JP2938055B1 - Ball game control device for video game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 Abstract: In a video game of a ball-and-ball game machine, a ball-and-ball control device that produces a shot feeling similar to actually shooting a ball in synchronization with the image display of the ball. A motor (40) operated by operating a handle (30), a rotating body (60) rotated by the motor (40), a sensor (80) for detecting the rotating body (60), and a vibration installed on the same base (20) as the handle (30) And a generator 70. The vibration generating device 70 generates vibrations on the base 20 in synchronization with a ball firing signal generated by the sensor 80.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-and-ball game machine, a ball-and-ball controller for a video game, and more particularly, a ball-and-ball game machine, such as a pachinko machine, a combination pachinko machine, a mahjong pachinko machine, etc. A ball-and-ball control device used for a video game to be displayed, which can give a player the same feeling as shooting a ball, even though the ball is not actually shot. The present invention relates to a ball control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a video game at a game center or at home, a game machine of a ball and ball game machine has been provided.

In such a video game, for example, by pressing a button on a controller of a video game machine,
The displayed ball is displayed on the screen. Also, in the controller or the housing of the gaming machine,
There have been video games in which a handle having the same shape as that of an actual ball-and-ball game machine is provided, and the handle is rotated to flip a ball on a screen. More specifically, angle data according to the angle of rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the program control unit, and a ball image is displayed on the screen at a predetermined initial speed according to the angle data.

[0004]

In such a video game, the flight distance of a ball projected on the screen is changed according to the rotation angle of the steering wheel. However, as in an actual ball-and-ball game machine, the so-called shot feeling due to mechanical vibration when a ball is fired has not been considered.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a player with the same shot feeling as actually shooting a ball in such a video game in synchronization with the image display of the ball.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems (Claim 1) In view of the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a handle
A ball control device 10 used for a video game of a ball game machine that displays an image of a ball fired on the screen by 30 operations, a motor 40 operated by operating the handle 30, and a rotation rotated by the motor 40 It has a body 60, a sensor 80 for detecting the rotating body 60, and a vibration generator 70 installed on the same base 20 as the handle 30.
The vibration is generated on the substrate 20 in synchronization with the ball launch signal generated by the base.

The "handle" has the same shape as that used for an actual ball-and-ball game machine. That is, it has a shaft protruding from the housing of the gaming machine and a handle attached to the tip of the shaft and having a diameter larger than the shaft. The player adjusts the firing of the ball on the screen by grasping the handle and rotating it normally clockwise. The shaft usually has a built-in spring, and is formed so that when the hand is released from the handle from the rotated state, the handle returns to the original position.

The "motor" is, as described above, a handle.
It is formed to operate by 30 operations. That is, the handle 30 functions as a switch for operating the motor 40. In addition, the use of the motor 40 gives the player the same sense of realism as an actual gaming machine.

[0009] The "rotating body" is a member that is rotated by the motor 40 described above.

The "ball firing signal" is an electrical signal emitted by the sensor 80 described below. When this signal is received by the control unit of the ball game video game machine, the image of the ball is displayed on the screen. Will be displayed.

The "sensor" refers to a member that transmits a ball firing signal by detecting the rotating body 60 described above. As the sensor 80, an optical sensor can be used. Then, the light beam emitted by the optical sensor is transmitted to the rotating body 60.
A ball firing signal can be transmitted by blocking. Further, it is also possible to reflect a light beam emitted by the optical sensor to the rotating body 60 and transmit a sphere firing signal by detecting the reflected light. Further, a micro switch may be used as the sensor 80, and the rotating body 60 may mechanically contact the micro switch to transmit a ball firing signal.

The “vibration generator” is a device that applies mechanical vibration to the base 20 on which the handle 30 is installed,
Vibration is imparted to the hands of the player operating the handle 30 so that the player can feel the actual ball game machine. The specific mechanism of the vibration generating device 70 will be described later in the respective claims, but it is formed so as to generate vibration in synchronization with the sphere firing signal generated by the sensor 80 described above. Therefore, vibration occurs in accordance with the launch of the ball displayed on the screen.

(Claim 2) The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1, the vibration generating device 70 is configured such that the cam 50 rotated by the motor 40 contacts the vibration generating device 70. The vibration is generated by repeating the release.

That is, the cam 50 is rotated by the motor 40, and vibration is generated by the contact and release of the cam 50 with the vibration generator 70. Note that the motor 40 for rotating the cam 50 may be the same as or separate from the motor 40 for rotating the rotating body 60 as long as it operates by rotating the handle 30.

(Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention according to claim 2, the rotating body 60 and the cam 50 are
It is characterized by being rotated by the same motor 40.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rotating body 60
The motor 40 for rotating the cam 50 and the motor 40 for rotating the cam 50 may be separate. However, if the rotating body 60 and the cam 50 are rotated by the same motor 40 as in the invention described in this claim, the mechanism can be simplified, and the synchronization between the vibration and the ball firing signal is also easy. Can be performed.

(Claim 4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the features of the second or third aspect, a circuit for synchronizing the generation of vibration and the transmission of a ball firing signal is connected to the sensor 80. It is characterized by having.

That is, the vibration is generated by the rotation of the cam 50, and the transmission of the ball firing signal is performed by the rotation of the rotating body 60. If the timings of both are shifted, for example, the vibration is generated during the firing of the ball. This will cause the player to feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, by connecting a circuit, for example, a delay circuit, for synchronizing the generation of the vibration and the transmission of the ball firing signal to the sensor 80, the uncomfortable feeling is eliminated. Specifically, for example, a delay circuit transmits a sphere firing signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time point when the rotating body 60 is detected by the sensor 80.

(Claim 5) A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a vibration generating apparatus in addition to the features of the second, third or fourth aspect of the invention.
70 has a spring 73 connected to the base 20, the spring 73 is compressed by the contact between the vibration generator 70 and the cam 50, and the spring 73 is compressed by the release of the contact between the vibration generator 70 and the cam 50. The vibration is generated on the base 20 by restoring the vibration.

That is, the operation of the motor 40 causes the cam 50
Rotates, and the cam 50 compresses the spring 73. Then, when the cam 50 further rotates and the compression is released, the spring 73 is restored. Due to the reaction at this time, vibration occurs in the base 20. Thereafter, vibration is regularly generated in the base 20 by repeating the compression and restoration of the spring 73.

(Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 2, 3 or 4, the vibration generator
70 has a pressing body 71 pressed by contact with the cam 50, and at one end of the pressing body 71, a contact portion 75 with the base 20 is provided, and the base 20 is in contact with the contact portion 75. Contacted part
The contact portion 75 is separated from the contacted portion 22 by the cam 50 pressing the pressing member 71, and the separated contact portion 75 is restored by releasing the contact between the cam 50 and the pressing member 71. Contact part 22
Vibration is generated by contact with the

That is, the operation of the motor 40 causes the cam 50
Rotates, and this cam 50 presses the pressing body 71. At this time, the contact portion 75 provided at one end of the pressing body 71 is separated from the contacted portion 22 provided on the base 20. And
When the cam 50 is further rotated and the pressing is released, the separated contacted portion 75 is restored to its original position by gravity. At this time, when the contact portion 75 comes into contact with the contacted portion 22 again, vibration occurs in the base 20. Thereafter, the contact portion 75 is regularly separated from the contacted portion 22 and repeatedly comes into contact with the contact portion 75, so that the base 20 is regularly vibrated.

Here, if the contacted portion 22 has a certain weight as a structure such as a hammer, for example, the restoration by gravity is more effectively performed.

(Claim 7) The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 2, 3 or 4, a vibration generating device is provided.
70 has a pressing body 71 pressed by contact with the cam 50, and at one end of the pressing body 71, a contact portion 75 with the base 20 is provided, and at the other end of the pressing body 71, Base 20
A spring 73 connected to the contact portion 75 is provided on the base 20, and the contact portion 22 contacting the contact portion 75 is provided on the base 20, and the contact portion 75 is moved from the contact portion 22 by the cam 50 pressing the pressing body 71. As it separates, the spring 73 compresses, and the cam 50 and the pressing body 71
When the contact is released, the compressed spring 73 is restored and the separated contact portion 75 comes into contact with the contacted portion 22 to generate vibration.

That is, the operation of the motor 40 causes the cam 50
Rotates, and this cam 50 presses the pressing body 71. At this time, while the pressing body 71 compresses the spring 73, the contact portion 75 provided at the other end is separated from the contacted portion 22. Then, when the cam 50 is further rotated and the pressing is released,
The separated contact portion 75 is restored to the original position by the gravity and the restoring force of the spring 73. At this time, the contact part 75 and the contacted part
Vibration occurs in the base 20 due to the contact with the base 22. Thereafter, the contact portion 75 is regularly separated from the contacted portion 22 and repeatedly comes into contact with the contact portion 75, so that the base 20 is regularly vibrated.

(Claim 8) The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1, the vibration generating device 70 is a solenoid operated by a ball firing signal from the sensor 80. .

That is, the current is repeatedly cut off in the solenoid by the ball firing signal generated by the sensor 80, whereby the movement of the iron core is repeated, thereby generating vibration.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The ball control apparatus according to the present invention is used in a game machine 90 as shown in FIG. That is, the housing
A display 92 is provided on the front upper part of the display 91, and an image imitating the board surface of an actual ball game machine is displayed on the display 92.

Below the display 92, a handle 30 similar to that provided in an actual ball game machine is provided together with a coin slot 93, a start button 94, and the like. The handle is provided with the ball control device according to the present invention.
A part of 10, which is for the player to control the ball displayed on the screen.

The gaming machine 90 is generally represented by functional blocks shown in FIG.

That is, when the steering wheel 30 is rotated, the motor 40 operates, and the sensor 80 that detects the operation transmits a ball firing signal to the program control unit 95. At the same time
The rotation angle of the handle 30 at that moment is as angle data,
Sent to program control unit 95.

A program for a video game for a ball and ball game machine is recorded in the program control section 95, and an image corresponding to the program is displayed on the display 92. Then, the program control unit 95 that has received the ball firing signal
Displays an image of a sphere on the display 92 as the predetermined initial speed using the angle data received at the same time.

On the other hand, by the operation of the motor 40 described above, the vibration generator 70 generates vibration in synchronization with the generation of the ball firing signal, and the vibration is transmitted to the handle 30. As a result, the same vibration as that experienced by a player in an actual ball-and-ball game machine is generated.

Hereinafter, the structure of the ball control device 10 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 show a ball control apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a right side view, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view.

The ball control device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a base 20, a handle 30 installed on the base 20, a motor
40, cam 50, rotating body 60, vibration generator 70 and sensor 80
Consisting of Each member other than the handle 30 is shown in FIG.
In the case 91 of the gaming machine 90 shown in FIG.

Each member described below is installed on the base 20. Further, both sides of the base 20 are bent vertically toward the near side to form a base side 21. This foundation side 21
Is a portion to which the vibration generated by the vibration generating device 10 described below is directly given while having the purpose of reinforcing the base 20. That is, a contacted portion 22 on which a rubber pad is mounted is formed at a lower end portion of the base side surface 21, and a contact portion 75 described later is provided.
The impact of the beating caused by the shock is damped.

The handle 30 comprises a handle shaft 31 installed perpendicular to the base 20, a handle grip 32 provided on the player side of the handle shaft 31, and a rotation detecting device 33 provided on the back of the base 20. .

The handle shaft 31 allows the player to handle the handle 32.
By rotating, it is possible to rotate around the axis. A spring (not shown) is built in the handle shaft 31, and the spring is extended by the rotation of the handle 30. That is, as the rotation of the handle 30 increases, the resistance increases.
When the hand is released from the rotated handle 30, the handle 30 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the spring.

The rotation detecting device 33 functions as a switch for operating the motor 40 by the rotation of the handle shaft 31. Furthermore,
The rotation angle of the handle shaft 31 is detected, and the angle data is transmitted to the program control unit 95. As described above, this angle data is recognized as data relating to the initial velocity of the ball to be fired.

The motor 40 is installed such that its rotating shaft 41 projects vertically to the back of the base 20. Then, the cam 50 and the rotating body 60 are provided on the rotating shaft 41. The cam 50 is formed such that a portion having the maximum diameter presses a pressing body 71 described later and releases the pressing immediately thereafter.

The rotating body 60 has a base 61 directly in contact with the cam 50.
And the rotation axis of the motor 40 perpendicular to the base 61 from the tip of the base 61
It comprises an arm 62 extending beyond 41 and a sensor passage 63 projecting perpendicular to the arm 62, that is, parallel to the base 61. The rotating body 60 rotates integrally with the cam 50 so that the sensor passing section 63 passes between the detection bodies 81 of the sensor 80 described later, thereby causing the sensor 80 to generate a ball firing signal.

The cam 50 and the rotating body 60 are mounted on the rotating shaft 41 of the motor 40 with a phase difference such that the generation of vibration and the emission of a sphere firing signal described later are simultaneously performed.

The vibration generating device 70 has a pressing body 71 directly pressed by the cam 50 described above. One end of the pressing body 71 forms a bent cam contact portion 72, and this portion is directly pressed by the cam 50. A spring 73 is provided between the cam contact portion 72 and the base side surface 21 described above. The spring 73 is supported by a guide pin 74 fixed to the base side surface 21 vertically.

The other end of the pressing body 71 extends in the front direction to form a contact portion 75 that comes into contact with the contacted portion 22 described above.

The sensor 80 has a detection body 81 including a light source unit and a sensing unit. In other words, while the light beam emitted from the light source unit does not emit a sphere emission signal while reaching the sensing unit, the light beam is blocked by the sensor passing unit 63 to emit a sphere emission signal. Then, the sensor 80 transmits the ball firing signal to the program control unit 95 described above.

Next, generation of vibration and transmission of a sphere firing signal by the sphere control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

First, when the player rotates the steering wheel 30, the rotation detecting device 33 detects the rotation of the steering wheel 30 and starts the operation of the motor 40.

The operation of the motor 40 causes the cam 50 to move.
Is rotated, and the cam contact portion 72 of the pressing body 71 is
Abut. The cam 50 continues to rotate further and presses the cam contact portion 72, thereby compressing the spring 73 and separating the contact portion 75 from the contacted portion 22. This is the state shown in FIG. The largest diameter portion of the cam 50 is the cam contact portion 72
, The urging force of the spring 73 is released, and the contact portion 75 hits the contacted portion 22 of the base side surface 21 to generate vibration. At the same time, the sensor passage 63 of the rotating body 60
The sensor 80 transmits a ball firing signal to the program control unit 95 by passing through the detector 81 of 80. At the same time, the rotation detection device 33 detects the rotation angle of the handle 30 at that moment, and transmits the angle data to the program control unit 95. This is the state shown in FIG. The program control unit 95 that has received the ball launch signal displays the launch of the ball on the display 92 at the initial speed according to the angle data.

Thereafter, as long as the rotation of the handle 30 is maintained and the player does not exhaust the ball in the game program, the states of FIGS. 4 and 1 are repeated.
Vibration will continue to occur.

In the present embodiment, the cam 50 and the rotating body
By adjusting the phase difference with 60, the release of the contact and the passage of the sensor passage section 63 can be made at the same time, so that the generation of the vibration and the launch of the ball on the screen were synchronized, In addition, the synchronization can be achieved by connecting a delay circuit to the sensor 80 and delaying the transmission of the ball firing signal by a predetermined time, or by displaying the ball after a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception of the ball firing signal by setting a game program. Is possible.

Further, by using the vibration generator 10 as a solenoid and operating the solenoid in response to a ball firing signal emitted by the sensor 80, it is also possible to synchronize the generation of vibration with the firing of a ball on the screen.

Further, the vibration generator 10 can be used only by repeating compression and restoration of the spring 73.
It is possible to generate a vibration. Alternatively, by forming the contact body 75 in a hammer shape without providing the spring 73, the contact body 75 may be pushed up by pressing with the cam 50, and the contacted body 22 may be hit by restoring by gravity.

As shown in FIG. 5, in order to inform the player of the current number of balls possessed, the number of possessed balls is displayed in one corner of a display 92, or a container for accommodating the balls (a so-called "dollar box"). )) Can also be visually displayed. Furthermore, according to the number of acquired balls, it is possible to pay out medals or premiums, or to set such that a predetermined event occurs during the game.

Note that the ball control device 10 can be formed as a controller as in the other embodiment shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to obtain a shot feeling similar to that of an actual ball game machine even with a home game machine.

[0058]

With the above arrangement, the present invention has the following effects.

That is, in a video game in which a ball-and-ball game machine is converted into a game, a mechanical vibration is generated in synchronism with the image display of the ball, so that a shot feeling similar to that of actually shooting the ball is obtained. Can be given to the player.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a ball control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the ball and ball control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ball and ball control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an operation of the ball control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a gaming machine in which the ball control device according to the present invention is used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of a gaming machine in which the ball control device according to the present invention is used.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 10 Ball control device 20 Base 21 Base side surface 22 Contacted part 30 Handle 31 Handle shaft 32 Handle handle 33 Rotation detector 40 Motor 41 Rotary shaft 50 Cam 60 Rotating body 61 Base 62 Arm 63 Sensor passage 70 Vibration generator 71 Pressing body 72 Cam contact part 73 Spring 74 Guide pin 75 Contact part 80 Sensor 81 Detector 90 Game machine 91 Housing 92 Display 93 Coin slot 94 Start button 95 Program control section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A63F 9/22 A63F 7/02 302

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball and ball control device used in a ball game machine video game for displaying an image of a ball fired on a screen by a handle operation, comprising: a motor operated by a handle operation; It has a rotating body, a sensor that detects the rotating body, and a vibration generator that is installed on the same base as the handle. The vibration generator generates vibration on the base in synchronization with a sphere firing signal generated by the sensor. A ball control device for a video game of a ball game machine. 2. The video game machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration generator generates vibration by repeating contact of the vibration generator with a cam rotated by a motor and release thereof. Ball control device. 3. The ball control device for a ball game video game machine according to claim 2, wherein the rotating body and the cam are rotated by the same motor. 4. A ball control device for a video game machine of a ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein a circuit for synchronizing generation of vibration and transmission of a ball firing signal is connected to the sensor. . 5. The vibration generator has a spring connected to the base, wherein the spring is compressed by contact between the vibration generator and the cam, and the compressed spring is released by releasing contact between the vibration generator and the cam. 5. The ball control device for a video game machine of a ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein the base is vibrated by the restoration. 6. The vibration generator has a pressing member pressed by contact with a cam, and one end of the pressing member is provided with a contact portion with a base, and the base is in contact with the contact portion. The contact portion is separated from the contacted portion by the cam pressing the pressing body, and the separated contact portion is restored by releasing the contact between the cam and the pressing member, and the contacted portion is restored. 5. The ball control device for a video game machine of a ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein vibration is generated by contact. 7. The vibration generating device has a pressing body pressed by contact with a cam, and one end of the pressing body is provided with a contact portion with a base, and the other end of the pressing body is A spring connected to the base is provided. The base is provided with a contacted part that comes into contact with the contact part. When the cam presses the pressing body, the contact part is separated from the contacted part and the spring is compressed. The vibration is generated by releasing the contact between the cam and the pressing body, the compressed spring is restored, and the separated contact portion comes into contact with the contacted portion. Ball control device for video game machine. 8. The ball control device for a video game machine of a ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration generator is a solenoid operated by a ball firing signal from a sensor.