Crane Game Prize Detection Using Optical Passage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crane game machines often mistakenly grab and drop color balls instead of prizes due to their placement on the game field, complicating the operator's ability to accurately track the payout rate and accommodate various prizes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical sensors in the dropping slot to detect the number of passage reactions, allowing the system to differentiate between prizes and color balls based on the number of light interruptions, with adjustable detection criteria set by the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If balls are placed on the game field to enable crane arm insertion, then the crane can acquire prizes, but the crane may mistakenly grab and drop balls instead of prizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods with optical sensors that use light to detect objects in the dropping slot. The optical sensor system distinguishes between prizes and balls based on their optical properties (color, reflectivity) rather than relying solely on mechanical contact, enabling accurate identification while maintaining the ball placement necessary for crane operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color detection through optical sensors to differentiate between prizes and balls. By detecting the color characteristics of objects in the dropping slot, the system can identify prizes (which have specific color properties) versus balls (which have different color properties), preventing mistaken payouts while allowing balls to remain on the game field for operational purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of prizes are accommodated, then the game becomes more versatile, but it becomes difficult to accurately detect and differentiate between various prizes and non-prizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical sensors that detect multiple parameters of objects including color, reflectivity, and shape characteristics. By measuring these optical parameters, the system can accurately distinguish between different types of prizes and non-prizes based on their unique optical signatures, maintaining high detection precision despite the variety of prize types accommodated in the game.
3Loss of information
If operators need to track payout rate, then business management is improved, but the complexity of monitoring and detecting all dropped articles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system automatically detects and identifies all articles dropped into the dropping slot, including both prizes and balls. The system self-manages the monitoring function by continuously detecting object characteristics and providing automated identification, eliminating the need for complex manual monitoring systems while enabling accurate payout rate tracking through automated data collection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection of prizes versus color balls, improving the operator's ability to manage inventory and maintain the payout rate by preventing mistaken payouts and allowing flexible accommodation of diverse prizes.
Implementation Method 1
sensors that are arranged in the dropping slot and detect passage of the at least one of the articles
Data Source
AI summary
An article-winning game device includes: a game field that includes a placement area and a dropping slot; a crane that includes an arm; an operating panel that receives an operation by a player; sensors that detect passage of at least one of the articles, and a data processor that: drives the crane in response to the operation, determines whether the at least one of the articles passing through the dropping slot is a first article to be acquired, and sets, based on a user instruction, an acquisition range with respect to the first article. Upon determining that the number of passage reactions with respect to the at least one of the articles passing through the dropping slot is within the acquisition range, the data processor determines that the at least one of the articles passing through the dropping slot is the first article.