Prize-grabbing game machine and gripping force setting method

Abstract

To automatically set gripping force in a prize gripping game machine.SOLUTION: A prize gripping game machine includes: a catcher having multiple gripping arms; a prize detection sensor for detecting separation and a fall of a prize from the catcher that grips the prize; and a control unit that sets gripping force of the catcher that grips a prize to an initial value, gradually reduces gripping force of the initial value, and obtains gripping force VUP when the catcher grips a prize at the time of game operation on the basis of gripping force VDROP when detecting a fall of the prize by the prize detection sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize-grabbing game machine and a method for setting the gripping force, which automatically set the gripping force. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of gripping force adjustment devices for prize-grabbing game machines include the gripping force adjustment devices for prize-grabbing game machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Document 1 describes a gripping force adjustment device for a prize-grabbing game machine that solves the dilemma that setting the gripping force weakly reduces motivation and decreases sales, while setting it strong increases the rate at which prizes are dispensed. Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a prize-grabbing game machine having an arm for gripping prizes and an arm opening / closing means for opening and closing the arm, wherein the motor, which is the power source for opening and closing the arm, is configured so that the gripping force can be set to a strength range from 0 to the strongest by a motor drive signal emitted from a control device, and the gripping force adjustment device comprises an input circuit that analyzes the motor drive signal to find the set gripping force, a signal to grip the prize with the strongest gripping force input before the found set gripping force signal, and a control that reduces the gripping force to a set value at least once, and an output circuit that outputs the signal from the signal conversion circuit to the motor.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an item-grabbing game machine that determines the gripping force in order to increase the enjoyment of the operation. Specifically, Patent Document 2 describes an article-grabbing game machine comprising an article storage section capable of accommodating one or more articles, an article-grabbing section that performs a gripping operation, an operating member operated by a player, and a moving means that moves the article-grabbing section in the article storage section in accordance with the operation of the operating member, wherein the article-grabbing section performs a gripping operation after the article-grabbing section is moved by the moving means, and a gripping force determination means is provided to determine the gripping force according to the manner of operation of the operating member, and the article-grabbing section is configured to perform a gripping operation with the gripping force determined by the gripping force determination means. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-007058 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-233892 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] Since the gripping force varies depending on the type of prize, it is necessary to set the gripping force according to the prize to be loaded into the prize gripping game machine.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a prize gripping game machine and a gripping force setting method capable of automatically setting the gripping force. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] (1) A prize gripping game machine according to the present invention comprises a catcher having a plurality of gripping arms, a prize detection sensor that detects that the prize has separated and fallen from the catcher that is gripping the prize, a control unit that sets the gripping force of the catcher gripping the prize to an initial value, gradually reduces the gripping force of the initial value, and determines the gripping force V when the fall of the prize is detected by the prize detection sensor DROP and obtains the gripping force V when the catcher grips a prize during game operation based thereon UP , the prize gripping game machine, wherein the gripping force V is larger than the gripping force V UP DROP

[0008] (2) In the prize gripping game machine according to the above (1), the control unit, based on the gripping force V DROP , obtains the gripping force V when the catcher releases the prize during game operation DOWN , and the gripping force V​​DOWN may be smaller than the aforementioned gripping force V DROP .

[0009] (3) In the prize gripping game machine according to the above (1) or (2), the control unit includes a gripping force control unit, a gripping force setting unit, a gripping voltage signal generation unit, and a down counter, In the gripping force setting mode, the gripping force control unit sets the count value of the down counter to the count value corresponding to the initial value of the gripping force of the catcher, In the gripping force setting mode, the gripping voltage signal generation unit generates a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to the decreasing count value of the down counter, and outputs the signal to the catcher that opens and closes the plurality of gripping arms based on the gripping force voltage signal, In the gripping force setting mode, the gripping force setting unit, based on the gripping force V when the fall of the prize is detected DROP , sets a digital value corresponding to the gripping force V, based on the count value of the down counter corresponding thereto UP . In the normal mode, when the plurality of gripping arms grip a prize, the gripping voltage signal generation unit may generate a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to the digital value, and output the signal to the catcher that opens and closes the plurality of gripping arms based on the gripping force voltage signal.

[0010] (4) A gripping force setting method according to the present invention sets the gripping force of the catcher that has gripped a prize to an initial value by the control unit of the prize gripping game machine, The gripping force of the initial value is gradually reduced by the control unit, and based on the gripping force V when the prize separates from the catcher and falls DROP , the gripping force V when the catcher grips a prize during game operation of the prize gripping game machine is determined UP , the gripping force V UP is greater than the aforementioned gripping force V DROP , which is the gripping force setting method. [Advantageous Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine can be automatically set. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a prize-grabbing game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit that sets the gripping force. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the gripping force setting operation by the control unit. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the gripping force setting operation for a prize-grabbing game machine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a prize-grabbing game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the prize-grabbing game machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a prize counter 110, a coin counter 120, a 7-segment LED (7-segment LED in the figure) 130, a display 140, an output unit 150, a speaker 160, and a power supply 170. The prize-grabbing game machine 10 also includes an operating lever 180, an input unit 190, a control unit 200, a catcher drive unit 210, an operating button 220, a coin sensor 230, a payout sensor 240, a storage device 250, a catcher XYZ movement device 260, a setting unit 270, a catcher 280, and a prize detection sensor 290.

[0014] The prize counter 110 counts the number of prizes (prizes won by players) detected by the prize detection sensor 290, which will be described later. The count value is stored in the control unit 200. The coin counter 120 counts the number of each type of coin inserted (for example, 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins) detected by the coin sensor 230, which will be described later. The count value is stored in the control unit 200. The 7-segment LED 130 displays the remaining number of playable games based on the display data from the output unit 150.

[0015] The display 140 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. Based on the display data output from the output unit 150, the display 140 displays information about the inserted coin, for example, "500" when a 500 yen coin is inserted. The display 140 displays the same information as the 7-segment LED 130, namely the number of remaining games that can be played. The output unit 150 sends display data to the 7-segment LED 130 and the display 140, and audio data to the speaker 160, based on the control signal from the control unit 200. The output unit 150 drives the display 140 and the speaker 160, etc., to perform a celebratory animation for winning a prize. The speaker 160 produces sound based on audio data from the output unit 150. The power supply 170 supplies voltage to the control unit 200 to operate the prize-grabbing game machine 10. The control lever 180 directs the movement direction of the catcher 280 (described later) through the player's operation. The catcher 280 moves in the direction the control lever 180 is pushed, and stops when the control lever 180 is released. The input unit 190 receives operation signals from the operation lever 180 and the operation button 220 (described later), as well as detection signals from the coin sensor 230 and the payout sensor 240, and outputs them to the control unit 200.

[0016] The control unit 200 includes a CPU and a storage unit such as RAM that stores data necessary for the CPU's calculation processing. The control unit 200 stores prizes stored in the storage device 250, which will be described later. grasping Based on various programs necessary for controlling the game machine 10, the prize counter 110, coin counter 120, output unit 150, input unit 190, catcher drive unit 210, catcher XYZ movement device 260, setting unit 270, and prize detection sensor 290 are controlled. The catcher drive unit 210 generates a solenoid voltage to control the opening and closing of the three gripping arms of the catcher 280 and outputs it to the catcher 280. The gripping force of the three gripping arms decreases when the three gripping arms open.

[0017] The operation button 220 instructs the catcher 280 to move downward. When the operation button 220 is pressed, the catcher 280 moves downward, its three gripping arms open, and it grabs the prize. The coin sensor 230 detects the type of coin inserted (for example, a 100 yen coin and a 500 yen coin). The dispensing sensor 240 detects coins other than 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins.

[0018] As mentioned above, the storage device 250 is a prize grasping These are hard disks, SSDs, ROMs, etc., that store various programs necessary for controlling the game console 10. The catcher XYZ movement device 260 is installed at the top inside the prize-grabbing game machine 10 and moves the catcher 280 in the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions. The setting unit 270 performs settings on the prize-grabbing game machine 10 based on the operation of the operator. Specifically, the setting unit 270 performs operations such as basic settings, system parameter settings, catch mechanism settings, and account verification based on the operator's operation.

[0019] The catcher 280 comprises three gripping arms and an arm opening / closing mechanism 281 including a gripping force adjustment unit 282 such as a solenoid. The solenoid adjusts the gripping force of the three gripping arms. stomach The voltage is adjusted. The number of gripping arms is not limited to three; it may be two, four or more.

[0020] The prize detection sensor 290 is installed near the prize drop opening and detects when a prize has passed through the opening. For example, an optical sensor consisting of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element can be used as the prize detection sensor 290.

[0021] The display 140, the operating lever 180, and the operating buttons 220 mentioned above are located on the upper surface of the protruding part of the prize-grabbing game machine 10.

[0022] Next, the game operation of the prize-grabbing game machine 10 will be described. The game operation of the prize-grabbing game machine is already known, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-029568, so only an outline of the game operation will be described. When a player inserts a coin into the coin slot, the number of games corresponding to the coin is stored in the memory unit of the control unit 200, thereby setting the number of games. The display 140 shows information related to the coin; for example, if a 500 yen coin is inserted, it will display "500," and the remaining number of games that can be played (for example, "5"). The 7-segment LED 130 also displays the remaining number of games that can be played.

[0023] The prize-grabbing game machine 10 then performs a game execution process in which the player controls the catcher 280 based on the player's operation of the control lever 180 and the control buttons 220.

[0024] Specifically, the player operates the control lever 180 to position the catcher 280 above the desired prize from the waiting area. Then, when the player presses the control button 220, the catcher 280 automatically opens its three gripping arms, moves downward, and closes the three gripping arms near the prize. Then, with the three gripping arms still closed, the catcher 280 automatically moves upward, and then moves above the prize drop opening and opens the three gripping arms again. At this point, the three gripping arms grasp the prize, and when the prize falls into the prize drop opening, the prize detection sensor 290 detects the prize, and the control unit 200 activates the speaker 160, display 140, etc., to perform a celebratory animation for winning the prize.

[0025] When the catcher 280 returns to its waiting position from above the prize drop opening, the number of games stored in the memory unit of the control unit 200 is deducted by 1, and the numbers displayed on the 7-segment LED 130 and display 140 are updated from "5" to "4". The game can then be played repeatedly until the numbers displayed on the 7-segment LED 130 and display 140 become "0".

[0026] The control unit and gripping force setting method for the prize gripping game machine 10 will be explained below with reference to Figures 2 to 8. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit that sets the gripping force. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the gripping force setting operation. Figures 4 to 8 illustrate the operation for setting the gripping force in a prize-grabbing game machine. As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the gripping force is set by operating the catcher, a setting unit, an operation lever, and an operation button for setting the gripping force of the catcher's gripping arm.

[0027] Before describing the configuration and operation of the control unit, which functions as a gripping force setting device, the gripping force setting operation of the prize gripping game machine 10 will be explained using Figures 3 to 8. The operator of the prize-grabbing game machine 10 first presses the service button, as shown in Figure 4, to display the setting screen of the setting unit 270. Using the operation lever 180 and operation button 220, select "Catch Mechanism Setting" on the setting screen. When "Catch Mechanism Setting" is selected, the control unit 200 displays "Easy Automatic Setting Mode" on the screen. When the operator selects this with the operation button 220, the control unit 200 moves the catcher 280 above the prize drop opening and opens the three gripping arms with the catcher drive unit 210. The adjuster places the prize between the three open gripping arms and presses the operation button 220. Then, the control unit 200 gradually closes the three gripping arms using the catcher drive unit 210. As shown in Figure 5, the gripping force increases and stops at a gripping force value of "99". The gripping force value "99" is the initial setting value and is set to the maximum value of the gripping force. The gripping force value "99" is the gripping force in Figure 3. V INITIAL This is the result.

[0028] Next, the control unit 200 sets the gripping force value to "99". lower As it is lowered, the three gripping arms gradually open. Figure 6 shows the state when the gripping force reaches a gripping force value of "75". Note that the decrease in gripping force is achieved by dividing the solenoid voltage into 100 steps and decreasing the solenoid voltage one step at a time. can It is carried out by [this method]. Then, as shown in Figure 7, as the gripping force decreases and the prize separates from the three gripping arms, the prize falls into the prize drop opening, as shown in Figure 8. When the prize detection sensor 290 detects the prize falling, the control unit 200 stops the decrease in solenoid voltage and stops the decrease in gripping force. If the gripping force when the prize falls is detected is a gripping force value of "55", then a gripping force value of "55" is the gripping force in Figure 3. V DROP It corresponds to.

[0029] When the decrease in gripping force stops, the setting unit 270 screen displays "Save and Return". As shown in Figure 8, the operator of the prize gripping game machine 10 selects "Save and Return" on the setting unit 270 screen using the operation lever 180 and operation button 220, and the gripping force value "55" is saved.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 200 determines the gripping force V DROP Based on this, the upper limit of the gripping force V UP and lower limit V DOWN We seek. Upper limit of gripping force V UP This is the gripping force when a player of the prize-grabbing game machine 10 operates the control lever 180 and control button 220 to grab a prize with the catcher 280. Lower limit of gripping force V DOWN This represents the gripping force when the catcher 280, which has grasped the prize, releases the prize above the prize drop-off point. grip Lower limit of holding power V DOWN gripping force V DROP It may be the same, but to improve reproducibility, gripping force V DROP It is desirable to lower it further. Upper limit of gripping force V UP is gripping force V DROP Larger than, lower limit V DOWN is gripping force V DROP Set it to a value smaller than that. For example, the upper limit of the gripping force. V UP is gripping force V DROP 8% of the gripping force V DROP The value obtained by adding this to the lower limit V DOWN is gripping force V DROP -4% of gripping force V DROPThis value is the sum of the two values.

[0031] The configuration and operation of the control unit 200 will be further explained below with reference to Figure 2. The control unit 200 has the functions shown in the block diagram in Figure 2 and constitutes a gripping force setting device. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 200 includes a gripping force control unit 201, a gripping force setting unit 202, a gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203, and a down counter 204.

[0032] When the operator of the prize-grabbing game machine 10 selects "Easy Automatic Setting Mode" using the setting unit 270, the setting unit 270 sends a gripping force setting instruction to the control unit 200. Upon receiving the gripping force setting instruction, the gripping force control unit 201 sets the initial gripping force V INITIAL The down counter 204 is reset to an initial value such that a mode switching instruction is output to the gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203 to switch from normal mode to gripping force setting mode. In gripping force setting mode, the gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203 generates the initial gripping force V from the down counter 204. INITIAL The corresponding count value is acquired, a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to that count value is generated and output to the catcher drive unit 210. The catcher drive unit 210 generates a solenoid voltage based on the gripping force voltage signal and applies it to the solenoid of the gripping force adjustment unit 282 of the arm opening / closing mechanism 281 of the catcher 280. In this operation, the gripping force of the three gripping arms is the gripping force value "99" shown in Figure 5 (the gripping force in Figure 3). V INITIAL This corresponds to)

[0033] Furthermore, the gripping force control unit 201 sequentially sends pulses to the down counter 204. The count value of the down counter 204 decreases from its initial value according to the number of input pulses. The gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203 acquires the decreasing count value from the down counter 204, generates a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to the decreasing count value, and outputs it to the catcher drive unit 210. The catcher drive unit 210 generates a solenoid voltage based on the gripping force voltage signal and applies it to the solenoid of the gripping force adjustment unit 282 of the arm opening / closing mechanism 281 of the catcher 280. The gripping force voltage signal is sent in such a way that the solenoid voltage decreases one step at a time. In this operation, the gripping force of the three gripping arms is as shown in Figure 3. V INITIAL It will decrease from there. Then, the gripping force of the three gripping arms decreases, and as shown in Figure 8, the prize falls into the prize drop opening. When the prize detection sensor 290 detects the prize falling, the gripping force control unit 201 of the control unit 200 receives a prize drop signal from the prize detection sensor 290.

[0034] When the gripping force control unit 201 receives a prize drop signal, it stops sending pulses to the down counter 204, reads the count value from the down counter 204, and outputs it to the gripping force setting unit 202. The count value at this time is the gripping force value "55" in Figure 8 (the gripping force in Figure 3). V DROP It is compatible with (and also compatible with). In addition, the gripping force control unit 201 outputs a mode switching instruction to the gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203 to switch from gripping force setting mode to normal mode. The gripping force setting unit 202 receives the count value output from the gripping force setting unit 202 (the gripping force in Figure 3). V DROP Based on the above, the upper limit digital value (gripping force in Figure 3) V UP (corresponding to) and lower limit digital value (gripping force in Figure 3) V DOWN The system sets the corresponding parameters and outputs them to the gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203.

[0035] In normal mode, the gripping force voltage signal generation unit 203 acquires the upper limit digital value and the lower limit digital value from the gripping force setting unit 202, generates a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to the upper limit digital value and the lower limit digital value, and outputs it to the catcher drive unit 210. The catcher drive unit 210, when grasping a prize, sets the gripping force from the upper digital value. V UP A solenoid voltage is generated and output to the catcher 280. When the catcher drive unit 210 releases the prize, the gripping force is calculated from the lower limit digital value. V DOWN A solenoid voltage is generated and output to the catcher 280.

[0036] The operation of setting the gripping force of the prize gripping game machine 10 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the gripping force setting operation of the prize gripping game machine 10. In step S1 of Figure 9, the control unit 200 of the prize-grabbing game machine 10 determines whether the service button on the setting unit 270 has been pressed (whether the test mode button has been pressed) by the operator of the prize-grabbing game machine 10. If the test mode button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S2. If the test mode button has not been pressed, the determination in step S1 is repeated after a certain period of time has elapsed. In step S2, the control unit 200 detects the mode selection made by the operator's operation lever 180 (selection of "Easy Automatic Setting Mode"). In step S3, the control unit 200 determines whether the operation button 220 (OK button) has been pressed in "Easy Automatic Setting Mode". If it has been pressed, the unit proceeds to step S4. If it has not been pressed, the unit waits for a certain period of time before making the determination again in step S3. In step S4, the control unit 200 controls the gripping force V INITIAL To gradually reduce the gripping force, start a countdown of the solenoid voltage that generates the gripping force. In step S5, the control unit 200 determines whether the prize detection sensor (prize sensor) has detected the passage of a prize based on whether or not it has received a prize drop signal. If the prize has passed the prize detection sensor, the control unit 200 proceeds to step S6. If the prize has not passed the prize detection sensor, the control unit 200 performs the determination in step S5 again after a certain period of time has elapsed. In step S6, the control unit 200 stops the countdown of the solenoid voltage. In step S7, the control unit 200 determines whether the "Save and Return" button on the setting unit 270 screen has been selected by the operation button 220 (selection button). If "Save and Return" is selected, the setting process is terminated. If "Save and Return" is not selected, the determination in step S7 is repeated after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0037] According to the embodiment described above, the gripping force in the prize gripping game machine can be set automatically.

[0038] While the embodiments described above are preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made to implement the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiment described above, the upper limit of the gripping force V UP and lower limit V DOWN We are looking for the upper limit of the gripping force. V UP Find only the lower limit V DOWN is gripping force V DROP It may be treated as having the same value. In the control unit 200 shown in Figure 2, gripping force V DROP Based on the count value of the corresponding down counter 204, the upper limit digital value and lower limit digital value are determined, and a gripping force voltage signal corresponding to the upper limit digital value and lower limit digital value is generated and output to the catcher drive unit 210, thereby generating the gripping force V UP and gripping force VDOWN It generates and However, the control unit 200 is not limited to this configuration, and based on the prize drop signal, it generates the gripping force V UP and gripping force V DOWN Any configuration that can generate the signal needed to generate it will suffice. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10 Prize-grabbing game machine 110 Prize Counter 120 Coin Counter 130 7-segment LED 140 displays 150 Output section 160 speakers 170 Power Supply 180 Operating lever 190 Input section 200 Control Unit 201 Gripping force control section 202 Gripping force setting section 203 Gripping force voltage signal generation unit 204 Down Counter 210 Catcher drive unit 220 Operation Buttons 230 Coin Sensor 240 Dispensing Sensor 250 Storage device 260 Catcher XYZ Movement Device 270 Setting section 280 Catcher 281 Arm opening and closing mechanism 282 Gripping force adjustment section 290 Prize detection sensor

Claims

1. A catcher having multiple gripping arms, A prize detection sensor is provided at the prize drop opening, which detects when the gripping force setting mode is activated that the prize has been grabbed by the catcher and has fallen and passed through the prize drop opening. After moving the catcher above the prize drop opening, the gripping force of the catcher that has grasped the prize is set to an initial value, and the initial gripping force is gradually reduced until the prize drop is detected by the prize detection sensor and the gripping force V is reached. ＤＲＯＰ Based on this, the gripping force V when the catcher grabs the prize during game operation. ＵＰ A control unit for determining and Prize-grabbing game machine.

2. The aforementioned prize detection sensor also serves as a prize detection sensor for counting the prizes won by the player during game operation. The prize-grabbing game machine according to claim 1.

3. A catcher having multiple gripping arms, A prize detection sensor is provided at the prize drop opening, which detects when the gripping force setting mode is activated that the prize has been grabbed by the catcher and has fallen and passed through the prize drop opening. After moving the catcher above the prize drop opening, the gripping force of the catcher that has grasped the prize is set to an initial value, and the initial gripping force is gradually reduced until the prize drop is detected by the prize detection sensor and the gripping force V is reached. ＤＲＯＰ Based on this, the gripping force V when the catcher releases the prize during game operation. ＤＯＷＮ A control unit for determining the value of, The gripping force V ＤＯＷＮ is the gripping force V ＤＲＯＰ Smaller than Prize-grabbing game machine.

4. In gripping force setting mode, the control unit of the prize gripping game machine moves the catcher that has grasped the prize above the prize drop opening, and then sets the gripping force of the catcher to an initial value. The initial gripping force is gradually reduced by the control unit, and the gripping force V is determined when the prize detection sensor installed in the prize drop opening detects that the prize has separated from the catcher, fallen, and passed through the prize drop opening. ＤＲＯＰ Based on this, the gripping force V when the catcher releases the prize during game operation of the prize-grabbing game machine. ＤＯＷＮ Seeking, the gripping force V ＤＯＷＮ is the gripping force V ＤＲＯＰ smaller than, Grip force setting method.

Images