JP7355363B2 - management system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a management system that runs games that are executed by a gaming machine alone and games that compete for ranking among gaming machines.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that allows a plurality of gaming machines to be used to hold a game tournament in which a plurality of people can participate. For example, as in Patent Document 1, a management server is connected to multiple gaming machines via communication lines, performance information associated with game execution results on each gaming machine is aggregated on the management server, and performance information is determined based on the performance information. A management system has been disclosed for managing a ranking game in which gaming machines (players) compete for ranking among groups such as stores to which the gaming machines belong.

Special table 2008-512189 publication

Participants generally participate in the ranking game by paying a participation fee. However, operators of ranked games need to manually collect participation fees for ranked games and pay out prizes for ranked games, or use gaming machines for ranked games that are equipped with functions to process these tasks. There was a problem in that it was not possible to simply implement a ranking game because it required participants to use the .

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a management system that can solve the above problems in a ranking game in which gaming machines compete for ranking.

The management system of the present invention includes:
A cache is attached to each of a plurality of gaming machines where a game is started based on a bet, stores information regarding the cash in the attached gaming machine, and is used for the bet in the game started on the attached gaming machine. an information management unit that outputs information regarding the number of bets;
Receiving information regarding the cache from the information management unit and receiving game results executed by the plurality of gaming machines, and based on the received information regarding the cache in each gaming machine and the game result, a ranking determination processing unit that executes a ranking game to determine the ranking;
a resource storage unit that cumulatively stores information regarding the number of bets received from the information management unit attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines as a prize for the ranked game during a period set for the ranked game;
a prize award unit that awards the prize money of the ranked game stored in the resource storage unit to the prize winner of the ranked game;
It is characterized by having the following.

According to the above configuration, in the ranking game executed based on the information regarding the cache stored in the information management unit attached to each gaming machine and the game results executed on each gaming machine, participants' Participation fees are collected from bets, and prize money to winners is awarded from the collected bets. Thereby, the operator of the ranked game can easily collect participation fees from participants who participate in the ranked game, and can pay prize money within the collected amount. As a result, the operator of the ranking game can easily implement the ranking game.

Furthermore, in the management system of the present invention,
an input device;
Based on the operation received by the input device, the ratio of the number of bets to be cumulatively stored as a prize for the ranking game in the capital storage unit, the prize ranking for which the prize is to be received, and the award ranking for each of the entered prize rankings. a ranking game setting unit that determines the proportion of prize money to be awarded;
It may further have.

According to the above configuration, the ranked game setting unit determines the percentage of the bet amount that is cumulatively stored as the prize for the ranked game, the prize rankings that are eligible for prize money, and the ratio of the prize money to be given to each of the winning rankings. It is determined. As a result, the information management unit attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines only needs to output a part of the bet amount based on the bet amount ratio determined by the ranking game setting unit, and when the ranking game ends, , the cumulatively stored prize money of the ranking game can be awarded based on the winning rankings to which the prize money is given and the proportion of the prize money to be given to each winning ranking, and when executing the ranking game. It becomes possible to easily configure the settings.

Furthermore, in the management system of the present invention,
The gaming machine may further include a display device that is attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines and displays the prize money of the ranked game that is cumulatively stored in the resource storage unit during the period set for the ranked game.

According to the above configuration, the prize money of the ranked game accumulated and stored in each of the plurality of gaming machines is displayed during the period set for the ranked game. Thereby, it is possible to make it clear to players playing the gaming machine that a ranking game is being played and the prize money currently pooled in the ranking game.

It becomes possible to easily carry out a ranking game.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a management system. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a PTS terminal. It is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of a PTS terminal. It is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of a PTS terminal. This is a data table showing a base table. This is a data table showing a ranking game designation table. This is a data table showing a ranking game designation table. This is a data table showing a ranking game designation table. This is a data table showing a ranking game designation table. This is a data table showing a ranking game designation table. This is a data table showing a ranking game setting table. This is a data table showing a game information table. It is a flowchart of a slot machine and a management server. It is a flowchart of ranking determination processing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which areas for a ranking game are set.

(Overview of management system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the management system A1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of information management devices A21 (information management units) and a management server A3 (ranking determination processing unit).

A plurality of information management devices A21, each of which functions as an information management section, is attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines A2, where a game is started based on a bet, in a communicable manner. The information management device A21 stores gaming information including gaming value information regarding the gaming value in the attached gaming machine A2, and stores information regarding the number of bets used for the bet in the game started in the attached gaming machine A2. Output.

The management server A3, which functions as a ranking determination processing section, receives game information from each information management device A21. The management server A3 executes a ranking game to determine the ranking based on the received game information on each gaming machine A2.

In addition, the management server A3 has a storage device A33 that also functions as a capital storage unit, and during the period set for the ranking game, the management server A3 receives a number of bets from the information management unit attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines A2. The division is stored cumulatively as the prize money of the ranking game. The management server A3, which also functions as a prize giving unit, gives the cumulatively stored prize money of the ranked game to the winner of the ranked game.

According to the above configuration, in the ranking game executed based on the game information stored in the information management device A21 attached to each gaming machine A2, the participation fee from the participants is collected as part of the bet, and the prize winner Prizes will be awarded from a portion of the bets collected. Thereby, the operator of the ranked game can easily collect participation fees from participants who participate in the ranked game, and can pay prize money within the collected amount. As a result, the operator of the ranking game can easily implement the ranking game.

More specifically, the management server A3 has an input device A31, and based on the operation received by the input device A31, determines the percentage of the number of bets to be accumulated and stored as a prize for a ranking game, and the prize ranking that is eligible for the prize. and the ratio of prize money to be given to each prize ranking.

According to the above configuration, the proportion of the bet amount that is cumulatively stored as the prize for the ranking game, the winning rankings to which the prize money is given, and the proportion of the prize money to be awarded to each of the winning rankings are determined in advance. As a result, the information management device A21 attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines A2 only needs to output a part of the bet amount based on the predetermined bet amount ratio, and when the ranking game ends, The prize money of the cumulatively stored ranking game can be awarded based on the winning rankings eligible for the prize money and the proportion of the prize money to be given to each winning ranking, and the settings for executing the ranking game. It becomes possible to do this easily.

The information management device A21 further includes a display device A22 that is attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines and displays the prize money of the ranked game that is cumulatively stored during the period set for the ranked game.

According to the above configuration, the prize money of the ranked game accumulated and stored in each of the plurality of gaming machines A2 is displayed during the period set for the ranked game. Thereby, it is possible to clearly indicate to the player playing the gaming machine A2 that a ranking game is being played and the prize money currently pooled in the ranking game.

In this embodiment, the management server A3 has the functions of a ranking determination processing section, a capital storage section, and a prize awarding section, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The management system A1 of the present embodiment is installed in a plurality of gaming machines A2 and gaming machines A2, each of which bets a gaming value, executes a single game, and pays a dividend based on the execution result of the single game. Game information including value bet number data and payout number data, player identification information of a player who plays a single game, gaming machine identification information that identifies gaming machine A2, and game execution time information in which the single game was executed. It has an information management device A21 that outputs the information, and a management server A3 connected to the information management device A21 for data communication. The management server A3 is a storage device provided with an input device A31 that can be operated from the outside, and a storage area for storing the above-mentioned game information, player identification information, gaming machine identification information, game execution time, etc. A33, and a management server controller A32.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information management device A21 transmits resource information indicating a part of the bet number to the management server A3, in addition to the gaming information including the bet number data. Furthermore, the management server A3 cumulatively stores the resource information in an area other than the above-mentioned storage area of the storage device A33. In this embodiment, the information management device A21 calculates a part of the bet number and transmits the resource information to the management server A3, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the management server A3 may calculate a part of the number of bets and cumulatively store it.

Here, the "gaming value" is information regarding cash, and may be a tangible object having gaming value information, or an intangible object that has gaming value information converted into electronic data. "Game value information" is non-valuable information such as coins, banknotes, electronic valuable information equivalent to these, and game points that do not include valuable information. Examples of tangible "gaming value" include chips, medals, tokens, electronic money cards, plaques, and tickets. Note that the ticket is, for example, a ticket with a barcode. The gaming value includes convertible gaming value that can be exchanged for currency and non-convertible gaming value that cannot be exchanged for currency. Furthermore, the game value of a tangible object corresponds to a configuration in which the game value information is provided in the form of electronic data or external form, and the game value information can be read from the outside by wireless communication, image recognition, or the like. Note that the external form is a form that can be identified from the outside, such as color, pattern, text, image, shape, etc.

A "single game" is defined as a "single game" if it can be executed on a gaming machine A2 that can output gaming information including bet number data and payout number data, player identification information, gaming machine identification information, game execution time, capital information, etc. , includes all types of games in which a unit game can range from betting a game value to paying a dividend based on the game execution result. Further, the "single game" may be a game based on random numbers, a game based on skill, a game with a single player, or a game with multiple players. As a result, the management system 1 is able to execute a ranking game in which players compete for the amount of bets and total gaming value that increase or decrease by repeating unit games, as well as to execute a plurality of ranking games that narrow down the winners of the ranking game. It is possible to execute a tournament game consisting of a hierarchy ranking game.

Note that the management system A1 may include a mixture of gaming machines A2 that play different types of single games. In this case, even if the management system A1 includes only gaming machines A2 of the same type, a ranking game can be played between single games of different types. Further, the management system A1 may include a mixture of gaming machines A2 that execute individual games with different numbers of game value bets and payouts of dividends.

An example of the "gaming machine A2" is a slot machine configured to be able to output gaming information including bet number data and payout number data and player identification information. Furthermore, the gaming machine A2 may be a table game device such as a baccarat game device, as long as it is configured to be able to read the gaming value information from outside, such as a chip, by wireless communication, image recognition, or the like. Note that an example of wireless communication is an RFID (radio frequency identifier) that transmits and receives information by short-range wireless communication using electromagnetic fields, radio waves, or the like. Furthermore, the gaming machine A2 may be equipped with a function of outputting game information and player identification information using hardware or software. In this case, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a stationary terminal device such as a desktop computer can be used as the gaming machine A2.

The "information management device A21" is configured to be capable of transmitting gaming information including bet number data and payout number data of gaming value outputted from the gaming machine A2, and player identification information of a player playing a single game to the outside. It would be fine if it had been done. Therefore, the information management device A21 may be configured to cause a computer of a general information processing device to execute a process of transmitting gaming information and player identification information, or may be configured to cause a computer that controls the gaming machine A2 to execute a process of transmitting gaming information and player identification information. It may be configured to execute a process of transmitting gaming information and player identification information. Note that this embodiment will be explained using a player tracking system (PTS) device, which will be described later.

"The information management device A21 is attached to the gaming machine A2" indicates that the information management device A21 is installed in the gaming machine A2 so that at least data can be communicated from the gaming machine A2 to the information management device A21. In this embodiment, the information management device A21 is built into the gaming machine A2, but the information management device A21 is not limited thereto.

The management server A3 includes a communication device A34 connected to the information management device A21 for data communication, an input device A31 that can be operated from the outside, a storage area for storing player identification information, and a storage area for storing game information. , a management server controller A32, and a clock device A35. The input device A31 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The storage device A33 has a memory that stores data and information in a rewritable manner. Memory is a non-transitory storage medium that stores programs and various data for executing processes to be described later. The memory has storage areas that respectively store gaming machine identification information, game content information, player identification information, game information, and execution specification information, for example. A plurality of pieces of execution specification information can be set, and one piece of execution specification information defines the specifications of one ranking game. The execution specification information includes ranked game hierarchy data, ranked game start time data, ranked game end time data, ranked game content data, number of prize winners data, winner's prize money data, and the like. Each piece of data and each piece of information is linked to each other to form the relationships of the data tables shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. Details of the data table will be described later.

The management server controller A32 performs a process of setting a ranking game period (a ranking game holding period) in which a ranking game is executed based on the operation of the input device A31, and a process of setting each game information output from all the information management devices A21. A process of storing cumulatively in a storage area, and a process of extracting gaming information within the ranking game period based on execution specification information after the ranking game period ends, and determining player rankings based on the extracted gaming information. and execute. The clock device A35 executes processing such as acquiring the current time to determine whether or not it is the event period.

In this way, the management server controller A32 determines, from the game information stored in the storage device A33, the games that were played during the ranking game holding period and that were played on gaming machines of groups that were able to participate in the ranking game. By extracting game information that is, the ranking of the ranking game can be determined. Note that the management server controller A32 may include a program that causes a computer to execute the above-described process. The program may be distributed by wire or wirelessly, or may be distributed in a state recorded on a recording medium.

As described above, the capital information is information indicating a portion of the number of bets used for one game on the gaming machine. In the present embodiment, the resource information is cumulatively stored in the management server A3 by a predetermined percentage of the number of bets for each game. This ratio will hereinafter also be referred to as a cumulative ratio. The cumulative percentage is set by the input device A31 or the like in the management server A3, and the setting information of the ranked game including the percentage is transmitted to the information management device A21 attached to each gaming machine A2 and stored in the information management device A21. . The information management device A21 transmits a predetermined percentage of the number of bets as resource information to the management server A3 every time a game is executed on the gaming machine A2. The cumulatively stored resource information is the total amount of prize money won in the ranking game.

The setting information that the management server A3 transmits to the information management device A21 includes, in addition to the cumulative percentage, the winning ranking in the ranked game and the ratio of winning prize money to be awarded for each winning ranking. The winning prize money percentage is the percentage of the winning prize money given to the prize winners. For example, in a ranking game where the total prize money is $10,000, if the percentage of prize money is set as 50% for 1st place, 30% for 2nd place, and 20% for 3rd place, then 1st place will receive a prize. A prize of $5,000 will be awarded, second place will receive $3,000, and third place will receive $2,000. Hereinafter, the proportion of the prize money given to such prize winners to the total amount may be referred to as the award ratio.

Note that in this embodiment, the total amount of winning prize money is made up of only cumulatively stored resource information, but is not limited to this. For example, the base prize may be added to the total prize money.

(Specific example of management system)
A case in which the management system A1 includes a slot machine as the gaming machine A2 and a PTS device 1700 as the information management device A21 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1010, which is the gaming machine A2, includes a player tracking system device (Player Tracking System Device) 1700. The player tracking device 1700 is a terminal for realizing a player tracking system, and in this specification, this device is hereinafter referred to as a PTS terminal 1700.

PTS terminal 1700 includes a PTS control unit 1700A and a PTS user interface unit 1700B. The PTS control unit 1700A controls various processing operations of the PTS terminal 1700, and is connected to various external devices for data communication. Further, the PTS user interface unit 1700B is configured to mainly enable input processing and output processing with an operator such as a user. Details of PTS control unit 1700A and PTS user interface unit 1700B are described in FIG. 5A.

The slot machine 1010 also includes a payment machine 1868. The slot machine 1010 is connected to the management server A3 via the PTS control unit 1700A of the PTS terminal 1700 and the network. PTS control unit 1700A is connected to banknote validator 1022 via a communication line (or slot machine 1010). Furthermore, the PTS control unit 1700A sends and receives data to and from the controller 1100 based on a predetermined protocol, and also performs data communication with the management server A3 and the like connected via the network. For example, the PTS control unit 1700A sends the controller 1100 information on the credits necessary to start the game, a stop command to instruct the unit game to stop during interlocking effects, and the like. Credit information as a game result, a unit game start notification, an end notification, etc. can be transmitted to the control unit 1700A.

In addition, the PTS control unit 1700A of the PTS terminal 1700 receives membership card import and withdrawal notifications, unit game start and end notifications, lottery results, bet information, game information such as the number of payouts, bonus winning notifications, and members' Send and receive credit information, etc.

Here, the game flow for members is roughly as follows. First, membership registration is performed using a membership card issuing terminal, and at that time, a membership card (IC card) is issued. Thereafter, the player inserts the membership card into the PTS terminal 1700 (PTS user interface unit 1700B) of the slot machine 1010, and inserts cash therein. When a banknote is inserted, the bill validator 1022 identifies the denomination and amount, and transmits the denomination data and amount data to the PTS control unit 1700A as a result of the identification. PTS control unit 1700A obtains game credits from the denomination data and amount data, and transmits them to controller 1100.

Controller 1100 executes a single game based on the credits sent from PTS control unit 1700A. Credit according to the game result is transmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS control unit 1700A, and the PTS control unit 1700A calculates the payout based on the game result and determines the amount to be paid out to the player. The PTS terminal 1700 (PTS user interface unit 1700B) writes the determined amount as is on the membership card and ejects the membership card. Furthermore, predetermined points are given to the membership card depending on the execution of games and the like.

When a player who is a member plays a game next time, the PTS control unit 1700A reads the inserted membership card and reads the amount of money stored in the membership card. The read amount is converted to credit and sent to controller 1100. Credits corresponding to the game results are transmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS control unit 1700A in the same manner as described above, and the PTS control unit 1700A performs payout calculations based on the game results to determine the amount of money paid out to the player. At this time, the amount of money on the inserted membership card is updated by adding the amount obtained as a result of the game.

At this time, the PTS control unit 1700A further transmits the identification code (or player identification code) read from the membership card and the updated amount to the membership management server 13, and the membership management server 13 receives the information transmitted from the PTS control unit 1700A. The amount is added to the amount of the member identified by the above identification code and stored. Through this process, the amount held by the member is always managed.

Thereafter, the player who is a member can make a payment at a cashier counter or the like based on the amount stored in the membership card, if necessary. Further, when the slot machine 1010 includes a payment machine 1868, payment can be made using a membership card in the slot machine 1010.

On the other hand, the game flow for non-members is roughly as follows. The player inserts cash into the PTS terminal 1700 (PTS user interface unit 1700B) of the slot machine 1010. When a banknote is inserted, the banknote validator 1022 identifies the denomination and amount, and as a result of the identification, the denomination data and the amount data are transmitted to the PTS control unit 1700A. PTS control unit 1700A obtains game credits from the denomination data and amount data, and transmits them to controller 1100.

The controller executes the game based on the credits sent from the PTS control unit 1700A. Credits corresponding to the game results are transmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS control unit 1700A, and the PTS control unit 1700A performs payout calculations based on the game results to determine the amount of money paid out to the player. The PTS terminal 1700 (PTS user interface unit 1700B) writes the determined amount onto a new IC card stocked in the slot machine 1010, and ejects the IC card. Non-members will receive an IC card for the first time here.

Thereafter, the non-member player can settle the bill at a cashier counter or the like, based on the amount stored in the IC card, if necessary. Further, when the slot machine 1010 includes a payment machine 1868, payment can be made using an IC card in the slot machine 1010.

(Specific example of management system: slot machine)
As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 1010 uses membership cards (IC cards), banknotes, or electronic valuable information equivalent to these as gaming media. In particular, in this embodiment, credit-related data such as cash data stored in the IC card 1500 is used.

The slot machine 1010 includes a cabinet 1011, a top box 1012 installed above the cabinet 1011, and a main door 1013 installed at the front of the cabinet 1011.

The main door 1013 is provided with a symbol display device 1016 called a lower image display panel 1141. The symbol display device 1016 is formed of a transparent liquid crystal panel. The screen displayed by the symbol display device 1016 has a display window 1150 in the center. The display window 1150 is composed of 20 display blocks 1028 arranged in 5 columns and 4 rows. The four display blocks 1028 in each row form pseudo reels 1151 to 1155, which rotate according to the player's operations. Each of the pseudo reels 1151 to 1155 rotates the symbol 1501 displayed on each display block 1028 in the vertical direction by moving the four display blocks 1028 downward while changing the overall speed. It allows you to perform relocations that are stopped later.

Here, "rearrangement" means a state in which the symbol 1501 is arranged again after the arrangement of the symbol 1501 is canceled. "Arrangement" means that the symbol 1501 is visually visible to an external player. The slot machine 1010 executes a so-called slot game in which a payout is awarded according to a winning combination depending on the arrangement state of the symbols 1501 when the rotating pseudo reels 1151 to 1155 stop.

In this embodiment, a case is explained in which the slot machine 1010 is a so-called video slot machine, but the slot machine 1010 of the present invention may also employ so-called mechanical reels or some pseudo reels. 1151 to 1155 may be substituted.

Further, a touch panel 1069 is provided on the front side of the symbol display device 1016, and the player can input various instructions by operating the touch panel 1069. An input signal is transmitted from the touch panel 1069 to the main CPU.

An upper image display panel 1131 is provided on the front side of the top box 1012. The upper image display panel 1131 is made of a liquid crystal panel and constitutes a display. The upper image display panel 1131 displays images related to performances, introductions of game contents, and explanations of rules. Further, the top box 1012 is provided with a lamp 1111.

A credit number display section (not shown) is displayed above the display window 1150, and the current number of credits is displayed. Here, "credit" is virtual gaming media on a game that a player uses when placing a bet. Note that the total number of credits currently owned by the player is displayed in the credit number display section.

Further, a fractional cash display section (not shown) is displayed below the credit number display section. The fractional cash display section displays fractional cash. "Fractional cash" is cash that was not converted into credit because the amount invested was insufficient.

Further, below the lower image display panel 1141, a PTS terminal 1700 is incorporated in the cabinet 1011. Furthermore, speakers 1112 are provided on the left and right sides of the PTS terminal 1700, respectively. In the slot machine 1010, a unit game is performed by displaying an image on the upper image display panel 1131, outputting sound from the speaker 1112, outputting light from the lamp 1111, and the like.

The PTS terminal 1700 can be incorporated into various types of gaming machines from various manufacturers by exchanging data with the slot machine 1010 using a common data interface. As a result, in the gaming system 1 having various gaming machines including the slot machine 1010, it is possible to easily construct the information providing system A1 by attaching the PTS terminal 1700 to the gaming machine.

(Specific example of information provision system: PTS terminal)
As shown in FIG. 4, the PTS terminal 1700 includes a PTS control unit 1700A and a PTS user interface unit 1700B.

PTS control unit 1700A includes a PTS controller 1750. PTS controller 1750 has a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU of the PTS controller 1750 controls the execution of each component of the PTS terminal 1700, and also executes various programs stored in the ROM and performs calculations. For example, the CPU executes a credit update program to update credit-related data stored in IC card 1500.

The PTS controller 1750 has a storage device 1770 consisting of ROM and RAM. The ROM of the PTS controller 1750 is comprised of a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores permanent data that is executed by the CPU. For example, the ROM contains a credit update program that rewrites credit-related data stored in the IC card 1500, an interlocking performance control program that is executed in response to a request from the bonus server 11, a request from the management server A3 (notification information, etc.) ) are stored therein, such as a notification program to be executed in accordance with the program. Further, the RAM of the PTS controller 1750 temporarily stores data necessary for executing various programs stored in the ROM. Specifically, the storage device 1770 stores setting information regarding the ranking game from the management server A3. The setting information is transmitted in advance before the ranking game starts.

The PTS control unit 1700A connects a server I/F (interface) 1755, a gaming machine I/F (interface) 1756, a bill validator I/F (interface) 1757, and a payment machine I/F (interface) 1758 to an external device. It has as a communication interface with.

Server I/F 1755 realizes data communication between servers such as management server A3 and PTS terminal 1700. The gaming machine I/F 1756 realizes data communication between the controller 1100 of the slot machine 1010 and the PTS terminal 1700, and a prescribed protocol may be used for the data communication. The banknote validator I/F 1757 is connected to the banknote validator 1022. The payment machine I/F 1758 is connected to the payment machine 1868.

Further, the PTS control unit 1700A includes a USB control section 1759. The USB control unit 1759 determines whether power is to be supplied from the power supply unit to the USB terminal, and if a predetermined condition is met, enables the USB terminal to be charged. The player can connect an electronic device to the USB terminal and charge the electronic device when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Furthermore, the PTS control unit 1700A has a control section connected to each section of the PTS user interface unit 1700B. Specifically, the PTS user interface unit 1700B includes full-color LEDs 1721a and 1721b, an LCD 1719 corresponding to the display device A22 (see FIG. 1), a card unit 1741, a card stacker 1742, an inkjet button 1732, a touch unit 1745, and a human body detection camera 1713. , microphones 1715 and 1717, speakers 1707 and 1709, and an audio terminal 1738. Details of the PTS user interface unit 1700B are described in FIG. 5A. On the other hand, the PTS control unit 1700A includes an LED drive section 1761, an LCD control section 1762, an IC card control section 1763, a touch unit control section 1764, a camera control section 1766, and a DSP 1765.

The LED driving unit 1761 controls the full-color LED 1721a and the full-color LED 1721b of the PTS user interface unit 1700B to turn on at a predetermined timing in response to a notification request from the management server A3. The full color LED 1721a causes the light emitting plate 1720a above the LCD 1719 in the PTS user interface unit 1700B of FIG. 5A to emit light. The full color LED 1721b causes a light emitting plate 1720b on the lower side of the LCD 1719 to emit light.

The LCD control unit 1762 controls the LCD 1719 to display information regarding ranking games, member information, information for members, etc., and to display data read from the IC card 1500 and data input by the player. Note that the LCD 1719 has a touch panel function, and when the touch panel is operated by the player, a predetermined signal is sent to the CPU of the PTS controller 1750.

The IC card control unit 1763 controls insertion and ejection of the IC card 1500, writing of credit data, and the like. The IC card control unit 1763 includes an IC card R/W (reader/writer) control unit, an IC card intake/discharge control unit, and an LED control unit.

The IC card R/W control section of the IC card control section 1763 controls the card unit 1741 to update the credit related data stored in the IC card 1500. Furthermore, when issuing a new IC card 1500, credit related data corresponding to the settled amount is stored. The card unit 1741 has an antenna section for reading or writing data to the IC card 1500 using NFC or the like. The card unit 1741 has the functions of an IC card reader that reads information stored in the IC card 1500 and an IC card writer that writes information to the IC card 1500, but may have one of the functions as needed. Good too.

The IC card suction and discharge control section of the IC card control section 1763 controls suction and discharge of the IC card 1500. When the IC card 1500 is inserted into the card insertion slot 1730 in FIG. 5A by the player, the IC card is controlled to be held in the card unit 1741 while the player is playing the game. Furthermore, after credit-related data is written to the IC card 1500 at the time of payment, the IC card 1500 is controlled to be ejected. Furthermore, when the eject button 1732 is pressed, the IC card 1500 is ejected. Further, when issuing a new IC card 1500, the IC card 1500 is newly taken out from the card stacker 1742 and is supplied to the card unit 1741 in order to store credit related data.

The LED control unit of the IC card control unit 1763 controls the LED provided near the card insertion slot 1730 of the card unit 1741 to light up, and also controls the LED provided near the eject button 1732 to light up. .

The touch unit control section 1764 controls data transmission and reception associated with touch operations on the IC card 1500, mobile phone, smartphone, and the like. The touch unit control section 1764 includes a non-contact R/W (reader/writer) control section and an LED control section.

The non-contact R/W control section of the touch unit control section 1764 determines whether the IC card 1500 or the mobile phone has come close to a predetermined distance (for example, a touch operation has been performed) using the touch unit 1745, and performs a predetermined operation. When the distance is close, the reading result etc. are acquired from the touch unit 1745. The touch unit 1745 has an antenna section for transmitting and receiving data with the IC card 1500 and the mobile phone using NFC or the like.

The touch unit 1745 has the functions of an IC card reader that reads information stored in the IC card 1500 or a mobile phone, and an IC card writer that writes information to the IC card 1500 or mobile phone, but either one of the functions can be used as necessary. It may also have the following functions.

The LED control section 1764b of the touch unit control section 1764 controls the LEDs arranged at the four corners of the front surface of the touch unit 1745, and lights them up at a predetermined timing.

The camera control unit 1766 acquires an image of a player or the like taken by the human body detection camera 1713, performs predetermined image processing as necessary, and transmits the processed data to the CPU of the PTS controller 1750. The data is transmitted to the management server A3 etc. via the server I/F 1755, for example. Further, the camera control unit 1766 transmits image information captured by the human body detection camera 1713 to the management server A3 or the like.

The DSP 1765 receives audio data acquired from the microphones 1715 and 1717, performs predetermined audio processing, and then transmits the data to the CPU of the PTS controller 1750. Further, the DSP 1765 transmits the received audio data to the speakers 1707 and 1709. Further, the DSP 1765 outputs the received audio to the headphones through the connected audio terminal of the headset, and also processes the audio received from the microphone and sends it to the CPU of the PTS controller 1750. It should be noted that a schematic configuration is shown here, and the A/D converter, D/A converter, amplifier, etc. are omitted.

(Specific example of information provision system: PTS user interface unit)
As shown in FIG. 5A, PTS user interface unit 1700B includes a panel 1710. Each part arranged on the front side of the panel 1710 can be visually recognized by the player. On the other hand, the members arranged on the back surface of the panel 1710 are housed inside the slot machine 1010 and are not visible to the player.

An LCD 1719 with a touch panel function is provided on the front right side of the panel 1710. The LCD 1719 displays, for example, member information and information for members, announcement information for ranking games, winning information for ranking games, and the like. An example of the announcement information for holding a ranking game is "The ranking game will be held during the period from 10:00 to 12:00." Thereby, the PTS terminal 1700 can notify the player by notification information that if the player plays the slot game until after 10 o'clock, he or she can participate in the ranking game. Note that the PTS terminal 1700 may be equipped with a refusal button for refusing participation in the ranking game. In addition, an example of winning information for a ranking game is "You have won a prize. The next ranking game will be played during the period from 12:15 to 13:00." Thereby, the PTS terminal 1700 can notify the player that he has won a prize in the ranked game based on winning information, and can also notify the player that the next ranked game will be held.

An LCD cover 1719a is provided around the LCD 1719. In this example, the LCD 1719 is configured to have a touch panel function, but the player's instructions may be input using other input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.

Further, above the LCD 1719 and the LCD cover 1719a, a light emitting plate 1720a that is connected to an LED and emits light is provided. The light-emitting plate 1720a is made of polycarbonate, for example, and is connected to a plurality of (for example, seven) full-color LEDs 1721a arranged on the back side of the panel 1710, and emits light according to the light emission of the full-color LEDs 1721a.

Similarly, a light emitting plate 1720b connected to an LED and emitting light is provided below the LCD 1719 and LCD cover 1719a. The light emitting plate 1720b is made of polycarbonate, for example, and is connected to a plurality of (for example, seven) full-color LEDs (not shown) arranged on the back side of the panel 1710, and emits light according to the light emission of these full-color LEDs.

An imaging window 1712 is provided on the right side of the LCD 1719, and a human body detection camera disposed inside the LCD cover 1719a or on the back side of the panel 1710 images the player or the like through this imaging window 1712. The imaging window 1712 may be made of, for example, a half mirror material that has been subjected to a shielding treatment such as smoke.

A home button 1722 is provided on the LCD cover 1719a at the lower right of the LCD 1719. The home button 1722 is a button for transitioning the screen displayed on the LCD 1719 to a predetermined upper screen.

A speaker duct 1706 is provided on the LCD cover 1719a on the right side of the LCD 1719, and a bass reflex type speaker 1707 is provided on the back side of the panel 1710 corresponding to the speaker duct 1706. . Similarly, a speaker duct 1708 is provided on the left side of the LCD 1719, and a bass reflex type speaker 1709 is provided on the back side of the panel 1710 corresponding to the speaker duct 1708. These speakers 1707 and 1708 are dedicated speakers for the PTS terminal 1700, and are provided separately from the slot machine game speakers provided in the slot machine 1010. These speakers 1707 and 1708 perform interlocking effects, realize voice calls, output notification sounds when you forget to remove the IC card 1500, and output sounds and sounds related to ranking games, tournament game announcement information, winning information, etc. can be output.

The LCD cover 1719a at the lower left of the LCD 1719 is provided with a microphone opening 1714 and a microphone opening 1716, and microphones 1715 and 1717 are provided inside the LCD cover 1719a corresponding to these. .

A card insertion slot 1730 into which the IC card 1500 can be inserted or taken out is provided at the lower left of the front surface of the panel 1710. A full-color LED is provided in the card insertion portion of the card insertion slot 1730, and by lighting up in multiple colors, it is possible to notify the remaining number of IC cards 1500 accumulated in the card stacker 1742. An eject button 1732 is provided in the card insertion slot 1730, and a red LED provided near the eject button 1732 lights up so that you can see the position of the eject button 1732 and the eject operation process. ing.

Further, a card unit 1741 and a card stacker 1742 are provided at a position on the back side of the panel 1710 corresponding to the card insertion slot 1730, and the card insertion slot 1730 is configured as a part of the card unit 1741. Approximately 30 IC cards 1500 can be stored in the card stacker 1742, and when a player who has newly played a unit game settles the credit, the IC card 1500 stored in the card stacker 1742 can be stored. The card is taken out and discharged into the card insertion slot 1730.

The IC card 1500 taken in from the card insertion slot 1730 and held in the card unit 1741 updates its credit information using NFC or the like when paying the credit card, and then ejects the IC card 1500 from the card insertion slot 1730. The IC card 1500 is completely stored inside the card unit 1741 while the player is playing a unit game.

Furthermore, when the player's absence is detected by a human body detection camera or the like even though the IC card 1500 remains at the time of credit settlement, the IC card 1500 may be stored in the card stacker 1742. . As a result, even if, for example, the player leaves the IC card 1500 and leaves the seat after knowing that there are few credits remaining, or if the player simply forgets to take the IC card 1500 and leaves the seat, the IC card 1500 will not remain held in the card unit 1741 for a long time.

At the upper left of the front surface of the panel 1710, a USB terminal 1737 and an audio terminal 1738 are provided. The USB terminal 1737 is configured so that a USB device can be connected thereto for charging or the like. Further, the audio terminal 1738 is, for example, a four-pole terminal, and a headset can be inserted here to talk to a partner using headphones and a microphone. Furthermore, the audio terminal 1738 can be a two-pole or three-pole terminal so that audio can be listened to with headphones.

A touch unit 1745 is provided on the left side of the LCD 1719 on the front side of the panel 1710. The touch unit 1745 is a writer that writes data via data communication to an IC device containing an IC chip (for example, a contactless IC card, a mobile phone or a smartphone equipped with a communication function using NFC, etc.), or a writer that writes data from the IC device. It includes an RFID module that can function as a reader that reads data through communication. Furthermore, LEDs are arranged at each of the four corners of the front surface of the touch unit 1745. Further, in addition to or in place of the touch unit 1745, an information recording medium reading device for reading information stored in an information recording medium such as a magnetic card may be provided. In this case, a magnetic card can be used as the membership card instead of the IC card 1500.

In the PTS terminal 1700 (PTS user interface unit 1700B) configured as described above, an IC card 1500 is inserted, the number of credits stored in the IC card is displayed on the credit number display section, and the number of credits stored in the IC card is displayed on the fractional cash display section. , the fractional cash stored in the IC card is displayed. Note that these numerical values are stored in the member management server 13 in association with the identification code of the member card.

The IC card 1500 is a contactless IC card, and is equipped with an IC (Integrated Circuit) for recording and calculating various data such as credit card information, and is equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) such as NFC (Near Field Communication). cation ) technology has enabled short-range wireless communication. By using the IC card 1500, the player can own credit-related data and can also freely carry it between different slot machines. Then, by inserting the IC card 1500 into the PTS terminal 1700 of the slot machine 1010, the player uses the credit-related data (amount data) stored in the IC card 1500 to play a unit game, etc. in the slot machine 1010. You can play games. It should be noted that the IC card 1500 may store data on usage amount values unique to the player.

FIG. 5B illustrates a screen displayed on the LCD 1719 of the PTS terminal 1700 while the ranking game is being executed. For example, the display screen of the LCD 1719 during execution of a ranking game includes a ranking game information section 1719a, a time display section 1719b, a number of participants display section 1719c, a total prize money display section 1719d, and a rank display section 1719e. .

Information regarding the ranked game is displayed in the ranked game information section 1719a. For example, the ranking game information section 1719a displays the name of the tournament to which the currently running ranking game belongs. The time display section 1719b displays information regarding the duration of the ranking game that is currently being executed. The information regarding the duration of the ranked game includes, for example, the remaining time, start time, end time, etc. of the ranked game. The number of participants display section 1719c displays the number of players participating in the ranking game currently being executed. The number of participants displayed on the number of participants display section 1719c is updated at any time during the ranking game based on information from the management server A3.

The total amount of prize money display section 1719d displays the total amount of resource information collected by participating players in the ranking game currently being executed. The total prize money displayed on the total prize money display section 1719d is updated at any time during the ranking game based on information from the management server A3. The rank display section 1719e displays the rank of the player playing the slot machine 1010. The player's rank here is linked to the player's membership information, and is determined based on the usage status of the gaming hall where the slot machine 1010 is installed and the usage status of the hotel related to the gaming hall. Note that the ranking in the ranking game that is currently being executed may be displayed.

(Specific example of management system: management server)
As shown in FIG. 1, the management server A3 is an information processing device that includes a communication device A34, a storage device A33, and a management server controller A32. In the storage device A33, various types of data and information are linked to each other to form data table relationships shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

(Specific example of management system: management server: base table)
FIG. 6 is a base table in which gaming machine identification information, game content information, player identification information, game information, and ranking game group information are associated with gaming machine identification information. Here, the "gaming machine identification information" is an identification number unique to the slot machine 1010 in FIG. 2, and is expressed as "M0001", "M0002", etc. for convenience in this embodiment. "Game content information" is information indicating the type of game. For example, a game of type G01 is made executable on the slot machines 1010 with gaming machine identification information M0001 to M0003, M0006, and M0007, and a game of type G02 is executable. It can be seen that the game of type G03 is executable in the slot machines 1010 with gaming machine identification information M0004 and M0005, and the game of type G03 is executable in the slot machines 1010 with gaming machine identification information M0008 to M0011.

“Player identification information” is information that identifies the player, and is acquired when the player inserts the IC card 1500 into the PTS terminal 1700. This allows the management server A3 to determine whether or not the slot machine 1010 is being played by a player based on the presence or absence of player identification information. For example, in the slot machine 1010 with the gaming machine identification information M0001, the player identification information field is blank, that is, there is no player identification information, so it can be seen that no game is being played by the player. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1010 with the gaming machine identification information M0002, "P1231" is stored in the player identification information column, which indicates that a game is being played by the player with the player identification information P1231.

"Game information" is information indicating the number of bets (inserted amount), number of payouts, etc. in each slot machine 1010, and details will be explained in the game information table of FIG. 9.

"Ranking game group information" is information indicating a group of gaming machines A2 that are units that participate in the ranking game. For example, in FIG. 6, there are a first group GR1 and a second group GR2, and a ranking game is played independently or jointly in these group units. Specifically, when playing on the slot machines 10101 with slot machine identification numbers M0005 to M0013, the ranking is determined in the ranking game of the first group GR1. On the other hand, when playing with the slot machines 10101 with slot machine identification numbers M0312 to M0317, the ranking is determined in the ranking game of the second group GR2.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, when ranking game areas A and B in which ranking games are executed are set, ranking game groups include ranking game area A in the first group GR1 and ranking game area B in the second group. It may be automatically registered in the base table as GR2. That is, the ranked game group may be automatically set as a new group each time a ranked game area is set. Then, the ranking game group may be changed for each slot machine identification number, if necessary.

(Specific example of management system: Management server: Ranking game designation table)
7A to 7E show ranking game hierarchy data, ranking game start time data, ranking game end time data, ranking game content data, and group formats in order to set ranking game periods and ranking game groups in which ranking games are executed. This is a ranking game designation table that associates the.

That is, one ranked game specification table corresponds to execution specification information that defines the specifications of one ranked game, and includes a ranked game period indicated by ranked game start time data and ranked game end time data, and a ranked game group. and a group to participate in the ranking game indicated by .

Here, the "ranking game hierarchy data" is for dividing and distinguishing a plurality of ranking games into hierarchies, and for example, the ranking game can be executed in the hierarchies "J1" to "J20" up to 20 times. The "ranking game start time data" stores the time to start the ranking game, and the "ranking game ending time data" stores the time to end the ranking game. The ranking game start time data and the ranking game ending time data are input on the management screen of the management server A3. For example, the ranking game of the first layer J01 starts at 10:00 on March 11, 2019, and ends at 12:00 on March 11, 2019. Furthermore, the ranking game of the second tier J02 starts at 12:15 on March 11, 2019, and ends at 13:00 on March 11, 2019.

In this manner, by inputting the ranked game start time and ranked game end time for each ranked game layer on the management screen, it is possible to set a tournament game consisting of ranked games in multiple layers. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, ranking game start time data and ranking game end time data are stored in association with the first layer J01 to the fifth layer J05, so a tournament game consisting of five ranked games is stored. This indicates that it will be held. In addition, in FIGS. 7C and 7E, since ranked game start time data and ranked game end time data are stored in association with the 1st layer J01 to 09th layer J09, a tournament consisting of 9 ranked games is stored. Indicates that a game will be held.

"Ranking game content data" is data indicating the contents of values for ranking ranking games. For example, if the ranking game content data is "WIN/LOSS", the value obtained by subtracting the number of bets (the number of used gaming values) from the number of payouts is used to determine the ranking of the ranking game. When the ranking game content data is "BET", the total value of the number of used game values is used to determine the ranking of the ranking game. If the ranking game content data is "POINT", the total value of points earned according to the point grant rate separately set for each player, game type, etc. for the number of uses and payouts of valuables will be calculated for the ranking game. Used to determine ranking. In FIG. 7A, in the ranking games of the first tier J01 and second tier J02, the rankings are determined based on "WIN/LOSS", and in the ranking games of the third tier J03 and fourth tier J04, the ranking is determined based on "BET". The ranking is determined based on the "POINT" in the ranking game of the fifth layer J05.

"Group mode data" is data indicating one or more combination modes of groups participating in the ranking game. Therefore, since the group mode is "GR1", FIG. 7A is a ranking game designation table for the first group GR1. Furthermore, since the group mode is "GR2", FIG. 7B is a ranking game designation table for the second group GR2. Since the group mode is "GR1, GR2", FIG. 7C is a joint ranking game designation table for the first group GR1 and the second group GR2. Further, since the group mode is "GR1", FIG. 7D is a ranking game specification table for the first group GR1, and FIG. 7E is a ranking game specification table for the second group GR2, since the group mode is "GR2". It becomes a specified table.

Although not shown in the figure, if the participants of the ranking game in the next layer are narrowed down from the participants in the previous ranking game by the ranking game, the information indicating the participants in the ranking game in the next layer is It may be stored in association with each game designated table.

Further, FIG. 12 illustrates a method of setting group mode data. Specifically, a hall screen in which a plurality of gaming machines A2 are installed may be displayed on the display device, and a group in which gaming machines A2 are installed may be selected by dragging a touch panel. In the example of FIG. 12, by setting the ranking game areas A and B, the ranking game is set to be played for all gaming machines A2 in the ranking game areas (groups) A and B.

Regarding the ranking game designation tables exemplified above (FIGS. 7A to 7E), if only the designation table in FIG. It will be done.

Furthermore, when the designated tables in FIGS. 7A and 7B are set in the management server A3, the first group GR1 and the second group GR2 are independent from each other because they are designated tables for the same time and ranking game content. The same ranking game will be played.

Furthermore, if only the specified table in FIG. 7C is set in the management server A3, since the group mode is "GR1, GR2", the ranking among the slot games 1010 in which the first group GR1 and the second group GR2 are combined is determined. A game will be played.

Further, when the specification tables of FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 7E are set in the management server A3, after the ranking game is played between the slot games 1010 that are a combination of the first group GR1 and the second group GR2, The two groups GR1 and GR2 will play the same ranking game independently. That is, in this case, it is possible to make a tournament game in which the ranking games from the first to fifth tiers are the preliminary rounds, and the ranking games from the sixth to the ninth tiers are the final round.

In addition, if the specified tables of FIGS. 7A and 7E are set in the management server A3, the period from the ranking game start time (10:00) to the end time (17:30) specified in the specified table of FIG. 7A , a ranking game is played between the slot machines 1010 of the first group GR1, and for the period from the ranking game start time (18:30) to the end time (1:00 a.m.) specified in the designated table of FIG. Another ranking game is played between the slot machines 1010 of two groups GR2.

In addition, if the group mode in FIG. 7D is changed from "GR1" to "GR2" and the specified table of FIG. 7D and FIG. 7E after the change is set in the management server A3, the ranking game start time (18:00 30 minutes) to the end time (1:00 a.m.) overlap, two types of ranking games are played simultaneously between the slot machines 1010 of the second group GR2.

In this manner, the ranking game designation table allows the ranking game to be executed independently or jointly in group units using a group mode in which one or more groups can be set. Furthermore, by combining a plurality of ranking game specification tables with different setting contents, it is possible to easily complicate the ranking game that is executed independently or jointly in groups.

Further, if a plurality of ranking game designation tables are set in overlapping ranking game periods and overlapping groups, it is possible to simultaneously advance a plurality of ranking games in one gaming machine.

(Specific example of management system: Management server: Ranking game setting table)
FIG. 8 is a ranking game setting table in which tournament and ranking game hierarchy data, data regarding winnings, and winning prize money data are associated with each other in order to set the number of prize winners and the prize money for the winner in the ranking game.

"Tournament data" indicates information that identifies a tournament. "Tournament name data" is a name associated with "tournament data." “Tournament name data” is transmitted to the PTS terminal 1700 and displayed on the display screen of the LCD 1719, for example. The "rank game hierarchy data" corresponds to the "rank game hierarchy data" of the ranking game designation tables as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E. Although not shown, the "tournament data" is associated with one ranking game designation table.

The “granting ratio data” includes data from 1st to 20th place. These data are information indicating the proportion of the total prize money awarded when the player ranks 1st to 20th in the ranking game. In this embodiment, the number of prizes to be awarded is limited to the 20th place, but the number is not limited to this. "Cumulative ratio data" is information indicating the ratio of resource information to the number of bets. The "total prize money data" is information indicating the total amount of cumulatively stored capital information. The "status data" is information indicating the status of the ranked game indicated by the "ranked game hierarchy data."

The data stored in the ranking game designation table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) and the ranking game setting table (see FIG. 8) are input to the input device A31 of the management server A3 before the ranking game starts. Input by The input device A31 may be an input device connected to the management server A3, such as the above-mentioned keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, or may be a terminal device capable of data communication with the management server A3. Further, the data stored in the ranking game setting table may be automatically set before the ranking game is started. For example, the data stored in the ranking game setting table may be automatically input based on setting information regarding regularly executed ranking games or tournaments consisting of multiple ranking games. good. Although the total prize money data is updated after the ranking game is started, it may be configured such that it can be fixedly determined in advance.

In this way, the management system A1 has the input device A31, and determines the percentage of the number of bets to be cumulatively stored as the prize money of the ranking game in the storage device A33 and the target of the prize money based on the operation received by the input device A31. The winning rankings and the proportion of prize money to be awarded to each winning ranking are determined. As a result, the information management unit attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines only needs to output a part of the bet amount based on the bet amount ratio determined by the ranking game setting unit, and when the ranking game ends, , the prize money of the cumulatively stored ranking game can be awarded based on the winning rankings eligible for the prize money and the proportion of the prize money to be given to each winning ranking. Settings can be easily made.

In addition, in the ranking game setting table, for example, the number of people who advance to the next level may be stored. For example, if the number of prize winners in the first layer J01 is "240" as the "number of prize winners data", then the tournament game is set so that the top 240 players are determined as prize winners from among all participating players in the ranking game. may be configured. Furthermore, if the prize winners are given the qualification to advance to the next tier, in the ranking game in the next tier J02, 180 prize winners will be determined from 240 players, and the final 5th tier will be decided. A tournament game can be played in which the ranking game of layer J05 becomes a final ranking game in which 15 players compete for ranking. Note that if the prize winner is not given the qualification to advance to the next level, the prize winner may be determined from among all the participating players of the first ranked game for ranked games in all tiers.

(Specific example of management system: Management server: Game information table)
FIG. 9 shows "date and time data", "inserted amount data", "game result data", "balance data", and "payout number data" in order to store the number of bets (inserted amount), number of payouts, etc. in each slot machine 1010. ” is a game information table that stores information in association with each other.

"Date and time data" indicates the date and time when the slot machine 1010 executed the unit game. That is, the date and time data is the game execution time when the game was executed, and specifically indicates the date and time when the game was started after the bet was confirmed. The date and time data is compared with the ranking game period and used to determine whether the game information is within the ranking game period. "Input amount data" indicates the number of bets. "Game result data" indicates the execution result of the unit game. “Balance data” indicates the number of credits of the slot machine 1010. “Payout number data” indicates the number of payouts of dividends.

For example, when a certain ranking game is held from 10:00 to 12:00, when determining the ranking of the ranking game, game information whose date and time data is in the range from 10:00 to 12:00 will be referenced. . Specifically, when determining the ranking of the ranked game, the management server A3 identifies the group by referring to the ranked game designation table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) corresponding to the ranked game. Then, the management server A3 refers to the base table (see FIG. 6) and identifies the gaming machine corresponding to the group. Then, the management server A3 extracts the game information corresponding to the ranking game period from the gaming information of the gaming machine, totals the game performance of each player in the ranking game period, and determines the ranking of the ranking game.

Note that the process for determining the ranking of the ranking game is not limited to this. For example, when receiving gaming information from the PTS terminal 1700, if the gaming information corresponds to a ranking game indicated by any of the ranking game designation tables (see FIGS. 7A to 7E), the gaming information In addition, ranking games and information identifying the ranking games may be stored in association with each other. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of processing required to tally game results.

Further, the ranking of the ranking game may be updated while the ranking game is in progress. That is, each time the game information is received, it may be determined whether the game information corresponds to a ranked game, and the results may be accumulated for each player.

The information on the various tables mentioned above is appropriately transmitted to the PTS terminal 1700 belonging to the group indicated in the group format of the ranking game designation table, and is used for the information configuring the display screen of the LCD 1719, or for configuring the resource information. used.

For example, ranked game start time data and ranked game end time data in the ranked game designation table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) are sent to the PTS terminal 1700 attached to the slot machine 1010 that can participate in the ranked game before the ranked game starts. The information is transmitted and used for advance notice of the ranked game (see FIG. 5A) and information on the time display section 1719b (see FIG. 5B) during the ranked game. Furthermore, the cumulative ratio data in the ranking game setting table (see FIG. 8) is used to calculate resource information transmitted by the PTS terminal 1700 to the management server A3. In addition, the total amount of winnings and remittances in the ranking game setting table (see FIG. 8) is transmitted to the PTS terminal 1700 attached to the slot machine 1010 participating in the ranking game as appropriate during the execution of the ranking game, and the total prize money display section 1719d ( (see FIG. 5B).

Although not shown, the storage device A33 of the management server A3 has a storage area for storing participating players in association with each ranking game, and is used for calculating the number of participants, ranking the ranking games, and the like.

(Specific example of management system: management server: operation)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the game execution process executed by the slot machine 1010 (A2) and the management server controller A32 of the management server A3. Note that the processing executed by the controller 1100 of the slot machine 1010 and the PTS controller 1750 of the PTS terminal 1700 will be described as processing of the slot machine 1010. In the game execution process, the management server A3 acquires the gaming information output from all the information management devices A21, links the gaming information to the player identification information, and creates the base table in FIG. 6 and the gaming information table in FIG. 9. Execute the process to store in.

First, the slot machine 1010 outputs gaming machine identification information and player identification information through a game start operation reception process (SQ12), and then performs a bet operation reception process (SQ13), a start operation reception process (SQ14), and a reel stop control process ( SQ15) and payout control processing (SQ16) are executed. As a result, when a unit game is played, information on the number of bets used, game execution time information indicating the time when the game started, game result information indicating the game result, number of payouts information indicating the reward amount of the game result, and balance information. Game information such as balance information shown is output. In this way, the slot machine 1010 repeats unit games and transmits gaming information to the management server A3 for each unit game.

Furthermore, when the slot machine 1010 receives total prize money information and number of participants information from the management server A3, it executes processing to update the display on the display screen of the LCD 1719 (see FIG. 5B) based on this information (SQ17). . Note that this process is not limited to being executed for each unit game in the slot machine 1010. What is necessary is just to perform it suitably every time the information is received from management server A3.

The management server controller A32 executes game storage processing every time game information is received from the slot machine 1010. Specifically, upon acquiring the gaming machine identification information and the player identification information, the management server controller A32 stores the player identification information in association with the gaming machine identification information in the base table of FIG. 6 (S11). Thereafter, the management server controller A32 acquires game information (number of uses information, game execution time information, game result information, number of payouts information, balance information) output when the unit game is executed in the slot machine 1010. At the same time (S12), these gaming information are linked to the player identification information (gaming machine identification information) and stored in the gaming information table (see FIG. 9) (S13).

Specifically, the management server controller A32 stores game execution time information as date and time data, stores usage number information as input amount data, and stores game result information as new game information data in the game information table (see FIG. 9). is stored as game result data, balance information is stored as balance data, and payout number information is stored as payout data.

Then, the management server controller A32 accumulates the prize money based on the resource information from the slot machine 1010 (S14). That is, the numerical value indicated by the capital information is added to the total prize money in the ranking setting table (see FIG. 8). If the slot machine 1010 corresponds to a plurality of ranked games being executed, the slot machine 1010 (PTS terminal 1700) transmits the resource information of each ranked game, and calculates the total prize money of each ranked game. It will be added.

Then, if a new player participates in the ranked game, the management server controller A32 updates the number of participants in the ranked game (S15). The management server controller A32 transmits the total prize money information accumulated in step S14 and the number of participants updated in step S15 to the slot machine 1010 (PTS terminal 1700) participating in the ranking game.

Although not shown, the management server controller A32 executes ranking game setting processing. In the ranking game setting process, the management server controller A32 sets the ranking game hierarchy, the ranking game start time, the ranking game end time, the ranking game content (WIN/LOSS, BET, POINT), the number of prize winners, and the ranking regarding the winner's prize money. Initial setting data including execution specification information regarding the game is set based on input from the server administrator, etc., and these initial setting data are linked and stored as in the ranking game designation table shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E.

Although not shown, the management server controller A32 executes ranking game notification processing. In the ranked game notification process, the management server controller A32 notifies players of ranked games in advance. Specifically, the management server controller A32 refers to the set ranking game designation table at a predetermined timing and determines whether the ranking game will be started after a predetermined time. When a ranked game is started after a predetermined time, the management server controller A32 refers to the ranked game designation table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) and specifies the group associated with the ranked game. Then, the management server controller A32 refers to the base table (see FIG. 6) to identify the gaming machines belonging to the group, and notifies the players of the ranking game period and the like for the gaming machines through the PTS terminal 1700. (See Figure 5A).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the ranking determination process executed by the management server controller A32 of the management server A3. The ranking determination process (S5) is a process of determining the ranking of the ranking game and notifying the player via the PTS terminal 1700 of the payout of prize money and the fact that the player has won a prize. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the management server controller A32 determines whether or not the ranking game has ended (S51). That is, the management server controller A32 determines that there is a ranked game in which the ranked game end time set in the ranked game specification table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) is earlier than the current time (the ranked game period has ended). Determine whether or not to do so. If the ranking game has ended (S51: YES), the management server controller A32 ends this routine.

On the other hand, if the ranking game has not ended (S51: NO), the management server controller A32 refers to the ranking game designation table (see FIGS. 7A to 7E) for the groups that participated in the ranking game identified in step S51. Specify (S52). Then, the management server controller A32 refers to the base table (see FIG. 6) and identifies the slot machine 1010 that belongs to the identified group (S53). Then, the management server controller A32 extracts gaming information from the gaming information table (see FIG. 9) (S54). Specifically, the management server controller A32 extracts gaming information that is in the ranking game period and is the slot machine 1010 of the specified group.

Then, the management server controller A32 calculates the score according to the content of the ranked game from each piece of extracted gaming information, sorts the players associated with each piece of extracted gaming information in order of their performance (S55), and displays the ranked game setting table (see FIG. 8). The total prize money corresponding to the current ranking game hierarchy is obtained (S56). Thereafter, the management server controller A32 obtains the granting ratio for each ranking corresponding to the hierarchy of the current ranking game in the ranking game setting table (see FIG. 8) (S57). Then, the management server controller A32 calculates the prize money for each rank from the total prize money acquired in step S56 and the award ratio for each rank acquired in step S57 (S58). Then, the management server controller A32 notifies the players determined to be the prize winners based on the performance order determined in step S55 and the prize money for each rank calculated in step S58 (S59), and pays out the prize money ( S60), the process moves to step S51.

Although not shown, if the participants in the ranking game at the next level are limited to the player determined to be the prize winner in step S59, the player identification information of the player is stored in association with the ranking game designation table. Execute processing. Then, in narrowing down the game information in step S54 for the ranked game in the next hierarchy, in addition to the group and ranked game period, player identification information associated with the ranked game designation table is added to the extraction conditions.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely illustrative examples and do not particularly limit the present invention, and the design of the specific configuration of each means can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. isn't it.

1010 Slot machine 1500 IC card 1700 PTS terminal A1 Management system A2 Gaming machine A21 Information management device A3 Management server A31 Input device A32 Management server controller A33 Storage device

Claims (8)

A management system comprising a plurality of information management devices and a management server connected to the plurality of information management devices in a data communicable manner,
The plurality of information management devices are:
The information is installed in each of a plurality of gaming machines, including a gaming machine that is installed in a gaming parlor and starts a game based on a bet , and has different types of individual games , so as to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of gaming machines, and is received from the gaming machine installed therein. receiving from the installed gaming machine information regarding the number of bets used for the bet in the game started on the installed gaming machine and outputting it to the management server;
The management server is
Receiving information regarding the cache from the information management device and receiving game results executed by the plurality of gaming machines, and based on the received information regarding the cache in each gaming machine and the game result, a ranking determination processing unit that executes a ranking game to determine the ranking between different types of the single games ;
a resource storage unit that cumulatively stores information regarding the number of bets received from the information management device installed in each of the plurality of gaming machines as a prize for the ranked game during a period set for the ranked game;
a prize award unit that awards the prize money of the ranked game stored in the resource storage unit to the prize winner of the ranked game;
A management system characterized by comprising: an input device;
Based on the operation received by the input device, the ratio of the number of bets to be cumulatively stored as a prize for the ranking game in the capital storage unit, the prize ranking for which the prize is to be received, and the award ranking for each of the entered prize rankings. a ranking game setting unit that determines the proportion of prize money to be awarded;
The management system according to claim 1, further comprising:. Claim further comprising a display device that is attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines and displays the prize money of the ranking game that is cumulatively stored in the capital storage unit during a period set for the ranking game. 1. The management system described in 1. A management system comprising a plurality of information management devices and a management server connected to the plurality of information management devices in a data communicable manner,
The plurality of information management devices are:
The gaming machine is installed in each of a plurality of gaming machines on which a game is started based on a bet so as to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of gaming machines, and stores information regarding cash received from the gaming machine on which the gaming machine is installed. receiving information regarding the number of bets used for the bet in the game started from the installed gaming machine and outputting it to the management server;
The management server is
Receiving information regarding the cache from the information management device and receiving game results executed by the plurality of gaming machines, and based on the received information regarding the cache in each gaming machine and the game result, a ranking determination processing unit that executes a ranking game to determine the ranking;
a resource storage unit that cumulatively stores information regarding the number of bets received from the information management device installed in each of the plurality of gaming machines as a prize for the ranked game during a period set for the ranked game;
a prize award unit that awards the prize money of the ranked game stored in the resource storage unit to the prize winner of the ranked game;
Equipped with
A management system characterized in that the ranking determination processing unit is configured to be able to simultaneously play a plurality of types of the ranking games. Claim characterized in that the ranking determination processing unit is configured to allow one of the gaming machines equipped with the information management device to proceed with the plurality of types of ranking games that are played simultaneously. Management system according to item 4. A management system comprising a plurality of information management devices and a management server connected to the plurality of information management devices in a data communicable manner,
The plurality of information management devices are:
The gaming machine is installed in each of a plurality of gaming machines on which a game is started based on a bet so as to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of gaming machines, and stores information regarding cash received from the gaming machine on which the gaming machine is installed. receiving information regarding the number of bets used for the bet in the game started from the installed gaming machine and outputting it to the management server;
The management server is
Receiving information regarding the cache from the information management device and receiving game results executed by the plurality of gaming machines, and based on the received information regarding the cache in each gaming machine and the game result, a ranking determination processing unit that executes a ranking game to determine the ranking;
a resource storage unit that cumulatively stores information regarding the number of bets received from the information management device installed in each of the plurality of gaming machines as a prize for the ranked game during a period set for the ranked game;
a prize award unit that awards the prize money of the ranked game stored in the resource storage unit to the prize winner of the ranked game;
Equipped with
A tournament game consisting of the ranking games in a plurality of tiers is made executable,
The management system is characterized in that the ranking determination processing unit determines the ranking in the ranking game in the tournament game, and grants prize winners qualifications to participate in the ranking game in the next hierarchy. The ranking determination processing unit includes:
dividing the plurality of gaming machines equipped with the information management device into groups;
7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein among the plurality of gaming machines, the gaming machines that participate in the ranking game are designated by the group. 8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of hierarchies are divided into a preliminary round in which a plurality of the groups compete and a final round in which each of the plurality of groups competes.

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