JP2013085853A - Game machine and information distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine or the like capable of surely providing game information to a player during a game, and providing the game information with high additional values for the player.SOLUTION: When a game start signal is detected (S2), a game machine 1 performs drawing processing of a game (S4), and determines a drawing result (S5). When the drawing result is a winning ("winning" in S5), the game machine 1 determines a performance according to the drawing result (S6), and executes a determined performance (S7). Also, the game machine 1 performs detection processing of a portable terminal (S8), and determines a detection result (S9). When the detection result is detected ("detection" in S9), the game machine 1 distributes performance information related to the determined performance through a radio communication module 21 to the portable terminal (S10).

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine or the like that distributes game information.

  Conventionally, there is a two-dimensional barcode as information providing means for providing information related to a gaming machine to a portable terminal that is an information terminal possessed by a player (see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism in which a player acquires information about a gaming machine with a mobile terminal by reading a two-dimensional barcode with the mobile terminal.

JP 2005-185604 A

  By the way, in the provision of information using a two-dimensional barcode, an operation for imaging the displayed two-dimensional barcode is required. However, a player who is unfamiliar with the imaging operation is liable to cause defocusing and camera shake in the imaging operation, and there is a problem that good reading cannot be performed or reading takes time. In particular, information that is provided only for a certain period of time, such as during winning, must be imaged while playing. Therefore, even a player who is accustomed to the imaging operation is liable to cause defocusing and camera shake, so that satisfactory reading cannot be performed or reading fails. Another problem is that the amount of information that can be distributed at one time is limited with a two-dimensional barcode, and only text data such as the number of games and the number of winnings can be distributed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide game information to a player who is playing a game, and has high added value for the player. It is to provide a gaming machine or the like that can provide game information.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention is a gaming machine having a portable terminal support that supports a portable terminal and incorporates a wireless communication module, and has a storage means for storing gaming information, and a lottery process. If the lottery means to perform, the effector means for effecting according to the lottery result by the lottery means, and the lottery result by the lottery means win, the effect information that is the game information related to the effect by the effector means is stored. And a delivery means for delivering the effect information obtained from the means via the wireless communication module. According to the first invention, game information can be surely provided to a player who is playing a game, and game information having high added value for the player can be provided.

  A display device that outputs an effect by the effect means according to the first aspect of the invention, and further includes a detection means for detecting the mobile terminal capable of communication, and the distribution means finishes the effect by the effect means If the mobile terminal capable of communication is not detected by the detecting means until then, it indicates that the effect information is distributed via the wireless communication module only within a predetermined time after the effect by the effect means ends. It is desirable to output the first notification information to the display device. As a result, the player can concentrate on the game during the performance (= during the winning game). And if a portable terminal is placed on a portable terminal support stand without delay after the end of production, a player can obtain information with high added value.

  The distribution means according to the first aspect of the invention includes second notification information indicating added value of the gaming machine that distributes the effect information via the wireless communication module, together with winning information, via the wireless communication module. It is desirable to deliver. This makes it possible to expect a timely advertising effect related to the added value of the gaming machine.

  In the first invention, the distribution means preferably outputs the second notification information to the display device after the game is started unless the portable terminal capable of communication is detected by the detection means. Thus, the added value of the gaming machine can be notified to the player without causing the player to feel bothered.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the portable terminal support base is provided with a horizontal plane and an inclined plane connected as a plane on which the portable terminal is placed, and a first wireless communication module is built in a position facing the horizontal plane, It is desirable that a second wireless communication module different from the first wireless communication module is incorporated at a position facing the inclined surface. As a result, the player can place the wireless communication module in any shape of the portable terminal by simply placing the portable terminal on the portable terminal support base without operating the portable terminal during the game. It is possible to receive game information provided through communication. Further, the player can check the display of the portable terminal during the game regardless of the shape of the portable terminal.

  A second invention is an information distribution method executed by a gaming machine that has a portable terminal supporting base that supports a portable terminal and has a built-in wireless communication module, and that includes storage means for storing gaming information, A lottery step for performing, an effect step for performing according to the lottery result of the lottery step, and a lottery result of the lottery step for winning, if the lottery result of the lottery step is a win, A distribution step of acquiring from the storage means and distributing the acquired effect information via the wireless communication module. According to the second invention, game information can be reliably provided to a player who is playing a game, and game information having high added value for the player can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine or the like that can reliably provide game information to a player who is playing a game and can provide game information with high added value for the player.

Schematic diagram showing the appearance of the gaming machine Expanded schematic diagram of mobile terminal support Hardware configuration diagram of gaming machine Game machine software configuration diagram Flow chart showing flow of game information distribution process

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, a case of a revolving type gaming machine (commonly referred to as “pachi-slot”) will be described as an example.

  First, definitions of terms in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention provides game information with high added value for the player. Hereinafter, “game information” is a term that collectively refers to all information related to gaming machines. Examples of game information include winning information, performance information, and the like.

  “Winning information” is the total number of games played on the current day, the number of wins, the number of games played since the most recent win (= number of consecutive wins), and the like. In addition, the “winning information” may include the total number of games, the number of wins, and the like on the previous day and the day before. The “winning information” is generally text data. “Winning information” is information that is helpful when a player selects a game machine, and can be said to be information with a certain value.

  “Production information” is a still image, a moving image, a sound source, etc. related to an effect executed by the gaming machine at the time of winning. Usually, there are various types of effects, which are output as still images or moving images on a display device of a gaming machine. In particular, with regard to “Premium Production” with a low appearance probability, many players feel more joy than winning. When such a “premium effect” is output, such a player can re-view personally later by taking a picture using the photographing device of his / her mobile terminal, or show off to a friend To do. Therefore, it can be said that the effect information related to the “premium effect” is information with high added value for the player.

  Next, the structure and hardware configuration of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. One of the features of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is that it includes a portable terminal support for placing the portable terminal of the player.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of a gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a display device 2, a reel 3, a bet button 4, a start lever 5, a reel stop switch 6, a medal slot 7, a game information distribution start button 8, a portable terminal support base 9, and the like. Have

  The display device 2 displays an effect (mainly a moving image) indicating the expected degree of winning during the game, or displays an effect of winning. The reel 3 shows a winning combination in the game.

  The bet button 4 is a button for setting the number of bets on the game. The start lever 5 is a lever for instructing the start of the game. The reel stop switch 6 is a button for stopping the movement of the rotating reel 3. The medal slot 7 is an opening for inserting medals used in games.

  The game information distribution start button 8 is a button for instructing start of distribution of game information. In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to execute the process shown in FIG. 5 described later, it is assumed that the game information distribution start button 8 is pressed. However, the game information distribution start button 8 is not an essential component, and may be configured such that the processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed when the gaming machine 1 is powered on.

  The mobile terminal support base 9 is a support base for placing a player's mobile terminal. When the player wants to obtain game information distributed from the gaming machine 1, the player places a portable terminal on the portable terminal support base 9.

  As will be described later, the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention distributes game information to a portable terminal possessed by the player via a wireless communication module. As an example of short-range communication using a wireless communication module, for example, short-range communication using a non-contact IC card (according to a standard such as FeliCa (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, or the like can be considered. Hereinafter, a case where a non-contact IC card is used as the wireless communication module will be described. Many portable terminals have non-contact IC cards.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the portable terminal support base. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal support base 9 is provided with a horizontal surface 9a and an inclined surface 9b connected to each other as a surface on which the mobile terminal is placed. The inclination angle (= elevation angle) of the inclined surface 9b is preferably an angle at which the player can easily check the display of the portable terminal during the game.

  Inside the mobile terminal support base 9, the main body and the antenna of the first wireless communication module are built in a position facing the horizontal surface 9a, and a second wireless communication different from the first wireless communication module is placed in a position facing the inclined surface 9b. The module main body and antenna are built in. The wireless communication module has one main body, the first antenna is built in the position facing the horizontal plane 9a, and the second antenna different from the first antenna is built in the position facing the inclined surface 9b. Also good. Below, both aspects are named generically, and the first wireless communication module is built in the portable terminal support base 9 at a position facing the horizontal surface 9a and at a position facing the inclined surface 9b. A description will be given assuming that a different second wireless communication module is incorporated.

  Here, the technical significance of incorporating a plurality of wireless communication modules in the portable terminal support base 9 will be described. The shape of the portable terminal is various such as a folding type, a straight type, a flipper type, a slide type, and a touch panel type. For example, a foldable portable terminal has a structure in which a first surface having a display or the like and a second surface having a numeric keypad or the like are folded at the center. Some portable terminals have a non-contact IC card built in a position facing the first surface, and some portable terminals have a non-contact IC card built in a position facing the second surface.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, in the portable terminal support base 9 in which the horizontal surface 9a and the inclined surface 9b are connected to each other, the position facing the horizontal surface 9a and the inclined surface 9b are opposed to each other. A wireless communication module is built in both of the positions. When the player places the foldable portable terminal on the portable terminal support base 9, the first surface having the display or the like faces the inclined surface 9b, and the second surface having the numeric keypad or the like faces the horizontal surface 9a. I will let you. As a result, in the foldable portable terminal, communication via the wireless communication module can be reliably performed even if the player does not operate the portable terminal during the game. Further, in the folding portable terminal, the player can check the display of the portable terminal during the game.

  The same applies to portable terminals such as a straight type, a flipper type, a slide type, and a touch panel type. In other words, when placing a straight type, flipper type, slide type, touch panel type portable terminal on the portable terminal support base 9, if the player makes the portable terminal face the inclined surface 9b, a folding type portable terminal The same can be said.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the portable terminal support base 9 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
・ A player can place a portable terminal on the portable terminal support base 9 without any operation of the portable terminal during the game, regardless of the shape of the portable terminal. It is possible to receive game information provided through the communication.
-The player can check the display of the portable terminal during the game regardless of the shape of the portable terminal.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 includes a control device 10, a storage device 11, a display device 2, a reel 3, a bet button 4, a start lever 5, a reel stop switch 6, a medal slot 7, and a game information distribution start button. 8, an interface 12, etc. are connected via a bus 13. The functions of the display device 2, the reel 3, the bet button 4, the start lever 5, the reel stop switch 6, the medal slot 7, and the game information distribution start button 8 are as described above.

  The control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU calls and executes a program stored in the ROM or the like in a work memory area on the RAM, drives and controls each device connected via the bus 13, and realizes processing to be described later performed by the gaming machine 1. The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds programs, data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage device 11 and the ROM, and includes a work area used by the control device 10 for performing various processes.

  The storage device 11 stores data and the like necessary for a program executed by the control unit 11. Each data is read by the control device 10 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read to the CPU, and used for various processes.

  In particular, the storage device 11 stores game information and notification information distributed in the process of FIG. An example of the game information is winning information or performance information as described above. The notification information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The interface 12 is a port or the like for connecting the wireless communication module 21 and the wireless communication module 22 to the gaming machine 1 main body.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication module 21a includes a CPU 22, a memory 23, an interface 24, a speaker 25, an LED 26, an antenna 27, and the like. The hardware configuration of the wireless communication module 21b is the same as that of the wireless communication module 21a.

  The CPU 22 calls and executes a program stored in the memory 23 or the like, and drives and controls each device. The memory 23 stores programs, data, and the like. The interface 24 is a cable or the like for connecting the wireless communication module 21 and the wireless communication module 22 to the gaming machine 1 main body. The speaker 25 is for issuing a warning or the like by sound. The LED 26 is for emitting a warning or the like by light. The antenna 27 is for transmitting and receiving a radio signal in communication with the mobile terminal.

  Next, details of the software configuration and processing of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. The gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized by a game information distribution method and a notification method related to the gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 4 is a software configuration diagram of the gaming machine. The software executed by the control device 10 includes a game control unit 31, a game information distribution control unit 32, a wireless communication module control unit 33, and the like.

  The game control unit 31 is a function for controlling a game system for each gaming machine 1. The control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 controls various devices of the gaming machine 1 according to the function of the gaming control unit 31, and executes a game lottery process, an effect process, and the like.

  The game information distribution control unit 32 is a function for controlling distribution of game information. The control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 executes game information distribution processing, notification processing related to the gaming machine 1, and the like according to the function of the game information distribution control unit 32. Details of the function of the game information distribution control unit 32 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The wireless communication module control unit 33 is a function for controlling the wireless communication modules 21a and 21b. The control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 follows the function of the wireless communication module control unit 33, the power management process of the wireless communication modules 21a and 21b, the switching process for switching which communicates with the mobile terminal, and the wireless communication modules 21a and 21b. A communication process with the mobile terminal is executed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game information distribution process. When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 executes the process shown in FIG. 5 until the gaming machine 1 is powered off.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 10 represents the winning information and the notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine as a wireless communication module 21a or 21b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “wireless communication module 21”). (S1). As described above, the winning information includes the total number of games of the day, the number of winnings, the number of the last consecutive winnings, and the like. “Additional value of gaming machine” is to deliver effect information related to effects executed at the time of winning through the wireless communication module 21.

  As described above, since the winning information is information that can be used as a reference when selecting a game machine, it is considered that the player immediately confirms the information transmitted to the mobile terminal via the wireless communication module 21. Therefore, by distributing the above-described notification information together with the winning information, it is possible to expect a timely advertising effect related to the added value of the gaming machine 1.

  Next, the control device 10 detects a game start signal (S2). More specifically, when the start lever 5 is operated by the player, a game start signal is transmitted to the control device 10, and the control device 10 detects the game start signal.

  Next, the control device 10 outputs notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine to the display device 2 (S3). The display device 2 also has a speaker and can output a sound source.

  Note that it is troublesome for the player to continue outputting the notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine to the display device 2 even though the portable terminal is placed on the portable terminal support base 9. Therefore, the control device 10 controls the wireless communication module 21 to detect a mobile terminal capable of communication, and if no communicable mobile terminal is detected, notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine is displayed on the display device. It is desirable to output to 2.

  Next, the control device 10 performs a game lottery process (S4). Note that S3 and S4 are not executed in the order shown in FIG. For example, in the process of S3, the control device 10 performs a mobile terminal detection process every predetermined time, and determines whether or not notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine is displayed on the display device 2. On the other hand, when detecting the game start signal, the control device 10 starts the processing from S4 onward by interrupt control.

  Next, the control device 10 determines the lottery result (S5). When the lottery result is a loss (“Success” in S5), the control device 10 repeats from S1. When the lottery result is a win (“Win” in S5), the control device 10 proceeds to S6.

  Next, the control apparatus 10 determines an effect according to a lottery result (S6). As described above, there are various productions, and appearance probabilities are set for each. Note that the appearance probability here is different from the winning probability in the lottery process of S4.

  Next, the control apparatus 10 performs the effect determined in S6 (S7). More specifically, the control device 10 outputs content (such as a still image or a moving image) according to the effect determined in S6 to the display device 2. The display device 2 also has a speaker and can output a sound source.

  Next, the control apparatus 10 performs a portable terminal detection process (S8). In other words, the control device 10 controls the wireless communication module 21 to detect whether there is a portable terminal that can communicate.

  Next, the control apparatus 10 determines a detection result (S9). When the detection result is detection (“detection” in S9), the control device 10 proceeds to S10. When the lottery result is not detected (“not detected” in S9), the control device 10 proceeds to S12.

  Here, the control device 10 continues to perform the processes of S8 and S9 until the mobile terminal is detected or the effect ends. That is, when the control device 10 proceeds to S12, the effect is finished.

  In S <b> 10, the control device 10 distributes effect information (still image, moving image, sound source, animation, etc.) related to the determined effect to the mobile terminal via the wireless communication module 21. After the distribution is completed, the control device 10 resets the distribution target to the winning information or the like (S11), and repeats the processing from S1.

  In S <b> 12, the control device 10 outputs notification information indicating that the production information is distributed to the display device 2 only within a predetermined time after the production is finished. The display device 2 also has a speaker and can output a sound source. Then, only within a predetermined time after the end of the effect, the control device 10 performs an effect information distribution process after the end of the effect (S13), and proceeds to S11. The effect information distribution process after the effect ends is the same as S10 described above except that there is a time limit.

  In this way, by distributing the effect information to the mobile terminal via the wireless communication module 21 in S10 and S13, the player can obtain information with high added value. In particular, the production information related to the “premium production” having a low appearance probability has very high added value for the player.

  Further, in S12, by outputting notification information indicating that the production information is distributed only to a predetermined time after the production is finished, the player can play the game during the production (= winning game). Can concentrate on. Then, if the mobile terminal is placed on the mobile terminal support base 9 without delay after the end of the effect, the player can obtain high value-added information by the effect information distribution process after the end of the effect in S13.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following effects by executing the game information distribution process shown in FIG.

  When the lottery result is a win, the control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 distributes the effect information via the wireless communication module 21. Thereby, the player can obtain information with high added value.

  If a controllable device 10 of the gaming machine 1 does not detect a portable terminal that can communicate before the end of the presentation, it indicates that the presentation information is distributed via the wireless communication module 21 only within a predetermined time after the end of the presentation. The notification information is displayed on the display device 2. As a result, the player can concentrate on the game during the performance (= during the winning game). And if a portable terminal is placed in the portable terminal support stand 9 without delay after the end of production, the player can obtain information with high added value.

  The control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 distributes the notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine 1 that distributes the effect information via the wireless communication module 21 through the wireless communication module 21 together with the winning information. As a result, a timely advertising effect related to the added value of the gaming machine 1 can be expected.

  The control device 10 of the gaming machine 1 outputs notification information indicating the added value of the gaming machine 1 to the display device 2 if no communicable portable terminal is detected after the game is started. Thus, the added value of the gaming machine can be notified to the player without causing the player to feel bothered.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, naturally this invention can be applied not only to a swivel type game machine but a narrowly-defined game machine (usually called "pachinko"). A game machine in a narrow sense in recent years has an automatic injection mechanism, and can be played with only one hand except during production (= during a winning game). However, during production (= during the winning game), ball movement work and the like occur, and the player is forced to play with both hands. Therefore, it can be said that the configuration of the present invention that can obtain game information without operating a portable terminal during a game has a remarkable effect on a narrowly-defined game machine as well as a spinning-type game machine.

  The technical idea of the present invention is as described above as the embodiment of the present invention, and the following direct effects and indirect effects can be expected by the technical idea of the present invention.

(1) Easy information distribution A player does not need to operate a portable terminal possessed by the player in order to acquire information, and only has to place the portable terminal at a predetermined position of the gaming machine. Accordingly, information can be easily provided to a player who is unfamiliar with the operation of the mobile terminal and a player who feels resistance to the operation of the mobile terminal. Information about the jackpot (= winning information) is valuable to the player, and the fact that such information can be easily obtained is added to both the gaming machine of the present invention and the game hall equipped with the information distribution method. Can give value.

(2) There are many types of files that can be handled in real time, and data with large file sizes can be distributed. The player feels joy to experience the jackpot that includes rare effects, and this experience is the third. Tend to want to tell and share with others. Various file formats such as still images, videos, sound sources, animations, etc. can be distributed in real time with large file sizes, so if a big hit including a premium effect is established, the information distributed from the gaming machine is the information related to the premium effect. And a premium effect experienced by the player himself can be distributed to the portable terminal owned by the player. Thereby, added value can be given to both the gaming machine and the game hall.

  The preferred embodiments of the gaming machine and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Game machine 2 ......... Display device 9 ......... Mobile terminal support stand 9a ......... Horizontal plane 9b ......... Inclined surface 10 ......... Control device 11 ......... Storage device 21 (21a, 21b) ... ...... Wireless communication module

Claims (6)

A gaming machine that has a portable terminal support that supports a portable terminal and incorporates a wireless communication module,
Storage means for storing game information;
Lottery means for performing lottery processing;
Production means for producing according to the lottery result by the lottery means,
When the lottery result by the lottery means is a win, the effect information that is the game information related to the effect by the effect means is acquired from the storage means, and the acquired effect information is distributed via the wireless communication module. Delivery means;
A gaming machine comprising: A display device that outputs an effect produced by the effect means;
Detecting means for detecting the portable terminal capable of communication;
If the mobile terminal that can communicate by the detecting means is not detected by the end of the effect by the effect means, the distribution means will only display the effect information within a predetermined time after the effect by the effect means has ended. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein first notification information indicating distribution via the wireless communication module is output to the display device. The distribution means distributes, via the wireless communication module, second notification information indicating added value of the gaming machine that distributes the effect information via the wireless communication module, together with winning information. The gaming machine according to claim 2. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the distribution unit outputs the second notification information to the display device when the mobile terminal capable of communication is not detected by the detection unit after the game is started. 5. . The mobile terminal support is
As the surface on which the mobile terminal is placed, a horizontal surface and an inclined surface are connected to each other,
A first wireless communication module is built in a position facing the horizontal plane,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a second wireless communication module different from the first wireless communication module is built in a position facing the inclined surface. An information distribution method executed by a gaming machine that supports a portable terminal, has a portable terminal support base with a built-in wireless communication module, and has storage means for storing gaming information,
A lottery step for performing a lottery process;
A production step for producing according to the lottery result of the lottery step;
When the lottery result in the lottery step is a win, the effect information that is the game information related to the effect in the effect step is acquired from the storage unit, and the acquired effect information is distributed via the wireless communication module. A delivery step;
An information distribution method comprising:

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