US20030228903A1 - Medal gaming machine and system thereof - Google Patents

Medal gaming machine and system thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20030228903A1
US20030228903A1 US10/449,800 US44980003A US2003228903A1 US 20030228903 A1 US20030228903 A1 US 20030228903A1 US 44980003 A US44980003 A US 44980003A US 2003228903 A1 US2003228903 A1 US 2003228903A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
medal
game
data
group
image
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/449,800
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tomohiro Shinoda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Universal Entertainment Corp
Original Assignee
Aruze Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aruze Corp filed Critical Aruze Corp
Assigned to ARUZE CO., LTD. reassignment ARUZE CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHINODA, TOMOHIRO
Publication of US20030228903A1 publication Critical patent/US20030228903A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3251—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a gaming machine with which a player may play with a medal.
  • a recent game that is manufactured in Japan and supplied as a video game or an arcade game combines the latest hardware and software technology.
  • a composite art or integrated industry of the game with an advanced graphic display technology for displaying characters, backgrounds, etc and a sophisticated speculative method such as plot development is highly evaluated not only in Japan but also in the world.
  • a video game is a type of game to be played with a home video game machine or a portable gaming machine.
  • An arcade game is a type of game that is played with an arcade video game machine installed in a game hall (so-called a game arcade).
  • These kinds of games range widely and may include, for example, a racing game which displays simulatively a horse race or an auto race, a sports game which displays simulatively a baseball game or a foot ball game, a story game in which a character moves freely in the predetermined region to obtain an item disposed in a map, and a fighting game in which a player fights in a professional wrestling, a boxing, a sumo wrestling, a judo, a kendo (Japanese fencing), and other martial arts using swords or spears.
  • a racing game which displays simulatively a horse race or an auto race
  • a sports game which displays simulatively a baseball game or a foot ball game
  • a story game in which a character moves freely in the predetermined region to obtain an item disposed in a map
  • a fighting game in which a player fights in a professional wrestling, a boxing, a sumo wrestling, a judo, a kendo (Japa
  • a player operates a leader of a group such that the leader may direct an unit that belongs to the group and experiences a fictional strategy and combat in a virtual environment or space being deployed on a screen such as a television screen.
  • Nobunaga's ambition type of game for example, is popular.
  • a player controls, in the Japanese Warring State Period, a character of Oda Nobunaga (a leader of a group) who governs the Owarino-kuni (Owari region), organizes military commanders (a head of the unit belonging to the group) to be his followers, develops his own military group belonging to the group by utilizing a military draft and training, fights and defeats an opponent group (opponent group) lead by another neuraldal lord such that he may broaden his own territory and finally unify the country.
  • the player in the strategic simulation game can fight against the opponent by ordering the unit belonging to the group as the leader of the group with various strategies.
  • the player can have various experiences as the leader of the group and commanders of the units such that the player enjoy easily virtual strategies and fights.
  • the strategic simulation game requires several or several tens of hours in order to accomplish the final purpose. Many players devote themselves in the game for a long period of time enjoying virtual strategies and fights.
  • the strategic simulation game is significantly different from that in another category that may include a action game, a shooting game, and a puzzle game.
  • arcade games are often elaborated, for instance, a music game to actually dance or play instruments to the rhythm, an airplane simulation game utilizing a mock pilot's seat of the plane cockpit, and so on.
  • a medal game is still popular among the arcade games although it is spread widely.
  • a player purchases one or more medals from a medal inscription machine such that the player starts the medal game with the medal gaming machine by inserting the medal. If the player wins the game, a predetermined number of medals are paid out. So, the player who has obtained many medals can enjoy the game again without purchasing a new medal.
  • a new kind of medal gaming machine such as a simulation game has emerged.
  • a horse racing game having a training mode and a racing mode may be played by a plurality of players at the same time.
  • the plurality of players can raise and train horses virtually in the training mode if they insert medals.
  • the players can select jockeys so as to start the race by inserting medals.
  • the player can make their virtual horses enter the race and purchase betting tickets by inserting medals so that they may receive a predetermined number of medals according to the race result.
  • the above-mentioned horse racing game may offer medals according to the race result and the payout is not necessarily closely related with the game procedure.
  • the conventional medal gaming machine there is not a large difference between the conventional medal gaming machine and the horse racing medal gaming machine. Therefore, it may not be easy for the horse racing medal gaming machine to obtain more and more new players as the medal gaming machine has a unique concept.
  • a medal gaming machine comprises a data reading/writing means to read out, write on a medal with a built-in IC chip, a medal insert mean for making it possible to insert a medal in order to start and/or progress a game, and a medal distribution mean for paying out the medal by receiving information that a predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed.
  • a medal gaming machine comprises a data reading/writing means for writing at least one type of initial data of the game and historical data of the game, and reading at least one type of initial data of the game and historical data of the game, a medal insert mean for making it possible to insert a medal in order to start and/or progress a game, and a medal distribution mean for paying out the medal by receiving the information that a predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed.
  • a gaming machine using first and second kinds of medals comprises: a data writing/reading means for writing a first data from and/or reading a second data on the first kind of medal, the first kind of medal having a built-in IC chip; a medal insertion means for receiving the second kind of medal in order to start and/or progress a game; and a medal distribution means for paying out the first and/or the second kinds of medals according to information that a first predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is proceeding.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal has a different value depending on whose data is stored even if the appearance of the built-in-IC-chip medal is exactly the same.
  • the player can play the strategic simulation game with the built-in-IC-chip medal having the data of Oda Nobunaga or Takeda Shingen at the player's discretion if the player has collected both medals. Further, since either medal has a different value to the player, the player can have a special affinity to either because of the stored data.
  • the player may have a desire to collect medals with various data such that the player may be motivated to devote himself to the game.
  • the player can have a special affinity to each medal and the medal gaming machine may enhance amusing features and novel excitements of the game.
  • the above medal with the built-in IC chip and a conventional medal can be used together and medals having different values can be used at the same time. For example, it is possible to pay out different medals so as to pay out a medal or the medal with the built-in IC chip depending on a game progress state so as to cause more fun with the game.
  • a medal including input of the point(s) to be described later
  • a player is able to train and strengthen a group to be operated by inserting one or more medals (the first and/or the second kinds of medals) and start to fight against another group.
  • the first and/or the second kinds of medals are paid out when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is in progress, one or more medals of the first and/or the second kinds are paid out (The payout may include point number output or increase to be described later.) when the player won the fight against another group or the player achieved a predetermined purpose provided during the game.
  • the gaming machine according to (1) is characterized in that the first data comprises at least an initial data or a history data of the game with the gaming machine, the first data being written on the first kind of medal with the built-in IC chip; and wherein the second data comprises at least the initial data or the history data of the game, the second data being read from the first kind of medal with the built-in IC chip.
  • the gaming machine according to (1) further comprises a payout means for paying out the first kind of medal according to information that a second predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed.
  • the gaming machine may pay out the second kind of medal as well if a predetermined condition is satisfied.
  • the data reading/writing means which may be embodied as a reader/writer or reading/writing device, may read the initial gaming data or the gaming history data such that the player can start the game from the initial status or an advanced status.
  • the combined data may enable the player to select either status as a starting status.
  • the medal gaming machine having the data reading/writing means for writing at least one of the initial and history data of the game reading at least one of the initial and history data of the game comprises a payout means for paying out the built-in-IC-chip medal when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the game.
  • the medal without any particular description may refers to the first kind of medal.
  • the player can receive medal payouts when the predetermined condition is satisfied during the game in progress, the player's desire for collection of medals is invoked and he may devote himself to the game more. Further, the player can have an affinity to the medal and the medal game machine may enhance amusing features and novel excitements of the game.
  • the medal gaming machine having the data reading/writing means for writing at least one of the initial and history data of the game reading at least one of the initial and history data of the game may provide a strategic simulation game.
  • a strategic simulation game has a larger number of characters that appear on a game and can be operated by the player than a game in another category.
  • the player can collect many built-in-IC-chip medals with different values so as to play the game using many medals if data of many characters are stored on as many medals.
  • the desire for collection of the built-in-IC-chip medals is enhanced significantly so that the medal game machine enhances amusement of the game.
  • a gaming machine system using first and second kinds of medals comprises: a gaming machine with which a game proceeds; a first kind of medal, which has a built-in IC chip such that the medal is set on a receiving part of the gaming machine; a second kind of medal, which has a predetermined value such that a game in progress proceeds by inserting the second kind of medal into an insertion opening of the gaming machine; and a medal inscription machine, which issues the first and the second kinds of medals according to input data from a control section by a medal purchaser; wherein a player of the game can insert more first and/or second kinds of medals into the insertion opening such that the player can forward the game.
  • the gaming machine system comprises a receiving part on which the first kind of medal can sit such that stored information in the built-in IC chip of the first kind of medal; wherein the game can be started with an initial status or resumed with an advanced status being determined the stored information.
  • the medal gaming machine refers to a gaming machine which can receive a medal at an inlet, an insertion slot, an opening, a recess, and so on.
  • the medal gaming machine may have a medal pay outlet to pay out medals.
  • the player may insert a medal into the above-mentioned medal inlet to play the game.
  • the medal may be paid out from the above-mentioned medal pay outlet according to the player's input operation.
  • the player can insert one or more medals while the game is being played.
  • the above-mentioned medal gaming machine may offer one or more games to one or more players.
  • the medal gaming machine also may comprise a plurality of satellites as many players who play games at the same time.
  • the satellite used herein is a device comprising a control section composed of one or more control buttons or knobs with which the player inputs predetermined instructions and/or commands, and an image display device to display images related to the game.
  • the control section may include an input part with which the player plays the game. The player operates the above-mentioned control section with viewing images displayed on the above-mentioned image display device such that the game deployed with the medal gaming machine proceeds.
  • the number of satellite is not limited. It can be set one or more depending on the size of the medal gaming machine, the nature of the game, and so on.
  • the medal denotes a substance for playing the game on the medal gaming machine.
  • the medal may be inserted or injected into the above-mentioned medal gaming machine or a part thereof. In general, it may work like a coin.
  • the above-mentioned medal may be different from a currency circulating in an actual society.
  • the above-mentioned medal may be, for example, purchased from a medal inscription machine installed in a game hall.
  • the medal obtained by a game result generally may not be exchanged with money or goods.
  • the number of medals inserted into the medal gaming machine according to the present invention may be stored on a storage media (for example a RAM, a flash memory, etc) built in the medal gaming machine or the medal with a built-in IC chip placed or set at a predetermined position of the medal gaming machine as game points.
  • a storage media for example a RAM, a flash memory, etc
  • medals are paid out in the number corresponding to the number of stored points.
  • the point used herein refers to information of the game to be played with the medal gaming machine or information equivalent to the number of medals. For example, if the game can be started by inserting ten medals into the medal gaming machine according to the present invention, the game can be also started by inputting ten points instead ten medals.
  • that it becomes possible to insert the second kind of medal in order to start and/or progress the game may include that it becomes possible to input the point (or credit) or the point number in order to start and/or progress a game. That a medal is paid out when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed may include that the point is output or given to the player when the predetermined condition is satisfied during the game being progressed.
  • the medal with a built-in IC chip refers to a first kind of medal or a medal having an IC chip and being used in the above-mentioned medal gaming machine or a medal having a storage section that can store initial and history data of the game supplied by the above-mentioned medal gaming machine.
  • the player can use one or more built-in-IC-chip medals to play the game.
  • the above-mentioned storage section may be composed of, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an OTPROM (Optical Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a flash memory (flash type EEPROM), and so on. It may be composed of an integrated circuit other than this kind of memory, for example, micro processor, etc.
  • a shape of the above-mentioned built-in-IC-chip medal is not limited. But it is preferably disk-shaped like an ordinary medal so that the built-in-IC-chip medal is recognized without a strange feeling. It is desirable that the size and thickness of the above-mentioned medal are substantially the same as the ordinary medal.
  • the above-mentioned medal may be made of an ordinal material such as resin.
  • the medal may be made of metal if the IC chip or pins thereof are coated with resin or the like so that insulation of the embedded IC chip and pins thereof to each other is secured.
  • the Initial data of the game refers to data required for starting the game with the above-mentioned medal gaming machine.
  • it may include an ID code and a check code to identify the player, personal information of the player, data about the above-mentioned points, data about the initial setting on starting the game, etc.
  • the history data of the game refers to data about the game in progress with the above-mentioned medal gaming machine.
  • the history data of the game may include an ID code and a check code to identify the player, personal information of the player, data about the above-mentioned points.
  • the game stopping data (or game stop data) used herein is included in the above-mentioned history data of the game. It is the history data when the game in progress with the above-mentioned medal gaming machine is stopped.
  • the above-mentioned built-in-IC-chip medal is preferably configured integrally with an image of a three-dimensional shape.
  • the player's desire for collecting the medals is invoked and the player can have a feeling toward the medals (medals with built-in IC chips). Further, he may devote himself to the game.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal configured integrally with the figure is formed so that the medal portion can not be removed from the above-mentioned figure. It may be configured in such a manner that it can be removed from the above-mentioned figure.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal integrally configured with the figure will be explained in detail referring to the drawings later.
  • the above-mentioned medal may be issued or inscribed by a inscription machine (referring to a built-in IC chip medal inscription machine hereinafter), which may be installed in the game hall.
  • the built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine used herein is a device to issue or inscribe built-in-IC-chip medals used with the above-mentioned medal gaming machine. It issues built-in-IC-chip medals in the number corresponding to the predetermined number of inserted medals.
  • the built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine mentioned above preferably has a data writing means for writing the initial data of the game.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal mentioned above may be used instead the ordinary medal, which does not have the IC chip.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal mentioned above may preferably be used with the ordinary medal.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal By allowing the built-in-IC-chip medal to store a character appearing on the game and by using the ordinary medal which has been used conventionally, different kinds of medals with different values may be utilized at the same time. For example, it is possible to pay out different medals such as the ordinary medal and the built-in-IC-chip medal depending on the status of the game so as to provide the game with an enhanced excitement.
  • the medal gaming machine according to the present invention may preferably pay out the built-in-IC-chip medals if the predetermined condition is satisfied during the game.
  • the player can obtain payout of built-in-IC-chip medals when the predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is proceeding so that the player's desire for collecting built-in-IC-chip medals is invoked and he can devote himself to the game more.
  • the predetermined condition may not particularly be limited. It may include, for example, a condition that the player wins in a fight with another group.
  • the simulation game may refer to one game category and be defined with a common concept in the art.
  • the simulation game may be a game in which the player can enjoy a virtual world with a virtual environment and/or a virtual space provided.
  • the strategic simulation game may refer to a game, among the above-mentioned simulation games, in which the player can experience and enjoy, especially, virtual strategies and fights in the virtual environment and virtual space provided (referred to “virtual environment” hereinafter).
  • the medal gaming machine according to the present invention may preferably be a medal gaming machine to offer a strategic simulation game.
  • the above-mentioned built-in-IC-chip medal according to the present invention is preferably used with the medal gaming machine to offer the strategic simulation game.
  • the strategic simulation game has a larger number of characters which appear on the game and can be operated by the player than a game in another category.
  • the player can collect many built-in-IC-chip medals with different values and play the game with many built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • the group used herein is a virtual group (military group) that can be operated by the player in the virtual environment etc, provided with the above-mentioned strategic simulation game.
  • the group is composed of a leader and a unit to be descried later.
  • the strategic simulation game adopts the Japanese territory in the Warring State Period as a virtual environment
  • the above-mentioned group may include a military group led by Oda Nobunaga, or Takeda Shingen, or the like.
  • the above-mentioned group may include a military force such as a tank, a battleship, and a battle plane.
  • the unit refers to a unit to constitute the above-mentioned group.
  • the above-mentioned group is composed of one or more units.
  • above-mentioned group is an army group (or military group) led by Oda Nobunaga
  • the group is composed of an army unit led by Hashiba Hideyoshi and Hashiba Hideyoshi himself.
  • the above-mentioned group is a military force including tanks, battleships and battle planes
  • the unit configuring the group includes tanks, battleships and battle planes.
  • the leader refers to a head of the unit among the above-mentioned units.
  • the above-mentioned group is an army group led by Oda Nobunaga
  • the leader is Oda Nobunaga himself.
  • the above-mentioned group, unit, and leader may have ability values in various manners, respectively.
  • the ability values vary depending on conditions of the strategic simulation game in progress.
  • Data about the group, unit, and leader may include data about these ability values.
  • Data about the group, unit, and leader are stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal as the initial or the history data of the game.
  • One built-in-IC-chip medal may store data about the entire group, or data about one or more units belonging to the group.
  • one built-in-IC-chip medal preferably stores data about one unit belonging to one group.
  • starting a game means to start a game using the above-mentioned initial data of the game includes joining the game in progress using the above-mentioned initial data of the game.
  • joining a game means joining a game using above-mentioned history data of the game.
  • “Stopping a game” means exiting a game temporarily after starting or joining the game.
  • a game played by a player may be suspended temporarily if the player stops the game. The other players, however, can play the game without interruption.
  • “Resuming a game” means resuming a game after the game being stopped once. So, unlike the case of joining the game, the player can resume the game only when the game he played is still in progress.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a medal game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of a built-in-IC-chip medal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along A-A line in FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic front view of a built-in-IC-chip medal integrally configured with an image having a three-dimensional shape according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of a built-in-IC-chip medal shown in FIG. 3A.
  • the medal is set on a built-in-IC-chip medal setting table installed on a medal gaming machine according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4A is a block diagram to show an internal structure of a medal gaming machine shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a satellite constituting a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a sub-routine executed to issue built-in-IC-chip medals with a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine.
  • FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed in a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine.
  • FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed in a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine.
  • FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed in a built-in-IC-chip-medal inscription machine.
  • FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when starting a new strategic simulation game.
  • FIG. 9B is a flow chart following than in FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when a strategic simulation game is in progress.
  • FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 12C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 14A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when starting a fight between a group and another group in a strategic simulation game.
  • FIG. 14B is a flow chart following that in FIG. 14A.
  • FIG. 15A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 15B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 15C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 16C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 17A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when executing a fight between a group and another group in a strategic simulation game in a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 17B is a flow chart following that in FIG. 17A.
  • FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 18C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when a strategic simulation game is in progress.
  • FIG. 20A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 20C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 21A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when a strategic simulation game in a medal game machine is in progress.
  • FIG. 21B is a flow chart following that in FIG. 21A.
  • FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 22C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when a strategic simulation game is in progress in a medal game machine
  • FIG. 24A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when a strategic simulation game is in progress in a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 24B is a flow chart following that in FIG. 24A.
  • FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when resuming a strategic simulation game in a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 26A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 26B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 26C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed for allowing a new group to join a strategic simulation game in progress.
  • FIG. 28A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 28B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 28C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 29 is a sub-routine showing a flow chart executed in a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 30 is a sub-routine showing a flow chart executed in a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 31A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • FIG. 31B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a screen of an image display device installed on a satellite of a medal game machine.
  • a medal gaming machine to offer a strategic simulation game in which a player can enjoy virtual fights and strategies in the warring state period of Japan as a virtual environment will now be explained.
  • a medal with a built-in IC chip (refering to “built-in-IC-chip medal,” hereinafter) stores data about one leader or unit constituting a group.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a medal gaming machine according to the present invention.
  • the medal game machine 10 as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a main body device 11 composed of a satellite 12 comprising eight units including four units on the front side and eight units on the back side. Up to eight players can enjoy the strategic simulation game at the same time by the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • the main body device 11 On the top surface the main body device 11 , between four units of the satellite 12 and four units of the satellite 12 , there suspended a large display device 13 having a screen 13 a on the front side and the back side respectively.
  • the screen 13 a of the large display device 13 displays large images of a game and people other than players who play the strategic simulation game by the satellites 12 can watch the strategic simulation game played on the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • a roof 25 simulating a part of a castle in the warring state period is installed on the upper side of the large display device 13 .
  • An image display device 14 (not shown) is installed on each satellite 12 constituting a main body device 11 .
  • a screen 14 a of the image display device 14 is exposed on the center of top surface of the satellite 12 .
  • the screen 14 a displays images related to a game in progress.
  • Screens 14 a of the image display device 14 installed on each satellite 12 do not always display the same images. They sometimes display different images depending on progresses.
  • a control section 15 constituted of multiple control buttons on the front side of the screen 14 a of the satellite 12 .
  • a player can proceed a game by operating multiple control buttons (the control section 15 ) as watching images displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • a medal inlet 16 is installed on the right side of the screen 14 a .
  • a medal sensor 120 (not shown) is installed inside the medal inlet 16 .
  • Medals injected to the medal inlet 16 are detected by the medal sensor 120 .
  • a medal with built-in IC chip installation unit 20 having five depressed portion 19 to which the built-in-IC-chip medal is inserted is installed on the left side of the screen 14 a .
  • a connector 19 a (not shown) is installed at the bottom of the depressed portion 19 .
  • the connector 19 a is connected to information reading/writing device 112 installed inside the satellite 12 .
  • the information reading/writing device 112 can write at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game onto the medal with the built-in IC chip installed to the depressed portion 19 via the connector 19 a and read at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game from the medal with the built-in IC chip (built-in-IC-chip medal).
  • each player can play the strategic simulation game by using up to five built-in-IC-chip medals at the same time.
  • a speaker 18 is installed on the backside of the screen 14 a .
  • Background music (referred to as “BGM” hereinafter), sound and sound effect, etc, are output corresponding to the progress of the strategic simulation game.
  • a medal pay outlet 21 and a built-in-IC-chip-medal pay outlet 22 are installed at the front side of the satellite 12 .
  • a hopper 121 and a medal detection part 122 are installed inside the satellite 12 equipped with the medal pay outlet 21 .
  • medals are paid out from the hopper 121 .
  • Paid out medals are detected by the medal detection part 122 . After that, when the medal detection part 122 detected a predetermined number of medals, payout of medals from the hopper 121 are completed.
  • the built-in-IC-chip-medal pay outlet 22 is an opening to pay out built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • An information writing device 113 (not shown) that writes data onto the built-in-IC-chip medal and a built-in-IC-chip-medal payout device 114 to pay out medals with built-in IC chips with data written by the information writing device 113 from the built-in-IC-chip-medal pay outlet 22 are installed inside of inside of the satellite 12 where the built-in-IC-chip-medal pay outlet 22 is provided.
  • FIG. 2A is a plane view schematically showing the above-mentioned built-in-IC-chip medal.
  • FIG. 2B is a cross section diagram of A-A line.
  • a medal with a built-in IC chip (built-in-IC-chip medal) 30 has a substantial circular disc shape. There is a decoration (so-called relief) of an armor of warring state period on the obverse side surface of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 . There is a notch 30 a for positioning at a part of rim part of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 .
  • An IC chip 31 with eight pins 31 a is embedded inside of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 .
  • the IC chip 31 comprises a storage section (not shown) to store initial data of the game and history data of the game supplied from the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • FIG. 2B eight openings 30 b are installed on the backside of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 . Eight pins 31 a of the IC chip 31 are exposed in the opening 30 b.
  • the information reading/writing device 112 installed inside of the satellite 12 of the medal gaming machine 10 via the connector 19 a , can write at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game onto the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 and read at least one of initial data and history data of the game out the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 .
  • FIG. 3A is a front view schematically showing a built-in-IC-chip medal according to the present invention integrally configured with an image having a three-dimensional shape;
  • FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of a built-in-IC-chip medal shown in FIG. 3A being set on a built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit installed on a medal gaming machine according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3A in the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 , a part including the obverse side of surface is inserted and fixed into a depressed portion 32 a formed at the bottom of a mount part 32 of a circular disc shape.
  • a resins figure 33 mocking an appearance of a military commander of in the warring state period is fixed.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 is integrally configured with the figure 33.
  • the figure 33 is mocking an appearance of a character (unit) appearing in a strategic simulation game offered in the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • FIG. 3B five depressed portions 19 having substantially circular shape are installed in the built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit 20 installed in the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • the connector 19 a is connected to the information reading/writing device 112 installed inside the satellite 12 .
  • notch 30 a for positioning at a part of rim part of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 .
  • the pin 31 a of the IC chip 31 exposed in the openings 30 b and the metal terminal are contacted to each other, the information reading/writing device 112 installed inside of the satellite 12 of the medal gaming machine 10 , via the connector 19 a , can write at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game onto the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 and read at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game out the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 .
  • FIG. 4A is a block diagram to show an internal structure of the medal gaming machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the satellite 12 constituting the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • the medal gaming machine 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 and a main control unit 100 including a flash memory 104 and, eight units of the satellite 12 and, the large display device 13 . Some of eight units are not shown.
  • a CPU Central Processing Unit
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • the CPU 101 performs each processing based on input signals supplied from the satellite 12 , data or program stored on the ROM 102 , the RAM 103 , and the flash memory 104 .
  • the CPU 101 comprises a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and is configured in such a manner that it can execute each processing based on input signals supplied from the satellite 12 , data or program stored on the ROM 102 , the RAM 103 and the flash memory 104 at a high speed.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • the ROM 102 is, for example, configured by a semiconductor memory etc, stores a program to realize a basic function of the medal gaming machine, a program to proceed the strategic simulation game, a program to primarily control each satellite 12 and stores various types of images data to be displayed on the screen 13 a of the large display device 13 and data about ability values of a unit constituting a group.
  • the RAM 103 temporarily stores initial data of the game and history data of the game supplied from each satellite 12 and data about results of processing executed by the CPU 101 .
  • initial data of the game and history data of the game include data about groups and a leader and units constituting a group.
  • the flash memory 104 stores data about players who play a game at each satellite 12 (for example, game stopping data etc,).
  • the flash memory 104 may store data stored by the RAM 103 .
  • the RAM 103 may store data stored by the flash memory 104 .
  • the flash memory 104 is not necessarily installed in the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • VDP Video Digital Processor
  • a frame buffer 106 is connected to the CPU 101 . Further, the large display device 13 is connected to the main control unit 100 (CPU 101 ).
  • the VDP 105 reads out required images data from the ROM 102 according to the draw instructions from the CPU 101 and generates composite image data in the frame buffer 106 based on images data.
  • a 3D graphic accelerator may be built in the VDP 105 . It is possible to perform processing to generate composite image data with the 3D graphic accelerator at a high speed.
  • the frame buffer 106 is a memory in which composite image data is generated by the VDP 105 .
  • the above-mentioned composite image data is output to the large display device 13 by the VDP 105 .
  • the frame buffer 106 is configured with a dual port RAM that can perform input of image data from the VDP 105 and output of composite image data to the large display device 13 at the same time.
  • the large display device 13 displays the composite image data generated by the VDP 105 at the frame buffer 106 on the screen 13 a.
  • the large display device 13 displays the same images as displayed on the screen 14 a of each satellite 12 and images different from the screen 14 a.
  • each satellite 12 is configured of a control unit 130 and its peripherals.
  • the control unit 130 is composed of a CPU 131 , a ROM 132 , a RAM 133 and a flash memory 138 , further comprising a SPU (Sound Processing Unit) 134 , a sound buffer 135 , a VDP 136 and a frame buffer 137 .
  • SPU Sound Processing Unit
  • the CPU 131 executes various types of processing based on input signals supplied from control section 15 responding to operations of players being input, data and program stored on the ROM 132 , the RAM 133 and flash memory 138 , transmits results to the CPU 101 of above-mentioned main control unit 100 .
  • the CPU 131 receives instruction signals from the CPU 101 , controls peripherals constituting the satellite 12 , proceeds the strategic simulation game in the satellite 12 .
  • the CPU 131 depending on contents of processing, executes various types of processing based on input signals supplied from the control section 15 responding to operations of players being input, data and program stored on the ROM 132 , the RAM 133 and the flash memory 138 , and based on the results, controls peripherals constituting the satellite 12 and proceeds the strategic simulation game in the satellite 12 .
  • a method to execute processing is selected from the two methods by processing depending on the contents of processing.
  • the CPU 131 comprises a processor that performs computing processing such as matrix, vector etc, about generation of the image data as a coprocessor, and transmits results of computing processing to the VDP 136 to be descried as a draw instruction.
  • the ROM 132 stores a program to realize basic functions of satellites, a program required for performing the strategic simulation game, the image data, BGM such as PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data etc, sound and sound effects.
  • BGM Packet Data Modulation
  • the RAM 133 stores, for example, initial data of the game and history data of the game read out the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 , further, stores data supplied from the CPU 101 and data about processing executed by CPU 131 .
  • the flash memory 138 stores data about players who play a game at each satellite 12 (for example, game stopping data etc).
  • the SPU 134 is a sub-processor containing the PCM sound source device etc, controlled by the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 selects and reads required sound data out sound data stored in the ROM 132 and transfer them to the sound buffer 135 .
  • the SPU 134 generates, for example, sound signals to generate BGM, sound, sound effect, etc, based on the above-mentioned sound data stored on the sound buffer 135 , and transmits the sound signals to the speaker 18 . As the results, a sound based on the above-mentioned sound data is output from the speaker 18 .
  • the VDP 136 reads out required images data from the ROM 132 according to the draw instructions from the CPU 131 and generates composite image data in the frame buffer 137 based on images data.
  • the 3D graphic accelerator may be built in the VDP 136 . It is possible to perform processing to generate composite image data with the 3D graphic accelerator at a high speed.
  • the frame buffer 137 is a memory in which composite image data is generated by the VDP 136 .
  • the above-mentioned composite image data is output to the image display device 14 by the VDP 136 .
  • the frame buffer 137 is configured with a dual port RAM that can perform input of image data from the VDP 106 and output of composite image data to the image display device 14 at the same time.
  • the control section 15 to input operations by players, the medal sensor 120 to detect inlet to the medal inlet 16 , the hopper 121 to pay out medals, the medal detection part 122 to detect medals paid out by the hopper are connected to the above-mentioned control unit 130 (CPU 131 ).
  • the control section 15 comprises multiple control buttons. When a predetermined instruction is input with control buttons operated by players, instruction signals corresponding to the indication are supplied to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 executes various types of processing based on input signals supplied from control section 15 responding to operations of players being input, data and program stored on the ROM 132 , the RAM 133 and the flash memory 138 .
  • the medal sensor 120 detects medals injected to the medal inlet 16 , transmits the detection signals to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 received the above-mentioned detection signals updates (increment) and stores the point number stored on the RAM 133 .
  • the medal sensor 120 detects a medal three times, transmits a detection signal three times to the CPU 131 .
  • CPU 131 receives the detection signal, it adds one point to the points stored in the RAM 133 .
  • 13 points are stored in the RAM 133 .
  • the hopper 121 is driven by an instruction signal responding to an operation to pay out medals as points generated from the CPU 131 of control section 15 , and performs processing to pay out medals.
  • the medal detection part 122 when detecting a medal paid out from the hopper 121 , transmits a detection signal to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 stores the fact of receipt of a detection signal on the RAM 133 each time it receives a detection signal, if it judged the times of receipt of a detection signal reached a predetermined times, transmits an instruction signal to stop a payout of medals to the hopper 121
  • the information reading/writing device 112 is connected to the above-mentioned control unit 130 (The CPU 131 ).
  • the information reading/writing device 112 is connected to the above-mentioned control unit 130 (The CPU 131 ).
  • the information reading/writing device 112 is connected to the above-mentioned control unit 130 (The CPU 131 ).
  • the information reading/writing device 112 performs processing to recognize the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 installed in the depressed portion 19 responding to receipt of a instruction signal from CPU 131 . If it recognizes the installation of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 , it reads at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game out the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 . The read data is stored in the RAM 133 or the flash memory 138 by the CPU 131 .
  • the information reading/writing device 113 and the built-in-IC-chip-medal payout device 114 are connected to control unit 130 (CPU 131 ).
  • the information reading/writing device 113 performs processing to write data about a unit onto the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 contained in a predetermined area of the satellite 12 when receiving an instruction signal generated from the CPU 131 corresponding to predetermined conditions fulfilled during the strategic simulation game in progress.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 114 performs processing to payout built-in-IC-chip medals 30 in which data about a unit is written from the built-in-IC-chip medal pay outlet 22 corresponding to an instruction signal received from the CPU 131 .
  • the image display device 14 and the speaker 18 are connected to the control unit 130 (CPU 131 ).
  • the image display device 14 displays composite image data generated on the frame buffer 137 by the VDP 136 on the screen 14 a .
  • the speaker 18 receives sound signals generated by the SPU 134 and outputs sounds based on the sound signals.
  • the strategic simulation game proceeds by the images displayed on the screen 14 a or sound output from the speaker 18 .
  • a player can proceed a game by operating the control section 15 as watching images displayed on the screen 14 a and listening to the sound output by the speaker 18 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine according to the present invention.
  • a built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 comprises a main body device 41 composed of a control section 45 and an image display device 47 , a roof 49 installed at the upper side of main body device 41 .
  • the control section 45 composed of multiple control buttons and a medal inlet 48 are provided at the front side of the main body device 41 .
  • a player can inject medals into the medal inlet 48 and operate the control section 45 to obtain built-in-IC-chip medals 30 from the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 .
  • a medal sensor 320 (not shown) is installed inside of the medal inlet 48 .
  • Medals injected into the medal inlet 48 is detected by the medal sensor 320 .
  • a built-in-IC-chip medal pay outlet 46 is installed at the front side of the main body device 41 .
  • the image display device 47 having a screen 47 a is installed at the substantial center part of a main body device 41 .
  • images to prompt an input of an instruction required for issuing built-in-IC-chip medals are displayed on the screen 47 a by operating the control section 45 or injecting medals into the medal inlet 48 .
  • Two speakers 43 are installed at the back side of the screen 47 a .
  • sounds to prompt an input of an instruction required for issuing built-in-IC-chip medals, BGM, sound effect are output.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 shown in FIG. 5.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 is composed of a control unit 300 and its peripherals.
  • a control unit 300 is composed of a CPU 301 , a ROM 302 , a RAM 303 , and a flash memory 308 , further, comprising an SPU 304 and a sound buffer 305 and, a VDP 306 and a frame buffer 307 .
  • the CPU 301 controls peripherals constituting the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 to perform processing of issuing built-in-IC-chip medals based on instruction signals supplied from the control section 45 corresponding to instructions input by a player and the data and program stored in the ROM 302 , the RAM 303 and the flash memory 308 .
  • the CPU 301 comprises a processor that performs computing processing such as matrix, vector etc, about generation of image data as a coprocessor, and transmits results of computing processing to the VDP 306 to be descried as a draw instruction.
  • the ROM 302 is configured with a semiconductor memory, stores a program for realizing basic functions of the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine, a program required for a process to issue built-in-IC-chip medals, the image data and the PCM data as the sound data for BGM, the sound and the sound effect.
  • the RAM 303 for example, is composed of a semiconductor memory etc, temporarily stores data and programs required for processing.
  • the flash memory 308 stores data (identify information) about each player received IC issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • a battery backup RAM may be installed instead of the flash memory.
  • the SPU 304 is a sub-processor containing a PCM sound source device etc, controlled by the CPU 301 .
  • the VDP 306 reads out required images data from the ROM 132 according to the draw instructions from the CPU 301 and generates composite image data in the frame buffer 307 based on images data.
  • the frame buffer 307 is a memory in which composite image data is generated by the VDP 306 .
  • the above-mentioned composite image data is output to the image display device 47 by the VDP 306 .
  • the frame buffer 307 is configured with a dual port RAM that can perform input of image data from the VDP 306 and output of composite image data to the image display device 47 at the same time.
  • the control section 45 to which an instruction of a player is input and the medal sensor 320 detects medals injected to the medal inlet 48 are connected to the above-mentioned control unit 300 (CPU 301 ).
  • the medal sensor 320 when detecting a medal injected into the medal inlet 48 , transmits a detection signal to the CPU 301 .
  • the CPU 301 that received the above-mentioned detection signal, adds cumulatively 1 point to the point stored in the RAM 303 or the flash memory 308 .
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 315 to pay out built-in-IC-chip medals in which initial data of the game are written are installed inside of the main body device 41 .
  • the above-mentioned control unit 300 (CPU 301 ) comprises the information reading/writing device 312 to write initial data of the game into the built-in-IC-chip medal contained in a predetermined region of the main body device 41 and the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 315 .
  • the information reading/writing device 312 performs a process to write the initial data of the game stored in the ROM 302 , the RAM 303 and the flash memory 308 into the built-in-IC-chip medal by an instruction signal from CPU 301 .
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 315 performs a process to payout the built-in-IC-chip medal on which initial data of the game is written by an instruction signal from CPU 301 from the built-in-IC-chip medal pay outlet 46 .
  • the image display device 47 and, the speaker 43 are connected to the above-mentioned control unit 300 (CPU 301 ).
  • the image display device 47 displays composite image data generated on the frame buffer 307 by the VDP 306 on the screen 47 a .
  • the speaker 43 receives sound signals generated by SPU 304 and outputs sounds based on the sound signals. An input of an instruction required for issuing built-in-IC-chip medals is prompted by images displayed on the screen 47 a and sounds output by the speaker 43 .
  • a player can proceed a process such as issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals by operating the control section 45 according to the procedure indicated by the images displayed on the screen 47 a and sounds output by the speaker 43 .
  • Methods for a player to play the strategic simulation game with above-mentioned medal gaming machine at a game hall include methods including the six steps [1] to [6].
  • [0249] is a step to receive issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals from a built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine using medals.
  • [0250] is a step to start a strategic simulation game using issued built-in-IC-chip medals with a medal gaming machine.
  • [0251] is a step to proceed a strategic simulation game.
  • [0252] is a step to stop a strategic simulation game in progress.
  • [0253] is a step to resume a strategic simulation game stopped.
  • [0254] [6] is a step to join a strategic simulation game in progress.
  • BGM Background music
  • a player who came to a game hall should buy multiple numbers of medals from a medal inscription machine in order to play a strategic simulation game with a medal gaming machine according to the present invention, then, have built-in-IC-chip medals issued from the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a sub-routine executed to issue built-in-IC-chip medals in the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 .
  • This sub-routine is executed by being called from the main routine executed in the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 in an predetermined timing.
  • the CPU 301 judges whether a medal is injected (step S 101 ). In other words, the CPU 301 judges whether a detection signal generated from 320 is received or not by detecting a medal inlet to the medal inlet 48 .
  • CPU 301 judges a medal is inlet, it stores the number of medals as points in the RAM 303 (step S 102 ).
  • step S 103 the CPU 301 compares the number of points stored in the RAM 303 and the predetermined number of points (for example, 10 points) and if the number of points stored in the RAM 303 reached the predetermined number of points, it considers that a predetermined number of medals have been injected.
  • the ID code allocation processing is a processing to allot an ID code or check code to a player.
  • the ID code is a code to be allotted to a player one by one. It is set so that the ID code is reused by other players.
  • a check code is an error detection code (having the same function as the so-called check digits) that is prepared by, for example, the above-mentioned ID code or current date. It is used to judge whether data stored on the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 are falsified in an unauthorized manner.
  • step S 105 personal information input processing is executed.
  • This personal information input processing for example, prompts a player to input personal information of the player (for example, name) by displaying specific images on the screen 47 a of the image display device 47 or outputting specific sounds from the speaker 43 . If personal information of a player is input, the personal information is stored on the RAM 303 or the flash memory 308 .
  • step S 104 The ID codes allocated in the above-mentioned step S 104 , and personal information input in step S 108 are used as initial data of the game to start a strategic simulation game in the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • the CPU 301 transmits instruction signals to the information reading/writing device 312 and performs processing to write identification information and information about point stored in the RAM 303 and the flash memory 308 , in other words, initial data of the game to a built-in-IC-chip medal (step S 106 ).
  • the CPU 301 drives the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 315 by transmitting an instruction signal to the built-in-IC-chip medal payout device 315 , issues built-in-IC-chip medals from the built-in-IC-chip medal pay outlet 46 and exits this sub-routine (step S 107 ).
  • FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are drawings schematically showing examples of images displayed on the screen 47 a of the image display device 47 installed in the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 when the sub-routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed.
  • the image shown in FIG. 8A is an image to prompt a player to inject medals.
  • This images is a image displayed when a process of sub-routine steps S 101 to S 103 shown in FIG. 7 are being executed.
  • An image of “medal memory robo” that is a name of the built-in-IC-chip medal inscription machine 40 is displayed at the upper side the screen 47 a .
  • an image to show an operation procedure “Insert 10 medals” is displayed.
  • a display “five more medals” to show the required number of medals is displayed.
  • FIG. 8B An image shown FIG. 8B is displayed on the screen 47 a when ten medals are injected to the medal inlet 48 , after that, process of step S 105 is performed.
  • An image shown in FIG. 8B is an image to prompt a player to input personal information (name of a player).
  • An image to show an operational procedure “Input your name with eight or less letters.” is displayed at the upper side of the screen 47 a .
  • At the lower side there is a column to input “name (name of a player)”.
  • a list of alphabet is displayed at the lower left side of the column to input a “name”.
  • options to select a type of characters for inputting a name such as “upper case letter”, “lowercase letter” and an image to show an option “Enter” to confirm a name of a player who input are displayed.
  • steps S 106 and S 107 are performed.
  • An image shown in FIG. 8C is displayed in the screen 37 a.
  • the image shown in FIG. 8C is an image to prompt a player to wait for completion of issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • FIG. 8A At the upper side of the screen 47 a , the image of “medal memory robo” is shown as FIG. 8A. Under the image of “MEDAL MEMORY ROBO”, “Medal memory is being issued” to show the status of the current process is displayed. Further, an image “Please wait for a moment” to prompt a player to wait for completion of issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals are displayed.
  • a player who received issuance of built-in-IC-chip medals in which initial data of the game is stored starts a strategic simulation game using built-in-IC-chip medals in a medal gaming machine.
  • a player who played a game in the past and has built-in-IC-chip medals in which history data of the game is stored can join a strategic simulation game using built-in-IC-chip medals in the medal gaming machine.
  • FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing a sub-routine executed when starting a new strategic simulation game in the main control unit 100 of the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • This sub-routine is executed by being called from the control program to control the strategic simulation game in medal gaming machine 10 in a predetermined timing.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 has been set (step S 111 ). In other words, CPU 101 judges whether a recognition signal showing setting of the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 has been received from CPU 131 of the control unit 130 installed at the satellite 12 .
  • the recognition signal is a signal generated from the information reading/writing device 112 corresponding to the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 set to the depressed portion 19 of the built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit 20 installed at the satellite 12 mentioned above.
  • step S 111 if the built-in-IC-chip medal is judged to be set on the depressed portion 19 of the built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit 20 installed at the satellite 12 , the CPU 101 performs data reading process to read data stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal (step S 112 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits an instruction signal to read the data stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 installed in the satellite 12 mentioned above.
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 installed in the satellite 12 mentioned above when receiving an instruction signal mentioned above, drives the information reading/writing device 112 , performs a process to read the data stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal and store the read data on the RAM 133 or the flash memory 138 .
  • the CPU 101 obtains the data stored in the RAM 133 or the flash memory 138 of the control unit 130 installed in the satellite 12 mentioned above and performs a process to store the data on the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 .
  • the main control unit 100 , the control unit 130 and the information reading/writing device 112 installed in the satellite 12 function as data reading/writing means and reads at least one of initial data of the game and history data of the game.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether the ID code, the check code and personal information (referred to as “ID code etc” hereinafter) included in the read data are appropriate (step S 113 ). This judgment is performed by the functions of check code, etc. If the ID code etc, is not appropriate, as the read data is unauthorized, an announcement indicating unauthorized data being input is carried out (step S 114 ). The data read in step S 112 is deleted and this sub-routine is exited. An announcement of unauthorized data being input can be carried out, for example, by displaying a specific image indicating a warning “unauthorized data input” on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 .
  • the CPU 101 performs a process to compare the ID code, etc included in the read data and the ID code, etc stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 before performing a process S 112 (step S 115 ) and judges whether the ID code, etc included in the read data coincides with the ID code, etc stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 before performing a process S 112 (step S 116 ).
  • the ID code, etc stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 before performing a process S 112 is data included in the history data of the game including initial data of the game and game stopping data.
  • step S 116 If there is no ID code, etc stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 before performing a process S 112 , without performing a process of step S 115 , in the step S 116 the ID code, etc included in the read data is considered not to coincide with the ID code, etc stored before performing a process S 112 .
  • step S 116 the ID code, etc included in the read data is judged to coincide with the ID code, etc stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 before performing a process S 112 (step S 115 ), then, whether the ID code, etc included in the read data is included in the game stopping data is judged (step S 123 ).
  • the game stopping data is data stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 when stopping the strategic simulation game.
  • step S 116 if the ID code, etc included in the read data is judged to coincide with the ID code, etc stored and in the step 123 , the ID code, etc included in the read data is judged to be included in the game stopping data, it means there is a strategic simulation game currently played, the strategic simulation game currently played was being played in the past, and the history data of the game is stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal.
  • the CPU 101 performs a game resuming process (step S 117 ) to be descried and exits this sub-routine. As the results, a player can resume the strategic simulation game stopped to play a game.
  • step S 116 if the ID code, etc included in the read data is judged to coincide with the ID code, etc stored and in the step 123 , the ID code, etc included in the read data is judged to be included in the game stopping data, it means that the data about the unit as the game stopping data is stored in the built-in-IC-chip medal, and the data about the unit is the data about the unit belonging to a group appearing in the strategic simulation game currently played.
  • the CPU 101 performs a process to add the data about a group stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 with the data about the unit (step S 124 ). Then, the CPU 101 proceeds the strategic simulation game by adding a new unit to the unit constituting the above-mentioned group.
  • step S 116 if the read ID code etc, is judged not to coincide with stored ID code, etc, step S 115 judges whether the read data is the initial data of the game (step S 118 ). If the read data is judged not to be initial data of the game, the read data is history data of the game and the CPU 101 performs a game joining process to be descried (step S 119 ) and exits this sub-routine.
  • step S 118 if the read data is judged to be the initial data of the game, the CPU 101 transmits an instruction signal to display a group selection image to prompt a player to select a group, etc to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 installed on the satellite 12 mentioned above (step S 120 ).
  • the CPU 131 when receiving the above-mentioned instruction, performs a process to display a group selection image on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 a .
  • the VDP 136 reads out required image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 by the draw instruction from the CPU 131 and generates composite image data and write it in the frame buffer 137 .
  • the composite image data written into the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 , group etc, selection images is displayed on the screen 14 .
  • This group etc, selection image is an image to prompt a player to select a group (leader of a group) operated by the player.
  • This group etc, selection image includes, for example, data about a group to be selected. So, if there is a strategic simulation game in progress, a group appearing in the above-mentioned strategic simulation game is not included in the above-mentioned group etc, selection images.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether a group etc, has been selected (step S 121 ). If it judged no group etc, has been selected, it returns the process to the S 120 .
  • step S 122 the CPU 101 judged the group etc, has been selected, it performs initialization processing (step S 122 ) and exit the sub-routine so that a strategic will be started by the group etc. selected.
  • a player can start a new strategic simulation game using a initial data of the game. If there is a strategic simulation game currently in progress, a player can join a strategic simulation game currently in progress using initial data of the game.
  • FIGS. 10A to 10 C are diagrams schematically showing an example of an image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed on the satellite 12 of No.1 when a sub-routine shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B is being executed.
  • FIG. 10A An image shown in FIG. 10A is a so-called title screen to prompt player to set the built-in-IC-chip medal, that is an image displayed no strategic simulation game is played in the No.1 satellite mentioned above.
  • a player can play a strategic simulation game by setting a built-in-IC-chip medal into the depressed portion 19 equipped at the built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit 20 of the satellite 12 according to the operational procedure shown by images.
  • FIG. 10B is a diagram schematically showing a demonstration image displayed introducing the contents of the strategic simulation game.
  • FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B Images shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 on the No.1 satellite 12 until a built-in-IC-chip medal is installed at the depressed portion 19 at the built-in-IC-chip medal installation unit 20 on the No.1 satellite 12 . That is the same in other satellite 12 .
  • FIG. 10C is a diagram schematically showing an example of group, etc selection image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed on the No.1 satellite 12 of a medal gaming machine when a step S 120 of a sub-routine shown in FIG. 9B is executed.
  • An image to indicate an operational procedure “Select a military commander” is being displayed at the upper side of the screen 14 a .
  • an image indicating names and ability values of multiple groups that can be selected by a player are displayed (for example, “politics”, “culture”, “combat”, “allurement” etc are digitalized).
  • “Oda Nobunaga” is selected.
  • an image “Oda Nobunaga, OK ?” to prompt a player to confirm is displayed. Further, an image indicating options “(Y/N)” is displayed. At this time, if “Y” is selected, a group having “Oda Nobunaga” as a leader is selected to set the initial setting in the step S 122 . And a strategic simulation game starts.
  • the strategic simulation game offered by the present invention of the medal gaming machine is not particularly limited. However, it preferably includes a training mode where a player breeds and enhances a group that he operates, and a combat mode where players make their own group that were bred and enhanced fight with each other to proceed a game.
  • a training mode is preferably constructed so that a player can collect built-in-IC-chip medals in which data about the units is stored to increase the number of unit belonging to a group, enhance the ability value of each unit, further, a combat mode is preferably constructed so that players can make units fight with each other, in order to make players have attachment to the medals (medals with built-in IC chips), further enhance the desire for collecting medals (medals with built-in IC chips) and arouse a spirit of competition among players, making players get involved in a game.
  • FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a sub-routine executed in order to change the point number in the control unit 130 of No.1 satellite 12 (referred to as “satellite A”). This sub-routine is repeatedly executed when a strategic simulation game that is in progress at a satellite A is in the training mode in a predetermined timing.
  • the CPU 131 of a control unit 130 at the satellite A judges whether a medal was injected to the medal inlet 16 (step S 130 ). In other words, the CPU 131 judges whether a detection signal has been received from the medal sensor 120 .
  • step S 131 If it considered that a medal has been injected, it performs a process to update (add) points (step S 131 ). For example, if 10 points are stored in the RAM 133 as points, one point is added to the point to make the point 11 and cumulatively store the point.
  • step S 131 If point number is stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 of the main control unit 100 , the CPU 131 , when executing the process of step S 131 , transmits an instruction signal to the CPU 101 of main control unit 100 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 when received this instruction signal, performs a process to update (add) points stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 .
  • step S 130 if it is judged that no medal has been injected, then, whether an instruction to payout medals has been input is judged (step S 132 ). In other words, the CPU 131 judges whether it received an instruction signal to pay out medals from the control section 15 .
  • step S 133 If it judged an instruction to payout medals has been input, it performs a process to pay out medals (step S 133 ).
  • the CPU 131 drives the hopper 121 to payout medals by transmitting an instruction order to the hopper 121 .
  • the medal detection part 122 when it detects medals paid out from the hopper 121 , sends a detection signal to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 each time receiving a detection signal, stores the times of reception of a detection signal in the RAM 133 and when it judged the times of reception of a detection signal reached a predetermined times, transmits an instruction signal to stop the payout of medals to the hopper 121 . As the results, payout of medals by the hopper 121 ends.
  • the CPU 131 performs a process to update (reduce) the number of points stored in the RAM 133 depending on the number of medals paid out (step S 134 ).
  • the CPU 131 when a process of the step S 134 is executed, transmits an instruction signal to update the point stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 to the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 .
  • the CPU 101 When the CPU 101 received the instruction signal, it performs process to update the point stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 .
  • step S 132 if it is judged that no instruction of payout of medals has been input, or a process of the step S 134 is executed, it is judged whether the conditions to change the number of points have been fulfilled (step S 135 ).
  • This judgment is performed by judging whether the CPU 131 has received an instruction signal to change the number of points from CPU 101 the main control unit 100 that makes a strategic simulation game proceed.
  • This instruction signal is transmitted to the CPU 131 when the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges the conditions to change the number of points in a strategic simulation game are fulfilled. If the CPU 101 judges the conditions to change the number of points in a strategic simulation game are fulfilled, it performs a process to update (add) points (step S 136 ).
  • the conditions to change the number of points mentioned above are not particularly limited.
  • conditions to change the number of points conditions to increase the points include, for example, winning a fitting with other groups, establishing a purpose given in a strategic simulation game.
  • Conditions to reduce the points include, for example, an input of instruction to develop a group or a unit belonging to a group, an input of instruction to start fighting against other groups.
  • step S 135 if predetermined conditions to change the number of points is considered not to be fulfilled or a process of S 136 is executed, this sub-routine ends.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 and the medal sensor 120 of the satellite A perform a function as a medal insertion means for making it possible to insert a medal in order to start and/or progress the game and.
  • the main control unit 100 , the control unit 130 , the hopper 121 , and the medal detection part 122 of the satellite A perform a function as a medal distribution means for paying out the medal by receiving the information that the predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite A perform a function as the medal insertion means and also the medal distribution means in a manner mentioned above.
  • FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C and FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B show and example of an image screen displayed on the screen 14 a of the satellite A, when the proceeding strategic simulation game is in training mode.
  • An image “1555 Spring Owari,” shows an imaginary year, season, and location of the group in a strategic simulation game.
  • years and so on These imaginary year and season (hereinafter referred to as “year and so on”) change as the strategic simulation game proceeds, and at the same time, they are displayed on the screen of the satellite where the strategic simulation game is played.
  • a player playing a strategic simulation game on the satellite A can once input an indication, which is described hereinafter, for the group that the player operates (hereinafter referred to as “group A”).
  • group A the group that the player operates
  • a player playing a strategic simulation game in other satellite can once input the indication for the group that the player operates.
  • an image shown below the above image represents the ability value of the group A.
  • an image displayed under it is the one which shows the value of the ability (ability value) of the group A.
  • the ability value about the “force” the number of the soldiers and their morale measured in numerical value
  • the ability value about the “castle” size of the castle and the strength of the castle wall measured in numerical value
  • the ability value of the “commander” the ability of the main character, Oda Nobunaga, and his followers that area measured in numerical value
  • an image showing a face of the leader of the group A “Oda Nobunaga,” is displayed, along with an image representing the operational procedure of “Now, what do we do here . . . ” as a line of “Oda Nobunaga.”
  • images, such as “Military draft,” “Merchant,” “Personnel,” “Training” and so on, which represent an indication for the group are displayed in the midsection of the screen.
  • the player operates the control portion 15 and gives an indication for the group A by selecting an image showing a desired indication.
  • indications are all for training/reinforcement of the groups. Any of the indications can be selected by a player, and when a specified indication is input additionally, the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 carries out the processing of changing (increasing) the ability value, which is subject to change, among, for example, the ability value of the group stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 , and also carries out the processing of adding the data concerning the new unit to the data concerning the group.
  • An image “BET” additionally displayed below the above image and an image “10” displayed below “BET” are the images representing a challenge fee, which is paid to the other group when the player provoked the fight.
  • the challenge fee is stored as a point in the RAM 133 of the satellite 12 .
  • the challenge fee stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite 12 is zero.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite A function as medal insertion means to make it possible to input the point for progressing a game.
  • the CPU 131 judges that the condition for changing the number of the points is satisfied, and in the step S 136 executes the processing of reducing the number of the points stored in the RAM 133 (320 points) to 100 points to make it 220 points.
  • CPU 131 also carries out the processing of increasing the ability value, which is subject to change, among the ability value of the group A stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 .
  • a gun may be essential in a fight,” which, “Hashiba Hideyoshi,” a unit belonging to the group gives to the leader, “Oda Nobunaga.”
  • step S 135 of the subroutine indicated in the FIG. 11 CPU 131 decides that the condition for changing the number of the points is satisfied and in the step S 136 executes the processing of deducting 200 points from the number of the points stored in the RAM 133 (320 points) to make it 120 points.
  • CPU 131 also executes the processing of increasing the ability value (for example the ability value concerning the weapons and so on), which is subject to change, among the ability value of the group A stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 .
  • the CPU 131 can add the data concerning the unit “Hashiba Hideyoshi” to the data concerning the group A stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 .
  • step S 135 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 11 CPU 131 decides that the condition for changing the number of the points is satisfied, and in the step S 136 carries out the processing of deducting 50 points from the number of the points stored in the RAM 133 (320 points) to make it 270 points.
  • CPU 131 also does the processing of increasing the ability value (for example, the ability value of government, education and so on), which is subject to change, among the ability value of the leader of the group A, “Oda Nobunaga,” stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 .
  • ability value for example, the ability value of government, education and so on
  • CPU 131 also does the processing of increasing the ability value (for example, the ability value of government, education and so on), which is subject to change, among the ability value of the leader of the group A, “Oda Nobunaga,” stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 .
  • training mode of abovementioned strategic simulation game when achieving a specified purpose, for example, such as unifying the country or a location of a group (“Owari” is an example shown in FIG. 12A through FIG. 12C and FIG. 13A through FIG. 13B), training mode ends, and a combat mode is started.
  • a combat mode a plurality of players can, by having the trained/reinforced groups fight in the training mode, play a game where each group rob each other for the administered territories and eventually one group will achieve the desired objective of world unification.
  • FIGS. 14A and 14B are flow charts, which illustrate a subroutine to be executed in order to start a fight between a group and another group in a strategic simulation game.
  • a group, which the group A provokes a fight against is group B
  • a satellite, in which the player operating the group B plays a strategic simulation game is satellite B.
  • the subroutine illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B is, in response to the designation given by the group A for provoking a fight, executed after being called by the control program controlling the strategic simulation game on the medal operated gaming machine 10 .
  • the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided on the satellite A sends a signal to the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 to indicate that the designation given by the group A for provoking a fight had been input.
  • the CPU 101 searches the group, which can provoke a fight against the group A, according to the data stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 of the main control unit 100 , in other words the data concerning the group other than the group A (including the data stored as the paused-game data).
  • This search is to be done by determining whether or not the data and so on, which relate to the group(s) other than the group A, satisfies the specified condition(s).
  • the search described above is done by determining whether or not the condition, where any of the other groups other than the group A (for example, the group B, group C and so on) administer the territory lying next to the territory administered by the group A, is satisfied, based on the data concerning the group other than the group A.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 based on the search results in the step S 140 , sends a command signal to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided in the satellite A to display the image for selecting a match-up group (step S 141 ).
  • CPU 131 After receiving the signal, CPU 131 , then, sends a draw command and so on to the VDP 136 .
  • VDP 136 then, reads a necessary image data out of the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates a composite image data, and writes it into the frame buffer 137 . Thereafter, the composite image data written in the frame buffer 137 is sent to the image display device 14 , and the image for selecting a match-up group is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • This image for selecting a match-up group is generated according to the search results in the step S 140 .
  • the search results in the step S 140 are the groups B-D
  • an image illustrating a name of each group B-D is shown in abovementioned image for selecting a match-up group as an option.
  • the player can start a fight with a group by selecting it among the displayed groups to carry out the fight.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit judges whether or not the CPU 101 received the command signal for selecting a match-up group (step S 142 ).
  • This command signal is signaled from the control section 15 to the CPU 131 in response to that a group, among the groups displayed in aforementioned image for selecting a match-up group, has been selected by the player operating the control section 15 provided in the satellite A, when abovementioned image for selecting a match-up group is displayed. Consequently the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 receives the signal from the CPU 131 .
  • the control unit 101 of the main control unit 100 returns the processing to the step S 142 when judging not to receive the above command signal.
  • step S 142 when receiving the command signal for selecting the fighting group, the CPU 101 judges whether there is the game stop data of the fighting group selected in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 or not (step S 143 ).
  • step S 144 the CPU 101 executes the absent fight start processing (step S 144 ), and starts the fighting between the group B not operated by the player and the group A.
  • step S 143 the player operating the fighting group selected performs the strategic simulation game at this time when it is judged that there is not the game stop data of the fighting group selected in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 . Therefore, a command signal for displaying the group formation image is transmitted to the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 provided on the satellite A (step S 145 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the command signal transmits the drawing command etc. to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads out the required image data by the drawing command etc. of the CPU 131 among the image data stored in the ROM 132 , and writes into the flame buffer 137 by generating composite image data. After that, the composite image data wrote in the flame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and the group formation image is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the group formation image is an image facilitating to decide an unit going in for the fight among one or more units belonging to the group.
  • the group formation image includes an image showing namings of each unit (U 1 to U 5 ) for selection when the player performs the strategic simulation game by using five built-in-IC-chip medals (M 1 to M 5 ) which store data of each unit (U 1 to U 5 ) for selection.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 executes the following fight execution processing based on data of the units (U 1 to U 3 ) stored in the built-in-IC-chip medals (M 1 to M 3 ), when the player operates the control section 15 ; and for example, inputs a command for making the units (U 1 to U 3 ) go in for the fight.
  • the fight can be started based on data stored in at least one built-in-IC-chip medal among data red by the information writing/reading device 112 of the satellite A and stored in a plurality of the built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • the CPU 101 judge whether an information signal on group formation is received (step S 146 ).
  • the information signal on group formation is a signal to be transmitted from the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellite A to the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 when the control section 15 is operated by a player and an instruction for making units (U 1 to U 3 ) participate in a fight is input.
  • step S 146 When it is judge in step S 146 that the signal for group formation is not received, the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 returns the processing to step S 146 .
  • step S 146 when it is judge in step S 146 that the information signal on group formation is received, the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 transmits an instruction signal for displaying a challenge-cost request image to the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellite A (FIG. 14B, step S 147 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction or the like to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Then, the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and a challenge-cost request image is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the challenge-cost request image is an image for prompting the group B to pay a challenge cost necessary for the group A to start a fight.
  • the control section 15 is operated by a player and a designation for paying a challenge cost is input, the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite A perform a function as medal insertion means to make it possible to input the point for progressing a game.
  • the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellite A judges in step S 136 that a condition for changing the number of points is satisfied, executes the processing for updating (decreasing) the points stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 , and transmits an information signal showing that the challenge cost is paid to the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 .
  • CPU 101 of the main control section 100 judges whether the information signal showing that the challenge cost is paid is received (step S 148 ). When the CPU 101 judges that the information signal showing that the challenge cost is paid is not received, it returns the processing to step S 148 .
  • step S 148 when the CU 101 judges in step S 148 that the information signal showing that the challenge cost is paid is received, it stores the number of medals paid as the challenge cost in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 (step S 149 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 transmits an instruction signal for displaying a meeting selection image to the CPU 131 of the control section 130 (step S 150 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 in accordance with the drawing instruction supplied from the CPU 131 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Thereafter, the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and a meeting selection image is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the above meeting selection image is an image for prompting selection of a combat manner in the fight between the group A and group B and the meeting selection image includes one or more images showing a combat manner as an option.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 judges whether an instruction signal for selecting a combat manner is received (step S 151 ).
  • the CPU 101 judges that the instruction signal for selecting a combat manner is received, it transmits an instruction signal for displaying an image of the selected combat manner to the satellite A (step S 152 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction or the like to the VDP 136 .
  • the DVP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 in accordance with the drawing instruction supplied from the CPU 131 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Thereafter, the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and the image showing the selected combat manner is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • step S 153 the fight execution processing to be described later is executed (step S 153 ), a fight is executed between the group A and group and this subroutine ends.
  • FIGS. 15A to 15 C and FIGS. 16A to 16 C are illustrations schematically showing screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellites or satellite A and/or B when the subroutine shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is executed.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 15A are group formation images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 of the satellite A when the processings in steps S 145 and S 146 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14A are executed.
  • An image “1567 Winter Owari” displayed on the upper left of the screen shows an imaginary year season and the location of the group A in a strategic simulation game.
  • An image “Leader: Oda Nobunaga” displayed at the lower side of the above screen is the image showing that the leader of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game is Oda Nobunaga.
  • the ability value of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is displayed below the above screen.
  • images of “WIN”, “120”, “CREDIT”, “200”, “BET”, and “0” are displayed in order from the upper side at the right of the screen and these images show that the accumulated number of medals obtained by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is 120, the number of points stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A is 200, and the challenge cost stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A is point 0.
  • the second item “name” from the left of the list is an item showing names of units, in which “Oda Nobunaga” who is the leader of the group A, and “Hashiba Hideyoshi”, “Shibata Katsuie”, “Maeda Toshiie”, and “Takigawa Kazumasu” who are units belonging to the group A are displayed in order from the top.
  • the third item “Soldier” from the left of the list is an item showing the number of foot soldiers of a foot-soldier troop led by each unit
  • the fourth item “cavalry” from the left is an item showing the number of soldiers of a cavalry troop led by each unit
  • the fifth item “iron” from the left is an item showing the number of soldiers of a gun troop led by each unit. Therefore, the armed force led by “Oda Nobunaga” who is the leader of the group A is constituted by 100 soldiers of a foot-soldier troop, 30 soldiers of a cavalry troop, and 50 soldiers of a gun troop.
  • the data on these units is stored in a built-in-IC-chip medal every data on each unit.
  • the leftmost item “go to way” of the list is an item for selecting whether to make the unit displayed at the right of the item go to war, on which “Y” or “N” can be displayed when a player inputs a designation.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 15B are challenge-cost request images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 of the satellite A.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite A perform a function as medal insertion means to make it possible to input the point for progressing a game.
  • the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellite A judges that a condition for changing the number of points is satisfied in step S 135 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 11, subtracts 100 points from the number of points (200 points) stored in the RAM 133 , executes the processing for decreasing the number of points to 100 points, and moreover transmits an information signal showing that a challenge cost is paid to the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 .
  • step S 148 the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 judges in step S 148 that the information signal showing that the challenge cost is paid is received and executes the processing for storing the number of medals (number of points) paid as a challenge cost in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 .
  • step S 149 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14B the images shown in FIG. 15C are displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellite A.
  • Screen images shown in FIG. 16A are screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 of the satellite B when steps S 150 and S 151 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14B are executed.
  • An image “1567 Winter Mino” displayed on the top left of the screen are images showing an imaginary year season and location of the group B in a strategic simulation game and the image “Leader: Saito Dosan” displayed below the above images is an image showing that the leader of the group B to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite B is Saito Dosan. Moreover, the image showing the ability value of the group B to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite B is displayed below the above image.
  • the player can perform the fight with the group A by a selected combat manner by operating the control section 15 of the satellite B and selecting the image showing a desired combat manner.
  • the combat manner “single combat” is a combat manner in which one unit belonging to the group A fights with one unit belonging to the group B.
  • the fight is started in accordance with the data stored in one built-in-IC-chip medal among the data read by the information reading/writing device 112 set to a satellite.
  • the combat manner “whole combat” is a combat manner in which two or more units belonging to the group A fights with two or more units belonging to the group B.
  • the combat manner “truste” is a combat manner in which one or two or more units belonging to the group A fights with one or two or more units belonging to the group B in accordance with ability values and the like of the groups A and B.
  • a combat manner which can be selected when starting a fight is not restricted.
  • a medal-operated gaming machine of the present invention for providing a strategic simulation game is constituted so that the combat manner of the above “single combat”, that is, a combat manner in which players fight with each other by using the data stored in one built-in-IC-chip medal among the data stored in a plurality of built-in-IC-chip medals respectively can be selected.
  • a player can perform a strategic simulation game by using an built-in-IC-chip medal storing the data for his favorite unit or an built-in-IC-chip medal storing the data for a unit having a high ability value, it is possible to make the player strongly have the feeling of commitment on a medal (medal with the built-in IC chip) and improve the want for collection of medals (medal with the built-in IC chips), and moreover it is possible to make the player further being too much into the game.
  • a medal-operated gaming machine of the present invention for providing a strategic simulation game is constituted so that the above-described combat manner “whole combat”, that is, the combat manner in which players fight with each other by using the data stored in two or more built-in-IC-chip medal among the data stored in a plurality of built-in-IC-chip medal respectively can be selected.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 16B are screen images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellite A when the processing in step S 152 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14B is executed.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 16C are images showing the state of a fight to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellites A and B when the processing in step S 153 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14B is executed.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts sowing a subroutine to be executed to perform a fight between one group and another group in a strategic simulation game in the main control section 100 of the medal-operated gaming machine 10 .
  • the subroutine is a subroutine to be called and executed in step S 153 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14B.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B are described on a case in which the group A wins a victory in the fight between the groups A and B.
  • step S 160 the fight-result decision processing is executed.
  • the fight-result decision processing is a processing for the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 to decide a result of the fight between the groups A and B in accordance with the data for the group A, the data for the group B, and the data for the selected combat manner in step S 151 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14B.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 performs the processing for comparing ability values of units each other in accordance with the data for one unit belonging to the group A and the data for one unit belonging to the group B and decides a result of the fight between the groups A and B.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 performs the processing for comparing ability values of units each other in accordance with the data for two or more units belonging to the group A and the data for two or more units belonging to the group B and decides a result of the fight between the groups A and B.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 not only decides a group wining a victory but also performs the processing for deciding changes of various ability values set to the groups A and B such as the number of soldiers in groups decreased due to a fight and ability values of units to be changed due to a fight as fight results.
  • step S 160 it is judged whether to change the data for a unit belonging to a defeated group (group B) as the data for a unit belonging to a victorious group (group A). In this case, it is decided to change the data for which unit.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section performs the processing for storing the data for the fight result decided in step S 160 in the RAM 103 of the main control section 100 and the processing for changing ability values of the groups A and B in accordance with the fight result.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 transmits an instruction signal for displaying the image showing a fight state to the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellites A and B in accordance with the fight result decided in step S 160 (step S 161 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 in accordance with the drawing instruction supplied from the CPU 131 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Then, the synthetic data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and the images showing a state of a fight shown in FIG. 16C are displayed.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 judges whether the current timing is the timing for ending the fight (step S 162 ).
  • the CPU 101 judges that the current timing is not the timing for ending the fight, it returns the processing to step S 161 and performs the processing for displaying the image showing a state of the fight on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellites A and B.
  • step S 162 When the CPU 101 judges in step S 162 that the current timing is the timing for ending the fight, it transmits an instruction signal for displaying a fight result image to the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellites A and B in accordance with the fight result decided in step; S 160 (step S 163 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction and the like to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 in accordance with the drawing instruction and the like supplied from the CPU 131 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Then, the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 , and a fight result image is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether the data for a unit to be change is present in the data for the fight result stored in the RAM 103 of the main control section 100 (step S 164 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control section 100 judges that the data for the unit to be changed is present, it then transmits an instruction signal for displaying the image showing the data for the unit to be changed to the CPU 131 of the control section 130 set to the satellite A (step S 165 ).
  • the CPU 131 receiving the instruction signal transmits a drawing instruction and the like to the VDP 136 .
  • the DVP 136 reads necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 in accordance with the drawing instruction and the like supplied from the CPU 131 , generates synthetic image data, and writes the data in the frame buffer 137 . Then, the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 , and the image showing the data for the unit to be changed is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the image for prompting to select whether to recognize the above unit as a unit belonging to the group A is included in the image showing the data for the unit to be changed.
  • step S 165 When the processing in step S 165 is executed, the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether a command signal for changing the data for units is received (step S 166 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 performs the processing for deleting the data for units constituting the group B serving as the data for units to be changed among the data stored in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 or for maintaining the data for units.
  • the CPU 101 judges that the command signal for changing the data for units is received, it performs the processing for changing the data for units to be changed to the data for units belonging to the group A and writing the data in a built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a predetermined place in the satellite A (step S 167 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 performs the processing for changing an ID code and the like included in the data for units to be changed to an ID code and the like included in the data for units belonging to the group A and thereby changing the data for units to be changed to the data for units belonging to the group A, and storing the data in the RAM 133 of the control unit 130 or flash memory 138 .
  • the CPU 101 transmits a command signal for driving the information writing device 113 set to the satellite A to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 set to the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 receives the above command signal, it performs the processing for driving the information writing device 131 and writing the data for units newly decided to belong to the group A in a built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a predetermined place of the satellite A.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 performs the processing for deleting the data for units constituting the group B serving as the data for units to be changed among the data stored in the RAM 103 or flash memory 101 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 performs the processing for paying out a built-in-IC-chip medal (step S 168 ). That is, the CPU 101 transmits a command signal for driving the built-in-IC-chip medal paying-out device 114 to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 set to the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 receives the above command signal, it pays out the built-in-IC-chip medal in which the data for units newly decided to belong to the group A is written from a built-in-IC-chip medal outlet.
  • the main control unit 100 , control unit 130 set to the satellite A, information writing device 113 , and built-in-IC-chip medal paying-out device 114 function as a built-in-IC-chip medal paying-out means because a predetermined condition is satisfied while a game progresses.
  • step S 164 judges in step S 164 that the data for units to be changed are not present, in step S 166 that a command signal for changing the data for units is not received, or executes the processing in step S 168 , it judges whether a group for which a fight is started (group B for the above described example) wins a victory in accordance with the fight result obtained in step S 160 (step S 169 ).
  • the CPU 101 decides the number of medals to be paid out among the medals paid as the challenge cost and then, transmits a command signal for paying out the medals to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 set to the satellite.
  • the CPU 131 When the CPU 131 receives the command signal, it transmits the command signal to the hopper 121 and thereby, drives the hopper 121 and makes the hopper 121 pay out the medals.
  • the medal detecting section 122 detects a medal paid out from the hopper 121 , it transmits a detection signal to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 stores the frequency of receiving detection signals in the RAM 133 whenever receiving a detection signal and when judges that the frequency of receiving detection signal reaches a predetermined frequency, it transmits a command signal for stopping paying-out of medals to the hopper 121 . As a result, paying-out of medals by the hopper 121 is stopped.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 the hopper 121 , and the medal detection part 122 of the satellite B perform a function as a medal distribution means for paying out the medal by receiving the information that the predetermined condition is satisfied while a game is progressed.
  • the CPU 131 judges that the group for which a fight is started does not win a victory or executes the processing in step S 170 , it ends this subroutine.
  • FIGS. 18A to 18 C are illustrations schematically showing screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellites or satellite A and/or B when the subroutine shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B is executed.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 18A are fight result images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 of the satellites A and B when step S 163 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 17A is executed.
  • Images showing ability values of the whole group A are displayed at the top left of the screen and images showing ability values of the whole group B are displayed at the right of the screen. Moreover, images showing states in which the siege combat between the groups A and B is performed are displayed at the central portion of the screen. Furthermore, images of “1567 Winter Mino Fight between Oda troops and Saito troops” and “Oda troops wins a victory.” are displayed at the lower side of the screen as images showing the result of the fight between the groups A and B.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 18B are screen images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 set to the satellite B when step S 165 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 17B is executed.
  • the images ⁇ 1567 Winter Mino” displayed at the top left of the screen are images showing imaginary year and season and the location of the group A in a strategic simulation game and the image “Leader: Oda Nobunaga” displayed below the above images is an image showing that the leader of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game is Oda Nobunaga. Moreover, the image showing the ability value of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is displayed below the above image.
  • FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a subroutine for determining an unit action of a group in the main control unit 100 of the medal gaming machine 10 .
  • the subroutine is executed by being called from the control program for controlling the strategic simulation game of the medal gaming machine 10 executed in advance by receiving the input of the command for the unit of the group in the strategic simulation game.
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 provided on the satellite A transmits a signal indicating the input of the command for one unit of the group A to the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 when receiving the signal, executes on the basis of the comparison processing of the leader's ability value of the group A and the unit's ability value of the group A among the data stored in the RAM 103 of the main control unit 100 or the flash memory 104 (step S 180 ).
  • the comparison processing method of the ability value is specially limited, for example, as one of the ability values for the leader of the group, an “appeal” which is an ability to submit units is set. If a “loyalty” which is an ability obedient to the leader is set as one of ability values for an unit of the group, the above method adds the “appeal” of the leader's ability value and the “loyalty” of the unit's ability value, and also executes samplings of random numbers to obtain numbers within a given region (for example, 1 to 100).
  • criterion number for example, 200
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges on the basis of the result of the comparison processing of the ability value whether to make the unit act according to the command or not (step S 181 ).
  • the CPU 101 makes the unit act according to the inputted command when judging to make the unit act according to the command (step S 182 ).
  • the CPU 101 executes the action selection draw processing when judging not to make the unit act according to the command (step S 183 ).
  • the S main control unit 100 stores in advance a plurality of the probability tables for determining the action of unit corresponding to random number in the ROM 102 of the main control unit 100 or the like, and sets the probability table according to the inputted command to the RAM 103 of the main control unit 100 or the like. Thereafter the main control unit 100 executes the action selection draw processing by sampling random numbers.
  • the probability table for determining the unit action such as “not to go in for the fight”, “to go over to the group of the fighting opponent” is set corresponding to random numbers.
  • the CPU 100 can decide the unit action of the group A by sampling random numbers.
  • the CPU 101 makes the unit act based on the result of the action selection draw (step S 184 ).
  • the CPU 101 executes the action selection draw in the step S 183 when judging not to make the unit act according to the above command in the step S 181 .
  • the CPU 101 advances the strategic simulation game without making one unit of the group A go in for the fight.
  • the present subroutine is finished when the processing of the step S 182 is executed, or when the processing of the step S 184 is executed.
  • FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C show example models of picture image which are displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 provided in the groups A and B when the subroutine shown in FIG. 19 is executed after the picture image shown in FIG. 16B is displayed and the combat is started between the group A and the group B.
  • the picture image shown in FIG. 20A is an example of a picture image which is displayed when the combat is started between the group A lead by the leader “ODA Nobunaga” and the group B lead by the leader “SAITO Dosan” after a command for enrolling the units “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” and “SHIBATA Katsuie” under the group A as the participants in the combat and it is decided in the step S 181 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 19 that the unit “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” is to take action following the inputted command.
  • the picture image shown in FIG. 20B is an example of a picture image which is displayed when the combat is started between the group A lead [led] by the leader “ODA Nobunaga” and the group B lead by the leader “SAITO Dosan” after a command for enrolling the units “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” and “SHIBATA Katsuie” under the group A as the participants in the combat is inputted and it is decided in the step S 181 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 19 that the unit “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” is to take action not following the inputted command.
  • the picture image shown in FIG. 20C is another example of a picture image which is displayed when the combat is started between the group A led by the leader “ODA Nobunaga” and the group B led by the leader “SAITO Dosan” after a command for enrolling the units “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” and “SHIBATA Katsuie” under the group A as the participants in the combat is inputted and it is decided in the step S 181 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 19 that the unit “HASHIBA Hideyoshi” is to take action not following the inputted command.
  • FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are flowcharts showing the subroutine which is executed for interrupting the ongoing combat simulation game in the main control unit 100 of the medal operated gaming machine 10 .
  • the subroutine Upon receiving the command signal for interrupting the combat simulation game through the control unit 15 provided in one satellite (satellite A), the subroutine is called to be executed from the control program for controlling the combat simulation game of the medal machine 10 , which has been already executed.
  • a command signal for displaying an absentee match selection image is transmitted to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 provided in the satellite A (step S 190 ).
  • the CPU 131 upon receiving the command signal, transmits a drawing command and the like to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads out the necessary image data from the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates a composite image data so as to write it onto the frame buffer 137 .
  • the composite image data written onto the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and the absentee match selection image is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the above-described absentee match selection image is an image for letting the player select the manner of fighting the combat to be fought between the group A and another group after the player of the group A interrupts the game.
  • the absentee match selection image contains an image showing one, two, or more manners of fighting as selections. Examples of the combat manners, which can be selected from the absentee match selection image, may be the same as those of the match selection image described above, which can be selected.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 stores the data in regards to the selected combat manner for the absentee match in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 of the main control unit 100 as the game interruption data.
  • step S 191 it is judged whether or not a command signal for selecting the combat manner has been received.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 returns the processing to the step S 191 .
  • the history data of the game of the player operating the group A (the data in regards to the group A) is stored as the game interruption data (Step S 192 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 stores the history data of the game of the player operating the group A (the data in regards to the group A), which has been stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 , in the flash memory 104 as the game interruption data.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether or not the medal with the built-in IC chips 30 are provided (FIG. 21B, step S 193 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits a command signal for recognizing the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 provided in the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 Upon receiving the command signal, the CPU 131 transmits a command signal for recognizing the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 to the information reading/writing device 112 .
  • the information reading/writing device 112 after receiving the command signal performs processing for recognizing the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 and transmits a response signal to the CPU 131 when recognizing the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 . Further, the CPU 131 after receiving the response signal transmits a response signal to the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether or not the built-in-IC-chip medal 30 are provided in the concave part 19 of the built-in-IC-chip medal placing stand 20 provided in the satellite A based on the fact whether or not the response signal has been received.
  • the history data of the game (the data in regards to the group A), which is stored as the game interruption data, contains the data in regards to a plurality of units
  • the combat simulation game is to have been played by the number of built-in-IC-chip medals in accordance with the number of the units.
  • the CPU 193 judges whether or not the number of built-in-IC-chip medals in accordance with the number of the units are provided.
  • step S 194 When it is judged in the step S 193 that the built-in-IC-chip medals is not provided, it is so notified (step S 194 ) and the processing is returned to the step S 193 .
  • Such notification can be achieved, for example, by displaying a specific image showing a warning (e.g., “medal memory is unset”) on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 .
  • step S 193 when it is judged in the step S 193 that the built-in-IC-chip medals are provided in the concave part 19 of the built-in-IC-chip medal placing stand 20 of the satellite A, data reading processing is performed (step S 195 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits a command signal for reading out the data stored in the built-in-IC-chip medals to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 provided in the satellite A drives the information reading/writing device 112 so as to perform the processing for reading out the data stored in the built-in-IC-chip medals for storing the read data in the RAM 133 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether or not the ID code and the like contained in the read date and the ID code and the like contained in the game interruption data are consistent (step S 196 ).
  • the CPU 101 obtains the ID codes and the like from the data stored in the RAM 133 in the step S 195 and the history data of the game stored in the step S 192 so as to judge whether the both are consistent or not.
  • the built-in-IC-chip medal provided in the built-in-IC-chip medal placing stand 20 are different from the built-in-IC-chip medal provided before the combat simulation game is started and the like.
  • the CPU 101 notifies that different built-in-IC-chip medals are provided and returns the processing to the step S 193 .
  • Such notification can be achieved, for example, by displaying a specific image showing a warning (e.g., “Different medal memory is set”) on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 .
  • step S 196 when it is judged in the step S 196 that the ID code and the like contained in the read data and the ID code and the like contained in the game interruption data are consistent, the same built-in-IC-chip medals as the ones provided before the combat simulation game is started and the like are provided in the built-in-IC-chip medal placing stand 20 .
  • the CPU 101 performs the data writing processing (step S 198 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits a command signal for writing the game interruption data onto the built-in-IC-chip medals and, at the same time, stores the game interruption data in the RAM 133 of the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 provided in the satellite A upon receiving the above-described command signal, drives the information reading/writing device 112 so as to write the game interruption data stored in the RAM 133 onto the built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 and the information reading/writing device 112 provided in the satellite A function as data reading/writing means which perform writing of at least either the initial data of the game or the history data of the game onto the built-in-IC-chip medals and reading of at least either the initial data of the game or the history data of the game from the built-in-IC-chip medals.
  • the CPU 101 deletes the history data of the game (the data in regards to the player operating the group A) among the data stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 of the main control unit and the data stored in the RAM 133 or the flash memory 138 of the control unit 130 provided in the satellite A except for the data stored as the game interruption data (step S 199 ) and the subroutine is completed.
  • FIG. 22A-FIG. 22 C show schematically an example of the screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed in the satellite A when an ongoing strategic simulation game is stopped.
  • the screen image shown in the FIG. 22A is the screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed in the satellite A before the subroutine shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21 B is executed.
  • the image “1568 Summer Mino” displayed at the top left of the screen is an image that shows a imaginary year, season, and the location of the group A in the strategic simulation game, while the image “Leader: Oda Nobunaga” displayed below is an image showing that the leader of the group A operated by the player who is playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite A.
  • an image that indicates the ability value of the group A operated by the player who is playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite A is displayed below this.
  • images such as “WIN”, “220”, “CREDIT”, “400”, “BET”, and “0” are displayed at the top right of the screen, and these images show respectively that the accumulated number of medals acquired by the player who is playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite B is 220 pieces, the number of points stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A is 200 points, and the challenge fee stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A is 0 point.
  • the screen image shown in FIG. 22 B is an absent Fight selection image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed in the satellite A when the processing of step S 190 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 21A is executed.
  • the player can fight during the absence by the combat manner selected by the operation of control section 15 of the satellite A, and the selection of the image that shows the desired combat manner.
  • the screen image shown in FIG. 22C is a screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed in satellite A when the processing of the step S 198 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 21 B is executed.
  • the image “Sir (Nobunaga), please return from the rest as soon as possible.” is displayed at the bottom of the screen as a speech of one unit “Hashiba Hideyoshi” that belongs to the group A.
  • the strategic simulation game is executed continuously with the presence of the group A in the medal operated gaming machine 10 though the strategic simulation game is stopped in the satellite A when the subroutine shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21 B is executed, and the screen image shown in FIG. 22C is displayed.
  • FIG. 23 is a flow chart that shows a subroutine to be executed when the strategic simulation game progresses.
  • the subroutine shown in FIG. 23 is a subroutines to be executed in the main control unit 100 upon reception of a instruction that the player playing the game on the satellite C challenges the group A where the player is absent to a fight, by the operation of the control section 15 , namely, a subroutine to be called and executed in the step S 144 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 14A.
  • step S 145 the processing to be executed in the step S 145 is a processing similar to the processing executed in the step S 145 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 14A, and has already been explained; therefore, the explanation thereof shall be omitted here.
  • step S 146 the CPU 101 judges whether to have received the information signal concerning the group organization or not.
  • the processing is returned to the step S 146 when it is judged that the signal concerning the group organization has not been received.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 transmits an instruction signal to display the challenge fee demand image to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C, when it is judged that the information concerning the group organization, was received in the step S 146 (step S 147 ).
  • CPU 101 judges whether to have received the information signal that the challenge fee is paid or not(step S 148 ).
  • the CPU 101 stores the number of medals paid as challenge fee (number of points) in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 in the step S 148 when it is judged that the information signal that the challenge fee is paid was received (step S 149 ).
  • the CPU 101 stores the number of medals paid as challenge fee (number of points) in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 in the step S 148 when it is judged that the information signal that the challenge fee is paid was received (step S 149 ).
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite C perform a function as medal insert means for making it possible to input the point for progressing a game.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 transmits an instruction signal to display the image concerning the combat manner selected beforehand (step S 158 ).
  • the CPU 131 that receives this instruction signal, transmits a drawing instruction and so on to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads out necessary image data among the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates the synthetic image data, and writes it in the frame buffer 137 .
  • the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 and the image that shows the combat manner that was selected beforehand will be displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • step S 159 the absent fight execution processing described later is executed (step S 159 ) to terminate this subroutine.
  • FIG. 24A and FIG. 24 and B are flow charts that show the subroutine that is called and executed in the step S 159 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 23.
  • CPU 101 in the main control unit 100 performs the absent fight result decision processing (step S 200 ).
  • This absent fight result decision processing is a processing where the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 decides the results of the fight of the group C and the group A based on the data concerning the group C, the data concerning the group A during the absence of the player and the data concerning the combat manner selected beforehand in the steps S 190 -S 191 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 21A. Moreover, data concerning group A during the absence of the player is included in the game stop data stored in the flash memory 104 in the step S 192 mentioned above. Note that the absent fight result decision processing is a processing substantially similar to the fight result decision processing mentioned above and has already been described; therefore, the explanation here shall be omitted.
  • the CPU 101 transmits the instruction signal to display the image that shows the scene of the fight to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C (step S 201 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits the instruction signal to display the image that shows the scene of the fight to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C (step S 201 ).
  • an image similar to the image shown in FIG. 16C will be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 disposed in the satellite C.
  • the CPU 101 judges whether it is the timing to end the fight (step S 202 ).
  • the CPU 101 returns the processing to the step S 202 , and processes to display the image that shows the scene of fight on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 installed disposed in the satellite C when it judges that it is not the timing for ending the fight.
  • the CPU 101 transmits an instruction signal to display the fight result image to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C when it judges that it is the timing to terminate the fight (step S 203 ).
  • step S 203 is a processing similar to the processing in the step S 163 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 17A, and has already been described; therefore, the explanation here shall be omitted.
  • step S 204 it is judged whether the data concerning the unit that should be changed exist in the data concerning the results of the fight stored in the RAM 103 of the main control unit 100 (step S 204 ).
  • step S 204 the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether data concerning the unit that should be changed is data concerning the unit that belongs to the group which is challenged in a fight (group A) (step S 205 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 transmits an instruction signal to display the image that shows data concerning the unit that should be changed to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C in the step S 205 , when it is judged that data concerning the unit that should be changed is the data concerning the unit that belongs to the group which is challenged in a fight (group A) (step S 206 ).
  • the CPU 131 that receives this instruction signal, transmits a drawing instruction and so on to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 reads out necessary image data by the drawing instruction and so on from the CPU 131 from the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates synthetic image data and write it into the frame buffer 137 .
  • the synthetic image data written in the frame buffer 137 is transmitted to the image display device 14 , and the image that shows data concerning the unit that should be changed will be displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the CPU 131 judges whether to have received the instruction signal to change data concerning the unit or not (step S 207 ).
  • the CPU 101 in the main control unit 100 does not change the data concerning the unit that should be changed to data concerning the unit that belongs to the group C, and advances the processing to the step S 169 , when it is judged that the instruction signal to change the data concerning the unit was not received, namely when it is judged that an instruction signal not to change data concerning the unit was received.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 deletes data concerning the unit that composes the group A that became data concerning the unit that should be changed among the data stored in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 or processes to maintain is as it is.
  • the data concerning the unit that should be changed is changed to the data concerning the unit that belongs to the group C, and processed to be written into the built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a prescribed part in the satellite C (step S 208 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 changes the data concerning the unit that should be changed to the data concerning the unit that belongs to group C by changing the ID code and so on included in the data concerning the unit that should be changed to the ID code and so on included in data concerning the unit that belongs to the group C, and processes to make it be stored in the RAM 133 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C or flash memory 138 .
  • the CPU 101 transmits an instruction signal to drive an information writing device 113 installed in the satellite C to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 When the CPU 131 receives the above-mentioned instruction signal, it drives the information writing device 113 , and writes the data concerning the unit that newly came to belong to the group C in the built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a prescribed part of the satellite A.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 deletes the data concerning the unit configuring the group A that became data concerning the unit that should be changed from the data stored in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 .
  • the CPU 101 of main control unit 100 performs a processing of paying out the built-in-IC-chip medal (step S 209 ).
  • the CPU 101 transmits an instruction signal to drive the built-in-IC-chip medal pay-out device 114 to the CPU 131 in the control unit 130 disposed in the satellite C.
  • the CPU 131 pays out the built-in-IC-chip medal in which data concerning the unit that came newly to belong to the group C is written from the built-in-IC-chip medal outlet installed in the satellite 12 .
  • the player operating the group C can acquire the built-in-IC-chip medal to which data concerning the unit that came newly to belong to the group C is stored.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 function as built-in-IC-chip medal pay-out means for paying out built-in-IC-chip medals, provided that prescribed conditions are satisfied while the game is progressing.
  • the CPU 101 in the main control unit 100 makes the data concerning the unit that should be changed be stored in addition to the game stop data (data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 (step S 210 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether the group which is challenged in a fight won or not (step S 211 ), when it is judged that data concerning the unit that should be changed does not exist in the step S 204 , when it is judged that the instruction signal to change the data concerning the unit is not received in the step 209 , or, when the processing of the step S 209 or the S 210 is executed.
  • a part or all of medals paid as challenge fee is added to the game stop data (data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 as a number of points and stored when it is judged that the group which is challenged in a fight (group A) won (step S 212 ).
  • step S 211 when it is judged that the group which is challenged in the fight won or when the processing of the step S 212 is executed, the subroutine will be ended.
  • the player who paused (interrupted, canceled, stopped) the strategic simulation game (the player who operates the group A) can resume the aforementioned strategic simulation game by using the built-in-IC-chip medal in which the data related to the stop of the game is stored.
  • FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine to be executed for the resume of the strategic simulation game, which has been stopped in the main control unit 100 of the medal operated gaming machine 10 .
  • the subroutine is the one which is read out and executed in the step S 117 of the subroutine as illustrated in the FIG. 9B.
  • CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 executes the initialization processing (step S 220 ).
  • This initialization processing is to resume the stopped strategic simulation game, according to the game stop data (the data concerning the group A) read in the subroutine of the step S 112 shown in FIG. 9A, and the game stop data (the data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 in the subroutine of the step S 192 shown in the FIG. 21A.
  • step S 221 the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether the data concerning the unit to be changed is stored or not.
  • the data concerning the unit to be changed is the one added to and stored in the game stop data (the data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 in the step S 210 , judges whether or not the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed is added and stored in the game stop data that is stored in the flash memory 104 .
  • the command signal for displaying the image representing the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed is sent to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided on the satellite A (step S 222 ).
  • the CPU 131 which receives the command signal sends a draw command and so on to the VDP 136 . Then, the VDP 136 , based on the draw command from the CPU 131 , reads a necessary image data out of the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates a composite image data, and writes into the frame buffer 137 . Thereafter, the composite image data written into the frame buffer 137 is sent to the image displaying device 14 , an image showing the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • This image showing the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed includes an image, which prompts to choose whether to make the abovementioned unit belong to the group A or not.
  • step S 222 If the process of the step S 222 is executed, the next thing is to judge whether or not the command signal for changing the data concerning the unit is received (step S 223 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 carries out the processing of the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed in the step S 226 , without changing the data related to the unit belonging to the group A.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 either deletes the data concerning the unit comprising the group B, which becomes the data concerning the unit to be changed among the data stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 or just carries out the processing to maintain as it is.
  • step S 224 If it is judged that the command signal for changing the data concerning the unit is received, the next thing is to carry out the processing of changing the data, which concerns the unit necessary to be changed, to the data concerning the unit belonging to the group A, and then writes it into the built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a specified part within the satellite A (step S 224 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 carries out the processing of changing the data, which concerns the unit necessary to be changed, to the data concerning the unit belonging to the group A, and then stores it to the RAM 133 or the flash memory 138 of the controller 130 provided in the satellite A. Moreover, the CPU 101 sends a command signal for driving the information-writing device 113 provided in the satellite A to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided in the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 executes the processing of driving the information-writing device 113 and of writing the data concerning the unit, which newly belongs to the group A, into the built-in-IC-chip medal stored in a specified part of the satellite A.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 also carries out the processing of deleting the data concerning the unit configuring the group B, which became the data concerning the unit to be changed, out of the data stored in the RAM 103 or the flash memory 104 .
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 carries out the pay out processing of the built-in-IC-chip medal (step S 225 ).
  • the CPU 101 sends a command signal for driving the payout device of the medal device 114 to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided in the satellite A.
  • the CPU 131 receives the abovementioned command signal, the CPU 131 pay out the built-in-IC-chip medal in which the data concerning the unit newly belonging to the group a is written, from the pay outlet of the built-in-IC-chip medal provided in the satellite 12 .
  • the player operating the group A can acquire the built-in-IC-chip medal in which the data concerning the unit newly belonging to the group A.
  • the main control unit 100 , the controller 130 provided in the satellite A, information-writing device 113 , and the payout device of the medal device 114 function as a payout mean of the built-in-IC-chip medal for paying out the built-in-IC-chip medal, following the fact that the specified conditions are satisfied during the progress of the game.
  • processing of the abovementioned steps S 221 to S 225 may be repeatedly carried out depending on the number of the existing data, when there is a plurality of the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed.
  • step S 221 When it is judged that the data concerning the unit necessary to be changed is stored in the step S 221 , when it is judged that the command signal for changing the data concerning the unit is not received in the step S 223 , or when it is judged that the processing of the step S 225 is executed, the CPU 101 judges whether or not some or all of the number of the medals paid as challenge fees are stored as the number of the points in the game stop data (data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 (step S 226 ). The data concerning the number of the medals paid as challenge fees is what is additionally stored into the game stop data stored in the flash memory 104 in the step S 212 .
  • step S 226 when it is judged that some or all of the number of the medals paid as challenge fees are stored as the number of the points in the game stop data (data concerning the group A) stored in the flash memory 104 , the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 , based on the data (data concerning the number of the medals paid as challenge fees) additionally stored in the game stop data (data concerning the group A), makes a decision on how many medals to be paid out, and then sends the command signal for paying the medal(s) to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided in the satellite A (step S 227 ).
  • the CPU 131 drives the hopper 121 and pays out the medal(s) by sending a command signal to the hopper 121 .
  • the detecting portion 122 sends a detection signal to the CPU 131 as soon as it detects the medal issued by the hopper 121 .
  • the CPU 131 Every time when the CPU 131 receives the detection signal, it stores the number of times that it receives the detection signal. When the CPU 131 decides that the number of the receiving times of detection signal reaches to the specified number, payout of the medal(s) from the hopper 121 terminates.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 , the hopper 121 , and the medal detection part 122 of the satellite A perform a function as a medal distribution means for paying out the medal by receiving the information that the predetermined condition is satisfied while a game is progressed.
  • the whole subroutine ends.
  • FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C are pattern diagrams schematically showing an example of the screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 provided in the satellite A and/or satellite C when the subroutine shown in the FIG. 23 to FIG. 25 is executed.
  • the screen image shown in the FIG. 26A is a pattern diagram illustrating an example of the screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 provided in the satellite C when the process of the subroutine of the step S 158 shown in the FIG. 23 is executed.
  • This screen image is an image for showing the combat manner selected by the player operating the group A beforehand.
  • An image “1568 Fall Omi” displayed on the upper left of the screen shows an imaginary year, season, and location of the group C in a strategic simulation game.
  • An image “Leader: Azai Nagamasa” shows that the leader of the group C operated by the player, who plays the strategic simulation game on the satellite C, is Azai Nagamasa.
  • an image, which shows the ability value of the group C operated by the player playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite C, is displayed below.
  • images as “WIN”, “120”, “CREDIT”, “300”, “BET”, and “100” are listed and displayed beginning at the top on the right side of the screen. These images represent that the accumulative number of the medals won by the player playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite A is 120, that the points stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A are 300, and that the challenge fees stored in the RAM 133 of the satellite A are 100.
  • a screen image presented in the FIG. 26B is an image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 provided in the satellite C when the processing of the subroutine of the step S 203 shown in the FIG. 24A is executed.
  • the upper left of the screen display an image showing the ability value of the entire group C (the force of arms, gold and rice as the group's fortune are measured in numerical terms), while the left side of the screen displays an image showing the ability value of the entire group A (force strength, gold and rice measured in numerical terms).
  • an image which shows the scene where the group C and the group A are about to start the fight is displayed on a midsection of the screen.
  • images of “Azai troops vs. Oda troops in Mino. Fall 1568”, “Oda troops won.” are displayed to show the course of the fight between the group A and the group C.
  • a screen image presented in the FIG. 26C is a screen image displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 provided in the satellite A when the processing of the subroutine of the step S 217 shown in the FIG. 25 is executed.
  • An image “Leader: Oda Nobunaga” shows that the leader of the group A operated by the player, who plays the strategic simulation game on the satellite A, is Oda Nobunaga.
  • an image, which shows the ability value of the group A operated by the player playing the strategic simulation game on the satellite A is displayed below.
  • An image which shows the scene where the leader of the group A, “Oda Nobunaga,” and the unit belonging to the group A, “Hashiba Hideyoshi,” are having a conversation, is displayed on the central part of the screen, along with an image showing “Resume the game.” Moreover an image, which shows “My lord, Mr. Nobunaga, we have acquired the 100 golds by winning the battle during your absence.” as a line of the unit belonging to the group A “Hashiba Hideyoshi”, is displayed on the lower part of the screen.
  • step [0661] In abovementioned step [5], the situation, in which the player (the player operating the group A) who stopped playing the strategic simulation game resumes playing by using the built-in-IC-chip medal stored in the game stop data, has been explained. In the present invention, however, it is possible for the player who stopped the other strategic simulation game to start playing the aforementioned strategic simulation game by using the built-in-IC-chip medal with in which the stop game data in the aforementioned other strategic simulation game is stored.
  • FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the subroutine to be executed in the main control unit 100 , when the player who stopped the other strategic simulation game participates in the aforementioned strategic simulation game with the built-in-IC-chip medal where the game stop data in the aforementioned other strategic simulation game is stored.
  • This subroutine is executed after being called in the subroutine of the step S 119 presented in the abovementioned FIG. 9B.
  • FIG. 27 talks about the situation, in which when each player operating the group A through C plays a strategic simulation game in each satellite A through C, a player who has the built-in-IC-chip medal where the history data of the game (data concerning the group D) is stored, newly participates in the strategic simulation game with aforementioned built-in-IC-chip medal.
  • the satellite in which the strategic simulation game is played by a player operating the group D, is called satellite D.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 executes the processing of comparing the data read in the step S 118 of the subroutine illustrated in the FIG. 9B (data concerning the group D) with the data concerned the groups participating in advance in a strategic simulation game (data concerning the groups A to C) (step S 230 ).
  • the data-comparing process is to compare and see, for example, whether or not the name of the leader of the group D and the name of the unit belonging to the group D and so on correspond to the names of the leader of the groups A to C and the names of the units belonging to the groups A to C and so on.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges if there is a data overlapping into the data read in the step S 118 of the subroutine illustrated in the FIG. 9B (data concerning the group D) and into the data concerning the groups participating in advance in the strategic simulation game (data concerning the groups A to C) (step S 231 ).
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 changes the data, which overlaps into the data concerning the groups participating in advance in the strategic simulation game (data concerning the groups A to C) among those data read in the step S 118 of the subroutine illustrated in FIG. 9B, to another data (step S 232 ).
  • the leader of the group D is “Oda Nobunaga” and the leader of the group A is also “Oda Nobunaga,” there will be some trouble in proceeding with the game if letting the group D remain participated in the strategic simulation game, since the name of the leader of the group D is same as the one of the group A.
  • the territory administered by the group D is “Owari” and the territory administered by the group A is also “Owari,” it will be difficult to let the group D remain participated in the strategic simulation game.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 carries out the processing of changing the data overlapping into the data concerning the groups A to C, among the data concerning the group D, to other data.
  • the data to be changed in the processing of the step S 232 are related to the names of the leader or the unit of the group and to the territory and so on administered by the group, and in step S 232 , the ability value of the group (for example, ability values and so on of the leader or the unit of the group).
  • step S 232 when executing the processing of changing the names and so on as described above, the next thing is to send a command signal for displaying an image, which represents that the data concerning the group D (for example, the data concerning the names of the leader or the unit of the group, the data concerning the territory administered by the group D and so on) has been changed, to the CPU 101 of the controller 100 provided in the satellite D (step S 233 ).
  • the data concerning the group D for example, the data concerning the names of the leader or the unit of the group, the data concerning the territory administered by the group D and so on
  • the CPU 131 ( 101 ?) does the processing of having the screen 14 a of the image display device 14 display the image showing that the data concerning the group D has been changed.
  • VDP 136 reads the a necessary image data out of the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates a composite image data, and writes it into the frame buffer 137 . Then, the composite image data written into the frame buffer 137 is sent to the image display device 14 , and the image, which shows that the data concerning the group D has been changed, is displayed on the screen 14 a.
  • the image which shows that the data concerning the group D has been changed, includes an image prompting to select participation or nonparticipation in the game based on the changed data.
  • an image prompting to select participation or nonparticipation in the game based on the changed data.
  • step S 231 when it is judged that there is no overlapping data, or when carrying out the processing of the step S 233 , the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 executes the initialization processing.
  • the initialization processing is to have a player participate in the strategic simulation game proceeding in the group D based on the data concerning the group D after the change, when the game stop data read in the step S 112 of the subroutine shown in the FIG. 9A (data concerning the group D) or the data in abovementioned step S 232 is changed.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 sends the command signal for displaying the image showing that a new player has participated to the CPU 131 of the controller 130 provided in all of the satellites (satellite A to C), where the strategic simulation game is played, and terminates the present subroutine thereafter.
  • the CPU 131 that received the command signal then, sends a draw command and so on to the VDP 136 .
  • the VDP 136 then, reads a necessary image data out of the image data stored in the ROM 132 , generates the composite image data, and writes it into the frame buffer 137 . Thereafter the composite image data written into the frame buffer 137 is sent to the image display device 14 , and then an image illustrating that the new player has participated is shown on the screen 14 a.
  • FIGS. 28A to 28 C are illustrations schematically showing screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 of the satellite A or D when the subroutine shown in FIG. 27 is executed.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 28A are screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 of the satellite on which no game is performed when a strategic simulation game is currently progressed on the medal game machine 10 .
  • Screen images shown in FIG. 28B are screen images displayed on the screen 14 of the image display unit 14 set to the satellite D when the processing in step S 233 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 27 is executed.
  • Images “Echigo, Winter in 1582” displayed on the top left of the screen are images showing an imaginary year, season and the location of the group D in the strategic simulation game and the image “leader: Uesugi Kenshin” displayed at the lower side of the above images is an image showing that the leader of the group D to be operated by a player who starts the strategic simulation game at the satellite D is Uesugi Kenshin. Moreover, the image showing the ability value of the group D to be operated by a player who starts the strategic simulation game at the satellite D is displayed below the above image.
  • Screen images shown in FIG. 28C are screen images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 set to the satellite A when the processing in step S 235 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 27 is executed.
  • the images “1582 Winter Omi” displayed on the top left of the screen are images showing imaginary year, season and the location of the group A in the strategic simulation game and the image “leader: Oda Nobunaga” displayed at the lower side of the above images is an image showing that the leader of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is Oda Nobunaga. Moreover, the image showing the ability value of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is displayed below the above image.
  • FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine to be executed while a strategic simulation game is progressed.
  • the subroutine is a subroutine to be executed by the control unit 130 set to a satellite when the strategic simulation game currently progressed in the satellite is in the training mode.
  • the subroutine is called from a main routine to bed executed by the control unit 130 at a predetermined timing and executed.
  • step 241 it is judged whether the number of points is decreased. This determination corresponds to the processing in step S 136 of the subroutine shown in the above FIG. 11.
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 set to the satellite 12 stores some or all of the decreased number of points in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 (step S 241 ).
  • the predetermined purpose in the training mode is, for example, a purpose of unifying a country which is the location of a group (e.g. “Owari”) as described above.
  • step S 242 When it is judged in step S 242 that the predetermined purpose is achieved, the processing for paying out the number of medals corresponding to the number of points stored in step S 241 as bonus (step S 243 ) is executed to complete this subroutine.
  • the CPU 131 drives the hopper 121 to make the hopper 121 pay out medals by transmitting an instruction signal to the hopper 121 .
  • the medal detecting section 122 detects the medals paid out from the hopper 121 , it transmits a detection signal to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 stores the frequency of receiving detection signals in the RAM 133 whenever receiving a detection signal and when the CPU 131 judges that the frequency of receiving detection signals reaches a predetermined frequency, it transmits an instruction signal for stopping paying-out of medals to the hopper 121 . As a result, paying-out of medals by the hopper 121 is completed.
  • control unit 130 the hopper 121 , and the medal detection part 122 of the satellite 12 function as medal distribution means for paying out the medal by receiving the information that the predetermined condition is satisfied while a game is progressed.
  • step S 243 it is also allowed to increase the number of points stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 instead of paying out the medal.
  • the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 functions as the medal distribution mean.
  • FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine to be executed while a strategic simulation game is progressed.
  • the subroutine is a subroutine to be executed by the main control unit 100 when a strategic simulation game in which any satellite is currently progressed is in the combat mode.
  • the subroutine is called from the main routine currently executed by the main control unit 100 at a predetermined timing and executed.
  • step S 251 it is judged whether an information signal showing the number of points is decreased is received. That is, the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 judges whether an information signal showing that the number of points is decreased is received from the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 in which a strategic simulation game is performed in the combat mode.
  • the determination in the step S 251 corresponds to the processing in step S 136 of the subroutine shown in the above FIG. 11.
  • the CPU 101 of the main control unit 100 stores some or all of the decreased number of points in the RAM 103 or flash memory 104 (step S 251 ).
  • the predetermined purpose in the combat mode includes, for example, a purpose of unification of the whole country (to govern all domains) as described above.
  • step S 252 When it is judged in step S 252 that the predetermined purpose is achieved, the processing for paying out medals corresponding to the number of points stored in step S 251 as a bonus is executed (step S 253 ) to complete this subroutine.
  • the CPU 100 transmits an instruction signal showing that a player achieving the predetermined purpose pays out medals to the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 in which a game is performed.
  • the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 transmits an instruction signal to the hopper 121 and thereby drives the hopper 121 and makes the hopper 121 pay out medals.
  • the medal detecting section 122 detects the medals paid out from the hopper 121 , it transmits a detection signal to the CPU 131 .
  • the CPU 131 stores the frequency of receiving detection signals in the RAM 133 whenever receiving a detection signal and when it judges that the frequency of receiving detection signals reaches a predetermined frequency, transmits an instruction signal for stopping paying-out of medals to the hopper 121 . As a result, paying-out of medals by the hopper 121 is completed.
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 , the hopper 121 , and the medal detection part 122 of the satellite 12 perform a function as a medal distribution means for paying out a medal by receiving the information that a predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed.
  • step S 243 it is also allowed to increase the number of points stored in the RAM 133 or flash memory 138 of the control unit 130 set to the satellite 12 .
  • the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 perform a function as a medal distribution means.
  • FIGS. 31A and 31B are illustrations showing screen images displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 set to the satellite 12 when the subroutine shown in FIG. 29 or 30 is executed.
  • the screen images shown in FIG. 31A are screen images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 set to the satellite 12 when a predetermined purpose in the training mode is achieved.
  • Images “1560 Winter Owari” displayed at the top left of the screen are images showing imaginary year, season and the location of the group A in a strategic simulation game and the image “leader: Oda Nobunaga” displayed below the above images is an image showing that the leader of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is Oda Nobunaga. Moreover, an image showing the ability value of the group A to be operated by a player who performs the strategic simulation game at the satellite A is displayed below the above image.
  • step S 242 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 29 when the CPU 131 judges that a predetermined purpose is achieved, the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 performs a function as the medal distribution mean, and executes the processing of increasing the number of points stored in the RAM 133 up to 720 points by adding 500 points to 220 points in step S 243 .
  • the images shown in FIG. 31B are screen images to be displayed on the screen 14 a of the image display unit 14 set to the satellite 12 when a predetermined purpose in the combat mode is achieved.
  • step S 252 of the subroutine in the FIG. 30 when the CPU 101 judges that a predetermined purpose is achieved, the main control unit 100 , and the control unit 130 of the satellite 12 perform a function as a medal distribution means and performs the processing of adding 5,000 points to the number of points stored in the RAM 133 in step S 253 .
  • one or more medals can be inserted in order to start and/or progress the game, it is possible to train and strengthen the group to be operated by the player by inserting one or more medals and start to fight against another group in the case of the medal gaming machine which provides the strategic simulation game. Furthermore, because the medal is paid out when the predetermined condition is satisfied while the game is progressed, the medal is paid out when the player won the fight against another group or the predetermined purpose given by the game is achieved. As a result, when the number of medals increases, it is possible to continuously play the game for a long time without purchasing more medals. Thus, the number of medals purchased by the player for paid money changes while the game is progressed and thereby, elongating or shortening the time to play the game. Therefore, the player can experience a great thrill or excitement.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
US10/449,800 2002-05-29 2003-05-29 Medal gaming machine and system thereof Abandoned US20030228903A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002-156391 2002-05-29
JP2002156391A JP3830862B2 (ja) 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 メダルゲーム機

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030228903A1 true US20030228903A1 (en) 2003-12-11

Family

ID=29417210

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/449,800 Abandoned US20030228903A1 (en) 2002-05-29 2003-05-29 Medal gaming machine and system thereof

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20030228903A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP1367552A3 (ja)
JP (1) JP3830862B2 (ja)
AU (1) AU2003204494A1 (ja)
ZA (1) ZA200304204B (ja)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI426467B (ja) * 2011-08-05 2014-02-11
US20180236355A1 (en) * 2017-02-17 2018-08-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Networked simulation method and apparatus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005192834A (ja) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-21 Taito Corp 音楽カードを用いてプレイするビデオゲーム機
JP2005192829A (ja) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-21 Taito Corp 乗物模型を用いてプレイするビデオゲーム機
JP4731547B2 (ja) * 2007-12-28 2011-07-27 株式会社バンダイナムコゲームス ゲームシステム、プログラムおよび情報記憶媒体

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US52238A (en) * 1866-01-23 Branding-tool
US5221083A (en) * 1989-10-17 1993-06-22 Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Medal game machine
US5470079A (en) * 1994-06-16 1995-11-28 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Game machine accounting and monitoring system
US5627356A (en) * 1991-10-08 1997-05-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Card for recording the number of game play media, a card dispensing device, and a card receiving device
US5651548A (en) * 1995-05-19 1997-07-29 Chip Track International Gaming chips with electronic circuits scanned by antennas in gaming chip placement areas for tracking the movement of gaming chips within a casino apparatus and method
US5667218A (en) * 1995-09-12 1997-09-16 Konami Co., Ltd. Medal game machine
US5879235A (en) * 1995-09-12 1999-03-09 Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Ball game machine with a roulette-type rotary disk and a display located in the central area therein
US6018720A (en) * 1997-08-08 2000-01-25 Seta Corporation Data delivery method and system therefor
US6045447A (en) * 1996-03-19 2000-04-04 Namco Ltd. Image synthesis method, games machine, and information storage medium
US6048272A (en) * 1995-11-20 2000-04-11 Telesystems Co., Ltd. Automatic bowling scoring apparatus and bowling alley management system
US6129275A (en) * 1995-12-20 2000-10-10 The Eastern Company Smart card transaction system and encoder-dispenser
US6224484B1 (en) * 1997-05-28 2001-05-01 Konami Co., Ltd. Progressive gaming system
US20020028710A1 (en) * 2000-05-29 2002-03-07 Tsunekazu Ishihara Game card and game system using a game machine
US6468162B1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2002-10-22 Namco Ltd. Game machine and information storage medium
US20030060248A1 (en) * 2001-08-09 2003-03-27 Nobuyuki Yamashita Recording medium of game program and game device using card
US6595853B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2003-07-22 Aruze Corporation Game machine for playing a self-contained game in a first mode or, in a second mode participating as a terminal, in a game conducted by a remote game machine
US6692360B2 (en) * 2000-07-21 2004-02-17 Konami Corporation Game system, commercial game apparatus, network game apparatus, client device, and recording medium

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0329683A (ja) * 1989-06-26 1991-02-07 Mitsubishi Electric Corp コイン形ｉｃ
JPH09146869A (ja) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-06 Sega Enterp Ltd データ配送システムおよびゲーム装置
JPH1119330A (ja) * 1997-07-03 1999-01-26 Omron Corp 遊技機および集金管理システム
JPH1128292A (ja) * 1997-07-09 1999-02-02 Kaneko:Kk ゲーム装置
GB2334457A (en) * 1997-10-24 1999-08-25 Rare Limited Character oriented game memory
JP3228216B2 (ja) * 1998-03-05 2001-11-12 ヤマハ株式会社 カードゲームシステム
JP3283846B2 (ja) * 1999-04-02 2002-05-20 コナミ株式会社 ゲームシステム
JP2001113037A (ja) * 1999-10-21 2001-04-24 Joisu:Kk 麻雀卓
DE10000599C2 (de) * 1999-10-28 2002-11-07 Loewen Entertainment Gmbh Verfahren zum Betreiben eines geld- und/oder tokenbetätigten Unterhaltungsgerätes
JP3791585B2 (ja) * 2000-04-17 2006-06-28 秀工電子株式会社 金銭代用円盤状体を利用した遊技システム
JP2001334012A (ja) * 2000-05-29 2001-12-04 Creatures Inc 遊戯カードを使用したゲームシステム、それに用いられる遊戯カード、及びそれに用いられるゲーム情報記憶媒体
JP3736440B2 (ja) * 2001-02-02 2006-01-18 株式会社セガ カード及びカードゲーム装置

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US52238A (en) * 1866-01-23 Branding-tool
US5221083A (en) * 1989-10-17 1993-06-22 Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Medal game machine
US5627356A (en) * 1991-10-08 1997-05-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken Card for recording the number of game play media, a card dispensing device, and a card receiving device
US5470079A (en) * 1994-06-16 1995-11-28 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Game machine accounting and monitoring system
US5651548A (en) * 1995-05-19 1997-07-29 Chip Track International Gaming chips with electronic circuits scanned by antennas in gaming chip placement areas for tracking the movement of gaming chips within a casino apparatus and method
US5667218A (en) * 1995-09-12 1997-09-16 Konami Co., Ltd. Medal game machine
US5879235A (en) * 1995-09-12 1999-03-09 Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Ball game machine with a roulette-type rotary disk and a display located in the central area therein
US6048272A (en) * 1995-11-20 2000-04-11 Telesystems Co., Ltd. Automatic bowling scoring apparatus and bowling alley management system
US6129275A (en) * 1995-12-20 2000-10-10 The Eastern Company Smart card transaction system and encoder-dispenser
US6045447A (en) * 1996-03-19 2000-04-04 Namco Ltd. Image synthesis method, games machine, and information storage medium
US6224484B1 (en) * 1997-05-28 2001-05-01 Konami Co., Ltd. Progressive gaming system
US6018720A (en) * 1997-08-08 2000-01-25 Seta Corporation Data delivery method and system therefor
US6468162B1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2002-10-22 Namco Ltd. Game machine and information storage medium
US6595853B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2003-07-22 Aruze Corporation Game machine for playing a self-contained game in a first mode or, in a second mode participating as a terminal, in a game conducted by a remote game machine
US20020028710A1 (en) * 2000-05-29 2002-03-07 Tsunekazu Ishihara Game card and game system using a game machine
US6692360B2 (en) * 2000-07-21 2004-02-17 Konami Corporation Game system, commercial game apparatus, network game apparatus, client device, and recording medium
US20030060248A1 (en) * 2001-08-09 2003-03-27 Nobuyuki Yamashita Recording medium of game program and game device using card

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI426467B (ja) * 2011-08-05 2014-02-11
US20180236355A1 (en) * 2017-02-17 2018-08-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Networked simulation method and apparatus
US10639547B2 (en) * 2017-02-17 2020-05-05 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Networked simulation method and apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1367552A3 (en) 2004-12-08
ZA200304204B (en) 2003-11-19
AU2003204494A1 (en) 2003-12-18
JP3830862B2 (ja) 2006-10-11
JP2003340153A (ja) 2003-12-02
EP1367552A2 (en) 2003-12-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20040005921A1 (en) Built-in-IC-chip medal and inscription machine thereof
US7338377B2 (en) Token with built-in IC chip
US7001276B2 (en) Gaming machine and server therefor
US6165071A (en) Method and apparatus for gaming in a series of sessions
US8308544B2 (en) Video games adapted for wagering
US20150148118A1 (en) Enhanced slot-machine for casino applications
JP2019508207A (ja) 複数のゲームを含むゲーム方法、システム及び機械
US8840459B2 (en) Gaming machine with collectible game cards
US20150141118A1 (en) System and method of video gaming that provides a game of chance
US20030232646A1 (en) Medal gaming machine
US20030228903A1 (en) Medal gaming machine and system thereof
JP3950016B2 (ja) メダルゲーム機
JP3929834B2 (ja) メダルゲーム機
JP3878074B2 (ja) メダルゲーム機
JP3929833B2 (ja) メダルゲーム機
JP3929825B2 (ja) メダルゲーム機
US12080127B2 (en) Hybrid wagering and skill-based gaming system and server
JP2003340157A (ja) メダルゲーム機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ARUZE CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHINODA, TOMOHIRO;REEL/FRAME:014392/0168

Effective date: 20030724

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION