Lottery device and program

Abstract

Provided are a lottery device and a program for improving motivation for a player to play a lottery. The lottery device 1A comprises: a lottery means 68 for executing a lottery; a determination means 70 for determining the lottery result of the lottery means 68; a first determination means 72 for determining a first prize to be provided to a player when the determined result by the determination means 70 is a first determined result; and a second determination means 36 for determining a second prize to be provided to the player among a plurality of types of second prizes by receiving, from the player, an operation for determining a second prize different from the first prize when the determined result by the determination means 70 is a second determined result.

Description

Lottery Apparatus and Program

[0001] The present invention relates to a lottery apparatus and a program.

[0002] For example, apparatuses that execute lotteries such as drawing lots, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, are widely prevalent in places such as game arcades.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-185319

[0004] Since players often play the lottery using the aforementioned apparatus motivated by a desire to obtain a target prize, there has been a problem that when a player cannot obtain the target prize, their motivation to play decreases.

[0005] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a lottery apparatus and a program that improve a player's motivation to play a lottery.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the lottery apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a lottery means that executes a lottery; a determination means that determines a lottery result of the lottery means; a first determination means that determines a first prize to be provided to a player when the determination result by the determination means is a first determination result; and a second determination means that determines a second prize to be provided to the player from among a plurality of types of the second prizes by receiving, from the player, an operation for determining the second prize different from the first prize when the determination result by the determination means is a second determination result.

[0007] Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the lottery executed by the lottery means is defined as a primary lottery, the second determination means, upon receiving the operation from the player, executes a secondary lottery different from the primary lottery to determine the second prize to be provided to the player from among the plurality of types of the second prizes.

[0008] Furthermore, in a third aspect of the present invention, the primary lottery is a lottery for determining the rarity of the prize to be provided to the player, the determination means determines whether the rarity determined by the primary lottery is less than a predetermined value, the first determination result is a negative determination, and the second determination result is a positive determination.

[0009] Furthermore, in a fourth aspect of the present invention, multiple types of second prizes are associated with each rarity level below a predetermined value, and the second determination means performs the secondary lottery to determine at least one second prize from the multiple types of second prizes associated with the rarity level determined by the lottery means, and provides it to the player.

[0010] Furthermore, in a fifth aspect of the present invention, the primary lottery is a process for determining the rarity of the prize to be provided to the player, the determination means determines whether the rarity determined by the primary lottery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the first determination result is a negative determination, and the second determination result is an positive determination.

[0011] Furthermore, in a sixth aspect of the present invention, multiple types of the second prize are associated with each rarity level above a predetermined value, and the second determination means performs the secondary lottery to determine at least one of the multiple types of the second prize associated with the rarity level determined by the lottery means, and provides it to the player.

[0012] Furthermore, in a seventh aspect of the present invention, the lottery means determines the rarity based on an automatically determined electronic timing.

[0013] Furthermore, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second determination means includes an operating mechanism that receives the operation of the second lottery by the player, and determines a second prize to be provided to the player based on the operation received by the operating mechanism.

[0014] Furthermore, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the device further includes a locking / unlocking device that locks the operating mechanism and unlocks the operating mechanism if the determination result is the second determination result.

[0015] Furthermore, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the second determination means determines a second prize to be offered to the player based on an automatically determined electronic timing.

[0016] Furthermore, in an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the lottery means includes an operating mechanism that receives the operation of the primary lottery by the player, and determines the rarity based on the physical timing determined by the operation received by the operating mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the operation is an operation in which the player selects the second prize.

[0018] Furthermore, in the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the lottery means notifies the player of the lottery result.

[0019] A program according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: a lottery means for executing a lottery; a determination means for determining the result of the lottery by the lottery means; a first determination means for determining a first prize to be provided to the player if the determination result by the determination means is a first determination result; and a second determination means for determining a second prize to be provided to the player from among a plurality of types of second prizes, by receiving an operation from the player to determine a second prize different from the first prize if the determination result by the determination means is a second determination result.

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the motivation of players to play the lottery.

[0021] This is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of a lottery device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the lottery device shown in Figure 1. This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional means of the lottery device shown in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an input screen for inputting an execution instruction for the primary lottery in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a performance screen related to the primary lottery in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing another example of a performance screen related to the primary lottery in the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of a lottery device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a performance screen in the second embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of a lottery device according to a modified example of the present invention.

[0022] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are used for identical components and steps in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0023] ===First Embodiment=== First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <<Overall Configuration>> Figure 1 is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of the lottery device 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0024] The lottery device 1A according to the first embodiment is a vending machine installed in a store such as an arcade, and is a device that executes a lottery program, which will be described later. The lottery device 1A outputs the execution result of the lottery program, allowing players to play the lottery and providing players with prizes according to the lottery result.

[0025] Furthermore, the prizes shown in Figure 1 are classified into high-rarity prizes (first prizes) P1-P3, which have a rarity of a predetermined value or higher; low-rarity prizes (second prizes) P4-P7, which have a rarity of a value below a predetermined value; and other special prizes P8.

[0026] The rarity levels above a predetermined value include the Special Prize, Prize A, and Prize B, with one type of prize associated with each prize (each rarity level). In Figure 1, the Special Prize is assumed to be the first high-rarity prize P1, Prize A is the second high-rarity prize P2, and Prize B is the third high-rarity prize P3.

[0027] The rarities below a predetermined value include prizes C, D, E, and F, and each prize (each rarity) has multiple types of prizes associated with it. In Figure 1, prize C is assumed to be the first low-rarity prize P4, and there are multiple types of this first low-rarity prize P4. Prize D is assumed to be the second low-rarity prize P5, and there are multiple types of this second low-rarity prize P5. Prize E is assumed to be the third low-rarity prize P6, and there are multiple types of this low-rarity prize P6. Prize F is assumed to be the fourth low-rarity prize P7, and there are multiple types of this fourth low-rarity prize P7.

[0028] Furthermore, if we rank the above prizes (each rarity) in descending order, we get the Grand Prize, Prize A, Prize B, Prize C, Prize D, Prize E, and Prize F.

[0029] Furthermore, Special Prize P8 is the Last One Prize, and there is only one of each type. Special Prize P8 is provided to a player along with the last prize among all the high-rarity prizes P1-P3 and low-rarity prizes P4-P7.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the initial number of each prize P1-P8 (the number of each prize before it is offered to the player; that is, the total number of each prize) be different for each prize. For example, it is preferable that the number of special prize P8 (= 1) < the number of the first high-rarity prize P1 < the number of the second high-rarity prize P2 < the number of the third high-rarity prize P3 < the number of the first low-rarity prize P4 (one of several types) < the number of the second low-rarity prize P5 (one of several types) < the number of the third low-rarity prize P6 (one of several types) < the number of the fourth low-rarity prize P7 (one of several types).

[0031] However, it is preferable that the initial number of each prize P1-P7, other than the special prize P8, be set according to the lottery probability of each prize P1-P7, which will be notified to the player in advance (the lottery probabilities will be described later).

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the lottery device 1A mainly consists of a touch panel 12 (display 12A) located in the center of the upper section that displays information related to the digital lottery as the primary lottery, four physical lottery devices 14, 16, 18, and 20 located in the middle section that each store one of the low-rarity prizes P4-P7 and perform a physical lottery, and three high-rarity prize storage units 22, 24, and 26 located at both ends of the upper section and in the lower section, respectively, each storing one of the high-rarity prizes P1-P3.

[0033] The first high-rarity storage section 22, located in the lower part of the lottery device 1A, is a box-shaped structure with a door 28 made of a transparent or translucent material facing forward, and the first high-rarity prize P1 is stored inside. A doorknob 30 and a first locking / unlocking device 32 are attached to the door 28. In addition to the first high-rarity prize P1, a special prize P8 is also stored in the first high-rarity storage section 22. However, the first high-rarity prize P1 and the special prize P8 may be stored in different storage sections.

[0034] The first locking / unlocking device 32 is a device that locks and unlocks the door 28. This locking and unlocking is controlled by a signal from the control device 2, which will be described later (however, the first locking / unlocking device 32 may also be a mechanism that can be physically locked and unlocked with a key held by a store employee). When the first locking / unlocking device 32 has unlocked the door 28, the player (or employee) can open the door 28 by turning the doorknob 30 and pulling it towards them, and take out the first high-rarity prize P1 and the special prize P8.

[0035] In addition, while the first high-rarity storage section 22 was described above, the second high-rarity storage section 24 and the third high-rarity storage section 26, which are located on the upper level of the lottery device 1A, have the same structure. However, the second high-rarity prize P2 is stored inside the second high-rarity storage section 24. The third high-rarity prize P3 is stored inside the third high-rarity storage section 26.

[0036] Furthermore, the first physical lottery device 14 shown in Figure 1 mainly comprises a low-rarity storage section 34, a second determination means 36, an outlet 38, and a second locking / unlocking device 39.

[0037] The low-rarity storage section 34 is a box-shaped structure formed of a transparent or translucent material on at least part or all of its front surface, and stores multiple types of the first low-rarity prize P4 inside. Each of the first low-rarity prize P4 is stored in the low-rarity storage section 34, sealed in a container such as a roughly spherical capsule that can be opened by hand. There are multiple units of each type of first low-rarity prize P4. However, the container is not limited to a capsule; it may be a cylindrical container or the like. Furthermore, if the first low-rarity prize P4 has a shape that makes it difficult to seal in the container, such as a clear file, it does not need to be placed in a container.

[0038] When the second determination means 36 receives an operation from the player related to the determination of the first low-rarity prize P4, it determines at least one first low-rarity prize P4 to be provided to the player from among multiple types of first low-rarity prize P4. Furthermore, when the second determination means 36 receives an operation from the player related to the determination of the first low-rarity prize P4, it performs a secondary lottery to determine at least one first low-rarity prize P4 to be provided to the player from among multiple types of first low-rarity prize P4.

[0039] Furthermore, the second determination means 36 includes an operating mechanism 36A that accepts a secondary lottery operation by the player, and a physical mechanism 36B that determines the first low-rarity prize P4 to be provided to the player based on the physical timing determined by the operation received by the operating mechanism 36A, that is, it performs a physical lottery as a secondary lottery.

[0040] Although not shown in the figure, the physical mechanism 36B includes: a substantially disc-shaped disc portion formed with a plurality of first through holes through which capsules can pass; a rotating shaft that extends in a substantially vertical direction so as to penetrate through the center of the disc portion and rotates in a substantially horizontal direction; and a bottom plate positioned below the disc portion and formed with a second through hole at a predetermined position.

[0041] The operating mechanism 36A is a substantially handle-shaped lever or handle that is gripped and rotationally operated by a player. The operating mechanism 36A is connected to the disc portion or the rotating shaft of the physical mechanism 36B via a gear or the like. This allows the player to rotate the disc portion by gripping and turning the operating mechanism 36A.

[0042] The execution of physical lottery by the second determining means 36 will be specifically described below. First, as described above, the player rotationally operates the operating mechanism 36A (a lottery instruction is received). Then, the physical mechanism 36B rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, and any one of the first through holes formed in the physical mechanism 36B comes into a state of overlapping with the second through hole of the bottom plate described above. Then, any one capsule located below the low-rarity storage portion 34 falls below the bottom plate through the first through hole and the second through hole. This series of operations constitutes the physical lottery. The first low-rarity prize P4 contained in the dropped capsule is provided to the player as a lottery result.

[0043] The discharge port 38 is an outlet for providing the capsule (first low-rarity prize P4) that has fallen as described above to the player by discharging the capsule (first low-rarity prize P4) out of the physical lottery device 14.

[0044] The second locking / unlocking device 39 is a device that locks and unlocks the operating mechanism 36A. The locking / unlocking operation of the second locking / unlocking device 39 is controlled by a signal output from the control device 2. In particular, when a signal is output from the control device 2 after the completion of a primary lottery described later, upon receiving the signal, the second locking / unlocking device 39 unlocks the operating mechanism 36A, enabling a secondary lottery performed by the second determining means 36.

[0045] Herein, other examples of the operating mechanism 36A and the physical mechanism 36B are shown below. The physical mechanism 36B has a motor and operates when the motor is driven, and this operation discharges the first low-rarity prize P4 from the discharge port 38. The operating mechanism 36A is a lever or handle that acts as a trigger to drive the motor when operated by the player. In the case of such an operating mechanism 36A and physical mechanism 36B, the second locking / unlocking device 39 may be omitted. That is, the physical mechanism 36B receives a signal when the control device 2 outputs a signal after the completion of the first lottery described later. The physical mechanism 36B may then operate when the physical mechanism 36B receives the signal and the operating mechanism 36A is operated by the player (the physical mechanism 36B will not operate and the first low-rarity prize P4 will not be provided to the player if the operating mechanism 36A is operated by the player alone).

[0046] In the above description, the first physical lottery device 14 was explained, but the second physical lottery device 16, the third physical lottery device 18, and the fourth physical lottery device 20 have the same structure. However, while the low-rarity storage section 34 of the first physical lottery device 14 is said to store multiple types of first low-rarity prizes P4, the low-rarity storage section 34 of the second physical lottery device 16 is said to store multiple types of second low-rarity prizes P5. Similarly, the low-rarity storage section 34 of the third physical lottery device 18 stores multiple types of third low-rarity prizes P6, and the low-rarity storage section 34 of the fourth physical lottery device 20 stores multiple types of fourth low-rarity prizes P7. In addition, each low-rarity prize P4-P7 is sealed in a roughly spherical capsule that can be opened and stored in each low-rarity storage section 34 (however, as with the description of the first low-rarity prize P4, each low-rarity prize P5-P7 is not necessarily sealed in a capsule). Furthermore, the second low-rarity prize P5 (similar to the first low-rarity prize P4) has multiple units of each type, the third low-rarity prize P6 has multiple units of each type, and the fourth low-rarity prize P7 has multiple units of each type.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above description, there are a total of 8 types of prizes including the special prize, A-F prizes, and last one prize, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that there is at least one prize corresponding to a rarity equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and at least one prize corresponding to a rarity lower than the predetermined value. The number of physical lottery devices each storing low-rarity prizes P4-P7 linked to prizes corresponding to rarities lower than the predetermined value in low-rarity storage units is also changed in accordance with the number of rarities lower than the predetermined value.

[0048] <<Hardware Configuration>> Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the lottery apparatus 1A. As shown in Figure 2, the lottery apparatus 1A further includes a control device 2, a speaker 58, a touch panel 12, and a payment terminal 40.

[0049] The control device 2 includes a CPU 42, a main storage unit 44, an auxiliary storage unit 46, an audio processing unit 48, an image processing unit 50, a communication interface 52, a peripheral device interface 54, and a system bus 56 connecting these components.

[0050] The CPU 42 performs overall control of the entire lottery apparatus 1A. The main storage unit 44 is configured of RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 46 is configured of a hard disk or the like. The main storage unit 44 and the auxiliary storage unit 46 store various programs, various types of information necessary for execution of processing by the CPU 42, and information on processing results. When the CPU 42 executes a predetermined program stored in the main storage unit 44, the auxiliary storage unit 46, or the like, and operates other hardware under the control of the CPU 42, various functional units of the lottery apparatus 1A (see Figure 3 described later) are realized.

[0051] The audio processing unit 48 performs various sound processing. The image processing unit 50 performs various graphics processing. The communication interface 52 enables communication with an external server device or other game device of the lottery device 1A (not shown). The peripheral device interface 54 enables communication with the touch sensor 12B of the touch panel 12. Furthermore, the peripheral device interface 54 enables communication with the first locking / unlocking device 32, the second locking / unlocking device 39, and the payment terminal 40, respectively.

[0052] Speaker 58 is a sound output device that outputs music, sound effects, etc.

[0053] The touch panel 12 is an image display device that displays various images. The touch panel 12 has both display and input device functions, and is composed of a display 12A that functions as a display device and a touch sensor 12B that functions as an input device. The display 12A is composed of a common display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0054] The touch sensor 12B is an input device for receiving player operations, and is composed of elements for detecting contact operations on the screen displayed by the display 12A. The method for detecting contact operations by the touch sensor 12B can be any known method, such as capacitive, resistive (pressure-sensitive), or electromagnetic induction. The touch sensor 12B accepts player operations by detecting the movement of the player's finger or stylus, which acts as an operator that contacts the screen. Note that the input device for receiving player operations is not limited to the touch sensor 12B, and may be any configuration that allows the player to input operations, such as operation buttons or operation sticks.

[0055] The payment terminal 40 is installed on the lottery device 1A and is a terminal capable of communicating with the peripheral device interface 54. Although not shown in the figures, the payment terminal 40 is equipped with a reading unit that reads various information such as credit cards, electronic money, and various codes (two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark) and one-dimensional codes such as barcodes), and a communication unit that communicates with an external management server via an external network, thereby enabling cashless payment. When a player makes a payment (i.e., deposit) at the payment terminal 40, the information is transmitted from the payment terminal 40 to the peripheral device interface 54. However, the lottery device 1A may be equipped with a coin slot (not shown) to accept cash deposits instead of cashless payments using the payment terminal 40. Alternatively, it may be equipped with both the payment terminal 40 and a coin slot. However, in any case, it is preferable that refunds (cancellations) to players are not possible.

[0056] Note that Figure 2 only shows the main hardware configuration of the lottery device 1A, and the lottery device 1A may also have other configurations found in a typical arcade game machine. Furthermore, the control device 2 of the lottery device 1A is not limited to the hardware configuration described above, and may also have other configurations found in an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose computer.

[0057] <Functional Means> Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional means of the lottery device 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the lottery device 1A comprises, as its main functional components, a display control means 62, a calculation means 64, a reception means 66, a lottery means 68, a determination means 70, and a first determination means 72.

[0059] Of these, the storage means 74 is a functional means implemented by one or more auxiliary storage units 46. Functional means other than the storage means 74 are implemented by the CPU 42 executing the lottery program 74A stored in the main storage unit 44, auxiliary storage units 46, etc. Furthermore, all or part of the functional configuration of the lottery device 1A may be provided on an external server device (not shown), etc.

[0060] The memory means 74 stores, for example, a lottery program 74A and prize information 74B.

[0061] The lottery program 74A is a program that provides the control device 2 with various functions for executing the lottery process and various processes related to the lottery process. This program may be stored in an external storage device or the like of the lottery device 1A. Alternatively, this program may be provided on a computer-readable recording medium, or it may be provided in a form that can be installed via a network such as the Internet.

[0062] The various processes related to the lottery process described above include controlling the display of the home screen, input screen, lottery screen, and performance screen on the display 12A, and controlling the output of sounds corresponding to these screen displays from the speaker 58.

[0063] Prize information 74B is information about each prize P1-P8 provided to the player according to each lottery result. This information includes unique information such as the name and image of the prize, the initial number of each prize, the remaining number of each prize, and the prize associated with each prize (each rarity (special prize and A-F prizes) and last-one prize).

[0064] Regarding the "initial number of each prize" in the prize information 74B, it may be stored (registered) in the storage means 74 by either of the following methods 1 or 2: 1. On the start date (start time) of operation of the lottery device 1A or when each prize P1-P8 is replenished, the store clerk manually registers the number of each prize P1-P8 that has been replenished as the initial number (for example, using a touch sensor 12B, etc.). 2. The initial number of each prize P1-P8 is automatically registered based on information received by the lottery device 1A (for example, the reception means 66 described later) from an external server device (not shown). In this case, the initial number may be changed depending on the type of lottery (such as a raffle) described later.

[0065] However, regardless of which method 1 or 2 above is used, as explained earlier, for low-rarity prizes P4-P7, which each have multiple types, the initial quantity may be registered for each type individually, or the initial quantity may be registered for all of them together without separating by type. For example, if the first low-rarity prize P4 has four types, A, B, C, and D, the initial quantity may be registered for each of these types, or the initial quantity for all of the first low-rarity prize P4 may be registered.

[0066] Furthermore, regarding the "remaining quantity for each prize" in prize information 74B, it may be the remaining quantity for each prize stored in each storage compartment 22, 24, 26, and 34, or if there is inventory outside of each storage compartment 22, 24, 26, and 34, the total remaining quantity may be the remaining quantity including this inventory in each storage compartment 22, 24, 26, and 34. In addition, for low-rarity prizes P4-P7, which come in multiple types, the remaining quantity may be for each type individually, or it may be the remaining quantity for all of them together without separating them by type.

[0067] The reception means 66 is a functional means that accepts various operations by the player and accepts that the player has made a deposit. The reception means 66 accepts, for example, operations related to lottery instructions. Such operations include, for example, the player performing screen operations such as clicking or swiping on the touch sensor 12B with their finger while various screens described later are displayed on the display 12A. The deposit mentioned above includes a deposit made by the player in order to execute a lottery at the payment terminal 40 or the like. Furthermore, the reception means 66 may also accept operations by store staff, as described later. Such operations include, for example, the store staff performing screen operations such as clicking or swiping on the touch sensor 12B with their finger while a screen for store staff to make various settings (not shown) is displayed on the display 12A. Furthermore, the reception means 66 may also receive various information transmitted from an external server device (not shown).

[0068] The display control means 62 is a functional means for controlling the display of various screens on the touch panel 12 (display 12A). When no player is operating the system, or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the player last operated the system, the display control means 62 displays the home screen (not shown). After a player makes a deposit, the display control means 62 displays the input screen (described later) on the display 12A. Furthermore, the display control means 62 displays the lottery screen (not shown) and the animation related to the primary lottery conducted by the lottery means 68 (described later) on the display 12A.

[0069] The calculation means 64 is a functional means for calculating the remaining number of each of the prizes P1-P8 described above. The calculation means 64 calculates the remaining number based on information (images acquired by the camera) obtained from a camera installed at a predetermined position on the lottery device 1A. Alternatively, the calculation means 64 calculates the remaining number based on the results of one or more of the primary and secondary lotteries described later.

[0070] As an example of a process for calculating the remaining number of high-rarity prizes P1-P3 and special prize P8, which have a small initial quantity, the calculation means 64 may determine the remaining number by analyzing information (images acquired by the camera) obtained from a camera (not shown) that photographs the inside of each high-rarity storage section 22, 24, 26.

[0071] Alternatively, as another example of the process for calculating the remaining number of high-rarity prizes P1-P3 and special prize P8, which have a small initial number, the calculation means 64 may calculate the remaining number of high-rarity prizes P1-P3 based on the results of the first draw. That is, if a rarity of a predetermined value or higher is determined in the first draw, the remaining number of high-rarity prizes is automatically calculated by subtracting 1 from the number of high-rarity prizes associated with that rarity. Furthermore, if the first or second draw is performed at the timing when it has been decided to provide special prize P8 (i.e., the last prize among prizes P1-P7 is provided to the player), the remaining number of special prize P8 may be automatically calculated by subtracting 1 from the number of special prize P8 (since the initial number of special prize P8 is 1, the remaining number becomes 0 after this process is performed once).

[0072] Furthermore, as an example of the process for calculating the remaining number of low-rarity prizes P4-P7, which are initially numerous, the calculation means 64 may analyze information obtained from a camera (not shown) that photographs the vicinity of the discharge port 38 of each low-rarity storage unit 34, and each time a low-rarity prize is discharged from the discharge port 38, subtract 1 from the number of that low-rarity prize to calculate the current remaining number of each low-rarity prize P4-P7. In the case of low-rarity prizes P4-P7, which are provided in multiple types, if the remaining number is to be calculated for each type, the process may be as follows. For example, in the case of the first low-rarity prize P4, the color of the capsule containing the first low-rarity prize P4 is made different for each type of first low-rarity prize P4. This allows the calculation means 64 to identify the color of the capsule photographed by the aforementioned camera and identify the type of first low-rarity prize P4 discharged from the discharge port 38. Then, each time a first low-rarity prize P4 is dispensed from the discharge port 38, the current remaining quantity for that type is calculated by subtracting 1 from the number of the specified type. This is done similarly for the other low-rarity prizes P5-P7. When this process is performed, the prize information 74B includes information on the color of the capsule associated with each type of prize, and the calculation means 64 uses this information for identification. Alternatively, the calculation means 64 may calculate the remaining quantity of low-rarity prizes P4-P7 without separating them by type. In that case, the capsule color does not need to be changed.

[0073] Alternatively, as another example of the process for calculating the remaining number of low-rarity prizes P4-P7, which have a large initial quantity, the calculation means 64 may calculate the remaining number based on the results of the first draw. That is, if a rarity of a predetermined value or higher is determined in the first draw, the remaining number of low-rarity prizes is automatically calculated by subtracting 1 from the number of low-rarity prizes associated with that rarity. In this case, since the calculation is performed collectively rather than by type, when using this process, the initial quantities already explained will also be registered collectively rather than by type.

[0074] The lottery means 68 is a functional means for executing a primary lottery. The lottery means 68 executes the primary lottery in response to the execution instruction from the player received by the reception means 66 on the input screen. The program for the lottery means 68 to execute the primary lottery is included in the lottery program 74A described above.

[0075] Furthermore, the first draw is a lottery to determine the rarity of the prizes to be offered to the players. Specifically, at least one prize (rarity) will be drawn from among the Grand Prize, Prize A, Prize B, Prize C, Prize D, Prize E, and Prize F. Note that in the first draw and the second draw described later, it may be assumed that there are no losing results (results in which no prize is offered to the player).

[0076] Furthermore, the lottery means 68 performs this primary lottery based on an automatically determined electronic timing. In other words, the primary lottery is a so-called digital lottery. The probability of each rarity being drawn is notified to the player in advance by display control means 62, for example, by display control on the display 12A.

[0077] As an example of a digital lottery, a numerical range corresponding to the total number of prizes is set in advance, and one rarity is assigned to each number. The player selects one of the numbers, and the rarity assigned to the selected number is used as the lottery result.

[0078] For example, suppose the initial number of the first high-rarity prize P1 associated with the grand prize is set to 2, the initial number of the second high-rarity prize P2 associated with the A prize is set to 4, the initial number of the third high-rarity prize P3 associated with the B prize is set to 6, the initial number of the first low-rarity prize P4 associated with the C prize is set to 22, the initial number of the second low-rarity prize P5 associated with the D prize is set to 22, the initial number of the third low-rarity prize P6 associated with the E prize is set to 22, and the initial number of the fourth low-rarity prize P7 associated with the F prize is set to 22. In this case, the total initial number of all prizes is 100, so a number (integer) between 1 and 100 is set. Then, two numbers from 1 to 100 will be assigned the Grand Prize, four numbers the A Prize, six numbers the B Prize, 22 numbers the C Prize, 22 numbers the D Prize, 22 numbers the E Prize, and 22 numbers the F Prize. Each number will be assigned one rarity. The rarity assigned to the number selected by the player will be the result of the draw. In this case, the draw probability (%) for each rarity is (number of numbers assigned to a certain rarity / total initial number of prizes) × 100.

[0079] In the example of digital lottery described above, the lottery means 68 displays the above-mentioned numerical values, or multiple lottery media (various types of lottery tickets, etc.) associated with each of the above-mentioned numerical values, on the display 12A. When the player presses the lottery instruction button 84, the arrangement of these is determined electronically, and the player selects at least one of these numerical values ​​or lottery media arranged on the display 12A, thereby determining at least one numerical value, and a process is performed to determine the rarity assigned to that numerical value. This process corresponds to a digital lottery.

[0080] Another example of a digital lottery is to set a numerical range (weight) for each rarity according to its respective lottery probability, use a random number that changes over time, determine the value of the random number through electronic timing, and use the rarity whose value falls within that numerical range as the lottery result.

[0081] For example, suppose the probabilities of drawing each rarity in a digital lottery are set as follows: Grand Prize: 2%, Prize A: 4%, Prize B: 6%, Prize C: 22%, Prize D: 22%, Prize E: 22%, Prize F: 22%. In that case, for example, the grand prize is set to a numerical range of 1-200 (weight 200), the A prize to a numerical range of 201-600 (weight 400), the B prize to a numerical range of 601-1200 (weight 600), the C prize to a numerical range of 1201-3400 (weight 2200), the D prize to a numerical range of 3401-5600 (weight 2200), the E prize to a numerical range of 5601-7800 (weight 2200), and the F prize to a numerical range of 7801-10000 (weight 2200). Then, a random number that changes between 1 and 10000 over time is used, and the value of the random number determined at the above electronic timing is, for example, 1000. In this case, the lottery result will be the B prize, which includes 1000 in the set numerical range. Note that if other examples as described above are adopted, the lottery probability will be changed each time according to the remaining number of each prize. For example, if the remaining number of the third high-rarity prize P3 becomes 0, the probability of drawing prize B from then on becomes 0%, so the weight assigned to prize B is set to 0.

[0082] In other examples of the digital lottery described above, the player presses a lottery instruction button 84 (Figure 5), which will be described later, or a lottery screen (not shown) is displayed after the player presses the lottery instruction button 84, and the player performs a predetermined operation on the lottery screen. When the button is pressed or the predetermined operation is performed, a random number value is determined by electronic timing, and a process is performed to determine the rarity of the numerical range that includes the determined random number value. This process corresponds to the digital lottery. In this case, after the process is completed, a lottery medium (e.g., an openable lottery ticket) may be displayed on a predetermined screen and provided to the player, and the player may operate the lottery ticket (e.g., open it).

[0083] Furthermore, in either of the two examples described above, the lottery means 68 may set or adjust the probability of each rarity being drawn in one of the following ways: 1. The lottery means 68 automatically determines the probability based on information received by the lottery device 1A (e.g., the reception means 66) from an external server device (not shown). In this case, the initial numbers may be changed depending on the type of lottery (such as a raffle) described later. 2. The store clerk determines the probability by inputting an operation (i.e., manually) using (e.g., using a touch sensor 12B). 3. The lottery means 68 pre-sets multiple patterns of combinations of lottery probabilities for each prize P1-P7, and the store clerk selects an arbitrary pattern from among the multiple patterns (e.g., using a touch sensor 12B).

[0084] Furthermore, the lottery means 68 performs a presentation related to the primary lottery and / or the results of the primary lottery, along with the processing of the primary lottery described above. The primary lottery and the presentation (presentation related to the primary lottery) may be performed in parallel, or the presentation (presentation related to the lottery results) may be performed after the processing of the primary lottery has been completed. This presentation is displayed on the display 12A by the display control means 62. This presentation may also be output as sound by the speaker 58. The lottery means 68 can inform the player of the results of the primary lottery, for example, by performing a presentation related to the results of the primary lottery.

[0085] Furthermore, the type of primary lottery should be one that is generally recognized as a lottery. For example, the primary lottery may use tickets such as sealed lottery tickets (pressure-sealed lottery tickets or perforated lottery tickets) or sealed lottery tickets (scratch-off lottery tickets), a spinning lottery machine (raffle wheel), a roulette wheel, or a gacha (registered trademark).

[0086] Furthermore, the lottery means 68 may perform an effect in the prize information area 86 (Figure 5), described later, to change the display for prizes P1-P7 when the remaining number falls below a predetermined number. Note that this predetermined number may be changed for each prize. The effect may include, for example, making the image and / or text of the display light up and / or enlarge, or making the text portion of the display bold. In addition, when the winning of special prize P8 is confirmed, an effect may be performed to change the display of special prize P8. Furthermore, the number of remaining lottery tickets until special prize P8 can be won (i.e., the total number of remaining prizes excluding special prize P8) may be displayed in the prize information area 86 (Figure 5).

[0087] The determination means 70 is a functional means that determines whether the lottery result of the lottery means 68 is a specific result. In the first embodiment, the specific result is defined as "rarity is less than a predetermined value". More specifically, the specific result is defined as rarity less than prize B, i.e., prize C or lower.

[0088] The first determination means 72 is a functional means that determines the high-rarity prize to be offered to the player when the judgment means 70 has made a negative determination.

[0089] As previously explained, the first locking / unlocking device 32 locks the door 28 and unlocks it if the determination means 70 determines it to be negative. However, this explanation pertains to the first locking / unlocking device 32 of the high-rarity storage unit 22 that stores high-rarity prizes (e.g., the first high-rarity prize P1) of a rarity determined by the lottery means 68 (e.g., the grand prize). In other high-rarity storage units (e.g., high-rarity storage units 24, 26), the first locking / unlocking device 32 remains in the locked state of the door 28.

[0090] Furthermore, the second locking / unlocking device 39, as already described, locks the operating mechanism 36A and unlocks the operating mechanism 36A when the determination means 70 makes a positive determination. However, this is a description of the second locking / unlocking device 39 of a physical lottery device (for example, the first physical lottery device 14) that stores low-rarity prizes (for example, the first low-rarity prize P4) of a rarity determined by the lottery means 68 (for example, prize C) in the low-rarity storage section 34. In other physical lottery devices (for example, physical lottery devices 16, 18, 20), the second locking / unlocking device 39 remains in the locked state of the operating mechanism 36A.

[0091] As a result, when the determination means 70 makes a positive determination, the second determination means 36 receives an operation from the player related to the determination of a low-rarity prize P4 (or any of the low-rarity prizes P5-P7), and from among the multiple types of low-rarity prizes P4 (or any of the low-rarity prizes P5-P7) associated with the rarity determined by the lottery means 68, it determines at least one low-rarity prize P4 (or any of the low-rarity prizes P5-P7) and provides it to the player.

[0092] <<Processing Flow>> Below, an example of the processing flow performed by each functional means of the lottery device 1A according to the first embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4. At the start of the following processing, the first locking / unlocking device 32 and the second locking / unlocking device 39 will be in the locked state. The order or content of the following processing can be changed as appropriate.

[0093] (Step SP2) The receiving means 66 receives confirmation that the player has made a deposit using the payment terminal 40. The process then proceeds to step SP4.

[0094] (Step SP4) The display control means 62 controls the display on the display 12A to display an input screen for inputting instructions to execute the primary lottery. Here, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the input screen 82. As shown in Figure 5, the input screen 82 is provided with a lottery instruction button 84 and a prize information area 86.

[0095] The lottery instruction button 84 is, for example, a button labeled "Draw a lottery ticket." By pressing (tapping) the lottery instruction button 84, the player can instruct the execution of the first lottery.

[0096] The prize information area 86 is an area that displays the contents of the prize information 74B. For example, the prize information area 86 shows the image, name, initial quantity, and remaining quantity for each prize. Returning to Figure 4, the process moves to step SP6.

[0097] (Step SP6) The reception means 66 receives an instruction to execute the primary lottery when the player presses the lottery instruction button 84. After that, the process moves on to step SP8.

[0098] (Step SP8) The lottery means 68 performs a primary lottery, i.e., a digital lottery. After that, the process moves on to step SP10.

[0099] (Step SP10) The lottery means 68 determines the rarity as a result of the primary lottery. The process then proceeds to step SP12.

[0100] (Step SP12) The lottery means 68 performs an animation as an example of an animation related to the primary lottery, which provides the player with an opened lottery ticket (in an unopened state). The display control means 62 displays the screen related to the animation (hereinafter referred to as the "animation screen") on the display 12A. After that, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0101] (Step SP14) When the player inputs an operation such as tapping or swiping (using the touch sensor 12B) on the displayed lottery ticket on the above-mentioned presentation screen, the rarity determined in Step SP10 is displayed on the presentation screen.

[0102] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram showing the presentation screen 102 as an example, when the rarity determined in step SP10 is prize A. As shown in Figure 6A, the presentation screen 102 includes a lottery image 104 placed in the center and a background image 106 placed behind it. Of these, the lottery image 104 is provided to the player as part of the presentation, and in Figure 6A, it is an image representing an opened lottery ticket.

[0103] In step SP12, the presentation screen 102 displays a lottery image (not shown) representing the lottery ticket before it is opened. When the player taps or swipes the lottery image (not shown), an animation of opening the lottery image (not shown) is performed, and in step SP14, the opened lottery image 104, as shown in Figure 6A, is displayed. The lottery image 104 indicates the rarity of the winning prize. In Figure 6A, as an example, the lottery image 104 is marked with "Prize A".

[0104] Furthermore, the background image may change its pattern according to the rarity determined as a result of the first draw. Figure 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the presentation screen 112 when the rarity determined in step SP 10 is prize C. The presentation screen 112 in Figure 6B includes a lottery image 114 placed in the center and a background image 116 placed behind it. Of these, the lottery image 114 is provided to the player as part of the presentation, and in Figure 6B, it is an image representing an opened lottery ticket. The rarity as a result of the draw is written on the lottery image 114. In Figure 6B, as an example, "prize C" is written on the lottery image 114.

[0105] Comparing the background image 106 in Figure 6A for Prize A and the background image 116 in Figure 6B for Prize C, the background image 106 for Prize A looks more luxurious than the background image 116 for Prize C. In other words, the lottery means 68 changes the background image of the presentation screen according to the rarity as part of the presentation. It is preferable that the background image looks more luxurious (flashy) the higher the rarity of the prize. The background image may be a still image or a video. Note that the background images 106 and 116 mentioned above are images that are displayed when the lottery image is opened, and in the state before opening, i.e., when the rarity is not displayed, a common background image (not shown) is displayed. Returning to Figure 4, the process moves to step SP16.

[0106] (Step SP16) The determination means 70 determines whether the rarity determined in step SP10 is less than a predetermined value. If the determination result of the determination means 70 is negative, the process moves to step SP18; if the determination result is positive, the process moves to step SP24.

[0107] (Step SP18) The first determination means 72 determines the high-rarity prize to be offered to the player. For example, if the rarity determined in Step SP10 is Prize A, the first determination means 72 determines the second high-rarity prize P2 associated with Prize A in the prize information 74B stored in the memory means 74. The process then proceeds to Step SP20.

[0108] (Step SP20) For example, if the rarity determined in Step SP10 is Prize A, the first locking / unlocking device 32 unlocks the door 28 in the second high-rarity storage section 24. The process then proceeds to Step SP22.

[0109] (Step SP22) For example, if the rarity determined in Step SP10 is Prize A, the store clerk opens the door 28 of the second high-rarity storage compartment 24, takes out the second high-rarity prize P2 from the second high-rarity storage compartment 24, and provides it to the player. The process then ends.

[0110] (Step SP24) For example, if the rarity determined in step SP10 is prize C, the second locking / unlocking device 39 unlocks the operating mechanism 36A in the first physical lottery device 14. The process then proceeds to step SP26.

[0111] (Step SP26) For example, if the rarity determined in Step SP10 is prize C, the player operates the first physical lottery device 14 by grasping and rotating the operating mechanism 36A. After that, the game proceeds to Step SP28.

[0112] (Step SP28) The second determination means 36 performs a physical draw as a secondary draw. That is, in step SP26, the disc portion of the physical mechanism 36B of the second determination means 36 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle in accordance with the operation of the operating mechanism 36A operated by the player. After that, the process moves on to step SP30.

[0113] (Step SP30) The second determination means 36 determines, as the result of the draw, that the first low-rarity prize P4, which has entered the capsule that has passed through the first through-hole of the disc portion of the physical mechanism 36B and the second through-hole of the bottom plate, is the prize. The process then proceeds to step SP32.

[0114] (Step SP32) The player takes out the capsule (first low-rarity prize P4) that has been dispensed from the outlet 38, thereby providing the first low-rarity prize P4 to the player from the lottery device 1A. After that, the process ends.

[0115] Note that the flowchart in Figure 4 is an example of a case where the primary draw is a draw using opened lottery tickets. When the primary draw uses opened lottery tickets, it is preferable that the digital draw is performed before the opened lottery ticket is provided to the player (displayed on display 12A), and that the player's operation to open the lottery ticket (tapping or swiping) is performed after the draw has already been completed. For this reason, in Figure 4, the processing of steps SP12 and SP14 is explained as occurring after the processing of steps SP8 and SP10 (the same applies to sealed lottery tickets in this respect).

[0116] However, in the first embodiment, the digital drawing may be performed while the opening of the lottery ticket is being shown. In this case, the player opens the lottery ticket provided to the player, and the digital drawing (for example, a process like the other examples of digital drawing already described) is performed.

[0117] Alternatively, if the primary lottery is performed using, for example, a rotating lottery device, the digital lottery will be conducted when the player performs an operation such as swiping to rotate the lottery device. In that case, it is preferable to perform the following steps in order: display the rotating lottery device (equivalent to step SP12), execute the primary lottery when the player operates the screen and display an animation of the rotating lottery device rotating (equivalent to step SP8), determine the rarity as a result of the lottery (equivalent to step SP10), and display the rarity (equivalent to step SP14).

[0118] ≪Effects≫ The lottery device 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a lottery means 68 that performs a lottery; a determination means 70 that determines the result of the lottery performed by the lottery means 68; a first determination means 72 that determines a first prize to be provided to the player when the determination result by the determination means 70 is a first determination result; and a second determination means 36 that determines a second prize to be provided to the player from among a plurality of second prizes when the determination result by the determination means 70 is a second determination result, by receiving an operation from the player to determine a second prize different from the first prize. With this configuration, depending on the lottery result by the lottery means 68, the system branches into patterns in which the player performs an operation related to the determination of the prize and patterns in which the player does not. This improves the level of interest compared to a specification that simply provides prizes to the player according to the lottery result. Therefore, it is possible to improve the player's motivation to play the lottery. In addition, since prizes are provided to the player regardless of the determination result, it is possible to give the player a sense of satisfaction. Furthermore, since the lottery means 68 performs the lottery, the steps of having a store employee have the player draw a lottery ticket and providing the player with a prize can be omitted.

[0119] Furthermore, in the lottery device 1A, if the lottery performed by the lottery means 68 is considered the primary lottery, the second determination means 36, upon receiving an operation from the player, performs a secondary lottery different from the primary lottery to determine the second prize to be offered to the player from among several types of second prizes. With this configuration, the determination of low-rarity prizes when the result of the primary lottery is a specific result is made by performing a secondary lottery, thus further enhancing the entertainment value.

[0120] Furthermore, in the lottery device 1A, the first lottery is conducted to determine the rarity of the prize to be offered to the player, and the determination means 70 determines whether the rarity determined by the first lottery is less than a predetermined value. The first determination result is a negative determination, and the second determination result is a positive determination. With this configuration, if the result of the first lottery is that the rarity of the prize is less than a predetermined value, that is, if it is assumed that the player's satisfaction will be low, the player will perform an operation related to determining a low-rarity prize, i.e., an instruction to execute the second lottery, thereby increasing the player's satisfaction.

[0121] Furthermore, in the lottery device 1A, multiple types of secondary prizes are associated with each rarity level below a predetermined value, and the second determination means 36 performs a secondary lottery to determine at least one secondary prize from the multiple types of secondary prizes associated with the rarity level determined by the lottery means 68, and provides this to the player. With this configuration, by providing the player with a low-rarity prize determined from multiple types for each rarity level, it is possible to amplify the player's expectation of low-rarity prizes compared to providing the player with a predetermined low-rarity prize.

[0122] Furthermore, in the lottery device 1A, the lottery means 68 determines the rarity based on an automatically determined electronic timing. With this configuration, by making the primary lottery a digital lottery, the operation by the player during the lottery can be made simpler compared to a physical lottery, thus improving convenience.

[0123] Furthermore, in the lottery device 1A, the second determination means 36 is equipped with an operating mechanism 36A that receives a second lottery operation from the player, and determines the second prize to be offered to the player based on the physical timing determined by the operation received by the operating mechanism 36A. With this configuration, by making the second lottery a physical lottery, players can more easily feel that they are playing a lottery compared to when it is a digital lottery, and the level of enjoyment is further enhanced.

[0124] Furthermore, the lottery device 1A is further equipped with a locking / unlocking device (second locking / unlocking device 39) that locks the operating mechanism 36A and unlocks it when the determination means 70 makes a positive determination. With this configuration, players cannot operate the operating mechanism 36A that does not correspond to the lottery result, thus preventing fraudulent activity.

[0125] ===Second Embodiment=== Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that both the primary and secondary lotteries are conducted using digital lotteries. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail, and points that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0126] ≪Overall Configuration≫ Figure 7 is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of the lottery device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the lottery device 1B differs from the lottery device 1A in that it has a storage section 120 installed in the middle section in place of the physical lottery devices 14, 16, 18, and 20, and an outlet 122, and does not have a second locking / unlocking device 39.

[0127] The storage compartment 120 houses all of the low-rarity prizes P4-P7. The front of the storage compartment 120 may be made of a transparent or translucent material. Although not shown in Figure 7, the storage compartment 120 also stores the first low-rarity prize P4, the second low-rarity prize P5, the third low-rarity prize P6, and the fourth low-rarity prize P7 separately. Each of the low-rarity prizes P4-P7 may be sealed in a capsule (not shown).

[0128] The discharge port 122 communicates with the storage unit 120 and is an outlet for discharging low-rarity prizes P4-P7 to the outside of the storage unit 120 and providing them to the player.

[0129] ≪Functional Means≫ The second determination means 36 according to the second embodiment is a functional means that executes the second lottery as a digital lottery rather than a physical lottery. This second lottery is a lottery to determine at least one type of low-rarity prize as the lottery result from among a plurality of types of low-rarity prizes linked to the rarity determined in the first lottery. For example, if the rarity determined as the result of the first lottery is prize C, the second lottery will determine at least one first low-rarity prize P4 from among a plurality of first low-rarity prizes P4.

[0130] The second determination means 36 executes a secondary lottery (digital lottery) based on an automatically determined electronic timing if the rarity determined in the primary lottery is less than a predetermined value. As a specific example of the digital lottery, for each of the multiple types of low-rarity prizes (for example, the first low-rarity prize P4), a numerical range (weight) corresponding to the lottery probability for each type is set, a random number that changes over time is used, the value of the random number is determined by the electronic timing, and the type whose value falls within the numerical range is used as the lottery result. The lottery probability for each prize is notified to the player in advance by display control means 62 on the display 12A, etc.

[0131] For example, suppose the first low-rarity prize P4 has four types: type A, type B, type C, and type D. Assume the probability of drawing type A is 25%, type B is 25%, type C is 25%, and type D is 25%. In this case, for example, type A is assigned a numerical range of 1-2500 (weight 2500), type B a range of 2501-5000 (weight 2500), type C a range of 5001-7500 (weight 2500), and type D a range of 7501-10000 (weight 2500). Then, using a random number that changes between 1 and 10000 over time, suppose the value of the random number determined at the electronic timing is, for example, 6500. In this case, the draw result will be type C, which includes 6500 within the set numerical range. The above explanation also applies to the lower rarity prizes P5-P7.

[0132] Furthermore, the second determination means 36 performs a presentation related to the second lottery and / or the results of the second lottery, along with the processing of the second lottery. The second lottery and the presentation (presentation related to the second lottery) may be performed in parallel, or the presentation (presentation related to the lottery results) may be performed after the processing of the second lottery has been completed. This presentation is displayed on the display 12A by the display control means 62. This presentation may also be output as sound by the speaker 58. The second determination means 36 can inform the player of the results of the second lottery by, for example, performing a presentation related to the results of the second lottery.

[0133] Furthermore, while the first embodiment described that the lottery means 68 can notify the player of the results of the primary lottery, the second embodiment may involve both notification of the results of the primary lottery by the lottery means 68 and notification of the results of the secondary lottery by the second determination means 36, or it may involve either one of them.

[0134] Furthermore, the type of secondary lottery displayed on the display 12A may be any type that is generally recognized as a lottery, similar to the primary lottery described in the first embodiment. The type of primary lottery and the type of secondary lottery may be the same, or they may be different. For example, the primary lottery may use opened lottery tickets, and the secondary lottery may use a rotating lottery machine.

[0135] ≪Processing Flow≫ Below, an example of the processing flow performed by each functional means of the lottery device 1B according to the second embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 8. At the start of the processing shown in Figure 8, the first locking / unlocking device 32 is assumed to be in the locked state. The order or content of the processing shown in Figure 8 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, steps SP42-SP52, which differ from the processing explained using Figure 4 in the first embodiment, will be explained below. Furthermore, the case in which the rarity determined as the result of the primary lottery is prize C will be explained below.

[0136] (Step SP42) The display control means 62 displays a predetermined screen (not shown) on the display 12A. This predetermined screen explains to the player that the process will proceed to a secondary lottery to determine the type of the first low-rarity prize P4, and also displays a button to accept the instruction to execute the secondary lottery. After that, the process proceeds to step SP44.

[0137] (Step SP44) The reception means 66 receives an instruction to execute a secondary lottery by pressing a button on the predetermined screen as described above. The process then proceeds to step SP46.

[0138] (Step SP46) The second determination means 36 performs a secondary lottery, i.e., a digital lottery. After that, the process moves on to step SP48.

[0139] (Step SP48) The second determination means 36 performs a secondary draw, and the result of that draw is determined. Here, one type (one item) is selected from among several types of first low-rarity prizes P4 as the draw result. After that, the process moves on to step SP50.

[0140] (Step SP50) The lottery means 68 provides the player with a lottery ticket as an example of a performance related to the second lottery. The display control means 62 also displays a screen related to the performance (hereinafter referred to as the "performance screen") on the display 12A.

[0141] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the presentation screen 124 as an example, where the low-rarity prize determined in step SP46 is one of the first low-rarity prizes P4. As shown in Figure 9, the presentation screen 124 includes a lottery image 126 placed in the center and a background image 128 placed behind it. Of these, the lottery image 126 is provided to the player as part of the presentation, and in Figure 9, it is an image representing an opened lottery ticket.

[0142] On the presentation screen 124, an image of the lottery ticket before it is opened (not shown) is first displayed. When the player taps or swipes this image of the lottery ticket before it is opened (not shown), an animation is performed in which the image of the lottery ticket is opened (not shown), resulting in an image of the opened lottery ticket (not shown) as shown in Figure 9. The lottery ticket image 126 shows the low-rarity prize that will be offered to the player as a result of the lottery. In Figure 9, as an example, the opened lottery ticket image 126 shows an image of one type (one item) of the first low-rarity prize P4. Returning to Figure 8, the process moves to step SP52.

[0143] (Step SP52) The first low-rarity prize P4 of one type (one) determined by the second determination means 36 is discharged from the discharge port 122. The player then takes out the low-rarity prize P4 discharged from the discharge port 122, and the lottery device 1B provides this low-rarity prize P4 to the player. After that, the process ends.

[0144] ≪Effects≫ In the lottery device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the second determination means 36 determines the second prize to be offered to the player based on an automatically determined electronic timing. With this configuration, by making the primary lottery a digital lottery, the operation by the player during the lottery can be made simpler compared to the case of a physical lottery, thus improving convenience.

[0145] ===Modifications=== However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples. That is, modifications made to the above-described examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the embodiments described above and the modifications described later can be combined to the extent that it is technically possible, and combinations thereof are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention.

[0146] For example, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the secondary lottery is a physical lottery, which is performed by physical lottery devices 14, 16, 18, and 20. However, the physical lottery may be performed by devices other than the physical lottery devices 14, 16, 18, and 20. Figure 10 is a schematic external view showing an example of the overall configuration of a lottery device 1C according to a modified example of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10, the lottery device 1C may be performed by another physical lottery device 130 instead of the physical lottery devices 14, 16, 18, and 20. The physical lottery device 130 mainly comprises a storage section 132 and an outlet 138. The storage section 132 stores all of the low-rarity prizes P4-P7 inside. The front wall of the storage section 132 is transparent or semi-transparent. Furthermore, the storage section 132 stores the first low-rarity prize P4, the second low-rarity prize P5, the third low-rarity prize P6, and the fourth low-rarity prize P7 separately. Inside the storage section 132, support members 134 are provided according to the number of rarities below a predetermined value (in Figure 10, four support members 134 are provided according to the four rarities of prizes C, D, E, and F). Each support member 134 is positioned away from the front wall of the storage section 132 and supports one of the low-rarity prizes P4-P7. However, for each support member 134, multiple types of low-rarity prizes (for example, types A, B, C, and D of the first low-rarity prize P4) are arranged in a row in a random order. Each support member 134 is also provided with a transport section 136. The transport unit 136 pushes out the low-rarity prizes, which are lined up in a row, one by one from the front, into the space between the support 134 and the front wall inside the storage unit 132. The transport unit 136 is controlled by a signal from the control device 2 (see Figure 2). The discharge port 138 is in communication with the above space, and the low-rarity prizes that have been pushed out and dropped by the transport unit 136 are discharged from the discharge port 138 and provided to the player. With the above configuration, the low-rarity prizes, which are lined up according to their rarity, are provided to the player in order from the front.Furthermore, the low-rarity prizes supported in a row by the support 134 may be arranged so that only the one in the front row (i.e., the one to be offered next) is visible to the player, or the ones in the back may also be visible to the player.

[0147] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the primary lottery is a process for determining the rarity of the prize to be offered to the player, and a specific result is defined as "rarity is less than a predetermined value." However, instead, a specific result may be defined as "rarity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value." By doing so, if the result of the primary lottery is that the rarity of the prize is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, that is, if it is assumed that the player will be highly satisfied, the player will perform an operation related to the determination of the prize, i.e., an instruction to execute the secondary lottery, thereby amplifying the player's satisfaction. Moreover, multiple types of high-rarity prizes may be associated with each rarity above a predetermined value, and the second determination means 36 may, by executing the secondary lottery, determine at least one type (one item) of high-rarity prize (e.g., second high-rarity prize P2) from among the multiple types of high-rarity prizes (e.g., second high-rarity prize P2) associated with the rarity determined by the lottery means 68, and offer it to the player.

[0148] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, in the presentation screen 102 for rarity above a predetermined value and the presentation screen 112 for rarity below a predetermined value, when the lottery image reaches the state of an opened lottery ticket, two background images 106 and 116, which have different appearances from each other, are displayed, respectively. However, the background images may be different for each rarity from the point when the lottery image represents an opened lottery ticket before it is opened (for presentation purposes, even if the opened lottery ticket has not yet been opened, the actual digital drawing has finished and the drawing result (the rarity of the contents of the lottery ticket) has been determined, so the background images can be changed according to the rarity from the point before it is opened). Alternatively, background images for before and after opening the opened lottery ticket may be set according to the rarity. Or, background images for before and after opening the opened lottery ticket may be set for rarity above a predetermined value, and background images for before and after opening the opened lottery ticket may be set for rarity below a predetermined value. In addition, instead of background images, the appearance of the lottery ticket image itself before and after opening may be changed in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, the sound output from speaker 58 may be changed according to the appearance of the background image and lottery image mentioned above.

[0149] Furthermore, each low-rarity storage section 34 in the first embodiment may be provided with a light-emitting section such as an LED (not shown), and the lottery means 68 may be capable of performing a light effect when the rarity of the lottery result is less than a predetermined value. For example, the performance screen 112 may be displayed on the display 12A, and the light-emitting section provided in the low-rarity storage section 34 of the physical lottery device (i.e., the one used by the player in the second lottery) may be illuminated according to the rarity of the lottery result. Alternatively, the light-emitting section may be provided in the operating mechanism 36A and / or the physical mechanism 36B instead of the low-rarity storage section 34, and the same processing may be performed. This makes it easier for the player to visually recognize the location of the physical lottery device in which the second lottery is performed.

[0150] Furthermore, the digital lottery (primary lottery and / or secondary lottery) described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention may be performed by a terminal device (not shown) owned by the player (such as a smartphone or tablet). However, the terminal device shall have functions equivalent to those that the touch panel 12 can perform and shall have dedicated application software installed.

[0151] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the primary lottery was a digital lottery and the secondary lottery was a physical lottery. However, instead, both the primary and secondary lotteries may be physical lotteries. In this case, the primary lottery is conducted in the same manner as the secondary lottery described using Figure 1 etc. in the first embodiment, and the secondary lottery described using Figure 10 in the modified example, and the lottery determines the rarity (prize) instead of the low-rarity prizes determined in these secondary lotteries. For example, the lottery means 68 includes an operation mechanism (corresponding to operation mechanism 36A) not shown that accepts the player's operation for the primary lottery, and determines the rarity based on the physical timing determined by the operation received by the operation mechanism. The player is then provided with a sheet of paper (placed in a capsule, etc.) on which the rarity and the code (two-dimensional code or one-dimensional code) corresponding to that rarity are written. Furthermore, when the player holds this over a reader (not shown), the determination means 70 makes a determination. After that, the same processing as in step SP16 and onward in Figure 4 is performed.

[0152] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, both the primary and secondary lotteries are performed digitally, but instead, the primary lottery may be performed physically and the secondary lottery digitally. In this case, the primary lottery is performed using a sheet of paper on which a code is written, as described above, and when the player holds this over the reader (not shown), the determination means 70 makes a determination. After that, the same processing as in step SP16 and onward in Figure 9 is performed.

[0153] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the second determination means performs a secondary lottery in response to the player's operation. However, instead, after the primary lottery, the player may perform an operation to select a low-rarity prize themselves. This allows the player to choose the low-rarity prize themselves, thus providing the player with a sense of satisfaction.

[0154] Furthermore, the special prize and last-one prize described in the first embodiment of the present invention may be received by the player when they return to the store on the following day or later and receive them from a store employee. This provides an incentive for the player to return to the store.

[0155] Furthermore, the prizes P1-P8 provided to the player, as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, may be replaced with exchange vouchers corresponding to each of the prizes P1-P8. The exchange vouchers can be exchanged for the corresponding prize on the same day or the following day at the store where the lottery device 1A, lottery device 1B, or lottery device 1C is installed, or at a facility other than the store. This provides players with an incentive to return to the store.

[0156] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the result of the primary lottery was described as being either a rarity above a predetermined value or a rarity below a predetermined value. However, instead of the lottery result of a rarity below a predetermined value, the result may be "the right to draw a gacha." In this case, the player selects one of the multiple physical lottery devices (in the first embodiment, for example, the first physical lottery device 14, the second physical lottery device 16, the third physical lottery device 18, and the fourth physical lottery device 20) and performs the physical lottery by operating the operating mechanism 36A of the selected physical lottery device. As for the selection method, the player may select by operating the touch sensor 12B of the touch panel 12, or each physical lottery device may be provided with a physical button, and the player may select by pressing the physical button of the physical lottery device for which they want to perform the lottery.

[0157] Furthermore, according to the description of the first embodiment of the present invention, one physical lottery device was provided corresponding to each rarity below a predetermined value. For example, one first physical lottery device 14 was provided corresponding to the C prize, in which the first low-rarity prize P4 was stored in the low-rarity storage section 34. However, multiple physical lottery devices may be provided for each rarity below a predetermined value. For example, multiple first physical lottery devices 14 corresponding to the C prize may be provided. In this case, multiple types of first low-rarity prizes P4 are distributed and stored in the low-rarity storage sections 34 of the multiple physical lottery devices. For example, if there are four types of first low-rarity prizes P4, namely type A, type B, type C, and type D, and there are two first physical lottery devices 14, type A and type B may be stored in the low-rarity storage section 34 of one first physical lottery device 14, and type C and type D may be stored in the low-rarity storage section 34 of the other first physical lottery device 14. Then, the player operates the operating mechanism 36A of one of the first physical lottery devices 14 to perform the physical lottery. This explanation also applies to prizes D, E, and F.

[0158] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the lottery device 1A described in the first embodiment of the present invention is configured such that a first physical lottery device 14 having a low-rarity storage section 34 for storing a first low-rarity prize P4, a second physical lottery device 16 having a low-rarity storage section 34 for storing a second low-rarity prize P5, a third physical lottery device 18 having a low-rarity storage section 34 for storing a third low-rarity prize P6, and a fourth physical lottery device 20 having a low-rarity storage section 34 for storing a fourth low-rarity prize P7 are installed in parallel (at the same height). However, alternatively, the lottery device 1A may be configured such that, among the multiple low-rarity storage sections 34 (physical lottery devices having them), the low-rarity storage section 34 (physical lottery device having it) is installed at a lower position as the rarity of the low-rarity prize to which it is stored decreases.

[0159] ===Notes=== [Note 1] A lottery device comprising: a touch panel for receiving operations by a player to perform a lottery; a first storage section (high-rarity storage section 22, 24, 26) installed near the touch panel and storing first prizes (high-rarity prizes P1-P3) associated with a rarity of a predetermined value or higher; and a second storage section (low-rarity storage section 34) installed below the first storage section and storing second prizes (low-rarity prizes P4-P7) associated with a rarity of less than a predetermined value. [Note 2] The lottery device according to Note 1, wherein a plurality of second prizes with different rarities are provided, a plurality of second storage sections are provided in which the plurality of second prizes are stored separately according to their rarity, and the plurality of second storage sections are arranged such that the lower the rarity to which the second prizes to be stored are associated, the lower the position.

[0160] 1A, 1B, 1C: Lottery device 36: Second determination means 36A: Operating mechanism 36B: Physical mechanism 39: Second locking / unlocking device (locking / unlocking device) 68: Lottery means 70: Judgment means 72: First determination means P1-P3: High rarity prize (first prize) P4-P7: Low rarity prize (second prize)

Claims

1. A lottery device comprising: a lottery means for executing a lottery; a determination means for determining the result of the lottery by the lottery means; a first determination means for determining a first prize to be provided to the player when the determination result by the determination means is a first determination result; and a second determination means for determining a second prize to be provided to the player from among a plurality of types of second prizes when the determination result by the determination means is a second determination result, by receiving an operation from the player to determine a second prize different from the first prize.

2. The lottery device according to claim 1, wherein, when the lottery performed by the lottery means is designated as a primary lottery, the second determination means, upon receiving the operation from the player, performs a secondary lottery different from the primary lottery to determine a second prize to be offered to the player from among the multiple types of second prizes.

3. The lottery device according to claim 2, wherein the first lottery is a lottery to determine the rarity of the prize to be provided to the player, the determination means determines whether or not the rarity determined by the first lottery is less than a predetermined value, the first determination result is a negative determination, and the second determination result is a positive determination.

4. A lottery device according to claim 3, wherein multiple types of second prizes are associated with each rarity below a predetermined value, and the second determination means determines at least one second prize from the multiple types of second prizes associated with the rarity determined by the lottery means by performing the secondary lottery, and provides it to the player.

5. The lottery device according to claim 2, wherein the primary lottery is a process for determining the rarity of the prize to be provided to the player, the determination means determines whether the rarity determined by the primary lottery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the first determination result is a negative determination, and the second determination result is a positive determination.

6. A lottery device according to claim 5, wherein multiple types of second prizes are associated with each rarity level above a predetermined value, and the second determination means determines at least one second prize from among the multiple types of second prizes associated with the rarity level determined by the lottery means by performing the secondary lottery, and provides it to the player.

7. The lottery device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the lottery means determines the rarity based on an automatically determined electronic timing.

8. The lottery device according to claim 7, wherein the second determination means comprises an operating mechanism that receives an operation for the second lottery by the player, and the operating mechanism determines a second prize to be provided to the player based on the operation received.

9. The lottery device according to claim 8, further comprising a locking / unlocking device for locking the operating mechanism and unlocking the operating mechanism if the determination result is the second determination result.

10. The lottery device according to claim 7, wherein the second determination means determines a second prize to be offered to the player based on an automatically determined electronic timing.

11. The lottery device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the lottery means comprises an operating mechanism that accepts the operation of the primary lottery by the player, and determines the rarity based on the physical timing determined by the operation accepted by the operating mechanism.

12. The lottery device according to claim 1, wherein the operation is an operation in which the player selects the second prize.

13. The lottery device according to claim 1, wherein the lottery means notifies the player of the lottery result.

14. A program to cause a computer to function as: a lottery means for executing a lottery; a determination means for determining the result of the lottery by the lottery means; a first determination means for determining a first prize to be provided to the player if the determination result by the determination means is a first determination result; and a second determination means for determining a second prize to be provided to the player from among a plurality of such second prizes, by receiving an operation from the player to determine a second prize different from the first prize if the determination result by the determination means is a second determination result.

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