JP2014144148A - Game system, use management method of resource thereof, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system capable of effectively using computer resources of game machines.SOLUTION: A game system 1 includes: a plurality of game machines 3 each including a computer functioned as a game control part that refers to operation information of a user to execute arithmetic processing of a game, and outputs a result of the arithmetic processing; a network terminal device 4 capable of communicating with each game machine 3 via a network 5; and a server 2 acquiring a use state of the resources of the computer of each game machine 3. When a user of the terminal device 4 requests a play of a game, a game machine 3 having resources with a surplus is selected on the basis of the use state of the resources, as a game machine 3 to be used by the terminal device 4. The game system controls the operation of the game control part of the game machine 3 such that the game control part of the selected game machine 3 refers to the operation information of the terminal device 4 to execute arithmetic processing of the game, and outputs the result of the arithmetic processing to the terminal device 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system including a plurality of game machines connected to a network.

  A game system in which a plurality of game machines are connected to a network so as to receive a predetermined service from a server device is well known. In addition, the game program is held on the server device, user operation information is provided to the server device from the terminal device connected to the network, the game calculation processing is executed on the server device, and the game result is determined. A so-called thin client type network game system that outputs information such as game images to a terminal device is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-236724 A

  In a conventional game system, each computer of a plurality of game machines is exclusively used for arithmetic processing of a game to be played on the game machine. However, depending on the situation of the game machine, a situation occurs in which the resources of the computer are not effectively used. For example, in the case of a commercial game machine installed in a store or the like, the operation rate of the game machine is reduced and the resource usage rate of the computer is also reduced during a time period when there are few visitors.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system and the like that can effectively use computer resources of a game machine.

  The game system of the present invention includes a plurality of game machines (3) having a computer functioning as game control means (31) for executing game calculation processing with reference to user operation information and outputting the result of calculation processing. A game system (1) comprising a network terminal device (4) capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via a network (5), wherein the computer resources of each of the plurality of game machines Resource management means (51, 22, S11, S12, S21, S22) for acquiring the usage status of the network terminal, and when the user of the network terminal device requests play of the game, the usage status acquired by the resource management means Based on the selection means (22, S31 to S35) for selecting a game machine to be used from the network terminal device, The game control means of the game machine selected by the selection means executes game calculation processing with reference to the operation information from the network terminal device, and outputs the result of the calculation processing to the network terminal device. And operation management means (32, S44, S45) for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine.

  The computer resource utilization management method applied to the game system of the present invention is a computer that functions as game control means (31) for executing a game calculation process with reference to user operation information and outputting the result of the calculation process. A computer applied to a game system (1) comprising a plurality of game machines (3) having a network terminal device (4) capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via a network (5) A method of using resources, the procedure of acquiring the resource usage status of each computer of the plurality of game machines (S11, S12, S21, S22), and the user of the network terminal device requesting the play of the game When using the network terminal device based on the usage status acquired in the acquiring procedure A procedure for selecting a game machine to be played (S31 to S35), and the game control means of the game machine selected in the selection procedure executes a game calculation process with reference to operation information from the network terminal device And a procedure (S44, S45) for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine so as to output the result of the arithmetic processing to the network terminal device.

  A computer program applied to the game system of the present invention includes a plurality of computers having a computer functioning as game control means (31) for executing game calculation processing with reference to user operation information and outputting the result of calculation processing. Applied to a game system (1) including a game machine (3) and a network terminal device (4) capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via a network (5), and included in the game system The resource management means (51, 22, S11, S12, S21, S22) for acquiring the usage status of the resources of each of the plurality of game machines, and the user of the network terminal device When requested to play the game, based on the usage status acquired by the resource management means Selection means (22, S31 to S35) for selecting a game machine to be used from the network terminal device, and the game control means of the game machine selected by the selection means obtains the operation information from the network terminal device. The operation management means (32, 32) for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine so as to execute the arithmetic processing of the game with reference and output the result of the arithmetic processing to the network terminal device. S44, S45) are configured to function.

  In the present invention, each of a plurality of game machines can communicate with a network terminal device via a network. In such a case, the operation information of the user is provided from the network terminal device to the game machine, the operation control of the game is executed by the game control means with reference to the operation information, and the result of the operation processing is displayed on the network. By outputting to the terminal device, it is possible to allow the user to play the game on the network terminal device as well as the game machine using the game control means of the game machine. If the resources of the computer of the game machine are not sufficient, allowing the network terminal device to use the computer of the game machine may impair the original function of the game machine. However, if there is a surplus in the resources of the game machine because the game is not being played on the game machine, the computer of the game machine is used up by making the network terminal device use the computer of the game machine. It can be used effectively. According to the present invention, the usage status of each resource of a plurality of game machines is acquired, and the gaming machine to be used from the network terminal device is selected based on the usage status. Therefore, a game machine suitable for use from the network terminal device can be selected. The game control means of the selected game machine executes the game calculation process with reference to the operation information from the network terminal apparatus, and outputs the result of the calculation process to the network terminal apparatus. Control the operation of the game control means. Thereby, the user can play the game on the network terminal device while effectively utilizing the resources of the computer of the game machine.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a virtual game for generating virtual game machine control means (25) for performing arithmetic processing of the game on the network terminal device and outputting a result of the arithmetic processing to the network terminal device. A game machine server device (2B) is further connected to the network, and the selection means performs the game calculation process in either the game control means of the game machine or the virtual game machine control means according to a predetermined selection condition. It is determined whether or not to execute (S32), and if it is determined that the game control means of the game machine should execute, the network terminal device is used based on the usage status. A game machine to be selected may be selected (S33). According to this aspect, either the case where the arithmetic processing of the game played on the network terminal device is executed by the virtual game control means provided by the virtual game machine server device, or the game control means of a plurality of game machines Can be properly used according to the selection conditions. Therefore, in a situation where there is a surplus in the resources of the game machine, the game control means of the game machine can execute arithmetic processing to effectively use the resources of the game machine. On the other hand, in a situation where there is not enough room for each game machine, the virtual game control means is caused to execute calculation processing. Thereby, the resources of the game machine can be rationally used so as to avoid the overload of the computer of each game machine and the loss of the game play opportunity in the network terminal device.

  In the above form, the selection means performs the game calculation processing based on the load of the virtual game machine server device and the usage status of the resources of the plurality of game machines, the game control means of the game machine, or the It may be determined which of the virtual game machine control means should execute. According to this, by comparing the load of the virtual game machine server device and the usage status of each resource of the plurality of game machines, the computer resources of the virtual game machine server device and the plurality of game machines are properly used properly. be able to.

  Further, the selection means determines that the game calculation process of the game machine should be executed by the game control means when the load of the virtual game machine server device exceeds a predetermined limit, and the virtual game machine When the load on the machine server device is equal to or less than a predetermined limit, it may be determined that the game calculation process should be executed by the virtual game machine control means. In this case, the game system can be operated so that the arithmetic processing is shared by the game machines when the load on the virtual game machine server device exceeds the limit. Thereby, overloading of the virtual game machine server device can be avoided by utilizing the resources of the game machine, and the scale of the resources of the virtual game machine server device can be suppressed to an appropriate scale.

  On the other hand, when there is a game machine having a margin of a predetermined level or more in the resource, the selection means performs the game calculation process regardless of the load of the virtual game machine server device, and controls the game control of the game machine. You may judge that it should perform by a means. In this case, if an appropriate margin exists in any resource of the plurality of game machines, the game system can be operated so that the game machine preferentially executes the game calculation process. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the resource of the game machine and reduce the scale of the resource of the virtual game machine server device.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the selection unit may select a game machine having a relatively large margin of the resource from the group of the plurality of game machines. In this case, it is possible to preferentially use the computer resources of the game machine having a relatively low operation rate to the network terminal device, thereby leveling the resource usage status of each game machine.

  Alternatively, the selection means may select a game machine so that the results used for the network terminal device are leveled between a plurality of game machines having sufficient resources. In this case, the results of use between the game machines can be leveled, thereby achieving fairness between the game machines. For example, depending on the results of using the computer resources of the game machine by the network terminal device, the reward according to the use results is provided, such as providing consideration or providing convenience to the owner or operator of the game machine. When set, it is possible to ensure fairness by leveling the usage results.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the selection unit may select the game machine in consideration of predetermined information that affects the usage status in addition to the usage status of the resource. According to this, not only the resource usage status of each game machine, but also the information that may affect the usage situation is taken into account, the future usage status of the resource is predicted, and the result is reflected in the selection of the game machine. As described above, it is possible to make a more appropriate selection in consideration of not only the current usage status or the usage status acquired in the past, but also factors that change the usage status.

Temporal information may be referred to as the predetermined information that affects the usage status. For example, when it is possible to distinguish between days of the week and times of day when the game is highly likely to be played on the game machine and days of the week and times of less chance of playing the game on the game machine, By reflecting it in the selection of the game machine, it is possible to appropriately select the game machine taking into account fluctuations in the usage situation. The temporal information includes at least one of date and time.
The date and time in this case can follow the standard time of the area where the game machine is located. For this reason, when game machines exist in a plurality of areas where time differences exist, even if the resource usage rate of the game machine is high in any area, there may be a difference that the usage rate is low in other areas. In such a case, it is possible to control the selection of the game machine so that the network terminal device preferentially uses the game machine computer in the region where the resource usage rate is low.

  Each of the plurality of game machines may be a commercial game machine that allows a user to play a game in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. Commercial game consoles are used for network terminal devices because the usage of computer resources of game consoles varies relatively depending on the level of congestion at the stores where they are installed and the hours of use (business hours, etc.) of the stores. There is a relatively high probability that there will be a surplus in resources. Therefore, by applying the present invention, the resources of those game machines can be used more effectively.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a game machine is selected on the basis of the use status of each resource of a plurality of game machines, and a game in a network terminal device is performed using a computer of the selected game machine. Since the calculation process can be executed, the computer resources of the game machine can be used effectively.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows the concept of the mechanism in which the resource of a game machine is utilized by a user terminal device. The functional block diagram of the principal part in the control system of the game system for implement | achieving the structure of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the resource management process which a shop management terminal device performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the resource management process which a game server part performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the resource selection process which a game server part performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the remote operation control process which the game machine management part of a game machine performs.

  Hereinafter, a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2, a number of game machines 3 that can be connected to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5, and a user as a network terminal device that can also be connected to the center server 2 via the network 5. Terminal device 4. The center server 2 functions as a server device of the present invention. The center server 2 includes various server units such as a game server unit 2A and a virtual game machine server unit 2B according to functions to be provided to the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. Functions provided by the server units 2A and 2B will be described later. Each of the server units 2A, 2B,... May be configured by a single physical computer device, or may be configured as a logical server by combining a plurality of physical computer devices.

  The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer device installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 for the purpose of increasing the profit by repeatedly playing a game with a large number of users. One or more appropriate number of game machines 3 are installed in the store 6. In FIG. 1, the game machine 3 is drawn without distinction, but the hardware configuration and game content may be appropriately selected. The game machine 3 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or may be configured as a general-purpose machine that can handle various games by rewriting software. May be.

  On the other hand, the user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. It's okay. By installing various computer software, the user terminal device 4 is communicably connected to the center server 2 via the network 5 so that the user can enjoy various services provided by the center server 2. is there. Further, the user terminal device 4 can communicate with the computer of each game machine 3 through the center server 2 or without going through the center server 2 by being connected to the network 5.

  The game system 1 is further provided with a store management terminal device 7. The store management terminal device 7 is a computer device provided for the purpose of the operator of the store 6 managing the game machine 3 or accessing the center server 2 to transmit and receive various types of information. The store management terminal device 7 is provided for each store 6. The store management terminal device 7 is configured, for example, by installing predetermined management application software on a personal computer. The store management terminal device 7 is also connected to the network 5 like the game machine 3.

  The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3, the user terminal device 4, and the store management terminal device 7 can be connected to the server units 2A, 2B,. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, the network 5 includes the Internet 5A as a WAN, the LAN 5B constructed so as to connect the server units 2A, 2B... Of the center server 2 to each other, the game machine 3 and the store management terminal device 7. LAN 5C constructed so as to connect to LAN 5B, and router 5D for connecting each of LAN 5B and 5C to Internet 5A. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A via a public line network or the like (not shown). Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by a WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C. Each of the server units 2A, 2B,..., Game machine 3, user terminal device 4 and store management terminal device 7 of the center server 2 is set with a unique network address (including both a global IP address and a private IP address). ing. Each of the server units 2A, 2B..., The game machine 3, the user terminal device 4, and the store management terminal device 7 can specify a communication partner using a network address.

  The game server unit 2 </ b> A provides various services necessary for playing a predetermined game to each user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. For example, the game server unit 2A receives a user's identification information from the game machine 3 or the like, and a service for identifying the user and a result of the user playing the game (progress status, score, score, acquired item, etc.) Data received from the game machine 3 and stored, or provided to the user of the game machine 3, service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, via the network 5 Thus, a service or the like for updating the program or data of the game machine 3 can be provided. The user identification information may be anything that can uniquely identify the user. For example, a user ID uniquely set for each user, a medium ID recorded on a storage medium such as a card possessed by the user, and the like are used as the user identification information.

  On the other hand, the virtual game machine server unit 2B functions as the virtual game machine server device of the present invention by providing a service that allows the user of the user terminal device 4 to play the same game as the game that can be played on the game machine 3. To do. In order to realize the service, the virtual game machine server unit 2B constructs the same application operating environment as the game machine 3 on the server operating system, and executes the same game as the game machine 3 in the operating environment. To run an application program. By the operation of the application, the virtual game machine server unit 2B receives information on the user's input operation from the user terminal device 4, and executes arithmetic processing necessary for playing the game while referring to the information. Further, the virtual game machine server unit 2B transmits the game image and sound data obtained as a result of the arithmetic processing to the user terminal device 4, and the game image and game sound are transmitted to the display device and the sound reproduction device of the user terminal device 4. Is output. That is, the virtual game machine server unit 2B logically uses a virtual game machine similar to the game machine 3 (see the virtual game machine 9 in FIG. 2) while using the user terminal device 4 as a remote input / output terminal. It is generated as a device, and has a function of causing the user of the user terminal device 4 to play a game similar to the game device 3 under the control of the virtual game device. The user of the user terminal device 4 can enjoy the above-described service provided by the game server unit 2A in the same manner as the game machine 3 via the virtual game machine generated by the virtual game machine server unit 2B. Therefore, the user of the user terminal device 4 can participate in a common game with other users by using the service of the game server unit 2A, and enjoy the battle play and the cooperative play, like the user of the game machine 3. .

  Further, although not shown in the figure, the center server 2 has a server unit that provides various Web services to users who access from the user terminal device 4, and a fee as a price for providing paid services to the users. A server unit that provides a service to be collected is also provided. Examples of the web service include a service such as a game information service that provides various kinds of information regarding the game to the user through the website, and a community service that provides an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by the user. The billing service is equivalent to, for example, when a virtual currency account for each user is opened on the center server 2 and the user pays a predetermined price using a payment means such as cash or a credit card. An amount of virtual currency is added to the user's account. On the other hand, when a user uses a paid service, it is realized by a technique of consuming an amount of virtual currency corresponding to a usage fee from the user's account. A game play fee is also included in the usage fee. Therefore, the user can pay the play fee when playing the game using the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 by consuming the virtual currency held in his / her account.

  In the game system 1, each of the store 6, the game machine 3, and the store management terminal device 7 is uniquely specified. Therefore, the store ID as unique store identification information for each store 6 is unique to each game machine 3. A case ID as game machine identification information and a unique store terminal ID are set for each store management terminal device 7. The center server 2 includes a database (not shown) that describes the store 6 information, the game machine 3 information, the store management terminal device 7 information, and the correspondence between the store ID, the housing ID, and the store terminal ID. ) Is provided. The game server unit 2A uniquely identifies the game machine 3 or the store management terminal device 7 by using the case ID or the store terminal ID, and searches the database using those IDs as a clue, so that the game machine 3 or the store The store ID where the management terminal device 7 is installed can be determined. Moreover, 2 A of game server parts can acquire the information of the shop 6, the game machine 3, or the shop management terminal device 7 by acquiring those ID, or discriminating.

  As described above, in the game system 1, the operating rate of the game machine 3 in the store 6 varies due to various factors. For example, the operation rate of the game machine 3 is relatively high when there are many visitors, and the operation rate of the game machine 3 is relatively decreased when there are few visitors. In addition, outside the business hours of the store 6, the game machine 3 may be basically placed in a dormant state except during maintenance. When the operating rate of the game machine 3 is high, the resources of the computer of the game machine 3 (general name for the CPU, memory, or software to be combined with these) are effectively utilized, but the operating rate is low Resources (including hibernation) are not used effectively, and equipment is wasted. Therefore, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, when the operating rate of the game machine 3 is relatively low, in other words, when the computer resource margin of the game machine 3 is relatively high, the resource is given to the user terminal device 4. On the other hand, a mechanism for effectively utilizing the resources of the game machine 3 is implemented. The outline will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the game system 1, the use status of resources in the game machines 3 of the stores A to C is periodically acquired by the center server 2. The acquired usage status is stored in the resource management data D1 in association with the store ID of each store A to C and the housing ID of each game machine 3. In FIG. 2, for convenience, the game machines 3 of the stores A to C are drawn one by one, but the number of the game machines 3 for each store is arbitrary. When the user terminal device 4 requests the center server 2 to play a game, the center server 2 selects resources for selecting a computer that is to execute the arithmetic processing of the game to be played on the user terminal device 4. A selection process is performed. In the resource selection process, the resource usage status of the game machine 3 is determined based on the resource management data D1, and the game machine 3 or the virtual game machine 9 in any of the stores A to C is played based on the determination result. It is determined as a subject that should execute the arithmetic processing. For example, when the game machine 3 in the store C has sufficient resources, the game machine 3 in the store C should execute a game calculation process in the user terminal device 4 as shown by a broken line in FIG. Selected as the subject. In any store, when there is not enough room for the game machine 3, a virtual game machine 9 is generated as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, and game calculation processing is executed by the virtual game machine 9. . The virtual game machine 9 is a virtual game machine generated by the virtual game machine server unit 2B, and uses the computer resources of the virtual game machine server unit 2B while using the user terminal device 4 as a remote input / output terminal device. Then, the game calculation process is executed.

  As described above, in the game system 1, the computer of one of the game machines 3 is used for the game calculation process in the user terminal device 4 based on the usage status of the computer resources of each game machine 3. Thereby, when the operating rate of the game machine 3 is relatively lowered and a margin is generated in the resource, the resource can be used effectively in the game of the user terminal device 4. As a condition (selection condition) for causing the game machine 3 to execute the calculation process, any game machine 3 may execute the calculation process when the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B exceeds a predetermined limit. . Alternatively, if at least one game machine 3 has a margin of a predetermined level or more, the arithmetic processing may be executed with priority over the game machine 3 regardless of the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B. Further, when there are always a certain number or more of game machines 3 having a margin of a predetermined level or more in resources, the virtual game machine server unit 2B is omitted, and calculation processing of a game to be played on the user terminal device 4 is performed. Any one of the game machines 3 may always execute. When the game calculation process is configured to be shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the calculation process may be distributed to a plurality of game machines 3 having sufficient resources. The game machines 3 to be used as the execution subject of the game calculation process in the user terminal device 4 do not necessarily need to be all game machines 3 connected to the center server 2. It is possible to set whether or not it should be permitted to be used as the execution subject of the arithmetic processing for the user terminal device 4 in an appropriate unit such as a game machine unit or a store unit, and use from a group of game machines 3 permitted to use. The target game machine 3 may be selected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the principal part of the control system of the game system 1 related to the distribution control of the arithmetic processing will be described. In the following, a case will be described as an example where the virtual game machine server 2B or the game machine 3 is appropriately selected as the execution subject of the arithmetic processing of the game to be played on the user terminal device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game server unit 2A is provided with a game service management unit 21 and a resource management unit 22. The game service management unit 21 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the game server unit 2A (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) and a predetermined server computer program. It is. The game service management unit 21 provides the above-described various game services (services such as user authentication and matching) to the user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 or the operator of the store management terminal device 7. The resource management unit 22 executes a series of processes related to selection of a subject that is to execute a game calculation process for the user terminal device 4. The game server unit 2A stores resource management data D1, and the resource management unit 22 also manages the resource management data D1. Details of processing of the resource management unit 22 will be described later. In addition to the resource management data D1, various data such as the play data described above are stored in the game server unit 2A, but these are not shown.

  On the other hand, the virtual game machine server unit 2B is provided with a virtual game machine control unit 25 and a virtual game machine management unit 26. The virtual game machine control unit 25 and the virtual game machine management unit 26 include computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) of the virtual game machine server unit 2B and a predetermined server computer program. It is a logical device realized by the combination. The virtual game machine control unit 25 operates as a virtual game machine similar to the game machine 3 as described above. In other words, the virtual game machine control unit 25 operates the virtual game machine according to the user operation information acquired from the user terminal device 4 to execute calculation control and the like necessary for the game, and displays a game image or the like as the calculation result. It is a logical device that is a main body provided to the device 4, and the control unit 25 corresponds to the virtual game machine 9. Further, the virtual game machine control unit 25 appropriately accesses the game service management unit 21 of the game server unit 2A in the same manner as the game machine 3 in order to provide the game service of the game server unit 2A to the user of the user terminal device 4. To do. Thereby, the user of the user terminal device 4 can also receive user authentication in accordance with the processing of the game server unit 2A and use the matching service or the like, like the user of the game machine 3.

  The virtual game machine management unit 26 executes various processes related to the management of the virtual game machine control unit 25. For example, the virtual game machine management unit 26 receives a game play request from the user terminal device 4 and notifies the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A that the request has been received. When the resource management unit 22 selects the virtual game machine 9 as the subject of the game calculation process, the virtual game machine management unit 26 generates and operates the virtual game machine 9 to be associated with the user terminal device 4. The machine control unit 25 is controlled. In this case, the user terminal device 4 and the virtual game machine control unit 25 cooperate to advance the game until the game ends. When the resource management unit 22 selects any one of the game machines 3 as the subject of the game calculation process, the virtual game machine management unit 26 determines from the resource management unit 22 that the game calculation process for the user terminal device 4 is executed. Information necessary for playing the game on the user terminal device 4 is provided to the user terminal device 4 using the computer of the game device 3 such as notification of address information of the game device 3 to be used. Based on this information, the user terminal device 4 provides user operation information to the game machine 3, receives the result of the arithmetic processing from the game machine 3, and executes a process of displaying a game screen or the like. However, when the computer of the game machine 3 is used to execute game calculation processing, the game server unit 2A or the virtual game machine server unit 2B is used as an information communication mediating device between the user terminal device 4 and the game machine 3. It may be interposed.

  The game machine 3 includes a game control unit 31 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) and a predetermined game application program. A game machine management unit 32 is provided. The game control unit 31 executes various arithmetic processes necessary for causing the user to play a game on the game machine 3, and accesses the game service management unit 21 as necessary to perform transmission and reception of play data. To do. The game machine management unit 32 executes various processes related to the management of the game control unit 31. The game machine management unit 32 executes a process of determining the use status (usage rate) of resources such as the CPU of the game machine 3 based on the operation status of the game control unit 31. In addition, the game machine management unit 32 performs a calculation process on the game control unit 31 based on user operation information provided from the user terminal device 4, and the result of the calculation process of the game control unit 31 is displayed on the user terminal. Processing for operating in the remote operation mode to be output to the device 4 is also executed. In the remote operation mode, for example, the setting of the input port and the output port when the CPU of the game machine 3 operates as the game control unit 31 is changed from the setting for the input device and the output device of the game machine 3 to the setting for the external input / output. This can be realized by performing a switching process or the like. The processing includes various processes necessary for using an external device existing on the network 5 as an input / output terminal device, such as protocol conversion of input information and output information.

  The user terminal device 4 is provided with a game input / output control unit (denoted as a game IO control unit in the figure) 41. The game input / output control unit 41 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the user terminal device 4 (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) and a predetermined application program. is there. The game input / output control unit 41 performs processing necessary for operating the user terminal device 4 as an input / output terminal device for the virtual game machine control unit 25 or the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3.

  The store management terminal device 7 includes a resource management unit as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) and a predetermined game application program. 51 is provided. The resource management unit 51 periodically acquires the resource usage status of each game machine 3 installed in the store 6 from the game machine management unit 32, and stores the acquired usage status information in the store resource data D2. . Further, the resource management unit 51 provides store resource data D2 in response to a request from the game server unit 2A.

  Each of the game machine 3, the user terminal device 4, and the store management terminal device 7 is provided with various physical devices such as an input device and a display device. Although a logical device for executing the various processes described above is provided, the illustration thereof is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, various processes necessary for causing the game machine 3 to execute arithmetic processing of the user terminal device 4 will be described. First, processing necessary for the game server unit 2A to acquire the use status of the computer resources of each game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the resource management unit 51 of each store management terminal device 7 repeatedly executes the resource management process of FIG. 4 at a constant period. When the resource management unit 51 starts the resource management process of FIG. 4, the resource management unit 51 accesses the game machine management unit 32 of each game machine 3 in the store 6 and acquires the resource usage status of each game machine 3 (step S <b> 11). ). Next, the resource management unit 51 updates the data D2 so that the acquired usage status of the game machine 3 is recorded in the store resource data D2 (step S12). Thereafter, the resource management unit 51 ends the resource management process of FIG.

  On the other hand, the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A repeatedly executes the resource management process shown in FIG. 5 at a constant period. When the resource management unit 22 starts the resource management process of FIG. 5, the resource management unit 22 accesses the resource management unit 51 of the store management terminal device 7 in the store 6 and acquires the store resource data D2 (step S21). Next, the resource management unit 22 updates the data D1 so that the acquired store resource data D2 is recorded in the resource management data D1 (step S22). In this case, the resource management unit 22 acquires the store ID of the store 6 and the housing ID of the game machine 3, and records the resource usage state in association with these IDs. Thereafter, the resource management unit 22 ends the resource management process of FIG. 4 and 5 is periodically repeated, the resource management data D1 of the game server unit 2A reflects the resource usage status in each game machine 3 in a timely manner.

  Next, resource selection processing to be executed with reference to the resource management data D1 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the user of the user terminal device 4 requests to start a game, the request is accepted by the virtual game machine management unit 26 of the virtual game machine server unit 2B. When receiving the request, the virtual game machine management unit 26 requests the resource management unit 22 to select a subject that should execute the game calculation process. In response to this request, the resource management unit 22 executes the resource selection process of FIG. In the resource selection process, the resource management unit 22 reads the resource management data D1 (step S31), and then, based on the resource usage status of each game machine 3 described in the resource management data D1, a predetermined game machine It is determined whether or not the selection condition is satisfied (step S32). The game machine selection condition is a condition set in order to determine whether or not to perform a game calculation process using the computer of any game machine 3. As described above, the selection condition may be set so that the game machine 3 is used only when the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B exceeds a predetermined limit, and the resource has a margin of a predetermined level or more. When a certain game machine 3 exists, the selection condition may be set so that the game calculation process is executed using the game machine 3 regardless of the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B. When considering the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B, it is necessary to provide a process for acquiring the load of the virtual game machine server unit 2B prior to the process of step S32.

  When the game machine selection condition is satisfied, the resource management unit 22 refers to the resource management data D1 and selects the game machine 3 to be used by the user terminal device 4 (step S33). In other words, the game machine 3 to be used as the execution subject of the game calculation process is selected. In this case, a group of game machines 3 with sufficient resources is identified from the resource management data D1 in view of the load required for game calculation processing, and one of the game machines 3 is selected as an execution subject from the group. Is done. In the case where game calculation processing is distributed to a plurality of game machines 3, a plurality of game machines 3 are selected. If there are enough resources for a plurality of game machines 3, an appropriate game machine 3 may be selected from those game machines 3. As a selection criterion in that case, in the group of game machines 3 that are selection candidates, the game machine 3 having a relatively large resource margin may be preferentially selected. Alternatively, the results (determined by the number of times used and the time used) of each game machine 3 used as the subject of the arithmetic processing are recorded so that the use results are leveled among the candidate game machines 3. The game machine 3 may be selected.

  After selecting the game machine 3, the resource management unit 22 requests the game machine 3 to perform a game calculation process (step S34). In this case, the game mode desired by the user of the user terminal device 4, the play amount (play time), and the like are also notified as request contents. The requested processing in the game machine 3 will be described later with reference to FIG. The resource management unit 22 determines whether or not the selected game machine 3 has accepted the calculation process (step S35), and if not, returns to the process of step S32. That is, if the game machine 3 does not accept, the selection is canceled and another selection is attempted. On the other hand, when the game machine 3 accepts the calculation process, the resource management unit 22 sets the environment so that the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 executes the calculation process using the user terminal device 4 as the input / output terminal device. (Step S36). For example, the resource management unit 22 notifies the user terminal device 4 of the address information of the game machine 3 to be the subject of the arithmetic processing, and controls the game to the game machine management unit 32 of the game machine 3. The environment is set by instructing switching of the unit 31 to the remote operation mode.

  After setting the environment, the resource management unit 22 records the result of the selection process in predetermined history data (not shown) (step S37), and then ends this selection process. Information to be recorded in the history data includes information for determining whether the main body of the arithmetic processing is determined to be the game machine 3 or the virtual game machine 9, and if the game machine 3 is the arithmetic body, the game Information such as the case ID of the machine 3 and the store ID of the store 6 in which the game machine 3 is installed is included. By referring to the history data, it is possible to determine the number, frequency, time, and the like of the game machine 3 in each store 6 being used as the subject of the game calculation processing in the user terminal device 4. Using the determination result, it is also possible to perform processing such as returning a part of the play fee to the manager of the store 6 according to the extent to which the user terminal device 4 uses the computer of the game machine 3. is there.

  The game machine management unit 32 of the game machine 3 requested to perform the calculation process in step S34 in FIG. 6 starts the remote operation control process in FIG. 7 with the request as a trigger. In the remote operation control process, the game machine management unit 32 determines the content of the request from the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A (step S41), and determines whether the request satisfies a predetermined acceptance condition (step S41). S42). The acceptance condition is set based on the resource margin of the game machine 3. For example, the acceptance condition is set so as to be satisfied when there is a margin for executing the arithmetic processing of the game in the user terminal device 4. Whether or not the resource has a margin is determined by, for example, determining whether or not the resource usage rate exceeds a predetermined upper limit value and determining that there is a margin if the resource usage rate does not exceed the upper limit value. What is necessary is just to discriminate. However, even if there is a margin of resources at the time of receiving the request, the margin is temporary, and there is a high probability that the resource usage rate will increase after the request in view of the resource usage history etc. In the situation, the acceptance condition may be denied because the resources are not sufficient. In this case, the game machine management unit 32 predicts a future resource margin by a method of referring to a change in usage rate within a certain time before the request, and determines whether or not to accept based on the prediction result. May be. Furthermore, the acceptance condition may be set in consideration of not only the resource usage status in the game machine 3 but also other information correlated with the usage status. For example, in a time zone in which the store 6 is crowded, even if there is a temporary allowance in the resources of the game machine 3, the allowance may be lost in a short time. Therefore, by referring to information indicating the congestion status of the store 6 as other information, the resource margin is relatively strictly evaluated by a method of reducing the upper limit of the resource usage rate in the crowded time zone, It is also possible to set such that the possibility that the acceptance condition is satisfied is relatively lowered.

  If it is determined in step S42 that the acceptance condition is satisfied, the game machine management unit 32 notifies the resource management unit 22 that the request for calculation processing is accepted (step S43). With this notification, the resource management unit 22 proceeds from step S35 to step S36 in FIG. Thereafter, the game machine management unit 32 switches the game control unit 31 to the remote operation mode, and in cooperation with the processing of step S36 (FIG. 6) of the resource management unit 22, the game machine 3 uses the user terminal device 4 to An environment necessary for executing the game calculation process is set (step S44). Subsequently, the game machine management unit 32 instructs the game control unit 31 to start a game calculation process for the user terminal device 4 (step S45), and then ends the current remote operation control process. In response to the instruction in step S45, the game control unit 31 acquires user operation information from the user terminal device 4, and advances the game while accessing the game service management unit 21 of the game server unit 2A as necessary. An arithmetic process is executed, and information according to the calculation result, for example, information for drawing a game screen is output to the user terminal device 4. Thereby, a user can play a game on the user terminal device 4 while using resources of the game machine 3. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S42 that the acceptance condition is not satisfied, the game machine management unit 32 notifies the resource management unit 22 that the request should be rejected (step S46). Finish the process. In response to the notification in step S46, the resource management unit 22 returns the process from step S35 to step S32 in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the resource management unit 51 of the store management terminal device 7 and the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A execute the resource management processing of FIG. 4 and FIG. The resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A functions as the selection means of the present invention by executing the processing of steps S31 to S35 of FIG. 6, and the game machine management unit 32 of the game machine 3 performs the steps of FIG. By executing the processing of S44 and step S45, it functions as the operation management means of the present invention.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, It can implement with a various form. For example, the game machine 3 is not limited to a commercial game machine, and game machines having various configurations can be used as long as the game machine 3 can communicate with a network terminal device via a network. For example, a home-use game machine or a game machine using a PC may be provided as the game machine of the present invention. The game machine is not limited to a game machine having a configuration in which an input device, an output device, and a computer functioning as the game control means are combined to form a single physical device. The game machine of the present invention has a single logical combination by combining an input device and an output device to be provided to a user's play and a server device as a computer functioning as game control means via a communication line. It is a concept including a game machine configured as a simple device. The server device may be installed by being divided by an appropriate unit such as a region unit or a store unit. Even in such a game machine as a logical device, a computer resource having a scale corresponding to the number of game machines is ensured on the server device, but the usage rate of the resource fluctuates. It is possible to utilize the margin generated by the reduction according to the present invention.

  On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the user terminal device 4 such as the PC 4a or the mobile terminal device 4b is provided as the network terminal device. However, the network terminal device can use an appropriate terminal device as long as it can communicate with the game machine. is there. The network terminal device is configured to function exclusively as a remote input / output device, such as a so-called thin client terminal device, and may be a terminal device that does not have an arithmetic processing function such as a game itself. While having a processing function, it transmits user operation information to the game control means of the game machine without using it or using a part of the arithmetic processing function, and controls the game. The terminal device which receives the calculation result output from a means and displays a game screen to a user may be sufficient. The calculation result output from the game control means may output data reproducible on the terminal device at any time as in so-called streaming distribution, or the calculation result relating to the progress of the game, for example, the action selected by the user. Information indicating the result may be output. In the latter case, the terminal device that receives the calculation result may execute a game screen drawing calculation or the like based on the calculation result.

  In the above embodiment, the store management terminal device 7 acquires the resource usage status of the game machine 3 for each store, and the game server unit 2A acquires the acquisition result. The installation is not necessary. Any game machine 3 in the store 6 may substantially function as a store management terminal device. The game server unit 2 </ b> A may directly acquire the resource usage status from each game machine 3 without using an intermediary device such as the store management terminal 7. Alternatively, a set of store management terminal devices 7 can function as resource management means of the present invention. For example, the resource management data D1 can be managed by the group of the store management terminal devices 7 by appropriately transmitting and receiving the information of the store resource data D2 between the store management terminal devices 7. Further, a set of game machines 3 may function as resource management means.

  In the above embodiment, the game machine 3 is selected by the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A. However, the selection unit of the present invention can realize this by an appropriate computer. For example, one or more game machines 3 may function as the selection unit of the present invention, and one or more store management terminal devices 7 may function as the selection unit of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the resource management unit 22 of the game server unit 2A once selects the game machine 3 and then inquires whether the selected game machine 3 accepts the arithmetic processing. Inquiry processing can also be executed by the store management terminal device 7. Further, information such as business hours of each store 6 is pre-aggregated in the game server unit 2A, and the resource management unit 22 selects the game machine 3 in consideration of such information at the stage of step S32 or step S36 in FIG. By doing so, you may abbreviate | omit the process which inquires the game machine 3 or the shop management terminal device 7 about acceptance of a calculation process.

  In the above embodiment, the game machine management unit 32 of the game machine 3 is caused to function as an operation management unit. However, the operation management unit of the present invention is not limited to the computer of the game machine, but is used by an appropriate computer in the game system. Can be realized. For example, the operation management means of the present invention is realized by remotely controlling the operation mode of the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 with a computer other than the game machine such as the store management terminal device 7 or the game server unit 2A. Also good.

1 game system 2 center server 2A game server unit (virtual game machine server device)
3 game machine 4 user terminal device (network terminal device)
5 Network 7 Store management terminal device 9 Virtual game machine 21 Game service management unit 22 Resource management unit (resource management means, selection means)
25 Virtual game machine control unit 26 Virtual game machine management unit 31 Game control unit 32 Game machine management unit (operation management means)
51 Resource management section (resource management means)

Claims (12)

A plurality of game machines having a computer functioning as game control means for executing a game calculation process with reference to user operation information and outputting a result of the calculation process;
A network system comprising a network terminal device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via a network,
Resource management means for acquiring the usage status of the resources of each of the plurality of game machines;
When a user of the network terminal device requests play of the game, a selection unit that selects a game machine to be used from the network terminal device based on a usage situation acquired by the resource management unit;
The game control means of the game machine selected by the selection means executes game calculation processing with reference to the operation information from the network terminal device, and outputs the result of the calculation processing to the network terminal device. Operation management means for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine;
A game system with A virtual game machine server device is further connected to the network for generating virtual game machine control means for executing arithmetic processing of the game on the network terminal device and outputting a result of the arithmetic processing to the network terminal device. ,
The selection means determines whether the game calculation processing of the game machine or the virtual game machine control means should be executed according to a predetermined selection condition, and the game control of the game machine The game system according to claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the means should be executed, a game machine to be used for the network terminal device is selected based on the use state.   The selection means performs the game calculation processing based on the load of the virtual game machine server device and the usage status of the resources of the plurality of game machines, and the game control means of the game machine or the virtual game machine control means. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the game system is determined to be executed.   When the load of the virtual game machine server device exceeds a predetermined limit, the selection means determines that the game calculation process should be executed by the game control means of the game machine, and the virtual game machine server The game system according to claim 3, wherein when the load on the apparatus is equal to or less than a predetermined limit, the virtual game machine control means determines that the game calculation process should be executed.   When there is a game machine with a margin of a predetermined level or more in the resource, the selection means performs the game calculation process on the game control means of the game machine regardless of the load of the virtual game machine server device. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the game system is determined to be executed.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a game machine having a relatively large margin of the resource from the group of the plurality of game machines.   The said selection means selects a game machine so that the track record used by the said network terminal device may be equalized among several game machines with a margin in resources. Game system.   The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the selection unit selects the game machine in consideration of predetermined information that affects the usage status in addition to the usage status of the resource.   The game system according to claim 8, wherein temporal information is referred to as the predetermined information that affects the usage status.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of game machines is a commercial game machine that allows a user to play a game in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. A plurality of game machines having a computer functioning as game control means for executing a game calculation process with reference to user operation information and outputting a result of the calculation process;
A computer resource usage management method applied to a game system comprising a network terminal device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via a network,
A procedure for acquiring a resource usage status of each of the plurality of game machines;
When a user of the network terminal device requests to play the game, a procedure for selecting a game machine to be used from the network terminal device based on the usage situation acquired in the acquiring procedure;
The game control means of the game machine selected in the selection procedure executes game calculation processing with reference to operation information from the network terminal device, and outputs the result of the calculation processing to the network terminal device. A procedure for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine,
A computer resource usage management method in a game system comprising: A plurality of game machines having a computer functioning as game control means for executing a game calculation process with reference to user operation information and outputting a result of the calculation process, and each of the plurality of game machines via a network Applied to a game system including a network terminal device capable of communication, at least a part of the computer included in the game system,
Resource management means for acquiring the usage status of the resources of each of the plurality of game machines;
When a user of the network terminal device requests to play the game, a selection unit that selects a game machine to be used from the network terminal device based on a usage situation acquired by the resource management unit; and
The game control means of the game machine selected by the selection means executes game calculation processing with reference to the operation information from the network terminal device, and outputs the result of the calculation processing to the network terminal device. Operation management means for controlling the operation of the game control means of the selected game machine,
A computer program configured to function as a computer program.

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