JP6822223B2 - Magnet detector and game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a magnet detection device for detecting a magnet and a game machine having the magnet detection device.

In a ball game machine, a fraudulent act of illegally manipulating the movement of a game ball using a magnet is known. In order to detect such fraudulent activity, the gaming machine is provided with a magnet detection device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, since the gaming machine also has parts that generate a magnetic field such as a motor or a solenoid, the gaming machine itself also generates a magnetic field. Therefore, with respect to such a magnet detection device, it is required to suppress erroneous detection of a magnet used for performing fraudulent acts due to the influence of the magnetic field generated by the game machine itself or the earth's magnetic field. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which the detection threshold value of the illegal magnet during firing of the game ball is lower than the detection threshold value of the illegal magnet when the game ball is not launched (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, a technique for determining that the game machine is in an abnormal state when a magnet is detected on the surface of the game machine and it is detected that the game machine is in a game has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). ).

JP-A-2003-340074 JP-A-2009-279205 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-268752

In the technology described in Patent Document 2 and the technology described in Patent Document 3, not only the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor but also the information on the state of the gaming machine is used to mistake the magnet used for fraudulent activity. It suppresses detection. However, even when the magnetic field generated by the operation of the game machine itself fluctuates, it is required that the magnet used for fraudulent activity can be detected more accurately.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnet detection device that can accurately detect a magnet that affects a game machine even while the game machine is operating.

As one embodiment of the present invention, a magnet detection device provided in a game machine is provided. This magnet detection device is a magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and outputs the measured value of the magnetic field, and the measured value of the magnetic field obtained from the magnetic sensor is a magnetic field that is above a certain level from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the gaming machine. It has a time measuring unit that measures the time required until the strength fluctuates, and a magnet detecting unit that determines whether or not there is a magnet that affects the game machine according to the required time.

In this magnet detection device, it is preferable that the magnet detection unit determines that there is a magnet that affects the game machine when the required time is longer than a predetermined time threshold value.

In this case, the magnet detection device has a first reference value representing the strength of the magnetic field in a steady state in the game machine, and a magnetic field when a constant fluctuation in the strength of the magnetic field occurs from the first reference value. It is preferable to further have a storage unit that stores a first threshold value corresponding to the strength. Then, the timekeeping unit sets the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the first reference value to when it reaches the first threshold value from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state of the gaming machine to a certain level or more. It is preferable to measure the time required for the fluctuation to occur.

Further, when the required time is equal to or less than the time threshold, this magnet detection device sets the first reference value and the first threshold value based on the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor during a certain period after the required time is measured. It is preferable to further have a threshold updating unit to be updated.

In addition, this magnet detection device has a second reference value corresponding to the average value of the measured values of the magnetic field in the most recent fixed period based on the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor during the most recent fixed period. It is preferable to further have a second threshold setting unit for calculating a second detection threshold corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field when a constant fluctuation in the strength of the magnetic field occurs from the second reference value. Then, the time measuring unit sets the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the second reference value to when it reaches the second threshold value from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state of the gaming machine to a certain level or more. Timed as the time required for the fluctuation to occur, the magnet detection unit measures the time required to be longer than the time threshold, and the latest magnetic field measurement value is farther from the first reference value than the first threshold. It is preferable to determine that there is a magnet that affects the game machine when the value is the same.

As another embodiment of the present invention, a game machine is provided. This game machine has a game machine main body, a magnet detection device provided in the game machine main body, a movable body provided in the game machine main body, a drive device for driving the movable body, and a control unit for operating the drive device. .. The magnet detection device is a magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and outputs the measured value of the magnetic field, and the measured value of the magnetic field obtained from the magnetic sensor is a magnetic field of a certain value or more from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the gaming machine. It has a time measuring unit that measures the time required until the strength fluctuates, and a magnet detecting unit that determines whether or not there is a magnet that affects the game machine according to the required time.

The magnet detection device according to the present invention has the effect of being able to accurately detect magnets that affect the game machine even while the game machine is operating.

It is a figure which shows an example of the illegal magnet detection according to the change of the magnetic field when the detection threshold value is set according to the magnetic field detected during the period when a game machine is not operating. It is a schematic block diagram of the magnet detection apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of a control part. It is an operation flowchart of the detection threshold value setting process. It is an operation flowchart of an illegal magnet detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the irregular magnet detection corresponding to the change of the magnetic field by this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the magnet detection device by a modification. It is an operation flowchart of an illegal magnet detection process by a modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the irregular magnet detection corresponding to the change of the magnetic field by the modification. It is a schematic perspective view of the ball game machine which has the magnet detection device according to embodiment or modification of this invention. It is a schematic side sectional view of a bullet game machine. It is a schematic internal block diagram of a ball game machine.

Hereinafter, the magnet detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This magnet detection device uses a magnet, for example, by comparing a measurement value indicating the strength of the magnetic field obtained by a magnetic sensor that is attached to a game machine and capable of measuring the strength of the magnetic field with a detection threshold. Determine if cheating has been committed. Then, this magnet detection device sets a detection threshold value based on the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor in a predetermined period.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of detection of an illegal magnet according to a change in the magnetic field when the detection threshold value is set according to the magnetic field detected during the period when the game machine is not operating. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents time. Further, in FIG. 1, the graph 101 shows the time change of the measured value of the magnetic field strength (magnetic charge) detected by the magnetic sensor, and the graph 102 shows whether the power of the gaming machine is turned on or off. Indicates whether it is. The graph 103 shows whether or not a magnet used for fraudulent activity and affecting the gaming machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a fraudulent magnet) is detected by the magnet detection device.

In this example, the game machine is not operating from time t1 to time t2 immediately after the power of the game machine is turned on and the power is turned on, and there is no change in the magnetic field caused by the operation of the game machine itself. Then, the reference value Mref of the magnetic field is obtained based on the average value of the measured values of the magnetic field during the period from time t1 to t2. Therefore, the reference value Mref is a value corresponding to the strength of the steady magnetic field around the magnet detection device. Then, the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 are set by adding or subtracting a predetermined offset value from the reference value Mref. The two detection thresholds are set because the change in the strength of the magnetic field differs depending on the polarity of the magnet closer to the magnetic sensor. For example, when the north pole of a magnet approaches a magnetic sensor, the measured value of the magnetic field output from the magnetic sensor increases, while when the south pole of the magnet approaches the magnetic sensor, the measured value of the magnetic field output from the magnetic sensor increases. Decreases. Therefore, the upper limit side detection threshold value Vslh1 larger than the reference value Mref and the lower limit side detection threshold value Vsll1 smaller than the reference value Mref are set.

Then, after time t2, the magnet detection device starts detecting an illegal magnet. Then, during the period from time t3 to t4 and time t5 to t6, the illegal magnet is brought closer to the magnet detection device. As a result, as shown in Graphs 101 and 103, during the time period t3 to t4 and time t5 to t6, the measured value of the magnetic field becomes larger than the detection threshold Vslh1 or more than the detection threshold Vsll1. Also becomes smaller, and the magnet detection device can detect an illegal magnet.

On the other hand, at time t7, parts that generate a magnetic field, such as a motor or solenoid of the game machine, start operating. Therefore, after time t7, it is assumed that the measured value of the magnetic field rises due to the operation of the part of the game machine and becomes higher than the detection threshold value Vslh1. In such a case, the magnet detection device erroneously detects the operation of the game machine itself as an illegal magnet. However, in order to prevent such false detection, if the detection of the illegal magnet is stopped while the part that generates the magnetic field of the game machine is operating, the illegal magnet will detect the magnet at times t8 to t9. Even if it is brought close to the device, the magnet detection device cannot detect the illegal magnet.

Here, as shown in Graph 101, the time p1 required for the measured value of the magnetic field to reach the detection threshold after the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref when the illegal magnet is brought close to the magnet detection device is the gaming machine. The time required for the measured value of the magnetic field to reach the detection threshold after the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref due to the start of operation of the component that generates the magnetic field is longer than p2. In general, a player who intends to commit a fraudulent act brings the fraudulent magnet closer to the magnet detection device, so that the moving speed of the fraudulent magnet is limited. On the other hand, a component that generates a magnetic field, such as a motor or a solenoid, generates a magnetic field as soon as it is energized. As a result, the rate of change in the magnetic field when the fraudulent magnet is brought closer to the magnet detector is slower than the rate of change in the magnetic field when the gaming machine starts operating.

Therefore, in this magnet detection device, the time required from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref to reach the detection threshold value, that is, the strength of the magnetic field above a certain level from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the gaming machine. The time required until the fluctuation occurs is measured, and if the time required is less than or equal to the predetermined time threshold value, the reference value Mref and the detection threshold value are reset, while if the required time is equal to or more than the time threshold value. , Detects fraudulent magnets. As a result, this magnet detection device can accurately detect the illegal magnet even when the game machine is in operation, while suppressing false detection of the fluctuation of the magnetic field due to the operation of the game machine itself as an illegal magnet.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnet detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnet detection device 1 is attached to a game machine (not shown) and includes a magnetic sensor 11, a driving voltage generation unit 12, a storage unit 13, an interface unit 14, and a control unit 15.

The magnetic sensor 11 measures the magnetic field around the magnet detection device 1 and outputs a measured value according to the strength of the magnetic field to the control unit 15. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 11 has, for example, a magnetic impedance element (Magneto-Impedance element). Alternatively, the magnetic sensor 11 may have a Hall element or a Hall IC.

The drive voltage generation unit 12 generates a DC voltage for operating the magnet detection device 1, and supplies the DC voltage to each part of the magnet detection device 1. Therefore, the drive voltage generation unit 12 converts, for example, the voltage of the DC power supplied from the power supply of the game machine (for example, 12V) into the voltage for driving the magnet detection device 1 (for example, 5V). It has a / DC converter.

The storage unit 13 has, for example, a non-volatile read-only semiconductor memory and a read / write semiconductor memory. Then, the storage unit 13 stores various data used in each process executed by the control unit 15, the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor 11, the set detection threshold value, and the like. Further, the storage unit 13 may store the program of each process executed on the control unit 15.

The interface unit 14 has an interface circuit for connecting the magnet detection device 1 to another device, for example, a main control board of a game machine. Then, the interface unit 14 detects various signals received from the control unit 15, for example, a signal indicating that the setting of the detection threshold value is completed and the detection of the illegal magnet can be started, or the illegal magnet. Outputs an abnormal signal indicating that the device has been used to another device.

The control unit 15 includes, for example, one or more arithmetic circuits, an analog / digital converter, and a memory. The arithmetic circuit, analog / digital converter, and memory may be separate circuits, or may be integrally formed as one integrated circuit. Then, the control unit 15 sets the reference value and the detection threshold value of the magnetic field based on the magnetic measurement value obtained from the magnetic sensor 11 within a certain period after the power of the game machine is turned on. Further, after the detection of the illegal magnet is started, the control unit 15 detects the illegal magnet by comparing the detection threshold value with the magnetic measurement value obtained from the magnetic sensor 11. At that time, the control unit 15 measures the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value until it reaches the detection threshold value, and whether or not to reset the reference value and the detection threshold value based on the time. Is determined.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 15. The control unit 15 includes a detection threshold value setting unit 21, a timekeeping unit 22, and an illegal magnet detection unit 23. Each of these units included in the control unit 15 is, for example, a functional module realized by a computer program executed on the arithmetic circuit included in the control unit 15. Alternatively, each of these units included in the control unit 15 may be implemented as a dedicated circuit included in the arithmetic circuit included in the control unit 15.
Hereinafter, each of these units included in the control unit 15 will be described.

The detection threshold setting unit 21 is an example of a threshold value updating unit, and is magnetic when the control unit 15 is started to supply the driving voltage or when the illegal magnet detection unit 23 requests the resetting of the detection threshold value. The reference value and the detection threshold value are set based on the measured value of the magnetic field received from the sensor 11.

For example, the detection threshold value setting unit 21 receives the measured value of the magnetic field from the magnetic sensor 11 for a certain period of time after starting the setting of the reference value and the detection threshold value. It is preferable that this fixed period is shorter than the time length corresponding to the time threshold value described later. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reference value and the detection threshold value from being set to an inappropriate value due to the illegal magnet being brought close to the reference value and the detection threshold value. The detection threshold setting unit 21 acquires N (N is an integer of 2 or more) measured values by sampling the received measured values in a predetermined sampling cycle (for example, 100 μsec to 1 msec), and measures the N values. Calculate the average value Mrave. When the magnetic sensor 11 outputs the measured value of the magnetic field as the value of the detected magnetic flux density, the detection threshold setting unit 21 obtains it by multiplying the average value Mrave [μT] by the sensitivity ΔS [mV / μT]. The voltage conversion value to be calculated is calculated as the reference value Mref of the magnetic field. Alternatively, when the magnetic sensor 11 itself outputs a voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux density as a measured value, the detection threshold setting unit 21 is obtained by converting the voltage with an analog / digital converter. The average value of the digital value itself of the voltage may be used as the reference value Mref of the magnetic field. Then, the detection threshold setting unit 21 adds a predetermined offset value ΔVsl to the reference value Mref to calculate the detection threshold Vslh1 on the upper limit side, and subtracts the predetermined offset value ΔVsl from the reference value Mref to obtain the lower limit side. Calculate the detection threshold Vsll1. The sensitivity ΔS is set according to, for example, the sensitivity characteristics of the magnetic sensor 11. Further, the predetermined offset value ΔVsl is smaller than the voltage conversion value of the fluctuation amount of the magnetic field strength due to the assumed illegal magnet, and is smaller than the voltage conversion value of the fluctuation amount of the magnetic field due to the operation of the game machine itself. It may be set to be large and stored in the storage unit 13 in advance.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the detection threshold setting process. The detection threshold value setting unit 21 sets the reference value and the detection threshold value according to the following operation flowchart when the power of the gaming machine is turned on or when the illegal magnet detection unit 23 is instructed to reset the detection threshold value. ..

The detection threshold setting unit 21 acquires the measured value of the magnetic field from the magnetic sensor 11 over a certain period (for example, 100 msec to several sec) (step S101). Then, the detection threshold setting unit 21 calculates the average value of the measured values of the magnetic field in the fixed period, and calculates the reference value Mref of the magnetic field based on the average value (step S102). Further, the detection threshold setting unit 21 adds a predetermined offset value ΔVsl to the reference value Mref of the magnetic field to calculate the upper limit detection threshold Vslh1, and subtracts the predetermined offset value ΔVsl from the reference value Mref of the magnetic field to lower the lower limit. The detection threshold value Vsll1 of is calculated (step S103). Then, the detection threshold value setting unit 21 ends the detection threshold value setting process.

The detection threshold setting unit 21 stores the set reference value Mref, detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 in the storage unit 13.

The timekeeping unit 22 measures the time required for the measured value of the magnetic field to fluctuate from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the gaming machine to a fluctuation of the strength of the magnetic field above a certain level during the execution of the illegal magnet detection process. In the present embodiment, the time measuring unit 22 measures the time from when the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref to when the detection threshold value Vslh1 or hVsll1 is reached. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time measuring unit 22 calculates the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field by multiplying the measured value of the magnetic field by the sensitivity ΔS at each predetermined sampling cycle. As described above, when the magnetic sensor 11 itself outputs a voltage value corresponding to the magnetic flux density of the detected magnetic field, the measured value digital obtained by converting the voltage value with an analog / digital converter. The value itself may be the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field. Then, the timekeeping unit 22 compares the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field with the reference value Mref read from the storage unit 13 or the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1.

When the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref, the time measuring unit 22 starts measuring the required time. For example, the timekeeping unit 22 sets the count value Cnt, which represents the length of time that the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref, to 1. When the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field is different from the reference value Mref, the time measuring unit 22 determines that the measured value of the magnetic field no longer matches the reference value Mref. Alternatively, the timekeeping unit 22 determines that the measured value of the magnetic field no longer matches the reference value Mref when the absolute value of the difference between the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field and the reference value Mref becomes larger than the predetermined value. May be good. The predetermined value can be, for example, a value corresponding to an average value of magnetic field measurement errors by the magnetic sensor 11 or a value obtained by adding a predetermined offset to the average value.

The timekeeping unit 22 compares the detected magnetic field voltage conversion value Vc with the reference value Mref for each sampling cycle, and increments the count value Cnt by 1 if the magnetic field measurement value does not match the reference value Mref. On the other hand, the timekeeping unit 22 resets the count value Cnt to 0 if the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field matches the reference value Mref.

Further, the timekeeping unit 22 sets the detected magnetic field voltage conversion value Vc as the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 while the count value Cnt has a value of 1 or more, that is, when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref. Compare. Then, when the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field is larger than the detection threshold Vslh1 or the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field is smaller than the detection threshold Vsll1, the measuring unit 22 counts the value Cnt at that time. That is, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 is notified of the time required from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref until the detection threshold is reached.

It is preferable that the timekeeping unit 22 does not time the required time while the reference value Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 are reset. As a result, it is possible to prevent false detection of fluctuations in the magnetic field due to the operation of the game machine itself as an illegal magnet.

The fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 is an example of a magnet detection unit, and determines whether or not a fraudulent magnet is detected according to the time required from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref until the detection threshold is reached. To do. In the present embodiment, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 compares the count value Cnt received from the timekeeping unit 22 with the predetermined time threshold Tlh0. If the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0, it is assumed that the magnetic field around the magnetic sensor 11 fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine. Therefore, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 causes the detection threshold value setting unit 21 to reset the reference value Mref and the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1.

On the other hand, if the count value Cnt is larger than the time threshold Tlh0, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 determines that the illegal magnet has been detected. Then, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 generates an abnormal signal indicating that the illegal magnet has been detected, and outputs the abnormal signal to an external device via the interface unit 14. Further, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 may continue to detect the fraudulent magnet while the voltage conversion value Vc of the measured value of the magnetic field is larger than the detection threshold value Vlsh1 or less than Vsll1.

The time threshold Tlh0 is longer than, for example, the time required from the start of driving the parts (for example, motors or solenoids) that generate the magnetic field of the gaming machine to the fluctuation of the magnetic field generated by those parts. In addition, it is set as a count value corresponding to a period shorter than the time from the start of the magnetic field fluctuation due to the fraudulent magnet to the time when the measured value of the magnetic field reaches the detection threshold when the fraudulent act using the fraudulent magnet is performed. Is preferable. For example, the time threshold Tlh0 is set to a value obtained by dividing 20 msec to 30 msec by the sampling cycle. As a result, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 can prevent the magnetic field fluctuation due to the operation of the game machine from being erroneously detected as an illegal magnet.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the fraudulent magnet detection process. The control unit 15 may execute the illegal magnet detection process according to the following operation flowchart at each predetermined sampling cycle while the game machine is operating.

The timing unit 22 determines whether or not the voltage conversion value Vc of the measured magnetic field matches the reference value Mref (step S201). If the voltage conversion value Vc of the measured magnetic field matches the reference value Mref (step S201-Yes), the timekeeping unit 22 resets the count value Cnt to 0 (step S202). Then, the control unit 15 ends the fraudulent magnet detection process.

On the other hand, if the voltage conversion value Vc of the measured magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref (step S201-No), the timekeeping unit 22 increments the count value Cnt by 1 (step S203). If it is the first execution of the illegal magnet detection process, the timing unit 22 sets the count value Cnt to 1.

The timing unit 22 determines whether or not the voltage conversion value Vc of the measured magnetic field is equal to or higher than the lower limit detection threshold value Vsll1 and equal to or lower than the upper limit detection threshold value Vslh1 (step S204).

When the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field is equal to or higher than the lower limit detection threshold value Vsll1 and equal to or lower than the upper limit detection threshold value Vslh1 (step S204-Yes), the control unit 15 ends the illegal magnet detection process. On the other hand, when the voltage conversion value Vc of the detected magnetic field is less than the lower limit detection threshold Vsll1 or larger than the upper limit detection threshold Vslh1 (step S204-No), the timekeeping unit 22 detects the current count value Cnt as an illegal magnet. Notify department 23. Then, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 determines whether or not the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S205). If the count value Cnt is larger than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S205-No), the illicit magnet detection unit 23 determines that the illicit magnet has been detected at this time. Then, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 generates an abnormal signal indicating that the illegal magnet has been detected, and outputs the abnormal signal to another device via the interface unit 14 (step S206). Further, the timekeeping unit 22 resets the count value Cnt to 0 (step S207).

On the other hand, if the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S205-Yes), it is assumed that the magnetic field fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine (particularly, the operation of the component that generates the magnetic field starts or stops). Therefore, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 instructs the detection threshold value setting unit 21 to reset the reference value Mref and the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1. Then, the detection threshold setting unit 21 resets the reference value Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 (step S208). Further, the timekeeping unit 22 resets the count value Cnt to 0 (step S209).

After step S207 or step S209, the control unit 15 ends the fraudulent magnet detection process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of detection of an illegal magnet according to a change in a magnetic field according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time. Further, the graph 601 shows the time change of the measured value of the magnetic field strength (magnetic charge) detected by the magnetic sensor 11, and the graph 602 shows whether the power of the gaming machine is on or off. Represent. Then, the graph 603 shows whether or not an illegal magnet is detected by the magnet detection device 1.

In this example, from time t1 to time t5 immediately after the power of the game machine is turned on, the parts that generate the magnetic field (for example, the motor or solenoid) of the game machine are not operating, and after time t5, the parts that generate the magnetic field are not operating. It is assumed that the part works. Also in this example, first, the gaming machine is not operating, based on the mean of the magnetic field measurements between time t1 and time t2 (<t5), the magnetic field reference value Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1. Is set. Then, at time t2, the illegal magnet detection process is started. After that, when the illegal magnet is brought close to the magnet detection device 1 as in the period from time t3 to t4, the voltage conversion value of the magnetic field measured at time t4 exceeds the detection threshold value Vslh1. In addition, the time (Cnt × fs) (fs is the sampling cycle) from when the measured voltage conversion value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref until the voltage conversion value reaches the detection threshold value corresponds to the time threshold value Tlh0. Since it is longer than the period (Tlh0 × fs), the magnet detection device 1 detects an illegal magnet.

Then, when the component that generates the magnetic field starts operating at time t5, the voltage conversion value of the magnetic field measured immediately exceeds the detection threshold Vslh1. Therefore, the time (Cnt × fs) from when the measured voltage conversion value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref until the voltage conversion value reaches the detection threshold value is the period corresponding to the time threshold value Tlh0 (Tlh0 × fs). Since it is shorter than), the reference value Mref'and the detection thresholds Vslh1'and Vsll1' are reset by the time t6 thereafter. Therefore, even if the magnetic field fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine, the voltage conversion value of the measured magnetic field becomes the detection threshold value Vsll1'or more and Vslh1'or less, and the fluctuation of the magnetic field is not erroneously detected as an illegal magnet.

After that, when the illegal magnet is brought close to the magnet detection device 1 at times t7 to t8, the voltage conversion value of the measured magnetic field exceeds the detection threshold Vslh1'. In addition, the period (Cnt × fs) from when the measured voltage conversion value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value Mref'to when the voltage conversion value reaches the detection threshold value corresponds to the time threshold value Tlh0 (Tlh0 × fs). ) Is longer. Therefore, the magnet detection device 1 can accurately detect the illegal magnet even at the times t7 to t8 when the component that generates the magnetic field of the game machine is operating.

When the component that generates the magnetic field stops operating at time t9, the voltage conversion value of the magnetic field exceeds the detection threshold Vslh1'in a period shorter than the period corresponding to the time threshold Tlh0 (Tlh0 × fs), or It is lower than the detection threshold Vsll1'. Therefore, the reference value and the detection threshold are reset to the original values Mref, Vslh1 and Vsll1.

As described above, does this magnet detection device detect an illegal magnet according to the length of the period from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value of the magnetic field until the detection threshold is reached? , Determine whether to reset the reference value and detection threshold. Therefore, this magnet detection device can prevent erroneous detection of an illegal magnet even if a component that generates a magnetic field of the game machine operates during the execution of the illegal magnet detection process and the magnetic field fluctuates due to the operation. .. Further, since this magnet detection device resets the reference value and the detection threshold value according to the fluctuation of the magnetic field due to the operation of the game machine, even if the component causing the fluctuation of the magnetic field in the game machine is operating, the illegal magnet can be used. It can be detected with high accuracy.

Depending on the gaming machine, any of a plurality of parts that cause fluctuations in the magnetic field may be continuously operating, or there may be a device that continuously causes fluctuations in the magnetic field around the gaming machine. .. In such a case, even if the illegal magnet is brought closer to the magnet detection device due to such fluctuations in the magnetic field, the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the reference value to when the detection threshold is reached is very short. May become. On the contrary, even if the magnetic field around the magnetic sensor 11 suddenly changes due to the start of operation of another component that causes the fluctuation of the magnetic field, the strength of the magnetic field exceeds a certain level due to the fluctuation of the magnetic field before that. The time required for the fluctuation to occur may be longer than the time length corresponding to the time threshold. Therefore, according to the modified example, the magnet detection device measures the reference value and the detection threshold value (hereinafter, referred to as the second reference value and the second detection threshold value for convenience) used for obtaining the time measured by the time measuring unit 22. It is continuously updated according to the strength of the applied magnetic field. Then, the magnet detection device determines the time required from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the updated second reference value to reach the second detection threshold value, and the comparison between the measured value of the magnetic field and the detection threshold value. Detects fraudulent magnets.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the magnet detection device according to this modification. The control unit 16 according to this modification includes a detection threshold value setting unit 21, a timekeeping unit 22, an illegal magnet detection unit 23, and a timekeeping threshold value setting unit 24. Compared with the control unit 15 of the magnet detection device 1 shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 16 has a timekeeping threshold setting unit 24, and a part of the processing of the timekeeping unit 22 and the illegal magnet detection unit 23 is different. .. Therefore, in the following, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24, the timekeeping unit 22, and the illegal magnet detection unit 23 will be described.

Each time the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 acquires a new magnetic field measurement value from the magnetic sensor 11, the measurement of the magnetic field received from the magnetic sensor 11 during a certain period ending at the current time t at which the measured value is acquired. Based on the average value Mrave (t), the continuously updated second reference value Mref2 (t) and the continuously updated second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t) and Vsll2 (t) are calculated. The second reference value Mref2 (t) represents the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state of the gaming machine in the latest state. Further, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24, like the detection threshold setting unit 21, when the magnetic sensor 11 outputs the measured value of the magnetic field as the value of the detected magnetic flux density, the average value Mrave (t) [μT]. The voltage conversion value obtained by multiplying the sensitivity ΔS [mV / μT] is calculated as the second reference value Mref2 (t). Alternatively, when the magnetic sensor 11 itself outputs a voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic flux density as a measured value, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 obtains the voltage by converting the voltage with an analog / digital converter. The average value of the digital value itself of the voltage to be obtained may be the second reference value Mref2 (t). Then, the timekeeping threshold value setting unit 24 adds a predetermined offset value ΔVsl2 to the second reference value Mref2 (t) to calculate the detection threshold value Vslh2 (t) on the upper limit side, and determines from the reference value Mref2 (t). The offset value ΔVsl2 of is subtracted to calculate the detection threshold value Vsll2 (t) on the lower limit side.

The predetermined offset value ΔVsl2 is preferably equal to or less than or equal to the offset value ΔVsl used for setting the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection of the fraudulent magnet from failing because the measured value of the magnetic field does not reach the detection threshold value Vslh2 (t) or Vsll2 (t) when the fraudulent act using the fraudulent magnet is performed. ..

Further, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 may update the second reference value Mref2 (t) using the forgetting coefficient. In this case, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 uses the value αMrave (t-1) obtained by multiplying the mean value Mrave (t-1) of the measured values of the magnetic field at the immediately preceding time (t-1) by the oblivion coefficient α. ) And the value obtained by multiplying the latest magnetic field measurement value M (t) by (1-α) (1-α) M (t) is added to Mrave (t), and that Mrave (t) The second reference value Mref2 (t) may be calculated based on. The forgetting coefficient α can be a value (α = 1-1 / Ntotal) obtained by subtracting the reciprocal of the total number Ntotal of the measured values of the magnetic field included in the fixed period for calculating Mrave (t) from 1.

The timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 sets the second reference value Mref (t) and the second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t) and Vsll2 (t) each time the reference value Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 are calculated. Reset to the reference value Mref, detection threshold Vslh1 and Vsll1, respectively. As a result, when the magnetic field around the magnetic sensor 11 fluctuates greatly due to the operation of the game machine, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 uses the second reference value Mref (t), the second detection threshold Vslh2 (t), and Vsll2 ( t) can be made to follow the fluctuation of the magnetic field.

The timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 stores the second reference value Mref2 (t) and the second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t) and Vsll2 (t) in the storage unit 13 each time.

After the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value does not match the second reference value Mref2 (t-1) at the immediately preceding time, the timekeeping unit 22 determines the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the measurement value. The time until t) reaches either the second detection threshold Vslh2 (t-1) or Vsll2 (t-1) is the fluctuation of the magnetic field strength above a certain level from the magnetic field strength in the steady state in the gaming machine. It is timed as the time required for the occurrence of.

In the present embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the time measuring unit 22 is used while the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value does not match the immediately preceding second reference value Mref2 (t-1). Every time a magnetic field measurement is obtained, the count value Cnt is incremented by 1. On the other hand, in the timekeeping unit 22, after the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value does not match the second reference value Mref2 (t-1) at the immediately preceding time, the voltage conversion value of the measurement value is reached. If Vc (t) matches the second reference value Mref2 (t-1) at the immediately preceding time before reaching either of the second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t-1) and Vsll2 (t-1). , The count value Cnt may be reset to 0.

The timekeeping unit 22 indicates the current time required when the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value reaches either the second detection threshold value Vslh2 (t-1) or Vsll2 (t-1). Notify the illegal magnet detection unit 23 of the count value Cnt.

The fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 compares the count value Cnt with the predetermined time threshold Tlh0. If the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0, it is assumed that the magnetic field around the magnetic sensor 11 fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine. Therefore, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 causes the detection threshold value setting unit 21 to reset the reference value Mref and the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1.

On the other hand, if the count value Cnt is larger than the time threshold value Tlh0, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 compares the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value with the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1. Then, when the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the latest magnetic field measurement value is larger than the detection threshold value Vslh1 or smaller than the detection threshold value Vsll1, it is determined that an illegal magnet is detected. Then, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 generates an abnormal signal indicating that the illegal magnet has been detected, and outputs the abnormal signal to an external device via the interface unit 14.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the illegal magnet detection process according to this modified example. The control unit 16 may execute the illegal magnet detection process according to the following operation flowchart at each predetermined sampling cycle while the game machine is operating.

The timing unit 22 determines whether or not the latest measured voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the magnetic field matches the immediately preceding second reference value Mref2 (t-1) (step S301). If the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the measured magnetic field does not match the second reference value Mref2 (t-1) (step S301-No), the timekeeping unit 22 increments the count value Cnt by 1 (step). S302). If it is the first execution of the illegal magnet detection process, the timing unit 22 sets the count value Cnt to 1.

After step S302, or when the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the magnetic field measured in step S301 matches the second reference value Mref2 (t-1) (step S301-Yes), the time measuring unit 22 Is the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the measured magnetic field equal to or higher than the lower limit second detection threshold Vsll1 (t-1) set at the immediately preceding time (t-1), and the upper limit second detection. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than the threshold value Vslh2 (t-1) (step S303).

When the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the detected magnetic field is equal to or greater than the lower limit second detection threshold value Vsll2 (t-1) and equal to or less than the upper limit second detection threshold value Vslh2 (t-1) (step S303-). Yes), the control unit 16 ends the illegal magnet detection process. On the other hand, when the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the detected magnetic field is less than the lower limit second detection threshold value Vsll2 (t-1) or larger than the upper limit second detection threshold value Vslh2 (t-1) (step). S303-No), the timekeeping unit 22 notifies the illegal magnet detection unit 23 of the current count value Cnt. Then, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 determines whether or not the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S304). If the count value Cnt is larger than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S304-No), whether the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the measured magnetic field is equal to or higher than the lower limit detection threshold Vsll1 and equal to or lower than the upper limit detection threshold Vslh1. Determine (step S305).

When the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the detected magnetic field is equal to or higher than the lower limit detection threshold Vsll1 and equal to or lower than the upper limit detection threshold Vslh1 (step S305-Yes), the control unit 16 detects an illegal magnet at this time. It is determined not to do so (step S306). On the other hand, when the voltage conversion value Vc (t) of the detected magnetic field is less than the lower limit detection threshold value Vsll1 or larger than the upper limit detection threshold value Vslh1 (step S305-No), the illicit magnet detection unit 23 is at present. , It is determined that an illegal magnet has been detected. Then, the illegal magnet detection unit 23 generates an abnormal signal indicating that the illegal magnet has been detected, and outputs the abnormal signal to another device via the interface unit 14 (step S307).

After step S306 or step S307, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 updates the second reference value and the second detection threshold. That is, the timekeeping threshold setting unit 24 calculates the second reference value Mref2 (t) and the second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t) and Vsll2 (t) at the current time and stores them in the storage unit 13 (step S308). ).

Further, in step S304, if the count value Cnt is equal to or less than the time threshold Tlh0 (step S304-Yes), it is assumed that the magnetic field fluctuates due to the operation of the gaming machine. Therefore, the fraudulent magnet detection unit 23 instructs the detection threshold value setting unit 21 to reset the reference value Mref and the detection threshold values Vslh1 and Vsll1. Then, the detection threshold setting unit 21 resets the reference value Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 (step S309). Further, the timekeeping unit 22 resets the count value Cnt to 0 (step S310).

After step S308 or step S310, the control unit 16 ends the fraudulent magnet detection process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of detection of an illegal magnet according to a change in the magnetic field according to this modified example. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time. Further, the graph 901 shows the time change of the measured value of the magnetic field strength (magnetic amount) detected by the magnetic sensor 11, and the graph 902 shows whether or not an illegal magnet is detected by the magnet detection device 1. .. Further, the graph 911 shows the time change of the second detection threshold value Vslh2 (t) on the upper limit side, and the graph 912 shows the time change of the second detection threshold value Vsll2 (t) on the lower limit side. In this example, as shown in Graph 901, even after the time t0 when the illegal magnet detection process is started, the magnetic field fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine, and the magnetic field gradually becomes stronger as time elapses. However, since the second detection thresholds Vslh2 (t) and Vsll2 (t) also gradually increase according to the fluctuation of the magnetic field, the measured value of the magnetic field remains even if the illegal magnet approaches the magnetic sensor 11 at time t1. The time required until the time t2 when the second detection threshold Vslh2 (t) is reached (Cnt * fs) is longer than the time length (Tlh0 * fs) corresponding to the time threshold Tlh0. Therefore, an illegal magnet is detected.

On the other hand, when the magnetic field suddenly fluctuates due to the operation of the game machine at time t3, the required time (Cnt * fs) is the time length (Tlh0 * fs) corresponding to the time threshold Tlh0, as in the above embodiment. ) Is shorter than that. Therefore, the fluctuation of the magnetic field at time t3 is not mistakenly detected as an illegal magnet. Furthermore, since the reference values Mref and the detection thresholds Vslh1 and Vsll1 are reset based on the measured values of the magnetic field for a certain period after the fluctuation, the fluctuation of the magnetic field due to the illegal magnet at the subsequent times t4 to t5 is caused by the illegal magnet. Accurately detected as a thing.

As described above, according to this modification, the magnet detection device measures the time required for the measured value of the magnetic field to change from the reference value to the detection threshold based on the continuously updated reference value and detection threshold. Therefore, even when the magnetic field generated by the game machine itself or the magnetic field around the game machine fluctuates continuously, the required time can be accurately evaluated. Therefore, this magnet detection device can accurately determine whether the fluctuation of the magnetic field is due to an illegal magnet or the operation of the game machine.

In the above embodiment or modification, the timing unit 22 and the illegal magnet detection unit 23 have recently acquired the latest magnetic field measurement value as the voltage conversion value Vc or Vc (t) of the magnetic field measurement value. The voltage conversion value of the average value of the measured values of a plurality of times of the magnetic field may be used.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a ball game machine 100 having a magnet detection device according to an embodiment or a modification of the present invention. Further, FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view of the ball game machine 100. Further, FIG. 12 is a schematic internal configuration diagram of the ball game machine 100. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ball game machine 100 is provided in most of the area from the upper part to the central part, and is arranged below the game board 101, which is the main body of the game machine, and the game board 101. It has a ball receiving portion 102, an operating portion 103 provided with a handle, and a display device 104 provided substantially in the center of the game board 101.
Further, the ball game machine 100 has a movable accessory portion 105 arranged on the front surface of the game board 101 for the purpose of producing a game. Further, a rail 106 is arranged on the side of the game board 101. Further, a large number of obstacle nails (not shown) and at least one winning device 107 are provided on the game board 101. Further, in the vicinity of the winning device 107, the magnet detection device 108 according to the above embodiment or modification is attached to the inside of the game board 101 so that the magnetic sensor faces the front side of the game board 101. The movable accessory portion 105 and the winning device 107 are examples of movable bodies, respectively.

The operation unit 103 launches a game ball with a predetermined force from a launching device (not shown) according to the amount of rotation of the handle operated by the player. The launched game ball moves upward along the rail 106 and falls between a large number of obstacle nails. Then, when it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that the game ball has entered any of the winning devices 107, the main control circuit 110 provided on the back surface of the game board 101 is determined according to the winning device 107 containing the game ball. Each game ball is paid out to the ball receiving portion 102 via a ball payout device (not shown). Further, the main control circuit 110 causes the display device 104 to display various images via the effect CPU 111 provided on the back surface of the game board 101.

Further, the effect CPU 111 is driven by the motor 112 by driving the motor 112 via a motor control device (not shown) provided inside the game board 101 according to the state of the game. The object part 105 is moved. In the present embodiment, the movable accessory portion 105 is fixed at one end at substantially the center of the game board 101, and the fixed portion is used as a rotation axis as indicated by an arrow A along the front surface of the game board 101. Rotate and move. Further, depending on the state of the game, the rotating body 105a provided near the fixed end on the front side of the movable accessory portion 105 is rotationally driven by the motor 113 attached to the movable accessory portion 105. Therefore, the distance between the motor 113 and the magnet detection device 108 varies depending on the position of the movable accessory portion 105. Therefore, the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnet detection device 108 varies depending on the position of the movable accessory portion 105 and the rotation status of the motor 112 and the motor 113.

Further, the winning device 107 is driven by a solenoid 114 provided on the back surface of the game board 101 so that the degree of opening of the opening of the winning device 107 can be adjusted according to the state of the game. Then, the main control circuit 110 adjusts the degree of opening of the winning device 107 by operating the solenoid 114 via a solenoid driving device (not shown) according to the state of the game. Therefore, the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnet detection device 108 varies depending on the operating condition of the solenoid 114.

On the other hand, the magnet detection device 108 executes the illegal magnet detection process while the ball game machine 100 is operating after the power of the ball game machine 100 is turned on and the power supply from the power source is started. .. Then, when the magnet detection device 108 detects an illegal magnet, it outputs an abnormal signal indicating that fact to the main control circuit 110. When the main control circuit 110 receives the abnormal signal, the main control circuit 110 outputs the abnormal signal to an external device. Further, the main control circuit 110 may turn on or blink a warning light (not shown) provided in the ball game machine 100, or temporarily stop the operation of the ball game machine 100.
As described above, when the strength of the magnetic field suddenly fluctuates due to any one of the motors 112, 113 and the solenoid 114 starting to operate, the magnet detection device 108 changes in the strength of the magnetic field. By changing the reference value and the detection threshold accordingly, even if any of the motors 112, 113 and the solenoid 114 is operating, the illegal magnet can be detected with high accuracy.

As described above, those skilled in the art can make various changes within the scope of the present invention according to the embodiment.

1, 2 Magnet detection device 11 Magnetic sensor 12 Drive voltage generator 13 Storage unit 14 Interface unit 15, 16 Control unit 21 Detection threshold setting unit 22 Timekeeping unit 23 Illegal magnet detection unit 24 Timekeeping threshold setting unit 100 Bullet game machine 101 Game board 102 Ball receiving part 103 Operation part 104 Display device 105 Movable accessory part 105a Rotating body 106 Rail 107 Winning device 108 Magnet detection device 110 Main control circuit 111 Production CPU
112, 113 motor 114 solenoid

Claims (5)

A magnet detection device installed in a game machine.
A magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and outputs the measured value of the magnetic field,
A timekeeping unit that measures the time required for the measured value of the magnetic field obtained from the magnetic sensor to change from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the game machine to a fluctuation of the strength of the magnetic field above a certain level.
Determines that the required time is longer than the time at which time threshold from the start of operation with a magnetic field variation of the gaming machine to variations in the magnetic field due to the operation occurs, there is a magnet that effect on the game machine Magnet detector and
Magnet detection device with. A first reference value representing the strength of the magnetic field in a steady state in the game machine, and a first value corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field when the constant fluctuation of the strength of the magnetic field occurs from the first reference value. Further has a storage unit for storing the threshold value of
The magnet detection according to claim 1 , wherein the time measuring unit measures the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the first reference value to when the measured value reaches the first threshold value as the required time. apparatus. When the required time is equal to or less than the time threshold, the first reference value and the first threshold value are set based on the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor during a certain period after the required time is measured. The magnet detection device according to claim 2 , further comprising a threshold updating unit for updating. Based on the measured value of the magnetic field obtained by the magnetic sensor during the most recent fixed period, the second reference value corresponding to the average value of the measured values of the magnetic field during the most recent fixed period, and the second reference value. further comprising a second threshold value setting unit for calculating a second threshold value corresponding to the intensity of the magnetic field when the variation from the reference value of the intensity of the constant magnetic field is generated,
The time measuring unit measures the time from when the measured value of the magnetic field does not match the second reference value to when the measured value reaches the second threshold value as the required time.
The magnet detection unit performs the game when the required time is longer than the time threshold value and the latest measured value is a value farther from the first reference value than the first threshold value. The magnet detection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein it is determined that there is a magnet that affects the machine. It ’s a game machine,
The main body of the game machine and
The magnet detection device provided in the game machine main body and
The movable body provided in the game machine main body and
The drive device that drives the movable body and
It has a control unit for operating the drive device, and has a control unit.
The magnet detection device is
A magnetic sensor that measures the magnetic field and outputs the measured value of the magnetic field,
A timekeeping unit that measures the time required for the measured value of the magnetic field obtained from the magnetic sensor to change from the strength of the magnetic field in the steady state in the game machine to a fluctuation of the strength of the magnetic field above a certain level.
Determines that the required time is longer than the time at which time threshold from the start of operation with a magnetic field variation of the gaming machine to variations in the magnetic field due to the operation occurs, there is a magnet that effect on the game machine Magnet detector and
A game machine with.

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