EP1736941A1 - Server und Spielsystem - Google Patents

Server und Spielsystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1736941A1
EP1736941A1 EP06011083A EP06011083A EP1736941A1 EP 1736941 A1 EP1736941 A1 EP 1736941A1 EP 06011083 A EP06011083 A EP 06011083A EP 06011083 A EP06011083 A EP 06011083A EP 1736941 A1 EP1736941 A1 EP 1736941A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data item
player
image data
counting
imaging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06011083A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Kazuo Okada
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Universal Entertainment Corp
Original Assignee
Aruze Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2005158416A external-priority patent/JP2006333884A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2005158415A external-priority patent/JP2006333883A/ja
Application filed by Aruze Corp filed Critical Aruze Corp
Publication of EP1736941A1 publication Critical patent/EP1736941A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/10—Services
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3206—Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3227—Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
    • G07F17/3237—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
    • G07F17/3239—Tracking of individual players

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a server that is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine, a pinball machine, and the like in which variably-displayed symbols can be stopped by a player's operation, and also relates to a game system that includes the server and the gaming machines.
  • respective gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine, a pinball machine, and the like in which variably-displayed symbols can be stopped by a player's operation
  • a game system that includes the server and the gaming machines.
  • Some gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine, a pinball machine, and the like have various functions in order to prevent a player from getting tired during a game.
  • Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 9-290068 discloses a gaming machine that has a liquid crystal television so that a player can watch a TV program or collect various information while sitting in a chair during a game or during a break time.
  • a player who has played a game in a gaming machine uses a counter to count a game value of medals or the like he/she has acquired from the gaming machine, and a ticket on which a result of counting is recorded is issued.
  • the player brings the ticket to a prize-exchanging booth, where he/she can get a prize in accordance with the number of medals acquired.
  • some people dishonestly bring medals in from outside and counts the medals with the counter, for the purpose of obtaining a prize.
  • a fraud prevention system is proposed for example in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2001-224830 . This system utilizes a member's card owned by each player, for comparing the number of medals paid out from a gaming machine with the number of medals counted by a counter, thereby determining whether any fraud is occurring or not.
  • a group of players come to a game arcade and play games.
  • these players use gaming machines that include the above-mentioned liquid crystal television
  • each individual player can watch a TV program or collect various information by himself/herself, but he/she cannot communicate with the other players, for example, for the purpose of sharing information about games.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a server and a game system that enable a player to transmit and receive a mail to and from another player even though the player does not know a place of another player.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a server and a game system that can, without requiring a monitoring by a manager of a game arcade, prevent fraud in a counter for counting a game value.
  • a server that is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines.
  • Each of the gaming machines has an imaging means that images a player and an input means through which the player inputs his/her identification data item.
  • the server comprises a storage means, a first determination means, a second determination means, a rewriting means, a mail reception means, and a mail transmission means.
  • the storage means rewritably stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the imaging means, a specifying data item that specifies each of the gaming machines, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another.
  • a game system that includes gaming machines and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines, and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines.
  • Each of the gaming machines comprises a specifying data item storage means, an imaging means, a player image data item generation means, an output means, an input means, a mail preparation means, a mail transmission means.
  • the specifying data item storage means stores therein a specifying data item for specifying the gaming machine itself.
  • the imaging means images a player.
  • the player image data item generation means generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the imaging means.
  • the output means outputs the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means together with the specifying data item.
  • the mail preparation means prepares a mail addressed to an identification data item of another player.
  • the mail transmission means transmits the mail prepared by the mail preparation means.
  • the server comprises a first reception means, a second reception means, a storage means, a first determination means, a second determination means, a rewriting means, a mail reception means, and a mail transmission means.
  • the first reception means receives the player image data item and the specifying data item outputted from the output means.
  • the second reception means receives the identification data item inputted through the input means.
  • the storage means rewritably stores therein the player image data item, the specifying data item, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another.
  • the first determination means determines whether the player image data item received by the first reception means has been stored in the storage means or not.
  • the second determination means determines whether or not a specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is identical to the specifying data item received by the first reception means together with the player image data item.
  • the rewriting means rewrites the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means into the specifying data item received from the gaming machine.
  • the mail reception means receives from any of the gaming machines a mail addressed to the identification data item.
  • the mail transmission means transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item to which the mail is addressed.
  • the specifying data item stored in the storage means is rewritten. That is, each time the player changes the gaming machine, contents of the storage means are accordingly rewritten. Then, when a mail which is addressed to an identification data item is transmitted to the server, the server transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item.
  • a player when a player wants to communicate with another player, he/she does not have to know which gaming machine another player is using now, but has only to transmit a mail addressed to an identification data item, so as to transmit the mail to another player thus communicating with another player.
  • a player can concentrate on a game because he/she does not have to exert an effort to always know which gaming machine his/her communicatee is using now.
  • a server that is data-communicably connected to a plurality of gaming machines each having a player imaging means that images a player and a payout means that pays out a game value based on a game result, and also data-communicably connected to a counter having a counting means that counts the game value and a counting-person imaging means that images a counting person.
  • the server comprises a storage means, a retrieval means, and a first notification means.
  • the storage means stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the player imaging means.
  • the retrieval means retrieves from the storage means a player image data item that is identical to a counting-person image data item resulting from an imaging by the counting-person imaging means.
  • the first notification means notifies a result of retrieval made by the retrieval means.
  • a game system that includes a plurality of gaming machines each paying out a game value based on a game result, a counter counting the game value, and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines and the counter.
  • Each of the gaming machines comprises a player imaging means, a player image data item generation means, and a player image data item transmission means.
  • the player imaging means images a player.
  • the player image data item generation means generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the player imaging means.
  • the player image data item transmission means transmits, to the server, the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means.
  • the counter comprises a counting-person imaging means, a counting-person image data item generation means, and a counting-person image data item transmission means.
  • the counting-person imaging means images a counting person.
  • the counting-person image data item generation means generates a counting-person image data item based on a result of an imaging by the counting-person imaging means.
  • the counting-person image data item transmission means transmits, to the server, the counting-person image data item generated by the counting-person image data item generation means.
  • the server comprises a player image data item reception means, a storage means, a counting-person image data item reception means, a retrieval means, and a notification means.
  • the player image data item reception means receives the player image data item transmitted by the player image data item transmission means.
  • a player who is playing a game is imaged, and a player image data item is stored in the storage means. Determined is whether a player image data item identical to a counting-person image data item obtained by imaging a counting person is stored in the storage means or not. Thereby, whether a counting person who is counting game values on the counter has actually played a game in a gaming machine or not can be determined. Accordingly, even though, for example, a game value acquired by a player is brought out by a dishonest stranger who then attempts counting the game value on the counter, whether this person is counting a game value he/she has acquired by himself/herself as a result of actually playing a game or not can be determined. This can prevent fraud in a counter, without requiring a monitoring by a manager of a game arcade.
  • the gaming machine 10 is a pachi-slot machine in which variably-displayed symbols can be stopped due to an operation made by the player 103.
  • a medal serves as the game value in this embodiment.
  • Each of the gaming machines 10 has a main body 10a and a medal lending device 10b which are formed as a unit and placed adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the player 103 buys medals from the medal lending device 10b, and plays a game on the main body 10a using the medals.
  • the medal lending device 10b corresponds to a "game media lending device" of the present invention.
  • the main body 10a of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • the main body 10a has a cabinet 2 that constitutes a whole of the main body 10a.
  • a main display 2a that substantially extends in a vertical direction is provided.
  • display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R each having a rectangular shape elongated in the vertical direction are provided.
  • Each of the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R shows, among symbols arranged on each of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, three symbols lined in the vertical direction, so that a total of nine symbols are displayed. Pay lines are defined in the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the pay lines include a top line 8b, a center line 8c, and a bottom line 8d which are extending in a horizontal direction, and a cross-down line 8a and a cross-up line 8e which are extending in an oblique direction.
  • the top line 8b is defined through top sections of the respective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the center line 8c is defined through center sections of the respective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the bottom line 8d is defined through bottom sections of the respective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the cross-down line 8a is defined through the top section of the display window 4L, the center section of the display window 4C, and the bottom section of the display window 4R.
  • the cross-up line 8e is defined through the bottom section of the display window 4L, the center section of the display window 4C, and the top section of the display window 4R.
  • the pay lines 8a to 8e are related to a win.
  • a win is made when a certain symbol, for example an "Upper chili” symbol for a "small win of Upper chili", is stopped at a predetermined position on any activated line or when a predetermined combination of symbols are stopped at predetermined positions on any activated line.
  • three rotatable reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided side by side in a widthwise direction.
  • a column of symbols are arranged on an outer surface of each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.
  • the column includes symbols that are assigned code numbers of "00" to "20", respectively. More specifically, the column includes symbols of "Red 7", “Blue 7", “Lower chili”, “Bell”, “Watermelon”, “Replay”, and "Upper chili”.
  • symbols arranged on the respective reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are visible through the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated at a constant speed, for example at 80 rpm.
  • the "Red 7" symbol and the "Blue 7" symbol included in the column form a bonus win.
  • the bonus win includes a BB (Big Bonus) and an RB (Regular Bonus) which will be detailed later.
  • the BB and the RB will generally be called a "bonus”.
  • a BET lamp 9 and a credit value indicator 19 are provided on the left side of the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the BET lamp 9 is lighted up. The one game gets over when all the reels stop rotating.
  • the credit value indicator 19 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of medals credited in the main body 10a.
  • a WIN lamp 17 and a number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18 are provided on the right side of the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. After it is determined that a bonus can be made, and before the bonus is actually made, the WIN lamp 17 stays lighted up.
  • the number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of medals acquired in accordance with a win.
  • a number-of-bonus-game indicator 20 is provided on the upper side of the WIN lamp 17.
  • the number-of-bonus-games indicator 20 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of games that are played in a BB base game mode or an RB game mode which will be described later.
  • the BB base game mode and RB game mode will generally be called a "bonus game mode”.
  • a control panel 12 in the form of a horizontal plane is provided on the lower side of the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • a liquid crystal display 5 that displays a presentation image or the like.
  • the medal insertion slot 13 is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal display 5.
  • An inserted-medal sensor 13S is provided in the medal insertion slot 13 (see FIG. 4). The inserted-medal sensor 13S senses an inserted medal.
  • the BET button 11 is provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display 5. When the BET button 11 is pressed once, the five pay lines 8a to 8e are activated and at the same time three of the credited medals are bet for a next game.
  • a C/P button 14 that switchingly commands crediting and payout of medals acquired in a game.
  • the C/P button 14 commands payout of medals
  • the medals are paid out through a medal payout opening 15 which is provided in a lower part of the front face of the cabinet 2.
  • the medals thus paid out are received in a medal tray 16.
  • a start lever 6 which can rotate within a predetermined range of angles is provided.
  • the start lever 6 outputs to a controller 60 of the main body 10a (see FIG. 4) a command signal for starting a game.
  • the controller 60 which has thus received the command signal for starting a game, starts rotating the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R so that symbols are variably displayed within the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
  • the controller 60 (see FIG. 4) controlling the main body 10a is formed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 62, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 63, and a communicator 64.
  • the ROM 63 stores therein a program shown in FIG. 14, data, and the like.
  • the RAM 62 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the program is being executed, and the like.
  • the CPU 61 enables execution of the program stored in the ROM 63.
  • the communicator 64 enables data communication with a controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b.
  • the controller 60 when the start lever 6 is operated the controller 60 rotates the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and when the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed the controller 60 correspondingly stops the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively.
  • the controller 60 drives the hopper 69 so as to pay out medals through the medal payout opening 15.
  • the controller 60 receives a medal payout completion signal from the hopper 69 and then stops the hopper 69.
  • the predetermined number means a value indicated by the credit value indicator 19.
  • the controller 60 When the BET button 11 is pressed, the controller 60 activates the pay lines 8a to 8e and at the same time bets three of the credited medals for a next game. Also, when receiving from the inserted-medal sensor 13S a detection signal for the three medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 13, the controller 60 activates the pay lines 8a to 8e and at the same time bets the inserted three medals for a next game. When receiving from the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R positional signals, the controller 60 detects symbols placed on the activated lines in accordance with the signals, and then determines whether a win is made or not based on the combination of the symbols.
  • the controller 60 is further connected to the BET lamp 9, the WIN lamp 17, the number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18, the credit value indicator 19, the number-of-bonus-games indicator 20, and the liquid crystal display 5. Depending on game modes and the like, the controller 60 supplies these components with drive signals so as to light up the lamps 9 and 17, change what are indicated by the indicators 18, 19, and 20, display presentation images on the liquid crystal display 5, and so on.
  • a clock-pulse generating circuit, a frequency divider, a random number generator, and a sampling circuit are connected to the CPU 61 of the controller 60.
  • the clock-pulse generating circuit generates a reference clock pulse.
  • the random number generator generates random numbers within a predetermined range of values.
  • the sampling circuit samples one out of the random numbers generated by the random number generator.
  • the CPU 61 determines an internal win based on the random number thus sampled by the sampling circuit and on a probability lottery table which is stored in the ROM 63.
  • the internal win means a win which can be made at the end of a game.
  • the controller 60 transmits game status data via the communicator 64 to the controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b and further transmitted to the hall computer 40.
  • the game status data includes data concerning the present game mode and the number of medals that have been paid out by the hopper 69 of the gaming machine 10.
  • the controller 60 controls the main body 10a so as to enable a game to start.
  • the gaming machine 10 presents three modes of a "base game mode", an "RB game mode”, and a "BB base game mode”. These three game modes differ in types of the internal win, probabilities of an internally win of a replay, types of bonuses which can be made, relationship between the internal win and determination of a win, and the like.
  • a game mode shifts from one mode to another when, for example, a predetermined combination of symbols stops on the pay line.
  • a player wins the BB under a condition that a combination of "Blue 7 - Blue 7 - Blue 7" or "Red 7 - Red 7 - Red 7" appears on the activated line in the base game mode.
  • the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the BB base game mode.
  • a player wins the RB under a condition that a combination of "Red 7 - Red 7 - Blue 7" appears on the activated line in the base game mode or under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay” appears on the activated line in the BB base game mode.
  • Winning the RB in the BB base game mode is generally called "JACIN”.
  • the game mode shifts to the RB game mode.
  • a player wins a replay under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay" appears on the activated line in the base game mode.
  • medals the number of which is the same as the number of inserted medals, are automatically bet, so that the player 103 can play a next game without using his/her medals.
  • a "small win of Upper chili”, a "small win of Lower chili”, a “small win of Bell”, and a "small win of Watermelon" can be made.
  • wins which can be made in the base game mode is the BB, the RB, the replay, the small win of Bell, the small win of Watermelon, the small win of Upper chili, and the small win of Lower chili.
  • the replay is won in the base game mode, no medal is acquired.
  • the BB, the RB, the small win of Bell, the small win of Watermelon, the small win of Upper chili, and the small win of Lower chili are made in the base game mode, the player acquires 15 medals, 15 medals, 10 medals, 3 medals, 1 medal, and 7 medals, respectively.
  • a win is made under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay", “Red 7 - Replay - Replay”, or "Blue 7 - Replay - Replay" appears on the activated line in the base game mode.
  • a game played in the RB game mode is generally called a "JAC game”.
  • the medal lending device 10b is placed adjacent to and formed as a unit with the main body 10a of the gaming machine.
  • the medal lending device 10b has a cabinet 23 whose shape is substantially rectangular parallelepiped and whose width is smaller than that of the cabinet 2 of the main body 10a.
  • the medal lending device 10b is controlled by a controller 70 (see FIG. 4) placed within the cabinet 23.
  • a bill insertion slot 23a substantially at the center, a coin insertion slot 23b on the lower side of the bill insertion slot 23a, and a medal tray 23c in a lower part.
  • a bill sensor 231 and a coin sensor 232 are provided in the bill insertion slot 23a and in the coin insertion slot 23b, respectively.
  • the bill sensor 231 detects an inserted bill and the coin sensor detects an inserted coin.
  • the bill sensor 231 and the coin sensor 232 are connected to and transmit inserted-amount detection signal to the controller 70 when detecting a bill and a coin, respectively.
  • a medal payout unit 233 which is provided inside the cabinet 23, is also connected to the controller 70.
  • the controller 70 drives the medal payout unit 233 based on the inserted-amount detection signal received from the bill sensor 231 and/or coin sensor 232, so as to pay out a predetermined number of medals into the medal tray 23c.
  • a CCD camera .24 which is provided in an upper front part of the cabinet 23, functions as an "imaging means" of the present invention, and images the playing player 103 who is sitting in front of the main body 10a of the gaming machine 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the CCD camera 24 is connected to and constantly transmits captured image data to the controller 70.
  • a liquid crystal monitor 25 which is provided substantially at the center of the front face of the cabinet 23, displays screens shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9A to 9C, and 10A to 10C. Through the liquid crystal monitor 25, the player 103 can register his/her name and face image, and transmit/receive a mail to/from another player 103 who is playing a game in another gaming machine 10, the details of which will be described later.
  • a touch panel is provided over a surface of the liquid crystal monitor 25. The player 103 can input his/her name and prepare a mail by touching the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 25.
  • the card processing unit 26 includes a card issuing slot 26a that issues an ID card (not shown), a card insertion slot 26b into which the ID card can be inserted, and a card eject button 26c that ejects the ID card inserted into the card insertion slot 26b.
  • the ID card has an IC chip storing data therein.
  • the ID card having registry data stored in its IC chip is issued out through the card issuing slot 26a.
  • the registry data includes a name and face image data of the player 103.
  • the CCD camera 24, the liquid crystal monitor 25, and the card processing unit 26 are connected to and controlled by the controller 70.
  • the controller 70 controlling the medal lending device 10b is formed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 71, a RAM 72, a ROM 73, and a communicator 74.
  • the ROM 73 stores therein programs shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, machine numbers that specify the respective gaming machine 10, and the like. The machine number corresponds to a "specifying data item" of the present invention.
  • the RAM 72 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the programs are being executed, game status data transmitted from the main body 10a of the gaming machine, registry data read out of the ID card, and the like.
  • the CPU 71 enables execution of the programs stored in the ROM 73.
  • the communicator 74 enables data communication with the controller 60 of the main body 10a of the gaming machine and data communication with the hall computer 40.
  • a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 is divided into a function select area 251a and a main area 251b.
  • a "DEMO” button 252a, a "REGISTER” button 252b, and a "MAIL” button 252c are displayed so that a player can select them.
  • the touch panel is provided over the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 25. Therefore, when a player touches the buttons 252a to 252c, signals corresponding to the respective buttons are outputted.
  • a register screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the main area 251b.
  • the player 103 touches the "REGISTER” button 252b, a register screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the main area 251b.
  • his/she registers his/her name as an "identification data item” and face image data as a "player image data item” via the register screen.
  • a character input screen 254a is displayed in a left part of the main area 251b.
  • the character input screen 254a shows selectable keys including alphabet keys and an "ENTER" key.
  • An instruction screen which shows a name field 254b, an "OK” button 254c, and a "SHOOT” button 254d, is displayed in a right part of the main area 251b.
  • the name field 254b indicates a name of the player 103 which has been inputted through the keys in the character input screen 254a.
  • the "SHOOT” button 254d is displayed in an unselectable mode until the "OK" button 254c is touched. That is, the "SHOOT” button 254d becomes selectable, only after the player 103 inputs his/her name through the keys of the character input screen 254a, checks the name field 254b for the inputted name, and then touches the "OK” button 254c.
  • the CCD camera 24 is driven to shoot the player 103.
  • the name of the player 103 thus inputted, and his/her face image data obtained from the shooting are, together with the machine number which is stored in the ROM 73 of the controller 70, transmitted to the hall computer 40. Then, a screen of FIG. 9A, 9B, or 9C is displayed depending on a notification transmitted from the hall computer 40.
  • FIG. 9A a message that the registration has been completed and an ID card has been issued appears as shown in FIG. 9A.
  • a message that the name has already been registered appears as shown in FIG. 9B.
  • FIG. 9C the demo screen of FIG. 7 is automatically displayed.
  • one player 103 is not allowed double registrations. If an already-registered player 103 tries registering himself/herself again, an error message (see FIG. 9C) appears so that a reliable authentication of the player 103 can be performed.
  • a mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed in the main area 251b.
  • the player 103 prepares a mail addressed to another player 103 who is playing a game in another gaming machine 10.
  • a character input screen 255a which is similar to the character input screen 254a of the register screen is displayed in a left part of the main area 251b.
  • An address field 255b, a message field 255c, and a "TRANSMISSION" button 255d are displayed in a right part of the main area 251b.
  • a destination address is inputted in the address field 255b. Contents of the mail are inputted in the message field 255c.
  • the hall computer 40 receives the mail data, and then refers to a later-described player data table, so as to transmit the mail to a gaming machine 10 that corresponds to the name inputted in the address field 255b.
  • a message that transmission has been completed appears as shown in FIG. 10B, and then the demo screen of FIG. 7 is displayed.
  • the mail is not transmitted. Instead, a message urging the player 103 to review the destination address appears as shown in FIG. 10C. Then, the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed again.
  • the gaming machine 10 that has received a mail from the hall computer 40 displays on its liquid crystal monitor 25 contents of the mail and a name of a player 103 who transmitted the mail.
  • the counter 30 has a main body 30a and a ticket issuer 30b which are formed as a unit and placed adjacent to each other.
  • a controller 80 (see FIG. 5) which is provided inside the main body 30a controls the counter 30.
  • the main body 30a has a case-like shape and includes therein a medal receiver 31 and a counting passage (not shown).
  • the medal receiver 31 opens in a top face of the main body 30a.
  • the counting passage aligns medals in the medal receiver 31.
  • a medal sensor 31S is provided in the medal receiver 31 and connected to the controller 80.
  • the medal sensor 31S detects a medal which is passing through the counting passage, and transmits a detection signal to the controller 80. Based on the detection signal thus fed from the medal sensor 31S, the controller 80 counts medals inserted into the medal receiver 31.
  • the main body 30a also has, in its upper part, a CCD camera 32, a number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33, and a receipt issuing button 34.
  • the CCD camera 32 shoots a counting person 104 who is using the counter 30.
  • the number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33 indicates the number of all medals inserted. No description will be given to the CCD camera 32, because it has the same construction as that of the above-described CCD camera 24.
  • the CCD camera 32, the number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33, and the receipt issuing button 34 are respectively connected to the controller 80 (see FIG. 5).
  • the ticket issuer 30b is placed adjacent to and formed as a unit with the main body 30a.
  • the ticket issuer 30b has a case-like shape and a receipt discharge opening 35,provided on a front face thereof.
  • a printing unit 36 (see FIG. 5) that is connected to the controller 80 is provided inside the ticket issuer 30b.
  • the printing unit 36 includes a printing section that performs a printing on a receipt (not shown), and a discharging section that discharges the printed receipt out through the receipt discharge opening 35.
  • the controller 80 is formed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 81, a RAM 82, a ROM 83, and a communicator 84.
  • the ROM 83 stores therein a program shown in FIG. 19, data, and the like.
  • the RAM 82 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the program is being executed, and the like.
  • the CPU 81 enables execution of the program stored in the ROM 83.
  • the communicator 84 enables data communication with the hall computer 40.
  • a controller 90 of the hall computer 40 is formed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 91 that can execute programs shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, a RAM 92, a ROM 93, and a communicator 94.
  • the ROM 93 stores therein programs shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, data, and the like.
  • the RAM 92 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the programs are being executed, and the like.
  • the CPU 91 enables execution of the programs stored in the ROM 93.
  • the communicator 94 enables data communication with the gaming machines 10 and the counters 30.
  • the operating unit 95 includes a keyboard and a mouse for example, and used for inputting a processing instruction, a name of a staff 105, and the like.
  • the display 96 such as a CRT monitor displays states of the players 103 and states of the gaming machines 10, and notifies the staff 105 of fraud in accordance with results of processings which will be described later.
  • the storage 97 stores therein a player data table (see FIG. 11), a gaming machine data table (see FIG. 12), and a staff data table (see FIG. 13).
  • the controller 90 retrieves data from the data tables, creates new data, rewrites data, and so on.
  • the player data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to the players 103 each having completed the registration.
  • Each data set is made up of face image data of a corresponding player 103, a name of the player 103, a machine number of a gaming machine 10 the player 103 is using, and game status data.
  • the machine number and the game status data are rewritten in accordance with data received from the gaming machines 10.
  • the gaming machine data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to the gaming machines 10. Each data set is made up of a machine number of a corresponding gaming machine 10, face image data of a player 103 who is using the gaming machine 10, and game status data. In the gaming machine data table, the player's face image data and the game status data are rewritten in accordance with data received from the gaming machines 10.
  • the staff data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to the staffs 105 who are present in the hall 101.
  • Each data set is made up of face image data of a corresponding staff 105 and a name of the staff 105.
  • the controller 60 of the main body 10a performs a game-starting initialization (A1) to initialize memory contents of the RAM 62, communication data, and the like. Then, the controller 60 erases predetermined memory contents of the RAM 62 which were stored at the end of a game (A2). More specifically, the controller 60 erases data from a "writable area" of the RAM 62 which was used in the previous game, writes a parameter necessary for a next game into the writable area of the RAM 62, designates a start address for a sequence program of the next game, and the like.
  • the controller 60 determines whether a game start permission signal is received from the medal lending device 10b (A3).
  • the medal lending device 10b transmits the game start permission signal under a condition that an ID card is inserted into the card insertion slot 26b and also that face image data stored in the ID card is identical to face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera 24.
  • the controller 60 waits until it receives the signal.
  • the processing proceeds to A4.
  • the controller 60 waits until it receives a signal from the inserted-medal sensor 13S or the BET button 11. Then, the controller 60 determines whether the start lever 6 is operated, that is, whether it receives a command signal for starting a game (A5). The controller 60 waits until the start lever 6 is operated. When the start lever 6 is operated (A5: YES), the controller 60 samples a random number for lottery (A6). Then, the controller 60 checks a game mode for the current game (A7). More specifically, the controller 60 sets a game mode for the current game to any of the BB base game mode, the RB game mode, and the base game mode, and transmits the set game mode to the medal lending device 10b.
  • an internal win is determined by executing a probability lottery processing (A8). Then, a stop table group that corresponds to the determined internal win is selected (A9). Then, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated using the stop table group thus selected (A10).
  • the number of sliding frames is determined based on the stop table selected in A9 and on a reel position at the stop operation.
  • the number of sliding frames means the number of symbols that moves within the display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R after the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pressed and before the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are actually stopped.
  • the reel 3L, 3C, 3R that corresponds to the pressed stop button 7L, 7C, 7R is rotated so as to slide the determined number of frames, and then stopped.
  • a win is determined (A12). More specifically, a win type is determined based on a combination of symbols of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R that are stopped on the center line 8c. Then, medals depending on the determined win are credited or paid out (A13). Here, the number of medals to be acquired depending on the determined win is indicated by the number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18. Depending on an operation of the C/P button made by the player, the acquired medals are credited or all medals that have already been acquired are paid out through the medal payout opening 15. When paying out medals, controller 60 transmits the number of medals paid out to the medal lending device 10b.
  • the credited medals can be bet for a next game by pressing the BET button 11 in the next game.
  • the game mode shifts to the BB base game mode or the RB game mode.
  • the controller 60 checks the number of games which should be played in the BB base game mode or the RB game mode (A15). More specifically, the controller 60 checks how many times a shifting to the RB game mode was made, how many games are set in the BB base game mode, how many times a win was made in the RB game mode, and how many games are set in the RB game mode.
  • A16 determined is whether the bonus game mode should be ended. More specifically, when, in the third RB game mode after the BB was won, 8 wins are made or 12 games are played, or when, in the BB base game mode, 30 games are played, it is determined that the bonus game mode should be ended. When, in the RB game mode after the RB was won as a result of a combination of "Red 7 - Red 7 - Blue 7" appearing on the activated line, 8 wins are made or 12 games are played, it is determined that the bonus game mode' should be ended. When it is determined that the bonus game mode should not be ended (A16: NO), the processing returns to A2. When it is determined that the bonus game mode should be ended (A16: YES), the bonus game mode is ended (A17), and the game mode shifts to the base game mode. Then, the processing returns to A2.
  • the controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b displays the demo screen of FIG. 7 on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (B1). Then, the controller 70 determines whether, in the demo screen, any button other than the "DEMO” button 252a shown in the function select area 251a is touched or not (B2). When the player 103 touches the "DEMO” button 252a or does not touch any button, it is determined that a button other than the "DEMO” button 252a is not touched (B2: NO), and the processing returns to B1 so that the demo screen remains displayed on the liquid crystal display 25.
  • the controller 70 determines whether the "REGISTER” button 252b is touched or not (B3). When it is determined that the "REGISTER” button 252b is touched (B3: YES), the register screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 and then a registration processing of FIG. 16 is executed (B5).
  • C1 whether in the register screen a name has been inputted or not is determined. More specifically, determined are whether a name of the player 103 has been inputted in the field 254b shown in FIG. 8 and then the "OK" button 254c shown in FIG. 8 has been touched or not.
  • C1: NO whether a name has not been inputted
  • C13: NO whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the register screen was displayed or not is determined (C13).
  • C13 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the register screen was displayed or not.
  • the processing returns to C1.
  • the predetermined period of time has elapsed (C13: YES)
  • the processing exits from this routine and returns to B1 of FIG. 15 so that the demo screen is displayed.
  • the "SHOOT” button 254d in the register screen becomes selectable (C2). Then, whether the "SHOOT” button 254d has been touched or not is determined (C3).
  • the controller 70 waits until the "SHOOT” button 254d is touched.
  • the CCD camera 24 shoots the player 103 (C4). More specifically, the CCD camera is constantly transmitting image data of the player 103 to the controller 70, and the image data is temporarily stored in an image RAM (not shown) of the controller 70. At a timing when the "SHOOT” button 254d is touched, the controller 70 reads the image data out of the image RAM.
  • the controller 70 extracts a face region of the player 103 from the read image data by a known method, and generates face image data of the player 103 (C5). More specifically, in an example, the controller 70 firstly determines whether a color tone and a gradation of each pixel are within a predetermined skin-color range, and extracts a skin-color region. Then, the controller 70 extracts a face region from the skin-color region by removing from the skin-color region parts different from a face region based on their sizes and shapes. Data on the face region extracted in this manner is the face image data.
  • the controller 70 reads a machine number out of the ROM 73 (C6).
  • the controller 70 transmits to the hall computer 40 the machine number read out in C6 and registry data which includes the inputted name and the face image data generated in C5.
  • the controller 70 determines whether it has received from the hall computer 40 a notification about the registration or not (C8). When the notification has not been received (C8: NO), the controller 70 waits until it receives the notification.
  • the controller 70 determines whether a registration has been completed or not based on the notification received (C9).
  • a notification of non-registerability is received (C9: NO)
  • a message that the name has already been registered or a message that the player 103 has already been registered appears as shown in FIG. 9B or 9C (C12).
  • the processing exits from this routine, and returns to B1. of FIG. 15 in which the demo screen is displayed.
  • the register screen of FIG. 8 is displayed.
  • a message advising the player 103 to shoot himself/herself again may appear on the liquid crystal monitor 25. This can ensure that face image data of the player 103 is generated.
  • the controller 70 determines that the "MAIL” button 252c is touched, and displays the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (B6). Then, a mail transmission processing of FIG. 17 is executed (B7).
  • the controller 70 determines whether in the mail transmission screen the "TRANSMISSION" button 255d has been touched or not (D1). When the "TRANSMISSION” button 255d has not been touched (D1: NO), the controller 70 waits until the "TRANSMISSION” button 255d is touched. When the "TRANSMISSION” button 255d has been touched (D1: YES), the controller 70 then determines whether a destination address has been inputted in the address field 255b or not (D2). When a destination address has not been inputted (D2: NO), the processing returns to D1. In this case, a massage advising the player 103 to input a destination address may appear on the liquid crystal monitor 25.
  • the controller 70 transmits mail data to the hall computer 40 (D3).
  • the mail data includes a machine number of the gaming machine 10 and contents inputted in the address field 255b and the message field 255c.
  • the controller 70 determines whether it has received from the hall computer 40 a notification about the transmission of mail or not (D4). When the notification has not been received (D4: NO), the controller 70 waits until it receives the notification. When the notification has been received (D4: YES), the controller 70 determines whether a main transmission has been completed or not based on the notification received from the hall computer 40 (D5). In a case where, for example, the name inputted in the address field 255b has not been registered in the hall computer 40, a mail transmission is uncompleted (D5: NO). In this case, a message advising the player 103 to review the destination address appears as shown in FIG. 10C (D7), and the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed again (D8).
  • the controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b executes the main routine of FIG. 15, while it also executes a player authentication processing of FIG. 18 under the condition where an ID card is inserted into the card insertion slot 26b.
  • the authentication processing is being continuously executed while an ID card is being inserted into the card insertion slot 26b.
  • the controller 70 reads face image data out of an IC chip of an inserted ID card (E1). The data thus read out is temporarily stored in the RAM 72. Then, the CCD camera 24 shoots a player (E2), and face image data is generated in the same manner as described above (E3). In E4, the controller 70 compares the face image data read out of the ID card in E1 with the face image data generated in E3. Then, the controller 70 determines whether these two pieces of face image data are identical or not (E5). More specifically, in E4, the controller 70 calculates a similarity between the two pieces of face image data by a known method. In E5, when the similarity calculated in E4 is equal to or more than a threshold value it is determined that the two pieces of face image data are identical, and when the similarity is less than the threshold value it is determined that the two pieces of face image data are not identical.
  • the controller 70 determines that the player 103 who is currently trying to play a game in the gaming machine 10 is not identical to a player who is registered in the ID card. Thus, the controller 70 forces the ID card out from the card insertion slot 26b (E10), and the processing exits from this routine. That is, in this case the player 103 cannot start a game.
  • the controller 70 transmits a game start permission signal to the main body 10a of the gaming machine 10 (E6). Then, the controller 70 reads a machine number and game status data out of the RAM 72 (E7). In E8, the controller 70 transmits to the hall computer 40 authentication data, which includes the face image data generated in E3 and the machine number and the game status data read out in E7.
  • the controller 70 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed or not since the CCD camera 24 previously shot the player 103. When the predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed (E9: NO), the controller 70 waits until the predetermined period of time elapses. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed (E9: YES), the processing returns to E2 and the above-described operations are repeated.
  • the controller 80 of the counter 30 firstly determines, based on a detection signal transmitted from the medal sensor 31S, whether a medal or medals is/are inserted into the medal receiver 31 or not (F1). When no medal is inserted (F1: NO), the controller 80 waits until a medal is inserted. When a medal or medals is/are inserted (F1: YES), the controller 80 counts the medal(s) that have been inserted into the medal receiver 31, based on the detection signal transmitted from the medal sensor 31S. Then, the controller 80 displays a result of the counting on the number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33 (F2).
  • the CCD camera 32 shoots a counting person 104 (F3), and generates face image data in the same manner as described above (F4).
  • the controller 80 transmits to the hall computer 40 a medal count data, which corresponds to the result of the counting performed in F2, and the face image data of the counting person 104 which was generated in F4.
  • the controller 80 determines whether the receipt issuing button 34 is pressed or not (F6). When the receipt issuing button 34 is not pressed (F6: NO), the controller 80 waits until the receipt issuing button 34 is pressed.
  • the controller 80 drives the printing section and the discharging section of the printing unit 36, so that the result of counting the medals is printed on a receipt which is then discharged through the receipt discharge opening 35 (F7). Then, the processing returns to F1, and the above-described operations are repeated.
  • the controller 90 of the hall computer 40 firstly determines whether registry data is received from any one of the medal lending devices 10b or not (S1). When registry data is received (S1: YES), the controller 90 executes a registration processing of FIG. 21 (S2).
  • the controller 90 determines whether a name included in the received registry data is registered in the player data table stored in the storage 97 or not (S101). When the name is registered (S101: YES), the controller 90 transmits a notification of non-registerability to the medal lending device 10b that has transmitted the registry data (S109). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9B appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of the medal lending device 10b. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 determines whether face image data included in the registry data is registered in the player data table stored in the storage 97 or not (S102). More specifically, the controller 90 compares a local image of the face image data included in the received registry data with a local image of face image data included in each data set stored in the player data table. When the controller 90 finds identical face image data, it determines that the face image data is registered.
  • the controller 90 determines that a player 103 who is attending to the current registration has already been registered, and transmits a notification of non-registerability to the medal lending device 10b that has transmitted the registry data (S107). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9C appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of the medal lending device 10b. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 registers a player 103 based on the received registry data and the machine number received together with the registry data (S103). More specifically, the controller 90 creates a new data set in the player data table stored in the storage 97. Then, the controller 90 transmits a notification that the registration has been completed to the gaming machine 10 that is a sender of the registry data (S104). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9A appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of the medal lending device 10b, and an ID card is issued.
  • the controller 90 retrieves, from the gaming machine data table stored in the storage 97, a data set corresponding to the gaming machine 10 that is a sender of the registry data (S105). Face image data included in the retrieved data set is rewritten into the face image data included in the received registry data, and game status data included in the data set is reset (S106).
  • resetting the game status data means setting the number of payout medals to zero. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 determines whether authentication data is received from any of the medal lending devices 10b (S3).
  • authentication data is received (S3: YES)
  • the controller 90 executes a player data table updating processing of FIG. 22 (S4).
  • the controller 90 determines whether face image data included in the received authentication data is registered in the player data table stored in the storage 97 or not (S201). When the face image data included in the received authentication data is registered (S201: YES), the controller 90 retrieves a corresponding data set from the player data table (S202). The controller 90 determines whether a machine number included in the retrieved data set is identical to a machine number included in the received authentication data (5203).
  • the controller 90 determines that the player 103 has moved to another gaming machine 10, and rewrites the machine number included in the retrieved data set into the machine number included in the received authentication data (S204). Subsequently, the controller 90 rewrites game status data included in the retrieved data set into game status data included in the received authentication data (S205).
  • the controller 90 determines that the player 103 has not moved to any other gaming machine 10, i.e., has been staying at the same gaming machine 10, and rewrites game status data alone included in the retrieved data set (S205).
  • the controller 90 After S205, the controller 90 notifies a staff 105 that data stored in the storage 97 have been updated, by means of the display 96 (S207). Then, the processing exits from this routine.
  • the controller 90 determines that there is high possibility of occurrence of an error or fraud by the player 103. This is because face image data of the player 103 is not registered in the player data table of the hall computer 40 although the medal lending device 10b determines that face image data registered in the ID card and face image data obtained from a shooting are identical (see E5 of FIG. 18). Therefore, through the display 96, the controller 90 notifies the staff 105 that fraud or an error has occurred (S206), and the processing exits from this routine.
  • face image data of the player 103 is checked twice.
  • the medal lending device 10b compares face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera 24 with face image data registered in an ID card, and in addition the hall computer 40 subsequently examines whether the face image data is registered in the player data table or not. As a result, authentication accuracy is improved to more easily prevent occurrence of an error or fraud by a player.
  • the controller 90 executes a gaming machine data table updating processing of FIG. 23 (S5).
  • the controller 90 retrieves from the gaming machine data table a data set that corresponds to a machine number included in the received authentication data (S301).
  • the controller 90 determines whether face image data included in the retrieved data set is identical to face image data included in the received authentication data (S302). When they are not identical (S302: NO), the controller 90 determines based on game status data included in the retrieved data set whether a game mode currently adopted in the gaming machine 10 is any of the BB base game mode and the RB game mode (S303).
  • the controller 90 When the current game mode is neither the BB base game mode nor the RB game mode (S303: NO), the controller 90 rewrites face image data included in the retrieved data set into face image data included in the received authentication data and at the same time resets the game status data included in the data set (S304).
  • the controller determines that the same player 103 continues playing a game in the gaming machine 10, and rewrites the game status data alone into game status data included in the received authentication data (S306).
  • the controller 90 After S304 or S306, the controller 90 notifies a staff 105 that data stored in the storage 97 have been updated, by means of the display 96 (S307). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller determines that a player 103 playing in the gaming machine 10 has been replaced in a bonus game mode, and notifies a staff 105 of replacement by means of the display 96 (S305). As a result, while a player 103 who plays a game in the bonus game mode is temporarily leaving a gaming machine 10, another player cannot resume the game in the gaming machine 10. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 determines whether medal count data is received from any of the counters 30 or not (S6).
  • the controller 90 executes a counting person monitoring processing of FIG. 24 (S7).
  • the controller 90 determines whether face image data, which has been received together with the medal count data from the counter 30, is registered or not in the player data table stored in the storage 97 (S401). When the face image data is registered (S401: YES), a data set corresponding to the face image data is retrieved from the player data table (S402). Then, the controller 90 compares the number of payout medals that is included in the retrieved data set with the received medal count data (S403), and then determines whether they are identical or not (S404). When they are identical (S404: YES), it is deemed to be normal and thus the processing exits from this routine.
  • the controller 90 determines that, for example, there is high possibility that the counting person 104 who is using the counter 30 has dishonestly brought medals in from the outside. Therefore, through the display 96, the controller 90 notifies the staff 105 of occurrence of fraud (S406). Then, the processing exits from this routine.
  • the controller 30 may determine that the number of payout medals and the result of counting medals are identical.
  • the controller 90 determines whether the face image data is registered in the staff data.table stored in the storage 97 or not (S405).
  • the controller 90 determines that a staff 105 counts medals in the counter 30 on behalf of the player 103, and the processing exits from this routine.
  • the controller 90 determines that someone other than the player 103 nor the staff 105 is using the counter 30, which is therefore notified to the staff 105 through the display 96 (S406). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 can check whether the counting person 104 has actually played a game and acquired the medals by himself/herself or not. This can prevent a counting person 104 from practicing fraud with the counter 30.
  • the number of medals counted by the counter 30, which is expressed by the received medal count data is compared with the number of medals paid out of the gaming machine 10, which means the number of medals included in the retrieved data set (S403). Thereby, the controller 90 can check whether a counting person 104 has dishonestly brought medals in or not.
  • the controller 90 determines that a mail data is received from any of the medal lending devices 10b and executes a mail transmission/reception processing of FIG. 25 (S8).
  • the controller 90 specifies a name of a player 103 who has transmitted a mail, based on a machine number included in the received mail data (S501). More specifically, the controller 90 retrieves, from the gaming machine data table stored in the storage 97, a data set corresponding to the machine number included in the received mail data, and specifies a name based on the data set.
  • the controller 90 determines whether the name specified in S501 is registered in the player data table or not (S502). When the name is not registered (S502: NO), the controller 90 determines that a sender of the mail does not exist, and transmits a notification of transmission error to a gaming machine 10 that is a sender of the mail (S507). In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 10C is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of a medal lending device 10b included in the gaming machine 10. Thus, the processing exits from this routine.
  • the controller 90 retrieves a data set corresponding to the name from the player data table (S503), and specifies a machine number included in the data set (S504). Then, the controller 90 transmits the mail data to a gaming machine 10 that is assigned to the specified machine number, i.e., that is a destination of the mail (S505). Then, the controller 90 transmits a notification that a mail transmission has been completed to the gaming machine 10 that is a sender of the mail (S506). In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of the medal lending device 10b included in the gaming machine 10. Thus, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
  • the controller 90 rewrites a machine number (S204). That is, each time a player 103 changes a gaming machine 10, contents of the storage 97 of the hall computer 40 are accordingly rewritten.
  • the hall computer 40 transmits the mail based on a machine number that is associated with the name with reference to the storage 97. Accordingly, when a player 103 wants to communicate with another player 103, he/she does not have to know which gaming machine 10 another player 103 is using now, but has only to transmit a mail addressed to a name of another player 103, so as to transmit the mail to another player 103 thus communicating with another player 103. In addition, a player 103 can concentrate on a game because he/she does not have to exert an effort to always know which gaming machine 10 his/her communicatee is using now.
  • the number of medals counted by the counter 30 is compared with the number of medals paid out by the hopper 69 of a gaming machine 10.
  • a staff 105 is notified of occurrence of fraud through the display 96 (S406).
  • the storage 97 of the hall computer 40 stores therein the staff data table (see FIG. 13) including a face image data of each staff 105.
  • the staff data table see FIG. 13
  • S405 whether a face image data of a counting person 104 received from the counter 30 is registered in the staff data table or not is determined. This tells whether a person who is counting medals on the counter 30 is a staff 105 or not.
  • a player 103 is shot at predetermined intervals (E9 and E2), and face image data thus generated is outputted to the hall computer 40. Accordingly, even when a player 103 has changed during a game, it can immediately be detected. For example, if, while a player 103 who plays a game in the bonus game mode is temporarily leaving a gaming machine 10, another player 103 resumes the game in the gaming machine 10 without permission, this fraud can immediately be detected.
  • the player authentication processing (see FIG. 18) utilizes face image data of a player 103 which is registered in the hall computer 40, the authentication processing' cannot be executed when a trouble occurs in a network that connects the respective gaming machines 10 to the hall computer 40 or when a data table, etc., stored in the hall computer 40 is erased.
  • face image data formed based on a shooting by the CCD camera 24 are not transmitted from the medal lending device 10b to the hall computer 40.
  • each medal lending device 10b itself authenticates a player 103 by comparing face image data stored in an ID card with face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera 24 (E4).
  • the authentication processing is reliably executed even when the above-mentioned troubles occur.
  • registry data is stored in an ID card which is owned by each player 103, so that data management can easily be done.
  • the CCD camera 24 is mounted on the medal lending device 10b, so that the CCD camera 24 shoots, in an oblique direction, a player 103 who is sitting in front of the main body 10a.
  • the main body 10a is provided with a CCD camera 124 as shown in FIG. 26.
  • an image obtained is a front image of a player 103 resulting from a shooting by the CCD camera 124.
  • This gives improved reliability to a shooting result by the CCD camera 124, and therefore an authentication error does not easily occur, so as to improve authentication accuracy.
  • the CCD camera 24 is mounted on a device that is separate from both of the main body 10a and the medal lending device 10b.
  • a device that images a player 103 is not limited to the CCD camera 24, but may for example be a CMOS camera or any other cameras.
  • the main body 10a and the medal lending device 10b of the gaming machine 10 may be controlled by a single controller.
  • the hall computer 40 transmits a signal to the counter 30 so as to prevent the ticket issuer 30b from issuing a receipt in a case where face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera 32 is not registered in the player data table (S401: NO) or in a case where the received medal count data is not identical to the number of payout medals included in the retrieved data set (S404: NO). This can prevent fraud in the counter 30.
  • an ID card insertion slot is formed in the counter 30, in order that the controller 80 of the counter 30 can compare face image data read out of the ID card with face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera. Further, it may be possible that not only the registry data but also the number of medals paid out of the gaming machine 10 is stored in an ID card, in order that the controller 80 of the counter 30 can compare the number of payout medals read out of the ID card with a result of counting based on a detection signal from the medal sensor 31S. That is, although in the above-described embodiment the hall computer 40 performs the counting person monitoring processing (see FIG.
  • each counter 30 itself may detect a counting person 104 practicing fraud by executing the above-mentioned comparison. This makes it possible for each counter 30 to detect a counting person 104 practicing fraud even when communication with the hall computer 40 is broken by a network trouble, etc.
  • Face image data of a player 103 is used as the player image data item in the above-described embodiment, but alternatively image data of a certain part, e.g., a nose or an eye, of the player 103 other than a face may be used.
  • image data of a certain part e.g., a nose or an eye
  • a method of generating a player image data item and a method of checking image data are not limited to the ones employed in the above-described embodiment.
  • a mail is transmitted and received through the liquid crystal monitor 25 mounted on the medal lending device 10b.
  • the liquid crystal display 5 of the main body 10a of the gaming machine may serve to transmit and receive a mail.
  • the identification data item to which a mail is addressed may either be a real name and a handle name, and alternatively may be anything other than the name, as long as it enables identification of each individual player.
  • a notification means is not limited to the display 96 of the hall computer 40 but may be, for example, a portable device which is carried by a staff 105 and through which the staff 105 is notified of fraud and the like.
  • the controller 60 of the main body 10a is connected to the hall computer 40 through the controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b.
  • the controller 60 may be directly connected to the hall computer 40. In this case, it may be possible that the controller 60 of the main body 10a transmits data received from the controller 70 of the medal lending device 10b to the hall computer 40.
  • the gaming machines 10, the counters 30, and the hall computer 40 may be connected wirelessly.
  • the gaming machine 10 is not limited to a pachi-slot machine, but may be a so-called pinball machine using pinballs.
  • a card that stores therein game values given to a player may be used as a game medium.
  • the game value may not only be a medal but also be a coin, a pinball, and the like.

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EP06011083A 2005-05-31 2006-05-30 Server und Spielsystem Withdrawn EP1736941A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2005158416A JP2006333884A (ja) 2005-05-31 2005-05-31 遊技者管理サーバ及び遊技者管理システム
JP2005158415A JP2006333883A (ja) 2005-05-31 2005-05-31 遊技者管理サーバ及び遊技者管理システム

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US20060287107A1 (en) 2006-12-21

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