JP7640294B2 - Inflatable play equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inflatable toy in which a play space is defined using an air-membrane structure.

Conventionally, inflatable play equipment, in which the play space is formed by a soft air mat with an air membrane structure, has been known as play equipment for children that is installed in leisure facilities such as amusement parks and event venues. For example, there are types in which children can jump around and play in a dome-shaped play space, and types called sliders in which children can slide down a slide. There are also types in which a course is formed and users can compete against each other for time (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-203011 A

However, with conventional inflatable play equipment, the user repeats the same actions, such as jumping, sliding down a slide, or going around a course, making the play monotonous and boring, and there is a problem that the equipment lacks excitement.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide technology that can increase the entertainment value of air toys.

The first invention for solving the above problem is an inflatable toy in which a play space is defined using an air membrane structure filled with air, and which is equipped with a display device installed facing the play space, a surface switch for inputting operations by a user playing in the play space, and a control device for controlling the display of effects on the display device based on a switch signal from the surface switch.

According to the first invention, a display device is installed facing a play space defined by an air membrane structure, and a planar switch is installed for users playing in the play space to input operations, and a performance display can be performed on the display device according to the operation input to the planar switch. This allows a planar switch with a wide input surface to be used as a switch for operation input, making it easy to input operations even in a play space where it is difficult to balance due to the air membrane structure. Therefore, users in the play space can play by inputting operations to the planar switch while balancing on the soft air membrane structure and looking at the display device, which makes it possible to increase the fun of playing with the air play equipment.

The second invention is an inflatable toy according to the first invention, in which the surface switch includes at least a wall switch.

According to the second invention, a wall switch can be provided as a surface switch.

The third invention is an inflatable toy according to the second invention, in which the wall switch is provided on an air-membrane structure for a switch base that protrudes from an air-membrane structure for a wall structure that constitutes the wall of the play space.

According to the third invention, a wall switch can be provided on the wall of the play space via an air membrane structure for the switch base.

The fourth invention is an inflatable toy according to the second or third invention, in which the wall switches include at least a left wall switch and a right wall switch when facing the display device.

According to the fourth invention, wall switches can be provided on the left and right walls facing the display device. The left and right wall switches can be pressed while maintaining balance, making it possible to increase the entertainment value of playing with the inflatable toy.

The fifth invention is an inflatable toy according to the fourth invention, in which the wall switch includes a wall switch on the front side of the display device.

According to the fifth invention, a wall switch can be provided on the wall facing the display device.

The sixth invention is the inflatable toy of the fifth invention, in which the display device is located at a higher position than the wall switch on the front side.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the display device can be installed at a higher position than the wall switch in front. This makes it possible to operate the wall switch without taking your eyes off the display device.

The seventh invention is an inflatable toy according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, in which the planar switch is a membrane switch.

According to the seventh invention, the planar switch can be configured as a membrane switch.

The eighth invention is an inflatable toy according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, in which the planar switch includes at least a floor switch.

According to the eighth invention, a floor switch can be provided as a surface switch.

The ninth invention is the inflatable toy of the eighth invention, in which the control device detects the operation input related to the floor switch by the switch signal from the floor switch changing from on to off.

According to the ninth invention, the operation input of a floor switch can be detected when the switch signal changes from on to off.

The tenth invention is an inflatable toy according to any one of the second to sixth inventions, in which the surface switch is a membrane switch with a spacer sheet having a plurality of holes between two contact sheets, the surface switch includes a floor switch, and the holes of the spacer sheet constituting the wall switch are larger than the holes of the spacer sheet constituting the floor switch.

According to the tenth invention, a planar switch can be constructed using a membrane switch having a structure in which a spacer sheet having holes is interposed between two contact sheets. Then, as the planar switch, a wall switch can be provided on the wall portion of the play space, and a floor switch can be provided on the floor portion, with the hole in the spacer sheet of the wall switch being larger than that of the spacer sheet of the floor switch. This makes it possible to configure the wall switch, which the user presses with his/her hand, so that contact between the contact sheets can be made with less force than a floor switch, which can be operated by the user standing on it and applying his/her weight. Since the main users of inflatable toys are children, even children can easily operate the wall switch.

An eleventh invention is an inflatable toy according to any one of the second to sixth inventions, in which the surface switch includes a floor switch, and the control device detects an operational input related to the wall switch when a switch signal from the wall switch changes from off to on, and detects an operational input related to the floor switch when a switch signal from the floor switch changes from on to off.

According to the eleventh invention, as planar switches, wall switches can be provided on the walls of the play space, and floor switches can be provided on the floor. Then, for the wall switches, an operational input can be detected when the switch signal changes from off to on, while for the floor switches, an operational input can be detected when the switch signal changes from on to off.

The twelfth invention is an air toy according to any one of the eighth to eleventh inventions, in which the floor switches include a floor switch for the left foot and a floor switch for the right foot, and the display device is provided in front of the user when viewed from a standing position with the user's left foot on the floor switch for the left foot and the right foot on the floor switch for the right foot.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, floor switches for the left and right feet can be provided on the floor of the play space.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy viewed from the right rear. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy viewed from the right. A schematic diagram showing the structure of the play space forming structure when unfolded. Plan view of the wall sensor mat. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 . FIG. 4 is a plan view of a spacer sheet that constitutes the wall switch. Plan view of the foot sensor mat. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8 . FIG. 4 is a plan view of a spacer sheet that constitutes the floor switch. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction screen that explains how to play the game. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a start screen of the game. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game play screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a game played on an inflatable toy. FIG. 11 is another diagram illustrating the game using the inflatable toy. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an inflatable toy. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a game process.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions with respect to the air toy 1 will be described as the same directions as those for a user 2 standing facing a display device 51 in the play space 10.

[Overall structure]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the air toy 1 of this embodiment seen from the right rear, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the air toy 1 seen from the rear, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the air toy 1 seen from the right. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the play space forming body 31 constituting the air toy 1, showing its configuration in an expanded form. The air toy 1 of this embodiment is a toy for children, and is installed, for example, in a section of various leisure facilities or large shopping centers. As shown in Fig. 1, the air toy 1 includes a main housing 3 and a sub-housing 9.

The main housing 3 comprises a play space forming body 31 formed of multiple elastic air membrane structure parts, a weight 33 for preventing the play space forming body 31 from shifting position or tipping over, a device main body part 40, a monitor part 50, a wall sensor mat 600 for inputting operations, and a foot sensor mat 700. The weights 33 are installed, for example, one at each of the four corners at the bottom of the play space forming body 31.

The play space forming body 31 is formed in a box shape with an opening at the top and an entrance/exit 315 for the user 2 (see FIG. 4, etc.) who is a player to enter and exit, and the play space 10 is defined inside by filling the inside with air by the air blowing unit 41 described later. More specifically, as shown in the development view of FIG. 4, the play space forming body 31 is composed of air membrane structures 311 (311a, 311b, 311c, 311d) for the front, back, left and right wall structures that constitute the walls of the play space 10, and an air membrane structure 313 for the floor structure that constitutes the floor of the play space 10, and the air membrane structure 311d for the wall structure that forms the rear wall has an entrance/exit 315. Here, the front-back direction when the user 2 enters the play space 10 from the entrance/exit 315 and stands facing forward (the side of the monitor unit 50 described later) is the X direction, the left-right direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction is the Z direction, and each direction is added to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

The device main body 40 is installed on the back side of the air membrane structure for wall structure 311a, which forms the front wall of the play space forming body 31, and the monitor unit 50 is installed on the top of the device main body 40. The device main body 40 has a control device 400 and a blower unit 41 inside. The monitor unit 50 has a display device 51 for displaying the game screen and a speaker 53 for outputting game sounds, which are installed facing the play space 10 inside the play space forming body 31.

The wall sensor mat 600 and the foot sensor mat 700 are used by the user 2 playing the game in the play space 10 to input game operations, and each has a built-in surface switch.

First, the wall sensor mat 600 is configured with a wall switch 60 built in as a surface switch, and is provided on the wall of the play space 10. In this embodiment, the wall sensor mat 600 each has a built-in wall switch 60a, 60b, 60c, and is provided on the surface (the surface facing the play space 10) of each of the air membrane structure parts 311a, 311b, 311c for wall structure of the front wall part, right wall part, and left wall part of the play space forming body 31. More specifically, each wall sensor mat 600 is fixed to the air membrane structure part 317 for the switch base provided to protrude from the corresponding air membrane structure part 311 for wall structure by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like and installed. This realizes a configuration in which the front wall switch 60a is arranged on the front wall part (front wall) of the play space 10, the left wall switch 60b is arranged on the left wall part, and the right wall switch 60c is arranged on the right wall part.

On the other hand, the foot sensor mat 700 is configured with a floor switch 70d for the left foot and a floor switch 70e for the right foot built in as planar switches, and is provided on the floor of the play space 10. That is, the foot sensor mat 700 is provided on the upper surface of the air membrane structure part 313 for floor structure of the play space forming body 31. More specifically, the foot sensor mat 700 is fixed and installed with a hook-and-loop fastener or the like so that the left side of the user 2 standing facing forward (looking at the display device 51 on the front side) in the play space 10 is the floor switch 70d for the left foot, and the right side is the floor switch 70e for the right foot. This realizes a configuration in which the floor switch 70d for the left foot and the floor switch 70e for the right foot are arranged on the floor of the play space 10.

On the surface of each wall sensor mat 600 and foot sensor mat 700, operation input marks Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, and Me are displayed as markers for inputting operation of the corresponding planar switches (wall switches 60a, 60b, and 60c or floor switches 70d and 70e), and are unique color patterns for identifying them. For example, the operation input marks Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, and Me are displayed on the surface of the sensor mat 600, 700 by being printed on the PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sheets 610, 710 that constitute the surface layer of the corresponding sensor mat 600, 700, as shown for the operation input marks Ma, Md, and Me in Figures 5 and 8, respectively.

Here, it is assumed that the user 2 presses the wall switches 60a, 60b, and 60c with his/her hands to input operations, and the user 2 steps on the floor switches 70d and 70e with his/her feet to input operations. When the user 2 inputs operations to the wall switches 60a, 60b, and 60c, he/she stretches his/her arms forward or to the left and right and presses the operation input marks Ma, Mb, and Mc with his/her hands. When inputting operations to the floor switches 70d and 70e, he/she presses (steps on) the operation input marks Md and Me with his/her left and right feet in a manner similar to stepping on a foot.

The display device 51 is installed at a position higher than the wall switch 60 so that the user 2 in the play space 10 can operate the wall switch 60 while keeping his or her eyes on the display screen. In this embodiment, the display device 51 is positioned above the wall switch 60a on the front side so that it can be seen by the user 2 in the play space 10, by providing the monitor unit 50 at a position higher than the upper end surface of the air membrane structure 311a for wall structure of the front wall.

More specifically, the height of the display device 51 and the wall switch 60 is set assuming the average height of the user 2. That is, as shown in comparison with the height in the development diagram of FIG. 4, the user 2 is assumed to be a child, and the height of the display device 51 is adjusted and determined taking into account the eye height of a child of the target age when standing in the play space 10, and the height of each wall switch 60a, 60b, 60c is adjusted and determined taking into account the arm height.

Therefore, when the user 2 enters the play space 10, he/she faces forward and stands on the foot sensor mat 700, places his/her left foot on the operation input mark Md, and places his/her right foot on the operation input mark Me. Then, while watching the game screen displayed on the display device 51 diagonally above and in front of him/her, he/she presses the operation input marks Ma, Mb, and Mc with his/her hands to input operations to the wall switches 60a, 60b, and 60c, and steps on the operation input marks Md and Me to input operations to the floor switches 70d and 70e to enjoy the game. Since the play space forming body 31 is formed of a plurality of air membrane structure parts, the user 2 standing in the play space 10 is forced to move his/her body while keeping good balance and input operations. In addition, since the user 2 often makes operation inputs while directing his/her gaze toward the game screen, it becomes even more difficult to keep his/her balance. Therefore, the user 2 can enjoy the fluffy feeling unique to the air play equipment and play with high interest.

The control device 400 is a computer for controlling the operation of the air toy 1. In this embodiment, in order to control the progress of the game on the air toy 1, it controls the input and output of data between the display device 51 and the surface switches of each sensor mat 600, 700 (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e). Various calculation processes are then performed based on predetermined programs and data, and switch signals from each switch 60a, 60b, 60c, 70d, 70e, to control the progress of the game on the air toy 1. The control of the progress of the game includes the control of the performance display on the display device 51 based on the switch signals from each switch 60a, 60b, 60c, 70d, 70e, which are surface switches.

The sub-housing 9 is equipped with a reader/writer device 91 that communicates non-contact with an IC card (not shown), which is a portable card-type storage medium, to read and write data, and a coin insertion device 93. The user 2 can pay for playing by inserting coins into the coin insertion device 93. It is also possible to use an IC card with a prepaid card function to pay for playing instead of inserting coins.

[About the composition of the sensor mat]
1. Wall Sensor Mat Figure 5 is a plan view of the wall sensor mat 600. More specifically, Figure 5 shows the wall sensor mat (front wall sensor mat) 600 provided on the front wall, and the left and right wall sensor mats 600 are configured in the same manner, except that the operation input mark Ma printed on the PVC sheet 610 is different from the design. Also, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the wall sensor mat 600 taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5, and shows an enlarged cross section of the wall switch 60 (here, the front wall switch 60a) built into the wall sensor mat 600. Figure 7 is a plan view of the spacer sheet 65 constituting the wall switch 60.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the wall sensor mat 600 includes a wall switch 60 and an exterior case 630. The exterior case 630 is configured by defining an internal space with a front side exterior case 631 and a back side exterior case 633, and houses an end of the wall switch 60, a sensor mat substrate 620, and an end of a cable 640 in the internal space. The cable 640 is a flat cable that outputs a switch signal (on/off) from the wall switch 60 to the control device 400.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 6, the wall switch 60 is a membrane switch with a spacer sheet 65 interposed between two contact sheets 61, 63, and a screen sheet 67 placed on the front side of the contact sheet 61. The wall switch 60 is also covered with a PVC sheet 610 to protect the entire switch.

As shown in FIG. 7, the spacer sheet 65 is an elastic resin sheet having a plurality of holes 651. Specifically, the spacer sheet 65 has a plurality of holes 651 of a predetermined size arranged in a plurality of rows at a predetermined pitch and arranged in a discrete manner throughout the spacer sheet 65. Therefore, when the surface of the wall sensor mat 600 is pressed and the contact sheet 61 on the surface side comes into contact with the contact sheet 63 on the back side at the hole 651, they are conductive and the switch signal is turned on. If the contact sheets 61 and 63 are separated, the switch signal is turned off. The larger the size of the hole 651, the easier it is for the user 2 to contact the hole 651, and the easier it is to establish a conductive state with a weak force. In addition, the narrower the arrangement interval (pitch) of the hole 651 and the greater the number of the hole 651, the greater the area that can be established in a conductive state, making it easier for the user 2 to operate.

2. Foot Sensor Mat Fig. 8 is a plan view of the foot sensor mat 700. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8, and shows an enlarged cross section of the floor switch 70d for the left foot. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the spacer sheet 75 constituting the floor switch 70d.

The configuration of the foot sensor mat 700 is basically the same as that of the wall sensor mat 600, but differs in that it has two planar switches built in as a floor switch 70d for the left foot and a floor switch 70e for the right foot. That is, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the foot sensor mat 700 includes a floor switch 70d for the left foot, a floor switch 70e for the right foot, and an exterior case 730. The exterior case 730 is configured by defining an internal space with a front exterior case 731 and a back exterior case 733, and contains the ends of the floor switches 70d and 70e, the sensor mat board 720, and the end of the cable 740 in the internal space. The cable 740 is a flat cable that outputs switch signals (on/off) from each floor switch 70d and 70e to the control device 400.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9, the floor switch 70d for the left foot is a membrane switch with a spacer sheet 75 interposed between two contact sheets 71, 73, and a cover sheet 77 placed on the front side of the contact sheet 71. The floor switch 70e for the right foot is similarly constructed. In addition, the floor switches 70d, 70e are covered with a PVC sheet 710 to protect the entire switch.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the surface of the PVC sheet 710, an operation input mark Md is printed at the position of the floor switch 70d for the left foot, and an operation input mark Me is printed at the position of the floor switch 70e for the right foot.

As shown in FIG. 10, the spacer sheet 75 is an elastic resin sheet having a plurality of holes 751. Specifically, the spacer sheet 75 has holes 751 smaller than those of the wall switch 60 shown in FIG. 7, which are arranged in a plurality of rows at a predetermined pitch and are discretely provided across the entire area of the spacer sheet 75.

The play space forming body 31, which is an air membrane structure that defines the play space 10, feels wobbly when standing on it, making it difficult to maintain balance. Also, as described above, the wall switches 60 (60a, 60b, 60c) are designed to be pressed by the user 2's hands, while the floor switches 70d, 70e are designed to be stepped on by the user 2 standing on them. Therefore, the floor switches 70d, 70e, which receive the weight of the user 2, are prone to being subjected to force, whereas the wall switch 60 is prone to being pressed with insufficient force and thus missed.

In this embodiment, a wall switch 60 is provided on the wall of the play space 10, and floor switches 70d and 70e are provided on the floor, so that a planar switch with a wide input surface can be used as a switch for operation input. In addition, in this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the size of the hole 651 of the spacer sheet 65 related to the wall switch 60 pressed by hand is made larger than the hole 751 of the spacer sheet 75 related to the floor switches 70d and 70e stepped on by foot. According to this, the wall switch 60 can be configured to have a configuration in which the contact sheets 61 and 63 are more easily in contact with each other than the floor switches 70d and 70e, and the operability of the wall switch 60 is improved. Therefore, the user 2 can easily perform operation input while maintaining balance in the play space 10. Note that, although it depends on the size of the hole, the arrangement interval of the hole 651 of the spacer sheet 65 related to the wall switch 60 is larger than the arrangement interval of the hole 751 of the spacer sheet 75 related to the floor switches 70d and 70e.

[About the game screen]
The game of this embodiment is a game in which the player aims to get a high score by inputting operations into each of the surface switches (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e) while watching the game screen displayed on the display device 51.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of transitions of game screens on the display device 51. When the user 2 has paid the play fee, a game instruction screen W1 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, followed by a start screen W2 shown in FIG. 12, and the game begins. Specifically, the time limit starts to be counted, and a play screen W3 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

Although details will be described later, in the game of this embodiment, user 2 performs game operations by inputting operations to each planar switch (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e) until the time limit has elapsed. In addition, by performing operation inputs that match the display of bonus marks on the play screen W3, the user aims to earn a high score.

As shown in FIG. 13, the play screen W3 includes a bonus mark display section A31, a performance display section A33, a score display section A35, and a timer display section A37.

The bonus mark display section A31 is located near the center of the play screen W3 and displays the bonus mark (the operation input mark Me in FIG. 13) large and in the foreground for easy viewing.

In the effect display section A33, the operation input marks of each planar switch (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e) are arranged side by side. Then, when an operation input is made to any of the planar switches during the game, an effect display is made by displaying that operation input mark (in the example of FIG. 13, the operation input mark Mc of the right wall switch 60c) in a manner that is distinguishable from the others. For example, the operation input mark Mc is displayed in a manner that is distinguishable from the others by lighting up or blinking, and an indication I3 of the score that is awarded (added) by that operation input is attached.

The score display unit A35 displays the cumulative score awarded in response to operational inputs (game operations) during the game.

The timer display unit A37 displays the remaining time before the time limit.

When the time limit has elapsed, a results screen showing the final score etc. is displayed, and the game ends. The results screen may be configured to display the results by evaluating the scores on a multiple-level scale (e.g., 5-level scale) and displaying the evaluation results, or by ranking the gameplay performed on that day by the scores and displaying the ranking of the user 2.

[About the game]
14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining a game played with the air play equipment 1, and are schematic diagrams showing the state of a user 2 playing a game in the play space 10 together with an expanded view of the play space forming body 31. In addition, Figs. 14 and 15 also show display examples of play screens W31 and W33 in corresponding scenes.

In this embodiment, during the game, operation inputs are accepted for all planar switches (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e). When an operation input is made, a score for the operation input is given according to the type of operation input (for which planar switch the operation input was made). Specifically, a standard score (e.g., 10 points) is given uniformly for all operation inputs, and if the operation input matches the display of a bonus mark, a bonus score (e.g., 100 points) is further given. Therefore, the user 2 can earn points by repeatedly making operation inputs without pause, or can aim for a high score by making operation inputs that match the display of a bonus mark. This is a suitable game for enjoying gameplay while riding on the inflatable toy 1.

The bonus mark can be selected randomly. For example, a predetermined timing during the game is set as the timing for updating the bonus mark, and the next bonus mark is selected when the update timing arrives. The display of the bonus mark display section A31 on the play screen is then updated according to the selected bonus mark, thereby presenting the current bonus mark to the user 2. The timing for updating may be, for example, at a predetermined time interval during the game (e.g., every 5 seconds), or may be set variably, for example, by making the time interval longer in the early stages of the game and shorter towards the end of the game.

For example, in the example of FIG. 14, the bonus mark indicates the floor switch 70e for the right foot, but the operation input made by user 2 is the wall switch 60c on the right side, which is an operation input that does not match the display of the bonus mark. Therefore, in this scene, an effect display in response to the operation input is performed by the identification display of the operation input mark Mc on the effect display unit A33 and the display of the score to be awarded (standard score).

In contrast, in the example of FIG. 15, the bonus mark indicates the floor switch 70d for the left foot, and since user 2 is performing an operation input on this switch 70d, it matches the display of the bonus mark. Therefore, in this scene, an effect display in response to the operation input is performed by the identification display of the operation input mark Md on the effect display unit A33 and the display of the score to be awarded (standard score + bonus score).

[Functional configuration]
Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the air toy 1. As shown in Fig. 16, the air toy 1 includes an operation input unit 80, a reader/writer device 91, a coin insertion device 93, a display device 51 and a speaker 53 installed in a monitor unit 50, and a control device 400. The control device 400 includes a control unit 410, a communication unit 450, and a storage unit 470. The control device 400 may include an input device, a display device, etc. for maintenance, etc.

The operation input unit 80 is composed of a front wall switch 60a, a left wall switch 60b, a right wall switch 60c, a left foot floor switch 70d, and a right foot floor switch 70e, which are planar switches through which the user 2 inputs game operations.

The reader/writer device 91 reads information from the IC card and outputs it to the control unit 410, and also writes information according to the control of the control unit 410.

The coin insertion device 93 detects the insertion of coins equivalent to the play amount and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 410.

The control unit 410 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each part of the play equipment. It also performs calculations based on predetermined programs and data, switch signals from each of the surface switches of the operation input unit 80 (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c and floor switches 70d, 70e), and the like, to comprehensively control the operation of the inflatable play equipment 1.

The control unit 410 includes an operation input detection unit 420 and a game processing unit 430. These functional units may be processing blocks realized as software by executing a program, or may be circuit blocks realized by hardware circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA. In this embodiment, the control unit 410 will be described as processing blocks realized as software by reading and executing a game program 471 from the storage unit 470.

The operation input detection unit 420 is a functional unit that performs operation input detection processing, and is composed of a front side detection unit 421 that inputs a switch signal from the front wall switch 60a and detects operation input to the wall switch 60a, a left side detection unit 422 that inputs a switch signal from the left wall switch 60b and detects operation input to the wall switch 60b, a right side detection unit 423 that inputs a switch signal from the right wall switch 60c and detects operation input to the wall switch 60c, a left foot detection unit 424 that inputs a switch signal from the left foot floor switch 70d and detects operation input to the floor switch 70d, and a right foot detection unit 425 that inputs a switch signal from the right foot floor switch 70e and detects operation input to the floor switch 70e.

In the operation input detection process, from the start to the end of the game, each of the detection units 421 to 425 monitors the switch signal and detects the operation input. Specifically, the front detection unit 421, the left detection unit 422, and the right detection unit 423, which detect operation inputs related to the wall switches 60 (60a, 60b, 60c), detect a single operation input to the wall switch 60 when the switch signal input from the corresponding wall switch 60 changes from off to on.

On the other hand, the left foot detection unit 424 and the right foot detection unit 425, which detect operation inputs related to the floor switches 70d, 70e, detect a single operation input to the floor switches 70d, 70e when the switch signal input from the corresponding floor switch 70d, 70e changes from on to off. The switch signal of the floor switches 70d, 70e is basically on because the user 2 stands on them, but when the user 2 steps on the floor switch 70d, 70e to perform an operation input to the floor switch 70d, 70e, the switch signal changes from on to off. By detecting this, operation input is detected for the floor switches 70d, 70e.

The game processing unit 430 performs the following game processes to realize the game with the air toy 1 described above: a progress control process that controls the progress of the game and displays a game screen on the display device 51; a reception control process that accepts the operation input detected by the operation input detection unit 420 within the time limit of the game being played as a game operation by the user 2; a score assignment process that assigns a score related to the operation input according to the type of operation input accepted; and a performance control process that controls the display device 51 to display a performance according to the type of operation input accepted and the score to be assigned.

The communication unit 450 is a wired or wireless communication device realized by, for example, a wireless communication module, a router, a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc., and communicates with an external device.

The storage unit 470 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the inflatable toy 1 and implementing the various functions of the inflatable toy 1, as well as data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be implemented using IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, or optical disks such as CD-ROM or DVD.

The memory unit 470 also stores a game program 471 for causing the control unit 410 to function as the operation input detection unit 420 and the game processing unit 430.

[Processing flow]
17 is a flowchart showing the flow of game processing in this embodiment. The processing described here is realized by the control unit 410 reading and executing the game program 471. The game processing starts when the user 2 finishes paying the play fee. Prior to the game processing, the operation input detection unit 420 starts operation input detection processing.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the game processing, the game processing unit 430 starts counting the time limit, displays the play screen on the display device 51, and starts controlling the progress of the game (step S1). During the game, the next bonus mark is selected at the timing of updating the bonus mark, and control for updating the display of the play screen is repeated.

If an operation input to any of the surface switches (wall switches 60a, 60b, 60c or floor switches 70d, 70e) is detected in the operation input detection process executed separately by the operation input detection unit 420 (step S3: YES), the game processing unit 430 performs a match determination with the display of the bonus mark and awards a score according to the determination result (step S5). In addition, the game processing unit 430 controls the presentation display on the play screen according to the detected type of operation input and the awarded score (step S7).

After that, the process returns to step S3 and repeats the above process until the time limit has elapsed (step S9: NO). If the time limit has elapsed (step S9: YES), the game processing unit 430 displays the results, including the acquired score (step S11), and ends the game.

As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to increase the entertainment value of playing with the air toy 1.

The arrangement of the wall sensor mat 600 (i.e., the arrangement of the wall switches 60) is one example, and is not limited to the arrangement in which one wall switch 60a, 60b, 60c is arranged on the front wall and on each of the left and right walls. For example, the wall switches may be arranged only on the left and right walls. In addition, the entrance 315 may be configured to be opened and closed by an air membrane structure for a door, and the rear wall switch may be arranged on the rear wall (rear wall portion).

Also, it is possible to configure the system so that only wall switches are provided and no floor switches are provided. Conversely, it is also possible to configure the system so that only floor switches are provided and no wall switches are provided.

In the above embodiment, the inflatable toy 1 is an example of a single-player device in which one user 2 enters the play space 10 to play. However, it can also be configured so that two or more users can play at the same time. For example, it is possible to configure the floor area of the play space forming body to be expanded in the left-right direction (Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) so that two users can play the game side by side, and play a competitive game in which the players compete against each other to see who can get the highest score.

In addition, when expanding the floor area of the play space forming body, an area where floor switches are not placed may be provided as a standing position for the user, and the user may stand on (step on) a floor switch only when making an operational input to the floor switch. In that case, an operational input to the floor switch may be detected when the switch signal input from the floor switch changes from off to on.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a membrane switch is used as an example of a surface switch, but a mat switch can also be used.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1...AIR TOY 3...MAJOR HOUSING 31...PLAY SPACE FORMING BODY 311 (311a, 311b, 311c, 311d)...AIR MEMBRANE STRUCTURE PART FOR WALL STRUCTURE 313...AIR MEMBRANE STRUCTURE PART FOR FLOOR STRUCTURE 315...ENTRANCE 317...AIR MEMBRANE STRUCTURE PART FOR SWITCH BASE 33...WEIGHT 40...SYSTEM BODY 41...VENTILATION PART 50...MONITOR PART 51...DISPLAY DEVICE 53...SPEAKER 600...WALL SENSOR MAT 60 (60a, 60b, 60c)...WALL SWITCH 61, 63...CONTACT SHEET 65...SPACER SHEET 610...PVC SHEET 620...SENSOR MAT BOARD 700...FOOT SENSOR MAT 70d, 70e...FLOOR SWITCH 71, 73...CONTACT SHEET 75...SPACER SHEET 720...PVC SHEET 720...SENSOR MAT BOARD Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me...operation input mark 9...sub-housing 91...reader/writer device 93...coin insertion device 400...control device 410...control unit 420...operation input detection unit 421...front side detection unit 422...left side detection unit 423...right side detection unit 424...left foot detection unit 425...right foot detection unit 430...game processing unit 450...communication unit 470...storage unit 471...game program 80...operation input unit 10...play space

Claims (3)

An inflatable toy in which a play space is defined using an air-filled structure,
A display device installed facing the play space;
a surface switch for inputting operations by a user playing in the play space;
A control device that controls the display of the performance on the display device based on a switch signal from the planar switch;
Equipped with
The planar switch is a membrane switch having a spacer sheet having a plurality of holes interposed between two contact sheets,
The surface switch includes at least a wall switch and a floor switch,
The hole of the spacer sheet constituting the wall switch is larger than the hole of the spacer sheet constituting the floor switch.
Air toys. An inflatable toy in which a play space is defined using an air-filled structure,
A display device installed facing the play space;
a surface switch for inputting operations by a user playing in the play space;
A control device that controls the display of the performance on the display device based on a switch signal from the planar switch;
Equipped with
The surface switch includes at least a wall switch and a floor switch,
The control device includes:
The operation input related to the wall switch is detected when a switch signal from the wall switch changes from off to on;
The operation input related to the floor switch is detected by a switch signal from the floor switch changing from on to off.
Air toys. The floor switches include a left foot floor switch and a right foot floor switch,
the display device is provided in front of the user when viewed from a position where the user stands with his/her left foot on the left foot floor switch and his/her right foot on the right foot floor switch,
The inflatable toy according to claim 1 or 2 .

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