Gaming image management system, image posting server device, and gaming device

Abstract

To grant a consideration according to a degree of contribution for reproduced image data, and to increase posting of images acquired by photographing a state of a game of a game machine.SOLUTION: Upon receipt of a reproduction request for image data including member identification information, a moving image reproduction control unit 7021 provides the requested moving image data to a request source. A reproduction history update unit 7022 records reproduction history information including member identification information on a user of an image data provision destination and member identification information on a poster of the provided image data in a moving image reproduction history file 7064. On the basis of member identification information included in game start information from a game device, a degree-of-contribution update unit 7023 refers to recorded information in the moving image reproduction history file 7064, and when there exists image data that the user of the game device has viewed, grants a consideration to a poster of the viewed image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system that enables users to post images of gameplay on gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachinko-type slot machines, and to a device used in the system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1, which will be described later, discloses an invention relating to a system for an amusement parlor that can record images of gameplay on gaming machines even if a player casually drops by the parlor, and enables the player to obtain the captured data. The invention is intended to make it possible to film video of gameplay on gaming machines installed in the amusement parlor and post the video to a video sharing site, thereby making it possible to provide the video to an unspecified number of viewers, thereby making it easy to attract customers to the parlor and promote the gaming machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-141718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When playing games using gaming machines, players (customers) pay money to receive rental balls (steel balls) or rental medals, which they then use to play. As a result of playing, they may lose the rental balls or medals, or they may win more balls or medals than the rental balls or medals. The winning balls and medals can be exchanged for prizes. For this reason, games using gaming machines are generally recognized as having a gambling element, and some video sharing sites have rules that prohibit the monetization of so-called gambling-related videos.

[0005] Under these circumstances, even if a user posts a video of the gameplay of a gaming machine, the uploader is often unable to monetize it, and so the number of videos of the gameplay of a gaming machine posted tends not to increase. Gaming parlors (so-called pachinko parlors) and gaming machine manufacturers would like to use videos of rare effects, etc., appearing on actual gaming machines (real machines) in their advertising, but if the number of videos posted is small, the chances of the videos they want to use being posted are low. For this reason, gaming parlors and gaming machine manufacturers could consider setting up their own video posting sites, but in this case, a system would be needed that would allow them to appropriately evaluate the posted videos and provide compensation for the posts without relying on human labor.

[0006] In view of the above, the present invention aims to enable compensation to be awarded for reproduced image data according to the degree of contribution, and to increase the number of images posted by photographing the gameplay on gaming machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the gaming video management system of the invention described in claim 1 is as follows: A gaming image management system is configured by connecting, via a network, a gaming device used by a user who has registered as a member, and an image posting server device that receives and stores image data posted by a contributor who has registered as a member and can use the gaming device, the image data being obtained by taking pictures of the game being played on the gaming device, and delivers the image data in response to requests from viewers, The gaming device comprises: a game start information generating means for generating game start information including member identification information of a user who has started a game at the start of a game; the game start information generating means a game start information transmitting means for transmitting the game start information generated by the above to the image posting server device; Equipped with The image posting server device a posted image storage means for storing the posted image data in association with the member identification information of the poster who posted the image data; an image playback control means for, when receiving a request for playback of image data including the member identification information of a user who has registered as a member and is able to use the gaming device, providing the requested video data to a requester; a playback history update means for, when image data is provided through the image playback control means, forming playback history information including the member identification information of the user to whom the image data is provided and the member identification information of the poster of the image data, and recording the information in the image playback history storage means; a contribution updating means for, when receiving the game start information from the game device, referring to the recorded information in the image playback history storage means based on the member identification information included in the game start information, and, if image data viewed by the user of the game device exists, awarding a reward to the poster of the image data; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0008] According to the posted image management system of the invention described in claim 1, game start information including the member identification information of a user who has started playing a game is transmitted from a gaming device to an image posting server device. The image posting server device associates posted image data with the member identification information of the poster and stores the data in a posted image storage means. Upon receiving a request to play image data including the member identification information, the image playback control means provides the requested video data to the requestor. The playback history update means records playback history information including the member identification information of the user to whom the image data is provided and the member identification information of the poster of the provided image data in the image playback history storage means. The contribution level update means references the recorded information in the image playback history storage means based on the member identification information included in the game start information from the gaming device, and if there is image data viewed by the user of the gaming device, awards compensation to the poster of the viewed image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, when a viewer who has viewed posted image data actually plays a game using a gaming device, it is possible to automatically provide compensation to the poster who posted the image data that the viewer viewed. In other words, it is possible to appropriately evaluate how much the played image data contributes to attracting customers, and then provide compensation according to the degree of contribution. This can increase the number of images posted that are taken of gameplay on gaming machines. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a game image management system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an inter-machine device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of stored data in a video file. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining information generated by a game start information generating unit and transmitted to a video posting server device. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a posted video file. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video posting server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a member information DB. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a contribution degree table. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a video playback history file. [Figure 12] A diagram to explain contribution evaluation data and saved ball update data. [Figure 13]10 is a flowchart illustrating a video posting process of an inter-machine device. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of assigning a contribution point to a video posting server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the gaming image management system, image posting server device, and gaming device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the gaming image management system comprises a gaming device (gaming system) consisting of a gaming machine operated by a player (user) and an inter-machine device, a management device, and a video posting server device as an image posting server device. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is assumed to be a pachinko machine (automatic ball player) or a pachinko-type slot machine (reel-type gaming machine).

[0012] [Configuration example of gaming video management system] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a gaming image management system according to an embodiment. A gaming parlor is equipped with a large number of gaming systems 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ... As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 3(n) is composed of a gaming machine 1(n) and an inter-machine device 2(n), and functions as a single gaming device. The letter n in parentheses denotes an integer equal to or greater than 1. As described above, each of the gaming machines 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... is a pachinko machine or a pachinko-type slot machine.

[0013] Each of the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... accepts a membership card or a general card and cooperates with the corresponding gaming machine 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... to start and end a game, and manage the balls and medals held by the player. Each of the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... can also accept coins inserted and lend out pachinko balls or slot medals. Furthermore, each of the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... can store video data obtained by filming the gameplay of the gaming machine during play in response to the player's operation, and post this data to the video posting server device 7.

[0014] Membership cards are issued to players (customers) who frequently play at a particular gaming establishment and who have registered as members (members), and contain information about the member, such as the member's name and phone number, as well as information about the balls and medals they have, which can be taken home. General cards are temporarily loaned to players (customers) who are not members, such as those who occasionally use the gaming establishment or who happen to stop by the establishment. A general card can be moved to and used in other gaming systems within the establishment as long as the number of balls and medals held is not zero, but it must generally be returned and settled (exchanged for prizes) on the day it is loaned.

[0015] In addition, owned balls refer to the combination of so-called loaned balls borrowed by paying money and the balls won by playing games. Similarly, owned medals refer to the combination of so-called loaned medals borrowed by paying money and the medals won by playing games. Furthermore, the membership card can also manage saved balls (saved medals) that can be separated from owned balls (saved medals) and deposited with the gaming parlor, and then later returned to owned balls (saved medals) or settled. Changing owned balls (saved medals) to saved balls (saved medals) can be done at the POS terminal (not shown) installed at the counter of the gaming parlor.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the gaming systems 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ... is connected to a management device 5 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 4. The management device 5 is connectable to a video posting server device 7 via a wide area network 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the management device 5 is connected to the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... of each of the gaming systems 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ..., and is capable of communicating with each other. The management device 5 collects and manages information on loaned balls (loaned medals) and paid balls (paid medals) from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ..., and controls the supply of pachinko balls (slot medals) to the gaming machines 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ....

[0017] Specifically, the management device 5 receives notifications from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... of the number of balls to be lent (number of lent medals) according to the inserted banknotes, the number of balls inserted (number of inserted medals) from the lent balls (lent medals) into the gaming machine, etc. In addition, the management device 5 receives notifications from the gaming machines 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... of the number of balls dispensed (number of dispensed medals), the number of balls used (number of used medals), etc. via the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ....

[0018] Based on this information, the management device 5 controls a pachinko ball (slot medal) supply system (not shown) to prevent a delay in the supply of pachinko balls (slot medals) to each gaming machine 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), .... The management device 5 is also provided with information on inserted banknotes from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ..., and can manage how many banknotes have been inserted and stored in each of the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ....

[0019] Furthermore, the management device 5 can post images (video data obtained by taking pictures) of game play on gaming machines from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... to the video posting server device 7 via the wide area network 6. The wide area network 6 is mainly the Internet, but also includes various networks that connect devices connected to the Internet to the Internet, such as a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, and a wireless LAN.

[0020] The video posting server device 7 stores images (video data obtained by shooting) of game play on gaming machines from inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... posted via the management device 5, in association with the member ID (member identification information) of the poster. The video posting server device 7 provides the stored video data in response to a request from a viewing terminal 8 connected to the wide area network 6, and plays the video data on the viewing terminal 8 to enable viewing of the video. The viewing terminal 8 includes various communication terminal devices that can access the video posting server device 7 via the wide area network 6, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, and a smartphone.

[0021] In this embodiment, video posting server device 7 is provided by gaming parlors and gaming machine manufacturers to distribute videos of gameplay on gaming machines. Therefore, a member who has been issued a membership card can log in to the video posting site provided on video posting server device 7 by using a member ID through his / her viewing terminal 8, and can view posted video data. When a member receives video data posted to video posting server device 7 and plays and views it through viewing terminal 8, a video playback history is created and stored in video posting server device 7. The video playback history includes the member ID (viewing member ID) of the member who received the video data, played it, and viewed it, and the member ID (poster member ID) of the member who posted the distributed video data.

[0022] In this way, suppose a member who has viewed a video corresponding to the video data posted to video posting server device 7 then visits a gaming parlor and selects gaming machine 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... to play. In this case, the member inserts his / her membership card into inter-machine device 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... corresponding to the selected gaming machine to start playing. In this case, game start information including the member ID recorded on the membership card is transmitted from the corresponding inter-machine device 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... to video posting server device 7 via management device 5.

[0023] The video posting server device 7 refers to the video playback history based on the member ID of the member who has started playing, which is included in the game start information from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), .... The video posting server device 7 assumes that the member who has started playing has watched videos through the video posting server device 7 between the end of the previous game (previous game day) and the start of the current game (current game day). In this case, the member who posted the viewed video, identified by the poster member ID, is paid compensation for posting the video. This is because watching the video is considered to have encouraged the member to start playing.

[0024] In this way, in this gaming video management system, if it is estimated that a posted video has encouraged other members to play games, it is determined that the posted video has contributed to the execution of the game, and compensation is awarded. Note that, here, if a member who has watched a video posted to the video posting server device 7 starts playing at a designated gaming facility, compensation is awarded to the member who posted the video. However, this is not limited to this.

[0025] In practice, as described below, information indicating which gaming parlor and which machine the video was shot on is added to the posted video. Furthermore, information indicating which gaming parlor and which machine the game was started on is also added to the game start information from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), etc. This allows the contribution of the video to be more highly evaluated if a member who viewed the video through the video posting server device 7 starts playing at the same gaming parlor where the viewed video was shot or starts playing on the same gaming machine model as the gaming machine in the viewed video. In accordance with this contribution, the image posting management system of this embodiment provides compensation to the member who posted the video data. Each device constituting the gaming video management system of this embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0026] Note that gaming machines 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... basically have the same configuration. Similarly, inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... basically have the same configuration. For this reason, hereinafter, unless a particular distinction is required, gaming machines 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), ... will be collectively referred to as gaming machine 1, and inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... will be collectively referred to as inter-machine device 2. Accordingly, gaming systems (gaming devices) 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ... are also similar. Therefore, unless a particular distinction is required, gaming systems (gaming devices) 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ... will be referred to as gaming system 3 or gaming device 3. Also, although only one viewing terminal 8 is shown in Figure 1, in reality, a large number of viewing terminals 8 are connected to the wide area network 6, making it possible to view videos according to the video data held by the video posting server device 7.

[0027] [Configuration example of gaming machine 1] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment. A pachinko machine, which is a gaming machine 1, ejects small steel balls from the bottom left onto a glass-covered board with numerous nails, and when the balls fall along the nails and enter a specific winning slot, a prize ball is awarded. In addition, a pachinko-type slot machine, which is a gaming machine 1, inserts a medal and pulls a lever to spin three reels, which are usually spun by pressing a stop button corresponding to each reel, and the spinning of the reels is stopped, and a prize medal is awarded according to the pattern on the reel.

[0028] 2 shows the main components of a gaming machine 1, which is a pachinko machine or a pachinko-type slot machine. An inter-machine device connection unit 101 realizes a function of communicating with an inter-machine device 2 connected to the gaming machine itself. The control unit 102, although not shown, is a microprocessor configured by connecting a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), non-volatile memory, etc., and realizes a function of controlling each unit of the gaming machine 1. The control unit 102 also realizes a function of grasping the operating state of the operation unit 103 and the game situation, and notifying the inter-machine device 2.

[0029] The operation unit 103 is a part equipped with a rotary handle operated by a player when the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko machine, and is a part equipped with a lever, stop button, etc. operated by a player when the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko-type slot machine. The operation unit 103 accepts operation input from the player and notifies the control unit 102 of a signal corresponding to the operation input. In this way, the control unit 102 can control each part according to the operation input from the player and progress the game.

[0030] The ball / medal processing unit 104, under the control of the control unit 102, performs processes such as releasing loan balls / loan medals in response to instructions from the inter-machine device 2, releasing payout balls / medals as the game progresses, and absorbing and reducing the number of held balls / medals, etc. Under the control of the control unit 102, the presentation unit 105, in response to the progress of the game, presents (video presentation) the display on a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided on the gaming surface (front) of the gaming machine 1, and presents (gimmick presentation) the operation of various devices (gimmicks) provided on the gaming surface. Note that a gambling device is pronounced "yakumono" and is also called a gimmick.

[0031] The segment display unit 106 is composed of multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and has the role of displaying all results related to the so-called winning lottery under the control of the control unit 102. The memory unit 107 is an auxiliary storage device composed of semiconductor memory such as flash memory, and is capable of storing and retaining game progress and the like. The speaker unit 108 is a part that emits audio information such as music and sound effects during game play under the control of the control unit 102.

[0032] [Configuration example of inter-machine device 2] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the inter-machine device 2 according to an embodiment. For simplicity, components related to the insertion of banknotes are omitted from FIG. 3 . The LAN communication unit 201 performs a function of communicating with the management device 5 connected via the LAN 4. The control unit 202 is a microprocessor (not shown) configured by connecting a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., and performs a function of controlling each unit of the inter-machine device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 202 also performs functions as a game start information generating unit 2021, a video recording control unit 2022, and a video posting control unit 2023, all of which will be described in detail later, through a program executed by the CPU.

[0033] The gaming machine connection unit 203 realizes the function of communicating with the gaming machine 1. The operation unit 204 includes a plurality of button switches operated by the player, such as a card ejection button, a ball dispensing instruction button, a button to instruct the gaming machine to film the gameplay, a button to end the filming, and a button to instruct the posting of the filmed video. The operation unit 204 accepts operation input from the player and notifies the control unit 202 of a signal corresponding to the operation input. This allows the control unit 202 to control each unit in accordance with the operation input from the player and execute processing according to the instructions.

[0034] The display unit 205 is configured with, for example, an LCD, and realizes the function of displaying and providing necessary information to the player. For example, as will be described later, the balance, number of balls held, number of balls stored, etc. of the card inserted into the inter-machine device 2 can be presented to the player through the display unit 205. The card insertion unit 206 realizes the function of accepting the insertion of a membership card or a general card when starting a game, reading out the recorded information and supplying it to the control unit 202, and updating the recorded information of the inserted card according to instructions from the control unit 202.

[0035] The clock circuit 207 provides the current date and time. The imaging unit 208 is a so-called camera unit, and in this embodiment, it is controlled by the control unit 202 of the inter-machine device 2 to photograph the state of play on the gaming machine and supply the video data obtained by photographing to the control unit 202. In this case, the video photographed of the state of play on the gaming machine is an image obtained by photographing the entire front of the gaming machine that faces the player, and more specifically, it means an external image of the gaming machine 1 including the visual effects and gimmick effects of the gaming machine.

[0036] The imaging unit 208 may be built into the inter-machine device 2, or may be installed externally and connected to the inter-machine device 2. When the imaging unit 208 is built into the inter-machine device 2, it is built into a part that protrudes from the inter-machine device 2 toward the player and is located at a position where it can capture an image of the entire front of the gaming machine 1. When the imaging unit 208 is installed externally and connected to the inter-machine device 2, the imaging unit 208 may be installed in a chair where a player sits, or protrudes from the top of the gaming machine toward the player, or hung from the ceiling near the gaming machine 1. However, these are merely examples, and the imaging unit 208 may be installed in various positions so that it can capture an external image of the gaming machine 1, including the visual effects and gimmick effects of the gaming machine 1, or simply so that it can capture an image of the entire front of the gaming machine 1.

[0037] The memory unit 209 is a storage device consisting of a recording medium and its driver, and in this embodiment is realized as an SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 209 of the inter-machine device 2 has formed therein a store model file 2091, a member information file 2092, and a video file 2093. The store model file 2091 stores and holds a store ID (game store ID) that identifies the game store where the gaming system 3 is installed and model information that indicates the model of the gaming machine 1 that constitutes the gaming system 3.

[0038] Furthermore, the member information file 2092 stores various information about the member, such as the member ID, read from the member card inserted into the card insertion unit 206 by the function of the control unit 202. The member information file 2094 stores information such as the member ID until the member card is removed from the card insertion unit 206. Therefore, it is possible to know who the member is currently playing by referring to the information in the member information file 2092.

[0039] The video file 2093 stores and holds video data obtained by filming the game action on the gaming machine 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the video file 2093. As shown in FIG. 4, the video file 2093 has a predetermined area for storing video data, and is created by being given a predetermined file name. The video file 2093 is created in the storage unit 209 by the video recording control unit 2022.

[0040] In this embodiment, when a membership card is inserted into the card insertion unit 206 of the inter-machine device 2 and, for example, an operation to insert a ball into the gaming machine 1 is performed, the game start information generating unit 2021 of the control unit 202 functions to generate game start information. The generated game start information is transmitted to the management device 5 via the LAN communication unit 201, and further transmitted via the management device 5 to the video posting server device 7 on the wide area network 6.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining information generated in the game start etc. information generating unit 2021 of the control unit 202 and transmitted to the video posting server device 7. In Fig. 4, Fig. 4(A) is a diagram for explaining game start information generated in the game start etc. information generating unit 2021. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the game start information is information consisting of "type," "member ID," "device ID," "store," "model," and "start date."

[0042] In FIG. 5(A), "type" indicates what type of information the information is, and information indicating that it is game start information is entered in the "type" of the information. "Member ID" is member identification information that identifies the member who started playing, and "device ID" is information that identifies the inter-machine device 2 that sent the game start information. "Store" is a store ID (store identification information) that identifies the gaming store (store) where the gaming system (gaming device) 3 is installed, and "model" is model information that indicates the model of the gaming machine of the gaming system 3. "Start date" is information that indicates the date on which play started. Of course, the start date and time may be used instead of the start date.

[0043] As such, the game start information shown in Figure 5(A) is information for notifying the video posting server device 7 of which member started playing, which machine at which store, and when. The store ID is used because some gaming stores have multiple branches. The store ID is also used because, if the video posting server device 7 is operated by a gaming machine manufacturer, gaming systems from multiple gaming stores operated by different entities may post video data to the video posting server device 7.

[0044] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a player who has been playing on the gaming system 3 ends the game and operates the operation unit 204 to remove the membership card inserted in the card insertion unit 206 (termination operation). In this case, the game start information generating unit 2021 of the control unit 202 generates game end information. The game end information is transmitted to the management device 5 via the LAN communication unit 201, and further transmitted to the video posting server device 7 on the wide area network 6 via the management device 5.

[0045] In Fig. 5, Fig. 5(B) is a diagram for explaining the game end information generated by the game start information generating unit 2021. As shown in Fig. 5(B), the game end information is information consisting of "type," "member ID," "device ID," "balance," "held balls," "saved balls," and "end date." In Fig. 5(B), "type" indicates what type of information the information is, and information indicating that it is game end information is entered in the "type" of the information.

[0046] "Member ID" is member identification information that identifies the member who has finished playing, and "machine ID" is information that identifies the inter-machine device 2 that sent the game completion information. "Balance" is a so-called prepaid balance that decreases when loaned balls are received and increases when banknotes are inserted. "In-stock balls," as described above, are the sum of loaned balls and dispensed balls. In other words, it increases when loaned balls are received or dispensed balls are received and decreases when balls used in play, and is the number of pachinko balls currently available for play. "In-stock balls" are counted by the gaming machine 1 at the end of play, and are notified to the inter-machine device 2 and updated. In some cases, players bring their balls in a box to the counter of an amusement parlor, where the number of balls they have is counted by a counter and recorded on their membership card.

[0047] As mentioned above, "saved balls" refers to the number of pachinko balls that have been deposited at the gaming parlor from the balls in hand. "End date" refers to information indicating the date and time when the game ended. Of course, it is also possible to use the end date and time including not only the end date but also the time. In this way, the game end information shown in FIG. 5(B) is generated when a member who started playing ends the game and is notified to the video posting server device 7, and it is possible to notify which member finished playing and when, as well as the balance, balls in hand, and saved balls at that time. In addition, if the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko-type slot machine, "saved balls" and "saved balls" become "saved medals" and "saved medals."

[0048] Furthermore, in the gaming system 3 of this embodiment, when a button for instructing filming of game play on the gaming machine is operated via the operation unit 204 of the inter-machine device 2, filming is started via the imaging unit 208. In this case, the control unit 202 of the inter-machine device 2 controls the imaging unit 208 to start filming game play on the gaming machine 1, and the video recording control unit 2022 records the video data obtained by filming in a video file 2093. Note that video filming and recording are basically continued until a button to end filming is operated by the player. However, without being limited to this, video filming and recording may be stopped when the membership card is removed from the card insertion unit 206 or when no game play operation is performed for a certain period of time.

[0049] In this embodiment, as described above, when an instruction to shoot a video of the game being played on the gaming machine is given, and then an operation to end the shooting is given to end the shooting, and then a button to instruct posting of the shot video is operated, the video posting control unit 2023 functions. In this case, the video posting control unit 2023 forms a posted video file based on the video file 2093, and performs processing to post the file to the video posting server device 7 via the management device 5.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of stored data in a posted video file formed by the video posting control unit 2023. As shown in FIG. 6, the video posting file is obtained by adding to the video file described with reference to FIG. 3 the member ID of the member who played on the gaming machine 1 that is the poster, a store ID identifying the gaming parlor where the gaming machine 1 is installed, and model information of the gaming machine 1. This makes it possible to clearly indicate who, at which gaming parlor, and on which model of gaming machine 1 filmed and posted the video. The posted video file in the format shown in FIG. 6 is formed by the video posting control unit 2023, posted to the video posting server device 7, and accumulated in the video posting server device 7 to be distributed.

[0051] [Configuration example of management device 5] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management device 5 according to an embodiment. As described above, the management device 5 manages information from the inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ... of the multiple gaming systems 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), ... installed in a pachinko parlor, and controls the supply of balls and medals and manages bills inserted into the inter-machine devices 2. In this embodiment, the management device 5 is connected to a wide area network 6 and can post images (video data obtained by taking pictures) of gameplay on gaming machines to a video posting server device 7. In other words, the management device 5 has a role of managing the multiple gaming systems installed in a pachinko parlor.

[0052] The communication unit 501 realizes a function of communicating via the wide area network 6. The control unit 502 is a microprocessor (not shown) configured by connecting a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., and realizes a function of controlling each unit of the management device 5. The control unit 502 also realizes a function as an external posting control unit 5021 by a program executed by the CPU. The LAN communication unit 503 realizes a function of communicating with the inter-machine device 2 connected via the LAN 4.

[0053] The operation unit 504 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or other pointing device, accepts operation input from the user, and supplies a signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 502. The operation unit 504 is mainly used during maintenance work. The display unit 505 includes, for example, an LCD, and displays the processing status, etc. The display unit 505 is also used during maintenance work.

[0054] The memory unit 506 is a storage device consisting of a recording medium and its driver, and in this embodiment is realized as an SSD (Solid State Drive). A posted video folder 5061 is formed in the memory unit 506 of the management device 5. The posted video folder 5061 stores and holds posted video files ( FIG. 6 ) transmitted from each subordinate inter-machine device 2. When a posted video file is transmitted from a subordinate inter-machine device 2, the control unit 502 of the management device 5 stores the file in the posted video folder 5061.

[0055] External posting control unit 5021 of control unit 502 sends the posted video file imported into posted video folder 5071 to wide area network 6 via communication unit 501, and posts it to video posting server device 7. The posted video file posted to video posting server device 7 is stored in the posted video folder of video posting server device 7, and is managed as video data to be distributed.

[0056] [Configuration example of video posting server device 7] 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a video posting server device 7 according to an embodiment. As described above, the video posting server device 7 accumulates posted image files containing video data obtained by filming gameplay on gaming machines from inter-machine devices 2(1), 2(2), 2(3), ..., posted via the management device 5, and manages the video data as video data to be provided. The video posting server device 7 provides video data in response to a request from a viewing terminal 8, and plays the video data on the viewing terminal 8 so that the video data can be viewed.

[0057] The communication unit 701 realizes the function of communicating through the wide area network 6. The control unit 702 is a microprocessor (not shown) configured by connecting a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., and realizes the function of controlling each unit of the video posting server device 7. The control unit 702 also realizes the functions of a video playback control unit 7021, a playback history update unit 7022, and a contribution update unit 7023 by means of a program executed by the CPU.

[0058] The operation unit 703 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or other pointing device, accepts operation input from the user, and supplies a signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 702. The operation unit 703 is mainly used during maintenance work. The display unit 704 includes, for example, an LCD, and displays the processing status, etc. The display unit 704 is also used during maintenance work. The clock circuit 705 provides the current date and time.

[0059] The memory unit 706 is a storage device that includes a recording medium and a driver for the recording medium, and in this embodiment is realized as an SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 706 of the video posting server device 7 includes a member information DB 7061, a contribution level table 7062, a posted video folder 7063, and a video playback history file 7064.

[0060] The member information DB7061 stores and holds information about people who are registered as members and who use a specific gaming facility. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the member information DB7061. As shown in FIG. 9, the member information DB7061 stores and holds a member information file, which is information created for each member and includes a member ID, name, balance, balls held, balls saved, contribution level, last play date, and current play date. The name, etc. includes information such as address, telephone number, and email address in addition to name.

[0061] The contribution level table 7062 stores and holds reference data for evaluating the contribution level of a member who posted a video. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the contribution level table 7062. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, suppose a member who received and watched video data provided by video posting server device 7 went to the same gaming parlor (same store) where the video data was filmed and played games. In this case, the contribution level is "100," and it is stipulated that 100 balls will be awarded to the member who posted the video data.

[0062] Also, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, suppose that a member who received and viewed video data from video posting server device 7 played on a gaming machine of the same model as the video data. In this case, the contribution level is "10," and it is stipulated that 10 saved balls will be awarded to the member who posted the video data. Therefore, suppose that a member who received and viewed video data from video posting server device 7 went to the same gaming parlor (same store) as the gaming parlor where the video data was filmed and played on a gaming machine of the same model as the gaming machine in the video. In this case, the contribution level is "110," and 110 saved balls will be awarded to the member who posted the video.

[0063] The posted video folder 7063 stores and holds posted video files (FIG. 6) from the inter-machine devices 2 of each gaming system 3 provided via the management device 5. Therefore, the posted video folder 7063 accumulates a large number of posted video files, which are then provided to viewers. When video data is provided in response to a request from the viewing terminal 8, the video playback history file 7064 forms video playback history data and records this in the video playback history file.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the video playback history file 7064. As shown in FIG. 11, the video playback history file 7064 records data indicating which video was played and viewed and when for each viewing member (viewing member ID) who received video data from the video posting server device 7 through the viewing terminal 8. As shown in FIG. 11, a viewing member is identified by a viewing member ID. As shown in FIG. 11, which video was viewed is identified by video information consisting of the provider member ID, posted video file name, store (store ID of the store where the video was filmed), and model (model information of the gaming machine that was filmed). The playback date and time information used is the date and time information obtained from the clock circuit 705 when the video posting server device 7 provided the video data.

[0065] When the video posting server device 7 receives, via the communication unit 701, a posted video file (FIG. 6) transmitted via the management device 5, the control unit 702 records the file in the posted video folder 7063 as video data to be distributed (provided). The control unit 702 creates a list of video data that can be distributed based on the posted video files stored in the posted video folder 7063, and can provide this list to the requesting viewing terminal 8 in response to a request from the viewing terminal 8.

[0066] When the video posting server device 7 receives a request to play (distribution request) video data through the communication unit 701, the video playback control unit 7021 functions to provide the video data of the requested posted video file to the requesting viewing terminal 8 so that it can be played. In this case, the playback history update unit 7022 performs a process of forming video playback history information in the format shown in Fig. 11 and recording this in the video playback history file 7064.

[0067] 5(A) via the communication unit 701, the video posting server device 7 causes the contribution degree update unit 7023 to function and perform a process of updating the contribution degree and saved balls of the corresponding member information in the member information DB 7061. Specifically, the contribution degree update unit 7023 identifies the previous play date of the member identified by the member ID in the game start information, based on the member information in the member information DB corresponding to the member ID in the game start information. Next, the contribution degree update unit 7023 identifies, from the video playback history file 7064, the video playback history of videos provided by the video posting server device 7 and viewed by the member identified by the member ID in the game start information since the identified previous play date.

[0068] Here, if there is no video playback history, playing on the gaming system 3 that sent the game start information does not trigger the awarding of contribution points. In other words, the process of awarding contribution points or saved balls is not performed. If the corresponding video playback history is identified, the received game start information is compared with the identified video playback history, and contribution points are awarded according to the contribution point table shown in Figure 10 depending on whether play started at the same store as the video or on the same gaming machine as the video. In this case, contribution points are awarded to the poster who posted the viewed video data, and to the member identified by the provider member ID of the video playback history.

[0069] As mentioned above, if a member starts playing at the same arcade where the video they watched was filmed, the contribution level will be "100." Also, if a member starts playing on the same gaming machine model as the one filmed in the video they watched, the contribution level will be "10." For example, suppose a member with member ID "1002" who has the membership information shown in FIG. 9 plays on July 19, 2021, and then watches five videos on July 20, 2021, as shown in FIG. 11. Later, on July 25, 2021, the member with member ID "1002" visits the gaming arcade "Branch X" and starts playing on gaming machine model A. In this case, the game start information shown in FIG. 5(A) is transmitted to the video posting server device 7 via the inter-machine device 2 of the gaming system 3 where the game was started.

[0070] As a result, the contribution degree update unit 7023 of the video posting server device 7 evaluates the degree of contribution based on the game start information (FIG. 5(A)) and the video playback history (FIG. 11). FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the contribution degree evaluation data and saved ball update data in this case. Comparing the game start information (FIG. 5(A)) with the video playback history in the first row of the video playback history (FIG. 11), it is found that the member with member ID "1002" started playing at the same parlor and on the same gaming machine model as the video data of video file A posted by the member with member ID "1001". In this case, as shown in the first row of FIG. 12(A), the contribution degree of the video data posted by the member with member ID "1001", who posted video file A, is "110".

[0071] The game start information (FIG. 5(A)) is also compared with the video playback history in the second line of the video playback history (FIG. 11). In this case, the member with member ID "1002" started playing at a different parlor than the member with member ID "1003" who posted the video data of video file B, but on the same gaming machine. Therefore, as shown in the second line of FIG. 12(A), the contribution level of the video data posted by the member with member ID "1003," who posted video file B, is "10."

[0072] The game start information (FIG. 5(A)) is also compared with the video playback history on the third line of the video playback history (FIG. 11). In this case, the member with member ID "1002" started playing at the same parlor as the video data of video file C posted by member ID "1001," but on a different gaming machine. Therefore, as shown on the third line of FIG. 12(A), the contribution level of the video data posted by member ID "1001," who posted video file C, is "100."

[0073] Additionally, the game start information (FIG. 5(A)) is compared with the video playback history on the fourth line of the video playback history (FIG. 11). In this case, the member with member ID "1002" started playing at a different parlor and on a different gaming machine model than the video data of video file D posted by member ID "1005." Therefore, the contribution of the video data posted by member ID "1005," who posted video file D, is "0."

[0074] Additionally, the game start information (FIG. 5(A)) is compared with the video playback history on the fifth line of the video playback history (FIG. 11). In this case, the member with member ID "1002" started playing at the same parlor and on the same machine as the video data in video file E posted by member ID "1004." Therefore, as shown on the fourth line of FIG. 12(A), the contribution level of the video data posted by member ID "1004," who posted video file E, is "110."

[0075] Based on the contribution evaluation shown in Figure 12(A), the contribution update unit 7023 of the video posting server device 7 rewards the poster of video data for posting the video data with saved balls. That is, as shown in Figure 12(B), for the member with member ID "1001" who had saved "8000 balls," 210 balls are added to the saved balls to make it "8210." Also, for the member with member ID "1003" who had saved "500 balls," 10 balls are added to the saved balls to make it "510." Also, for the member with member ID "1004" who had saved "3000 balls," 110 balls are added to the saved balls to make it "3110."

[0076] In this way, the video posting server device 7 uses the game start information and the playback history information of the video data to evaluate how much the video data viewed after the previous game ended contributed to the start of the next game, and calculates the degree of contribution. Depending on the degree of contribution to the video, the video posting server device 7 pays compensation to the member who posted the video data (provider member) for posting the video data.

[0077] A member who posts video data is compensated for posting the video data in the form of saved balls. As shown in FIG. 9, the member's contribution level for the video data posted by the member is also recorded in the member information DB 7061. This allows the member to clearly understand the contribution level for the video data they posted. In addition, in the contribution level table 7062 shown in FIG. 10, the contribution level for the posted video data and the number of pachinko balls added to the saved balls as compensation for the member who posted the video data are the same. However, there may be cases where the contribution level for the posted video data and the number of pachinko balls added to the saved balls as compensation for the member who posted the video data are different, such as when the number of pachinko balls added to the saved balls for a contribution level of 100 is 50. In this case, by updating the contribution level in the member information DB 7061, it becomes possible to clearly understand the contribution level of the video data and the corresponding compensation for the member who posted the video data.

[0078] Furthermore, in the example of the above-mentioned contribution point awarding, for the fourth video viewing history information in the video playback history file 7064 shown in FIG. 11, the parlor and gaming machine where the game was started were different from the parlor and gaming machine where the viewed video was filmed. Therefore, the contribution point for video file D was 0 (zero). However, this is not limited to this. Since video file D was viewed, for example, a contribution point of 5 may be awarded, and the member with member ID "1005" who posted video file D may be awarded the compensation of adding 5 pachinko balls to their savings.

[0079] [Summary of gaming video management system operation] <Video posting process> Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the video posting process performed by the inter-machine device 2. As described above, after a membership card is inserted into the card insertion unit 206 of the inter-machine device 2 and play can begin, when the button for instructing video shooting on the operation unit 204 of the inter-machine device 2 is operated, the video posting process shown in Fig. 13 is executed.

[0080] First, the control unit 202 controls the imaging unit 208 to start capturing images of game play on the gaming machine 1, and the video recording control unit 2022 starts a process of recording the captured video data in the video file 2093 (step S101). The control unit 202 determines whether or not a button on the operation unit 204 for terminating video capture has been operated (step S102), and continues capturing video until the button for terminating video capture is operated. Assume that, in the determination process of step S102, it is determined that the button on the operation unit 204 for terminating video capture has been operated. In this case, the control unit 202 controls the imaging unit 208 to end capturing images of game play on the gaming machine 1, and the video recording control unit 2022 performs a process of closing the video file (step S103).

[0081] Thereafter, the control unit 202 determines whether or not the button on the operation unit 204 for instructing posting of a video has been operated (step S104). Assume that it is determined in the determination process of step S104 that the button for instructing posting of a video has been operated. In this case, the video posting control unit 2023 functions to add the member ID, store ID, and model information to the video file 2093 to form the posted video file shown in FIG. 6 (step S105). Thereafter, the video posting control unit 2023 transfers (posts) the posted video file (FIG. 6) formed in step S105 to the video posting server device 7 via the management device 5 (step S106). After the process of step S106 and in the determination process of step S104, if the button for instructing posting of a video has not been operated but the member card eject button or the like has been operated, the control unit 202 ends the video posting process shown in FIG. 13.

[0082] When a posted video file is posted to video posting server device 7 in this manner, video posting server device 7 stores the posted video file in posted video folder 7063 and makes it available for distribution to viewing terminal 8. Video posting server device 7 provides the video data stored in posted video folder 7063 in response to a request from viewing terminal 8 connected to wide area network 6. When providing the video data in this manner, video posting server device 7 forms video playback history information and performs a process of recording it in video playback history file 7064 described with reference to FIG. 11 . Therefore, for a video posted to video posting server device 7 and viewed through viewing terminal 8, video playback history information is generated and recorded in video playback history file 7064.

[0083] <Contribution point awarding process> Fig. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the contribution point awarding process performed by the video posting server device 7. As described above, when a member goes to a gaming parlor, selects a gaming machine 1, inserts his / her membership card into the card insertion section 206 of the corresponding inter-machine device 2, and starts playing, the inter-machine device 2 generates the game start information described with reference to Fig. 5(A) and transmits this to the video posting server device 7. Upon receiving the game start information from the inter-machine device 2, the video posting server device 7 identifies the contribution point of the posted video and awards the video poster a compensation according to the contribution point.

[0084] That is, the video posting server device 7 constantly executes the contribution point awarding process shown in Fig. 14 during the business hours of the related gaming facility. The video posting server device 7 receives game start information from the inter-machine device 2 of the related gaming facility via the communication unit 701 (step S201), and determines whether or not the game start information has been received (step S202). If it is determined in the determination process of step S202 that the game start information has not been received, the process from step S201 is repeated, and the arrival of the game start information is awaited.

[0085] If it is determined in the determination process of step S202 that game start information has been received, the contribution degree update unit 7023 begins functioning. Based on the member ID of the received game start information, the contribution degree update unit 7023 references the recorded information in the video playback history file 7064 and determines whether or not there is a video playback history with the same viewing member ID as the member ID (step S203). That is, the determination process of step S203 is a process of determining whether or not the member who started playing has ever viewed a video provided by the video posting server device 7. Note that in step S203, the member information DB 7061 is also referenced to determine whether or not the member who started playing has viewed any videos since the previous game day. This is because there is a high possibility that videos viewed after the previous game day have influenced the start of the current game.

[0086] Assume that the determination process in step S203 determines that a video playback history exists with the same viewing member ID as the member ID in the game start information. In this case, the contribution update unit 7023 compares the parlor ID and machine type information in the game start information with the parlor ID and machine type information in the video playback history with the same viewing member ID as the member ID in the game start information. As a result of this comparison, it is determined whether or not a history exists in which at least one of the parlor and machine type is the same (step S204). That is, the determination process in step S204 is a process of determining whether or not at least one of the gaming parlor and machine type at which the game started matches the gaming parlor and machine type at which the viewed video was filmed. If they match, it is highly likely that viewing the video influenced the start of the current game, and the contribution of the video can be said to be large.

[0087] Assume that in the determination process of step S204, it is determined that at least one of the hall and the machine type has the same history. In this case, the contribution degree update unit 7023 assigns a contribution degree to the video data with the same video playback history of at least one of the hall and the machine type, and performs a process of increasing the number of saved balls to the member who posted this video data as compensation for posting the video data (step S205). That is, in step S205, as described with reference to FIG. 12(A), a contribution degree is assigned to the posted video data depending on the matching status of the hall and the machine type. Furthermore, the member who posted the video data to which a contribution degree has been assigned is awarded a number of saved balls according to the contribution degree of the video. In this way, a contribution degree can be determined for the video data that is thought to have actually acted to encourage the start of play when the posted video data is played, and compensation according to this contribution degree can be awarded to the member who posted the video data.

[0088] After the process of step S205, it is determined whether or not business hours of all related gaming facilities have ended (step S206), and if it is determined that business hours have not ended, the process from step S201 is repeated. Also, if it is determined in the determination process of step S206 that business hours of all related gaming facilities have ended, the process of Fig. 14 is terminated. Note that, just before the opening time of the related gaming facilities arrives, the video posting server device 7 starts the process shown in Fig. 14 to be able to accept game start information.

[0089] If it is determined in step S203 that there is no video playback history with the same viewing member ID as the member ID in the game start information, the process proceeds from step S206. Similarly, if it is determined in the determination process of step S204 that there is no history with the same store or machine type, the process proceeds from step S206.

[0090] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, in this embodiment of the gaming video management system, video data posted to the video posting server device 7 can be compensated according to the degree of contribution, thereby increasing the number of images posted that are taken of the gaming machine gameplay.

[0091] Specifically, the video data posted to the video posting server device 7 also includes information about which gaming machine model and which gaming parlor the video was shot on. When the video data posted to the video posting server device 7 is played back, a video playback history is created, making it possible to know who has viewed which video data. Furthermore, when a member goes to a gaming parlor and starts playing, game start information is sent to the video posting server device 7 from the inter-machine device 2 connected to the gaming machine 1 on which the member started playing. The game start information indicates which member (who), which gaming parlor, and which gaming machine model the member started playing on.

[0092] In this case, suppose that a member who went to a gaming parlor to start playing watched video data played back between the end of the previous game and the start of the current game was filmed at the same gaming parlor and with the same gaming machine as the member who started playing. In this case, it is highly likely that the video data did not motivate the member to start playing. In this case, the contribution of the video data can be highly evaluated. In this way, it is possible to determine to what extent the viewed video data served as an opportunity to start playing again, grasp the contribution of the viewed video data, and accordingly award compensation to the poster of the video data for posting the video data.

[0093] [Variations] In the above-described embodiment, video data is posted to the video posting server device 7, which is also received over the wide area network 6, and the video posting server device 7 assigns contribution points to the posted video data and further awards compensation to the member who posted the video. However, this is not limited to this. In the video management system of the above-described embodiment, the management device 5 is also connected to the wide area network 6. Therefore, the management device 5 itself may function as a video posting server device and distribute images captured of gameplay on the gaming machine 1. In this case, the memory unit 506 of the management device 5 may be provided with a member information DB, a contribution point table, a posted video folder, and a video playback history file, and the control unit 502 of the management device 5 may be provided with a video playback control unit, a playback history update unit, and a contribution point update unit.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine 1 is described as a pachinko machine or a pachinko-style slot machine, but is not limited to this. The gaming machine 1 may be, for example, any of various gaming machines found in game arcades.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that those who post videos, those who watch videos, and those who visit gaming establishments to play games are all members. However, this is not limited to this. Even if a general user who is not a member receives and views video data provided by the video posting server device 7, if the general user registers as a member and starts playing games, a contribution point may be awarded for the viewed video data, and a reward may be awarded to the poster of the video data.

[0096] Specifically, for example, general user C registers as a temporary member through video posting server device 7, receives a temporary member ID, logs in with the temporary member ID, and is able to view videos. In this case, even when general user C who has been assigned a temporary member ID receives video data from video posting server device 7 and views it, video playback history information is formed and stored in video playback history file 7064 in the same way as in the case of a member.

[0097] After this, general user C goes to the gaming establishment, informs them that a temporary member ID has been issued, and registers as a member (full registration). As a result, he or she is given a member ID, and, for example, from a terminal at the gaming establishment, notifies the video posting server device 7 of the member ID and the temporary member ID, and updates the viewing member ID in the video playback history from the temporary member ID to a regular member ID. As a result, by general user C registering as a member (full registration), it becomes possible to assign contribution points to video data viewed with the temporary member ID, and compensation for video posting can be awarded to the poster of the video data.

[0098] Furthermore, information such as the number of balls held, the number of balls saved, and the compensation (reward) for posting videos can be recorded and managed on the membership card. However, this is not limited to this. For example, various member information such as the number of balls held, the number of balls saved, and the compensation (reward) for posting videos can be managed by the management device 5 or the video posting server device 7, and only the member ID and the date of visit can be managed on the membership card. Of course, various member information such as the number of balls held, the number of balls saved, and the compensation (reward) for posting videos can also be managed by both the management device 5 or the video posting server device 7 and the membership card.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, the images of the gameplay on the gaming machine are described as being video images during play, but they do not necessarily have to be video images. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a lottery is held on a gaming machine, and still images of the winning or losing results, the video effects, and the bonus effect are captured, stored, and posted. In short, the posted images may be video images, still images, or both video images and still images.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, instructions are given to start and end video shooting, and to post the video, but this is not limiting. By starting video shooting, it is also possible to consider that consent is given to posting the video, and to post the video when an instruction to end video shooting is given.

[0101] [others] As can be seen from the above description of the embodiment, the function of the game start information generating means of the gaming device in the claims is realized by the game start information generating unit 2021 of the inter-machine device 2 in the embodiment. Also, the function of the game start information transmitting means of the gaming device in the claims is realized by the control unit 202 and LAN communication unit 201 of the inter-machine device 2 working together.

[0102] The function of the posted image storage means of the image posting server device in the claims is realized by posted video folder 7073 of video posting server device 7 in the embodiment. The function of the image playback control means of the image posting server device in the claims is realized by video playback control unit 7021 of video posting server device 7. The function of the playback history update means of the image posting server device in the claims is realized by playback history update unit 7022 of video posting server device 7. The function of the contribution degree update means of the image posting server device in the claims is realized by contribution degree update unit 7023 of video posting server device 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...gaming machine, 101...inter-machine device connection section, 102...control section, 103...operation section, 104...ball / medal processing section, 105...presentation section, 106...segment display section, 107...memory section, 108...speaker section, 2...inter-machine device, 201...LAN communication section, 202...control section, 2021...game start etc. information generation section, 2022...video recording control section, 2023...video posting control section, 203...gaming machine connection section, 204...operation section, 205...display section, 206...card insertion section, 207...clock circuit, 208...imaging section, 209...memory section, 2091...store model file, 2092...member information file, 2093...video file, 3...gaming system system, 4...LAN, 5...management device, 501...communication unit, 502...control unit, 5021...external posting control unit, 503...LAN communication unit, 504...operation unit, 505...display unit, 506...storage unit, 5061...posted video folder, 6...wide area network, 7...video posting server device, 701...communication unit, 702...control unit, 7021...video playback control unit, 7022...playback history update unit, 7023...contribution level update unit, 703...operation unit, 704...display unit, 705...clock circuit, 706...storage unit, 7061...member information DB, 7062...contribution level table, 7063...posted video folder, 7064...video playback history file, 8...viewing terminal

Claims

1. A gaming image management system is configured by connecting, via a network, a gaming device used by a user who has registered as a member, and an image posting server device that receives and stores image data posted by a contributor who has registered as a member and can use the gaming device, the image data being obtained by taking pictures of the game being played on the gaming device, and delivers the image data in response to requests from viewers, The gaming device comprises: a game start information generating means for generating game start information including member identification information of a user who has started a game at the start of a game; a game start information transmitting means for transmitting the game start information generated by the game start information generating means to the image posting server device; Equipped with The image posting server device a posted image storage means for storing the posted image data in association with the member identification information of the poster who posted the image data; an image playback control means for, when receiving a request for playback of image data including the member identification information of a user who has registered as a member and is able to use the gaming device, providing the requested video data to a requester; a playback history update means for, when image data is provided through the image playback control means, forming playback history information including the member identification information of the user to whom the image data is provided and the member identification information of the poster of the image data, and recording the information in the image playback history storage means; a contribution updating means for, when receiving the game start information from the game device, referring to the recorded information in the image playback history storage means based on the member identification information included in the game start information, and, if image data viewed by the user of the game device exists, awarding a reward to the poster of the image data; A gaming image management system comprising:

2. 2. The gaming image management system according to claim 1, The gaming device stores and holds store identification information that identifies the gaming store where the gaming device is installed, the game start information generating means of the gaming device generates game start information including the store identification information, The image data stored in the posted image storage means of the image posting server device is associated with store identification information of the gaming facility where the image data was taken, The contribution degree updating means of the image posting server device increases the reward when the store identification information of the received game start information matches the store identification information associated with the viewed image data. A gaming image management system characterized by:

3. 3. The gaming image management system according to claim 1 or 2, The gaming device stores and holds model information indicating the model of the gaming device, the game start information generating means of the gaming device generates game start information including the machine type information, the image data stored in the posted image storage means of the image posting server device is associated with model information of the gaming device that was the subject of the image posting; The contribution degree updating means of the image posting server device increases the compensation when the model information of the received game start information matches the model information associated with the viewed image data. A gaming image management system characterized by:

4. A gaming image management system is configured by connecting a gaming device used by a user who has registered as a member and an image posting server device that receives and stores image data posted by a contributor who has registered as a member and can use the gaming device, the image data being obtained by taking pictures of the game being played on the gaming device, and delivers the image data in response to requests from viewers, the image posting server device being connected via a network, The gaming device includes a game start information generating means for generating game start information including member identification information of a user who has started a game at the start of a game, and a game start information transmitting means for transmitting the game start information generated by the game start information generating means to the image posting server device, a posted image storage means for storing the posted image data in association with the member identification information of the poster who posted the image data; an image playback control means for, when receiving a request for playback of image data including the member identification information of a user who has registered as a member and is able to use the gaming device, providing the requested video data to a requester; a playback history update means for, when image data is provided through the image playback control means, forming playback history information including the member identification information of the user to whom the image data is provided and the member identification information of the poster of the image data, and recording the information in the image playback history storage means; a contribution updating means for, when receiving the game start information from the game device, referring to the recorded information in the image playback history storage means based on the member identification information included in the game start information, and, if image data viewed by the user of the game device exists, awarding a reward to the poster of the image data; An image posting server device comprising:

5. A gaming device of a gaming image management system is configured by connecting, via a network, a gaming device used by a user who has registered as a member, and an image posting server device that accepts and stores image data posted by a contributor who has registered as a member and can use the gaming device, the image data being obtained by taking pictures of the game being played on the gaming device, and delivers the image data in response to requests from viewers, The image posting server device includes: a posted image storage means for storing the posted image data in association with the member identification information of the poster who posted the image data; an image playback control means for, when a request for playback of image data including the member identification information of a user who is registered as a member and can use the gaming device is received from the user, providing the requested video data to the requester; and a playback history update means for, when image data is provided through the image playback control means, forming playback history information including the member identification information of the user to whom the image data is provided and the member identification information of the poster of the image data, and recording the playback history information in the image playback history storage means. and a contribution update means for, when game start information is received from the game device, referring to the recorded information in the image playback history storage means based on the member identification information included in the game start information, and, if image data viewed by the user of the game device exists, providing a reward to the poster of the image data, a game start information generating means for generating game start information including member identification information of a user who has started a game at the start of a game; a game start information transmitting means for transmitting the game start information generated by the game start information generating means to the image posting server device; A gaming device comprising:

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