AMUSEMENT DEVICE

Abstract

The amusement device according to the present disclosure includes: a laser irradiation unit 1 that emits a laser beam; a reflector 3 that reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1; and a laser light receiving unit 2 that serves as a target onto which the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1 is incident. The amusement device according to the present disclosure further includes an obstacle 5 that can block the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1. The laser irradiation unit 1 is configured to enable the emission direction of the laser beam to be changed by an operation by a user. The reflector 3 is configured to enable the direction of a reflection surface to be changed by an operation by the user. The obstacle 5 is configured to be movable by an operation by the user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an amusement device using a laser beam.

BACKGROUND ART

An educational game has conventionally been proposed that uses laser beams to help one understand the characteristics of electromagnetic waves. As an amusement device for playing such an educational game, NPL 1, for example, proposes a display device for guiding a laser beam from a start light source to a goal sensor by rotating a reflector on a board.

CITATION LIST

Non Patent Literature

• [NPL 1] 110 Laser Light Reflection Game Device, [online], [searched on Jul. 6, 2021], Internet, <URL:https://www.medico-tec.co.jp/device/000_24.html>

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the device described in NPL 1 above, objects such as a light source and a reflector for emitting laser beams are fixed and do not move. In the device described in NPL 1, the user performs only the rotating operation of the fixed reflector. The device described in NPL 1 has a problem of low gaming performance.

The present invention was achieved in view of the above-described problem. An object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device that uses a laser beam and has higher gaming performance.

Solution to Problem

An amusement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a laser irradiation unit that emits a laser beam; a reflector that reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit; a laser light receiving unit that serves as a target onto which the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit is incident; and an obstacle that can block the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit. The laser irradiation unit is configured to enable an emission direction of the laser beam to be changed by an operation by a user. The reflector is configured to enable a direction of a reflection surface to be changed by an operation by the user. The obstacle is configured to be movable by an operation by the user.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, an amusement device using a laser beam and having higher gaming performance can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire configuration of an amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a primary function of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a first user of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a second user of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing each function of a control unit provided in the amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, repeated descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The present invention may include various modifications and combinations of configurations disclosed in the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire configuration of an amusement device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a primary function of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1.

The amusement device according to the present embodiment realizes a game in which a first user and a second user can play against each other. The first user plays a game for the purpose of making a laser beam incident on a target. The second user plays a game for the purpose of obstructing the incidence of the laser beam to the target made by the first user.

An amusement device according to the present embodiment includes: a laser irradiation unit 1 that emits a laser beam; and a laser light receiving unit 2 that serves as a target onto which the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1 is incident.

The amusement device according to the present embodiment includes a reflector 3 that reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1. The reflector 3 is configured to allow the direction of a reflection surface to be changed by an operation by a user. The first user guides the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1 to the laser light receiving unit 2 by changing the direction of the reflector 3. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of the reflectors 3 may be provided. Apart from the reflector 3, a fixed reflector 4 with a fixed direction may be provided.

In the present embodiment, the laser irradiation unit 1 is configured to enable the emission direction of the laser beam to be changed by an operation by a user. The respective objects such as the laser irradiation unit 1 and the reflector 3 provided in the amusement device according to the present embodiment can move independently of the other objects.

The first user performs an operation for the purpose of making the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1 incident on the laser light receiving unit 2. Specifically, the first user performs an operation for changing the emission direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser irradiation unit 1 and an operation for changing the direction of the reflection surface of the reflector 3.

The amusement device according to the present embodiment further includes an obstacle 5 capable of blocking the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1. The obstacle 5 is configured to be movable by an operation by the user. The obstacle 5 can move independently of other objects such as the laser irradiation unit 1 and the reflector 3. The obstacle 5 is movable within a predetermined range. A plurality of the obstacles 5 may be provided. Apart from the obstacle 5, a fixed obstacle 6 with a fixed position may be provided.

The second user performs an operation for the purpose of preventing the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 1 from entering the laser light receiving unit 2. Specifically, the second user performs an operation for changing the position of the obstacle 5 to block the laser beam by the obstacle 5. On the other hand, the first user operates the laser irradiation unit 1 and the reflector 3 so that the laser beam avoids the obstacle 5.

According to the configuration described above, an educational game with an added element of competition between the first user and the second user can be realized. According to the present embodiment, an amusement device that uses a laser beam and has higher gaming performance can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first user of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first user first irradiates a laser beam from the laser irradiation unit 1 (step S101). The processing of step S101 may be performed by operating, for example, an arbitrary preset switch or the like that is set in advance, or may be automatically performed when the power of the amusement device is turned on.

When the irradiation of the laser beam by the laser irradiation unit 1 is started, the first user determines whether the laser light receiving unit 2 is visible from the laser irradiation unit 1 (step S102). When the laser light receiving unit 2 is visible from the laser irradiation unit 1, the first user changes the irradiation angle of the laser beam irradiated by the laser irradiation unit 1 to the direction of the laser light receiving unit 2 (step S103).

After the processing of step S103, when the laser beam is made incident on the laser light receiving unit 2, the purpose of the first user is achieved, ending the game. On the other hand, when the laser beam is not incident on the laser light receiving unit 2 after the processing of step S103, the processing from step S102 onward is performed again (step S104).

In step S102, when the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1, the first user selects one unselected arbitrary reflector 3 which is located at a line-of-sight position from the laser irradiation unit 1, and changes the irradiation angle of the laser beam to the direction of the reflector 3 (step S105). After step S105, the first user determines whether or not the laser light receiving unit 2 can be seen from the selected reflector 3 (step S106).

When the laser light receiving unit 2 is visible from the selected reflector 3, the angle of the reflector 3 is changed in such a manner that the laser beam from the laser irradiation unit 1 is made incident and the reflected light is made incident on the laser light receiving unit 2 (step S107). When the laser beam is incident on the laser light receiving unit 2, the purpose of the first user is achieved, ending the game. On the other hand, when the laser beam is not made incident on the laser light receiving unit 2, processing from step S106 onward is performed again (step S108).

In step S106, when the laser light receiving unit 2 is not visible from the selected reflector 3, the first user determines whether or not all the reflectors 3 located at line-of-sight positions from the reflector 3 selected immediately before have made an attempt similar to the processing of step S106 (step S109). The attempt similar to the processing of step S106 means determining whether or not the laser light receiving unit 2 can be seen from the reflector 3. In step S109, when the attempt similar to the processing of step S106 is made to all the reflectors 3 located at the line-of-sight position from the reflector 3 selected immediately before, the processing from step S105 onward is performed again.

In step S109, when the attempt similar to the processing of step S106 is not made for all the reflectors 3 located at the line-of-sight positions from the reflector 3 selected immediately before, the first user selects one reflector 3 located at the line-of-sight position from the reflector 3 selected immediately before, and changes the laser irradiation angle to the direction of said reflector 3 (step S110). After step S110, processing from step S106 onward is executed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the second user of the amusement device according to Embodiment 1. When the laser beam is made incident on the laser light receiving unit 2, the game is finished. Until the laser is incident on the laser light receiving unit 2, the second user performs subsequent operations so as to interfere with the first user (step S201).

The second user determines whether or not the laser light receiving unit 2 is visible from the laser irradiation unit 1 (step S202), as with the first user. When the laser light receiving unit 2 is visible from the laser irradiation unit 1, it is determined whether the obstacle 5 can be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1 (step S203). When the obstacle 5 cannot be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1, the processing returns to step S201. When the obstacle 5 can be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1, the second user moves the obstacle 5 to a position where the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen (step S204). After this processing of step S204, the processing returns to step S201.

When the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1, the second user determines whether or not the laser light receiving unit 2 can be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1 via the reflector 3 (step S205). In step S205, when the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1 via the reflector 3, the interference is successful, and therefore the second user continues the determination processing of step S205 without performing any other operation in particular.

When the laser light receiving unit 2 can be seen from the laser irradiation unit 1 via the reflector 3, the second user determines whether or not the obstacle 5 can be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be visible via the reflector 3 from the laser irradiation unit 1 (step S206). When the obstacle 5 cannot be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen, the processing returns to step S201. When the obstacle 5 can be moved so that the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen, the second user moves the obstacle 5 to a position where the laser light receiving unit 2 cannot be seen (step S207).

The operation by the first user shown in FIG. 3 may be performed independently, for example. The amusement device according to the present embodiment may further include an irradiation side automatic control unit for automatically controlling the emission direction of the laser irradiation unit 1 and the direction of the reflector 3. The irradiation side automatic control unit performs an operation on behalf of the first user. In this example, even the second user alone can also play a competitive game.

Similarly, the operation by the first user shown in FIG. 4 may be performed independently, for example. The amusement device according to the present embodiment may further include an obstacle automatic control unit for automatically controlling the position of the obstacle 5. The obstacle automatic control unit performs an operation on behalf of the second user. In this example, even the first user alone can also play a competitive game.

The functions of the irradiation side automatic control unit and the obstacle automatic control unit can be realized by using various sensor devices, processing circuits, and the like. Some or all of the functions of the irradiation side automatic control unit and the obstacle automatic control unit may be achieved using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The functions of a wireless communication system may be realized by a combination of dedicated hardware and software. Further, the functions of the wireless communication system may be partially or entirely configured as a program that is executed by a processor such as a CPU. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

For example, each function of a control unit provided in the amusement device, such as the irradiation side automatic control unit and the obstacle automatic control unit, can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided through a network.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing each function of the control unit provided in the amusement device according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 5, each function of the control unit is realized by, for example, an input unit 100, an output unit 110, a communication unit 120, a CPU 130, a memory 140, and an HDD 150. The input unit 100, the output unit 110, the communication unit 120, the CPU 130, the memory 140, and the HDD 150 are connected via a bus 160 and has a function of a computer. Further, the computer including the input unit 100, the output unit 110, the communication unit 120, the CPU 130, the memory 140, the HDD 150, or the like can input or output data to or from a storage medium 170 readable by the computer.

The input unit 100 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The output unit 110 is, for example, a display device such as a display. The communication unit 120 is, for example, a wireless network interface.

The CPU 130 controls each unit constituting the wireless communication system and performs predetermined processing and the like. The memory 140 and the HDD 150 function as a storage unit that stores various types of data or the like.

The storage medium 170 stores a program for executing each function of the wireless communication system. Note that the architecture constituting the wireless communication system is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

Further, the “computer” as used herein includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disc, a ROM, or a CD-ROM.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” may also include a recording medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Further, the “computer-readable storage medium” may also be a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory in a computer that serves as a server or a client.

The laser irradiation unit 1 may be configured to be able to change not only the emission direction of the laser beam but also the position thereof. Thus, the degree of freedom of the operation by the user is increased, further improving the game performance.

Similarly, the reflector 3 may be configured to be able to change not only the direction but also the position of the reflector 3. The laser light receiving unit 2 may be configured to be able to change at least either the position or the direction of the light receiving surface.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The amusement device according to the present invention can be used, for example, for providing a competitive game.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1 Laser irradiation unit
  • 2 Laser light receiving unit
  • 3 Reflector
  • 4 Fixed reflector
  • 5 Obstacle
  • 6 Fixed obstacle
  • 100 Input unit
  • 110 Output unit
  • 120 Communication unit
  • 130 CPU
  • 140 Memory
  • 150 HDD
  • 160 Bus
  • 170 Storage medium

Claims

1. An amusement device, comprising: a laser to emit a laser beam;a reflector to reflect the laser beam emitted from the laser;a laser light receiver that serves as a target onto which the laser beam emitted from the laser is incident; andan obstacle that can block the laser beam emitted from the laser,wherein the laser is to enable an emission direction of the laser beam to be changed by an operation by a user,the reflector is to enable a direction of a reflection surface to be changed by an operation by the user, andthe obstacle is to be movable by an operation by the user.

2. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein a position of the laser is configured to be changeable by an operation by the user.

3. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein a position of the reflector is changeable by an operation by the user.

4. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein a position of the laser light receiver is changeable by an operation by the user.

5. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein a direction of a light receiving surface of the laser light receiver is changeable by an operation by the user.

6. The amusement device according to claim 1, further comprising: irradiation side automatic control circuitry configured to automatically controls an emission direction of the laser and a direction of the reflector.

7. The amusement device according to claim 1, further comprising: obstacle automatic control circuitry configured to automatically control a position of the obstacle.