Game device, game system, control system, method for operating game device, method for operating control system, and recording medium

Abstract

The game device includes: a game control unit that controls a game and awards a reward to a user based on the amount of game media used by the user; a progress status data generation unit that generates progress status data indicating the progress of the game; a transmission control unit that transmits the progress status data to a control system via a communication device through a communication network; and a reception control unit that receives progress instruction data indicating the progress of the game from the control system via the communication device through the communication network. The game control unit controls the game based on the progress instruction data received by the reception control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game device having a field on which a ball rolls as a game medium and a turntable with a plurality of recesses that the ball can enter. In the game device, a game is played in which the outcome is determined by which of the plurality of recesses the ball dropped into the field enters.

[0003] [Prior Art Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-89514. Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is difficult for a user who has little experience in playing various games to correctly understand the program to be executed according to the user's situation. Considering the above situation, the present invention aims to effectively support the user's game playing.

[0008] [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a game device according to a suitable aspect of the present invention comprises: a game control unit, which controls the game; a user data generating unit, which generates user data indicating the status of the user playing the aforementioned game; a sending control unit, which sends the aforementioned user data to the control system via a communication device through a communication network; a receiving control unit, which receives playback control data for causing a virtual character to be played on a playback device from the aforementioned control system via the aforementioned communication network through the aforementioned communication device; and a playback control unit, which, in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game by the aforementioned game control unit, causes the aforementioned virtual character to be played on the aforementioned playback device according to the aforementioned playback control data.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a game system according to a suitable aspect of the present invention is a game system comprising a game device and a control system that can communicate with each other via a communication network, wherein the aforementioned game device comprises: a game control unit that controls the game; a user data generating unit that generates user data indicating the status of the user playing the aforementioned game; a first sending control unit that sends the aforementioned user data to the aforementioned control system via the aforementioned communication network via the first communication device; a first receiving control unit that receives playback control data for causing a virtual character to be played on the playback device from the aforementioned control system via the aforementioned communication network via the aforementioned first communication device; and a playback control unit that causes the aforementioned virtual character to be played on the aforementioned playback device according to the aforementioned playback control data in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game by the aforementioned game control unit, and the aforementioned control system comprises: a second receiving control unit that receives the aforementioned user data from the aforementioned game device via the aforementioned communication network via the second communication device; a playback control data generating unit that generates the aforementioned playback control data; and a second sending control unit that sends the aforementioned playback control data generated by the aforementioned playback control data generating unit to the aforementioned game device via the aforementioned second communication device via the aforementioned communication network.

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the operating method of the game device according to the appropriate aspect of the present invention is for the game device to control the game to perform the following operations: generate user data representing the status of the user playing the aforementioned game; send the aforementioned user data to the control system through the communication network by means of a communication device; receive playback control data for causing a virtual character to be played on the playback device from the aforementioned control system through the aforementioned communication network by means of the aforementioned communication device; and in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game, cause the aforementioned virtual character to be played on the aforementioned playback device according to the aforementioned playback control data.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, according to the program of the appropriate aspect of the present invention, one or more processors of the game device execute the following processing: game control processing, which controls the game; user data generation processing, which generates user data representing the status of the user playing the aforementioned game; sending processing, which sends the aforementioned user data to the control system through the communication network by means of a communication device; receiving processing, which receives playback control data for playing a virtual character on the playback device from the aforementioned control system through the aforementioned communication network by means of the aforementioned communication device; and playback processing, which is parallel to the aforementioned game control processing and plays the aforementioned virtual character on the aforementioned playback device according to the aforementioned playback control data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a game system according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a floor plan of the gaming device.

[0015] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating the structure of a game device.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of each station.

[0017] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating the functional structure of a game device.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the game.

[0019] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of user data.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an example of a virtual character display.

[0021] Figure 9 A block diagram illustrating the structure of a control system.

[0022] Figure 10 A block diagram illustrating the functional structure of a control system.

[0023] Figure 11 This is an example of the management screen display.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of playback control data.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the playback control unit.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for the overall operation of the game system.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a block diagram of the instruction data generating unit in the second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 16 This diagram illustrates machine learning for generating patterns.

[0029] Figure 17 This is a block diagram of a playback control data generating unit in the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 18 This diagram illustrates machine learning for generating patterns.

[0031] Figure 19 A flowchart illustrating the operation of the gaming device in the thirty-third embodiment.

[0032] Figure 20A plan view of a game device in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below include various limitations that are technically appropriate. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

[0034] [First embodiment]

[0035] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the game system 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the game system 1 of the first embodiment includes a control system 10 and a game device 20. The control system 10 and the game device 20 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2, such as the Internet. Communication between the control system 10 or the game device 20 and the communication network 2 can be either wired or wireless. In an actual game system 1, each of the plurality of game devices 20 can communicate with the control system 10. However, the following description will focus on a single game device 20.

[0036] Game device 20 is installed, for example, in a gaming facility. A gaming facility is an entertainment facility such as a game center or a commercial facility such as a shopping mall. Game device 20 is a computer system that provides games to users (i.e., players) Pa within the gaming facility. Control system 10 is a computer system used to control the operation of game device 20. Control system 10 is installed outside the gaming facility and is operated by an administrator Pb who manages control system 10. The operation of game device 20 is remotely controlled by control system 10.

[0037] User Pa plays a game using the game device 20 by using game media. Game media is a tangible or intangible value medium used in the game. Tangible game media are, for example, tokens (medals) and tickets. Intangible game media are, for example, electronic medals, credits, or points. The amount of intangible game media is stored as electronic data in a recording medium such as an IC card. When user Pa plays the game, a reward such as an electronic medal, credits, or points is given to user Pa based on the number of results of the game. In addition, when the game media used for playing the game is intangible media, the reward given to user Pa may be of the same type or a different type.

[0038] Figure 2 2 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the game device 20. Figure 2 As shown, the game device 20 of the first embodiment includes a lottery mechanism 21 and N stations S1 to SN (N is a natural number greater than 1). Figure 2A game device 20 having six stations S1 to S6 (N = 6) is conveniently illustrated. A lottery mechanism 21 is constructed to be approximately circular when viewed vertically and is used for a physical lottery using a lottery object B. The lottery object B is a three-dimensional object such as a sphere. N stations S1 to SN are arranged circumferentially around the lottery mechanism 21. In the first embodiment, one or more users Pa play the game using different stations Sn (n = 1 to N). The game is played in parallel at the N stations S1 to SN.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the lottery mechanism 21 includes a physical lottery unit 211, a lottery area 212, and an input mechanism 213. The physical lottery unit 211 is a disc-shaped structure that is rotatably supported. A plurality of (for example, 25) lottery holes H are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction in the physical lottery unit 211. Each of the plurality of lottery holes H is a recess into which the lottery body B can enter. Each of the plurality of lottery holes H is assigned a different lottery number. The physical lottery unit 211 of the first embodiment is rotated by being driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. In addition, the physical lottery unit 211 may not be rotated.

[0040] The lottery area 212 is a circular plate-shaped member that surrounds the physical lottery part 211 when viewed from a plane in the vertical direction. The surface of the lottery area 212 is an inclined surface that descends from the outer periphery to the inner periphery (that is, the physical lottery part 211 side). The input mechanism 213 is arranged near the outer periphery of the lottery area 212, and sequentially inputs the lottery body B onto the surface of the lottery area 212. The lottery body B input by the input mechanism 213 rolls on the surface of the lottery area 212 and slowly approaches the physical lottery part 211, and finally enters any one of the multiple lottery holes H of the physical lottery part 211. The lottery number corresponding to the lottery hole H that the lottery body B enters is the result of the lottery. That is, the physical lottery using the lottery mechanism 21 is an operation of randomly selecting any one of the multiple lottery numbers (examples of lottery elements) corresponding to different lottery holes H.

[0041] Each of the N stations S1 to SN is a unit used by each user Pa to play games. Figure 2 As shown, each station Sn is equipped with a receiving mechanism 22. The receiving mechanism 22 is configured to include an input port for inserting tangible game media such as tokens, and a payment port for dispensing tangible game media as prizes. However, a reading circuit for reading intangible game media such as electronic medals or credits from a recording medium such as an IC card, and a writing circuit for writing intangible game media to a storage medium, may also be used as the receiving mechanism 22.

[0042] Figure 3 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the game device 20. Figure 3As shown, the game device 20 of the first embodiment includes the aforementioned lottery mechanism 21 and N stations S1-SN, in addition to a control device 23, a storage device 24, a communication device 25, an operating device 26, and a playback device 27. Furthermore, the game device 20 may be implemented not only as a single device but also as a collection of multiple devices (i.e., a system) composed of different individual devices.

[0043] The control device 23 is, for example, a single or multiple processors that control the various components of the gaming device 20. Specifically, the control device 23 is composed of one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0044] The storage device 24 is a single or multiple memories that stores programs executed by the control device 23 and various data used by the control device 23. A known recording medium, such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is used as the storage device 24. The communication device 25 (an example of a first communication device) communicates with the control system 10 via the communication network 2 under the control of the control device 23. The operating device 26 is composed of, for example, multiple operating elements and accepts operations from, for example, a gaming facility employee.

[0045] The playback device 27 plays animations containing images and sounds. Specifically, the playback device 27 includes a display device 271 for displaying images and a sound device 272 for emitting sounds. The display device 271 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel. The sound device 272 is, for example, a speaker.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the playback device 27 of the first embodiment is disposed above the lottery mechanism 21. The playback device 27 can be moved to a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of users Pa (specifically, a position corresponding to any one of the stations Sn). Figure 2The arrow can move along a circle centered on the central axis of the lottery mechanism 21 and can rotate vertically about the rotation axis at any point along the circle. Therefore, the position and angle of the playback device 27 facing the user Pa using any of the N stations S1 to SN are controlled. Specifically, the display surface of the display device 271 and the sound playback surface of the sound playback device 272 are adjusted to face the user Pa using a specific station Sn. In other words, the playback device 27 can play the animation toward a specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa.

[0047] Figure 4 The following is a block diagram showing the structure of each of N stations S1 to SN. Figure 4 As shown, each station Sn includes the aforementioned receiving mechanism 22, plus a playback device 31, a recording device 32, and an operating device 33. The playback device 31 plays animations containing images and sounds. Specifically, the playback device 31 includes a display device 311 for displaying images and a sound playback device 312 for emitting sounds. The display device 311 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light-emitting diode display panel, and the sound playback device 312 is, for example, a speaker. As can be understood from the above description, the playback device 27 is shared by multiple users Pa, while the playback device 31 is used individually by users Pa at each station Sn.

[0048] Recording device 32 is an image input device that records animations containing both video and sound. Specifically, recording device 32 includes a camera 321 that captures the user Pa and a sound pickup device 322 that collects the user Pa's voice. Camera 321 includes an optical system, such as a video lens, and an image pickup element that converts incident light from the optical system into an electrical signal. Sound pickup device 322 is a microphone that generates an electrical signal based on surrounding sound.

[0049] The operating device 33 receives an operation from the user Pa. For example, the operating device 33 is a plurality of operating elements operated by the user Pa, or a touch panel integrally formed with the display device 311 to detect contact by the user Pa.

[0050] Figure 5 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the game device 20. Figure 5 As shown, the control device 23 in the game device 20 of the first embodiment realizes a plurality of functions (game control unit 231, progress status data generation unit 232, user data generation unit 233, playback control unit 234, transmission control unit 235, and reception control unit 236) by executing a program stored in the storage device 24. Alternatively, the control device 23 may be configured by N control units corresponding to the N stations S1 to SN, and a control unit that controls the N stations S1 to SN in an integrated manner. That is, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The multiple functions of the game device 20 can also be realized by multiple control units. For example, a game control unit 231 and a playback control unit 234 can also be set at each station Sn.

[0051] The game control unit 231 controls the progress of the game. The game of the first embodiment is a lottery game in which the winning number of the user Pa is determined based on the results of a physical lottery drawn by the lottery mechanism 21. For example, a card game in which a winning number is determined when the lottery numbers selected sequentially by a physical lottery are arranged in a row among a plurality of lottery numbers arranged in rows and columns on a card is a suitable example of a lottery game. However, the types of games executed by the game device 20 are not limited to the above examples. The game control unit 231 causes the game using the lottery mechanism 21 to be played in parallel on N stations S1 to SN.

[0052] Figure 6 The following is a flowchart of a specific procedure for illustrating the progress of the game. Figure 6 Once the process starts, the game control unit 231 accepts the use of the game media by each user Pa (Sa1). Each user Pa can use the desired amount of game media (hereinafter referred to as "usage") by operating the operation device 33. The game control unit 231 accepts instructions on the usage of game media from multiple users Pa during the acceptance period. The acceptance period is a period of a specified length for accepting instructions on the use of game media from each user Pa.

[0053] Once the end of the acceptance period is reached, the game control unit 231 controls the input mechanism 213 to sequentially input each of the multiple lottery bodies B onto the surface of the lottery area 212 (Sa2). The game control unit 231 determines whether each user Pa has won the lottery based on the lottery number corresponding to the lottery hole H into which the lottery body B enters among the multiple lottery numbers (Sa3). In addition, the game control unit 231 gives a reward to the user Pa who has won the lottery (Sa4). Specifically, the user Pa is given a reward based on the amount of game media used by the user Pa. As can be understood from the above examples, in the game of the first embodiment, a reward based on the amount of game media used by the user Pa is given to the user Pa based on the result of the game.

[0054] Figure 5 The progress data generating unit 232 generates progress data G indicating the progress of the game. Specifically, the progress data generating unit 232 generates a data indicating the current stage ( Figure 6Any one of steps Sa1 to Sa4), the status of obtaining rewards by each user Pa, the status of using game media by each user Pa, and the progress status data G of the results of the physical lottery (winning numbers).

[0055] The user data generating unit 233 generates user data U representing the status of each user Pa. The user data U is data representing the animation recorded by the recording device 32 of each station Sn. Specifically, the user data U is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the video data U1 representing the video captured by the camera 321 of each station Sn and the audio data U2 representing the audio collected by the sound collecting device 322 of each station Sn are included. The file formats of the video data U1 and the audio data U2 are arbitrary.

[0056] The image data U1 is data representing the images of each of the multiple users Pa. The user data generation unit 233 generates the image data U1 by performing a specified image processing on the image signal supplied from the camera 321 of each station Sn. The image data U1 can also be said to be data representing the action or expression of each user Pa. On the other hand, the sound data U2 is data representing the sound uttered by each of the multiple users Pa. The user data generation unit 233 generates the sound data U2 by performing a specified sound processing on the sound signal supplied from the sound receiving device 322 of each station Sn. The sound data U2 can also be said to be data representing the content or intonation of the speech of the user Pa. In addition, it is also possible to limit the generation of the image data U1 and sound data U2 to only those users Pa allowed to be included among the multiple users Pa.

[0057] Figure 5 The playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 and each playback device 31 to perform playback operations. The playback control unit 234 of the first embodiment causes the game screen representing the progress of the game to be displayed on the display device 311 of each playback device 31, and causes the sound according to the progress of the game to be played on the sound playback device 312 of each playback device 31. Figure 8 As shown, in parallel with the game control by the game control unit 231, an animation of the virtual character V is played on the playback device 27. The virtual character V is an object representing a virtual creature in a virtual space, and supports the game play by each user Pa. Specifically, the playback control unit 234 displays the image of the virtual character V on the display device 271 of the playback device 27 and causes the sound of the virtual character V to be played by the sound playback device 272 of the playback device 27.

[0058] The playback control unit 234 of the first embodiment can control the position and angle of the playback device 27. By playing the animation of the virtual character V on the playback device 27 in a position facing a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa, the user Pa can recognize the image and sound of the virtual character V. In other words, an atmosphere is created in which the virtual character V appears to be in conversation with the user Pa.

[0059] Figure 5 The transmission control unit 235 and the reception control unit 236 control communication with the control system 10 using the communication device 25. The transmission control unit 235 (an example of a first transmission control unit) transmits various data from the communication device 25 to the control system 10 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the transmission control unit 235 transmits the progress status data G generated by the progress status data generation unit 232 and the user data U generated by the user data generation unit 233 from the communication device 25 to the control system 10.

[0060] The reception control unit 236 (an example of a first reception control unit) receives various data from the control system 10 via the communication network 2 via the communication device 25. Specifically, the reception control unit 236 receives progress instruction data Q for instructing the progress of the game and playback control data C for causing the playback device 27 to play the virtual character V from the control system 10 via the communication device 25. The details of the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C will be described later.

[0061] Figure 9 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the control system 10. Figure 9 As shown, the control system 10 of the first embodiment includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a playback device 14, and an operating device 15. In addition, the control system 10 can be implemented as a single device or as a collection of multiple devices composed of different units.

[0062] The control device 11 is, for example, a single or multiple processors that control the various components of the control system 10. Specifically, the control device 11 is composed of one or more processors such as a CPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The storage device 12 is a single or multiple memories that store programs executed by the control device 11 and various data used by the control device 11. For example, existing recording media such as semiconductor recording media and magnetic recording media, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, are used as the storage device 12. The communication device 13 (an example of a second communication device) communicates with the game device 20 via the communication network 2 under the control of the control device 11.

[0063] The playback device 14 plays animations containing images and sounds. Specifically, the playback device 14 includes a display device 141 for displaying images and a sound playback device 142 for emitting sounds. The display device 141 is a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light-emitting diode display panel. The sound playback device 142 is, for example, a speaker. The operating device 15 receives operations from the administrator Pb of the operation control system 10. For example, the operating device 15 may include multiple operating elements operated by the administrator Pb, or a touch panel integrally formed with the display device 141 and detecting touches by the administrator Pb.

[0064] Figure 10 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the control system 10. Figure 10 As shown, the control device 11 in the control system 10 of the first embodiment realizes a plurality of functions (an instruction data generating unit 111A, a broadcast control data generating unit 112A, a broadcast control unit 113, a transmission control unit 114, and a reception control unit 115) by executing a program stored in the storage device 12.

[0065] The transmission control unit 114 and the reception control unit 115 control communication with the game device 20 using the communication device 13. The transmission control unit 114 (an example of a second transmission control unit) transmits various data from the communication device 13 to the game device 20 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the transmission control unit 114 transmits progress instruction data Q and playback control data C from the communication device 13 to the game device 20. The reception control unit 115 (an example of a second reception control unit) receives various data from the game device 20 via the communication device 13 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the reception control unit 115 receives progress status data G and user data U from the game device 20 via the communication device 13.

[0066] The playback control unit 113 causes the playback device 14 to perform playback operations. The playback control unit 113 of the first embodiment causes the playback device 14 to perform playback operations based on the progress data G received by the reception control unit 115 and the user data U. The playback control unit 113 of the first embodiment causes the playback device 14 to perform playback operations based on the progress data G received by the reception control unit 115 and the user data U. Figure 11 The management screen R is displayed on the display device 141 of the playback device 14. The manager Pb can refer to the management screen R. Figure 11 As shown, the management screen R includes a first area R1, a second area R2, and a third area R3.

[0067] The playback control unit 113 displays images of each user Pa represented by the image data U1 in the user data U in the first region R1. Specifically, N images G1-GN corresponding to different stations Sn are displayed in the first region R1. Any image Gn is an image captured by the camera 321 of the station Sn corresponding to that image Gn. In other words, image Gn is an image of user Pa using station Sn.

[0068] The administrator Pb can select any one of the N images G1-GN by operating the operating device 15. The playback control unit 113 enlarges the image Gn selected by the administrator Pb from the N images G1-GN (hereinafter referred to as the "selected image") and displays it in the second region R2. Furthermore, the playback control unit 113 uses the audio data U2 to cause the sound playback device 142 of the playback device 14 to play the sound collected by the sound receiving device 322 of the station Sn corresponding to the selected image Gn. In other words, the sound playback device 142 plays the voice of the user Pa using the station Sn corresponding to the selected image Gn. As can be understood from the above description, the administrator Pb can visually observe the management screen R displayed on the display device 141 and listen to the audio from the sound playback device 142 to understand the actions and expressions of the user Pa using each station Sn, as well as the content and intonation of the user Pa's speech.

[0069] The playback control unit 113 displays the progress status indicated by the progress status data G in the third region R3. Specifically, the third region R3 displays the current game stage, the status of rewards obtained by each user Pa, and the results of the physical lottery (e.g., winning numbers). The administrator Pb can confirm the progress status of the game indicated by the progress status data G on the management screen R.

[0070] Figure 10 The progress instruction data generating unit 111A generates progress instruction data Q for instructing the progress of the game. The progress instruction data Q of the first embodiment instructs the lottery entity B to be placed in the lottery area 212 and the end of the acceptance period for receiving the usage amount of the game media from the user Pa (i.e., the acceptance deadline).

[0071] The administrator Pb can select an instruction regarding the progress of the game using the game device 20 from a plurality of candidates by referring to the management screen R and operating the operating device 15. The plurality of candidates include, for example, the entry of the lottery body B and the end of the acceptance period. For example, the administrator Pb selects the end of the acceptance period at the stage of confirming that the usage amount of the game media for all users Pa has been accepted by referring to the first area R1 or the second area R2 of the management screen R. In addition, the administrator Pb selects the entry of the lottery body B at the stage of confirming that all users Pa are paying attention to the lottery mechanism 21 by referring to the first area R1 or the second area R2 of the management screen R. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A of the first embodiment generates the progress instruction data Q based on the instruction from the administrator Pb to the operating device 15. Specifically, the progress instruction data Q representing the instruction selected by the administrator Pb is generated.

[0072] As in the above example, in the first embodiment, user data U, including image data U1 representing the image of user Pa and audio data U2 representing the voice of user Pa, is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10. Therefore, appropriate progress instruction data Q can be generated in the control system 10 in accordance with the situation of user Pa. Furthermore, there is also the advantage of being able to generate a variety of progress instruction data Q corresponding to the progress situation of the game, based on instructions from the administrator Pb who refers to the progress situation of the game represented by the progress situation data G.

[0073] Figure 10 The playback control data generating unit 112A generates playback control data C for playing the virtual character V on the playback device 27. The playback control data C is as follows: Figure 12 As shown, the data includes motion data C1 representing the motion of the virtual character V, voice data C2 representing the voice of the virtual character V, and instruction data C3 for specifying any one of the N stations S1 to SN.

[0074] Administrator Pb can instruct the actions and sounds of the avatar V by referring to the management screen R and operating the operating device 15. For example, administrator Pb selects the actions and sounds of the avatar V from a plurality of candidates. Administrator Pb also selects the station Sn of user Pa, from among N stations S1 to SN, to be the target of the playback of the avatar V. The playback control data generator 112A generates playback control data C based on the instructions from administrator Pb. Specifically, the playback control data generator 112A generates playback control data C containing the following data: action data C1 representing the actions selected by administrator Pb, sound data C2 representing the sounds selected by administrator Pb, and instruction data C3 specifying the station Sn selected by administrator Pb.

[0075] As in the above example, in the first embodiment, user data U, including image data U1 representing the image of user Pa and audio data U2 representing the voice of user Pa, is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10. Consequently, playback control data C can be generated in the control system 10, wherein the playback control data C can play the virtual character V that performs appropriate actions or sounds according to the situation of user Pa. Furthermore, there is the advantage of being able to generate a variety of playback control data C corresponding to the situation of user Pa in response to instructions from the administrator Pb who refers to the situation of user Pa represented by the user data U.

[0076] The transmission control unit 114 transmits the progress instruction data Q generated by the progress instruction data generation unit 111A and the playback control data C generated by the playback control data generation unit 112A from the communication device 13 to the game device 20. As previously described, the reception control unit 236 of the game device 20 receives the progress instruction data Q and playback control data C transmitted from the control system 10 via the communication device 25. As described below, the progress instruction data Q and playback control data C received by the reception control unit 236 are used to control the operation of the game device 20.

[0077] Figure 5 The game control unit 231 controls the game based on the progress instruction data Q received by the receiving control unit 236. Specifically, the game control unit 231 performs the operation indicated by the progress instruction data Q. For example, when the progress instruction data Q indicates the insertion of the lottery body B, the game control unit 231 controls the insertion mechanism 213 to insert the lottery body B into the lottery area 212 (Sa2). In addition, when the progress instruction data Q indicates the end of the acceptance period, the game control unit 231 ends the acceptance period for accepting the usage amount of the game media (Sa1). As can be understood from the above description, the progress of the game in the game device 20 is remotely controlled from the control system 10 based on the instructions from the administrator Pb who can refer to the progress status of the game in the game device 20 and the status of each user Pa.

[0078] also, Figure 5 The playback control unit 234 plays the virtual character V on the playback device 27 according to the playback control data C, wherein the playback control data C is received from the control system 10 by the receiving control unit 236 . Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of the process of controlling the reproduction of the virtual character V by the reproduction control unit 234.

[0079] The playback control unit 234 moves the playback device 27 to the position and angle ( Sb1 ) corresponding to the station Sn indicated by the instruction data C3 of the playback control data C. That is, the playback device 27 is adjusted to the position and angle facing the user Pa at the station Sn.

[0080] The playback control unit 234 displays the virtual character V on the display device 271 (Sb2) and causes the virtual character V to perform the action data C1 representing the playback control data C. Furthermore, the playback control unit 234 causes the sound data C2 representing the playback control data C to be played on the sound playback device 272 (Sb3). Through the above operations, the user Pa can perceive that the virtual character V is moving and speaking as if the user Pa is heading toward the platform Sn.

[0081] As described above, in the first embodiment, the virtual character V is played for a specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa playing the game. Therefore, the play of the game by the specific user Pa can be effectively supported. In particular, in the first embodiment, because the virtual character V is played with the playback device 27 moved to a position corresponding to the specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa, the effect of supporting the specific user Pa is particularly significant. Furthermore, there is the advantage that other users Pa can easily identify the specific user Pa for whom the virtual character V is being played. There is also the advantage that viewers of the game played by multiple users Pa can easily identify the specific user Pa for whom the virtual character V is being played.

[0082] Figure 14 Flowchart of the procedure for illustrating the overall operation of the game system 1. Figure 14 As shown, the game control unit 231 of the game device 20 controls the progress of the game (Sc1). The specific program used by the game control unit 231 to control the progress of the game is as follows: Figure 6 shown.

[0083] The progress status data generation unit 232 generates progress status data G (Sc2) indicating the progress of the game. Furthermore, the user data generation unit 233 generates user data U (Sc3) indicating the status of the user Pa recorded by the recording device 32 of each station Sn. The order of generating the progress status data G (Sc2) and generating the user data U (Sc3) may be reversed. The transmission control unit 235 transmits the progress status data G and user data U from the communication device 25 to the control system 10 (Sc4).

[0084] The reception control unit 115 of the control system 10 receives the progress data G and user data U transmitted from the game device 20 via the communication device 13 (Sd1). The playback control unit 113 causes the playback device 14 to perform playback operations based on the progress data G and user data U received by the reception control unit 115 (Sd2). Specifically, the playback control unit 113 causes the display device 141 to display a management screen R based on the video data U1 of the progress data G and user data U, and causes the sound data U2 of the user data U to be played on the sound playback device 142. The administrator Pb, by referring to the management screen R displayed on the display device 141 and the sound played by the sound playback device 142, operates the operation device 15 to give instructions to the control system 10 regarding the progress of the game and instructions regarding the avatar V.

[0085] The progress instruction data generation unit 111A generates progress instruction data Q based on the instruction from the administrator Pb (Sd3). The playback control data generation unit 112A generates playback control data C based on the instruction from the administrator Pb (Sd4). The order of generating the progress instruction data Q (Sd3) and the playback control data C (Sd4) can also be reversed. The transmission control unit 114 transmits the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C from the communication device 13 to the game device 20 (Sd5).

[0086] The receiving control unit 236 of the game device 20 receives the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C sent from the control system 10 via the communication device 25 (Sc5). The game control unit 231 controls the progress of the game according to the progress instruction data Q received by the receiving control unit 236 (Sc6). Specifically, the game control unit 231 executes the operation indicated by the progress instruction data Q. In addition, the playback control unit 234 plays the virtual character V on the playback device 27 according to the playback control data C received by the receiving control unit 236 (Sc7). Figure 14 The operation is repeated periodically.

[0087] As described above, in the first embodiment, progress status data G is transmitted to the control system 10 via the communication device 25, and the game is controlled based on the progress instruction data Q generated by the control system 10. Therefore, even if the player who controls the progress of the game by operating the operating device 33 is not near the game device 20, the progress of the game can be controlled from the control system 10. In particular, in the first embodiment, because the progress status data G is transmitted to the control system 10 via the communication device 25 together with the user data U indicating the status of the user Pa, there is an advantage in that the control system 10 can generate progress instruction data Q based on both the progress status of the game and the status of the user Pa.

[0088] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, user data U is transmitted to the control system 10 via the communication device 25, and the virtual character V is controlled based on the playback control data C generated by the control system 10. This effectively supports the game played by the user Pa. Furthermore, since the game device 20 does not need to be equipped with a function for generating the playback control data C based on the user Pa's status, the structure and processing of the game device 20 are simplified.

[0089] [Second embodiment]

[0090] In the following embodiments, for elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

[0091] In the control system 10 of the second embodiment, the progress instruction data generating unit 111A of the first embodiment is replaced by Figure 15 The progress instruction data generating unit 111B of the first embodiment generates progress instruction data Q according to the instruction from the manager Pb as described above. The progress instruction data generating unit 111B of the second embodiment generates progress instruction data Q using the generation pattern M1 created by machine learning (Sd3).

[0092] Control data X is supplied to a generation model M1. Control data X includes progress status data G and user data U received from the gaming device 20. Generation model M1 is a learned model that has learned the relationship between control data X and progress instruction data Q. Statistical estimation models, such as deep neural networks, are preferably used as generation model M1. Specifically, generation model M1 is implemented by causing the control device 11 to execute a program for calculating the generation of progress instruction data Q from control data X, and by combining multiple coefficients applied to this calculation.

[0093] Figure 16 This is an illustration of machine learning for generating pattern M1. Figure 16 As shown, the coefficients of the generation pattern M1 are set by deep learning using a plurality of training data L1. Each of the plurality of training data L1 is composed of a combination of control data X and progress instruction data Q (correct answer value).

[0094] The control device 11 of the control system 10 in the second embodiment is implemented by executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Figure 16The learning processing unit 51 sets a plurality of coefficients of the generation pattern M1. Specifically, the learning processing unit 51 repeatedly updates the plurality of coefficients of the generation pattern M1 to reduce a plurality of errors in the execution instruction data Q output by the provisional generation pattern M1 in response to the input of the control data X included in the teacher data L1, and in the execution instruction data Q included in the teacher data L1. The plurality of coefficients set by the above deep learning are stored in the storage device 12, and the plurality of coefficients stored in the storage device 12 are applied to the generation pattern M1. As understood from the above description, the generation pattern M1 after machine learning outputs statistically appropriate execution instruction data Q for unknown control data X under the tendency between the control data X and the execution instruction data Q in the plurality of teacher data L1.

[0095] In the control system 10 of the second embodiment, the playback control data generating unit 112A of the first embodiment is replaced by Figure 17 The playback control data generating unit 112B of the first embodiment generates the playback control data C according to the instruction from the manager Pb as described above. The playback control data generating unit 112B of the second embodiment generates the playback control data C using the generation pattern M2 created by machine learning (Sd4).

[0096] Control data X is supplied to generation mode M2. As previously described, control data X includes progress status data G and user data U received from game device 20. Furthermore, the control data X supplied to generation mode M1 and the control data X supplied to generation mode M2 may be different. Generation mode M2 is a learned model that learns the relationship between control data X and playback control data C. For example, a statistical estimation model such as a deep neural network is preferably used as generation mode M2. Specifically, generation mode M2 is implemented by causing control device 11 to execute a program for generating playback control data C from control data X, and by combining multiple coefficients applied to this calculation.

[0097] Figure 18 This is an illustration of machine learning for generating pattern M2. Figure 18 As shown, the coefficients of the generation pattern M2 are set by deep learning using a plurality of training data L2. Each of the plurality of training data L2 is composed of a combination of control data X and playback control data C (correct answer value).

[0098] The control device 11 of the control system 10 in the second embodiment is implemented by executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Figure 18The learning processing unit 52 sets a plurality of coefficients for the generation pattern M2. Specifically, the learning processing unit 52 repeatedly updates the plurality of coefficients for the generation pattern M2 to reduce a plurality of errors in the playback control data C output by the provisional generation pattern M2 in response to the input of the control data X included in the teacher data L2, and in the playback control data C included in the teacher data L2. The plurality of coefficients set by the above deep learning are stored in the storage device 12, and the plurality of coefficients stored in the storage device 12 are applied to the generation pattern M2. As can be understood from the above description, the generation pattern M2 after machine learning outputs statistically appropriate playback control data C for unknown control data X, based on the tendency between the control data X and the playback control data C in the plurality of teacher data L2.

[0099] As described above, in the second embodiment, the execution instruction data Q is generated using generation mode M1, while the playback control data C is generated using generation mode M2. Therefore, the structure for generating the execution instruction data Q and playback control data C based on instructions from the administrator Pb is omitted. For example, the structure for playing the management screen R (playback control unit 113 and playback device 14) can also be omitted. Other than the generation of the execution instruction data Q and playback control data C, the structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0100] As described above, in the second embodiment, the operation instruction data Q is generated using the generation pattern M1 that has learned the relationship between the control data X (operation status data G and user data U) and the operation instruction data Q. Therefore, the administrator Pb who operates the control system 10 is not required, and the operation instruction data Q that is appropriate for the operation status data G and user data U can be generated.

[0101] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the playback control data C is generated using a generation pattern M2 that has learned the relationship between the control data X (progress status data G and user data U) and the playback control data C. Therefore, an administrator Pb is not required to operate the control system 10, and playback control data C appropriate for the progress status data G and user data U can be generated.

[0102] In addition, the teacher data L1 and the teacher data L2 may be generated according to the actual instruction by the administrator Pb. Specifically, as illustrated in the first embodiment, in an application in which the instruction data Q and the playback control data C are generated according to the instruction from the administrator Pb, a plurality of teacher data L1 and a plurality of teacher data L2 are collected. For example, the control device 11 of the control system 10 generates the teacher data L1, wherein the teacher data L1 is made to correspond to the Figure 14The control device 11 generates the teacher data L2 corresponding to the control data X including the progress status data G and the user data U received in step Sd1, and the progress instruction data Q generated in step Sd3 based on the instruction from the administrator Pb. Furthermore, the control device 11 generates the teacher data L2 corresponding to the control data X including the progress status data G and the user data U received in step Sd1, and the playback control data C generated in step Sd4 based on the instruction from the administrator Pb.

[0103] When the number of teacher data L1 required for machine learning has been collected, the learning processing unit 51 performs machine learning using the teacher data L1 ( Figure 16 ) to construct the generation model M1. Similarly, at the stage where the number of teacher data L2 required for machine learning has been collected, the learning processing unit 52 uses the machine learning ( Figure 18 ) Construct the generation pattern M2. The generation pattern M1 and the generation pattern M2 constructed by the above method are used in the game system 1 of the second embodiment.

[0104] Furthermore, at any point in time after the generation pattern M1 is created, the generation pattern M1 can be updated by machine learning using newly collected teacher data L1. Similarly, at any point in time after the generation pattern M2 is created, the generation pattern M2 can be updated by machine learning using newly collected teacher data L2.

[0105] [Third embodiment]

[0106] The game device 20 of the third embodiment operates in either a first operating mode or a second operating mode. The first operating mode is an operating mode in which the game is controlled according to instructions from the control system 10 (remote control mode). The second operating mode is an operating mode in which the game is controlled without instructions from the control system 10 (automatic control mode). A manager, such as an employee of a game facility (hereinafter referred to as a "facility manager"), selects either the first operating mode or the second operating mode by operating the operating device 26 of the game device 20.

[0107] Figure 19 Flowchart showing the operation of the control device 23 in the game device 20 according to the third embodiment. Figure 19As shown, the control device 23 determines whether the first or second operating mode is selected (Se1). If the first operating mode is selected (Se1: YES), the control device 23 operates according to the progress instruction data Q and playback control data C transmitted by the control system 10, as in the first embodiment (Se2). Specifically, the control device 11 generates and transmits progress status data G and user data U (Sc2-Sc4), and receives the progress instruction data Q and playback control data C from the control system 10 (Sc5). Furthermore, the control device 11 controls the game according to the progress instruction data Q (Sc6) and displays the avatar V according to the playback control data C (Sc7). Thus, the same effects as in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0108] On the other hand, when the second operation mode is selected (Se1: NO), the control device 23 does not operate according to the instruction from the control system 10 (Se3). Specifically, the control device 23 does not generate and transmit the status data G and the user data U (Sc2 to Sc4). Therefore, the control device 23 does not rely on the instruction data Q. Figure 4 The game is played by the processing, and the virtual character V is played on the playback device 27 by the specified algorithm that is independent of the playback control data C. As can be understood from the above description, according to the third embodiment, in addition to controlling the game based on the play instruction data Q received from the control system 10 in the first operation mode, the game can also be controlled independently of the play instruction data Q in the second operation mode.

[0109] In addition, in the above description, the first operation mode in which the game is played according to the instruction from the control system 10, and the second operation mode in which the game is played automatically are exemplified. A structure in which the first operation mode and the second operation mode are selected and the third operation mode (manual control mode) in which the game is played according to the instruction from the facility manager is also suitable. The facility manager confirms the actual status of the game and the status of multiple users Pa at any time, and at the same time instructs the game to proceed by operating the operating device 26. In the third operation mode, the control device 23, for example, uses the instruction from the facility manager as an opportunity to drop the lottery body B into the lottery area 212 and end the period of accepting the instruction from the facility manager. In addition, a structure in which either the first operation mode or the third operation mode can be selected (the structure in which the second operation mode is omitted) is also envisioned. In addition, in the above description, a structure based on the first embodiment has been exemplified, but the third embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0110] [Fourth Implementation]

[0111] The progress instruction data Q of the fourth embodiment represents instructions for a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa. The administrator Pb confirms the status of each user Pa and the progress of the game via the management screen R while simultaneously operating the operating device 15 to designate any of the N stations S1-SN and to direct the user Pa at that station Sn. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A generates the progress instruction data Q based on the instructions from the administrator Pb. As in the first embodiment, the progress instruction data Q is transmitted to the game device 20 along with the playback control data C.

[0112] In addition to playing the virtual character V on the playback device 27 according to the playback control data C, the playback control unit 234 also plays the instructions indicated by the execution instruction data Q on the playback device 27. Specifically, the playback control unit 234 not only moves the playback device 27 to the position and angle corresponding to the station Sn indicated by the execution instruction data Q, but also plays the instructions indicating the execution instruction data Q on the playback device 27. For example, the playback control unit 234 displays an image indicating the instructions on the display device 271 and plays a sound indicating the instructions on the sound playback device 272. In other words, the playback control unit 234 plays the instructions indicated by the execution instruction data Q on the playback device 27 to a specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa.

[0113] The fourth embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the instruction represented by the instruction data Q can be notified to a specific user Pa. In particular, the fourth embodiment has the advantage of being able to limit the notification of the instruction to a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa by moving the playback device 27. Furthermore, the other users Pa can easily identify the specific user Pa who was notified of the instruction. There is also the advantage of being able to easily identify the user Pa who was notified of the instruction by viewers of the game played by multiple users Pa. Furthermore, the second embodiment or the thirty-third embodiment can also be applied to the fourth embodiment.

[0114] [Modification]

[0115] The above-mentioned embodiments can be modified in various ways. The following examples illustrate specific modified embodiments that can be applied to the above-mentioned embodiments. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples can also be combined within the scope of non-contradiction.

[0116] (1) In each of the aforementioned forms, the execution instruction data Q indicates the insertion and end of the acceptance period of the lottery body B, but the content of the instruction represented by the execution instruction data Q is not limited to the above examples. For example, any one of a plurality of lottery numbers can also be indicated by the execution instruction data Q. For example, the administrator Pb selects the lottery number desired by the user Pa who is presumed to be the majority of the plurality of lottery numbers by confirming the management screen R. The game control unit 231 of the game device 20 treats the lottery number indicated by the execution instruction data Q (the lottery number in which the lottery body B does not actually enter the lottery hole H) as having been selected by the lottery and proceeds with the game. In addition, in a structure having a transport mechanism for transporting the lottery body B to any lottery hole H, the game control unit 231 controls the transport mechanism so that the lottery body B enters the lottery number indicated by the execution instruction data Q. According to the above structure, the administrator Pb can make the intended user Pa win the prize first.

[0117] (2) In each of the aforementioned modes, motion data C1 representing the action selected by the administrator Pb is generated. However, the method for generating the motion data C1 of the playback control data C is not limited to the above example. For example, the actions of the administrator Pb may be analyzed from an image captured by the camera 321, and the playback control data generation unit 112A (112A, 112B) may generate the motion data C1 representing the action. With the above configuration, the virtual character V can be caused to execute the actions of the administrator Pb.

[0118] (3) In each of the aforementioned configurations, sound data C2 representing the sound selected by the administrator Pb is generated. However, the method for generating the sound data C2 of the playback control data C is not limited to the above example. For example, the playback control data generation unit 112A (112A, 112B) may generate sound data C2 representing the sound of the administrator Pb collected by the sound pickup device. With the above configuration, the sound uttered by the administrator Pb can be played from the sound playback device 272 as the sound of the virtual character V. The playback control data generation unit 112A (112A, 112B) may also generate sound data C2 representing a sound with the timbre of the sound uttered by the administrator Pb transformed. Furthermore, the playback control data generation unit 112A may also generate sound data C2 representing a text string designated by the administrator Pb. The playback control unit 234 generates a sound signal by synthesizing the text string representing the sound data C2, and supplies this sound signal to the sound playback device 272 to play the sound. According to the above configuration, the sound corresponding to the character string instructed by the manager Pb can be emitted as the sound of the virtual character V from the sound emitting device 272 .

[0119] (4) Animation data representing the image and sound of the virtual character V can also be used as the playback control data C. The playback control unit 234 plays the animation represented by the playback control data C on the playback device 27 (for example, streaming playback). The above configuration has the advantage that it is not necessary to control the image processing of the virtual character V based on the action data C1.

[0120] (5) In the second embodiment, a single piece of progress instruction data Q is generated using the generation mode M1. However, the method for generating progress instruction data Q using the generation mode M1 is not limited to the above example. For example, multiple pieces of progress instruction data Q may be generated using the generation mode M1, and the administrator Pb may select one piece of progress instruction data Q from the multiple pieces of progress instruction data Q using the operating device 15 and transmit it to the game device 20. In other words, the progress instruction data generating unit 111 (111A, 111B) generates a single piece of progress instruction data Q based on the processing using the generation mode M1 and the selection made by the administrator Pb.

[0121] Similarly, in the second embodiment, a single piece of playback control data C is generated using generation mode M2. However, the method for generating playback control data C using generation mode M2 is not limited to the above example. For example, multiple pieces of playback control data C may be generated using generation mode M2, and a single piece of playback control data C selected by administrator Pb using operating device 15 from among the multiple pieces of playback control data C is transmitted to game device 20. In other words, playback control data generation unit 112 generates a single piece of playback control data C based on processing using generation mode M2 and selection by administrator Pb.

[0122] (6) In the game device 20 of each of the aforementioned embodiments, the display device 271 displays an image of the virtual character V and the sound device 272 emits sound. However, either the display device 271 or the sound device 272 may be omitted from the playback device 27. Furthermore, in the control system 10 of each of the aforementioned embodiments, the display device 141 displays a management screen R and the sound device 142 emits the user Pa's sound. However, either the display device 141 or the sound device 142 may be omitted from the playback device 14.

[0123] (7) In each of the aforementioned forms, the broadcast device 27 is moved to a position and angle corresponding to any one of the N stations S1 to SN. However, the method of notifying each user of the information Pa using the broadcast device 27 is not limited to the above examples.

[0124] like Figure 20 As shown, it is assumed that the diagram is omitted. Figure 2One station S6 among the six stations S1 to S6 is configured to ensure a space O. In the space O, components other than the stations Sn, such as a transport mechanism for transporting the lottery body B, are provided.

[0125] like Figure 20 As shown, the playback device 27 is controlled so that the display surface F faces the angle opposite to the space O at a position close to the space O (between the platform S1 and the platform S5). Figure 20 In the state, the users Pa using the five stations S1 to S5 can visually view the image displayed on the playback device 27. Therefore, by playing the virtual character V through the playback device 27, an atmosphere is generated in which the virtual character V appears to be talking to all the users Pa. Figure 20 The playback device 27 in the state of [ 0 ] can play the instruction indicated by the instruction data Q (fourth embodiment), thereby notifying all of the multiple users Pa of the instruction. In addition, by adjusting the playback device 27 at an angle close to the space O to face a specific user Pa, the playback device 27 can be individually notified of the instruction in real time without moving the playback device 27 to the vicinity of the user Pa.

[0126] As in the above example, playback device 27 can be moved to positions corresponding to space O and to positions corresponding to each station Sn. As previously described, when playback device 27 is located at a position corresponding to space O, information is provided to all of the multiple users Pa. In contrast to the above state, when playback device 27 is located at a position corresponding to a single station Sn, the ambiance of the virtual character V communicating with the individual user Pa at that station Sn can be emphasized.

[0127] (8) In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the progress status data G and user data U are transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10. However, the generation and transmission of the progress status data G may be omitted. In other words, the progress status data generation unit 232 may be omitted. The playback control unit 113 of the control system 10 plays the management screen R including the first area R1 and the second area R2 based on the user data U. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A, similar to the first embodiment, generates progress instruction data Q based on instructions from the administrator Pb. The progress instruction data generation unit 111B of the second embodiment generates playback control data C from the control data X including the user data U using the generation mode M1. In the second embodiment, the progress status data G is omitted from the control data X.

[0128] Furthermore, the generation of user data U and its transmission to the control system 10 may be omitted. That is, the user data generation unit 233 may be omitted. The playback control unit 113 of the control system 10 plays the management screen R including the third region R3 based on the progress status data G. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A, similar to the first embodiment, generates progress instruction data Q based on instructions from the administrator Pb. The progress instruction data generation unit 111B of the second embodiment generates playback control data C from the control data X including the progress status data G using the generation mode M2. In the second embodiment, the user data U is omitted from the control data X.

[0129] (9) In each of the aforementioned configurations, the control system 10 generates both the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C. However, the generation of the progress instruction data Q may be omitted. That is, the progress instruction data generation unit 111 (111A, 111B) may be omitted. In the above configuration, the control of the game based on the progress instruction data Q is omitted (Sc6). Furthermore, the generation of the playback control data C may be omitted. That is, the playback control data generation unit 112 (112A, 112B) may be omitted. In the above configuration, the playback of the virtual character V based on the playback control data C is omitted (Sc7).

[0130] (10) In each of the aforementioned configurations, the virtual character V is played by the playback device 27 shared by multiple users Pa. However, the virtual character V may be played by the playback device 31 installed at each station Sn. A common virtual character V may be played by the playback device 31 of each of the N stations S1 to SN, or a separate virtual character V may be played by the playback device 31 at each station Sn. Furthermore, the virtual character V may be played only by the playback device 31 at a specific station Sn among the N stations S1 to SN.

[0131] In the aforementioned embodiments, the virtual character V is played by the display device 271 and the sound playback device 272 of the playback device 27. However, the image of the virtual character V may be displayed on the display device 271 of the playback device 27, and the sound of the virtual character V may be played by the sound playback device 312 of each station Sn. For example, the sound of the virtual character V may be played by the sound playback device 312 of the station Sn indicated by the instruction data C3.

[0132] (11) In each of the above types, the status data G and user data U have been Figure 14 In step Sc4, the progress status data G and the user data U are sent from the game device 20 to the control system 10. However, the progress status data G and the user data U may be sent to the control system 10 at separate time points. Figure 14In step Sd5, the instruction data Q and the playback control data C are sent from the control system 10 to the game device 20, but the instruction data Q and the playback control data C can also be sent to the game device 20 at separate time points.

[0133] (12) In the second embodiment, the control data X includes the progress status data G and the user data U. However, the content of the control data X is not limited to the above example. For example, the control data X may include data generated by image processing of the image data U1 of the user data U (e.g., the feature value of the image represented by the image data U1). Furthermore, the control data X may include data generated by sound processing of the sound data U2 of the user data U (e.g., the feature value of the sound represented by the sound data U2, or a text string representing the content of the sound). As can be understood from the above example, the control data X is comprehensively represented as data based on the progress status data G and / or the user data U.

[0134] (13) In each of the aforementioned configurations, the game device 20 is controlled by a single control system 10. However, the game device 20 may be controlled by multiple control systems 10. For example, in a configuration in which the playback device 27 plays multiple virtual characters V, each virtual character V is controlled by playback control data C transmitted from each of the multiple control systems 10. That is, for example, the virtual character V corresponding to each control system 10 is controlled according to instructions from the administrator Pb who operates the control system 10. Alternatively, a single virtual character V may be controlled by playback control data C transmitted from multiple control systems 10. Furthermore, the control system 10 that generates the progress instruction data Q and the control system 10 that generates the playback control data C may be separately provided. In a configuration in which multiple control systems 10 are used, the game device 20 transmits progress status data G and user data U to the multiple control systems 10 (Sc4).

[0135] (14) The functions of the control system 10 according to the aforementioned various types are realized by the cooperation of one or more processors constituting the control device 11 and the program stored in the storage device 12. Similarly, the functions of the game device 20 according to the aforementioned various types are realized by the cooperation of one or more processors constituting the control device 23 and the program stored in the storage device 24. The programs according to the aforementioned various types are provided in the form of being stored in a recording medium that can be read by a computer and can be installed in the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium. Optical recording media (optical discs) such as CD-ROMs are good examples, but also include any known recording medium such as semiconductor recording media or magnetic recording media. In addition, non-transitory recording media include any recording medium other than a transitory propagating signal, including volatile recording media. In addition, in a structure in which a transmission device transmits a program via the communication network 2, the storage device storing the program in the transmission device corresponds to the aforementioned non-transitory recording medium.

[0136] [Note]

[0137] From the above description, suitable aspects of the present invention are understood as follows. In addition, in order to make each aspect easy to understand, the symbols of the drawings are appropriately combined in brackets below, but this is not intended to limit the present invention to the aspects shown in the drawings.

[0138] [Supplementary Note A]

[0139] In the technology of patent document 1, the input mechanism mounted on the lottery device automatically inputs the balls for the lottery at a time point according to the progress of the game. On the other hand, for example, in the event held in a game facility, the game can be carried out at an appropriate time according to the progress of the game, etc., by the operator such as the staff of the game facility, so as to liven up the atmosphere for the majority of participants. However, in order to realize the above application, there is a problem of needing to ensure the operator of each game facility. In addition, in the above description, a game including a physical lottery has been appropriately illustrated, but the same problem can be imagined in any type of game. Taking the above situation into consideration, the various embodiments (Supplementary Note A) illustrated below are for the purpose of allowing the operator to appropriately carry out the game in an environment where the game device is set up and according to the user's situation.

[0140] [Supplementary Note A1]

[0141] According to a preferred embodiment (Supplementary Note A1) of the present invention, a game device (20) comprises: a game control unit (231) for controlling a game in which a reward is given to a user (Pa) according to the amount of game media used by the user (Pa) based on the result; a progress status data generating unit (232) for generating progress status data (G) indicating the progress status of the game; a transmission control unit (235) for transmitting the progress status data (G) to a control system (10) via a communication device (25) through a communication network (2); and a reception control unit (236) for receiving progress instruction data (Q) indicating the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication device (25) through the communication network (2). The game control unit (231) controls the game according to the progress instruction data (Q) received by the reception control unit (236). In the above embodiment, the progress status data (G) is sent to the control system (10) via the communication device (25), and the progress instruction data (Q) generated by the control system (10) based on the progress status data (G) is received by the communication device (25), and the game is controlled based on the progress instruction data (Q). Therefore, the administrator who manually progresses the game can control the progress of the game through the control system (10) even if he is not near the game device (20).

[0142] A typical example of a "game" is a lottery game in which a user (Pa) is awarded a prize based on the amount of game media used as a result of winning a prize through a lottery process (physical lottery or electronic lottery). However, the "game" in the present invention is not limited to the lottery game exemplified above. For example, a battle game (such as a card game) in which multiple users (Pa) compete is also a suitable example of a "game." In a battle game, the progress of the game may vary from user to user.

[0143] "Game Media Usage" refers to the amount of game media indicated by the user (Pa) for use. For example, in a lottery game where a prize is awarded to the user (Pa) who wins the lottery, where the prize is the amount of game media indicated by the user (Pa) multiplied by a specified multiplier, the amount of game media indicated by the user (Pa) corresponds to the "Usage."

[0144] "Progress status data (G)" is data indicating the progress status of the game, for example, data indicating the current stage in a game consisting of multiple stages (such as acceptance of game media → lottery processing → awarding of rewards), the status of obtaining rewards by the user (Pa), the status of using game media by the user (Pa), or the results of lottery processing.

[0145] "Progress instruction data (Q)" is data that indicates the progress of the game. For example, data indicating the following operations are exemplified as "progress instruction data (Q)": the insertion of a lottery body (B) used for a physical lottery, the end of a period for receiving instructions from a user (Pa) regarding the amount of game media used, or the selection of any one of a plurality of lottery elements.

[0146] [Note A2]

[0147] The game device (20) according to the preferred example of Supplement A1 (Supplement A2) includes a user data generating unit (233) for generating user data (U) indicating the status of the user (Pa), and the transmission control unit (235) transmits the progress status data (G) and the user data (U) to the control system (10) via the communication device (25). According to the above aspect, the progress status data (G) plus the user data (U) indicating the status of the user (Pa) are transmitted to the control system (10) via the communication device (25). Therefore, by using the progress status data (G) and the user data (U), the control system (10) can generate progress instruction data (Q) based on both the progress status of the game and the status of the user (Pa).

[0148] "User data (U)" is any data representing the status of the user (Pa). For example, image data (U1) representing a picture of the user (Pa) or audio data (U2) representing the audio uttered by the user (Pa) are suitable examples of user data (U).

[0149] The temporal relationship between the transmission of the status data (G) and the transmission of the user data (U) is arbitrary. For example, the status data (G) and the user data (U) may be transmitted to the control system (10) at the same time, or the status data (G) and the user data (U) may be transmitted to the control system (10) at independent time points.

[0150] [Note A3]

[0151] In a suitable example of Supplement A2 (Supplement A3), the user data (U) includes at least one of image data (U1) representing an image of the user (Pa) captured by the camera (321) and sound data (U2) representing the sound of the user (Pa) collected by the sound receiving device (322). According to the above aspect, appropriate instruction data (Q) can be generated in the control system (10) based on the action or expression of the user (Pa) captured by the camera (321) or the content or intonation of the sound of the user (Pa) collected by the sound receiving device (322).

[0152] [Note A4]

[0153] In a suitable example (Note A4) of any one of Notes A1 to A3, the aforementioned game is a lottery game in which the result of the game is determined by a physical lottery, wherein the physical lottery is a lottery in which any one of a plurality of lottery elements is selected by a lottery body (B), and the aforementioned progress indication data (Q) indicates at least one of the input of the aforementioned lottery body (B), the end of the acceptance period for accepting the indication of the usage amount of the game media from the aforementioned user (Pa), and the selection of any one of the aforementioned plurality of lottery elements.

[0154] "Selection of any one of a plurality of lottery elements" means an operation to forcibly select a specific lottery element from among the plurality of lottery elements. For example, if a physical lottery draw is envisioned in which a lottery element (B) enters any one of a plurality of lottery holes (H) corresponding to different lottery elements, then by mechanically blocking all lottery holes (H) other than the lottery hole (H) corresponding to the target lottery element among the plurality of lottery holes (H), an operation is performed by instructing the lottery element (B) to forcibly enter the lottery hole (H) corresponding to the target lottery element through the execution instruction data (Q). In addition, the execution instruction data (Q) is used to instruct the target lottery element to be selected without actually executing the physical lottery.

[0155] [Note A5]

[0156] In a suitable example (Supplement A5) of any one of Supplement A1 to Supplement A4, the game control unit (231) controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received by the receiving control unit (236) in the first operation mode, and controls the game without the progress instruction data (Q) in the second operation mode. According to the above aspect, in addition to controlling the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received from the control system (10), the game can also be controlled without the progress instruction data (Q).

[0157] [Supplementary Note A6]

[0158] A game device (20) according to a suitable example (Supplementary Note A6) of any one of Supplementary Notes A1 to A5 includes a playback control unit (234) that causes the instruction indicated by the aforementioned progress instruction data (Q) to be played on a playback device (27, 31) to a specific user (Pa) among a plurality of users (Pa) including the aforementioned user. According to the above aspect, the instruction indicated by the progress instruction data (Q) can be notified to a specific user (Pa) among the plurality of users (Pa).

[0159] [Note A7]

[0160] In a suitable example (Supplement A7) of Supplement A6, the playback device (27) can be moved to a position corresponding to a specific user (Pa) among the plurality of users (Pa), and the playback control unit (234) causes the playback device (27) to play the instruction indicated by the execution instruction data (Q) when the playback device (27) is moved to the position corresponding to the specific user (Pa). According to the above aspect, the instruction indicated by the execution instruction data (Q) can be notified to a specific user (Pa) among the plurality of users (Pa) including the user (Pa) by moving the playback device (27). In addition, since the playback device (27) is moved to a position corresponding to the specific user (Pa), there is also an advantage that other users (Pa) can easily grasp the specific user (Pa) who is the object of playback by the playback device (27). There is also an advantage that viewers of the game of the game system (1) can easily grasp the specific user (Pa) who is the object of playback.

[0161] [Note A8]

[0162] According to a suitable embodiment (Note A8) of the present invention, a game system (1) is a game system comprising a game device (20) and a control system (10) capable of communicating with each other via a communication network (2), wherein the game device (20) comprises: a game control unit (231) for controlling a game in which a reward is given to the user (Pa) based on the amount of game media used by the user (Pa); a progress data generation unit (232) for generating progress data (G) indicating the progress of the game; a first sending control unit (235) for sending the progress data (G) to the control system (10) via the communication network (2) via the first communication device (25); and a first receiving control unit (231). 6), which receives progress instruction data (Q) indicating the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by means of the first communication device (25), and the control system (10) includes: a second receiving control unit (115), which receives the progress status data (G) from the game device (20) via the communication network (2) by means of the second communication device (13); a progress instruction data generating unit (111), which generates the progress instruction data (Q); and a second sending control unit (114), which sends the progress instruction data (Q) generated by the progress instruction data generating unit (111) to the game device (20) via the second communication device (13) via the communication network (2). The game control unit (231) controls the game according to the progress instruction data (Q) received by the first receiving control unit (236).

[0163] The specific content of the process for generating the progress instruction data (Q) by the progress instruction data generating unit (111) is arbitrary. For example, the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) based on an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the progress status of the game represented by the progress status data (G). In addition, the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) using a generation pattern (M1) that has learned the relationship between the progress status data (G) and the progress instruction data (Q).

[0164] [Note A9]

[0165] In a preferred embodiment of Supplementary Note A8 (Supplementary Note A9), the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) based on an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the progress status of the game represented by the progress status data (G). According to the above structure, it is possible to generate a plurality of types of progress instruction data (Q) corresponding to the progress status of the game represented by the progress status data (G) based on an instruction from the administrator (Pb) who can refer to the progress status of the game represented by the progress status data (G).

[0166] In "generating instruction data (Q) based on instructions from the administrator (Pb)", in addition to the operation of generating instruction data (Q) only based on instructions from the user (Pa), it also includes the operation of the administrator (Pb) selecting any one of multiple candidates generated by various calculation processes such as machine-learned generation patterns.

[0167] [Note A10]

[0168] In a preferred example of Supplementary Note A8 (Supplementary Note A10), the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates progress instruction data (Q) corresponding to the progress status data (G) received by the second receiving control unit (115) using a generation pattern (M1) that learns the relationship between the control data (X) and the progress instruction data (Q) based on the progress status data (G) by machine learning. According to the above structure, since the progress instruction data (Q) is generated using the machine-learned generation pattern (M1), it is unnecessary for the administrator (Pb) to give various instructions to the control system (10), and appropriate progress instruction data (Q) can be generated for the progress status data (G).

[0169] [Note A11]

[0170] The operating method of the game device (20) according to a suitable embodiment of the present invention (Note A11) is as follows: the game device (20) controls the game in which the reward given to the user (Pa) according to the amount of the game media used by the user (Pa) generates progress status data (G) (Sc2) indicating the progress status of the aforementioned game; the aforementioned progress status data (G) is sent to the control system (10) (Sc4) via the communication device (25) through the communication network (2); the progress indication data (Q) (Sc5) indicating the progress of the aforementioned game is received from the aforementioned control system (10) through the aforementioned communication network (2) via the aforementioned communication device (25); and the aforementioned game (Sc1, Sc6) is controlled according to the aforementioned progress indication data (Q).

[0171] [Note A12]

[0172] According to a program of a suitable aspect (aspect A12) of the present invention, one or more processors (23) of a game device (20) execute the following processes: game control processes (Sc1, Sc6) for controlling a game in which a reward is given to the user (Pa) according to the amount of game media used by the user (Pa) based on the result; progress status data (G) generation process (Sc2) for generating progress status data (G) indicating the progress status of the game; transmission process (Sc4) for transmitting the progress status data (G) to a control system (10) via a communication device (25) through a communication network (2); and reception process (Sc5) for receiving progress instruction data (Q) indicating the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication device (25) through the communication network (2). In the game control process, the game (Sc1, Sc6) is controlled based on the progress instruction data (Q).

[0173] [Supplementary Note B]

[0174] Users with little experience playing physical lottery games, for example, may have difficulty correctly understanding the appropriate program to execute based on their specific circumstances. Furthermore, while the above descriptions have appropriately illustrated games involving physical lottery draws, the same problem applies to any type of game. With this in mind, the following aspects (Supplementary Note B) are designed to effectively support users' game play.

[0175] [Supplementary Note B1]

[0176] According to a suitable embodiment (Note B1) of the present invention, the game device (20) comprises: a game control unit (231) for controlling the game; a user data generating unit (233) for generating user data (U) indicating the status of the user (Pa) playing the aforementioned game; a sending control unit (235) for sending the aforementioned user data (U) to the control system (10) via the communication device (25) through the communication network (2); a receiving control unit (236) for receiving playback control data (C) for causing a virtual character (V) to be played on the playback device (27, 31) from the aforementioned control system (10) via the aforementioned communication network (2) via the aforementioned communication device (25); and a playback control unit (234) for causing the aforementioned virtual character (V) to be played on the aforementioned playback device (27, 31) in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game by the aforementioned game control unit (231) according to the aforementioned playback control data (C). According to the above structure, the virtual character (V) according to the status of the user (Pa) can be played by the playback device (27, 31), thereby effectively supporting the game played by the user (Pa). In addition, since it is not necessary to install a function for generating playback control data (C) based on user data (U) in the game device (20), there is an advantage that the structure and processing of the game device (20) are simplified.

[0177] The term "game" may be of any type. For example, any type of game includes a lottery game in which a user (Pa) is rewarded with a prize based on the amount of game media used as a result of winning a lottery (physical or electronic), a battle game in which multiple users (Pa) compete against each other, or a medal game played by a user (Pa) alone.

[0178] A "virtual character (V)" is a virtual character that can be identified by the user (Pa) playing the game. For example, a living creature that supports the progress of the game by the user (Pa) is an example of a "virtual character (V)."

[0179] "Playing of the virtual character (V)" is, for example, at least one of the operation of displaying the image of the virtual character (V) on the display device (271, 311) and the operation of playing the sound of the virtual character (V) on the sound playing device (272, 312).

[0180] The form of "broadcast control data (C)" is arbitrary. Regarding the display of an image of a virtual character (V), for example, motion data (C1) indicating the motion of the virtual character (V) or animation data (e.g., streaming data) representing the image of the virtual character (V) are included in the concept of "broadcast control data (C)." When the receiving control unit (236) receives the motion data (C1) as the broadcast control data (C), the broadcast control unit (234) generates animation data representing the image of the virtual character (V) performing motions according to the motion data (C1) and displays the generated animation data on the display device (271, 311).

[0181] When focusing on the output of the voice of the virtual character (V), for example, pronunciation data indicating the content of the voice of the virtual character (V) (i.e., a string of characters) or sound data (C2) representing the voice of the virtual character (V) itself is included in the concept of "broadcast control data (C)". When the reception control unit (236) receives the pronunciation data as the broadcast control data (C), the broadcast control unit (234) generates sound data representing the sound of the string of characters corresponding to the pronunciation data by, for example, sound synthesis processing, and outputs the sound data to the sound playback device (272, 312).

[0182] [Supplementary Note B2]

[0183] In a suitable example (Supplementary Note B2) of Supplementary Note B1, in the aforementioned game, a bonus of an amount according to the amount of use of the game medium by the aforementioned user (Pa) is given to the user (Pa) according to the result of the game.

[0184] A typical example of a "game" is a lottery game in which a prize is awarded to the user (Pa) as a result of winning a lottery (physical lottery or electronic lottery) based on the amount of game media used. However, the "game" in the present invention is not limited to the lottery game exemplified above.

[0185] [Supplementary Note B3]

[0186] In a suitable example of Supplement B2 (Supplement B3), the user data (U) includes at least one of image data (U1) representing an image of the user (Pa) captured by the camera (321) and sound data (U2) representing the voice of the user (Pa) collected by the sound receiving device (322). According to the above aspect, playback control data (C) can be generated in the control system (10), wherein the playback control data (C) can play the appropriate virtual character (V) according to the action or expression of the user (Pa) captured by the camera (321) or the content or intonation of the voice of the user (Pa) collected by the sound receiving device (322).

[0187] [Note B4]

[0188] In a suitable example (Supplementary Note B4) of any one of Supplementary Notes B1 to B3, the playback control unit (234) causes the playback device (27, 31) to play the virtual character (V) for a specific user (Pa) among a plurality of users (Pa) including the user (Pa). According to the above aspect, since the virtual character (V) is played for the specific user (Pa) among the plurality of users (Pa), the play of the game by the user (Pa) can be effectively supported.

[0189] [Note B5]

[0190] In a suitable example (Supplement B5) of Supplement B4, the playback device (27) can be moved to a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of users (Pa), and the playback control unit (234) plays the virtual character (V) in a state where the playback device (27) is moved to a position corresponding to the specific user (Pa). According to the above aspect, the virtual character (V) can be displayed to a specific user (Pa) among the plurality of users (Pa) by moving the playback device (27). In addition, because the playback device (27) is moved to a position corresponding to a specific user (Pa), there is also an advantage that other users (Pa) can easily grasp the specific user (Pa) who is the target of the playback of the virtual character (V). There is also an advantage that viewers of the game of the game system (1) can easily grasp the specific user (Pa) who is the target of the playback of the virtual character (V).

[0191] [Note B6]

[0192] According to a suitable embodiment (Note B6) of the present invention, a game system (1) is a game system comprising a game device (20) and a control system (10) capable of communicating with each other via a communication network (2), wherein the game device (20) comprises: a game control unit (231) for controlling a game; a user data generating unit (233) for generating user data (U) representing the status of a user (Pa) playing the game; a first sending control unit (235) for sending the user data (U) to the control system (10) via the first communication device (25) via the communication network (2); and a first receiving control unit (236) for receiving a signal for playing a virtual character (V) on a playback device (27, 31) from the control system (10) via the first communication device (25) via the communication network (2). Playback control data (C); and a playback control unit (234), which, in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game by the aforementioned game control unit (231), plays the aforementioned virtual character (V) on the aforementioned playback device (27, 31) according to the aforementioned playback control data (C), and the aforementioned control system (10) comprises: a second receiving control unit (115), which receives the aforementioned user data (U) from the aforementioned game device (20) through the aforementioned communication network (2) by means of a second communication device (13); a playback control data generating unit (112), which generates the aforementioned playback control data (C); and a second sending control unit (114), which sends the aforementioned playback control data (C) generated by the aforementioned playback control data generating unit (112) to the aforementioned game device (20) through the aforementioned second communication device (13) through the aforementioned communication network (2).

[0193] [Note B7]

[0194] In a preferred example of Supplementary Note B6 (Supplementary Note B7), the broadcast control data generating unit (112) generates the broadcast control data (C) in accordance with an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the status of the user (Pa) indicated by the user data (U). According to the above configuration, a variety of broadcast control data (C) can be generated in accordance with the status of the user (Pa) in accordance with the instruction from the administrator (Pb) who can refer to the status of the user (Pa) indicated by the user data (U).

[0195] The method by which the administrator (Pb) refers to the status of the user (Pa) represented by the user data (U) is arbitrary. For example, when the user data (U) is image data (U1) representing the image of the user (Pa), the administrator (Pb) can visually refer to the image of the user (Pa) by displaying the image (R) represented by the image data (U1) on the display device (141). Furthermore, when the user data (U) is sound data (U2) representing the voice of the user (Pa), the administrator (Pb) can auditorily refer to the voice of the user (Pa) by playing the sound represented by the sound data (U2) on the sound playing device (142).

[0196] The specific processing for generating the playback control data (C) in accordance with the instructions from the user (Pa) is arbitrary. For example, when focusing on the display of the image of the virtual character (V), playback control data (C) may be used to cause the virtual character (V) to perform actions based on the physical movements of the administrator (Pb), or playback control data (C) representing an operation mode generated in accordance with the instructions from the administrator (Pb) (e.g., an operation mode selected by the administrator (Pb) from a plurality of different candidates). Furthermore, when focusing on the emission of the sound of the virtual character (V), playback control data (C) may be used to represent the sound uttered by the administrator (Pb) or a processed sound of the sound, or playback control data (C) representing a text string specified by the administrator (Pb).

[0197] [Note B8]

[0198] In a suitable example of Supplement B6 (Supplement B8), the playback control data generating unit (112) generates the playback control data (C) corresponding to the user data (U) received by the second receiving control unit (115) using a generation pattern (M2) that has learned the relationship between the control data (X) based on the user data (U) and the playback control data (C) through machine learning. According to the above structure, since the playback control data (C) is generated using the machine-learned generation pattern (M2), it is unnecessary for the administrator (Pb) to give various instructions to the control system (10), and appropriate playback control data (C) can be generated for the user data (U). As can be understood from Supplement B7 and Supplement B8, the playback control data generating unit (112) is comprehensively represented as a component that generates the playback control data (C) based on the user data (U).

[0199] [Note B9]

[0200] According to a suitable embodiment of the present invention (Note B9), the operating method of the game device (20) is to control the game device (20) to perform the following operations: generate user data (U) representing the status of the user (Pa) playing the aforementioned game; send the aforementioned user data (U) to the control system (10) via the communication device (25) through the communication network (2); receive playback control data (C) for playing a virtual character (V) on the playback device (27, 31) from the aforementioned control system (10) via the aforementioned communication network (2) via the aforementioned communication device (25); and in parallel with the control of the aforementioned game, play the aforementioned virtual character (V) on the aforementioned playback device (27, 31) according to the aforementioned playback control data (C).

[0201] [Note B10]

[0202] According to a program of a suitable aspect (Note B10) of the present invention, one or more processors (23) of the game device (20) execute the following processing: game control processing (Sc1, Sc6), which controls the game; user data generation processing (Sc3), which generates user data (U) representing the status of the user (Pa) playing the aforementioned game; sending processing (Sc4), which sends the aforementioned user data (U) to the control system (10) through the communication network (2) via the communication device (25); receiving processing (Sc5), which receives playback control data (C) for playing a virtual character (V) on the playback device (27, 31) from the aforementioned control system (10) through the aforementioned communication network (2) via the aforementioned communication device (25); and playback processing (Sc7), which, in parallel with the aforementioned game control processing (Sc1, Sc6), plays the aforementioned virtual character (V) on the aforementioned playback device (27, 31) according to the aforementioned playback control data (C).

[0203] Description of labels:

[0204] 1: Game System

[0205] 2: Communication network

[0206] 10: Control system

[0207] 11: Control device

[0208] 111A, 111B: instruction data generating unit

[0209] 112A, 112B: Playback control data generation unit

[0210] 113: Playback control unit

[0211] 114: Sending control unit

[0212] 115: Receiving control unit

[0213] 12: Storage device

[0214] 13: Communication device

[0215] 14: Playback device

[0216] 141: Display device

[0217] 142: Sound Playing Device

[0218] 15: Operating device

[0219] 20: Gaming Devices

[0220] 21: Lottery Agency

[0221] 211: Physics Lottery Department

[0222] 212: Lottery area

[0223] 213: Investment institutions

[0224] 22: Receiving institution

[0225] 23: Control device

[0226] 231: Game Control Department

[0227] 232: Status data generation unit

[0228] 233: User data generation unit

[0229] 234: Playback control unit

[0230] 235: Sending control unit

[0231] 236: Receiving Control Unit

[0232] 24: Storage device

[0233] 25: Communication device

[0234] 26: Operating device

[0235] 27: Playback device

[0236] 271: Display device

[0237] 272: Sound Playing Device

[0238] Sn(S1~SN): Platform

[0239] 31: Playback device

[0240] 311: Display device

[0241] 312: Sound Playing Device

[0242] 32: Recording device

[0243] 321: Filming Device

[0244] 322: Radio

[0245] 33: Operating device

[0246] 51: Learning Processing Department

[0247] 52: Learning Processing Department.

Claims

1. A game system, characterized in that: The game system includes a game device and a control system capable of communicating with each other via a communication network, wherein the game device includes: a game control unit, which controls the game; a user data generating unit configured to generate user data representing a status of a user playing the game, the user data including at least one of image data representing an image of the user captured by a camera and sound data representing a voice of the user collected by a sound pickup device; a first transmission control unit, configured to transmit the user data to the control system via the communication network through the first communication device; a first receiving control unit receiving playback control data for playing the virtual character on the playback device from the control system via the communication network and the first communication device; as well as a playback control unit, which, in parallel with the control of the game by the game control unit, causes the virtual character to be played on the playback device according to the playback control data, and The control system comprises: a second receiving control unit configured to receive the user data from the gaming device via the communication network and a second communication device; a broadcast control data generating unit configured to generate the broadcast control data based on an instruction given by an administrator with reference to the status of the user indicated by the user data, the broadcast control data including action data indicating an action of the virtual character, sound data indicating a sound of the virtual character, and instruction data specifying a station of the user selected by the administrator as a broadcast target for the virtual character; as well as The second transmission control unit transmits the playback control data generated by the playback control data generation unit to the game device via the second communication device and the communication network.

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein The broadcast control data generating unit generates broadcast control data according to the user data received by the second reception control unit.

3. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein: The broadcast control data generating unit generates the broadcast control data corresponding to the user data received by the second receiving control unit by learning a generation pattern of the relationship between the control data based on the user data and the broadcast control data through machine learning.

4. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein: The game device includes a progress status data generating unit that generates progress status data indicating the progress status of the game; The first transmission control unit transmits the progress status data and the user data to the control system via the first communication device. The first receiving control unit receives progress instruction data instructing the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network by means of the first communication device, and The game control unit controls the game according to the progress instruction data received by the first receiving control unit.

Images