JP2024028638A - gaming device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] It is possible to resolve the conflicting psychological issues that occur to players when it comes to operating media with a low discharge rate (rare cards, etc.), and it is possible to play games without having to carry a large amount of operating media at all times. Provides game devices. [Solution] In a game device in which an operation medium such as a card is used as an operation means for game progress, when an alternative card is used in a game, the player selects it based on the ownership information of the normal card linked to the player information. An alternative card that registers the character data of a normal card to be used as the character data of an alternative card in the current game, and recognizes the alternative card used in the current game as a normal card owned by the player corresponding to the registered character data. It was constructed with a recognition means. [Selection diagram] Figure 22

Description

The present invention automatically reads card data stored on the back of the cards by arranging operation media (for example, cards) on the play field, and provides game content according to the combination of card data placed on the play field. The present invention relates to a game device configured to play a predetermined video game.

Conventionally, operating media such as multiple player cards are placed on a flat play field to form a soccer team or baseball team, and these cards are slid on the play field as a control means for progressing the game. A game device has been put into practical use that is configured so that a competitive simulation game can be played by moving the player to the player. For example, in a game device for soccer, when a player arranges player cards on the playing field, an internal image sensor reads the card data stored on the back of the player cards, and Data for a team made up of multiple players is created from the cards, and the game begins.

The player is configured to be able to instruct the positions and formations of players by moving the arrangement of player cards on the play field. In such card games, one new player card is paid out to the player every time one game is played, so the player can collect new cards such as player cards that can be used in the card game. It has a lot of fun. In such game devices, the progress of the game is controlled by a game progress control program that detects the reading of various information data stored on multiple cards placed on the play field, the movement of cards, etc. Ru. Furthermore, in the game, players can compete against each other, or one player can compete against a computer. As such a game device, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

According to the game device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a player can select a specific player card by rubbing a player card placed on the play field on the play field, and furthermore, by rubbing the player card on the play field. By moving the player while moving, the player's position and formation can be instructed, and when the player operates the shoot button, a shot is executed, and this effect image is displayed on the monitor. When one game ends, the player can obtain a new player card by paying out a new player card from the card payout section of the game device. This new player card can be used by the player when playing the next game, so the range of player selection and player substitution is expanded, and a more strategic game can be played.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-301264

In the conventional game device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, actual cards are used as the operation means for progressing the game, so the player simply operates the operation buttons and operation levers provided on the game device. It gives a different interest than what makes the game progress.

Among the cards that serve as operating media for this type of game, there are rare cards (also called uncommon cards, premium cards, etc.) that are issued in extremely small numbers compared to common cards and have a high rarity value. Players can enjoy the fun of playing games using these cards, and the fun of collecting and viewing, exchanging, or buying and selling these cards. However, when actual cards are used in games, there is a problem in that they retain the impression of being used. Even if a protective case or the like is used to protect the card during use, it is undeniable that the card is more likely to have been used than a card that has been kept completely unused for viewing purposes. In fact, when looking at exchange and buying and selling situations, there is a clear difference in value between used cards and unused cards, even if they are of the same type.

On the other hand, cards with high rarity and value, such as the rare cards mentioned above, often have higher ability values and effects than common cards, and when used in games, they can give the game an advantage and increase the winning rate. is also true. Therefore, players have conflicting psychology: they want to keep it unused for viewing or for transactions such as exchange or buying and selling, and they want to use it for games because it has a high play effect. I had no choice but to sacrifice my psychology and choose one.

In addition, in this type of game, there are a wide variety of cards available.For example, you can choose whether to play this game with a team composition that emphasizes attack, or with a team that emphasizes defense, or whether you want to play with a team composition that emphasizes offense or defense. The cards used will differ depending on the game strategy, such as team composition. Therefore, unless the player carries a large amount of cards with him, he cannot play the game, for example, when he unexpectedly has free time to go to an amusement facility. Therefore, amusement facilities are unknowingly faced with the problem of lost opportunities.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it solves the contradictory psychological problems that occur to players when dealing with rare cards, which are operating media with a low emission rate. To provide a game device capable of playing a game without carrying an operation medium.

In order to solve such problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a normal operating medium in which at least one of position detection data or angle detection data and character data is stored, and at least the position detection data or the character data. and an alternative operation medium in which one of the angle detection data is stored and identification information indicating a specific operation medium different from the normal operation medium is stored, the game device being able to be played using the normal operation medium. a play field on which a medium and the alternative operation medium are placed; an operation medium data reading means for reading at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data and the character data; an operating medium identifying means for identifying whether the operating medium that has been acquired is the normal operating medium or the alternative operating medium; and player information that is associated with ownership information of the normal operating medium that is unique to the player. a player information storage means, and the normal information linked to the player information read by the player information reading means when the operation medium identification means identifies that the alternative operation medium was used in the current game; a character data registration means for registering the character data set in one normal operation medium selected by the player based on ownership information of the operation medium as character data of the alternative operation medium in the current game; alternative operating medium recognition means for recognizing the alternative operating medium used for the character data registration means as a normal operating medium corresponding to the character data registered by the character data registration means; and the normal operating medium read by the operating medium data reading means. character image generation means for generating a character image based on the character data of the alternative operation medium registered by the character data registration means in the current game; and the character image generated by the character image generation means. and an image display means for displaying a game image including.

According to the game device according to claim 1, when a player wants to use a rare card in a game that has a high game ability value and has a lower emission rate than a general operation medium, Since you can play the game using an alternative operating medium instead of the actual normal operating medium, you can enjoy the game by using the abilities (effects) of rare cards without damaging your precious rare cards. can.

For example, if an alternative operating medium rental machine is installed in a game facility, players can borrow the alternative operating medium and use the normal operating medium even when they do not have the normal operating medium. You can play the game in the same way.

In addition, the normal character data linked to the alternative operating medium is limited to that registered in the ownership information linked to the player information, so a player without ownership can use the character data instead of the normal operating medium. Games may not be played using alternative operating media. As a result, it is possible to suppress the infinite proliferation of normal game media (rare cards) that have scarcity value. Also, for example, by transferring only the ownership data while leaving the actual card, the transferor will not be able to use the transferred card in the game, but will be able to collect the actual card for display, and the transferee will be able to collect the actual card for display purposes. Games can be played using alternative cards. That is, it is possible to increase the number of card trade execution modes, and to promote the circulation of cards.

The invention according to claim 2 provides the game device according to claim 1, further comprising a payout operation medium data reading means for reading the character data of the normal operation medium that is newly paid out at the end of a game, and the payout operation medium data. The game apparatus is characterized by comprising: ownership information updating means for updating ownership information linked to the player information based on the character data read by the reading means.

According to the game device according to claim 2, the ownership information of the player is automatically updated by the ownership information updating means every time one game is completed, so that the rare card, which is an operation medium with high scarcity value, can be used. Infinite proliferation due to lending and borrowing etc. can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 3 is the game device according to claim 2, further comprising: an operation medium payout selection means for selecting whether or not a new payout of the normal operation medium is desired at the end of a game; and the operation medium. a normal operating medium dispensing means for dispensing the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the ownership information updating means when a selection for dispensing the normal operating medium is made by the dispensing selection means; normal operating medium collecting means for collecting the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the ownership information updating means when the medium dispensing selection means selects not to dispense the normal operating medium; It is characterized by being prepared.

According to the game device according to claim 3, when the operation medium (card, etc.) that is ejected at the end of the game is a card that is unnecessary for the player, the player does not choose to pay out the card at his/her will. , only ownership information can be updated, which contributes to resource saving and does not force players to keep or discard unnecessary cards.

The invention according to claim 4 is the game device according to claim 1, wherein the normal operation medium stores unique operation medium data in which character data corresponding to the type of operation medium is linked for each operation medium. , Unique operation medium data that is not registered in the ownership information of the player is present in the unique operation medium data read by the operation medium data reading means of the normal operation medium used in the current game. a unique operation medium data determining means for determining whether or not the unique operation medium data exists; an owner information reference means to refer to, and the normal operation medium that corresponds to the unique operation medium data in the ownership information of the player when the owner information regarding another player does not exist by the owner information reference means; ownership information updating means for registering ownership information of the player and updating said ownership information of the player; and said normal operation when owner information regarding another player exists by said owner information reference means. A non-proprietary operation medium use refusal means for refusing the use of the medium.

According to the game device according to claim 4, in addition to the above-described operation and effect of the invention according to claim 1, the unique operation medium data determination means includes the unique operation medium data used in the current game. It is determined whether or not unregistered unique operating medium data exists in the ownership information of the player, and the owner information reference means determines by the unique operating medium data determining means that unregistered unique operating medium data exists. In some cases, the owner information reference means refers to the presence or absence of the owner information of the unique operation medium data, and if the owner information reference means does not contain the owner information regarding another player, the ownership information update means updates the ownership information of the player concerned. Register the ownership information of the normal operation medium corresponding to the unique operation medium data to update the ownership information of the player, and when the owner information regarding another player exists using the owner information reference means. Since the non-owned operation medium use refusal means rejects the use of the normal operation medium, there is no need to read the data of the operation medium paid out when the operation medium is paid out after the game ends, and it is not necessary to read the data of the operation medium paid out when the operation medium is paid out after the game ends. You can update ownership information using

The invention according to claim 5 provides that, when the operation medium being operated is identified as the alternative operation medium by the operation medium identification means, the alternative operation registered by the character data registration means in the current game is performed. It is characterized by comprising an image display control means for displaying the game image including a character image of the normal operation medium corresponding to the character data of the medium on the image display means.

According to the game device according to claim 5, when the alternative operating medium is being operated, the image display control means displays a character image corresponding to the character data of the normal operating medium corresponding to the alternative operating medium. Since the information is displayed on the means, it is possible to play the game while checking data such as the name, design, ability value, and attributes of the alternative operation means being operated on the image.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that it includes a regular card in which at least one of position detection data or angle detection data and character data is stored, and a normal card in which at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data is stored. a substitute card in which identification information indicating a specific card different from the normal card is stored; a play field on which the normal card and the substitute card are placed; card data reading means for reading at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data and the unique card data; and whether the card placed on the play field is the normal card or the substitute card. a player information storage means for storing player information associated with ownership information of the normal operating medium unique to the player; is set as one normal card selected by the player based on the ownership information of the normal card linked to the player information read by the player information reading means when it is identified that the player information has been used. character data registration means for registering the character data as character data of the substitute card in the current game; and a character data registration means for registering the character data as the character data of the substitute card in the current game, and the game in which the substitute card used in the current game corresponds to the character data registered by the character data registration means. character data of the regular card read by the card data reading means and character data of the substitute card registered by the character data registration means in the current game; The present invention is characterized by comprising: a character image generation means for generating a character image based on the character image; and an image display means for displaying a game image including the character image generated by the character image generation means.

According to the invention set forth in claim 6, a card with excellent operability and low manufacturing cost can be used as the operation medium in the game device set forth in claim 1. Furthermore, it can be easily stored in a card album or the like when stored for viewing, making it convenient to carry around.

In the present invention, "operation medium" refers to a card, a card with a figure such as a doll or an animal attached to it, a rectangular parallelepiped/cube shape, a cylinder/prismatic shape, a cone/pyramid shape, a kamaboko shape, a dome shape, etc. This includes three-dimensional objects such as molds and coin-shaped objects that can be used as operating means (play items) for game progress. "Card" means a thin plate made of paper, resin, glass, wood, etc. Further, in the case of a thin plate shape, the outer shape is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a square, a circle, an ellipse, a star shape, or the like. Further, it may be made of paper, soft plastic, or the like and may be folded into two, three, or bellows, or may be formed into a booklet with multiple pages. At least position detection data, angle detection data that can be read by the data reading means, character data that can specify the type of operation medium, or unique operation medium data are stored. On both sides or one side of the operation medium (card), individual designs, photographs, etc. that can visually identify the type of operation medium may be printed.

"Normal operation medium" means at least one of position detection data or angle detection data that can be read by a data reading means and character data or character data that can identify the type of operation medium. Unique operation medium data is stored therein. On both sides or one side of the operating medium, individual designs, photographs, etc. are printed that allow the type of operating medium to be visually recognized.

"Alternative operation medium" means that at least one of position detection data or angle detection data that can be read by a data reading means is stored, and identification information indicating a specific operation medium different from the normal operation medium is stored. A control medium that can be used in a game as a substitute for any normal control medium owned by the player. Any number of these alternative control media can be used in one game in place of other normal control media, but the number that can be used at one time is limited depending on the game specifications. It's okay.

"Position detection data", "angle detection data", "character data", and "unique operating medium data" stored on the card mean, for example, information that can be read by a data reading means. The current position coordinates and angle of the operating medium can be determined by printing a predetermined code pattern shape using paint that transmits, reflects, or absorbs invisible light, or by imaging means installed above or below the playfield. Any form may be used as long as the data reading means can read and calculate various data, such as a form for calculating . In particular, when printing in a predetermined code pattern shape, character data and unique operation medium data should be formed with invisible transparent paint to prevent forgery and alteration of the code pattern of stored data. preferable. The position detection data and angle detection data are also preferably formed using transparent paint so as not to interfere with the design printed on the card.

"Play field" means a board surface on which multiple cards used in a game can be placed. For example, the playfield can include a transparent board. Alternatively, a laminated structure may be used in which a sheet member that transmits invisible light is pasted on the transparent board surface, and a simulated ground or the like corresponding to a sport such as soccer or baseball may be printed on the sheet member. Further, fine irregularities may be formed on the surface of the sheet member on which the cards are placed to prevent the cards from coming into close contact with the play field and to enable smooth operation of the cards.

The "character data" normally stored on the card may be in any form as long as the type of operation medium can be specified. In other words, there is a configuration in which the "attack power", "defense power", and other characteristic value data and attribute data of the operating medium are all stored in each operating medium, and these characteristic value data and attribute data are stored depending on the type of operating medium. In the latter configuration, the game device can know the characteristic values of each operating medium by referring to the database.

"Unique operation medium data" is unique identification information (unique ID) that is different for each operation medium (one sheet). Character data specifying the type of operation medium is associated with each unique operation medium data and stored in the database. Therefore, even if the type of operation medium is the same, different operation media have different unique operation medium data stored therein, so by reading the unique operation medium data, it is possible to refer to the linked character data. Further, the unique operation medium data is associated with player information as owner information and stored in the database.

Similarly, "player information (player ID)" may be data in any form as long as the player can be identified. The player information is usually stored in a database in association with attribute data such as the player's nickname, competition results, and level, as well as ownership information of the operating medium. The configuration for acquiring player information may include a player information reading means and read the player information from a player information storage medium (player ID card, etc.). In addition, player information is stored in the storage device of the game device or the storage device of a server device connected to the game device through the network, and the player is authenticated by entering a PIN number, etc., and corresponds to each player. The player information may be read out from the storage device.
"Ownership information" includes data such as the type and number of operating media owned by the player, usage history, and payout information for physical cards, and is linked to the player information and stored in the database. remembered. Note that "possession" means a state in which the operating medium can be used in a game, and does not necessarily include a state in which the actual operating medium (card, etc.) is not in possession.

Note that all of the above-described player attribute data, ownership information, characteristic value data and attribute data of individual owned operation media, etc., may be stored in the player information storage medium.

When identifying a player using a player information storage medium, the player must be authenticated using a password, etc. to prevent the player information storage medium from being stolen or being used by someone else who has found something lost. It is preferable to do so. As the "player information reading means", for example, a barcode reader/writer device, an RFID reader/writer device, a semiconductor memory reader/writer device, etc. can be used.

According to the invention set forth in claim 1, when a player wants to use operation media such as rare cards with high game ability values and effects in a game, the actual ordinary operation medium that the player owns can be used for viewing. Since you can play the game using an alternative operating medium while storing the card for safe use, you can enjoy the game without damaging your precious rare cards. In addition, if an alternative operating medium rental machine is installed in a game facility, players can borrow alternative operating media and use normal operating media even if they do not always carry a large amount of normal operating media. You can play the game just like when you play.

Also, there is a payout operation medium data reading means for reading the character data of the normal card that is newly paid out at the end of the game, and ownership information that updates the ownership information linked to the player information based on the read character data. Since the player's ownership information is automatically updated by the ownership information updating means every time one game ends, the number of cards can be infinitely increased by lending and borrowing rare cards, etc. It is possible to prevent this from happening.

In addition, there is an operation medium payout selection means for selecting whether or not to wish to pay out a new normal operation medium at the end of the game, and an operation medium payout selection means for selecting whether or not to wish to pay out a new normal operation medium, and an operation medium payout selection means that selects whether or not to pay out a new normal operation medium. A normal operating medium dispensing means that pays out the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the ownership information updating means, and an ownership information update when the operating medium dispensing selection means selects not to pay out the normal operating medium. and a normal operating medium collecting means that collects the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the means, so that the operating medium discharged at the end of the game is an unnecessary operating medium for the player. In such cases, it is possible to update only the ownership information without choosing to pay out the operating media according to the player's will, which contributes to resource conservation and forces the player to store or discard unnecessary operating media. There is no. In addition, if you do not wish to receive a new normal operation medium, this information will be stored when updating the ownership information, so that the actual operation medium can be provided at a later date if necessary. You can also do it.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the game device set forth in claim 1 described above, there is no need to read the data of the operation medium paid out when the operation medium is paid out after the end of the game, and the data can be read before the game starts. Ownership information can be updated all at once when registering operating media.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a game device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal device operated by each player of the game device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of a game device according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the playfield 24 seen from above. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a housing 76 to which a playfield 24 is attached. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a play field 24 and an operation section of the terminal device 16a. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a printed pattern of the play field 24. FIG. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the play field 24. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a code pattern stored on the back side of a player card 20. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image taken by an image sensor 56 of the back side of a player card 20. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing starting positions S1 to S4 of bits in an ID data area 176 and a data area 180. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of pattern data 0 to 15. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a card position coordinate detection method. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a position angle detection pattern area 174. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting each of the protrusions 174a to 174d. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a reference marker 200. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for recognizing card data stored on the back side of a player card 20. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a code pattern stored on the front side and the back side of the substitute card 21. FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing a game progress procedure of the game device 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a player card registration process. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of player card registration processing in another embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of alternative card registration processing. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of transferring ownership of a normal card 20 used in the game device 10 to another player 22. FIG.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a game device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal device operated by each player of the game device according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game device 10 includes two large panel displays 12, a main control section 14 that controls the display of the large panel displays 12, and a main control section 14 that is communicably connected to the main control section 14. It is composed of a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) terminal devices 16a to 16h.

The game device 10 in this embodiment is capable of playing a soccer game, and can of course be applied to sports other than soccer (for example, baseball, rugby, American football, hockey, and other team competitions). The invention can also be applied to competitive games in which players compete against each other by operating characters with parameters such as physical strength, attack power, and defense power. The large panel display 12 displays images such as an entire image of the soccer field, a match digest for all seats, and a match result for all seats. A player participating in the game for the first time first purchases a starter set (item) necessary for the game and takes a seat at each seat where the terminal devices 16a to 16h are installed. This starter set includes 18 IC cards (player information recording media) used as recording media to record practice results, match results, etc., and 11 player cards (items) with photos of each soccer player printed on them. 20 is included. Note that the player card 20 is a normal card in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a card will be used as an example of an operation medium/operation item in the following explanation, but the operation medium is not limited to a card, but may also be a card with a figure such as a doll or an animal, or a rectangular parallelepiped or cubic shape. The present invention applies to objects, cylinder/prismatic objects, conical/pyramid shaped objects, three-dimensional objects such as kamaboko-shaped or dome-shaped objects, and coin-shaped objects as long as they can be used as operating means (play items) for game progress. It is possible.

As will be described later, the player card 20 has photographs of different players printed on the front side, and a data pattern (character data) for identifying the individual player printed on the front side is recorded on the back side. Further, the IC card 18 stores at least player information that allows the player 22 to be identified. Therefore, by reading the player information stored in the IC card 18 and referring to the database stored in the storage device of the main control unit 14, data necessary for the game can be obtained, and the player 22 can participate in the game. You can confirm that you are qualified to do so. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a game can be played using alternative cards 21, which will be described later.

Since the terminal devices 16a to 16h have the same configuration, only the terminal device 16a will be described here. The terminal device 16a includes a play field 24 on which player cards 20 and substitute cards 21 owned by the player 22 are placed, a monitor 26 on which images of soccer team practices and matches created by the player 22 are displayed, and an IC. An IC card reader/writer 28 into which the card 18 is inserted and a card issuing section 30 from which player cards are dispensed after the game is finished are provided. Further, on the left side of the play field 24, strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c for instructing selection of a strategy menu are provided, and on the right side of the play field 24, input buttons 34a and 34b for instructing player power etc. are provided. ing. The player 22 can give instructions to players during practice or matches by operating the strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c. That is, the player 22 operates the strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c to, for example, instruct tactics such as side attack, instruct a shot at the goal, or switch the camera of the match scene displayed on the monitor 26. You can

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the game device in this embodiment. The main control unit 14 includes a large panel control unit 36 for controlling the display of the large panel display 12 via a hub 40 of a LAN (Local Area Network) 38, each terminal device 16a to 16h, and an external network (not shown). ) is connected.

The large panel control section 36 includes a CPU 42, a memory (RAM) 44, an input/output interface 46, a sound circuit 48, and a graphic display circuit 50. The memory (RAM) 44 stores various image data displayed on the large panel display 12 (for example, an entire image of a soccer field, images of each player's play, a digest scene of the current match, or a goal scene of a past match, etc.). ), and a control program for sorting various image data to be displayed on the large panel display 12, determining priorities, and sequentially displaying the data. A switch 52 for operating the main control unit 14 and large panel display 12 is connected to the input/output interface 46 . The sound circuit 48 is connected to a sound amplifier 54 that outputs sounds corresponding to various images displayed on the large panel display 12. The graphic display circuit 50 displays an image selected by a control signal from the CPU 42 (for example, an entire image of a soccer field, an image of each player's play, a digest scene of the current match, or a goal scene of a past match) in a large format. It is displayed on the panel display 12.

Further, each terminal device 16a to 16h has a CPU 62, a memory (RAM) 64, an input/output interface 66, a sound circuit 68, and a graphic display circuit 70. The memory (RAM) 64 stores various image data to be displayed on the monitor 26 (for example, various game selection images, play images of each player, etc.) and control programs. In addition to the main control unit 14, the input/output interface 66 is connected to an IC card read/write 28, an image sensor 56 for reading card data stored on the back side of the player card 20, and a switch 72 for operating the monitor 26. ing. The sound circuit 68 is connected to a sound amplifier 74 that outputs sounds corresponding to various images displayed on the monitor 26. The graphic display circuit 50 causes the monitor 26 to display an image selected by a control signal from the CPU 62.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the playfield 24 viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing 76 to which the playfield 24 is attached. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the playfield 24 includes a transparent glass plate 78 attached to cover the upper opening 76a of the housing 76, and a thin playfield sheet laminated on the upper surface of the glass plate 78. It consists of 80.

The player card 20 and the substitute card 21 are placed on the top surface of the playfield sheet 80. Inside the housing 76, there is a light source 82 that irradiates infrared rays (invisible light) to the back surfaces of the player cards 20 and substitute cards 21 placed on the play field 24, and a visible light source that converts the light emitted from the light source 82 into visible light. an image sensor 56 that images the pattern of card data stored on the back side of the player card 20 and alternative card 21 placed on the play field 24; a first reflecting plate 86 that reflects upward the reflected light reflected from the back surface of the first reflecting plate 86; a second reflecting plate 88 that guides the reflected light (invisible light) reflected by the first reflecting plate 86 to the image sensor 56; A second filter 90 is attached to remove disturbance light (visible light) included in the reflected light reflected by 88. The light source 82 is comprised of a light emitting diode (LED) that emits invisible light that is invisible to the naked eye, such as infrared or ultraviolet light. Of course, when visible light is not emitted from the light source 82, the first filter 84 can be removed.

The first reflecting plate 86 is supported by the lower inclined portion 76b of the housing 76 so as to be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the horizontally provided play field 24. Further, the second reflection plate 88 is attached at an inclination angle corresponding to the attachment angle of the first reflection plate 86.

Since the housing 76 has the lower inclined part 76b, when the player 22 is seated, the player's 22's feet can be inserted below the lower inclined part 76b. Therefore, when arranging the player cards 20 and substitute cards 21 on the play field 24, the player 22 can reach to the back of the play field 24, and the player cards 20 and substitute cards 21 can be placed anywhere on the entire surface of the play field 24. A substitute card 21 can be placed thereon.

From inside the sealed casing 76, the playfield 24 is irradiated with infrared rays (invisible light) from which visible light has been cut from the light source 82, so even when the playfield 24 is viewed from above, the inside of the casing 76 cannot be seen. I can't look into it.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the play field 24 and the operation section of the terminal device 16a. As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface of the housing 76 is provided with a play field 24, strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c and input buttons 34a and 34b that are operated by the player. On the top surface of the play field 24, there is a participating player card placement area 92 for placing player cards 20 for regular players and substitute cards 21, and a sub area for placing player cards 20 for reserve players and substitute cards 21. A player card placement area 94 is formed.

Furthermore, the player 22 can place 11 player cards 20 in the participating player card placement area 92 from among the player cards 20 in hand, and up to 5 player cards 20 in the sub player card placement area 94. He can be placed as a reserve player.

The strategy instruction button 32a is a select button that moves the cursor upward on the menu image displayed on the monitor 26, the strategy instruction button 32b is a determination button, and the strategy instruction button 32c is a select button that moves the cursor on the menu image displayed on the monitor 26. Operated as a select button that moves the cursor downward.

Further, the input button 34a is an operation button for changing the parameters of the player cards 20 and alternative cards 21 arranged in the participating player card arrangement area 92 to the full power level, and the input button 34b is an operation button for changing the parameters of the player cards 20 and alternative cards 21 arranged in the participating player card arrangement area 92. This is an operation button for changing the parameters of the player card 20 and substitute card 21 that have been received to the physical strength preservation level.

Before starting the game, the player 22 inserts the IC card 18 into the IC card reader/writer 28 to read the player information stored in the IC card 18 into the terminal device 16. The terminal device 16 stores various data linked to the read player information from the main control unit 14 via the LAN 38 in the RAM 64.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of the print pattern of the playfield 24. As shown in FIG. 7, on the back side of the play field sheet 80 of the play field 24, a white line frame 96 indicating the participating player card placement area 92 and a line frame 98 indicating the sub player card placement area 94 are printed. ing. Further, on the back side of the play field sheet 80, a participating player card placement area 92 is divided into three blocks: a forward area 100 for placing forward (FD) player cards 20, and a midfielder (MD) player card placement area 100. a midfielder area 102 for placing player cards 20 of players, a defender area 104 for placing player cards 20 of defenders (DF), and a goalkeeper area 105 for placing player cards 20 of goalkeepers (GK). For example, the image is printed using ink with different shades of green.

These areas 100, 102, 104, and 105 are printed with pigment ink that transmits infrared rays so that the card data (player identification data printed on the card) recorded on the back of the player card 20 can be recognized. There is. Further, the sub-player card arrangement area 94 is printed with brown ink, for example, on the back side of the play field sheet 80, and five yellow line frames 106 are printed so that up to five reserve player cards 20 can be placed. has been done.

In the game device 10, for example, the position of the player printed on each player card 20 is determined as forward, midfielder, defender, or goalkeeper, and the area on which each player card 20 is placed is When the player's position matches the player's position printed on the player card 20, the player parameters and team parameters are set to normal values.

However, when the area where each player card 20 is placed does not match the position of the player printed on that player card 20, the player parameters and team parameters are set to low values. For example, if a forward (FD) player card 20 is placed in the defender area 102, the offensive power of the team will be weakened.

Further, the player 22 who is the manager can decide which player card 20 is to be placed in each area 100, 102, 104. The player 22 also determines the number of player cards 20 placed in each area 100, 102, and 104 in which formation, 3-3-4, 3-4-3, or 4-3-3, to start the game. be able to.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the play field 24. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the playfield 24 has a laminated structure in which a playfield sheet 80 is placed on the top surface of a reinforcing glass plate 78, and the playfield sheet 80 is made of transparent polycarbonate resin. It has the role of protecting the above-mentioned areas 100, 102, 104, sub-player card placement area 94, white line frame 96, yellow line frame 106, etc. printed on the bottom surface. Fine irregularities (also called "grains") 110 are formed on the upper surface of the playfield sheet 80.

When the fine irregularities 110 are present on the surface, the player card 20 and the substitute card 21 do not come into close contact when placed, and the player card 20 and the substitute card 21 can be easily taken or moved. Furthermore, since the play field sheet 80 has fine irregularities 110 on its surface, light from the outside is diffusely reflected, making it semi-transparent, and also serves as a blindfold to prevent the inside of the casing 76 from being seen. ing. Furthermore, since the light source 82 emits invisible light inside the casing 76, the inside of the casing 76 is completely dark even when viewing the play field 24 from above, and the player 22 cannot see inside the casing 76. .

Note that the ink layer 108 uses pigment ink that transmits infrared rays other than black and white. This is because the card data is recorded on the back of the player card 20 in a black and white pattern when viewed with invisible light.

Next, the card data stored on the back side of the player card 20 will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of card data stored on the back side of the player card 20.

In this embodiment, a circular code pattern is used to detect the position and angle of card data printed on the back side of the player card 20. Note that in this embodiment, the position and angle of each card are detected using a circular code pattern, but it is also possible to detect the position and angle of each card using a circular code pattern. It is applicable to the game device according to the present invention as long as data stored in card data such as a tag and a reading means capable of reading the data are separately provided. Of course, this is not limited to position detection data and angle detection data, but also applies to character data and unique card data to be described later. Further, in this embodiment, the position and angle of the player card 20 on the play field 24 are detected using a circular code pattern, but the configuration is such that only one of the card coordinate position or the orientation (angle) is detected. You can also use it as

In this embodiment, detection of the card coordinate position, orientation (angle), and ID code obtained by reading the data pattern recorded on the back side of the player card 20 is performed in each stage. First, the position coordinates of the player card 20 are detected for almost the entire area of the play field 80 (step 1), then the angle is detected for the detected position coordinates (step 2), and finally the detected position coordinates are detected. Decode the card ID data (step 3) for the position coordinates and angle.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a code pattern in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, a code pattern 170 consisting of a plurality of patterns with different radii is printed on the back side of the player card 20. This code pattern 170 includes a card position detection circle 172, a position angle detection pattern area 174 formed on the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172, an ID data area 176 formed outside the position angle detection pattern area 174, It has an annular white area 178 formed inside the card position detection circle 172, a data area 180 formed inside the annular white area 178, and a center point 182 formed inside the data area 180. The code pattern 170 is recognized by the density difference between the black portion 170a and the white portion 170b.

Furthermore, the code pattern 170 is printed using ink that transmits infrared rays, so that it cannot be directly viewed by the player. Therefore, the player 22 or any other person is prevented from modifying the code pattern 170 by manipulating the code pattern 170, or from forging a card that resembles the code pattern 170.

The code pattern 170 also includes a card position detection circle 172, a position angle detection pattern area 174, an ID data area 176, an annular white area 178, and a data area 180, which are arranged in concentric circles around a center point 182. The ID data area 176, which has a radius larger than the short side of the card 20, is formed in an arcuate shape. That is, in the ID data area 176, a portion of the outermost circular pattern located at a radius larger than the shorter side portion of the rectangular card surface is recorded in an arc shape, so the entire area of the card surface is It can be used effectively.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image taken by the image sensor 56 of the back side of the player card 20. As shown in FIG. 10, when the code pattern 170 is imaged by the image sensor 56, the black and white parts are recognized as "1" and the black and white parts are recognized as "0". The white portions of the ID data area 176 and the data area 180 are indicated by hatching, but are not blank and display predetermined information in combination with the black portions.

In other words, it is configured to extract a 1-bit signal based on the combination of the black part and white part, and the arrangement pattern of the black part and white part differs depending on the content of predetermined information. The arrangement pattern of the parts and the white parts functions as a code pattern. In this embodiment, the size is determined so that each half bit (one black part or one white part) becomes 6 dots on the screen of the image data taken by the image sensor 56.

In the game device 10, it is not known where the player card 20 will be placed on the play field sheet 80, and the orientation of the player card 20 is not uniform, and the player card 20 is placed at an angle in the direction of rotation. I don't know if it will happen. Therefore, before detecting the code pattern 170 printed on the back side of the player card 20, it is necessary to determine the detection position and position angle.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the code position (center position) is detected from the code pattern 170 of the player card 20 based on the brightness difference between the inside and outside of the card position detection circle 172. Therefore, annular white areas 171 and 173 are formed inside and outside of the card position detection circle 172, thereby clarifying the difference in brightness between the inner and outer circumferences of the card position detection circle 172. Since the card position detection circle 172 is a circle, it is possible to detect the position regardless of the orientation (position angle) of the card 20.

Further, in order to detect the position angle (orientation of the card 20) of the code pattern 170, the circumferential interval between the protrusions 174a to 174d of the position angle detection pattern area 174 that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172 is determined. Detect and determine. Therefore, the intervals in the circumferential direction of the protrusions 174a to 174d are not set at equal intervals, but are set at different intervals, and the position angle of the card 20 is determined by detecting the intervals.

Further, the value of each bit is determined based on the luminance difference between two adjacent half-bit areas. When calculating the brightness of each area, in order to reduce the effects of out-of-focus and errors in detecting positions and angles, the brightness at the center of each area is extracted without using the edge of the boundary.

As shown in FIG. 11, the start positions S1 to S4 of bits in the ID data area 176 and data area 180 differ depending on each player card 20.

As shown in FIG. 12, 16-bit information consisting of pattern data 0 to 15 is obtained in the ID data area 176 and data area 180. In addition, each pattern data 0 to 15 consists of the above-mentioned black part and white part, and in order to make it easier to identify from among the image data captured by the image sensor 56, the area of one of the black part and the white part is set to be large. This prevents misrecognition of data.

Here, the card position coordinate detection process executed by the CPU 62 of the terminal device 16 will be described. First, when the player card 20 is placed on the play field sheet 80, the position coordinates of the player card 20 are detected. Here, by detecting the card position detection circle 172 made of a circular code pattern to detect the position coordinates, the position coordinates can be detected at high speed because it is not affected by the position angle of the card 20.

Therefore, in the card position coordinate detection process, the brightness difference between the black part of the card position detection circle 172 and the white areas formed inside and outside the code pattern 170 shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is measured by pattern matching. The position of the card 20 is detected.

In the card position coordinate detection method, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, since the position of the card position detection circle 172 is the position of the card 20, The position of the card 20 is recognized by detecting the position of the card position detection circle 172.

As shown in FIG. 13(A), the inside of the card position detection circle 172 is divided into 12 regions R1 to R12 for evaluation. Two pairs of points indicated by a white point 182 and a black point 184 are set in each of the 12 divided regions R1 to R12. In these two pairs of points, the white point 182 is assumed to be positive, and the black point 184 is assumed to be negative, and the respective brightnesses are added to form an evaluation value for each region R1 to R12.

FIG. 13B shows an arrangement pattern of white dots 182 and black dots 184 with the inner periphery of the card position detection circle 172 as the boundary. Based on the arrangement pattern of the white dots 182 and the black dots 184, the inner circumference contour data of the inner circumference of the card position detection circle 172 is evaluated using the card position detection circle 172 and its inner area 186. Thereby, the rough coordinate position of the position where the player card 20 is placed is recognized.

Note that the hatched portion representing the card position detection circle 172 has an evaluation value of 0. Additionally, the coordinates where all the evaluation values of the 12 areas divided as above exceed the set threshold A, and 10 of them (can be changed by setting) exceed the threshold B are stored as card coordinate candidates. . At this time, the sum of the evaluation values of all regions is stored as the evaluation value N of that coordinate.

Next, the card coordinates stored as card coordinate candidates are evaluated using a 12-division pattern 188 shown in FIG. 13(C). This 12-division pattern 188 is evaluated using the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172 and its outer region. FIG. 13(D) shows an arrangement pattern of white dots 190 and black dots 192 with the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172 as a boundary. Based on the arrangement pattern of the white dots 190 and the black dots 192, the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172 is determined by using the white area of the card position detection circle 172 and the position angle detection pattern area 174 formed outside of the card position detection circle 172. Evaluate contour data. Thereby, the accurate coordinate position of the position where the player card 20 is placed is recognized.

Four pairs of points indicated by a white point 190 and a black point 192 are set in each of the 12 divided regions R1 to R12 as described above. At this point, the brightness of the white point 190 is positive and the brightness of the black point 192 is negative, and the respective brightnesses are added, and the added value is used as the evaluation value of each region R1 to R12. The hatched part is set to 0. Then, the coordinates in which all the evaluation values of each region R1 to R12 exceed the set threshold C, and furthermore, nine of them (changeable by setting) exceed the threshold D are stored as card coordinate candidates. At this time, the sum of the evaluation values of all regions R1 to R12 is stored as the evaluation value M of that coordinate. Let the sum of the evaluation value N and the evaluation value M be the evaluation value Σ of the coordinate.

When all the coordinates have been evaluated or the number of candidate coordinates exceeds the set number, thinning is performed by deleting coordinates with small evaluation values among the plurality of candidate coordinates located at a distance less than or equal to the value set as the thinning distance. The coordinates with a large evaluation value remaining after thinning are set as the coordinate positions of the player cards 20.

Next, card angle detection processing performed after card position detection will be described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIGS. 15(A) to 15(C). As shown in FIG. 14, in the card angle detection process, angle detection is performed with respect to the coordinates at which the card position is detected. This angle detection method is performed by detecting the circumferential interval between protrusions 174a to 174d of a position angle detection pattern area 174 (indicated by hatching in FIG. 14) that protrudes radially from the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 172. do. In this way, since the coordinates on which the angle detection process is performed are narrowed down by position detection, the processing time is shorter than when performing the angle detection process on all coordinates.

The position angle (orientation) of the player card 20 placed on the play field sheet 80 is determined in advance by the circumferential intervals L1 to L4 of the protrusions 174a to 174d protruding from the outer periphery of the position angle detection pattern area 174. In addition, they are arranged at different intervals such that each interval L1 to L4 satisfies L1<L2<L3<L4. Therefore, the position angle of the player card 20 can be determined from the time interval of the detection pulses by scanning the detection positions of the protrusions 174a to 174d.

In this embodiment, angle detection is performed by pattern matching by comparing the detection pulse pattern of each protrusion 174a to 174d with a pre-stored pattern. For example, if the width (circumferential dimension) of each of the protrusions 174a to 174d for angle detection is 1, the ratio of the intervals L1:L2:L3:L4 of each of the protrusions 174a to 174d is 3:4:5:8. It is arranged so that In this way, by changing the ratio of the intervals L1 to L4, erroneous recognition in angle detection is prevented.

Note that instead of changing the ratio of the intervals L1 to L4 between the protrusions 174a to 174d, the widths (circumferential dimensions) of the protrusions 174a to 174d may be changed to different dimensions. Further, the position/angle detection pattern area 174 is made as large as possible to the very edge of the width of the player card 20 to reduce detection errors.

As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, in the method of detecting the protrusions 174a to 174d, the density difference (brightness difference) between the white color of the position angle detection pattern area 174 and the black color of each protrusion 174a to 174d is determined. Edges (side edge portions) are detected from the edge, and the intervals of these detection signals on the time axis are the above-mentioned intervals L1 to L4. Furthermore, when the edges of the protrusions 174a to 174d are detected, the detection signal for the edge switching from white to black rises to the + side, and the detection signal for the edge switching from black to white falls to the - side. Therefore, the interval L between the - side detection signal and the next detected + side detection signal matches any one of the intervals L1 to L4 between the protrusions 174a to 174d.

In this embodiment, brightness data Y[n] (at angle n) is extracted from the position and angle detection pattern area 174 at angles of 0° to 359° in 1° increments, and Edge[n]=V[n-1] Extract the edge value with -V[n+1]. In addition, in the play field sheet 80, the reference angle is 0° in the upper direction of the front when viewed from the player.

Then, the total value obtained by multiplying the filter signal (registered in advance) shown in FIG. 15(A) and the detection signal of the edge in the circumferential direction of each protrusion 174a to 174d shown in FIG. 15(B) is calculated by 1°. Find it by shifting it step by step. When the filter signal and the edge detection signal match at any angle, the total value becomes maximum. Therefore, the angle (orientation) α of the card 20 is defined as the point where the total value shown in FIG. 15(C) is maximum. Therefore, it is determined that the player card 20 placed on the play field sheet 80 is oriented by rotating by an angle α clockwise with respect to the reference angle (0°).

If the player card 20 is not uniformly illuminated, the detection level of the intervals between the white parts may be lower than the intervals between the black parts, and it may not be possible to distinguish them from noise. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by evaluating the detected values of the edges in the circumferential direction of each of the protrusions 174a to 174d as described above, even if the illumination on the player card 20 is not uniform, the By performing relative processing assuming that the illumination is substantially uniform within the range, each of the protrusions 174a to 174d can be detected accurately, so that the position angle can be detected more accurately.

Here, ID decoding processing for reading ID data area 176 and data area 180 will be described.

If the position coordinates and position angle of the player card 20 are known as described above, the bit positions formed in the ID data area 176 and data area 180 are uniquely determined, so that the discrimination process can be performed accurately without misrecognition. It will be done. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is only necessary to decode the position coordinates of the detected player card 20, the card information can be read in a short time.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 described above, in the code patterns formed in the ID data area 176 and the data area 180, each code (black portion 170a and white portion 170b) is composed of approximately 6 dots x 6 dots. The area is a half bit (black portion 170a or white portion 170b), and everything within the half bit area is white or black. In adjacent code pattern areas, one bit is always composed of a combination of a black portion 170a and a white portion 170b. This makes it possible to determine each bit of the code pattern based on the relative luminance difference even if the absolute value of the luminance cannot be determined due to uneven illumination or the like.

As shown in FIG. 12, code patterns 0 to 3 for 4 bits are arranged in the data area 180 arranged inside the card position detection circle 172, and the positions where these are arranged are as described above. The evaluation value for each half-bit area is calculated from the card position coordinates and position angle detected. The evaluation value in this case is the sum of a plurality of dots within the data area 180 displayed at the card position in the image captured by the image sensor 56.

In this way, by setting the evaluation value as the sum of a plurality of dots, even if there is missing dots or noise, the influence thereof can be reduced. Note that if one dot can be evaluated accurately, the value for one dot may be used as the evaluation value.

At this time, the boundary portion of the data area 180 is not used because it may interfere with calculating an accurate evaluation value due to errors in position coordinates and angle detection, out-of-focus during photographing, and the like.

Similarly, code patterns 4 to 15 for 12 bits are arranged in the ID data area 176 arranged outside the card position detection circle 172, and evaluation values of code patterns 4 to 15 are also determined. Find each bit of card data stored in . At this time, if the difference between the evaluation value of the white part and the black part of each bit exceeds the threshold E, it is registered as a valid code, and if the number exceeds the threshold E, it is registered as an invalid code. delete.

Also, a parity (error detection code) bit is set, and codes in which a parity error occurs are also deleted as invalid codes. Then, the bit array recognized as a correct value is decoded according to an ID decoding table (not shown) to obtain ID data of the player card 20. In this embodiment, the most significant two bits among the 16 bits are parity bits, and the parity is calculated, and if there is an error, the code is deleted as an invalid code.

In addition, in this embodiment, the character data of the player card 20 corresponds to the type of the player card 20. Generally, the types of cards used in this type of card game are several thousand at most, so even if the upper two bits of the 16 bits are used as parity bits as described above, it will not be enough. I can do it.

On the other hand, when attaching unique card data to every card, unique card data (unique ID) is required because in popular card games, the total number of cards issued exceeds hundreds of millions. This can be achieved by using, for example, a 13-digit barcode.

Next, aspect ratio correction of the image captured by the image sensor 56 will be explained. Depending on the model of the image sensor 56, the width:height ratio of pixels may not be 1:1. In this case, rotating the image as it is will distort the image and make it difficult to handle, so aspect ratio correction processing is performed. For example, if the width:height ratio of a pixel is 1.29:1, the pixel is multiplied vertically by 1.29 times so that it becomes a square pixel.

Next, lens distortion correction processing of the image sensor 56 will be explained. When there is lens distortion in the image sensor 56, it is necessary to correct it as follows to remove the lens distortion. In that case, for example, the focal length of the image sensor 56 is set to 4.8 mm. Then, the image of the image sensor 56 is manually adjusted so that 500 mm at 100% becomes 440 dots (0.88 dots/mm). Further, in this embodiment, it is also possible to calculate the magnification from the reference marker 200 imaged by the image sensor 56 and automatically adjust it.

Reference markers 200 made of black rings shown in FIG. 16(A) are provided at the four corners of the playfield sheet 80. Then, marker position detection processing for setting reference coordinates is performed from the image of the playfield sheet 80 captured by the image sensor 56. Then, the coordinates of the reference markers 200 provided at the four corners of the playfield sheet 80 are recognized.

As a method for recognizing the reference marker 200, a Sobel filter is used. As shown in FIG. 16(B), a marker pattern 202 is detected from the density difference of the outline of the reference marker 200 using a Sobel filter, and the outline of the reference marker 200 is recognized. By extracting the outline of the reference marker 200 in this manner, the offset component can be removed.

Note that in the contour extraction process of the reference marker 200, the contour of the reference marker 200 is extracted using a Sobel filter. The coordinates of the reference marker 200 are the positions where the sum of the values multiplied by the contour values of the reference marker 200 is maximum. Then, pattern matching is performed with the position of this reference marker 200 to correct the positional coordinates of the playfield sheet 80.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for recognizing the card data stored on the back side of the player card 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 17, when a coin is inserted, the CPU 62 of the terminal device 16a executes aspect ratio correction processing in step S111. In this aspect ratio correction process, since the width:height ratio of a pixel may not be 1:1 depending on the model of the image sensor 56 described above, the aspect ratio of the pixel is corrected to 1:1 so that it becomes a square pixel.

Next, in step S112, spherical correction filter processing is performed to correct distortion of the lens of the image sensor 56. This spherical correction filter processing is a process of removing image distortion caused by distortion of the lens system of the image sensor to obtain a distortion-free image.

Subsequently, in step S113, a reference coordinate marker position detection process is performed. This reference coordinate marker position detection process extracts and recognizes the contours of the reference markers 200 provided at the four corners of the playfield sheet 80 as described above (step S113a).

In the next step S113b, pattern matching processing with the detected positions of the reference markers 200 provided at the four corners of the playfield sheet 80 is performed. That is, the detected position of the reference marker 200 is compared with the reference marker pattern data stored in the database in advance to determine the amount of deviation, and the deviation of the image captured by the image sensor 56 is corrected according to this amount of deviation.

In the next step S114, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, card position detection processing is performed for all coordinates on the play field sheet 80. In step S114a, pattern matching processing is performed. That is, it compares the pattern data of each rotational position registered in advance and assigns a score, searches the entire image by shifting one dot at a time, and stores the coordinates and angles of values above a certain level. In the next step S114b, unnecessary coordinates are also included since the pixels are only differentiated based on values above a certain level, so a thinning process is performed to delete redundant pixels.

In the next step S115, card angle detection processing is executed. In this card angle detection process, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIGS. 15(A) to 15(C), edges are detected based on the density difference between the white color of the position angle detection pattern area 174 and the black color of each protrusion 174a to 174d. The card position angle is determined by pattern matching the intervals on the time axis of this detection signal (step S115a).

In the next step S116, a brightness image is cut out from the card position coordinates and angle described above, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 described above, based on the brightness difference formed in the ID data area 176 and the data area 180, , the left and right luminance difference reads black and white = 0 and black and white = 1. Then, the ID codes of code patterns 0 to 15 in the ID data area 176 and data area 180 stored on the back side of the player card 20 are detected.

18 is a plan view showing the alternative card 21 in this embodiment, FIG. 18(a) shows an example of the front side of the alternative card 21, and FIG. 18(b) shows the cards stored on the back side of the alternative card 21. It is a figure showing an example of data.

As shown in FIG. 18(a), on the front side of the alternative card 21, an indication of "Alternate Card" indicating the alternative card 21 is printed in the card name entry fields 211 at the top and bottom of the long sides of the rectangle. . Further, in the center of the front side of the substitute card 21, a unique ID 212 for identifying the substitute card 21 is displayed. In the soccer game of this embodiment, 11 regular players and a maximum of 5 reserve players can be used in one game, so a maximum of 16 substitute cards 21 can be used. Therefore, a unique ID 212 for individually identifying up to 16 alternative cards 21 is assigned.

As shown in FIG. 18(b), a code pattern 220 using a part of the code pattern 170 stored on the back side of the player card 20 described above is printed on the back side of the substitute card 21. This code pattern 220 includes a card position detection circle 222, a position angle detection pattern area 224 formed on the outer periphery of the card position detection circle 222, an annular white area 228 formed inside the position angle detection pattern area 224, It has an ID data area 230 formed inside the annular white area 228. Then, in the code pattern 170 printed on the back side of the player card 20, an ID data area 226 outside the position angle detection pattern area 224 and an area 232 inside the ID data area 230 formed inside the annular white area 228. The code pattern 220 is not stored in the area (the area where the center point 182 of the player card 20 shown in FIG. 9 is printed). Similar to the code pattern 170 shown in FIG. 9, this code pattern 220 is also recognized by the density difference between the black portion 220a and the white portion 220b.

This substitute card 21 is identified as the substitute card 21 by detecting that the center point 182 shown in FIG. 9 is not printed in the area 232 inside the ID data area 230. In addition, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which the player card 20 or the substitute card 21 is identified based on the presence or absence of the center point 182 shown in FIG. 9, but this identification process requires 1 bit of information. Since it is sufficient, one-bit identification information may be stored in a position other than the center area 232 of the alternative card 21 (for example, an arbitrary position in the area 226 outside the position angle detection pattern area 224). .

Further, in this embodiment, ID data unique to the alternative card 21 is stored in an ID data area 230 formed inside the annular white area 228. As explained in FIG. 12, 4-bit identification information can be stored in the ID data area 230 inside the annular white area 228, so that up to 16 alternative cards 21 can be individually identified. Note that if it is necessary to identify more alternative cards 21 depending on the type of game, 16-bit identification information is stored by also using the area 226 outside the position angle detection pattern area 224 described above. be able to.

The process of detecting the position and angle of the substitute card 21 placed on the play field 24 is similar to the process in step S114 and step S115 in FIG. 17 described above. In the case of the substitute card 21, in step S116 of FIG. 17, identification processing to identify the substitute card 21 and ID data decoding processing are performed.

Next, how to play and control processing of the game device 10 configured as described above will be explained. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing basic game processing by the main control unit 14 and the terminal device 16 of the game device 10 in this embodiment.

In step S201, the CPU of the main control unit 14 performs processing to permit each terminal device 16a to 16h to start a new game. That is, if the previous game is in progress, permission to play a new game will not be granted, and once the previous game has finished, the game execution permission process will be performed and each terminal device 16a to 16h will be activated to play a new game. Control to an executable state. At this time, new coin insertion and credit investment become effective, and preparations are made for game execution.

Next, in step S202, the game device 10 reads the player information stored in the IC card 18 inserted into the IC card reader/writer 28, which is the player information reading means in this embodiment, and asks the player 22 to enter the password. A process is performed to display a display screen prompting input on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16, and an authentication process for the player 22 is performed.

Next, in step S203, a process is performed to determine whether or not the player 22 who performed the authentication process in step S202 is a person playing this game for the first time, and when it is determined that the player 22 is a person playing the game for the first time. The process proceeds to step S204, and if it is determined that the player is playing the game for the second time or later, the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S204, the main control unit 14 performs a process of storing the character data of the player card 20 included in the starter set in the database of the main control unit 14 in association with the player information of the player 22 who is playing the game for the first time. conduct. At this time, initial values are stored in the storage areas for battle record data, level data, and ranking data that are stored in association with player information.

In step S205, the CPU of the main control unit 14 performs matching processing between the plays entered in each of the terminal devices 16a to 16b, between the players 22, or between the players 22 and the virtual teams stored in the game device 10. The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs a matching process based on the player information of each player 22 so that players 22 whose level data or ranking data are close to each other are selected as opponents, and when there is no opponent of the same level. In this case, a virtual team of the same level is selected from the above-mentioned virtual teams and a matching process is performed. Note that the matching process may be configured to proceed in the order of entry of the players 22. When the matching process is completed, the combination table of the determined matches is displayed on the large panel display 12.

Next, in step S206, a process is performed in which the player card 20 or alternative card 21 set on the play field 24 by the player 22 is registered as the player to be used this time. The player 22 selects 11 player cards 20 as regular players from among the player cards 20 he owns, and selects 5 reserve player cards 20. Then, the player 22 places the 11 cards selected as regular players in the forward area 100, midfielder area 102, defender area 104, and goalkeeper area 105 (see FIG. 7) of the participating player card placement area 92 formed on the play field 24. Each player card 20 is arranged, and each of the five player cards 20 selected as a backup player is arranged in a sub-player card arrangement area 94. Note that up to five player cards 20 of reserve players can be placed in the sub-player card placement area 94, but if the player 22 only has the player cards 20 for regular players, the sub-player card placement area 94 You can play the game without having to put it on. This player card registration process will be described in detail separately with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 20 to 22.

When the player card registration process in step S206 is completed, a match progress process is performed in step S207. In the game progression process, the player 22 competes against a team of other players or a computer-controlled virtual team. When the match starts, the player 22 considers tactics as a manager while watching the progress of the match displayed on the monitor 26, moves each player card 20 placed on the play field 24, and changes players. The game progresses by doing things like The match automatically ends after a preset predetermined time has elapsed. Note that the process for progressing the match is a well-known technique, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

In addition, during the process of progressing the match, the CPU 62 of the terminal device 16 performs a process of generating a character image based on the character data of the player card 20 or the substitute card 21 registered in step S206. The CPU 62 displays, on the screen of the monitor 26, a character image generated at a position corresponding to the position detected based on the position detection circles 172, 222, together with a background image of the game, etc. The CPU 62 is a character image generation means in this embodiment, and the monitor 26 is an image display means in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, when the player 22 performs an operation of rubbing the cards 20 and 21 on the play field 24, the character corresponding to the cards 20 and 21 can be operated. At this time, if the card operated by the player 22 is the normal card 20, the CPU 62 performs a process of displaying only the movement of the character image on the monitor 26. On the other hand, when the player 22 operates the substitute card 21, the CPU 62 displays the movement of the character image corresponding to the substitute card on the monitor 26, and also displays the character's name, ability values, attributes, etc. printed on the normal card 20. Processing is performed to display information on a predetermined area of the screen of the monitor 26. The CPU 62 is an image display control means in this embodiment.

Further, while the match is in progress, the large display panel 12 displays digest scenes of each match. In this way, by appropriately displaying the digest scene of the match on the large panel display 12, it is possible to prevent customers other than the player 22 who are waiting in line from getting bored, and also to prevent customers who have already participated in the game from becoming bored. It is possible to emphasize the fun of the game to customers, and increase the effect of attracting customers.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the match and the match progress process ends, the process advances to step S208, and a match result display process is performed. The results of the matches are displayed on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16 operated by each player 22, and the results of all matches are displayed on the large panel display 12.

When the progress processing of one game is completed, in step S209, the payout card data reading means installed near the card issuing unit 20 reads the character data of the player card 20 to be newly paid out, and then the present embodiment The CPU of the main control unit 14, which is the ownership information updating means for the player card 20, adds the ownership information of the player card 20 corresponding to the read character data to the ownership information linked to the player information. Then, the ownership information stored in the database is updated and stored (step S210), and the process proceeds to the next step S211.

In step S211, the CPU 62 performs a process of notifying the character data of the new player card 20 on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16, and displaying a selection screen for the player 22 asking whether or not he or she wishes to pay out this player card 20. . The player 22 operates the strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c to select and determine whether or not he wishes to pay out a new player card 20. The process of step S211 is a card payout selection means in this embodiment. When the player 22 selects to pay out a new player card 20, the player card payout means is activated to pay out the player card 20 from the card issuing unit 30 (step S212), and a new player card is issued. When a selection is made not to wish to pay out 20, the player card collection means is activated to collect the player cards 20 into a collection box (not shown) inside the terminal device 16, and the basic game processing for one game is completed.

In addition, when adding the ownership information of the new player card 20 to the ownership information linked to the player information, the card not only indicates the presence or absence of ownership but also the total number of cards acquired so far. It may also be configured to execute a process of storing acquisition number information. The configuration may also be such that various parameters of the corresponding player card 20 can be changed in accordance with the information on the number of cards acquired. For example, by configuring a configuration in which the larger the acquisition number data, the higher the basic parameters of the character of the corresponding player card 20, the player card is generally called a normal card (common card) with a high emission rate and low rarity value. Even if the number of cards is 20, it can be configured to have the same parameter value as a rare card by repeatedly acquiring similar normal cards due to its high discharge rate. Thereby, even when player cards 20 that have already been acquired are paid out, it is possible to provide the player with a certain sense of satisfaction.

Next, the player card registration process in step S206 in FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. When the matching process in step S205 of FIG. 19 is completed and the opponent is determined, the player 22 selects the player card 20 or substitute card 21 to be used for the current game, and selects the player card 20 or substitute card 21 for the 11 regular players and the maximum 5 players. A substitute player card 20 is set at a predetermined position on the play field 24. Here, the player 22 who does not own the player card 20 can use up to 16 alternative cards 21 in place of the player card 20 that he or she owns. After setting the player card 20 or the substitute card 21, when the enter button 32b is pressed, the card data reading means of the terminal device 16 is activated to read the code pattern 170 of the player card 20.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the procedure of player card registration processing when the player card 20 stores character data corresponding to the type of card.

In step S301, the CPU 62 of the terminal device 16 performs processing to determine whether a predetermined number of player cards 20 or alternative cards 21 are set on the play field 24. When it is determined that the predetermined number of player cards 20 or substitute cards 21 are not set (NO in step S301), an error is displayed on the monitor 26 (step S302), and the process returns to step S301 to set the predetermined number of player cards 20 or substitute cards 21. If it is determined that the player card 20 or the substitute card 21 is set, the process advances to step S303.

In step S303, a process is performed to extract one card that has not been subjected to the card registration process in step S306, which will be described later, from among the player card 20 or alternative card 21 set on the play field 24, and the process proceeds to step S304. .

In step S304, the CPU 62 reads the code patterns 170, 220 of the card extracted by the card data reading means, and determines whether the extracted card is a normal player card 20 or an alternative based on the read code patterns 170, 220. A process is performed to identify whether the card is the card 21 or not. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a center point 182 shown in FIG. 9 at the center of the read code patterns 170, 220 is identified. When it is identified that there is a center point 182, it is determined that the card is the player card 20 and the process proceeds to step S305, and when it is identified that there is no center point 182, it is determined that the card is the substitute card 21 and the process proceeds to step S308. move on. The CPU 62 is a card identification means in this embodiment.

When it is determined in step S304 that the extracted card is the player card 20, the CPU 62 refers to the database of the main control unit 14, confirms the ownership information of the extracted player card 20, and confirms the ownership information of the extracted player card 20. A process is performed to determine whether the player card 20 is a card already acquired by the player 22. Then, when it is determined that the extracted player card 20 is a player card 20 that has not been acquired by the player 22 (NO determination in step S304), an error is displayed on the monitor 26 (step S307). Returning to S301, if it is determined that the extracted player card 20 is the player card 20 that the player 22 has already acquired, the process proceeds to step S306.

In step S305, when it is determined that the extracted player card 20 is a player card 20 that the player 22 has already acquired, in step S306 the CPU 62 determines that the player card 20 is a player card 20 to be used in the current game. Then, the character data is registered in the memory RAM 64 of the terminal device 16. The CPU 62 refers to the database of the main control unit 14 and performs a process of storing characteristic value data and attribute data set in the player card 20, which are linked to the character data of the registered player card 20, in the memory RAM 64. , so that it can be used as data during game progress processing.

The characteristic value data set on the player card 20 includes, for example, mental aspects such as "leadership," "judgment," and "mental strength," "pass," "dribbling," "heading," and "tackle." Skill aspects such as "kicking power", "running power", "stamina", and other characteristic values are set. Further, as attribute data, data such as "player name", "age", "place of birth", "experience value", "favorite position", "favorite tactic", etc. are set. The characteristic value data and attribute data are configured to be updated when used in a game.

If it is determined in step S304 that the extracted card is the substitute card 21, the CPU 62 performs substitute card registration processing in step S308 in order to enable the use of the substitute card 21 in the current game. In this alternative card registration process, processing is performed to register the alternative card 21 in the memory RAM 64 of the terminal device 16 so that the alternative card 21 can be used in place of the player card 20 owned by the player 22 in the current game. The procedure of the alternative card registration process will be explained in detail separately with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22.

In step S309, the CPU 62 performs a process of determining whether the registration process of all the player cards 20 and alternative cards set on the play field 24 has been completed, and if there are any unregistered cards, the CPU 62 performs a process of determining whether or not the registration process of all the player cards 20 and alternative cards set on the play field 24 has been completed, and if there are any unregistered cards, the CPU 62 performs a process of determining whether or not the registration process of all the player cards 20 and alternative cards set on the play field 24 has been completed. The process of step S308 is repeated, and when it is determined that all cards have been registered, the player card registration process is ended and the process proceeds to step S207 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of player card registration processing when the player card 20 stores card-specific card data. Here, the processes in steps S301 to S304 and steps S306 to S309 are the same as those shown in FIG. 20.

The procedure of proceeding to step S306 when a YES determination is made in the determination process of step S305 described above is the same as that in FIG. 20.

In the determination process of step S305 described above, when it is determined that the unique card data is not registered in the ownership information of the player 22 (YNO in the determination process of step S305), the process advances to step S3051.

In step S3051, the CPU 62 refers to the owner information of the unique card data stored in the database of the main control unit 14, and determines whether the unique card data not registered in the ownership information of the player 22 is owned by another player. Performs processing to determine whether or not it is registered as a card. In this determination process, if the owner information of another player is registered, a process is performed to display an error message indicating that the use of the player card 20 is rejected on the monitor 26 (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S301. return. On the other hand, if the unique card data that is not registered in the ownership information of the player 22 is not registered as a card owned by any other player, the player 22 is designated as the legal owner of the unregistered player card 20. When it is determined that this is the case, a process is performed to newly register the ownership information of the player, the ownership information is updated (step S3052), and the process proceeds to step S306.

Note that in this embodiment, the ownership information of the player 22 is updated by using the unregistered player card 20 that has legitimate ownership in the game, so the steps S209 and S210 in FIG. 19 described above are updated. The process may be omitted. In this case, the terminal device 16 does not need a payout card data reading means, so the cost of the terminal device 16 can be reduced.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the alternative card registration process in step S308 shown in FIG. When it is determined that the extracted card is the substitute card 21 in the determination process in step S304 in FIG. The 4-bit identification information stored in the ID data area 230 inside the white area 228 is read (step S401), and a process is performed to determine whether the read alternative card ID has already been registered (step S402). ). If the read alternative card ID has already been registered as the ID of the alternative card 21 to be used this time, an error is displayed on the monitor 26 (step S403) and the process returns to step S401; if it is determined that it has not been registered, step S404 Proceed to.

In step S404, the CPU 62 performs processing to display the selection screen for the player card 20 on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16. The player 22 operates the strategy instruction buttons 32a to 32c to select and determine one player card 20 from among the player cards 20 displayed on the selection screen displayed on the monitor 26.

In step S405, the CPU 62 refers to the ownership information of the player card 20 linked to the player information of the player 22, and determines whether the player card 20 selected by the player 22 in step S404 is owned by the player 22. A process is performed to determine whether or not the player card 20 is the one currently available. If it is determined through this determination process that a player card 20 not owned by the player 22 has been selected, an error is displayed on the monitor 26 (step S406) and the process returns to step S301. If it is determined that the card 20 has been selected, the process advances to step S407.

In addition, in step S404 described above, a player card list is generated in which only player cards 20 that can be selected by the player 22 (has ownership) are extracted from the ownership information of the player 22 and displayed on the selection screen of the monitor 26. In this case, the processing in step S405 and step S406 described above becomes unnecessary.

In step S407, the CPU 62 performs a process of associating the characteristic value data and attribute data linked to the character data of the player card 20 selected in step S404 with the alternative card ID read in step S401, and then proceeds to step S408. move on.

Subsequently, in step S408, the CPU 62 registers the character data of the substitute card 21 in the memory RAM 64 of the terminal device 16 as the player card 20 selected in step S404 to be used in the current game. I do. The CPU 62 performs processing to store the characteristic value data and attribute data associated in step S407 in the memory RAM 64 so that they can be used as data during game progress processing, and ends the alternative card registration processing. Note that the CPU 62 is a character data registration means and an alternative card recognition means in this embodiment.

The substitute cards 21 in this embodiment may be sold as a set of a predetermined number of cards with different identification information, or may be such that the player 22 can purchase the required number of cards. Alternatively, an alternative card lending device (not shown) may be installed in the terminal device 16, and cards may be loaned for a fee or free of charge. In this case, the replacement card 21 can be prevented from being taken away by, for example, preventing the IC card 18 of the player 22 from being ejected from the IC card reader/writer 28 unless the loaned replacement card 21 is returned.

Furthermore, the player 22 who does not own any player cards 20 may also be configured to be able to use the player cards 20 included in the starter set in a game in which a substitute card 21 is lent. With this configuration, by collecting the player cards 20 that are newly paid out at the end of the game, it becomes possible to play the game without purchasing the starter set. Initial investment can be reduced.

Next, with reference to FIG. 23, an example of a method for transferring ownership of the normal card 20 used in the game device 10 described above to another player 22 will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a method of transferring ownership of the normal card 20 using the terminal device 16 of the amusement facility.

Hereinafter, a method of transferring ownership of the normal card 20 owned by player A to player B will be described. First, player A displays a menu screen on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16, selects the normal card transfer menu, and transmits player information (player ID, password) to the main control unit 14 (step SA01). .

The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs authentication processing for player A based on the received player information, acquires transfer application screen data, and transmits it to the terminal device 16 (step SM01).

Player A, while referring to the transfer application screen displayed on the monitor 26, places the normal card 20 to be transferred at a designated position on the play field 24 and presses the enter button 32b. The CPU 62 of the terminal device 16 operates the card data reading means to read the code pattern 170, and performs a process of transmitting a card information signal to the main control unit 14 (step SA02).

The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs processing to determine whether or not the normal card 20 to be transferred is the normal card 20 owned by player A by referring to the ownership information of player A from the player information. When it is determined that the normal card 20 is not owned by player A, a process is performed to transmit an error signal to the terminal device 16 (step SM02), and it is determined that the normal card 20 is not owned by player A. When the determination is made, a process is performed to store the transfer card information in a predetermined transfer card information storage area of the main control unit 14, and a process is executed to obtain screen data requesting transmission of the transferee's data and send it to the terminal device 16. (Step SM03).

Player A inputs the transferee information of player B into a predetermined position on the monitor 26 and transmits it to the main control unit 14 (step SA03). Note that the transferee data transmitted here may be information such as a password or a nickname agreed upon by Player A and Player B prior to the ownership transfer procedure, and it is not necessarily the case that the main control unit 14 does not have to be recognizable as player B.

The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs a process of storing the transferee data in a predetermined storage area in association with the transfer card information described above, and obtains screen data of the completion of transfer procedure by player A in the ownership transfer procedure. , performs processing for transmitting to the terminal device 16 (step SM04).

Player A checks the transfer procedure completion screen displayed on the monitor 26 (step SA04), and notifies player B that the transfer procedure on the player A side has been completed (step SA05).

Next, the transfer procedure for player B will be explained. Player B displays a menu screen on the monitor 26 of the terminal device 16, selects the normal card transfer menu, and transmits player information (player ID, password) to the main control unit 14 (step SB01).

The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs an authentication process for player B based on the received player information, acquires transfer application screen data, and transmits it to the terminal device 16 (step SM05).

Player B inputs the card information of the normal card 20 to be transferred into a predetermined position on the transfer application screen displayed on the monitor 26 and transmits it to the main control unit 14 (step SB02). Here, the card information of the normal card 20 to be transferred may be anything that can identify the type of the normal card 20, for example, the "player name" or the type of card printed on the normal card 20. Card information such as symbols and numbers may be used.

The CPU of the main control unit 14 refers to the data in the transfer card information storage area stored in step SM03 from the transfer card information transmitted in step SB02, and determines whether the normal card 20 to be transferred is in the transfer card information storage area. When it is determined that the normal card 20 is not stored in the transfer card information storage area, a process is performed to send an error signal to the terminal device 16. When it is determined that the normal card 20 is stored in the transfer card information storage area, processing is performed to obtain screen data requesting transmission of transferee data and transmit it to the terminal device 16 (step SM06).

Player B inputs the transferee information of player B into a predetermined position on the monitor 26 and transmits it to the main control unit 14 (step SB03). Note that the transferee data transmitted here is data that can be commonly recognized by players A and B, as described in step SA03 above.

The CPU of the main control unit 14 performs processing to determine whether the transmitted assignee data matches the assignee data stored in the predetermined storage area in step SM04 described above, and determines whether the assignee data matches. If it is determined that the transferee data does not match, a process is performed to transmit an error signal to the terminal device 16 (step SM07), and if it is determined that the transferee data match, the transferee data is stored in a predetermined storage area of the main control unit 14. A process is performed to update the owner information of the normal card 20 in the owner information database to player B, and a process is performed to acquire screen data indicating the completion of the ownership transfer procedure regarding the normal card 20 and send it to the terminal device 16 ( Step SM08).

Player A checks the ownership transfer procedure completion screen displayed on the monitor 26 (step SB04), and notifies player B that the transfer procedure on player A's side has been completed. In this way, ownership of the normal card 20 can be transferred between the players 22. As a result, only the real normal card 20, or only the ownership of the normal card 20 (the right to use it in the game), or the exchange of the real normal card 20 and the ownership of a different normal card 20, It also becomes possible to buy and sell cards, increasing the number of ways in which card trades can be carried out, and promoting the circulation of cards.

In the above-described embodiment, the ownership transfer method using the terminal device 16 is shown, but there are also other methods, for example, when player A or player B accesses a network such as the Internet from a home computer or a mobile terminal. It is also possible to access a server that manages the owner information of the normal card 20 via the card 20 and perform the procedure for transferring ownership.

In the above embodiment, a soccer game is applied to the game device 10 as an example, but the game device 10 is not limited to this, and other sports can be played as long as a plurality of other players form a team and compete. Of course, it can also be applied to games.

In addition to sports, there are also organized games in which multiple individuals participate and work together for the same purpose, and in which players operate characters with parameters such as physical strength, attack power, and defense power. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to competitive games where players compete against each other.

10 Game device 12 Large panel display 14 Main control unit 16a to 16h Terminal device 18 IC card 20 Player card (regular card)
21 Alternative card 22 Player 24 Play field 26 Monitor 28 IC card reader/writer 30 Card issuing units 32a to 32c Strategy instruction buttons 34a, 34b Input button 36 Large panel control unit 42, 62 CPU
44, 64 Memory (RAM)
56 Image sensor 76 Housing 78 Glass plate 80 Play field sheet 82 Light source 84 First filter 86 First reflecting plate 88 Second reflecting plate 90 Second filter 110 Unevenness 170, 220 Code pattern 172, 222 Card position detection circle 174, 224 Position angle detection pattern areas 174a to 174d, 224a to 224d Projections 176, 230 ID data areas 178, 228 Annular white area 180 Data area 182 Center point 232 Inner area

Claims (6)

a normal operation medium in which at least one of position detection data or angle detection data and character data is stored; and a normal operation medium in which at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data is stored and is different from the normal operation medium. A game device that can be played using an alternative operating medium in which identification information indicating a specific operating medium is stored,
a play field on which the normal operation medium and the alternative operation medium are placed;
operation medium data reading means for reading at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data and the character data;
operation medium identification means for identifying whether the operation medium placed on the play field is the normal operation medium or the alternative operation medium;
a player information storage means for storing player information to which ownership information of the normal operating medium unique to the player is linked;
When the operating medium identifying means identifies that the alternative operating medium was used in the current game, ownership information of the normal operating medium linked to the player information read by the player information reading means; character data registration means for registering the character data set for one normal operation medium selected by the player as the character data of the alternative operation medium in the current game;
alternative operating medium recognition means for recognizing the alternative operating medium used in the current game as a normal operating medium corresponding to the character data registered by the character data registering means; character image generation means for generating a character image based on the character data of the normal operation medium and the character data of the alternative operation medium registered in the current game by the character data registration means; image display means for displaying a game image including the character image;
A game device comprising: payout operation medium data reading means for reading the character data of the normal operation medium that is newly paid out at the end of a game;
ownership information updating means for updating ownership information linked to the player information based on the character data read by the payout operation medium data reading means;
The game device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:. operation medium payout selection means for selecting whether or not to wish to pay out a new normal operation medium at the end of the game;
normal operating medium dispensing means for dispensing the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the ownership information updating means when a selection to dispense the normal operating medium is made by the operating medium dispensing selection means; ,
normal operating medium collecting means for collecting the normal operating medium after updating the ownership information by the ownership information updating means when the operating medium dispensing selection means selects not to dispense the normal operating medium; ,
3. The game device according to claim 2, comprising: The normal operating medium stores unique operating medium data in which character data corresponding to the type of operating medium is associated with each operating medium,
Is there any unique operation medium data that is not registered in the ownership information of the player in the unique operation medium data read by the operation medium data reading means of the normal operation medium used in the current game? unique operating medium data determining means for determining whether or not the
Owner information reference means that refers to the presence or absence of owner information of the unique operation medium data when the unique operation medium data determining means determines that the unregistered unique operation medium data exists;
When the owner information regarding another player does not exist, the ownership information of the normal operation medium corresponding to the unique operation medium data is registered in the ownership information of the player by the owner information reference means. ownership information updating means for updating the ownership information of the player;
non-proprietary operation medium use refusal means for refusing the use of the normal operation medium when owner information relating to another player exists according to the owner information reference means;
The game device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:. When the operating medium being operated is identified as the alternative operating medium by the operating medium identifying means,
image display control means for displaying, on the image display means, the game image including a character image of the normal operation medium corresponding to the character data of the alternative operation medium registered by the character data registration means in the current game; The game device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A normal card that stores at least one of position detection data or angle detection data and character data; and a specific card that stores at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data and is different from the normal card. A game device that can be played using an alternative card storing identification information indicating the
a play field on which the normal card and the alternative card are placed;
card data reading means for reading at least one of the position detection data or the angle detection data and the unique card data;
card identification means for identifying whether a card placed on the play field is the normal card or the substitute card;
a player information storage means for storing player information to which ownership information of the normal operating medium unique to the player is linked;
When the card identification means identifies that the substitute card was used in the current game, the player is informed of the ownership information of the normal card linked to the player information read by the player information reading means. character data registration means for registering the character data set in one normal card selected by the user as character data of the alternative card in the current game;
Alternative card recognition means that recognizes the alternative card used in the current game as a normal card owned by the player corresponding to the character data registered by the character data registration means;
character image generation means for generating a character image based on the character data of the normal card read by the card data reading means and the character data of the alternative card registered by the character data registration means in the current game;
image display means for displaying a game image including the character image generated by the character image generation means;
A game device comprising:

Images