Game parlor system

Abstract

To precisely evaluate a game machine installed in a game parlor.SOLUTION: In a game parlor system, since a game machine is evaluated by a result value that is game information specified on the basis of a game signal outputted from the game machine installed in a game parlor and a prediction value that is game information at a specific future date, it becomes possible to grasp how game information of an object game machine changes from now by performing evaluation by comparing the prediction value with the result value, thus precisely evaluating a game machine to be exchanged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for an amusement park. [Background technology]

[0002] Gaming parlors periodically replace their gaming machines in order to maintain their ability to attract customers. In order to select the optimal model, a technology has been disclosed for optimally selecting gaming machines to be replaced by ranking gaming machines based on operating information at the parlor itself and affiliated parlors (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-192998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although the above-mentioned conventional technology can optimally select gaming machines to be replaced, a more accurate evaluation method is required. Therefore, there is a demand for a technology that can quantitatively select the optimal model by comparing the support rate, which indicates the degree to which the average operation of a specific gaming machine is supported, with the average operation of each type nationwide for that gaming machine over a predetermined period, and focusing on the maintenance rate, which indicates the degree to which the operation of that gaming machine is maintained over that predetermined period.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an amusement arcade system that can evaluate gaming machines installed in the arcade with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a gaming information collection means (e.g., a management server 14) that collects gaming information (e.g., information on sales, gross profit, operation, etc.) from a plurality of gaming facilities, the gaming information being specified based on gaming signals output from gaming machines installed in the gaming facilities; a gaming machine evaluation means (e.g., the management server 14) that evaluates the gaming machines; and a prediction means (e.g., the management server 14) that predicts gaming information on a specific future date based on the gaming information collected by the gaming information collection means (e.g., calculates a nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 and a nationwide daily model operation forecast value 107), and the gaming machine evaluation means evaluates the gaming machine based on an actual value (e.g., an operation rate during a period to be confirmed), which is gaming information from the gaming information collection means, and a predicted value, which is gaming information from the prediction means (the evaluation is made based on the rate at which the predicted value decreases or increases relative to the actual value).

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, since the gaming machines are evaluated based on the actual value, which is the gaming information determined based on the gaming signals output from the gaming machines installed in the gaming parlor, and the predicted value, which is the gaming information for a specific future date, it is possible to grasp how the gaming information of the target gaming machine will change in the future, and to evaluate the gaming machine to be replaced with high accuracy. This allows the gaming machines installed in the gaming parlor to be evaluated with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an amusement park system according to one embodiment; [Figure 2] Front view of enclosed pachinko gaming machine and card unit [Figure 3] Front view of a medal-less slot machine and a card unit [Figure 4] Overview of the learning model [Figure 5] Diagram showing calendar source data [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a transition of the operation rate calculated by the first prediction means; [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a graph showing a transition of the operating rate calculated by the second prediction means. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing various pieces of gaming information when evaluating a gaming machine. [Figure 9] A diagram showing details of the data period used to calculate gaming machine evaluations. [Figure 10] A diagram showing details of the data period used to calculate gaming machine evaluations. [Figure 11] Diagram showing ranking based on evaluation index [Figure 12] Diagram showing ranking based on evaluation index [Figure 13] Diagram showing ranking based on evaluation index [Figure 14] Market data chart DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a gaming parlor system. A gaming parlor A (parlor A) is equipped with a large number (multiple models) of gaming machines, including enclosed pachinko gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as pachinko gaming machines) 1 and medal-less slot machines (hereinafter referred to as slot machines) 5. A card unit 2 and an information display device 3 are installed corresponding to each pachinko gaming machine 1. Two pachinko gaming machines 1, two card units 2, and two information display devices 3 are connected to a relay device 4, and the relay device 4 is connected to an in-parlor management device (hereinafter referred to as a management device) 10 via a LAN 9. A card unit 6 and an information display device 7 are installed corresponding to each slot machine 5. Two slot machines 5, two card units 6, and two information display devices 7 are connected to a relay device 8, and the relay device 8 is connected to the management device 10 via the LAN 9.

[0010] A POS and a balance adjustment machine (neither shown) are also installed in the gaming facility A, and the POS and the balance adjustment machine are also connected to the management device 10 via a LAN 9. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in reality, for example, several hundred pachinko gaming machines 1 and slot machines 5 are subject to management by the management device 10.

[0011] The POS has a card insertion slot into which IC cards such as member cards or general cards issued by the card units 2, 6 are inserted, and when an IC card is inserted, the inserted IC card is accepted and the points and card identification information recorded on the IC card are read by a card reader (not shown), and a prize exchange process is carried out based on the points corresponding to the read points and card identification information. General cards are general recording media issued to an unspecified number of general players, and member cards are member recording media issued to members who have registered in advance.

[0012] The settlement machine has a card insertion slot into which an IC card is inserted, and when an IC card is inserted, it accepts the inserted IC card, reads the deposit balance recorded on the IC card with a card reader (not shown), and performs a return process of banknotes and coins based on the read deposit balance.The settlement machine also has a banknote insertion slot into which banknotes are inserted, and when a banknote is inserted, it performs a balance addition process to add the inserted amount to the deposit balance recorded on the IC card.

[0013] The management device 10 is installed in, for example, an office or the like within the gaming facility A, and is connected to a keyboard 11 operated by the gaming facility manager, a monitor 12, a printer (not shown), etc. The management device 10 inputs game signals output from the gaming machines (pachinko gaming machine 1, card unit 2, information display device 3, slot machine 5, card unit 6, information display device 7, etc.) and manages game data for each pachinko gaming machine 1 and slot machine 5, personal data for each registered member, and the operating status of the pachinko gaming machine 1, card unit 2, information display device 3, slot machine 5, card unit 6, information display device 7, etc.

[0014] In the gaming parlor system, components equivalent to those installed in gaming parlor A, such as pachinko gaming machines 1, card units 2, information display devices 3, relay devices 4, slot machines 5, card units 6, information display devices 7, relay devices 8, LAN 9, and management device 10, are also installed in other gaming parlors (gaming parlor B (store B) and gaming parlor C (store C) in the example of FIG. 1). Each of the management devices 10 installed in each of these gaming parlors A to C is connected to a management server 14 (corresponding to first prediction means, second prediction means, collection means, management means, calculation means, gaming information collection means, support information calculation means, maintenance information calculation means, gaming machine evaluation means, and prediction means) installed separately from each of gaming parlors A to C via a public line 13 such as the Internet or a VPN connection, and is configured to be able to communicate various signals and information with the management server 14 via the public line 13. The management server 14 is a server that compiles and manages the gaming information created by each of the management devices 10 in each of gaming parlors A to C. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the number of management devices 10 connected to the management server 14 is not limited to the three installed in each of the game centers A to C, and may be three or more.

[0015] The pachinko gaming machine 1, card unit 2, and information display device 3 will now be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is an enclosed type pachinko machine that uses circulating gaming media (for example, circulating pachinko balls) that are enclosed inside the machine in advance. The gaming value (gaming points) used in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is virtual pachinko balls, but is gaming value stored in a memory unit inside the machine, and unlike conventional payout type gaming machines, balls shot onto the board circulate and are not paid out outside the gaming machine even if a prize is won, and the gaming value in the memory unit increases or decreases depending on the game.

[0016] When the pachinko gaming machine 1 receives the game points from the card unit 2, it becomes possible to fire pachinko balls equal to the game points, and when the game points reach "0", it becomes impossible to fire pachinko balls. The pachinko gaming machine 1 transmits the game points to the card unit 2 in response to a counting operation and subtracts the game points. The pachinko gaming machine 1 displays various game data (number of jackpots, number of special drawing draws, etc.) in response to an information display operation.

[0017] 2, the pachinko game machine 1 has a face 21 from which pachinko balls are shot, a launch handle 22 constituting the launching device, an information display unit 23 including a touch panel, and decorative lamps 24a, 24b. The face 21 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 25, a special symbol display unit 26, a normal symbol display unit 27, normal symbol start openings 28a, 28b, a special symbol 1 start opening 29 (center), a special symbol 2 start opening 30 (electric chute), a big prize opening 31, and an opening / closing prize opening device 32.

[0018] The specifications of Pachinko Game Machine 1 are as follows: (1) The probability of winning (common to Special Chart 1 lottery and Special Chart 2 lottery) is 1 / 239 (TS=239). (2) The probability of a small win (special chart 2 lottery) is 1 / 6, and the actual probability of a big win in special chart 2 is 1 / 5.8 (= 1 / 239 + 1 / 6) (TSA = 5.8). (3) As game states, the initial state, internal time-saving state, time-saving state, jackpot state, etc. can be generated.

[0019] The initial state is a state that is entered when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is initialized or when the jackpot state ends. The special symbol 1 lottery in the initial state also involves a lottery for the time-saving symbol. The internal time-saving state is a state that is entered when a specific symbol (time-saving symbol) is drawn in the initial state or when the jackpot state ends. In the internal time-saving state, the probability of winning the regular symbol (normal symbol) lottery increases, but even if a symbol is drawn, the electric chute opens for an extremely short time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), making it impossible for the player to win the jackpot. The special symbol 1 lottery in the internal time-saving state does not involve a lottery for the time-saving symbol. The time-saving state (a favorable state for the player) is a state that is entered when the time-saving symbol in the initial state is drawn or when the jackpot state ends. In the time-saving state, the probability of winning the regular symbol lottery increases. If the regular symbol lottery is won, the electric chute opens (e.g., 3 seconds). The jackpot state is a state that is entered by winning the special lottery.

[0020] The pachinko gaming machine 1 operates as follows. (1) In the normal state (initial state, internal time-saving state), the player hits from the left side, aiming to win in the center hole. By winning in the center hole, a jackpot lottery (Special Chart 1 lottery) will be held on Special Chart 1. One jackpot lottery is sometimes called the start. In the Special Chart 1 lottery, the jackpot lottery has a probability of 1 / 239. If a jackpot is won in the Special Chart 1 lottery, the jackpot game will begin (transition to jackpot state), and the large prize slot 31 will open for the number of rounds (R) corresponding to the type of special chart. In Special Chart 1, all rounds are 4R. The maximum number of prizes per round is 10. If a prize is won in the large prize slot 31, 15 game points will be added.

[0021] (2) When a jackpot game on Special Chart 1 ends, the game transitions to a different game state depending on the type of special chart when the jackpot was won. 80% of the time after a jackpot, the game transitions to the time-saving state. The time-saving state ends when the Special Chart 2 lottery is won or the Special Chart 2 lottery is not won 128 times in a row, and then the game transitions to the jackpot state or the initial state. 15% of the time after a jackpot, the game transitions to the internal time-saving state. The internal time-saving state ends when the Special Chart 1 lottery is won or the Special Chart 1 lottery is not won 9999 times in a row, and then the game transitions to the jackpot state or the initial state. 5% of the time after a jackpot, the game transitions to the initial state.

[0022] (3) In the time-saving mode, hit the right side and aim to win in the normal starting slots 28a and 28b, which are through. If the normal starting slots 28a and 28b are won, a normal lottery is held with a probability of 1 / 1. If the normal lottery is won, the electric chute opens and the ball can be won in the electric chute. In the electric chute, a jackpot lottery for special 2 (special 2 lottery) is held, with a 1 / 239 chance of winning a jackpot and a 1 / 6 chance of winning a minor jackpot.

[0023] (4) If a jackpot is won in the special drawing 2, the jackpot game will start in the same way as in the special drawing 1, and the number of rounds will be 10R. If a small jackpot is won in the special drawing 2, the opening and closing winning device 32 will open. A V winning hole (specific area) is provided inside the opening and closing winning device 32, and if the V winning hole is won, the jackpot game will start. In other words, it becomes possible to play the jackpot game by going through a small jackpot.

[0024] (5) In the case of a jackpot via a small jackpot, the large prize entry port 31 opens for the number of R corresponding to the type of special symbol at the time of the small jackpot win, and after the jackpot game ends, the state transitions to either the time-saving state, the internal time-saving state, or the initial state. The respective ratios are as follows: 10R+Time-saving state: 20% 2R+Time Saving: 60% 2R+ internal time reduction: 15% 2R+ initial state: 5%

[0025] (6) The time-saving state ends when the Special Chart 2 lottery is won or the Special Chart 2 lottery has been unsuccessful 128 times, and then the state transitions to a jackpot state or the initial state. The internal time-saving state ends when the Special Chart 1 lottery is won or the Special Chart 1 lottery has been unsuccessful 9999 times, and then the state transitions to a jackpot state or the initial state.

[0026] (7) In the initial state, the special drawing 1 lottery draws for a time-saving symbol, and if the time-saving symbol is drawn, there is a 50% chance that the game will transition to the time-saving state, and a 50% chance that the game will transition to the internal time-saving state. The time-saving state resulting from the time-saving symbol ends when the special drawing 2 lottery is drawn or the special drawing 2 lottery has not been drawn 128 times, and then the game will transition to a jackpot state or the initial state. The internal time-saving state resulting from the time-saving symbol ends when the special drawing 2 lottery is drawn or the special drawing 2 lottery has not been drawn 9999 times, and then the game will transition to a jackpot state or the initial state. The probability of winning a time-saving symbol is 1 / 50. The time-saving state resulting from the time-saving symbol is sometimes called a sudden time.

[0027] (8) The normal state is the state excluding the time-saving state and the jackpot state. The probability of winning the normal lottery in the initial state is 1 / 65536. In addition, the state set to the time-saving state and the jackpot state is called the special state.

[0028] For example, the following game signals are output from the pachinko gaming machine 1. Out signal: A signal that can identify the number of game points consumed in a game. Safe signal: A signal that can identify the safe, which is the number of game points awarded to the player. Jackpot signal = A signal that can identify a jackpot state.

[0029] Special state signal = A signal that is output during a jackpot state and a time-saving state. Initialization signal: A signal that is output when an operation (initialization operation) of a clear switch (not shown) in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is accepted. Start signal (pattern change stop signal) = A signal that can identify the pattern change on the LCD display unit 25 that changes when a prize is won at the special pattern 1 start port 29 or the special pattern 2 start port 30. Winning signal (starting port winning signal) = A signal output upon winning at special chart 1 starting port 29 or special chart 2 starting port 30.

[0030] The card unit 2 has a status lamp 33 that indicates the gaming status of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the status of the card unit 2 (error status, etc.), a bill insertion slot 34 into which bills are inserted, a touch panel type liquid crystal display 35 that receives operation inputs from the player and displays various game data, a lending button 36 for performing a lending operation, a replay button 37 for performing a replay operation, a return button 38 for performing a return operation, a card insertion slot 39 into which an IC card is inserted, etc. The card unit 2 also has a camera (not shown) that photographs the upper body including the face of the player.

[0031] The card unit 2 operates as follows. (1) Receives the various game signals described above from the pachinko game machine 1, tallying and storing them, and transmits them to the management device 10 and the information display device 3 via the relay device 4. Also transmits the player's deposit balance and game points to the management device 10. Receives and stores various setting information (game machine number, model name, point unit price, etc.) from the management device 10.

[0032] (2) When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 34, it is added to the deposit balance and stored. When an IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 39, it reads out and displays the deposit balance and the number of points held that correspond to the card ID. When the loan button 36 is operated, it converts points corresponding to a certain amount (for example, 1,000 yen) into game points in increments of 250 points and sends them to the pachinko gaming machine 1. When the replay button 37 is operated, it converts the number of points held into game points in increments of 250 points and sends them to the pachinko gaming machine 1. It stores and displays the number of points held, game points, and total number of points (the sum of the number of points held and game points). It receives point addition information and point subtraction information from the pachinko gaming machine 1, updates the stored number of points according to the received point addition information and point subtraction information, and sends point number information to the relay device 4 according to the update of the number of points.

[0033] (3) When the return button 38 is operated while at least one of the deposit balance and the number of points exists, the deposit balance and the number of points are recorded on the IC card and issued. The gaming points are not recorded and remain on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side. (4) Up to 10 IC cards are stocked.

[0034] The information display device 3 operates as follows. (1) Receives various setting information from the management device 10 via the relay device 4, and also receives various game information from the pachinko game machine 1 and the card unit 2 via the relay device 4, and creates and displays various display information based on the received setting information and game information.

[0035] (2) Based on the game information, various data such as the number of starts and the number of jackpots is compiled and displayed, and the game status of the pachinko game machine 1 is identified and display information corresponding to the identified game status is displayed. The time of unit symbol fluctuation is calculated based on the timing of the start and stop of symbol fluctuation based on the signal output from the pachinko game machine 1, the game status of the pachinko game machine 1 is identified based on the time of unit symbol fluctuation, and display information corresponding to the identified game status is displayed.

[0036] The following describes the slot machine 5, the card unit 6, and the information display device 7. As shown in Fig. 3, the slot machine 5 has three reels 42 visible through a display window 41, an awarded point display unit 43, a game point display unit 44, a start lever 45, stop buttons 46a to 46c, a BET button 47, a counting button 48, a decorative lamp unit 49, a liquid crystal display unit 50, and speakers 51a and 51b.

[0037] The slot machine 5 operates as follows. (1) The game starts when the BET button 47 is operated to bet 3 points and the start lever 45 is operated with the game points bet. In this case, a predetermined number of points, for example, 3 points, is set in advance, and 3 points are required to play one game.

[0038] (2) When the game starts, an internal lottery is executed to determine an internal winning combination, and each reel 42 is spun (started). In the internal lottery, a random number is extracted by the random number extraction unit from among the random numbers generated by the random number generation unit, and if an internal winning combination is found, a flag corresponding to the internal winning combination is set.

[0039] (3) When the stop buttons 46a-46c are operated, the symbols of the internal win role (the rotation of the corresponding reel 42) are drawn in within a predetermined draw-in range and stopped. In this case, stop control (control for stopping each reel 42 with a winning symbol or a losing symbol according to the type of internal win role flag) including so-called draw-in control (slip control) is executed based on the flag of the internal win role. Note that the draw-in control is a control that can draw and stop symbols within a predetermined draw-in range (up to a maximum of four symbols) on an active line from the time when the operation of each stop button 46a-46c is detected. If the symbol corresponding to the internal win role flag does not exist within the draw-in range, the symbol cannot be drawn in and stopped on an active line, resulting in a so-called missed win.

[0040] (4) Whether or not a winning combination has occurred is determined based on the symbols that are stopped and displayed, and game points are awarded according to the type of winning combination. That is, the internal winning combinations that award points include 2-point combinations, 8-point combinations, 15-point combinations, and bonus combinations. If the winning combination is a 15-point combination, 15 game points are awarded.

[0041] (5) There are two game states: a normal state and a bonus state. If a winning combination in the normal state is a bonus combination, the game transitions to the bonus state. In the normal state, the internal winning probability of the combination is low and the score rate is below 100%, while in the bonus state, the internal winning probability is high and the score rate is above 100%. The bonus state ends when a predetermined score (for example, 300) is reached, and the game returns to the normal state.

[0042] (6) When the counting button 48 is operated, the gaming points are transmitted to the card unit 6 in accordance with the operation. In this case, the gaming points corresponding to the operation time are transmitted to the card unit 6, and when all the gaming points are transmitted, the gaming points of the gaming machine 1 are reset to zero.

[0043] The slot machine 5 outputs, for example, the following game signals. Out signal: A signal that can identify the number of game points consumed in a game. Safe signal: A signal that can identify the safe, which is the number of game points awarded to the player. Game signal = a signal that can identify that a game has been played. Bonus information = A signal that can identify a bonus state.

[0044] The card unit 6 has the same configuration as the above-described card unit 2, and includes a status lamp 52 that indicates the gaming status of the slot machine 5 and the status of the card unit 2 (error status, etc.), a bill insertion slot 53 into which bills are inserted, a touch panel type liquid crystal display 54 that receives operation inputs from the player and displays various game data, a lending button 55 for performing a lending operation, a replay button 56 for performing a replay operation, a return button 57 for performing a return operation, and a card insertion slot 58 into which an IC card is inserted. The information display device 7 has the same configuration as the above-described information display device 3.

[0045] The management server 14 will now be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the management device 10 of each gaming facility identifies daily information 101 (corresponding to daily type data and daily model data) based on game signals output from the pachinko gaming machines 1 and slot machines, and transmits the identified daily information 101 to the management server 14. When the management server 14 receives the daily information 101 transmitted from the management device 10 of each gaming facility, it collects the received daily information 101 as per-store daily information 102 (corresponding to collection means), and records the collected per-store daily information 102 in a database. The per-store daily information 102 includes, for example, outs, safes, difference in balls, number of jackpots, operating rates per regular time, sales, gross profits, etc. for each model and machine number of each gaming facility.

[0046] The management server 14 calculates nationwide daily type information 103 and nationwide daily machine type information 104 based on the per-store daily information 102 recorded in the database, and records the calculated nationwide daily type information 103 and nationwide daily machine type information 104 as daily type data and daily machine type data, respectively, in the database. The nationwide daily type information 103 is, for example, a national average value of each game information by type calculated from the per-store daily information 102. The nationwide daily machine type information 104 is, for example, a national average value of each game information by machine type calculated from the per-store daily information 102. In this embodiment, a national average value covering the entire nation is illustrated, but a prefectural average value or a municipal average value covering, for example, prefectures or municipalities may also be used. Alternatively, an area average value covering, for example, a specific area designated by the gaming facility manager may also be used.

[0047] The management server 14 records in a database calendar source data 105 provided by an information provider that manages the management server 14. As shown in Fig. 5, the calendar source data 105 is data including a plurality of features to be used in a learning model, which will be described later. For example, the features recorded include information such as the day of the week the date corresponding to the daily information is, the first digit of the date, whether it is a holiday, the number of weeks since the gaming machine was introduced as a new machine, whether it is a pension payment day, or whether it is a payday.

[0048] The management server 14 is capable of predicting daily information through machine learning (corresponding to a prediction means). The management server 14 uses the nationwide daily type information 103 and the calendar source data 105 as learning data for the nationwide daily type prediction model 201, and calculates a nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 (corresponding to the nationwide daily type operation information) as information regarding operation of a specific type on a specific date in the future (corresponding to a first prediction means for predicting daily type operation information). That is, by calculating the nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106, the daily type operation information is predicted. The management server 14 records the calculated nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 in a database. Here, the specific future date refers to a date that is later than the date on which the prediction is made. The nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 is, for example, the outage or operation rate of a specific type on a specific date.

[0049] The management server 14 uses the nationwide daily model type information 104, calendar source data 105, and nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 as learning data for the nationwide daily model type prediction model 202, and calculates a nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107 (corresponding to the nationwide daily model type operation information) as information regarding the operation of a specific model type on a specific date in the future (corresponding to the second prediction means for predicting daily model type operation information). That is, by calculating the nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107, the daily model type operation information is predicted. The management server 14 records the calculated nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107 in a database. The nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107 is, for example, the outage or operation rate of a specific model type on a specific date.

[0050] In this way, predicted values ​​for operation of a specific type on a specific date are calculated, and then predicted values ​​for operation of each model are calculated using these predicted values, because the type of day that specific date is has a significant impact on the operation of gaming machines.

[0051] Here, we will explain the prediction method using machine learning. To build a model using machine learning, existing regression analysis is used to perform learning using a time-series regression model. Daily type data recorded in the management server 14 is included as learning data, and feature quantities, which are the calendar source data 105, are associated with the daily information, and a predicted value is calculated based on the feature quantities associated with the specific date to be predicted. The calculated predicted value is compared with the correct value, which is the actual gaming information for that specific date, to evaluate the predicted value. Common evaluation indices such as mean squared error (MSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are used to evaluate the predicted value, and the model is tuned each time to minimize the error.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows the calculation results of the daily type operation forecast values ​​by the first prediction means in the management server 14. The horizontal axis represents the prediction target date (corresponding to a specific date), and the vertical axis represents the operation rate (corresponding to information about operation). It can be determined that the daily type operation forecast values ​​calculated by the management server 14 generally track the daily type operation results. For example, since "October 22, 2022" and "October 30, 2022" are Saturdays and Sundays, the operation rates are improved, and since "November 3, 2022" and "November 23, 2022" are holidays, the operation rates are also improved. This makes it possible to confirm that the feature values ​​from the calendar source data 105 affect the operation of gaming machines.

[0053] Figure 7 shows the calculation results of daily model type operation predicted values ​​by the second prediction means in management server 14. The horizontal axis is the prediction target date (corresponding to a specific date), and the vertical axis is the operation rate (corresponding to information about operation). The daily type operation predicted values ​​by the first prediction means are included in the learning data and predictions are made. It can be determined that the daily model type operation predicted values ​​calculated by management server 14 generally track the daily model type operation actual values.

[0054] Although the predicted values ​​calculated in this way can be checked daily, it is also possible to calculate and check the period operation predicted value (corresponding to the period model operation information) based on the predicted values ​​over a predetermined period, such as one week (corresponding to the calculation means for calculating the period model operation information). For example, if the calculation period is one week starting from Monday ("October 17, 2022" to "October 23, 2022"), the average of the predicted values ​​for that one week will be the predicted value for "week 10 / 17."

[0055] In addition, a geographical area including a specific amusement facility and competing stores outside the specific amusement facility may be managed as a specific commercial area, and each value calculated as described above may be managed as market data (details of which will be described later) associated with the commercial area (corresponding to a management means for managing as market data).

[0056] Next, the evaluation of the gaming machine will be explained. The management server 14 calculates a maintenance rate indicating the degree to which the operation of the gaming machine is maintained by comparing the support rate for the operation of the gaming machine over multiple periods, and evaluates the gaming machine based on the most recent support rate and the calculated maintenance rate.

[0057] As an evaluation method, the management server 14 receives and collects gaming information transmitted from multiple gaming facilities (corresponding to a gaming information collecting means for collecting gaming information from multiple gaming facilities) and records the collected gaming information. The management server 14 records the recorded gaming information for each machine type and calculates the average value for each week starting from Monday. Information on sales, gross profit, operation, etc. is used as gaming information to refer to when evaluating gaming machines. Here, information on operation is used. Information on operation includes outs and operation rates, etc., but in this embodiment, evaluation is performed using operation rates.

[0058] Below, a case where a gaming machine evaluation is performed in the week of April 17, 2023, for the period from March 20, 2023 to April 16, 2023, will be explained using Figures 8 to 10. The gaming machine evaluation shown in Figure 8 is calculated using the operation support rate (hereinafter simply referred to as the support rate) and the operation maintenance rate (hereinafter simply referred to as the maintenance rate). Here, the support rate is a value indicating the degree to which the operation of the target model is supported within the type to which it belongs, and is calculated using the following calculation formula (corresponding to the support information calculation means for calculating the support information). Support rate = Availability of the model in question ÷ Average availability of the model type × 100 (%)

[0059] On the other hand, the retention rate is a value indicating the degree to which the support rate of the target model has been maintained compared to the past, and is calculated using the following formula (corresponding to the retention information calculation means for calculating the retention information). Retention rate = Support rate / Support rate in past period x 100 (%) For example, the retention rate for "0410 weeks" can be calculated using the following formula: 0410 week retention rate = 0410 week support rate ÷ 0320_0409 support rate × 100 (%)

[0060] As a result of the above, the gaming machine evaluation index (hereinafter referred to as the evaluation index) based on the gaming machine evaluation is calculated using the following formula, and the gaming machine is evaluated based on the calculated value (corresponding to the gaming machine evaluation means that evaluates a specific gaming machine). Evaluation index = Support rate x Maintenance rate ÷ 100

[0061] In other words, by understanding the trend of how the support rate decreases depending on the maintenance rate and calculating an evaluation index based on the maintenance rate and support rate, it becomes possible to evaluate gaming machines in accordance with the trend and current performance. In order to simplify the calculation, the calculation of the maintenance rate may be omitted, and the evaluation index may be calculated by the following calculation formula. Evaluation index = Approval rating × Approval rating ÷ Approval rating for the past period For example, the evaluation index for "0410 week" is calculated using the following formula: 0410 week evaluation index = 0410 week approval rating × 0410 week approval rating ÷ 0320_0409 approval rating

[0062] Here, to explain the period used for calculation using a calendar, if a gaming machine is evaluated in the "week of 4 / 17", the evaluation will be made based on the operating rate, support rate, and retention rate in the first period from "3 / 20 to 4 / 9" (corresponding to the first period, the period spanning the days with the "upward-sloping diagonal line" in Figures 9 and 10) and from "4 / 10 to 4 / 16" (corresponding to the second period, the period spanning the days with the "downward-sloping diagonal line" in Figure 10).

[0063] Below, specific calculations will be explained using the model "AAA" as an example. The availability rate for model "AAA" from 3 / 20 to 4 / 9 (hereinafter referred to as the 0320_0409 availability rate) was 54.6%, with the average availability rate by type being 23.1%. Meanwhile, the availability rate from 4 / 10 to 4 / 16 (hereinafter referred to as the 0410 week availability rate) was 53.6%, with the average availability rate by type being 22.9%.

[0064] At this time, the approval rating for "3 / 20~4 / 9" (hereinafter referred to as 0320_0409 approval rating) is 0320_0409 support rate = 0320_0409 operation rate ÷ average operation rate by type × 100 (%) =54.6÷23.1×100(%)=236.7(%) The approval rating from 4 / 10 to 4 / 16 (hereafter referred to as the 0410 week approval rating) was: 0410-week support rate = 0410-week operation rate / average operation rate by type × 100 (%) =53.6÷22.9×100(%)=233.6(%) This becomes:

[0065] In addition, the maintenance rate from 3 / 20 to 4 / 9 (hereinafter referred to as 0320_0409 maintenance rate), which indicates the degree to which the support rate from 4 / 10 to 4 / 16 was maintained compared to the support rate from 3 / 20 to 4 / 9, is as follows: 0320_0409 retention rate = 0410 week support rate ÷ 0320_0409 support rate × 100 (%) =233.6÷236.7×100(%)=98.7(%) This becomes:

[0066] From the above, the evaluation index for the model "AAA" is: Model "AAA" evaluation index = 0410 week support rate × 0320_0409 maintenance rate ÷ 100 =233.6×98.7÷100=230.5 This becomes:

[0067] The evaluation indexes thus obtained are arranged in descending order for each model, and the evaluation is performed by classifying them into ranks as shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, in order to perform a more detailed evaluation, the evaluation may be weighted according to the support rate and retention rate in the second period, as shown in Figure 12. For example, if the models up to "FFF" are in the top 2.5%, and although the model is in the top 2.5% of the evaluation index, if the "04 / 10 week support rate" is "110-130%, it will be classified as "top 10% and support rate of 110% or more" and will be ranked "A".

[0068] Furthermore, in addition to or instead of the approval rating, the evaluation may be weighted according to the number of units in the second period. For example, if the models up to "FFF" are in the top 2.5%, the models "DDD", "EEE", and "FFF" have evaluation indices in the top 2.5%, but since the "number of units in week 04 / 10" is less than 5,000 units, they are all classified as "top 10% and less than 5,000 units" and are ranked "A".

[0069] Furthermore, the learning model described above may be used to predict information about future gaming machine operation, and an evaluation index may be calculated based on the predicted value. In this case, a period including a future date for comparison is specified. For example, when evaluating gaming machines in the future "week of April 24," the evaluation index is calculated using the predicted value for "week of April 17-23," the retention rate for "week of March 27-16," and the support rate for "week of April 17."

[0070] Next, the display of market information will be described. The management device 10 can manage and display various types of gaming information, forecast values, and evaluation indexes as actual values ​​collected by the management server 14, in a list as market information. For market data, it is possible to select which amusement facility group to designate as a trade area, and which amusement facility within the trade area to designate. For example, the amusement facility manager can designate a "competitor facility" arbitrarily in the group designation field 201, and designate "own facility" in the amusement facility (store) designation field 202. In addition, it is possible to designate an area such as an amusement facility located within an arbitrary range from the own facility, or a specific prefecture, in the group designation field 201. Similarly, it is possible to designate an amusement facility belonging to the group in the store designation field 202.

[0071] The market data includes the model name of the gaming machine for the period covered by the market data confirmation (for example, "week of 10 / 17"), the date the gaming machine was introduced to the market (registration start date), the specification range (type) of the gaming machine, the type set for the gaming machine, the number of installed units as actual values ​​and their trends, a rank (evaluation rank) based on the gaming machine evaluation described above, and a predicted future operation rate (forecast) based on the learning model described above. When a predicted future operation rate is included, the operation rate for the period covered by the confirmation is used as the actual value, and evaluation is performed by comparing how it changes with the predicted value, or based on the percentage by which the predicted value decreases or increases relative to the actual value.

[0072] FIG. 14 illustrates a case where a pachinko machine is selected and information about the pachinko machine is displayed, but if a slot machine is selected, information about the slot machine is displayed. The selected gaming machine is displayed in inverse video. If "All" is checked in the operation score selection unit 203, all of the categories from "S" to "F" are checked (black circles are added), gaming machines corresponding to all ranks are displayed, and one of "S" to "F" is recorded in the operation column of the evaluation rank. On the other hand, if "All" is not checked, any rank from the categories from "S" to "F" can be selected, and the gaming machine corresponding to the selected rank is displayed. For example, if a rank from "S" to "D" is selected, gaming machines corresponding to the rank from "S" to "D" are displayed, and one of "S" to "D" is recorded in the operation column of the evaluation rank. Similarly, if "All" is checked in the gross profit score selection unit 204, all of the "S" to "F" categories are checked (black dots are added), gaming machines corresponding to all ranks are displayed, and one of "S" to "F" is recorded in the gross profit column of the evaluation rank. On the other hand, if "All" is not checked, any rank from the "S" to "F" categories can be selected, and gaming machines corresponding to the selected rank are displayed. For example, if a rank from "S" to "D" is selected, gaming machines corresponding to the rank from "S" to "D" are displayed, and one of "S" to "D" is recorded in the gross profit column of the evaluation rank. Figure 14 illustrates a case where "All" is checked in both the operation score selection unit 203 and the gross profit score selection unit 204. The gaming information used to calculate the machine rank is the national average compiled by the management server 14, and the store average (own store information) of the own store may also be calculated. When the calculation targets are the national average and the store average separately, the market data may be displayed so that they can be evaluated separately.

[0073] According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. When calculating nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107 for a future prediction date, even if there is no learning data corresponding to the prediction date, nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 is calculated and the calculated nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 is used to calculate nationwide daily model type operation forecast value 107, so that highly accurate operation prediction can be made.

[0074] Since the nationwide daily type operation forecast value 106 and the nationwide daily model operation forecast value 107 are calculated for the entire country, a sufficient amount of training data can be secured, enabling more accurate operation forecasts to be made.

[0075] Since the predicted values ​​are managed as market data, it is possible to grasp future operating information of so-called competing amusement arcades, and to plan a sales strategy based on information on competing amusement arcades.

[0076] When making an operation forecast, operation information on a periodic basis is used, so that the operation information can be grasped more intuitively, and it becomes easier to formulate a business plan in addition to the operation forecast.

[0077] By focusing on the popularity rate, which indicates the degree of popularity of a specific gaming machine by comparing the national average for a specific type with the average for a specific gaming machine in that specific type, and the maintenance rate, which is obtained by comparing the popularity rate in a first period with the popularity rate in a second period, the specific gaming machine is evaluated based on the popularity rate and maintenance rate in the second period, and the gaming machines are classified according to the evaluation results, it is possible to evaluate gaming machines more quantitatively and to evaluate gaming machines that are to be replaced with high accuracy.

[0078] When evaluating gaming machines, weighting can be performed according to the support rate, maintenance rate, and number of gaming machines, so gaming machines can be evaluated more quantitatively, and gaming machines that are to be replaced can be evaluated with higher accuracy.

[0079] Since the evaluation is made after distinguishing the store's own evaluation from the national evaluation, it is possible to make an evaluation according to the store's player demographic, and to more accurately evaluate gaming machines that are to be replaced.

[0080] Gaming machines are evaluated based on actual values, which are gaming information determined based on gaming signals output from gaming machines installed in the gaming facility, and predicted values, which are gaming information for a specific date in the future.By comparing the predicted values ​​with the actual values ​​and evaluating them, it is possible to understand how the gaming information of the target gaming machine will change in the future, and to evaluate gaming machines that are to be replaced with high accuracy.

[0081] Since the evaluation results of the actual values ​​and the predicted values ​​are ranked and evaluated, it is possible to perform a more quantitative and highly accurate evaluation of gaming machines to be replaced.

[0082] Since evaluation is performed for each gaming facility in the market data, gaming machines can be evaluated for each competing gaming facility, and gaming machines that are to be replaced can be evaluated more quantitatively with high accuracy.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified or expanded as follows. A cloud-based server may be used as the management server 14, and the aggregation and other processing may be performed on the cloud.

[0084] A part or all of the processing performed by the management server 14 may be performed by the management device 10, and a part or all of the processing performed by the management device 10 may be performed by the management server 14. A learning model based on a time series regression model was used as the learning model used in the prediction means, but any learning model can be used as long as it can predict the original calendar data as features, and predictions can be made using a linear model, random forest, or boosting model.

[0085] Although predictions of gaming information and evaluations of gaming machines are made based on information on operation, they may be made based on any gaming information, or predictions and evaluations of gaming machines may be made based on sales managed by the card units 2 and 6 or gross profits for each gaming machine. In this case, the gaming facility manager may be able to select which gaming information to use.

[0086] Although gaming machines are evaluated using the support rate and the maintenance rate, gaming machines may also be evaluated by comparing actual values, which are past data, with predicted values. As long as it is possible to evaluate a gaming machine based on the support rate and the maintenance rate, the evaluation index can be adjusted in any way, and the obtained evaluation index can be multiplied by the support rate or the maintenance rate, or divided by the support rate or the maintenance rate.

[0087] Since gaming machines are evaluated using gaming information for the first and second periods, it is preferable not to evaluate gaming machines for which gaming information corresponding to those periods does not exist. Even if evaluation is not performed, it is possible to perform evaluation by adjusting the first and second periods.

[0088] Although the market data can be viewed on the management device 10, it may also be viewed on, for example, a normal personal computer or a tablet terminal. In this case, it is preferable to input an ID or the like to identify the viewer. The commercial area may be set in any manner, and may be selected in advance by the amusement center manager.

[0089] Market data is created using gaming information sent from the management device 10, but for gaming facilities that cannot send gaming information, actual aggregated values ​​may be input and sent to the management server 14. Although the second period is a period not included in the first period, the two periods may overlap partially.

[0090] The exemplary ranges may be inclusive or exclusive of the values. Although the examples given are so-called sealed type pachinko gaming machines 1 and slot machines 5 that do not pay out balls or medals, the present invention may also be applied to pachinko gaming machines and slot machines that pay out balls or medals when a player wins a prize.

[0091] The illustrated configurations may be combined in any manner, including modified examples, and configurations may not be adopted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] In the drawing, 1 is a pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine), 5 is a slot machine (gaming machine), and 14 is a management server (first prediction means, second prediction means, collection means, management means, calculation means, gaming information collection means, support information calculation means, maintenance information calculation means, gaming machine evaluation means, prediction means).

Claims

1. a gaming information collecting means for collecting gaming information from a plurality of gaming facilities, the gaming information being specified based on gaming signals output from gaming machines installed in the gaming facilities; a gaming machine evaluation means for evaluating the gaming machine; a prediction means for predicting game information at a specific date in the future based on the game information collected by the game information collecting means, The gaming machine evaluation means is a system for an amusement facility that evaluates gaming machines based on actual values, which are gaming information from the gaming information collection means, and predicted values, which are gaming information from the prediction means.

2. 2. The gaming parlor system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine evaluation means classifies the gaming machines according to the results of evaluation of the actual values ​​and predicted values, and evaluates the gaming machines based on the classified evaluations.

3. 3. The system for an amusement facility according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a management means for identifying a commercial area, which is a geographical area including a specific amusement facility and competing facilities outside the specific amusement facility, and for managing the results of evaluation by the gaming machine evaluation means as market data in the commercial area associated with the amusement facility from which data is collected by the collection means.

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