WO2008153303A2

WO2008153303A2 - Cutting a string game apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008153303A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Choong-Jae Joo; Yong-Kee On
Original assignee: Choong-Jae Joo; Yong-Kee On
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2008-06-11
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: WO2008153303A3; KR20080110385A; KR100917139B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a string cutting game apparatus that can suspend commodities with strings and move a cutter to cut a string from which a desired commodity suspends. A string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes string fixtures that fix strings from which commodities suspend; a cutter that cuts the strings; a cutter driving portion that moves the cutter in accordance with a control signal, such that the cutter cuts the strings; a GO button; a STOP button; and a control portion. In this case, if an operation signal of the GO button is input, the control portion controls the cutter driving portion to move the cutter, and if an operation signal of the STOP button is input, the control portion moves the cutter forward at a position thereof when the operation signal of the STOP button is input, such that the cutter cuts the string fixed on the string fixture. In the string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, since a game is simple and played by anyone and the string cutting game apparatus can be installed in a narrow space, it is possible to achieve high profitability.

Description

CUTTING A STRING GAME APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a kiosk- typed game apparatus, and more particularly, to a string cutting game apparatus that can suspend commodities with strings and move a cutter to cut a string from which a desired commodity suspends. Background Art

[2] In recent years, with the development of communication and semiconductor technologies and the social and economical development, various types of games using a computer bring into vogue. However, in some cases, since games using a computer in a virtual space cause derealization, the games cause various mental and physical damages and a social problem, such as game addiction.

[3] Further, since most of conventional game apparatuses provide game services based on violent contents, such as the use of guns, they are harmful to young boys and girls. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] The present invention is suggested in consideration of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a string cutting game apparatus that can be easily installed in a small space and easily used by anybody.

[5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a string cutting game apparatus that enables a sound game in a specific real space and can give pleasure to game players. Technical Solution

[6] In order to achieve the above-described objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, a string cutting game apparatus includes string fixtures that fix strings from which commodities suspend; a cutter that cuts the strings; a cutter driving portion that moves the cutter in accordance with a control signal, such that the cutter cuts the strings; a GO button; a STOP button; and a control portion. In this case, if an operation signal of the GO button is input, the control portion controls the cutter driving portion to move the cutter, and if an operation signal of the STOP button is input, the control portion moves the cutter forward at a position thereof when the operation signal of the STOP button is input, such that the cutter cuts the string fixed on the string fixture.

[7] The string cutting game apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention may further include a money inserting means that is used to insert coins or bills and display an amount of inserted money; and a display means that displays a game start standby state under the control of the control portion, when the amount of money inserted through the money inserting means becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined amount of money. The cutter driving portion may include a leftward/ rightward movement guide that allows the cutter to move leftward and rightward while supporting the cutter; a timing belt that moves the leftward/rightward movement guide forward and backward, such that the cutter moves forward and backward; a leftward/ rightward movement means that moves the cutter leftward and rightward; and a forward/backward movement means that moves the cutter forward and backward. [8] The string cutting game apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention may further include a left start position sensor that detects that the cutter reaches a left start position; and a right terminal position sensor that detects that the cutter reaches a right terminal position. When it is detected by the right terminal position sensor that the cutter reaches a right terminal, the control portion may perform a process such that a one-time game is finished and moves the cutter to the left start position. The control portion may control the movement speed of the cutter in such a way that the movement speed of the cutter increases, when the cutter moves to the center or the right side, or may randomly control the movement speed of the cutter.

Advantageous Effects

[9] The string cutting game apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention has advantages in that high profitability can be achieved, because a game is simple and easily played by anybody and the string cutting game apparatus can be installed in a small space. [10] A string cutting game that is provided by the string cutting game apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention is a sound game that is made in a real space.

Therefore, it is possible to give pleasure to game players while preventing damages from occurring due to the game.

Brief Description of the Drawings [11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the entire exterior of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [12] FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view illustrating a state where a door opens in a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [13] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cutter driving portion of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [14] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [15] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [16] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a microprocessor shown in FIG. 5.

[17]

[18] Reference Numerals

[19] 100: STRING CUTTING GAME APPARATUS

[20] 110: FRONT DOOR

[21] 111: COIN AND BILL SLOT

[22] 112: OPERATION PANEL

[23] 113: COMMODITY DISCHARGE SLOT

[24] 114: SPEAKER

[25] 115: CHANGE DISCHARGE SLOT

[26] 116: GLASS WINDOW

[27] 120: BODY

[28] 122: COMMODITY DROP PASSAGE

[29] 130: CUTTER DRIVING PORTION

[30] 131: CUTTER

[31] 132: forward/backward movement guide

[32] 133: LEFTWARD/RIGHTWARD STEP MOTOR

[33] 134: FORWARD/BACKWARD STEP MOTOR

[34] 135: TIMING BELT

[35] 200: ELECTRIC CIRCUIT DEVICE

[36]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[37] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[38] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the entire exterior of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view illustrating a state where a door opens in a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cutter driving portion of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[39] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a string cutting game apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 120 and a front door 110. In this case, the body 120 has an interval space where commodities can suspend and various constituent elements that are installed therein. The front door 110 has one side that is hinged to the body 120 and a knob 110a that opens and closes the front door.

[40] A large glass window 116 is installed in the front door 110 such that game players can view the commodities suspended in the string cutting game apparatus. Below the glass window 116, disposed are the following constituent elements: an operation panel 112 that is used to execute a game, a money slot 111 that is used to insert coins or bills to operate the string cutting game apparatus, a commodity discharge slot 113 that is used to discharge commodities, a speaker 114, and a coin discharge slot 115 that is used to provide the change. The operation panel 112 includes a GO button that allows a cutter to move at the time of a game, and a STOP button that allows, when a game player feels that the cutter reaches a position of a string from which a desired commodity suspends, leftward/rightward movement of the cutter to stop and the cutter to move forward so as to cut the corresponding string.

[41] In the body 120, a plurality of string fixtures 142 are fixed to an upper side thereof to suspend strings 144, and commodities (not shown) suspend from the strings 144. Further, on the upper side of the body 120, a cutter driving portion 130 is provided to move the cutter to cut the strings, and a drop guide passage is formed, which guides a commodity suspended from the string 144 to be dropped to the side of a commodity drop passage 122 in the case where the corresponding string is cut by the cutter 131.

[42] The string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention is configured such that the commodities suspend from the strings 144, and the cutter moves to cut the string from which a desired commodity suspends in a state where the strings 144 are fixed by the string fixtures 142 and arranged linearly. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutter driving portion 130 that moves the cutter 131 includes a forward/backward movement guide 132 that enables leftward/rightward movement of the cutter 131 while supporting the cutter 131, a timing belt 135 that moves the forward/backward movement guide 132 forward and backward such tat the cutter 131 can move forward and backward, a leftward/rightward step motor 133 that moves the cutter 131 leftward and rightward, and a forward/backward step motor 134 that moves the cutter 131 forward and backward. In addition, the cutter 131 includes a pair of blades that are sharp enough to cut the strings and a solenoid that opens and closes both the blades to cut the strings. The solenoid is operated to make both the blades separated from each other in normal times but make both the blades come into contact with each other in the specific moment so as to cut the string.

[43] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure using a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[44] In order to play a game using the string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a game player inserts coins or bills into the money slot 111 (Sl).

[45] When a predetermined amount of money or more is inserted at a one-time game, the string cutting game apparatus flickers the GO button 202 to inform the game player that a preparation for playing a game is completed, and accordingly, the game player presses the GO button (S2 and S3).

[46] If the game player presses the GO button 202, the cutter 131 starts to move from an initial position to the right side, if the game player presses the STOP button 204 in the moment as soon as the game player feels that the cutter 131 reaches the position of the desired commodity, the cutter 131 stops moving from the corresponding position to the right side, and after moving to the position of the corresponding string 144, the cutter 131 closes both the blades to cut the corresponding string 144 (S4 to S7).

[47] At this time, when the cutter 131 successfully cuts the string, the commodity that suspends from the corresponding string is dropped to the commodity discharge slot 113, and accordingly, the game player can obtain the desired commodity (S8).

[48] If the cutter 131 is beyond the position of the string, the cutter 131 cuts the empty space. As a result, the game player can obtain no commodity. If the cutter 31 erroneously determines the position of the corresponding string and cuts another string, the game player obtains another commodity.

[49] After the string cutting operation is performed, the cutter 131 moves to the initial position and a one-time game is finished (S9). Even when the game player does not press the STOP button to move the cutter 131 to the end of the right side, the cutter 131 returns to the initial position and the one-time game is finished.

[50] The string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may make the movement speed of the cutter gradually increase over time and make the movement speed increase as the cutter 131 moves to the right side, thereby making it difficult to cut the string at the desired position as the cutter moves to the right side. In this case, it is preferable that high-priced commodities suspend as right as possible to guide the game player to the right side.

[51] The string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may make the movement speed of the cutter 131 increase as the cutter 131 moves to the center and make the movement speed thereof decrease at the ends of the left and right sides, thereby making it difficult to cut the string at the center. In this case, high-priced commodities may suspend as center as possible to guide the game player to the center.

[52] The string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may make the movement speed of the cutter random and make it difficult for the game player to select the position. In addition, the string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may make the cutter move at a low speed at a low-grade stage and the cutter move at a high speed at a high-grade stage.

[53] In order to perform these operations, the string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention needs an electric circuit structure. [54] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit structure of a string cutting game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a microprocessor shown in FIG. 5.

[55] As shown in FIG. 5, an electric circuit structure 200 of the string cutting game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a GO button 202, a STOP button 204, a left start position sensor 206, a right terminal position sensor 208, a microprocessor 210, and a coin/bill detecting portion 220 that detects insertion of money, such as coins or bills. The electric circuit structure 200 further includes an amount-of-inserted-money display portion 222 that displays an amount of inserted money, a coin discharge portion 224 that discharges the change, a cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 that moves the cutter 131 leftward and rightward, and a cutter forward/backward movement motor 234 that moves the cutter 131 forward and backward. The electric circuit structure 200 further includes a cutter driving motor 236 that operates both the blades of the cutter to cut a string, an operation display lamp 242, a commodity discharge slot lamp 244 that lightens when a commodity is discharged, a sound chip 246 that provides various operation states or effect sounds to arouse interest in a game, and a speaker 248. Although not shown in the drawings, the electric circuit structure 200 may further include a serial port that is needed to upgrade game software, and a communication port that enables access from a remote place through the Internet or wire/wireless communication networks.

[56] Referring to FIG. 5, the GO button 202 requires the microprocessor 210 to start a game, and the STOP button 204 requests the microprocessor 210 to cut a string at a current position after stopping the movement of the cutter 131.

[57] The left start position sensor 206 detects that the cutter 131 reaches the left initial position and transmits the detected result to the microprocessor 210, and the right terminal position sensor 208 informs the microprocessor 210 that the cutter 131 reaches the right terminal.

[58] The coin/bill detecting portion 220 detects coins or bills that are inserted through the money slot 111 and transmits the detected result to the microprocessor 210. The microprocessor 210 displays the amount of inserted money on the amount-of-injected-money display portion 222. After the game is finished, the microprocessor 210 discharges the change through the coin discharge portion 224.

[59] The cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 performs the same function as the leftward/rightward step motor 133 shown in FIG. 3 and moves the cutter leftward and rightward, and the cutter forward/backward movement motor 234 performs the same function as the forward/backward step motor 134 shown in FIG. 3 and moves the cutter 131 forward and backward through the timing belt 135. In addition, the cutter driving motor 236 functions as a type of solenoid and operates both the blades of the cutter 131 to cut the string 144.

[60] When the amount of injected money exceeds a predetermined amount of money

(amount of money that is needed to play a game once), the operation display lamp 242 lightens or flickers under the control of the microprocessor 210 and informs an operation preparation state. The commodity discharge slot lamp 244 lightens when a commodity is discharged and allows the game player to easily search the commodity. The sound chip 246 stores various sounds to indicate operation states and effect sounds to make the game pleasant. Then, if necessary, the sound chip 246 outputs the various sounds and the effect sounds through the speaker 248 under the control of the microprocessor 210.

[61] As shown in FIG. 6, if the coin/bill detecting portion 220 detects coins or bills, the microprocessor 210 displays the amount of injected money on the amount- of-injected-money display portion 222 (S601 and S602).

[62] If the amount of injected money becomes a predetermined amount of money (for example, amount of money that is needed to play a game once), the operation display lamp 242 lightens or flickers to inform a game standby state, and the game standby state is maintained until the game player presses the GO button 202 (S603 to S605).

[63] If the game player presses the GO button 202, the microprocessor 210 controls the cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 and moves the cutter 131 from the initial position to the right side (S606 and S607). At this time, the movement speed of the cutter 131 may become a regular speed, increase as the cutter 131 moves to the right side or the center, or become random in accordance with a predetermined game algorithm. In addition, if the game player touches the GO button 202 once, the cutter 131 may continuously move until an operation signal of the STOP button 204 is input or move only while the GO button 202 is pressed.

[64] If the operation signal of the STOP button 204 is input during the movement of the cutter 131, the microprocessor 210 stops the cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 at a current position and then forward rotates the cutter forward/backward movement motor 234 to move the cutter 131 forward, and if the cutter 131 moves forward by the predetermined amount of position, the microprocessor 210 stops the cutter forward/backward movement motor 234 and then operates the cutter driving motor 236 so as to allow the cutter 131 to perform a string cutting operation (S606 to S611).

[65] Then, the microprocessor 210 backward rotates the cutter forward/backward movement motor 234 to backward move the cutter 131 to the original position, and controls the cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 to move the cutter 131 from the current position to the left side (S612 and S613). If a detection signal is transmitted from the left start position detecting sensor 206 to the microprocessor 210 while the cutter 131 moves to the left side, the microprocessor 210 stops the movement of the cutter 131.

[66] If the operation signal of the STOP button 204 is not input and the cutter 131 continuously moves to the right side, the right terminal position sensor 208 detects that the cutter 131 continuously moves and informs the detected result to the microprocessor 210. As a result, the microprocessor 210 controls the cutter leftward/rightward movement motor 232 to move the cutter 131 to the left initial position.

[67] In this way, if the one-time game is finished, the microprocessor 210 subtracts the amount of injected money by the amount of money needed to play a game once and displays the balance on the amount-of-injected-money display portion 222. When the balance is smaller than the predetermined amount of money, the microprocessor 210 discharges the change corresponding to the balance through the coin discharge portion 224 (S614). If the balance is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount of money, the microprocessor 210 flickers the operation display lamp 242 such that a game can be played gain.

[68] In the above-described embodiments, the cutter moves in a state where the string fixtures are fixed. In contrast, however, the string fixtures may move in a state where the cutter stops. Further, both the cutter and the string fixtures may move. Sequence Listing

[69] string, cutting, game

Claims

[1] A string cutting game apparatus comprising: string fixtures that fix strings from which commodities suspend; a cutter that cuts the strings; a cutter driving portion that moves the cutter in accordance with a control signal, such that the cutter cuts the strings; a GO button; a STOP button; and a control portion, wherein, if an operation signal of the GO button is input, the control portion controls the cutter driving portion to move the cutter, and if an operation signal of the STOP button is input, the control portion moves the cutter forward at a position thereof when the operation signal of the STOP button is input, such that the cutter cuts the string fixed on the string fixture.

[2] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a money inserting means that is used to insert coins or bills and display an amount of inserted money; and a display means that displays a game start standby state under the control of the control portion, when the amount of money inserted through the money inserting means becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined amount of money.

[3] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutter driving portion includes: a leftward/rightward movement guide that allows the cutter to move leftward and rightward while supporting the cutter; a timing belt that moves the leftward/rightward movement guide forward and backward, such that the cutter moves forward and backward; a leftward/rightward movement means that moves the cutter leftward and rightward; and a forward/backward movement means that moves the cutter forward and backward.

[4] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a left start position sensor that detects that the cutter reaches a left start position; and a right terminal position sensor that detects that the cutter reaches a right terminal position, wherein, when it is detected by the right terminal position sensor that the cutter reaches a right terminal, the control portion performs a process such that a onetime game is finished and moves the cutter to the left start position.

[5] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control portion controls the movement speed of the cutter in such a way that the movement speed of the cutter increases, when the cutter moves to the center or the right side, or randomly controls the movement speed of the cutter.

[6] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 1, wherein, if the operation signal of the GO button is input, the string fixtures move under the control of the control portion.

[7] The string cutting game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutter includes a pair of blades that are sharp enough to cut the strings and a solenoid that opens and closes the pair of blades to cut the strings.