JP2006271456A - Game system, game-related device, and game parlor management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a new item of game information useful for a player to evaluate a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The information on the investment amount for dispensing game media is collected and the collected information on the distribution of investment is managed. The information on the loss in games per unit investment amount is managed. If the information on the distribution of investment or the information on the loss in games per unit investment amount are included in the request for game information, the applicable information is extracted and returned to a requester after appropriate working, and the information is output to a player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system, a game-related device, and a game center management device, and can be applied to, for example, a game system or device having a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine with a sand for lending game media using banknotes. It is.

  Various gaming systems that allow a player to acquire gaming information of a gaming machine that the player wants to know have been proposed. Some of them also employ visual display methods.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that a time change of operation information about a certain gaming machine is displayed in a graph. Patent Document 2 describes that a plurality of game information is displayed in a graph on the same screen.
JP 2002-119749 A JP 2004-097513 A

  Visually appealing displays are preferable because they can easily understand characteristic features and changes. However, even if a display method that appeals visually is adopted, if the display item is not interested in the player, the display method will be optimized. The display items include the current number of wins, number of balls played, investment amount, number of games, and the like.

  Some players feel dissatisfied with the current display items. In many cases, a player wants game information of a gaming machine to determine whether or not the stand is an efficient stand that earns a large amount. The present display items can be used as a material for such a determination. However, even if the number of wins is large, the profit is not always large. Even if there are many balls, it is difficult to say that it is efficient if the time required for it is long, and the burden on the player to analyze the display content is large. In addition, display items for placing weight on the player are different.

  From this point of view, if there is an additional display item that can be used to determine whether or not it is an efficient platform with a large amount of income, some players will use it for the determination, and new analysis will be performed. It can also be used as an additional parameter. On the other hand, if the number of display items is increased and not used by the player, an increase in system load is wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a game system, a game-related device, and a game center management device that can present game information of a new item that can be used by a player for evaluation of a gaming machine. It is what.

  In order to solve this problem, the gaming system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides (1) investment amount distribution information management means for managing investment amount distribution information obtained by tabulating investment amount information for gaming medium lending. (2) Investment amount distribution information requesting means for requesting investment amount distribution information according to an input operation, and (3) Investment amount distribution information managed by the investment amount distribution information managing means, which matches the request Investment amount distribution information extracting means for extracting what is to be extracted, or extracting, processing and responding to a request, and (4) investment amount distribution information output means for outputting the returned investment amount distribution information. It is characterized by having.

  The gaming system of the second aspect of the present invention includes (1) profit / loss information management means for managing profit / loss information of a game per unit investment amount, and (2) a game per unit investment amount in accordance with an input operation. The profit / unit investment amount information request means for requesting the profit / loss information of the game, and (3) the game profit / loss information per unit investment amount managed by the profit / loss / unit investment amount information management means is extracted to match the requirement Or profit / unit investment amount information extracting means for extracting, processing, and returning a response that matches the request; and (4) profit / unit investment amount information for outputting game profit / loss information per unit investment amount returned. Output means.

  A gaming hall management device according to a third aspect of the present invention is connected to a plurality of gaming-related devices installed in a gaming hall through a network, and manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the gaming hall. Investment amount distribution information management means for managing distribution information obtained by tabulating the investment amount information for lending game media given from the device, and in response to a request for investment amount distribution information from the game-related device, Investment amount distribution information extracting means for extracting information that matches the requirement from the distribution information of the investment amount managed by the investment amount distribution information managing means, or for extracting, processing, and returning information that matches the requirement It is characterized by.

  A game-related apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a medium connected to a game hall management apparatus that manages the status and information of each gaming machine in a game hall through a network, or is necessary for executing a game or executing a game. An investment amount distribution information requesting means for requesting distribution information of an investment amount to the game hall management device in response to an input operation, and the game hall management. Investment amount distribution information output means for outputting the investment amount distribution information returned by the apparatus in response to the request is provided.

  A gaming hall management device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is connected to a plurality of gaming-related devices installed in a gaming hall through a network, manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the gaming hall, and has a unit investment amount. The profit / unit investment amount information management means for managing the profit / loss information of the winning game and the profit / unit investment amount information management means managed in response to a request for the profit / loss information of the game per unit investment amount from the game-related device It is characterized by having a means for extracting profit / loss of unit investment information that matches a request from the profit / loss information of a game per unit investment to be extracted, or that extracts, processes, and returns a result that matches a request And

  A game-related apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a medium connected to a game hall management apparatus that manages the status and information of each gaming machine in a game hall through a network, or is necessary for executing a game or executing a game. Profit / unit investment amount information requesting means that is installed in a game hall that provides objects or information, and that requests the game management device for game profit / loss information per unit investment amount according to an input operation. And profit / loss / unit investment amount information output means for outputting the profit / loss information of the game per unit investment amount returned in response to the request by the game hall management device.

  According to the gaming system, game-related device, and game hall management device of the present invention, the distribution information of the investment amount or the profit / loss information of the game per unit investment amount can be presented to a desired player. This information can be used when determining a gaming machine to be played.

(A) 1st Embodiment Hereinafter, 1st Embodiment of the game system of this invention, a game related apparatus, and a game hall management apparatus is described.

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment (A-1-1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming system of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a gaming system 1 includes a game hall management device 2, N (N is a natural number) gaming machines 3 (3-1 to 3-n), and N gaming media inter-lending machines 4 (4 -1 to 4-n) are connected to the network 5 and configured.

  The network 5 may be either a dedicated network or a public network, and may be either a wired network or a wireless network, and the network topology may be mesh, bus, ring, star, or a combination thereof. Either may be sufficient. Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the communication method and the modulation method executed via the network 5 are not limited.

  The game hall management device 2 corresponds to an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server. The game hall management device 2 collects game data and the like from each of the game machines 3-1 to 3-N, and also collects supply data of the game medium and the like from each of the game medium inter-table lending machines 4-1 to 4-N. Is. In addition, the game hall management device 2 manages game information that includes the collected data itself or that is generated by processing the collected data. Furthermore, the game hall management device 2 gives the requested game information to the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 in response to a request from the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4.

  Any gaming machine 3 can be applied as long as it is installed in a game hall such as a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or a pachislot machine. However, in the following description, the gaming machine 3 is a pachislot machine. The gaming machine (pachi-slot machine) 3 receives a game medium (medal) supplied from a gaming medium inter-lending machine 4 adjacent on the right side, for example, and proceeds with the game data such as a game result. It has the function to transmit to the management apparatus 2.

  The gaming machine inter-table lending machine (so-called sand) 4 is an example of a game-related device. In addition to the gaming media inter-lending machine, the game-related devices are provided in the game hall such as island lamps provided at the top of each gaming machine, currency exchange machines, prepaid card purchasing machines, gaming information dedicated display devices, etc. It is a device related to a game equipped with at least a communication unit, a display unit, an operation unit, and the like, and the game-related device is a concept including a gaming machine.

  The inter-game medium lending machine 4 is arranged adjacent to the right side of the gaming machine 3, for example, and lends game media to the player. An output function is provided. There are various game media purchase methods, such as a cash method, a prepaid card method (prepaid payment method), and a savings ball use method (for example, approved by a member). The game of the first embodiment The inter-media lending machine 4 will be described as being compatible with the cash method.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the gaming machine 3 and the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 are alternately installed. FIG. 2 is an example in which a gaming machine inter-table lending machine 4 is provided adjacent to the right side of the gaming machine 3 and the gaming machine 3 and the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 correspond one-to-one.

  Below, the detailed structure of the game hall management apparatus 2 and the game media inter-table lending machine 4 is demonstrated. Note that the gaming machine 3 is the same as the existing one, and the description thereof is omitted.

(A-1-2) Configuration of the Game Hall Management Device 2 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game hall management device 2 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, the game hall management device 2 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server. Section 12 and information storage section 13. In addition, although it has an input part for a man-machine interface with a game hall manager etc., a display part, a printing part, etc., these are abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  The communication unit 11 exchanges information between the game hall management device 2 and the gaming machine 3 via the network 5 and the game hall management device 2 and the game via the network 5 according to a predetermined communication method. Information exchange with the inter-media lending machine 4 is performed.

  The control unit 12 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (concept that includes a nonvolatile rewritable memory such as an EEPROM), and the like (for example, a microcomputer). It is responsible for the control function. For example, the CPU executes a processing program stored in the ROM (see operation section described later) using fixed data stored in the ROM or temporary data stored in the RAM, and using the RAM as a working memory. By doing so, various functions of the game hall management device 2 are realized.

  The control unit 12 functionally includes a data collection function unit 12a, an information generation function unit 12b, and an information search function unit 12c in terms of the relationship with the features of the first embodiment.

  The data collection function unit 12 a is a function for collecting data of the gaming machine 3 and the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 through the network 5.

  When the data collection function unit 12a collects data from the gaming machine 3 or the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4, the information generation function unit 12b adds the game information stored in the game information storage unit 13a of the information storage unit 13 to the game information. Game information to be added or updated (see FIGS. 4 to 6 described later) is generated and stored in the game information storage unit 13a.

  The information retrieval function unit 12c retrieves the game information corresponding to the request from the game information storage unit 13a based on the request for the game information given from the inter-game media lending machine 4 via the network 5, and performs the retrieval. The game information itself or game information obtained by processing the game information is returned to the requesting game medium inter-table lending machine 4 via the communication unit 11.

  The information storage unit 13 corresponds to, for example, a mass storage device such as a hard disk and its access configuration. Note that the information storage unit 13 may be provided as a separate device of the game hall management device 2 and exchange information with the game hall management device 2. The information storage unit 13 functionally includes at least a game information storage unit 13a. In addition, there may be a storage unit for storing member player information and a storage unit for storing accounting information such as sales.

  The game information of the gaming machine 3 stored in the game information storage unit 13a is roughly, for example, history information PLY1-1 and PLY1-2 as shown in FIG. 4, current status information PLY2 as shown in FIG. It is divided into slump graph information PLY3 as shown in FIG.

  The history information includes first history information PLY1-1 related to games and second history information PLY1-2 related to investments for lending game media.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the first history information PLY1-1 uses the machine number of each gaming machine 3 as identification information, and the model name of each gaming machine 3, “Today”, “Previous day”, “Previous” Number of medals paid out, number of medals inserted, number of difference medals, total number of starts, number of big hits, number of positive changes, number of times reduced, probability of big hits, number of starts of big hits for three days (history days are not limited to this) Etc. as management items. For example, “today” is information up to the current time, and is updated for each game.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the second history information PLY1-2 uses the machine number of each gaming machine 3 as identification information, and the model name of each gaming machine 3, “Today”, “Previous day”, “Previous” Big hit per unit amount (for example, 100 yen), total investment amount, number of types of money (investment amount distribution information in the first embodiment) in 3 days (history days are not limited to this) The number of medals, the number of medals per unit amount, etc. are the management items. For example, “Today” is the information up to the current time, and the total investment amount and the number of money types are updated every time a bill is inserted (or every investment). The number is updated every game.

  Note that the number of jackpots per unit amount and the number of difference medals may not be stored as information, and may be calculated by calculation from the total investment amount, the number of jackpots, and the number of difference medals when necessary. In the claims, “manage profit / loss information per unit investment amount” is calculated not only when the history information PLY1-2 is always stored, but also by calculation as described above. It includes the case of doing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the current status information PLY2 uses the machine number of each gaming machine 3 as identification information, the model name of each gaming machine 3, the player, the game in progress (whether or not), the current number of games, and the game start The management items include time, game end time, history information similar to the above after the game start time, and the like. Here, the player described in the item “player” is, for example, information of a player registered as a member of the game hall, and may be described by a name or the like, or a member ID (etc. May be described in the code). For the gaming machines 3 that are not “in game”, the final value of the management item in the immediately preceding game is written.

  The slump graph information PLY3 is also managed using the machine number of each gaming machine 3 as identification information, and the difference medal number obtained by subtracting the medal insertion number from the medal payout number in increments of 5 minutes from the business disclosure time to the present. FIG. 6 is a display image of a certain gaming machine 3 (which may be other time increments). Note that slump graph information (for example, the number of medals per unit amount) of other items may be prepared.

  In addition, if the machine number of a certain gaming machine 3 is “YYYY−1”, one set of the identification number of the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 corresponding to that gaming machine 3 is “YYYY-2”. The numbers of the gaming machine 3 and the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 are assigned so that if one number is known, the other number is known. Alternatively, when viewed from the game hall management device 2, the gaming machine 3 and the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 can be seen as a single device. Thereby, the game information which requires the data of both the gaming machine 3 and the gaming-medium-table lending machine 4 can be managed as described above.

  In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted in the item of the operation | movement mentioned later, whenever one game with a certain game machine 3 is complete | finished, the information which needs a change for every game in the game information storage part 13a is updated. The method for updating the history information and the like is the same as the existing method. Also, the predetermined information in the game information storage unit 13a is updated as appropriate by inserting banknotes into the inter-game media table lending machine 4, lending out game media from the inter-game media table lending machine 4, or the like.

(A-1-3) Configuration of the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 FIG. 7 is a front view of the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4. In FIG. 7, on the front of the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 of the first embodiment, a banknote entry / exit 311, a lending possibility display unit 312, a lending operation unit 313, a coin insertion port 314, a coin payout exit 315, a liquid crystal display A unit 32, a display operation unit 33, a game medium supply unit 34, and the like are provided. In addition, the structure for specifying member players, such as the entrance and exit of a member card | curd, may be provided.

  The banknote entrance / exit 311 takes in or discharges the banknote inserted by the player. The inserted banknote is given to the position of a later-described money processing unit 43 by a transport mechanism (not shown).

  The lending possibility level display unit 312 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display unit, 7 segments, and the like, and displays a value (for example, an amount of money) that can be lent out of the game medium.

  The lending operation unit 313 is arranged with keys that allow the player to instruct the lending of game media (medals). A “rental” key and a “return” key are provided.

  The coin insertion slot 314 takes in coins inserted by the player. The inserted banknote is given to the position of a later-described money processing unit 43 by a transport mechanism (not shown).

  The coin payout outlet 315 is an opening having a receiving portion, and the coin is paid out when the amount to be returned when the “return” key is operated needs to be paid out.

  The liquid crystal display unit 32 displays operation guidance messages, selection icons, game information, and the like. The display operation unit 33 corresponds to a so-called touch panel, and takes in input information corresponding to an operation guidance message or a selection icon displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32. As information to be input via the display operation unit 33, for example, there is a display request for game information. In response to this request, the game information given from the game hall management device 2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32.

  The liquid crystal display unit 32 is not only used for displaying game information as in this embodiment, but also used for displaying television broadcast images and notification information (for example, event information) from a game hall. May be. The display operation unit 33 may be provided with a “call clerk” key or the like.

  The display operation unit 33 may have a different configuration from the liquid crystal display unit 32 (even if the key operation unit corresponding to the display operation unit 33 is arranged at a different position from the liquid crystal display unit 32). good). Further, the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 may be provided with a short-range communication function, and a short-range wireless communication device such as a mobile phone having a short-range communication function may be used as the display operation unit 33. The function of the liquid crystal display unit 32 may also be provided in the short-range wireless communication device described above.

  The game medium supply unit 34 is supply means for supplying a game medium (medal) lent to a player to the corresponding gaming machine 3, and is configured by a nozzle or the like, for example.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-game media table lending machine 4. In FIG. 8, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 includes a control unit 41, a communication unit 42, a money processing unit 43, a supply control unit 44, a medal dispensing machine 45, a display control unit 46, An input control unit 47, a coin dispenser 48, and the like are included.

  The control unit 41 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (concept that includes a nonvolatile rewritable memory such as an EEPROM), and the like (for example, a microcomputer). It is responsible for overall control functions.

  The control unit 41 controls the operation of supplying the number of game media requested by the player or the like to the corresponding gaming machine 3 if the lending possibility number permits (if it is not 0). In addition, the control unit 41 can communicate with the game hall management device 2 via the communication unit 42, and requests a desired game information from the display operation unit 33 given by the player via the input control unit 47. The game information related to the request is taken out from the game hall management device 2 and given to the display control unit 46 to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32.

  The communication unit 42 performs information exchange between the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 and the game hall management device 2 via the network 5 according to a predetermined communication method. Although FIG. 8 shows that the communication unit 42 is directly connected to the control unit 41, the communication unit 42 may be connected to the control unit 41 via a system bus instead.

  The input control unit 47 receives input data from the display operation unit 33 by an operation of a player or the like, and gives the received input data to the control unit 41. The display control unit 46 is connected to the liquid crystal display unit 32, and causes the liquid crystal display unit 32 to display game information and the like given from the control unit 41 under the control of the control unit 41.

  The money processing unit 43 is connected to a banknote entrance / exit (including a banknote transport mechanism) 311, a lending possibility level display unit 312, a lending operation unit 313, a coin insertion port 314, and a coin payout exit 315. The money processing unit 43 discriminates the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes conveyed from the banknote entrance / exit 311 and the coins conveyed from the coin insertion slot 314, and controls when a genuine banknote or coin is inserted. Under the control of the unit 41, the display value of the rentable degree display unit 312 is updated by the amount of money. Further, the money processing unit 43 instructs the supply control unit 44 to pay out medals of the number of lending units when the “lending” key in the lending operation unit 313 is operated under the control of the control unit 41, and The display value of the rentable frequency display unit 312 is decreased and updated. Furthermore, when the “return” key in the lending operation unit 313 is operated under the control of the control unit 41, the money processing unit 43 returns the amount related to the display value of the lending possibility display unit 312 at that time. Is to execute. When the return amount can be returned only with the banknote, the banknote corresponding to the return amount is discharged from the banknote entrance 311. When the return amount can be returned only with banknotes and coins, the banknotes are discharged from the banknote entrance / exit 311 and the coin dispenser 48 is activated to discharge the coins from the coin payout exit 315. If the return amount can only be returned in coins, the coin dispenser 48 is activated and the coins are discharged from the coin payout exit 315.

  When a bill or coin is inserted, or when an amount is returned, the control unit 41 gives information to that effect to the game hall management device 2 via the communication unit 42, and the game hall management device 2 The predetermined item of the second history information PLY1-2 described above is updated.

  Unlike FIG. 8, the banknote entrance / exit 311, the lending possibility level display unit 312, the lending operation unit 313, the coin insertion slot 314, and the coin payout exit 315 may be connected to the system bus. The control unit 41 may execute it.

  In response to an instruction from the money processing unit 43, the supply control unit 44 operates the medal dispenser 45 so as to pay out medals corresponding to the number of loans.

  The medal payout machine 45 pays out a predetermined number of medals under the control of the supply control unit 44 and supplies it to the corresponding gaming machine 3 through the game medium supply unit 34.

  Under the control of the money processing unit 43, the coin dispenser 48 dispenses a predetermined amount of coins to the coin dispensing outlet 315.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, a game information read operation by the game system of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a game information reading operation in the gaming system of the first embodiment.

  The player can borrow money for the game medium (medal) by inserting money into the inter-game-medium lending machine 4. Since this lending operation is the same as the existing operation, its description is omitted. The information of the inserted money is notified to the game hall management device 2, and the number of money types in the second history information PLY1-2 is updated. In the case of the first embodiment, the total investment amount in the second history information PLY1-2 includes the amount that has been deposited but returned without being used for the rental of the game medium, or has been deposited. Any of the ones excluding the amount returned without being used for renting out game media may be used. In the following description, it is assumed that it is the former. Therefore, the game hall management device 2 to which the information on the inserted money is given also updates the total investment amount.

  The player can display game information on the liquid crystal display unit 32. For example, a “game information display” button icon is also included in the standby screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32, and when this button icon is operated, the gaming media inter-lending machine 4 (the control unit 41 thereof) The game information display operation is started.

  First, the inter-game medium lending machine 4 designates the gaming machine 3 that is the display target of the gaming information, and also designates the item of gaming information to be displayed (S100, S101).

  Here, in the designation of game information items and the like, first, as the options shown in FIG. 10A, “history information (see FIG. 4)”, “current information (see FIG. 5)”, “slump graph information ( When “history information (see FIG. 4)” is selected from the display screen including “see FIG. 6” and “history information (see FIG. 4)” is selected, the options shown in FIG. One is selected from the display screen including “first history information (see FIG. 4A)” or “second history information (see FIG. 4B)”. Furthermore, display items in lower layers may be individually specified.

  The inter-game media lending machine 4 transmits a game information request including the designated request destination game machine and the type of game information to be displayed to the game hall management device 2 (S102).

  The game hall management device 2 to which the game information request is given retrieves the requested game information from the game information storage unit 13a and sends it back to the inter-game-media lending machine 4 (S103, S104). The game information extracted from the game information storage unit 13a or game information obtained by processing the game information is returned. For example, when the second history information (see FIG. 4B) is requested, the number of money types in the second history information is processed into a graph display as shown in FIG.

  When a reply to the game information request is given from the game hall management device 2, the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 displays the returned gaming information (S105).

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, history information (second history information) related to investment for lending game media is also displayed as a kind of game information. Since it was made possible, the judgment material of the gaming machine that can be earned is presented more than before, and it becomes easy for many players to select the gaming machine that executes the game.

  For example, a stand (gaming machine) with a large amount of denominations according to the number of denominations is judged that many players can earn the stand, and therefore it can be assumed that the initial investment is increased. Although it is different from the above description, when the entire amount of money inserted into the gaming media inter-table lending machine 4 is immediately used for lending gaming media (one of the modified embodiments), the number of denominations is , Representing each player's entry into the platform.

  In addition, for example, profit / loss information per unit investment amount, such as the number of jackpots per unit amount (for example, 100 yen) and the number of medals, can be seen as representing the efficiency of earning, and the player is effective when determining the unit Will be used for.

(B) 2nd Embodiment Next, 2nd Embodiment of the game system of this invention, a game related apparatus, and a game hall management apparatus is described. In the following, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  While the gaming machine inter-lending machine 4 of the first embodiment handles money (cash), the gaming media inter-lending machine 4 of the second embodiment does not handle money (cash) and prepaid. The game media is rented out using a card or a membership card.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-game media platform lending machine 4 of the second embodiment, and the same and corresponding parts as those in FIG. 8 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. ing.

  The gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 according to the second embodiment includes a banknote entry / exit 311, a lending possibility level display unit 312, a lending operation unit 313, a coin insertion port 314, a coin payout exit 315, and a money processing unit. 43, a card entrance / exit 511, a card balance display unit 512, a lending operation unit 513, and a card reader / writer 63 are provided. In addition, the inter-game media lending machine 4 of the second embodiment includes a coin dispensing machine. 48 is not provided.

  The card entrance / exit 511 is for taking in or discharging a prepaid card or a membership card inserted by the player. Note that the inserted prepaid card or member card is given to a position of a card reader / writer 63 described later by a card transport mechanism (not shown).

  The card balance display section 512 displays values that can be rented out game media, such as the balance frequency of the inserted prepaid card. The balance frequency of the prepaid card may be recorded on the prepaid card itself, and only the card ID is recorded on the prepaid card, and the game hall management device 2 gives the card ID to the game hall management device 2. The balance frequency managed may be taken out. Further, the membership card may be handled in the same manner as the prepaid card. For members, the number of stored balls (number of stored coins) may be handled in the same manner as the balance frequency.

  The lending operation unit 513 is arranged with keys that allow the player to instruct the lending of game media (medals). A “rental” key and a “card removal” key are provided.

  The card reader / writer 63 is connected to a card entrance / exit (including a card transport mechanism) 511, a card balance display unit 512, and a lending operation unit 513. The card reader / writer 63 reads data (for example, money amount data) stored in the prepaid card or the membership card inserted from the card entrance / exit 511 and conveyed to a predetermined position, and the read data is under the control of the control unit 41. Is displayed on the card balance display unit 512. In addition, the card reader / writer 63 instructs the supply control unit 44 to pay out a predetermined number of game media (medals) under the control of the control unit 41 in accordance with the operation of the “lending” key of the lending operation unit 513. The balance frequency related to the card is updated, and the updated card balance frequency is displayed on the card balance display unit 312. When the balance data becomes “0” under the control of the control unit 41, the card reader / writer 63 displays the balance frequency “0” on the card balance display unit 512 and discharges the card (prepaid card). In this case, automatic collection may be performed).

  Unlike FIG. 12, the card entrance / exit (including the card transport mechanism) 511, the card balance display unit 512, and the lending operation unit 513 may be connected to the system bus, and these controls are performed by the control unit 41. May be executed.

  In the case of the second embodiment, since the card is used for renting out game media (medals), the number of denominations related to the inserted money cannot be managed by the second history information PLY1-2. Therefore, instead of the number of denominations, the distribution of one investment amount is managed by the second history information PLY1-2.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for grasping an investment amount executed once by the control unit 41 of the inter-game media lending machine 4 according to the second embodiment. Note that the control unit 41 performs gaming medium lending control and the like during the processing of FIG. 13, but for the sake of simplicity, FIG. Yes.

  When the “lending” key is operated in the standby state, the control unit 41 starts the process shown in FIG. 13 and first determines whether or not the lending available balance is 0 (S200). If it is 0, an error display indicating that it cannot be lent out is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32, and then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, it returns to the standby state (S201). Note that a single operation of the “rent” key allows a unit amount (for example, 500 yen) of game media to be lent out.

  On the other hand, if the rentable balance is not 0, the game medium lending control is performed and the key operation frequency parameter is set to “1” to determine whether or not the lent lending balance after this lending has become 0. (S202, S203). When the rentable balance becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S208 described later.

  If a loanable balance remains even after the current loan, the timer (provided in the control unit 41) for counting a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) that can be determined as a series of investment operations is started (S204). ). Then, before the time is up, it is determined whether or not the “lending” key has been operated again (S205, S206). For example, if the “loan” key is operated again within one minute after the “loan” key is operated, it is regarded as an operation in one investment operation, and therefore, an operation within a predetermined time is monitored. did.

  If the “lending” key is operated again before the time is up, the key operation frequency parameter is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S203 described above (S207). Therefore, if the “loan” key is operated again within one minute from the previous operation of the “loan” key, the operation frequency parameter is incremented by 1 as an operation in one investment operation regardless of the number of repetitions. The

  When the rentable balance becomes 0 due to the renting of game media, or when the timer counts up, the value of the operation count parameter is changed to the investment amount, and the series of processes is terminated (S208). For example, if the operation frequency parameter is “3” and the unit amount for lending a game medium by one operation of the “rent” key is “500 yen”, the investment amount for one time is determined to be “1500 yen”. The

  The information on the investment amount obtained once in this way is given to the game hall management device 2 and is used for updating the investment amount distribution and the item of the total investment amount.

  In the case of the second embodiment, in order to handle a membership card, the information storage unit 13 of the game hall management device 2 uses a member information storage unit (not shown, but a symbol 13b is used to distinguish it from the game information storage unit 13a). ) Is also provided.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the member information storage unit 13b manages the member ID described in the member card as identification information, and includes bibliographic information such as name and address, the number of stored balls (the number of coins stored) ) And monetary information that can be converted into a game medium such as a prepaid amount, a machine number that identifies the current gaming machine 3, history information of the day (similar to the history information of FIG. 4), and past history information within a predetermined period (Past visit date / time, investment amount per past visit date, past visit count, information about machine numbers and model names played in the past, total of past game machine inputs, past jackpot date / times, past The total number of games).

  In the case of the second embodiment, some items of the member information storage unit 13b are also items to be returned in response to a request for game information from the inter-game medium lending machine 4. For example, the total investment amount (a type of investment amount distribution information) for each past visit date and the total amount invested in the past gaming machines are display items that can be provided to the player. FIG. 15 shows a display image of the investment amount for each past visit date, and is shown as a graph in order of date.

  Since the operation for displaying the information of such display items is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Since the member information includes a part belonging to the member player's private, a restriction may be imposed so that the member can see only his / her own information. For example, for such an item, a request may be accepted only when a game information request is made from the gaming medium inter-lending machine 4 to which the membership card is attached as a request destination.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. According to the second embodiment, even in the gaming medium inter-table lending machine 4 that does not handle cash (banknotes or coins), it is possible to form information on items that require information on the amount of one investment. Various investment amount information can also be presented for member players.

(C) Other Embodiments In each of the above embodiments, the gaming medium inter-table lending machine is given as an example of the game-related apparatus as a device for displaying the game information by the player, but it is not limited to the gaming medium inter-table lending machine. It can be widely applied as long as it is installed in a game arcade and at least a display unit and an operation unit are mounted.

  Even when the present invention is applied to an inter-game media lending machine, both cash and cards may be handled, and cash and only banknotes may be handled. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming media inter-table lending machine that does not have a function of returning the balance.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the game information is displayed and output. However, instead of this, or in addition to this, print output or voice output may be performed.

  In the second embodiment, the game hall management device manages the game information and the member information. However, the game information and the member information may be managed by separate devices. The information managed by each device is the same, but may be managed in a distributed manner.

  As a modified embodiment of the second embodiment, the number of denominations can be managed and displayed as information about past investment amounts for each member player.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the game system of 1st Embodiment. It is an image figure of the installation relationship between the gaming machine of the first embodiment and the gaming machine inter-table lending machine. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the game hall management apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the log | history information of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the present condition information of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the slump graph information of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the lending machine between game media platforms of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the lending machine between game media platforms of 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the read-out operation | movement of the game information of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the screen for selection of the game information displayed of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the number of money types of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the rental machine 4 between game media platforms of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the grasping | ascertainment operation of the investment amount of 1 time of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the investment amount for every store visit date of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system, 2 ... Game hall management apparatus, 3 (3-1 to 3-N) ... Game machine, 4 (4-1 to 4-N) ... Game medium rental machine, 13 ... Information storage part, 13a ... Game information storage.

Claims (9)

Investment amount distribution information management means for managing investment amount distribution information obtained by tabulating investment amount information for gaming medium lending;
Investment amount distribution information requesting means for requesting investment amount distribution information according to an input operation;
Investment amount distribution information extracting means for extracting from the distribution information of the investment amount managed by the investment amount distribution information management means, or extracting, processing and returning the one that matches the request,
An investment amount distribution information output means for outputting the returned investment amount distribution information. The investment amount distribution information managing means and the investment amount distribution information extracting means are mounted on the first device,
The investment amount distribution information requesting unit and the investment amount distribution information output unit are mounted on a plurality of second devices connected to the first device via a network. The gaming system described in 1.   The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the investment amount information is a denomination of a bill inserted for lending of game media. Profit / loss information management means for managing profit / loss information of games per unit investment amount;
Profit / loss information request means for requesting profit / loss information of a game per unit investment amount according to an input operation;
Profit / unit that is extracted from game profit / loss information per unit investment managed by the above profit / loss / unit investment information management means, or that matches the request, and that is extracted, processed, and returned Investment amount information extraction means;
A gaming system comprising: profit / loss / unit investment amount information output means for outputting profit / loss information of a game per unit investment amount returned. The profit / loss / unit investment amount information management means and the profit / loss / unit investment amount information extraction means are mounted on the first device,
The profit / loss / unit investment amount information requesting means and the profit / loss / unit investment amount information output means are mounted on a plurality of second devices connected to the first device via a network. The gaming system according to claim 4. In a game hall management device that connects a plurality of game-related devices installed in a game hall through a network and manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the game hall,
Investment amount distribution information management means for managing distribution information obtained by tabulating the investment amount information for lending game media given from the game-related device;
In response to a request for investment amount distribution information from the game-related device, the investment amount distribution information managed by the investment amount distribution information management means extracts those that match the request, or those that match the request An amusement hall management apparatus comprising: investment amount distribution information extraction means for extracting, processing, and returning a response. Installed in a game hall connected to a game hall management device that manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the game hall through a network, or that provides media, objects, or information necessary for game execution In the related game equipment,
Investment amount distribution information requesting means for requesting the distribution information of the investment amount to the game hall management device according to an input operation;
A game-related device comprising: investment amount distribution information output means for outputting investment amount distribution information returned by the game hall management device in response to the request. In a game hall management device that connects a plurality of game-related devices installed in a game hall through a network and manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the game hall,
Profit / loss / unit investment amount information management means for managing profit / loss information of games per unit investment amount;
In response to a request for game profit / loss information per unit investment amount from the game-related device, the game profit / loss information per unit investment amount managed by the profit / loss / unit investment amount information management means is extracted according to the request. Or a means for extracting profit / loss / unit investment amount information for extracting, processing, and returning a response that meets the requirements. Installed in a game hall connected to a game hall management device that manages the status and information of each gaming machine in the game hall through a network, or that provides media, objects, or information necessary for game execution In the related game equipment,
Profit / loss / unit investment amount information requesting means for requesting the game hall management device for profit / loss information of the game per unit investment amount according to an input operation;
A game-related device comprising: profit / loss / unit investment amount information output means for outputting game profit / loss information per unit investment amount returned in response to the request by the game hall management device.

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