Prize-winning game machine

Abstract

The present invention enhances gaming experience by adding an amusement element.　A prize-winning game machine 11, in which a prize X is won on the condition that a certain operation is applied to a target 16, is provided with: a target driving mechanism 17 for making the target 16 perform a pendulum motion; an operation tool 18 for changing the movement of the target 16 by acting so as to swing downward on the target 16 that is in motion; and an operation tool driving mechanism 19 for rotating the operation tool 18. The target driving mechanism 17 is connected to a prize-holding mechanism 71 that releases the prize X when the target 16 is pulled down by a certain length or more by the operation tool 18.

Description

Prize-winning game machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize-winning game machine that allows a player to win displayed prizes.

[0002] Prize-winning game machines include those like crane games that allow players to grab the prize itself, as well as those that allow players to win a prize by performing a certain operation on a target separate from the prize, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. The game machine in Patent Document 1 employs a configuration in which, when a hanging target is pulled downward with a fork, the lock of a slip-preventing member that prevents the prize from sliding down is released, allowing the player to win the prize.

[0003] In conventional prize-winning game machines, the prizes or targets that players aim at during gameplay operations are generally stationary, but some machines have moving targets, such as those described in Patent Document 2 below.

[0004] The game machine of Patent Document 2 comprises a prize holder configured by a plurality of hanging bars suspended between a pair of rotating drums, and a moving mechanism operated by a player. The hanging bars of the prize holder are provided with a plurality of hooks, from which prizes (key holders) are hung. The hooks are L-shaped in side view, with their tips pointing backward. Therefore, if an object collides with the hooks from the front, the prizes will fall. The moving mechanism is equipped with a moving body that moves toward the prizes. In the game, the moving body collides with the prizes, which move like a Ferris wheel due to the rotation of the rotating drums, causing the prizes to fall due to the impact force.

[0005] However, although the prizes in this game machine move, the game is simply a game of hitting the moving object with the target. In other words, the essence of the game is the same as a shooting game or target shooting game, and the only thing the player perceives is the series of mundane phenomena of the moving object moving toward the prize, the collision between the moving object and the prize, and the resulting fall of the prize, which is not very interesting.

[0006] Patent No. 4281344 Publication JP 11-319303 Publication

[0007] The main object of this invention is to improve the gameplay by adding a game element.

[0008] The means for achieving this is a prize-winning game machine that allows a player to win a prize on the condition that a certain operation is performed on a target, and is equipped with a target drive mechanism that moves the target, an operating device that acts on the moving target to change the movement of the target, an operating device drive mechanism that operates the operating device, and a prize holding mechanism that releases the prize when the movement of the target is changed by more than a certain amount due to continued operation of the operating device after contact with the target.

[0009] In this configuration, the target, which is moved by the target drive control mechanism, is aimed at with a control device operated by a control device drive control mechanism, changing the target's movement (speed), and the target's movement continues to change through a series of operations of the control device. When this change is achieved to a certain extent, the prize holding mechanism releases the prize. The player aims at the target, operates the control device, and then, after the control device touches the target, moves the target as desired, giving the player the feeling of grabbing and pulling the target, for example.

[0010] According to this invention, in order to win a prize, it is not enough to simply hit a moving target with the operating tool, but it is also necessary to make the target move in a different way using the operating tool, which adds a playful element of moving the target, thereby improving the game's playability and making it more interesting.

[0011] An explanatory diagram showing an overview of a prize winning game machine. A perspective view showing the exterior of a prize winning game machine. A cross-sectional view of a target unit and a side view seen from the operating side. A side view of the target unit seen from the target side. A plan view of the operating device unit. A side view of the operating device unit seen from the operating side. An explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the hook portion of the operating device. A control circuit block diagram. A flowchart showing the control operation of the hit / miss control drive mechanism. An explanatory diagram showing the operation. A schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the movement of a target, etc. A schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the movement of a target, etc. A schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the movement of a target, etc.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a prize winning game machine 11 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an example of its external appearance.

[0014] The prize winning game machine 11 contains prizes X in a play space inside a housing 12, and is configured so that the prizes X in the play space can be seen through at least from the front operation surface 13 side. On the operation surface 13 side, an operation panel 14 that is operated by the player and a prize payout opening 15 from which won prizes X are paid out are formed. The play space is provided with prizes X and a mechanical unit that plays the prize winning game.

[0015] This prize winning game machine 11 allows a player to win a prize on the condition that a certain operation is performed on a target 16 that is separate from the prize X. The target 16 moves within the play space, that is, it moves by changing direction and speed, and the player is not simply performing a simple operation such as hitting the target 16, but is configured to be able to win the prize X by performing an operation that has a game-like quality.

[0016] The movement of the target 16 can be, for example, linear, circular, arc-shaped, wavy, or parabolic, and the manner in which the target 16 can be operated is diverse, including capturing, scooping up, hooking and pulling down, etc.

[0017] As an example, a prize acquisition game machine 11 will be described below in which a target 16 moves in a pendulum motion as shown in FIG. 1, and a prize X can be acquired by operating the target 16 and hooking it and pulling it down a certain distance.

[0018] The prize winning game machine 11 has mechanical units including a target unit 31, an operating device unit 51, and a prize holding mechanism 71. The target unit 31 has a target drive mechanism 17 that moves the target 16. The operating device unit 51 has an operating device drive mechanism 19 that operates an operating device 18 that acts on the moving target 16. The prize holding mechanism 71 has a prize holding mechanism 71 that releases a prize X when the operating device 18 changes the movement of the target 16 by more than a certain amount.

[0019] The target 16 of the target unit 31 is a pendulum and is formed in a spherical shape. As shown in Figure 1, the target 16 is attached in a suspended state within the play space by the target drive mechanism 17. The target drive mechanism 17 is composed of a shaft 32 with the target 16 at its tip, and a target drive motor 33 connected to the base end of the shaft 32 (see Figure 3). As the target drive motor 33 rotates, the target 16 attached to the shaft 32 performs pendulum motion, tracing an arc orbit around the drive axis of the rotation of the target drive motor 33 (see Figure 4).

[0020] Because of the pendulum motion, the target 16 moves on a vertical plane, swinging from the bottom up to one side and then down to the other side. The direction of movement of the target 16 is set to the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the direction in which it moves towards and away from the operation surface 13.

[0021] The target drive motor 33 is held by a holder 35 attached to the upper part of the play space, i.e., the lower part of a hanging rod 34 suspended from the ceiling. The target drive motor 33 is attached to the holder 35 in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., on a surface along the plane connecting the operation surface 13 and the depth direction, with the drive shaft facing outward in the left-to-right direction.

[0022] The holder 35 is attached to the suspension rod 34 so that the holder 35 moves downward when the target 16 is pulled down. That is, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the suspension rod 34 is made of an aluminum frame or the like, and the holder 35 is held slidably in a rail groove formed on the side surface of the suspension rod 34. The holder 35 is normally biased upward and is attached so that it moves downward when pulled down. The biasing force may be achieved by using a compression coil spring 36 held between the holder 35 and the lower end of the suspension rod 34.

[0023] 3A is a cross-sectional view cut at a position above the holder 35, and the bottom of the drawing is the operation surface 13 side. FIG. 3B is a side view of the suspension rod 34 as seen from the operation surface 13 side. FIG. 4 is a side view of the holder 35 as seen from the side where the target drive motor 33 is located.

[0024] The target drive motor 33 is configured as a motor with an encoder so that the rotation angle (amount of rotation) and rotation speed can be controlled with high precision.

[0025] An arm 37 extending diagonally upward is formed on the rear surface of the holder 35, i.e., the surface opposite the operation surface 13 (see FIGS. 1, 3(a) and 4). The arm 37 holds at its tip the end of the wire 72 that constitutes part of the prize holding mechanism 71.

[0026] The operation tool unit 51 is provided closer to the operation surface 13 than the target unit 31 .

[0027] The operating tool 18 of the operating tool unit 51 is rod-shaped overall and has a hook 18a at its tip, as shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the operating tool 18 has a hand 53 at the tip of a linear arm 52, and two finger parts 54 parallel to the tip of the hand 53. The tip of the hand 53 and the finger parts 54 form the hook 18a described above. Note that Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the operating tool 18 in a horizontal position, facing inward away from the operating surface 13.

[0028] This operating tool 18 is rotatably supported by an operating tool drive mechanism 19. That is, the base end of the arm 52 is rotatably supported by a motor, similar to the case of the target 16, but as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the arm 52 is connected to an operating tool drive motor 56 via an eccentric member 55.

[0029] The eccentric member 55 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an arm 52 is attached to one longitudinal end thereof, which is connected to the shaft of the manipulator drive motor 56. The surface of the eccentric member 55 to which the arm 52 is attached and the surface to which the manipulator drive motor 56 is connected are adjacent surfaces that form a right angle with each other. The surface to which the arm 52 is attached faces the front-rear direction, and the surface to which the manipulator drive motor 56 is connected is aligned with the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the attachment position of the arm 52 is above the shaft of the manipulator drive motor 56 when the manipulator 18 is facing the target 16. Note that Figure 6 is a side view of the manipulator unit 51, viewed from the operation surface 13, with the manipulator 18 extended horizontally.

[0030] A holder 57 that holds the operating tool drive motor 56 is attached to the lower portion of a vertical rod 58 that extends vertically. The operating tool drive motor 56 is attached to the innermost surface of this holder 57, opposite the operating surface 13. This operating tool drive motor 56 also comprises a motor with an encoder so that the rotation angle (amount of rotation) and rotation speed can be controlled with high precision.

[0031] The holder 57 is attached to the vertical rod 58 so as to be movable up and down. That is, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the vertical rod 58 is made of an aluminum frame or the like, and the holder 57 is held so as to be slidable in a rail groove formed on the side of the vertical rod 58. The holder 57 is attached to the vertical rod 58 via a vertical movement mechanism 61 that allows fine adjustment of the vertical position. The vertical movement mechanism 61 is used to change the relative positional relationship between the target 16 and the operation tool 18 in the vertical direction. The vertical movement mechanism 61 may be composed of, for example, a linear actuator having a motor 62 and a ball screw 63.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the vertical rod 58 has a support part 64 that is slidable along a horizontal rail. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, the lower end of the vertical rod 58 is supported by a left-right movement mechanism 65. The left-right movement mechanism 65 is used to change the relative positional relationship between the target 16 and the operation tool 18 in the left-right direction. This left-right movement mechanism 65 may also be configured by a linear actuator having a motor 66 and a ball screw 67.

[0033] The range of movement of the up-down movement mechanism 61 and the left-right movement mechanism 65 is set so as to include a position in the up-down direction where the specified action can be reliably performed by rotating the operating tool 18 relative to the target 16, and so as to include a position in the left-right direction where the target 16 and the operating tool 18 are aligned in a straight line in the front-to-back direction.

[0034] In this way, the target 16 and the operating tool 18 are supported so as to be movable relative to each other in the up-down and left-right directions.

[0035] 7, the hand portion 53 of the operating tool 18 is provided with a gap change mechanism 68 that changes the distance between the finger portions 54. The gap change mechanism 68 changes the gap depending on the difficulty level of the game. The gap is configured to be adjustable in multiple stages, such as a narrow gap similar to the thickness of the shaft 32 that fastens the target 16 (high difficulty) or a wider gap (low difficulty). The gap change mechanism 68 may be configured with a piston 68b that reciprocates with the rotation of a motor 68a and a pair of L-shaped levers 68c that rotate due to the piston 68b.

[0036] The prize holding mechanism 71 is composed of a wire 72 connected at one end to the holder 35 of the target unit 31, and a hanger 73 to which the other end of the wire 72 is connected as shown in FIG. 1. The hanger 73 rotatably holds a hook 74. The hook 74 has an L-shaped hanging portion 74a at the end of its rotation axis, with the tip of the hanging portion 74a facing the operation surface 13. The hook 74 is configured so that, when the wire 72 is pulled a certain length, the tip of the hanging portion 74a rotates in a direction lowering the tip of the hanging portion 74a, causing the hanging ring Xa of the prize X inserted into the hanging portion 74a to come off and the prize X to fall. The length of the wire 72 is adjusted when it is installed.

[0037] In addition to the above, the prize winning game machine 11 has the following configuration (see FIG. 8).

[0038] A coin slot (not shown) is formed on the operation panel 13, to which a coin insertion detector 81 is connected. A timer 82 is connected to the coin insertion detector 81, which detects inserted coins. That is, an inserted coin is detected by the coin insertion detector 81, which triggers the timer 82 to start counting a predetermined length of game time. It is also possible to set the timer 82 to determine that a continuous play has occurred when another coin is detected within a certain period of time after the end of a game.

[0039] 1, the operation panel 14 is provided with an operating device unit movement switch 83 and a start switch 84. The operating device unit movement switch 83 is a switch for moving the up-down movement mechanism 61 and the left-right movement mechanism 65 of the operating device unit 51, and is composed of a lever that can be tilted forward, backward, left, and right. The start switch 84 is a switch for starting the operation of the operating device 18, and is composed of a push button.

[0040] A target position detector 85 is provided in the play space to detect the position information of the moving target 16. The target position detector 85 can be configured with an appropriate camera or sensor.

[0041] The housing 12 is provided with a display 86 and a speaker 87, and is configured to provide a desired effect according to the state (mode). In this effect, the target 16 moves, so it is desirable to provide an effect that changes according to the movement.

[0042] Furthermore, a prize payout detection unit 88 consisting of an appropriate sensor may be provided inside the prize payout opening 15 as needed, so that the number of prizes paid out can be automatically counted and stored.

[0043] Necessary information is stored in the memory unit 89. Components of the memory unit 89 include a performance data memory unit such as video data and audio data for performance, an income information memory unit that stores the amount of money inserted, a game information memory unit that stores the number of games played based on the detection signal of the coin insertion detector, a prize number memory unit that stores the number of prizes paid out, etc. In addition, there is a difficulty level information memory unit that stores difficulty level information for automatic setting depending on differences in the finger spacing of the operating device, operating device speed, target speed, target swing width, and operating device unit movement speed, and a win / loss control information memory unit that forms part of the win / loss control mechanism.

[0044] The win / loss control information constituting the win / loss information storage unit is information necessary to execute a shift operation to shift from the win timing, and is composed of win timing information and selection condition information such as the winning probability and upper limit amount required for the lottery that are set appropriately.

[0045] The impact timing is the timing at which a certain or greater change in the movement of the target 16 is expected due to a match between the movement of the target 16 caused by the target drive mechanism 17 and the operation of the manipulator 18 caused by the manipulator drive mechanism 19, and the target 16 is defined within a certain range. Specifically, the impact timing P is determined based on the speed of the target 16 and the manipulator 18, the amount of rotation of the target 16, the shape of the manipulator 18, and the like, depending on the position of the target 16 in its trajectory at which the target 16 is pulled down a certain distance when the start switch 84 of the manipulator 18 is turned on (see FIG. 10 ). The width of the impact timing P narrows or widens depending on the speed of the target 16 and the manipulator 18, the amount of rotation of the target 16, and the shape of the manipulator 18.

[0046] Whether or not it is hit timing P is determined by whether or not the target 16 whose position is detected by the target position detector 85 is within the range of hit timing P when the start switch 84 is pressed.

[0047] The winning probability and upper limit amount of the selection condition information are information for the so-called lottery mode and ceiling mode, respectively, and are set to be changeable depending on the difficulty level of the game, the cost of the prize, etc.

[0048] The control unit 91 has a control device and an arithmetic unit, and is installed with the computer programs necessary to realize the game. It drives each unit according to the programs, reads and writes data from and to the memory unit based on input, and causes each unit to execute predetermined processes.

[0049] Below, we will explain the outline of the operation of the prize acquisition game machine 11, as well as the operation of the win / loss control mechanism, i.e., the control unit 91, which uses the win / loss control information.

[0050] The control unit 91 executes the standby mode according to the program, performs a performance on the display 86, and drives the target drive mechanism 17 and the operating tool drive mechanism 19 as necessary to perform demonstration movements.

[0051] The game begins when the coin insertion detector 81 detects a coin and inputs this signal to the control unit 91. That is, the control unit 91 initializes the target drive mechanism 17 and the operation tool drive mechanism 19. At the same time, the timer 82 starts counting down the game time, and starts driving the target drive mechanism 17 based on a predetermined automatically set difficulty level or a manually set difficulty level. This causes the target 16 to perform a pendulum motion with a constant swing amplitude and speed. The control unit 91 also outputs predetermined performance information read from the memory unit 89 to the display 86 and speaker 87.

[0052] The initial state of the target driving mechanism 17 is a state in which the target 16 is lowered directly downward, and the initial state of the operating tool driving mechanism 19 is a state in which the tip of the operating tool 18 is directed diagonally upward toward the target 16 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] When the player operates the operation device unit movement switch 83 on the operation panel 14, the control unit 91 drives the up-down movement mechanism 61 and the left-right movement mechanism 65 in accordance with the input signal, thereby moving the operation device unit 51.

[0054] When the player turns on the start switch 84, the control unit 91 operates the operating device drive motor 56 of the operating device unit 51 in accordance with the input signal under predetermined conditions that reflect the predetermined difficulty level. As a result, the operating device 18 rotates together with the eccentric member 55 and moves downward, and at this time the win / loss control mechanism is activated.

[0055] The control operation of this hit / miss control drive mechanism will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the explanatory diagram of FIG.

[0056] The control unit 91 waits for an ON signal to be input from the start switch 84 (step S1) and starts counting time with the timer 82 (step S2), as described above.

[0057] Simultaneously with these operations, the control unit 91 causes the target position detector 85 to detect the position of the target 16 (step S3), and then compares the position information with the hit timing information stored in the memory unit 89 to determine whether or not it corresponds to hit timing P (step S4).

[0058] If it is determined in step S4 that it is not the hit timing P, the control unit 91 does nothing and allows the target drive mechanism 17 and the operation tool drive mechanism 19 to continue as is (see e1 in FIG. 9).

[0059] At this time, it is not the winning timing P, so even if the operating tool 18 rotates toward the target 16 that is performing a pendulum motion, the operating tool 18 will either miss without coming into contact with the target 16 or will not be able to hook onto it even if it does come into contact, and will not be able to pull down the target 16. In other words, the prize X will not fall.

[0060] When it is determined that it is the winning timing P, the control unit 91 determines whether the current game is a "winning" or "losing" game (step S5).

[0061] "Win" or "lose" indicates whether or not the prize X is allowed to be paid out; in the former case, the payout is allowed, and in the latter case, it is not allowed.

[0062] If the selection condition is based on the probability of winning, the control unit 91 executes a probability calculation using a known random calculation, compares the calculation result with a preset probability of winning, and determines whether the result is a "win" or a "loss." If the selection condition is an upper limit amount, the control unit 91 compares the accumulated amount according to the number of games played with the upper limit amount, and determines whether the accumulated amount has reached the upper limit amount, and determines whether the result is a "win" or a "loss."

[0063] If it is determined in step S5 that there is a "hit", the control unit 91 does nothing and allows the target drive mechanism 17 and the operation of the operation tool drive mechanism 19 to continue as is (see e2 in FIG. 9).

[0064] At this time, it is the winning timing P, and when the operating device 18 rotates toward the target 16 which is performing a pendulum motion, there is a high probability that the operating device 18 will come into contact with the target 16, catch the finger portion 54, and pull down the target 16. When the target 16 is pulled down a predetermined length, the wire 72 pulled downward via the holder 35 rotates the hook 74 of the hanger 73, causing the prize X to drop.

[0065] If it is determined in step S5 that the target has missed the target, the control unit 91 executes a shifting operation, i.e., the control unit 91 shifts the target driving mechanism 17 or the operation tool driving mechanism 19 from the contact timing P (see e3 in FIG. 9).

[0066] When causing the operating tool drive mechanism 19 to perform a shifting operation, the control unit 91 controls the operating tool drive motor 56 to change its speed in milliseconds. That is, the control unit 91 causes a slight movement delay (slows down the speed) or movement promotion (speeds up the speed). In addition, the control unit 91 can also perform start delay control, which delays the start timing by a slight time in milliseconds.

[0067] When the target drive mechanism 17 is made to perform a shifting operation, a very slight movement delay or movement acceleration in the range of milliseconds is generated for the target drive motor 33, just as when the operation is performed by the operation tool drive mechanism 19.

[0068] Whether to delay or accelerate, and how much to shift, is determined depending on the position of the target 16 within a certain range of hit timing P when the start switch 84 is pressed.

[0069] When the range of the hit timing P is wide and it is expected that the shift in timing will be visible to the naked eye if only one of the target drive mechanism 17 or the operation tool drive mechanism 19 is shifted, it is advisable to have both the target drive mechanism 17 and the operation tool drive mechanism 19 perform the shifting operation.

[0070] If a shifting operation is performed, the timing P is missed, so even if the operating tool 18 rotates, the operating tool 18 misses or does not hook onto the target 16 even if it comes into contact with it, and the target 16 cannot be pulled down. In other words, the prize X does not fall.

[0071] In this way, a prize can be won basically when it is determined in step S4 that it is the winning timing P and the selection result in step S5 is "winning" (see e2 in FIG. 9).

[0072] As described above, this prize-winning game machine 11 employs a configuration in which the operating device 18 is aimed at the target 16 that moves in pendulum motion, causing the target 16 to change its movement (speed), and the target 16 is pulled down by a series of movements of the operating device 18. In other words, the condition for winning a prize is not simply to hit the target 16 with the operating device 18, but to give the target 16 a different movement through a series of movements of the operating device 18 and to continue that change in movement. Moreover, the target 16, as well as the operating device 18, moves.

[0073] Therefore, although this prize winning game machine 11 may appear difficult to operate depending on how you look at it, it attracts the interest of players because it utilizes a simple yet captivating pendulum motion. Furthermore, players get the sensation of catching and pulling a moving target, which adds to the fun.

[0074] In addition, because both the target 16 and the operating tool 18 are movable, the degree of freedom in setting the action can be increased, making it possible to provide the desired game characteristics. Furthermore, because the configuration controls the movement of the target 16 and the operating tool 18, it is possible to set a variety of ways to control whether the target 16 is hit or miss, making it more game-like.

[0075] Furthermore, unlike a game machine in which a player grabs a prize to win it, this prize winning game machine 11 can perform the operation of the prize payout prohibition control mechanism in a manner that cannot be seen by the naked eye, thereby improving the playability of the game in this respect as well.

[0076] Furthermore, the target 16 is spherical and is configured to hook onto the hook portion 18a at the tip of the operating tool 18, so it is not necessarily configured to be able to perform the specified pulling down operation even after hooking. In particular, the hook portion 18a is configured with multiple finger portions 54, which can make the game even more interesting.

[0077] Furthermore, the difficulty of the game can be adjusted not only by the movement of the target 16 and the operating tool 18 but also by the spacing of the finger parts 54 of the hook part 18a, so that various adjustments are possible, which also increases the value of the game machine.

[0078] The above configuration is one embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to only the above configuration, and other configurations can be adopted.

[0079] As mentioned above, the target 16 and the operating tool 18 are not limited to the movements described above. For example, the target 16 may be shaped like a cherry or a heart, rather than a sphere. The operating tool 18 may be configured to move in a series of multiple stages, such as moving straight ahead and then descending, rather than simply rotating along a fixed orbit. Furthermore, the operating tool 18 may not move closer to the target 16 when acting on it, but may wait for the approaching target 16 to be grabbed and pulled, rather than moving to catch the moving target 16.

[0080] In the above example, the operating tool 18 is movable up, down, left, and right relative to the target 16, but both the target 16 and the operating tool 18 may be movable, or only the target 16 may be movable. In addition, to differentiate the level of difficulty, only relative movement in the left-right direction or only relative movement in the up-down direction may be permitted.

[0081] The prize holding mechanism may be configured to hang the prize X or to place it thereon.

[0082] As mentioned above, the movements of the target 16 and the operating tool 18 can be set in various ways, and the above explanation has been given as an example of a target 16 that moves in a pendulum motion, which is easy to understand and familiar. Other examples will be added using the schematic explanatory diagrams of Figures 11 to 13.

[0083] 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating the movements of the target 16 and the manipulator 18 in the above-described example. In the figure, the outline arrow A indicates the depth direction from the manipulation surface, and the imaginary parallelogram B is a virtual plane for making it easier to understand the three-dimensional space. The solid arrow C indicates the movement of the manipulator 18.

[0084] As can be seen in FIG. 11( a ), the target 16 swings back and forth around an axis D extending in the left-right direction, and the operating tool 18 moves so as to catch on the target 16 from above and in front of it.

[0085] In the same manner as in this figure, other examples of the movement of the target 16 and the manipulator 18 are shown in Fig. 11(b) and subsequent figures. Note that the position of the arrow C representing the other movement of the manipulator 18 relative to the trajectory of the target is one example, and is not limited to the position shown in the figure.

[0086] That is, FIG. 11(b) is an example in which the pendulum motion of the target 16 is in the left-right direction instead of the front-back direction, unlike FIG. 11(a).

[0087] 11(c) shows an example in which the target 16 revolves horizontally around a vertically extending axis D. The operation tool 18 can move from below as well as from above.

[0088] Figure 11(d) shows an example in which the target 16 moves in the opposite direction to the pendulum, tracing an upward convex arc, while Figure 11(e) shows an example in which the vertical plane of the movement is set to the left-right direction instead of the front-back direction.

[0089] Figure 12(a) shows an example in which the target 16 moves not in a pendulum motion but in both the forward and backward directions as well as the up and down directions, tracing a mountain-shaped trajectory. Figure 12(b) shows an example in which the movement direction of the target 16 is changed to the left and right.

[0090] Figure 12(c) shows an example in which the target 16 travels in a horizontal straight line. In this case, the operating tool 18 can be moved to press down and pull down the target 16. Figure 12(d) shows an example in which the target 16 travels horizontally in a curved line instead of a straight line.

[0091] Figure 13(a) is an example in which up and down movement is added to the movement of the target 16 in Figure 12(c). Figure 13(b) is an example in which up and down movement is added to the movement of the target 16 in Figure 12(d).

[0092] In the examples of Figures 12(c) and 12(d) and Figures 13(a) and 13(b), parallelogram B is drawn horizontally, and the plane serving as the reference for the movement of target 16 is horizontal, but this plane may also be tilted. In this case, it is possible to express the movement of the target reminiscent of a shooting star, for example. Similarly, in Figures 11(a), 11(b), 11(d), and 11(e) and Figures 12(a) and 12(b), the plane on which the trajectory of target 16 is located may be tilted relative to the operation surface, and in Figure 11(c), the plane on which the trajectory of target 16 is located may also be tilted relative to the horizontal.

[0093] In addition, although not shown, the operating tool 18 may be configured to apply a predetermined operation to only a portion of the target 16, rather than acting on the entire target 16 as described above. For example, the target may be configured to include a master part and a slave part, and although the slave part is subordinate to the master part, a motion mechanism is connected only to the master part so that its drive can be controlled. Then, when the slave part moves away from the master part by a certain distance or more, this triggers the player to win a prize. This can be expressed, for example, as an action like picking up sushi (slave part) from a moving plate (master part). In this case, the slave part may be connected to the master part by a wire or the like, but may also be physically disconnected by being configured so that a sensor detects when the slave part has moved away by a certain distance.

[0094] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11...prize winning game machine 16...target 17...target driving mechanism 18...operating tool 18a...hook portion 19...operating tool driving mechanism 31...target unit 32...shaft 51...operating tool unit 54...finger portion 61...up-down movement mechanism 65...left-right movement mechanism 71...prize holding mechanism X...prize

Claims

1. A prize-winning game machine that allows a player to win a prize on the condition that a certain operation is performed on a target, the prize-winning game machine comprising: a target drive mechanism that moves the target; an operating device that acts on the moving target to change the movement of the target; an operating device drive mechanism that operates the operating device; and a prize holding mechanism that releases the prize when the movement of the target is changed by more than a certain amount due to continued operation of the operating device after contact with the target.

2. A prize-winning game machine as described in claim 1, which is equipped with a hit / miss control mechanism that detects whether a change in the movement of the target by more than a certain amount due to a match between the movement of the target caused by the target drive mechanism and the operation of the operating tool caused by the operating tool drive mechanism is an expected hit timing, and if it is a hit timing, executes an offset operation on at least one of the target drive mechanism or the operating tool drive mechanism to shift it from the hit timing in accordance with preset selection conditions when it is a miss.

3. A prize-winning game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target moves in a circular or arc trajectory.

4. The prize-winning game machine according to claim 3, wherein the target is a pendulum.

5. A prize-winning game machine according to claim 4, wherein the operating tool hooks the approaching target and pulls it downward.

6. A prize-winning game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the operating tool has a hook portion that hooks onto the target or onto a shaft that fastens the target.

7. A prize-winning game machine according to claim 6, wherein the hooking portion is configured with finger portions having gaps between them.

8. A prize winning game machine according to claim 7, wherein the spacing between the finger portions is changeable depending on the difficulty of the game.

9. A prize-winning game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target and the operating device are supported so as to be movable relative to each other in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

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