JP2005168888A - Spin drum type game machine and operation control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spin drum type game machine and an operation control method thereof which make the restriction of the fatigue of the hands and the like possible in the game operation. <P>SOLUTION: The spin drum type game machine having a plurality of reels is provided with a head set having a bone guide microphone, a means for the voice recognition of the word information from the signals obtained through the bone guide microphone in the speaking by the players with the head set and an output means which carries out the game operation arranged to be matched with the operation instruction language when the work information coincides with the operation instruction language previously registered on a management table. Thus, the game operation by the input of voice is made possible, thereby reducing the burden on the hands of the players in the game operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a spinning machine such as a slot machine provided with a spinning device, and more particularly to a spinning machine such as a hand-operated gaming machine and a method for controlling the operation thereof.

  Conventionally, in a swivel type gaming machine such as a slot machine, operation input means such as a switch or a lever for performing a game operation is provided on a front panel facing the player, and these operation input means are manually operated by the player. The game is configured to proceed by direct operation.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a general slot machine includes a spinning device formed of three reels 311a, 311b, and 311c, a medal insertion portion 241, a start lever 245, and stop buttons 246a and 246b. , 246c and the like, and these are arranged at appropriate positions on the front panel 2.

  A plurality of types of symbols (not shown) are drawn on the peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 311a, 311b, and 311c so that these symbols can be viewed through a transparent display window 222 formed on the panel surface 221. It has become. The start lever 245 is a lever switch that is turned on when tilted, and the stop buttons 246a, 246b, and 246c are push-button switches that are turned on when pressed.

  In a conventional slot machine, when a player inserts a game medal into the medal insertion unit 241, the start of the game becomes effective, and the start lever 245 disposed on the console 24 slightly protruding toward the player is tilted. Then, all the reels 311a, 311b, 311c rotate at the same time. When the player presses any stop button 246a, 246b, 246c, the reel corresponding to the stop button is braked and stopped. When all the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c are stopped and the symbols displayed on the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c are arranged in a predetermined combination, a prize is won, and the number of game medals corresponding to the type of the prize is paid out from the discharge port 232. ing.

  However, in the conventional slot machine described above, the player must press the stop buttons 311a, 311b, and 311c at least three times per game, and if the game is continued for a long time, There was a problem of fatigue.

  In addition, for a handicapped person or a left-handed player who operates the stop buttons 311a, 311b, 311c with the hand on the same side as the start lever 245 described above, There is also a problem that the burden on the hand is increased, and the hand becomes extremely tired even after several games.

  The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and provides a revolving type gaming machine and its operation control method for suppressing hand fatigue in game operation and improving the operability or convenience of the game. The purpose is to do.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a swivel-type gaming machine having a plurality of reels that display a variety of symbols drawn on the peripheral surface in response to an operation by the player, and has a bone conduction microphone, Operation with respect to a headset to be worn, voice recognition processing means for recognizing word information included in a signal detected by the bone conduction microphone, and a game operation for starting or stopping rotation of the reel A management table registered in association with a command word is searched, and when the word information recognized by voice matches one of the operation command words registered in the management table, the matching operation command Output means for outputting an electrical switch signal for performing the gaming operation associated with the word.

  According to the swivel type gaming machine according to claim 1, when the player wearing the headset utters an appropriate word when performing an operation such as rotating or stopping the reel, the speech recognition processing means The word information contained in the signal is recognized by speech from the signal detected through the microphone. The output means searches a management table in which operation command words are associated with each game operation such as reel rotation or stop, and the word information that has been voice-recognized is registered as an operation command. When the word matches one of the words, an electrical switch signal for performing the game action associated with the matched operation command word is output.

  That is, a game operation corresponding to the operation command word is performed by the player wearing the headset uttering a pre-registered operation command word for rotating or stopping the reel. Thereby, operation by voice is enabled.

  In addition, the bone conduction microphone provided in the headset detects only the voice of the player wearing the headset. That is, malfunctions due to noises of other players are detected without detecting noises such as voices of other players and ambient environmental sounds.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the rotating game machine according to the first aspect, wherein the headset further includes a speaker.

  According to the second aspect of the gaming machine of the present invention, the sound effect that produces the game of the first spinning gaming machine is supplied to the player wearing the headset via the speaker.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the swivel type gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the headset is connected to a main body of the revolving type gaming machine via a connector provided on a front panel. It is connectable.

  According to the swing type gaming machine of the third aspect, the headset is connected to the main body of the spinning type gaming machine via the connector provided on the front panel. When performing voice operation, the headset is connected to the front panel, and when performing normal manual operation, the headset is removed from the front panel. As a result, the torso-type gaming machine can use these two operation modes properly.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swivel type gaming machine according to the third aspect, wherein when the headset is connected to the front panel, it is detected to detect the voice of the player. In response to this, it further comprises operation mode switching means for automatically switching to an operation mode for operating the swivel type gaming machine.

  According to the swing type gaming machine of the fourth aspect, when the headset is connected to the front panel, the operation mode switching means detects this and automatically switches to the operation mode in which the operation is performed by the player's voice. Switch to. Thereby, this torso-type gaming machine can use these two operation modes properly, and the convenience of the player is also improved.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the swivel type gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a plurality of the operation command words are associated with the one gaming operation, and the management table. Can be registered.

  According to the spinning machine of the fifth aspect, it is possible to register a plurality of operation command words in the management table for one game operation. In other words, by registering an arbitrary operation command word that the player likes or remembers in the management table, the operability in voice operation or the convenience to the player is improved.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the rotary gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the word information recognized by voice coincides with one of the operation command words, It is further characterized by providing an informing means for informing the player.

  According to the revolving game machine of the sixth aspect, the notifying means notifies the player when it is determined that the word uttered and recognized by the player is a predetermined operation command word. Thereby, the player can confirm that the operation inputted by voice is accepted as effective, and the convenience in the voice operation is improved.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the swivel type gaming machine according to the sixth aspect, wherein the notification means is a lamp built in a stop button, and the lamp is turned on or the lighting color is changed. The notification is performed by making it happen.

  According to the swivel type gaming machine according to claim 7, when it is determined that the word spoken and voice-recognized by the player is a predetermined operation command word, the lamp built in the stop button is turned on or its The player is notified by changing the lighting color. Accordingly, the player can surely know that the operation inputted by voice is accepted as effective, and convenience in voice operation is improved.

  The invention according to claim 8 is an operation control method in a revolving type gaming machine having a plurality of reels that variably display symbols drawn on a peripheral surface in accordance with an operation by a player, the head having a bone conduction microphone The bone conduction microphone detects the voice uttered by the player wearing the set, recognizes the word information included in the voice, and the gaming operation to start or stop the rotation of the reel Searching for a management table in which operation command words are registered in association with each other, and comparing and collating the word information recognized by speech with the operation command words registered in advance in the management table; Performing the gaming operation associated with the matched operation command word when the word information matches one of the operation command words. The features.

  According to the operation control method of claim 8, when a player wearing the headset utters an appropriate word when performing an operation such as rotating or stopping the reel, the signal detected via the bone conduction microphone is used. The word information contained therein is recognized by voice. Then, by searching a management table in which operation command words are associated with each game operation such as reel rotation or stop, the word information recognized by voice and the operation command words registered. Is compared. When the speech-recognized word information matches one of the registered operation command words, the game action associated with the matched operation command word is executed.

  That is, a game operation corresponding to the operation command word is performed when the player wearing the headset utters a pre-registered operation command word for starting or stopping the rotation of the reel. Thereby, operation by voice is enabled.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game operation corresponding to the operation command word is made by the player wearing the headset uttering a pre-registered operation command word for rotating or stopping the reel. Is done. Thereby, the burden of the hand in game operation can be reduced and hand fatigue can be suppressed.

  In addition, the bone conduction microphone provided in the headset detects only the voice of the player wearing the headset. That is, since noises such as voices of other players and ambient environmental sounds are not detected, malfunction due to these noises is prevented.

  According to invention of Claim 2, the sound effect etc. which produce the game of the said spinning machine are supplied to the player wearing the headset via the speaker. As a result, the player can enjoy the game effect sound and the like without being interfered by the surrounding environmental sound, and the interest of the game is enhanced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to selectively use two operation modes for voice operation and normal hand operation by detaching the headset from the front panel.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, by removing the headset from the front panel, the operation mode for performing voice operation and the operation mode for normal manual operation are automatically switched to improve the convenience of the player. To do.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since it is possible to register any operation command word that the player likes or is easy to remember, the operability in voice operation or the convenience to the player can be improved. it can.

  According to the sixth and seventh aspects of the invention, the player can confirm that the voice input operation is accepted as being valid. Thereby, the operativity or convenience in voice operation can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the game operation corresponding to the operation command word is made by the player wearing the headset uttering a pre-registered operation command word for rotating or stopping the reel. Is done. Thereby, the burden of the hand in game operation can be reduced and hand fatigue can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine 1 will be described as a preferred embodiment of the spinning cylinder game machine of the present invention. Here, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the front door 2 of the slot machine 1.

  The front door 2 includes an upper panel portion 21, a middle panel portion 22, and a lower panel portion 23, which are designed as a decorative board facing the player side and are integrally formed of hard plastic. Further, an operation console 24 is integrally formed between the middle panel portion 22 and the lower panel portion 23 so as to protrude slightly to the player side, and a switch to be described later for operating the game of the slot machine 1. Are arranged.

  A liquid crystal display device 211 for displaying an image for producing a game is arranged in the center of the upper panel portion 21, and the image of the liquid crystal display device 211 is viewed through a display window 212 formed of a transparent hard plastic plate. It is like that. Sound emitting portions 214a and 214b each having a plurality of slit holes are formed on both sides of the display window 212, and speakers (251a and 251b) (not shown) for producing sound effects that produce a game are provided on the sound emitting portions 214a and 214b. It is attached to the back side. In addition, a high-intensity light emitting diode is incorporated in the upper end portion of the upper panel portion 21, and an effect lamp 213 is provided for effecting light by lighting or blinking them.

  The middle panel portion 22 is provided with a panel surface 221 formed of a hard plastic plate or the like. A substantially rectangular transparent display window 222 is formed substantially at the center of the panel surface 221, and the three reels 311a, 311b, and 311c of the spinning device 31 provided in the housing 3 can be visually observed through the display window 222. It is like that.

  Here, each of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c has a cylindrical shape having the same diameter, and is arranged side by side along the rotation axis. A plurality of types of symbols (not shown) are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c along the circumferential direction, and the player passes through the display window 222 formed on the panel surface 221. The three symbols in the vertical direction drawn on the reel and the symbols in the three rows of reels arranged in the horizontal direction can be visually observed. In addition, the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c are rotated and stopped in accordance with the player's operation, whereby the type of the displayed reel symbol is changed.

  Further, on the panel surface 221 of the middle panel portion 22, for example, a game information display device 223 that displays information related to a gaming state such as an internal winning for a winning combination with a lamp or the like, and a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a matrix. The dot display device 224 that displays dot images by selectively emitting light from the light emitting diodes, and the number of game medals (hereinafter simply referred to as “medals”) credited (stored) in the slot machine 1 or won by winning A numerical information display device 225 including a 7-segment LED for displaying numerical information such as the number of medals or the number of winning winning combinations is provided.

  Further, effect lamps 226a and 226b incorporating high-intensity light emitting diodes are arranged on both sides of the middle panel portion 22.

  On the lower side of the middle panel portion 22, the above-described console 24 is formed having a flat surface that is slightly lowered toward the player side (forward). A medal insertion unit 241 for inserting medals is provided on the right side of the plane of the console 24, and three bet buttons 242, 243, and 244, which are push button switches, are provided on the left side of the plane. .

  Although not shown in the figure, the medal insertion unit 241 is provided with a selection mechanism for determining whether or not the inserted medal is a regular one in the housing 3, and when a regular medal is inserted. A medal insertion sensor (248) that detects this and sends a detection signal to a later-described main control board (300) is incorporated in the selection mechanism.

  The bet buttons 242, 243, and 244 are button switches for presenting the number of medals to bet on one game of the slot machine. When the game is started, the bet button 242 is pressed, and one medal is bet on the game from the stored medals. Similarly, when the bet button 243 or 244 is pressed, two or three medals are bet. Note that the bet button 244 is particularly called a “max bet button” because it is provided to present the maximum number of medals that can be bet on one game.

  A start lever 245 for instructing the start of rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, 311c is provided on the front left side of the console 24. The start lever 245 is provided with a swingable operation rod having a spherical operation knob at the tip, and is turned on when the operation rod is tilted, and automatically when the hand is released from the operation rod by the biasing force of the spring. It is formed of a switch unit that returns to a position and is turned off.

  Three stop buttons 246a, 246b, and 246c, which are push button switches for instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c, correspond to the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c, respectively, at the center of the front surface of the console 24. Is provided. The stop buttons 246a, 246b, and 246c are switches for independently stopping the rotating reels 311a, 311b, and 311c by pressing them. Each stop button 246a, 246b, 246c has two light emitting diodes for emitting and displaying blue and red, respectively.

  A headset 40 having a bone conduction microphone (to be described later) for performing a game operation for starting or stopping the rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c when a player inputs sound is connected to the front right side of the console 24. A connector socket 247 is provided.

  The lower panel portion 23 is provided with a panel 231 for introducing game contents of the slot machine 1 or appearance characters. Under the panel 231, there are provided a discharge port 232 for discharging medals and a tray 233 for receiving the discharged medals. Further, sound emitting portions 234a and 234b formed from a large number of holes are provided adjacent to the discharge port 232, and speakers (252a and 252b) (not shown) that produce effect sound effects are arranged on the back surfaces of the sound emitting portions 234a and 234b. Has been.

  In the slot machine 1, when a player drops a medal from the medal insertion unit 241 and presses any of the bet buttons 242, 243, and 244, the start of the game becomes effective. In a normal manual operation, when the start lever 245 is tilted by the player, the reels 311a, 311b, 311c rotate all at once. Each reel 311a, 311b, 311c reaches a predetermined number of revolutions, and the player presses the stop buttons 246a, 246b, 246c in any order to stop the corresponding reel. Then, when the symbols displayed by the three reels 311a, 311b, 311c all stopped are arranged in a predetermined combination, a prize is won, and the number of medals according to the type of the prize is paid to the player. Yes.

  In the operation of the slot machine 1, in addition to the operation using the stop buttons 311a, 311b, 311c and the like, a predetermined word (herein referred to as “operation command word”) spoken by the player is spoken. It has an operation function of inputting and performing rotation and stop operations on each reel. Next, a headset 40 including a bone conduction microphone (41), which is one component for realizing this function, will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the headset 40 connected to the connector socket 247 on the slot machine 1 side.

  In FIG. 3, the headset 40 is mainly composed of a headband 406 that is formed in a substantially U shape and elastically biased inward, and an ear pad 401 provided at both ends of the headband 406. ing. Each ear pad 401 is provided with a small speaker (42) which will be described later, and at least one ear pad 401 is provided with a bone conduction microphone (41) which will be described later. The headset 40 is attached to the player P by bringing the ear-contact portion 401 of the headset 40 into contact with the ear of the player P while sandwiching the player P's head with the elastically biased headband 406. .

  In the headset 40, a connector plug 44 provided at the distal end portion of a cord 43 that covers the above-described built-in speaker (42) and signal wires of the bone conduction microphone (41) is disposed on the console 24. By being inserted into the connector socket 247, it is connected to the main body of the slot machine 1 and can be removed.

  When the connector plug 44 of the headset 40 is connected to the connector socket 247 of the slot machine 1, the operation mode switching circuit (443) provided on the main body side of the slot machine 1 detects this, and the slot machine 1 A main control board (300), which will be described later, for controlling the entire operation is provided on the headset 40 from the manual operation of the stop buttons 246a, 246b, 246c, etc. by the player to the reels 311a, 311b, 311c. It is configured to automatically switch to a voice operation using the bone conduction microphone 41.

  The operation mode switching circuit (443) detects the connection state of the headset 40 by using a switch provided in the connector socket 247 and mechanically operated when the connector plug 44 is inserted. Alternatively, an appropriate method such as a method of monitoring the resistance (impedance) between the terminal electrodes of the connector socket 247 and detecting the connection state from the difference can be employed.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the earpiece 401 provided with the bone conduction microphone 41. In the figure, the main body of the ear cover 401 is integrally formed of resin or the like, and a small unitized speaker 42 is installed in the inner chamber of the main body of the ear cover 401. A protective plate 404 for closing the inner chamber is disposed on the front side of the speaker 42. A plurality of through holes 405 are formed in the protective plate 404, and sounding sound from the speaker 42 is emitted through these holes 405. The protective plate 404 is covered with a protective mesh 403 that is fixed to an annular edge 402 formed inside the ear rest 401.

  Further, a unitized bone conduction microphone 41 is attached to the approximate center of the protection plate 404.

  The bone conduction microphone detects weak vibration (bone conduction sound) generated when a person speaks through a part of the human body and converts it into an electrical sound signal. The bone conduction microphone 41 according to the present embodiment contacts the external auditory canal of the player's ear and detects a weak vibration caused by the player's utterance, and the contact 412 is provided in the contact 412 to electrically A piezoelectric element 411 that outputs as a signal, and a signal circuit board 413 that amplifies the output signal of the piezoelectric element 411 to a voltage or current signal at a predetermined level are provided.

  According to the headset 40 having such a configuration, when the player P is worn and connected to the main body of the slot machine 1, the bone conduction sound generated by the player P uttering comes into contact with the player P's external auditory canal. The microphone 41 detects it, converts it into an electrical sound signal, and outputs it to the slot machine 1. Therefore, noises such as voices from other players and ambient environmental sounds are not input to the slot machine 1, and the slot machine 1 can be operated only by voices uttered by the player P wearing the headset 40. it can. Thereby, in the voice input operation of the slot machine 1, malfunction due to such noise can be prevented.

  In addition, the sound which is sent out by the slot machine 1 and is used for directing the game is directly supplied to the ear of the player P through the speaker 42 with a built-in sound. Therefore, the player P can enjoy the game effect sound without being interfered by surrounding environmental sounds.

  Next, a control system provided in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  The main control board 300 is equipped with a CPU as an arithmetic unit and electronic components such as a ROM and a RAM, which are semiconductor memories, and the CPU calculates in accordance with a system program and a slot machine game program stored in advance in the ROM. Process. Then, the main control board 300 performs distributed control by sending a control signal including a predetermined command content to each control board such as the sub control board 200 and the revolving apparatus board 310, and thereby the entire slot machine 1 is controlled. Control all over.

  A central display board 240 is connected to the main control board 300. The central display board 240 is connected with switches and sensors such as a medal insertion sensor 248, bet buttons 242, 243, and 244, a start lever 245, stop buttons 246a, 246b, and 246c, and outputs from these switches. It functions as a relay board that transfers output signals to the main control board 300.

  In addition, a voice recognition unit 50 and an operation mode switching circuit 443 described later are connected to the central display board 240. When the main control board 300 detects a short circuit of the operation mode switching circuit 443, the main control board 300 determines that the above-described headset 40 is correctly connected to the main body of the slot machine 1, and enables the operation of the voice recognition unit 50. As a result, the operation mode in which the slot machine 1 performs a game operation in response to the utterance of the player wearing the headset 40 (here, this operation mode is referred to as “voice operation mode”) is switched. During the voice operation mode, the operation signal from the start lever 245 or the stop buttons 246a, 246b, 246c may be invalidated (so as not to be accepted).

  The sub-control board 200 is a control board for mainly controlling and executing effects. The sub-control board 200 includes an illumination control unit 201 for controlling to turn on and blink high-intensity light-emitting diodes that are light sources such as effect lamps 213, 226a, and 226b, and a speaker that outputs effect sound effects. The sound control unit 202 for controlling the sound of the 251a, 251b, 252a, and 252b, and the VDP (Video Display Processor), the frame memory, the video RAM, or the like are mounted, and control for displaying the effect image on the liquid crystal display device 211 is performed. A display device control unit 203 and a game information display control unit 204 that performs control to display game information on the dot display device 224, the game information display device 223, and the like are provided.

  When the sub control board 200 is supplied with a control signal suggesting the start of production from the main control board 300, the sub control board 200 drives the production lamps 213, 226a, 226b, the speakers 251a, 251b, 252a, 252b, etc. By displaying the effect image on the device 211, an effect appealing to the visual and auditory sense of the player is performed.

  Stepping motors 312a, 312b, and 312c for rotating the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c are connected to the spinning device substrate 310, and the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c should be rotated or stopped from the main control board 300. When the control signal is supplied, the spinning device substrate 310 controls the rotation operation of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c by controlling the period or pulse width of the drive pulse signal to the stepping motors 312a, 312b, and 312c.

  The power supply board 330 connected to the main control board 300 is formed with a power distribution circuit that distributes various power supply voltages generated by the main power supply apparatus 331 to the hopper device 321 and other parts. System power necessary for the operation of 1 is supplied. Further, when receiving a command to pay out medals from the main control board 300, the power supply device board 330 controls the hopper device 321 to pay out medals from the discharge port 232.

  Next, the configuration of the speech recognition unit 50 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6 and the table of FIG. Although not specifically shown in the drawing, the voice recognition unit 50 includes a CPU and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), which cooperate to input a sound signal from the bone conduction microphone 41 of the headset 40. Digital processing. In particular, the front part of the speech recognition unit 50 includes a digital sampling unit 51, which is a signal processing block mainly executed by the DSP, a speech extraction filter 52, and a spectrum analysis unit 53.

  In FIG. 6, the sound signal output from the bone conduction microphone 41 is input to the speech recognition unit 50, and converted into a digital sample value signal having a predetermined cycle by the digital sampling unit 51. The sound extraction filter 52 is formed as a digital bandpass filter that passes only the main frequency band of human speech, and mainly extracts a speech signal related to human speech from a sample value signal of the sound signal. Then, only a signal having a predetermined signal level or higher that passes through the frequency band is output to the next spectrum analysis unit 53 as an audio signal.

  The spectrum analysis unit 53 estimates a tone filter transfer function including information on phonemes (vowels, consonants, and sound repellents) from the above-described speech signal. Here, the audio signal is modeled as a convolution of a sound source signal emitted from a human vocal cord and a so-called tone filter transfer function, which is a characteristic of modulating the sound source signal into an audio signal by the mouth, nose, and tongue. can do. That is, the signal processing in the spectrum analysis unit 53 is intended to separate the sound source signal and the tone filter transfer function from the audio signal, and to estimate the phoneme information included in the separated tone filter transfer function. . As a specific method of such signal processing, a cepstrum analysis method or the like is used as a representative method, and the spectrum analysis unit 53 performs an audio signal for each audio section (frame) that can be regarded as a steady state of about several tens of msec. Thus, the power spectrum of the tone filter transfer function is obtained.

  Next, the word conversion unit 54 estimates phonemes corresponding to the shape of the power spectrum (dynamic characteristics of the audio signal) including the phoneme information extracted in the previous stage. That is, the phoneme included in the speech signal is estimated by correlating the obtained spectrum of the frame with a previously known phoneme spectrum. Then, the obtained phonemes are arranged in time series to be converted into one word (word), which is recognized as a word uttered by the player.

  The word registration management unit 55 includes an operation command word management table 551 shown in FIG. 7 in which game operations in the voice operation mode of the slot machine 1 are associated with registered operation command words for performing the operation. It is prepared as a database. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation command word for performing the operation is formed from simple words such as “hidari” and “migi”.

  For example, No. in the operation command word management table 551 is displayed. In the column 1, the game operation “stop the first reel (311 a)” corresponds to the operation command word “hidari”. No. In the column 2, the game operation “stop the second reel (311 b)” corresponds to the operation command word “Naka”. As described above, the game instruction performed on the slot machine 1 is associated with the operation command word registered in advance in the word registration management unit 55.

  A plurality of operation command words are associated with one game operation. For example, in response to the game operation of “stopping the first reel (311a)”, no. One column of “hidari” and No. No. 11 “Hi” and No. No. 21 “1” and No. “One” in the 31st column is registered in advance as an operation command word.

  In addition, No. of the operation command word management table 551 is displayed. 101 column and no. As in column 102, an operation command word that does not specify a reel to be stopped (for example, “to rare” or “stop”) is registered.

  In addition, the content of the operation to the slot machine 1 is not limited to the above-described operation for stopping the reel. 201 and no. As shown in column 202, operation command words (“Mamare”, “Start”, etc.) for rotating the reels 311a, 311b, 311c all at once are registered in association with this game operation.

  By adding a column of the operation command word management table 551, an arbitrary operation command word desired by the player is registered. That is, in order to newly register an operation command word, it is automatically registered by inputting the operation command word to the bone conduction microphone 41 while operating an operation means such as a manually input switch. More specifically, when registering the word “pin” as an operation command word for stopping the first reel 311 a, the user presses the stop button 246 a and speaks “pin” to the bone conduction microphone 41. input. In the speech recognition unit 50, the word conversion unit 54 of the speech recognition unit 50 recognizes this word (“pin”), transfers this word information to the word registration management unit 55, and the word registration management unit 55 reads the word. Corresponding as an operation command word for a game operation by operation, it is added to the column of the operation command word management table 551. Thus, a new operation command word can be registered easily. Also, by registering a simpler short arbitrary word as an operation command word, a smooth voice operation using the simplified word can be performed.

  Further, when invalidating registration of a certain operation command word, a column in which the operation command word is registered may be deleted from the operation command word management table 551.

  Needless to say, the game operation in the operation command word management table 551 is actually encoded in the operation command code associated with the game operation and described in the table.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in the word comparison / collation unit 56, the operation command words described in the operation command word management table 551 managed by the word registration management unit 55 are the words recognized by the processing up to the word conversion unit 54. Compare to match. One operation example of the word comparison / collation unit 56 is as follows.

  The word comparison / collation unit 56 refers to the operation command word management table 551 of the word registration management unit 55, and if there is an operation command word that matches the voice-recognized word, executes the game action associated with the operation command word. A command signal for sending is sent to the switch signal output interface 57.

  When the command signal from the word comparison / collation unit 56 is for stopping the rotation of the first reel 311a, the switch signal output interface 57 receives the electrical switch signal (ON signal) via the output terminal 58a. Are output to the central display board 240. Similarly, when a command signal for stopping rotation of the second reel 311b is received, a switch signal is sent via the output terminal 58b. When a command signal for stopping rotation of the third reel 311c is received, a switch signal is sent via the output terminal 58c. Output.

  Further, when the command signal command is to start the rotation of the reel, the switch signal output interface 57 outputs a switch signal for rotating all the reels 311a, 311b, 311c via the output terminal 59. To do.

  For example, when the word “start” is recognized by the signal processing up to the word converter 54 from the sound signal input to the bone conduction microphone 41, the word “start” is rotated by all the reels 311a, 311b, 311c. If the word comparison / collation unit 56 determines that the operation command word is associated with the game operation that starts the game operation, the command signal indicating the game operation is output to the switch signal output interface 57. In response to this, the switch signal output interface 57 is configured to output an electrical switch signal (ON signal) for starting the rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, 311c to the central display substrate 240 via the output terminal 59. ing.

  In addition, when the word “hidari” is recognized from the sound signal input to the bone conduction microphone 41, the word “hidari” is an operation command word associated with the game operation for stopping the first reel 311a. When the word comparison / collation unit 56 determines, the word comparison / collation unit 56 outputs a command signal indicating the gaming operation to the switch signal output interface 57. Then, the switch signal output interface 57 outputs an electrical switch signal (ON signal) for stopping the rotation of the first reel 311a to the central display substrate 240 via the output terminal 58a.

  By such signal processing in the voice recognition unit 50, operation control such as starting and stopping the rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c according to the voice input to the bone conduction microphone 41 by the player is realized. can do.

  Next, an operation example of the slot machine 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Here, the operation in the voice operation mode in which the player wearing the headset 40 operates the slot machine 1 by inputting voice through the bone conduction microphone 41 will be described.

  In the slot machine 1, when a player inserts a medal into the medal insertion unit 241 and the main control board 300 receives a medal insertion detection signal from the medal insertion sensor 248, or any of the bet buttons 242, 243, 244. When the number of medals bet on the game is presented from the medals that are pressed and credited (stored), the game shown in FIG. 8 is started.

  In step S101, a player inputs a word into the bone conduction microphone 41, and information on the word recognized by the voice recognition unit 50 is registered as a predetermined word for starting rotation of the reels 311a, 311b, 311c. That is, if it is determined that the operation command word here (for example, “Mamare” or “Start”, etc.), rotation of all the reels 311a, 311b, 311c is started in Step S102.

  When the rotation speeds of the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c become constant (for example, 80 rpm), a stop operation for each reel is in a ready state, and the blue light emitting diodes built in the stop buttons 246a, 246b, and 246c are turned on. Then, the player performs an operation by sound to stop the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c while timing the timing so that the symbols are aligned.

  That is, in step S103, if the player inputs a word to the bone conduction microphone 41 and determines that the recognized word information is a registered operation command word for stopping any reel, the process proceeds to step S104. Transition. In step S104, the player is notified that the operation by voice has been accepted effectively. In other words, the light emission display by the stop button corresponding to the reel (reel to be stopped by voice) is changed from blue to red and displayed. At the same time, a confirmation sound or the like may be sounded.

  In step S105, the reel that has received the operation is braked and stopped.

  The processing from step S103 to step S105 for stopping the rotation of each reel 311a, 311b, 311c according to the player's voice input operation is performed for all these reels.

  If it is determined in step S106 that all the reels 311a, 311b, 311c have stopped, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the main control board 300 examines the symbols displayed on the stopped reels 311a, 311b, 311c, and if the symbols are not complete, the game ends, and if it is determined that the symbols are aligned for the winning combination, step S108. Proceed to, and pay out the number of medals according to the type of the prize to the player.

  According to the slot machine 1 having such a configuration, the connectable headset 40 is provided, and the reels 311a, 311b, and 311c are operated to start and stop the rotation in accordance with the operation command input to the bone conduction microphone 41. It can be carried out. With such an operation function performed via voice, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player's hand in the game operation. Therefore, even if the game is played for a long time, fatigue does not accumulate in the player's hand.

  Further, since the voice input operation is performed via the bone conduction microphone 41 provided in the headset 40, noises such as voices from other players and ambient environmental sounds are not input to the slot machine 1, and the headset 40 is The slot machine 1 can be operated only with a voice uttered by the player who is wearing it. Thereby, in the voice input operation of the slot machine 1, malfunction due to noise can be prevented.

It is a front view showing the external appearance structure of the slot machine by a prior art. It is a front view showing the appearance structure of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a headset connected to a connector socket of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ear cover portion of a headset provided with a bone conduction microphone according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the speech recognition part by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the operation command word management table with which a voice recognition part is provided by one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... slot machine, 2 ... front door, 3 ... casing,
200: Sub-control board,
232 ... outlet, 233 ... saucer,
24 ... console, 241 ... medal insertion part,
242, 243, 244 ... bet buttons,
245 ... Start lever,
246a, 246b, 246c ... stop button,
247 ... Connector socket,
240 ... central display board, 300 ... main control board,
31 ... Cylinder device, 311a, 311b, 311c ... Reel,
40 ... Headset, 401 ... Earpiece, 406 ... Headband 41 ... Bone conduction microphone, 42 ... Speaker,
43 ... code 44 ... connector plug 50 ... voice recognition unit,
51 ... Digital sampling unit, 52 ... Audio extraction filter,
53 ... Spectrum analysis unit, 54 ... Word conversion unit,
55 ... Word registration management unit, 551 ... Operation command word management table,
56 ... Word comparison / collation unit, 57 ... Switch signal output interface

Claims (8)

A revolving type gaming machine having a plurality of reels that variably display a pattern drawn on a peripheral surface according to an operation by a player,
A headset having a bone conduction microphone and worn by a player;
Speech recognition processing means for recognizing word information contained in the signal detected by the bone conduction microphone;
A management table in which an operation command word is associated with a game operation for starting or stopping rotation of the reel is searched, and the word information recognized by voice is registered in the management table. Output means for outputting an electrical switch signal for performing the gaming operation associated with the matching operation command word when it matches one of the operation command words. Revolving type game machine.   The spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the headset further includes a speaker.   3. The revolving game machine according to claim 1, wherein the headset is connectable to a main body of the revolving game machine through a connector provided on a front panel.   When the headset is connected to the front panel, an operation mode switching means for automatically switching to an operation mode for operating the rotary gaming machine according to the voice of the player by detecting the headset is further provided. The spinning cylinder type gaming machine according to claim 3, further comprising:   5. The revolving game machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the operation command words can be registered in the management table for one game operation. 6.   6. The rotary type according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying a player when the word information recognized by voice coincides with one of the operation command words. Gaming machine.   The revolving gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the notification means is a lamp built in a stop button, and performs the notification by turning on the lamp or changing a lighting color. An operation control method in a rotating type gaming machine having a plurality of reels that variably display a symbol drawn on a peripheral surface according to an operation by a player,
Detecting the voice uttered by a player wearing a headset equipped with a bone conduction microphone, and recognizing the word information included in the voice;
By searching the management table in which the operation command word is associated with the game operation that starts or stops the rotation of the reel and is registered, it is registered in advance in the management table and the word information that has been voice-recognized. Comparing and collating with the operation command word
And a step of performing the gaming operation associated with the matched operation command word when the word information matches one of the operation command words.

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