JP7791007B2 - Amusement park systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for amusement parks.

In order to help players understand the quality of their game, gaming parlors provide players with a so-called slump graph that shows the progress of the difference in balls (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
While such slump graphs are certainly ideal for understanding the quality of gaming situations in detail, there are concerns that it takes time to interpret the gaming situation and that some players (especially older players) may find it difficult to interpret the gaming situation. While they provide a detailed picture of the gaming situation, they also have the drawback of being difficult to use, and there has been a strong demand for gaming information that can replace or be provided in addition to slump graphs.

JP 2016-168155 A

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an amusement center system that can provide game information that makes it relatively easy to understand the game situation.

The present disclosure provides a gaming facility system for managing a gaming facility in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed,
a used game value specifying means (for example, an information display device 3) for specifying the amount of game value used by the player in the game;
an awarded game value specifying means (for example, an information display device 3) for specifying the amount of game value awarded to a player as the game progresses;
a balance specifying means (for example, an information display device 3) for specifying balance data for each gaming machine, which is balance data corresponding to the amount of the game value that has been decreased or increased in each gaming machine (for example, numerical data as the difference between safe and out), and which indicates the numerical value that increases or decreases due to the use or the grant;
a maximum earned value specifying means (e.g., information display device 3) for specifying a maximum earned value (e.g., maximum MY) indicating the difference between the minimum value (e.g., minimum difference) of the balance data and the maximum value (e.g., maximum difference) of the balance data after reaching the minimum value;
a maximum loss value specifying means (for example, the information display device 3) for specifying a maximum loss value (for example, a maximum M◇) indicating the difference between the maximum value of the balance data and the minimum value of the balance data after reaching the maximum value;
The device is provided with a presentation means (e.g., information display device 3) that determines which of the maximum gained value and the maximum lost value in a specified period has a greater impact on the gaming situation (e.g., the one with the larger absolute value (numerical value)) to judge as to which of a predetermined range (e.g., the weather range in the Max MY or Max M◇ item shown in Figure 6) it belongs to, and presents a judgment indicator (e.g., weather icon M1) that serves as an indicator of the gaming situation based on the judgment result.

With the above configuration, for example, the maximum MY or maximum M◇ over a specified period is used as the judgment target, whichever has the greater impact on the game situation, and a judgment indicator is presented depending on which of the preset ranges the result falls into, making it possible to provide game information that makes it relatively easy to understand the game situation.

Overall configuration diagram of an amusement park system in one embodiment Front view of information display device A block diagram mainly showing the electrical configuration of the information display device. The main display shows the judgment index as a three-day weather forecast. A diagram showing the judgment index as the weekly weather on the main display Weather logic diagram A diagram showing specific examples of weather prediction Flowchart showing the flow of index identification processing

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an amusement arcade system. A plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed in the arcade, and a gaming device 2 and an information display device 3 are provided corresponding to each gaming machine 1. These gaming machines 1, gaming devices 2, and information display devices 3 are connected to a gaming information management device 6 (hereinafter referred to as "management device 6") via a relay device 4 and a LAN 5. The arcade also has a POS and a balance adjustment machine (both not shown), which are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in reality, the management device 6 may manage, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1.

The management device 6 is installed in an office or other location within the gaming facility, and is connected to a keyboard 7 and monitor 8 operated by the gaming facility manager, as well as a mouse, printer, and other devices (not shown). The management device 6 manages the gaming information for each gaming machine 1 by inputting gaming signals output from the gaming machines 1.

The gaming machine 1 is a pachinko gaming machine and has an operating handle 10, an upper tray 11, and a lower tray 12 that constitute a launching device that launches balls onto the board 1a. The board 1a has an LCD display 13, a regular prize slot 14, a first start slot 15, a second start slot 16, and a special prize slot 17. The top surface of the upper tray 11 of the gaming machine 1 also has a balance display 11a, a loan button 11b, and a return button 11c.

The gaming machine 1 operates as follows.
(a) The first start slot 15 is a winning slot (a so-called center winning slot) with a fixed winning rate, and the second start slot 16 is a winning slot (a so-called electric chute) with a variable winning rate. A jackpot lottery is held depending on the winning (start winning) at each start slot 15, 16, and the lottery result is notified by a pattern change on the liquid crystal display 13, and the jackpot is determined depending on the result of the change.

(b) If a start win occurs during a pattern change, pattern changes are cumulatively reserved up to a predetermined reserved upper limit (for example, four of each), and the reserved pattern changes are initiated after the pattern changes have finished. Note that if a start win occurs when the number of reserved pattern changes (reserved number) is at the upper limit, the pattern changes are not reserved, and if there are reserved pattern changes in the second start port 16, the reserved pattern changes are executed in priority over the reserved pattern changes in the first start port 15.

(c) The probability of winning the jackpot lottery (jackpot probability) is 1/250, and the probability rate, which is the percentage of jackpots that subsequently enter a probability state (probability change) and result in a jackpot (probability change jackpot), is 50% for center hole wins and 70% for electric chute wins. When a jackpot occurs, the jackpot opening 17 is opened for the allocated number of rounds (R). Here, for center hole wins, all rounds are allocated to 4R, while for electric chute wins, 50% are allocated to 10R and 50% are allocated to 4R. The maximum number of wins per round is 10, and the maximum opening time is 30 seconds. One round ends when either the maximum number of wins or the maximum opening time is reached.

(d) During the special mode, the probability of a jackpot increases to 1/50 and the rate of winning at the second starting slot 16 increases, resulting in a combined time-saving state (time-saving), which continues until a jackpot occurs. On the other hand, if a normal jackpot occurs that does not result in a special mode, the time-saving state (single time-saving state) will continue until 100 pattern changes have occurred, and if no jackpot occurs, the state will return to normal after that.

(e) The second starting port 16 opens with a high chance of winning when the normal symbol (normal symbol) that changes in response to winning at the normal symbol winning port 14 is a winning symbol. In this case, the normal symbol changes over 30 seconds in normal mode and 3 seconds in time-saving mode. The opening time is also 0.3 seconds in normal mode and 5 seconds in time-saving mode. In other words, in time-saving mode, the normal symbol change time is shorter than in normal mode, while the opening time is longer, resulting in a higher chance of winning at the second starting port 16.

In addition to this type of gaming machine 1, gaming machines other than the illustrated gaming machine 1 may also be managed, such as gaming machines that do not have a single time-saving feature, or gaming machines that have multiple jackpot probabilities that can be changed by settings. In this embodiment, since gaming machine 1 is a pachinko gaming machine, the gaming medium that is the gaming value is pachinko balls (also simply referred to as "balls"); however, if gaming machine 1 were a slot machine, the gaming value would be medals.

The gaming machine 1 outputs the following game signals as the game progresses, such as when the player shoots balls into the starting holes 15, 16 and when starting winnings occur.
Out signal = A signal (operation signal) that can identify the consumption value (out) output from the out box that collects consumed balls. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls consumed (used, inserted, collected), the "number of out signals x 10" is identified as out. Note that this may also be a signal output from the gaming machine 1.

Safe signal = A signal output from gaming machine 1 that can identify the winning value (safe). Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls paid out in response to a win, "number of safe signals x 10" is identified as safe. The resupply signal output from the resupply device can also be used as a safe signal. There are two types of safe signals: an actual safe signal that is output when balls are actually paid out, and a winning safe signal that is output when a payout is reserved in response to a win. It is preferable to use the latter to minimize the time lag between winning and output.

Start signal = a signal that can specify the start process (pattern change, device operation, unit game) and start (number of start processes) in the liquid crystal display unit 13 (device) that changes (operates) in response to a start winning (S winning) output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is output when the pattern change is confirmed, the start process is specified according to the signal input. Note that it may also be substituted by an S winning signal that indicates a win in the start slots 15 and 16.
Jackpot signal = a signal capable of identifying the jackpot period output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is a status signal whose level is output during a jackpot, the input of the jackpot signal is identified as the jackpot period.

Special state signal = A signal that can identify a special state (sweet state) output from the gaming machine 1. Since this is a state signal that is output at a high level during a special state (during time-saving mode (including combined time-saving mode)) in which the winning rate of the second starting port 16 increases, the state is identified as being in a special state when the special state signal is being input. It may also be a state signal (probability variable signal) that is output at a high level during a probability variable in which the probability of a jackpot increases. Furthermore, the period in which neither a jackpot signal nor a special state signal is input is identified as being in a normal state.

The gaming device 2 shown in Figure 1 is a rental machine with a counting function for each machine, and includes a status indicator light 2a that indicates the gaming status of the gaming machine 1 and the status of the gaming device 2, a coin slot 21 through which coins are inserted, a touch panel display 22, a payout button 23 for paying out held balls, a payout nozzle 24 through which paid out balls pass, a card insertion slot 25 through which an IC card (recording medium not shown) such as a general card (held ball ticket) or a membership card is inserted, and a counting tray 26 located below the lower tray 12 of the gaming machine 1.

The gaming device 2 operates as follows.
(a) When currency is accepted (currency acceptance process), the amount of the deposit is added to the balance and displayed on both the gaming machine 1 and the gaming device 2. When the loan button 11b on the gaming machine 1 is pressed (loan operation, grant operation) while there is a balance, loan balls (amount of value granted) equivalent to one loan unit (for example, 500 yen) are dispensed from the gaming machine 1 (amount of value granted process), and the amount of value according to the rate is deducted from the balance. Currency can be accepted in an amount corresponding to multiple amounts of the amount of value granted process (for example, up to 10,000 yen).

(b) When counted balls are accepted, that is, when the balls acquired by the player are counted as held balls, a payout process (a process for replaying held balls) is possible in which the held balls are paid out in response to pressing the payout button 23, and when a payout is made, the amount of the paid-out balls (for example, the same number as the number of balls paid out) is deducted from the held balls. When the return button 11c on the gaming machine 1 is pressed (the issuance operation is accepted) while there is a remaining balance or held balls, a general card is issued that can identify the balance and held balls stored in the gaming device 2. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, partial issuance, in which only a portion of the held balls or the remaining balance are issued, is not permitted, but this may be possible.

(c) Through serial communication with the relay device 4 (receiving sales signals), the management device 6 can identify various information such as currency acceptance processing, payment processing, balance, balls held, number of balls lent, number of balls paid out, amount deposited, number of counted balls, number of lent balls, sales amount in exchange for lent balls, and general card acceptance and issuance processing. However, this information can also be identified using pulse signals (for example, one pulse for every 1,000 yen deposited, one pulse for every 100 yen in sales, etc.).

2 is an enlarged front view of the information display device 3. The information display device 3 is disposed above the corresponding gaming machine 1 and is a presentation means having a display screen that presents game information of the gaming machine 1 to the player.
The information display device 3 is provided with a call button 30 that allows the player to call an employee, an illumination section 31 made up of LEDs that provide illumination effects when a call is displayed on the call button 30 or during special conditions, and a display area 32 that displays various game information, etc. as the display screen, and a touch panel 33 is provided on the outer surface of the display area 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display area 32 is divided into a sub-display section 34 on the left side when viewed from the front, and a main display section 35 on the right side.
The sub-display unit 34 is composed of a plurality of display units 34a, 34b, each of which displays the number of jackpots, the number of bonuses, etc., using, for example, a seven-segment display that displays the numbers "0" to "9" using LEDs. The main display unit 35 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) capable of full color display, and is capable of displaying various things other than numbers, such as icons, graphs, characters, etc., which will be described later, and is also capable of displaying in a variety of display modes, such as by dividing the display into a plurality of display units 35a to 35d.

As shown in the functional block diagram of Figure 3, the control unit 36 of the information display device 3 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 36a, ROM 36b, RAM 36c, I/O 36d, etc., and controls the operation of the entire device 3 based on computer programs stored in ROM 36b, etc.
The control unit 36 is connected to the relay device 4 via an I/F (transmitter/receiver) 37 that inputs and outputs signals, and by inputting game signals from the gaming machine 1 and setting information from the management device 6 via the relay device 4 (and LAN 5), it is possible to identify the game information of the corresponding gaming machine 1 and perform various settings of the information display device 3. For example, the control unit 36 identifies the number of jackpots and income/expense data of the corresponding gaming machine 1 based on the game signals input from the corresponding gaming machine 1 via the I/F 37.

In this embodiment, the income/expense data refers to numerical data corresponding to the amount of gaming value decremented or increased in each gaming machine 1. For example, it can be calculated as the difference between "safe," which corresponds to the amount of gaming value awarded to the player as the game progresses, and "out," which corresponds to the amount of gaming value used by the player in the game. Alternatively, the income/expense data can be numerical data obtained by subtracting the amount of gaming value the player invested in the game from the amount of gaming value the player possesses. In other words, it can be the balls the player has acquired (which can be determined, for example, by sales balls (balls equivalent to the investment amount, which may include replay balls) + safe - out), or the so-called gross profit (from the player's perspective) calculated from the difference between the investment amount (which may include the amount equivalent to replay balls) and the prize value equivalent to the balls they have acquired. Any gaming information can be used as long as it is numerical data on a gaming machine basis that indicates a value that increases or decreases due to the use or awarding of the balls.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 36 is connected to the call button 30 and touch panel 33, as well as to an LED as the illumination unit 31, a segment display unit as the sub-display unit 34, and an LCD display unit as the main display unit 35. The control unit 36 controls the display of the illumination unit 31, sub-display unit 34, and main display unit 35 based on operations on the touch panel 33, etc., and the game information, etc., thereby displaying various display screens (see FIGS. 4 and 5), such as the display screen shown in FIG. 2.

In the information display device 3, the gaming information of the gaming machine 1 to be displayed includes the number of jackpots mentioned above, and the so-called ball payout graph or start history graph (see the third main display section 35c in FIG. 2).
However, even if it is possible to grasp in detail the quality of the gaming situation using these multiple graphs, there are inherent problems in that it takes time to interpret the gaming situation from these graphs, and there are quite a few players, such as elderly people, who find it difficult to interpret the gaming situation, making graphs showing detailed gaming situations difficult to use.

The information display device 3 of this embodiment therefore determines which of the maximum gain value, such as Max MY described below, or the maximum loss value, such as Max M◇ described below, which has the greater impact on the gaming situation, is determined from the difference as the income/expense data for a predetermined period, such as one business day, and determines which of the preset ranges it falls into, and presents a judgment index M1, which serves as an indicator of the gaming situation, based on the result of this determination.

Here, the index M in this embodiment includes a judgment index M1 and an auxiliary judgment index M2 described later, and the indexes M1 and M2 can be represented by weather icons (also referred to as "icon M1" and "icon M2") so that the gaming status of the corresponding gaming machine 1 can be intuitively grasped at a glance.
Below, we will explain "1. Normal display on the information display device," and then we will explain "2. Icons as indicators and weather logic" and "3. Flow of indicator identification processing" on the main display unit 35. Note that to simplify the explanation, the control unit 36, which is the main control entity for such identification processing (display control means, presentation means, used game value identification means, granted game value identification means, balance identification means, maximum earned value identification means, maximum lost value identification means, latest earned value identification means), will be simply referred to as the "information display device 3."

<1. Normal display on information display device>
As shown in Figure 2, in the normal state (normal display screen 50), the information display device 3 displays the number of jackpots, the number of starts, etc. in multiple display sections 34a, 34b in the sub-display section 34 on the left, while the main display section 35 on the right displays multiple display sections 35a to 35d in a divided manner.
2, the sub-display unit 34 is composed of a first sub-display unit 34a that displays the number of jackpots, the number of bonuses, etc., and a second sub-display unit 34b that displays the start from the time when an initialization condition is met (when business hours start or a special state ends, etc.). In addition, below the second sub-display unit 34b, a machine number display unit 34c that shows the machine number of the corresponding gaming machine 1 is attached as a sticker.

On the other hand, the main display section 35 is divided into four sections, as illustrated in Figure 2, namely, a first main display section 35a at the top, a fourth main display section 35d at the bottom, a second main display section 35b in the central left half between the display sections 35a and 35d, and a third main display section 35c in the central right half.
The first main display unit 35a displays images according to the corresponding machine type, specifications such as the probability of winning, information from the gaming center, the machine type name, etc. The second main display unit 35b displays the number of "jackpots" that have occurred in the relevant period (business days) and an icon M (M1 or M2) as a weather indicator. The third main display unit 35c displays a so-called ball output graph that shows the progress of the cumulative number of balls output (i.e., "safe-out") since opening, and a so-called start history graph that graphs the starts of each jackpot. The fourth main display unit 35d displays a group of buttons that can be operated to switch the game information display or to take a break.

The main display unit 35 is a touch panel type in which a touch panel 33 is arranged on at least the fourth main display unit 35d (or the entire main display unit 35), and the group of buttons and the touch panel 33 constitute a group of operation buttons to be used for touch operations. This group of operation buttons includes a "3-day data" button 33a and a "weekly payout weather" button 33b.
Here, when the three-day data button 33a or the weekly payout weather button 33b is touched, the normal display screen 50 of FIG. 2 is switched to the three-day weather screen 51 of FIG. 4 or the weekly weather screen 52 of FIG.

The weather screens 51 and 52 in Figures 4 and 5 focus on the main display section 35, which displays the icons M (M1, M2) and the buttons 33a, 33b, etc., and are displayed across the second to fourth main display sections 35b to 35d. Of these, the three-day weather screen 51, as shown in Figure 4, can display icons M representing the weather for each day for three days (two days ago), one day ago, and today), along with corresponding ball payout graphs and the number of jackpots, arranged vertically. The weekly weather screen 52, as shown in Figure 5, can display icons M representing the weather for each day for the current day and the past week, in the order of "today,""one day ago,""two days ago," ..., and "seven days ago."
The icons M shown in Figures 6 and 7 below are used to display the icons M (M1 and M2) shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, and the icons M as indicators and the weather logic will be mainly described in detail.

2. Icons as indicators and weather logic
Figure 6 shows examples of multiple corresponding icons M for each of the items "Difference,""MaximumMY,""Maximum M Diamond," and "Current MY," as well as thresholds that distinguish the ranges of multiple types of weather, such as "sunny" and "rainy," for each of these icons M.
Here, the icons M are set to seven types of weather, such as "thunderstorm, rain, cloudy rain, cloudy, sunny with clouds, sunny, and scorching heat" as shown in the top row of the same figure, and the target icon M, i.e., the gaming status of the corresponding gaming machine 1, is identified depending on which range the gaming information of the target item falls within, which is divided by the threshold between the icons M.

That is, the "difference number" shown in the top row of the diagram is calculated using the well-known safe-out method mentioned above, and six thresholds are set, for example, "-10000, -5000, -2500, -1250, 1250, 5000." These thresholds define multiple ranges, divided into stages corresponding to the magnitude of the values that the difference number to be judged can take, thereby creating the seven weather classifications mentioned above. This allows the threshold to determine which of the preset ranges the difference number falls into, and the corresponding weather icon M can be identified, for example, if the difference number does not reach -10000, it is considered a "thunderstorm," and if it reaches -10000 but does not reach -5000, it is considered "rain."

The following "Max MY" and "Max M Diamonds" indicate the player's maximum winnings (for example, the maximum number of balls held on the corresponding gaming machine 1, determined by the difference as shown below) and the player's maximum losses (for example, the maximum number of balls lost on the corresponding gaming machine 1, determined by the difference as shown below), and both indicate the difference between the "minimum difference (the smallest difference from a specified point in time (for example, the opening of business))" and the "maximum difference (the largest difference from a specified point in time)." The specified point in time that serves as the starting point for these is the time when the minimum difference is determined when determining "Max MY," and the time when the maximum difference is determined when determining "Max M Diamonds."

Specifically, since "Maximum MY" is updated when the difference between the previous minimum difference and the difference number reaches the previous maximum MY (see S2 and S3 in Figure 8 described below), it represents the player's maximum earned value from the minimum difference before a specific time, in other words, it can be said to represent the maximum earned value that shows the difference between the minimum difference (the minimum value of the income and expenditure data) and the maximum difference (the maximum value of the income and expenditure data) after that minimum difference is reached.
The "Maximum M Diamonds (hereinafter, diamonds will be referred to as "◇")" is updated when the difference between the maximum difference and the difference number up to that point reaches the maximum M◇ (see S4 and S5 in FIG. 8). Therefore, the "Maximum M◇" represents the maximum loss value of the player from the maximum difference before the specific time, that is, it can be said to represent the maximum loss value that indicates the difference between the maximum difference and the minimum difference after the maximum difference is reached.

In addition, "Current MY" at the bottom of the diagram indicates the player's earned value at the time of the target (e.g., the number of balls held), and shows the difference between the minimum difference and the number of differences from that time. Therefore, "Current MY" can be said to represent the latest earned value, which indicates the difference between the minimum difference and the current number of balls held, which is the latest balance data.

There is a correspondence between the above-mentioned "Difference,""MaxMY,""MaxM◇," and "Current MY" items and their respective thresholds. For example, when comparing the thresholds for Difference and Max MY, the thresholds for Max MY, 1250 and above, are the same as the thresholds for Difference.
Similarly, Max M◇ corresponds to the loss of balls held, so it corresponds to a negative value of the difference number. The thresholds above 1250, which are the target of Max M◇, have the same absolute value (positive and negative values reversed) as the thresholds below the difference number of -1250. Also, for Current MY, all thresholds other than the base value of 1000 are the same as the difference number threshold. Given this relationship, the thresholds for each item may be individually configurable, or thresholds for some items, such as the difference number, may be set to automatically set the thresholds for other items accordingly. In any case, the thresholds for each item may be set, for example, as default values or presets, allowing the range of each weather condition to be defined as a preset range.

In addition, for the Max MY, Max M◇, and Current MY items, the range divided by the lowest threshold (the leftmost range in Figure 6) is shown as a "-" (blank) icon. This indicates that the corresponding icon M will not be displayed (for example, in the range that does not reach Max MY of 1250).

Next, we will explain the logic for identifying the icon M. This logic is roughly divided into two types, and when two icons correspond based on both determination results, two icons M1 and M2 are identified, or the same icon M (an integrated determination index TM, described later), or when only one icon M corresponds, such as when a "-" icon is included, one icon M is identified.
When two icons M1 and M2 are shown, for example, as shown in Figure 4, where "Rain" followed by "Sunny" icon M1 is presented first (on the left) as a judgment indicator showing the overall situation, and icon M2 is presented second (on the right) as an auxiliary judgment indicator.

The first logic is to compare Max MY with Max M◇, and identify the icon M1 based on the larger absolute value, which is used to compare with the threshold. In other words, the information display device 3 considers the larger absolute value of Max MY or Max M◇ for a specified period (for example, the period from the start of business) to have a greater impact on the gaming situation, determines which of the preset ranges it falls into, and uses the icon M1 identified based on the results of this determination as the judgment indicator M1 for the corresponding gaming machine 1.

However, since the judgment index M1 is based on the maximum MY or maximum M◇, which includes the range indicated by "-" in Figure 6, it may be impossible to identify the corresponding icon M1, for example, at the start of business, since both fall within the "-" range.
Here, we will provide additional explanation for the fact that absolute values are used as an example when comparing max MY and max M◇. This is because we are assuming a case where the negative sign of one of the values changes depending on the method for specifying max MY or max M◇. For example, as in this embodiment, if the larger the value of max MY and max M◇, the greater the impact, then the values can be compared as is. However, because max M◇ indicates a loss, a specification method can also be envisioned in which the smaller the value is as a negative base, the greater the impact.
Specifically, in the former case, if the maximum M◇ is determined (e.g., 8000) by subtracting the maximum difference (e.g., 5000) from the minimum difference (e.g., -3000), the larger the numerical value, the greater the impact; whereas in the latter case, if the maximum M◇ is determined (e.g., -8000) by subtracting the minimum difference (e.g., -3000) from the maximum difference (e.g., 5000), the smaller the numerical value, the greater the impact.
The above is from the player's perspective, but similarly, from the gaming parlor's perspective, the balls held are a loss, so it is possible to identify Max MY on a negative basis, with the smaller the value, the greater the impact. Therefore, comparisons can be made using numerical values or absolute values, but since both result in the same absolute value comparison, we are expressing the use of absolute values to identify the factor with the greater impact on the gaming situation. As mentioned above, absolute values can of course be used not only when comparing Max MY with Max M◇, but also when making other comparisons, such as comparing Current MY with a reference value.

The second logic is to compare Now MY with a reference value (for example, "1000", which is the same as the threshold value for Now MY's "-"), and if Now MY is larger, Now MY is selected; if it is smaller, the difference is compared with the threshold value to identify icon M2.
In other words, in the information display device 3, a reference value for the latest earned value is set in advance as a reference value condition, and if the reference value condition is met by, for example, the current MY reaching the reference value of 1000, which is the upper limit value of "-", the current MY is used as the judgment target to determine which of the pre-set ranges it belongs to; if not, the latest income and expenditure data (for example, the current difference) is used as the judgment target, and an icon M2 identified based on the judgment result can be presented together with the icon M1 as an auxiliary judgment indicator M2, which serves as an auxiliary indicator of the game status (see Figure 4, etc.).

In this case, the auxiliary judgment indicator M2 will always identify an icon M2 drawn in the range of "Clear and cloudy" to "Scorching hot" for MY (at the bottom of Figure 6), or in the range of "Thunderstorm" to "Scorching hot" for the difference number (at the top of the same figure), and will never identify a "-" icon.
Based on the logic related to the difference and current MY, icon M2 has the following characteristics. That is, for the current weather, if the difference is positive, it will always be in the range of sunny or above (sunny with cloudy or above). Even if the difference is negative, if the current MY is higher than the reference value of 1000, it will be in the range of sunny or above.

As described above, the range in which the judgment target belongs is determined in order to present the judgment index M1 and auxiliary judgment index M2 as icons M1 and M2. This range is divided into a first range Rg1 for one of the judgment index M1 and auxiliary judgment index M2 (for example, the range in the "difference number" or "currently MY" item in Figure 6), and a second range Rg2 for the other index M1 (for example, the range in the "maximum MY" or "maximum M◇" item in the same figure).

The first range Rg1 is set to cover all possible values of the current MY or difference number that satisfy the reference value conditions as the judgment target, and the second range Rg2 is set to include "-" which does not cover all possible values of the maximum MY or maximum M◇ as the judgment target. Therefore, if the maximum MY or maximum M◇ for the other indicator M1 is not covered by the second range Rg2 and corresponds to "-" which does not belong to any range Rg2, then icon M1 is not displayed and icon M2 is displayed instead (the "judgment indicator" in S14 in Figure 8 includes the "-" icon M1).

Here, Figure 7 shows an example of a so-called payout graph (hereinafter referred to as "graph 71") that shows the trend in the difference number, which is likened to the player's earned value (income and expenditure data on the corresponding gaming machine 1), and a diagram (hereinafter referred to as "diagram 72") that shows each item that forms the basis of the above-mentioned logic together with icons M1 and M2.
Graph 71 has its vertical axis representing the difference number, its horizontal axis representing the out, and the origin on the left side of the coordinate system being the beginning of recording (for example, the start of business), and chart 72 shows how weather judgment (determination of which icon M to use) is made depending on the change in the difference number, with hatching applied to the items that are compared with the threshold value to identify the corresponding icon M1 or M2.

The "minimum difference MY," "maximum difference MY," "maximum difference M◇," and "minimum difference M◇" shown in Chart 72 are all managed by the information display device 3 corresponding to the gaming machine 1. The above-mentioned "maximum MY" is calculated by "maximum difference MY" - "minimum difference MY," and "maximum M◇" is calculated by "maximum difference M◇" - "minimum difference M◇."

Here, "minimum difference MY" and "maximum difference MY" are updated to the minimum difference and "maximum difference MY" are updated to the difference number when the difference between the minimum difference and the difference number reaches the maximum MY up to that point, i.e., when maximum MY is updated, "minimum difference MY" is updated to the minimum difference and "maximum difference MY" is updated to the difference number. "maximum difference M◇" and "minimum difference M◇" are updated to the maximum difference and "minimum difference M◇" are updated to the difference number when the difference between the maximum difference and the difference number reaches the maximum M◇ up to that point, i.e., when maximum M◇ is updated.

To make these updates easier to understand ("Minimum Difference MY" is updated to "Minimum Difference," "Maximum Difference MY" and "Minimum Difference M◇" are updated to "Difference Number," and "Maximum Difference M◇" is updated to "Maximum Difference"), chart 72 indicates the updated locations with hatching (shaded areas in column 72a). Furthermore, the circled numbers (graph symbols) 1 through 12 in chart 72 indicate the same points in time as the circled numbers 1 through 12 in chart 71, and will be explained as "(1) through (12)." For ease of explanation, each of the points in time (1) through (12) does not necessarily correspond to the time when the icon M is updated; rather, it simply indicates which icon M is displayed at an arbitrarily selected point in time. In other words, it is conceivable that weather predictions and icon updates may occur at times other than those indicated by "(1) through (12)."

At the beginning of the recording at point (1), all items in Chart 72 are "0", so icon M1 (as the aforementioned "-") is not presented as judgment indicator M1, and for auxiliary judgment indicator M2, only icon M2 for "sunny/cloudy" is presented by referring to the difference number.
In detail, as described above, the latest difference number at the time (1) is used as the judgment target and compared with the threshold value ("..., -1250, 1250, ..." in Figure 6) to determine which of the pre-set weather ranges the weather belongs to, and based on the judgment result, the "sunny/cloudy" icon M2 for the corresponding range is identified and presented, but the explanation will be simplified by appropriately omitting the words "latest" and "range" in this judgment.

At the time points (2) and (3), the maximum M◇ is updated to "2000" and "4000" (maximum difference - minimum difference), respectively. Therefore, by referring to the maximum M◇, the icons M1 of "cloudy" and "cloudy and rainy" are identified as the judgment index M1. Furthermore, by referring to the difference numbers "-2000" and "-4000," the same icons M2 of "cloudy" and "cloudy and rainy" are identified as the auxiliary judgment index M2.
For this reason, at time (2), one "cloudy" icon M (TM) is presented, and at time (3), one "cloudy and rainy" icon M (TM) is presented. In this way, the symbol "TM" indicates an icon TM as an integrated judgment index TM that integrates the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 when the information display device 3 determines that there is a correspondence between the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2, and this will be described in detail later (see S14 and S16 in FIG. 8).

At point (4), although Maximum M◇ is greater than Maximum MY, some balls have been acquired, so Current MY is "3000" (difference number - minimum difference), reaching the reference value of 1000. Therefore, Current MY is referenced, and the "Sunny" icon M2 is identified as the auxiliary judgment indicator M2. Meanwhile, Judgment indicator M1 references Maximum M◇, so it remains the "Cloudy, Rainy" icon M1. In cases where it is determined that there is no correspondence between Judgment indicator M1 and Auxiliary Judgment indicator M2, such as "Cloudy, Rainy" and "Sunny," both the icons M1 and M2 for Judgment indicator M1 and Auxiliary Judgment indicator M2, "Cloudy, Rainy, then Sunny," are presented (see S14 and S15 in Figure 8).

At point (5), current MY becomes "0" as at point (3) and does not reach the reference value of 1000, so the "Cloudy/Rainy" icon M2 is identified by referring to the difference "-4000". Furthermore, the "Cloudy/Rainy" icon M1 is identified by referring to the maximum M◇ "4000", so the "Cloudy/Rainy" icon TM is presented as the integrated judgment indicator TM, just as at point (3).

At point (6), the minimum difference is updated, and both the referenced maximum M◇ and the difference number identify icons M1 and M2 corresponding to “rain,” so one “rain” icon TM is presented as the integrated judgment indicator TM.
In the process from (4) to (5), if "Current MY" no longer reaches the threshold value of 1250, then "Cloudy with sunshine, then cloudy with sunshine" will be identified as the icon M2 for "Current MY," and "Cloudy with rain, then cloudy with sunshine" will be the icons M1 and M2 that can be presented. After that, if "Current MY" no longer reaches the reference value of 1000 (for example, if "Current MY" is 800), then the "Cloudy with rain" icon M2 will be identified by the difference (for example, -3200), and the same "Cloudy with rain" icon M1 will be identified by the maximum M◇, resulting in the same icon TM as at point (5). However, in Figure 7 (Chart 72), such details and others are omitted, and only the main details are shown.

At point (7), although Max M◇ is greater than Max MY, some balls have been acquired, and Current MY is now 4000, reaching the reference value of 1000, so Current MY is referenced and the "Sunny" icon M2 is identified as the auxiliary judgment indicator M2. Judgment indicator M1 remains the "Rainy" icon M1, unchanged from point (6), so both icons M1 and M2, "Rain followed by Sunny", are presented.

At the time of (8), the maximum MY, which is larger than the maximum M◇, is referenced, and the "scorching" icon M1 is identified as the judgment index M1. Also, by referring to the current MY and identifying the "scorching" icon M2 as the auxiliary judgment index M2, the "scorching" icon TM is presented as the integrated judgment index TM.
At time (9), more balls are acquired, and at time (10), the number of balls held decreases slightly, but the range of the numerical data relating to the judgment targets of judgment index M1 and auxiliary judgment index M2 remains unchanged (the judgment result obtained by comparison with the threshold remains unchanged), so the "scorching hot" icon TM is still displayed at both times (9) and (10).

At point (11), although the number of balls held has decreased further, the maximum MY and maximum M◇ remain unchanged, so the judgment indicator M1 remains the "scorching" icon M1. However, the auxiliary judgment indicator M2 becomes the "sunny" icon M2 because MY is currently 4000, and as a result, both icons M1 and M2, "scorching, then sunny," are displayed.

At point (12), the judgment indicator M1 remains the "scorching heat" icon M1, but the auxiliary judgment indicator M2 currently has MY at 500, which has not yet reached the reference value of 1000, so the referenced difference of -5500 causes it to become the "rain" icon M2, and as a result, both icons M1 and M2, "scorching heat followed by rain," are displayed.

<3. Flow of the indicator identification process>
8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of specifying the index M, in which S1, S2, ... indicate the steps executed by the information display device 3. The information display device 3, for example, repeatedly executes the processes of S1 to S18 at predetermined intervals in order to present the player with the weather icon M1, M2, or TM, which is the index M of the game situation.

That is, first, the information display device 3 determines whether the difference number has been updated based on the input game signal such as an out signal or a safe signal (S1).
When the information display device 3 determines that the difference number has been updated (S1: YES), it determines whether "difference number - minimum difference" has reached the maximum MY, i.e., whether the maximum MY has been updated (S2). When it determines that the maximum MY has been updated (S2: YES), it updates the maximum difference MY and the maximum difference MY together (updating the minimum difference MY in FIG. 7 to the minimum difference, and the maximum difference MY to the difference number) (S3).

On the other hand, if the information display device 3 determines that the maximum MY has not been updated (S2: NO), it determines whether "difference number - minimum difference" has reached the maximum M◇, i.e., whether the maximum M◇ has been updated (S4). If it determines that the maximum M◇ has been updated (S4: YES), it updates the maximum M◇ and the minimum difference M◇ (updating the minimum difference M◇ in Figure 7 to the difference number and the maximum difference M◇ to the maximum difference) (S5).

Next, the information display device 3 compares the maximum MY and the maximum M◇ as absolute values (S6), and sets the larger one, i.e., the one that has the greater impact on the game situation, as the object to be compared (determined) with the threshold value (S7 or S8).
Therefore, if the absolute value of maximum MY is large (S6: YES), it is determined which of the weather ranges classified by the threshold value of maximum MY the weather belongs to (S8), and the judgment index M1 is specified based on the result of the determination (S9).On the other hand, if the absolute value of maximum M◇ is large (S6: NO), the judgment index M1 is specified based on the result of the determination of which of the weather ranges classified by the threshold value of maximum M◇ the weather belongs to (S7), and the judgment index M1 is specified (S9).

The information display device 3 also compares the most recent earned value, Now MY, with the reference value 1000 (S10) to determine whether the reference value condition is met. If Now MY is greater and therefore the reference value condition is met (S10: YES), it determines which of the weather ranges classified by the threshold value of Now MY it belongs to (S12) and identifies the auxiliary judgment indicator M2 based on the determination result (S13). On the other hand, if the reference value 1000 is greater and therefore the reference value condition is not met (S10: NO), it uses the difference number as the latest income and expenditure data as the judgment target, and based on the determination result of which of the weather ranges classified by the threshold value it belongs to (S11), it identifies the auxiliary judgment indicator M2 (S13).

Then, the information display device 3 determines whether the judgment index M1 identified in S9 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 identified in S13 are the same, or whether either of these indices M1, M2 corresponds to the "-" (S14). If it determines that the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 are the same, or that either of these indices M1, M2 corresponds to the "-" (S14: YES), it identifies one icon M (TM) that is the same or does not correspond to the "-" symbol. On the other hand, if it determines that the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 are different and neither of these indices M1, M2 corresponds to the "-" symbol (S14: NO), it identifies the two (both) icons M1, M2 (S15).

If the identified weather icon M1, M2, or TM differs from the weather icon M1, M2, or TM currently displayed on the information display device 3 (S17), the display is updated to the former icon (S18). This presents an icon M1, M2, or TM corresponding to an indicator M, such as both the judgment indicator M1 and the auxiliary judgment indicator M2, or the integrated judgment indicator TM, and the process ends (returns).

The correspondence between the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2, determined in S14 above, being the same index, is determined by associating the thresholds so that they show the same values across each item (see the thresholds for each item in Figure 6), so it can be said that the weather ranges to which each belongs have a correspondence in which their thresholds also match.
6, even if the thresholds are not associated with each other so that the same values are shown for each item, a step of determining whether the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 are in a corresponding relationship such that the weather ranges to which they belong partially overlap or that the ranges to which they belong partially overlap, instead of S14 above, may be executed. As a result, for example, if the weather ranges to which the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 belong are in a corresponding relationship such that they overlap as "fine" (if at least a part of the ranges overlap), a single icon TM can be identified and presented as the integrated judgment index TM (S16) even if the ranges (thresholds) of "fine" do not completely match.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
The information display device 3 determines which of the maximum gain value and maximum loss value (e.g., maximum MY and maximum M◇) in a specified period has the greater impact on the gaming situation, and determines which of the pre-set ranges it belongs to, and based on the determination result, presents a judgment index M1 that serves as an indicator of the gaming situation.Therefore, for example, by displaying an icon M1 of the judgment index M1, it is possible to efficiently grasp the gaming situation for the entire period.

For example, if the latest acquired value, MY, reaches a predetermined standard value and thereby satisfies the standard value condition, the information display device 3 uses MY as the judgment target, or if it does not, uses the difference number as the latest income and expenditure data to determine which of the predetermined ranges it belongs to, and based on the judgment result, can present an auxiliary judgment indicator M2, which serves as an auxiliary indicator of the gaming situation, together with the judgment indicator M1, so that the gaming situation for the entire period can be grasped using the judgment indicator M1, and the latest (or final) gaming situation can be grasped using the auxiliary judgment indicator M2.
Furthermore, for example, if the latest acquired value, Tadaima MY, satisfies the base value condition, Tadaima MY will be the subject of judgment, so even if the so-called payout rate (safe ÷ out) does not reach 100% and the difference is negative, it becomes easier to present an appropriate auxiliary judgment indicator M2 by making a judgment using the latest acquired value.

When the information display device 3 determines that there is a correspondence between the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2, it presents an integrated judgment index TM that combines the auxiliary judgment index M2 and the auxiliary judgment index M1. However, when it determines that there is no correspondence, it presents both the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2. Therefore, even in a configuration that presents both the game status for the entire period and the latest game status, this integration allows for efficient presentation, making it easier to grasp the game status.

The correspondence is such that at least a portion of the ranges to which the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 belong overlap, or at least a portion of the ranges to which they belong are the same or common. Therefore, even when making a judgment related to both indices M1 and M2, the setting information for the ranges to which each belongs (for example, information such as thresholds that divide the ranges) can be simplified, making it easier to combine both indices M1 and M2, which can be useful when presenting them as icons M1, M2, etc.

When the other index (e.g., judgment index M1) being judged, such as maximum MY or maximum M◇, is not covered by the second range Rg2 and does not belong to either range (e.g., belongs to "-" in Figure 6), the information display device 3 presents only one index M2 without presenting the other index M1. By establishing a range not covered by the second range Rg2, such as when maximum MY belongs to "-", the likelihood of presenting both indexes M1 and M2 is reduced, reducing the risk that presenting multiple indexes M1 and M2 will make it difficult to understand the game situation.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows.
As explained in Fig. 7, the indicators M1 and M2 are identified as weather icons M1 and M2 (weather information) that serve as indicators of the gaming situation, and the latest identification results may be displayed as in Fig. 2, etc., but it is also possible to display part or all of Fig. 7. In other words, the predetermined period may be any period, such as the period from the opening of business, the period each time the weather indicator changes, or a number of business days, and the presentation format may be changed as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the weather information for each business day shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5 shows the final judgment result for the corresponding business day, but it is also possible to show only either the judgment index M1 or the auxiliary judgment index M2.
Although the threshold values for each piece of gaming information to be judged, such as the difference number and maximum MY, are set to the same corresponding value (see FIG. 6), they do not necessarily have to be the same as long as they correspond as described above. Also, although a value different from the other threshold values (e.g., 1000) has just been exemplified as the reference value set for MY, it may also be used as another threshold value.

As mentioned above, for example, maximum M◇ is determined by "maximum difference - minimum difference" and is shown as a positive value rather than a negative value. However, since M◇ is gaming information that indicates the amount of gaming value lost, it may be set to a negative value as minimum difference - maximum difference. In that case, the comparison with maximum MY can be made by switching the positive and negative values.

In other words, as in at least the embodiment described above, the one with the larger absolute value between Max MY and Max M◇ is considered to have the greater impact on the game situation. In this way, the one that is considered to have the greater impact on the game situation is used as the judgment target. Therefore, the judgment target may be selected using other methods, such as comparing different game information between the two, such as the absolute value of the corresponding game information, such as out or safe, being relatively large, or the input period (detection period) of the corresponding game information within the specified period being relatively long, or because Max MY has a greater impact on safe and Max M◇ on out, such as comparing the former for safe and the latter for out.

For convenience of explanation, maximum MY and maximum M◇ have been explained using the minimum difference MY and maximum difference MY shown in Figure 7, but if specified as in the flowchart of Figure 8, for example, it is possible to manage maximum MY and maximum M◇ simply by managing the maximum difference, minimum difference, difference number, maximum MY, and maximum M◇ without managing minimum difference MY or other values.

Although the example has been given in which only one icon TM is displayed when the judgment index M1 and the auxiliary judgment index M2 are the same, both icons M1 and M2 may be displayed. The display of the index M is not limited to a weather icon, but may also be text information such as sunny or rainy, or may be presented in the form of an arrow pointing up or down, or at an angle, or a payout index such as 80%.
Although the difference number is given as an example of the information that serves as the basis for MY, as mentioned above, the value won by a player may also be expressed as "sales balls + difference number," so it is not necessarily necessary to specify it only by the difference number, as long as a numerical value that increases or decreases depending on whether the ball is out or safe is shown.

In the example shown above, the judgment index M1 has a range "-" with no corresponding icon, while the auxiliary judgment index M2 has an icon corresponding to the entire range (or conditions are defined to exclude "-"). However, it is also possible to set a range with no corresponding icon for the auxiliary judgment index M2, while setting an icon for the entire range for the judgment index M1. Furthermore, both indexes M1 and M2 may have icons for the entire range, or they may have ranges with no corresponding icons. If both indexes M1 and M2 fall within ranges with no corresponding icons, the icons can be hidden.

Although an example of a configuration in which information is displayed on an information display device 3 above the gaming machine 1 has been given, the present invention may also be applied to an information display device installed between gaming machines 1, such as gaming device 2, or to a collective information display device installed at the edge of an island.
If the related setting information is set in advance, it may be set arbitrarily by the amusement facility manager, set by the manufacturer of the management device 6, or downloaded and set from an external management server (for example, a chain store headquarters or a gaming machine manufacturer, etc.).

All of the game information exemplified above may be specified directly by input signals or indirectly by using an arithmetic expression. Furthermore, the model may be classified by manufacturer, specification, or any other method that indicates the type of gaming machine 1. Furthermore, while a liquid crystal display is exemplified, other display methods such as organic EL may also be used.
The numerical values, number of digits, items, etc. are merely examples, and any numerical values, etc. may be used. Furthermore, the arithmetic expressions are merely examples, and any arithmetic expression may be used as long as it shows the same value as the exemplified arithmetic expression or calculates a calculated value having the same meaning.

Either "less than" or "under" can be used, and expressions such as "has not reached" are expressions that correspond to either "less than" or "under". The same is true for "above" and "exceeds", and expressions such as "reaches" are expressions that correspond to both.
Although a pachinko gaming machine is exemplified as the target gaming machine 1, other gaming machines such as slot machines may also be targeted. As other gaming machines such as so-called sealed gaming machines that do not dispense gaming media but update data points according to play can also be envisioned, the term "gaming value" is used as appropriate to encompass gaming media such as balls and medals, as well as the points.

Some or all of the processing performed by the information display device 3 may be performed by the management device 6, gaming device 2, or relay device 4, or the entire system may consist solely of the information display device 3. Furthermore, the illustrated configurations may be used or not depending on the appropriate settings, and the illustrated configurations, including modified versions, may be combined in any way, or configurations may be excluded as appropriate.

In the drawing, 1 is the gaming machine, 3 is the information display device (presentation means, used gaming value identification means, granted gaming value identification means, balance identification means, maximum earned value identification means, maximum lost value identification means, latest earned value identification means), and 35 is the main display unit (presentation means).

Claims (5)

A gaming facility system that manages a gaming facility where a plurality of gaming machines are installed,
a used game value specifying means for specifying the amount of game value used by a player in a game;
an awarded game value specifying means for specifying the amount of game value awarded to a player as the game progresses;
a balance specifying means for specifying balance data for each gaming machine, the balance data corresponding to the amount of the gaming value that has been decreased or increased in each gaming machine, the balance data indicating the numerical value that has increased or decreased due to the use or the grant;
a maximum earned value specifying means for specifying a maximum earned value indicating a difference between a minimum value of the balance data and a maximum value of the balance data after the minimum value is reached;
a maximum loss value specifying means for specifying a maximum loss value indicating a difference between a maximum value of the balance data and a minimum value of the balance data after reaching the maximum value;
A system for an amusement park, comprising: a presentation means for determining which of the maximum gained value and the maximum lost value in a specified period has a larger fluctuation in the income and expenditure data , and determining which of a predetermined range it belongs to, and presenting a judgment index that serves as an indicator of the gaming situation based on the judgment result. a latest earned value specifying means for specifying a latest earned value indicating a difference between the minimum value of the balance data and the latest balance data;
The presentation means is capable of determining which of a predetermined range the latest earned value falls into if it satisfies a predetermined standard value condition, or the latest income and expenditure data if it does not, and presenting an auxiliary judgment index that serves as an auxiliary indicator of the gaming situation together with the judgment index based on the judgment result. The presentation means presents an integrated judgment index that integrates the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index when it determines that there is a correspondence between the two in at least one of the following cases: when the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index indicate the same index, when either of them indicates that the target index will not be displayed, and when part of the ranges to which they belong overlap or part of the ranges to which they belong are common ; and when it determines that there is no correspondence, it presents both the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index. the range is made up of a plurality of ranges divided into stages corresponding to the magnitude of the values that the object of determination can take,
An amusement park system as described in claim 3, wherein the correspondence relationship is such that at least a portion of the ranges to which the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index belong overlap with each other, or at least a portion of the ranges to which they belong are the same or common. the range to which the object to be judged belongs is judged in order to present the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index, the range being divided into a first range for one of the judgment index and the auxiliary judgment index and a second range for the other index;
the first range is set to cover all possible values of the object to be determined,
the second range is set so as not to cover a part of the values that the determination target can take,
An amusement park system described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the presentation means presents the one indicator without presenting the other indicator when the judgment target is not covered by the second range for the other indicator and does not belong to either range.