Item acquisition game system

Abstract

In an item acquisition game system, when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game device, using an administrator terminal operated by the administrator makes it possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game across multiple item storage units. [Solution] In the item acquisition game system S, the administrator terminal 200 transmits to the server 100 the first identification information shown in the first item storage section 20A and the second identification information shown in the second item storage section 20B. The server 100 reads the setting information of the first item storage section 20A and transmits the setting information of the first item storage section 20A to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with the second item storage section 20B. The item acquisition game device 1, having received the setting information of the first item storage section 20A, executes the item acquisition game in the second item storage section 20B based on the setting information of the first item storage section 20A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article acquisition game system including an article acquisition game device that executes an article acquisition game for acquiring an article stored inside an article storage unit, a management unit connected to the article acquisition game device via a network, and an administrator terminal connected to the management unit via a network and operated by an administrator of the article acquisition game device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an article acquisition game device that executes an article acquisition game for acquiring an article stored inside an article storage unit by moving an article acquisition device vertically based on a player's operation.

[0003] When allowing a player to execute an article acquisition game, various settings are made by an administrator (for example, a store clerk of a store where the article acquisition game device is installed), and the article acquisition game is executed based on these settings.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an initial position height adjustment means for arbitrarily setting the height of an initial position, which is the home position of a prize acquisition unit at the start and end of a game. The initial position height adjustment means lowers the prize acquisition unit from the upper end position by a predetermined amount based on the detection result by a sensor to position it at the initial position height, refers to the setting content of the initial position height of the prize acquisition unit by the initial position height adjustment means, and controls the lifting speed of the prize acquisition unit. A prize acquisition game device has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For example, when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game machine at a store, there is a desire to standardize the gameplay (e.g., operability based on the settings of the prize acquisition unit described in Patent Document 1) across multiple item acquisition game machines. In such cases, it is necessary to apply the settings of one item acquisition game machine to other item acquisition game machines as well.

[0007] In recent years, a system has been known in which multiple item-acquisition game devices are connected to a management unit, such as a server, via a network, and managed by this management unit. In this system, an administrator terminal operated by an administrator (for example, an employee of a store where the item-acquisition game devices are installed) is connected to the management unit via the network. In such a system, the administrator manages multiple item storage units in the item-acquisition game devices by sending and receiving information about the multiple item-acquisition game devices to and from the management unit via the administrator terminal.

[0008] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and aims to enable the easy synchronization of settings related to the item acquisition game among multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game device by using an administrator terminal operated by an administrator when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) An item acquisition game system including an item acquisition game device that executes an item acquisition game in which an item stored inside an item storage unit is acquired, a management unit connected to the item acquisition game device via a network, and an administrator terminal connected to the management unit via a network and operated by the administrator of the item acquisition game device, The aforementioned item acquisition game device is Each of the item storage compartments is provided with a storage means for storing setting information that defines the settings related to the item acquisition game, The system includes a communication means capable of sending and receiving the aforementioned setting information. The aforementioned administrator terminal is An acquisition means for acquiring identification information that identifies the article storage section, which is shown in the article storage section, Control means for storing the first identification information shown in the first article storage section and the second identification information shown in the second article storage section, which is different from the first article storage section, respectively, acquired by the acquisition means. The system includes a transmission means for transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information to the management unit, The aforementioned management department, An identification information receiving means for receiving the first identification information and the second identification information, A setting information reading means for reading the setting information of the first article storage section, The item acquisition game device, which is provided with the second item storage section, is further equipped with setting information transmission means for transmitting the setting information of the first item storage section, The item acquisition game system is characterized in that the item acquisition game device, which has received the setting information of the first item storage unit, executes the item acquisition game in the second item storage unit based on the setting information of the first item storage unit.

[0010] In configuration (1), the item acquisition game system includes an item acquisition game device that executes an item acquisition game in which an item stored inside an item storage unit is acquired, a management unit connected to the item acquisition game device via a network, and an administrator terminal connected to the management unit via a network and operated by the administrator of the item acquisition game device. The item acquisition game device comprises a storage means and a communication means capable of sending and receiving setting information. The memory means stores setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game for each item storage compartment. The communication method allows for the sending and receiving of configuration information. The administrator terminal comprises acquisition means, control means, and transmission means. The acquisition means is shown in the article storage section and acquires identification information that identifies the article storage section. The control means stores the first identification information shown in the first article storage section, which is acquired by the acquisition means, and the second identification information shown in the second article storage section, which is different from the first article storage section. The transmission means transmits the first identification information and the second identification information to the management department. The management unit comprises means for receiving identification information, means for reading configuration information, and means for transmitting configuration information. The identification information receiving means receives the first identification information and the second identification information. The configuration information reading means reads the configuration information of the first item storage unit. The setting information transmission means transmits the setting information of the first item storage unit to an item acquisition game device equipped with a second item storage unit. Then, the item acquisition game device, having received the setting information from the first item storage unit, executes the item acquisition game in the second item storage unit based on the setting information from the first item storage unit.

[0011] According to the configuration of (1), in an item acquisition game system including an item acquisition game device, a management unit, and an administrator terminal, when making settings related to the item acquisition game, the administrator can change the settings of the first item storage unit to the settings of the second item storage unit simply by obtaining the first identification information shown in the first item storage unit and the second identification information shown in the second item storage unit using the administrator terminal and transmitting them to the management unit. Therefore, when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game system, it becomes possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game across multiple item storage units by using an administrator terminal operated by the administrator.

[0012] If, in addition to acquiring and transmitting identification information, the administrator terminal also reads and transmits configuration information, the processing load on the administrator terminal increases, resulting in longer processing times compared to acquiring and transmitting only identification information. The administrator has to wait for this processing time on the administrator terminal, which reduces work efficiency. According to the configuration of (1), the administrator terminal only needs to acquire the first identification information and the second identification information and transmit them to the management unit. Since the management unit reads and transmits the setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game with a relatively large amount of information, the processing load can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the processing time and waiting time of the administrator terminal for the administrator, so that the efficiency of the work of easily aligning the settings related to the item acquisition game can be improved.

[0013] (2) In the item acquisition game device, in the storage means, as the setting information, operation setting information related to the control of the operation of an operation device provided for each item storage unit and operating according to the operation of the player, and item storage unit setting information related to the item storage unit are stored. In the administrator terminal, Based on the operation of the administrator, the control means receives selection information indicating a selection of whether to set the setting information to only the operation setting information or to the operation setting information and the item storage unit setting information. The transmission means transmits the selection information to the management unit. In the management unit, The setting information reading means reads the setting information according to the selection information. The setting information transmission means transmits the setting information according to the selection information. The item acquisition game device that has received the setting information of the first item storage unit executes the item acquisition game based on the setting information according to the selection information, which is the item acquisition game system according to (1).

[0014] (2) In the configuration of (2), the item acquisition game device stores, in the storage means, as setting information, operation setting information related to the control of the operation of an operation device provided for each item storage unit and operating according to the operation of the player, and item storage unit setting information related to the item storage unit. The control means of the administrator terminal receives selection information indicating a selection of whether to set the setting information to only the operation setting information or to the operation setting information and the item storage unit setting information based on the operation of the administrator. The transmission means of the administrator terminal transmits this selection information to the management unit. The setting information reading means of the management unit reads the setting information corresponding to the selection information. The setting information transmitting means of the management unit transmits the setting information corresponding to the selection information. Then, the article acquisition game device that has received the setting information of the first article storage unit executes an article acquisition game based on the setting information corresponding to the selection information.

[0015] Here, the setting information that defines the settings related to the article acquisition game includes operation setting information related to the control of the operation of an operating device that operates according to the player's operation (for example, information indicating settings such as the operation range of the operating device and the intensity of the operation), and article storage unit setting information related to the article storage unit (for example, information indicating settings such as the fee for conducting an article acquisition game in the article storage unit).

[0016] According to the configuration of (2), when the administrator wants to apply the settings of the article storage unit (the first article storage unit) of a certain article acquisition game device to the article storage unit (the second article storage unit) of another article acquisition game device, the administrator can select whether to apply only the operation setting information or both the operation setting information and the article storage unit setting information.

[0017] Thereby, for example, when a new article acquisition game device is introduced into a store and the settings of the article storage unit of the introduced article acquisition game device are to be made the same as those of the article storage unit of the article acquisition game device already installed in the store, the operation setting information and the article storage unit setting information of the article storage unit of the already installed article acquisition game device can be applied to the article storage unit of the newly introduced article acquisition game device. Also, for example, in a store, there may be a case where in a certain article storage unit, the settings of an operating device that performs a preferable operation are to be applied to the operating device of another article storage unit, while not wanting to change the article storage unit setting information. In such a case, only the operation setting information of a certain article storage unit can be applied to another article storage unit. Therefore, when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game system, it becomes possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game across multiple item storage units by using an administrator terminal operated by the administrator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, when managing multiple item storage units in an item acquisition game device in an item acquisition game system, it becomes possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game among the multiple item storage units by using an administrator terminal operated by the administrator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an overview of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates the appearance of an object acquisition game device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates a switching mechanism for an item acquisition game device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a settings copy screen displayed on the administrator terminal of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the setting copy process by the item acquisition game system S in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. This document outlines an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates an overview of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The configuration of the item acquisition game system S will be explained. The item acquisition game system S includes a plurality of item acquisition game devices 1 that execute an item acquisition game in which an item stored inside an item storage unit is acquired, a server 100 connected to the item acquisition game devices 1 via a network, and an administrator terminal 200 connected to the server 100 via a network and operated by the administrator of the item acquisition game devices 1.

[0022] Here, we will explain the configuration of the item acquisition game device 1. Figure 2 illustrates the external appearance of an item acquisition game device in one embodiment of the present invention. The item acquisition game device 1 comprises a base 10 installed on the floor, an item storage section 20 placed on the base 10 and containing items (prizes, etc.), with walls and other surfaces made of a translucent material (for example, glass), a moving device 30 provided in the upper interior of the item storage section 20, a vertical moving device 40 attached to the moving device 30 and moving the item acquisition device 50 (described later) in the vertical direction, and an item acquisition device 50 capable of acquiring items.

[0023] The item acquisition game device 1, for example, based on the player's operation of an operating unit 11 such as a switch provided on the base 10, moves the vertical movement device 40 in the left-right and front-back directions using a moving device 30 provided in the upper part of the inside of the item storage unit 20, then moves the item acquisition device 50 downward using the vertical movement device 40, grasps an item (not shown) placed inside the item storage unit 20 with a pair of arms 51 of the item acquisition device 50, moves the item onto a drop-off opening 12 provided on the base 10, then opens the pair of arms 51 and drops the item into the drop-off opening 12, thereby discharging the item to the outside. In this way, the player can acquire an item placed in the item storage unit 20.

[0024] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the item acquisition game device 1 includes a plurality of booths 5 (two in the example shown in Figure 2) arranged in a predetermined direction (left and right in the example shown in Figure 2). The item acquisition game device has an item storage section 20 that is partitioned into booths 5, and each booth 5 is equipped with an operation unit 11, a moving device 30, an up and down moving device 40, an item acquisition device 50, and a drop-off opening 12. With this configuration, one item acquisition game device can accommodate as many players as there are booths 5 (two in the example shown in Figure 2), each playing the item acquisition game.

[0025] The base 10 is provided with a lock mechanism 13 near the item storage section 20, which allows the door 21 that opens and closes the item storage section 20 to be locked and unlocked. The base 10 is also provided with detection means 70, which will be described in more detail later, to detect the open / closed state of the door 21 and the locked / unlocked state of the lock mechanism 13.

[0026] Door 21 can be locked and unlocked by an administrator (for example, an employee of a store where the item acquisition game system is installed), and can be unlocked and opened, for example, when replenishing items in the item storage section 20 or rearranging items.

[0027] Furthermore, the item acquisition game device 1 displays identification information for each item storage unit 20 and each of the multiple booths 5 within the item storage unit 20. The identification information may be displayed at any location on the item acquisition game device 1 in any form (for example, a two-dimensional barcode, a string of characters, a symbol, etc.), or it may be generated by voice from the item acquisition game device 1.

[0028] Returning to Figure 1, we will now describe the overview of the functions of the item acquisition game system S. The item acquisition game system S applies setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game applied in the first item storage section 20A of the item acquisition game device 1 to the second item storage section 20B.

[0029] In this embodiment, the item storage section 20 of one item acquisition game device 1 may be designated as the first item storage section 20A, and the item storage section 20 of another item acquisition game device 1 may be designated as the second item storage section 20B. Alternatively, if the item storage section 20 of one item acquisition game device 1 has multiple booths, one booth may be designated as the item storage section 20A and the other booth as the item storage section 20B. In other words, the item acquisition game system S can apply the settings of the item storage section 20 of one item acquisition game device 1 to the item storage section 20 of another item acquisition game device 1, or, if the item storage section 20 of one item acquisition game device 1 has multiple booths, it can apply the settings of one booth to the other booth.

[0030] In detail, in the item acquisition game system S, when applying the settings of an item storage unit 20A, which is an example of a first item storage unit, to an item storage unit 20B, which is an example of a second item storage unit, the administrator obtains first identification information that identifies the item storage unit 20A, which is shown to the item storage unit 20A (for example, displayed in association with the item storage unit 20A) via the administrator terminal 200 (for example, by reading a two-dimensional barcode indicating the first identification information). Next, the administrator obtains second identification information that identifies the item storage unit 20B, which is shown to the item storage unit 20B (for example, displayed in association with the item storage unit 20B) via the administrator terminal 200 (for example, by reading a two-dimensional barcode indicating the second identification information).

[0031] The administrator terminal 200 then sends the first identification information to the server 100 as the source identification information. The administrator terminal 200 also sends the second identification information to the server 100 as the destination identification information.

[0032] When server 100 receives source identification information from administrator terminal 200, it reads the configuration information of the item storage unit 20A identified by the source identification information. Furthermore, when server 100 receives paste destination identification information from administrator terminal 200, it transmits the configuration information of the item storage unit 20A to the item acquisition game device 1, which has an item storage unit 20B identified by the paste destination identification information.

[0033] The item acquisition game device, having received the setting information for the item storage unit 20A, changes the setting information in the item storage unit 20B to the setting information for the item storage unit 20A, and then executes the item acquisition game based on this setting information for the item storage unit 20A.

[0034] In an item acquisition game system S including such an item acquisition game device 1, a server 100, and an administrator terminal 200, when making settings related to the item acquisition game, the administrator can change the settings of the item acquisition unit 20A to the settings of the item acquisition unit 20B simply by obtaining the first identification information shown on the item storage unit 20A and the second identification information shown on the item storage unit 20B using the administrator terminal 200 and transmitting them to the server 100. Therefore, when managing multiple item storage units in the item acquisition game device 1 using the item acquisition game system S, it becomes possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game among the multiple item storage units 20 by using the administrator terminal 200 operated by the administrator.

[0035] Next, we will describe the functional configuration of the item acquisition game system S. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The item acquisition game system S includes a plurality of item acquisition game devices 1, a server 100 which is an example of a management unit to which the plurality of item acquisition game devices 1 are connected, and an administrator terminal 200 which is connected to the server 100 via a network and operated by an administrator.

[0037] The functional configuration of the item acquisition game device 1 will be described below. The item acquisition game device 1 comprises an operation unit 11, a moving device 30, a vertical moving device 40, an item acquisition device 50, a control means 60, a detection means 70, a switching means 80, and a communication means 90.

[0038] The operation unit 11 is located on the front side of the base 10 and includes switches and the like to receive player input in the item acquisition game. The operation unit 11 transmits various information (for example, information regarding the operation of the item acquisition device 50) in response to the player's input to the control means 60. The operation unit 11 also has a display means (for example, a liquid crystal panel) that displays various information (for example, setting information in the item storage unit 20).

[0039] Based on the operation setting information described later, the moving device 30 controls the vertical moving device 40 and the item acquisition device 50 in a predetermined direction (for example, left-right direction or front-rear direction) under the control of the control means 60. Based on the operation setting information described later, the vertical movement device 40 moves the item acquisition device 50 in a predetermined direction (for example, vertically) under the control of the control means 60. The item acquisition device 50 opens and closes a pair of arm sections 51 under the control of the control means 60 based on the operation setting information described later.

[0040] The control means 60 controls the operation of the item acquisition game device. Specifically, the control means 60 receives various information from the server 100 and the administrator terminal 200 via the communication means 90, and controls the item acquisition game played by the player based on settings derived from the received information.

[0041] Furthermore, the control means 60 switches between a game mode in which the item acquisition game device can be operated and a maintenance mode, and controls the operation of the item acquisition game device 1 in each mode.

[0042] In this embodiment, "game mode" is a mode in which a player can play an item acquisition game, and is an example of a first mode. That is, the first mode is not limited to the so-called "game mode," but is a mode in which the item acquisition game device 1 is operated based on the player's actions.

[0043] Furthermore, "Maintenance Mode" is a mode in which the administrator of the item acquisition game device 1 (for example, an employee of a store where the item acquisition game system S is installed) can perform various settings on the item acquisition game device 1 (for example, settings to adjust the amount of movement of the movement device 30, the vertical movement device 40, and the item acquisition device 50, etc.), and is an example of the second mode. In other words, the second mode is not limited to the so-called "maintenance mode," but is a mode in which various settings can be performed on the item acquisition game device 1.

[0044] Furthermore, in maintenance mode, the control means 60 stores setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game for each item storage unit 20, for example, based on the operator's operation, and in game mode, it executes the item acquisition game based on this setting information.

[0045] In game mode, the control means 60 executes the item acquisition game by referring to various information received from the server 100 and the administrator terminal 200, and, for example, based on various information transmitted from the operation unit 11 corresponding to the player's operations, controlling the operation of the movement device 30, the vertical movement device 40, and the item acquisition device 50.

[0046] The detection means 70 detects the state of the door 21. More specifically, the detection means 70 detects the state of the door 21 for each of the multiple booths 5. In this embodiment, the state of the door 21 detected by the detection means 70 includes the open / closed state of the door 21 itself, the locked state of the door 21 (closed state), and the unlocked state (state in which the door 21 can be opened).

[0047] Specifically, the detection means 70 is composed of a microswitch capable of contact detection or a reflective sensor capable of non-contact detection. For example, when the door 21 is closed, it detects a predetermined portion of the door 21 at predetermined intervals and transmits closed information to the control means 60 at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, when the door 21 actually opens (the predetermined portion moves) and the predetermined portion can no longer be detected, the detection means 70 transmits open information to the control means 60. In addition, the detection means 70 may transmit open information to the control means 60 when it detects that the lock portion 13 is unlocked.

[0048] Furthermore, if the detection means 70 transmits only closed information to the control means 60, the control means 60 may determine that the door 21 is in an open state when the closed information is interrupted.

[0049] Figure 4 illustrates a switching mechanism for an item acquisition game device in one embodiment of the present invention. The switching mechanism 80 is located inside the item storage section 20 (in a position where it cannot be operated unless the door 21 (see Figure 2) is open). It is preferable that the switching mechanism 80 be located near the opening 21b formed when the door 21 is opened. This allows the administrator to open the door 21 and smoothly operate the switching mechanism 80 when performing maintenance work in maintenance mode, thereby switching the item acquisition game device 1 from game mode to maintenance mode.

[0050] The switching means 80 includes, for example, an operating unit 81 (e.g., a switch) that can be operated by an administrator to trigger a transition to maintenance mode, and transmits operation information to the control means 60 indicating that an operation has been performed on the operating unit 81.

[0051] Returning to Figure 3, the control means 60 performs the following controls in accordance with the various information received from the detection means 70 and the switching means 80. In game mode, the control means 60 maintains the game mode even if it receives open information from the detection means 70 or if closed information from the detection means 70 is interrupted, as long as it does not receive operation information from the switching means 80. Furthermore, in game mode, when the control means 60 receives open information from the detection means 70 or when closed information from the detection means 70 ceases, it receives operation information and performs control to switch from game mode to maintenance mode, and then performs control to execute the maintenance mode.

[0052] Furthermore, if the control means 60 receives closed information from the detection means 70 while performing control to execute the maintenance mode, it performs control to switch from the maintenance mode to the game mode and then performs control to execute the game mode. Note that the control means 60 is not limited to the above example and may perform a transition from the game mode to the maintenance mode or from the maintenance mode to the game mode at any time.

[0053] Furthermore, in maintenance mode, the control means 60 performs various settings on the item acquisition game device (for example, settings to adjust the amount of movement of the moving device 30, the vertical moving device 40, and the item acquisition device 50) based on direct operations from an administrator (operations on the item acquisition game device) or indirect operations (operations via a server to which the item acquisition game device is connected via a network), and stores setting information indicating these settings in a storage means (for example, a storage area provided on the circuit boards of the moving device 30, the vertical moving device 40, and the item acquisition device 50).

[0054] In detail, the control means 60 stores setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game in the item storage unit 20 and the booth 5 of the item storage unit 20. In this embodiment, the setting information includes operation setting information relating to the control of the operation of an operating device provided for each item storage unit 20 and booth 5 that operates in response to the player's operation, and item storage unit setting information relating to the item storage unit 20 and booth 5.

[0055] The operation setting information includes crane setting information for the moving device 30 and the vertical moving device 40, and catcher setting information for the item acquisition device 50. The crane setting information includes, for example, information defining the range of motion of the item acquisition device 50 in the planar direction within the item storage section 20 and booth 5, and information defining the vertical position in which the item acquisition device 50 releases the items. The catcher setting information includes, for example, information regarding the operation of a pair of arm sections 51 of the item acquisition device 50, and includes information that defines the rotational strength and opening / closing timing of each of the pair of arm sections 51.

[0056] The item storage unit setting information includes information that specifies the fees for playing the item acquisition game in the item storage unit 20 and booth 5, information about functions that assist the player in the item acquisition game, and information about various sensors installed in the item storage unit 20 and booth 5.

[0057] When the control means 60 receives a setting information request from the server 100 requesting the transmission of setting information, it transmits the setting information stored in the storage means to the server 100 via the communication means 90.

[0058] The configuration information request information includes type information that specifies the type of configuration information to be requested to be sent. The type information indicates whether to specify some of the setting information (for example, operation setting information) or all of the setting information (operation setting information and item storage compartment setting information).

[0059] For example, if the type information of the setting information request information specifies operation setting information, the control means 60 sends operation setting information to the server 100. If the type information of the setting information request information specifies operation setting information and item storage unit setting information, the control means 60 sends operation setting information and item storage unit setting information to the server 100.

[0060] Furthermore, when the control means 60 receives setting information from the server 100 (for example, setting information stored in the server 100 or setting information for another item storage unit 20 (booth 5)), it changes (overwrites) the setting information stored in the storage means with the received setting information. In this case, in the subsequent game mode, the control means 60 refers to the changed setting information and controls the operation of the movement device 30, the vertical movement device 40, and the item acquisition device 50 based on the player's operation to execute the item acquisition game.

[0061] The communication means 90 is an example of a transmission means, and under the control of the control means 60, it transmits the setting information stored in the storage means to the server 100, and receives from the server 100 setting information request information that requests the transmission of setting information, or setting information different from the setting information stored in the storage means (for example, setting information that was stored in the server 100, or setting information for another item storage unit 20 (booth 5), etc.).

[0062] Next, we will describe the functional configuration of server 100. Server 100 generates and stores information for managing multiple item acquisition game devices 1 connected via a network, based on the administrator's operations. Server 100 may consist of a single computer (e.g., a personal computer), or it may consist of an externally provided storage means (e.g., cloud storage) and an administrator terminal (e.g., a personal computer) that can access this storage means.

[0063] Specifically, the server 100 includes a selection information receiving means 110, an identification information receiving means 120, a setting information reading means 130, a setting information transmission means 140, and a storage means 150.

[0064] The selection information receiving means 110 receives selection information from the administrator terminal 200 indicating whether to read only operation setting information or both operation setting information and item storage compartment setting information as the setting information to be read by the setting information reading means 130.

[0065] The identification information receiving means 120 receives from the administrator terminal 200 the first identification information (copy source identification information) shown in the first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) and the second identification information (paste destination identification information) shown in the second item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20B shown in Figure 1), which is different from the first item storage unit.

[0066] The setting information reading means 130 reads the setting information of the first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1). The setting information reading means 130 reads the setting information of the first item storage unit according to the selection information received by the selection information receiving means 110. Specifically, if only operation setting information is selected in the selection information, the setting information reading means 130 reads only the operation setting information of the first item storage unit, and if both operation setting information and item storage unit setting information are selected, it reads both the operation setting information and the item storage unit setting information of the first item storage unit.

[0067] More specifically, the setting information reading means 130 transmits setting information request information to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) identified by the first identification information (copy source identification information) received by the identification information receiving means 120, requesting the transmission of setting information. More specifically, the setting information reading means 130 transmits setting information request information to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit identified by the first identification information, including type information that specifies the type of setting information to be transmitted.

[0068] Specifically, when the selection information receiving means 110 receives selection information in which it selects only operation setting information, the setting information reading means 130 transmits setting information request information, including type information that specifies only operation setting information, to the item acquisition game device 1, and receives operation setting information from the item acquisition game device 1. Also, when the selection information receiving means 110 receives selection information in which it selects both operation setting information and item storage unit setting information, the setting information reading means 130 transmits setting information request information, including type information that specifies both operation setting information and item storage unit setting information, to the item acquisition game device 1, and receives operation setting information and item storage unit setting information from the item acquisition game device 1.

[0069] Here, the storage means 150 stores a setting information DB 151 in which the setting information of the item storage unit 20 and the booth 5 of the item storage unit 20 is associated with the identification information of the item storage unit 20 and the booth 5 of the item storage unit 20.

[0070] The setting information reading means 130 may read the setting information by receiving it from the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) identified by the first identification information (copy source identification information) received by the identification information receiving means 120, or it may read the setting information associated with the first identification information received by the identification information receiving means 120 by referring to the setting information DB 151.

[0071] The setting information transmission means 140 transmits the setting information of the first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) read by the setting information reading means 130 to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a second item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20B shown in Figure 1) identified by the second identification information (paste destination identification information) received by the identification information receiving means 120.

[0072] In detail, the setting information transmission means 140 transmits setting information for the first item storage unit, corresponding to the selection information which includes type information specifying the type of setting information received by the selection information receiving means 110, to the item acquisition game device 1 equipped with a second item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20B shown in Figure 1). Specifically, if the selection information receiving means 110 receives selection information which selects only operation setting information, the setting information transmission means 140 transmits only the operation setting information for the first item storage unit to the item acquisition game device 1 equipped with the second item storage unit. Also, if the selection information receiving means 110 receives selection information which selects both operation setting information and item storage unit setting information, the setting information transmission means 140 transmits the operation setting information for the first item storage unit and the item storage unit setting information to the item acquisition game device 1 equipped with the second item storage unit.

[0073] Next, we will describe the functional configuration of the administrator terminal 200. The administrator terminal 200 is composed of equipment suitable for each administrator (for example, a mobile terminal, smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc.) and includes an acquisition means 201, an administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210, an administrator terminal control means 220, and an administrator terminal input / output means 230.

[0074] The acquisition means 201, under the control of the administrator terminal control means 220, acquires identification information (such as the first identification information and the second identification information in the example shown in Figure 1) that is displayed in the item storage section 20 of the item acquisition game device 1 and identifies the item storage section 20. The acquisition means 201 is composed of a module that includes a camera and an analysis means for reading the identification information read by the camera. Alternatively, the acquisition means 201 may be composed of a module that includes a microphone and an analysis means for reading the identification information from the audio recorded by the microphone, or it may acquire identification information from text information entered by the administrator in the administrator terminal input / output means 230.

[0075] The administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210 is an example of a transmission means, and under the control of the administrator terminal control means 220, it transmits the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the acquisition means 201 to the server 100. Furthermore, the administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210, under the control of the administrator terminal control means 220, transmits selection information to the server 100, which includes type information specifying the type of setting information selected based on the administrator's operation of the administrator terminal input / output means 230.

[0076] The administrator terminal control means 220 controls the administrator terminal 200 based on the administrator's operations on the administrator terminal input / output means 230 and various information received from the item acquisition game device 1 and the server 100. Specifically, the administrator terminal control means 220 displays a settings copy screen on the administrator terminal input / output means 230 based on the administrator's operations on the administrator terminal input / output means 230, receives information based on the administrator's operations on the settings copy screen, and controls the administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210 to transmit the received information (selection information, first identification information and second identification information acquired by the acquisition means 201, etc.) to the server 100.

[0077] The administrator terminal input / output means 230 is an example of a display means, and is, for example, composed of a touch panel, which, under the control of the administrator terminal control means 220, displays a settings copy screen and accepts administrator operations.

[0078] Figure 5 shows an example of a settings copy screen displayed on the administrator terminal of an item acquisition game system in one embodiment of the present invention. The settings copy screen is a screen displayed on the administrator terminal input / output means 230 based on the administrator's operation when applying the settings of item storage unit 20A, which is an example of a first item storage unit, to item storage unit 20B, which is an example of a second item storage unit, in the item acquisition game system S, as shown in the example in Figure 1.

[0079] In the settings copy screen, the administrator terminal control means 220 first displays the type information selection screen 1P, which specifies the type of setting information. On the type information selection screen 1P, as shown in the example in Figure 5, buttons 1B are displayed to select the operation setting information, namely "Catcher" and "Crane," and buttons 2B are displayed to select the operation setting information, as well as the item storage area setting information, namely "Booth." The administrator terminal control means 220 controls the administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210 to send selection information, including type information that specifies operation setting information, to the server 100 when button 1B is selected by the administrator's operation, and selection information, including type information that specifies operation setting information and item storage compartment setting information, to the server 100 when button 2B is selected.

[0080] Next, on the settings copy screen, the administrator terminal control means 220 displays a source identification information acquisition screen 2P in which the acquisition means 201 acquires the first identification information (source identification information) of the item storage unit 20A (see Figure 1), which is the source of the settings information to be copied.

[0081] When the administrator terminal control means 220 obtains the first identification information (source identification information) through an operation by the administrator, it displays the source identification information acquisition completion screen 3P.

[0082] Next, on the settings copy screen, the administrator terminal control means 220 displays a paste destination identification information acquisition screen 4P in which the acquisition means 201 acquires the second identification information (paste destination identification information) of the item storage unit 20B (see Figure 1), which will be the paste destination for the settings information.

[0083] When the administrator terminal control means 220 obtains the second identification information (paste destination identification information) through an operation by the administrator, it displays the paste destination identification information acquisition completion screen 5P.

[0084] Subsequently, the administrator terminal control means 220 returns to the paste destination identification information acquisition screen 4P and obtains the second identification information (paste destination identification information) for another item storage unit 20B. In other words, the administrator terminal control means 220 can obtain multiple second identification information (paste destination identification information) for one first identification information (copy source identification information). This makes it possible to apply the settings of one first item storage unit to multiple second item storage units.

[0085] The functional configuration of this system described above is merely an example, and a single functional block (database and functional processing unit) may be divided, or multiple functional blocks may be combined into a single functional block. Each functional processing unit is realized by a computer program (e.g., core software or the character generation application mentioned above) that is read by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) built into the device and executed by the CPU. In other words, each functional processing unit is realized by this computer program reading and writing necessary data such as tables from the database (DB) stored in the storage device or from memory storage areas, and, if necessary, controlling related hardware (e.g., input / output devices, display devices, communication interface devices). Furthermore, the database (DB) in the embodiments of the present invention may be a commercial database, but it also means a mere collection of tables and files, and the internal structure of the database itself is not specified.

[0086] Next, we will explain the setting copy process using the item acquisition game system. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the setting copy process by the item acquisition game system S in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] In step S1, the administrator terminal control means 220 of the administrator terminal 200 acquires selection information, including type information that specifies the type of setting information, based on the administrator's operation on the setting copy screen. Also in this step, the acquisition means 201 of the administrator terminal 200 acquires identification information (such as the first identification information and the second identification information in the example shown in Figure 1) that is displayed in the item storage section 20 of the item acquisition game device 1 and identifies the item storage section 20.

[0088] In step S2, the administrator terminal control means 220 of the administrator terminal 200 causes the administrator terminal transmission / reception means 210 to transmit the selection information, first identification information, and second identification information acquired in step S1 to the server 100.

[0089] In step S3, the selection information receiving means 110 of the server 100 receives the selection information transmitted in step S2 from the administrator terminal 200. Also in this step, the identification information receiving means 120 of the server 100 receives the first identification information and the second identification information transmitted in step S2 from the administrator terminal 200.

[0090] In step S4, the configuration information reading means 130 of the server 100 transmits configuration information request information to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) identified by the first identification information (copy source identification information) received by the identification information receiving means 120 in step S3, requesting the transmission of configuration information. More specifically, the configuration information reading means 130 transmits configuration information request information to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit identified by the first identification information, including type information that specifies the type of configuration information to be transmitted.

[0091] In step S5, the control means 60 of the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit (an item storage unit identified by the first identification information), receives the setting information request information transmitted from the server 100 in step S4 via the communication means 90.

[0092] In step S6, the control means 60 of the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit identified by the first identification information, transmits setting information corresponding to the setting information request information including type information received in step S5 to the server 100 via the communication means 90.

[0093] In step S7, the configuration information reading means 130 of the server 100 reads the configuration information transmitted in step S6 from the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a first item storage unit identified by the first identification information. The configuration information reading means 130 may also read the configuration information of the first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) from the configuration information DB 151. In this case, steps S4 to S6 can be omitted.

[0094] In step S8, the setting information transmission means 140 of the server 100 transmits the setting information of the first item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20A shown in Figure 1) that the setting information reading means 130 read in step S7 to the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a second item storage unit (for example, the item storage unit 20B shown in Figure 1) identified by the second identification information (paste destination identification information) received by the identification information receiving means 120 in step S3.

[0095] In step S9, the control means 60 of the item acquisition game device 1, which is equipped with a second item storage unit (an item storage unit identified by the second identification information), receives the setting information transmitted from the server 100 in step S8 via the communication means 90.

[0096] In step S10, the control means 60 of the item acquisition game device 1, which includes a second item storage unit (an item storage unit identified by the second identification information), changes (overwrites) the setting information stored in the storage means with the setting information received in step S9. Then, in the subsequent game mode, the control means 60 executes the item acquisition game by referring to the changed setting information and controlling the operation of the moving device 30, the vertical moving device 40, and the item acquisition device 50 based on the player's operation.

[0097] As described above, with the item acquisition game system S of this embodiment, the administrator terminal 200 only needs to acquire the first identification information and the second identification information and send them to the server 100. The server 100 reads and sends the setting information that defines the settings for the item acquisition game, which involves a relatively large amount of information, thus reducing the processing load. This makes it possible to reduce the time the administrator has to wait for the administrator terminal 200 to process the information, thereby improving the efficiency of the task of easily setting up the settings for the item acquisition game.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the item acquisition game system S, when the administrator applies the settings of the item storage section 20A (first item storage section) of one item acquisition game device 1 to the item storage section 20B (second item storage section) of another item acquisition game device, the administrator can choose whether to apply only the operation setting information or to apply both the operation setting information and the item storage section setting information.

[0099] This allows for situations such as when a store introduces a new item acquisition game machine 1 and wants to match the settings of the item storage unit 20B of the newly introduced item acquisition game machine 1 with the settings of the item storage unit 20A of an item acquisition game machine 1 already installed in the store. In such cases, the operation setting information and item storage unit setting information of the item storage unit 20A of the already installed item acquisition game machine 1 can be applied to the item storage unit 20B of the newly introduced item acquisition game machine 1. Furthermore, for example, in a store, there may be cases where the settings of an operating device that perform a desirable operation in one item storage unit 20A are to be applied to the operating device of another item storage unit 20B, but the item storage unit setting information is not to be changed. In such cases, only the operating setting information of one item storage unit 20A can be applied to the other item storage unit 20B. Therefore, when managing multiple item storage units in the item acquisition game device 1 using the item acquisition game system S, it becomes possible to easily synchronize the settings related to the item acquisition game among the multiple item storage units 20 by using the administrator terminal 200 operated by the administrator.

[0100] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] S Item Acquisition Game System 1. Item Acquisition Game Device 5 booths 10 bases 11 Control section 12. Outlet 13 Key section 20. Item storage section 20A First item storage section 20B Second item storage section 21 Doors 21b opening 30 Mobile device 40 Vertical movement device 50 Goods acquisition device 51 Arm section 60 Control means 70 Detection means 80 Switching means 81 Operation section 90 Communication methods 100 servers 110 Selection information receiving means 120 Identification information receiving means 130 Configuration information reading means 140 Configuration Information Transmission Means 150 Memory means 200 Administrator terminals 201 Acquisition method 210 Administrator terminal transmission / reception means 220 Administrator terminal control means 230 Administrator terminal input / output means

Claims

1. An item acquisition game system includes an item acquisition game device that executes an item acquisition game in which an item stored inside an item storage unit is acquired; a management unit connected to the item acquisition game device via a network; and an administrator terminal connected to the management unit via a network and operated by the administrator of the item acquisition game device, The aforementioned item acquisition game device is Each of the item storage compartments includes a storage means for storing setting information that defines the settings related to the item acquisition game, The system includes a communication means capable of sending and receiving the aforementioned setting information. The aforementioned administrator terminal is An acquisition means for acquiring identification information that identifies the article storage section, which is shown in the article storage section, Control means for storing the first identification information shown in the first article storage section and the second identification information shown in the second article storage section, which is different from the first article storage section, respectively, acquired by the acquisition means. The system comprises a transmission means for transmitting the first identification information and the second identification information to the management unit, The aforementioned management department, An identification information receiving means for receiving the first identification information and the second identification information, A setting information reading means for reading the setting information of the first article storage section, The item acquisition game device, which is provided with the second item storage section, is further equipped with setting information transmission means for transmitting the setting information of the first item storage section, The item acquisition game system is characterized in that the item acquisition game device, which has received the setting information of the first item storage unit, executes the item acquisition game in the second item storage unit based on the setting information of the first item storage unit.

2. The item acquisition game device stores, in its storage means, the setting information, as follows: operation setting information relating to the control of the operation of an operating device provided for each item storage unit and operating in response to the player's operation; and item storage unit setting information relating to the item storage unit. In the aforementioned administrator terminal, The control means receives selection information based on the administrator's operation, indicating whether to make the setting information consist only of the operation setting information or both the operation setting information and the item storage unit setting information. The transmission means transmits the selection information to the management unit. In the aforementioned management department, The setting information reading means reads the setting information according to the selected information, The setting information transmission means transmits the setting information corresponding to the selected information. The item acquisition game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the item acquisition game device, which has received the setting information of the first item storage unit, executes the item acquisition game based on the setting information corresponding to the selection information.

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