Crane game machine mechanism and crane game machine

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for a crane game machine that automatically returns balls on a board to their original positions when it is detected that a prize has been won. [Solution] The mechanism for a crane game machine of this embodiment is a mechanism for a crane game machine that grabs and carries balls, and is characterized by comprising a board (10) formed with multiple holes in which the balls can be stored and that is maintained in a substantially horizontal supported state during play, a detector (40) that detects when the ball has been stored in a winning hole (12) selected from among the holes, and a tilting mechanism (50) that switches the board from a supported state to a tilted state that tilts diagonally downward depending on the detection result of the detector.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for a crane game machine and a crane game machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for a crane game machine in which a player can win a prize by operating a crane to grab a ball and drop it into a winning hole. [Background technology]

[0002] Gaming machines, such as prize-winning devices and amusement machines, are typically installed in arcades, and users typically visit arcades to play. In recent years, advances in network technology and improvements in the functionality of user devices such as smartphones have made it possible to enjoy a variety of games from the comfort of home, without having to go to an arcade. As online crane games have become increasingly popular, a new type of game known as the "Takoyaki Machine" has emerged, featuring a takoyaki machine-like cabinet containing ping-pong balls. Players can win prizes by operating a crane to scoop up ping-pong balls and place them in holes in the takoyaki machine. However, these online crane games require staff to manually return the ping-pong balls to the ball storage area after winning a prize. Various technologies have been proposed to address these issues, and this article explains the prior art based on patent literature.

[0003] There is known technology for a gaming system that can automatically return a crane game machine, which is remotely controlled via a communication network, to the state it was in before the game started (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, the gaming system shown in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the entire throwing part 24 needs to be rotated upward, which means that it moves against gravity, placing a heavy burden on the motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-187569 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To provide a mechanism for a crane game machine that automatically returns balls on the board to their original positions when it is detected that a prize has been won. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures. (1) A mechanism for a crane game machine that grabs and carries balls, characterized in that it comprises a board (10) formed with a plurality of holes (11) in which the balls can be stored and that is maintained in a substantially horizontal supported state during play, a detector (40) that detects that the ball has been stored in a winning hole (13) selected from among the holes, and a tilting mechanism (50) that switches the board from a supported state to a tilted state inclined diagonally downwards according to the detection result of the detector. (2) A mechanism for a crane game machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a base (60) that is placed on the back of the board in the inclined state, and a protrusion (70) that is attached to the base and is positioned corresponding to the hole on the board. (3)Claim 1 or 2 the tilting mechanism is a winch that winds up a wire attached to the board with a motor to change the board from an inclined state to a supported state; or A rotary shaft tilting mechanism that rotates a rotary shaft attached to the table surface with a motor to change the table surface from an inclined state to a supported state. At least one of the following is provided: A mechanism for a crane game machine. (4) A mechanism for a crane game machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that the detector is attached and one or more winning frames (13) are detachable from the winning holes selected from the holes. (5) A crane game machine equipped with a crane game mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a crane arm (3) that grabs and moves the balls in response to user operation, and a ball storage area (4) where the balls grabbed by the crane arm are placed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the present invention provides a mechanism for a crane game machine that automatically returns balls on the board to their original locations when it is detected that a prize has been won. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a crane game machine 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Outline of the embodiment] The mechanism for a crane game machine of this embodiment is a mechanism for a crane game machine that grabs and carries balls, and includes a board 10 formed with a plurality of holes 11 in which the balls can be stored and that is maintained in a substantially horizontal supported state during play, a detector 20 that detects when the ball has been stored in a winning hole 13 selected from the holes, and a tilting mechanism 30 that switches the board from the supported state to a tilted state inclined diagonally downward according to the detection result of the detector. According to this embodiment, when it is detected that a prize has been won, the balls on the board are automatically returned to their original positions.

[0010] [Details of the embodiment] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a crane game machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism 2 for a crane game machine, where (a) is a perspective view from the top, front, and right side, (b) is a diagram showing a winning frame 13 and a winning detector 40, and (c) is a perspective view from the top, back, and left side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a board 10, where (a) is a perspective view from the top, front, and right side, and (b) is a perspective view from the top, back, and left side. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the mechanism 2 for a crane game machine, where (a) is a perspective view from the top, front, and right side.

[0011] [Crane game machine 1] The crane game machine 1 is, for example, a gaming machine that receives payment from a user, operates a crane arm, and grabs a prize placed inside the cabinet. In this example, the crane game machine 1 is a "takoyaki stand" model in which a prize can be won by inserting a gaming medium (ball) into a winning slot 13. The crane game machine 1 is composed of a control unit CU, a crane game machine mechanism 2, a crane arm 3, a ball storage area 4, etc.

[0012] [Control unit CU] The control unit CU is a device that controls the overall operation of the crane game machine 1, and is configured by connecting a CPU, RAM, ROM, input unit, output unit, communication unit, etc. via a bus line (not shown). Because the user does not actually go to an arcade to play the crane game machine 1, but rather plays it over the Internet, the control unit controls a camera and delivers video of the crane game machine 1 taken in real time to the user's smartphone or PC.

[0013] [Crane game machine mechanism 2] As shown in Figure 2, the crane game mechanism 2 is made up of a board 10, a frame 20, support pipes 30, a winning detector 40, a tilt mechanism 50, a base 60, protrusions 70, a tilt angle detector 80, and a horizontal angle detector 90. The crane game mechanism 2 is supported by two support pipes 30 with a diameter of 13 mm, and can be assembled without the use of tools, making it easy to install.

[0014] [Board surface 10] The board 10 is a plate formed with a plurality of holes 11 into which balls can be placed and maintained in a substantially horizontal position during play. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the board 10 is a plate made of synthetic resin (e.g., ABS resin, acrylic resin, etc.) with a depth of approximately 200 mm, a width of approximately 200 mm, and a thickness of approximately 5 mm. The board 10 has a total of nine holes 11 arranged at equal intervals in a 3-by-3 grid pattern, and each hole is fitted with a losing slot 12 or a winning slot 13. Each hole 11 is fitted with a losing slot 12 or a winning slot 13. For example, if a winning slot 13 is fitted to a hole 11, a winning occurs when a ball enters that hole 11. A winning detector 40 is attached to the winning slot 13 to detect whether a ball has entered the hole 11. In this description, the terms "hole 11" and "losing slot 12" are used interchangeably, and the terms "winning hole" and "winning slot 13" are also used interchangeably.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3(b), two tubes 14 for passing support pipes 30 are attached to the back edge of the board surface 10. When the support pipes 30 are passed through these tubes 14 and fixed, the board surface 10 rotates downward around the support pipes 30 as an axis, and becomes tilted.

[0016] A detection piece 15 with a long side of 60 mm and a short side of 38 mm is attached to the panel 10 so that the tilt angle detector 80 can detect when the panel 10 is tilted. The detection piece 15 is attached to the back of the panel 10 at the far right side as you face it, protruding 35 mm outward from the right side of the panel 10. A detection piece 16 with a long side of 100 mm and a short side of 63 mm is attached to the panel 10 so that the horizontal angle detector 90 can detect when the panel 10 is level. The detection piece 16 is attached to the back of the panel 10 at the front left side as you face it, protruding 60 mm outward from the left side of the panel 10.

[0017] [Frame portion 20] The frame 20 is a frame that surrounds the playing surface 10 and surrounds the outside of the playing surface 10 to prevent balls from falling off the playing surface 10. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (c), the frame 20 is a hollow rectangular prism-shaped member with inner dimensions of 210 mm square, outer dimensions of 250 mm square, and a height of 35 mm. Two pipe joints 21 are attached to the front and back of the back side of the frame 20. A total of four pipe joints 21 for connecting support pipes 30 are attached to the back side of the frame 20, two on each side of the front side and the back side. A horizontal angle detector 90 is attached to the frame 20 at a position corresponding to the detection piece 16 on the playing surface 10.

[0018] [Support pipe 30] 2(a) and 2(c), the support pipe 30 is a cylindrical metal support member that fixes the frame 20 using a pipe joint 21 and supports the panel surface 10 so that it can rotate freely downward. In this example, the pipe is a 13 mm diameter pipe.

[0019] [Winning detector 40] The winning detector 40 is a detector that detects that a ball has been placed in a winning frame (winning hole) 13 selected from among the holes. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the winning detector 40 is placed in a notch provided in a part of the side wall of the winning frame 13 and is connected to the control unit. The winning detector 40 is equipped with a mechanical sensor (such as a microswitch or limit switch). However, various detection methods can be used, such as an optical sensor (such as a photo sensor or camera), a weight sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0020] [Tilt mechanism 50] The tilting mechanism 50 is a mechanism that switches the playing surface 10 from a supported state to a tilted state in which the playing surface 10 is tilted diagonally downward in response to the detection result of the winning detector 40. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (c), the tilting mechanism 50 uses a winch that uses a motor 52 to wind up a wire 51 attached to the playing surface 10 onto a drum 53, thereby changing the playing surface 10 from a tilted state to a supported state. However, the tilting mechanism 50 may also use a rotary shaft-type tilting mechanism that uses a motor to rotate a rotary shaft (not shown) attached to the playing surface 10, changing the playing surface 10 from a tilted state to a supported state.

[0021] [Base part 60] The base 60 is a base placed on the back of the inclined panel. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(c), the base 60 is composed of a bent portion 61 and a base surface 62. The bent portion 61 is formed by combining two rectangular surfaces and is bent at a 135-degree angle when viewed from the left. The bent portion 61 is attached to the base surface 62, which is a synthetic resin (e.g., ABS resin, acrylic resin, etc.) plate with a depth of approximately 200 mm, a width of approximately 200 mm, and a thickness of approximately 5 mm. The base surface 62 has a total of nine holes 63 arranged at equal intervals in a 3-by-3 grid pattern, and a protrusion 70 is attached to each hole. The holes 63 are positioned to correspond to the positions of the holes on the panel surface 10. An inclination angle detector 80 is attached to the base 60 at a position corresponding to the detection piece 15 on the panel surface 10.

[0022] [Protrusion 70] The protrusions 70 are attached to the base 60 and are arranged to correspond to the holes 11 of the playing board 10. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (c), the protrusions 70 are members that can be detachably attached to the holes 63, and are tools that, when the playing board 10 is tilted and overlaps the base 60, cause balls that have fallen into the losing slots 12 (holes 11) or winning slots 13 (winning holes) to fall into the ball storage area 4. The protrusions 70 are rod-shaped members that protrude from the surfaces of the losing slots 12 (holes 11) or winning slots 13 (winning holes) when the playing board 10 is tilted (see Figure 6(b)).

[0023] [Tilt angle detector 80] The tilt angle detector 80 is a sensor that detects when the board surface 10 reaches a tilted angle. The tilt angle detector 80 uses a contact-type limit switch to detect when the board surface 10 has reached a tilted state of 45 degrees downward from the supported state, and outputs a signal.

[0024] [Horizontal angle detector 90] The horizontal angle detector 90 is a sensor that detects when the board surface 10 reaches the angle required for the supported state. The horizontal angle detector 90 uses a contact-type limit switch to detect when the board surface 10 has transitioned from an inclined state to a supported state tilted 45 degrees upward, and outputs a signal.

[0025] [Crane Arm 3] The crane arm 3 is a device that grabs and moves a ball in response to a user's operation.

[0026] [Tamaokiba 4] The ball storage area 4 is a place where the balls grabbed by the crane arm 3 are placed and where the balls discharged from the board 10 are received.

[0027] [Operation of crane game machine 1] Next, we will explain the flow of operation of the crane game machine 1. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the crane game machine mechanism 2, where (a) is a perspective view from the top, front, and right side of the state in which a ball has entered the winning frame 13, and (b) is a perspective view from the top, back, and left side of the state in which the board 10 is slightly tilted. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the crane game machine mechanism 2, where (a) is a perspective view from the top, front, and right side of the state in which the board 10 is tilted, and (b) is a perspective view from the right side of the state in which the board 10 is tilted.

[0028] The movements of the crane game machine 1 are captured by a video camera or the like, and the video is distributed online from a communication unit connected to the Internet. A user remotely controls the crane game machine 1 by operating the operation screen while watching the video distributed from a smartphone, PC, or the like. As shown in FIG. 5(a), when a user places a ball into the winning slot 13, the winning detector 40 (see FIG. 2(b)) detects that the ball has been stored. In this case, a message indicating that a prize has been won is displayed on the screen (not shown), and the control unit CU temporarily suspends the acceptance of user operations and tilts the board 10.

[0029] That is, the control unit CU rotates the motor of the tilting mechanism 50 and loosens the wire 51 wound around the drum 53, thereby tilting the playing surface 10. The user can continue to watch the video stream without interruption. During this time, the playing surface 10 tilts downward, and as shown in FIG. 5(b), balls in the winning slots 13 and balls accumulated in the frame portion 20 with the playing surface 10 at the bottom fall into the ball storage area 4. When the playing surface 10 tilts further and enters a tilted state, as shown in FIG. 6(a), balls in the losing slots 12 and winning slots 13 are pushed out by the protrusions 70 and fall into the ball storage area 4. As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the playing surface 10 is tilted, the protrusions 70 protrude from the surfaces of the losing slots 12 (holes 11) and winning slots 13 (winning holes). Therefore, the balls are pushed out by the protrusions 70 and are reliably ejected from the losing slots 12 and winning slots 13.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the board 10 tilts, the tilt angle detector 80 comes into contact with the detection piece 15 of the board 10, detecting that the board 10 has tilted. Specifically, the control unit CU stops the motor of the tilting mechanism 50, then reverses its rotation and winds the wire around the drum 53, thereby returning the board 10 to a supporting state. Once the board 10 is in a supporting state, the horizontal angle detector 90 (see FIG. 2(c)) comes into contact with the detection piece 16 of the board 10, detecting that the board 10 has been placed in a supporting state. Specifically, the control unit CU stops the motor of the tilting mechanism 50 and winds the wire around the drum 53, thereby returning the board 10 to a supporting state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2(c), once the balls are removed from the board 10 and the board 10 returns to a supporting state, a message indicating that the game has resumed appears on the screen, and the control unit CU begins accepting user operations, enabling the crane arm 3 to be operated.

[0031] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a mechanism 2 for a crane game machine. (a) This is a cross-section seen from the right side, and (b) is a perspective view seen from the top, front, and right side. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the hole 11 is female-threaded, and the losing slot 12 and winning slot 13 are male-threaded. Therefore, the losing slot 12 or winning slot 13 can be screwed into the hole 11 at any position. Since the winning slot 13 can be screwed into the hole 11 at any position, game providers can prepare multiple winning slots 13 and freely determine their positions to adjust the difficulty of the game. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the protrusion 70 is detachably attached to the hole 63 of the base 60. Therefore, game providers can adjust the number of balls returned to the ball storage area 4 by reducing the number of protrusions 70.

[0032] [Dummy Ball 17] A dummy ball 17 can be prepared on the board 10. The dummy ball 17 is a tool for filling the losing slot 12, and can increase the chances of the ball entering the winning slot 13. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the inside of the losing slot 12 has a female thread, and the dummy ball 17 has a male thread, so that the dummy ball 17 can be screwed into the losing slot 12. The dummy ball 17 may be solid as shown in FIG. 7(a), or it may be hollow so that the protrusion 70 can be inserted therethrough.

[0033] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be modified within the scope of the object and spirit of the present invention.

[0034] 1: Crane game machine 2:Mechanism for crane game machines 3: Crane arm 4: Tamaokiba 10: Board surface 20: Frame 30: Support pipe 40: Winning detector 50:Tilt mechanism 60: Base 70:Protrusion 80: Tilt angle detector 90: Horizontal angle detector

Claims

1. A mechanism for a crane game machine that grabs and carries balls, a board (10) having a plurality of holes (11) in which the balls can be stored and which is maintained in a substantially horizontal supported state during play; a detector (40) for detecting that the ball has been stored in a winning hole (13) selected from among the holes; a tilting mechanism (50) that switches the board surface from a supported state to a tilted state in which the board surface is tilted obliquely downward according to the detection result of the detector; A mechanism for a crane game machine comprising:

2. 2. The mechanism for a crane game machine according to claim 1, A base portion (60) disposed on the back surface of the inclined state of the board surface; a protrusion (50) attached to the base and arranged corresponding to the hole on the board surface; A mechanism for a crane game machine comprising:

3. 3. The mechanism for a crane game machine according to claim 1 or 2, The tilting mechanism includes: a winch that winds up a wire attached to the surface of the board with a motor to change the surface of the board from an inclined state to a supported state; or and a rotary shaft tilting mechanism that rotates a rotary shaft attached to the table surface with a motor to change the table surface from an inclined state to a supported state. A mechanism for a crane game machine.

4. 4. The mechanism for a crane game machine according to claim 3, One or more winning frames (13) to which the detector is attached and which are detachable from the winning holes selected from the holes; A mechanism for a crane game machine comprising:

5. A crane game machine equipped with the mechanism for a crane game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a crane arm (3) that grabs and moves the ball in response to a user's operation; a ball storage area (4) where the balls grasped by the crane arm are placed; A crane game machine comprising:

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