Gaming device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a gaming device having improved operability. [Solution] A gaming device (1) comprises: a placement part (20) whereon a game item P with which a character is associated can be placed; an acquisition part (18) capable of acquiring information on the game item P placed on the placement part (20); and a plurality of presentation parts (30) capable of presenting a game based on the information. The plurality of presentation parts (30) and the placement part (20) are provided with mutually different orientations. The plurality of presentation parts (30) installed facing forward and the placement part (20) installed horizontally are provided with mutually different orientations and are provided so that the presentation parts (30) are not positioned directly above a central section of the placement part (20). A plurality of game execution screens are thus arranged so as to be visible to a user. Further, because the plurality of screens of the presentation parts (30) are configured as one screen, it is possible to configure a game display image as an image which has an integral sense of realism.

Description

Game device

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device.

[0002] Conventionally, there are known game devices that allow users to play games in conjunction with cards printed with codes containing unique data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game device that includes a field board located in the center of a cabinet below the area where cards are dispensed, on which game cards are placed and which has a field surface that forms a game field, a field monitor with a display surface formed on the field surface and disposed below the field board for displaying predetermined images, a recognition unit formed at the bottom of the cabinet that recognizes cards placed on the field surface, and a detection unit that detects player inputs based on the display on the field monitor. The field surface is sloped downward from the back side of the field board to the front side.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-6583

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the operation of moving (placing) the game cards and the user's operation instructions can be easily performed. In this type of device, a game device with improved entertainment value is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a game device that is more entertaining.

[0006] The game device of the present invention comprises a placement section on which game items associated with characters can be placed, an acquisition section that can acquire information about the game items placed on the placement section, and a plurality of presentation sections that can present games based on the information, and the plurality of presentation sections and the placement section are arranged in different orientations from each other.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device with improved operability.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the game device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of the game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the front and back sides of the game item shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal structure of the main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a top view of the game device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from above. FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the presentation unit of the game device shown in FIG. 1 cut horizontally at the middle part in the height direction.

[0009] A gaming device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing showing the gaming device, up, down, left, right, and front and back (near side, rear side) are indicated as viewed from the user operating the device, and these directions will be used in the description. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming device 1, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the gaming device 1.

[0010] The game device 1 is a device that allows a player to play a game using card-like game items P (see FIG. 4) that are associated with characters C (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game device 1 includes a main body 10 that is a box-shaped housing, a placement section 20 on the top side of the main body 10 on which the game items P can be placed, and a presentation section 30 that includes a plurality of displays that can present game images based on information about the game items P.

[0011] The main body 10 is provided with an inclined surface 15 that slopes downward toward the front side on the front side of the horizontally disposed mounting portion 20, i.e., on the side where the user 80 stands and operates the device. This inclined surface 15 is provided with an operation unit 40 consisting of, for example, three operation buttons 41, 42, and 43. In addition, a recess 16 that recesses toward the rear and extends over a range slightly longer than the arrangement range (left-right length) of the operation unit 40 is provided on the lower end side of the inclined surface 15. With this recess 16, for example, when the user 80 uses the game device 1, the user 80 can position themselves within the recess 16, as shown in FIG. 2 , and be closer to the operation unit 40 and mounting portion 20.

[0012] Located to the right of the inclined surface 15 is a coin slot 3 for inserting game media such as medals or coins, or a value detection unit 4 for detecting payment of a value by a communication card or the like when using the game device 1. That is, when using the game device 1, a value is paid by inserting a coin or a communication card or the like. As a result, the game device 1 can be used. When playing a game, a predetermined game can be executed based on the operation of the operation unit 40 by the user 80 and the game item P used by the user 80.

[0013] An opening 9 is provided on the lower left side of the front side of the main body 10. This opening 9 is a dispenser through which, for example, merchandise or prizes related to character C are dispensed based on the progress or results of the game or payment of a fee.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the game device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the presentation unit 30 is provided above the placement unit 20 at a slight distance. The central second presentation unit 32 is located at the rear end of the placement unit 20 (see FIG. 2 ) and is provided at the same height as the left and right first presentation units 31 and third presentation units 33, and is horizontally continuous with them. The left and right ends of the left and right first presentation units 31 and third presentation units 33 are inclined toward the front at a predetermined angle, as described below. The first presentation unit 31, second presentation unit 32, and third presentation unit 33 can form a continuous screen vertically and horizontally. The presentation unit 30 is supported by a rear support 35 provided at the rear of the main body 10 so that its presentation surface 30f (screen (see FIG. 7)) is perpendicular to the placement unit 20.

[0015] Furthermore, the placement unit 20 is provided horizontally as described above, and as the game progresses, a game item P is placed on its upper surface as shown in FIG. 1 . The game progresses by reading predetermined information from the game item P. Depending on the mode of game progress, the game item P may be slid and moved on the placement unit 20. In this way, as the game progresses, when the user 80 is standing in a position where he or she can operate the operation unit 40, the user 80 is surrounded in front of him or her and diagonally to the left and right by the presentation unit 30 on the front side.

[0016] 4 is a plan view showing the front and back sides of a game item P. The game item P used in the game is, for example, a rectangular card as shown in FIG. 4( a). This game item P has, for example, a specific character C drawn on the front side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4( b), for example, a two-dimensional code Pc is printed on the back side of the game item P. Appropriate information that can be used to progress through the game is written in this two-dimensional code Pc, corresponding to the character C on the front side of the game item P.

[0017] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the main body 10. The mounting section 20 is configured to be slightly lower than the mounting section periphery 25, with a step therebetween. The surface of the mounting section 20 is covered with a transparent front glass plate 20a, forming a flat surface. Therefore, the surface of the mounting section 20 is configured to allow the card-shaped game item P to slide easily. In addition, an image forming section 21 is provided inside the front glass plate 20a in a position parallel to and adjacent to the front glass plate 20a.

[0018] The image forming unit 21 is configured, for example, by providing a transmissive liquid crystal display and a light guide plate on a transparent support glass plate. Therefore, the placement unit 20 can function as a single image forming unit, and its light-transmitting structure allows recognition of the game item P on the placement unit 20. For example, the lower part of the main body 10 is provided with an acquisition unit 18, which is a photographic camera that optically reads the game item P on the front glass plate 20a via, for example, a reflective mirror 22. That is, the acquisition unit 18 can acquire information on the two-dimensional code Pc of the game item P placed on the placement unit 20. The acquired information is sent to a control unit 23 provided within the main body 10, and image control of the presentation unit 30 and game progress are carried out via the control unit 23.

[0019] The structure of the presentation unit 30 will be described in more detail below. FIG. 6 is a top view of the game device 1. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second presentation unit 32 in the center of the presentation unit 30 is not located directly above the placement unit 20 but is located directly above the rear end (see FIG. 5 ). That is, the screen formed on the placement unit 20 can function as a substantially continuous screen without being obstructed by the second presentation unit 32. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the first presentation unit 31 and the third presentation unit 33 are provided so that portions thereof are located directly above the rear corner 20k of the placement unit 20. When viewed from above, the first presentation unit 31 and the third presentation unit 33 positioned directly above the corner 20k obstruct the screen of the placement unit 20 as shown in FIG. 6 . However, when viewed from the user 80 side, they appear to be located directly above the corner 20k without obstructing the corner 20k.

[0020] The first and third display units 31, 33 are arranged to face inward relative to the second display unit 32 (with both left and right ends positioned closer to the user). The first and third display units 31, 33 are arranged at an obtuse angle of, for example, approximately 120 degrees relative to the second display unit 32, with the same angle on both sides. In this manner, the three display units 30 are arranged in different directions, with the first and third display units 31, 33 facing diagonally forward at different angles, thereby forming a continuous large screen together with the central second display unit 32. Furthermore, with the first, second, and third display units 31, 32, and 33 arranged in this manner, the display surface 30f of each display unit 30 forms a substantially arc-shaped configuration when viewed from a position near the recess 16 where the user 80 is standing (see FIG. 2 ).

[0021] In this embodiment, the width (L1) of the first display unit 31, the width (L2) of the second display unit 32, and the width (L3) of the third display unit 33 are all the same size. That is, they can be configured, for example, using the same liquid crystal device. When the same-sized units are arranged side by side in this manner, the second display unit 32 in the center appears larger when viewed from the front, narrowing the left and right sides, resulting in a slightly longer width overall (see FIG. 3), resulting in a stable, horizontally elongated size when viewed as a whole image. Furthermore, the left and right screens are tilted toward the front, creating a sense of perspective in which the center appears distant.

[0022] 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken horizontally at the middle height of the presentation unit 30 of the game device 1. The first, second, and third presentation units 31, 32, and 33 have a transparent plate 38 disposed on the front presentation surface 30f side thereof so as to contact the presentation surface 30f. Most of the transparent plate 38 is flat, but a curved first portion 38a corresponds to the connection between the first presentation unit 31 and the second presentation unit 32. Similarly, a curved second portion 38b corresponds to the connection between the second presentation unit 32 and the third presentation unit 33. Because the transparent plate 38 has curved joints between the first presentation unit 31, the second presentation unit 32, and the third presentation unit 33, the entire screen appears seamless. Therefore, when viewed from the user 80, the presentation unit 30 can create a sense of realism by appearing as a single continuous screen that covers most of the user's field of vision.

[0023] In the above configuration, the first presentation unit 31, the second presentation unit 32, and the third presentation unit 33 are configured to be the same size. However, the presentation units 30 may be configured to have different sizes. For example, the left and right first presentation units 31 and the third presentation unit 33 may be configured to be approximately the same size, but may be configured to be a different size from the center second presentation unit 32.

[0024] A case will be described where the sizes of the left and right presentation units 31, 33 are different from the size of the central presentation unit 32. For example, if the second presentation unit 32 is larger than the left and right presentation units (e.g., the vertical width is the same but the horizontal width is larger), the central screen becomes larger, and the overall range that covers the field of view of the user 80 becomes larger. This configuration makes it easier to create a sense of impact across the entire screen.

[0025] On the other hand, if the second presentation unit 32 is configured to be smaller than the left and right presentation units, the left and right diagonal screens become relatively longer (larger), and the central part appears to be farther away, thereby creating a sense of perspective depending on the screen size. This sense of perspective can also be created by the control of the control unit 23, but by changing the screen size, it is possible to create a sense of depth without complex image control by the control unit 23.

[0026] The screens of the vertical screen presentation unit 30 and the horizontal screen placement unit 20 may display the same continuous image when forming images of the same game, or different images may be formed on the presentation unit 30 and the placement unit 20. Furthermore, the presentation unit 30 and the placement unit 20 may each present a different game screen.

[0027] As described above, in the game device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple presentation units 30 installed facing forward and the horizontally installed placement unit 20 are configured to be oriented in different directions, and no presentation unit 30 is located directly above the center of the placement unit 20. This allows the field of view of the user 80 (operator) to be surrounded by multiple game execution screens visible to the user 80. Furthermore, because the multiple screens of the presentation unit 30 are configured as an integrated unit, the game display image can be displayed as a large, integrated image.

[0028] Furthermore, in the game device 1 of this embodiment, the first and third presentation units 31 and 33, which are located on the left and right, are located directly above the mounting unit 20, which makes it possible to present a horizontal image and a vertical image as continuous or related images to the user 80 in front. Furthermore, the horizontal image presented by the mounting unit 20 to the user 80, the front image of the second presentation unit 32, and the first and third presentation units 31 and 33 can also be formed so as to be surrounded by left and right images, thereby creating a sense of realism through the images.

[0029] Furthermore, in the game device 1 of this embodiment, the first presentation unit 31 and the third presentation unit 33 are provided at obtuse angles on both the left and right sides with respect to the second presentation unit 32 on the front side, so that the presentation units on both the left and right sides can be positioned to cover a wide visual range for the user 80 positioned in front of the second presentation unit 32. Furthermore, because the left first presentation unit 31 and the right third presentation unit 33 are positioned at the same angle, the left and right image displays are well balanced, resulting in a natural display.

[0030] In this embodiment of the game device 1, the first presentation unit 31, the second presentation unit 32, and the third presentation unit 33 are arranged to form an approximately arc when viewed from the operation position (a position near the recess 16), making the image easy to see and creating a sense of realism.

[0031] In the game device 1 of this embodiment, the transparent plate portion 38 is disposed on the presentation surface 30f side of each presentation unit 30, and is configured to be curved so as to bulge toward the back at the connection portions (first portion 38a, second portion 38b) of the multiple screens, thereby enabling continuity of images across the multiple screens. Furthermore, in the game device 1 of this embodiment, a video space surrounded by horizontal and vertical screens can be configured.

[0032] Furthermore, since the transparent plate portion 38 is configured to be flat except for the first portion 38a and the second portion 38b, the area corresponding to each presentation unit 30 faces the presentation unit 30 on a plane parallel to the presentation unit 30, thereby making it possible to avoid image distortion caused by the transparent plate portion 38 (distortion due to refraction of transmitted light, etc.).

[0033] In the game device 1 of this embodiment, the display units 30 on the front and on the left and right are configured to have the same screen size, which eliminates the sense of continuity of the display screen and the sense of distance between the left and right or front and back. Furthermore, by using multiple display units 30 of the same size, the manufacturing cost of the game device 1 can be reduced.

[0034] In the game device 1 of this embodiment, the left and right first and third presentation units 31, 33 are the same size, which allows for equal image balance between the left and right. Furthermore, if the size of the central second presentation unit 32 differs from the left and right, for example, if the second presentation unit 32 is larger than the left and right units, a large frontal image can be displayed, creating a sense of impact on the screen. On the other hand, if the second presentation unit 32 is smaller than the left and right units, a sense of perspective can be created based on the screen size, allowing for an image with depth to be presented without complex image control.

[0035] The game device 1 of this embodiment can present different games on multiple closely spaced screens, making it possible to create a sense of relevance between the games.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described above in terms of its embodiments, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, the presentation unit 30 is configured with three presentation units, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be configured with three or more presentation units.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a card-shaped item was used as the game item P, but the game item P is not limited to this configuration, and may be an item with a three-dimensional configuration as long as it has a flat surface from which specified information can be read by the acquisition unit 18 arranged below the placement unit 20.

[0038] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0039] (1) A game device comprising: a placement section on which game items associated with characters can be placed; an acquisition section on which information on the game items placed on the placement section can be acquired; and a plurality of presentation sections on which games can be presented based on the information, wherein the presentation sections and the placement section are oriented in different directions from each other.

[0040] (2) The gaming device according to (1), wherein the plurality of presentation units are provided so as not to be positioned directly above the center of the placement unit.

[0041] (3) A game device according to (1) or (2), wherein the presentation unit includes a first presentation unit, a second presentation unit, and a third presentation unit, and the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are configured as a single unit.

[0042] (4) The gaming device according to (3), wherein the second presentation unit is located between the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit and is not located directly above the placement unit.

[0043] (5) The gaming device according to (3) or (4), wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are provided so that a portion thereof is located directly above the periphery of the placement unit.

[0044] (6) A gaming device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are arranged so that a portion thereof is located directly above a corner of the placement unit.

[0045] (7) The game device according to any one of (3) to (6), wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the second presentation unit.

[0046] (8) A game device according to any one of (3) to (7), wherein the angle formed between the first presentation unit and the second presentation unit is the same as the angle formed between the second presentation unit and the third presentation unit.

[0047] (9) The game device according to any one of (3) to (8), wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are arranged to form a substantially circular arc.

[0048] (10) A game device according to any one of (3) to (9), wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are provided so that a transparent plate unit can be positioned on the presentation surface side thereof.

[0049] (11) A game device according to (10), wherein the transparent plate portion has a first portion corresponding to the connection portion between the first presentation portion and the second presentation portion, and a second portion corresponding to the connection portion between the second presentation portion and the third presentation portion, which are configured as curved surfaces.

[0050] (12) The game device according to (11), wherein the transparent plate portion is configured to be flat except for the first portion and the second portion.

[0051] (13) The game device according to any one of (3) to (12), wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are configured to be approximately the same size.

[0052] (14) A game device according to any one of (3) to (12), wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are configured to have approximately the same size and are configured to have a different size from the second presentation unit.

[0053] (15) The game device according to any one of (3) to (14), wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are provided in a continuous manner so as to be able to present the game screen as a single unit.

[0054] (16) The gaming device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the placing section is configured as a horizontal surface, and the presentation section is configured as a vertical surface.

[0055] (17) The gaming device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the presentation unit and the placement unit are configured to be able to present different game screens, respectively.

[0056] 1 Game device 10 Main body 18 Acquisition unit 20 Placement unit 30 Presentation unit 31 First presentation unit 32 Second presentation unit 33 Third presentation unit 38 Transparent plate unit 38a First portion 38b Second portion P Game item

Claims

1. A game device comprising: a placement section on which game items associated with characters can be placed; an acquisition section on which information on the game items placed on the placement section can be acquired; and a plurality of presentation sections on which games can be presented based on the information, wherein the presentation sections and the placement section are oriented in different directions from each other.

2. A gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of presentation units are arranged so as not to be positioned directly above the center of the placement unit.

3. A game device according to claim 2, wherein the presentation unit includes a first presentation unit, a second presentation unit, and a third presentation unit, and the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are configured as a single unit.

4. A gaming device according to claim 3, wherein the second presentation unit is positioned between the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit and is not positioned directly above the placement unit.

5. A gaming device according to claim 4, wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are provided so that a portion thereof is positioned directly above the periphery of the placement unit.

6. A gaming device according to claim 5, wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are provided so that a portion thereof is positioned directly above a corner of the placement unit.

7. A game device according to claim 6, wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are provided at an obtuse angle with respect to the second presentation unit.

8. A game device according to claim 7, wherein the angle formed between the first presentation unit and the second presentation unit is the same as the angle formed between the second presentation unit and the third presentation unit.

9. A game device according to claim 8, wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are arranged to form a substantially circular arc.

10. A game device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are provided with a transparent plate unit that can be positioned on the presentation surface side thereof.

11. A game device as described in claim 10, wherein the transparent plate portion has a first portion corresponding to the connection portion between the first presentation portion and the second presentation portion, and a second portion corresponding to the connection portion between the second presentation portion and the third presentation portion, which are configured as curved surfaces.

12. A game device according to claim 11, wherein the transparent plate portion is configured to be flat except for the first portion and the second portion.

13. A game device according to claim 12, wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are each constructed to be approximately the same size.

14. A game device according to claim 12, wherein the first presentation unit and the third presentation unit are configured to have approximately the same size, but are configured to have a different size from the second presentation unit.

15. A game device according to claim 14, wherein the first presentation unit, the second presentation unit, and the third presentation unit are provided in succession so as to be able to present the game screen as a single unit.

16. A game device according to claim 15, wherein the placing section is configured as a horizontal surface, and the presentation section is configured as a vertical surface.

17. A gaming device according to claim 16, wherein the presentation unit and the placement unit are configured to be capable of presenting different game screens.

Images