JP2017113371A - Game device and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device capable of recognizing a change in language in the game device, such as a game machine, at a side of a game parlor, and capable of suitably dealing with a customer, and to provide a game system including the game device.SOLUTION: A ball dispensing unit 120 as a game device included in a game system 1 outputs change information allowing a change in a type of notification language to be identified to a hall computer 150, a bank end lamp 160, and an intercom 170 when the notification language used for notification is changed, and outputs change request information for also changing the notification language in a call lamp device 130 and a Pachinko machine 110 as other game devices corresponding to the ball dispensing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided in a game hall and a gaming system including the gaming machine.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a language used for display and sound can be switched by inserting a key into a key hole provided on the main control board and turning, and the player performs the switching. A gaming machine that can do this is known.

JP 2004-016575 A (paragraphs 0042-0048, 0119)

  However, even if the language is switched in the gaming machine, the switching of the switching is not recognized on the game hall side, and there is a possibility that appropriate customer service cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow the game hall to recognize that the language has been switched in a gaming machine or the like, and to appropriately handle the customer service. An object of the present invention is to provide the gaming machine and a gaming system including the gaming machine that can perform the game.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The reference numerals used in the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the drawings to be described later are appended in parentheses for reference, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the appended description.

First, the invention according to means 1
Game equipment (ball lending unit 120, call lamp device 130, pachinko machine 110) provided in the game hall,
A notification means (display or speaker) capable of reporting predetermined information;
A switching unit (control unit 122 that performs the processes of S104 and S125) that switches the type of the notification language, which is a language used for notification by the notification unit;
A control unit that performs processing of S105 and S126 that outputs to the outside (the hall computer 150, the island edge lamp 160, the income 170) switching information that can specify that the type of the notification language has been switched by the switching unit. 122 and the on-site communication unit 121b).
According to this, based on the switching information output from the output means, it is possible for the game hall to recognize that the notification language has been switched in the gaming machine, so that appropriate customer service is expected.

The invention according to means 2
A gaming device described in means 1, wherein
The switching means can be switched to the notification language of a type selected from a plurality of types of languages (for example, Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean),
The output means is a gaming machine characterized in that the type information that can specify the type of the notification language switched by the switching means is output to the outside.
According to this, based on the type information output from the output means, the type of notification language switched in the gaming machine can be recognized on the game hall side, so that more appropriate customer service can be expected.

The invention according to means 3 is
A gaming device according to means 1 or 2, wherein
It further comprises reception means (card R / W 124) for receiving a recording medium (visitor card 102, membership card 103) that can specify the gaming value (prepaid balance, number of possessed balls, number of stored balls) possessed by the player,
Even if the accepting means accepts the recording medium after switching the notification language type (YES in S103 and YES in S111), the switching means enables the switching while switching the notification language type. When the reception of the recording medium by the reception unit is finished later (YES in S132 after S104 or S125), the switching is invalidated (S135).
According to this, even if the recording medium is received after the notification language is switched, the switching is effective, so that it is not necessary to perform the switching again. By disabling the switching upon completion, it is possible to prevent the previous switching of the player from being reflected when the player changes.

The invention according to means 4 is
A gaming device described in any one of means 1 to 3,
The informing means is an amusement machine characterized in that information of a recommended gaming machine corresponding to the type of the informing language switched by the switching means is informed as the predetermined information (FIG. 5 (a)). .
According to this, the operation improvement of the recommended gaming machine is expected.

The invention according to means 5 is
A gaming device described in any one of means 1 to 4,
The informing means is an amusement machine characterized in that as the predetermined information, an advertisement corresponding to the type of the informing language switched by the switching means is informed (FIG. 5B).
According to this, an improvement in advertising effectiveness is expected.

The invention according to means 6 is
A gaming device according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein
The notifying means is a gaming machine characterized by displaying a tutorial image corresponding to the type of the notice language switched by the switching means as the predetermined information (FIG. 6C).
According to this, the operation improvement of the gaming machine is expected.

The invention according to means 7
A gaming device according to any one of means 1-6,
The apparatus further comprises tutorial image information output means (display) capable of outputting information (FIG. 6 (d)) for browsing the tutorial image corresponding to the notification language of the type switched by the switching means. A gaming device.
According to this, the operation improvement of the gaming machine is expected.

The invention according to means 8
A gaming device according to any one of means 1 to 7, wherein
The output unit switches switching request information (S105, S105) for switching a notification language in another gaming device corresponding to the gaming device based on the switching of the notification language type by the switching unit. The game machine is characterized by outputting S126).
According to this, since the notification language in other gaming machines corresponding to the gaming machine can be switched, the convenience can be improved without taking the player's trouble.

The invention according to means 9 is
Game equipment (ball lending unit 120, call lamp device 130, pachinko machine 110) provided in the game hall, and other equipment (hall computer 150, island edge lamp 160, income 170) that can communicate with the game equipment, A gaming system including:
The gaming machine has notification means capable of notifying predetermined information;
Switching means for switching the type of notification language, which is a language used by the notification means for notification;
The game system, comprising: output means for outputting, to the other device, switching information capable of specifying that the type of the notification language has been switched by the switching means.
According to this, since the game hall can recognize that the notification language has been switched in the gaming device based on the switching information output from the output means to another device, an appropriate customer service is expected. It is.

Furthermore, the invention according to means 10
A tally device (hall computer 150) that can communicate with gaming machines (ball rental unit 120, call lamp device 130, pachinko machine 110) provided with a notification means provided in a game hall and capable of notifying predetermined information,
Aggregating information related to switching of the notification language based on the fact that switching information that can specify that the type of notification language that is used for notification by the notification means has been switched is received from the gaming device. It is a tabulation device characterized by comprising means (a language DB for storing a notification language and a control unit 152 for creating a language form).
According to this, the total result of the information regarding the switching of the notification language can be utilized for management of the game hall.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall image of a gaming system including gaming equipment (ball lending unit, calling lamp device, pachinko machine) according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the ball lending unit which is game equipment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional right side view. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display of a ball lending unit. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the switching process which a ball lending unit performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the information screen displayed on the display of a ball lending unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the information screen displayed on the display of a ball lending unit. It is a figure which shows an example of language DB memorize | stored with a hall computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the language form totaled with a hall computer.

  The ball lending unit 120, the calling lamp device 130, and the pachinko machine 110, which are examples of the gaming equipment according to the present invention, are provided in the game hall, and a notification means (display or speaker) capable of notifying predetermined information, the notification Switching means for switching a type of notification language (for example, Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean) which is a language used for notification by the means, and the switching means can specify that the type of the notification language has been switched. An output means for outputting the switching information to another external device (Hall computer 150, island edge lamp 160, income 170) is provided. The gaming system 1 according to the present invention includes the gaming device and another device.

  In the following, an example in which the gaming machine is a pachinko machine 110 and the gaming medium is a pachinko ball will be described. In the following, the database is abbreviated as “DB”, the reader / writer is abbreviated as “R / W”, and step S is abbreviated as “S”.

[Configuration of gaming system 1 and gaming equipment]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall image of a gaming system 1 including these gaming devices. The gaming system 1 includes a ball lending unit 120 and a call lamp device 130 that are provided on a one-to-one basis in correspondence with each of a plurality of pachinko machines 110 arranged on each of a plurality of gaming islands in the game hall. The remaining amount management device 141, the possession management device 142, the member management device 143, and the hall computer 150, which can communicate with the ball lending unit 120, can communicate with the ball lending unit 120 provided on each amusement island. An island edge lamp 160 provided at the end, and an income 170 that can receive information from all the ball lending units 120 and is worn by a store clerk in the game hall are provided.

  In the gaming system 1, a visitor card 102 and a membership card 103 are used as shown in FIG. In the following, the visitor card 102 and the member card 103 may be collectively referred to as “card”. In addition, information that can identify the notification language is stored in the card. Hereinafter, the information is simply referred to as “notification language is stored”.

  The visitor card 102 stores a card ID capable of individually identifying the visitor card 102 and a prepaid balance that is an example of a game value possessed by the player, and does not have a membership card 103. Issued to the visitor player by the ball rental unit 120. At the time of issuance, the notification language is stored. Specifically, if a visitor player operates the card return button 114c after inserting a bill into the ball lending unit 120 and receiving a pachinko ball loan using the prepaid balance, if there is a prepaid balance, The visitor card 102 in which the prepaid balance is recorded is issued (discharged). At this time, the notification language used during the game is stored.

  The member card 103 is a card ID that can individually identify the member card 103 and the prepaid balance, and a member ID that can individually identify a player who is a member. Issued to a member player who has registered as a member at a prize exchange counter (not shown) in the amusement hall. At the time of issuance, the notification language is stored by a process performed by a store clerk. Specifically, the store clerk performs a process of grasping the notification language desired by the member player who performs membership registration and storing it in the issued membership card.

  Here, the balance management device 141, the possession management device 142, and the member management device 143 will be described. The balance management device 141, the money management device 142, and the member management device 143 include a communication unit, a control unit (CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.), a storage unit (hard disk, etc.), an output unit (display, etc.), and It is a computer provided with input means (a keyboard, a mouse, etc.).

  The balance management device 141 associates the card ID of the visitor card 102 and the card ID of the membership card 103 with the prepaid balance that is owned by the player who owns each card and is the prepaid value that the player has paid in advance. I manage. Then, when the card is received by the ball lending unit 120 and the card ID and the prepaid balance of the card are read, the card ID and the prepaid balance are transmitted to the balance management device 141, thereby corresponding to the card ID. In addition, collation with the prepaid balance managed by the remaining amount management device 141 is performed, and if the collation is OK, a pachinko ball using the prepaid balance can be borrowed.

  The coin management device 142 is a pachinko ball acquired by the player who owns each card in association with the card ID of the visitor card 102 and the card ID of the membership card 103, and can be used only on the acquisition day. It manages the number of possessions that are the value for gaming. Then, when the card is received by the ball lending unit 120 and the card ID of the card is read, the card ID is transmitted to the ball management device 142, so that the ball management is associated with the card ID. The number of balls managed by the device 142 is specified, and the pachinko balls can be paid out within the range of the number of balls.

  The member management device 143 is a pachinko ball acquired by a member player who possesses the member card 103 in association with the card ID and / or member ID of the member card 103, and is used on the acquisition day and the following day. It manages the number of balls that can be saved as a game value. When the member card 103 is received by the ball lending unit 120 and the card ID and member ID of the member card 103 are read, the card ID and / or member ID is transmitted to the member management device 143. The number of stored balls managed by the member management device 143 is specified in association with the card ID and / or member ID, and the pachinko balls can be paid out within the range of the number of stored balls.

  In the above description, the example in which the prepaid balance is recorded on the card has been described. However, the prepaid balance may not be recorded on the card. In the above description, an example in which the number of possessed balls is not recorded on the card has been described. However, the number of retained balls may be recorded on the card. Further, in the above description, an example in which the number of stored balls is not recorded on the member card 103 has been described, but the number of stored balls may be recorded on the member card 103.

  Next, the hall computer 150 will be described. The hall computer 150 includes a communication unit 151 and a control unit 152 (CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.) connected as shown in FIG. 1, a hard disk 153 as a storage means, a display 154 as an output means, and a keyboard and a mouse. The computer includes an input device 155 and the like. The hall computer 150 counts various types of information, and tabulation regarding the notification language according to the present invention will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the pachinko machine 110 will be described. The pachinko machine 110 is an example of a gaming machine, and is provided corresponding to the ball lending unit 120 (here, adjacent to the right side of the ball lending unit 120), as shown in FIGS. By communicating with the corresponding ball lending unit 120, the ball lending unit 120 performs a ball lending process, a holding ball payout process, and a stored ball replay process (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ball payout process”). This is a so-called CR-type pachinko machine that pays out pachinko balls from the pachinko machine 110. The pachinko machine 110 is arranged according to the model of the pachinko machine 110 and the like on the game island provided in the game hall, and is individually identified by a machine number.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the pachinko machine 110 includes a game area, an upper plate, a lower plate, a firing handle, and the like on the front surface, and a remaining frequency indicator 114a, a ball lending button 114b, And a card return button 114c, an effect display device 116 at the approximate center in the game area, speakers 118, 118 on the upper left and right outside the game area, and a game control board 111 inside thereof as shown in FIG. , A payout control board 112, a ball payout device 113, an effect control board 115, a voice control board 117, and the like, and these components are connected as shown in FIG.

  The game control board 111 controls the gaming state in the pachinko machine 110. The payout control board 112 is communicably connected to the ball lending communication unit 121a of the ball lending unit 120, and controls communication between the pachinko machine 110 and the ball lending unit 120. Signals are exchanged with the lending unit 120. The payout control board 112 is connected to the game control board 111 and receives an instruction from the game control board 111 to pay out a pachinko ball (so-called prize ball) to be given to the player as a result of the game. The payout control board 112 is connected to the ball payout device 113 and controls the ball payout device 113. Based on an instruction from the payout control board 112, the ball payout device 113 pays out a pachinko ball that is an integral multiple of a predetermined unit number (for example, 25 balls) in the ball payout process, and pays out the prize ball. put out.

  The remaining number display 114a is a display for displaying the remaining number specified from the prepaid balance recorded in the visitor card 102 or the member card 103 received by the card R / W 124 of the corresponding ball lending unit 120. Yes, here it consists of a two-digit 7-segment display. In the remaining frequency indicator 114a, the remaining frequency is displayed by receiving a frequency display signal indicating the remaining frequency from the ball lending communication unit 121a. The remaining frequency included in the frequency display signal is a quotient calculated by the expression “prepaid balance / 100 yen”.

  The ball lending button 114b accepts a ball lending operation for performing a ball lending operation using the prepaid balance recorded on the visitor card 102 or the member card 103 received by the card R / W 124 of the corresponding ball lending unit 120. Button. By operating the ball lending button 114b, a lending input signal is sent to the ball lending communication unit 121a via a lending input signal line provided via a detection circuit (not shown) between the ball lending communication unit 121a. And the detection circuit detects the input of the lending input signal, so that the control unit 122 recognizes that the ball lending button 114b has been operated, and performs ball lending processing.

  The card return button 114c is a button for accepting a return operation for returning the visitor card 102 or the member card 103 accepted by the card R / W 124 of the corresponding ball lending unit 120. When the card return button 114c is operated, a return input signal is sent to the ball lending communication unit 121a via a return input signal line provided through a detection circuit (not shown) between the card lending communication unit 121a. Is detected and the detection circuit detects the input of the return input signal, the control unit 122 recognizes that the card return button 114c has been operated, and performs a card return process.

  The remaining frequency indicator 114a, the ball lending button 114b, and the card return button 114c are provided on the front surface (here, the upper plate) of the pachinko machine 110 as shown in FIG. Since it is connected to the ball lending unit 120, it belongs to the ball lending unit 120 constituting the gaming apparatus. The ball lending button 114b and the card return button 114c may be provided in the ball lending unit 120.

  The effect control board 115 is connected to the game control board 111 and receives an instruction to display the effect from the game control board 111. The effect display device 116 is connected to the effect control board 115 and performs the effect display based on an instruction from the effect control board 115. The sound control board 117 is connected to the effect control board 115, and receives an instruction for sound output accompanying the effect display from the effect control board 115. The speaker 118 is connected to the sound control board 117, and performs the sound output based on an instruction from the sound control board 117.

  The effect display device 116 and the speaker 118 are an example of notification means, and perform the effect display or the audio output that is notification of predetermined information in a notification language that is a language used for the notification. Specifically, for example, when the notification content is “big hit occurrence”, the effect display device 116 displays “big hit occurrence” in Japanese, “Jackpot occurrence” in English, and the speaker 118 similarly Output audio. Note that the notification language is not limited to Japanese or English, and may be Chinese, Korean, other languages, or a dialect.

  In the pachinko machine 110, when the launch handle is operated, the pachinko balls on the upper plate are driven into the game area and a game is played. When the hit ball that has been driven into the game area wins the start winning opening, the variable display device starts to change, and the effect display device 116 performs effect display and the speaker 118 performs sound output accompanying the effect display. Is called. When the display result of the symbols displayed on the variable display device is in a specific mode, the big hit is controlled, and the big hit signal is output during the big hit. Further, if a predetermined condition is satisfied after the big hit, the probability fluctuation state (probability change) that is easily controlled at the next big hit is controlled, and a probability changing signal is output during the probability change.

  The big hit signal and the probability changing signal are output to the hall computer 150 and to the corresponding calling lamp device 130 and the ball lending unit 120 via a stand terminal (not shown). In the hall computer 150, the number of occurrences of the big hit or the probability change is totaled based on the big hit signal and the probability change signal. Also in the calling lamp device 130, the number of occurrences of the big hit or the probability change is totaled based on the big hit signal and the probability change signal, and the occurrence number is displayed on the display 133 as game data. Further, the ball lending unit 120 performs a process shown in S134 of FIG. 4 to be described later based on the jackpot signal and the probability change signal.

  Next, the configuration of the ball lending unit 120 will be described. The ball lending unit 120 is an example of gaming equipment, and corresponds to the pachinko machine 110 that is a gaming machine (here, adjacent to the left side of the pachinko machine 110) as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and has a vertically long box shape. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), a bill insertion slot 123a, a protruding portion 120a, a card insertion slot 124a, and the like are provided on the front surface. A counter 125 is provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 110, and as shown in FIG. 2 (b), a bill discriminator 123, a ball lending communication unit 121a, an on-site communication unit 121b, a control unit 122, a card R / W124, a visitor card stocker 124b and the like, and a touch panel display 126 is provided on the right side of the projecting portion 120a (that is, the side facing the player), as shown in FIG. It has been continued. The ball lending unit 120 is individually identified by a unit number.

  As described above, the ball lending communication unit 121a is communicably connected to the payout control board 112 of the pachinko machine 110. As shown in FIG. 1, the on-site communication unit 121b is communicably connected to the remaining amount management device 141, the possession management device 142, the member management device 143, and the hall computer 150. It governs communication between the two.

  The control unit 122 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like. Each processing element stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area, whereby each component included in the ball lending unit 120 is provided. The various operations are performed by controlling the operation. In the RAM of the control unit 122, although not shown, the card ID read from the visitor card 102 or the member card 103 received by the card R / W 124 and the prepaid balance are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the bill validator 123 accepts insertion of bills (1000 yen bills, 2000 yen bills, 5000 yen bills, or 10000 yen bills) from the bill insertion slot 123a and identifies the bills. To do. The identified banknote is transported through the banknote passage 123b provided behind the banknote identification machine 123 and taken into the game island, and is collected in a safe provided at the end of the game island via the transport path provided in the game island. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the card R / W 124 accepts insertion of the visitor card 102 from the card insertion slot 124a, and reads the card ID and the prepaid balance from the visitor card 102. The insertion of the membership card 103 is accepted from 124a, and the card ID, the prepaid balance and the membership ID are read from the membership card 103.

  The card ID and the prepaid balance read here are transmitted to the balance management device 141 and collated, and if the collation is OK, the prepaid balance is stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 for the ball lending process. Can be used. Further, the read card ID is transmitted to the ball management device 142, whereby the number of balls corresponding to the card ID is specified, and the number of balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 122. It is possible to use it for the coin-ball withdrawal process. Further, the read card ID is transmitted to the member management device 143, whereby the number of stored balls corresponding to the card ID is specified, the stored number of balls is stored in the RAM of the control unit 122, and the stored ball replay is performed. It can be used for processing.

  The visitor card stocker 124b is provided behind the card R / W 124 and stores a predetermined number (for example, 10) of visitor cards 102. In this visitor card stocker 124b, the visitor card 102 in which the prepaid balance and the number of possession balls become zero is taken in and stored. If the card R / W 124 does not accept a card, the card return button 114c is accepted, and if there is a prepaid balance or a count value, one of the visitor cards 102 stored in the visitor card stocker 124b. The card is conveyed from the visitor card stocker 124b to the card R / W 124 and set in the card R / W 124. The card R / W 124 reads the card ID from the set visitor card 102, and the card ID Process for associating a prepaid balance and / or a count value with each other (a process of transmitting a card ID and a prepaid balance to the balance management apparatus 141 and / or a card ID and a count value with respect to the possession management apparatus 142 To the visitor card 102, the remaining prepaid amount Beauty / or recorded and discharged from the card insertion port 124a of the count value to (published).

  If a notification language is stored in the visitor card 102 at the time of capturing, the notification language is deleted. Thereby, when the visitor card 102 is issued, it is possible to prevent the notification language stored by one player from being handed over to another player.

  The counting machine 125 receives and counts pachinko balls emitted from the lower pan of the pachinko machine 110. The count value of this pachinko ball is stored in the RAM of the control unit 122. When the operation of the card return button 114c is accepted, a process for associating the count value with the card ID (a process for transmitting the card ID and the count value to the possession management device 142, and a count value is recorded in the visitor card 102) The visitor card 102 is discharged from the card insertion slot 124a.

  The possession management device 142 that has received the card ID and the count value adds and updates the count value to the number of possessions that are managed in association with the card ID. If you are a member, you can move to the number of balls you have at the POS terminal (not shown) for exchanging prizes at your own discretion while operating the amusement hall. It is transferred to the number of stored balls.

  The touch panel display 126 is a display device that displays various types of information, and is an input device that accepts various types of information from the touch panel. The display 126 displays the screen shown in FIG. The display 126 is an example of notification means, and performs notification of predetermined information in a notification language that is a language used for the notification.

  Here, the predetermined information includes, for example, information on recommended gaming machines shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 to be described later, a game hall advertisement, a tutorial showing how to use gaming equipment, etc. Examples of non-game related items include corporate advertisements. In the following, an example will be described in which the language used for notification is any of Japanese, English, Chinese, or Korean, and Japanese is initially set as the notification language.

  First, on the basic screen of D1, in the Japanese language which is the default notification language, the type of card being accepted (visitor card 102, member card 103, waiting), whether or not payment is possible, whether or not counting is possible, and lending The rate is displayed at the top, and the “Language” button and “Menu” button for switching the notification language are displayed at the bottom. In this example, we will explain an example where “Language” is written in English so that many races can understand the button for switching the notification language. May be written in any language, or may be written in some form of symbol. When the “Language” button is operated at D1, Japanese, English, Chinese, or Korean buttons are displayed as buttons for selecting a notification language on the language selection screen at D2.

  When the Japanese button is operated in D2, the notification language is not switched from the default Japanese, and the same screen as D1 is displayed in D3. On the other hand, when the English button is operated in D2, the notification language is switched from the default Japanese to the selected English, and a screen in which the display content of D1 is displayed in English is displayed in D4. Although not shown, when the Chinese button is operated at D2, a screen in which the display content of D1 is displayed in Chinese is displayed, and when the Korean button is operated at D2, the display content of D1 is Korean. The screen indicated by is displayed. The display contents in each of the notification languages are stored in the ROM of the control unit 122. The selected notification language is stored in the RAM of the control unit 122.

  Note that the notification language switching is not limited to that performed on the D2 switching screen. For example, a button for each notification language is provided, and any button is operated to correspond to the operated button. The language may be switched to the notification language, and one switching button is provided. Depending on the number of times the switching button is pressed (for example, Japanese when pressed once, English when pressed twice, 3 The notification language may be switched to Chinese if it is pressed twice, or to Korean if it is pressed four times.

  Although not shown, when the menu button is operated at D2, a ball payout button is displayed if the visitor card 102 is being received, and a ball payout button and a storage ball replay button are displayed if the member card 103 is being received. The When the ball payout button is operated here, a ball payout process using the count value and the number of balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is performed. Further, when the stored ball replay button is operated, a stored ball replay process using the number of stored balls stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is performed. It should be noted that these holding ball payout button and storage ball replay button may be always displayed on the display 126 without operating the menu button, and a button independent from the display 126 is provided. It may be.

  On the display 126, instead of the basic screen, recommended gaming machines, advertisements, tutorials, two-dimensional codes, and the like are displayed at a predetermined timing. Refer to FIGS. 5 to 6 for this. It will be described later. Here, the predetermined timing is, for example, every certain time (5 minutes), when there is a button operation such as a ball lending button 114b, or when a big hit occurs in the corresponding pachinko machine 110.

  Next, the calling lamp device 130 will be described. The call lamp device 130 is an example of a gaming device, and is provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 110 that is a gaming machine (here, adjacent to the upper side of the pachinko machine 110) as shown in FIG. It has a box shape and includes a display 133 and the like on its front surface, and a communication unit 131 and a control unit 132 inside thereof. These components are connected as shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 131 is communicably connected to the corresponding on-site communication unit 121b of the ball lending unit 120 and the communication unit 151 of the hall computer 150, and manages communication between them and the ball lending unit 120. . The control unit 132 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, and the like, and each component included in the calling lamp device 130 when a processing program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU using the RAM as a work area. The various operations are performed by controlling the operation.

  The display 133 displays, as game data, the number of big hits and the number of starts between big hits in the corresponding pachinko machine 110. The display 133 is an example of a notification unit, and performs notification of the game data that is predetermined information in a notification language that is a language used for the notification. Specifically, the number of jackpots will be displayed as “Big Jackpot” in Japanese, “Jackpot number of times” in English, and the number of jackpot starts (until the next jackpot occurs after the end of one jackpot) The number of changes of the variable display device performed in step 1 is displayed as “start times” in Japanese, and “Start times” in English. As described in the pachinko machine 110 and the ball rental unit 120, the notification language is not limited to Japanese or English, and may be Chinese, Korean, other languages, or dialects. Good.

[Operation of gaming system 1 and gaming equipment]
First, the operation of the ball lending unit 120, that is, the notification language switching processing and display content switching performed by the ball lending unit 120 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the switching process performed by the ball lending unit 120. Although not shown, the card reception process, the ball lending process, the counting process, the possession payout process, the stored ball replay process, and the card return process are performed separately from the switching process.

  First, in S101 to S103, the control unit 122 waits for reception of a card reading by the card R / W 124, banknote identification by the banknote identification machine 123, or switching operation in the D2. That is, language switching is possible even before card reading or banknote identification. Note that the card reading may be a card reception, and the banknote identification may be a banknote reception.

  Here, if a switching operation is accepted before card reading or banknote identification (YES in S103), the notification language stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is operated in D2 from a plurality of types of languages. Switching to the language corresponding to the (selected) button (S104), the following switching information and switching request information are transmitted from the on-site communication unit 121b to the hall computer 150 (S105), and timing is started (S106). ). This timing is set so that the time is increased in a first predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) as a sufficient time from when the switching operation is received until the game is started (for example, a card or bill is received). The first predetermined time can be arbitrarily set.

  Here, the control unit 122 that performs the process of S104 functions as a switching unit that switches the type of notification language that is a language used by the notification unit (display 126) for notification, and a plurality of types of languages (for example, Japanese and English). , Chinese, Korean) can be switched to the notification language of the type selected from.

  In addition, the control unit 122 and the on-site communication unit 121b that perform the process of S105 function as an output unit that outputs to the outside (the hall computer 150) switching information that can specify that the type of the notification language has been switched by the switching unit. This switching information is also type information that can identify the type of the switched notification language. This switching information includes information that can identify the unit number of the ball lending unit 120 that has been switched, and information that can identify the notification language after switching.

  The hall computer 150 that has received this switching information, the unit number specified from the switching information, the machine number of the pachinko machine 110 corresponding to the ball rental unit 120 of the unit number, and the post-switching specified from the switching information Is displayed on the display 154, and the switching information is transferred to the island edge lamp 160 of the game island where the ball lending unit 120 is arranged and the income 170.

  The island edge lamp 160 that has received this switching information lights up or blinks for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute) and / or a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) in accordance with the notification language after switching specified from the switching information. (For example, if the notification language is English, it lights in blue, if it is Chinese, it lights in yellow, and if it is Korean, it lights in red). If a plurality of pieces of switching information are received within the predetermined period, lighting or blinking based on the next switching information may be performed after lighting or blinking based on the one switching information. The lighting and blinking based on the information and the lighting and blinking based on the next switching information may be performed in parallel. Further, in the income 170 that has received the switching information, the machine number and the notification language after the switching are output as voices, for example, “XX series has been switched to English”.

  According to this, based on the switching information output from the output means, it is possible for the game hall to recognize that the notification language has been switched in the gaming machine, so that appropriate customer service is expected. In addition, since the type of notification language switched in the gaming machine can be recognized on the game arcade side based on the type information output from the output means, more appropriate customer service is expected. For example, if the switched notification language is English, an appropriate customer service can be provided by sending a staff member who can speak English or by sending a staff member with an English guide.

  Further, the output means is configured to notify the notification language in the other gaming devices (call lamp device 130 and pachinko machine 110) corresponding to the gaming device based on the switching of the notification language type by the switching means. Also, switching request information for switching is output, and in this example, it is not directly transmitted to the other gaming machine but is transmitted to the other gaming machine via the hall computer 150. This switching request information includes information that can identify the unit number of the ball lending unit 120 that has been switched, information that can identify the notification language after switching, and an instruction command for switching to the notification language.

  The hall computer 150 that has received the switching request information is specified from the switching request information for the calling lamp device 130 and the pachinko machine 110 corresponding to the ball lending unit 120 having the unit number specified from the switching request information. The call lamp device 130 and the pachinko machine 110 that have transmitted the switching instruction for switching to the notification language and have received the switching instruction switch their notification language to the notification language indicated by the switching instruction. Make it the same as the broadcast language. According to this, the notification language in the other gaming devices (calling lamp device 130 and pachinko machine 110) corresponding to the gaming device (ball rental unit 120) for which the notification language has been switched is also switched, so that the player Convenience can be improved without the hassle of.

  After S106, until the time started in S106 is up (S113), the game starts, that is, the card is read by the card R / W 124 (S111), or the banknote is identified by the banknote discriminator 123 ( It is determined whether or not there is S112). Note that the card reading may be a card reception, and the banknote identification may be a banknote reception.

  If it is determined that the game is started before the time is up, that is, the card is read (YES in S111) or the banknote is identified (YES in S112), the time is finished (S114). The process proceeds to S132 to S133, which will be described later, without invalidating the notification language. According to this, even if a card is received after the notification language is switched, since the switching is effective, it is not necessary to perform the switching again, so that it is possible to prevent the player's trouble.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the time has been up without starting the game (YES in S113), the time is finished (S115), and the notification language switched in S104 is returned to the default Japanese language. (S116), the switching process is terminated. According to this, even if the notification language is switched due to mischief or the like and the game is not started, the notification language is returned to the default language, so that it does not affect the player who plays the game after the switching. .

  If the card is read in S101 (YES), it is determined whether or not the information read from the card contains a notification language (S120). If it is determined in S120 that the notification language is stored (YES), the notification language stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is switched to the notification language stored in the card (S125). The information and the switching request information are transmitted from the on-site communication unit 121b to the hall computer 150 (S126), and the process proceeds to S132 to S133 described later.

  That is, when the member card 103 in which the notification language is stored at the time of member registration is received, the notification language is switched to the notification language. The notification language is also switched when the notification language is switched in one ball rental unit 120, the switched notification language is stored in the visitor card 102, and another ball rental unit 120 receives the visitor card 102. Switch to language. That is, the notification language switching in one ball lending unit 120 is inherited by other ball lending units 120. As described above, if the notification language is stored in the card, the notification language is switched without the player's switching operation. Therefore, the convenience can be improved without taking the player's trouble.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S120 that no notification language is stored (NO), the process proceeds to S121 to S123. Moreover, also when there exists identification of a banknote by said S102 (YES), it progresses to S121-S123. In S121 to S123, after the prepaid balance stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is 0 and the count value and the number of balls are 0, before the second predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, It is determined whether or not the card has been ejected by accepting the switching operation at D2 or operating the card return button 114c. This second predetermined time is a sufficient time from when the pachinko ball at hand has been driven to when the game starts again (accepts banknotes), and can be arbitrarily set.

  Here, if it is determined that the card has been discharged before the second predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S122), and the second predetermined time has elapsed before the acceptance of the switching operation or the discharge of the card (in S123). YES), it is determined that the game has ended, and non-switching information that can specify that the type of notification language has not been switched from the initial setting (Japanese) is output to the outside (hall computer 150). (S124), the switching process is terminated. If the membership card 103 is being accepted, if NO in S122, the process does not proceed to S123 but returns to S121.

  In S132 to S133 following S114 and S126, a second predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) after the prepaid balance stored in the RAM of the control unit 122 is 0, and the count value and the number of held balls are 0. It is determined whether or not the card has been ejected by operating the card return button 114c.

  Here, if it is determined that the card is ejected before the second predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S132), whether or not the corresponding pachinko machine 110 is in a big hit or is in probable, specifically, It is determined whether the big hit signal or the probability changing signal is input from the corresponding pachinko machine 110 via the stand terminal (not shown) (S134). If it is determined in S134 that a big hit or a certain change is being made (YES), the notification language switched in S104 or S125 is maintained, and the switching process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S134 that the jackpot or the probability change is not in progress (NO), the switched notification language is returned to the default Japanese (S135), and the switching process is terminated.

  According to this, when the reception of the card is completed after the notification language is switched, the switching is invalidated to prevent the previous switching of the player from being reflected when the player is changed. Also, if the corresponding pachinko machine 110 is in a big hit or probable change, there is a player who returns the card and plays a game only with the pachinko balls on the upper and lower plates of the pachinko machine 110. The notification language is maintained for the convenience of the player, but if the jackpot or the probability change is not underway, the card is often returned and the notification language is often set to the default. The player who plays the game after the switching is not affected.

  If it is determined that the second predetermined time has elapsed before the card is discharged (YES in S133), it is determined that the game has ended, and the switched notification language is returned to the default Japanese (S135). The switching process is terminated. If the membership card 103 is being accepted, if NO in S132, the process does not proceed to S133 but returns to S132.

  5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of an information screen displayed on the display 126 of the ball lending unit 120. FIG. On this display 126, information corresponding to the switched type of notification language is displayed and notified. Information to be displayed is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile ROM in the control unit 122 for each type of notification language.

  FIG. 5A shows information of recommended gaming machines. For example, if the notification language is Japanese, “Recommended model is CR. ○○! "If it is English," Recommendation CR. " ○○! Is displayed. Here, the recommended gaming machine is selected according to the type of the notification language, and may be based on the game performance of the player who has selected each notification language (for example, one having a high game frequency) or not based on the game performance ( For example, it may be recommended by the manufacturer). According to this, since the information of the recommended gaming machine corresponding to the switched type of notification language is notified in the notification language, the operation improvement of the recommended gaming machine is expected.

  FIG. 5B shows advertisement information. For example, if the notification language is Japanese, “every Wednesday is a drink present”, and if English, “One Free Drink On Every Wednesday” is displayed. Here, the advertisement may be selected according to the type of the notification language (for example, an advertisement of a Chinese food store if the notification language is Chinese), or may have a common content regardless of the type of the notification language. . Further, as described above, it may be a game hall advertisement or a company advertisement. According to this, since the advertisement corresponding to the switched type of notification language is notified in the notification language, the advertising effect is expected to be improved.

  FIG. 6 (c) is a tutorial showing how to use the gaming machines (pachinko machine 110, ball rental unit 120, call lamp device 130), etc. For example, if the notification language is Japanese, “pachinko usage” STEP1 Put money. "In English," How to play PACHINKO STEP1 Deposit Money. "Is displayed. According to this, since the tutorial corresponding to the switched notification language is notified in the notification language, the operation of the gaming machine is expected to be improved.

  FIG. 6D shows information for browsing the tutorial (in this example, a two-dimensional code that can identify the URL of the site where the tutorial is stored). For example, if the notification language is Japanese, [How to use pachinko machines] Read the 2D code with your smartphone or mobile phone. In English, “How to play PACHINKO Scan codes By smartphone” is displayed. According to this, since the tutorial corresponding to the switched notification language is notified in the notification language, the operation of the gaming machine is expected to be improved, and when the tutorial is updated, the site server Therefore, it is possible to save time and labor as compared to updating with each gaming device.

  In the above description, the example in which the notification language is switched by the ball lending unit 120 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification language may be switched by the call lamp device 130 or the pachinko machine 110. Specifically, when the calling lamp device 130 switches the notification language, for example, by operating an operation button (not shown), a switching screen similar to D2 in FIG. Select a language. Further, when the notification language is switched on the pachinko machine 110, for example, the switching screen similar to D2 in FIG. 3 is displayed on the effect display device 116 by operating the operation stick (not shown), and the notification language is displayed. Select. That is, it is only necessary that at least one of the gaming machines (the ball lending unit 120, the calling lamp device 130, and the pachinko machine 110) can switch the notification language.

  Further, in the above description, an example is described in which the switching is reflected in the corresponding call lamp device 130 and the pachinko machine 110 when the notification language is switched in the ball lending unit 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the notification language is switched by the lamp device 130, the corresponding ball rental unit 120 and the pachinko machine 110 may reflect the switching, and the notification language is switched by the pachinko machine 110. And the corresponding ball lending unit 120 and the call lamp device 130 may reflect the switching. In other words, when the notification language is switched in one gaming device, the switching may be reflected in other corresponding gaming devices.

  Next, the operation of the hall computer 150, that is, the processing performed by the hall computer 150 that has received the switching information and the non-switching information will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a language DB stored in the hard disk 153 of the hall computer 150. In this language DB, a table is provided for each machine number of the pachinko machine 110 corresponding to each ball lending unit 120. In each table, the notification language is associated with the reception time of the switching information and non-switching information. Remembered. If the received information is switching information, the type of language specified from the switching information (the type information) is stored. If the received information is non-switching information, the default language is set. (In this example, Japanese) is stored.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a language form tabulated by the hall computer 150. This language form is created at a predetermined timing (for example, after the game hall is closed), and is summarized for each unit number and model based on the stored contents of the language DB (Japanese, English, (Chinese, Korean) is recorded the number of times used for notification. By referring to this language form, the game hall side can make use of it for management. For example, models that are used less frequently than Japanese are judged not to be popular with players who use non-Japanese, so they are refrained from introduction, or if English is used frequently, models that support English are introduced. For example, a model with a large number of usages of Chinese can be centrally arranged on one amusement island, and the initial notification language can be set to Chinese, and the island can be dedicated to Chinese.

  Note that the tabulation related to the language is not limited to the language form shown in FIG. For example, the registered number of languages stored in the member card 103 at the time of member registration may be totaled. According to this, it is possible to grasp what language is used by fixed customers in the amusement hall and use it for management. In addition, game data (for example, amount of money used, game time, number of balls, start number of jackpots, etc.) according to the notification language may be tabulated. According to this, a game tendency can be grasped for each language, and can be utilized for management. Further, the number of times of switching for each language may be tabulated for each time period. According to this, it is possible to grasp what time zone the user of each language visits and use it for management.

[Modification]
Finally, a modification of the present invention will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the information that can specify the notification language is stored in the card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information that can specify the notification language is associated with the card ID. It may be stored in a host device (for example, hall computer 150) that can communicate with the device. In this case, in S120 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not information capable of specifying the notification language in the host device is stored in association with the card ID read from the card.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the notification language stored in the visitor card 102 is erased when the card is stored in the card stocker 124b. However, when the notification language is stored in the host device, the notification language is stored in the visitor card 102. In addition to deleting the memory of the notification language at the time of capture, the storage of the notification language may be deleted after the business day ends.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the gaming equipment is the ball lending unit 120, the calling lamp device 130, and the pachinko machine 110 has been described. However, the gaming equipment is not limited to this, and the gaming equipment is a player who exchanges prizes. A POS terminal that performs notification (for example, display of premium information) may be included. In this case, the POS terminal accepts the switching operation by itself, switches the notification language, or accepts the card, and associates it with the notification language stored in the card or the card ID of the card. By switching to the stored notification language or receiving switching request information from another gaming device, the notification language specified from the switching request information is switched.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the gaming machine that is a gaming device is the pachinko machine 110 has been described. However, the gaming machine is not limited thereto, and the gaming machine includes a slot machine or a pachinko ball that is untouchable. It may be a sealed pachinko machine or a game machine.

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the example in which the notification unit in the ball lending unit 120 is the display 126 and the notification unit in the calling lamp device 130 is the display 133 has been described. A speaker that performs notification by voice output in a notification language may be used.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S101 to S103 in FIG. 4, an example has been described in which the notification language can be switched even before the card is read or the banknote is identified. The notification language may be switched only after reading or identifying the bill.

  In the above embodiment, the switching information shown in S105 or S126 of FIG. 4 is transmitted from the ball lending unit 120 to the hall computer 150, and transmitted from the hall computer 150 to the island edge lamp 160 and the income 170. Although an example has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the switching information may be transmitted directly from the ball lending unit 120 to the island edge lamp 160 or the income 170.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S116 or S135 of FIG. 4, when a predetermined condition (the end of time measurement in S115, or the elapse of a predetermined time in S133, or during the big hit in S134 or not being probable) is compulsorily Although the example of returning the notification language has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the player is asked whether the notification language can be returned, and the player understands that the notification language may be returned. Once obtained, the notification language may be returned. Alternatively, even if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the notification language may not be returned.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the initial setting of the notification language is Japanese has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the initial setting of the notification language may be another language. The notification language may not be initially set. In this case, the notification language is not returned even if the predetermined condition (S115, S133, S134) is satisfied.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S120 of FIG. 4, an example in which the notification language cannot be switched after the card is received when the notification language is stored in the card has been described. Even if the memory is stored, the notification language may be switched after receiving the card. Also, a plurality of types of notification languages are stored in the card, and after receiving the card, the player selects one of the stored types of notification languages and switches to the selected notification language. There may be.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in S123 or S133 of FIG. 4, while the visitor card 102 is being received, if the count value and the number of balls are 0 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the example proceeds to S124 or S135. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the count value is a small predetermined value (for example, 10 balls) or less and the number of holding balls is 0 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the process may proceed to S124 or S135. This is because the processing is advanced even when the game is stopped while leaving a small amount of the count value below the predetermined value. The predetermined value can be set arbitrarily.

  In the above embodiment, by outputting the non-switching information shown in S124 of FIG. 4 to the outside (hall computer 150), in the hall computer 150, the notification language is initially set as shown in FIGS. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the non-switching information may not be output and the fact may not be counted.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the notification language is switched by the player's operation in the gaming device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification language is switched by the operation of the store clerk in the hall computer 150. May be used.

  In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6 (d), the tutorial image information is a two-dimensional code and is displayed on the display 126 of the ball lending unit 120, and the example that the player reads with the mobile terminal has been described. Not limited to this, the tutorial image information may be information (for example, URL) that allows access to the tutorial image, and may be transmitted directly from the ball lending unit 120 to the player's mobile terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system 110 ... Ball rental unit 120 ... Pachinko machine 130 ... Call lamp device 150 ... Management device 160 ... Island edge lamp 170 ... Income

Claims (2)

A gaming device provided in a game hall,
An informing means capable of informing predetermined information;
Switching means for switching the type of notification language, which is a language used by the notification means for notification;
An output device for outputting to the outside switching information that can specify that the type of the notification language has been switched by the switching device. A gaming system including a gaming device provided in a game hall and another device capable of communicating with the gaming device,
The gaming machine has notification means capable of notifying predetermined information;
Switching means for switching the type of notification language, which is a language used by the notification means for notification;
An output means for outputting to the other device switching information that can specify that the type of the notification language has been switched by the switching means.

Images