JP3946856B2 - Competitive game equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a competitive game apparatus, and more particularly to a running body control apparatus for a competitive game apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are a plurality of carts that travel in a predetermined pattern and their traveling surfaces (for example, JP-A-5-184). In this conventional example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of carriages c run in a space between a floor surface a and a ceiling face b, and each carriage has a microprocessor and a wheel drive motor built-in. The vehicle travels with the speed and direction controlled by an infrared control signal emitted from the controller d via the communication unit e.
[0003]
The control signal from the controller d includes a bogie number, and the received bogie c follows the instruction if the bogie number is the same as the own car number, and ignores it if the numbers are different. The instructions include a motor rotation (acceleration / deceleration) command and a transmission command. The carriage c is provided with a transmitter f, which generates a magnetic signal when receiving a transmission command from the controller d. A matrix electrode g is provided on the lower surface of the floor surface a, and an induced electromotive force is generated in the matrix electrode g by a magnetic signal emitted from a coil of the transmitter f. The detector h connected to the electrode g detects the induced electromotive force, identifies the position of the carriage c, and transmits it to the controller d.
[0004]
The controller d compares the position of each carriage c with the scenario, and issues a rotation command for the wheel drive motor so that the position of each carriage c matches the scenario, and the drive wheels of the carriage c are driven to rotate based on this rotation instruction. It is to be run. The power of the carriage c is supplied from a checkered pattern or stripe-shaped power supply pattern provided on the lower surface of the ceiling surface b via the pantograph i of the carriage c.
[0005]
The detector h detects the induced electromotive force of the electrode g, identifies the position of the carriage c, and transmits it to the controller d. The controller d compares the position of each carriage c with the scenario, and issues a rotation command for the wheel drive motor so that the position of each carriage c matches the scenario, and the drive wheels of the carriage c are driven to rotate based on this rotation instruction. To be run.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above conventional technique, since a large number of matrix electrodes g are required, it takes time and labor to connect them at the time of installation, and the manufacturing cost is high. In addition, the size of the transmitter of the matrix electrode g and the carriage c is limited, and it is difficult to finely detect the traveling position of the carriage c. Therefore, a detailed designation of the carriage c cannot be performed, so that a thrilling competitive game is developed. There was a problem that it was difficult.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a control circuit unit, a traveling course detection unit, and a progress detection unit in a traveling body capable of self-propelling in any direction that pulls a plurality of model bodies arranged on an upper traveling plate. The traveling body is controlled with.
[0008]
Specifically, the traveling course detection means detects a plurality of rows of detection lines by a plurality of line detection sensors and detects a position in the width direction with respect to the traveling course. The progress detection means detects a position in the traveling direction with respect to the traveling course by reading a barcode with a reflective sensor provided in the traveling direction of the traveling body. Further, in order to increase the detection accuracy by the line detection sensor, a sub detection sensor for subdividing the interval between the detection sensors is provided.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, a plurality of model bodies arranged on the upper traveling plate are disposed on the lower traveling plate and between the upper traveling plate and the lower traveling plate, and a plurality of traveling bodies corresponding to the respective model bodies are disposed, A competitive game apparatus that is guided and driven by a magnetic force by each traveling body, and the traveling body can be self-propelled in an arbitrary direction by independently rotating and driving left and right drive wheels by a pair of drive motors. There is a control circuit unit, a traveling course detection unit that detects a traveling course, a progress detection unit that detects progress, and a communication unit that exchanges information with a controller that determines the traveling scenario of the traveling body, The control circuit unit controls the traveling body so that the vehicle travels according to the scenario based on the scenario received from the controller and the positional relationship based on the detection data output from both detection means. .
[0010]
The traveling course detection means described above detects a plurality of detection lines provided on the lower surface of the upper traveling plate or the upper surface of the lower traveling plate, and detects the position in the width direction with respect to the traveling course by a plurality of line detection sensors. Data may be output to the control circuit unit.
[0011]
The detection line is provided with a plurality of rows each including three lines of a power supply anode line, a ground cathode line, and an ID signal line through which a course identification signal is transmitted. It is preferable that a plurality of contact-type sensors are provided in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and the width direction of the traveling body is detected by using the ID signal line and the anode line as detection lines.
[0012]
The detection line may be formed by providing a plurality of lines having different reflectivities with respect to the surface where the detection line is provided, and the traveling course detection sensor may be a reflective sensor.
[0013]
When it is desired to increase the detection accuracy of the traveling course detection sensor, an arbitrary number of auxiliary detection sensors that subdivide the detection interval between predetermined traveling course detection sensors are added.
[0014]
The contact sensor described above can also serve as a power supply pin.
[0015]
The above-described progress detection means may employ a reflective sensor that reads a barcode provided in the traveling direction of the traveling body.
[0016]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a main part of a traveling body in a horse racing game machine which is a kind of competitive game machine. In this competitive game machine, a plurality of model bodies 2 in the shape of racing horses arranged on the upper surface of an upper traveling board 1 are run by a traveling body (also called a carriage) 4 that travels in an arbitrary direction on the lower traveling board 3. Each model is made to run on the course by making it towable. The model body 2 travels by being pulled by the traveling body 4 using the magnetic force of the permanent magnets 5 and 5 provided on the model body and the traveling body, respectively. Therefore, the production of the game is performed by the control of the running body, and the thrilling game is established by developing as if playing the actual horse racing game by the control of the running body. is there.
[0017]
The traveling body 4 can travel in any direction on the traveling surface of the lower traveling plate 3 by rotating the left and right driving wheels 8 and 8 individually by a pair of driving motors 7 and 7 provided in the cover 6. It is as. The drive motor 7 can be controlled by a control device including a control circuit unit 9 provided in front thereof.
[0018]
The control circuit unit 9 is composed of a circuit centered on a microprocessor, and includes an arithmetic circuit, a storage circuit, and a clock circuit, and stores its own scenario received from the controller 32 described later, In response to the information output from the sensor 13, the traveling of the traveling body can be controlled.
[0019]
A power feeding unit 11 is attached on a support plate 10 provided above the cover 6. The power supply unit 11 is provided with a plurality of power supply pins 12 and a line detection sensor 13 constituting a traveling course detection means. The line detection sensor 13 employs a plurality of contact sensors (trace sensor pins) arranged in parallel on a line orthogonal to the detection line. In addition to these sensors, the above-described permanent magnet 5 is attached to the power supply unit 11.
[0020]
The support plate 10 that supports the power supply unit 11 is supported by the two columns 14 and 14 so as to be movable up and down, and receives an upward biasing force by the compression coil springs 14a and 14a. The feeding pin 12 and the line detection sensor 13 are elastically contacted with the lower surface of the course plate by the urging force. Auxiliary wheels 15 and 15 a are attached to the front and rear positions of the power supply unit 11 so that the power supply unit 11 can maintain a parallel state with respect to the upper traveling plate 1.
[0021]
The upper traveling plate 1 has three layers. The upper layer is a laminate of a sheet plate 1a having a slippery surface property, a reinforcing plate 1b having a rigid middle layer, and a power feeding plate 1c having a lower layer serving as a power feeding surface. Become. A power supply pattern, which will be described later, is provided on the power supply surface, and power can be supplied to the drive motor 7 by elastically contacting the tip of the power supply pin 12 described above with the power supply pattern.
[0022]
On the upper surface of the sheet plate 1a of the upper traveling plate, a traveling table 16 for moving the model body 2 via the support column 16a is placed. The permanent magnet 5 described above is embedded in the lower surface of the traveling table 16 so as to be paired with the polarity of the magnetic pole of the permanent magnet 5 on the power supply unit 11. It arrange | positions so that the model body 2 can follow.
[0023]
Drive devices 17 for driving the drive wheels 8 are mounted on both sides of mounting plates 18 provided in the form of a partition wall at the center of the lateral width at a position near the rear portion of the traveling body 4. The right drive motor 7 for driving the drive wheel 8 on the right side in the traveling direction is mounted on the left side (rear surface) of the mounting plate 18, and the drive gear 19 </ b> R passes through the mounting plate 18 and protrudes to the right side of the mounting plate 18. Is stuck. The drive gear 19R meshes with the first gear 20R, which is the right wheel train, the first gear meshes with the second gear 21R, and the second gear meshes with the third gear 22R.
[0024]
The right drive gear 19R is attached with a slit disk 23R that rotates integrally coaxially therewith. A sensor 24R that detects the number of slits of the slit disk 23R is provided above the slit disk 23R, and both of them constitute an encoder that detects the rotational speed of the motor.
[0025]
On the other hand, the left drive motor 7 that drives the drive wheel L on the left in the traveling direction is mounted on the right side of the mounting plate 18, and the left wheel train is mounted on the right side of the mounting plate 18. The right drive motor 7 and the left drive motor 7 are arranged so as not to overlap when seen through from the side. This is an inevitable configuration when the drive motor and the drive gear are arranged on both sides of the mounting plate 18, but the width of the traveling body 4 is reduced and the traveling body can travel in a state of being close to each other. Has an effect. In addition, the first gear 20L, the second gear 21L, and the third gear 22L, which are the left wheel train, are the same as the right wheel train.
[0026]
A sensor substrate 26 is attached to the lower surface side of the cover 6, and a reflective sensor 27 serving as a progress detection unit is attached to the sensor substrate 26. A bar code (not shown) for position detection is provided on the traveling surface 3 in the traveling direction of the traveling body 4, and the current position in the traveling direction of the traveling body 4 can be detected by reading this with the progress detection means 27. It is as. Auxiliary wheels 28 are provided in front of and behind the sensor substrate 26 so that the traveling body 4 can be kept horizontal.
[0027]
A communication board 29 is horizontally mounted on the upper surface side of the cover 6, a light emitting element (LED) 30 is mounted on the upper surface side of the cover 6, and a photo sensor 31 is mounted on the lower surface side. is there. The light emitting element 30 and the photosensor 31 enable two-way communication with a communication unit 33 attached to a controller 32 provided in the game machine body. That is, the communication unit 33 also includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and information can be exchanged by performing optical communication between the light emitting element 30 and the photosensor 31 of the communication substrate 29. . The traveling body 4 is controlled in its starting / stopping, traveling direction, speed, and the like by information obtained from the scenario of the controller 32 and various sensors.
[0028]
As described above, the traveling body 4 can travel on the traveling surface 3 by being controlled by the control device including the control circuit unit 9, the communication board 29, and the controller 32.
[0029]
Next, the control device will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 shows the back surface of the upper traveling plate 1 (see FIG. 1). The back surface of the upper traveling plate 1 is a power supply surface 1c, and a power supply pattern 34 corresponding to the track-like course drawn on the sheet plate 2a on the upper surface is provided. Four oval shapes drawn in the power supply pattern 34 represent the power supply unit 11. At the four corners of the power feeding surface 1c, communication units 33a for exchanging position information with the travel detection means 13 are provided.
[0030]
As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the power supply pattern 34 has a track-like anode line 35 for power supply, a cathode line 36 that is a ground, and ID signal lines 37 that transmit a course identification signal in a plurality of columns at the same interval. It is arranged in. The power supply pin 12 can supply power to the driving device 17 by contacting the anode line 35 and the cathode line 36 among them. The trace sensor pin 13 can detect the current track position of the track by contacting the anode line 34 among them. Furthermore, the trace sensor pin 13 can recognize which course each traveling body 1 is running by detecting the ID signal line 37.
[0031]
The control circuit unit 9 controls the traveling body 4 to trace the anode line 35 and travel by the signal input from the trace sensor pin 12. As described above, the traveling body 4 travels using the left and right drive wheels 8 and 8, and the rotational speed of these traveling speeds can be controlled by the control of the two drive motors 7 and 7. The control circuit unit 9 performs infrared communication with the controller 32 via the communication unit 33 by the light emitting element (LED) 30 and the light receiving element 31.
[0032]
The scenario of the competitive game is determined by the controller 32, and the scenario of each traveling body 4 is transmitted from the communication unit 33 by infrared communication before the start of traveling. When each traveling body 4 receives its own scenario via the light receiving element 31, it can be stored in the memory of the control circuit unit 9. When a start signal is output from the controller 32 by infrared rays, each traveling body 4 travels according to the scenario. The scenario includes a position for each time and an indication of the truck to run. Further, as described above, the control circuit unit 9 has a built-in clock circuit and is reset by the start. During traveling, the information obtained from the built-in clock and the trace sensor pin 13 is compared with the scenario, and the driving motors 7 and 7 are operated as necessary to correct the course. The control circuit unit 9 feeds back the current position of the traveling body 4 to the controller as needed.
[0033]
Here, the detection state of the trace sensor pin 13 which is a line detection sensor and the anode line 35 is demonstrated using FIG.
As shown in the figure, the trace sensor pins 13 have seven pins arranged on the power supply unit 11 in a horizontal line and at equal intervals. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the state where the central three pins 13a are in contact with the anode line 35 and the left and right two pins 13b and 13b are not in contact, the anode line 35 and the traveling body 4 (the power feeding unit 11). ) Matches the center.
[0034]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the state where the left 3 pin 13c is in contact with the anode line 35 and the right 4 pin 13d is not in contact, the traveling body 4 is shifted to the right with respect to the anode line 35. It has become a position.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the left and right 1 pins 13e and 13e are in contact with the two anode lines 35 and 35 and the central 5 pins are not in contact with each other, the traveling body Reference numeral 4 denotes a position across the center of one anode line 35 and the adjacent anode line 35.
[0036]
Thus, by specifying the detection state of the anode line 35 and the trace sensor pin 13, the position of the traveling body 6 with respect to the anode line can be freely set. Similarly, information on the deviation between the designated position by the scenario and the actual travel position can be obtained from the detection state by the trace sensor pin 13.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an example of the arrangement state of the power feed pins 12 and the line detection sensor 13. The power supply pin 12 is disposed on a substantially circular circumference centering on an intersection of a center line 11a passing through the left and right central portions of the power supply unit 11 and a line 11b orthogonal thereto. On the other hand, 7 pins of the trace sensor pins 13 are arranged at equal intervals on a line orthogonal to the center line 11a. Further, in front of these seven trace sensor pins 13, a total of four sub detection sensors 13g, each having two pins, are divided into three equal parts between the second and third pins from the left and the second and third pins from the right. Is provided.
[0038]
In this way, if the auxiliary detection sensor 13g is additionally arranged by two pins from the outside of the arrangement interval of the trace sensor pins 13, it is possible to further specify the position of the traveling body as shown in FIG. It becomes. That is, in FIG. 6A, the central three pins are in contact with the anode line 35 and the remaining pins are not in contact, and the traveling body 1 is the same as in FIG. Indicates that it coincides with the center of the anode line. On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a state in which, in addition to the central three pins, the auxiliary detection sensor 13g is added to the left side and a total of four pins are in contact with the anode line 35. This indicates a state in which it is detected that the traveling body 4 is shifted to the right by an interval of one third of the pin interval from FIG. Similarly, FIG. 5C shows a state in which the center 3 pins and the 2 pins of the additional sub detection sensor 13g on the left side are in contact with the anode line 35.
[0039]
Thus, by additionally arranging the trace sensor pin as the sub detection sensor in the trace sensor pin 13, it becomes possible to increase the detection accuracy in the range detected by the sub detection sensor. Therefore, it is possible to detect the traveling position of the traveling body with arbitrary accuracy by changing the position and number of the pins of the sub detection sensor to be added. As a result, the interval between the models running on the running course in the competitive game machine can be controlled more finely, so that a thrilling game can be developed.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the progress detection bar code is provided on the traveling surface 3, but this is provided on the power feeding surface 1c, and a reflective sensor is provided on the upper surface of the traveling body 4, thereby detecting the progress. You may do it. Alternatively, the feeding surface may be provided on the traveling surface 3 and the feeding pin 12 and the trace sensor pin 13 may be provided on the lower surface of the traveling body. Furthermore, in the case of detecting the position by the anode line and the trace sensor pin, a white line or a black line is provided in place of the anode line, and a reflective sensor is provided in place of the trace sensor pin. You may make it trace a line.
[0041]
Furthermore, it is possible to configure the power supply pattern 34 (see FIG. 2) to have different reflectivities and to detect the anode line 35 with a reflective sensor using the difference in reflectivity. Furthermore, by supplying power from the power supply pattern through the trace sensor pin, the trace sensor pin can also function as the power supply pin.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the current course position of the traveling body is detected by the power feeding pattern and the line detection sensor, the configuration of the traveling surface is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0043]
When the traveling body travels, the position of the plurality of detection lines in the width direction with respect to the traveling course is detected by the plurality of line detection sensors, so that accurate traveling control in the width direction of the line is possible.
[0044]
In addition, by providing a sub-detection sensor to reduce the sensor interval, the designation and detection of the traveling position of the traveling body can be made finer, and finer position control is possible, so that a thrilling game can be developed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a traveling body.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a detection line for a traveling course.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detection state of a detection line by a traveling course detection unit.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of power supply pins and line detection sensors.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detection state of a detection line by a travel course detection unit including a sub detection sensor.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a conventional competitive game machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper travel board 2 Model body 3 Lower travel board 4 Travel body 7 Drive motor 8 Drive wheel 9 Control circuit part 13 Travel course detection means (line detection sensor)
13g Sub detection sensor 27 Progress detection means 32 Controller 33 Communication unit 34 Detection line (feeding pattern)
35 Detection line (Anode line)
36 Cathode line (ground)
37 ID signal line

Claims (7)

An upper traveling plate and a lower traveling plate are provided, and a plurality of model bodies are arranged on the upper traveling plate, corresponding to each model body between the both traveling plates and on the lower traveling plate. A plurality of running bodies are arranged, and each of the model bodies is a competitive game apparatus that is guided to travel by magnetic force by each of the running bodies,
The traveling body can be self-propelled in an arbitrary direction by rotating the left and right drive wheels independently by a pair of drive motors,
In the above running body,
A communication unit that exchanges information with a controller that determines a scenario in which the traveling body travels;
Running course detection for detecting the position of the running body in the width direction with respect to the running course by detecting a plurality of rows of detection lines provided on the lower surface of the upper running plate or the upper surface of the lower running plate by a plurality of line detection sensors. Means,
Progress detection means for detecting the progress of the traveling body;
A control circuit unit that controls the traveling body to travel according to the scenario from the scenario received from the controller and the positional relationship by the detection data output from the both detection means,
2. The competitive game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection line is configured as a set of three lines of a power supply anode line, a ground cathode line, and an ID signal line through which a course identification signal is transmitted. In claim 1,
The competitive game apparatus characterized in that the line detection sensor comprises a contact type sensor . In claim 2,
The line detection sensor
A competition game apparatus , wherein a plurality of the game machines are provided in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling body . In claim 1,
The detection line is formed by providing a plurality of lines having different reflectivities with respect to the surface where the detection line is provided, and the line detection sensor includes a reflective sensor. Competitive game equipment. In any one of Claims 1-4,
A competitive game apparatus, wherein, in addition to the line detection sensor, an arbitrary number of sub detection sensors for subdividing detection intervals between the predetermined line detection sensors are added. In claim 2, 3, or 5,
The contact-type sensor is a competitive game device that also serves as a power supply pin. In Claims 1-6,
The competitive game apparatus, wherein the progress detection means comprises a reflective sensor for reading a bar code provided in the traveling direction of the traveling body.

Images