JP2007195771A - Game machine with support function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with a support function allowing a player to support another player and giving the supported player the satisfaction of playing by oneself. <P>SOLUTION: Dedicated pens 6 and 7 have microswitches 6b and 7b outputting signals when the tips of dedicated pens 6 and 7 touch a touch panel, in their inside respectively, when a player touches the touch panel with a dedicated pen, a priority determination part 24 of a control part 20 validates the input of only the dedicated pen touching the touch panel 4 later based on the outputs of the microswitches 6b and 7b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine with a support function suitable for games played by children and the like.

Conventionally, there is a type of game machine for children to be installed in a shopping center or the like, for example, in which a player inputs to a monitor using a dedicated pen (for example, Patent Document 1).
However, when the child (player) cannot understand the game method because of the difficulty of the game, for example, a guardian or the like takes the input device from the child and explains the game method to the child. However, in this case, there is a problem that the child who is a player cannot obtain the satisfaction of playing himself.
JP 2005-49387 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine with a support function that can support a player by another player and give the supported player the satisfaction of playing by himself.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to the Example of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
The invention of claim 1 selects at least two input units (6, 7) and a priority of whether or not to give priority to any input of the input units (6, 7) according to the operation of the player. Priority selection means (6b, 7b) for determining the priority of the input section (6, 7) based on the output of the priority selection means (6b, 7b), and an input section having the priority And a control unit (20, 24) for performing a support play that enables (6, 7).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game machine with a support function according to the first aspect, the control unit (20, 21) enables the support play in a game for one player, and also during the support play. It is a game machine with a support function characterized by progressing a game as a one-player game.
The invention according to claim 3 is the game machine with a support function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game machine is a premium payout game machine, and the control unit (20, 21) is in the support play mode. In addition, the game machine with a support function is characterized in that when the game is progressed as a single player and a predetermined condition is satisfied, a prize (G) is paid out.
The invention according to claim 4 is the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a touch input screen (4), wherein the priority selection means (6b, 7b) The detection unit (6b, 7b) can detect that the touch input screen (4) is touched, and the at least two input units (6, 7) are provided with the detection unit (6b, 7b), respectively. The sensor-equipped input unit (6, 7), and the control unit (20, 24) contacts the touch input screen (4) later based on the output of the detection unit (6b, 7b). A game machine with a support function, characterized in that the priority is given to the sensor-equipped input members (6, 7).
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game machine with a support function according to the fourth aspect, the touch input screen (4) is placed at a place where the input member with sensor (6, 7) being in contact is in contact. Displaying a cursor (C), and moving the cursor (C) to a place where the input member with sensor (6, 7) to which the priority has moved is in contact with the movement of the priority, This is a game machine with a support function.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game machine with a support function according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit (20, 21) is configured such that the number of credits is the at least two input units ( The game machine with a support function is characterized by enabling the support play when the number is less than the number of (6, 7).
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game machine with a support function according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in addition to the one-player game, a battle game in which players play against each other is possible. The support function-equipped game machine is characterized in that the support play is possible for at least one of the players.
The invention of claim 8 is the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least two input units (6, 7) are configured so that each player independently plays a game. This is a game machine with a support function, characterized in that it also serves as an independent input unit (6, 7).
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the game machine with a support function according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the at least two input units (6, 7) play a battle game between players. This is a game machine with a support function characterized in that it also serves as a battle input unit (6, 7).

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the present invention can select the priority of whether to prioritize the input of at least two input units according to the operation of the priority selection means, the player can not understand the game method. The player can play while supporting.

(2) In the present invention, even during support play, the game proceeds as a one-player game, so that a player who has been supported can feel satisfied that he / she has played.

(3) Since the present invention proceeds as a single-player game during support play and pays out a prize when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the player who is supported is satisfied that the prize has been acquired by himself / herself A feeling can be given.

(4) Since the present invention includes an input member with sensor and a touch input screen, priority is determined from the output of the input member with sensor, and input to the touch input screen of the input member with sensor having priority is enabled. can do.

(5) In the present invention, since the cursor is displayed on the touch input screen where the input member with sensor to which the priority has moved is in contact, the player can immediately understand that the priority has moved. Can do.

(6) According to the present invention, support play is possible when the number of credits is smaller than the number of input units. Therefore, support play can be performed by effectively using input units that are not used.

(7) Since the present invention allows support play for at least one of the players in the battle game, even a beginner of a game can play a battle game with other players while receiving support.

(8) Since the independent input unit for each player to play a game independently is also used as the support play input unit, the present invention can be realized by diverting a conventional game machine at a low cost. Can do.

(9) The present invention can be realized at low cost by diverting a conventional battle game machine since the battle input unit for playing a battle game between players is also used as an input unit for support play. Can do.

  The purpose of the present invention is to provide a game machine with a support function that can support a player by another player and give the supported player the satisfaction of playing by himself. A micro switch that outputs a signal when the touch panel is touched is provided in each of the two dedicated pens, and when the player touches the touch panel with the dedicated pen, the priority determination unit is based on the output of the micro switch, This was realized by enabling only the input of the dedicated pen that touched the touch panel later.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings and the like, an embodiment of the game machine with a support function of the present invention will be described in more detail.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a game machine 1 (game machine with a support function) of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining input by a dedicated pen 6.
As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 is a prize payout game machine that pays out a prize G stored in a capsule when a player acquires a predetermined score (when a predetermined condition is satisfied), A coin insertion slot 2, a touch panel 4 (touch input screen), a speaker 5, two dedicated pens 6 and 7 (input section with sensor), a prize stock section 8, and a prize payout slot 9 are provided.

The coin insertion slot 2 is provided on the front surface of the game machine 1 so that a player who desires a game inserts coins.
The touch panel 4 is a panel for displaying a game screen and moving the displayed character C (cursor) by bringing the tips of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 into contact (see FIG. 2). The touch panel 4 is installed in the center of the front surface of the game machine 1 with the screen tilted so that the player can easily see it. The touch panel 4 is, for example, a resistance film type or capacitive type touch panel, and as shown in a partial cross section in the figure, from the touch input unit 4a and a monitor unit 4b provided below the touch input unit 4a. Composed.
The touch input unit 4a is a transparent sheet-like member that acquires coordinate data according to the contact position when the dedicated pens 6 and 7 come into contact with each other. The monitor unit 4b is a display device such as an LCD or CRT that moves the cursor to the contact position of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 and displays the progress of the game as will be described later.
The speaker 5 is a member that emits BGM (background music), sound effects, and sounds that explain the game procedure to the player, and is installed on the front surface of the game machine 1.

The dedicated pens 6 and 7 are input devices for allowing the player to touch the touch input unit 4 a and input coordinate data, and are installed on the left and right sides of the touch panel 4, respectively. In this embodiment, the dedicated pen 6 is the left input device, and the dedicated pen 7 is the right input device. The dedicated pens 6 and 7 are electrically connected to the main body of the game machine 1 through the cables 6a and 7a.
As shown in FIG. 2, the dedicated pen 6 contains a micro switch 6b (priority selection means, detection unit). When the tip of the dedicated pen 6 comes into contact with the touch input unit 4a of the touch panel 4 by the operation of the player, the game machine 1 outputs a signal to a control unit (described later). The dedicated pen 7 has a similar structure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the prize stock section 8 is a transparent container provided at the top of the game machine 1 and stores a large number of prizes G.
The prize payout port 9 is provided at three positions above the touch panel 4 in order to pay out the prize G in the prize stock section 8. The paid-out prize G rolls on the touch panel 4 toward the player.

Since the game machine 1 includes the two dedicated pens 6 and 7 as described above, in addition to the one-player game (including support play described later), two players advance the game together. A game for two players, a game in which two players use each dedicated pen 6, 7 (match input unit), or an independent game in which two players use each dedicated pen 6, 7 (independent input unit) Played games.
The number of credits required for each game is 1 credit for a 1-player game, 2 credits for a battle game and a 2-player game, and when two players play separate games, 1 credit is required. Note that the number of credits refers to the number of times a game can be played with respect to the number of coins inserted. For example, if the number of games that can be played with one coin is 1, the number of coins inserted is 1 and the number of coins inserted is 2. 2 credits.

Next, the control block of the game machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the game machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control block of the game machine 1 includes a bus 12, an image processing unit 13, a sound circuit 14, a coin detection unit 17, a prize stock driving unit 18, a control unit 20, and a RAM 30. , ROM 31 and the like.
The bus 12 is a bidirectional signal line for transmitting a signal between the image processing unit 13, the sound circuit 14, the control unit 20, and the like.
The image processing unit 13 is an electric circuit for displaying an image on the monitor unit 4 b of the touch panel 4 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20.
The coin detection unit 17 is a sensor provided to detect a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 2 by the player, and outputs a signal to the control unit 20 via the bus 12 when a coin is detected.
The sound circuit 14 is an electric circuit for outputting BGM and audio signals to the speaker 5 in accordance with a command from the control unit 20.
The prize stock drive unit 18 is a drive device for paying out the prize G in the prize stock unit 8 to the prize payout port 9 in response to a command from the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 is a CPU (central processing unit) that operates according to a program stored in the ROM 31 in order to control the game machine 1 in an integrated manner, and includes a system control unit 21, an image control unit 22, and a contact position recognition. Section 23, priority determination section 24, and time counter section 25.

  The system control unit 21 is a control unit for comprehensively controlling the progress of the game. In response to the output from the coin detection unit 17, the system control unit 21 reads the game program from the ROM 31 and starts the game. In addition, the system control unit 21 determines whether support play is possible. The support play refers to a play in which the priority of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 is determined and only the input from the dedicated pen having the priority is validated to advance the game for one player (details will be described later) ).

The image control unit 22 is a control unit that instructs the image processing unit 13 to display the progress of the game on the monitor unit 4 b of the touch panel 4.
The contact position recognition unit 23 is a control unit that determines the contact position of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 in the touch input unit 4 a based on the output from the touch input unit 4 a of the touch panel 4.
The priority determination unit 24 is a control unit for determining the priority of which one of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 is prioritized during support play. The priority determination unit 24 gives priority to the dedicated pen that comes into contact with the touch input unit 4a later according to the output of the micro switches 6b and 7b in the dedicated pens 6 and 7, and has priority. Enable pen input only.
The time counter unit 25 is a control unit for managing the game progress time.

The RAM 30 is a storage device such as a DRAM used as a work area when the control unit 20 performs arithmetic processing or the like.
The ROM 31 is a storage device in which a program executed during the standby state, a game program, and other necessary data are stored.

Next, the operation of the game machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game machine 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display on the touch panel 4, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an input of the dedicated pens 6 and 7 in support play. .
As shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, the system control unit 21 of the control unit 20 detects a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 2 (see FIG. 1) by the player, and outputs a signal. To start a series of operations.

  In step S2, the system control unit 21 and the image control unit 22 display a selection screen on the monitor unit 4b of the touch panel 4 so that the player can select a play mode (see FIG. 5A). When the player selects the two-player play mode by bringing the dedicated pen 6 or the dedicated pen 7 into contact with the range on the right side of the screen (step S2: NO), the system control unit 21 proceeds to step S3, and the two players A two-player play (or a battle play in which two players battle each other) is started. On the other hand, when the player selects the single-player mode on the left side of the screen (step S2: YES), the system control unit 21 proceeds to step S4 and starts processing a single-player game.

In step S4, the system control unit 21 confirms the number of credits. When the number of credits is other than 1 (step S4: NO), the system control unit 21 proceeds to step S5 and starts processing of a normal single-player game. On the other hand, when the number of credits is 1, that is, dedicated When the number of credits is smaller than the number of pens (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S6 and the support play is started.
Here, if the number of credits is other than 1, that is, 2 or more (step S4: NO), the system control unit 21 does not accept a support play. This is because, after proceeding to step S5, the player may change to a battle play with another player or the like, and in this case, since both the two dedicated pens 6 and 7 are used, support play is not possible.

In step S <b> 6, the system control unit 21 performs processing such as reading necessary data, programs, and the like from the ROM 31 in order to start support play.
In step S7, the priority determination unit 24 waits for outputs from the two dedicated pens 6 and 7, and gives priority to the dedicated pen with the first output. Then, the priority determination unit 24 transmits this information to the system control unit 21, and the system control unit 21 recognizes the player on the dedicated pen side that has output first as the player. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given on the assumption that the dedicated pen 6 first outputs. In this case, the system control unit 21 starts the game with the player on the dedicated pen 6 side as the main player. As the game starts, the time counter unit 25 starts counting the game time. The score of this player is displayed in the upper left range of the touch panel 4 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 5B, the game by the game machine 1 is a game for children that sends the child displayed on the touch panel 4 to the mother. In the scene of FIG. 5B, the player moves the tip of the dedicated pen 6 or the dedicated pen 7 to the position corresponding to the child a and moves to the mother A (the arrow shown in FIG. 5B). See), the score is added. When the child is delivered correctly, another child and mother are displayed on the touch panel 4, and the player repeats the above-described operation. A high score can be obtained by delivering more children within the time limit.
The guardian of this player (hereinafter referred to as a support player) uses the dedicated pen 7 that is not in use when the player does not understand the game method or cannot find the mother A as follows. This player can be supported.

When the support player wants to support the player, the tip of the dedicated pen 7 is brought into contact with the touch panel 4. Accordingly, a signal is output from the microswitch 7b to the priority determination unit 24 (step S8: YES), and the process proceeds to step S9, where the priority determination unit 24 moves the priority to the dedicated pen 7. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 6, the image control unit 22 touches the display position of the cursor C indicated by the child a from the range in which the tip of the dedicated pen 6 is in contact. Move to a location. Thereby, the support player can immediately understand that the priority has moved to the dedicated pen 7.
When the support player participates in the game, it is not necessary to insert new coins. Thereby, a guardian etc. can support a child etc., without paying a new play fee.

In steps S10 to S12, the game proceeds in response to an input from the support player.
In step S <b> 10, the touch input unit 4 a acquires the coordinate data of the contact position of the tip of the dedicated pen 7 and outputs the coordinate data to the contact position recognition unit 23. In step S <b> 11, the contact position recognition unit 23 performs processing necessary for the coordinate data and transmits the processing to the image control unit 22. In step S12, the image control unit 22 moves the cursor C to the coordinate position of the monitor unit 4b. Thereby, the image of the cursor C (child a) moves on the touch panel 4 according to the operation of the support player.
As described above, the support player can explain the game method and teach the position where the mother A is displayed by proceeding with the game instead of the player.
In step S8, when no support is required and there is no input from the dedicated pen 7 (step S8: NO), the player can use the dedicated pen 6 to proceed with the game normally.
In step S13, when the time counter unit 25 determines that the elapsed time of the game is within the time limit (step S13: NO), the system control unit 21 repeats the operation from step S8.

In the case of repeating from step S8 to step S13, when there is an output from the microswitch, the priority determining unit 24 moves the priority to the dedicated pen that has been output from the microswitch later in step S8 (step S8). S8: YES). Accordingly, the player and the support player can appropriately advance the game using their own dedicated pen.
In addition, the system control unit 21 advances the game as a single player even during support play. Then, regardless of whether the player or the support player obtains a score, the player is given a score, and the score is displayed in the upper left range of the touch panel 4. Thereby, this player can enjoy a game similarly to normal one-person play, and can obtain the satisfaction that he played by himself.

In step S13, when it is determined that the time count unit 25 has reached the time limit (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S14, and the system control unit 21 and the image control unit 22 display a game result (for example, on the touch panel 4). , Ranking, how many children could be brought to their mother, etc.).
In step S15, when the score obtained by the player has cleared a predetermined score (step S15: YES), the process proceeds to step S16, and the system control unit 21 drives the premium stock driving unit 18 to give a premium. The prize G in the stock unit 8 is paid out to the prize payout port 9 (the score obtained by the support player is also added to the score). At this time, the system control unit 21 performs control so that the prize G is paid out from the prize payout opening 9 (see FIG. 1) arranged on the left side of the game machine 1. For this reason, this player can obtain the satisfaction that the prize G has been acquired by his / her play.
And it progresses to step S17 and the system control part 21 complete | finishes a series of processes.
In step S15, if the score obtained by the player does not clear the predetermined score (step S15: NO), the process directly proceeds to step S17, and the system control unit 21 ends the series of processes.

  As described above, in the game machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the priority determination unit 24 of the control unit 20 uses the dedicated pen according to the outputs of the micro switches 6b and 7b (priority selection means) of the dedicated pens 6 and 7. Since the priority of 6 and 7 is determined, a child who does not understand the game method can play while receiving support from a guardian or the like.

  In addition, even if the game machine 1 is in support play, the game proceeds as a one-player game, and when a predetermined score is cleared, a prize is paid out. You can give satisfaction that you played with.

  Furthermore, the game machine 1 includes a dedicated pen (independent input unit) in which a plurality of players independently play a game, or a dedicated pen (match input unit) for a player to play a battle game, and an input dedicated pen. 6 and 7 can also be used at low cost by diverting a conventional game machine.

  Furthermore, since the game machine 1 can perform support play with one credit, a guardian or the like (support player) can support a child or the like (player) without newly inserting coins. .

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention.
(1) In the present embodiment, an example in which the game machine is a game-only machine is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a personal computer or a home game machine may be used. In this case, for example, a mouse button or a game controller button can be used as priority selection means instead of the dedicated pen microswitch.

(2) In the present embodiment, an example in which there are two dedicated pens as the input unit is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. By providing three or more input units, in a battle game in which two or more players battle each other, support play can be performed for at least one of them, and even a game beginner can play a battle game while receiving support. Can do.

(3) In the present embodiment, the game by the game machine 1 is an example of a game for children, but is not limited to this. A game that operates at least two input units (for example, a drive game that operates an input unit that simulates a steering wheel of a car, a shooting game that operates an input unit that simulates a handgun, a puzzle game or tennis that operates operation buttons of the input unit) For example, a support play can be performed by providing a selection button or the like as priority selection means on the input unit or the like. Further, even in a mole hitting game or the like, support play can be performed by providing a pressure sensor or the like for detecting that a doll imitating a mole is struck in the input part imitating a hammer.

It is a perspective view which shows the Example of the game machine by this invention. It is a figure explaining the input by the exclusive pen of a present Example. It is a block diagram of the game machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game machine of a present Example. It is an example of a display of the touch panel of a present Example. It is a figure explaining the input in the support play of the exclusive pen of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 4 Touch panel 4a Touch input part 4b Monitor part 6,7 Dedicated pen 6b, 7b Micro switch 9 Premium give-out port 13 Image processing part 18 Premium stock drive part 20 Control part 21 System control part 22 Image control part 23 Contact position recognition Part 24 priority judgment part

Claims (9)

At least two inputs;
Priority selection means for selecting a priority of whether or not to give priority to any input of the input unit in accordance with the operation of the player;
Based on the output of the priority selection means, a control unit for determining the priority of the input unit and performing support play for enabling the input unit having the priority,
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to claim 1,
The control unit enables the support play as a single-player game, and progresses the game as a single player during the support play,
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to claim 1 or claim 2,
This game machine is a giveaway game machine,
The control unit proceeds the game as a single player during the support play, and pays out a prize when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It has a touch input screen,
The priority selection means is a detection unit capable of detecting that the touch input screen is touched,
The at least two input units are sensor-equipped input units each provided with the detection unit,
The control unit gives the priority to the sensor-equipped input member that comes into contact with the touch input screen later based on the output of the detection unit;
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to claim 4,
The touch input screen displays a cursor at a place where the sensor-equipped input member is in contact with the input, and the movement of the priority causes the sensor-equipped input member to which the priority has been moved. Moving to a place of contact,
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit enables the support play when the number of credits is smaller than the number of the at least two input units;
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
In addition to the one-player game, a battle game in which players battle each other is possible,
The support play is possible for at least one of the players;
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The at least two input units also serve as independent input units for each player to independently play a game;
A game machine with a support function. In the game machine with a support function according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The at least two input units also serve as a battle input unit for each player to play a battle game;
A game machine with a support function.

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