JP2004305579A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system capable of performing a novel profit imparting. <P>SOLUTION: The game system 100 is provided with a game machine 1 constituted so as to output information to a prescribed portable communication terminal (portable telephone set 200). Then, it is provided with a profit imparting information storage means for storing profit imparting information for imparting profits to a player of a coupon and a gift certificate, etc., as electronic data and a profit imparting information read means for reading the profit imparting information from information stored in the profit imparting information storage means by the establishment of a prescribed profit imparting condition. Then, a profit imparting information providing device 30 is provided for each game machine 1 and the profit imparting information providing device 30 is provided with a profit imparting information output means (infrared ray light emitting part 33) for outputting the profit imparting information read in the profit imparting information read means as the information which can be acquired by the portable communication terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there have been conceived several game modes for giving a certain benefit to a player in a game using a gaming machine. Generally, there is widely provided a game in which a player is provided with a profit by paying out a game medium such as a game ball or a medal when a big hit is won. Do. However, simply providing game media may cause the player to get bored, so a method that enhances interest by improving staging performance and accompanying benefits (for example, setting to a probability fluctuation state) is used. Have been.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-286609 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-described conventional technology, there is a possibility that a game may be uniform because only a winning such as a big hit or a probability change is targeted. In extreme cases, there is a case where the player concentrates only on the jackpot lottery effect or the probability fluctuation lottery effect, and does not concentrate on the game because there is no possibility or little profit is provided in other periods. In addition, the provision of game media is generally used to provide profits to a player, but the provision of game media is not uniform, and the provision of profits becomes uniform, and no fun or satisfaction can be obtained. There are also concerns.
[0005]
On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for displaying advertisement information and promoting a product or the like related to the advertisement, which is not configured to provide profit. According to such a technique, a player can know useful advertisement information in some cases, and also leads to suppression of "tiredness". Further, the advertisement provider has a useful configuration because it can effectively advertise using a gaming machine.
[0006]
However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 merely displays advertisement information, and thus has a configuration that is useful to some extent to an advertisement provider, but is not necessarily useful to a player. That is, since the configuration is not such that a profit is directly provided to the player, the player may not have a feeling of having gained much.
[0007]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gaming system capable of giving a novel profit and effectively increasing the satisfaction of a player.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Functions / Effects]
The effective means for solving the above-mentioned problems and the operation and effects thereof will be described below.
<Means 1>
A gaming system including a gaming machine, configured to be capable of outputting information to a predetermined portable communication terminal,
A coupon voucher, a gift certificate, etc., a profit giving information storage means for storing profit giving information for giving a profit to a player as electronic data,
Profit grant information reading means for reading the benefit grant information from the information stored in the profit grant information storage means, since a predetermined benefit grant condition is satisfied;
In accordance with the gaming machine, profit providing information provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and read by the profit providing information reading means is output as information that can be acquired by the portable communication terminal. A game system comprising a profit giving information output unit.
[0009]
According to the configuration of the means 1 (that is, the configuration of claim 1), the player directly obtains the profit provision information with the portable communication terminal from the profit provision information output means provided in or near the gaming machine. This is a useful configuration. The gaming system of the present invention may be configured as a single gaming machine, or may be configured to include a gaming machine and a predetermined server, or may include a gaming machine and a predetermined profit providing information providing device externally connected thereto. It may be configured.
[0010]
It should be noted that the “profit providing information” in the present invention can include both information that may be of interest to the player and information that may be of interest to the player.
"Information that can be profitable" includes value coupons such as gift certificates, book coupons, beer coupons, and travel coupons, vouchers for products and services, discount coupons for products and services, and lottery coupons for products and services. Or information that can be used as a service), or information that functions as a lottery ticket for making a lottery (such as a lottery that wins without fail). Even if it is other information, use the profit-giving information Therefore, if any kind of profit is finally given to the player, it can be adopted. This information may function as these with a single data, or may function as these with a plurality of data.
"Information that may be profitable" is given a certain benefit by using the profit-providing information, such as lottery tickets related to products and services, lottery tickets for performing a lottery, coupons limited to the target person, etc. Information that is possible and may not ultimately be profitable in some cases.
In addition, as the information structure of the profit providing information, after the profit providing information is acquired by the mobile communication terminal, image information (for example, a coupon or a gift certificate, etc. (Eg, image information displayed on a screen) or a data configuration in which the profit providing information is transmitted to a predetermined device such as a store and used.
[0011]
<Means 2>
A gaming system including a gaming machine, configured to be capable of outputting information to a predetermined portable communication terminal,
A coupon voucher, a gift certificate, etc., a profit giving information storage means for storing profit giving information for giving a profit to a player as electronic data,
Profit grant information reading means for reading the benefit grant information from the information stored in the profit grant information storage means, since a predetermined benefit grant condition is satisfied;
In accordance with the gaming machine, profit providing information provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and read by the profit providing information reading means is output as information that can be obtained by the portable communication terminal. Profit giving information output means,
The profit giving information is configured as identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes,
The gaming system, wherein the profit giving information output means comprises an identification information display means for outputting the identification information in an image display.
[0012]
In this way, the profit-giving information can be transmitted to the mobile communication terminal by display, so that the information can be transmitted without providing a special communication line between the gaming machine and the mobile communication terminal, and the device configuration can be simplified. Can be achieved. In addition, a second display unit and a first display unit, which will be described later, can function as the identification information display unit.
[0013]
<Means 3>
The identification information is configured to represent the profit provision information as predetermined code information,
The identification information display means displays the code information as information which can be photographed by the portable communication terminal or as information which can be read by a reading device provided in the portable communication terminal. 3. The gaming system according to 2.
[0014]
If the identification information is represented as code information and is configured to be read or photographed by the portable communication terminal, a large amount of information can be reliably transmitted with a simple configuration. Examples of the code information include a barcode and a two-dimensional code, but are not limited thereto.
[0015]
<Means 4>
The code information generating means for generating the code information in the gaming machine or in a predetermined device connected to the gaming machine and arranged near the gaming machine, wherein the code information generating means is provided. Gaming system.
[0016]
In this way, various codes can be generated in or near the gaming machine depending on the situation, and the degree of freedom in the structure of the profit provision information increases. The “predetermined device disposed near the gaming machine” includes, for example, an inter-chamber device such as a ball rental machine, a profit providing information providing device (described later) connected to the gaming machine, and the like. More specifically, for example, in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine, a profit providing information providing device including the profit providing information output means is arranged, and code information means is provided inside the profit providing information providing device. Can be provided. A technique for converting numerical data and character data into code information is well known and will not be described in detail. For example, it is possible to make a CPU function as code information generation means based on a program for performing such conversion. it can.
[0017]
<Means 5>
The gaming system according to claim 4, wherein the code information generating means generates the code information based on information generated in the gaming machine generated during the game.
[0018]
With this configuration, the code information is generated based on the information generated in the gaming machine, and can be transmitted to the portable communication terminal. Therefore, the information generated in the gaming machine can be used for the profit providing service. Therefore, the contents of coupons, gift certificates, and the like, provision conditions, and the like can be easily associated with gaming machine contents, and services related to gaming machines can be performed with a high degree of freedom. More specifically, for example, profit-generating information is generated as information that can be represented by characters, numbers, patterns, etc. based on numerical data generated in a gaming machine, and this is generated by a predetermined program using a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Can be configured. For example, the profit providing information corresponding to the contents of the information generated in the gaming machine may be read from the profit providing information storage means, and the profit providing information, or the profit providing information and the additional information added thereto may be encoded. . Since a software technology for converting character or numeric data into a two-dimensional code is known, detailed description is omitted. For example, a program for performing such conversion is stored in a ROM or the like in the profit provision information providing device. In addition, by executing this program, it is possible to generate code information based on the information generated in the gaming machine. In this case, as described above, the CPU that reads the program from the ROM and the like functions as the code information generating unit.
[0019]
The “information generated in the gaming machine” in this specification can target various information generated in the gaming machine, but may be, for example, gaming information that is information relating to gaming, or information other than gaming. You may. As an example of information other than the game, for example, time information such as date information and time information may be used. When some data about the player is used in the gaming machine, information about the player (such as personal information about the player) And so on.
[0020]
Further, the "game information" in the present specification is information on a predetermined state that occurs in a game such as a symbol change state, a big hit state, a reach state, a reach notice state, a probability change state, a time saving state, and the number of times Information (for example, the number of symbol changes, the number of big hits, etc.), these occurrence probability information (for example, reach occurrence probability, big hit occurrence probability, etc.), these occurrence interval information (for example, big hit occurrence interval, probability change occurrence interval), Statistical information using one kind or two or more kinds of these states is exemplified. In the above-mentioned means, the code information is generated by the code information generating means. However, the code information may be stored in advance as the code information instead. For example, the profit provision information may be stored in the profit provision information storage unit in the form of image data as a two-dimensional code. In this case, the code information can be displayed as it is by reading it from the storage means.
[0021]
<Means 6>
In the gaming machine or in a predetermined device connected to the gaming machine and disposed near the gaming machine, a main control device for performing main control of the game, or a jackpot information, a reach from a peripheral device of the main control device. Game information acquisition means for acquiring game information such as information,
The gaming system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the code information generating means generates the code information based on the game information acquired by the game information acquiring means.
[0022]
By encoding the information including the game information and transmitting the encoded information to the mobile communication terminal, the game information can be used for the profit provision service. The configuration for generating the code information based on the game information may be a configuration in which profit provision information to be provided according to the game information is determined and coded. Information having a configuration including information, or information having a configuration in which game information is attached as additional information on the profit-giving information may be coded by the code information generating means.
[0023]
<Means 7>
The said profit provision information output means consists of the radio | wireless transmission means which transmits the profit provision information read by the said profit provision information reading means to the said portable communication terminal by radio | wireless. A gaming system according to any one of the above.
[0024]
With this configuration, it is possible to easily obtain the profit provision information directly from the gaming machine without using a special communication line. Examples of wireless transmission include transmission using infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, wireless LAN communication, and the like, and an interface (infrared light emitting chip, antenna, or the like) used for these communication can be configured as a wireless transmission unit.
[0025]
<Means 8>
The gaming system according to claim 7, wherein the wireless transmission unit includes a medium output unit that outputs the profit giving information as an information transmission medium such as an infrared ray or an electromagnetic wave.
[0026]
With this configuration, a preferable configuration in which information can be transmitted by wireless communication is provided.
More specifically, the medium output unit can be configured to output information without passing through a transparent plate (glass plate). Further, the information transmission medium may be output as a non-directional medium, or may be output in a state having directivity. The “medium output unit” may be configured as an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light, or may be configured as an antenna that outputs electromagnetic waves such as radio waves.
[0027]
<Means 9>
The medium output unit outputs the information transmission medium forward or substantially forward of the gaming machine, so that an area where information can be communicated between the gaming machine and the player is configured. Yes,
The wireless communication is performed such that the information transmission medium is output from the medium output unit in a state where the portable communication terminal is arranged in the information communicable area. Gaming system.
[0028]
With this configuration, a preferable configuration is provided in which a player can obtain information in front of the gaming machine. For example, if the profit-giving information is provided at a position where it is difficult to obtain, there is a possibility that the acquisition of the profit-giving information may be troublesome, and the use of the profit-giving information may be hindered. According to the configuration, the information is emitted to a position where it is easy to acquire, so that the information can be easily acquired, and further, the use of the profit providing information can be promoted.
[0029]
<Means 10>
The profit-giving information storage means is provided as a storage means that can be updated in the gaming machine or in a predetermined device connected to the gaming machine and arranged near the gaming machine. A gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 9 for performing.
[0030]
This makes it possible to provide profit provision information quickly. In addition, since the storage unit is configured as an updatable storage unit, the contents of the profit provision information can be changed according to the situation, and fine maintenance that satisfies the needs of the hall and the player can be performed. For example, if a profit provision information providing device is provided in or near a gaming machine and a profit provision information storage unit is provided therein, the profit provision information can be read and provided without a communication network such as the Internet. Therefore, it is particularly effective when prompt provision is performed.
[0031]
<Means 11>
The information stored in the profit providing information storage unit is updated by inputting the profit providing information update information for updating the profit providing information by information input by a predetermined input unit or information input via a communication network. 13. The gaming system according to claim 10, further comprising a profit providing information updating unit.
[0032]
With this configuration, the stored profit provision information is updated based on the input of the update information for updating the profit provision information, and therefore, the device configuration has high maintainability.
[0033]
<Means 12>
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the profit giving information storage means is provided as an updatable storage means in an external server communicably connected to the gaming machine.
[0034]
With this configuration, the external server can easily maintain the storage contents of the profit provision information. Therefore, for example, this is a useful configuration when it is desired to manage profit provision information in an external server. Examples of the external server include a hall server, a server of a maker that provides profit-providing information, a server of a gaming machine maker, and another management server.
[0035]
For example, in the gaming system according to the means 12,
A hall server of a hall in which the plurality of gaming machines are installed is connected to be able to communicate with the plurality of gaming machines, and the hall server is provided with the profit providing information storage means,
In this hall server, gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine, and profit providing information corresponding to the gaming machine identification information are defined.
Further, when there is a request for profit provision information from the gaming machine, the hall server reads the profit provision information from the profit provision information storage means based at least on the game machine identification information corresponding to the requesting gaming machine. And send it to the requesting gaming machine,
The profit provision information sent from the hall server can be configured to be output from the profit provision information output means of the requesting gaming machine.
[0036]
<Means 13>
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 11, wherein a plurality of types of profit providing information are provided, while the player is configured to select the profit providing information. .
[0037]
In this way, a profit according to the player's preference is provided, and the serviceability is further improved. For example, a plurality of types of index information of the type of profit provision information and the contents of profit provision are displayed, and a player performs an input operation to select any type of index, and the selected profit provision Providing all the information or providing it in accordance with predetermined profit provision conditions provides an effective configuration that satisfies the player's wishes.
[0038]
In the means described in the means 13, the profit giving information selected by the player may be output, and a lottery is performed based on the selection made by the player, and a specific lottery result is obtained. May be output on the condition that is obtained.
[0039]
Further, in the device described in the means 13, the profit selection information input means is provided in or near the gaming machine, and the selection information for selecting the profit providing information can be input by the profit selection information input means. be able to. The profit selection information input means can be configured as various known input devices, and can be configured as, for example, a button type or a touch panel type input device. Alternatively, the selection information may be input by voice input or information input.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the configuration of the means 13 is applied to the means described in the means 10 or 11, the profit provision information corresponding to the selection by the player is read from the profit provision information storage means and output from the profit provision information output means. It can be configured as follows.
[0041]
Further, when the configuration of the means 13 is applied to the means described in the means 12, the profit providing information corresponding to the selection by the player is requested from the server provided with the profit providing information storage means, and in response to the request, The read profit providing information may be configured to be acquired by the profit providing information obtaining means and output by the profit providing information output means.
[0042]
<Means 14>
An advertisement display control unit that performs control so as to display advertisement information related to the profit provision information on a predetermined display device,
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 13, wherein the profit giving information related to the display of the advertisement information is provided.
[0043]
In this way, the usefulness of the advertisement information can be enhanced, and a configuration with a large advertisement effect can be obtained. That is, since a specific profit is provided instead of a mere advertisement, the satisfaction of the player can be increased.
[0044]
<Means 15>
In the gaming machine, or in the vicinity of the gaming machine connected to the gaming machine, and separately from a main control device that performs main control of the gaming machine, the advertising information is stored in an updatable state. 15. The gaming system according to claim 14, further comprising an advertisement information storage unit.
[0045]
By doing so, the advertising information is stored in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and can be changed as needed. For example, it is particularly effective in the case of advertising a limited time product or a product affected by fashion.
[0046]
<Means 16>
Advertising information storing means for storing the advertising information in an updatable state outside the gaming machine, while the gaming machine acquires the advertising information from the advertising information storing means via a communication network; 15. The gaming system according to claim 14, further comprising an acquisition unit.
[0047]
This makes it possible to provide an effective configuration when it is difficult to provide the advertising information storage means in the gaming machine. More specifically, based on the establishment of a predetermined advertisement display condition, a server including the advertisement information storage unit or the like (for example, a predetermined server such as a hall server, a game machine maker server, or a profit provision information providing maker server) , The advertisement display request information is transmitted to the server, and the server receiving the advertisement display request information transmits the advertisement information to the request source. Further, the advertisement information may be displayed without making such a request.
[0048]
<Means 17>
Advertisement update information for updating the information stored in the advertisement information storage means by inputting the advertisement update information for updating the advertisement information by information input by a predetermined input means or information input via a communication network A game system according to any one of means 14 to 16, further comprising means.
[0049]
If the advertisement is updated based on the input of the advertisement update information for updating the advertisement information in this manner, a configuration in which the maintenance of the advertisement information can be easily performed is provided.
[0050]
<Means 18>
A first display unit for performing an image effect related to a game, and a second display unit different from the first display unit;
The gaming system according to any one of means 14 to 17, wherein the advertisement information is configured to be displayed on the second display means.
[0051]
By doing so, the configuration is such that the advertisement information can be easily displayed. For example, the configuration is effective when it is difficult to display the advertisement information in the first display unit, or when it is desired to display the advertisement on a device other than the first display unit. In this case, the second display control means for controlling the display of the second display means can function as the advertisement display control means.
[0052]
<Means 19>
The game system according to any one of means 14 to 17, wherein the advertisement information is configured to be displayed on first display means for performing an image effect relating to a game.
[0053]
This is effective when it is desired to display the advertisement information on the first display means and attract attention. That is, if the advertisement information is displayed on the first display means to which the player pays attention, the advertisement can be easily paid attention and the advertisement effect can be enhanced. In this case, the first display control means for controlling the display of the first display means can function as the advertisement display control means.
[0054]
In addition, as the "image production related to the game" described in the means 18 or 19, there are various patterns such as a design fluctuation production, a background image production, a reach production, a reach announcement production, a big hit production, a probability fluctuation production, a time reduction production, and other image productions. There is something. The first display means may perform all such effects, or may perform any one or two or more effects.
[0055]
<Means 20>
At least one of the advertisement information and the explanation information related to the profit provision information is displayed as a partial image of an image effect related to the game, such as a background image, an identification symbol, or the like. A gaming system according to claim 19, wherein:
[0056]
By displaying the advertising information or the explanation information on the profit-giving information as a partial image of the image effect related to the game, the advertisement information or the profit-giving information can be effectively conscious. In addition, it is possible to enhance the performance of the game.
[0057]
<Means 21>
Image information storage means for storing image information displayed by the first display means, the image information storage means includes both an updatable storage unit and an updatable storage unit,
21. The game system according to claim 19, wherein data for displaying at least one of the advertisement information and the explanation information on the profit provision information is stored in the updatable storage unit. .
[0058]
With this configuration, information that is likely to be changed, such as advertising information or explanation information on profit provision, can be updated according to the situation. Therefore, even when the gaming machine is used for a long period of time, it is possible to sequentially maintain information that requires updating, such as advertisement information and explanation information on profit provision. The effect image information that is not required to be updated is stored in the non-updatable storage unit, and the information stored in the non-updatable storage unit and the information stored in the updatable storage unit are displayed on the same screen in parallel. It may be.
[0059]
<Means 22>
The game system according to any one of means 18 to 21, wherein an image effect by the first display means and a display of the advertisement information are performed in parallel.
[0060]
In this way, the advertisement information can be displayed without interrupting the image effect, and the interest does not deteriorate. Furthermore, in the gaming system according to any one of the means 1 to 49, the image effect and the information display regarding the profit provision information can be performed in parallel. Examples of the information display relating to the profit-giving information include advertisement information of a product or a service related to the profit-giving information, advertisement information of a maker that provides the profit-giving information, and explanation information about the profit-giving information. Various information can be displayed, such as explanatory information to be explained, explanatory information such as notes on the profit-giving information, and explanation information about an operation for acquiring the profit-giving information.
[0061]
<Means 23>
The means 14 or means, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control so that the advertisement information is displayed on condition that a gaming state advantageous to the player, such as a big hit or a probability variation win, is obtained. 23. The gaming system according to any one of 22.
[0062]
As described above, in a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, the mood of the player is improved, and the advertisement is psychologically more easily accepted, so that the advertisement effect is enhanced. More specifically, for example, the advertisement display control means can control the advertisement information to be displayed during the big hit game. There is a risk that the performance during the big hit game may get tired when viewed several times. However, according to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress “getting tired” and to effectively advertise when the player is in a good mood. It becomes possible to be conscious of.
[0063]
<Means 24>
24. The gaming system according to claim 14, further comprising mode switching means for switching between an advertisement mode in which the advertisement information is displayed and a normal mode in which the advertisement information is not displayed.
[0064]
In this way, the mode can be switched as needed, so that it is possible to omit the advertisement for a player who does not need the advertisement, for example.
[0065]
<Means 25>
Is configured to display a plurality of advertising information, while being configured to allow a player to select the advertising information,
The gaming system according to any one of means 14 to 24, wherein, based on establishment of the profit provision condition, profit provision information corresponding to the selected advertisement information is output.
[0066]
With this configuration, the advertisement desired by the player can be provided, and thus the configuration is unlikely to cause a mismatch between the player's request and the advertisement type. For example, if the advertisement type and the index information of the advertisement content are displayed, and the player performs an input operation to select the advertisement type and the advertisement content, the selected advertisement is displayed. It is an effective configuration that meets the wishes of the elderly.
[0067]
<Means 26>
The game system according to any one of means 14 to 25, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control so as to display advertisement information in a predetermined advertisement time slot.
[0068]
With this configuration, a time zone in which the advertisement information is displayed and a time zone in which the advertisement information is not displayed are provided, and the advertisement can be provided according to the situation. For example, it is also possible to display the advertisement information in a time service and give the profit provision information. In addition, if the content of the advertisement is related to time, the degree of attention to the advertisement can be increased. For example, if advertisement information on food and drink is displayed during a meal time zone, the player's attention can be effectively collected.
[0069]
<Means 27>
The game system according to any one of means 14 to 26, wherein the advertisement display control means controls so that different advertisement information is displayed according to a time zone.
[0070]
In this way, it is possible to display different types of advertisement information for each time zone, and the advertisement is diversified. Further, since it is possible to display a plurality of types of advertisement information for a single maker or to display a plurality of types of advertisement information, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of business. Also, it is possible to display advertisement information suitable for each time zone.
[0071]
<Means 28>
The game system according to any one of means 14 to 27, wherein the advertisement display control means performs control so that advertisement information is displayed according to an amount of occurrence of a predetermined game state.
[0072]
In this way, the configuration is convenient when it is desired to use the generation amount of the gaming state as a parameter for displaying the advertisement. The “amount of occurrence of the predetermined game state” includes the number of big hits, the number of reach, the number of symbol fluctuations, the number of reach announcements, the number of probability fluctuations, the number of working hours, and the like. The amount may be an amount, or the amount of occurrence of two or more game states may be used. The configuration in which “advertisement information is displayed in accordance with the generation amount of a predetermined game state” can be configured such that “the generation amount of a game state” is set as a condition for displaying an advertisement. The advertising information may be displayed when the number of occurrences of the big hits from the display reaches a predetermined number. Further, as a configuration in which “advertisement information is displayed according to the generation amount of a predetermined game state”, a configuration in which the type of advertisement displayed according to the generation amount of a game state may be changed. For example, when the occurrence of a big hit is set as the advertisement display condition, an advertisement display of a type corresponding to the number of reach occurrences from the previous advertisement display may be performed. In addition, if it is a structure which displays advertising information according to the generation amount of a game state, it is not limited to these examples.
[0073]
<Means 29>
The game system according to any one of means 14 to 28, wherein the advertisement display control means controls to display advertisement information according to a game time.
[0074]
In this way, a convenient configuration is provided when it is desired to use the game time as a parameter for advertisement display. As a configuration for performing “display of advertisement information according to game time”, for example, a configuration of “displaying advertisement information when game time reaches a predetermined time”, that is, an advertisement display indicating that game time reaches a predetermined time May be adopted. The game time can be, for example, the accumulated time from the previous advertisement display. In addition, a configuration for performing “display of advertisement information according to game time” may be configured to “display advertisement information of a type corresponding to game time”. For example, when a predetermined advertisement display condition is satisfied, it is possible to display a type of advertisement information according to the accumulated time from the previous advertisement display. Further, instead of the accumulated time from the previous advertisement display, the accumulated time may be used. For example, when a predetermined advertisement display condition is satisfied, the advertisement information according to the accumulated time from when the player starts the game may be displayed. For example, if the accumulated time is less than one hour, advertisement information related to a simple beer discount ticket is displayed, and if the accumulated time is one hour or more, advertisement information related to a free beer ticket is displayed. Thus, it is possible to configure so that the profit increases as the integration time increases.
[0075]
<Means 30>
Having external information acquisition means provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 29, wherein the external information acquiring means uses predetermined information acquired from outside the gaming machine as a condition element of the profit provision condition.
[0076]
In this way, it is possible to provide a profit based on an external factor, and to provide a convenient configuration when performing a service based on an external factor. In the gaming system according to the means 30, the "acquiring the predetermined information from outside the gaming machine" means, for example, "the external information acquiring means acquires the predetermined information transmitted from the portable communication terminal possessed by the player." Or "the external information obtaining means obtains predetermined information from a server connected to the external information obtaining means via a network." For example, if the server is configured to be able to transmit predetermined information to the external information obtaining means, and the external information obtaining means outputs the profit providing information on condition that the predetermined information is obtained from the server, The output of the profit provision information can be managed.
[0077]
In addition, "acquiring predetermined information from outside the gaming machine as a condition element of the profit provision condition" means, for example, "obtaining predetermined information from outside the gaming machine is a necessary and sufficient condition for profit provision. May be adopted, or "acquiring predetermined information from outside the gaming machine may be a necessary condition for profit provision". Specifically, for example, a condition may be set such that obtaining certain information from the outside of the gaming machine irrespective of the information content is set as an indispensable condition of profit provision, and information of a specific content is provided from outside the gaming machine. There may be a configuration in which acquisition is an essential requirement for profit provision. Of course, the profit provision condition may be configured in a complex manner by further setting the condition.
[0078]
<Means 31>
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 29, wherein occurrence of a predetermined state in the gaming machine is a condition element of the profit provision condition.
[0079]
With this configuration, the profit providing information is provided from the gaming machine to the portable communication terminal of the player based on the occurrence of the predetermined state in the gaming machine, so that the occurrence of the predetermined state in the gaming machine is significant. It becomes possible to further enhance the fun of the game.
[0080]
In the gaming system according to the means 31, the "generation of the predetermined state in the gaming machine" includes various ones. For example, occurrence of a state that is advantageous to the player such as a big hit state, establishment fluctuation state, or a reach state , A state of high rendition, such as a reach notice state, or a state in which a game ball has won, or a state in which a symbol change reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) may be used.
[0081]
<Means 32>
Setting information storage means for storing in a renewable state the grant condition setting information which is information for setting the profit grant condition,
Setting information updating means for updating the grant condition setting information based on input of update information of the grant condition setting information by information input via a communication network or information input using predetermined input means; A gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 31, comprising:
[0082]
According to the above configuration, the profit provision condition can be changed according to the situation, so that the provision of the profit provision information has a high degree of freedom. This setting condition storage means may be arranged in the gaming machine, or may be arranged in a device near the gaming machine connected to the gaming machine. Further, it may be arranged in a server (a hall server, a provider server, a gaming machine maker server, etc.) connected to the gaming machine via a network.
[0083]
<Means 33>
A plurality of types of profit provision information are used, and the setting information storage means is configured to store the provision condition setting information so as to set the profit provision condition corresponding to the type of the profit provision information. A gaming system according to claim 32.
[0084]
In this way, a configuration can be provided in which a plurality of types of profit provision information can be provided, and the provision conditions can be determined in an updatable state.
[0085]
<Means 34>
The profit provision condition is that a specific gaming state occurs, or that the gaming state becomes a specific progress state,
34. The gaming system according to claim 33, wherein the content of the profit provision information is set in the provision condition setting information in accordance with the occurrence or progress of the specific game state.
[0086]
With this configuration, the content of the profit provision is set based on the game state, and thus the importance of the game content can be increased.
[0087]
<Means 35>
While it is configured to be a big hit when identification symbols such as numbers and pictures are in a predetermined combination,
The grant condition setting information is configured to determine a jackpot combination and profit grant information in a corresponding manner,
35. The gaming system according to any one of means 32 to means 34, wherein profit providing information corresponding to a jackpot combination is provided based on the providing condition setting information.
[0088]
In this way, the profit-giving information is provided according to the combination of the identification symbols, so that the jackpot lottery can be made more interesting.
[0089]
<Means 36>
36. The game according to any one of means 1 to 35, further comprising a lottery means for performing a predetermined lottery, wherein the profit providing information is provided when a specific lottery result is obtained by the lottery means. system.
[0090]
In this case, since the profit provision information is provided by the lottery, the pleasure of the player can be increased.
[0091]
<Means 37>
37. The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 36, further comprising a unique information attaching means for attaching unique information to the profit giving information.
[0092]
In this way, the unique information is added to each piece of the profit giving information, so that the profit giving information can be managed using the unique information as an index. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is determined whether or not the profit provision information is regular based on the unique information.
[0093]
<Means 38>
State detection means for detecting the occurrence of a specific game state or the progress of the specific game state,
A unique information creating means for creating unique information for each output of the profit providing information as information that individually and identifiably represents information on the occurrence or progress of the specific game state detected by the state detecting means,
The gaming system according to claim 37, wherein the profit providing information is output in a state where the unique information for each output is added.
[0094]
As described above, if unique information is created based on the occurrence or progress of a specific gaming state, information unique to the gaming machine can be easily created. Also, by attaching unique information for each output, it becomes easier to manage profit provision information and prevent fraud for each output. Further, depending on the use situation, information on the occurrence and progress of the game state can be used for other purposes.
[0095]
<Means 39>
The unique information for each of the profit giving information includes gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine, and game state degree information indicating a degree of occurrence of a specific game state or a degree of progress of a specific game state. The game system according to the means 37 or the means 38, characterized by comprising:
[0096]
In this way, a preferred configuration is provided in which unique information can be generated for each piece of profit provision information. In addition, depending on the usage mode, an additional advantage such as performing a useful service using the game state degree information can be expected.
[0097]
<Means 40>
A non-volatile memory that is configured to be rewritable and retains stored contents even after power supply is stopped,
In this nonvolatile memory, information on occurrence or progress of the specific game state is stored in an updatable manner,
40. The gaming system according to the means 38 or 39, wherein the information in the non-volatile memory is updated by reflecting information on occurrence or progress of the specific gaming state before updating.
[0098]
With this configuration, a preferable configuration can store information regardless of power supply and can update information.
[0099]
<Means 41>
The unique information for each of the profit providing information includes time information uniquely attached to each of the profit providing information, such as a point in time at which a game state occurs, time data at a predetermined timing before information transmission, and the like. A game system according to any one of means 37 to 40.
[0100]
This makes it possible to create a preferable configuration in which unique information with high reliability can be created without using a complicated device.
[0101]
<Means 42>
Provided that the profit provision information is output to the mobile communication terminal, the output profit provision is performed on a management apparatus of a provider of goods and the like, a management apparatus of a provision manager of goods and the like, and other management apparatuses. The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 41, further comprising a confirmation information output unit that outputs confirmation information corresponding to the information.
[0102]
With this configuration, the management device can determine whether the profit provision information is legitimate based on the confirmation information, and a configuration with higher security can be achieved. In addition, an effect of performing statistical processing based on the confirmation information and using it for marketing or the like can be expected.
[0103]
<Means 43>
43. The game according to any one of means 1 to means 42, wherein the profit providing information is output on condition that owner specifying information for specifying an owner of the portable communication terminal is obtained in the gaming machine. system.
[0104]
With this configuration, the owner identification information can be used for information management, and a configuration with a high fraud prevention effect can be obtained. In addition, since the configuration is such that customer data can be acquired, it is possible to use the owner identification information for business.
[0105]
<Means 44>
When providing the profit-giving information, the mobile communication terminal, from the mobile communication terminal, has owner specifying information obtaining means for obtaining owner specifying information for specifying the owner of the mobile communication terminal,
Any one of the means 1 to 43, wherein the owner specifying information is associated with information for specifying profit providing information related to the provision thereof and transmitted to a product etc. provider or a product etc. providing manager. The gaming system according to 1.
[0106]
In this way, the product or the like provider or the manager can accurately specify to whom the profit granting information has been given, and the fraud prevention effect is extremely high.
[0107]
<Means 45>
While having external information acquisition means for acquiring information from outside the gaming machine in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
The profit-giving information storage means stores information such that at least one of a plurality of types of profit-giving information can be provided,
Further, based on the information from the outside obtained by the external information obtaining means, there is provided profit providing information selecting means for selecting at least one of the types of profit providing information from the plurality of types of profit providing information. ,
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 44, wherein the selected profit providing information is output to the portable communication terminal by the profit providing information output means.
[0108]
As described above, if the profit provision information is provided based on information from the outside of the gaming machine, a configuration having a high degree of freedom regarding the provision is provided.
[0109]
<Means 46>
The external information acquisition unit includes a terminal output information acquisition unit that acquires information output from the mobile communication terminal in a non-contact manner,
46. The gaming system according to claim 45, wherein the profit providing information selecting means selects profit providing information based on information acquisition from the mobile communication terminal.
[0110]
In this way, the information input operation by the portable communication terminal can be made meaningful, and the degree of involvement with the gaming machine can be increased.
[0111]
<Means 47>
47. The game according to claim 46, wherein the profit providing information selecting means selects profit providing information to be provided from the plurality of profit providing information based on information content obtained from the mobile communication terminal. system.
[0112]
With this configuration, the information input from the mobile communication terminal becomes important, and the awareness of the information input operation can be further increased.
[0113]
For example, the information of the portable communication terminal acquired by the information acquisition unit has predetermined accumulated information relating to a game, and according to the accumulated information or by reflecting the accumulated information, It can be configured that the profit giving information is provided according to the newly generated accumulated information.
[0114]
<Means 48>
A hall server of a hall in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed is connected to the plurality of gaming machines so as to be able to communicate with each other, and is provided on a side of the hall server and a provider such as a provider that provides the profit providing information. Connected to the provided provider server via a communication network,
On the input device provided on the hall server side, based on that request information requesting update information is input, the request information is sent to the provider side server,
The gaming system according to any one of means 1 to 47, wherein update information is downloaded from the provider-side server that has acquired the request information to the hall server.
[0115]
By doing so, the hall server can acquire update information provided by the management entity, so that the management entity can easily perform the update and have a high maintenance property. Also, the update information can be managed by the hall server, and the management of the advertisement information in the hall becomes extremely easy.
[0116]
Further, in the gaming system according to the means 48, the update information is distributed from the hall server that has acquired the update information to the game machine to be updated, and the profit provision information storage means provided in the game machine to be updated has The content can be configured to be updated. This makes it easy to update the configuration in which the profit provision information storage means is arranged in the gaming machine.
[0117]
<Means 49>
A profit providing information providing device including the profit providing information output unit is connected to a provider side server provided on a provider side such as a provider that provides the profit providing information via a communication network such as the Internet. And
And a store-side terminal is provided for each store that provides goods or services related to the profit-giving information, so as to be connected to the server of the provider.
Further, the profit providing information providing device,
When providing the profit-giving information to the mobile communication terminal, fraud identification information is transmitted to the provider-side server, or the store-side terminal,
When the player who has acquired the profit providing information by the mobile communication terminal submits the mobile communication terminal at the store related to the profit providing information to receive the profit related to the profit providing information, the player is provided at the store. Means for determining whether or not the submitted profit-giving information in the portable communication terminal is legitimate based on the fraudulent identification information. A gaming system according to any one of the above.
[0118]
This makes it possible to judge fraud at the store with high accuracy, and to promote correct use of the profit provision information.
[0119]
Note that the gaming machine referred to in the present invention includes a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. As a basic configuration of a pachinko machine, an operation handle is provided, a ball is fired to a predetermined game area in response to operation of the operation handle, and the ball is disposed at a predetermined position in the game area. As a prerequisite for winning a prize (or passing through an operation gate), the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special game state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined mode to enable the ball to win, and a value corresponding to the winning number is obtained. A value (including data written on a magnetic card as well as a prize ball) is given.
[0120]
In addition, the basic configuration of the slot machine includes variable display means for dynamically displaying an identification information sequence including a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information, which is caused by the operation of a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, a stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. The requirement that the confirmed identification information is the specific identification information includes a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.
[0121]
In addition, as a basic configuration of a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine, a variable display unit for dynamically displaying an identification information string including a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information is provided. For example, the dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation of the operation lever), and the dynamic display of the identification information is caused due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. The display is stopped, and a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player is provided as a necessary condition that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information, and a ball is used as a game medium. At the same time, a certain number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display of the identification information, and many balls are paid out when a special game state occurs. It is.
[0122]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Basic structure for providing profit-giving information)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment has a configuration including a gaming machine 1 configured to output information to a predetermined mobile communication terminal (here, the mobile phone 200). I have. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the gaming system 100 includes, as electronic data, profit providing information storage means for storing profit providing information for providing a player with a profit, such as a coupon, a gift certificate, and the like, It is provided separately from a main control device that performs main control (here, configured as a main board 21A), and when a predetermined profit provision condition is satisfied, the information stored in the profit provision information storage means is stored. And a profit providing information reading means for reading profit providing information from the inside. There are several possible arrangements of the profit-giving information storage means and the profit-giving information reading means. This shows a configuration example in which the means is provided, in which the CPU 36 functions as a profit-giving-information reading means, and the nonvolatile memory 39 functions as a profit-giving-information storage means. These hardware configurations will be described later.
[0123]
Furthermore, the gaming system 100 has a profit providing information output unit that outputs profit providing information such as a coupon and a gift certificate read by the profit providing information reading unit as information that can be acquired by the mobile communication terminal. The profit providing information providing device 30 includes at least the profit providing information output unit. The profit providing information providing device 30 can be provided in the gaming machine 1 or in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the gaming machine 1, but in the present embodiment, the profit providing information providing device 30 is provided in the gaming machine 1. Is provided, and the profit providing information is output from the gaming machine 1. Here, a configuration is provided in which a unique profit provision information providing device 30 is provided for each gaming machine 1. In addition, the profit provision information providing device 30 may be provided outside the gaming machine 1 and in the vicinity thereof, but this configuration will be described in another embodiment described later.
[0124]
Several forms of information output by the profit providing information output means are conceivable, but the profit providing information output means of the present embodiment converts the profit providing information read by the profit providing information reading means into a portable communication terminal (here, It is configured as a wireless transmission unit (more specifically, an infrared light emitting unit 33) for wirelessly transmitting to the mobile phone 200). The output configuration other than wireless transmission (image output by the display means, etc.) will be described in another embodiment described later.
[0125]
The wireless transmission unit may be configured to include a medium output unit (in the present embodiment, an infrared light emitting unit 33 described later) that outputs the profit-giving information as an information transmission medium such as infrared rays and electromagnetic waves. Then, an information transmission medium such as an infrared ray or an electromagnetic wave is output from the medium output portion toward the front of the gaming machine 1 so that information can be acquired between the gaming machine 1 and the player by the portable communication terminal. Is formed. When the mobile communication terminal is arranged in the area where the information can be obtained, the information transmission medium including the profit providing information is output from the medium output unit, so that the mobile communication terminal provides the profit. Information can be obtained.
[0126]
Further, there are several possible positions of the profit-giving information storage means. In the present embodiment, the profit-giving information storage means is arranged in the profit-giving information providing device 30 and provided in the gaming machine 1. ing. The profit giving information storage means can be configured using a rewritable storage means such as a non-volatile memory, a RAM, and an HDD. A configuration in which the profit provision information storage means takes another arrangement position (for example, a configuration arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, a server, or the like) will be described in another embodiment.
[0127]
Further, the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment stores the profit-giving information by inputting the profit-giving information update information for updating the profit-giving information by information input by a predetermined input unit or information input via a communication network. There is provided a profit providing information updating means for updating information stored in the means. In the example of FIG. 2, the profit provision information updating means is provided in the profit provision information providing device 30, and specifically, the CPU performs this function.
[0128]
(Basic structure for providing advertising information)
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the profit provision information related to the display of the advertisement information is provided, and a configuration for displaying the advertisement information will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 includes an advertisement display control unit that performs control such that a predetermined display device displays advertisement information related to profit provision information. . Here, advertisement information is displayed on the external display device 105, and the external display control board 105A (described later) functions as advertisement display control means.
[0129]
On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 or in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, the advertising information is stored separately from the main controller (here, the main board 21A) for performing the main control of the gaming machine in a state in which the advertising information can be updated. In this embodiment, the advertising information storage means is provided in the gaming machine 1. Here, an external display control board 105A is provided in the profit provision information providing apparatus 30, and a storage means for storing advertisement information can be arranged in a configuration attached to the external display control board 105A. Further, the nonvolatile memory 39 may function as an advertisement information storage unit without being provided in the external display control board 105A.
[0130]
Further, the game system 100 is configured such that the advertisement update information for updating the advertisement information is input by information input by a predetermined input unit or information input via a communication network, so that the information stored in the above-described advertisement information storage unit is input. Is updated. In the example of FIG. 2, an advertisement information updating unit is provided in the gaming machine 1, and the contents of the advertisement information storage unit are updated based on the input of the advertisement update information. For example, when the nonvolatile memory 39 functions as the advertisement information storage unit, the content stored here can be rewritten based on the update information.
[0131]
(Configuration of gaming machine 1)
Next, a specific configuration of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
A plurality of gaming machines 1 according to the present embodiment are arranged in a horizontal direction on an upper portion of a pachinko island stand counter table installed in a game hall. As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a front frame 2 at a front portion, and a glass door frame 3 as a transparent plate holding door is attached to the front frame 2. As shown in FIG. 23, the glass door frame 3 is supported by the front frame 2 so as to be openable and closable by hinges 3c on the vertical axis provided vertically.
[0132]
Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a transparent plate 81 made of glass or the like is fitted into a metal frame 82 to form an integral transparent plate unit 80, and this transparent plate unit 80 is It is configured to be mounted on the back. Here, the mounting portion 82a formed so as to protrude outward from the frame 82 and the mounting portion 3d formed on the back surface side of the glass door frame 3 are connected by a fastening member 83 such as a screw, so that the transparent plate 81 is formed. Is attached to the glass door frame 3.
[0133]
Further, the transparent plate 81 of the present embodiment is configured as a double-layer glass having a plurality of glass plates (here, two glass plates), and has a substantially circular shape such as a circular shape or an elliptical shape. I have. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the glass door frame 3 is configured such that its outer shape is square or substantially square when viewed from the front in a plan view. In the space obliquely below (here, in the vicinity of the corner of the glass door frame 3), a profit provision information providing device 30 described later is arranged.
[0134]
A game board 7 shown in FIG. 4 is disposed behind the glass door frame 3 shown in FIGS. The game board 7 has a substantially circular game area, in which a first type start-up port 4, a special display device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "display device") 5, and a special winning port 6 are provided. The first type starting port 4 includes a passage for a game ball, and a blade 4a is supported at the entrance of the passage so as to be openable and closable. The display device 5 can be configured as, for example, a symbol display device that dynamically displays symbols.
[0135]
Returning to FIG. 3, an upper tray 2 b from which a prize ball is paid out is mounted below the glass door frame 3. Below the window of the front frame 2, a lower tray 2a is mounted. The lower receiving tray 2a discharges and stores extra balls such as prize balls that cannot be accommodated in the upper receiving tray 2b, extracted balls removed from the upper receiving tray 2b, and foul balls from the surplus ball outlet. On the right side of the lower tray 2a of the front frame 2, a firing handle 17 for firing game balls is mounted so as to be rotatable. A motor (not shown) as a driving means is mounted on the back side of the front frame 2 corresponding to the firing handle 17, and the motor is driven by the turning operation of the firing handle 17, whereby the hitting rod (not shown) Is operated intermittently, and the resilient force is adjusted according to the rotation angle of the firing handle 17. Therefore, a ball launching device is constituted by the motor, the hitting rod, and the like.
[0136]
The display device 5 is provided above the first type start-up port 4 and has a display device frame 40 and a screen 5a composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) disposed surrounded by the display device frame 40. I have. Many kinds of images are displayed on the screen 5a, and as one of them, a left symbol row 8, a middle symbol row 9, and a right symbol row 10 are displayed. The number of symbol rows is not limited to the above (three rows), but may be one row, two rows, four rows or more. Each of the symbol rows 8 to 10 is composed of a plurality of symbols including numbers, symbols, and the like.
[0137]
In the display device 5, the symbol variation in the symbol rows 8 to 10 is started when a game ball enters the first type start-up port 4. The symbol change is stopped in the order of the left symbol row 8, the right symbol row 10, and the middle symbol row 9, but this is only an example, and may be stopped in another order. When the symbol variation in all the symbol rows 8 to 10 is stopped, the combination of the displayed symbols (hereinafter, referred to as “stop symbols”) is a predetermined combination (specific display result, hereinafter, referred to as “big hit combination”). ), That is, a combination (for example, 777) of the same type when the same type of symbols are arranged along the big hit line. This combination of stopped symbols is hereinafter referred to as a “big hit symbol”.
[0138]
In the present embodiment, there are a total of five types of jackpot lines, one extending in the horizontal direction (three types of upper, middle, and lower) and the other extending diagonally (two types, downward and rightward). Not limited to For example, the number of big hit lines is one, and it may be what is usually called “one line”. Then, when the combination of the big hits is established, the special electric accessory is activated, a big hit game state as a special game state advantageous to the player arrives, and more prize balls can be obtained.
[0139]
Further, the gaming machine 1 enters the reach gaming state prior to the occurrence of the jackpot gaming state. Here, the reach game state refers to a state immediately before the big hit game state, and if it falls down, the symbol fluctuation in the right symbol row 10 stops at the same type of symbol as the stop symbol in the left symbol row 8 on the big hit line. Then, if the symbol fluctuation in the middle symbol row 9 is stopped in the same type of symbols as the stopped symbols in the left and right symbol rows 8 and 10 thereafter, a state in which a combination of jackpots is finally obtained. When the symbol change stops, the combination changes to a big hitting game state, and when the symbol stops, the big hitting game state is finally reached. The changing state is also included in the reach game state. This is what is usually called full rotation (all symbols) reach.
[0140]
The special winning opening 6 is provided below the first type starting opening 4, and includes one V zone 11, two passages 12 and 13, and a shutter 14. The shutter 14 is operated by a special winning opening solenoid (hereinafter simply referred to as “solenoid”) 15 to open and close the V zone 11 and the entrances of the passages 12 and 13.
[0141]
As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 7 is provided with a start port switch 18, a V zone switch 19, and a count switch 20. The starting port switch 18 detects a winning of the game ball in the first type starting port 4. The V zone switch 19 detects the winning of the game ball in the V zone 11, and the count switch 20 detects the winning of the game ball in the big winning opening 6. Further, a control device 21 is provided to drive and control the solenoid 15 and the display device 5 based on the detection results of the switches 18 to 20, respectively. The control device 21 includes a read-only memory (ROM), a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The ROM stores a predetermined control program and initial data in advance, and the CPU executes various arithmetic processes according to the control program of the ROM. The RAM temporarily stores the calculation result by the CPU.
[0142]
More specifically, the control device 21 includes a main control device (main board) for performing main control of the gaming machine 1, a display control board for controlling each unit by a signal from the main board, a volume adjustment board, and an LED. It consists of various sub-boards such as a board and a payout control board.To prevent illegal signals from being input to the main board, the signal transmission direction is only one direction from the main board to the sub-board. It has become. It should be noted that the CPU, the ROM, the RAM, and other electronic components can be arranged at least on the main board. However, the CPU, the ROM, the RAM, and other electronic components can be arranged other than on the main board.
[0143]
Note that as one of the controls by the CPU, there is a so-called probability variation in which the occurrence probability of the big hit gaming state is varied according to conditions. Specifically, a low-probability mode in which a large hitting game state is generated with a low probability of about 1/300 and a high-probability mode in which a large hitting game state is generated with a high probability of about 1/60, which is about five times as large, are prepared. The probability mode is switched according to the type of the big hit symbol. That is, when the big hit symbol is a predetermined special symbol (for example, an odd symbol), the high probability mode is set, and when the big hit symbol is a predetermined normal symbol (for example, the even symbol), the low probability mode is set. Note that the multiple of the occurrence probability in the high probability mode with respect to the occurrence probability in the low probability mode may be a value other than the value (about 5) described above.
[0144]
An external connection terminal plate 16 is connected to an output port of the CPU. The external connection terminal plate 16 includes output terminals 16A to 16D for a hall computer connected to a hall computer, and output terminals 16a to 16d for a profit providing information providing device connected to the profit providing information providing device 30. It has.
[0145]
Here, the output terminals 16A and 16a output a “probable change signal” indicating that the high probability mode is being performed. The output terminals 16B and 16b output a "big hit signal" indicating that a big hit is occurring. Further, the output terminals 16C and 16c output a “probable variable jackpot signal” indicating that a jackpot is being generated by a predetermined special symbol (for example, an odd symbol). In addition, the output terminals 16D and 16c output a “firing switch signal” indicating whether or not a game ball is being fired by the ball firing device.
[0146]
(Configuration of profit providing information providing device)
In the present embodiment, the profit provision information providing device 30 is disposed near the end of the glass door frame 3 as shown in FIG. 3, specifically, near the corner of the glass door frame 3 formed in a square shape, It is arranged as a device for performing infrared communication with a mobile phone 200 (see FIGS. 5 and 6: described later) as a mobile communication terminal possessed by the player. The profit giving information providing device 30 includes a notification lamp 31 as a notification unit, a wireless transmission unit, an infrared light emitting unit 33 as a medium output unit, and an infrared light receiving unit 34. The light receiving unit 34 is configured to function as an information communication unit (in other words, an information transmission / reception unit) that is arranged, for example, exposed to the outside of the gaming machine 1 and transmits and receives information. More specifically, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 includes a notification lamp 31, an infrared light emitting unit 33, an infrared light receiving unit 34, an interface circuit (I / F) 35, It is provided with a CPU 36, a ROM 37, and a RAM 38.
[0147]
Here, the notification lamp 31 is configured as a lamp for visually notifying the player that the provision of the profit provision information is enabled in the profit provision information providing apparatus 30. The notification lamp 31 is turned on when the profit providing information is provided, and is turned off when the profit providing information is not provided. Alternatively, the notification lamp 31 may be turned on and off when the transmission of the profit provision information is being performed from the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the transmission is completed.
[0148]
The infrared light emitting section 33 functioning as a profit providing information output section in the present embodiment specifically functions as a medium output section and a wireless transmission section, and is disposed in an external region of the transparent plate 81 and provided to the mobile phone 200. On the other hand, it is configured as a light emitting device for transmitting profit giving information or the like as an infrared signal. The infrared signal output from the infrared light emitting section 33 has directivity. Here, the infrared signal is configured to be output in a direction substantially orthogonal to the board surface of the game board 7 in an area outside the transparent plate 81. I have.
[0149]
The infrared light receiving section 34 as the information receiving section is arranged in an area outside the transparent plate 81 similarly to the information transmitting section, and is configured as a light receiving device for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the mobile phone 200. Since the infrared signal has directivity as described above, the infrared light receiving unit 208 and the infrared light emitting unit 209 of the mobile phone 200 are connected to the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 of the profit providing information providing device 30. By facing each other, the gaming machine 1 and the mobile phone 200 are specified as communication partners with each other.
[0150]
In addition, since the infrared signal is output from the infrared light emitting section 33 toward the front (the player side), the infrared signals do not interfere with each other in the adjacent gaming machines. Here, an information transmission medium having directivity is described as an example, but a non-directional medium may be used as long as information can be transmitted. In addition, the infrared light emitting unit 34 may function as an external information acquiring unit, an owner specifying information acquiring unit, and a terminal output information acquiring unit described in the present specification, and other components (for example, the communication control unit 41) ) May function as external information acquisition means.
[0151]
In the present invention, for the communication method, the hardware configuration of the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the light receiving unit 34, for example, a communication standard defined by IrDA (Infrared Data Association) can be used. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the infrared light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are configured as a single device, but they may be configured as separate devices. In the following, the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 are also collectively referred to as infrared light receiving and emitting units 33 and 34.
[0152]
The interface unit 35 is connected to the output terminals 16a to 16d for the profit provision information providing device of the external connection terminal board 16 via the communication line, and outputs the “probable changing signal”, the “big hit signal”, This is an electronic circuit that inputs a “probable change jackpot signal” and a “reach signal” to the CPU 36. Although the number of output terminals is set to four here, the present invention is not limited to this, and other signals may be input to the profit provision information providing device. For example, a "launch switch signal" or the like may be input as an independent port, and the signal type is subdivided in any of the "big hit signal", "probably variable big hit signal" and "reach signal", and for each type, A configuration in which a port is provided may be used. For example, when the reach has two types of normal reach and special reach, ports for the normal reach signal and the special reach signal may be provided. The “probably changing signal”, “big hit signal”, “probably big hit signal” and “reach signal” are the game information in the present embodiment, and these game information are transmitted to the CPU 36 via the external terminal connection plate 16 and the interface unit 35. The CPU 36 functions as a game information acquisition unit and a state detection unit.
[0153]
The CPU 36 is a control device for controlling each unit of the profit provision information providing device 30, and reads a control program from the ROM 37 and executes the control program. In the present embodiment, the CPU 36 includes the profit providing information reading means, the profit providing information updating means, the advertisement information updating means, the setting information updating means, the advertisement information switching means, the game information acquiring means, the state It can function as a detecting means, a unique information attaching means, and a unique information creating means.
[0154]
The ROM 37 is a read-only storage medium that stores a control program (for example, a program having a flow as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) for controlling each unit of the profit provision information providing device 30, various data, and the like.
[0155]
The RAM 38 is a rewritable storage medium having a work area used by the CPU 36, a game state storage area 38a, and a transmission buffer 38b for transmitting game information and profit provision information.
[0156]
The nonvolatile memory 39 is a rewritable (information updatable) nonvolatile storage medium for storing information in a nonvolatile manner, and is a semiconductor memory such as an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or another nonvolatile semiconductor memory. And the like. In the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 39 functions as an advertisement information storage unit, a profit provision information storage unit, and a setting information storage unit. The information content is stored and held even after the power is turned off, and the information is rewritten as necessary. Further, the value of the transmission counter 39a stored in the non-volatile memory 39 is stored and held even after the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned off. In this and other embodiments, a configuration using a non-volatile memory as a rewritable storage unit is shown. However, if a rewritable storage unit is used, an HDD (hard disk drive) or another storage unit may be used. May be used.
[0157]
Further, in the present embodiment, a first display unit for performing an image effect related to a game and a second display unit different from the image display device are provided, and the advertisement information is displayed on the second display unit. It is configured. More specifically, the display device 5 functions as a first display unit that performs an image effect related to a game, and the external display device 105 provided in the profit provision information providing device 30 functions as a second display unit.
[0158]
Further, an external display control board 105A for controlling display of the external display device 105 is provided, and the external display control board 105A functions as a second display control means. The external display control board 105A can be configured as, for example, a board that performs display control of the liquid crystal symbol display device, and can be configured to include storage means such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. In this embodiment, the advertisement information is displayed on the external display device 105, and the external display control board 105A functions as an advertisement information display control unit.
[0159]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the display device 5 functioning as the first display means also includes a display control board 5A as the first display control means, and the display control board 5A and the external display control board 105A are provided. By controlling the display of each of the display devices 5 and 105, the image effect by the first display means and the display of the advertisement information can be displayed in parallel.
[0160]
In the examples shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, operations related to information transmission between the gaming machine 1 and the mobile phone 200 near the infrared light emitting unit 33, the infrared light receiving unit 34, and the notification lamp 31. An operation unit for performing the operation is provided. Specifically, the operation unit is configured as a transmission request button 32 for requesting the gaming machine 1 to transmit information. Pressing of the transmission request button 32 is a trigger, and the gaming machine 1 The configuration is such that information transmission to 200 is started. The transmission request button 32 is configured as a push button for requesting the profit provision information providing device 30 to start transmission of profit provision information, and is ready for transmission from the gaming machine 1, that is, as described above. Pressing is accepted only while the notification lamp 31 is on, and transmission is not started even if the transmission request button 32 is pressed in another state.
[0161]
When the transmission request button 32 is pressed while the notification lamp 31 is on, the notification lamp 31 starts blinking, and the transmission of the profit providing information by the infrared signal from the infrared light emitting unit 33 is started. Here, the operation unit has a button configuration, but any configuration such as an operation lever, a touch panel, or the like that can be operated externally by the player may be used. Further, here, the operation unit is provided to input a trigger for information transmission, but the operation unit can be applied to other uses as long as it is an information input operation related to information transmission. .
[0162]
For example, on the display screen, a plurality of items may be displayed so as to be selectable, and any one of them may be selected by operating the operation unit. As one example, for example, the player is made to select whether to request information transmission from a gaming machine or request explanation information (for example, operation explanation and the like) on information communication, and perform a process corresponding to the selection operation. It may be executed.
[0163]
In addition, a configuration may be provided in which a plurality of types of profit provision information is provided, so that the player can select the profit provision information. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a profit selection information input unit is provided in or near a gaming machine, and selection information for selecting profit provision information can be input by the profit selection information input unit. The profit selection information input means can be configured as various known input devices, and can be configured as, for example, a button type or a touch panel type input device. Alternatively, the selection information may be input by voice input or information input.
[0164]
(Server configuration)
Servers such as the hall server, the provider server, and the gaming machine maker server shown in FIG. 1 can be configured as a computer system, and can be configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Since a server configuration capable of LAN or Internet communication is well known, a detailed description of the hardware configuration is omitted, but various configurations are adopted as long as data storage is possible and network communication is possible. can do.
[0165]
In the example of FIG. 6, an example of a server configured to be able to perform Internet communication is shown by taking the hall server 401 as an example, and the providing subject server and the gaming machine maker server can also adopt the same configuration. Here, storage means such as a CPU 413, a ROM 415, and a RAM 411; an interface such as a LAN card 427; a communication control device such as a router 429; a display control device such as a video controller 421; an output means such as a monitor 417; , A key controller 423 and other input control devices.
[0166]
In addition, various databases are configured by the server-side storage unit 431 including a hard disk drive and other storage media. Here, the hall server 401 is capable of two-way communication (for example, two-way communication using a network such as a LAN or the Internet) with the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 (communication (1) in FIG. 1). See also pathways and Figure 2). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hall server 401 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with various servers via the Internet 400 (see the communication path of (2)). Further, as shown in the communication path (3) (FIG. 1) and FIG. 2, here, the profit provision information providing device 30 is configured to be connectable to the Internet.
[0167]
(Configuration of mobile communication terminal)
Next, a configuration of the mobile phone 200 that performs infrared communication with the profit provision information providing device 30 of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The mobile phone 200 is an example of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, and as shown in the front view of FIG. 7, a case 202, a key operation unit 204, a liquid crystal panel (display unit) 206, an infrared light receiving unit 208, and an infrared light emission 209. The key operation unit 204 is disposed on the front case unit 203 of the case 202, and includes a cross key, a power key, a function key, an on-hook key (start key), a clear key, and character / number keys (numeric keys). It is configured. The liquid crystal panel 206 is arranged inside an opening 202 a formed in the case 202. The infrared light receiving unit 208 is arranged on the upper part 202 b of the case 202 together with the infrared light emitting unit 209.
[0168]
Next, the electric circuit configuration of the mobile phone 200 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The mobile phone 200 includes a wireless unit 210, an audio circuit 212, a receiver 214, a microphone 216, a transmission / reception antenna 218, a non-volatile memory 220, a control unit (microcontroller) in addition to the liquid crystal panel 206, the infrared light receiving unit 208, and the infrared light emitting unit 209. Computer 222 and a secondary battery 224. The radio section 210 is controlled by the control section 222 to transmit and receive radio waves to and from the base station through the transmission / reception antenna 218 using radio waves as a medium. The audio circuit 212 outputs the received signal output from the wireless unit 210 via the control unit 222 to the receiver 214, and outputs the audio signal output from the microphone 216 to the wireless unit 210 via the control unit 222 as a transmission signal.
[0169]
The receiver 214 converts the received signal output from the audio circuit 212 into a received voice and outputs it, and the microphone 216 converts the transmission voice emitted from the operator into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal to the voice circuit 212. The nonvolatile memory 220 stores various data and various programs in a nonvolatile manner. In addition, a program for receiving profit providing information for receiving the profit providing information from the profit providing information providing apparatus 30 is downloaded from, for example, an Internet homepage or the like operated by a game machine maker or the like, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 220. It is memorized. The secondary battery 224 supplies power to each circuit. The control unit 222 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and performs a process of making and receiving calls, a process of creating and transmitting electronic mail, and a process of Internet.
[0170]
(Operation of gaming machine)
Next, the operation and effects of the gaming machine 1 configured as described above will be described. 9 and 10 show various routines executed by the control device 21. Each process of these routines is executed based on the counter group and the flag F.
[0171]
The counter group includes a round counter R, a winning counter P, and a probability change counter C. The round counter R is for counting the number of rounds, and the winning counter P is for counting the number of winning game balls to the special winning opening 6 based on the detection result of the count switch 20. The probability change counter C is for determining the end of the high-probability mode, and takes values of “2”, “1”, and “0”. Note that the initial values of the counters R, P, and C are all “0”.
[0172]
In addition, the counter group includes an internal random number counter for determining the occurrence of a jackpot game state, an off-reach random number counter for determining an off-reach, etc., a respective symbol counter for determining a stop symbol, etc., and a reach. A reach type counter for determining the type of operation. Here, the off-reach by the off-reach random number counter refers to a state in which after the above-mentioned reach game state, a big hit combination is not finally obtained. The flag F is for determining the presence or absence of a game ball winning in the V zone 11, and is set to “0” when the winning is not detected by the V zone switch 19, and is set to “0” when the winning is detected. 1 ". It has been described that there are two types of probability modes, a low probability mode and a high probability mode, but the low probability mode is set as the initial value.
[0173]
When the game is started by the player, the control device 21 firstly starts the first kind of the game ball based on the detection result of the starting port switch 18 in step S10 of the special electric accessory control routine of FIG. It is determined whether or not a prize has been received in the mouth 4. If this determination condition is not satisfied, the special electric accessory control routine ends, and if it is satisfied, in step S20, the values of the internal random number counter and the out-of-reach random number counter are obtained, and the value of each symbol counter is Based on each of the symbol rows 8 to 10, a departure symbol is obtained. The acquisition here refers to a process of reading the value of each counter and storing the value in a memory.
[0174]
Next, a symbol variation start process is executed in step S30. More specifically, in step S31 of FIG. 11, the symbols of the symbol rows 8 to 10 are variably displayed on the display device 5, respectively. With this display, the player sees the three reels of left, center, and right as if they are rotating. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the value of the internal random number counter is equal to the big hit value. As the jackpot value, two types of values (a jackpot value for low probability and a jackpot value for high probability) are prepared. The former is a value for generating the jackpot gaming state with a low probability as described above, and the latter is a value for generating the jackpot gaming state with a high probability.
[0175]
For example, when the internal random number counter updates the value every predetermined time within the range of “0” to “299”, “7” of the counter is set as the jackpot value for low probability and “7”, “17” , “27”, “37”, and “47” are the jackpot values for high probability. Then, the probability of the occurrence of the big hit gaming state is 1/300 when the low probability big hit value is used as the big hit value, and 1/60 when the high probability big hit value is used as the big hit value. When the low probability mode is set in the previous control cycle, the low probability big hit value is selected as the big hit value. If the high probability mode is set, the high probability big hit value is selected as the big hit value.
[0176]
If the determination condition in step S32 is satisfied, in step S33, the big hit symbol corresponding to the big hit value is stored in the memory as a stopped symbol. On the other hand, if the determination condition in step S32 is not satisfied, in step S34, it is determined whether the value of the out-of-reach random number counter is the same as a predetermined out-of-reach value. If this determination condition is satisfied, in step S35, a symbol corresponding to the out-of-reach value (hereinafter, referred to as "out-of-reach symbol") is stored in the memory as a stopped symbol. If the determination condition in step S34 is not satisfied, in step S36, the symbol lost in step S20 is stored in the memory as a stopped symbol. After the stopped symbols are stored in steps S33, S35, and S36, the symbol variation start processing routine ends.
[0177]
After executing the process of step S30 (symbol change start process shown in FIG. 11) as described above, in step S40 of FIG. 9, the symbols in the left and right symbol rows 8, 10 are replaced with any of the above-mentioned steps S33, S35, S36. Is replaced with the stop symbol stored in the process of. The symbol change in both the left and right symbol rows 8 and 10 is stopped by the symbol after the replacement.
[0178]
In step S50, the symbol fluctuation in the middle symbol row 9 is stopped. Subsequently, in step S60, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination is a big hit combination. If this determination condition is not satisfied, the special electric accessory control routine ends, and if it is satisfied, a big hit signal ON is output to the output terminals 16B and 16b in step S70. Further, in step S80, it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol is a special symbol (in this case, an odd symbol). If the special symbol is a special symbol (step S80: Yes), a positive variable big hit signal ON is output in step S90. Output to 16C and 16c. Subsequently, in step S100, the round counter R is reset. Then, in step S110, the winning counter P is reset, and the flag F is set to “0”. Note that FIG. 13 conceptually shows a timing chart for the probable changing signal, the big hit signal, and the probable big hit signal.
[0179]
Subsequently, the solenoid 15 is excited in step S120 in FIG. Then, the shutter 14 falls, and the entrance to the passage of the special winning opening 6 is opened. By this opening, it becomes possible to win a prize in the V zone 11 and the passages 12 and 13 of the game ball. In step S130, the round counter R is incremented by "1".
[0180]
Next, in step S140, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter P is equal to or less than a predetermined value Pmax. If this determination condition is satisfied, in step S150, it is determined whether or not the scheduled closing time of the special winning opening 6 has been reached. If this determination condition is satisfied (step S150: Yes), the process returns to step S140. As a result, as long as no more than Pmax game balls win or the scheduled closing time comes after the opening of the special winning opening 6, the special winning opening 6 continues to be opened. On the other hand, if one of the determination conditions in steps S140 and S150 is not satisfied, the solenoid 15 is demagnetized in step S160. Then, the shutter 14 is raised to close the entrance to the special winning opening 6.
[0181]
Then, in step S170, it is determined whether the value of the round counter R is equal to or less than a predetermined value Rmax. If this determination condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the flag F is “1” in step S180. If the determination condition of step S180 is satisfied (step S180: Yes), the process returns to step S110 of FIG. Therefore, once the big hit game state occurs, the big win port 6 repeats the opening and closing cycle until the game ball wins the V zone 11 at the maximum Rmax times. For example, if the predetermined value Pmax is set to “10”, the opening time of the special winning opening 6 is set to “about 29.5” seconds, and the predetermined value Rmax is set to “16”, After the opening of the mouth 6, when one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) ten game balls win in the special winning opening 6, and (2) approximately 29.5 seconds elapse. The mouth 6 is closed.
[0182]
The cycle of opening / closing the special winning opening 6 is repeated up to 16 times on condition that a game ball wins in the V zone 11. If either one of the determination conditions in steps S170 and S180 is not satisfied, "big hit signal OFF" is output to the output terminals 16B and 16b in step S190. Further, in step S200, it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol is a special symbol (in this case, an odd symbol). If the big symbol is a special symbol (step S200: Yes), the probability variable big hit signal OFF is output in step S210. Output to 16C and 16c. Subsequently, in step S220, a probability variation process is performed, and then the special electric accessory control routine ends.
[0183]
In the probability variation processing routine of FIG. 12, in step S221, it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol is a normal symbol (in this case, an even symbol). If this determination condition is not satisfied (step S221: No), that is, if the big hit symbol is a special symbol (odd symbol), it is determined whether or not the probability variable counter C is “0” in step S227 (high probability mode). Is determined, and if the probability change counter C is “0” (in the high probability mode) (S227: Yes), in step S228, the probability variation signal ON is output to the output terminals 16A and 16a. Output to Subsequently, the high probability mode is set in step S229, and “2” is set in the probability change counter C. After executing the processing in step S229, the probability variation processing routine ends. As described above, when the big hitting game state occurs continuously in the special symbol (odd symbol) during the high probability, the high probability mode is continued.
[0184]
On the other hand, if the determination condition in step S221 is satisfied, that is, if the big hit symbol is a normal symbol (even symbol), it is determined in step S222 whether the probability change counter C is not “0”. If this determination condition is not satisfied (C = 0), the probability variation processing routine is terminated, and if it is satisfied (C = 2, 1), the probability variable counter C is decremented by "1" in step S223. In step S224, it is determined whether the probability change counter C is "0".
[0185]
If the determination condition is not satisfied (C = 1), the probability variation processing routine is terminated. If the determination condition is satisfied (C = 0), in step S225, the in-progress signal OFF is output to the output terminals 16A and 16a. In step S226, a low probability mode is set. Once the high-probability mode is set in this way, the high-probability counter C becomes “0”, ie, after the high-probability mode is set, the high-probability counter continues until the big hitting game state occurs twice in even symbols continuously. The mode continues. Then, when the big hitting game state in the even symbol is continued twice, the high probability mode ends and the mode is switched to the low probability mode.
[0186]
Note that the processing procedure in the present embodiment is an example, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the symbol change process (step S31) may be performed after the stop symbol storage process (steps S33, S35, S36).
[0187]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when it is detected that the game ball has won the first-type starting port 4, the value of each counter is obtained and the symbol rows 8 to 10 are displayed in a variably manner. A stop symbol is stored based on the value of each counter, and the symbol change is stopped by the stop symbol. If the combination of the symbols displayed when the game is stopped is a big hit combination, a big hit game state advantageous to the player occurs, and the big winning prize port 6 is set until the game ball wins the V zone 11 at the maximum Rmax times. The cycle of opening and closing is repeated.
[0188]
On the other hand, if the big hit symbol is a special symbol (odd number symbol), the high probability mode is set, and the occurrence probability of the big hit gaming state is increased two times, the next time and the next time. That is, once the high-probability mode is set, the probability of occurrence of the big hit game state twice after the next time is increased. If the big hit game state occurs again in the odd symbol during that period, the high-probability mode is set. . On the other hand, if the big hit game state occurs in the normal symbol (even symbol) after the elapse of the period, the high probability mode ends (switches to the low probability mode).
[0189]
Next, a process of transmitting profit-providing information from the profit-providing information providing device 30 to the mobile phone 200 will be described with reference to a flowchart of a main routine of transmitting profit-providing information shown in FIG. 14 and a flowchart of an information transmission process routine of FIG. . In the present embodiment, the main routine for transmitting profit-providing information and the routine for transmitting information are stored in the ROM 37, and the CPU 36 reads out these routines from the ROM 37 and executes them. This main routine for transmitting the profit providing information can be executed at intervals of several ms or several tens ms.
[0190]
First, in step S410, it is determined whether a big hit has occurred. The occurrence of the big hit is detected by detecting that the big hit signal changes from OFF to ON as shown in FIG. Here, the CPU 36 that detects a change in the jackpot signal transmits a command for displaying advertisement information to the external display control board 105A. On the other hand, if a big hit has not occurred, the process proceeds to NO in S410 and the routine ends. If a big hit has occurred, the process proceeds to S420, and the advertisement information as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the external display device 105.
[0191]
Here, the external display control board 105A that has received the command from the CPU 36 performs a process of reading the advertisement information from the advertisement information storage means, and displays the advertisement information on the external display device 105. As the advertisement information storage unit, a storage unit arranged in the external display control board 105A or a unit configured as a storage unit (for example, the nonvolatile memory 39 or the like) external to the external display control board 105A can be used. Even so, the advertisement information is read from the advertisement information storage means and displayed as shown in FIG.
[0192]
In the example of FIG. 17, the explanation information and the advertisement information related to the profit provision information are displayed together. The advertisement information may be displayed immediately when the big hit occurrence is detected, or the advertisement information may be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection of the big hit occurrence signal. Then, the notification lamp 31 is turned on in S430 while the display of the advertisement information is continued. The lighting process of the notification lamp 31 may be omitted.
[0193]
On the other hand, when the player knows that the profit provision information is about to be provided from the profit provision information providing device 30 by turning on the notification lamp 31 or displaying the advertisement information, the player removes the mobile phone 200 and operates the button 204. As a result, the program for receiving profit providing information is started. Then, on the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200, as shown in FIG. 18A, a message "Ready to receive information. Press the transmission request button." Is displayed. Then, the player (here, the player 400) causes the infrared light receiving unit 208 and the infrared light emitting unit 209 of the mobile phone 200 to face and approach the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 of the profit providing information providing apparatus 30.
[0194]
On the other hand, in S440, the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 determines whether there is a transmission request during a predetermined time. Here, it is determined whether or not the transmission request button 32 has been pressed. If there is no transmission request even after the lapse of the predetermined time, the process proceeds to NO in S440, turns off the notification lamp 31 in S490, and ends the process. On the other hand, if there is a transmission request, the process proceeds to YES in S440, and a connect signal is transmitted in S450.
[0195]
Further, a return signal sent from the portable communication terminal is received in S460. Thus, infrared communication can be performed between the profit provision information providing device 30 and the mobile phone 200. Then, the notification lamp 31 is turned on and off in S470, and the information transmission process in S480 is started. Here, the determination of the transmission request in S440 is made based on the pressing of the transmission request button 32. However, for example, a sensor unit capable of detecting the position is provided, and the transmission is performed when the mobile communication terminal is arranged at a predetermined position. The processing from S450 may be performed assuming that there is a request. Further, when a predetermined signal is transmitted from the mobile communication terminal, it may be determined that a transmission request has been made.
[0196]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information transmission process of S480.
In step S510, a gaming machine ID (gaming machine ID) as gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine 1 from the other is stored in the first storage area of the transmission buffer 38b on the RAM 38. The gaming machine ID can be stored in a ROM (for example, the ROM of the main board 21A, the ROM 37 of the profit providing information providing device 30, or the like) as a unique gaming machine ID. Here, FIG. 16A shows a format of a transmission buffer 38b for transmitting game information and profit provision information, and FIG. 16B shows a storage example of profit provision information and game information.
[0197]
Subsequently, in step S520, the value of the transmission counter 39a is read from the nonvolatile memory 39 and stored in the second area of the transmission buffer. Further, in step S530, game state data (here, reach number data) as state identification information in the game state storage area 38a is read and stored in the third area of the transmission buffer 38b. That is, the game information here has a data structure of “gaming machine ID + transmission counter value + game state data”.
[0198]
The game state data is not limited to the reach number data shown here, but can be symbol change number data, big hit number data, probability change number data, time reduction number data, reach notice number data, or other game state number data. , May be composed of a plurality of types of these data. Alternatively, point information based on these data (for example, point information that accumulates as 2 points for reach occurrence and 1 point for symbol fluctuation) may be used. By providing such game information, a service based on the game information can be provided, or the provided game information can be used for marketing or the like by performing statistical processing. Note that the processing of S530 may be omitted without adding such game state data. Further, only the profit providing information may be transmitted without adding the game information itself.
[0199]
Further, in S540, profit providing information (here, coupon data) to be sent is stored in the fourth area of the transmission buffer 38b. The profit provision information can be configured to represent the content by, for example, a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. In the example of FIG. 16, the type of coupon and the manufacturer are specified by a combination of numbers and alphabets. . For example, if the first three digits represent the providing maker and the last two digits represent the content of the coupon, the content of the providing maker and the coupon can be specified by the five-digit number and alphabet. Then, in step S550, the game information and the profit provision information stored in the transmission buffer 38b are transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit 33 as infrared signals. Subsequently, in step S560, the infrared light receiving unit 34 receives a confirmation signal from the mobile phone 200.
[0200]
Further, in S570, confirmation information is transmitted to the management device. Several examples of transmission to the management device are conceivable. For example, transmission to the provider side server 403, which is a server of a maker that provides goods and services related to the profit provision information, via the Internet. it can. Alternatively, the confirmation information may be transmitted to a store that actually receives the service related to the profit provision information. In any case, the content to be transmitted can be the same or almost the same information as that to be transmitted to the mobile communication terminal, or information indicating the fact of transmission. In this way, the provider can surely confirm that the profit-giving information has been issued, and when the player receives the profit related to the profit-granting information (for example, when discounts are given by coupons or the like), the player Can be collated with the information presented by the user, and fraud can be effectively suppressed. When such a configuration is not adopted, the process of S570 may be omitted.
[0201]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a profit-providing information providing device is a provider-side server 403 provided on a provider such as a provider that provides profit-providing information via a communication network such as the Internet. And a store terminal 411 is provided for each store that provides goods or services related to the profit-giving information so as to be connected to the server 403 on the provider side. Then, the profit provision information providing device 30 transmits confirmation information as fraud identification information to the provider-side server 403 or the store-side terminal 411 when providing the profit provision information to the mobile communication terminal. (See transmission paths (3) and (4) or transmission paths (3), (4) and (5) shown in FIG. 1). Then, when the player who has acquired the profit providing information with the mobile communication terminal submits the mobile communication terminal to the store related to the profit providing information in an attempt to receive the profit related to the profit providing information, the store provided in the store The terminal 411 can determine whether the submitted profit-giving information in the portable communication terminal is legitimate based on the confirmation information (illegal identification information).
[0202]
Returning to FIG. 15, following S570, in step S580, the value of the transmission counter of the nonvolatile memory 39 is counted up, and then, in step S590, a transmission end signal is transmitted. Then, in S600, the storage contents of the game state data (that is, the data of the number of reach until then) are cleared, the processing of this routine is ended, and the process returns to the main routine.
[0203]
On the other hand, while the profit providing information is being transmitted from the profit providing information providing apparatus 30, the message "Information is being received" is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. When the transmission of the profit provision information from the profit provision information providing device 30 is completed and a transmission end signal is received (step S480), the liquid crystal panel 206 of the mobile phone 200 displays the following information as shown in FIG. The message "Information has been received" is displayed, and the execution of the profit providing information receiving program ends.
[0204]
Upon returning to the profit provision information transmission main routine (FIG. 14), in step S490, the notification lamp 31 is turned off, and the processing of this routine ends. The display of the advertisement information may be terminated when the lamp is turned off, or the display of the advertisement information may be continued. When the display of the advertisement information is continued, until a predetermined display end condition is satisfied (for example, until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of display, or until the next symbol change is started, or until the big hit round is ended). Etc.).
[0205]
The profit provision information transmitted in the above-described profit provision information transmission main routine, when received by the mobile phone 200, includes a gaming machine ID, a transmission counter value, game state data, and profit provision information (here, coupon data). Information is sequentially stored and stored in a memory 220 built in the mobile phone 200. FIG. 19 shows an example of storage of profit provision information in the memory 220 of the mobile phone 200.
[0206]
Here, the profit provision information stored in the mobile phone 200 has unique identification information. In other words, the gaming machine ID identifies from which gaming machine among the many gaming machines installed in the gaming stores nationwide the profit providing information is output. Further, the transmission counter value identifies at what time the gaming machine 1 outputs the profit-giving information. As described above, since the counter value is counted up every time the profit provision information is transmitted, the same value does not exist. Therefore, the data arrangement of “gaming machine ID + transmission counter value” is unique to each other, and since there is no two identical data, it is possible to reliably identify individual information output in each gaming machine. it can. Further, the output information includes the game state data for identifying the generated game state, so that it is possible to know what kind of game was performed up to that time. You can also perform services using. As described above, such game state data may be omitted.
[0207]
As is clear from the above, according to the present embodiment, the player uses the mobile phone 200 owned by the player to send electronic data such as a coupon, a gift certificate, etc. from the profit provision information providing device 30. By receiving the profit-giving information including such information, the profit-giving information provided from the gaming machine 1 or the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 can be easily acquired. Since the information transmitted from the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine ID (gaming machine ID) as gaming machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine, any of the gaming machines installed in the gaming halls in various places. Can be reliably identified. Further, since the transmission count value is included as unique information, it can be reliably identified as information received by the same or different players on another day or time zone.
[0208]
(Profit granting condition setting information)
Next, the grant condition setting information for setting the profit grant condition will be described.
In the grant condition setting information, a single condition may be set as the profit grant condition, and a single type of profit grant information may be output. It may be. For example, the profit-giving condition is set to “big hit occurrence”, and when this condition is satisfied, a single type of profit-giving information can be provided. In addition, instead of this, in a configuration configured to be a big hit when the identification symbols such as numbers, pictures, etc. are in a predetermined combination, the combination of the big hit and the profit provision information may be determined correspondingly. The provision condition setting information may be configured, and the profit provision information according to the combination of the big hits may be provided based on the provision condition setting information. FIG. 22 shows a configuration example of the setting information storage means in such a case. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage unit provided in the profit provision information providing device 30 functions as the setting information storage unit. In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 39 (FIG. 2, FIG. 5) is configured to store the provision condition setting information having the configuration as shown in FIG. 22 to constitute the profit provision information storage means.
[0209]
FIG. 22A shows a configuration in which the advertisement type and the profit provision information type are determined according to the combination of the big hit symbols. Specifically, in the case of a big hit with an odd symbol, the conditions are set so that the advertisement information on the beer is displayed as shown in FIG. 17 and the profit providing information on the beer is output. You. Similarly, in the case of an even-numbered design, the advertisement information and the profit-giving information on the drink are set to be provided, and in the case of a big hit with the design, the advertisement information and the profit-giving information on the travel ticket are provided. I have. Further, here, the advertisement information and the profit provision information are provided from a plurality of providers, and the providers are determined corresponding to the jackpot combinations. Then, the advertisement information and the profit provision information from the provider according to the jackpot combination are provided.
[0210]
In FIG. 22 (b), advertisement information and profit provision information according to the type of the gaming state to be generated are provided. In the example of FIG. 22B, the gaming state with a lower occurrence frequency is configured to provide higher valued profit providing information. Here, a 5% beer discount ticket is provided when the player reaches the reach state, a 10% discount beer ticket is available for the special reach, a half-price beer ticket for a regular jackpot, and a free beer ticket for a probability change jackpot. It has become. Here, the same providing entity is configured to provide the profit providing information having different contents according to the type of the gaming state. However, instead of this, the providing entity is determined according to the gaming state. The configuration may be such that the provided product or the provided service is determined according to the game state.
[0211]
The type of the profit provision information to be provided may not be determined in advance, but may be provided by selecting by lottery. For example, a lottery may be performed to select the type of profit provision information to be provided on condition that a big hit occurs, and the type of profit provision information selected by the lottery may be output. Further, the lottery may be performed by the lottery means, and the profit provision information may be provided when a specific lottery result is obtained.
[0212]
Further, based on the input of the update information of the setting condition setting information by the information input through the communication network or the information input using the predetermined input unit, the setting condition setting information stored in the setting information storage unit is changed. A setting information updating means for updating may be provided. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the CPU 36 functions as a setting information updating unit. For example, an input device such as a key, a button, a lever, and a touch panel is provided in the profit provision information providing device 30, and update information for updating the provision condition setting information from the input device (for example, replacing the provision condition setting information stored up to that time with the input device) The content of the setting information storage means may be updated based on the input of other update condition setting information). In addition, input of update information via a communication network outside the profit providing information providing apparatus 30 (for example, inputting information in the hall server 401 shown in FIG. 2 and transmitting the update information to the profit providing information providing apparatus 30). Configuration) may be performed to update the storage contents of the setting information storage means (here, the nonvolatile memory 39).
[0213]
In the above description, an example in which the nonvolatile memory 39 is configured as the setting information storage unit has been described. However, another storage unit may be made to function as the setting information storage unit. For example, the storage medium may be a hard disk drive or the like, and may be stored in a movable storage medium (for example, a storage medium such as a card-shaped or stick-shaped semiconductor memory, a flexible disk, or an optical disk). Or a mobile storage medium such as a readable disk).
[0214]
(Mounting information provision device installation configuration)
Next, the mounting configuration of the profit provision information providing device 30 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 23, the profit provision information providing device 30 is disposed near an end of the glass door frame 3, specifically, near a corner of the glass door frame 3 formed in a square shape. In the embodiment, it is arranged as a device capable of performing infrared communication with a mobile phone 200 as a mobile communication terminal owned by a player. The profit providing information providing device 30 includes a notification lamp 31 as notification means, an infrared light emitting unit 33 as wireless transmission means, and an infrared light receiving unit 34. These infrared light emitting unit 33 and infrared light receiving unit 34 is arranged in a form exposed to the outside of the pachinko machine 1, for example, and is configured to function as an information communication unit. Further, an external display device 105 is mounted integrally with the information communication section, and has a unit structure integrally formed with them.
[0215]
In FIG. 23, an exposed portion (specifically, an opening 3 e) is formed in the glass door frame 3, and infrared light receiving / emitting portions 33 and 34 attached to a member behind the glass door frame 3 and an external display device 105 is exposed to the front through the opening 3e. That is, in a state where the glass door frame 3 is closed, the front portion of the profit provision information providing device 30 fits into the opening 3e, thereby exposing the infrared light receiving / emitting portions 33 and 34 and the external display device 105 to the front. It becomes. In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 23, the profit provision information providing device 30 is attached to the peripheral portion of the front frame 2, and a connecting means such as a fastening member such as a screw is used as the attaching means.
[0216]
FIG. 23 shows an example in which the profit providing information providing device 30 is attached to the peripheral portion of the front frame 2 disposed behind the transparent plate holding door (that is, the glass door frame 3), but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 24 shows a configuration in which the profit providing information providing device 30 having the profit providing information output means (infrared light emitting section 33) and the external display device 105 and having an integrated unit structure is attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 3. ing. In the example of FIG. 24, an opening (not shown) is formed in the glass door frame 3 as in the configuration of FIG. 23, and the external display device 105 and the benefit-giving information output means (infrared light emitting unit 33) are formed through the opening. 23 is attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 3 by a fastening member 30d such as a screw so that the information providing device 30 can be visually recognized from the front.
[0219]
It should be noted that the configurations shown in FIGS. 3, 23 and 24 are only preferred examples, and are of course not limited to these arrangement positions. For example, it may be any of up, down, left, right, diagonally above or below the transparent plate 81 in the glass door frame 3, or may be any of up, down, left, right, diagonally above or below a game area surface (hereinafter, also referred to as a game surface) in the game board 7. In any of these cases, it may be detachable or non-detachable (for example, integrally fixed). For example, as shown by broken lines A and B in FIG. 24, at a position diagonally below the game surface, a game area (an area where a game is played, here, an area surrounded by rails) on the game board 7 is provided. It may be arranged outside or the like. Alternatively, as shown by a broken line portion C, in a region outside the glass door frame 3, the glass door frame 3 may be attached to the front frame 2 to which the glass door frame 3 is attached, or to a member disposed behind the front frame 2. Good. In the broken line portion C, the profit provision information providing device 30 is arranged near the firing handle 17, but is arranged inside or near the lower plate portion 2a or inside or near the upper plate portion 2b. You may comprise.
[0218]
As shown in FIG. 25, the profit provision information providing device 30 may be attached to a storage plate (lower plate portion 2a, upper plate portion 2b, etc.) for storing game balls. In FIG. 25, the external display device 105 is integrated with the upper plate 2b so as to be embedded in the upper plate 2b, and is disposed in front of the upper plate 2b. Here, an example of attachment to the upper plate portion 2b is shown, but it may be attached to the lower plate portion 2a in the same manner.
[0219]
<Second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a profit provision information storage unit is provided outside the gaming machine 1 will be described. The hardware configuration and the like of the profit provision information providing device can be substantially the same as those used in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, an external server is connected to be able to communicate with the profit provision information providing device 30 or the gaming machine 1, and the profit provision information storage means is provided as an updatable storage means in this external server.
[0220]
In the example of FIG. 26, a configuration in which the profit providing information storage unit is provided in the hall server 401 is shown. Here, the hard disk drive provided in the hall server 401 functions as the profit providing information storage unit. Then, when the predetermined profit provision condition is satisfied, the profit provision information providing device 30 specific to the gaming machine 1 outputs request information for requesting the profit provision information to the hole server 401, and the hall server 401 acquires the request information. It is configured to output the profit providing information to the profit providing information providing device 30 of the request source. The profit provision information providing device 30 acquires the profit provision information by the profit provision information acquisition means, and outputs the profit provision information from the profit provision information output means (the infrared light emitting unit 33). In the configuration of FIG. 26, a setting information storage unit that stores the granting condition setting information as illustrated in FIG. 22 is also provided in the hall server 401, and transmits the profit granting condition when requesting the profit granting information. I am trying to do it. Then, the profit providing information corresponding to the profit providing condition sent from the profit providing information providing device 30 is read based on the information stored in the setting information storage means, and the corresponding profit providing information is read. 30.
[0221]
Further, not only the profit provision information storage means but also the advertisement information storage means may be arranged on the server side. In FIG. 26, the hall server 401 is provided with an advertisement information storage unit that stores the advertisement information in an updatable state, and specifically, a hard disk drive functions as the advertisement information storage unit. The profit providing information providing apparatus 30 includes an advertisement information acquisition unit that acquires advertisement information from the advertisement information storage unit via a communication network. In this configuration, the advertisement information distributed from the hall server is acquired by the advertisement information acquisition unit, and is displayed on the external display device 105 as the second display unit. In the configuration of FIG. 26, the CPU 36 functions as a profit providing information acquiring unit, an advertisement information acquiring unit, and a game information acquiring unit. More specifically, the CPU 36 and the communication control unit 41 (such as a LAN interface and a router) cooperate to function as a profit providing information obtaining unit and an advertisement information obtaining unit, and the CPU 36, the terminal 16, and the interface 35 cooperate to play the game information. It will function as acquisition means.
[0222]
To give a specific example of processing in such a configuration, the assignment condition setting information as shown in FIG. 22B is stored in the hard disk drive of the hall server 401. Then, when, for example, a command indicating a normal jackpot is sent from the profit granting information providing device 30 to the hole server 401, the hole server 401 determines from the grant condition setting information shown in FIG. The provision information is specified, and the advertisement information and the profit provision information are transmitted to the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 of the request source. In this way, it is possible to display the advertisement information and provide the profit provision information in the profit provision information providing device 30 that has acquired the advertisement information and the profit provision information.
[0223]
In the example of FIG. 27, instead of the hall server 401 of FIG. 26, an advertisement information storage unit and a profit providing server are provided to a providing subject server (here, a providing maker server providing profit providing information) 403 that provides profit providing information. 1 shows a configuration provided with information storage means and setting information storage means. Also in this case, similarly to FIG. 25, the profit provision information and the advertisement information are distributed from the providing means server 403 based on the request from the profit provision information providing apparatus 30. Also, the same configuration as the providing entity server 403 shown in FIG. 27 is applied to the gaming machine maker server 405 shown in FIG. 1, and the advertising information and the profit providing information are transmitted from the gaming machine maker server 405 to the profit providing information providing apparatus 30. (See the routes (3) and (6) in FIG. 1).
[0224]
<Third embodiment>
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the infrared light is mainly used as the information transmission medium, but the electromagnetic wave may be used as the medium to configure as follows. The method using an electromagnetic wave as a medium as described above can be applied to other embodiments described as a configuration using infrared communication.
[0225]
For example, a configuration may be adopted in which wireless communication by Bluetooth is performed with a portable communication terminal capable of Bluetooth communication known as a short-range communication technology using a radio wave as a medium.
[0226]
More specifically, for example, instead of the infrared light emitting unit 33 and the infrared light receiving unit 34 in the above-described embodiment, for example, Bluetooth that enables the exchange of a weak radio wave of about 1 mW or less in the 2.47 GHz band to the gaming machine 1 In addition to providing a module, an antenna module having directivity in a substantially vertical direction may be provided in an area outside the transparent plate 81 in the gaming machine 1 so that a radio wave can be output forward.
[0227]
The operation will be described. First, when a player carrying a portable communication terminal capable of Bluetooth communication is seated on a chair and enters the communication area of the antenna module, the gaming machine 1 or The card unit performs a normal authentication procedure according to the Bluetooth standard such as transmission / reception of the Bluetooth ID between the mobile communication terminal that has entered the area and the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal in a non-contact manner via the Bluetooth unit. Receive and get. The obtained telephone number data of the mobile communication terminal is registered as an information terminal to be communicated and transmitted to the management computer. At this time, if the same telephone number data is erroneously obtained by a plurality of adjacent gaming machines 1 or card units for some reason, is there any duplication with the already registered telephone number? Is confirmed, and if duplication has occurred, a request for retransmission of the telephone number is made and registration of the communication target is performed again. The profit providing information is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal registered as a communication target in this manner by a weak radio wave in the 2.47 GHz band.
[0228]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to transmit at least the profit provision information of the profit provision information and the game information as in the other embodiments, and to receive the information in the portable communication terminal. Also, radio waves are radiated vertically from the antenna module to the upper surface direction, radio wave radiation is concentrated within a predetermined angle range on the upper surface of the antenna, and radio wave radiation is hardly emitted outside the predetermined angle range. In addition, radio interference between adjacent antenna modules is prevented. Although the Bluetooth module has been described as an example here, any other wireless communication method (such as wireless LAN communication) using an electromagnetic wave as a medium may be used as long as information can be communicated in an area outside the transparent plate.
[0229]
<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a description will be given of a method of providing the profit providing information by expressing it by identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, bar codes, and two-dimensional codes.
The profit giving information output means in the present embodiment converts the identification information (identification information consisting of a two-dimensional code in FIG. 28) represented as characters, graphics, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. into an image display as described above. In this case, the external display device 105 functions as the identification information display means, and the external display control board 105A controls the display of the identification information. It functions as a means.
[0230]
The identification information is configured to represent the profit provision information as predetermined code information, and the external display device 105 functioning as the identification information display means converts the code information into information that can be captured by the mobile communication terminal. Alternatively, the information is displayed as information that can be read by a reading device provided in the mobile communication terminal. In the example of FIG. 28, the code information is displayed as information that can be photographed by the portable communication terminal, and includes the code information CD by being photographed by the photographing device 230 provided in the portable telephone 200. The image information is stored in the memory of the mobile phone 200.
[0231]
In the example of FIG. 28, the configuration in which the code information is acquired by the imaging device 230 configured as a camera is shown. However, a scanner (here, a two-dimensional code scanner) that reads the code information is provided inside the mobile phone 200. Alternatively, the displayed code information may be directly read. In this case, the read information is stored in the memory inside the mobile phone 200, not as the image information.
[0232]
Further, the profit provision information may be stored in advance in the profit provision information storage means as code information, and the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 may include a code information generation means for generating code information. In this case, the code information can be generated by the code information generating means based on the in-game machine generated information generated in the gaming machine during the game. In the present embodiment, the CPU and the code information creation program can function as code information generation means. Further, as the “information generated in the gaming machine”, for example, game information such as big hit information and reach information can be used, and code information can be generated by the code information generating means based on the game information. Specifically, for example, the data as shown in FIG. 16 can be encoded (for example, two-dimensionally encoded) to generate code information.
[0233]
As shown in FIG. 29, almost in the same manner as in FIG. 17, the advertisement information is displayed based on the establishment of the predetermined profit provision condition (here, the occurrence of the big hit), and the code information CD is included in a part of the advertisement information. Can be displayed. The player captures this code information CD or obtains it by reading it with a scanner and presents it at the store. In the present embodiment, when the code information is photographed by a camera and the image is displayed at a store, the code information is read by a scanner provided at the store, and the information content can be confirmed.
[0234]
<Fifth embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the advertising information is displayed on the external display device 105 as the second display means has been exemplified. However, instead of this, the first display means (display device 5) which performs image effects related to the game is displayed. May be configured to be displayed. In this case, for example, it may be configured such that the explanation information on the advertisement information and the profit giving information is displayed as a partial image of the image effect related to the game, such as the background image and the identification symbol. In this case, an image information storage unit for storing image information displayed on the first display unit is provided, and the image information storage unit is provided with a non-updatable storage unit (a configuration using a ROM or the like) and an updatable storage unit ( And a rewritable nonvolatile memory). Then, the advertisement information may be stored in the updatable storage unit so that the advertisement information can be updated. . Further, the explanation information on the profit giving information may be stored in the updatable storage unit, and the explanation information on the profit giving information may be displayed in association with the advertisement information or independently. In addition, even in the configuration in which the display is performed by the first display unit, the image effect by the first display unit and the display of the advertisement information can be performed in parallel.
[0235]
<Sixth embodiment>
Further, a method of updating the profit provision information may be as follows.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a hall server 401 of a hall in which a plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed is connected so as to be able to communicate with the plurality of gaming machines 1, and the hall server 401 and the profit-giving information are The system configuration is such that a providing entity server 403 provided on the providing entity side such as a providing maker is connected via a communication network. Then, based on the request information for requesting the update information being input by the input device provided on the hall server 401 side, the request information is transmitted to the provider subject side server 403 and the provision information obtained the request information is obtained. The update information is configured to be downloaded from the subject server 403 to the hall server 401. With this configuration, the hall server 401 can acquire the update information provided by the management entity, and the management entity can easily perform the update and have a high maintenance property. Further, the update information can be managed by the hall server 401, and the management of the advertisement information in the hall becomes extremely easy.
[0236]
Further, in such a gaming system, the update information is distributed from the hall server 401 that has acquired the update information to the gaming machine 1 to be updated, thereby storing the profit-giving information provided in the gaming machine 1 to be updated. The content of the means can be updated. By doing so, the configuration in which the profit provision information storage means is arranged in the gaming machine 1 can be easily updated.
[0237]
<Seventh embodiment>
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described.
In the seventh embodiment, an example will be described in which the profit provision information providing device 30 is arranged near the outside of the gaming machine 1 so as to be connected to the gaming machine 1.
In FIG. 30, the profit provision information providing device 30 is connected to the gaming machine 30 via a communication line 117 extending from inside the gaming machine 1. The profit provision information providing device 30 of the present embodiment is configured to include at least profit provision information output means (here, the infrared light emitting unit 22). In the example of FIG. 30, in addition to the profit provision information output means, The display device 115 outside the gaming machine, which is a display device outside the gaming machine, is provided in the profit providing information providing device 30, and the profit providing information providing device 30 is configured as a unit in which these are integrated. As a connection configuration between such a profit providing information providing apparatus 30 and the gaming machine 1, a communication path may be made detachable using a connector or the like. For example, a terminal for external connection may be provided in the gaming machine 1 or a peripheral device of the gaming machine 1, and the profit providing information providing device 30 may be detachably connected to the terminal for external connection (for example, connector connection or the like). Good. The terminal for external connection may be arranged, for example, in a form exposed to the gaming machine 1 or the front face of the gaming machine 1 or arranged in a form invisible inside the gaming machine 1 or the peripheral device. You may do so.
[0238]
Although the configuration in which the profit providing information providing device 30 is connected to only the gaming machine 1 is shown here, a communication control device (such as a LAN card) for connecting the profit providing information providing device 30 to an external device via a LAN is provided. And may be connected to the hall server 401 or the like. Further, the profit provision information providing device 30 may be connected to a router or the like, and may be connected to various servers (providing subject servers, gaming machine maker servers, etc.) via the Internet.
[0239]
FIG. 31 shows another example in which the profit provision information providing device 30 is connected to the gaming machine 1 near the outside of the gaming machine 1. The configuration in FIG. 31 shows a configuration in which the profit provision information providing device 30 is provided inside a peripheral device of the gaming machine 1 (here, a ball rental device 119 disposed between gaming machines). 30 and 31 differ in the arrangement position of the profit provision information providing device 30, but can be similarly configured in other respects.
[0240]
<Eighth embodiment>
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described.
In the eighth embodiment, a configuration is described in which the profit provision information providing device 30 is provided inside or near the outside of the gaming machine 300 configured as a slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 32, as a basic configuration of the gaming machine 300, variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying the identification information strings 308 to 310 including a plurality of identification information, The dynamic display of the identification information is started by the operation of the operation lever (for example, the operation lever 306), and the identification information is activated by the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button 307) or by the elapse of a predetermined time. (Eg, the identification information 308A, 308B, 308C) is stopped, and a special game state advantageous to the player is provided on condition that the final identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information (eg, 777). And a special game state generating means for generating the game state. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.
[0241]
In the gaming machine 300 configured as such a slot machine, in the vicinity of the display device 305, a profit providing information providing device 30 including a profit providing information output unit (infrared light emitting unit 33) similar to the above embodiment is provided. Have been. The hardware configuration of the profit providing information providing apparatus 30 can be the same as that of the first embodiment or other embodiments. To describe the configuration more specifically, the display device 305 and the infrared light emitting unit 33 are arranged inside the same housing 320 in a form incorporated in the housing 320, and the infrared light emitting unit 33 is It has a configuration exposed to the outside. In the example of FIG. 32, a plurality of operation buttons 311 are provided in the vicinity of the display device 305 as operation means for performing operations related to information communication or other operations. Here, the profit providing information providing device 30 and the display device 305 are configured as separate devices. However, in the gaming machine 300 configured as a slot machine as described above, the profit providing information The display device 305 is disposed in the providing device 30, and the profit providing information providing device 30 can be configured as a unit including the display device (for example, a unit configuration as indicated by a broken line portion Y). Further, even in the case of such a slot machine, the profit provision information providing device 30 can be arranged near the outside of the gaming machine 300, and may be independently arranged as shown in FIG. 30, for example. It may be arranged inside the peripheral device as shown in FIG.
[0242]
<Ninth embodiment>
A ninth embodiment will be described.
In the ninth embodiment, a description will be given of an output configuration of profit providing information different from the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 33 shows an example of displaying an image provided with explanation information on profit provision as profit provision information (in FIG. 33, a description image showing the contents of a coupon), and as shown in FIG. This image data is acquired by photographing with the photographing device 230 of the above, and the profit can be received by presenting the photographed image as shown on the monitor 206 in FIG. It has become. Here, the game machine ID (shown as the game machine 12345) and the point at which the profit is provided are provided as unique information, and are displayed in the description information image. When a player presents an image at a store, the store can confirm which gaming machine provided the profit provision information and when. Also, player identification information (here, the name of the player) for identifying the player is given and displayed in the image, so that it can be confirmed to whom the profit giving information has been given. It has a configuration. The player identification information may be a player ID or the like uniquely assigned to each player. The unique information to be added may include a transmission counter value as described in the first embodiment. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which code information as shown in the fourth embodiment is displayed in a part of the image of the explanation information on the profit provision as shown in FIG. 33, and the code information can also be used.
[0243]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and furthermore, besides the following, within the scope not departing from the gist. Can be implemented with various modifications.
[0244]
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the profit provision condition is a condition based on a state occurring in the gaming machine has been mainly described, but other conditions may be used. For example, the profit provision condition may be set at a certain time, and the profit provision information may be output on the condition of the certain time. Further, regardless of the game, the profit providing information may be output on condition that some information is input from the player.
[0245]
(2) In the above embodiment, the notification lamp 31 is provided in the profit provision information providing device 30. However, the notification lamp 31 is omitted and the profit provision information is displayed only by displaying a message on the screen of the external display device 105. It may be configured to notify that there is something. Further, other notification methods (for example, moving a predetermined character) may be used.
[0246]
(3) In the above configuration, an example of the gaming system including the gaming machine and various devices connected thereto has been described, but the gaming system may be configured with the gaming machine alone.
[0247]
(4) In the above embodiment, the profit provision information providing device 30 is configured to acquire a signal indicating a gaming state such as a big hit signal via each of the output terminals 16a to 16d provided on the external connection terminal plate 16. Alternatively, a dedicated communication line may be separately provided in connection with the control device 21 to acquire a jackpot signal or the like. Note that the communication line in the present modification is a communication line dedicated to output from the main board constituting the control device 21 or a communication line provided between the main board and the sub board, and an incorrect signal is inputted to the main board. And a structure that prevents
[0248]
(5) In any of the above embodiments, a switching means for switching between an advertisement mode in which advertisement information is displayed and a normal mode in which advertisement information is not displayed can be provided. For example, it is configured such that a player can select an advertisement mode and a normal mode by a predetermined input unit, and when any one of the modes is selected, a predetermined storage unit is used to determine which mode is selected as mode information. (For example, in the RAM 38 (FIG. 5)). Then, referring to the mode information stored in advance based on the establishment of the advertisement display condition (for example, occurrence of a big hit in the example of FIG. 14), the advertisement is displayed only when the advertisement mode is stored, and the normal mode is stored. If so, do not display ads. In this way, the advertisement can be provided only to the player who desires the advertisement mode.
[0249]
(6) In any of the above embodiments, a configuration can be employed in which a plurality of pieces of advertisement information are displayed. Further, a configuration may be made so that a player can select advertisement information. For example, it is configured such that the advertisement information can be selected by inputting information before or during the game (for example, an index of the advertisement information is displayed as an advertisement A, B, C, or the like, and any of the advertisement information can be selected). The advertisement specifying information for specifying the selected advertisement is stored in a predetermined storage means (for example, the RAM 38 (FIG. 5)). Then, when the advertisement is displayed in S420 of FIG. 14, the stored advertisement specifying information is referred to, and the advertisement information specified by the advertisement specifying information is displayed. In this way, it is possible to provide advertisement information according to the player's request. At this time, if the system is configured to provide profit-giving information related to the selected advertisement, the player can obtain profits according to his or her taste. In order to do this, a plurality of types of advertisement information are prepared (that is, stored in the advertisement information storage means) and profit provision information is prepared corresponding to each type (that is, stored in the profit provision information storage means). You should keep it.
[0250]
(7) In any of the above embodiments, control can be performed so that advertisement information is displayed during a predetermined advertisement time slot. Further, in any of the embodiments, control can be performed so that different advertisement information is displayed according to the time zone.
[0251]
(8) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the profit provision information is transmitted by wireless communication between the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 and the mobile phone 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may comprise so that transmission information may be transmitted. For example, by providing a mobile phone holder provided with a connection terminal in the profit provision information providing device 30 and mounting the mobile phone 200 on the mobile phone holder, the connection terminal of the mobile phone holder and the connection terminal of the mobile phone 200 are connected. The connection may be made so that wired communication can be performed.
[0252]
(9) In the above embodiment, an example in which the mobile phone 200 is used as the mobile communication terminal has been described. However, various mobile communication terminals such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and a PHS can be used in addition to the mobile phone. is there.
[0253]
(10) In the above embodiment, the transmission counter value is used to assign a unique value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, information that can be individually identified can be created and transmitted as a signal that can be received by the mobile communication terminal. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a clock is built in the profit provision information providing apparatus 30 and time data indicating the output time of information is used as a component. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of game state data and time point data in the game state storage area 38a in this modification, and FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of game information received by the mobile phone 200. According to this modification, unique information that does not cause duplication can be easily and reliably created based on the time data indicating the information output time.
[0254]
(11) In the above-described embodiment, the transmission of the profit provision information is performed without specifying the player. However, the player identification information such as the member ID is transmitted from the mobile phone 200 and the profit provision information is provided. Profit providing information may be configured to be transmitted on condition that a player has been identified by receiving the information on the device 30. In this case, for example, when the player is specified, an explanation of the operation method for receiving the profit providing information is displayed on the screen 5a of the display device 5, and when the player is not specified, the gaming machine manufacturer May be displayed by displaying advertisement information for inviting members to access the Internet / homepage of the Internet. Alternatively, when a player is specified by a member ID or the like, it may be configured to add value-added information to the profit-giving information and transmit it. Further, when outputting the profit provision information, the profit provision information and the player identification information may be transmitted to the provider-side server to help prevent fraud. In this case, when the data is collated at the store, if there is a presentation from a person other than the authorized person, it can be determined that the information is illegal.
[0255]
(12) In the above-described embodiment, the transition to the low-probability mode is caused by the occurrence of the normal jackpot twice in succession during the high-probability mode. It may be configured to transition to the low probability mode.
[0256]
(13) In the above-described embodiment, the first type of gaming machine and the slot machine have been described as an example of the object to which the profit providing information providing device is attached. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to all things such as those in which an arrangement ball is applied to a pachinko machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a gaming system to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating functions of the gaming system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view conceptually showing an example of a gaming machine used in the gaming system of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a game board in the gaming machine.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a profit provision information providing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a hall server.
FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a mobile phone;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile phone.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a special electric accessory control routine;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a continuation of the special electric auditors control routine of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a symbol change start processing routine.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an establishment variation processing routine;
FIG. 13 is a chart showing an example of detection of a probability changing signal, a jackpot signal, and a probability changing jackpot signal.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine for transmitting profit provision information.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an information transmission processing routine.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a transmission buffer (data structure of game information and profit provision information) and a storage example of the transmission buffer.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of displaying advertisement information.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a message display example on a mobile phone.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a storage example of profit providing information received by a mobile phone.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which game state data and time point data are stored in a modified example.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of profit provision information received by a mobile phone in a modified example.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating some examples of the configuration of grant condition setting information;
FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the back side of the glass door frame;
24 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an arrangement different from that of FIG.
FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an arrangement different from FIGS.
FIG. 26 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an internal function of an example of the second embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating internal functions of an example different from FIG. 26 of the second embodiment.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating an output configuration of profit provision information in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display example of advertisement information and profit provision information (code information) in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a profit provision information providing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example different from FIG. 30 for the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an eighth embodiment;
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example according to the ninth embodiment;
FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of use of profit provision information in the ninth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Game machine
5. Display device (first display means)
5A: Image display control board (first display control means)
21A: Main board (main controller)
30 ... Profit grant information providing device
33 ... Infrared light emitting unit (profit information output unit, wireless transmission unit, medium output unit)
34 ... Infrared light receiving unit (external information acquisition unit, player identification information acquisition unit, terminal output information acquisition unit)
36 ... CPU (profit grant information reading means, code information generating means, profit grant information updating means, advertisement information updating means, setting information updating means, advertisement information switching means, profit grant information acquiring means, advertisement information acquiring means, game information acquiring Means, mode switching means, state detecting means, unique information creating means, profit giving information selecting means)
39: Non-volatile memory (profit provision information storage means, advertisement information storage means, setting information storage means)
41: communication control means (external information acquisition means, confirmation information output means)
100… Gaming system
105 ... External display device (predetermined display device, second display means, profit giving information output means)
105A: external display control board (display control means, advertisement display control means)
200: Mobile phone (mobile communication terminal)
401 ... hole server (external server)
403: Provider server (external server)
405: gaming machine maker server (external server)

Claims (2)

A gaming system including a gaming machine, configured to be capable of outputting information to a predetermined portable communication terminal,
A coupon voucher, a gift certificate, etc., a profit giving information storage means for storing profit giving information for giving a profit to a player as electronic data,
Profit grant information reading means for reading the benefit grant information from the information stored in the profit grant information storage means, since a predetermined benefit grant condition is satisfied;
In accordance with the gaming machine, profit providing information provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and read by the profit providing information reading means is output as information that can be acquired by the portable communication terminal. A game system comprising a profit giving information output unit. A gaming system including a gaming machine, configured to be capable of outputting information to a predetermined portable communication terminal,
A coupon voucher, a gift certificate, etc., a profit giving information storage means for storing profit giving information for giving a profit to a player as electronic data,
Profit grant information reading means for reading the benefit grant information from the information stored in the profit grant information storage means, since a predetermined benefit grant condition is satisfied;
In accordance with the gaming machine, profit providing information provided in the gaming machine or in the vicinity of the gaming machine and read by the profit providing information reading means is output as information that can be obtained by the portable communication terminal. Profit giving information output means,
The profit giving information is configured as identification information such as characters, figures, symbols, barcodes, two-dimensional codes,
2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein said profit giving information output means comprises identification information display means for outputting the identification information in an image display.

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