JP6123173B2 - Arcade game system, information processing method and program for arcade game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an arcade game system in which an arcade game machine that prints and outputs a game card and a server that stores game information are connected via a network.

  Conventionally, game cards and trade cards printed on printing media such as paper are known as popular, and various types of cards are sold and attached to other products. It is popular.

The game card describes the magnitude and nature of the power of the card along with the design. Players can collect these cards and enjoy playing against other players.
Trade cards are sold for collection or attached to other products. Collectors can purchase these cards and exchange them with other collectors for enjoyment.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a trading system for issuing a physical card and an electronic card corresponding to the physical card and trading the card on a network, and an invention of a game field system for playing a game. With regard to the game field system, it is described that a game field is provided on a server, and that a player proceeds with the game using a card he / she owns. Further, it is described that an electronic watermark or the like is inserted into the electronic card for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use.

  Under such circumstances, there are arcade game machines that print and output a trading card. Such an arcade game machine has a card reading function, and a card game such as trading can be performed by the arcade game machine.

JP 2002-306837 A

  Currently, computer games are widely used. However, as the games become more complicated, it is not possible to end the game in a single play. In particular, in an arcade game, generally, a player's information is not stored in an arcade game machine, so that a complex game with continuity cannot be played.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and stores game information performed on an arcade game machine in a server, and the game information can be read out using a game card output from the arcade game machine. By doing so, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can use the previous game information when the next game is played.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first invention includes an arcade game machine that includes a game display unit and a game operation unit and that plays a game by inserting coins, and a server that stores game information of the game. The arcade game system is composed of a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server, a printing means for printing card information as a game card, and the game card. Reading means for reading the information, and at the end of the game, the game information is transmitted to the server, the card information is received, the card information is printed as the game card, and at the start of the game, The storage position of the game information is read from the game card, and the storage position of the game information is The game information is received, the game information is used to continue the game, and the server transmits / receives information to / from the arcade game machine, and the game information, And a storage means for storing card information of a printing card relating to the game, and a combining means for combining the card information with information, and storing the game information when the game information is received. In addition, when the storage position of the game information is combined with the card information, the combined card information is transmitted to the arcade game machine, and the storage position of the game information is received, it is stored in the storage position. The game information is transmitted to the arcade game machine.

According to the first invention, the user of the arcade game machine acquires a game card printed from the arcade game machine at the end of the game, and restores the previous game information using the acquired game card when the next game is played. The game can be started.
The “game information” is arbitrary information for playing the next game, such as game results and game progress information such as information about acquired items, levels, equipment, and characters.
“Card information” is image information including characters that appear in the game, and the pattern occupies many parts, but part of the information acquired from the game information is added as image information. May be.

In the first invention, the reading means of the arcade game machine reads the information embedded as a digital watermark from the game card, and the combining means of the server converts the information into the card information as a digital watermark. It is desirable to embed as.
Thereby, the storage position of the game information can be combined with the game card without impairing the design of the game card.

When the server in the first invention receives the storage position of the game information, it is preferable that the server further disables the game information stored in the storage position of the storage means.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent a game using game information corresponding to an old game card from being played.

The arcade game machine according to the first aspect of the invention preferably further comprises a collecting means for collecting the game card after reading the synthesized information from the game card.
Thereby, the arcade game machine can collect the game card every time, and can prevent the game using the game information corresponding to the old game card from being played.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arcade game that includes a game display unit and a game operation unit, and an arcade game machine that plays a game by inserting coins and a server that stores game information of the game are connected via a network. An information processing method for a system, wherein the computer for an arcade game machine is synthesized from a transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server, a printing step for printing card information as a game card, and the game card. A reading step of reading information that is received, and at the end of the game, the game information is transmitted to the server, the card information is received, the card information is printed as the game card, and at the start of the game, The storage position of the game information is read from the game card, and the game information The memory location is transmitted to the server, the game information is received, the game information is used to continue the game, and the server computer transmits and receives information to and from the arcade game machine. When the game information is received after performing a step, a storage step of storing the game information and card information of a printing card relating to the game, and a combining step of combining the card information with the information Stores the game information, synthesizes the storage position of the game information with the card information, transmits the combined card information to the arcade game machine, and receives the storage position of the game information. Transmitting the game information stored at the storage location to the arcade game machine, That is an information processing method of the arcade game system.
According to the second invention, the user of the arcade game machine acquires a game card printed from the arcade game machine at the end of the game, and restores the previous game information using the acquired game card when the next game is played. The game can be started.

An arcade game comprising a game display unit and a game operation unit, wherein an arcade game machine for playing a game by inserting coins and a server for storing game information of the game are connected via a network A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of the system, the step of transmitting and receiving information to and from the server for the arcade game machine, and the step of printing to print card information as a game card Reading the synthesized information from the game card, and at the end of the game, the transmission / reception step transmits the game information to the server, receives the card information, and prints in step, the card information and the game card Printed, at the time of start of the game, by the reading step reads the storage location of the game information from the game card, by the reception step, transmits the storage location of the game information to the server, it receives the game information The game information can be used to continue the game, and the server computer transmits / receives information to / from the arcade game machine, the game information, and a print card for the game A storage step of storing card information and a combining step of combining information with the card information are executed . When the game information is received by the transmission / reception step, the game information is stored by the storage step. as well as, by the synthetic steps, the mosquito The storage location of the game information synthesized de information, by the receiving step, the combined the card information has been transmitted to the arcade game machine, when receiving a storage location of said game information by the receiving step, the The game information stored in the storage position by the storing step is transmitted to the arcade game machine by the transmitting / receiving step .
By installing the third invention on a general-purpose computer, the arcade game system of the first invention can be obtained and the method of the arcade game system of the second invention can be executed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an arcade game system that can be used when a game is played the next time by interposing a game card with game information of a game played last time by a user of an arcade game machine.
In addition, the user of the arcade game machine can collect game cards to be printed on the arcade game machine.

Diagram showing an application example of an arcade game system External perspective view of arcade game machine Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an arcade game machine Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server Flow chart showing processing at the end of the game in the arcade game system Flow chart showing processing at the start of the game of the arcade game system Figure showing an example of card information The figure which shows the example of the game card which embeds the digital watermark The figure which shows the example of the game card which printed the barcode on the back Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an arcade game machine according to the second embodiment The flowchart which shows the process at the time of the game end of the arcade game machine concerning 2nd Embodiment The flowchart which shows the process of the game start of the arcade game machine concerning 2nd Embodiment

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of an arcade game system 1 including an arcade game machine 2. FIG. 1 shows an arcade game system 1 in which an arcade game machine 2 and a server 4 are connected via a network 5. In addition, in front of the arcade game machine 2, a user 6 holding the game card 3 is shown.

  First, the user 6 plays a game on the arcade game machine 2 and ends the game. Then, the arcade game machine 2 prints the game card 3 after communicating game information etc. with the server 4 via the network 5. The user 6 obtains the printed game card 3 from the card discharge unit 28.

  Next, the user 6 comes to the arcade game machine 2 with the previously acquired game card 3 in order to play this game again. And the user 6 sets a card | curd in the card | curd reading part 26, and starts a game.

  Then, the arcade game machine 2 reads information from the game card 3 and communicates with the server 4 via the network 5 to acquire the previous game information. Then, the user 6 can continue the previous game using the acquired game information.

[Outer perspective view of arcade game machine 2]
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the arcade game machine 2. Note that the external configuration in FIG. 2 is an example, and various configurations can be employed depending on the application and purpose.
The arcade game machine 2 includes at least a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, a coin insertion slot 24, a card insertion unit 26, and a card discharge unit 28 in a casing.

  The display unit 22 is a monitor for displaying a game or the like. The operation unit 23 is a controller for operating the game. The display unit 22 and the operation unit 23 will be described later in the description of the hardware configuration of the arcade game machine 2.

  The coin slot 24 is a slot through which the user 6 inserts coins to start the game. The game can be started when the user 6 inserts a predetermined amount of money within the case and connected to a coin mech 25 described later.

  The card insertion unit 26 is a part for setting the game card 3 possessed when the user 6 wants to use the previous game information when starting the game. The card insertion unit 26 includes a card reading unit 27 (described later) such as a camera (not shown) inside, and can read information on the game card 3.

  The card discharge unit 28 is a part where the game card 3 is discharged when the game is over. The card discharge unit 28 includes a card printing unit (printer) 29 (described later). When the user 6 finishes the game, the game card 3 is printed by the card printing unit 29, and the user 6 can take out the game card 3 from the card discharge unit 28.

  Since existing arcade game machines generally do not include the card insertion unit 26 (and the internal card reading unit 27) and the card ejection unit 28 (and the internal card printing unit 29), When using an arcade game machine, these may be externally attached.

[Hardware configuration of arcade game machine 2]
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the arcade game machine 2. Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and various configurations can be employed depending on the application and purpose.

  A computer 21 for realizing the arcade game machine 2 is configured by connecting a control unit 211, a storage unit 212, a communication control unit 213, an input unit 214, a media input / output unit 215, a peripheral device I / F unit 216, and the like through a bus 217. The display unit 22, the operation unit 23, the coin mech 25, the card reading unit 27, and the card printing unit 29 are controlled.

  The control unit 211 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU calls and executes a program stored in the storage unit 212, ROM, recording medium, or the like to a work memory area on the RAM, drives and controls each device connected via the bus 217, and the arcade game machine 2 The process to be described later is realized. The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds a computer boot program, a program such as BIOS, data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 212, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 211 for performing various processes.

  The storage unit 212 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, and stores a program executed by the control unit 211, data necessary for program execution, an OS (Operating System), and the like. As for the program, a control program corresponding to the OS, a game program, and an application program for causing a computer to execute processing to be described later are stored. Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 211 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, and executed as various means.

  The communication control unit 213 has a communication control device, a communication port, etc., and is a communication interface that mediates communication between the computer and the network, and controls communication between the server 4 and other computers via the network. Do. The network may be wired or wireless.

  The input unit 214 is used for management and inputs data. For example, the input unit 214 has a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad. An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the computer 21 via the input unit 214. The input unit 214 may not be provided.

  The media input / output unit 215 (drive device) inputs / outputs data, for example, media such as a CD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.), DVD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.) Has input / output devices. The media input / output unit 215 may be omitted.

  The peripheral device I / F (interface) unit 216 is a port for connecting a peripheral device to the computer 21. The computer 21 is connected to the peripheral device (display unit 22, operation unit 23, and the like) via the peripheral device I / F unit 216. Data is exchanged with the coin mech 25, the card reading unit 27, and the card printing unit 29). The peripheral device I / F unit 216 is configured by USB, IEEE 1394, RS-232C, or the like, and usually includes a plurality of peripheral devices I / F. The connection form with the peripheral device may be wired or wireless.

  The bus 217 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

  The display unit (monitor) 22 is a display device such as a CRT monitor or a liquid crystal panel, and includes a logic circuit or the like (video adapter or the like) for realizing a video function of a computer in cooperation with the display device. The display unit 22 may also function as the operation unit 23 like a touch panel display.

  The operation unit (game controller) 23 is an input unit for operating a game, which includes a plurality of buttons, operation sticks, and the like. Depending on the type of game, the number of buttons and the presence or absence of a stick can be selected as appropriate.

  The coin mech 25 is connected to the aforementioned coin insertion slot 24, manages the input of coins, and plays a role of a charging function. When a predetermined amount of coins is input, the coin mech 25 outputs a signal indicating that the game can be started to the computer 21.

  The card reading unit 27 is provided inside the card insertion unit 26 described above and reads information on the game card 3. When the game card 3 is paper and information is embedded and printed as a digital watermark, or when printed as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode, the card reading unit 27 is a camera. The information on the game card 3 is read by the camera. When the game card 3 is a magnetic card and information is recorded in the magnetic part, the card reading unit 27 is a magnetic card reader, and reads information on the game card 3 with the magnetic card reader.

  The card printing unit 29 is a printer and is provided inside the card discharge unit 28 and prints the game card 3. This printer is a high-resolution color printer that prints card information (designs, etc.) synthesized with game information (game results, etc.) on card paper, and there is no particular limitation on the printer system such as thermal transfer type or ink jet type. Note that the game card 3 may be a magnetic card. In this case, the card information is printed by a color printer, and the game information synthesized or attached to the card information is separately provided by a magnetic card writer. Write to the part.

[Hardware configuration of server 4]
FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server 4. Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and various configurations can be employed depending on the application and purpose.

  The computer that implements the server 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a media input / output unit 43, a communication control unit 44, an input unit 45, a display unit 46, a peripheral device I / F unit 47, etc. Connected through.

  The control unit 41 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 42, ROM, recording medium, etc. to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, drives and controls each device connected via the bus 48, and is described later by the server 4. To achieve the process. The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds a computer boot program, a program such as BIOS, data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 42, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 41 for performing various processes.

  The storage unit 42 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 41, data necessary for program execution, an OS (Operating System), and the like. As for the program, a control program corresponding to the OS and an application program for causing a computer to execute processing to be described later are stored. Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 41 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, and executed as various means. As for data, game information transmitted from the arcade game machine 2 and card information which is image information of a printing card relating to the game are stored.

  The media input / output unit 43 (drive device) inputs / outputs data, for example, media such as a CD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.), DVD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.) Has input / output devices. The communication control unit 44 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a communication interface that mediates communication between the computer and the network, and communicates with the arcade game machine 2 and other computers via the network. Take control. The network may be wired or wireless.

  The input unit 45 inputs data and includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad. An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the computer via the input unit 45. The display unit 46 includes a display device such as a CRT monitor and a liquid crystal panel, and a logic circuit (such as a video adapter) for realizing a video function of the computer in cooperation with the display device. The input unit 45 and the display unit 46 may be integrated like a touch panel display.

  The peripheral device I / F (interface) unit 47 is a port for connecting a peripheral device to the computer. The computer communicates with the peripheral device (image scanner, multifunction device, etc.) via the peripheral device I / F unit 47. Send and receive. The peripheral device I / F unit 47 is configured by USB, IEEE 1394, RS-232C, or the like, and usually includes a plurality of peripheral devices I / F. The connection form with the peripheral device may be wired or wireless. The bus 48 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals and data signals between the devices.

[Processing at the end of the game of the arcade game system 1]
Next, the process at the end of the game of the arcade game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 ends the game after the game is played by the user 6 (S11). This end may be the case where the game is ended or interrupted due to some event during the game, or may be the case where the game is ended or interrupted according to the instruction of the user 6, or by the end of the usage time corresponding to the billing, etc. The game may be ended or interrupted.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 transmits the game information at the time when the game is completed to the server 4 via the network (S12). This game information is arbitrary information for performing the next game, such as game results, game progress information such as information about acquired items, levels, equipment, and characters.

  Then, the control unit 41 of the server 4 receives the game information transmitted from the arcade game machine 2 via the network (S13).

  Next, the control unit 41 of the server 4 stores the received game information in the storage unit 42 (S14).

  Next, the control part 41 of the server 4 reads the card information of the card for printing regarding a game from the memory | storage part 42 (S15). FIG. 7 illustrates this card information. As shown in FIG. 7, the card information is image information, and symbols such as characters related to the game occupy a large part. A part of the information acquired from the game information (“attack power 850, defense power 630” in FIG. 7) may be added as image information. The symbol may be randomly selected from those stored in the storage unit 42 or may be selected based on the received game information.

  Next, the control unit 41 of the server 4 synthesizes the storage position of the game information stored in the storage unit 42 with the read card information (S16). For example, the control unit 41 of the server 4 can embed the storage position of the game information or information obtained by encoding the game information in the card information as a digital watermark (FIG. 8). Alternatively, the control unit 41 of the server 4 can convert the storage position of the game information into a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode, and synthesize the converted image information with the game information. Note that a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode may be printed on the back surface of the game card 3 (FIG. 9). In this case, the card information includes a QR code (registered trademark) or a bar code. Just attach the image information of the code.

  Furthermore, when a magnetic card is used as the game card 3 and a magnetic card writer is used for writing game information to the game card 3 on the arcade game machine 2 side, the game information is simply stored in the game information It is also possible to attach the encoded data to the card information.

  The storage position of the game information is a position where the game information is stored on the file system, but may be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Further, the size of the game information is generally managed by the OS of the server 4, but this information may be included in the storage location of the game information.

  Next, the control unit 41 of the server 4 transmits the combined card information to the arcade game machine 2 via the network (S17).

  Then, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 receives the card information obtained by combining the storage positions of the game information via the network (S18).

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 prints the received card information as the game card 3 by the card printing unit 29 (S19). When the storage position of the game information is embedded in the card information as a digital watermark, the control unit 211 prints the card information as it is using the card printing unit 29.

  Even when the storage position of the game information is combined as image information converted into a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode, the control unit 211 can perform printing as it is by the card printing unit 29. On the other hand, in order to print a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode on the back side of the game card 3, the control unit 211 displays the card information on the surface of the game card 3 when attached to the card information. It is possible to print and print QR code (registered trademark) or barcode image information on the back side. In this case, the storage position of the game information can be printed without impairing the design of the card information.

  When a magnetic card is used as the game card 3, the controller 211 of the arcade game machine 2 prints the card information and sets the storage position of the game information on the magnetic part of the magnetic card with the magnetic card writer. Can be recorded.

  Thereafter, the user 6 takes out the game card 3 from the card discharge unit 28 of the arcade game machine 2 and leaves the arcade game system 1.

This is the end of the process at the end of the game in the arcade game system 1.
Note that, before the game is played (S11), a process at the start of the game, which will be described later, may be performed.

  In addition, when a magnetic card is used as the game card 3 in the above processing, only the storage position of the game information is transmitted from the server 4 to the arcade game machine 2 without using the card information, and the arcade game In the machine 2, the storage position of the game information may be recorded on the magnetic card without printing the card information.

[Processing at the start of the game of the arcade game system 1]
Next, a process at the start of the game of the arcade game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the user 6 carries the game card 3, comes to the arcade game machine 2, and sets the game card 3 in the card insertion part 26 of the arcade game machine 2. Then, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 reads the storage position of the synthesized game information from the game card 3 by the card reading unit 27 (S21).

When the storage position of the game information is printed on the game card 3 as a digital watermark, QR code (registered trademark), or barcode, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 controls the camera of the card reading unit 27. Use to read the storage location of the game information.
When the game card 3 is a magnetic card, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 reads the storage position of the game information using a magnetic card reader.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 transmits the storage location of the game information to the server 4 via the network (S22).

  Then, the control unit 41 of the server 4 receives the storage location of the game information transmitted from the arcade game machine 2 via the network (S23).

  Next, the control unit 41 of the server 4 acquires the game information stored in the received storage position from the storage unit 42 (S24).

  Next, the control unit 41 of the server 4 disables the received game information at the storage location (S25). This is because the game information corresponding to the previous game card 3 cannot be used because a new game card 3 is issued after the current game is played using this game information. The control unit 41 of the server 4 performs this process by deleting the received game information at the storage location or setting a used flag.

  And the control part 41 of the server 4 transmits the acquired game information to the arcade game machine 2 via a network (S26).

  Then, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 receives the game information via the network and stores it in the RAM or the storage unit 212 (S27).

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2 uses the received game information to initialize (setup) the game so that the game can be continued (S28). As a result, the user 6 can resume the game from the continuation of the previously ended or interrupted game.

And the user 6 plays the game which the control part 211 of the arcade game machine 2 set up with the game information (S29).
The process at the start of the game in the arcade game system 1 is thus completed.

If the user 6 does not have the game card 3 at the start of the game, the above-described processing of S21 to S28 is not performed, and therefore the arcade game machine 2 is not used from the beginning without using the previous game information. Start the game.
Further, when the user 6 possesses the game card 3 at the start of the game, but the game information at the storage position cannot be acquired in S24, that is, the game information already at the storage position is disabled. Even in this case, the arcade game machine 2 starts the game from the beginning without using the previous game information.

The embodiment of the processing at the start of the game of the arcade game system 1 is not limited to the above-described one, and can be changed without departing from the spirit thereof.
For example, in S25, the server 4 side cannot use the game information at the storage position synthesized with the game card 3. However, the card 4 is not disabled on the server 4 side or disabled on the server 4 side, and after the processing of S27 on the arcade game machine 2 side, the card printing unit 29 of the arcade game machine 2 receives the game card. 3, reprinting may be performed so that the storage position of the recorded game information becomes unusable.

  Alternatively, without reprinting, a card collection unit (not shown) is further provided in the card insertion unit 26 of the arcade game machine 2 in FIG. 2, and after the processing of S27, the card insertion unit 26 of the arcade game machine 2 is provided with the card collection unit 26. The provided card collection unit may collect the game card 3.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the arcade game system 1 allows the user 6 to use the game information of the game played last time on the arcade game machine 2 when the next game is played.
Further, the arcade game system 1 can prevent the previous game card 3 from being reused by disabling old game information on the server 4 side.
Further, the user 6 of the arcade game machine 2 can collect the game cards 3 to be printed on the arcade game machine 2 when the arcade game machine 2 does not collect the game card 3.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is a usage form of the arcade game machine 2 (2a) alone in the arcade game system 1 of the first embodiment.
The external perspective view of the arcade game machine 2a is the same as the external perspective view of the arcade game machine 2 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[Hardware configuration of arcade game machine 2a]
FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the arcade game machine 2a. Note that the hardware configuration in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and various configurations can be employed depending on the application and purpose.

A computer 21a that implements the arcade game machine 2a is configured by connecting a control unit 211, a storage unit 212a, an input unit 214, a media input / output unit 215, a peripheral device I / F unit 216, and the like via a bus 217, and a display unit 22 The operation unit 23, the coin mech 25, the card reading unit 27, and the card printing unit 29 are controlled.
The same components as those of the arcade game machine 2 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The storage unit 212a included in the computer 21a is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk
Drive), a program executed by the control unit 211, data necessary for program execution, OS (Operating)
System) and the like are stored. As for the program, a control program corresponding to the OS, a game program, and an application program for causing a computer to execute processing to be described later are stored. Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 211 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, and executed as various means. As for the data, the card information for printing (FIG. 7) related to the game stored in the server 4 in the first embodiment is also stored.

[Processing at the end of the game of the arcade game machine 2a]
A process at the end of the game of the arcade game machine 2a will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, after the game is played by the user 6, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a ends the game (S31). This end may be the case where the game is ended or interrupted due to some event during the game, or may be the case where the game is ended or interrupted according to the instruction of the user 6, or by the end of the usage time corresponding to the billing, etc. The game may be ended or interrupted.

  The control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a acquires game information related to the game when the game ends. This game information is arbitrary information for performing the next game, such as game results, game progress information such as information about acquired items, levels, equipment, and characters.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a reads the card information of the printing card related to the game from the storage unit 212a (S32). The card information is the same as that illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the card information is image information, and symbols such as characters related to the game occupy a large part. A part of the information acquired from the game information (“attack power 850, defense power 630” in FIG. 7) may be added as image information. The symbol may be randomly selected from those stored in the storage unit 212a or may be selected based on the received game information.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a synthesizes game information with the read card information (S33). For example, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a can embed game information or a coded version thereof in the card information as a digital watermark (FIG. 8). Alternatively, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a can convert the game information into a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode and synthesize the converted image information with the game information. Note that a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode may be printed on the back of the game card 3 (FIG. 9). Just attach the image information of the code.

  Further, when a magnetic card is used as the game card 3 and a magnetic card writer is used at the card printing unit 29, game information or a coded version thereof is simply attached to the card information. But you can.

  Next, the control unit 211a of the arcade game machine 2a prints the combined card information as the game card 3 by the card printing unit 29 (S34). When the game information is embedded in the card information as a digital watermark, the control unit 211 prints the card information as it is using the card printing unit 29.

  Even when the game information is synthesized as image information converted into a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode, the control unit 211 can perform printing as it is by the card printing unit 29. On the other hand, in order to print a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode on the back side of the game card 3, the control unit 211 displays the card information on the surface of the game card 3 when attached to the card information. It is possible to print and print QR code (registered trademark) or barcode image information on the back side. In this case, the game information can be printed without impairing the design of the card information.

  When a magnetic card is used as the game card 3, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a prints the card information and records the game information on the magnetic part of the magnetic card with the magnetic card writer. Can do.

  Thereafter, the user 6 takes out the game card 3 from the card discharge unit 28 of the arcade game machine 2a and leaves the arcade game machine 2a.

This is the end of the process at the end of the game on the arcade game machine 2a.
Note that, before the game is played (S31), a process at the start of the game, which will be described later, may be performed.
Further, in the above processing, when a magnetic card is used for the game card 3, only the game information may be recorded on the magnetic card without using the card information.

[Processing at the start of the game of the arcade game machine 2a]
Next, a process at the start of the game of the arcade game machine 2a will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the user 6 carries the game card 3, comes to the arcade game machine 2a, and sets the game card 3 in the card insertion portion 26 of the arcade game machine 2a. Then, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a reads the synthesized game information from the game card 3 by the card reading unit 27 (S41).

When game information is printed on the game card 3 as a digital watermark, QR code (registered trademark), or barcode, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a uses the camera of the card reading unit 27 to Read game information.
When the game card 3 is a magnetic card, the controller 211 of the arcade game machine 2a reads game information using a magnetic card reader.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a causes the card printing unit 29 to reprint the game information on the game card 3 to make it unusable (S42). This is performed so that the game information of the game card 3 cannot be reused. When the game card 3 is a magnetic card, the information on the magnetic part can be erased by the magnetic card writer of the card printing unit 29.

  Next, the control unit 211 of the arcade game machine 2a uses the read game information to initialize (setup) the game so that the game can be continued (S43). As a result, the user 6 can resume the game from the continuation of the previously ended or interrupted game.

And the user 6 plays the game which the control part 211 of the arcade game machine 2a set up with game information (S44).
This is the end of the process when the arcade game machine 2a starts the game.

If the user 6 does not have the game card 3 at the start of the game, the above-described processing of S41 to S43 is not performed, and therefore the arcade game machine 2a is not used from the beginning without using the previous game information. Start the game.
Also, if the user 6 possesses the game card 3 at the start of the game but cannot read the game information in S41, that is, if the game information is already disabled, the previous game information The arcade game machine 2a starts the game from the beginning.

The embodiment of the process at the start of the game of the arcade game machine 2a is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed without departing from the spirit thereof.
For example, in S42, the arcade game machine 2a reprints the game information of the game card 3 to make it unusable. However, the arcade game machine 2a does not reprint the game card 3 in S42, and further provides a card collection unit (not shown) in the card insertion part 26 of the arcade game machine 2a in FIG. The card collection unit provided in the card insertion unit 26 of the arcade game machine 2a may collect the game card 3.

  Further, like the storage unit 42 of the server 4 of the arcade game system, the game information may be stored in the storage unit 212a of the arcade game machine 2a, and the storage position of the game information may be combined with the card game 3. However, in this case, there is a problem that the game information can be used only by the arcade game machine 2a.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the arcade game machine 2a can make the user 6 use the game information of the game played last time when the next game is played.
In addition, the arcade game machine 2a can prevent the previous game card 3 from being reused by reprinting the game information of the game card 3 and making it unusable.
Further, the user 6 of the arcade game machine 2a can collect the game cards 3 printed on the arcade game machine 2a when the arcade game machine 2a does not collect the game card 3.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Arcade game system 2, 2a Arcade game machine 22 Display part 23 Operation part 24 Coin slot 26 Card insertion part 28 Card discharge part 3 Game card 4 Server 5 Network 6 User

Claims (6)

An arcade game system comprising a game display unit and a game operation unit, wherein an arcade game machine for playing a game by inserting coins and a server for storing game information of the game are connected via a network,
The arcade game machine is
Transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server;
Printing means for printing card information as a game card;
Reading means for reading the synthesized information from the game card;
With
At the end of the game, the game information is transmitted to the server, the card information is received, the card information is printed as the game card,
At the start of the game, the storage location of the game information is read from the game card, the storage location of the game information is transmitted to the server, the game information is received, and the game can be continued using the game information. State and
The server
Transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the arcade game machine;
Storage means for storing the game information and card information of a printing card relating to the game;
A combining means for combining information with the card information;
With
When the game information is received, the game information is stored, the storage position of the game information is combined with the card information, and the combined card information is transmitted to the arcade game machine,
When the storage position of the game information is received, the game information stored in the storage position is transmitted to the arcade game machine. The reading means of the arcade game machine includes:
Read the information embedded as a digital watermark from the game card,
The combining means of the server includes:
The arcade game system according to claim 1, wherein the information is embedded as a digital watermark in the card information. The server
The said game information memorize | stored in the said memory | storage position of the said memory | storage means is made unusable when the memory | storage position of the said game information is received. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Arcade game system. The arcade game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a collecting unit that collects the game card after reading the synthesized information from the game card. system. An information processing method of an arcade game system comprising a game display unit and a game operation unit, wherein an arcade game machine that inserts coins to play a game and a server that stores game information of the game are connected via a network There,
The computer for the arcade game machine is:
A transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server;
A printing step of printing card information as a game card;
A reading step of reading the synthesized information from the game card;
Run
At the end of the game, the game information is transmitted to the server, the card information is received, the card information is printed as the game card,
At the start of the game, the storage location of the game information is read from the game card, the storage location of the game information is transmitted to the server, the game information is received, and the game can be continued using the game information. State and
The server computer is:
A transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving information to / from the arcade game machine;
A storage step for storing the game information and card information of a printing card related to the game;
A combining step of combining information with the card information;
Run
When the game information is received, the game information is stored, the storage position of the game information is combined with the card information, and the combined card information is transmitted to the arcade game machine,
When the storage position of the game information is received, the game information stored in the storage position is transmitted to the arcade game machine. An information processing method for an arcade game system, comprising: An information processing method of an arcade game system comprising a game display unit and a game operation unit, wherein an arcade game machine for playing a game by inserting coins and a server for storing game information of the game are connected via a network A program for causing a computer to execute,
In the computer for the arcade game machine,
A transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server;
A printing step of printing card information as a game card;
A reading step of reading the synthesized information from the game card;
And execute
At the end of the game , the game information is transmitted to the server by the transmission / reception step, the card information is received, and the card information is printed as the game card by the printing step ,
At the start of the game, the storage position of the game information is read from the game card by the reading step, the storage position of the game information is transmitted to the server by the transmission / reception step, the game information is received, and the game Use the information to make it possible to continue the game,
In the server computer,
A transmission / reception step for transmitting / receiving information to / from the arcade game machine;
A storage step for storing the game information and card information of a printing card related to the game;
A combining step of combining information with the card information;
And execute
When receiving said game information by the receiving step, by said storing step stores the game information, by the synthesis step synthesizes the storage location of the game information to the card information, by the receiving step , Send the combined card information to the arcade game machine,
When the storage position of the game information is received by the transmission / reception step, the game information stored in the storage position by the storage step is transmitted to the arcade game machine by the transmission / reception step. Program to do.

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