JP2013066605A - System and method for providing game information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information about the relationship between the number of game media acquired by a player and the number of game media acquired by another player according to the needs of the player, in an objective and efficient manner.SOLUTION: The computer 80 outputs, when calculating the total number of balls acquired by the player, a URL including at least information on the number of balls and information on the address of a server 100 to a cellular phone 110 of the player. The server 100 generates ranking data 104b on the number of balls acquired by a plurality of players, on the basis of a connection request received from the cellular phone 110 via a network.

Description

  The present invention provides a game information providing system and game information that can objectively and efficiently provide information on the relationship between the number of game media acquired by the player and the number of game media acquired by other players according to the needs of the player. It relates to the provision method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which a game store such as a pachinko store provides a service that provides gamers with information on the appearance of each gaming machine. For example, in Patent Document 1, a management computer is provided in a pachinko store, and the management computer manages the payout information of each pachinko store, and the network computer is updated every predetermined time from the management computer. A technology is disclosed in which the information on the game is taken out and published on a homepage accessible from the player's terminal. For this reason, according to this patent document 1, it is possible to check the appearance information of each pachinko parlor even when the player is at home or wherever he is.

  Also known is a technique for displaying the ranking of the payout information of each gaming machine installed in the game store. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for collecting the ball information from each gaming machine, calculating the ranking information based on the collected ball information, and displaying the ranking information on the display device of each gaming machine. ing. According to the cited document 2, the player can browse the ranking information related to the game machine balls while sitting in front of the game machine.

JP 2002-320754 A JP 2002-85778 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, the game information or the game ranking for each gaming machine is displayed on the terminal of the player or the display unit of the gaming machine, and obtained by each player. Since it does not provide information related to the acquired balls, it cannot cope with a service that provides information related to acquired balls acquired by each player.

  To explain this point in more detail, some players are not just thinking that they need to get more balls in pachinko games, but also the competitiveness with other players and other players. There are also many players who intend to grasp the relative relationship between the two. For example, in the case of a player who is playing a pachinko game like a game, it is important to have information on "where the acquired ball is located among all players". Information about “whether or not you have earned more balls than other players” is important. Therefore, providing information related to the player's winning balls is important for increasing the incentive for the player to play the game. However, even if the above-mentioned information is provided on the basis of each player's self-declared ball, the objectivity cannot be guaranteed.

  On the other hand, there are many players who simply want to earn more balls in pachinko games. For such a player, the above-described information relating to the relationship between the ball acquired by the player and the ball acquired by another player is meaningless.

  From these things, it becomes an important subject how to provide information regarding the relationship between the balls acquired by other players and the balls acquired by other players objectively and efficiently according to the needs of the players. Such a problem is generated not only for a pachinko game but also for a player who performs a pachislot game.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides information on the relationship between the number of game media acquired and the number of game media acquired by other players according to the needs of the players. It is an object to provide a game information providing system and a game information providing method that can be provided objectively and efficiently.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a game information providing system for providing information to a player at a game store, and counts the number of acquired game media acquired by the player. When the number of acquired game media is counted by the count processing means, the player possesses connection destination designation information including at least information indicating the number of game media and a predetermined terminal identifier. An output means for outputting to a portable terminal device, and a function for generating information related to the relationship between the number of game media acquired by a plurality of players based on a connection request received from the portable terminal device via a predetermined network. And a server and means provided corresponding to the information indicated by the terminal identifier.

  In the above invention, the present invention further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the connection destination designation information should be output to the mobile terminal device, and the output unit uses the count processing unit to determine the number of acquired game media. When the determination means determines that the connection destination designation information should be output to the portable terminal device, the connection destination designation including information indicating the number of game media and a predetermined terminal identifier is determined. Connection request means for outputting information to a portable terminal device possessed by the player, wherein the portable terminal device makes a connection request to the server means based on connection destination designation information output by the output means; And display control means for controlling display on a predetermined display section of information relating to the relationship between the number of acquired game media of a plurality of players acquired from the server means.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the determination means may determine whether the number of acquired game media, the time until the game store is closed, the attribute of the player, or the presence or absence of a predetermined non-notification operation by the player It is determined whether or not the mobile terminal device should be notified of the connection destination designation information using one or more of them as a condition.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above invention, if the number of acquired game media is counted by the counting processing means when the player is a member registered in the game store, the output means The information indicating the number of media, the member identification information of the member, and connection destination designation information including a predetermined terminal identifier are output to the portable terminal device possessed by the player, and the server means sends a connection request from the portable terminal device. If the member identification information is included in the connection request, the member information stored in advance in association with the member identification information is used to generate information on the relationship between the number of acquired game media. Features.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above-described invention, the determination unit determines whether or not the connection destination designation information should be output to the portable terminal device based on information on the relationship between the number of acquired game media generated by the server unit. It is characterized by determining.

  The present invention is also a game information providing method of a game information providing system for providing information to a player at a game store, wherein the counting processing step counts the number of acquired game media acquired by the player; When the number of acquired game media is counted by the counting processing step, the mobile terminal device possesses connection destination designation information including at least information indicating the number of game media and a predetermined terminal identifier. Based on the connection request received from the portable terminal device via a predetermined network by the server provided corresponding to the information indicated by the output step and the information indicated by the terminal identifier, the number of game media acquired by a plurality of players And a relation information generation step for generating information related to the relation.

  According to the present invention, when the number of acquired game media acquired by the player is counted, the player possesses a portable destination possessed by the player at least information indicating the number of game media and connection destination designation information including a predetermined terminal identifier. Information related to the relationship between the number of game media acquired by a plurality of players based on a connection request that is output to the terminal device and provided by the server provided corresponding to the information indicated by the terminal identifier from the portable terminal device via a predetermined network Therefore, information relating to the relationship between the number of acquired game media and the number of acquired game media of other players can be objectively and efficiently provided according to the needs of the player.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the game information providing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming system including the counter shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the counter shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the counter shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information included in the URL data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile terminal device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the server shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the member data and the ranking data shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a URL generation and output processing procedure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the URL output determination process shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registration in ranking data. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process procedure for generating and outputting a URL according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a confirmation screen displayed on the display operation unit. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for describing a configuration in which threshold data is set based on ranking data. FIG. 15 is an external configuration diagram showing an external configuration of a vertical counter to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an external configuration when a reader / writer to which the present invention is applicable is connected to the prize management device. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a URL is output to a mobile terminal device using a two-dimensional code. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a receipt printed with a URL as a two-dimensional code.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game information providing system and a game information providing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment shown below shows a configuration for automatically determining whether or not to output information including the number of balls acquired and the connection destination to the portable terminal device possessed by the player. In the second embodiment, the player A configuration for determining whether or not to output information including the number of balls to be acquired and a connection destination based on the input and various modifications will be described.

  In this specification, “mochitama” refers to data indicating the number of game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and may be used again for the game only during that day (time before closing). Say what you can do. The stored ball is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game and the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game after the next day (time after closing). Mochitama can be used by both general players and member players, and is used when the game table is moved. Usually, only the member player can use the stored ball, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for the game after the next day. Usually, a predetermined fee is imposed on the use of the stored ball (the fee is collected by subtracting the number of game media), but it may not be collected depending on the time zone or member type.

  First, the concept of the game information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the game information providing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when the counting machine 80 counts pachinko balls acquired by the player by the counting processing unit, the counting unit 80 includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator: URL) including the number of balls, the address information of the server 100, and the user ID. Generate a unified resource location). The URL is output by an IC (Integrated Circuit) reader / writer.

  The mobile terminal device 110 includes an IC communication unit and has a function of performing three-way communication with the IC reader / writer of the counter 80. For this reason, the URL output by the counter 80 can be received by holding the portable terminal device 110 over the counter 80. The mobile terminal device 110 communicates with the server 100 using the address information indicated by the received URL, and can register the ball and user ID in the server 100.

  The server 100 uses the number of balls registered from the mobile terminal device 110 and the user ID to generate ranking data for the number of balls. This ranking data can be viewed from the mobile terminal device 120, the computer 130, or the like.

  As described above, the URL including the information indicating the number of balls acquired by the player and the address of the server 100 is output to the portable terminal device 110 possessed by the player, and the server 100 receives from the portable terminal device via the network. Since it is configured to generate ranking data for the number of balls acquired by multiple players based on the connection request, it is related to the relationship between the number of balls acquired by other players and the number of balls acquired by other players. Information can be provided objectively and efficiently.

  Next, the system configuration of the gaming system including the counter 80 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a gaming system including the counter 80 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a plurality of gaming machines 20, an inter-card card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20, a card management device 40, a member management device 50, a checkout machine 60, The prize management device 70 is connected via a communication line 90.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device such as a pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball is driven into a game area and a player plays a pachinko game. The game area is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning openings), and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the winning area pachinko balls. Further, a predetermined number of start areas (start ports) are provided in the game area, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the pachinko ball passing through the start area. If the lottery is won, an operation that is advantageous in terms of game is performed, such as improving the probability of passing the pachinko ball to the winning area or other starting area by operating a predetermined movable member or the like. There may be an area that doubles as a starting area and a winning area.

  The winning area is provided with a predetermined detection sensor for detecting the passage of a pachinko ball to the winning area, and the sensor detects the passage (winning) of the pachinko ball driven into the winning area. It is like that. In addition, the control device of the gaming machine has a prize ball memory for storing how many pachinko balls are awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

  Therefore, when the sensor detects that the pachinko ball that has been pierced has passed through a specific winning area, the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the winning area is determined based on the stored contents of the prize memory.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the prepaid value for the banknote when the banknote inserted by the player is received, and subtracts the predetermined number of prepaid values when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed. Meanwhile, a pachinko ball corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is lent out.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the prepaid value associated with the card when the card is received, and discharges the prepaid value associated with the card when the card discharging operation is received. Do.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-card card processing machines 10 provided on the gaming island. The counter 80 is provided for each gaming island and performs a process of counting the number of pachinko balls acquired by the player. The counter 80 transmits a pulse signal to a hall computer (not shown) every time a predetermined number of balls are counted. After the counting is completed, the counter 80 issues a printing process by printing the acquired number of balls as a counting result on a receipt.

  Further, the counter 80 has a function of outputting information including the counting result, the member ID, and the address of the server 100 to the mobile terminal device 110. Details of the output process for the portable terminal device 110 will be described later.

  The card management device 40 is a management device that manages the prepaid value of a card, the number of balls, etc. as card data. The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member data of members registered as members in the amusement store. Specifically, the storage card, points, password, name, etc. are managed in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

  When the card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the checkout machine 60 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40, acquires the prepaid value corresponding to the card, and corresponds to the acquired prepaid value. Make a cash withdrawal.

  The prize management device 70 is a terminal device for prize exchange provided in the prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs prize exchange processing for stored balls, holding balls and counting balls. The premium management device 70 is connected to a reader / writer that reads the card ID of the card, a barcode reader that reads receipts issued by the counter 80, and a special premium dispensing device that dispenses special premiums. When the reader / writer accepts a general card or a membership card, the gift management device 70 transmits the card ID of the card read by the reader / writer to the card management device 40, and requests the number of balls in the card. In addition, when exchanging prizes for the stored balls, the member management device 50 is requested for the number of stored balls.

  Next, the external configuration of the counter 80 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the counter 80 shown in FIG. The counter 80 shown in FIG. 3 is a horizontal counter in which a display operation unit 81 is provided beside the hopper unit 87 that stores pachinko balls. In addition, a mobile terminal insertion portion 86e for inserting the mobile terminal device 110 is provided below the display operation unit 81. When the portable terminal device 110 is inserted into the portable terminal insertion portion 86e, the IC reader / writer 86d can communicate with the portable terminal device 110. Further, at the lower part of the hopper unit 87, a ball outlet 87a for taking out the surplus balls returned after counting is provided.

  The display operation unit 81 includes a patch panel type color liquid crystal display or the like. For example, the display operation unit 81 displays a pachinko ball count obtained by counting pachinko balls and a menu screen for accepting a receipt issuing operation or a storage ball operation. The receipt issuing unit 85 is a printing unit such as a thermal printer. For example, when the player depresses the “Receipt Issue” tab on the display screen of the display operation unit 81, the receipt issue unit 85 issues a receipt in which the number of acquired balls, the rate, and the like are barcode-printed.

  The hopper unit 87 is provided on the conveyance path, a shutter that can be opened and closed, a tray having an opening at the bottom, a conveyance path that conveys pachinko balls flowing down from the opening of the tray to a backyard outside the apparatus, and the conveyance path. And a counting sensor 84 to be described later. The pachinko balls put into the tray of the hopper unit 87 are detected by the counting sensor 84 in the process of being transported on the transport path via the opening. The counter 80 counts the detection result of the counting sensor 84 and displays the count result on the display operation unit 81. The counter 80 generates a pulse signal and transmits it to the hall computer every time a predetermined number of balls (for example, 10 balls) is counted.

  Next, the internal configuration of the counter 80 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the counter 80 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in addition to the display operation unit 81, the receipt issuing unit 85, and the IC reader / writer 86d described above, the counter 80 includes a time measuring unit 82, a shutter mechanism 83, a counting sensor 84, a pulse transmission unit 86a, A communication unit 86b, a card reader / writer 86c, a storage unit 88, and a control unit 89 are included.

  The timer 82 is a timer that measures the time, and specifically transmits the date and time at the time of the inquiry in response to the time inquiry from the controller 89. The shutter mechanism 83 is a mechanism unit that controls opening / closing of a shutter provided in the hopper unit so as to be opened / closed, and includes a shutter drive motor that performs opening / closing driving of the shutter, and an opening / closing detection unit that detects an opening / closing state of the shutter. . Specifically, when opening the shutter, the shutter mechanism 83 causes the shutter drive motor to open the shutter until the open / close detection unit detects that the shutter is open. When the shutter is closed after the counting is completed, the shutter drive motor is driven to close until the open / close detection unit detects that the shutter is closed.

  The counting sensor 84 is a sensor provided in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the hopper unit 87, detects the passage of the pachinko ball by emitting light such as infrared rays and receiving reflected light on the conveyance path, and notifies the control unit 89. Notice. The pulse transmitter 86a generates a pulse signal in response to a request from the controller 89, and transmits the generated pulse signal to the hall computer. The communication unit 86b is an interface for performing various communications between the counter 80 and other devices (other devices such as the card management device 40 and the member management device 50).

  The card reader / writer 86c is a reader / writer that reads and writes data from and to the membership card and the general card. When a member card is inserted into the card reader / writer 86c, the member ID is read from the member card. Similarly, when a general card is inserted into the card reader / writer 86c, the card ID is read from the general card.

  The storage unit 88 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory that stores information and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 89, and stores a count log 88a, URL data 88b, and threshold data 88c. The counting log 88a is a history of counting processing by the counter 80. The result of the counting process is output by printing on a receipt or transmission to the member management apparatus 50. In addition to the output, the operation state of the counter 80 can be managed by leaving the counting log 88a.

  The URL data 88b is a URL including the number of balls as the counting result, the address information of the server 100, and the user ID. The threshold data 88c is a value used for comparison with the number of balls of the counting result in order to determine whether or not to output the URL data 88b to the mobile terminal device 110.

  The control unit 89 is a control unit that controls the counter 80 as a whole, and includes a count processing unit 89a, a URL generation unit 89b, a determination unit 89c, and a URL output unit 89d. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, whereby a count processing unit 89a, a URL generating unit 89b, The determination unit 89c and the URL output unit 89d execute the corresponding processes.

  The counting processing unit 89a is a processing unit that performs counting control of pachinko balls acquired by a player. Specifically, when a pachinko ball is inserted into the hopper unit 87, a signal notifying the passage of the acquired ball is output from the counting sensor 84, so that such a signal is not detected for a certain time (for example, 3 seconds). The pachinko ball is counted by continuing to count up. The count processing unit 89a requests the pulse transmission unit 86a to generate and transmit a pulse signal every time a predetermined number of balls (for example, 10 balls) is counted. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal was not detected from the counting sensor 84, the counting processing unit 89a causes the receipt issuing unit 85 to print a receipt when outputting the counting result by issuing a receipt. Further, when storing the counting result, the counting result is associated with the card ID of the general card or the membership card read by the card reader / writer 86c and transmitted to the card management device 40.

  The URL generation unit 89b is a processing unit that generates a URL including the number of balls counted by the counting processing unit 89a, the address information of the server 100, and a user ID. The address information of the server 100 is set in advance for the counter 80. As the user ID, the member ID read from the member card by the card reader / writer 86c is used.

  The determination unit 89c is a processing unit that determines whether to output the URL data 88b generated by the URL generation unit 89b to the mobile terminal device 110. For this determination, the attributes of the player, the number of balls counted by the counting processing unit 89a, the time until closing of the amusement store, and the like can be used. The processing operation of the determination unit 89c will be described later. The URL output unit 89d performs processing for outputting the URL data 88c by the IC reader / writer 86c when the determination unit 89c determines to output the URL data 88c.

  Next, information included in the URL data 88c will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information included in the URL data 88c shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the URL data 88c includes address information, version, issue date, issue time, member store code, terminal abbreviation, unit number, mobile IDm, touch counter, number of balls, cumulative count ball number, type, It has items of member ID, spare, check SUM and encryption key.

  The address information is 24-digit data that specifies the position of the server 100 on the network. The version is 4-digit data indicating the version of the service, and is / V2 / in the example of FIG. The issue date is 6-digit data indicating the date of the business date on which the counting process is performed, and the issue time is 6-digit data indicating the hour, minute and second when the counting process is performed in 24-hour notation.

  The member store code is data that uniquely identifies the amusement store with 8-digit alphanumeric characters and symbols. The terminal abbreviation is 4-digit data specifying the model of the counter 80, and is “JCXX” in the example of FIG. The machine number is a 4-digit number (any one of 0000 to 9999) that identifies the counter 80 in the amusement store.

  The mobile IDm is 16-digit hexadecimal data that identifies the mobile terminal device 110. The number of holding balls is 6-digit data indicating the value counted by the counting processing unit 89a, and the member ID is 5-digit data indicating the value read from the member card. The 3-digit touch counter, 8-digit cumulative counting ball number, 1-digit type, and 3-digit reserve are provided for service upgrades. The check SUM is two-digit data for confirming the integrity of the data obtained by adding the data from the issue date to the spare, and the encryption key is a one-digit data indicating a method for decrypting the encrypted data. It is data. It should be noted that the encryption key takes any value from 0 to f, where 0 indicates that encryption is not performed, and each non-zero data has a separate arithmetic expression for decryption. The data from the issue date to the encryption key is 89 digits in total.

  Next, the internal configuration of the mobile terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile terminal device 110 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal device 110 includes a display unit 111, an operation unit 112, a communication unit 113, an IC communication unit 114, a storage unit 115, and a control unit 116. The display unit 111 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device, and the operation unit 112 is an input device such as an operation key. The communication unit 113 is an interface unit for communicating with the server 100 via a network.

  The IC communication unit 114 is an interface that communicates with the IC reader / writer 86d of the counter 80. The IC communication unit 114 activates the communication application of the control unit 116, and realizes three-way communication between the three units of the control unit 116, the IC communication unit 114, and the IC reader / writer 86d.

  The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory. In addition to various data necessary for the operation of the mobile terminal device 110 and various data generated by user operations, the URL received from the counter 80 by three-way communication. Data 115a is stored.

  The control unit 116 is a control unit that controls the mobile terminal device 110 as a whole, and includes a connection request unit 116a and a display control unit 116b. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, whereby the connection request unit 116a and the display control unit 116b are loaded. Each corresponding process will be executed.

  The connection request unit 116a is a processing unit that reads the URL data 115a from the storage unit 115 and transmits a connection request to the server 100 indicated by the address information of the URL data 115a. The display control unit 116 b is a processing unit that acquires ranking data from the server 100 and displays the ranking data on the display unit 111.

  Next, the internal configuration of the server 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the server 100 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the server 100 includes a display device connection unit 101, an input device connection unit 102, a communication unit 103, a storage unit 104, and a control unit 105. The display device connection unit 101 is an interface unit that connects display devices such as a liquid crystal panel and a display device, and the input device connection unit 102 is an interface unit that connects input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The communication unit 103 is an interface unit for communicating with the mobile terminal devices 110 and 120 and the computer 130 via a network.

  The storage unit 104 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores member data 104a and ranking data 104b. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the member data 104a and the ranking data 104b shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the member data 104a is data in which a user ID and a registered name are associated with each other. As the user ID, the member ID included in the URL transmitted from the mobile terminal device 110 is used. The registered name is data used for displaying ranking data. The registration name is generated by user input when the user ID is registered for the first time. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the registration name “AAA” is associated with the user ID “00001”, and the registration name “ABC” is associated with the user ID “00103”.

  The ranking data 104b is data in which the number of balls up to the 200th in order from the largest number of registered balls is associated with the registered name. In the example of FIG. 8, the registered name “ABC” is first in the number of balls “20000”, the registered name “BCD” is second in the number of balls “18000”, and the registered name “AAA” is the number of balls “9000”. Is 200th place.

  The control unit 105 is a control unit that controls the entire server 100, and includes a connection request processing unit 105a, a data generation unit 105b, and a data provision unit 105c. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, whereby the connection request processing unit 105a and the data generation unit 105b. And the data providing unit 105c execute corresponding processes.

  The connection request processing unit 105a receives and processes a connection request from the mobile terminal device 110 via the network. Specifically, the user ID and the number of balls are read from the URL transmitted by the mobile terminal device 110 and output to the data generation unit 105b.

  The data generation unit 105 b is a processing unit that generates ranking data 104 b based on the user ID and the number of balls output from the connection request processing unit 105 a and stores the ranking data 104 b in the storage unit 104. Specifically, if the number of balls output by the connection request processing unit 105a is within the ranking range, the registered name is specified from the user ID, and the ranking data 104b is updated.

  The data providing unit 105c is a processing unit that reads and provides the ranking data 104b when a browsing request for the ranking data 104b is received from the mobile terminal device 110, 120 or the computer 130.

  Next, URL generation and output processing procedures will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a URL generation and output processing procedure. As shown in FIG. 9, when the counter 80 executes the counting process (step S101; Yes), the determination unit 89c executes the URL output determination process (step S102), and is it necessary to output the URL? Determine whether or not.

  As a result of the URL output determination process, if it is determined that URL output is necessary (step S103; Yes), the URL generation unit 89d generates the URL data 88b and stores it in the storage unit 88 (step S104). The URL output unit 89d reads the URL data 88c from the storage unit 88, and transmits the URL data 88c to the portable terminal device 110 by the IC reader / writer 86d (step S105). The mobile terminal device 110 receives the URL data by the IC communication unit 114 (step S111), and stores the URL data 115a in the storage unit 115 (step S112).

  After transmitting the URL data 88b in step S105, the counter 80 issues a receipt on which the count result is barcode-printed (step S106), and the process is terminated. If it is determined that the URL output is unnecessary as a result of the URL output determination process (step S103; No), the counter 80 prints the count result as a bar code without generating and transmitting the URL. A receipt is issued (step S106), and the process ends.

  Next, details of the URL output determination process shown in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the URL output determination process shown in FIG. When the URL output determination process is started, the determination unit 89c first determines whether or not the card reader / writer 86d has read the member card (step S201). If the membership card has not been read (step S201; No), the determination unit 89c determines that the URL output is unnecessary (step S205), and ends the output determination process.

  If the card reader / writer 86d reads the member card (step S201; No), the determination unit 89c determines whether the number of balls acquired by the counting process is greater than the threshold value indicated by the threshold value data 88c. (Step S202). If the number of balls acquired is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S202; No), the determination unit 89c determines that URL output is unnecessary (step S205), and ends the output determination process.

  If the number of balls acquired is larger than the threshold value (step S202; Yes), the determination unit 89c determines whether or not the time until closing is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S203). If the time until closing is less than the predetermined time (step S203; No), the determination unit 89c determines that URL output is unnecessary (step S205), and ends the output determination process. On the other hand, if the time until the store is closed is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S203; Yes), the determination unit 89c determines that URL output is necessary (step S204), and ends the output determination process.

  Next, a processing procedure for registration in ranking data will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for registration in ranking data. As shown in FIG. 11, when the mobile phone terminal device 110 accepts a connection operation to the server 100 by the operation unit 112 (step S301; Yes), the mobile phone terminal device 110 reads the URL data 115a from the storage unit 115, and the URL is A connection request is transmitted to the connection destination indicated (step S302).

  The connection request processing unit 105a of the server 100 waits for a connection request, and when receiving the connection request, specifies that the request source is a portable terminal device from information included in the received data. When the connection request is received from the portable terminal device 110 (step S311), the additional information (data after the issue date) included in the connection request is decrypted based on the encryption key. The server 100 stores an arithmetic expression individually for each encryption key, and decryption is performed based on the arithmetic expression. The connection request processing unit 105a reads the user ID and the number of balls based on the data obtained by decryption (step S312). The data generation unit 10b compares the number of balls read by the connection request processing unit 105a with the number of balls at the lowest level (for example, 200th) of the ranking data 104b.

  If the number of balls read by the connection request processing unit 105a is equal to or less than the lowest number (eg, 200th) of the ranking data 104b, that is, if the number of balls read by the connection request processing unit 105a is out of the ranking range ( In step S313; No), the data generation unit 105b ends the process as it is.

  On the other hand, if the number of balls read by the connection request processing unit 105a is within the ranking range (step S313; Yes), the data generation unit 105b registers the registered name associated with the user ID read by the connection request processing unit 105a. Is identified from the member data 104a (step S314), the ranking data 104b is updated using the registered name and the number of balls (step S315), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the number of balls acquired by the player is counted, the player has at least a URL including information indicating the number of balls and address information of the server 100. Since the server 100 is configured to generate ranking data 104b for the number of balls acquired by a plurality of players based on a connection request received from the mobile terminal device 110 via the network. According to the player's needs, information regarding the relationship between the number of balls acquired by the player and the number of balls acquired by other players can be provided objectively and efficiently.

  In the first embodiment, whether or not the URL should be output to the mobile terminal device 110 is determined based on the number of balls acquired, the time until the game store is closed, and whether or not the player is a member. Configured. By using the number of balls acquired as a criterion, it is possible to prevent output of URLs that are unnecessary for a player with a small number of balls acquired. In addition, by using the time until a game store is closed as a criterion, when a large number of players perform counting before the closing time, URL output to each player is suppressed, and the time required for counting is reduced. Shortening can be achieved. Further, by using whether or not the player is a member as a criterion, it is possible to register the ranking as a member-only privilege service and promote the member registration of the player.

  By the way, in the said Example 1, although the structure which determines automatically whether the information containing the number of acquired balls and a connecting point is output to the portable terminal device which a player possesses was shown, this invention is limited to this. Is not to be done. In the second embodiment, a configuration for determining whether or not to output information including the number of balls to be acquired and a connection destination based on the input of the player and various modifications will be described.

  The configuration of the game information providing system, the configuration of the game system, the configuration of the counter, the configuration of the mobile terminal device, and the configuration of the server are the same as those in the first embodiment, so illustration and description are omitted, and the URL according to the second embodiment The generation and output processing procedures will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process procedure for generating and outputting a URL according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the second embodiment, when the counter executes the counting process (step S401; Yes), the determination unit 89c executes the URL output determination process (step S402), and the URL output is performed. Determine whether it is necessary.

  As a result of the URL output determination process, if it is determined that URL output is necessary (step S403; Yes), the determination unit 89c displays a confirmation screen asking for an operation input as to whether or not to output the URL. 81 is displayed and output.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing a confirmation screen displayed and output on the display operation unit 81. As shown in FIG. 13, in the confirmation screen, a message “Please press the button” is displayed on the display / operation unit 81, and an all accumulation button 81a, a fraction accumulation button 81b, and a ranking URL unnecessary button 81c are displayed.

  When the all storage ball button 81a is pressed, the counting machine stores all the acquired balls that have been counted. On the other hand, when the fraction storage button 81b is pressed, the counting machine sets the number of acquired balls that can be exchanged for special prizes as a subject for receipt issuance, and the remaining fraction is stored.

  If the ranking URL unnecessary button 81c is pressed, it is determined that the output of the URL is unnecessary, the ranking URL unnecessary button 81c is erased, and the pressing operation of the all accumulation button 81a or the fraction storage button 81b is waited.

  If the ranking URL unnecessary button 81c is pressed down and the full storage button 81a or the fraction storage button 81b is pressed down (step S405; No), the counter issues a receipt (step S408) and performs the processing. finish.

  If the all URL button 81a or the fraction saving button 81b is pressed without pressing the ranking URL unnecessary button 81c (step S405; Yes), the URL generation unit 89d generates the URL data 88b and stores the storage unit 88. (Step S406). Then, the URL output unit 89d reads the URL data 88c from the storage unit 88, and transmits the URL data 88c to the portable terminal device 110 by the IC reader / writer 86d (step S407). After transmitting the URL data 88b in step S407, the counter issues a receipt on which the count result is barcode printed (step S408), and the process is terminated.

  Next, a configuration for setting the threshold data 88c based on the ranking data 104b will be described. If the threshold value data 88c is a fixed value, the URL is output to the mobile terminal device 110 even if the number of balls acquired is out of the ranking range. Therefore, by acquiring the lowest number of balls in the ranking from the server 100 and using it as a threshold value, it is possible to output a URL only when there is a possibility of being within the ranking range.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for describing a configuration for setting the threshold data 88c based on the ranking data 104b. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the lowest number of balls in the ranking data of the server 100 is 9000 balls. The server 100 transmits this number of balls to the member management device 50. The member management device 50 transmits the received number of balls to the counter 40 as a threshold value. The counter 80 updates the threshold value data 88c with the threshold value transmitted from the member management device 50. Therefore, in the subsequent determination, if the number of balls is 9000 balls or less, it is determined that URL output is unnecessary.

  In the above description, the horizontal counter has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be implemented as an inter-card card processor having a vertical counter and each counter unit. Moreover, you may implement as a reader / writer connected to the prize management apparatus or the counter.

  FIG. 15 is an external configuration diagram showing an external configuration of a vertical counter to which the present invention is applicable. As shown in the figure, the counter 140 includes a hopper unit 146 for storing pachinko balls, a ball outlet 145 for taking out surplus balls returned after counting, and a display operation unit 141 provided at the top of the hopper unit 87. There is a space for throwing pachinko balls in between.

  On the front side of the upper part of the housing of the counter 140, an interface with a player and a store clerk is provided. Specifically, a display operation unit 141, a receipt issuing unit 143, a card reader / writer 144, and an IC card reader / writer 142 are provided on the front side of the upper portion of the housing of the counter 140. Even in such a vertical counter, by applying the present invention, objective information on the relationship between the number of balls acquired by the player and the number of balls acquired by other players can be obtained objectively. And can be provided efficiently.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration when a reader / writer 150 to which the present invention can be applied is connected to the prize management device 70. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the prize management device 70 as viewed from the front upper side (the clerk side of the prize counter), and FIG. 4B is a rear view of the prize management apparatus 70 and the reader / writer 150 (the prize counter). The player side).

  As shown in FIG. 16A, a store side display unit 71, an operation unit 72, a receipt issue unit 73, and a barcode reader 77 are provided on the front surface of the prize management device 70. Although not shown here for convenience of explanation, a power switch, a memory card insertion slot, and the like are also provided.

  When the clerk receives the receipt issued by the counting machine 80 from the player, the clerk reads the bar code printed on the receipt by the bar code reader 77 and specifies the number of balls acquired by the player. Further, when a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 153 of the reader / writer 150, the number of balls stored in the card is read to identify the number of balls acquired by the player. Thereafter, the specified number of balls is exchanged for a special prize or a general prize.

  The store side display unit 71 is a display unit (also an operation unit) for a store clerk of an amusement shop that is an operator, and includes a touch panel color liquid crystal display or the like. The store side display unit 71 displays premium exchange contents, operation guidance, and the like. The operation unit 72 includes a plurality of keys such as a numeric keypad, a dedicated key, and a mode key, and is used when performing a prize exchange operation input or the like.

  The receipt issuing unit 73 is an issuing unit that issues various receipts such as a registration list and a summary list, and includes a thermal printer or the like. The barcode reader 77 reads the barcode printed on the receipt and specifies the information content.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, a customer-side display unit 74 for a player is provided on the back of the prize management device 70. The customer side display unit 74 includes a fluorescent display tube, a touch panel color liquid crystal display, and the like. The player can confirm the current number of balls and the number of end balls associated with the card by confirming the display content of the customer side display unit 74.

  A reader / writer 150 is connected to the prize management device 70. The reader / writer 150 is provided with a display operation unit 151, a holding unit 152, a card insertion slot 153, and a door key 154. The display operation unit 151 includes a touch panel color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a card reading status and the like. In the case of a membership card, the personal identification number is input using the display operation unit 151. The holding part 152 is a holding part for exchanging data without contact with the non-contact IC card or the portable terminal device 110. The card insertion slot 153 is an insertion slot for inserting a member card and a general card. Even in such a card reader / writer 150, by applying the present invention, information on the relationship between the number of balls acquired by the player and the number of balls acquired by other players can be objectively and according to the needs of the player. It can be provided efficiently.

  In the above description, the URL including the information indicating the number of balls as the counting result and the address of the server 100 is output to the mobile terminal device by communication between the three parties, but the URL is directed to the mobile terminal device. The output method is not limited to communication, and any output method that can be read using the function of the mobile terminal device can be used. A case where a URL is output to the mobile terminal device using a two-dimensional code will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a URL is output to a mobile terminal device using a two-dimensional code. As shown in the figure, when the pachinko ball acquired by the player is counted by the counting processing unit, the counter 80a generates a URL including the number of balls as a counting result, the address information of the server 100, and the user ID. The URL is printed on the receipt as a two-dimensional code by the receipt issuing unit.

  The mobile terminal device 110a includes a camera and has a function of decoding a two-dimensional code photographed by the camera. For this reason, the URL can be read by photographing the receipt on which the two-dimensional code is printed. The mobile terminal device 110a communicates with the server 100 using the address information indicated by the read URL, and can register the ball and user ID in the server 100.

  Whether or not to issue a receipt printed with a URL is registered in the member management apparatus 50 with member information including information on whether or not URL notification is necessary. When the URL notification is “necessary”, a two-dimensional code is used. Issue a receipt that prints Note that it may be configured such that communication by an IC reader / writer and receipt issuance printed with a two-dimensional code are selected by a button or the like.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a receipt printed with a URL as a two-dimensional code. FIG. 18A shows a user registration receipt, and the user registration URL for the server 100 is read by photographing and recognizing the two-dimensional code printed on the user registration receipt by the mobile terminal device 110a. be able to. FIG. 18B shows a receipt used when registering the number of balls as a counting result as an output ball, and the mobile terminal device 110a captures and recognizes the two-dimensional code printed on the payout registration receipt. By doing this, it is possible to obtain a URL for registering the counting result as a ball to the server 100.

  Note that the receipt for user registration and the receipt for payout registration may be integrated with a receipt obtained by barcode printing of the counting result. In this case, a two-dimensional URL code is printed on the receipt in addition to the barcode indicating the counting result.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since it is configured to determine whether or not to output information including the number of balls acquired and the connection destination based on the player's input, a game that does not want to be registered in the ranking For the customers, the output of the URL is omitted to speed up the process, and for the players who want to be registered in the ranking, the URL is output to enable the registration of the player. Increase incentives for games.

  Further, by setting a threshold value for determining whether or not to output a URL based on the ranking data of the server 100, it is possible to omit the output of the URL when the number of balls is out of the ranking range. .

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where it is determined whether or not to output the URL using the number of balls, the membership attribute, and the time until the game store is closed is exemplified. It is possible to make a determination using a combination of

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a pachinko gaming machine using a game ball as a gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a revolving game machine and a game machine in which the gaming machine uses a game ball are described. The present invention can be applied even to a rotary type game machine using medals. That is, in the spinning-type gaming machine, instead of the “winning” signal due to the passing of the game ball in the specific gaming area in the above embodiment, a specific symbol combination among a plurality of symbol combinations on the spinning cylinder The configuration can be realized when each inter-card card processor receives and processes a “winning” signal due to the fact that the cards are arranged on the line.

  In the above-described first and second embodiments, the URL is output only when a membership card is inserted. However, when a general card is inserted or no card is inserted (only real balls are used). Even if the count is performed), the URL may be output. When a member card is inserted, the server 100 can associate the ID of the member card with a registered name. However, in the case where the member card is not used, the user name and password are set when connecting to the server 100 and registered. It may be associated with the name.

  In addition to simply comparing the number of balls, by creating ranking data according to each amusement store, model, rate, region, etc., and making it available to the user, various rankings can be given to the user. Presented and configured to increase incentives for gaming.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the URL information, the number of acquired balls, and the user ID are exemplified in the URL. However, the address information, the acquired number of balls, and the user ID may be different data. . In this case, the URL includes only the address information of the server 100, and the mobile terminal device is connected to the server 100 based on the URL, and then separately transmits the acquired number of balls and the user ID.

  Furthermore, it is desirable to encrypt at least information on the number of balls acquired. This is to prevent fraud that increases the number of balls acquired by processing URL data.

  Each illustrated configuration is schematic in function, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally / physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured. For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the card management device 40 and the member management device 50 are individually provided has been illustrated. You may implement as a structure which provides a management apparatus.

  As described above, the game information providing system and the game information providing method according to the present invention objectively provides information on the relationship between the number of acquired game media and the number of acquired game media of other players according to the needs of the player. And it is suitable for providing efficiently.

10 card processing machine 20 gaming machine 30 island controller 40 card management device 50 member management device 60 settlement machine 70 free gift management device 71 store side display unit 72 operation unit 73 receipt issuing unit 74 customer side display unit 77 bar code reader 80, 80a, 140 Counter 81, 141 Display operation unit 82 Timekeeping unit 83 Shutter mechanism 84 Count sensor 85, 143 Receipt issuing unit 86a Pulse transmission unit 86b Communication unit 86c, 144 Card reader / writer 86d, 142 IC reader / writer 87, 146 Hopper unit 87a, 145 Ball return unit 88 Storage unit 88a Count log 88b URL data 88c Threshold data 89 Control unit 89a Count processing unit 89b URL generation unit 89c Determination unit 89d URL output unit 90 Communication line 100 Server 101 Display device connection unit 02 input device connection unit 103 communication unit 104 storage unit 104a member data 104b ranking data 105 control unit 105a connection request processing unit 105b data generation unit 105c data provision unit 110, 110a, 120 portable terminal device 111 display unit 112 operation unit 113 communication unit 114 IC communication unit 115 Storage unit 115a URL data 116 Control unit 116a Connection request unit 116b Display control unit 130 Computer 150 Reader / writer 151 Display operation unit 152 Holding unit 153 Card insertion slot 154 Door key

Claims (6)

A game information providing system for providing information to a player at a game store,
Counting processing means for counting the number of acquired game media acquired by the player;
When the number of acquired gaming media is counted by the counting processing means, connection destination designation information including at least information indicating the number of gaming media and a predetermined terminal identifier is output to the portable terminal device possessed by the player Output means for
Based on a connection request received from the mobile terminal device via a predetermined network, the mobile terminal device has a function of generating information related to the relationship between the number of game media acquired by a plurality of players, and corresponds to the information indicated by the terminal identifier A game information providing system comprising server means provided. A determination unit for determining whether to output the connection destination designation information to the mobile terminal device;
When the determination means determines that the connection destination designation information should be output to the portable terminal device when the number of acquired game media is counted by the counting processing means, the output means Output connection destination designation information including information indicating the number of media and a predetermined terminal identifier to the portable terminal device possessed by the player,
The portable terminal device
A connection request means for making a connection request to the server means based on the connection destination designation information output by the output means;
2. The game information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a display control unit configured to display information related to the relationship between the number of acquired game media of a plurality of players acquired from the server unit on a predetermined display unit. .   The determination means uses the acquired game medium number, the time until the game store is closed, the attribute of the player, or the presence or absence of a predetermined non-notification operation by the player as a condition. The game information providing system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether connection destination designation information should be notified to the mobile terminal device. The output means includes
In the case where the player is a member registered in a game store, if the number of acquired game media is counted by the counting processing means, information indicating the number of game media, member identification information of the member, and a predetermined number Output connection destination designation information including a terminal identifier to a portable terminal device possessed by the player,
The server means includes
When the connection request is received from the portable terminal device, if the member identification information is included in the connection request, the member information stored in advance in association with the member identification information is related to the relationship of the number of acquired game media. The game information providing system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the game information providing system is used for generating information.   The determination means determines whether or not the connection destination designation information should be output to the portable terminal device based on information relating to the relationship of the number of acquired game media generated by the server means. 3. The game information providing system according to 3 or 4. A game information providing method of a game information providing system for providing information to a player at a game store,
A counting process for counting the number of acquired game media acquired by the player;
When the number of acquired game media is counted by the counting processing step, connection destination designation information including at least information indicating the number of game media and a predetermined terminal identifier is output to the portable terminal device possessed by the player An output process to
A server provided corresponding to the information indicated by the terminal identifier generates information related to the relationship between the number of acquired game media of a plurality of players based on a connection request received from the portable terminal device via a predetermined network. A game information providing method comprising: a relationship information generating step.

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