Resistance force generator for use in a gaming machine

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention that there can be achieved generation of a resistance force which is proportional to the operation speed of an input operation unit and reduction in the number of parts, and that a player can have a full direct feeling in the sense of touch of the input operation unit. The resistance force generator 53 according to the present invention is the resistance force generator for generating, in accordance with game information, a resistance force corresponding to the input operation on a trigger of an operation device which inputs information to a main unit of the game machine. The resistance force generator has a container 54 that accommodates a magnetic powder 36 , rotating vanes 57 which are provided inside the container 54 and rotate based on the input operation of the trigger, and an electromagnet 55 which generates a magnetic field inside the container 54 in accordance with game information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A resistance force generator for use in a game machine for generating, in accordance with game information, a resistance force corresponding to on an input operation on the input operation unit of an input means that inputs information to a main unit of the game machine, comprising: 
 a container which accommodates a magnetic substance;    a rotation member provided inside said container and rotated based on an input operation of said input operation unit; and    a magnetic field generation means which generates a magnetic field inside said container in accordance with game information.    
     
     
         2 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation member is arranged in a state in which part of a peripheral edge thereof is immersed in said magnetic substance when there is no magnetic field in said container.  
     
     
         3 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation member is arranged in a state in which all of one side thereof is immersed in said magnetic substance when there is no magnetic field in said container.  
     
     
         4 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation member has an accommodation part which accomodates said magnetic substance when a magnetic field is produced  
     
     
         5 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation member is of a nonmagnetic substance.  
     
     
         6 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotation member includes rotating vanes.  
     
     
         7 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic substance is a magnetic powder.  
     
     
         8 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic substance is a magnetic fluid.  
     
     
         9 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic field generation means is an electromagnet.  
     
     
         10 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic field generation means is arranged so as to collect magnetic substance on an entire region of said rotation member when a magnetic field is generated.  
     
     
         11 . The resistance force generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said container has, in a part which is isolated from said rotation member, a space in which the magnetic substance collects when a magnetic field is generated.  
     
     
         12 . A resistance force generator for generating in accordance with game information, a resistance force corresponding to an input operation on an input operation unit of an input means that inputs information to a main unit of the game machine, comprising: 
 a magnetic member which rotates based on the input operation of said input operation unit; and    a magnetic field generation means which generates a magnetic field toward said magnetic member in accordance with game information.