JP7510330B2 - Game center system and game center display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to amusement park systems and amusement park display devices.

Conventionally, gaming machines such as slot machines are provided with a function known as a ceiling that gives a ceiling privilege to a player when a specific state such as a jackpot or ART does not occur even after playing a certain number of games. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes providing information related to the ceiling privilege according to the number of games played.

JP 2016-106669 A

Now, when installing gaming machines with a ceiling function, the biggest problem is operation at closing time. In other words, as closing time approaches and players decide that they will not have enough time to play the number of games required to obtain the ceiling bonus, operation will inevitably decrease because they will not be able to obtain the benefits of the ceiling function. This tendency is not only expected to occur at closing time, but also for players who have restrictions on when they can leave the store, for example, because they have other commitments after playing.

In this case, ceiling functions were previously only installed on slot machines, which tend to have a uniform time per game depending on the player's operation, so all gaming machines were played almost uniformly, taking into account the remaining time and the number of games remaining until the ceiling bonus. On the other hand, in recent years, ceiling functions have also been installed on pachinko gaming machines, and in such pachinko gaming machines, for example, when the reach is long, it is difficult to end the performance (reach) by stopping the symbols as in slot machines, and since this tendency differs by model or gaming machine, even if the number of games remaining until the ceiling function is the same, the playing time required until the ceiling bonus differs, making it difficult for players to grasp the guideline, and for administrators to grasp what trends will emerge.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an amusement arcade system and an amusement arcade display device that can provide appropriate support when installing gaming machines such as pachinko machines in an amusement arcade, where it is difficult to grasp the time required to generate a ceiling bonus.

According to the gaming facility system described in claim 1, at least one of the following is managed: ceiling start information estimated until the ceiling condition is met; start consumption information indicating the correspondence between the management start information corresponding to the number of unit games executed and the out indicating the gaming value consumed by the gaming machine; estimated arrival period until the ceiling condition indicating the gaming period corresponding to the out corresponding to the ceiling start information is met; and estimated integration period using the estimated arrival period. Therefore, when gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines, in which it is difficult to grasp the time required to generate the ceiling privilege, are installed in the gaming facility, appropriate support can be provided.

Overall configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention A diagram showing the raw data list (model A) A diagram showing game information compilation (machine A) A diagram showing game information by machine type Diagram showing the estimated period (model A) A diagram showing the number of cases (model A) for each category corresponding to the expected period and remaining period

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a system for an amusement facility. A large number of gaming machines 1 are installed in the amusement facility, and a gaming machine device 2 and an information display device 3 (corresponding to a gaming information identification means, a setting means, a display means, and a display device for the amusement facility) are installed corresponding to each gaming machine 1. These gaming machines 1, gaming machine devices 2, and information display devices 3 are connected to a relay device 4 in pairs, and the relay device 4 is connected to a management device 6 (corresponding to a gaming information identification means, a setting means, a management means, and a display device for the amusement facility) via a LAN 5. In addition, a POS and a balance settlement machine (neither shown) are also installed in the amusement facility, and these POS and balance settlement machines are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in reality, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1 are managed by the management device 6. The management device 6 is installed in, for example, an office in the gaming center, and is connected to a keyboard 7 operated by the manager of the gaming center, a monitor 8 (corresponding to a display means), a printer (not shown), etc. The management device 6 inputs game signals output from the gaming machines (gaming machine 1, gaming machine device 2, etc.) to manage the game data for each gaming machine 1, the personal data for each registered member, the operating status of gaming machine 1, gaming machine device 2, etc.

The gaming machine 1 is a CR (card reader) pachinko gaming machine, and has an operating handle 10, an upper tray 11, and a lower tray 12 that constitute a launching device that launches balls onto the board 9, and also has an LCD display 13, a regular prize opening 14, a first start opening 15, a second start opening 16, and a special prize opening 17 on the board 9.

The gaming machine 1 operates as follows.
(1) The first starting hole 15 is a winning hole whose winning rate does not fluctuate (a so-called center winning hole), and the second starting hole 16 is a winning hole whose winning rate fluctuates (a so-called electric chute).
(2) A jackpot lottery is held in response to a winning entry (start winning entry) into the first start hole 15 or the second start hole 16, and the lottery result is announced by a pattern change on the liquid crystal display unit 13, and a jackpot is awarded depending on the result of the change.

(3) If a start win occurs during a pattern change, the pattern changes are cumulatively reserved up to a predetermined reserved upper limit (for example, four of each), and the reserved pattern changes will begin after the pattern changes have ended. Note that if a start win occurs when the number of reserved pattern changes (reserved number) is at the upper limit, the pattern changes will not be reserved.

(4) The probability of winning the jackpot lottery (jackpot probability) is 1/200, and the probability rate, which is the percentage of jackpots that subsequently enter a probability state (probability rate) and become jackpots (probability rate jackpots), is 50% for center hole wins and 70% for the electric chute. When a jackpot occurs, the large prize opening 17 is opened for the allocated number of rounds (R). Here, with center hole wins, all Rs are allocated to 4R, while with the electric chute, 50% are allocated to 10R and 50% are allocated to 4R. The upper limit for the number of wins in 1R is 10, and the upper limit opening time is 30 seconds, and 1R ends when either the upper limit for the number of wins or the upper limit opening time is met.

(5) During the special probability period, the probability of winning increases to 1/50 and the winning rate for each starting port 15, 16 increases, resulting in a combined time-saving state (time-saving), which continues until a jackpot occurs. On the other hand, if a normal jackpot occurs that does not result in a special probability period, the time-saving state (single time-saving state) continues until 100 pattern changes have occurred, and if no jackpot occurs, the state returns to normal.

(6) The second starting port 16 opens with a high winning rate when the normal pattern (normal pattern) that changes in response to the winning of the normal pattern winning port 14 becomes a winning pattern. In this case, the time for one normal pattern to change is 30 seconds in the normal state and 3 seconds in the time-saving state. Also, the opening time is 0.3 seconds in the normal state and 5 seconds in the time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, the normal pattern change time is shorter compared to the normal state, while the opening time is longer, resulting in a higher winning rate for the second starting port 16.

(7) The number of symbol changes (corresponding to gaming machine start information) after the initialization condition is met (for example, a jackpot occurs or RAM is cleared) is managed, and if a jackpot does not occur until a specified number of symbol changes (500 times, corresponding to the ceiling condition) are performed, the time is shortened (corresponding to ceiling time shortening, ceiling bonus) until the specified number of symbol changes (640 times) are performed, but since it does not become a probability change, it becomes a single time shortening. Here, the symbol changes to generate the ceiling time shortening are not subject to addition during the probability change, including the compound time shortening, but the single time shortening is subject to addition since it is not a probability change. Also, if the time shortening ends without a jackpot occurring, the ceiling time shortening will not occur even if the specified number (500 times) of symbol changes are performed thereafter. In addition to such gaming machines, gaming machines other than the exemplified gaming machines, such as gaming machines that are subject to addition even during the probability change, gaming machines that do not generate single time shortening such as so-called ST machines, or gaming machines that have multiple jackpot probabilities and can be changed by settings, may be managed. The above is an example of model A, but for model B, the round allocation will be different, and the values will vary depending on the model.

The gaming machine 1 and the peripheral devices attached to the gaming machine 1 output the following game signals as the game progresses, such as when the player shoots balls and when starting winnings occur in the starting holes 15, 16.
Out signal = a signal (operation signal) capable of identifying the consumption value (out) output from the out box that collects consumed balls. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls consumed (used, inserted, collected), "the number of out signals x 10" is identified as out. Note that it may also be a signal output from the gaming machine.
Safe signal = a signal that can identify the winning value (safe) output from the gaming machine. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls paid out in response to a win, "number of safe signals x 10" is identified as safe. The resupply signal output from a resupply device may also be used as the safe signal. There are actual safe signals that are output when balls are actually paid out, and winning safe signals that are output when a payout is reserved in response to a win, but it is preferable to use the latter in order to minimize the time lag from winning to output.

Start signal = a signal that can specify the start process (pattern change, device operation, unit game) and start (number of start processes, number of games) in the liquid crystal display unit (gimmick) that changes (operates) due to the start winning (S winning) output from the gaming machine. Since it is output when the pattern change is confirmed, the start process is specified according to the signal input. Note that it may be substituted with the S winning signal output at the time of the start winning.
The jackpot signal is a signal that can identify the jackpot period output from the gaming machine. Since it is a status signal whose level is output during a jackpot, the input of the jackpot signal is identified as the jackpot period.

Special state signal = a signal that can identify a special state (sweet state) output from the gaming machine. Since it is a state signal whose level is output during a special state (during time reduction (including combined time reduction)) in which the winning rate of the second starting port 16 increases, the special state is identified as being in progress when the special state signal is being input. It may also be a state signal (probability bonus signal) whose level is output during a probability bonus in which the probability of a jackpot increases. In addition, the period in which neither a jackpot signal nor a special state signal is input is identified as being in a normal state. "

The gaming machine device 2 is a rental machine with a so-called counting function for each machine, and has a status indicator light 18 that shows the game status of the gaming machine 1, a coin insertion slot 19 into which coins (monetary value, valuable value) are inserted, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 20 that accepts operation inputs from the player and displays game data such as the number of pattern changes (start) and the probability of winning as the game progresses, a payout button 21 for paying out held balls (including saved balls if the player is a member, acquired value, valuable value), a payout nozzle 22 through which the paid out balls pass, a card insertion slot 23 into which a general card or a membership card is inserted, and a removable counting tray 24 located below the lower tray 12 of the gaming machine 1.

The gaming machine device 2 operates as follows.
(1) When currency is accepted (currency acceptance process), the amount of the deposit is displayed on both the gaming machine 1 and the gaming machine device 2, and one unit of loaned balls (value of loaned balls) (e.g., 500 yen) is paid out from the gaming machine 1 (value giving process), and the display of the amount of the deposit becomes the balance excluding the value of the loaned balls according to the value giving process. Currency can be accepted in an amount corresponding to multiple value giving processes (e.g., up to 10,000 yen). When the loan button of the gaming machine 1 is pressed with a balance (loan operation, grant operation), one unit of loaned balls is paid out from the gaming machine, and the value is deducted from the balance. In addition, the machine is also equipped with a so-called counting function for each machine, which counts the balls acquired by the player and can pay out the balls again using the counted balls as value, and the number of balls excluding the value of the payout can be specified as the balls held.

(2) When the return button on gaming machine 1 is pressed (the issuance operation is accepted) while there is remaining balance or balls in hand, a general card that can identify the remaining balls or balls in hand is issued. Note that for the sake of simplicity, partial issuance of a card that is the target of issuance of a portion of the balance or balls in hand is not permitted, but may be possible.

(3) Serial communication with the relay device 4 (receiving sales signals) can identify the currency acceptance process, the value granting process, the balance and number of balls lent, the amount deposited, the number of balls lent, the sales amount in exchange for the lent balls, the counted balls, the balls in hand, the payout balls, and the acceptance and issuance process of general cards. These can also be identified by pulse signals (e.g., one pulse for every 1,000 yen deposited, one pulse for every 100 yen sold, etc.).

The management device 6 compiles the gaming information by gaming machine as in the past, and compiles the raw data list (model A) shown in Fig. 2 by model. Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6 show examples of gaming information for model "model A," and "average" is the average for gaming machines for model A, which corresponds to the "total." As is well known, the management device 6 also performs settings such as model settings that associate machine numbers with models. The items shown in Fig. 2 are as follows.
OUT=the gaming value consumed in the gaming machine 1 identified by the OUT signal.
Game period=the operating period of an operating timer which operates for a predetermined period (for example, 60 seconds) upon input of an OUT signal.
Safe=the gaming value awarded in response to a winning on the gaming machine 1 identified by the safe signal.

Start = the number of times the accessory is activated in the gaming machine 1, as specified by the start signal. Incidentally, including the following, "sweet state" refers to game information corresponding to a special state period such as time reduction.
Sales balls = gaming value (number of loaned balls, value of consideration) given in exchange for monetary value in the corresponding gaming machine device 2 identified by the sales signal.
Number of jackpots = The number of jackpots specified by the jackpot signal. "Normal" is the number of jackpots other than "specific", and "specific" is the number of occurrences of specific jackpots that satisfy a specific condition (for example, T1Y within a reference range (for example, 800 or more) set for T1Y).

T out = out during T (during a jackpot or sweet hit).
T Safe = Safe during T (during jackpot and sweet hit).
T1 out = out during T1 (during a jackpot).
T1 safe = safe during T1 (during jackpot).
Special T1 Out = An out during T1 that only applies to specific jackpots.
Special T1 Safe = Safe during T1 that only applies to specific jackpots.

For convenience of explanation, this embodiment is based on the premise that the arcade does not have a replay system based on so-called saved balls. However, if the arcade has a replay system, it is desirable to include replay balls in the sales balls in the calculation. Note that the replay of the payout nozzle 22 shown in FIG. 1 refers to the replay where the player pays back the balls that he or she has won on that business day, and these replay balls do not need to be included in the sales balls.

The management device 6 also compiles the game information for each machine type, as shown in Fig. 3 (machine type A). The items shown in Fig. 3 are as follows.
Base = payout rate by state (normal, sweet), where "normal" is specified by B safe ÷ BO, and "sweet" is specified by B safe A ÷ BOA. Including the following, BO, which is out during normal times, is specified by BO = out - T out, B safe, which is safe during normal times, is specified by B safe = safe - T safe, BOA, which is out during sweet times, is specified by BOA = T out - T1 out, and B safe A, which is safe during sweet times, is specified by B safe A = T safe - T1 safe, but BO, B safe, BOA, and B safe A may be specified as raw data. Note that, below, the base during normal times will be simply called the base, and the base during sweet times will be called BA.

Average S (corresponding to starting consumption information) = ratio of start to out by state, and is specified by Average S = normal (sweet) start ÷ BO (BOA). Note that, hereinafter, the normal average S is also called S, and the sweet average S is also called SA.
Time out (corresponding to consumption period information) is the out per unit game period (for example, one hour), and is specified as time out = out / game period.

T1Y, T1O = T1Y is the average number of balls dispensed during a jackpot, and is determined by T1Y = (T1 safe - T1 out) ÷ total number of jackpots. T1O is the average out during a jackpot, and is determined by T1O = T1 out ÷ total number of jackpots. Note that total number of jackpots = number of regular jackpots + number of specific jackpots.

Special T1Y, Special T1O = Special T1Y is a T1Y targeted at specific jackpots, and is determined by Special T1Y = (Special T1 Safe - Special T1 Out) ÷ number of specific jackpots. Special T1O is a T1O targeted at specific jackpots, and is determined by Special T1O = Special T1 Out ÷ number of specific jackpots.

Payout rate, B-SA, customer retention rate = Payout rate is the ratio of safe to out (payout rate, award rate), and is determined by Payout rate = Safe / Out. B-SA is the difference in number of balls under normal circumstances, and is determined by B-SA = BO - B-Safe. Customer retention rate is the ratio of B-SA to sales balls, and is determined by Customer retention rate = B-SA / sales balls.

Gross profit = the operating profit of the amusement facility based on the amount of play, and is determined as follows: gross profit = sales amount - balls acquired x rental cost x cost rate. Note that the calculations are as follows: acquired balls (acquired value) = balls sold + safe - out, sales amount = balls sold x rental cost, rental cost = 4 yen, and cost rate = 90.9%.

Cost per ball, gross profit per ball = Cost per ball is the amount of sales per out, and is determined by: Cost per ball = sales amount ÷ out. Gross profit per ball is the gross profit per out, and is determined by: Gross profit per ball = gross profit ÷ out. Operating share = the ratio of the arcade's profit and loss (lost balls) to the actual amount of sales (sold balls), and is determined by: Operating share = balls acquired ÷ sold balls.

FIG. 4 shows an example of information for identifying an expected period for ceiling time reduction based on the information collected for model A as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and the specification information, collected by model.
The time out is specified as in Fig. 3 by dividing it into normal, sweet, and big win, but for big wins, the period to be counted is short and it is difficult to converge, and there are few factors that interrupt the game such as reach, so a value (5950) close to the maximum value (6000) that is regularly recognized is set uniformly. Of course, actual game information may be used as the target of counting, just like normal and sweet wins.

TS is the average number of starts expected before a jackpot occurs, and indicates the inverse of the jackpot probability. Here, when the ceiling is reached, most machines simply enter a time-saving mode, and the jackpot probability does not change, but for example, machines like machine D (such as so-called type 1/type 2 mixed machines) normally have a jackpot lottery by winning the center hole, but when the ceiling time-saving mode is reached, the opening of the device makes it easier to win the V-winning hole in the device, making it easier to win a jackpot, and the average number of starts expected before a jackpot changes, so for such machines, the spec information is such that TS changes even when the machine is at the ceiling, just like during the sweet mode. Also, since the sweet mode includes the time-saving mode, it is not the same number as the inverse of the jackpot probability during the special mode. Note that the upper limit indicates the start when the ceiling time-saving mode ends if no jackpot occurs during the ceiling time-saving mode.

The 1S period indicates the period per start. For example, in the normal case of model A, since the average S is 7.0%, it takes about 7 starts to get 100 outs, and one start requires an out of 14.3 minutes (1S out), which is the reciprocal of 7%. The time out corresponds to 1 hour = 3600 seconds, so if the period corresponding to 1S out is specified to have the same relationship as this, it becomes 10 seconds as shown in Figure 4 (1S out: time out = 1S period: 1 hour, so 14.3 ÷ 4920 times 1 hour, or 10.45 seconds, which is 0.29% times. Decimals are omitted in Figure 4, and the same applies below as appropriate). The same applies to the sweet period, but the sweet period is specified from the time out and TS corresponding to the sweet period.

The TS period is the period required to obtain a TS start, and is the 1S period multiplied by the TS amount, while the ceiling indicates the period required to obtain a ceiling start in the 1S period after the ceiling time-saving period has been reached and during the sweet period (as they are in the same time-saving state).

The average number of continuations and the round coefficient are numerical values in the specifications, and the average number of continuations is the expected number of jackpots expected if a jackpot occurs during the ceiling time-saving period. The round coefficient is a numerical value used to convert the average number of rounds when a jackpot occurs during the sweet period compared to the rounds corresponding to the special TIO.

The special prize period after the first win is game information regarding the period in the special prize state until the return to the normal state when a jackpot occurs during the ceiling time reduction, with that jackpot being the first win. Total T1 indicates the period corresponding to a jackpot expected to occur in the special prize state, that is, a jackpot when a jackpot with the average number of continuations occurs in an average number of rounds. The corresponding out is determined by multiplying special T1O by the round coefficient and the average number of continuations (for example, in the case of model A, 233 x 62% x 3.3 ≒ 476.7), and the period corresponding to that out is total T1. As above, in the case of model A, for example, the relationship between the jackpot time out (5950) and the out in question (476.7) is the same between 1 hour and total T1, so that it becomes 4 minutes and 48 seconds from 1 hour x 476.7 ÷ 5950 = 288 seconds.

The same goes for the total sweet period, which indicates the total period of the sweet period excluding the jackpot in the special prize state after the first hit. It is the period when a jackpot occurs at the average start, that is, TS (70 for model A) (for model A, the TS period during the sweet period is 6 minutes and 1 second), plus the average number of continuations minus the first hit (since the average number of continuations includes the first hit, for example, 3.3-1=2.3 for model A) (for model A, 2.3 x 6 minutes and 1 second = 13 minutes and 50 seconds), and the total indicates the entire period of the special prize state, which is the sum of the total T1 and the total sweet period.

Figure 5 shows the approximate period until the end of the special prize state that results in a jackpot with the ceiling time reduction according to the start to the ceiling (corresponding to the remaining S, management start information, required start information, and start to ceiling information) based on Figure 4 for model A, and can be specified by the following procedure.

First, assume the remainder S, which indicates the value obtained by subtracting the starts that have already been performed from the ceiling reference value (500 for model A (same below)), which is the start required to generate a ceiling (for example, if 400 starts have been performed, then 500-400=100).

Next, for example, if the TS is one that assumes a jackpot will occur at the start of the TS (corresponding to post-ceiling start information) after the ceiling time-saving period has been reached, the remaining S is multiplied by the normal 1S period in Figure 4 to determine the total period (53 minutes 14 seconds, corresponding to the expected integration period) of the expected period until the ceiling time-saving period occurs (for example, in the above case, 100 x 10.45 seconds = 17 minutes 25 seconds, corresponding to the expected arrival period) of the ceiling TS period (for example, 17 minutes 11 seconds) and the special prize period after the first win (for example, 18 minutes 38 seconds) (53 minutes 14 seconds, corresponding to the expected integration period).

As above, if it is TS x 2, the above ceiling TS period will be replaced with the period obtained by multiplying the 1S period during the sweet period (for example, 5 seconds 155) by twice the ceiling TS (for example, 400) (for example, 34 minutes 22 seconds) (for example, 1 hour 10 minutes 25 seconds); if it is the upper limit, the above ceiling TS period will be replaced with the period obtained by multiplying the 1S period during the sweet period by the upper limit of TS (for example, 640) (for example, 54 minutes 59 seconds) (for example, 1 hour 31 minutes 2 seconds).

In this way, by adding up the expected period until the ceiling time reduction corresponding to the remaining S (period until ceiling), the expected period corresponding to the expected start after the ceiling time reduction is reached (mid-ceiling period), and the special prize period expected if a jackpot occurs during the ceiling time reduction (ceiling special prize period), it is possible to determine the expected period until the special prize state that starts from the jackpot that occurs during the ceiling time reduction corresponding to the remaining S ends. Note that it is also possible to determine the expected period until the special prize state begins, that is, the total period (corresponding to the expected integrated period) of the expected period until the ceiling time reduction and the expected period corresponding to the expected start after the ceiling time reduction is reached, rather than the expected period until the special prize state ends.

The period until the ceiling may be specified according to the remaining S, or, for example, the expected period may be specified according to the remaining S at closing time in order to grasp the performance of the gaming machine 1, so that it is possible to grasp how long the expected period is and whether the player is avoiding playing. Also, for the ceiling period, only three patterns, TS, TS x 2, and the upper limit, are exemplified, but it is possible to specify an expected period according to an expected start during the ceiling that is assumed by any numerical value. Also, when evaluating the gaming machine 1, it is desirable to manage the expected period targeting multiple candidates for at least one of the remaining S or the start during the ceiling in a comparable manner, as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the period (remaining period) from the time when the remaining S at closing time is reached until closing (until closing time) may be managed and managed in a comparable manner with the expected period corresponding to the remaining S.

In this case, the period to the ceiling is specified by the 1S period according to the normal time out, and the mid-ceiling period is specified by the 1S period according to the time out during the sweet period, so it is possible to specify the expected period after taking into consideration the respective tendencies of the normal state, where the rate at which game value is consumed during play tends to be relatively low, for example when the reach is long, and the special state (sweet state), where the rate at which game value is consumed during play tends to be relatively high, for example when the reach is short, thereby improving the accuracy of the expected period. Of course, the expected period can be specified directly from the average S or time out for specifying the 1S period, or the outs and game period shown in Figure 2 for specifying them, without specifying the 1S period. Of course, it is also possible to specify only the period to the ceiling, or the period to the jackpot during the ceiling time-saving period, which is the sum of the period to the ceiling and the mid-ceiling period.

Figure 5 shows an example of output from the management device 6, such as data display and printing for the amusement center manager, but it may also be displayed for players by displaying it on the information display device 3 or a data display device installed at the edge of the island. In this case, Figure 5 can of course be the output target, but it is sufficient to display, for example, an expected period according to the current remaining S, and multiple candidates for the ceiling period may be output as in Figure 5, or a single candidate, such as only TS, may be output.

Figure 6 shows an example in which the non-playing period from the remaining S at closing time (corresponding to the first start information) until closing time (the first closing period, corresponding to the first closing information) and the expected period from the remaining S (for example, targeting TS) explained up to Figure 5 are each divided into multiple sections (up to 1 hour, up to 1.5 hours, etc.), and the number of actual gaming machines 1 corresponding to the target period (for example, 30 days) is tallied and managed for comparison (corresponding to the first management). By such a comparison, it is possible to know how long it takes for players to give up playing.

The above shows an example of the non-playing period until closing time, but it is also possible to determine whether the last player on a business day has started playing by, for example, the occurrence of sales, card insertion, or facial recognition, and to manage the non-playing period from the remaining S at the time the last player started playing (corresponding to the second start information) to closing time (corresponding to the second closing period, second closing information) in a manner that allows comparison with the expected period (corresponding to the second management). Of course, instead of tallying up the number of gaming machines as in Figure 6, it is also possible to manage the period until closing time and the expected period in a manner that allows comparison with each other on a gaming machine basis.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the game arcade system, the number of starts up to the ceiling expected until the ceiling condition is satisfied, the average S indicating the ratio of starts to outs, and the expected period until the ceiling time reduction occurs are managed, so that when a game machine such as a pachinko game machine in which it is difficult to grasp the time required to cause the ceiling time reduction is provided in an amusement arcade, appropriate support can be provided by taking into consideration the occurrence rate of starts and the amount of outs consumed for the period.

By setting the remaining ceiling S, which is the remaining S from when the ceiling time reduction is reached until a jackpot occurs, the expected period is managed by adding the remaining ceiling S, or the remaining ceiling S and the special prize period until the normal state is returned to after the jackpot occurs. Therefore, even in the case of gaming machines that transition to a special state such as a time reduction as a ceiling bonus, it is possible to identify a jackpot that provides a relatively large amount of game value and the expected period required until the special prize state ends after the jackpot.

The time-out is managed by dividing it into at least a normal state and a special state, and the expected period is specified by corresponding the expected period until the ceiling time-saving to the normal state and the expected period for the remaining S portion of the ceiling to the special state. Therefore, it is possible to specify the expected period taking into consideration the respective tendencies of the normal state, where the proportion of game value consumed during play tends to be relatively low, for example, when the reach is long, and the special state (sweet state), where the proportion of game value consumed during play tends to be relatively high, for example, when the reach is short, and it is possible to increase the accuracy of the expected period.

By identifying multiple candidates for at least one of the remaining S and the remaining ceiling S, and then identifying the expected period for each of the multiple candidates, it becomes possible to compare the multiple candidates and consider the expected period that corresponds to the specifications and adjustment status of the gaming machine.

The expected period corresponding to the remaining S at closing time is managed so that it can be compared with the period from when the remaining S at closing time is reached or from when the last player on a business day starts playing until closing time, making it possible to grasp the tendency of players to give up playing within the expected period corresponding to the remaining S.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows.
In the above example, the average S, time out, remaining S, the non-play period from remaining S at closing time until closing time, and the non-play period from the start of play by the last player on a business day until closing time are identified by game signals output from the gaming machine, but they may also be identified by operational input by the manager of the gaming facility.
Although the above embodiment illustrates an example of specifying game information such as time out on a machine-by-machine basis, the information may be specified and evaluated on a machine-by-machine basis.
Although the timeouts are categorized by state, various expected periods may be specified by a timeout common to all states without categorized by state.

Although the ceiling bonus has been exemplified as a ceiling bonus of time saving, it is also possible to use other bonuses as the ceiling bonus, such as not only transitioning to a special state such as time saving, but also awarding a certain amount of play value or presenting a mode such as a set value for changing the probability of a jackpot. Also, when transitioning to a special state, it is of course also possible to use other special states such as probability bonuses in addition to time saving.

Each setting value may be set by the administrator through manual input, may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the management device 6, or may be set by downloading setting information from an external server (such as the headquarters of a chain store). In this case, too, the setting value is input through manual input on the server. Of course, past game information may also be set as a reference value.

All of the game information shown as examples may be determined directly by the input signal or indirectly by using an arithmetic formula. Note that the arithmetic formulas shown as examples are merely examples, and any arithmetic formula may be used. Also, while a pulse signal was shown as an example of the game signal, a signal input via serial communication or the like may also be used.

The numbers, digits, items, etc. are examples, and any numbers may be used. In addition, the identification output may be in any output form, such as adding symbols other than those shown in the examples, and output may be at least printed or displayed.

Either "above or beyond" or "exceeds" can be used, with expressions such as "reached" corresponding to either "became above" or "exceeded." The same goes for "below or below," with expressions such as "did not reach" corresponding to either "became below" or "below."

The target gaming machine 1 may be a pachinko gaming machine other than the exemplified pachinko gaming machine, such as a so-called sealed type in which the gaming medium is managed only by data, or a slot machine. Note that, taking into consideration gaming machines that do not pay out gaming media, such as the so-called sealed type, the gaming medium will be expressed as gaming value as necessary.

Part of the processing performed by the management device 6 may be performed by the relay device 4 or the gaming machine device 2, etc., and may be configured in any way. Furthermore, the illustrated configurations may be combined in any way, including modified examples, and configurations may be provided that are not adopted as appropriate. Also, while the example shows information being displayed for the gaming center manager, information may also be displayed for players. In this case, information may be displayed, for example, on the gaming machine device 2 or the information display device 3, or on a central information display device (not shown) installed at the edge of the island. In this case, management and identification of the displayed information may be performed by the management device 6, or may be performed by the gaming machine device 2 and the information display device 3, etc.

In the drawing, 1 is a gaming machine, 3 is an information display device (gaming information identification means, setting means, display means, amusement center display device), 6 is a management device (gaming information identification means, setting means, management means, amusement center display device), and 8 is a monitor (display means).

Claims (6)

In a gaming facility system for a gaming machine that provides a ceiling bonus when a ceiling condition is satisfied based on gaming machine start information updated in response to execution of a unit game,
a game information specifying means for specifying game information including at least management start information corresponding to the number of executed unit games and start consumption information indicating a correspondence between outs indicating game values consumed by the game machine, and consumption period information indicating a correspondence between the outs and a game period, by at least one of a game signal output from the game machine and an operation input;
A setting means for setting necessary start information indicating management start information corresponding to the execution of unit games required to establish a predetermined condition, the start information being set to a ceiling expected until the ceiling condition is satisfied;
An amusement facility system comprising: a management means for managing at least one of an estimated period that can be specified by the ceiling start information, the start consumption information, and the consumption period information, the estimated arrival period until a ceiling condition indicating a playing period corresponding to an out corresponding to the ceiling start information is satisfied, and an estimated integrated period using the estimated arrival period. The setting means sets post-ceiling start information indicating the necessary start information corresponding to the period from when the ceiling condition is satisfied to when a jackpot occurs,
The management means is capable of managing the expected integration period,
2. The amusement facility system according to claim 1, wherein the expected integration period indicates an expected period obtained by adding to the expected arrival period the expected period for the post-ceiling start information, or the expected period for the post-ceiling start information and the special prize period until the return to the normal state after the occurrence of a jackpot. The game information specifying means specifies the consumption period information by distinguishing at least a normal state from a special state other than the normal state,
3. An amusement park system as described in claim 2, wherein the management means identifies the expected arrival period based on the consumption period information in a normal state, while identifying the expected period for the post-ceiling start information based on the consumption period information in a special state. The setting means sets a plurality of candidates for the necessary start information,
4. The game arcade system according to claim 1, wherein the management means manages the expected periods corresponding to the plurality of candidates, respectively. The game information identifying means is capable of identifying at least one of first closing information including first start information indicating the management start information at closing time and a first closing period indicating the period from the time when the first start information was reached to closing time, and second closing information including second start information indicating the management start information at the time when the last player starts playing on a business day and a second closing period indicating the period from the time when the game starts to closing time,
An amusement park system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the management means performs at least one of a first management capable of comparing an expected period corresponding to the first start-up information when the first closing information is identified with the first closing period, and a second management capable of comparing an expected period corresponding to the second start-up information when the second closing information is identified with the second closing period. In a display device for a game center, a game machine that provides a ceiling award when a ceiling condition is satisfied based on game machine start information updated in response to execution of a unit game is provided,
a game information specifying means for specifying game information including at least management start information corresponding to the number of executed unit games and start consumption information indicating a correspondence between outs indicating game values consumed by the game machine, and consumption period information indicating a correspondence between the outs and a game period, by at least one of a game signal output from the game machine and an operation input;
A setting means for setting necessary start information indicating management start information corresponding to the execution of unit games required to establish a predetermined condition, the start information being set to a ceiling expected until the ceiling condition is satisfied;
A display device for an amusement facility, comprising: a display means for displaying at least one of an estimated period that can be specified by the up-to-ceiling start information, the start consumption information, and the consumption period information, the estimated arrival period until the gaming machine ceiling condition is satisfied, which indicates the gaming period corresponding to the out corresponding to the up-to-ceiling start information, and an estimated integrated period using the estimated arrival period.

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