crane game machine

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crane game machine that operates a catcher to grab prizes.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a conventional crane game machine shown in Patent Document 1 acquires the right to play by inserting a coin, and with this right to play, operates the catcher to reach a desired position in the showcase and attempts to grab a prize placed in the showcase. If the prize can be lifted and discharged from the discharge port, the player can acquire the commodity. It is a facility that provides such a game.

[0003] However, it cannot be denied that there is monotony and a sense of stodginess in that it can only provide such a game.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a crane game machine that can provide a play method rich in changes different from the conventional ones.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the crane game machine of the present invention a showcase that surrounds a game space having a plurality of sub - areas and a discharge area that is in contact with each of the sub - areas, and a housing having a lower part disposed below the showcase and having a discharge passage that communicates with the discharge area of the game space, A catcher unit configured to allow movement within the game space and the grabbing of prizes, The control means is configured to include a coin insertion module attached to the housing and used for generating a start signal, a processor module signally connected to the coin insertion module, and an operation interface signally connected to the processor module to output operation signals to the processor module for operating the catcher unit in response to the operation, When the processor module receives the start signal from the coin insertion module, it drives the catcher unit in response to the operation signal from the operation interface, and when the catcher unit enters any of the sub-areas, it is configured to limit the range in which the catcher unit is driven in response to the operation signal to that sub-area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] With the above configuration, the present invention has multiple sub-areas, so when a player inserts coins / tokens into the coin insertion module to start the game, it can be configured to allow for multiple plays in the multiple sub-areas. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a top view showing the arrangement of the showcases for the crane game machine in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the control means and related components in the crane game machine of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a top view diagram illustrating the control status of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a top view diagram illustrating the control status of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Figure 6]This is a top view diagram illustrating the control status of the crane game machine of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0010] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the crane game machine of the present invention, which, as shown in the figure, comprises a housing 1, a catcher unit 3, a control means 4, and a bonus machine 5.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the enclosure 1 has a showcase 11 that surrounds a game space 110 having a plurality of sub-areas 210 separated by partition plates 21 and discharge areas 220 adjacent to each sub-area 210, and a lower part 12 that is located below the showcase 11 and has a discharge passage 120 that communicates with the discharge areas 220 of the game space 110.

[0012] In this embodiment, each sub-area 210 is arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction D and is configured to extend along a second horizontal direction S perpendicular to the first horizontal direction D. In Figure 2, a bonus area 230 is located to the left of the sub-area 210 on the left side in the first horizontal direction D, and the discharge area 220 extends along the first horizontal direction D and is located next to each sub-area 210 and bonus area 230 in the second horizontal direction S, and has a discharge opening 129 that communicates with a discharge passage 120 formed in the lower part 12. That is, the bonus area 230 is adjacent to the discharge area 220 separately from each sub-area 210.

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

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

[0015] Note that without providing a physical partition board 21 to partition the sub-area 210, each sub-area 210 can also be defined as a spatial concept used when the control means 4 performs control.

[0016] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a bonus pedestal 5 formed as a pedestal is arranged in the bonus area 230. The bonus pedestal 5 is signal-connected to a processor module 42 of the control means 4 described later. A sensor 51 that outputs a bonus signal to the processor module 42 when it senses that a prize has fallen into the bonus area 230, and a discharge auxiliary member 52 that pushes the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 into the discharge area 220 are arranged and configured.

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

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

[0019] The catcher unit 3 is attached to the upper part of the showcase 11 and is configured to be able to move and grab prizes within the game space 110. Since the specific configuration can use prior art, a detailed description is omitted here.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, the control means 4 is attached to the housing 1 and includes a coin insertion module 41 used to generate a start signal, a processor module 42 signal-connected to the coin insertion module 41, and an operation interface 43 signal-connected to the processor module 42 to output an operation signal for operating the catcher unit 3 according to an operation.

[0021] As the coin insertion module 41, for example, it detects the type and quantity of coins or tokens inserted using prior art, and when it confirms that an appropriate coin or token has been inserted, it outputs a start signal that allows the acquisition of the right to play and leads to the start of the game to the processor module 42. The processor module 42 can be configured using, for example, a microcontroller equipped with an information processing unit (CPU) and a recording medium (memory), etc. However, it can realize the function of executing a program that controls the movement of the catcher unit 3 according to the operation signal from the operation interface 43 using a circuit board on which an IC chip is mounted, etc. The operation interface 43 can be configured using, for example, a circuit board to which a joystick and one or more buttons are attached.

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

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a position sensor 22 is located in the housing 1 to detect which sub-area 210 the catcher unit 3 has entered. The position sensor 22 is a component for determining the position of the catcher unit 3, and specifically, it can be configured using, for example, a sensor that performs optical detection.

[0024] In this configuration, the coin insertion module 41 confirms that a coin has been inserted and recognizes that the right to play has been acquired, and outputs a start signal. When the processor module 42 receives the start signal from the coin insertion module 41, it drives the catcher unit 3 in response to the operation signal from the joystick of the operation interface 43. When the catcher unit 3 enters any one of the sub-areas 210 from the initial area, the configuration limits the range in which the catcher unit 3 is driven in response to the operation signal from the joystick to that sub-area 210.

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

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

[0027] In the first grab control, the processor module 42 controls the catcher unit 3 to be lowered and attempt to grab the prize, then moves the catcher unit 3 to the discharge area 220 and releases it to the catcher unit 3. In the second grab control, the processor module 42 controls the catcher unit 3 to be lowered and attempt to grab the prize, then moves the catcher unit 3 to the bonus area 230 and releases it to the catcher unit 3.

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

[0029] Here, the present invention has multiple sub-areas 210, so that, for example, the right to play acquired by inserting coins / tokens can be set to the right to enter either one of the sub-areas 210 and attempt to grab a prize, or the right to enter each of the sub-areas 210 once and attempt to grab a prize. If the latter is chosen, it can be advertised as "a total of 3 plays are possible." Furthermore, if a prize is grabbed in a specific sub-area 210 (second sub-area 210B), the prize that was being held by the catcher unit 3 is dropped into the bonus area 230 by the second grabbing control, and the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 is pushed into the discharge area 220 by the discharge assist member 52, allowing the prize to be acquired. In addition, it is possible to continue playing without inserting additional coins / tokens by using the newly granted right to play.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention allows for the individual setting of not only the gripping force parameter corresponding to each sub-area 210, but also the catcher speed parameter corresponding to each sub-area 210, and a delay parameter that changes the response delay in response to operations on the operation interface 43. For example, it is possible to change the difficulty of play in each sub-area 210.

[0031] Thus, in this invention, when a player inserts coins / tokens into the coin insertion module 41 to start the game, it is possible to set the game so that the player can enter, for example, three sub-areas 210 once each to attempt to grab a prize. Furthermore, if the player can grab a prize in a specific sub-area 210 (second sub-area 210B), the second grab control will drop the prize held by the catcher unit 3 into the bonus area 230, and the discharge assist member 52 will push the prize that has fallen into the bonus area 230 into the discharge area 220, allowing the player to acquire the prize. It is also possible to set the game so that the player can continue playing without inserting additional coins / tokens by using the newly granted play rights. In other words, in this invention, after performing grab control in one sub-area 210, the game can be ended by returning the catcher unit 3 to the initial area, or the catcher unit 3 can be moved to another sub-area 210 to perform grab control again.

[0032] Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to propose a variety of ways to play. For example, by setting it up by the owner / manager, it is possible to advertise that players can play under more advantageous conditions than before, such as being able to play multiple times in multiple sub-areas, rather than being limited to the conventional way of playing where one catch is possible with one coin / token insertion. This can attract players to participate in the game.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1 cabinet 11 Showcase 110 Game Spaces 12 Lower part 120 Discharge passage 129 Discharge opening 21 Partition plates 210 Sub-areas 22 Position Sensor 230 Bonus Area 3 Catcher Units 4. Control means 41 Coin Insertion Module 42 Processor Modules 43 Operating Interface 5 Bonus Machines 51 Sensors 52 Discharge assist member D First horizontal direction S Second horizontal direction

Claims

1. A showcase enclosing a game space having a plurality of sub-areas defined as spatial concepts and discharge areas defined as spatial concepts adjacent to each of the sub-areas, and a lower part positioned below the showcase and having a discharge passage that communicates with the discharge areas of the game space, A catcher unit configured to allow movement within the game space and the grabbing of prizes, A control means configured to include a coin insertion module attached to the housing and used for generating a start signal, a processor module signal-connected to the coin insertion module, and an operation interface signal-connected to the processor module to output operation signals to the processor module for operating the catcher unit in response to the operation, A partition plate is positioned along the boundary surface of two adjacent sub-areas, The catcher unit is equipped with a position sensor that detects which sub-area the catcher unit has entered, The processor module is configured such that when it receives the start signal from the coin insertion module, it drives the catcher unit in response to the operation signal from the operation interface, and when the catcher unit enters any one of the sub-areas, it limits the range of movement for which the catcher unit is driven in response to the operation signal to that sub-area, and A crane game machine configured to drive the catcher unit in response to the operation signal from the operation interface, and to allow the catcher unit to enter each of the sub-areas once to attempt to grab a prize.

2. The crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor module controls the gripping force when the catcher unit grasps an object using a gripping force parameter corresponding to the sub-area into which the catcher unit has entered.

3. The aforementioned game space further includes bonus areas, defined as spatial concepts, that are separate from each of the aforementioned sub-areas and adjacent to the aforementioned discharge areas, Each sub-area is divided into at least one first sub-area and at least one second sub-area, and when the processor module receives a grab signal from the operation interface to the catcher unit that has entered the first sub-area, the processor module transitions to first grab control, When the processor module receives a grab signal from the operation interface for the catcher unit that has entered the second sub-area, the processor module transitions to a second grab control. In the first grab control described above, the processor module controls the catcher unit to be lowered to attempt to grab the prize, then moves the catcher unit to the discharge area, and then releases the prize to the catcher unit. The crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein in the second grabbing control, the processor module controls the catcher unit to be lowered to attempt to grab a prize, then moves the catcher unit to the bonus area, and then releases the prize to the catcher unit.

4. The crane game machine according to claim 3, wherein a sensor is provided that outputs a bonus signal to the processor module when it detects that the prize that was being held by the catcher unit has been released and fallen into the bonus area by the second grabbing control described above.

5. A discharge assist member is placed in the bonus area to push the prizes that have fallen into the bonus area to the discharge area. The crane game machine according to claim 4, wherein when the processor module receives the bonus signal from the sensor, it activates the ejection assist member and further operates the catcher unit to grant the player the right to attempt to grab a prize.

6. The crane game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the sub-areas is arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction and is configured to extend along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

7. The crane game machine according to claim 6, wherein the discharge area extends along the first horizontal direction and is located adjacent to each of the sub-areas in the second horizontal direction, and has a discharge opening that communicates with the discharge passage.

8. The crane game machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the sub-areas is arranged along a predetermined first horizontal direction and is configured to extend along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and the bonus area is located next to the sub-areas along the first horizontal direction.

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

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