JPH11244524A - Racing game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the amount of traveling data for a racing game device where the travelings of a plurality of traveling bodies as controlled on the basis of the traveling data transmitted from a host controller. SOLUTION: A traveling course of a movable body 10 is divided into a plurality of control sections in the goal direction, further the traveling course is divided into a plurality of control sections in the width direction of the course, and a host controller 500 produces the traveling data indicating the moving direction and the moving speed in the divided control section, and transmits the same to the traveling body 10 by the infrared ray. The traveling body 10 travels on the basis of the transmitted traveling data every divided control section. This traveling data is not the data indicating the target position of the traveling body 10, so that a plurality of traveling bodies 10 can be controlled with the common traveling pattern when a plurality of traveling bodies 10 are controlled on the basis of the common traveling pattern.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a competition game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a competitive game machine in which a running body such as a horse competes in a simulated race, and a player predicts the ranking,
For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-1-259404. The traveling body disclosed here is controlled by a method known as so-called additional value control. More specifically, XY coordinates are provided throughout the course where the traveling body travels, and the host that controls the traveling of the traveling body determines the individual traveling bodies at regular time intervals based on the XY coordinates. The traveling body is controlled by giving a target position to be set and bringing the position of the traveling body closer to the target position. Therefore, in order to control so that a plurality of traveling bodies do not collide,
At the same control timing, different target values must be given to each traveling body.

[0003]

By the way, in this kind of competitive game machine, in addition to the race running, there is an alignment operation before the start performed between the races and a demonstration run such as a parade. In some of these operations, a plurality of traveling bodies may travel in the same traveling pattern even though their absolute positions are different.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 1-25944, the traveling of the traveling body is controlled while changing the target position determined by the XY coordinates at regular time intervals. Even when the running bodies run in the same running pattern, the host has to give different target positions to the respective running bodies at regular time intervals.

Further, since all the running bodies are controlled at regular time intervals, the timing at which the running changes in all the running bodies becomes almost the same, and the flow of the race becomes unnatural.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a plurality of movable bodies that travel in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections toward a goal provided in the area, and a plurality of movable bodies are provided. In a competitive game device provided with control means for controlling traveling, the control means outputs traveling data indicating a moving direction and a moving speed of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body. In addition to being able to control reliably, all the movable bodies can be controlled by the same travel data when a plurality of movable bodies travel in the same travel pattern, for example, when a parade is run in a row. Therefore, the amount of traveling data can be reduced. Further, since the traveling of the movable body is changed for each control section, the traveling of all the movable bodies does not change at almost the same timing, and the unnaturalness in the race traveling can be eliminated.

[0007] The first travel data indicating travel speed of the movable body in the goal direction in the desired area and the second travel data indicating the travel speed of the movable body in a direction different from the goal direction in the desired area. It is assumed that the vehicle has travel data, and the desired area is divided into a plurality of control sections independently in a goal direction and a direction different from the goal direction. In addition to the above-described effects, the goal direction and the goal direction A change can be given to the travel of the movable body for each control section in a direction different from the above.

[0008] A competition game device comprising a movable body traveling in a goal direction provided in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections, and control means for controlling the traveling of the movable body. In the above, the control means outputs the traveling data indicating the moving direction and the moving time of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body, so that the traveling of the movable body can be reliably controlled and the plurality of movable bodies When traveling in a pattern, for example, when traveling in a parade in a row, all movable bodies can be controlled with the same traveling data. Therefore, the amount of traveling data can be reduced. Further, since the traveling of the movable body is changed for each control section, the traveling of all the movable bodies does not change at almost the same timing, and the unnaturalness in the race traveling can be eliminated.

[0009] The traveling data indicates the traveling time of the movable body in the goal direction in the desired area, and the third traveling data indicates the traveling time of the movable body in the desired area in a direction different from the goal direction. And the desired area is divided into a plurality of control sections independently in the goal direction and a direction different from the goal direction. In addition to the above-described effects, the goal direction and the goal The traveling of the movable body can be changed for each control section in a direction different from the direction.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present application is directed to a plurality of movable bodies that travel in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections toward a goal provided in the area, A competitive game device having control means for controlling the traveling of the movable body, wherein the control means outputs travel data indicating a moving direction and a moving speed of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body. The movable body travels according to the travel data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the travel data is obtained by combining the first travel data indicating a moving speed of the movable body in the goal direction in the desired area with the desired travel data. Second travel data for instructing the moving speed of the movable body in a direction different from the goal direction in the area, and the desired area is independent of the goal direction and a direction different from the goal direction in the desired area. And divided into a plurality of control sections.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a plurality of movable bodies traveling in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections toward a goal provided in the area; A competition game device comprising: a control means for controlling traveling; wherein the control means outputs traveling data indicating a moving direction and a moving time of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body; The movable body travels according to the travel data.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the travel data is a combination of third travel data indicating a travel time of the movable body toward the goal in the desired area and the desired travel data. And fourth travel data indicating a moving time of the movable body in a direction different from the goal direction in the area. The desired travel area is independent of the goal direction and a direction different from the goal direction in the desired area. And divided into a plurality of control sections.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. In this example, the present invention is applied to a horse racing game machine.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of the entire horse racing game.

A running course 1 is provided on an upper surface of the base 2, and model horses 30 to 30 can run on the upper surface of the running course 1. The race model horses 30 to 30 run from the start line 7 counterclockwise to the goal line 8.

A plurality of game stations 51, which will be described later, are provided around the base 2.
1, a display device for displaying odds and the like, an operation switch, and a coin slot (all not shown) are provided. The player makes a prediction based on voting conditions such as odds displayed on the display device in the game station 51, inserts coins, and uses the operation switches to vote based on the prediction.

The traveling course 1 has a two-layer structure as shown in FIG. 2, and a lower traveling surface 3 on which a traveling body 10 constituting a movable body travels is provided below the traveling course 1 on the upper surface. The traveling body 10 travels between the lower traveling surface 3 and the traveling course 1. Note that the traveling course 1 forms a desired area.

A magnet 17 is provided on the upper surface of the running body 10 and is magnetically coupled to a magnet 31 provided below the model horse 30 on the upper surface of the running course 1. Therefore, the model horse 30 also travels in accordance with the travel of the traveling body 10. That is, when the traveling body 10 travels counterclockwise on the traveling surface 3 in the goal direction, the model horses 30 to
30 also travels from the start line 7 to the goal line 8 counterclockwise.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of positive power supply electrodes 4 and a plurality of negative power supply electrodes 5 are provided on the rear surface of the traveling course 1 at equal intervals according to the inner circumference and the outer circumference of the traveling course 1. Electric power is supplied to the traveling body 10 from the power supply electrodes 4 and 5.

The power supply electrode 4 is also used as a dividing line for dividing the traveling course 1 into a plurality of control sections. That is, the traveling course 1 is divided by the power supply electrode 4 in the width direction of the course. Hereinafter, the control section 1 divided by the feeding electrode 4
a is called a control section 1a in the width direction.

As described above, since the power supply electrode 4 also serves as a dividing line for dividing the traveling course 1 into a plurality of control sections, no new dividing line is required, and the configuration can be simplified.

Each power supply electrode 4 is supplied with an identification signal for identifying each power supply electrode 4.

Returning to FIG. 2, the lower running surface 3 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic, and a bar code pattern 6 having distance information as shown in FIG.
Is printed. The reading direction of the barcode pattern 6 is the goal direction on the traveling course 1 and the traveling surface 3. Therefore, the direction of the bar constituting the barcode pattern 6 is in the width direction of the traveling course 1.

The bars constituting the bar code pattern 6 are as follows:
The edge portion is used as a dividing line for dividing the traveling course 1 into a plurality of control sections 1b. That is, the traveling course 1 is divided in the direction of the goal by the bars constituting the bar code pattern 6. Hereinafter, the control section 1b divided by the bar of the barcode pattern 6 is referred to as a goal-direction control section 1b. In addition, corner part 1 of running course 1
In c, the barcode pattern 6 is provided radially.

As described above, since the bar of the bar code pattern 6 also serves as a dividing line for dividing the traveling course 1 into a plurality of control sections 1b, a new dividing line is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

Returning to FIG. 2, the power supply pin 16 is provided so as to be in contact with the power supply electrodes 4 and 5, and receives power supply.
A plurality of track sensors 14 provided in one row on the upper part of the traveling body 10 detect the + power supply electrode 4, and a bar code sensor 15 provided on the lower part of the traveling body 10 reads the bar code pattern 6. On the left and right of the traveling body 10, driving wheels 11l,
A drive motor 11l, 12r to be described later is connected to each of the drive wheels 11l, 11r. The infrared receiver 18 provided on the traveling body 10 includes:
The traveling data and the like transmitted from the host control device 500 described later are received, and the infrared light emitter 19 similarly provided on the traveling body 10 transmits position information and the like to the host control device 500. Reference numeral 20 denotes an auxiliary wheel.

Next, the system configuration of the control system is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the left side is the system configuration of the host control device 500, and the right side is the system configuration of the traveling body 10.

First, the host controller 500 will be described. The host control device 500 that constitutes the control means has a CP
U, ROM, RAM, etc.
Host control circuit 5 for overall control and game progress control
Has zero. The command generation circuit 52 generates traveling data for controlling traveling of the traveling body 10, a start command for starting traveling, a status command for acquiring information on the traveling body, and the like. The game stations 51 to 51 are:
Players vote on predictions and display race results. The command transmission circuit 55 transmits the traveling data, the command, and the like generated by the command generation circuit 52 to the traveling body 10 via the infrared light emitter 57. Status receiving circuit 56
After the traveling state and the position information of the traveling body 10 transmitted from the traveling body control circuit 70 in the traveling body 10 via the status transmitting circuit 75 by the infrared light emitting device 19 are received by the infrared ray receiver 58, To the host controller 500.

Next, the configuration of the traveling body 10 will be described.

The infrared receiver 18 is provided with a host controller 50
A command, running data, and the like transmitted by infrared rays from the infrared light emitter 57 in the unit 0 are output to a command receiving circuit 71. The command receiving circuit 71 discriminates the information into running data and a command and sends the information to a command execution circuit 72. Output.
The command execution circuit 72 stores the traveling data in the memory 73, and executes a process according to the received command according to the content of the command. The timer 76 is connected to the host controller 50
The counting is started by a start signal transmitted from 0. The running control data reading circuit 74 reads running data from the memory 73 and outputs the running data to the running body control circuit 70. The traveling body control circuit 70 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
Motors 12l, 1l, to which both drive wheels 11l, 11r are connected
The traveling of the traveling body 10 is controlled by controlling the current applied to 2r. Rotary encoders 13l, 13
r outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the motors 12l and 12r to the traveling body control circuit 70. This signal is
It is used to determine the rotation speed and traveling distance of l and 12r.

Next, the running operation of the running body 10 will be described.

First, an outline of the operation of the traveling body 10 will be described.

The traveling body 10 is controlled by the host controller 50 before traveling.
The running data is received from 0 and stored in the memory 73. Of the travel data transmitted from the host control device 500, the data for the race is determined based on the player's expected result and the like, and the data after the race until returning to the start position is determined based on the result of the race. You. The travel data is composed of travel data corresponding to each control section 1b in the goal direction defined by the edge of the barcode pattern 6 and travel data corresponding to each control section 1a in the width direction defined by the power supply electrode 4.

When a start signal is transmitted from the host controller 500, the traveling body 10 reads from the memory 73 traveling data corresponding to a control section to be traveled, that is, a control section 1b in the goal direction and a control section 1a in the width direction. Then, the vehicle starts traveling based on the traveling data. During traveling, the vehicle travels while measuring the actual speed from the outputs of the encoders 131 and 13r and correcting the deviation from the traveling data.
Therefore, the traveling of the traveling body 10 can be reliably controlled.

When the vehicle reaches the delimiting portion of the control section 1b in the goal direction while traveling, the time required to pass through the control section 1b in the goal direction that has been traveled so far is calculated from the travel data in the control section 1b. Calculate the error time from the calculated travel time. Subsequently, the travel data in the next control section is read, and the travel in the next control section is controlled based on the calculated error time and the read travel data. When reading the travel data, the travel data in the width direction as well as the travel data in the goal direction is read. The read travel data in the width direction is sequentially written into a FIFO buffer provided in the travel control data reading circuit 74.

When reaching the delimiting portion of the control section 1a in the width direction, the error time in the width direction up to that point is calculated, and the running data in the width direction in the next control section 1a is provided in the running control data reading circuit 74. A FI
The travel in the next control section 1a is controlled based on the calculated error time and the read travel data read from the FO buffer.

Hereinafter, the traveling is performed by repeating such an operation.

Next, the traveling operation of the traveling body 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

In this example, the traveling data is obtained by moving average speed (Vxs) for each control section 1b in the goal direction defined by the edge of the barcode pattern 6 and for each control section 1a in the width direction defined by the power supply electrode 4. Moving average speed (Vy
s). In this example, since the control section distances in the goal direction and the width direction are fixed by the power supply electrode 4 and the barcode pattern 6, specifying the speed in each control section requires the moving time of each control section. It has the same meaning as specified. The moving average speed (Vxs) for each control section 1b in the goal direction
Constitutes first and third travel data, and the moving average speed (Vys) for each control section 1a in the width direction constitutes second and fourth travel data. Further, in the control section 1b in the goal direction, since the distance between the inside and outside of the traveling course 1 is different in the same control section corresponding to the corner 1c, the moving average speed (Vxs) for each control section in the goal direction is , The moving average speed when the vehicle travels in the innermost control section among the control sections in the width direction defined by the power supply electrode 4. Further, control sections 1a, 1a in the goal direction and in the width direction.
The distance b is set to the traveling body control circuit 70 in the traveling body 10.
Is stored in advance in a ROM inside the server.

When a start command for instructing the start of traveling of the traveling body 10 is sent from the host control device 500 to the traveling body 10 (step 6a), the timer 76 starts counting, and the traveling control data reading circuit 74 reads from the memory 73. The running data (Vxs, Vys) corresponding to the control section to be driven, that is, the control section in the goal direction and the control sections 1a and 1b in the width direction are read out (step 6b) and output to the running body control circuit 70.

The running body control circuit 70 determines the rotational speeds of the left and right motors so as to satisfy the speeds in the goal direction and the width direction specified by the output running data (Vxs, Vys) (step 6C).

More specifically, Vxs is used as the target speed Vx in the goal direction, and Vys is used as the target speed Vy in the width direction.
12r is controlled. The traveling body 10 starts traveling by the control of the motors 12l and 12r.

When the traveling body 10 starts traveling, the output periods of the rotary encoders 13l and 13r are measured until the bar code sensor 15 or the track sensor 14 detects the end of the control section in the goal direction or the width direction. The actual speed is obtained from the result, and the vehicle travels while correcting the deviation between the obtained actual speed and the traveling data (step 6)
d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h).

When the bar code sensor 15 detects that the control section 1b in the goal direction has been completed (step 6f), the control section 1 in the goal direction that has been running up to that time is detected.
An error time between the time required to pass through b and the scheduled travel time calculated from the travel data in the same control section is calculated (steps 6i, 6j, 6k).

Steps 6i, 6j and 6k will be described in detail.
First, based on the count value of the timer 76, the traveling body control circuit 70 measures the actual traveling time Txo 'of the control section 1b that has traveled so far, and the traveling body control circuit 70
The distance Lxo of the control section 1b, which has traveled so far, is read from the ROM in (step 6i).

Subsequently, the control section 1 that has been driven so far
The scheduled travel time Txo set by the travel data in b is obtained from the formula of Txo = Lxo / Vxs (step 6j).

Then, the accumulated error time Dtxo obtained by accumulating the error between the time required to pass through the control section 1b in the goal direction that has traveled since the start and the expected travel time calculated from the travel data is represented by Dtxo = Dtxo + (T
xo−Txo ′) (Step 6)
k).

When the calculation of the accumulated error time is completed, the traveling body control circuit 70 operates the traveling control data reading circuit 74 to check whether traveling data of the next control section 1b in the goal direction exists, and the traveling data exists. If so, it is determined that there is a next control section 1b in the goal direction (step 6).
m), the running data is read from the memory 73 (step 6n). At this time, the next control section 1b in the goal direction
Together with the travel data (Vxs) for the next control section 1a in the width direction. The read travel data (Vys) for the next control section 1a in the width direction is sequentially written to a FIFO buffer provided in the travel control data reading circuit 74 (step 6p).

When the storage of the traveling data (Vys) for the next control section 1a in the width direction is completed, the traveling body control circuit 7
0 is the running data (Vxs) for the next control section 1b in the goal direction read out in step 6m and step 6k
The target speed Vx of the next control section 1b in the goal direction is calculated using the accumulated error time Dtxo obtained in
The motors 12l and 12r are controlled according to the target speed obtained from the formula of s * (Txo / (Txo + Dtxo)) (step 6q). Hereinafter, the process returns to step 6d.

When the end of the control section 1a in the width direction is detected by the track sensor 14 (step 6e), the calculation is performed based on the time required to pass the control section 1a in the width direction after traveling and the travel data. (Steps 6r, 6s, 6)
t).

Steps 6r, 6s and 6t will be described in detail.
First, based on the count value of the timer 76, the traveling body control circuit 70 controls the width of the control section 1a in the width direction.
Is measured, and the distance Lyo of the control section 1a, which has traveled so far, is read from the ROM in the traveling body control circuit 70 (step 6r).

Subsequently, the running time Tyo set by the running data in the control section 1a in the width direction which has been running so far is obtained from the calculation formula of Tyo = Lyo / Vys (step 6s).

Then, an accumulated error time Dtyo obtained by accumulating an error between a time required to pass through the control section 1a in the width direction that has traveled since the start and an expected travel time calculated from the travel data is represented by Dtyo = Dtyo + (Tyo
-Tyo ') (step 6t).

When the calculation of the accumulated error time is completed, the oldest stored traveling data (Vys) of the traveling data in the width direction is read from the FIFO buffer in the traveling control data reading circuit 74 (steps 6u and 6v). ).

Using the read traveling data (Vys) for the next control section 1a in the width direction and the accumulated error time Dtyo or the like obtained in step 6t, the target speed Vy of the next control section 1a in the width direction is calculated as Vy = Vys. * (Tyo /
(Tyo-Dtyo)), the motors 12l and 12r are controlled according to the target speed (step 6q). Hereinafter, the process returns to step 6d.

At step 6u, the traveling data (Vys) for the next control section 1a in the width direction stored in the FIFO buffer in the traveling control data reading circuit 74.
If there is no, the value of the traveling data (Vys) for the next control section 1a in the width direction is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step 6w.

The speed control in the goal direction at the corner 1c of the running course 1 is performed as follows. As described above, since the bar code pattern 6 is provided radially at the corner 1c of the traveling course 1, the distance between the inside and outside of the course 1 differs in the control section 1b in the goal direction corresponding to this portion. In this example, the corner portion 1 of the traveling body 10
By adjusting the travel data in accordance with the position in the width direction on c, the distance of the control section 1b in the goal direction at the corner 1c is made pseudo equal. Specifically, the speed specified by the traveling data is the innermost control section 1 in the width direction.
Since the traveling speed of the traveling body 10 is set as the speed when passing through the a, the traveling body 10 is configured to increase the speed in the goal direction toward the outside at the corner 1c based on the position in the width direction obtained from the power supply electrode 4. By performing control in such a corner portion, the host control device 500 that determines the race development of the plurality of traveling bodies 10 actually travels the same distance in the race of the traveling body 10 traveling different distances in the goal direction. Can be recognized as a race. Therefore, when determining the ranking of the plurality of traveling bodies 10 before the race starts, it is only necessary to consider the traveling time of traveling the same distance.

In this embodiment, the error is corrected in the goal direction. However, in order to avoid this overcorrection, when the distance measured by the encoder exceeds the distance of the previous control section, the running speed at which the target speed Vx is read out. The data rate may be returned to Vxs.

As described above, since the running of the running body is controlled in units of control sections, all running bodies do not change in running at almost the same timing as in the prior art, and the unnaturalness in race running is reduced. Can be eliminated. If this point is further added, in actual horse racing or the like, there is a so-called game point on the course, and the speed is increased or decreased near this point. In the case where the running is controlled for each control section as in this example, a race such as an actual horse race or the like can be easily realized if the boundary of the control section is adjusted to the game point.

Further, the traveling data for controlling the traveling of the traveling body is not an absolute position determined by the XY coordinates as in the prior art, but the traveling direction and the traveling speed or the traveling direction and the traveling direction in the control section. Conventionally, the host controller 500 is used, for example, in a case where a plurality of running bodies form a platoon and run a parade before a race is performed.
Has to output different traveling data to each traveling body, but in this example, all movable bodies can be controlled by the same traveling data. That is, in such a case, the operation of the host control device 500 can be reduced, and power can be saved.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide a portion where the traveling body does not actually travel, that is, there is no need to provide wires or the like for determining the XY coordinates inside or outside the course as in the related art, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Can be achieved.

[0063]

According to the present invention, for example, when the movable bodies form a row and travel in a parade, the traveling of all the movable bodies can be controlled by the same travel data. Therefore, the amount of traveling data can be reduced, and the operation of the control means for controlling the traveling of the movable body can be reduced, and power can be saved. Further, many traveling patterns can be realized with a simple traveling control data generation function and a small traveling control data storage memory.

Further, it is possible to change the traveling of the movable body in each of the control sections in the goal direction and in a direction different from the goal direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall external view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a driving mechanism of the running body and the model horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a control section in a goal direction in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a control section in the width direction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 5;

[Description of sign]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Desired area 1a Control section 1b Control section 8 Goal 10 Movable body 500 Control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle comprising: a plurality of movable bodies traveling in a goal direction provided in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections; and control means for controlling traveling of the movable body. In the competitive game device provided, the control means outputs travel data indicating a moving direction and a moving speed of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body. A competitive game machine characterized by running according to running data. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the traveling data is
First travel data indicating the moving speed of the movable body in the desired area in the goal direction; and second traveling data indicating the moving speed of the movable body in a direction different from the goal direction in the desired area. A racing game device comprising running data, wherein the desired area is divided into a plurality of control sections independently in the goal direction and in a direction different from the goal direction. 3. A plurality of movable bodies that travel in a desired area divided into a plurality of control sections in a goal direction provided in the area, and control means that controls traveling of the movable bodies. In the competitive game device provided, the control means outputs travel data indicating a moving direction and a moving time of the movable body in the divided control section to the movable body. A competitive game machine characterized by running according to running data. 4. The driving data according to claim 3, wherein
A third travel data indicating a moving time of the movable body in the desired area in the goal direction and a fourth traveling data indicating a moving time of the movable body in a direction different from the goal direction in the desired area. A racing game device comprising running data, wherein the desired area is divided into a plurality of control sections independently in the goal direction and in a direction different from the goal direction.