JP2008206691A - Game system and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and a game machine for making it possible to play a game operating the game machine while bodily feeling the atmosphere and presence inside a hall without visiting the hall such as a Pachinko game hall where the game machine such as a Pachinko game machine is installed. <P>SOLUTION: The video image and sound of the actual game machine 1 installed in the hall are transmitted to a remote controller 4 and the operation of the game machine 1 is made possible by the remote controller 4. Then, in the case of receiving one of the operation by the remote controller 4 and the operation by a visitor, the operation from the other is inhibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system comprising a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a remote control device for establishing a connection with the gaming machine via a communication network, and operating the gaming machine via the communication network, and the gaming system In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming system and a gaming machine capable of operating a gaming machine installed in a gaming hall without going to the gaming hall in which the gaming machine is installed.

  Games using gaming machines such as pachinko machines are widely used as entertainment. Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming system that provides a game using a virtual gaming machine via a communication network instead of using an actual gaming machine.

  In a gaming system using virtual gaming machines, a virtual gaming machine provided by a game server connected to a game server on a communication network using a remote control device such as a personal computer or a video game machine with a communication function. Is operated using a remote control device. When operating the virtual gaming machine, video and audio related to the gaming machine are distributed from the game server, so that the operator can play the game while experiencing the video and sound.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system in which an operator can play a more realistic game by transmitting actual video and audio of a gaming machine to a remote control device.
JP 2000-169666 A WO95 / 30463 pamphlet

  However, in the gaming system using the virtual gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the gaming machine to be remotely operated is a virtual one in the system, such as a pachinko shop where the gaming machine is installed There is a problem that the unique atmosphere and presence in the store cannot be experienced.

  In addition, although the gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses an actual gaming machine, it is not a gaming machine installed in the store, so that it cannot experience the atmosphere and presence in the store. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by controlling exclusively the operation by the operating means such as a handle for directly operating the gaming machine and the operation from the remote control device, The main purpose is to provide a gaming system that enables remote control of gaming machines installed in the game, and allows the player to play while experiencing the atmosphere and presence in the actual store, and gaming machines used in the gaming system And

  Also, in the present invention, a game that enables various game operations and preparation operations such as reservation of game machine operation from a remote control device, search for a game machine that matches an operator's preference, and simultaneous operation of a plurality of game machines. The other purpose is to provide the system.

  A gaming system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a gaming system comprising: a gaming machine; and a remote control device that establishes a connection with the gaming machine via a communication network and operates the gaming machine via the communication network. When the machine accepts one of an operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network, an operation for performing a game from the remote operation device, and an operation for performing a game from the operation means, the operation from the other is performed. And an exclusion means to be prohibited.

  A gaming system according to a second invention is the gaming system according to the first invention, wherein the remote control device requests establishment of a connection with the gaming machine based on the received booking and means for receiving a gaming reservation specifying the gaming machine. And the exclusion means is configured to reject a connection establishment request from the remote operation device when an operation for playing a game is accepted from the operation means. The apparatus further comprises means for accepting a reservation by permitting the connection, and the exclusion means is configured to prohibit the operation of the game from the operation means when the connection is established. .

  A gaming system according to a third invention comprises a plurality of gaming machines according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the remote control device includes search condition receiving means for receiving a search condition relating to the gaming machine, and the received search condition. It further comprises search result display means for displaying gaming machine information indicating a corresponding gaming machine.

  A gaming system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the game system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the remote control device further includes means for establishing connections with a plurality of gaming machines.

  A gaming machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising communication means for accepting an operation via a communication network, an operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network, an operation for performing a game via the communication means, and the And a means for prohibiting an operation from the other when one of the operations for performing a game from the operation means is accepted.

  In the first invention and the fifth invention, an actual game that is installed in an actual store by exclusive control of the operation from the remote operation device and the operation means, and can be used by the store visitor by the operation means. Since the remote operation is realized by exclusively controlling the operation authority of the machine, it is possible to play a game using an actual gaming machine while experiencing the atmosphere and the realistic feeling of the actual store.

  In the second aspect of the invention, by prohibiting the operation from the operation means at the stage of making a reservation from the remote operation device, the operator of the remote operation device can obtain the operation authority smoothly without causing trouble with the store visitor. It is possible.

  In the third invention, it is possible to select a gaming machine that matches the preference for the searched operator based on a search condition such as a store, a model, a game situation, a connection establishment situation, and the like.

  In the fourth invention, it is possible to operate a plurality of gaming machines simultaneously.

  The gaming system and gaming machine according to the present invention is a remote operation in which a gaming machine installed in an actual store and operated by a visitor using an operating means such as a handle is established through a communication network. It is possible to operate with the device. Then, when one of an operation for performing a game from the remote control device and an operation for performing a game from the operation means is received, exclusive control is performed to prohibit the operation from the other.

  With this configuration, the present invention has excellent effects such as being able to play a game using an actual gaming machine while experiencing the atmosphere and presence in the actual store. In addition, it is not necessary to go to the store, so there is no need for time to move, and it is possible to play games at home even when it is not possible to go out due to physical reasons, childcare, etc. There is an effect. In addition, since the store side can expect not only the store visitor but also customers via the network, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the gaming machine and the like.

  In the gaming system according to the present invention, when a connection establishment request is made based on a reservation for a game in which a gaming machine is designated from a remote control device, the gaming machine prohibits the operation from the operation means at the stage of receiving the reservation. As a result, the operator of the remote control device can obtain the operation authority smoothly without causing trouble with the store visitor. Further, the game machine is configured to record the reservation as a queue with an order when the operation means is operated, the operation is performed by another remote operation device, or the reservation is performed by another remote operation device. Thus, it is possible to provide further convenience to the operator of the remote control device.

  The gaming system according to the present invention selects a gaming machine that matches the preference of the operator by realizing a function of searching for gaming machines based on search conditions such as store, model, gaming status, connection establishment status, etc. It has an excellent effect such as being able to be made.

  The gaming system and the like according to the present invention have excellent effects, such as providing an unprecedented sense of excitement by allowing a plurality of gaming machines to be operated simultaneously. In particular, when one gaming machine transitions to a predetermined state such as a jackpot, when the gaming machine is configured to display preferentially, the state of the gaming machine with the highest sense of excitement to the operator is the most. It is possible to provide it by an effective method, and it has excellent effects.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the gaming system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1, 1,... Are pachinko machines such as pachinko machines installed in stores such as pachinko shops constructed in various regions and places, and the gaming machines 1, 1,. And is connected to a communication network 100 such as a dedicated IP network or the Internet via an in-store connection device 2 such as a SIP-TA (Session Initiation Protocol Terminal Adapter) installed in the store. Further, a remote operation device 4 using a computer such as a personal computer used for remote operation of the gaming machines 1, 1,... Is connected to the communication network 100 via a home connection device 3 such as SIP-TA. . In each store, an in-store recording device 5 used as a database for recording various situations relating to the games of the gaming machines 1, 1,.

  In the communication network 100, a connection control device 6 using a SIP server computer for controlling the connection between the gaming machine 1 and the remote control device 4 is provided, and the connection control device 6 is authenticated when establishing the connection. As a database for recording various information about the gaming machines 1, 1,... Based on communication with the authentication device 7 used for the charging, the charging device 8 for performing the charging process related to the connection, and the in-store recording device 5 installed in each store. Various communication devices such as the overall recording device 9 used are connected. These various communication devices provide services related to the gaming system of the present invention. Various communication devices that provide gaming systems can be deployed in various configurations, such as one device having all the functions, instead of distributing each function as illustrated. Is possible. Note that FIG. 1 shows a form in which a connection is established to the communication network 100 via an in-house communication network such as a LAN or WAN constructed in the service entity that provides the service.

  Next, the appearance of main devices used in the game system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the gaming machine 1 in the gaming system of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a front view of the gaming machine 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming unit 10 capable of visually recognizing a game situation, an operation unit 11 such as a handle for receiving an operation related to the game, and an acoustic acquisition unit such as a microphone that acquires sounds around the gaming machine 1. 12, a photographing unit 13 such as a camera for photographing the game situation of the gaming unit 10, and a movable support unit 14 such as a movable arm that movably supports the photographing unit 13. When the movable support unit 14 is operated, the photographing unit 13 moves in the vicinity of the gaming unit 10 and puts the entire gaming unit 10 or an arbitrary part within the photographing range. When the store visitor performs a game by directly operating the operation unit 11, the movable support unit 14 operates to move the photographing unit 13 to the side of the game unit 10, so that the store visitor visually recognizes the entire game unit 10. It becomes possible to do.

  FIG. 3 is an external view of the remote control device 4 in the gaming system of the present invention. The remote control device 4 includes an input unit 40 such as a keyboard and a remote control controller as an input man-machine interface, and a video output unit 41 such as a monitor and an acoustic output unit 42 such as a speaker as an output man-machine interface. ing. The remote operation controller used as the input unit 40 operates the operation means 40a imitating the operation unit 11 disposed in the game unit 1, the imaging unit 13, and the movable support unit 14, and moves the imaging range of the imaging unit 13. Shooting operation means 40b for performing operations such as enlargement and reduction, game ending means 40c such as a game end button for ending a game for the gaming machine 1 being operated, and a data browsing button for browsing the status of the gaming machine 1 being operated And an emergency button 40e such as a clerk call button for calling a clerk in the store when an abnormality such as a clogging occurs.

  Next, the hardware configuration of main devices used in the game system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the apparatus in the store in the gaming system of the present invention. The gaming machine 1 includes a control unit 15 using a control board for controlling the whole. The control unit 15 includes a ROM 15a in which information such as a game program and various data is recorded, a RAM 15b in which information is temporarily stored, and a ROM 15a. The CPU 15c is loaded with which the game program recorded in is read, stored in the RAM 15b, and executed.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 is connected to the first communication means 16 connected to the communication network 100 via the in-store connection device 2 and the second communication connected to the in-store recording device 5 connected via the in-store communication network such as a LAN. Means 17, photographing control means 18 for controlling the operation of the photographing part 13 and the movable support part 14, and operation exclusive means 19 for exclusively controlling the remote operation by the remote operation device 4 and the direct operation by the operation part 11. It has.

  For example, in the case of a pachinko machine, the control means 15 detects and controls the situation relating to the game such as the number of balls played, number of jackpots, reach action, etc., and records the situation information indicating the detected situation in the store via the second communication means 17 The device 5 is made to record. The operation exclusion means 19 includes a mechanical mechanism and an electronic control mechanism. When a reservation related to a game is received from the remote operation device 4 or when an operation signal is received, a pseudo operation based on the received operation signal, for example, a pachinko machine In this case, an operation of launching a ball with the strength based on the operation signal is performed, and the operation from the operation unit 11 is prohibited by fixing the operation unit 11 or mechanically interrupting the transmission of the operation. Furthermore, when the direct operation from the operation unit 11 is accepted, the operation exclusion unit 19 prohibits the operation from the operation unit 11 by rejecting the connection establishment request from the remote operation device 4.

  The in-store recording device 5 includes a control unit 50 such as a CPU, a recording unit 51 such as a hard disk, a ROM, and a RAM, and a first communication unit 52 connected to the gaming machines 1, 1,... Via the in-store communication network. And a second communication means 53 connected to the overall recording device 9 via the communication network 100. A part of the recording area of the recording means 51 is used as a situation information database (situation information DB) 51a for recording situation information transmitted from each gaming machine 1, 1,. Then, the in-store recording device 5 periodically transmits the situation information recorded in the situation information database 51a to the overall recording device 9.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the remote control device 4 in the gaming system of the present invention. The remote operation device 4 includes a control unit 43 such as a CPU, a recording unit 44 such as a hard disk and a RAM, a communication unit 45 connected to the communication network 100 via the home connection device 3, and an input for connecting the input unit 40. An interface (input I / F) 46 and an output interface (output I / F) 47 for connecting the video output unit 41 and the sound output unit 42 are provided. In the recording means 44 provided in the remote control device 4, various programs such as an application program for using a service related to the gaming system of the present invention and information such as data are recorded.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the service entity side device in the gaming system of the present invention. The connection control device 6 includes a control means 60, a recording means 61, and a communication means 62, and performs streaming communication between the gaming machines 1, 1,... And the remote control device 4 by the function as the SIP server computer. Control is performed based on a communication protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). In addition, a part of the recording area of the recording unit 61 is a communication database (communication DB) that records information such as the MAC address, SIP address, communication status, and media of a device that has established a connection for realizing streaming communication as a communication entry. 61a is used. The connection control device 6 is connected to the communication network 100, the authentication device 7, the billing device 8, and the overall recording device 9 by the communication means 62.

  The overall recording device 9 includes a control unit 90, a recording unit 91, and a communication unit 92, and is connected to the connection control device 6 and the in-store recording device 5 by the communication unit 92. Note that a part of the recording area of the recording means 91 includes a prefecture name database (prefecture name DB) 91a and a store database (store DB) 91b for recording information related to the area where the store is installed, and the gaming machine 1 installed in the store. , 1,..., A model database (model DB) 91c, a gaming machine database (gaming machine DB) 91d that records information indicating each gaming machine 1, 1,..., A reservation database (reservation) that records the reservation status DB) 91e and various databases such as a situation information database (situation information DB) 91f that records situation information received from the in-store recording device 5 installed in each shop.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the prefecture name database 91a provided in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the prefecture name database 91a, a prefecture name indicating a prefecture and a prefecture code assigned to the prefecture are recorded in association with each other. By referring to the prefecture name database 91a, the relationship between the prefecture name and the prefecture code can be recognized. Instead of managing by prefecture, it may be managed by other administrative units such as municipalities, and also by regional units other than administrative units.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the store database 91b provided in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the store database 91b, the prefecture name, the store name indicating the store, and the store code assigned to the store are recorded in association with each other. By referring to the store database 91b, stores in any prefecture can be recognized.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the model database 91c included in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the model database 91c, the store name, the model name of the gaming machine 1, and the game model code assigned to the model are recorded in units of records. By referring to the model database 91c, the model names of the gaming machines 1, 1,... Installed in any store can be recognized.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the gaming machine database 91d provided in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the gaming machine database 91d, model names, gaming machine numbers assigned to gaming machines 1, 1,..., And gaming machine codes assigned to gaming machines 1, 1,. Is recorded in units of recorded records. Each of the gaming machines 1, 1,... Can be specified by referring to the gaming machine database 91d.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the reservation database 91e provided in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the reservation database 91e, the gaming machine code is associated with reservation information such as an IP address that identifies the remote control devices 4, 4,. Recorded in units of records. As the reservation information, IP addresses of up to five remote control devices 4, 4,... Are recorded for each gaming machine 1, 1,. Since the reservation with the highest priority indicates a state of waiting for establishment of a connection with the gaming machine 1 to be reserved, reservations recorded as reservation information in the reservation database 91e are reservations with the second highest priority. It becomes. That is, the reservation database 91e records reservation information indicating reservations with the second to sixth priorities for each gaming machine 1, 1,... As the IP addresses of the remote control devices 4, 4,. When there is no corresponding reservation, “null” is recorded in the reservation information item.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the recorded contents of the situation information database 91f provided in the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the situation information database 91f, information indicating the gaming machine code, the number of jackpots two days ago, the number of jackpots one day before, the number of revolutions after jackpot, the total number of revolutions, and the status information of the gaming machines 1, 1,. It is recorded in record units associated with information indicating the situation. The jackpot indicates a specific situation in which the gaming machine 1 is advantageous for the operator. For example, when the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko machine having three drums indicating information such as numbers and patterns, Rotate and stop, showing the situation where all drum information matches. In the case of a big hit, a big hit opening that collects the pachinko balls that have been launched with a high probability is opened, so the number of balls that can be used as a reward is greatly increased. The number of jackpots two days ago and the number of jackpots one day ago indicate the number of times that the jackpot state was reached two days ago and one day ago. The number of rotations after the jackpot indicates the number of times the drum has rotated since the last jackpot. The total number of revolutions indicates the total number of revolutions of the drum of the day. The connection status is the number of times that connection has been established for the gaming machine 1. In addition, you may make it include not only the frequency | count of the establishment of a connection as a connection condition but time.

  Next, processing of various devices in the gaming system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the status information recording process of the in-store recording device 5 and the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. The in-store recording device 5 collects the situation of the gaming machines 1, 1,... Via the in-store communication network and records it in the situation information database 51a. Then, the in-store recording device 5 transmits the status information recorded in the status information database 51a from the second communication unit 53 to the overall recording device 9 at a predetermined interval such as 10 minutes under the control of the control unit 50 (S101). ). The amount of information to be transmitted can be reduced by not transmitting all the status information recorded in the status information database 51a but transmitting only the difference from the status information transmitted last time.

  Under the control of the control means 90, the overall recording device 9 receives the situation information by the communication means 92 (S102), and records the received situation information in the situation information database 91f (S103). In this way, the overall recording device 9 collects status information of the gaming machines 1, 1,... Installed in each store.

  14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the connection establishment processing of the remote control device 4, the connection control device 6, and the overall recording device 9 in the gaming system of the present invention. The operator operates the remote operation device 4 to activate an application program for using a service related to the gaming system of the present invention. The remote operation device 4 accepts the operation of the operator, displays a predetermined screen for inputting search conditions for searching for the gaming machines 1, 1,..., And the operator searches in a predetermined input field of the displayed screen. Enter the condition. The search conditions to be input are information such as prefecture name, store name, model name, gaming machine number, gaming machine 1 status, connection status, and the like. The state of the gaming machine 1 is information such as the number of rotations after the big hit. The connection status is the number of times a connection has been established. Nowadays, for example, a system that can collect and browse information such as jackpots, rotation speeds, etc. of a plurality of gaming machines 1, 1,... Installed in a store has become widespread. In addition to the information about the game itself, it is possible to view the connection status and set it as a search condition. As the connection status, various statuses such as the number of times the connection has been established, the average duration of connection establishment, and the cumulative number of reservations for connection establishment can be presented.

  Under the control of the control means 43, the remote operation device 4 receives an input of search conditions relating to the gaming machine 1 from the input unit 40 (S201), and transmits the received search conditions to the connection control device 6 from the communication means 45. The data is transmitted to the home connection device 3 (S202).

  The home connection apparatus 3 receives the search conditions, encodes the received search conditions into a predetermined format, and generates an INVITE packet based on a communication protocol such as SIP with the encoded search conditions as a destination. Then, the home connection apparatus 3 transmits the search condition to the connection control apparatus 6 as an INVITE packet. The coding of the search condition by the home connection device 3 is a conversion process into codes recorded in various databases recorded in the overall recording device 9, and the home device 3 stores the search condition and the code in advance. The relationship between the search condition and the code can be acquired by recording in association with each other and by inquiring to the overall recording device 9 via the connection control device 6 as necessary.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing code conversion of the domestic connection device 3 in the gaming system of the present invention. 16 (a) and 16 (b) show examples of encoding in the home connection device 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the search conditions are “Hokkaido”, “ABC”, “Mammoth”. "," 111111111101 ", it is converted into a code" 01_0001_1004_111111111101_none_none_none_none_none ". Similarly, when the search condition is “Hokkaido”, “Mammoth”, “20”, “10”, “5”, “100-150”, “3-5” as shown in FIG. It is converted into a code “01 — 0000 — 1004 — none — 020 — 010 — 005 — 005 — 002”. As shown in FIG. 16, the search condition need not be input for all items, and a dummy value such as “none” is used for an item for which the search condition is not specified. In addition, when specifying numbers such as the number of jackpots, number of revolutions after jackpots, connection status, etc., if the number itself is specified, it corresponds in advance to the code indicating the specified number or the range including the specified number When the range is specified, it is converted into a code indicating a code corresponding to the range or a numerical value indicating a representative value within the range.

  Returning to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15, the connection control device 6 receives the search condition as an INVITE packet in the communication unit 62 under the control of the control unit 60 (S 203), and performs authentication processing on the received INVITE packet. (S204), the INVITE packet is transmitted to the overall recording apparatus 9 as a search condition (S205). The authentication process in step S204 is performed by collating the authentication code of the home connection device 3 included as header information in the INVITE packet with the recorded content of the authentication device 7. If the authentication process in step S204 fails, that is, if it is regarded as an unauthorized access, the subsequent process is stopped, and information indicating that is transmitted to the remote control device 4.

  The overall recording device 9 receives the search condition as an INVITE packet in the communication unit 92 under the control of the control unit 90 (S206), and the received search condition is converted into the prefecture name database 91a, the store database 91b, the model database 91c, .. Are searched by comparing with the recorded contents of the gaming machine database 91d and the situation information database 91f (S207).

  The overall recording device 9 transmits the communication information related to the gaming machines 1, 1,... As a search result from the communication unit 92 to the connection control device 6 in the form of, for example, a 302 Moved Temporary response of SIP under the control of the control unit 90. (S208). The communication information related to the gaming machines 1, 1,... As a search result is a TA number that identifies the in-store connection device 2 that is a SIP-TA to which the gaming machine 1 as a search result is connected. The TA number of the in-store connection device 2 can be acquired, for example, by recording in advance in the gaming machine database 91d in association with the gaming machine 1 or by making an inquiry to the in-store recording device 5. In the search in step S207, if there is no matching gaming machine 1, the process in step S208 is not performed, and the overall recording device 9 transmits, for example, a SIP 404 NotFound response to the connection control device 6, and the connection control device 6 The 404 NotFound error is transmitted to the remote control device 4 via the home connection device 3. Then, the remote operation device 4 displays information indicating that there is no gaming machine 1 that matches the search condition.

  Under the control of the control means 60, the connection control device 6 receives communication information such as the TA number of the in-store connection device 2 related to the gaming machine 1 as a search result at the communication means 62 (S209). Based on the above, a connection request for requesting establishment of a connection is transmitted to the in-store connection device 2 (S210). The connection request in step S210 is an INVITE in which the destination of the INVITE packet received from the in-home connection device 3 is rewritten with identification information such as a SIP address that identifies the in-store connection device 2 specified by the TA number as communication information. Packet. The identification information such as the SIP address of the in-store connection device 2 is acquired by, for example, recording in advance or by making an inquiry to another device such as the central recording device 9 that records the SIP address. can do.

  Upon receipt of the connection request, the in-store connection device 2 detects the usage status of the gaming machine 1 that is the connection partner, and if the gaming machine 1 is unused, notifies the connection request that connection is possible. The connection response is transmitted to the connection control device 6 as, for example, a SIP 200 OK response. The connection response transmitted as the 200 OK response from the in-store connection device 2 to the connection control device 6 includes various information such as the SIP address related to the gaming machine 1. When a connection response notifying that the connection is permitted is transmitted in response to the connection request, the gaming machine 1 is handled as a game being reserved. When the gaming machine 1 is in use, the in-store connection device 2 transmits a connection rejection notifying that the connection is rejected in response to the connection request, for example, as a SIP 486 Busy Here response to the connection control device 6.

  The connection control device 6 receives the connection response as a 200 OK response at the communication device 62 under the control of the control device 60 (S211), and transmits the received connection response to the remote operation device 4 in the home connection device 3. (S212). When the connection control device 6 receives a connection refusal as a 486 Busy Here response, the connection control device 6 transmits information indicating that the gaming machine 1 is in use to the home connection device 3 to be transmitted to the remote control device 4.

  The in-home connection device 3 transmits the gaming machine 1 indicated by the received connection response to the remote operation device 4 as a search result. The remote operation device 4 receives the search result based on the connection response in the communication unit 45 under the control of the control unit 43 (S213), and outputs the received search result from the video output unit 41 (S214). When connection responses relating to a plurality of gaming machines 1, 1,... Are received, gaming machine information indicating the respective gaming machines 1, 1,. When receiving information indicating that the gaming machine 1 is in use, the remote control device 4 indicates that the gaming machine 1 is in use, and from the video output unit 41 as a search result, Output information.

  The operator selects gaming machine information indicating one or a plurality of gaming machines 1, 1,... Desired for operation from the list of gaming machine information output as a search result from the home connection device 3, and sets the gaming machine information. Enter to indicate that you have selected.

  The remote operation device 4 receives information indicating the selection status of the gaming machine information from the input unit 40 under the control of the control means 43 (S215), and transmits the selection information indicating the received selection status to the connection control device 6. Then, the data is transmitted from the communication means 45 to the home connection device 3 (S216).

  The domestic connection device 3 transmits the received selection information to the connection control device 6. For example, when the gaming machine 1 is selected as the operation target, the in-home connection device 3 transmits SIP-ACK requesting establishment of connection as selection information for the gaming machine 1. When the gaming machine 1 is not selected as an operation target, the in-home connection device 3 transmits SIP-Cancel that rejects the connection as selection information for the gaming machine 1. However, when the gaming machine 1 in use is selected as an operation target, selection information indicating that fact is transmitted, and a later reservation process described later is started. Further, when the gaming machine 1 being used is not selected as an operation target, no special processing is performed on the gaming machine 1.

  The connection control device 6 receives selection information as SIP-ACK or SIP-Cancel relating to each gaming machine 1, 1,... At the communication means 62 under the control of the control means 60 (S217). Based on the above, the connection between the gaming machine 1 and the remote control device 4 is established (S218), and the game by remote control is started (S219). In step S218, the gaming machine 1 to which connection is established is the gaming machine 1 in which SIP-ACK is indicated as selection information, and the connection with the gaming machine 1 in which SIP-Cancel is indicated as selection information is Disconnected. When the connection is disconnected, the reservation for the gaming machine 1 is canceled.

  A connection (session) is established between the gaming machine 1 and the remote control device 4 based on a protocol such as TCP / UDP, and bidirectional information communication is performed in real time. The information transmitted from the remote operation device 4 to the gaming machine 1 indicates the content of the operation received by the remote operation device 1 from the operation means 40a, the shooting operation means 40b, the game end means 40c or the emergency button 40e of the input unit 40. Based on the operation signal, the gaming machine 1 performs various processes such as processing related to game operations such as ball launching, processing related to the operation of the photographing unit 13 and the movable support unit 14, processing to contact a store clerk, etc. Perform proper processing. Information transmitted from the gaming machine 1 to the remote control device 4 is video information indicating the video captured by the imaging unit 13, acoustic information indicating the sound acquired by the acoustic acquisition unit 12, and state information indicating the state of the game. The remote control device 4 outputs a video based on the video information from the video output unit 41, outputs a sound based on the acoustic information from the acoustic output unit 42, and performs various processes based on the state information. In this way, the operator can perform a remote operation on the gaming machine 1.

  In the connection establishment process described above, the operator can reserve a game for the gaming machine 1 simply by inputting the search condition. Therefore, the remote control device 4 can input the search condition as a game reservation. It will be accepted as a combined operation. It should be noted that the processing related to the search and the processing related to the game reservation can be separated and accepted as independent operations.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing exclusive processing of the gaming machine 1 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the connection establishment process described above, the in-store connection device 2 that has received the connection request from the overall recording device 9 detects the use status of the gaming machine 1 and requests connection establishment from the remote operation device 4 as a process of detecting the usage status. Is transmitted to the gaming machine 1 to be detected. The gaming machine 1 receives the connection request at the second communication unit 17 under the control of the control unit 15 (S301), and determines whether the operation by the store visitor is accepted through the processing of the operation exclusion unit 19 ( S302). Not only when the operation is received from the operation unit 11, but within a predetermined time since the last operation is received, and when the pachinko balls for gaming are stored, the operation is not performed. However, when the visitor occupies the gaming machine 1, it is determined that the operation is accepted.

  If it is determined in step S302 that the operation is not accepted (S302: NO), the gaming machine 1 transmits a connection permission indicating that the connection is permitted to the in-store connection device 2 under the control of the control means 15 ( In step S303, the operation exclusion unit 19 prohibits acceptance of an operation from the operation unit 11 (S304). By transmitting the connection permission in step S303, the in-store connection device 2 detects that the gaming machine 1 is unused and can be connected to the connection request. Further, by transmitting the connection permission, the gaming machine 1 enters a remote operation reservation state. The process of prohibiting acceptance of the operation from the operation unit 11 in step S304 is an operation from the operation unit 11 by fixing the operation unit 11 or mechanically interrupting the transmission of the operation by a mechanical mechanism and an electronic control mechanism. Is a process of prohibiting The process of prohibiting the acceptance of an operation from the operation unit 11 is continued during operation reservation or as long as the connection is established, and is released when the connection is disconnected. While the remote control is being performed, the shooting unit 13 is in a state of shooting the gaming unit 10 of the gaming machine 1, so that the store visitor does not need to touch the operation unit 11 and recognizes that the operation is prohibited. can do.

  If it is determined in step S302 that the operation is accepted (S302: YES), the gaming machine 1 transmits a connection refusal indicating that the establishment of the connection is refused to the in-store connection device 2 under the control of the control means 15. (S305). By transmitting the connection permission in step S305, the in-store connection device 2 detects that the gaming machine 1 is in use and that connection cannot be made in response to the connection request. Note that the gaming machine 1 is accepting a reservation from another remote operation device 4 different from the one remote operation device 4 that is the connection request source even when the operation from the operation unit 11 is not accepted. Alternatively, even when an operation from another remote control device 4 is accepted, the connection is rejected. However, when a reservation or operation from another remote control device 4 is accepted, the connection device 2 in the store or the connection control device 6 can detect this, so a connection request to the gaming machine 1 is not necessarily required. There is no need to send.

  In this way, the exclusive process is a process for prohibiting an operation from the other when the gaming machine 1 accepts one of an operation for performing a game from the remote control device 4 and an operation for performing a game from the operation unit 11. is there.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the extra reservation processing of the connection control device 6 in the gaming system of the present invention. In the connection establishment process described above, when the connection control device 6 receives selection information for selecting the gaming machine 1 being used as an operation target from the in-home connection device 3, the extra reservation process is started. Under the control of the control means 60, the connection control device 6 gives an order to the selection information, that is, the connection request from the remote operation device 4 to the gaming machine 1, and the reservation information is stored in the reservation database 91e as a queue indicating the priority order. Record (S401). The state in which the gaming machine 1 is in use is a state in which the target gaming machine 1 accepts an operation from the operation unit 11, a state in which a reservation from another remote control device 4 is accepted, or other In this state, an operation from the remote operation device 4 is accepted.

  And the connection control apparatus 6 transmits a connection request to the in-store connection apparatus 2 related to the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the reservation information recorded in the reservation database 91e at a predetermined time interval. However, if it is clear that the target gaming machine 1 is establishing a connection, the connection request is not transmitted.

  Here, the video output from the video output unit 41 included in the remote control device 4 will be described. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an image output from the remote operation device 4 in the remote operation system of the present invention. As described in connection establishment processing, the remote control device 4 can establish a connection with one or more gaming machines 1, 1,. FIG. 19 shows a state in which connections are established with four gaming machines 1, 1,. Note that there is only one gaming machine 1 that can be operated in real time using the remote control device 4, and the other gaming machines 1, 1,... Are fixed. In FIG. 19, the image that is displayed most greatly shows the gaming machine 1 that is operated in real time, and the entire game unit 10 or any part of the game unit 10 can be displayed by the operator operating it. Can do. The other video shows the gaming machines 1, 1,... That have been established as the operation target but the operation is fixed, and the video of only the drum portion of the gaming unit 10 is displayed. . Note that the gaming machine 1 performing the operation in real time can be switched as appropriate. It is also possible to establish communication with another remote control device 4 and exchange information by a method such as chat. In the lower right part of FIG. 19, an image used as a chat is displayed.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing video switching processing of the gaming machine 1 and the remote control device 4 in the gaming system of the present invention. The video switching process is a process of automatically switching the video when videos related to a plurality of gaming machines 1, 1,... Are displayed as shown in FIG. The gaming machine 1 detects a state relating to the game under the control of the control means 15, and when it is detected that the state of the game has transitioned to a predetermined state, here a jackpot state (S501), the detected state is The status information shown is transmitted (S502). The state information is transmitted to the remote control device 4 via the in-store connection device 2, the communication network 100, and the home connection device 3.

  Under the control of the control means 43, the remote operation device 4 receives the status information by the communication means 45 (S503), and preferentially displays the video based on the video information from the gaming machine 1 that has received the status information (S504). ). The priority display in step S504 is the display as the largest image in FIG. 19 and is in a state where it can be operated in real time. That is, the operator can preferentially view the gaming machine 1 in which the jackpot has occurred and perform an operation in real time.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing connection disconnection processing of the remote control device 4 and the connection control device 6 in the gaming system of the present invention. When the operator operates the game end means 40c such as a game end button, the remote operation device 4 starts the connection disconnection process. The remote control device 4 receives an input indicating the end of the game from the game end means 40c of the input unit 40 under the control of the control means 43 (S601), and transmits a game end instruction indicating the received input to the connection control device 6. Therefore, the communication unit 45 transmits the information to the in-home connection device 3 (S602).

  The in-home connection device 3 receives the game end instruction, and generates a BYE packet for requesting disconnection based on the received game end instruction. Then, the home connection apparatus 3 transmits a disconnection request to the connection control apparatus 6 as a BYE packet.

  The connection control device 6 receives a disconnection request as a BYE packet at the communication unit 62 under the control of the control unit 60 (S603), and requests disconnection of the connection to the in-store connection device 2 based on the received disconnection request. A disconnection request is transmitted as a BYE packet to be transmitted (S604).

  Upon receipt of the disconnection request, the in-store connection device 2 performs a disconnection process for ending the game of the target gaming machine 1, and a disconnection completion notification for notifying that the disconnection has been completed, for example, as a SIP 200 OK response. 6 to send. In the disconnection completion notification transmitted from the in-store connection device 2 to the connection control device 6 as a 200 OK response, the gaming machine code, the number of rotations, and the jackpot of the gaming machine 1 that is the target of the operation as the situation related to the terminated game Various types of information such as the number of times and the number of balls and the like are included, and these pieces of information are transmitted to the remote control device 4.

  Under the control of the control means 60, the connection control apparatus 6 receives a disconnection completion notification as a 200 OK response at the communication means 60 (S605), and further transmits a disconnection request to the home connection apparatus 3 (S606). Note that the connection control device 6 performs various game end processing such as accounting processing based on the received disconnection completion notification. Then, the connection control device 6 receives the ACK packet indicating that the disconnection is completed in the home connection device 3 and transmits the ACK packet to the in-store connection device 2, whereby the connection is completely disconnected.

  At the start of the connection disconnection process, not only the operator performs an operation related to the connection disconnection, but also, for example, the connection control device 6 reaches a predetermined state such as arrival at a predetermined time, completion of possession of the ball, etc. A notification indicating the status of arrival or the like may be transmitted to the remote control device 4 to confirm whether or not connection disconnection is necessary.

  The embodiment described above is an example of innumerable forms for realizing the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and a game machine that can be operated by a visitor is also operated from a remote control device. If one operation is accepted and the other operation can be prohibited, it can be developed in various forms. Therefore, the design requirements of the game type, system configuration, communication protocol, operation method, exclusive control method, and the like can be appropriately changed.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

(Appendix 1)
In a gaming system comprising a gaming machine and a remote control device for establishing a connection with the gaming machine via a communication network and operating the gaming machine via the communication network,
The gaming machine is
An operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network;
An exclusive system for prohibiting an operation from the other when an operation of performing a game from the remote operation device and an operation of performing a game from the operation means are accepted.

(Appendix 2)
The remote control device is:
Means for accepting a reservation of a game specifying the gaming machine;
Means for requesting establishment of a connection with the gaming machine based on the accepted reservation,
The exclusion means is configured to reject a connection establishment request from the remote operation device when an operation for playing a game is accepted from the operation means.
A means for accepting a reservation by permitting a connection in response to a connection establishment request;
The gaming system according to appendix 1, wherein the exclusion means is configured to prohibit a game operation from the operation means when a connection is established.

(Appendix 3)
A connection control device for controlling connection between the gaming machine and the remote control device;
The connection control device
When the gaming machine that is a request destination for establishing a connection from one remote control device is being operated by the operation means, being operated by another remote control device, or being reserved by another remote control device The game system according to claim 2, further comprising means for recording a request for establishing a connection from one remote control device in order.

(Appendix 4)
With multiple gaming machines,
The remote control device is:
Search condition receiving means for receiving a search condition relating to the gaming machine;
The gaming system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, further comprising: retrieval result display means for displaying gaming machine information indicating gaming machines corresponding to the accepted retrieval condition.

(Appendix 5)
The game system according to appendix 4, wherein the search condition receiving means is configured to receive a search condition including a condition relating to connection establishment.

(Appendix 6)
The gaming system according to appendix 4 or appendix 5, wherein the remote control device further comprises means for requesting establishment of a connection with the gaming machine indicated by the gaming machine information displayed by the search result display means .

(Appendix 7)
The gaming system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 6, wherein the remote control device further includes means for establishing connections with a plurality of gaming machines.

(Appendix 8)
The gaming machine is
Photographing means for photographing the game situation;
Acquisition means for acquiring ambient sounds;
Means for transmitting video information based on video captured by the imaging means and acoustic information based on sound acquired by the acquisition means to the remote control device;
The remote control device is:
Means for displaying video based on the received video information;
Means for outputting sound based on the received acoustic information;
The game system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 7, further comprising: means for operating photographing means included in the gaming machine.

(Appendix 9)
The gaming machine is
Means for detecting that the state of the game has transitioned to a predetermined state;
Means for transmitting status information indicating the detected status to the remote control device;
The remote control device is
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for preferentially displaying video based on video information from the gaming machine that has received the state information when video information is received from a plurality of gaming machines. Game system.

(Appendix 10)
In a gaming machine comprising a communication means for accepting an operation via a communication network,
An operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network;
A gaming machine comprising: means for prohibiting an operation from the other when an operation for performing a game via the communication means and an operation for performing a game from the operation means are accepted.

It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the game system of this invention. It is an external view of the gaming machine in the gaming system of the present invention. It is an external view of the remote control device in the game system of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the apparatus in a shop in the game system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the remote control apparatus in the game system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the apparatus by the side of the service provider in the game system of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the prefecture name database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the store database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the model database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the game machine database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the reservation database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording content of the situation information database with which the overall recording apparatus in the game system of this invention is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the status information recording process of the in-store recording apparatus in the game system of this invention, and a general recording apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the connection establishment process of the remote control apparatus in a game system of this invention, a connection control apparatus, and a comprehensive recording apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the connection establishment process of the remote control apparatus in a game system of this invention, a connection control apparatus, and a comprehensive recording apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the code conversion of the domestic connection apparatus in the game system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the exclusion process of the gaming machine in the gaming system of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the remaining reservation process of the connection control apparatus in the game system of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image | video output from the remote control apparatus in the remote control system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the video switch process of the game machine and remote control device in the game system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the connection cutting process of the remote control apparatus and connection control apparatus in the game system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 11 Operation part 12 Sound acquisition part 13 Shooting part 14 Movable support part 2 In-store connection apparatus 3 Domestic connection apparatus 4 Remote operation apparatus 40 Input part 40a Operation means 40b Shooting operation means 41 Video output part 42 Sound output part 5 In-store recording device 6 Connection control device 7 Authentication device 8 Charging device 9 General recording device 91a Prefecture name database 91b Store database 91c Model database 91d Pachislot machine database 91e Reservation database 91f Situation information database

Claims (5)

In a gaming system comprising a gaming machine and a remote control device for establishing a connection with the gaming machine via a communication network and operating the gaming machine via the communication network,
The gaming machine is
An operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network;
An exclusive system for prohibiting an operation from the other when an operation of performing a game from the remote operation device and an operation of performing a game from the operation means are accepted. The remote control device is:
Means for accepting a reservation of a game specifying the gaming machine;
Means for requesting establishment of a connection with the gaming machine based on the accepted reservation,
The exclusion means is configured to reject a connection establishment request from the remote operation device when an operation for playing a game is accepted from the operation means.
A means for accepting a reservation by permitting a connection in response to a connection establishment request;
The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the exclusion unit is configured to prohibit a game operation from the operation unit when a connection is established. With multiple gaming machines,
The remote control device is:
Search condition receiving means for receiving a search condition relating to the gaming machine;
The game system according to claim 1, further comprising: search result display means for displaying game machine information indicating a game machine corresponding to the received search condition.   The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the remote control device further includes means for establishing connections with a plurality of gaming machines. In a gaming machine comprising a communication means for accepting an operation via a communication network,
An operation means for accepting an operation without going through a communication network;
A gaming machine comprising: means for prohibiting an operation from the other when an operation for performing a game via the communication means and an operation for performing a game from the operation means are accepted.

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