U.S. patent application number 12/810025 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for network system of game apparatuses for business use and benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus constituting the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Masato Okuaki, Takashi Uchiyama.
Application Number | 20100273559 12/810025 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40824277 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100273559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goto; Nobuhiro ; et
al. |
October 28, 2010 |
NETWORK SYSTEM OF GAME APPARATUSES FOR BUSINESS USE AND
BENEFIT-IMPARTING CONDITION DECIDING APPARATUS CONSTITUTING THE
SAME
Abstract
To give a player who plays a certain game apparatus less
frequently an increased opportunity that the player plays
selectively with the game apparatus. Provided is a
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus which, when a player
corresponding to identification information received by an
identification information receiving unit is decided to satisfy a
predetermined benefit-imparting condition, outputs clear
information in a state of being associated with the identification
information on the player and also notifies the player of game
apparatus designating information for designating a
benefit-imparting game apparatus, and where the identification
information is received after receipt of the clear information, a
benefit-imparting process is performed for imparting the player a
benefit according to the clear information associated with the same
identification information as the received identification
information. The benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus
changes one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating
information to be notified based on a predetermined change
condition.
Inventors: |
Goto; Nobuhiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Kusuda; Kazuhiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Okuaki; Masato; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Uchiyama;
Takashi; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DITTHAVONG MORI & STEINER, P.C.
918 Prince Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40824277 |
Appl. No.: |
12/810025 |
Filed: |
December 25, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 25, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/073532 |
371 Date: |
June 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ;
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 ;
463/29 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 2007 |
JP |
2007-340740 |
Claims
1. A network system of game apparatuses for business use
comprising: a benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus
including, an identification information receiving unit for
receiving identification information on a player, a decision unit
for deciding whether the player corresponding to the identification
information received by the identification information receiving
unit satisfies a predetermined benefit-imparting condition, a clear
information output unit for outputting clear information indicating
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied, in a state of
being associated with the identification information on the player
who has satisfied the benefit-imparting condition, when the
decision unit decides that the benefit-imparting condition is
satisfied, and a notifying unit which notifies the player of game
apparatus designating information for designating a
benefit-imparting game apparatus when the decision unit decides
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied; and a plurality
of benefit-imparting game apparatuses respectively including, an
identification information receiving unit for receiving the
identification information on the player, a game progress control
unit for controlling game progress, a clear information receiving
unit for receiving the clear information output by the clear
information output unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus, and a benefit-imparting processing unit for performing a
benefit-imparting process, when the identification information
receiving unit receives the identification information, in order to
impart the player a benefit according to the clear information
which is received by the clear information receiving unit and which
is associated with the same identification information as the
received identification information; wherein the benefit-imparting
condition deciding apparatus further comprises a notified content
change unit for changing one or two or more pieces of game
apparatus designating information to be notified by the notifying
unit based on a predetermined change condition.
2. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 1, wherein the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus is a game apparatus including a game progress
control unit for progressing and controlling a game which is
different in content from a game that is progressed and controlled
by the game progress control unit of the benefit-imparting game
apparatus, and the decision unit of the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus decides whether the benefit-imparting condition
is satisfied, based on a game progress result progressed and
controlled by the game progress control unit.
3. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses further comprises a bet object
receiving unit for receiving bet objects and a payout processing
unit which performs a payout process for paying out to the player
an amount of payout objects according to an amount of bet objects
received by the bet object receiving unit based on a game result
progressed and controlled by the game progress control unit
thereof, and where the identification information receiving unit
receives identification information, the payout processing unit of
at least one of the benefit-imparting game apparatuses functions as
the benefit-imparting processing unit and pays out as the benefit
to the player an amount of payout objects according to the clear
information which is received by the clear information receiving
unit and which is associated with the same identification
information as the received identification information.
4. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 3, wherein the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus is a game apparatus including a bet object
receiving unit for receiving bet objects and a payout processing
unit which performs a payout process for paying out to the player
an amount of payout objects according to an amount of bet objects
received by the bet object receiving unit, based on the game result
progressed and controlled by the game progress control unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus.
5. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 1, wherein the benefit-imparting processing unit
of the benefit-imparting game apparatus performs the
benefit-imparting process for imparting the player the benefit
according to the clear information received by the clear
information receiving unit in association with the same
identification information as the received identification
information on a condition where a result of a game progressed and
controlled upon receipt of the identification information by the
identification information receiving unit of the benefit-imparting
game apparatus satisfies a second benefit-imparting condition.
6. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 1, wherein the clear information output unit of
the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus is to output
benefit-imparting deadline information in association with the
clear information, the clear information receiving unit of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus is to receive the
benefit-imparting deadline information output by the clear
information output unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus, and where the identification information receiving unit
of the benefit-imparting game apparatus receives the identification
information, the benefit-imparting processing unit of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus decides whether a
benefit-imparting deadline indicated by the benefit-imparting
deadline information received by the clear information receiving
unit in association with the clear information associated with the
same identification information as the received identification
information is exceeded or not, and does not perform the
benefit-imparting process concerning the clear information when
deciding that the benefit-imparting deadline is exceeded.
7. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each
benefit-imparting game apparatus further comprises a history
information output unit for outputting play history information in
a state of being associated with the identification information
where the identification information receiving unit thereof
receives the identification information and thereby the game
progress control unit thereof controls game progress, the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus further comprises a
history information receiving unit for receiving the play history
information output by the history information output unit of each
benefit-imparting game apparatus, and the notified content change
unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus
specifies, based on the play history information received by the
history information receiving unit in association with the same
identification information as identification information received
by the identification information receiving unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus, a game apparatus
which is played at a relatively low frequency by a player related
to the identification information, among the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses, and where one or two or more
pieces of game apparatus designating information to be notified to
the player related to the identification information by the
notifying unit are different from game apparatus designating
information on the specified game apparatus, the notified content
change unit changes the one or two or more pieces of game apparatus
designating information to be notified to the player related to the
identification information by the notifying unit to the game
apparatus designating information on the specified game
apparatus.
8. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a non-use
status checking unit for checking a non-use status of each
benefit-imparting game apparatus, wherein the notified content
change unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus
specifies benefit-imparting game apparatuses which are not played
among the plurality of benefit-imparting game apparatuses, based on
a result checked by the non-use status checking unit, and where the
one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating information
to be notified by the notifying unit are different from game
apparatus designating information on the specified game apparatus,
the notified content change unit changes the one or two or more
pieces of game apparatus designating information to be notified by
the notifying unit to the game apparatus designating information on
the specified game apparatus.
9. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a
utilization status checking unit for checking an utilization status
of each benefit-imparting game apparatus, wherein the notified
content change unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus specifies a benefit-imparting game apparatus played by a
player for a period, which is relatively short, among the plurality
of benefit-imparting game apparatuses, based on a result checked by
the utilization status checking unit, and where the one or two or
more pieces of game apparatus designating information to be
notified by the notifying unit are different from game apparatus
designating information on the specified game apparatus, the
notified content change unit changes the one or two or more pieces
of game apparatus designating information to be notified by the
notifying unit to the game apparatus designating information on the
specified game apparatus.
10. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a
utilization status checking unit for checking an utilization status
of each benefit-imparting game apparatus, wherein the notified
content change unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus specifies a benefit-imparting game apparatus in which the
number of times of games is fewer within a predetermined period
among the plurality of benefit-imparting game apparatuses, based on
a result checked by the utilization status checking unit, and where
the one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating
information to be notified by the notifying unit are different from
the game apparatus designating information on the specified game
apparatus, the notified content change unit changes the one or two
or more pieces of game apparatus designating information to be
notified by the notifying unit to the game apparatus designating
information on the specified game apparatus.
11. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a
utilization status checking unit for checking an utilization status
of each benefit-imparting game apparatus, wherein the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses further comprise a bet object
receiving unit for receiving bet objects and a payout processing
unit which performs a payout process for paying out to the player
an amount of payout objects according to an amount of the bet
objects received by the bet object receiving unit, based on a game
result progressed and controlled by the game progress control unit
thereof, and the notified content change unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus specifies, based on
a result checked by the utilization status checking unit, a
benefit-imparting game apparatus in which the amount of bet objects
received by the bet object receiving unit within a predetermined
period or the amount of payout objects paid out to the player by
the payout process performed by the payout processing unit within a
predetermined period is small, among the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses, and where the one or two or
more pieces of game apparatus designating information to be
notified by the notifying unit are different from game apparatus
designating information on the specified game apparatus, the
notified content change unit changes the one or two or more pieces
of game apparatus designating information to be notified by the
notifying unit to the game apparatus designating information on the
specified game apparatus.
12. The network system of game apparatuses for business use
according to claim 1, wherein the identification information
receiving unit is composed of an identification information reading
unit for reading out identification information from a storage
medium which stores the identification information on the
player.
13. A benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus comprising: an
identification information receiving unit for receiving
identification information on a player; a decision unit for
deciding whether the player corresponding to the identification
information received by the identification information receiving
unit satisfies a predetermined benefit-imparting condition; a clear
information output unit which outputs clear information indicating
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied in a state of
being associated with the identification information on the player
who has satisfied the benefit-imparting condition when the decision
unit decides that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied; a
notifying unit which notifies the player of game apparatus
designating information for designating a benefit-imparting game
apparatus different from the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus when the decision unit decides that the benefit-imparting
condition is satisfied; and a notified content change unit for
changing one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating
information to be notified by the notifying unit, based on a
predetermined change condition.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a network system of game
apparatuses for business use composed of a plurality of apparatuses
including a game apparatus and a benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus constituting the network system of game
apparatuses for business use.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a game facility such as a gaming arcade, installed is a
plurality of game apparatuses executing games having game content
different from each other. A player who visits the game facility
selects a game apparatus out of the game apparatuses and plays a
game. Thus, conventionally, a game apparatus developer has devised
a variety of ingenious ideas for each game apparatus in order to
give a larger number of players an opportunity to play the game
apparatus developed by the developer.
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a network system of
game apparatuses for business use using: a horse-racing game
machine executing a training-type horse-racing simulation game
installed in a game facility; and a mobile telephone held by a
player. In this network system of game apparatuses for business
use, if the player who plays the horse-racing game machine trains
his/her own horse so as to win Japan's three main horse races, the
player obtains a right allowing him/her to enter the horse in a
triple crown race where only winners of the Japan's three main
horse races are allowed to run. Before that, in order to enter in
the triple crown race, there is a condition, i.e., where the player
is required to clear a predetermined challenge in a mobile
telephone game. Thus, in this network system of game apparatuses
for business use, even a player who has won Japan's three main
horse races cannot enter his/her own horse in the triple crown race
unless the predetermined challenge is cleared in his/her own mobile
telephone game. Imposing such a condition on a player contributes
to enhancement of a game element provided in that horse-racing game
machine.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2002-325960
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In general, the majority of players who visit a game
facility tend to preferably select a game apparatus that they
enjoyed playing in the past or a game apparatus of the same type
that they enjoyed playing in the past. Any game apparatus providing
an enjoyable game would be difficult in conveying enjoyment to
players without having the players come to an installation location
of a game apparatus to watch a demonstration screen or without
having them actually play a game. Therefore, it is an important
issue to attract players to an installation location of a game
apparatus which is different from a game apparatus they enjoyed
playing in the past or a game apparatus of the same type they
enjoyed in the past and desirably encourage these players to
actually play a game in view of allowing them to be aware of
enjoyment provided by the different game apparatus.
[0006] It is also an important issue to attract players who play a
game with a home game machine (including a portable game machine)
in a concentrated manner to an installation location of a game
apparatus (an arcade gaming machine) installed at a game facility
and desirably encourage them to actually play a game in view of
allowing many players to be aware of enjoyment provided with the
game apparatus (the arcade game machine).
[0007] This issue is particularly important in a token-operated
game machine and others in which a payout process is performed for
paying out to a player an amount of payout objects (token, etc.)
according to an amount of bet objects such as tokens on the basis
of a game result.
[0008] A conventional method for solving such an issue is as
follows: a flashy performance is carried out in each game apparatus
or activities for advertisement and publicity for each game
apparatus are launched, for example. In this way, a game content is
conveyed to the player. In doing so, the player becomes interested
in that game apparatus, giving an opportunity for the player to
start playing that game apparatus. However, this conventional
method is weak motivation for a player who does not usually play
that game apparatus to start playing that game apparatus, and it is
not highly effective for a large number of players to come to know
enjoyment of that game apparatus.
[0009] The present invention realizes and provides a network system
of game apparatuses for business use capable of increasing such an
opportunity that allows even a player who does not play a certain
game apparatus to play the game apparatus concerned and also a
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus constituting the
network system.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] As an aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a
network system of game apparatuses for business use includes: a
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus includes, an
identification information receiving unit for receiving
identification information on a player, a decision unit for
deciding whether the player corresponding to the identification
information received by the identification information receiving
unit satisfies a predetermined benefit-imparting condition, a clear
information output unit for outputting clear information indicating
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied, in a state of
being associated with the identification information on the player
who has satisfied the benefit-imparting condition, when the
decision unit decides that the benefit-imparting condition is
satisfied, and a notifying unit which notifies the player of game
apparatus designating information for designating a
benefit-imparting game apparatus when the decision unit decides
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied; and a plurality
of benefit-imparting game apparatuses respectively include, an
identification information receiving unit for receiving the
identification information on the player, a game progress control
unit for controlling game progress, a clear information receiving
unit for receiving the clear information output by the clear
information output unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus, and a benefit-imparting processing unit for performing a
benefit-imparting process, when the identification information
receiving unit receives the identification information, in order to
impart the player a benefit according to the clear information
which is received by the clear information receiving unit and which
is associated with the same identification information as the
received identification information; wherein the benefit-imparting
condition deciding apparatus further includes a notified content
change unit for changing one or two or more pieces of game
apparatus designating information to be notified by the notifying
unit based on a predetermined change condition.
[0011] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
a player who has been decided to satisfy the predetermined
benefit-imparting condition in the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus is able to receive a benefit according to clear
information related to the benefit-imparting condition in a
benefit-imparting game apparatus different from the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus. As described above,
the player who has satisfied the predetermined benefit-imparting
condition in the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus is
allowed to receive the benefit by going to an installation location
of the benefit-imparting game apparatus. Therefore, the player is
strongly motivated to go to the installation location of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus.
[0012] Then, in the present network system of game apparatuses for
business use, the game apparatus designating information to be
notified by the notifying unit, that is, information that notifies
a player of the benefit-imparting game apparatus from which the
player receives the benefit-impart, can be changed on the basis of
the predetermined change condition. Thereby, a game apparatus to be
selectively played by players (game apparatus designating
information) can be changed whenever necessary, thus making it
possible to effectively increase such an opportunity that players
who have not so far played that game apparatus selectively play
that game apparatus.
[0013] The notifying unit may notify the one or two or more pieces
of game apparatus designating information changed by the notified
content change unit without change. Alternatively, where two or
more pieces of game apparatus designating information changed by
the notified content change unit are available, the notifying unit
may notify some of the game apparatus designating information
selected therefrom.
[0014] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus may be a game apparatus including a game progress control
unit for progressing and controlling a game which is different in
content from a game that is progressed and controlled by the game
progress control unit of the benefit-imparting game apparatus, and
the decision unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus may decide whether the benefit-imparting condition is
satisfied, based on a game progress result progressed and
controlled by the game progress control unit.
[0015] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
players who intensively play in a game apparatus which is the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus are encouraged to
visit an installation location of a game apparatus
(benefit-imparting game apparatus) different from that game
apparatus. Thereby, the above-described players are given such an
opportunity that the players play game apparatuses which have been
so far played less frequently.
[0016] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, at least one of the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses may further include a bet object
receiving unit for receiving bet objects and a payout processing
unit which performs a payout process for paying out to the player
an amount of payout objects according to an amount of bet objects
received by the bet object receiving unit based on a game result
progressed and controlled by the game progress control unit
thereof, and where the identification information receiving unit
receives identification information, the payout processing unit of
at least one of the benefit-imparting game apparatuses may function
as the benefit-imparting processing unit and pay out as the benefit
to the player an amount of payout objects according to the clear
information which is received by the clear information receiving
unit and which is associated with the same identification
information as the received identification information.
[0017] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
a benefit imparted to a player who has been decided to satisfy the
predetermined benefit-imparting condition by the benefit-imparting
condition deciding apparatus is to pay out payout objects.
Therefore, it is possible to strongly motivate the player to go to
the installation location of the benefit-imparting game apparatus
concerned.
[0018] In particular, where the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus is a game apparatus which is not a game
apparatus (a token-operated game machine, etc.) to perform a payout
process for paying out to a player an amount of payout objects
according to an amount of bet objects on the basis of a game
result, it is often found that the majority of players who will
play a game apparatus which is the above-described
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus play the
benefit-imparting game apparatus such as a token-operated game
machine less frequently. In this instance, according to the present
network system of game apparatuses for business use, these players
are also encouraged to play the benefit-imparting game apparatus
such as a token-operated game machine, which is extremely
profitable.
[0019] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus may be a game apparatus including a bet object receiving
unit for receiving bet objects and a payout processing unit which
performs a payout process for paying out to the player an amount of
payout objects according to an amount of bet objects received by
the bet object receiving unit, based on the game result progressed
and controlled by the game progress control unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus.
[0020] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
it is possible to provide a new game attractiveness which has not
been so far available, that is, a player who plays a game apparatus
(a benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus) such as a
token-operated game machine is able to receive payout objects paid
out by the game apparatus according to the game progress result of
the game apparatus, and where satisfying the predetermined
benefit-imparting condition, the player is also able to have payout
objects paid out by another game apparatus (a benefit-imparting
game apparatus) such as a token-operated game machine.
[0021] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, the benefit-imparting processing unit of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus may perform the benefit-imparting
process for imparting the player the benefit according to the clear
information received by the clear information receiving unit in
association with the same identification information as the
received identification information on a condition where a result
of a game progressed and controlled upon receipt of the
identification information by the identification information
receiving unit of the benefit-imparting game apparatus satisfies a
second benefit-imparting condition.
[0022] A condition under which a player who has satisfied the
benefit-imparting condition in the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus receives a benefit in the benefit-imparting game
apparatus may be simply that in which the benefit-imparting game
apparatus receives the identification information on the player.
However, in this instance, there is a possibility that the player
may move away from the benefit-imparting game apparatus without
playing a game. For this reason, it is less effective in increasing
an opportunity that the player plays selectively with the
benefit-imparting game apparatus.
[0023] In the present network system of game apparatuses for
business use, not only to receive the identification information on
the player who has satisfied the benefit-imparting condition in the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus but also to satisfy
the second benefit-imparting condition by the result of a game
played with the benefit-imparting game apparatus are conditions for
receiving a benefit on the basis of the benefit-imparting condition
satisfied in the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus.
Thereby, even the player who has satisfied the benefit-imparting
condition in the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus is
unable to receive a benefit on the basis of the benefit-imparting
condition if the player does not play the benefit-imparting game
apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to effectively increase an
opportunity that the player plays selectively with the
benefit-imparting game apparatus.
[0024] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, the clear information output unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus may be to output
benefit-imparting deadline information in association with the
clear information, the clear information receiving unit of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus may be to receive the
benefit-imparting deadline information output by the clear
information output unit of the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus, and where the identification information receiving unit
of the benefit-imparting game apparatus receives the identification
information, the benefit-imparting processing unit of the
benefit-imparting game apparatus may decide whether a
benefit-imparting deadline indicated by the benefit-imparting
deadline information received by the clear information receiving
unit in association with the clear information associated with the
same identification information as the received identification
information is exceeded or not, and do not perform the
benefit-imparting process concerning the clear information when
deciding that the benefit-imparting deadline is exceeded.
[0025] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
even a player who has satisfied the predetermined benefit-imparting
condition in the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus is
unable to receive a benefit in the benefit-imparting game apparatus
if the benefit-imparting deadline is past. Thereby, the player who
has satisfied the predetermined benefit-imparting condition in the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus is encouraged to
visit soon an installation location of the benefit-imparting game
apparatus.
[0026] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, each benefit-imparting game apparatus may further
include a history information output unit for outputting play
history information in a state of being associated with the
identification information where the identification information
receiving unit thereof receives the identification information and
thereby the game progress control unit thereof controls game
progress, the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus may
further include a history information receiving unit for receiving
the play history information output by the history information
output unit of each benefit-imparting game apparatus, and the
notified content change unit of the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus may specify, based on the play history
information received by the history information receiving unit in
association with the same identification information as
identification information received by the identification
information receiving unit of the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus, a game apparatus which is played at a
relatively low frequency by a player related to the identification
information, among the plurality of benefit-imparting game
apparatuses, and where one or two or more pieces of game apparatus
designating information to be notified to the player related to the
identification information by the notifying unit are different from
game apparatus designating information on the specified game
apparatus, the notified content change unit may change the one or
two or more pieces of game apparatus designating information to be
notified to the player related to the identification information by
the notifying unit to the game apparatus designating information on
the specified game apparatus.
[0027] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
it is possible that each player is effectively encouraged to visit
an installation location of a game apparatus in which the player
plays less frequently.
[0028] The above-described network system of game apparatuses for
business use may further include a non-use status checking unit for
checking a non-use status of each benefit-imparting game apparatus,
wherein the notified content change unit of the benefit-imparting
condition deciding apparatus may specify benefit-imparting game
apparatuses which are not played among the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses, based on a result checked by
the non-use status checking unit, and where the one or two or more
pieces of game apparatus designating information to be notified by
the notifying unit are different from game apparatus designating
information on the specified game apparatus, the notified content
change unit may change the one or two or more pieces of game
apparatus designating information to be notified by the notifying
unit to the game apparatus designating information on the specified
game apparatus.
[0029] In the network system of game apparatuses for business use,
a player who has satisfied the predetermined benefit-imparting
condition in the benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus can
be encouraged to visit an installation location of a
benefit-imparting game apparatus which is not played by another
player. Thereby, there is less likelihood of a situation taking
place that a player who has actually visited an installation
location of a benefit-imparting game apparatus is required to wait
until another player who plays the benefit-imparting game apparatus
stops playing a game.
[0030] The above-described network system of game apparatuses for
business use may further include a utilization status checking unit
for checking an utilization status of each benefit-imparting game
apparatus, wherein the notified content change unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus may specify a
benefit-imparting game apparatus played by a player for a period,
which is relatively short, among the plurality of benefit-imparting
game apparatuses, based on a result checked by the utilization
status checking unit, and where the one or two or more pieces of
game apparatus designating information to be notified by the
notifying unit are different from game apparatus designating
information on the specified game apparatus, the notified content
change unit may change the one or two or more pieces of game
apparatus designating information to be notified by the notifying
unit to the game apparatus designating information on the specified
game apparatus.
[0031] The above-described network system of game apparatuses for
business use may further include a utilization status checking unit
for checking an utilization status of each benefit-imparting game
apparatus, wherein the notified content change unit of the
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus may specify a
benefit-imparting game apparatus in which the number of times of
games is fewer within a predetermined period among the plurality of
benefit-imparting game apparatuses, based on a result checked by
the utilization status checking unit, and where the one or two or
more pieces of game apparatus designating information to be
notified by the notifying unit are different from the game
apparatus designating information on the specified game apparatus,
the notified content change unit may change the one or two or more
pieces of game apparatus designating information to be notified by
the notifying unit to the game apparatus designating information on
the specified game apparatus.
[0032] The above-described network system of game apparatuses for
business use may further include a utilization status checking unit
for checking an utilization status of each benefit-imparting game
apparatus, wherein the plurality of benefit-imparting game
apparatuses may further include a bet object receiving unit for
receiving bet objects and a payout processing unit which performs a
payout process for paying out to the player an amount of payout
objects according to an amount of the bet objects received by the
bet object receiving unit, based on a game result progressed and
controlled by the game progress control unit thereof, and the
notified content change unit of the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus may specify, based on a result checked by the
utilization status checking unit, a benefit-imparting game
apparatus in which the amount of bet objects received by the bet
object receiving unit within a predetermined period or the amount
of payout objects paid out to the player by the payout process
performed by the payout processing unit within a predetermined
period is small, among the plurality of benefit-imparting game
apparatuses, and where the one or two or more pieces of game
apparatus designating information to be notified by the notifying
unit are different from game apparatus designating information on
the specified game apparatus, the notified content change unit may
change the one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating
information to be notified by the notifying unit to the game
apparatus designating information on the specified game
apparatus.
[0033] In these above-described network systems of game apparatuses
for business use, a player who has satisfied the predetermined
benefit-imparting condition in the benefit-imparting condition
deciding apparatus can be encouraged to visit an installation
location of a benefit-imparting game apparatus which is less
popular among players (used less frequently by players) in the
plurality of benefit-imparting game apparatuses constituting the
present network system of game apparatuses for business use.
Thereby, players are directed to less popular apparatuses, thus
making it possible to increase the operating rate of game
apparatuses in the present network system of game apparatuses for
business use as a whole.
[0034] In the above-described network system of game apparatuses
for business use, the identification information receiving unit may
be composed of an identification information reading unit for
reading out identification information from a storage medium which
stores the identification information on the player.
[0035] The identification information receiving unit includes, for
example, a unit which receives identification information input by
forcing a player work on inputting characters of the identification
information. However, the unit is not preferable because the player
is forced such a troublesome work. In the present network system of
game apparatuses for business use, a player is allowed to have the
above-described storage medium and is able to receive
identification information read out from the storage medium.
Thereby, the player is not forced to be engaged in such a
troublesome work.
[0036] As another aspect of the present invention, it is listed
that a benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus includes: an
identification information receiving unit for receiving
identification information on a player; a decision unit for
deciding whether the player corresponding to the identification
information received by the identification information receiving
unit satisfies a predetermined benefit-imparting condition; a clear
information output unit which outputs clear information indicating
that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied in a state of
being associated with the identification information on the player
who has satisfied the benefit-imparting condition when the decision
unit decides that the benefit-imparting condition is satisfied; a
notifying unit which notifies the player of game apparatus
designating information for designating a benefit-imparting game
apparatus different from the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus when the decision unit decides that the benefit-imparting
condition is satisfied; and a notified content change unit for
changing one or two or more pieces of game apparatus designating
information to be notified by the notifying unit, based on a
predetermined change condition.
[0037] The benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus works
with the benefit-imparting game apparatus, thereby strongly
motivating a player who has satisfied the predetermined
benefit-imparting condition to go to an installation location of
the benefit-imparting game apparatus. In addition, a game apparatus
to be selectively played by a player (game apparatus designating
information) can be changed whenever necessary. Therefore, it is
possible to effectively increase such an opportunity that a player
who has so far played the game apparatus less frequently plays
selectively with the game apparatus concerned.
Effect of the Invention
[0038] According to the present invention, it is possible to
effectively increase such an opportunity that even a player who has
so far played less frequently with a certain game apparatus
(benefit-imparting game apparatus) plays the game apparatus
concerned, preventing the concentration of players on some game
apparatuses and also increase the operating rate of game
apparatuses in the system as a whole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whole game
system according to an embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 2 is an outline view showing one example of a
horse-racing game machine constituting the same game system.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a main control
unit for controlling a whole operation of the same horse-racing
game machine in an integrated way.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a station control
unit arranged in each station of the same horse-racing game
machine.
[0043] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the
configuration of a station unit in a pusher game machine
constituting the same game system.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a
game control system of the same pusher game machine.
[0045] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot
game screen displayed on a display unit of the same pusher game
machine.
[0046] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a bingo
game screen displayed on the display unit of the same pusher game
machine.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot
machine constituting the same game system.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a detailed front view showing a part of a front
panel of the same slot machine.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram relating to a main
configuration of the same slot machine.
[0050] FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of a management
server.
[0051] FIG. 13 is an outline view showing a gaming arcade terminal
unit.
[0052] FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the gaming arcade
terminal unit.
[0053] FIG. 15 is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of a total
jackpot drawing.
[0054] FIG. 16 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining
process of a total jackpot performance timing.
[0055] FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of a
jackpot start screen displayed on a display unit at each of the
stations, etc., which are drawing targets.
[0056] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot
screen displayed on a display unit at each of the stations, etc.,
which are drawing targets.
[0057] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of a token rally
event.
[0058] FIG. 20 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a payout
process for clear bonus tokens of the same token rally event.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0059] 1000 Horse-racing game machine (token-operated game
machine)
[0060] 1010 Station
[0061] 1015, 3013a, 5007 Card reading surface
[0062] 1101 Main control device
[0063] 1108, 2625, 3107, 4003, 5003 External communication
device
[0064] 1201 Station control device
[0065] 1204, 2605, 3013, 5007 Card reader
[0066] 2000 Pusher game machine (token-operated game machine)
[0067] 2500 Play field
[0068] 2601, 2611, 2621 Control device
[0069] 3000 Slot machine (token-operated game machine)
[0070] 3101 Control device
[0071] 4000 Management server
[0072] 4001 Control device
[0073] 5000 Gaming arcade terminal unit
[0074] 5001 Control device
[0075] 5002 Storage device
[0076] 5005 Display device
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0077] The following description will explain one embodiment
applied to a game system, as a network system of game apparatuses
for business use, configured with three types of token-operated
game machines as arcade game machines (business-use game
apparatuses) that are a plurality of benefit-imparting game
apparatuses having game contents different from each other, and a
gaming arcade terminal unit as a challenge notifying apparatus and
a management server that are total performance processing
apparatuses connected to these token-operated game machines so as
to be capable of communicating with the token-operated game
machines.
[0078] [System Overview]
[0079] First, the configuration of a whole game system according to
the present embodiment will be explained.
[0080] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the whole
game system according to the present embodiment.
[0081] Three types of token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 constituting the game system are different types of game
machines having hardware configurations different from each other.
In the present embodiment, the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 are installed in a game facility such as a game
center, etc., and connected to a gaming arcade terminal unit 5000
in the gaming arcade via a LAN (Local Area Network) that is a
high-speed communication network. A management server 4000 is
connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit in each gaming arcade,
via a WAN (Wide Area Network) that is a low-speed communication
network. The management server 4000 performs data communication
with the gaming arcade terminal unit that performs system
management for the whole gaming arcade by performing data
communication with each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 so as to manage the whole game system. It is noted
that a game system covering a plurality of gaming arcades will be
explained in the present embodiment; the explanation, however, will
be applied also to a game system within a single gaming arcade.
[0082] Next, the configuration and the operation of each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 will be
explained.
[0083] [Horse-Racing Game Machine 1000]
[0084] The token-operated game machine 1000 is a horse-racing game
machine. In the horse-racing game machine 1000, one or at least two
players predict an order of arrival for a horse race played in the
horse-racing game machine, and when the prediction is correct, the
player is capable of receiving a token payout according to odds
against that order.
[0085] FIG. 2 is an outline view showing one example of the
horse-racing game machine 1000.
[0086] The horse-racing game machine 1000 is provided with a field
unit 1002 arranged at the center portion and a plurality of
stations 1010 arranged to surround the field unit 1002. In the
field unit 1002, a field surface 1004 as a moving surface that
resembles turf on a race track on which a starting gate 1003 as a
model is installed, is arranged, and when a plurality of model
horses (not shown) are moved within the field surface 1004, a race
is developed. Around the field unit 1002, a plurality of speakers
1005 for providing live race coverage, cheers, etc., are placed.
Above the field unit 1002, placed are: a display unit 1006 for
displaying, for example, a total accumulated token count indicating
the number of pieces to be paid out for a total jackpot drawing
described later; an illuminating device 1007 for illuminating the
field unit 1002; and a camera 1009 that is an imaging unit
functioning as imaging means for imaging the field unit 1002. The
display unit 1006, the illuminating device 1007, and the camera
1009 are supported by a support column 1008. The speaker 1005 and
the illuminating device 1007 that are performance units functioning
as performance means of the horse-racing game machine 1000.
[0087] In the station 1010, a display 1011 for displaying thereon a
game screen according to the progress of the game, and a touch
panel 1012 overlapped on a display surface of the display 1011, are
arranged. When a player touches a predetermined position of the
game screen displayed on the display 1011 according to an
instruction on the game screen, the position is detected by the
touch panel 1012 and an operation content of the player is
recognized by the horse-racing game machine 1000. In the station
1010, further arranged are: a token drop-in unit 1013 into which a
token is dropped in by the player; a token payout opening 1014 from
which the token is paid out to the player; and a card reading
surface 1015 which functions as identification information
receiving means for reading out a card ID from a player card.
[0088] In the horse-racing game machine 1000, races having the same
titles as those of actual horse races held by the Japan Racing
Association are sequentially held according to a predetermined
cycle. For races held during one year, about 60 races are prepared,
and for each race, a time for betting a token, i.e., a time for
purchasing a betting ticket; a time during which a race is held by
model horses; and a time for displaying race results are secured.
The player predicts the order of arrival for each race, and is
capable of freely purchasing a betting ticket. The purchasing of
the betting ticket is performed by betting a token, and when the
purchased betting ticket matches the results of the race, the
player is paid out, as a dividend, tokens of which the number of
pieces corresponds to that obtained in accordance with the number
of pieces of tokens to be bet and odds.
[0089] When a player uses a player card, it not only becomes
possible for the player to train his/her own racehorse character
(his/her horse) but also allows the horse to participate in a race.
Concretely, the player selects a preferred racehorse character out
of a plurality of prepared racehorse characters, and acquires the
racehorse character by paying a predetermined number of tokens.
Then, the player can train the racehorse character by breaking in
(training) the racehorse character in order to enhance the
capability of the acquired racehorse character. The player can also
allow the broken in racehorse character to compete in a race that
the player desires.
[0090] In the horse-racing game machine 1000 in the present
embodiment, the field unit 1002 forms the field surface 1004, and
on the field surface 1004, an artificial lawn resembling an actual
turf and models such as a starting gate 1003, etc., are arranged. A
model horse as a moving body is moved on the field surface
1004.
[0091] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a main control
unit for controlling the whole operation of the horse-racing game
machine 1000 in an integrated way.
[0092] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a station control
unit arranged in each station 1010.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 1100 placed on the
field unit side is provided with: a main control device 1101; a
movement control device 1102 for controlling a movement of the
model horse in the field unit 1002; an illumination control device
1103 for controlling the illuminating device 1007; an audio control
device 1104 for controlling the cheers, the live coverage, etc.,
provided by the speaker 1005; an SRAM 1105 and a flash memory 1106
for temporarily recording data processed by the main control device
1101; a ROM 1107 in which a program necessary for the game and
various types of databases are stored; and an external
communication device 1108 for performing data communication via a
LAN with an external device such as the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000. The main control device 1101 is connected to each of the
movement control device 1102, the illumination control device 1103,
the audio control device 1104, the SRAM 1105, the flash memory
1106, the ROM 1107, the external communication device 1108, and the
camera 1009. In the ROM 1107, a movement control program that is
movement control information for each model horse, various types of
data relating to each horse used for the race, a database for a
race schedule, etc., are stored.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 4, the station control unit 1200 arranged
in each station 1010 is provided with: a station control device
1201; a token managing device 1202 for managing a payout of the
token and any other similar task; a RAM 1203 for temporarily
recording various types of data of the player; and a card reader
1204 as an identification information receiving unit that functions
as identification information receiving means for reading a card ID
from a player card placed over the card reading surface 1015. The
station control device 1201 is connected to each of the token
managing device 1202, the RAM 1203, and the card reader 1204. The
station control device 1201 is also connected to each of units such
as: the display 1011 and the touch panel 1012 (shown in FIG. 2)
arranged in the station 1010; and a token drop-in sensor (not
shown) for detecting the token dropped in via the token drop-in
unit 1013.
[0095] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the station
control device 1201 of each station 1010 is connected to the main
control device 1101 on the game machine main body side, enabling
data communication necessary between these components.
[0096] The main control device 1101 of the main control unit 1100,
in order to realistically reproduce an actual horse race when
holding a race, changes a movement control content of each model
horse for each race according to various types of data such as a
parameter of each horse. Then, the movement control content is
determined before the start of a race, and the movement of the
model horse is controlled according to the resultant movement
control content. Concretely, before the start of a race, the main
control device 1101 of the main control unit 1100 reads out various
types of parameters of horses competing in the current race and
data such as turf condition, from the ROM 1107, so as to determine
the order of arrival for the current race. It is noted that only a
first place horse and a second place horse affect the payout of the
token to the player, and thus, it is not necessary to determine the
orders of all the horses competing in that race and it suffices to
determine at least the first place horse and the second place
horse. In this case, the movement of the other horses is controlled
according to the various types of parameters so that the other
horses do not arrive at the finish line first or second. Order of
arrival data, the parameter of each horse, etc., determined by the
main control device 1101 are forwarded to the movement control
device 1102.
[0097] The movement control device 1102 that receives the data from
the main control device 1101 executes the movement control program
recorded in a ROM (not shown) so as to perform movement control on
each horse. The movement control device 1102 executing the movement
control program calculates a moving pattern of each horse from the
parameter, etc., of each horse, and transmits a control command to
each control chip 1022 so that each model horse 1060 is moved
according to the resultant moving pattern. Concretely, in order to
generate a magnetic field allowing each model horse 1060 to move
according to the moving pattern of each horse, a control command is
transmitted to the control chip of each magnetic field
generation-use circuit board. Each control chip 1022 that receives
the control command controls a current that passes through each
coil so that a magnetic force that pulls a south pole of a
permanent magnet of each model horse 1060 along a planned moving
route of each model horse 1060 is sequentially generated. Thereby,
each model horse 1060 can be moved along the planned moving route.
As a result, each model horse 1060 of which the movement is
controlled by the movement control device 1102 develops the race in
the play field.
[0098] When the player plays by using the player card, the player
places his/her own player card over a card reading surface 1015
before playing. Thereby, a card ID is read from the player card by
a card reader 1204, and the card ID is stored in an SRAM 1105 or a
flash memory 1106. In the SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106, data
(such as horse name data, parameter data and play history
information indicating a winning GI race, etc.) relating to the
racehorse character trained as a result of playing the game by the
player is stored in a manner to be associated with the card ID.
[0099] In the horse-racing game machine 1000, when the player who
plays by using the player card ends the game, game status data
(used for restoring, upon resuming the game next time, a game
status established when the game is ended) is saved in a gaming
arcade terminal unit in a state of being associated with the card
ID of that player. The game status data includes data relating to
the racehorse character trained by the player. Then, when the
player resumes the game from a point where the game was ended last,
the player places his/her own player card over the card reading
surface 1015 before play. In this way, the game status data
corresponding to the card ID within the player card is downloaded
from the gaming arcade terminal unit, and the data is stored in the
SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106. Thereafter, the game is
resumed.
[0100] [Pusher Game Machine 2000]
[0101] Next, the token-operated game machine 2000 will be
explained.
[0102] The token-operated game machine 2000 is a pusher game
machine.
[0103] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the
configuration of a station unit ST in the pusher game machine
2000.
[0104] In the pusher game machine 2000, four satellite units SA are
arranged to surround a center drawing apparatus (not shown). Each
satellite unit SA is provided with the four station units ST, and
each player is to individually play a game at each station unit ST.
Moreover, each satellite unit SA is provided with one satellite
drawing apparatus 2001, and around the satellite drawing apparatus
2001, each station unit ST is lined and placed.
[0105] The station unit ST is configured mainly by: a token drop-in
mechanism (drop-in unit) 2100; a play field 2500; a station control
unit (not shown); and a display unit 2700. In the station unit ST,
the token drop-in mechanism 2100 is placed on an upper near side,
the display unit 2700 unit that functions as display means is
placed on an upper far side, and the play field 2500 is placed at
an upper center. The "near side" means a side on which the player
is positioned during the game, the "far side" means a side opposite
to the side on which the player is positioned during the game, and
the "center" means an area between the "near side" and the "far
side."
[0106] The token drop-in mechanism 2100 is a mechanism for the
player to drop a token M into the pusher game machine 2000 during
the game. The token M dropped into the token drop-in mechanism 2100
is conveyed via a token conveyance route (not shown) in the
interior of the cabinet of the station unit ST to a lift-up hopper,
and the resultant token M is temporarily retained by the lift-up
hopper. The lift-up hopper includes: a token retaining unit for
accumulating the token M; the lift-up unit for lifting up the token
M to a predetermined height; and a token discharge unit (discharge
unit) for discharging the token M that is lifted up at a
predetermined timing. At a discharge opening of the token discharge
unit, arranged is a token discharge route 2400 for leading the
discharged token M to the play field 2500 in a manner to laterally
swing. An upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play
field 2500. As a result, the token discharge unit arranged at the
upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play field 2500.
Therefore, the token M temporarily accumulated in the token
retaining unit arranged below the play field 2500 is raised above
the play field 2500 by the lift-up unit, and thereafter, the raised
token M is exited via the token discharge route 2400 from the token
discharge unit, out onto the play field 2500.
[0107] Within the play field 2500, arranged mainly are: a main
table 2501 that is a token mount table for retaining thereon the
token M, and the pusher unit 2510 as a token extruding member which
is mounted on the main table 2501. The pusher unit 2510 includes: a
top surface (this is called a sub table) for retaining thereon the
token M; a sloping table on which the token M that falls from the
sub table slides; and a push-forward wall that pushes forward the
token M retained on the main table 2501. Moreover, the pusher unit
2510, which is arranged to enable sliding on the main table 2501 in
the play field 2500, makes a back-and-forth slide movement in a
constant cycle or an arbitrary cycle. A part (far side) of the
pusher unit 2510 is housed in a housing part (described later)
arranged beneath the display unit 2700. The pusher unit 2510, which
slides to come out of and into the housing part, makes a
back-and-forth reciprocating movement.
[0108] With the sub table, a frame member of the display unit 2700
comes into contact in a manner to enable sliding. Therefore, when
the pusher unit 2510 moves to a direction in which it is housed in
the housing part, the token M on the sub table is pushed forward by
the frame member. By the pushing forward, some tokens M on the sub
table fall onto the sloping table. Some tokens M that fall from the
sub table enter into an opening (this is called a "chucker") that
is a token pass-through opening arranged on the sloping table. The
remaining tokens M fall directly onto the main table 2501 and are
retained on the main table 2501.
[0109] The tokens M on the main table 2501, similar to the tokens M
on the sub table, are pushed forward by the slide movement of the
pusher unit 2510. That is, the pusher units 2510 are seamlessly
mounted on the main table 2501, and thus, when the pusher unit 2510
is moved in a discharge direction from the housing part, the tokens
M on the main table 2501 are pushed forward by the push-forward
wall on the front surface of the pusher unit 2510. By the pushing
forward, some tokens M on the main table 2501 fall. Out of the
tokens M that fall, the token M that falls from an end on the
player side (this is called a "front end") to a token fall groove
is paid to the player, and the other tokens M, e.g., the tokens M
that fall from both sides (these are called "side ends") of the
main table 2501 are stocked in a predetermined retaining unit
within the station unit ST.
[0110] Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, the station unit ST includes a
ball drop-in mechanism 2800 on at least one side. The ball drop-in
mechanism 2800 is configured to drop balls B1 and B2 that are
spherical objects (as differently shaped objects described later)
into the play field 2500, and includes a ball drop-in slope 2801
and a ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810. The balls B1
and B2 are objects for drawing used for executing a bingo game
described later.
[0111] The ball drop-in slope 2801, which is configured to lead the
balls B1 and B2 dropped in from a ball carrier 2520 described later
to the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810 by gravity, is
formed as a downhill slope. The ball drop-in position drawing
mechanism 2810 is configured to draw a position on the play field
2500 onto which the balls B1 and B2 are dropped. Thus, the balls B1
and B2 dropped in from the ball carrier 2520 described later to the
station unit ST are dropped in via the ball drop-in slope 2801 and
the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810 onto the play
field 2500.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 5, the station unit ST includes a ball
transportation mechanism 2900 on at least one side. The ball
transportation mechanism 2900 is configured, when the balls B1 and
B2 fall from the main table 2501 in the play field 2500 onto the
token fall groove arranged on the near side, to transport the balls
B1 and B2 to the satellite drawing apparatus 2001, and includes a
ball conveying route (not shown), a ball transporting unit 2910,
and a ball transporting unit traveling slope 2901. The ball
conveying route is arranged below the front end of the main table
2501, and leads the balls B1 and B2 that fall from the front end to
the ball transporting unit 2910. The ball transporting unit 2910 is
configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 received via the ball
conveying route, to the satellite drawing apparatus 2001, and
travels on the ball transporting unit traveling slope 2901
according to control of the control unit of the station unit ST.
The balls B1 and B2 transported to the satellite drawing apparatus
2001 are handed over to the ball carrier 2520.
[0113] Moreover, the station unit ST includes a token payout
mechanism 2030, and as a result of the token payout mechanism being
driven, the tokens M of which the number of pieces is equal to that
of the tokens M that fall onto the token fall groove from the front
end of the main table 2501 are discharged to the retaining unit
2101 of the token drop-in mechanism 2100.
[0114] Next, a control system of the pusher game machine 2000 will
be explained.
[0115] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a
game control system of the pusher game machine 2000. In this block
diagram, for the sake of explanation, configurations of a drive
control system for driving each unit according to the game progress
and any other systems are omitted.
[0116] The game control system of the pusher game machine 2000 is
configured mainly by: a control unit 2600 at the station unit ST; a
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001; and a
control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002. The control
unit 2600 of the station unit ST mainly assumes a role of overall
process control of a slot game and a bingo game described later,
the control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001
mainly assumes a role of control of a physical drawing of the bingo
game and transportation control of the balls B1 and B2, and the
control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002 mainly
assumes a role of a single-unit jackpot drawing control described
later and overall control of the pusher game machine 2000.
[0117] The control unit 2600 of the station unit ST is configured
mainly by: a control device 2601; a ROM 2602; a RAM 2603; a
communication device 2604; and a card reader 1204 as an
identification information receiving unit that functions as
identification information receiving means. The control device 2601
executes various types of programs stored in the ROM 2602 so as to
perform various types of controls. The ROM 2602 stores, for
example, execution programs for various types of controls that
should be performed in the control unit 2600 of the station unit
ST. The RAM 2603 is for temporarily storing various types of data
or information. The communication device 2604 is for performing
data communication with the control unit 2610 of the satellite
drawing apparatus 2001. The card reader 1204 is for reading a card
ID from a player card held by a player. Although not shown, the
station unit ST includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and
an illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and
the control device 2601 controls these performance units so as to
carry out various types of performances.
[0118] The control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus
2001 is configured mainly by: a control device 2611; a ROM 2612; a
RAM 2613; a station-side communication device 2614; and a
center-side communication device 2615. The control device 2611
executes various types of programs stored in the ROM 2612 so as to
perform various types of controls. The ROM 2612 stores, for
example, execution programs for various types of controls that
should be performed in the control unit 2610 of the satellite
drawing apparatus 2001. The RAM 2613 is for temporarily storing
various types of data or information. The station-side
communication device 2614 is for performing data communication with
the control unit 2600 of the each station unit ST belonging to the
satellite unit SA. The center-side communication device 2615 is for
performing data communication with the control unit 2620 of the
center drawing apparatus 2002. Although not shown, the satellite
unit SA includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an
illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and
the control device 2611 controls these performance units so as to
carry out various types of performances.
[0119] The control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002
is configured mainly by: a control device 2621; a ROM 2622; a RAM
2623; a communication device 2624; and an external communication
device 2625. The control device 2621 executes various types of
programs stored in the ROM 2622 so as to perform various types of
controls. The ROM 2622 stores, for example, execution programs for
various types of controls that should be performed in the control
unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002. The RAM 2623 is for
temporarily storing various types of data or information. The
communication device 2624 is for performing data communication with
the control unit 2610 of each satellite unit SA. The external
communication device 2625 is for performing data communication via
a LAN with an external device such as a gaming arcade terminal unit
5000. Although not shown, the center drawing apparatus 2002
includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an illuminating
device, used for various types of performances, and the control
device 2621 controls these performance units so as to carry out
various types of performances.
[0120] In the above-described configuration, in the pusher game
machine 2000, in addition to the pusher game, a slot game is
performed by displaying a slot game screen as shown in FIG. 7 on
the display unit 2700, and a bingo game is performed by displaying
a bingo game screen as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 2700. In
the pusher game machine 2000, a single-unit jackpot drawing using
the center drawing apparatus 2002 is also performed. On the display
unit 2700, a single-unit accumulated token count indicating the
number of pieces to be paid out in a single-unit jackpot drawing
described later and a total accumulated token count indicating the
number of pieces to be paid out in a total jackpot drawing
described later are displayed.
[0121] The slot game is a digital drawing game in which the control
unit 2600 at the station unit ST mainly performs a drawing
digitally. This slot game is started under the condition that the
token M enters into any one of chuckers arranged on the sloping
table at the pusher unit 2510. The slot game screen shown in FIG. 7
is displayed on the display unit 2700 during a period when the
bingo game described later does not progress. When the token M
enters into any one of the chuckers and thereby the slot drawing
start condition is satisfied, the control unit 2600 performs
display control to rotate three dice-shaped slots DS. In the
digital drawing of the slot game, the control unit executes a
predetermined drawing program, and checks a generated random number
in reference to a predetermined winning table so as to determine
whether to win any payout-symbol combination or lose. Thereafter,
where a winning payout-symbol combination is determined, the
control unit 2600 performs display control to stop the rotation of
the three dice-shaped slots DS so that a combination of symbols
relating to the winning payout-symbol combination is stopped and
displayed on the display unit 2700.
[0122] In the present embodiment, as a payout-symbol combination
for a digital drawing, prepared are: a minor payout-symbol
combination A in which three tokens are supplied to the play field
2500; a minor payout-symbol combination B in which eight tokens are
supplied to the play field 2500; a ball supply payout-symbol
combination in which the ball B1 is supplied to the play field
2500; a normal bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty
tokens are supplied to the play field 2500; a probability-change
bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty tokens are supplied
to the play field 2500 and a winning table at which a winning
probability is set to be higher is used in subsequent digital
drawings; a direct satellite payout-symbol combination in which the
ball B1 is directly supplied to the satellite drawing apparatus
2001; a direct center payout-symbol combination in which the ball
B1 is directly supplied to the center drawing apparatus 2002, and
other payout-symbol combinations. The winning probability of each
of these payout-symbol combinations is set to be lowered according
to the above-described order. It is noted that, which payout-symbol
combination is prepared or to which winning probability of each of
the payout-symbol combinations is set is determined arbitrarily.
For example, it may be possible to configure that various benefits
are given to a player such as direct payout of tokens M to the
player. Then, when these payout-symbol combinations are won, the
control device 2601 of the station unit ST controls the speaker or
the illumination device, etc., so as to carry out individual
performance to liven up the winning.
[0123] The bingo game is a physical drawing game which progresses
by a physical drawing using two types of balls B1 and B2 and the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001. The bingo game progresses by the
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001 and the
control unit 2600 at the station unit ST. In the bingo game, the
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001 mainly
controls a drawing for determining winning bingo numbers of the
bingo game. The control unit 2600 of each of the station units ST
belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite drawing
apparatus 2001 is mainly in charge of controlling the performance
of the bingo game, a decision of the establishment of BINGO, and so
on. In the present embodiment, the balls B1 and B2 are moved by the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001, by which a physical drawing is
performed in which one winning bingo number (a winning target) is
selected from a plurality of bingo numbers (drawing targets)
different from each other. In the physical drawing of the present
embodiment, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo
numbers of "1" through "9". Then, array information of the bingo
card having these bingo numbers of "1" through "9" arrayed in a
matrix is generated individually for each of the station units ST
by the control unit 2600 that is as an array-information producing
unit which functions as array-information producing means for the
station unit ST, for example. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in
which images of the bingo numbers of "1" through "9" (drawing
target images) are arrayed according to the array information is
displayed on the display unit 2700 of each of the station units ST,
as shown in FIG. 8. Then, when the BINGO is established, the
control device 2601 of the station unit ST or the control device
2611 of the satellite unit SA each controls the speaker, the
illuminating device, etc., so as to carry out an individual
performance to liven up the establishment of BINGO.
[0124] In the single-unit jackpot drawing, when either one of
conditions under which the single-unit jackpot drawing is started
is satisfied, i.e., the balls B1 and B2 are thrown into a winning
spot to which a right of starting a single-unit jackpot drawing in
the center drawing apparatus 2002 in the physical drawing in the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001 in the above-described bingo game
is assigned, or the center combination is directly won in the
above-described slot game, the control device 2621 of the control
unit 2620 in the center drawing apparatus 2002 executes a
single-unit jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 2622 so as
to start the single-unit jackpot drawing. Then, in the center
drawing apparatus 2002, the ball B1 is moved thereby to perform the
physical drawing that determines whether a single-unit jackpot
award is won or lost (including a case where awards other than the
single-unit jackpot award are won). When the single-unit jackpot
award is won, the control device 2621 of the center drawing
apparatus 2002 controls the speaker, the illuminating device, etc.,
so as to carry out an individual performance to liven up the
winning of the single-unit jackpot award.
[0125] Moreover, when the single-unit jackpot award is won, the
control device 2621 reads out the single-unit JP retaining count
data that is payout amount data from the RAM 2623, and performs a
process for supplying the tokens M having the number of pieces
indicated by a count value of that data, to the play field 2500 of
the station unit ST that has satisfied the condition under which
the jackpot drawing is started. At this time, another option would
be: a token supply command is output to the control device 2601 of
the control unit 2600 at the station unit ST from the control
device 2621, and under the control of the control device 2601, the
token M is supplied to the play field 2500 by using a method
similar to a normal token supply process. In this case, however,
the number of pieces of tokens to be supplied when the single-unit
jackpot award is won is obtained by accumulatively adding the
number of pieces equivalent to a part of the number of pieces of
tokens to be dropped into all the station units ST (for example,
0.03 pieces) from a time when the single-unit JP retaining count
data is reset to an initial value (for example, 500 pieces),
therefore, it is a great number. For this reason, instead of the
normal token supply process, a process using an original token
supply mechanism may be optionally adopted. This is preferable as a
performance carried out when the single-unit jackpot award is won.
Moreover, when the single-unit jackpot award is won, the control
device 2621 resets the single-unit JP retaining count data stored
in the RAM 2623, to the initial value.
[0126] When playing with the pusher game machine 2000, the player
places the player card over a card reading surface (not shown)
before the play. Thereby, the card ID is read from the player card
by the card reader 2605, and the card ID is stored in a RAM 2603.
In the RAM 2603, play history information obtained when the player
plays the pusher game machine 2000 (such as an accumulated token
drop-in count, a combination of symbols that are won in a slot
game, the number of times of bingos to be established in a bingo
game, and the number of times to be won in a single-unit jackpot
award) is stored in a state of being associated with the card ID.
When the player who plays by using the player card ends the game,
the play history information stored in the RAM 2603 is saved in the
gaming arcade terminal unit in a state of being associated with the
card ID. If the player places his/her own player card over the card
reading surface before the next play, the play history information
corresponding to the card ID within the player card is downloaded
from the gaming arcade terminal unit, and this data is stored in
the RAM 2603. As a result, a play result obtained from the play is
added to the play history information.
[0127] [Slot machine 3000] Next, the token-operated game machine
3000 will be explained.
[0128] The token-operated game machine 3000 is a slot machine.
[0129] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot
machine 3000 according to the present embodiment.
[0130] The slot machine 3000 includes a box-type cabinet 3002, a
front panel 3003 attached to a front surface side of the cabinet
3002 in a freely openable and closable manner, and other
components. On the front panel 3003, arranged are: a display window
3004 for displaying a part of a varying display unit described
later; a token drop-in opening 3005; a start button 3006 as a start
operation device; a dice display window 3007; a credit settlement
button 3008; a speaker 3009; a token receiving tray 3010 having a
token payout opening 3010a; a performance panel 3011; a card
reading surface 3013a; a count display unit 3014; a BET operation
unit 3015; and so on. The speaker 3009 and the performance panel
3011 that are performance units function as performance means of
the slot machine 3000. Moreover, on the performance panel 3011,
various types of information such as a total accumulated token
count indicating the number of pieces of payouts in the total
jackpot drawing described later are displayed.
[0131] Inside the cabinet 3002, three reels that as three varying
display units of which the outer peripheral surface is printed with
a plurality of types of symbols are assembled. The three reels
(hereinafter, in the order of a "left reel", a "middle reel", and a
"right reel") are each rotated and driven by a reel drive motor
(not shown) configured by a stepping motor. These reels are printed
with a plurality of types of symbols such as "white 7", "blue 7",
"green 7", "red 7", "cherry", and "blank" in a predetermined order.
In the present embodiment, the symbol of "blank" configures neither
one of the payout-symbol combinations. A main control circuit board
on which electronic circuits are formed by various types of
electronic components such as a CPU and a ROM, a token payout
device having a token hopper capable of containing a large number
of pieces of tokens, an internal speaker, and any other similar
components are also assembled.
[0132] FIG. 10 is a detailed front view showing a part of the front
panel 3003.
[0133] Symbols formed by about three images at a predetermined
rotation position of each reel are to be visually recognized by a
player through the display window 3004. In this display window
3004, five winning lines IL are depicted across all of the reels.
When symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination corresponding
to an award group previously defined on these winning lines IL
become all the same in a combination (hereinafter, this is simply
referred to as the "symbols become all the same in a payout-symbol
combination"), a game value is imparted to a player, such as the
tokens are paid out to the token receiving tray 3010 and a current
period is moved to a special game period during which a special
game can be played. It is noted that, in the slot machine 3000
according to the embodiment, the five winning lines IL are
arranged; however, the number of winning lines may be optionally
increased or decreased. Moreover, the winning line may suffice to
be visually recognized by a CPU 17a, described later, for
performing stop control of the slot machine, rather than to be
visually recognized by the player.
[0134] The count display unit 3014 is provided with a credit
display 3014a, a bonus-count display 3014b, a token payout count
display 3014c, etc.
[0135] The BET operation unit 3015 is configured by two buttons,
i.e., a 1BET button 3015a and a max BET button 3015b.
[0136] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram relating to a main
configuration of the slot machine 3000. The main control unit 3100
of the slot machine 3000 includes: a control device 3101; a reel
control device 3102 for performing drive control for the three
reels; a storage device 3103 in which various types of programs
necessary for the game, various types of databases, etc., are
stored; a display control device 3104 for performing display
control of the count display unit 3014; an illumination control
device 3105 for controlling illumination of the performance panel
3011, etc.; an audio control device 3106 for controlling a sound
output from the speaker 3009; and an external communication device
3107 for performing a data communication with an external apparatus
such as the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 via a LAN. The main
control device 1101 is connected not only to these devices but also
to, for example, the token drop-in sensor 3022, the card reader
3013 as an identification information receiving unit that functions
as identification information receiving means for reading a card ID
from a player card placed over the card reading surface 3013a, the
BET operation unit 3015, and the token payout device 3018.
[0137] Next, a flow of the game of the slot machine 3000 will be
explained.
[0138] Before the game is started, as a preparation, a player first
needs to drop a token into the token drop-in opening 3005. When a
token is dropped by the player into the token drop-in opening 3005,
the token passes through a passage (not shown) and falls onto the
token hopper. In this passage, various components are arranged such
as a fall opening through which a token smaller than a standard
falls back to the token payout opening 3010a, a token block
solenoid for returning or permitting the token to the token payout
opening 3010a by blocking the passage of the token, and a token
drop-in sensor 3022 configured by, for example, a photo sensor for
detecting the passed tokens one by one. A token detection signal
output from the token drop-in sensor 3022 that detects the token is
forwarded to the control device 3101 of the main control unit 3100.
In receipt thereof, by means of the display control device 3104,
the control device 3101 performs control to increase a display
count value by one on the credit display 3014a and to increase a
value of credit count data stored in the storage device 3103 by
one. Normally, a plurality of pieces of tokens is dropped in at
once so as to increase the number of pieces of credit to a certain
extent. When the player operates the BET operation unit 3015 to
perform a bet operation, the control device 3101 decreases the
value of the credit count data stored in the storage device 3103 by
as much as the number of pieces to be bet, and at the same time,
performs control to decrease the display count value on the credit
display 3014a by as much as the number of pieces to be bet.
Moreover, the control device 3101 recognizes the winning line IL
that has become effective according to the number of pieces to be
bet. It is noted that, unless the symbols become all the same in
the payout-symbol combination on the effective winning line IL, the
winning is not granted even when the symbols become all the same in
the payout-symbol combination on an ineffective winning line
IL.
[0139] When the start button 3006 is operated by the player, the
control device 3101 that is a start-command receiving unit executes
a start-command receiving program stored in the storage device 3103
thereby to function as start-command receiving means so as to
receive a varying-display start command from its start button 3006.
The control device 3101 that has received this varying-display
start command, first, starts rotation drive of all the reels by the
reel control device 3102. Further, the control device 3101 that has
received the varying-display start command executes an award-group
drawing program stored in the storage device 3103 so as to perform
an internal drawing. In this case, the control device 3101
functions as means for performing an internal drawing to determine
a winning in which any award group is selected out of a plurality
of award groups or a loss in which neither award group is selected.
The internal drawing is performed by checking random number data
forwarded from a random-number generating circuit with a value on
an award group drawing table stored in the storage device 3103. On
this award-group drawing table, each random number is associated
with any award group or the loss. As a result of such an
association, any one of the award groups is won at an individual
predetermined probability, or the loss occurs at a predetermined
probability.
[0140] Rotation positions of the reels that start the rotation
drive are respectively detected by a reel position sensor (not
shown). The reel control device 3102 performs an arithmetic
operation on the rotation speed of the reel based on an output
signal from each reel position sensor. When the rotation speed of
the reel is stabilized, the reel control device 3102 becomes
capable of recognizing a position of each symbol on each reel based
on the output signal from each reel position sensor. Then, the
control device 3101 executes a stop control program stored in the
storage device 3103, and based on a drawing result of the
above-described internal drawing, performs stop control of the reel
by the reel control device 3102 so that a combination of
predetermined symbols is stopped and displayed on the winning line.
Concretely, when any one of the award groups is won by the internal
drawing, the control device 3101 performs stop control so that a
combination of symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination
corresponding to the award group that has won is stopped and
displayed on the winning line IL. On the other hand, in the case of
the loss as a result of neither one of the award groups being
selected by the internal drawing, the control device 3101 performs
stop control so that a combination of symbols corresponding to
neither award group is stopped and displayed on the winning line
IL.
[0141] In a normal game, the internal drawing is performed by using
an award-group drawing table corresponding to that normal game.
Examples of award groups that may be won by the internal drawing of
this normal game include token payout awards of: a cherry award
corresponding to a cherry combination formed by "cherry-ANY (any
symbol pattern)-ANY (any symbol pattern)"; an ANY7 award
corresponding to an ANY7 combination formed by a plurality of
colors of "7" that are "ANY7 (any color of "7")-ANY7 (any color of
"7")-ANY7 (any color of "7")"; a white 7 award corresponding to a
white 7 combination formed by "white 7-white 7-white 7"; a blue 7
award corresponding to a blue 7 combination formed by "blue 7-blue
7-blue 7"; a green 7 award corresponding to a green 7 combination
formed by "green 7-green 7-green 7"; and a red 7 award
corresponding to a red 7 combination formed by "red 7-red 7-red 7."
When any one of the token payout awards is won as a result of the
internal drawing and the symbols corresponding thereto become all
the same in a winning combination on the winning line IL, the
control device 3101 causes the token payout count display 3014c of
the count display unit 3014 to display the number of pieces of
tokens to be paid out corresponding to the winning award. Then, the
control device 3101 performs a token payout process for paying out
the number of pieces of tokens corresponding to the winning award.
Concretely, the control device 3101 increases a value of the credit
count data stored in the storage device 3103 by as much as the
number of pieces of tokens to be paid out, and at the same time,
performs control to increase the token credit on the credit display
3014a by as much as the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out.
When a token credit upper limit value is exceeded, the exceeded
amount is paid out to the token receiving tray 3010 from the token
payout opening 3010a by the token payout device 3018. According to
the order in which the above-described award groups are described,
the number of pieces of tokens that are paid out is larger.
[0142] When playing with the slot machine 3000, the player places
the player card over the card reading surface 3013a before the
play. As a result, the card ID is read from the player card by the
card reader 3013, and the resultant card ID is stored in the
storage device 3103. In the storage device 3103, play history
information (such as an accumulated token drop-in count, and the
number of times to be won for a red 7 award) obtained when the
player plays the slot machine 3000 is stored in a state of being
associated with the card ID. When the player who plays by using the
player card ends the game, the play history information stored in
the storage device 3103 is saved in the gaming arcade terminal unit
in a state of being associated with the card ID. When the player
places his/her own player card over the card reading surface 3013a
before the next play, the play history information corresponding to
the card ID within the player card is downloaded from the gaming
arcade terminal unit, and the data is stored in the storage device
3103. Thereafter, a play result obtained from the play is added to
the play history information.
[0143] [Jackpot System]
[0144] Next, the total jackpot drawing performed in the whole
system will be explained.
[0145] FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the management server
4000 for performing progress control of the total jackpot drawing
which is performed together with each gaming arcade terminal unit
5000.
[0146] The management server 4000 is configured mainly by a control
device 4001, a storage device 4002 and an external communication
device 4003. The storage device 4002 stores various types of
control programs, and stores total accumulated token count data
that is payout amount data of the whole system. The external
communication device 4003 is for performing data communication via
a WAN with an external apparatus such as the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 at each gaming arcade.
[0147] FIG. 13 is an outline view showing the gaming arcade server
terminal unit for managing a system within each gaming arcade and
also performing data communication between the management server
4000 and each token-operated game machine at the gaming arcade.
[0148] FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000.
[0149] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is configured mainly by
a control device 5001, a storage device 5002, an external
communication device 5003, an intra-arcade communication device
5004, a display unit 5005 as a first challenge notifying unit and a
second challenge notifying unit functioning as first challenge
notifying means and second challenge notifying means, a touch panel
5006 as a operation accepting unit that functions as operation
accepting means, and a card reader 5007. The storage device 5002
stores various types of control programs. The storage device 5002
stores intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is a part of
the tokens consumed in the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000 within the gaming arcade constituting the game system, and
also stores the total accumulated token count data forwarded from
the management server 4000. The external communication device 5003
is for performing data communication via a WAN with an external
apparatus such as the management server 4000. The external
communication device 5003 is for performing data communication via
a LAN with each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
3000, etc. The display device 5005 is for displaying various
information such as challenges in a token rally event described
later. The touch panel 5006 is for accepting a player's operation.
The card reader 5007 is for reading a card ID from a player card
held by a player.
[0150] FIG. 15 is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of the total
jackpot drawing in the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, for the sake
of explanation, only one token-operated game machine and one gaming
arcade terminal unit are described.
[0151] In the game system, when a player consumes the tokens in
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, data
indicating a consumption amount is forwarded to the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 located in its gaming arcade. Based on the data
forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 accumulatively stores, as the intra-arcade accumulated
token count data, a part of the tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces)
consumed by the player in the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 within the gaming arcade connected to this gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 into the storage device 5002. Then, the
control device 5001 transmits the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data in the storage device 5002 to the management server 4000
at a predetermined timing. It is noted that the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data to be transmitted this time is as much
as that accumulatively stored between a last transmission time
point and a current transmission time point.
[0152] At each reception of the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data forwarded from each gaming arcade terminal unit 5000,
the management server 4000 accumulatively adds the number of pieces
of tokens indicated by the received data to the total accumulated
token count data in the storage device 4002. Thereby, a part of the
number of pieces of tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces) consumed in
all the token-operated game machines constituting the present game
system is added up as the total accumulated token count data. In
the present embodiment, for example, an initial value of the total
accumulated token count data is 1000 pieces of tokens and a part of
the number of pieces of tokens consumed by the player is
accumulatively added to this initial value.
[0153] In the present embodiment, also in the above-described
pusher game machine 2000, the single-unit jackpot drawing is
performed, and the accumulated token count data of the single-unit
jackpot drawing is obtained by calculation only from the number of
pieces of tokens consumed in that pusher game machine 2000. On the
other hand, the accumulated token count data of the total jackpot
drawing managed and run by the management server 4000 is obtained
by calculation from the number of pieces of tokens consumed by all
the token-operated game machines constituting the present game
system. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of
pieces of tokens to be paid out to a winner when the winner wins
the jackpot drawing.
[0154] A specific process flow will be now explained. The control
device 4001 of the management server 4000 receives the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data transmitted from each gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 at a predetermined timing (for example, at
intervals of 10 minutes) thereby, first, to perform a process for
accumulatively adding to the total accumulated token count data in
the storage device 4002, as shown in FIG. 12. Thereafter, the total
accumulated token count data stored in the storage device 4002 at
this time point is transmitted to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 that is a transmission source of the intra-arcade accumulated
token count data that is received immediately before. The gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 that receives the total accumulated token
count data transmits the same data to each of the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. Then, in each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 that receive that
data, respective displays of the total accumulated token count are
updated based on the received total accumulated token count data.
In the present embodiment, the total numbers of pieces of
accumulated tokens are individually displayed in each
token-operated game machine. In this case, a display device for
displaying the total accumulated token count may be arranged within
the gaming arcade in order to omit the individual display in each
token-operated game machine.
[0155] The total jackpot drawing in the present embodiment is
started under the condition that the management server 4000
receives the intra-arcade accumulated token count data from the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. Therefore, when receiving the
intra-arcade accumulated token count data from each gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000, the control device 4001 of the management
server 4000 executes the total jackpot drawing program so as to
perform the total jackpot drawing to determine whether the
generated random number is won or lost in reference to the
predetermined winning table. When the winning is determined in the
total jackpot drawing, the control device 4001 transmits winning
data to the effect that the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is won
in the total jackpot drawing, to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 that has transmitted the intra-arcade accumulated token count
data that is a condition for starting the drawing.
[0156] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 that has received the
winning data performs a process for determining, as a winner for
the total jackpot award, which one of the players who plays in the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 in the gaming arcade. In this
process, it is informed that there is a winner for the total
jackpot drawing within the gaming arcade. In this way, a sense of
expectancy to the effect that any player can be a winner is grown
and an interest in who has won the game is developed. In doing so,
a total performance (hereinafter, referred to as a "total jackpot
performance") is carried out for getting attention of, for example,
the player and the audience in the whole gaming arcade. This total
jackpot performance needs to be carried out simultaneously at all
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 in the gaming
arcade, and in this case, due to a certain reason related to the
game progress at each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000, a timing at which the performance is carried out
(total jackpot performance timing) needs to be adjusted. Because at
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, the
game is individually progressed, and thus, depending on a certain
progress situation, the progress of that game may be impeded by the
total jackpot performance, resulting in an undesirable case where a
sense of enjoyment of the player is greatly decreased.
[0157] For example, in the horse-racing game machine 1000, if the
total jackpot performance is suddenly started at a time when a race
is reproduced by using the field unit 1002, the excitement of the
game originally provided in that horse-racing game machine is
significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Further, in the
pusher game machine 2000, if the total jackpot performance is
suddenly started in the middle of a drawing where a large amount of
tokens to be paid out can be expected such as in a physical drawing
of the bingo game and the single-unit jackpot drawing, the
excitement of the game originally provided in that pusher game
machine is significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Moreover,
in the slot machine 3000, if the total jackpot performance is
suddenly started in the middle of the winning performance when a
large amount of tokens to be paid out such as in the green 7 award
and the red 7 award is determined, the joy of the player is
significantly decreased, hence, not preferable.
[0158] On the other hand, at each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, there is a timing at which adverse
effect (such as decreasing the enjoyment originally provided in
that token-operated game machine) is less caused even when the
individual game progress is impeded by the total jackpot
performance. For example, in the horse-racing game machine 1000, at
a timing used for betting a token by the player, i.e., a timing
used for purchasing a betting ticket, the adverse effect is less
caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total
jackpot performance. Further, for example, in the pusher game
machine 2000, at a timing except for a middle of a drawing where a
large amount of tokens to be paid out can be expected or a middle
of the winning performance therefor, the adverse effect is less
caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total
jackpot performance. Moreover, for example, in the slot machine
3000, at a timing from a first slot game is ended to a subsequent
slot game is started, concretely, from a time after the loss is
determined in the last slot game or after the winning performance
is ended to a time before the start button 3006 of the subsequent
slot game is operated, the adverse effect is caused less. Thus,
this timing is suitable for starting the total jackpot
performance.
[0159] In each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 of the present embodiment, the game progress situations
illustrated here are set in advance as situations where the total
jackpot performance can be carried out.
[0160] FIG. 16 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining
process of the total jackpot performance timing.
[0161] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 that has received the
winning data, first, inquires all the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 through the LAN of a timing at which the game
progress situation becomes capable of carrying out the total
jackpot performance. In response to this inquiry, the control
devices 1101, 2621, and 3101 of the respective token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, by solely working or working
together with the other control devices 1201, 2601, and 2611,
perform a process for predicting a timing at which each game
progress situation becomes the above-described setting situation
previously determined. Then, the control devices 1101, 2621, and
3101 of the respective token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 send total performance enabling timing information indicating
the anticipated timing, back to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 from the external communication devices 1108, 2625, and 3107.
The control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000,
based on the total performance enabling timing information
forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000, determines the total performance timing at which the
total jackpot performance is carried out. Concretely, based on each
total performance enabling timing information, an earliest timing
at which the total performance enabling timings of all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 overlap is
specified, and the resultant timing is determined as a total
performance timing. Then, information on the determined total
performance timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. In each token-operated game
machine that has received the information, at the determined total
performance timing, the game progress is controlled so that the
game progress situation at each token-operated game machine becomes
the above-described predetermined setting situation where the total
jackpot performance can be carried out. A specific method of
controlling is as follows: the above-described setting situation is
stored in each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000, the stored information on the setting situation is read out
to perform the game progress control, or the above-described
setting situation is previously installed in a game progress
control-use program, and the game progress control is performed
according to a content of that program.
[0162] It is noted that the method for determining the total
performance timing is not limited to those described above.
[0163] For example, rather than inquiring each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 of the total
performance enabling timing, the total performance timing is
determined according to a predetermined total performance timing
determining condition. Then, the determined total performance
timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, and the game progress control is performed in
each token-operated game machine so that the game progress
situation at each token-operated game machine becomes the
above-described predetermined setting situation in which the total
jackpot performance can be carried out at the determined total
performance timing. This method is effective particularly when the
token-operated game machine constituting the present game system is
high in the degree of freedom of the control of the game progress
situation.
[0164] When the total performance timing determined by the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 arrives, as shown in FIG. 15, the control
device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 performs a
player presence confirming process for recognizing the players who
play at each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000. Concretely, all the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000 are inquired through the LAN of whether a player is
present at each game machine. In the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 that have been inquired, the player presence
confirming process according to the respective game content is
performed. Concretely, in the case that the card ID is read by the
card readers of respective token-operated game machines 1000, 200,
and 3000, it is decided that a player is present. It is noted that
the method for confirming whether a player is present is not
limited to those described above, and may adopt any other
methods.
[0165] Each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 performs the player presence confirming process, and then,
sends back presence confirming information that is the process
result of that confirming process to the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 from the external communication devices 1108, 2625, and
3107. The control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 recognizes the station or the station unit or the slot machine
played by the player (hereinafter, referred to as a "station and
others") which are specified based on the presence confirming
information forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000. Then, the control device 5001 executes a
winner determination drawing program so as to perform a winner
determination drawing process for determining which drawing target
is won while respectively regarding the recognized station and
others as the drawing targets. Concretely, a winning table on which
each drawing target is assigned an equal winning probability is
generated, and a drawing target corresponding to a random number
generated based on the winning table is chosen, thereby determining
the winning of the chosen drawing target. In the present
embodiment, in the winner determination drawing process, in
addition to the total jackpot award, prepared are: a big winning
with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (big bonus award), a medium
winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (middle bonus
award), and a small winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens
(small bonus award). Therefore, for these awards, the control
device 5001 sequentially determines the winning drawing target by
using the above-described method.
[0166] It is noted that the winning probability of each drawing
target is set equally; however, it is not always the case. For
example, in the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, token consumption
data is regularly received from each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, and thus, the degree of contribution
contributed to an increase in the total accumulated token count
data of this time per each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 (i.e., a ratio of the token consumption data
received from each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000 for the purpose of increasing the total accumulated token
count data of this time) can be specified. For the drawing target
corresponding to the token-operated game machine with a high ratio,
the winning probability may be relatively increased, and for the
drawing target corresponding to the token-operated game machine
with a lower ratio, the winning probability may be relatively
decreased.
[0167] The winner determination drawing process is ended in this
way, and the station and others that have won each award are
determined. Then, the control device 5001 that is a control command
transmitting unit of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 functions
as control command transmitting means, informs each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 of the winning
result, and at the same time, transmits the total performance
control command to each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000. Thereby, the total jackpot performance that
utilizes the performance unit of each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 is carried out.
[0168] In each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 that has received the total performance control command from
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, jackpot start screens to the
effect that a total jackpot drawing is started as shown in FIG. 17
are simultaneously displayed on the display 1011, the display unit
2700, and the performance panel 3011 that are display units
functioning as each of display means of the station and others
relating to the drawing target. At the station and others that are
not the drawing targets, i.e., the station and others at which it
is decided that a player is not playing the game, this jackpot
start screen is not displayed.
[0169] In the present embodiment, at the station and others that
are not drawing targets, a player is capable of playing a game of
the token-operated game machine even during the total jackpot
performance. Thus, there is a probability that during the total
jackpot performance, an individual performance according to the
game progress at the station and others that are not the drawing
target is carried out. However, it is probable that if an
individual performance not related to the total jackpot performance
is carried out during the total jackpot performance, the total
jackpot performance is impeded by the individual performance,
thereby decreasing a good characteristic of the total jackpot
performance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the station and
others that are not the drawing targets are controlled so that the
individual performance according to the game progress is not
carried out or a subtle performance only is carried out by
decreasing a sound volume, a light amount, etc., so that the
individual performance does not stand out during the total jackpot
performance.
[0170] As a result of working solely or working together with the
other control devices 1201, 2601, and 2611, the control devices
1101, 2621, and 3101 that are total performance control units of
the respective token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000
function as total performance control means so as to carry out the
total jackpot performance process by executing the total
performance program. In particular, when the performance units such
as the speaker and the illuminating device of each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 are caused to
carry out a performance assuming a part of the total jackpot
performance, it becomes possible to carry out a single total
performance (total jackpot performance) in which all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 are cooperated with each other.
Concretely, for example, in all the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, illumination in blue and red are alternately
emitted at the same timing, the same music or sound effect to the
effect that the total jackpot drawing is started is output at the
same timing, and other similar effects are provided.
[0171] It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the performance
unit of each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 is configured by hardware different from each another, and
thus, it is not possible to carry out the completely same
performance. To solve this, it may be possible to carry out the
total jackpot performance that gives a sense of unity as a whole by
deliberately combining the performances different from each other
at each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
As an example of music and sound effect, the horse-racing game
machine 1000 may take a low-sound part, the pusher game machine
2000 may take a middle-sound part, and the slot machine 3000 may
take a high-sound part.
[0172] There are specific, various performance methods for the
total jackpot performance that can carry out a performance that
gives a sense of unity as a whole, which is achieved as a result of
a mutual synchronization of the performances provided by the
performance units of each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000.
[0173] After the total jackpot performance is started in this way,
on each of the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011, a slot screen as
shown in FIG. 18 is displayed subsequent to the jackpot start
screen as shown in FIG. 17. Then, after the three reel images on
the slot screen start a varying display, stop/display control is
performed on the three reel images on each of the display units
1011, 2700, and 3011 so that symbols that reflect winning or losing
at the respective corresponding station and others are stopped and
displayed. Concretely, in the present embodiment, as described
above, there are the four awards, i.e., the total jackpot award,
the big bonus award, the middle bonus award, and the small bonus
award, and the stop/display control is performed so that a
combination of symbols corresponding to the respective awards is
stopped and displayed on the slot screen. More particularly, on the
display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station and others that
have won the total jackpot award, the stop/display control is
performed so that three identical A symbols are stopped and
displayed. On the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station
and others that have won the big bonus award, the stop/display
control is performed so that three identical B symbols are stopped
and displayed. On the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the
station and others that have won the middle bonus award, the
stop/display control is performed so that a combination of symbols
mixed with the A symbols and B symbols is stopped and displayed. On
the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station and others
that have won the small bonus award, the stop/display control is
performed so that a combination of symbols is stopped and
displayed. In this case, the combination is: the A symbol or the B
symbol is stopped and displayed on both a left reel image and a
middle reel image, and neither the A symbol nor the B symbol is
stopped and displayed on a right reel image (i.e., a blank symbol
is stopped and displayed).
[0174] It is noted that there is no need that the jackpot start
screen and the slot screen are completely the same in all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. For example,
these screens may be appropriately modified according to hardware
with which these screens are displayed, or may be arranged
according to the game content of each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
[0175] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the varying display of
the reel images on the slot screen is simultaneously started in all
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000; however, a completion timing
at which the three reel images are stopped and displayed is
differed depending on each award. Concretely, with respect to a
time it takes for the stop display completion timing, it takes the
least time for the station and others corresponding to the loss; it
gradually takes more time in the order of the small bonus award,
the middle bonus award, the big bonus award, and the total jackpot
award.
[0176] Further, in the present embodiment, also while the varying
display of the reel images on the slot screen is started and the
stop display is completed, the drawing performance (total jackpot
performance) is carried out. For example, after the varying display
of the reel image is started on the slot screen, the performance is
carried out so that the station and others illuminated with a light
are sequentially switched. In this case, the illumination of the
corresponding station and others (that are drawing targets of each
of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000) are lit
only in periods different from each other. Then, the drawing
performance is carried out so that at the timing at which the stop
display of the reel images at the station and others is completed,
the illumination of the station and others is flashed.
[0177] After the drawing performance is ended in this way, a token
payout process for paying out the number of tokens corresponding to
the award is performed for the player who plays at the station and
others that have won each award. This token payout may be performed
by utilizing the token payout unit of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, or may be performed by way of an
attendant pay in which the payout is made by an employee at the
gaming arcade.
[0178] Next, the token rally event will be explained.
[0179] FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a flow of a process of a
token rally event in the present embodiment.
[0180] A player who participates in the token rally event, first,
visits an installation location of the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 and places his/her own player card over the card reading
surface 5007a of the card reader 5007. As a result, the card ID
within the player card is read by the card reader 5007 (S1). At
this time, the player may be asked to input a password. In this
case, the password determined by the player in advance is stored in
the storage device 4002 of the management server 4000 in a state of
being associated with the card ID, for example. After the card ID
is read out by the card reader 5007, the password associated with
the card ID is downloaded from the management server 4000. If the
password input by the player and the downloaded password do not
match, the processes subsequent thereto are not performed. The
process may advance to subsequent processes only when the both
passwords match. In addition, the password data may be optionally
stored in the player card.
[0181] After the card reader 5007 has read the card ID, the control
device 5001 confirms whether there is an event participation flag
associated with the card ID within the storage device 5002 (S2).
For a player who participates in the token rally event for the
first time, the event participation flag associated with the read
card ID is not stored within the storage device 5002. The event
participation flag remains stored within the storage device 5002
until the player ends the event by clearing the event or giving up
on it midway. Therefore, the control device 5001 can comprehend
whether the player of the card ID currently participates in the
event by means of the presence or absence of the event
participation flag.
[0182] When there is no event participation flag within the storage
device 5002, the control device 5001 causes the display device 5005
to display a course selection screen (S3). The course selection
screen displays an explanation about a plurality of courses that
the player may select. In the present embodiment, two courses are
prepared; one is a course for clearing a challenge by using two
token-operated game machines selected by the control device 5001,
and the other is a course for clearing a challenge by using three
token-operated game machines selected by the control device 5001.
Here, a case where the number of token-operated game machines
required to play for clearing a challenge differs depending on each
course is explained, and a content of each source is appropriately
set. Alternatively, a course in which challenges to be cleared
differ even in the same token-operated game machine, and a course
including a challenge to be cleared by playing a home game machine
(including a portable game machine), for example, may be
prepared.
[0183] The player touches the course selection screen displayed on
the display device 5005 so as to select the course. Then, the
operation is accepted by the touch panel 5006 (S4), and its
operation content is forwarded to the control device 5001. As a
result, the control device 5001 stores information about the course
selected by the player, into the storage device 5002, in a state of
being associated with the card ID (S5). Then, the control device
5001 causes the display device 5005 to display a challenge
notification screen indicating a content of the challenge that the
player should clear in the course selected (S6), and stores the
event participation flag associated with the read card ID, into the
storage device 5002 (S7). As a result, the player is given the
challenge to be cleared, and to clear the challenge, the player is
to play by walking over to a plurality of token-operated game
machines.
[0184] Here, provided that in the course selected by the player,
the player is given two challenges, i.e., a first challenge "Get
Kikuka Sho in the horse-racing game machine 1000!" and a second
challenge "Get red 7 award in the slot machine 3000!" In this case,
in order to clear either one of the challenges, the player moves to
the installation location of the horse-racing game machine 1000 or
the slot machine 3000 so as to play that token-operated game
machine to try to clear the challenge.
[0185] For example, when the player plays the horse-racing game
machine 1000 to try to clear the first challenge, the player first
places his/her own player card over the card reading surface 1015.
As a result, the card ID is read from that player card by the card
reader 1204, and the card ID is stored in the SRAM 1105 or the
flash memory 1106. Then, the player consumes his/her own tokens to
train his/her own racehorse character, gives the racehorse
character a chance to compete in the Kikuka Sho race, and tries to
finish in first place in the Kikuka Sho race. When the player's
horse finishes in first place in the Kikuka Sho race, play history
information to the effect that the player wins the Kikuka Sho race
is stored in the SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106 in a state of
being associated with his/her own card ID. When the player ends the
game, the play history information that is first clear information
stored in the SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106, together with the
card ID, is output to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 via the
main control device 1001 from the station control device 1201, from
the external communication device 1108. In the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 that has received these, the control device 5001
stores the received play history information into the storage
device 5002 in a state of being associated with the received card
ID.
[0186] When the player plays the slot machine 3000 to try to clear
the second challenge, the player first places his/her own player
card over the card reading surface 3013a. As a result, the card ID
is read from the player card by the card reader 3013, and the card
ID is stored in the storage device 3103. The player plays by
consuming his/her own tokens, and when the player wins the red 7
award, play history information to the effect that the player wins
the red 7 award is stored in the storage device 3103 in a state of
being associated with his/her own card ID. When the player ends the
game, the play history information that is second clear information
stored in the storage device 3103, together with the card ID, are
output to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 from the external
communication device 3107 by the control device 3101. In the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 that has received these, the control
device 5001 stores the received play history information in the
storage device 5002 in a state of being associated with the
received card ID.
[0187] Thus, the player who clears all the given challenges visits
again the installation location of the gaming arcade terminal unit
50 as a benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus so as to
place his/her own player card over the card reading surface 5007a
of the card reader 5007 as an identification information receiving
unit functioning as identification information receiving means. As
a result, the card ID within the player card is read by the card
reader 5007 (S1). After the card reader 5007 has read the card ID,
the control device 5001 confirms whether there is an event
participation flag associated with the card ID within the storage
device 5002 (S2). Here, the event participation flag is already
stored at S7, and thus, it is determined that there is an event
participation flag. Therefore, the control device 5001 reads out
the course information stored in a manner to be associated with the
read card ID, the play history information for the horse-racing
game machine 1000, and the play history information of the slot
machine 3000, from the storage device 5002. Then, the control
device 5001 that is a decision unit functions as decision means and
confirms whether the information indicating that the first
challenge and the second challenge corresponding to the read course
information is cleared is included in the read play history
information and play history information, and decides whether a
benefit-imparting condition (a payout condition) where all the
challenges are cleared is satisfied (S8). When there is still a
challenge to be cleared in this determination, the control device
5001 causes the display device 5005 to display a screen showing a
content of the challenge still to be cleared (S9) so as to notify
the player of the challenge still to be cleared.
[0188] On the other hand, where deciding that all challenges are
cleared, the control device 5001 first performs a process for
allowing the display device 5005 to display a clear performance
screen for celebrating event clearance (S10). This performance may
be carried out by utilizing a performance unit of each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000, as with the
above-described total jackpot performance. After the performance,
the control device 5001 which is a notifying unit functions as
notifying means, thereby notifying a player of game apparatus
designating information for designating a token-operated game
machine which is a benefit-imparting game apparatus for receiving
the payout of clear bonus tokens in an amount corresponding to the
clear information (S11). Concretely, in the present embodiment, the
storage device 5002 stores benefit-imparting game apparatus
information for specifying a game apparatus (for example, the slot
machine 3000) which is predetermined as a benefit-imparting game
apparatus. The control device 5001 reads out the benefit-imparting
game apparatus information from the storage device 5002, allowing a
display device 5005 to display a model name of the slot machine
3000 as the game apparatus designating information. In this
instance, it is preferable that such an explanation is displayed by
the display device 5005 to the effect that tokens can be obtained
by reading the card ID of a player card on the model of the machine
concerned. Further, additional information on an installation
location of the model of the machine concerned and game content of
the model of the machine concerned (advertisements and others) may
be provided at the same time.
[0189] Thereafter, the control device 5001 which is a clear
information output unit functions as clear information output
means, thereby outputting clear information indicating that a
payout condition has been satisfied in a state of being associated
with the card ID of the player (S12). The thus output clear
information is stored in the storage device 5002 in a state of
being associated with the card ID of the player (S13).
[0190] FIG. 20 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a payout
process for clear bonus tokens of a token rally event.
[0191] A player who has been notified of the model name of a
benefit-imparting game apparatus by the gaming arcade unit 5000
visits the installation location of the game apparatus of the
notified model name (in this instance, the slot machine 3000).
Then, the player places the player card over a card reading surface
3013a of the slot machine 3000. Thereby, the card ID of the player
card is read by a card reader 3013. Accordingly, a control device
3101 makes an inquiry to the gaming arcade unit 5000 about whether
there is clear information corresponding to the thus read card
ID.
[0192] The control device 5001 of the gaming arcade unit 5000 which
has received the inquiry confirms whether the clear information
corresponding to the card ID related to this inquiry is stored in
the storage device 5002. Where confirming that no clear information
is stored, the control device 5001 transmits the confirmation
result to the slot machine 3000, i.e., a transmitter of the inquiry
concerned. On the other hand, where confirming that the clear
information is stored, the control device 5001 then compares data
on the storage date with data on the present date in the clear
information and confirms whether a predetermined payout deadline
has been exceeded. Then, where the predetermined payout deadline
has been exceeded, the control device 5001 transmits the
confirmation result to the slot machine 3000, i.e., the transmitter
of the inquiry concerned. And where the predetermined payout
deadline has not been exceeded, the control device 5001 also
transmits the confirmation result to the slot machine 3000, i.e.,
the transmitter of the inquiry concerned. The above-described
payout deadline is provided, by which it is possible to encourage a
player who has cleared all challenges of a token rally event to
visit sooner an installation location of the slot machine 3000
which is a benefit-imparting game apparatus.
[0193] When the confirmation result is received by the control
device 3101 of the slot machine 3000 which is a clear information
receiving unit functioning as clear information receiving means,
the control device 3101 decides on the basis of the confirmation
result whether there is effective clear information whose payout
deadline has not been exceeded and which also corresponds to the
card ID of the player card concerned. Where deciding that no
effective clear information is found, the control device 3101
performs the above-described process, for example, download of play
history information corresponding to the card ID within the player
card from the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. On the other hand,
where deciding that the effective clear information is found, the
control device 3101 which is a payout processing unit functions as
payout processing means, thereby performing a payout process for
paying out to a player a predetermined number of tokens.
Concretely, the control device 3101 performs a process for
increasing credit count data housed in the storage device 3103 only
by the predetermined number and also increasing the token credit of
a credit display 3014a only by the predetermined number.
Alternatively, a token payout device 3018 is used to pay out the
predetermined number of tokens from a token payout opening 3010a to
a token receiving tray 3010.
[0194] As described so far, according to the present embodiment, a
player who has participated in a token rally event to clear all
challenges is able to receive the clear bonus token by going to an
installation location of the slot machine 3000 and allowing the
slot machine to read the card ID of the player card. Thereby, the
player is strongly motivated to go to the installation location of
the slot machine 3000. As a result, it is possible to give the
player an increased number of opportunities to play selectively
with the slot machine 3000.
[0195] In the present embodiment, an explanation has been made for
a case where a benefit-imparting game apparatus (the slot machine
3000) is used to pay out a clear bonus token to a player who has
satisfied a payout condition (a benefit-imparting condition) to
clear all challenges of a token rally event. The benefit-imparting
game apparatus may be used to pay out a clear bonus token paid out
to the player who has satisfied the payout condition while playing
a game apparatus other than the benefit-imparting game apparatus
(not necessarily limited to a token-operated game machine). In this
instance, on the basis of a game progress result controlled by a
game progress control unit of a game apparatus other than the
benefit-imparting game apparatus, a decision is made for whether
the payout condition is satisfied. An explanation will be made by
referring to a pusher game machine 2000, for example. A new payout
symbol combination is provided in the above-described slot game
performed in the pusher game machine 2000, and winning the payout
symbol combination is given as a payout condition. Then, when
winning the new payout symbol combination, a player is notified of,
for example, a model of slot machine 3000 (game apparatus
designating information) as a benefit-imparting game apparatus for
having tokens paid out for the payout symbol combination in the
winning performance. And also information on this winning (clear
information) is output to the gaming arcade unit 5000 in
association with the card ID of the player card. Thereby, the
gaming arcade unit 5000 stores the information in the storage
device 5002 in a state of being associated with the card ID. In
this instance, when a player who has played the pusher game machine
2000 wins the new payout symbol combination in a slot game, the
player is unable to have tokens paid out on the spot. However, the
player is able to have tokens paid out for the payout symbol
combination by going to the installation location of the slot
machine 3000 and allowing the slot machine to read the card ID of
the player card.
[0196] Further, in the present embodiment, a condition where a
player who has satisfied a payout condition (a benefit-imparting
condition) to clear all challenges of a token rally event has
tokens paid out in the slot machine 3000 which is a
benefit-imparting game apparatus is just that in which the card ID
is read by the benefit-imparting game apparatus. However, other
conditions may be added. For example, a condition of playing at
least once with the slot machine 3000 which is a benefit-imparting
game apparatus and a condition of winning a predetermined payout
symbol combination of the slot machine 3000 may be included.
[0197] Further, in the present embodiment, the benefit-imparting
game apparatus for paying out a clear bonus token may be changed.
Concretely, such a case is acceptable that a touch panel 5006 which
is a selection operation receiving unit of the gaming arcade unit
5000 is allowed to function as selection operation receiving means
and an employee at a gaming arcade, etc., uses the touch panel 5006
to perform selection operation for selecting one or two or more
model names (game apparatus designating information) to notify a
player who has cleared all challenges of a token rally event, by
which benefit-imparting game apparatus information for specifying a
token-operated game machine related to the selection operation is
stored in the storage device 5002. In this case, the player who has
cleared all challenges of the token rally event is notified of a
model name of the token-operated game machine related to the
selection operation stored in the storage device 5002 as the game
apparatus designating information. According to the above-described
configuration, for example, an employee at a gaming arcade, etc.,
is able to change a setting by operating the touch panel 5006 so
that a token-operated game machine which is less popular or a
token-operated game machine which is not played at that time in the
gaming arcade can be given as a benefit-imparting game apparatus.
It is, thereby, possible to increase the operating rate of
token-operated game machines in the whole gaming arcade.
[0198] Still further, the benefit-imparting game apparatus for
paying out a clear bonus token may be that which is predetermined
as described above. However, it is also acceptable that the control
device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 executes a
selection program of the benefit-imparting game apparatus and
selects the benefit-imparting game apparatus according to the
program content.
[0199] For example, the control device 5001 stores play history
information on a player of each card ID in the storage device 5002
of the gaming arcade unit 5000. Therefore, it is possible to
comprehend the play frequency of each player with each
token-operated game machine on the basis of the play history
information. Thus, for example, where reading a card ID from a
player card of a player who has satisfied a payout condition (a
benefit-imparting condition) to clear all challenges of a token
rally event, the control device 5001 specifies a token-operated
game machine which is played at a relatively low frequency by the
player in reference to the play history information corresponding
to the card ID. Then, the player is notified of a model name of the
specified token-operated game machine as game apparatus designating
information. Thereby, it is possible that each player is
effectively encouraged to visit the installation location of the
token-operated game machine with which the player plays less
frequently.
[0200] Further, for example, the control device 5001 which is a
non-use status checking unit functions as non-use status checking
means, thereby collecting information such as the number of players
who play each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000.
This information collection can be performed in a process similar
to the above-described player presence confirming process. Thereby,
it is possible to specify by each station a token-operated game
machine which is unused. Then, the collected information is
referenced to specify the model of the game machine lower in
occupancy rate by players. And, benefit-imparting game apparatus
information on the specified model is stored in the storage device
5002. According to this configuration, there is less likelihood of
causing such a play-standby situation where a player who has
actually gone to an installation location of a benefit-imparting
game apparatus is required to wait until another player stops
playing the benefit-imparting game apparatus. It is also possible
to increase the operating rate of token-operated game machines in
the whole gaming arcade concerned.
[0201] Still further, the control device 5001 which is a
utilization status checking unit functions as utilization status
checking means, for example, thereby collecting information on the
utilization status of each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, 3000. In this instance, the utilization status may be
construed as information for specifying a token-operated game
machine relatively short in time during which a player plays out of
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000. Concretely,
means for counting playing time during which a player plays each of
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000 or non-playing
time during which no player plays to output the counted playing
time or non-playing time at a predetermined timing is provided.
Then, information on the playing time or non-playing time of each
of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000 is stored in
the storage device 5002. Thereby, the control device 5001 is able
to specify a token-operated game machine shorter in playing time
within a predetermined period (for example, a period from one week
before to the present time) by each station by referring to the
information on the playing time or non-playing time within the
storage device 5002. Then, benefit-imparting game apparatus
information on the specified model is stored in the storage device
5002. According to the above configuration, it is possible to
direct players to a less popular model and increase the operating
rate of game apparatuses in the present network system as a
whole.
[0202] The above-described utilization status may be construed as
information for specifying a token-operated game machine relatively
small in the number of times of games within a predetermined period
or smaller than a standard number of times of games out of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000. Concretely, means
for counting the number of times of games played by a player within
a predetermined period in each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, 3000 and outputting the counted number of times at a
predetermined timing is provided. Then, information on the number
of times of games in each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, 3000 is stored in the storage device 5002. Thereby, the
control device 5001 is able to specify a token-operated game
machine smaller in the number of times of games within a
predetermined period (for example, a period from one week before to
the present time) by each station by referring to the information
on the number of times of games within the storage device 5002.
Then, the benefit-imparting game apparatus information on the
specified model is stored in the storage device 5002. According to
the above configuration, it is also possible to direct players to a
less popular model and increase the operating rate of game
apparatuses in the present network system as a whole.
[0203] Further, the above-described utilization status may be
construed as information for specifying among the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, 3000 a token-operated game machine
relatively small in the number of token bets or the number of
paid-out tokens within a predetermined period or smaller than a
standard number of tokens. Concretely, means for counting the
number of bets received from a player or the number of tokens paid
out to the player within a predetermined period in each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000 and outputting the
counted number of token bets or the number of paid out tokens at a
predetermined timing is provided. Then, information on the number
of token bets and the number of paid out tokens in each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, 3000 is stored in the
storage device 5002. Thereby, the control device 5001 is able to
specify a token-operated game machine smaller in the number of
token bets or the number of paid out tokens within a predetermined
period (for example, a period from one week before to the present
time) by each station by referring to the information on the number
of times of games within the storage device 5002. Then,
benefit-imparting game apparatus information on the specified model
is stored in the storage device 5002. According to the above
configuration, it is possible to direct players to a less popular
model and increase the operating rate of game apparatuses in the
present network system as a whole.
[0204] Further, in the present embodiment, a card ID is stored in a
player card and various player information is stored within the
storage device 5002 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 in
association with the card ID. However, at least a part of the
player information may be stored within the player card. In this
instance, if information is stored within the player card, the
information can be utilized without communication with the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000. Therefore, for example, if clear
information to the effect that all challenges of a token rally
event have been cleared is stored in the player card, even a system
in which the above-described benefit-imparting game apparatus is
unable to communicate with the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is
able to pay out a clear bonus token on the basis of the clear
information concerned.
[0205] Still further, a token-operated game machine applicable to
the present network system of the present embodiment is not limited
to the above described type but also applicable to various
types.
[0206] In addition, in the present embodiment, a player who has
satisfied a payout condition of clearing all challenges of a token
rally event is imparted a benefit of paying out a clear bonus
token, by which the player is encouraged to go to the installation
location of the slot machine 3000 which is a payout game apparatus.
It is, however, possible to encourage the player to go to the
installation location of the slot machine 3000 by other methods.
The following description will explain examples.
[0207] Where the horse-racing game machine 1000 is given as a
benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus and a player
satisfies a predetermined benefit-imparting condition (a condition
where a total number of tokens bet by the player is more than a
stipulated number of tokens or a condition where the player trains
the player's own horse to be a winner of Japan's three main horse
races) in the horse-racing game machine 1000, clear information
indicating to the effect that the benefit-imparting condition
concerned is satisfied in a state of being associated with the
identification information on the player is output. In this
instance, the player who has satisfied the benefit-imparting
condition is notified of game apparatus designating information for
designating the slot machine 3000 which is a benefit-imparting game
apparatus by a notifying unit such as a display 1011 of the
horse-racing game machine 1000. The slot machine 3000 reads the
card ID of the player (identification information) and receives
clear information corresponding to the card ID. Then, the slot
machine 3000 performs a process for imparting the player a benefit
according to the clear information.
[0208] This benefit may include anything beneficial to the player
and is not limited to payout of tokens. For example, in the slot
machine 3000, a benefit of transfer to a control mode in which a
probability of winning a red 7 award in an internal drawing is
higher than a case where no benefit-imparting condition is
satisfied is acceptable. The control mode may be a mode exclusive
to a player who has satisfied a benefit-imparting condition or may
be an existing control mode (probability change mode).
[0209] Further, various types of benefits are available, that is,
where in place of using the slot machine 3000 as a
benefit-imparting game apparatus, another type of token-operated
game machine, a coin game machine which does not deal with tokens
(video game machine) and a home game machine are used.
[0210] For example, where, as a benefit-imparting game apparatus, a
pachinko machine in which entry of a pachinko ball into a specified
pocket starts a digital slot drawing and another entry of a
pachinko ball into the specified pocket during the drawing retains
a right of executing the digital slot drawing is used, a benefit
that increases the number of drawing rights to be retained is
acceptable. A benefit of increasing the number of drawing rights to
be retained may be also imparted in a game apparatus including a
pachinko machine as long as it is capable of retaining a drawing
right.
[0211] Further, where a coin using game machine (a video game
machine) or a home game machine is used as the benefit-imparting
game apparatus, a benefit of obtaining a special item usable in a
game of the machine concerned may be imparted or a benefit of
increasing points, tokens or others usable in a game of the game
machine concerned may be imparted.
[0212] Further, where a token-operated game machine is used as the
benefit-imparting game apparatus, a benefit of paying out tokens in
a greater number when a token payout condition is satisfied during
the game concerned than when no clear information is available may
be imparted.
[0213] Still further, where the above-described pusher game machine
2000 is used as the benefit-imparting game apparatus, a benefit
that the slot game is performed a plurality of times may be
imparted.
[0214] In addition, where a game apparatus which is different in
game content from a game machine other than the horse-racing game
machine 1000 is used as the benefit-imparting condition deciding
apparatus and also the horse-racing game machine 1000 is used as
the benefit-imparting game apparatus, a benefit of presenting a
betting ticket in the horse racing game thereof may be
imparted.
[0215] Above-described benefits are imparted, by which a player who
exclusively plays a benefit-imparting condition deciding apparatus
is strongly motivated to go to an installation location of a
benefit-imparting game apparatus. As a result, it is possible to
increase the number of opportunities that the player plays the
benefit-imparting game apparatus.
[0216] In the above-described embodiment, means realized by
software such as a computer program may be optionally realized by
hardware such as a circuit board and a chip. Moreover, means
realized by hardware such as a circuit board and a chip may be
optionally realized by software such as a computer program.
* * * * *