JP2003190585A - Game server, game machine, and method of game management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game server, game machine and method of game management capable of allowing a player to play a game without worry by guaranteeing the restoration of the loss of the player defeated in the game, and thereby preventing reduction of customers. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine, the cumulated credit consumption is restored for a player at a prescribed restoration ratio if the player's cumulated credit consumption reaches a prescribed upper limit. The game condition of the game machine for the player to play a game is changed according to the game history of the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game server, a game machine, and a game management method for controlling return or payout of a game machine such as a pachi-slot or a pachinko game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko and pachislot machines are constructed so that a game is started by inserting a game medium such as a medal into the game machine. Then, these gaming machines pay out the above-mentioned gaming media according to a winning state generated by advancing a game.

In such a gaming machine, a winning state such as a so-called jackpot is generated with a preset probability, and the player wins a jackpot at the gaming machine in which he / she is playing. The game will proceed with the expectation of doing.

As described above, in a gaming machine that gives a hit depending on the probability, the hit is not always generated with a certain probability, and it is set in advance when the game is played a considerable number of times. Since it is configured to converge on the probability, there may be a case where a hit occurs even though the number of games is small, or a case where the hit does not occur easily even though the number of games is large. In this respect, with such a gaming machine, the gambling property increases and the game becomes interesting, while the gap between the player who is hard to hit and the player who gains a lot of profits widens In some cases, the sense of expectation for the customer may be lost, and this tends to lead to the departure of customers.

Various methods have been proposed to solve such a situation.

[0006] For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-76579, a player who often visits a game hall is asked to create a membership card, and among the players who have this membership card, the game that is losing more is played. It has been proposed that a player can reserve a gaming machine that can obtain many benefits.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-96037, game media (small balls here) purchased by a player are counted, and the number of return points is returned to the player according to the number of balls. A method has been proposed.

On the other hand, in recent years, efforts have been made to provide a gaming machine that is interesting to the player by displaying various screen images on a display screen provided in the gaming machine. Such a gaming machine generally determines whether or not it is a big hit by the combination of the symbols when all the symbols belonging to the plurality of groups which were variably displayed on the display screen are stopped and displayed, and if the big hit It has a structure in which a game ball is paid out to a player.

In such a gaming machine, a symbol called "big hit" is predetermined, and the player plays the game while expecting the symbol to be displayed on the display screen. Normally, in a gaming machine that adopts such a mode, whether or not this "big hit symbol" is displayed is determined by an internal lottery performed in the gaming machine. That is, when it is determined to be a "big hit" by internal lottery, it is controlled to display the "big hit symbol", and when it is determined not to be a "big hit", a symbol other than the "big hit symbol" It is controlled to display.

The internal lottery as described above is carried out only when the game state satisfies a predetermined condition, and the winning probability (probability of being a "big hit") is said to be several hundredths. There is.

The reason why the lottery is performed with such a low probability is that, for one reason, the profit of the person who provides the game machine to the player must be secured. Another reason is that the number of gaming balls paid out from the gaming machine is regulated every hour or every day in order to prevent the gambling property from being excessively increased.

In this way, for the player who plays a game with the gaming machine, in which the profit that can be obtained is determined by the result of the low-probability lottery, the device is devised so that more game balls can be obtained. A gaming machine has been provided.

For example, in the gaming machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-117881, a ball storing / discharging mechanism is provided on the back surface of the game board of the gaming machine, and a part of the gaming balls is temporarily stored in the mechanism. Every time, when it shifts to an advantageous state for the player, the stored balls stored in the ball storage / release mechanism are released to give the player an opportunity to obtain many winning prize balls. . According to such a gaming machine, the probability that the reserved balls enter the winning opening is increased by releasing a large amount of the reserved balls when the game is in an advantageous state for the player. Can be improved.

[0014]

However, the invention proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-76579 mentioned above can obtain a lot of benefits when the player who is losing is playing the next game. Although the possibility of being able to eliminate the above-mentioned customer churn is increased in terms of increasing the sexuality, similarly, the imbalance between the losing players cannot be eliminated, so the fundamental problem is to be solved. It cannot be said that it has been resolved.

Specifically, even if a player who is losing is trying to reserve a better gaming machine, if there is even one player who is losing more, the player will receive many benefits. You will not get the opportunity to win.
In addition, many players who are losing in this way generally enjoy the game without winning or losing, so even if you can not get a guarantee for the loss Is likely to carry. Therefore, this method of guaranteeing the amount of loss to the player who is less likely to leave the customer cannot fundamentally solve the problem of leaving the customer.

Further, in the invention proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-96037, since the return is guaranteed by simply referring to the number of balls purchased, a player who has gained a lot of profits Even if there is a player who is losing the game, he or she will be similarly rewarded. In this way, the imbalance between players cannot be resolved,
The above-mentioned problem of leaving customers cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to guarantee a return to a losing player so that such a player can play with peace of mind. It is possible to provide a game server, a game machine, and a game management method that can solve the problem of leaving a customer.

On the other hand, in the gaming machine as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-117881, although many measures are taken so that the player can obtain a large number of game balls, many game balls are used. It has not been realized to the point where the player feels the expectation of being able to win, and the expectation evokes the player's desire to continue playing for a while.

Further, as described above, since the probability itself of a "big hit" is low in such a gaming machine, the longer the gaming time, the higher the possibility that the player will aimlessly play the game. In conventional game machines, we try to reduce the feeling of boredom felt by the player by making ingenuity in the image presentation, etc., but the most important thing for the player is "the game ball that was acquired. Is the number of people, and trying to eliminate the player's feeling of boredom away from this point,
It wasn't very effective.

Further, the number of players who are far from the game arcade is increasing due to such a feeling of boredom, and such a problem of leaving customers is becoming an important issue that must be resolved. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to bring about a surprisingness to a game, so that the player can play the game with expectation.
From that expectation, we provide a gaming machine that makes the player feel like continuing the game without feeling bored,
Another object is to provide a gaming machine that can solve the problem of leaving customers.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when the cumulative consumption amount of credits consumed by a player reaches a predetermined upper limit, a constant return rate is set. It is a gaming machine that gives back, characterized in that the gaming state of the gaming machine in which the player plays a game is changed according to the past gaming history of the player.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, in the present invention, jackpots are stocked,
A feature of the present invention is to provide a pachinko gaming machine having a so-called jackpot stock function, which continuously digests jackpots accumulated and stored by lottery.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) In a game server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, which is shifted to a state in which the game can be started based on the insertion of coins or the provision of credits, and the payout is made according to the result of the game, The game server, based on the information on the amount of credit consumption in the gaming machine in which the player is playing, when the cumulative amount of credit consumption reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a predetermined return rate. The return process is performed based on the result of a lottery for deciding whether or not to perform the return process without fail, or the return process based on the Receiving means for receiving the player's identification information read by the reading means, and storage means for storing a game history for each player identified by the identification information. , A transmission means capable of transmitting to the gaming machine a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the contents of the game history stored in the storage means. server.

According to the present invention, the game server identifies the player playing the game on each gaming machine, manages the gaming history of each identified player, and manages the gaming history of the player according to the contents of the gaming history. It will cause a change in the gaming state. With such a configuration, for example, when a player is playing many games and the amount of profit obtained is small, the game state is changed to a game state advantageous to the player. Thus, it is possible to make the player obtain many benefits. As a result, there is a possibility that it is possible to regain a customer group who has left away because it is not profitable to play games frequently.

In addition to (1), the game server may be configured such that the change is a change in the predetermined upper limit value or a change related to the return.

According to the present invention, the predetermined upper limit value which is a prerequisite for the return and the content of the return are changed according to the contents of the past game history of the player. With such a configuration, for example, for a player who has acquired a small amount of profit despite playing many games, the predetermined upper limit value may be changed to a lower value or the return rate may be reduced. It is possible to shift to a gaming state such as changing the value to a high value or changing to a state in which it is easy to win by a lottery on whether or not to return. As a result, there is a possibility that it is possible to regain a customer group who has left away because it is not profitable to play games frequently.

(2) In a game server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines which are shifted to a state in which the game can be started based on the insertion of coins or the provision of credits and the payout is made according to the result of the game, The game server, based on the information on the amount of credit consumption in the gaming machine in which the player is playing, when the cumulative amount of credit consumption reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a predetermined return rate. The return process is performed based on the result of a lottery for deciding whether or not to perform the return process without fail, or the return process based on the Receiving means for receiving the player's identification information read by the reading means, and storage means for storing a game history for each player identified by the identification information. A game server comprising: a transmission unit capable of transmitting, to the gaming machine, support information that works for the player according to the contents of the game history stored in the storage unit.

According to the present invention, the game server identifies a player playing a game on each gaming machine, manages the gaming history of each identified player, and assigns the player according to the contents of the gaming history. Advantageous support information can be provided. With such a configuration, for example, when a player is playing many games and the amount of profit obtained is small, it is possible to provide information that is advantageous to the player regarding the game state. As a result, there is a possibility that more profit can be obtained from the player.
As a result, there is a possibility that it is possible to regain a customer group who has left away because it is not profitable to play games frequently.

In addition to (1) or (2), the game history stored in the storage medium is updated at any time,
Alternatively, the game server may be configured so as to be updated appropriately.

According to the present invention, the game server refers to the cumulative consumption amount of credits that each player has inserted in the past, and changes the game state according to the value of the accumulated consumption amount. By configuring in this way, for example,
Even if the number of credits consumed in one game is small, for a player who frequently plays a game, the game state is changed to an advantageous state for the player while considering the accumulated consumption amount of past credits. You can As a result, it may be possible to prevent a customer class having a feeling of boredom with respect to the game machine from moving away from the game machine, because the predetermined upper limit is hardly reached.

Further, in addition to (1) or (2), the game server may be configured so that the game history relates to the cumulative consumption amount of the credits that the player has inserted in the game.

According to the present invention, the game server refers to the cumulative consumption amount of credits that each player has inserted in the past, and changes the game state according to the value of the cumulative consumption amount. By configuring in this way, for example,
Even if the number of credits consumed in one game is small, for a player who frequently plays a game, the game state is changed to an advantageous state for the player while considering the accumulated consumption amount of past credits. You can As a result, it is possible to prevent a customer segment having a feeling of boredom from the game machine from moving away from the game machine because the game cannot be played until the predetermined upper limit is reached. Occurs.

(3) In the gaming machine in which the game can be started based on the coin insertion or the crediting, and the payout is made according to the result of the game, the gaming machine has a plurality of gaming machines. It is managed by a game server for collective management, and when the accumulated consumption amount of the credit reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a return process based on a predetermined return rate is indispensable. In the game server, the return process is performed based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not the return process is performed on the gaming machine, which is performed in the game server. The machine includes a reading unit for reading the player's identification information from the player's storage medium, and the player identified by the identification information stored in the game server. According to the contents of the game history with, change means for causing a change in the game state of the player,
A gaming server characterized by having.

(4) In a gaming machine in which a game can be started based on coins inserted or credits are given and payout is made according to the result of the game, the gaming machine is a plurality of gaming machines. It is managed by a game server for collective management, and when the accumulated consumption amount of the credit reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a return process based on a predetermined return rate is indispensable. In the game server, the return process is performed based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not the return process is performed on the gaming machine, which is performed in the game server. The machine includes a reading unit for reading the player's identification information from the player's storage medium, and the player identified by the identification information stored in the game server. And a display unit for displaying support information that works advantageously for a player playing a game on the game machine according to the contents of the game history.

(5) In the game management method for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines which are shifted to a state in which the game can be started based on the insertion of coins or the provision of credits and the payout is made according to the result of the game, A game management method is a detection step of detecting a cumulative consumption amount of credits consumed by a game machine in which a player is playing a game, and based on a detection result of the detection step, the cumulative consumption amount reaches a predetermined upper limit. When reaching or exceeding, a reduction process step that always performs a reduction process based on a predetermined reduction rate, or a reduction process that performs the reduction process based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not to perform the reduction process. And a receiving step of receiving the identification information of the player read from the storage medium of the player by the game machine, A transmission step capable of transmitting to the gaming machine a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the contents of the gaming history for each player identified by the identification information. Characteristic game management method.

(6) In the game management method for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines which are shifted to a state in which the game can be started based on the insertion of coins or the provision of credits and the payout is made according to the result of the game, A game management method is a detection step of detecting a cumulative consumption amount of credits consumed by a game machine in which a player is playing a game, and based on a detection result of the detection step, the cumulative consumption amount reaches a predetermined upper limit. When reaching or exceeding, a reduction process step that always performs a reduction process based on a predetermined reduction rate, or a reduction process that performs the reduction process based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not to perform the reduction process. And a receiving step of receiving the identification information of the player read from the storage medium of the player by the game machine, A management step of transmitting, to the gaming machine, support information that works for the player according to the content of the game history for each player identified by the identification information. Method.

(7) In a game server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, the gaming server sends a payout signal for paying out coins or game balls to the gaming machine according to a game result. And a payout signal transmitting means capable of performing the payout result, and the gaming server determines whether or not to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine when the payout is performed. Based on the payout suppression signal transmitting means capable of transmitting a signal for performing the payout suppression to the gaming machine, and if the payout suppression is determined by the payout suppression lottery, the payout suppression is executed. During the period in which the payout state continues, the payout number storage means for cumulatively storing the number of payouts and the payout according to the payout number stored in the payout number storage means are continuously provided. And a digestion signal transmitting means capable of transmitting a digestion signal for digestion to the gaming machine, the gaming server.

According to the present invention, the game server suppresses the payout of coins or game balls that should have been made in each gaming machine, cumulatively stores the number of times the suppression has been made, and further stores that memory. It is possible to consume the number of payouts made at once. As a result, in the gaming machine managed by the gaming server, it is possible to make waves in the gaming state, so that the player is bored during the game like a conventional gaming machine that pays out at a relatively constant rhythm. There is a possibility that you will not feel it.

Further, the game server cumulatively stores the number of payout coins or the number of payout game balls to be paid out to the gaming machine, which is calculated based on the number of payouts cumulatively stored by the storage means. The payout amount storage means and the payout coin number or payout game ball number stored in the payout number storage means are likely to exceed, or exceed, a predetermined coin number or game ball number, or A detection means for detecting that a predetermined number of coins or game balls has been reached, and the detection means causes the number of coins to be paid out or the number of game balls to be paid out to exceed or exceeds the predetermined number of coins or game balls. Or when it is detected that the number of coins or the number of game balls has reached a predetermined number, the number of coins or the number of game balls paid out from the gaming machine when performing the payout is the predetermined number of coins or the number of game balls. Game server, characterized in that it comprises a payout limit signal transmitter for a signal to limit so as not to exceed the game ball number may transmit to said game machine, a.

According to the present invention, the game server is such that the number of coins to be paid out or the number of game balls to be paid out, which corresponds to the cumulatively stored number of payouts, is likely to exceed a predetermined upper limit, or is over, or its upper limit. When it is detected that the number of coins to be paid out or the number of game balls to be paid out does not exceed the predetermined upper limit, it can be restricted. As a result, the game on the gaming machine does not have an excessive increase in gambling, and there is a possibility that the player can play the game with normal judgment.

(8) In a gaming machine managed by a gaming server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, the gaming machine pays out coins or gaming balls according to a game result, and , The gaming machine, when performing the payout, determines whether or not to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine, based on the result of the payout suppression lottery, the payout suppression signal transmission for performing the payout suppression Means and
When it is determined by the payout restraint lottery that the payout restraint is performed, a payout number storage unit that cumulatively stores the number of payouts during a period in which the state of executing the payout restraint is continued. A gaming machine characterized by comprising: a payout consumption means for continuously digesting the payout according to the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means.

(9) In the game management method for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, the gaming management method sends a payout signal for paying out coins or game balls to the gaming machine according to a game result. And a payout signal transmitting step capable of transmitting the payout signal, and the game management method determines whether to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine when the payout is performed. Based on the result of the payout restraint lottery, a payout restraint signal transmitting step capable of transmitting a signal for performing payout restraint to the gaming machine, and if the payout restraint is determined by the payout restraint lottery, A payout number storing step of cumulatively storing the number of payouts during a period in which the payout suppression is being executed; and a payout number stored in the payout number storage means. And a digestion signal transmitting step capable of transmitting a digestion signal for continuously digesting the payout according to the number to the gaming machine, the game management method.

[Definition of Terms, etc.] “Gaming machine” is a concept including so-called pachinko gaming machines and slot gaming machines, and a mechanism capable of playing a game using some medium in order to increase the player's confidence. I will point out what I have.

The "given credit number" means, for example, numerical data other than prize balls, medals or cash (including coins and banknotes), etc., which the player inserts in the gaming machine to play a game.
It is a concept quantified by electronic money and prepaid cards.

The term "consumption" indicates whether the given credit is a tangible thing or an intangible thing and the player uses it to indicate that he / she wants to play the game, and actually plays the game. It refers to an act.

The "predetermined upper limit" is, in principle, set as a reference for giving a return, which is set for each gaming machine. For example, it is used based on the number of medals or the like used in a slot gaming machine or the like. It is determined based on how many times the player rotates the rotary drum provided in the slot game machine (that is, the number of plays).

Incidentally, the "upper limit" generally means that the numerical value does not matter, but the "upper limit" specifically intended in the present invention is in view of the essence of the present invention. , A value that is large enough for the provider of the gaming machine to reach within the time that is allocated to provide the gaming machine (for example, business hours of a store, etc.) It is preferably one.

The "return" basically varies depending on the content of the above-mentioned predetermined upper limit, and in general,
It is calculated by multiplying the upper limit value by the reduction rate. If the predetermined upper limit criterion is the number of medals used in the slot game machine, etc., it is also returned by giving the medals to the player, and if the upper limit criterion is the number of plays, it is also returned. It will be performed by giving free play to the player.

By counting the number of medals inserted from the insertion slot 15 provided on the front panel 4 of the gaming machine 2 by the medal detection sensor, "the player consumes the gaming machine. "The cumulative consumption amount of credits is detected", and the difference between the number of medals counted by the medal detection sensor and the predetermined upper limit value becomes 0, whereby "the cumulative consumption amount reaches the predetermined upper limit,
Or, the CPU 33 of the gaming machine 2 detects that
In addition, by paying out the medals stored in the medal storage section provided inside the gaming machine 2 from the medal payout opening provided at the lower portion of the front panel 4, "reward processing based on a predetermined return rate" is performed. To do. As described above, the gaming machine 2 constitutes a return processing means.

[0052]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] << Overall Configuration of System >> FIG. 1 is a credit return system having a server 1, a gaming machine group, and a gaming machine 2 in this embodiment (hereinafter, the credit is referred to as a game medium. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of ().

In the gaming medium returning system shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 2 is included in the gaming machine group G01, and the gaming machine group G is included.
01, G02, ..., G10 are each connected to the server 1 via the network NT. The whole consisting of a plurality of these gaming machines is called a game hall. Further, various information can be transmitted / received to / from the server 1 via this network NT.

The server 1 is a group of gaming machines G01, G02, ...
.., G10 collectively manages a plurality of gaming machine groups. The server 1 discriminates the source of the data transmitted from each gaming machine group by the gaming machine group number given individually for each gaming machine group without duplication. In addition, the gaming machine numbers are also given to the respective gaming machines constituting each gaming machine group, and when the data is transmitted from the server 1 to the gaming machine group and the gaming machine 2, the above identification number is used. The game machine group or game machine of the transmission destination is specified.

The data transmitted and received from the gaming machine 2 includes identification information for each gaming machine set in each gaming machine, as well as identification information for identifying a player playing a game on the gaming machine. Has been. With this identification information, the server 1
Then, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 2 is playing a game.

<< Structure of Gaming Machine >> FIGS. 2 and 3 are an external perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view showing the entire structure of the gaming machine 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the gaming machine 2, the front panel 4 is attached to the hollow box-shaped frame 3 by hinges 3A and 3B so as to be openable and closable.

On the back surface of the front panel 4, three cylindrical drum bodies 5 (5A to 5C) are juxtaposed, and a case 6 for covering the drum bodies 5 from the back side is attached. Each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C is rotatably supported about a rotary shaft 7, and each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C is rotatably supported.
On the outer peripheral surface of ~ 5C, patterns ("7", bells, plums, cherries, etc.) are drawn in rows in the circumferential direction. The symbols (marks) drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of these three drum bodies 5A to 5C are displayed on the display window 8 provided on the front panel 4.
From the front side of the gaming machine through A to 8C, each drum body 5A
It is designed to be visible one by one every 5C.

Each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C described above is rotatably attached to the frame of the gaming machine 2 via a predetermined bracket (not shown), and is driven by stepping motors 11A to 11C (see FIG. 4). Each of them is rotationally driven and controlled by the control device 12 (see FIG. 4) so as to be stopped at a predetermined rotational angle position. Protrusions (not shown) representing reference positions are provided at the peripheral end portions of the drum bodies 5A to 5C, and the protrusions are provided corresponding to the respective drum bodies 5A to 5C. By crossing the optical axis of an optical sensor (not shown), the controller 12
Then, the rotation reference position of each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C can be detected. Incidentally, the stepping motors 11A to 11
In C, the speed at which the symbols are variably displayed is constant.

Next to the display windows 8A to 8C, the display window 8 is
A betting line display lamp 13 is provided for displaying which of the stop lines of the symbols displayed in A to 8C is to be bet. The operation unit 14 provided on the front panel 4 is provided with a bet button 16 for setting how many medals inserted from the insertion slot 15 are to be bet, and the player bets only the number of bets to be bet. By pressing the button 16, the corresponding betting line display lamp 13 lights up. In addition, the number of bet medals is
Three is the upper limit.

The betting line varies depending on the number of times the bet button 16 is pressed. With one pressing operation, one horizontally extending line in the middle of the display windows 8A to 8C is a betting line target. In addition, with two pressing operations,
Three lines, which are two lines extending horizontally in the upper and lower stages of the display windows 8A to 8C, are added to the one line, and the three lines are the betting lines. Furthermore, when the pressing operation is performed three times, a bet is made on five lines obtained by adding two lines on the diagonal lines of the display windows 8A to 8C to the three lines. It should be noted that pressing operation four times or more is invalid.

When the number of medals to be betted is set in this manner, the control device 12 takes in the medals corresponding to the betted number set by the player, whereby the condition for starting the game is set, and this state is set. In, when the player operates the start lever 17, the control device 12 starts the rotation of the drum bodies 5A to 5C.

The three stop buttons 18A-18C are
It corresponds to each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C, and the corresponding drum bodies are stopped by pressing these stop buttons 18A to 18C.

The digital display unit 19 displays the number of medals that have been previously inserted, the number of medals to be ejected, and the like. On the stop line bet by the player, the drum body 5A ~
When one of the predetermined specific combinations (prize mode) of 5C is lined up, a predetermined number of medals according to the weight of the combination are ejected from the medal ejection port 20 by the medal ejection device.

Furthermore, the front panel 4 of the gaming machine 2 is provided with a card insertion slot 22. Card slot 22
Is for inserting a card in which authentication number data for identifying the player is recorded when the player plays a game on the gaming machine 2, and the inserted card is the card reader 23 ( (See FIG. 4), the data is read.

<< Structure of Control Unit of Gaming Machine >> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit structure of the control device 12 of the gaming machine 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention and peripheral devices electrically connected thereto. .

The bet button 16 is provided on the front part of the gaming machine 2 and is connected to the interface circuit group 31. The interface circuit group 31 is connected to the input / output bus 32. When the player presses the bet button 16, an operation signal is issued from the bet button to the interface circuit group 31.
The interface circuit group 31 converts the operation signal into a predetermined voltage signal and supplies it to the input / output bus 32. As will be described later, before the game is started, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the value indicated by the operation signal are inserted into the gaming machine as a bet target.

The input / output bus 32 described above is adapted to input / output a data signal or an address signal to / from a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 33. Also,
The start lever 17 and the stop button 18A described above
.. to 18C are also connected to the interface circuit group 31, and a start start signal issued from the start lever 17 and a stop signal issued from the stop buttons 18A to 18C are converted into predetermined voltage signals by the interface circuit group 31 and input. It is supplied to the output bus 32.

When the start lever 17 is operated to start the game, the above-mentioned start start signal is sent to the CPU 33.
Is supplied to. As will be described later, the CPU 33 issues a control signal to the stepping motors 11A to 11C in order to rotate the drum bodies 5A to 5C when the start start signal is supplied.

Furthermore, when the stop buttons 18A to 18C are pressed to stop the drum bodies 5A to 5C, a stop signal is supplied to the CPU 33 from each of the stop buttons 18A to 18C. The drum body 5A
When stopping the player, the player presses the stop button 18A, when stopping the drum body 5B, the player presses the stop button 18B, and when stopping the drum body 5C, The person presses the stop button 18C. As will be described later, when the stop signal is supplied, the CPU 33 issues a stop signal to the stepping motors 11A to 11C to stop the drum body corresponding to the pressed stop button.

Further, the rotational position sensors 34A to 34C are
The rotation position sensors 34A to 34C are provided near the stepping motors 11A to 11C, respectively, and are also connected to the interface circuit group 31. These rotational position sensors 34A to 34C are, for example, rotary encoders and include stepping motors 11A to 1C.
An angular position signal indicating each rotational angular position of 1C is issued to the interface circuit group 31.

Further, the reference position sensors 35A to 35C are
It is provided in the vicinity of each of the drum bodies 5A to 5C and is connected to the interface circuit group 31. The reference position sensors 35A to 35C are optical sensors as described above, and when the reference positions of the drum bodies 5A to 5C are detected, the reference position signals are issued to the interface circuit group 31.

The card reader 23 is provided inside the gaming machine 2 and is connected to the interface circuit group 31. From the card reader 23, a card status signal is transmitted at a predetermined timing according to a signal transmission request from the CPU 33. The signal level of the card status signal changes when the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 22,
U33 detects that a card has been inserted. Further, when the card is in the non-inserted state (the card is removed from the card insertion slot 22), the level of the card state signal similarly changes, and the CPU 33 detects that the card is not inserted. It is configured.

As will be described later, the CPU 33 detects the angular position signals emitted from the rotational position sensors 34A to 34C and the reference position signals emitted from the reference position sensors 35A to 35C, thereby displaying them on the display windows 8A to 8C. It is possible to obtain design data.

A ROM (Read Only Memory) 36 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 37 are also connected to the input / output bus 32. The ROM 36 stores programs for controlling a gaming machine as described later and paying out game balls, and initial values of variables used in these programs. On the other hand, the RAM 37 stores the values of flags and variables as described later.

A communication interface circuit 41 is connected to the input / output bus 32, and this communication interface circuit 41 is used when transmitting / receiving data between the gaming machine 2 and the server 1. Has become.

The ROM 36 also stores a data group showing the correspondence between the symbol combinations and the random numbers. A random number generator 38 for generating this random number is also connected to the input / output bus 32. The instruction for generating the random number is the CPU 3
When the random number generator 3 outputs the random number to the random number generator 38, the random number generator 38 generates a random number in a predetermined range and outputs a signal indicating the value of the random number to the input / output bus. As will be described later, when a random number is generated from the random number generator 38, the above-mentioned data group is searched to determine the combination of symbols corresponding to the random number, and the numerical value corresponding to the symbol combination is substituted into a variable.

The gaming machine 2 can play either a normal game or a special game. In this normal game, the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the effective line is
There is a winning possible state that can match the winning pattern and a winning combination in which the symbol combination cannot match the winning pattern.

In the above-mentioned non-winning state, the combinations of symbols that fluctuate on the effective line are the out-of-contact pattern and the small hit pattern. The small hitting pattern is generated when a predetermined number of symbols such as "cherry" and "bell" are lined up on an effective line, and several medals are output from the medal discharge port 20.
Emitted from. On the other hand, unlike the small hitting pattern, the deviating pattern is a pattern in which the symbols are not aligned on the valid line, and the medal is not discharged. In addition, the non-winable state is a state in which the state can shift to the winable state by an internal lottery process described later. Incidentally, the non-winning state is a state in which the winning patterns cannot be aligned regardless of the timing at which the stop button is pressed, and of course, the special gaming state cannot be entered.

On the other hand, unlike the above-mentioned non-winning state, the winable state is the only state in which the combination of symbols stopped and displayed depending on the timing at which the stop button is pressed can match the win pattern. It is in a state where it is easy to push. When the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the activated line matches the winning pattern, it is won, and the player shifts to a special game in which a large number of medals can be obtained. In addition, when the timing of pressing the stop button is impaired and the winning patterns cannot be aligned, the above-described out-of-range pattern or the small hit pattern is aligned. In addition, once the winning enabled state is set, it continues until the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed matches the winning pattern, and does not shift to the unwinable state.

In the special game described above, the probability that the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the activated line can match the small hit pattern is set to be extremely high, and a large number of medals can be obtained. Will be more likely. The special game shifts to the normal game when the game is finished. In addition, after the special game, when the game shifts to the normal game, whether to shift to the winning possible state or the non-winning state is determined by an internal lottery process described later.

An interface circuit group 39 is connected to the input / output bus 32 described above. The interface circuit group 39 includes stepping motors 11A to 1A.
1C, the betting line display lamp 13, the display unit 19, and the speaker 40 are also connected, and the interface circuit group 39 supplies a drive signal and drive power to each of the above-described devices.

For example, when the above-mentioned bet button 16 is pressed by the player, the betting line which becomes effective in accordance with the number of inserted game medals is shown.
A driving current is supplied to the betting line display lamp 13. Further, when the game is over, a drive signal is supplied to the display unit 19 to display the score according to the winning mode of the game. Furthermore, the speaker 40 emits a sound effect corresponding to the situation of these games when the game is started or ended.

In the following, it is assumed that the gaming machine has been started in advance, and flags and variables as described later have been initialized to predetermined values.

FIG. 5 shows a subroutine for controlling the gaming machine 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, a bet button operation process for determining whether or not the player has pressed the bet button 16 is performed (step S11). Bet button operation processing,
This is a process in response to the pressing operation of the bet button 16, and by detecting whether or not the bet button 16 is pressed and an operation signal is issued from the bet button 16, the number of game medals inserted by the pressing operation is determined. This is a process of recording a driving signal to the betting line display lamp 13 so as to show the betting line which is valid according to the number of the inserted game medals.

Next, it is determined whether or not the bet button 16 has been pressed and the start lever 17 has been operated (step S12). When it is determined that the bet button 16 has been pressed and the start lever 17 has been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the bet button 16 is not being pressed or when the start lever 17 is not being operated, step S11 is performed.
The process is returned to and the bet button operation process is performed again. still,
As will be described later, it is assumed that a series of games is from the start of rotation of all the drum bodies 5A to 5C to the stop thereof.

After the processing of step S12 described above is executed, the internal lottery processing is performed (step S13). In this internal lottery process, the random number generator 38 described above is controlled to generate a random number, a data group indicating the correspondence between the symbol combination and the random number is searched, and the symbol combination is determined according to the generated random number. It is a thing. As will be described later, the combination of symbols stopped and displayed in the previous game is recorded in the RAM 37, the combination of symbols is read out, and the internal lottery process is performed.

In this internal lottery process, a combination of symbols that can be stopped and displayed is drawn as described above, and the numerical value indicating the result of the lottery is substituted into the current game lottery data. For example, in the non-winning state and in the out-of-game state, the current game lottery data is set to "00", and in the non-winning state and when it matches the small hit pattern, the current game is played. The lottery data is set to "01",
If you are in a winning state, the current game lottery data is
It is set to "12". In the special game state, if the game is out of play, the current game lottery data is set to "20". In the special game state, if it matches the small hit pattern, the current game lottery data is: It is set to "21". It should be noted that it may be possible to check whether or not the player shifts to an advantageous state by the stopped symbol without performing this internal lottery process.

Then, a sub-routine (not shown) relating to the stepping motor control process is called, and a control signal is sent to the stepping motor 1 to drive each of the above stepping motors 11A to 11C to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed.
Calls 1A to 11C (step S14). In addition, the rotational speed is the drum body 5A in the series of games described above.
It means the speed at which the symbols are variably displayed by the rotation of 5C, and is a concept that does not include a transient state immediately after the start of rotation or immediately before the stop of rotation.

The above-mentioned past game lottery data is data showing the lottery result in the game before the current game, and is stored in the RAM 37. As will be described later,
The past game lottery data is reset in the first game in the normal game that is transferred after the special game is over. In addition, as will be described later, the past game lottery data is the result of the game performed before the current game as the last process of each game,
It is updated by sequentially accumulating the results of the current game.

Next, in order to stop the drum bodies 5A to 5C by the player, it is determined whether or not any one of the stop buttons 18A to 18C is pressed and the stop signal of the stop buttons 18A to 18C is issued ( Step S1
5). When it is determined that the stop signal is not issued from any of the stop buttons 18A to 18C, this step S15 is executed again.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the stop signal is issued from any of the stop buttons 18A to 18C,
A stepping motor stop process described later is performed (step S16). This stepping motor stop processing controls the above-mentioned random number generator 38 to generate a random number, searches a data group showing the correspondence relationship between the symbol combination and the random number, and generates a symbol combination corresponding to the generated random number. It is determined.

The CPU 33 uses the rotational position sensor 3 described above.
4A to 34C and the reference position signals from the reference position sensors 35A to 35C are used to obtain the symbols currently displayed in the display windows 8A to 8C. C
PU33, in accordance with the above-mentioned symbol data and the current game lottery data from the internal lottery process of step S13,
The stop position is determined by controlling the stepping motors 11A to 11C.

The CPU 33 stops the stepping motors 11A to 11C according to the current game lottery data. However, when it is determined that any of the stop buttons 18A to 18C has been pressed, the CPU 33 responds to the current game lottery data. If the symbol cannot be stopped and displayed, it can be moved extra within a range of up to four symbols. Further, if the symbol corresponding to the current game lottery data does not exist within the range, the symbol corresponding to the current game lottery data cannot be stopped and displayed already. For example, in a winnable state, two drum bodies are stopped, and even if there are symbols that can match the winning pattern, the stop button corresponding to the drum body to be stopped last is pressed. There may be a case where the winning pattern does not match with the winning pattern. On the other hand, in the non-winning state, the two drum bodies are already stopped, and even if there are symbols that can match the winning pattern, the stop button corresponding to the drum body that will be stopped at the last is pressed in good timing. Even if operated, the stepping motor 11A should not match the winning pattern.
Control ~ 11C.

Then, it is determined whether or not all the stop buttons 18A to 18C have been pressed (step S1).
7). The processing of this step S17 is performed by the stop button 18
This is a process of determining whether or not all stop signals issued in response to the pressing operation of A to 18C have been detected. If it is determined that all the stop buttons 18A to 18C have not been pressed, the process returns to step S15. If it is determined that all of the stop buttons 18A to 18C have been operated, the process proceeds to step S18 described below.

Next, it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols along the activated line matches the winning mode, and a medal payback process for paying back the game medals according to the winning mode is performed (step S18). When it is determined that the combination of symbols along the activated line and the winning mode match, the number of game medals to be paid back is calculated according to the winning mode, and the number of game medals of the calculated number is paid back, The processing moves to S19. On the other hand, when it is determined that the combination of the symbols along the activated line does not match the winning mode, the game medal is not refunded, and the step S
The process is moved to 19.

Next, a current game result recording process for mainly recording the above-mentioned current game lottery data is performed (step S).
19). Here, in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 33 reads the past game lottery data from the RAM 37, records the past game lottery data with the current game lottery data in the RAM 37, and records this subroutine. To end. It should be noted that the data to be recorded is not limited to the current game lottery data, but also the data indicating the symbols actually stopped and displayed in the current game.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine 2 when playing a game using the gaming machine 2 in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of operations in the gaming state of the gaming machine 2 in this embodiment. The processing procedure shown in this flowchart is a processing routine that is executed concurrently with the subroutine of the gaming machine 2 described above with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming machine 2 is
First, the player's judgment is made (step S20).

The player's judgment processing is executed by the CPU 3 of the gaming machine 2.
3 is performed to determine whether or not the gaming machine 2 is playing a game.

The present invention is different from the conventional game machine which returns for each game machine, which returns for each game machine group (if the accumulated consumption amount of credits consumed in the game machine group reaches the upper limit, the game is returned). It will be returned to a certain gaming machine included in the machine group), so that no one is playing a game with the gaming machine to be returned,
It is necessary to detect that each gaming machine is playing a game. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in the gaming state by the method described below.

In the subroutine (not shown) of step S20 of FIG. 6, the gaming machine 2 carries out a process for judging the player. The gaming machine 2 first shifts to a process of determining a gaming state.

The player's judgment processing is performed by the CPU 3 of the gaming machine 2.
3 is performed, whether or not the gaming machine 2 is playing, who is the player when the gaming machine 2 is playing, and whether or not the player has been changed from the previous player. , To determine the.

The present invention is different from the conventional game machine in which each game machine is returned to each other (that is, the game state regarding the upper limit up to now is reset if the player changes). Therefore, it is necessary to detect and determine that the player has changed. Therefore, it is necessary to perform such a process for making a player's judgment.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for explaining the flow of the operation of the gaming machine 2 when the processing for judging the player is performed. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 7 is based on step S of FIG.
This corresponds to 20 subroutines.

The gaming machine 2 first shifts to a process of determining a gaming state (step S90).

The determination of the gaming state is a process for determining whether or not there is a player playing a game on the gaming machine 2, that is, whether or not the gaming machine 2 is playing. When the gaming machine 2 is not playing, it is not necessary to perform the subsequent processing, so it is first checked whether or not it is playing. The front panel 4 of the gaming machine 2 is used to judge the gaming state.
This is performed by detecting whether or not a card is inserted in the card insertion slot 22 provided in the.

The gaming machine 2 shifts to a process for determining whether or not a card is detected in order to check the gaming state (step S91).

The card is detected by detecting whether or not a card is inserted in the card insertion slot 22 with the card reader 23. The card inserted here is like an authentication card in which information for identifying the player is recorded, and in particular, even if the card does not have only the function as an authentication card independently, Information for individually identifying the player may be recorded in a prepaid card or the like.

When the card is detected and it is determined that the card is not inserted, the processing for determining the player is ended as it is. When the card is not detected, a signal based on the determination result that the card is not detected is transmitted from the gaming machine 2 to the server 1 (step S
96). As the content of the signal, for example, data of "0" may be transmitted when the card is not detected, and data of "1" may be transmitted when the card is detected as described later.

When it is determined that a card has been inserted, the process shifts to a process for identifying a player who is playing a game on the gaming machine (step S92).

When the card is inserted, the card reader 23 reads the information recorded on the card. In the present embodiment, the card inserted in the card insertion slot holds authentication number data unique to the player in order to identify the player. CP of gaming machine 2
U33 will identify the player who is playing the game on the gaming machine 2 based on this authentication number data.

When the process for identifying the player is completed, CP
U33 shifts to the process of referring to the immediately preceding player history (step S93).

In the RAM 37 of the gaming machine 2, the identification information of the player who has played on each gaming machine is recorded as a history.
The CPU 33 refers to the player history recorded in the RAM 37, and refers to the player's authentication number immediately before receiving the signal indicating that the card has been detected.

When the process of referring to the immediately preceding player's identification number is completed, the process moves to a process of determining whether or not the player has been changed (step S94).

The CPU 33 compares the identification number data of the immediately preceding player referred to in the previous step with the identification number data of the player transmitted from the card reader 23 provided in the gaming machine 2 together with the card detection signal. Then, it is determined whether the two match. If the two match, the same player merely reinserted the authentication card, and the player is determined not to be changed. vice versa,
If the two are different, it is determined that the player has been changed. If the player has not changed,
The process of making the judgment of the player is finished as it is.

If it is determined that the player has been changed, a process for resetting the cumulative number of players inserted immediately before is performed (step S95).

The CPU 33 carries out a process of resetting the data of the cumulative insertion number of credits consumed by the immediately preceding player in the player history recorded in the RAM 37 referred to in the previous step S93.

This is to realize the content of the present invention in which a return is made for each player, and the cumulative number of credits inserted is increased by adding to the number of credits inserted by another player. It means that you cannot go. Similarly, a player who has stopped playing and moved to another gaming machine before the cumulative credit input amount reaches the upper limit, starts playing again from the state where the cumulative credit input amount has returned to 0 on the destination gaming machine. Will start. As a result, the player does not need to change the gaming machine unnecessarily, and knows that the possibility of a return will increase if the cumulative number of coins reaches the upper limit, so that the player can continue playing the game with peace of mind. It will be possible.

When the process of resetting the cumulative number of players inserted immediately before is completed, the gaming machine 2 carries out a process of transmitting the judgment result (step S96).

The CPU 33 transmits the player information to the server 1 via the communication interface circuit 41, the network NT and the communication interface 53 of the server 1. As the data to be transmitted, the information of the player to which the value of “1” is added as described above may be transmitted. Further, in the gaming machine 2, the past player history information recorded in the RAM 37 is rewritten and recorded as new player information.

When the process of transmitting the judgment result is completed, the process of judging the player is repeated.

In the present embodiment, an identification card or ID card in which the authentication data of the player is recorded is used to identify the player.
In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and a gaming machine 2 may be provided with a sensor or the like to detect a human body, or a chair on which a player sits when playing a game is provided with a function as a weight scale. The player may be identified by weighing and recording the player's weight.

Further, according to the present invention, the past game history of the identified player is referred to, and for the player who is unlucky and has little profit, despite frequent playing of the game, By changing the upper limit value, the return rate, and the like, which will be described later, a game state that is advantageous to the player is achieved. The manner in which the game state is changed for the player who satisfies the predetermined condition as described above will be described later.

When the processing for judging the player is completed, the gaming machine 2 sets an upper limit value which serves as a reference for the return (step S21).

The upper limit value refers to the number of medals or the like, which is a game medium, used when playing a game with a slot game machine, for example, and is included in the game machine group in a game machine group. When the total number of medals used in the gaming machine reaches that value, a certain gaming machine included in the gaming machine group can be returned.

To set the upper limit value, an upper limit value preset for each gaming machine group is used. The upper limit value preset for each gaming machine group is stored in the RAM 37 of the gaming machine 2 included in the gaming machine group, and the CPU 33 causes the RAM 37 to operate.
The upper limit value data is read from and the setting of the upper limit value is completed.

When the process of setting the upper limit is completed, CP
Based on the processing result of step S11 shown in FIG. 5, U33 shifts to the processing of adding the number of medals that are game media inserted by the player and the processing of informing the upper limit (step S22).

The process of adding the number of inserted coins is a process of calculating the cumulative total of medals inserted into the gaming machine by the player to play a game. The number of medals inserted from the above-described insertion slot 15 is counted by a medal detection sensor (not shown) installed inside the gaming machine 2. The data of the counted number of coins is added and stored as the currently inserted medal data to the accumulated inserted coin data which is the data of the medals inserted in the past. Here, the cumulative consumption amount of credits is expressed as the cumulative number of inserted medals.

The accumulated input number data is the data recorded in the RAM 37. The CPU 33 reads past inserted medal data from the RAM 37, adds the current inserted medal data counted by the medal detection sensor to the accumulated inserted number data, and updates the accumulated inserted number data to the RAM 3 as the updated accumulated inserted number data.
It will be recorded in 7.

Incidentally, the accumulated input number data is transmitted from each gaming machine at a predetermined timing and the communication interface circuit 4
1, the network NT, and the communication interface 53 (see FIG. 8) of the server 1 to be transmitted to the server 1. The cumulative consumption data transmitted from each gaming machine is managed by the server 1 for each gaming machine group to which the gaming machine belongs, and whether or not the cumulative credit consumption amount in the gaming machine group has reached a predetermined upper limit. It is used to judge.

The upper limit notifying process is a process of notifying the upper limit value, or a ratio of the cumulative consumption amount of credits consumed by the player to the upper limit value (that is, the cumulative consumption amount This refers to a process of notifying the degree of reaching the upper limit).

The notification of the upper limit is made by the CPU 33 displaying the upper limit set in the previous step S21 on the digital display unit 19
It is done by displaying. As for the degree to which the cumulative consumption amount of credits reaches the upper limit value, the CPU 33 calculates the ratio to the upper limit value at a predetermined timing based on the number of credits added by the above-described addition process, and the result is displayed on the display unit 19. It is done by displaying.

When the process of adding the number of inserted medals and the process of notifying the upper limit are completed, a process of determining whether or not the cumulative number of inserted medals has reached the upper limit is performed (step S2).
3).

The determination as to whether or not the upper limit has been reached is made by comparing the cumulative input number data recorded in the RAM 37 in the previous step S22 with the upper limit value set in the previous step S21. The CPU 33 will compare the values of the above two data stored in the RAM 37 and determine whether or not the number of medals inserted by the player into the gaming machine has reached the set upper limit.

If it is determined that the cumulative input data does not reach the upper limit, the process returns to step S22,
Subsequently, the processing for adding the number of medals to be inserted into the gaming machine by the player will be performed.

If it is determined that the cumulative input data reaches the upper limit, the process proceeds to the process of transmitting the upper limit result to the server (step S24).

The CPU 33 of the gaming machine 2 gives a signal indicating that the cumulative input data reaches the upper limit, the previous step S2.
The upper limit value data set in 1 and the return rate data described later are transmitted to the server 1 via the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2.

The signal indicating that the upper limit has been reached is represented by a numerical value of "1", for example. Further, the signal indicating that the accumulated input data reaches the upper limit includes a signal designating the gaming machine 2, that is, data indicating which gaming machine among the plurality of gaming machines managed by the server 1 corresponds to. Will be attached. For example, when the gaming machine 2 has an identification number of “123” among a plurality of gaming machines managed by the server 1, each of the signals “1” indicating that the upper limit has been reached is For example, a signal such as "123-1" is transmitted to the server 1 by being expressed following the identification number of the gaming machine.

When the process of transmitting the signal indicating that the accumulated input data reaches the upper limit to the server is completed, the gaming machine 2 shifts to a state of waiting for a return command (step S25).

The return command is a signal transmitted from the server 1 to the gaming machines that have decided to make a return among the gaming machines included in the gaming machine group whose accumulated input data has reached the upper limit. It is. The game machine 2 is in a state in which the player can play the game while waiting for the return command.

In the gaming machine in which it has been decided that the return will be made, a signal indicating that the return will be made is transmitted from the server 1. This signal is transmitted via the communication interface 53 of the server 1, the network NT, and the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2 which will be described later, to the gaming machine 2
Is what you receive. The server 1 transmits, as a signal, the gaming machine number to which the return is to be given, with the numerical data of "1" indicating that the return is to be performed.

When it comes to the state of waiting for the return command, the process shifts to a process of determining whether or not to give a notification next (step S26).

Here, the notification is to notify the gaming machine provided in the game hall that the return will be performed. Further, the process of determining the notification refers to a process of determining whether the notification is performed before the return is performed or the notification is performed after the return is performed.

The CPU 33 determines in the RAM when to notify.
The determination is made by referring to the data of 37 (step S27). In the RAM 37, data on when to give the notification is recorded. When the notification is given before the return is given, data “1” is given, and when the notification is given after the return is given. Is given the data "0". These data may be set in advance, or may be determined by the server 1 by lottery each time and the content determined in advance may be transmitted to the gaming machine 2.

When the data recorded in the RAM 37 is "1", the CPU 33 informs the player that the game machine in which the player is playing will be returned (step S28). ). The notification may be performed by using a lighting or the like built in the gaming machine 2, or a display unit for notifying the gaming machine 2 may be provided to notify the player from the display unit. Further, it is not limited to the notification means provided integrally with the gaming machine 2 as long as the player can know to which gaming machine the redemption will be performed.

[0149] When the notification process is completed, or when the notification is set to be performed after the return, the process proceeds to the process for determining whether or not the return command is received (step S29).

The return instruction has been waiting for the game machine 2 to be transmitted from the server 1 in step S25 described above. The server 1 transmits a signal that is a return instruction to the gaming machine 2 at a predetermined timing via the communication interface 53 described later. In the gaming machine 2, the signal regarding return is received via the communication interface circuit 41, and the CPU 33 receives the return instruction through the input / output bus 32. If you can not receive the return command,
The process returns to step S25, and the return command is awaited again.

The signal transmitted by the server 1 is the numerical value data of "1" when it is transmitted to the gaming machine to be returned, and when it is transmitted to the gaming machine which is determined not to be returned by lottery. The numerical data is "0".

When the process of receiving the return instruction is completed, the return process is then performed (step S30).

The return processing is performed based on the return instruction transmitted from the server 1 in the previous step S29, and the content of the signal indicates "1" indicating that the return will be performed.
If it is the numerical value data, the CPU 33 receives the data indicating how much the game machine 2 is to be returned from the return instruction, and the CPU 33 returns the data. The number of medals to be returned is calculated by multiplying the upper limit value of each gaming machine group recorded in the RAM 37 by a predetermined return rate.

When the content of the signal received by the gaming machine 2 in step S29 is the numerical data of "0" indicating that the return is not performed, step S30
The process is terminated without performing the reduction in.

When the process of performing the return is completed, the process returns to the process of setting the upper limit value (step S21), and the above-described process is repeated.

<Server Configuration> Next, the above-mentioned server 1
The configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the server 1 has a CPU 51 connected to a data bus BUS, a memory 52, a communication interface 53, and a database 54, and C
The PU 51 is adapted to execute various processes according to a program stored in the memory 52.

That is, the CPU 51 receives data transmitted from the gaming machine 2 via the line connected by the communication interface 53 and stores it in the memory 52. These data are, for example, upper limit data and return rate data of a plurality of gaming machines managed by the server 1, and information transmitted from each gaming machine managed by the server 1.

The CPU 51 reads the program stored in the database 54 into the memory 52, and according to this program, advances the program based on the information transmitted from each gaming machine stored in the memory 52.
The progress result of this program is stored in the database 54.

<Operation of Server> Next, the operation of each part of the server 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of operations performed by each unit of the server 1 in preparation for performing the above-mentioned return for each gaming machine. Incidentally, it is assumed that this operation is always repeated in the server 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the server 1 is constantly loaded into each gaming machine 2 as a preparation for the return when the gaming machine 2 it manages reaches the upper limit (step S11). ) Some of the medals, which are game media, are held.

The server 1 is in a state of waiting for a game medium loading result from each gaming machine 2 (step S41).

As the game medium used by the player in each gaming machine, medals, prize balls, coins or tangible objects having a shape such as bills which are generally used are conceivable, but those represented by numerical values or the like as data. In this case, even an intangible object can be considered as a game medium. The "insertion" here refers to an act of causing the game machine to recognize the game medium with the intention of the player to use for the game, regardless of the form of the game medium. Therefore, like a medal or the like, not only a medal or the like detected by a medal detection sensor (not shown) installed inside the gaming machine 2 but also decided by a player to be used for a game. Items such as the numerical data obtained are also targets for standby.

While the server 1 is waiting for the insertion of the game medium, it is determined whether or not the game medium insertion data is received at a predetermined timing (step S42).

In the present embodiment, medals are used as the game medium, and in each gaming machine, the player continues playing the game while inserting medals from the insertion slot 15. The number of medals inserted by the player from the insertion slot 15 is detected by a medal detection sensor (not shown) installed inside the game machine, digitized as data, and the RAM of the game machine 2 is stored.
It is recorded in 37 as data of the cumulative number of inputs. The data of the cumulative input number is transmitted to the server 1 via the communication interface circuit 41 at a predetermined timing.

The server 1 receives the accumulated input number data via the communication interface 53 of the server 1 and sends it to the C
The data is appropriately recorded (held) in the memory 52 based on the instruction from the PU 51.

When the server 1 has not received the input data in the determination in step S42, the process returns to step S41 again to perform the processing.

When the process of judging the reception of the input data is completed, the server 1 then shifts to the process of holding a predetermined rate of the input number (step S43).

In the server 1, as described above, the server 1
This means that the game medium to be returned to the player who plays the game on each gaming machine managed by is held in advance. The amount to hold is different depending on the server, and the previous step S
In 42, the amount is determined by multiplying the cumulative input data of each gaming machine received by the server 1 by a predetermined rate (return rate) determined in advance.

In the process of holding, the server is
Numerical data of the reserved amount calculated by the PU 51 will be transmitted to the gaming machine 2 via the communication interface 53. On the gaming machine 2 side, based on the received numerical data,
The CPU 33 records the numerical data corresponding to a part of the accumulated input number data in the RAM 37 as reserved data.

When the process of holding is completed, the server 1
Returns again to the state of waiting for the input data from each gaming machine (step S41), and repeats the above-mentioned processing.

Next, the operation of the server when the game machine 2 to be managed is returned will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of operations when the server 1 returns. It is assumed that this operation is always repeated. In server 1, first,
A process of lottery of the return target is performed (step S51).

The lottery to be returned is mainly carried out in the case where the return is not necessarily given to the gaming machine that has reached the upper limit, and the contents of the lottery are, for example, , "Return to the N-th gaming machine that has reached the upper limit from now on", or "Return to the gaming machine whose number end is XX". . In the case where the game machine that has reached the upper limit is always returned, from this lottery, for example, "return to the game machine that has reached the first upper limit from now" or "game machine" The end of the number attached to is 0, 1
No., ..., No. 9 (all game machine numbers will be designated) will be returned ”. These lottery results are
It is recorded in the memory 52 based on the instruction of 51.

Note that in the present invention, the server 1 refers to the contents of the player's past game history, and the profit gained is small even though the player plays the game relatively frequently. When it is determined that the return is to be made, it is possible to make it easier to win the lottery for selecting the return target, and to adjust so that the profit obtained by the player is increased. Such an aspect will be described later.

When the process for performing the lottery for the return ends,
Next, the server 1 enters a state of waiting for an upper limit reaching result to be transmitted from each gaming machine 2 (step S52).

As described above, the upper limit reaching result indicates that the amount of game media loaded into the gaming machine 2 has reached a preset amount, and it is determined whether or not the gaming medium has reached the gaming machine 2. When it is reached, the result is sent to the server. The server 1 waits to receive the result via the communication interface 53.

When the server 1 is waiting for the upper limit reaching result, a process for determining whether or not the upper limit reaching result is received is performed at a predetermined timing (step S53).

This determination is made by the CPU 51, and when it is determined that the upper limit reaching result has been received, the process shifts to the next process. On the contrary, when it is determined that the upper limit reaching result is not received, the server 1 again shifts to a state of waiting for the upper limit reaching result (step S52), and a process of determining whether or not the upper limit reaching result is received at a predetermined timing is executed. It will be repeated.

When it is determined that the upper limit arrival result has been received, a process for determining whether or not the gaming machine 2 that has transmitted the upper limit arrival result is a return target is carried out (step S54).

Whether or not it is a return target is determined based on the data determined by the lottery performed in the above-mentioned step S51, and the CPU 51 refers to the data recorded in the memory 52 to determine the upper limit. This is done by comparing with the data attached to the arrival result.

For example, in the above-mentioned example, when the lottery result of "return to the one corresponding to the number XX at the end of the number given to the gaming machine" is displayed, the CPU 51 determines that The data of the identification number of the attached gaming machine is read, and it is determined whether or not the end of the number corresponds to the XX number.

In the case where the return is always performed when the upper limit is reached, an affirmative result is always issued in the determination as to whether or not it is the return target.

When it is determined that the redemption is not to be performed, a signal indicating that the redemption is not performed will be transmitted in the process of transmitting the redemption control signal described later.
This signal is transmitted to the gaming machine 2 via the communication interface 53 in response to the instruction from the CPU 51.

If a positive result is obtained in the process of determining whether or not it is a return target, the server 1 shifts to a process of determining the return timing (step S).
55).

Various modes can be considered for the return timing. For example, for a gaming machine that reaches the upper limit and corresponds to the return target, the return is forcibly performed immediately after all the processes in the server are completed. It is also possible to do so, and it is also conceivable to give back after a predetermined time has passed after all the processing in the server is completed or after a predetermined game is played.

The processing for determining the return timing determines which of these timings to perform the return. If a single return timing is predetermined, that timing is used. To do.

When the process of determining the return timing is completed, the process proceeds to a process of determining whether or not it is the return timing (step S56).

The return timing is the same as in step S5 above.
5, the timing determined in this step is recorded in the memory 52 of the server 1. For example, when a timewise timing is given such as "how many minutes after the upper limit is reached", this recording is performed by a timer (not shown) provided in the server 1 to measure the timing. Will be waiting for. Further, for example, when timing is given according to the game situation of the player such as “after the player has played the game 20 times after reaching the upper limit”, various sensors provided in the gaming machine 2 By using, the CPU 33 of the gaming machine 2 sends a signal to the server 1 to notify it when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Since the server 1 starts the process relating to the return after the timing of the return, if it is determined that the timing has not come, the process returns to step S55 and the subsequent processes are repeated. Become.

When the server 1 determines that it is the return timing, a process for determining the return number is performed by referring to the amount (number) of the game media withheld in the previous step S43 (step S57).

The amount returned to the game machine 2 is the same as in the previous step S.
It is covered by the game medium reserved at 43 (see FIG. 9). Normally, when the upper limit is reached, a product obtained by multiplying the predetermined return rate by the upper limit is to be returned. In this case, in principle, the server 1 calculates the number of redemptions based on the data indicating the upper limit and the data indicating the redemption rate included in the upper limit reaching result transmitted from the gaming machine 2.

On the other hand, as described above, in the present invention, the server 1 refers to the past game history of the player, and the advantage obtained while the player relatively frequently plays the game. When it is determined that the amount is small, it is also possible to change the return rate of the gaming machine in which the player plays the game and make more returns. The gaming machine that adopts such a mode will be described later.

When the processing for determining the number of redemptions is completed, the server 1 shifts to the processing for transmitting a redemption control signal to the gaming machine (step S58).

Here, the return control signal transmitted from the server 1 to each of the gaming machines 2 is 2 depending on the result of the determination in the step (step S54) of determining whether or not it is the previous return target.
It will be divided into types. In the step of determining whether or not it is a redemption target (step S54), for the gaming machine determined to be a redemption target, a part of the redemption control signal is data indicating that it is a redemption target. A value of "1" is given, and a value of "0", which is data indicating that the game is not a redemption target, is given to a part of the redemption control signal. To do. In the case where the game machine that has reached the upper limit is always returned, the value of the above-described return control signal may be set to "1".

The return control signal also includes data indicating to what extent the return is to be performed, and all of these data are transmitted via the communication interface 33 in response to an instruction from the CPU 33 of the server 1. .

When the process of transmitting the return control signal ends, the server 1 shifts to the process of subtracting the number of holdings (step S59).

The number of holdings refers to the number of game media held in the memory 52 of the server 1 in step S43 described above with reference to FIG. Since the return to each gaming machine is performed by using this suspended game medium, it is necessary to subtract the data of the number of game media corresponding to the returned amount after the return is completed. There is.

The process of subtracting the number of reservations is performed by the CPU 33, and the data updated by the subtraction is newly recorded in the memory 52.

When the amount returned to the gaming machine fluctuates according to the gaming state, the CPU 33 of the gaming machine 2 displays data indicating the amount returned to the player after the returning in the gaming machine 2 is completed. It is also possible to transmit to the server 1 and, after receiving it, shift to the subtraction process.

When the processing for subtracting the number of holdings is completed, the server 1 returns to step S51 and performs the processing after the lottery for the return object again.

The outline of the configurations and operations of the gaming machine and the server in the credit return system of the present invention has been described above.

Hereinafter, with reference to the past game history of the player, a specific method for changing to a game state advantageous to the player according to the contents will be described. In the following, as specific methods for changing to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, a method for changing the upper limit value, a method for changing the return rate, and a method for changing the winning probability of the lottery to be returned will be described. I will.

FIG. 11 is an example of the above-mentioned game history. As shown in FIG. 11, in the game history, for each number of games played by the player, an upper limit value, a return rate, data indicating whether or not the upper limit is reached, and credit accumulation for the upper limit value. The upper limit of achievement is recorded, which indicates to what extent the consumption has been consumed. The server 1 refers to the game history and changes the upper limit value and the setting relating to the return according to the past game contents of the player.

<Aspect for Changing Game State by Referencing Game History Related to Upper Limit or Return> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server 1 when setting the upper limit value. This flowchart corresponds to the subroutine of step S21 shown in FIG.

First, the server 1 enters a state of waiting for a player number from each gaming machine managed by the server (step S60).

As described above, the server 1 manages a gaming machine group consisting of a plurality of gaming machines, so first of all,
It is necessary to identify the player of the gaming machine in the gaming state among the plurality of gaming machines managed by the server 1. The game machine 2 which is going to set the upper limit value is a game read from the card reader 23 of the game machine 2 via the communication interface circuit 41, the network NT, and the communication interface 53 of the server 1 according to an instruction from the CPU 33. The person number is transmitted to the server 1.

[0209] Here, the player number is numerical data given as unique information for each player without duplication, and is stored in a card held by the player. is there. As such a card, a so-called authentication card can be considered, but in view of the gist of the present invention, for example, it is a prepaid card in which fee data for obtaining the number of credits required for a game is recorded. However, it is sufficient if it can store the identification information for identifying each player.

When the server 1 waits for the player number of the player who plays a game on each gaming machine, the C of the server 1
It is determined whether the PU 51 has received the player number (step S61).

When it is determined that the player number has not been received, the process returns to step S60 again, and the player number is awaited.

When it is judged that the player number has been received,
The server 1 shifts to the process of referring to the game history (step S62).

The game history is referred to in order to know what kind of game the player playing on this game machine 2 has gone through in the past, and at the same time, as will be described later, according to the contents of the game. This is also for performing the process of changing the setting of the upper limit value.

The game history is as shown in FIG. 11 described above, and in this embodiment, it is stored in the database 54 of the server 1 and the CPU of the server 1
51 performs the processing. In this game history,
The upper limit value set so far, data indicating whether or not the return has been made, and the like are recorded.

Referring to the game history, the CPU of the server 1
51 shifts to a process of referring to data as to whether or not the player playing the game on the gaming machine 2 has reached the upper limit in the past game (step S63).

Data indicating whether or not the player has reached the upper limit in the past game is recorded in the "upper limit reached" column of the return history, and when the upper limit is reached, "1" data is stored. When the upper limit is not reached, the data of "0" is given in this column. The CPU 51 of the server 1 changes the setting of the next upper limit value with reference to the value of the upper limit achievement degree when the player has not reached the upper limit in the past game. Therefore, the CPU 51 of the server 1
The data in the "upper limit reached" column is referred to as the "upper limit reached" value of the number of games recorded as "0".

When the process of referring to the data indicating whether or not the upper limit is reached is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 shifts to the process of calculating the total upper limit reach (step S6).
4).

In the present embodiment, the upper limit value is changed by referring to the upper limit achievement level when the player has not reached the upper limit, so the total upper limit achievement level here is the same as in FIG.
In the game history of 1, the numerical data stored in the "upper limit reached" column corresponds to "0", which is the total upper limit reach. The CPU 51 of the server 1 performs the process of calculating the total upper limit reach,
For convenience of explanation, this total is referred to as (a).

When the process of calculating the total upper limit reach (= (a)) is completed, the server 1 proceeds to the process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach (step S65).

The average of the upper limit reachability is, as described above,
It refers to the average value of the upper limit attainment when the player has not reached the upper limit in the past games, and this processing is performed by the CPU 51 of the server 1. For convenience of explanation, this calculation result will be referred to as (b).

By calculating the average of the upper limit achievements in this way, it is possible to know the average of the game contents when the player has not reached the upper limit in the past game, and according to the game contents, It is possible to set the upper limit value so that the player can play the game in a more advantageous state.

When the process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach is completed, the server 1 shifts to the process of calculating [upper limit value × (1- (b))] (step S66).

The process of calculating [upper limit value × (1− (b))] is similarly performed by the CPU 51 of the server 1. The value calculated by (1- (b)) is obtained by subtracting from 1 the average value of the upper limit values that the player who is currently playing the game on the gaming machine 2 has digested in the past game, that is,
It shows the percentage of the upper limit that the player has not yet digested on average in past games. Further, by multiplying the value by the preset upper limit value, the upper limit value that the player should digest next is set, as described later. For convenience of explanation, the value calculated by this process is
(C).

When the process of calculating [upper limit value x (1- (b))] is completed, the server 1 shifts to the process of setting (c) as a new upper limit value (step S67).

The process of setting (c) as a new upper limit is performed by the CPU 51 of the server 1, whereby the player playing the game on the gaming machine 2 has to consume the new upper limit. Will be decided.

When the process of setting (c) as the new upper limit is completed, the server 1 shifts to the process of updating the game history (step S68).

The process of updating the game history is C of the server 1.
The PU 51 refers to a process of reading the game history stored in the database 54, updating it to a newly set upper limit value, and recording it. The data of the game history updated in this way becomes data to be referred to by a player playing a game in the gaming machine 2 in the future.

When the process of updating the game history ends, the server 1 ends this subroutine.

With the above-mentioned structure, the server which receives the identification information of the player read by the gaming machine, plays the game according to the contents of the game history of the player stored in the server. It is possible to change the state. As a result, for example, a player with a small amount of profit gained despite playing many games can be changed to a more advantageous game state, and the amount of profit profit can be reduced. Therefore, there is a possibility that the customers who have left for the reason may be able to be regained.

<Process of Setting Return Rate> Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a process of changing the setting of the return rate will be described. In the present invention, as described above, the player who plays a game on the gaming machine is identified, the past game history of the player is referred to, and the player frequently plays the game in the past game. If the profit gained is small, the game server, the game machine, and the game management method are provided so as to change the game state to be advantageous to the player. In the following, as one specific example of changing to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, a mode of changing the return rate will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the server 1 when setting the return rate. This flowchart corresponds to the subroutine of step S58 shown in FIG.

The server 1 first receives the player number from each gaming machine managed by the server, and refers to the game history corresponding to the player number (step S).
101).

The process of referring to the game history is C of the server 1.
This is performed by the PU 51, and refers to the game history stored in the database 54 of the server 1 based on the identification information of the player who plays the game on the gaming machine 2 transmitted from the gaming machine 2. The player's identification information is stored in a card possessed by the player, and in response to the player inserting this card into the card insertion slot 22 (see FIG. 2), the card reader 23 (See FIG. 4). The read identification information is transmitted from the gaming machine 2 to the server 1 via the communication interface circuit 41, the network NT, and the communication interface 53 in step S55 of FIG. 10 described above.

As described above, the game history is similar to the table shown in FIG. 11, and for each player identification information (identification number for identifying the player), The past game history is stored in the database 54 of the server 1. The stored contents are shown in FIG.
As shown in 1, for each number of past games, the upper limit value, the return rate, whether or not the upper limit has been reached, and to what extent the cumulative amount of credits consumed by the player with respect to the upper limit value has reached Or (upper limit reach).

When the process of referring to the game history is completed, the server 1 shifts to the process of referring to the data indicating whether or not the upper limit is reached (step S102).

The process of referring to the data indicating whether or not the upper limit has been reached is performed by the CPU 51 of the server 1.
In the game history referred to in the previous step S101, the data in the "upper limit reached" column is referenced to check whether or not the upper limit has been reached. If it indicates that the upper limit has been reached, data of "1" is given in the "Upper limit reached" column, and if it indicates that the upper limit has not been reached, "0" data is given in this column. Is given.

In the present embodiment, the past game history of the identified player is referred to, and to what extent the upper limit is being consumed when the upper limit is not reached (the cumulative consumption amount of credits is the upper limit). When the ratio is high, the game state is changed to a more advantageous game state for the player, based on the extent to which the game is finished). Therefore, in this step, the game which has not reached the upper limit is detected.

When the process of referring to the data indicating whether or not the upper limit is reached is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 shifts to the process of calculating the total upper limit reach (step S1).
03).

In the present embodiment, the upper limit value is changed with reference to the upper limit reach when the player has not reached the upper limit, so the sum of the upper limit reach here means that in FIG.
In the game history of 1, the numerical data stored in the "upper limit reached" column corresponds to "0", which is the total upper limit reach. The CPU 51 of the server 1 performs the process of calculating the total upper limit reach,
For convenience of explanation, this total is referred to as (a).

When the process of calculating the total upper limit reach (= (a)) is completed, the server 1 proceeds to the process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach (step S65).

As described above, the average of the upper limit reachability is as follows.
It refers to the average value of the upper limit attainment when the player has not reached the upper limit in the past games, and this processing is performed by the CPU 51 of the server 1. For convenience of explanation, this calculation result will be referred to as (b).

By calculating the average of the upper limit achievements in this way, it is possible to know the average of the game contents when the player has not reached the upper limit in the past game, and according to the game contents, It is possible to set the upper limit value so that the player can play the game in a more advantageous state.

When the process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 determines that the average of the upper limit reach is three.
The process moves to the process of determining whether or not it is 0 or more (step S105).

When a positive result is obtained in this step, this means that it is determined that the average of the upper limit achievement degrees of the player is relatively high, and at this time, C
The PU 51 moves to step S106 and moves to a process of determining whether the average of the upper limit reach is 50 or more (step S106).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S105, this means that it is determined that the average of the upper limit attainment degrees of the player is relatively low. At this time, the CPU 51 Is step S110
Then, the process of adding 5 to the return rate is performed (step S110).

When it is determined that the average of the upper limit reach is 30 or more, the CPU 51 of the server 1 shifts to the process of determining whether the average of the upper limit reach is 50 or more (step S106). .

If a positive result is obtained in this step, this means that it is determined that the average of the upper limit attainment degrees of the player is particularly high, and at this time, CP
The U51 moves to step S107 and moves to a process of adding 20 to the return rate (step S107).

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in step S106, it is determined that this is not particularly high although the average of the upper limit achievement degrees of the player is relatively high. At this time, the CPU 51 moves to step S111 and sets the return rate to 1
A process of adding 0 is performed (step S111).

In each of steps S107, S110, and S111, when the process of adding a predetermined value to the return rate ends, the CPU 5 of the server 1
1 shifts to the process of setting a new return rate (step S108).

The process of setting the return rate is performed by the CP of the server 1.
This is performed by U51, and the above steps S107 and S1 are performed.
10, a process of setting a new return rate that is the result of addition in S111 as a return rate in the next game. The new return rate is recorded in the database 54 of the server 1, and is also transmitted to each game machine collectively managed by the server 1 via the communication interface 53, the network NT, and the communication interface circuit 41 of the game machine 2. It will be.

When the process of setting the return rate is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 shifts to the process of updating the game history (step S109).

The process of updating the game history is as shown in FIG.
It is a process of recording a new return rate as the contents of the game history shown in FIG. The game history is stored in the database 54 of the server 1 as described above, and the CPU 51 of the server 1 performs a process of reading the game history and recording the newly set return rate value therein. .

When the process of updating the game history is completed, this subroutine is completed.

By performing the processing as described above, the higher the degree of reaching the upper limit of the past game is, the next game can be played with a higher return rate. Thereby, it is possible to transmit to the gaming machine a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the content of the game history related to the upper limit. Further, in the gaming machine of the mode of performing the lottery as to whether or not to give back when the upper limit is reached, by counting the number of times the return is not made even though the upper limit is reached, the game is played according to the number A similar method can be used to cause a change in state. With this, it is possible to transmit to the gaming machine a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the contents of the game history relating to the return.

In the above embodiment, the gaming state is changed in each gaming machine according to the contents of the gaming history regarding the upper limit or the return, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the player is not required to do so. The player may be shifted to an advantageous game state by providing support information by means of the support information. As an example of the support information, for example, a method of changing the redemption rate and the like and displaying a new redemption rate as in the above-described mode is conceivable, but in the following description, a gaming machine with a higher redemption rate is used. The method to provide to the person is explained.

<Mode of Changing Game State Using Support Information> Hereinafter, a mode of changing the game state using support information will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1
5 is a flowchart showing the operating state of the server 1 until the support information and the like are transmitted to the player. It should be noted that this flowchart is performed by the server 1 in response to the processing of step S20 of FIG. 6 in the gaming machine 2 shown above.

First, the CPU 51 of the server 1 performs a game state determination process (step S141).

The determination of the game state refers to a process of determining whether or not the player is playing a game in the game machines collectively managed by the server 1. Whether or not the player is playing the game is determined in step S2 of FIG. 6 described above.
7, which is a subroutine of step 0, step S96
It is performed based on the information transmitted in. This information includes a signal indicating whether or not the card held by the player in each gaming machine is detected, and the CPU 51 of the server 1 determines the gaming state based on the signal.

Next, the CPU 51 of the server 1
Performs a process of determining whether or not a card is detected in each gaming machine collectively managed by (step S142).

Whether or not the card is detected is determined by the signal transmitted from each gaming machine, as described above. In the process of step S96 in FIG. 7 described above, a signal indicating that a card has been detected is transmitted from each gaming machine. C
Upon receiving this, the PU 51 determines whether or not the card has been detected. If it is determined that the card has not been detected, the processing ends.

When it is determined that the card is detected, the CPU 51 of the server 1 performs the player identification process (step S143).

The process for identifying the player is a process for receiving the authentication information stored in the card and specifying the player who inserted the card. As described above, the card used here may be any card that includes information for identifying the owner, and it is preferable that the card also includes the owner's name and the like as data.

When the processing for identifying the player is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 shifts to the processing for transmitting the greeting information to the gaming machine 2 (step S144).

The process of transmitting the greeting information is performed by the server 1C.
PU 51 is communication interface 53, network N
This is a process of displaying a greeting screen on the display unit 19 of the gaming machine 2 via T and the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2.

The gaming machine in this embodiment can identify the player in the previous step S143, and the player's name and the like are also recorded in the card possessed by the player. The server 1 transmits a signal to the gaming machine 2 to display the screen illustrated in FIG. As the greeting screen, it is more preferable to display a dialogue such as “Mr. XX, welcome!” In voice or text.

When the process of transmitting the greeting information is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 performs the process of referring to the game history (step S145).

As described above, the game history is stored in the database 54 of the server 1 for each player, and includes the information illustrated in FIG. 11 above. The present invention is characterized in that the server 1 refers to the contents of the game history of each player and causes the game state to change in accordance with the contents. CPU 51 of server 1
By referring to the game history, will be prepared for the subsequent processing.

When the process of referring to the game history is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the process of referring to the number of games (step S146).

The number of games is the maximum value of the numerical values recorded in the column "game number" in the game history shown in FIG. The player has played the game in the past by the number of times recorded in the "number of games" column. The number of games the server 1 referred to in this process is
It is used for processing that is performed later. In the present embodiment, this number of games will be referred to as (a) for convenience of explanation.

When the process for referring to the number of games is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the process for referring to the number of times the upper limit has not been reached (step S147).

The number of times that the upper limit has not been reached is the number of games in which the numerical value recorded in the "upper limit reached" column in the game history shown in FIG. 11 is "0". The gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the number of medals inserted by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit value, returns at a fixed rate, but the numerical value recorded in this "upper limit reached" column is " If "1" is recorded, then the player has reached the upper limit and has received a return. vice versa,
When the numerical value recorded in the "upper limit reached" column is recorded as "0", it indicates that the player could not reach the upper limit. The “number of times the upper limit has not been reached” referred to by the server 1 in this process is used in the process performed later. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the “number of times the upper limit has not been reached” is set as (b).

When the processing for referring to the number of times that the upper limit has not been reached is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes (b) /
A process of calculating (a) is executed (step S14).
8).

As can be seen from the above description, (b) / (a) shows how much of the total number of games the player could not reach the upper limit. The higher the numerical value calculated in this way, the more the player is playing many games, but the less the reward is being played (that is, the game is not rewarded). The numerical value calculated here will be used in the subsequent processing.

When the process of calculating (b) / (a) is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes a process of determining whether the value of (b) / (a) is 0.6 or more. (Step S149).

If a positive result is obtained in this step, this means that the amount of profit obtained is small even though the player is playing a lot of games, and the CPU 51 causes the game to play. A process of changing the player's game state is executed. On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in this step, this means that the player is being returned at a predetermined rate, and the CPU 51
Performs the subsequent processing.

If the CPU 51 of the server 1 determines that the value of (b) / (a) is 0.6 or more, the CPU
51 executes a process of referring to the gaming machine table (step S150).

The gaming machine table is a table in which data such as the upper limit value, the return rate, and the return amount of a plurality of gaming machines managed collectively by the server 1 are recorded, and is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the server 1 is written as a game management server that manages the gaming machine group G01. Server 1
As will be described later, is for players who have acquired a small amount of profit despite playing many games,
I am trying to give support information. The reason for referring to the gaming machine table is to find a gaming machine that is more advantageous to the player.

When the processing for referring to the gaming machine table is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the processing for judging whether or not there is a gaming machine having a high return rate (step S15).
1).

The process of determining whether or not there is a gaming machine with a high return rate determines whether or not there is a gaming machine with a higher return rate than the gaming machine 2 that the player is currently trying to play. Refers to processing. This process is based on the previous step S15.
CPU 51 based on the gaming machine table referred to in 0.
Is what you do.

[0280] CP with a gaming machine having a high return rate
When U51 determines, the CPU 51 of the server 1
A process of transmitting support information is executed for the gaming machine 2 on which the player is going to play a game (step S15).
2).

The support information is information provided for recommending a gaming machine which can obtain a large amount of profit to a player who earns a small amount of profit despite playing a lot of games. Specifically, it is a process of displaying support information from the server 1 on the display unit 19 of the gaming machine 2, and the support information display signal causes the communication interface 53 of the server 1, the network NT, and the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2 to be displayed. This is a process that is transmitted via.

FIG. 16B shows a display example of support information. In FIG. 16, a balloon saying "There is a good platform in XX number!" Is displayed in order to recommend an advantageous gaming machine to the player. The player who sees the support information displayed on the display unit 19 can move to a gaming machine in which he or she can easily obtain a profit. As a result, it becomes possible to change the game state according to the contents of the game history.

In step S151, if the CPU 51 determines that there is no gaming machine with a high return rate, C
PU51 performs the process which transmits navigation information (step S153).

[0284] What is the process of transmitting navigation information?
This information is for notifying a player who has earned a small amount of profit despite playing a lot of games that the gaming machine that he / she is going to play is a high return rate machine. Specifically, it is a process of displaying navigation information from the server 1 on the display unit 19 of the gaming machine 2, and the navigation information display signal causes the communication interface 53 of the server 1, the network NT, and the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2 to be displayed. This is a process that is transmitted via.

FIG. 16C shows a display example of navigation information. In FIG. 16, in order to inform the player that he is sitting on the gaming machine with a high return rate, he said, "Don't sit on a nice stand!
I'll be out today! Is displayed. The player who sees the navigation information displayed on the display unit 19 can play the game with peace of mind.

When the process of transmitting the navigation information and the support information is completed, the server 1 ends this subroutine.

In the previous step S149, (b) /
The value of (a) is 0.6 or less and the CPU of the server 1
When 51 determines, the CPU 51 executes a process of referring to the upper limit reaching data (step S154).

The upper limit reaching data is a numerical value recorded in the column "upper limit reaching" in the game history shown in FIG. In this column, numerical data of "1" is given when the player has reached the upper limit in each game, and numerical data of "0" is given when the player has not reached the upper limit. The CPU 51 of the server 1 refers to the numerical value recorded in the "upper limit reached" column, and refers to the game to which the numerical data of "0" is given in this column. The data referred to by the server 1 here will be used for the processing performed later.

When the process of referring to the upper limit reaching data is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the process of calculating the total upper limit reaching degree (step S155).

[0290] The total upper limit achievement is the "upper limit reach" column in the game in which the numerical value recorded in the "upper limit reached" column in the game history shown in Fig. 11 is "0". It is the sum of values. The gaming machine of this embodiment,
When the number of medals inserted by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit value, it is returned at a fixed rate, but if the number recorded in this "upper limit achievement" column is large, that player It means that the amount of profit gained is small despite playing a lot of games. Note that the “total upper limit reach” referred to by the server 1 in this process is used in the process performed later.

When the process of calculating the total of the upper limit reach is completed, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach (step S156).

The process of calculating the average of the upper limit reach is a value obtained by dividing the total of the upper limit reach calculated in the previous step S155 by the number of games not reaching the upper limit referred to in the previous step S154. . By this processing, it becomes possible to know to what extent the player has consumed the quota up to the upper limit when the upper limit cannot be reached in the past history (that is, when the player fails to receive the return). In addition,
The average of the upper limit reach calculated here is, for convenience of explanation,
I will call it (c).

When the process of calculating the average of the upper limit attainment ends, the CPU 51 of the server 1 executes the process of determining whether the value of (c) is 50 or more (step S1).
57).

The process of determining whether or not the average of the upper limit attainment is 50 or more is for knowing to what extent the player has failed to receive the return in the past game, and in this step If an affirmative result is obtained, this means that the amount of profit obtained is small even though the player is playing a lot of games, and the CPU 51 of the server 1 moves to step S150. If there is a platform having a higher return rate than the gaming machine that the player is currently trying to play with reference to the gaming machine table (step S151), the support information for teaching the gaming machine to the gaming machine is provided. Will be sent (step S1)
52).

On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in this step, this means that the player is being returned at a reasonable level, and at this time, C of the server 1 is returned.
PU51 performs the process which transmits navigation information (step S158).

[0296] The process of transmitting navigation information is
This information is for supporting a player who has gained a profit at an appropriate level to play a game. Specifically, it is a process of displaying navigation information from the server 1 on the display unit 19 of the gaming machine 2, and the navigation information display signal causes the communication interface 53 of the server 1, the network NT, and the communication interface circuit 41 of the gaming machine 2 to be displayed. This is a process that is transmitted via.

FIG. 16D shows a display example of navigation information. In FIG. 16, in order to encourage the player, "○○!
I won't go home until today! Is displayed. The player who sees the navigation information displayed on the display unit 19 can play the game with the support.

When the process of transmitting the navigation information ends, the CPU 51 of the server 1 ends this subroutine.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the content of the game history of the player specified from the authentication information stored in the server is determined based on the authentication information stored in the storage medium held by the player. Then, the game state of the player is changed. Specifically, for example, when a player is playing many games and the amount of profit obtained is small, the game state is changed to a game state advantageous to the player, You can get a lot of benefits to. As a result, there is a possibility that it is possible to regain a customer group who has left away because it is not profitable to play games frequently.

Further, according to the present invention, for example, when a player is playing many games and the amount of profit obtained is small, the game state is provided with advantageous information for the player. Therefore, there is a possibility that the player can obtain many benefits.

[Second Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an overview of the gaming machine according to the present invention. In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine as a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention.

The pachinko game machine 210 includes a main body frame 21.
2, the game board 214 incorporated in the main body frame 212, and the window frame 21 of the main body frame 212 provided on the front surface of the game board 214
6, an upper plate 220 and a lower plate 222 provided on the front side of the body frame 212 below the window frame 216, and a firing handle 226 provided on the right side of the lower plate 222.

Also, a plurality of obstacle nails (not shown) are struck in on the front surface of the game board 214. It should be noted that the game board 214 is molded with a resin material, instead of being configured to drive a nail,
A configuration may be adopted in which a metal rod-shaped body is planted so as to project in the front direction of the game board 214 on the game board 214 made of this resin material, and the pachinko game machine 210 configured as described above.
The present invention can also be applied to a (Pachicon machine).
In this specification, the pachinko game machine 210 is a concept including a pachi-con machine.

Further, the firing handle 226 is the body frame 212.
It is rotatably provided with respect to the player, and the player can advance the pachinko game by operating the firing handle 226. A firing motor 228 is provided on the back side of the firing handle 226. When the firing handle 226 is rotated clockwise by the player, electric power is supplied to the firing motor 228 and the upper plate 2
The game balls stored in 20 are sequentially shot to the game board 214.

The game ball shot is guided by the guide rails 230 provided on the game board 214.
, And then falls toward the lower side of the game board 214 while changing its traveling direction due to the collision with the plurality of obstacle nails described above.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view in which the game board 214 is enlarged.
9 shows. The components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 18 are designated by the same reference numerals. In addition, FIG.
Indicates that the above-mentioned obstacle nail is omitted.

A display device 232, which is a display unit, is provided substantially in the center of the front surface of the game board 214. A display device 252 is provided at the center of the upper portion of the display device 232. The display device 252 is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display, and the normal symbol, which is the display information, is variably displayed so as to repeat fluctuation and stop.

Ball passage detectors 255a and 255b are provided on the left and right sides of the display device 232. This ball passage detector 255a or 255b, when detecting that the game ball has passed in the vicinity thereof, on the above-mentioned display device 252, the variable display of the normal symbol is started, and after a predetermined time has passed, the normal symbol Stop changing display.

[0310] This normal symbol is a predetermined symbol, for example, "7".
When it is stopped and displayed, the solenoid 257 for driving the movable pieces 258a and 258b provided on both the left and right sides of the starting port 244 described later (see FIG. 3).
Current) to drive the movable pieces 258a and 258b so that the game ball easily enters the starting opening 244,
The starting port 244 is opened. After the start port 244 is opened, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the movable piece is driven to close the start port 244,
The game balls are hard to enter.

Four holding lamps 234a to 234d are provided on both left and right sides of the above-mentioned display device 252. Further, at the upper part of the display device 252, a general winning opening 250
Is provided. In addition, at the bottom of the game board 214, a winning opening 238 for gaming balls is provided. This prize hole 23
A shutter 240 is provided in the vicinity of 8 so as to be openable and closable. The shutter 240 is driven by a solenoid 248 (see FIG. 3) so as to be opened when a variable display game to be described later is in a big hit state.

General winning openings 254a and 254b are provided on both left and right sides of the above-mentioned display device 232. Furthermore, general winning openings 254c and 254d are provided on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the display device 232. In addition, at the left and right ends of the game board 214, special winning openings 256a and 256
6b is provided, and special winning openings 256c and 256d are provided on both left and right sides of the winning opening 238.

Further, there is provided a starting opening 244 having a ball detection sensor 242 which triggers a shift to a variable display state of a plurality of symbols displayed on the display device 232, for example, three symbols as identification information. When a game ball is won in the above-described winning opening 238, starting opening 244, general winning openings 254a to 254d, and special winning openings 256a to 256d, the number of game balls preset according to the type of winning opening is the lower plate. It is designed to be paid out in 222. Also, depending on the number of winnings of the game ball to one of the winning openings,
The game state is changed, such as the time saving state.

Furthermore, rolling guide members 260a and 260b for guiding the path of the game ball in a predetermined direction are provided on both left and right sides of the display device 232. Also,
Decorative lamps 236a and 236b are provided on the upper left side and the upper right side of the outside of the game board 214.

The portion of the above-mentioned display device 232 for displaying an effect image to be described later may be a liquid crystal display panel or a cathode ray tube. In addition, in the example described above, the display device 2
32 shows the case where it is provided in the approximate center of the front surface of the game board 214 of the pachinko game machine 210 which is a game machine, but it is displayed at any position of the game machine as long as it can be seen by the player. The device 232 may be provided.

Furthermore, in recent years, even in the pachi-slot gaming machine,
There is also a device having a liquid crystal screen in addition to the symbol display means for displaying a symbol, and such a pachi-slot gaming device displays a game effect screen similar to that of a pachinko gaming device within the liquid crystal screen to improve the taste. However, the present invention may also be applied to a pachi-slot gaming machine having such a liquid crystal screen.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine which is the embodiment of the present invention.

The firing handle 226 described above is connected to the interface circuit group 262 of the control circuit 260, and the interface circuit group 262 is connected to the input / output bus 264. An angle signal indicating the rotation angle of the firing handle 226 is converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 262 and then supplied to the input / output bus 264.
The input / output bus 264 is adapted to input / output data signals or address signals to / from a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 266.

Also, the interface circuit group 2 described above
A ball detection sensor 242 is also connected to 62, and when the game ball passes through the starting opening 244, the ball detection sensor 2
42 supplies the detection signal to the interface circuit group 262. Further, a ball passing detector 255 is also connected to the interface circuit group 262, and the ball passing detector 25
When 5 detects that the game ball has passed the vicinity, 5 supplies a detection signal to the interface circuit group 262.

The input / output bus 264 described above has a ROM
A (read only memory) 268 and a RAM (random access memory) 270 are also connected. R
The OM 268 stores a control program for controlling the flow of the entire game of the pachinko gaming apparatus. Furthermore, ROM268
Is image data of a symbol that is displayed in a variable or stopped manner when the variable display game is executed on the display device 232.
Character image data of a character such as a moving object displayed as an effect screen, background image data forming the background of the display device 232, moving image data, sound data used for a game, and initial data for executing a control program. Also, a program for controlling the blinking operation pattern of the decoration lamp 236 and the like are stored.

The RAM 270 also stores the values of flags and variables used in the above-mentioned program. For example, it stores new input data, a calculation result by the CPU 266, cumulative reach data indicating a history of games, a cumulative variation number, and a cumulative jackpot number.

The CPU 266, which is the control unit, executes the arithmetic processing by calling and executing a predetermined program, and based on the result of the arithmetic processing, the character image data, the background image data, the moving picture image data and the pattern image data, The sound data is transmitted as electronic data and other controls are performed.

Further, the CPU 266 reads out the image data of the design which is the above-mentioned identification information, and displays it on the display device 232.
In the display device 2, it is controlled so that the symbols are variably displayed, and the mutual combination state of the symbols, which are a plurality of identification information, is displayed.
In 32, control is performed so that the display is stopped at a predetermined timing.

An interface circuit group 272 is also connected to the input / output bus 264. The interface circuit group 272 includes a display device 232 and a speaker 24.
6, a firing motor 228, a solenoid 248, a holding lamp 234, and a decoration lamp 236 are connected, and the interface circuit group 272 drives signals and drives to control each of the above-mentioned devices according to the result of the arithmetic processing in the CPU 266. Supply power.

The display device 232, which is a display unit, is composed of a variable symbol display unit and an effect screen display unit, and under control of the CPU 266, both screens displayed on these two display units are combined and displayed. It should be noted that the display device 232 is not limited to such a configuration and may have a configuration having three or more display portions. By combining these display portions, an image of a design or an effect image is displayed on the display device 232. May be By displaying the screens displayed on the plurality of display units on the display device 232 as described above, the variable scene of the symbol displayed on one display unit and the effect screen displayed on the effect screen are combined. This enables various display modes.

Further, the solenoid 248 is for opening and closing the shutter 240 as described above. Further, the hold lamp 234 indicates the number of times the combination of symbols displayed on the display device 232 has been validated. Furthermore, the decoration lamp 236 blinks or lights up when the game is a big hit or when the reach is reached, in order to inform the player to that effect.

In the following, the pachinko game machine 210
Is started, the variables used in the CPU 266 described above are initialized to predetermined values, and the steady operation is performed.

21 to 23, a gaming machine and a method of controlling the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control system for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. The system configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a central processing unit (CPU) 266, an input unit 284, and an output unit 28.
5. Basically, it is composed of an external storage device 286.
The CPU 266 further includes a calculation unit 281 and a control unit 28.
2. The storage means 283. It should be noted that the input unit 284 stores the input information from devices such as the firing handle 226, the ball detection sensor 242, and the ball passage detector 255 shown in FIG. 20 under the control of the control unit 282.
It is to be sent to 83. Also, the output means 285 is
The display devices 232 and 252 and the speaker 24 shown in FIG.
6, the data transmitted from the storage unit 283 is output to the device such as the hold lamp 234.

The arithmetic means 281 incorporates a device that adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides the data sent from the control means 282 and the storage means 283 by using a logic circuit, and returns the arithmetic result to the control means 282. The configuration of the arithmetic means for controlling the gaming machine according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 22 described later.

The control means 282 is a center that fulfills the function of controlling the gaming machine according to the present invention, such as the arithmetic means 281, the input means 284, the storage means 283, the output means 285, and the external storage device 286, and the external storage device 286. The program data stored in the storage unit 283 and the data temporarily stored in the storage unit 283 are taken out, the calculation instruction by the calculation unit 281 is analyzed, and the program is executed after being put into an executable state. Is returned to each means.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, the storage means 283 temporarily stores the operation result information (bit information) calculated by the operation means 281, and
A register that can perform an operation by shifting the bit information is used.

Further, in the embodiment according to the present invention, ROM 268 and RAM 270 are used as external storage means.
Etc. The RAM 270 stores new input data, cumulative reach data indicating a calculation result by the CPU 266 and a history of games, a cumulative fluctuation count, and a cumulative jackpot count. The ROM 268 stores a control program for controlling the flow of the entire game of the pachinko gaming machine, image data, and the like. In the memory area in which the program for executing the variable display game, the data required by the program itself, and the program for controlling the speaker and the display unit are read, the stored program and data are controlled by a control unit. When the amount of read / write processing is large and the storage capacity of the RAM 270 becomes full when reading / writing in response to the request of 282, a storage medium such as a hard disk is used as a virtual memory, and the swap area of the RAM 270 is a hard disk. It is also possible to supplement.

The flow of operation of the above-mentioned control system will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the gaming machine control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the CPU 266 executes a process of determining whether or not a game ball has entered the starting opening of the gaming machine (step S201).

The process of determining whether or not a game ball has entered the starting opening is the starting opening 244 (FIG. 19) depending on the game played by the player.
It is detected that the game ball has entered by the process of determining whether or not the game ball has entered the reference opening), the starting opening 24
This is a process performed depending on whether or not the CPU 266 receives a detection signal transmitted from a ball entrance sensor (not shown) attached to the No. 4 ball. When the CPU 266 determines that the ball has not entered the starting opening 244, the CPU 266
Ends the processing in this control routine.

When the CPU 266 determines that a ball has entered the starting opening 244, the CPU 266 executes a process for performing an internal lottery (step S202).

Pachinko gaming device 21 in the present embodiment
As a general rule, 0 determines whether or not it is a big hit depending on the combination of symbols when all symbols belonging to a plurality of groups which are variably displayed on the display device 232 are stopped and displayed. In addition, as will be described later, when a jackpot game is stocked, the pachinko game machine 210 of the present embodiment has an effect that the player does not notice that he or she has been a jackpot.

The process of performing the internal lottery is a lottery for deciding whether or not to make a big hit (whether or not to make a big hit flag), and when the symbols that have been variably displayed are stopped and displayed. It is a process of predetermining a combination of symbols. In addition, when it is decided to make a big hit by lottery, two kinds of combinations of stop symbols (a stop symbol when a big hit game is stocked and a stop symbol when not stocked) are prepared.

When the process of performing the internal lottery is completed, the CPU
266 executes processing for determining whether or not the jackpot flag is established (step S203).

The process of determining whether or not the jackpot flag is established refers to the process of determining whether or not to make a jackpot in the internal lottery process of the previous step S202. When the CPU 266 determines that the jackpot flag is not established, the CPU 266 ends the process of this control routine.

When the CPU 266 determines that the jackpot flag has been established, the CPU 266 executes the process for stock lottery (step S204).

The stock lottery is a lottery for deciding whether or not the jackpot flag is stocked. If the lottery is missed, the jackpot game is started, and if the lottery is won. The jackpot gaming machine is not moved, and only the jackpot flag is stocked as it is.

When the stock lottery process is completed, C
The PU 266 executes a process of determining whether or not to release (step S205).

With release, in the stock lottery of the previous step S204, when it is determined that the jackpot is not stocked, the jackpot flag established in the internal lottery of step S202 is exhausted (that is, the game ball is given to the player. “Discharge”).

If an affirmative result is obtained in this step, this means that "it is not decided to perform payout suppression by the payout suppression lottery", and the CPU 266
The process moves to step S206 and a process of playing a jackpot game is executed (step S206). On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in this step, this means that “the payout suppression is determined by the payout suppression lottery”, and C
The PU 266 moves to step S207 and executes a process of stocking the jackpot flag (step S207).

When the CPU 266 determines that the jackpot is to be released, the CPU 266 executes a jackpot game process (step S206).

In the big hit game, the shutter 240 near the winning opening 238 is driven by a solenoid 248 (see FIG. 20) to open and close at a predetermined timing, and the player plays the game according to the timing when the shutter 240 opens. A game in which a ball is entered and a game ball corresponding to the number of entered balls is released. The process of playing the jackpot game will be described later.

When the CPU 266 determines that the release is not to be performed, the CPU 266 executes the flag stocking process (step S207).

The flag stocking process is a process of storing the jackpot flag established in the previous internal lottery (step S202) in the RAM 270 provided as an external storage means. In the RAM 270, the flag stored in the past game may remain, and at this time, a new jackpot flag is added and stored. In this way, the RAM 270 constitutes a “payout number storage means for cumulatively storing the number of payouts”.

When the process of playing the jackpot game or the process of stocking the flag ends, the CPU 266 ends the process of this control routine.

Next, the flow of operations for controlling the jackpot game in step S206 of FIG. 22 will be described.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart for explaining the operation flow of the CPU 226 when controlling the jackpot game.

The CPU 226 first executes a process of determining whether or not it is a jackpot (step S21).
0).

With respect to "whether or not it is a big hit", the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the display device 232 of the pachinko game machine 210 is the symbol determined in the internal lottery process of step S202 of the previous FIG. This refers to the process of determining whether or not they match the combination. CPU that does not match the design determined in the internal lottery process
If 266 makes a determination, the present control routine is once terminated and the processing is repeated from step S210.

When it is determined that the symbol matches the symbol determined in the internal lottery process, the CPU 266
Executes a process of counting the number of jackpot stocks (step S211).

The jackpot stock count indicates the number of flags stocked in the process of the previous step S207 (see FIG. 22), and this data is stored in the RAM 270, which is an external storage device, as described above. Remembered The CPU 266 counts the number of flags stored in the RAM 270, and in principle pays out game balls according to the number to the player.

When the processing for counting the number of jackpot stocks is completed, the CPU 266 executes processing for calculating the number of payout game balls (step S212).

With the number of payout game balls, the above-mentioned step S211 is executed.
It is calculated from the number of jackpots stocked in step 1, and is calculated by multiplying the number of stocked jackpots by the number of game balls paid out by one jackpot. The CPU 266 executes step S21.
The number of payout game balls is calculated from the number of jackpot stocks grasped in 1. The calculated number of payout game balls is stored in the RAM 270 which is an external storage device.

Here, in the pachinko game machine 210 in this embodiment, the number of game balls to be paid out every hour (or every day) is limited. This limit is set so that the player does not lose his normal judgment ability due to the excessive gambling of the pachinko game.
The content is 00 balls or less (total of 120,000 balls or less per day). In this step, the number of payout game balls is calculated in order to determine whether or not this limit is exceeded.

When the process of calculating the number of payout game balls is completed, the CPU 266 executes a process of determining whether or not the number of payout game balls is equal to or more than the limit number (step S21).
3).

As described above, in the pachinko game machine 210 of this embodiment, the number of game balls to be paid out is limited. In this step, it is determined whether or not "the number of payout game balls exceeds a predetermined number of game balls", and this processing is performed by the arithmetic means 281 of the CPU 266.

When the calculation means 281 determines that the number of payout game balls is equal to or more than the limit number, the CPU 266 executes the payout limit process (step S214).

The payout limit process is a process performed so that the number of game balls to be paid out falls within a predetermined limit number. For example, a method of changing the number of payout game balls stored in the RAM 270 to a predetermined limit number. Alternatively, the number of jackpot flags stored in the RAM 270 is reduced so that the number of payout game balls becomes a predetermined limit number, or a method of carrying over an excessively large number of flags to the next jackpot. Etc. are possible. In addition, a storage unit for storing game balls may be provided inside the pachinko gaming apparatus 210 so that the game balls cannot be stored in excess of a predetermined limit number, so that the game balls can be structurally limited. .

When the payout restriction process is completed, the CPU 266
Executes a process of releasing a game ball (step S21)
5).

The process of releasing the game ball is a process of paying out the game ball to the player, which is determined in the payout restriction process of the previous step S214. CPU 266 is R
The number of game balls to be released is read from the AM 270, and “release” is performed to the player according to the read number. Previous step S213
In, even when the CPU 266 determines that the number of payout game balls is not more than the limit number, the game balls are discharged according to this step.

When the process of releasing the game ball is completed, CP
U266 ends the processing of this control routine.

Since it is possible to make a wave in the game state by adopting the structure for stocking the jackpot as described above, if the jackpot flag is established, the conventional pachinko game where the game balls are paid out Compared with the device, the gambling property is moderately enhanced and the enjoyment of the game is increased.

FIG. 24 shows the movement of the number of payout balls per day in the conventional pachinko game machine and the pachinko game machine of the present invention in comparison. Of the two line graphs in the figure, the solid line represents the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention, and the broken line represents the conventional pachinko gaming machine. Further, for convenience of explanation, it is considered that the player owns 2,4000 game balls in the initial state (the state before starting the game).

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 24, in the conventional pachinko game machine, the game balls are paid out every time the jackpot flag is established. In the graph, "big hit"
The part where the amount of game balls is temporarily increased after is shown as such. In a conventional pachinko gaming machine, as shown in the graph, the sequence of establishment of a big hit, increase of game balls, and normal game (reduction of game balls) is monotonously repeated.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 24, in the pachinko gaming apparatus of the present invention, whether to release or stock even if the jackpot flag is established is determined by lottery. The parts described in the graph as “release determination”, “release”, and “stock” show the situation. In the pachinko machine of the present invention, as expressed in the graph,
Since the jackpot flag may be stocked continuously (in the graph, it is expressed as the number of game balls decreases continuously), after becoming a state of "release decision" by lottery, until now The game balls for the stock will be released at once (in the graph, the number of game balls is continuously increased at once).

As described above, in the pachinko gaming apparatus of the present invention, a big hit is stocked, so that a wave is generated in the gaming state. In the graph, "Large wave 1",
Three waves of "small wave" and "large wave 2" are formed, and at this time, the player playing the game with the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention can obtain a large number of game balls at a stretch. On the contrary, a player who is playing a game during a time when stocks are continuously played continues playing while expecting a big wave (continuous emission).

With the gambling property which is appropriately increased in this way, the enjoyment of the game itself is significantly increased. In addition, a player who plays a game while stocks are continuously performed is more likely to continue the game until the release is performed, and a player who has experienced that the release is continuously performed is Also, the possibility of visiting the game hall is increased, and this may lead to the possibility of eliminating the conventionally-problem customer separation.

In the above embodiment, the "release" and "stock" are controlled in the pachinko gaming machine body, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of gaming machines are collectively managed. A game management server may be provided, and the server may control "release" and "stock". Also, at this time, "release" and "stock"
The control of may be performed by transmitting a control signal from the game management server via a network or the like.

Furthermore, the control method of the gaming machine of the present invention is applied not only to the gaming machine existing in the pachinko parlor, but also to a storage medium storing this control method as a program, an internet server capable of executing the control method, and the like. Of course you can.

[0377]

According to the present invention, "The gaming machine reads out the identification information of the player from the storage medium of the player, and the game identified by the identification information stored in the game server. Depending on the contents of the game history for each person,
Since it has a changing unit for changing the game state of the player ", the game state can be changed according to the past game contents of the player.

Further, according to the present invention, "The gaming machine reads out the identification information of the player from the storage medium of the player, and the game identified by the identification information stored in the game server. According to the contents of the game history for each player, display means for displaying support information that works for the player playing the game on the gaming machine. "
With such a configuration, it is possible to provide support information that works advantageously for the player according to the past game content of the player.

Further, according to the present invention, "The gaming machine is based on the result of the payout suppression lottery for determining whether or not to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine when the above-mentioned payout is performed. If the payout restraint signal transmitting means for restraining payout and the payout restraint lottery determines that the payout restraint is performed, the payout is carried out during a period in which the payout restraint is being executed. And a payout number storage means for cumulatively storing the number of times, and a payout consumption means for continuously using the payout number according to the payout number stored in the payout number storage means. Therefore, it is possible to change the game state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a relationship between a game server and a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the gaming machine.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a flow of operation of the gaming machine when a player makes a judgment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow when the server prepares for return.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations when the server returns.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game history for each player stored in the server.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow when the server sets an upper limit value.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow when the server sets a return rate.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow when the server draws a return target.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation flow when the server changes the game state according to the contents of the game history of the player.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of support information transmitted from the server to the gaming machine.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting state of each gaming machine stored in the server.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an overview of a pachinko gaming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged front view of the game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control system for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a jackpot control system for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement of the number of payout balls per day when a game is played on the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server 2 game machines 15 slot 16 bet button 17 Start lever 18A-18C, 75A-75C Stop button 22 Card slot 23 Card Reader 33, 51 CPU 36 ROM 37 RAM 41 Communication interface 52 memory 53 Communication interface NT network 210 Pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 232 display device (display unit) 242 winning ball detection sensor 260 control circuit 266 CPU (control unit) H.264 I / O bus 268 ROM 270 RAM 281 arithmetic means 282 control means 283 storage means (register) 284 Input means 285 output means 286 External storage device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A gaming server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, which are put into a state in which a game can be started based on coin insertion or crediting, and are paid out according to the result of the game, The game server sets a predetermined return rate when the cumulative consumption amount of credits reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, based on information about the consumption amount of credits in the gaming machine in which the player is playing the game. A return process based on the result of a lottery for deciding whether or not to carry out a return process without fail, or the return process based on the result of a lottery, wherein the game server reads the identification information of the gaming machine. Receiving means for receiving the player's identification information read by the means, storage means for storing a game history for each player identified by the identification information, And a transmission means capable of transmitting, to the gaming machine, a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the contents of the game history stored in the storage means. . 2. A game server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, which are put into a state in which a game can be started based on coin insertion or crediting, and are paid out according to the result of the game, The game server sets a predetermined return rate when the cumulative consumption amount of credits reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, based on information about the consumption amount of credits in the gaming machine in which the player is playing the game. A return process based on the result of a lottery for deciding whether or not to carry out a return process without fail, or the return process based on the result of a lottery, wherein the game server reads the identification information of the gaming machine. Receiving means for receiving the player's identification information read by the means, storage means for storing a game history for each player identified by the identification information, Serial according to the contents of the game history stored in the storage means, the game server, characterized in that and a transmission means capable of transmitting the support information to favor the player to the game machine. 3. A gaming machine in which a game can be started based on coin insertion or crediting, and payout is performed according to the result of the game, wherein the gaming machine collectively includes a plurality of gaming machines. It is managed by a gaming server for management, and when the accumulated consumption amount of the credit reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a return process based on a predetermined return rate is always performed. The gaming machine performs the redemption process based on the result of a lottery for determining whether to perform the redemption process for the gaming machine, which is performed in the gaming server. Is a reading means for reading the player's identification information from the player's storage medium, and each player identified by the identification information stored in the game server. Depending on the contents of the game history, game machine and having a changing means for allowed to cause a change in the game state of the player. 4. A gaming machine in which a game can be started based on coin insertion or crediting, and payout is performed according to the result of the game, wherein the gaming machine collectively includes a plurality of gaming machines. It is managed by a gaming server for management, and when the accumulated consumption amount of the credit reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a return process based on a predetermined return rate is always performed. The gaming machine performs the redemption process based on the result of a lottery for determining whether to perform the redemption process for the gaming machine, which is performed in the gaming server. Is a reading means for reading the player's identification information from the player's storage medium, and each player identified by the identification information stored in the game server. Depending on the contents of the game history, game machine and having a display means for displaying the favor support information to a player to play a game in the game machine. 5. A game management method for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines which are shifted to a state in which a game can be started based on the insertion of coins or the provision of credits and the payout according to the result of the game is performed. The management method is a detection step of detecting an accumulated consumption amount of credits consumed by a game machine in which a player is playing a game, and based on a detection result of this detection step, the accumulated consumption amount reaches a predetermined upper limit. In the case of exceeding or exceeding, a reduction processing step that always performs a reduction processing based on a predetermined reduction rate, or a reduction processing step that performs the reduction processing based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not to perform the reduction processing. And a receiving step of receiving the player's identification information read by the gaming machine from the player's storage medium, A transmission step capable of transmitting to the gaming machine a signal that causes a change in the gaming state of the player according to the contents of the gaming history for each player identified by the identification information. And game management method. 6. A game management method for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines in which a game can be started based on coins inserted or credits are given and payout is made according to the result of the game, wherein the game is The management method is a detection step of detecting an accumulated consumption amount of credits consumed by a game machine in which a player is playing a game, and based on a detection result of this detection step, the accumulated consumption amount reaches a predetermined upper limit. In the case of exceeding or exceeding, a reduction processing step that always performs a reduction processing based on a predetermined reduction rate, or a reduction processing step that performs the reduction processing based on the result of a lottery that determines whether or not to perform the reduction processing. And a receiving step of receiving the player's identification information read by the gaming machine from the player's storage medium, A transmission step of transmitting to the gaming machine support information, which is advantageous to the player, according to the contents of the game history for each player identified by the identification information. . 7. A gaming server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, wherein the gaming server transmits a payout signal for paying out coins or game balls to the gaming machine according to a game result. The game server has a payout signal transmitting means to obtain, in the case of performing the payout, as a result of a payout suppression lottery for determining whether to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine. Based on the payout restraint signal transmitting means capable of transmitting a signal for performing payout restraint to the gaming machine, and if the payout restraint is determined by the payout restraint lottery, the payout restraint is executed. During the period in which the state is continued, the payout number storage unit that cumulatively stores the number of payouts and the payout number according to the payout number stored in the payout number storage unit are continuously provided. Game server, characterized in that the digestion signal for digesting those having a digestive signal transmitting means capable of transmitting to said game machine. 8. A gaming machine managed by a gaming server for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines, wherein the gaming machine pays out coins or gaming balls according to a game result, and The gaming machine, when performing the payout, based on the result of the payout restraint lottery that determines whether or not to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine, payout restraint signal transmitting means for restraining payout. And, if it is determined by the payout restraint lottery that the payout restraint is to be performed, during the period in which the state where the payout restraint is executed continues, the payout number storage for cumulatively storing the number of payouts A gaming machine comprising: a means, and a payout extinguishing means for continuously extinguishing the payout according to the payout number stored in the payout number storage means. 9. A game management method for collectively managing a plurality of game machines, wherein the game management method sends a payout signal to the game machine for paying out coins or game balls according to a game result. A payout signal transmitting step that can be transmitted, and the game management method, when performing the payout, determines whether or not to suppress the amount of coins or game balls paid out from the gaming machine. Based on the result of the restraint lottery, a payout restraint signal transmitting step capable of transmitting a signal for performing payout restraint to the gaming machine, and if the payout restraint is determined by the payout restraint lottery, A payout number storage step of cumulatively storing the number of payouts during a period in which the payout suppression is being executed; and a payout number stored in the payout number storage means. Game management method, characterized in that the digestion signal to digest the payout corresponding consecutive those having a digestive signal transmitting step may transmit to the game machine.