Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game including a simulated projectile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2003-10-07
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3714)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game including a simulated projectile
C273S359000, C273S402000, C193S044000, C453S003000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06629887
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a so-called token-shooting game or token-dropping game, wherein a player discharges a game token from the token-discharging unit to hit a target. The present invention particularly relates to a novel game service using game tokens with an additional element of amusement added to the element of a game wherein a player attempts to hit the target with an actual game token.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Token-shooting games and token-dropping games (hereinafter collectively referred to as a“token game device”) are games wherein a player attempts to hit a moving target with a game token, which is equivalent to live ammunition, by operating a token-discharging unit.
A typical conventional token game device comprises a structure wherein the degree of the token hitting the target is converted to scores, and the game results are set in accordance with the light/low accumulation of such scores. In the field of pachinko game devices, there are types wherein a display unit is provided at the center thereof, and a game such as a slot machine is automatically operated with a computer when balls or tokens enter the pockets. In these devices, similar to a token game device, the player's operation is limited to the determined by the player's operation, and the results thereof, i.e., prizes, are supplied (paid out) to the player as tokens or balls.
To determine whether a target is hit in a token game device, a structure is required for receiving and detecting a discharged token reaching a prescribed area. A typical example of this type of token-detecting method is a token-detecting mechanism using a plurality of sensors similar to those provided in a vending machine. This token-detecting mechanism detects the movement and direction of movement of the coin with a plurality of sensors, and is capable of preventing fraudulent acts such as the recollection of coins using a string. In order to produce a jackpot, which corresponds to a special prize in a token game device, a jackpot unit capable of paying out tokens is rotated on the turntable together with the moving target. Conventionally, tokens discharged toward the target were collected at the token supplier fixed to the lower part of the target. Therefore, when it was necessary to supply tokens to the jackpot unit, the turntable was temporarily stopped in order to supply the tokens.
On the other hand, with respect to sound, a typical conventional token game device synthesizes the discharging sound of tokens to inform the player that a token has been discharged and background music produce an entertaining feeling characteristic for a game. The sound may be output from speakers.
Nevertheless, conventional token game devices have several problems. Foremost, if tokens are merely discharged to hit the target in order to obtain scores as with conventional game devices, this is no better than a shooting game at a festival, and players today who are familiar with video games may lose interest in the game. Combining a slot machine game with a token game device as with many of the pachinko game devices, however, is not suitable for players of token game devices. Many of the pachinko players expect stimulation of the speculative spirit in the structure of the game in order to win prizes. In contrast, players of token game devices tend to enjoy the operation of the game itself, and do not endeavor only to win a lot of tokens. Thus, such players prefer a structure wherein the operational element is abundant and the game itself may be enjoyed. Nonetheless, since a player will be confused if there are numerous operational elements and observational items, simply adding a video game thereto will not solve the aforementioned problems.
With respect to the targets in the token game device, it is not necessary to consider the possibility of fraudulent acts since merely detecting the existence of the discharged token will suffice. Preferred is a simple structure capable of reliably detecting the passing of a token. Furthermore, stopping the turntable only for the mere purpose of supplying tokens results in the interruption of the game, which is not preferable.
With respect to sound, there is a problem in that a discharging sound and background music may conflict with each other. That is, if there is no discharging sound, the player will not be able to confirm that the token has been discharged and he/she will not be able to feel the actual sensation of playing the game. Background music has the purpose of gathering prospective users by producing an enjoyable atmosphere of the game, but some of the users tend to sidestep games employing such discharging sound. These users do not prefer shooting games and will not play a game just by hearing the discharging sound of bullets. Unlike the aforementioned shooting games, a token game possesses an element for everybody to participate and enjoy, and therefore, sound which will allow such aforementioned users to participate in the game is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the aforementioned problems, the inventors of the present invention aimed at providing a novel token game device unlike the conventional game devices.
In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a token game device wherein a player will not lose interest in the game.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a token game device enabling various operations such that the player may enjoy such operations.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a token game device allowing game play in cooperation with another player.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a token game device comprising an inexpensive token-detecting mechanism suitable for token games.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a token game device capable of supplying tokens without stopping the movement of the target.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a game device having sounds suitable for both gathering prospective users and game play.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention is a token game device in which a player attempts to hit a target with a game token, comprising: processing means for commencing the processing of a video game in accordance with whether or not the token hit the target; alteration means for altering the processing contents in accordance with the player's operation; and decision means for deciding the prize to be awarded to the player in accordance with the processing results of the video game.
Here, a “token” shall not be limited to discord items such as coins but shall include other items as well since it is merely a game medium. For example, a “token” shall not be limited to the shape of a ball, block, medal, etc. Moreover, a “token” may be a physically independent item as well as a bundle of energy such as light and (super) sonic waves, and shall include situations wherein a target is aimed at with the likes of a laser gun. A “token” further includes conceptual items that do not exist in reality. In other words, this would include a structure which judges whether or not a discharging unit is facing the target by detecting the direction of such discharging unit with the likes of a sensor and, when the discharging unit is correctly facing the target and conducts a discharging motion, considers that a bullet has been discharged in light of the computer processing. A “target” is an object aimed at with a token and is not required to be physically existent; for example, it may be the likes of an image that does not exist in substance. A “hit” shall mean a direct physical contact as well as a situation where the target and token are in a prescribed relationship, for example, such as when they are in close distance. A “prize” shall include the payout of actual tokens as well as the likes of conceptual points and acquisition of the right to replay a game.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the present invention is a token
Hagino Kazuhiro
Hamada Tetsuya
Kobayashi Katsumi
Murata Susumu
Semuna Takashi
Coburn Corbett B.
Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
Martin-Wallace Valencia
LandOfFree
Game device using game token does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Game device using game token, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Game device using game token will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3162572