JP7360607B2 - Goods acquisition game system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article acquisition game system.

Crane games are popular not only as arcade games at game centers and commercial facilities, but also as online games in which cranes are remotely controlled online (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-126288

In conventional online games described and implemented in Patent Document 1 and "Sega Catcher Online" (https://segacatcher.com/), players connect their own mobile terminals or personal computers to a network. By doing so, you can remotely control a crane game machine installed remotely and play games online. Fees for playing such online games are collected using methods such as credit card payments and prepaid electronic money payments. That is, in order to play a game online, it was necessary to register credit card information with the game operating company and to purchase electronic money in advance. In addition, in order to play games online, it was necessary to register personal information such as an email address with the operating company in advance and register as a member. Online crane games have the advantage of being able to be enjoyed anywhere, but they also have inconveniences that arcade games do not have, such as the time-consuming procedure for collecting fees and the need to register as a member in advance. .

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article acquisition game system that does not require procedures such as advance registration while taking advantage of the advantages unique to online games.

The article acquisition game system according to the present invention includes a main housing provided with a mechanism for acquiring an article placed in the housing by an article acquisition means operated by a player; a satellite housing in which a player installed operates the item acquisition means; and an information processing device that cooperates with the main housing and the satellite housing to execute an item acquisition game, the satellite housing is , a fee reception unit that accepts payment of a fee for playing the item acquisition game from the player, a display device that displays an image inside the main housing transmitted from the main housing, and a display device that accepts operations from the player. , an operation reception unit that transmits operation details to the main housing, and an item exchange information presentation unit that presents exchange information for receiving the item when the item is acquired by the operation of the player. It is prepared.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article acquisition game system that does not require procedures such as advance registration while taking advantage of the unique advantages of online games such as being able to play anywhere.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a crane game system 1 including a main housing 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart of the flow of a crane game by the crane game system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on a display device 22 of a satellite housing 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a prize exchange ticket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of processing when a communication failure occurs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment In this embodiment, an example of a crane game machine that remotely controls a crane online will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a crane game system (article acquisition game system) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the crane game system 1 includes a main cabinet 10 installed in a warehouse of a game operating company, and a satellite cabinet installed in an amusement facility such as a game center or a commercial facility such as a shopping mall. The game management system 20 includes a server (information processing device) 30 installed at a management center of a game operating company or the like. The server 30 is connected to the main case 10 and the satellite case 20 via a communication network. The communication network may be, for example, the Internet, LAN, leased line, telephone line, in-house network, mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), other communication lines, or a combination thereof. It does not matter whether it is wired or wireless. Further, although only one satellite case 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of satellite cases 20 may be installed. Furthermore, a plurality of main casings 10 may be installed. In this case, the player may select the main housing 10 equipped with the desired prize from among the plurality of main housings 10 to play the game.

The main casing 10 includes a casing 11 , a prize mounting table 12 , a prize outlet 13 , an arm moving means 14 , an arm (item acquiring means) 15 , and a control device 16 .

One or more prizes (articles) are placed on the prize placing table 12. When the prize placed on the prize mounting table 12 is grabbed by the arm 15 and discharged through the prize outlet 13, the acquisition of the prize is detected by a sensor or the like provided in the prize outlet 13.

The arm moving means 14 can move forward, backward, left and right (horizontally) along a rail or the like provided at the top of the housing 11. Further, the arm moving means 14 can be moved up and down (in the vertical direction) by a lifting device. A camera (not shown) is provided near the center of the surface of the arm moving means 14 to which the arm 15 is attached, in an area surrounded by the arm 15, and can photograph the situation inside the casing 11.

When the movement of the arm moving means 14 toward the prize is completed, the arm 15 performs an opening/closing operation to grasp or release the prize.

The control device 16 includes a CPU, memory such as ROM and RAM, an input/output interface, a communication interface, and the like. Further, it may include a storage device such as a hard disk drive. The control device 16 realizes various functions by the CPU executing programs stored in a ROM or the like. The control device 16 may, for example, move the arm moving means 14 based on an operation performed by the player via the satellite casing 20, or may move an image inside the casing 11 taken by a camera attached to the arm moving means 14. to the satellite casing 20.

The satellite case 20 includes a case 21 , a display device 22 , an operation panel (operation reception section) 23 , a ticket issuing printer (item exchange information presentation section, replay information presentation section) 24 , and a control device 25 .

The display device 22 is a device for displaying images captured by the camera of the main housing 10, and is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display.

The operation panel 23 includes a lever L for moving the arm moving means 14 back and forth and left and right, a button B for lowering the arm moving means 14, and a coin for inserting coins (cash). An input port (fee reception section) C and the like are provided. Note that instead of the coin slot C, a card reader or the like that accepts payment by prepaid card, electronic money, etc. may be provided. Note that the operating means may be a lever or a button, which accepts the operation content according to a physical operation such as swinging or pressing by the player, or may be a touch panel or the like.

The ticket issuing printer 24 is a printer for issuing an exchange ticket for the acquired prize when the acquisition of the prize is detected. Note that instead of issuing an exchange ticket using a printer, a code for exchanging a prize or the like may be displayed on the display device 22.

The control device 25 includes a CPU, memory such as ROM and RAM, an input/output interface, a communication interface, and the like. Further, it may include a storage device such as a hard disk drive. The control device 25 realizes various functions by the CPU executing programs stored in a ROM or the like. For example, the control device 25 transmits information on operations performed by the player via levers and buttons on the operation panel 23 to the main housing 10, and transmits captured images from a camera received from the main housing 10 to the display device 22. display it.

The server (communication failure detection unit, article receipt information reception unit) 30 is a general-purpose computer, and may be composed of a single computer, or may be composed of multiple computers distributed over the communication network N. You can. The server 30 includes, as hardware, a CPU, memory such as ROM or RAM, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, a bus connecting these, and the like. The server 30 realizes various functions by the CPU executing programs stored in a ROM or the like. Note that instead of the server 30, the main casing 10 may include an information processing device and realize the functions of the server 30.

Next, the flow of the crane game by the crane game system 1 will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 2.

The player can start the game by inserting cash into the coin slot C of the satellite housing 20. When the game starts, a video shot by a camera is transmitted from the main housing 10 to the satellite housing 20 (step S101), and the video is displayed on the display device 22 of the satellite housing 20 (step S102). Note that a plurality of main casings 10 may be installed. In this case, images from each main housing 10 may be displayed on the display device 22. When the player performs an operation to select a main housing 10 having a desired prize from among a plurality of main housings 10, an image from the selected main housing 10 is displayed and the game is started.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display device 22. As shown in FIG. 3, an image looking down on the inside of the casing 11 is displayed. Further, since the camera is equipped with a fisheye lens, a wide-angle lens, etc., it is possible to capture an image including substantially the entire inside of the housing 11.

The player operates the lever L to move the arm moving means 14 while viewing the image on the display device 22 (step S103). The player moves the arm moving means 14 so that the arm 15 is in a position where it can grab the prize P inside the housing 11. The operation signal for the lever L is transmitted to the main housing 10, and the control device 16 moves the arm moving means 14 based on the received operation signal.

When the position of the arm 15 is determined and the player operates button B, the operation signal of button B is transmitted to the main housing 10, and the control device 16 lowers the arm moving means 14 based on the received operation signal (step S104). When the arm moving means 14 finishes lowering, the control device 16 closes the arm 15 (step S105). At this time, if the arm 15 is in a good position, the prize P can be grabbed by the arm 15.

When the closing operation of the arm 15 is completed, the arm moving means 14 is raised under the control of the control device 16, and when the raising is completed, the arm moving means 14 is moved to above the prize outlet 13 (step S106). When the arm moving means 14 moves to above the prize outlet 13, the arm 15 opens under the control of the control device 16 (step S107). At this time, when the prize P is grabbed by the arm 15, the prize P is discharged from the prize discharge port 13, and acquisition of the prize P is detected.

When acquisition of the prize P is detected (step S108: YES), the acquisition of the prize is notified to the satellite case 20 (step S109), and a prize exchange ticket is output from the ticket issuing printer 24 of the satellite case 20 (step S108). S110).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a prize exchange ticket output from the ticket issuing printer 24. As shown in the figure, a two-dimensional code (exchange information) 41, an access code 42, a contact point (telephone number) 43, an issue date and time 44, an issue case code 45, and the like are printed on the exchange ticket. The two-dimensional code 41 and the access code 42 are codes necessary for receiving the prize, and include a code that specifies the prize. The contact information 43 is the contact information for making delivery requests over the phone. The issuing case code 45 is a code that identifies the satellite terminal 20 that issued the prize exchange ticket (the satellite terminal 20 operated by the player who won the prize).

When the two-dimensional code 41 is read with a terminal such as a smartphone owned by the player (step S111), a registration screen for the delivery destination of the prize is displayed on the screen of the terminal (step S112). The player registers the delivery address, etc. according to the instructions on the screen (step S113). Thereafter, the game operating company delivers the prize to the registered delivery destination (step S114).

Note that when the player makes a delivery request over the phone, he or she can call the inquiry point 43, tell them the access code 42, and then specify the delivery destination. Furthermore, the prize may be received by a method other than delivery, or the prize may be received by presenting an exchange ticket at a predetermined store.

(Response to communication failure)
Next, a process to be performed when the connection between the main housing 10 and the satellite housing 20 is cut off during the game due to a communication failure will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5.

If the communication between the main case 10 and the satellite case 20 via the communication line is not detected for a certain period of time or more (step S201: YES), the server 30 determines that there is a communication failure and ends the game. (Step S202).

Further, the satellite case 20 issues a replay ticket from the ticket issuing printer 24. A replay code (replay information) and the like are printed on the replay ticket. The issued replay code is registered and managed in the server 30 along with information as to whether the code is unused or used.

After the failure has been recovered (this may be done on the same day or on a different day), the player operates the touch panel (replay information reception section) displayed on the display device 22 of the satellite housing 20 to enter the replay code. An input screen is displayed, and the replay code (for example, number) written on the replay ticket is input (step S203). The input replay code is determined by the server 30 as to whether it is a valid code (step S204). A valid code is, for example, a code that has been officially issued and has not yet been used. The server 30 determines whether the input replay code is registered or not, and if the code is unused, it is determined to be a valid code.

If the replay code is valid (step S204: YES), the game is started without paying the fee (without adding the fee) (step S205). On the other hand, if the replay code is invalid (step S204: NO), a message such as "The code is invalid" is displayed on the display device 22 (step S206). In this case, the player can play the game by re-entering the valid code or paying the normal fee.

Note that the satellite case 20 that uses the replay ticket to play the game may be a terminal other than the satellite case 20 that issued the ticket. Further, the replay code may be a two-dimensional code or a barcode. In this case, the code is read by a code reading device (not shown) in the satellite housing 20.

(Production when winning prizes)
The player can visually check whether or not he or she successfully grabbed the prize with the arm 15 using the video on the display device 22 of the satellite 20, but this is an example of a way to have fun conveying that the player was able to win the prize by means other than video. will be explained below.

The player moves the arm 15 by operating the lever L on the operation panel 23, and lowers the arm 15 by operating the button B to grab the prize. At this time, by vibrating the lever L and button B in accordance with the player's operation, the feeling of the arm 15 grasping the prize is conveyed to the player in a pseudo manner.

Specifically, the lever L and button B may be vibrated, for example, at the following timings. Note that what vibrates may be individual operation means such as the lever L or button B, or the entire operation panel 23 may be vibrated.
- Vibrate for a moment (for example, 0.5 seconds) at the timing when lever L is moved (timing when arm 15 starts moving).
- Move the lever L and make it vibrate for a moment (for example, 0.5 seconds) at the timing of release (timing of the end of movement of the arm 15).
- Vibrate for a moment (for example, 0.5 seconds) at the timing when button B is operated (timing when arm 15 starts lowering).
- When the arm 15 stops descending, the vibration gradually increases in accordance with the closing action of the arm 15 (the vibration continues while the arm 15 is closed).
- When the arm 15 grabs the prize (while a certain load is applied to the arm 15), the vibrations are suddenly made stronger (or faster).
- The vibration continues while the arm 15 rises with the prize in hand. However, when the load applied to the arm 15 changes, the strength of the vibration changes accordingly.
- The vibration stops when the load on the arm 15 becomes zero (the load becomes zero when the prize is released).

Note that the fact that the arm 15 is closed can be detected by the angle of the arm 15 detected by a volume switch (article grip detection means) provided in the main housing 10. Information on the detected angle of the arm 15 is transmitted to the satellite housing 20 via the server 30, and the satellite housing 20 vibrates the lever L etc. based on the received information.

Further, whether the arm 15 is grasping the prize is determined by the load applied to the arm 15. The magnitude of the load applied to the arm 15 is calculated based on the angle detected by the volume switch provided on the main housing 10 and the amount of drive of the motor (article grip detection means) that drives the arm 15. The calculated load amount is transmitted to the satellite case 20 via the server 30, and the satellite case 20 changes the intensity and speed of vibration of the lever L etc. based on the received information. The load amount may be calculated by the server (load amount calculation section) 30 or by the main casing (load amount calculation section) 10.

Hereinafter, a method for calculating the load applied to the arm 15 will be explained. The arm 15 is driven by a motor, and the amount of drive of the motor is transmitted to the arm 15 by a spring interposed between the motor and the arm 15. The actual angle (opening degree) of the arm 15 is detected by a volume switch, and the angle of the arm 15 is calculated based on the drive amount of the motor. The extension of the spring is calculated based on the difference between the two angles, and the load applied to the arm 15 is calculated.

When the load on arm 15 is zero, the difference in angle calculated from both is zero. On the other hand, when a load is applied to the arm 15, the actual angle of the arm 15 becomes wider (open) than the angle calculated based on the amount of drive of the motor that attempts to close the arm 15. That is, the angle calculated based on the amount of drive of the motor is narrower than the angle (actual angle) obtained from the volume switch. The extension of the spring is calculated based on the difference between the two angles, and the magnitude of the load applied to the arm 15 is calculated based on the calculated amount of extension of the spring.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main housing 10 that executes the game and the satellite housing 20 that the player operates are connected online, the player pays the fee at the satellite housing 20, and the display device The crane game is played by remotely operating the arm 15 while checking the image inside the main casing 10 at 22. In addition, if a prize is won, a prize exchange ticket with a code for redeeming the prize is printed on it, and the prize can be received by delivery. This makes it possible to provide a game format that combines the advantages of an online game where you can play anywhere, and the advantage of an arcade game that allows you to play the game without having to register as a member in advance or have a credit card.

Additionally, if the connection between the main cabinet 10 and the satellite cabinet 20 is severed during the game due to a communication failure, a replay ticket will be issued, and after the failure is recovered, the player can print the replay ticket on the satellite cabinet 20. By entering the replay code, you can play the game without any additional charges. Thereby, even if a communication failure occurs, it is possible to prevent the player from being inconvenienced.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to games other than crane games, such as fishing games and medal games, and can be applied to any game in which an item is acquired by operating an item acquisition means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Crane game system, 10... Main case, 11... Case, 12... Prize mounting stand, 13... Prize discharge port, 14... Arm moving means, 15... Arm, 16... Control device, 20... Satellite case, 21... Housing, 22... Display device, 23... Operation panel, 24... Ticketing printer, 25... Control device, 30... Server, 41... Two-dimensional code, 42... Access code, 43... Contact information, 44... Issue date and time, 45…Issuing case code

Claims (5)

a main casing including a mechanism for acquiring an item placed within the casing by an item acquiring means operated by a player;
a satellite casing that is installed at a location apart from the main casing, and in which the player operates the item acquisition means;
an information processing device that executes an item acquisition game by coordinating the main housing and the satellite housing,
The satellite housing is
a fee reception unit that accepts payment of a fee for playing the item acquisition game from the player;
a display device that displays an image inside the main casing transmitted from the main casing;
an operation reception unit that receives operations from the player and transmits operation details to the main housing;
an article exchange information presentation unit that presents exchange information for receiving the article when the article is acquired by the operation of the player;
The article acquisition means includes article gripping detection means for detecting whether or not the article is gripped,
In the article acquisition game system, the satellite housing vibrates the operation reception unit when receiving a signal indicating that the article acquisition means has detected that the article is being gripped and held. a main casing including a mechanism for acquiring an item placed within the casing by an item acquiring means operated by a player;
a satellite casing that is installed at a location apart from the main casing, and in which the player operates the item acquisition means;
an information processing device that executes an item acquisition game by coordinating the main housing and the satellite housing,
The satellite housing is
a fee reception unit that accepts payment of a fee for playing the item acquisition game from the player;
a display device that displays an image inside the main casing transmitted from the main casing;
an operation reception unit that receives operations from the player and transmits operation details to the main housing;
an article exchange information presentation unit that presents exchange information for receiving the article when the article is acquired by the operation of the player;
comprising a load amount calculation unit that calculates a load amount applied to the item acquisition means by grasping and holding a prize;
In the article acquisition game system, the satellite housing receives information on the load amount, and changes at least one of the strength and speed of vibration of the operation reception unit according to the received load amount. The information processing device includes:
comprising a communication failure detection unit that detects that communication between the main case and the satellite case is disconnected for a certain period of time or more;
The satellite housing is
3. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a replay information presentation section that presents replay information for playing the game again without paying an additional fee when it is detected that the communication has been disconnected for a certain period of time or more. Goods acquisition game system. The satellite housing is
comprising a replay information reception unit that receives input of the replay information;
The information processing device includes:
The article acquisition game system according to claim 3 , wherein the article acquisition game is executed when the inputted replay information is valid information. The information processing device includes:
5. The player according to claim 1, further comprising an article receiving information reception unit that receives input of player information for receiving the article in association with the exchange information when the article is acquired. goods acquisition game system.