JP5491317B2 - Crane game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a crane game machine capable of acquiring a prize.

  A crane game machine is a game in which a large number of prizes such as dolls and stuffed toys stored in a case are obtained by controlling a crane arm by operating a button or a joystick. In the prize field where the prize of the crane game machine is placed, a prize payout port connected to the outside of the case is provided, and the prize gripped by the crane arm is moved to above the prize dropout opening, and at that position You can receive prizes by dropping them.

  Since a general crane game machine grips a prize by a crane arm, basically only one prize can be acquired by one operation of the crane arm. In order to make a player interested in a game, it is effective to be able to acquire a plurality of prizes.

  Conventionally, it is possible to obtain a plurality of prizes by breaking up the piled prizes with a crane arm by stacking prizes around the prize dropout by the administrator of the game machine, or A mechanism for paying out jackpot prizes is provided. For example, the prize acquisition game machine described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a prize holder on which a plurality of prizes for jackpots can be placed, and the prize holder is slid and moved to the prize dropout, thereby providing a prize holder. A plurality of prizes placed can be acquired together.

JP 2006-271792 A

  Conventionally, in order to allow a player to acquire a plurality of prizes collectively, the game machine has a special configuration such as a mechanism for an administrator to stack prizes in a special form or a mechanism for paying out jackpot prizes. Had to be implemented.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a crane game machine that allows a player to obtain a plurality of prizes with a simple structure without increasing the work burden on an administrator. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a crane arm, arm control means for controlling the operation of the crane arm, a prize field for placing a prize provided in the casing, and a prize. A prize drop port provided adjacent to the prize field, which is communicated with a prize take-out opening for paying out to the outside of the body, and a boundary between the prize field and the prize drop slot is removed by the operation of the crane arm. And a panel that can be mounted.

  According to the present invention, the player can acquire a plurality of prizes with a simple structure without increasing the work burden on the administrator.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the crane game machine in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the crane game machine in this embodiment. The figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of a prize dropout panel. The figure which shows the detail of the attachment structure of a prize drop outlet panel. The figure which shows a series of mode that the prize drop port panel is removed by a crane arm. The figure which shows a series of mode that the prize drop port panel is removed by a crane arm. The figure which shows a series of mode that the prize drop port panel is removed by a crane arm. The figure which shows a series of mode that the prize drop port panel is removed by a crane arm. The figure which shows schematic structure of the panel installation mechanism which replenishes the prize drop opening panel provided in the housing | casing. The figure which shows schematic structure of the panel installation mechanism which replenishes the prize drop opening panel provided in the housing | casing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a crane game machine 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the crane game machine 10 includes an upper housing 12 and a lower housing 13. The upper housing 12 is partially covered with a transparent plate 15 such as an acrylic plate on the front and side surfaces, and a prize field 16 inside the housing can be seen through the transparent plate 15. The transparent plate 15 is configured to be openable and closable on the front side, for example, and can be opened when replacing or supplementing the prize field 16 or attaching a prize dropout panel 22 (described later). Further, the transparent plate 15 may be removable.

  In the crane game machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a prize field 16 is divided into two by a partition plate 14 so that two players can simultaneously play a game. A prize can be loaded on each of the two prize fields 16 divided by the partition plate 14. In the following, a description will be given of a configuration played by one player.

  Above the prize field 16, a crane arm 18 whose operation is controlled by a player operation is mounted via a mechanism unit that operates the crane arm 18.

  On the front side of the lower housing 13, a prize outlet 21 and a panel part 23 that is operated by a player are provided. The prize take-out port 21 is for taking out a prize from the inside of the casing (prize field), and communicates with a prize dropping port 20 provided in the casing. By operating the crane arm 18, the prize is dropped to the prize dropping port 20, whereby the prize can be taken out from the prize taking-out port 21.

  The control panel 23 is provided with a joystick 24 and buttons 25 for operating the crane arm 18, a coin slot 26, a display device 27 (for example, a 7-segment display), and the like. In addition, a speaker is provided for outputting sound effects, music, message sounds, and the like during game execution (not shown).

  Above the prize field 16 in the upper housing 12, the crane arm 18 and the crane arm 18 are moved above the prize field 16, for example, in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). A mechanism (not shown) is provided. When the crane arm 18 is moved to a predetermined position in the XY direction by a mechanism that operates in response to a player operation on the joystick 24 or the button 25, the crane arm 18 is moved downward in order to hold a prize on the prize field. Two gripping claws 18a (arms) for gripping prizes are provided at the tip of the crane arm 18 (three or four gripping claws 18a may be provided). The operation of the gripping claws 18a is controlled so that the gripping claws 18a are closed (gripping an object) at a position where the crane arm 18 is lowered and reaches the prize or prize drop panel 22.

  In the crane game machine 10 in the present embodiment, a prize drop panel 22 that is detachably mounted by the operation of the crane arm 18 is provided in the vicinity of the boundary between the prize field 16 and the prize drop opening 20. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, three prize dropout panels 22 are arranged in a line. The prize drop panel 22 prevents a prize loaded in the prize field 16 from dropping into the prize drop opening 20. The prize drop opening panel 22 in the present embodiment has a hole that can be gripped by the gripping claws 18 a of the crane arm 18. For this reason, by operating the crane arm 18 as in the case of acquiring a prize, the prize drop panel 22 can be gripped and removed by the crane arm 18. By removing the prize drop panel 22, the prize loaded in the prize field 16 falls to the prize drop 20 by its own weight. The details of the prize dropout panel 22 will be described later.

  In addition, in the crane game machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface portion of the prize field 16 is leveled, but the prize field 16 is loaded on the prize field 16 by tilting it toward the front side with the back side of the prize field 16 raised. The prize may be easily dropped into the prize drop opening 20. Thereby, when the prize drop panel 22 is removed by operating the crane arm 18, a plurality of prizes can be easily dropped into the prize drop opening 20.

  Further, in the crane game machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, the prize drop opening 20 is provided horizontally on the front side (player side) of the crane game machine 10, so that three pieces are provided along the boundary with the prize drop opening 20. The prize dropout panel 22 is arranged, but the prize dropout panel 22 may be installed according to the shape of the prize dropout 20. For example, when the rectangular prize drop opening 20 is provided at the corner inside the housing, two (or one) pieces are provided on two sides corresponding to the boundary between the prize drop opening 20 and the prize field 16. The prize dropout panel 22 may be arranged. When a rectangular prize drop opening 20 is provided in the vicinity (near the center) facing the player on the front side inside the housing, three sides corresponding to the boundary between the prize drop opening 20 and the prize field 16 are provided. Further, three prize drop opening panels 22 (one or two) may be arranged. In this case, it is preferable to incline the prize field 16 toward the prize drop opening 20 so as to form a slide stand type or a sliver type so that the prize can easily fall into the prize drop opening 20.

  Further, in the crane game machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, the prize is placed on the one-stage prize field 16. For example, when a plurality of prize fields 16 are configured in a staircase shape, The prize drop opening panel 22 may be mounted so as to be removable (or only at a specific stage). As a result, by removing the prize drop panel 22 mounted on the upper stage by operating the crane arm 18, the prize loaded on the upper prize field 16 is dropped on the lower prize field 16, and the prize is displayed on the lower stage. It can be made more piled up.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the crane game machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The crane game machine 10 is realized by installing a computer function. Note that FIG. 2 shows only components that are operated by one player.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the crane game machine 10 includes a central control device 30, a storage unit 31, an arm control unit 33, an input control unit 34, and an output control unit 35.

The central control device 30 is constituted by a processor, a memory, and the like, and controls the crane game machine 10 as a whole. The central controller 30 realizes various functions by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 31.
The storage unit 31 is configured by a hard disk device or the like, and stores various programs and data.

  The arm control unit 33 controls driving of the X-axis motor 42, the Y-axis motor 43, the Z-axis motor 44, and the arm motor 45 under the control of the central control device 30. The arm control unit 33 selectively drives the X-axis motor 42, the Y-axis motor 43, and the Z-axis motor 44 in accordance with, for example, the player's operation on the joystick 24 to move the crane arm 18, and the arm motor 45 is moved. When it is driven, the gripping claws 18a are operated so as to grip the prize placed on the prize field 16 or the prize dropout panel 22.

  The input control unit 34 controls input from various input devices. The input control unit 34 controls input from the joystick 24, the button 25, the coin sensor 46, and the panel sensor 48, and notifies the central controller 30 of input data. To do. The coin sensor 46 is installed in the passage of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 26 and detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 26 (or the type of coin inserted).

  The panel sensor 48 detects that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed from the prize field 16 and notifies the central controller 30 of it. When the central controller 30 is notified by the panel sensor 48 that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, for example, the central controller 30 outputs a predetermined sound from the speaker 49 or turns on a specific indicator (not shown). To notify the administrator.

  The output control unit 35 controls sound output from the speaker 49, display by the display device 27 (remaining play time, number of credits, various messages, etc.), or lighting of an indicator lamp, etc. under the control of the central control device 30. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the prize dropout panel 22. FIG. 3 is a plan view seen from above the prize field 16 inside the housing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the prize drop panel 22 is attached to the end of the prize field 16, that is, near the boundary between the prize field 16 and the prize drop opening 20. In the crane game machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the prize drop opening 20 is configured to be horizontally long, and thus a plurality of prize drop opening panels 22 are arranged along the prize drop opening 20.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the structure for attaching the prize dropout panel 22.
As shown in FIG. 4, a groove 60 for mounting the prize dropout panel 22 is formed on the upper surface of the prize field 16 near the boundary with the prize dropout 20. The lower end portion of the prize dropout panel 22 has a shape that can be mounted in the groove 60. Therefore, by inserting the lower end of the prize drop panel 22 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the groove 60, the prize drop panel 22 stands on the prize field 16, and the prize loaded on the prize field 16 is a prize. It can be supported so that it does not fall into the pit 20.

  The prize dropout panel 22 is provided with a plurality of (three in FIG. 4) holes 22a so as to be gripped by the gripping claws 18a of the crane arm 18. Since the prize dropout panel 22 is mounted in the groove 60 in the vertical direction, it can be lifted upward by the operation of the crane arm 18 and removed from the groove 60. The prize drop panel 22 removed from the groove 60 is dropped to the prize drop opening 20 in the same manner as the prize.

  A cable 62 is attached between the lower end of the prize dropout panel 22 and the groove 60. For this reason, even if the prize drop panel 22 is dropped into the prize drop slot 20, it remains in the casing as shown in FIG. 4, and therefore it is not taken out of the prize together with the prize from the prize outlet 21.

  Note that the prize dropout panel 22 shown in FIG. 4 has a rectangular shape when attached to the prize field 16, but may have other shapes. For example, a protrusion may be provided so as to be easily gripped by the crane arm 18. In addition, the number, position, size, and the like of holes provided in the prize dropout panel 22 can be arbitrarily set, and the degree of gripping by the crane arm 18 can be adjusted. It is also possible to mount the prize drop panel 22 that is easily gripped by the crane arm 18 and the difficult prize drop panel 22 in a mixed manner. In this case, the payout rate is adjusted and the player's motivation to challenge is improved by stacking expensive prizes on the prize field 16 in accordance with the position where the prize drop outlet panel 22 having a high degree of difficulty is mounted. Can also be expected.

Next, the effect of the crane game machine 10 in this embodiment is demonstrated.
The player inserts coins from the coin insertion slot 26 when attempting to play a game. When the coin sensor 46 detects that a coin has been inserted, the central control device 30 starts game control.

  The central controller 30 drives the X-axis motor 42 and the Y-axis motor 43 through the arm control unit 33 when the operation of the crane arm 18 is instructed by the player's operation on the joystick 24 or the button 25, and the crane arm 18. Is moved horizontally on the prize field 16.

  In order to acquire a prize placed in the prize field 16, the crane arm 18 is moved horizontally (XY direction) to the target prize. Thereafter, the central controller 30 drives the Z-axis motor 44 through the arm controller 33 to lower the crane arm 18 to a position where it reaches the prize, and drives the arm motor 45 to grip the prize with the gripping claws 18a. After operating so as to close, the crane arm 18 is moved upward. Then, the central controller 30 moves the crane arm 18 above the prize drop opening 20 and then operates to open the gripping claws 18a. As a result, when the prize is held by the crane arm 18, the prize falls to the prize dropping port 20 and can be taken out from the prize outlet 21.

  In the crane game machine 10 according to this embodiment, the range in which the crane arm 18 can be moved horizontally is included not only above the prize field 16 on which the prize is loaded, but also above the position where the prize dropout panel 22 is mounted. Thus, the player can remove the prize dropout panel 22 from the prize field 16 by operating the crane arm 18 in the same manner as when obtaining a prize.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams showing a series of situations in which the prize drop opening panel 22 is removed by the crane arm 18.
FIG. 5 shows a state where the gripping claws 18a are locked to the holes 22a of the prize dropout panel 22 by operating the gripping claws 18a of the crane arm 18 at the position where the prize dropout panel 22 is mounted. Is shown.

  Here, when the crane arm 18 is moved upward, the prize drop opening panel 22 is removed from the groove 60 and lifted upward as shown in FIG. Then, as in the case of the prize, as shown in FIG. 7, the crane arm 18 is moved above the prize drop opening 20, and the prize drop panel 22 is dropped to the prize drop opening 20.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the prize 70 loaded on the prize field 16 supported by the prize dropout panel 22 collapses from the position where the prize dropout panel 22 is removed due to its own weight, and the prize drop. Drops into mouth 20. For this reason, depending on the state of the prize 70 loaded in the prize field 16, a plurality of prizes 70 are simultaneously dropped into the prize drop opening 20.

  When the prize dropout panel 22 is removed from the groove 60, it is detected by the panel sensor 48. When the central control device 30 detects that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, the central control device 30 notifies the manager by outputting a predetermined sound from the speaker 49 or turning on the indicator lamp, for example. Thereby, the manager knows that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, and can quickly execute the operation of attaching the prize dropout panel 22 to the groove 60 again.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, as described above, the manager must perform an operation for mounting the prize dropout panel 22. In order to reduce the work burden on the administrator, a panel installation mechanism 52 for replenishing the prize dropout panel 22 removed from the prize field 16 can be provided in the housing.

9 and 10 show a schematic configuration of a panel installation mechanism 52 for replenishing the prize dropout panel 22 provided in the housing.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of premium drop opening panels 22 are horizontally stacked and accommodated in the housing. The plurality of prize drop opening panels 22 are urged upward from below by a spring or the like.

  The prize field 16 is provided with a panel outlet 80 instead of the groove 60 shown in FIG. The panel outlet 80 penetrates the prize field 16 and can lead out the prize outlet panel 22 conveyed from the inside of the housing and can support the prize outlet panel 22 so as to be substantially vertical.

  A guide plate 82 is provided between the panel outlet 80 and the loading position of the uppermost prize drop-out panel 22. The panel push-out mechanism 84 has a configuration for pushing out only the top prize dropout panel 22. The uppermost prize drop opening panel 22 is pushed upward by the panel push-out mechanism 84, thereby being conveyed upward along the guide plate 82 and reaching the panel outlet 80. The prize drop opening panel 22 is stopped and supported when it reaches a predetermined height after passing through the panel outlet 80.

  In the case of this configuration, it is possible to detect that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed by providing the panel sensor 48 on the contact surface of the panel outlet 80 with the prize dropout panel 22 or the like. When the central controller 30 detects that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, it drives the panel push-out mechanism 84 to push out the next prize dropout panel 22. Thereby, it replaces with the removed prize drop panel 22 and the next prize drop panel 22 can be replenished, without requiring an administrator's operation | work.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a plurality of premium drop opening panels 22 are stacked vertically and accommodated in a housing. The plurality of prize drop opening panels 22 are biased by a spring or the like from the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a panel push-out mechanism 86 is provided below the panel outlet 80. As shown in FIG. 10B, the panel push-out mechanism 86 pushes up the prize drop-out panel 22 positioned below the panel lead-out opening 80 so that the prize drop-out panel 22 passes through the panel lead-out opening 80. To reach a predetermined height. As a result, in the same manner as in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the next prize drop panel 22 can be replenished without requiring the work of an administrator, instead of the removed prize drop panel 22.

  In the configuration provided with the panel installation mechanism 52 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when the prize dropout panel 22 is dropped into the prize dropout 20, only the prize reaches the prize outlet 21 to drop the prize. Only the mouth panel 22 may be collected, or the prize drop panel 22 itself may be provided to the player as a prize by printing a character or the like on the prize drop panel 22. .

  As described above, in the crane game machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the prize drop panel 22 that can be removed by operating the crane arm 18 is provided in the vicinity of the boundary between the prize field 16 and the prize drop slot 20, thereby providing the prize. By removing the dropout panel 22, a plurality of prizes supported by the prize dropout panel 22 can be collectively dropped to the prize dropout 20. Therefore, a plurality of prizes can be provided collectively to the player without the administrator performing an operation of stacking prizes in a special form.

  In the above description, when the panel sensor 48 detects that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, a specific sound is output from the speaker or the indicator lamp is turned on. For example, FIG. Thus, the communication device 50 may be provided, and the communication device 50 may be notified to the communication device possessed by the administrator. As a communication method by the communication device 50, a personal computer or the like for managing the crane game machine 10 may display a message notifying that the prize dropout panel 22 has been removed, An e-mail may be transmitted.

  In the above description, the crane arm 18 is operated to lift the prize drop panel 22 by the crane arm 18 in the same manner as when the prize 70 is acquired. The prize dropout panel 22 may be removed by this method. For example, the prize drop panel 22 is pushed down from the side by the crane arm 18 and dropped onto the prize drop opening 20, or the arm part of the crane arm 18 is rotated and brought into contact with the prize drop opening panel 22 to drop the prize. The mouth panel 22 may be brought down. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the attachment structure of the prize field 16 of the prize dropout panel 22 may not only be fitted from the top, but may be easily tilted toward the prize dropout 20.

  Further, although the rotation of the crane arm 18 is not particularly described, for example, when the gripping claws 18a (arms) are composed of two pieces, the crane arm 18 is gripped in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prize dropout panel 22. Since it is necessary to cause the claw 18a to close, the crane arm 18 can be rotated in a direction in which the prize dropout panel 22 can be gripped.

  As described above, when it is necessary to rotate the crane arm 18 in order to grip the prize dropout panel 22, the crane arm 18 is automatically oriented correctly before the crane arm 18 enters the lowering operation. It may be configured such that it can be rotated in accordance with the operation of the joystick 24 or the button 25 by the player. The type of control method can be determined according to the configuration (number, shape, etc.) of the gripping claws 18a provided on the crane arm 18 and the shape of the prize dropout panel 22.

  When the configuration is such that the prize dropout panel 22 can be gripped regardless of the orientation of the crane arm 18 (such as when the projection dropout panel 22 is provided with a projection locked by the gripping claws 18a). The crane arm 18 may not be rotated.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Crane game machine, 12 ... Upper housing | casing, 13 ... Lower housing | casing, 15 ... Transparent board, 18 ... Crane arm, 20 ... Premium prize outlet, 21 ... Premium outlet, 22 ... Premium outlet panel, 23 ... Control panel , 24 ... Joystick, 25 ... Button, 26 ... Coin slot, 30 ... Central controller, 33 ... Arm controller, 34 ... Input controller, 35 ... Output controller, 42 ... X-axis motor, 43 ... Y-axis Motors 44... Z axis motor 45. Arm motor 46. Coin sensor 48. Panel sensor 49. Speaker 80. Panel outlet 84.

Claims (4)

A crane arm,
Arm control means for controlling the operation of the crane arm;
A prize field for placing prizes provided in the case;
A prize outlet provided adjacent to the prize field, which is in communication with a prize outlet for paying out prizes outside the housing;
A crane game machine comprising a panel that is detachably mounted by the operation of the crane arm in the vicinity of a boundary between the prize field and the prize drop opening.   The crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein a hole that can be gripped by a gripping claw provided on the crane arm is formed in the panel.   The crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the panels are arranged. A panel outlet for allowing the panel to be led out from inside the housing in the prize field is provided,
2. The crane game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for supplying another panel from the inside of the housing to the panel outlet when the mounted panel is removed.

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