Game information management system

Abstract

To provide a system which can predict an operation status even before introducing a new model.SOLUTION: A game information management system 1 for a game house in which a plurality of models of game machines are installed, includes contribution collect means which collects contributions in SNS sites, and contribution number calculation means which calculates the number of the contributions. The system collects contributions from players related to a new model in SNS sites in a predetermined period, that is an object period, before and after introduction of a game machine 2 of a new model, calculates the number of the contributions, and displays the number of the contributions along with operation data indicating an operation status of the game machine 2 of the new model.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game information management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed for predicting the operating status of a new machine model introduced in an amusement arcade, as described in, for example, the following Patent Document 1. Such a system makes it possible to predict how long a new machine model introduced can maintain good operating performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-176586 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional system can only make predictions based on actual operating data after the introduction of a new model, and therefore has the problem that it is useless at a stage before the introduction of the new model.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and aims to provide a system that can predict the operating status even before the introduction of a new model of equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming information management system of the present invention is a system for an amusement parlor where multiple types of gaming machines are installed. This gaming information management system collects player posts on an SNS site regarding a new gaming machine model for a specified period around the date on which the new gaming machine model is introduced, and calculates the number of posts. The gaming information management system of the present invention then displays the number of posts together with operation data showing the operation status of the new gaming machine model.

[0007] According to the gaming information management system of the present invention, operation can be predicted before a new model is introduced, so that the number of machines to be introduced and the increase or decrease in the number of machines after introduction can be planned at an early stage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the configuration of a game information management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko game machine and the card unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko game machine and the card unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of polarity dictionary data managed by the management server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of collected post data managed by a management server. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of daily aggregate data of the number of posts managed by the management server. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of period-aggregated data of the number of posts managed by the management server. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the number of players by machine and operation lifespan data managed by the management server. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of data for each gaming machine managed by the gaming facility management device. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of machine-specific data managed by the amusement facility management device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of period transition data displayed by the amusement facility management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples. Example 1 This example is an example of a gaming information management system 1 for an arcade where multiple types of gaming machines 2 are installed. This gaming information management system 1 can provide information that supports the arcade's decision when introducing a new type of machine. The details will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0010] The gaming information management system 1 (FIG. 1) of this example is configured to include an in-game system 10S in an amusement facility where gaming machines 2 are installed, and an external management server 11. The in-game system 10S and the management server 11 are connected to a public communication line such as the Internet and can communicate with each other. On the Internet, SNS sites 13 such as Twitter (registered trademark) for posting short messages and pachinko-related bulletin board sites are open to the public.

[0011] The management server 11 is an external server managed by the operating company of the gaming information providing site, the gaming machine manufacturer, etc. The management server 11 has a function of feeding back the aggregated data of gaming information and the machine evaluation information to each gaming facility. The management server 11 collects gaming data from each gaming facility and creates various aggregated data. Furthermore, the management server 11 in this example can create the machine evaluation information by social listening.

[0012] In each amusement parlor, a card unit (score processing device) 4 that provides the gaming value required for playing, a gaming information display device 105, and the like are individually installed for gaming machines 2 such as pachinko gaming machines 21 and pachislot gaming machines (not shown). Furthermore, one relay device 109 is installed for every two gaming machines 2. In the management space in the amusement parlor, an amusement parlor management device 10 is installed for managing various devices in the amusement parlor. In the prize exchange counter (not shown) in the amusement parlor, a prize exchange terminal (not shown) and the like that exchanges the gaming value acquired by the player for prizes are installed.

[0013] The gaming facility equipment such as the gaming facility management device 10, the relay device 109, the prize exchange terminal, etc. are communicatively connected to an in-flight network 100. The card unit 4 and the game information display device 105 are communicatively connected to the relay device 109. Furthermore, the gaming machine 2 is communicatively connected to the card unit 4 via a dedicated line.

[0014] In the in-house network 100, various communications between the gaming machines 2, including peripheral devices such as a gaming information display device 105, and the gaming facility management device 10 are realized via a relay device 109. In each gaming facility, an in-house system 10S is constructed using the in-house network 100.

[0015] The amusement facility management device 10 is connected to the in-facility network 100, and is also connected to the Internet, which is a public communication line. In the game information management system 1, the in-facility system 10S and the management server 11 outside the amusement facility are connected in a communicable state via the amusement facility management device 10 connected to the Internet.

[0016] The gaming center management device 10 manages the operating status of all the devices installed in the gaming center (such as the gaming machines 2, the card units 4, and the gaming information display device 105). The gaming center management device 10 compiles the gaming information collected from each gaming machine 2, calculates and displays various gaming data, and transmits the gaming data to the management server 11. The gaming center management device 10 can also display the compiled data of the gaming center received from the management server 11.

[0017] The relay device 109 is a communication device that mediates communications between the corresponding gaming machine 2, the card unit 4, the game information display device 105, and the gaming facility management device 10. As described above, the relay devices 109 are installed at a ratio of one for every two gaming machines.

[0018] The card unit (score processing device) 4 is installed for each gaming machine 2, and is a device that executes score-related processes such as the process of granting the scores required for playing and the process of issuing cards on which the scores are recorded. The card unit 4 also has the function of receiving various game information from the gaming machine 2 and transmitting it to the gaming facility management device 10 and the game information display device 105 via the relay device 109. In the explanation of this example, counted scores are referred to as "owned points", and scores that are available for playing are referred to as "game points".

[0019] The gaming information display device 105 is installed for each gaming machine 2, and displays various information related to the game of the corresponding gaming machine 2. The gaming information display device 105 receives various pieces of gaming information output by the gaming machine 2 via the card unit 4 and the relay device 109. The gaming information display device 105 creates and displays various pieces of display information based on the various pieces of gaming information received. The gaming information display device 105 is installed, for example, above the corresponding gaming machine 2.

[0020] In an amusement center, for example, about 300 to 1500 gaming machines 2 of multiple models, about 100 to 500 types, are installed. Each gaming machine 2 can play using awarded or acquired gaming points, and transmits various types of gaming information to a relay device 109 according to the execution of a game. As will be described in detail later, the gaming machine 2 outputs various types of information that differ depending on the model.

[0021] Next, (A) the configuration and basic operation of the gaming machine and card unit, (B) the configuration and management data of the management server, (C) the configuration and management data of the gaming center management device, and (D) the display data by the gaming center management device will be explained in that order.

[0022] (A) Configuration and basic operation of gaming machine and card unit A pachinko game machine 21 (FIG. 2), which is an example of the game machine 2, is a game machine in which a game is played by consuming (using) game points (scores) that are game value to shoot game balls that are game media. The illustrated pachinko game machine 21 is a so-called seven-machine that executes a jackpot lottery in response to winning in the special chart start port 221, and displays a jackpot pattern when a jackpot is won, generating a jackpot state.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the pachinko game machine 21 has a substantially circular play area (play board) 210. Decorative lamp units 242 are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper part of the play area 210, and a speaker 241 is disposed on the lower left side of the play area 210. In addition, an information display unit 25 is disposed below the play area 210, and an operating handle 26 is provided on the lower right of the information display unit 25.

[0024] The information display unit 25 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and various information such as various game information related to the game, such as the number of jackpots and the number of special drawing draws, is displayed on the display screen of the information display unit 25. The display screen of the information display unit 25 is a display screen in which a sheet-like touch panel 251 (FIG. 3) is laminated and which can be operated by touch. The display contents of the information display unit 25 can be switched according to the touch operation on the display screen.

[0025] The display screen of the information display unit 25 displays the accumulated game points, such as the game points received from the card unit 4 and the game points based on the points awarded in response to winning. The game points are subtracted by one each time a game ball is shot, while a predetermined game point (score) is added in response to the winning of a game ball into a winning slot. In the pachinko game machine 21, when the game points reach zero, it becomes impossible to shoot game balls.

[0026] The game area 210 is an area where game balls, which are game media, flow down. In the game area 210, a display device including a liquid crystal display unit 24 is arranged near the center, and an outlet hole 225 for collecting game balls that flow down without winning is provided at the bottom. The special chart start port 221 is arranged below the liquid crystal display unit 24, and a large winning port 222 is provided between the special chart start port 221 and the outlet hole 225.

[0027] On the left side of the liquid crystal display unit 24 as viewed from the player's side, a pass-gate-type regular symbol start port 223 and the like are arranged. The regular symbol start port 223 is a gate for detecting the passage of a gaming ball. The regular symbol start port 223, which only allows gaming balls to pass, is not set for adding gaming points. When a gaming ball is detected by the regular symbol start port 223, a lottery random number for determining whether or not the regular symbol is a winner (hereinafter referred to as the regular symbol lottery) is extracted, and the regular symbol lottery is executed. The result of the regular symbol lottery is displayed by the liquid crystal display unit 24.

[0028] The special symbol start port 221 is equipped with an electric tulip (electric role), and is a variable winning port that triggers the judgment of whether the special symbol is a winning symbol (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol lottery). The electric tulip opens when a winning symbol is selected in the normal symbol lottery, and significantly increases the winning rate of the special symbol start port 221. When a game ball enters the special symbol start port 221 (start winning), a lottery random number for the special symbol lottery is extracted, and the special symbol lottery (jackpot lottery) is executed, and a predetermined number of game points (for example, 3 points) are added.

[0029] The liquid crystal display unit 24 is a display unit that variably displays the patterns using a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display unit 24 has a function as a special pattern display unit that displays the result of the special pattern lottery (lottery result) using patterns, and a function as a normal pattern display unit that displays the result of the normal pattern lottery (lottery result). If the special pattern lottery is won, the win is notified by the liquid crystal display unit 24 as a special pattern display unit, and then a jackpot occurs, including the opening of the jackpot opening 222. If the jackpot opening 222 is won, a predetermined number of game points (for example, 15 points) are added.

[0030] A pachinko gaming machine 21 is configured around a main control unit 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The main control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 204 which are memory elements, and an I / O (Input / Output) 205 which serves as an input / output interface.

[0031] The memory area of ​​the RAM 204 is provided with memory areas for storing game points, which indicate the number of game balls that can be shot, game points, which are the current value of the game value acquired by the player, etc. The main control unit 20 including the RAM 204 has a function as a game value storage means, etc.

[0032] The main control unit 20 is electrically connected to an information display unit 25, a touch panel 251, a performance control unit 291, winning game ball sensors 293 to 295, a special prize start solenoid 296 that opens the special prize start port (electric chute) 221, a special prize opening solenoid 297 that opens the special prize opening 222, a power supply circuit unit 298 for supplying power, a setting operation unit 23, etc. Furthermore, an I / F unit 200 that serves as a communication window with the card unit 4 is electrically connected to the main control unit 20.

[0033] The performance control unit 291 is electrically connected to an amplifier 241A that drives the speaker 241 and a decorative lamp unit 242, and is also communicatively connected to a display control unit 292 that controls the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 24.

[0034] Sensors for detecting winning game balls include a special prize sensor 293 that detects prizes in the special prize start port 221, a regular prize sensor 294 that detects prizes in the regular prize start port 223, and a special prize sensor 295 that detects prizes in the special prize port 222.

[0035] The setting operation unit 23 is an operation unit for performing various settings. The setting operation unit 23 is provided inside the gaming machine main body, and can be operated when the gaming board surface is opened forward. The setting operation unit 23 can perform a setting operation to set one of, for example, six setting values ​​with different jackpot probabilities.

[0036] The pachinko gaming machine 21 transmits various types of gaming information to the card unit 4 in response to the execution of a game in which gaming points are consumed. The gaming information output by the gaming machine 2 includes various types of information that differ depending on the model. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 21 in this example transmits the following gaming information to the card unit 4. The gaming information output by the pachinko gaming machine 21 is transmitted to the relay device 109 via the card unit 4, and is further transmitted from the relay device 109 to the gaming facility management device 10, the gaming information display device 105, etc.

[0037] · Information on number of game points consumed: Information indicating the number of game points consumed in a game. Awarded game points information: Information indicating the number of game points awarded upon winning. Start information: Information indicating that a jackpot lottery (change in special chart) has been held. · Jackpot information: Information indicating that a jackpot has occurred. - Chance bonus information: Information indicating that the game is in a chance bonus state.

[0038] As described above, the card unit 4 is installed for each gaming machine 2, and is a device that performs processes related to scores, such as the process of granting points required for playing and the process of issuing cards on which points are recorded. The card unit 4 is installed, for example, in a vertically long gap between the corresponding gaming machine 2 and the adjacent gaming machine 2. The card unit 4 receives various types of game information from the gaming machine 2, and transmits the various types of game information to the gaming facility management device 10 and the game information display device 105 via the relay device 109.

[0039] The card unit 4 executes a process of granting points required for playing games by using a granting function (lending function) of game points (scores) that are the right to launch game balls, and also executes processes related to the scores, such as issuing a game card on which the scores are recorded. The card unit 4 is an example of a providing device that provides a predetermined service for members, such as a ball saving service, on the condition that a member ID, which is identification information of a member registered with the game facility, is authenticated.

[0040] On the front of the card unit 4 (see Figure 2), there are arranged a status lamp 41 which indicates the operating status of the device such as errors, a bill insertion slot 420, a display section 43 which is a touch panel layered on an LCD display screen and can be operated by touch, a loan button 44 for receiving loans of game points in exchange for withdrawal of payment, a re-play button 45 for converting the counted points into game points, a return button 46 for requesting the return of the game card, and a card insertion slot 470 for the game card.

[0041] 3, the card unit 4 is electrically configured with a control unit 40 including a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an I / O 404, etc., as a central component. In addition to the above components, a banknote processing unit 42, a card processing unit 47, and an I / F unit 400 are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The card unit 4 is capable of communicating with the relay device 109 via the I / F unit 400, and is also directly connected to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21.

[0042] Next, the basic operation of the pachinko game machine 21 and the card unit 4 will be described. When the pachinko game machine 21 receives game points (scores) from the corresponding card unit 4, it becomes able to launch game balls equal to the game points. The pachinko game machine 21 subtracts one game point from the game points every time a game ball is launched, while adding points according to the winning to the game points when a prize is won. When the pachinko game machine 21 reaches zero, it becomes impossible to launch game balls and play cannot be continued.

[0043] In the pachinko game machine 21, a game ball can be launched from a launching device (not shown) located at the lower right of the game area 210 by operating the operation handle 26. When the game ball enters the special chart start hole 221, a special chart lottery (jackpot lottery) is executed, and the special chart pattern on the liquid crystal display unit 24 starts to change.

[0044] If the special drawing is won, the liquid crystal display 24 as the special drawing display unit displays a jackpot symbol such as 777 to notify the jackpot, and the state transitions to the jackpot state. In the jackpot state, the jackpot winning slot 222 is opened a specified number of times, greatly improving the winning rate. If the special drawing is not won, the liquid crystal display 24 displays a predetermined losing symbol.

[0045] In addition, when the regular lottery is won at the regular lottery start port 223, a regular lottery is executed, and the pattern variation starts on the liquid crystal display unit 24 as a regular lottery display unit. When the regular lottery is won, the liquid crystal display unit 24 notifies the fact, and the electric tulip of the special lottery start port 221 opens, making it easier to win at the special lottery start port 221.

[0046] In addition to the jackpot state, the pachinko gaming machine 21 may have a normal state and a probability-varying state. The probability-varying state is a hot state in which the probability of winning the special symbol judgment is higher than in the normal state, and the expectation of a jackpot is high. In the illustrated pachinko gaming machine 21, after the jackpot state ends, there is a 70% probability of transitioning to the probability-varying state, and a 30% probability of transitioning to the normal state. Note that performance and playability, such as the probability of winning a jackpot, probability-varying state, or time-saving state, the number of points awarded when a prize is won, and the manner of pattern change, vary depending on the model of the gaming machine 2.

[0047] When the card unit 4 accepts a bill, it adds the amount of the bill to the deposit balance (up to 10,000 yen) and stores it. When a gaming card is accepted, it matches the card ID, which is the identification information of the gaming card, with the card information stored in the gaming facility management device 10. Then, when the matching result is OK, the card unit 4 displays the deposit balance and the number of points related to the card information.

[0048] The card unit 4 converts any of the player's deposit balance, saved balls (points acquired and accumulated up to the previous day), and owned points into game points in response to the player's operation, and transmits them to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21. For example, when the lending button 44 is operated, the points are converted into game points (250 points) in fixed amounts (for example, 1000 yen) and transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 21. For example, when the replay button 45 is operated, the owned points are converted into game points in units of 250 points and transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 21, allowing the player to replay using the owned points (replay processing).

[0049] The card unit 4 stores and displays points such as the number of points owned, the number of game points, and the total number of points which is the sum of the number of points owned and the number of game points. The card unit 4 receives point addition and subtraction information from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21 and updates the stored number of points.

[0050] When finishing playing on the pachinko gaming machine 21, it is necessary to have the number of game points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 counted. To count the number of game points, a counting operation (counting operation) of a counting button (not shown) displayed on the information display unit 25 is performed. In response to the counting operation, the game points are transmitted to the card unit 4, and the game points are subtracted. A short touch counting operation transmits the game points one by one, and a long touch (continuous touch) counting operation transmits all the game points at once. The card unit 4 converts the game points received from the pachinko gaming machine 21 into owned points. The number of game points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 becomes zero when transmission to the card unit 4 is completed.

[0051] When the return button 46 is operated when there is at least one of the deposited balance and the owned points, the card unit 4 records the deposited balance and the owned points on a gaming card and issues it. The gaming points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 are not recorded on the gaming card, but remain stored on the gaming machine side. The card unit 4 has a built-in card stocker, and can store up to 10 gaming cards.

[0052] The card unit 4 receives various types of game information from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21, and collects and stores, for example, the following operation data. (1) Number of jackpots: The number of times a jackpot state occurred. (2) Inter-jackpot start: The number of starts, which is the number of jackpot draws since the previous jackpot state ended (the number of current starts). (3) Today's cumulative starts: The cumulative number of starts since opening on that day. (4) Points consumed: The number of game points consumed by the player for playing. (5) Points awarded: Gaming points awarded to players depending on their winnings.

[0053] The card unit 4 transmits operation data to the gaming center management device 10 and the game information display device 105 at any time via the relay device 109. Furthermore, the card unit 4 also transmits information on the player's possession value, such as the player's deposit balance and points held, to the gaming center management device 10 at any time. The card unit 4 also receives and stores various setting information (gaming machine number, model name, point unit price, etc.) from the gaming center management device 10.

[0054] (B) Configuration and management data of the management server The management server 11 is a server device that stores aggregated data based on game data collected from each gaming facility via the Internet. The management server 11 can collect and analyze information posted by players on social media by accessing SNS sites 13 on the Internet, such as short message posting sites such as Twitter (registered trademark) and pachinko-related bulletin board sites.

[0055] The management server 11 has the functions as the following means. (1) Post collection means: means for collecting player posts on a predetermined SNS site 13. In particular, the post collection means of this example is capable of collecting player posts regarding a new model of gaming machine 2 during a predetermined period around the date on which the new model of gaming machine 2 is introduced. The target period is, for example, a 24-week period from 8 weeks before the model is introduced to 16 weeks after the introduction. (2) Polarity determination means: a means for determining the polarity, indicating whether the content of the posts collected by the post collection means is positive or negative, by using a predetermined natural language processing. (3) Polarity ratio calculation means: means for calculating the polarity ratio of all posts related to the new model based on the result of the determination by the polarity determination means. The polarity ratio calculation means calculates the polarity ratio every time a certain number of days has passed in the target period. In this example, the certain number of days is one week. (4) Post number calculation means: means for calculating the number of posts collected by the post collection means. The post number calculation means in this example calculates the number of posts every time a certain number of days elapses during the target period. (5) Learning model generation means: A means for generating a learning model for predicting the number of players in the introduction week and the operating lifespan for each machine type. (6) Polarity adjustment means: A means for performing machine learning using the polarity ratio and the operational data as training data, and adjusting the criteria for judgment by the polarity judgment means. (7) Data storage means: means for storing various data (FIGS. 4 to 8).

[0056] The data stored by the management server 11 as a data storage means includes polarity dictionary data (Figure 4), post collection data (Figure 5), daily aggregation data of the number of posts (Figure 6), period aggregation data of the number of posts (Figure 7), number of players by machine type and operating lifespan data (Figure 8), etc.

[0057] The polarity dictionary data in Figure 4 is dictionary data that is based on existing polarity dictionary data, with words specific to the pachinko industry added and the polarity adjusted. An example of an existing polarity dictionary that can be used is the "Japanese Evaluation Polarity Dictionary." In the polarity dictionary data in Figure 4, words contained in articles introducing machines that have been introduced in the past have been additionally learned as pachinko terms. The words for additional learning are labeled as positive, negative, or neutral before being applied to learning. It is also good to collect words for learning from information posted on the Internet, etc.

[0058] In the polarity dictionary data, a polarity label and a polarity value (number in Figure 4) are set for each word. Examples of polarity labels include negative, positive, and neutral. The default polarity values ​​are "-1" for negative, "1" for positive, and "0" for neutral. Words that do not exist in the existing dictionary or words with different meanings can be manually registered and adjusted. For example, "super hot" is a positive word that indicates a state in which there is high expectation of a jackpot occurring, but since it is not in the existing dictionary, it is a good idea to register it manually.

[0059] In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of the polarity dictionary data, the management server 11 of this embodiment performs machine learning using the polarity ratio and the actual operation data as teacher data, and can adjust the criteria for judgment by the polarity judgment means to fit the evaluation value and the operation data. According to such machine learning, theoretically, it is possible to derive the conclusion that if the evaluation value is high, the operational life is long, and if the evaluation value is low, the operational life is short. If the operational life is short despite the high evaluation value, it is advisable to adjust the polarity dictionary data so that the evaluation value is lowered.

[0060] The collected post data in Fig. 5 is a collection of online posts sorted by model. The management server 11 collects online posts by social listening, for example, from short message posting sites such as Twitter (registered trademark) (referred to as SNS1 in the figure) and bulletin board sites (referred to as SNS2 in the figure). In the configuration of this example, the collection period is set to a total of 24 weeks, from 8 weeks before the introduction of the model to 16 weeks after the introduction.

[0061] The management server 11 collects evaluation information on gaming machines (models) on the Internet, for example, by scraping. The management server 11 acquires tweet information on Twitter (registered trademark) on gaming machines (models) by, for example, TwitterAPI (registered trademark, Application Programming Interface). In addition, the management server 11 acquires posted information on gaming machines (models) from pachinko-related bulletin board sites.

[0062] The management server 11 determines the polarity (negative, positive, neutral) of the post content and records it together with the polarity value. The management server 11 compares it with the polarity dictionary data (FIG. 4) to determine the polarity of each word. The management server 11 then uses natural language processing to determine the polarity of the entire post based on the polarity and context of each word included in the post.

[0063] As for natural language processing, for example, "BERT", a natural language processing model from Google, can be used. "BERT" can determine not only the meaning of individual words but also the context, making it suitable for analyzing the emotions of people such as players. Furthermore, "BERT" has the excellent characteristic of being applicable to various tasks without modifying the model structure. "BERT" can improve the accuracy of natural language processing by applying additional learning to existing models.

[0064] Additional learning is the learning of words specific to the pachinko industry, such as pachinko terms and words that describe games. Words are extracted and collected from texts such as past reviews of gaming machines. Words for additional learning are classified and labeled in advance as positive, negative, or neutral. By performing this additional learning, called fine tuning, BERT is able to perform highly accurate natural language processing. Fine tuning is a technique called transfer learning, which is performed to improve accuracy by utilizing a trained model with data outside the target task. When the additional learning words are applied to the trained model, the parameters of the trained model are updated and a model specialized for the target task can be generated.

[0065] The image of natural language processing in this example is that, for example, based on a post such as "Pachinko XX is promising. The first hit seems tough, but if you do get lucky, the shot is big. The normal performance is decent too," the average polarity value of the words included in the post is calculated. For example, the combination of the words "expectation" and "can" has a polarity value of "1," the combination of the words "first hit" and "hard" has a polarity value of "-1," the combination of the words "shot" and "big" has a polarity value of "1," and the combination of the words "performance" and "decent" has a polarity value of "1." Therefore, the average polarity value is (1-1+1+1)÷4=0.5.

[0066] The management server 11 can calculate the polarity ratio for each model. The management server 11 calculates the ratio of the number of positive posts to the total number of posts as the polarity ratio (positive ratio, positive ratio) for each week, for example. For example, if the total number of posts is 1000 and the number of positive posts is 750, the polarity ratio is 75%.

[0067] The daily aggregate data of the number of posts in Figure 6 is the number of posts by SNS on each day recorded for each machine type. According to this daily aggregate data of the number of posts, it can be determined that the more posts there are, the higher the interest of players.

[0068] The period-based aggregated data on the number of posts in Figure 7 is based on the daily aggregated data (Figure 6), and records the number of posts by SNS, divided into those before and after the introduction of the model. Note that in order to perform a polarity analysis on a specific model, at least 400 to 500 posts are required. For No. 3 "Pachinko △△" in the figure, polarity analysis could not be performed due to an insufficient number of posts.

[0069] The number of players and operating lifespan data by machine type in Figure 8 is the data calculated and recorded for the number of players and operating lifespan in the introduction week and one week after introduction, by machine type. The operating lifespan is the lifespan that is determined when the weekly average out of the machine type (the average number of gaming points consumed on one business day in a week) falls below the weekly average out of all machines.

[0070] The management server 11 generates a learning model for predicting the number of players and the operating lifespan. The management server 11 performs machine learning using the average polarity ratio for 8 weeks to 6 weeks before the introduction and the actual number of players in the introduction week (an example of operating data) as training data, and generates a learning model for predicting the number of players in the introduction week. Furthermore, the management server 11 performs machine learning using the average polarity ratio for 3 weeks from 1 week before the introduction to 1 week after the introduction and the actual operating lifespan (an example of operating data) as training data, and generates a learning model for predicting the operating lifespan.

[0071] (C) Configuration and management data of the amusement facility management device As described above, the amusement facility management device 10 (FIG. 1) is a computer device for managing the operating status of various machines in the amusement facility. The amusement facility management device 10 is equipped with interfaces such as input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and output devices such as a display 101 and a printer (not shown), and can be operated by a manager of the amusement facility.

[0072] The amusement facility management device 10 is connected to an in-facility network 100 and can compile game data for each gaming machine 2 installed in the amusement facility. The amusement facility management device 10 can exchange various information with the management server 11 via the Internet, which is a public communication line. Information that the amusement facility management device 10 transmits to the management server 11 includes, for example, game data for each gaming machine 2. Information that the amusement facility management device 10 receives from the management server 11 includes, for example, compiled data for the amusement facility, evaluation information for each model obtained through social listening, and the like.

[0073] The game center management device 10 has functions as the following means. (1) Operation data collection means: means for collecting operation data indicating the operation status of the gaming machine 2. In particular, the operation data collected by the operation data collection means in this example includes operation data indicating the operation status of a new model of gaming machine 2. (2) Operational data storage means: means for storing the operational data collected by the operational data collection means. (3) Display means: means for displaying the polarity ratio (e.g., the positive ratio) and the number of posts together with the operational data. The display mode may be a display on the display 101 or a printed display on a printer. The display means can display the polarity ratio and the number of posts in chronological order (described later with reference to FIG. 11).

[0074] The gaming facility management device 10 stores and manages various types of operation data. In particular, the gaming facility management device 10 of this embodiment stores and manages gaming machine-specific data (FIG. 9), which is operation data for each gaming machine, and model-specific data (FIG. 10), which is operation data for each model.

[0075] 9 is operation data for each gaming machine that is compiled and stored based on game information received from the gaming machine 2. In the data for each gaming machine in the figure, various game data is stored by machine number for each business day. The gaming facility management device 10 transmits the data for each gaming machine to the management server 11 every time a predetermined time, such as every 10 minutes, has elapsed.

[0076] The items in the data for each gaming machine are as follows. · Model ID: Identification information (ID) to identify the model. · Points consumed: The number of points consumed in the game. It is equal to the number of balls fired. Points awarded: Points awarded for winning. Start: The number of times the special chart changes in normal mode (the number of times the jackpot is drawn). · Jackpot: The number of times a jackpot has occurred. Number of players: The ID of the card used is used to determine when a player changes and to count the number of players.

[0077] The machine-specific data in Figure 10 is data in which various game data is divided into each business day, compiled and stored by machine type. The payout rate is the average number of points awarded / average number of points consumed. The game time is the time during which consumed points or pattern changes occur continuously within a certain period of time. When consumed points or pattern changes occur again within, for example, two minutes after the occurrence of consumed points or pattern changes, it is determined that the game is continuing.

[0078] (D) Display data by the amusement facility management device The amusement facility management device 10 can display evaluation information for each model obtained by social listening together with the operation data for each model in Fig. 10. The evaluation information for each model is information received from the management server 11, and includes, for example, the number of posts related to the model, the polarity ratio in all posts, and the like.

[0079] The gaming facility management device 10 can, for example, display the time-series data of Fig. 11 on the display 101 or print it out. The time-series data is time-series data for each model on a weekly basis. This time-series data is useful data that helps the manager of the gaming facility to evaluate the models of the gaming machines 2.

[0080] The time period transition data is displayed in a horizontally long display field, with a model name display field 10A, a current (one week after introduction) data display field 10B, and a 10-week weekly data display field 10C covering the 10 weeks from 8 weeks before introduction to the week after the introduction. The current weekly data one week after introduction is displayed in the current (one week after introduction) data display field 10B, and also in the 10-week weekly data display field 10C. The total number of posts in the data display field 10B is the cumulative number of posts for the above 10 weeks.

[0081] In the 10 weeks' worth of weekly data display field 10C, the weekly data for the past 10 weeks is arranged (displayed) in chronological order, starting from the weekly data from 8 weeks ago on the left side. The right end of the 10 weeks' worth of weekly data display field 10C is the weekly data from one week after introduction, which corresponds to the present, and to the left of that is the weekly data from the introduction week, which corresponds to one week ago.

[0082] The composition of the weekly data in the display area 10C for 10 weeks of weekly data differs before and after the introduction. The weekly data before the introduction is composed of the positive ratio (in the figure, positive ratio; polarity ratio) and the number of SNS posts. The weekly data after the introduction includes the positive ratio and the number of SNS posts as well as out (number of gaming points consumed) and used price. Out is the average out for the relevant model over one business day, calculated based on data received from the gaming center management device 10 of each gaming center. The used price is price data received from a server (not shown) of a dealer that manages the distribution of used gaming machines.

[0083] The display format of the time-period transition data is not limited to this example, and various formats can be adopted. For example, the transition of each data may be displayed as a bar graph or a line graph. As data showing the operation status other than out, the time-period transition data may display, for example, the number of players, the playing time, the number of pattern changes, the number of jackpots, etc. In the example of the time-period transition data, the data is displayed in weekly intervals, but it is sufficient that the unit is a certain number of days, and the interval may be any number of days, such as every 10 days or every 5 days.

[0084] According to the period transition data illustrated in FIG. 11, the manager of the game center or the like can make the following judgments, for example. Since orders for models usually need to be placed at least five weeks in advance, the administrator, etc. can refer to data from six to eight weeks prior to the date of the order to determine whether to place an order and how many units to order.

[0085] Managers, etc. can decide whether to increase or decrease the number of machines based on data from the week of introduction to about one week after introduction. In addition, when the positive ratio and the number of posts change dramatically compared to before introduction, it is possible to decide that it is necessary to increase or decrease the number of machines. In the case of the time transition data in Figure 11, the manager of the game center can determine that although the positive ratio and the number of posts increase dramatically in the week of introduction and one week after introduction, the increase in the second-hand price is gradual, so that it is desirable to purchase second-hand machines early and increase the number of machines. In addition, when the positive ratio drops dramatically after introduction, the manager can determine that the expectations of players before the introduction have been betrayed, and can consider selling the second-hand machines early before the second-hand price plummets.

[0086] The gaming information management system 1 of this example is a system for an amusement facility where multiple types of gaming machines 2 are installed. This gaming information management system 1 collects player posts on a specified SNS site regarding a new model of gaming machine 2 for a specified period around the date of introduction of the new model of gaming machine 2, calculates the number of posts, and determines the polarity of the posts, indicating whether the content of the posts is positive or negative. The gaming information management system 1 of this example calculates the polarity ratio of all posts regarding the new model. Then, the gaming information management system 1 displays the calculated polarity ratio and the number of posts together with the operation data of the operation status of the new model of gaming machine 2.

[0087] In this way, the gaming information management system 1 of this example is an excellent system in that it can predict operation before a new model is introduced, making it possible to plan the number of machines to be introduced and to increase or decrease the number of machines after introduction at an early stage.

[0088] The management server 11, which serves as a polarity ratio calculation means, calculates the polarity ratio (positive ratio) every time a certain number of days elapses during the target period. The amusement facility management device 10, which serves as a display means, displays the polarity ratio and the number of posts in chronological order. Displaying the polarity ratio and the number of posts in chronological order in this manner allows the manager of the amusement facility, etc., to easily grasp changes in the polarity ratio and the number of posts. Note that displaying the polarity ratio and the number of posts in parallel is not a required configuration, and it is also possible to display either one in chronological order.

[0089] The management server 11 as the polarity adjustment means performs machine learning using the polarity ratio (positive ratio) and the operation data as teacher data, and adjusts the criteria for judgment by the management server 11 as the polarity determination means. In this way, machine learning using the polarity ratio and the operation data as teacher data can improve the accuracy of the polarity judgment by the management server 11 as the polarity determination means.

[0090] Instead of or in addition to the configuration of this embodiment, the following configurations may be adopted. Also, the following configurations may be adopted in appropriate combination. In this example, the target period for collecting posts is set to 24 weeks spanning from 8 weeks before the model is introduced to 16 weeks after the introduction, but the target period is not limited to this example and may be shortened or extended as appropriate.

[0091] In this example, the operating life is determined based on the average weekly outage of the model, but the operating life may be determined based on other operating data such as the operating rate and operating time, depending on the level of operation. The data by gaming machine and data by model shown in this example are merely examples, and various types of gaming information can be calculated and created. For example, the difference in points indicating the difference between the awarded points and the consumed points, the jackpot probability indicating the ratio of the number of jackpots to the number of starts, etc. may be calculated.

[0092] The gaming machine 2 illustrated in this example is merely one example, and the gaming information management system 1 can be configured for gaming machines of various specifications. For example, in this example, an enclosed type pachinko gaming machine that awards gaming points according to winning is illustrated, but the gaming machine is not limited to this. It may be a pachinko gaming machine that pays out gaming balls according to winning. It may also be a pachislot gaming machine (slot machine) or a jump ball gaming machine. The gaming value used in the game may be physical balls, medals, etc., in addition to electronic points.

[0093] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as examples, these specific examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the claims. Needless to say, the claims should not be interpreted as being limited by the configurations, numerical values, etc. of the specific examples. The claims encompass technologies that are obtained by variously modifying, changing, or appropriately combining the specific examples by utilizing publicly known technologies and the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Gaming Information Management System 10S In-house system 10 Game center management device (operation data collection means, operation data storage means, display means) 100 In-house network 101 Display 105 Gaming information display device 109 Repeater 11 Management server (post collection means, polarity determination means, polarity ratio calculation means, post number calculation means, learning model generation means, polarity adjustment means, data storage means) 13 Social Networking Sites 2. Gaming machines 21 Pachinko machines 4. Card unit (score processing device)

Claims

1. In a gaming information management system for an amusement center where multiple types of gaming machines are installed, a post collecting means for collecting player posts on a predetermined SNS site regarding a new gaming machine model during a predetermined period around the date on which the new gaming machine model is introduced; a post number calculation means for calculating the number of posts collected by the post collection means; An operation data collection means for collecting operation data indicating the operation status of the new type of gaming machine; A game information management system comprising: a display means for displaying the number of posts together with the operation data.

2. the post number calculation means calculates the post number every time a certain number of days elapses during the target period; 2. The game information management system according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the number of posts in chronological order.

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