Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To reduce time and effort of a player when a plurality of lottery games are executed in parallel.SOLUTION: And game execution means 56 for executing a first game (normal game) and a second game (special game), wherein a result of the first game is determined by using a plurality of times of lottery processing executed by the lottery means 54, and a result of the second game is determined by using a part of the plurality of times of lottery processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are known devices capable of executing a plurality of lottery games. A lottery game refers to a game including a lottery process and a game executed based on the lottery process.

[0003] The outcome of the games included in the lottery game is determined based on a lottery process that is performed multiple times. A specific example of such a game is a bingo game using bingo cards with multiple numbers randomly arranged vertically and horizontally. In the bingo game, if a number selected by the lottery process is found on the bingo card dealt to a player, that number on the bingo card is validated. The outcome of the game is determined by the arrangement of the validated numbers on the bingo card when all lottery processes are completed.

[0004] Patent Document 1 below discloses a device capable of executing a plurality of lottery games. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7412817 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, when multiple lottery games are run in parallel, the player has to check the progress of each game, which changes depending on the result of the lottery process, each time the result is announced, which is time-consuming.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and a program that can reduce the effort required of players when multiple lottery games are executed in parallel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a lottery means for executing a lottery process multiple times, and a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using multiple lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using some of the multiple lottery processes.

[0009] An information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a lottery means for executing a lottery process multiple times, and a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a portion of the multiple lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using a portion of the multiple lottery processes other than the portion.

[0010] An information processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a lottery means for executing a lottery process, and a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using the timing at which the result of the lottery process is determined.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lottery process used by the game execution means to determine the result of the second game includes a latter-stage lottery process among the plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means.

[0012] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the plurality of lottery processes are regarded as one lottery process group, The game execution means determines the outcome of the first game for each of the lottery process groups, and determines the outcome of the second game for each of the plurality of lottery process groups.

[0013] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the game execution means determines the result of the first game and the result of the second game at the same time.

[0014] An information processing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention further comprises an information processing device and a storage means for storing the progress status of the second game played by the game execution means of the information processing device, and the game execution means is capable of starting the second game from that progress status based on the information of the storage means.

[0015] A program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a lottery means that executes a lottery process multiple times, and a game execution means that executes a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using multiple lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using some of the lottery processes among the multiple lottery processes.

[0016] A program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a lottery means that executes a lottery process multiple times, and a game execution means that executes a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a portion of the multiple lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using a lottery process other than the portion of the multiple lottery processes.

[0017] A program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a lottery means that executes a lottery process, and a game execution means that executes a first game and a second game, the result of the first game being determined using the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game being determined using the timing at which the result of the lottery process is determined. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required of a player when multiple lottery games are executed in parallel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a lottery game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a top view of a lottery device and a satellite in the lottery game machine of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing protrusions located along the upper surface of the turntable in the lottery game machine of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a protrusion portion protruding from the upper surface of the turntable in the lottery game machine of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the lottery game machine and the IC card of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the lottery game machine and the IC card of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of a procedure for reflecting lottery results in a normal game and a special game. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of a procedure for reflecting lottery results in a normal game and a special game. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of the flow of processing performed by each functional means of the lottery game machine of FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram schematically showing a first example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a diagram schematically showing a second example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the flow of processes performed by each functional means of the lottery game machine of FIG. [Figure 12]10 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel of FIG. 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0021] ===First Embodiment=== First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <Overall structure> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a top view of a lottery device 10 and a satellite 20 in the lottery game machine 1 of Fig. 1.

[0022] The lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment is an arcade game machine installed in a game center or the like, and is an information processing device that executes a game program. The lottery game machine 1 provides a lottery game to a player of the lottery game machine 1 by outputting the execution results of the game program (image data, audio data, etc.) to the lottery game machine 1.

[0023] 1 and 2, the lottery game machine 1 includes a physical lottery device 10 located in the center, and a plurality of (eight in FIGS. 1 and 2) satellites 20 that are arranged around the lottery device 10 and accept operations from players. In response to the acceptance of operations from each player at each of the plurality of satellites 20, the lottery game machine 1 executes a lottery process using a ball B as a lottery medium at the lottery device 10.

[0024] The balls B used in the lottery process are, for example, spheres made of translucent resin, and each has unique information that is different from the others. This unique information includes, for example, appearance information including at least one of the color, shape, and size of the ball B, and a tag ID, which is identification information indicating an IC tag (not shown) that the ball B has. The IC tag is a small recording medium that can record the unique information of the ball B, and is, for example, built into the ball B. The IC tag is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. Note that the ball B does not have to be translucent. Furthermore, the shape of the ball B is not limited to a sphere, and may be, for example, a spindle shape like a rugby ball. Furthermore, the lottery medium is not limited to the ball B, and may be, for example, a polyhedral object formed by combining flat surfaces, such as a die.

[0025] The lottery device 10 has a turntable 12, which is a lottery wheel onto which a ball B is dropped. The turntable 12 is disc-shaped with a cone-shaped or hemispherical curve with a concave center, and is rotatable by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown). This rotation drive mechanism is, for example, a mechanism in which the underside of the turntable 12 is supported by a plurality of rollers driven by a motor, and the turntable 12 can be rotated by driving the rollers by the motor. The upper surface 12a of the turntable 12 is a moving surface on which the ball B can move (roll). The ball B dropped onto the turntable 12 gradually moves toward the center of the turntable 12 while rolling on the upper surface 12a of the rotating turntable 12. A guide circle 13 is provided around the turntable 12. In addition, multiple transparent panels 7 are stretched above the turntable 12. For ease of explanation, the transparent panel 7 on the front side is not shown in FIG. 1, but in reality, a transparent panel 7 is also stretched in that location.

[0026] The turntable 12 is formed with a plurality of (e.g., 25) ball pockets 14 as holes into which a ball B can be placed. The ball pockets 14 are holes into which a ball B can be placed, in other words, ball capture sections into which a ball B can be captured. The plurality of ball pockets 14 are arranged on the turntable 12 in three concentric circles of different diameters. Each ball pocket 14 is provided with, for example, an infrared sensor (not shown) as a detection mechanism for detecting a ball B that has entered the ball pocket 14. The ball B is detected when the infrared light of the infrared sensor is blocked by the ball B that has entered the ball pocket 14. The detection mechanism may also be provided with an IC tag reader that detects an IC tag, and the IC tag reader of the ball pocket 14 into which the ball B has been detected may be operated to read (detect) the unique information of the ball B. The ball pockets 14 are associated with numbers, for example, 1 to 25, and these numbers are assigned randomly and without duplication near the ball pockets 14 (not shown). Additionally, light-emitting means (light-emitting members) (not shown) that emit light in multiple colors and are configured by LEDs or the like are provided around (near) the ball pocket 14. This light-emitting means is provided, for example, so as to surround the outer edge of the ball pocket 14. The conditions for illuminating this light-emitting means are not particularly limited, and it may simply emit light randomly as an electric decoration, or it may emit light based on color information included in the unique information of ball B. For example, this light-emitting means may emit light in the color of ball B that is pre-associated with ball pocket 14 during the lottery process, or may emit light in the color of ball B when ball B enters ball pocket 14, for example.

[0027] Furthermore, a protrusion 16 is formed in the center of the turntable 12, which is movable in a direction intersecting the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12 (up and down direction). This protrusion 16 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, which show enlarged views of the turntable 12. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the protrusion 16 positioned along the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the protrusion 16 positioned to protrude from the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12.

[0028] The protrusion 16 has one or more blades 16a, 16b (a pair in Figs. 3 and 4) and is shaped like a windmill. A hole (also called a "center pocket") 16c is formed on the upper surface of the protrusion 16 (the surface facing the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12). The protrusion 16 can move up and down by being driven by a motor (not shown) during the lottery process.

[0029] 3, when protrusion 16 is positioned along upper surface 12a of turntable 12, center pocket 16c formed in protrusion 16 functions as one of multiple ball catching portions formed on turntable 12. That is, by driving a motor to move protrusion 16 downward, protrusion 16 retracts so as not to protrude from turntable 12, and the ball catching portion appears in the center of turntable 12. Note that, similar to ball pocket 14 described above, center pocket 16c may be provided with, for example, an infrared sensor and / or an IC tag reader (see the infrared sensor and IC tag reader of ball pocket 14) as a mechanism for detecting ball B.

[0030] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 4, when the protrusion 16 is positioned protruding from the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12, the center pocket 16c does not function as one of the multiple ball catching portions formed on the turntable 12. That is, when a motor is driven to move the protrusion 16 upward, the protrusion 16 protrudes from the turntable 12, and the ball catching portion disappears from the center of the turntable 12. In addition, in this state, the protrusion 16 can be rotated by driving a motor (not shown). The rotation direction of the protrusion 16 is, for example, along the rotation direction of the turntable 12 (the same rotation direction as the turntable 12), and the rotation speed of the protrusion 16 is, for example, faster than the rotation speed of the turntable 12. The rotating protrusion 16 has the function of flicking the ball B that has rolled to the center of the turntable 12 outward (toward the guide circle 13) from the turntable 12 by means of the blades 16a and 16b. Hereinafter, the protrusions 16 that rotate in this manner will be referred to as a rotating windmill. The rotation of the protrusions 16 is not limited to the above example, and for example, they may be rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the turntable 12. This makes it possible to forcefully repel the ball B rolling on the turntable 12. Furthermore, the rotation of the protrusions 16 may be any rotation that can repel the ball B, and the rotation direction, rotation speed, etc. are not limited. For example, the rotation axis of the protrusions 16 may be offset from the rotation axis of the turntable 12, or the rotation axis direction of the protrusions 16 may be in a direction that intersects with the rotation axis direction of the turntable 12. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the protrusions 16 may be slower than the rotation speed of the turntable 12.

[0031] In addition, a ball processing mechanism (not shown) that performs various processes on the ball B that has fallen into either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket is provided below the turntable 12. This ball processing mechanism includes a ball recovery mechanism, a ball identification mechanism, a ball selection mechanism, a ball throwing mechanism, etc.

[0032] The ball recovery mechanism recovers balls B that have fallen into either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket 16c. The ball recovery mechanism is composed of, for example, a recovery box into which balls B that have fallen into either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket are recovered, a flap that opens and closes a hole formed between the ball pocket 14 and the recovery box, a solenoid that drives the flap, and the like. The ball recovery mechanism opens the hole formed between the ball pocket 14 and the recovery box by driving the flap at a predetermined timing, and recovers balls B from ball pocket 14. Furthermore, balls B that have fallen into the center pocket may, for example, fall directly into the recovery box and be recovered by the ball recovery mechanism without being driven by the flap.

[0033] The ball identification mechanism also identifies the unique information of the ball B collected by the ball collection mechanism. The ball identification mechanism includes an IC tag reader that detects the unique information of the collected ball B, a guide path that guides the collected ball B to the ball selection mechanism, and a motor that rotates a rotating disk that sends out the ball B along the guide path.

[0034] The ball selection mechanism separates the balls B identified by the ball identification mechanism according to the unique information and selects the ball B to be thrown in. The ball selection mechanism is configured to include, for example, a guide path that separates the identified balls B according to the unique information and guides them to the ball throwing mechanism, a motor for rotating a rotating disk that sends out the balls B along the guide path, and the like.

[0035] The ball throwing mechanism throws the ball B selected by the ball selection mechanism into the turntable 12. The ball throwing mechanism includes, for example, an elevator device that raises the ball B received from the guide path of the ball selection mechanism from the lower side to the upper side of the guide circle 13, and a throwing chute 18 that throws the ball B raised by the elevator device from the guide circle 13 side into the turntable 12. In the first embodiment, a plurality of ball throwing mechanisms including the throwing chute 18 are provided for each satellite 20. Note that the ball throwing mechanism does not need to be provided for each satellite 20, as long as at least one is provided for the lottery game machine 1. In other words, the ball throwing mechanism may be shared by each satellite 20.

[0036] Returning to Figures 1 and 2, eight satellites 20 are arranged around the lottery device 10. The satellites 20 are operation seats that are faced and operated by players, and accept operations from players participating in the lottery game. Each satellite 20 has an operation console 22 including a touch panel 42. The operation console 22 is provided with a medal insertion slot 24, a medal payout slot 26, operation buttons 28, etc. The operation console 22 is also provided with a card reader (not shown) for reading information about the player from an amusement IC card (hereinafter simply referred to as an "IC card") held by the player.

[0037] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the lottery game machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the lottery game machine 1 includes a computer 30, a speaker 40, a touch panel 42, and peripheral devices 44.

[0039] The computer 30 has a CPU 31, a main memory unit 32, an auxiliary memory unit 33, an audio processing unit 34, an image processing unit 35, a communication interface 36, a peripheral device interface 37, and a system bus 38 connecting these.

[0040] The CPU 31 controls the entire lottery game machine 1. The main memory 32 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary memory 33 is composed of a hard disk or the like. The main memory 32 and the auxiliary memory 33 store various programs and various information required for the CPU 31 to execute processes, as well as information on the processing results. The CPU 31 executes predetermined programs stored in the main memory 32, the auxiliary memory 33, etc., and operates other hardware under the control of the CPU 31, thereby realizing various functional configurations of the lottery game machine 1 (see FIG. 6).

[0041] The audio processing unit 34 performs various sound processing. The image processing unit 35 performs various graphics processing. The communication interface 36 enables communication with an external server device or other game devices of the lottery game machine 1. The peripheral device interface 37 enables communication with the touch sensor 42B of the touch panel 42 and other peripheral devices 44.

[0042] The speaker 40 is a sound output device that outputs game music, sound effects, and the like.

[0043] The touch panel 42 is an image display device that displays a game screen, etc. The touch panel 42 has the functions of both a display device and an input device, and is composed of a display 42A that functions as a display device and a touch sensor 42B that functions as an input device. The display 42A is composed of a general display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0044] The touch sensor 42B is an operation input device for inputting player operations, and is composed of an element for detecting touch operations on the screen displayed by the display 42A. The method for detecting touch operations by the touch sensor 42B can be any known method, such as a capacitance type, a resistive film type (pressure-sensitive type), or an electromagnetic induction type. The touch sensor 42B accepts the player's operation input by detecting the movement of the player's finger, stylus, or the like as an operator that contacts the screen. Note that the operation input device for inputting the player's operation is not limited to the touch sensor 42B, and may be any configuration that allows the player to input operations, such as the operation buttons 28 or an operation stick.

[0045] The peripheral devices 44 are devices that are provided in the lottery game machine 1 and are controlled by the computer 30 through communication with the computer 30. The peripheral devices 44 include various sensors, IC tag readers, motors, solenoids, etc. that are provided in the lottery device 10 and the satellite 20.

[0046] 5 includes, as its main components, a communication unit 46 capable of communicating with the peripheral device 44, and a storage unit 48 in which player information is stored. For example, by inserting, placing, or facing the IC card 2 into a card reading device (not shown) provided on the operation console 22 of the satellite 20, an IC tag reader of the peripheral device 44 reads the player information. In this embodiment, the lottery game machine 1 and the IC card 2 are collectively referred to as an "information processing system."

[0047] 5 only shows the main components of the lottery game machine 1, and the lottery game machine 1 may also have other components that are included in a general arcade game machine. Furthermore, the computer 30 of the lottery game machine 1 is not limited to the components described above, and may also have other components that are included in an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose computer.

[0048] <Game Overview> The lottery game executed by the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment is, for example, a medal game, and includes a lottery process and a game whose result is determined based on the lottery process. The game whose result is determined based on the lottery process includes a normal game (first game) that can be executed even if a predetermined condition is not met, and a special game (second game) that can be executed when a predetermined condition is met.

[0049] The contents of the normal game and the special game are not particularly limited, but the following description will be given of a case where the normal game is a bingo game and the special game is a lottery roulette.

[0050] The lottery game machine 1 can play a bingo game as a normal game that can be played without satisfying a predetermined condition. This bingo game uses a bingo card, which is a table on which numbers, for example, 1 to 25, are randomly arranged without duplication in a 5×5 matrix. The information arranged on the bingo card can be any identification information, and may be not only numbers but also symbols, pictures, etc., as long as it corresponds to the identification information of the ball pocket 14 (for example, if the numbers in the ball pocket 14 are 1 to 25, the numbers arranged on the bingo card will also be 1 to 25). When a bingo game is played, a different arrangement of bingo cards for each satellite 20 (player) is displayed on the display 42A as a game screen of the bingo game. When the bingo game starts, a lottery process involves dropping multiple balls B from the drop chute 18 into the turntable 12, either sequentially or all at once. Then, it is determined whether the dropped balls B will land in either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket 16c (based on the respective identification information). In this lottery process, for example, the number associated with the ball pocket 14 containing ball B is input as a common lottery result (lottery process result) to each satellite 20. Subsequently, in the normal game, i.e., the bingo game, the same number as the number determined as the lottery result is validated and displayed on the display 42A in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from other numbers. This process of selecting numbers by lottery and validating the selected numbers is repeated multiple times. When the validated numbers on the bingo card are arranged in a predetermined manner, such as five in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, a bingo is established (a win is made).

[0051] Furthermore, the lottery game machine 1 can execute a lottery roulette as a special game that can be executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The lottery roulette has, for example, a rotating disk-shaped wheel divided into multiple sector-shaped areas with different colors and patterns, and a marker such as an arrow fixed to overlap a part of the wheel.

[0052] The player selects one or more areas from the above areas in advance. Then, the wheel spins, and if the area that overlaps with the marker when the wheel stops again (the area located at a predetermined angle) is the area selected by the player in advance, the player wins.

[0053] <Functional configuration> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the lottery game machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, the lottery game machine 1 includes, as main functional components, a storage means 50, a reception means 52, a lottery means 54, a game execution means 56, a granting means 58, and an output means 60. Fig. 6 also shows an IC card 2 that can communicate with the lottery game machine 1. The IC card 2 includes, as main functional components, a reception means 64, a storage means 66, and an output means 68.

[0055] The storage means 50 is realized by one or more auxiliary storage units 33. The functional configuration other than the storage means 50 is realized by the CPU 31 executing a lottery game program 50A stored in the main storage unit 32, the auxiliary storage unit 33, etc. Furthermore, all or part of the functional configuration of the lottery game machine 1 may be provided in an external server device, etc. For example, the storage means 50, the game execution means 56, etc. may be provided in an external server device, etc.

[0056] The storage means 50 stores, for example, a lottery game program 50A, lottery information 50B, and game information 50C.

[0057] The lottery game program 50A is a program for providing the computer 30 with various functions for executing a lottery game. The program may be stored in an external storage device of the lottery game machine 1. The program may also be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided in a format that allows it to be installed via a network such as the Internet.

[0058] The lottery information 50B is information necessary to execute the lottery process. The lottery information 50B is set in advance by, for example, a designer or the like. The lottery process includes each operation of the lottery device 10 (including the turntable 12 and the ball handling mechanism) described above, and a process of determining whether the inserted ball B has landed in either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket 16c, and if the ball B has landed in either one, identifying (determining) the pocket ID (identification information) of the pocket in which the ball B has landed, and outputting this as the lottery result to each satellite 20.

[0059] The game information 50C is information associated with the lottery information 50B, and includes various pieces of information necessary for progressing the normal game and the special game. The game information 50C is set in advance by, for example, a designer. The game information 50C includes, for example, information linking the satellite 20 with the unique information of the ball B, and information linking the pocket ID (identification information) of the ball pocket 14 with the number used in the normal game. Furthermore, if a number is used in the special game, the game information 50C further includes information linking the pocket ID with the number used in the special game.

[0060] The reception means 52 receives an operation from each player at each satellite 20. The reception means 52 receives, for example, an operation by each player indicating an instruction to start a lottery game. For example, the operation may involve a player facing each satellite 20 inserting (betting on) any number of medals into the medal insertion slot 24. When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 24, a sensor provided in the medal insertion slot 24 detects the medal, and the detection result is output to the peripheral device interface 37. When the detection result is output to the peripheral device interface 37, the reception means 52 receives an operation to insert a medal by the player. Upon receiving this operation, the reception means 52 outputs information indicating an instruction to start a lottery game to the lottery means 54 and the game execution means 56, together with a satellite ID indicating the satellite 20 that received the operation, a player ID indicating the player who performed the operation, and the like. Note that, when the number of players participating in the lottery game is smaller than the number of satellites 20, the reception means 52 may receive the instruction to start the lottery game through automatic control by the CPU 31. For example, in a satellite 20 that does not receive operations by a player, the reception means 52 may receive the instruction to start the lottery game through automatic control by the CPU 31 instead of the player.

[0061] The lottery means 54 executes the lottery process multiple times in one lottery game in response to each player's request (operation at the satellite 20) received by the reception means 52. The lottery process is executed in parallel with the execution of a normal game (e.g., a bingo game) and / or a special game (e.g., a lottery roulette) by the game execution means 56, which will be described later. Note that a program for the lottery means 54 to execute the lottery process is included in the lottery game program 50A described above.

[0062] For example, the lottery means 54 starts the lottery process when it acquires information indicating a command to start a lottery game from each satellite 20 from the acceptance means 52. Alternatively, even in a state where there are no players at any of the satellites 20, or in a state where the acceptance means 52 has not accepted an operation (such as a bet operation) indicating a command to start a lottery game from any player, and the lottery means 54 has not acquired information on a command to start a lottery game from the acceptance means 52, the lottery means 54 may automatically execute the lottery process at regular intervals.

[0063] Hereinafter, the execution of the lottery process by the lottery means 54 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The lottery means 54 first transmits a drive instruction to a motor for rotating the turntable 12 via the peripheral device interface 37. This drives the motor to rotate the turntable 12. The lottery means 54 also controls the ball handling mechanism to throw a plurality of balls B onto the turntable 12 sequentially or all at once.

[0064] Furthermore, the lottery means 54 determines that a prize has been won when ball B enters the ball pocket 14, and outputs a number linked to the ball pocket 14 to the satellite 20. The satellite 20 determines the number as a commonly validated number. More specifically, when ball B entering the ball pocket 14 is detected by an infrared sensor or the like, the infrared sensor outputs the detection information to the peripheral device interface 37. When the detection information is output, the lottery means 54 identifies the pocket ID of the ball pocket 14 into which ball B entered.

[0065] If the ball B does not enter any of the ball pockets 14 but enters the center pocket 16c, it is considered a loss. That is, in this case, the center pocket 16c functions as a loss hole in the lottery. Furthermore, for example, in one lottery game, a total of five balls B are thrown, and the lottery means 54 determines the results of five lottery draws (five numbers), i.e., the number of numbers (pocket IDs), which corresponds to the total number of thrown balls B.

[0066] The lottery means 54 may also control the ball handling mechanism to retrieve the ball B that has fallen into the center pocket 16c and throw it again into the turntable 12. When all of the balls B that have been thrown into the turntable 12 have fallen into the ball pockets 14, the lottery means 54 controls the ball handling mechanism to retrieve the balls B from the ball pockets 14, thereby ending the lottery process for one lottery game. Subsequently, when the next lottery game is to be played, the lottery means 54 controls the ball handling mechanism to re-throw the retrieved balls B, thereby executing the next lottery process. When the lottery game is to be ended, the lottery means 54 ends the process without executing the next lottery process.

[0067] Furthermore, the lottery means 54 may drive a motor for moving the protrusion 16 up and down during the lottery process. In this way, the lottery means 54 controls the movement of the protrusion 16 in a direction intersecting the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12. The movement control of the protrusion 16 by the lottery means 54 allows the protrusion 16 to move upward or downward. As a result, when the protrusion 16 is positioned along the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12 (see FIG. 3), a center pocket 16c functioning as a ball catching portion appears in the center of the turntable 12. On the other hand, when the protrusion 16 is positioned so as to protrude from the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12 (see FIG. 4), the center pocket 16c disappears, and the function of the protrusion 16 as a ball catching portion in the center of the turntable 12 is disabled.

[0068] Furthermore, the lottery means 54 moves the protrusion 16 up and down to make the center pocket 16c appear or disappear in accordance with a predetermined movement condition, which is a condition for moving the protrusion 16. The movement condition is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, a condition regarding the number of balls B on the turntable 12 and a condition regarding the elapsed time during the lottery (or the elapsed time of the entire lottery game). An example of a condition regarding the number of balls B on the turntable 12 is that, in the case of simultaneously throwing balls B, the number of balls B on the turntable 12 falls to a predetermined number (e.g., three) or less. An example of a condition regarding the elapsed time is that a predetermined time has elapsed since a ball B was thrown onto the turntable 12. When the movement condition is satisfied, the lottery means 54 moves the protrusion 16 upward to make the center pocket 16c appear or moves the protrusion 16 downward to make the center pocket 16c disappear.

[0069] Furthermore, the lottery means 54 drives a motor for rotating the protrusion 16 in a state in which the protrusion 16 protrudes from the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12. As a result, the lottery means 54 rotates the protrusion 16 protruding from the upper surface 12a of the turntable 12 in the rotation direction of the turntable 12. The lottery means 54 rotates the protrusion 16, for example, in the same direction as the rotation direction of the turntable 12 but at a speed faster than the rotation speed of the turntable 12. As a result, the center pocket 16c disappears on the turntable 12, and instead a rotating windmill 19 appears. This rotating windmill 19 makes it possible to repel ball B that has rolled to the center of the turntable 12 outward.

[0070] 6, the game execution means 56 executes a game in each satellite 20, the result of which is determined based on a lottery process, in response to a request from each player accepted by the acceptance means 52 (for example, by a betting operation). Note that this execution includes displaying the game on the screen of each touch panel 42.

[0071] The game includes one or more base games (first games) and one or more special games (second games). The programs for executing these games are included in the lottery game program 50A. As already mentioned, the base game is a game that can be executed without satisfying a predetermined condition, and the special game is a game that can be executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The progress of the base game and the special game, and the outcome of the game, are determined based on a lottery process executed during one lottery game. The predetermined condition may be, for example, winning a base game.

[0072] The game execution means 56 determines the result of the normal game using a plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means 54 during one lottery game, and determines the result of the special game using a portion of the plurality of lottery processes. Preferably, the lottery process used by the game execution means 56 to determine the result of the special game includes a latter portion of the plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means 54. More preferably, the lottery process used by the game execution means 56 to determine the result of the special game is the last portion of the plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means 54.

[0073] In addition, the game execution means 56 may determine the result of the normal game using a portion of the multiple lottery processes executed by the lottery means 54, and may determine the result of the special game using a portion of the multiple lottery processes other than the portion.

[0074] In addition, the game execution means 56 may determine the result of the normal game using the "lottery result" (the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means 54), and determine the result of the special game using the "timing" at which the lottery result is determined.

[0075] Furthermore, the game execution means 56 displays various game screens on the touch panel 42 (display 42A) of the satellite 20. The game execution means 56 changes the various game screens according to the progress of the lottery game. For example, the game execution means 56 displays the result of the normal game and the result of the special game together on the touch panel 42.

[0076] Before accepting an operation indicating a command (including a bet) to start the lottery game from a player, the game execution means 56 displays a normal game and an operation area for placing a bet on the normal game on the touch panel 42 (display 42A) of each satellite 20. Furthermore, if a special game is also to be executed, the touch panel 42 (display 42A) further displays a special game and an operation area for placing a bet on the special game.

[0077] If the lottery game has not ended, the lottery means 54 executes the next normal game and / or special game. If the lottery game has ended, the game execution means 56 terminates without executing the next normal game and / or special game.

[0078] Furthermore, the game execution means 56 displays the numbers determined by the lottery process on the bingo card displayed on the display 42A of each satellite 20 in the bingo game as a normal game in a manner that allows the numbers to be distinguished from other numbers.

[0079] 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for reflecting the lottery process for each of the normal game and the special game in one lottery game. In FIG. 7A, "16," "4," "21," "7," and "10" are examples of numbers obtained as the lottery results when all five balls B are inserted sequentially or simultaneously, and the arrow extending horizontally indicates the time axis. In other words, the numbers are arranged in the order in which they were determined (won) from the start of the arrow to the tip.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7A, in the base game (bingo game), (after the first lottery process) the first lottery result "16" is reflected on the bingo sheet. That is, if there is a "16" on the bingo sheet, it is validated. Next, (after the second lottery process) the second lottery result "4" is reflected on the bingo sheet. Thereafter, the same process is performed for the third, fourth, and fifth lottery results. That is, in FIG. 7A, the result of the base game is determined using all the lottery results.

[0081] On the other hand, the result of the special game (lottery roulette) is determined using the final (fifth) lottery process among multiple lottery processes in one lottery game (however, the start of the special game itself may be at the same time as the start of the normal game). Also, in the special game, the result is determined not by using the number of the final lottery process ("10" in FIG. 7A), but by using the timing when the result of the final lottery process is confirmed (determined). Specifically, the wheel of the lottery roulette is spun when the special game starts, and the wheel stops when the final lottery result is determined, and the result is determined according to the area overlapping with the marker. The lottery roulette is displayed on the screen of the touch panel 42 by the game execution means 56.

[0082] The timing at which the result of the last lottery process (lottery result) is determined may be, for example, the timing at which the last lottery result is input to the satellite 20. Alternatively, it may be the timing at which the last ball B in the lottery process enters the ball pocket 14. Specifically, the timing at which the last ball B enters the ball pocket 14 may be the timing at which an infrared sensor (not shown) of the detection mechanism detects the last ball B that has entered the ball pocket 14, or the timing at which an IC tag reader (not shown) of the detection mechanism reads out the unique information of the last ball B. Also, if the last ball B lands in the center pocket 16c instead of the ball pocket 14, the timing may be the moment when ball B enters the center pocket 16c (or, as already explained, if ball B that has entered the center pocket 16c is retrieved and thrown back into the turntable 12, the timing may be the moment when ball B finally enters the ball pocket 14).

[0083] Regardless of the pattern of the timing at which the result of the final lottery process is determined, the result of the final lottery process is used to determine the result of the normal game, and the result of the special game is also determined using the timing at which the result of the final lottery process is determined.

[0084] In the case of FIG. 7A, the game execution means 56 determines the result of the normal game and the result of the special game at the same time.

[0085] 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the procedure for reflecting the lottery process for each of the normal game and the special game in one lottery game. In FIG. 7B, "16," "4," "21," "7," "10," and "18" are examples of numbers obtained as lottery results when all six balls B are thrown sequentially or simultaneously, and the horizontally extending arrow indicates the time axis. In other words, the numbers are arranged in the order in which they were determined, from the start of the arrow to the tip.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7B, in the base game (bingo game), (after the first lottery process) the result of the first lottery, "16," is reflected on the bingo sheet. Next, (after the second lottery process) the result of the second lottery, "4," is reflected on the bingo sheet. After that, the same process is carried out for the results of the third, fourth, and fifth lottery processes. In other words, in FIG. 7A, the result of the base game is determined using the results of all six lottery processes except for the last one, the sixth.

[0087] On the other hand, the result of the special game (lottery roulette) is determined using the last (sixth) lottery process among multiple lottery processes. Furthermore, in the special game, the result is determined not by the number of the last lottery process ("18" in FIG. 7B), but by the timing when the final lottery result is determined. Specifically, the wheel of the lottery roulette is spun when the special game starts, and the wheel stops when the final lottery result is determined, and the result is determined according to the area overlapping with the marker.

[0088] 6, the awarding means 58 is a functional means for calculating a reward for each player (each satellite 20) according to the results of the normal game and the special game, and awarding the calculated reward to each player (each satellite 20). Examples of the reward include medals used in a medal game, execution of various processes to improve the game result, the right to select a new game, content (characters and items) used in the game, etc.

[0089] The output means 60 outputs information relating to each player, such as the reward given to each player (each satellite 20) by the giving means 58, to the IC card 2 held by the player.

[0090] Furthermore, the acceptance means 64 of the IC card 2 accepts each piece of information relating to the player output from the output means 60 of the lottery game machine 1.

[0091] The storage means 66 of the IC card 2 stores (or overwrites) each piece of information relating to the player accepted by the acceptance means 64 as player information 66A.

[0092] Before the start of the lottery game, the output means 68 of the IC card 2 outputs the player information 66A stored in the storage means 66 to the lottery game machine 1. However, this output may be performed when the IC card 2 is removed once and then read again by a card reader (not shown).

[0093] The player information 66A output from the output means 68 is received by the reception means 52 of the lottery game machine 1. When the game execution means 56 executes the lottery game, the game may be started in a state where the player information 66A received by the reception means 52 is reflected.

[0094] <Processing flow> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a first example of the flow of processing performed by each functional means of the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The order or content of the following processing can be changed as appropriate. In Fig. 8, the lottery processing is described as being performed sequentially (not simultaneously). The flowchart in Fig. 8 is started in a state where the player has already satisfied a predetermined condition (for example, won the previous normal game) and is able to request execution of a special game.

[0095] (Step SP2) The accepting means 52 accepts an operation by a player to request the execution of a lottery game and a special game. In this step, the accepting unit 52 accepts a selection operation for the special game by the player. For example, if the special game is a lottery roulette with a wheel consisting of two or more types of sector-shaped areas, the player selects one of the areas. Furthermore, when the accepting means 52 accepts the operation, it outputs information indicating an instruction to start the lottery game (that is, the lottery process, the normal game, or the special game) to the lottery means 54 and the game executing means 56, respectively. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP4.

[0096] (Step SP4) The game execution means 56 starts the execution of a bingo game as a normal game and also starts the execution of a lottery roulette as a special game. However, the game execution means 56 may execute multiple normal games in parallel. The game execution means 56 also displays each of these games on the touch panel 42 of the satellite 20. Furthermore, the player bets medals (at the satellite 20) on the displayed normal game and special game. This is accepted by the accepting means 52.

[0097] Here, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel 42 of the satellite 20. As shown in FIG.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 9, four normal games, namely, a first normal game 72, a second normal game 74, a third normal game 76, and a fourth normal game 78, are displayed on the game screen 92. The first base game 72 includes, for example, a bingo card 72A and a bet counter unit 72B. The bet counter unit 72B allows the player to input the number of medals to be bet. Similarly, the second base game 74, the third base game 76, and the fourth base game 78 also include bingo cards 74A, 76A, and 78A and bet counter units 74B, 76B, and 78B, respectively. 9, the first normal game 72 is displayed large in the center of the game screen 92, and the second normal game 74, the third normal game 76, and the fourth normal game 78 are displayed in small size along the right edge of the game screen 92. However, when one of the second normal game 74, the third normal game 76, and the fourth normal game 78 is clicked, the clicked normal game is now displayed large in the center, and the first normal game 72 is displayed in small size along the right edge of the game screen 92 alongside the other normal games.

[0099] Furthermore, on the left edge of the game screen 92, a lump-bet section 70 and a special game 80 (lottery roulette (80A)) are displayed. The lump-bet section 70 is an area where a player can click to place a lump bet on all the base games 72 to 78. The single bet section 70 displays the total number of medals to be bet. (For example, when betting 100 on each base game, the lump-bet section 70 displays 400.) Furthermore, when clicking the lump-bet section 70 to bet on each of the base games 72 to 78, the player does not have to select the number of medals to be bet on each of the base games 72 to 78 (or the total number of medals), but the game execution means 56 may automatically determine the number of medals. This determination may also be based on the number of medals that the player bet on each of the base games 72 to 78 in the previous lottery game.

[0100] Here, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel 42 of the satellite 20. As shown in FIG.

[0101] 10, the special game 80 is displayed in an enlarged scale on the game screen 94. Clicking on the special game 80 in FIG. Furthermore, on the game screen 94, the special game 80 includes, for example, a lottery roulette 80A and a bet amount selection section 80B. The bet amount selection section 80B allows the player to input the number of medals to be bet and the area to be bet (heart, spade, etc.) by operating the player. Note that the wheel of the lottery roulette 80A shown in Figures 9 and 10 is, for example, divided into four fan-shaped areas, two of which are heart areas and two of which are spade areas, and these areas are arranged alternately.

[0102] A player can bet on either the heart or spade area, which is unique information associated with each area. The medals to be bet may be either the full amount or half of the amount of the reward won in the previous normal game. The player can also choose not to play the special game.

[0103] However, the wheel of the lottery roulette 80A may be divided into any number of regions as long as there are two or more regions. Also, different unique information (hearts, spades, etc.) may be associated with each of all the regions, or duplicate unique information may be associated with each of multiple regions (in FIG. 10, as an example, the same unique information (hearts) is associated with two of the four regions, and the same unique information (spades) is associated with the other two regions). Furthermore, when a player places a bet, he or she can select one or more of the unique information associated with each region.

[0104] As an example, the wheel of the lottery roulette 80A may be divided into four areas, each of which is associated with different unique information, and when a player places a bet, the player may select one of the four pieces of unique information. Alternatively, the wheel of the lottery roulette 80A may be divided into three areas, each of which is associated with different unique information, and when a player places a bet, the player may select two of the three pieces of unique information.

[0105] As described above, the probability of winning naturally changes depending on the ratio of selectable unique information when a player bets to the number of unique information. Therefore, the reward to a player when the selected unique information wins may be changed according to the probability of winning. For example, if the reward is medals, the player may be awarded "the number of medals bet multiplied by the inverse of the probability of winning" (for example, if the probability of winning is 1 / 3, the player may be awarded three times the number of medals bet as a reward).

[0106] Furthermore, if a special game was played in the previous lottery game, the number of medals that a player can bet by operating the bet number selection unit 80B may be limited to the reward (number of medals) that the player received depending on the result of that special game, or the player may be able to select either an amount equal to that reward or half of that reward. Alternatively, if a special game was not played in the previous lottery game and only a normal game was played, the number of medals that a player can bet may be limited to the reward (number of medals) that the player received depending on the result of that normal game, or the player may be able to choose between the same amount as that reward or half of that reward. Alternatively, if a special game was played in the previous lottery game, the maximum number of medals that a player can bet may be the sum of the reward (number of medals) that the player received based on the result of the previous special game and the reward (number of medals) that the player received based on the result of the normal game played at the same time (for example, if the reward for the previous special game was 300 medals and the reward for the previous normal game was 100 medals, the player can bet a maximum of 400 medals). Returning to FIG. 8, after step SP4 is completed, the process proceeds to step SP6.

[0107] (Step SP6) While the game execution means 56 is executing the base game and the special game, the lottery means 54 executes a lottery process once. The lottery process is performed by the turntable 12, the ball handling mechanism (not shown), and the like. Specifically, the lottery means 54 sends a drive command to a motor for rotating the turntable 12 to drive the motor and rotate the turntable 12. Next, the lottery means 54 controls the ball handling mechanism to drop ball B onto the turntable 12 in one go. Furthermore, the lottery means 54 determines whether the dropped ball B has landed in either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket 16c, and if the ball B has landed (won), identifies the number as identification information of the pocket where the ball B landed and determines this as the lottery result. The lottery means 54 also controls a ball handling mechanism (not shown) to collect the ball B that has fallen into either the ball pocket 14 or the center pocket 16c, and prepare it for the next lottery process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP8.

[0108] (Step SP8) The subsequent processing branches depending on whether the lottery processing executed in step SP6 is the final lottery processing (for example, if there are five balls B to be thrown, the next one is the fifth ball). If it is the final lottery processing, the processing proceeds to step SP12, and if it is not the final lottery processing, the processing proceeds to step SP10.

[0109] (Step SP10) The game execution means 56 updates the normal game based on the lottery result of step SP6. For example, if the normal game is a bingo game, the number on the bingo card that is the same as the number determined in the lottery process is validated and displayed on the display 42A in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from other numbers. After that, the process returns to step SP6.

[0110] (Step SP12) The game execution means 56 determines the results of the normal game and the special game, respectively. In the normal game, the selection of numbers by lottery processing and the validation of the selected numbers are repeated multiple times, and if the validated numbers on the bingo card are aligned vertically, horizontally, or diagonally in a predetermined order, bingo is established (a win occurs). On the other hand, if they are not aligned, bingo is not established (a loss occurs).

[0111] In addition, in the special game, the wheel that has been rotating since step SP4 stops when the final lottery result is determined, and whether the player has won or lost is determined based on whether the area overlapping with the marker matches the area selected by the player in step SP2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0112] (Step SP14) The subsequent processing branches depending on whether or not the player wins the normal game or the special game. If the player wins either game, the processing proceeds to step SP16, and if the player does not win either game (loses the prize), the processing ends. Note that the end of the processing here means the end of the processing for executing the normal game and the special game in parallel as lottery games (the processing for only the normal game may be executed upon request of the player).

[0113] (Step SP16) The awarding means 58 determines the reward, such as medals. The total reward value differs depending on whether the player wins only the normal game, only the special game, or both. The reward may also differ depending on the type of win in each of these games. For example, the reward for the special game may be twice the number of medals bet. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP18.

[0114] (Step SP18) The awarding means 58 awards the reward determined in step SP16 to the player. Specifically, the medals as the reward are paid out by the awarding means 58 to the medal payout outlet 26 of this satellite 20, or are stored as part of the game information 50C, linked to each player (each satellite 20). Furthermore, when the medals are stored as part of the game information 50C, linked to the player, they may be output to the IC card 2 of the player by the output means 60 and stored as player information 66A. After that, the process proceeds to step SP20.

[0115] (Step SP20) The subsequent processing branches depending on whether the receiving means 52 has received an operation by the player requesting further execution of the special game. If the operation has been received, the processing returns to step SP4; if the operation has not been received, the processing ends. Note that the end of the processing here means the end of the processing for executing the normal game and the special game in parallel as the lottery game (the processing for only the normal game may be executed upon request from the player).

[0116] <Action and effect> As described above, the lottery game machine 1 as an information processing device according to the first embodiment comprises lottery means 54 that executes lottery processing multiple times, and game execution means 56 that executes a first game (normal game) and a second game (special game), in which the result of the first game is determined using multiple lottery processings executed by the lottery means 54, and the result of the second game is determined using some of the lottery processings among the multiple lottery processings. With this configuration, since the second game uses only a portion of the lottery process, there is no need to check the progress of all games each time the results of the lottery process are announced, thereby reducing the effort required for the player to play multiple lottery games.

[0117] Furthermore, the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment is equipped with lottery means 54 which executes lottery processing multiple times in response to a player's request, and game execution means 56 which executes a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a portion of the multiple lottery processing executed by the lottery means 54, and the result of the second game is determined using a portion of the multiple lottery processing other than the portion. With this configuration, since only a portion of the lottery process is used in both the first game and the second game, there is no need to check the progress of all games each time the results of the lottery process are announced, thereby reducing the effort required for players to play multiple lottery games.

[0118] Furthermore, the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment includes lottery means 54 that executes a lottery process in response to a player's request, and game execution means 56 that executes a first game and a second game, where the result of the first game is determined using the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means 54, and the result of the second game is determined using the timing at which the result of the lottery process is determined. With this configuration, the outcome of the second game is determined by timing rather than the result of the lottery process, so there is no need to check the progress of all games every time the result of the lottery process is announced, thereby reducing the effort required for players to play multiple lottery games.

[0119] Furthermore, in the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the lottery process used by the game execution means 56 to determine the result of the second game includes the latter half of the lottery process executed by the lottery means 54 multiple times. According to this configuration, the timing at which the result of the second game is determined can be delayed, thereby maintaining the player's sense of anticipation regarding the result of the second game and reducing the possibility that the player will stop playing.

[0120] Furthermore, in the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the game execution means 56 determines the result of the normal game (first game) and the result of the special game (second game) at the same timing. According to this configuration, the player is more likely to receive more rewards at one time, which can increase the player's motivation for the lottery game.

[0121] === Second Embodiment === In the second embodiment, the content of the special game (second game) is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0122] The lottery game machine 1A according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below, focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the configurations and functions of the lottery game machine 1 according to the second embodiment that are not described below are the same as those of the lottery game machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0123] <Functional configuration> The lottery game machine 1 according to the second embodiment has the same functional configuration as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6).

[0124] In the first embodiment, the special game executed by the game execution means 56 is described as being determined using the "timing" at which the result of the last lottery process (last lottery result) among multiple lottery processes is confirmed, but in the second embodiment, the "last lottery result" itself may be used.

[0125] In the first embodiment, a lottery roulette is used as an example of a special game, but in the second embodiment, a number sheet, which is a table on which 25 numbers are randomly arranged in a row, may be used. However, the numbers may be symbols, pictures, or other identifying information as long as they correspond to the identifying information of the ball pocket 14.

[0126] For example, when a lottery game is played, if the number associated with the ball pocket 14 containing ball B, i.e., the number as the final lottery result, matches the first number in the column on the number sheet in the final lottery game, the number is validated and displayed on the display 42A in a manner that allows it to be distinguished from other numbers. Then, the next time the lottery game is played, if the number as the final lottery result matches the second number in the column on the number sheet, the number is validated in the same way. Hereinafter, the current number that is being judged to match the number in the lottery result may also be referred to as the "target number."

[0127] In this way, the lottery game is repeated multiple times, and when all the numbers on the number sheet (for example, all 25 numbers) are validated, the player is deemed to have won the grand prize (hereinafter also referred to as the "jackpot").

[0128] In other words, if multiple lottery processes in one lottery game are considered to be one lottery process group, the game execution means 56 will determine the result of the normal game for each lottery process group, and will determine the result of the special game for each of multiple lottery process groups.

[0129] Furthermore, the storage means 50 of the lottery game machine 1 stores the progress status of the special game by the game execution means 56 as part of the game information 50C, linked to the player. Furthermore, the storage means 66 of the IC card 2 stores the progress status of the special game of the player accepted by the acceptance means 64 from the lottery game machine 1 as player information 66A. When the progress status is stored in the storage means 50 and / or the storage means 66, the game execution means 56 can start from the progress status. Furthermore, the timing for storing the progress status in the storage means 50 and / or the storage means 66 may be every time one lottery process group ends and the normal game and special game are updated. This means that even if a player ends the lottery game once and then resumes it later, the previous progress status will be reflected, so the effort and bet costs up to that point will not be wasted.

[0130] Furthermore, if the jackpot is won when the twenty-fifth number on the number sheet is validated, it is likely that it will take a long time to win the jackpot. To maintain the player's motivation until then, an intermediate bonus may be provided along the way. For example, whenever a number that is a multiple of five from the top of the number sheet (e.g., the fifth, tenth, fifteenth, or twentieth) is validated, the intermediate bonus may be won. The intermediate bonus may be a medal payout or a title that can be set as a player profile in the lottery game (the title may be stored in the storage means 66 as player information 66A).

[0131] The awarding means 58 may also be configured to, for example, allocate a portion of the medals bet by the player up until the player wins the jackpot to a savings account, and award the savings as a reward when the player wins the jackpot. For example, each time the player bets on the base game, 5 to 20 percent, more preferably 10%, of the number of medals bet may be saved as savings. The number of saved medals may be linked to the player and stored as part of the game information 50C in the storage means 50, or may further be stored as player information 66A in the storage means 66. The intermediate bonus may be a fixed reward, but it is preferable that the jackpot reward be set to be higher than the intermediate bonus reward.

[0132] <Processing flow> FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the flow of processing performed by each functional means of the lottery game machine 1A according to the second embodiment. The order or content of the following processing can be changed as appropriate. In addition, in FIG. 8, the lottery processing is described as being performed sequentially (not simultaneously). In addition, the flowchart in FIG. 8 is started in a state where the player has already satisfied the predetermined conditions and is able to request execution of a special game.

[0133] 11 are the same as the processes of steps SP2 to SP10 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again. However, in step 4 in the first embodiment, the player bets medals on the normal game and the special game (at the satellite 20), but in this embodiment, the player can bet on the normal game but cannot bet on the special game (as described above, a part of the medals bet on the normal game up to that point is accumulated for the special game).

[0134] (Step SP32) The subsequent processing branches depending on whether or not the player has won in the normal game. If the player has won, the processing proceeds to step SP34, and if the player has not won (lost), the processing proceeds to step SP36.

[0135] (Step SP34) The awarding means 58 determines the reward such as medals depending on the result of the normal game. The reward may differ depending on the winnings in the normal game. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP36.

[0136] (Step SP36) The subsequent process branches depending on whether the winning number in the lottery process matches the number currently being considered on the special game number sheet. If they match, the process proceeds to step SP38; if they do not match, the process proceeds to step SP44.

[0137] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of a game screen displayed on the touch panel of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the game screen 96 includes an information display area 82, a special game 84, and a reward display area 86. The information display area 82 displays information about the player and various information about the lottery game. The special game 84 is displayed with a number sheet. The number sheet has 25 numbers arranged randomly in a row (bent), and the numbers that are multiples of five, which are given intermediate bonuses, are displayed differently from the other numbers. In particular, the last number may be displayed in a special way that is different from all the other numbers. The reward (number of medals) when a jackpot is won is displayed in the reward display area 86. This reward is accumulated separately every time a player places a bet on the normal game and / or special game. Now let us return to Figure 11.

[0138] (Step SP38) The game execution means 56 moves the target number to the next number. However, if the current target number is the last number in the sequence (for example, the 25th number), it may return to the first number in the sequence. Alternatively, a new number sheet may be set, and the first number on that number sheet may be used as the target number. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP40.

[0139] (Step SP40) Subsequent processing branches depending on whether the target number on the special game number sheet that matches the winning number in the lottery processing is in a predetermined sequence. These predetermined sequence numbers are the numbers that are multiples of five (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, etc.) at which intermediate bonuses or grand prizes are awarded. If the matching numbers are in the predetermined sequence, processing proceeds to step SP42; if not, processing proceeds to step SP44.

[0140] (Step SP42) The awarding means 58 determines the reward, such as medals, to be awarded to the player according to the result of the special game. Note that the rewards for the jackpot and each intermediate bonus are different. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP44.

[0141] (Step SP44) In the processing from step SP32 to step SP42, the subsequent steps branch depending on whether or not a reward is generated. If a reward is generated, the processing proceeds to step SP46, and if a reward is not generated, the processing proceeds to step SP48.

[0142] (Step SP46) The awarding means 58 awards a reward to the player. This reward is a combination of the reward according to the result of the normal game (the reward determined in step SP34) and the reward according to the result of the special game (the reward determined in step SP42). Then, the process proceeds to step SP48.

[0143] (Step SP48) The subsequent processing branches depending on whether or not the receiving means 52 has received an operation by the player requesting further playing of the lottery game and the special game. If the operation has been received, the processing returns to step SP24; if the operation has not been received, the processing proceeds to step SP50.

[0144] (Step SP50) The storage means 50 of the lottery game machine 1 and the storage means 66 of the IC card 2 store the progress of the player. The process then ends.

[0145] <Action and effect> As described above, in the lottery game machine 1 as an information processing device according to the second embodiment, when multiple lottery processes are grouped into one lottery process group, the game execution means 56 determines the result of the first game (normal game) for each lottery process group, and determines the result of the second game (special game) for each of multiple lottery process groups. With this configuration, the result of the second game is announced once for every multiple results of the first game. In other words, because the result of the second game is announced late, it is possible to motivate the player to continue playing even after the result of the first game is announced.

[0146] In addition, the information processing system according to the second embodiment further includes an information processing device (lottery game machine 1) and a memory means 66 for storing the progress status of the second game by the game execution means 56 of the information processing device, and the game execution means 56 is capable of starting the second game from the progress status based on the information of the memory means 66. According to this configuration, even if the player finishes all lottery games, the player can resume the second game from the progress state at the time of the end, which increases the player's motivation to resume the lottery games.

[0147] === Variations === The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations on the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention.

[0148] For example, the game execution means 56 may execute different base games and special games at each satellite 20. Alternatively, the game execution means 56 may execute multiple different types of base games at one satellite 20, and reflect the lottery results in each of the different base games. The same applies to special games.

[0149] In the first and second embodiments, examples have been described in which the protrusion 16 has a pair of blades 16a, 16b, but the number of blades of the protrusion 16 may be one or more, and may be an odd or even number, and the blades may be spaced equally or not. In addition, the protrusion 16 may be controlled to perform at least one of various actions, including not only rotation but also half rotation, swinging, vibration, etc., as long as the action can repel the ball B on the turntable 12.

[0150] In the first and second embodiments, the case where multiple balls B are sequentially dropped onto the turntable 12 has been mainly described, but they may be dropped all at once. In the case where multiple balls B are dropped all at once, the number (identification information) of the ball pocket 14 into which the last ball B of the multiple balls B falls may be used as the final lottery result.

[0151] In the first embodiment, the roulette wheel is rotated when the special game starts, and the wheel stops when the final lottery result is determined, and the result is determined based on the area overlapping with the marker. However, the wheel may stop later than the final lottery result is determined within a predetermined time range. For example, the rotation speed of the wheel may gradually decrease after the final lottery result is determined, and the wheel may stop five seconds later. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the game result is determined using the timing at which the final lottery result is determined, but instead, the timing at which the final lottery process starts or a predetermined timing during the final lottery process may be used. The timing at which the final lottery process starts may be, for example, the timing at which the ball B insertion mechanism inserts ball B into the turntable.

[0152] As examples of games executed by the game execution means 56, in the first embodiment, the normal game is a bingo game and the special game is a lottery roulette, and in the second embodiment, the special game uses a number sheet. However, the normal game and the special game are not limited to these examples. For example, the normal game and / or the special game may be a fighting game, an action game, a training game, a game using characters, etc.

[0153] Furthermore, if a situation arises in which a winning result will be achieved if one remaining number is matched (activated) in the normal game or / and special game executed by the game execution means 56 before the lottery means 54 executes the final lottery process, this fact may be displayed on the game screen of the game.

[0154] In the second embodiment, it has been explained that the reward for the jackpot, which is an example of a special game executed by the game execution means 56, may be a portion of the number of medals bet by the player each time the player bets on the normal game. However, the number of medals bet on the normal game itself may not be reduced, but may be accumulated according to the number of medals bet, and this may be used as the reward. Alternatively, the reward may be a fixed value stored in advance in the game information 50C of the memory type 50.

[0155] Furthermore, the normal game (first game) and / or the special game (second game) described in the first and second embodiments may progress (for example, the game result is determined) based on events other than the lottery process (such as quests, missions, battles with enemy characters or other players, etc.). Also, a second game may be included within a first game. The first game may also progress based on a plurality of the above events that always occur. Furthermore, the second game may progress by clearing some of the multiple events described above. Furthermore, the first game and / or the second game itself may be the event. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1: lottery game machine (computer, information processing device), 2: IC card, 54: lottery means, 56: game execution means, 58: granting means, 50: storage means, 66: storage means

Claims

1. lottery means for executing lottery processing multiple times; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using a portion of the plurality of lottery processes; An information processing device comprising:

2. lottery means for executing lottery processing multiple times; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, the result of the first game being determined using a part of a plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game being determined using a lottery process other than the part of the plurality of lottery processes; An information processing device comprising:

3. lottery means for executing lottery processing; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, the result of the first game being determined using the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game being determined using the timing at which the result of the lottery process is determined; An information processing device comprising:

4. the lottery process used by the game execution means to determine the result of the second game includes a latter-half lottery process among the plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. When the plurality of lottery processes are regarded as one lottery process group, the game execution means determines an outcome of the first game for each of the lottery process groups, and determines an outcome of the second game for each of the plurality of lottery process groups; 3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the game execution means determines the result of the first game and the result of the second game at the same time; The information processing device according to claim 3 .

7. The information processing device according to claim 5 ; a storage means for storing a progress status of the second game played by the game execution means of the information processing device; Further provided with the game execution means is capable of starting the second game from the progress status based on the information stored in the storage means; The information processing system according to claim 5 .

8. Computer, lottery means for executing lottery processing multiple times; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using a portion of the plurality of lottery processes; A program that functions as a

9. Computer, lottery means for executing lottery processing multiple times; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, wherein the result of the first game is determined using a part of a plurality of lottery processes executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game is determined using a lottery process other than the part of the plurality of lottery processes; A program that functions as a

10. Computer, lottery means for executing lottery processing; a game execution means for executing a first game and a second game, the result of the first game being determined using the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery means, and the result of the second game being determined using the timing at which the result of the lottery process is determined (the timing at which the ball falls); A program that functions as a

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