data and a terminal 30 having an input operation part 72 which receives an input by a player to output the game input data, a sub display part 61 disposed facing the player and a seat which enables the player to operate the input operation part 72 sitting on it. The seat has the reclining mechanism for changing the attitudes of the player and the input operation part 72 for operating the reclining mechanism. The terminal 30 switches a game screen to other images according to the state of the reclining mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a multiplayer multi-purpose game machine in which a large number of players participate, commonly known as a mass game machine, is known. In recent years, for example, there is a horse racing game machine as such a mass game machine. This horse racing game machine includes a gaming machine main body provided with a large main display unit, and a plurality of terminal devices attached to the gaming machine main body and provided with sub display units.

  Each of the plurality of terminal devices includes a seat on which a player can be seated, and is lined up toward the main display unit. In this terminal device, each player sits on the seat and performs various operations while looking at the sub display unit.

  In this horse racing game machine, the racehorse and its odds are presented on the main display section and the sub display section. Each player selects an arbitrary racehorse from the presented racehorses and bets medals. Thereafter, horse racing is performed by these race horses on the main display portion, and medals are paid out to each player based on the odds set in advance according to the result.

  In the horse racing game machine as described above, it is possible to enjoy a sense of presence like being on a racetrack by listening to the sound output from the speaker while watching the video displayed on the main display unit. .

As a mass game machine, there is an integrated game system including a cockpit in which a plurality of players are seated in a theater provided with a large screen (see Patent Document 1). In this integrated game system, a personal computer device provided in each cockpit is connected to a general computer device for games, and these proceed in conjunction with the game. Then, by generating a large sound and body vibration in common with the players in the theater, a sense of reality and a sense of urgency that are not found in personally owned game machines are provided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-314450

  However, the gaming machine as described above has the following problems in particular. That is, the gaming machine provides the player with a sense of realism and a sense of urgency for a long time, so the player is mentally or physically tired and wants to take a break temporarily. In such a case, it is known that the gaming machine is provided with an input unit (PAUSE button or the like) for interrupting the game to interrupt the game. However, after the game is interrupted in this way, the player adjusts the seat of the seat for a break or manually switches the monitor screen on which the game is displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the player operating the gaming machine simply interrupts the game or changes the game screen displayed on the monitor by changing the angle of the seat back of the gaming machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that switches to an image of the above.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following gaming machines.
(1) A game controller (for example, an input operation unit 72 to be described later) that receives input from the player, and a monitor (for example, for receiving or generating a game screen generated based on the game program from the outside or displaying it internally) A gaming machine having a sub display unit 61 and a main display device 22), which will be described later, and a seat (for example, a seat 31 which will be described later) for the player to sit on.
The seat includes a reclining mechanism, and includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of a backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and the progress of the game by the game program is interrupted according to the angle detected by the sensor, or A gaming machine comprising control means for switching the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image (for example, a reclining drive device 35 described later).

  According to the invention described in (1), the gaming machine includes a seat having a reclining mechanism, and the seat includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of the backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and is detected by the sensor. Control means for interrupting the progress of the game by the game program or switching the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image according to the angle is provided. Therefore, the player may be able to interrupt the game or switch the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image only by changing the angle of the seat back of the gaming machine.

(2) A game comprising a game program defining the progress of a game, game input data, main control means for generating image data in accordance with the progress of the game, and main display means for displaying an image based on the image data A main body, receiving means for receiving input from the player and outputting the game input data, sub-display means provided to face the player, and a seat capable of operating the receiving means while the player is seated A gaming machine comprising: a reclining mechanism that changes the posture of the player; and a terminal device that includes a seat that includes a posture operating means for operating the reclining mechanism,
The seat includes a reclining mechanism, and includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of a backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and the progress of the game by the game program is interrupted according to the angle detected by the sensor, or A gaming machine comprising control means for switching the game screen displayed on the sub-display means to another image.

  According to the invention described in (2), the terminal device includes a seat having a reclining mechanism, and the seat includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of the backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and is detected by the sensor. Control means for interrupting the progress of the game by the game program or switching the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image according to the angle is provided. Therefore, the player can interrupt the game or switch the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image only by changing the angle of the backrest of the seat of the terminal device. For example, when a game is played with a plurality of players using such a gaming machine, the game time is often long due to the fact that the game is played jointly with other players. In this gaming machine, even in such a case, it may be possible to provide a gaming machine in which each player can easily take a break. Furthermore, for example, it may be possible to display other images such as a television on the sub display means by operating the reclining mechanism. As a result, the player may be able to, for example, interrupt the game and take a break and enjoy an image (for example, an external image such as a television) displayed on the sub display means.

  (3) The seat further includes a backrest portion for supporting the back of the player, reclining drive means for inclining the backrest portion, and reclining operation means for operating the reclining drive means, and an inclination angle of the backrest portion. The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), wherein the main control means is controlled when is within a predetermined angle range.

  According to the invention described in (3), since the gaming machine controls the main control means when the inclination angle of the backrest portion is within a predetermined angle range, the player can advance the game only by defeating the backrest portion. Can be controlled. Therefore, for example, it is possible for the player to interrupt the ongoing game simply by defeating the backrest portion, or to provide the player with an input image (for example, external image data such as a television) by the external image data input means. It is.

  According to the present invention, the player operating the gaming machine can interrupt the game or switch the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image only by changing the angle of the seat back of the gaming machine. It is.

  Hereinafter, the gaming machine of the embodiment will be described.

<Overall configuration of gaming machine>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine 1 is a mass game machine, and includes a gaming machine main body 20 including a planar rectangular play area 21 and a plurality of terminal devices 30 arranged on the play area 21.

  In addition to the play area 21, the gaming machine main body 20 includes a main display device 22 arranged along one side of the play area 21, speaker devices 23 arranged at the four corners of the play area 21, and these main display devices 22. And a main control device 80 for controlling the speaker device 23. The main display device 22 functions as main display means.

  The play area 21 is divided into a plurality of subareas. These subareas include a city area 212A, a sea area 212B, and a forest area 212C. In the play area 21, IC tags 211 are embedded in a grid. The IC tag 211 stores position information within the play area 21.

  The main display device 22 is a large projector display device that displays an image based on the image data output from the main control device 80. The main display device 22 is not limited to this and may be a large monitor.

  The main control device 80 is capable of bidirectional communication with each terminal device 30 via a wireless LAN, executes a predetermined game program, and performs bidirectional communication with each terminal device 30 to create a virtual space common to each player. provide.

  Each terminal device 30 is arranged in a state facing the main display device 22. The terminal device 30 is connected to the main control device 80 via a wireless LAN, and can move on the play area 21 in accordance with a command from the main control device 80 or by an operation of the player.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of each terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a seat 31 and a traveling unit 32 that is provided below the seat 31 and moves the seat 31 on the play area 21.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the traveling unit 32. The travel unit 32 includes four travel tires 321, a drive control device 322 that rotationally drives the travel tires 321, a direction control device 323 that controls the direction of the travel tire 321, the drive control device 322, and the direction control device. A rechargeable battery (not shown) that supplies power to H.323. The traveling unit 32 can move the seat 31 to an arbitrary position on the play area 21 by the drive control device 322 and the direction control device 323. The rechargeable battery described above may be charged by being connected to an external power source, and is not limited to this. A magnetic field generator is built in the play area 21 and a magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator. By doing so, it may be charged by self-induced electromotive force by a magnetic field.

  In addition, an IC tag detection unit 324 that detects an IC tag 211 embedded in the play area 21 is provided below the drive control device 322 of the traveling unit 32.

<Composition of sheet>
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seat 31 in the seat mode. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat 31 in the bed mode. The seat 31 includes a seat body 50, a side unit 60 provided along one side surface of the seat body 50, and a seat shell 70 that surrounds three sides excluding the other side surface side of the seat body 50. . The seat 31 is provided with a reclining mechanism so that the mode can be adjusted in multiple stages between the seat mode shown in FIG. 4 and the bed mode shown in FIG.

  The seat body 50 includes a flat base portion 51, a seating portion 52 provided on the base portion 51, a backrest (backrest portion) 53 attached to the seating portion 52 so that the angle can be changed, A headrest 54 provided on the top of the backrest 53 and a pair of side arms 55 provided on the seat surface of the seating portion 52 and on both sides of the backrest 53 are provided. The seat 31 further includes a reclining drive device 35 for controlling the state of the reclining mechanism of the seat 31. The reclining drive device 35 (see FIG. 11) acts as a reclining drive means, and at least the backrest 53 can be inclined.

  The seating section 52 is configured to advance and retreat on the base section 51 when the player operates the input operation section 72 (see FIG. 2) (game controller). The seat body 50 slides forward from the seating portion 52 to change from the seat mode shown in FIG. 4 to the bed mode shown in FIG. 5 and forms a bed. Therefore, the input operation unit 72 acts as a posture operation unit that controls the state of the reclining mechanism of the seat 31. Further, the input operation unit 72 is disposed at a position where the player can operate even when the seat 31 is in the seat mode or the bed mode.

  The seating portion 52 includes a legrest 521 provided on the front surface side, and a footrest 522 accommodated at the tip of the legrest 521. When the seating portion 52 slides forward, the legrest 521 turns upward along with the slide and becomes a seat surface continuous with the seat surface of the seating portion 52. At the same time, the footrest 522 protrudes from the legrest 521 and becomes a seat surface continuous with the legrest 521.

  The backrest 53 falls backward as the seat portion 52 moves forward and backward on the base portion 51. The side arm 55 is configured such that when the seat body 50 is set to the bed mode, the front side is slightly rotated upward.

  The seat surface of the seat portion 52, the lower portion of the backrest 53 (abutting against the waist of the player), and the headrest 54 each have a bag body into which air can be injected, and air is injected into these bag bodies by an air pump. Then, the surface is raised so that it can be supported while corresponding to the unevenness of the user's body surface.

  In the side unit 60, a sub display unit 61 configured to include a liquid crystal display panel is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sub display unit 61 includes a support member 600 supported by the side unit 60 and a rectangular flat plate-shaped sub monitor 613 supported by the support member 600. The support member 600 includes a first support arm 611 and a second support arm 612 attached to the tip of the first support arm 611. The sub monitor 613 has a rectangular flat plate shape, is attached to the tip of the second support arm 612, and includes an image display unit 613A that performs liquid crystal display. The first support arm 611 is extendable in the vertical direction with respect to the side unit 60. The second support arm 612 is extendable and can be fixed at an arbitrary angle with respect to the axial direction of the first support arm 611. The sub monitor 613 can be fixed at an arbitrary angle with respect to the axial direction of the second support arm 612.

  The sub monitor 613 displays a game screen generated based on a game program executed by the CPU 81 of the main control device 80 and a game screen generated by the terminal device 30. Here, the sub monitor 613 may synthesize and display a game screen generated based on a game program executed by the CPU 81 of the main control device 80 and a game screen generated by the terminal device 30. The sub monitor 613 incorporates a small CCD camera 614. The CCD camera 614 is used when creating an avatar in the game field. Note that by operating an input operation unit 72 (described later), an image captured by the CCD camera 614 is always displayed on the sub display unit 61 of the terminal device 30. Thereby, since the player's own facial expression can be seen during the game, the fun is increased. In this case, the captured video may be displayed on the entire screen of the sub monitor 613 or may be displayed on a part of the screen.

  The side unit 60 is provided with a sub-monitor storage space 62 extending in the vertical direction, and the first monitor arm 611, the second support arm 612, and the sub-monitor 613 are stored in the sub-monitor storage space 62. Yes.

  A procedure for the player to pull out the sub monitor 613 from the storage space 62 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the player slides the sub monitor 613 upward from the sub monitor storage space 62 and extends the first support arm 611 and the second support arm 612 while sitting on the seat body 50. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the display screen of the sub monitor 613 is directed to the player side by twisting the sub monitor 613. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the player's eyes can be adjusted by adjusting the relative angle between the first support arm 611 and the second support arm 612 and the relative angle between the second support arm 612 and the sub monitor 613. A sub-monitor 613 is positioned on the line.

  Inside the side unit 60, a sub control device 90 connected to the main control device 80 via a wireless LAN and a plurality of substrate storage slots 97 constituting the sub control device 90 are provided. Here, the sub control device 90 functions as a sub control means. The sub control device 90 controls the sub display unit 61 and the traveling unit 32 based on a command from the main control device 80, and transmits a signal input from the input operation unit 72 (described later) to the main control device 80. . A lid 971 is provided on the upper part of the substrate storage slot 97 so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal control board 972 can be mounted in the board storage slot 97 by opening the cover 971 and inserting the terminal control board 972 from above. For example, a wireless communication unit 93 and a CPU 91 are configured on the terminal control board 972.

  The rear side of the seat shell 70 extends upward so that the backrest 53 and the headrest 54 can be supported. Speakers 75 are provided on both sides of the headrest 54 in the seat shell 70. The rear side of the side surface of the seat shell 70 extends upward so that a player seated on the seat body 50 cannot be seen by other players.

  A table 71 is attached from one side surface of the seat body 50 to the front surface at the upper end of the seat shell 70. The leg rest 521 and the footrest 522 are received in the space below the table 71 when the seat body 50 is set to the bed mode.

An input operation unit 72 such as a keyboard or a jog dial is provided on the table 71 in the vicinity of the side arm 55, that is, at a position where the player can be operated while seated on the seat body 50. The input operation unit 72 is provided with a card slot 721 for inserting a credit card or a membership card in addition to a coin slot and a start button.
In this embodiment, the input operation unit 72 is provided on the table 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input operation unit 72 may be provided on the sub monitor 613 as a touch panel.

  Below the table 71 and in front of the side arm 55, a medal payout opening 731 for paying out medals from a medal storage part 73 provided inside the side unit 60 and a medal receiving part 732 for receiving the payout medals are provided. It has been. The medal receiving portion 732 is provided with a holder (not shown) for mounting the medal container 733. This medal may be paid out according to a multiplication rate in an event in the game program, for example. For example, like a bookmaker, for a certain event (e.g. horse racing or battle win / loss), a predetermined odds (multiplication rate) is set for the participant, and the player votes for a favorite object. Then, according to the winning or losing, etc., medals are paid out according to the odds. In addition, what is given as a prize by the bookmaker is not limited to a medal, but may be an item in the game space.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1. In this gaming machine 1, the main control device 80 of the gaming machine body 20 has a wireless communication unit 83, and the sub-control device 90 of the terminal device 30 has a wireless communication unit 93. These wireless communication units 83 and 93 can be connected to each other via a wireless LAN, whereby voice data and character data can be exchanged between the main control device 80 and the sub control device 90.

<Configuration of main control device>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main control device 80. The main control device 80 includes a CPU 81, a memory 82, a wireless communication unit 83, and a database 84 connected to the BUS. The CPU 81 functions as main control means. Database 84 serves as a storage means.

  The wireless communication unit 83 transmits / receives a signal to / from the sub-control device 90, and converts a radio frequency (RF) signal received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 85 into a baseband signal and transmits the baseband signal. A baseband processing unit 86 for converting a baseband signal to be converted into an RF signal.

  The database 84 is a circuit board including a storage unit that stores a game program, or a storage medium (for example, a hard disk or a ROM cassette) that stores the game program. Specifically, the main control device 80 is provided with a slot in which these circuit boards and storage media can be attached and detached. By attaching / detaching these circuit boards and storage media to / from the slot, the game programs stored in the database 84 can be appropriately replaced and other game programs can be executed. Note that the game program may be replaced directly by downloading via a communication line as well as the case where the game program is replaced through hardware.

  The CPU 81 transmits and receives data to and from the sub-control device 90 of each terminal device 30 through the wireless communication unit 83 according to the following procedure. Specifically, the CPU 81 converts this data into packet data when transmitting data to the sub-control device 90 of the terminal device 30. At this time, the IP address of the specific terminal device 30 that is the transmission destination is added to the packet data. In addition, when receiving data from the sub-control device 90 of the terminal device 30, the CPU 81 identifies the terminal device 30 that is the data transmission source based on the IP address added to the packet data.

  The above CPU 81 executes the game program and thereby performs various processes. That is, the CPU 81 reads out the game program stored in the database 84 to the memory 82 and advances the game according to this game program.

  Specifically, the CPU 81 receives data including game input data described later from each of the plurality of terminal devices 30, and generates single game data according to the game program based on these data. Then, the CPU 81 generates image data common to all the terminal devices 30 based on the generated single game data, and outputs the image data to the main control device 80. Here, the single game data includes data of a plurality of operation characters that can be operated in accordance with game input data of each of the plurality of terminal devices 30 in a single game field generated according to the game program, and the plurality of these data. The position data of the operation character is included.

  When the CPU 81 receives a plurality of pieces of game input data from a plurality of terminal devices 30, the CPU 81 specifies the terminal device 30 that has transmitted the game input data based on the IP address, and determines the operation character of the specified terminal device 30 as the game. Operate based on input data. Further, the CPU 81 designates the position of the terminal device 30 with respect to the specific terminal device 30 when the position data of the operation character of the specific one of the plurality of terminal devices 30 satisfies a predetermined condition. The mobile signal data to be transmitted is transmitted.

  In addition, during the game, the CPU 81 responds to a request from the terminal device 30 from the database 84 and information indicating the situation corresponding to the game program and the time axis in the game field at that time (that is, the incident occurring in the game field). Etc.) is extracted and transmitted to the requesting terminal device 30 via the wireless LAN. Further, the CPU 81 receives information representing the operation result of the player from each terminal device 30 and stores it in the memory 82. The CPU 81 causes the game to proceed based on the information representing the operation result of the player stored in the memory 82, and stores the progress result of the game program in the database 84.

  Here, the information indicating the operation result of the player is, for example, the result of selection by the player from the options shown to the player via the terminal device 30 according to the progress of the game program, or the result of the player operating the character appearing in the game. This is information transmitted from the terminal device 30 as a result of the player operating his / her own terminal device 30. Other players can check the current game progress (for example, high score information) stored in the database 84.

  Further, as will be described later, when the CPU 81 receives a signal indicating that a specific player has selected the break mode, the CPU 81, for example, displays the player so as not to be disadvantageous in the progress of the game. Make the game interrupted. Further, the CPU 81 outputs the information as a break information signal so that the information indicating that the specific player has selected the break mode is displayed on the sub display unit 61 of the other player to the terminal device 30 of the other player. To do.

<Configuration of sub-control device>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sub-control device 90. The sub-control device 90 includes a CPU 91, a memory 92, a wireless communication unit 93, and an input / output unit 94 that is an interface of the speaker 75 connected to the BUS.

  The wireless communication unit 93 transmits / receives a signal to / from the main control device 80, and converts a radio frequency (RF) signal received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 95 into a baseband signal and transmits the baseband signal. A baseband processing unit 96 that converts a baseband signal to be converted into an RF signal.

  The CPU 91 transmits and receives data to and from the main control device 80 via the wireless communication unit 93 according to the following procedure. Specifically, when transmitting data to the main controller 80, the CPU 91 divides this data into packet data. At this time, the IP address of the terminal device 30 that is the transmission source is added to the packet data as an identifier for identifying each terminal device 30. Further, when receiving data from the main control device 80, the CPU 91 captures the packet data if the IP address added to the packet data matches the IP address of the terminal device 30, and if not, Discard the packet data.

  The CPU 91 transmits and receives signals to and from the main control device 80 via the wireless communication unit 93, and based on input signals from the input operation unit 72, the CCD camera 614, and the IC tag detection unit 324, The sub display unit 61, the drive control device 322, and the direction control device 323 are controlled. The input operation unit 72 functions as a receiving unit. The sub display unit 61 functions as sub display means.

  Specifically, the IC tag detection unit 324 reads position information from the IC tag 211 and outputs it as current position data, and the CPU 91 stores game input data (character information or character information corresponding to an input from the input operation unit 72. Data such as specific selection information), face image data captured by the CCD camera 614, and current position data from the IC tag detection unit 324 are transmitted to the main control device 80.

  Furthermore, when the CPU 91 receives movement signal data specifying the position of the terminal device 30 from the main control device 80, the CPU 91 determines the position of the terminal device 30 on the play area 21 based on the current position data from the IC tag detection unit 324. The terminal device 30 is moved to the position specified by the movement signal data by grasping and controlling the drive control device 322 and the direction control device 323 of the traveling unit 32.

  The CPU 91 can also drive the drive control device 322 and the direction control device 323 of the travel unit 32 in accordance with game input data input by operating the input operation unit 72.

  The CPU 91 executes an operation program stored in the memory 92 according to a program executed by the CPU 81, and performs various processes. That is, when the CPU 91 receives a game program or information indicating a situation corresponding to the time axis in the game field at that time from the main control device 80, the CPU 91 stores the information such as the game program transmitted from the main control device 80 in the memory 92. After the storage, according to the game program, events such as various incidents occurring in the game field at this time are displayed on the sub display unit 61, and sound effects are output from the speaker 75.

  Further, the CPU 91 drives the reclining drive device 35 in accordance with the player's operation from the input operation unit 72 and operates the reclining mechanism of the seat 31. Further, the CPU 91 controls the progress of the game by the CPU 81. That is, when the backrest 53 of the seat 31 falls below a predetermined angle by the input operation unit 72, the CPU 91 outputs a signal indicating that the player has selected the rest mode to the CPU 81. Or CPU91 outputs the signal which shows that the player selected the rest mode with respect to CPU81 similarly, when a player operates the input operation part 72 and selects the rest mode.

  In addition, a player who uses each terminal device 30 is displayed on the main display device 22 by operating the input operation unit 72 while viewing the game contents (images, character information, etc.) displayed on the sub display unit 61. It is possible to participate in the progress of the game by manipulating the selected character, selecting an option based on the character, or moving the terminal device 30 to a specific position on the play area 21.

  The external image data control unit 325 controls external image data. Here, the external image data is image (other images that are not game screens) data different from the game progress content that is developed by the CPU 91 executing the game program. The reclining drive device 35 outputs to the CPU 91 a signal indicating that the backrest 53 of the seat 31 has fallen below a predetermined angle. That is, the reclining drive device 35 may be provided with a sensor (an angle detection sensor or the like) that detects a predetermined angle. Receiving this signal, the CPU 91 outputs a signal indicating that the terminal device 30 has selected the rest mode to the CPU 81 on the main control device 80 side. Or CPU91 outputs the signal which shows that the player selected the rest mode with respect to CPU81 similarly, when a player operates the input operation part 72 and selects the rest mode. Here, the break mode is a state in which an image unrelated to the game is output to the sub display unit 61 and the speaker 75. The main control device 80 that has received this signal interrupts the game progress by the game program of the corresponding terminal device 30. In parallel with the output of this signal, the external image data control unit 325 may control the external image data to be displayed on the sub display unit 61. Here, the external image data control unit 325 reads external image data from the external image data storage unit 326. That is, the external image data storage unit 326 may be a device that stores a predetermined video medium such as a DVD or a video. The external image data control unit 325 reads such a video medium from the external image data storage unit 326 and displays it on the sub display unit 61 (at this time, the sound of the video medium is output from the speaker via the input / output unit 94). May be output).

  The external image data control unit 325 and the external image data storage unit 326 may be integrated with each other, and may be a DVD player or a video player. The external image data control unit 325 may include a television image receiving unit (including audio). The external image data control unit 325 may display a television image as the external image data on the sub display unit 61 (in this case, the video medium from the speaker via the input / output unit 94). Sound may be output).

  Such an external image data control unit 325 and an external image data storage unit 326 may be provided on the main control device 80 side. That is, the CPU 91 of the terminal device 30 outputs a signal indicating that the break mode has been selected to the main control device 80, and the main control device 80 that has received the signal outputs a game based on the game program of the corresponding terminal device 30. The CPU 81 on the main control device 80 side transmits the external image data to the corresponding terminal device 30 and interrupts the progress (or without interruption), and the terminal device 30 that has received the transmitted external image data performs sub-display. The mode displayed on the part 61 may be sufficient. At this time, the main control device 80 uses the external image data control unit 325 and the external image data storage unit 326 provided in the terminal device 30 without interrupting the game progress by the game program of the corresponding terminal device 30. It is also possible to switch to another image that is not a game image. When the main control device 80 provides the external image data to the terminal device 30, it is not necessary to provide the external image data control unit 325 and the external image data storage unit 326 in each terminal device 30. It is possible to reduce the number of parts.

<Composition of game program>
Next, a game program provided by the gaming machine 1 will be described. This game program is a role-playing game set in an imaginary game field that always proceeds on its own time axis. In this imaginary game field, there are a plurality of cities, and each city has a guild. Each player becomes an adventurer, visits each city, and aims to clear a number of incidents (quests) held by each guild by operating an avatar.

  On the other hand, this game program generates a plurality of major incidents (macro quests) in the game field and forms a large flow of stories. Each player solves the above-mentioned case (quest), but gets involved in a major case (macro-quest) and solves this macro-quest while sometimes cooperating with other players, sometimes hostile, sometimes competing. Go.

  This game program changes the flow of the game field by the player's operation (game play) of the terminal device 30. In other words, the accumulation of game play (adventure) by each player makes the history of this game field. Thus, this game program is a role-playing game in which a plurality of players can experience the flow of the history of the imaginary world. In addition, history will be built on the game field with its own unstoppable timeline, so the characters appearing in this game field are not immortal and are aging like the real world. Will go.

  The game program is configured to write the name of the player who solved the incident by the macro quest and the name of the player who played an active part in winning the competition with other players in the chronological table stored in the database 84. . Thereby, the player who played an active part in the macro quest can leave the name in the history of the game field.

  The operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the main flowchart shown in FIG. In step ST <b> 1, each player selects a favorite one from the terminal devices 30 arranged on the play area 21 and sits on the seat 31 of the selected terminal device 30. Subsequently, in step ST2, each player inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot of the input operation unit 72 and presses a start switch. Then, in step ST3, the sub monitor 613 and the seat 31 of the gaming machine 1 are unlocked. In step ST4, the player takes out the sub monitor 613 from the storage space 62 of the side unit 60 and adjusts the mode of the seat 31.

  In step ST5, the gaming machine 1 executes a game process described later. When the game ends, in step ST6, the gaming machine 1 stores the sub monitor 613 and returns the mode of the seat 31 to the seat mode.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the game process. When the game is started in step ST11, the game program creates an avatar for the player in step ST12. That is, the game program displays an avatar creation screen on the sub display unit 61. In this avatar creation screen, when a player participates in the game program, an avatar that is a substitute for the player is created. When the player's face is photographed by the CCD camera 614 and the player inputs personal information and a name used in the game field to the input operation unit 72, the game program generates an avatar based on the information, and the main control device 80 Are registered in the database 84.

  In step ST <b> 13, the game program initially places the terminal device 30 on which the player is seated on the play area 21. That is, the town in the game field is surrounded by the sea and forests, or a large city. As described above, the play area 21 is composed of a plurality of subareas of the city area 212A, the sea area 212B, and the forest area 212C. These subareas 212A, 212B, and 212C correspond to the city environment in the game field. It is a pseudo space. Accordingly, the game program sets a town where each player is present in the game field at the start of the game, and moves the terminal device 30 of the player to the sub-areas 212A, 212B, 212C corresponding to the town where each player is located. Or a game program moves the terminal device 30 of a player according to operation of the input operation part 72 of each player, and sets the town where the player exists in a game field with this movement.

  In step ST14, as described later, the game program generates macro quests in which a plurality of players participate or quests in which only one player participates in accordance with a unique time axis, while The game for the player is advanced, and the game is ended in step ST15.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the game progress of the game program for each player. In step ST16, it is detected whether or not the backrest 53 of the specific player is inclined more than a predetermined angle. When the CPU 91 determines that the backrest 53 of the seat 31 has fallen below a predetermined angle by the input operation unit 72, the CPU 91 outputs a signal indicating that the player has selected the rest mode to the CPU 81. If the game program determines that the rest mode has been selected regardless of the operation of the input operation unit 72 of the player, the game program executes step ST19, and if not, executes step ST17.

  In step ST17, the game program determines whether or not the player has selected the rest mode by operating the input operation unit 72. If the game program determines that the rest mode has been selected by the operation of the input operation unit 72 of the player regardless of the state of the reclining mechanism, the game program executes step ST19, and if not, executes step ST18.

  In step ST18, the game program provides the game via the sub display unit 61, the speaker 75, and the like so that the player participates in the entire game and the game is advanced together with other players.

  In step ST19, the game program provides, as a break mode, an image or sound different from the game (for example, an image or music that makes the player relax) via the sub display unit 61, the speaker 75, and the like. The image and sound different from the game may be a mode in which a game demo image and demo music are reproduced, or the external image data stored in the external image data storage unit 326 is reproduced as described above. It is also possible to use a mode for outputting video from a television or the like.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of each player in the game program. Each player can execute the case chronological process, the guild process, the belonging process, the shop process, the status process, and the party process when the game participation mode (step ST18) in FIG. 14 is selected. Yes.

  When the player selects “case chronology”, the game program reads the case chronology from the database 84 of the main control device 80 and executes the case chronology processing to display the case chronology on the sub display unit 61. To do.

  In this case chronology, the date and name of the quest in the game field where each quest has been resolved are displayed. Further, when the player selects a quest name (case name), the game program displays details of the selected case. Here, for example, when the player who solved the case (quest) the earliest is the winner, the details of the case are displayed as the player who solved the case (quest) the earliest. If a party with a large number of cooperators is the winner, that party is displayed.

  When the player selects “Guild”, the game program executes guild processing and displays a guild screen on the sub display unit 61. On this guild screen, it is possible to see a quest that the player can challenge in the guild and to choose to go to another town in the game field.

  When the player selects “Quest” on the guild screen, the game program displays a list of selectable quests on the sub display unit 61. When the player selects a desired “quest” from the list, the game program executes the selected quest.

  When the player selects “Go to another city” on the guild screen, the game program displays a list of cities that can be selected as destinations on the sub display unit 61. When the player selects a desired city from the list, the game program moves the player to the selected city. When the player moves to another city in the game field, the game program moves the terminal device 30 of each player to the sub-area 212 corresponding to the destination city. Note that the player can select a menu such as “guild”, “possession”, “shop”, etc. even in this destination city.

  When the player selects “possession”, the game program executes belonging processing, and displays an possession (table of contents) screen such as weapons, tools, and shoes on the sub display unit 61. When the player selects a specific belonging on the belongings (table of contents) screen, the game program displays a plurality of items included in the selected belonging on the sub display unit 61. The player can select a desired item from these items and can “equip” or “discard” the selected item.

  When the player selects “Shop”, the game program executes shop processing and displays a shop screen on the sub display unit 61. This shop screen is a screen for exchanging items for possession or obtaining information from the shop owner, and the player can select either “listen to talk” or “exchange” .

  When the player selects “Replace” on the shop screen, the game program displays a product list on the sub display unit 61. The player can select a desired item from the product list.

  When the player selects the desired item, the game program displays the player's hand-held item to be exchanged for the selected desired item. When the player selects a hand-held item to be exchanged, the game program displays an item owned by the player and its value on the sub display unit 61. When the player selects items to be exchanged from the displayed hand-held items, and the player selects “execute” with the hand-held items to be exchanged, the game program wishes to exchange with the desired items. Execute exchange for hand-held item.

  On the other hand, when the player selects “listen to story” on the shop screen, the game program displays “rumor story” on the sub display unit 61. The player can obtain information on the game field from the “rumors” displayed on the screen.

  When the player selects “STATUS”, the game program executes status processing and displays a status screen on the sub display unit 61. This status screen represents the result of the player's success in the game field, his belongings, and the like. Specifically, the name, title, fame, physical strength, intelligence, the number of defeated monsters, the number of quests cleared, the number of helpers, etc. When the player selects any of the above items, the game program displays a ranking related to this item on the sub display unit 61.

  When the player selects “Party”, the game program executes party processing, and when there is a friend, the name of the friend is displayed on the sub display unit 61, and “read mail” and “send mail” are displayed. ”,“ Exchange item ”,“ View status ”, etc. By selecting any of the above items, the player can send and receive emails with the fellow player, exchange items with the fellow, and view the fellow status.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of encounter processing when a player encounters another player in the game field. When the player encounters another player in the game field during the progress of the game in step ST14, the game program executes an encounter process. That is, in step ST21, an encounter screen is displayed on the sub display unit 61 to prompt the user to select whether or not to speak. If the player selects “No”, the process moves to step ST24, and the encounter process is terminated without forming a party. On the other hand, if the player selects “Yes”, the process proceeds to step ST22, in which the game program sends an email to the opponent player and displays a display indicating that the player is invited to the sub-display of the terminal device 30 of the player. Displayed on the unit 61. Then, the game program prompts the opponent player to select whether or not to receive the solicitation.

  If the invited player selects “Yes”, the process proceeds to step ST23, and the game program transmits the selection result to the player of the invitation source, and the sub-display of the player of the invitation source indicates that the player has become a friend. Display on section 61 to form a party and end. On the other hand, if the player who received the solicitation selects “No”, the game program displays on the sub display section 61 of the solicitation source player that he / she could not become a friend, and the process proceeds to step ST24 to display the party. End encounter processing without forming.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of macro quest processing when a macro quest occurs in the game field. If a macro quest involving a plurality of players occurs in step ST31, the game program executes a macro quest process. That is, when a macro quest occurs in step ST31, the process proceeds to step ST32, where the player involved in the macro quest is displayed on the main display device 22, and the terminal device 30 of the player involved in the macro quest is displayed on the main display. It moves to the sub-area 212A in front of the device 22, and arranges the terminal devices 30 of the opposing players close to each other and face each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, six terminal devices 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> F are arranged on the play area 21. Among these, the players of the terminal devices 30A, 30B, and 30E are one party, and the players of the terminal devices 30C, 30D, and 30F are another party. And each player of terminal device 30A-30D is arrange | positioned so that it may be involved in a macro quest in the urban area 212A, and a party opposes. On the other hand, since the players of the terminal devices 30E and 30F are in the sea area 212B and the forest area 212C, respectively, they are not involved in the macro quest and watch the battles of the players of the terminal devices 30A to 30D.

  In step ST33, the player involved in the macro quest selects whether or not to call for help from a fellow player in order to clear the macro quest. When the player selects “No”, the process proceeds to step ST36. On the other hand, if the player selects “Yes”, the process proceeds to step ST34, where the game program transmits an email asking for help to the fellow player, and displays a display indicating that the player is seeking help. 30 sub-displays 61. Then, the game program prompts a fellow player to select whether or not to help the player.

  If the fellow player who is asked for help selects “Yes”, the process moves to step ST35, and the game program transmits the selection result to the player who asks for help, and that the friend joins the player. Are displayed on the sub display unit 61. In addition, the game program displays on the main display device 22 the situation where the newly joining fellow players are gathered, and places the terminal device 30 of the newly joining fellow player in the city area 212A in front of the main display device 22. The terminal device 30 of the hostile player is arranged so as to approach and face each other. On the other hand, when the player for whom help is requested selects “No”, the game program displays on the sub display unit 61 of the player who has requested help that the help has been refused, and proceeds to step ST36.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, since the player of the terminal device 30E is a friend of the player of the terminal devices 30A and 30B, the terminal devices 30A and 30B are asked for help and responded that they are helping. Therefore, it moves to the city area 212A and is arranged alongside the terminal devices 30A and 30B. On the other hand, the player of the terminal device 30F is a friend of the player of the terminal devices 30C and 30D and asked for help from the terminal devices 30A and 30B, but has refused and remains in the forest area 212C.

  In step ST36, each player plays against an enemy player or an enemy party. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the players of the terminal devices 30A, 30B, and 30E and the players of the terminal devices 30C and 30D compete in the city area 212A.

  In this way, each player is involved in the macro quest, or a friend who is involved in the macro quest is asked for help, and the player can watch a match between other players regarding the macro quest. You can choose what to do.

  Therefore, since the traveling unit 32 is provided in the terminal device 30 and the traveling unit 32 is driven according to the input from the input operation unit 72, the terminal device 30 is moved to a favorite position on the play area 21 at the start of the game. Therefore, each player can play by changing the position of the terminal device 30. Further, the sub-control device 90 of the terminal device 30 adds an IP address to the game input data, and the main control device 80 of the gaming machine body 20 transmits the game device input data based on the IP address. Since it specified, even if the terminal device 30 moves to any position on the play area 21, the game machine main body 20 can identify each of the terminal devices 30 reliably.

  In addition, a traveling unit 32 is provided in the terminal device 30, and the traveling unit 32 is driven according to movement signal data from the main control device 80, and the terminal device 30 is moved to a predetermined subarea 212 as the game progresses. Since the configuration is adopted, each player can play a game by changing the position of the terminal device 30.

  In addition, by reflecting the positional relationship between the plurality of operation characters in the game field in the positional relationship between the plurality of terminal devices, the positional relationship between the operation characters in the game field can be expressed more realistically on the play area. The interest of the player can be further improved. When a plurality of players fight each other, by bringing the terminal devices 30 of these fighting players closer to each other, the players can recognize that they are enemies of each other, and the tension of the fighting players can be enhanced.

  Further, since the main control device 80 transmits the movement signal data to the specific terminal device 30 using the IP address, each terminal device can be placed at any position on the play area 21. 30 can reliably identify the movement signal data from the gaming machine main body 20.

  Also, the terminal device 30 is provided with an IC tag detection unit 324 so that the current position of the terminal device 30 is confirmed based on the current position data detected by the IC tag detection unit 324, and the terminal device 30 approaches the position specified by the movement signal data. Since the terminal device 30 has been moved to the designated position, it can be reliably moved to the designated position.

  Furthermore, since the gaming machine 1 is provided with a reclining mechanism on the seat 31 of the terminal device 30, the player sitting on the seat 31 of the terminal device 30 takes a break without leaving the terminal device 30 of the gaming machine 1. be able to. Moreover, when the terminal 81 determines that the player is in a resting state by operating the reclining mechanism according to the state of the reclining mechanism, for example, the terminal device 30 controls only the player to the resting mode. To be able to. Thus, even if the player interrupts the operation of the game, the player is not treated disadvantageously in the progress of the game, so that the player can take a break with peace of mind.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, The deformation | transformation in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention, improvement, etc. are included in this invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the game machine which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the terminal device which comprises the said gaming machine. It is an expansion perspective view of a part of traveling part of the terminal unit. It is a perspective view in the sheet mode of the sheet of the terminal device. It is a perspective view in the bed mode of the sheet | seat of the said terminal device. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the sub monitor of the said terminal device was pulled out from storage space. It is a perspective view which shows the state which orient | assigned the display screen of the sub monitor of the said terminal device to the player. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the position of the sub monitor of the said terminal device was adjusted. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the said gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control apparatus of the said game machine main body. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub-control apparatus of the said terminal device. It is a main flowchart of the game performed with the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart of the game process of the game program performed with the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart of the game progress in the game program performed with the said game machine. It is a flowchart of each player in the game program performed with the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart when a player encounters another player in the game field in the game program. It is a flowchart when a macro quest occurs in the game field in the game program. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the macro quest generate | occur | produced in the game field in the game program of the said game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state where the friend participated in the macro quest which generate | occur | produced in the game field in the game program of the said game machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 20 gaming machine main body 21 play area 22 main display device 30 terminal device 31 seat 32 traveling unit 35 reclining drive unit 61 sub display unit 72 input operation unit 80 main control unit 84 database 90 sub control unit 91 CPU

Claims (3)

A game machine including a game controller for receiving input from a player, a monitor for receiving or generating and displaying a game screen generated based on a game program from outside, and a seat for a player to sit on There,
The seat includes a reclining mechanism, and includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of a backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and the progress of the game by the game program is interrupted according to the angle detected by the sensor, or A gaming machine comprising control means for switching the game screen displayed on the monitor to another image. A game machine main body comprising a game program that defines the progress of a game, game input data, main control means for generating image data corresponding to the progress of the game, and main display means for displaying an image based on the image data; Receiving means for receiving input from the player and outputting the game input data; sub-display means provided so as to face the player; and a seat capable of operating the receiving means while the player is seated. A gaming machine comprising: a reclining mechanism that changes the posture of the player; and a terminal device that includes a seat including a posture operating means for operating the reclining mechanism,
The seat includes a reclining mechanism, and includes a sensor that detects a tilt angle of a backrest of the seat by the reclining mechanism, and the progress of the game by the game program is interrupted according to the angle detected by the sensor, or A gaming machine comprising control means for switching the game screen displayed on the sub-display means to another image.   The seat further includes a backrest portion for supporting the back of the player, reclining drive means for inclining the backrest portion, and reclining operation means for operating the reclining drive means, wherein the inclination angle of the backrest portion is a predetermined angle. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main control means is controlled when it is within the range.

Images