Crane game machine

Abstract

To provide a crane game machine that can provide a variety of ways to play.SOLUTION: A crane game machine includes: a housing 1 having a plurality of sub areas 210 and a discharge area 220 that comes in contact with each sub area 210; a catcher unit 3 configured to grip a prize; and control means 4 having a processor module 42 configured to drive the catcher unit 3 in correspondence with an operation signal from an operation interface 43, and when the catcher unit 3 enters any one sub area 210, limit a movable range for driving the catcher unit 3 in correspondence with the operation signal to the sub area 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game machine in which a prize is grabbed by operating a catcher. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the conventional crane game machine shown in Patent Document 1 is a piece of equipment that provides a game in which a player obtains the right to play by inserting a coin, and then uses this right to operate a catcher to reach a desired position in a showcase in order to attempt to grab a prize placed in the showcase. If the player is able to grab the prize and eject it from the ejection opening, he or she can win that prize.

[0003] However, there is no denying that there is a sense of monotony and staleness that comes from the fact that this is the only game they can offer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-138754 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a crane game machine which allows for a variety of different ways of playing the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the crane game machine of the present invention comprises: a cabinet including a showcase surrounding a game space having a plurality of sub-areas and discharge areas each adjacent to each of the sub-areas, and a lower portion disposed below the showcase and having a discharge passage communicating with the discharge areas of the game space; A catcher unit configured to be able to move within the game space and grab prizes; a control means configured to include a coin insertion module attached to the housing and used to generate a start signal, a processor module connected to the coin insertion module in a signal manner, and an operation interface connected to the processor module in a signal manner so as to output an operation signal for operating the catcher unit in response to an operation of the processor module; When the processor module receives the start signal from the coin insertion module, it drives the catcher unit in response to the operation signal from the operation interface, and when the catcher unit enters any one of the sub-areas, it is configured to limit the movable range in which the catcher unit is driven to the sub-area in response to the operation signal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] With the above configuration, since the present invention has multiple sub-areas, it is possible to set it up so that when a player inserts a coin / token into the coin insertion module to start a game, the player can play multiple times in multiple sub-areas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a crane game machine of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the arrangement of the showcases in the crane game machine of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between a control means and related members in the crane game machine of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a control state of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a control state of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a control state of the crane game machine of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the crane game machine of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the crane game machine of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this embodiment comprises a cabinet 1, a catcher unit 3, a control means 4, and a bonus table 5.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cabinet 1 has a showcase 11 surrounding a game space 110 having a plurality of sub-areas 210 separated by partitions 21 and a discharge area 220 adjacent to each sub-area 210, and a lower portion 12 disposed below the showcase 11 and having a discharge passage 120 communicating with the discharge area 220 of the game space 110.

[0012] In this embodiment, the sub-areas 210 are arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction D and are configured to extend along a second horizontal direction S perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D, and the bonus area 230 is arranged to the left of the sub-area 210 on the left side in the first horizontal direction D in Fig. 2, and the discharge area 220 extends along the first horizontal direction D and is arranged next to each of the sub-areas 210 and the bonus area 230 in the second horizontal direction S, and has a discharge opening 129 communicating with the discharge passage 120 formed in the lower portion 12. In other words, the bonus area 230 is separate from each of the sub-areas 210 and is adjacent to the discharge area 220.

[0013] In addition, as another embodiment, a configuration in which the bonus area 230 is not provided is also conceivable. In this case, the discharge area 220 extends along the first horizontal direction D and is disposed adjacent to each sub-area 210 in the second horizontal direction S.

[0014] Each partition board 21 is arranged along the boundary line between two adjacent sub-areas 210 and the boundary line between a sub-area 210 and a bonus area 230, and prizes of different types, such as price, size, shape, weight, etc., can be arranged in the different sub-areas 210 separated by the partition boards 21.

[0015] It is also possible to define each sub-area 210 as a spatial concept used when the control means 4 performs control, without providing partitions 21 that physically separate the sub-areas 210.

[0016] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a bonus table 5 formed as a base is placed in the bonus area 230, and the bonus table 5 is signal-connected to a processor module 42 described below of the control means 4, and is configured to include a sensor 51 that outputs a bonus signal to the processor module 42 when it detects that a prize has fallen into the bonus area 230, and an ejection assistance member 52 that pushes out the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 into the ejection area 220.

[0017] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, each sub-area 210 is divided into at least one first sub-area 210A and at least one second sub-area 210B, and more specifically, the two sub-areas 210 that are not adjacent to the bonus area 230 are the first sub-area 210A, and the sub-area 210 that is adjacent to the bonus area 230 is the second sub-area 210B.

[0018] As for the differences between the first sub-area 210A and the second sub-area 210B, they are different in the control process (described later) performed by the control means 4, so that, for example, the owner / manager of the crane game machine can set the placement of different types of prizes, but it can be said that there are no structural differences.

[0019] The catcher unit 3 is attached to the top of the showcase 11 and is configured to be able to move within the game space 110 and grab prizes, and since its specific configuration can use conventional technology, detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 1, the control means 4 is attached to the housing 1 and is configured to have a coin insertion module 41 used to generate a start signal, a processor module 42 that is signal-connected to the coin insertion module 41, and an operation interface 43 that is signal-connected to the processor module 42 so as to output an operation signal to the processor module 42 for operating the catcher unit 3 in accordance with the operation.

[0021] The coin insertion module 41 detects the type and number of inserted coins or tokens using, for example, conventional technology, and when it confirms that the appropriate coins or tokens have been inserted, it outputs a start signal to the processor module 42, which acknowledges the acquisition of the right to play and leads to the start of the game. The processor module 42 can be configured using, for example, a microcontroller equipped with an information processing unit (CPU) and a recording medium (memory), but can also realize the function of executing a program that controls the movement of the catcher unit 3 in response to an operation signal from the operation interface 43 by using a circuit board or the like equipped with an IC chip. The operation interface 43 can be configured using, for example, a circuit board to which a joystick and one or more buttons are attached.

[0022] In this embodiment, the processor module 42 stores a clamping force parameter corresponding to each sub-area 210, and controls the clamping force when the catcher unit 3 grabs an object according to the clamping force parameter corresponding to the sub-area 210 into which the catcher unit 3 enters. In addition to the clamping force parameter, it is also possible to individually set additional parameters such as a catcher speed parameter corresponding to each sub-area 210 and a delay parameter that changes the response delay in response to an operation on the operation interface 43.

[0023] 3, a position sensor 22 that detects which sub-area 210 the catcher unit 3 has entered is disposed on the housing 1. The position sensor 22 is a component for identifying the position of the catcher unit 3, and specifically, for example, can be configured using a sensor that performs optical detection.

[0024] With this configuration, the coin insertion module 41 confirms the insertion of a coin, recognizes that the right to play has been acquired, and outputs a start signal. When the processor module 42 receives the start signal from the coin insertion module 41, it drives the catcher unit 3 in response to an operation signal from the joystick of the operation interface 43, and when the catcher unit 3 enters one of the sub-areas 210 from the initial area, it is configured to limit the movable range for driving the catcher unit 3 to that sub-area 210 in response to the operation signal from the joystick.

[0025] After the catcher unit 3 enters any one of the sub-areas 210, the processor module 42 executes the following control process for the catcher unit 3.

[0026] When the processor module 42 receives a grabbing signal from the operation interface 43 for the catcher unit 3 that has entered the first sub-area 210A, the processor module 42 transitions to the first grabbing control, and when the processor module 42 receives a grabbing signal from the operation interface 43 for the catcher unit 3 that has entered the second sub-area 210B, the processor module 42 transitions to the second grabbing control.

[0027] In the first grabbing control, the processor module 42 controls the catcher unit 3 to descend so that the player attempts to grab the prize, and then moves the catcher unit 3 to the discharge area 220 before releasing it to the catcher unit 3; in the second grabbing control, the processor module 42 controls the catcher unit 3 to descend so that the player attempts to grab the prize, and then moves the catcher unit 3 to the bonus area 230 before releasing it to the catcher unit 3.

[0028] When the sensor 51 detects that the prize held by the catcher unit 3 has been released and fallen into the bonus area 230 by the second grabbing control, it outputs a bonus signal to the processor module 42. When the processor module 42 receives the bonus signal from the sensor 51, it activates the discharge assist member 52 and grants a play right to further operate the catcher unit 3 and attempt to grab the prize. Furthermore, when the processor module 42 receives a bonus signal, in addition to granting a play right, it can also be designed to add variety to the game by granting, for example, a reward for improving / stabilizing the gripping force of the catcher 3 or other bonus rewards.

[0029] Here, by having a plurality of sub-areas 210, the present invention can set the play right acquired by inserting a coin / token as a right to enter one of the sub-areas 210 and try to grab a prize, or a right to enter each of the sub-areas 210 once and try to grab a prize. In the latter case, it is possible to advertise that "a total of three plays are possible." Also, if a product can be grabbed in a specific sub-area 210 (the second sub-area 210B), the prize that was grabbed by the catcher unit 3 is dropped into the bonus area 230 by the second grab control, and the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 is pushed into the discharge area 220 by the discharge assist member 52, so that the prize can be acquired, and the newly granted play right can be used to continue playing without inserting additional coins / tokens.

[0030] Furthermore, in addition to the gripping force parameters corresponding to each sub-area 210, the present invention also makes it possible to individually set catcher speed parameters corresponding to each sub-area 210, delay parameters that change the response delay in response to operations on the operation interface 43, and the like, and therefore it becomes possible to vary the difficulty of play in each sub-area 210, for example.

[0031] In this way, when the player inserts a coin / token into the coin insertion module 41 to start the game, the present invention can be set so that, for example, the player can enter each of the three sub-areas 210 once to try to grab a prize, and if the player can grab a prize in a specific sub-area 210 (the second sub-area 210B), the prize grabbed by the catcher unit 3 is dropped into the bonus area 230 by the second grab control, and the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 is pushed into the discharge area 220 by the discharge assistance member 52, so that the player can obtain the prize. It is also possible to set so that the player can continue playing without inserting additional coins / tokens by using the newly granted play right. In other words, in the present invention, after performing the grab control in one sub-area 210, the catcher unit 3 can be returned to the initial area to end the game, or the catcher unit 3 can be moved to another sub-area 210 to perform the grab control again.

[0032] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to propose a wide variety of ways to play. For example, the owner / manager can set up the game so that it is not limited to the traditional way of playing where one catch is made by inserting a coin / token once, but can advertise the possibility of playing under more favorable conditions than before, such as multiple plays in multiple sub-areas, thereby attracting players to participate in the game.

[0033] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Case 11. Showcase 110 Game Space 12 Lower 120 Discharge passage 129 Discharge opening 21 Partition 210 Subarea 22 Position Sensor 230 Bonus Area 3 Catcher Unit 4. Control Measures 41 Coin Insert Module 42 Processor Module 43 Operation Interface 5 Bonus Machine 51 Sensors 52 Ejection auxiliary parts D First horizontal direction S Second horizontal direction

Claims

1. a cabinet including a showcase surrounding a game space having a plurality of sub-areas and discharge areas each adjacent to each of the sub-areas, and a lower portion disposed below the showcase and having a discharge passage communicating with the discharge areas of the game space; A catcher unit configured to be able to move within the game space and grab prizes; a control means configured to include a coin insertion module attached to the housing and used to generate a start signal, a processor module connected to the coin insertion module in a signal manner, and an operation interface connected to the processor module in a signal manner so as to output an operation signal for operating the catcher unit in response to an operation of the processor module; The crane game machine is configured such that, when the processor module receives the start signal from the coin insertion module, it drives the catcher unit in response to the operation signal from the operation interface, and, when the catcher unit enters any one of the sub-areas, it limits the movable range in which the catcher unit is driven in response to the operation signal to that sub-area.

2. A partition plate arranged along a boundary line between two adjacent sub-areas; The crane game machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: a position sensor that detects which of the sub-areas the catcher unit has entered.

3. The crane game machine according to claim 2 , wherein the processor module controls the clamping force when the catcher unit grabs the ball with a clamping force parameter corresponding to the sub-area into which the catcher unit has entered.

4. The game space further includes a bonus area that is separate from each of the sub-areas and adjacent to the ejection area, Each of the sub-areas is divided into at least one first sub-area and at least one second sub-area, and when the processor module receives a grab signal from the operation interface for the catcher unit that has entered the first sub-area, the processor module transitions to a first grab control; When the processor module receives a grab signal from the operation interface for the catcher unit that has entered the second sub-area, the processor module transitions to a second grab control; In the first grab control, the processor module controls the catcher unit to move down to attempt to grab a prize, and then controls the catcher unit to move to the discharge area and release the prize; The crane game machine of claim 1, wherein in the second grabbing control, the processor module controls the catcher unit to descend to attempt to grab a prize, and then to move the catcher unit to the bonus area and then to release the prize.

5. The crane game machine according to claim 4, further comprising a sensor which outputs a bonus signal to the processor module when it detects that a prize caught by the catcher unit by the second grabbing control has been released and fallen into the bonus area.

6. A discharge assist member is disposed in the bonus area to push out the prize that has fallen into the bonus area to the discharge area, The crane game machine according to claim 5, wherein when the processor module receives the bonus signal from the sensor, it activates the discharge assist member and grants a playing right to further operate the catcher unit to attempt to grab a prize.

7. The crane game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the sub-areas is arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction and is configured to extend along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

8. The crane game machine according to claim 7, wherein the discharge area extends along the first horizontal direction, is disposed adjacent to each of the sub-areas in the second horizontal direction, and has a discharge opening communicating with the discharge passage.

9. The crane game machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each of the sub-areas is arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction and configured to extend along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the bonus area is disposed adjacent to the sub-area along the first horizontal direction.

10. 10. The crane game machine according to claim 9, wherein the discharge area extends along the first horizontal direction and is disposed adjacent to each of the sub-areas and the bonus area in the second horizontal direction, and has a discharge opening communicating with the discharge passage.

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