JP2005058441A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of improving the performance of a speaker function, enabling a player to accept sound effects without the feeling of incompatibility and giving the feeling of presence to the player. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with: a game board 6 where a prescribed game area is formed; and a transparent window unit 9 covering the almost entire game area and having a speaker function. The window unit 9 is provided with: a transparent acrylic plate 92 covering the almost entire game area; a transparent film 93 arranged roughly in parallel with a prescribed gap d to the transparent acrylic plate 92; a tightly sealed space 94 formed between the transparent acrylic plate 92 and the transparent film 93; a driver 96 for generating vibrations corresponding to various kinds of sound effects; and a pipe 97 for an acoustic port which is a vibration transmission member for transmitting the vibrations generated in the driver 96 to air inside the tightly sealed space 94. Then, the sound effects are generated by the vibration of the transparent film 93. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  In general, so-called “pachinko gaming machines” and “slot machines” are known as representative examples of gaming machines in which effects according to various gaming states are implemented.

  This type of gaming machine is usually provided with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display in the approximate center of the gaming board. Then, for example, a plurality of types of symbols (identification information) with the rotator as a motif are displayed on the active line on the image display device in a variable display and stopped with various effects, and the current game state is displayed as a player. To inform.

  The game board provided in front of the gaming machine is provided with a start winning opening which is one of predetermined predetermined winning openings generally called a start chucker. In response to the winning of the pachinko ball at the start winning opening, a random number lottery is performed to determine whether or not an advantageous gaming state has been won by the main controller or the like.

  Here, the advantageous gaming state corresponds to a gaming state (game period) in which the player can advantageously develop the game, such as a so-called “hit state” or “hit state with probability variation”.

  In addition, “atari” and “losing” which are notification contents to be notified in the previous image display device are determined according to the lottery result, and then a variation pattern (effect contents) of the effect related to the notification content is selected. Therefore, a random number lottery for determining a variation pattern is performed in the sub-control device for image processing.

  Then, various symbols are variably displayed on the active line in accordance with the variation pattern determined in this random number lottery. For example, a case where the symbol is stopped with a predetermined symbol combination such as “7-7-7” is displayed. "Atari", and the game state is shifted to an advantageous game state.

  In this way, the player recognizes that an advantageous gaming state has been reached when a predetermined combination of symbols is aligned on the active line. In other words, it is possible to increase the player's expectation by appropriately displaying the effect as if this advantageous gaming state is reached, and to provide further interest in the game.

  By the way, in this type of gaming machine, it is common to generate various sound effects according to the progress of the game, such as when the symbol is changed or when winning a prize.

  In conventional gaming machines, such various sound effects are generated from a speaker provided at the upper end of the gaming machine. Speakers used in conventional gaming machines generate sound effects by using a diaphragm made of paper or urethane as a sound source and directly vibrating the diaphragm with a driver composed of magnets and coils. Was configured to be.

  However, since the conventional gaming machine uses a speaker that directly vibrates a diaphragm as a sound source by a driver, there are the following problems.

  That is, this type of gaming machine generates a sound effect according to the progress of the game as described above, and in order to make more effective use of this sound effect, an improvement in the performance of the speaker is desired.

  Thus, in order to improve the performance of the speaker, it is necessary to use a large speaker. However, a speaker used in a gaming machine is a single component having a certain size, and a space for housing such a speaker is limited in a gaming machine. Therefore, conventionally, a large-sized speaker cannot be used, and as a result, the performance of the speaker cannot be further improved.

  Furthermore, in a conventional gaming machine, a liquid crystal or the like that displays an image is provided at the approximate center of the gaming machine, and sound effects corresponding to various images displayed on the liquid crystal or the like are provided at the upper end of the gaming machine. Since the sound was generated from the speaker, the image display location and the sound effect generation location were separated from each other, and there was a problem that the player felt uncomfortable.

  In addition, the conventional gaming machine has a problem of lack of realism because sound effects are generated only from the upper end of the gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can improve the performance of the speaker function, and the player can accept the sound effect without a sense of incongruity, and can give the player a sense of realism. To provide a simple gaming machine.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the present invention is a gaming machine comprising a gaming board on which a predetermined gaming area is formed, and a transparent window unit that covers the gaming area almost entirely and has a speaker function. A transparent plate member that substantially entirely covers the gaming area, a transparent film that is disposed substantially parallel to the transparent plate member with a predetermined gap, and is formed between the transparent plate member and the transparent film. A sealed space, a driver that generates vibration corresponding to various sound effects to be generated, and a vibration transmission member that transmits the vibration generated by the driver to the air in the sealed space. The sound effect is generated.

  In the present invention, the driver vibrates in response to the sound effect to be generated, and this vibration is transmitted to the transparent film via the vibration transmitting member and the air in the sealed space formed between the transparent plate member and the transparent film. . Thereby, the transparent film vibrates corresponding to the sound effect, the transparent film acts as a sound source, and the sound effect is generated from the transparent film.

  That is, since the entire window unit functions as a large speaker, the performance of the speaker function can be improved.

  In addition, a window unit is arranged on an image displayed on a liquid crystal or the like, and a sound effect is generated from the window unit. Therefore, the display position of the image and the sound effect generation position substantially coincide. Therefore, the player can accept the sound effect without a sense of incongruity.

  Furthermore, since sound effects are generated from almost the entire game board, it is possible to give the player a sense of realism. In general, the transparent film is flexible, and even when the player touches the transparent film, the portion other than the portion touched by the player vibrates, so that the influence on the sound effect can be reduced.

  Further, since there is no need for a space for storing a speaker having a certain size as in the prior art, design restrictions are eliminated. In addition, a space-efficient design is possible, and a gaming machine that is superior in function can be provided.

  Here, it is preferable that the driver and the vibration transmission member are disposed at an end portion of the transparent plate member. As a result, the window unit can be made substantially transparent, so that the driver or the like does not block various patterns and parts provided in the game area, and the visibility of the game area can be prevented from being hindered.

  The above-described configurations can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, since the window unit provided on the front surface of the gaming board functions as a large speaker as a whole, the performance of the speaker function can be improved. Thereby, a sound effect can be utilized more effectively.

  Further, since the sound effect is generated from the image displayed on the liquid crystal or the like, the player can accept the sound effect without feeling uncomfortable. Furthermore, since sound effects are generated from substantially the entire surface of the game board, it is possible to give the player a sense of realism.

  Furthermore, since there is no need for a space for storing a speaker having a certain size as in the prior art, design restrictions are eliminated. In addition, a space-efficient design is possible, and a gaming machine that is superior in function can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine classified as “first type” in the internal regulations of the Act on the Optimization of Business Administration (the law on customs business etc. and the law on business optimization, etc.) will be described as an example. Of course, this is a control technique that is also effective in a spinning machine such as a slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 shown in the present embodiment has an outer frame 3 fixed to a so-called “island” of a game store where the gaming machine 1 is installed, and one side held by the outer frame 3. The front frame 4 is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 3, and the window frame 5 is provided to be openable and closable at the upper front of the front frame 4. The main components of the gaming machine 1 are attached to the front frame 4 in a collective manner.

  The main components provided in the front frame 4 include a game board 6 having a predetermined game area 1a formed on the board surface, a game ball (game medium) to be supplied to the game machine 1, and a game ball paid out from the game machine 1 ( A receiving tray 2 for temporarily storing a prize ball), a firing drive device 7 for launching a game ball on the top of the game board 6, an operation handle 8 for operating the launch drive device 7, and a predetermined number of prize balls as required. A game ball payout device 53 (see FIG. 3) for paying out the game into the tray 2, a main control device 50 for processing main control relating to the game, and a sub-control device for controlling various devices based on commands output from the main control device 50 60 etc. can be illustrated.

  The window frame 5 provided in the front frame 4 includes a window unit 9 that allows a player to look into the previous game board 6 in the frame. The window unit 9 also functions as a speaker that generates sound effects as will be described later. The game board 6 is provided with a decoration LED 10, a decoration lamp 11, a speaker 12, and the like along the outer periphery of the window unit 9.

The tray 2 provided on the front frame 4 is attached below the window frame 5. A spiral slope is formed inside the tray 2, and a gaming ball borrowing port 2 a leading to the CR unit 70 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the most upstream part. A prize ball payout exit 2b for paying out a prize ball is provided downstream of the slope formed in the tray 2.

  A storage ball alignment path 2c that aligns the game balls in the tray 2 in a line and guides them into the game machine 1 is formed at the most downstream portion of the slope. A game ball supply port 2d communicating with the launch drive device 7 is provided at the end of the storage ball alignment path 2c. Further, on the front surface of the tray 2, ball removal buttons 2 e and 2 f for discharging the game balls in the tray 2 to the outside of the tray 2 are provided.

  An ashtray 20 is provided at the lower left of the tray 2. An operation handle 8 is provided at the lower right of the tray 2. The operation handle 8 has a built-in main switch (not shown) for operating the firing drive device 7 provided on the back surface of the front frame 4 and a touch antenna (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of an operation. . The batting force of the game ball can be adjusted by the opening operation for the operation handle 8.

  More specifically, the outputs of the main switch and the touch antenna are input to the launch control device 52 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back of the gaming machine, and the launch drive device 7 controls the launch control device 52. A game ball is launched into the game board 6 below. The launch drive device 7 incorporates a launcher for launching a game ball, an electric motor (not shown) for continuously swinging the launcher, and the like. The hitting force of the game ball is adjusted by reflecting the output on the amount of movement of the launcher.

  In addition, regarding the launching of the game ball, in this embodiment, a firing stop button 21 is provided on the right side of the operation handle 8. The launch stop button 21 is an external operation device for temporarily stopping the launch operation of the game ball while the operation handle is fixed based on the player's judgment. The player operates (presses down) the launch stop button 21. ), It is possible to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball at an arbitrary timing while maintaining the opening degree of the operation handle 8.

  A game ball payout device 53 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the back side of the front frame 4, and stores a game ball as a prize ball, a prize ball counting device for counting game balls to be paid out as a prize ball, and the gaming machine 1. And a prize ball alignment rail for sending the game balls in the game ball tank provided to the prize ball counting device to the prize ball counting device (both not shown). Then, the required number of game balls required at that time are counted by a prize ball counting device and paid out into the tray 2 as prize balls.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball payout device 53 is connected to a payout control device 51. The payout control device 51 controls the award ball payout operation by the game ball payout device 53 based on a control command output from the main control device 50. In addition to the game ball payout device 53, the payout control device 51 is connected with a ball lending signal control device 71. The payout control device 51 operates the CR unit 70 via the ball lending signal control device 71. The required number of game balls are supplied into the tray 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 6 is made of a substantially square plywood and is housed and fixed in a game board housing frame (not shown) formed on the back surface of the front frame 4. Further, a guide rail 13a and a game ball regulation rail 13b are provided on the front surface of the game board 6, and a game area 1a is constituted by an area surrounded by the guide rail 13a and the game ball regulation rail 13b.

  In the game area 1a, there are obstacles 14 such as game nails, windmills, etc., various winning devices 25, 26, 27, 28 in which winning holes through which game balls can enter and game balls that have not been won. An out port 15 for discharging to the outside of the game area 1a and a variable display device 17 for displaying various symbols based on effects are provided.

In the upper part of the variable display device 17 provided in the game area 1a of FIG.
The normal symbol display device (LED display device) 18 for notifying the result of the success / failure determination related to the release control of the display by a symbol such as “O” and “×”, and the passage suspension for displaying the number of right suspensions related to the execution of the success / failure determination A number display lamp 16 and the like are provided. Further, on both sides of the variable display device 17, through-chuckers 49 that trigger the random number lottery executed in the determination of whether or not the opening control of the start chuck 26 is appropriate are provided.

  The obstacles 14 such as game nails and windmills have a function of changing the direction of the fall of the game balls launched on the game board 6 to make the processing of the game balls interesting, and various winning devices 25, 26, 27, 28 and the function of guiding the game ball in the vicinity of the through chucker 49.

  In addition, as a winning device, a general winning device 25 that leads to payout of a predetermined number of winning balls (game balls) by entering a game ball and a jackpot lottery control that will be described in detail later, Examples include the above-described start chuck 26 serving as a trigger for starting a predetermined operation) and a big winning device 27 including an open / close door 27c that is opened when shifting to a special gaming state.

  Each winning device has a built-in sensor (only part of which is shown) for detecting the passing of a game ball, and the output of the sensor is input to the input port of the main controller 50. Here, an operation in which a game ball enters a winning opening provided in these winning devices 25, 26, 27, and 28 is referred to as winning. In particular, when a game ball enters the start chucker 26, this winning is referred to as “start winning”.

  The normal symbol display device 18 in FIG. 2 is a display device for displaying a normal symbol for notifying the result of the determination on whether or not the start control of the start chucker 26 is executed. A symbol such as “×” is displayed. More specifically, “○” is displayed in response to winning / failing determination, and “×” is displayed in response to a loss.

  In addition, this win / no-win determination is referred to as “small hit” by those skilled in the art and players, and the opening control of the start chuck 26 is started on the condition of the win for the small hit. In addition, when the opening control is executed, the movable piece 26b provided in the start chuck 26 moves outward at a predetermined cycle, and the opening of the winning opening 26a is widened compared to the normal time, so that the game ball wins the winning opening 26a. It becomes easy to do. Thereby, the player can enjoy the game advantageously during this time.

  Also, the right to execute the determination is established by passing the game ball to the previous through chucker 49. In other words, when the game ball passes through the through chucker 49, a lottery right for random lottery related to the determination of whether or not the bonus is won is obtained, and the main control device 50 performs the determination of whether or not the bonus is made on the condition that the lottery right is established. Yes. In addition, for example, the lottery right may be suspended with an upper limit of the number of reservations 4, and the number of reservations can be confirmed from the number of lighting of the passage reservation number display lamp 16.

  The big winning device 27 includes a big winning opening 27a having a wider opening compared to other winning openings, a V zone (continuous winning area) 27b opened inside the large winning opening 27a, and a normal gaming state. An open / close door 27c is provided for preventing the game ball from entering the large winning opening 27a. In addition, the open / close door 27c is opened / closed under open / close control that is executed while the special game state continues, and a passage leading to the inside of the special winning opening 27a is secured.

  The open / close door 27c is connected to a solenoid (not shown) provided on the back surface of the game board 6 via a link mechanism in the same manner as the above-described start chucker (start winning prize unit) 26. Under the management of 50 (see FIG. 3), the movable object control device 67 controls the opening and closing thereof.

  In addition, the open / close control is a control that allows the game ball to enter (win) the big winning opening 27a by opening / closing the normally closed open / close door 27c under the execution of the open / close control. Further, under the special gaming state, the unit operation period of the open / close door 27c is set as one round, and the round is normally digested with 15 to 16 rounds as an upper limit. And opening and closing control occurs sequentially with digestion of this round.

  Next, the opening winning device 28 will be described. The opening winning device 28 is formed with an opening 28a through which a game ball can enter, and in the present embodiment, a total of two locations are provided on both sides of the large winning device 27. Further, when a game ball is won through the opening 28a, the movable piece 26b provided in the start chucker 26 is opened for a certain period of time, so that the game ball can easily enter the start chucker 26.

  The specific number-of-holds display lamp 19 includes a plurality of lamps, and displays the number of held start prizes according to the number of lighting of the lamps. The lamp lighting control is managed by the lamp control device 62 (see FIG. 3), which is one of the sub-control devices, as described above. In response to the award, the number of lamps increases by one. Further, when the held start winning is exhausted with the execution of various controls, the number of lamps to be lit is controlled to be reduced by one.

  The variable display device 17 is arranged substantially at the center of the game board 6 and displays image data (identification information) having a motif as a pattern based on various effects. In the case of display of symbols as an example, each image data is continuously variably displayed on an effective line provided in the symbol display area as if the symbols were placed on the rotating drum. In addition, a character image and a background image are displayed together with a symbol, and the player can visually obtain the game by providing the symbol, the character image, and the background image.

  Here, these character images and background images are included, and may be simply referred to as “symbols”.

  Next, the outline of the control method of the variable display device 17 will be described. Under the execution of the program required for control of the variable display device 17, the main control device 50 is a jackpot random number lottery control process for determining whether or not to shift to a game state advantageous to the player when the start winning is established. (Hereinafter, simply referred to as jackpot lottery control).

  Further, in order to notify the player of the determination result, main controller 50 further executes random number lottery for determining a symbol variation pattern, a temporary stop symbol, and a final stop symbol. In this random number lottery, a random number lottery is executed for a data selection table corresponding to “Atari” or a data selection table corresponding to “losing” based on the lottery result of the previous jackpot lottery control. Then, a control command corresponding to the variation pattern data set to the random number range value including the random number extracted by this random number lottery, the type data of the fixed stop symbol, etc. is generated, and the symbol control which is one of the sub-control devices 60 It is transmitted to the device 61.

  More specifically, the data related to the gaming state such as “Atari” and “Loose” is used as a preceding command, and a subsequent command such as variation pattern data is transmitted to the symbol control device 61 together with the preceding command. Then, the symbol control device 61 analyzes the received control command, reads out the image data of the temporary stop symbol and the fixed stop symbol corresponding to this control command from the ROM 61a of the symbol control device 61, and the variable display device together with various effects. 17 is displayed.

The “temporary stop symbol” is a symbol displayed on the active line of the variable display device 17 in a display manner as if it is temporarily stopped. The “determined stop symbol” is a symbol that stops on the active line of the variable display device 17.

  Next, the window unit 9 having the speaker function of FIG. 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the window unit 9 is held by the window frame 5. The window unit 9 includes a transparent glass plate 91 facing substantially the entire surface of the game board 6, and a transparent acrylic plate that is a transparent plate member disposed substantially in parallel with the transparent glass plate 91 at an appropriate interval. A plate 92 and a transparent film 93 disposed substantially parallel to the transparent acrylic plate 92 with a predetermined gap d are provided.

  The transparent film 93 has a thickness of about 1 mm, and examples of the material thereof include acrylic. The gap d between the transparent acrylic plate 92 and the transparent film 93 is preferably about 1 μm to 100 μm. Note that the larger the gap d, the less the high frequency sound is produced.

  A sealed space 94 is formed between the transparent acrylic plate 92 and the transparent film 93. An air layer 95 is sealed in the sealed space 94. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 98 denotes an adhesive layer for bonding the transparent acrylic plate 92 and the transparent film 93, and 99 denotes an acoustic port formed on the transparent acrylic plate 92.

  The window unit 9 also transmits a driver 96 that generates vibrations corresponding to various sound effects, and the vibration generated by the driver 96 to an air layer 95 sealed between the transparent acrylic plate 92 and the transparent film 93. And an acoustic port pipe 97 as a vibration transmitting member. The acoustic port pipe 97 is connected to the acoustic port 99 of the transparent acrylic plate 92.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the driver 96 includes a magnetic circuit 101 controlled by a sound control device 63 (see FIG. 3) and a diaphragm 102 that vibrates due to a force generated by the magnetic circuit 101.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the driver 96 and the acoustic port pipe 97 are arranged on the lower end side of the game board 6 and on the right end side when viewed from the player. Since the driver 96 only needs to generate a force that vibrates the air layer 95, the driver 96 can be miniaturized.

  As described above, since the driver 96 and the acoustic port pipe 97 are small and the driver 96 and the acoustic port pipe 97 are disposed at the end of the game board 6, various patterns provided in the game area 1a. And parts are not obstructed. Therefore, the player can see all the game area 1a.

  Next, the operation of the window unit 9 will be described. When a sound effect generation signal is output by the sound control device 63, this generation signal is supplied to the magnetic circuit 101 of the driver 96.

  As a result, a force is generated in the magnetic circuit 101 at a predetermined timing, and the diaphragm 102 is vibrated by this force. The vibration generated here is transmitted to the air layer 95 in the sealed space 94 via the air layer 95 in the acoustic port pipe 97.

  Thereby, the air layer 95 in the sealed space 94 is vibrated as a whole, and the transparent film 93 in contact with the air layer 95 is vibrated as a whole and acts as a sound source. Then, sound effects are generated from the entire transparent film 93.

  That is, since the window unit 9 functions as a large speaker as a whole, the performance of the speaker function can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, the window unit 9 is arranged on the variable display device 17 (see FIG. 2), and sound effects are generated from the image displayed on the variable display device 17, so that the image display location and the sound effect generation location are displayed. Matches. Therefore, it is possible to provide a natural sound effect that the player can accept without a sense of incongruity.

  Furthermore, since the sound effect is generated from substantially the entire surface of the game board 6, it is possible to give the player a sense of realism. Further, the transparent film 93 is flexible, and even when the player touches the transparent film 93, the portion other than the portion touched by the player vibrates, so that the influence on the sound effect can be reduced.

  Further, since there is no need for a space for storing a speaker having a certain size as in the prior art, design restrictions are eliminated. In addition, a space-efficient design is possible, and a gaming machine that is superior in function can be provided.

The perspective view which looked at the gaming machine which concerns on this Embodiment from the front side. The front view of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control apparatuses of the game machine which concerns on this Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the window unit which concerns on this Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the driver of the window unit which concerns on this Embodiment. The flowchart about the symbol control program which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 1a Game area 2 Receptacle 2a Game ball borrowing port 2b Prize ball discharge port 2c Reserving ball alignment path 2d Game ball supply port 2e, 2f Button 3 Outer frame 4 Table frame 5 Window frame 6 Game board 7 Launch drive device 8 Operation Handle 9 Window unit 11 Decorative lamp 12 Speaker 12 Sound generator 13a Guide rail 13b Game ball regulation rail 14 Obstacle 15 Out port 16 Passed hold number display lamp 17 Variable display device 18 Normal symbol display device 19 Specific hold number display lamp 20 Ashtray 21 Launch Stop Button 25 General Winning Device 26 Start Chucker 26a Winning Port 26b Movable Piece 27 Large Winning Device 27a Large Winning Port 27b Zone 27c Opening Door 28 Opening Winning Device 28a Opening Port 46 Passing Ball Detection Sensor 47 Start Winning Ball Detection Sensor 48 Large winning ball detection sensor 49 thru Jack 50 Main control device 51 Discharge control device 52 Launch control device 53 Game ball payout device 54 Central control device 60 Sub control device 61 Symbol control device 62 Lamp control device 63 Voice control device 65 Processor 67 Movable object control device 70 CR unit 71 ball Lending signal control device 91 Transparent glass plate 92 Transparent acrylic plate (transparent plate member)
93 Transparent film 94 Sealed space 95 Air layer 96 Driver 97 Pipe for acoustic port (vibration transmitting member)
98 Adhesive layer 99 Acoustic port 101 Magnetic circuit 102 Diaphragm

Claims (2)

A game board in which a predetermined game area is formed;
A gaming machine comprising a transparent window unit that covers the gaming area substantially entirely and has a speaker function,
The window unit is a transparent plate member that covers the gaming area substantially entirely, and a transparent film that is disposed substantially in parallel with a predetermined gap with respect to the transparent plate member,
A sealed space formed between the transparent plate member and the transparent film;
A driver that generates vibration corresponding to various sound effects to be generated;
A vibration transmission member that transmits vibration generated by the driver to the air in the sealed space;
A gaming machine, wherein the sound effect is generated by vibration of the transparent film.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the driver and the vibration transmission member are arranged at an end portion of the window unit.

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