JP2573981B2 - Operation device for game pieces such as dice in game machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for operating a game piece such as a dice in a game machine.

[Conventional technology]

Game machines that play a game while watching game pieces such as model dice and medals or game pieces projected on a television screen are well known.

Among them, game machines that play games by actually rolling the game pieces such as model dice on the board automatically and mechanically are realistic and rich in game interest. A device that automatically interprets the number, the front and back of medals, and the like is expensive, and an erroneous interpretation often results in an incorrect game result.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a model dice or other game pieces to determine the number of appearances, front and back, and the like with a simple device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game piece operation device for a game machine which can be read reliably and which is rich in interest.

[Means for solving the problem]

The above objects are achieved by the following components (a) to (e): (a) a hollow cylindrical transparent housing provided vertically on a base, and (b) a housing accommodated in the transparent housing. At least one lightweight game piece to be played; and (c)
A turntable having air permeability for supporting the game piece at the bottom of the transparent housing; and (d) a blower for blowing air to the lower surface of the turntable and blowing up the game piece on the table upward in the transparent housing. Can be achieved by a game piece operating device comprising:

[Action]

With the above configuration, a game piece such as a dice is blown up into the transparent housing by the blower, then falls onto the turntable, and becomes horizontal without being inclined obliquely with the rotation of the turntable. Is located near the center of the television camera, and is surely set within a good and limited field of view of the television camera, and a program for image recognition for reading a die appearance and the like is extremely simple, and accurate reading, This makes it possible to discriminate and provide an inexpensive and entertaining game machine that does not cause erroneous game results due to misreading.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

The game piece operating device according to the present invention can handle dice, medals, and other various game pieces. In the embodiments described below, dice will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a partially broken front view showing an embodiment of a game machine using the game piece operating device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the same, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the game piece operating device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the lower part of the housing of the game piece operating device, and FIG. 6 is provided above the game piece operating device. FIG. 7 is a top view showing an example of a control panel, and FIGS. 8 to 11 are top views showing an example of a control panel.
It is an explanatory view showing change of a display of a control panel accompanying development of a game in steps. In each of the drawings, components denoted by the same reference indicate the same components.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a base, reference numerals 2 and 2 denote posts, reference numeral 3 denotes an upper housing, and reference numerals A, B and C denote game piece operating devices each having the same structure (the illustrated embodiment). In the example, a dice is used as a game piece, so that the dice is hereinafter referred to as a "dice operating device." Rail, 9 is a feed belt, 10 and 11 are pulleys, 12
Is a motor, 13 is a ring-type fluorescent lamp for dice illumination mounted on the lower surface of the movable base 5, 14, 14 is a fluorescent lamp for illuminating a demonstration panel mounted on the front surface of the upper housing 3 from the inside, 15 is a medal receiving tray as a prize, 1
6, 16 are hoppers for storing medals as prizes.

In addition, the above-mentioned die operating device (see FIGS. 3 to 5 for details)
In the figure, 30 is a hollow cylindrical transparent housing made of acrylic resin or the like, 13 is a die, 32 is a turntable, 33 is a wire mesh, 34 is a drive motor for rotating the turntable 32, 35 is a motor. Drive rollers for transmitting the rotation of 34 to the turntable 32, 36, 3
6 is an auxiliary roller, 37 is a turntable bearing, and 38 is a blower.

The illustrated game machine is a medium-sized four-player game machine configured to play a mimo game using a dice described later.

On the base 1, three dice operating devices A, B and C having the same configuration are provided, and the player observes the dice in the dice operating device,
The game is played by pressing the select buttons on the control panels 4, 4 provided on the upper surface of the player.

The roll of the dice in each of the dice operation devices is read by a television camera 6 provided in the upper housing 3, and the television camera 6 is mounted on the movable base 5,
In the upper housing 3, the dice in the dice operating devices A, B, and C are sequentially read by moving in the left-right direction in FIG.

Further, in the base 1, there are provided trays 15, 15 for medals to be paid out according to the game result and hoppers 16, 16 for storing medals, and the number of dice of each dice is determined based on the output of the TV camera. A payout based on the output of the microcomputer or various control devices such as an arithmetic circuit that derives a game result by comparing input data from the game operation panel with output data from the above-described arithmetic circuit, Machine elements and the like (both omitted in the drawings) are stored.

Next, details of the game piece operating device according to the present invention, that is, the dice operating devices A, B and C will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. Since the configurations of these three die operating devices are all the same, only one of them will be described here.

The die operating device includes a hollow cylindrical transparent housing 30 made of an acrylic resin or the like having a sufficient length extending from the upper surface of the base 1 to the bottom surface of the upper housing 3, and a styrofoam or the like housed therein. A die 31 made of a material having a low specific gravity, a turntable 32 provided near the lower end of the transparent housing 30 and mounting the die, a wire mesh 33 attached to the upper surface of the turntable, and a turntable 32 A drive motor 34 for rotating, a drive roller 35 for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the turntable 32, auxiliary rollers 36 and 36 for ensuring stable rotation of the turntable 32, a turntable bearing 37, Stand 3
The blower 38 blows the wind of the dies 31 placed on the wire mesh 33 through the ventilation holes 32 'in the body of the body 2.

During the game, the light dice 31 float in the middle of the transparent housing while the blower is operating.

When the player's bet is over, the dice are blown up once above the transparent housing 30 sequentially, and then when the operation of the blower 38 stops, the dice 30 fall onto the wire mesh 33 of the turntable 32 and rotate together with the turntable 32.

At this time, for example, the dropped die 31 is
Even if you lean against the inner wall of 30, turntable
With the rotation of 32, the die immediately separates from the inner wall of the housing and lays horizontally on the turntable, and the roll on the upper surface of the die also becomes horizontal.

Furthermore, near the lower end of the inner wall surface of the transparent housing 30,
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the projections 30 ', 30' are formed so that when the die 31 is out of the center of the turntable 32 or leans against the inner wall of the transparent housing, Similarly, with the rotation of the turntable, the outer surface of the die comes into contact with these protrusions, and the die immediately separates from the inner wall of the housing, lays horizontally on the turntable, and the position of the die is corrected. May be brought to the center of the

Thus, the outcome of the dice 31 on the turntable 32 is read by the television camera 6 attached to the movable table 5. That is, as shown in detail in FIG.
Is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction in the figure along the guide rails 8, 8 by rollers 7, 7, and is moved to the upper portion of a desired die operating device via the feed belt 9 by driving the motor 12. I am being squeezed. At this time, the dice in the transparent housing of the dice operation device are brightly illuminated by the fluorescent lamp 13 attached to the lower surface of the moving table 5, and the dice always faces the upper surface on the rotating table as described above. Therefore, the image recognition program for reading the dice roll is extremely simple, and the roll is always accurately read.

In this case, a method has been described in which one television camera reads the appearance while moving on the upper surface of each die, but it goes without saying that a television camera may be installed on each transparent housing.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a game progress state and a method of operating a control panel by a player when a mimo game is performed using the above-described game machine.

The player bets on the number of dice rolled on the dice operating devices A, B and C. In this case, the player can make the following three types of bets.

6 in which the number of rolls of the three dice is the same (that is, A = B = C, that is, "1.1.1" to "6.6.6")
Selection of species.

Selection of the total number of A + B.

Whether the total number of A + B is larger or smaller than a certain number (HIGH
Or LOW) selection.

In the case of and, the total number of two dice is applied, and the ODDS when hit is variable in six stages with the third die. Each ODDS is displayed in each terminal on the control panel, and the player bets medals at any place while watching it, and (BET x ODDS) medals will be paid out if hit.

The ODDS of the above-mentioned betting method is displayed in each of six types, and the outcome of C is determined which one to adopt.

In other words, with regard to how to bet, there is an accidental fun of not knowing how much the ODDS will rise until the outcome of C is determined.

As described above, since the dice of C have a fundamental role different from the dice of A and B, it is recommended that the color of the dice be changed only by C.

Note that the betting method is an additional (a kind of bonus), and the dice of C at this time is not an original role but a dice for displaying a roll like the dice of A and B.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the control panel 4 provided on the base 1 of the game machine.

The player can participate in the game by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 70 on the control panel. The number of inserted medals is displayed on the CREDIT display section 71 simultaneously with the insertion of medals. The player can make a bet for the inserted number.

On the control panel 4, there are provided various display sections and push buttons for establishing a bet. The betting method is divided into the above and the above three types, and betting, that is, A = B
= C is selected by the operation unit (1) on the control panel, and the bet of the total number of A + B is selected by the operation unit (II). The bet of the total number of A + B is set by the operation unit (II). The selection to bet on whether the number is larger or smaller than a certain number is made on the operation unit (III).

If the player inserts a medal and is within the BET time (bet time), a total of 19 Bs provided in the operation units I to III are provided.
The ET button lights up to let the player know that you can bet on any of them.

The player participates in the bet by pressing the BET button at the desired location. Each time one of the BET buttons is pressed once, one medal is bet on the place, and the bet amount is displayed in the segment immediately next to the medal. Since there is no segment in the operation unit I for betting, the BET button is turned off.

In addition, the ODDS table 72 is provided at the upper part of the control panel because the ODDS changes depending on the content of the game. The BET numbers similar to those of the operation unit II are displayed in the ODDS table. When a bet is selected on the operation unit II, the same number as the selected number is also lit in the ODDS table.

Thus, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 70 to participate in the game, all the BET buttons are turned on.

First, the player uses the operation unit I to select the "3.3.3"
When betting, the corresponding BET button goes out.

Next, when two bets are respectively placed on "2", "6" and "10" on the operation unit II, the number of segments is displayed, and the BET number on the ODDS table is simultaneously lit.

Next, when two bets are placed on the one higher than 7 (HIGH) in the operation unit III, the segment is displayed as "2". CREDIT indicates the remaining number of medals of the player (32 in this case). In this way, the player can place a bet until the dice is blown up in the dice operation device and the game is started.

When the game starts, among the lit BET buttons,
Buttons that have not been bet go out. That is, when only the BET button betted by the player is lit, that is, when the above-described bet selection is performed, the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

When the die operating device A is operated and the die is blown up into the transparent housing and then falls to determine a die, the die display portion 73 of the die A on the control panel is displayed.
Indicates a roll, and the dice of the display unit of the operation unit I is also turned on. When the roll of die A is 3, the display on the control panel is as shown in FIG.

Subsequently, when the die roll of the dice operation device B is determined, the die 74 display portion 74 on the control panel indicates the roll. At this time, if the eyes of A and B are not the same,
At this time, since it is determined that there is no double eye, the operation unit I is turned off. When the result of die B is the same as that of dice A, the lighting state is continued. That is, the display of the control panel when the die B is "3" is as shown in FIG.

At the same time, the total number of dice rolled on dice A and B is calculated, and bets other than the double roll on the operation unit I are established.
The hit button among the lit buttons flashes, and the losing light goes out. That is, in the operation unit II, the button of "BET6" blinks, and the buttons of "BET2" and "BET10" are turned off. Also, the “HIGH” button on the operation unit III is turned off. Furthermore, the corresponding column of the ODDS table 72 blinks. (See FIG. 10 above.) Subsequently, when the outcome of dice C is determined, the ODDS of the bet is determined, and it is also determined whether or not the bet is a double, and all the bets are established. When the roll of die C is "3", that is, A = B = C
, The corresponding slot on the operation unit I lights up and its BET button flashes. Also, when the die C is determined, the display 75 of the dice C on the control panel is turned on, the corresponding one of the dice blinking in the ODDS table is turned on, the other eyes are turned off, and at the same time, the corresponding ODDS is turned off. Also lights up.

Therefore, the display on the control panel when the die C is "3" is as shown in FIG. At the same time, the number of cards won by and is displayed on the WIN display unit 76.

A few seconds after the WIN display ends, all lamps and other lights are turned off, and medals are settled.

At that time, if the CREDIT button 77 is ON, the number of earned medals is added to the CREDIT simultaneously with the subtraction of WIN, and if the CREDIT button is OFF, the acquired medals are paid out of the hopper to the medal tray 15 simultaneously with the subtraction of WIN. .

When the PAYOUT button 78 is pressed, an arbitrary number of medals in CREDIT are paid out.

Here, the die operating devices A, B and C and the upper casing 3
Before starting the game, all the blowers of the dice operating devices A, B and C are operated at an intermediate air volume, and each die is slightly moved from the middle of the respective transparent housing. Floating in the lower position.

When a desired BET button is pressed by the player and the game starts, first, the air volume of the blower of the dice operating device A is increased, and only the dice A is blown up high. Then, the blowing is stopped and the dice A is placed on the turntable 32. To fall. During this period, the moving table 5 is arranged above the dice operating device A, the transparent housing and the dice of the dice operating device A are brightly illuminated by the fluorescent lamp 13 for dice illumination, and the result of the dice A is read by the television camera 6. Can be

Next, after the air volume of the blower of the die operating device B is increased and the die B is blown up high, the blowing is stopped, and the die B falls on the turntable 32. During this period, the moving table 5 moves to the upper part of the dice operating device B, the transparent housing and the dice of the dice operating device B are brightly illuminated by the fluorescent lamp 13 for dice illumination, and the result of the dice B is read by the television camera 6. Can be

Finally, the die operating device C is operated in the same manner, and the movable table 5 is also moved to the upper part thereof, and the result of the die C is read.

In addition, the above-mentioned game machine is provided with a sound effect generating device, which is used for demonstration, medal insertion, betting button operation, a game start notice period, a game period, a die roll decision, a game end, a medal settlement. Suitable sound effects are generated at each time.

〔The invention's effect〕

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the present invention, it is an interest to be able to reliably read the number of appearances and the front and back using a model die or other game pieces with a simple device. It is possible to provide a game piece operation device for a rich game machine.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a plurality of pieces may be put in a transparent housing,
Further, the game piece operating device according to the present invention can handle medals and other various game pieces in addition to dice, and the present invention can easily come to those skilled in the art from the above description within the scope of the purpose. All modifications are included.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing one embodiment of a game machine using a game piece operating device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the game piece operating device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the lower part of the housing of the game piece operating device, and FIG. 6 is an arrangement of a television camera provided above the game piece operating device. , FIG. 7 is a top view showing an example of the control panel, and FIGS. 8 to 11 are explanatory diagrams showing the change of the display of the control panel in step with the development of the game. A, B, C ... Die operating device 1 ... Base 2,2 ... Support column 3 ... Top housing 4,4 ... Control panel 5 ... Mounting stand 6 ... TV camera 7,7 ... Roller 8, 8… Guide rail 9… Feed belt 10, 11… Pulley 12… Motor 13… Fluorescent light for dice lighting 14… Fluorescent light for title lighting 15, 15… Medal tray 16, 16… Hopper 30 Transparent housing 30 ', 30' Projection 31 Dies 32 Rotating table 32 'Ventilation holes 33 Wire mesh 34 Driving motor 35 Driving rollers 36, 36 Auxiliary rollers 37 ... Turn table bearing 38 ... Blower 70 ... Medal insertion hole 71 ... CREDIT display part 72 ... ODDS table 73,74,75 ... Dice appearance display part 76 ... WIN display part 77 ... CREDIT button 78 …… PAYOUT button

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device for operating a game piece such as a dice in a game machine comprising the following components (a) to (d). (A) A hollow cylindrical transparent housing provided vertically on a base. (B) at least one housed in the transparent housing
Lightweight game pieces. (C) An air-permeable turntable that supports the game piece at the bottom of the transparent housing. (D) A blower that blows air to the lower surface of the turntable and blows up the game pieces on the table upward in the transparent housing.