JP2008073511A - Gaming terminal, gaming system, and game control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine with an unconventional entertainment property. <P>SOLUTION: This gaming terminal includes: a first memory storing game history data of a player; a second memory storing game software downloaded from a server; and a controller storing the game history data acquired according to the input from the outside in the first memory, determining downloadable game software out of a plurality of types of game software stored in the server according to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory, downloading the game software selected from the game software determined to be objects to be selected, storing the downloaded game software in the second memory and executing the game based on the stored game software. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming terminal, a gaming system, and a game control method.

Conventionally, using a game program download technology via a network, it is possible to play multiple types of games on a single gaming terminal or to change the contents of a game that can be played on a gaming terminal in the network. A possible gaming system is disclosed.

In the above gaming system, game software components are downloaded from the server to each gaming terminal, and each gaming terminal uses the downloaded game software components to play a game.

US Pat. No. 6645077 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0054448 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0035713

An object of the present invention is to provide a new entertainment property by providing a game environment that a player likes.

The first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming terminal having the following configuration.
A first memory capable of storing player game history data including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past. A network interface for communicating with a server that stores multiple types of game software. A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface. The game history data acquired in response to an input from the outside is stored in the first memory, and the plurality of data stored in the server is stored in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. The game software that can be downloaded from the types of game software is determined as a selection target, and the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target is downloaded from the server via the network interface. A controller that stores the downloaded game software in the second memory and executes a game based on the game software stored in the second memory.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming terminal having the following configuration.
A card slot into which a card storing game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past can be inserted. A first memory for storing game history data read from a card inserted into the card slot. A network interface for communicating with a server that stores multiple types of game software. A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface. Selection switch for selecting game software. A display that can display images. The game history data is read from the card inserted into the card slot, stored in the first memory, and stored in the server according to the points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. A game software that can be downloaded from the plurality of types of game software is determined as a selection target, and an image prompting the user to select one game software from the game software determined as the selection target is displayed on the display. The selected game software is displayed and input from the selection switch, and the selected game software is downloaded from the server via the network interface, and the downloaded game software is stored in the second memory and stored in the second memory. Remembered game software Controller to run the game on the basis of.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a gaming terminal having the following configuration.
cabinet. A front display provided in front of the cabinet. An upper display provided on the upper side of the front display. A foot display provided on the lower side of the front display. A lamp that emits light in a predetermined pattern. A first memory capable of storing player game history data including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past. A network interface for communicating with a server that stores multiple types of game software. A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface. The game history data acquired in response to an input from the outside is stored in the first memory, and the plurality of data stored in the server is stored in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. The game software that can be downloaded from the types of game software is determined as a selection target, and the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target is downloaded from the server via the network interface. Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory, controlling the display of the front display, the upper display, and the foot display based on the game software stored in the second memory, and Ramp departure A controller for controlling the pattern.

The fourth aspect of the present invention provides a game system having the following configuration.
A game system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a gaming terminal and a server. The gaming terminal has the following configuration. A first memory capable of storing player game history data including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past. Network interface for communication. A second memory for storing game software received via the network interface. The game history data acquired in response to an input from the outside is stored in the first memory, and the game software corresponding to the point included in the game history data stored in the first memory is determined as a selection target and selected. Transmitting a request signal for requesting to transmit game software selected from among the game software determined as targets, storing the game software transmitted in response to the request signal in the second memory, and A controller that executes a game based on game software stored in a second memory. The server has the following configuration. A third memory for storing a plurality of types of game software. A processor that, when receiving the request signal from the gaming terminal, extracts game software corresponding to the received request signal from the memory and transmits it to the gaming terminal.

5th this invention provides the game control method of the gaming terminal provided with the following structure.
A step of acquiring game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input, and storing the game history data in a first memory. A step of determining game software that can be downloaded from a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target according to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. Downloading game software selected from among the game software determined to be selected from the server; Storing the downloaded game software in a second memory. Executing a game based on the game software stored in the second memory;

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a game control method for a gaming terminal having the following configuration.
A step of reading out game history data of a player including points given in accordance with game media consumed in games played in the past from a card inserted in a card slot and storing it in a first memory. A step of determining game software that can be downloaded from a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target according to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. Displaying on the display an image prompting the user to select one game software from among the game software determined to be selected; Downloading the selected game software from the server. Storing the downloaded game software in a second memory.
Executing a game based on the game software stored in the second memory;

The seventh aspect of the present invention provides a game control method for a gaming terminal having the following configuration.
A step of acquiring game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input, and storing the game history data in a first memory. A step of determining game software that can be downloaded from a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target according to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory. Downloading game software selected from among the game software determined to be selected from the server; Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory. Based on the game software stored in the second memory, a front display provided on the front of the cabinet, an upper display provided on the upper side of the front display, and a foot display provided on the lower side of the front display And controlling the light emission pattern of the lamp provided in the cabinet.

The eighth aspect of the present invention provides a game control method having the following configuration.
A step of acquiring game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input. Storing the acquired game history data in a first memory; Determining game software corresponding to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory as a selection target; A step of executing a game based on game software selected from among the game software determined as selection targets.

The gaming terminal is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include gaming machines such as slot machines, personal computers, personal digital assistants, and the like. In addition, the game played at the gaming terminal is not particularly limited, and for example, a video bingo game, a video lottery game, a video blackjack game, a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a video poker game, a video kino game Video pachinko games, video card games, video game of chance, etc.

The hardware configuration of the server is not particularly limited as long as it functions as the server of the present invention, and a general-purpose server can be employed. The server may include a firewall and a modem. The server may be composed of a single device or may be composed of a plurality of devices. Any one of the gaming terminals including a firewall and a modem may be configured to function as the server.

The network interface is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the server, and may be either a wireless network interface or a wired network interface. The communication between the server and the plurality of gaming terminals may be performed via the Internet or may be performed via an intranet. The intranet is not particularly limited, and for example, a cashless system network, a progressive game network, an accounting network, a bonus game network, or the like can be used. The first memory is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk drive, a CD-RW drive, and a DVD-RAM drive. The same applies to the second memory.

The game software is composed of a combination of game software components. The game software components are data, programs, modules, and the like used when a game is executed on the gaming terminal. Examples of the game software component include a game system component, a payout table, a game bonusing program, a game progressive program, graphic data, image display control data, sound data, light emission pattern data, game jurisdiction information, game network A component etc. can be mentioned. The controller can execute a game using game software (a combination of game software components).

The card may store an ID code. Further, only the ID code may be stored in the card, and game history data corresponding to the ID code may be stored in the server. The controller may acquire game history data in response to input of biometric information such as a fingerprint or a vein.

The points may be awarded according to the paid-out game media and the number of games executed. The points may be stored in the card, may be stored in a third memory included in the server, or may be stored in both.

The controller may execute the game using only game software components downloaded from the server. The controller may execute the game using a combination of game software components downloaded from the server and game software components previously stored in the second memory.

In the gaming system, the following game processing data may be generated in each gaming terminal, transmitted to the server, and stored in the first memory. Examples of the game processing data include game version data, game data, gaming terminal data, player data, route data, venue data, and the like. Examples of the player data include the game media consumed, the number of games, and points awarded in the game. The game processing data may be stored as a database in the third memory by being partitioned from the game software components.

The processor may be configured to perform the following processes 1) to 4) when downloading the game software component.
1) Processing to establish communication with the gaming terminal,
2) A process of selecting game software components to be updated,
3) bundling the selected game software components, and
4) A process of downloading the bundled game software components to the gaming terminal.

The processor may execute the following processes 1) to 11) when downloading the game software component.
1) Before starting transmission of the game software component, a process of contacting a local ISP (Internet service provider) and transmitting the game software component via the local ISP;
2) Processing to check the IP address of the gaming terminal,
3) Processing for dividing the game software component into a plurality of packets;
4) Processing for encrypting the above game software components;
5) processing for generating an instruction regarding the setting of the game software component and transmitting the instruction together with the game software component;
6) Processing for requesting version information of the game software component from the gaming terminal;
7) Processing for receiving version information of the game software component from the gaming terminal;
8) Receive game processing information from the gaming terminal, and store the game processing information according to a game data category (for example, game version data, game data, gaming terminal data, player data, route data, venue data, etc.) processing,
9) A process for determining an access right to the game process information before storing the game process information;
10) A process for determining a data storage partition from a plurality of data storage partitions corresponding to each entity, and
11) A process of checking an update trigger (update time, update date, update week, update event, predetermined input by a player, game result or game history).

The controller may execute the following processes 1) to 5) when configuring the game software.
1) A process for establishing communication with the server,
2) Processing to receive gaming terminal components from the server,
3) Unbundling the above game software components
4) processing for generating a combination of the game software components including the game software components received from the server;
5) A process for executing a game using a combination of the above game software components.

The gaming system may employ any of the following configurations a) to c).
a) a configuration in which a game is played on the server and a game result is displayed on the gaming terminal;
b) a configuration in which a game is played at the gaming terminal, a game result is determined at the server, and a game result is displayed at the gaming terminal; and
c) A configuration in which a game is played at the gaming terminal, the result of the game is displayed, and the game software component is downloaded from the server to the gaming terminal.

In the present invention, the game software components used in the gaming terminal can be downloaded from the server to the gaming terminal in any of the configurations a) to c). The authentication program can be downloaded when the game software component is downloaded.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, new entertainment property can be provided by providing the game environment which a player likes.

FIG. 1 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The gaming system 1 includes a server 100 installed in the casino 2 and a plurality of slot machines (gaming terminals) 10. The server 100 is installed in the computer room 3 in the casino 2. The plurality of slot machines 10 are installed on the casino floor 5. The server 10 and the plurality of slot machines 10 are connected by a LAN 6 via a router 4. The portable terminal (remote terminal) 200 is owned by a store clerk in the casino 2 and can communicate with the server 100 by radio. Therefore, even if the store clerk enters the computer room 3 or the casino floor 5, the portable terminal 200 can be used to communicate with the server 100.

The server 100 manages information related to a specific slot machine 10 or a group of slot machines 10 and has a management tool and a download tool necessary for managing access to data for each user. An operator of the server 100 with appropriate access rights can define information such as game software components. The server 100 may be connected to a legacy system such as a cashless system in the casino 2 or may be directly connected to the slot machine 10. Moreover, it is good also as downloading information and collecting data easily by using these structures together.

The slot machine 10 corresponds to a gaming terminal in the present invention. However, in the present invention, the gaming terminal is not limited to this example, and examples include a gaming terminal capable of performing a video slot machine, a mechanical slot machine, a bingo game, a kino game, a lottery game, and the like. be able to.

The slot machine 10 is installed on the casino floor 5. However, in the present invention, the venue in which the gaming terminal is installed is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a casino, a store, a restaurant, a bar, and a ship. A venue may also be owned and / or operated by multiple entities. In addition, the gaming system of the present invention may include a plurality of different types of venues.

Each slot machine 10 transmits game processing information (for example, the number of coins inserted and paid out), game software component information (for example, software version information), and player tracking information (for example, a player ID code) to the server 100. Each slot machine 10 can transmit and receive information to and from the server 100, and the slot machine 10 communicates with the server 100 via the router 4. The slot machine 10 may communicate with the server 100 via the legacy system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the server according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The server 100 includes a processor 101. A memory 102, a database 106, and a display 103 are connected to the processor 101. Furthermore, a network interface 104 is connected to the processor 101 via a firewall 105. The server 100 can communicate with the slot machine (gaming terminal) 10 and the remote terminal 200 via the network interface 104.

The processor 101 corresponds to the processor in the present invention. The database 106 corresponds to the third memory in the present invention.

The network interface 104 may be a wired network interface, a wireless network interface, or may include both. The server 100 includes a firewall 105, and unauthorized access to data in the server 100 is blocked by the firewall 105.

The database 106 is a hard disk drive. The database 106 stores game information such as game processing information, game software components, and game software component information. In this embodiment, data in the database 106 is divided according to each entity, such as “Company A” 107, “Company B” 108, and “Company C” 109.

In the present invention, the number of divisions is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. Examples of the database 106 include known storage media such as hard disk drives and CD-RW drives, and combinations thereof.

The data for each entity in the database 106 will be described using the data of “Company C” 109 as an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the data of “Company C” 109 includes a game 110, an authentication program 120, data 130, and an analysis tool 140.

The game 110 includes game software of a game A111, a game B112, a game C113, and a game D114. Each of these game software includes a game system component, a payout table, a game bonusing program, a game progressive program, graphic data, image display control data, sound data, light emission pattern data, game jurisdiction information, and game network components. Etc.

A game system component of game software used in the slot machine 10 includes, for example, a symbol selection program. The symbol selection program is a program for determining symbols to be rearranged in a symbol matrix (see FIG. 3). The symbol selection program includes symbol weighting data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of payout rates (for example, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weighting data is data indicating a correspondence relationship between each symbol and one or a plurality of random values belonging to a predetermined numerical range (0 to 255). The payout rate is determined based on the game jurisdiction information, and symbols to be rearranged in the symbol matrix are determined based on the symbol weighting data corresponding to the payout rate.

In the present invention, the game software component refers to an element constituting game software. The game software may be configured so that the game software component can be exchanged with other game software components, or may not be exchanged.

The authentication program 120 includes a game A program 121, a game B program 122, a game C program 123, and a game D program 124. The authentication program is created for each game software component. The authentication program includes a hash value created from a regular game software component and a program for creating a hash value from the game software component to be authenticated using a hash function.
The hash function is not particularly limited, and for example, SHA (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512), MD5, or the like can be employed. In the present embodiment, a case where a program for determining the presence / absence of falsification using a hash function is used as the authentication program will be described. However, in the present invention, the authentication program is not particularly limited, and a known authentication program Can be adopted.

The data 130 includes game data 131, gaming terminal data 132, player data 133, route data 134, and venue data 135.
The game data 131 includes, for example, the number of coins inserted, the number of coins paid out, the number of bets per game, and the like. The gaming terminal data 132 includes, for example, data related to a game history for each slot machine 10. This data is stored in association with the ID code of each slot machine 10. The player data 133 includes data relating to the game history for each player (game history data). This data is stored in association with the ID code of each player. The route data 134 includes, for example, information on gaming terminals belonging to a group of gaming terminals existing on a route composed of a plurality of venues. The venue data 135 includes, for example, information regarding gaming terminals belonging to each venue.

The analysis tool 140 manages the data analysis 141 for setting the category of the data 130 and the relationship between the categories, and the version of the game software component in each gaming terminal and the version of the game software component to be downloaded. An application of software version management 142 is included. The processor 101 executes these applications, and can manage and analyze the data 109 of the entity “Company C”.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11. A lower display 16 is provided in front of the main door 13. The lower display 16 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays a symbol matrix composed of a total of 15 symbols of 5 columns × 3 rows. The cabinet 11 corresponds to the cabinet in the present invention. The lower display 16 corresponds to the front display in the present invention.

Further, although not shown, a touch panel 69 is provided on the front surface of the lower display 16, and the player can input various instructions by operating the touch panel 69. Also, below the lower display 16 are various input buttons 23 for inputting instructions relating to game progress by the player, a coin acceptor 21 for accepting coins, and a bill validator for identifying the appropriateness of bills and accepting regular bills. Data 22 is provided. The bill validator 22 may be configured to be able to read the ticket 39 with a barcode.

A foot display 34 is provided on the lower front surface of the main door 13 and displays a predetermined image based on image display control data included in the game software being executed. Examples of this image include a character of the slot machine 10.

Lamps 47 are provided on both sides of the foot display 34 and emit light in a pattern corresponding to the light emission pattern data included in the game software being executed. The foot display 34 corresponds to the foot display in the present invention.

An upper display 33 is provided on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper display 33 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays a payout table and the like. The upper display 33 corresponds to the upper display in the present invention.

The top box 12 is provided with a speaker 29. Below the upper display 33, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are provided. The ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a bar code in which data such as the number of credits, date and time, and an identification number of the slot machine 10 is encoded, and outputs it as a ticket 39 with bar code. The player causes the slotted ticket 39 to be read by another slot machine to play a game, or exchanges the barcoded ticket 39 with a bill or the like at a predetermined location in the gaming facility (for example, a cashier in a casino). Can be.

The card reader 36 can insert a smart card, and reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data to the smart card. The smart card is a card possessed by the player, and stores data for identifying the player and data relating to the history of games played by the player (game history data). The game history data includes game type information relating to games that have been played, points given in games played in the past, and the like. The smart card may store data corresponding to coins, bills, or credits. Further, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted instead of the smart card. The data display 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays data read by the card reader 36 or data input by the player via the keypad 38, for example. Further, instead of the smart card, an RFID method may be adopted, and a card capable of reading and writing data without contact may be used. The keypad 38 is used for inputting instructions and data related to ticket issuance and the like. The card reader 36 corresponds to the card slot of the present invention. The smart card corresponds to the card of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.
The slot machine 10 includes a controller 40 that includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. Various input buttons 23, a bill validator 22, and a coin acceptor 21 are connected to the controller 40. A network interface 45 is connected to the controller 40 via a firewall 46. Further, a card reader 36, a keypad 38 and a touch panel 69 are connected to the controller 40. The network interface 45 corresponds to the network interface in the present invention.

The controller 40 is connected to an upper display 33, a lower display 16, a foot display 34, a lamp 47, a speaker 29, a ticket printer 35, a data display 36, a hard disk drive 43, and a CD-drive 44. The game software components downloaded from the server 100 are stored in the hard disk drive 43 or the like. For example, the controller 40 executes various programs included in the game software components stored in the hard disk drive 43 or the like, displays images on the upper display 33, the lower display 16, and the foot display 34. Processing to output, processing to control the light emission of the lamp 47, and the like are performed.

The hard disk drive 43 corresponds to the first memory in the present invention. The hard disk drive 43 corresponds to the second memory in the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case where the first memory and the second memory are the same (in the case of the hard disk drive 43) will be described. Also good. The controller 40 corresponds to the controller in the present invention.

5 to 7 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the server and the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, a case where the game A is stored in advance in the hard disk drive 43 as the current game will be described.
First, the controller 40 of each slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) accepts insertion of a smart card (step S201).
Next, the controller 40 reads game history data from the smart card (step S202) and stores it in the hard disk drive 43 (step S203). The game history data includes game type information relating to games that have been played, points given in games played in the past, and the like. Points are awarded according to the coins consumed and the number of games played. For example, 1 point is awarded when 100 coins are consumed or when the game is played 100 times.

Next, in step S204, the controller 40 determines whether or not the points included in the game history data exceed a predetermined value. If it is determined that the point exceeds the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the point does not exceed the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S225.

In step S205, the controller 40 determines game software (combination of game components) that can be downloaded according to the points.
Next, the controller 40 displays a selection image for changing the game (step S206).

FIG. 9 is a view showing an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 9, an image indicating that the current point is 123 is displayed on the upper side of the lower display 16.
Further, an image indicating that the game can be selected from a game A (Normal), a game B (High roller 1), and a game C (High roller 2) is displayed at the center of the lower display 16. These images show the game software determined as the selection target. To the right of each game name, the number of points required to play that game is displayed. In step S206, the player can select a game by touching the touch panel 69. The touch panel 69 corresponds to a selection switch in the present invention. However, in the present invention, the selection switch is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, the various input buttons 23 or the keypad 38, or may be provided separately.

Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not a game other than the current game (game A) has been selected. When a game other than the current game is selected, the controller 40 displays an image (see FIG. 10) indicating that game software is being downloaded on the lower display 16 (step S208), and the process proceeds to step S209. Transfer. On the other hand, if the current game is selected in step S207, the process proceeds to step S225.

FIG. 10 shows an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 10, an image indicating “Downloading ...” is displayed on the lower display 16.

In step S209, the controller 40 subtracts points according to the selected game. For example, when game B is selected, 50 points are subtracted.

Next, in step S <b> 210, the controller 40 performs processing for establishing a connection with the server 100. At this time, the processor 101 of the server 100 performs a process of establishing a connection with the slot machine 10 (step S101).

Next, in step S <b> 211, the controller 40 transmits game software component information to the server 100. The game software component information includes, for example, game type information indicating a game selected by input from the touch panel 69, a list of game software components stored in the hard disk drive 43, and the version of the game software component Contains information. The game software component information corresponds to a request signal in the present invention.

Upon receiving the game software component information from each slot machine 10, the processor 101 stores it in the database 106 (step S111). Next, the processor 101 selects game software components to be downloaded (step S112).

Next, the processor 101 reads the selected game software component from the database 106 and bundles it so that it can be downloaded to the slot machine 10 (step S113). The processing in step S113 includes, for example, processing for encrypting game software components, processing for compressing game software components, processing for dividing game software components into a plurality of packets, and the like.

Next, an authentication program corresponding to the game software component selected in step S113 is selected (step S114). In step S114, the processor 101 also bundles the selected authentication program. Note that the process of step S114 may be performed together with step S113. That is, after the authentication program is selected, the selected game software component and the authentication program may be bundled.

Next, the processor 101 downloads the game component and the authentication program to the slot machine 10 (step S115). At this time, each controller 40 downloads the game component and the authentication program from the server 100 and stores them in the hard disk drive 43 (step S212).

The controller 40 unbundles the downloaded game software component (step S220). The process of step S220 includes, for example, a process of decoding the game software component, a process of decompressing the game software component, combining buckets, and virus checking. In step S220, the controller 40 also unbundles the authentication program.

Next, the controller 40 executes an authentication program (step S221). In step S220, a hash value is generated for each game software component by executing a hash function, and is compared with a hash value stored in advance in the authentication program. This confirms the presence or absence of tampering. If there is no tampering, normal authentication is performed. If tampering exists, an error occurs.

Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not all game software components have been normally authenticated (step S222). A case where it is determined that all the game software components are not normally authenticated (when an error occurs) will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in step S222 that all game software components have been successfully authenticated, the controller 40 transmits an authentication result to the server 100 (step S223). The authentication result includes a list of game software components that have been successfully authenticated, version information of the game software components, an ID code of the gaming terminal (slot machine 10), and the like. At this time, the processor 101 receives the authentication result (step S120).

After the processing in step S223, the controller 40 determines a new combination of game software components using the downloaded game software components (step S224). At this time, a new combination of game software components may be determined only by the downloaded game software components. Moreover, you may determine the combination of a new game software component using the existing game software component and the downloaded game software component.

Next, the controller 40 performs a game execution process using the combination of game software components determined in step S224 (step S225). The game execution process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the game execution process is a process for executing a game performed in the slot machine. However, in the present invention, this game execution process is performed according to the game executed at the gaming terminal.

Next, the controller 40 transmits game process data to the server 100 (step S226). On the other hand, the processor 101 receives game processing data from the slot machine 10 (step S121). This game process data includes consumed coins, the number of games, and points awarded in the game. These data are stored in association with the ID code as game history data. Thereafter, the game process data is stored in the database 106 (step S122), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, after the process of step S26, the controller 40 writes the game history data to the smart card (step S227), and ends this process.

Next, the case where it is determined in step S222 in FIG. 7 that all the game software components are not normally authenticated will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the controller 40 erases game software components that have not been normally authenticated from the hard disk drive 43 or the like (step S230). Next, the controller 40 transmits a download request signal to the server 100 (step S231). The request signal includes data for specifying the erased game software component. At this time, the processor 101 receives the request signal from the slot machine 10 (step S130).

Thereafter, the processor 101 selects a game software component specified by the data included in the request signal (step S131), bundles the game software component (step S132), and according to the game software component An authentication processor is selected (step S133). Then, the processor 101 downloads the game software component and the authentication program to the slot machine 10 (step S134). On the other hand, the controller 40 downloads the game software component and the authentication program from the server 100 (step S232).
The processing of steps S131 to S134 and S203 is the same processing as the processing of steps S112 to S115 and S212, and has already been described, so the description thereof is omitted here. After the processes in steps S134 and S232, the process shown in FIG. 6 is executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the game execution process.
First, the controller 40 proceeds with the game (step S301). In this process, the controller 40 gives points according to the number of coins inserted and the number of games.

Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not the number of points exceeds a predetermined number (step S302). If it is determined that the number of points has exceeded a predetermined number, a selection image for changing the game is displayed (step S303). In this process, the controller 40 displays the image shown in FIG. 12 on the lower display 16 and accepts an input as to whether or not to change the game. A similar image is displayed. Thereby, the player can select a game by touching the touch panel 69.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 12, the lower display 16 displays an image indicating “You have the right to change the game. Do you want to change?”. In addition, images indicating “YES” and “NO” for selecting whether or not to change the game are displayed. The player can select whether or not to change the game by touching the touch panel 69.

Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not to change the game (step S304). In this process, the controller 40 determines whether or not an input to change the game has been input. If it is determined that the game is to be changed, the process returns to step S208.

If it is determined in step S302 that the number of points does not exceed the predetermined number, or if it is determined in step S304 that the game is not changed, the controller 40 determines whether or not to end the game (step S305). If it is determined that the game is not to be ended, the process returns to step S301. If it is determined that the game is to be ended, this subroutine is ended.

As described above, the gaming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) and the server 100 (see FIG. 1).
The slot machine 10 includes a hard disk drive 43 (first memory and second memory), a network interface 45, and a controller 40 (see FIG. 4).
The hard disk drive 43 stores player game history data including points awarded in accordance with coins consumed in games played in the past. The hard disk drive 43 stores game software downloaded from the server 100 via the network interface 45. The controller 40 stores the game history data read from the smart card in the hard disk drive 43 (step S203 in FIG. 5). Further, the controller 40 selects game software that can be downloaded from a plurality of types of game software stored in the server 100 in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the hard disk drive 43. Determination is made (step S205 in FIG. 5). Further, the controller 40 downloads the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target from the server 100 via the network interface 43 (step S212 in FIG. 6). Further, the controller 40 stores the downloaded game software in the hard disk drive 43. Further, the controller 40 executes a game based on the game software stored in the hard disk drive 43 (step S225 in FIG. 7). At this time, the controller 40 controls the display of the lower display 16 (front display), the upper display 33 and the foot display 34 based on the game software stored in the hard disk drive 43, and also controls the light emission pattern of the lamp 47.

The server 100 includes a database 106 (third memory) and a processor 101.
The database 106 stores a plurality of types of game software. When the processor 101 receives the game software component information from the slot machine 10, the processor 101 selects game software corresponding to the received game software component information from the database 106 and transmits it to the slot machine 10 (FIG. 6). Step S115).

FIG. 13 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The gaming system 500 includes a server 100. The gaming system 500 includes a slot machine 10, a lottery game terminal 512, a keno game terminal 513, a bingo game system 521, a gaming system 522, 523, video poker game machines 531, 532, personal computers 540, 541, and the like as gaming terminals. A mobile phone 550 is provided.

The server 100 is installed in a casino 501, and a plurality of slot machines 10, cashiers 502 and 503, an account 504, and an audit 505 are connected to the server 100 via a LAN 562.
The server 100 is connected to a cashier 511 installed in the restaurant 510 via a secure private intranet 565. The cashier 511 is connected to the lottery game terminal 512 and the keno game terminal 513 via the LAN 563.
Thus, in the present invention, the server and the gaming terminal may be connected via an intranet. Further, another device (casher 511) may be interposed between the server and the gaming terminal.

The server 100 is connected to a bingo game system 521 installed in another casino 520 via the Internet 560. The bingo game system 521 is connected via the LAN 564 to gaming terminals 522 and 523 for playing a bingo game. The server 100 is connected to a plurality of video poker game machines 531 and 532 installed in the commercial facility 530 via the Internet 560. Further, the server 100 is connected to personal computers 540 and 541 and a mobile phone 550 via the Internet 560. Thus, in the present invention, the server and the gaming terminal may be connected via the Internet. Further, like the personal computers 540 and 541 and the mobile phone 550, the personal property may be a gaming terminal.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples are illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

Further, in the above detailed description, the characteristic portions have been mainly described so that the present invention can be easily understood. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, but can be applied to other embodiments, and the scope of application is various. The terms and terminology used in the present specification are used to accurately describe the present invention, and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it would be easy for those skilled in the art to infer other configurations, systems, methods, and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in this specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims should be regarded as including an equivalent configuration without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. The purpose of the abstract is to simplify the technical contents and essence of this application by patent offices and general public institutions, and engineers belonging to this technical field who are not familiar with patents, legal terms or technical terms. It is intended to be able to make a quick judgment through a simple survey. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be evaluated by the claims. Moreover, in order to fully understand the object of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention, it is desirable that the interpretation should be made with sufficient consideration of the literatures already disclosed.

The above detailed description includes processing executed by a computer. The above explanations and expressions are given for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the most efficiently. In this specification, each step used to derive one result should be understood as a self-consistent process. In each step, transmission / reception, recording, and the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. In the processing in each step, such a signal is expressed by bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc., but these are used only for convenience of explanation. There is a need. In addition, the processing in each step may be described in an expression common to human behavior, but the processing described in this specification is executed by various devices in principle. Further, other configurations required for performing each step will be apparent from the above description.

1 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the server which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine (gaming terminal) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 3. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows a game execution process. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. FIG. 10 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming system 2 Casino 3 Computer room 4 Router 5 Casino floor 10 Slot machine 11 Cabinet 12 Top box 13 Main door 16 Lower display 21 Coin acceptor 22 Bill validator 29 Speaker 33 Upper display 34 Foot display 35 Ticket printer 36 Card reader 37 Data display 38 Keypad 39 Ticket with Bar Code 40 Controller 41 CPU
42 Memory 43 Hard disk drive 44 CD-drive 69 Touch panel 100 Server 101 Processor 102 Memory 103 Display 104 Network interface 105 Firewall 106 Database 110 Game 120 Authentication program 130 Data 140 Analysis tool 200 Portable terminal

Claims (8)

A gaming terminal having the following configuration:
A first memory capable of storing player game history data including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past;
A network interface for communicating with a server storing a plurality of types of game software;
A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface;
Storing game history data acquired in response to an external input in the first memory;
In accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory, game software that can be downloaded from the plurality of types of game software stored in the server is determined as a selection target,
Downloading the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target from the server via the network interface,
Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory;
A gaming terminal comprising: a controller that executes a game based on the game software stored in the second memory. It is a gaming terminal with the following configuration,
A card slot into which a card storing game history data of a player including points given in accordance with game media consumed in games played in the past can be inserted;
A first memory for storing game history data read from a card inserted in the card slot;
A network interface for communicating with a server storing a plurality of types of game software;
A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface;
A selection switch for selecting game software;
A display capable of displaying images;
Game history data is read from the card inserted in the card slot and stored in the first memory;
In accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory, game software that can be downloaded from the plurality of types of game software stored in the server is determined as a selection target,
Displaying on the display an image prompting the user to select one game software from among the game software determined to be selected;
In response to an input from the selection switch, the selected game software is downloaded from the server via the network interface,
Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory;
A gaming terminal comprising: a controller that executes a game based on the game software stored in the second memory. It is a gaming terminal with the following configuration,
Cabinet,
A front display provided in front of the cabinet;
An upper display provided on the upper side of the front display;
A foot display provided below the front display;
A first memory capable of storing game history data of a player including a lamp that emits light in a predetermined pattern and points given in accordance with game media consumed in a past game;
A network interface for communicating with a server storing a plurality of types of game software;
A second memory for storing game software downloaded from the server via the network interface;
Storing game history data acquired in response to an external input in the first memory;
In accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory, game software that can be downloaded from the plurality of types of game software stored in the server is determined as a selection target,
Downloading the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target from the server via the network interface,
Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory;
A gaming terminal comprising: a controller that controls display of the front display, the upper display, and the foot display based on game software stored in the second memory, and controls a light emission pattern of the lamp. A game system with the following configuration:
A first memory capable of storing game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past, a network interface for communication, and reception via the network interface A second memory for storing the game software, and game history data acquired in response to an input from the outside, stored in the first memory, and included in the game history data stored in the first memory. A game signal that is determined as a selection target, transmits a request signal for requesting transmission of the game software selected from the game software determined as a selection target, and is transmitted in response to the request signal Store software in the second memory and store in the second memory A gaming terminal having a controller for executing a game based on the game software,
When the request signal is received from a third memory storing a plurality of types of game software and the gaming terminal, the game software corresponding to the received request signal is extracted from the memory and transmitted to the gaming terminal. And a server having a processor. A gaming terminal game control method having the following configuration,
Acquiring game history data of a player including points given in accordance with game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input, and storing the data in a first memory;
Determining game software that can be downloaded from among a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory;
Downloading game software selected from among the game software determined to be selected from the server;
Storing the downloaded game software in a second memory;
Executing a game based on the game software stored in the second memory. A gaming terminal game control method having the following configuration,
Reading game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past from a card inserted in the card slot, and storing the data in a first memory;
Determining game software that can be downloaded from among a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory;
Displaying on the display an image that prompts the user to select one game software from among the game software determined to be selected;
Downloading selected game software from the server;
Storing the downloaded game software in a second memory;
Executing a game based on the game software stored in the second memory. A gaming terminal game control method having the following configuration,
Acquiring game history data of a player including points given in accordance with game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input, and storing the data in a first memory;
Determining game software that can be downloaded from among a plurality of types of game software stored in the server as a selection target in accordance with points included in the game history data stored in the first memory;
Downloading game software selected from among the game software determined to be selected from the server;
Storing the downloaded game software in the second memory;
Based on the game software stored in the second memory, a front display provided on the front of the cabinet, an upper display provided on the upper side of the front display, and a foot display provided on the lower side of the front display And controlling the light emission pattern of the lamp provided in the cabinet. A game control method having the following configuration,
Acquiring game history data of a player including points awarded according to game media consumed in games played in the past in response to an external input;
Storing the acquired game history data in a first memory;
Determining game software corresponding to points included in the game history data stored in the first memory as a selection target;
And executing a game based on the game software selected from the game software determined as the selection target.

Images