JP2010088485A - Trial play system, game machine used for the same, and trial play method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a trial play system capable of utilizing a game machine in a standby state as a trial play machine by effectively utilizing the game machine in the standby state at which play is not performed and issuing and inputting a trial play code, and the game machine used for the trial play system. <P>SOLUTION: A user obtains the mail address of a two-dimensional code displayed on the game machine in a shop or the like and transmits empty mail to a server unit 1 of the mail address by a cellular phone 4. In the server unit 1, the trial play code is issued for the unused address of the cellular phone 4 and is returned to the cellular phone 4. The user can try a game when trial play is ON and a trial play condition is matched by inputting the issued trial play code to the game machines A-D. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a trial play system that uses a game machine in a standby state as a trial stand, a game machine used in the trial play system, and a trial play method.

It has been practiced to turn on a free play setting of a game machine and operate it as a test stand to provide it to a user, or to provide a free play to a user using a demonstration function.
There are game stores where the free play setting of the game machine is turned on and operated as a test stand in this way, but free play continues until the game machine capable of trial play is set to OFF again, increasing sales. It becomes a state that can not be.

As this type of game machine, a game machine with a demonstration function is provided (Patent Document 1).
According to Patent Document 1, any user can play for free, and if a coin is inserted, it is possible to shift to a billing play as it is. As a result, free play will continue unless coins are inserted.
JP2002-159734

In order to avoid the above-mentioned state, it is conceivable to create house rules at the store side such as time limit and number of times limit.
In addition, since the game can be played freely and unlimitedly, there is a drawback that the actual operation of the game machine is lowered.
Furthermore, the above game machine cannot determine whether or not to have a trial play with the intention of the store where the game machine is installed.

It is an object of the present invention to effectively use a game machine in a standby state that has not been played, issue a trial code, and allow a user to input the issued trial code to use the standby game machine as a trial stand. An object is to provide a system and a game machine used in the trial play system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a trial play method that can utilize a game machine in a standby state that has not been played as a trial stand.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a trial play system comprising a server device and a plurality of game machines, wherein the game machine executes trial play play means. A trial play ON / OFF setting means for setting ON / OFF of the trial play, a trial play presence / absence display means for displaying the presence / absence of the trial play corresponding to the setting of the trial play ON / OFF setting means, A trial play condition setting means for setting conditions, and the server device is set with a trial code, and when a blank mail is sent, the address of the blank mail is confirmed and unregistered. It has means for issuing an unused trial code only to the mail address, and when the server device receives a blank mail, it issues an unused trial code and the terminal receives the trial code. Then, when the user inputs the received trial code into one of the game machines, the game machine to which the trial code has been input confirms that the trial code is ON and the trial code satisfies the trial play condition, and is an unused trial code. The trial play is started and stored in the storage unit as a used trial code.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a mail address for sending a mail to the server device is displayed on the screen of the game machine or the apparatus main body.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the terminal that transmits the empty mail is a mobile phone.
The invention described in claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, 2 or 3, the trial play condition is provided with a trial play time.
The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, the trial play condition is provided with a number of times of accepting trial play.
The invention described in claim 6 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the trial play condition is provided with the number of trial runs.
The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention is a game machine used in the trial play system, wherein a trial play execution means for executing a trial play and a trial play ON / OFF setting means for setting ON / OFF of the trial play are provided. And a trial play presence / absence display means for displaying the presence / absence of a trial play corresponding to the setting of the trial play ON / OFF setting means, and a trial play condition setting means for setting trial play conditions.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the trial play method performed when the game machine is in a standby state, a blank mail is transmitted from the terminal to the server device, and the server device receives the blank mail. When an empty mail address is confirmed, an unused trial code is issued only to an unregistered mail address, the terminal receives the trial code, and inputs the trial code to a game machine capable of trial play. When the trial play is ON and the trial play condition is satisfied, the game machine to which the trial code is input starts the trial play and stores it in the storage unit as a used trial code.

According to the first to sixth aspects, since the trial code is issued, it is possible to add a restriction that the trial play can not be performed without limitation. In addition, since the trial code can be managed for each mail address from the empty mail to be sent, the possibility of issuing an unlimited code is reduced. Furthermore, the user who has obtained the trial code is motivated to want to play a game machine of the same model in another store. Furthermore, the user can know the condition of the game machine housing before inserting coins by performing a trial play.
Moreover, since the presence or absence of a trial play can be determined by the intention of the store which purchases and installs a game machine, differentiation from other stores can be achieved.
Furthermore, it is possible to avoid trouble with the user by displaying the announcement image on the monitor according to the setting state of the trial play.
According to the second aspect, if an e-mail address is displayed by, for example, a two-dimensional barcode, an empty e-mail can be easily transmitted.
According to claim 7, the game machine of the trial play system of claim 1 can be obtained.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use a game machine that is not being played and issue a trial code and input it, thereby making it possible to use it as a trial platform.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of a trial play system according to the present invention.
Game machines A and B are installed in the store 01, and similarly, game machines C and D are installed in the store 02. Each of the game machines A to D is connected to an internet line (not shown) via a wireless LAN or the like, and can communicate with the server device 1 for issuing a trial code.
The user can acquire the mail address (for accessing the server device 1) of the two-dimensional code displayed on the screen of the game machine, the game machine housing or the store. If the user has a mobile phone 4 equipped with a camera, the user can input an image of a two-dimensional code mail address. When the user creates a blank e-mail addressed to this e-mail address by the mobile phone 4 and performs a transmission operation, the blank e-mail is sent to the server device 1 via the base station 3 and the carrier exchange 2. The server device 1 confirms the received blank mail and returns an unused trial code to the mobile phone 2. The user can perform an operation for performing a trial play on the game machines A to D using the trial code.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit of a game machine to which a trial play system according to the present invention is applied.
When a coin is inserted from the coin insertion unit 13, the coin is detected, and the information is transmitted to the CPU 10 via the coin related device 12 and the input / output control unit 15. Setting values such as the number of coins inserted, that is, the number of coins and the number of plays are stored in the backup memory 14.
The ROM 16 is a control program for controlling the entire game machine housing, a game program, a trial play setting program for performing a trial play setting, a trial play execution program for executing a trial play, a communication control program for communicating with a server device, and Data necessary for the game machine is stored.
The RAM 17 is used as a work area for calculation and processing performed by the game control unit and the like, and temporarily stores data.

The CPU 10 reads a control program, a game program, a trial play setting program, a trial play execution program, and the like from the ROM 16, thereby enabling the game control unit 10a, the game execution unit 10b, the trial play setting control unit 10c, the trial play execution unit 10d, and the communication control unit 10e. Implement each function.
The game control unit 10a performs monitoring such as coin insertion in a standby state before the start of the game, control of lighting and blinking of game machine lighting, control after the game ends, and the like.
The game execution unit 10b executes the game by the user's game start operation.
The trial play setting control unit 10c has a trial play ON / OFF setting unit that sets ON / OFF of the trial play, a trial play presence / absence display unit that displays the presence / absence of the trial play corresponding to the setting of the trial play ON / OFF setting means, Each function of the trial play condition setting unit sets the trial play time, the number of trial play acceptances, and the number of trial plays as the trial play conditions.

The trial play condition can be set by the trial manager setting operation unit 21 provided in the door of the game machine by the store manager. The trial play execution unit 10d executes the trial play if the trial play condition is satisfied when the trial play is ON and the display of the trial play presence is displayed. A trial play button 11 a for the user to perform a trial play is provided on the operation unit 11.
The communication control unit 10e sends a communication command to the LAN control unit 20, connects to the Internet line, and communicates with the server device.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit of a server device to which a trial play system according to the present invention is applied.
The server control unit 30 a controls the entire server and performs communication control via the communication unit 31. When a blank mail is sent through the communication unit 31, the server control unit 30a determines whether or not the mail address of the blank mail sender has already been issued with a trial code and is registered. That is, all the mail addresses in the mail address registration area 32a of the storage unit 32 are compared with the sender's mail address to determine whether there is a matching mail address.

  If there is no matching mail address as a result of the determination, control is passed to the trial code issuing unit 30b in order to issue a trial code. The trial code issuing unit 30b issues one of the trial code storage areas 32b set in advance in the storage unit 32 to an unused mail address. The trial code set in advance is created by a code and a numerical value such as “A0001”, “A0002”... Control is returned to the server control unit 30a, and the server control unit 30a creates a mail describing the issued trial code and sends it back to the sender. At the same time, the mail address of the sender is stored as a registered address in the mail address registration area 32a by the server control unit 30a.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a trial process of the trial system according to the present invention.
(1) A trial code is set in advance in each game machine including the game machine A40 (for example, A0001, B0001, C0001, D0001, etc.). The trial code is a code for indicating that the trial play code is a game machine, and is not related to the trial code issued by the server device.
(2) When the mobile phone 2 reads the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the screen of the game machine A40 and transmits a blank mail to the mail address to the server device 1 described in the two-dimensional barcode, the server device 1 confirms the mail address of the mobile phone 2 and issues an unused trial code only to unregistered mail addresses. As described above, the server device 1 has a large number of issuing play codes set in the storage unit.

(3) When a trial play code is sent to the cellular phone 2 from the server device 1 by blank mail, the user presses the trial play button 11a of the operation unit 11 and issues it to the input screen displayed on the monitor 19 of the game machine A40. The entered trial code “A0001” is input.
(4) The game machine A40 performs processing according to the contents set in the store by inputting the trial code. Judgment processing is performed to determine whether the trial play is set to ON and the trial play presence is displayed, or whether the set trial play time and the number of trial play acceptances satisfy the trial play conditions. For example, in the game machine A40, if the number of trials is set to one, the game control unit 10a determines whether or not the inputted trial code is unused.
(5) When the game control unit 10a determines that the trial play code is unused, the trial play execution unit 10d starts the trial play. The game control unit 10a stores the trial code used this time in the RAM 17 as data in the game machine housing, and sets it as a used trial code.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing various setting examples of the trial play of the game machine in each store.
The setting is performed under the control of the trial setting control unit 10c by the store manager operating the trial setting operation unit 21. A screen for setting each condition of the trial play is displayed on the display of the game machine. The setting screen has [Trial Play] ON / OFF selection part, [Trial Play Presence / No Display] display / non-display part, [Trial Play Time] time setting part, [Trial Play Reception Count] reception count setting It consists of a part and a part for setting the maximum number of trials. The manager of the store can set each condition on the setting screen.

FIG. 4A shows a setting example of the game machines A and B of the store 01, and the setting contents of the game machines A and B are common, [trial play] ON, [presence / absence of trial play] display, [ Setting is made such that “trial time” is unlimited, [number of trial receptions] is unlimited, and [number of trials] is one.
4B, the game machine C in the store 02 is [trial play] ON, [trial play presence / absence presence / absence] display, [trial play time] 14: 00 to 15:00, [number of trial play acceptance times] unlimited, [trial play] [Number of times] Unlimited, but game machine D is [Trial play] OFF, [Presence of trial play] not displayed, [Trial time] 00: 00 to 00: 00, [Number of trial receptions] 0, [Number of trials] 0 Is set. Note that when the trial play is set to OFF, setting contents (such as 0 times and non-display) that do not perform the trial play are displayed for all other conditions.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from trial play acceptance to trial play.
This figure shows the details of the processing in the game machine from (4) to (5) in FIG.
Inputs such as buttons and switches occur during standby (step (hereinafter referred to as “S”) 01). This occurs when the user presses the trial play button 11a.
Thereby, the trial setting control unit 10c performs the following processing. That is, whether or not the trial play is ON? (S02), whether or not it is a trial play available time? (S03), whether or not the upper limit of the number of trial play acceptances is reached? When the determination of (S04) is made and the trial play is OFF, the trial play time is out of time, and the number of trial play acceptances has reached the upper limit, the trial play cannot be performed and the process ends. If the conditions for performing the trial play in S02, S03, and S04 are satisfied, trial code input processing is performed.

  The trial code entered by the user is received and it is determined whether or not the trial code is correct (S06). If it is not a correct trial code, the process ends. If it is a regular code, it is determined whether or not the number of trials has reached the upper limit (S07). If the upper limit has been reached, the process ends. If the upper limit has not been reached, the trial play is started within the available number of times (S08).

Hereinafter, a specific example in which the user plays a trial play in a state where the trial play of each game machine is set as shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an arrangement example of a two-dimensional barcode for empty mail transmission. A two-dimensional bar code or the like for sending a blank e-mail is displayed at a place that can be seen by the user in various ways. FIG. 6A is an example, and display on a CM, advertisement in a car, display on a PC / mobile site, etc. is also possible.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user has acquired an e-mail address.
The user “Hat” who has visited the store 01 transmits a blank e-mail using the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the game machine for the first time this time. A “trial code” is sent from the server device by a reply mail or a dedicated URL.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example in which a trial play is performed with a trial code acquired by the user.
The user “Hat” inputs the acquired “trial play code” to the game machine A to perform a trial play. The trial code “A0001” of the game machine A is recorded as used.

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example in which the trial play cannot be performed.
The user “Hat” who has finished the trial play on the game machine A wants to play again and tries to input the trial code into the game machine A. However, the game machine A cannot use the trial because it is a used code. On the display unit of the game machine, a message “Trial in this game has ended” is displayed.

FIG. 6E is a diagram illustrating an example in which a trial code is used in another game machine.
The user “Hat” who understands that the trial play on the game machine A is finished inputs the trial code into the game machine B. Since “A0001” is not used in the game machine B, a trial play can be performed.

FIG. 6F is a diagram for describing an example in which a trial play is performed on another game machine.
The user “Hat” played a trial play on the game machine B, and the trial play on the game machine B was finished. The trial code “A0001” of the game machine B is recorded as used.

FIG. 6G is a diagram for explaining an example in which a trial code is not issued.
The user “Hat” who has finished the trial play on the game machine A and the game machine B transmits a blank e-mail again as to whether or not the trial code is available.
A blank mail arrives from “hat@mail.com” to the server device, but since it is a recorded mail address, a trial code is not issued.

FIG. 6H is a diagram for explaining an example where the trial play cannot be performed.
Furthermore, the user “Hat” who wants to try out goes to the store 02 at 12:30 and enters a trial code into the game machine C, but the trial play cannot be performed because it was before the trial time.
On the display unit of the game machine C, a display “The trial time is 14:00 to 15:00” is displayed.

FIG. 6I is a diagram for explaining another example in which the trial play cannot be performed.
The user “Hat” who understands that it is before the trial time on the game machine C tries to input the trial code into the game machine D, but the [trial play] is set to OFF, and therefore the input screen is not displayed.

FIG. 6J is a diagram for explaining an example in which a trial play condition is satisfied.
Since it was 14:00, the trial code was input to the game machine C, and the user “Hat” performed the trial play. As a result, the trial code “A0001” of the game machine C is recorded as used.

FIG. 6K is a diagram illustrating an example of a trial play.
The user “Hat” who has finished the trial play on the game machine C wants to play again and inputs a trial code to the game machine C. [Number of trials] Unlimited setting, so I was able to play again.

FIG. 6L is a diagram for explaining still another example in which the trial play cannot be performed.
The user “Hat” who has finished the trial play on the game machine C wants to play again and inputs a trial code further to the game machine C. However, since 15:00 has passed, the trial time has expired, could not. On the display unit of the game machine C, a message “The trial time in this game has ended” is displayed.

In the above embodiment, the mail address of the server device is displayed as a two-dimensional code and taken in by the camera of the mobile phone. However, the user can read the mail address together with characters and read it, so that the mobile phone and the communication function can be used. You can also enter it on your terminal.
The mechanism in which the user inputs the trial code to the game machine has been described as an example in which the trial play button is pressed and the trial code is input according to the screen. However, the operation for performing the trial play is not provided with the trial play button, If other switches are pressed without inserting coins, a mechanism for displaying a screen for entering a trial code may be used. Further, the order for confirming whether or not the trial play setting condition is satisfied may not follow the order shown in FIG.

  This is a trial play system that uses a standby game machine installed at a game center or event venue as a trial stand.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the trial play system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of the circuit of the game machine to which the trial play system by this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of the circuit of the server apparatus to which the trial play system by this invention is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the trial process of the trial system by this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing various setting examples of the trial play of the game machine in each store. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process from trial play reception to trial play. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of arrangement | positioning of the two-dimensional barcode for empty mail transmission. It is a figure which shows the state which the user acquired the mail address. It is a figure which shows the example which performs a trial play with the trial code which the user acquired. It is a figure which shows the example when a trial play cannot be performed. It is a figure which shows the example which uses a trial code with another game machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which carried out the trial play with the other game machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the example in which a trial code is not issued. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which cannot be tried. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example which cannot be tried. It is a figure for demonstrating the example used as the conditions which can be tried. Furthermore, it is a figure which shows the example which carries out a trial play. It is a figure for demonstrating the further another example which cannot be tried.

Explanation of symbols

1 Server device
2 Carrier switch 3 Base station 4 Mobile phone 10,30 CPU
11 Operation unit 12 Coin-related device
13 Coin slot
14 Backup memory
15 Input / output control unit
16 ROM
17 RAM
18 Image processing unit
19 Monitor 20 LAN control unit 21 Trial setting operation unit 31 Communication unit 32 Storage unit

Claims (8)

A trial play system composed of a server device and a plurality of game machines,
The game machine
A trial play execution means for executing the trial play;
Trial play ON / OFF setting means for setting ON / OFF of the trial play;
A trial play presence / absence display means for displaying the presence / absence of a trial play corresponding to the setting of the trial play ON / OFF setting means;
Trial condition setting means for setting trial conditions,
Have
The server device
A trial code has been set, and when a blank e-mail is sent, it has a means to check the blank e-mail address and issue an unused trial code only to unregistered mail addresses,
When the server device receives a blank e-mail, it issues an unused trial code, the terminal receives the trial code, and when the user enters the received trial code into one of the game machines, the trial code is entered. When the trial play is ON and the trial play condition is satisfied, the game machine confirms that it is an unused trial play code, starts the trial play, and stores it as a used trial play code in the storage unit. system.   2. The trial play system according to claim 1, wherein a mail address for sending a mail to the server device is displayed on a screen of the game machine or on a device main body.   3. The trial play system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal that transmits the blank mail is a mobile phone.   4. The trial play system according to claim 1, wherein the trial play condition includes a trial play time.   5. The trial play system according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the trial play condition is provided with a number of trial play acceptances.   The trial play system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the trial play condition includes a trial play number. A game machine used in a trial play system,
A trial play execution means for executing the trial play;
Trial play ON / OFF setting means for setting ON / OFF of the trial play;
A trial play presence / absence display means for displaying the presence / absence of a trial play corresponding to the setting of the trial play ON / OFF setting means;
Trial condition setting means for setting trial conditions,
A game machine comprising: In the trial method performed when the game machine is in a standby state,
Send a blank email from the terminal to the server device,
When the server device receives the empty mail, it confirms the address of the empty mail and issues an unused trial code only to the unregistered mail address,
The terminal receives the trial code,
When the trial code is input to a game machine capable of trial play, if the trial play is ON and the trial condition is satisfied when the trial play is ON, the game machine starts the trial play and stores it as a used trial code in the storage unit. A trial method characterized by memorizing.

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