DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize acquisition game machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as a game machine). FIG. 1 shows the game machine in a state where a game is ended.

[0034] The game machine 1 constructed such that two desired prizes 3 , 3 are selected in sequence by prize selection means 4 among the prizes 3 contained in a prize exhibit portion 2 at random. The prizes 3 , 3 are respectively mounted on prize mount stands 5 , 6 . If the identification marks of ID tags 3 a incorporated in the prizes are identical to each other, the two prizes 3 , 3 are released to a prize release port 7 .

[0035] The prize exhibit portion 2 has a transparent cylindrical box shape having an open top, and is installed at the center of the top of a table-shaped game machine support 8 . Many prizes 3 including the built-in ID tags 3 a having figures of “1” to “6” as an example of the arbitrary identification marks are contained in the prize exhibit portion 2 in a pileup state. Incidentally, the ID tag 3 a is a non-contact type information recording medium and is made of a well-known structure, information is stored in the inside storage circuit, and readout and writing of information can be performed in a non-contact state.

[0036] Cylindrical prize mount stands 5 and 6 are provided at both sides of the prize exhibit portion 2 , one (e.g., left) of the prize mount stands is made the first prize mount stand 5 , and the other (e.g., right) of the prize mount stands is made the second prize mount stand 6 . Display units 9 and 10 made of electric light display units or the like are provided at the front of the prize mount stands 5 and 6 , the display unit of the first prize mount stand 5 is made the first display unit 9 , and the display unit of the second prize mount stand 6 is made the second display unit 10 .

[0037] Although the prizes 3 selected by the player from the prize exhibit portion 2 are put on the prize mount stands 5 and 6 , this is not carried out simultaneously as described above, but is carried out in sequence. The operation of selecting and mounting the prize 3 is carried out by the one prize selection means 4 . The prize selection means 4 is constructed by well-known pinching means for catching a desired prize, and in this example, it is constructed by a crane having a plurality of joints and a pinching portion 4 a at its tip end. This crane is driven and controlled such that for example, after the pinching portion 4 a at the tip end is moved horizontally and vertically, it automatically falls and seizes a prize, and after pulling up, it automatically put the prize on the prize mount stand 5 , 6 and releases it. The operation of the crane is carried out by operation switches 11 a on an operation panel 11 provided at the front of the game machine support 8 .

[0038] Incidentally, in order to reliably catch and hold the prize 3 during the transfer, the crane is driven and controlled such that it stops once at the end of falling, not at the rising, and strongly closes the pinching portion 4 a, and if necessary, the structure of the pinching portion 4 a is made unslippery by fitting rubber or the like.

[0039] An agitation means 13 for agitating the prizes 3 in the prize exhibit portion 2 is provided at the lower side of the crane at a post 12 for supporting the crane. This agitation means 13 also has a well-known structure having a plurality of joints similarly to the above crane, and is driven by the operation of the operation switches 11 a.

[0040] Mount confirmation sensors 14 and 15 constructed by, for example, photoelectronic sensors are provided at upper end portions of the prize mount stands 5 and 6 in order to judge whether or not the prizes 3 are mounted by the crane. The mount confirmation sensor of the first mount stand 5 is made the first mount confirmation sensor 14 , and the mount confirmation sensor of the second mount stand 6 is made the second mount confirmation sensor 15 .

[0041] The respective prize mount stands 5 and 6 are provided with ID tag reading devices 16 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the ID tag reading devices 16 is constructed by an antenna coil 18 attached to the lower surface of a support plate 17 moving vertically in the prize mount stand 5 , 6 , and a circuit device (not shown) attached to its vicinity, and the identification mark stored in the ID tag 3 a is read in a non-contact state.

[0042] A discharge structure for releasing or collecting the mount prize 3 after the game is ended is formed at the prize mount stand 5 , 6 as shown in FIG. 2 . That is, the support plate 17 moving vertically by a screw feed to a drop space 19 formed at the lower portion of the prize mount stand 5 , 6 is provided in the cylindrical prize mount stand 5 , 6 , and a prize release path 20 is formed forward from the drop space 19 , which communicates with a prize takeout port 7 . A prize collection port 21 is formed rearward from the drop space 19 , and a separate collection box 22 is provided below the prize collection port 21 in a state where it can be freely drawn in and out. A slant plate 22 a which ascends toward the depth side is provided at the inner bottom portion of the collection box 22 , and is pushed upward by a coil spring 22 b, so that the collected prizes can be uniformly collected. A distributing plate 24 driven by a solenoid 23 is provided at a boundary portion between the prize release path 20 and the prize collection port 21 .

[0043] The collection may be carried out in such a way as to return the prizes to the prize exhibit portion 2 , not as to collect them into the collection box 22 as described above. In this case, for example, the prize mount stands 5 and 6 are formed to be higher that the prize exhibit portion 2 , the upper ends of the prize mount stands 5 and 6 are coupled to the end of the prize exhibit portion 2 by slides, and extrusion means using a solenoid or the like, for extruding the prizes 3 to the prize exhibit portion 2 may be disposed at the upper end portions of the prize mount stands 5 and 6 . In the case where a rare article or the like is entered as the prize 3 , re-challenge can be encouraged.

[0044] The screw feed is carried out by using a motor 25 rotating normally and reversely, and the prize 3 on the support plate 17 is dropped into the drop space 19 when the support plate 17 having reached the lower end of the feed screw 26 is further rotated. That is, since it is not necessary that the feed screw 26 is rotated in the left direction seen on the plane in order to make the support plate 17 go down, when setting is made so that the support plate 17 is positioned at the lower end of the feed screw 26 at a stage where it reaches the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the prize mount stand 5 , 6 , the support plate 17 which stops relative rotation, together with the feed screw 26 , rotates on the ceiling surface of the drop space 19 in the left direction seen on the plane. This rotation is controlled in a state where a drop port 19 a is sufficiently opened, by a control piece 27 vertically provided from the ceiling surface of the drop space 19 . When the support plate 17 is raised, the motor 25 has only to be reversely rotated, the support plate 17 rotating together is controlled by an extended portion of the other (left side seen on the plane) of the control panel piece 27 , and the rotation is stopped at a position where it blocks the drop port 19 a. Thus, the support plate 17 rises in the inside of the stand 5 , 6 by further rotation of the feed screw 26 . That is, since the opening/closing of the drop space 19 a is performed by only the screw feeding, the structure is simple. The top of the game machine support 8 is covered with a transparent cover member 28 by which the prize exhibit portion 2 and the like are surrounded, and a result display unit 29 is fitted to the top of the cover member 28 . The result display unit is constructed by a display unit support 29 a displaying “O” and a display unit support 29 b displaying “X”.

[0045] An optional specification display unit 30 (drawn using dashed lines in FIG. 1 ) may be attached. As shown in FIG. 3 , the specification display unit 30 indicates the numbers of the prizes 3 including the ID tags 3 a having the respective identification marks, and is constructed by an electric light display unit.

[0046] Incidentally, in FIG. 1 , reference numeral 31 designates a coin slot in which a coin (metal money or medal) is inserted; and 32 , a coin return port which is connected with a coin processing portion 33 .

[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit for driving a controlling the game machine 1 having the foregoing structural elements. A CPU 34 executes a control operation along a program stored in a ROM 35 , and a RAM 36 stores necessary control data. A control portion made of the CPU 34 , the ROM 35 and the RAM 36 is connected with a sound storage portion 37 for storing sounds such as an effect sound and explanatory sound, a timer 38 for clocking, a agitation means driving portion 39 for driving the agitation means, a crane driving portion 40 for driving the crane as the prize selection means 4 , and a speaker 41 for generating the sounds stored in the sound storage portion 37 .

[0048] The prizes 3 contained in the prize exhibit portion 2 having their numbers, including the ID tags 3 a inputted to the RAM 35 via panel operation or the like and are stored in advance.

[0049] Hereinafter, a control operation of the game machine 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of a game processing operation performed by the CPU shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 .

[0050] First, the sound of the brief of the game or urging a player to play the game, stored in the sound storage portion 37 is provided from the speaker 41 (step n 1 ). When a coin is inserted by the player (step n 2 ), the CPU 34 reads the numbers for the respective identification marks as to the prizes 3 from the RAM 36 , and judges whether or not the prize 3 with the remaining number “1” exists (step n 3 ). The reason is that if the prize 3 with the remaining number “1” exists, in the case where the prize 3 with the remaining number “1” is first selected, there is no possibility to acquire the prize 3 in the game.

[0051] In the case where the prize with the remaining number “1” exists, the sound is outputted (step n 1 ) to convey the above point, and causes the player to convey a judgement result by using the operation switches 11 a. That is, the game is stopped by pressing a cancel switch (step n 5 ), or the game is played by pressing a confirmation switch (step n 6 ). If the cancel switch is pressed at the step n 5 , the CPU 34 causes the sound storage portion to output a sound such as “Sorry. Could you play some time later.” (step n 7 ), and the coin is returned from the coin return port 32 (step n 8 ).

[0052] If the confirmation switch is not pressed at the step n 6 , the procedure returns to the step n 4 .

[0053] When it is judged that there is no remaining number “1” at the step n 3 , or when the confirmation switch is pressed at the step n 6 , the sound of notifying the start of the game and explaining the way of operation is outputted (step n 9 ).

[0054] In the sound output, an explanation is made which indicates that the crane is operated to take desired prizes 3 and to put them on the first prize mount stand 5 and the second prize mount stand 6 in sequence, and the prizes 3 in the prize exhibit portion 2 can be agitated before these operations.

[0055] When the CPU 34 judges that the agitation switch is pressed (step n 10 ), the agitation means driving portion 39 is driven for a previously set predetermined time to mix the prizes 3 (step n 11 ).

[0056] In the case where the agitation switch is not pressed at the step n 10 , it is judged whether or not the confirmation switch as the indication of player's intention that agitation may not be performed is pressed (step n 12 ), and in the case where it is pressed, the procedure proceeds to the step n 11 , and in the case where it is not pressed, the procedure returns to the step n 9 .

[0057] Subsequently, the output of sound (step n 13 ) urges the player to operate the crane to take desired prizes.

[0058] If the CPU 34 judges that the switch for operating the crane is pressed (step n 14 ), the CPU drives the crane driving portion 40 to drive the crane in accordance with the instructions of the operation switches 11 a (step n 15 ).

[0059] At the step n 14 , in the case where the crane switch is not pressed, after a suitable time is clocked (step n 16 ), the sound is outputted (step n 17 ) to urge the player to operate the crane.

[0060] When the first mount confirmation sensor 14 detects the prize 3 on the first prize mount stand 5 (step n 18 ), the crane is returned to a predetermined position, and the driving of the crane driving portion 40 is stopped. If the prize 3 is not detected at the step n 18 , the sound is outputted (step n 19 ) to cause the player to again operate the crane.

[0061] When the prize 3 is detected at the step n 18 , the CPU 34 operates the ID tag reading device 16 to read the ID tag 3 a of the prize 3 (step n 20 ), and the read result is stored in the RAM 36 (step n 21 ).

[0062] Subsequently, the result is displayed on the first display unit 9 (step n 22 ), and the result is notified by sound output to urge the player to perform a next operation (step n 23 ).

[0063] In the case where the specification display unit 30 is attached, it is appropriate that at this stage, the specification is displayed (step n 24 ), and the contents are outputted by the sound (step n 25 ). Differently from the case where it is displayed in advance, a rough acquisition probability can be first known at this point, so that a sense of expectation to the game can be felt, or unexpected luck can be tasted.

[0064] Thereafter, similarly to the steps n 10 to n 23 , the procedure proceeds.

[0065] That is, in the case where the agitation switch is pressed (step n 26 ), the CPU 34 drives the agitation means driving portion 39 for a previously set predetermined time to mix the prizes 3 (step n 27 ).

[0066] In the case where the agitation switch is not pressed at the step n 26 , it is judged whether or not the confirmation switch as the indication of payer's intention that agitation may not be performed is pressed (step n 28 ), and in the case where it is pressed, the procedure proceeds to the step n 27 , and in the case where it is not pressed, the procedure returns to the step n 23 .

[0067] Subsequently, the sound output (step n 29 ) is made to urge the player to operate the crane to take the desired prize 3 .

[0068] When the switch for operating the crane is pressed (step n 30 ), the CPU 34 drives the crane driving portion 40 to drive the crane in accordance with the instructions of the operation switches 11 a (step n 31 ).

[0069] In the case where the crane switch is not pressed at the step n 30 , after a suitable time is clocked (step n 32 ), the sound is outputted (step n 33 ) to urge the player to operate the crane.

[0070] When the second mount confirmation sensor 15 detects the prize 3 on the second prize mount stand 6 (step n 34 ), the crane is returned to the predetermined position, and the driving of the crane driving portion 40 is stopped. If the prize is not detected at the step n 34 , the sound is outputted (step n 35 ) to cause the player to again operate the crane.

[0071] If the prize 3 is detected at the step n 34 , the CPU 34 operates the ID tag reading device 16 to read the ID tag 3 a of the prize 3 (step n 36 ), and the read result is stored in the RAM 36 (step n 37 ). The result is displayed on the second display unit 10 (step n 38 ), and the result is notified by the sound output (step n 39 ).

[0072] Thereafter, the CPU 34 performs a comparison processing of the identification mark of the prize 3 of the first prize mount stand 5 stored in the RAM 36 and the identification mark of the prize 3 of the second prize mount stand 6 (step n 40 ). It is judged whether or not the identification marks are identical to each other (step n 41 ), and if identical, “O” is displayed on the one display support 29 a of the result display unit 29 (step n 42 ), and the sound of “Congratulation” or the like and the effect sound are outputted (step n 43 ). Subsequently, the motor 25 is driven (step n 44 ), and the two prizes 3 , 3 are simultaneously released to the prize takeout port 7 .

[0073] On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the identification marks are not identical to each other at the step n 41 , as shown in FIG. 1 , “X” is displayed on the other display unit support 29 b of the result display unit 29 (step n 45 ), and the sound of “It's too bad.” or the like and the effect sound are outputted (step n 46 ). Subsequently, the solenoid 23 for driving the distributing plate 24 is driven (step n 47 ), and the motor 25 is driven (step n 48 ), so that the two prizes 3 , 3 are collected in the collection box 22 .

[0074] As described above, the game machine 1 is made to have the game characteristic in that the two desired prizes 3 , 3 are selected, and the prizes 3 , 3 can be acquired according to whether the identification marks written in the prizes 3 , 3 in a state where they can not be known from the appearance are identical to each other. Moreover, since the way of selecting the prizes in such that they can be selected by the operation of the crane among the prizes 3 piled up, even if they can be seized without fail, a desired one can not be always taken according to the way of the operation of the crane, and the game characteristic also exists in this point. If successful, the two prizes 3 , 3 can be simultaneously acquired, so that the pleasure of the player is doubled. Like this, the conventional prize acquisition game machine becomes the game machine 1 having multiple game characteristics.

[0075] Further, only the prizes 3 provided with the ID tags 3 a having arbitrary identification marks can be contained in the prize exhibit portion 2 , there is no case where one unsuitable for the game machine 1 is entered as the prize, and the reliability of the game machine 1 can be ensured.

[0076] Incidentally, the judgement means of the invention corresponds to the CPU 34 including the processing mechanism of the step n 41 in the embodiment, the control portion corresponds to the CPU 34 , and the prize release means corresponds to the solenoid 23 , the distributing plate 24 and the motor 25 .

[0077] As described above, according to the present invention, the reliability of the prize acquisition game machine can be ensured, and the game machine having the new game characteristic can be obtained.