JP2018158236A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of detecting pushing operation even when a presentation button is pushed into or the like in a state of being inclined.SOLUTION: Two sets of operation pieces 47 and photo sensors 46 are provided for detecting pushing operation of a presentation button 25. Further, when the pushing operation is detected by at least one of the photo sensors 46, various presentations corresponding to the pushing operation of the presentation button 25 are configured to be performed, as the presentation button 25 has been pushed into. Therefore, even if the pushing operation is detected only by one of the photo sensors 46 due to the inclination of the presentation button 25, for example, at the time of the pushing operation, a presentation using the presentation button 25 can be performed. Accordingly, interest of a player cannot be impaired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

  Conventionally, a pachinko machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, is provided with a button unit including an effect button that a player pushes in during a game (for example, Patent Document 1). In a general button unit, one detection means such as a photosensor is provided on the substrate fixed to the case body of the button unit, while the effect button attached to the case body is movable. It is possible to detect the push-in operation of the effect button by providing one portion to be detected that is detected by the detecting means such as.

JP 2009-112212 A

  According to the present invention, the detected part moves away from the detecting means and becomes undetected with the pushing operation of the operating means, and the detected part comes close to or comes into contact with the detecting means when the operating means returns to the initial position. Is to provide a gaming machine.

  The present invention has an operation means capable of being pushed in, a predetermined detected portion, and is connected to the pushing direction side of the operation means. When the operation means is pushed in, the operation means moves in the pushing direction. And the detected means that moves together with the operation means in the anti-pushing direction when the push-in operation on the operation means is released and the operation means moves in the anti-push-in direction, and is mounted on a predetermined substrate. Detecting means for detecting / non-detecting the detected part as the detected means moves, and control means for determining whether or not the operating means is pushed by detecting / non-detecting the detected part by the detecting means The board is provided between the operating means and the detected means, and the detecting means is configured to detect the board. It is mounted on the surface on the means side, and the detected part is separated from the detecting means and becomes non-detected with the pushing operation of the operating means, and the detected object is detected with the return of the operating means to the initial position. The part is detected by being close to or in contact with the detection means.

In addition, it has an operation means capable of being pushed in, a predetermined detected portion and is connected to the pushing direction side of the operating means, and when the operating means is pushed in, it moves together with the operating means in the pushing direction. When the pushing operation on the operating means is released and the operating means moves in the counter-pushing direction, the detected means that moves together with the operating means in the counter-pushing direction is mounted on a predetermined substrate, Detection means for detecting / non-detecting the detected part as the detected means moves, and control means for determining whether or not the operation means is pushed by detection / non-detection of the detected part by the detection means. In the gaming machine provided, the board is provided between the operating means and the detected means, and the detecting means is the detected hand of the board. The detected part is separated from the detecting means and becomes non-detected with the pushing operation of the operating means, and the detected part is returned to the initial position of the operating means. Is detected in proximity to or in contact with the detection means, and a plurality of sets of the detected parts and the detection means are provided, and the control means is a plurality of sets of the detected parts and the detection means. In the at least one set of the detected portion and the detecting means, a first configuration is adopted in which it is determined that the operating means is pushed in when the detected portion is not detected by the detecting means. Is also possible.
And by such a 1st structure, compared with the conventional thing which is only provided with 1 set of a to-be-detected part and a detection means, the pushing operation of an operation means can be detected reliably. The effect that it is possible can be produced. Further, for example, when the operating means is pushed in, the pushing operation can be detected even if the detected means is detected or not detected by only one set of detecting means when the operating means is tilted. Furthermore, there is a case where one of the detected parts is damaged or the detecting means is broken, and the detecting means cannot detect or not detect the detected part even though the set is pushed. However, the push-in operation can be detected if the detected portion is detected or not detected by at least one other set of detection means. Therefore, even in the case as described above, it is possible to execute an effect or the like resulting from the pushing operation of the operation means, and there is an effect that the player's interest is not impaired.

Further, in the case where the first configuration is adopted, the operation surface of the operation means is formed in a circular shape, and when the detected portion and the detection means are viewed from the pushing direction, the center of the operation surface is It is also conceivable to adopt the second configuration in which they are provided on the same circumference as the center.
And by adopting such a second configuration, it is possible to ensure that all the detected parts and the detection are performed when the operation means is pushed in, compared with a case where a plurality of detection target parts and detection means are simply provided. It is possible to produce an effect that the detected part can be detected or not detected by the means.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the pachinko machine from the front side. It is explanatory drawing which showed the game board from the front side. It is explanatory drawing which showed the pachinko machine from the rear side. It is perspective explanatory drawing which showed the button unit. It is the perspective explanatory view which showed the state which decomposed | disassembled the button unit from the upper side. It is perspective explanatory drawing which showed the state which decomposed | disassembled the button unit from the lower side. FIG. 27 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the button unit in a state where the effect button is not pushed in. FIG. 12 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the button unit in a state where the effect button is pushed in. It is explanatory drawing which showed the condition which detects pushing operation of an effect button with a photo sensor. It is explanatory drawing which showed the state which has failed in the photo sensor with the low level.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Overall description of pachinko machine)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the pachinko machine 1 from the front side. Moreover, FIG. 2 is explanatory drawing which showed the game board 2 from the front side. Further, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the pachinko machine 1 from the rear side.
The pachinko machine 1 is a game in which a game ball is driven into a game area 16 formed on the front surface of the game board 2 and flows down in the game area 16, and the game board 2 functions as a support. It is installed on the front upper part of the frame 3 via a middle frame 5 which is a metal frame member. Further, in front of the game board 2, a front door 4 supporting a glass plate (transparent plate) is hinged to the machine frame 3 so as to be able to open one side with the left end edge as an axis. A space in front of the game board 2 that is blocked by a glass plate in particular is a game area 16.

  The gaming area 16 is surrounded by an outer rail 23 and an inner rail 24 that are arranged in an arc shape on the front surface of the game board 2, and a game ball is placed between the rails 23, 24 on the left side of the gaming area 16. A launch passage 13 for driving into the game area 16 is provided. In addition, an effect display unit 6 for displaying decorative symbols, characters, and the like made up of numbers “0” to “9” is provided in the approximate center of the game area 16. Further, a center member 26 provided with an electric accessory 70 or the like is provided on the game board 2 so as to surround the display unit 6 for production, and a start winning opening through which a game ball can win is located below the center member 26. 19 is provided. In addition, a left-handed space SL in which a game ball can flow down is formed on the left side of the center member 26, so that only the game ball flowing down the left-handed space SL can win the start winning opening 19. It has become.

  On the other hand, a right-handed space SR in which a game ball can flow down is also formed on the right side of the center member 26. Further, the right-handed space SR is provided with a gate member 20 through which a game ball can pass and a start winning combination 17 having an operable tongue piece (not shown). The starting winning combination 17 is in an open state in which a game ball can be awarded to a built-in prize opening (not shown) in accordance with the operation of the tongue piece, and a game ball cannot be awarded to the prize opening. It changes to either one of the closed states. Further, two large winning attackers 18a and 18b having openable and closable door members are installed below the right-handed space SR (a position below the center member 26 and to the right of the start winning opening 19). . Then, the game ball is caused to flow down the right-handed space SR instead of the left-handed space SL, thereby allowing the gate member 20 to pass through, winning the starting winning combination 17 in the open state, or even opening the large It is possible to efficiently win the winning attackers 18a and 18b. Note that a large number of game nails (not shown) are implanted on substantially the entire surface of the game area 16 regardless of whether the center member 26 is left or right. In addition, a special symbol display unit (not shown) including a 7-segment display for displaying special symbols is provided at the lower right portion of the game board 2 outside the game area 16.

Further, on the front side of the machine casing 3 and below the game board 2, a supply tray 7 for supplying game balls to the launching device 10 and a storage for storing game balls overflowing from the supply tray 7. A tray 8 is attached. The supply tray 7 can be opened to the machine frame 3 with the opening of the front door 4 and the storage tray 8 with respect to the machine frame 3 with the opening of the middle frame 5, respectively. Further, on the right side of the storage tray 8, a handle 9 for operating the launching device 10 and adjusting the driving strength of the game ball into the game area 16 is installed so as to be rotatable. In addition, a button unit 40 (shown in FIG. 4 and the like) having an effect button 25 that can be arbitrarily pushed by the player is provided in front of the supply tray 7.
Further, a pair of speakers 14 and 14 for reporting sound effects and various messages are provided at the upper and lower portions of the front door 4, respectively. In addition, lamp members 15, 15... Incorporating a plurality of LEDs that are lit and blinking according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 and the like are provided on the upper part of the front door 4 and on the left and right side parts.

  On the other hand, on the rear side of the machine casing 3, there are a storage tank 11 for storing game balls to be paid out as rental balls and prize balls to the supply tray 7, a payout device 12 connected to the storage tank 11, and a payout device 12. A payout control device 28 for controlling the payout operation, a power supply device 29 for supplying a power supply voltage to each control board, device, and member are installed. Reference numeral 21 denotes a center cover formed in the shape of a cover made of synthetic resin. Inside the center cover 21, main control for executing main control relating to the game (for example, so-called jackpot lottery). A device (not shown), a display control device (not shown) for controlling the display operation and the like in the effect display unit 6, a light emission control device (not shown) for controlling the lighting / flashing operation and the like of the lamp member 15, and a speaker 14, and a sound control device (not shown) that controls the sound-reporting operation from 14, and the operation of the display control device, the sound control device, and the like, and a sub that detects the pressing operation of the effect button 25 as will be described later. A control device 30 and the like are installed. In addition, 22 is a plug for connecting the pachinko machine 1 to a transformer, and 27 is a ground.

  In the pachinko machine 1 as described above, the player operates the launching device 10 by turning the handle 9 to drive a game ball into the game area 16 through the launch passage 13, and first, the left-handed space SL is created. Aim to win the game ball to the start winning opening 19 by flowing down. Then, when the result of so-called jackpot lottery executed due to the winning detection of the game ball becomes “hit”, a predetermined “hit symbol” is fixedly displayed on the special symbol display section and the effect display section 6 respectively ( For example, “7, 7, 7” is confirmed and displayed on the effect display unit 6). Further, when the “hit symbol” is confirmed and displayed, a so-called “hit state” occurs in which the door members of the big prize attackers 18a and 18b are intermittently opened a predetermined number of times. Therefore, the player performs “right-handed” to flow down the right-handed space SR and aims to win game balls to the big winning attackers 18a and 18b that are intermittently opened.

  In addition, after the jackpot state is finished, a so-called short-time state occurs in which the start winning combination 17 is frequently opened until the number of fixed symbols displayed on the special symbol display unit reaches a predetermined number. Therefore, the player continues “right-handed” until the short-time state ends, aiming to pass the game ball to the gate member 20 and to win the game ball to the start winning combination 17. Then, when the number of symbols fixed display reaches a predetermined number of times and the time-short state is finished, the game is returned to the above-described game in which the “right-handed” is stopped and the left-handed space SL is made to flow down. In such a series of games, in the button unit 40, the effect button 25 is lit in various modes according to the game situation under the control of the sub-control device 30, and the player pushes the effect button 25. Prompt. Then, when the player pushes the effect button 25 at a predetermined timing, the sub control device 30 detects the push operation, and a specific image flows on the effect display unit 6 or the electric accessory 70 is specified. Or operate in a manner.

(Description of the structure related to detection of push-in operation on the button unit)
Here, the structure related to the detection of the pushing operation of the button unit 40, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described in detail.
First, the structure of the button unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view showing the button unit 40. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view showing the state where the button unit 40 is disassembled from above. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view showing the state in which the button unit 40 is disassembled from the lower side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the button unit 40 in a state where the effect button 25 is not pushed. FIG. 8 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the button unit 40 in a state in which the effect button 25 is pushed in.

  The button unit 40 includes a main body case in which an upper case 41 and a lower case 42 are assembled, a partition plate 43 fixed to the inside of the main body case, a switch substrate 44 fixed to the main body case below the partition plate 43, The effect button 25 assembled so that the circular operation surface is exposed from the upper case 41, the operation plate 45 connected to the effect button 25 below the partition plate 43, and the operation plate 45 are attached upward (counter-pushing direction). And an energizing coil spring 48. Two well-known photosensors 46 each having a pair of light receiving elements and light emitting elements are mounted on the lower surface of the switch substrate 44, while the protrusions of the photosensors 46 protrude upward from the operation plate 45. Two operation pieces 47, 47 that can shield between the light receiving element and the light emitting element are provided. The photosensors 46 and 46 and the operation pieces 47 and 47 are located on the same circumference centered on the center of the operation surface and facing each other across the center when viewed from the pushing direction of the effect button 25. Is provided.

  In the button unit 40, when the production button 25 is not pushed, the operation plate 45 is in the raised position, and each operation piece 47 is close to each photo sensor 46 and shields between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. It is in a state (FIG. 7). When the effect button 25 is pushed, the operation plate 45 is also lowered in conjunction with the effect button 25 so that each operation piece 47 is separated from each photo sensor 46 and the shielding state of each photo sensor 46 is released. (Fig. 8).

Next, control related to detection of the push operation of the effect button 25 in the button unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The operation of the effect button 25 is detected by the sub-control device 30 as described above, and the sub-control device 30 reads the state of the photosensors 46 and 46 every predetermined unit time (for example, 1 ms), and temporarily stores it in the RAM or the like. After being stored as state information in the sensor storage means, the operation state of the effect button 25 is determined based on the state information. That is, in the state of FIG. 7 in which the effect button 25 is not pushed, when the sub control device 30 reads the state of the photosensors 46, 46, the output of the photosensors 46, 46 is at a high level (H) indicating detection. It becomes a state. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 8 in which the effect button 25 is pressed, the outputs of the photosensors 46 and 46 are in a low level (L) state indicating non-detection.

  Then, the sub-control device 30 executes the following monitoring control from when the pachinko machine 1 is turned on until a predetermined monitoring time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses. First, after the power is turned on, the sensor storage means is initialized so that a low level is output from each photosensor 46. Thereafter, the state of each photosensor 46 is read every unit time, and when the monitoring time elapses without detecting a high level state as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined that the photosensor 46 has failed. Further, the sub-control device 30 is in a state in which the effect button 25 is pressed during the monitoring time and is continuously at a high level for 2 unit hours as shown in FIG. If (the position of the arrow in FIG. 9) is detected, it is determined that the photo sensor 46 has been detected. Then, if there is a photosensor 46 that is not determined to have been detected before the monitoring time elapses, it is determined that the photosensor 46 has also failed. Then, after the monitoring time has elapsed, the sub-control device 30 does not read the unit of unit time for the photo sensor 46 determined to be out of order, and excludes it from the operation detection control of the effect button 25. If the sub-control device 30 determines that the photo sensor 46 has been detected, the LED (not shown) in the button unit 40 is turned on in a predetermined notification mode to notify that the photo sensor 46 has been detected. For example, when both the photosensors 46 and 46 are detected when the effect button 25 is pressed, the LED blinks for a predetermined time while only one of the photosensors 46 is detected. For example, the LED may be turned on for a predetermined time. Further, the determination relating to the failure of the photo sensor 46 is cleared by turning off the power of the pachinko machine 1.

  When the monitoring time elapses, the sub control device 30 executes the operation detection control of the effect button 25 using only the detected photo sensor 46. That is, similar to the detection control of the photosensor 46, when the state is continuously high for two unit times and then continuously low for two unit times as shown in FIG. Detect that is pushed. On the other hand, if a high level state is detected even for one unit time, it is determined that the effect button 25 has not been pressed. When the push operation of the effect button 25 is detected, various effects corresponding to the push operation (for example, operating an electric accessory or displaying a predetermined image on the effect display unit 6) are executed. .

Further, the sub-control device 30 determines that it is a so-called continuous hitting operation in which the effect button 25 is intermittently pressed a plurality of times within a predetermined first effect period. For example, the operation detection control is not performed during a period of about 100 ms to 200 ms, and the repeated operation effect control is executed such that the operation detection control is executed again after the invalid time has elapsed.
Furthermore, if the sub-control device 30 is a so-called long-press effect in which the effect button 25 is continuously pushed in within a predetermined second effect period, several hundred unit hours (for example, after the start of the second effect period) It is determined that the long press operation of the effect button 25 has been started when the low level state has been detected continuously (about 500 ms to 1000 ms). Then, after the start of the long press, when a state where the high level is continuously detected for a unit time is detected, the long press effect control is executed in which it is determined that the long press operation of the effect button 25 is finished.

(Effects of the pachinko machine of this embodiment)
According to the pachinko machine 1 having the above-described configuration, two sets of the operation piece 47 and the photo sensor 46 for detecting the push operation of the effect button 25 are provided. Further, the operation surface of the effect button 25 is formed in a circular shape, and when the photosensors 46 and 46 and the operation pieces 47 and 47 are viewed from the direction in which the effect button 25 is pushed, they are on the same circumference centered on the center of the operation surface. And provided at positions facing each other across the center. Therefore, when compared with the conventional one having only one set of the detected part and the detection means, the push operation of the effect button 25 can be reliably detected when the photosensors 46 and 46 are normal.
When the push operation is detected by at least one of the photosensors 46, various effects corresponding to the push operation of the effect button 25 are executed on the assumption that the effect button 25 is pressed. Therefore, for example, when the production button 25 is tilted during the push-in operation and the push-in operation is detected only by any one of the photo sensors 46, the production using the production button 25 can be executed, and the player's interest is enhanced. There is no loss.

Furthermore, after the power is turned on, a monitoring time is set for determining whether the photosensors 46, 46 are out of order and whether the photosensors 46, 46 can be normally detected, and it is determined that there is a failure during the monitoring time. The photo sensor 46 is excluded from the operation detection control target during the game until the power is turned off thereafter. Therefore, in particular, when one of the photosensors 46 is in a low-level state, or when the operation plate 45 side corresponding to one of the photosensors 46 is damaged (the operation plate 45 itself is damaged, If the photo sensor 46 is not at a high level, the effect using the effect button 25 can be executed by removing it from the operation detection control target. , There will be no obstacles to the game or the player's interest will not be impaired.
In addition, when the photosensors 46 and 46 are detected during the monitoring time, the fact that the photosensors 46 and 46 are detected is notified in a predetermined notification mode. Therefore, the operator can easily and reliably grasp the state of the photosensors 46 and 46.

(Modifications of the present invention)
Note that the configuration related to the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the gist of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the entire gaming machine, but also the configuration related to operation detection control of the operating means. It can be appropriately changed as necessary without departing from the scope.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the state in which the operation means is not pushed is set to the high level, and the push means is set to the low level (that is, when the operation means is pushed, the detection means is For example, the switch board is placed under the operation plate and the photo sensor is mounted on the upper surface of the switch board. The state in which the means is not pushed is set to a low level, and is configured to be at a high level when the pushing operation is performed (that is, when the operating means is pushed, the detecting means detects the detected part, It is of course possible to use a so-called positive theory), and it is designed appropriately whether the detection means detects the detected part or not according to the pushing operation. Is a further possible. Needless to say, the detection means is not limited to a photosensor, and other sensors and switches (for example, a micro switch and a limit switch) can be used as the detection means.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit is pushed in during the monitoring time, and determination is made as to whether or not the push operation is detected via the detection unit. However, the determination may not be performed. By not performing the determination, for example, when any one of the detection means is broken in a state where the pushing operation is not detected, or the operation means side corresponding to any one of the detection means is damaged, the operation means It is impossible to determine when the detection means cannot detect or not detect the detected part in accordance with the pushing operation of the. However, the situation has a lower influence on the game as long as any one of the detected parts and the detection means are normal, as compared with the case where the detection means has failed in the state where the pushing operation is detected. Therefore, it is difficult to impair the player's interest. In the present invention, control related to monitoring may not be performed as necessary (that is, control such as determining whether or not a failure has occurred or removing it from operation detection control targets) may be performed. It is also possible to configure so as to execute control related to another monitoring.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detected portion side is moved according to the pushing operation of the operating means, but the detecting means side is moved according to the pushing operation, such as connecting the switch board to the operating means, It is also possible to configure so that the distance to the detected part changes.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, once the detection means is removed from the target of the operation detection control, it is left out of the target until the power of the gaming machine is turned off. However, it can be configured to return to the target of the operation detection control when returning to the detection state similar to the normal detection means.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the number of detected parts and detecting means is two, but there is no problem if three or more sets of detected parts and detecting means are installed. The installation position can be changed as appropriate.
In addition, as a notification mode when the detection unit is detected during the monitoring time, it may be configured to perform notification using another device such as a speaker, or a detection unit dedicated to detection notification of the detection unit is provided. There is no problem.
Further, in the above embodiment, the monitoring time is set to 30 seconds after the gaming machine is turned on, but monitoring is performed after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the gaming machine is turned on. The time may be set, and it is possible to appropriately change at what timing the monitoring time is set after the game machine is turned on.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control is divided into two control devices, that is, the main control device and the sub control device, but the control is performed by one main control device (the main control device serves as the control means). ) May be configured as follows. Furthermore, the control means for executing the operation detection control can be appropriately changed as to which control apparatus, for example, another control apparatus is interposed between the sub-control apparatus and the detection means. There is no problem.
Furthermore, the number of operation means and the installation position can be changed as a matter of course, and there is no problem even if a plurality of operation means are provided in the gaming machine, and what kind of game the operation means is used for is also described above. There is no limitation to the embodiment.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a pachinko machine that is an example of a gaming machine has been described. However, the present invention is naturally applicable to other gaming machines such as a sealed pachinko machine and a slot machine. .
It should be noted that all elements described in the claims, the description, and the drawings (eg, operation means, detected parts, detection means, control means, etc.) are not specifically described unless the number is consciously limited. The physical arrangement may be single or plural, and the arrangement may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the element names (names given to the elements) used in the claims and the description are merely given for convenience of description of the present case, and thereby have a special meaning. Is not particularly conscious of In other words, what is an element is not limitedly interpreted only by the element name. For example, the “control unit” may be hardware alone or may include software. Further, whether to configure a plurality of elements of all the elements as appropriate integrally or to divide one element into a plurality of elements, unless specifically specified in the claims or the like, Any of these is easily considered by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the adoption of a gaming machine having a structural difference within such a range simply because it is not described in this embodiment does not avoid the right according to the present invention. . The same applies to differences in obvious ranges that can be easily considered by those skilled in the art from the present embodiment in the configuration and shape of each element.

  1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine) 25 ... Direction button (operating means) 30 ... Sub control device (control means) 40 ... Button unit 44 ... Switch board 45 ... Operating board 46 ..Photo sensor (detection means) 47 ..Operation piece (detected part) 48 ..Coil spring.

Claims (1)

An operation means capable of being pushed in, and having a predetermined detected portion and connected to the pushing direction side of the operating means, and when the operating means is pushed in, it moves together with the operating means in the pushing direction, When the pushing operation on the operating means is released and the operating means moves in the anti-pushing direction, the detecting means that moves together with the operating means in the anti-pushing direction, and mounted on a predetermined substrate, Detection means for detecting / non-detecting the detected part as the means moves, and control means for determining whether or not the operation means is pushed by detection / non-detection of the detected part by the detection means. A gaming machine,
The substrate is provided between the operating means and the detected means, and the detecting means is mounted on the surface of the substrate on the detected means side,
As the operating means is pushed in, the detected part is separated from the detecting means and becomes non-detected, and as the operating means returns to the initial position, the detected part approaches or comes into contact with the detecting means. A gaming machine characterized by being detected.

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