JP2010029689A - Information providing device, and information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing device, and an information providing system, capable of selectively providing specific information to customers through portable terminals. <P>SOLUTION: The game information providing system receives provision of game table information for a game table 10 installed in a game parlor using a portable telephone 2 possessed by a customer from an information providing device 1 installed in the game parlor.The system includes the information providing device 1, a redirection portion 4, and a web portion 5. The information providing device 1 includes a plurality of reader-writers 3. The customer entering the game parlor approximates the own portable telephone 2 to the reading surface of the reader-writer 3 for noncontact communication between the portable telephone 2 and the reader-writer 3. Game table information is thus displayed on the display part of the portable telephone 2 possessed by the customer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information provision and information provision system that is installed in a store or the like and provides predetermined information to a user.

Many kinds of game tables are installed in game stores. The specs such as the jackpot probability and the number of prize balls, and the directing operations such as the reach directing and the jackpot directing are different for each type of game machine. Therefore, conventionally, a game manual (so-called POP) created by the game store has been attached to the game machine installed in the game store.
The aforementioned game manual describes game information (information relating to specifications, information relating to performance operations, etc.) of the gaming table. However, the game manual can be placed only in a portion of the game table that does not interfere with the game, and its size is limited. Therefore, the amount of game information that can be described in the game manual is small.

  For this reason, in order to provide abundant game information to a player, a configuration has been proposed in which game information of a game table is provided using a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA owned by the player (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2008-237580 A

  Patent Document 1 discloses gaming machine information that provides gaming machine information to a player using a portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as “non-contact IC portable terminal”) on which a non-contact IC chip owned by the player is mounted. A providing system is disclosed. In this game machine information providing system, a non-contact wireless communication type reader / writer is arranged in a game medium lending device associated with a game machine on a one-to-one basis, and a non-contact IC portable terminal is brought close to the reader / writer. Hold (hold). Thereby, the IC chip of the mobile terminal wirelessly communicates with the reader / writer, the browser of the mobile terminal is activated, and the mobile phone provides a game machine information related to the game machine (hereinafter referred to as “game machine”). The URL is connected to the “table information page”). Thereby, the game table information corresponding to the game table is displayed on the display unit of the non-contact IC portable terminal owned by the player. Therefore, the player can view the game table information corresponding to the game table.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the game table information that can be provided (viewed) by the player is limited to that of the game table associated with the game medium lending device. This is good if the player has already decided on a game machine to play a game, but for a player who wants to decide a game machine to play a game as a result of browsing multiple types of game machine information. In order to view a plurality of game machine information, it is required to move to the installation position of each game machine, and the movement becomes troublesome. That is, there is a demand among the players that a plurality of pieces of game table information are selectively acquired through a portable terminal. Such requests are not limited to the provision of game table information, but store information and premium information, information on nearby stores (game stores, restaurants, retail stores (footwear stores, etc.)) (including privilege tickets) It is a problem common to information provided to customers through mobile terminals.

  On the other hand, the URL of the connection destination is set as a general game information site that is a higher-level site of a plurality of game machine information, and then the game machine information that the player desires to play can be reached by operating the player's mobile terminal. Is also possible. However, since it is necessary for the player to operate the portable terminal and to acquire a plurality of game table information, the operation may become complicated.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a novel information providing apparatus and information providing system capable of selectively providing predetermined information to a customer through a portable terminal. .

  The invention according to claim 1 is an information providing device (1) for providing predetermined information through a portable terminal (2) having a display unit (26) and a non-contact IC (21), and a main body (41). And a plurality of reader / writers (3) having a reading surface (17A) and capable of non-contact communication with the mobile terminal, and operating regions (42, 43) disposed on the front surface of the main body. By causing the portable terminal to approach the reading surface of the writer and causing the reader / writer and the portable terminal to perform non-contact communication, the predetermined information associated with each reader / writer is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal. It is an information providing device that is displayed on the screen.

The numbers in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described later, but are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the embodiments. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, the reading surfaces of the plurality of reader / writers are arranged in the operation area of the information providing apparatus. Different information is provided for each reader / writer that is a target of non-contact communication. Therefore, the owner of the portable terminal can receive provision of the information through the portable terminal by bringing the portable terminal close to the reading surface of the reader / writer associated with the information to be provided.

The reading surfaces of the plurality of reader / writers may be arranged in one row or a plurality of rows (for example, two rows).
The invention according to claim 2 includes a plurality of information display units (47) provided to be associated with each reader / writer in a one-to-one correspondence and for displaying the predetermined information corresponding to each reader / writer, The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display area (46, 48) provided on a front surface of the main body.

According to this configuration, a plurality of information display units are provided on the front surface of the main body in a one-to-one correspondence with each reader / writer. Each information display unit displays information corresponding to each reader / writer. Therefore, the owner of the mobile terminal can select a reader / writer to which the mobile terminal should be approached while looking at the information display unit.
Each information display unit may be arranged above the corresponding reading surface. Since the reading surface is arranged below the information display unit, it is easy to understand which information display unit the reading surface corresponds to.

Each information display unit may include a holder unit that removably supports a paper-like display of information corresponding to the reader / writer.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the second aspect, and display of information corresponding to the reader / writer may be described in the operation unit.
A third aspect of the present invention is the information providing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reading surface of each reader / writer in the operation area has an inclined surface that decreases toward the front side.

According to this configuration, the owner of the mobile terminal can easily place the mobile terminal (the contact portion thereof) on the reading surface. For this reason, the portable terminal can be easily brought close to the reading surface, and thereby non-contact communication between the reader / writer and the portable terminal can always be performed satisfactorily.
Further, a rack (57) may be provided on the front surface of the main body in a region below the operation region.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined information is game table information that is information related to a predetermined game table, and the plurality of reader / writers are associated with game table information of different types of game tables. The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
According to this configuration, the reading surfaces of the plurality of reader / writers are arranged in the operation area of the information providing apparatus. For each reader / writer that is a target of non-contact communication, game table information of different types of game tables is provided. Therefore, the owner of the portable terminal can receive provision of the gaming machine information through the portable terminal by bringing the portable terminal close to the reading surface of the reader / writer associated with the gaming machine information to be provided.

“Game table information” refers to model information related to the game table, and includes basic data (such as jackpot probability, probability variation probability, number of winning balls and average number of balls played), jackpot symbol, game method, and notice effect. And reach production.
Invention of Claim 5 is an information provision system which provides predetermined information through the portable terminal which has a display part (26), Comprising: The information provision apparatus (1) as described in any one of Claims 1-4 A redirection device (4) provided to be able to communicate with the portable terminal through a communication line, and an information storage unit (34) for storing information related to the plurality of information types, Each information stored in the information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis, and the portable terminal is connected to the reader. By performing contactless communication with a writer, a connection instruction for the redirect device is given to the portable terminal, and the connection instruction includes a reader / writer that identifies the reader / writer. Data specifying information (reader / writer number, reader / writer ID) is included, and the redirect device responds to the connection request from the mobile terminal based on the reader / writer specifying information included in the connection request. The position information selecting means (27) for selecting the position information corresponding to the reader / writer from the position information specifying the position on the Internet of each information stored in the information storage section, and the position information selecting means selected by the position information selecting means Data providing connection instruction transmitting means (27) for transmitting position information to the portable terminal together with a connection instruction for the information providing control apparatus, wherein the information providing control apparatus is data relating to information corresponding to the reader / writer Is an information providing system including data transmission means (32) for transmitting the information to the portable terminal.

According to this structure, there exists an effect similar to the effect demonstrated in relation to Claim 1.
Further, data corresponding to the location information of the connection destination selected in the redirect device is transmitted from the information provision control device to the mobile terminal. If the location information of the connection destination is changed, the data transmitted toward the mobile terminal can be changed. That is, it is not necessary to directly change the data of the information provision control device in order to change the data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal.

A server can be used as the “redirect device” and / or “information provision control device”, but in addition to this server, a multilayer switch, a layer 7 switch, or a layer 4 switch can be used.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the redirect device further includes additional information adding means (27) for adding additional information including an expiration date to the position information selected by the position information selecting means, and the information providing connection The request transmitting means is for transmitting the position information after the additional information is added by the additional information adding means to the mobile terminal, and the information provision control device further receives a connection request from the mobile terminal. And an additional information extracting means (32) for extracting the additional information included in the positional information received together with an expiration date determining means (32) for determining whether the additional information is within the expiration date included in the additional information. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit transmits the data only when it is determined that the expiration date is within the expiration date by the expiration date determination unit.

Once the predetermined information is browsed using the mobile terminal, it is also possible to browse the information using the bookmark function or the location information (URL) history function of the mobile terminal without going through the information providing device. It is done.
On the other hand, in the configuration of claim 6, in the redirect device, additional information including an expiration date is added to the location information, and the portable terminal is guided to the location information to which the additional information is added and is provided with the information provision control device ( For example, it is connected to a server). Then, the information provision control device can determine whether or not it is within the expiration date included in the additional information. Only when it is within the expiration date, data of predetermined information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, and the predetermined information is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal. When the expiration date has passed, the predetermined information is not displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal. Thereby, the unauthorized use which does not go through an information provision terminal can be excluded.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the data transmitting means transmits data other than data to be transmitted to the portable terminal when the determining means determines that the expiration date has passed. There may be.
Invention of Claim 8 is an information provision system which provides predetermined information to the portable terminal which has a display part in a predetermined store, Comprising: The information provision apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 ( 1), and an information storage control unit (6) having an information storage unit (34) for storing information related to the plurality of information types, and provided to be able to communicate with the portable terminal through a communication line, Each information stored in the information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis, and when the portable terminal performs non-contact communication with the reader / writer, A connection instruction is given, and the information provision control device includes an information provision system including data transmission means (32) for transmitting data related to information corresponding to the reader / writer to the portable terminal. Is Temu.

In this case, the same function and effect as those described in relation to claim 1 can be obtained.
In addition, a server can be used as the “information provision control device”, but in addition to this server, a multilayer switch, a layer 7 switch, or a layer 4 switch can be used.

  The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the information providing system provides game table information to the portable terminal in a game store in which a plurality of game tables are installed, and the information storage unit includes the plurality of game tables. The gaming machine information related to the gaming machine type is stored, and each gaming machine information stored in the gaming machine information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis. An information providing system according to claim 1.

  According to this structure, there exists an effect similar to the effect demonstrated in relation to Claim 4.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game stand information provision system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the information provision apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front side. It is a front view of the information provision apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing seen from the cut surface line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the reader / writer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the reader / writer shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control server and database server which are shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of signal transfer in the game stand information provision system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the screen displayed at the time of standby on the display part of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the game machine information screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone. It is a figure for demonstrating URL with additional information produced by the redirect part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the game store screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the game site top page displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone. It is a flowchart which shows the control in the main control part of the redirect part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control in the main control part of the web part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control in the main control part of the mobile telephone shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game machine information providing system (information providing system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. This game information providing system is a game table 10 (for example, a game table 10 installed in a game store using a mobile phone (portable terminal) 2 owned by a player) by an information providing device 1 installed in the game store. This is a system in which the pachinko machine and the pachislot machine are provided with game machine information (model information provided). This game information providing system includes an information providing device 1 and a redirect unit (redirect device) 4 (see FIG. 7). And a web unit (information providing control device) 5 (see FIG. 7) In this embodiment, the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 are configured by the control server 11 and the database server 12 shown in FIG. Has been.

  A plurality of game stand islands are arranged in the game store. The game table island is configured by arranging a plurality of game tables 10 in the same direction facing the front to form a game table row, and arranging the game table rows in two rows back to back. Each game table 10 has a one-to-one correspondence with a game medium lending device 7 that lends game media (for example, pachinko balls or pachislot medals) within a range of value based on the value data recorded on the game card. Is provided. Each game medium lending device 7 transmits data related to game medium lending to a store computer 9 installed in the game store via a relay device 8 provided for each game island. The store computer 9 is a computer system for managing data related to rental of game media in a game store.

The control server 11 and the mobile phone 2 are provided so as to be connectable via an Internet line (communication line) 6. Further, the control server 11 and the store computer 9 are provided so as to be connectable via an Internet line (communication line) 6. The control server 11 and the database server 12 are connected to be communicable.
The information providing device 1 is installed, for example, near the entrance of a game store. The information providing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of reader / writers 3. A player who has entered the game store brings his / her mobile phone 2 close to the reading surface of the reader / writer 3 and makes the mobile phone 2 and the reader / writer 3 contactlessly communicate. Thereby, the game table information is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 2 owned by the player. Then, while looking at the game table information, the game table on which the game is played is determined.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the information providing apparatus 1 as seen from the front side (side on which the player operates). FIG. 3A is a front view of the information providing apparatus 1. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. 3A.
The information providing apparatus 1 includes a main body 41 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The height of the main body 41 is set to about 1500 mm, for example. Both side surfaces of the main body 41 are constituted by a pair of left and right side plates 64. On the front surface of the information providing apparatus, four reader / writers 3 are arranged in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) and provided in two upper and lower stages. The upper four reader / writers 3 constitute a first operation area 42, and the lower four reader / writers 3 constitute a second operation area 43.

  The upper part of the front surface of the information providing device 1 is a first front surface 51 composed of a vertical surface extending downward from the upper edge, and a second surface composed of an inclined surface extending from the lower edge of the first front surface 51 and descending toward the front. A front surface 52, a third front surface 53 comprising a vertical surface extending downward from the front end edge (lower end edge) of the second front surface 52, and a fourth surface extending from the lower end edge of the third front surface 53 and descending toward the front. And the front. The second front surface 52 is continuous with the first front surface 51, and the third front surface 53 is continuous with the second front surface 52. The fourth front surface 54 is continuous with the third front surface 53. The first front surface 51 is formed by the front surface of a first transparent plate (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) 44 made of a transparent resin. The third front surface 53 is formed by the front surface of a second transparent plate (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) 45 made of a transparent resin. The second front surface 52 and the fourth front surface 54 are inclined at, for example, 30 to 60 °, preferably 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane.

The first operation area 42 is disposed on the second front surface 52. Each reader / writer 3 in the first operation area 42 is arranged so that its reading surface is substantially flush with the second front surface 52.
The second operation area 43 is disposed on the fourth front surface 54. Each reader / writer 3 in the second operation area 43 is arranged so that its reading surface is substantially flush with the fourth front surface 54. That is, in the information providing apparatus 1, the reading surface of the second operation region 43 is inclined so as to be lowered toward the front with respect to the horizontal plane.

On the first front surface 51, the type (model) of the gaming machine that is the target of gaming machine information corresponding to the reader / writer 3 in the first operation area 42 (hereinafter referred to as “target machine for gaming machine information”) is displayed. A first display area 46 is provided.
Specifically, four model display units (information display units) 47 arranged in the left-right direction are provided on the first front surface 51. Each model display unit 47 is associated with each reader / writer 3 in the first operation area 42 on a one-to-one basis, and displays the target model of the corresponding game machine information. The third front surface 53 is provided with a second display area 48 for displaying the target model of the gaming machine information corresponding to the reader / writer 3 in the second operation area 43. Specifically, four model display units 47 arranged in the left-right direction are provided on the third front surface 53. Each model display unit 47 is associated with each reader / writer 3 in the second operation area 43 on a one-to-one basis, and displays the target model of the corresponding game machine information.

Each model display unit 47 is disposed above the reading surface of the corresponding reader / writer 3. Since the corresponding reading surface is arranged below the model display unit 47, it is easy to understand which model display unit 47 the reading surface corresponds to.
Each model display unit 47 includes a paper-like display material 49 and a holder 50 for detachably supporting the display material 49. Each display material 49 is drawn with information for specifying the target model of the game table information, for example, the model name and the image design of the model.

  Each holder 50 is attached to the front surfaces of the transparent plates 44 and 45 (the first front surface 51 and the third front surface 53). The holder 50 has a substantially U-shaped frame shape (rolling U shape) with the top opened, and the cross-sectional shape is formed in a U shape with the inside open. The holder 50 is formed using a transparent resin material. The display material 49 can be accommodated in the holder 50 by inserting the display material 49 from above (FIG. 2 shows the accommodation state of the display material 49, and the display material 49 is removed in FIGS. 3A and 3B). Status).

A plurality of fluorescent lamps 55 are disposed behind the first transparent plate 46 and the second transparent plate 48. By the light emission of the fluorescent lamp 55, the entire area of the first front surface 51 and the entire area of the second front surface 52 come to emit light.
In the upper center of the information providing apparatus 1, a display 56 is disposed behind the first transparent plate 44. For example, a text message for guidance in the game store is displayed on the display 56 so as to flow in the left-right direction.

The lower end portion of the main body 41 is configured by a pedestal 66 that projects in the front-rear direction as it goes downward. Casters 65 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) are attached to the bottom surface of the pedestal 66 at its four corners.
A rack 57 for storing a pamphlet (booklet) on which information on the gaming table 10 installed in the gaming store is placed at the lower part of the front surface of the main body 41, that is, between the operation areas 42 and 43 and the pedestal 66. It is provided in two upper and lower stages. Each rack 57 is formed by a front surface of a lower surface plate 58 and a case body 59 having an L-shaped cross section attached to the front surface. The case body 59 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material.

A decorative panel 60 is disposed between the operation areas 42 and 43 and the rack 57.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the reader / writer 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the reader / writer 3.
The reader / writer 3 corresponds to a non-contact IC (for example, FeliCa (registered trademark)). The reader / writer 3 includes a thin rectangular box-shaped casing 17. The main surface on one side of the casing 17 serves as a reading surface 17A when communicating with the non-contact IC. In the information providing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, each reader / writer 3 is attached so that its reading surface becomes an inclined surface that descends toward the front. Therefore, it is easy for the owner of the mobile phone to place the communication unit of the mobile phone 2 on the reading surface 17A. For this reason, the mobile phone 2 can be easily brought close to the reading surface 17A of the reader / writer 3, so that contactless communication between the reader / writer 3 and the mobile phone 2 can always be performed satisfactorily.

Each reader / writer 3 is a self-powered type in which a power supply cord (not shown) is connected to a power supply circuit (not shown), and a plug (not shown) is provided at the tip of the power supply cord. When the plug is inserted into an outlet in the game store, power is supplied to the main control unit 18, the storage unit 19, and the antenna unit 20 through the power supply cord.
A main control unit 18 and a storage unit 19 are accommodated in the casing 17. The main control unit 18 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. An external counter (not shown) is connected to the main controller 18. The casing 17 includes an antenna unit 20 for performing non-contact IC communication in association with the reading surface 17A.

  The main control unit 18 communicates with the non-contact IC via the antenna unit 20. When the mobile phone 2 on which the IC chip (non-contact IC) 21 (see FIG. 6) of the non-contact IC is mounted is brought close to (is held over) the reading surface 17A, the non-contact IC is not connected between the mobile phone 2 and the reader / writer 3. Contact communication is performed. At this time, three-way communication is performed among the main control unit 18, the IC chip 21 (see FIG. 6), and the main control unit 22 (described later) of the mobile phone 2. By this three-party communication, the main control unit 22 acquires IDm (terminal identification information) from the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2 via the antenna unit 20.

  In the storage unit 19, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the redirect unit 4, the store number of the gaming store in which the information providing device 1 is installed, and the position information of the reader / writer 3 (for example, N number of the information providing device 1). A reader / writer number (reader / writer identification information) that is a number to be indicated is stored. The IDm acquired by the main control unit 18 is held in the storage unit 19.

  A counter (not shown) is connected to the main controller 18 of the reader / writer 3. This counter can count from “0000” to “9999”, and every time the mobile phone 2 communicates with the reader / writer 3, in other words, every time the mobile phone 2 is held over the reader / writer 3. The value is incremented (+1). This count value is given to the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 through the IC chip 21 as frequency information. When the value of the counter when the mobile phone 2 is held over the reader / writer 3 is “1234”, for example, the “1234” is given to the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 as the frequency information. When the mobile phone is held over the reader / writer 3 next time, the count information “1235” is displayed by the counter regardless of whether or not the mobile phone 2 is the same as the mobile phone 2 held up before. Is generated. The count value “1235” is given to the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 together with the connection request as the frequency information. This number information is given to the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5. Even when the power is turned off, this counter value is retained and is not cleared to zero.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile phone 2.
The cellular phone 2 includes a main control unit 22 that controls the entire cellular phone 2 and a non-contact IC chip 21 (for example, FeliCa (registered trademark)). The main control unit 22 includes a three-way communication unit 23 and a browser 24, and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. The main control unit 22 can perform three-way communication between the reader / writer 3 and the IC chip 21 via the three-way communication unit 23.

  The IC chip 21 includes a control unit 37 and an interface unit 25. The IC chip 21 is assigned IDm (chip manufacturing number). This IDm is a number unique to the IC chip 21, in other words, a number unique to the mobile phone 2. The control unit 37 controls the entire IC chip 21 and communicates with the main control unit 18 of the reader / writer 3 through the interface unit 25. In addition, the control unit 37 communicates with the main control unit 22. The IC chip 21 functions as a relay device that relays between the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 and the reader / writer 3 in three-party communication.

  That is, the IC chip 21 receives signals and data from the reader / writer 3 via the interface unit 25 and sends these signals and data to the three-way communication unit 23 of the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2. Can be sent. As an example of a signal to be transmitted, a browser activation instruction given from the reader / writer 3 to the main control unit 22 via the IC chip 21 can be exemplified. When there is a browser activation instruction from the reader / writer 3 via the IC chip 21, the browser 24 activates the browser based on the URL transmitted by the IC chip 21. Then, the browser 24 displays information corresponding to the page data on the display unit 26 of the mobile phone 2 based on the page data sent from the connection destination server.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control server 11 and the database server 12.
The control server 11 includes a redirect control area 28 and a web control area 29. The redirection control area 28 includes a main control unit 27 and a communication unit 31 connected to the main control unit 27. The main control unit 27 can communicate with the mobile phone 2 and the store computer 9 via the communication unit 31 and the Internet line 6. The web control area 29 includes a main control unit 32 and a communication unit 36 connected to the main control unit 32. The main control unit 32 can communicate with the mobile phone 2 via the communication unit 36 and the Internet line 6.

  The database server 12 includes a redirect storage area 33 and a web storage area 38. In the redirect storage area 33, a redirect database 39 is provided. In the redirect database 39, the reference number information (hereinafter referred to as “reference number information”, not shown) and the store number-URL indicating the correspondence between the store number and the URL of the store information corresponding to the store number. A correspondence table (not shown), and a reader / writer number-model ID correspondence table (not shown) representing the correspondence between the reader / writer number and the model ID representing the target model of the gaming machine information associated with the reader / writer number; A store information database storing store information for each game store and a URL (not shown) of a top page of a site including game table information (hereinafter referred to as “game table information site”) are stored. . The store information in the store information database is provided in association with the store number.

  In the web storage area 38, a game table information database (information storage unit) 34 for storing display data of a plurality of types of game table information, a store information database 35 for storing display data of a plurality of types of store information, and The model ID representing the target model of the gaming machine information, the model name, and the model ID-model name-URL correspondence table (not shown) representing the correspondence between the URL of the gaming machine information corresponding to the model. It is remembered.

The control server 11 and the database server 12 are provided so as to communicate with each other via a relay device such as a hub. That is, the redirect control area 28 and the redirect storage area 33 are provided so as to communicate with each other, and the web control area 29 and the web storage area 38 are provided so as to communicate with each other.
The redirect unit 4 is configured by the redirect control area 28 and the redirect storage area 33. In addition, the web control area 29 and the web storage area 38 constitute the web section 5.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of signal exchange in the game information providing system. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating specific examples of screens displayed on the display unit 26 of the mobile phone 2. When the player enters the game store, the player looks at the display areas 46 and 48 of the information providing apparatus 1 and determines the type (model) of the game table that he / she wants to receive the game table information. Then, when the mobile phone 2 owned by the reader / writer 3 corresponding to the gaming table information is brought close to (holding over) the mobile phone 2 (1. hold), the control unit 37 of the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2; Three-way communication is performed between the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 and the main control unit 18 of the reader / writer 3. In this three-party communication, the main control unit 18 of the reader / writer 3 acquires the IDm of the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2, and the value of the counter (not shown) of the reader / writer 3 is incremented (+1).

  Then, the reader / writer 3 gives a connection instruction to the redirect unit 4 to the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2 (2. connection instruction). The reader / writer 3 acquires the URL of the redirect unit 4 stored in the storage unit 19, the store number, the reader / writer number, the number of times counted by a counter (not shown), and the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2. A redirect URL is created based on IDm. Further, a connection instruction for the redirect URL is transmitted to the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 (2. connection instruction). This redirect URL is obtained by adding code information after the URL of the redirect unit 4. This code information includes information such as the store number, reader / writer number, reader / writer ID, IDm, and number of times information. The reader / writer ID is a number unique to the reader / writer.

  When the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 receives the connection instruction from the reader / writer 3, the display unit 26 of the mobile phone 2 displays a connection permission display (see FIG. 9B) from the standby screen (see FIG. 9A). Can be switched to. In addition, with the reception of the connection instruction by the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2, the three-way communication between the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2, the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2, and the reader / writer 3 ends.

When the connection to the redirect unit 4 is permitted by the operation of the mobile phone 2, the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 starts connection to the redirect URL. Specifically, the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 transmits a connection request to the redirect unit 4 (3. connection request). In addition, the browser 24 of the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 starts the browser.
The main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 that has received the connection request from the mobile phone 2 reads the reader / writer number included in the code information from the redirect URL, and the reader / writer number-model ID stored in the redirect database 39. With reference to a correspondence table (not shown), the target model ID of the gaming machine information associated with the reader / writer 3 is acquired. The main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 transmits the acquired model ID to the main control unit 32 of the web unit 5, and the main control unit 32 of the web unit 5 is provided in the web storage area 38. With reference to a model ID-model name-URL correspondence table (not shown), the URL corresponding to the model ID received from the redirect unit 4 is acquired and transmitted to the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4. The main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 adds the additional information to the URL to create a URL 30 with additional information.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the URL 30 with additional information created by the redirect unit 4. The URL 30 with additional information is created by adding additional information to the URL of the game machine information. The additional information includes an expiration date, store number, reader / writer number, IDm, and number-of-times information. Such additional information is encrypted by, for example, aes encryption.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, redirect unit 4 transmits a connection instruction to URL 30 with additional information to main control unit 22 of mobile phone 2 (4. connection instruction). Receiving the connection instruction, the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 starts connection to the URL 30 with additional information, and a connection request is transmitted to the web unit 5 (5. connection request).
When it is within the expiration date included in the additional information of the URL 30 with additional information, the web unit 5 transmits the page data of the corresponding game machine information to the mobile phone 2 (6. page data). Then, the game table information screen shown in FIG. 9C is displayed on the display unit 26 of the mobile phone 2.

In the screen shown in FIG. 9C, a ring tag 61 for switching the screen to the gaming store information screen (see FIG. 11A) and message information from the gaming store to the player in a scrolling manner in the horizontal direction are displayed in order from the top. A display area 62 and a game machine information display area 63 in which game machine information is displayed are provided.
The gaming table information displayed in the gaming table information display area 63 includes the characteristics of the gaming table 10, character introduction, reach production, notice production and specifications (such as jackpot probability, probability variation probability, number of winning balls and average number of balls). Contains. The game table information shown in FIG. 9C includes a menu display of each information, and when the menu display is selected and operated, detailed information of the game information is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the expiration date included in the URL 30 with additional information has passed, that is, 24 hours have passed since the owner of the mobile phone 2 obtained the URL 30 with additional information, and such connection is illegally used. It is thought that. In such a case, the web unit 5 transmits page data of store information and page data of a game machine information site top page to the mobile phone 2 (6. page data). Then, the store information (see FIG. 11A) and the top page (see FIG. 11B) of the game machine information site are displayed on the display unit 26 of the mobile phone 2.

  The store information shown in FIG. 11A includes basic information of a game store (game store address, telephone number, map, number of game tables installed), and the like. In addition, the top page of the game machine information site shown in FIG. 11B is positioned higher than the game machine information screen shown in FIG. 9C. On the top page of this gaming machine information site, by inputting the model of the gaming machine 10, it is possible to perform the model retrieval, and it is possible to connect to the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 9C through this model retrieval operation. Has been.

The flow in the game table information providing system according to this embodiment will be described more specifically. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing control in the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4.
The main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 constantly monitors whether there is a connection request from the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 (step S1).

  When there is a connection request from the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 (YES in step S1), the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 decodes the code information included in the redirect URL, and stores the store number and the reader / writer number. Then, the reader / writer ID, IDm, number of times information and the like are taken out (step S2). Then, the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 determines whether or not the current number of times information extracted from the code information (hereinafter referred to as “current number of times information”) is within an appropriate range (step S3).

  Specifically, the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 compares the number-of-times information extracted from the redirect URL with reference number-of-times information (not shown) stored in the redirect database 39. If the current number of times information is within the range of, for example, “−5” to “+5” of the reference number of times information, such as when the current number of times information is “1234” and the reference number of times information is “1229”, Judged to be within the appropriate range.

When the value of the current number of times information is within the appropriate range and larger than the value of the reference number of times information, the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 reads the current number of times information and then stores it in the redirect database 39. The value of the reference frequency information (not shown) is rewritten to the value of the current frequency information. That is, after the next time, the value of the current number of times information becomes reference number of times information.
When the value of the current number of times information is within an appropriate range and the value of the current number of times information is equal to or smaller than the value of the reference number of times information, the main control unit 27 does not rewrite the reference number of times information. That is, the next number of times information is determined with the reference number of times information stored in the redirect database 39 as it is.

  Thus, by comparing the current number of times information with the reference number of times information, when a mobile phone is held over a certain reader / writer 3 a plurality of times, it is possible to know the approximate time from the last time it was held over to the current time. When the number information this time is larger than “+5” of the reference number information 44 (that is, when the number information is “+6” or more of the reference number information 44), the cellular phone 2 is held over the reader / writer 3 by the previous rule based on a rule of thumb. In many cases, about 2 hours have passed. Since it is unlikely that a player actually connects to the same reader / writer 3 at such a long interval in the game store, in such a case, connection to the gaming machine information is not permitted.

  If the current count information is within the appropriate range (YES in step S3), the main control unit 27 reads the reader / writer number included in the code information and also reads the reader / writer number-model stored in the redirect database 39. With reference to an ID correspondence table (not shown), the model ID of the gaming machine information corresponding to the reader / writer number is acquired (step S4). Further, the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 transmits the acquired model ID to the main control unit 32 of the web unit 5 and acquires the URL of the gaming machine information corresponding to the model ID from the web unit 5 ( Step S5). That is, the URL of the gaming machine information associated with the reader / writer 3 that has performed non-contact communication with the mobile phone 2 is acquired.

Further, the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 creates an expiration date based on the time at that time, that is, the value of a timer (not shown) connected to the main control unit 27 (step S6). For example, the expiration date is the time (in seconds) just 24 hours after that point.
The main control unit 27 encrypts additional information such as an expiration date, store number, reader / writer number, and IDm (step S7), and adds the encrypted additional information after the URL of the gaming machine information extracted. To do. Thereby, the URL 30 with additional information shown in FIG. 8 is created (step S8). Then, the main control unit 27 transmits a connection instruction to the URL 30 with additional information to the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 (step S9). In addition, the main control part 27 can also change the space | interval from acquisition time to an expiration date for every game store.

  On the other hand, if it has been a long time since the mobile phone 2 was previously approached (held) by the reader / writer 3, the current frequency information is out of the appropriate range (NO in step S3). In addition, when there is a modification in the URL included in the connection request, the current number of times information is significantly different from the reference number of times information (not shown). In such a case, the redirect unit 4 specifies not the URL of the game machine information but the URL of the store information as the connection destination.

  This will be specifically described below. If the current count information is outside the appropriate range (NO in step S6), the main control unit 27 of the redirect unit 4 then checks whether the URL of the store information is stored in the redirect database 39 ( Step S10). As shown in FIG. 6, when the store information URL is stored in the redirect database 39 of the redirect unit 4 (YES in step S10), the main control unit 27 reads the store number included in the code information. , Referring to a store number-URL correspondence table (not shown) of the redirect database 39 (step S11), the store information URL of the game store corresponding to the store number, that is, the game store where the information providing device 1 is installed. Is extracted (step S12).

On the other hand, if the URL of the store information is not stored in the redirect database 39 (NO in step S10), the main control unit 27 stores the URL of the top page of the game machine information site stored in the redirect database 39. Is extracted (step S13).
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control in the main control unit 32 of the web unit 5. The main control unit 32 of the web unit 5 constantly monitors whether or not there is a connection request from the mobile phone 2 (step S21). When a connection request from the mobile phone 2 is received (YES in step S21), it is confirmed whether additional information exists in the URL of the gaming machine information (step S21). In step S22, YES, the additional information is decoded (step S23). Then, the expiration date, store number, reader / writer number and IDm are extracted from the decrypted additional information (step S24).

  Then, the web unit 5 acquires the current (current time) time by the time acquisition unit, and the acquired time is before the expiration date included in the additional information, that is, within the expiration date (in step S25). YES), store data is requested from the redirect unit 4 and the store data is acquired from the redirect unit 4 (step S26). Then, the main control unit 32 creates page data of the game machine information screen shown in FIG. 9C (step S27). This page data is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 via the communication unit 36 (step S29).

  On the other hand, when no additional information is added to the URL of the gaming machine information (NO in step S22), or when the connection has expired (NO in step S25), the main control unit 32 stores the store information. And page data of the top page of the game machine information site are created (step S28). The page data of the game table information site top page is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 via the communication unit 36 (step S29).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing control in the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 shown in FIG.
When the main control unit 22 of the mobile phone 2 receives an instruction to connect to the redirect URL from the reader / writer 3 (YES in step S31), the main control unit 22 displays a connection permission display shown in FIG. 9B on the display unit 26 (step S32). When the owner of the mobile phone 2 selects “Yes” and the connection is permitted (YES in step S33), the browser 24 is activated (step S34), and the main control unit 32 is directed to the redirect unit 4. The connection request is transmitted (step S35).

On the other hand, when the owner (player) of the mobile phone 2 selects “No” (NO in step S33), the connection to the redirect URL is interrupted, and this process ends.
When the connection instruction from the redirect unit 4 is received (YES in step S36), the main control unit 32 of the mobile phone 2 transmits a connection request to the web unit 5 (step S37). When the page data is received from the web unit 5 (YES in step S38), the browser 24 of the main control unit 32 displays information on the display unit 26 based on the page data (step S39). When there is no connection instruction from the redirect unit 4 (NO in step S36), the process in step S37 is skipped.

  Thereby, the web unit 5 checks whether or not the expiration date included in the additional information is within the expiration date. If the expiration date is outside the expiration date, data other than the game table information data (the data on the top page of the game table information site or Store information data) is transmitted. For this reason, when the expiration date has passed, it is not possible to connect to the game table information even if the browser function such as the bookmark function or the URL history function of the mobile phone 2 is used. Therefore, unauthorized use from outside the game store can be prevented.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the reading surfaces 17 </ b> A of the plurality of reader / writers 3 are arranged in the operation areas 42 and 43 of the information providing apparatus 1. For each reading surface 17A, game machine information of different models is provided. For this reason, the owner (player) of the mobile phone 2 brings the mobile phone 2 owned by the user closer to the reading surface 17A of the reader / writer 3 corresponding to the game table information for which the game table information is desired to be provided. The game table information can be provided through the telephone 2.

Further, data corresponding to the URL of the connection destination selected in the redirect unit 4 is transmitted from the web unit 5 to the mobile phone 2. If the URL of the connection destination is changed, the data transmitted toward the mobile phone 2 can be changed. That is, in order to change the data to be transmitted to the mobile phone 2, it is not necessary to directly change the data of the web unit 5.
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the paper-like display material 49 is detachably attached to the holder 50 as the model display unit 47 is illustrated. The configuration of the model display unit 47 is not limited to this mode. For example, the model display unit 47 may be a liquid crystal display unit.
Further, the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 are not limited to the configuration in which the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 are separated into the two servers 11 and 12, respectively, and may be configured in one server. Further, the redirect unit 4 and the web unit 5 may be provided in different servers as a redirect server and a web server, respectively.

In addition, when the expiration date has passed, an example was given of connecting to store information or the top page of the game information site instead of the game machine information. However, during the expiration date, the connection fee is free and the expiration date has passed. In such a case, the connection fee can be charged.
Further, the connection destination can be changed according to the number of times the mobile phone 2 is held over the reader / writer 3 (that is, the number information). Specifically, when the mobile phone 2 is held over the reader / writer 3 for the first time, the game table information is provided to the mobile phone 2, and when the mobile phone 2 is held over for the second time or later, the store information and the top page of the game table information site are displayed. It may be provided.

  When the member system using IDm of the mobile phone 2 is adopted, the web unit 5 can determine whether the owner of the mobile phone 2 is a member. Specifically, the member information is stored in the web unit 5 in a state associated with the IDm of the IC chip 21 of the mobile phone 2 owned by the member, and the web unit 5 is transmitted from the mobile phone 2. Based on IDm, it can be determined whether or not the owner of the mobile phone 2 is a member. In this case, if it is determined in step S13 in FIG. 13 that the owner of the mobile phone 2 is a member based on IDm even if the connection is not within the expiration date, page data of gaming machine information is created. (Step S27) can also be performed.

In addition, reader / writer ID can be used instead of the reader / writer number as the reader / writer specifying information associated with the URL of the gaming machine information.
When a member system using IDm is adopted, member information can be displayed on the mobile phone 2 in addition to the game table information. Specifically, when a point system is employed, point information can be displayed in addition to the game table information.

  In addition, the reader / writer 3 does not include the antenna unit 20, and an external antenna or a booster antenna can be provided in a state of being exposed from the casing 17 of the reader / writer 3. In particular, when a plurality of gaming machines 10 of the same model are arranged within a range close to each other, one (or a small number) of reader / writers 3 corresponding to the plurality of gaming machines 10 are provided, and this leader When the cellular phone 2 is held over the writer 3, it is possible to connect to the gaming machine information corresponding to the type of the gaming machine 10. In this case, an antenna can be provided in association with each game table 10 by branching a plurality of external antennas from the casing 17 of the reader / writer 3. As a result, it is possible to arrange an antenna corresponding to each game table 10 while reducing the cost. The number of antennas branched from one reader / writer 3 is preferably 2 to 10. From the viewpoint of cost reduction, it is desirable that the number of antennas is large. However, if the number of antennas exceeds 10, processing in the reader / writer 3 may be difficult when access to the antennas is concentrated. The above-mentioned range is preferable because about 10 units are often set as one unit when the game table 10 is replaced. By exposing only the antenna, it is possible to prevent tampering and theft.

In addition, the self-powered reader / writer 3 that obtains electric power from an outlet in the game store has been described as an example, but a battery built-in reader / writer 3 in which a battery such as a dry cell is incorporated may be used.
Moreover, as a mobile communication terminal, PDA etc. can be illustrated other than a mobile phone.
Further, the information providing apparatus 1 and the game table information providing system for providing the game table information have been described as examples. However, the present invention provides an information providing apparatus and information providing other information such as store information of a retail store. Can be employed in the system.

  In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

1 Information providing device 2 Mobile phone (mobile terminal)
3 Reader / Writer 4 Redirect Unit (Redirect Device)
5 Web part (information provision control device)
17A Reading surface 21 IC chip (non-contact IC)
26 Display unit 27 Main control unit (position information selection means, information provision connection instruction transmission means, additional information addition means)
32 Main control unit (data transmission means, additional information extraction means, expiration date discrimination means)
34 Game table information database (information storage unit)
41 Main body 42 First operation area 43 Second operation area 46 First display area 47 Model display section (information display section)
48 Second display area 57 Rack

Claims (9)

An information providing apparatus for providing predetermined information through a portable terminal having a display unit and a non-contact IC,
The body,
A plurality of reader / writers having a reading surface and capable of non-contact communication with the portable terminal, and including an operation area disposed on the front surface of the main body,
By causing the portable terminal to approach the reading surface of each reader / writer and causing the reader / writer and the portable terminal to perform non-contact communication, the predetermined information associated with each reader / writer is stored in the portable terminal. An information providing device that is displayed on a display unit.   Each reader / writer is provided in one-to-one correspondence, has a plurality of information display units for displaying the predetermined information corresponding to each reader / writer, and has a display area provided on the front surface of the main body. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading surface of each reader / writer in the operation area forms an inclined surface that decreases toward the front side. The predetermined information is game table information that is information about a predetermined game table,
The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reader / writers are associated with game table information of different types of game tables. An information providing system for providing predetermined information through a mobile terminal having a display unit,
The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A redirect device provided to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal through a communication line;
An information storage unit that stores information related to the plurality of information types, and an information provision control device provided to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal through a communication line;
Each information stored in the information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis,
When the mobile terminal performs contactless communication with the reader / writer, a connection instruction for the redirect device is given to the mobile terminal,
This connection instruction includes reader / writer specifying information for specifying the reader / writer,
The redirect device is
In response to a connection request from the portable terminal, based on the reader / writer specifying information included in the connection request, the reader among the position information specifying the position on the Internet of each information stored in the information storage unit Position information selecting means for selecting position information corresponding to the writer;
Information providing connection instruction transmitting means for transmitting the position information selected by the position information selecting means to the portable terminal together with a connection instruction for the information providing control device;
The information provision control device
An information providing system including data transmission means for transmitting data related to information corresponding to the reader / writer to the portable terminal. The redirect device further includes additional information adding means for adding additional information including an expiration date to the position information selected by the position information selecting means,
The information provision connection request transmission means transmits the position information after the additional information is added by the additional information adding means to the portable terminal,
The information provision control device further includes:
Additional information extraction means for extracting the additional information included in the position information received together with the connection request from the portable terminal;
An expiration date determining means for determining whether or not the expiration date included in the additional information,
The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the data transmitting unit transmits the data only when it is determined by the expiration date determining unit to be within the expiration date.   The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein the data transmitting unit transmits data other than data of information to be transmitted to the portable terminal when the determining unit determines that the expiration date has passed. An information providing system for providing predetermined information to a portable terminal having a display unit in a predetermined store,
The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information storage unit that stores information related to the plurality of information types, and an information provision control device provided to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal through a communication line;
Each information stored in the information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis,
A connection instruction for the information providing apparatus is given to the portable terminal by performing non-contact communication with the reader / writer.
An information providing system, wherein the information provision control device includes data transmission means for transmitting data related to information corresponding to the reader / writer to the portable terminal. The information providing system provides gaming table information to the mobile terminal in a gaming store where a plurality of gaming tables are installed,
The information storage unit stores game table information related to the plurality of game table types,
The information providing system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein each gaming table information stored in the gaming table information storage unit is associated with each reader / writer on a one-to-one basis.

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