JP4728995B2 - Game system, server, management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is one in which game system to charge the play charge of the game, servers, and a program for the management.

Conventionally, a game system in which a plurality of game machines installed in a game center or the like can be connected and played through a communication network, or a plurality of home game machines or the like are connected through a communication network to play a battle. There was a game system that can be used (for example, Patent Document 1).
However, when a game machine or the like installed in a game center or the like is connected to a home game machine or the like via a communication network to play a battle, for example, a communication cable may be disconnected by a player such as a home game machine or the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that an action such as keeping a history of an unfavorable battle will be performed.
JP 2002-239212 A

An object of the present invention, in the battle play between the game machine and the like installed in a game center or the like and a home game machine, a game system, servers, program management which can be advanced fairly play Is to provide.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to the Example of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  The invention of claim 1 is a game system which is managed by the server (30) via the communication network (2) and can be played between the first and second game machines (20, 10) via the communication network. The first game machine (20) includes first control means (23) capable of performing a billing process without going through the communication network for each play, and the second game machine (10) identifies a player. Second control means (13) for transmitting player identification information and play start information, which is information relating to the start of play, to the server, wherein the server associates the player identification information with the play start information. The play information storage means (12) for storing, the player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the second control means are stored in the play information storage means, and the play information storage Further comprising a charging processing unit (33), wherein said player identification information stored in stages based on a play start information performs processing relating to billing, a game system characterized.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the first aspect, the first control means (22) of the first game machine (20) is the player identification common to the second game machine (10). Information can be transmitted to the server (30), and the server starts the play start information stored in the play information storage means (32) based on the player identification information transmitted from the first control means. Is transmitted to the first game machine (20), and the first control means of the first game machine executes billing processing based on the transmitted play start information. It is a game system to do.

The invention of claim 3 is the first game machine (20) that can be charged for each play without going through the communication network (2), player identification information for identifying the player, and play start information that is information relating to the start of play. In the server (30) that enables play via the communication network to and from a second game machine (10) comprising control means (13) for transmitting the information, the player identification information and the play start information The play information storage means (32) for storing the information in association with the player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the control means are stored in the play information storage means and stored in the play information storage means. The server is characterized by comprising billing execution means (33) for performing billing processing based on the player identification information and the play start information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first game machine (20) that can be charged for each play without going through the communication network (2), player identification information for identifying the player, and play start information that is information related to the start of play. And a second game machine (10) comprising a control means (13) for transmitting the information to the computer (30) enabling play via the communication network, the player identification information and the play start information The play information storage means (32) for storing the information in association with the player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the control means are stored in the play information storage means and stored in the play information storage means. A management program that functions as billing execution means (33) for performing billing processing based on the player identification information and the play start information. It is.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present invention, the billing process for the play fee in the second game machine is executed by counting the play start information transmitted by the second game machine. For this reason, for example, even if the communication cable of the second game machine is disconnected during play, the billing process for play in the second game machine can be performed. In addition, since the billing process for the play fee of the second game machine is surely performed by starting the play, the effect of suppressing actions such as disconnecting the communication cable during the play and invalidating the history of the battle play is improved. can do.

(2) Since the first and second game machines can identify the player based on the common player identification information, the present invention uses the first game machine for the play fee played on the second game machine. Can be charged.

  The present invention relates to a game system, a game machine, a server, a game program, and a management that can make the play progress in a competitive play between a game machine installed in a game center or the like and a home game machine, etc. For the purpose of providing a business program, an arcade game machine is provided with a game machine control unit capable of performing billing processing without going through the communication network 2 for each play, and an ID number for identifying a player on a home game terminal; A terminal control unit that transmits play start information, which is information relating to play start, to the server is provided, and the server stores the ID number and play start information transmitted by the terminal control unit in the server storage unit. This is realized by providing a server control unit that performs processing related to charging based on the ID number and play start information stored in the unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings and the like.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a game system 1 includes a home game terminal 10 (second game machine) connected via a communication network 2 such as the Internet, an arcade game machine 20 (first game machine), And a server 30. A player of the arcade game machine 20 and a player of the home game machine can play a battle through the communication network 2.
The computer referred to in the present invention refers to an information processing apparatus including a storage device, a control device, and the like. The home game terminal 10, the arcade game machine 20, and the server 30 include a storage unit and a control unit, as will be described later. An information processing apparatus including a unit and the like is included in the concept of the computer of the present invention.

The home game terminal 10 is a game terminal, personal computer, or the like that the player owns, and includes an operation unit 11, a storage unit 12, a terminal control unit 13 (second control means), and a communication circuit 14. ing.
The operation unit 11 includes operation buttons for the player to play, a numeric keypad for inputting an ID number (player identification information) for identifying the player, and the like. The operation unit 11 outputs the input information input to the operation buttons and numeric keys to the terminal control unit 13.

The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory element for storing game programs, information, and the like necessary for the operation of the home game terminal 10.
The terminal control unit 13 is a control unit for comprehensively controlling the progress of play in the home game terminal 10 and is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The terminal control unit 13 reads and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 12 as appropriate, thereby cooperating with each hardware of the home game terminal 10 to realize various functions according to the present embodiment. .
The terminal control unit 13 controls the communication circuit 14 to provide the server 30 with information on ID number input information from the operation unit 11 and play start information, which is information related to start of play when play is started. Send to.

The communication circuit 14 is controlled by a command from the terminal control unit 13, and is an electric circuit for transmitting and receiving information relating to the game and information relating to the ID number between the arcade game machine 20 and the server 30 via the communication network 2. It is.
Note that the monitor 15 and the speaker 16 connected to the home game terminal are controlled by a command from the terminal control unit 13, and the game video read from the storage unit 12 by the terminal control unit 13 in accordance with the progress of play, It is a device for outputting sound.

The arcade game machine 20 is a game machine 20 installed in a game center or the like, and includes an operation unit 21, a storage unit 22, a game machine control unit 23 (first control means), a communication circuit 24, and a monitor 25. And a speaker 26 and a coin detector 27.
Note that, in the following description and drawings, portions that perform the same functions as those of the above-described home game terminal 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals at the end, and redundant descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

The game machine control unit 23 is a control unit for comprehensively controlling the progress of play in the arcade game machine 20, and includes a CPU and the like. The game machine control unit 23 reads out and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 22 as appropriate, thereby cooperating with each hardware of the arcade game machine 20 to realize various functions according to the present embodiment. Yes.
The game machine control unit 23 starts playing in the arcade game machine 20 based on the output of a coin detection signal from a coin detection unit 27 described later. That is, the game machine control unit 23 can execute the charge processing for the play fee in the arcade game machine 20 without using the communication network 2. Note that this charging process may be based on, for example, processing of the remaining amount of a prepaid card or the like in addition to detection of coins or the like.
In addition, as will be described later, the game machine control unit 23 transmits the ID number input information from the operation unit 21 and the information related to the start of the charging process to the server 30, and the play fee performed at the home game terminal 10 is transmitted. By receiving from the server 30, it is possible to execute the billing process for the play fee performed at the home game terminal 10.

  The coin detection unit 27 is a sensor that detects a coin inserted into a coin insertion slot (not shown) for the player to play. When the coin detection unit 27 detects a coin, it outputs a coin detection signal to the terminal control unit 13.

The server 30 is a computer that collectively manages the game system 1 via the communication network 2, and includes a server storage unit 32 (play information storage unit), a server control unit 33, and a communication circuit 34.
The server storage unit 32 includes a hard disk and a semiconductor memory device for storing a program necessary for the operation of the server 30, a program such as a management program necessary for managing the game system 1, an ID number and play start information in association with each other Or the like.

  The server control unit 33 is a control unit for comprehensively controlling the processing in the server 30 and includes a CPU and the like. The server control unit 33 reads and executes various programs stored in the server storage unit 32 as appropriate, thereby cooperating with each hardware of the server 30 to realize various functions according to the present embodiment. The server control unit 33 performs a battle combination process between the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20. The server control unit 33 includes a start information control unit 331 and a billing execution unit 332.

The start information control unit 331 is a control unit for associating the ID number transmitted by the home game terminal 10 and the play start information and storing them in the server storage unit 32.
The charging execution unit 332 is a control unit for executing processing related to charging based on the ID number and the play start information stored in the server storage unit 32. The process related to charging refers to a process related to charging a play fee performed at the home game terminal 10 based on the identified ID number.
In this embodiment, the billing execution unit 332 counts the number of plays from the ID number and the play start information stored in the server storage unit 32, and adds the play fee per game to the number of plays, thereby playing fee Calculate the sum of. Information regarding the total amount of the play fee is transmitted to a server (not shown) owned by the credit card company, and the actual play fee is deducted.

  In addition, the game system 1 can identify a player using a common ID number between the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20. Therefore, the player can pay the play fee made at the home game terminal 10 by using the arcade game machine 20 in addition to the payment using the credit card (details will be described later).

Next, the flow of the charging process of the game system 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the charging process of the game system 1 of the present embodiment. Here, a method of paying a play fee using a credit card will be described.
First, in steps S (hereinafter referred to as “S”) 11 and 21, the ID numbers assigned to the players of both the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20 by operating the operation units 11 and 21. Is input and the participation control is requested, the terminal control unit 13 and the game machine control unit 23 transmit the ID number of each player and information regarding the reception of the battle play to the server 30. Note that the player of the arcade game machine 20 inserts a coin into a coin insertion slot (not shown) when participating in the battle play. The game machine control unit 23 charges this coin in response to the start of play. For example, the game machine control unit 23 returns the coin when no opponent is found and no match play is established.

  In S31, when the server control unit 33 receives the ID number of both players and the information related to the reception of the battle play, the server control unit 33 reads the battle history of both players based on the ID number and determines whether a battle combination is possible. If the server control unit 33 determines that a battle combination is possible based on the skill of play, etc., the server control unit 33 proceeds to S32 and transmits information instructing the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20 to start play.

  In S <b> 12 and 22, when the terminal control unit 13 and the game machine control unit 23 receive the information instructing the start of play, the terminal control unit 13 and the game machine control unit 23 play a battle between the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20 via the communication network 2. Start. Here, the game machine control unit 23 charges the coins inserted by the player in response to the start of play. Further, the terminal control unit 13 transmits the ID number and the play start information to the server 30 in response to the start of the battle play.

  In S <b> 33, when receiving the ID number and the play start information, the start information control unit 331 of the server 30 stores the ID number and the play start information in the server storage unit 32 in association with each other. The start information control unit 331 performs this storage process every time a battle play using the home game terminal 10 is started. Thus, the server storage unit 32 stores play start information for the number of times of play in association with the ID number.

  In S <b> 13 and 23, when the battle play ends, the terminal control unit 13 and the game machine control unit 23 proceed to S <b> 14 and 24 and transmit the battle result information to the server 30. Thereafter, the terminal control unit 13 and the game machine control unit 23 proceed to S15 and S25, and end the processing in the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20.

In S <b> 34, the server control unit 33, upon receiving the battle result information, updates the battle history corresponding to the ID numbers of both players in the server storage unit 32.
In S35, when the settlement date of the play fee is reached, the charging execution unit 332 of the server control unit 33 executes the charging process. The charging execution unit 332 refers to the play start information stored in the server storage unit 32 based on the ID number of the player of the consumer game terminal 10 and counts the number of plays. Then, the billing execution unit 332 calculates the total play fee by adding the play fee for one play to the counted number of plays.
For example, if the player has played the battle three times, the play start information for three times is stored in association with the ID number. If the play fee for one play is 100 yen, the charging execution unit 332 performs an integration process “100 (yen) × 3 (times) = 300 (yen)” to calculate the total play fee.

In S36, the billing execution unit 332 transmits the ID number of the player of the consumer game terminal 10 and information related to the sum of the play fee to a server owned by the credit card company, and then proceeds to S37 to perform a series of processing. finish.
It should be noted that the subsequent billing process of the play fee, that is, the process such as debiting from the bank deposit is performed by a server owned by the credit company.

  As described above, in the game system 1, the terminal control unit 13 transmits the play start information to the server, and the server control unit 33 counts the play start information and executes the charging process. For this reason, for example, even if the communication cable or the like of the home game terminal 10 is disconnected during play, the billing process for play at the home game terminal 10 can be performed. Thereby, since the billing process of the play fee of the home game terminal 10 is surely performed by starting the battle play, it is possible to suppress acts such as disconnecting the communication cable during the play and invalidating the battle play history. The effect can be improved.

Next, the flow of billing processing using the arcade game machine 20 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a charging process of the home game terminal 10 using the arcade game machine 20.
First, in S121, the player uses the operation unit 21 of the arcade game machine 20 to input an ID number and perform an operation for starting a charging process (for example, an operation of a charging button (not shown)). As a result, the game machine control unit 23 starts the billing process.
In S <b> 122, the game machine control unit 23 transmits the ID number of the player and information related to the start of the charging process to the server 30.

In S131, when the server control unit 33 receives the ID number of the player and the information related to the start of the charging process, the process proceeds to S132.
In S132, the billing execution unit 332 of the server control unit 33 performs the same processing as in S35 described above, and calculates the total play fee based on the player ID number and the play start information.
Here, since the information stored in the server storage unit 32 is the ID number and play start information transmitted from the home game terminal 10, the charging execution unit 332 plays the play on the home game terminal 10 of the player. The total price is calculated. Therefore, in the following processing, the server 30 transmits information related to the play fee of the home game terminal 10, so that the arcade game machine 20 can perform the charge processing of the play fee of the home game terminal 10. .
In S <b> 133, the charging execution unit 332 transmits information related to the total play fee to the arcade game machine 20.

In S123, when the game machine control unit 23 receives the information regarding the total play fee, the game machine control unit 23 proceeds to S124.
In S124, the game machine control unit 23 executes billing processing. The game machine control unit 23 displays the total amount of the play fee on the monitor 25 based on the information received from the server 30. When the player inserts a coin corresponding to the amount from the coin insertion slot, the player displays on the monitor 25 that the play fee has been paid. Thereafter, the game machine control unit 23 transmits to the server 30 charged information that is information relating to the player's ID number and charging, and proceeds to S125, where the processing in the arcade game machine 20 is terminated. .

  In S134, when the server control unit 33 receives the player ID number and the charged information, the start information control unit 331 deletes the play start information stored in the server storage unit 32. Thereby, the information in the server storage unit 32 is updated to information indicating that the charging process of the player has been executed. Thereafter, the server control unit 33 proceeds to S135 and ends the series of processes.

  As described above, the game system 1 can identify the player based on the common ID number between the home game terminal 10 and the arcade game machine 20. For this reason, even on the day before the settlement date of the credit card, the play fee played on the home game terminal 10 can be charged using the arcade game machine 20 to improve the convenience of the player. be able to.

As described above, the game system 1 according to the present embodiment counts the play start information and executes the play fee billing process in the home game terminal 10. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the deterrent effect of actions such as the player pulling out the communication cable during play and invalidating his / her disadvantageous battle play history, so that play can proceed fairly. This is because the player does not normally think of interrupting the play for which the billing process is surely performed by disconnecting the communication cable.
In addition, since the game system 1 can charge the play fee at the home game terminal 10 using the arcade game machine 20, the convenience of paying the play fee can be improved.

(Modification)
Without being limited to the embodiments described above, various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the game system has shown an example in which the billing process can be performed using the arcade game machine before the settlement date of the credit card, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a player plays on a home game terminal, the payment method may be selected from either a method using a credit card or a method using a commercial game machine. Thereby, even if the player does not have a credit card, the player can pay the play fee of the home game terminal.

It is a block diagram of the game system of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the accounting process of the game system of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the fee-charging process of the home game terminal using a business use game machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 2 Communication network 10 Household game terminal 11 Operation part 12 Memory | storage part 13 Terminal control part 14 Communication circuit 20 Commercial game machine 21 Operation part 22 Storage part 23 Game machine control part 24 Communication circuit 27 Coin detection part 30 Server 32 Server storage unit 33 Server control unit 34 Communication circuit 331 Start information control unit 332 Billing execution unit

Claims (4)

In a game system that is managed by a server via a communication network and can be played between the first and second game machines via the communication network,
The first game machine includes first control means capable of performing billing processing without going through the communication network for each play,
The second game machine includes second control means for transmitting player identification information for identifying a player and play start information that is information relating to play start to the server,
The server
Play information storage means for storing the player identification information and the play start information in association with each other;
The player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the second control means are stored in the play information storage means, and based on the player identification information and the play start information stored in the play information storage means. Charging processing means for performing processing related to charging,
A game system characterized by The game system according to claim 1,
The first control means of the first game machine can transmit the player identification information common to the second game machine to the server,
The server reads out the play start information stored in the play information storage unit based on the player identification information transmitted from the first control unit, and transmits it to the first game machine,
The first control means of the first game machine executes billing processing based on the transmitted play start information;
A game system characterized by A second game machine comprising a first game machine capable of performing billing processing without going through a communication network for each play, and a control means for transmitting player identification information for identifying the player and play start information which is information relating to the start of play. In a server that enables play via the communication network,
Play information storage means for storing the player identification information and the play start information in association with each other;
The player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the control means are stored in the play information storage means, and charging is performed based on the player identification information and the play start information stored in the play information storage means. Charging execution means for executing processing,
Server characterized by. A second game machine comprising a first game machine capable of performing billing processing without going through a communication network for each play, and a control means for transmitting player identification information for identifying the player and play start information which is information relating to the start of play. A computer that can be played via the communication network,
Play information storage means for storing the player identification information and the play start information in association with each other;
The player identification information and the play start information transmitted by the control means are stored in the play information storage means, and charging is performed based on the player identification information and the play start information stored in the play information storage means. Charging execution means for executing processing;
A management program characterized in that it functions as a function.

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