U.S. patent application number 12/036432 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for remote game system and remote game machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to Shuichi Enomoto, Tomohiro Ikeda, Kazuo Kimura, Takashi Nagata, Yuuji Nanba, Tooru Natsumi, Shigehiro Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Tanaka.
Application Number | 20090062011 12/036432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39783513 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090062011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagata; Takashi ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
REMOTE GAME SYSTEM AND REMOTE GAME MACHINE
Abstract
A remote game system has a game machine, which has a manual
operation unit receiving a manual operation instruction, and a
remote controller. The remote controller communicates with the game
machine through a communication network, and controls operation of
the game machine through the communication network. The game
machine has an exclusion unit, and when one of a remote operation
instruction for playing a game from the remote controller and a
manual operation instruction for directly playing the game from the
manual operation unit has been received, inhibits one of the remote
operation instruction or the manual operation instruction.
Inventors: |
Nagata; Takashi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Nanba; Yuuji; (Osaka, JP) ; Enomoto;
Shuichi; (Osaka, JP) ; Natsumi; Tooru; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kimura; Kazuo; (Osaka, JP) ; Takeuchi;
Shigehiro; (Osaka, JP) ; Ikeda; Tomohiro;
(Osaka, JP) ; Tanaka; Hiroyuki; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
39783513 |
Appl. No.: |
12/036432 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3202 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3209 20130101; G07F 17/3262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2007 |
JP |
2007-045955 |
Claims
1. A remote game system comprising: a game machine having a manual
operation unit receiving a manual operation instruction; and a
remote control device having a communication unit communicating
with the game machine through a communication network, and a remote
operation unit operating the game machine through the communication
network, wherein the game machine comprises an exclusion unit, when
one of a remote operation instruction for playing a game from the
remote control device and a manual operation instruction for
directly playing the game from the manual operation unit has been
received, inhibiting one of the remote operation instruction or the
manual operation instruction.
2. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the remote
control device further comprises: a receiving unit receiving a
reservation for the game, the reservation designating the game
machine; and a requesting unit requesting establishment of
connection with the game machine based upon the received
reservation.
3. The remote game system according to claim 2, wherein the
exclusion unit comprises: a refusing unit , when the manual
operation instruction to play the game has been received from the
manual operation unit, refusing the request for the establishment
of the connection from the remote control device; a receiving unit
receiving the reservation by permitting the requested establishment
of the connection; and a inhibiting unit, when the connection has
been established, inhibiting the manual operation instruction for
the game from the manual operation unit.
4. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the remote
control device further comprises: a search condition receiving unit
receiving a search condition relating to a game machine; and a
search result display unit for displaying game machine information
indicating a game machine that satisfies the received search
condition.
5. The remote game system according to claim 4, wherein the remote
control device further comprises a connection unit establishing
connections with a plurality of game machines.
6. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the game
machine further comprises: a video-image capturing unit capturing a
displayed video image visually indicating a status of the game; a
acquisition unit acquiring sound from around the game machine; and
a communication unit transmitting to the remote control device
video image information based on the video image captured by the
video-image capturing unit and sound information based on the sound
acquired by the acquisition unit.
7. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the game
machine further comprises: a detecting unit detecting a status of
the game has been shifted to a predetermined status; and a
transmitting unit transmitting to the remote control device status
information indicating the detected status.
8. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the game
machine further comprises video-image capturing unit capturing a
displayed video image visually indicating a status of the game, and
wherein the remote control device further comprises: a display
displaying a video image based on received video image information;
an output unit outputting sound based on received sound
information; and a video image capture operating unit operating the
video-image capturing unit of the game machine.
9. The remote game system according to claim 1, wherein the remote
control device further comprises a control unit for, when video
image information is received from a plurality of game machines,
preferentially displaying a video image based on video image
information received from one of the plurality of game machines,
from which status information has been received.
10. A game machine in communication via a communication network
with a remote control device, comprising: communication unit
receiving a remote operation instruction from the remote control
device through the communication network; a manual operation unit
receiving a manual operation instruction; and a inhibiting unit,
when one of a remote operation instruction for playing a game
through the communication unit and a manual operation instruction
for playing the game from the manual operation unit has been
received, inhibiting one of the remote operation instruction or the
manual operation instruction.
11. The game machine according to claim 10, further comprising: a
video-image capturing unit capturing a displayed video image
visually indicating a status of the game; an acquisition unit
acquiring sound from around the game machine; and a transmitting
unit transmitting to the remote control device video image
information based on the video image captured by the video-image
capturing unit and sound information based on the sound acquired by
the acquisition unit.
12. The game machine according to claim 10, further comprising: a
detecting unit detecting a status of the game has been shifted to a
predetermined status; and a transmitting unit transmitting to the
remote control device status information indicating the detected
status.
13. A method of remotely playing a game on a game machine,
comprising: receiving a manual game machine operation instruction
directly at the game machine; communicably via a network receiving
a game machine remote instruction at the game machine; inhibiting
one of the game machine remote operation instruction or the manual
game machine operation instruction; and transmitting visual image
information of a video image displayed at the game machine, upon
permitting the game machine remote operation instruction according
to the inhibiting.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority to
Japanese patent application no. 2007-45955 filed on Feb. 26, 2007
in the Japan Patent Office, and incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The embodiments relate to a gaming method, a
computer-readable medium thereof, and a game system including a
game machine, such as a pinball machine, and a remote control
device for establishing connection with the game machine through a
communication network and controlling the game machine through the
communication network, and to the game machine used in the game
system. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a remote game
system capable of allowing a player to operate a game machine
installed in a game parlor without requiring the player to go to
the game parlor, and to the game machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Games using game machines, such as pinball machines, have
become popular for amusement. Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 2000-189666 discloses a game system
that provides a game using, instead of an actual game machine, a
virtual game machine through a communication network.
[0006] In a game system including a virtual game machine, a remote
control device, such as a personal computer or a video game machine
having a communication function, is connected to a game server on a
communication network, and a player operates, through the remote
control device, the virtual game machine, which is provided by the
game server. In the case of operating the virtual game machine,
since a video image and sound relating to the game machine are
distributed from the game server, the player is able to play the
game while viewing the video image and listening to the sound.
[0007] In addition, the pamphlet of International Publication No.
95/30463 discloses a system that allows a player to play a game
while savoring the sense of reality since a video image and sound
of an actual game machine are transmitted to a remote control
device.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to an aspect of an embodiment, a system includes a
game machine having manual operation unit for receiving a manual
operation instruction, and a remote control device having
communication unit for communicating with the game machine through
a communication network and remote operation unit for operating the
game machine through the communication network. The game machine
further comprises exclusion unit for, when one of a remote
operation instruction for playing a game from the remote control
device and a manual operation instruction for directly playing the
game from the manual operation unit has been received, inhibiting
the other one of the remote operation instruction and the manual
operation instruction.
[0009] These together with other aspects and advantages which will
be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and
operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game system according to
an embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B are external views of a game machine used in
the game system according to the embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an external view of a remote control device used
in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing internal structures of
devices installed in a parlor in the game system according to the
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of
the remote control device used in the game system according to the
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing internal structures of
devices provided in a service business unit used in the game system
according to the embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of an
area-name database provided in an integrated recording device used
in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of a
parlor database provided in the integrated recording device used in
the game system according to the embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of a
machine-type database provided in the integrated recording device
used in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of a
game-machine database provided in the integrated recording device
used in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of a
reservation database provided in the integrated recording device
used in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of a
status-information database provided in the integrated recording
device used in the game system according to the embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a status-information
recording process performed by an in-parlor recording device and
the integrated recording device used in the game system according
to the embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection establishing
process performed by the remote control device, a connection
control device, and the integrated recording device used in the
game system according to the embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the connection establishing
process performed by the remote control device, the connection
control device, and the integrated recording device used in the
game system according to the embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 16A and 16B schematically show code conversion
performed by an in-home connection device used in the game system
according to the embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exclusion process
performed by the game machine used in the game system according to
the embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a reservation process
performed by the connection control device used in the game system
according to the embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 19 illustrates video images output from the remote
control device used in the game system according to the
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a video-image switching
process performed by game machines and the remote control device
used in the game system according to the embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a disconnection process
performed by the remote control device and the connection control
device used in the game system according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Embodiments will be described with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game system according
to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, game machines 1, such as
pinball machines or pachinko machines are installed in game parlors
located in various areas and places. The game machines 1 each have
a communication function. With the communication function, each of
the game machines 1 is connectable to a communication network 100,
such as a dedicated IP network or the Internet, through an
in-parlor connection device 2, such as a session initiation
protocol terminal adapter (SIP-TA), installed in a corresponding
parlor. A remote control device 4, such as (without limitation) a
personal computer, for performing remote control of the game
machines 1 is connected to the communication network 100 through a
in-home connection device 3, such as an SIP-TA. In-parlor recording
devices 5 which have databases for recording various statuses of
games provided by the game machines 1 are installed in the
parlors.
[0032] A connection control device 6, such as an SIP server
computer, for controlling connection between the game machines 1
and the remote control device 4 is provided in the communication
network 100. Various communication devices, such as an
authentication device 7 used for authentication for establishing
connection, a charging device 8 for performing charging processing
relating to connection, and an integrated recording device 9 which
has a database for recording various types of information on the
game machines 1 in accordance with communication with the in-parlor
recording devices 5 installed in the parlors, are connected to the
connection control device 6. A service relating to the game system
according to this embodiment is provided using the various
communication devices. The various communication devices
implementing the game system do not necessarily have individual
functions, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A single apparatus may have
all the functions. In FIG. 1, an example in which various
communication devices are connected to the communication network
100 through an in-business-unit communication network, such as a
local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), built in a
service business unit that provides a service, is illustrated.
[0033] External appearances of main devices used in the game system
according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2A and 2B are
external views of a game machine 1 used in the game system
according to this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view of the game
machine 1. FIG. 2B is a side view of the game machine 1. The game
machine 1 includes a game unit 10, an operation unit 11, a sound
acquisition unit 12, a video-image capturing unit 13, and a movable
supporting unit 14. A player is able to view the status of a game
on the game unit 10. The operation unit 11 includes a handle or the
like and receives an operation instruction from the player. The
sound acquisition unit 12 includes microphones or the like for
acquiring sound around the game machine 1. The video-image
capturing unit 13 includes a camera or the like and has a function
of capturing a video image indicating the status of the game
provided by the game unit 10. The movable supporting unit 14
movably supports the video-image capturing unit 13 and includes a
movable arm. When the movable supporting unit 14 operates, the
video-image capturing unit 13 moves near the game unit 10 such that
all or part of the game unit 10 falls within an image-capturing
range (see FIG. 2B). In a case where a player goes to a parlor in
which the game machine 1 is installed and operates the operation
unit 11 to play the game, the movable supporting unit 14 operates
to move the video-image capturing unit 13 to a side of the game
unit 10. Thus, the player is able to view the entire game unit
10.
[0034] FIG. 3 is an external view of the remote control device 4
used in the game system according to this embodiment. The remote
control device 4 includes an input unit 40, which serves as an
input user interface, and a video output unit 41 and a sound output
unit 42, which serve as output user interfaces. The input unit 40
includes a keyboard, a remote controller, and the like. The video
output unit 41 includes a monitor and the like. The sound output
unit 42 includes speakers and the like. The remote controller,
which is used as the input unit 40, includes operation unit 40a,
video-image-capturing operation unit 40b, game-ending unit 40c,
browsing unit 40d, and an emergency button 40e. The operation unit
40a corresponds to the operation unit 11 provided in the game
machine 1. The video-image-capturing operation unit 40b is used for
operating the video-image capturing unit 13 and the movable
supporting unit 14 to perform operations, such as shift,
magnification, and contraction of the image-capturing range of the
video-image capturing unit 13. The game-ending unit 40c is, for
example, a game-ending button for ending the game of the game
machine 1 that is being operated. The browsing unit 40d is, for
example, a data-browsing button used for browsing the status of the
game machine 1 that is being operated. The emergency button 40e is,
for example, a staff call button used for calling staff in the
parlor in a case where, for example, a ball gets stuck in the game
machine 1.
[0035] Hardware structures of main devices used in the game system
according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block
diagram showing internal structures of devices installed in a
parlor in the game system according to this embodiment. The game
machine 1 includes control unit 15, such as a control board, for
controlling the entire game machine 1. The control unit 15 includes
a read-only memory (ROM) 15a in which information on a game program
and various data are recorded, a random-access memory (RAM) 15b for
temporarily storing information, and a central processing unit
(CPU) 15c for reading the game program recorded in the ROM 15a,
storing the read game program into the RAM 15b, and executing the
game program.
[0036] The game machine 1 further includes first communication unit
16, second communication unit 17, video-image-capturing control
unit 18, and operation exclusion unit 19. The first communication
unit 16 is a unit for connecting the game machine 1 to the
communication network 100 through the in-parlor connection device
2. The second communication unit 17 is a unit for connecting the
game machine 1 to the in-parlor recording device 5 through an
in-parlor connection network, such as a LAN. The
video-image-capturing control unit 18 is a unit for controlling
operations of the video-image capturing unit 13 and the movable
supporting unit 14. The operation exclusion unit 19 is a unit for
performing exclusive control for a remote operation by the remote
control device 4 and a direct operation by the operation unit
11.
[0037] For example, in the case of Japanese pachinko machines, the
control unit 15 performs detection and control relating to the
status of a game, such as the number of won balls, the number of
jackpots, the number of ready situation to jackpots, and the like.
In addition, the control unit 15 records status information
indicating the detected status into the in-parlor recording device
5 through the second communication unit 17. The operation exclusion
unit 19 includes a mechanical mechanism and an electronic control
mechanism. For example, in the case of the pachinko machine, when a
reservation for the game is received from a player through the
remote control device 4 or when an operation signal is received
from the remote control device 4, the operation exclusion unit 19
performs a simulated operation based on the received operation
signal, such as, an operation for shooting a ball with a strength
corresponding to the received operation signal. At the same time,
the operation exclusion unit 19 inhibits an operation instruction
received through the operation unit 11 by fixedly or mechanically
interrupting transmission of the operation instruction. In
addition, when a direct operation instruction has been received
from a player using the operation unit 11, the operation exclusion
unit 19 inhibits an operation instruction received from the remote
control device 4 by refusing a request for establishing connection
from the remote control device 4.
[0038] The in-parlor recording device 5 includes control unit 50,
such as a CPU, recording unit 51, such as a hard disk, a ROM, or a
RAM, first communication unit 52 for connecting the in-parlor
recording device 5 to the game machines 1 through the in-parlor
communication network, and second communication unit 53 for
connecting the in-parlor recording device 5 to the integrated
recording device 9 through the communication network 100. Part of
the recording region of the recording unit 51 is used as
status-information database (DB) 51 a for recording status
information transmitted from the game machines 1 installed in the
parlors. The in-parlor recording device 5 periodically transmits to
the integrated recording device 9 status information recorded in
the status-information database 51a.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of
the remote control device 4 used in the game system according to
this embodiment. The remote control device 4 includes control unit
43, such as a CPU, recording unit 44, such as a hard disk or a RAM,
communication unit 45 for connecting the remote control device 4 to
the communication network 100 through the in-home connection device
3, an input-interface (I/F) 46 for allowing connection with the
input unit 40, and an output interface (I/F) 47 for allowing
connection with the video output unit 41 and the sound output unit
42. Information on various programs, including an application
program providing a service relating to the game system according
to this embodiment, and data are recorded in the recording unit 44
provided in the remote control device 4.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing internal structures of the
devices provided in the service business unit used in the game
system according to this embodiment. The connection control device
6 includes control unit 60, recording unit 61, and communication
unit 62. With the function of the SIP server computer, the
connection control device 6 controls streaming communication
between the game machines 1 and the remote control device 4 in
accordance with a protocol, such as a session initiation protocol
(SIP). Part of the recording region of the recording unit 61 is
used as a communication database (DB) 61a for recording, as
communication entries, information, such as a media access control
(MAC) address, an SIP address, a communication status, and media,
of a device for which connection implementing streaming
communication has been established. The connection control device 6
is connected to the communication network 100, the authentication
device 7, the charging device 8, and the integrated recording
device 9 through the communication unit 62.
[0041] The integrated recording device 9 includes control unit 90,
recording unit 91, and communication unit 92. The integrated
recording device 9 is connected to the connection control device 6
and the in-parlor recording device 5 through the communication unit
92. Part of the recording region of the recording unit 91 is used
as various databases, such as an area-name database (DB) 91 a and a
parlor database (DB) 91 b for recording information relating to an
area in which a parlor is located, a machine-type database (DB) 91c
for recording the type of a game machine 1 installed in the parlor,
a game-machine database (DB) 91d for recording information
indicating the game machine 1, a reservation database (DB) 91e for
recording a reservation status, and a status-information database
(DB) 91f for recording status information received from the
in-parlor recording device 5 installed in the parlor.
[0042] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the area-name database 91a provided in the integrated recording
device 9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. In
the area-name database 91a, an area name indicating an area and an
area code assigned to the area are recorded in association with
each other as a record unit. The correspondence between an area
name and an area code can be recognized by referring to the
area-name database 91a. An "area" may be a state, a county, or a
ward. However, an "area" is not necessarily an administrative
regional unit, it may be a predetermined area.
[0043] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the parlor database 91b provided in the integrated recording device
9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. In the
parlor database 91b, an area name, a parlor name indicating a
parlor, and a parlor code assigned to the parlor are recorded in
association with each other as a record unit. A parlor located in a
desired area can be recognized by referring to the parlor database
91b.
[0044] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the machine-type database 91c provided in the integrated recording
device 9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. In
the machine-type database 91c, a parlor name, a machine-type name
indicating the machine type of a game machine 1, and a
game-machine-type code assigned to the machine type are recorded in
association with each other as a record unit. The name of the
machine type of a game machine 1 installed in a desired parlor can
be recognized by referring to the machine-type database 91c.
[0045] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the game-machine database 91d provided in the integrated recording
device 9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. In
the game-machine database 91d, a machine-type name, a game-machine
number assigned to a game machine 1, and a game-machine code
assigned to the game machine 1 are recorded in association with
each other as a record unit. A desired game machine 1 can be
specified by referring to the game-machine database 91d.
[0046] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the reservation database 91e provided in the integrated recording
device 9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. In
the reservation database 91e, a game-machine code and reservation
information, such as IP addresses for identifying remote control
devices 4 by which reservations for a game machine 1 have been
made, are recorded in association with each other as a record unit.
As reservation information, in FIG. 11, in an unlimiting example,
IP addresses of at most five remote control devices 4 for each game
machine 1 are recorded in association with priorities for
reservations. A reservation having the highest priority represents
a state in which establishment of connection with a game machine 1,
for which a reservation has been made, is being waited. Thus,
reservations having the second and subsequent priorities are
recorded as reservation information in the reservation database
91e. That is, reservation information indicating reservations
having the second to sixth priorities are recorded as IP addresses
of corresponding remote control devices 4 for each game machine 1.
When no reservation has been made, "NULL" is recorded in a field of
corresponding reservation information.
[0047] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the recorded contents of
the status-information database 91f provided in the integrated
recording device 9 used in the game system according to this
embodiment. A case where a Japanese pachinko machine is used will
be described as an example. In the status-information database 91f,
a game-machine code and status information of a game machine 1,
including the number of jackpots of two day ago, the number of
jackpots of one day ago, the number of rotations after a jackpot
occurred, the total number of rotations, and a connection status,
are recorded in association with each other as a record unit. A
"jackpot" represents a particular status in which the status of the
game machine 1 is advantageous to a player. For example, in a case
where the game machine 1 is a pachinko machine including three
drums each indicating information, such as a number or an image, a
jackpot is a status in which after the three drums are rotated and
stopped, information indicated by all the drums become the same. In
the jackpot status, a hole for collecting shot pachinko balls with
a high probability opens widely, and a significantly increased
number of pachinko balls can be acquired. The number of jackpots of
two days ago and the number of jackpots of one day ago represent
the number of times in which the jackpot status occurred on the
date two days before the current date and the number of times in
which the jackpot status occurred on the date one day before the
current date, respectively. The number of rotations after a jackpot
occurred represents the number of rotations of drums after the last
jackpot occurred. The total number of rotations represents the
total number of rotations of the drums on the current date. The
connection status represents the number of times in which the
connection with the game machine 1 has been established. Times at
which the connections were established, as well as the number of
times in which connection has been established, may be included in
the connection status.
[0048] Processes performed by various devices used in the game
system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a
flowchart showing a status-information recording process performed
by the in-parlor recording device 5 and the integrated recording
device 9 used in the game system according to this embodiment. The
in-parlor recording device 5 collects statuses of the game machines
1 through the in-parlor communication network, and records the
collected statuses in the status-information database 51a. Under
the control of the control unit 50, the in-parlor recording device
5 transmits status information recorded in the status-information
database 51 a with predetermined intervals, such as ten minutes, to
the integrated recording device 9 via the second communication unit
53 (S101). All the status information recorded in the
status-information database 51a is not transmitted to the
integrated recording device 9. Since only differences from the
status information transmitted last time are transmitted to the
integrated recording device 9, the amount of information
transmitted to the integrated recording device 9 can be
reduced.
[0049] Under the control of the control unit 90, the integrated
recording device 9 receives, via the communication unit 92, the
status information (S102).
[0050] Then, the integrated recording device records the received
status information into the status-information database 91f (S103).
As described above, the integrated recording device 9 collects
status information of the game machines 1 installed in the
parlors.
[0051] FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing a connection
establishing process performed by the remote control device 4, the
connection control device 6, and the integrated recording device 9
used in the game system according to this embodiment. A player
operates the remote control device 4 to start an application
program providing a service relating to the game system according
to this embodiment. The remote control device 4 receives an
operation instruction from the player, and displays a predetermined
screen for receiving a search condition for the game machine 1. The
player enters a search condition in a predetermined entry field on
the displayed screen. A search condition is, for example, an area
name, a parlor name, a machine name, a game-machine number, the
status of a game machine 1, a connection status, or the like, or
any combinations thereof. The status of a game machine 1 represents
information, such as the number of rotations after the last jackpot
occurred. The connection status represents the number of times in
which connection has been established. Recently, in Japan, systems
allowing players to browse information on each pachinko machine,
which relates to the number of jackpots, the number of rotations,
and the like, have become widely used. The game system according to
this embodiment is capable of allowing players to browse connection
statuses, as well as information on games themselves, and to set
search conditions relating to the connection statuses. As
connection statuses, various statuses, including the number of
times in which connection has been established, an average
connection establishment duration, and the cumulative number of
reservations for establishing connection, or any combinations
thereof can be presented.
[0052] Under the control of the control unit 43, the remote control
device 4 receives, via the input unit 40, a search condition for a
game machine 1 (S201), and transmits, via the communication unit
45, the received search condition to the in-home connection device
3, so that the search condition can be transmitted to the
connection control device 6 (S202).
[0053] The in-home connection device 3 receives the search
condition, for example, encodes the received search condition into
a predetermined format, and generates an INVITE packet, which
complies with a protocol, such as an SIP, using the coded search
condition as a destination. The in-home connection device 3
transmits the search condition as the INVITE packet to the
connection control device 6. The processing for encoding a search
condition performed by the in-home connection device 3 is
processing for converting the search condition into a code recorded
in a corresponding database provided in the integrated recording
device 9. Since a search condition and a code are recorded in
advance in association with each other, the in-home connection
device 3 is capable of acquiring the correspondence between the
search condition and the code by referring to the integrated
recording device 9 through the connection control device 6 when
necessary.
[0054] FIGS. 16A and 16B schematically illustrate some code
conversions performed by the in-home connection device 3 used in
the game system according to this embodiment. FIGS. 16A and 16B
illustrate examples of encoding performed by the in-home connection
device 3. In the example shown in FIG. 16A, in a case where search
conditions are "Hokkaido", "ABC", "mammoth", and "111111111101",
the search conditions are encoded into a code
"01_0001_1004_111111111101_none_none_none_none_none". In the
example shown in FIG. 16B, in a case where search conditions are
"Hokkaido", "mammoth", "20", "10", "5", "100-150", and "3-5", the
search conditions are encoded into a code
"01_0000_1004_none_020_010_005_005_002". As shown in FIGS. 16A and
16B, search conditions are not necessarily entered for all the
fields. For a field in which no search condition is entered, a
dummy value "none" or the like is used. In addition, in the case of
designating a value, such as the number of jackpots, the number of
rotations after a jackpot occurred, or a connection status, when a
numeric value is designated, the designated numeric value is
converted into a code indicating the designated numeric value or a
code that is associated in advance with a range including the
designated numeric value. When a range is designated, the
designated range is converted into a code corresponding to the
range or a code indicating a numeric value representing a
representative value in the range.
[0055] Referring back to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,
under the control of the control unit 60, the connection control
device 6 receives, via the communication unit 62, the search
condition as the INVITE packet (S203), performs authentication
processing for the received INVITE packet (S204), and transmits the
INVITE packet as the search condition to the integrated recording
device 9 (S205). The authentication processing in S204 is performed
by comparing an authentication code of the in-home connection
device 3 contained as header information in the INVITE packet with
the recorded contents of the authentication device 7. If the
authentication processing in S204 has been performed
unsuccessfully, that is, if it is determined that the INVITE packet
indicates invalid access, the connection control device 6 cancels
the subsequent processing and transmits to the remote control
device 4 information indicating that the authentication processing
has been performed unsuccessfully.
[0056] Under the control of the control unit 90, the integrated
recording device 9 receives, via the communication unit 92, the
search condition as the INVITE packet (S206), and searches for one
or more game machines 1 that satisfy the search condition by
comparing the received search condition with the recorded contents
of the area-name database 91a, the parlor database 91b, the
machine-type database 91c, the game-machine database 91d, and/or
the status-information database 91f (S207).
[0057] Under the control of the control unit 90, the integrated
recording device 9 transmits, via the communication unit 92, to the
connection control device 6 communication information on the one or
more game machines 1, which serves as search results, for example,
in the form of an SIP 302 Moved Temporarily response (S208). As
communication information on the one or more game machines 1, which
serves as search results, for example, TA numbers identifying
in-parlor connection devices 2, which are SIP-TAs, to which the one
or more game machines 1 are connected, are transmitted. The TA
number of an in-parlor connection device 2 can be acquired by
recording the TA number and a corresponding game machine 1 in
association with each other in advance in the game-machine database
91d or by sending a query to a corresponding in-parlor recording
device 5. In a case where it is determined in S207 that no game
machine 1 satisfies the search condition, the processing in S208 is
not performed. The integrated recording device 9 transmits to the
connection control device 6, for example, an SIP 404 Not Found
response. The connection control device 6 transmits to the remote
control device 4 through the in-home connection device 3 a SIP 404
Not Found error. The remote control device 4 displays information
indicating that no game machine 1 satisfies the search
condition.
[0058] Under the control of the control unit 60, the connection
control device 6 receives, via the communication unit 62, the
communication information serving as search results, such as TA
numbers of the in-parlor connection devices 2 for the one or more
game machines 1 (S209). The connection control device 6 transmits
to the in-parlor connection device 2 connection requests for
requesting establishment of connection in accordance with the
received communication information (S210). A connection request
transmitted in S210 is an INVITE packet in which the destination of
the INVITE packet received from the in-home connection device 3 is
rewritten as identification information, such as an SIP address,
for identifying an in-parlor connection device 2 specified by a TA
number, which serves as communication information. Identification
information, such as an SIP address, of an in-parlor connection
device 2, can be acquired by recording the SIP address in advance
or by sending a query to another device, such as the integrated
recording device 9, in which the SIP address is recorded.
[0059] The in-parlor connection device 2 receives the connection
request, and detects the use status of the corresponding game
machine 1. If it is detected that the game machine 1 is not being
used, the in-parlor connection device 2 transmits to the connection
control device 6, for example, as an SIP 200 OK response, a
connection response indicating that the requested connection is
acceptable. The connection response transmitted as a 200 OK
response from the in-parlor connection device 2 to the connection
control device 6 contains various types of information, such as an
SIP address, relating to the game machine 1. When a connection
response indicating that requested connection is acceptable is
transmitted, the game machine 1 is treated as a game machine that
has received a reservation for a game. If the game machine 1 is
being used, the in-parlor connection device 2 transmits to the
connection control device 6, for example, as an SIP 486 Busy Here
response, a connection refusal response indicating that the
requested connection is refused.
[0060] Under the control of the control unit 60, the connection
control device 6 receives a connection response as a 200 OK
response via the communication unit 62 (S211). Then, the connection
control device 6 transmits the received connection response to the
in-home connection device 3, so that the connection response can be
transmitted to the remote control device 4 (S212). If the
connection control device 6 receives a connection refusal response
as a 486 Busy Here response, the connection control device 6
transmits to the in-home connection device 3 information indicating
that the game machine 1 is being used, so that the information can
be transmitted to the remote control device 4.
[0061] The in-home connection device 3 transmits to the remote
control device 4 a search result indicating the game machine 1,
which is indicated by the received connection response. Under the
control of the control unit 43, the remote control device 4
receives the search result based on the connection response via the
communication unit 45 (S213), the remote control device 4 outputs
the received search result from the video output unit 41 (S214). If
connection responses relating to a plurality of game machines 1 are
received, game machine information indicating each of the game
machines 1 is output as a search result. If the remote control
device 4 receives information indicating that a game machine 1 is
being used, the remote control device 4 indicates that the game
machine 1 is being used, and game machine information is output as
a search result from the video output unit 41.
[0062] The player selects, from a list of game machine information
output as search results from the in-home connection device 3, game
machine information indicating one or more game machines 1 the
player wants to operate. Then the player enters an instruction to
select the game machine information.
[0063] Under the control of the control unit 43, the remote control
device 4 receives, information indicating the selection status of
game machine information via the input unit 40 (S215). Then, the
remote control device 4 transmits, via the communication unit 45,
to the in-home connection device 3 the selection information
indicating the received selection status, so that the selection
information can be transmitted to the connection control device 6
(S216).
[0064] The in-home connection device 3 transmits the received
selection information to the connection control device 6. For
example, in a case where a game machine 1 is selected as a game
machine to be operated, the in-home connection device 3 transmits
SIP-ACK signal as selection information for the game machine 1,
which indicates a request for establishment of connection. In a
case where a game machine 1 is not selected as a game machine to be
operated, the in-home connection device 3 transmits SIP-Cancel
signal as selection information for the game machine 1, which
indicates that connection is refused. However, in a case where the
game machine 1 that is being used is selected as the game machine
to be operated, selection information indicating that the game
machine 1 that is being used is selected is transmitted, and
reservation processing starts, as described below. If the game
machine 1 that is being used is not selected as a game machine to
be operated, no particular processing is performed for the game
machine 1.
[0065] Under the control of the control unit 60, the connection
control device 6 receives, via the communication unit 62, selection
information for the game machines 1 as SIP-ACK or SIP-Cancel
(S217). In accordance with the received selection information, the
connection control device 6 establishes connection between a game
machine 1 and the remote control device 4 (S218), and a game is
started by remote control (S219). The game machine 1 for which
connection is established in S218 is a game machine whose selection
information indicates SIP-ACK signal. Connection with a game
machine 1 whose selection information indicates SIP-Cancel signal
is disconnected. When disconnection is completed, a reservation for
the game machine 1 is canceled.
[0066] Connection (session) between the game machine 1 and the
remote control device 4 is established in accordance with a
protocol, such as transmission control protocol/user datagram
protocol (TCP/UDP), and interactive information communication is
performed in real time. Information transmitted from the remote
control device 4 to the game machine 1 is an operation signal
indicating the details of an operation the remote control device 4
receives through the operation unit 40a, the video-image-capturing
operation unit 40b, the game-ending unit 40c, the browsing unit
40d, or the emergency button 40e of the input unit 40. The game
machine 1 performs various types of processing, such as processing
relating to a game operation, such as ball shooting, processing
relating to operations of the video-image capturing unit 13 and the
movable supporting unit 14, and processing for contacting parlor
staff, in accordance with operation signals. Information
transmitted from the game machine 1 to the remote control device 4
includes video image information indicating a video image captured
by the video-image capturing unit 13, sound information indicating
sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit 12, and status
information indicating the status of the game. In the remote
control device 4, a video image based on the video image
information is output from the video output unit 41, sound based on
the sound information is output from the sound output unit 42, and
various types of processing based on the status information are
performed. As described above, the player is able to perform remote
control of the game machine 1.
[0067] In the above-described connection establishing process, the
player is able to reserve a game provided by a game machine 1 only
by entering a search condition. Thus, the remote control device 4
receives an input of a search condition and a reservation for the
game as a common operation. Processing relating to searching and
processing relating to a reservation for a game may be separated
from each other, so that the processing relating to searching and
the processing relating to the reservation can be received as
independent operations.
[0068] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exclusion process
performed by the game machine 1 used in the game system according
to this embodiment. In the above-described connection establishing
process, the in-parlor connection device 2 receives a connection
request from the integrated recording device 9, and performs, as
processing for detecting the use status of the game machine 1,
transmission of the connection request, which requests
establishment of connection and has been received from the remote
control device 4, to the game machine 1. Under the control of the
control unit 15, the game machine 1 receives, via the second
communication unit 17, the connection request (S301). The operation
exclusion unit 19 determines whether an operation instruction has
been received from an in-parlor player, who plays a game in a
parlor in which the game machine 1 is installed (S302). In a case
where it is assumed that no operation instruction has been received
from the in-parlor player but the game machine 1 has been occupied
by the in-parlor player for a predetermined period of time since
the last operation instruction was received, as well as a case
where an operation instruction has been received through the
operation unit 11, it is determined in S302 that an operation
instruction has been received. For Japanese pachinko machines, a
case where balls are stored corresponds to the above-mentioned
case.
[0069] If it is determined in S302 that no operation instruction
has been received (if the determination in S302 is NO), under the
control of the control unit 15, the game machine 1 transmits to the
in-parlor connection device 2 a connection permission response
indicating that connection is permitted (S303). Then, the operation
exclusion unit 19 inhibits reception of an operation instruction
through the operation unit 11 (S304). When the connection
permission response is transmitted in S303, the in-parlor
connection device 2 detects that the game machine 1 is not being
used and the requested connection is acceptable. In addition, when
the connection permission response is transmitted, the game machine
1 enters a status in which a reservation for remote control has
been received. The processing for inhibiting reception of an
operation instruction through the operation unit 11 in S304 is
processing for inhibiting, using a mechanical mechanism and/or an
electronic control mechanism, an operation instruction through the
operation unit 11 by fixedly or mechanically and/or electronically
interrupting transmission of the operation instruction. The
processing for inhibiting reception of an operation instruction
through the operation unit 11 is continued as long as the
reservation for remote control is received or the connection is
established, and is canceled when disconnection is completed. Since
the video-image capturing unit 13 captures a video image of the
game unit 10 of the game machine 1 during the execution of remote
control, the in-parlor player is able to recognize, without
touching the operation unit 11, that any operation through the
operation unit 11 is inhibited.
[0070] If it is determined in S302 that an operation instruction
has been received (if the determination in S302 is YES), under the
control of the control unit 15, the game machine 1 transmits to the
in-parlor connection device 2 a connection refusal response
indicating that establishment of connection is refused (S305). When
the connection refusal response is transmitted in S305, the
in-parlor connection device 2 detects that the game machine 1 is
being used and that the requested connection is not acceptable.
Even in a case where an operation instruction has not been received
through the operation unit 11, when a reservation has been received
from another remote control device 4, which is different from the
remote control device 4 from which the connection request has been
received, or an operation instruction has been received from the
different remote control device 4, the requested connection is
refused. However, when a reservation or an operation instruction
has been received from the different remote control device 4, the
in-parlor connection device 2 or the connection control device 6 is
capable of detecting that the reservation or the operation
instruction has been received from the different remote control
device 4. Thus, in this case, a connection request is not
necessarily transmitted to the game machine 1.
[0071] As described above, the exclusion processing is processing
for, when one of an operation instruction for playing the game from
the remote control device 4 and an operation instruction for
playing the game through the operation unit 11 is received,
inhibiting the other one of the operation instructions.
[0072] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a reservation process
performed by the connection control device 6 used in the game
system according to this embodiment. When the connection control
device 6 receives from the in-home connection device 3 selection
information indicating that one or more game machines 1 that are
being used are selected as game machines to be operated in the
above-described connection establishing processing, the connection
control device 6 starts the reservation process. Under the control
of the control unit 60, the connection control device 6 provides
the order of the selection information, that is, connection
requests from the remote control device 4 for connection with the
one or more game machines 1, and records reservation information as
a queue, which represents priorities, into the reservation database
91e (S401). A state in which a game machine 1 is being used
represents a state in which the game machine 1 serving as a game
machine to be operated receives an operation instruction through
the operation unit 11, a state in which the game machine 1 receives
a reservation from another remote control device 4, which is
different from the remote control device 4 from which a connection
request has been received, or a state in which the game machine 1
receives an operation instruction from the different remote control
device 4.
[0073] The connection control device 6 transmits, with
predetermined time intervals, connection requests to an in-parlor
connection device 2 relating to a game machine 1 corresponding to
reservation information recorded in the reservation database 91e.
However, when it is clear that the game machine 1 is establishing
connection, a connection request is not transmitted.
[0074] A video image output from the video output unit 41 of the
remote control device 4 will be described. FIG. 19 illustrates
video images output from the remote control device 4 used in the
game system according to this embodiment. As described in the
explanation of the connection establishing process, the remote
control device 4 is capable of establishing connection with one or
more game machines 1. FIG. 19 illustrates the state where the
remote control device 4 has established connection with four game
machines 1. In this example, the remote control device 4 is capable
of operating only one of the game machines 1 in real time, however,
the embodiments are not limited to such a configuration and one or
any number of a plurality of game machines 1 may be operated
simultaneously in real-time. Operations for the other game machines
1 might be fixed (paused). Referring to FIG. 19, the largest video
image represents the game machine 1 that is being operated in real
time. When a player operates the remote control device 4, all or a
desired part of the game unit 10 can be displayed. The other video
images represent the game machines 1, which are connected to the
remote control device 4 as game machines to be operated, but for
which operations are fixed. The video images each represent only a
drum portion of the game unit 10. The game machine 1 that can be
operated in real time can be changed according to need. In a case
where communication with another remote control device 4 is
established, information exchange can be performed by chatting
system or the like. In a bottom right portion of the screen shown
in FIG. 19, an image used for chatting system is displayed.
[0075] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a video image switching
process performed by game machines 1 and the remote control device
4 used in the game system according to this embodiment. The video
image switching process is a process for automatically switching
video images in a case where video images relating to a plurality
of game machines 1 are displayed, as shown in FIG. 19. Under the
control of the control unit 15, the game machine 1 detects a status
relating to a game. When the game machine 1 detects that the status
of the game has been shifted to a predetermined status, that is, in
this case, when the game machine 1 detects that the status of the
game has been shifted to a jackpot status (S501), the game machine
1 transmits status information indicating the detected status
(S502). The status information is transmitted to the remote control
device 4 through the in-parlor connection device 2, the
communication network 100, and the in-home connection device 3.
[0076] Under the control of the control unit 43, the remote control
device 4 receives, via the communication unit 45, the status
information (S503), and preferentially displays a video image based
on video image information of the game machine 1 from which the
status information has been received (S504). The processing for
preferentially displaying a video image in S504 is processing for
displaying the video image as the largest video image as shown in
FIG. 19, and a real-time operation of the game machine 1 can be
achieved. That is, a player is able to preferentially view the game
machine 1 in which a jackpot has occurred and to operate the game
machine 1 in real time.
[0077] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a disconnection process
performed by the remote control device 4 and the connection control
device 6 used in the game system according to this embodiment. When
a player operates the game-ending unit 40c, such as a game-ending
button, the remote control device 4 starts the disconnection
process. Under the control of the control unit 43, the remote
control device 4 receives through the game-ending unit 40c of the
input unit 40 an instruction to end a game (S601). Then, the remote
control device 4 transmits, via the communication unit 45, to the
in-home connection device 3 the received instruction to end the
game, so that the instruction can be transmitted to the connection
control device 6 (S602).
[0078] The in-home connection device 3 receives the instruction to
end the game, and generates a BYE packet, which indicates a request
for disconnection, in accordance with the received instruction to
end the game. The in-home connection device 3 transmits the BYE
packet as a disconnection request to the connection control device
6.
[0079] Under the control of the control unit 60, the connection
control device 6 receives, via the communication unit 62, the
disconnection request as a BYE packet (S603). The connection
control device 6 transmits to the in-parlor connection device 2 a
disconnection request as a BYE packet, which indicates a request
for disconnection, in accordance with the received disconnection
request (S604).
[0080] When the in-parlor connection device 2 receives the
disconnection request, the in-parlor connection device 2 performs
disconnection processing for ending the game of the game machine 1.
Then, the in-parlor connection device 2 transmits to the connection
control device 6, for example, as an SIP 200 OK response, a
disconnection completion notification, which notifies that the
disconnection has been completed. The disconnection completion
notification transmitted as a 200 OK response from the in-parlor
connection device 2 to the connection control device 6 contains
various types of information, such as the game-machine code, the
number of rotations, the number of jackpots, the balance between
the number of won balls and the number of lost balls, and the like
of the game machine 1, as statuses relating to the ended game. The
information is transmitted to the remote control device 4.
[0081] Under the control of the control unit 60, the connection
control device 6 receives, via the communication unit 62, the
disconnection completion notification as a 200 OK response (S605),
and transmits a disconnection request to the in-home connection
device 3 (S606). The connection control device 6 performs various
types of game ending processing, such as total accounting relating
to charging processing, in accordance with the received
disconnection completion notification. The connection control
device 6 receives an ACK packet, which indicates that the in-home
connection device 3 completes disconnection, and transmits an ACK
packet to the in-parlor connection device 2. Accordingly, complete
disconnection can be achieved.
[0082] In the case of starting the disconnection process, in
addition to a player's voluntary operation for disconnection, for
example, transmission of a notification indicating a status, such
as the passage of a predetermined period of time or entering to a
predetermined state in which all the balls owned by the player are
consumed, from the connection control device 6 to the remote
control device 4 may be performed, so that a determination of
whether to perform disconnection can be performed.
[0083] In the above-described embodiment, only one of many
embodiments has been explained. The embodiments are not limited to
the above-described embodiments. Various changes and medications
can be made to the embodiments as long as a game machine that can
be operated by an in-parlor player who is in a game parlor in which
the game machine is installed can also be controlled by a remote
control device and when one of an operation instruction from the
in-parlor player and an operation instruction from the remote
control device is received, the other one of the operation
instructions can be inhibited. Thus, features, such as the type of
a game, a system configuration, a protocol, an operation method,
and a method for exclusion control, may be changed according to
need. The embodiments are implemented in computing hardware and/or
software (computer readable recording media and/or communication
media, such as carrier wave signals). Further, any combinations of
the described features/functions/operations can be provided.
[0084] The many features and advantages of the embodiments are
apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof.
Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
inventive embodiments to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope thereof.
* * * * *