JP2001340610A - Supply system and method for information of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and safely supply information covering game machines and reservations available at game halls. SOLUTION: In the system which is provided with a game information supply intermediate server 2, connected to an internet 20 and hall computer terminals 9 at game halls, information covering game machines and reservations available are transmitted to a network client 3 which gets an access to the game information supply intermediate server 2 from the hall computer terminals 9 at the game halls. The game machine information confined to one game machine selected by the network client 3 is supplied as one unit to allow the limitation of the volume of the information thereby enabling the supplying of the information covering game machines and reservation available for the game machines involved in real time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and a method for supplying game machine information, and more particularly, to game machine information (for example, pachinko machines, slot machines) or reservation information for game machines via a computer network. The present invention relates to a game console information supply system for supplying reception information and a game console information supply method for supplying game information of game consoles or reservation reception information via an information supply mediation server connected to a computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game store such as a pachinko hall, a number of game machines such as a pachinko machine and a slot machine are provided. Conventionally, these gaming consoles are provided with a gaming machine number, and the game information of each gaming console (for example, the number of jackpots, the number of payouts, the probability change frequency, etc. of the previous day) is provided on each gaming console by an LED display. Was displayed on the container.

[0003] A gamer selects a game store and a game table on the day of play with reference to game information displayed on an LED display in the game store. In this way, disclosing the game information of the gaming table is, for the player side, using as a reference information for selecting a gaming store and a gaming table,
In addition to the merit of being able to play more strategically, the merchant store has the merit of improving the ability to attract customers and increasing sales by providing fast, inexpensive and useful game information to players. is there.

[0004] However, in order to obtain the game information, the player must go to each game store, cannot obtain the game information from a place away from the game store, and obtains the game information of a plurality of game stores. It was difficult to compare and evaluate the convenience of the game.

Therefore, recently, a system using the Internet has been proposed as a means for supplying game information. As such prior art, for example, JP-A-11-09
No. 9271.

[0006]

However, what is disclosed in the above-mentioned publication is for the purpose of confirming the operating results of a plurality of pachinko halls from outside the home. It did not supply game information.

[0007] Further, the present inventor considered distributing the game information of the game store to the player using the Internet, and the amount of data transmission became enormous. There is a problem that the convenience of the system is lost.

According to the market research of the present inventor, there is a demand that a player wants to quickly obtain game information of a game table at a game store, and at the same time, the player can quickly access the game table from home or outside. There is a request to make a reservation at.

The inventor of the present invention has made extensive studies on the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and as a result, has been able to provide real-time game information of a game console at a game store via a computer network (for example, the Internet which is most widely used today). And a new system and method for real-time reservation of a game console.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game console information supply system for supplying game information of a game console or reception information of a reservation via a computer network, the system being connected to the computer network. An information supply mediation server accessible from the game information recipient side, and a computer terminal installed for each of a plurality of game stores and connected to the computer network,
The information supply mediation server transmits a game information request or a game console reservation request input by the game information recipient to the computer terminal on the gaming store side with respect to the gaming table in the gaming store selected by the game information recipient. And, the computer terminal, through the information supply mediation server, or without passing through the information supply mediation server game information or reservation reception information about the gaming table,
The information is supplied to the game information receiver.

According to the invention, it is possible to quickly supply the information receiver with the game table information and the reservation reception information on the game table of the game store selected by the information receiver via the computer network. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a game information receiver is connected to a portable telephone having a screen display function to the information supply mediation server via a computer network. It is a feature.

According to the invention, it is possible to quickly and easily supply the gaming machine information and the reservation reception information to the information receiver who is out of the office.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the computer terminal is connected to a hall computer in which game information of a game console in a game store and reception information of reservation are stored. It is characterized in that in response to a game information request or a game console reservation request, game information of a game console or reception information of reservation is supplied to the computer terminal. According to this invention, the supply of the game information request or the reservation reception information can be automated and efficiently performed.

[0015] A fourth invention is a method of supplying game machine information for supplying game machine information or reservation reception information via an information supply mediation server connected to a computer network. Selecting a game store and a game console pre-stored in the information supply mediation server; and for the game console in the selected game store, a game information request or game console reservation input by a game information recipient. Inputting the request; transmitting a game information request or a game console reservation request to the computer terminal of the game store; and responding to the game information request or the game console reservation request, Supplying game information or reservation reception information about the gaming table supplied from the computer terminal to the game information recipient; and It is characterized in that it has a.

According to the invention, it is possible to quickly supply the information receiver with the game table information and the reservation reception information on the game table of the gaming store selected by the information receiver via the computer network. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect, the step of transmitting the game information request or the game console reservation request to the computer terminal at the game store includes an identifier of the game information recipient. And a step of authenticating the input identifier.

According to the present invention, gaming machine information and reservation reception information can be reliably supplied to the authenticated information receiver.

[0019] In a sixth aspect based on the fourth or fifth aspect, the step of causing the game information receiver to select a game store and a game table stored in the information supply mediation server in advance is provided. A step of causing a specific game store to be searched from among a plurality of game stores stored in advance in the information supply mediation server, and as a result of the search, a specific game table is set from a plurality of game tables installed in the corresponding game store. And a step of selecting.

According to this invention, the convenience when the information recipient selects the gaming table can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the sixth aspect, the information supply mediation server stores the name of the game store and the location / ward information in association with each other in advance, and the step of causing the game store to be searched is And a step of selecting a location ward and a step of selecting a specific game console from the gaming stores in the selected location ward.

According to the invention, the convenience when the information recipient selects the gaming table can be further improved.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a game system information supply system and supply method. Reference numeral 1 denotes a server operation center established to perform an intermediary business of information supply of a game console, and an information supply intermediation server 2 is installed in the server operation center 1. The information supply mediation server 2 is constantly connected to the Internet 20 (a typical example of a computer network) for 24 hours under an environment such as a dedicated line connection.

The network client 3 (information recipient, for example, a pachinko parlor player) has a computer terminal 4 such as a personal computer, and a mobile phone 5 (for example, An environment in which two-way communication can be performed with the information supply mediation server 2 via the Internet using a mobile phone compatible with the i-mode service provided by NTT DoCoMo) or a mobile computer 6 connected to the mobile phone 5. Has been placed.

In the pachinko hall 7 (an example of a game store), game information (for example, the number of jackpots, the number of balls, the probability variation number, and the number of balls in the top ten on the previous day) is provided for each gaming machine.
A hall computer 8 in which is stored ranking information, ranking of the worst 10 and the like, and reservation accepting information of the game console, and a hall computer terminal 9 which is connected to the hall computer 8 online. The hall computer terminal 9 is always connected to the Internet 20.

The server operation center 1 prompts the pachinko hall 7 that wants to use the present system to register a store. The pachinko hall 7 registers a list of store locations and machine numbers (one that supplies game machine information and can be reserved). The information supply mediation server 2 stores the location information of the registered gaming stores and the list information of the gaming machine numbers.

The pachinko hall 7 registered in the store
Prompts a player (network client 3) who wishes to use the system to register as a member. Then, the member number and the password are registered and stored in the information supply mediation server 2 via the Internet using the hall computer terminal 9.

Next, an outline of a method for supplying gaming machine information based on the above-described system configuration will be described. First, the network client 3 connects its own computer terminal 4 and the like to the Internet and accesses a site established by the server operation center 1 so that the computer terminal 4 and the information supply mediation server 2 are connected. Then, the operations of the following programmed steps are executed. (1) The network client 3 selects a specific game store from the game stores stored in the information supply mediation server 2 in advance. Here, a step is provided for searching for a game store using a map or for inputting a game store code. (2) The network client 3 is caused to select a specific game console in the selected game store. (3) The network client 3 is made to input a request for game information or a reservation request for a game console for the selected game console. (4) The network client 3 is made to input a member number and a password. (5) The entered member number and password are authenticated.
Here, steps (4) and (5) are necessary to secure the security of the operation of the present system and to prevent abuse of the system by non-members. (6) After the input member number and password are authenticated, a request for game information or a request for reservation is transmitted to the hall computer terminal 9 of the selected game store. As described above, steps (1) to (6) correspond to the information supply mediation server 2
This is the program operation. (7) The computer terminal 9 that has received the game information request or the reservation request transmits the game information request or the reservation request to the hall computer 8. (8) The hall computer 8 transmits the game information corresponding to the hall computer terminal 9 or the reservation accepting information (response information indicating that the reservation has been accepted or the reservation cannot be accepted). (9) The hall computer terminal 9 transmits the game information or the reservation reception information to the information supply mediation server 2. (10) The information supply mediation server 2 transmits the game information or the reservation reception information to the network client 3.

Thus, the network client 3
Then, it becomes possible to supply game information or reservation reception information. Furthermore, according to the present system and method, since the game information for one gaming table in the gaming store is supplied as one unit, the information amount is limited to, for example, several tens of characters or less, and the gaming table information is transmitted in real time. Can be supplied. And network client 3
Another advantage is that a game console can be reserved in real time.

In particular, the feature is that the amount of game information to be supplied to the network client 3 is limited to one game console information. The network client 3 connects to the Internet 20 by using, for example, an i-mode compatible mobile phone. Network information can be obtained easily and quickly via the network client 3 (information recipient)
The convenience on the side is greatly improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another system configuration for explaining a system and a method for supplying gaming machine information. FIG.
The difference from the system configuration shown in
Due to the situation on the side, the hall computer terminal 9 is not connected to the hall computer 8. An outline of a method for supplying gaming machine information in such a system configuration will be described. The program operation of the information supply mediation server 2 in the above steps (1) to (6) is performed in the same manner.

The feature of this system and method is that the system manager of the pachinko hall 7 can respond to a request for game information or a request for reservation of a game console transmitted from the information supply mediation server 2 by e-mail. Supply mediation server 2
Is transmitted directly to the network client 3 without passing through again. That is, the system staff on the pachinko hall 7 side manually performs the work of requesting the game table information or the request for the reservation, and transmitting the game information or the reception information of the reservation.
Such a system and method have an advantage that the range of selection of the system configuration is widened in consideration of the situation on the pachinko hall 7 side.

Next, an outline of an information system in the pachinko hall 7 related to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko hall 7, a number of gaming tables are juxtaposed to form islands 10A, 10B, 10C.
The gaming tables on each island are numbered. The car number is a number that appears in 4,9, for example, 14,1 according to the convention in the art.
Numbers such as 9 have been removed. The game information output from each game console, the information indicating the operating / empty status of the game console, and the information indicating whether or not the reservation has been made are stored in the island relay units 11A, 11A.
1B, 11C... And the relay unit 12
Stored in the computer 8.

Then, the hall computer 8 and the hall
When the computer terminal 9 is connected, the computer terminal 9 that has received the game information request or the reservation request for the selected game console from the server operation center 1 requests the hall computer 8 for the game console information. Alternatively, a reservation request is transmitted. Hall computer 8
Transmits the game information corresponding to the hall computer terminal 9 or the reception information of the reservation (response information indicating that the reservation has been accepted or that the reservation cannot be made).
The operation of transmitting the game information or the reception information of the reservation to the information supply mediation server 2 in the server operation center 1 is automatically executed.

On the other hand, when the hall computer 8 and the hall computer terminal 9 are not connected, the person in charge of the pachinko hall 7 operates the hall computer terminal 9 manually as described above.

Here, by inputting the output of the relay unit 12 to the hall computer terminal 9, the hall
Game information can be obtained on the computer terminal 9.
Then, the person in charge of the system transmits the game information or the reception information of the reservation of the game console to the network client 3 from the hall computer terminal 9 by e-mail.

Next, an example of screen display on a homepage on the Internet with the network client 3 connected to the game information mediation server 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the transition of the computer screen when the computer terminal (personal computer) or mobile computer connects to the Internet. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a screen transition of the i-mode compatible mobile phone. 6 to 16 are views showing display screens in each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 to 29 are diagrams showing display screens in each step of the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the transition of the computer screen will be described in order according to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
(A) is an overall flowchart, FIG. 4 (b) is a flowchart of a hall search, and FIG. 4 (c) is a flowchart of game machine reservation and information acquisition (information supply). In step 100, when the network client 3 is connected to the Internet 20 by a computer terminal (personal computer) or mobile computer, and this site is accessed, a home screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. On this screen, the numbers are arranged in order in the image of the gaming table number, and the numbers 4 and 9 are removed.

Next, at step 101, a hole search is performed. In step 102, when any of the numbers on the initial screen shown in FIG. 6 is clicked, a hole search initial screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Next, in step 103, a prefecture is selected on a map. Here, if the network client 7 already knows the hole code, in the next step 104, Quick Access
The hole code is input to the code field of s) (example: 000001).

On the other hand, if the user does not know the hole code, at step 103, the user clicks and selects the prefecture where the desired hole is located from the map of Japan on the screen (eg, Gunma prefecture). Then, the municipalities of the selected prefecture are displayed as shown in FIG.

Next, in step 105, the location of the pachinko hall (municipalities) is selected. Here, a specific municipality is clicked and selected by the network client 3 (eg, Ota City). Next, step 1
At 06, hole selection is performed. That is, the hole is clicked and selected on the next screen shown in FIG. 9 (example:
HOLE1). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the information guidance screen of the hall is displayed.

In the above-described hole search, a method is employed in which the network client 3 is caused to input a "hole name" and is searched for from the hole names registered and stored in the information mediation server 2. Is also good.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4C, of a case where a game stand reservation or game stand information in the hall is obtained. Clicking on the "Game Table Reservation & Information Acquisition" button located at the top of the screen shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, a list of game consoles in the hall is displayed. The gaming table number is the same as the actual pachinko hall,
The numbers 4 and 9 have been removed.

In step 111, a number (for example, 70) is selected by the client. Then, the next screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. Next, in step 112, one of "Receive real-time information on the gaming machine of the number by e-mail" and "Reserve the gaming machine of the number" is selected. In the case of game console reservation, it is necessary to enter the desired reservation time. Next, in step 113, the client inputs a member number and a password. Then, in the next step 114, the entered member number and password are authenticated. If the authentication is possible (OK), the pachinko hall 7 is transmitted to the hall computer terminal 9. If the authentication is not possible (NG), the process is terminated.

Note that the buttons of "hole search", "use guide", "change member information" and "home" are always displayed at the top of the screen, and the client can always move to the desired screen. When the "Usage Guide" button is clicked, an information screen relating to the use guide, request method, and membership registration of the site is displayed (not shown). When the "Home" button is clicked, the home screen ( Return to FIG.

When the "change member information" button is clicked, a member information change initial screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. Here, when "Change Password" is clicked,
The password change screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, "member number", "current password", "new password", and "confirm new password" are input, and once authenticated, transmission becomes possible. If the user makes a mistake, the user can click the reset button to re-enter.

In the above-described embodiment, the game information and the like are supplied to the network client 3 by e-mail. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An aspect in which the data is directly transmitted to the network client 3 via the network is also within the scope of the present patent.

When "change mail address" is clicked, a change mail address screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, "member number", "password", and "new mail address" are input. It becomes possible. Similarly, when "Confirm Hall" is clicked, the belonging hall confirmation screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed, and when "Member Number" and "Password" are input and authenticated, transmission becomes possible.

Next, an access method when the network client uses an i-mode compatible mobile phone will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
(A) shows an overall flowchart. Quick access (step 201), hole search (step 20)
2), password change (step 203), mail address change (step 204), belonging hole confirmation (step 205), and use guidance (step 206) are prepared. FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a hole search.

At step 200, the home screen shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. If the network client already knows the hole code, the next step 201
, "Quick access" is selected. Then, Figure 1
The quick access screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. Then, when the hall code is input (example: 00000)
1), a selection screen for the hole is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, when "game console reservation" is selected, FIG. 28,
When "gaming table information" is selected, FIG. 29, when "business hours" is selected, FIG. 25, and when "inquiry destination" is selected, FIG.
6. When “Usage guidance” is selected, FIG. 27 is displayed. Note that the method of inputting each screen is the same as the case where a computer terminal or the like is used, and thus the description is omitted.

On the other hand, if the network client does not know the hole code, "hole search" on the home screen shown in FIG. 17 is selected (step 202). Next, at step 210, local selection is performed. In this step, a region selection screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, and a region is selected (for example, Kanto). Next, in step 211, as shown in FIG. 20, the prefectures of the region are displayed,
One prefecture is selected (eg, Gunma prefecture)
In step 212, the municipalities of the selected prefecture (eg, Gunma prefecture) are displayed, and the municipalities are selected. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, a row, a row,... Are displayed. For example, when “A row” is selected, the corresponding municipalities are displayed as shown in FIG. 22. Then, for example, Ota City is selected.

In the next step 213, a hole is selected in the selected Ota city. As shown in FIG.
The corresponding hall name is displayed. For example, HOLE1 is selected, and a selection screen for the hole is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, when "business hours" is selected, the screen of FIG. 25 is displayed, when "inquiry destination" is selected, the screen of FIG. 26 is displayed, and when "use guidance" is selected, the screen of FIG. 27 is displayed. When “Game table reservation” is selected, the next step 21
Proceeding to 4, the member number, password, and unit number are input. Next, in step 215, a desired reservation time is input (FIG. 28).

On the other hand, if "acquisition of gaming machine information" is selected, the process proceeds to step 216, where a member number, a password, and a machine number are input (FIG. 29). Next, step 21
At 7, the entered member number and password are authenticated. If the authentication is possible (OK), the pachinko hall 7 is transmitted to the hall computer terminal 9 (step 218). If the authentication is not possible (NG), the process is terminated (step 219).

In the above-described embodiment using the i-mode compatible mobile phone, game information and the like are supplied to the network client 3 by electronic mail.
Without being limited to this, as described above, a mode in which the information is transmitted directly to the network client 3 via the information supply mediation server 2 is also within the scope of the present patent. Further, in the above-described hole search, the network client 3 is caused to input a “hole name”,
A method may be employed in which a search is made from among the hall names registered and stored in the information mediation server 2.

[0056]

According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and safely supply, via a computer network, gaming machine information and reservation reception information on a gaming machine at a gaming store selected by the information recipient. Becomes possible.

Further, according to the present invention, since the game console information for one game console in the game store is supplied as one unit, the information amount is limited, and the game console information can be supplied in real time. . In addition, there is an advantage that a game console can be quickly reserved in real time.

Further, according to the present invention, when the game information recipient uses a portable information terminal such as an i-mode compatible portable telephone which can be connected to the Internet, the information amount is further reduced to several tens of characters. Because it is limited to, the gaming machine information can be easily obtained in real time and the gaming machine can be reserved, and the convenience of the gaming information receiver side is greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a gaming machine information supply system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system and a method for supplying game console information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of an information system in a pachinko hall 7;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing transition of a computer screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing screen transition of an i-mode compatible mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a home screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hole search initial screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a municipal selection screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a hole selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hall information guidance screen.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a game console number list screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a request selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a member information change initial screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a password change screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a mail address change screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a belonging hall confirmation screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a home screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a quick access screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a local selection screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a prefecture selection screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a first screen for selecting a city, town, and village in the i-mode.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a municipal selection second screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a hole selection screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a request selection screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a business hours guidance screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an inquiry destination screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a usage guidance screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 28 is a view showing a game console reservation screen on the i-mode.

FIG. 29 is a view showing a game console information acquisition screen in i-mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server operation center 2 information supply mediation server 3 network client 4 computer terminal 5 mobile phone 6 mobile computer 7 pachinko hall 8 hall computer 9 hall computer terminal

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game console information supply system for supplying game console information or reservation reception information via a computer network, wherein the system is connected to a computer network and is accessible from a game information receiver side. An information supply mediation server, and a computer terminal installed for each of a plurality of game stores and connected to the computer network, wherein the information supply mediation server is for a gaming table in a game store selected by a game information recipient. Transmitting a game information request or a game console reservation request input by the game information recipient to the computer terminal on the gaming store side, wherein the computer terminal transmits the game information or the reservation reception information on the game console to the information. Via a supply mediation server or via the information supply mediation server Ku, supply system of the gaming table information and supplying the game information recipient. 2. The game console information according to claim 1, wherein a mobile phone having a screen display function is connected to the information supply mediation server via a computer network for a game information recipient. Supply system. 3. The computer terminal is connected to a hall computer in which game information of a game console in a game store and reception information of a reservation are stored.
2. The game console information supply system according to claim 1, wherein the game terminal supplies game information or reservation reception information to the computer terminal in response to a game information request or a game console reservation request. 4. A method for supplying gaming machine information for supplying gaming machine information or reservation reception information via an information supply mediation server connected to a computer network, comprising: Causing the supply mediation server to select a game store and a game table stored in advance, and for the game table in the selected game store, inputting a game information request or a game table reservation request input by the game information recipient. Transmitting a game information request or a game console reservation request to the computer terminal of the gaming store; and responding to the game information request or the game console reservation request.
Supplying the game information receiver or the reservation information of the game console supplied from the computer terminal of the game store to the game information receiver. 5. A step of inputting an identifier of the game information receiver as a step before transmitting the game information request or the game console reservation request to the computer terminal of the game store, and authenticating the input identifier. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of: 6. A step of causing a game information recipient to select a game store and a game table stored in the information supply mediation server in advance, wherein the step of selecting a game store and a game console is performed among a plurality of game stores stored in the information supply mediation server in advance. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: searching for a specific game store from the game console; and, as a result of the search, selecting a specific game store from a plurality of game consoles installed in the game store. A method for supplying game console information according to claim 5. 7. The information supply mediation server stores in advance a name of a game store and location / ward information in association with each other, and the step of searching for the game store includes the step of selecting a location / ward and the step of selecting the location / ward. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: selecting a specific game console from the game stores in the location ward.