JP2005185502A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which saves power consumption and enhances the interest and expecting feeling of a player by providing a human sensor to the game machine, making the human sensor detect sitting of the player in front of the game machine, and playing music until the player starts the game. <P>SOLUTION: When the player takes the seat arranged in front of a slot machine 100 for starting the game with the slot machine 100 or comes to a place at a fixed distance from the slot machine 100 for a fixed period of time, the human body sensor IS detects this and plays music for a fixed period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a display device for displaying a demonstration screen, and in particular, when a player approaches the gaming machine in a demo state, music played in a normal game by detecting the player with an interpersonal sensor and Relates to a gaming machine capable of playing different music.

  The gaming machine is provided with a display device that performs display according to the progress of the game. Examples of the display device include a liquid crystal display device and a dot pattern display device using a pseudo matrix array. These display devices can be used to explain the progress of the game and the gaming machine in a state in which no game is played by the player (for example, in a slot machine in which no coin is inserted and the game is not substantially played). A demonstration screen for introduction is displayed.

In addition, there is a gaming machine in which a demo screen continuously displayed on a display device can be viewed at any time even while the player is playing a game (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-177527 A

  However, in the conventional gaming machine, when the game is not played by the player and the demo screen is displayed on the display device (hereinafter referred to as the demo state), it is silent. In this demo state, the player's interest and expectation can be enhanced by playing music.

  However, in the demo state, playing music causes an increase in power consumption, resulting in noise for a player playing on a gaming machine adjacent to the gaming machine in the demo state. Also, considering power consumption, it is impossible to predict when a player will start playing on a demo machine, and playing music during the demo will cause an increase in power consumption. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is provided with a personal sensor in the gaming machine, until the personal sensor detects that the player is seated in front of the gaming machine and the player starts the game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can increase the interest and expectation of a player along with a decrease in power consumption by playing music.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 has a display unit and a plurality of symbols capable of displaying a demonstration screen that introduces an explanation of the progress of the game when the game is in a demo state. In a gaming machine having a variable display unit for variable display and a frame attached to the front surface of the display unit and the variable display unit so that the display unit and the variable display unit can be seen through, a certain range from the gaming machine in a demo state Is provided with an interpersonal sensor that detects the presence or absence of a player, and can output music and voice different from those of a normal game according to the detection result of the interpersonal sensor.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the interpersonal sensor is composed of an infrared sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the player and reflected. The presence or absence of a player is detected within a certain range from the gaming machine when the light receiving element receives the light.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the interpersonal sensor measures the distance between the player and the gaming machine according to the time until the reflected light reaches the light receiving element. Features.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the frame includes a panel type speaker having a plate-like diaphragm for outputting sound, and a support member for supporting the panel type speaker. A panel type speaker is attached by a support member, and sounds related to the effects of the gaming machine are output.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, wherein the diaphragm and the support member are made of a transparent member.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect, wherein the panel type speakers are arranged on the entire surface of the variable display section or on both the left and right sides.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the panel type speaker and the support member are in a thin film shape.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the gaming machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the panel type speakers arranged on the left and right sides of the variable display section can output sound from both the left and right sides or only one side. To do.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame has liquid crystal display means for displaying an image on the entire surface.

  From the above description, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, music is played only when the interpersonal sensor provided in the gaming machine detects a player approaching the gaming machine in the demo state, thereby playing music in the demo state. By continuing, the problem of power consumption can be solved.

  In addition, by providing panel-type speakers on the front or left and right sides of the variable display unit, the player will be positioned in front of the player, and the player is more realistic than ever by outputting sound from the front. You can experience the production of sound.

  Furthermore, since the panel type speaker is composed of a transparent member and is in a thin film shape, even if it is installed on the front surface of a liquid crystal display device that performs image display, it does not interfere with visual observation of the image display. It is possible to experience the effect of image display and the effect of sound at the same time.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine equipped with an interpersonal sensor.
The slot machine 100 includes a front door 101 facing a player, and a housing 102 to which the front door 101 is attached so as to be opened and closed.

  The front door 101 includes an upper panel portion 103, a middle panel portion 104, and a lower panel portion 105 that are formed of mechanically strong hard plastic.

  The upper panel 103 is provided with effect lamps 103A to 103C called upper lamps.

  The middle panel portion 104 is provided with a substantially rectangular transmission window WD formed of a transparent hard plastic plate and effect lamps 104A and 104B. The rotation of the spinning reel device 200 provided in the housing 102 is provided. The player can view the body reels R1, R2, and R3 through the transmission window WD.

  Further, an operation unit 104C for a player to operate is provided at the lower end of the middle panel unit 104, and a medal insertion for inserting a game medal necessary for performing a slot machine game is provided in the operation unit 104C. The MD, the bet buttons B1 and B2 for presenting the number of medals per game, the start lever ST for instructing the start of one game, and the rotating reels R1, R2 and R3 are stopped individually. Stop buttons SP1, SP2 and SP3 are provided.

  Furthermore, a keyhole KY for unlocking the front door 101 is provided in the vicinity of the medal insertion part MD. Then, if a business operator or administrator on the amusement hall inserts a regular key into the keyhole KY and performs an unlocking operation, the locking mechanism (not shown) is released, and the front door 101 can be opened from the housing 102. It has become.

  Furthermore, an interpersonal sensor IS is provided in the vicinity of the keyhole KY. The interpersonal sensor IS is used when a player sits on a chair provided in front of the slot machine 100 to start a game at the slot machine 100 or when the player approaches a certain distance from the slot machine 100 for a certain time. Can be detected and music can be played for a certain period of time.

  On the lower panel 105, an image (not shown) for introducing the game contents of the slot machine 100 is drawn, and a discharge port 105A for paying out the number of game medals obtained by the player and A saucer 105B and a sound emitting unit 105C to which a speaker is attached are provided.

Next, the configuration of the control system provided in the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The main control board 600 is provided for comprehensively managing the operation of the slot machine 100, and the sub control board 300, the central display board 400, the spinning device board 500, a power supply board (not shown), and the like, with the main control board 600 as a center. The external concentrated terminal boards 800 are wired and connected via predetermined wiring cables (not shown).

  Here, a semiconductor memory ROM and a microprocessor MPU are mounted on the main control board 600, and the microprocessor MPU executes a system program and a slot machine game program stored in advance in the semiconductor memory ROM. By controlling each board, the operation status of the slot machine 100 and the progress of the game are managed in an integrated manner.

  That is, when a player plays a game by operating the start lever ST and the stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3, etc., and acquires any of a plurality of types of roles determined in advance by a slot machine game program, the microprocessor The MPU controls the progress of the game in a control mode corresponding to the combination acquired by the player. In other words, the microprocessor MPU sets a game type and controls a game state to be progressed by executing a slot machine game program in accordance with the game operation of the player.

  Further, the production speakers SR, SL, SW, the production lamps 103A, 104A, 104B, and the production display device 103D are connected to the sub control board 300 via predetermined wiring cables (not shown), respectively. The electric circuit provided on the sub control board 300 drives these effect speakers SR, SL, SW, effect lamps 103A, 104A, 104B and the effect display device 103D in accordance with instructions from the main control board 600, It is designed to appeal to the visual and auditory sense of the player.

  The spinning device substrate 500 is connected to the spinning reel device 200 and controls the driving power and driving timing to the electric motor in accordance with a command from the main control substrate 600, whereby the spinning reels R1, R2, and R3. Rotation, braking and stopping are controlled.

  The central display board 400 is connected to a setting display element CT and a setting button CS. Further, a select mechanism G0, bet buttons B1, B2, B3, a start lever ST, stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3 are connected to a predetermined wiring cable ( (Not shown) are connected by wiring.

  The central display board 400 receives an operation signal (not shown) in the main control board 600 indicating that the bet buttons B1, B2, B3, the start lever ST, and the stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3 are turned on or off. To the microprocessor MPU to control the progress of the game.

  Further, the selection mechanism G0 is provided with an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or a magnetic sensor for detecting whether an input inserted from the medal insertion unit MD is a game medal or a foreign object, and an input detection output from these sensors. The central display board 400 transfers the signal (not shown) to the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 600.

  When the microprocessor MPU inputs an input detection signal indicating that a game medal has been inserted, the number of inserted medals is totaled. On the other hand, when an input detection signal indicating that a foreign object has been input is input, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and an instruction is issued to the sub-control board 300 to generate an alarm sound on the production speakers SR, SL, SW, An alarm is displayed on the effect lamps 103A, 104A, 104B.

  In addition, the setting button CS is provided for the business operator or the administrator to change the appearance rate, and the setting display element CT is set by displaying any number from 1 to 6 as a segment. The output rate changed by the button CS is displayed in stages.

  That is, when the setting button CS is turned on, the central display board 400 transfers a setting signal (not shown) to the microprocessor MPU in the main control board 700 every time the setting button CS is turned on. Each time a signal is input, the ball payout rate determined in advance in six stages is changed in sequence, and a setting display signal (not shown) indicating the number corresponding to the changed ball payout rate is returned to the central display board 400. To do. Then, the central display substrate 400 causes the setting display element CT to display a segment on the basis of the setting display signal, thereby notifying the operator and the manager of the changed payout rate information.

Next, the configuration of the slot machine provided with the panel type transparent speaker will be described with reference to FIGS.
3 to 5 are front views of the slot machine 100. FIG.
In FIG. 3, in the slot machine 100, a liquid crystal display device 207 is provided for liquid crystal display on the entire surface of the middle panel unit 104, and the liquid crystal display device 107 can display various images.
Further, panel type transparent speakers 104R and 104L are provided. The panel-type transparent speakers 104R and 104L are installed on both the left and right sides of the transmission window WD through which the spinning reels L1, L2 and L3 can be seen.

  Further, regarding the image display of the transmissive window WD portion, an image display is performed so that the player does not interfere with the identification of the symbols drawn on the spinning reels L1, L2, and L3.

  Further, panel type transparent speakers 104R and 104L are provided on both sides of the transmission window WD. The panel-type transparent speakers 104L and 104R do not interfere with image display by the liquid crystal display device 207, and the panel-type transparent speakers 104L and 104R can also visually observe the image display by the liquid crystal display device 207.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a slot machine in which a panel-type transparent speaker is provided in the lower panel unit 105. The slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 4 is also the same as FIG. 3, and a liquid crystal display device 107 is provided to display the entire surface of the middle panel unit 104 with a liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display device 207 can display various images.
When the panel-type transparent speaker 105E is provided in the lower panel unit 105, the sound emitting units 105C and 105D which are speakers provided in a normal slot machine are excluded. The panel-type transparent speaker 105E provided in the lower panel unit 105 is larger than the speaker provided in the lower panel unit of the conventional slot machine and emits a low-frequency sound as a sound range, so that it is more realistic for the player. It is possible to provide a sound production with a feeling.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a slot machine in which panel-type transparent speakers are provided in the middle panel portion 104 and the lower panel portion 105. The slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 5 is also similar to FIG. 3, and a liquid crystal display device 104E is provided to display the entire surface of the middle panel unit 104 with a liquid crystal, and the liquid crystal display device 207 can display various images.
By providing the panel-type transparent speakers in the middle panel portion 104 and the lower panel portion 105, for example, in the panel-type transparent speakers 104R and 104L provided in the middle panel portion 104, the sound range is set to the high range and provided in the lower panel portion 105. The panel-type transparent speaker 105E can provide a player with a more realistic sound effect than a sound effect in a conventional slot machine by setting the sound range as a low sound range.

Next, the configuration of the panel-type transparent speaker will be described with reference to FIG.
The panel-type transparent speaker is one in which a film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is pasted on the front surface of a display as an example, and the film is vibrated by moving air in an air chamber formed between the display and the display with a driver.

FIG. 6A shows the configuration of the panel-type transparent speaker provided in the middle panel portion 104, and FIG. 6B shows the configuration of the panel-type transparent speaker provided in the lower panel portion 105.
The panel-type transparent speakers 104R, 104L, and 105E disposed in the middle panel portion 104 and the lower panel portion 105 are transparent that vibrate due to fluctuations in air pressure when the diaphragms 800 and 900 vibrate themselves and the diaphragms 800 and 900 vibrate. It consists of diaphragms 801 and 901 and transparent frames 803 and 903. The transparent diaphragms 801 and 901 are maintained at a constant tension by the transparent frames 803 and 903. Further, the transparent diaphragms 801 and 901 and the transparent frames 803 and 903 form gaps 802 and 902 which are closed spaces.

  The panel-type transparent speakers 104R, 104L, and 105E vibrate the air in the gaps 802 and 902 of the transparent frames 803 and 903 when the diaphragms 800 and 900 vibrate, and the transparent diaphragms 801 and 901 vibrate due to the vibration of the air. Sound can be generated by doing so.

  The panel-type transparent speakers 104R and 104L arranged in the middle panel portion 104 are positioned in front of the player, thereby making the player feel more realistic than the speaker installed on the upper panel portion as in the past. You can experience a certain sound. Furthermore, in a special game such as the AT (assist time) function, when notifying the player of the pressing order of the stop buttons SP1 to SP3, for example, when pressing from the stop button SP3, a sound is emitted from the panel type transparent speaker 104R. By issuing it, the player can be notified of the push order.

Next, the interpersonal sensor 10 provided with the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 shows a case where a player is seated in front of the slot machine 100, and FIG. 8 shows a case where the player approaches the slot machine 100 for a certain distance and for a certain time. Let L1 be the distance between the player and the slot machine 100 when the player is seated in front of the slot machine 100, and let L2 be the constant distance that the player has approached the slot machine 100.

First, the operation of the interpersonal sensor 10 when a player sits in front of the slot machine 100 to play a game will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of the interpersonal sensor 10.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the player sits in front of the slot machine 100, the distance from the interpersonal sensor 10 to the player is L1.
First, as shown in FIG. 9, the light emitting element 11 always emits light at a constant period. When the player sits in front of the slot machine 100 at the timing T1, the light receiving element 12 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 11 at the timing of the period t1. When the light receiving element 12 receives light, the light receiving signal is transferred to the sub-control board 300, and the sub-control board 300 transmits a BGM drive signal to the effect speakers SR, SL, SW.

  At this time, in the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 3, the sound emitting portions 105C and 105D provided in the lower panel portion, and in the slot machine 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the panel type transparent provided in the lower panel portion 105. By outputting particularly low-frequency sounds and music from the speaker 105E, it is possible to increase the interest in the slot machine 100 without causing the player to get tired of the time until the game starts.

  BGM is played between T1 and T2 when the game start timing is T2. When the game is started at the timing of T2, when the input detection signal is transferred to the sub control board 300 by the sensor that detects that the player has inserted a medal into the medal insertion part MD, the sub control board 300 The BGM is stopped by transferring the BGM stop signal to the production speakers SR, SL, and SW.

  During the period from t2 to t3 from the start to the end of the game, the light from the light emitting element 11 is always reflected by the player and the light receiving element 12 receives the light. When the player finishes the game and leaves the seat, the light from the light emitting element 11 is reflected because there is no player, and the light receiving element 12 does not receive the light, so as shown in FIG. None.

Next, the operation of the interpersonal sensor IS will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 when the player approaches the slot machine 100 at a certain distance for a certain time.
As shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the interpersonal sensor IS and the player when the player approaches the slot machine 100 for a certain distance for a certain time is L2.
First, as shown in FIG. 10, at timings T7 to T8, T9 to T10, and T11 to T12, it is indicated that the player is approaching the slot machine 100 at a certain distance for a certain time. T8 to T9, T10 to T11, and T12 indicate that there is no player in front of the slot machine 100.

  First, the light emitting element 11 emits light at a constant period. When the player approaches the slot machine 100 for a certain distance and for a certain time, the light emitted from the light emitting element 11 is reflected by the player, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 12. At this time, the time until the light from the light emitting element 11 is received is t2. In the case of t2 rather than t1 shown in FIG. 8, since the distance between the slot machine 100 and the player is long, it takes time until the light receiving element 12 receives the light from the light emitting element 11.

  When the light receiving element 12 receives light from the light emitting element 11, a light receiving signal is transferred from the light receiving element 12 to the sub control board 300. When the sub control board 300 receives the light receiving signal, the sub control board 300 transfers a BGM drive signal to the effect speaker. To do. The presentation speakers SR, SL, and SW can play BGM when receiving the BGM drive signal.

  When the player approaches the slot machine 100 for a certain distance and for a certain time, unlike the BGM that flows when the player is seated in front of the slot machine 100, for example, "I'm waiting" or "I'm going out" The solicitation voice is played.

  When the player is seated in front of the slot machine 100, the light reception signal is transferred to the sub-control board 300 at a cycle t1. When the player approaches the slot machine 100 for a certain time at a certain distance, the light reception signal is transferred to the sub-control board 300 at a period t2. The sub-control board 300 determines whether to send BGM or a solicitation voice by judging the difference in the period of the received light signal.

  Although this embodiment has been described using a slot machine, for example, it may be used for a box-shaped game machine or a ball game machine other than the slot machine.

It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the slot machine in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the structure of the control system in embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the structure of the slot machine in embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the structure of the slot machine in embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the structure of the slot machine in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the structure of the panel type transparent speaker in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the interpersonal sensor in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the interpersonal sensor in embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the interpersonal sensor in embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the interpersonal sensor in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

800, 900 Diaphragm 801, 901 Transparent diaphragm 802, 902 Gap 803, 903 Transparent frame IS Human sensor

Claims (9)

In a demo state in which no game is being performed, a display unit capable of displaying a demonstration screen that introduces an explanation of the progress of the game, a variable display unit that variably displays a plurality of symbols, and the display unit and the variable display unit In a gaming machine having a frame attached to the front surface of the display unit and the variable display unit so that it can be seen through,
An interpersonal sensor that detects the presence or absence of a player within a certain range from the gaming machine in the demo state;
A gaming machine characterized in that it can output music and voice different from normal games based on the detection result of the interpersonal sensor.   The interpersonal sensor is composed of an infrared sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the player and the reflected light is received by the light receiving element. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of a player is detected in the range.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the interpersonal sensor measures a distance between the player and the gaming machine according to a time until the reflected light reaches the light receiving element.   The frame includes a panel-type speaker having a plate-like diaphragm for outputting sound, and a support member for supporting the panel-type speaker. The panel-type speaker is attached by the support member, and the game The game machine according to claim 1, wherein a sound related to the performance of the machine is output.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the diaphragm and the support member are made of a transparent member.   6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the panel type speaker is arranged on the entire surface of the variable display unit or on both the left and right sides.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the panel type speaker and the support member are in a thin film shape.   8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the panel type speakers arranged on the left and right sides of the variable display section can output sound from both the left and right sides or only one side.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes liquid crystal display means for displaying an image on the entire surface.

Images