KR20040038784A - Game server, game managing method and recording media recorded with game managing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A game server device, and a recording medium recording a game managing method and a game managing program are provided to enable a user to easily apply for a game meet and efficiently process a battle on the game meet. CONSTITUTION: An entry receiver(361a) receives an e-mail address of a user terminal and an entry for a battle game meet. An entry qualification manager(361b) judges qualification for joining in the next battle. A battle reception time zone setter(361c) sets a battle reception time zone for a qualified player. A reception time transmitter(361d) transmits the battle reception time zone information to the personal terminal. If the entry is received, the player is qualified, and date of the entry reception is included in the battle reception time zone, a battle approver(361e) approves start of the battle game.

Description

GAME SERVER, GAME MANAGING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIA RECORDED WITH GAME MANAGING PROGRAM}

The present invention is connected to a plurality of game terminal apparatuses which are provided at a plurality of stores and receive a player's operation to execute a competition of a winner advance system composed of a plurality of rotations, and are communicatively connected via a network. A server for games, which is held by a communication system and is communicatively connected to a plurality of personal terminal devices that transmit and receive information on participation in the competition game, and manages the progress of the competition game competition between the game terminal devices. A device, a game management method, and a game management program.

Background Art Conventionally, various types of game terminal apparatuses which accept a player's operation and execute a competitive game have been proposed, and have already been used. For example, in a game center or the like, a plurality of game devices (terminal devices) of the same type are arranged, and a plurality of game terminal devices are connected via a network (and a server device) such as a LAN and the Internet so that a plurality of players can be connected. There is a game terminal apparatus capable of playing a game in the same game space. In such a game terminal device, table games such as mahjong and long-term games, and competitive games such as sports and martial arts are played.

When playing the above table games, competitive games, or the like, a plurality of game terminal devices are connected via a network (and a server device) such as a LAN and the Internet, so that an unspecified number of players can participate in the game. In this way, when a person does not know each other's game, since the ability of the opponent is not known, the so-called CPU game in which a game terminal device is used as a stand-alone game is played. Compared to the game, the unexpectedness is given to the progress of the game, and the game can be provided with a certain interest.

On the other hand, in table games such as mahjong and long-term games, when the winners advance game competitions composed of a plurality of turns such as national tournaments, the interest is greatly influenced by the competition holding method (how to proceed the game competition). .

Conventionally, the method of entering a game tournament (to apply for the purpose of participating in a game of a competitive game) has little choice, such as an application by telephone or an application from a home PC. In addition, competition place in game tournament is home PC (personal computer) connected to LAN and Internet and designated place (game meeting ground or store), and do not own home PC or designated place is Motivation for participation in game competitions has been raised for the same reason as being remote from the place of residence. In addition, during the first round, the second round, and the game competition, there is a case where the opponent must take the time restraint until his / her match, and the interest in the game is halved.

In particular, when a game tournament is held between game terminal devices installed in a plurality of stores, the game terminal device may be used to collect information such as entry into the game tournament, whether to advance to the next round, and the date and time of the next round. It was necessary to go to the store where it was arranged, and the burden on the player increased, and it was one reason that the motivation to participate in a game tournament was halved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a game server device, a game management method, and a game management program that can easily apply for a game tournament and can effectively fight a game in a game tournament. It aims to provide.

1 is a diagram of an example of a configuration diagram of a game system to which a game server device according to the present invention is applied.

2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an embodiment of a game terminal device.

3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a game terminal device.

4 is a diagram of an example of a functional configuration diagram of a control unit of a game terminal device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a screen diagram of a game screen of a mahjong game according to the present embodiment (first and second embodiments). FIG.

6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of a store server device.

FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a store server device. FIG.

8 is a diagram of an example of a hardware configuration diagram of a personal terminal device.

9 is a diagram of an example of a functional configuration diagram showing main functions of the personal terminal device shown in FIG. 8; FIG.

Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the center server device according to the present invention.

11 is a diagram of an example of a functional configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the control unit of the center server apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart of a process of accepting an application for participation and a process of accepting an e-mail address for a competition of a competitive game played by a participation accepting unit; FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart of a transmission process of one round of competition reception time zone information performed by the reception time transmission unit; FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing a process in one round of competition performed by a competitive permitting unit, a competitive opponent determining unit, and the like. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart of a transmission process of two or three rounds of game reception time zone information performed by the reception time transmitter; FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing processing in two and three rotations of the game performed by the game permitting part, the opponent determination part, and the like.

17 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart of a participation qualification determination process performed by the participation qualification management unit;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a screen diagram of a personal authentication screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the personal terminal device in steps ST101 and 102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12; FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example of a screen diagram of a tournament participation application screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of a personal terminal device in step ST1031 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12; FIG.

20 is an example of a screen diagram of a mail address input screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of a personal terminal device in step ST105 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12;

21 is a diagram of an example of a screen diagram of a game score display screen displayed on a game terminal device in step ST1593 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 and step ST1693 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16;

22 is a diagram of an example of a functional configuration diagram according to the second embodiment of the control unit of the center server apparatus.

23 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing registration of a mail address from a home page;

24 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart illustrating delivery of game tournament guidance;

25 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing a game tournament participation application from the homepage.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart illustrating a game tournament participation application from a game terminal device; FIG.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing distribution of competitive game information to a game tournament participation applicant; FIG.

28 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing the charging of the first rotation of the tournament.

29 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing the charging after the second rotation of the tournament.

30 is a diagram of an example of a flowchart showing the charging information distribution of the next rotation of the tournament;

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: game terminal device

2: store server unit

3: center server unit (server unit for games)

4: personal terminal device

36: control unit

361: CPU

361a: Participation Reception Unit (Participation Reception Method)

361b: Participation qualification management unit (participation qualification management means)

361c: Daejeon reception time zone setting unit (Daejeon reception time zone setting means)

361d: reception time transmission unit (reception time transmission means)

361e: Daejeon permit (war permit)

361f: opponent-determination part

362: RAM

362a: player information storage section (player information storage means)

362b: opponent's memory

363: ROM

The server apparatus for games according to claim 1 is provided in a plurality of stores so as to communicate via a network with a plurality of game terminal apparatuses that accept a player's operation and execute a competition of a competition game of a winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations. Progression of the competition of the competitive game, which is connected and communicatively connected to a plurality of personal terminal devices which are held by the player and transmit and receive information on participation in the competition of the competitive game. A game server device for managing a game, comprising: player information storage means for storing participation qualification information indicating whether or not there is a qualification for participation in a competition of the competitive game in association with identification information of a player, and the first round of the competition of the competitive game; Until, from the personal terminal device identification information of the player, Accepting an application for the e-mail address of the personal terminal device and the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game, and storing the e-mail address of the personal terminal device in correspondence with the identification information of the player in the player information storage means; At the end of each round of the participation reception means and the competition of the competitive game, it is determined whether there is a participation qualification for the next round based on a predetermined rule based on the game result for each player, and the participation qualification of the player information storage means. With reference to the participation eligibility management means for updating the information and the participation eligibility information of the player information storage means, a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competition, is set for a player who is eligible to participate in the competitive game. The reception time zone information is matched with the player identification information to the player information storage means. The game reception time zone setting means for responding and storing, and the e-mail address of the personal terminal device possessed by a player who is eligible to participate are read from the player information storage means, and the game reception time zone information is e-mailed to the personal terminal device. Is received from the game terminal device, and the identification information of the received player is determined by any of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate. Match permission means for permitting the start of a match game when the date of receipt of an application for the purpose of starting a match game is included in the match accepting time period stored in the player information storage means. And, the game reception time setting means, The length of the competitive game reception time period is set according to the number of players who have the participation qualification stored in the player information storage means.

The recording medium according to claim 11 is connected to a plurality of game terminal apparatuses which are provided in a plurality of stores to accept a player's operation and execute a competition of a competition game of a winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations via a network. In addition, a plurality of personal terminal devices held by the player and communicatively connected to the plurality of personal terminal devices for transmitting and receiving information on participation in the competition of the competitive game, the progress of the competition of the competitive game played between the game terminal devices are carried out. A recording medium on which a game management program of a managing game server device is recorded, wherein the program stores the game server device in correspondence with player identification information indicating participation eligibility information indicating whether or not there is eligibility for a competition of the competitive game. Player information storage means to be played and the competition game Until the start of one round, an application of identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and an effect of participating in a competition of the competitive game is received from the personal terminal device, and the player information storage means receives the request. Participation reception means for storing the e-mail address of the personal terminal device in correspondence with the identification information of the player, and at the end of each rotation of the competition of the competitive game, the next rotation according to a predetermined rule based on the game result for each player. With reference to the participation qualification management means for determining the presence or absence of participation eligibility for the player information and updating the participation qualification information of the player information storage means, and the participation qualification information of the player information storage means, Set the competitive game reception time zone, which is the time zone in which the competitive game will be played. A competition reception time zone setting means for storing the reception time zone information in correspondence with the player identification information in the player information storage means, and an e-mail address of a personal terminal device held by a player who is eligible to participate, from the player information storage means; A reception time transmission means for transmitting the competitive game reception time zone information to the personal terminal device through an electronic mail, and an application for identifying the player and the purpose of starting the competitive game from the game terminal device. The identification information of the player coincides with any one of the identification information of the players who are eligible to participate, and the date and time when the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means. If it is, dog of competitive game Functions as a charging authorization means for authorizing, and means for charging the reception time setting, characterized by setting the length of the charging time according to the reception number of the player of competent participation stored in the player information storage means.

According to the above invention, participation qualification information indicating whether or not there is a participation qualification for a competition of a competition game is stored in the player information storage means in correspondence with the identification information of the player, Until the start of the first round, an application for identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and an effect of participating in a competition of the competitive game is received from the personal terminal device, and the player information storage means receives an e-mail of the personal terminal device. The address is stored in correspondence with the player's identification information, and by the participation qualification management means, at the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, the player's participation qualification for the next round is determined according to a predetermined rule based on the game result for each player. The presence or absence is determined, and the participation qualification information of the player information storage means is updated. Further, the competitive game reception time setting means sets a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competitions for the player who is eligible to participate, with reference to the participation qualification information of the player information storage means. Time zone information is stored in the player information storage means in association with identification information of the player. Then, by the reception time transmission means, the e-mail address of the personal terminal device held by the player who is eligible to participate is read from the player information storage means, and the game reception time zone information is transmitted to the personal terminal device by using the e-mail. do. Further, when the game permission device receives an application of the player identification information and the intention to start the match game from the game terminal device, the identification information of the received player coincides with any of the identification information of the qualified player. Further, when the date and time when the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means, the competition game is started. Here, the length of the competitive game reception time zone is set by the competitive game reception time setting means according to the number of players having a participation qualification stored in the player information storage means.

Therefore, since the application for accepting the participation in the competition game is received from the personal terminal device, the player who wishes to participate in the competition of the competition game of the winner advance method is allowed to use the personal terminal device. It is possible to easily apply for the tournament of the competitive game, and the convenience of the player is improved.

In addition, the game reception time zone information is transmitted to the personal terminal device possessed by the qualified player by the reception time transmission means using an electronic mail, and the game permission device starts the game from the game terminal device. When an application for the purpose of acceptance is accepted, when the application for the purpose of initiating a competitive game is included in the competitive time zone, the start of the competitive game is permitted, and therefore, the player receives the competitive time zone notified in advance by e-mail. In this case, the inputting effect of starting a competitive game may be input from the game terminal device. Therefore, since the game terminal device is provided only to the case where the game is executed, the convenience of the player is improved. In addition, since the competitive game of each round ends when the competitive game acceptance time period ends, the competitive game in a game competition is efficiently digested.

The server apparatus for games according to claim 2 is provided with opponent determination means for determining a predetermined number of opponents required for establishing the competitive game among the players permitted to start the competitive game by the competitive permission means. do.

According to the above-described configuration, since the opponent having the predetermined number of opponents necessary for establishing the competitive game is determined by the opponent determination means, the player who is allowed to start the competitive game is determined. It is possible to start execution of the game, so that the competitive game in the game competition is digested more efficiently.

The server apparatus for games according to claim 3, wherein the competitive opponent determining means determines, as the permitted opponent, the players who are permitted to start the competitive game by the competitive permission means.

According to the above configuration, since the player who has been allowed to start the game of the game by the opponent permission means is determined as the opponent in the order of permission, the opponent is determined quickly, and thus the opponent is determined more efficiently. As a match game in the game tournament is digested.

The game server apparatus according to claim 4 is characterized in that the reception time zone setting means sets the length of the competition reception time zone shorter than the time of the previous rotation with the progress of the rotation.

According to the above arrangement, the competitive game acceptance time zone setting means sets the length of the competitive game reception time zone shorter than the time of the previous rotation with the progress of the rotation. On the other hand, since the number of players who are eligible to participate in the competitive game decreases as the rotation progresses, the length of the competition reception time period is set shorter than in the previous rotation in accordance with the progress of the rotation. In connection with this, it is suppressed that the time until a competitor is determined is extended, and the competitive game in a game competition is digested more efficiently.

The server apparatus for games according to claim 5 is characterized in that the participation accepting means accepts an application for the purpose of participating in a competition of the competitive game via the homepage of the competition of the competitive game.

According to the above arrangement, since the application for accepting the participation in the competition game is accepted by the participation reception means through the homepage of the competition of the competition game, for example, a predetermined input is made according to the guidance displayed on the website. By doing so, it is possible to apply for the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game, to easily apply for the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game, and the convenience of the player is improved.

The server apparatus for games according to claim 6 is a game in which the competitive game mimics mahjong, and the predetermined number of people is one or more and three or less.

According to the above-described configuration, since the competitive game is a game that mimics mahjong and the predetermined number of people required for establishing the competitive game is one or more and three or less, determination of the opponent by the opponent determination means becomes easy. More effectively, the competitive game in the game tournament is digested.

In the server apparatus for games according to claim 7, the competition of the competitive game is composed of a competitive game of a predetermined number of times, and the participation qualification management unit integrates the competitive game of the predetermined number of times for each player in each rotation. The grades are calculated according to a predetermined rule, and the eligibility for participation in the next round is given to players of the predetermined number of next turning advance numbers, which are set in the order of the above integrated grades in ascending order.

According to the above configuration, the competition of the competitive game is composed of a competitive game of a predetermined number of times each round, and the participation qualification management means determines the combined score of the predetermined number of competitive game for each player in each round by a predetermined rule. It is calculated according to the above, and the player of the predetermined number of next round advancement numbers predetermined in the order of the highest integrated scores is given the participation qualification in the next round.

In this way, since the qualification for participation in the next round is granted to the players of the predetermined number of next round advances, which are set in the order of high integration scores of the predetermined number of match games, the skills are more accurate as compared to the normal tournament match. The reflected game advances, and the interest of a game meet improves.

The gaming server device according to claim 8 is characterized in that the participation qualification management means calculates the combined score by adding the score of the retained score bar at the end of each competitive game to the predetermined number of times.

According to the above-described configuration, since the combined scores are calculated as a result of the scores of the retained score bars at the end of each competitive game being added by the predetermined number of times, the player can easily calculate the player score. Integral grades are obtained in which the ability of the subject is assessed.

The game server apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the competition of the competitive game is a tournament-based competition in which each rotation is composed of one competitive game, and the participation qualification management means records the performance of the competitive game for each player in each rotation. It calculates according to a predetermined rule, It is characterized by granting the participation qualification to the next round to the player of the predetermined number of next rotation advancement numbers preset in order of the said grade.

According to the above-described configuration, the competition of the competitive game is a tournament-type competition in which each rotation consists of one competitive game, and the performance of the competitive game for each player in each rotation is determined by a predetermined rule by the participation qualification management means. It is calculated according to this, and the player of the predetermined | prescribed next turn advancing number of people preset in order of high grade is given the participation qualification to the next turn.

In this way, since the qualification for participation in the next round is granted to the player having the predetermined number of next round advancement numbers set in the order of the high score of the one-time competitive game, the competitive game in the game competition is more efficiently digested. .

The game server device according to claim 10, wherein the participation qualification management unit calculates the score as a score of a holding score bar at the end of the competitive game.

According to the above arrangement, since the grades are calculated as the scores of the holding score bars at the end of the competitive game, the grades for obtaining the scores are easily calculated and the player's ability is appropriately evaluated.

The game management method according to claim 12 is capable of communicating via a network with a plurality of game terminal apparatuses installed in a plurality of stores and accepting a player's operation to execute a competition of a competition game of a winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations. Progression of the competition of the competitive game, which is connected and communicatively connected to a plurality of personal terminal devices which are held by the player and transmit and receive information on participation in the competition of the competitive game. A game management method using a game server device for managing a game, the game server device comprising: player information storage means for storing, in correspondence with player identification information, participation qualification information indicating whether or not there is a qualification for participation in a competition of the competitive game; Including, until start of the first round of meeting of the competitive game Accepts, from the personal terminal device, the identification information of the player, the e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game, and transmits the electronic information of the personal terminal device to the player information storage means. Participation acceptance processing for storing an e-mail address in correspondence with the identification information of the player, and at the end of each rotation of the competition of the competitive game, the participation qualification for the next rotation according to a predetermined rule based on the game result for each player. A game of the next round is played against a player who is eligible to participate by referring to a participation qualification management process for determining the presence or absence and updating the participation qualification information of the player information storage means and the participation qualification information of the player information storage means. Set the game reception time zone, which is the time zone to be played, The game reception time setting process for storing the player information storage means in correspondence with the identification information of the player, and the e-mail address of the personal terminal device held by the player who is eligible to participate are read from the player information storage means. A reception time transmission process for transmitting the competitive game reception time zone information to the apparatus using an electronic mail, and the identification information of the received player upon receipt of the application for identification of the player and the purpose of starting the competitive game from the game terminal device. Is matched with any one of identification information of a player who is eligible to participate, and the date and time when an application for the purpose of starting a competitive game is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means. , War game permission to start match game The processing is performed to set the length of the competitive game reception time zone in accordance with the number of players having the participation qualification stored in the player information storage means.

According to the above-described method, in the player information storage means, participation qualification information indicating whether or not there is a participation qualification for the competition of the competition game is stored in correspondence with the identification information of the player. Until the start of the first round, an application for identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and an effect of participating in a competition game is received from the personal terminal device, and the player information storage means receives an e-mail of the personal terminal device. The address is stored in correspondence with the identification information of the player, and in the participation eligibility management process, at the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, each player is determined to participate in the next round according to a predetermined rule based on the game result. The presence or absence is determined, and the participation qualification information of the player information storage means is updated. Further, in the competitive game reception time setting process, a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competitions, is set for a player who is eligible to participate with reference to the participation qualification information in the player information storage means. Time zone information is stored in the player information storage means in association with identification information of the player. Then, in the reception time transmission process, the e-mail address of the personal terminal device held by the player who is eligible to participate is read from the player information storage means, and the game reception time zone information is transmitted to the personal terminal device by using the e-mail. do. In addition, in the competitive game permission process, when the application of the player identification information and the intention to start the competitive game is received from the game terminal device, the received identification information of the player matches any of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate. Further, when the date and time when the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means, the competition game is started. Here, in the competitive game reception time setting process, the length of the competitive game reception time zone is set according to the number of players having the participation qualification stored in the player information storage means.

Therefore, in the participation reception process, since an application for the purpose of participating in a competition game competition is received from the personal terminal device, a player who wishes to participate in the competition of the competitive game of the winner advancement method, uses a nearby personal terminal device. It is possible to easily apply for the tournament of the competitive game, and the convenience of the player is improved.

Further, in the reception time transmission process, the game reception time zone information is transmitted to the personal terminal device held by the player who is eligible to participate by using an electronic mail, and in the game permission process, the game is started from the game terminal device. When an application for the purpose of acceptance is accepted, when the application for the purpose of initiating a competitive game is included in the competitive time zone, the start of the competitive game is permitted, and therefore, the player receives the competitive time zone notified in advance by e-mail. In this case, the inputting effect of starting a competitive game may be input from the game terminal device. Therefore, since the game terminal device is provided only to the case where the game is executed, the convenience of the player is improved. In addition, since the competitive game of each round ends when the competitive game acceptance time period ends, the competitive game in a game competition is efficiently digested.

Effect of the Invention

According to the invention as set forth in claims 1, 11, and 12, it is possible to easily apply for a competition of a competitive game by using a nearby personal terminal device, and the convenience of the player is improved. In addition, since a game terminal device is provided only in a case where a game is executed, the convenience of the player is further improved. In addition, since the competitive game of each round ends when the competitive game acceptance time period ends, the competitive game in a game competition can be digested efficiently.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, since a predetermined number of opponents who are required to establish a competitive game are determined among the players who are permitted to start the competitive game, when this process is completed, execution of the competitive game can be started. The game can be more effectively digested in game competitions.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, since the player who is permitted to start the competitive game is determined as the opponent in the order of permission, the opponent is determined quickly, and the competitive game in the game competition can be more efficiently digested. Can be.

According to the invention described in claim 4, with the progress of the rotation, the elapse of time until the opponent is determined is suppressed, and the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

According to the invention described in claim 5, since the application for the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game is easily performed, the convenience of the player can be improved.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, since the determination of the opponent becomes easy, the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, since the eligibility for participation in the next round is given to a player having a predetermined number of advance rotation advance numbers set in order of high integration score of the predetermined number of competitive games, as compared with the normal tournament competition, The game can be more accurately reflected in the game, and the interest in the game can be improved.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 8, since the integrated score is calculated as a result of adding the score of the retained score bar at the end of each competitive game to the predetermined number of times, the player's ability can be evaluated easily and appropriately. Can get integrated grades.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, since the eligibility for participation in the next round is given to a player having a predetermined number of next advance turns in advance, the competition in the game competition is more efficient. You can digest the game.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 10, since the grade is calculated as the score of the retained score rod at the end of the competitive game, the grade can be obtained easily and can appropriately evaluate the player's ability.

<Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention>

<Common matters common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment>

1 is an example of configuration diagram of a game system to which a game server device according to the present invention is applied. The game system includes a game terminal device 1 that accepts a player's operation and executes a competition of a competition game of a winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations (for example, three rotations), and a plurality of (for example, The eight game terminal devices 1 are connected to each other via a network (here, a LAN) so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the center server device 3 to be described later is connected to a network (here, the Internet) so as to be able to communicate with each other. The store server device 2 which transmits / receives data between the device 1 and the center server device 3, and the plurality of store server devices 2 are communicatively connected via a network (here, the Internet). The server apparatus 3 (corresponding to the server apparatus for game) that is connected to communicate with the personal terminal device 4 to be described later and manages the progress of the competition game, and held by the player, the competition of the competition game. And a plurality of the personal terminal device 4 for transmitting and receiving information about the participants.

The game terminal device 1 executes a competition of a competitive game by performing a predetermined operation on the basis of a game screen displayed on a monitor by a player. The identification information corresponding to the game terminal device 1 is identification information for each store server device 2 to which the game terminal device 1 is connected (or an identification of a store in which the game terminal device 1 is arranged). Information) and identification information (called a terminal number) for each game terminal device 1 in the store where the game terminal device 1 is arranged. For example, when the identification information of the store A is A and the identification information of the game terminal device 1 in the store A is 4, the identification information of the game terminal device 1 is A4.

The store server device 2 is connected in communication with the plurality of game terminal devices 1 and the center server device 3 so as to communicate data between the game terminal device 1 and the center server device 3. To do.

The center server device 3 is connected to the plurality of store server devices 2 so as to be communicable through the network, and the data is transmitted and received with the plurality of game terminal devices 1 through the store server device 2. The progress of the game is managed to execute the competition of the competitive game in the game space. In addition, the center server device 3 receives and stores player information of a player transmitted from the game terminal device 1 via the store server device 2 and the network, and plays a game (competitor). To specify the selection.

The personal terminal device 4 is connected to the center server device 3 so as to be communicable, and transmits player information of a player such as a user ID to the center server device 3 via the homepage or the center server device 3. As a terminal apparatus which also receives data, such as an e-mail sent from the home | wireless, it is a home PC (personal computer) or a mobile telephone, for example. Here, a case where the personal terminal device 4 is a mobile phone will be described. The mobile phone has a configuration in which a homepage on a network can be browsed and an e-mail can be transmitted and received. In other words, the personal terminal device 4 is a mobile phone having a browser function and an e-mail transmission / reception function here.

The personal terminal device 4 may be, in addition to a cellular phone, a personal handyphone system (PHS), a personal data assistant (PDA), a personal computer having a communication function, or the like.

2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the game terminal device 1. In this embodiment (1st and 2nd embodiment), the competition of the competitive game played using the game terminal device 1 which concerns on this invention operates the game terminal device 1 as a competition of a mahjong game. At least one of the player to play, the player operating the other game terminal device 1, and the CPU player are played. Since the opponents of the mahjong game are three players (four opponents) in the same manner as the real mahjong game, at least one of the opponents is a player (hereinafter referred to as a "man player") who operates another game terminal device 1; There are cases where the player is a CPU player (hereinafter referred to as a man-up game), and all other players are CPU players (hereinafter referred to as a CPU game). In the case of a match with a player (man player) operating another game terminal device 1, the game terminal device (for example, via the network communication unit 18, the store server device 2, the center server device 3, etc.) will be described. Data transmission and reception between 1) is performed.

The game terminal device 1 determines which of the monitor 11 for displaying the game screen, the button address for prompting the selection, etc. displayed on the game screen of the monitor 11, and the pressing position by the player is indicated. A touch panel 11a for determining, a speaker 12 for outputting sound, a card reader / writer 13 for reading (and writing) information such as a user ID stored in a personal card made of a magnetic card or the like; And a fingerprint authentication unit 14 for extracting feature point data necessary for personal authentication using fingerprint information from the CCD camera 14a described later, and a coin accepting unit 15 for accepting coins input by the player. The feature point data extracted by the fingerprint authentication unit 14 is stored in the player information storage unit 362a described later in the center server apparatus 3 via the network communication unit 18, the store server apparatus 2, and the like described later. .

The monitor 11 is a thin liquid crystal display which displays an image, for example. The speaker 12 outputs a predetermined message or BGM. The fingerprint authentication unit 14 includes a CCD camera 14a for imaging a player's fingerprint. However, the fingerprint authentication unit 14 may be in the form of another digital imaging device (for example, a CMOS camera) instead of the CCD camera 14a. The coin accepting unit 15 is provided with a coin outlet 151 for discharging when the coin input is a defective coin or the like.

In the place of the game terminal apparatus 1, the control part 16 mentioned later comprised of the microcomputer etc. which output the detection signal in each part, the control signal to each part, is arrange | positioned.

3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the game terminal device 1. The control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the game terminal device 1, includes an information processing unit (CPU) 161, a RAM 162 for temporarily storing information during processing, and a predetermined description described later. A ROM 163 is stored in advance in which image information, a game program, and the like are stored.

The external input / output control unit 171 transmits a detection signal between the control unit 16 and the detection unit including the card reader / writer 13, the touch panel 11a, the CCD camera 14a, and the coin acceptor 15. By converting into a digital signal for processing, and converting and outputting command information into a control signal for each device of the detection unit, such signal processing and input / output processing, for example, are time-divisionally performed. The external device control unit 172 performs the output operation of the control signal to each device of the detection unit and the input operation of the detection signal from each device of the detection unit within each time division period.

The drawing processing unit 111 displays a predetermined image on the monitor 11 according to the image display instruction from the control unit 16, and includes a video RAM and the like. The audio reproducing unit 121 outputs a predetermined message, a BGM, or the like to the speaker 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 16.

The touch panel 11a is a rectangular thin layered body formed by covering a pressure-sensitive material made of a linear transparent material at a predetermined pitch in the vertical and horizontal directions with a transparent cover, and is attached on the screen of the monitor 11. have. A well-known thing can be employ | adopted for this touch panel 11a. Then, it is possible to determine which button of the address of the button for prompting selection or the like displayed on the monitor 11 screen and the pressing position is instructed.

The ROM 163 stores mahjongg characters, background images, images of various screens, and the like. The mah-jongg character or the like is composed of a predetermined number of polygons constituting the three-dimensional drawing, and the drawing processing unit 111 is positioned in the three-dimensional space based on a drawing instruction from the CPU 161. Calculation for converting the position into a position in the pseudo three-dimensional space, light source calculation processing, and the like, and writing processing of image data to be drawn in the video RAM based on the calculation result, for example, as a polygon The process of writing (attaching) texture data to the area of the designated video RAM is performed.

Here, the relationship between the operation of the CPU 161 and the operation of the drawing processing unit 111 will be described. The CPU 161 reads out images, audio and control program data, and game program data from the ROM 163 on the basis of an operating system (OS) recorded in the ROM 163 as a built-in or externally mounted external type. do. Some or all of the read image, audio, control program data, and the like are held on the RAM 162. The CPU 161 then detects the control program stored on the RAM 162, various data (image data including other character images such as polygons and textures of display objects, and audio data), and detection from the detection unit. The processing proceeds based on the signal and the like.

Among the various data stored in the ROM 163, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium is read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, a cassette media reader, or the like. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

The network communication unit 18 is for transmitting and receiving various event information and the like generated during the execution of the mahjong game tournament with the center server device 3 via the network and the store server device 2 or the like.

Here, the personal authentication method in the game terminal device 1 will be described. The personal authentication is for determining that the player recognized by the game terminal device 1 (or the center server device 3 connected via the network communication unit 18 and the network) is the same player that is actually playing. When the player plays with the game terminal device 1 for the first time, first, a personal card purchased separately is inserted into the card reader / writer 13. Next, the player name (user name) and password are inputted to the game terminal device 1 via the touch panel 11a of the monitor 11, and the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14 is used to access the player. The fingerprint is imaged, and feature point data necessary for personal authentication is extracted using this fingerprint information. Information such as a player name, a password, and this feature point data is transmitted to the network server 18 and the store server device 2 connected via the network, and the communication server (Internet) is connected from the store server device 2. Is transmitted to the center server apparatus 3 and stored in the player information storage section 362a described later. In this way, the player is registered in the center server apparatus 3.

The player name information is also recorded in the inserted personal card.

When a player registered with the center server device 3 plays with the game terminal device 1, first, a personal card is inserted into the card reader / writer 13. Next, a password is input to the game terminal device 1 via the touch panel 11a of the monitor 11. From the personal card inserted into the card reader / writer 13, player name information already recorded is read. Next, the fingerprint of the player is imaged by the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14, and the feature point data necessary for personal authentication is extracted from this fingerprint information by the fingerprint authentication unit 14. The user ID data such as player name information, input password, and feature point data read from the personal card are connected via the network communication unit 18, the store server apparatus 2, the network, and the like. Is transmitted, and the center server apparatus 3 determines whether the user ID data and the transmitted data are the same as those stored in the player information storage section 362a described later. If this determination is affirmed, the player is allowed to play, and if this determination is denied, the play is rejected. At this time, for example, an error message or the like is displayed on the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1, prompting the user to input a player name or password or to perform fingerprint authentication again.

4 is an example of a functional configuration diagram of the control unit 16 of the game terminal device 1. The CPU 161 of the control unit 16 includes a game progress control unit 1611, a timer 1612, a time limit display control unit 1613, a life evaluation unit 1614, a game score evaluation unit 1615, And an item control unit 1616, a continuation condition setting unit 1617, and a continuation participation permission unit 1618.

The game progress control unit 1611 according to a predetermined mahjong rule based on the player's operation input from the touch panel 11a for the progress of the game, such as selection of a table to be played, determination of a place and parent, and competition. To control. For example, during a match, the processing for determining the type of the Dora display card based on the dice eye, the processing for determining the type of the hand for the doubling and Tsumo city, the arrangement processing for the discarding hand, the chopsticks, The processing of hand movement at the time of occurrence, rearrangement of the hand loss in a predetermined order, and the like are performed. However, in order to progress the game smoothly, the time limit from the sumo to the discard is set to a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) or less, and the measurement from the sumo to the predetermined time elapses by measurement by a timer 1612 described later. In the case where the discard cards are not selected, tsukigi (to discard the discarded cards as discard cards) are performed. In this case, the competitive game is to select one of the east wind game and the half battle game. The meaning of Dongfengjeon and Banjangjeon is the same as that of the real mahjong.

The timer 1612 measures the time limit at which the player can accept the operation input to the touch panel 11a from the Zimo to the completion of the discard.

The time limit display control unit 1613 causes the remaining time of the time limit measured by the timer 1612 to be displayed on the monitor 11 as a time limit display unit described later.

The life evaluation unit 1614 performs life increase and decrease according to a predetermined rule to determine whether or not the life is less than or equal to the predetermined value. Specifically, at the start of the game, for example, 5000 points of life are virtually provided to each player, and the life is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the score bar of the player. If the player's score bar decreases by, for example, 3000 points, the life is reduced by 3000 points in proportion to the decrease in the score bar. If the player's score bar increases by 3000 (= 3000 x 1) points, the life is increased by 2400 (= 3000 x 0.8) points in proportion to the increment of the score bars. In the middle of a match, if the life reaches 0 points or less, if a match is continued, the player is urged to put a coin. At the end of the match, score evaluation is performed with the score bars to check whether the total number of score bars is 25000, and if the score is less than 25,000 and the game is played continuously, the player is urged to input coins. At that time, for example, if the score is 15000 or more, the coin for 100 yen is urged, and if the score is less than 15000, the coin for 200 yen is urged.

In addition, when the game ends, the score exceeds 25000, and even if the game is played continuously, the life is initialized to 5000 points at the start of the game.

The game score evaluation unit 1615 obtains the game score at the end of the game by evaluating the player's operation in the game according to a predetermined rule. The game result indicates the evaluation result of the player's operation in the game. Here, the game score evaluation unit 1615 counts the scores of the virtually held score bars of each player, which increase or decrease from the start of the game to the end of the game, after the end of the game. Based on the number, the singular (rank) indicating the level of strength in the game of the player is determined.

In addition, the game score evaluation unit 1615 stores the evaluation result information (score of the holding score bar) of the game score in the game score storage unit 1624 described later in correspondence with the name of the player, and the evaluation result information and The singular information is transmitted to the center server apparatus 3 via the store server apparatus 2 (network communication unit 18) or the like.

The item control unit 1616 virtually gives an item (for example, an item called a dragon chip) to a player who satisfies a predetermined condition, and increases or decreases the points virtually held by the player so that the number of items and points will be described later. In addition, the game recorder 1624 stores corresponding to the player's name and moves the dragon chip between the players.

Here, the method for increasing or decreasing the points and the conditions for granting the items will be described in detail. During the game, when the player climbs (wins), the player virtually adds a predetermined number of points, and when the player throws a hand (or pays), the points are subtracted by a predetermined number. For example, when the player climbs, points are added at a rate of 20 points to 1,000 points when the player climbs. If the player throws a hand, points are subtracted at the rate of 10 points for the 1000 points thrown. When the point reaches 1000 or more, 3 items, called Dragon Chips, are given virtually.

Next, the specific singular determination method is demonstrated below. The player who plays the game for the first time is said to be the 10th grade, for example. For example, when the point becomes 100 to 199, the singular is made 9th grade. As the number of points increases (or decreases), the number of stages is increased (or decreased). For example, when the number of points reaches 900 to 999, the number of stages is made first. When the point becomes 1000 or more, the number of stages is taken as the first stage. As described above, the item control unit 1616 virtually assigns, for example, three items of dragon chips to the player whose points are 1000 or more. As a result of the fact that the dragon chip possessed by the player is moved between the players based on the determination result by the game score evaluation unit 1615, the item control unit 1616 results in the completion of the dragon chip possessed by each player. The number is changed, and is updated in the game score storing unit 1624 described later. For example, when the number of dragon chips is 5 or more and less than 10, the number of stages is made into 2 stages. In addition, the number of dragon chips is increased (or decreased) with the increase (or decrease) of the number of dragon chips, and when the number of dragon chips becomes 46 or more, for example, the number of stages is eight.

The continuation condition setting unit 1617 sets the continuation conditions of the player to the next game based on the game results of the player obtained by the game score evaluation unit 1615. The continuous condition of the player after the end of the game is set by referring to the continuous condition (the number of additional coins, etc.) for continuing participation according to the game result of the player stored in the continuous condition storage unit 1625 described later.

The continuation participation permission unit 1618 permits the participation in the next game in the continuation condition set by the continuation condition setting unit 1615 in response to accepting the continuation participation in the next game after the end of the game.

By the way, the RAM 162 of the control unit 16 includes an operation information storage unit 1621, a player information storage unit 1622, a life storage unit 1623, a game record storage unit 1624, and a continuous condition. A storage unit 1625 is provided.

The operation information storage unit 1621 stores game history data of the player. The player information storage unit 1622 stores player information such as a player's name (title), a password, and rating information (eg, singular) in the game space. The life storage unit 1623 stores the life value calculated by the life evaluation unit 1614 in correspondence with the player's name. The game score storing unit 1624 stores the value of the score of the player's owned score bar, the number and number of items, and the like, which are evaluated (calculated) by the game score evaluation unit 1615, corresponding to the player's name. The continuation condition storage unit 1625 corresponds to a continuation condition for the player to continue to participate in the next game in response to the value (game score value) of the score of the player's owned score bar obtained by the game score evaluation unit 1615. To save.

5 is an example of a screen diagram of a game screen of a mahjong game according to the present embodiment (first and second embodiments). The competitive game screen 500 has a rich button PBB pressed down when the screen is bent, a tuck button PBC pressed down when the tooth is pressed, a short button PBD pressed down when the hand is pressed, and Changes the choice of whether or not there is a free button for the PB that is pressed on, the PBF that is pressed when declaring a raise, the PBG that is pressed when the player advances, and the player's discard hand. Is displayed, the change button PBH is displayed.

If all of the opponent's opponents select "Do not split with other players' discard cards" by the split change button PBH, the next player loses the hand immediately after a player discards the hand. When the player selects "I'm splitting against other players' discard cards" by the split change button PBH, when the other player discards a hand that the player can split, the discard card flashes, The player is shown to be able to split, and the player presses any one of the t-button PBC, the 뻥 button PBD, and the OK button PBE, or the player presses the progress button PBG to advance to the place. Until the predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the next player does not lose his hand.

In addition, the competitive game screen 500 displays the player's hand 501 at the bottom of the screen so that the type of the hand is visible, and the player's hand 503 is displayed at the upper and left and right sides of the screen so that the type of the hand is not visible. . In addition, in the competitive game screen 500, a yama 504 including a dora display card and a discard card 502 are displayed around the yama 504 in the center of the screen.

FIG. 6: is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of the store server apparatus 2. FIG. The store server device 2 includes a monitor 21 for displaying a game screen and the like, and a speaker 22 for outputting audio. Moreover, in the store of a game center etc., the card vending machine which accepts the coin which a player throws in and sells a personal card is provided separately from the store server apparatus 2 and the game terminal apparatus 1. This card vending machine is provided with a coin accepting part which accepts the coin which a player throws in, and the card issuing part which issues a personal card. In addition, the coin accepting section is provided with a coin outlet for discharging when the coin input is bad coin or the like.

The monitor 21 is equipped with the CRT which has a big screen for the purpose of displaying a large image. The speaker 22 outputs a predetermined message or BGM. Moreover, the control part 26 mentioned later comprised of the microcomputer etc. which output the detection signal in each part and the control signal to each part is arrange | positioned in the shop server apparatus 2 in place.

FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the store server device 2. The control unit 26 controls the overall operation of the store server apparatus 2, includes an information processing unit (CPU) 261, a RAM 262 that temporarily stores information during processing, and predetermined image information. And a ROM 263 stored in advance.

The drawing processing unit 211 displays a predetermined image on the monitor 21 according to an image display instruction from the control unit 26, and includes a video RAM and the like. The audio reproducing unit 221 outputs a predetermined message, a BGM, or the like to the speaker 22 according to an instruction from the control unit 26. Among the various data stored in the ROM 263, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium is read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, a cassette media reader, or the like. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

The network communication unit 28 is for transmitting and receiving various data with the center server apparatus 3 via a network composed of WWW or the like. The interface unit 1a is for carrying data between a plurality of game terminal devices 1 connected to the store server device 2. The control unit 26 supplies information to which the terminal identification information transmitted from the center server apparatus 3 via the network communication unit 28 is assigned to the game terminal apparatus corresponding to the terminal identification information via the interface unit 1a ( To 1). The information to which the terminal identification information transmitted from the game terminal device 1 is given via the interface unit 1a is transmitted to the center server device 3 via the network communication unit 28.

8 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the personal terminal device 4. The personal terminal device 4 includes a CPU 41, and the CPU 41 includes an operation member 42, a liquid crystal display unit 43, a vibration generating device 44, and an audio output unit 45. ROM 46, RAM 47, flash memory 48, and communication unit 49.

In the ROM 46, a basic program for operating the personal terminal device 4 or the like is stored in advance. The RAM 47 is used as a work area or the like of the CPU 41. The flash memory 48 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

The CPU 41 reads a basic program or the like from the ROM 46, and reads a browser program, a mailer program, and the like from the flash memory 48 to realize a browser function and a mailer function.

The operation member 42 is constituted by a ten key or the like assigned with numbers 0 to 9, and receives an input operation by the player, sends an input signal to the CPU 41, and the CPU 41 responds to the input signal. Various processing is executed based on this.

The liquid crystal display 43 displays various screens such as a browser and a mailer. For example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal panel is used, and color display of 4096 colors is possible. The liquid crystal display 43 may be another STN (Super Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, or the like of the TFT liquid crystal panel described above.

The vibration generator 44 is a so-called vibrator, which outputs a vibration frequency in accordance with the rotation speed by rotating an eccentric eccentric weight provided in the drive shaft of the drive motor, thereby vibrating the personal terminal device 4. The audio output unit 45 is a so-called speaker and outputs audio to the outside of the personal terminal device 4. The communication unit 49 performs incoming and outgoing calls from a normal wireless public line, transmission line control, and transmission and reception of voice data. Transceived data is transmitted and received via the antenna 49a.

FIG. 9 is an example of a functional configuration diagram showing main functions of the personal terminal device 4 shown in FIG. 8. The CPU 41 of the personal terminal device 4 includes a browser portion 41a and a mailer portion 41b. The browser unit 41a causes the liquid crystal display unit 43 to display the homepage information transmitted from the participation accepting unit 361a of the center server apparatus 3 to accept the operation from the player's operation member 42 and to receive the center server. The e-mail address and an application for the purpose of participating in a competition game are sent to the participation reception unit 361a of the apparatus 3.

The mailer portion 41b has a function capable of editing, creating, and transmitting and receiving electronic mail, and accepts the electronic mail from the reception time transmitter 361d of the center server apparatus 3 and displays it on the liquid crystal display 43. will be.

10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the center server device 3 according to the present invention. The control unit 36 controls the overall operation of the center server apparatus 3, includes an information processing unit (CPU) 361, a RAM 362 that temporarily stores information during processing, and predetermined image information. A ROM 363 in which various data and management programs such as the above are stored in advance is provided.

Among the various data stored in the ROM 363, the data which can be stored in the removable recording medium is read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, a cassette media reader, or the like. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a semiconductor memory, or the like. The network communication unit 38 is for transmitting and receiving various data to and from the plurality of store server apparatuses 2 via a network composed of WWW or the like.

In addition, the game management program of the present invention is recorded in the ROM 363, loaded on the RAM 362, and the functions of the game management programs on the RAM 362 are sequentially executed by the information processing unit 361. This is realized.

<First Embodiment>

In the present embodiment, the tournament of the mahjong game is a winner advance composed of three rounds, and one round is ten Dongfeng matches performed within a predetermined period (here, two weeks), and the combined scores of these ten Dongfeng matches are high. 500 people advance to the second round in that order. The second round is eight half-times played within a predetermined period (here, for one week), and four people advance to the third round (final) in order of the combined results of these eight half-times high. The third round is three half-time games which a holding date and time were appointed. In addition, the combined score of each rotation is obtained by adding the score of the holding score bar at the end of the game, which is the score of each game, to the distribution origin (here 20000), which is the score of the holding score bar at the start of the game. For example, if the score of the retained score bar at the end of the game is 25000, only 5000 (= 25000-20000) points are added, and if the score of the retained score bar at the end of the game is 12000, 8000 (= 20000-12000) Only points are subtracted.

11 is an example of a functional configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the control unit 36 of the center server apparatus 3. The information processing unit (CPU) 361 of the control unit 36 has a function of managing the progress of the game, the participation reception unit 361a (equivalent to the participation reception unit), and the participation qualification management unit 361b (participation qualifications). (Corresponds to the management means), the game reception time zone setting unit 361c (equivalent to the battle reception time zone setting unit), the reception time transmission unit 361d (equivalent to the reception time transmission unit), and the game permission unit 361e (the battle And an opponent determination unit 361f (equivalent to the opponent determination means).

The RAM 362 of the control unit 36 includes a player information storage unit 362a (corresponding to player information storage unit) and a competitive opponent storage unit 362b.

The participation reception unit 361a receives the player's identification information (user ID and password) and the personal terminal device from the personal terminal device 4 via the homepage (see FIGS. 20 to 22) until the start of the first round of the competition of the competitive game. The e-mail address of 4) and an application for the purpose of participating in a competition game are accepted, and the player information storage unit 362a stores the e-mail address of the personal terminal device 4 in association with the player identification information. It is. With "until the start of the first round of competition game", for example, we set beforehand the competition participation acceptance period to accept application to participate in competition of competition game and accept until the end of the competition participation acceptance period It means to do.

In addition, "through the homepage (refer FIG. 20-22)" means accessing the predetermined homepage of the center server apparatus 3 from the personal terminal apparatus 4 using the browser function, for example. In accordance with the guidance of the homepage shown in 4), the player receives the e-mail address of the personal terminal device 4 input and transmitted by the player to the personal terminal device 4, and an application for the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game. It means.

At the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, the participation qualification management unit 361b determines the presence or absence of the participation qualification for the next round based on the game result for each player, and the player information storage unit 362a. Will be updated. In addition, the participation qualification management unit 361b determines a combined score of a predetermined number of competitive games (10 east wind games in one round, eight half games in two rounds, and three half games in final) in each round. To the player of the predetermined next round entrance number (the number of the entry number from the first round to the second round is 500 people, the number of the entry number from the second round to the final four players) that is calculated according to the rule of the order, and are set in the order that the combined score is high It is to qualify for participation in the next round.

Here, the participation qualification management unit 361b adds the combined score only to the number of points held at the end of each competitive game for a predetermined number of times (10 times in one round, eight times in two rounds, and three times in the final). To calculate. In addition, the participation qualification management unit 361b assigns a winner flag corresponding to the identification information of the player and stores it in the player information storage unit 362a, thereby granting the participation qualification for the next player's rotation.

The game reception time zone setting unit 361c sets a game reception time zone, which is a time zone in which the next round of competitions is received, for the player who is eligible to participate, referring to the participation qualification information in the player information storage unit 362a. The game reception time zone information is stored in the player information storage unit 362a in correspondence with player identification information.

Further, the competitive game reception time setting unit 361c sets the length of the competitive game reception time zone in accordance with the number of players having the participation qualification stored in the player information storage unit 362a, and with the progress of the rotation, The length of the competitive game acceptance time zone is set to be shorter than that of the previous rotation. Here, the length of the competition reception time zone of one round is two weeks, the length of the competition reception time zone of two rounds is one week, and the length of the competition reception time zone of the final game is 30 minutes. In addition, the number of players who are eligible to participate in the first round, the second round, and the final round is 3000, 500, and 4, respectively.

The reception time transmission unit 361d reads the e-mail address of the personal terminal device 4 held by a player who is eligible to participate from the player information storage unit 362a, and the game reception time zone with respect to the personal terminal device 4. The information is transmitted using an e-mail. In addition, the personal terminal device 4 displays the received e-mail using the mail function, and the player can know the game reception time zone of the next competitive game by the e-mail displayed on the monitor of the personal terminal device 4. have.

When the competitive game permission unit 361e receives the application of the player identification information and the intention to start the competitive game from the game terminal device 1, the identification information of the received player is any one of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate. If the date and time when the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage part 362a, the game is permitted to start.

In addition, in the first round, whether or not all the players who received the application for participation are the players who are eligible to participate, and whether or not the players who are eligible for the participation after the second round (the second round and the final) are the player information storage unit 362a This is identified by the presence or absence of the winner flag stored in. That is, after the second round, the player with the winner flag is the player who is eligible to participate, and the player without the winner flag is the player who is not eligible.

The opponent determination unit 361f determines the opponents of a predetermined number of players (here, 1 to 3) required to establish a competitive game among the players permitted to start the competitive game by the competitive permission unit 361e. . In addition, the opponent determination unit 361f determines a player who is allowed to start a competitive game by the competitive permission unit 361e as the opponent in the order of permission.

The opponent opponent determination unit 361f includes a player who is allowed to start a competitive game by the competitive game permitting unit 361e in each group so as to have a predetermined number of players (here, 2 to 4 people) to establish a competitive game in each competitive pair. The opponents are assigned to each other to determine their opponents, and a combination of groups assigned to each predetermined number of people (here, 2 to 4 people) is performed. However, at this time of allocation, the opponent determination unit 361f sets an imaginary pair in the opponent storage unit 362b as, for example, Group A, Group B, and Group C ... Then, the game permitting unit 361e is assigned to each group so as to satisfy the predetermined number of people in the order of permitting the game.

For example, when the first player is already allowed to play by the competitive game permitting unit 361e, and the first player is assigned to a group consisting of four teams, the competitive game permitting unit 361e If the second player is allowed to play, the second player is assigned to the same group A in this permitted order. Subsequently, the third and fourth players in the permitted order are also assigned to group A, first, until the group A has four players. Next, the player whose fifth order is allowed is assigned to the next group B, and is similarly assigned to group B until the number of people is four.

However, since a match is played when there are at least two players, the number of members in each group may not be four, for example, in the case of a player who is an excellent player, or may be a pair of two or a group of three. In this way, the number of each group in which the match is played is equal to or greater than the minimum number of players (two) making a game match, and the start of the match is already permitted, and four players waiting (competitive waiting) must always have four players. There is no need to wait until it is ready.

Here, the game is allowed to wait until the predetermined waiting time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses after the start of the game is permitted by the game permitting unit 361e. Then, even if the predetermined waiting time has elapsed, if the number of members is two or three, another player is attached to the CPU player to start a match.

In addition, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, if there is one player (no opponent), a competitive game mode is a mode in which a CPU competitive game is played until the opponent appears (another player is allowed to start the competitive game). The CPU match game is started. Then, it is determined whether or not a opponent has appeared at every predetermined time interval (for example, at every 1/60 second interval) during the execution of this CPU competitive game. When the opponent appears, the CPU competitive game is interrupted and Until wait time (for example, 30 seconds) of progress, we make standby state until the number of the constitution personnel becomes four people. Then, even if the predetermined waiting time has elapsed, if the number of members is two or three, another player is attached to the CPU player to start a match.

At least one of the members of each team may be a CPU player. In this case, the number of dividends to each group of the actual player (man player) other than the CPU player is 1 to 3 people. In addition, when at least one of the members is a CPU player, and when the number of competition participants is small, for example, one round and two rounds may be played by each of two pairs (two other CPU players). The final match may be combined so that the actual match is played only for the participating player (man player) without a CPU player.

The player information storage part 362a is a winner flag indicating the e-mail address of the personal terminal device 4 received by the participation reception unit 361a and the presence or absence of participation qualification for the next rotation given by the participation qualification management unit 361b. The competitive game reception time zone of the next rotation set by the competitive game reception time setting unit 361c is correspondingly stored with identification information (user ID and password) of the player. In addition to the winner flag and the next round of competition time, the player information storage unit 362a stores the player's real name, nickname (name in the game), phone number, and the like as the player's identification information (user ID and password). It may be in the form of corresponding storage.

The competitive opponent storage 362b stores identification information of the opponent of the opponent corresponding to the identification information of each player and determined by the opponent determination unit 361f.

Next, the operation of the center server apparatus 3 (mainly the information processing unit 361) will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 to 19. 12 is an example of a flowchart of a process for accepting an application for participation in a contest of a competitive game played by the participation accepting unit 361a and a process for accepting an e-mail address. In addition, the following processing is performed by the participation reception part 361a unless there is particular notice.

First, a predetermined homepage of the center server device 3 is accessed from the personal terminal device 4, and the personal authentication screen 600 shown in FIG. 18 for inputting a user ID and password into the personal terminal device 4 is provided. The homepage information including the information is transmitted, displayed on the liquid crystal display section 43 by the browser section 41a of the personal terminal device 4, and the user ID and password are accepted (steps ST101 and ST102). It is determined whether the received user ID and password are already stored in the player information storage part 362a (registration is finished) or not (step ST103).

If it is determined that the registration is not to end (NO in step ST103), a screen (not shown) for notifying the player that the user ID and password are registered (not shown) is transmitted, and the processing ends. If it is determined that registration has been completed (YES in step ST103), the homepage information including the information on the tournament participation application screen 610 shown in Fig. 19 for applying for a tournament for the tournament game is transmitted, It is displayed on the liquid crystal display part 43 by the browser part 41a of the terminal device 4, and it is judged whether the participation application for the competition of a competitive game was received (step ST1031). If the participation application is not received (NO in step ST1031), the processing ends. When the participation application is received (YES in step ST1031), it is determined whether or not the mail address of this player is stored in the player information storage unit 362a (end of registration) (step ST104).

If it is determined that registration is finished (YES in step ST104), the processing ends. If it is determined that the registration is not to end (NO in step ST104), the homepage information including the information on the mail address input screen 620 shown in FIG. 20 for accepting the mail address is transmitted, so that the personal terminal device 4 can be accessed. Displayed on the liquid crystal display section 43 by the browser section 41a, and a mail address is accepted (step ST105).

Then, it is determined whether or not the received mail address is duplicated with the mail address stored in the player information storage part 362a (step ST106). If it is determined that there is a duplicate (YES in step ST106), a message is sent to the effect that the received mail address is duplicated with a mail address of another player or the like already registered, and the process returns to step ST105, where the mail address is again returned. Are accepted. If it is determined that there is no duplication (step ST106 NO), this mail address is registered (stored in the player information storage section 362a) (step ST107), and the processing ends.

FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart of the transmission processing of the game reception time zone information of one rotation performed by the reception time transmission unit 361d. In addition, the following processing is performed by the reception time transmission part 361d unless there is particular notice. In this example, it is assumed that N player information (for example, 3000 players) is stored in the player information storage unit 362a. First, player information stored in the player information storage section 362a is read (step ST111). Then, it is judged whether or not the mail address information is included in the read player information (whether to distribute the electronic mail) or not (step ST112).

If it is determined that no mail address information is included (NO in step ST112), the processing proceeds to step ST114. If it is determined that the mail address information is included, an electronic mail containing the game reception time zone information set by the game reception time zone setting unit 361c is sent to the mail address included in the player information read in step ST111 (step ST113).

In the case of NO in step ST112, and when the process of step ST113 ends, a determination is made as to whether the player information read in step ST111 is the last player information stored in the player information storage part 362a ( Step ST114). If it is determined that it is not the last player information (NO in step ST114), the process returns to step ST111, the next player information is read out, and the processes of steps ST111 to ST114 are repeatedly executed. If it is determined that it is the last player information (YES in step ST114), the process ends.

FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart showing processing in one round of charging performed by the charging permission unit 361e, the opponent determination unit 361f, and the like. First, user ID information or the like read from the personal card inserted into the card reader / writer 13 of the game terminal device 1 is transmitted to the center server device 3 via the store server device 2 or the like, and the game is played. It is accepted by the permission unit 361e (step ST151). Next, the player's finger is placed on the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14, and the feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information captured by the CCD camera 14a is transmitted to the center server device 3. Then, it is accepted by the game permission unit 361e (step ST152).

Next, a password is input from the touch panel 11a of the game terminal device 1, transmitted to the center server device 3, and accepted by the game permission unit 361e (step ST153). In step ST151, ST152, and ST153, the user ID, the feature point data, and the password received by the game permission unit 361e of the center server apparatus 3 are any of the player information stored in the player information storage unit 362a. Determination (Personal Checking) is performed as to whether or not it matches (step ST154).

If the personal matching does not hold (does not coincide with any of the player information stored in the player information storage section 362a) (NO in step ST154), the personal matching does not hold by the competitive game permitting section 361e. An error message notifying that the message is not sent is transmitted to the game terminal device 1, and the processing ends. If the personal collation is established (YES in step ST154), whether or not the player corresponding to the user ID received in step ST151 is qualified by the competitive game permitting unit 361e (participation reception unit 361a). Whether an application for participation is received or not is determined (step ST155).

If it is determined that there is no qualification for participation (NO in step ST155), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1552), and the process ends when the game ends. If it is determined that the person is eligible to participate (YES in step ST155), it is determined by the game permission unit 361e whether or not the current date and time are included in the game reception time zone stored in the player information storage unit 362a. This is done (step ST1551). If it is determined that it is not included in the competitive game acceptance time zone (NO in step ST1551), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1552), and the processing ends when the game ends. If it is determined that the game is included in the game acceptance time zone (YES in step ST1551), the game permission of the game tournament is permitted by the game permission unit 361e, and the game permission unit is determined by the game opponent determination unit 361f. The opponent is determined for the player who is allowed to play by 361e (step ST156). Then, the opponent opponent determining unit 361f determines whether or not three opponents (four players to be played) are equipped (step ST157).

If it is determined that four players to compete (YES in step ST157), the flow advances to step ST1591. If it is determined that there are not four players (one to three) (NO in step ST157), the predetermined waiting time (after the start of the competitive game of the game tournament is permitted by the competitive game permission unit 361e in step ST157) Here, it is determined by the opponent determining unit 361f whether or not 30 seconds has elapsed (step ST158).

If it is determined that the predetermined waiting time has not elapsed (NO in step ST158), the process returns to step ST157 to repeatedly determine the opponent. If it is determined that the predetermined waiting time has elapsed (YES in step ST158), a determination is made by the opponent opponent determining unit 361f whether there are two or more players to be played with (one or more opponents). . If it is determined that there are two or more people (YES in step ST159), the flow advances to step ST1591, and when it is determined that there are two or more people (there is no opponent) (NO in step ST159), the opponent determination unit 361f Is set to the competitive game reservation mode, and execution of the CPU competitive game is instructed (step ST1594). Then, the opponent determination unit 361f determines whether or not the opponent appears at every predetermined time interval (for example, at every 1/60 second interval) (step ST1595).

If it is determined that the opponent has appeared (YES in step ST1595), the process returns to step ST157 to repeatedly determine the opponent. If it is determined that no opponent is present (NO in step ST1595), it is determined by the opponent determination unit 361f whether or not the competition acceptance time zone has ended (step ST1596). If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time period has ended (YES in step ST1596), the processing ends. If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time period has not ended (NO in step ST1596), the process returns to step ST1594 and the competitive game reservation mode continues.

In the case of YES in step ST157 or YES in step ST159, the competitive opponent determination unit 361f instructs the execution of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1591). Then, the participation qualification management unit 361b determines whether or not the competitive game is finished (step ST1592). If it is determined that the competitive game has not ended (NO in step ST1592), the process returns to step ST1591 to continue the competitive game. If it is determined that the competitive game has ended (YES in step ST1592), the participation qualification management unit 361b receives the score of the holding score rod of the end time of the competitive game from the game terminal device 1 as the game result, and the player The information storage unit 362a is stored (step ST1593), and the processing ends.

FIG. 15 is an example of a flowchart of the transmission process of the game reception time zone information of 2 turns or 3 turns performed by the reception time transmitter 361d. In addition, the following processing is performed by the reception time transmission part 361d unless there is particular notice. In this case, it is assumed that player information of N persons (for example, the number of players who have applied for participation in a competition, for example, 3000) is stored in the player information storage unit 362a. First, player information stored in the player information storage section 362a is read (step ST171). Then, a determination is made as to whether or not the winner flag of the read player information is standing (qualified for participation) (step ST172).

If it is determined that the winner flag is not standing (NO in step ST172), the flow advances to step ST175. If it is determined that the winner flag stands (YES in step ST172), it is judged whether or not the mail address information is included in the player information storage section 362a (if it is a person who wants to distribute electronic mail) (step ST1721). If it is determined that the mail address information is not included (NO in step ST1721), the processing proceeds to step ST177. If it is determined that the mail address information is included (YES in step ST1721), the combined score information calculated by the participation eligibility management unit 361b and the competitive game reception time zone information of the next round set by the competitive game reception time zone setting unit 361c Is sent to the mail address included in the player information read in step ST171 (step ST1722), and the flow advances to step ST177.

In the case of NO in step ST172, a determination is made as to whether or not the mail address information is included in the player information storage section 362a (if it is a mail-distributor of electronic mail) (step ST175). If it is determined that the mail address information is not included (NO in step ST175), the processing proceeds to step ST177. If it is determined that the mail address information is included (YES in step ST175), an e-mail containing the integrated grade information calculated by the participation qualification management unit 361b is forwarded to the mail address included in the player information read in step ST171. Is transmitted (step ST176), and the flow proceeds to step ST177.

If NO in step ST1721, if the process of step ST1722 ends, if NO in step ST175, and if the process of step ST176 ends, the player information read in step ST171 is the player information storage unit 362a. A determination is made as to whether or not it is the last player information stored in step S177. If it is determined that it is not the last player information (NO in step ST177), the process returns to step ST171, the next player information is read out, and the processes of steps ST171 to ST177 are repeatedly executed. If it is determined that it is the last player information (YES in step ST177), the processing ends (step ST178).

FIG. 16 is an example of the flowchart which shows the process in the 2nd and 3rd round competitive games performed by the competitive | missing permission part 361e, the opponent determination part 361f, etc. FIG. First, user ID information or the like read from the personal card inserted into the card reader / writer 13 of the game terminal device 1 is transmitted to the center server device 3 via the store server device 2 or the like, and the game is played. It is accepted by the permission unit 361e (step ST161). Next, the player's finger is placed on the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14, and the feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information picked up by the CCD camera 14a is transmitted to the center server device 3. Then, it is accepted by the game permission unit 361e (step ST162).

Next, a password is input from the touch panel 11a of the game terminal device 1, transmitted to the center server device 3, and accepted by the game permission unit 361e (step ST163). The user ID, the feature point data, and the password received by the game permission unit 361e of the center server apparatus 3 in steps ST161, ST162, and ST163 are any one of the player information stored in the player information storage unit 362a. Determination (Personal Checking) is performed as to whether or not it matches (step ST164).

If the personal matching does not hold (does not match any of the player information stored in the player information storage section 362a) (NO in step ST164), the personal matching does not hold by the competitive game permitting section 361e. Error message is sent to the game terminal device 1, and the processing ends. If the personal collation is established (YES in step ST164), does the player corresponding to the user ID received in step ST161 qualify by the competitive game permission unit 361e (stored in the player information storage unit 362a)? It is determined whether or not the winner flag is standing (step ST165).

If it is determined that there is no qualification for participation (NO in step ST165), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1652), and the process ends when the game ends. If it is determined that they are eligible to participate (YES in step ST165), it is determined by the game permission unit 361e whether or not the current date and time are included in the game reception time zone stored in the player information storage unit 362a. This is done (step ST1651). If it is determined that it is not included in the competitive game acceptance time zone (NO in step ST1651), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1652), and the process ends when the game ends. If it is determined that the game is included in the competitive game acceptance time zone (YES in step ST1651), the competitive game is allowed to be started by the competitive game permitting unit 361e, and the competitive game permitting unit is determined by the competitive opponent determination unit 361f. The opponent is determined for the player who is permitted to play by 361e (step ST166). Then, the opponent determination unit 361f judges whether or not three opponents (four players to be played) are equipped (step ST167).

If it is determined that four players to compete (YES in step ST167), the flow advances to step ST1691. If it is determined that there are not four players (one to three) (NO in step ST167), the predetermined waiting time (after the start of the competitive game of the game tournament is permitted by the competitive game permission unit 361e in step ST1651) Here, it is determined by the opponent determining unit 361f whether or not 30 seconds has elapsed (step ST168).

If it is determined that the predetermined waiting time has not elapsed (NO in step ST168), the process returns to step ST167 to determine the opponent repeatedly. If it is determined that the predetermined waiting time has elapsed (YES in step ST168), it is determined by the opponent determination unit 361f whether there are two or more players to compete with (one or more opponents). . If it is determined that there are two or more (YES in step ST169), the process proceeds to step ST1691, and when it is determined that there are two or more (no opponent) (NO in step ST169), the opponent determination unit 361f Is set to the competitive game reservation mode, and execution of the CPU competitive game is instructed (step ST1694). Then, the opponent determination unit 361f judges whether or not the opponent has appeared every predetermined time interval (for example, every one second interval) (step ST1695).

If it is determined that the opponent has appeared (YES in step ST1695), the process returns to step ST167 and the determination of the opponent is repeatedly performed. If it is determined that the opponent is not shown (NO in step ST1695), it is determined by the opponent determination unit 361f whether or not the competition reception time period has ended (step ST1696). If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time period has ended (YES in step ST1696), the processing ends. If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time period has not ended (NO in step ST1696), the process returns to step ST1694 and the competitive game reservation mode continues.

In the case of YES in step ST167 or YES in step ST169, the competitive opponent determination unit 361f instructs the execution of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST1691). Then, the participation qualification management unit 361b determines whether or not the competitive game is finished (step ST1692). If it is determined that the competitive game has not ended (NO in step ST1692), the process returns to step ST1691 to instruct the continuation of the competitive game. When it is determined that the competitive game is finished (YES in step ST1692), the participation qualification management unit 361b receives the score of the holding score rod at the end of the competitive game from the game terminal device 1 as the game result, and the player It is stored in the information storage part 362a (step ST1693), and the processing ends.

17 is an example of a flowchart of participation qualification determination processing performed by the participation qualification management unit 361b. Incidentally, the following processing is performed at the end of each rotation. First, a determination is made as to whether or not the competitive game acceptance time zone set by the competitive game reception time setting unit 361c has ended (step ST181). If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time period has not ended (NO in step ST181), the standby state is entered. If it is determined that the competitive game acceptance time zone has ended (YES in step ST181), a determination is made as to whether all of the competitive games started in the competitive game acceptance time zone have ended (step ST183).

When it is determined that there is a competitive game that has not ended (NO in step ST183), the standby state is entered. When it is determined that the competitive game is finished (YES in step ST183), the combined scores are calculated for each player using the scores of the respective conferences (score of the holding score bar) stored in the player information storage part 362a (step ST185). Then, the winner flag stored in the player information storage part 362a is set for the top player with the combined score (if the next round is three rounds, the winner flag set in two rounds is set). The other person is knocked down (when the next turn is two turns (= this turn is one turn), the winner flag is not raised) (step ST187).

FIG. 18 is an example of a screen diagram of a personal authentication screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 43 of the personal terminal device 4 in steps ST101 and 102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. On the personal authentication screen 600, various guidance information is displayed at the upper part of the screen, and at the lower part of the screen, an ID input unit 601 for inputting a user ID, a password input unit 602 for inputting a password, and an ID input unit 601 A transmission button 603 and an ID input unit 601 which are selected when the user ID information and the password information input to the bus word input unit 602 inputted from the personal terminal device 4 are transmitted to the center server device 3. The cancel button 604 that is selected when the user ID and password entered in the password input unit 602 is input again is displayed.

In addition, when the transmission button 603 is selected and the predetermined key of the operation member 42 is pressed, the browser part 41a enters into the user ID information and the password input part 602 which were input to the ID input part 601. FIG. The input password information is transmitted from the personal terminal device 4 to the center server device 3. In addition, when the cancel button 604 is selected and the predetermined key of the operation member 42 is pressed, the ID input unit 601 and the password input unit 602 are initialized (ID input unit 601 and password input unit 602). The input information inputted to the terminal is erased).

FIG. 19: is an example of the screen figure of the competition participation application screen 610 displayed on the liquid crystal display part 43 of the personal terminal device 4 in step ST1031 of the flowchart shown in FIG. On the tournament participation application screen 610, a time zone display unit 611 for displaying competitive game reception time zone information of a game tournament is displayed in the center of the screen, and a tournament participation application button 612 selected when participating in a game tournament at the bottom of the screen. ) Is displayed.

In the time zone display unit 611, for example, one round is displayed for two weeks from 10 o'clock on May 17, 2003 to 22 o'clock on May 30, 2003. It is possible to confirm the competitive game reception time zone of each round and use it as information for a player to examine whether or not to participate in a game tournament. In addition, when the competition participation application button 612 is selected and the predetermined key of the operation member 42 is pressed, the browser part 41a informs the user of the effect of participating in a game competition from the personal terminal device 4. It is sent to the center server apparatus 3.

20 is an example of a screen diagram of a mail address input screen 620 displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 of the personal terminal device 4 in step ST105 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. In the mail address input screen 620, a personal information input unit 621 for inputting personal information such as a player's real name, nickname, telephone number, and the like, and an address input unit 622 for inputting a player's mail address are provided in the center of the screen. Displayed at the bottom of the screen and selected when the personal information input to the personal information input unit 621 and the mail address information input to the address input unit 622 are transmitted from the personal terminal device 4 to the center server device 3. The send button 623 to be displayed and the cancel button 624 to be selected when the personal information input to the personal information input unit 621 and the mail address input to the address input unit 622 are input again are displayed.

In addition, when the transmission button 623 is selected and the predetermined key of the operation member 42 is pressed, the browser part 41a enters into the personal information and the address input part 622 which were input to the personal information input part 621. The input mail address information is transmitted from the personal terminal device 4 to the center server device 3. In addition, when the cancel button 624 is selected and a predetermined key of the operation member 42 is pressed, the personal information input unit 621 and the address input unit 622 are initialized (the personal information input unit 621 and the address input unit ( Input information inputted to 622 is erased).

FIG. 21 is an example of a screen diagram of a game score display screen displayed on the game terminal device 1 in step ST1593 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 and step ST1693 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16. On the game score display screen 530, a score display section for displaying the player information and the score of the player (herein referred to as an execution player) who is playing the game in the game terminal device 1 on which this screen is displayed at the bottom of the screen. 531, the performance display unit 532 which displays the player information and the performance of the opponent of the execution player of the execution player on the right side of the screen, and the play of the toy man of the execution player on the upper side of the screen; On the left side of the screen, a score display section 533 for displaying the player information and the score of the opponent, and a score display section 534 for displaying the player information and the score of the opponent of the kamikachi of the running player are displayed.

In each of the score display sections 531 to 534, player names (nicknames) 531a to 534a, game scores 531b to 534b, and the like are displayed. For example, the player's nickname is "DAL" and the game score is "37000 points". In this mahjong game, since the distribution origin is 20,000 points, the execution player is "+17000 points" from the distribution origin. The game scores 531b to 534b are received from the game terminal device 1 by the participation qualification management unit 361b of the center server device 3 and stored in the player information storage unit 362a.

As described above, since the application for the purpose of participating in the competition game competition is received from the personal terminal device 4 (here, a mobile phone) by the participation reception unit 361a, the participation reception part 361a participates in the competition of the competition game of the winner advance method. The player who wishes to use the personal terminal device 4 close to the user can easily apply for the tournament of the competitive game, thereby improving the convenience of the player.

Further, the game reception time zone information is transmitted to the personal terminal device 4 held by a player who is eligible to participate by using the reception time transmission unit 361d by using an electronic mail, and the game permission unit 361e plays a game. When the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received from the terminal device 1, the start of the competitive game is permitted when the date when the application for the purpose of starting the competitive game is received is included in the competitive time zone. The player may input an effect of starting a competitive game from the game terminal device 1 within the competitive game reception time period notified in advance by mail. Therefore, since the game terminal device 1 is provided only to the store where the game is executed, the convenience of the player is improved. In addition, since the competitive game of each round ends when the competitive game acceptance time period ends, the competitive game in a game competition is efficiently digested.

In addition, among the players who are allowed to start a competitive game by the competitive game permitting unit 361e, a predetermined number of opponents (in this case, 1 to 3 people) who are required to establish a competitive game are selected. Since this process is completed, it is possible to start execution of the competitive game, and the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

Here, since the opponent who has been allowed to start the competitive game by the competitive game permitting unit 631e is determined as the competitive opponent in the permitted order, the competitive opponent is determined quickly. More effectively, the competitive game in the game competition is digested.

In addition, with the progress of rotation, the length of the competitive game acceptance time zone setting unit 361c is set shorter than the time of the previous rotation. On the other hand, since the number of players who are eligible to participate in the competitive game decreases as the rotation progresses, the length of the competition reception time period is set shorter than in the previous rotation in accordance with the progress of the rotation. In connection with this, it is suppressed that the time until a competitor is determined is extended, and the competitive game in a game competition is digested more efficiently.

In addition, since the application for accepting the participation in the competition game is accepted by the participation reception unit 361a through the homepage of the competition of the competition game (see FIG. 19), for example, it is determined according to the guidance displayed on the website. By inputting (in this case, by selecting the competition participation application button 612 and pressing a predetermined key of the operation member 42), the application of the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game becomes possible, and the competition of the competitive game It is easy to apply for the purpose of participating in the game, and the convenience of the player is improved.

In addition, since the competitive game is a game that mimics mahjong and the predetermined number of people required for establishing the competitive game is one or more and three or less, determination of the opponent by the opponent determination unit 361f becomes easy. More effectively, the competitive game in the game competition is digested.

In addition, the predetermined number of advancing next predetermined number of turns is set in the order of the combined scores of the match games of the predetermined number of times (1 round is 10 East Wind Wars, 2 rounds is 8 Half Battles and 3 rounds is 3 Battles). Since the player is entitled to participate in the next round, the game is more accurately reflected in the game compared to the normal tournament competition, and the game performance is improved.

Here, since the participation qualification management unit 361b calculates the integrated score of the competitive game as a result of adding the score of the holding score bar at the end of each competitive game, a predetermined number of times, the player can be easily calculated and appropriately. Integral grades are obtained in which the ability of the subject is assessed.

<2nd embodiment>

In the present embodiment, the tournament of the mahjong game is a tournament game consisting of 10 rounds, each round is a half-length game, and for one tuck, only one player advances to the next round. In addition, the game result is the score of the holding score rod at the end of the game for each game.

22 is an example of a functional configuration diagram according to the second embodiment of the control unit 36 of the center server apparatus 3. The information processing unit 361 of the control unit 36 has a function of managing the progress of the game, and also includes a monitoring unit 361g, a monitoring result transmitting unit 361h, a homepage display unit 361i, and a personal information receiving unit ( 361j (corresponds to the participation acceptance unit), search unit 361k, competitive game information management unit 361m (corresponds to part of the participation qualification management unit, and acceptance time transmission unit), and reception time zone setting unit 361n (Corresponds to the competition reception time setting means), the competitive game reception unit 361o (corresponds to the competition permission means), and the opponent opponent determination unit 361p (corresponds to a part of the participation qualification management means and the opponent determination means) And a personal information writing unit 361q (corresponding to a part of the participation qualification management means) and a clock 361r.

The monitoring unit 361g monitors the game progress of the player of each game terminal device 1. For example, each game terminal device 1 is monitored from the screen information developed in each game terminal device 1, the operation state of the player, and the like. The game progress status is a CPU game execution indicating that the game is waiting for a situation in which the player or the CPU player is not also played, and that each game terminal device 1 is executing a CPU game against a CPU player controlled by a computer. The game game device 1 at least shows that the game game device 1 is playing a game in which the game game device 1 is playing the game. Specifically, the monitoring unit 361g has a function of judging whether the game progress status of each game terminal device 1 is in standby, during CPU game execution, or during game play.

The monitoring result transmitting unit 361h transmits the monitoring result monitored by the monitoring unit 361g to each game terminal device 1 so that the monitor 11 of each game terminal device 1 is displayed. In other words, the player information for each player is displayed in correspondence with the game progress of the player for each game terminal device 1. Here, the player information includes features of the respective game of each player. Specifically, the monitoring result transmitter 361h includes the name (name), rank, title, and competitive situation (game progress) of each player. Is displayed on the monitor of each game terminal device 1.

The homepage display unit 361i transmits homepage information about a game or the like including the mahjong game to the game terminal device 1, the personal terminal device 4, or the like via a network. On this homepage, an image of a game tournament or an image of participation in a game tournament is displayed, and this homepage can be viewed from a home PC or a mobile phone (personal terminal device 4) connected to a network.

The personal information receiving unit 361j includes user ID data (user registration information) such as a player's name, address, e-mail address, password, and fingerprint information transmitted through a network, or game result information such as a score (point) or a singular number. It is to receive personal information such as. For example, the personal information receiving unit 361j inserts a personal card into the game terminal device 1 and then inputs personal information such as a player name or password entered through the monitor 11 or after a game competition is over. Game result information such as the scores of the counted players is received. In addition, user registration information such as an e-mail address input on the homepage, or entry information (game tournament participation application information) for a game tournament is received. In addition, game result information of the CPU match game in the game terminal device 1 unit or the man match game between the plurality of game terminal devices 1 is also accepted. The personal information accepting unit 361j then stores the received personal information in the player information storage unit 362c described later.

The retrieval unit 361k retrieves the personal information received by the personal information reception unit 361j and stored in the player information storage unit 362c, and selects predetermined information in response to the need. For example, search for a player whose entry information for participation in a game tournament is recorded, create a list (player list) of the entry participants, and match information of the next round only to the winner (one person) of the tournament competition. Is distributed as a mail, a player whose winner information is recorded is searched for and selected as a subject of mail distribution.

The competitive game information management unit 361m receives the personal information receiving unit 361j and manages the entry information for the game tournament or the winners of all rounds of the tournament, which are stored in the player information storage unit 362c, and the competitive game reception time zone. It manages the competitive game information about the next rotation of the tournament that includes, and the competitive game information including game date and time (for example, the competitive game reception time zone), the game tournament guide information, and the like, corresponding personal terminal device 4 ) And individual communication devices such as the game terminal device 1. For example, the competitive game information management unit 361m receives the winner's e-mail address of the first and second rounds which are retrieved and extracted by the searching unit 361k from the personal information stored in the player information storage unit 362c after the competitive game is finished. The personal terminal device 4 which has the present invention delivers the competitive game information including the competitive game reception time zone information, and displays the competitive game information on the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1.

The reception time zone setting unit 361n sets a competition reception time zone having a predetermined time width according to the number of competitions (competition days). The competitive game reception time zone is a time zone for restricting the connection of the competitive game application from the player via the game terminal device 1 on the competition day. The reception time zone setting unit 361n sets the length of the competition reception time zone short as the number of rotations of the tournament increases (progress). For example, the reception day is set on the first day of the competition (first round) from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and on the second day of the day from 12:00 to 10:00 pm. As a result, the player who advances into the tournament has a shorter time to encounter the opponent (the opponent is determined), that is, the encounter with the opponent is high, and the game is effectively digested. The game reception time zone set in the reception time zone setting unit 361n is stored in the reception time zone storage unit 362f described later. However, the length of the reception time slot is the number of participants (reduction in the number of participants of the tournament by the fire fighting in the tournament progression) or the number of game terminal devices 1 connected to the center server device 3. It is set in consideration of such.

In addition, with respect to the setting of the length of the reception time slot, there may exist a setting section having the same length as in the previous tournament competition. For example, the first rotation may be 10 hours in length of the reception time zone, 5 hours from the second rotation to the fourth rotation, and 1 hour in the final match.

The competitive game accepting unit 361o accepts an application for a game of a player who conforms to the tournament rule described later in the reception time slot set by the reception time setting unit 361 n through the game terminal device 1 provided at the store. It is. The competitive game reception unit 361o determines whether the current time is included in the reception time zone based on a time signal transmitted from the clock 361r described later at predetermined time intervals (for example, at 1/60 second intervals). . The competitive game reception unit 361o wins or loses the user ID data such as the password, player name, fingerprint data, etc. of the player transmitted from the game terminal device 1, participation registration information for the game tournament, or the tournament of the player on the day of the competitive game. Receive information. Based on the received information, it is determined whether the player satisfies the conditions such as whether the player is a registered registrant to the game or a loser (conforms with the tournament rules). Allow start of the match. However, even if the tournament rules are matched, accepting a match outside the accepted time zone is rejected.

The opponent determination unit 361p determines the opponents by assigning the players who are allowed to start a competition by the competition accepting unit 361o to each group so as to have a predetermined number of players to establish a competition game. For each predetermined number of people, each pair of tournaments assigned to each other is played. However, at the time of the dividend, the opponent determination unit 361p transfers the virtual pairs to the opponent storage unit 362g described later, for example, in groups A, B, and C. It sets and assigns to each group so that the predetermined number of people may be filled in the order which the competition reception part 361o received. For example, when the first player is already accepted by the competitive game reception unit 361o, and the first player is assigned to a group consisting of four teams of one player, the competitive game reception unit 361o is the second player. If a player is accepted, the second player in this order of acceptance is assigned to the same group A. Subsequently, the 3rd and 4th players are also assigned to group A, and are sequentially assigned until group A has four players. The fifth player to be accepted is assigned to the next group B and likewise waits until the number of players is four.

In addition, the competitive opponent determination unit 361p is a person who scores higher in each group based on the game score evaluation result information by the game score evaluation unit 1615 of the game terminal device 1 (in this case, the person whose score is first). Is selected to allow the player to advance to the next round of the tournament with the extracted player as the winner. At this time, the extracted player is allocated to the number of players required for each match pair as described above, and the opponent is determined. In the case of this mahjong game, since four players are played as a pair of four players, the predetermined number of people is assigned to each group so that the number is four. However, match game is established if there are at least two players, so when several players of Tak who decided combination were absent or singular player, we do not have to make four members of each group; One set or one set of three people may be sufficient. In this way, the number of players in each group in which the match is played may be the minimum number of players (2) to establish a game match, and the players who are already accepted and are not required to wait until there are four players in total. In this case, the time until the match is decided by the opponent and the match is started is shortened. In addition, the opponent determination unit 361p prevents the actual player from advancing to the next round when the CPU player scores the highest point (was 1st).

The CPU player may be a form in which at least one member of each pair is a CPU player. In this case, the number of dividends to each group of the actual player, not the CPU player, is 1 to 3 people. In addition, when one member of the member is a CPU player and the number of contestants is small, for example, from the first round to the semi-final, all two groups (one is a CPU player) are played against each other. The final game may be a tournament combination so that only the actual participating player without a CPU player is played. In addition, when performing a combination of tournaments, the opponent determination unit 361p determines the player information, which will be described later, if the number of players accepted by the opponent accepting unit 361o is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 5000). If the personal information stored in the storage unit 362c is examined and the number of players who have been played is more than a certain level (e.g., three or more levels), the player is seeded, for example, at the beginning of the tournament. You may be exempt from rotation and alloted to each pair of two tournaments.

The personal information writing unit 361q participates in the game competition recorded in the player information storage unit 362c described later on the basis of the game score evaluation result information by the game score evaluation unit 1615 of the game terminal device 1. The game result information is written in the player's personal information. For example, the personal information writing unit 361q is recorded in the player information storage unit 362c with respect to the winner of the game competition selected by the opponent determination unit 361p based on the game score evaluation result information. Set the winner flag on personal information.

The clock 361r measures the time, and transmits this measurement information to the charging reception unit 361o.

The RAM 362 is provided by a player information storage unit 362c (corresponding to a part of the player information storage means) for storing the personal information received by the personal information reception unit 361j from time to time, and by the monitoring unit 361g. The game progress state storage unit 362d for storing the progress of the game for each monitored game terminal device 1 from time to time, and information selected and retrieved from the search unit 361k, for example, a game tournament participation candidate. A competition participant list storage section 362e (corresponding to a part of the player information storage means) for storing a mail address list, and a reception time zone storage section 362f for storing a competition reception time zone set in the reception time zone setting section 361n. (Corresponds to part of the player information storage means) and a opponent storage unit 362g that stores the opponent information determined by the opponent determination unit 361p.

Fig. 23 is an example of a flowchart showing registration of a mail address from a home page. First, a personal authentication screen 600 as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the network by the home and page display unit 361i of the center server device 3, and a game tournament guide including a game date and time is displayed. The home page is accessed by the personal terminal device 4, and a player name and a password are input (steps ST201 and ST202). The input player name and password are received by the personal information receiving unit 361j and collated (personal collation) with the personal information registered in the player information storage unit 362c (step ST203). As a result of this personal check, when it is confirmed that the player name and password have been registered, it is then checked whether or not the mail address of this player has been registered (step ST204), and if it is determined that the mail address is not registered, it is shown in FIG. A mail address is input on the mail address input screen 620 as described above, and mail address information is transmitted by pressing a send button on the mail address input screen 620 (step ST205). Then, this mail address information is received by the personal information receiving unit 361j, and if this input mail address is not duplicated or confirmed by checking to the player information storage unit 362c (step ST206), if it is not duplicated This mail address is registered (step ST207).

Also, in the case where the player name and password do not match in the personal verification in step ST203, when it is determined that the mail address is a registrant in step ST204, and when the mail addresses overlap in step ST206, in either case The registration process of the mail address is finished.

24 is an example of a flowchart showing delivery of game tournament guidance. First, the personal information received by the personal information receiving unit 361j and registered in the player information storage unit 362c is searched by the searching unit 361k (step ST211) to determine whether or not the registrant is a distributor (distributable person) in order. It is determined whether or not (step ST212). As a result, the mail address is registered, and the game tournament guide mail is delivered to the personal terminal device 4 of the person who is to be distributed by the competitive game information management unit 361m (step ST213). If not, return to step ST211 to search for the next registrant. Then, it is checked whether or not it is the last registrant in the registrant (step ST214). If the person who delivered in step ST213 is the last registrant (last of registrants), mail distribution ends (step ST215). If not, the process returns to step ST211 and repeats steps ST212 and ST213 until it reaches the last registrant. However, information input to the personal information receiving unit 361j as to whether or not to be delivered can be input from the personal terminal device 4 or the game terminal device 1 at any time.

25 is an example of a flowchart showing a game tournament participation application from the homepage. First, the homepage of the game tournament sent by the homepage display unit 361i is accessed from the personal terminal device 4, and a player name (here, user ID) and password are entered on the tournament participation application screen of this homepage (step ST221). , ST222). The input player name and password are received by the personal information receiving unit 361j and collated with the personal information registered in the player information storage unit 362c (step ST223). As a result of this personal check, when it is determined that the player name and password have been registered, it is next determined whether or not this player is already a game tournament applicant (step ST224), and if it is determined that the contest is not a contestant, Information to which participation is desired is received by the personal information receiving unit 361j, and stored in the player information storage unit 362c (step ST225). In the personal verification in step ST223, when the player name and password do not match, and when it is determined that the game tournament participant is determined in step ST224, the competition participation reception is terminated.

26 is an example of a flowchart showing a game tournament participation application from the game terminal device 1. First, a personal card is inserted into the card reader / writer 13 of the game terminal device 1. The player name information is read from the inserted personal card and transmitted to the center server apparatus 3 via the store server apparatus 2 or the like (step ST231). On the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1, a tournament participation application screen 610 including a game tournament guide as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, and reception of an entry (application for participation) into a game tournament is performed. It becomes possible state. Next, the fingerprint is picked up by the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14, and the feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information is the same as the player name information read in step ST231. (Step ST232). Next, a password for reconfirming the player himself / herself is input from the touch panel 11a of the game terminal device 1, and this password is transmitted to the center server device 3 (step ST233). In step ST231, ST232, and ST233, the personal information (user) in which the player name transmitted to the center server apparatus 3, the feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information, and the password for reconfirmation are recorded in the player information storage section 362c. Personal verification is performed in contrast with the ID data) (step ST234). As a result of the personal check, if the player who wishes to apply for the contest is eligible to participate in the tournament (the owner of the personal card), it is then confirmed whether or not the player has already applied for the tournament (step ST235). In the case where it is determined that the participant (not the person who has already applied for the game tournament) is informed, the personal information reception unit 361j receives the information that he / she wishes to participate in the game tournament, and is stored in the player information storage unit 362c. (Step ST236). In the personal verification in step ST234, if the player name or password does not match the personal information recorded in the player information storage part 362c, and if it is determined that the person who has applied for the game tournament in step ST235 The competition application will be closed. As described in FIG. 26 and FIG. 25, a game tournament participation applicant can easily apply for a game tournament using a nearby terminal device such as the personal terminal device 4.

27 is an example of a flowchart showing distribution of competitive game information to a game tournament participation applicant. First, among players who have completed user registration in the player information storage unit 362c, a player (only those who have registered as a user who wishes to participate in the current game tournament) of the participation application end for the game tournament is the search unit. The search and extraction is performed by 361k, and the list of the contest participants is stored in the contest participant list storage unit 362e. The searching unit 361k searches for the data of the meeting participant list stored in this meeting participant list storage section 362e (step ST241), and in turn, each participant desires to deliver (deliverable person = mail address registered person). It is judged whether or not it is recognized (step ST242). Then, a mail in which the competitive game information including the competitive game reception time zone information of the game tournament is described is distributed to the personal terminal device 4 of the person who is to be distributed by the competitive game information management unit 361m (step ST243). If not, the process returns to step ST241 to determine whether the next contestant is a distributer. Then, it is checked whether or not it is the last registrant in the contest participant list (last registrant in the contest participant list) (step ST244). If the person who delivered in step ST243 is the last registrant, mail distribution ends (step ST245). If not, the process returns to step ST241 and repeats steps ST242 and ST243 until it reaches the last registrant.

28 is an example of the flowchart which shows the charging of the 1st round of a tournament. First, the player goes out to any store (for example, a store near the player's place of residence) on the day of the game competition, and inserts a personal card into the card reader / writer 13 of the game terminal device 1. . The game reception screen (not shown) of a game tournament is displayed on the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1. This game tournament competitive game reception screen is set by the reception time zone setting part 361n, and is controlled by the competition reception part 361o so that it may be displayed only in the reception time zone (within time limit) measured by the clock 361r. . The player name information read from the personal card inserted into the card reader / writer 13 is transmitted to the competitive game accepting unit 361o of the center server apparatus 3 via the store server apparatus 2 or the like (step ST251). Next, the player's finger is placed on the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14. The feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information picked up by the CCD camera 14a is transmitted to the center server apparatus 3 like the user ID data of step ST251 (step ST252). Next, a password for judging the player himself / herself is input at the touch panel 11a of the game terminal device 1. This password is transmitted to the competitive game accepting unit 361o (step ST253). In step ST251, ST252, and ST253, the player name, the feature point data, and the password for reconfirmation sent to the competitive game reception unit 361o of the center server apparatus 3 are compared with the personal information recorded in the player information storage unit 362c. Then personal matching is performed (step ST254). If, as a result of the personal collation, the player who is applying for and wishes to participate in the tournament is possible (owner of the personal card), then it is determined whether or not this player is already the end of the application to the game tournament (step ST255). ).

When it is determined that the contestant is a contestant, the opponent determination unit 361p determines whether or not the current date and time are included in the competition reception time zone (step ST2551). If it is determined that it is not included in the competitive game acceptance time zone (NO in step ST2551), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST2552), and the process ends when the game ends. If it is determined that the game is included in the competitive game reception time zone (YES in step ST2551), the competitive game application is accepted by the competitive game reception unit 361o, and the competitive opponent determination unit 361p is assigned to the competition table of the game tournament. (V) (step ST256). If it is determined that the player is not a tournament participant, the reception of the tournament is rejected, and the game is in the normal game mode in which a normal game can be played instead of the tournament competition (step ST2552). However, the above-mentioned seating to the competition table is assigned to each group in order of reception so that a predetermined number of people (here, 2 to 4 people) to establish a match game in each match group may be assigned by the opponent determining unit 361p. , Opponents of each other are determined. The determined data of each other's opponent is stored in the opponent's storage unit 362g. In addition, the opponent determining unit 361p performs this arrangement and combines the tournaments of each of the pairs (the tournament table is virtually created and stored in the opponent storage unit 362g). Next, the opponent determination unit 361p determines whether or not the number of people assigned to each group (each tournament table) is four (step ST257). When four players are provided, the competition start for each group is allowed, The competition is started (step ST2591). If four persons are not provided, for a predetermined time, the members of each group increase and wait to reach four, and it is determined based on the measurement result of the clock 361r whether this waiting time has ended (step ST258). If the waiting time does not end, the process returns to step ST257 and waits for four members to be provided. After the end of the waiting time, it is determined whether two or more members (two or three) are seated (step ST259). If there are two or more members, the game in step ST2591 is started. After the match, based on the score information of the player counted by the game score evaluation unit 1615 of the game terminal device 1, the opponent opponent determiner 361p determines the highest scorer in each group (in each group). The person with the highest ranking score is selected (steps ST2591, 2592, 2593). A screen displaying a game result including the counting result of this score, for example, a game score display screen 530 as shown in FIG. 21, is displayed on the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1. On the other hand, the highest scorer in each group is set by the personal information writing unit 361q with a winner flag on the personal information (stored in the player information storage unit 362c) (step ST2593). The person who is not the highest scorer ends the game competition without the winner flag set on the personal information.

By the way, in step ST259, if two or more players are not provided, the player enters the competitive game reservation mode waiting for the opponent to appear and plays a normal game against the CPU player (step ST2594). While waiting in the competitive game reservation mode, it is determined whether or not a competitive player has appeared (step ST2595). When the competitive player appears, the process returns to the above step ST257 and waits for four members of the tournament table to be prepared. Even if a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed, the process is terminated if no charger is shown.

29 is an example of a flowchart showing the charging after the second rotation of the tournament. First, the player goes out to the game terminal device 1 of any store on the day of the game competition, and inserts a personal card into the card reader / writer 13 of the game terminal device 1. Next, the game terminal On the monitor 11 of the apparatus 1, the competition reception screen of a game tournament is displayed. The player name information read from the inserted personal card is transmitted to the competitive game accepting unit 361o of the center server apparatus 3 via the store server apparatus 2 or the like (step ST261). Next, the feature point data extracted from the fingerprint information picked up by the CCD camera 14a of the fingerprint authentication unit 14 is transmitted to the center server apparatus 3 as with the player name information read in step ST161 ( Step ST262). Next, a password for judging the player himself / herself is input from the touch panel 11a of the game terminal device 1. This password is transmitted to the competitive game accepting unit 361o (step ST263). In step ST261, ST262, and ST263, the player name, the feature point data, and the password for re-confirmation transmitted to the competitive game reception unit 361o of the center server apparatus 3 are compared with the personal information recorded in the player information storage unit 362c. Then personal matching is performed (step ST264). As a result of the personal collation, if the desired player can apply for the competition and if possible, then it is checked whether or not the winner in all rounds of the tournament (winner flag is present in personal information) (step ST265).

When it is determined that the winner is the previous round, the opponent determination unit 361p determines whether or not the current date and time are included in the competitive game reception time zone (step ST2651). If it is determined that it is not included in the competitive game acceptance time zone (NO in step ST2651), the normal competitive game is started instead of the competitive game of the game tournament (step ST2652), and the process ends when the game ends. If it is determined that the game is included in the competitive game reception time zone (YES in step ST2551), the competitive game application is accepted by the competitive game reception unit 361o, and the competitive game application is received by the competitive game reception unit 361o to determine the opponent. By the part 361p, it is assigned to the tournament table of a game tournament (step ST266). If it is determined that the winner of the previous round is not the winner, the acceptance of the tournament is rejected, and the normal game mode that can be played by the normal game is played (step ST2651). Next, the opponent determination unit 361p checks whether or not the number of people assigned to each group has been four (step ST267). If four players are provided, the winner flag in the personal information of each player is lowered (step ST1691). The competition start is allowed for each group, and a competition is started (step ST2692). After the end of the match, the highest scorer is selected in each pair by the opponent determination unit 361p based on the score information of the player collected by the game score evaluation unit 1615 of the game terminal device 1 (step ST2693). A screen displaying a game result including the counting result of this score, for example, a game score display screen 530 as shown in FIG. 21, is displayed on the monitor 11 of the game terminal device 1. . On the other hand, the winner in each group has a winner flag set on the personal information by the personal information writing unit 361q (step ST2694). The person who is not the highest scorer ends the game tournament without the winner flag set on the personal information.

By the way, in step ST267, if four match members of the group are not provided, the watch member 361r waits for the number of members of each group to increase and reach four people during a predetermined time, and whether the waiting time has ended. The determination is made based on the result of the measurement (step ST268). If the waiting time does not end, the process returns to step ST167 to wait for four members. After the end of the waiting time, it is determined whether two or more members are seated (step ST269), and if two or more members are provided, the game is started in step ST1692. If two or more players are not prepared, the player enters the game reservation mode in which the player is waiting for the game (step ST2695). While waiting in the competitive game reservation mode, it is determined whether or not a competitive player has appeared (step ST2696). When the competitive player appears, the process returns to the above step ST167 and waits for four members of the tournament table to be prepared. Even if a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed, the process is terminated if no charger is shown.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the competitive game acceptance is permitted by the competitive game reception unit 361o during the competitive game reception time period of a predetermined time width, and the received player is controlled by the competitive opponent determination unit 361p. The game is assigned to a predetermined number of players, and the opponents of each other are determined. Therefore, even if the correct time designation is not performed, it is possible to efficiently fight the tournament without having to wait for the player to play the game within the designated time zone.

30 is an example of a flowchart showing delivery of competitive information of the next rotation of the tournament. First, similarly to step ST241 of FIG. 27, the searching unit 361k searches for data of the meeting participant list stored in this meeting participant list storage unit 362e (step ST271), and sequentially in the personal information of each participant. It is checked whether the winner flag is set (step ST272). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the contest participant whose winner flag is set is a betrayal candidate (step ST2721), and to the personal terminal device 4 of the betrayal candidate, the next game date and time of the game competition, etc. The mail in which the competitive information to be included is described is distributed by the competitive information management unit 361m (step ST2722). If the winner flag is not set, it is determined whether or not a loser flag is set to identify the loser (step ST273). If the loser flag is not set, the loser flag is set in the personal information of the participant by the personal information writing unit 361q (step ST274). Then, it is judged whether or not the participant who sets the loser flag is a distribution hopeful person (step ST275), and if it is a distribution hopeful person, the competitive game information is delivered by the competitive game information management part 361m (step ST276). It is checked whether or not it is the last registrant in the contest participant list (step ST277). If the person who has delivered in the above steps ST2722 and ST276 is the last registrant, mail distribution ends (step ST278). If not, the process returns to step ST271 and repeats the steps up to step ST277 until it becomes the last registrant. However, if the loser flag is set in the above step ST273 and if it is not the distribution hope person in the step ST275 and the step ST2721, the flow advances to the step ST277.

Moreover, this invention can take the following forms.

(A) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the game played by the game terminal device 1 is a mahjong game has been described, but may be a game played by a plurality of different players. For example, it may be a card game, a Go game, a long game.

(B) Although the case where the store server device 2 was provided in the first and second embodiments has been described, the game terminal device 1 is connected to the center server device 3 via a network. You may also.

(C) In the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the control unit 36 of the center server device 3 has various functions. However, the game terminal device 1 has a function of the control unit 36. The form provided may be sufficient. This makes it possible to play a competitive game between the game terminal apparatuses 1 via a network.

(D) In the first and second embodiments, the user ID is written on the personal card (although recorded), but not only the user ID but also the result of the game such as a password, fingerprint information (feature point data), or a winner flag. It may be configured to write personal information such as information. In that case, a personal card may use a recording medium with a large storage capacity, for example, an IC card.

(E) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the personal terminal device 4 is a mobile phone has been described, but may be a form such as a home PC or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

(F) In 1st and 2nd embodiment, it demonstrates when the participation reception part 361a and the personal information reception part 361j accept the application from the personal terminal device 4 to participate in the competition game. However, the form may be received from the game terminal device 1.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily apply for a tournament of a competitive game by using a nearby personal terminal device, and the convenience of the player is improved. In addition, since only the game terminal device is provided with the game terminal device, the player's convenience is further improved. In addition, since the competitive game of each round ends when the competitive game acceptance time period ends, the competitive game in a game competition can be digested efficiently.

According to the present invention, since a predetermined number of opponents required to establish a competitive game is determined among the players permitted to start the competitive game, when this process is completed, execution of the competitive game can be started and more efficiently. The game can be played in the game competition.

According to the present invention, since the player who is permitted to start the competitive game is determined as the opponent in the order of permission, the opponent is determined quickly, and the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

According to the present invention, with the progress of the rotation, the length of time until the opponent is determined is suppressed, and the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

According to the present invention, since the application for the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game is easily performed, the convenience of the player can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine the opponent, so that the competitive game in the game competition can be digested more efficiently.

According to the present invention, since the qualification for participation in the next round is given to a player having a predetermined number of advance advancement numbers in the order of the combined scores of the predetermined number of competitive games in the highest order, the performance is more comparable to that in the normal tournament competition. The progress of the game accurately reflected can improve the interest of the game tournament.

According to the present invention, since the integrated score is calculated as a result of adding the score of the retained score bar at the end of each competitive game to the predetermined number of times, the integrated score can be easily calculated and can appropriately evaluate the player's ability. Can be obtained.

According to the present invention, since the eligibility for participation in the next round is given to a player having a predetermined number of advance turn advance numbers, which are set in the order of the high score of the one-time match game, the match game in the game competition is more efficiently digested. can do.

According to the present invention, since the grade is calculated as the score of the holding score rod at the end of the competitive game, the grade can be obtained easily and can be appropriately evaluated for the player's ability.

Claims (12)

It is held by the player while being connected to a plurality of game terminal apparatuses which are installed in a plurality of stores and accept the player's operation and perform a competition game of the winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations through a network. A plurality of personal terminal devices, which are mobile phones or personal computers, which transmit and receive information on participation in the competition game, are communicatively connected to manage progress of the competition game competition between the game terminal devices. As a server device for games, Player information storage means for storing the participation qualification information indicating the presence or absence of the participation qualification to the competition of the competitive game in association with the identification information of the player; Until the start of the first round of the competition of the competitive game, an application for identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game is received from the personal terminal device. Participation accepting means for storing an e-mail address of the personal terminal device in player information storage means in association with identification information of the player; At the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, each player determines whether to participate in the next round according to a predetermined rule based on the game result, and updates the participation qualification information of the player information storage means. Credential management means, With reference to the participation qualification information of the player information storage means, a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competition, is set for a player who is eligible to participate, and the competitive game reception time zone information is transferred to the player information storage device. A competitive game reception time setting means for storing in association with identification information of a player; Reception time transmission means for reading an e-mail address of a personal terminal device held by a player who is eligible to participate from the player information storage means, and transmitting the competitive game reception time zone information to the personal terminal device using an electronic mail; Upon receiving the application identification information of the player and the intention to start the competitive game from the game terminal device, the received identification information of the player matches any of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate, and starts the competitive game. And a competitive game permission means for permitting the start of a competitive game, when a date and time at which an application for the purpose of acceptance is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means. And said competitive game reception time setting means sets the length of the competitive game reception time zone in accordance with the number of players having a participation qualification stored in said player information storage means. The method of claim 1, And a competitive opponent determination means for determining a predetermined number of opponents required for establishing the competitive game among the players who are permitted to start the competitive game by the competitive permission means. The method of claim 2, The competitive opponent determination means determines a player who is permitted to start a competitive game by the competitive permission means as the competitive opponent in the order of permission. The method of claim 1, And the reception time zone setting means sets the length of the competition reception time zone to be shorter than the time of the previous rotation as the rotation proceeds. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And said participation accepting means accepts an application for participation in a competition of the competitive game through a homepage of the competition of the competitive game. The method of claim 2, The competitive game is a game that mimics mahjong, and the predetermined number of players is one or more and three or less. The method of claim 1, The competition of the competitive game, each rotation is composed of a predetermined number of competitive games, The participation qualification management means calculates, according to a predetermined rule, the combined scores of the predetermined number of competitive games for each player in each rotation, and the player with the predetermined number of players who advance in the next turn advance in the order of the highest combined scores. A server device for games, characterized by granting participation qualification to the next round. The method of claim 7, wherein And said participation qualification management means calculates the combined score by adding up the score of the retained score bar at the end of each competitive game for the predetermined number of times. The method of claim 1, The competition of the competitive game is a tournament of tournaments in which each rotation consists of one competitive game, The participation qualification management means calculates the performance of the competitive game for each player according to a predetermined rule in each rotation, and participates in the next rotation with respect to the player of the predetermined next rotation advancement number preset in the order of the highest score. Game server device, characterized in that for giving. The method of claim 9, And said participation qualification management means calculates said score as a score of a retained score bar at the end of the competitive game. It is held by the player while being connected to a plurality of game terminal apparatuses which are installed in a plurality of stores and accept the player's operation and perform a competition game of the winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations through a network. Game management of a server device for games, which is communicatively connected to a plurality of personal terminal devices that transmit and receive information on participation in the competition game, and manages the progress of the competition of the competition game played between the game terminal devices. A recording medium on which a program is recorded, the program comprising the game server device; Player information storage means for storing the participation qualification information indicating the presence or absence of the participation qualification to the competition of the competitive game in association with the identification information of the player; Until the start of the first round of the competition of the competitive game, an application for identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game is received from the personal terminal device. Participation accepting means for storing an e-mail address of the personal terminal device in player information storage means in association with identification information of the player; At the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, each player determines whether to participate in the next round based on the game result or not, and updates the participation qualification information of the player information storage means. Credential management means, With reference to the participation qualification information of the player information storage means, a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competition, is set for a player who is eligible to participate, and the competitive game reception time zone information is transferred to the player information storage device. A competitive game reception time setting means for storing in association with identification information of a player; Reception time transmission means for reading an e-mail address of a personal terminal device held by a player who is eligible to participate from the player information storage means, and transmitting the competitive game reception time zone information to the personal terminal device using an electronic mail; Upon receiving the application identification information of the player and the intention to start the competitive game from the game terminal device, the received identification information of the player matches any of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate, and starts the competitive game. If the date and time at which the application of the purpose of the request is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means, the mobile game device functions as a competitive game permission means for permitting the start of a competitive game, And the competitive game reception time setting means sets the length of the competitive game reception time zone in accordance with the number of players having the participation qualification stored in the player information storage means. It is held by the player while being connected to a plurality of game terminal apparatuses which are installed in a plurality of stores and accept the player's operation and perform a competition game of the winner advance method composed of a plurality of rotations through a network. A game using a game server device that is communicatively connected to a plurality of personal terminal devices that transmit and receive information regarding participation in the competition game, and manages the progress of the competition of the competition game played between the game terminal devices. As the management method, the game server device, And player information storage means for storing the participation qualification information indicating the presence or absence of the participation qualification in the competition of the competitive game in association with the identification information of the player, Until the start of the first round of the competition of the competitive game, an application for identification information of the player, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device, and the purpose of participating in the competition of the competitive game is received from the personal terminal device. A participation reception process of storing, in a player information storage means, an e-mail address of the personal terminal device in association with identification information of the player; At the end of each round of the competition of the competitive game, each player determines whether to participate in the next round according to a predetermined rule based on the game result, and updates the participation qualification information of the player information storage means. Qualification management processing, With reference to the participation qualification information of the player information storage means, a competitive game reception time zone, which is a time zone for accepting the next round of competition, is set for a player who is eligible to participate, and the competitive game reception time zone information is transferred to the player information storage device. A game reception time zone setting process for storing in association with identification information of a player; A reception time transmission process for reading an e-mail address of a personal terminal device held by a player who is eligible to participate from the player information storage means, and transmitting the competitive game reception time zone information to the personal terminal device by using an electronic mail; Upon receiving the application identification information of the player and the intention to start the competitive game from the game terminal device, the received identification information of the player matches any of the identification information of the player who is eligible to participate, and starts the competitive game. If the date and time on which the application of the purpose of receipt of the request is received is included in the competitive game reception time period stored in the player information storage means, a competitive game permission process for permitting the start of a competitive game is executed. The game management method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the competitive game reception time zone is set according to the number of players who have a participation qualification stored in the player information storage means.