JP2011000347A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the performance to match with a player's operation by specifying the position of a player's hand while contactlessly detecting an arbitrary positioned player's hand on a game board surface.SOLUTION: The game machine 1 is so composed to have: a front frame member 3, set up at the front side of a game board, with a transparent plate unit 4 which can visually recognize a playfield into which a game ball is launched; a distance measuring means 9, set up on this front frame member 3, which consists of at least two distance sensors 9a, 9b to measure a distance to an object which exists near the transparent plate unit 4 on a game board surface; a position specifying part 65 which detects the location of an object on a game board surface based on the measurement result of those at least two distance sensors 9a, 9b; and a performance direction control board 130 which controls the performance contents to be executed differently based on the position of an object detected by the position specifying part 65.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that launches a game ball on a game board surface.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball launched into the game area of the game board is entered, an image display provided in the approximate center of the game board is activated to display various effect images. It is. In recent years, such a gaming machine has a push-type operation button operated by a player, and the contents of the effect image can be changed when the player operates the operation button as the game progresses. It is like that.

  However, in the case of a push-type operation button, an impact due to the operation acts, and there is a possibility that the button will be damaged by long-term use. Therefore, conventionally, an optical sensor is provided in the vicinity of the image display provided at the approximate center of the game board, and the optical sensor detects the player's hand in a non-contact manner within a predetermined detection range on the front side of the image display. By doing so, a gaming machine has been proposed in which the contents of effects displayed on the image display are changed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-236149 A

  However, the optical sensor in Patent Document 1 is a so-called on / off sensor for detecting whether or not a player's hand is within a predetermined detection range on the front side of the image display. Therefore, for example, when displaying a plurality of options related to the presentation on the image display and allowing the player to select one option, it is necessary to install a plurality of optical sensors corresponding to the display positions of the plurality of options. . Therefore, if the number of options is to be increased, it is necessary to increase the number of photosensors accordingly, resulting in an increase in cost. In order to prevent this, for example, if the number of optical sensors is two, there is only a limited effect of executing one of the effect patterns selected by the player from the two options displayed on the image display. There is a problem that it cannot be executed.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, it is possible to detect a player's hand within a predetermined detection range on the front side of the image display device, but the detection range is extremely limited. If there is a player's hand in an area other than the predetermined detection range, it cannot be detected. Therefore, there is a problem that the position of the player's hand at an arbitrary position on the game board surface cannot be specified.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention detects a player's hand at an arbitrary position on the game board surface in a non-contact manner, and specifies the position of the player's hand on the game board surface. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can perform production control finer than the conventional one in accordance with the movement of the player.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine, which is provided on a front side of the gaming board having a gaming area in which a gaming ball is launched, and the gaming area is visible A front frame member having a transparent plate, and a distance measuring means comprising at least two distance sensors provided on the front frame member and measuring a distance to an object existing in the vicinity of the transparent plate on the game board surface; Based on the measurement results of the at least two distance sensors, the position specifying means for specifying the position of the object on the game board surface and the content of the effect are controlled differently based on the position of the object specified by the position specifying means. Production control means.

  According to such a configuration, the position of an object existing in the vicinity of the transparent plate can be specified as, for example, a two-dimensional coordinate on the game board surface based on the measurement results of at least two distance sensors. By using it, it is possible to control the production in accordance with the player's operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the distance measuring means includes three distance sensors provided at different positions around the transparent plate in the front frame member. The specifying means specifies the position of the object on the game board surface based on the measurement results of the three distance sensors. According to such a configuration, the position of an object existing near the transparent plate can be specified with higher accuracy.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, when the position of the object is specified by the position specifying means at a predetermined performance timing, It is characterized by controlling the production contents to different contents based on the position. According to this configuration, it is possible to perform effect control in accordance with the player's operation at a predetermined effect timing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the fraud for determining whether or not the position of the object specified by the position specifying means is within a predetermined fraud detection area. It further has a detecting means. In such a configuration, the measurement results of at least two distance sensors are also used to detect fraudulent acts caused by magnets, for example.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, self-diagnosis means for diagnosing whether or not the distance sensor is functioning normally; and And an abnormality output means for outputting an abnormality signal when the stoppage of the function of the distance sensor is detected. According to this configuration, when the distance sensor stops functioning, measures for coping with it can be quickly performed.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, at least two distance sensors measure the distance to an object existing in the vicinity of the transparent plate and detect the position of the object based on the measurement result, thereby existing in the vicinity of the transparent plate. The position of the object to be played can be specified as, for example, two-dimensional coordinates on the game board surface. And, because the content of the production is controlled differently based on the position of the identified object, the content of the production can be changed according to the player's operation, such as the position of the player's hand and the movement direction of the hand, It becomes possible to perform more detailed production control than before.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the game machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one detailed structural example of the distance sensor which is a distance measurement means. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the game machine upper part which shows the attachment state of a distance sensor. It is a figure which shows the state which open | released the front frame member of the gaming machine. It is a front view which shows an example of a game board. It is the figure which looked at the gaming machine in the first embodiment from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the control mechanism of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the distance sensor control part and position detection part which were provided in the distance sensor control board. It is a figure which shows the concept of the process which pinpoints the position of an object based on 1st distance information and 2nd distance information. It is a figure which illustrates the case where two positions of an object are detected on a game board surface. It is a figure which illustrates the case where an object is detected in the fraud detection area in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the case where an object is detected in areas other than a fraud detection area in a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement performed by the game control part of a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which an effect control board changes the effect content based on the measurement result of a distance sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the game machine which displayed the image for an effect for making a player operate a hand when it becomes predetermined | prescribed effect timing. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the game machine in 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the gaming machine in 2nd Embodiment from the front. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the distance sensor control board in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the concept of the process which pinpoints the position of an object based on 1st distance information, 2nd distance information, and 3rd distance information. It is a figure which illustrates the case where an object is detected in a fraud detection area in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the case where an object is detected in areas other than a fraud detection area in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example in the state where one point where an object is located cannot be specified by three distance sensors. It is a figure which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of three distance sensors.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a view of the front side of the gaming machine 1 as viewed obliquely from below. The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body frame 2 fixed to an island facility of a hall (store) and a front frame member 3 provided on the front side of the main body frame 2. The front frame member 3 is pivotally supported by a support portion 2a, 2b provided at the left end portion of the main body frame 2 so as to be openable and closable around a predetermined vertical axis. Further, the front frame member 3 has a window portion 5 in which a transparent plate unit 4 for fitting a game area 21 of the game board 20 provided inside the main body frame 2 is visible. Here, the transparent plate unit 4 is a unit that holds two transparent plates composed of glass plates or the like in a substantially parallel state with a predetermined interval, and is fitted into the window portion 5 of the front frame member 3. Fixed in state.

  Further, the front frame member 3 has a ball receiving portion 6 formed in a state of projecting to the front side of the gaming machine 1 below the window portion 5. On the upper surface of the ball receiving portion 6, a ball receiving tray formed in a concave shape for receiving a prize ball paid out from the gaming machine 1 is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the ball receiving portion 6, an effect button or the like not shown is provided. A handle lever 7 operated by the player is provided at the lower right portion of the ball receiving portion 6. When the player rotates the handle lever 7 clockwise, the game ball launching mechanism is activated, and the game ball is launched into the game area 21 of the game board 20 at a predetermined time interval with the hitting force according to the operation angle. It is. When the game ball enters the various winning holes provided on the game board 20, the corresponding prize ball is paid out to the ball tray.

  The front frame member 3 includes a frame lamp 11 in which a plurality of LEDs and the like are arranged in the vertical direction on the left and right sides of the window portion 5. The front frame member 3 has a bulging portion 3a with the upper portion protruding to the front side, and a pair of speakers 10 are provided on the left and right sides of the bulging portion 3a. An upper lamp 12 is provided. The upper lamp 12 can produce an effect according to the progress of the game, so that the light irradiation direction can be swung in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. It is provided inside. Further, the front frame member 3 is a bulging portion 3b projecting to the front side also below the ball receiving portion 6, and a lower lamp 13 which is a kind of frame lamp is provided at the center of the bulging portion 3b. . Since the lower lamp 13 also produces an effect according to the progress of the game, the light irradiation direction can be swung in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and the drive mechanism thereof is the bulging portion 3b. Is provided inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, two distance sensors for measuring the distance to the object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 on the lower surface side of the bulging portion 3 a provided on the upper part of the front frame member 3. 9a and 9b are provided as the distance measuring means 9. The distance sensors 9a and 9b are provided at symmetrical positions in the bulging portion 3a, and the main body is held inside the bulging portion 3a. The distance sensors 9a and 9b are attached so as to face the space on the surface side of the transparent plate unit 4 from the lower surface of the bulging portion 3a, and each sensor independently reaches an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. Measure distance without contact. An object to be measured by the distance sensors 9a and 9b is, for example, a player's hand. As such distance sensors 9a and 9b, for example, a non-contact type sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor or an optical sensor can be used. In the present embodiment, an example in which an ultrasonic sensor is employed is exemplified.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the distance sensors 9a and 9b which are the distance measuring means 9. As shown in FIG. Each of the distance sensors 9 a and 9 b includes a flat base member 14, an ultrasonic transmitter 15 provided substantially at the center of the base member 14, and two ultrasonic sensors provided at symmetrical positions across the ultrasonic transmitter 15. Sound wave receivers 16 and 17 are provided. For example, each of the ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 is configured by the same piezoelectric element.

  The ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits an ultrasonic wave corresponding to the frequency of the pulse voltage from the surface 15a of the element when a pulse voltage of a predetermined frequency (for example, 40 kHz) is applied to the piezoelectric body having a laminated structure. At this time, the ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits an ultrasonic wave within a predetermined angle θ with reference to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The angle θ can be appropriately set by changing the piezoelectric element to be used, but in this embodiment, almost the entire region where the transparent plate unit 4 is provided is within the ultrasonic transmission range. It is preferable to set so that

  The ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 are for receiving the reflected wave reflected by the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 15 when it hits an object in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. When ultrasonic waves are incident on the surfaces 16a and 17a of the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17, the piezoelectric body having a laminated structure vibrates accordingly. Therefore, each ultrasonic receiver 16 and 17 corresponds to the frequency of the received ultrasonic waves. Generate a pulse signal (voltage). As will be described later, an object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 due to the time difference between the timing at which the ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits the ultrasonic waves and the timing at which the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 receive the ultrasonic waves. Configured to measure the distance to.

  Here, since each ultrasonic receiver 16, 17 is the same piezoelectric element as the ultrasonic transmitter 15, the ultrasonic incident angle range in which each ultrasonic receiver 16, 17 is sensitive is the ultrasonic transmitter 15. Is substantially the same as the sending angle θ. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, by providing the two ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 at symmetrical positions with the ultrasonic transmitter 15 as the center, a receivable area of the reflected wave in these arrangement directions is provided. The reflected wave reflected from the reach of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 15 can be detected without omission.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the distance sensors 9a and 9b having the above configuration are arranged so that the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic receiver 16, the ultrasonic transmitter 15, and the ultrasonic receiver 17 is substantially parallel to the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. Is provided. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave receivable areas by the two ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 extend in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, and the ultrasonic transmitter 15 near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. It is possible to receive the reflected wave reflected from the transmission range of the ultrasonic wave without leakage.

  In addition, in the above, the case where the ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 were comprised with the same piezoelectric element was illustrated. By configuring these with the same piezoelectric element, it is possible to reduce the types of parts, so there is an advantage that the cost can be suppressed, but it is not necessarily limited to configuring them with the same piezoelectric element. is not.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the gaming machine showing the attachment state of the distance sensor 9a. It should be noted that the mounting state of the distance sensor 9b is the same as this. As shown in FIG. 3, the distance sensor 9 a is fixed at a predetermined position inside the bulging portion 3 a that is formed to project from the upper portion of the front frame member 3. And three holes 18 are provided in the lower surface 3c of the bulging part 3a corresponding to the position where the distance sensor 9a was provided. The ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 of the distance sensor 9a are disposed in the three holes 18, and the respective surfaces 15a, 16a and 17a are substantially flush with the lower surface 3c of the bulging portion 3a. It is attached to become the state. Therefore, even when the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front, the distance sensor 9a is inconspicuously attached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the axial direction (piezoelectric element stacking direction) of the ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 of the distance sensor 9a is substantially parallel to the transparent plate unit 4 in a side view. Therefore, the distance sensor 9 a sends out ultrasonic waves along the surface of the transparent plate unit 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance sensors 9 a and 9 b are arranged so that the axial directions of the ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 are in front so as to send ultrasonic waves toward the central portion of the transparent plate unit 4. It is in a state slightly inclined in the left-right direction when viewed. Therefore, each distance sensor 9a, 9b can transmit an ultrasonic wave toward almost the entire surface of the transparent plate unit 4, and can detect an object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the front frame member 3 of the gaming machine 1 is opened. In FIG. 4, illustration of each member provided in the game board 20 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, a game board 20 having a game area 21 is provided on the back side of the transparent plate unit 4, and the game board 20 is mounted inside the main body frame 2. When the player plays a game, the front frame member 3 is closed to the main body frame 2 and locked as shown in FIG. 1, whereas a ball jam or the like occurs in the game area 21, for example. Then, the store clerk unlocks the front frame member 3 and opens the front frame member 3 as shown in FIG. Thus, since the front frame member 3 may be opened and closed by a store clerk during the game, the wiring cable 19 from the distance sensors 9a and 9b described above is the front frame member defined by the support portions 2a and 2b. 3 is routed in the vicinity of the rotation axis 3 and wired from the vicinity of the rotation axis to the inside of the main body frame 2. Therefore, the wiring cable 19 for connecting to the distance sensors 9a and 9b does not hinder the opening / closing operation of the front frame member 3. On the other hand, even when the opening / closing operation of the front frame member 3 is performed, the load is not applied to the wiring cable 19, and it is possible to prevent problems such as disconnection.

  Next, an example of the gaming board 20 provided inside the main body frame 2 of the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the game board 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the game board 20 has a substantially circular game area 21 surrounded by an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23. The game ball is launched into the game area 21 from the gap between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23 provided on the left side of the game area 21. An image display unit 24 is provided inside the game area 21 so as to be positioned approximately at the center of the game board 20. The image display unit 24 is fitted into a through hole formed at substantially the center of the game board 20 and is fixed to the game board 20 by fixing means such as screws.

  The image display unit 24 includes an image display 25 including a liquid crystal display at the center. The image display 25 displays effect images for performing various effects as the game progresses, notification images for performing various notifications to the player regardless of the progress of the game, and the like. The image display unit 24 also includes various board lamps for presentation and movable accessories arranged around the image display 25.

  The game area 21 is provided with known members such as a large number of nails, through gates, windmills, various winning holes, and out holes arranged around the image display unit 24. Therefore, the game balls launched into the game area 21 roll down the game area 21 while changing the course by many nails, windmills, etc., and pass through the through gates or enter various winning holes. It is balled or discharged from the outlet.

  In the case of the illustrated example, a through gate 29 is provided on the left side of the image display unit 24, and a game ball passes through the through gate 29, so that a normal symbol lottery is performed in the gaming machine 1. Below the image display unit 24, a starting port 26, an electric tulip 27, and a special winning port 28 are provided. The starting opening 26 and the electric tulip 27 are winning openings for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls when a gaming ball enters, and also a winning opening where a jackpot lottery is performed in the gaming machine 1. That is, the start port 26 and the electric tulip 27 are winning ports that are conditions for performing a big win lottery in the gaming machine 1. The electric tulip 27 is provided with a blade member that opens and closes to the left and right, and the blade member is normally closed. Then, when winning the normal symbol lottery performed in association with the passing of the game ball through the through gate 29, the left and right blade members are released for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times according to the game state, and the game ball is placed on the electric tulip 27. It becomes easy to enter the ball. The big winning opening 28 is a winning opening that opens and closes a predetermined number of times according to the type of winning in the case of winning in the big win lottery. When a game ball enters the big prize opening 28 while the big prize opening 28 is open, the prize balls are paid out in accordance with the number of balls entered. Further, at the bottom of the game area 21, an out port 21a is provided for discharging game balls that have not entered any of the winning ports to the back side of the game board 20.

  A display 30 made up of, for example, a plurality of LED light emitting elements is provided outside the game area 21 and in the lower right part of the game board 20. The display 30 includes, for example, a normal symbol display 31 for displaying a normal symbol lottery result, a normal symbol hold indicator 32 for displaying the number of normal symbol lotteries held, and a special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot lottery. It has a special symbol display 33 for displaying, and a special symbol hold indicator 34 for displaying the number of lottery lotteries held. That is, the display 30 is for displaying the result of the normal symbol lottery and the result of the jackpot lottery as the game progresses. Such a display device 30 has a display size smaller than that of the image display device 25 and is displayed in a manner that makes it difficult for the player to grasp the various lottery results. Therefore, the player usually plays a game while visually recognizing the effect image displayed on the image display 25.

  For example, when a game ball launched into the game area 21 enters the start port 26 or the electric tulip 27, the gaming machine 1 performs a big hit lottery as described above. Then, the gaming machine 1 activates the special symbol display 33 to display the special symbol variation for a predetermined time, stops the variation display after the predetermined time has elapsed, and displays the special symbol corresponding to the result of the big hit lottery. As the types of winning in the jackpot lottery, for example, there are “big jackpot” and “small jackpot”. When the jackpot is won, the special symbol display 33 starts a special symbol variation display for a predetermined time. After a lapse, the player stops with a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot displayed. In addition, when winning a small hit, the special symbol display 33 stops after displaying a special symbol corresponding to the small hit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the special symbol variation display. However, the special symbol corresponding to each of the big hit and the small hit is a symbol (display mode) that is difficult to distinguish and grasp at a glance.

  On the other hand, in the image display 25, during the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display 33, for example, three columns of decorative symbols with numbers are displayed. During the variation display of the decorative symbols, various effects such as a notice effect and a reach effect may be performed on the gaming machine 1. For example, when stopping in a state where two rows of decorative symbols out of three rows of decorative symbols are aligned, a shift is made to reach production, and a moving image for reach production is displayed on the image display 25. Further, when the player holds his hand near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 on the front side of the game board 20 or moves his hand at a predetermined presentation timing during the decorative display variation display or the reach presentation, an image is displayed. The device 25 may perform effects according to the position of the player's hand, the direction of movement of the hand, and the like. The three-column decorative symbol variation display is stopped simultaneously with or just before the special symbol variation display on the special symbol display 33 is stopped, and the player is notified of the result of the big hit lottery. For example, if the jackpot is won, the three rows of decorative symbols stop in a state where all of the decorative symbols such as “7, 7, 7” are aligned, so that the player can know that the jackpot has been won. .

  When the jackpot lottery is won, the gaming machine 1 shifts to the jackpot game (special game state), and the jackpot 28 is opened and closed. In this jackpot game, for example, the opening time per opening for opening the big winning opening 28 is set to a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), and the opening setting time for each time elapses or predetermined during the opening. If the number of balls (for example, nine) is counted, a round for closing the special winning opening 28 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). Therefore, the player can acquire a lot of prize balls by putting a lot of game balls into the big prize opening 28 in the jackpot game.

  In addition, when a small win is won in the big win lottery, the gaming machine 1 shifts to a small win game, and in this case, the big winning opening 28 is opened and closed. However, in the small hit game, the opening time per time for opening the big winning opening 28 is set to a shorter time (for example, 0.1 second) than the big hit game. Therefore, in the small hit game, the big winning opening 28 is closed when a predetermined number of balls (for example, nine) are counted as in the case of the big hit game. It is difficult to enter such a large number of game balls into the big winning opening 28 opened to the player, and it is difficult for the player to acquire a lot of prize balls.

  The game board 20 as described above can be visually recognized by the player through the transparent plate unit 4 fitted in the window portion 5 of the front frame member 3, and in particular, an abbreviation of the game area 21 in the game board 20. The whole can be visually recognized.

  FIG. 6 is a view of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the player plays the game while paying attention to the behavior of the game ball launched into the game area 21 through the window portion 5 of the front frame member 3 and the display of the decorative symbols on the image display 25. Do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the distance sensors 9a and 9b sends an ultrasonic wave within a range of a predetermined angle θ from the upper part of the front frame member 3, and almost the entire board surface of the game board 20 (particularly, almost the game area 21). Send ultrasonic waves to the whole). When there is no player's hand in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, the ultrasonic waves sent from the distance sensors 9 a and 9 b are sent to the ball receiver 6 and other windows provided at the lower part of the front frame member 3. The light is reflected at the peripheral edge of the portion 5 and the reflected waves are incident on the distance sensors 9a and 9b. That is, in the state where there is no object such as a player's hand near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, the reflected waves received by the distance sensors 9a and 9b are always in a constant state (steady state).

  On the other hand, when an object such as a player's hand is present near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, the reflected waves received by the distance sensors 9a and 9b include the reflected waves reflected by the object. It becomes a state different from the steady state. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 extracts a reflected wave different from the steady state from the reflected waves received by the distance sensors 9a and 9b as a reflected wave from an object existing in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, and each distance. The distance to the object located in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is measured by the time difference between the timing at which the sensors 9a and 9b send the ultrasonic wave and the timing at which the reflected wave from the object is received. Here, since each distance sensor 9a, 9b individually measures the distance to an object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, first distance information L1 is obtained from the distance sensor 9a, and from the distance sensor 9b. The second distance information L2 is obtained. And it is present in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 by performing calculation based on the position information where the distance sensors 9a and 9b are installed and the first and second distance information L1 and L2 obtained by the measurement. The two-dimensional position (position on the game board surface) of the object to be played can be specified.

  The gaming machine 1 changes the effect image on the image display 25 based on the position of the object (player's hand) on the game board surface specified as described above, or operates the movable accessory. Control the content of the production to change to a different content, such as turning on a lamp.

  In addition, since the distance sensors 9a and 9b alternately perform the measurement operation at a relatively short period, even when an object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 moves along the game board surface, the movement can be performed almost in real time. It is also possible to detect. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 can change the content of the presentation to a different content according to the moving direction of the player's hand on the game board surface.

  By the way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a game ball launched into the game area 21 enters the start opening 26 or the electric tulip 27, the award ball is paid out as described above, and on condition that One big win lottery. Therefore, for example, a player who performs an illegal act that illegally guides a game ball using a magnet tries to increase the number of prize balls to be acquired or to increase the chance of winning a lottery, so that the start opening 26 and the electric motor An operation of bringing the magnet close to the tulip 27 is performed.

  In addition, during the big hit game or the small hit game when the big win lottery is won, the big winning opening 28 is opened. In the big hit game or the small hit game, as described above, when a predetermined number of game balls enter the open big winning opening 28, the big winning opening 28 is closed. However, if the predetermined number of balls is counted and the special winning opening 28 is entered before the predetermined number of balls is counted, the winning balls are paid out even for the portion exceeding the predetermined number of balls. Therefore, a player who performs an illegal act using the magnet performs an operation of bringing the magnet closer to the big winning opening 28 in order to increase the number of winning balls to be acquired during the big hit game or the small hit game.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6, the region R1 including the start port 26, the electric tulip 27, and the big prize opening 28 on the game board surface is set as the fraud detection region, and the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b. When an object is detected in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 based on the above, if the object is located in the fraud detection region R1, it is detected that there is a possibility that the player is cheating. .

  That is, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment uses the position information of the object for effect control when an object is detected near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b. It is also used as information for judging whether fraudulent acts using magnets are taking place. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is rich in gaming properties by appropriately changing the performance performed in accordance with the progress of the game according to the position of the player's hand and the moving direction. While being able to perform various productions, it is configured to be able to detect fraudulent acts caused by magnets.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the gaming machine 1, and shows various control boards attached to the back side of the gaming machine 1 (the back side of the game board 20 in the main body frame 2). The gaming machine 1 controls a main control board 100 that controls main operations related to games, a sub control board 200 that controls each part based on signals and commands output from the main control board 100, and distance sensors 9a and 9b. And a distance sensor control board 300. In the case of this embodiment, the sub control board 200 includes a payout control board 120, an effect control board 130, an image control board 140, a lamp control board 150, and the like.

  The main control board 100 includes a game control unit 50 that controls main operations related to games. The main control board 100 also has a start port switch 81 for detecting that a game ball has entered the start port 26 or the electric tulip 27, an electric chew solenoid 82 for opening and closing the electric tulip 27, and the game ball passing through the through gate 29. A gate switch 83 for detecting that the game ball has entered the normal prize opening, a normal prize opening switch 84 for detecting that the game ball has entered the normal prize opening, and a big prize opening switch 85 for detecting that the game ball has entered the big prize opening 28, A big prize opening solenoid 86 that opens and closes the big prize opening 28, a normal symbol display 31, a normal symbol hold display 32, a special symbol display 33, and a special symbol hold display 34 are connected.

  The game control unit 50 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. When each of the start opening switch 81, the normal winning opening switch 84, and the big winning opening switch 85 detects the entry of a game ball, the game control unit 50 receives a winning ball on the payout control board 120 according to the number of the entering balls. Send a command. The payout control board 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123, and is configured to control a payout motor 124 provided on the back side of the game board 20. When a prize ball command is input from the main control board 100, A predetermined number of balls are paid out in accordance with the winning entrance.

  In addition, the game control unit 50 is configured to perform a big hit lottery or a normal symbol lottery. For example, when the gate switch 83 detects the passage of a game ball, a normal symbol lottery for opening and closing the electric tulip 27 is performed, and if elected, the electric chew solenoid 82 is driven for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times to open the electric tulip 27. . When the start switch 81 detects entry, the game control unit 50 performs a lottery lottery, starts a special symbol variation display on the special symbol display 33, and performs an effect according to the lottery result. In order to do so, a signal or command is sent to the effect control board 130. Also, when the start port switch 81 detects a ball entry, if the special symbol variation display is in progress, the special symbol variation display accompanying the ball entry is suspended and the number of suspensions is displayed on the special symbol hold indicator 34. . In addition, when the big win or the small win is won by the big win lottery by the game control unit 50, the game control unit 50 displays a special symbol corresponding to the hit type after displaying the variation of the special symbol, and opens / closes the big winning opening solenoid 86. The game machine 1 is shifted to the big hit gaming state or the small hit gaming state by controlling each part of the sub-control board 200 according to the hit type.

  In addition, the game control unit 50 receives an illegal signal SG2 output when an illegal act by a magnet is detected in the distance sensor control board 300. The game control unit 50 executes a process for dealing with an illegal act by the player when the illegal signal SG2 is input, which will be described later.

  The effect control board 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and a real time clock (RTC) 134. The production control board 130 determines specific production contents based on signals and commands from the main control board 100 and controls each of the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. For example, an effect pattern such as a decorative symbol variation display pattern and various lamp lighting patterns is determined based on a variation pattern input from the main control board 100 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol. Each of the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 is controlled so that an effect corresponding to the result of the big hit lottery is performed during the time when the variable display is performed.

  Further, the position information SG1 of the object detected by the distance sensor control board 300 is input to the effect control board 130. When the effect control board 130 receives the position information SG1 of the object, the effect content may be changed accordingly, which will be described later.

  The image control board 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, a RAM 143, and a VRAM 144. The image control board 140 displays a variation of the decorative symbols on the image display 25 based on an instruction from the effect control board 130 and is designated by the effect control board 130. The display image on the image display unit 25 is controlled, for example, by stopping the variable display with the selected pattern. The image control board 140 performs various effects such as a reach effect and a character appearing on the image display 25 based on the designation from the effect control board 130. The VRAM 144 is a memory that writes an image to be displayed on the image display 25. The CPU 141 executes various processes such as a background image display process, a decorative symbol display process, and a character image display process on the VRAM 144, so that a background image, a decorative symbol image, a character image, etc. are displayed on the image display unit 25. It can be displayed in a superimposed manner. Further, the image control board 140 generates a sound effect for production from the speaker 10.

  The lamp control board 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153, and various lamps including a frame lamp 11 (including the upper lamp 12 and the lower lamp 13) and a panel lamp 87 based on instructions from the effect control board 130. Is turned on, and the accessory driving unit 88 for driving various movable accessories for production is controlled. Although not shown, the lamp control board 150 is also configured to control a drive mechanism that swings the upper lamp 12 and the lower lamp 13.

  The distance sensor control board 300 detects the position of the object based on the distance sensor control unit 51 that individually controls the distance sensors 9a and 9b provided on the front frame member 3 and the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b. A position detection unit 52.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the distance sensor control unit 51 and the position detection unit 52 provided on the distance sensor control board 300. As shown in FIG. 8, the distance sensor control unit 51 includes a timing generation circuit 61, a first distance sensor control circuit 62 that controls the distance sensor 9a, and a second distance sensor control circuit 63 that controls the distance sensor 9b. ing.

  The timing generation circuit 61 generates a timing signal having a predetermined frequency (for example, 40 kHz), and alternately outputs the timing signal to the first distance sensor control circuit 61 and the second distance sensor control circuit 62 at regular intervals. To do. The first distance sensor control circuit 62 and the second distance sensor control circuit 63 drive the distance sensors 9 a and 9 b based on the timing signal input from the timing generation circuit 61, respectively, and objects that exist near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. Measure the distance to.

  The first distance sensor control circuit 62 includes a drive circuit 161, a signal processing circuit 162, a time measurement circuit 163, a distance calculation unit 164, a self-diagnosis circuit 165, and an abnormal output unit 166. Since the second distance sensor control circuit 63 has the same configuration as this, the first distance sensor control circuit 62 will be described below as an example.

  The drive circuit 161 is a circuit that drives the ultrasonic transmitter 15 included in the distance sensor 9 a based on the timing signal input from the timing generation circuit 61. For example, the drive circuit 161 amplifies an input timing signal and outputs the amplified timing signal to the ultrasonic transmitter 15 so that the ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits an ultrasonic wave having a predetermined frequency.

  The signal processing circuit 162 is a circuit that processes a pulse signal generated when the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 receive ultrasonic waves. The signal processing circuit 162 includes, for example, a filter that extracts only a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency (for example, 40 kHz), a rectifier, an amplifier, an adder that adds signals output from the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17, and the like. Only the signal component corresponding to the ultrasonic wave sent out by the ultrasonic transmitter 15 is extracted and sent to the time measuring circuit 163 and the self-diagnosis circuit 165.

  The time measuring circuit 163 is a circuit that measures the time required from when the ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits ultrasonic waves until the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 receive reflected waves from the object. A timing signal output from the timing generation circuit 61 is input to the time measurement circuit 163. The time measurement circuit 163 starts time measurement based on the timing signal. Then, only the signal component corresponding to the reflected wave from the object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is extracted from the signal output from the signal processing circuit 162, and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 reflect the reflected wave from the object. Measure the time required to receive The time measured by the time measurement circuit 163 is output to the distance calculation unit 164. If the signal component corresponding to the reflected wave from the object located near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 cannot be extracted within a predetermined time after the time measurement is started, the time measurement operation is stopped. The time is not output to the distance calculation unit 164.

  The distance calculation unit 164 is a processing unit that calculates the distance to an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 based on the time input from the time measurement circuit 163. Since the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave is known, the distance calculation unit 164 calculates the distance to the object by performing a calculation based on the time input from the time measurement circuit 163 and the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave. Then, the first distance information L 1 calculated by the distance calculation unit 164 is output to the position detection unit 52.

  On the other hand, the self-diagnosis circuit 165 diagnoses whether or not a reflected wave (including a steady-state reflected wave) of the ultrasonic wave is received within a predetermined time after the ultrasonic transmitter 15 transmits the ultrasonic wave. Thus, the processing unit determines whether or not the distance sensor 9a is functioning normally. For example, when a malicious player blocks one or both of the ultrasonic transmitter 15 and the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 with any member, the distance measuring function by the distance sensor 9a is stopped. Therefore, the self-diagnosis circuit 165 can detect such an illegal act by always or periodically diagnosing whether or not the distance sensor 9a is functioning normally. Further, the self-diagnosis circuit 165 can detect not only the function stop due to an illegal act but also the case where the distance sensor 9a stops functioning due to a failure or the like. When the self-diagnosis circuit 165 detects that the distance sensor 9a has stopped functioning, it outputs an abnormality signal to the abnormality output unit 166.

  The abnormality output unit 166 is a processing unit that notifies the game control unit 50 of the main control board 100 when the self-diagnosis circuit 165 detects that the distance sensor 9a has stopped functioning. Separately, an abnormal signal indicating that the function of the distance sensor 9 a has stopped is output to the game control unit 50.

  The second distance sensor control circuit 63 is the same as described above, and second distance information L2 indicating the distance to the object measured by the distance sensor 9b transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from the second distance sensor control circuit 63. Is output and guided to the position detector 52.

  The position detection unit 52 includes a position specifying unit 65 that specifies the position of an object, and a fraud detection unit 66 that detects an illegal act by a player based on the position of the specified object.

  The position specifying unit 65 performs calculation based on the first distance information L1 and the second distance information L2, and what position on the game board surface the object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is. And the position information SG1 is output. This position information SG1 is expressed as, for example, two-dimensional coordinates on the game board surface.

  Here, the concept of processing for specifying the position of the object in the position specifying unit 65 will be described. FIG. 9 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, and the position of the object M is specified by the first distance information L1 measured by the distance sensor 9a and the second distance information L2 measured by the distance sensor 9b. The concept of processing is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, when the distance from the distance sensor 9a to the object M is L1, the object M is located at any position on the arcuate line La having a radius L1 centered on the position of the distance sensor 9a. Exists. On the other hand, if the distance from the distance sensor 9b to the object M is L2, the object M exists at some position on the arc-shaped line Lb having the radius L2 with the position of the distance sensor 9b as the center. Therefore, the object M is located on the intersection of the two lines La and Lb. Therefore, the position specifying unit 65 performs calculations based on the installation positions of the distance sensors 9a and 9b on the game board surface, the first distance information L1, and the second distance information L2, and the two lines La and Lb. The position of the object M is specified by obtaining the intersection point.

  By the way, when the intersection of two lines La and Lb is calculated | required as mentioned above, two intersections may be calculated | required. In this case, if one intersection is located outside the transparent plate unit 4, the other intersection (that is, the intersection located inside the transparent plate unit 4) can be specified as the position where the object M exists. . However, each of the two intersections may be located inside the transparent plate unit 4. FIG. 10 shows such a case. The arc-shaped line La having a radius L1 centered on the position of the distance sensor 9a and the arc-shaped line Lb having a radius L2 centered on the position of the distance sensor 9b are shown. The intersection is located inside the transparent plate unit 4. In such a case, of the two positions of the object M1 and the object M2 illustrated in FIG. 10, the position where the object actually exists cannot be accurately specified. However, the position specifying unit 65 does not detect the positions of the object M1 and the object M2. One of the two positions is selected to identify the position of the object M. For example, the position closer to the center of the transparent plate unit 4 is selected from the two positions of the object M1 and the object M2, and the position of the object M is specified.

  In the present embodiment, the distance sensors 9a and 9b are provided at two positions above the transparent plate unit 4, whereas the fraud detection region R1 is set at the lower center of the transparent plate unit 4, so that the line There cannot be a case where the two intersections of La and Lb are both inside the transparent plate unit 4 and one of them is located in the fraud detection region R1. Therefore, as described above, even if the position specifying unit 65 appropriately selects one of the two positions of the object M1 and the object M2, it does not prevent the fraud from being detected, and vice versa. In other words, an act that is not a fraudulent act is not erroneously detected as a fraudulent act.

  When the position specifying unit 65 specifies the position of the object M as described above, the position information SG1 of the object M is output to the fraud detection unit 66. The position specifying unit 65 also outputs the position information SG1 to the effect control board 130.

  Next, the fraud detection unit 66 receives the position information SG1 from the position specifying unit 65, determines whether an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is inside the fraud detection region R1, and the fraud detection region. If it is inside R1, it is determined that an illegal act is performed by the player, and an illegal signal SG2 is output to the game control unit 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the position of the object M specified by the position specifying unit 65 is included in the fraud detection region R1, the fraud detection unit 66 detects an action by the player as an illegal action.

  Here, when it is detected that the object M existing in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is inside the fraud detection region R1, the fraud detection unit 66 may immediately output the fraud signal SG2. Any action in which a non-malicious player temporarily moves his / her hand to the vicinity such as the start opening 26 or the big winning opening 28 is also detected as an illegal action. Therefore, in order to prevent this, the fraud detection unit 66 does not immediately output the fraud signal SG2 even when it detects a state where an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is inside the fraud detection region R1. For example, when the state is continuously detected for a predetermined time, or when the state is detected a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, the unauthorized signal SG2 is preferably output. However, such processing may be performed by the main control board 100.

  The fraud detection unit 66 does not output the fraud signal SG2 when it detects that an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is in a region other than the fraud detection region R1. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the position of the object M specified by the position specifying unit 65 is in an area other than the fraud detection area R1, the fraud detection part 66 determines that the act by the player is not an illegal act. Therefore, in this case, the position detection unit 52 only outputs the position information SG1 to the effect control board 130.

  The game control unit 50 shown in FIG. 7 performs control according to the progress of the game by outputting signals and commands to the sub-control board 200 as described above, and on the other hand, periodically The unauthorized signal SG2 output from the distance sensor control board 300 is monitored. When the fraud signal SG2 is input from the distance sensor control board 300, the game control unit 50 executes various processes for dealing with fraud at that timing. For example, by outputting a fraud warning command to the effect control board 130, a warning image is superimposed on the front side of the decorative design on the image display 25, or a warning is issued from the speaker 10. Generate sound. Further, the surrounding lamps and the like are informed by lighting the frame lamp 11 and the like in a predetermined pattern. In addition, the game control unit 50 notifies the hall computer via a communication interface (not shown) that there is a possibility that an illegal act using a magnet is being performed. Thereby, on the hall side, it is possible to grasp in real time which gaming machine is likely to be cheated by the magnet among a large number of installed gaming machines.

  When the game control unit 50 receives an abnormal signal from the distance sensor control board 300 as a result of the self-diagnosis of each distance sensor 9a, 9b by the distance sensor control board 300, the game control unit 50 Various processes for dealing with the abnormality of the distance sensors 9a and 9b are executed. For example, by outputting an abnormal command to the effect control board 130, an image such as “Please call a clerk” is displayed on the image display unit 25 so as to be superimposed on the front side of the decorative design, or from the speaker 10. The sound of Further, the surrounding lamps and the like are informed by lighting the frame lamp 11 and the like in a predetermined pattern. In addition, the game control unit 50 notifies the hall computer via a communication interface (not shown) that one or both of the two distance sensors 9a and 9b are in an abnormal state. Thereby, on the hall side, it is possible to grasp in real time which of the gaming machines that are installed has a malfunction of the distance sensors 9a and 9b.

  Here, a processing procedure of the above-described operation performed by the game control unit 50 of the main control board 100 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 50. The game control unit 50 repeats the process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 as a timer interrupt process at regular intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Configured to run.

  When the game control unit 50 starts this process, the random number update process (step S101), the start port switch process (step S102), the gate switch process (step S103), the various switch processes (step S104), and the prize ball process (steps) S105), special symbol processing (step S106), normal symbol processing (step S107), big prize opening processing (step S108), electric tulip (electric chew) processing (step S109), fraud detection processing (step S110) and output The processes (step S111) are sequentially executed. When these processes are completed, the initial value random number update process (step S112) is repeatedly executed. When a certain time has elapsed and an interrupt is generated by the timer, the process after the random number update process (step S101) is executed again, and this process is repeated thereafter.

  In the random number update process (step S101), a process of updating the values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 103 is executed.

  In the start port switch process (step S102), the state of the start port switch 81 is monitored. When the start port switch 81 is turned on, the number of lottery lotteries is checked, and the number of holds is a predetermined number. If it is less, the process of incrementing the hold number is performed, and further, a process of acquiring various random numbers such as a jackpot random number for the jackpot lottery from the random number storage area is performed. The lottery result in the jackpot lottery is determined by the jackpot random number acquired at this time.

  In the gate switch process (step S103), the state of the gate switch 83 is monitored. If the gate switch 83 is on, the number of normal symbol lotteries is confirmed, and the number of retained is less than a predetermined number. If there is, processing for incrementing the number of holdings is performed, and further processing for obtaining a random number for normal symbol lottery is executed. The lottery result in the normal symbol lottery is determined by the random number acquired at this time.

  Then, in various switch processes (step S104), input processes from all other switches (for example, a normal prize opening switch, a big prize opening switch, etc.) are performed, and in the prize ball process (step S105), the number of prizes received in various prize openings. And a prize ball command for outputting to the payout control board 120 is set based on the counted value.

  In the special symbol process (step S106), a special symbol variation display and a process associated with the variation display are performed. For example, when the number of holds in the big hit lottery is 1 or more, the hold is digested and the special symbol variation display is started. At this time, a jackpot lottery (a jackpot determination) is performed based on the reserved jackpot random number. Then, a change pattern for outputting to the effect control board 130, a command for starting a change display of the decorative symbols, and the like are set in order to perform an effect according to the result of the big hit lottery during the special symbol change display.

  In the normal symbol processing (step S107), the normal symbol variation display and the processing associated with the variation display are performed. For example, when the number of holdings of the normal symbol lottery is 1 or more, the holding of the normal symbol is started and the fluctuation display of the normal symbols is started. At this time, a normal symbol lottery is performed based on the reserved random number.

  In the big prize opening process (step S108), after the special symbol change display, the process of opening and closing the big prize opening 28 is performed when the game shifts to the big hit game or the small hit game. By this process, the big hit game or the small hit game when winning in the big hit lottery is performed.

  In the electric tulip process (step S109), when the normal symbol lottery is won in the normal symbol process (step S107), the electric tulip 27 is released.

  In the fraud detection process (step S110), it is detected whether an illegal signal, an abnormal signal, or the like is output from the distance sensor control board 300. An illegal action warning command, an abnormal command, or the like to be output to the control board 130 is set. It also sets commands to notify the hall computer.

  In the output process (step S111), various commands set in the above processes are output to the payout control board 120 or the effect control board 130. Also, here, a command to be notified to the hall computer is also output.

  In the initial value random number update process (step S112), using the remaining time until the next timer interrupt occurs, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers stored in the random number storage area are stored. The process of updating the initial value is repeatedly executed. Since the remaining time until the next timer interrupt is generated varies depending on the state of the gaming machine 1, the initial values of various random numbers updated by repeatedly executing this process are irregular. Therefore, even when trying to generate jackpots illegally, the initial value of the jackpot random number is unknown, so it is not possible to know when the jackpot random number becomes the winning value of the jackpot, for example, generating a bodily sensation signal at regular intervals It is possible to prevent fraud using a fraudulent device.

  By performing the processing as described above, the game control unit 50 controls each unit according to the progress of the game, and during the game, the player controls the start port 26, the electric tulip 27, or the grand prize winning port 28. In the case of an illegal act such as bringing a magnet closer, a warning is given to the player, and notification is given to the surrounding clerk and hall side. Therefore, according to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, if a fraudulent act by a magnet is performed during the game, the surrounding clerk or the hall side can quickly grasp it, and a quick response to the fraudulent act It becomes possible. And in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the distance sensors 9a and 9b for detecting fraudulent acts by the magnets are provided at the two peripheral portions of the transparent plate unit 4 and at the upper two positions of the front frame member 3, These distance sensors 9a and 9b are arranged so as not to lower the visibility of the game area 21.

  Next, an example of a process in which the effect control board 130 changes the contents of the effect performed during the game based on the measurement results by the distance sensors 9a and 9b, that is, the position information SG1 input from the distance sensor control board 300 will be described. To do.

  When the effect control board 130 receives the variation pattern from the main control board 100 as described above, the effect control board 130 determines an effect pattern such as a decoration display variation display pattern on the image display 25 based on the variation pattern. Then, when a command for starting the decorative display of the decorative pattern is further input from the main control board 100, the decorative display of the decorative pattern is started to perform an effect corresponding to the determined effect pattern. Here, the effect pattern determined by the effect control board 130 may include a change effect pattern for switching effect contents when the player performs a predetermined operation. In this case, after the decorative symbol variation display is started, the effect control board 130 checks whether or not the position information SG1 is input from the distance sensor control board 300 at a predetermined effect timing defined in the effect pattern being executed. If the position information SG1 is input, the currently executed effect pattern is changed to the effect pattern for switching based on the position information SG1. Hereinafter, the operation in the case where the effect control board 130 switches the effect pattern will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which the effect control board 130 changes the effect contents based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b. This process is a process periodically executed by the effect control board 130, for example. When the effect control board 130 starts this process, it determines whether or not the effect is being executed (step S201). If the performance is not being executed, the process is terminated without performing the subsequent processes. On the other hand, if the effect is being executed (YES in step S201), it is determined whether or not the effect pattern for switching is included in the effect pattern currently being executed (step S202). When the effect pattern currently being executed does not include the effect pattern for switching (NO in step S202), the process is terminated without performing the subsequent processes. In this case, it is executed as it is until the currently executed effect is completed. On the other hand, when the effect pattern currently being executed includes an effect pattern for switching (YES in step S202), effect control board 130 is a predetermined for detecting position information SG1 output from distance sensor control board 300. (Step S203). When the production timing is reached (YES in step S203), it is determined whether or not the position information SG1 is input from the distance sensor control board 300 (step S204).

  At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the effect control board 130 displays an effect image for causing the player to perform some operation (hand movement) on the image display 25. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the player is prompted to select one effect pattern from among the three effect patterns (effect A, effect B, effect C). In this case, when the player performs an operation of selecting a desired effect pattern toward the image display 25, the player grasps that the effect being executed changes to a different effect pattern. The player then performs such an operation in the hope that the currently executed performance will change to a performance with a higher level of expectation for the jackpot. As a result, the distance sensors 9a and 9b detect the player's hand, so the effect control board 130 inputs the position information SG1 from the distance sensor control board 300.

  The effect control board 130 is in an input standby state for the position information SG1 that specifies the position of the player's hand until the predetermined time has elapsed since the effect timing for detecting the position information SG1 has elapsed (steps S204 and S205). ) If the position information SG1 has not been input before the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S205), the process ends without switching the effect pattern. In this case, it is executed as it is until the effect pattern currently being executed ends.

  On the other hand, when the position information SG1 is input before the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S204), the effect control board 130 switches the current effect pattern based on the position information SG1 of the player's hand. Switching to the pattern (step S206). For example, in the state shown in FIG. 15, when the player holds his hand over the front side of the image of the effect A, the effect control board 130 switches the effect corresponding to the effect A based on the position information SG1 of the player's hand. The pattern is specified, the effect pattern currently being executed is switched to the effect pattern for switching effect A selected by the player, and the subsequent effect is executed. The same applies when the player holds his hand over the front side of the effect B image or the effect C image. Then, the effect based on the effect pattern for switching selected by the player is performed until the decorative symbol variation display ends.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment can identify the position of the player's hand near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b. Three or more options can be displayed on the image display 25 to allow the player to select. That is, even if the number of options displayed on the image display 25 is increased, the distance sensors 9a and 9b can specify the position of the player's hand held over any one option. Then, the gaming machine 1 identifies the production pattern selected by the player based on the position information SG1, and switches the production currently being executed to the production corresponding to the production pattern. It is possible to select a pattern, and it is possible to perform various effects as compared with the prior art.

  Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, when the position information SG1 specifying the position of the player's hand is input, the effect pattern is switched based on the position information SG1, but other than this, for example, the player's hand within a predetermined time, for example, You may make it detect the moving direction of a hand and switch an effect pattern according to the moving direction. For example, if the player performs an operation that cuts the currently displayed decorative symbol by hand at a predetermined performance timing, an image is displayed that cuts the decorative symbol according to the direction of movement of the hand. If the cutting operation is successful within a predetermined time, it is possible to produce an effect such as changing the currently displayed decorative symbol to another symbol. In addition, there are various effects.

  In addition, although the case where the effect performed during the change display of the decoration symbol is switched to another effect based on the position information SG1 is illustrated here, the change of the effect content based on the position information SG1 is not necessarily the change display of the decoration symbol. It is not limited to being inside. For example, the effect during the big hit game or the small hit game may be switched to another effect based on the position of the player's hand.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes the distance sensors 9a and 9b attached to the two upper portions of the front frame member 3 so as to face the transparent plate unit 4, and these distance sensors 9a and 9b are provided. The distance to an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 on the board surface of the game board 20 is measured. Then, the position of the object on the game board surface is specified based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a and 9b, and the content of the effect is controlled to be different based on the position of the object. Therefore, various effects according to the position and movement of the hand can be performed while detecting the position and movement of the player's hand without contact.

  In the gaming machine 1, the measurement operation by the distance sensors 9a and 9b is always performed. When the position of the object is specified, the position information SG1 of the object is input to the effect control board 130 as needed. Then, the effect control board 130 controls the contents of the effect to be different based on the position information SG1 input when the predetermined effect timing comes. Thereby, the content of the production can be changed to a different content based on the player's operation performed at the predetermined production timing.

  In addition, the player is not always allowed to perform any operation, but when the predetermined presentation timing is reached, the player is encouraged to perform a hand operation, and the game is played until the predetermined time elapses. Only when an operation is performed by the player, the content of the effect is changed according to the position of the player's hand, the direction of movement, etc., so that the player can be effectively given a sense of operating the content of the effect. .

  In this type of gaming machine 1, for example, since the time for displaying the decorative symbols is defined by the variation pattern set on the main control board 100, the effect control board 130 starts displaying the decorative symbols. By changing the content of the production according to the position and movement of the player's hand at the specified production timing, the position and movement of the player's hand can be changed within the time specified in the fluctuation pattern. It is possible to produce a response.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is also configured to determine whether or not the object detected by the position specifying unit 65 is located in a predetermined fraud detection region R1. It is also possible to detect fraudulent acts such as using a magnet at the winning opening 28 and the like to illegally guide the game ball. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor or the like for detecting fraudulent acts caused by magnets, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the gaming machine 1 in the second embodiment, and is a view of the front side of the gaming machine 1 as viewed obliquely from above. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, three distance sensors 9 a, 9 b, 9 c are provided as distance measuring means 9 at the peripheral edge of the window portion 5 in the front frame member 3. Among these, the positions where the two distance sensors 9a and 9b are provided are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and are attached in a state where the transparent plate unit 4 faces the two upper portions of the front frame member 3. Another distance sensor 9c is provided on the upper surface side of the ball receiving portion 6 provided below the transparent plate unit 4 as shown in FIG. 16, and the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 from the upper surface of the ball receiving portion 6 is provided. It is attached to face the side space. Each of these three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c independently measures the distance to an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 without contact. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The detailed configuration of each of the distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  Next, FIG. 17 is a view of the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the front. In the state shown in FIG. 17, the player can change the behavior of the game ball launched into the game area 21 through the transparent plate unit 4 fitted in the window portion 5 of the front frame member 3, and the decorative pattern on the image display 25. Play games while paying attention to the display.

  Also in this embodiment, the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c provided at different locations on the peripheral edge of the window 5 detect the object in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4, and determine the distance to the object. taking measurement. Based on the measurement results of the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c, the position of the object on the game board surface is specified, and the position information is used for effect control. In other words, even in this embodiment, it is rich in gameability by appropriately changing the production performed with the progress of the game according to the position of the player's hand and the moving direction at a predetermined production timing. Configured to perform.

  Also in this embodiment, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 17, the area R1 including the start opening 26, the electric tulip 27 and the big prize opening 28 on the game board surface is used as the fraud detection area, and the distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c When an object is detected in the vicinity of the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 based on the measurement result, if the object is located in the fraud detection region R1, it is possible that the player has been cheating. Detect.

  And since the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment specifies the position of the object based on the distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c provided at three places around the transparent plate unit 4, it is more accurate than the first embodiment. There is an advantage that the position of the object can be specified. The overall control mechanism in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment, but in the present embodiment, since the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c are provided, The distance sensor control board 300 is configured to control these three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the distance sensor control board 300 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the distance sensor control unit 51 includes a timing generation circuit 61, a first distance sensor control circuit 62 that controls the distance sensor 9a, a second distance sensor control circuit 63 that controls the distance sensor 9b, and a distance. And a third distance sensor control circuit 64 for controlling the sensor 9c. The detailed configurations of the first distance sensor control circuit 62, the second distance sensor control circuit 63, and the third distance sensor control circuit 64 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment. Therefore, each distance sensor control circuit 62, 63, 64 drives each distance sensor 9 a, 9 b, 9 c independently based on the timing signal input from the timing generation circuit 61, and exists near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4. Measure the distance to the object. Note that each distance sensor control circuit 62, 63, 64 performs the self-diagnosis of each distance sensor as in the first embodiment.

  The position detection unit 52 includes first distance information L1 output from the first distance sensor control circuit 62, second distance information L2 output from the second distance sensor control circuit 63, and third distance sensor control. By calculating based on the third distance information L3 output from the circuit 64, the position of the object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 on the game board surface is specified, and the position information SG1 is output.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, and is measured by the first distance information L1 measured by the distance sensor 9a, the second distance information L2 measured by the distance sensor 9b, and the distance sensor 9c. The concept of the process which specifies the position of the object M based on three information with the 3rd distance information L3 is shown. As shown in FIG. 19, when the distance from the distance sensor 9a to the object M is L1, the object M is located at any position on the arcuate line La having the radius L1 with the position of the distance sensor 9a as the center. Exists. If the distance from the distance sensor 9b to the object M is L2, the object M exists at some position on the arcuate line Lb having the radius L2 with the position of the distance sensor 9b as the center. Further, assuming that the distance from the distance sensor 9c to the object M is L3, the object M exists at some position on the arc-shaped line Lc having the radius L3 with the position of the distance sensor 9c as the center. When these arcuate lines La, Lb, Lc intersect at one point on the game board surface, the object M is located at that one point. Therefore, when the three lines La, Lb, and Lc intersect at one point, the position identifying unit 65 identifies the position of the object M by obtaining the intersection, and the position of the object M is determined as 2 on the game board surface. Position information SG1 expressed as a dimensional coordinate is output to fraud detector 66 and effect control board 130.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, if there are only two distance sensors, two intersections may be specified in the inner region of the transparent plate unit 4, and of these two intersections, It is difficult to specify exactly where the object M is located. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the position of the object M is specified by obtaining the intersection where the three lines La, Lb, and Lc intersect based on the measurement results by the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c. Even in such a case, there is an advantage that the position of the object M can be specified accurately.

  The fraud detection unit 66 receives the position information SG1 from the position specifying unit 65, determines whether an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is inside the fraud detection region R1, and the fraud detection region R1 If it is inside, it is determined that an illegal act by the player is performed, and an illegal signal SG2 is output to the game control unit 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, when the position of the object M specified based on the measurement results of the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c is included in the fraud detection area R1, the fraud detection unit 66 is determined by the player. Detect that fraudulent activity may have occurred. For example, when the state where the object M exists in the fraud detection region R1 continues for a predetermined time or more, or when the state is detected a predetermined number of times within the predetermined time, the fraud signal SG2 is output. .

  The fraud detection unit 66 does not output the fraud signal SG2 when it detects that an object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 is in a region other than the fraud detection region R1. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, when the position of the object M specified by the position specifying unit 65 is in an area other than the fraud detection area R1, the fraud detection part 66 determines that the act by the player is not an illegal act. Therefore, in this case, the position detection unit 52 only outputs the position information SG1 to the effect control board 130.

  By the way, in the case of this embodiment, the lines La, Lb, Lc obtained from each of the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c do not always intersect at one point. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example thereof. For example, when one player is cheating with a magnet and another player is doing an act of holding his hand near the front of the image display 25 in order to assist the cheating, Two distance sensors 9 a and 9 b provided on the upper part of the frame member 3 detect an object M 1 near the front of the image display 25. Since the position of the object M1 is obtained as the intersection of two arc-shaped lines La and Lb, it can be specified as one point on the two-dimensional coordinates on the game board surface. A distance sensor 9c provided on the upper surface of the ball receiving portion 6 detects the object M2 in the vicinity of the fraud detection region R1. However, although it can be specified that the object M2 is located at a distance L3 from the distance sensor 9c, it cannot be specified where on the arc-shaped line Lc.

  In such a case, the position specifying unit 65 does not output the position information SG1 to the effect control board 130, and both the position information of the object M1 and the position information of the object M2 (more precisely, the distance information L3). Is output to the fraud detector 66. If there is a possibility that at least one of the object M1 and the object M2 is located in the fraud detection region R1, the fraud detection unit 66 outputs the fraud signal SG2 to the main control board 100. In the case of FIG. 22, since there is a possibility that the object M2 is located in the fraud detection region R1, the fraud detection unit 66 outputs the fraud signal SG2 to the main control board 100. Thereby, since it is notified from the gaming machine 1 that there is a possibility that an illegal act is performed on the computer on the hall side, for example, it is possible to cope with the store clerk confirming the act performed by the player Become.

  Also in this embodiment, the processing procedure and the like in the main control board 100 and the effect control board 130 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes the distance sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c attached to the front frame member 3 so as to face the transparent plate unit 4 at three locations around the front frame member 3. 9b and 9c measure the distance to the object existing near the surface of the transparent plate unit 4 on the board surface of the game board 20. Then, the position of the object on the game board surface is specified based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c. When the position of one object can be specified based on the measurement results of the distance sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c, the content of the effect is controlled to be different based on the position information of the object. Therefore, various effects according to the position and movement of the hand can be performed while detecting the position and movement of the player's hand without contact.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is also configured to determine whether or not an object detected by the position specifying unit 65 is located in a predetermined fraud detection area R1 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, for example, it is also possible to detect fraudulent acts such as using the magnets at the start opening 26, the big winning opening 28, etc. to illegally guide the game ball. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor or the like for detecting fraudulent acts caused by magnets, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

  In the above, two of the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c are provided on the upper portion of the front frame member 3, and the remaining one distance sensor 9c is provided on the upper surface portion of the ball receiving portion 6. The example provided in FIG. However, if the distance sensor 9c is provided on the upper surface portion of the ball receiver 6, the surface of the ultrasonic transmitter 15 or the ultrasonic receivers 16 and 17 may be blocked by the player's hand. The sensor 9c cannot measure the distance to the object. Therefore, in order to prevent this, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, all of the three distance sensors 9a, 9b, 9c may be provided on the upper portion of the front frame member 3.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although several embodiment regarding this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a gaming machine in which a big hit lottery is performed when a game ball enters the start opening 26 and the big winning opening 28 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times when the big hit lottery is won is exemplified. However, the gaming machine of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a gaming machine, and can be applied to various gaming machines other than the gaming machines described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one fraud detection area is set for the game board 20 is illustrated, but a plurality of fraud detection areas may be set. Moreover, although the case where an ultrasonic sensor was employ | adopted as an example of a distance sensor was illustrated in embodiment mentioned above, it is not restricted to this, For example, you may employ | adopt the optical sensor which projects and receives invisible light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Main body frame 3 Front frame member 4 Transparent board unit 5 Window part 9 Distance measurement means 9a, 9b, 9c Distance sensor 15 Ultrasonic transmitter (ultrasonic transmission means)
16, 17 Ultrasonic receiver (Ultrasonic receiver)
20 game board 21 game area 65 position specifying part (position specifying means)
66 Fraud detection unit (fraud detection means)
165 Self-diagnosis circuit (self-diagnosis means)
166 Abnormal output section (abnormal output means)

Claims (5)

A game board having a game area in which game balls are launched;
A front frame member provided on the front side of the game board and having a transparent plate that makes the game area visible;
A distance measuring means comprising at least two distance sensors provided on the front frame member for measuring a distance to an object existing near the transparent plate on the game board surface;
Position specifying means for specifying the position of an object on the game board surface based on the measurement results of the at least two distance sensors;
Production control means for controlling the production content to different contents based on the position of the object identified by the position identification means;
A gaming machine comprising: The distance measuring means includes three distance sensors provided at different positions around the transparent plate in the front frame member,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the position specifying means specifies the position of an object on the game board surface based on the measurement results of the three distance sensors.   The production control means, when a position of an object is specified by the position specifying means at a predetermined production timing, controls the content of the production to be different based on the position of the object. The gaming machine according to 1 or 2.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising fraud detection means for determining whether or not the position of the object specified by the position specifying means is within a predetermined fraud detection area. Self-diagnosis means for diagnosing whether or not the distance sensor is functioning normally;
An abnormal output means for outputting an abnormal signal when the self-diagnostic means detects that the distance sensor has stopped functioning;
The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

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