JP2017164052A - Operation unit, control method and control program of operation unit, and game machine including the operation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for reducing a burden on a shoulder and a wrist because of a long game, preventing a player from feeling uncomfortable, and allowing the player to concentrate on a game more easily as compared with a case where a shooting strength handle including an initial position returning spring is used as an operation unit.SOLUTION: In reception of an output signal for indicating movement of an object in either direction from imaging means 68, a pulse signal is output from an operation part control board 70 to a ball shooting control board 44, and the ball shooting control board 44 controls a ball shooting device 46 on the basis of the pulse signal to shoot game balls. In this manner, a game machine can shoot a game ball with strength corresponding to the movement of user's hands.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation unit for adjusting the firing strength of a ball game machine provided in a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball game machine, a sparrow ball game machine, etc., a control method and control program for the operation unit, and this operation unit. It relates to a gaming machine provided.

  Many pachinko gaming machines are equipped with an operation handle on the front, and the player adjusts the amount of rotation of the operation handle to move the game ball from the launch device provided on the game machine to the target location on the game board. Is fired. The operation handle is provided with a spring so as to return to the origin position, and the player needs to rotate the operation handle to such an extent that the return force of the spring is not lost.

  At this time, the player keeps holding the handle so that the flying distance of the game ball is always constant so that the game ball is guided to a predetermined winning opening which is a starting port. When a game is continued for a long time, there is a problem that a feeling of fatigue may be disturbed by a feeling of fatigue.

  In view of such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a cam portion is formed at a position where a fixed body fixed to the front surface of a gaming machine and an annular operation member operated by a player face each other, and an annular operation member is provided. A firing adjustment means is described in which when the cam portion is pressed when it is rotated, it is naturally bent according to the rotation angle of the annular operation member, and the handle is naturally set to the optimal bending angle. By doing so, especially the bending of the wrist is reduced, so that the burden on the wrist of the player can be considerably eliminated.

JP 2008-23252 A

  However, when the game time is long, there is still a problem that a feeling of fatigue may be felt on the wrist or shoulder, and the feeling of fatigue may hinder a comfortable game.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and reduces the possibility of hindering a comfortable game by feeling tired even when the game is continued for a long time. The main purpose is to provide an operation unit capable of performing the above. Another object is to provide a control means and a control program for controlling the operation unit.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned main objects.

The operation unit of the present invention comprises:
An operation unit that outputs an operation signal based on the movement of the object when the object moves within a predetermined detection area,
A cover member having the detection region on the surface;
Imaging means for imaging an area including the detection area as imaging information;
Operation unit control means for outputting an operation signal including the direction of the change as operation information when a change in the imaging information is detected;
Characterized by comprising
Is.

  This operation unit is provided with a detection area capable of detecting the movement of the user's hand on the surface of the cover member. An image including the detection area is imaged by the imaging means, and the imaging information obtained by the imaging means is obtained. When there is a change, an operation signal including the change direction as operation information is output. By doing so, it is possible to output operation information according to the movement of the hand moved on the surface of the cover member. For this reason, for example, when a firing strength handle provided with a spring for returning to the initial position is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, a long time game may cause a burden on the shoulder or wrist. By using the operation unit of the present invention instead of the handle, this burden is reduced, the possibility that the player feels uncomfortable is reduced, and it becomes easier to concentrate on the game. In other words, since the operation can be performed according to the movement of the user's hand, a high degree of freedom in operation and a comfortable operational feeling can be provided. In addition, if the gaming machine is used for a long time, the resistance value may be distorted due to wear of the contact portion of the variable resistor, and even if the handle is held in the same position, variations in firing may occur. However, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, such a mechanism portion does not exist. Can be suppressed, and there is no need to replace parts. Also, for example, when a conventional launch intensity handle is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, each launch machine has an analog error such as a reference voltage error or resistance error applied to the variable resistor. Although there was a possibility that an error in the firing intensity might occur during this time, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, since digital processing is performed, it is possible to reduce the variation in the firing intensity between the respective gaming machines. The time required for adjusting each gaming machine can be reduced.

The operation unit of the present invention comprises:
A cover member having a detection area which is a predetermined area on the surface;
Imaging means for imaging a region including the detection region as a captured image;
Operation unit control means for outputting an operation signal based on the movement of the object when the object moves in the detection area;
Characterized by comprising
It may be a thing.

  This operation unit is provided with a detection area capable of detecting the movement of the user's hand on the surface of the cover member. An image including the detection area is imaged by the imaging means, and the imaging information obtained by the imaging means is obtained. Based on this, an operation signal including operation information is output. In this way, an operation signal including operation information corresponding to the movement of the hand moved on the surface of the cover member can be output. For example, when the hand is moved greatly, operation information corresponding to the large movement is displayed. When the hand movement is small, it is possible to output operation signals each including operation information corresponding to the small movement. For this reason, for example, when a firing strength handle provided with a spring for returning to the initial position is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, a long time game may cause a burden on the shoulder or wrist. By using the operation unit of the present invention instead of the handle, this burden is reduced, the possibility that the player feels uncomfortable is reduced, and it becomes easier to concentrate on the game. In other words, since it can be operated by hand movements that are natural for the user, a high degree of freedom of operation and a comfortable operational feeling can be provided. In addition, if the gaming machine is used for a long time, the resistance value may be distorted due to wear of the contact portion of the variable resistor, and even if the handle is held in the same position, variations in firing may occur. However, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, since there is no such mechanism portion, even when the gaming machine is used for a long period of time, variation in launch due to wear of the contact portion. Can be suppressed, and there is no need to replace parts. Also, for example, when a conventional launch intensity handle is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, each launch machine has an analog error such as a reference voltage error or resistance error applied to the variable resistor. Although there was a possibility that an error in the firing intensity might occur during this time, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, since digital processing is performed, it is possible to reduce the variation in the firing intensity between the respective gaming machines. The time required for adjusting each gaming machine can be reduced.

  The operation unit control means of the present invention may be an electronic circuit that, when detecting a change in the imaging information, outputs an operation signal including the direction of the change as operation information. By doing so, it is possible to output an operation signal without performing processing on software.

  The operation unit control means of the present invention may be characterized in that a change amount of the object is calculated based on imaging information imaged by the imaging means, and an operation signal including the change amount as operation information is output. By doing so, versatility when outputting the operation signal can be enhanced.

  In the operation unit according to the aspect of the invention, the imaging unit sequentially captures an area including the detection area as first imaging information and second imaging information, and the operation unit control unit includes the first imaging unit. The position of the object included in the information is compared with the position of the object included in the second imaging information, and an operation signal including the amount of change in the position of the object as operation information is output. May be a feature. By continuously imaging the same place in this way, the position of the object included in the first imaging information and the position of the object included in the second imaging information are determined when the user moves his / her hand. Will move. For this reason, the amount of change in the position of the target object is calculated by comparing the position of the target object included in the first imaging information continuously captured with the position of the target object included in the second imaging information. An operation signal including information can be output. For this reason, it is not necessary to physically move any member, and a high degree of freedom of operation and a comfortable operation feeling can be provided. Here, the “object” means a part of the body including the palm and fingers of the user who operates the operation unit, and more specifically, the outline of the finger, fingerprint, palm print and palm. It means physical features such as unevenness and kuroko.

  The operation unit of the present invention may include a light source that irradiates light from an oblique direction with respect to the detection region. By doing so, the object can be irradiated with light from an oblique direction, so that the shadow due to the unevenness of the surface of the object can be emphasized, and the object included in the imaging information captured by the imaging means Easy to calculate movement. Here, the “oblique direction” means a position inside the cover member that is not in front of an object located in the detection region.

  In the operation unit of the present invention, the cover member may have a spherical shape on the upper surface side, and the detection area may be a translucent area. By doing so, it is possible to detect the movement of the hand placed on the spherical surface and output an operation signal including operation information. At this time, since the upper surface side of the cover member is a spherical surface, the palm can be placed on the spherical surface and moved in a natural posture, reducing the burden on the shoulder and wrist even for a long time operation, and comfortable operation A feeling can be provided.

  The operation unit of the present invention may include a lens positioned between the detection area and the imaging unit. By doing so, when the vicinity of the detection region is imaged by the imaging means, it is possible to image at higher resolution. In other words, since the minute movement of the object can be imaged by the imaging means, the movement of the user's hand can be detected with high sensitivity. In other words, even when a lower-resolution imaging means is used compared to the case without a lens, imaging information with the same resolution can be obtained by using the lens. The degree of freedom can be increased.

  A gaming machine according to the present invention includes any one of the operation units described above and a hitting ball launcher that launches a game ball based on the operation information. Since this gaming machine is provided with the operation unit described above, it can be operated by the same effects as any of the operation units described above, for example, by natural hand movements for the user. Therefore, the degree of freedom is high and a comfortable operation feeling can be provided.

The control method of the operation unit of the present invention includes:
A cover member having a detection area that is a predetermined area on the surface, an imaging unit that captures an area including the detection area as a captured image, and movement of the object when the object moves within the detection area An operation unit control means for outputting an operation signal based on the control method, and a control method for controlling an operation unit comprising:
An imaging step of imaging an area including the detection area by the imaging means as imaging information;
An operation signal output step of outputting an operation signal based on the movement of the object when the object moves in the detection area;
Including,
Is.

  In this control method of the operation unit, a detection region capable of detecting the movement of the user's hand is provided on the surface of the cover member, and an image including the detection region is picked up by the image pickup means, and the operation control unit picks up the image pickup means. An operation signal including operation information is output based on the imaging information obtained by the above. In this way, an operation signal including operation information corresponding to the movement of the hand moved on the surface of the cover member can be output. For example, when the hand is moved greatly, operation information corresponding to the large movement is displayed. When the hand movement is small, it is possible to output operation signals each including operation information corresponding to the small movement. For this reason, for example, when a firing strength handle provided with a spring for returning to the initial position is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, a long time game may cause a burden on the shoulder or wrist. By using the operation unit of the present invention instead of the handle, this burden is reduced, the possibility that the player feels uncomfortable is reduced, and it becomes easier to concentrate on the game. In other words, since it can be operated by hand movements that are natural for the user, a high degree of freedom of operation and a comfortable operational feeling can be provided. In addition, if the gaming machine is used for a long time, the resistance value may be distorted due to wear of the contact portion of the variable resistor, and even if the handle is held in the same position, variations in firing may occur. However, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, such a mechanism portion does not exist. Can be suppressed, and there is no need to replace parts. Also, for example, when a conventional launch intensity handle is used as an operation unit of a gaming machine, each launch machine has an analog error such as a reference voltage error or resistance error applied to the variable resistor. Although there was a possibility that an error in the firing intensity might occur during this time, when the operation unit of the present invention is used, since digital processing is performed, it is possible to reduce the variation in the firing intensity between the respective gaming machines. The time required for adjusting each gaming machine can be reduced.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or a plurality of computers to execute each step of the operation unit control method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, CD, DVD, flash memory, etc.), or a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or wired / wireless LAN). It may be transmitted from one computer to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. Moreover, even if it is performed by a device that executes each step of the control method, the device that executes the program may be different from the device that performs the process. In any case, if this program is executed by one computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effect as the control method described above can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the back. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the hitting ball operation unit 60. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the configuration of the hitting operation unit 60. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of electrical connection of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the effect input processing routine.

  Next, as an example of the embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine 10 provided with the hitting operation unit 60 will be described in detail. The embodiments and drawings described below exemplify a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not used for the purpose of limiting to these configurations, and do not depart from the gist of the present invention. It can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the same or similar code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure. Further, by clarifying an example of the control method of the hitting operation unit 60 and the effect operation unit 80, the control unit of the present invention, the control method of the gaming machine, and examples of these control programs are also clarified.

  Here, the configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 3 is a back view of the gaming machine 10, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hitting operation unit 60, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the hitting operation unit 60, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of electrical connection in the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 12 that is sandwiched and supported by an island such as a pachinko hall between an upper plate and a lower plate, and a main body portion 20 that is pivotally supported by the outer frame 12. And a transparent plate holding frame 14 which is provided on one side of the main body 20 and is pivotally mounted by a hinge (not shown) so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, the transparent plate holding frame 14 has a transparent plate 15 made of glass or plastic on the rear surface. Therefore, when the transparent plate holding frame 14 is closed with respect to the main body portion 20. Is in a state in which a game area 31 to be described later is visible through the transparent plate 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 20 stores a game board 30 including a game area 31, a hitting operation unit 60 provided at one side of the front lower part, and a game ball (not shown) provided at the lower front part. And a speaker 24 that is provided below the ball tray 22 and emits a production sound or the like. Further, on the back side of the main body 20, as shown in FIG. 3, a ball payout device 28 for supplying prize balls or rental balls from a ball tank 26 provided at the upper portion, and a main control board sealed in an enclosing case A main board including 50, a peripheral board including a ball payout control board 48 and a hit ball launch control board 44, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 is located at a substantially central portion and has a large liquid crystal panel for displaying various effects by winning a prize or the like, or a big prize located below the symbol fluctuation display apparatus 32. It has a plurality of winning openings 36 located on both sides of the opening 38 and the big winning opening 38, and has a game area 31 in which a group of obstacle nails composed of a windmill and a number of obstacle nails is appropriately arranged on the surface. A game ball (not shown) in the ball tray 22 is guided to a ball hitting device 46 (see FIG. 3) via a ball hitting supply device (not shown), and is shot into the game area 31 by the ball hitting operation unit 60. When the game ball launched into the game area 31 having the obstacle nail group, the winning hole 36, and the like by the hitting ball launching device 46 passes through the windmill and the obstacle nail group and reaches the winning hole 36 and the big winning hole 38, the winning hole is opened. 36 and a prize winning ball switch 40 (see FIG. 6) provided in the grand prize winning opening 38, and the main control board 50 receives a winning signal and is treated as a winning. In this case, a ball payout signal is transmitted from the main control board 50, and the player can obtain a prize ball by supplying the prize ball from the ball tank 26 to the ball tray 22 via the ball payout device 28. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main control board 50 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 51, and stores the ROM 52 that stores various programs such as a game program for performing a game, and temporarily stores data. The RAM 53 is disposed in an electrically connected state. The main control board 50 is electrically connected to various control boards such as the operation unit control board 70 and various switches such as the dish full tank switch 42 and the emptying prevention switch 43, and transmits and receives various signals. . When a game ball (not shown) wins the start winning opening 34, a winning signal is input to the CPU 51 from a winning ball switch 40 provided at the start winning opening 34, and a lottery is performed according to a game program stored in advance in the ROM 52. When a jackpot is invited with a predetermined probability by this lottery, the big prize opening 38 is opened, and a prize ball is paid out from the ball payout device 28.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hitting operation unit 60 is formed such that a substantially hemispherical cover portion 62 having a detection region 61 at a substantially center covers the base portion 63. The base 63 includes an upper part 63a and a lower part 63b, and a light source 64a and a light source 64b (hereinafter also referred to as “light source 64”) for irradiating the cover part 62 with light, and light emitted from the light source 64a and the light source 64b. A condensing lens 65 a and a condensing lens 65 b (hereinafter also referred to as “condensing lens 65”), an imaging unit 68 that images the cover unit 62 via the lens 66, and imaging An operation unit control board 70 that outputs a pulse signal based on the output signal output from the means 68 is sandwiched from above and below. In the hitting operation unit 60, the detection area 61 is imaged by the imaging means 68, a change in the detection area 61 is detected, and a signal corresponding to the change is output when the change is detected. Based on this signal, a pulse signal is output from the operation unit control board 70, and on the basis of this pulse signal, the hitting ball firing control board 44 controls the strength of the hitting ball emitted from the hitting ball launching device 46. By doing so, the player can adjust the strength of the hit ball to be shot and move the game ball to a desired position by moving a finger or palm held over the detection area 61.

  The base 63 is a member integrated by fitting two members of an upper part 63a and a lower part 63b to each other. A groove 63aa is provided on the upper surface side of the upper part 63a, and the condenser lens 65 and the lens 66 are fitted into the groove 63aa. By doing so, the detection area 61 can be imaged by the imaging means 68 via the lens 66 without being blocked by the upper surface side of the upper portion 63a. Further, a through hole 63ba is provided on the bottom surface of the lower portion 63b, and power can be supplied to the hitting operation unit 60 by passing a wiring cable (not shown) through the through hole 63ba.

  The cover 62 is a substantially hemispherical resin member that covers the upper half of the hitting operation unit 60. A detection region 61 formed of a transparent resin is provided at a substantially top portion of the cover portion 62, and the imaging unit 68 images an area including the detection region 61.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light source 64 is a surface-mounted LED in which a light source 64 a and a light source 64 b are attached to opposite sides of the imaging unit 68. The light emitted from the light source 64 is refracted in the direction of the detection region 61 by a condenser lens 65 which is a known convex lens. By doing so, the light emitted from the light source 64 is emitted in an oblique direction with respect to the detection region 61, and the surface of the object is compared with the case where light is emitted from the front direction of the detection region 61. Since the shading caused by the unevenness present in the object is vividly expressed, even a small unevenness on the surface of the object can be clearly imaged. In addition, by using the LED as the light source 64, the light emitted from the LED has high straightness, so that when the detection area 61 is irradiated with light from an oblique direction, small irregularities on the surface of the object are sharpened. Images can be taken and the surface of the object can be accurately imaged.

  The lens 66 is a known convex lens, and is provided at a position between the imaging means 68 and the detection region 61. By so doing, the light near the detection region 61 is condensed and the focal length is adjusted, so that a clearer image can be taken compared to the case where the lens 66 is not provided.

  The imaging means 68 is a known image sensor, and for example, an optical navigation sensor, a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, or the like can be used. Specifically, for example, model number PAW3512DK-TJZA manufactured by PixArt Imaging Inc may be used, model number ATA2380 manufactured by ATLab Inc, or STMICROELECTRONICS K.K. K. You may use model number VD5377 by a company. This image sensor compares picked-up images that are picked up continuously, and outputs the movement direction (up / down / left / right direction) as an output signal based on the change of the picked-up image. For this reason, when the object is moved with the imaging means 68 fixed, the direction opposite to the moving direction of the object (for example, the left direction when the object moves to the right) can be output as an output signal. . At this time, since the lens 66 is provided between the detection region 61 and the imaging means 68, imaging information with higher resolution can be obtained compared to the case where the lens 66 is not provided. In other words, compared to the case where the lens 66 is not provided, even if an imaging unit having an image sensor with a lower resolution is used, imaging information with an equivalent resolution can be obtained.

  The operation unit control board 70 is a known electronic circuit board (two-dimensional position detection signal generation circuit) that outputs a pulse signal when a predetermined signal is received. As shown in FIG. The control board 44 is electrically connected. When the operation unit control board 70 receives an output signal indicating that the object has moved in any direction from the imaging means 68, it outputs a pulse signal to the hit ball launch control board 44. Based on this pulse signal, the hitting ball launch control board 44 controls the hitting ball launching device 46 (see FIG. 3), so that a game ball is launched from the hitting ball launching device 46 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, for example, the larger the number of pulse signals received within a predetermined time, the stronger the game ball may be fired, and the smaller the number of pulse signals, the weaker the game ball may be fired. By doing so, it is possible to obtain an effect that the player can comfortably operate the ball hitting operation unit 60. The output signal output from the operation unit control board 70 is not limited to a pulse signal, and may be a signal having a specific phase. In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the effect operation unit 80 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the gaming machine 10, and, like the hitting operation unit 60, changes in the detection area 81 are detected and changes when the changes are detected. A signal corresponding to the signal is output. At this time, the configuration of the rendering operation unit 80 is the configuration of the hitting operation unit 60 except that it is the rendering operation control substrate 90 instead of the operation unit control substrate 70. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the production operation control board 90 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 91, and includes a ROM 92 that stores various programs including a production input processing routine for calculating mobility from imaging information, A RAM 93 that temporarily stores data is disposed in an electrically connected state. The operation unit control board 70 is electrically connected to the light source 84, the imaging unit 88, and the like, controls the turning on and off of the light source 84, and captures image information captured by the imaging unit 88 via the condenser lens 85. Based on this, the mobility of the object is detected, an operation signal is transmitted based on the operation information calculated from this mobility, and the effect of the gaming machine 10 is controlled. By doing this, the player can reflect the movement of the player's hand in the effect by moving the hand placed on the surface of the effect operation unit 80 when a predetermined effect is made on the gaming machine 10. . The operation information output from the rendering operation control board 90 means information including information on the movement of the object such as the moving direction, moving speed, and moving distance of the object.

  Next, a method for detecting the movement of the player's hand, specifically, a method for controlling the rendering operation unit 80 that outputs operation information based on the imaging information captured by the imaging unit 88 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. To do. This effect input processing routine is read from the ROM 92 by the CPU 91 when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals. Here, the “predetermined interval” is a predetermined time, and may be, for example, several milliseconds or several microseconds, and is appropriately determined according to the required accuracy. be able to. If this predetermined interval is short, the detection interval becomes short, so that the movement of the player's hand can be detected sensitively. On the other hand, when the predetermined interval is long, the detection interval becomes long, so it is possible to detect long-term hand movements of the player, thereby reducing the influence of hand movements that the player does not intend, such as camera shake. can do. In this effect input processing routine, the start value and the end value are reset when the supply of power to the gaming machine 10 is stopped, and the start value and the end value disappear. In other words, the start value and the end value are empty after power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 and before the effect input process routine is executed.

  When this effect input processing routine is executed, the CPU 91 supplies power to the light source 84 and the image pickup means 88 to turn on the light source 84 and make the image pickup means 88 ready for image pickup (step S110). The vicinity of the detection area 81 in a state where the area 81 is irradiated with light is imaged by the imaging means 88 (step S120). At this time, since the player's finger or palm is applied to the detection area 81, the game is compared with the case where light is irradiated from the front by irradiating the detection area 81 with light from an oblique direction. Since the shadow caused by the unevenness of the person's finger or palm becomes dark, the surface shape is imaged in more detail when imaging.

  Subsequently, the CPU 91 determines whether or not imaging information is stored in the start value (step S130). If it is determined that the imaging information is not stored, the CPU 91 stores the imaging information as a start value (step S140). This routine ends. When imaging information is not stored in the start value, it is executed first after the gaming machine 10 is turned on, and the start value for calculating the mobility when executed for the second time This is because.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 91 determines in step S130 that the imaging information is stored as the start value, the imaging information is stored as the end value (step S150), and the imaging information stored in the start value (in the present invention) , Corresponding to “first imaging information”) and imaging information stored as an end value (corresponding to “second imaging information” of the present invention), the mobility is calculated (step S160). Specifically, for example, the imaging information stored as the start value and the imaging information stored as the end value are respectively applied to the XY coordinate system, and characteristic information (for example, finger contour, fingerprint, etc.) appearing in the imaging information is applied. The mobility is calculated from the position change of the physical information (such as physical features such as physique and mole). In this way, the mobility can be calculated according to the distance that the user has moved the hand.

  Subsequently, the CPU 91 transmits an operation signal including operation information that is information on mobility (step S170), stores the imaging information stored in the end value in the start value (step S180), and is stored in the end value. The captured image information is deleted (step S190), and this routine ends. By transmitting the operation signal including the operation information in this way, it is possible to output information regarding the movement of the player's hand. By associating the information related to the movement of the player's hand with the effect, the player's interest can be attracted to the effect.

  When the hitting operation unit 60 of the present embodiment described in detail above receives an output signal indicating that the object has moved in either direction from the imaging means 68, the operation unit control board 70 transfers the hitting ball launch control board 44. A pulse signal is output, and the hit ball launch control board 44 controls the hit ball launch device 46 based on this pulse signal to launch a game ball. This reduces the burden on the shoulders and wrists caused by a long game and makes the player uncomfortable compared to using a firing strength handle provided with a spring for returning to the initial position as a hitting operation unit. This makes it easier to concentrate on the game without having to worry about it. In addition, if a gaming machine having such a firing strength handle is used for a long time, the resistance value may be distorted due to wear of the contact portion of the variable resistor, and the firing strength handle is held at the same position. However, even if the game machine is used for a long time, even if it is used for a long period of time, there will be variations in the firing due to wear of the contact part. Can be suppressed, and there is no need to replace parts. Further, when the touch position of the touch sensor or the position of the hand is determined by ultrasonic waves or the like, a detection area having a certain size is required. However, by using the hitting operation unit 60, the launch intensity handle is used. Because it can be installed in the same space as the existing game machine, it can be installed without greatly changing the design and contributes to space saving. Also, for example, when such a launch strength handle is used, the launch strength handle has an error in launch strength between each gaming machine due to an analog error such as a reference voltage error or resistance error applied to the variable resistor. However, since it is possible to reduce the variation in the launch intensity between the respective gaming machines by performing digital processing, the time required for adjusting each gaming machine can be reduced. .

  In addition, the rendering operation unit 80 continuously captures the movement of the user in the detection area 81 by the imaging unit 88 and transmits an operation signal including the operation information based on the movement of characteristic information in each captured image. . Specifically, the imaging information captured continuously is temporarily stored as a start value and an end value, the mobility is calculated based on characteristic information included in each imaging information, and operation information is included. Transmit as an operation signal. An effect based on the movement of the player's hand can be performed by performing the effect based on the operation signal. At this time, for example, when using such an effect selection button consisting of an up button, a down button, a left button, and a right button, “up” and “down” are used when such an effect selection button is used. , “Left” and “Right” directions can be selected. However, in the case where the production operation unit 80 is used, in addition to these directions, an arbitrary direction such as “Upper right” and “Lower left” can be selected. It is also possible to select the degree of direction such as “slightly upper right” or “largely upper right”, so that the number of options can be greatly increased. In other words, when the player performs an operation in accordance with the production, the player can easily concentrate on the game without feeling uncomfortable. In other words, by freely selecting the moving direction in this way, when the effect is displayed on the symbol variation display device 32, it is possible to select an effect area or select a moving area. Thus, various effects including selection with fine adjustment can be performed. In addition, when creating each of the above buttons, as many selection buttons as the number of selection directions are required. However, by providing the production operation unit 80, selection buttons that can be selected in any direction are installed in a small space. be able to.

  Furthermore, since the upper surface side of the cover part 62 has a spherical shape, when placing a palm on the surface side of the cover part 62, the burden on the user can be reduced as compared with a planar shape.

  Furthermore, since the light source 64 irradiates the detection area 61 with light from an oblique direction, the unevenness of the hand and fingers in the detection area 61 is shaded by the light from the light source 64 and has a characteristic part. It is easy to image with the imaging means 68.

  Since the lens 66 is provided between the detection region 61 and the imaging unit 68, when the detection unit 61 is imaged by the imaging unit 68, the light is converged by the lens 66 and the lens 66 is not provided. In comparison, it is possible to capture an image more clearly.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above at all, and as long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, it cannot be overemphasized that it can implement with a various aspect.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an LED is used as the light source 64, but various lamps or various LEDs may be used instead of the LEDs. In this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained. For example, when an infrared LED is used as the light source, if an infrared filter that cuts visible light is provided on the back surface of the condenser lens 65 or the detection region 61, the operation unit is turned on because it is not affected by visible light. Can be decorated. The same applies to the light source 84.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light source 64a and the light source 64b irradiate light in the oblique direction with respect to the detection region 61. However, the light source 64a and the light source 64b may irradiate light so as to intersect with the surface of the detection region 61. . By doing so, the vicinity of the surface of the detection region 61 becomes brighter, so that clear imaging information can be acquired and imaging accuracy can be improved. The same effect can be obtained for the light source 84 for the same reason.

  In the embodiment described above, the detection area 61 is provided by a transparent member. However, the detection area 61 may be any area as long as it defines a predetermined range that can be imaged by the imaging means 68. For example, the detection area 61 has translucency. A member may be used, and a portion corresponding to the detection region 61 of the cover portion 62 may be cut out. Further, when an imaging unit capable of imaging by infrared rays such as an infrared camera is used as the imaging unit 68, the imaging unit 68 may be formed of a material that transmits infrared rays. In any case, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the hitting operation unit 60, a known electronic circuit board that outputs a pulse signal when receiving a predetermined signal is used as the operation unit control board 70, and the CPU 91 is mainly used as the effect operation control board 90. However, a known electronic circuit board that outputs a pulse signal may be used for the operation unit control board 70 and the presentation operation control board 90, or a microprocessor may be used. In any case, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, the effect input processing routine is executed when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10, but the effect operation unit 80 is provided with a touch sensor, and the CPU 91 determines that the touch sensor senses it. It is good also as what is performed when it does. Specifically, the part other than the detection region 61 of the cover part 62 may be painted with a conductive material such as chromium, or a coating film may be formed. In this way, when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 and no game is being performed, the effect input processing routine is not executed, which contributes to power saving. At this time, the position where the touch sensor is provided may be, for example, the side surface side of the cover part 62. In this way, when the user places his palm on the cover unit 62, the touch sensor is naturally positioned at the finger position, so that the finger naturally touches the touch sensor, Comfortable operation can be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation information is calculated based on the movement of the object included in the first imaging information and the second imaging information. At this time, even if the lower limit value of the firing intensity value is set in advance, good. For example, by setting the lower limit of the value of the launch strength as a value that allows the game ball launched from the hit ball launching device 46 to reach the game area, the game ball is launched with a strength that does not reach the game area. Can be prevented in advance. In other words, the game ball fired from the hit ball launching device 46 always reaches the game area, so that the player can enjoy the game comfortably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation information is calculated based on the movements of the objects included in the first imaging information and the second imaging information. At this time, the movements of a plurality of objects are measured simultaneously, The average value of the mobility calculated from the object may be used as the mobility. In this way, a value closer to the movement of the user's hand can be used as the strength when the game ball is launched, compared to the case where the calculation is based on the movement of one object.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation information is calculated based on the movement of the object included in the first imaging information and the second imaging information. At this time, the movement of the object is measured a plurality of times, and the average value is obtained. May be the mobility. Specifically, for example, measurement may be performed 10 times at an interval of 0.1 milliseconds, and the operation information may be calculated using the average value as the movement of the object for 1 millisecond. Normally, human movements are not uniform, and by calculating an average value, movements closer to the user's intention can be detected.

  As shown in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be used as an operation control means of the gaming machine field, particularly a gaming machine.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine, 12 ... Outer frame, 14 ... Transparent plate holding frame, 15 ... Transparent plate, 20 ... Main part, 22 ... Ball tray, 24 ... Speaker, 26 ... Ball tank, 28 ... Ball payout device, 30 ... Game Board, 31 ... gaming area, 32 ... symbol variation display device, 34 ... start prize opening, 36 ... winning prize opening, 38 ... big prize opening, 40 ... winning ball switch, 42 ... dish full tank switch, 43 ... empty cut prevention switch 44 ... Hitting ball launch control board, 46 ... Hitting ball launch device, 48 ... Ball payout control board, 50 ... Main control board, 51 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 53 ... RAM, 60 ... Hitting ball operation unit, 61 ... detection area, 62 ... Cover part, 63 ... Base part, 63a ... Upper part, 63aa ... Groove, 63b ... Lower part, 63ba ... Through hole, 64 ... Light source, 64a ... Light source, 64b ... Light source, 65 ... Condensing lens, 65a ... Condensing lens, 65b ... Condensing lens, 6 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Lens 68 ... Imaging means 70 ... Operation part control board, 80 ... Production operation unit, 81 ... Detection area, 84 ... Light source, 85 ... Condensing lens, 88 ... Imaging means, 90 ... Production operation control board, 91 ... CPU, 92 ... ROM, 93 ... RAM

Claims (10)

A cover member having a detection area which is a predetermined area on the surface;
Imaging means for imaging an area including the detection area as imaging information;
Operation unit control means for outputting an operation signal based on the movement of the object when the object moves in the detection area;
Characterized by comprising
Operation unit. When the change of the imaging information is detected, the operation unit control means is an electronic circuit that outputs an operation signal including the change direction as operation information.
The operation unit according to claim 1. The operation unit control means calculates a change amount of the object based on the imaging information imaged by the imaging means, and outputs an operation signal including the change amount as operation information.
The operation unit according to claim 1. The imaging unit continuously captures an area including the detection area as first imaging information and second imaging information,
The operation unit control means compares the position of the object included in the first imaging information with the position of the object included in the second imaging information, and determines the amount of change in the position of the object as operation information. It is characterized by outputting an operation signal including
The operation unit according to claim 3. The operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A light source that emits light from an oblique direction with respect to the detection region;
Characterized by comprising
Operation unit. The cover member has a spherical shape on the upper surface side,
The detection region is a region having translucency,
The operation unit according to claim 1. The operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A lens positioned between the detection region and the imaging means;
Characterized by comprising
Operation unit. The operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A hitting ball launcher that launches a game ball based on the operation information;
Characterized by comprising
Gaming machine. A cover member having a detection area that is a predetermined area on the surface, an imaging unit that captures an area including the detection area as a captured image, and movement of the object when the object moves within the detection area An operation unit control means for outputting an operation signal based on the control method, and a control method for controlling an operation unit comprising:
An imaging step of imaging an area including the detection area by the imaging means as imaging information;
An operation signal output step of outputting an operation signal based on the movement of the object when the object moves in the detection area;
Including,
Control method of the operation unit. A program for executing the operation unit control method according to claim 9 on one or more computers.

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