Method for adjusting the output of measuring instruments and item acquisition devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a measuring instrument that can measure the gripping force of each arm of an item acquisition device, and provide indicators for adjusting the item acquisition device. [Solution] The measuring device measures the output of an item acquisition device 50 which has a plurality of arm portions 51 that grip items stored inside the item storage portion 20 of the item acquisition game device 1, and comprises a plurality of contact portions 120 which the tip ends of the plurality of arm portions 51 or the tip ends of a plurality of measuring arm portions 51a provided in place of the plurality of arm portions 51 can each contact, a measuring unit 130 which measures the force with which the plurality of arm portions 51 or the plurality of measuring arm portions 51a that are in contact with the contact portions 120 press against the plurality of contact portions 120, and a display unit 150 which displays an index based on the measured value measured by the measuring unit 130 for each contact portion 120.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring instrument for measuring the output of an article acquisition device including a plurality of arm portions for gripping an article accommodated inside an article accommodation portion of an article acquisition game device, and a method for adjusting the output of the article acquisition device using the measuring instrument.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an article acquisition game device in which a player operates an article acquisition device to acquire an article accommodated inside an article accommodation portion.

[0003] As such an article acquisition device of an article acquisition game device, for example, it is attachable to a movable base portion, includes a plurality of arm portions for gripping an object, a drive mechanism corresponding to the arm portions, an elastic body connecting the arm portions and the drive mechanism, an arm axis position detection portion for detecting the position of an arm axis when the arm portion rotates, a drive mechanism position detection portion for detecting the position of an output axis of the drive mechanism, and a drive control portion for controlling the drive of a motor included in the drive mechanism based on the position of the arm axis and the position of the output axis. A proposed object gripping device (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the object gripping device described in Patent Document 1, the strength of the gripping force applied by multiple arms is controlled by a drive mechanism connected to the arms via an elastic body. However, even if the gripping force is set to the same level in multiple object gripping devices, there is a problem in that the gripping force will not be the same due to individual differences between each object gripping device. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to measure the gripping force applied by the multiple arms in each of the multiple object gripping devices and adjust them individually based on these measurement results.

[0006] However, there is a problem in that there is no measuring instrument to measure the force exerted by the multiple arms of an object gripping device to grip an object.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and aims to provide a measuring instrument that can measure the gripping force of each of the multiple arms of an item acquisition device and provide an indicator for adjusting the item acquisition device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A measuring instrument for measuring the output of an item acquisition device, which is equipped with multiple arm parts for gripping items stored inside the item storage section of an item acquisition game device, The tip ends of multiple arm portions, or the tip ends of multiple measuring arm portions provided in place of multiple arm portions, each have a plurality of contact portions to which they can contact, A measuring unit that measures the force applied by multiple arm portions or multiple measuring arm portions that are in contact with the contact portion, A measuring instrument characterized by comprising: a display unit that displays an index based on the measured value measured by the measuring unit for each of the contact parts.

[0009] In configuration (1), the measuring instrument for measuring the output of an item acquisition device, which has multiple arms for gripping items stored inside the item storage section of the item acquisition game device, comprises multiple contact parts, a measuring part, and a display part. Multiple contact points can be contacted by the tip ends of multiple arm sections or by the tip ends of multiple measuring arm sections provided in place of multiple arm sections. The measuring unit measures the force exerted by multiple arms or measuring arms, each in contact with a plurality of contact points, on the plurality of contact points. The display unit shows an index based on the measured value obtained by the measurement unit for each contact point.

[0010] According to the configuration of (1), the tip ends of the multiple arms of the item acquisition device, or the tip ends of multiple measuring arms provided in place of the multiple arms, are brought into contact with the multiple contact points of the measuring instrument, and the item acquisition device is made to output a force to grip the item. As a result, a force is applied to the tip ends of the multiple arms or the tip ends of the multiple measuring arms in the closing direction (direction toward each other), pressing against the multiple contact points. As a result, the measuring instrument measures the force applied to each of these multiple contact points using its measuring unit, and displays an index based on these measured values ​​on the display unit for each contact point. Therefore, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that can measure the gripping force of each arm of the item acquisition device and indicate an indicator for adjusting the item acquisition device.

[0011] (2) The system further comprises a calculation means for calculating a correction value for a predetermined reference value for each arm portion or each measuring arm portion based on the measured value, The measuring instrument according to (1), characterized in that the display means displays the correction value as the index.

[0012] In configuration (2), the measuring instrument further comprises a calculation unit. The calculation unit calculates a correction value relative to a predetermined reference value for each arm section or each measuring arm section based on the measured value. The display unit shows the correction value as an indicator.

[0013] According to the configuration of (2), the force with which an article is gripped by multiple arms or multiple measuring arms is displayed as an index, which is a correction value to a predetermined reference value based on the measured value for each arm or each measuring arm. This makes it possible, for example, to set a predetermined reference value as a desirable optimal value for the force with which the item acquisition device grips the item (e.g., a theoretical value or the average value obtained by measuring multiple units during the development of the item acquisition device), and then set the correction value as the difference between the optimal value and the measured value. In this case, by adjusting the output of each arm in the item acquisition device so that the difference is zero, it becomes possible to set the output of all multiple arms to the optimal value. Therefore, the force with which the item is gripped by the item acquisition device can be easily adjusted by using multiple arms.

[0014] (3) A method for adjusting the output of an item acquisition device using the measuring instrument described in (1) or (2), The arm portion of the item acquisition device is replaced with the measuring arm portion, which has a curved side surface and a tip member provided at the tip end. The contact portion of the measuring instrument is pressed against the curved side of the tip member, A method for adjusting the output of an item acquisition device, wherein the output of the item acquisition device is adjusted based on the indicator displayed on the display unit of the measuring instrument.

[0015] In configuration (3), in the method for adjusting the output of an item acquisition device using a measuring instrument, the arm portion of the item acquisition device is replaced with a measuring arm portion that has a tip member having a curved side on the tip side. Then, the contact portion of the measuring instrument is pressed against the curved side of the tip component, and the output of the item acquisition device is adjusted based on the indicator displayed on the measuring instrument's display.

[0016] Here, when claws are provided at the tips of the plurality of arm portions of the article acquisition device, if the claws grip the measuring instrument and the claws are abutted against and pressed on the abutting portion of the measuring instrument, unless the claws are abutted against the abutting portion at a right angle, part of the rotational force applied to the proximal end of the arm portion may escape, and there is a possibility that the rotational force applied to the proximal end of the arm portion cannot be appropriately applied to the abutting portion.

[0017] For this reason, it is necessary to precisely arrange the measuring instrument so that the claws of the plurality of arm portions of the article acquisition device abut against the abutting portion of the measuring instrument at a right angle. Such an operation of precisely arranging the measuring instrument reduces the efficiency of the operation of measuring the output of the article acquisition device.

[0018] According to the configuration of (3), since the tip member of the measuring arm portion that abuts against the abutting portion of the measuring instrument has a curved side surface, no matter which part of the side surface of the tip member abuts against the abutting portion, the rotational force applied to the proximal end of the measuring arm portion can be appropriately applied to the abutting portion. Thereby, when measuring the output of the article acquisition device, by replacing the plurality of arm portions with a plurality of measuring arm portions, it is not necessary to arrange the measuring instrument as precisely as in the case where no replacement is made, so the efficiency of the operation of measuring the output of the article acquisition device can be improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that measures the force for gripping an article by a plurality of arm portions of an article acquisition device for each arm portion and indicates an index when adjusting the article acquisition device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0022] The measuring instrument according to this embodiment measures the output of an item acquisition device that includes a plurality of arm sections for gripping items stored inside the item storage section of the item acquisition game device. First, we will describe an item acquisition game device that can measure the output of an item acquisition device using the measuring instrument according to this embodiment.

[0023] [Configuration of the item acquisition game device] Figure 1 illustrates the external appearance of an item acquisition game device capable of measuring the output of an item acquisition device using a measuring instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. The item acquisition game device 1 comprises a base 10 installed on the floor, an item storage section 20 placed on the base 10 and containing items (prizes, etc.), with walls and other surfaces made of a translucent material (for example, glass), a moving device 30 provided in the upper interior of the item storage section 20, a vertical moving device 40 attached to the moving device 30 and moving the item acquisition device 50 (described later) in the vertical direction, an item acquisition device 50 capable of acquiring items, and a control unit 60 that controls the operation of the item acquisition game device 1.

[0024] The item acquisition game device 1, for example, based on the player's operation of an operating unit 11 such as a switch provided on the base 10, moves the vertical movement device 40 in the left-right and front-back directions using a moving device 30 provided in the upper part of the inside of the item storage unit 20, then moves the item acquisition device 50 downward using the vertical movement device 40, grasps an item (not shown) placed inside the item storage unit 20 with a pair of arms 51 of the item acquisition device 50, moves the item onto a drop-off opening 12 provided on the base 10, then opens the pair of arms 51 and drops the item into the drop-off opening 12, thereby discharging the item to the outside. In this way, the player can acquire an item placed in the item storage unit 20.

[0025] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the item acquisition game device 1 includes a plurality (two in the example shown in Figure 1) of booths 5 arranged in a predetermined direction (left and right in the example shown in Figure 1). The item acquisition game device has an item storage section 20 that is partitioned into booths 5, and each booth 5 is equipped with an operation unit 11, a moving device 30, an up and down moving device 40, an item acquisition device 50, and a drop-off opening 12. With this configuration, one item acquisition game device can accommodate as many players as there are booths 5 (two in the example shown in Figure 1), each playing the item acquisition game.

[0026] The operation unit 11 is located on the front side of the base 10 and includes switches and the like for receiving player input in the item acquisition game. The operation unit 11 transmits various information (for example, information regarding the operation of the item acquisition device 50) in response to the player's input to the control unit 60. The operation unit 11 also has a display means (for example, a liquid crystal panel) for displaying various information (for example, an adjustment screen for adjusting the output of the item acquisition device 50).

[0027] The moving device 30 moves the vertical moving device 40 and the item acquisition device 50 in a predetermined direction (for example, left-right direction or front-rear direction) under the control of the control unit 60. The vertical movement device 40 moves the item acquisition device 50 in a predetermined direction (for example, vertically) under the control of the control unit 60.

[0028] The item acquisition device 50 opens and closes a pair of arm sections 51 under the control of the control unit 60, and grips an item by closing the pair of arm sections 51 at a preset output.

[0029] The control unit 60 controls the operation of the item acquisition game device 1. Specifically, the control unit 60 receives various information from, for example, a server that manages the item acquisition game device 1 or an administrator terminal operated by the administrator of the item acquisition game device 1, and controls the item acquisition game played by the player based on settings derived from the received information.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 60 switches between a game mode in which the item acquisition game device 1 can be executed and a maintenance mode, and controls the operation of the item acquisition game device 1 in each mode.

[0031] In this embodiment, "game mode" is a mode in which a player can play an item acquisition game, and is an example of a first mode. That is, the first mode is not limited to the so-called "game mode," but is a mode in which the item acquisition game device 1 is operated based on the player's actions.

[0032] Furthermore, "Maintenance Mode" is a mode in which the administrator of the item acquisition game device 1 (for example, an employee of the store where the item acquisition game device 1 is installed) can perform various settings on the item acquisition game device 1 (for example, settings to adjust the output of the movement device 30, the vertical movement device 40, and the item acquisition device 50, etc.), and is an example of the second mode. In other words, the second mode is not limited to the so-called "Maintenance Mode," but is a mode in which various settings can be performed on the item acquisition game device 1.

[0033] Furthermore, in maintenance mode, the control unit 60 sets the output of the item acquisition device 50 based on the operator's operation using a measuring instrument, for example, as described later, and in game mode, it executes the item acquisition game based on this setting.

[0034] In game mode, the control unit 60 executes an item acquisition game by controlling the operation of the moving device 30, the vertical moving device 40, and the item acquisition device 50 based on various information corresponding to the player's operations transmitted from the operation unit 11, for example.

[0035] Next, an item acquisition device 50 capable of measuring output using the measuring instrument according to this embodiment will be described. [Configuration of the item acquisition device] Figure 2 illustrates an item acquisition device capable of measuring output using a measuring instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. The item acquisition device 50 comprises a plurality of arm sections 51, a base 52, a first drive mechanism 53, and a second drive mechanism 54.

[0036] The base 52 is connected at its upper end to the vertical movement device 40, rotatably supports a plurality of arm sections 51, and has a first drive mechanism 53 and a second drive mechanism 54 attached to it.

[0037] Multiple (two in the example shown in Figure 2) arm portions 51 are each rotatably supported at their upper ends by the base 52, arranged facing each other, and gripping articles with claws provided at their lower ends. In this embodiment, two arm portions 51 are provided, but the system is not limited to this, and three or more arm portions 51 may be provided.

[0038] The first drive mechanism 53 is provided on the base 52 for each arm portion 51 and comprises a first link portion 531 and a first drive unit 532 (arm torque motor), and applies a gripping force to the multiple arm portions 51.

[0039] The first drive unit 532 is composed of a torque motor and is controlled by the control unit 60, which applies rotational force to the first link unit 531.

[0040] The control unit 60, for example, is composed of a computer and controls the rotational force of the first drive unit 532 so that the sum of the closing torque generated by the weight of the arm unit 51 (the force that causes the tips of the multiple arm units 51 to return to the state in which they are closest to each other) and the torque generated by the first drive unit 532 (the rotational force that opposes the closing torque) becomes a preset torque (output of the item acquisition device 50).

[0041] The second drive mechanism 54 is provided on the base 52, one for each of the multiple arm sections 51, and is controlled by the control unit 60 to move each of the multiple arm sections 51 simultaneously by the same amount, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the tips of the multiple arm sections 51.

[0042] Next, the measuring instrument according to this embodiment will be described. [Configuration of the measuring instrument] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a measuring instrument in one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3, a portion of the pipe of the vertical movement device 40 is omitted.

[0043] The measuring instrument 100 measures the output of the item acquisition device 50, which is equipped with multiple arm sections 51 that grip items stored inside the item storage section 20 of the item acquisition game device 1. When measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50, the measuring instrument 100 may be gripped by multiple arm sections 51 (see Figure 2). However, in the example shown in Figure 3, instead of the multiple arm sections 51 of the item acquisition device 50, multiple measuring arm sections 51a are attached, and the measuring instrument 100 is gripped by the multiple measuring arm sections 51a.

[0044] The measuring arm portion 51a has approximately the same dimensions as the arm portion 51 from its base end (the part that engages with the first link portion 531 (see Figure 2) and to which a rotational force is applied) to its tip, and is formed to be approximately the same weight as the arm portion 51. At its tip, instead of the claws provided on the arm portion 51, a tip member 51b is provided, which has a circular end face when viewed from the front and back directions and is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front and back directions.

[0045] The item acquisition device 50 is equipped with multiple measuring arm sections 51a instead of multiple arm sections 51. When the tip members 51b of the multiple measuring arm sections 51a are brought closer to each other in the left-right direction to grasp the measuring instrument 100, the curved sides of the tip members 51b that bulge inward (towards the center of the item acquisition device 50) come into contact with and press against the contact section 120 of the measuring instrument 100, which will be described later.

[0046] The measuring instrument 100 comprises a main body 110, a plurality of contact portions 120 formed on the side surface of the main body 110, a measuring unit 130 provided inside the main body 110, a calculation unit 140 provided inside the main body 110, a display unit 150 provided on the main body 110, and an auxiliary unit 160 that can be positioned on the upper part of the main body 110.

[0047] The main unit 110 is formed in a box shape and houses various functional units (such as the measurement unit 130, the calculation unit 140, and the control unit for the display unit 150) inside.

[0048] Multiple contact portions 120 are formed on the side surface of the main body 110, and the tip ends of the multiple arm portions 51 (see Figure 2) or the tip ends of multiple measuring arm portions 51a provided in place of the multiple arm portions 51 can contact each other. Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 3 (where there are multiple arm portions 51 (see Figure 2) or two multiple measuring arm portions 51a), the contact portions 120 are formed as notches of the same height and dimensions on the left and right side surfaces of the main body 110.

[0049] As a result, if the measuring instrument 100 is gripped and lifted by multiple arm sections 51 or multiple measuring arm sections 51a, even if the measuring instrument 100 slides downward, the claws of the arm sections 51 or the tip members 51b of the measuring arm sections 51a will catch on the contact sections 120, preventing the gripped measuring instrument 100 from falling and interrupting the work of measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50. In the example shown in Figure 3, it is assumed that the item acquisition device 50 has two arm sections 51, and two contact sections 120 are provided. However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to assume that the item acquisition device 50 has three or more arm sections 51, and provide three or more contact sections 120.

[0050] The measuring unit 130 measures the force exerted by multiple arm sections 51 (see Figure 2) or multiple measuring arm sections 51a, each in contact with a plurality of contact sections 120, on the plurality of contact sections 120 (a predetermined output set in the first drive unit 532 (arm torque motor) + the weight of the arm section 51 or measuring arm section 51a). Specifically, the measuring unit 130 is provided for each of the plurality of contact sections 120 and consists of pressure sensors that measure the force exerted on the contact sections 120 using any method (resistive type, capacitive type, piezoelectric element type, optical type, etc.).

[0051] The calculation unit 140 calculates a correction value relative to a predetermined reference value for each arm section 51 (see Figure 2) or each measuring arm section 51a, based on the measurement values ​​measured by the measurement unit 130. In this embodiment, the "predetermined reference value" is a reference value for equalizing the force with which each of the multiple arm portions 51 or multiple measuring arm portions 51a presses against the contact portion 120. Specifically, the predetermined reference value may be, for example, a theoretical value, an average value obtained by measuring multiple units during the development of the item acquisition device, a measured value when the contact portion 120 is not being pressed (for example, 0), a value set in advance by a manager (for example, an employee of a store where the item acquisition game device 1 is installed), or a measured value of any of the multiple arm portions 51 or multiple measuring arm portions 51a.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "correction value" may be the difference between the measurement value measured by the measurement unit 130 and a predetermined reference value, or it may be an internal command value that is set in advance to correct this difference.

[0053] The display unit 150 consists of a display, with the screen 150a positioned on the front of the main unit 110. More specifically, the display unit 150 displays an index based on the measured value measured by the measuring unit 130 for each contact unit 120. In this embodiment, the "index based on the measured value" may be the measured value itself or a correction value calculated by the calculation unit 140.

[0054] Specifically, the display unit 150 displays, for example, an index based on the measurement value of the measuring unit 130 provided for the left contact portion 120 (in the example shown in Figure 3, "-2") on the left side (near the left contact portion 120) on the screen 150a, and an index based on the measurement value of the measuring unit 130 provided for the right contact portion 120 (in the example shown in Figure 3, "+5") on the right side (near the right contact portion 120).

[0055] The auxiliary part 160 is a shaft member that can be positioned on the upper part of the main body 110, and its upper end abuts against the lower surface of the base 52 of the item acquisition device 50, and is a member that adjusts the position in which the item acquisition device 50 grips the measuring instrument 100. The length of the auxiliary part 160 is formed to a dimension corresponding to the length from the base end to the tip of the arm part 51 or the measuring arm part 51a.

[0056] Here, the position of the measuring instrument 100 is not fixed relative to the item acquisition device 50, and if the relative positions of the two shift up, down, left, or right, the force pressing on the contact portion 120 at the tip of each of the multiple arm portions 51 or multiple measuring arm portions 51a becomes uneven, causing an error in the indicator used to adjust the output of the item acquisition device 50.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the auxiliary part 160 fixes the item acquisition device 50 and the measuring instrument 100, so that the measuring instrument 100 can be fixed to the item acquisition device 50 in a position appropriate for measurement, thereby enabling accurate measurement. Furthermore, by fixing the item acquisition device 50 and the measuring instrument 100 with the auxiliary part 160, it is possible to suppress the influence of the force applied by one arm 51 or measuring arm 51a on the contact portion 120 on the measurement value of the force applied by the other arm 51 or measuring arm 51a on the contact portion 120.

[0058] Furthermore, by positioning the auxiliary section 160 on the upper part of the main body 110, when measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50 with the measuring instrument 100, the vertical movement device 40 lowers the item acquisition device 50 until the upper end of the auxiliary section 160 contacts the lower surface of the base 52. Then, by gripping the measuring instrument 100 with the arm section 51 or measuring arm section 51a, it becomes possible to appropriately press the contact section 120 with the tip of the arm section 51 or measuring arm section 51a. This improves the efficiency of the work of measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50.

[0059] The measuring instrument 100 may also be equipped with a communication unit capable of sending and receiving various types of information with the item acquisition game device 1. In this case, the communication unit consists of a wired communication device, a short-range communication device capable of wireless communication, or a communication device capable of communication via a network, and transmits information indicating the measured value measured by the measuring unit 130 and information indicating the correction value calculated by the calculation unit 140 to the item acquisition game device 1.

[0060] In this case, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 may set the output of the item acquisition device 50 based on the information indicating the measured value and the information indicating the correction value received from the measuring instrument 100.

[0061] Next, we will explain how to adjust the output of the item acquisition device 50 using the measuring instrument 100. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting the output of an item acquisition device using a measuring instrument in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows an example of an adjustment screen in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5(a) shows an example of an adjustment start screen, and Figure 5(b) shows an example of an indicator input screen. The adjustment screen is displayed on the display means of the operation unit 11 (see Figure 1) in an item acquisition game device 1 capable of performing an output adjustment method for an item acquisition device 50 using a measuring instrument 100.

[0062] When the administrator of the item acquisition game device 1 (for example, an employee of the store where the item acquisition game device 1 is installed) wants to adjust the output of the item acquisition device 50, they switch the item acquisition game device 1 to maintenance mode, display the initial adjustment screen (not shown) on the display means of the operation unit 11, and select to adjust the output of the item acquisition device 50. Then, the adjustment screen transitions from the initial adjustment screen (not shown) to the adjustment start screen shown in Figure 5(a).

[0063] Then, in the example shown in Figure 5(a), when the administrator selects "Yes: Confirm" on the adjustment start screen, the output adjustment of the item acquisition device 50 is started in the item acquisition game device 1 (step S1 shown in Figure 4).

[0064] In step S2, triggered by the selection of "Yes: Confirm" on the adjustment start screen in step S1, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 controls the vertical movement device 40 to move the item acquisition device 50 to the adjustment position.

[0065] In step S3, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 controls the second drive mechanism 54 in the item acquisition device 50 positioned at the adjustment position to separate the tips of the multiple arm sections 51 from each other, open the multiple arm sections 51, and stop them.

[0066] In step S4, the administrator replaces the multiple arm sections 51 of the item acquisition device 50 with multiple measuring arm sections 51a.

[0067] In step S5, the administrator places the measuring instrument 100 directly below the item acquisition device 50. At this time, the administrator positions the measuring instrument 100 such that the contact portion 120 of the measuring instrument 100 is positioned directly below the tip member 51b of the measuring arm portion 51a attached to the item acquisition device 50. Then, the administrator turns on the switch of the measuring instrument 100 (to enable measurement of the force applied by the measuring unit 130 to the contact portion 120).

[0068] In step S6, the measuring unit 130 of the measuring instrument 100 is set to "0" for this state (when it is installed in the measurement position and no pressure is applied to the contact part 120).

[0069] In step S7, the administrator selects "Start Measurement" on the initial adjustment screen (not shown) displayed on the display means of the operation unit 11. Then, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 controls the second drive mechanism 54 in the item acquisition device 50 to bring the tip members 51b of the multiple measuring arm sections 51a closer together, close the multiple measuring arm sections 51a, and grip the measuring instrument 100 with the multiple measuring arm sections 51a.

[0070] At this time, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 rotates a plurality of first drive units 532 (arm torque motors) that rotate each of the plurality of measuring arm units 51a at a preset specified output, and presses the contact portion 120 of the measuring instrument 100 with the tip members 51b of the measuring arm units 51a.

[0071] In step S8, the measuring unit 130 of the measuring instrument 100 measures the force exerted by the multiple tip members 51b on each of the multiple contact parts 120 in step S7 (a predetermined output set in the first drive unit 532 (arm torque motor) + the weight of the arm part 51 or measuring arm part 51a).

[0072] Then, the calculation unit 140 of the measuring instrument 100 calculates a correction value relative to a predetermined reference value for each measuring arm portion 51a (contact portion 120) based on the measurement value measured by the measuring unit 130. Furthermore, the display unit 150 of the measuring instrument 100 displays the correction value calculated by the calculation unit 140 as an indicator on screen 150a.

[0073] In step S9, the administrator inputs, for example, the same value as the indicator for each of the multiple arm parts (contact parts 120) displayed on the display unit 150 of the measuring instrument 100 in step S8, on the indicator input screen (see Figure 5(b)) displayed on the display means of the operation unit 11.

[0074] In step S10, the administrator replaces the multiple measuring arm sections 51a with multiple arm sections 51 in the item acquisition device 50.

[0075] Then, the administrator selects "end measurement" on the adjustment screen (not shown) displayed on the display means of the operation unit 11. As a result, the control unit 60 of the item acquisition game device 1 corrects the output of the first drive unit 532 based on the index input in step S9.

[0076] As described above, with the measuring instrument 100 of this embodiment, the tip ends of the multiple arm portions 51 of the item acquisition device 50, or the tip ends of the multiple measuring arm portions 51a provided in place of the multiple arm portions, are brought into contact with the multiple contact portions 120 of the measuring instrument 100, and the item acquisition device 50 outputs a force to grip the item. As a result, a force is applied to the tip ends of the multiple arm portions 51 or the tip ends of the multiple measuring arm portions 51a in a closing direction (a direction toward each other), pressing against the multiple contact portions 120. As a result, the measuring instrument 100 measures the force pressing on each of the multiple contact parts 120 using the measuring unit 130, and displays an index based on the measured value on the display unit 150 for each contact part 120. Therefore, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that can measure the gripping force of each arm of the item acquisition device and indicate an indicator for adjusting the item acquisition device.

[0077] Furthermore, the measuring instrument 100 displays a correction value for a predetermined reference value, based on the measured value obtained for each arm portion 51 or measuring arm 51a, which represents the force with which the multiple arm portions 51 or multiple measuring arm portions 51a grip an article, as an index. This makes it possible to set the correction value as the difference between the preferred value and the measured value, for example, if a predetermined reference value is set as a desirable preferred value for the force with which the item acquisition device 50 grips the item (for example, a theoretical value or the average value obtained by measuring multiple units during the development of the item acquisition device). In this case, by adjusting the output of each arm in the item acquisition device 50 so that the difference is 0, it becomes possible to set the output of all multiple arm sections to the preferred value. Therefore, the force with which the item is gripped by the item acquisition device can be easily adjusted by using multiple arms.

[0078] Here, when the measuring instrument 100 is gripped by the claws provided at the tips of the multiple arm portions 51 of the item acquisition device 50, and these claws are brought into contact with the contact portion 120 of the measuring instrument 100 (described later) and pressed, if the claws are not brought into contact with the contact portion 120 at a right angle, some of the rotational force applied to the base end of the arm portion 51 (the part that engages with the first link portion 531 and to which a rotational force is applied) may escape, and there is a risk that the rotational force applied to the base end of the arm portion 51 may not be properly applied to the contact portion 120.

[0079] Therefore, the measuring instrument 100 must be precisely positioned so that the claws of the multiple arm portions 51 of the item acquisition device 50 contact the contact portion 120 of the measuring instrument 100 at a right angle. This precise positioning of the measuring instrument 100 reduces the efficiency of measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50.

[0080] According to the output adjustment method of the item acquisition device 50 of this embodiment, the measuring arm portion 51a has a tip member 51b that contacts the contact portion 120 of the measuring instrument 100, and the tip member 51b has a curved side surface that bulges inward. Therefore, no matter which part of the side surface of the tip member 51b contacts the contact portion 120, the rotational force applied to the base end of the measuring arm portion 51a can be appropriately applied to the contact portion 120. As a result, when measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50, by replacing the multiple arm sections 51 with multiple measuring arm sections 51a, it becomes less necessary to precisely position the measuring instrument 100 compared to when the replacement is not performed, thus improving the efficiency of the work of measuring the output of the item acquisition device 50.

[0081] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Item Acquisition Game Device 5 booths 10 bases 11 Control section 12 Drop-off 20. Item storage section 30 Mobile device 40 Vertical movement device 50 Goods acquisition device 51 Arm section 51a Measuring arm section 51b Tip member 52 base 53 First drive mechanism 54 Second drive mechanism 60 Control Unit 100 measuring instruments 110 Main Unit 120 Contact part 130 Measuring section 140 Calculation Unit 150 Display section 150a screen 160 Auxiliary Department 531 First Link Section 532 First drive unit

Claims

1. A measuring instrument for measuring the output of an item acquisition device, which is equipped with multiple arm parts for gripping items stored inside the item storage section of an item acquisition game device, The tip ends of multiple arm portions, or the tip ends of multiple measuring arm portions provided in place of multiple arm portions, each have a plurality of contact portions to which they can contact, A measuring unit that measures the force applied by multiple arm portions or multiple measuring arm portions that are in contact with multiple contact portions, respectively, to the multiple contact portions, A measuring instrument characterized by comprising: a display unit that displays an index based on the measured value measured by the measuring unit for each of the contact parts.

2. The system further includes a calculation unit that calculates a correction value for a predetermined reference value for each arm section or each measuring arm section based on the measured values, The measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the correction value as the index.

3. A method for adjusting the output of an article acquisition device using the measuring instrument described in claim 1 or 2, The arm portion of the item acquisition device is replaced with the measuring arm portion, which has a curved side surface and a tip member provided at the tip end. The contact portion of the measuring instrument is pressed against the curved side surface of the tip member, A method for adjusting the output of an item acquisition device, wherein the output of the item acquisition device is adjusted based on the indicator displayed on the display unit of the measuring instrument.

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