JPH07185127A - Crane game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To heighten the tension of a game and provide a flexibility to a motion of a crane device in a casing. CONSTITUTION:A crane game machine has a crane device 14 in a casing in which prizes are put, of which moving direction is determined by a crane operator 20. The crane device 14 is attached to a ceiling railing 22 by attached by a magnetic travelling member 34 arranged on the rear side of the ceiling 22. The magnetic travelling member 34 can travel by itself in an optional direction by an operation of the crane operator 20. Thus, a complicated movement is realized so that the machine can be developed so as to provide a game in which a plurality of people can participate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is designed to move a crane device by operating a crane operator, lift a prize randomly stored in a housing by the crane device, and discharge the prize to the outside through a prize discharge port. The present invention relates to a crane game device for winning a prize.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, one of the large arcade game machines installed in game centers and the like has become a hit.
There is a crane game device such as a UFO catcher (trade name). The crane game device is mainly composed of a case that accommodates a large number of prizes such as character products (dolls) and a crane device that can be moved inside the case by operating a button provided outside the case, and the inside of the case leads to the outside. A free gift outlet such as a dust chute is provided. The player operates the crane device with respect to the prize to be acquired, and stops the button operation almost directly above the target prize. The crane automatically descends toward the prize at that position, and the crane arm opens and closes at the lowest point to try to hold the prize. Then, the crane device that holds the prize is automatically moved to the prize discharge port, and the prize releasing operation is performed to discharge the prize to the outside of the case, which belongs to the player.

In this crane game device, a single player type game device in which one crane device moves in the XY directions to win a prize in one case, a plurality of crane devices in a large circular dome, etc. There is a multi-player type game device which is installed at intervals and allows each crane to move in a radial direction of the dome and a direction perpendicular to the dome with respect to a prize to win a prize.

[0004]

However, in the single-player type crane game device, the crane device can move only in the XY directions in the case. Therefore, the game procedure is to first match the target X coordinate of the prize. The crane device is moved in the X direction and then in the Y direction to reach the target point. Therefore, if X
If you make a mistake at the time of directional alignment, the chances of winning a prize will drastically decrease, and subsequent Y-direction alignment will be boring, and the tension of the game will be halved. This also applies to a multi-player game device.

In a multi-player type game device, the inside of the circular dome is usually divided into a plurality of sections by partitions, and the moving range of each crane device is limited to the area within the section. If you want a prize (for example, a popular character doll or a prize that is easy to pick up) in a particular section, you must wait until the crane in that section is empty, even if another crane section is empty. I won't.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a crane game device which enhances the tension of the game and gives flexibility to the movement of the crane device in the case.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above object is to move a crane device by operating a crane operator, lift a prize stored in a housing by the crane device, and discharge the prize to the outside through a prize discharge port. In the crane game device for obtaining the prize according to the above, the crane device is movable in any direction inside the housing according to the operation of the crane operator, which is achieved by the crane game device. .

[0008]

According to the present invention, the crane device can be moved in any direction inside the housing according to the operation of the crane operator, so that the tension of the game can be increased and
You can enjoy a variety of ways to play.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A crane game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a crane game machine according to this embodiment. The crane game apparatus main body in the present embodiment includes a substantially columnar casing 10, and a prize storage section 10a for storing a large number of prizes G represented by, for example, a character doll, an operation section 10b for the player P, and a base. It is configured by the base portion 10c.

The prize storage section 10a is configured as a cylindrical space defined by a transparent cylindrical wall 12 such as an acrylic plate, and a plurality of crane devices 14 that hang down from the ceiling and catch the prize G are formed inside the cylindrical space. It is provided. Also,
A chute (prize discharge port) 16 for discharging the prize G captured by the crane device 14 from the storage portion 10a is provided at the center of the bottom on which the prize G is placed. The chute 16 is divided into a plurality of pieces corresponding to the number of crane devices 14 installed so that the prize G is independently guided to each prize outlet 18 provided in the base portion 10c. .

A crane operator 20 is provided on the operating portion 10b in correspondence with each crane device 14 installed.
The players P are arranged at equal intervals around the periphery, and the player P operates the crane operator 20 to move the crane device 1 inside.
4 is controlled. In the crane game device having such a structure, according to the present embodiment, each crane device 14 can be moved in an arbitrary direction in the cylindrical space of the prize storage portion 10a by the operation of the crane operator 20 by the player P. Is configured as follows. For this reason,
Unlike the conventional operation button pointing in a single direction, the crane operator 20 is a universal operator such as the joystick 20a and the trackball 20b shown in the figure.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the upper structure of the crane game machine, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the crane machine 14 installed in the housing 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the crane device 14 includes a base portion 24 that is adsorbed to the ceiling 22 above the housing 10 and slides on the ceiling surface 22a, and a base portion 24 that is fixed to the base portion 24 and is located below the base portion 24. A crane member 26 that extends and contracts is provided, and a crane hand 28 that can be opened and closed so as to sandwich the prize G is provided at a tip portion 26a of the crane member 26. Therefore, an actuator (not shown) for expanding and contracting the crane member 26 and opening and closing the crane hand 28 is built in the base portion 24 and the crane tip portion 26a of the crane device 14. In this embodiment, as a driving power source for these actuators, a solar cell, a battery, or the like is incorporated to eliminate complicated wiring. In order to prevent separation from the ceiling 22, according to the present embodiment, the entire base portion 24 or the ceiling attraction surface is formed by a strong magnet. In addition, these crane devices 1
Corresponding to 4 respectively, on the ceiling back surface 22b, a magnetic force traveling body 34 that attracts the base portion 24 via the ceiling 22 by magnetic force is provided. This magnetic force traveling body 34 is provided with a traveling mechanism (described later) capable of moving on the ceiling back surface 22b in an arbitrary direction inside thereof, and a control signal for determining its driving power source and traveling direction is the control unit 30. From a cable 36.

FIG. 4 is an internal top view showing the traveling mechanism of the magnetic force traveling member 34. The illustrated traveling mechanism includes a caterpillar 40 that can be driven independently by the pair of motors 38 on the left and right, and the magnetic force traveling body 34 can be moved on the ceiling back surface 22b in any direction by independent rotation control of each motor 38. It can be moved. In addition, these motors 38
A strong magnet 44 is fixed on the chassis 42 on which is mounted, and the crane device 14 located on the back side is attracted by magnetic force. Regarding this magnetic force generating means, an electromagnetic coil may be installed in place of the illustrated magnet 44 to generate an electromagnetic force. Further, with respect to this traveling mechanism, in addition to the exemplified mechanism, a motor for moving in the XY directions may be provided and the movement thereof may be combined to enable movement in any of the above directions. <Figure 4
Invented a traveling mechanism? Shimashita. Go under consideration. By the movement of the magnetic force traveling body 34, the base portion 24 of the crane device 14 moves on the ceiling surface 22a in a manner to follow the magnetic force traveling body 34. In this embodiment, the base portion 24 is
In order to facilitate the movement of the crane device 14, the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 is provided.

In the example of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5A, the base portion 2
4, a mini-compressor 46 is provided, from which compressed air is jetted upward through a hole 48 formed in the ceiling contact surface 24a of the base portion 24. As a result, a thin air layer is formed between the ceiling surface 22a and the contact surface 24a, and the base portion 2
4. The frictional resistance between the ceiling 22 is reduced. A compressor may be provided outside and supplied to each base portion 24 via an air pipe (not shown).

In the example of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5B, the base portion 2
The ball 50 that rotates in contact with the ceiling surface 22a is embedded in the ceiling contact surface 24a of No. 4, and its rolling reduces frictional resistance. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a crane game device including the crane device 14. According to the present embodiment, the control unit 30 located in the upper center of the housing 10 has a built-in control circuit 52 for controlling the operation of each crane device 14. In this control circuit 52,
A CPU 52c for controlling the whole is provided.
An input interface 52a for inputting a control signal from each operator 20 to the PU 52c via the bus 52e.
A memory 52b in which various programs such as a crane movement direction calculation program are stored, and an output interface 52d for outputting a drive signal to each crane drive circuit 54 based on the calculation result are connected.

The control circuit 52 inputs a signal from each crane operator 20, detects a crane moving direction desired by each player P, and outputs a drive signal for enabling the crane device to move in that direction. Each crane drive circuit 5
Output to 4. Then, each crane drive circuit 54 drives and controls the traveling system (for example, the X- and Y-direction motors) of the magnetic traveling body 34 based on the input drive signal, thereby responding to the movement of the crane operator 20. And each crane device 14 is moved.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a crane apparatus operation routine which is started by the player P inserting a coin. The flow of the game will be described with reference to this flowchart. First, whether or not the crane operator 20 is currently operated by the player P is determined by detecting the presence or absence of an output signal from the crane operator 20 in the section in which the coin has been inserted (step S).
1). If it is determined that the crane operator 20 is operating, the process proceeds to step S2, the above-mentioned crane moving direction is immediately calculated, a drive signal is output to the crane drive circuit 54, and it corresponds to the operating direction of the crane operator. The movement of the crane device 14 is performed.

Next, the signal from the crane operator 20 is detected again, and it is determined whether or not the crane operator 20 is currently in an operation stopped state (step S3). Here, if the operation of the crane operator 20 is continuously continued, the process returns to step S2 again to continue the movement of the crane device. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation of the crane operator 20 is currently stopped, a timer (not shown) that counts the operation stop time t is activated (step S4), and then the operation is stopped. It is determined whether the time t has exceeded a predetermined time a (for example, several seconds) (step S5).

When it is determined in step S5 that the predetermined time a has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S6 and a series of crane operation programs is executed. That is, here, the crane member 26 is extended to lower the crane hand 28,
Next, after the crane hand 28 is opened and closed to pinch the prize G, the process of raising the crane hand 28 again is performed.

If it is determined in step S5 that the predetermined time a has not elapsed, the process returns to step S3 again, and after the operation stop of the crane operator 20 is determined, the timer count is continued. After the prize acquisition operation in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and the crane device 14
Is moved to the chute 16 and the crane hand 28 is opened and closed again above the chute 16 to release the obtained prize G, the crane device 14 is returned to the initial position, and then this routine ends.

The series of operations of the crane device 14 are carried out for all the crane devices 14 installed in the housing 10. As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the state where the crane devices 14 are attracted to the ceiling 22, the magnetic force traveling bodies 34 that attract the crane devices 14 are configured to be movable in any directions, so that the crane operator 20 of the crane operator 20 can be moved. The crane device 14 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions within the housing 10 by the control. As a result, when a partition or the like is removed from the housing 10 of the multi-player type game device, it is not necessary to wait for a specific crane to be vacant when a specific prize G is aimed, and the target point is set. The crane device 14 can be moved quickly in a straight line. Further, when applied to a single-player type crane game device, it is possible to maintain the tension of the game until the crane is opened / closed, since the button operation in two stages in the X direction and the Y direction is eliminated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since each crane device 14 can be freely moved, a plurality of players P compete for the acquisition of one prize G while the plurality of crane devices 14 are moved at a time. Alternatively, the game apparatus can be developed into a new game device of so-called multi-player participation type, such as cooperating with each other to obtain one prize G.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made. For example, although the circular dome type crane game device using the crane operator 20 and the magnetic force traveling body 34 has been described in the above embodiment, the number of crane operators 20 is not limited to the number in the illustrated embodiment. Also,
Regarding the power supply method of the crane device 14, a method of incorporating a solar cell, a battery, etc. in the crane device 14 may be used, or power may be supplied from the outside using a cable. Further, the magnetic traveling body 34 may have a built-in solar cell, battery or the like, and the cable 36 may not be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the crane operator 20
Although it has been constituted by a joystick, a trackball, a mouse, a universal button, etc., a microphone, a touch panel or the like for detecting the voice of the player P may be used as another crane operator.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the crane device can move in any direction inside the housing according to the operation of the crane operator, so that the tension of the game can be enhanced and the variety can be improved. You can enjoy various ways to play. Further, by utilizing this feature, it is possible to develop into a new game of multi-participation type, and it is possible to realize an exciting game.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the crane game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the crane device shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the magnetic force traveling body shown in FIG.

5 is an external perspective view showing a structural example of a base portion of the crane device shown in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the crane game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the crane game device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Housing 10a ... Gift storage part 10b ... Operation part 10c ... Base part 12 ... Cylindrical wall 14 ... Crane device 16 ... Chute (prize discharge port) 18 ... Gift outlet 20 ... Crane operator 20a ... Joystick 20b ... Trackball 22 ... Ceiling 22a ... Ceiling front surface 22b ... Ceiling back surface 24 ... Base part 26 ... Crane member 28 ... Crane hand 30 ... Control part 34 ... Magnetic force traveling body 36 ... Cable 38 ... Motor 40 ... Caterpillar 42 ... Chassis 44 ... Magnet 46 ... Mini Compressor 50 ... Ball 52 ... Control circuit 52a ... Input interface 52b ... Memory 52c ... CPU 52d ... Output interface 52e ... Bus 54 ... Crane drive circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A crane game in which a crane device is moved by operating a crane operator, a prize stored in a housing is lifted by the crane device, and the prize is discharged to the outside through a prize discharge port to obtain the prize. In the device, the crane game device is movable in an arbitrary direction inside the housing in accordance with an operation of the crane operator.