JP2004173764A - Game machine reservation handling device and method for receiving and processing reservation of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grant the players the right for making the reservations in a relatively fair manner by enabling the simple application for the reservations without an increase in the burden on the side of the game parlors. <P>SOLUTION: The values of available information to be granted the members are stored and the information on the application for the reservations of the game machines is received from the members (S503 and S504) to be stored. When the specified time is reached, it is judged whether the competition exists or not in the reservation of the same game machine referring to the information on the application for the reservations. When the existence of the competition in the reservation is recognized, the values of the valuable information on the members involved are compared mutually to select the member having the highest value of the valuable information as entitled to the reservation right (S505). The result is transmitted to the communication terminals of the members individually (S506 and S507). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine reservation handling device and a method for accepting and processing a gaming machine reservation from a member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pachinko machine installed in a game arcade such as a pachinko hall or a gaming machine such as a coin-insertion slot machine is generally accepted in advance by a user in advance.
[0003]
In the case of accepting such a reservation, it is not rare that a plurality of reservations are made on a popular gaming machine at the same time, and how a plurality of reservers actually have a right to play on the gaming machine. The following various methods have been proposed as to whether or not is determined.
[0004]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a game arcade reservation system that grants the right to make reservations in the order of reservation (meaning the right to use a gaming machine for reservation at a designated time).
[0005]
Patent Document 2 discloses a game arcade system in which a customer's win / loss is recorded and return measures such as adjusting a nail of a reservation stand and changing a probability setting can be taken in accordance with the win / loss. I have.
[0006]
Patent Document 3 discloses a reservation management system for a gaming machine in which gaming information including a gaming machine number and a game time zone is input for a gaming machine most recently used by the customer, and a reservation is received in return for the input of the gaming information. Discloses.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1996-164261 [Patent Document 2] Patent Application Publication No. 1999-76579 [Patent Document 3] Patent Application Publication No. 2001-212342 [0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems. That is, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the reservation of the gaming machine is determined on a first-come, first-served basis, so that those who can afford time are always advantageous, and those who can use are limited. There is a problem that it may be difficult to acquire unaccounted customers.
[0009]
Further, in the system disclosed in Patent Literature 2, since it becomes necessary to adjust the nail of the gaming machine for the reservation or to change the probability setting for each reservation customer, it is necessary to secure personnel for performing these operations. There is a problem that the burden on the game arcade administrator side may increase, such as an increase in cost.
[0010]
In the system disclosed in Patent Literature 3, the player needs to input the previous game result or the like at the time of reservation, but a player who is troublesome in such a trouble may stop the reservation itself, and as a result, However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to improve the ability to attract customers to a game arcade.
[0011]
The present invention compares the value of valuable information assigned to each player when a reservation application is received from a plurality of competitors for the same gaming machine, and reserves the value with the player with the largest value of valuable information. By giving the right to make reservations, it is possible to easily apply for reservations without increasing the burden on the game arcade side, and to give the players the right to make reservations relatively fairly With the goal.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first aspect of the present invention is realized as a gaming machine reservation handling device for receiving a reservation of a gaming machine from a member and processing the reservation.
[0013]
The gaming machine reservation handling device includes a valuable information value storage unit that stores a value of valuable information given to the member, a reservation receiving unit that receives reservation application information of the gaming machine from the member, and stores the reservation application information. Referencing the reservation application information stored in the reservation accepting means, determining whether or not a reservation conflict has occurred for the same gaming machine, and referring to the value of the valuable information if the reservation conflict has occurred. Reservation processing means for selecting a member having the maximum value of valuable information as a reservation right acquirer.
[0014]
The second aspect of the present invention is realized as a method for receiving a reservation of a gaming machine from a member and processing the reservation.
This method includes the steps of storing a value of valuable information given to a member, receiving reservation application information of a gaming machine from the member, and storing the reservation application information. A step of determining whether or not a reservation conflict has occurred for the machine; and, if a reservation conflict has occurred, referring to the value of the valuable information and selecting a member having the largest value of the valuable information as a reservation right holder. And the step of performing
[0015]
In the first and second aspects, the term “member” refers to a member who has made a membership registration in advance, thereby making it possible to apply for a reservation for a gaming machine. “Valuable information” is information other than cash, and is information relating to a value that is beneficial to the member. For example, points allocated according to the number of balls saved, the number of visits to the store, game time, and ball / medal purchase costs. And so on. “Value of valuable information” refers to a numerical value representing the magnitude of the value of valuable information. Also, "reservation conflict" refers to a state in which a plurality of members apply for a reservation to specify the same or the same type of gaming machine, and the desired game times overlap all or part. The “reservation right acquirer” refers to a person who has acquired authority to use the gaming machine specified in the reservation application in preference to another person at the desired game time specified in the reservation application.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
[System configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a gaming machine reservation system using the present invention. The system includes a point management unit 101 that manages points that are one of valuable information owned by members, a member registration unit 102 that receives member registration and stores member information, and a point management unit 101 and a member registration unit. It has a connected gaming machine reservation handling device 103 and a communication terminal device 104 connectable to the member registration unit 102 and the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 via the communication network 100. The components of the system will be described below.
[0018]
[Point management unit 101]
In the present configuration example, the point management unit 101 includes a member card 105 of each member 110, a card reading device 106 that reads the member card 105, and information connected to the card reading device 106 and transmitted from the card reading device 106. The point storage unit 107 performs processing such as awarding and withdrawing points to members in accordance with the membership, and accumulating and storing points for each member.
[0019]
The member card 105 stores member identification information for specifying the member 110 and the like. When a member enters a game hall 109 in which a gaming machine 108 is installed, the card is passed through the card reader 106 so that the member's identification information and the number of coins to be stored, the number of visits, the game time, the ball and medal purchase amount are displayed together with member identification information And the like can be transmitted to the point storage unit. The point storage unit 107 receives these pieces of information, converts them into points, and stores them so that the points of each member can be grasped.
[0020]
In general, it is preferable to perform point conversion in order to give large points to members who have a large number of coins, members who have visited the store many times, members who have a long game time, and members who have a large purchase amount of balls and medals. This is because by performing such point conversion, customer loyalty to the game hall can be increased.
[0021]
[Member registration unit 102]
The member registration unit 102 has a function of receiving a member registration application from the user 110 and managing the application. Only the reservation application from the member registered in the member registration unit 102 is accepted by the gaming machine reservation handling device 103.
[0022]
[Communication network 100]
The communication network 100 enables transmission and reception of information between devices connected thereto, whether wired or wireless, dedicated lines or switched lines, when a session is established with a target device. Act on. The communication network 100 may be realized by combining a plurality of networks via a gateway, such as the Internet. Regarding the connection, even if the connection is not directly connected to the main line called a so-called backbone, but is temporarily connected by a PPP connection or the like, information can be transmitted and received during the session when the session is established. It does not matter. Note that the "communication network" includes a communication network that does not use an exchange, such as a fixed line of fixed lines.
[0023]
[Communication terminal device 104]
The communication terminal device 104 is an information processing device capable of accessing the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 via the communication network 100, and is, for example, a mobile phone having a Web connection function, a computer, a workstation or a mobile communication terminal, or a PDA. (Personal Digital Assistant).
[0024]
[Game machine reservation handling device 103]
The member transmits a reservation application for a gaming machine from the communication terminal device 104 to the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 via the communication network 100, and makes an offer to use the gaming machine 108 desired by the user at a desired date and time. be able to.
[0025]
When receiving a reservation application for the same gaming machine 108 from a plurality of members (players) 110, the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 compares the value of the valuable information assigned to each member, and compares the value of the valuable information. Operates to give the right to make a reservation to the player who has the largest. Further, a function may be further provided in which a predetermined value is subtracted from the value of the valuable information of the member selected as the reservation right acquirer, and the value after the subtraction is stored in the valuable information value storage means 201 described later. .
[0026]
[Example of configuration of gaming machine reservation handling device 103]
Next, a configuration example of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103.
[0027]
The gaming machine reservation handling device 103 is a device having an external storage device such as an arithmetic processing device (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk device. For example, an information processing apparatus such as a computer and a workstation. A program for causing the information processing device to function as the game machine reservation handling device 103 in the ROM or the hard disk device, or a program for causing a computer to execute a method for accepting and processing a game machine reservation and processing the same. The program is stored in the main memory, and the CPU executes the program, thereby realizing the gaming machine reservation handling device 103, or accepting the reservation of the gaming machine and executing a method for processing this. It has become so. Further, the program may not necessarily be stored in the storage device in the information processing apparatus, but is provided from an external device (for example, an ASP (server of an application service provider) or the like) and is stored in the main memory. May be used.
[0028]
The gaming machine reservation handling device 103 according to the present embodiment includes a valuable information value storage unit 201, a communication control unit 202, an authentication unit 203, a reservation reception unit 204, a reservation processing unit 205, and a result notification unit 206. have.
[0029]
The valuable information value storage unit 201 has a function of receiving points owned by each member from the point management unit and storing the points. FIG. 3 shows an example of data stored in the valuable information value storage unit 201. In the example shown in the figure, each record R1, R2, R3,... Stores a member ID field 301 which is information for identifying a member, and the value of valuable information (points in this example) given to the member. It has a valuable information value field 302 to be executed.
[0030]
The communication control means 202 has a function of receiving information from the communication terminal device 104 via the communication network 100 and transmitting information to the communication terminal device 104 via the communication network 100. This is a front end communication processor (Front End Communication Processor) configured by a central processing unit or the like that executes a predetermined communication procedure according to a protocol stack.
[0031]
The authentication means 203 receives the member authentication information (for example, a member ID and a password) transmitted from the communication terminal device 104 and inquires the member registration unit 102 about the member authentication information, thereby granting the authority to access the gaming machine reservation handling device 103. It has a function to determine whether a member has a membership. If it is determined that the member has the access right, the authentication unit 203 passes the process to the reservation receiving unit 204. On the other hand, when it is determined that the member is not a member having the access right, the authentication unit 203 transmits to the communication terminal device 104 via the communication control unit 202 that the reservation accepting process cannot be performed.
[0032]
The reservation receiving means 204 receives reservation application information of the gaming machine from the member and stores the reservation application information. It is preferable that the reservation application information includes at least information for specifying a member, information for specifying a gaming machine that the member desires to use, and a desired game time. FIG. 4 shows a data configuration example of the reservation application information stored in the reservation receiving unit 204. As shown in the drawing, one record R4, R5, R6, R7,... Is generated in response to one reservation application, and each record includes a member ID field 401, a desired game date field 402, a gaming machine number field. 403 respectively. In the member ID field 401, the desired game date field 402, and the gaming machine number field 403, data transmitted by the member through the communication terminal device 104 is stored. For example, the first record shown in the figure indicates that the member having the member ID "00001" has made a reservation application for the use (game) of the gaming machine number "001" on "November 12, 2002". The record is generated and stored by the user.
[0033]
The reservation processing means 205 refers to the reservation application information stored in the reservation accepting means 204 and determines whether or not there is a reservation conflict with respect to the same gaming machine. Refers to the value of the valuable information stored in the valuable information value storage means 201 in order to compare the value (point) of the valuable information of the competing member, and assigns the member having the largest value of the valuable information to the reservation right. Operate to select as the acquirer.
[0034]
After making the above selection, the reservation processing means 205 notifies the result notification means 206 of information for specifying the selected member (member ID in the present embodiment), a desired game date, a game console number, and the like.
[0035]
The result notifying means 206 sends the result of the selection to the communication terminal device 104 of the relevant member using the information (member ID in the present embodiment) identifying the selected member, the desired game date, and the game console number. Function to send information to notify. Note that the “related members” may be only the selected members, or may be the selected members and the members omitted from the selection.
[0036]
The notification method adopted by the result notifying means 206 may be a so-called PUSH type information distribution method such as electronic mail, or a so-called PULL type information distribution method such as a Web site.
[0037]
Note that the valuable information value storage unit 201, the communication control unit 202, the authentication unit 203, the reservation reception unit 204, the reservation processing unit 205, and the result notification unit 206 which constitute the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 are not necessarily physically physically simple. It is not necessary for the present invention to be realized by a single information processing device. For example, even if these means adopt a hardware configuration distributed and arranged in a plurality of computers interconnected via a network, Embodiments are feasible.
[0038]
[Example of system operation]
Next, an operation example of the present system will be described.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the present system. In this example, a case where two different members A and B reserve the same desired game date for the same gaming machine and a reservation conflict occurs is handled.
[0039]
First, the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 receives the value of the valuable information of the member collected by the point management unit 101 (step S501), and causes the valuable information storage unit 201 to store the owned points of each member (step S502).
[0040]
On the other hand, the member A transmits a reservation request from the communication terminal device A (104) (step S503). FIG. 6A shows a configuration example of a reservation application screen displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display of the communication terminal device A (104). When the communication terminal device 104 accesses the gaming machine reservation handling device 103, this screen is transmitted from the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 to the communication terminal device 104 as an input interface, and displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device 104. When the member inputs the requested information in the fields 701 to 704 of this screen and activates the transmission button 705, the various information input from the communication terminal device 104 is transmitted to the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 as reservation application information. Can be
[0041]
Similarly, the member B transmits the reservation application information from the communication terminal device B (104) to the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 (step S504).
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of processing a reservation of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103. Upon receiving the reservation application information (step S701), the authentication unit 203 of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 inquires of the member registration unit 102 whether or not the member has been registered, using the member ID included in the reservation application information as a key (step S702). . If it is not registered, the authentication unit 203 notifies the communication terminal device 104 that it has not been registered, and the member registration unit 102 accepts a member registration process (step S703). FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for member registration displayed on the display unit of communication terminal device 104. After the user inputs necessary items in the fields 606 to 609 in accordance with the input screen and activates the transmission button 610 by clicking or pressing an enter key, the input information is transmitted to the member registration unit 102 via the communication network 100. Sent to and recorded. After completion of the member registration process (step S703), the user is prompted to input reservation application information, and upon receipt of the reservation application information, the reservation application information is stored by the reservation receiving means 204 (step S704).
[0043]
On the other hand, if the member has been registered, the reservation application information is immediately stored by the reservation receiving means 204 (step S704).
[0044]
Next, when a predetermined timing comes (step S705), the reservation processing means 205 of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 refers to the reservation application information stored in the reservation receiving means 204, and a reservation conflict occurs. It is checked whether the information is reservation application information (step S706). If the reservation application information does not cause a reservation conflict, the reservation applicant is selected as a reservation right acquirer (step S707). On the other hand, if the reservation application information has a reservation conflict, the reservation processing unit 205 of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 sends the value from the valuable information value storage unit 201 using the member ID of the conflicting reservation application information as a key. The value of the valuable information of each member is acquired, and by comparing the values, the member having the largest value of the valuable information is selected as the reservation right acquirer (step S708). For example, when it is checked whether or not there is a reservation conflict with respect to the reservation application information shown in FIG. 4, since the records R2 and R3 have the same desired game date and gaming machine number, the member IDs "00002" and "00003" It is determined that the reservation application of the member is in a state of reservation competition. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the member with the member ID “00002” has the value of the valuable information “223”, and the member with the member ID “00003” has the value of the valuable information “10”. Assuming that the information is stored in the information value storage means 201, the reservation processing means 205 compares "223" with "10" and assigns the member ID "00002" having the larger value "223" to the reservation right acquirer. The member ID “0002”, the desired game date “2002/11/14”, and the gaming machine number “001” are transmitted to the result notifying means 206.
[0045]
Further, the reservation processing unit 205 may subtract a predetermined value from the value owned by the selected member and store the value in the valuable information value storage unit 201 (step S709). By performing such a subtraction process, it is possible to leave a possibility that a member who has become a reservation conflict but has not been selected as a reservation right acquirer will be selected next time.
[0046]
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the description of the operation example of the system will be continued. When the reservation right acquirer selection process (step S505) ends, the result notifying unit 206 of the gaming machine reservation handling device 103 transmits the result of the selection to the communication terminal device 104 (steps S506 and S507). FIGS. 8A and 8B show examples of screens displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal device 104 for notifying the result of the selection. FIG. 7A is an example of a notification screen to a member selected as a reservation right acquirer, and FIG. 7B is an example of a notification screen to a member not selected as a reservation right acquirer.
[0047]
With the above system, it is possible to preferentially receive gaming machine reservations for members with more points, and as a result, improve customer loyalty to the amusement arcade and increase the frequency of visits, purchases of balls, coins, etc. A reservation system that can be an incentive for improvement can be provided. In addition, by adding a process of reducing the points of the reservation right acquirer, it is possible to prevent only a certain number of persons from acquiring the reservation right at all times, and as a result, it is possible to relatively fairly grant the right to make the reservation to the player. A reservation system can be provided.
[0048]
[Modification]
In the above example, the result notifying unit 206 transmits the information for notifying the result to the communication terminal device 104 of the member. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As a configuration for providing information for notifying the result to the provided terminal device, the member may operate the terminal device when visiting the game hall to browse the information for notifying the result.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to easily apply for a reservation without increasing the burden on the game arcade by assigning the right to make a reservation to the player having the largest value of the valuable information.
[0050]
According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effects, it is also possible to relatively fairly grant the right to make a reservation to a player.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a gaming machine reservation system using the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a game machine reservation handling device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a valuable information value storage unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of reservation application information stored by a reservation receiving unit.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the present system.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a reservation application screen, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a member registration input screen.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of processing a reservation of the gaming machine reservation handling device.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying a result of selection to a reservation right acquirer, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing selection of members (reservation applicants) who did not become reservation right acquirers. It is a figure showing the example of a screen which notifies a result.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 communication network 102 member registration unit 103 gaming machine reservation handling device 104 communication terminal device 201 valuable information value storage unit 202 communication control unit 203 authentication unit 204 reservation reception unit 205 reservation processing unit 206 result Notification means

Claims (5)

In the gaming machine reservation handling device for accepting reservations for gaming machines from members and processing this,
Valuable information value storage means for storing a value of valuable information given to the member;
A reservation receiving means for receiving reservation application information of a gaming machine from a member and storing the reservation application information;
By referring to the reservation application information stored in the reservation accepting means, it is determined whether or not there is a reservation conflict with respect to the same gaming machine. And a reservation processing means for selecting a member having the value of valuable information as a reservation right acquirer. The gaming machine reservation handling device according to claim 1,
The reservation processing means subtracts a predetermined value from the value of the valuable information of the member selected as the reservation right acquirer, and stores the subtracted value in the valuable information value storage means. apparatus. The gaming machine reservation handling device according to claim 1 or 2,
The gaming machine reservation handling device further comprises a result notifying unit that receives the result of the selection from the reservation processing unit and transmits the result of the selection to the portable terminal device of the member. The gaming machine reservation handling device according to claim 2,
A game machine reservation handling device, wherein the predetermined value is changed according to the setting of the game machine. In a method for receiving a reservation of a gaming machine from a member and processing this,
Storing a value of valuable information given to the member;
Receiving reservation application information for a gaming machine from a member and storing the reservation application information;
Determining whether or not there is a reservation conflict with respect to the same gaming machine with reference to the reservation application information;
Selecting a member having the maximum value of the valuable information as a reservation right acquirer by referring to the value of the valuable information when there is a reservation conflict;
A method, comprising:

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