Patent Publication Number: US-2011057385-A1

Title: Hitting game machine and method for multiple persons

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, in general, to a hitting game machine for multiple persons, and, more particularly, to a hitting game machine and method for multiple persons, which can allow a plurality of inserted hitting objects to hit targets on a rotating circular plate in order for a plurality of users to simultaneously play the game, thus stimulating a plurality of users&#39; interest in the game. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     At present, with the betterment of the quality of life, various methods for enjoying leisure activities have been proposed. As one of such methods of enjoying leisure activities, a method using game machines, which is configured to acquire predetermined points on the basis of certain game rules and to receive a free gift or to continue to play the game on the basis of the sum of acquired points, has been proposed. 
     As one of such game machines, a game machine using a coin has been developed. The term ‘game machine using a coin’ means a device in which the free fall and rotational motion of a coin inserted into the upper portion of a main body is applied to the game machine and which is configured to assign predetermined points on the basis of designated game rules and to give a free gift or to enable the game to continue to be played on the basis of the points. 
     A patent for such a game machine using a coin was filed by the present applicant and disclosed in Korean Patent Appln. No. 10-2007-0053584 (entitled “game machine using a coin and coin guide used therefor”), which is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to the drawing, a game machine using a coin is configured such that a plurality of targets  10  stands along the circumference of a circular plate  7 , with identifiers installed thereon to identify the respective targets  10 , and is formed to be bent at a predetermined curvature, and thus the targets  10  are formed to be rotatable in a direction from the inside to outside of the circular plate  7  with respect to inflection points at bent portions. 
     On the rear surface of the circular plate  7 , a rotating part for rotating the circular plate  7  at constant speed is installed. At the center of the circular plate  7 , a coin guiding part  20  is fixedly installed in one direction. The coin guiding part  20  is operated to function as a guide for guiding an inserted coin  5  such that the coin  5  rolls on the circular plate  7 , hits one of the targets  10 , rotating together with the circular plate  7 , and fells the target. 
     At a location spaced apart from the circular plate  7  by a predetermined distance, at least one target sensing unit  30  is installed and is configured to identify respective targets corresponding to the identifiers thereof because the identifiers are respectively installed on the targets  10 . 
     Further, at a location spaced apart from the circular plate  7  by a predetermined distance, at least one target erection unit  40  is installed. The target erection unit  40  functions to restore a target felled by the coin  5 , from among the targets  10 , to its original position. 
     Meanwhile, the coin guiding part  20  is formed to be vertically extended and horizontally bent so that the inserted and descending coin  5  can roll on the circular plate  7  while rotating in the horizontal direction, and is also formed to be bent at a predetermined curvature so that the descending coin  5  is not stopped and easily changes its direction to the horizontal direction. 
     Further, a speed reduction part  50  is installed in a portion of the coin guiding part  20  to reduce the speed of the coin  5 , which has been inserted and is descending downwards, is implemented using at least one small disk  50 , and is configured to be rotatable with respect to one point on the circumference of the small disk  50  as a shaft. 
     However, such a hitting game machine using a coin is problematic in that it can be used by only one person. 
     That is, there are disadvantages in that, even if the circular plate is rotating even at the maximum speed, targets placed behind the coin guiding part cannot be felled, so that the usefulness of space is deteriorated, and the remaining persons must wait for their turn while one person is playing the game. 
     Meanwhile, when a target, installed to be rotatable with respect to an inflection point in a bent portion in a direction from the inside to outside of the circular plate, is felled by the coin, the target must be maintained in its felled state until the target is identified and is erected again by the target erection unit. However, in the case of a conventional target, it is erected again by the impact thereof after being felled. 
     In addition, there is a problem in that, while each small disk of the speed reduction part of the coin guiding part is moving around one point as a shaft, the small disk interferes with the motion of a descending coin, so that the coin is tightly caught in the coin guiding part, thus making it impossible to play the game any more. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hitting game machine and method for multiple persons, as described above. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hitting game machine and method for multiple persons, which prevent small disks of a speed reduction part from rotating past a predetermined angle. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a hitting game machine and method for multiple persons, which can exactly sense a felled target. 
     In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a hitting game machine for multiple persons, comprising a circular plate divided into one or more sections and configured to rotate, a plurality of targets hingedly coupled to the circular plate and provided on outer circumferences of the sections of the circular plate so that the targets are rotatable at a predetermined angle due to being hit, the targets including identifiers provided on bottoms thereof, a plurality of hitting object guides fixedly installed on a portion of the circular plate in a direction of the targets and installed to cover the sections of the circular plate, the hitting object guides being configured such that hitting object inlets are formed at first ends thereof and the hitting object guides guide hitting objects so that each of the hitting objects inserted into the inlets moves and hits one of the plurality of targets, target sensing units provided across the sections of the circular plate so that the target sensing units sense targets, which have been felled by the hitting objects, using identifiers of the targets, display units provided on portions of the hitting object guides to display bonus points or free gifts for the targets sensed by the target sensing units, and target erection units installed next to corresponding target sensing units in a rotating direction of the circular plate and configured to restore targets, which have rotated due to being hit by the hitting objects, to their original positions. 
     Preferably, the plurality of hitting object guides is fixedly installed on a portion of the circular plate in a direction of the targets, hitting object inlets are formed on upper portions of the hitting object guides, hitting object movement paths communicating with the inlets extend from the upper portions to lower portions of the hitting object guides, the lower portions extend lengthwise along the outer circumference of the circular plate, and the hitting object speed reduction parts are provided along the hitting object movement paths, thus guiding each inserted hitting object so that the hitting object hits one of the plurality of targets while moving with a speed thereof reduced by the hitting object speed reduction parts. 
     Preferably, the respective sections of the circular plate are formed as fan-shaped areas extending outwards from a center of the circular plate to include several targets, and are configured such that light sources are installed on rear surfaces of the sections to illuminate or darken the respective areas. Preferably, the circular plate is configured such that coupling grooves, to which the respective targets are coupled, are formed on an outer circumference of the circular plate, and the respective targets are formed to be bent at a predetermined curvature and are provided with hinge parts, hingedly coupled to the coupling grooves, to allow the targets to be rotatable with respect to inflection points of the bent portions in a direction from inside to outside of the circular plate. 
     Preferably, the hinge parts of the targets rotatably coupled to the coupling grooves have cam shapes at first ends thereof so that a predetermined frictional force is caused and rotary power of the targets is reduced when the targets are rotating at a predetermined angle. Preferably, the hitting object guides are formed to be bent so that hitting objects which have been inserted into the hitting object inlets and have descended downwards can move toward the targets. 
     Meanwhile, each of the hitting object guides further comprises at least one hitting object speed reduction part for reducing a speed of each hitting object, which has been inserted and is descending downwards. Preferably, the hitting object speed reduction part is formed such that a small disk is installed to be rotatable with respect to one point on a circumference thereof or a shaft thereof and such that a cylindrical stopper is formed on a portion of the small disk to prevent the circular plate from rotating past a predetermined angle. 
     Preferably, the respective targets are formed to have one same height and different widths, and the target erection units are installed to be spaced apart from the outer circumference of the circular plate by a distance less than a height of each target, and are each formed to have gradually increasing heights in the rotating direction of the circular plate. 
     Preferably, the target erection units are formed such that upper portions thereof are inclined at a predetermined angle toward a center of the circular plate. 
     Further, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a hitting game method for multiple persons, comprising a) rotating a circular plate which is divided into one or more sections and is provided with a plurality of targets, the targets being installed on outer circumferences of the sections and having identifiers provided on bottoms thereof, b) one or more hitting objects, which move along hitting object guides installed to cover the sections, hitting targets in the sections of the rotating circular plate, c) sensing targets, felled by the hitting objects, using the identifiers of the targets, d) displaying bonus points or free gifts for the sensed targets, and e) restoring the felled targets to their original positions. 
     Preferably, b) comprises b-1) inserting the hitting objects into the hitting object guides, b-2) the inserted hitting objects reducing a speed thereof while descending downwards, and b-3) the speed-reduced hitting objects moving and hitting targets provided on the circular plate. Preferably, the hitting object guides are fixedly installed at a center of the circular plate in one direction, hitting object inlets are formed on upper portions of the hitting object guides, hitting object movement paths communicating with the inlets extend from the upper portions to lower portions of the hitting object guides, the lower portions extend lengthwise along an outer circumference of the circular plate, and hitting object speed reduction parts are provided along the hitting object movement paths, thus guiding each inserted hitting object so that the hitting object hits one of the plurality of targets while moving with a speed thereof reduced by the hitting object speed reduction parts. 
     Preferably, c) comprises sensing passing of the hitting objects through the respective target identifiers located on a rear surface of the circular plate, and reading location information of the identifiers and transmitting the location information. Further, e) is configured such that felled targets are erected using target erection units, which are installed to be spaced apart from the outer circumference of the circular plate by a distance less than a height of each target and are each formed to have gradually increasing heights in a rotating direction of the circular plate. 
     Preferably, the target erection units are formed such that upper portions thereof are inclined at a predetermined angle toward a center of the circular plate. Preferably, the respective sections of the circular plate are formed as fan-shaped areas extending outwards from the center of the circular plate to include several targets, and light sources are installed on rear surfaces of the sections to illuminate or darken the section areas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional hitting game machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hitting game machine for multiple persons according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a hitting object guide according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing the hitting object speed reduction part of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a speed reduction part; 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing an operation in which a hitting object hits a target; 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing the visual effect of a hit target; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a target erection unit according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a hitting game method for multiple persons according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the support of a target; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the target coupled to the support; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the target coupled to the support; 
         FIG. 13  is a view showing the coupling of the cam of a hinge part to a coupling groove; and 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing the shape in which the target is rotating and then the cam is completely coupled to the coupling groove. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their typical meaning based on the dictionary definitions thereof, but should be interpreted to have the meaning and concept relevant to the technical spirit of the present invention, on the basis of the principle by which the inventor can suitably define the implications of terms in the way which best describes the invention. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hitting game machine for multiple persons according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hitting game machine  100  for multiple persons according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a circular plate  110 , a plurality of targets  120 , a plurality of hitting object guides  130 , target erection units  140 , target sensing units  150 , and hitting object receptacles  160 . 
     Therefore, the hitting game machine is advantageous in that, since the usefulness of space is increased and several game players can simultaneously play the game, the players&#39; interest in the game is further stimulated. 
     The circular plate  110  is configured to be divided into one or more sections and to rotate. The targets  120  are hingedly coupled to the circular plate  110  and are provided on the outer circumferences of the sections of the circular plate  110  so that they rotate at a predetermined angle due to being hit by the hitting objects. Further, identifiers are provided on the bottoms of the targets  120 , respectively. 
     Further, the respective sections of the circular plate  110  are formed as fan-shaped areas extending outwards from the center of the circular plate to include several targets  120 , and light sources are installed on the rear surfaces of the sections to illuminate or darken the sections. 
     In the present invention, a description will be made on the assumption that the circular plate is divided into a total of seven sections. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  illustrating the visual effect of a hit target, when a hitting object  170 , which is rolling out of the lower portion  133  of a relevant hitting object guide  130 , hits a target  120  and is then received in the hitting object receptacle  160 , the light sources are turned on and off to illuminate the section of the circular plate  110  (in the drawing, “b”) corresponding to the target  120  to be illuminated. 
     A plurality of targets  120  is hingedly coupled to the circular plate  110  and is provided on the outer circumferences of the sections of the circular plate  110  so that the targets  120  can rotate in a direction from the inside to outside of the circular plate  110  due to being hit by the hitting objects  170 . The identifiers are provided on the bottoms of the targets, respectively. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10 to 14 , the detailed construction of each target  120  will be described below. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the support of the target,  FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the target coupled to the support,  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the target coupled to the support,  FIG. 13  is a view showing the cam of a hinge part is coupled to a coupling groove, and  FIG. 14  is a view showing the state in which the target is rotating and the cam is completely coupled to the coupling groove. Each target  120  includes a support  122  and a rotatable target  124 . The support  122  includes a coupling part  122   a  coupled to the outer circumference of the circular plate  110 , an identifier attachment part  122   c  to which an identifier is attached, a target holding projection  122   d , a target stopping projection  122   f , and a hinge coupling groove  122   e . The rotatable target  124  includes a cam-type hinge part  124   c , a target holding part  124   a , and a hit part  124   b.    
     When being coupled and fastened to the outer circumference of the circular plate  110 , the coupling part  122   a  of the support  122  is fastened using a coupling means such as a screw. An identifier required to allow a corresponding target to be sensed by the target sensing unit  150  is attached to the identifier attachment part  122   c.    
     That is, each identifier is configured such that location information of a corresponding target or the like is recorded, thus enabling a felled target and the section in which the felled target is located to be detected. 
     The target holding projection  122   d  is configured to support the target holding part  124   a  when the rotatable target  124  is coupled to the support  122  and is then rotating. The target holding projection  122   d  is formed to be slightly inclined toward the center of the circular plate  110  so that the rotatable target  124  is not felled by the centrifugal force of rotation (refer to  FIG. 12 ). 
     The target stopping projection  122   f  is configured to support the rotatable target  124  so that, when the rotatable target  124  is hit by the hitting object  170 , the hit part  124   b  of the rotatable target  124  is prevented from being felled to a degree exceeding a predetermined degree (refer to  FIG. 14 ). 
     The hinge coupling groove  122   e  is coupled to the cam-type hinge part  124   c  of the rotatable target  124 , which will be described later, and is configured to cause a certain frictional force and to reduce the rotary power of the rotatable target  124  when the rotatable target  124  is inclined at an angle exceeding a predetermined angle. 
     The cam-type hinge part  124   c  is coupled to the hinge coupling groove  122   e  and is implemented using a hinge part having a cam shape at its one end so that, when the rotatable target  124  is rotating at a predetermined angle, the hinge part  124   c  causes a certain frictional force and reduces the rotary power of the rotatable target  124 . 
     The target holding part  124   a  is supported by the target holding projection  122   d , and is installed to be spaced apart from the cam-type hinge part  124   c  by a predetermined height so that the target holding part  124   a  is supported by the target holding projection  122   d  while being slightly inclined toward the center of the circular plate  110  so as not to be felled by the centrifugal force of rotation caused when the target  120  is rotating. 
     The hit part  124   b  is a portion hit by the hitting object  170 , and the target holding part  124   a  and the hit part  124   b  are formed to be bent at a predetermined curvature. 
     Further, the respective targets  120  are formed to have the same standing height, but different widths, and thus different points or free gifts may be provided depending on the respective widths of the targets. 
     Each of the hitting object guides  130  is fixedly installed in one direction at the center of the circular plate  110 , and a hitting object inlet is formed at one end of the hitting object guide  130 . The hitting object guides  130  are installed to cover the sections of the circular plate  110  so that each of the hitting object guides  130  guides a hitting object  170  inserted into the inlet, in order for the hitting object  170  to move and hit one of the targets  120 . 
     That is, referring to  FIG. 2 , the circular plate  110  is divided into seven sections, but because four hitting object guides  130  are constructed, four persons can simultaneously play the game. 
     The reason for this is that hitting objects, moving along the hitting object guides  130 , may face the targets  120  in various forms, and thus it is preferable to configure the number of hitting object guides  130  to be less than that of the sections of the circular plate  110 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a hitting object guide according to the present invention. The hitting object guide  130  will be described in detail with reference to the drawing. 
     In each hitting object guide  130 , a bent portion thereof is formed to be bent at a predetermined angle at a location vertically close to the circular plate  110  so that a hitting object which has been inserted into the hitting object inlet and has descended downwards can move toward the targets  120  along a hitting object movement path  133 . 
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the hitting object guide is preferably formed to be vertically extended and horizontally bent so that the hitting object  170  which has been inserted and has descended downwards can roll on the circular plate  110  while horizontally rotating. At this time, the bent portion is preferably bent at a predetermined curvature so that the descending hitting object  170  can easily switch its direction to a horizontal direction. 
     Further, each hitting object guide  130  is configured such that a plurality of hitting object speed reduction parts  132  capable of reducing the speed of the hitting object  170 , which has been inserted and is descending downwards, is installed therein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4  showing the hitting object speed reduction part, and  FIG. 5  showing an enlarged view of the speed reduction part, the hitting object speed reduction part  132  will be described in detail. 
     Each of the hitting object speed reduction parts  132  is characterized in that a small disk  132  is installed to be rotatable with respect to one point on the circumference thereof or the shaft thereof, and in that a cylindrical stopper  132   a  is formed on a portion of the small disk  132  to prevent the circular plate  132  from rotating past a predetermined angle. 
     Further, each of the hitting object speed reduction parts  132  is preferably made of a material, such as a plastic material, which is lighter than that of the hitting object  170 . 
     Since such a stopper  132   a  is installed and thus precisely controls the descending speed of the hitting object  170 , there is an advantage in that a plurality of game players can comfortably use the game machine of the present invention as a tool for reducing their stress without stopping playing the game. 
     That is, the plurality of hitting object guides  130  is fixedly installed on a portion of the circular plate  110  in the direction of the targets  120 , and is each configured such that the hitting object inlet is installed on the upper portion thereof, the hitting object movement path  133  communicating with the inlet extends from the upper portion to the lower portion of the hitting object guide, and the lower portion (the hitting object outlet) extends lengthwise toward the outer circumference of the circular plate  110 . Accordingly, the hitting object guide  130  guides an inserted hitting object  170  so that, while the hitting object is moving with speed reduced by the plurality of hitting object speed reduction parts  132 , it hits one of the targets  120  rotating together with the circular plate  110 . 
     Further, the hitting object guide  130  preferably has a thickness slightly greater than that of the hitting object  170  so that the inserted hitting object  170  is not caught in the hitting object guide  130  and uniformly moves without being inclined. 
     Meanwhile, in order to increase an interest in the game, the hitting object guide  130  may rotate in a direction or at a speed differing from that of the circular plate  110 . 
     That is, referring to  FIG. 6  illustrating an operation in which the hitting object hits a target, the hitting object guide  130  guides the hitting object  170  which is rolling out of the hitting object guide  130  so that it hits a target  120 . 
     Each target erection unit  140  is installed next to a corresponding target sensing unit  150 , which will be described later, in the rotating direction of the circular plate  110 , and is configured to restore the target  120 , which has rotated due to being hit by the hitting object  170 , to its original position. 
     The target erection unit  140  is installed to be spaced apart from the outer circumference of the circular plate  110  by a distance less than the height of each target  120 , and is formed to have gradually increasing heights along the rotating direction of the circular plate  110 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8  illustrating an enlarged view of the target erection unit, the target erection unit will now be described in detail. The target erection unit  140  is installed in the hitting game machine  100  for multiple persons. The target erection unit  140  includes a base  141 , which is installed to be spaced apart from the outer circumference of the circular plate  110  by a distance less than the height of each target  120 , and a target erection element  142 , which is formed on the base  141  to have gradually increasing heights along the rotating direction of the circular plate  110  and is inclined toward the center of the circular plate  110  at a predetermined angle. The target  120 , which has been felled, is prompted to be immediately erected by the target erection unit  140  thanks to both the shape of the target erection unit  140  and the rotation of the circular plate  110 . 
     The target sensing units  150  are installed across the sections of the circular plate  110  in order to sense targets  120  which have been felled by the hitting objects  170 , using identifiers formed on the identifier attachment parts  122   c  of the targets  120 , and function to sense targets which have been felled by the hitting objects  170 , from among all the targets  120 . In this case, each target sensing unit  150  may be implemented to output different sensed signals corresponding to the widths of the respective targets  120 . That is, the target sensing units  150  may be implemented to output the same signal with respect to targets having the same width. 
     The target sensing units  150  and the target erection units  140  can primarily sense and subsequently erect felled targets only when each target sensing unit  150  is installed at a previous location and then a corresponding target erection unit  140  is installed next to the target sensing unit  150  in the rotating direction of the circular plate  110 . 
     The hitting object receptacles  160  are installed at locations corresponding to those of the hitting object guides  130  to receive hitting objects  170  which have hit the targets and continue moving. 
     That is, the hitting object receptacles  160  are widely formed at locations corresponding to those of the hitting object guides  130  across the sections of the circular plate  110  so that the hitting objects  170  are prevented from falling out of the game machine or dropping off the game machine after rolling along the hitting object guides  130 . 
     Further, the display units  131  may be installed on the tops of the hitting object guides  130 , respectively, and are configured to display bonus points or free gifts for targets sensed by the respective target sensing units  150 . The display units  131  may be provided on portions of the hitting object guides  130 . 
     Further, a rotating part (not shown) for rotating the circular plate  110  at constant speed is installed on the rear surface of the circular plate  110 . 
     The hitting game machine for multiple persons having the above construction is operated such that hitting objects  170 , inserted into the hitting object guides  130 , switch their descending direction to a horizontal direction because of the bent portions of the hitting object guides  130 , and collide with corresponding ones of the targets  120  installed on the circumference of the rotating circular plate  110  while the hitting objects  170  are rotating with speeds thereof reduced by the speed reduction parts  132 , and such that the targets  120 , colliding with the hitting objects  170 , are felled to the outside of the circular plate  110  on the basis of the inflection points of the targets  120 , and the hitting objects  170  are felled to the outside of the circular plate  110  across the targets  120  and are then received in the hitting object receptacles  160 . 
     Since each target sensing unit  150  and a corresponding target erection unit  140  are sequentially installed outside the circular plate  110  in the rotating direction of the circular plate  110 , the target sensing unit  150  identifies a felled target  120  using its identifier installed on the target  120 , and the target erection unit  140  erects the felled target  120 . 
     Meanwhile, the hitting game machine  100  for multiple persons may further include a storage part not shown) for storing a list of gift names corresponding to respective targets  120 , and may extract gift names corresponding to the targets  120  sensed by the target sensing units  150  from the storage part and to display the gift names on the display units  131 . Of course, it is also possible for the hitting game machine  100  to directly provide corresponding free gifts. 
     Hereinafter, a hitting game method performed by the hitting game machine for multiple persons according to the present invention will be described with reference to the related drawings. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a hitting game method for multiple persons according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the game is started, the circular plate  110 , which is divided into one or more sections and has a plurality of targets  120 , is rotating, wherein the targets  120  are installed on the outer circumferences of the sections and are provided with identifiers on the bottoms thereof, at step S 210 . 
     When a hitting object  170  is inserted into one of the plurality of hitting object guides  130  at step S 211 , the inserted hitting object  170  reduces its descending speed through the speed reduction parts  132  while descending downwards, and then moves along the hitting object movement path  133 . 
     At this time, when a termination time or the number of insertions of the hitting object  170 , required for one game, is set, the termination time is reduced, and the number of insertions is decreased by 1 at step S 212 . 
     The termination time required for one game is set to terminate one game within a preset period of time, and the number of insertions is set to limit the number of insertions that are possible within the set termination time, thus allowing a game operator to set a suitable game termination time and the suitable number of insertions required for one game. 
     When the hitting object  170 , having passed through the hitting object guide  130 , hits one of the targets  120  provided in the sections of the rotating circular plate  110  at step S 213 , a relevant target sensing unit  150  senses a target  120  which has been felled by the hitting object  170 , using its identifier at step S 214 , and displays bonus points or a free gift for the target  120  on the display unit  131  installed on the top of the hitting object guide  130  at step S 215 . 
     Further, the respective sections of the circular plate  110  are formed as fan-shaped areas extending outwards from the center of the circular plate  110  to include several targets  120 , and light sources are installed on the rear surfaces of the sections to illuminate or darken the areas. Accordingly, it is apparent that more excellent visual effects can be added by turning on or off the light sources to which the felled target  120  belongs. 
     Thereafter, the target erection unit  140  restores the felled target  120  to its original position, and waits for a subsequent hitting object  170  to be inserted at step S 216 . 
     After step S 216 , steps S 211  to S 216  are repeated, and whether the game termination time set at step S 212  has elapsed or whether the number of insertions exceeds the set number of insertions is determined at step S 217 . If it is determined at step S 217  that the game has been terminated, corresponding bonus points or a corresponding free gift is provided, and the game is terminated at step S 218 . 
     If it is determined at step S 217  that the game has not been terminated, steps S 211  to S 216  are repeated again. 
     Accordingly, the hitting game machine and method for multiple persons of the present invention are advantageous in that the usefulness of space is increased, and a plurality of game players can simultaneously play the game, thus further stimulating interest in the game. 
     Further, the hitting game machine and method for multiple persons of the present invention are advantageous in that, since the descending speed of hitting objects can be precisely controlled, a plurality of game players can comfortably use the game machine as a tool for relieving stress without stopping playing the game. 
     Furthermore, the hitting game machine and method for multiple persons are advantageous in that felled targets can be sensed even while a plurality of game players is playing the game, thus allowing the game players to play the game without interruption. 
     As described above, the present invention provides a hitting game machine, which allows a plurality of inserted hitting objects to hit the targets of a rotating circular plate in order for a plurality of users to simultaneously play the game, so that interest in the game can be further increased, and a plurality of game players can comfortably use the game machine as a tool for reducing stress, thus enabling the game machine to be used as an enjoyable leisure activity or to relieve stress. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.