JP3477273B2 - Crane game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a crane gem machine installed in a game center or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, crane game machines have become a boom among young people in game centers and the like.

This crane game machine is a game machine in which a crane is moved by a player's operation to take out a prize such as a doll housed therein.

[0004]

In a conventional crane game machine, the position of the crane to be moved is determined only by pressing a button on an operation panel while looking into the game machine from above or from a side. The prize acquisition rate was not so good. In addition, when a prize is obtained, the prize can only be taken out, and no effect that gives praise to the player has been performed.

[0005] It is easy to think that a poor prize acquisition rate is a seemingly good return rate, but if the prize acquisition rate is too low, the utilization rate of the crane game machine itself will decrease. On the contrary, there is a problem that the profit rate is reduced.

The present invention has been made to improve such a conventional crane game machine into an "interesting" game machine. One of the objects is to obtain a prize by providing a camera and a monitor television. It is an object of the present invention to provide a crane game machine with a high utilization rate so that the rate can be increased while maintaining a target profit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a crane game machine that can be enjoyed by spectators other than the player and that can provide an effect that pleases the player when a prize is obtained.

[0007]

The present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the crane game machine to win the prize that has been housed in the case by a crane players to operate, attached to the crane, the prize When
Both are prize taking images of the crane's prize acquisition claws.
A camera for shadows, installed in the case,
Therefore, monitor images that show the captured images or demonstration images
Recognize the Levi and whether or not the crane has acquired prizes
Recognition means, and the monitor
The first image storage device that stores a praise demonstration image for copying to a video
Step and the monitor telegram when no prize was obtained.
A second image storage device that stores a disappointing demonstration image for copying to a video
Step and replay demo images from the camera during the game
A third image storage means for storing, and the camera during the game.
Output these images directly to the monitor TV,
The first image when the prize acquisition is recognized by the means;
The monitor displays the praise demonstration image stored in the storage means.
Output to a TV, and the prize acquisition is recognized by the recognition means.
If not, it is stored in the second image storage means.
Output a demonstration image to the monitor TV,
After the end of the program, the reproduction stored in the third image storage means is performed.
A screen switching unit that outputs an image to the monitor television
And a step .

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

The present invention thus constructed operates as follows.

In the first configuration, a camera is attached to the crane of the crane game machine. The camera captures images of the prize in the case and the claw for obtaining the prize of the crane . A monitor television is attached to the crane game machine case. The player can determine the position of the crane while watching this monitor television. Also, a spectator can watch the contents of the play through the monitor television, and can intrigue the spectator's interest in the play. In addition, recognizes whether or not prizes have been acquired
Recognition means to perform the monitoring and the monitor
First image storage for storing praise demonstration images for copying to Levi
Means and the monitor
2nd image storage to store a disappointing demonstration image for shooting on Levi
Means and a replay demo image from the camera during the game
Is provided. And
During the game, images from the camera are displayed on the monitor TV.
To the prize, and the prize acquisition is recognized by the recognition means.
The praise stored in the first image storage means
Outputting a demonstration image to the monitor television;
If the prize acquisition is not recognized by the
The disappointment demonstration image stored in the image storage means is displayed on the monitor.
-Output to the television, and after the game is over, the third image storage means
The replay demonstration image stored in the monitor
There is provided a screen switching means for outputting to a screen. For this,
If you get a prize or not
The screen corresponding to each scene is immediately displayed on the monitor TV.
Can be

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

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

FIG. 1 is an external view of a crane game machine according to the present invention. An operation panel 12 that constitutes a part of the case 11 is provided on a front surface of the crane game machine 10, and the operation panel 12 is provided with switches 14A and 14B for moving the crane. The crane moving switches 14A and 14B move the cranes 16A and 16B in the vertical and horizontal directions, and position the cranes 16A and 16B at desired positions of the player.

Also, the operation panel 12 displays a play situation during the game, a demonstration giving praise when the prize 20 in the case 11 is obtained by the cranes 16A and 16B, and unfortunately the prize 20 is obtained. TV monitor 1 to play a demo if you couldn't do it, or play the recorded play status even if no one was playing the game
8A and 18B are attached . These television monitors 18A, 18B are mainly composed of cranes 16A, 16B.
In order to make it easier to obtain the prize 20.

Further, monitor televisions 22A and 22B for displaying images similar to those of the monitor televisions are also provided on the upper front side of the case of the crane game machine 10. These monitor televisions 22A and 22B are provided so that they can be enjoyed mainly by spectators, and when no game is played, these monitor televisions 22A and 22B are provided.
The image from 22B is intended to attract viewers and intrigue the game.

Here, the case 11 refers to the entire surface of the outer wall constituting the shape of the crane game machine 10, and of course includes the portion forming the operation panel 12. In the above example, two monitor televisions are arranged on the operation panel and two monitor televisions are arranged on the upper part on the front side of the case. However, the present invention is not limited to this. What is necessary is just to arrange the optimal number of units.

Below the operation panel 12 is a crane 16
There are provided prize outlets 30A and 30B for taking out the prize 20 obtained by A or 16B. A limit switch for detecting the passage of the prize 20 is attached to a passage connecting the prize outlets 30A and 30B and the entrance (not shown) of the prize 20 by the cranes 16A and 16B. The limit switch functions as recognition means.

Each crane 16A, 16B has
Small CCD cameras 25A and 25B for taking prizes are attached. These CCD cameras 25A and 25B
The optical axis is set so that the imaging area becomes the premium 20 in the case 11, and is firmly attached to the slider base 26 corresponding to the lower surface side of the cranes 16A and 16B. In addition, since the cranes 16A and 16B move up and down toward the prize 20, the cameras 25A and 25B are equipped with automatic focus adjustment devices so as to maintain a focused state with the prize 20.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the crane 16A. FIG. 2A is a front view of the crane 16A, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof. The hatched portion shown in the figure indicates the CCD camera 25A, and the CCD camera 25A is fixed to the slider base 26. Of course, an automatic focus adjustment device is built in the CCD camera 25A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the crane game machine according to the present invention. Operation switch 14A
Is a switch for moving the crane 16A, and is composed of two switches, a switch for moving the crane 16A in the front-rear direction and a switch for moving the crane 16A in the left-right direction. With these switches, the crane 16A is positioned at a desired position. The traveling control of the crane 16A is performed by the crane control unit 35A. Operation switch 1
4B and the crane control unit 35B have exactly the same operation as described above. Therefore, the crane 16A and the crane 16B are connected to the respective operation switches 14A, 14A.
B will be controlled independently.

The monitor televisions 18A, 22A, 18B,
A screen control unit 40 that controls the image output to each of the 22B functions as a screen control unit, and stores an image to be output to the monitor television when the prize 20 can be scooped. Unit 41 and a disappointing demonstration storage unit 42 storing an image to be output to a monitor television when the prize 20 cannot be scooped.
And a play status storage unit 43 for storing a play status during the game. The praise demonstration storage unit 41 functions as a first storage unit, the unfortunate demonstration storage unit 42 functions as a second storage unit, and the play situation storage unit 43 functions as a third storage unit.

The screen control unit 40 outputs an image from the CCD camera 25A directly to each monitor television 18A, 22A during a game, or outputs an image from the CCD camera 25B directly to the monitor televisions 18B, 22B. Can also be.

The screen controller 40 includes a crane 16A
A prize detection limit switch 45A for detecting a prize acquired by the crane 16B and a prize detection limit switch 45B for detecting a prize acquired by the crane 16B are also connected. Screen selection is performed by the screen switching unit 44, which is a screen switching unit, based on signals from the limit switches 45A and 45B.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of the operation performed by the control system shown in FIG.

When the power is turned on, a system check is automatically performed. The detailed flowchart of this system check is shown in FIG.
It will be described later (S1). As a result of the system check, if the system is normal, a title such as that shown in FIG.
B, 22A and 22B (S2). After a lapse of a certain time, a visual demonstration as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on each monitor television 18A, 18B, 22A, 22B.
(S3). After a lapse of a certain period of time, a replay demo (the previous play contents or the play contents when a premium is acquired) as shown in FIG. 4C is output to each of the monitor televisions 18A, 18B, 22A, and 22B (S).
4).

That is, from the time the power is turned on until the coin is inserted, or from the end of the game until the next coin is inserted, the “title”, “visual demo”, “replay demo” Is repeatedly transmitted to each monitor television at regular time intervals.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the above-described system check. This system check is performed for three types of memory check, I / O check, and analysis mode.

The memory check is for checking whether the various memories 41, 42, 43 and the like provided in the screen controller 40 are functioning normally. As a result of this check, if any part is not working properly,
The address data of that part is displayed.

The I / O check is for checking whether all the I / Os related to the screen controller 40 and the like can function normally. If an error is recognized as a result of this check, the content of the error is displayed.

The analysis mode is a mode performed by a user's arbitrary operation. This mode is used when it is necessary to particularly know the details of the failure or when adjusting the system. Specifically, it adjusts the color and distortion of the monitor television, checks switches, displays the analysis results, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system during the game.

When the coin is inserted and the game starts, an image is input from the CCD camera attached to the crane on the side where the coin is inserted by the screen control unit 40,
The situation of this game is displayed on the monitor TV. For example, when a coin is inserted into a coin entry located on the right side of the operation panel in FIG.
B can be moved, but in this case, CCD
The image captured by the camera 25B is displayed on the monitor TV 18B,
The image is displayed on 22B. Immediately after the game starts, crane 1
Since 6B is at its original position, the captured image captured by the CCD camera 25B is in the area shown in FIG. That is, it is the image shown in FIG. When the player operates the operation switch 14B to move the crane 16B along the path shown in FIG. 8, the captured images captured by the CCD camera 25B are shown at respective points in FIGS.
It changes as shown in (e). This image is displayed on the monitor television 18B and the monitor television 22B. Therefore, the player can operate the operation switch 14B while watching the image on the monitor television 18B to accurately position the crane 16B on the desired premium 20.

The monitor televisions 18B, 22B
In order to make it easy to see the landing point of the crane 16B as shown in FIG. 10, marks 50A to 50E for indicating the moving direction of the crane are displayed on the screen of FIG. Also, on this screen, “PUSH ← B” that prompts a play operation is displayed.
"UTTON" or "PUSH @ BUTTON" is displayed. It should be noted that such a mark is displayed only on a screen displayed during the game. Further, in the above example, this is displayed on both the monitor televisions 18B and 22B, but it is also possible to make this display only on the monitor television 18B particularly related to the operation.

In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 10, the prize obtaining claws of the crane 16B are not shown, but on the actual screen, the claws are displayed in the left and right direction of the screen. Therefore, the positional relationship and angle between the claw and the prize 20 are further clarified, and the acquisition rate of the prize 20 can be improved.

When the positioning of the crane 16B while viewing the screen of the monitor television 18B is completed, the crane 16B
B starts to descend, but also at this time, the image from the CCD camera 25B is displayed on the monitor televisions 18B and 22B.
Will be projected to 9 (f) and 9 (g) show an example of an image projected at this time. When the crane 16B starts descending, the image is enlarged as the crane 16B descends. As the descent decreases, the distance from the prize will decrease.
Since the camera 25B is provided with an automatic focus adjustment device, the in-focus state with the prize 20 can always be maintained. This screen is displayed pending until the game is over (S10, S11).

Next, when the crane 16B has finished ascending,
When the prize 20 is obtained by moving to the prize input port and performing the discharging operation of the prize 20 (this discharging operation is performed regardless of whether or not the prize is obtained by the crane),
Passage of the prize 20 is detected by a prize detection limit switch 45B provided in a passage connecting the input port and the prize take-out port 30B, and a praise demonstration is displayed on the monitor televisions 18B and 22B based on the detection signal. It is. This praise demonstration is an image stored in the praise demonstration storage unit 41, and switching from the CCD camera 25B to this image is performed by the screen switching unit 44. An example of the image of the praise demonstration is an image as shown in FIG. 11A (S12, S13).

After the praise demonstration ends, a replay demonstration is performed. This replay demo is a demo in which the situation of the game that has just been played is played back in full time or with a skip image. This demonstration is performed based on the image stored in the play status storage unit 43 (S14).

On the other hand, if the prize 20 cannot be obtained unfortunately, no signal is output from the prize detection limit switch 45B, so the screen switching unit 44 switches the screen and stores it in the disappointing demonstration storage unit 42. The unfortunate demonstration is displayed on the monitor televisions 18B and 22B. An example of the image of the disappointing demonstration is an image as shown in FIG. 11B (S15).

When the game is completed in this way, an end demonstration indicating that the game is over is taken. The end demonstration is performed based on an image from a storage unit (not shown) storing the demonstration. An example of the image of the end demonstration is an image as shown in FIG. 11C (S16, S17).

As described above, in the crane game machine of the present invention, various images are displayed on the monitor television in each scene of the game, so that the game can be interesting and attract the attention of spectators. become. In addition, as the prize acquisition rate increases, the operating rate of the crane game machine can be improved, and as a result, profits can be increased.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained for each claim.

[0048] In a first aspect, and the premium to the crane door
In addition, a camera that captures the crane's prize acquisition claw was attached and this photographed image was displayed on the monitor TV, so that the player could determine the position of the crane while watching this monitor television, and obtain the prize. Rate can be increased. Also, a spectator can watch the contents of the play through the monitor television, and can intrigue the spectator's interest in the play. And there is a prize acquisition
Since there is a recognition means for recognizing nothing,
Is pre-recorded on the monitor TV by the signal from
Player at the time of prize acquisition
Can praise to. In addition, won prizes
Remembers praise demo images for display on monitor TV in case
The first image storage means to be executed and when a prize cannot be obtained
Memorize demo image for display on monitor TV
Second image storage means and replay from camera during game
A third image storage unit for storing a demonstration image;
The image from the camera is output directly to the monitor TV, and the recognition
If the prize acquisition is recognized by the step, the first image storage
Display the praise demonstration image stored in the column on the monitor TV.
When the prize acquisition is not recognized by the recognition means
Shows the unfortunate demonstration image stored in the second image storage
Output to the monitor TV, and after the game is over, the third image
The replay demo image stored in the storage
Since there is a screen switching means for outputting to the Levi,
If you get
Immediately display the screen according to the scene on the monitor TV.
Can be.

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a crane game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the crane 16A, and FIG. 2A is a front view of the crane 16A;
(B) is a side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the crane game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of an operation performed by the control system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of a system check.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of various demonstration screens displayed on a monitor television.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a control system during a game.

FIG. 8 is an example of an image when the crane is at an original position.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image when the crane is moving.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a monitor television.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of various demonstration screens displayed on a monitor television.

[Explanation of symbols]

10. Crane game machine, 11 ... case, 12. Operation panel, 14A, 14B ... operation switches, 16A, 16B ... crane, 18A, 18B, 22A, 22B ... monitor television, 20 ... prizes, 25A, 25B ... CCD camera.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yuki Mihara 1-9-4 Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (56) References JP-A-6-154419 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 59941 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/00-11/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A crane operated by a player (16A,
16B) a crane game machine (10) for obtaining a prize (20) housed in a case (11) by being attached to the crane (16A, 16B) and the crane (16A, 16A) together with the prize (20). 16B)
Prize photographing camera (25)
A, 25B) and the camera (25A,
25B) A monitor television (18A, 18B, 22A, 22B) for photographing an image or a demonstration image taken by a television.
A recognition means (45A, 45B) for recognizing whether or not the crane (16A, 16B) has acquired the prize (20); and the monitor television (18A, 1B) when the prize has been acquired.
8B, 22A, 22B), and a first image storage means (41) for storing a praise demonstration image to be transferred to the monitor television (1) when a prize cannot be obtained.
8A, 18B, 22A, 22B), a second image storage means (42) for storing a disappointing demonstration image, and a third image storage for storing a replay demonstration image from the camera (25A, 25B) during a game. Means (43), and an image from the camera (25A, 25B) during the game is displayed on the monitor television (18A, 18B, 22A, 22).
B), and when the prize acquisition is recognized by the recognition means (45A, 45B), the praise demonstration image stored in the first image storage means (41) is displayed on the monitor television (18A, 18B). , 22A, 22B), and if the prize acquisition is not recognized by the recognition means (45A, 45B), the second image storage means (4
The disappointment demonstration image stored in 2) is output to the monitor television (18A, 18B, 22A, 22B), and after the game is over, the replay demonstration image stored in the third image storage means (43) is displayed. Monitor TV (18A, 1
8B, 22A, 22B).
4) A crane game machine comprising: