WO2013065691A1

WO2013065691A1 - Lottery system comprising probability adjustment function

Info

Publication number: WO2013065691A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/078054
Authority: WO
Inventors: 俊 ▲濱▼田; 守谷本
Original assignee: 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2011-11-02
Filing date: 2012-10-30
Publication date: 2013-05-10
Also published as: TW201336562A; JP5671439B2; JP2013094505A

Abstract

Provided is a lottery system in which a prize for which a target value of a number of prizes won is set is drawn according to a set probability value which is associated with the prize. In the lottery system, in a stage whereat the number of prizes won has not reached a target value, a new probability is computed to be applied such that the remaining number of prizes will be won in a subsequent prescribed interval on the basis of the number of drawings which are carried out in a prior prescribed interval and the number of prizes won in the prior prescribed interval (S35), and a set value of the probability is updated on the basis of the result of the computation of the new probability (S36).

Description

Lottery system with probability adjustment function

The present invention relates to a lottery system that appropriately adjusts the probability in a lottery.

A purchase terminal installed in a store or a user terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer is connected to the server apparatus via a network, and the server apparatus is selected from a predetermined group of prizes based on a user instruction to the terminal. A lottery system has been proposed in which lottery prizes are lottery and the selected prize is provided to the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-42233 A

Lottery may be held as a campaign or event that limits the lottery period and the number of prizes won (number of wins) for the purpose of improving the effect of attracting customers by conducting lottery. In that case, there may be a problem in the relationship between the probability setting and the number of prizes won. For example, it is conceivable to predict the number of lotteries within the lottery period and set the probability of lottery so that a target number of prizes are won within the predicted number of times. However, it is usual that an error occurs between the actual number of lotteries and the predicted value. If the actual number of lotteries is greater than the predicted value, the winning number will reach the target value at an earlier stage than the end of the lottery period, and after that, the prize will be won beyond the target value, or the lottery will be closed early. However, when the prize is won beyond the target value, the burden on the prize provider increases, and if the lottery is closed early, there is a disadvantage that user dissatisfaction is raised. On the other hand, if the actual number of lotteries is less than the predicted value, the prize will remain even after the lottery period has expired, and the initially assumed profit cannot be provided to the user. There is a disadvantage that the intended effect cannot be obtained sufficiently.

Alternatively, if multiple prizes are set and the target value of the number of prizes for each prize is differentiated according to the value of the prize, the probability may be set according to the ratio of the number of prizes between prizes. It is done. However, even in this case, if the number of lotteries is larger than predicted, the lottery ends early, and if the number of lotteries is small, the lottery may end with a surplus of prizes, and the same problem as described above may occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lottery system capable of adjusting the probability so that the number of prizes won reaches a target value at an appropriate time.

The lottery system of the present invention includes a lottery means for lottering a prize for which a target value for the number of prizes is set according to a set value of a probability associated with the prize, and a stage where the number of prizes for the prize is less than the target value Then, based on the number of lotteries performed by the lottery means in the past predetermined period and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period, the remaining number of prizes for the target value is won in the subsequent predetermined period. And a probability adjusting means for calculating a new probability to be applied in order to update the set value of the probability based on the calculation result of the new probability.

If the number of lotteries in the past predetermined period is known, the number of lotteries in the unit period is determined from the relationship between the period and the number of times, and how much lottery is performed in the subsequent predetermined period based on the determined value. Can be predicted. In order to win the remaining number of prizes in a predetermined period thereafter, the ratio of the remaining number to the predicted value of the number of lotteries in the predetermined period may be obtained, and the remaining number is determined based on the original target value in the past predetermined period. It can be determined by subtracting from. Therefore, a new probability to be applied in the subsequent predetermined period can be calculated based on the number of lotteries performed by the lottery unit in the past predetermined period and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period. it can. Since the new probability is a value calculated based on the past lottery results, its accuracy and reliability are based on the probability setting value that should be determined at the start of the lottery, that is, at the stage where there are no lottery results Is also expensive. Therefore, if the set value of the probability is updated based on the calculation result of the new probability, and then the lottery means performs the lottery according to the updated set value of the probability, the remaining number of prizes will be obtained within the predetermined period thereafter. The lottery proceeds as if winning, and the probability can be adjusted appropriately so that the number of prizes won reaches the target value at an appropriate time. Since the set value of the probability is updated when the winning number does not reach the target value, the disadvantage that the winning number reaches the target value at an early stage can be avoided.

In one aspect of the present invention, the probability adjusting unit predicts the number of lotteries in the subsequent predetermined period based on the number of lotteries performed by the lottery unit in the past predetermined period, and the predicted value and the remaining number Based on the above, the new probability may be calculated. According to this aspect, the number of lotteries in the subsequent predetermined period is predicted based on the number of previous lotteries, and an appropriate probability to be applied in the subsequent predetermined period is calculated from the predicted value and the remaining number of prizes. Can do.

In the present invention, the period during which the prize lottery is carried out may be determined from the beginning of the lottery, or may be set to an appropriate time after the lottery start (however, the prize winning number is less than the target value). Good. In any case, it is sufficient that the predetermined period in the past is appropriately set from the period from the start of the lottery to the calculation period of the new probability. Regarding the end time of the subsequent predetermined period, if the lottery period is determined in advance, it may be the end time of the lottery period. That is, when the lottery period is determined in advance, the target value of the winning number is set as the number that the prize should be won during the lottery period, and the lottery means draws the prize only during the lottery period. The probability adjustment means may calculate the new probability by setting a period from the update time of the set value of the probability to the end time of the lottery period as the predetermined period thereafter. On the other hand, even if the lottery period is not set in advance, the lottery period ends when the lottery has progressed moderately, and the lottery period ends when the probability setting means updates the probability setting value. What is necessary is just to calculate a new probability by setting until the following predetermined period.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the probability adjusting means may calculate the new probability at a predetermined period, and the past predetermined period may be a period corresponding to one or more periods. According to this, the actual value or average value of the number of lotteries per unit period can be obtained from the number of lotteries in the past predetermined period, and the number of lotteries in the subsequent predetermined period can be easily predicted from the value.

In one form of the present invention, the lottery system receives instructions from the user regarding the lottery and notifies the user of the lottery results, and a network with each of the lottery terminal devices. The lottery means performs the lottery in response to a user instruction in each lottery terminal device, and the target value of the winning number is a group of the plurality of lottery terminal devices. The probability adjustment means counts the number of lotteries and the number of winning prizes for the entire group of the lottery terminal devices as a totaling range, and The new probability is calculated based on the total number of times and the winning number, and the set value of the probability should be implemented based on an instruction from each user. It may be applied in common to each of the lottery.

According to the above embodiment, the target value of the number of prizes awarded for the entire group of a plurality of lottery terminal devices is set, and the number of lotteries performed in those groups and the number of prizes awarded are totaled. A new probability is calculated. The calculated probability is applied in common in the lottery performed in the group thereafter. As a result, even in a lottery system using a network, the probability setting value can be adjusted so that the number of prizes won reaches a target value at an appropriate time.

In the above form, the lottery means is provided in the server device, the lottery terminal device requests the lottery means to perform lottery based on a user instruction, and the lottery means is connected to each lottery terminal device. The lottery is performed in response to the request and the lottery result is recorded in the storage unit of the server device and notified to the lottery terminal device, and the probability adjusting unit is recorded in the storage unit of the server device. Based on the lottery result, the number of lotteries and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period may be totaled. In this case, the lottery terminal device is notified of the result of the lottery performed by the server device. Based on the result of the lottery performed by the server device, the server device can count the number of lotteries and the number of winners in the past predetermined period, and adjust the probability.

Alternatively, the lottery means is provided in each lottery terminal device, the lottery means notifies the server device of the lottery result, and the server device stores the lottery result notified from each lottery terminal device. A lottery result recording means for recording in the means, and the probability adjusting means, based on the lottery result recorded in the storage means of the server device, determines the number of lotteries and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period. The new probability is calculated by counting, and the new probability is notified to each lottery terminal device, and the lottery means of each lottery terminal device may perform the lottery according to the probability notified from the probability adjusting means. Good. According to this, even if each lottery terminal device performs lottery individually, the server device acquires a lottery result, and the server device collects the number of lotteries and the number of winners, thereby allowing the server device to perform a plurality of lotteries. Probabilities can be managed centrally for a group of terminal devices.

In a form including a server device and a lottery terminal device, a plurality of commercial games are installed in a predetermined facility and allow a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee. A machine may be connected to the server device via the network. In that case, the prize may be associated with a game of the game machine. According to this, it is one object of the present invention to obtain a prize associated with a game of a commercial game machine, for example, a game element that can be used in the game, a limited character product associated with the game, and the like. As a result, the user comes to the facility. Therefore, the lottery system can be used as means for improving motivation to play a commercial game machine. In this case, the game machine may function as a lottery terminal device, or a device that is installed in the facility and physically different from the game machine may function as the lottery terminal device. In the former case, there is an advantage that a person who operates a commercial game machine is not forced to add a lottery terminal device in addition to the game machine. In the latter case, there is an advantage that it is possible to eliminate the possibility that a commercial game machine is occupied by a lottery application different from the game play that is the original application. Note that the facility may be a place provided with equipment for operating the game machine, and it does not matter whether the purpose of the installation is commercial, public, or personal.

As described above, according to the lottery system of the present invention, the new lottery system suitable for letting the remaining number of prizes win in the subsequent predetermined period based on the number of lotteries in the past predetermined period and the number of prizes won. Since the probability is calculated, the probability can be appropriately adjusted so that the number of prizes won reaches the target value at an appropriate time. Since the set value of the probability is updated when the winning number does not reach the target value, the disadvantage that the winning number reaches the target value at an early stage can be avoided.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system to which the lottery system which concerns on one form of this invention was applied. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system which concerns on a 1st form. The figure which shows an example of a structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of probability data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of premium number data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of premium data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of lottery period data. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize lottery process which the control unit of a game machine and the control unit of a center server respectively perform in order to draw a prize in the 1st form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the probability adjustment process which the control unit of a center server performs in a 1st form. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system to which the lottery system which concerns on a 2nd form was applied. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize lottery process which the control unit of a game machine and the control unit of a center server respectively perform in order to draw a prize in the 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the probability adjustment process which the control unit of a game machine and the control unit of a center server each perform in a 2nd form. The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on a modification.

(First form)
A first embodiment in which the lottery system of the present invention is applied to a game system will be described. This form is an example of a form in which a game machine functions as a lottery terminal device, and lottery means of the server device draws prizes based on user instructions for the game machine. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a plurality of game machines 2 and a center server 3. Each game machine 2 is installed in a facility such as a store 4 and is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee. Yes. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in each store 4. In FIG. 1, the game machine 2 is drawn without distinction, but the content of the game executed on the game machine 2 may be appropriately selected. The game may be different between the game machines 2. The game machine 2 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or a general-purpose machine capable of playing various games by rewriting software. It may be configured as. The center server 3 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of

server units

3A, 3B. However, the center server 3 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 3 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 5 accommodates a WAN (wide area network) 5A, a LAN (local area network) 5B constructed for each store 4 and accommodates these game machines 2, and

server units

3A, 3B... Of the center server 3. LAN 5C for connecting these

server units

3A and 3B to each other. As an example of the WAN 5A, the Internet that implements network communication using the TCP / IP protocol is used. The

LANs

5B and 5C are also constructed by an intranet using the TCP / IP protocol. The

LANs

5B and 5C are connected to the WAN 5A via the router 6. In addition, a local server may be installed between the game machine 2 and the router 6 of the store 4, and the game machine 2 may be connected to the center server 3 via the local server. The

server units

3A, 3B... Of the center server 3 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

A management PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same shall apply hereinafter) 7 may also be connected to the LAN 5B of the store 4. The management PC 7 is provided for the purpose of an operator (sometimes called an operator) of the store 4 managing the game machine 2 or transmitting / receiving various information by accessing the center server 3. In the game system 1, the user terminal 8 can access the center server 3 via the network 5. The user terminal 8 may be appropriately used as long as it is a computer device that functions as a personal communication terminal device capable of network connection, such as a PC 8a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) 8b. In the present specification, the user is a person who can be a player of the game machine 2. When the user operates the game machine 2, the user may be particularly referred to as a player. In addition, an operator that operates the center server 3 and provides various services directed to the game machine 2 or the user terminal 8 may be referred to as a service operator. The operator is a business operator who operates the game machine 2 in the store 4 and is conceptually classified as a service business operator.

The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are given unique IP addresses for identifying them on the network 5. In communication between the game machines 2 or between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, a communication partner is specified using the IP address. When the WAN 5A is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the WAN 5A is set in each router 6. In the game machine 2, a private address for uniquely identifying the game machine 2 on the network 5 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the game machine 2 and the center server 3 or between the game machines 2, and each game machine 2 is uniquely identified using a private address on the VPN. Is done. The same applies to the management PC 7. The user terminal 8 is also given a unique IP address for uniquely identifying the user terminal 8 on the network 5. The IP address may be a so-called dynamic address that changes every time it is connected to the network 5 or may be a fixed address that does not change. Hereinafter, information for identifying the game machine 2, the center server 3, the management PC 7, and the user terminal 8 on the network 5 is referred to as address information. In communication via the network 5, it is assumed that a communication partner is specified based on the address information unless otherwise specified. In the game system 1, apart from the address information described above, a unique store ID is set for each store 4 for each store 4, and a unique housing ID for each game device 2 for each game device 2. Is set. The center server 3 can uniquely identify the store 4 to which the communication partner game machine 2 belongs and the game machine 2 by receiving the store ID and the case ID from the communication partner game machine 2.

The center server 3 provides various services via the network 5 to the game machine 2, the user (player), and the operator. For example, the center server 3 provides various game services to the game machine 2 or its players. As the game service, for example, a service that receives player identification information from the game machine 2 and authenticates the player, receives and stores the play data of the player from the game machine 2, or provides the game machine 2, a network 5 There is a service for updating a program or data of the game machine 2 via the network, a service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, and the like. The center server 3 also provides various Web services to the user terminal 8 that is accessed via the network 5. Examples of the web service include a service such as a game information service that provides various kinds of information regarding the game to the user through the website, and a community service that provides an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by the user. Furthermore, the center server 3 also provides a vendor service function for the user to draw and sell prizes that can be used in games on the game machine 2.

The center server 3 is also provided with a billing service function for charging the user as a fee for providing a paid service and collecting the fee from the user. In order to realize the charging service, a virtual currency account for each user is provided on the center server 3. When a user pays a charge fee using a settlement means such as cash or a credit card, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the charge fee is charged to the user's account. On the other hand, when a user uses a paid service, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the usage fee is consumed from the user's account.

In the game system 1, various hardware and software are prepared as components necessary for allowing the user to use various services. At least some of those components are transferred or loaned from the service provider to the operator. As an example, the game machine 2 is transferred from a service provider to an operator for a fee. On the other hand, so-called content such as a game program or data to be executed on the game machine 2 is lent (provided) to the operator from the service provider.

The operator collects a play fee as a consideration when the user plays the game. On the other hand, the service provider uses the play fee paid by the user as the consideration for lending the content, in other words, the fee according to the monetary value consumed when the user plays the game as the consideration for lending the content. To charge. In other words, the game system 1 employs a mechanism in which the play fee consumed by the player in the game machine 2 is used as revenue, and the revenue is distributed between the operator of the store 4 where the game machine 2 is installed and the service provider. ing. In order to realize such a mechanism, the game machine 2 is provided with a function for providing the center server 3 with timely information necessary for specifying the actual consumption of the play fee for each content. In addition, the center server 3 identifies the consumption amount of the play fee for each store 4 based on the information provided from the game machine 2, and the service provider informs the operator of a predetermined rate for the obtained consumption amount. A function for calculating the usage fee to be charged is implemented. By providing such a function, the play fee collected from the player can be distributed between the service provider and the operator.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the game machine 2 and the center server 3 of the game system 1 will be described. The game machine 2 is provided with a control unit 10. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. An input device 11, an output device 12, a card reader 13, a coin authentication device 14 and a storage device 15 are connected to the control unit 10. The input device 11 receives a player (user) operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 10. The output device 12 includes a display device that displays a game screen or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, and a sound reproduction device that outputs musical sounds or sounds in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10.

The card reader 13 reads information on the card 9 possessed by the player and outputs a signal corresponding to the information to the control unit 10. The card 9 is provided with a non-volatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe, and the medium has a unique ID for each card 9 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a card ID). It is recorded. The card ID is used to call up the play data 32 stored on the center server 3. The center server 3 identifies a user (player) using a unique user ID for each user, and the play data 32 is recorded in association with the user ID on a one-to-one basis. The card ID is associated with the user ID one-to-one or many-to-one, and the center server 3 refers to the data for determining the correspondence between the card ID and the user ID, and determines the user ID of the player. Can be identified. That is, in this embodiment, both the card ID and the user ID function as user identification information. The card ID may be recorded on the card 9 in the form of a barcode or the like. Alternatively, instead of the card 9, the card ID may be recorded on a storage medium such as an IC chip mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

The coin authentication device 14 determines the authenticity of the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot of the game machine 2 by the player, and outputs a signal corresponding to the number of inserted coins to the control unit 10 if it is a genuine coin. The storage device 15 is a storage device capable of storing data, such as a hard disk storage device. The storage device 15 stores a game machine program to be executed by the control unit 10 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 15 will be described later.

Inside the control unit 10, a game control unit 16, a vendor control unit 17, and a charge management unit 18 are provided. Each of the units 16 to 18 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 10 and predetermined software. The game control unit 16 executes various processes necessary for playing the game such as management of the start, progress, and end of the game in the game machine 2. The vendor control unit 17 cooperates with the center server 3 to execute processing for providing a vendor service to the player. The vendor service is a service in which one of the prizes is drawn out from a group of prizes usable in the game in exchange for payment (consumption) of a predetermined lottery fee by the user, and the selected prize is paid to the user. Details of the vendor service will be described later. The charge management unit 18 executes various processes related to charge for the player. The process includes a process of recording a consumption record such as a play fee by the player and transmitting the recorded consumption record to the center server 3 in a timely manner.

It should be noted that, as a method for causing the player to consume a monetary value equivalent to the play fee, a method using a coin as a medium and a method using the charging service function of the center server 3 described above can be selected. In the former method, when the player inserts coins lent to the player for a fee into the game machine 2, “credit” having a value corresponding to the number of inserted coins is counted as a monetary value held by the player. As an example, one credit is recorded when one 100-yen coin is inserted. When the player instructs the game machine 2 to consume 1 credit, it is determined that a monetary value equivalent to 100 yen has been consumed in the game machine 2, and game play is permitted within a range corresponding to the amount consumed. The That is, when a play fee is paid through a coin, the consumption of monetary value is counted in units of one credit. On the other hand, in the latter method, that is, when the virtual currency is consumed, the consumption amount of the monetary value by the player is counted in a unit smaller than “credit”. Assuming that the unit for counting the amount (or amount) of virtual currency is “points”, for example, one point is set equivalent to one yen. In that case, when a play fee of 100 yen is required, 100 points of virtual currency is consumed. One point does not necessarily correspond to one yen, but one point (that is, a virtual currency consumption unit) is set to correspond to a monetary value that is one digit or more smaller than one credit.

The center server 3 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device 21. The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. A computer unit provided. Although an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a monitor are connected to the control unit 20, they are not shown. The storage device 21 stores a server program to be executed by the control unit 20 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 21 will be described later.

Inside the control unit 20, a game service management unit 22, a web service management unit 23, a vendor service management unit 24, and an account management unit 25 are provided. Each of the units 22 to 25 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 20 and predetermined software. The game service management unit 22 executes processing related to the game service described above, the web service management unit 23 executes processing related to the web service described above, and the vendor service management unit 24 processes related to the vendor service described above. Execute. The account management unit 25 executes a process of consuming an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the service usage fee from the user's account in accordance with a request from the game service management unit 22, the web service management unit 23, or the vendor service management unit 24. . Further, the account management unit 25 executes a process of charging virtual currency to the user's account in accordance with a request from the Web service management unit 23. In addition to the above, the center server 3 is also equipped with a function for calculating a usage fee to be charged to the operator by the service provider based on the consumption record sent from the game machine 2. Omitted.

Next, details of data recorded in the

storage devices

15 and 21 will be described. Game data 31 and play data 32 are recorded in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. The game data 31 is data that is appropriately referred to when the game control unit 16 of the control unit 10 executes a game according to the game program. For example, the game data 31 includes image data for drawing an image of a game screen background, characters, stages, items, and the like, and sound data for reproducing a game BGM, sound effects, and the like. The game data 31 further includes data for managing permission or prohibition of use regarding a plurality of items (a kind of game element) that can be used in the game. As an example, a case will be described in which a plurality of items are prepared in advance as game elements, and the game is configured to have an advantageous effect on the player when these items are used in the game. As an advantageous effect, for example, an aspect in which the rank of the player in the game is promoted, the experience value of the character used by the player, the improvement of parameters such as physical strength, and the character can use special techniques and weapons. There can be. In this case, the game data 31 includes data describing conditions under which each item can be acquired by the player (that is, conditions under which the player can use the item), effects of item acquisition, and the like. The item acquisition conditions may be set as appropriate. Some items may be set as prizes that can be acquired only by a lottery to be executed based on the player's instructions for the two games. In other words, the acquisition condition may be set so that the item cannot be used unless the player makes a lottery using the game machine 2.

The item is a game element that can be used on the game such as a tool, equipment, or weapon used by the player or a character operated by the player in the game. In addition to items, various game elements used in the game may be set as prizes. For example, game elements that improve various parameters such as experience values and ranks included in the play data 32 may be set and set as prizes. Various game elements such as characters appearing in the game, music in the music game, stage, and mode may be set as prizes. Furthermore, all or a part of the right to lift the appearance of hidden elements on the game may be set as a prize. Furthermore, the prize may be set as a point that can be used as a currency in the virtual world of the game.

The play data 32 is data in which information related to a player's play history is recorded in association with the user ID of the player, and is stored for the purpose of causing the player to play the game from the previous game. is there. The play data is generated for each type of game (sometimes called a title or the like). In the storage device 15 of the two games, play data 32 saved by the player regarding the game provided by the game machine 2 is called from the center server 3 and saved. An example of the play data 32 is shown in FIG. The play data 32 in FIG. 3 includes a player's play log, vendor log, status, a plurality of replay information, and the like.

The play log is information in which the player's past play contents such as the player's past number of plays and battle results are recorded. The vendor log is information that records a usage history of the vendor service. For example, information such as the number of times of use of the vendor service, the use date and time, and the acquired premiums are recorded in the vendor log. The status is information that records the game situation of the player. For example, information indicating the rank indicating the skill or strength index acquired by the player repeatedly playing the game, the experience value acquired by the player in the past play, the item owned by the player, etc. is recorded as the status. . As item information, for example, a unique item number, item code, etc. are recorded for each item. The replay information is information recorded to reproduce, for example, a specific play content of the player. For example, selection contents for each turn of the player and the opponent in the turn-based game, or moving image data in a specific game may be recorded as the replay information.

2, a group of play data 32, a group of vendor data 34, and a group of account data 35 are recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3. The play data 32 is created for each user ID and for each type of game, and a set of them is a group of play data 32. When a player plays a game on any of the game machines 2, the card ID that the player has recognized by the game machine 2 is provided to the center server 3, and a play corresponding to the user ID associated with the card ID. Play data 32 corresponding to the game type of the game machine 2 is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. As described above, the account data 35 is data in which the user ID and the amount (balance) of the virtual currency held by the user are recorded in association with each other.

The vendor data 34 is data for managing prize lottery by the vendor service management unit 24. Vendor data 34 is created for each type of game, and a set of them is a group of vendor data 34. The vendor data 34 includes probability data 36 illustrated in FIG. 4, premium number data 37 illustrated in FIG. 5, premium data 38 illustrated in FIG. 6, and lottery period data 39 illustrated in FIG. The probability data 36 in FIG. 4 is a data table in which a prize prepared in association with a game and a probability that the prize should be drawn by lottery are associated with each other and recorded. In the example of FIG. 4, probabilities Pa to Pn are set for the prizes A to N, respectively. The probabilities Pa to Pn described in the probability data 36 are appropriately updated by a probability adjustment process (FIG. 9) described later. At the start of the lottery, the number of lotteries within the lottery period is appropriately predicted, and the probability necessary to win each prize corresponding to a predetermined target value is calculated within the number of lotteries. Set as initial value. A prize A to a prize N is a group of prizes prepared in association with one game. Hereinafter, a group of prizes corresponding to one game may be referred to as a prize set. 4 to 6, the data 36 to 38 are related to the prize set prepared corresponding to the same game by adding the common term of the prize set X to the data 36 to 38. This indicates that the data is

5 is a data table in which the prizes included in the prize set X and the number of the prizes are recorded in association with each other. In the example of FIG. 5, the number is set for each prize, such as the number Na for the prize A and the number Nb for the prize B. The number is the number of prizes to be paid out and gradually decreases according to the payout results. As the prize has a lower probability, the initial value of the number is set smaller. The initial value of the number set in association with each prize is the target value for the number of prizes won in the lottery period. However, the number of prizes N is not limited, and an infinite number is set as the number value. For the prize N for which an infinite number is set, the number reduction process according to the payout result is not applied. Instead of an infinite number of prizes N, “off” may be set.

6 is data in which information for specifying a group of prizes (prize contents) is described in association with information included in the play data 32. In the example of FIG. 6, the contents of the prize A are individually set according to the ranks Ra to Rx of the player. For the prizes B to N, a group of prizes corresponding to the rank of the player is set similarly. As described above, the prize is appropriately selected from the game elements that can be used in the game and set. As an example, acquisition of a specific item is set as the content of a prize. The lottery period data 39 in FIG. 7 is a data table in which a plurality of prize sets and periods (lottery periods) in which these prize sets are used for lottery are recorded in association with each other. For example, for the prize set X, a lottery start time and a lottery end time are described.

Each data described above is merely an example of data recorded in the

storage devices

15 and 21. In addition to the illustrated data, the

storage devices

15 and 21 record various data necessary for processing such as game execution, collection of play fees, etc., and distribution of revenue between the operator and the service provider. Those explanations are omitted. In order to carry out the present invention, it is sufficient that a target value and a lottery period for a prize are set for at least some prize sets, and a target value for the number of prizes for all prize sets is sufficient. It is not necessary that the lottery period is set. With respect to some prize sets, any prize may be drawn according to the probability described in the probability data 36 without setting a target value for the number of winning prizes, and the selected prize may be paid out. In that case, if a lottery period is set, the lottery may be executed only during that period. Alternatively, there may be a prize set in which a lottery period is not set while a target value is set for the number of prizes won. In such a case, when a prize whose winning number reaches the target value is generated, the probability data 36 is updated so that the probability of the lottery for the prize becomes zero, and the lottery is continued between the remaining prizes. do it.

Next, processing executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to draw a prize will be described with reference to FIG. The processing in the game machine 2 is mainly in charge of the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 and the processing in the center server 3 is mainly in charge of the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20. The

control units

10 and 20 will be described. 8, the card reader 13 reads the card ID of the card 9 to authenticate the player, and the play data 32 corresponding to the user ID of the player and the game of the game machine 2 is sent from the center server 3 to the game machine 2. This process is executed after being called into the storage device 15 and stored in the storage device 15. In the following, a case will be described in which a lottery is executed within a lottery period described in the lottery period data 39 for a prize set to be lottery. If it is outside the lottery period, the game machine 2 may not be able to instruct the lottery, or even if the lottery is instructed, the processing may be permitted.

When the lottery start condition for starting the lottery by the vendor service is satisfied in the game machine 2, the control unit 10 of the two games starts the prize lottery process of FIG. The lottery start condition can be set, for example, so as to be satisfied when the player instructs the lottery start via the input device 11 of the game machine 2 at an appropriate time before the game starts or after the game starts. Alternatively, the lottery start condition is satisfied when the player confirms whether or not the player wishes to draw when the information recorded in the play data satisfies a predetermined condition, and the player can confirm the lottery start instruction. It may be set as follows. For example, an opportunity for confirming whether or not there is a lottery request when the rank of the player is promoted may be provided. In any case, the lottery start condition is set to be satisfied when the player of the game machine 2 instructs the lottery start via the input device 11.

When the control unit 10 of the two games starts the prize lottery process, it first notifies the center server 3 of the start of the lottery process in step S11. The notification includes a user ID (or a user ID for specifying the player). Card ID may be used.) And information necessary for specifying a prize set to be included in the lottery object. For example, when the prize set differs depending on the type of game, information specifying the type of game is notified. However, when the center server 3 can specify the type of game to be executed by the game machine 2 using the case ID as a clue, notification of information specifying the type of game may be omitted. Further, when the group of prizes in the prize set is further subdivided according to the information included in the play data 32, the information of the play data 32 (in the example of FIG. 6, the rank information of the player corresponds). )) Is notified as information necessary for specifying a group of prizes. However, the entire latest play data 32 recorded in the storage device 15 at the time of execution of step S11 is transmitted to the center server 3 as information included in the play data, and recorded in the storage device 21 in association with the user ID. The play data 32 that has been played may be updated with the latest play data 32.

When the control unit 20 of the center server 3 receives the lottery start notification from the game machine 2, the control unit 20 starts the prize lottery process shown in FIG. 8, and first determines the contents of the lottery based on the information sent from the game machine 2 in step S21. Identify. Here, based on the information sent from the game machine 2, the vendor data 34 necessary for determining a group of prizes is specified. In the subsequent step S22, the control unit 20 uses the account management unit 25 to acquire, in step S21, the amount of virtual currency corresponding to the fee required for the prize lottery (sometimes referred to as a lottery fee). Attempt to consume from account data 35 corresponding to the user ID. The lottery fee is set to be smaller than the amount corresponding to one credit, which is a consumption unit when paying a play fee through coins. As an example, when a monetary value equivalent to 100 yen is consumed in one game, the lottery fee is set to a value corresponding to a monetary value of about 10 yen. Therefore, it is impossible to pay the lottery fee through coins. As long as the consumption process in step S22 is not successful, the player cannot obtain a prize.

Note that the lottery fee may be set to a fixed fee regardless of the type of game, or a different fee may be set for each game. Data for determining the lottery fee may be included in the vendor data 34. The lottery fee may be changed according to the status described in the play data 32 of the player, the number of plays, and the like. Even if the lottery fee is changed according to the prize lottery time, such as a relatively low fee during a quiet season or time when there are few players and a fee increases during a busy season or time when there are many players, Good. When attempting to consume the virtual currency, the game machine 2 may ask the player to confirm the collection of the lottery fee, and the consumption may be executed when the confirmation is obtained.

In subsequent step S23, the control unit 20 notifies the game machine 2 of the result of the lottery fee consumption process. This notification includes information identifying success or failure of consumption. In the next step S24, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 determines whether or not the lottery fee has been successfully consumed. If it has failed, the prize lottery is completed. The control unit 10 of the game machine 2 receives the notification from the center server 3 in step S12, and determines whether or not the lottery fee has been successfully consumed based on the content of the notification. If the consumption has failed, the control unit 10 also finishes the prize lottery.

If the virtual currency equivalent to the lottery fee has been successfully consumed in step S24, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 proceeds to step S25, and the prize is based on the information included in the play data 32 and the vendor data 34. The process of drawing lots is implemented. Specifically, based on the probability data 36 included in the vendor data 34 specified in step S21, one of the prizes A to N is drawn out and the contents of the selected prize are included in the play data 32. This is determined based on the rank information and the prize data 38. The lottery can be performed according to various known lottery processes used in a lottery process using a random number or other computers. The lottery process is performed based on the probability data 36. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a process for changing the probability described in the probability data 36 may be performed. As an example, when a predetermined bonus condition is satisfied, a process of temporarily increasing the probability that a valuable prize will be allocated may be performed. By executing the processing of step S25, the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20 functions as the lottery means of the present invention.

In subsequent step S26, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 notifies the game machine 2 of the lottery result. In this case, information for identifying a prize acquired by the player (for example, information for identifying a winning item, information for designating an added value of experience values, etc.) is provided to the game machine 2. Thereafter, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S27, and updates the data to reflect the lottery result. For example, the date and time of the present prize lottery, the acquired prize, etc. are recorded in the vendor log of the play data 32 corresponding to the user ID of the storage device 21. When the player acquires an item, the play data 32 is updated so that the acquired item is added to the owned item. If the prize includes an experience value or an improvement in rank, the play data 32 is updated so that they are reflected. When the data update in step S27 is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the prize lottery in FIG.

On the other hand, if the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 determines that the consumption is successful in step S12, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S13, waits for a notification of the lottery result from the center server 3, and acquires this if there is a notification. In subsequent step S14, the control unit 10 executes processing according to the lottery result. For example, when the latest play data 32 is stored in the center server 3 at the time of lottery execution, the play data 32 updated in step S27 is received from the center server 3, and the play data 32 of the storage device 15 is received by the play data 32. Replace 32. Alternatively, the vendor log and other information may be updated so that the current lottery result is reflected in the play data 32 held in the storage device 15. Subsequently, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 proceeds to step S <b> 15 and displays on the screen of the game machine 2 a state in which a prize is drawn. As an example, an image of a lottery mechanism is displayed on the screen of the game machine 2, and a moving picture depicting a state in which the lottery mechanism operates and one prize is selected from a number of prizes is displayed. When the lottery display in step S15 ends, the control unit 10 finishes the prize lottery in FIG. If it is determined in step S12 that the consumption is successful, the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 provides the consumption record to the charge management unit 18, and the charge management unit 18 records the consumption record in the storage device 15. . The recorded consumption record is aggregated at an appropriate timing and provided to the center server 3, and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 calculates the amount billed to the operator for the use of the vendor service based on the aggregate value of the consumption record. To do.

Through the above processing, one of the prizes in the prize set is drawn based on the probability described in the probability data 36, and the selected prize is paid out to the player through the process of updating the play data 32. By the way, when the winning number and the lottery period are set for the prize set, if the number of lotteries in the lottery period is larger than expected, prizes (however, an infinite number of prizes are excluded) at an earlier stage than the end of the lottery period. ) Reaches the target value, and on the contrary, if the number of lotteries is less than expected, there is a possibility that prizes will remain even after the lottery period ends. Therefore, in the game system 1, the center server 3 periodically executes the probability adjustment process of FIG. 9 to update the number of the prize number data 37 and adjust the probability of the probability data 36. The period is set sufficiently short with respect to the lottery period. For example, if the lottery period is one week, the processing of FIG. 9 is executed every day or in a cycle such as a half-day unit shorter than that. 9 is handled by the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20, but the execution subject will be described as the control unit 20 below. Further, in the following description, the processing for updating the prize number data 37 and the probability data 36 associated with the prize set X is targeted, but the same applies to other prize sets as long as the lottery period is set. Is performed.

When the control unit 20 of the center server 3 starts the probability adjustment process of FIG. 9, first, in step S31, data relating to the lottery results of the prize set X is extracted. The data extracted here is all the play data 32 stored in the storage device 21 for the game corresponding to the prize set X. In subsequent step S32, the control unit 20 refers to the vendor log of the extracted play data 32, and is one cycle (corresponding to a past predetermined period) from the previous execution time of the probability adjustment process to the current execution time. The total number of prizes paid out in the prize set X is tabulated. In this case, the number of prizes N for which an infinite number is set is also included in the aggregation target. These total values are values that are calculated using the group of all game machines 2 (whether or not the stores 4 are different) for which the center server 3 performs lottery for the prize set X as a total range.

In the next step S33, the control unit 20 updates the number of the prize number data 37 to the current remaining number by subtracting the total value obtained in step S32 from the number recorded in the prize number data 37. . In subsequent step S34, the control unit 20 calculates the remaining lottery period from the end time recorded in the lottery period data 39 for the prize set X and the current date and time. Thereafter, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S35, and calculates the probabilities of each prize based on the sum total of the payout numbers counted in step S32, the remaining number of prizes, and the remaining lottery period. For example, if the total sum of the calculated values obtained in step S32 is Sn, the remaining number of prizes A is Na, and the remaining period (however, the same unit system as the totaling period) is Tr, the probability Pa is as follows. (1).

In the above equation (1), the total sum Sn of the total values corresponds to the total value of the number of lotteries executed for the prize set X during one cycle of the probability adjustment processing. Therefore, the denominator term in the right parenthesis of equation (1) obtains the predicted value of the number of lotteries in the remaining period Tr by multiplying the total value of the number of lotteries in one cycle of the probability adjustment process by the remaining period Tr. It will be. In other words, the expression (1) is an expression for calculating the probability Pa of the prize A by dividing the remaining number Na of the prize A by the predicted value of the number of future lotteries and obtaining the percentage of the quotient. Thereby, a new probability to be applied in order to pay out the remaining number Na of premiums A within the remaining period Tr can be obtained. However, the sum of the number of lotteries in the period from the lottery start time to the execution of the process of FIG. 9 is divided by the elapsed period (number of cycles) from the lottery start time to calculate the average number of lotteries per cycle. The predicted value of the number of lotteries (that is, the denominator in parentheses in equation (1)) may be obtained by multiplying the average value by the remaining period. The probability Pn of the prize N for which an infinite number is set may be a new probability obtained by subtracting the sum of the probabilities of prizes other than the prize N from 100, which is the sum of the probabilities. After calculating the probability in step S35, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S36, and replaces the probabilities Pa to Pn described in the probability data 36 with the new probabilities calculated in step S35. Update. When the data update is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the process of FIG. Thereafter, when the lottery is executed in step S25 of FIG. 8, the lottery is performed based on the updated probability data 36. By executing the processes of steps S31 to S36 described above, the vendor service management unit 24 functions as a probability adjustment unit of the present invention.

As described above, in the game system 1, based on the remaining lottery period and the remaining number of prizes, new probabilities suitable for winning the remaining number of prizes within the remaining period are calculated, and the new probabilities Based on the probability data 36 is updated. Therefore, the probability is appropriately reviewed according to the payout result of prizes, and the difference between the actual value of the number of prizes won in each lottery period and the initial value of the prize number data 37, which is the initial target value, is reduced. Can do. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or alleviate the inconvenience that a specific prize ends at an early stage of the lottery period, or a valuable prize remains even after the lottery is over. Even when the lottery probability is temporarily changed from that of the probability data 36 in step S25 of FIG. 8, the change in the number of payouts due to the probability change is also taken into account by performing the probability adjustment processing of FIG. And an appropriate probability can be reset. Depending on the calculation cycle of the probability, there may be some error between the end of the lottery period and the time when the winning number reaches the target value, but the error is relatively small because the probability is reviewed as appropriate. . Therefore, even if the lottery is terminated when the winning number reaches the target value before the end of the lottery period, the effect thereof is small. Even if the lottery is continued until the end time while accepting the winning number exceeding the target value, the excess number of the winning number is small, and there is no possibility that the operator of the store 4 is forced to bear an excessive burden. On the other hand, even if there is a surplus at the end of the lottery, since the number is small, the user's profit is not excessively impaired. In that case, even if the lottery period is extended until the extra prize is won, the extended period will not be prolonged so much.

In the above embodiment, the lottery fee is consumed in virtual currency as a condition for conducting the lottery, but the lottery fee may not be consumed. In that case, steps S12 and S21 to S24 in FIG. 8 may be omitted, and the process may be changed so that the lottery is performed immediately when the lottery start condition is satisfied.

(Second form)
A second embodiment in which the lottery system of the present invention is applied to a game system will be described. In addition, this form is an example of the form in which a game machine functions as a lottery terminal device, and lottery means of the game machine draws prizes based on user instructions for the game machine. The overall configuration of the game system is the same as that of the game system 1 of FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the game machine 2 and the center server 3 of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, in addition to the game data 31 and the play data 32, vendor data 34 corresponding to the type of game to be executed on the game machine 2 is stored in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. It is recorded. The vendor data 34 is distributed from the center server 3 at an appropriate timing, and is synchronized with the vendor data 34 corresponding to the same game recorded in the storage device 21. The vendor control unit 17 provided in the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 functions as lottery means of the present invention by lottering prizes based on the vendor data 34 and the play data 32 recorded in the storage device 15. .

FIG. 11 shows processing executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to draw a prize in the game system 1 according to the second embodiment. The processing in the game machine 2 is mainly in charge of the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 and the processing in the center server 3 is in charge of the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20. The

units

10 and 20 will be described. 11, the card reader 13 reads the card ID of the card 9 to authenticate the player, and the play data 32 corresponding to the user ID of the player and the game machine 2 is the same as the process of FIG. Is a process executed after being called from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 15. In the following, processing similar to that in FIG. 8 will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 and focusing on differences from the processing in FIG. In the following, the case where the lottery is executed within the lottery period described in the lottery period data 39 for the prize set to be lottery will be described.

The control unit 10 of the game machine 2 starts the prize lottery process of FIG. 11 when the predetermined lottery start condition (which may be the same as that in the first embodiment) is satisfied, and sequentially executes steps S11 and S12. Further, the center server 3 starts the prize lottery process of FIG. 11 in response to the notification from the game machine 2 in step S11 and sequentially executes the processes of steps S21 to S24. If it is determined in step S12 that the virtual currency corresponding to the lottery fee has been successfully consumed, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 proceeds to step S13A and performs a process of lottering prizes. Specifically, based on the probability data 36 of the vendor data 34 recorded in the storage device 15, one of the prizes A to N is lottery as a prize to be paid out to the player, and the contents of the selected prize are It is determined based on rank information and premium data 37 included in the play data 32 of the storage device 15. The lottery can be performed according to various known lottery processes used in a lottery process using a random number or other computers. Also in this case, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a process for changing the probability described in the probability data 36 may be performed.

In subsequent step S13B, the control unit 10 notifies the center server 3 of the lottery result. In this case, information for identifying a prize acquired by the player (for example, information for identifying a winning item, information for designating an added value of experience values, etc.) is provided to the center server 3. Thereafter, the control unit 10 sequentially executes the processes of steps S14 and S15 to finish the present prize lottery. On the other hand, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 acquires a notification of the lottery result from the game machine 2 in step S26A, and updates the data to reflect the lottery result in the subsequent step S27. As a result, the lottery result is also recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3. The vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20 functions as a lottery result recording unit of the present invention by performing the process of step S27. When the data update in step S27 is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the present prize lottery. In addition, by updating the data in step S27 of FIG. 11, lottery results such as payout results are recorded in the play data 32 on the center server 3 side.

FIG. 12 shows a probability adjustment process executed to adjust the probability in the second mode. However, the same processes as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 9, and the description below will focus on differences from the first embodiment. In the following, the case where the lottery is executed within the lottery period described in the lottery period data 39 for the prize set to be lottery will be described. First, in the present embodiment, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 executes the same steps S31 to S36 as in FIG. 9, calculates the probability, and updates the probability data 36. However, since the prize lottery is executed not by the center server 3 but by the game machine 2, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S 37 after updating the probability data 36 and distributes the updated probability data 36 to the game machine 2. Then, the probability adjustment process is finished. On the other hand, when the probability data 32 is distributed from the center server 3, the control unit 10 (more specifically, the vendor control unit 17) of the game machine 2 to which the probability data 36 has been distributed starts the probability adjustment process of FIG. First, the probability data 36 distributed from the center server 3 is acquired in step S41. Subsequently, the control unit 10 updates the probability data 36 in the vendor data 34 recorded in its own storage device 15 with the probability data 36 acquired in step S41. After completing the data update, the control unit 10 finishes the probability adjustment process of FIG. Thereafter, when the lottery is executed in step S13A of FIG. 11, the lottery is performed based on the updated probability data 36. By executing the above steps S31 to S37, the vendor service management unit 24 functions as a probability adjustment unit of the present invention.

Also in the above embodiment, the probability data 36 is updated based on the remaining period of the lottery and the remaining number of prizes, and the probability data 36 is updated by calculating the probability suitable for paying out the remaining quantity within the remaining period. The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described form, the lottery fee is consumed in virtual currency as a lottery execution condition. However, the lottery fee may not be consumed. In that case, steps S12 and S21 to S24 in FIG. 11 may be omitted, and the process may be changed so that the lottery is performed immediately when the lottery start condition is satisfied.

The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in the above embodiment, the game machine 2 is also used as a lottery terminal device, but an apparatus physically different from the game machine 2 may function as the lottery terminal device. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a vendor apparatus 40 is installed as a computer terminal device physically different from the game machine 2 in the store 4, and the processing of FIG. The vendor apparatus 40 may be caused to function as a lottery terminal apparatus to be installed in the same facility as the game machine 2 by executing the same process as the process 12. Alternatively, only when a wireless access point is installed in the LAN 5B in the store 4 and the user terminal 8 brought into the store 4 by the user is connected to the router 6 of the store 4 via the wireless access point, the user The terminal 8 may function as a lottery terminal device. Furthermore, the user terminal 8 outside the store 4 may also function as a lottery terminal device. In the 1st and 2nd form mentioned above, you may notify the user terminal 8 from the center server 3 that it can participate in the lottery for a limited time and can acquire a prize by visiting the store 4. Thereby, the user's attraction effect to the store 4 can be enhanced.

In the present invention, it is sufficient that the prize is associated with the game, and the present invention is not limited to the example given to the user in the form of digital data. For example, a prize to be given to the user as physical content may be prepared. In that case, a device for physically paying out prizes according to the lottery result may be added to the lottery terminal device. Digital data, such as image data and barcode data, can be used in games by giving out premiums that are output to a card or other physical medium in a manner that can be read by a game machine, and reading the digital data of the prizes with a game machine. It is good. The lottery means may be configured to operate a physical lottery mechanism to perform the lottery. For example, when paying out physical content as a prize, a physical lottery mechanism is installed in a facility such as a store, and the lottery mechanism is used on a part of a group of prizes that can be drawn on the game machine of the store. Possible prizes may be included. Even when the lottery means is provided on the server device side, a part of the lottery means may be configured by a physical lottery mechanism, and the lottery mechanism may notify the vendor device of the prize drawn by the lottery mechanism. Good. In addition, the present invention is not limited to an example in which a lottery of a plurality of types of prizes is targeted, and even when a single type of prize is targeted for lottery, the probability for the prize is appropriately calculated and updated according to the present invention. May be.

The present invention is not limited to an example configured as a lottery system in which a lottery terminal device and a server device are connected via a network. The present invention can also be applied to a lottery terminal device installed as a so-called stand-alone machine in a facility such as a store without using a server device. For example, even if a store operator prepares a plurality of prizes and draws prizes using the lottery terminal device of the store, if the lottery period is set, the lottery terminal device and the probability adjustment means are provided. The probability adjustment means may calculate the probability suitable for winning the prepared number of prizes at an appropriate time within the lottery period, and the probability setting value may be updated. Alternatively, even when the lottery terminal device and the server device are connected via a network, the target value and the lottery period for the number of prizes won can be set individually for each store according to requests from store operators. The lottery system may be configured such that the probability adjusting means of the server device appropriately calculates the probability for each store and updates the set value. According to this, a store-specific lottery event or the like can be easily performed for a limited time.

In the present invention, the lottery period does not need to be predetermined before the lottery starts. For example, the number of lotteries and the number of prizes won in a predetermined period in the past may be appropriately set from the period from the lottery start time to the time of counting such as the number of prizes. As for the end time of the lottery period, the store operator or the like may appropriately set the end time of the lottery in accordance with the visitor results after the start of the lottery and the progress of the winning results. Even in that case, if the end time is decided, an appropriate period after the start of the lottery is set as the number of lotteries and the total number of winning numbers, and according to those total values, the remaining number of prizes will be won by the end time The probability setting value may be updated by calculating a probability suitable for the above. Accordingly, the probability can be reviewed as appropriate so that the number of prizes won reaches the target value near the end time. Furthermore, the lottery period does not necessarily need to be notified to the user, and as long as the lottery means and the probability adjustment means can be grasped, the user is not notified or the user is notified vaguely. It may be.

As described in the above embodiment, in the lottery system of the present invention, the prize lottery may be performed free of charge without paying the lottery fee. When the game machine is also used as a lottery terminal device and does not collect lottery fees, the lottery start condition is established as a privilege when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the game, and the lottery is automatically selected according to the establishment It may be started. Even in this case, since at least the end time of the lottery is limited, the user visits the store 4 for the purpose of acquiring prizes and repeats playing the game, so the operating rate of the game machine 2 is improved. It can be expected to improve the profits of business operators.

On the other hand, when a game machine is also used as a lottery terminal device and collects a lottery fee separately from the game play fee, the lottery fee is bundled with the play fee at the start of game play, in other words, apparently play It may be collected so as to be included in the fee, or a lottery fee may be collected at an appropriate timing during the game play. Even when a lottery fee is charged, the lottery fee is not necessarily paid in virtual currency. It may be possible to pay the lottery fee using cash, alternative currency, credit card and other various settlement means. Even when the lottery fee is collected by consumption of the virtual currency, the consumption process is not limited to the form performed by the server device. For example, a lottery fee may be collected by charging a virtual currency in advance to a card or other medium possessed by the user, and causing the vendor device to consume a virtual currency equivalent to the lottery fee from the balance on the medium. Further, in the above embodiment, a prepaid type system in which virtual currency is charged in advance on an account managed by the server device and virtual currency is consumed from the account is premised, but virtual currency is consumed by a postpay type system. May be.

Claims

Lottery means for lottering a prize in which a target value for the number of winning items is set according to a set value of a probability associated with the prize;
Based on the number of lotteries performed by the lottery means in the past predetermined period and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period at the stage where the number of prizes won is less than the target value, A probability adjusting means for calculating a new probability to be applied to win the remaining number of prizes for the target value in a period, and updating the set value of the probability based on the calculation result of the new probability;
Lottery system.
The probability adjusting unit predicts the number of lotteries in the subsequent predetermined period based on the number of lotteries performed by the lottery unit in the past predetermined period, and calculates the new number based on the predicted value and the remaining number. The lottery system according to claim 1, wherein the probability is calculated.
The target value of the winning number is set as the number that the prize should be won in a predetermined lottery period, the lottery means performs the prize lottery only during the lottery period, and the probability adjusting means includes the probability The lottery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the new probability is calculated by setting a period from an update time of the set value to an end time of the lottery period as the predetermined period thereafter.
The lottery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the probability adjusting means calculates the new probability at a predetermined period, and the predetermined period in the past is a period corresponding to one or more periods.
Including a plurality of lottery terminal devices for receiving instructions from the user regarding the lottery and notifying the user of the lottery results, and a server device connected to each of the plurality of lottery terminal devices via a network;
The lottery means performs the lottery in response to a user instruction in each lottery terminal device,
The target value of the winning number is set as a target value of the winning number for the entire group of the lottery terminal devices,
The probability adjusting means counts the number of lotteries and the number of prizes won by using the entire group of the plurality of lottery terminal devices as a tabulation range, and based on the respective count values of the number of lotteries and the number of winning prizes. To calculate the new probability,
The lottery system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the set value of the probability is commonly applied to each of the lotteries to be performed based on an instruction from each user.
The lottery means is provided in the server device, the lottery terminal device requests the lottery means to perform lottery based on a user instruction, and the lottery means responds to requests from each lottery terminal device. The lottery is performed and the lottery result is recorded in the storage unit of the server device and notified to the lottery terminal device, and the probability adjusting unit is based on the lottery result recorded in the storage unit of the server device. The lottery system according to claim 5, wherein the number of lotteries in the past predetermined period and the number of winning prizes are totaled.
The lottery means is provided in each lottery terminal device, the lottery means notifies the server device of the lottery result, and the server device stores the lottery result notified from each lottery terminal device in the storage unit of the server device. A lottery result recording means for recording is provided, and the probability adjusting means tabulates the number of lotteries and the number of prizes won in the past predetermined period based on the lottery results recorded in the storage means of the server device. The new probability is calculated and the new probability is notified to each lottery terminal device, and the lottery means of each lottery terminal device performs the lottery according to the probability notified from the probability adjusting means. The lottery system described.
A plurality of commercial game machines that are installed in a predetermined facility and allow a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee are connected to the server device via the network. The lottery system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the prize is associated with a game of the game machine.
The lottery system according to claim 8, wherein the game machine functions as the lottery terminal device.
9. The lottery system according to claim 8, wherein a device installed in the facility and physically different from the game machine functions as the lottery terminal device.