JP2000093634A - Communication network corresponding game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the result of a horse race to be displayed and a horse race ticket to be purchased during playing a pachinko game, etc., by equipping a communication means connected to an external communication network to enable to communicate with the communication network side and enabling to selectively display the communication information on the display device of a game machine. SOLUTION: This pachinko machine is equipped with a control means 28 comprising CPU, etc. The control means 28 is equipped with a game control part 29, a display control part 30, and a communication control part 31. The game control part 29 mainly deals with controls of game actions such as jackpot processing, etc., and can be detachably connected with a communication network 34 through a connection means 33. An input means 36 is connected with the communication control part 31 so that a player can respond to communication information such as received information displayed on a display device 15 equipped in the game area to enable the data inputted by the input means 36 to the communication network 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication network compatible gaming machine having a function as an information terminal device of a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines installed in a game arcade include a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine and a sparrow ball machine, and a spinning machine such as a slot machine. These gaming machines are generally provided with a display device of a liquid crystal type or the like on the front side of the gaming machine main body, and are configured to display various game information related to symbols and other games to the player with this display device. .

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, there is horse racing. However, once a player enters a game arcade and starts a game such as a pachinko game, it is difficult for an outsider to obtain information on horse racing in real time or to purchase a winning voting ticket (betting ticket). You will not be able to do so unless you take any other measures such as contacting them. Therefore, the player may be forced to continue the game while paying attention to the result of the horse race or wishing to purchase a betting ticket while suppressing the feeling.

[0004] On the other hand, in a game arcade such as a pachinko parlor located in a surrounding area such as a horse racecourse, on the day of the horse race or the like, a large number of people go to the horse racecourse, and the number of gamers may decrease. Therefore, in such a game arcade in the region, it is necessary to take measures to prevent a decrease in the number of customers due to holding a horse race or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem,
Able to communicate with the external communication network side, for example, to display the results of horse racing and to enable purchase of a betting ticket, and to satisfy the player's demands such as horse racing, It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication network-compatible gaming machine that can also contribute to preventing the number of players from decreasing.

[0006]

The present invention comprises a communication means 52 connected to an external communication network 34, and is configured to be able to communicate with the communication network 34 via the communication means 52. .

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a communication network compatible gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a card-type pachinko machine.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pachinko machine main body (game machine main body) having a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 pivotally connected to the outer frame 2 via a hinge so as to be freely opened and closed. ing.
The pachinko machine main body 1 is mounted on the island side of the game arcade side by side with the card-type ball rental device 4 alternately.

The ball lending device 4 is for lending processing of game balls. The ball lending device 4 has a card insertion / ejection slot 5 for removably inserting a prepaid card and a prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 5. Card reading / writing unit 6 for reading and writing information, and card insertion indicator light that lights when a prepaid card is inserted into card insertion / ejection slot 5
7 and a card insertion / ejection feed mechanism (not shown).

The front frame 3 has a rectangular opening 8, a glass door 9 and a front plate 10 arranged vertically in the opening 8, and the rear side of the front frame 3 corresponding to the glass door 9. Game board 11
Are removably arranged. Glass door 9 and front panel 10
Is pivotally attached to the front frame 3 by a hinge on the left end side so as to be freely opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 11 has a guide rail 12 for guiding a game ball, a normal winning opening 13, a starting opening 14, and a display device arranged in a game area inside the guide rail 12. There are game parts such as 15, winning opening 16, etc.
The display device 15 appropriately displays images of game information on the game such as a variable symbol and communication information such as externally received information and internally transmitted information, and is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

The front plate 10 is made of a horizontally long rectangular sheet metal material or the like. An upper plate 17 for storing game balls for firing is mounted on the front side of the front plate 10, and on the back side of the front plate 10. ,
A ball feed mechanism (not shown) for sending game balls from the upper plate 17 one by one to the firing device 18 side is mounted. Launching device 18
A firing handle 19 mounted on the front side of the front frame 3, a hitting hammer (not shown) for hitting a game ball on the firing rail toward the game board 11, and a hitting hammer driven when the firing handle 19 is operated. A firing motor (not shown);
By operating, game balls can be fired one by one toward the game board 11 side. In addition to the firing handle 19, a lower plate 20 for storing surplus balls is attached to a lower portion of the front frame 3.

The upper plate 17 has a storage section 21 for storing game balls,
The ball aligning portion 22 narrows from the storage portion 21 to the ball feeding mechanism side along the front plate 10 and is covered by the upper plate cover 50. The upper plate cover 50 is provided with a ball release lever 23 for extracting game balls in the upper plate 17 to the lower plate 20 side on a front portion of the ball alignment portion 22 side. A substantially flat flat portion 51 is provided in the upper surface portion therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 3, a ball lending information display section 24 for displaying ball lending information by the card type ball lending device 4, a ball lending operation section 25, Display selection means 35, input means 36 and the like are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball lending information display section 24 is configured by arranging a plurality of display elements of, for example, a 7-segment type in the horizontal direction.

The ball lending operation unit 25 includes a ball lending information display unit 24
And a ball lending switch 26 and a return switch 27 arranged on the left and right. When the ball lending switch 26 is operated, the ball lending device 4 issues a ball lending request, and the payout mechanism (not shown) on the back side of the pachinko machine main body 1 pays out the game balls to the upper plate 17 and lends them. When the return switch 27 is operated, the prepaid card is returned from the card insertion / ejection slot 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of the pachinko machine main body 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, solid-line arrows indicate the connection relationship of each unit and the signal transmission direction, and broken-line arrows indicate the direction in which each unit operates.

The pachinko machine main body 1 is provided with control means 28 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 28 includes a game control unit 29, a display control unit 30, and a communication control unit.
With 31. The game control unit 29 includes a starting port 14 on the game board 11 side,
It is connected to the other game parts 32 and the like, and mainly controls a jackpot process and other game operations.

The communication control section 31 is detachably connected to a communication network 34 via a connection means 33. The communication control section 31 and the connection means 33 constitute a communication means 52. The communication means 52 is capable of two-way communication with an external host computer or the like via the communication network 34, and communicates mutual transmission of communication information such as transmission information and reception information during the two-way communication. The control unit 31 controls. Therefore, the communication means 52 is connected to the communication network 34.
Not only receive information on the communication network
It is configured so that transmission information can be transmitted to 34. It should be noted that the pachinko machine 1 may only receive or transmit the pachinko machine 1.

The display control unit 30 displays the game information from the game control unit 29 and the communication information such as the transmission information and the reception information from the communication control unit 31 on the display device 15 as images.
The display selection unit 35 is connected to the display control unit 30.
The display selection means 35 is for selecting and switching the display content of the display device 15, and the player operates the display selection means 35 to select one of the game information and the communication information and to display the display device. 15 can be displayed.

In this embodiment, when display of communication information such as reception information is selected by the display selection means 35, as shown by a virtual line in FIG.
a is displayed. The communication information is
The information may be displayed on the entire screen of the display device 15.

The communication control unit 31 of the control means 28 includes a display device.
Input means 36 for inputting data so that the player can respond to the communication information such as the reception information displayed on 15
Is connected, and the data input by the input means 36 is transmitted to the communication network 34 via the communication control unit 31 and the connection means 33.

The display selection means 35 has a display selection key 37,
Each time the display selection key 37 is operated, the display screen of the display device 15 is sequentially switched to a game information screen for displaying game information and a communication information screen 15a for displaying received information and transmission information. . When there are a plurality of communication information screens 15a, all of the plurality of communication information screens 15a and the game information screen may be sequentially switched.

The input means 36 includes arrow keys 38 in four directions of up, down, left, and right, an enter key 39, and a cancel key 40, and the cursor on the screen of the display device 15 is moved up, down, left, and right by each of the arrow keys 38. By selecting and confirming or canceling the character or symbol at the cursor position with the enter key 39 and the cancel key 40, data can be input on the screen, and the data can be transmitted as transmission information to the communication network 34. It is possible.

The display selection key 37, the arrow key 38, the enter key 39, and the cancel key 40 are used so that the player can easily operate them.
It is provided on the flat portion 51 of the upper plate cover 50 on the front side of the pachinko machine main body 1. Of course, it is not limited to the flat portion 51 of the upper plate cover 50, and may be appropriately arranged at another position where the player can easily operate.

The communication means 52 is a communication network such that the pachinko machine itself can be used as an information terminal device for information relating to horse racing, information relating to lottery, and the like.
Via 34, it is connected to a host computer (not shown) having such information. And display selection means
When the communication information is selected by 35, a menu screen for selecting, for example, a horse racing result display screen and a betting ticket purchase screen is displayed on the communication information screen 15a of the display device 15, and the operation is performed according to the display of the menu screen. If you go, you can view race results and purchase betting tickets.

The purchase of a betting ticket or a lottery ticket is merely an example, and other commercial transactions with the host computer,
For example, it may be possible to purchase a bicycle ticket, an auto race ticket, a boat ticket, and the like. In addition to connecting to a host computer having predetermined information via a dedicated communication network 34, it is also possible to connect to another general-purpose communication network. For example, by connecting to the Internet,
Various kinds of information can be displayed on the homepage, and business transactions can be performed on the homepage. Further, the information can be further developed so that some information can be transmitted on the Internet.

Next, how to use the pachinko machine will be described. First, when a prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 5 of the ball lending device 4, the balance of the prepaid card is displayed on the ball lending information display section 24. Then, when the player operates the ball lending switch 26 of the ball lending operation unit 25,
The signal is sent to the ball lending device 4, and in response to a ball lending request from the ball lending device 4, the payout mechanism of the pachinko machine main body 1 operates to pay out and lend the game balls to the upper plate 17 side. At this time, the card balance of the prepaid card is subtracted according to the operation of the player, and the balance after the subtraction is used as the ball lending information display section.
Appears on 24.

During the game, game information is displayed on the display device 15, and a normal pachinko game is possible. When the player operates the return switch 27 when ending the game, a return signal is sent to the ball lending device 4 side, and the prepaid card is returned from the card insertion / ejection slot 5. At the same time, the display of the ball lending information display section 24 disappears.

Even if the remaining amount of the prepaid card is exhausted during the game, the prepaid card is returned from the card insertion / ejection slot 5, so that the player can insert the next card as necessary. Insert into 5. When a prepaid card with no card balance and no value is inserted, the prepaid card is returned from the card insertion / ejection slot 5.

For example, when purchasing a betting ticket in the middle of a game, the player interrupts the firing of the game ball and then selects the display selection key.
By operating 37, the screen of the display device 15 is switched from the screen containing only game information to the communication information screen 15a containing received information. Then, a communication information screen 15a appears on the display device 15 so that a background screen 15b including a character or the like remains in a part. Of course, only the communication information screen 15a may be displayed.

FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate display screens of communication information. FIG. 5A shows a menu screen. When the cursor (not shown) is moved on this menu screen by the arrow keys 38 and [1] or [2] is selected, FIG.
The screen is switched to the screen of (b) or FIG. 5 (c). FIG. 5 (b)
Is a display screen of the race result of the menu [1]. When a race number is selected on the screen with the arrow keys 38 or the like, the respective wins such as a win type, a multiple win type, a frame number streak, a horse number streak, etc. The number is displayed. 5 (b) and FIG.
On the screen of (c), information such as the host racetrack and the date may also be displayed.

FIG. 5 (c) shows a betting ticket purchase screen of menu [2].
Type of betting ticket (win, win, win number, win number, etc.)
In addition, items such as the expected number, the player's ID number, the account number of the financial institution for settlement, the registrant number of the betting ticket purchase, and the like are displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 5C, a cursor (not shown) is moved to an item which requires input, and
When 39 is pressed, the screen is switched to an input screen (not shown) in which numbers, alphabets, and the like necessary for input are arranged. On the screen, an arrow key 38, an enter key 39, and a cancel key 40 if necessary.
Execute the input using. The input can be performed without switching to the input screen. For example, on the screen of FIG. 5 (c), after moving the cursor on the required item and pressing the enter key 39, the cursor is moved to the input position (the input digit of the number, etc.) by the right and left arrow keys 38. And up and down arrow keys
According to 38, a number or an alphabet may be selected at that digit position.

When the input of each item is completed, a data confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5D appears. When "OK" is selected and the data is confirmed, the screen is switched to a betting ticket purchase confirmation screen of FIG. 5E. When "OK" is selected again on this confirmation screen to confirm the purchase, the input data is transmitted to the host computer. This completes the betting ticket purchase procedure and the money is deducted from the player's account.

The settlement of the winning horse betting ticket may be processed by depositing money into an account of a financial institution or the like. FIG. 5 shows a display screen relating to horse racing, but also in the case of a lottery or the like.
What is necessary is just to be able to operate by almost the same procedure.

Thus, the pachinko machine is connected to the communication network.
By making it correspond to 34, it becomes possible for the player to view the race result of the horse race or purchase a betting ticket while playing the game, so that the request of the player can be satisfied.
At the same time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the number of gamers on the horse race date and the like.

As mentioned above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be implemented in various other modes. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to various game machines other than pachinko machines, for example, other ball game machines such as arrangement ball machines and sparrow ball machines, but also to spinning machine machines such as slot machines. It is possible. In the case of a ball-and-ball game machine, the present invention can be applied to a normal machine other than the card type.

Further, in the embodiment, the example in which the settlement of the commercial transaction such as the purchase of a betting ticket is settled in the account of the financial institution of the player has been described, but the settlement is performed using a valuable storage medium such as a prepaid card or an IC card. You may do it. In this case, since the amount of money for purchasing a betting ticket or the like can be kept within the range of the remaining amount of the valuable storage medium, it is possible to prevent the player from using money more than necessary. Of course, in the case of making a payment using a valuable storage medium such as a prepaid card or an IC card, a limit that can be settled at a time may be set in advance, and the limit may be set as the upper limit.

If a card is used, the input on the screen of the display device 15 can be simplified since the account number of the financial institution is not required. When the prepaid card system is adopted, a prepaid card for purchasing game balls may be used, or a dedicated prepaid card may be used separately.

When a prepaid card for purchasing game balls is also used for settlement of commercial transactions, the card reading / writing unit 6
Can also be used as the card reader / writer for the commercial transaction. On the other hand, dedicated prepaid cards and ICs
When a card is used, the gaming machine may be provided with a card reader / writer for exclusive use of commerce on the communication network 34, and the card reader / writer may use the card to withdraw money from the card.

In FIG. 1, the ball lending device 4 is provided with a card reading / writing device 41 for business transactions and a card insertion / ejection port 42 on the communication network 34 separately from the card reading / writing unit 6 for ball lending. Examples are shown in phantom lines.

When a dedicated prepaid card is used for purchasing a betting ticket or the like, it is possible to provide a remaining amount display section dedicated to the card. Further, the display of the ball lending information display unit 24 may be switched between the balance of the ball lending card and the balance of the betting ticket purchase card in accordance with the operation of the display selection key 37 without providing a dedicated balance display unit.

Further, with the insertion of the dedicated prepaid card, the display of the ball lending information display section 24 automatically switches from the balance of the ball lending card to the balance of the betting ticket purchase card. When the operation is completed, the display can be automatically returned.

In the above embodiment, the communication means 52 for the communication network 34 is provided for each gaming machine so that each gaming machine is individually connected to the communication network 34. ) May be separately provided in the game arcade, and each gaming machine may be connected to the communication network 34 via this communication terminal.

Further, when the input means 36 is operated by mistake and there is no predetermined input thereafter, the display on the display device 15 may return to the original state after a predetermined time has elapsed. The input means 36 may be provided with a reset switch.

[0046]

According to the present invention, an external communication network 34 is provided.
The communication means 52 is connected to the communication network 34 via the communication means 52, so that it is possible to communicate via the external communication network 34 during the game, which is convenient. Is significantly improved.

In a gaming machine provided with a display device 15 capable of displaying game information on the front side of the gaming machine main body 1, one communication means 52 connected to an external communication network 34, and one communication means 52 Since the display device 15 includes the display control unit 30 for displaying the communication information transmitted in the direction or the two directions on the display device 15, the communication can be performed via the external communication network while displaying the communication information on the display device 15. Therefore, for example, when used for displaying a race result of a horse race or for purchasing a betting ticket, it is possible to satisfy a request relating to a player's interests such as a horse race and to prevent a decrease in the number of players in a game hall on a horse race holding date and the like. Can contribute.

In addition, a display device 15 capable of displaying game information is provided on the front side of the main body 1 of the gaming machine, and is a communication network compatible gaming machine configured to correspond to the communication network 34. Communication means 52 to be connected, and display selection means for selecting communication information and game information transmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionally via the communication means 52
35, and when the communication information is selected by the display selection means 35, the communication information is displayed on at least a part of the display device 15, so that the game information and the communication information are selected and displayed. The information can be displayed on the device 15, and at the time of communication, communication information is displayed on at least a part of the display device 15, and communication can be performed via the external communication network 34.

Further, since the display selection means 35 is provided on the front side of the gaming machine main body 1, the display selection means 35 can be easily operated.

The communication network 34 is provided with communication means 52 capable of transmitting communication information, and the input means 36 for responding to the communication information displayed on the display device 15 is connected to the communication means 52. By means 36, communication information can be transmitted while information is being input.

Further, since the input means 36 is provided on the front side of the gaming machine main body 1, the input means 36 can be easily operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a main part illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a schematic circuit configuration illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

5A to 5E are explanatory diagrams of a communication information screen of a display device illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of sign]

 1 Pachinko machine (game machine) 6 Card read / write unit 15 Display unit 30 Display control unit 34 Communication network 35 Display selection unit 36 Input unit 41 Card read / write unit 52 Communication unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] A communication network comprising communication means (52) connected to an external communication network (34), and capable of communicating with the communication network (34) via the communication means (52). Compatible gaming machines. 2. A game machine provided with a display device (15) capable of displaying game information on the front side of a game machine main body (1), comprising a communication means (52) connected to an external communication network (34). A display controller (30) for displaying, on the display device (15), communication information transmitted in one direction or two directions via the communication means (52). Machine. 3. A communication network compatible gaming machine comprising a display device (15) capable of displaying game information on a front side of a gaming machine main body (1) and adapted to correspond to a communication network (34). Communication means (52) connected to an external communication network (34), and display selection means (game information) for selecting communication information and game information transmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionally via the communication means (52). When communication information is selected by the display selection means (35), the communication information is displayed on the display device (15).
A communication network compatible gaming machine characterized by displaying the information on at least a part of the game machine. 4. The communication network compatible gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the display selecting means (35) is provided on the front side of the gaming machine main body (1). 5. A communication means (52) capable of transmitting communication information on a communication network (34) side, and an input means (36) for responding to communication information displayed on a display device (15) is provided. (Five
The communication network-compatible gaming machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the gaming machine is connected to (2). 6. The communication network compatible gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said input means is provided on a front side of said gaming machine main body. 7. An input means (36) comprising: a communication network (34);
7. The communication network compatible gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said gaming machine is capable of responding to said commercial transaction information. 8. The communication network-compatible gaming machine according to claim 7, further comprising a read / write device (6) (41) for a valuable storage medium used for settlement of said commercial transaction.