JP2005118271A - Game information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game information management system which realizes a new service by connecting the game information of a slot machine to the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: The game information management system is constituted of: the slot machine 1 comprising a second sub control board 70 connected to a main board 50 for controlling a game and a LAN adapter 26 electrically connected to the second sub control board 70 and capable of transmitting and receiving information to/from the outside; a WAN 110 for interconnecting a plurality of LANs 101 to which the slot machines 1 are connected; the Internet 130 to which a personal computer 140 is connected; and a center server 120 connected to the WAN 110 and the Internet 130. The second sub control board 70 transmits and receives the information to/from the center server 120, the information transmitted from the main board 50 is managed as the game information, and the personal computer 140 can utilize the game information in the center server 120 through the Internet 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that is connected to a local area network and capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the outside, a wide area network that interconnects a plurality of local area networks, the Internet to which terminal devices are connected, and the wide The present invention relates to a game information management system including a server device connected to an area network and the Internet.

  A gaming machine (for example, a slot machine) installed in a game hall or the like is a management electronic device or the like (a “hall computer”) installed in a specific place (such as a management room where only an administrator can enter). And a hall computer manages and manages a large number of slot machines installed in the game arcade and manages game information such as game data of each slot machine. This slot machine is configured to output only a signal limited for management by a hall computer in order to prevent an unauthorized operation from the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Therefore, a game by such a slot machine is configured to be completed by starting and ending by a predetermined operation of an operation lever, a button or the like included in this slot machine, and the player repeatedly performs this game. Although winning in a predetermined role in each game may affect the results of subsequent games or allow replays, each game is basically independent, as described above. Since there is no method for inputting / outputting game results to the outside, naturally, game results in other gaming machines are not affected.
JP 2001-170246 A

  In recent years, in order to provide fine-tuned services to players, for example, a plurality of players can play against each other using a slot machine, and can be controlled according to the results, or based on the results of the game There is a growing expectation that it will be possible to provide rankings for players. However, in the conventional slot machine, since it is prohibited to input information from the outside to the main board that performs the lottery of roles (that is, processing related to the appearance), such a new service is realized. There was a problem that could not be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is configured to manage game information of a slot machine connected to a local area network with a server device connected to a wide area network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game information management system that realizes a new service by connecting a terminal device to the Internet and making game information of a server device available from the terminal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a game information management system according to the present invention is provided separately from a main board for controlling games, and the main board, and information is transmitted from the main board in at least one direction. The sub-control board (for example, the second sub-control board 70 in the embodiment) electrically connected to the main board, and the sub-control board electrically connected to the local area network and connected to the outside A slot machine having an external connection means capable of transmitting and receiving information (for example, the LAN adapter 26 in the embodiment), a wide area network for connecting a plurality of local area networks to which the slot machine is connected, and a terminal device (for example, , The Internet to which the personal computer 140) in the embodiment is connected, and the wide area network A server device connected to the Internet (e.g., the center server 120 in the embodiment) configured from a. The sub-control board transmits / receives information to / from the server device and manages the information transmitted from the main board as game information by the server device, and the terminal device can use the game information of the server device via the Internet. It is configured as follows.

  When the game information management system according to the present invention is configured as described above, information (game information) as a result of the game played by the player in the slot machine connected to the local area network is managed by the server device connected to the wide area network. Furthermore, since the game information managed by the server device can be used from the terminal device via the Internet, a new service that has never been available can be provided to the player.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a slot machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2 having an opening on the front surface side, and a front door 3 attached so as to be able to open and close the opening. The front door 3 is attached to be openable and closable by an upper and lower hinge mechanism (not shown) disposed across the housing 2 and the left side of the front door 3, and is always a locking device 4 provided at the right edge. Is held in a state of being closed and locked to the housing 2.

  Inside the housing 2, a reel unit 22 including three rotatable reels 21 a, 21 b, 21 c provided with various patterns along the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and a hopper unit 23 for paying out game medals , An auxiliary storage unit 24 for storing game medals overflowing from the hopper unit 23, a main board 50 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the slot machine 1, and a hall computer (not shown) in the game hall An external concentrated terminal board 60 to be connected and a power supply unit 25 for supplying power to components such as the reel unit 22, the hopper unit 23, and the main board 50 are disposed. Further, a second sub-control board 70 and a LAN adapter 26, which will be described in detail later, are disposed inside the housing 2.

  Above the front door 3, an upper effect lamp 31, left and right upper speakers 32a and 32b, and an effect display device 33 constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like are disposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a first sub-control board 80 is disposed on the upper back surface side of the front door 3, and is electrically connected to the main board 50 on the housing 2 side by a wire harness (not shown). ing.

  A transparent window 34 is disposed in the middle of the front door 3 so as to be aligned with the three reels 21a, 21b, and 21c. A predetermined range of the three reels 21a, 21b, and 21c is exposed to the front of the machine body. Not. Further, a second display device 35 constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like, and left and right effect lamps 36a and 36b are disposed on the side of the see-through window 34. Further, an operation unit 37 for a player to operate is provided below the fluoroscopic window 34. The operation unit 37 includes a medal insertion unit 38 for inserting game medals and the number of medals per game. Bet buttons 39a, 39b, 39c for setting, a start lever 40 for instructing the start of one game, and three stop buttons 41a, for individually stopping the rotating reels 21a, 21b, 21c, 41b and 41c are arranged. An IC card reader / writer 42, which will be described in detail later, is disposed below the operation unit 37.

  A medal payout opening 43 is provided on the lower front side of the front door 3, a tray 44 is provided in the lower part thereof, and a lower speaker 45 is provided in the vicinity of the medal payout opening 43. As shown in FIG. 2, on the lower back side of the front door 3, a medal selector 46 and a medal selector 46 for distinguishing and distributing whether the inserted material from the medal inserting unit 38 is a regular game medal or a foreign object. A first guide member 47a that guides the distributed game medals to the hopper unit 23 provided on the housing 2 side, and a second guide member that guides and discharges the foreign matters distributed by the medal selector 46 to the medal payout outlet 43. 47b, and a third guide member 47c for guiding game medals paid out from the hopper unit 23 to the medal payout opening 43 are provided. The third guide member 47c is aligned with the medal payout opening 43 described above.

  Further, a long central display board 90 is disposed above the medal selector 46, and a setting button 48 and numerals 0 to 6 are provided at one end on the back side of the central display board 90. And a setting display element 49 formed of a light emitting diode for performing segment display.

  In order to play a game in such a slot machine 1, the player inserts a predetermined number of game medals from the medal insertion unit 38, operates one of the bet buttons 39a, 39b, 39c, and starts. When the lever 40 is operated, the three reels 21a, 21b, and 21c start to rotate. The player arbitrarily selects the three reels 21a, 21b, and 21c that are rotating, operates the stop buttons 41a, 41b, and 41c in a desired order and timing, and operates the reels 21a, 21b, and 21c. Stop.

  When all the three reels 21a, 21b, and 21c that have been rotated stop, the winning symbol is determined, that is, whether it is a hit or miss, and the symbol combination corresponds to a predetermined winning symbol combination. When doing so, a predetermined number of game medals are paid out from the hopper unit 23. At this time, each effect lamp 31, 36a, 36b is turned on (or turned off), a predetermined sound effect is generated from each of the upper and lower speakers 32a, 32b, 45, or a predetermined effect image is generated by the effect display device 33. Various displays according to the state of the game are performed. Here, the winning symbol is a combination of symbols of predetermined combinations, and the combination includes, for example, a special combination, a small combination, and a replay (re-playing combination).

  Thus, a player who plays a game in the slot machine 1 loses the inserted game medal when the displayed symbol does not correspond to a predetermined combination (when it is out of place), but is displayed. When the symbols correspond to a predetermined combination (at the time of winning), it is possible to acquire more game medals than the number inserted, and enjoy the interest of increasing the number of game medals.

  Next, the control system of the slot machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. This control system mainly includes a main board 50, a first sub control board 80, a central display board 90, an external concentrated terminal board 60, and a second sub control board 70. For example, the main board 50 performs lottery of normal roles such as small roles, special roles, and replays, and controls the components of the slot machine 1 to control the game by the slot machine 1.

  A power supply unit 25 is electrically connected to the main board 50, and predetermined power is supplied from the power supply unit 25 to each component device via the main board 50. Further, a hopper unit 23 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 25, and predetermined power is supplied from the power supply unit 25 to the hopper unit 23, and a hopper drive signal output from the main board 50 is a power supply unit. The hopper unit 23 is input to the hopper unit 23 via 25. Further, the reel unit 22 is electrically connected to the main board 50, and a reel control signal output from the main board 50 is input to a reel motor (not shown) constituting the reel unit 22, The rotation / stop control of the reels 21a, 21b, 21c is performed.

  The central display board 90 is electrically connected to the main board 50. The central display board 90 further includes a medal selector 46, bet buttons 39a, 39b, 39c, a start lever 40, stop buttons 41a, 41b, 41c, the setting button 48, and the setting display element 49 are electrically connected. The medal detection signals output from the medal selector 46 and the operation signals output from the bet buttons 39a, 39b, 39c, the start lever 40, and the stop buttons 41a, 41b, 41c are transferred to the main board 50. Based on the segment display signal output from the main board 50, the setting display element 49 displays numbers from 0 to 6.

  The external concentration terminal board 60 is electrically connected to the main board 50 and is also electrically connected to a hall computer (not shown) in the game hall, so that game medals are transferred from the medal insertion section 38 to the hopper unit 23. A “game medal insertion signal” that is output each time one is inserted, a “game medal payout signal” that is output each time one game medal is paid out from the hopper unit 23 to the medal payout opening 43, and a regular bonus ( RB) is output when winning a special role larger than the regular bonus (RB) called “Big Bonus (BB)”, which is output when winning a special role called “RB” "Signature per device continuous operation increasing device" is transmitted in parallel from the main board 50 to the hall computer via the external concentrated terminal board 60. It has become to so that.

  The first sub-control board 80 is electrically connected to the main board 50 so that information is transmitted from the main board 50 in one direction. The first sub-control board 80 is electrically connected to the effect lamps 31, 36 a, 36 b, the upper and lower speakers 32 a, 32 b, 45, and the effect display device 33, and transmits from the main board 50. In response to the effect control signal, a drive signal is output to each of the effect lamps 31, 36a, 36b, the upper and lower speakers 32a, 32b, 45, and the effect display device 33, and transmitted from the main board 50. Control of the appeal appealing to the visual and auditory sense of the player according to the effect control signal is performed.

  The effect control signal transmitted from the main board 50 to the first sub-control board 80 includes an effect corresponding to a case where a regular bonus (RB) is won or a big bonus (BB) is won. ”Command”, “operation system command” for performing effects corresponding to the insertion of game medals, operations of the start lever 40 and stop buttons 41a, 41b, 41c, etc., and effects corresponding to the lottery result of normal roles, reel control results, etc. There is a “designation command” for performing In addition, the first sub control board 80 is configured to perform a lottery of a specific combination called an assist time (AT) in response to the “effect designation command”. The specific combination is a combination that is different from a normal combination such as a special combination (RB or BB) or a small combination, and that is a game that has a larger expected value for the number of game medals than the normal game.

  The second sub-control board 70 is electrically connected to the first sub-control board 80 so that information is transmitted from the first sub-control board 80 in one direction or in both directions (in FIG. This shows a case where information is transmitted from the control board 80 to the second sub-control board 70 in one direction). Then, a “gaming state command”, an “operation system command”, and a lottery result of a specific role called assist time (AT) are transmitted from the first sub control board 80 to the second sub control board 70. It is like that. The IC card reader / writer 42 and the LAN adapter 26 are electrically connected to the second sub control board 70, and both the IC card reader / writer 42 and the LAN adapter 26 are connected to the second sub control board 70. The information can be input and output in any direction.

  The second display device 35 is electrically connected to the second sub-control board 70, and is configured to perform display according to a display signal (information) transmitted from the second sub-control board 70. Yes. Thereby, since information can be transmitted from the IC card reader / writer 42 to the second sub-control board 70, an effect corresponding to the information stored in the IC card and read from the IC card reader / writer 42 is displayed to the player. Can do. Further, since information can be transmitted from the LAN adapter 26 to the second sub-control board 70, an effect corresponding to the information received by the LAN adapter 26 can be displayed to the player. It is also possible to configure the second display device 35 as a touch panel and input the result of selection of information by the player to the second sub-control board 70.

  As described above, the slot machine 1 according to the present invention can use the external storage device (IC card reader / writer 42), the external network connection device (LAN adapter 26), and the like via the second sub-control board 70. . First, the IC card reader / writer 42 stores each player's identification information (hereinafter referred to as “player identification information”) in the IC card, and the player plays a game using the slot machine 1. At this time, by reading data from the IC card, the player who uses the slot machine 1 can be identified (personal authentication). By enabling personal authentication, it is possible to store a record of game results on this IC card so that the player can check it, or to count the number of winnings for special roles, etc. in units of game halls, etc. Service points can be provided to the player according to the number of games.

  The second sub-control board 70 is configured so that the LAN adapter 26 can exchange information via a network (LAN). FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram when such slot machines 1 are connected via a network.

  First, a plurality of slot machines 1 are installed in the game hall 100, and these are connected to a LAN (local area network) 101 laid around the game hall 100 via a LAN adapter 26. In addition, other types of gaming machines such as a pachinko machine 107 are connected to the LAN 101 via the LAN adapter 26. Furthermore, it has a large display device 105 and an audio device 106 for performing the entire game hall 100 as will be described later, and information on each gaming machine (the BB and RB of the slot machine 1 and the pachinko machine 107) A hall server 103 having a player information database (external storage device, etc.) 104 for managing the number of winnings) is connected.

  Further, the LAN 101 of such a game hall 100 is connected to a WAN (wide area network) 110 via a gateway device (router or gateway server) 102, and a plurality of game halls 100 transmit and receive information via the WAN 110. Is configured to be possible. The WAN 110 is configured by an ISDN network or an optical network network. Further, a center server 120 is connected to the WAN 110, and an overall player information database (external storage device or the like) 121 is provided to perform information management of the entire network. The center server 120 is also connected to the Internet 130, and is configured to be able to provide information to the personal computer 140, the mobile phone 150, and the like installed in a general home via the Internet 130. A method for providing a service (value added) by the slot machine 1 connected to the network will be specifically described below.

  First, as a first embodiment, a game in which players play against each other using information exchange between slot machines 1 installed in the same game hall 100 (hereinafter referred to as “match game”) will be described. . In addition, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the battle is a rule in which a player who wins more special roles within a predetermined battle time wins.

  This battle game will be described with reference to FIGS. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 5, only the connection between the processes is shown, and the configuration of the network and the like is omitted (the same applies to the subsequent system configurations). First, the player selects a normal game (hereinafter referred to as “normal game”) or a battle game as a game method in the slot machine 1 (S201). This process is implemented as a game method selection process 161 executed by the second sub-control board 70. The game method selection means can be realized, for example, by adopting a touch panel system for the second display device 35 or by providing a dedicated selection button or the like. When the battle game is selected, the opponent search process 162 searches for an opponent in another slot machine 1 connected to the LAN 101 (S202). When a normal game is selected, a game using a normal slot machine 1 is executed (S203).

  As an opponent search method, it is possible to directly communicate with another slot machine 1 and inquire whether the opponent is being searched. As shown in FIG. It is also possible to configure the gaming machine effect system so that an opponent determination process 165 for determining an opponent is installed and the opponent is determined via the hall server 103. Each slot machine 1 has unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as “gaming machine identification information”), and identifies each slot machine 1 connected to a network (such as the LAN 101) based on the gaming machine identification information. (The same applies to the following embodiments).

  When the opponent is determined, the opponent's gaming machine identification information is transmitted to each slot machine 1 from the opponent determination processing 106, and in response to this, the slot machine 1 proceeds to the battle processing 163, and the second display device indicates that fact. The game is displayed on 35 and the battle game is started (S204). Each time the second sub-control board 70 receives a gaming status command from the first sub-control board 80, the contents of the gaming status command are checked, and in the case of a special role such as BB or RB, the information is sent to the opponent. Along with the transmission to the slot machine 1, the number of wins for the special role of the player is counted. On the other hand, the game state command (BB or RB winning information) transmitted from the opponent's slot machine 1 is also counted as the number of winnings of the opponent's special role. Then, the elapsed time of the battle game (or the remaining time until the battle game ends), the number of winnings of the player and the number of winnings of the opponent are displayed on the second display device 35 (S205). This process is repeated until the battle game ends. For example, if it is determined that the battle game has ended after a predetermined battle time has elapsed (S206), the process proceeds to the battle result display process 164, and the battle result, that is, If the number of winnings of the machine is greater than the number of winnings of the opponent, the win is displayed, and if it is less, the defeat is displayed on the second display device 35 (S207).

  In this manner, the second display device 35 displays the state of the player and the opponent (number of winnings) in real time during the battle game, and displays the battle result after the battle game is completed, thereby allowing the player to It is possible to provide a game effect that has never existed before. Since this battle game is executed on the second sub-control board 70, it does not affect the normal game executed on the main board 50 or the first sub-control board 80, and is added to this normal game. New services can be provided to players. In addition, information is transmitted from the second sub-control board 70 to the first sub-control board 80, and the result of the battle game processed by the second sub-control board 70 is passed to the first sub-control board 80. It is also possible to configure so that the first sub-control board 80 is used.

  Normally, a lot of slot machines 1 with different production effects are installed in the game hall 100, but such a battle game can be performed between different types of slot machines 1. At this time, in the case where the setting of the special role is different between different types of slot machines 1, for example, the winning information such as the special role is once transmitted to the hall server 103 and set for each model by the hall server 103. This can be realized by converting it to a point rate and sending it back, and using this point rate to advance the battle. Furthermore, a battle game can be performed between the slot machine 1 and the pachinko machine 107. In this case, the pachinko machine 107 is also configured to have functions corresponding to the second sub-control board 70 and the second display device 35 included in the slot machine 1, and the special function in the slot machine 1 and the pachinko machine 107 is provided. It is preferable that the winning probability or the like is converted into a point rate by the hall server 103 or the like as described above. Needless to say, a battle game between the pachinko machines 107 is possible. Furthermore, it is possible to increase or decrease the above-mentioned service points recorded on the IC card according to the result of the battle. Note that the conversion effect for converting to the above point rate can be varied depending on the model type, day of the week, etc., and the effect of the battle game can be enhanced by notifying the player.

  In the first embodiment, a one-to-one battle game between two slot machines 1 has been described. However, a battle game between a plurality of slot machines 1 can also be performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of game halls 100 is connected to the WAN 110 via the gateway device 102, so that a battle is performed between the slot machine 1 or the pachinko machine 107 connected to the WAN 110. It is possible to play a game. In this case, the opponent determination processing 165 used for selecting an opponent is implemented not in the hall server 103 installed in the game hall 100 but in the center server 120 connected to the WAN 110 to constitute a gaming machine effect system. You can also By configuring in this way, it is possible to play against more players beyond the game hall 100 where the player is playing a game, and to give a higher effect to the player.

  In the first embodiment, the battle game in which the players battle each other has been described. As the second embodiment, a game for ranking (ranking) the players in the game hall 100 (hereinafter referred to as “competition”). A gaming machine directing system that performs a service of “game” will be described. In order to simplify the explanation of this competitive game, the difference between the number of game medals inserted into the game within a predetermined time and the number of game medals obtained by winning a special role or the like by the game (in the balance information of the game result) It is assumed that the ranking display of the players is performed by the following method. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the system configuration and processing procedure of the gaming machine presentation system for realizing this competitive game.

  This gaming machine presentation system includes a slot machine 1 and a hall server 103. In addition, a large display device 105 and an audio device 106 are also used to enhance the effect of the competitive game. First, the start / end process 171 of the hall server 103 performs a competition game start process according to a preset time or an instruction from the administrator of the game hall 100 (S211). In the start / end processing 171, a player in the game hall 100 is notified of the start of a competitive game using the large display device 105 and the audio device 106 (see FIG. 4) connected to the hall server 103. Also, a competition game start signal is transmitted to each slot machine 1 via the LAN 101.

  Each slot machine 1 executes the competition process 174 when receiving the competition game start signal (S212). This competition process 174 displays the start of the competitive game on the second display device 35 and, among the game status commands received from the first sub-control board 80, receives special signals such as BB and RB until an end signal described later is received. The winning combination of a combination and the insertion / acquisition of a game medal are transmitted to the hall server 103 together with the gaming machine identification information of the slot machine 1. The hall server 103 receives the game medal information and the like in the progress ranking process 172, adds and holds the number for each gaming machine identification information of each slot machine 1, and obtains the difference number at a predetermined interval and ranks it. Is displayed on the large display device 105. In addition, when a competitive game is notified from the hall server 103, it is also possible to configure so that the player can reject the competitive game using an input means such as the second display device 35. When the player refuses, the hall server 103 is notified of the rejection of the competitive game together with the gaming machine identification information of the slot machine 1, and the slot machine 1 is excluded in the subsequent competitive games.

  When a predetermined time elapses, the start / end processing 171 of the hall server 103 transmits a competition game end signal to each slot machine 1 (S213). Upon receiving the end signal, each slot machine 1 ends the competition process 174 and executes the individual result display process 175. On the other hand, in the hall server 103, an overall result display process 173 is executed, and the ranking at the end time is output to the large display device 105 as the final ranking, and an effect such as awarding the winner is performed. This result is transmitted to each slot machine 1, and the individual result display processing 175 displays the ranking of the player playing the slot machine 1 (that is, the ranking corresponding to the gaming machine identification information) on the second display device 35. Output to.

  In this way, by using the hall server 103 to link a plurality of slot machines 1 in the game hall 100, the players can compete with each other using the normal game results as they are, and a new game production can be achieved. An effect can be obtained. Since this competitive game is executed by the second sub-control board 70 as in the battle game shown in the first embodiment, it does not affect the conventional processing of the main board 50 and the first sub-control board 80. .

  In the second embodiment, different types of slot machines 1 can also be included, and the pachinko machine 107 and the like are different by giving a weight to the number of winnings in consideration of the difference in the winning probability of special roles. Gaming machines can also be targeted for competitive gaming. Of course, a competitive game between pachinko machines 107 is also possible. Furthermore, it is possible to play a competitive game for other gaming machines 100 (slot machine 1, pachinko machine 107, etc.) via the WAN 110, and record the result of the competitive game on an IC card. It can also affect the increase or decrease of service points.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the ranking is performed based on the gaming machine identification information assigned to each slot machine 1 has been described. However, by authenticating the individual player using the IC card, It is also possible to make a ranking based on the player identification information of the player. In this case, each player's information (nickname, etc.) is managed by the center server 120 or the like based on the player identification information of each player, and read out based on the identification information via the WAN 110, so that the individual player The information may be displayed on the large display device 105.

  Next, as a third embodiment, a game information management system for providing ranking information (ranking) of game results of a player in the game hall 100 using the hall server 103 will be described. With conventional gaming machines, it is not possible to identify the player who is playing the game by operating this gaming machine, so even if statistical information such as the number of winnings for each gaming machine can be obtained, game performance information for each player Could not get. However, as described above, the slot machine 1 according to the present invention has the IC card reader / writer 42 and is configured to be able to authenticate the player using the IC card. For each player, the number of special roles won, the number of game medals, and the like can be accumulated in the hall server 103 to present ranking information.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the player connects the IC card to the IC card reader / writer 42, the authentication processing 181 of the second sub-control board 70 performs player identification information ( ID number or the like) is read to identify the player (S221). Then, the state collection processing 182 transmits the game state commands received from the first sub control board 80 such as BB and RB to the hall server 103 via the LAN 101 together with the player identification information (S222). At this time, the result storage processing 183 of the hall server 103 stores the received information in the game information database 104 together with the player identification information. This state collection process 182 continues until the player finishes the game in the slot machine 1, for example, until the player removes the IC card from the IC card reader / writer 42 (S223). As the player authentication means, not only an IC card but also a mobile phone having an infrared communication function, a magnetic card, an IC tag, or the like can be used.

  On the other hand, the result display process 184 of the hall server 103 reads the information of each player stored in the game information database 104 at a predetermined interval and performs ranking. This ranking can be performed, for example, based on the number of winnings for special roles, the number of medals earned (or the difference), the ranking of the day, and the status of the week. Can also be ranked. The rankings thus calculated are displayed on, for example, a large display device 105 connected to the hall server 103 and installed in the game hall 100, or freely by the player at an information providing terminal (not shown). It can be configured so that it can be taken out and displayed.

  Since the ranking process is also executed by the second sub-control board 70 as in the first and second embodiments described above, it affects the conventional processes of the main board 50 and the first sub-control board 80. There is no. Of course, different types of slot machines 1 can also be included, and different gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 107 can be targeted for ranking under certain conditions.

  The game information of each player stored in the game information database 104 of the hall server 103 is periodically transmitted to the center server 120 via the WAN 110 by the result transmission process 185. In the center server 120, the result reception process 186 receives this game information and stores it in the overall player information database 121. In the overall player information database 121, player information of other game halls 100 is also registered. Even if the same player plays a game at a plurality of game halls 100, the player is identified by the player identification information, and is therefore managed for each player identification information. The same applies to games with different gaming machines. The order display processing 187 of the center server 120 provides the personal computer 140 and the mobile phone 150 connected via the Internet 130 with specific player ranking information for the entire player. As described above, this ranking method can also be performed by the number of winnings of special roles, can be performed by the number of acquired medals (or the number of differences), and the status of the day can also be ranked. You can also rank the status of the week. In this manner, by providing the ranking result nationwide in the game hall 100 or via the Internet 130, a new service can be provided to the player.

  In the game information management system according to the third embodiment described above, the ranking is based on the game information such as the number of wins for the special role of the game in the slot machine 1 and the number of game medals acquired. It can also be applied to points and other similar points. For example, in the case of a service point, the service point is stored in the center server together with the player identification information, so that the player can confirm the current number of points acquired via the Internet 130, It is possible to provide a service for performing a procedure for exchanging the service. Further, by managing the game points given by the game situation by the center server 120, the game points can be passed to the game executed on the home game machine via the Internet 130. A service that downloads game points as a result of playing the slot machine 1 to a home game machine and uses the game points in a manner that changes the direction of the game played on the home game machine in accordance with the game points. Can be provided. Similarly, the above ranking results can be downloaded to a consumer game machine and used.

  In the third embodiment, collection of game information and the like of the player is once collected by the hall server 103 installed in the game hall 100 and periodically transmitted to the center server 120. Although the case has been described, it is also possible to communicate with the center server 120 directly via a network (LAN 101 or WAN 110) and to be centrally managed by the center server 120.

It is a front view showing a slot machine according to the present invention. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the front door of the said slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the control system in the said slot machine. It is a network block diagram for providing the service by the said slot machine. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on 1st Example. It is a system configuration | structure figure concerning 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a system configuration | structure figure concerning 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Housing | casing 3 Front door 4 Locking device 21a, 21b, 21c Reel 22 Reel unit 23 Hopper unit 24 Auxiliary storage part 25 Power supply unit 26 LAN adapter (external connection means)
31 Upper production lamps 32a, 32b Upper speaker 33 Production display device 34 Viewing window 35 Second display device 36a Left production lamp 36b Right production lamp 37 Operation unit 38 Medal insertion units 39a, 39b, 39c Bet button 40 Start lever 41a , 41b, 41c Stop button 42 IC card reader / writer 43 Medal payout outlet 44 Receptacle 45 Lower speaker 46 Medal selector 47a First guide member 47b Second guide member 47c Third guide member 48 Setting button 49 Setting display element 50 Main board 60 External Centralized terminal board 70 Second sub control board (sub control board)
80 1st sub control board 90 Central display board 100 Game room 101 LAN (local area network)
102 Gateway device 103 Hall server 104 Player information database 105 Large display device 106 Audio device 107 Pachinko machine 110 WAN (Wide Area Network)
120 Center server 121 Overall player information database 130 Internet 140 PC 150 Mobile phone 161 Game method selection processing 162 Opponent search processing 163 Competitive processing display 164 Competitive result display processing 165 Opponent determination processing 171 Start / end processing 172 Progress ranking processing 173 Overall Result display processing 174 Competition processing 175 Individual result display processing 181 Authentication processing 182 Status collection processing 183 Result storage processing 184 Result display processing 185 Result transmission processing 186 Result reception processing 187 Order display processing

Claims (1)

A main board for controlling the game, a sub-control board provided separately from the main board and electrically connected to the main board so that information is transmitted from the main board in at least one direction; and A slot machine electrically connected to the sub-control board and connected to a local area network and having external connection means capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the outside;
A wide area network interconnecting a plurality of the local area networks to which the slot machines are connected;
The Internet to which the terminal device is connected;
A server device connected to the wide area network and the Internet;
The sub-control board transmits / receives information to / from the server apparatus and manages the information transmitted from the main board as game information in the server apparatus, and the terminal apparatus transmits the information on the server apparatus via the Internet. A game information management system configured to be able to use game information.

Images