Patent Application
20130072291
The present application claims the benefit of patent application number 2011-205184, filed in Japan on Sep. 20, 2011, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a game machine and the like in which a medal is inserted into a game field, and a game is played as the metal moves.
Game machines using physical movement of a metal are well known. For example, pusher games in which a group of medals are pushed out by a pusher table that reciprocates along a game field, and the medals discharged to the outside of the game field are dispensed to a player have been known (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2005-224322.
In a pusher game, a game is played as the player inserts medals into the game field one by one. An action of inserting medals is cumbersome to players who desire to continuously insert medals. Further, as the player continuously inserts medals, the player's hand may get dirty. For these reasons, the player may become disaffected with the handling of a game medium such as a medal.
Thus, the present invention aims to provide a game machine and a game system, which are capable of improving operability related to the handling of a game medium.
The game machine of the present invention is a game machine comprising: an input interface having a configuration in which a game field on which a game progresses according to movement of a physical game medium, a display device, and a touch panel superimposed on the display device are combined; a control device which causes a virtual game medium associated with the physical game medium to be displayed on the display device, causes the virtual game medium to be associated with the player's touch operation, causes the virtual game medium to operate according to a predetermined operation condition, and applies an operation associated with an operation of the virtual game medium to a physical game medium; and a operation condition selecting device which selects an operation condition in the control device according to a predetermined selection condition from among a plurality of candidates of the operation condition.
According to the game machine of the present invention, a physical game medium associated with the virtual game medium moves on the game field according to a touch operation on the virtual game medium displayed on the display device of the input interface. Since the operation condition of the virtual game medium is selected from a plurality of candidates according to the selection condition, an operation of the virtual game medium is diversified. Since the physical game medium can move on the game field by operating the virtual game medium through the input interface, the player can enjoy a game without coming into contact with the physical game medium. Since an operation of the virtual game medium can be set according to the player's tendency or preference, operability related to the handling of a game medium can be improved.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, further comprising an inserting mechanism which inserts the physical game medium into the game field, wherein the control device includes an inserting mechanism control device which controls the inserting mechanism based on the touch operation made through the input interface. According to this, the player can inserts the physical game medium into the game field by performing the touch operation on the virtual game medium.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the control device includes a virtual game medium synthesizing device which synthesizes a plurality of virtual game media into one synthesized virtual game medium on which a touch operation can be performed. According to this, the plurality of virtual game media can be operated through the input interface as one synthesized virtual game medium. Since the plurality of synthesized virtual game media can be operated by operating one synthesized virtual game medium, operability is improved.
As the aspect of comprising the virtual game medium synthesizing device, when a touch operation of inserting the physical game medium into the game field is performed on the synthesized virtual game medium, the inserting mechanism control device inserts physical game media which correspond in number to the number of virtual game media used for the synthesis of the synthesized virtual game medium into the game field. According to this, when the insertion operation is performed on the synthesized virtual game medium, the physical game media which correspond in number to the number of media used for the synthesis are inserted into the game field. The physical game media can be continuously inserted into by a simple operation.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the control device causes a predetermined number or less of virtual game media to be displayed on the display device, and when the number of virtual game media exceeds the predetermined number, the control device causes the exceeding number to be displayed. According to this, the number of virtual game media which are not displayed on the display device is displayed, and so the player can understand the number of possessed virtual game media. Even when the player possesses many virtual game media, a game can be played without damaging operability.
As the aspect of comprising the inserting mechanism control device, further comprising: a physical game medium insertion slot through which the physical game medium is inserted; and a physical game medium detecting device which detects a physical game medium inserted into the physical game medium insertion slot, wherein the inserting mechanism control device controls the inserting mechanism based on the detection result of the physical game medium detecting device. According to this, the touch operation can be performed on the virtual game medium, and the insertion operation of inserting the physical game medium into the game field can be performed. A game can be played by either operation according to the player's preference, and so operability is improved.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, further comprising: a physical game medium dispensing device which dispenses the physical game medium to the player; a virtual game medium dispensing device which dispenses the virtual game medium to the player; and a dispensing setting device which sets either of the physical game medium dispensing device and the virtual game medium dispensing device as a dispensing device based on the player's selection. According to this, when the game medium is dispensed to the player, either of the physical game medium and the virtual game medium can be selected as a dispensing target. The game medium to be dispensed can be changed according to the player's preference, and so operability is improved.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, a player's selection of the selection condition from a plurality of candidates of the operation condition is set, and the operation condition selecting device selects the operation condition based on the player's selection operation. According to this, an operation of the virtual game medium is decided according to the player's selection. Since an operation of the virtual game medium is selected according to the player's preference, various operation feelings can be obtained, and so operability is improved.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, a predetermined item of a play history of a game play of a player is set as the selection condition, and the operation condition selecting device selects the operation condition based on the play history. According to this, an operation of the virtual game medium changes according to the player's game play tendency. For example, an operation in which a virtual game medium appears when a specific condition is satisfied may be set, and so a game's property can be diversified.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, a touch operation to insert a physical game medium associated with a virtual game medium displayed on the display device into the game field is set as the operation condition. According to this, a method of operating the virtual game medium can be diversified. As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the speed at which the virtual game medium displayed on the display device moves is set as the operation condition. Further, as one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the size of the virtual game medium displayed on the display device is set as the operation condition.
As one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, comprising an electronic fee collecting device which can collect a fee used to purchase a virtual game medium through an exchange of electronic payment information. According to this, since the virtual game medium can be purchased in the game machine, it is possible to enjoy a game without stopping the game even though there is a shortage of a game medium. Further, as one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, comprising: the above-described game machine; and a server which can perform communication with the game machine via a network; wherein the server includes an electronic fee collecting device which can collect a fee used to purchase a virtual game medium through an exchange of electronic payment information.
As described above, according to the invention, a physical game medium associated with a virtual game medium displayed on a display device of an input interface moves on a game field according to a touch operation on the virtual game medium. Since the operation condition of the virtual game medium is selected from a plurality of candidates according to the selection condition, an operation of the virtual game medium is diversified. Since it is possible to operate the physical game medium on the game field by operating the virtual game medium on the input interface, the player can enjoy a game without coming into contact with the physical game medium. Since an operation of a virtual game medium can be set according to the player's tendency or preference, operability related to the handling of a game medium can be improved.
A game screen Sa is displayed on the monitor 12. In
Besides, a digital lottery game different from that in
The station unit ST is provided with the medal supply rail 21 along which the medal M is supplied to the game field GF, the table 22 on which the medal M and a ball B are placed, the pusher table 23 that reciprocates over the table 22, a falling portion 24 that is positioned on a front end of the table 22 onto which the medal M and the ball B fall, a ball supply rail 25 along which the ball B is supplied to the table 22, and a checker 26 that detects the medal M. The medal supply rail 21 causes the medal M to be supplied to the pusher table 23 when the medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 11 or when an insertion operation of the digital medal DM is made by the touch panel 13. The medal M is supplied to the medal supply rail 21 through the medal inserting mechanism 53 (
As the rail operating portion 15 is operated, an insertion direction of the medal M of the medal supply rail 21 changes. The pusher table 23 reciprocates in a front-back direction by a driving mechanism (not illustrated). The medal M and the ball B pushed out by the pusher table 23 fall onto the falling portion 24. When the ball B falls onto the falling portion 24, a ball detecting portion (not illustrated) detects the ball B. When seven balls B are detected by the ball detecting portion, a first roulette game is executed as the digital lottery game. Even though not illustrated in the drawings, the first roulette game is displayed on the monitor 12. The ball supply rail 25 supplies the ball B to the table 22 according to the game result of each station unit ST or the center unit CN. The checker 26 is disposed at the position adjacent to the falling portion 24. The slot game displayed on the monitor 12 illustrated in
Next, the move of the medal M in the game field GF will be briefly described. When the player inserts the medal M into the medal insertion slot 11, the medal M is introduced from the medal inserting mechanism 53 to the medal supply rail 21 based on the detection result of the medal detecting sensor 55. Alternatively, when the player operates the operating unit 31 to insert the digital medal DM into the digital medal insertion slot 32, the medal M is introduced from the medal inserting mechanism 53 to the medal supply rail 21. The medal M is supplied to a medal placing surface 23a of the pusher table 23 through the medal supply rail 21. A group of medals on the medal placing surface 23a is pushed out by reciprocation of the pusher table 23, so that some medals of a group of medals are moved onto a medal placing surface 22a of the table 22. The balls B are placed on a group of medals on the medal placing surface 22a. A group of medals is pushed out by reciprocation of the pusher table 23, and so the balls B move with the movement of a group of medals. The medal M fallen onto the falling portion 24 is dispensed from the medal dispensing opening 14. Alternatively, the digital medal DM is dispensed from the digital medal dispensing opening 34. Further, when the medal M enters the checker 26, a game process of the slot game illustrated in
The chip ball B2 fallen onto the falling portion 24 is detected by the ball detecting portion (not illustrated). The player acquires the chip C based on the detection result of the chip ball B2 by the ball detecting portion. The player acquires one chip C when one chip ball B2 falls. Two or more types of chip balls B2 may be provided, and the type of acquirable chip C or the number of acquirable chips C may differ according to the type of chip ball B2. Alternatively, the chip C may be acquired depending on the game result of each station unit ST or the center unit CN.
When the number of orb balls B1 fallen onto the falling portion 24 reaches seven, each station unit ST executes the first roulette game as the digital lottery game. The center unit CN executes a jackpot game when a “jackpot chance” is won in the first roulette game executed by each station unit ST. Referring back to
As the station control unit 51 reads and executes the game program 56 stored in the storage device 52, a setting management portion 57, a digital medal control portion 58, and a game executing portion 59 are implemented inside the station control unit 51 as logical devices. The setting management portion 57 manages and controls setting of the digital medal DM, operation setting of a game, and a rendering-related process. The setting management portion 57 functions as a dispensing setting device that allows the player to set the medal dispensing opening 14 or the digital medal dispensing opening 34 as a dispensing destination of the medal M or the digital medal DM. The digital medal control portion 58 controls an operation of the digital medal DM displayed on the monitor 12. The game executing portion 59 executes various processes necessary for the progress of a game. The game executing portion 59 functions as a virtual game medium dispensing device by managing dispensing of the digital medal DM from the digital medal dispensing opening 34 displayed on the monitor 12.
The game machine 1 is connected to perform communication with a server 60 through a network. The server 60 is installed by an operator of the game machine 1, and provides various services using a network to the game machine 1 or the player of the game machine 1. The game machine 1 and the server 60 configure a game system 2. The server 60 is provided with a control unit 61 and a storage device 62. The control unit 61 is configured as a computer unit in which an MPU is combined with peripheral devices necessary to operate the MPU such as a RAM and a ROM. The control unit 61 executes updating of a game program or data. The control unit 61 performs authentication on the player of the game machine 1 using a player ID and a password, and then causes play history data 63, which includes the player's play history, save data, and the like, to be stored in the storage device 62 of the server 60. Examples of the storage device 62 include a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, and a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM. Each of the game machine 1 and the server 60 has a unique address identifying itself on a network, and a communication partner is specified using the address in communication between the game machine 1 and the server 60.
In the above process, each time the insertion operation of the digital medal DM is performed through the operating unit 31 (step S1), the medal inserting mechanism 53 is driven (step S2), so that the medal M is inserted into the game field GF. A smooth medal insertion operation can be performed such that the digital medal DM is displayed on the operating unit 31 and the medal M is inserted into the game field GF by the touch operation of the digital medal DM. The player can play a medal game without coming into direct contact with the medal M. The digital medal control portion 58 of the station control unit 51 functions as a control device by executing the processes of steps S1 and S2. Particularly, the digital medal control portion 58 functions as an insertion mechanism control device by executing the process of step S2.
When it is determined that the number of digital medals DM corresponds to a synthesizable number, in step S12, the station control unit 51 receives the player's synthesis operation. The synthesis operation is received as necessary while a game is being played. A predetermined operation such as an operation of superimposing the digital medals DM by the player is set as the synthesis operation. When the player performs the synthesis operation, a window for confirming an intension about whether to synthesize the digital medals DM may be displayed. In step S13, the station control unit 51 determines whether or not the player has performed the synthesis operation. When the synthesis operation has been performed, the station control unit 51 executes a process of synthesizing the digital medals DM, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, a predetermined rendering effect associated with the synthesis operation is made, and then the current process ends. In response to the synthesis operation performed by the player, the monitor 12 displays a rendering effect representing the synthesis of the digital medals DM and then displays a synthesized medal DMa. In
When the player performs the insertion operation of inserting the synthesized medal DMa into the digital medal insertion slot 32, the medals M which correspond in number to the synthesized number are inserted into the game field GF. The insertion operation of inserting the medal M into the game field GF is performed by the above-described digital medal insertion process. When the medal inserting mechanism 53 is driven in step S2, the medals M which correspond in number to the number of synthesized digital medals DM are continuously inserted into the game field GF. An insertion interval may be appropriately changed. The insertion interval may be set by the player.
In the above-described process, the synthesis operation of the digital medal DM is received (step S12) on the condition that the player possesses the digital medals DM which correspond in number to the synthesizable number (step S11). When the player has performed the synthesis operation (step S13), the rendering effect representing the synthesis of the digital medals DM is displayed on the monitor 12 (step S14). A plurality of digital medals DM is displayed as one synthesized medal DMa, the plurality of digital medals DM can be operated by operating the synthesized medal DMa, and a plurality of medals M can act on the game field GF. Particularly, when a plurality of medals M are inserted into the game field GF, the medals M can be continuously inserted into the game field GF by a simple operation using the synthesized medal DMa. Accordingly, operability related to insertion of the medal M into the game field GF is improved. The digital medal control unit 58 of the station control unit 51 functions as a virtual game medium synthesizing device by executing the processes of steps S11 to S14.
When the selection condition is satisfied, in step S22, the station control unit 51 displays a selection screen of the layout of the operating unit 31.
When the player selects any one of the candidates of the operating unit 31, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the station control unit 51 executes the process of changing the operating unit 31, and then ends the current process. For example, when the player selects the candidate 31a of the operating unit, the operating unit 31 displayed on the monitor 12 is changed to the candidate 31a of the operating unit selected by the player. Then, the player operates the insertion operating unit 36 disposed in the changed operating unit 31a to feed the digital medal DM to the digital medal insertion slot 32. Since the insertion operation method can be also changed according to the selected operating unit 31 in the above-described way, the player's preferred operating unit 31 can be used. The digital medal DM moves according to setting of each of the operating units 31a to 31d. When the player does not select the operating unit 31, in step S25, the station control unit 51 maintains the current setting of the operating unit 31 and then ends the current process. Further, even when it is determined in step S21 that the selection condition has not been satisfied, the process proceeds to step S25, and the station control unit 51 maintains the current setting of the operating unit 31 and then ends the current process.
In the above-described process, when a predetermined selection condition is satisfied (step S21), the screen to select the operating unit 31 is displayed on the monitor 12 (step S22). When the player gives the change instruction (step S23), the operating unit is changed to the operating unit 31 instructed by the player (step S24). A plurality of operating units 31 may be prepared in advance for an operation of the digital medal DM, and in this case, the player can use his/her preferred operating unit 31. The setting management portion 57 of the station control unit 51 functions as an operation condition selecting device by executing the processes of steps S21 to S25.
The invention is not limited to the above embodiments and may be embodied in various forms. For example, in this embodiment, the game machine 1 converts the medal M into the digital medal DM, but a method of obtaining the digital medal DM is not limited to this example. Further, for example, the digital medal DM may be purchased by withdrawing electronic cash from an account managed by the server 60.
The account managing portion 65 deals with a process related to management of an electronic cash account in which electronic cash of a designated amount is withdrawn from a corresponding record of the account data 64 in response to a fee withdrawal request from the game machine 1. For example, when a withdrawal process is requested together with a player ID and the amount of payment from the game machine 1, the account managing portion 65 specifies a record corresponding to the player ID with reference to the account data 64, and causes a fee by electronic cash to be paid by deducting the amount of payment from the amount held in the specified record. Thus, by electronic payment by the game machine 1, it is possible to purchase and use the digital medal DM. The account managing portion 65 functions as an electronic fee collecting unit. The game machine 1 may have a payment function. A fee may be paid such that payment is made between an IC tag of an IC card or the like capable of holding information related to electronic cash and a payment terminal functioning as an electronic fee collecting unit disposed in the game machine 1. The payment terminal and the IC card may be configured using a well-known technique.
Further, the game machine 1 may be interlocked with a medal depositing device via a network so that the medal M and the digital medal DM can be deposited by or dispensed to the game machine 1. The medal depositing device is a well-known device that is installed at a store in which the game machine 1 is installed and can deposit and dispense the medal M. The medal depositing device includes a card read portion that reads a card in which a player ID is recorded, and is connected to perform communication with the server 60 via a network. The server 60 manages the medal M deposited or dispensed by the medal depositing device in association with a player ID. The player causes the medal depositing device to be interlocked with the game machine 1 by causing the player ID to be authenticated in the medal depositing device and the game machine 1 using the player ID. Thus, the medal M or the digital medal DM can be deposited by or dispensed to the game machine 1. The player cause the digital medal DM to be dispensed at the time of game start, and causes the remaining digital medal DM after a game ends to be deposited. Thus, the player can enjoy a pusher game through the game machine 1 without coming into contact with the medal M from the beginning of a game to the end.
In the operating unit changing process, a plurality of candidates of the operating unit 31 have been described as the operation condition, but the operation condition is not limited to this example. For example, the size of the digital medal DM or the speed at which the digital medal DM moves on the monitor 12 may be separately set as the operation condition. The player may select a preferred size from among a plurality of candidates of the size of the digital medal DM, and the size of the digital medal DM may be set to be automatically changed based on the play history data 63. The moving speed of the digital medal DM may be set in the same way. As the operating unit 31 is displayed on the monitor 12, it is possible to prepare a wide variety of kinds of candidates of the operating unit 31 such as an operation method associated with insertion of the medal M, a design, a layout, and the like. Accordingly, the operating unit 31 can be customized according to the player's preference, thereby improving operability. Further, for example, a sound effect generated when the player comes into contact with the digital medal DM or a sound effect generated when the digital medal DM is inserted into the digital medal insertion slot 32 may be customized as the operation condition, according to the player's preference.
Further, in the operation changing process, when the selection condition is satisfied, in step S22 and subsequent steps, the process causing the player to instruct a change of the operating unit 31, but the invention is not limited to this example. For example, when the selection condition is satisfied, control may be performed such that an operation is automatically changed to an operation corresponding to the selection condition. For example, when a specific item is acquired in a lottery game, the operating unit 31 may be changed to be able to simultaneously deal with a number of digital medals DM. Accordingly, a game's property is diversified.
In the above embodiment, the operation of inserting the medal M into the game field GF is performed using the digital medal DM displayed on the operating unit 31, but the invention is not limited to this example. For example, the insertion operation of the ball B or movement of the ball B on the game field GF may be operated through the operating unit 31. An image of a ball may be displayed on the monitor 12, and the image of the ball may be configured to be operated in the same way as the digital medal DM. In addition, an operation of moving game media of various shapes such as a circular cylindrical shape or an ellipsoidal shape which moves on the game field GF may be performed through the operating unit 31. The invention is not limited to the insertion operation, and the medal M or the ball B on the game field GF may be moved by lifting up or down a table at a predetermined position on the game field GF. Even in this case, movement of the table may be operated through the operating unit 31.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-205184 | Sep 2011 | JP | national |
