JP2008100052A - Gaming system server and control method thereof, gaming system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A new entertainment property is provided by providing a game environment that a player likes.
When a server receives a download request from a slot machine with player identification information via a network, the server reads out the game software designated by the received download request from a database and reads the slot. Send to machine 10. The history information that the slot machine 10 downloaded the game software is stored in the database 106 together with the player identification information. When the end of the game is notified from the slot machine 10 to the server 100, billing information for the play of the player is transmitted to the server 100 using the download history information stored in the database 106 together with the player identification information of the slot machine 10. The generated billing information is output to the payment processing server 310 of the credit card company 300.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system server for downloading a game program to a gaming terminal connected via a network and a control method thereof, a gaming system including a server and a gaming terminal connected via a network, and a control method thereof. It is about.

  In US Pat. No. 6,645,077, US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0054448, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0035713, one game machine is downloaded using a network program download technology. A gaming system is disclosed in which a plurality of types of games can be played at a gaming terminal, and the content of a game that can be played at a gaming terminal in a network can be changed.

  In the gaming system, game software components are downloaded from the server to each gaming terminal, and a game is played using the downloaded game software components at each gaming terminal.

Such gaming systems are also disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0002385, US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0106452, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0192099. .
US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0054448 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0035713 US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0002385 US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0106452 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0192099

  These gaming systems merely allow a game to be played at a single gaming terminal to be changed, and cannot sufficiently provide a game environment including settlement relating to play.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system server and a control method thereof capable of providing new entertainment properties by providing a game environment preferred by a player. And a gaming system and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming system server according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes:
A gaming system server,
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Download history information relating to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory by a gaming terminal connected via a network is transmitted from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal,
A controller that does the following:
(A) Along with the player identification information and the software identification information, stored in the first memory in association with the inputted software identification information in response to a download request inputted from the gaming terminal via a network. Sending the game software to the gaming terminal via a network;
(B) storing the download history information related to the game software transmitted to the gaming terminal in the second memory in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request;
(C) The game end notification output from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network in response to a game end notification input via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside.
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the gaming system server of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, player identification for identifying a player of the gaming terminal given from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network from the gaming terminal. The information, the software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and the game software download request are input.

  And the controller of the gaming system server to which these are input transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information to the gaming terminal that is the output source of the download request, The transmitted game software download history information is stored in the second memory in association with the input player identification information.

  Furthermore, when a game end notification is input from the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network as the game ends with the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal, the controller outputs the gaming end notification output source gaming. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information input in the past together with the download request from the terminal, billing information for each player of the game by the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal is generated. Thus, for example, the generated charging information is output to the outside of the gaming system server such as an external server that manages charging information for the player.

  Therefore, when a game played by a player is changed at one gaming terminal, billing processing for each played game can be surely performed, and a game environment preferred by the player is provided and new entertainment properties are given. Can do.

  The gaming system server according to claim 2, wherein the player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact or non-contact reader of the gaming terminal, or the gaming terminal The biometric information of the player read from the player's body by the scanner is included.

  According to the server for a gaming system of the present invention described in claim 2, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal, or the body of the player by the scanner of the gaming terminal The player identification information including the player's biometric information read from is input to the gaming system server from the gaming terminal via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player and to perform an accurate charging process accompanying each player's play.

The gaming system server according to the present invention described in claim 3 is:
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The controller is
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. And outputting the billing information for each player,
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system server of the present invention described in claim 3, the player-specific billing information generated by the controller includes the player's credit card ID code or card issue included in the player identification information input from the gaming terminal. The data is output to the payment processing server of the player's credit card issuer specified by the company identification information.

  Then, the payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input is output to the gaming terminal by the controller and presented to the player.

  For this reason, using the credit card ID code and card issuer identification information used to specify the player to play at the gaming terminal, the billing processing of the billing information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuer is executed in conjunction. Can be made.

The gaming system server of the present invention described in claim 4 is:
A gaming system server comprising a first server and a second server,
The first server is
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Together with the software identification information of the game software requesting download and the player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal given to the gaming terminal from the outside of the gaming terminal, a network is connected from the gaming terminal. A first controller that transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information to the gaming terminal via a network in response to a download request input via the network; When,
Have
The second server is
Download history information related to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory from the first server by the gaming terminal from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with the given player identification information;
A second controller that:
(A) The download history information related to the game software downloaded from the first server by the gaming terminal is associated with the player identification information input to the first server via the network together with the download request. Stored in a second memory,
(B) In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software from the first server via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends, the game Billing by player using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the end notification. It is characterized by comprising generating and outputting information to the outside.

  According to the gaming system server of the present invention described in claim 4, the first server which is a game program supply server or the like of a game software company that manages a plurality of game software, for example, from the gaming terminal via the network. The player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal given from the outside of the gaming terminal, the software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and the game software download request are input. .

  Then, the first controller of the first server to which these are input transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information to the gaming terminal that is the output source of the download request. In addition, for example, the second controller of the second server, which is a casino management server or the like that manages the gaming terminal, downloads the game software download history information transmitted to the gaming terminal by the first controller of the first server. The second memory is stored in association with the player identification information input to the first server.

  Further, when a game end notification is input from the gaming terminal to the second server via the network in accordance with the end of the game by the game software downloaded from the first server by the gaming terminal, the second controller The gaming terminal uses the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information input in the past together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification to the first server. To generate billing information for each player of the game using game software downloaded from the server, and output the generated billing information to the outside of the gaming system server, for example, an external server that manages billing information for the player become.

  Therefore, when a game played by a player at one gaming terminal is changed, a first server such as a game program supply server that manages game software and a casino management server that manages the gaming terminal are used. Even when there are two servers, it is possible to reliably perform billing processing for each game played, to provide a game environment preferred by the player, and to provide new entertainment characteristics.

  6. The slot machine according to claim 5, wherein the player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact or non-contact reader of the gaming terminal, or a scanner of the gaming terminal. The player's biological information read from the player's body is included.

  According to the server for a gaming system of the present invention described in claim 5, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal or the body of the player by the scanner of the gaming terminal The player identification information including the player's biometric information read from is input to the first server from the gaming terminal via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player and to perform an accurate charging process accompanying each player's play.

The gaming system server of the present invention described in claim 6 is:
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The second controller is
(A) The credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification Output the billing information for each player to the settlement processing server,
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system server of the present invention described in claim 6, the player-specific billing information generated by the second controller of the second server is the player identification information input from the gaming terminal to the first server. Are output to the payment processing server of the player's credit card issuer specified by the player's credit card ID code and card issuer identification information.

  The payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information, which is input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input to the second server, is output to the gaming terminal by the second controller, and is sent to the player. It will be presented and output.

  For this reason, using the credit card ID code and card issuer identification information used to specify the player to play at the gaming terminal, the billing processing of the billing information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuer is executed in conjunction. In addition, the payment result can be presented and notified to the player at the gaming terminal.

The gaming system according to the present invention described in claim 7
A gaming system comprising a server and a gaming terminal;
The server
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Download history information relating to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory by a gaming terminal connected via a network is transmitted from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal,
A server controller that does the following:
(A) Along with the player identification information and the software identification information, stored in the first memory in association with the inputted software identification information in response to a download request inputted from the gaming terminal via a network. Sending the game software to the gaming terminal via a network;
(B) storing the download history information related to the game software transmitted to the gaming terminal in the second memory in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request;
(C) The game end notification output from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network in response to a game end notification input via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside.
Have
The gaming terminal is
A third memory for storing player identification information for identifying an externally input player;
A fourth memory for storing game software downloaded from the server connected via a network;
A terminal controller that does the following:
(A) The download request for the game software stored in the first memory together with the software identification information of the game software requesting download and the player identification information stored in the third memory. Output to the server via the network,
(B) storing the game software transmitted from the server in response to the download request via a network in the fourth memory;
(C) executing a game based on the game software stored in the fourth memory;
(D) outputting the game end notification to the server via a network in response to an instruction to end the execution of the game input from the outside;
have,
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 7, when the player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal is input from the outside to the gaming terminal, the terminal controller displays the input player identification information. 3 is stored in the memory.

  Then, the terminal controller outputs the player identification information stored in the third memory, the software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and the game software download request to the server via the network. To do.

  When a download request is input to the server together with the player identification information and software identification information, the server controller stores the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information as the output source of the download request. In addition to being transmitted to the gaming terminal, the downloaded game software download history information is stored in the second memory in association with the input player identification information.

  Furthermore, the game software downloaded from the server is stored in the fourth memory by the terminal controller and used for executing the game. When an instruction to end the executed game is input from outside the gaming terminal, the terminal controller outputs a game end notification to the server via the network.

  When the game end notification is input to the server via the network, the server controller stores the download request from the gaming terminal that is the output source of the game end notification in association with the player identification information input in the past and stores it in the second memory. Using the download history information generated by the game terminal to generate billing information for each player of the game using the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal, for example, outside the server such as an external server that manages billing information for the player. Billing information will be output.

  Therefore, when a game played by a player at one gaming terminal is changed, billing processing for each game played is surely performed at the server, thereby providing a game environment preferred by the player and providing new entertainment characteristics. can do.

  9. The gaming system according to claim 8, wherein the player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact or non-contact reader of the gaming terminal, or a scanner of the gaming terminal. The player's biological information read from the player's body is included.

  According to the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 8, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal, or read from the body of the player by the scanner of the gaming terminal. The player identification information including the biometric information of the player is input from the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player and to perform an accurate charging process accompanying each player's play.

The gaming system of the present invention described in claim 9
The gaming terminal further includes a display,
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The server controller
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. And outputting the billing information for each player,
(B) Output payment information, which is input from the payment processing server in response to the output of the charging information to the payment processing server and indicating a payment result for the charging information, to the gaming terminal via a network. And
The terminal controller causes the player to present and output a settlement result indicated by the settlement information input from the server via a network.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 9, the player-specific billing information generated by the server controller includes the player's credit card ID code or card issuing company included in the player identification information input from the gaming terminal. The information is output to the payment processing server of the credit card issuer of the player specified by the identification information.

  Then, the payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input is output to the gaming terminal by the server controller, and this payment information is input to the gaming terminal. Then, the terminal controller presents and outputs the payment information to the player through the display of the gaming terminal.

  For this reason, using the credit card ID code and card issuer identification information used to specify the player to play at the gaming terminal, the billing processing of the billing information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuer is executed in conjunction. In addition, the settlement result can be presented and notified to the player on the display of the gaming terminal.

A gaming system server control method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes:
A method for controlling a server for a gaming system,
Player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal connected via the network, and game software requesting download to the gaming terminal Along with the software identification information for identifying the type, among the plurality of game software stored in the first memory in response to the game software download request input from the gaming terminal, the gaming terminal A step in which a controller transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input together with the download request to the gaming terminal via a network. And,
The controller stores, in a second memory, download history information related to a history of downloading the game software via the network by the gaming terminal in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request. Stages,
In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network via the network upon completion of the game at the gaming terminal, the controller outputs the game end notification. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, and generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside; ,
It is characterized by including.

  According to the gaming system server control method of the present invention described in claim 10, to identify a player of the gaming terminal given from outside the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network from the gaming terminal. When the player identification information, the software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and the game software download request are input to the gaming system server, the controller associates the input software identification information with the input software identification information. The game software stored in the first memory is transmitted to the gaming terminal that is the output source of the download request, and the download history information of the transmitted game software is identified as the input player identification. It is stored in the second memory in association with the distribution.

  Furthermore, when a game end notification is input from the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network as the game ends with the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal, the controller outputs the gaming end notification output source gaming. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information input in the past together with the download request from the terminal, billing information for each player of the game by the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal is generated. Thus, for example, the generated charging information is output to the outside of the gaming system server such as an external server that manages charging information for the player.

  Therefore, when the game played by the player is changed at one gaming terminal, the controller can surely perform billing processing for each game played, thereby providing a game environment preferred by the player and providing new entertainment characteristics. Can be granted.

  The gaming system server control method of the present invention described in claim 11 is characterized in that the player identification information is read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or It is characterized by including the player's biological information read from the player's body by the scanner of the gaming terminal.

  According to the server control method for a gaming system of the present invention described in claim 11, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal, or the scanner of the gaming terminal Player identification information including the player's biological information read from the player's body is input from the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player, and the controller can perform an accurate charging process associated with the player's own play for each player.

A gaming system server control method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes:
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The controller is
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Outputting the billing information for each player;
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
Further including
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system server control method of the present invention described in claim 12, the player-specific billing information generated by the controller includes the player credit card ID code included in the player identification information input from the gaming terminal. Or the payment processing server of the credit card issuing company of the player specified by the card issuing company identification information.

  Then, the payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input is output to the gaming terminal by the controller and presented to the player.

  For this reason, the controller uses the credit card ID code and card issuing company identification information used to identify the player to play at the gaming terminal to link the accounting processing of the accounting information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuing company. Can be executed.

A gaming system server control method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes:
A method for controlling a gaming system server comprising a first server and a second server,
In the first server, player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from the outside of the gaming terminal to a gaming terminal connected via a network, and to the gaming terminal Among the plurality of game software stored in the first memory in response to the game software download request input from the gaming terminal, together with software identification information for identifying the type of game software requested to be downloaded The first controller stores the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input together with the download request from the gaming terminal via the network. And transmitting to the timing terminal,
In the second server,
(A) The second controller sends download history information related to a history of downloading the game software from the first server via the network to the first server via the network together with the download request. Storing in a second memory in association with the input player identification information;
(B) In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software from the first server via the network along with the end of the game at the gaming terminal, The second controller stores in the second memory of the first server in association with the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Using the downloaded download history information, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside;
It is characterized by including.

  According to the gaming system server control method of the present invention as set forth in claim 13, for example, a game program supply server of a game software company that manages a plurality of game software via a network from a gaming terminal is the first. Player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal given from the outside of the gaming terminal, software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and a game software download request. When input, the first controller transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information to the gaming terminal that is the output source of the download request.

  In addition, as the first controller transmits the game software to the gaming terminal that is the output source of the download request, the transmitted game software download history information is associated with the player identification information input to the first server. For example, the second controller of the second server, which is a casino management server or the like that manages the gaming terminal, stores it in the second memory.

  Further, when a game end notification is input from the gaming terminal to the second server via the network in accordance with the end of the game by the game software downloaded from the first server by the gaming terminal, the second controller The gaming terminal uses the download history information associated with the player identification information input in the past together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification to the first server, stored in the second memory. Billing information for each player of the game using game software downloaded from one server is generated, and the generated charging information is output to the outside of the gaming system server, for example, an external server that manages charging information for the player. It will be.

  Therefore, when a game played by a player at one gaming terminal is changed, a first server such as a game program supply server that manages game software and a casino management server that manages the gaming terminal are used. Even when there are two servers, the second controller can surely perform billing processing for each game played, thereby providing a game environment preferred by the player and providing new entertainment characteristics. .

  The gaming system server control method of the present invention according to claim 14, wherein the player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact or non-contact reader of the gaming terminal, or It is characterized by including the player's biological information read from the player's body by the scanner of the gaming terminal.

  According to the control method of the server for a gaming system of the present invention described in claim 14, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal or the scanner of the gaming terminal The player identification information including the player's biometric information read from the player's body is input from the gaming terminal to the first server via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player, and the second controller can perform an accurate charging process associated with the player's own play for each player.

A gaming system server control method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention includes:
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
In the second server, the second controller is
(A) The credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification Outputting the billing information for each player to the settlement processing server;
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
Further including
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming system server control method of the present invention described in claim 15, the player-specific billing information generated by the second controller of the second server is input from the gaming terminal to the first server. The data is output to the payment processing server of the player's credit card issuer specified by the player's credit card ID code and the card issuer identification information included in the player identification information.

  The payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information, which is input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input to the second server, is output to the gaming terminal by the second controller, and is sent to the player. It will be presented and output.

  For this reason, the second controller uses the credit card ID code and the card issuer identification information used to identify the player to play at the gaming terminal to charge the billing information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuer. The processes can be executed in conjunction with each other, and the settlement result can be presented and notified to the player at the gaming terminal.

The control method of the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 16 comprises:
A server and a gaming terminal connected via a network;
The server includes a first memory, a second memory, and a server controller;
The gaming terminal includes a third memory, a fourth memory, and a terminal controller;
A control method for a gaming system,
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller stores player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from outside the gaming terminal, in the third memory;
In the gaming terminal, the player identification information stored in the third memory and given from outside the gaming terminal, and software for identifying the type of game software that requests download to the gaming terminal Along with the identification information, the terminal controller outputs a download request for the game software to the server;
In the server, the server controller transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input from the gaming terminal via the network to the gaming terminal via the network. And the stage of
In the server, the server controller associates the download history information relating to the history of downloading the game software via the network with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request. Storing in the memory of 2;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller stores the game software downloaded from the server via a network in the fourth memory;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller executes a game based on the game software stored in the fourth memory;
In the gaming terminal, in response to an instruction to end the execution of the game input from the outside, the terminal controller outputs the game end notification to the server via a network;
In the server, the server controller uses the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Generating billing information for each player and outputting it to the outside;
It is characterized by including.

  According to the control method of the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 16, when the player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal is input from the outside to the gaming terminal, the terminal controller receives the input player identification. Information is stored in a third memory.

  Then, the terminal controller outputs the player identification information stored in the third memory, the software identification information for identifying the game software requesting the download, and the game software download request to the server via the network. To do.

  When a download request is input to the server together with the player identification information and software identification information, the server controller stores the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information as the output source of the download request. In addition to being transmitted to the gaming terminal, the downloaded game software download history information is stored in the second memory in association with the input player identification information.

  Furthermore, the game software downloaded from the server is stored in the fourth memory by the terminal controller and used for executing the game. When an instruction to end the executed game is input from outside the gaming terminal, the terminal controller outputs a game end notification to the server via the network.

  When the game end notification is input to the server via the network, the server controller stores the download request from the gaming terminal that is the output source of the game end notification in association with the player identification information input in the past and stores it in the second memory. Using the download history information generated by the game terminal to generate billing information for each player of the game using the game software downloaded by the gaming terminal, for example, outside the server such as an external server that manages billing information for the player. Billing information will be output.

  Therefore, when the game played by the player at one gaming terminal is changed, the server controller can reliably perform billing processing for each played game at the server, thereby providing a game environment preferred by the player and providing a new game environment. Entertainment property can be imparted.

  The gaming system control method according to claim 17, wherein the player identification information is an ID code read from a card unique to the player by a contact or non-contact reader of the gaming terminal, or the gaming It is characterized by including the player's biological information read from the player's body by the scanner of the terminal.

  According to the control method of the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 17, the ID code read from the card unique to the player by the contact type or non-contact type reader of the gaming terminal or the player of the player by the scanner of the gaming terminal. The player identification information including the player's biometric information read from the body is input from the gaming terminal to the gaming system server via the network together with the software identification information and the game software download request.

  For this reason, it is possible to reliably identify the player, and the server controller can perform an accurate charging process associated with the player's own play for each player.

The control method of the gaming system of the present invention described in claim 18 comprises:
The gaming terminal further includes a display,
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
In the server, a settlement processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. The server controller outputs the billing information for each player;
In the server, the server controller outputs settlement information indicating a settlement result for the billing information input from the settlement processing server to the gaming terminal via a network;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller causes the terminal controller to present and output the payment result indicated by the payment information input from the server via a network;
Is further included.

  According to the gaming system control method of the present invention described in claim 18, the player-specific charging information generated by the server controller includes the player credit card ID code included in the player identification information input from the gaming terminal, The data is output to the settlement processing server of the player's credit card issuer specified by the card issuer identification information.

  Then, the payment information indicating the payment result for the charging information input from the payment processing server to which the charging information for each player is input is output to the gaming terminal by the server controller, and this payment information is input to the gaming terminal. Then, the terminal controller presents and outputs the payment information to the player through the display of the gaming terminal.

  For this reason, the server controller uses the credit card ID code and the card issuer identification information used to specify the player to play at the gaming terminal to perform the billing process of the billing information in the payment processing server of the credit card issuer. The payment results can be executed in conjunction with each other, and the payment result can be presented and notified to the player on the display of the gaming terminal.

  The number of the gaming terminals connected to the servers (including the first server and the second server; hereinafter the same in the column of [Means for Solving the Problems]) via the network is single. There may be more than one. The gaming terminal is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a personal computer, and personal digital assistants. In addition, the game played at the gaming terminal is not particularly limited. For example, a video bingo game, a video lottery game, a video blackjack game, a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a video poker game, A video Keno game, a video pachinko game, a video card game, a video game of chance, etc. can be mentioned.

  The hardware configuration of the server is not particularly limited as long as it functions as the server of the present invention, and a general-purpose server can be adopted. The server may include a firewall and a modem. The server may be composed of a single device or may be composed of a plurality of devices. Any of the gaming terminals including a firewall and a modem may be configured to function as the server.

  The server may further include a network interface. The network interface is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the server, and may be either a wireless network interface or a wired network interface. The network between the server and the plurality of gaming terminals may be the Internet or an intranet. The intranet is not particularly limited, and for example, a cashless system network, a progressive game network, an accounting network, a bonus game network, or the like can be used. The first memory is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, a CD-RW drive, and a DVD-RAM drive. The same applies to the second to fourth memories.

  The game software is composed of a combination of game software components. The game software components are data, programs, modules, and the like used when a game is executed on the gaming terminal. Examples of the game software component include a game system component, a payout table, a game bonusing program, a game progressive program, graphic data, image display control data, sound data, light emission pattern data, game jurisdiction information, game network A component etc. can be mentioned. The gaming terminal can execute a game using game software (a combination of game software components).

  The player identification information may be an ID code stored magnetically or electrically on a card unique to the player, such as a credit card or a membership card. Further, data relating to the player's game history corresponding to the ID code may be stored in either the card or the server. Further, the player identification information may include player's biological information such as a fingerprint or a vein. In this case, the data relating to the game history of the corresponding player can be managed in direct association with the biometric information or in association with the ID code associated with the biometric information.

  In the gaming terminal, the game may be executed using only game software components downloaded from the server. In the gaming machine, a game may be executed using a combination of game software components downloaded from a server and game software components previously stored in the memory of the gaming machine.

  In the gaming system, the following game processing data may be generated at each gaming terminal and transmitted to the server. Examples of the game processing data include game version data, game data, gaming terminal data, player data, route data, venue data, and the like. Examples of the player data include the game media consumed, the number of games, and points awarded in the game. The game processing data may be stored in a database separated from the game software component.

  The server may be configured to perform the following processes 1) to 4) when downloading the game software (game software component).

1) Processing to establish communication with the gaming terminal,
2) A process of selecting game software components to be updated,
3) bundling the selected game software components, and
4) A process of downloading the bundled game software components to the gaming terminal.

  The processor may execute the following processes 1) to 11) when downloading the game software (game software component).

1) a process of contacting a local ISP (Internet service provider) and transmitting the game software component via the local ISP before starting transmission of the game software component;
2) Processing to check the IP address of the gaming terminal,
3) a process of dividing the game software component into a plurality of packets;
4) processing for encrypting the game software component;
5) processing for generating an instruction regarding the setting of the game software component and transmitting the instruction together with the game software component;
6) Processing to request version information of the game software component from the gaming terminal;
7) Processing for receiving version information of the game software component from the gaming terminal;
8) Receiving game processing information from the gaming terminal, and storing the game processing information according to a game data category (for example, game version data, game data, gaming terminal data, player data, route data, venue data, etc.) processing,
9) A process of determining an access right to the game process information before storing the game process information;
10) A process for determining a data storage partition from a plurality of data storage partitions corresponding to each entity, and
11) A process of checking an update trigger (update time, update date, update week, update event, predetermined input by a player, game result or game history).

  The gaming terminal may execute the following processes 1) to 5) when the game software (game software component) is downloaded.

1) a process for establishing communication with the server;
2) processing to receive gaming terminal components from the server;
3) Unbundling the game software components
4) generating a combination of the game software components including the game software components received from the server; and
5) A process of executing a game using the combination of the game software components.

  In addition, the gaming system may employ any of the following configurations a) to c).

a) a configuration in which a game is played on the server and a game result is displayed on the gaming terminal;
b) a configuration in which a game is played at the gaming terminal, a game result is determined at the server, and a game result is displayed at the gaming terminal; and
c) A configuration in which a game is played at the gaming terminal, the result of the game is displayed, and the game software component is downloaded from the server to the gaming terminal.

  In the present invention, game software (game software component) used in the gaming terminal may be downloaded from the server to the gaming terminal in any of the configurations of a) to c). Is possible. An authentication program can be downloaded when the game software (game software component) is downloaded.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, new entertainment property can be provided by providing the game environment which a player likes.

  FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically showing a game control method executed by the gaming system server according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a schematic operation of the game control method executed by the gaming system server according to the present invention with reference to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 2, the block diagram shown in FIG. 3, and the perspective view shown in FIG. 4 as appropriate. Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the server 100 according to the present invention waits for an input of a game software download request from the gaming terminal 10 connected via a network such as the LAN 6 as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 (step S100). When this download request is input, player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal 10 that is given to the gaming terminal 10 from the outside, and a game that requests downloading to the gaming terminal 10 Software identification information for identifying the type of software is incidentally input.

  The player identification information includes a player-specific ID code. Therefore, the player identification information is given to the gaming terminal 10 in a magnetic manner by the card reader 39 of the gaming terminal 10 shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4 in the contents stored in the card unique to the player such as a credit card or a membership card. Can be performed by electrical reading.

  The player identification information may include biological information such as a player's fingerprint and vein pattern. In that case, the player identification information can be given to the gaming terminal 10 by scanning the fingerprint or vein pattern of the player (for example, the vein pattern of the hand) with a scanner connected to the gaming terminal 10.

  The software identification information can be generated in the gaming terminal 10 by a touch operation of the touch panel 69 of the gaming terminal 10 by the player.

  If the download request is input, the server 100 according to the present invention then has a plurality of game software 110 (111) stored in the database 106 (first memory in the claims) shown in the block diagram of FIG. To 114), the game software 111 to 114 stored in the database 106 in association with the software identification information input together with the download request from the gaming terminal 100 is downloaded to the gaming terminal 10 via a network such as the LAN 6 (Step S114). S200).

  Then, the server 100 according to the present invention uses the download history information relating to the history of downloading the game software 111 to 114 to the gaming terminal 10 via the network such as the LAN 6 as the player identification information input from the gaming terminal 10 together with the download request. In association, the data is stored in the database 106 as player data 133 (step S300).

  Next, the server 100 according to the present invention waits for an input of a game end notification from the gaming terminal 10 connected via a network such as the LAN 6 (step S400). If a game end notification is input, the download history information stored in the database 106 as the player data 133 is used in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal 10 from which the game end notification is output. Then, billing information for each player is generated (step S500) and output to the outside of the server 100, for example, a payment processing server of a credit card issuing company (step S600).

  When the output destination of the billing information is the above-mentioned payment processing server of the credit card issuing company, the credit card ID code read magnetically or electrically by the card reader 39 of the gaming terminal 10 is the player identification. When it is included in the information, the payment information indicating the result of the payment processing performed at the payment processing server using the ID code is returned from the payment processing server to the server 100, and this payment information is sent to the LAN 6 or the like. It is also possible to output to the gaming terminal 10 via the network and to present and output the settlement result to the player by voice or display at the gaming terminal 10.

  Therefore, in the gaming system server according to the present invention, the single game terminal 100 can select and play an arbitrary game desired by the player, and can pay for the play.

  Next, the configuration of the gaming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic diagram shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a network schematic diagram of the gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming system 1 includes a server 100 installed in the casino 2 and a plurality of slot machines 10. The server 100 is installed in the computer room 3 in the casino 2. The plurality of slot machines 10 are installed on the casino floor 5. The server 10 and the plurality of slot machines 100 are connected by a LAN 6 via a hub 4. The portable terminal 200 is owned by a store clerk in the casino 2 and can communicate with the server 100 by radio. Therefore, even if the store clerk enters the computer room 3 or the casino floor 5, the portable terminal 200 can be used to communicate with the server 100.

  The server 100 establishes communication with the payment processing server 310 of the credit card company 300 via the router 7 and the modem 8 connected upstream of the hub 4 via the virtual private network (Virtual Private Network) 9. Have the authority to

  The server 100 manages information related to a specific slot machine 10 or a group of slot machines 10 and has a management tool and a download tool necessary for managing access to data for each user. An operator of the server 100 having an appropriate access right can define various parameters as triggers for downloading information such as game software components and programs and programs to the slot machine 10. The server 100 may be connected to a legacy system such as a cashless system in the casino 2 or may be directly connected to the slot machine 10. Moreover, it is good also as downloading information and collecting data easily by using these structures together.

  In addition, the server 100 relays a charging process for a play performed by the player in the slot machine 10. That is, the costs imposed on the player's play in the slot machine 10 are totaled, and this is output as billing information to the payment processing server 310 of the credit card company 300 via the virtual private line 9. Also, payment information indicating a payment result for the output billing information is received from the payment processing server 310 via the virtual private line 9 and the payment information is output to the slot machine 10 via the LAN 6.

  It is assumed that a router and a modem are also provided on the payment processing server 310 side of the credit card company 300.

  The slot machine 10 corresponds to a gaming terminal in the present invention. However, in the present invention, the gaming terminal is not limited to this example, and examples include a gaming terminal capable of performing a video slot machine, a mechanical slot machine, a bingo game, a kino game, a lottery game, and the like. be able to.

  The slot machine 10 is installed on the casino floor 5. However, in the present invention, the venue in which the gaming terminal is installed is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a casino, a store, a restaurant, a bar, and a ship. A venue may also be owned and / or operated by multiple entities. In addition, the gaming system of the present invention may include a plurality of different types of venues.

  Each slot machine 10 transmits game processing information (for example, the number of coins inserted and paid out), game software component information (for example, software version information), and player tracking information (for example, a player ID code) to the server 100. Each slot machine 10 can transmit and receive information to and from the server 100, and the slot machine 10 communicates with the server 100 via the hub 4. The slot machine 10 may communicate with the server 100 via the legacy system. Each slot machine 10 does not have an authority to establish communication with the settlement processing server 310 using the virtual private line 9.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the server according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server 100 includes a processor 101 (corresponding to a server controller and a server controller in the claims). A memory 102, a database 106, and a display 103 are connected to the processor 101. Furthermore, a network interface 104 is connected to the processor 101 via a firewall 105. The server 100 can communicate with the slot machine (gaming terminal) 10 and the remote terminal 200 via the network interface 104.

  The network interface 104 may be a wired network interface, a wireless network interface, or may include both. The server 100 includes a firewall 105, and unauthorized access to data in the server 100 is blocked by the firewall 105.

  The database 106 is a hard disk drive. The database 106 stores game information such as game processing information, game software components, and game software component information. In this embodiment, data in the database 106 is divided according to each entity, such as “Company A” 107, “Company B” 108, and “Company C” 109.

  In the present invention, the number of divisions is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. Examples of the database 106 include known storage media such as hard disk drives and CD-RW drives, and combinations thereof.

  The data for each entity in the database 106 will be described using the data of “Company C” 109 as an example. As shown in FIG. 3, the data of “Company C” 109 includes a game 110, an authentication program 120, data 130, and an analysis tool 140.

  The game 110 includes game software of a game A111, a game B112, a game C113, and a game D114. Each of these game software includes a game system component, a payout table, a game bonusing program, a game progressive program, graphic data, image display control data, sound data, light emission pattern data, game jurisdiction information, and game network components. Etc. The area of the database 106 in which the game 110 is stored corresponds to the first memory in the present invention.

  A game system component of game software used in the slot machine 10 includes, for example, a symbol selection program. The symbol selection program is a program for determining symbols to be rearranged in a symbol matrix (see FIG. 4). The symbol selection program includes symbol weighting data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of payout rates (for example, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weighting data is data indicating a correspondence relationship between each symbol and one or a plurality of random values belonging to a predetermined numerical range (0 to 255). The payout rate is determined based on the game jurisdiction information, and symbols to be rearranged in the symbol matrix are determined based on the symbol weighting data corresponding to the payout rate.

  In the present invention, the game software component refers to an element constituting game software. The game software may be configured so that the game software component can be exchanged with other game software components, or may not be exchanged.

  The authentication program 120 includes a game A program 121, a game B program 122, a game C program 123, and a game D program 124. The authentication program is created for each game software component. The authentication program includes a hash value created from a regular game software component and a program for creating a hash value from the game software component to be authenticated using a hash function.

  The hash function is not particularly limited, and for example, SHA (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512), MD5, or the like can be employed. In the present embodiment, a case where a program for determining the presence / absence of falsification using a hash function is used as the authentication program will be described. However, in the present invention, the authentication program is not particularly limited, and a known authentication program Can be adopted.

  The data 130 includes game data 131, gaming terminal data 132, player data 133, route data 134, and venue data 135.

  The game data 131 includes, for example, the number of coins inserted, the number of coins paid out, the number of bets per game, and the like. The gaming terminal data 132 includes, for example, data related to a game history for each slot machine 10. This data is stored in association with the ID code of each slot machine 10. The player data 133 includes data relating to the game history for each player (game history data). This data is stored in association with the ID code of each player. The route data 134 includes, for example, information on gaming terminals belonging to a group of gaming terminals existing on a route composed of a plurality of venues. The venue data 135 includes, for example, information regarding gaming terminals belonging to each venue.

  In the present embodiment, the player data 133 corresponds to the download history information in the claims, and the area of the database 106 in which the player data 133 is stored corresponds to the second memory in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the case where the first memory and the second memory are the same (in the case of the database 106) will be described. However, in the present invention, the first memory and the second memory may be different. Good.

  The analysis tool 140 manages the data analysis 141 for setting the category of the data 130 and the relationship between the categories, and the version of the game software component in each gaming terminal and the version of the game software component to be downloaded. An application of software version management 142 is included. The processor 101 executes these applications, and can manage and analyze the data 109 of the entity “Company C”.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11. A lower display 16 is provided in front of the main door 13. The lower display 16 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays a symbol matrix composed of a total of 15 symbols of 5 columns × 3 rows.

  Further, a touch panel 69 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the front surface of the lower display 16, and the player can input various instructions by operating the touch panel 69. Also, below the lower display 16 are various input buttons 23 for inputting instructions relating to game progress by the player, a coin acceptor 21 for accepting coins, and a bill validator for identifying the appropriateness of bills and accepting regular bills. Data 22 is provided. The bill validator 22 may be configured to be able to read the ticket 39 with a barcode.

  A foot display 34 is provided on the lower front surface of the main door 13 and displays a predetermined image based on image display control data included in the game software being executed. Examples of this image include a character of the slot machine 10.

  Lamps 47 are provided on both sides of the foot display 34 and emit light in a pattern corresponding to the light emission pattern data included in the game software being executed. An upper display 33 is provided on the front surface of the top box 12. The upper display 33 includes a liquid crystal panel and displays a payout table and the like.

  The top box 12 is provided with a speaker 29. Below the upper display 33, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are provided. The ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a bar code in which data such as the number of credits, date and time, and an identification number of the slot machine 10 is encoded, and outputs it as a ticket 39 with bar code. The player causes the slotted ticket 39 to be read by another slot machine to play a game, or exchanges the barcoded ticket 39 with a bill or the like at a predetermined location in the gaming facility (for example, a cashier in a casino). Can be.

  The card reader 36 can insert a smart card, and reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data to the smart card. A smart card is a card possessed by a player, such as a membership card or a credit card unique to the player.

  The smart card stores data relating to the history of games played by the player (game history data) together with data for identifying the player (corresponding to the player identification information in the claims). The game history data includes game type information relating to games that have been played, points given in games played in the past, and the like. The smart card may store data corresponding to coins, bills, or credits. As a method for reading and writing data with respect to this smart card, either a contact type or a non-contact type (RFID type) can be adopted. Further, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted instead of the smart card. The data display 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays data read by the card reader 36 or data input by the player via the keypad 38, for example. The keypad 38 is used for inputting instructions and data related to ticket issuance and the like. The smart card corresponds to the card of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. The slot machine 10 includes a controller 40 that includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. Various input buttons 23, a bill validator 22, and a coin acceptor 21 are connected to the controller 40. A network interface 45 is connected to the controller 40 via a firewall 46. Further, a card reader 36, a keypad 38 and a touch panel 69 are connected to the controller 40.

  The controller 40 is connected to an upper display 33, a lower display 16, a foot display 34, a lamp 47, a speaker 29, a ticket printer 35, a data display 36, a hard disk drive 43, and a CD-drive 44. The game software components downloaded from the server 100 are stored in the hard disk drive 43 or the like. For example, the controller 40 executes various programs included in the game software components stored in the hard disk drive 43 or the like, displays images on the upper display 33, the lower display 16, and the foot display 34. Processing to output, processing to control the light emission of the lamp 47, and the like are performed.

  The hard disk drive 43 corresponds to the third memory in the present invention. The hard disk drive 43 corresponds to the fourth memory in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the case where the third memory and the fourth memory are the same (in the case of the hard disk drive 43) will be described. However, in the present invention, the third memory and the fourth memory are separate. Also good. The controller 40 corresponds to a gaming terminal controller and a terminal controller in the present invention.

  6 to 8 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the server 100 and the slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the game A is stored in advance in the hard disk drive 43 as the current game will be described.

  First, the controller 40 of each slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) accepts insertion of a smart card (step S201).

  Next, the controller 40 reads game history data from the smart card (step S202) and stores it in the hard disk drive 43 (step S203). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the smart card is a credit card of a player, and the card number of the credit card is read together as card company identification information and player identification information when reading game history data.

  The game history data includes game type information relating to games that have been played, points given in games played in the past, and the like. Points are awarded according to the coins consumed and the number of games played. For example, 1 point is awarded when 100 coins are consumed or when the game is played 100 times.

  Next, in step S204, the controller 40 determines whether or not the points included in the game history data exceed a predetermined value. If it is determined that the point exceeds the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the point does not exceed the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S225.

  In step S205, the controller 40 determines game software (combination of game components) that can be downloaded according to the points. Next, the controller 40 displays a selection image for changing the game (step S206).

  FIG. 10 shows an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine. As shown in FIG. 10, an image indicating that the current point is 123 is displayed on the upper side of the lower display 16.

  Further, an image indicating that the game can be selected from a game A (Normal), a game B (High roller 1), and a game C (High roller 2) is displayed at the center of the lower display 16. These images show the game software determined as the selection target. To the right of each game name, the number of points required to play that game is displayed. In step S206, the player can select a game by touching the touch panel 69. The selection of the game by the player is not limited to the above example using the touch panel 69. For example, the input buttons 23 and the keypad 38 may be used, and an input means dedicated to game selection is separately provided. It is good as well.

  Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not a game other than the current game (game A) has been selected. When a game other than the current game is selected, the controller 40 displays an image (see FIG. 11) indicating that game software is being downloaded on the lower display 16 (step S208), and the process proceeds to step S209. Transfer. On the other hand, if the current game is selected in step S207, the process proceeds to step S225.

  FIG. 11 shows an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine. As shown in FIG. 11, an image indicating “Downloading ...” is displayed on the lower display 16.

  In step S209, the controller 40 subtracts points according to the selected game. For example, when game B is selected, 50 points are subtracted.

  Next, the controller 40 performs processing for establishing a connection with the server 100 in step S210. At this time, the processor 101 of the server 100 performs a process of establishing a connection with the slot machine 10 (step S101).

  Next, in step S <b> 211, the controller 40 transmits game software component information to the server 100. The game software component information includes, for example, game type information (corresponding to software identification information in the claims) indicating a game selected by an input from the touch panel 69, a game software component stored in the hard disk drive 43, etc. , The version information of the game software component, and the ID code for identification of the slot machine 10 of the transmission source. The game software component information corresponds to a download request in the present invention.

  Upon receiving the game software component information (download request) from each slot machine 10, the processor 101 stores it in the database 106 (step S111). Next, based on the game type information in the received game software component information, the processor 101 selects a game selected by the player by input from the touch panel 69 as a game software component to be downloaded (step S112). .

  Next, the processor 101 reads the selected game software component from the database 106 and bundles it so that it can be downloaded to the slot machine 10 from which the game software component information is transmitted (step S113). The processing in step S113 includes, for example, processing for encrypting game software components, processing for compressing game software components, processing for dividing game software components into a plurality of packets, and the like.

  Next, an authentication program corresponding to the game software component selected in step S113 is selected (step S114). In step S114, the processor 101 also bundles the selected authentication program. Note that the process of step S114 may be performed together with step S113. That is, after the authentication program is selected, the selected game software component and the authentication program may be bundled.

  Next, the processor 101 downloads the game component and the authentication program to the slot machine 10 that has transmitted the game software component information (step S115). At this time, the controller 40 of the download destination slot machine 10 downloads the game components and the authentication program from the server 100 and stores them in the hard disk drive 43 (step S212).

  The controller 40 unbundles the downloaded game software component (step S220). The process of step S220 includes, for example, a process of decoding the game software component, a process of decompressing the game software component, combining buckets, and virus checking. In step S220, the controller 40 also unbundles the authentication program.

  Next, the controller 40 executes an authentication program (step S221). In step S220, a hash value is generated for each game software component by executing a hash function, and is compared with a hash value stored in advance in the authentication program. This confirms the presence or absence of tampering. If there is no tampering, normal authentication is performed. If tampering exists, an error occurs.

  Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not all game software components have been normally authenticated (step S222). A case where it is determined that all the game software components are not normally authenticated (when an error occurs) will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in step S222 that all game software components have been successfully authenticated, the controller 40 transmits an authentication result to the server 100 (step S223). The authentication result includes a list of game software components that have been successfully authenticated, version information of the game software components, an ID code of the gaming terminal (slot machine 10), and the like. At this time, the processor 101 receives the authentication result (step S120).

  After the processing in step S223, the controller 40 determines a new combination of game software components using the downloaded game software components (step S224). At this time, a new combination of game software components may be determined only by the downloaded game software components. Moreover, you may determine the combination of a new game software component using the existing game software component and the downloaded game software component.

  Next, the controller 40 performs a game execution process using the combination of game software components determined in step S224 (step S225). The game execution process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the game execution process is a process for executing a game performed in the slot machine. However, in the present invention, this game execution process is performed according to the game executed at the gaming terminal.

  Next, the controller 40 generates game processing data including the player data 133 in response to the game end command input by the operation of the touch panel 69 by the player, etc., and transmits it to the server 100 (step S226). On the other hand, the processor 101 receives game processing data from the slot machine 10 (step S121). The player data 133 in the game processing data includes game history data such as coins consumed, the number of games, points awarded in the game, and the like. The game processing data including these pieces of information is stored in the database 106 in association with the player's ID code (credit card number read from the smart card) (step S122). In the present embodiment, the game process data transmitted from the slot machine 10 to the server 100 in step S226 corresponds to the game end notification in the claims.

  Next, the processor 101 generates billing information for the player based on the game history data in the game processing data stored in the database 106. At the same time, the processor 101 establishes communication with the virtual private line 9 with the settlement processing server 310. Then, the processor 101 outputs the generated billing information to the settlement processing server 310 via the virtual dedicated line 9 together with the player ID code (credit card number) stored in the database 106 in association with the player data 133. (Step S123).

  Upon receiving the billing information, the settlement processing server 310 performs settlement processing based on this. In this payment process, the player is specified by the ID code (credit card number) of the player input in association with the charging information, and the payment content is determined by the input charging information. This is done by collating with specified credit information.

  The result of the payment processing performed in the payment processing server 310 in this way is returned from the payment processing server 310 to the server 100 via the virtual private line 9. Accordingly, the processor 101 of the server 100 waits for input of payment information indicating the payment result from the payment processing server 310 after outputting the billing information to the payment processing server 310 (step S124).

  When the payment information is input, the processor 101 returns the payment information to the slot machine 10 (step S125), and the process ends. On the other hand, when receiving the payment information from the server 100 (step S227), the controller 40 displays an image (see FIG. 12) for presenting the payment result indicated by the payment information to the player on the lower display 16 (see FIG. 12). Step S228).

  12A and 12B are views showing images displayed on the lower display 16 of the slot machine 10. When the payment is approved in the payment processing server 310, as shown in FIG. 12A, the lower display 16 displays the characters “settlement complete” indicating that the payment has been made. When the payment is not approved, the characters “payment impossible” are displayed on the lower display 16 as shown in FIG.

  After the process of step S228, the controller 40 writes the game history data to the smart card (step S229), and ends this process.

  Next, the case where it is determined in step S222 in FIG. 8 that all the game software components are not normally authenticated will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the controller 40 erases game software components that have not been normally authenticated from the hard disk drive 43 or the like (step S230). Next, the controller 40 transmits a download request signal to the server 100 (step S231). The request signal includes data for specifying the erased game software component. At this time, the processor 101 receives the request signal from the slot machine 10 (step S130).

  Thereafter, the processor 101 selects a game software component specified by the data included in the request signal (step S131), bundles the game software component (step S132), and according to the game software component An authentication processor is selected (step S133). Then, the processor 101 downloads the game software component and the authentication program to the slot machine 10 (step S134). On the other hand, the controller 40 downloads the game software component and the authentication program from the server 100 (step S232).

  The processing of steps S131 to S134 and S203 is the same processing as the processing of steps S112 to S115 and S212, and has already been described, so the description thereof is omitted here. After the processes in steps S134 and S232, the process shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the game execution process performed in step S225 of FIG. First, the controller 40 proceeds with the game (step S301). In this process, the controller 40 gives points according to the number of coins inserted and the number of games.

  Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not the number of points exceeds a predetermined number (step S302). If it is determined that the number of points has exceeded a predetermined number, a selection image for changing the game is displayed (step S303). In this process, the controller 40 displays the image shown in FIG. 14 on the lower display 16, accepts an input as to whether or not to change the game, and if there is an input to change the game, FIG. The same image as is displayed. Thereby, the player can select a game by touching the touch panel 69.

  FIG. 14 shows an image displayed on the lower display of the slot machine. As shown in FIG. 14, the lower display 16 displays an image indicating “You have the right to change the game. Do you want to change it?”. In addition, images indicating “YES” and “NO” for selecting whether or not to change the game are displayed. The player can select whether or not to change the game by touching the touch panel 69.

  Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not to change the game (step S304). In this process, the controller 40 determines whether or not an input to change the game has been input. If it is determined that the game is to be changed, the process returns to step S208.

  If it is determined in step S302 that the number of points does not exceed the predetermined number, or if it is determined in step S304 that the game is not changed, the controller 40 determines whether or not to end the game (step S305). If it is determined that the game is not to be ended, the process returns to step S301. If it is determined that the game is to be ended, this subroutine is ended.

  As described above, in the gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the server 100 receives the game software component information from the slot machine 10, in response to this, the game type information included in the game software component information ( The game software component corresponding to the software identification information is read from the database 106 and downloaded to the slot machine 10 that is the source of the game software component information.

  Then, when the game processing data is transmitted from the slot machine 10 to the server 100 at the end of the game in the slot machine 10, billing information for the player of the slot machine 10 is generated based on the game history data in the game processing data. Then, it is output to the settlement processing server 310 as settlement information, and the settlement processing for the billing information is performed in the settlement processing server 310.

  The result of the payment processing in the payment processing server 310 is transmitted as payment information from the payment processing server 310 to the server 100, and the server 100 outputs the received payment information to the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 displays the settlement result image (see FIG. 12) indicated by the settlement information input from the server 100 on the lower display 16 and presents the settlement result to the player.

  Therefore, according to the gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the player plays a plurality of games in the single slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) by charging the player in the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal). A possible environment can be provided reasonably.

  Incidentally, in the gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the management of the game software component downloaded to the slot machine 10 in response to the reception of the game software component information from the slot machine 10, the generation of billing information for the player, The case where the server 100 in the casino 2 performs the management of the billing settlement process in cooperation with the settlement processing server 310 of the credit card company 300 has been described.

  However, management of game software components downloaded to the slot machine 10 and management of billing settlement processing may be performed individually by servers managed by different entities.

  Hereinafter, a gaming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention based on this content will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a network schematic diagram of the gaming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the payment server shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the shown program supply server.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the gaming system 1000 includes a payment server 1001 (corresponding to a second server in the claims) and a slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) connected to the LAN 6 via the hub 4, and a payment server 1001. And a portable terminal 200 capable of wireless communication. The settlement server 1001 is installed in the computer room 3 in the casino 2. The plurality of slot machines 10 are installed on the casino floor 5.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the settlement server 1001 includes a processor 101 (corresponding to the second controller in the claims), a memory 102, and a display 103 similar to the server 100 of the first embodiment shown in the block diagram of FIG. A network interface 104 and a firewall 105. In addition, the settlement server 1001 includes only the area of the data 130 among the data for each entity of “Company A” 107, “Company B” 108, and “Company C” 109 that configure the database 106 of the server 100 of the first embodiment. And a database 106-1 (corresponding to the second memory in the claims) having data for each entity of "Company A" 417, "Company B" 418, and "Company C" 419. Yes.

  Note that the content of the process performed by the processor 101 of the settlement server 1001 is different from the content of the process performed by the processor 101 of the server 100 of the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Incidentally, the settlement server 1001 of the second embodiment, like the server 100 of the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment, is connected via a router 7 (with a terminal adapter function) and a modem 8 connected upstream of the hub 4. It has the authority to establish communication with the virtual private line 9 with the payment processing server 310 of the credit card company 300.

  The slot machine 10 has the hardware configuration as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 in the first embodiment, but the content of the processing performed by the controller 40 is the slot in the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment. It is partly different from the machine 10. Details of this processing will be described later.

  In addition, the slot machine 10 communicates with the virtual private line 9-1 through the router 7-1 and the modem 8-1 connected upstream of the hub 4, and the program supply server 410 of the game software company 400 (in claims) (Equivalent to the first server)).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the program supply server 410 includes a processor 101 (corresponding to a first controller in the claims), a memory 102, a display 103, a server 100 of the first embodiment shown in the block diagram of FIG. Similar to the network interface 104 and the firewall 105, the processor 411, the memory 412, the display 413, the network interface 414, the firewall 415, and the database 106 of the server 100 of the first embodiment “Company A” 107 and “Company B” 108, and a database 416 (corresponding to the first memory in the claims) in which the area of the data 130 is deleted from the data for each entity of “Company C” 109.

  18 to 22 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the settlement server 1001, the slot machine 10, and the program supply server 410 according to the second embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, in the gaming system 1000 of the second embodiment, until the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) performs the game execution process (step S225 of FIG. 20). In the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment, the same processing as that performed by the processor 101 of the server 100 and the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) (steps S101 to S120 and steps S201 to S201 in FIGS. 6 to 8). Step S225) is executed by the processor 411 of the program supply server 410 and the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal). During this time, the processor 101 of the settlement server 1001 performs no processing.

  Also, in the case where it is determined in step S222 of FIG. 20 that all game software components are not normally authenticated (when an error occurs), as shown in FIG. The same processing (step S130 to step S134, step S230 to step S232 in FIG. 9) that the processor 101 of the server 100 and the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) respectively performed in the gaming system 1 is performed by the program supply server. The processor 411 of 410 and the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) respectively execute. During this time, the processor 101 of the settlement server 1001 performs no processing.

  Then, when the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) performs the game execution process (step S225 in FIG. 20), the controller 40 thereafter sets the payment server 1001 in step S225-1, as shown in FIG. To establish a connection with. At this time, the processor 101 of the settlement server 1001 performs processing for establishing a connection with the slot machine 10 (step S310).

  Thereafter, the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) performs the processing (steps S226 to S229 in FIG. 8) performed by the controller 40 of the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) in the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment. Run as is. Further, the processor 101 of the settlement server 1001 directly executes the processing (steps S121 to S125 in FIG. 8) performed by the processor 101 of the server 100 in the gaming system 1 of the first embodiment.

  Thus, in the gaming system 1000 according to the second embodiment, when the program supply server 410 receives the game software component information from the slot machine 10, the program supply server 410 responds to the game software component information by the game software component information. The game software component corresponding to the game type information (software identification information) included in is read from the database 416 and downloaded to the slot machine 10 that is the transmission source of the game software component information.

  When the game processing data is transmitted from the slot machine 10 to the settlement server 1001 when the game in the slot machine 10 ends, the charging information of the player of the slot machine 10 is based on the game history data in the game processing data. Generated by the settlement server 1001 and output to the settlement processing server 310 as settlement information, and settlement processing for the billing information is performed in the settlement processing server 310.

  The result of the payment processing in the payment processing server 310 is transmitted as payment information from the payment processing server 310 to the payment server 1001, and the payment server 1001 outputs the received payment information to the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 displays the settlement result image (see FIG. 12) indicated by the settlement information input from the settlement server 1001 on the lower display 16 and presents the settlement result to the player.

  Therefore, even in the gaming system 1000 according to the second embodiment, similarly to the gaming system 1 according to the first embodiment, a single slot machine 10 can be charged by charging the player at the slot machine 10 (gaming terminal). An environment in which a player can play a plurality of games at (gaming terminal) can be provided rationally.

  Further, according to the gaming system 1000 according to the second embodiment, management of game software (game software components) is performed in the game software company 400 in which the program supply server 410 is installed, and the player is performed in the slot machine 10. Management of the billing processing relay for the play is performed in the casino 2 in which the settlement server 1001 is installed. For this reason, it is possible to improve security measures by distributing information management. Further, since it is not necessary to manage the game software (game software component) on the casino 2 side and the game software company 400 can manage it, the maintainability of the game software (game software component) can be improved. .

  In the second embodiment, the case where there is one casino 2 has been described. However, each slot machine 10 (gaming terminal) of a plurality of casinos 2 has game software (from the program supply server 410 of the same game software company 400). The game software component) may be downloaded. Similarly, the payment servers 1001 of the plurality of casinos 2 may be configured to transmit the billing information to the payment processing server 310 of the same credit card company 300 and receive the payment information indicating the payment result.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the gaming systems 1 and 1000 in which the server 100 and the payment server 1001 are managed only by the slot machine 10 have been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming system that further includes elements other than the slot machine 10, such as terminals, systems, and cashiers for other games such as kino games, lottery games, and bingo games. is there.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but only specific examples are illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  Further, in the above detailed description, the characteristic portions have been mainly described so that the present invention can be easily understood. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, but can be applied to other embodiments, and the scope of application is various. The terms and terminology used in the present specification are used to accurately describe the present invention, and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, it would be easy for those skilled in the art to infer other configurations, systems, methods, and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in this specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims should be regarded as including an equivalent configuration without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. The purpose of the abstract is to simplify the technical contents and essence of this application by patent offices and general public institutions, and engineers belonging to this technical field who are not familiar with patents, legal terms or technical terms. It is intended to be able to make a quick judgment through a simple survey. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be evaluated by the description of the scope of claims. Moreover, in order to fully understand the object of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention, it is desirable that the interpretation should be made with sufficient consideration of the literatures already disclosed.

  The above detailed description includes processing executed by a computer. The above explanations and expressions are given for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the most efficiently. In this specification, each step used to derive one result should be understood as a self-consistent process. In each step, transmission / reception, recording, and the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. In the processing in each step, such a signal is expressed by bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, etc., but these are used only for convenience of explanation. There is a need. In addition, the processing in each step may be described in an expression common to human behavior, but the processing described in this specification is executed by various devices in principle. Further, other configurations required for performing each step will be apparent from the above description.

  This is extremely useful for imparting new entertainment properties to the gaming system.

10 is a flowchart schematically showing a game control method by the gaming system according to the present invention. 1 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the server which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the slot machine (gaming terminal) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the server and slot machine which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows a game execution process. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the lower display of a slot machine. FIG. 5 is a network schematic diagram of a gaming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the payment server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the program supply server shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a program supply server, and a payment server. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a program supply server, and a payment server. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a program supply server, and a payment server. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a program supply server, and a payment server. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a program supply server, and a payment server.

Explanation of symbols

1,1000 gaming system 2 casino 3 computer room 4 hub 5 casino floor 6 LAN (network)
7 Router 8 Modem 9,9-1 Virtual leased line 10 Slot machine (gaming terminal)
11 Cabinet 12 Top Box 13 Main Door 16 Lower Display 21 Coin Acceptor 22 Bill Validator 23 Input Button 29 Speaker 33 Upper Display 34 Foot Display 35 Ticket Printer 36 Card Reader 37 Data Display 38 Keypad 39 Bar Coded Ticket 40 Controller 41 CPU
42 memory 43 hard disk drive 46 firewall 47 lamp 69 touch panel 100 server 101 processor (second controller)
102 memory 103 display 104 network interface 105 firewall 106 database (first memory, second memory)
106-1 database (second memory)
110 (111 to 114) Game software 120 (121 to 124) Authentication program 130 Data 131 Game data 132 Gaming terminal data 133 Player data 134 Route data 135 Venue data 140 Analysis tool 141 Data analysis application 142 Software version management application 200 Portable terminal 300 Credit card company 310 Payment processing server 400 Game software company 410 Program supply server (first server)
411 processor (second controller)
412 Memory 413 Display 414 Network interface 415 Firewall 416 Database (first memory)
1001 Payment server (second server)

Claims (18)

A gaming system server,
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Download history information relating to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory by a gaming terminal connected via a network is transmitted from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal,
A controller that does the following:
(A) Along with the player identification information and the software identification information, stored in the first memory in association with the inputted software identification information in response to a download request inputted from the gaming terminal via a network. Sending the game software to the gaming terminal via a network;
(B) storing the download history information related to the game software transmitted to the gaming terminal in the second memory in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request;
(C) The game end notification output from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network in response to a game end notification input via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside.
A gaming system server comprising:   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system server according to claim 1, further comprising: The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The controller is
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. And outputting the billing information for each player,
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
The gaming system server according to claim 1. A gaming system server comprising a first server and a second server,
The first server is
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Together with the software identification information of the game software requesting download and the player identification information for identifying the player of the gaming terminal given to the gaming terminal from the outside of the gaming terminal, a network is connected from the gaming terminal. A first controller that transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the input software identification information to the gaming terminal via a network in response to a download request input via the network; When,
Have
The second server is
Download history information related to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory from the first server by the gaming terminal from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with the given player identification information;
A second controller that:
(A) The download history information related to the game software downloaded from the first server by the gaming terminal is associated with the player identification information input to the first server via the network together with the download request. Stored in a second memory,
(B) In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software from the first server via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends, the game Billing by player using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the end notification. A gaming system server comprising: generating information and outputting the information to the outside.   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system server according to claim 4, further comprising: The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The second controller is
(A) The credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification Output the billing information for each player to the settlement processing server,
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
The gaming system server according to claim 4. A gaming system comprising a server and a gaming terminal;
The server
A first memory for storing a plurality of types of game software in association with software identification information for identifying the type of the game software;
Download history information relating to a history of downloading the game software stored in the first memory by a gaming terminal connected via a network is transmitted from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software. A second memory for storing in association with player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal,
A server controller that does the following:
(A) Along with the player identification information and the software identification information, stored in the first memory in association with the inputted software identification information in response to a download request inputted from the gaming terminal via a network. Sending the game software to the gaming terminal via a network;
(B) storing the download history information related to the game software transmitted to the gaming terminal in the second memory in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request;
(C) The game end notification output from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network in response to a game end notification input via the network when the game at the gaming terminal ends. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside.
Have
The gaming terminal is
A third memory for storing player identification information for identifying an externally input player;
A fourth memory for storing game software downloaded from the server connected via a network;
A terminal controller that does the following:
(A) The download request for the game software stored in the first memory together with the software identification information of the game software requesting download and the player identification information stored in the third memory. Output to the server via the network,
(B) storing the game software transmitted from the server in response to the download request via a network in the fourth memory;
(C) executing a game based on the game software stored in the fourth memory;
(D) outputting the game end notification to the server via a network in response to an instruction to end the execution of the game input from the outside;
have,
A gaming system characterized by that.   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system according to claim 7, further comprising: The gaming terminal further includes a display,
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The server controller
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. And outputting the billing information for each player,
(B) Output payment information, which is input from the payment processing server in response to the output of the charging information to the payment processing server and indicating a payment result for the charging information, to the gaming terminal via a network. And
The terminal controller causes the player to present and output a settlement result indicated by the settlement information input from the server via a network.
The gaming system according to claim 7. A method for controlling a server for a gaming system,
Player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from the outside of the gaming terminal to the gaming terminal connected via the network, and game software requesting download to the gaming terminal Along with the software identification information for identifying the type, among the plurality of game software stored in the first memory in response to the game software download request input from the gaming terminal, the gaming terminal A step in which a controller transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input together with the download request to the gaming terminal via a network. And,
The controller stores, in a second memory, download history information related to a history of downloading the game software via the network by the gaming terminal in association with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request. Stages,
In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software via the network via the network upon completion of the game at the gaming terminal, the controller outputs the game end notification. Using the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal, and generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside; ,
A method for controlling a server for a gaming system, comprising:   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system server control method according to claim 10, further comprising: The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
The controller is
(A) A payment processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Outputting the billing information for each player;
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
Further including
The method for controlling a gaming system server according to claim 10. A method for controlling a gaming system server comprising a first server and a second server,
In the first server, player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from the outside of the gaming terminal to a gaming terminal connected via a network, and to the gaming terminal Among the plurality of game software stored in the first memory in response to the game software download request input from the gaming terminal, together with software identification information for identifying the type of game software requested to be downloaded The first controller stores the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input together with the download request from the gaming terminal via the network. And transmitting to the timing terminal,
In the second server,
(A) The second controller sends download history information related to a history of downloading the game software from the first server via the network to the first server via the network together with the download request. Storing in a second memory in association with the input player identification information;
(B) In response to a game end notification input from the gaming terminal that has downloaded the game software from the first server via the network along with the end of the game at the gaming terminal, The second controller stores in the second memory of the first server in association with the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Using the downloaded download history information, generating billing information for each player and outputting the information to the outside;
A method for controlling a server for a gaming system, comprising:   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system server control method according to claim 13, wherein: The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
In the second server, the second controller is
(A) The credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input to the first server together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification Outputting the billing information for each player to the settlement processing server;
(B) The settlement information indicating the settlement result for the billing information, which is input from the settlement processing server in response to the output of the billing information to the settlement processing server, is displayed at the gaming terminal. Outputting to the gaming terminal via a network for presentation to the player;
Further including
The method for controlling a gaming system server according to claim 13. A server and a gaming terminal connected via a network;
The server includes a first memory, a second memory, and a server controller;
The gaming terminal includes a third memory, a fourth memory, and a terminal controller;
A control method for a gaming system,
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller stores player identification information for identifying a player of the gaming terminal, which is given from outside the gaming terminal, in the third memory;
In the gaming terminal, the player identification information stored in the third memory and given from outside the gaming terminal, and software for identifying the type of game software that requests download to the gaming terminal Along with the identification information, the terminal controller outputs a download request for the game software to the server;
In the server, the server controller transmits the game software stored in the first memory in association with the software identification information input from the gaming terminal via the network to the gaming terminal via the network. And the stage of
In the server, the server controller associates the download history information relating to the history of downloading the game software via the network with the player identification information input via the network together with the download request. Storing in the memory of 2;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller stores the game software downloaded from the server via a network in the fourth memory;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller executes a game based on the game software stored in the fourth memory;
In the gaming terminal, in response to an instruction to end the execution of the game input from the outside, the terminal controller outputs the game end notification to the server via a network;
In the server, the server controller uses the download history information stored in the second memory in association with the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. Generating billing information for each player and outputting it to the outside;
A method for controlling a gaming system, comprising:   The player identification information is an ID code read from a player-specific card by a contact-type or non-contact-type reader of the gaming terminal, or biological information of the player read from the player's body by a scanner of the gaming terminal The gaming system control method according to claim 16, further comprising: The gaming terminal further includes a display,
The player identification information includes an ID code read from a credit card of the player at the gaming terminal and card issuer identification information,
In the server, a settlement processing server of a credit card issuing company indicated by the card issuing company identification information included in the player identification information previously input together with the download request from the gaming terminal that has output the game end notification. The server controller outputs the billing information for each player;
In the server, the server controller outputs settlement information indicating a settlement result for the billing information input from the settlement processing server to the gaming terminal via a network;
In the gaming terminal, the terminal controller causes the terminal controller to present and output the payment result indicated by the payment information input from the server via a network;
The gaming system control method according to claim 16, further comprising:

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