JP4452902B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a launching device that launches a game ball and an operation device that operates to adjust the launching speed of the game ball in the launching device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A pachinko machine that is one of the gaming machines usually includes a launching device that launches a pachinko ball toward the surface of the game board, and a handle that is operated to adjust the firing speed of the pachinko ball in the launching device. It is. In this case, when the amount of operation to be operated by turning the handle is increased, the firing speed of the pachinko ball launched from the launching device is also set to increase substantially linearly (approximately proportionally). That is, when the firing speed of the pachinko sphere is low, it does not fly far from the end of the firing rail, and when the firing speed is high, it travels far from the end of the firing rail. Therefore, a player or the like plays a game by adjusting the operation amount of the handle so that the pachinko ball reaches a desired position on the game board surface.
[0003]
By the way, the angle (rotation angle) that a human hand can turn with the wrist or arm is limited, and the angle at which the hand can be turned relatively easily while wearing an elbow is small. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the range of the operation amount for operating the handle in the game in accordance with human characteristics. Specifically, the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the amount of operation of the handle is increased, and the rate of change is adjusted to be substantially constant even if the amount of operation changes. According to this adjustment method, if the range in which the firing speed changes is limited, the range of the operation amount for operating the handle can be reduced. Moreover, if the range in which the operation amount changes is limited, the range of the firing speed can be expanded.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the change rate of the firing speed with respect to the operation amount of the handle is large and almost constant in the conventional technique, the firing speed changes greatly even if the handle is slightly turned. For this reason, it is difficult to finely adjust the operation amount of the handle so that the shooting speed at which the pachinko ball reaches the target position on the game board surface is obtained.
On the other hand, a method of reducing the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the amount of operation of the steering wheel and adjusting the rate of change to be substantially constant even when the amount of operation changes can be considered. With this adjustment method, the range of the firing speed obtained by operating the handle becomes narrow. Further, if the range of the firing speed is to be increased, the range of the operation amount must be increased, and therefore the operation of the handle is not easy due to the characteristics of the human hand.
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to enable fine adjustment of the shooting speed while expanding the range of the shooting speed of the game ball.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problem 1]
Means 1 for solving the problem is as described in claim 1.
Here, the terms described in claim 1 are interpreted as follows. The same applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention.
(1) The “first section” and the “second section” may be adjacent to each other or may be discrete. The “first section” or the “second section” may be configured by a plurality of sections. The size (width) of the section is arbitrary, and may be fixed or changed.
(2) “Change rate of the firing speed with respect to the manipulated variable” includes not only positive values but also zero and negative values. However, when determining the magnitude relation of the change rate, the magnitude is discriminated by the absolute value of the change rate.
[0006]
According to the means 1, the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the operation amount is different between the first section and the second section. Since the rate of change is different, the rate of change in either section is larger or smaller than that in the other section. In the section where the rate of change is large, the firing speed changes greatly even if the manipulated variable is changed a little, so the range of firing speed can be expanded. Further, in a section where the rate of change is small, the firing speed does not change so much even if the manipulated variable is changed, so the firing speed can be finely adjusted.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problem 2]
Means 2 for solving the problem is as described in claim 2.
According to the means 2, the variable member varies the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the manipulated variable between the first section and the second section. Therefore, the operation amount operated by the operating device is converted by the variable member and transmitted to the launching device. The launching device launches a game ball according to the converted operation amount. Since the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the manipulated variable is different between the first zone and the second zone, the rate of change in either section is greater or smaller than that in the other section. Therefore, it is possible to widen the range of the firing speed and finely adjust the firing speed.
[0008]
[Means 3 for Solving the Problems]
Means 3 for solving the problem is as described in claim 3.
According to the means 3, the relationship between the operation amount and the firing speed is recorded on the recording medium, and the relationship makes the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the operation amount different between the first section and the second section. . The signal output means acquires a firing speed corresponding to the operation amount detected by the detector with reference to the recording medium, and outputs a firing signal to the launching device. Then, the launching device launches a game ball at a launching speed designated by the launch signal. Since the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the manipulated variable is different between the first zone and the second zone, the rate of change in either section is greater or smaller than that in the other section. Therefore, it is possible to widen the range of the firing speed and finely adjust the firing speed.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
The first embodiment conceptually describes the present invention with reference to FIG.
The gaming machine of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A includes a launching device 8 that launches a game ball 6, an operating device 2 that operates to adjust the firing speed V of the game ball 6 in the launching device 8, and an operation An operation amount conversion means 4 is provided for acquiring a firing speed V for the operation amount T operated by the device 2 and transmitting it to the launching device 8. The range of the operation amount T that can be operated by the controller device 2 includes a first section I2 and a second section I4. As shown in FIG. 1B, the manipulated variable conversion means 4 varies the rate of change of the firing speed V with respect to the manipulated variable T in the first section I2 and the second section I4. The operation amount conversion means 4 includes a method that is mechanically realized using a cam or the like, a method that is realized controllably using a rotation angle sensor or the like, and a method that combines these methods.
[0010]
According to the gaming machine configured as described above, the rate of change of the firing speed V with respect to the operation amount T differs between the first section I2 and the second section I4. Since the rate of change is different, the rate of change in either section is larger or smaller than that in the other section. In the section where the rate of change is large, the firing speed V changes greatly even if the manipulated variable T is changed slightly, so the range of the firing speed V can be expanded. Further, in the section where the rate of change is small, the firing speed V does not change much even if the manipulated variable T is changed, so that the firing speed V can be finely adjusted.
In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the rate of change K2 of the firing speed V in the first section I2 is smaller than the rate of change K4 of the firing speed V in the second section I4. Can do. On the other hand, since the rate of change of the firing speed V is large in the second section I4, the range of the firing speed V can be expanded.
[0011]
[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine that is one of the gaming machines, and is a mode in which the present invention is mechanically realized. Will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the handle device. FIG. 4 is a view showing a method of attaching the handle device, the launching device, and the like to the front frame. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the launching device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cam shape and the firing strength. FIG. 7 is a diagram comparing a conventional cam and a cam that implements the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle and the firing intensity.
[0012]
First, the pachinko machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 attaches the glass frame 18 and the front plate 22 to the front frame 16 to which the game board 12 can be attached and detached, and fixes the plate 26. The game board 12 is provided with a guide rail 38 whose enclosed area is a game area for pachinko games, and can be viewed through the glass fitted in the glass frame 18. In the game area, although not shown, a winning device for paying out a winning ball, a display device for displaying a symbol or the like according to the gaming state, a windmill, a guide nail, and the like are appropriately arranged. A frame opening / closing sensor 20 that detects the open / closed state of the glass frame 18 may be provided as necessary.
In addition, a launching passage 39 is formed on the left side of the drawing by the installed guide rail 38, and the launching rail 24 is disposed below the launching passage 39. Between the launch passage 39 and the launch rail 24, a return port 36 for returning the missed pachinko ball to the lower plate 31 is formed. The firing rail 24 is normally hidden behind the front plate 22 and is not visible. The front plate 22 is provided with an upper plate 34 for guiding a pachinko ball such as a prize ball to the firing rail 24.
Furthermore, the plate 26 is provided with a handle device 28 that adjusts the firing speed (launch strength) in order to launch a pachinko ball, a lower plate 31 that temporarily stores pachinko balls such as prize balls, or a cigarette or butts. An ashtray 32 or the like is appropriately disposed.
[0013]
Next, the configuration of the handle device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. The handle device 28 shown in FIG. 3A has an operating body 40 that can be rotated within a predetermined range, a handle main body 42 that is fixed to the plate 26 described above, and a handle that rotates as the operating body 40 rotates. An operation shaft 44 that moves, an operation cam 46 attached to the operation shaft 44, and the like are included. As shown in FIG. 3A, the operation body 40 includes a protrusion for placing a finger so that the player can easily operate the operation body. The operation cam 46 corresponds to “variable member” and “non-linear means”, and is attached to the tip of the operation shaft 44 as shown in FIG.
[0014]
Next, the configuration of the launching device 48 and a method of attaching the firing device 48 and the handle device 28 to the front frame 16 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the firing device 48 is struck by a motor 50 that rotates the firing cam 54 attached to the rotary shaft 52 and a spring 78 in a predetermined direction, and a striking member 84 that reciprocates when the roller 62 contacts the firing cam 54. And a roller 58 in contact with the operation cam 46 and a slide body 76 for changing the elastic force of the spring 78 through the connecting rod 60 and the connecting plate 66. The motor 50, the striking member 84, and the slide body 76 are all attached to the front frame 16 directly or indirectly. In the case where the frame opening / closing sensor 20 is provided, the launching device 48 is configured not to operate when the opening of the glass frame 18 is detected in order to prevent illegal games and the like.
[0015]
Next, a method for attaching the firing device 48 and the handle device 28 to the front frame 16 will be described. The operation shaft 44 of the handle device 28 passes through a through hole of the front frame 16 (not shown), and then the operation cam 46 is mounted on the side where the motor 50 is attached. The operation cam 46 is brought into contact with a roller 58 that can slide along the long hole of the case body 56. As shown in FIG. 5, the roller 58 is provided on a rotating body 57 that rotates about a rotating shaft 59. One end side of the connecting rod 60 is attached to the end of the rotating body 57 opposite to the rotating shaft 59. By the operation cam 46 and the rotating body 57, the rotational motion of the operation shaft 44 can be converted into the reciprocating motion (sliding motion) of the connecting rod 60.
Then, one end side of the connecting plate 66 is connected to the other end side of the connecting rod 60. The connection plate 66 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 68 attached to the front frame 16, and one end side of the slide body 76 is connected to the other end side of the connection plate 66. The slide base 72 attached to the front frame 16 has a long hole 74, and the convex piece 70 of the slide body 76 can slide along the long hole 74.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 5, the striking member 84 can reciprocate around the rotation shaft 64, and a roller 62 provided on one end side of the striking member 84 so as to be freely rotatable is brought into contact with the firing cam 54. A projecting piece 80 is provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 64 of the striking member 84. A spring 78 is bridged between the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70 of the slide body 76. In this structure, the striking member 84 is urged by a spring 78 in a predetermined direction (in the example of FIG. 4, the lower right direction in the drawing). A stopper 82 that limits the range of motion of the striking member 84 is attached to the front frame 16.
A spring is wound around the head 85 provided on the other end side of the hitting member 84 in order to increase the firing speed of the pachinko ball B. The head 85 does not directly hit the pachinko ball B, but hits it via a striking plate 88 that also serves to stop the pachinko ball B supplied on the firing rail 24. When a plurality of pachinko balls B are supplied onto the firing rail 24, the hitting plate 88 may not be supported by the weight of the plurality of pachinko balls B. In order to prevent such a state, a stopper 86 is provided on the side opposite to the side to which the pachinko ball B is supplied.
[0017]
4 and 5, when the operating body 40 of the handle device 28 is rotated in the direction of arrow D2, the operating cam 46 is also rotated in the same direction, and the roller 58 in contact with the operating cam 46 is moved to the case body 56. Slide the long hole. This sliding direction is the moving direction of the connecting rod 60, that is, the direction of the arrow D4. The connecting body 66 causes the slide body 76 to slide in the long hole 74 of the slide base 72 in the direction of arrow D6 (the direction opposite to the arrow D4 direction). As a result, the interval between the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70 is widened and the elastic force of the spring 78 is increased, so that the firing strength for firing the pachinko ball B is also increased. Since the launch intensity and the launch speed are substantially proportional, the launch speed of the pachinko ball B increases as the operating body 40 is rotated a lot in the direction of the arrow D2.
[0018]
Next, the relationship between the contour shape of the operation cam 46 and the firing strength (firing speed) will be described with reference to FIG. The operation cam 46 attached to the operation shaft 44 is formed in a contour shape 46a as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6A, for example. The firing intensity M of the pachinko sphere B obtained by the contour shape 46a has a relationship as shown in FIG. That is, in the section J2 in which the rotation angle θ for operating the operation body 40 is from the angle θ2 to the angle θ4, the firing intensity M increases substantially proportionally as the rotation angle θ increases. Further, in the section J4 from the angle θ6 to the angle θ8, the firing strength M becomes higher than proportional as the rotation angle θ increases. As described above, since the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B is substantially proportional to the firing strength M, the rate of change of the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B in the section J2 is smaller than that in the section J4. Therefore, the firing speed can be finely adjusted in the section J2, and the range of the firing speed can be expanded in the section J4. Therefore, the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B can be changed nonlinearly between the section J2 and the section J4.
The section J2 may have a larger rate of change in the firing speed than the section J4 instead of the mode in which the rate of change in the firing speed is smaller than that in the section J4. By doing so, the range of the firing speed can be expanded in the section J2, and the firing speed can be finely adjusted in the section J4.
[0019]
The reason why the rate of change in the firing speed of the pachinko ball B in the section J4 is larger than that in the section J2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows a case where the rotation angle θ for operating the operating body 40 is zero. At this time, the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70 are separated by a distance L2. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the rotation angle θ is maximized when the operation cam 46 having the conventional contour shape 46b is used. Similarly, FIG. 7C shows a state in which the rotation angle θ is maximized when the operation cam 46 having the contour shape 46a that realizes the present invention is used. The distance between the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70 is a distance L4 in the case of the conventional operation cam 46 shown in FIG. 7B, and in the case of the operation cam 46 realizing the present invention shown in FIG. 7C. The distance is L6. As is apparent from the figure, the operation cam 46 having the contour shape 46a has a greater distance from the center in the section J4 than the operation cam 46 having the contour shape 46b, and therefore the distance between the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70. (See FIG. 6A). Therefore, if the distance between the convex piece 80 and the convex piece 70 is increased, the elastic force (that is, the firing strength M) of the spring 78 is also increased, and the firing speed of the pachinko ball B is also increased.
[0020]
According to the second embodiment, corresponding to claim 1, in the section J2 (first section) and the section J4 (second section), the firing intensity M with respect to the rotation angle θ (the manipulated variable) of the operating body 40, that is, the firing. The rate of change of speed is different (see FIG. 6). In the section J4 where the rate of change is large, the firing speed changes greatly even if the rotational angle θ is slightly changed, so that the range of the firing speed can be expanded. Further, in the section J2 where the rate of change is small, the firing speed does not change much even if the rotation angle θ is changed, so that the firing speed can be finely adjusted.
Corresponding to claim 2, the operation cam 46 (variable member) varies the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the rotation angle θ between the section J2 and the section J4. Therefore, the rotation angle θ operated by the handle device 28 (operation device) is converted by the operation cam 46 and transmitted to the launching device 48. Then, the launching device 48 launches the pachinko ball B according to the converted rotation angle θ. Since the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the rotation angle θ is different between the section J2 and the section J4, the range of the firing speed can be expanded in the section J4, and the firing speed can be finely adjusted in the section J2.
[0021]
In the second embodiment, the operation cam 46 having the contour shape 46a shown in FIG. 6A is used for the section J2 in which the firing speed changes proportionally (linearly), and the firing speed is accelerated (curve-like). It was set as the combination with the section J4 which changes to. The present invention can be similarly applied to other combinations by forming the contour shape 46a in another shape, not limited to this form. The other combinations include the following modes.
(A1) Although the firing speed is proportionally changed in both the section J2 and the section J4, the proportionality coefficient is varied in the section J2 and the section J4. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the relationship between the section J10 from the angle θ10 to the angle θ12 and the section J14 from the angle θ14 to the angle θ16 is applicable. In this way, although the rate of change of the firing speed is different, the firing speed changes proportionally. Therefore, the player or the like can determine how much the rotation angle θ of the operation body 40 should be rotated to obtain the desired firing speed. Can be operated while guessing. Therefore, the firing speed can be easily adjusted.
(A2) For any one of the sections, the rate of change of the firing speed is made substantially zero. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the section J12 from the angle θ12 to the angle θ14 is applicable. In the example of the section J12 shown in FIG. 8A, even if the operating body 40 is operated between the angle θ12 and the angle θ14, the firing speed hardly changes. Thus, even if the operating body 40 is slightly operated, the firing speed hardly changes, so that the fired pachinko ball B can reach a substantially constant position in the game area. In addition, as for the section J10 and the section J14 in FIG. 8, as shown by a two-dot chain line, the firing speed may be changed in an acceleration (curve) manner. By so doing, it is possible to widen the range of the firing speed in the section.
(A3) The firing speed is changed in an acceleration (curve) manner in all sections that can be operated by the operating body 40. For example, as shown by a solid line or a two-dot chain line in FIG. Even in this case, the rate of change of the firing speed differs between the section J20 and the section J22. That is, as apparent from the figure, {M14−M12}> {M12−M10} for the firing intensity M that is substantially proportional to the firing speed. Thus, since the rate of change of the firing speed can be gradually increased (decreased), it is possible to widen the range of the firing speed and to secure a section in which the firing speed is finely adjusted.
[0022]
[Embodiment 3]
Next, Embodiment 3 is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine that is one of gaming machines, and is an aspect in which the present invention is realized in a controlled manner. The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of the launching device. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the frame control board. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the firing control process.
Since the configuration and the like of the pachinko machine 10 are the same, the third embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the first embodiment in order to simplify the description. Therefore, the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the elements is also omitted.
[0023]
First, in the pachinko machine 10 shown in FIG. 2, the rotation angle sensor 29 for detecting the rotation angle θ operated by the handle device 28 (specifically, the operating body 40 shown in FIG. 3 etc.) or the launch of the pachinko ball B One of the adjusters 30 for adjusting the speed is newly provided.
For example, a rotary encoder, a resolver, or the like is used as the rotation angle sensor 29, but it may be provided with a function as a contact sensor that detects whether or not the player's hand is touching the handle device 28 as necessary. For the adjuster 30, for example, a variable resistor, a variable capacitor, a variable inductance, a rotary switch, or the like is used. When a variable capacitor and a variable inductance are used as the regulator 30, there is no contact portion, so that there are few failures and the service life can be extended.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the launching device 94 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A shows a configuration in which the pachinko ball B is indirectly fired from the solenoid 96 through the hit transmission member 92, and FIG. 9B shows a configuration in which the pachinko ball B is directly fired by the solenoid 96. Indicates. Here, both the solenoid 96 and the impact transmission member 92 are attached to the front frame 16 directly or indirectly.
[0025]
9A includes a solenoid 96 having a rod 98 that can reciprocate in the direction of arrow D8 (left and right in the drawing), and an impact transmission member 92 that can rotate about a rotation shaft 90. Prepare. When the solenoid 96 is operated to move the rod 98 toward the left side of the drawing, the rod 98 hits one end side of the impact transmission member 92. The impact force when hit is transmitted to the striking plate 88 through the other end side of the striking transmission member 92, and the pachinko ball B is fired on the firing rail 24. Thus, when the impact transmission member 92 is interposed between the solenoid 96 and the pachinko ball B, the solenoid 96 can be attached to an arbitrary position on the front frame 16. A plurality of members that transmit impact force such as the impact transmitting member 92 may be connected. In this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the solenoid 96 is further increased.
The launching device 94 shown in FIG. 9B includes a solenoid 96 attached at a position where the rod 98 moved toward the left side of the drawing hits the pachinko ball B. That is, the solenoid 96 is arranged on the left side of the drawing with respect to the firing rail 24. By doing so, the rod 98 directly hits the pachinko ball B, and therefore the hitting force is larger than when the hit transmitting member 92 shown in FIG. 9A is interposed. Therefore, when the solenoid 96 is operated with the same driving force, the firing speed of the pachinko ball B can be increased.
[0026]
Next, the configuration of the frame control board 200 that controls the operation of the solenoid 96 will be described with reference to FIG. The frame control board 200 corresponding to the signal output means is configured with a CPU (processor) 210 as a center, and controls when the pachinko machine 10 performs a pachinko game. The frame control board 200 includes a ROM 202 that stores a launch control program, data that defines the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the driving force, a RAM 204 that temporarily stores communication data and detection signals, and the main control board 100 ( A communication control circuit 206 for communicating with the hall computer 300), an input processing circuit 212 for inputting signals output from the frame opening / closing sensor 20, the rotation angle sensor 29, the adjuster 30, and the like, a motor 50, a solenoid 96, and the like. An output processing circuit 214 that outputs a driving signal to be driven is provided. These CPU 210, ROM 202, RAM 204, communication control circuit 206, input processing circuit 212, and output processing circuit 214 are connected to each other via a bus 218. Note that the frame control board 200 also corresponds to nonlinear means described later.
[0027]
In the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above, a firing control process for adjusting the firing speed of the pachinko ball B will be described with reference to FIG. The launch control process is realized by the CPU 210 executing the launch control program stored in the ROM 202 in the frame control board 200 shown in FIG. 10 at an appropriate timing (for example, every 0.6 seconds).
[0028]
In the firing control process shown in FIG. 11A, when the rotation angle θ is first acquired from the rotation angle sensor 29 (step S14), the driving force E with respect to the rotation angle θ is acquired with reference to the table 202a (step S16). ). As another method of detecting the rotation angle θ by the rotation angle sensor 29, the rotation axis of the operating body 40 and a variable resistor (or a variable capacitor or a variable inductance) are provided so as to interlock with each other, such as a resistance value or a voltage value. The rotation angle θ may be obtained based on the amount of electricity. In the table 202a stored in advance in the ROM 202, the rotation angle θ and the driving force E are set so as to have the relationship shown in FIG. The relationship shown in FIG. 11B is an alternative to the relationship shown in FIG. 6B, but the vertical axis is merely changed to the driving force E as compared to FIG. Therefore, the relationship shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B can be similarly applied. Since the driving force E is substantially proportional to the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B, the rate of change of the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B in the section J2 is smaller than that in the section J4. Therefore, the firing speed can be finely adjusted in the section J2, and the range of the firing speed can be expanded in the section J4. When the rotation angle sensor 29 has a function as a contact sensor, the steps S14 to S16 may not be executed unless the player touches the handle device 28.
Then, the solenoid 96 is driven based on the driving force E acquired in step S14 (step S18). Specifically, drive data is sent from the CPU 210 shown in FIG. 10 to the output processing circuit 214, and the output processing circuit 214 sends an output signal to the solenoid 96 to operate it. As this output signal increases, the electromagnetic force generated by the solenoid 96 also increases, and the rod 98 moves faster. Therefore, as the driving force E increases, the rod 98 moves faster, so the firing speed of the pachinko ball B also increases. In this way, the pachinko ball B can be launched at a firing speed corresponding to the driving force E.
[0029]
According to the third embodiment, corresponding to claim 1, in the section J2 (first section) and the section J4 (second section), the driving force E with respect to the rotation angle θ (operation amount) of the operating body 40, that is, firing. The rate of change in speed is different (see FIG. 11). Therefore, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.
Corresponding to claim 3, the ROM 202 (recording medium) stores the relationship between the rotation angle θ (operation amount) and the driving force E (launching speed) of the solenoid 96, and this relationship is the firing with respect to the operation amount. The rate of change in speed is different between the section J2 (first section) and the section J4 (second section) [see FIG. 11B]. The frame control board 200 (signal output means) acquires a driving force E corresponding to the rotation angle θ detected by the rotation angle sensor 29 (detector) with reference to the ROM 202, and outputs a firing signal to the solenoid 96 of the launching device 94. [See FIG. 11A]. Then, the solenoid 96 fires the pachinko ball B at the firing speed specified by the firing signal. Since the change rate of the driving force E with respect to the rotation angle θ, that is, the rate of change of the firing speed is different between the section J2 and the section J4, the change rate of one of the sections is larger or smaller than that of the other section. Therefore, it is possible to widen the range of the firing speed and finely adjust the firing speed.
[0030]
In the third embodiment, the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the driving force E is set. Not limited to this form, a plurality of relationships between the rotation angle θ and the driving force E may be set so that any one of the relationships can be selected. An example of such a configuration is shown below.
(B1) First, a plurality of specified lines indicating the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the driving force E are stored in the ROM 202. The plurality of defining lines are, for example, five defining lines C10, C12, C14, C16, C18 shown in FIG. Since these defined lines have a relationship in which the initial values are different and are translated in the vertical direction of the drawing, the rate of change of the driving force E (and thus the firing speed of the pachinko ball B) is different between the sections J2 and J4. Then, in the firing control process shown in FIG. 12A, when the adjuster 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 is operated (YES in step S10), one of the specified lines is set according to the adjustment amount of the adjuster 30. Is selected and changed (step S12). Hereinafter, by executing steps S14 to S18, the driving force E can be acquired according to the changed specified line. If the adjuster 30 is not operated (NO in step S10), the specified line is not changed. In this example, the adjusting speed of the pachinko ball B according to the player's preference is adjusted by adjusting the adjuster 30, so that the pachinko ball B can reach a more desired position.
(B2) Similar to (b1) above, a plurality of specified lines indicating the relationship between the rotation angle θ and the driving force E are stored in the ROM 202. The plurality of defining lines are, for example, two defining lines C20 and C22 shown in FIG. These prescribed lines are set corresponding to the gaming state, and the rate of change of the driving force E (and thus the firing speed of the pachinko ball B) differs greatly between the section J2 and the section J4. For example, the prescribed line C20 corresponds to a jackpot gaming state, and the prescribed line C22 corresponds to a normal gaming state. In the launch control process shown in FIG. 13 (A), when a notice that the game state has changed is received from the main control board 100 shown in FIG. 10 (YES in step S11), one of the game control states corresponding to the game state. A regulation line is selected and changed (step S13). Hereinafter, by executing steps S14 to S18, the driving force E can be acquired according to the changed specified line. If the gaming state has not changed (NO in step S11), the specified line is not changed. In this example, even if it becomes a big hit game state and it changes to the regulation line C20, the firing speed of the pachinko ball B can be adjusted by the handle device 28 (operation body 40).
(B3) Other aspects described from (a1) to (a3) in the second embodiment can be applied to the third embodiment in the same manner. Moreover, you may apply combining the aspect of said (b1), and the aspect of (b2) arbitrarily. Since the firing speed of the pachinko sphere B varies according to these aspects, the degree of freedom of operation in the handle device 28 increases.
[0031]
[Other Embodiments]
In the pachinko machine 10 (game machine) described above, the structure, shape, size, material, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of other parts are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, each of the following embodiments to which the above embodiment is applied can be implemented.
(1) In the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 10. Instead of these forms, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine that includes a launching device and an operation device (for example, an arrangement ball machine). Even in such a gaming machine, it is possible to widen the range of the launching speed of the game ball and finely adjust the launching speed.
(2) In the second embodiment, the ROM 202 is applied as the recording medium. Instead of this form, the RAM 204, the ROM or RAM in the main control board 100 or the hall computer 300, a flexible disk accessible by the disk device, a disk medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk, a prepaid card accessible by the card device, Cards such as an IC card and a paper card, or a printed matter on which characters or symbols that can be accessed by a reading device are printed may be applied. Even with such a recording medium, the relationship between the operation amount and the firing speed can be set.
[0032]
(3) The present invention is realized mechanically in the above-described second embodiment, and controlled (digitally) in the above-described third embodiment. Instead of these forms, the present invention may be realized in a controllable (analog) manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, electric quantities such as a voltage value, a current value, and a resistance value output from an electric element that operates in conjunction with the operating body 40 are transmitted to the non-linear analog circuit 500, and the electric quantity is obtained. Change nonlinearly. The solenoid 96 is operated based on the amount of electricity thus changed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14B, the operating body 40 and the rotating shaft of the variable resistor R2 are provided so as to be linked, and the constant voltage source Vcc is supplied to both ends of the variable resistor R2. The voltage value of the intermediate contact in the variable resistor R2 is input to the operational amplifier circuit 502 to change nonlinearly, and further input to the drive circuit 504 to perform amplification and finally output to the solenoid 96. Here, for example, the operational amplifier circuit 502 is designed to output a voltage value corresponding to the driving force E when a voltage value corresponding to the rotation angle θ shown in FIG. For the drive circuit 504, an amplifier circuit using a transistor, a pulse width modulation circuit (PWM), a pulse frequency modulation circuit (PFM), or the like is used in accordance with the characteristics of the solenoid 96 or the like. In this circuit example, the operational amplifier circuit 502 is configured as a logarithmic amplifier, for example, and corresponds to the nonlinear analog circuit 500 together with the drive circuit 504. Note that the present invention can be realized by operating the operational amplifier circuit 502 and / or the drive circuit 504 nonlinearly. For example, the operational amplifier circuit 502 may be configured by a circuit illustrated in FIG. In this way, even if configured with an analog circuit, the rate of change of the firing speed in each section is different, so the range of the launching speed of the pachinko ball B can be expanded and the firing speed can be finely adjusted. Further, it can be realized in various circuit modes.
[0033]
(4) In addition, a counter circuit 216 that generates pulses with an oscillator and counts the pulses with a counter may be provided on the frame control board 200 (or independently) (see FIG. 10). A configuration example of the counter circuit 216 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the rate of change of the firing speed in each section is different for any configuration example, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.
(4a) First, a mode realized by interposing the CPU 210 will be described. The counter circuit 216 shown in FIG. 15 receives the partial pressure (potential) of the intermediate resistor in the variable resistor R2 and the variable resistor R2 linked with the rotation shaft of the operating body 40, and generates and outputs a pulse of a corresponding frequency. The oscillator 216a includes a trigger generator 216d that outputs a trigger signal at a required timing, a counter 216c that counts up (counts down) the count value, a latch circuit 216b that holds the count value output from the counter 216c, and the like. Here, a constant voltage source Vcc is supplied to both ends of the variable resistor R2. The oscillator 216a is a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The counter 216c receives the pulse output from the oscillator 216a, counts the count value, receives the trigger signal output from the trigger generator 216d, outputs the current count value, and then sets the count value to a predetermined value (for example, 0). ). When the appropriate timing is reached, the CPU 210 reads the count value held in the latch circuit 216b, acquires the driving force E corresponding to the count value from the table 202a stored in the ROM 202, and based on the acquired driving force E. Then, the solenoid 96 is operated. In the counter circuit 216 shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 210 fires the pachinko ball B every time the CPU 210 reads the count value from the latch circuit 216b.
(4b) Next, an aspect realized without the CPU 210 will be described. A counter circuit 216 shown in FIG. 16 includes an oscillator 216a, a trigger generator 216d, a counter 216c, a ROM 216g that stores the table 202a (or a corresponding table, etc.), and a D / A converter that converts digital data into an analog signal and outputs it. 216f, a drive circuit 216e that amplifies the amount of electricity necessary for operating the solenoid 96, and the like. When the count value output from the counter 216c when the trigger signal is received from the trigger generator 216d is stored in the ROM 216g as an address signal, the ROM 216g outputs the corresponding data as a data signal. That is, the ROM 216g outputs a driving force corresponding to the count value as a data signal. The D / A converter 216f that has received the data signal converts it into an analog signal, which is amplified by the drive circuit 216e and output to the solenoid 96. In the counter circuit 216 in FIG. 16, the pachinko ball B is fired every time a trigger signal is output from the trigger generator 216d.
[0034]
(5) A circuit having non-linearity is not limited to the circuit described above, and can be realized by an arbitrary circuit. For example, in the case of the counter circuit 216 shown in FIG. 15, an RC oscillation circuit, an LC oscillation circuit, an RLC oscillation circuit, a multivibrator, or the like may be used instead of the oscillation circuit composed of the variable resistor R2 and the oscillator 216a. In this case, a variable one of at least one of R (resistance), L (coil), and C (capacitor) may be used. Similarly, as the counter 216c, a counter that counts nonlinearly when receiving a pulse and counting a count value may be used. Furthermore, a resistor whose resistance value changes nonlinearly with respect to the amount of movement of the intermediate contact of the variable resistor R2 may be used.
In the case of the counter circuit 216 shown in FIG. 16, a D / A converter 216f that outputs an analog signal that changes nonlinearly with respect to the received data signal may be used. Instead of the ROM 216g, an electric element such as a gate array that operates in the same manner may be used. As described above, if a low-cost electric element is used, the present invention can be realized while keeping the cost low.
Further, as in a four-terminal circuit (passive circuit) shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of sets of circuit parts in which resistors, diodes, and constant voltage sources are connected in series may be connected in parallel. In this case, the relationship line shown in FIG. 6 and the like can be defined as a broken line by appropriately setting the resistor, the diode, and the constant voltage source. Since this four-terminal circuit has no moving parts, there are few failures and the service life can be extended.
[0035]
(6) In the above-described embodiment, the method of performing the present invention mechanically using a cam or the like is realized in Embodiment 1, and the method of performing control using a rotation angle sensor or the like is realized in Embodiment 2. did. Instead of these forms, the present invention may be realized by combining a mechanically performed method and a controlledly performed method.
For example, the operation cam 46 is provided on the operation shaft 44 and the rotation member 57 provided with a roller 58 in contact with the operation cam 46 and rotated around the rotation shaft 59 is the same as in the first embodiment. Here, one end of the connecting rod 55 is attached to the end of the rotating body 57 opposite to the rotating shaft 59. Further, the other end side of the connecting rod 55 is attached to a slide body of a variable resistor (slide resistor) R4 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow D10. The point that the constant voltage source Vcc is supplied to both ends of the variable resistor R4, the solenoid 96 is driven based on the voltage value of the intermediate contact in the variable resistor R4, and the pachinko ball B is fired is the same as in the second embodiment. And In this way, when the operating body 40 is turned, the slide body of the variable resistor R4 slides through the operating cam 46, and finally the firing speed of the pachinko ball B changes nonlinearly. Therefore, the effects of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.
Even if a variable capacitor or a variable inductance is used in place of the variable resistor R4, the same effect as described above can be obtained. Even if gear teeth are provided on the operation cam 46 and the roller 58, respectively, and the gear teeth are engaged when the operation cam 46 and the roller 58 come into contact with each other, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In this case, instead of the rotating body 57, a roller 58 having gear teeth may be fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary variable resistor. This eliminates the need for the connecting rod 55, thereby reducing the cost.
[0036]
[Other Embodiments]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment has not only the embodiment of the invention described in the claims but also other embodiments of the invention. Aspects of the present invention are listed below, and related explanations are given as necessary.
[0037]
[Aspect 1] In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
One section is a gaming machine that makes the rate of change of the firing speed with respect to the manipulated variable larger or smaller than the other section.
[Related Description of Aspect 1] According to this aspect, in a section where the rate of change is large, the firing speed changes greatly even if the manipulated variable is changed slightly, so that the range of the firing speed can be expanded. Further, in a section where the rate of change is small, the firing speed does not change so much even if the manipulated variable is changed, so the firing speed can be finely adjusted.
[0038]
[Aspect 2] In a gaming machine comprising a launching device for launching a game ball and an operation device operated to adjust the launching speed of the game ball in the launching device,
A gaming machine having nonlinear means for nonlinearly changing a firing speed of a game ball in the launching device in all or a part of a section where the manipulated variable changes when the manipulated variable operated by the operating device changes.
[Related Description of Aspect 2] According to this aspect, the shooting speed of the game ball changes nonlinearly in the whole or a part of the manipulated variable by the non-linear means. In this case, in the section where the rate of change is large, the firing speed changes greatly even if the manipulated variable is changed slightly, so the range of the firing speed can be expanded. Further, in a section where the rate of change is small, the firing speed does not change so much even if the manipulated variable is changed, so the firing speed can be finely adjusted.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to widen the range of the launch speed of the game ball and finely adjust the launch speed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a handle device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of attaching a handle device, a launching device, and the like to the front frame.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a launching device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the shape of a cam and the firing intensity.
FIG. 7 is a diagram comparing a conventional cam and a cam realizing the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation angle and a firing intensity.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a launching device.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a frame control board.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a firing control process.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a launch control process.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a firing control process.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a mode for realizing the present invention in a controllable manner (analog).
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a mode for realizing the present invention with a CPU interposed;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a mode for realizing the present invention without interposing a CPU;
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a four-terminal circuit for realizing a nonlinear circuit.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a method that is mechanically performed and a method that is controlled are combined.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Operating device
4 Operation amount conversion means
6 game balls
8 Launcher
10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
20 Frame open / close sensor
28 Handle device (operating device)
29 Rotation angle sensor (detector)
30 Regulator
40 Operation body
46 Operation cam (operation amount conversion means)
48 Launcher
50 motor
76 slide body
78 Spring (elastic body)
84 Strike member
94 Launcher
96 Solenoid
200 Frame control board (signal output means)
202 ROM (recording medium)

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine that includes a launching device that launches a game ball and an operation device that operates to adjust the launching speed of the game ball in the launching device and operates in a first gaming state and a second gaming state ,
The range of the operation amount that can be operated by the operation device includes a first section and a second section that is a section having a larger operation amount than the first section ,
The launcher is
In the first section, the firing speed is increased in accordance with the increase in the operation amount, and in the second section, the first firing control is performed so that the firing speed is substantially constant regardless of the increase in the operation amount. Means,
Second firing control means for increasing the firing speed in accordance with an increase in the manipulated variable in both the first section and the second section;
Have
When the gaming machine is operating in the first gaming state, the launching device operates with the first launch control means,
A gaming machine in which the launching device is operated by the second launch control means when the gaming machine is operating in the second gaming state. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
  The first gaming state is a jackpot gaming state,
  The gaming machine in which the second gaming state is a normal gaming state.

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