JPH09131461A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance interests with higher feeling of being at a live performance by a method wherein an operation panel is operated by a player standing before a satellite and a model body is guided individually by a running-drive mechanism so that it can run just as in an actual racing without being controlled by a running course. SOLUTION: A player stands a satellite 4 to slot a coin and operates an operation panel to select horses forecast to win on a win or place/show basis. In the game, a microcomputer 101 drives or controls the satellite 4, a display 12 and an infrared light emitting device 102 to input a position detection signal from a position detection unit 103. In other words, the motion of individual carriers 50 undergoes a feedback control based on the position detection signal. The one-chip microcomputer 104 analyzes an infrared signal of the infrared light emitting device 102 as received by a photo detector 57 to control a running motor 54, a motor 55 for steering and an oscillation coil 66. Thus, the carriers 50 run just as in an actual racing without being regulated by a running course.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device that imitates a race that competes on a track such as a horse race or a car race.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are many competitive game machines which imitate horse races, car races, and the like. Although a plurality of models are mounted concentrically and the turning arm and the plurality of models are respectively rotated, there has been a loss of interest in such a type of apparatus because the movement of the car model is regular. There were drawbacks.

[0003] Accordingly, an example in which the movements of individual car models are made irregular so that the ranking cannot be predicted (Japanese Patent Publication No. 52
No. -37871) has been proposed. In this example, the circulating means moves along a fixed circulating trajectory set by the guiding means, and a plurality of moving models are provided in the circulating means so as to be able to reciprocate. It is something that can be done.

Accordingly, each moving model (car model in the embodiment) moves along with the circulating means circulating along the circulating trajectory, and can be further reciprocated on the circulating means. Is determined by the movement of the driving means that drives the vehicle, so that it is not necessary to provide regularity, and it is possible for the player to unexpectedly develop the race.

[0005]

However, since each moving model reciprocates on the circulating means in a constant manner, the trajectory of the circulation is always constant. In other words, the mobile model located on the outer course of the circuit always goes around the outer course,
The moving model located on the inner course always moves on the inner course.

In an actual car race or the like, one car is arranged on each course from the inside to the outside at the start, but when the race starts and the car approaches a curve, each car tries to run the shortest possible distance. The car moves to the inner course.

[0007] Therefore, since each car does not run on a predetermined course, but on the shortest possible distance as far inside as possible, each of the automobiles is concentrated and arranged substantially in a line. In an actual race, the race progresses as described above, so it is not just speeding up but using competitive tactics and other techniques that make the race more interesting.

However, in the case where each moving model always moves on a fixed course from the start to the goal as in the above-mentioned conventional example, if it is far from the actual race as described above, the sense of realism is reduced and the interest is reduced by half. I have no choice.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such a point,
In the place where the purpose is, satellites for players to vote etc. are installed around the running surface of the model body, and the model body runs like a real race without being restricted by the running course, and the race is developed. It is in the point of providing a game device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an annular model body running surface on which a plurality of model bodies are movably mounted without being restricted in a running course. And a plurality of satellites having operation panels arranged along the periphery of the ring-shaped model running surface for the player to perform operations such as voting, and are arranged below the model running surface, on the model running surface. Magnetically coupled with the mounted model body, the running drive mechanism configured to guide each model's running individually without being restricted by the course, and the model body races in order and races The game apparatus has a traveling control means for controlling the traveling drive mechanism to perform the above and a satellite control means for controlling the satellite.

Therefore, the player can face the satellite and operate the operation panel to vote, and the plurality of model bodies individually drive on the model body traveling surface which can be seen from the satellite. The player can enjoy a realistic and exciting game because he / she travels in the same way as an actual race without being restricted by the travel course.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment relates to a horse racing game, and FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram outlining a running control system of a running body for running a model horse in the horse racing game apparatus 1.

The progress of the game is controlled by a computer, and the traveling means B controls the traveling of a plurality of traveling bodies A1, A2, ..., An. C is a control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal of the traveling control means B. D1, D2, ..., Dn
Is a control signal receiving means mounted on each of the traveling bodies A1, A2, ..., An to receive the control signal transmitted by the control signal means C.

E1, E2, ..., En are the traveling bodies A1, A2,
, An installed in the control signal receiving means D1, D2,.
Based on the control signal received by Dn, the traveling vehicles A1, A2,
.. Are driving means for driving An. F1, F2,…, F
n is mounted on each of the traveling bodies A1, A2,.
1, A2,..., An are position detection signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal for detecting the position of the track on the track.

A position G which receives the position detection signal transmitted by the position detection signal transmission means F1, F2, ..., Fn of each of the traveling bodies A1, A2, ..., An and feeds it back to the traveling control means B. It is a detection signal receiving means. Under the control of the computer, the race development is randomly determined for each race, and the ranking of the traveling bodies A1, A2,..., An cannot be predicted. And the running bodies A1, A2,
..., An receives the control signal and can move on the track regardless of the course according to the control signal.

Further, since the positions of the traveling bodies A1, A2, ..., An are fed back to the traveling control means B and the traveling is controlled, it is possible to surely realize the race development determined by the computer. Therefore, the race can be developed in accordance with the actual race without being restricted by the course as in the actual race, so that the player can not expect the arrival order and can be more interesting.

An overall external view of the horse racing game apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. An annular truck 3 is stretched on the upper surface of the horizontally long base 2, and satellites 4 for every four seats are arranged at front and rear stand positions.

Each satellite 4 is equipped with a monitor 5 and is provided with an operation panel 6, a coin slot 7, and a coin payout slot 8 for inserting a coin and operating the operation panel 6 to predict it. You can vote for winning horses in either single or multiple ways.

A curved arm member 9 extends from a stand position on one curved side of the track 3 toward an upper position in the center of the track 3 and illuminates the tip of the arm member 9 to illuminate the speaker 10 and the track 3 below. The device 11 is fixedly supported.

When the switches of the switch circuit 162 are switched at each time t, the X counter 163 operates when the electric wires x ₀ , x _1, ... Are energized, and the electric wires y ₀ , y.
It can as ₁ ... is Y counter 164 when is energized to operate, can be detected by time division movement position of the carrier.

A display 12 is provided at an intermediate position of the arm member 9 toward the side of the truck 3 so that introductions of horses, numbers, frameworks, betting rates, etc. are displayed.
On the truck 3, a model horse 20 carrying six jockeys 21 can run.

The drive mechanism of the model horse 20 will be described below with reference to FIG. The model horse 20 (the jockey 21 is omitted) is supported by a trolley 23 via a support post 22, and the trolley 23 has one front wheel 24 and a rear wheel.
Two support wheels 25 are provided on the left and right sides, and the front wheel 24 is a support member rotatably supported by the bogie 23 with the vertical direction as the pivot axis direction.
It is supported by 26 so that the running direction can be changed smoothly.

A magnet 27 is fixed to the carriage 23 between the two rear wheels 25 with a slight distance from the surface of the truck 3. The model horse 20 swings the forefoot 20a and the hindfoot 20b back and forth in response to the rotation of the rear wheels, simulating the actual running of the horse.

The track 3 has a three-layer structure in which an upper layer is a design field 30 made of an aluminum plate whose surface is electrostatically flocked, an acrylic reinforcing plate 31 is laid in the middle layer, and a power feeding plate 32 is laid in the lower layer. is there. There is a space below the power supply plate 32, and a separate traveling path 40 is laid facing the upper truck 3 via the peripheral space. The traveling path 40 is a thick position detection plate
Acrylic 42 is stretched on the upper surface of 41, and the running path 40
A carrier 50 for running the model horse 20 is disposed on the vehicle.

The carrier 50 is a traveling motor 5 for driving the rear wheels 52 on a substrate 53 supported by front wheels 51 and rear wheels 52.
4, a steering motor 55, a motor drive board 56, a light receiver 57, an oscillator board 58, a CPU board 59, etc. are mounted, and a compression spring 62 interposed between the upper and lower two plate members 60, 61 is further mounted thereon. A front roller 63, a rear roller 64, and a current collecting unit 70 in the center, and a rear left and right roller 64 are supported on the upper plate member 60 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction.
The magnet 65 is provided between them. The current collecting unit 70 is provided with eight current collectors 71 projecting upward.

The above-mentioned members arranged on the plate member 60 are urged upward by the compression spring 62, and the roller 6
3, the roller 64 contacts the power supply plate 32 on the lower surface of the upper track 3 so that the carrier 50 is sandwiched between the track 3 and the traveling path 40 and can travel smoothly. The relative position of 70 is kept in a predetermined positional relationship.

As described above, the current collectors 71 projecting above the current collecting unit 70, which is kept at a predetermined distance from the power feeding plate 32, have their tips in contact with the power feeding plate 32 via the springs 72. Electric power can be supplied from the lower power supply plate 32 with a sufficient pressure contact force.

To briefly explain this power feeding mechanism, a plurality of strip electrodes are laid on the lower surface of the power feeding plate 32 in parallel at a slight interval, and anodes and cathodes are alternately formed.
Note that a strip electrode is also laid on the upper surface in a direction perpendicular to the lower electrode, and upper and lower electrodes are electrically connected at predetermined locations.

The eight current collectors 71 of the current collecting unit 70
Are arranged at the vertices of a regular octagon at a predetermined distance from each other, and at least two current collectors 71 are always an anode,
Power can be stably received while being in contact with any of the cathode electrodes.

Next, the drive mechanism of the carrier 50 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the rear left and right rear wheels 52 are axles.
The axle 90 is rotatably supported by a bearing bracket 91 fixed to the substrate 53. The drive shaft 92 and the axle 90 projecting vertically downward from the traveling motor 54 are configured to transmit power by engagement of gears in a gear box 93.

The front left and right wheels 51 are rotatably supported at one end of an L-shaped arm 94, and the bent portion of the arm 94 horizontally swings on a supporting member 95 fixed to the lower surface of the substrate 53. The arms 94 are freely pivoted, and the other ends of the left and right arms 94 are connected by a tie rod 96. Tie rod 96
A rack 96a is formed on the center rear surface of the drive shaft 55, and meshes with a pinion 98 fitted to the tip of a drive shaft 97 projecting vertically below the steering motor 55.

Therefore, the rotational drive of the steering motor 55 is converted into the lateral movement of the tie rod 96 via the pinion 98 and the rack 96a, and the movement of the tie rod 96 causes the arm 94 to swing around the support member 95. The angle of the front wheel 51 can be changed and steering is performed. Alternatively, two motors for driving the left and right wheels may be separately provided, and the driving and steering may be performed by controlling the driving of the two motors.

Carrier 50 equipped with the drive mechanism described above
When the model horse 20 is arranged above the truck via the track 3 and the magnets 65 on the carrier 50 side and the magnets on the model horse 20 side face each other, the model horses are moved relative to the movement of the carrier 50 by the magnets between the magnets. 20 follows. The carrier 50 itself obtains electric power through the power supply plate 32 and the power collection unit 70, and the traveling motor 54 and the steering motor 55 are drive-controlled to travel by receiving a control signal from the light receiver 57. The oscillation coil 66 is fixed to the lower surface of the substrate 53 of the carrier 50, and the position of the carrier 50 is detected by the position detection plate 41 and fed back to be used for the traveling control of the carrier 50.

Then, the control system is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the control system. The game machine body 100 is provided with a microcomputer 101 for selecting race development and performing main control of the entire system, and also includes the satellite 4 and the display.
12. An infrared light emitting device 102 that oscillates a control signal of the carrier 50 by infrared rays and a position detection unit 103 that detects the position of the carrier 50 are set.

The microcomputer 101 drives and controls the satellite 4, the display 12, and the infrared light emitting device 102, inputs a position detection signal from the position detection unit 103,
The feedback control of the movement of the carrier 50 is performed. Each carrier 50 has a one-chip microcomputer 104, and the light receiver 57 of the carrier 50 receives an infrared signal from the infrared light emitting device 102 of the game machine main body 100, and transmits the control signal to the one-chip microcomputer 104. The microcomputer 104 inputs and analyzes the same signal to
4. Output a drive control signal to the steering motor 55 and the oscillation coil 66.

The oscillating coil 66 provided in each carrier 50 is driven by the control signal to oscillate at a frequency of 455 KHZ, the position detecting plate 41 receives the oscillation of the oscillating coil 66, and the position detecting plate 41 oscillates. The part that received the game machine body
The detection unit 103 on the 100 side detects each carrier 50
The position of the object and the detection signal
Give feedback to 101.

This embodiment is constituted by the control system as described above. Among these, drive control of each carrier 50 performed by the infrared signal of the infrared light emitting device 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 shows an upper truck 3 and a lower traveling path 40.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the infrared light emitter 110 in the space between the two. Mirrors 111 and 112 are vertically provided on the outer circumference and inner circumference of the track-like traveling path 40, respectively, and the mirrors 111 and 112 have mirror surfaces facing each other.

Eight infrared emitters 110 are mounted at a predetermined height on the outer periphery of the mirror 111, and each infrared emitter 110 emits infrared rays toward the mirror 112 with an angle θ. doing. The infrared light emitted from each of the infrared light emitters 110 travels with a spread of the angle θ, is reflected by the mirror 112 and further diffused, and can cover the traveling path 40 without any excess.

By using the mirrors 111 and 112 in this way,
With a small number of infrared light emitters 110, the game use surface can be evenly covered with infrared light, so that the carrier 50 can receive infrared signals wherever it is on the traveling path 40. Further, since the infrared light reflected by the mirrors 111 and 112 reaches the carrier 50 from all directions, there is no problem that the infrared light cannot be received as a shadow of another carrier.

Further, since the space above the traveling path 40 is closed, the infrared rays do not leak to the outside and are not affected by the light from the outside. This infrared signal is formed by the digger light emitter 110 based on the digital signal from the microcomputer 101, and the digital signal is transmitted on a carrier wave of 38 KHZ which is strong against noise. The infrared light is a time-divided serial control signal, and frames corresponding to the respective carriers are continuously and serially transmitted.

A waveform diagram of one frame of this infrared signal is shown in FIG. One frame consists of 16 bits of 17 ms, and the signal of each bit is identified depending on whether the signal is at a high level H or a low level. The first three bits of one frame are start bits, and LLH indicates the start of the frame.

The next two bits are the direction control bits,
LL indicates stop, LH indicates leftward, HL indicates rightward, and HH indicates straight ahead. The next two bits are speed control bits. LL indicates stop, LH indicates acceleration, HL indicates deceleration HH indicates running at the maximum speed.

The next 1 bit is a position detection coil control bit, and is an oscillation coil provided at the bottom of each carrier.
L indicates the coil conduction and H indicates the coil non-conduction.

The next three bits are carrier selection bits, which indicate which carrier of the six carriers 50 the signal of the frame is a control signal for. The LLL targets all carriers. , LLH is the first unit, LHL is the second unit, LHH is the third unit, HLL is the fourth unit, HLH
Indicates that the target is the fifth and HHL is the target of the sixth,
HHH is reserved.

More carrier control is possible by satisfying the number of bits of this carrier selection bit. The next four bits are parity check bits and indicate a checksum. The next one bit is an end bit, and H indicates the end of the frame.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the control system on the carrier 50 side for receiving the above infrared rays. In each carrier 50, power is supplied by the power collection unit 70,
, And is supplied to the one-chip microcomputer 104 and other devices.

The infrared signal received by the light receiver 57 is input to the one-chip microcomputer 104 as an H and L digital serial signal from the light receiver 57 and decoded.
When the one-chip microcomputer 104 determines that the carrier control signal is its own as a result of decoding the carrier selection bit, the one-chip microcomputer 104 transmits each control signal based on the instruction of each control bit. The centering detection circuit 123 outputs to the oscillation circuit 124. The traveling control motor circuit 121 drives and controls the traveling motor 54, and the direction control motor circuit 122 drives the steering motor 55.
And the oscillation circuit 124 drives and controls the oscillation coil 66.

The centering detection circuit 123 drives and controls the centering detection photo interrupter 125, and the centering detection photo interrupter 125 drives the carrier.
It is possible to determine whether or not 50 is in a straight-ahead state.When the direction control bit of the infrared signal is HH, the steering motor 55 and the centering detection photo-interrupter 125 are driven, and the front wheel 51 goes in the straight-ahead direction. Sometimes, the centering detection photointerrupter 125 is informed that the centering has been performed, and the steering motor 55 is driven to make the vehicle run straight.

Next, a method of detecting the position of the carrier 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a block diagram for position detection, and comprises a position detection plate 41 and a position detection unit 103 which are stretched below the carrier 50. The position detecting plate 41 has a rectangular shape, and an annular running path is formed above the position detecting plate 41 as indicated by a broken line.

The position detecting plate 41 has electric wires 130 stretched vertically and horizontally. When the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are determined as shown by arrows in FIG. 9, a plurality of electric wires oriented in the Y-axis direction are detected. The electric wires are arranged in the X-axis direction, and the plurality of electric wires oriented in the X-axis direction are arranged in the Y-axis direction, and the both are insulated.

The end of the electric wire oriented in the Y-axis direction is connected to the X-axis position detection circuit 131, and the end of the electric wire oriented in the X-axis direction is connected to the Y-axis position search circuit 132, which is a search circuit for each coordinate axis. The detection signal from is input to the position detection circuit 133, the carrier position on the position detection plate 41 is determined, and the result is output to the microcomputer 101.

The direction in which the X-axis position detection circuit 131 detects the position of the carrier 50 in the X-axis direction will be described with reference to FIGS. The same applies to position detection in the Y-axis direction. The electric wires 130 oriented in the Y-axis direction are sequentially arranged from the left as x ₀ , x
₁ , x ₂ ,...

The ends of the electric wires x ₀ , x ₁ , x ₂ , ... Are connected together via a switch SW 134 and input to a comparison circuit 135, and each switch SW 134 is driven by switching. The drive is controlled by the circuit 136. The switching drive circuit 136 receives the address signal and switches SW
134 on and off be driven from the switch SW in the order of the wire x _0.

That is, the electric wire x₀Switch SW related to
Then, after being turned off, the next wire x ₁Switch SW according to
Is turned on after being turned on, and the next wire x_TwoPertain to
The switch SW is turned on and off sequentially.
Off drive is performed. Therefore, the comparison circuit 135
The current that will flow through the wire is the wire x₀Flows in order from the current
Will be.

The existing carrier 50 is an electric wire x₁Above
That is, the oscillation coil 66 of the carrier 50 is shown in FIG.
As the electric wire x₁When resting on the
When the wire 66 oscillates, the electric wire x₁Induced electromotive force
Line x₁Current flows through the wire x ₁The switch related to
During this period, the same current is also input to the comparison circuit 135. Note that
Line x₁Electric wire x near₀, x_TwoThere is a slight magnetic flux crossing
There is a small amount of current flowing.

FIG. 11 shows the waveform diagram. Remarkably appears current to the wire x ₁ is directly appear in the input signal x of the comparator circuit 135 to the on-time of the switch SW134 of the wire x _1,
Only in the time zone of the address 1 is a waveform prominent compared to the time zones of the other addresses 0, 2, 3. When this input signal x is compared with a reference current value by a comparison circuit 135 and converted into a pulse signal, a pulse waveform can be seen only at address 1 like the output signal x.

In this way, the position of the carrier 50 is the electric wire x
₁ and the carrier position in the X-axis direction is detected. Similarly, the position in the Y-axis direction is detected by the Y-axis position search circuit 132, and the two-dimensional position of the carrier 50 can be determined based on the XY coordinates.

The signal obtained by detecting the position of the carrier 50 in this way is input to the microcomputer 101 and used for drive control of the carrier 50. The oscillation coil 66 of each carrier 50 is instructed to oscillate by the L signal of the position detection coil control bit of the infrared-based control signal, and is driven to oscillate for 70 ms.

The drive timing of the oscillation coil 66 of each carrier 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a control signal of the infrared ray generating device 102 by infrared rays and a driving state of the oscillation coil 66 of each carrier 50.
In addition, a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ , a
_4, a _5, to be marks a ₆ and a number.

First, in the first frame of the control signal, a command for centering is instructed to all carriers a _{1 to} a ₆ ,
Each carrier goes straight. The control signal to the carrier a ₁ is oscillated in the next frame, the oscillation instruction to the oscillation coil 66 of the carrier a ₁ to the operating instruction when is indicated the carrier a ₁ simultaneously is performed.

In the next frame, an operation command is issued to the carrier a ₂ , but there is no oscillation command for the oscillation coil 66. At the time when the same frame starts, the carrier a
Oscillation of the _first oscillation coil 66 starts, and continues oscillation until a predetermined time of 70 ms elapses. During this time, as described above, the X coordinate of the carrier a1 is detected _first , and then the Y coordinate is detected.

This detection result is fed back and then reflected in the operation command of the frame for controlling the carrier a ₁ , and feedback control is performed. After the frame of the operating instructions of the carrier a _2, made sequentially carrier a _3, a ₄ ... and operating instructions, the oscillation instruction of the oscillation coil 66 of the carrier a ₆ is performed.

This oscillation command drives the oscillation coil 66 of the carrier a ₆ for 70 ms thereafter at the same time as the start of the next frame. In this way, the carrier a
_1, the oscillation instruction a _6, a ₅ ... oscillation coil 66 is made,
The positions of the carriers are sequentially detected.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing this control procedure. And each frame is shown in each step, after a working command of the carrier a ₆ is in step 31, thereafter returning to step 2, Step Step 2 31
Up to the carriers a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ ,
Feedback control of a ₄ , a ₅ , and a ₆ is performed.

Next, a control routine of the detection procedure for position detection will be described with reference to FIG. When power is turned on (step 40), initial settings are made (step 41).
Sequential search from the wire x ₀ for carrier a ₁ is made (step 42), if the X coordinate is detected (Step 4
3), sequential search is performed next from the wire y ₀ (Step 4
4), where the Y coordinate is detected (step 46), the position on the position detection plate 41 of the carrier a ₁ is determined (step 46).

Then, in the next step 47, all carriers a
₁ whether ~a ₆ for position detection has been made is determined, when the position detection of all the carriers are not made, the process returns to step 42, to detect the position for the next carrier. In this way, once all carriers a _{1 to} a
_{After the} position is detected for ₆ , the search is performed from the vicinity of the detected X and Y coordinates from the next time to increase the search speed.

That is, in step 48, first, assuming that the electric wire of the X coordinate previously detected for the carrier a ₁ is xi, the electric wire xi-k of the subscript i-k smaller than i is searched for the X coordinate. In some cases, a large index number i + k
There is a case where the search is performed from to the electric wire of the lower index number.

Then, it is judged whether or not the X coordinate can be detected (step 49). If the X coordinate can be detected, the steps 50 and 51 are skipped and the process proceeds to step 52. If the X coordinate cannot be detected, the electric wire x _{0 is} searched again. And the X coordinate is detected (step 51). In most cases, if the search is performed from the electric wires xi ± k, the search can be performed in most cases, so that the search time can be greatly reduced.

Similarly, for the Y coordinate, the electric wire yi ± k
Perform a search from (step 52), to determine whether to search (step 53), jumps to Step 56 When you search, you perform a search from the wire y ₀ If not detected (Step 5
4) The Y coordinate is detected (step 55). In this way, the second and subsequent carrier positions are detected, and the search speed is increased.

Although the above is related to the drive control of the carrier 50, the macro computer 101 also controls the satellite 4 and the display 12, and the block diagram of the control system is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. , Briefly explained.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the control system of the satellite 4. The control signal from the microcomputer 101 is input to the terminal control circuit 140, and the terminal control circuit 140 causes the medal input means 141 and the medal payout means 142 to operate. The image processing means 143 is controlled to output a processing command, and the medal input means 141 and the medal payout means 142 output detection signals to the microcomputer 101 via the terminal control circuit 140.

The medal input means 141 is the coin insertion slot 7
, The number of inserted medals and the like are calculated. The medal payout means 12 is for paying out a medal for a payout when a voting horse wins. Note that the microcomputer 101 performs the payout calculation and the like.

The image processing means 143 performs image processing of the monitor 5. 16 is a control system block diagram of the display 12. The lamp display control circuit 144 drives and controls the lamp display 145 in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 101, and the 7seg. Display control circuit 146 controls the 7seg. The display control circuit 148 is driven and controlled to display the horse introduction, number, frame, and the like.

Next, the overall control procedure of the horse racing game apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when power is turned on (step 60), initialization is performed (step 61), and the first demonstration is started (step 62). In this demonstration, the lighting device 11 is turned on, the display 12 is displayed, and the speaker 10 gives an announcement such as introduction of a fanfare or a horse.

Then, the demonstration up to the detection of the medal insertion in the next step 63 is carried out. When the medal is inserted, the microcomputer 101 first decides the race development (step 64).

The determination of the race development is to randomly select one from a large number of race developments (stored in the computer) prepared in advance, and the race is determined according to the race development determined here. Progress and each career
50 is run-controlled based on this race development.

Then, in step 65, the race information is displayed on the monitor 5 of each satellite 4, and the player determines the voting horse by looking at this information and operates the operation panel 6 to vote. After voting, the race starts (step 67),
The race is run until the race is over (step 68).

Each carrier is travel-controlled based on a control signal by infrared rays, and the model horse 20 competes on the track 3 following the carrier 50. When the race is over (step 68), the payout is calculated according to the order in which the goal was scored (step 69), the order of arrival and the payout are displayed on the monitor 5 (step 70), and it is determined whether or not each player has won. (Step 71). If the player wins, medals are paid out according to the payout (Step 72). If the player loses, the player jumps over Step 72 and proceeds to Step 73.

In step 73, it is judged whether or not the credit remains, and when the credit remains, the process returns to step 64, a new race development is decided, a vote is made again, and the race is started. If no credit remains in step 73, the process returns to step 62, where the demonstration is performed again and medals need to be inserted.

Next, the traveling control of the carrier will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. Power is turned on (step
80) After the initial setting (step 81), the carrier a ₁
The traveling direction of ~a ₆ first performs a centering for the straight keep control in the neutral position (step 82).

Then, in order to detect the position of each carrier 50 before the start, the oscillation coil 66 of each carrier 50 is sequentially oscillated (step 83), and the position of each carrier is detected by the position detection unit 103 via the position detection plate 41. Detect (step 84).

After the start of the demonstration (step 85), the distance to the starting point of each carrier 50 is calculated (step 86), and each carrier 50 is moved to the starting point (step 87). Determine whether all careers are at the starting point (Step 8
8) Repeat steps 86, 87 and 88 until they are aligned, align the career with the starting point, and arrange the model horses 20 on the start line.

When all the careers have been completed, the decision to develop the race is awaited (step 89), and the start of the race is awaited (step 90). When the race starts, each of the carriers a _{1 to} a ₆ is controlled to travel according to the determined race development (step 91), and the positions of the carriers a _{1 to} a ₆ are detected by the sequential position detection plate 41 (step 9).
2). Then, it is determined whether or not the race is over (Step 9
3) If the race has not been completed, a predetermined race deployment is compared with the detected position of each carrier, and it is determined whether or not the race progresses (step 94).

If the race is unfolded, the procedure returns to step 91, and the traveling control of the carrier is performed as before. If it is not the race is unfolded, the procedure proceeds to step 95, in which the expected position and the actual career by the predetermined race are decided. The difference from the position is calculated (step 95), the traveling of each carrier is controlled based on the calculation result (step 96), and the process returns to step 94.

When the race is progressing according to the predetermined race development as described above, steps 91, 92, 93,
Step 94 is repeated when the race is out of progress
96 is repeated to run and correct each carrier to the expected position. And when the race is over, step 93
Then, the process proceeds to step 97, where it is determined whether there is any remaining credit (step 97). If the credit remains, the process returns to step 86. If no credit remains, the process returns to step 85.

As described above, in the horse racing game apparatus according to the present embodiment, each model horse 20 is run according to the carrier which is independently driven and controlled. It is possible to imitate the situation of running while pulling and trying to secure the most advantageous position, and it is possible to make the race very interesting. The driving of each carrier is performed by feedback control based on position detection, so that a predetermined race deployment can be reliably realized.

Since the race development is randomly selected from a wide variety of race developments stored in advance, a separate race development is made for each race, and unlike the one that can be easily predicted, the interest continues. In the present embodiment, the position detection of the carrier is performed in a time-division manner. However, if the frequencies oscillated by the oscillation coils of the respective carriers can be distinguished and detected as different frequencies, it is possible to appropriately detect the frequency if necessary. The position of a suitable carrier can be detected at any time.

An example of position detection using a counter will be shown below. FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram showing a position detecting mechanism of the same example, in which a carrier 151 runs on a position detecting plate 150, and a position detecting coil 152 is mounted on each carrier 151, and a detection signal is transmitted. A light emitting device 153 that converts the signal into a signal and transmits the signal is provided.

A light receiving device 155 is arranged on the game machine main body 154 side (arranged at a predetermined position on the outer circumference of the traveling path), and a counter 156 for calculating the number of signals received by the light receiving device 155 is provided. Value is microcomputer 157
Is input to

In the position detecting mechanism as described above, the position detecting plate 150 has electric wires laid in a grid pattern as shown in FIG. 20, and the electric wires x ₀ , x ₁ , x ₂ ... , A current of frequency f ₁ is applied, and electric currents of frequency f ₂ (≠ f ₁ ) are applied to the electric wires y ₀ , y ₁ , y ₂ ... Oriented in the X-axis direction. Note the game machine main body 154 side of the light receiving device 155, the description is based on FIG. 21 for details of the counter 156, the light received by the photo detector 155a is amplified by the amplification unit 158 is converted into an electric signal, the frequency f ₁ of the signal The signal is input to an f ₁ filter 159 that passes only the signal and an f ₂ filter 160 that passes only the signal of the frequency f ₂ .

The signal passed through the f ₁ filter 159 is input to the X counter 156a, and the signal passed through the f ₂ filter 160 is input to the Y counter 156b. Both counters 156a, 156b
Is input to the microcomputer 157. Therefore, when the carrier 151 travels on the position detecting plate 150, the position detecting coil 152 turns the electric wires x ₀ , x ₁ .
.. move in the magnetic field formed by the current flowing through y ₀ , y _1, ..., and an induced electromotive force is generated in the position detecting coil 152 every time the electric wires exceed each other.

This induced electromotive force has high frequencies f ₁ and f _2.
The light emitting device 153 is operated according to the change of the induced electromotive force, and an optical signal is transmitted. The frequency f ₁ receives this signal the light receiving unit 155a can know the movement distance in the X direction by the X counter 156a counts the movement in the Y direction by counting the Y-counter 156b for frequency f ₂ Distance can be detected.

The control procedure of this position detection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart, steps 102 to 107 are steps for detecting the initial position of the carrier 151, and steps 108 to 110 are steps for detecting the position of the carrier 151 thereafter.

First, when power is turned on (step 100
), Initial settings are made (step 101), and then the electric wire x
₀ is supplied with electricity (step 102), and it is determined whether or not the carrier 151 has received the electromagnetic field (step 103). If cause induced electromotive force to the wire x ₀ position detecting coil 152 if the carrier 151 on, but the carrier 151 will be receiving the electromagnetic field, the carrier 151 when there is no carrier 151 on the wire x ₀ is Does not receive electromagnetic fields.

Carrier 151 by position detecting coil 152
The receiving state of the electromagnetic field of the
155 is transmitted to the game machine main body 154 side. When the carrier 151 does not receive an electromagnetic field in the energization of the wire x _0, the step
Returning to 102, energizing the next wire x _1, see the presence or absence of the reception of the electromagnetic field (step 103).

By repeating steps 102 and 103, when the carrier 151 receives the electromagnetic field, the X coordinate of the carrier 151 can be detected at the position of the electric wire which is energized at this time, and the process proceeds to step 104. Now sequentially energized from the wire y _0, it is determined whether the reception of the electromagnetic field of the carrier 151 (step 105), detects the Y coordinate of the carrier 151. Then, the position of the carrier 151 is determined from the above X and Y coordinates (step 106), and it is determined whether or not the position detection of all the carriers 151 has been completed (step 107). If not, the process returns to step 102. Then, the position of the remaining carrier 151 is detected.

By repeating steps 102 to 107, the initial positions of all the carriers 151 are determined, and this initial position is set in the counter 156 as the current value. In the next step 108, all the electric wires are energized, and the number of electromagnetic fields received by the carrier 151 is counted by the X counter 156a and the Y counter each time the electric wires in the X and Y directions are energized as the carrier 151 travels. 156b counts each (step 109). This X counter 156
a, the moving position of the carrier 151 is determined based on the count value of the Y counter 156b (step 110). Step 108,
By repeating steps 109 and 110, the moving position of the carrier 151 can be sequentially determined.

Although the counter 156 is provided on the game machine body 154 side in the above embodiments, a counter may be mounted on each carrier 151 and the count value of the counter may be transmitted to the game machine body side. Time The wire _{x 0, x 1, x 2} ... current having a frequency f ₁ in the electric wire _{y 0, y 1, y 2} ... to has been energized a current of different frequencies f _2, which the current of the same frequency Position detection is possible even if the power is divided and energized.

That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the position detection signal received by the light receiver 160 on the game machine main body side is amplified by the amplifier 161 and passed through the switch circuit 162 to the X counter 163 and the Y counter 164, respectively. The X-counter 163 and the Y-counter 164 are time-divisionally input.
Is input to the microcomputer 165. Here, the switch circuit 162 switches the contacts, and outputs the output terminal of the amplifier 161 to the X counter 163 and the Y counter 164.
Are alternately connected to the respective input terminals.

Now, the electric wires x ₀ , x ₁ , x _{2 of the} position detection plate ...
FIG. 24 shows the relationship between the time for energizing the power supply and the time for energizing the electric wires y ₀ , y ₁ , y ₂ . Indicates that energization is performed when the signal is at the high level,
The energizing time and the non-energizing time are equal to time t, and the electric wire x
_0, x _1, ... and the wire y _0, y _1, ... and are energized alternately.

When the switches of the switch circuit 162 are switched at every time t, the X counter 163 operates when the electric wires x ₀ , x ₁ , ... Are energized, and the electric wire y ₀ ,
y _1, can be as ... is operated, can be detected by time division movement position of the carrier. Since the time t is shorter than the time for the carrier to move between adjacent wires, there is no problem that the position detection in the Y-axis direction was not performed during the detection of the X coordinate.

Various methods of detecting the position of the carrier as described above can be considered. In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a game device imitating a horse race is shown, but the present invention is also applicable to a game such as a car race or a human race.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of a horse racing game device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall external view of the horse racing game apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a carrier and a drive mechanism of the model horse in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism of the carrier.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement of infrared light emitters on a traveling road.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of one frame of an infrared signal.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system on the carrier side.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for detecting the position of a carrier.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a position detection method.

FIG. 11 is a waveform chart for explaining a position detection method.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an infrared control signal and a driving state of an oscillation coil.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a drive control procedure.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a position detecting means.

FIG. 15 is a control block diagram of a satellite.

FIG. 16 is a control system block diagram of a display.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an overall control procedure of the apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a traveling control of a carrier.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram showing a position detection mechanism in another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a wiring state of electric wires of a position detection plate in the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a position detection mechanism on the game machine main body side of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a position detection procedure of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of another embodiment showing another position detecting mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing a state of energization of the electric wire in the same example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Horse racing game device, 2 ... Base, 3 ... Truck, 4 ... Satellite, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Operation panel, 7 ... Coin slot, 8 ... Coin payout slot, 9 ... Arm member, 10 ... Speaker, 11 ... lighting equipment, 12 ... display, 20 ... model horse, 20
a ... front foot, 20b ... rear foot, 21 ... jockey, 22 ... prop, 23 ... trolley, 24 ... front wheel, 25 ... rear wheel, 26 ... support member, 27 ... magnet, 30
... design field, 31 ... reinforcement plate, 32 ... power supply plate, 40 ...
Roadway, 41: Position detection plate, 42: Acrylic, 50: Carrier, 51: Front wheel, 52: Rear wheel, 53: Base, 54: Traveling motor, 55: Steering motor, 56: Motor drive board,
57… receiver, 58… oscillator board, 59… CPU board, 60, 61…
Plate member, 62: compression spring, 63, 64: roller, 65: magnet, 66: oscillation coil, 70: current collecting unit, 71: current collecting,
72… spring, 90… wheel, 91… bearing bracket, 92…
Drive shaft, 93… Gear box, 94… Arm, 95… Support member, 96… Tie rod, 96a… Rack, 97… Drive shaft, 98…
Pinion, 100: game machine body, 101: microcomputer, 102: infrared light emitting device, 103: position detection unit, 104: one-chip microcomputer, 110: infrared light emitter, 111, 112: mirror, 120: power supply circuit, 121 … Travel control motor circuit, 122… Direction control motor circuit, 123…
Centering detection circuit, 124… Oscillation circuit, 125… Centering detection photointerrupter, 130… Electric wire, 131… X
Axis position search circuit, 132… Y axis position search circuit, 133… Position detection circuit, 134… Switch SW, 135… Comparison circuit, 136…
Switching drive circuit, 140 ... Terminal control circuit, 141 ...
Medal input means, 142 ... medal payout means, 143 ... image processing means, 144 ... lamp display control circuit, 145 ... lamp display, 146 ... 7 seg. Display control circuit, 147 ... buffer circuit, 148 ... 7 seg. Display,
150 position detecting plate, 151 carrier, 152 position detecting coil, 153 light emitting device, 154 game machine body, 155
Receiving apparatus, 155a ... photodetector, 156 ... counter, 156a ... X counter, 156b ... Y counter, 157 ... microcomputer, 158 ... amplifier, 159 ... f ₁ filter, 160 ... f ₂ filter, 161 ... light receiver 162 ... Amplifier, 163: switch circuit, 164: X counter, 165: Y counter, 166: microcomputer.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A ring-shaped model running surface on which a plurality of model bodies are movably placed without being restricted by a running course, and a player who votes is arranged along the periphery of the ring-shaped model running surface. A plurality of satellites having operation panels for performing operations such as the above, and a model body that is placed below the model running surface and is magnetically coupled to the model body placed on the model running surface. Drive mechanism configured to individually guide the vehicle, the drive control means for controlling the drive mechanism so that the model bodies travel in order and develop the race, and the satellite is controlled. A game device comprising a satellite control means. 2. The traveling drive mechanism moves on a lower traveling surface disposed below the model traveling surface and on the lower traveling surface without being restricted in a traveling course corresponding to each of the plurality of model bodies. It has a plurality of traveling bodies that are mounted so as to be capable of being coupled with corresponding model bodies by magnetic force to individually guide the traveling of the model bodies and are controlled to travel independently of each other. The game device according to claim 1. 3. A position detecting means for detecting a traveling position of each traveling body is further provided, and the traveling control means has a means for feedback controlling the traveling position according to the position information from the position detecting means. The game device according to claim 2, which is characterized in that.