JP3053584U - Communication game system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Even in a communication game system such as a pachinko game in which the amount of graphic data is large and a large number of balls are displayed in a fast motion, a gamer operates a ball shooting device. There is no time difference between the game video and the monitor video of the game situation, and a communication game system that is easy to hit is economical without the need for inexpensive and wide space, and also monitors and uses illegal game use. A communication gateway that can securely manage charges
Provide system system. SOLUTION: A game computer operates by calling a program, graphic data, and sound data from a recording medium, obtains positions of a large number of balls moving at high speed, displays the positions on a screen, and, during the game, from a management server. Only the minimum necessary command information, such as termination command information, is transmitted to the game computer, and operation of the ball launching device, ball position, ball hits, remaining balls is transmitted from the game computer to the management server. Only the minimum necessary information such as the number is transmitted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention relates to a communication game system for enjoying a game using a communication line such as a computer network.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In games such as roulette and slot machines that require a small amount of data for computer graphics, it is easy to distribute game software from a virtual game center over a communication line. Recently, it has become conceivable to distribute games with large data capacities as the speed of communication lines increases.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-182855 discloses a communication game system in which a communication game device and a communication game management device are connected by a communication line as shown in FIG. In this game system, a technique is disclosed in which a PC user operates a predetermined pachinko machine provided at a pachinko machine on a PC while watching a video of the pachinko machine transmitted through a communication line, and plays the game. At the same time, sound effects can be applied to the personal computer side, so that the user can enjoy pachinko in a sense of reality anytime 24 hours without actually going to the pachinko parlor.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-327835 also discloses a communication game system in which a communication game device and a communication game management device are connected by a communication line, as shown in FIG. The communication game device includes a package medium storing background image data having a large amount of information. Image data of a character or the like with a small amount of information is created by the communication game management device and sent to the communication game device. The communication game device combines these image data and displays them on the screen. Therefore, the amount of information transmission is reduced by the amount of the background image data having a large amount of information, so that the game can be advanced at a high speed.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 However, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-182855, an image of a game console selected by a gamer is captured by a monitor camera and displayed on a display of a gamer's personal computer via a communication line. Although it has a configuration, the capacity of the communication line is limited, so it is not possible to monitor the rapid movement of pachinko balls in real time like a TV broadcast, and the video being monitored and the gamer's There are drawbacks in that the game situation has a time difference, the ball is hard to hit, and the equipment such as a game base, a control device for the game base, a monitor camera, a microphone, etc. and a wide space are required, and the price is high.

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-327835, even when the amount of information transmission corresponding to the background image data is reduced, the movement of the character is calculated by the communication game management device. Moreover, the image data is also created by the communication game management device, and if a large number of communication game devices are connected to the communication game management device, the processing speed of the communication game management device is limited. It is not possible to monitor fast-moving movements in real time like a TV broadcast, and similarly, it has the disadvantage that it is difficult to hit balls.

Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a game in which the amount of graphic data is large, such as a pachinko game, and in which a gamer displays a fast movement of a large number of balls. There is no time difference between the game video and the monitor video of the game situation, and a communication game system that is easy to hit is economical without the need for inexpensive and wide space, and also monitors and uses illegal game use. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication game system capable of reliably managing fees and the like.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the invention of claim 1, a game medium, a recording medium on which graphic data and sound data are recorded, and the game program, the graphic data and the sound data are recorded from the recording medium. In a communication game system having a game computer that calls and operates a game server, a management server installed in a game store, and a communication line that connects the game computer and the management server, the game computer Means for transmitting state information during the game to the management server at approximately predetermined time intervals during the game; and means for receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game. And a means for receiving and recording the in-game state information transmitted from the game computer, and performing the communication based on the in-game state information. Comprises a means for detecting an abnormality of over beam system, the means for transmitting to the game computer command information including the end instruction information to come and detects said abnormality.

In the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the operation of the ball shooting device, the position of each shot ball, the hit of the ball, and the remaining The number of balls is selected

In the invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 2, the game is a pachinko ball, and the initial speed at the time of ball firing, the number of balls fired per unit time, and the shooting direction are changed. Has a small error obtained by random number added

[0011]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 In the system of the present invention, unlike the conventional technology, the game computer operates by loading the program and data stored in the storage medium, and the game computer operates the position of a large number of movable characters moving at high speed. Is displayed on its own, and both parties communicate only the minimum necessary information. The present invention system mainly deals with a game in which a large number of movable characters that move at high speed appear, and is particularly suitable for a pachinko game, a shooting game, and the like. Hereinafter, embodiments of the pachinko game will be described.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. The system of the present invention includes a CD-ROM as a recording medium, a game computer 20, a communication line 30, and a management server 40 provided in a game store. The management server 40 is composed of a network server 40A and a main server 40B. The game computer 20 is managed only by the network server 40A, and the main server 40B sends information about the game read by the network server 40A to the disk array 50. Only records are made. The management server 40 is connected to the communication line 30 via a firewall (illegal intrusion prevention device) 60 and a router 70. Each of the game computer 20, the network server 40A, the main server 40B, and the firewall 60 uses a personal computer, and has an emergency power supply (a storage battery or the like) 80. If the demands on security are not high and economics are required, the management server may be composed of one personal computer. The communication line 20 may be analog or digital, and depending on the regional distribution of gamers, all existing communication lines including the telephone network can be used.

A CD-ROM is suitable as a recording medium. The contents of the recording medium consist of a data part consisting of graphics and audio and a program part, but the ratio of the graphic data part is the highest. If games of different types and contents are mixed on one CD-ROM, the choices of gamers will increase dramatically. It is not realistic to store a large-capacity game such as a pachinko game on a floppy disk. In the case of pachinko machines, the information recorded on the CD-ROM is related to installers, dial-ups, logins, game store entrances, game store stores, game tables, premiums, ball purchase machines, etc. Are these graphic data.

FIG. 2 shows a game computer in which graphic data is read from a CD-ROM and a pachinko machine is displayed on a screen. On the screen of the game computer, various parameters (for example, dues balance, number of remaining balls, points, etc.) and command icons (for example, ball firing device icon A, ball firing stop icon C, ball purchase, (In-store movement, game start, prize display icons, etc.) are also displayed, but some of them are not shown. The gamer can use the mouse to select commands such as watching the status of the next game, walking around the game store, and viewing premiums.

The ball firing device icon A in FIG. 2 is operated with a mouse. When the gamer clicks the arrow of the ball firing device icon A with a mouse, the initial speed of the ball (the speed of the ball at the time of firing) is determined by the size and direction of the arrow, and the ball is fired continuously. The ball initial speed at this time is displayed on the ball initial speed display section B. To stop the ball firing, click the ball firing stop icon C. The ball firing speed (the number of balls fired per unit time) may also be adjustable, and the ball firing device may use a dedicated trigger, dial, keyboard, or other input device.

The information transmitted and received between the game computer 20 and the management server 40 includes a dial-in service, a login checker, opening / closing information, use or empty information of each game console, prize information / ball purchase information, and information of each game console. Nail position information, payout rate information, ball information for each game stand (number of remaining balls, position / speed / acceleration of each shot ball), ball hit information, prize information, prize order reception, game stand information It is related to tabulation and membership dues. This information is transmitted to and from the game computer and the management server in two-way communication so that the management server 40 can constantly monitor unauthorized use of the game computer 20 and manage fees and the like. It has become.

FIG. 3 is a game flowchart in the game computer and a management flowchart in the management server. The game computer and the management server operate in conjunction with each other by transmitting information to each other between the two flow charts as shown by the dotted lines.

First, a game flowchart in the game computer will be described.

Step 1 (S1): A player who wants to play a game calls a program from a CD-ROM as a recording medium, and connects the game computer 20 with a management server 40 installed in a game store. The necessary information a is exchanged to connect the two.

Step 2 (S2): Input of an ID number and a recitation number is requested. When these numbers are input, these numbers b are transmitted from the game computer 20 to the management server 40.

Step 3 (S 3): If there is no error in the numbers, the play permission information and the information c indicating whether each game platform is in use or empty are returned from the management server 40 to the game computer. Based on this information and the graphic data called out from the CD-ROM, the inside of a game store where various game consoles are arranged is displayed on the screen, and whether each game console is in use or empty is displayed. Is done. At the same time, noise is generated that increases with the number of game consoles in use. This noise will continue until the end of the game, unless changed by the gamer. As described above, since the noise corresponding to the degree of congestion in the game store is also added, power and realism can be obtained.

Step 4 (S4): Here, the game player selects a vacant game table of a desired type. Then, the game console selection information d is transmitted from the game computer to the management server. Note that the selection of a game console may be a case where a different type of game console such as a pachinko or roulette is selected, or a case where a different type of game console is selected from the same type of game such as a pachinko.

Before selecting the type of game, a CD-ROM is recorded on the screen of a game computer operated by the gamer, showing a state of entering a game store or walking around the game room. It may be displayed according to graphic data or program data. Further, when a game platform that is being played by another player is selected, the progress of the game at that game platform may be displayed on the screen. In this case, considering the load on the management server, rather than reading the actual game status information on the game platform from the management server and executing the information, the demonstration information stored on the CD-ROM is used. It is better to run the program.

Step 5 (S5): When game console selection information d is transmitted from the game computer to the management server, the management server sends game initial information e, for example, membership fee balance, number of remaining balls, premium information, Nail position information, payout rate information, error information, etc. are returned and received. This step 5 constitutes "means for receiving the game initial information transmitted from the management server before the start of the game".

Step 6 (S 6): A game table is displayed on the screen based on the game initial information and the graphic data recorded on the CD-ROM. On the game console, parameters necessary for the progress of the game, such as the membership fee balance and the number of remaining balls, are displayed at the same time, and a game start icon, a ball purchase icon, a premium display icon, and the like are also displayed.

Step 7 (S 7): Here, when the person who wants to play the game clicks the ball purchase icon to purchase the ball and then clicks the game start icon, the game start information f is stored on the management server side. And the game is ready to start. That is, various icons such as the ball firing device A necessary for the game progress, such as ball initial speed adjustment, ball firing speed adjustment, ball firing, sound selection (noise, music, etc.), volume adjustment, and game end Display an icon to proceed to the next step.

Step 8 (S 8): The icons required for the progress of the game are in a state of waiting for clicking for a predetermined time. When the arrow of the ball launching device icon A, an icon (not shown), or the like is clicked, an initial condition of the movement of the ball, for example, an initial speed, a firing speed, and the like are set. An error is added to each of these initial conditions. In the case of a pachinko machine, the shooting direction of the ball is fixed, but an error is also added to this shooting direction. Clicking the arrow of the ball firing icon A sets the ball firing information of firing ON, and not clicking the ball firing stop icon C of firing OFF. The in-game state information g relating to the operation of the ball launcher for setting the initial conditions of the ball movement and the ball launch information is transmitted from the game computer to the management server.

Step 9 (S 9): The position of each shot ball is obtained from the equation of motion, and each ball is displayed on the screen. The in-game state information g such as the motion state (position vector, velocity vector, acceleration vector) of each shot ball is transmitted to the management server with a ball identification number.

Step 10 (S10): When the ball hits the target, hit processing is performed. For example, a predetermined number of balls is given as a bonus to the remaining balls of the gamer, and sound data is called out from a CD-ROM to generate sound effects and fever sounds. Then, ball hit information g, which is one of the game halfway state information, is transmitted to the management server side.

Step 11 (S 11): Then, the number of remaining balls is obtained. The number of remaining balls, which is one of the game halfway state information g, is transmitted to the management server. Here, the step 8-11 constitutes "means for transmitting the in-game state information to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals during the game".

Step 12 (S 12): Receive command information h including the presence or absence of an end command sent from the management server. This step 12 constitutes "means for receiving the command information transmitted from the management server in the middle of the game".

Step 13 (S 13): Next, it is determined whether a condition for ending the game is satisfied. The conditions for ending the game include, for example, when the number of remaining balls and the dues balance have been exhausted, when the end icon is clicked, when an end command is received from the management server, and the like. When the game end condition is satisfied, the flow proceeds to the end processing of step 14. If there are no remaining balls, or if the membership fee balance remains, the procedure may return to step 6 so that the ball can be purchased. If not, the procedure returns to step 8 to continue the game. In this case, the game computer sends the in-game status information g to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals from the start of the game to the end of the game.

Step 14 (S 14): When the processing shifts to the end processing, game end information and game final state information i such as the number of remaining balls are transmitted from the game computer to the management server. The management server of the game store returns information j such as a game result to the game computer. Here, the game result refers to a fee, a score of a gamer, a ranking of a plurality of gamers, and a result of other data processing. Also, when displaying the game result, a prize reception, award ceremony and the like can be performed on the screen while accompanying the sound.

Next, a management flowchart in the management server will be described.

Step 1 (S ′ 1): When the game store opens, the management server waits for a connection with the game computer. When there is a connection request from the game computer, both computers are connected.

Step 2 (S ′ 2): When both computers are connected, the management server collates the ID number and the recite number transmitted from the game computer, and determines play permission. . If these numbers are incorrect a predetermined number of times, the management server sends the play refusal information to the game computer and disconnects the two.

Step 3 (S ′ 3): When the management server determines that the play is permitted, the play permission information and the game store information c indicating whether each game table in the game store is in use or empty are stored in the game computer. And send to the next step.

Step 4 (S ′ 4): The management server is in a state of waiting for game selection information d from the game computer. When the game machine selection information d is received from the game computer, the process proceeds to the next step.

Step 5 (S'5): Upon receiving the game console selection information, game initial information e at the start of the game is generated. Then, the game initial information c is transmitted to the game computer, and the process proceeds to the next step. The game initial information includes, for example, information that cannot be changed by the game store, such as the number of remaining balls and the balance of the membership fee, and information such as nail positions, payout rates, premium information, and bonuses to hits. -Some items may be changed according to the level of skill of the players and the usage of the game console. This step 5 constitutes "means for generating game initial information and transmitting the game initial information to the game computer".

Further, the game initial information c includes error information generated by random numbers in order to give a small error to the set values of the ball initial speed, the ball firing speed, the ball firing direction, the nail position, and the like. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the gamer from remembering the habit of each game table, and to change the initial condition of the ball movement due to various factors as in the case of the launching device of the actual machine. You can enjoy daily fluctuations. In this embodiment, the error information is generated on the management server side, but the error information may be generated in step 5 (S5) or step 8 (S8) on the game computer side. When the error information is generated in step 8, since the tone of the game table changes irregularly every moment, the pleasure further increases.

Step 6 (S ′ 6): The game computer enters a state of waiting for game start information f sent from the game computer. When the game start information f is received, the process proceeds to the next step.

Step 7 (S ′ 7): The game mid-state information g transmitted from the game computer, for example, the operation of the ball firing device, the motion state of each ball, the hit of the ball, the number of remaining balls, and the like. Receive and record with that time. This step 7 constitutes "means for receiving and recording game in-progress state information transmitted from the game computer".

Step 8 (S ′ 8): Detect an abnormality in the game system. Anomaly detection means checking the game status information, for example, that there is no ball firing ON within the set time, that ball firing ON continues during the set time, and that the number of remaining balls decreases with time. It is to detect that the ball has not been fired, the motion state of each shot ball does not conform to the equation of motion, and that the in-game state information g is not received within the set time. This step 8 constitutes “means for detecting an abnormality in the communication game system based on the game in-progress state information”.

Step 9 (S ′ 9): It is determined whether or not the game end condition is satisfied. The conditions for terminating the game include, for example, when the number of remaining balls and the dues balance are exhausted, when termination information is received from the game computer, and when an abnormality in the communication game system is detected. When the game end condition is satisfied, command information h including the end command is transmitted to the game computer, and the process proceeds to the end process of step 10. This step 9 constitutes "means for transmitting command information including termination command information to a game computer when an abnormality is detected".

If the game end condition is not satisfied, command information h including no end command is transmitted to the game computer. At this time, if there is enough processing capacity of the management server, the number of games in use in the game store and the game results of others are transmitted to the game computer, so that the noise can be increased or decreased, subtitles can be added to the screen, etc. Then, the gamer's motivation may be stimulated. Then, the process returns to step 7 to receive and record the state information g during the game at substantially predetermined time intervals.

Step 10 (S′10): When the processing shifts to the end processing, the game end information and the game final state information i sent from the game computer are read, and the game result is calculated. The information j such as the game result is transmitted to the game computer, and the game final state information i and the game result j are recorded.

[0047]

According to the first, second, and third aspects of the invention, the game computer operates by calling the program, the graphic data, and the sound data from the recording medium, and moves by itself at a high speed. In the middle of the game, the management server sends only the minimum necessary command information such as end command information to the game computer, and the game computer sends the management server the required information. -It is a communication game system because only the minimum necessary information such as the operation of the ball launching device, the position of the ball, the hit of the ball, the number of remaining balls, etc. is transmitted to the server. In addition, it is possible to display a large number of moving characters and the like that move at high speed on the screen without any discomfort. In addition, since a real game platform is not required, a wide space is not required and it is economical. Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, since a small error is given to the set values of the ball initial speed, the ball firing speed, the ball firing direction, etc., it is possible to prevent the gamer from remembering the habit of each game table, In addition, the initial conditions of the ball movement due to various factors can be changed as in the case of the launching device of the actual machine, and the daily fluctuation of the condition can be enjoyed as in the actual machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a game stand.

FIG. 3 is a game flowchart in a game computer and a management flowchart in a management server.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional technology (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-182855).

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional technique (JP-A-6-327835).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 game computer 30 communication line 40 management server 40A network server 40B main server 50 disk array 60 fire wall 70 router 80 emergency power supply

Claims (3)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A game program, graphics
A recording medium on which data and audio data are recorded, a game computer that operates by calling the game program, the graphic data and the audio data from the recording medium, a management server installed in a game store, In a communication game system having a communication line connecting a game computer and a management server, the game computer transmits game state information to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals during the game. Means for receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game, the management server receiving and recording state information during the game transmitted from the game computer; Means for detecting an abnormality in the communication game system based on state information, and a command including end command information when the abnormality is detected Communication game system, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting the broadcast to the game computer. 2. The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the in-game state information is an operation of a ball shooting device, a position of each shot ball, a hit of the ball, and the number of remaining balls. 3. The game is pachinko, and
The communication game system according to claim 2, wherein a small error obtained by a random number is added to the initial speed at the time of launching the ball, the number of launches per unit time, and the launch direction.