Game machine, method of controlling the same, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of setting a more appropriate gripping force to an arm in a play mode.SOLUTION: A game machine 1 provides a play mode for giving a prize 5 and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of an arm 11 by using an arm unit 10 for gripping the prize 5 by closing the arm 11 and an operation unit 8 including a lever 8a and a push button 8b for operating the arm unit 10. The game machine 1 executes a series of control for gradually reducing the grip force of the arm 11 from the grip force for gripping the prize 5 so as not to drop the prize 5 to the drop grip force when the grip is released and the prize 5 drops once or a plurality of times, and acquires the grip force to be applied in the play mode based on one or a plurality of drop grip forces obtained from the control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game machine that utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes the arm to grip a game medium, and an input device including an operating means for operating the arm unit, to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm. [Background technology]

[0002] A known game machine uses an output device including an arm unit that closes the arm to grip the game medium, and an input device including an operating means for operating the arm unit, to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6443643 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the game machine of Patent Document 1, the gripping forces of the two arms are set by touching a gripping force value setting icon. This type of gripping force is often changed depending on various purposes. For this reason, there is a need for an appropriate gripping force setting.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game machine or the like that can set a more appropriate gripping force to an arm in play mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first form of the present invention is a gaming machine that uses an output device including an arm unit that closes the arm to grip a game medium and an input device including an operating means for operating the arm unit to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, and is equipped with a gripping force control means that gradually reduces the gripping force of the arm in the setting mode from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a gripping force acquisition means that acquires a corrected gripping force as the gripping force after a correction has been applied to the falling gripping force.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a game machine that uses an output device including an arm unit that closes an arm to grip a game medium and an input device including an operation means for operating the arm unit to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, and includes: gripping force control means that executes a series of controls multiple times in the setting mode to gradually reduce the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a drop gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls; and gripping force acquisition means that acquires a play gripping force related to the gripping force to be applied in the play mode based on the multiple drop gripping forces obtained from the series of controls multiple times. It is something that is equipped with.

[0008] The computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each of the means of the game machine described above.

[0009] In addition, the control method according to the first form of the present invention utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes the arm to grip the game medium, and an input device including an operating means for operating the arm unit, to cause a computer incorporated into a game machine that provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, to execute a gripping force control procedure in which the gripping force of the arm is gradually reduced in the setting mode from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a gripping force acquisition procedure in which a corrected gripping force is acquired as the gripping force after a correction has been applied to the falling gripping force.

[0010] A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes the arm to grip the game medium, and an input device including an operating means for operating the arm unit, to cause a computer incorporated into a game machine that provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, to execute a gripping force control procedure that executes a series of controls multiple times in the setting mode to gradually reduce the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a gripping force acquisition procedure that acquires a play gripping force related to the gripping force to be applied in the play mode based on the multiple falling gripping forces obtained from the series of controls multiple times. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the arm portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an arm module. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the relationship between the drive gear and the wheel in the arm module. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the drive gear as viewed from the side opposite the wheel. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the arm module from another viewpoint. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of a game machine. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game process executed by an arm control unit of the control unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for measuring a gripping force during a fall in the power setting assistance. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a power setting screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a power setting assist screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a power setting assistance screen after measurement is completed. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a method for obtaining a setting grip force. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a timing setting screen. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for an assist process. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of a method for creating a gripping state according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This gaming machine is a so-called arcade gaming machine that provides a game in which players can win prizes in exchange for payment of a predetermined price. First, a schematic configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a housing 2. A storage space 3 is provided inside the housing 2. The storage space 3 is, for example, surrounded by transparent panels on the front, left, and right sides, allowing it to be observed from outside the gaming machine 1. Prizes 5, which serve as an example of game media, are stored in the storage space 3. The number of prizes 5 may be one or more. Multiple prizes 5 of different types may be stored in the storage space 3. The prizes 5 may be any tangible object, such as stuffed toys, figurines, candy packaging, toys, miscellaneous goods, stationery, food, cards, or medals. Alternatively, substitute prizes, such as balls or empty boxes that can be exchanged for the prizes 5, may be stored in the storage space 3 as an example of game media. In the example of FIG. 1, stuffed toys are shown stored as the prizes 5.

[0013] The storage space 3 is provided with an arm unit 10 for capturing a prize 5. The arm unit 10 is operable to close multiple (two in the illustrated example) arms 11 to grip a prize 5 and move the multiple arms 11 gripping the prize 5 to a predetermined target position, thereby transporting the prize 5 to a position corresponding to the target position. The movement directions of the arms 11 are, for example, set in three axial directions: front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down, as seen from the user operating the operation unit 8. In FIG. 1 , the front-to-back direction is indicated by arrow X, the left-to-right direction by arrow Y, and the up-to-down direction by arrow Z. Details of the arm unit 10 will be described later. The target position here refers to a target position to which each arm 11 should be moved in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z within the storage space 3. The concept of the position of each arm 11 includes the position in the three axial directions of the storage space 3 and the position in the opening and closing directions of each arm 11. Hereinafter, the former may be distinguished from the position in the storage space 3, and the latter may be distinguished from the position in the opening and closing directions. The position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction can also be understood as the degree to which the arm 11 is opened, or the opening angle of the arm 11. Furthermore, the movement of each arm 11 means a change in position within the accommodation space 3. The change in position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction is referred to as the opening / closing or rotation operation of the arm 11, and is distinguished from the change in position of the arm 11 within the accommodation space 3.

[0014] A drop opening 6 is opened in the storage space 3 for discharging the prize 5 held by the arm 11 out of the game machine 1. The position directly above the drop opening 6 corresponds to an example of the target position of the arm 11, and the position of the prize 5 held by the arm 11 at that target position corresponds to an example of a position corresponding to the target position. The drop opening 6 leads to an outlet 7 that opens on the front side of the cabinet 2. The prize 5 that falls into the drop opening 6 can be removed from the outlet 7. Note that the drop opening 6 after the arm 11 drops the prize 5 at a position directly above the drop opening 6, or the outlet 7 leading from there, may function as the target position. In other words, the prize 5, which is an example of a game medium, may be awarded to the user when it is transported to the drop opening 6 or the outlet 7, which are examples of the target position.

[0015] An operation unit 8 is provided on the front side of the game machine 1, allowing the user to instruct the operation of the arm unit 10. The operation unit 8 includes, for example, a lever 8a and a push button 8b as user operation objects. The lever 8a is operated to instruct the movement direction of the arm unit 10, and the push button 8b is operated to instruct the arm unit 10 to grip the prize 5. The operation unit 8 also includes a setting unit SU. The game machine 1 provides not only a play mode in which the user plays the game, but also a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm 11 is set. The setting unit SU is mainly used in the setting mode. The setting unit SU may be configured as appropriate. In the example of FIG. 1, the operation unit 8 includes a monitor MO and a touch sensor TS. The monitor MO is an output device (display device) for displaying a setting screen for executing various settings. The touch sensor TS is displayed so as to cover the monitor MO and is an input device for detecting the user's touch operation (operation of touching with a finger) on the setting screen. In this example, the lever 8a and the push button 8b function as the operation means of the present invention.

[0016] The game machine 1 may further include a payment unit for settling a play fee as consideration, an authentication unit for authenticating a user, and the like, but these are not shown in the figure. The play fee may be paid using various payment methods, such as cash or electronic payment using electronic money. The play fee does not necessarily have to be paid for each game played. The play fee may be paid as an admission fee to a facility such as a store where the game machine 1 is installed, or may be paid in the form of a subscription, such as a membership fee. The game machine 1 is not limited to a type in which a user operates the operation unit 8 at the installation location. For example, the game machine 1 may be used as a so-called online game machine in which a user operates the game machine 1 using a user terminal device, such as a smartphone or personal computer, connected to a network as a remote input / output device.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the arm unit 10 will be described. The arm unit 10 includes an arm section 13 including the above-described multiple arms 11, and a unit driver 14 that moves the arm section 13 in the above-described three-axis directions. The position of each arm 11 in the housing space 3 is determined by the position of the arm section 13 in the three-axis directions. Therefore, hereinafter, the position of each arm 11 in the housing space 3 may be referred to as the position of the arm section 13. For example, the target position of each arm 11 may be referred to as the target position of the arm section 13. Furthermore, the movement of each arm 11 within the housing space 3 may be referred to as the movement of the arm section 13. The unit driver 14 is configured, for example, by combining an elevation driver 15 that moves the arm section 13 up and down, and a horizontal driver 16 that moves the arm section 13 and elevation driver 15 together in a horizontal plane (within the X-Y plane). The lifting drive unit 15 includes, for example, a wire 17 that suspends and supports the arm unit 13, and a reel 18 that winds up the wire 17 is driven to rotate by a drive source such as an electric motor to change the amount of wire 17 wound up, thereby moving the arm unit 13 up and down. The portion of the wire 17 that is pulled out from the reel 18 is exposed within the accommodation space 3. When the wire 17 is exposed, the arm unit 13 is likely to sway as it moves. As a result, the arm 11 is also likely to sway. To suppress such swaying, a cylindrical telescopic cover or the like that can expand and contract in the up and down direction may be provided around the wire 17.

[0018] The horizontal drive unit 16 may be configured, for example, by combining a support mechanism that supports the entire lift drive unit 15 so that it can move freely in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, and a drive mechanism that moves the entire lift drive unit 15 individually in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. However, such support mechanisms and drive mechanisms are well known. For example, an XY stage or the like may be used as the support mechanism, and a fluid pressure-operated actuator or a linear motion mechanism that converts the rotation of an electric motor into linear motion may be used as the drive mechanism. Detailed explanations of each mechanism will be omitted. The unit drive unit 14 may be configured appropriately as long as it is capable of moving the arm unit 13 in the above-mentioned three axial directions.

[0019] An example of the internal structure of the arm section 13 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the arm section 13 includes a base 20 and a plurality of arm modules 21 attached to the base 20. The base 20 is connected to the wires 17 of the unit driver 14, thereby supporting the unit driver 14 by hanging from it. The arms 11 are provided as components of the arm modules 21. Therefore, an arm module 21 is provided for each arm 11. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two sets of arm modules 21 are attached to the base 20, thereby providing the arm section 13 with two arms 11. The arm modules 21 have the same configuration. However, the number of arms 11 is not limited to two. By replacing the brackets 22 of the base 20, it is possible to attach three or more sets of arm modules 21 to the base 20, thereby providing three or more arms 11 in the arm unit 10. To ensure balance during operation of the arm unit 10, the arms 11 are arranged at equal intervals around the center line of suspension by the wires 17. That is, the arms 11 are spaced equally apart around the wire 17 .

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the arm module 21 includes a bracket 30, a motor 31 for driving the arm attached to the bracket 30, and a transmission mechanism 32 that transmits the driving force of the motor 31 to the arm 11. The bracket 30 is a sheet metal part made by appropriately bending a plate material, and functions as a base for attaching the entire arm module 21 to the base 20. The transmission mechanism 32 includes a pinion 33 attached to the output shaft of the motor 31 so as to be rotatable together with it, a drive gear 34 that meshes with the pinion 33, and a wheel 35 combined with the drive gear 34 so as to be rotatable relatively around the rotation axis of the drive gear 34. The arm 11 is attached to a connecting portion 36 on the outer periphery of the wheel 35, and is thereby rotatable together with the wheel 35 in both the opening direction Ro and the closing direction Rc around the rotation axis 35a of the wheel 35.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, a guide groove 37 is provided on the inside of the wheel 35. The guide groove 37 includes an annular portion 37a that extends in an arc around the rotation axis 35a of the wheel 35 and a pair of linear portions 37b that extend straight from both ends of the annular portion 37a. The linear portions 37b are parallel to each other and symmetrical on the left and right sides of the rotation axis 35a. Coil springs 39A and 39B are disposed on each linear portion 37b. Caps 40A and 40B are fitted to the ends of the coil springs 39A on the annular portion 37a side. Each cap 40A and 40B can slide up and down within the linear portions 37b in FIG. 4. As the cap 40A moves downward in FIG. 4, the coil spring 39A is gradually compressed, and the repulsive force against this compression acts as a force that rotates the wheel 35 in the closing direction Rc. Meanwhile, as cap 40B is displaced downward in Figure 4, coil spring 39B is gradually compressed, and the repulsive force against this compression acts as a force to rotate wheel 35 in the opening direction Ro. When caps 40A and 40B reach the lower end of straight portion 37b, in other words, the end of guide groove 37, where they reach their limit of movement, further compression of coil springs 39A and 39B is prevented. The total length of coil springs 39A and 39B at this time is set to be greater than their solid height. This prevents damage to coil springs 39A and 39B due to excessive compression.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5 , a pair of drive pins 41A and 41B protruding like shafts are provided on a side surface 34a of the drive gear 34 facing the wheel 35. The drive pins 41A and 41B are integral with the drive gear 34. Therefore, as the drive gear 34 rotates, the drive pins 41A and 41B also rotate around the rotation axis of the drive gear 34. When the drive gear 34 and the wheel 35 are assembled together, the drive pins 41A and 41B are inserted into the guide groove 37 of the wheel 35. When the drive gear 34 is rotated in the closing direction Rc relative to the wheel 35, the drive pin 41A located in that rotational direction comes into contact with one of the caps 40A, and the rotational drive force of the drive gear 34 is transmitted to the wheel 35 side as a rotational drive force in the closing direction Rc via the cap 40A and the coil spring 39A. This drives the arm 11 in the closing direction Rc. When the drive gear 34 is driven to rotate in the opening direction Ro relative to the wheel 35, the drive pin 41B located in the rotational direction comes into contact with the other cap 40B, and the rotational drive force of the drive gear 34 is transmitted to the wheel 35 side via the cap 40B and the coil spring 39B as a rotational drive force in the opening direction Ro. As a result, the arm 11 is driven in the opening direction Ro.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a protrusion 42 is provided at one location on the outer periphery of the wheel 35. Meanwhile, a pair of stoppers 43A and 43B are provided around the periphery of the wheel 35. The protrusion 42 rotates integrally with the wheel 35 around the rotation axis 35a. The stoppers 43A and 43B are fixed in fixed positions on the bracket 30. When the wheel 35 rotates so that the arm 11 moves in the closing direction Rc, the protrusion 42 strikes the upper stopper 43A, preventing further rotation of the wheel 35. If the position of the arm 11 at this time is the fully closed position, even when the arm 11 is in the fully closed position, the cap 40A is in a position before reaching its limit of movement. For example, the position of the drive pin 41A is set relative to the positions of the protrusion 42 and the stopper 43A so that the compression of the coil spring 39 is nearly zero or slightly compressed when the protrusion 42 contacts the stopper 43A and the arm 11 moves to the fully closed position.

[0024] After the arm 11 reaches the fully closed position, further rotation of the drive gear 34 in the direction corresponding to the closing direction Rc of the arm 11 increases the compression of the coil spring 39A while maintaining the arm 11 in the fully closed position. The repulsive force against this compression acts as a resistance to the rotation of the arm 11 in the opening direction Ro. This resistance acts as the gripping force of the arm 11 on the prize 5. When a gripping force is generated in the fully closed position, if the arm 11 rotates in the opening direction Ro, the compression of the coil spring 39A increases, and the gripping force also increases. However, if the drive gear 34 is driven in the opening direction Ro by an amount equal to the rotation of the arm 11 in the opening direction Ro, the compression of the coil spring 39A can be maintained at the compression amount at the fully closed position. In this embodiment, by controlling the compression of the coil spring 39A in this manner, the gripping force of the arm 11 is maintained constant regardless of the position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction. Therefore, even if the arm 11 rotates in the opening direction Ro from the fully closed position due to grasping a prize 5, the gripping force does not change. In other words, whether the rotation of the arm 11 in the closing direction Rc is blocked by the stopper 43A or due to grasping a prize 5, the drive gear 34 is driven to maintain a constant compression amount of the coil spring 39A, thereby maintaining the desired gripping force regardless of the position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction. Hereinafter, the gripping force to be generated by the arm 11 may be referred to as the gripping force setting value. The setting value correlates with the ease with which the arm 11 grasps the prize 5 and the gripping stability. The smaller the setting value, the more difficult it is to grasp the prize 5 and the less stable the grasped prize 5 becomes. The larger the setting value, the easier it is to grasp the prize 5 and the more stable the grasped prize 5 becomes. The ease and stability of grasping the prize 5 are closely related to the playability of the game and the profitability of the gaming machine 1. If the prize 5 is too difficult to grasp or too easy to grasp, the playability is impaired, and the easier the prize 5 is to grasp, the less profitable it becomes. Therefore, the operator of the gaming machine 1 is required to adjust the setting value of the gripping force so as to ensure a good balance between playability and profitability.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, a detection plate 45 and a partial gear 46 are provided on the wheel 35 to detect the position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction. The detection plate 45 is rotatable integrally with the wheel 35 around the rotation axis 35a. The partial gear 46 is provided in a limited area on the outer periphery of the wheel 35. As shown in FIG. 6, a photosensor 47 and a potentiometer 48 are provided on the bracket 30. The photosensor 47 outputs a predetermined detection signal when the arm 11 rotates in the opening direction Ro and detects the detection plate 45 at a position where the protrusion 42 of the wheel 35 contacts the stopper 43B. In other words, the photosensor 47 outputs a detection signal when the arm 11 is in the fully open position. The rotation of the partial gear 46 is transmitted to the potentiometer 48 via a pinion 49. As a result, the potentiometer 48 outputs a detection signal that correlates with the amount of rotation of the wheel 35. In other words, the potentiometer 48 outputs a rotation signal each time the arm 11 rotates a predetermined unit amount. The position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction can be determined by counting the detection signal from the potentiometer 48, based on the position of the arm 11 when the photosensor 47 outputs a detection signal. Therefore, the photosensor 47 and the potentiometer 48 function as an example of a sensor that outputs a signal that can be used to determine the position of the arm 11 in the opening / closing direction, and further function as an example of a detection means that detects information that can be used to determine whether the arm 11 is in a gripping state or a non-gripping state. Note that the stopper 43A in the closing direction Rc is not shown in Figure 6.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the control system of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The gaming machine 1 is provided with a control unit 101 and a storage unit 102. The control unit 101 is configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and internal memory required for its operation. The storage unit 102 is a storage device equipped with a non-volatile medium capable of retaining memory, such as a magnetic storage medium or flash ROM, and functions as an external storage device for the control unit 101. A computer program Pg and management data Dg are recorded in the storage unit 102. The management data Dg is data in which various information related to the operating status of the gaming machine 1, such as the prize payout history and payout rate, is recorded. As an example, the setting value of the arm 11 is also managed by the management data Dg.

[0027] The control unit 101 is connected to the operation unit 8, unit driver 14, and arm module 21 described above. While one arm module 21 is representatively shown in FIG. 7, the same number of arm modules 21 as the number of arms 11 are connected to the control unit 101. A prize sensor PS is also connected to the control unit 101. The prize sensor PS detects, for example, the passage of a prize 5 through the drop opening 6 and outputs a predetermined detection signal. The operation unit 8 also includes a setting unit SU. The setting unit SU may include various devices. As examples, FIG. 7 shows a monitor MO and a touch sensor TS. The monitor MO displays a setting screen or the like in response to a signal from the control unit 101. The touch sensor TS detects the position of a user's touch operation and inputs a signal corresponding to the detected position to the control unit 101. A settlement unit and the like are also connected to the control unit 101, but these are not shown in the figure.

[0028] The control unit 101 is provided with a game management unit 103, an arm control unit 104, and a setting control unit 105, which are logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program Pg as software. The game management unit 103 performs various processes necessary for managing game play, such as determining whether or not game play is permitted subject to payment of a prize, determining whether or not a prize has been obtained using the output signal of the prize sensor PS, and writing a prize acquisition log to the management data Dg, based on information obtained from the operation unit 8 and the settlement unit. When game play is permitted by the game management unit 103, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the unit driver 14 and the arm module 21 based on the output signal of the operation unit 8. This causes the arm unit 10 to operate in response to the player's operation of the operation unit 8. The setting control unit 105 performs processes related to various settings in the setting mode. As one of such processes, the setting control unit 105 performs an assist process, for example. The details of the assist process will be described later.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows an example of the procedure of game processing executed by the arm control unit 104 of the control unit 101. The processing in FIG. 8 is processing executed in response to one play opportunity aimed at winning a prize 5. When play of the game is permitted by the game management unit 103, the arm control unit 104 starts the game processing in FIG. 8. At the start of the game processing, the arm unit 10 is in a predetermined initial state. As an example of the initial state, the arm unit 13 is in its initial position within the accommodation space 3, and each arm 11 is held in a fully closed position in the opening / closing direction. When the game processing starts, the arm control unit 104 first detects a user operation on the operation unit 8 (step S101). Next, the arm control unit 104 determines whether the user operation is an instruction to move the arm unit 13 (step S102). If the command is to move the arm section 13 by the unit driver 14, the arm controller 104 operates the unit driver 14 in response to the user's operation, thereby moving the arm section 13 in response to the user's operation (step S103), and then proceeds to step S104. For example, if the user can only instruct the arm section 13 to move forward, backward, left, and right, i.e., in the X-axis and Y-axis directions in FIG. 1, by operating the lever 8a of the operation unit 8, the operation of the horizontal driver 16 of the unit driver 14 is controlled so that the arm section 13 moves forward, backward, left, and right in response to the operation of the lever 8a. If the user can also instruct the arm section 13 to move up and down, i.e., in the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1, in addition to the forward, backward, left, and right directions, the operation of the lift driver 15 and the horizontal driver 16 of the unit driver 14 may be controlled so that the arm section 13 moves up and down in response to the user's operation. If the command to move the arm section 13 is not issued in step S102, the arm controller 104 skips step S103 and proceeds to step S104.

[0030] In step S104, the arm control unit 104 determines whether the operation detected in step S101 is a catch operation. A catch operation is an operation in which, after the user determines the position of the arm unit 13 within the storage space 3, the user instructs the opening and closing of the arm 11 to grasp the prize 5. For example, operation of the push button 8b of the operation unit 8 is treated as a catch operation. If a catch operation is not performed, the arm control unit 104 returns to step S101. If a catch operation is performed, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the motor 31 of the arm module 21 so that each arm 11 is rotated toward the fully open position (step S105), and then controls the operation of the lift drive unit 15 of the unit drive unit 14 so that the arm unit 13 descends to a predetermined position (step S106). In this case, the predetermined position is set as a position where each arm 11 should be operated in the closing direction to attempt to grasp the prize 5. Note that the opening and closing direction movement of the arms 11 is controlled equally in all arm modules 21. In the following description, the opening and closing operations of the arms 11 are equally controlled among the arm modules 21.

[0031] When the arm unit 13 descends to a predetermined position, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the motor 31 of the arm module 21 so that each arm 11 is driven in the closing direction (step S107). In this case, the motor 31 is driven to a position where the gripping force to be generated by the arm 11 reaches the above-mentioned set value. However, as the arms 11 move in the closing direction, a prize 5 may be caught between the arms 11, and the processing of step S107 does not necessarily cause the arms 11 to reach the fully closed position. In this case, the operation of the motor 31 is controlled so that the compression amount of the coil spring 39A corresponds to the set value of the gripping force, based on the position where the rotation of the arms 11 in the closing direction Rc stops, and the gripping force of the arms 11 is set to the desired set value.

[0032] After step S107, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the lifting drive unit 15 of the unit drive unit 14 so that the arm unit 13 rises to a predetermined position (step S108). In this case, the predetermined position is set as the vertical position of the arm unit 13 when the prize 5 held by the arm 11 is transported to a position corresponding to the target position of the arm 11, i.e., a position directly above the drop opening 6. However, the raising of the arm unit 13 to the predetermined position in step S108 is performed regardless of whether the prize 5 has been held.

[0033] When the arm unit 13 rises to the predetermined position, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the horizontal drive unit 16 of the unit drive unit 14 so that the arm unit 13 moves to the target position (step S109). Thereafter, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the motor 31 so that each arm 11 is rotated to the fully open position (step S110). After the arm 11 reaches the fully open position, the arm control unit 104 controls the operation of the motor 31 so that each arm 11 is rotated to the fully closed position (step S111), and further controls the operation of the unit drive unit 14 so that the arm unit 13 returns to the predetermined initial position (step S112). Upon completion of the processing of step S112, the arm control unit 104 ends the game processing for the current game opportunity. The initial position of step S112 is the position of the arm unit 13 when play begins in the next game opportunity. The target position of the arm unit 13 may be the initial position, in which case the processing of step S112 may be omitted.

[0034] In the processing of Figure 8, the arm 11 is in the fully closed position at the start of the game processing, but the arm 11 may be held in the fully open position until the processing of step S107 is started, and step S111 may be omitted so that the arm 11 is held in the fully open position until step S107 is executed at the next game opportunity.

[0035] Next, the setting mode will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 14. The setting mode is mainly used by an operator who operates the game machine 1. The setting mode may have an appropriate function for setting the gripping force using various methods. As an example, the setting mode has a power setting assist function. The power setting assist is a function that measures the gripping force at the time of dropping by gradually reducing the gripping force from a state in which the prize 5 is held by the arm 11 until the prize 5 drops, and recommends the gripping force that should be applied to the setting value based on the measured value.

[0036] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for measuring a gripping force during a drop in the power setting assist. The example in FIG. 9 shows (1) a start procedure, (2) an intermediate procedure, and (3) a measurement procedure in the power setting assist. As shown in FIG. 9 (1), measurement of a gripping force during a drop in the power setting assist begins with the arm 11 gripping the prize 5 so as not to drop it. The prize 5 may be gripped by the arm 11 in an appropriate procedure. For example, the prize 5 may be gripped as a result of an operator playing the prize 5 in a procedure similar to steps S101 to S108 in FIG. 8 in the play mode. FIG. 8 shows, as an example, a case in which the operator manually grips the prize 5 in the arm 11 at a predetermined position (e.g., above the drop opening 6). Specifically, the arm 11 opens at a predetermined position upon the start of measurement, and the operator manually holds the prize 5 up to the opened arm 11. The gripping force of the arm 11 at the start may be set appropriately. For example, it may be the current gripping force, or an appropriate fixed gripping force that has been designated in advance as an initial gripping force. In Fig. 8, as an example, the gripping force of the arm 11 is started from the maximum gripping force that can be set (an example of a fixed gripping force), in other words, a gripping force that can definitely grip the prize 5 without dropping it.

[0037] Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (2), the gripping force of the arm 11 is controlled to gradually decrease from the initial gripping force (maximum gripping force) during the process (after the start). This decrease in gripping force continues until the prize 5 falls. As shown in FIG. 9 (3), when the grip on the prize 5 is released and the prize 5 falls, the gripping force at the time of the fall is measured. For example, if a position above the drop opening 6 is used as the predetermined position, the prize sensor PS detects the prize 5's fall, the decrease in the gripping force at the time of detection stops, and the gripping force at the time of the stop (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the falling gripping force) is measured. The falling gripping force may be provided to the operator (user in the setting mode) as reference information, or it may be omitted and automatically set as a setting value in the play mode. As an example, the falling gripping force is used to obtain a gripping force to be applied to the setting value in the play mode (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the setting gripping force). A method for obtaining the setting gripping force will be described later.

[0038] The drop of the prize 5 may be determined as appropriate. When the prize sensor PS detects the drop, the prize sensor PS is also used to determine whether a prize has been won during play, eliminating the need for an additional sensor dedicated to measurement. Alternatively, the drop of the prize 5 may be determined based on the degree of opening of the arm 11 detected by the potentiometer 48 (detection device). For example, the drop may be determined when the potentiometer 48 (sensor) detects that the arm 11 is closed. Furthermore, when the prize 5 is dropped, the arm 11 often exhibits a behavior of opening and then closing. Therefore, a detection device that detects this behavior may be provided, and the drop may be determined based on the detected behavior. A camera may be installed in a position that can capture the drop of the prize 5, such as the arm unit 10 or the drop opening 6, and the drop may be determined based on an analysis of the camera image (in this case, the camera may function as a detection device that detects the drop). Alternatively, a detection device that detects weight may be installed in a location where a change in weight occurs as the prize 5 drops, such as the arm unit 10 or the drop opening 6, and the drop may be determined based on the detected change in weight. Furthermore, an IC tag may be attached to the prize 5, and a reader (detection device) may be provided at a position where the IC tag of the prize 5 can be detected when the prize 5 is dropped, such as the arm unit 10 or the drop opening 6, and the drop may be determined based on the detection result of the IC tag. Alternatively, the drop may be determined by an operator visually confirming that the prize 5 has fallen and performing a predetermined operation (such as pressing a button). In this case, the object on which the predetermined operation, such as a button, is performed may function as the detection device.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power setting screen. The setting mode includes various setting screens for setting the gripping force of the arm 11. The power setting screen 50 is one of these screens and is mainly used for manually setting the gripping force. In the game, the arm 11 performs a series of actions, such as the steps shown in FIG. 8, from the start of movement to returning to the initial position. The power setting screen 50 may allow the user to set the gripping force for any appropriate action (or may be in units of time, position, or the like) within the series of actions, and the number of actions that can be set may also be any appropriate number. For example, the series of actions includes a first horizontal movement from the initial position to above the prize 5, a descent above the prize 5, grasping the prize 5, an ascent to grasp and lift the prize 5 (performed even when the prize 5 is not being grasped), a second horizontal movement (transporting action) to move (transport) to the drop opening 6 after the ascent, an opening above the drop opening 6, and a third horizontal movement to return to the initial position. The gripping force of the arm 11 affects the series of actions from the gripping action of gripping the prize 5 to the release action of releasing it at the drop opening 6 (hereinafter, the series of actions from the gripping action to the release action may be referred to as the series of actions after gripping).

[0040] The example of Fig. 10 shows a case where a plurality of gripping forces can be set corresponding to a plurality of actions (times) in a series of actions after gripping. More specifically, the example of Fig. 10 shows a case where the gripping force in the gripping action and the subsequent lifting action in the series of actions after gripping is set on the power setting screen 50. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, the power setting screen 50 includes a back button 51, a gripping force setting bar 52, and a setting selection button 53.

[0041] The back button 51 is a virtual push button that indicates the position where a touch operation to return to the previous screen should be performed. The power setting screen 50 may be transitioned from any screen. As an example, FIG. 10 shows a case where the screen is transitioned from a game setting screen (not shown) for selecting various setting menus. Therefore, when a touch operation is performed on the back button 51, the screen returns to the game setting screen. Information ("return to game setting") indicating the screen to which the screen is transitioned (previous screen) is displayed on the back button 51.

[0042] The grip force setting bar 52 is a display unit that displays the minimum grip force, the current grip force (set value), and the maximum grip force in bar (gauge) format, and also serves as a position where a touch operation to change the current grip force should be performed. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the minimum grip force is displayed as "0" and the maximum grip force is displayed as "100." The grip force setting bar 52 is configured so that the color changes from black to black as it changes from the minimum grip force to the current grip force, with the right end of the black area indicating the current grip force. The current grip force is changed by sliding the black area to the left or right (an operation that changes the position while maintaining a touch operation, sometimes called a swipe operation) relative to the right end of the black area (the position indicating the current grip force). For example, the current grip force decreases when the black area is slid to the left (toward the minimum grip force), and increases when the area is slid to the right (toward the maximum grip force).

[0043] The gripping force setting bar 52 includes a first gripping force setting bar 52A and a second gripping force setting bar 52B. The first gripping force setting bar 52A and the second gripping force setting bar 52B are gripping force setting bars 52 corresponding to the gripping force in the gripping operation and the gripping force in the lifting operation, respectively. Therefore, the first gripping force setting bar 52A is used to change (set) the current gripping force in the gripping operation, and the second gripping force setting bar 52B is used to change the current gripping force in the lifting operation.

[0044] The setting selection button 53 is a virtual push button indicating a position where a touch operation should be performed to select the display of another setting screen, etc. The power setting screen 50 may function as a starting point for transitioning to an appropriate setting screen, and includes setting selection buttons 53 corresponding to the setting screen to be transitioned to or the setting method. For example, in FIG. 10 , three setting selection buttons 53 are provided: “Arm Initialize,” “Power Setting Assist,” and “Test Play.” “Arm Initialize” is the setting selection button 53 to be selected when resetting the current grip force to its initial value. In other words, when a touch operation is performed on “Arm Initialize,” the current grip force is changed to its initial value. “Test Play” is the setting selection button 53 for executing a test play. When a touch operation is performed on “Test Play,” a test play (free play) begins. “Power Setting Assist” is the setting selection button 53 for displaying the power setting assist screen. The power setting assist screen is a setting screen for executing the power setting assist function.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power setting assist screen. The example in FIG. 11 shows the power setting assist screen when the prize 5 is brought to the arm 11 and grasped by the operator's hand. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the power setting assist screen 60 includes a back button 51, an execute button 61, and a history button 62. The back button 51 is the same as the power setting screen 50. However, the screen before the power setting assist screen 60 is the power setting screen 50. Therefore, touching the back button 51 returns to the power setting screen 50. In addition, the back button 51 displays information that says "Return to power setting," which indicates the previous screen.

[0046] The execute button 61 is a virtual push button indicating a position where a touch operation should be performed to instruct the start (execution) of measurement on the power setting assist screen. When the execute button 61 is touched, measurement is executed according to the procedures (1) to (3) in the example of FIG. 9. The history button 62 is a virtual push button indicating a position where a touch operation should be performed to instruct the display of past measurement results. When the history button 62 is touched, information about past measurement results is displayed via an appropriate history screen (not shown). Measurement of the drop grip force on the power setting assist screen may be limited to one time, or may be permitted multiple times. Below, as an example, a case where an arbitrary number of measurements are permitted according to the series of procedures (control) of (1) to (3) will be described.

[0047] 12 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the power setting assist screen 60 after measurement has been completed. As shown in FIG. 12, the power setting assist screen 60 after measurement has been completed includes an additional measurement button 63 and a measurement completion button 64. On the other hand, the execution button 61 is not displayed. In other words, when the measurement (series of procedures) is completed, the power setting assist screen 60 displays the additional measurement button 63 and the measurement completion button 64 instead of the execution button 61.

[0048] The additional measurement button 63 is a virtual push button that indicates the position where a touch operation to instruct an additional measurement should be performed. When the additional measurement button 63 is touched, the measurement starts again, and the series of steps (1) to (3) in the example of FIG. 9 are performed. On the other hand, the measurement completion button 64 is a virtual push button that indicates the position where a touch operation to instruct an end of the measurement should be performed. When the measurement completion button 64 is touched, the measurement ends, and a setting grip force is obtained based on the measurement results (drop grip force) up to that point. When the drop grip force is measured in a single procedure, the setting grip force is obtained based on that drop grip force. When multiple drop grip forces are measured in multiple procedures, the setting grip force is obtained based on the multiple drop grip forces.

[0049] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a method for acquiring a setting grip force. The example in Fig. 13 shows a case where a setting grip force separate from a drop grip force is acquired based on an arbitrary number of drop grip forces. Also, Fig. 13 (1) shows an acquisition method when a single measurement is performed, and Fig. 13 (2) shows an acquisition method when multiple measurements are performed.

[0050] As shown in (1) of FIG. 13, when a single measurement is performed, a predetermined correction is applied to the drop grip force measured in that single measurement, and the corrected grip force (corrected grip force) is acquired as the setting grip force. The predetermined correction may be implemented as appropriate, for example, by slightly increasing the drop grip force. The following describes, as an example, a case in which the correction is implemented by slightly decreasing the drop grip force. This correction may also be implemented as appropriate by accumulating, adding, or subtracting a predetermined correction value, for example, by subtracting a predetermined correction value (fixed value).

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in (2) of FIG. 13, when measurements are performed multiple times, a reference grip force is first obtained based on the multiple drop grip forces obtained from the multiple measurements. This may be achieved as appropriate. For example, the average, mode, median, or maximum value (maximum grip force) of the multiple drop grip forces may be obtained as the reference grip force. In the example of FIG. 13, the minimum value (minimum grip force) of the multiple drop grip forces is obtained as the reference grip force.

[0052] The reference grip force may be obtained based on all of the multiple drop grip forces or may be determined based on an appropriate portion of the multiple drop grip forces. For example, the reference grip force is determined based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding abnormal grip forces determined according to a predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion may be configured as appropriate, for example, by upper and lower limit values ​​previously set as abnormal values. That is, the reference grip force may be obtained based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding drop grip forces exceeding the upper and lower limit values. The upper and lower limit values ​​may be fixed values ​​or may be designated values ​​variably specified by the operator. For this reason, the operator may be provided with a designation opportunity to specify the designated values. In the example of FIG. 13 , an opportunity to directly designate an abnormal grip force is provided as the designation opportunity. That is, the designation result at the designation opportunity is used as the predetermined criterion, and the reference grip force is obtained based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding grip forces designated by the operator as targets for exclusion.

[0053] When a reference grip force (the lowest value of the drop grip force) is obtained based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding the excluded ones (or all of them if no excluded ones are specified), a predetermined correction is applied to the reference grip force, and the corrected reference grip force (corrected grip force) is obtained as the setting grip force. This correction may also be implemented appropriately. For example, the correction may be different from that when a single measurement is performed. For example, correction when multiple measurements are performed is implemented in the same way as when a single measurement is performed. That is, a correction (subtraction of a predetermined correction value) is applied to slightly lower the reference grip force, and a grip force slightly lower than the reference grip force is obtained as the setting grip force. Note that in the example of FIG. 13, a reference grip force is obtained from multiple drop grip forces, a correction is applied to the reference grip force, and the setting grip force is obtained. However, the order of acquisition is not limited to this. For example, a correction may be applied to each of the multiple drop grip forces, and a reference grip force (e.g., the lowest value) may be obtained from the corrected drop grip forces, and this may be obtained as the setting grip force.

[0054] The setting grip force may be provided to the operator simply as reference information, or may be automatically set as a set value. For example, when the power setting screen 50 transitions to the power setting assist screen 60 and power setting assistance is performed there, the setting grip force is automatically set as the set value for the grip force in the lifting operation. On the other hand, the setting grip force is provided as reference information for the grip force in the grip operation. In other words, the setting grip force is used both as an automatic setting and as reference information.

[0055] Specifically, the screen transitions from power setting screen 50 to power setting assist screen 60, and when power setting assistance is performed there, touching measurement completion button 64 returns the screen to power setting screen 50. Then, second grip force setting bar 52B on power setting screen 50 displays (sets) the setting grip force acquired by the measurement on power setting assist screen 60 as the current grip force.

[0056] Meanwhile, the current grip force of the first grip force setting bar 52A remains the same as it was before the power setting assist was performed. However, the operator can recognize the set grip force from the current grip force of the second grip force setting bar 52B. Therefore, the operator can set (change) the grip force (set value) to be applied to a grip action via the first grip force setting bar 52A while referring to the set grip force obtained by the power setting assist (the current grip force of the second grip force setting bar 52B). Reference information on the grip force for a grip action may be displayed (notified) as appropriate. For example, a separate display field for displaying the set grip force may be provided, or a pop-up display presenting the set grip force may be displayed. As an example, the set grip force as reference information is provided through automatic setting of the second grip force setting bar 52B (the grip force for another action). In this example, the set grip force functions as the play grip force of the present invention. Note that the value of the set grip force does not necessarily have to be set in play mode. For example, the setting grip force may be provided as reference information to be referred to when the grip force for the play mode is set. In other words, automatic setting may be omitted, and the setting grip force may be provided merely as reference information.

[0057] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a timing setting screen. The timing setting screen 70 is a setting screen for selecting the timing at which the grip force for the gripping operation is switched to the grip force for the ascent operation set by the power setting assist function. The timing (application time) at which the grip force for the ascent operation set by the power setting assist function is switched to a preset time, such as the start of the ascent operation. The timing setting screen 70 is used to specify (set) the application time when it is changeable. The target of change may be an appropriate grip force, such as the grip force for the gripping operation, or, if the power setting assist allows setting a grip force for another operation such as a transport operation, the grip force may be that grip force. The example in FIG. 14 illustrates a case where the grip force for the ascent operation is the target of change. In addition, candidate application times may be appropriate times included in the ascent operation. FIG. 14 illustrates, as examples, candidate application times during ascent (a predetermined time during ascent), just before the end of ascent, just after the end of ascent, and when horizontal movement (transport operation) begins after the end of ascent.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 14, the timing setting screen 70 includes a back button 51, an ascending button 71, a button 72 just before the end of ascending, a button 73 just after the end of ascending, and a button 74 at the start of lateral movement. The back button 51 is the same as the power setting screen 50. The timing setting screen 70 may be transitioned from an appropriate screen, and Fig. 14 shows, as an example, a case where the timing setting screen 70 is transitioned from a game setting screen, similar to the power setting screen 50. For this reason, the back button 51 displays information "return to game setting" indicating the previous screen. When the back button 51 is touched, the screen returns to the game setting screen.

[0059] The ascending button 71, the immediately before the end of ascending button 72, the immediately after the end of ascending button 73, and the start of lateral movement button 74 are all virtual push buttons indicating positions where a touch operation specifying the application time (the time when the switch should be made) should be performed. Specifically, the ascending button 71, the immediately before the end of ascending button 72, the immediately after the end of ascending button 73, and the start of lateral movement button 74 are virtual buttons for specifying the application time as during ascending (during ascending), the time immediately before the end of ascending, the time immediately after the end of ascending, and the start of horizontal movement (transportation operation). For example, when a touch operation is performed on the ascending button 71, the grip force for the ascending operation set on the power setting screen 50 (the current grip force indicated by the second grip force setting bar 52B in the example of FIG. 10) is switched to during ascending (which may be any time from the start of ascending to the end of ascending, for example, the time when the wire 17 has been wound up a predetermined length from the start of ascending). The switched grip force for the ascending operation is then continuously applied to subsequent operations (for example, operations after the end of the ascending operation, such as a transport operation).

[0060] The same applies when the just before lifting ends button 72, the just after lifting ends button 73, and the at the start of horizontal movement button 74 are touched. By touching these buttons, the application times are set for just before lifting ends, just after lifting ends, and the start of horizontal movement (transportation operation). At these application times, the grip force for the gripping operation is switched to the grip force for the lifting operation (the current grip force indicated by second grip force setting bar 52B in the example of FIG. 10). Note that each application time may be determined appropriately, and for example, it is determined based on the amount of winding of wire 17 or the drive amount of lift drive unit 15.

[0061] Next, with reference to Fig. 15, an assist process will be described as an example of the process of the game machine 1 related to setting the grip force. The assist process is a process for realizing the power setting assist function. When a touch operation is performed on the execute button 61 on the power setting assist screen 60, the setting control unit 105 starts the assist process of Fig. 15, and first opens and closes the arm 11 via the arm control unit 104 (step S201). Specifically, the setting control unit 105 opens the arm 11 via the arm control unit 104, and closes the arm 11 after making it possible to grip the prize 5. At this time, the prize 5 is gripped with maximum grip force.

[0062] Next, the setting control unit 105 controls the gripping force of the arm 11 via the arm control unit 104 so that the gripping force gradually decreases (step S202). The setting control unit 105 continues this decrease until it detects that the prize 5 has fallen (step S203: No). On the other hand, if it detects that the prize 5 has fallen (for example, if the prize sensor PS detects that the prize 5 has passed) (step S203: Yes), the setting control unit 105 controls the arm 11 via the arm control unit 104 to stop the decrease in the gripping force, and measures the gripping force at the time of the stop as the falling gripping force (step S204). Next, the setting control unit 105 determines whether or not an additional measurement is to be performed (step S205). Specifically, the setting control unit 105 displays the power setting assist screen 60 after the measurement is completed, and determines that an additional measurement is to be performed if a touch operation is performed on the additional measurement button 63 (step S205: Yes). In this case, the setting control unit 105 returns to step S201 and executes the processes from step S201 onwards again so that an additional measurement is to be performed.

[0063] On the other hand, if the measurement completion button 64 is touched on the power setting assist screen 60 after the measurement is completed, the setting control unit 105 determines that no additional measurements will be performed (step S205: No). Then, the setting control unit 105 determines whether multiple measurements have been performed (step S206). If multiple measurements have been performed (step S206: Yes), the setting control unit 105 provides a designation opportunity (step S207). The designation opportunity is provided to allow the operator to designate an abnormal grip force from among multiple drop grip forces corresponding to the multiple measurement results.

[0064] After step S207, or if multiple measurements have not been performed (only one measurement has been performed) (step S206: No), the setting control unit 105 acquires the reference grip force (step S208). If only one measurement has been performed, the setting control unit 105 acquires the drop grip force resulting from that single measurement as the reference grip force. If multiple measurements have been performed, the setting control unit 105 acquires the reference grip force based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding the abnormal grip force specified in step S207 (or all drop grip forces if no abnormal grip force was specified in the specified measurement). For example, the setting control unit 105 acquires the minimum value (minimum grip force) of the remaining drop grip forces as the reference grip force. Next, the setting control unit 105 applies a predetermined correction to the reference grip force acquired in step S108 (step S209) and acquires the corrected reference grip force as the setting grip force (step S210). The processing in steps S208 to S210 is realized by the acquisition method shown in FIG.

[0065] Next, the setting control unit 105 executes automatic setting using the setting grip force acquired in step S210 as a set value (step S211). For example, when the screen transitions from the power setting screen 50 to the power setting assist screen 60 and the power setting assist is executed there (when the execute button 61 is touched), the setting control unit 105 automatically sets the setting grip force acquired in step S210 as the set value of the grip force for the lifting operation. Specifically, the power setting assist screen 60 is displayed, including a second grip force setting bar 52B that displays the setting grip force as the current grip force. The setting grip force is also displayed via the second grip force setting bar 52B as reference information for the grip force in the gripping operation. After this automatic setting, the setting control unit 105 ends the current assist process. This procedure realizes the steps shown in FIG. 9, and the power setting assist function is realized.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the power setting assist function, a series of controls is executed as many times as desired by the operator to gradually decrease the grip force of the arm 11 from the grip force required to hold the prize 5 without dropping it to the drop grip force. For example, when a series of controls is executed only once, a predetermined correction is applied to the drop grip force obtained by that control, and the corrected grip force is acquired as the setting grip force. For example, when a measurement is performed in a manner different from actual play, such as when the prize 5 is gripped by the arm 11 with a hand, using the measurement result (drop grip force) as the setting grip force may not result in an appropriate grip force. Furthermore, depending on the shape, size, material, etc. of the prize 5, it may not be appropriate to use the measurement result as the setting grip force as is. Correction can solve or mitigate these problems. Therefore, by using the predetermined correction, a more appropriate grip force can be acquired as the setting grip force (the grip force to be applied in play mode). Furthermore, when the setting grip force is provided to the operator as reference information, an opportunity can be given to further correct the setting grip force (to reflect the operator's policy, etc.). As a result, a more appropriate grip force can be set for the arm 11 in play mode.

[0067] Alternatively, when a series of controls is executed multiple times, the dropping gripping force for multiple measurement conditions or multiple types of prizes 5 can be obtained using the multiple controls. The setting grip force is then acquired based on the multiple dropping gripping forces obtained through the multiple controls. Therefore, variations in the dropping gripping force that may occur due to measurement conditions, etc., can be reflected in the setting grip amount. This allows a setting grip force to be acquired with higher accuracy than a setting grip force based on a single dropping grip force, thereby enabling the arm 11 in play mode to be set to a more appropriate grip force. As a result, whether the dropping gripping force is measured once or multiple times, various effects, such as making the prize easier or more difficult to drop, can be relatively easily achieved, thereby improving the game's entertainment value.

[0068] Furthermore, on the power setting screen 50, the grip force for the lifting operation, which is one of the series of operations after gripping, or the gripping operation, is set using the power setting assist function. This allows for improved appropriateness of the grip force for the lifting operation, which is one of the series of operations after gripping, or the gripping operation. The setting grip force is automatically set as a set value for the lifting operation on the power setting screen 50, and for the gripping operation, the setting grip force is notified to the operator as reference information via the current value of the lifting operation. This reduces the operator's time and effort in the former case, and provides an opportunity for the operator to reflect their own policy, etc. in the latter case.

[0069] Furthermore, if abnormal gripping forces among the multiple drop gripping forces are excluded from obtaining the reference gripping force through a designated opportunity, the setting gripping force is obtained based on the remaining drop gripping forces excluding the abnormal values. Each drop gripping force depends on physical phenomena such as the gripping and falling of the prize 5, and there is room for various uncertainties to enter. For this reason, the multiple drop gripping forces may include gripping forces that are inappropriate for obtaining the setting gripping force. By excluding such inappropriate drop gripping forces as abnormal values ​​from obtaining the setting gripping force, the appropriateness of the setting gripping force can be further improved.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the setting control unit 105 functions as the grip force control means, grip force acquisition means, information provision means, and automatic setting means of the present invention by executing the assist processing of Fig. 15. Specifically, the setting control unit 105 functions as the grip force control means by executing step S202 of Fig. 15, and as the grip force acquisition means by executing step S208. Similarly, the setting control unit 105 functions as both the information provision means and the automatic setting means by executing step S211 of Fig. 15.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be embodied in embodiments with appropriate modifications or alterations. Furthermore, the present invention may be embodied in embodiments obtained by appropriately combining various technical means included in the above-described embodiments and the following modified embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a holding state in which the arm 11 holds the prize 5 in the operator's hand is created in the start procedure (1) of FIG. 9. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for creating a holding state according to another embodiment. The method in the example of FIG. 16 illustrates a case in which the prize 5 is held by the arm 11 in the start procedure (1) of FIG. 9 in the same procedure as play in play mode. Note that, although the procedure (3) of FIG. 9 is omitted in the example of FIG. 16, it may be executed in the same manner as the example of FIG. 9.

[0072] As shown in (1) of FIG. 16, the power setting assistance procedure begins with a prize 5 placed in the field that forms the bottom of the storage space 3. The operator is required to operate the arm 11 to move the arm 11 to a position above the prize 5 in the field, lower the arm 11 to a height where the prize 5 can be grasped, and then have the arm 11 grasp and lift the prize 5 at that height. In other words, the operator is required to perform the same procedures as steps S101 to S108 in the example of FIG. 8 that are executed when playing a game in play mode. To this end, the operator operates the lever 8a and push button 8b of the operation unit 8 to cause the arm 11 to grasp and lift the prize 5 in the same procedures as steps S101 to S108 in the example of FIG. 8. Then, as shown in (2) of FIG. 16, after the arm 11 grasps and lifts the prize 5, a procedure is executed in which the gripping force is gradually reduced. For example, the prize 5 may be grasped in this manner. A situation in which the arm 11 grasps the prize 5 with the operator's hand is not possible in normal play, and there is a possibility that the accuracy of the measurement value will decrease. When a grasping state is created using the method of the example in Figure 16, the prize 5 can be grasped by the arm 11 with the same movement as in actual play. This can improve the accuracy of the measurement value.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined correction applied to the reference grip force is realized by subtracting a correction value (fixed value). However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, multiple step-wise correction values ​​may be prepared, and the operator may select the correction value to be applied. Furthermore, the correction value may be set to vary based on the ratio of the cost (the cost of the given prize 5) to the cumulative amount of the compensation collected over a predetermined period (the so-called payout rate). Alternatively, a correction based on the payout rate may be further performed in addition to the correction that applies the correction value.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, the reference grip force is obtained based on a plurality of drop grip forces corresponding to the number of times the series of controls was executed before the measurement completion button 64 was selected on the power setting assist screen 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the reference grip force may be obtained based on a drop grip force corresponding to a past measurement result, in addition to the measurement result based on the current power setting assist function. In other words, the set of a plurality of drop grip forces for obtaining the reference grip force may be designated (set) as appropriate.

[0075] For example, a drop grip force detected in a previous play in play mode may be used to obtain the reference grip force. In other words, measurement of the drop grip force is not limited to the setting mode and may be performed in play mode. Furthermore, for example, multiple game machines 1 may be connected via a network (e.g., the Internet, including a LAN or a WAN), and the measurement results (drop grip forces) of the other game machines 1 may be used to obtain the reference grip force. For example, if power setting assistance for a prize 5 is performed on one of the game machines 1 installed in each affiliated facility, the measurement results may be used to obtain the reference grip force on the other game machines 1 using the same prize 5. Furthermore, various information, such as a correction value or a reference grip force, in addition to the drop grip force, may be shared among multiple game machines 1.

[0076] Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings will be written in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0077] A first form of the game machine of the present invention is a game machine (1) that uses an output device including an arm unit (10) that closes an arm (11) to grip a game medium (5) and an input device (8) that includes operating means (8a, 8b) for operating the arm unit to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, and is equipped with a gripping force control means (105) that gradually reduces the gripping force of the arm in the setting mode from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a corrected gripping force acquisition means (105) that acquires a corrected gripping force as the gripping force after a correction has been applied to the falling gripping force.

[0078] According to the first aspect of the present invention, control is automatically executed to gradually reduce the grip force of the arm from a grip force that holds the game medium so as not to drop it to a drop grip force. Then, a correction is applied to the drop grip force obtained by this control to obtain a corrected grip force. Therefore, by using the correction, a more appropriate grip force can be obtained as the grip force to be applied in play mode. Furthermore, if the corrected grip force is provided to the user in the setting mode as reference information, an opportunity can be given to further correct the corrected grip force (to reflect the user's preferences, etc.). This allows a more appropriate grip force to be set for the arm in play mode.

[0079] A second aspect of the present invention is a game machine (1) that uses an output device including an arm unit (10) that closes an arm (11) to grip a game medium (5), and an input device (8) that includes operating means (8a, 8b) for operating the arm unit, to provide a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm. The game machine is equipped with a gripping force control means (105) that executes a series of controls multiple times in the setting mode to gradually reduce the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a gripping force acquisition means (105) that acquires a play gripping force related to the gripping force to be applied in the play mode based on the multiple falling gripping forces obtained from the series of controls multiple times.

[0080] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a series of controls is executed multiple times to gradually reduce the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that holds the game medium so as not to drop it to a drop gripping force. Therefore, multiple controls can be used to obtain drop gripping forces for multiple conditions or multiple types of game media. Then, a play gripping force to be applied in play mode is obtained based on the multiple drop gripping forces obtained through the multiple controls. This makes it possible to obtain a play gripping force with higher accuracy than a play gripping force based on a single drop gripping force, and ultimately to set a more appropriate gripping force to be applied in play mode. As a result, it is relatively easy to achieve effects such as making it easier or harder to drop the game, thereby improving entertainment value.

[0081] In the control for obtaining the drop gripping force, the arm unit may grip the game medium as appropriate. For example, the game medium may be gripped by the user's hand in the setting mode. Specifically, the user may hand-hold the game medium to the arm unit when the arm is open so that the game medium can be gripped. Alternatively, the game medium may be gripped using a procedure similar to that used in play mode. For example, if the action of gripping and lifting the game medium placed in the storage space (3) is performed via the operating means in play mode, the game medium may be gripped using a procedure similar to that used in play mode. For example, in one aspect of the second aspect of the present invention, the gripping force control means may execute at least one of the multiple series of controls after controlling the arm unit to grip and lift the game medium placed in the storage space (3) via the operating means in the setting mode. In this case, the game medium is gripped in a state similar to that in play mode. This makes it possible to expect a more appropriate gripping force to be obtained.

[0082] The play gripping force may be applied to appropriate actions performed by the arm unit in play mode. For example, when the arm unit performs a series of actions in play mode to grip, lift, and transport a play medium to a target position, the play gripping force may be applied to appropriate actions and times (positions) in the series of actions. Furthermore, the series of actions may include appropriate actions. For example, the series of actions may include actions such as gripping the play medium, followed by a lifting action to lift the play medium, and then a transporting action to transport the play medium horizontally toward the target position after lifting. The gripping force may be set in one (or at one time) of such a series of actions, or in multiple actions.

[0083] Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the present invention relating to the second embodiment, the play mode may be performed by causing the arm unit to execute a series of operations to grasp, lift, and transport the play medium to the target position, and the setting mode may be provided to set a plurality of gripping forces for the arm corresponding to a plurality of periods in the series of operations. Also, in this aspect, the series of operations may include a lifting operation to grasp and lift the play medium, and the play gripping force may be acquired as a gripping force of the plurality of gripping forces to be applied during the lifting operation. Alternatively, the series of operations may include a transport operation to grasp the play medium and then transport it horizontally, and the play gripping force may be acquired as a gripping force of the plurality of gripping forces to be applied during the transport operation. In these cases, the appropriateness of the gripping force in operations such as the lifting operation or the transport operation can be improved.

[0084] In the control for obtaining the falling gripping force, the falling of the play medium may be determined appropriately. For example, a drop opening may be provided in the storage space for storing the play medium, and a sensor (detection device) may be provided at the drop opening to detect the passage of the play medium, and the determination may be made based on the detection result of the sensor. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the detection result of a detection device (e.g., a potentiometer) that detects the specific opening of the arm (for example, a fall may be determined when the arm closes). Furthermore, when the play medium falls, the arm often behaves as if it opens once and then closes. Therefore, the fall may be determined based on the detection device that detects this behavior. A camera (detection device) may be installed in a position where the falling of the play medium can be photographed, and the fall may be determined based on an analysis of the camera image. A detection device that detects the weight may be installed in a location where a change in weight occurs as the play medium falls, and the fall may be determined based on the detected change in weight. Furthermore, an IC tag may be attached to the play medium, and a reader (detection device) may be installed in a position where the IC tag of the play medium can be detected when the play medium falls, and the fall may be determined based on the detection result of the IC tag.

[0085] Specifically, for example, in one embodiment of the present invention relating to the second embodiment, a detection device (48, PS) is provided for detecting the fall of the play medium, and the gripping force control means may execute the series of controls using the gripping force of the arm when the detection device detects the fall of the play medium as the falling gripping force. Alternatively, the arm unit may be provided with a sensor (48) as the detection device for detecting the opening degree of at least one of the arms, and the gripping force control means may execute the series of controls using the gripping force of the arm when the sensor detects the opening degree of the play medium falling as the falling gripping force.

[0086] The play grip force may be appropriately acquired based on a plurality of drop grip forces. For example, the play grip force may be acquired as the average, mode, median, or maximum value of the plurality of drop grip forces. Alternatively, an appropriate correction may be applied to a grip force based on the plurality of drop grip forces, such as the average, mode, median, or maximum value, and the corrected grip force may be acquired as the play grip force. For example, in one aspect of the present invention relating to the second aspect, the grip force acquisition means may acquire the play grip force based on either the maximum grip force or the minimum grip force among the plurality of drop grip forces. In this aspect, the grip force acquisition means may acquire the corrected grip force after applying a correction to the maximum grip force or the minimum grip force as the play grip force.

[0087] All of the multiple drop grip forces may be used to obtain the play grip force, or an appropriate portion of them may be used to obtain the play grip force. The portion used to obtain the play grip force may be determined appropriately. For example, the target drop grip force may be determined, or the non-target drop grip force may be determined. For example, the target or non-target drop grip force may be determined according to a predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion may be configured appropriately, for example, by an upper limit and a lower limit that are set in advance as abnormal values. The remaining drop grip forces, excluding the drop grip forces that exceed the upper limit and lower limit, may be used to obtain the play grip force. In other words, the non-target drop grip force may be determined based on a predetermined criterion for excluding abnormal values. The upper limit and lower limit may be fixed values ​​or may be designated values ​​variably specified by the user in the setting mode. For this reason, the user may be provided with a designation opportunity to specify the designated value. Alternatively, an opportunity to directly specify an abnormal grip force may be provided as a designation opportunity, and the designation result at the designation opportunity may be used as the predetermined criterion. The same applies when the target is determined. In this case, the predetermined criteria may be configured to determine the range of the use object, for example, and the designation opportunity may be an opportunity to actively designate the use object.

[0088] For example, in one aspect of the present invention relating to the second embodiment, the grip force acquisition means may acquire the play grip force based on the remaining drop grip forces, excluding abnormal grip forces determined according to a predetermined standard, from among the plurality of drop grip forces. Furthermore, in this aspect, the setting mode may include a designation opportunity for the user of the setting mode to designate the predetermined standard or the abnormal grip force, and the abnormal grip force may be determined based on the predetermined standard designated at the designation opportunity or the designation result at the designation opportunity that functions as the predetermined standard. In this case, the play grip force is acquired based on the remaining drop grip forces excluding the abnormal values. Each drop grip force depends on physical phenomena such as the grip and fall of the game medium, and various uncertainties may be present. Therefore, the plurality of drop grip forces may include grip forces that are inappropriate for acquiring the play grip force. By excluding such inappropriate drop grip forces as abnormal values ​​from the acquisition of the play grip force, the appropriateness of the play grip force can be further improved.

[0089] The play grip force may be automatically set as the grip force of the arm in play mode, or may be presented as reference information to allow for user adjustment before setting. For example, as one aspect of the present invention relating to the second embodiment, an aspect may be adopted in which information providing means (105) is provided that provides information about the play grip force in the setting mode so that the grip force of the arm in the play mode is set based on the play grip force. Alternatively, an aspect may be adopted in which automatic setting means (105) is provided that automatically sets the play grip force as the grip force of the arm in the play mode. In the former case, an opportunity to reflect the user's preferences, etc. can be provided, and in the latter case, the user's time and effort can be reduced.

[0090] The computer program of the present invention is configured to cause the computer (101) to function as each of the means of the game machine (1) described above.

[0091] In addition, the control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention uses an output device including an arm unit (10) that closes an arm (11) to grip a game medium (5), and an input device (8) that includes operating means (8a, 8b) for operating the arm unit, to cause a computer (101) incorporated into a game machine (1) that provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode for setting the gripping force of the arm, to execute a gripping force control procedure in which the gripping force of the arm is gradually reduced in the setting mode from a gripping force that grips the game medium to prevent it from falling to a falling gripping force that is the gripping force when the grip is released and the game medium falls, and a gripping force acquisition procedure in which a corrected gripping force is acquired as the gripping force after a correction has been applied to the falling gripping force.

[0092] A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention uses an output device including an arm unit (10) that closes an arm (11) to grip a game medium (5), and an input device (8) including operation means (8a, 8b) for operating the arm unit, to cause a computer (101) incorporated in a game machine (1) that provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm is set, to execute: a gripping force control procedure that executes a series of controls multiple times in the setting mode to gradually decrease the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that holds the game medium so as not to drop the game medium to a drop gripping force that is the gripping force when the game medium is released and falls; and a gripping force acquisition procedure that acquires a play gripping force related to the gripping force to be applied in the play mode based on the multiple drop gripping forces obtained from the series of controls. Execution of the computer program or control method of the present invention enables the game system according to the second aspect of the present invention to be realized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Game console 3. Containment space 5 Prizes (game media) 8 Operation unit (input device) 10 Arm Unit 11 Arm 48 Potentiometer (detection device, sensor) 101 Control unit (computer) 105 Setting control unit (grip force control means, grip force acquisition means, information provision means, automatic setting means) 8a Lever (operating means) 8b Push button (operation means) PS Prize Sensor (Detection Device)

Claims

1. A game machine that utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes an arm to grip a game medium and an input device that includes an operation means for operating the arm unit, and provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm is set, a gripping force control means for gradually reducing the gripping force of the arm in the set mode from a gripping force for holding the play medium so as not to drop it to a drop gripping force as a gripping force when the grip is released and the play medium drops; a gripping force acquisition means for acquiring a corrected gripping force as a gripping force obtained after correction is applied to the drop gripping force; A game console comprising:

2. A game machine that utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes an arm to grip a game medium and an input device that includes an operation means for operating the arm unit, and provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm is set, a gripping force control means for executing a series of controls multiple times in the setting mode to gradually reduce the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force that holds the play medium so as not to drop it to a drop gripping force that holds the play medium when the grip is released and the play medium drops; a grip force acquisition means for acquiring a play grip force related to a grip force to be applied in the play mode based on a plurality of drop grip forces obtained from the plurality of series of controls; A game console comprising:

3. The game machine described in claim 2, wherein the gripping force control means executes at least one series of controls among the plurality of series of controls after controlling the arm unit to grip and lift upward the game medium placed in the storage space through operation via the operating means in the setting mode.

4. The play mode is played so as to cause the arm unit to execute a series of operations of gripping and lifting the game medium and transporting it to the target position, 3. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the setting mode is provided to set a plurality of gripping forces of the arm corresponding to a plurality of periods in the series of movements, respectively.

5. the series of actions includes a lifting action of grasping and lifting the play medium; The gaming machine according to claim 4 , wherein the play grip force is acquired as a grip force to be applied while the lifting action is being performed, among the plurality of grip forces.

6. the series of operations includes a transfer operation of gripping the play medium and then transferring it in a horizontal direction, The game machine according to claim 4 , wherein the play grip force is acquired as a grip force to be applied while the transport operation is being performed, among the plurality of grip forces.

7. A detection device is provided to detect the fall of the play medium, 3. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein said gripping force control means executes said series of controls using the gripping force of said arm when said detection device detects the fall of said game medium as said falling gripping force.

8. The arm unit is provided with a sensor as the detection device that detects an opening degree of at least one of the arms, 8. The game machine according to claim 7, wherein the gripping force control means executes the series of controls using the gripping force of the arm when the sensor detects the degree of opening that causes the game medium to fall as the falling gripping force.

9. The game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the grip force acquisition means acquires the play grip force based on either the maximum grip force or the minimum grip force among the plurality of drop grip forces.

10. The gaming machine according to claim 9 , wherein the grip force acquisition means acquires, as the play grip force, a corrected grip force obtained by applying a correction to the maximum grip force or the minimum grip force.

11. The game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the grip force acquisition means acquires the play grip force based on the remaining drop grip forces, excluding abnormal grip forces determined according to a predetermined standard, from the plurality of drop grip forces.

12. The setting mode includes a designation opportunity for allowing a user of the setting mode to designate the predetermined standard or the abnormal grip force, The gaming machine according to claim 11 , wherein the abnormal gripping force is determined based on the predetermined standard specified at the specified opportunity, or a specified result at the specified opportunity that functions as the predetermined standard.

13. 9. The game machine according to claim 2, further comprising: an information providing means for providing information about the play grip force in the setting mode so that the grip force of the arm in the play mode is set based on the play grip force.

14. 9. The game machine according to claim 2, further comprising an automatic setting means for automatically setting the play grip force as the grip force of the arm in the play mode.

15. A computer program configured to cause a computer to function as each of the means of the game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. A computer incorporated in a game machine that utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes an arm to grip a game medium and an input device including an operation means for operating the arm unit, and provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm is set, a gripping force control procedure for executing a series of controls for gradually reducing the gripping force of the arm from a gripping force for holding the play medium so as not to drop the play medium to a drop gripping force as a gripping force when the grip is released and the play medium drops, multiple times in the setting mode; a grip force acquisition step of acquiring a play grip force related to a grip force to be applied in the play mode based on a plurality of drop grip forces obtained from the plurality of series of controls; A control method for executing the above.

17. A computer incorporated in a game machine that utilizes an output device including an arm unit that closes an arm to grip a game medium and an input device including an operation means for operating the arm unit, and provides a play mode in which a prize is awarded when the game medium is transported to a target position by the arm unit, and a setting mode in which the gripping force of the arm is set, a gripping force control procedure for gradually reducing the gripping force of the arm in the set mode from a gripping force that holds the play medium so as not to drop it to a drop gripping force that holds the play medium when the grip is released and the play medium drops; a gripping force acquisition step of acquiring a corrected gripping force as a gripping force obtained after correction is applied to the drop gripping force; A control method for executing the above.

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