JP2006158815A - Game system using network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system using a network which allows a player to play a game on a game machine (pachinko machine) installed in a real parlor after the player returns home, is enhanced in feeling of reality and is capable of processing charge on copy right arising at the time of executing a pachinko game. <P>SOLUTION: A player accesses a net game server 12 via a network 2 operating a user terminal 61, and plays a game on the network by remotely operating a game machine 11. The net game server 12 can be accessed by a user by using the user terminal 61 via the network 2, transmits information capable of showing images picked up by imaging means 21, 22 to the user terminal, receives commands for playing games from a user side, executes processing for providing information to the user, and executes processing needed for the user to remotely operate the game machine 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system using a network, and in particular, continues after returning from a stand (pachinko machine) in an actual store, and operates a terminal such as a computer via a network at home (or (You can suddenly operate a stand in a real store at home), and make it possible to play an actual pachinko machine located at a remote location, improve body sensitivity, and perform pachinko games The present invention relates to a gaming system using a network that can solve the above problem.

In general, in order to install a game hall that operates with a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, a place with good location conditions such as the station front is required, and funds are also required.
Therefore, a system for playing a pachinko game like a video game via a network at home has been developed.
Examples of such conventional gaming systems include those disclosed in the following patent documents.

International publication WO95 / 30463 pamphlet JP 2001-269442 A JP 2001-286661 A

  All of the systems in the above-mentioned conventional documents are basically gaming systems using a network, and are connected to a video camera provided at a position where the status of the pachinko machine can be confirmed and a network such as the Internet. And a player terminal equipped with a terminal monitor that captures the video of the video camera, and an operation mechanism that is attached to or built in the pachinko machine and that controls the pachinko machine with an operation signal transmitted over the network from the player terminal.

A player connected to a pachinko machine via a network operates the player to operate an actual pachinko machine while in a remote location and enjoy a pachinko game while watching the situation on the terminal monitor. It is something that can be done.
In this way, a player can play a pachinko machine at home like a video game, and can play as many times as he wants without going to a pachinko parlor.
Pachinko parlors are also advantageous in terms of funds because their location requirements are not limited and can be opened in places such as warehouses.

However, in the conventional game system described above, an actual pachinko machine is installed in a place such as a warehouse, and the player can play games via the network remotely. You cannot touch an actual pachinko machine, have poor body sensitivity, and after playing at an actual amusement store, you cannot return to your home and continue playing games on that game machine on the network It was.
Furthermore, when actually playing a network game, since the video of the game board of the pachinko machine is copied, if the game board or the game machine is regarded as a copyrighted work, it is necessary to consider the copyright. Cases are also conceivable.
However, in the conventional system, how to charge the copyright fee for the copyright has not been considered at all.

The problems are summarized as follows.
(A) The problem of body sensitivity In terms of body sensitivity, the conventional system can only be used to play pachinko machines remotely via a network, and that is exactly what it means. However, the body sensitivity was unsatisfactory and unsatisfactory.
In many cases, the pachinko machine is simply shown on the monitor screen, and there is a disadvantage that the actual feeling is less than when playing with an actual pachinko machine. Therefore, it has been required to improve body sensitivity.

(B) The problem of whether or not you can continue to play after returning to the table in the actual store The conventional system does not fully consider the problem of whether or not you can continue to play after returning to the table in the actual store. There was no such system yet.
Although it is possible to enjoy a game to some extent, although it is merely remotely played over a network, it is naturally more interesting to go to the store and play the game. However, when the store is closed, there is no conventional system for continuing the game on the stand at home.
Also, depending on circumstances, there may be a request to play a table in a real store via a network suddenly at home, and it is difficult to meet such a request.
(C) Problems with copyright The conventional system has not considered a technical mechanism capable of charging a copyright fee for a copyrighted work called a pachinko machine as easily and accurately as possible.

  Therefore, the present invention can continue to play games after returning from a stand (pachinko machine) in an actual store, improve body sensitivity, and charge the copyright when performing a pachinko game. An object of the present invention is to provide a game system using a network that can be simplified.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine is installed in a gaming store, and a user as a player can go to the gaming store and play a game while actually touching the gaming machine. And
A photographing means for photographing the situation of the gaming machine, an operating means for operating the gaming machine, and a user who is connected to the photographing means and the operating means and is away from the gaming machine is remotely connected via the user terminal A network game server that performs a series of processes that allow the game machine to be operated to play a game is disposed in the game store,
In the user's place, a user terminal that can access the network game server via a network such as the Internet is arranged,
The user terminal performs processing capable of viewing an image taken by the photographing unit and issuing a command for playing a game to the operation unit,
The user goes to the amusement store to play the game while actually touching the gaming machine, stops the game on the way, returns to the place such as the home where the user terminal is located, and after returning home, operates the user terminal. By accessing the network game server via the network, the game machine can be remotely operated to continuously play the game.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball machine, a throttle machine using a medal, a throttle machine using a ball, and the like that can be installed in a game store. It is characterized by including all.
In the invention according to claim 3, the user terminal includes a computer that performs processing necessary to access the net gaming server and play a game,
An image monitor connected to the computer, and a mouse for performing an operation input,
It is possible to observe the image taken by the photographing means while looking at the image monitor,
The computer controls the mouse to vibrate based on the information from the network gaming server when at least one or more reach occurs when a reach occurs in the gaming machine or when reach occurs.
The mouse has a motor capable of driving an eccentric disk to generate vibration, and at least when a reach occurs in the gaming machine based on a signal from the computer or when a reach occurs In one or more cases, the motor is rotated to generate vibration, and the user can experience reach.

The invention according to claim 4 includes a user terminal including a computer that performs processing necessary to access a game server and play a game, and an image monitor connected to the computer.
The computer can display a dollar box corresponding to the jackpot on the screen of the image monitor when a jackpot occurs in the gaming machine based on information from the net gaming server,
Multiple characters carrying dollar boxes appear on the screen,
Let the user choose a favorite character from multiple characters,
The present invention is characterized in that an effect process is performed in which the selected character walks with a dollar box from the corner area of the screen and stacks step by step on the user's front side.

The invention according to claim 5 is a gaming store as an actual store, in which a gaming machine is installed, and a user as a player goes to the gaming store and actually plays a game while touching the gaming machine. Is possible,
In the gaming store, a user terminal is connected to the photographing means for photographing the situation of the gaming machine, the operating means for operating the gaming machine, and the user connected to the photographing means and the operating means and away from the gaming machine. A network game server that performs a series of processes such that the game machine can be operated remotely via a game machine,
The net game server is
It is configured such that a user can access the user terminal via a network such as the Internet, transmits information that allows the user to view an image captured by the imaging unit, and communicates with the operation unit. Therefore, the processing necessary for the user to remotely operate the gaming machine is performed by receiving a command for performing a game from the user side or providing processing to the user. It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 6 is a case where taking and transmitting an image of the gaming machine corresponds to an act of using copyright,
The net game server is provided with an area for storing information on copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright usage fees provided by the copyright holder,
A setting means for associating and setting a gaming machine ID, a copyright ID for the gaming machine, and a user ID for the user;
Detecting means for detecting an occupation time, a user ID, and a copyright ID when the user selects a gaming machine and occupies the gaming machine to play a game;
Storage means for recording information to be charged for exercising the copyright of the gaming machine in the area of copyright holder information, game record information, copyright royalty fee provided by the copyright holder of the net gaming server;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the network game server is
Reading means for reading out information from the copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright royalty fee provided by the copyright holder at the end of a predetermined period such as one month;
A counting means for counting the copyright fee for each gaming machine based on information from the reading means;
Based on the time information collected for each copyright ID, create a copyright holder information file, obtain the copyright name and copyright holder unit price, the target year, copyright holder name, total usage time, paid work A creation means for newly creating data consisting of a royalty as a record in a copyright royalty information file provided by the copyright holder;
Is provided.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that a game can be continued even after returning from a stand in an actual store. In particular, even after the store is closed, the game of the table can be enjoyed at home, which is extremely convenient.
The user can improve the feeling of playing a game by using a mouse or a dollar box, and can greatly increase body sensitivity.
It is possible to easily and accurately charge a copyright fee for a copyrighted work called a gaming machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a game system for embodying the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the game system as described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming system of the present invention.
The gaming system using the network shown in FIG. 1 is roughly divided into a pachinko parlor 1, a network 2 such as the Internet, and a user terminal 3.
As main items arranged in the pachinko parlor 1, there are a plurality of gaming machines 11 (pachinko machines in the figure), a network gaming server 12, a network device 13, and the like. The network 2 is typically the Internet. However, the network 2 is not limited to the Internet, and any network may be used.

Although a plurality of gaming machines 11 are installed, one is shown in the drawing for convenience. The gaming machine 11 allows a user as a player to go to the gaming store 1 and play a game while actually touching a table (game machine). That is, the gaming machine 11 is arranged in an actual store.
In addition to the gaming machine 11 (that is, pachinko gaming machine), for example, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball machine, a slot machine using a medal (rotating slot machine), and a ball are used on the island of the game store 1 Slot machines (rotating slot machines) or the like may be mixed or installed alone.
The situation of the gaming machine 11 is photographed by the photographing means 21 and the photographing means 22. The machine information of the gaming machine 11 is acquired by the machine information acquisition means 23 and is output to the network game server 12. The gaming machine 11 is provided with a base information output base 24, and the base information output base 24 is connected to the base information acquisition means 23. The table information includes, for example, the number of big hits, the number of probability fluctuations (the number of probability changes), the number of balls, etc., but the table information is not limited to this information, and other information may be included.

In addition to the stand information acquisition means 23, the net game server 12 is connected with an output determination means 25, a video switch 26, a camera control means 27, a sound collection means 28, a handle control means 29, and a button control means 30. The network game server 12 inputs / outputs signals to / from each of these means, collects necessary information, and outputs necessary control signals.
The photographing means 21, photographing means 22, stand information obtaining means 23, output determining means 25, video switcher 26, camera control means 27, sound collecting means 28, handle control means 29, button control means 30, and remote operation described later. The device 81 corresponds to the network device 13.

In this case, the net gaming server 12 performs a series of processes that allow a user who is away from the gaming machine 11 to remotely operate the gaming machine 11 via the user terminal 3 to play a game. The program and data storage area necessary for the processing are provided.
That is, the network game server 12 is configured such that the user can access the user terminal 3 via the network 2 such as the Internet, and information that allows the user terminal 3 to view images taken by the photographing means 21 and 22. The user can receive a command to play a game from the user side or provide information to the user between the handle control unit 29 and the button control unit 30, so that the user can remotely A program and data storage area necessary for the processing are provided so that processing necessary for operating the gaming machine 11 can be performed.

  In addition, the net gaming server 12 uses the copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright holder-provided copyright usage when shooting and transmitting an image of the gaming machine 11 corresponds to an act of using copyright. A setting unit that has an area for storing fee information, a gaming machine ID, a copyright ID for the gaming machine 11 and a user ID for the user, and the user selects the gaming machine 11; When a game is played while occupying the gaming machine 11, the detection means for detecting the occupancy time, the user ID, and the copyright ID, and information that should be charged for exercising the copyright of the gaming machine 11 are copyright holders. A function as a storage means for recording information, game record information, and a copyright usage fee for providing copyright holders in a corresponding predetermined area is realized, and a program necessary for the processing is provided.

  Furthermore, the net game server 12 includes a reading means for reading information from the copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright royalty fee provided by the copyright holder at the end of a predetermined period of one month, Based on information from the means, a copyright holder information file is created based on the counting means for counting the copyright usage fee for each gaming machine 11 and the time information counted for each copyright ID. , Get copyright name, copyright holder unit price, and record data consisting of target year, copyright holder name, total usage time, paid copyright fee in copyright fee information file for copyright owner The function as a creation means to be newly created is realized, and a program necessary for the processing is provided.

Specific configurations of the photographing means 21 and the photographing means 22 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the photographing means 21 includes two cameras 31 and 32, and the camera 31 is for fixing, and captures the entire image of the gaming machine 11 as an image capturing angle. On the other hand, the camera 32 is used for reach determination, so that a variable display device (a so-called accessory device: including a liquid crystal display) that displays a special figure of the gaming machine 11 or only a drum part of the special figure can be photographed with manual zoom. It has become. In addition, although there is an accessory device that has a small special figure and a large common figure recently, it is configured so that the portion of the accessory device that is most exciting for the player can be zoomed in and photographed.
The photographing means 22 is a single camera 33, which has a PTZ (pan / tilt / zoom) function and can be arbitrarily controlled by the player. For example, the state of the nail of the stand (the gaming machine 11) can be viewed by moving the camera 33 up and down, left and right, or zooming. This control is performed by the camera control means 27 shown in FIG.

Reach determination control by the camera 32 will be described.
Reach generation may be electronically determined by extracting a reach signal from the gaming machine 11 to the outside, but at present, this is not possible due to legal restrictions. In addition, simply taking out the reach signal and determining it also has the aspect that it is not tasteful and not interesting.
Therefore, according to the present invention, the game board is photographed through the camera 32 while standing at the user's line of sight, and control is performed to determine whether or not it is a reach by a method similar to that actually seen by the user. It is as follows.
In the camera 32, zoom adjustment is performed in advance so that the liquid crystal (or rotating drum) portion in the accessory device of the gaming machine 11 is maximized. The camera image is converted into digital data of 640 × 480 dots, for example. If an example is shown in which a special figure displays an image of a drum, the reels of the drum are generally called LCR from the left in three rows (that is, L is left, C is middle, and R is right). A determination area is set in advance for each LCR, and each LCR has four coordinate information. This is an example of a drum reel having three rows.

The basic setting of the stop order of the three reels is from 1 to 6,
1: L-CR
2: L-R-C
3: R-L-C
4: R-C-L
5: CLR
6: CRL
It is.

In the case of 1, the area L is recorded in the image memory at regular intervals. For example, when recording is performed at an interval of 1/30 seconds, one second is 30 frames. These are recorded for 4 seconds, L1. . . . L120 (F.I.F.O.) is compared with the previous frame, and when 20 same frames continue, this is regarded as a stop of the L row and is set as a comparison reference symbol.
When the L column stops, the designated area of the C column is recorded in the image memory. As above, C1. . . . Records up to C120 are sequentially recorded, and compared with the comparison reference symbols in the L row in the recorded order. If the same symbol as the L comparison reference symbol continues for 20 frames, this is judged as reach and a reach flag is set.
In the state determination signal output base attached to the gaming machine 11 as standard, an H pulse is output from the rotation speed output terminal every time one rotation is completed. The flag state is maintained, and when the pulse is output, the L memory and the C memory are cleared.
In this way, the user's body sensitivity is remarkably improved by making a determination in the same way as the user actually looks through the camera 32.
Here, the above example is an example in which the reach is determined when the reels of the drum are arranged in three rows in the LCR from the left, but the reach determination is not limited to the game board in which the reels are arranged in three rows. However, even in game boards where the drums are arranged in three rows (9 conveniences) vertically and horizontally as in the recent trend, for example, it is possible to reach by applying the above processing. Judgment can be made.
In this case, reach will be applied horizontally, vertically, and diagonally, and double reach will also occur (that is, two or more of horizontally, vertically, and diagonally will reach at the same time). Even in this case, the reach determination is performed by applying the above processing. In addition, the reach order is not limited to the case from the left side, but the case from the right side (for example, when the right, middle and symbols are stopped and the left symbol is slow-scrolled and reach is applied), reach in the middle symbols in advance. In any case, reach determination is performed by applying the above processing in the same manner.
In this way, the user can increase the body sensitivity to reach as well as zoom in on the camera image, and can have a very realistic feeling.

Returning to FIG. 1, the outcome determining means 25 is connected to the photographing means 21 and the video switcher 26, and the outcome determining means 25 outputs a signal to the network game server 12 and the video switcher 26. The image photographed by the photographing means 21 is output to the outcome determining means 25, and the outcome determining means 25 determines the outcome of the special figure in the gaming machine 11, and the determination result is sent to the game server 12 and the video switcher 26. Output. The video switcher 26 switches the captured images of the photographing means 21 and 22. The network game server 12 controls the operation of the video switcher 26.
Further, the network game server 12 issues a necessary command to the camera control means 27, and the camera control means 27 controls the operation of the photographing means 22. The video switcher 26 and the sound collection means 28 are connected to the encoder 35 of the network game server 12.
The sound collection means 28 collects sound emitted from the gaming machine 11 and outputs it to the encoder 35. The handle control means 29 is for mechanically operating a launching handle for launching a ball of the gaming machine 11. The button control means 30 is for mechanically operating the purchase of a ball or the ejection of a card.
The handle control means 29 and the button control means 30 constitute operation means for operating the gaming machine 11.

In addition, the game store 1 has a store-side card reader 41 that accepts and reads the membership card 40, a relay device 42 that relays between the store-side card reader 41 and the network game server 12, and a ball lending unit that lends balls. 43, a relay device 44 that connects the ball lending unit 43 to the network 2, and a storage database device 45 that manages storage balls connected to the network 2 are provided.
The ball lending unit 43 includes a ball lending switching means 51, a payout switching means 52, a stored ball payout means 53, and a ball lending means 54. By using the prepaid card 55, it is possible to lend balls from the ball lending unit 43. The ball lending unit 43 is connected to the network 2 through the payout switching means 52, and further connected to the network game server 12 via the network 2. Accordingly, the user can access the game server 12 from the user terminal 3 via the network 2 and lend a ball through the ball lending unit 43.

Next, the user terminal 3 will be described.
As the user terminal 3, two types of a dedicated terminal 61 using a TV monitor and a personal computer terminal 62 using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) can be used, and the user can play an online game with either type. Can be done.
In addition, as a television monitor of the dedicated terminal 61, for example, a household television receiver may be used, or a dedicated monitor may be used.
First, the dedicated terminal 61 includes a television monitor 62 and a dedicated computer 63. The dedicated computer 63 is provided with a handle 63a, an LCD display 63b, a PTZ control button 63c, and a card reader / writer 63d. The ID of the user is recognized by inserting the ID card 64 into the card reader / writer 63d. The handle 63a is used to remotely control the gaming machine 11, the LCD display 63b is used to display various operations for remote control, and the PTZ control button 63c is a photographing means 22 having a PTZ (pan / tilt / zoom) function. The (camera 33) can be remotely operated and other various functions (for example, an inquiry button (entry button)) can be performed. The television monitor 62 is used to copy a game image of the gaming machine 11 and the like.
A user can start a game by inserting the ID card 64 into the card reader / writer 63d and recognizing the user's ID. Then, while watching the display content of the LCD display 63b, the handle 63a and the PTZ control button 63c are operated to play a game via the net.

On the other hand, the personal computer terminal 62 includes a personal computer main body 65 and a monitor 66. A mouse 67 and a keyboard 68 are connected to the personal computer main body 65, and an input operation to the personal computer terminal 62 is performed with these. In this case, by operating the mouse 67 and the keyboard 68, the same operation of the handle 63a and the PTZ control button 63c of the dedicated computer 63 described above can be performed.
Further, a card reader 69 is connected to the personal computer main body 65, and an ID card 70 for a personal computer is inserted into the card reader 69 so that the user's ID is recognized. The personal computer main body 65 is connected to the network 2 via the modem 71.
The user can start the game by inserting the ID card 70 into the card reader 69 and having the user recognize the ID, and while watching the display content of the monitor 66, the user operates the mouse 67 and the keyboard 68 to play the game. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the handle control means 29 and the button control means 30 as operation means. In FIG. 3, a remote controller 81 for photographing and operating a pachinko machine is accommodated on the side of the gaming machine 11, and when the player actually plays a game at the gaming store 1, The remote controller 81 is housed on the side of the gaming machine 11.
On the other hand, when performing an online game, the remote controller 81 is pulled out from the side of the gaming machine 11 to the front side and set at a required location of the gaming machine 11.
FIG. 4 shows how the remote controller 81 is stored / drawn. The remote controller 81 can be folded and is located on the side of the gaming machine 11 when stored, and the remote controller 81 is positioned when pulled out. It is pulled out from the back to the near side, and the part of the remote controller 81 is extended for use when deployed. Then, the remote controller 81 is set at a necessary location of the gaming machine 11.

Returning to FIG. 3, this figure explains a state in which the remote controller 81 is pulled out from the side of the gaming machine 11 to the front side and set at a necessary portion of the gaming machine 11.
The remote controller 81 is formed in a frame structure with a strong metal material such as a thin metal pipe such as stainless steel or plastic, and is used by sliding it from the side of the gaming machine 11. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), a cup 82 made of hard rubber is pressed against the launching handle 91 in order to grasp the launching handle 91 of the ball of the gaming machine 11, and functions as a sucker. A connecting rod 83 (with bearings 83a and 83b incorporated in the end portion) is connected to the cup 82, and it can be rotated by the motor mechanism 84 to change the angle of the firing handle 91 to change the firing force of the ball. It has become.
The remote controller 81 has a camera frame 85, and a PTZ camera 22 (a camera that can be operated by a player) is provided at the tip of the camera frame 85.

Further, the remote controller 81 has a button frame 86, and an operation portion 87 having a shutter release structure (mechanism) and a plunger 88 are provided at the tip of the button frame 86.
The operation unit 87 has a function of expanding and contracting and operating a skip button, a chance button, and the like of the gaming machine 11. The skip button is pressed to shorten the symbol variation time (so as to shorten the time) when the game board drum is rotating (to skip), and the chance button is used to stop the symbol when a reach occurs. The player selects and pushes the timing. In addition, since it becomes complicated in drawing, a skip button, a chance button, etc. are not drawn finely. Further, the operation unit 87 is configured to be able to press both the skip button and the chance button.
Further, since the drawing is complicated, the operation unit 89 for pressing the stop button is not illustrated in FIG. 3A, but the operation unit 89 is provided as shown in FIG. The operation unit 89 can be operated and the stop button can be pressed by a typical control. The stop button is for temporarily stopping the firing of the ball (so-called stop hitting). Although the stop button is arranged beside the firing handle 91, it is not shown because it is fine.
3A illustrates the remote controller 81 when the gaming machine 11 is viewed from an oblique direction, FIG. 3B illustrates an enlarged view of the cup 82, and FIG. 3C illustrates the gaming machine 11 viewed from the front. 3D illustrates the remote controller 81, FIG. 3D illustrates the remote controller 81 when the gaming machine 11 is viewed from the side, and FIG. 3E illustrates the operation unit 87 having a shutter release structure. To do.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the mouse 67 described above. 4A is a perspective sectional view of the mouse 67 in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 4B is a perspective sectional view of the mouse 67 in the vertical direction. As shown in these drawings, the mouse 67 has an ultra-small motor 91 for generating vibrations, and a disk 92 that is eccentric with respect to the motor shaft and can be rotated by the motor 91. When a reach occurs in the gaming machine 11 based on a signal from the player or when a reach occurs, a vibration is generated in the entire mouse by the eccentric disk 92 by rotating the motor 91. Thereby, the user can feel a realistic sensation for reach. That is, the tension of the pachinko game can be increased.
Note that the vibration pattern may be changed between when a reach occurs and when a reach occurs.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which, when the personal computer terminal 62 is used, a display in which a dollar box 93 (only 1 is added because it becomes complicated) is displayed on the monitor 66 based on a signal from the personal computer main body 65. FIG.
The glass surface of the gaming machine (pachinko machine) 11 is substantially square, and when displayed on the monitor 66 (display) of the personal computer terminal 62, there are cases where empty spaces are left and right. Therefore, in the present invention, as an idea for production, an effect of stacking dollar boxes using the empty space to the maximum is performed.
FIG. 6 shows the entire screen of the monitor 66. The screen is divided into a pachinko game screen 66A, a game information screen 66B, a dollar box screen 66C, and an advertisement screen 66D. The pachinko game screen 66A displays the progress of the game such as a game board, the game information screen 66B displays information related to the game such as the user's winning balls and the number of jackpots, and the dollar box screen 66C displays an effect of stacking the dollar box The advertisement screen 66D displays, for example, a banner advertisement. The display of the banner advertisement is controlled by processing on the network game server 12 side.
6 shows a screen configuration example of the monitor 66 of the personal computer terminal 62. Even when a home television receiver is used for the television monitor of the dedicated terminal 61, a similar screen configuration is formed. To do. This is also controlled by processing on the net gaming server 12 side.
By displaying the banner advertisement on the advertisement screen 66D, the advertisement is obtained, and the amusement shop 1 can obtain the advertising revenue accompanying the banner advertisement. One or a plurality of banner advertisements may be used, or the banner advertisement may be changed according to the user status and time. Further, the advertisement (CM) is not limited to a banner advertisement, and may be an advertisement of another method.
On the screen of the monitor 66, when a big hit occurs and the user's winning ball is about a full dollar box (for example, after the big hit is over), the carrying character from the top of the right area removes the dollar box. Bring it with you and place it in front of the dollar box screen 66C, and produce such an action for each jackpot. In this case, if the setting is as follows, the production is exciting.

(A) The user can first select a “carriage character”. For example, a plurality of avatar-like character items and cartoon characters are set, and a favorite character is selected from them.
(B) When the play time increases, the range of character selection increases, and a live-action gal (such as a girl who actually copied an image) can be selected.
(C) In the case of (b) above, it is also possible to recruit “net carry idol” from the general public, register the image, use the image with permission of portrait rights. In this case, it is preferable to register only the face part and display the body part in combination as an animation.

(D) If a plurality of types of voice messages are registered and played back according to the situation, it becomes interesting and the production is further enhanced. For example, “Yataa is amazing”, “Let's hit again!” Or “This is the right to get a Hawaii travel application!”.
(E) For “net carry idol”, a byte fee is paid for each use. For example, it may be 10 yen once.
(F) When the number of points as a prize for acquiring an online game is accumulated, it may be possible to send a mail to the character, which is interesting.
FIG. 5 shows a state in which a large number of dollar boxes are stacked on the dollar box screen 66C of the monitor 66 from the lower side.

Next, a description will be given of a mechanism in which a game can be continued even after the player returns home from a stand in the actual store (game store 1).
First, the user first performs a membership procedure. It is as follows.
A. Member Procedure This system allows a person who has performed a membership procedure at a pachinko parlor (amusement store 1) to play. The procedure is performed on the WEB (that is, on the net) while viewing the screen using the store or the user terminal 3 (necessary programs are set in the net game server 12 in advance). The procedure is as follows.
(A) Member procedures at the store Fill out the membership application form.
2. The store side stores each information in the database (DB) of the network game server 12 and issues an IC type card (member card, hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as a card as appropriate). The card can store a 6-digit ID number (player identification), a 6-digit number of balls, a 4-digit password, and a 6-digit last game date. In addition, information such as the age of the player may be put on the card. For example, it may be considered that a person under the age of 18 cannot play a game. Also, a person under the age of 18 may not acquire a pachinko ball, but may be a system in which, for example, only a game on the net can be played and only points can be acquired.
3. The card is received at the store, or the card is delivered from the amusement store 1 to the user's home by mail.

(B) Membership procedures on the WEB 1. Fill out the information on the membership application form on the WEB.
2. The error is checked, stored in the database (DB) of the network game server 12, and an IC type card is issued. The card stores a 6-digit ID number, a 6-digit number of balls, a 4-digit password, and a 6-digit last game date.
3. The card is received at the store, or the card is delivered from the amusement store 1 to the user's home by mail.

Next, a case where a player actually plays a game at a store will be described.
B. Checkout process (normal)
1. A player (user) goes to the game store 1, selects a favorite table, inserts a card, and actually plays a game relative to the gaming machine 11. When the game is over, the number of possessions at that time is counted, the number of possessions is written on the card, and the player presents the card to the store counter. In addition, you can put it in a dollar box instead of a card and settle it with a ball.
2. If the player wishes to “save the fraction” of the number of possessions recorded on the card, the fraction of the settlement machine and the amount of the current card are summed and overwritten on the card.
3. Furthermore, the date data of the last game date is overwritten on the card.

C. Checkout processing (when there is an online game reservation)
1. After the game is over, the player tells the store clerk that he / she wants to continue the game reservation. For example, he says that he wants to end the actual game, and then go home to continue playing the pachinko game online.
2. The store clerk confirms the number of the pedestal and writes it down on the player's coin counting card that comes out of the jet counter. Present it to the prize counter.
In addition, the player tells the store clerk the table for continued game reservation and occupies it, but not limited to this, if the model is the same, the store will provide a different table to the player's net game You may make it take the method of doing.
3. The player can specify any number of balls. For example, the count result is 5000, 2000 can be stored, 3000 can be exchanged for prizes, and the like. Add up the amount to be stored in the settlement machine and the amount on the current card and overwrite the card.
4). Further, the date data of the last game date is overwritten on the card.

5. The store side performs reservation processing (that is, online game reservation processing) in accordance with the player's request. For example, an ID, a machine number, a net game start scheduled date and time are input. The input data is stored in the table reservation database.
The store side sets the control device of the table on which the reservation for the net game is made. This is done by pulling out the remote controller 81 from the side of the gaming machine 11 to the front side and setting it at a required location of the gaming machine 11 as shown in FIG.
6). The reservation of the table has the highest priority for those who have played until the closing of the store, and other reservation applicants enter the queue in the order of the reservation time.
7). The final player (who has the highest priority on online gaming) is the above 6. When the scheduled online game start time (store time arbitrarily set by the store: for example, any time within 1 hour from the closing time) exceeds a certain time (timeout time arbitrarily set by the store: 15 minutes, for example) The game right is revoked, and the first person in the queue gets the net game right (the net game right).

D. Online games (when the right to play online games on a dedicated terminal is confirmed)
2. The online game reservation person goes home, inserts the membership card into the card reader / writer 63d of the dedicated terminal 61, looks at the LCD display 63b and presses an inquiry button (entry button) on the PTZ control button 63c.
2. The dedicated terminal 61 reads the ID number on the card, connects to the network game server 12 (NTP server), obtains the current time, and performs a collation process on the table reservation database on the Internet.
3. If the collated ID owner has reserved the machine, the machine number and the reservation start date / time data are returned from the database to the player's dedicated terminal 61.
4). If the dedicated terminal 61 has not passed 15 minutes or more from the reservation date and time data (in the case of the example described in paragraph 7 of paragraph [0043] above), the right of the online game is determined and the game can be played.

  Thus, the player operates the dedicated terminal 61 to access the network game server 12 while staying at home, and remotely controls the table actually installed in the pachinko parlor 1 to play the game. The remote operation is performed using the remote controller 81. The cup 82 is pressed against the firing handle 91 and sucked, and the firing handle 91 is rotated by the motor mechanism 84 to change the angle of the firing handle 91 to change the firing force of the ball. Change the and let the ball fire freely. In addition, when reach occurs, the PTZ control button 63c is operated to zoom in on the special figure and enjoy the real pleasure of reach. Further, when a reach eye occurs or when a reach occurs, the mouse 67 vibrates to experience the reach.

On the other hand, when a big hit occurs, the selected “carried character” performs an effect of stacking dollar boxes on the screen of the monitor 66 (dollar box screen 66C), thereby increasing the interest of the game.
When the end of the online game is pushed, the online game server 12 performs a game end process and writes the number of balls acquired (that is, the number of balls possessed by the user at that time) to the player's card. The card is discharged from the card reader / writer 63d of the terminal 61. In the game store 1, the remote controller 81 is again stored in the initial position to prepare for the next game. In addition, the player presents the card in which the number of balls obtained is written to the counter of the game store 1 and exchanges it for a prize.

Here, the acquisition form of the game result of the player in the net game will be described.
There are the following three methods. However, the present invention is not limited to these three methods, and other methods may be adopted.
(A) The same ball system as the game at the actual store The player writes the number of balls acquired in the online game to the card in the same manner as when the game is actually performed at the actual store (the game store 1). Change to a counter at the store. According to this method, since the player acquires the number of balls in both the actual store and the online game, it is the same, which is convenient for the player and increases the willingness to play. In other words, even if it is an online game, the game result is obtained by the number of balls and is replaced with a prize. The game of the above embodiment (net game) adopts this method.
(B) Point acquisition method In this method, when an actual game is played in an actual store and the number of balls acquired in an online game is written in a card, the number of balls is written in units of points, and is made different from the actual store. In other words, it is a method of acquiring with balls in an actual store and acquiring with points in an online game.
Detailed handling when points are earned will be described later.
(C) Method of using balls and points together This is a method of using the above (a) and (b) together in an online game. For example, at the end of an online game, the player can freely select whether to select a ball or a point. Or you may make it the form which uses a ball | bowl and a point properly on other conditions.
Hereinafter, the point acquisition method (b) will be described in detail.
Here, the player plays a game in the form of renting a stand for 3 minutes 100 yen, not a rental ball, and adopts a game method in which the acquired ball is recorded on the card as a point.
Points can also be purchased via the network, such as 30 minutes = 1000 yen points, 60 minutes = 2000 yen points, 90 minutes = 3000 yen points, and so on. Points are subtracted at the same time as the ball is fired, and added when there is a prize ball. When the amount of time you have borrowed exceeds, you will be told the end of the game and will end. When there are no more points, you can continue to the amount of time you have borrowed by adding minus, but the number of minus points will be settled in time for the next online game.

In the case where it is not possible to deal with balls acquired by online games in the same way as normal store games due to legal restrictions, the following is performed.
In this case, the number of points corresponding to the number of balls acquired is written on the card, and how to exchange it for a prize will be described.
In that case, for example, within the scope of the prize display method, etc., a system for measuring and totaling, determining the qualification for applying for a prize (or prize for prizes), and providing a prize is provided.
According to the prize display method, there are three types of sweepstakes definitions: open sweepstakes, general sweepstakes, and total sweepstakes. As a form of a sweepstakes for acquiring points in the online game, a general sweepstakes and a total sweepstakes are used. The maximum amount of prizes for prizes will be determined according to the number of points earned.
If you earn points by playing online, you will be able to apply for sweepstakes. And if the earned points are 5000 yen or more (limit), there will be a chance to get a prize of up to 100,000 yen. If all the users (players) can earn points of 5000 yen or more and get 100,000 yen prizes, the player's enjoyment will increase. It should be noted that the unit for holding the sweepstakes may be made fine (for example, weekly holdings), and the above limit amount may be set for each holding.

Next, paying attention to the copyright of pachinko, a system for charging on a time basis related to “game using copyrighted work” when this game is executed will be described.
The portion of the pachinko machine copyright that was originally not claimed at the store (for example, the decoration of the gaming machine itself, the design of the machine, the copyright of the machine, the copyright of the game board, the net transmission fee for the character, As for the public transmission right or the transmission enabling right, etc., when the image is distributed on the network, the public transmission right or the transmission enabling right may be claimed. In such cases, copyright charging becomes a problem. Therefore, the present invention is a system that can simplify the chargeable aspect of copyright when a game is played in an online game.
Assuming that there is a copyright for each type of gaming machine, the information on the machines that can be played online in each store is stored in the network gaming server 12 in the table information database of the gaming store 1. For example, a serial number (ID), a copyright holder (company) ID, and the like are managed in association with these. A copyright holder is a person (including a corporation) who owns the copyright, but for the sake of convenience in the specification, the copyright holder is simply abbreviated as the copyright holder (although it should be called the copyright holder). Sometimes.

A unique original code sticker is put on the stand on the store side that allows online games. The tension position of the cord seal is determined in advance. When this sticker is pasted on the store side, the profile data and image data of this code are recorded in the table information database.
When the net player selects the platform, the image recognition camera (the photographing unit 22 in the above example) or the zoomable photographing unit 21 captures an image of this portion. This capture process is not performed every time. Randomly done.
Normally, only the machine ID can be used to calculate the real time for the operating status, so the management target is only the machine itself, and the copyrighted items used inside the machine are At the time of sale, the copyright is interpreted as being exhausted, and only the copyright of the stand itself is managed.

When charging for copyright, the basic concept of storing information in the database is as follows.
1. The game information of each unit is stored in a predetermined management file. For example, the table ID, the start date / time, the end date / time, and the player ID are recorded in association with each other.
2. This is totaled once a day for each vehicle, and total game time is totaled and recorded in the management file. In addition, the number of records of the total file SUM is prepared for the number. The number of fields is 31 (for the number of days in the month), the table ID is inquired of the table information file, the author ID is looked up and stored simultaneously.
3. The copyright information file stores basic information of copyright (mainly owned by a company in game machines). For example, a copyright ID (may be an author ID), a transfer account of a table copyright fee, and the like are also stored.
4. Compiles once a month, totals the operating hours for each unit in the total file SUM, then totals for each author, pays one copyright fee to one author Output a calculation form. The author may have a limit of 100 cases.

Next, the copyright billing process will be described with a more specific example.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data format in the case of performing a copyright billing process.
7A shows copyright holder information, FIG. 7B shows game record information, and FIG. 7C shows copyright fee-provided copyright fee information, each of which is in a data format. This data is placed in the hard disk of the network game server 12. At this time, the network game server 12 is also used as a copyright billing server. Only the copyright charging server may be provided separately. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the network game server 12 will be referred to as a copyright billing server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart when the user plays the net game. In this flow, first, a gaming machine ID is acquired in step S1. That is, one new record in which the game table ID, the copyright holder ID, the user ID, and the start time are set in the game information record, starting from the time when the player selects the game table and confirms the occupation of the table. Write.
Each data is acquired as follows.
The gaming table ID is automatically determined when the occupation of the gaming table is confirmed (step S1). The copyright holder ID is acquired from the copyright holder information based on the gaming table ID. That is, in step S2, a copyright ID is obtained by inquiring from the gaming machine ID to the network gaming server 12 as a copyright charging server.
Since the user ID is unique for each user, it is automatically acquired here. As the start time, the time of the network game server 12 at the time when the start is recognized is acquired. Based on the above information, a new record is written in the game record information of the network game server 12 as the copyright billing server.
That is, in step S3, the user ID is acquired and the current time is acquired. Next, in step S4, a new record is created based on the gaming table ID, copyright holder ID, user ID, and current time, and written to the game record information file of the copyright billing server.

Next, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not an end condition is satisfied. If the end condition is not satisfied, the process stays in step S5 and loops.
The end condition is recognized as end when the following conditions are satisfied.
(A) When the signal that the user controls the launching handle of the game table is interrupted for a specified time or more (for example, 10 minutes or more) (b) The user who occupies the game table logs out and occupies the table When it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S6, and the termination process is performed on the network game server 12. At the same time as this processing is started, the time of the network game server 12 is acquired, the time is set as the end time, and the record written at the start is written to the game record information file of the copyright billing server in the overwrite mode. Do. By performing the process of step S6, charging for the current game is terminated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing batch processing of the copyright billing server performed once a month (for example, at the end of the month).
In summary, game record information written at the start and end of a game is totaled for one month in units of game machines.
When the flow starts, the target month is acquired in step S11. This process starts at 24:00 at the end of the month (more precisely, at midnight on the first day of the month). Next, in step S12, among the game record information files of the copyright billing server, the records in the target month and the start time / end time set are sorted and read according to the priority order of the copyright holder ID and game machine ID. .

  Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not it is EOF (end of file). If it is not EOF, the process proceeds to step S14, and one record is read. In step S15, the time is totaled for each copyright holder ID. In addition, since the information is sorted in units of copyright holder IDs, information is written in copyright fee information for copyright holder provision when the copyright holder ID changes. This is based on the time information collected for each copyright holder ID, and the copyright holder name and copyright holder unit price are obtained from the copyright holder information file. One record is newly written in the copyright fee information file provided for the copyright holder of the data composed of the usage time / payment copyright fee.

After step S15, the process returns to step S13 to make a determination. When the determination result in step S13 becomes EOF, this flow routine ends.
By performing such processing, billing data as shown in FIG. 7 is created. As can be seen from the copyright fee information provided by the copyright holder in FIG. 7 (c), as the copyright holder name, the manufacturing company A, the manufacturing company B, and the manufacturing company C, respectively. The copyright fee (yen) for payment can be tabulated. Therefore, if the processing of the present embodiment is performed, it is possible to charge the copyright fee as copyright very easily and accurately.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a game system. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of an imaging | photography means. It is a figure which shows a structure of a remote controller. It is a figure explaining accommodation of a remote control. It is a figure explaining a mouse | mouth. It is a figure explaining the production | presentation of the dollar box on a screen. It is a figure which shows the data format in the case of performing the accounting process of a copyright. It is a flowchart in the case of performing a net game. It is a flowchart which shows the batch process of a copyright accounting server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko parlor 2 Network 3 User terminal 11 Game machine 12 Net game server 21, 22 Shooting means 29 Handle control means (operation means)
30 Button control means (operation means)
61 Dedicated terminal 62 PC terminal 81 Remote controller

Claims (7)

A gaming machine is installed in a gaming store, and a user as a player can go to the gaming store and play a game while actually touching the gaming machine,
A photographing means for photographing the situation of the gaming machine, an operating means for operating the gaming machine, and a user who is connected to the photographing means and the operating means and is away from the gaming machine is remotely connected via the user terminal A network game server that performs a series of processes that allow the game machine to be operated to play a game is disposed in the game store,
In the user's place, a user terminal that can access the network game server via a network such as the Internet is arranged,
The user terminal performs processing capable of viewing an image taken by the photographing unit and issuing a command for playing a game to the operation unit,
The user goes to the amusement store to play the game while actually touching the gaming machine, stops the game on the way, returns to the place such as the home where the user terminal is located, and after returning home, operates the user terminal. A gaming system configured to be able to continuously play a game by remotely operating the gaming machine by accessing a network gaming server via a network. The gaming machine includes a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball machine, a throttle machine using a medal, a throttle machine using a ball, and the like, including all that can be installed in a game store. The gaming system according to claim 1. The user terminal includes a computer that performs processing necessary to access the game server and play a game,
An image monitor connected to the computer, and a mouse for performing an operation input,
It is possible to observe the image taken by the photographing means while looking at the image monitor,
The computer controls the mouse to vibrate based on the information from the network gaming server when at least one or more reach occurs when a reach occurs in the gaming machine or when reach occurs.
The mouse has a motor capable of driving an eccentric disk to generate vibration, and at least when a reach occurs in the gaming machine based on a signal from the computer or when a reach occurs 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein, in one or more cases, the motor is rotated to generate vibrations to allow the user to experience reach. The user terminal includes a computer that performs processing necessary for accessing a game server and playing a game, and an image monitor connected to the computer.
The computer can display a dollar box corresponding to the jackpot on the screen of the image monitor when a jackpot occurs in the gaming machine based on information from the net gaming server,
Multiple characters carrying dollar boxes appear on the screen,
Let the user choose a favorite character from multiple characters,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the selected character walks from the corner area of the screen with a dollar box and stacks step by step in front of the user. Gaming system. It is a gaming store as an actual store, and a gaming machine is installed in this gaming store, and a user who is a player can go to the gaming store and play a game while actually touching the gaming machine,
In the gaming store, a user terminal is connected to the photographing means for photographing the situation of the gaming machine, the operating means for operating the gaming machine, and the user connected to the photographing means and the operating means and away from the gaming machine. A network game server that performs a series of processes such that the game machine can be operated remotely via a game machine,
The net game server is
It is configured such that a user can access the user terminal via a network such as the Internet, transmits information that allows the user to view an image captured by the imaging unit, and communicates with the operation unit. Therefore, the processing necessary for the user to remotely operate the gaming machine is performed by receiving a command for performing a game from the user side or providing processing to the user. A gaming system characterized by When taking and sending an image of the gaming machine corresponds to an act of using copyright,
The net game server is provided with an area for storing information on copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright usage fees provided by the copyright holder,
A setting means for associating and setting a gaming machine ID, a copyright ID for the gaming machine, and a user ID for the user;
Detecting means for detecting an occupation time, a user ID, and a copyright ID when the user selects a gaming machine and occupies the gaming machine to play a game;
Storage means for recording information to be charged for exercising the copyright of the gaming machine in the area of copyright holder information, game record information, copyright royalty fee provided by the copyright holder of the net gaming server;
A gaming system characterized by the provision of The net game server is
Reading means for reading out information from the copyright holder information, game record information, and copyright royalty fee provided by the copyright holder at the end of a predetermined period such as one month;
A counting means for counting the copyright fee for each gaming machine based on information from the reading means;
Based on the time information collected for each copyright ID, create a copyright holder information file, obtain the copyright name and copyright holder unit price, the target year, copyright holder name, total usage time, paid work A creation means for newly creating data consisting of a royalty as a record in a copyright royalty information file provided by the copyright holder;
The gaming system according to claim 6, further comprising:

Images