JP2002119759A - Game machine prototype data distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen the burden of physical delivery by distributing data on the operational behavior of a prototype from a center to a purchaser. SOLUTION: A manufacturer's plant 5 is equipped with an imaging means 7 that can image operating states of a new type pachinko game machine 8 as a game machine prototype, and video data F picked up by the imaging means are transmitted by a prototype data transmitting means 6 to a center terminal part 2 via a communication line 3. The video data F are next transmitted from the center terminal part 2 to a prototype display terminal part 15 installed in each parlor 1 via a communication line 9. On a screen 16 of the prototype display terminal part 15, a person in charge of each parlor 1 views the operating states of the new type pachinko game machine 8 from the video data F.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine prototype data distribution system, and more particularly to a method of advertising a pachinko machine or a slot machine to a game hall.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game hall such as a general pachinko machine or a slot machine, each trader changes a model every predetermined period, for example, every three to six months, so that a player coming to the store does not feel bored. Various effects such as the above production effects are devised. Each gaming hall side knows, from experience, that the player's visit situation changes depending on the degree of winning, the expectation of winning, and the method of production accompanying these. If there is a pachinko machine or the like that the player prefers, the number of visitors will increase, and the manager of each game hall will inevitably introduce such models from dealers.

[0003] Therefore, manufacturers, their sales agents, and wholesalers desperately try to deliver a large number of new pachinko machines and the like to the respective game halls at the next renewal. Conventionally, a manufacturer (manufacturer) or a wholesaler directly brings a sample of a new model (model that has undergone a model change) developed by the company itself to a game hall in each place to visit. A full-time salesman went by car or the like and actually performed a model play and explained the new model to the manager of the game hall.

[0004]

However, in the prior art, a prototype of the gaming machine has to be brought to the purchaser every time. When a full-time salesman carries the actual machine and explains it, it is good for the opponent's gaming hall to understand it enough, but it was not a quick promotion for the cost. Each game hall was widely dispersed and the staff in charge of the game hall had various work arrangements, and it was not always possible to listen slowly to explanations about the actual machine. Rather, it was often better to listen to the explanation little by little and get a confirmation explanation on the actual machine at the end. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to reduce the burden of bringing in by distributing data indicating the operation behavior of a prototype from a center to a purchaser.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the prototype display terminals are connected to the center terminal via communication means, and the gaming machine prototype data is transmitted from the center terminal to the trial terminal. It can be sent to the work display terminal. In the invention according to claim 2, the prototype display terminal is arranged in each of a plurality of game halls. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the game prototype data is data obtained by imaging the operation state of the game machine prototype with a camera.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the game machine prototype data is a moving image displayed on a display unit of a game machine prototype such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving image of the game machine prototype data is displayed on the display unit of the actual machine. According to the invention of claim 6, the game machine prototype can be remotely controlled via a public line, an image of the game machine prototype can be captured by a camera, and the captured image can be displayed on a monitor unit on the remote control side. This is a two-way game machine prototype data distribution. In the invention of claim 7, the monitor unit is installed on a plurality of halls connected to a center via a public line, and the gaming machine prototype is installed on the center side.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a gaming machine prototype data distribution system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the gaming machine prototype data distribution system according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a large number of gaming halls 1 communicate with a center side terminal unit 2 of a center 10 including a server or the like installed in a remote place or the like. It is connected via line 3. In the present embodiment,
A manufacturer factory 5 is connected to the center side terminal unit 2 by a prototype data transmission means 6 via a communication line 9. A pachinko game machine, a slot game machine, or the like is installed in the gaming hall 1, but the pachinko game machine 4 will be described here as an example. The above-mentioned gaming halls 1 are dispersed in various places, and correspond to, for example, “West Exit Game Parlor” near the station, “Iroha Game Center” in the suburban drive-in, and the like. A customer player goes to each game hall 1, pays money, borrows pachinko balls, and puts them into the pachinko game machine 4. The pachinko game machine 4 is delivered from a plurality of manufacturer factories 5 and the like.

The center 10 manages various types of data by integrating a large number of game halls 1 in one area by the center side terminal unit 2, and handles data such as sales of operating information, There are the number of balls and breakdowns.
The communication line 3 may be a public line, a dedicated line, or a wireless telephone line.

In this embodiment, a prototype data transmission means 6 is provided in a manufacturer factory 5 of each maker or the like as a game machine supply side, and the prototype data transmission means 6 is provided with a video camera or a CCD. An imaging means 7 such as a camera is connected. In front of the imaging means 7, a new type of pachinko game machine 8 as a gaming machine prototype is arranged so as to be able to image the entire front thereof. The prototype data transmission means 6 is communicably connected to the center terminal unit 2 via a communication line 9. This pachinko game machine 8 is transferred to the manufacturer factory 5
Then the person in charge actually plays. At this time, the entire appearance of the pachinko game machine 8 and the progress of the game are photographed by the imaging means 7 in real-time.

Since the equipment (including the pachinko game machine 4) of each game hall 1 is substantially the same, the configuration of each game hall 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a number of pachinko game machines 4 are arranged in the game hall 1, and these pachinko game machines 4 are connected to a hall control unit 13 in the store so as to transfer data.

The hall control unit 13 collects operation data of each pachinko game machine 4 in the store and uses the data for operation of the hall. Each pachinko game machine 4 and the hall control unit 13 are connected by an indoor communication cable 12,
The communication cable 12 is provided with an output terminal 11. The hall control unit 13 is connected to the center terminal unit 2 in FIG. 1 by a communication line 3 leading to the outside. The center-side terminal unit 2 of one center 10
It manages data of adjacent areas and a plurality of related gaming halls 1. The communication line 3 and the communication line 9 have the same physical configuration, and are separated for explanation. These may be the Internet network.

The output terminal 11 is connected to the prototype display terminal 15 shown in FIG.
For example, a general-purpose personal computer (portable type) or the like can be used. In the gaming hall 1 on the right side in FIG. 1, the prototype display terminal unit 15 is shown in an enlarged manner.

Next, the operation will be described. At the manufacturer factory 5, a new model (new model) pachinko game machine 8 is prototyped, and a person in charge of the pachinko game machine 8 actually plays a game at the experimental site. The appearance of the pachinko game machine 8 at this time and a series of operations during the game are imaged one by one by the imaging means 7.

The imaging means 7 sequentially sends the operation image data (video data) F to the prototype data transmission means 6. The prototype data transmission means 6 transmits the video data F via the communication line 9 to the center-side terminal unit 2 of the remote center 10. The center side terminal unit 2 further sends the video data F to each gaming hall 1 under its control via the communication line 3. In each game hall 1, the video data F is received by the hall control unit 13 and sent out to the communication cable 12.

Each pachinko game machine 4 in each game hall 1
Cannot receive the video data F, but the video data F is sent to the prototype display terminal unit 15 via the output terminal 11. At this time, a person in charge such as a new model inspector of each game hall 1 handles the prototype display terminal unit 15 and can see a camera captured image displayed on the screen 16 of the prototype display terminal unit 15. Therefore, the person in charge of each game hall 1 slowly observes the operation of the pachinko game machine 8 of the prototype at the manufacturer factory 5 in a remote place without bringing the prototype into each game hall 1. Can be.

Before displaying the operation of the pachinko game machine 8, a separate call is made between the performer of the pachinko game machine 8 of the manufacturer factory 5 and the receiver of the prototype display terminal unit 15 of each game hall 1. To get in touch and get ready to receive. In addition, a video tape recorder (VTR) is connected to the output terminal 11 to record an operation screen, and a person in charge of each game hall 1 can carefully observe it at a later date. After watching the video image, if the user wants detailed information about the new pachinko game machine 8, he can request a business trip explanation by the actual pachinko game machine 8 again.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the gaming machine prototype data distribution system according to the present embodiment, the imaging device 7 and the interface 22 are provided in the manufacturer factory 5 and the center 10 (the center 10 in this figure), and a new pachinko game machine is provided in the center 10. Bring 8 and install.

The pachinko game machine 8 is provided with a ball firing operation unit 20 for firing a ball on the board. The interface 22 and the ball firing operation unit 20 are connected so that operation data C is transferred. I have. The imaging means 7 is also connected so that video data F obtained by sequentially capturing the appearance of the pachinko game machine 8 and a series of operations during the game is sent to the interface 22. The interface 22 can communicate the video data F and the operation data C with the plurality of gaming halls 1 via the communication line 3. In the present embodiment, the interface 22 is the first
The function of the center-side terminal unit 2 in the embodiment is performed.

On the other hand, in the game hall 1, a store interface 23, a prototype display terminal unit 15 and a ball firing unit 21 are installed in parallel (independently) with a normal pachinko game machine. The communication line 3 from the outside is connected to the store interface 23, and the prototype display terminal unit 15 and the ball firing unit 21 are connected to the store interface 23, respectively. This communication line 3 is the same as the line for transmitting game data of the first embodiment to the center 10.

The ball firing unit 21 has substantially the same function as the ball firing operation unit 20, that is, generates a firing signal substantially the same as that of the ball firing operation unit 20.

In this embodiment, without operating the ball shooting operation section 20 of the pachinko game machine 8 in the center 10, a certain game hall 1 which has been previously discussed by telephone communication or the like.
To operate the handle 21a of the ball firing unit 21 as in a normal game. Thereby, the ball firing unit 21
Based on the operation of the handle 21a, the operation data C is sent to the store interface 23, and from the store interface 23 to the interface 22 of the center 10 via the communication line 3. The interface 22 sends the operation data C to the ball launching operation unit 20 of the new model pachinko game machine 8. The pachinko game machine 8 operates as if the operation data C is received from the ball firing operation unit 20 based on the operation of the handle 20a. The movement of the ball on the board and the state of the operation during this operation are imaged in real time by the imaging means 7 and sent to the interface 22.

The video data F is transmitted to the interface 2
3, sent to the prototype display terminal section 15 via the communication line 3 and the store interface 23. This allows the person in charge of each game hall 1 to connect the ball firing unit 21 and the prototype display terminal unit 15 sent from the maker to the store interface without bringing the new model prototype pachinko game machine 8 into each game hall 1. 23, the person in charge of each game hall 1 can move as if actually operating the pachinko game machine 8 while staying in each game hall 1,
Confirmation of prototypes can be performed in a form close to actuality.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this practical form, first, an external configuration of the pachinko game machines 4 and 8 will be described with reference to FIG. On the board surface 40, a band 41 for guiding game balls to the game area, a windmill 42, a starting port 47, a general winning port 44, a large winning port 45, an out port 46, and a handle 25 of a ball firing operation section for firing a ball into the game area. And a number of game nails 48 and a center accessory 29 are provided.

The center role 29 is arranged at the center of the board surface 40, and three figures are displayed on the center role 29. When a ball enters the starting port 44, the three symbols rotate independently, and when the ball stops, a reach is achieved when two symbols are aligned, and a big hit is achieved when three symbols are aligned. This 3
Each of the symbols is electronically rotated and displayed, and a big hit is generated with a certain probability. When the jackpot is realized, the special winning opening 45 is opened, and the player can easily put the game ball into the special winning opening 45, so that many payout balls can be obtained.

Therefore, the overall design, reach state, design change immediately before the big hit, etc. on the center role object 29 particularly attracts the attention of the player, so that when the pachinko game machine 4 is renewed, the staging performance becomes higher. It is renewed.
In FIG. 4, the pachinko game machine 8 of a prototype or a new model prototype includes an updated video generation unit 31 that generates video data G of a symbol displayed on the center combination 29.

The updated video generator 31 is provided with an output terminal 32 for outputting the video data G of the symbol to the outside.
The image data G of the symbol is transmitted from the output terminal 32 to the prototype data transmitting means 6. On the other hand, in each of the gaming halls 1, a manual input switching unit 33 is provided for one pachinko game machine 4 in FIG.
Has selected the internal video generator 30. However, the manual input switching unit 33 is manually set so as to select the input terminal 34 as necessary.

The updated video generator 31 and the video generator 30 have substantially the same circuit structure, but differ only in the stored symbols, the order of generation, the time, and the like. That is, when the person in charge plays the new pachinko game machine 8 at the manufacturer factory 5, the pachinko game is developed. At this time, the image data G of the symbol from the update image generating unit 31 is transmitted to the center role 29 of the player. It is displayed and transmitted from the prototype data transmission means 6 via the communication line 9 to the center side terminal unit 2.
To the game halls 1 via the communication line 3.

In each of the game halls 1, the image data G of the symbol is sent to one input terminal 34 of the manual input switching unit 33 of the identified one actual pachinko game machine 4, and from there, the actual pachinko game It is sent to the center item 29 of the machine 4 and displayed. Therefore, the image of the reach of the new pachinko game machine 8 to be updated and the state of the image just before the big hit can be observed on the center role object 29 of the actual pachinko game machine 4 in a remote place, and in a more realistic form Prototypes can be confirmed.

[0029]

According to the present invention, it is possible to check the operation of the center role of the prototype at each game hall without bringing in the prototype of the gaming machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of Embodiment 1 of a gaming machine prototype data distribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial block circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a game machine prototype data distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of Embodiment 3 of a gaming machine prototype data distribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of a pachinko game machine for explaining Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a main part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 Game Hall, 2 Center Terminal, 3, 9 Communication Line, 4 Pachinko Game Machine, 5 Manufacturer Factory, 6
Prototype transmitting means, 7 Imaging means, 8 New model pachinko game machine, 10 center, 11 output terminal, 12 communication cable, 13 hall control section, 15 prototype display terminal section, 20 ball firing operation section, 21 ball firing unit , 2
2 interface, 23 store interface,
25 steering wheel, 29 center object, 30 image generator, 31 updated image generator, 32 output terminal, 33 manual input switching unit, 34 input terminal, C operation data, F
Image data, G pattern image data.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which prototype display terminals are connected to a center terminal via communication means so that game center prototype data can be transmitted from the center terminal to the prototype display terminal. Prototype data distribution system. 2. The game machine prototype data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the prototype display terminal is arranged in each of a plurality of gaming halls. 3. The game machine prototype data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the game prototype data is data obtained by imaging an operation state of the game machine prototype with an imaging unit. 4. The game machine prototype data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the game machine prototype data is a moving image displayed on a display unit of a game machine prototype such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine. 5. The game machine prototype data distribution system according to claim 4, wherein a moving image of the game machine prototype data is displayed on a display unit of the actual machine. 6. A game machine prototype can be remotely controlled via communication means, an image of the game machine prototype can be taken by an image pickup means, and the taken image can be displayed on a monitor section on the remote control side. Interactive game machine prototype data distribution system. 7. The game machine prototype according to claim 5, wherein the monitor section is installed on a plurality of holes connected to a center via communication means, and the game machine prototype is installed on the center side. Data distribution system.