JP2001224854A - Communication game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to enjoy various games by communication while being in a remote place such as one's home and moreover to gain profit. SOLUTION: This communication game system is provided with at least a control center 1 sending information on rental balls such as balls or coins used for the game and counting the amount of money corresponding to the rental balls; a game machine 3 executing the game with the rental balls sent from the control center 1; a communication means for exchanging information between the game machine 3 and the control center 1; a charging means for collecting the amount of money counted according to the rental balls; from a user's credit company 6 or the like; a premium exchanging means for sending information on a premium selected by the user according to the number of remaining rental balls after completing the game; and a sending means for sending the premium to the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication game system in which a game such as a pachinko game is played using communication means, and can be exchanged for a prize or the like based on the result of the game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wide variety of game software such as television games and personal computer games have been developed and sold on the market. Is enjoying. on the other hand,
Television games can be enjoyed not only at home but also at game centers, but games with gambling properties such as pachinko and pachinko slot machines (commonly known as pachislots) can be enjoyed only at specialty stores.

On the other hand, in recent years, communication means such as personal computer communication and the Internet have been rapidly developed, and a large amount of information can be obtained using these communication means. Online karaoke is one of the representatives, and it is possible to enjoy entertainment freely even in a remote place, and its convenience has transcended regional differences.

However, when trying to enjoy a game at home, a game software package or a CD-ROM is required.
After purchasing a ROM or the like, you can enjoy it by attaching it to a TV game machine or installing it on a personal computer. However, these commercially available software are easy to get tired of, and it is economical to purchase new game software one after another. There is a problem that the burden increases. On the other hand, gambling games such as pachinko have to go to a game store and take a lot of time, and mothers and others leave their children in the car and kill children who are too enthusiastic about the game. There are serious social problems, such as unending miserable accidents.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a communication game system which enables various games to be enjoyed by communication while being at a remote place, such as at home, and in which profits such as prizes can be obtained. It is intended to provide.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, claim 1 of the present invention is provided.
The communication game system relating to the above, sends information on lending balls such as balls and coins used in the game, and counts the amount corresponding to the lending ball. A game machine to be executed; communication means for exchanging information between the game machine and the control center; charging means for collecting an amount counted according to the loaned ball from a credit company of a user; After the game is over, at least the prize exchange means for sending information to the control center that the user has selected the prize according to the number of the remaining lending balls, and the sending means for sending the prize to the user. Features.

In a communication game system according to a second aspect of the present invention, the control center has program software for a plurality of types of games and game patterns, and distributes the game software to the game machine through communication means in accordance with instruction information selected by the user. The game machine is characterized in that the program software is downloaded and put into a use state, and the program software is uninstalled based on end information of the user.

A communication game system according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the communication means is connected when information is transmitted between the game machine and the control center, and is cut off while the user is executing the game.

[0009]

The user who accesses the game accesses the control center through communication means such as the Internet, selects an appropriate game from the various games owned by the control center, and lends balls or coins for use in the game. Borrow for a fee. Based on the lending ball information transmitted from the control center, the game is executed by a game machine provided at home or the like, and after the game is over, the prize is sent from the control center according to the remaining lending balls by the user's selection. For the above lending ball, the control center pays the required amount of money to the user's credit card company,
Alternatively, it is collected through a designated bank account. The user can exchange a prize of his choice according to the remaining number of lending balls, so that there is an advantage that a prize higher than the investment amount can be obtained, so that the user can enjoy a game that does not get tired for a long time be able to. In addition, if necessary information and the like can be exchanged by the communication means, it is possible to enjoy anytime during boarding or boarding by using a mobile device in addition to at home.

Further, in the communication game system according to claim 2, the user can arbitrarily select from a plurality of types of games and game patterns possessed by the control center, and the user can select the selected game software via the communication means. Since the game machine is downloaded and used, the user has a high degree of freedom in selection and can enjoy various games. On the other hand, the control center uninstalls the software from the game machine based on the end information of the user, so that unauthorized use of the game software can be prevented, and copyright can be easily protected.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a communication game system according to the present invention. Control Center 1
Is a center for controlling the communication game system, and comprises a host computer 2. This host computer 2 includes a pachinko machine, a pachislot machine, and
A lot of program software for executing various games, such as slot machines, is held and transmitted by the user's selection described later, and also manages information with the user. Further, it manages lending ball management, lending management, prize exchange management, payment processing of lending ball sales from the credit company 6, or management of a user's bank account withdrawal, and prize shipping instruction management, which will be described later. I have.

On the user's side, game machines capable of installing and uninstalling program software of various games transmitted from the control center 1 are installed. Since a personal computer 3 is suitable as this type of game machine, the following description will be given using a personal computer. Note that even a video game machine whose performance has been significantly improved in recent years is not limited to a personal computer as long as program software can be installed. The personal computer 3 and the control center 1 are connected to each other by communication means. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is configured to use the Internet, and is connected via a provider 4 to a high-speed digital line such as INDN. A terminal adapter 5 is connected between the digital line and the personal computer 3. In addition, as the communication means, besides the Internet, a personal computer communication using a high-speed digital line such as ISDN or a wireless communication can be used.

FIGS. 2 to 6 show screens of the personal computer 3 which operates after being connected to the control center 1 via communication means. Hereinafter, the communication game system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to this screen.

FIG. 2 shows a homepage (not shown) set up by the control center 1 via the Internet.
Is opened, and the screen at the time of shifting to the game execution screen is shown. That is, on this screen, a selection button 10 for selecting the type of credit card, a number input window 11 for inputting the number of this card, and a name input window 1 for inputting the name of the user
2 is displayed. Then, information necessary for executing the game is transmitted to and from the control center 1 through this screen. First, the user is in Control Center 1
To obtain lending balls and lending coins necessary for the execution of the game. For this reason, the user clicks the selection button 10 for selecting the card type, and inputs the card number and name into the number input window 11 using a keyboard or the like. This input information is sent to the control center 1 where the card is collated to determine the authenticity.

Thereafter, the user selects one game from the game selection buttons 13 and clicks the decision button 14. When a pachinko machine is selected here, a pachinko machine selection screen shown in FIG. A general pachinko game hall has a large number of pachinko machines, and a user can select a machine with a high probability of a ball from these machines. Also in this system, the control center 1 is provided with a large number of pachinko game software in order to obtain a realistic feeling similar to that of a pachinko game room, so that a user can select the pachinko game software. That is, for example, type A,
A type button 15 for selecting a game pattern of pachinko machines consisting of types B and C, and a device selection button 16 for allowing the user to arbitrarily select from the types are displayed. The user selects and clicks on the number of the desired pachinko machine, and clicks the OK button 17.

The control center 1 is provided with at least several dozens of pachinko game program software. Each program software has a change by slightly changing the position of nails, the coefficient of restitution of balls, the speed, or the rate of balls, as in a general pachinko game hall. You can freely select your favorite platform from the pachinko machines. In addition, after an elapse of an arbitrary period, the control center 1
For each pachinko machine, constants and the like in the program software are changed, the position of nails and the appearance probability of fever, etc. are changed so that the user is not bored for a long time.

As described above, when the pachinko machine determination information selected by the user is sent to the control center 1, the pachinko game program software is transmitted to the user's personal computer 3. Then, the personal computer 3 downloads this program software and installs it in the personal computer 3. As a result, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The electronic pachinko machine 18 displayed on the screen has various configurations and arrangements similar to those of the pachinko game hall. Further, an electronic rotation knob 19 is displayed at the lower right of the pachinko machine 18 and can be operated by a keyboard or a mouse (not shown). In order to further enhance the realism of the rotary knob 19, it is preferable to use a knob that can provide the same operational feeling as a knob provided on a real pachinko machine, similarly to a commonly known joystick. May be used by lending or selling it.

Further, on the screen, a lending ball input button 2 is displayed.
0, a number-of-paid-out counter 21, a remaining-number-of-balls counter 22, an end button 23 for ending the game, and a reselection button 24 for exchanging for another pachinko machine are displayed. The lending ball input button 20 is an operation button for electronically purchasing a lending ball like a pachinko game hall, and the user inputs a desired amount using a keyboard or the like, and clicks a decision button 25. This information is sent to the control center 1 via communication means,
The instruction information is transmitted to the pachinko game program software of the personal computer 3 so as to output the number of balls corresponding to the lending ball amount. As a result, first, the number of balls is displayed on the remaining ball counter 22 and the pachinko game can be executed.
Thereafter, when the user operates the electronic rotary knob 19, the electronic ball moves in the pachinko machine and plays the game in the same manner as a normal pachinko machine. Then, each time a ball enters a yakmono or the like, the number of balls to be displayed is displayed on the number-of-ball counter 21 and the number of balls in the remaining ball counter 22 increases.
On the other hand, each time a ball is hit, the remaining ball counter 22 is counted down.

In the middle of the pachinko game or when the number of balls displayed on the remaining ball counter 22 becomes zero, clicking the end button 23 ends the game. The control center 1 receives the end information, transmits a signal for uninstalling the program software from the personal computer 3, and displays the prize exchange screen shown in FIG.

This screen displays a counter 25 for the number of exchangeable balls, a counter 26 for the number of remaining balls, and a prize selection button 27. The user selects a desired prize and clicks the selection button 27. At this time, the remaining ball counter 26 counts down according to the prize, and if there is a remaining ball, the next favorite prize selection button 27 is clicked. Then, when the selection operation is completed, the decision button 28 is clicked. At this time, if the number of remaining ball counters 26 becomes equal to or less than the number of displayed prizes, the control center 1 selects an appropriate small prize.

When the user clicks the enter button 28, a confirmation screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. On this screen,
The prize list 29 previously selected by the user and the decision button 3
0 and a return button 31 are displayed. The user checks the displayed prize list 29, and clicks the OK button 30 if there is no problem, and clicks the return button 31 if he does not like it. When the return button 31 is clicked, the prize exchange screen of FIG. 5 described above is returned, and the prize can be selected again. When the enter button 30 is clicked, the control center 1 issues a command to send the selected prize to the user, and a sending process for delivering the prize by mail or the like is performed.
Although various prizes are selected from the prize list 29 by the prize selection button 27, cash may be selected as a prize, or the prize may be exchanged for cash.

In the processes described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, the control center 1 and the personal computer 3 are connected by the communication means at the time of registration for game start and game selection shown in FIG. At the time of pachinko machine selection and pachinko game software transmission shown in FIG. 3 and at the time of prize selection from the end shown in FIG. 4, care is taken to minimize the communication time. On the other hand, it is set so that communication is interrupted during the game. This is to prevent the total communication fee from increasing as the connection time to the provider and the call time increase when using communication means such as the Internet.

The user executes the game on the pachinko machine 18 selected on the screen of FIG. 3, but if the payout is poor, the user clicks the reselection button 24 on the screen of FIG. You can return to the screen. By this operation, the pachinko machine 18 previously selected is temporarily ended, another pachinko machine is selected again, and the game can be executed by this machine. As described above, when the reselection button 24 is clicked, the remaining ball counter 2
2 continues in a valid state. There is no limit on the number of times such a pachinko machine can be repeatedly selected.

In this way, the user can press the end button 23
When the control center 1 clicks, the control center 1 sums up the amounts input to the lending ball input button 20 and debits the total amount from a credit card company or a bank based on the credit card number previously input by the user. Perform procedural operations for Thereafter, through a predetermined procedure, the payment is made to the account of the administrator of the control center 1.

As described above, the present invention has been described in detail by taking a pachinko game as an example. However, other pachislot or slot machines can be executed as a similar communication game, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, in the case of a slot machine, a lending coin is substantially identical to a lending ball, and in the present invention, these are referred to as lending balls on behalf of these.

In the above-described embodiment, the program software is installed and uninstalled from the user's personal computer for each selected pachinko machine. If you change to another pachinko machine that belongs to the same category after installing one of the basic software, only the information data on the nail position, ball restitution coefficient, speed, ball rate, or wallpaper etc. of the pachinko machine May be sent,
The load on the communication means and the transmission time can be reduced.

[0027]

The communication game system described above allows a user to access a control center through a communication means such as the Internet and select an appropriate game while staying at a remote place, for example, at home, and to use the game for the game. Various games can be enjoyed by borrowing rental balls such as balls and coins for a fee. In addition, since a profit such as a prize is obtained according to the result of the game, a game that does not get tired for a long time can be provided. Furthermore, the game can be shared globally within a communicable range. In addition, the control center distributes the program software to the user's game machine via the communication means each time, downloads the software to use it, and uninstalls it based on the end information, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the program, and Rights infringement can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a game execution screen of the communication game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a pachinko machine selection screen of the communication game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a pachinko machine screen of the communication game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a prize exchange screen of the communication game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a confirmation screen of the communication game system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 control center 2 host computer 3 personal computer 6 credit company 13 game selection button 15 classification button 18 pachinko machine 20 rental ball input button 27 premium selection button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A control center that sends out information on lending balls such as balls and coins used in a game and counts the amount of money according to the lending balls, and executes the game with the lending balls sent from the control center. A game machine, communication means for exchanging information between the game machine and the control center, charging means for collecting an amount counted in accordance with the loaned ball from a credit company of a user, etc., It is characterized by having at least a prize exchange means for sending information to the control center where the user has selected a prize according to the number of the remaining lending balls after the completion, and a sending means for sending the prize to the user. Communication game system. 2. The control center has program software for a plurality of types of games and game patterns,
Distribute to the game machine according to the instruction information selected by the user via the communication means, download the program software to the game machine, use the program software, and uninstall the program software based on the end information of the user. The communication game system according to claim 1. 3. The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is connected when information is transmitted between the game machine and the control center, and is cut off while the user is executing the game.