JP2007130213A - Position detector for game machine and position detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position detector for a game machine which permits an improvement in the precision of position detection by a simple structure without causing an increase in the number of sensing elements and in cost. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of photosensors (S1, S2, S3 and S4) are arranged, the position of the index piece (513a) of an opening and closing lens for example which is provided in a game machine is detected by providing a position determination section (3262). The position determination section judges that the index piece exists between the photosensors at the time when two adjacent photosensors simultaneously operate. Thus determination about the positions of objects to be sensed including the interspaces of the photosensors, enables a precision such as of a position resolution to be improved by a small number of elements. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is used for a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, for example, and a position detection that specifies a position as a detection target object such as a game medium such as a game ball or a game medal or a movable object device or a production device. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a position detection method.

  Generally, in a pachinko machine, a ball passing sensor is provided at a winning opening on a game board surface or a payout outlet of a ball paying device, and a game ball that has entered the winning opening is detected to give a chance to win a prize or draw, The game ball passing through the payout port of the ball payout device is detected and the number of payout balls is acquired. Also in the slot machine, a medal sensor for detecting a game medal inserted at the start of the game (hereinafter referred to as “medal”) is provided in the medal sorting device.

  Conventionally, many sensors mounted on gaming machines have been mainly used for mechanical contacts such as microswitches. However, in recent years, light and magnetism have become advantageous in terms of durability, maintainability, and cost. Many non-contact type sensors using the sensor have been used.

  On the other hand, a so-called goto action, in which some players play a game by illicitly operating the sensor, has become a problem, and in order to counter this, a higher performance and multi-functional sensor is required in the gaming machine. For example, in the above-described medal sorting device, two optical sensors are arranged side by side in the path of the inserted medal, and it is determined whether each optical sensor is normal or abnormal (unauthorized) based on a time lag in which the optical sensor detects and operates. A medal sensor having a position detecting function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, recently, a movable body that performs a complex operation is provided in an accessory device or a stage device provided on a board surface of a pachinko machine, etc., and this movable body conveys a game ball to make the game unexpected. There is an effect, and there is a need for a sensor that accurately detects the position of the movable body or the like in order to control the operation of such an accessory device.

  Conventionally, such detection of the position of a detection object such as a movable body is performed based on a relationship in which the array position of the activated detection elements and the position of the detection object correspond one-to-one. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the position of the detection object OB is specified in correspondence with the arrangement position of, for example, the reflection type photosensors S1 ′, S2 ′,... Operated by receiving light from the detection object OB. is doing. As described above, the principle of detecting the position of the detection target object based on the operation positions of the plurality of detection elements arranged is applied to the above-described medal sensor using the detection target object as a game medium (medal). Yes.

JP 2005-237458 A

  However, according to the above-described conventional position detection sensor, since the position detection is performed based on the one-to-one relationship with the arrangement positions of the plurality of detection elements, at least the same number of detection elements as the number of positions to be specified are detected. Need. That is, in order to improve the accuracy of position detection, it is necessary to increase the number of detection elements and reduce the size of the elements, resulting in complicated mounting circuits and high costs. Further, since the circuit and wiring are complicated, there is a problem that maintenance / adjustment work of the position detection sensor becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and the position for a gaming machine such as that the accuracy of position detection can be improved with a simple configuration without incurring an increase in the number of sensing elements or high costs. An object of the present invention is to provide a detection device and a position detection method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is configured such that a plurality of detection elements that detect the presence or absence of one detection object that is a movable body provided in a gaming machine are provided along the movement locus of the detection object. A position detection device that identifies the position of the detection object based on the positions of the detection elements that are arranged and detected, and two adjacent detection elements among the plurality of detection elements are simultaneously detected by the detection object The position determining means for determining that the detection object is present in the section where the two detection elements are arranged when the two detection elements are arranged is provided.

  According to the position detection device of the first aspect, the position of the detection target is specified based on the arrangement position of the detection elements that have been detected and activated, and when two adjacent detection elements are simultaneously activated, the two It is determined that the detection target is in the section where the detection elements are arranged. Thereby, it is possible to improve accuracy such as position resolution without increasing the number of detection elements.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position determination means includes a gate element that performs a logical product operation on detection results of the detection elements arranged adjacent to each other. The gate element outputs at least a signal indicating whether or not the detection target exists between the detection elements.

  According to the position detection device of the second aspect, the gate element that calculates the logical product indicates that when the two adjacent detection elements are activated at the same time, there is a detection object between the detection elements. Output a signal. Thereby, the structure of a position determination means can be simplified.

  Invention of Claim 3 is a position detection apparatus of Claim 1 or 2, Comprising: The said detection element is an optical sensor provided with the light emission part and the light-receiving part, The light which the said light emission part light-emitted is received. When reflected by the detection object and received by the light receiving unit, the presence of the detection object in the detection region is detected and actuated.

  According to the position detection apparatus of claim 3, the detection object reflects the light emitted from the light emitting units of one or both of the adjacent optical sensors, and the light receiving units of the two optical sensors receive the light. At this time, it is determined that there is a detection target in the section of the optical sensor. Thus, by using interference between adjacent optical sensors, it is possible to improve accuracy such as position resolution without increasing the number of optical sensors.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position detection method using a position detection device configured by arranging a plurality of detection elements for detecting the presence or absence of a detection object that is a movable body provided in a gaming machine along a movement trajectory. When any of the plurality of detection elements detects the detection object, it is determined that the detection object is present at a position facing the detection element, and the plurality of the detection elements When two detection elements adjacent to each other detect the detection object at the same time, it is determined that the detection object exists in a section in which the two detection elements are arranged.

  According to the position detection method of the fourth aspect, it is possible to improve the accuracy such as the position resolution without increasing the number of the detection elements by performing the position determination including between the adjacent detection elements. Therefore, it is possible to realize a position detection device with higher performance than the conventional one with a simple configuration without incurring complexity of the mounting circuit and high cost.

  As described above, according to the position detection device and the position detection method for gaming machines of the present invention, when any of a plurality of arranged detection elements detects a detection target, detection is performed at the position of the detection element. When it is determined that there is an object and two adjacent detection elements detect the detection object at the same time, it is determined that the detection object exists within a section in which the two detection elements are arranged. Thus, by performing position determination including between adjacent detection elements, accuracy such as position resolution can be improved with a smaller number of detection elements than in the past. Thereby, a position detecting device having high performance can be realized with a simple configuration without incurring complexity of the mounting circuit and high cost.

  First, a slot machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine to which the position detection device according to the present invention is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to the slot machine, and may be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine or a ball ball gaming machine.

  Here, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the slot machine, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing the internal structure by opening the front door of the slot machine.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 can be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown) with respect to the opening side of the housing 2, which faces the player side and constitutes a so-called front mask, which is a substantially rectangular box body. Is attached. The front door 3 is roughly divided into an upper panel portion and a lower panel portion, and these are integrally formed of a hard plastic designed to enhance the visual effect as a decorative board. In addition, a tray unit 4 that forms a tray part for storing medals is provided at the lower part of the front door 3.

  At the top of the front door 3 is provided a multi-effect display device 5 to be described later, which changes variously when winning a prize, winning an internal prize, etc., and displaying a moving image in accordance with the operation, etc. It has been.

  Side lamps 6a and 6b incorporating high-intensity light-emitting diodes are arranged on the left and right sides of the upper panel, and effect sound emitting parts 8a and 8b incorporating speakers are formed in the middle panel 7 in the center. . Further, a transparent window 9a is formed at a position sandwiched between the production sound emitting portions 8a and 8b of the middle panel 7, and the liquid crystal display unit 9 is attached from the back side to face this. The liquid crystal display unit 9 displays the selected moving image to give a story to the game, or to imply an expectation by suggesting an internal winning result to the player. Is going.

  In addition, a substantially rectangular transparent display window 7 a is formed at the center of the middle panel 7. In the slot machine 1, three cylindrical reels 10a, 10b, and 10c provided in the housing 2 can be visually observed through the display window 7a. That is, a plurality of types of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and three vertical and three horizontal rows of symbols facing the display window 7a are displayed to the player through the display window. ing.

  Further, around the display window 7a, a white lamp (not shown) provided on the back side is turned on to highlight a game state display unit 11 such as an internal winning for a winning combination, and a plurality of game state display units 11 A dot matrix display unit 12 for effecting and displaying a dot image by turning on a light emitting diode, and the number of medals credited (internally stored) in the slot machine 1, the number of medals earned by winning, or the number of winning prizes Numerical information display sections 13 for displaying information numerically are formed.

  In the middle of the front door 3, a medal insertion portion 14 having an insertion slot 14 a for inserting medals used in the game, a bet button 15 for instructing the operation of the game, a start lever 16, and three pieces Stop buttons 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided.

  The bet button 15 is a push-type button switch for presenting the number of medals bet on the game of the slot machine 1. The start lever 16 is a lever switch for instructing to rotate the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. The start lever 16 is turned on when a lever having a spherical operation knob at the tip is tilted in any direction, up, down, left, or right. When the hand is released from the lever, the spring is automatically returned to the original position by the urging force of the spring and is turned off. The stop buttons 17a, 17b, and 17c are push-type button switches for individually instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and are arranged in parallel corresponding to the arrangement of the reels.

  The lower panel formed on the front door 3 is provided with a panel 3a for displaying, for example, a picture of an appearing character so that the player can recognize the model type of the slot machine 1 and the like. The tray unit 4 has a medal payout port 18 for paying out the medals stored in the tray 4a to the tray 4a at the time of winning, etc., and an effect sound emitting unit that has a built-in speaker and generates effect sound according to the progress of the game. 19 are arranged respectively.

  Next, the internal structure of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A main control board 21 that performs overall control of the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is attached to the upper portion of the housing 2. The main control board 21 is a control circuit board on which electronic components such as an interface circuit having a matching function when communicating with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral devices are mounted, and is housed in a transparent board case. It is fixed in the body 2 so as not to be detached.

  A reel unit 10 in which three reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are arranged in the axial direction is disposed substantially at the center in the housing 2 so as to face the display window 7a formed on the front door 3 side. . The reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are rotationally driven by stepping motors that are fitted to the hub portions.

  Below the reel unit 10, there is provided a hopper unit 22 that temporarily stores medals inserted in the medal insertion section 14 on the front surface and discharges and pays out medals from the medal discharge port 22a at the time of winning award. The auxiliary tank 23 which is a box having an opening on the upper side is provided adjacent to the hopper unit 22 and collects medals overflowed by the hopper unit.

  Further, at the bottom of the housing 2, a main power supply device 24 composed of a constant voltage source and a power supply device substrate 25 that distributes necessary power to each device built in the slot machine 1 are accommodated in the same sheet metal case. Are arranged.

  Next, on the front door 3 side, the above-described multi-effect display device 5 is attached at an upper position, and speakers 31a and 31b facing the front-facing sound emission portions 8a and 8b are attached. Further, a sub-control board 32 for controlling and driving the liquid crystal display unit, the speakers 31a, 31b and the like is attached to the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 9 (see FIG. 2) disposed between the speakers 31a, 31b. . The sub-control board 32 controls driving of the multi-effect display device 5, the side lamps 6a and 6b, the effect sound emitting portions 8a, 8b, and 19 in addition to the display control of the effect video by the liquid crystal display unit 9, I mainly control the production.

  Below the display window 7a and the like formed on the middle panel 7 is a central display board that relays signals from operation switches such as the start lever 16 and stop buttons 17a, 17b and 17c to the main control board 21 on the housing 2 side. 33 etc. are assembled.

  A medal selector 34 is attached to the lower portion of the front door 3 to determine whether or not the medal inserted into the medal insertion unit 14 on the front surface is appropriate. The medal selector 34 is equipped with a medal sensor 34a (not shown) made of a photo interrupter. The medal sensor 34a detects a medal that the medal selector 34 determines to be appropriate, and the medal acceptance signal is sent to the main control board 21. Is output. The main control board 21 performs a process of internally storing medals by adding credits and storing them in the memory every time a medal acceptance signal is received.

  Below the medal selector 34, a medal guide portion 35 that guides the medals determined to be appropriate and distributed to the hopper unit 22, and a medal (or foreign matter) that has been excluded and dropped by the medal selector 34 as inappropriate is displayed on the front medal payout port 18. And a medal payout passage 37 for guiding the medals released from the hopper unit 22 to the medal payout outlet 18 on the front surface. Further, a speaker 38 is attached adjacent to the medal payout opening 18 so as to face the above-described effect sound emitting unit 19.

  Next, a control system provided in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. First, the main control board 21 is provided with a storage unit including a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 212 and a RAM 213 in addition to the CPU 211, and the CPU 211 executes arithmetic processing according to a system program for a slot machine game stored in the ROM 212 in advance. Thus, the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is controlled.

  The CPU 211 is connected to a clock interrupt signal generation unit 214 that generates a clock signal having a fixed period (several milliseconds), and in synchronization with each clock interrupt, the bet button 15, the start lever 16, the stop button 17a, The switches and sensor outputs of the medal sensors 34a and the like built in the medal selector 34 and the sensor outputs 17b and 17c are read through the central display board 33.

  The main control board 21 includes a random number generation unit 215 including an oscillation element and a memory counter that counts a short-cycle pulse signal generated by the oscillation element, and a sampling unit that acquires a count value of the random number generation unit 215. 216 is provided with a hardware lottery circuit. The CPU 211 acquires a random number value from the random number generation unit 215 via the sampling unit 216 at a timing related to a predetermined game operation, and performs table lottery processing such as a winning combination and effect pattern based on the random value.

  In addition, the CPU 211 rotates the four-phase rotation control pulse data generated based on the above-described clock interrupt signal to the stepping motors 101a, 101b, and 101c that are the rotation driving sources of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. The current is amplified and supplied by the device substrate 103. The CPU 211 calibrates (resets) the position data each time it receives an operation signal from the reference position sensors 102a, 102b, and 102c provided on each reel, and based on the pulse data sent based on the position data, Each reel is controlled to rotate.

  The main control board 21 is connected to the payout motor 221 and the payout sensor 222 of the hopper unit 22 via the power supply device board 25. When a prize payout or medal lending operation is performed, the CPU 211 rotates the payout motor 221 to release a predetermined number of medals to the tray 4a. Then, when the payout number of medals detected by the operation of the payout sensor 222 coincides with the planned number, the control of stopping the payout motor is performed.

  Also, a main power supply device 24 that is provided with a main switch of the slot machine 1 and supplies power to each device and a control board as a main power supply is connected to the main control board 21 via a power supply board 25.

  A sub control board 32 is connected to the main control board 21 by wiring. The sub-control board 32 selects and decodes (reproduces) sound source data from the sound source data memory 323 and an illumination control unit 321 that controls lighting or blinking of high-intensity light-emitting diodes that are light sources such as the side lamps 6a and 6b. The sound control unit 322 for driving the speakers 31a, 31b, and 38 based on the sound signal and the image data stored in the image data memory 325 are appropriately selected and read, and some editing, such as merging of image elements, is performed. An image data processing unit 324 that outputs the added image data to the image control board 91 is mainly configured.

  The image control board 91 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor), a frame memory, a video RAM, and the like, generates a video signal based on the image data supplied from the image data processing unit 324, The effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 520 of the multi-effect display device 5.

  The sub-control board 32 is provided with a lens control unit 326 that controls the opening / closing lens (511) of the multi-effect display device 5 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. That is, although details will be described later, the lens control unit 326 includes a motor driving unit 3261 that supplies a driving current to the electric motor 515 connected to the open / close lens (511), and an index piece (513a) linked to the open / close lens (511). ) Is provided with a position determination unit 3262 that logically determines the rotation position of the open / close lens based on the output of the optical sensor group 516 including a plurality of detection elements for detecting the presence / absence (presence / absence).

  The slot machine 1 configured as described above enters a standby state when a prize is won in a previous game and a medal payout is completed, or when a loss is confirmed in the previous game. In this state, when the bet button 15 is pressed, medals are bet on the game from the medals (credits) stored therein, and the game starts.

  When the start lever 16 is tilted in the game start state, the main control board 21 starts to rotate the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. At the same time, a winning combination is drawn based on random numbers, and the result is stored in a flag (memory).

  Next, when the player presses the stop buttons 17a, 17b, and 17c in an arbitrary order, the main control board 21 sequentially stops the corresponding reels accordingly. Then, the main control board 21 determines whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on all the stopped reels 10a, 10b, and 10c matches the combination of symbols related to the winning combination stored in the flag. When they match, the winning is confirmed, and a medal with the number of payouts corresponding to the type of winning combination is added to the credit. When the credit exceeds the upper limit due to the payout of the winning prize, the main control board 21 operates the hopper unit 22 to perform a control for paying out the excess medal from the medal payout outlet 18 to the tray unit 4.

  As described above, the player of the slot machine 1 performs a game operation for rotating and stopping the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and loses the bet medals unless the symbols variably displayed on the display window 7a are aligned with the active line. If a winning combination is achieved with a predetermined combination of symbols, it is possible to obtain more medals than the betted number, so that it is possible to enjoy a win / lose game with an interest in increasing the number of medals depending on the skill and luck.

  Next, the above-described multi-effect display device 5 will be described in detail as an example of the effect device to which the position detection device according to the present invention is applied. Here, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the multi-effect display device 5 and its peripheral part, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-effect display device 5.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the multi-effect display device 5 includes a liquid crystal panel 520 and a backlight unit that are housed and fixed in the frame of the open / close lens unit 510 and the frame member 525 in order from the front side facing the player. 530 is assembled by being fixed to a support member 540, which is a metal frame, by screws (not shown). Then, the multi-effect display device 5 is located on the back side of the front door 3 via the bracket portion 545 of the support member 540 at a position where the opening / closing lens unit 510 faces the opening 3b formed on the upper portion of the front door 3 of the slot machine. It is fixed with screws.

  The open / close lens unit 510 has an open / close lens 511 having a lens surface curved in an arc shape and fan-shaped rotation support portions 513 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the curve direction, and the open / close lens 511 can be rotated. And a pair of bearing portions 514 that are pivotally supported, and an electric motor 515 that is built in the bearing portion 514 and connected to the opening / closing lens 511 to rotate.

  The open / close lens 511 is a lens surface that is curved in the vertical direction with a certain radius of curvature around the rotation axis along the circumferential portion of the fan-shaped rotation support portion 513 having a horizontal rotation axis. have. Thereby, the open / close lens 511 is configured to rotate on a virtual cylindrical surface including the lens surface. In addition, a large number of diffusing lens portions 512 made up of small hemispherical grooves are formed on the lens back surface, which is the concave side surface of the open / close lens 511, and light incident from the back surface side is diffused by the plurality of diffusing lens portions 512 to be on the front surface side. To be guided to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an index piece 513a is formed to extend from one end of the fan-like rotation support portion 513 on the shaft side, and the side wall of the bearing portion 514 along the rotation locus of the index piece 513a. Is provided with an optical sensor group 516 in which a plurality of optical sensors are arranged. Note that the position detection device according to the present invention includes an optical sensor group 516 as described later, and detects the position of an index piece 513a, which is a movable body, as a detection target.

  The wiring cable 517 extending from the bearing portion 514 is connected to the lens control unit 326 (see FIG. 4) of the sub control board 32. The motor drive unit 3261 of the lens control unit 326 supplies a drive current to the electric motor 515 of the bearing unit 514 via the wiring cable 517 to drive the opening / closing lens 511 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and the lens control unit 326. The position determination unit 3262 specifies the rotation position (rotation angle) of the interlocking open / close lens 511 using the position of the index piece 513a determined based on each detection signal of the optical sensor group 516 as an index.

  In the open / close lens unit 510, each bearing portion 514 is fixed to a screw hole 541 formed on both ends of the support member 540 via a screw, and the open / close lens 511 is rotated rearward in the support member 540. In this case, slits 542 are formed at two locations to prevent interference by inserting the rotation support portion 513.

  As the opening / closing lens unit 510 is fixed to the support member 540 in this manner, the opening / closing lens 511 opens the opening 3b and the position that closes the opening 3b of the front door 3 and covers the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 520. The liquid crystal panel 520 is attached so as to rotate in the forward / reverse direction with respect to a position retracted behind the liquid crystal panel 520 and allowing the player to directly view the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 520.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal panel 520 has a transparent protective sheet 521, a liquid crystal panel main body 522, a polarizing plate 523, and the like stacked in order from the front side constituting the rectangular horizontally long display surface. The frame member 525 is accommodated in a frame. The liquid crystal panel main body 522 is connected to the image control board 91 (see FIG. 4) via the wiring cable 524, and is synchronized with an image signal that is appropriately selected and transmitted according to the progress of the game. By changing the light transmittance in units, an arbitrary transmission image is formed on the display surface.

  The backlight unit 530 includes a light guide plate 531 having substantially the same size and shape as the liquid crystal panel 520, cold cathode fluorescent tubes 532a and 532b parallel to the upper and lower long sides of the light guide plate 531, and a frame member 533 that supports and fixes them. It is mainly configured.

  The light guide plate 531 is formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic or transparent glass, and as shown in FIG. 6, an optical compensation sheet 531a made of a prism sheet or the like is in close contact with the front side surface that emits light to the liquid crystal panel 520. Is provided. Further, on the rear side surface of the light guide plate 531, a diffuse reflection layer 531b that scatters the light from the cold cathode fluorescent tubes 532a and 532b over the entire surface and reflects the light forward is formed by dot printing.

  The backlight unit 530 is fixed to a mounting portion 543 extending forward from the upper side of the support member 540 via a screw. Further, the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 520 is opposed to the front surface of the backlight unit 530 by screwing and fixing the frame member 525 that accommodates the liquid crystal panel 520 to the attachment portion 544 of the support member 540. Then, the multi-effect display device 5 is assembled by fixing the bearing portions 514 of the open / close lens unit 510 to the screw holes 541 at both ends of the support member 540 with screws.

  An outline of the operation of the multi-effect display device 5 having the above-described structure provided in the slot machine 1 will be described.

  The image control board 91 sends a video signal to the liquid crystal panel 520 based on the image data output from the sub control board 32 under the control of the main control board 21, thereby forming a transmission image on the liquid crystal display panel body 522. In this way, the transmission image formed on the liquid crystal panel 520 is irradiated with scattered light from the backlight unit 530 in the back, and a portion where the light transmittance is controlled to be high is projected brightly on the front surface.

  The lens control unit 326 provided on the sub-control board 32 feedback-controls the opening / closing operation while detecting the rotation position of the opening / closing lens 511 based on the detection signal from the optical sensor group 516.

  In a state where the open / close lens 511 is controlled to the closed position that covers the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 520, for example, moving images of various colors, patterns, and brightness are formed on the liquid crystal panel 520 and diffused through the open / close lens 511. Thus, it is possible to produce an effect with light having a higher degree of freedom of expression as compared with an effect lamp that is conventionally constituted by a light emitting diode or the like.

  Further, in a state where the open / close lens 511 is retracted behind the liquid crystal panel 520 and the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 520 is opened, for example, an image of a symbol related to a bonus game or the like is directly displayed on the liquid crystal panel 520, thereby specifying It can be announced with emphasis on the fact that it has shifted to other games.

  In addition, when the open / close lens 511 is controlled to the closed position, a transmission image of a symbol related to internal winning is formed on the liquid crystal panel 520, so that the image of the symbol is displayed vaguely by the diffusion effect through the open / close lens 511. Thus, the player can be expected to win an internal winning. Then, by gradually opening the open / close lens 511 and showing the image by the liquid crystal panel 520 in the back, it is possible to perform an effect of gradually raising the expectation and making an announcement.

  Next, an embodiment in which the position detection device according to the present invention is provided as a sensor that detects the rotational position of the open / close lens 511 of the multi-effect display device 5 will be described in more detail. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of position determination logic by the position detection apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this position detection device logically determines the position of an optical sensor group 516 composed of a plurality of optical sensors and an index piece 513a that is an index of the open / close lens 511 based on the detection output of each optical sensor. A position determination unit 3262 for determination. In this specification, the operation of the optical sensor is described as low active, the determination logic is described as negative logic, and in the bit notation, the L level signal is “0” and the H level signal is “1”.

  The detection elements constituting the optical sensor group 516 according to the present embodiment are reflection detection type optical sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,... Each including a pair of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and as described above, the open / close lens 511. The index pieces 513a are arranged along the rotation trajectory of the index piece 513a. The optical sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,... Operate when the respective light emitting units emit and emit light and the light reflected by the index pieces 513a is received by the light receiving unit. The result is output to the determination unit 3262. That is, the optical sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,... Detect the presence / absence of the detection object (the index piece 513a in the present embodiment) in its own detection area by the reflected light.

  The position determination unit 3262 determines the position of the index piece 513a with the logic shown in the table of FIG. Here, the principle of the position determination logic for the four optical sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 will be described in principle. However, in carrying out the invention, the number of optical sensors and detection positions in each embodiment will be described. A position determination unit 3262 having a scale suitable for the above conditions is used.

  The position determination unit 3262 takes the output of each of the optical sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 into each input port, and encodes them as binary numbers assigned, for example, one bit in the order of arrangement, as shown in the table of FIG. The output state variable of the optical sensor is determined. Then, the position of the index piece 513a is detected with reference to a memory table in which the relationship between the output state variable and the detection position is associated in advance.

  With reference to the table shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence between the output state variable of the optical sensor and the detection position will be specifically described as follows. That is, for the output state variable “E (hexadecimal display)” when only the optical sensor S1 is operating, the position P1 where the index piece 513a is located at the front position facing the optical sensor S1 is determined. For the output state variable “D” assigned as a result and only the optical sensor S2 is operating, the position P3 where the index piece 513a is located at the front position of the optical sensor S2 is assigned as the determination result.

  Further, as a point to be noted, when adjacent optical sensors interfere with each other and operate simultaneously, a position is assigned on the assumption that the index piece 513a exists in the section where the optical sensors are arranged. Here, the interference of the photosensors means a state in which the light received by the light-emitting portions of one or both of the photosensors adjacent to each other is received and operated by the light-receiving portions of both photosensors.

  For example, with respect to the output state variable “C” when the optical sensor S1 and the optical sensor S2 are simultaneously operated, the index piece 513a is located, for example, in the middle of the optical sensor S1 and the optical sensor S2. Position P2 is assigned as a determination result. Similarly, when the adjacent optical sensors interfere with each other between the other optical sensors, the position is detected on the assumption that the detection target is in the section.

  The table reference type position determination unit 3262 described above has a relatively small number of detection elements in the optical sensor group 516, and captures the output of each optical sensor S1, S2, S3, S4,... Via, for example, a data bus line. It is possible and effective when the position is determined by software arithmetic processing. However, when the number of detection elements is larger than the number of bits of the data bus line, it is desirable to provide a decoding circuit described below in order to reduce the processing load.

  FIG. 8A is an example of a decoding circuit to be provided in the position determination unit 3262, and FIG. 8B is a true / false table showing its logic / operation. According to FIG. 8 (a), the complement consisting of the gate elements GC1, GC2, GC3,... For calculating the logical product using the outputs of the adjacent optical sensors S1 and S2, S2 and S3, S3 and S4, etc. as two inputs. A circuit is provided, and the calculation results by the gate elements GC1, GC2, GC3,... Are output to the output terminals D2, D4, D6,. As a result, when the adjacent optical sensors operate by interfering with each other, an L level signal indicating that the detection target exists at the position between the optical sensors is output to the corresponding output terminal.

  In addition, in each output of the optical sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,..., When any of the sensors adjacent to both sides of the optical sensor is operating with interference, the light on the interfering side is detected. Assuming that an object to be detected exists in a section sandwiched between sensors, a priority circuit including gate elements GP1, GP2, GP3, GP4,... That gives priority to the output is provided.

  As shown in the truth table of FIG. 8 (b), the decoding circuit having such a configuration determines the interval between adjacent photosensors based on the outputs of a plurality of photosensors S1, S2, S3, S4,. The detection positions P1, P2, P3, P4,... Of the index piece 513a specified including them are configured to output L level signals to the corresponding output terminals D1, D2, D3, D4,. Yes.

  In this way, the position detection device provided in the multi-effect display device 5 detects the position of the index piece 513a, and specifies the rotation position of the open / close lens 511 using this as an index. The lens control unit 326 can stably perform the rotation control by detecting and feeding back the position of the open / close lens 511 with high accuracy.

  According to the position detection apparatus or the position detection method of the present embodiment, generalized N detection elements (light sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,...) That are appropriately determined according to the position detection range of the detection target. Can be used to identify and detect the position of the detection object at 2 × N−1 locations that are subdivided including the adjacent sensing elements. As a result, in the position detection device, the accuracy of position resolution and the like can be improved with a simpler configuration than before without increasing the number of detection elements, complicating the mounting circuit, or increasing the cost.

  The position detection device and the position detection method according to the present invention are not limited to slot machines, but are applicable to other devices such as pachinko machines or ball ball game machines that are controlled by a movable body or a production device. It is good.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the conventional position detection sensor. It is a perspective view showing the appearance structure of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine shown in FIG. 2 with the front door opened. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the slot machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a multi-effect display device provided in the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and its peripheral part. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multi-effect display device shown in FIG. 5. It is a figure showing an example of the logic which determines a position in the position detection apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure showing an example of the decoding circuit provided in the position determination part of the position detection apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention, and its truth table.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Housing 3 ... Front door 3b ... Opening part 4 ... Receptacle unit 4a ... Receptacle 5 ... Multi effect display device 6a, 6b ... Side lamp 7 ... Middle panel 7a ... Display windows 8a, 8b ... Release for effect Sound part 9 ... Liquid crystal display unit 10 ... Reel unit 10a, 10b, 10c ... Reel 14 ... Medal insertion part 14a ... Insertion port 15 ... Bet button 16 ... Start lever 17a, 17b, 17c ... Stop button 18 ... Medal payout port 19 ... Production sound emitting part 21 ... main control board 22 ... hopper unit 22a ... medal discharge port 23 ... auxiliary tank 24 ... main power supply device 25 ... power supply device board 31a, 31b ... speaker 32 ... sub control board 33 ... central display board 34 ... Medal selector 34a ... Medal sensor 38 ... Speaker 91 ... Image control boards 101a, 101b, 101c ... Ppingumota 102a, 102b, 102c ... reference position sensor 211 ... CPU 212 ... ROM
213 ... RAM 214 ... clock interrupt signal generation unit 215 ... random number generation unit 216 ... sampling unit 221 ... payout motor 222 ... payout sensor 321 ... illumination control unit 322 ... acoustic control unit 323 ... sound source data memory 324 ... image data processing unit 325 Image data memory 326 Lens control unit 510 Opening / closing lens unit 511 Opening / closing lens 512 Diffusing lens unit 513 Turning support unit 513a Index piece 514 Bearing unit 515 Electric motor 516 Optical sensor group 517 Wiring cable 520 ... Liquid crystal panel 521 ... Protective sheet 522 ... Liquid crystal panel body,
523 ... Polarizing plate 524 ... Wiring cable 525 ... Frame member 530 ... Backlight unit 531 ... Light guide plate 531a ... Optical compensation sheet 531b ... Diffuse reflection layer 532a, 532b ... Cold cathode fluorescent tube 533 ... Frame member 540 ... Support member 541 ... Screw Hole 542 ... Slit 543, 544 ... Mounting part 545 ... Bracket part 3261 ... Motor drive part 3262 ... Position determination part D1, D2, D3, D4 ... Output terminals P1, P2, P3, P4 ... Positions S1, S2, S3, S4 ... Optical sensors GC1, GC2, GP1, GP2 ... Gate elements

Claims (4)

A plurality of detection elements that detect the presence or absence of a single detection target that is a movable body provided in a gaming machine are arranged along the movement trajectory of the detection target, and the detection target is based on the position of the detection element that has been detected and operated. A position detection device for identifying the position of
When two adjacent detection elements of the plurality of detection elements detect the detection object at the same time, it is determined that the detection object is present in a section in which the two detection elements are arranged. A position detection apparatus comprising a determination unit.   The position determination means is provided with at least a gate element for performing a logical product operation on the detection results of the detection elements arranged adjacent to each other, and a signal indicating the presence / absence of the detection object between the detection elements. The position detection device according to claim 1, wherein:   The detection element is an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and when the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the detection target and received by the light receiving unit, the detection target in the detection region. The position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the position detecting device is activated by detecting the presence of the position. A position detection method by a position detection device configured by arranging a plurality of detection elements that detect the presence or absence of a detection object that is a movable body provided in a gaming machine along a movement trajectory,
When any of the plurality of detection elements detects the detection object, it is determined that the detection object is present at a position facing the detection element;
When two detection elements adjacent to each other among the plurality of detection elements simultaneously detect the detection target, it is determined that the detection target exists in a section in which the two detection elements are arranged. A position detection method characterized by the above.

Images