EP1736941A1 - Server and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

A server is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines. Each of the gaming machines has an imaging means that images a player and an input means through which the player inputs his/her identification data item. The server has a storage means and a rewriting means rewriting the contents of the storage means. When a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the imaging means of any of the gaming machines is not identical to a specifying data item received from the gaming machine, the specifying data item stored in the storage means is rewritten by the rewriting means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a server that is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine, a pinball machine, and the like in which variably-displayed symbols can be stopped by a player's operation, and also relates to a game system that includes the server and the gaming machines.
2. Description of Related Art
• Some gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine, a pinball machine, and the like have various functions in order to prevent a player from getting tired during a game. For example,Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 9-290068 discloses a gaming machine that has a liquid crystal television so that a player can watch a TV program or collect various information while sitting in a chair during a game or during a break time.
• In general, a player who has played a game in a gaming machine uses a counter to count a game value of medals or the like he/she has acquired from the gaming machine, and a ticket on which a result of counting is recorded is issued. The player brings the ticket to a prize-exchanging booth, where he/she can get a prize in accordance with the number of medals acquired. However, some people dishonestly bring medals in from outside and counts the medals with the counter, for the purpose of obtaining a prize. In order to prevent such fraud, a fraud prevention system is proposed for example inJapanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2001-224830. This system utilizes a member's card owned by each player, for comparing the number of medals paid out from a gaming machine with the number of medals counted by a counter, thereby determining whether any fraud is occurring or not.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Sometimes, a group of players come to a game arcade and play games. When these players use gaming machines that include the above-mentioned liquid crystal television, each individual player can watch a TV program or collect various information by himself/herself, but he/she cannot communicate with the other players, for example, for the purpose of sharing information about games. This gives a player a sense of coming to the game arcade and playing a game alone, although he/she has come to the game arcade with other persons. For this reason, it is desired that players can communicate with each other. It may be possible to give a gaming machine a function to communicate with other gaming machines so that players can communicate with each other. In this case, however, a player has to know which gaming machine his/her communicatee is using in order to designate the gaming machine. However, a player does not stay at one gaming machine but often moves to a different gaming machine in accordance with game results, and therefore it is difficult that a player always knows which gaming machine his/her communicatee is using. In addition, a player cannot concentrate on a game while exerting an effort to always know which gaming machine his/her player is using now.
• The above-mentioned fraud prevention system forces all players to carry their own member's cards. Therefore, the players must always carry their member's cards while moving from one gaming machine to another. In addition, this system causes inconvenience to a player, because it requires an operation of a player, such as inserting his/her member's card into a gaming machine. Moreover, a manager of a game arcade must keep monitoring whether each member's card is carried by an appropriate person or not. This is burdensome to the manager.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a server and a game system that enable a player to transmit and receive a mail to and from another player even though the player does not know a place of another player.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a server and a game system that can, without requiring a monitoring by a manager of a game arcade, prevent fraud in a counter for counting a game value.
• According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server that is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines. Each of the gaming machines has an imaging means that images a player and an input means through which the player inputs his/her identification data item. The server comprises a storage means, a first determination means, a second determination means, a rewriting means, a mail reception means, and a mail transmission means. The storage means rewritably stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the imaging means, a specifying data item that specifies each of the gaming machines, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another. The first determination means determines, upon every imaging by the imaging means, whether a player image data item resulting from the imaging has been stored in the storage means or not. When the first determination means determines that the player image data item resulting from the imaging has been stored in the storage means, the second determination means determines whether or not a specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is identical to a specifying data item received, upon every imaging by the imaging means, from a gaming machine that has the imaging means. When the second determination means determines that the specifying data items are not identical, the rewriting means rewrites the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means into the specifying data item received from the gaming machine. The mail reception means receives from any of the gaming machines a mail addressed to the identification data item. The mail transmission means transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item to which the mail is addressed.
• According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system that includes gaming machines and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines, and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines. Each of the gaming machines comprises a specifying data item storage means, an imaging means, a player image data item generation means, an output means, an input means, a mail preparation means, a mail transmission means. The specifying data item storage means stores therein a specifying data item for specifying the gaming machine itself. The imaging means images a player. The player image data item generation means generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the imaging means. The output means outputs the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means together with the specifying data item. Through the input means, a player inputs his/her identification data item. The mail preparation means prepares a mail addressed to an identification data item of another player. The mail transmission means transmits the mail prepared by the mail preparation means. The server comprises a first reception means, a second reception means, a storage means, a first determination means, a second determination means, a rewriting means, a mail reception means, and a mail transmission means. The first reception means receives the player image data item and the specifying data item outputted from the output means. The second reception means receives the identification data item inputted through the input means. The storage means rewritably stores therein the player image data item, the specifying data item, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another. The first determination means determines whether the player image data item received by the first reception means has been stored in the storage means or not. When the first determination means determines that the player image data item has been stored in the storage means, the second determination means determines whether or not a specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is identical to the specifying data item received by the first reception means together with the player image data item. When the second determination means determines that the specifying data items are not identical, the rewriting means rewrites the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means into the specifying data item received from the gaming machine. The mail reception means receives from any of the gaming machines a mail addressed to the identification data item. The mail transmission means transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item to which the mail is addressed.
• In the first and second aspects, in a case where the player image data item resulting from the imaging by the imaging means has already been stored in the storage means and in addition the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is not identical to the specifying data item received from a gaming machine that has the, imaging means, the specifying data item stored in the storage means is rewritten. That is, each time the player changes the gaming machine, contents of the storage means are accordingly rewritten. Then, when a mail which is addressed to an identification data item is transmitted to the server, the server transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item. Accordingly, when a player wants to communicate with another player, he/she does not have to know which gaming machine another player is using now, but has only to transmit a mail addressed to an identification data item, so as to transmit the mail to another player thus communicating with another player. In addition, a player can concentrate on a game because he/she does not have to exert an effort to always know which gaming machine his/her communicatee is using now.
• According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server that is data-communicably connected to a plurality of gaming machines each having a player imaging means that images a player and a payout means that pays out a game value based on a game result, and also data-communicably connected to a counter having a counting means that counts the game value and a counting-person imaging means that images a counting person. The server comprises a storage means, a retrieval means, and a first notification means. The storage means stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the player imaging means. The retrieval means retrieves from the storage means a player image data item that is identical to a counting-person image data item resulting from an imaging by the counting-person imaging means. The first notification means notifies a result of retrieval made by the retrieval means.
• According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system that includes a plurality of gaming machines each paying out a game value based on a game result, a counter counting the game value, and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines and the counter. Each of the gaming machines comprises a player imaging means, a player image data item generation means, and a player image data item transmission means. The player imaging means images a player. The player image data item generation means generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the player imaging means. The player image data item transmission means transmits, to the server, the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means. The counter comprises a counting-person imaging means, a counting-person image data item generation means, and a counting-person image data item transmission means. The counting-person imaging means images a counting person. The counting-person image data item generation means generates a counting-person image data item based on a result of an imaging by the counting-person imaging means. The counting-person image data item transmission means transmits, to the server, the counting-person image data item generated by the counting-person image data item generation means. The server comprises a player image data item reception means, a storage means, a counting-person image data item reception means, a retrieval means, and a notification means. The player image data item reception means receives the player image data item transmitted by the player image data item transmission means. The storage means stores therein the player image data item received by the player image data item reception means. The counting-person image data item reception means receives the counting-person image data item transmitted by the counting-person image data item transmission means. The retrieval means retrieves from the storage means a player image data item that is identical to the counting-person image data item received by the counting-person image data item reception means. The notification means notifies a result of retrieval made by the retrieval means.
• In the third and fourth aspects, a player who is playing a game is imaged, and a player image data item is stored in the storage means. Determined is whether a player image data item identical to a counting-person image data item obtained by imaging a counting person is stored in the storage means or not. Thereby, whether a counting person who is counting game values on the counter has actually played a game in a gaming machine or not can be determined. Accordingly, even though, for example, a game value acquired by a player is brought out by a dishonest stranger who then attempts counting the game value on the counter, whether this person is counting a game value he/she has acquired by himself/herself as a result of actually playing a game or not can be determined. This can prevent fraud in a counter, without requiring a monitoring by a manager of a game arcade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine that is included in the game system of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a counter that is included in the game system of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the gaming machine of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the counter of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of a hall computer that is included in the game system of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a demo screen that is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor which is mounted on a medal lending device included in the gaming machine;
• FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a register screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor;
• FIG. 9A is a schematic view in which completion of registration is being notified;
• FIGS. 9B and 9C are schematic views in which non-registerability is being notified;
• FIG. 10A schematically illustrates a mail preparation screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor;
• FIG. 10B is a schematic view in which completion of transmission of a mail is being notified;
• FIG. 10C is a schematic view in which non-transmittability of a mail is being notified;
• FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a player data table that is stored in the hall computer;
• FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a gaming-machine data table that is stored in the hall computer;
• FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a staff data table that is stored in the hall computer;
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by a main body of the gaming machine;
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by the medal lending device;
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a registration processing that is executed in the main routine of the medal lending device;
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a mail transmission processing that is executed in the main routine of the medal lending device;
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a player authentication processing that is executed by the medal lending device;
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by the counter;
• FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by the hall computer;
• FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a registration processing that is executed in the main routine of the hall computer;
• FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a player data table updating processing that is executed in the main routine of the hall computer;
• FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a gaming-machine data table updating processing that is executed in the main routine of the hall computer;
• FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a counting person monitoring processing that is executed in the main routine of the hall computer;
• FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a mail transmission/reception processing that is executed in the main routine of the hall computer; and
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an exemplified gaming machine that has a CCD camera provided on its main body.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• In the following, a certain preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
• First, agame system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Thegame system 100 includesgaming machines 10, counters 30, and ahall computer 40. Thegaming machines 10 and thecounters 30 are placed in ahall 101 which is a game arcade. Each of thegaming machines 10 gives a player 103 a game value based on a game result. The counter 30 counts medals which serve as game values. Thehall computer 40 corresponds to a "server" of the present invention, and is placed in amonitor room 102 which only astaff 105, as a manager of thehall 101, is allowed to enter. Thehall computer 40 is, by cables and hubs (not shown), connected to each of thegaming machines 10 and thecounters 30 so that data communication can be done therebetween.
• Thegaming machine 10 is a pachi-slot machine in which variably-displayed symbols can be stopped due to an operation made by theplayer 103. A medal serves as the game value in this embodiment.
• Each of thegaming machines 10 has amain body 10a and amedal lending device 10b which are formed as a unit and placed adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 2. The player 103 (see FIG. 1) buys medals from themedal lending device 10b, and plays a game on themain body 10a using the medals. Themedal lending device 10b corresponds to a "game media lending device" of the present invention.
• Themain body 10a of thegaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
• As shown in FIG. 2, themain body 10a has acabinet 2 that constitutes a whole of themain body 10a. On the front face of thecabinet 2, amain display 2a that substantially extends in a vertical direction is provided. At the center of themain display 2a,display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R each having a rectangular shape elongated in the vertical direction are provided. Each of thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R shows, among symbols arranged on each ofreels 3L, 3C, and 3R, three symbols lined in the vertical direction, so that a total of nine symbols are displayed. Pay lines are defined in thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. The pay lines include atop line 8b, acenter line 8c, and abottom line 8d which are extending in a horizontal direction, and across-down line 8a and across-up line 8e which are extending in an oblique direction.
• Thetop line 8b is defined through top sections of therespective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. Thecenter line 8c is defined through center sections of therespective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. Thebottom line 8d is defined through bottom sections of therespective display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. Thecross-down line 8a is defined through the top section of thedisplay window 4L, the center section of thedisplay window 4C, and the bottom section of thedisplay window 4R. Thecross-up line 8e is defined through the bottom section of thedisplay window 4L, the center section of thedisplay window 4C, and the top section of thedisplay window 4R. These five pay lines are activated, when aBET button 11 which will be described later is pressed or when three medals are inserted into amedal insertion slot 13. In the following, a pay line that is activated will be referred to as an activated line.
• Thepay lines 8a to 8e are related to a win. To be more specific, a win is made when a certain symbol, for example an "Upper Chili" symbol for a "small win of Upper Chili", is stopped at a predetermined position on any activated line or when a predetermined combination of symbols are stopped at predetermined positions on any activated line.
• Within thecabinet 2, threerotatable reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided side by side in a widthwise direction. A column of symbols are arranged on an outer surface of each of thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The column includes symbols that are assigned code numbers of "00" to "20", respectively. More specifically, the column includes symbols of "Red 7", "Blue 7", "Lower Chili", "Bell", "Watermelon", "Replay", and "Upper Chili". As described above, symbols arranged on therespective reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are visible through thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. Thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated at a constant speed, for example at 80 rpm. The "Red 7" symbol and the "Blue 7" symbol included in the column form a bonus win. Here, the bonus win includes a BB (Big Bonus) and an RB (Regular Bonus) which will be detailed later. Hereinafter, the BB and the RB will generally be called a "bonus".
• ABET lamp 9 and acredit value indicator 19 are provided on the left side of thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. When medals are bet for one game, theBET lamp 9 is lighted up. The one game gets over when all the reels stop rotating. Thecredit value indicator 19 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of medals credited in themain body 10a.
• AWIN lamp 17 and a number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18 are provided on the right side of thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. After it is determined that a bonus can be made, and before the bonus is actually made, theWIN lamp 17 stays lighted up. The number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of medals acquired in accordance with a win.
• A number-of-bonus-game indicator 20 is provided on the upper side of theWIN lamp 17. The number-of-bonus-games indicator 20 having a 7-segment LED indicates the number of games that are played in a BB base game mode or an RB game mode which will be described later. The BB base game mode and RB game mode will generally be called a "bonus game mode".
• Acontrol panel 12 in the form of a horizontal plane is provided on the lower side of thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. At the center of thecontrol panel 12, there is provided aliquid crystal display 5 that displays a presentation image or the like. Themedal insertion slot 13 is provided on the right side of theliquid crystal display 5. An inserted-medal sensor 13S is provided in the medal insertion slot 13 (see FIG. 4). The inserted-medal sensor 13S senses an inserted medal. TheBET button 11 is provided on the left side of theliquid crystal display 5. When theBET button 11 is pressed once, the fivepay lines 8a to 8e are activated and at the same time three of the credited medals are bet for a next game.
• In a left-side part of the front face of thecabinet 2 and below thecontrol panel 12, there is provided a C/P button 14 that switchingly commands crediting and payout of medals acquired in a game. When the C/P button 14 commands payout of medals, the medals are paid out through amedal payout opening 15 which is provided in a lower part of the front face of thecabinet 2. The medals thus paid out are received in amedal tray 16.
• On the right side of the C/P button 14, astart lever 6 which can rotate within a predetermined range of angles is provided. In accordance with an operation made by theplayer 103, thestart lever 6 outputs to acontroller 60 of themain body 10a (see FIG. 4) a command signal for starting a game. Thecontroller 60, which has thus received the command signal for starting a game, starts rotating thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R so that symbols are variably displayed within thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R.
• On the right side of thestart lever 6 and below theliquid crystal display 5, there is provided threestop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that stop rotation of thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively.
• The controller 60 (see FIG. 4) controlling themain body 10a is formed of a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 62, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 63, and acommunicator 64. TheROM 63 stores therein a program shown in FIG. 14, data, and the like. TheRAM 62 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the program is being executed, and the like. TheCPU 61 enables execution of the program stored in theROM 63. Thecommunicator 64 enables data communication with acontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b.
• Thecontroller 60 is connected to and receives input signals, which reflect various operations made by theplayer 103, from components including thestart lever 6, thestop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, theBET button 11, the C/P button 14, and the inserted-medal sensor 13S, and then generates control commands to the components. Thecontroller 60 is connected also to thereels 3L, 3C, 3R and ahopper 69 that functions as a payout means, and controls them in accordance with input signals from them or game modes.
• To be more specific, when thestart lever 6 is operated thecontroller 60 rotates thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and when thestop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed thecontroller 60 correspondingly stops thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively. When receiving from the C/P button 14 a command to pay out medals, thecontroller 60 drives thehopper 69 so as to pay out medals through themedal payout opening 15. When the number of medals that have been paid out by thehopper 69 reaches a predetermined number, thecontroller 60 receives a medal payout completion signal from thehopper 69 and then stops thehopper 69. Here, the predetermined number means a value indicated by thecredit value indicator 19. When theBET button 11 is pressed, thecontroller 60 activates thepay lines 8a to 8e and at the same time bets three of the credited medals for a next game. Also, when receiving from the inserted-medal sensor 13S a detection signal for the three medals inserted into themedal insertion slot 13, thecontroller 60 activates thepay lines 8a to 8e and at the same time bets the inserted three medals for a next game. When receiving from thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R positional signals, thecontroller 60 detects symbols placed on the activated lines in accordance with the signals, and then determines whether a win is made or not based on the combination of the symbols.
• Thecontroller 60 is further connected to theBET lamp 9, theWIN lamp 17, the number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18, thecredit value indicator 19, the number-of-bonus-games indicator 20, and theliquid crystal display 5. Depending on game modes and the like, thecontroller 60 supplies these components with drive signals so as to light up thelamps 9 and 17, change what are indicated by theindicators 18, 19, and 20, display presentation images on theliquid crystal display 5, and so on.
• A clock-pulse generating circuit, a frequency divider, a random number generator, and a sampling circuit are connected to theCPU 61 of thecontroller 60. The clock-pulse generating circuit generates a reference clock pulse. The random number generator generates random numbers within a predetermined range of values. At a good timing after thestart lever 6 is operated, the sampling circuit samples one out of the random numbers generated by the random number generator. TheCPU 61 determines an internal win based on the random number thus sampled by the sampling circuit and on a probability lottery table which is stored in theROM 63. Here, the internal win means a win which can be made at the end of a game.
• Thecontroller 60 transmits game status data via thecommunicator 64 to thecontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b and further transmitted to thehall computer 40. The game status data includes data concerning the present game mode and the number of medals that have been paid out by thehopper 69 of thegaming machine 10. When receiving a game start permission signal from thecontroller 70 of the medal lending device, 10b via thecommunicator 64, thecontroller 60 controls themain body 10a so as to enable a game to start.
• Thegaming machine 10 presents three modes of a "base game mode", an "RB game mode", and a "BB base game mode". These three game modes differ in types of the internal win, probabilities of an internally win of a replay, types of bonuses which can be made, relationship between the internal win and determination of a win, and the like. A game mode shifts from one mode to another when, for example, a predetermined combination of symbols stops on the pay line.
• A player wins the BB, under a condition that a combination of "Blue 7 - Blue 7 - Blue 7" or "Red 7 - Red 7 - Red 7" appears on the activated line in the base game mode. When the BB is won, the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the BB base game mode. A player wins the RB, under a condition that a combination of "Red 7 - Red 7 - Blue 7" appears on the activated line in the base game mode or under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay" appears on the activated line in the BB base game mode. Winning the RB in the BB base game mode is generally called "JACIN". When the RB is won, the game mode shifts to the RB game mode.
• A player wins a replay, under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay" appears on the activated line in the base game mode. When a replay is won, medals, the number of which is the same as the number of inserted medals, are automatically bet, so that theplayer 103 can play a next game without using his/her medals. In the base game mode and the BB base game mode, a "small win of Upper Chili", a "small win of Lower Chili", a "small win of Bell", and a "small win of Watermelon" can be made. That is, wins which can be made in the base game mode is the BB, the RB, the replay, the small win of Bell, the small win of Watermelon, the small win of Upper Chili, and the small win of Lower Chili. When the replay is won in the base game mode, no medal is acquired. However, when the BB, the RB, the small win of Bell, the small win of Watermelon, the small win of Upper Chili, and the small win of Lower Chili are made in the base game mode, the player acquires 15 medals, 15 medals, 10 medals, 3 medals, 1 medal, and 7 medals, respectively.
• In the RB game mode, a win is made under a condition that a combination of "Replay - Replay - Replay", "Red 7 - Replay - Replay", or "Blue 7 - Replay - Replay" appears on the activated line in the base game mode. A game played in the RB game mode is generally called a "JAC game".
• Next, themedal lending device 10b which is included in thegaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
• As shown in FIG. 2, themedal lending device 10b is placed adjacent to and formed as a unit with themain body 10a of the gaming machine. Themedal lending device 10b has acabinet 23 whose shape is substantially rectangular parallelepiped and whose width is smaller than that of thecabinet 2 of themain body 10a. Themedal lending device 10b is controlled by a controller 70 (see FIG. 4) placed within thecabinet 23.
• On a front face of thecabinet 23, there are provided abill insertion slot 23a substantially at the center, acoin insertion slot 23b on the lower side of thebill insertion slot 23a, and amedal tray 23c in a lower part. Abill sensor 231 and acoin sensor 232 are provided in thebill insertion slot 23a and in thecoin insertion slot 23b, respectively. Thebill sensor 231 detects an inserted bill and the coin sensor detects an inserted coin. Thebill sensor 231 and thecoin sensor 232 are connected to and transmit inserted-amount detection signal to thecontroller 70 when detecting a bill and a coin, respectively. Amedal payout unit 233, which is provided inside thecabinet 23, is also connected to thecontroller 70. Thecontroller 70 drives themedal payout unit 233 based on the inserted-amount detection signal received from thebill sensor 231 and/orcoin sensor 232, so as to pay out a predetermined number of medals into themedal tray 23c.
• A CCD camera .24, which is provided in an upper front part of thecabinet 23, functions as an "imaging means" of the present invention, and images theplaying player 103 who is sitting in front of themain body 10a of thegaming machine 10 as shown in FIG. 1. TheCCD camera 24 is connected to and constantly transmits captured image data to thecontroller 70.
• Aliquid crystal monitor 25, which is provided substantially at the center of the front face of thecabinet 23, displays screens shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9A to 9C, and 10A to 10C. Through theliquid crystal monitor 25, theplayer 103 can register his/her name and face image, and transmit/receive a mail to/from anotherplayer 103 who is playing a game in anothergaming machine 10, the details of which will be described later. A touch panel is provided over a surface of theliquid crystal monitor 25. Theplayer 103 can input his/her name and prepare a mail by touching the surface of theliquid crystal monitor 25.
• On the front face of thecabinet 23, acard processing unit 26 is provided above theliquid crystal monitor 25. Thecard processing unit 26 includes acard issuing slot 26a that issues an ID card (not shown), acard insertion slot 26b into which the ID card can be inserted, and acard eject button 26c that ejects the ID card inserted into thecard insertion slot 26b. The ID card has an IC chip storing data therein. When theplayer 103 has completed a later-described registration processing, the ID card having registry data stored in its IC chip is issued out through thecard issuing slot 26a. The registry data includes a name and face image data of theplayer 103.
• TheCCD camera 24, theliquid crystal monitor 25, and thecard processing unit 26 are connected to and controlled by thecontroller 70.
• Thecontroller 70 controlling themedal lending device 10b is formed of a microcomputer, and includes aCPU 71, aRAM 72, aROM 73, and acommunicator 74. TheROM 73 stores therein programs shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, machine numbers that specify therespective gaming machine 10, and the like. The machine number corresponds to a "specifying data item" of the present invention. TheRAM 72 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the programs are being executed, game status data transmitted from themain body 10a of the gaming machine, registry data read out of the ID card, and the like. TheCPU 71 enables execution of the programs stored in theROM 73. Thecommunicator 74 enables data communication with thecontroller 60 of themain body 10a of the gaming machine and data communication with thehall computer 40.
• Here, a description will be given to a screen displayed on theliquid crystal monitor 25. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 is divided into a functionselect area 251a and amain area 251b. In the functionselect area 251a, a "DEMO"button 252a, a "REGISTER"button 252b, and a "MAIL"button 252c are displayed so that a player can select them. As described above, the touch panel is provided over the surface of theliquid crystal monitor 25. Therefore, when a player touches thebuttons 252a to 252c, signals corresponding to the respective buttons are outputted.
• When theplayer 103 touches the "DEMO"button 252a or when theother buttons 252b and 252c are kept un-operated for a predetermined period of time, a demo screen shown in FIG. 7, which, for example, gives a presentation using acharacter 253 or shows information about thehall 101, is displayed in themain area 251b.
• When theplayer 103 touches the "REGISTER"button 252b, a register screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in themain area 251b. Before theplayer 103 plays a first game in thehall 101, he/she registers his/her name as an "identification data item" and face image data as a "player image data item" via the register screen.
• In the register screen, acharacter input screen 254a is displayed in a left part of themain area 251b. Thecharacter input screen 254a shows selectable keys including alphabet keys and an "ENTER" key.
• An instruction screen, which shows aname field 254b, an "OK"button 254c, and a "SHOOT"button 254d, is displayed in a right part of themain area 251b. Thename field 254b indicates a name of theplayer 103 which has been inputted through the keys in thecharacter input screen 254a. The "SHOOT"button 254d is displayed in an unselectable mode until the "OK"button 254c is touched. That is, the "SHOOT"button 254d becomes selectable, only after theplayer 103 inputs his/her name through the keys of thecharacter input screen 254a, checks thename field 254b for the inputted name, and then touches the "OK"button 254c. When theplayer 103 touches the "SHOOT"button 254d, theCCD camera 24 is driven to shoot theplayer 103.
• After a shooting, the name of theplayer 103 thus inputted, and his/her face image data obtained from the shooting are, together with the machine number which is stored in theROM 73 of thecontroller 70, transmitted to thehall computer 40. Then, a screen of FIG. 9A, 9B, or 9C is displayed depending on a notification transmitted from thehall computer 40.
• More specifically, when a registration has properly been completed, a message that the registration has been completed and an ID card has been issued appears as shown in FIG. 9A. When the inputted name has already been registered by anotherplayer 103, a message that the name has already been registered appears as shown in FIG. 9B. When the face image data obtained from the shooting has already been registered, it is determined that theplayer 103 who is attending to the current registration has already been registered, and therefore a message that theplayer 103 has already been registered appears as shown in FIG. 9C. After any of the screens of FIGS. 9A to 9C is displayed, the demo screen of FIG. 7 is automatically displayed.
• Thus, no identical name can be registered. If aplayer 103 tries registering a name which has already been registered by another player, an error message (see FIG. 9B) appears so that he/she can input another name. This enables a mail to be transmitted to a desired player without fail.
• In addition, oneplayer 103 is not allowed double registrations. If an already-registeredplayer 103 tries registering himself/herself again, an error message (see FIG. 9C) appears so that a reliable authentication of theplayer 103 can be performed.
• When aplayer 103 touches the "MAIL"button 252c, a mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed in themain area 251b. Using the mail preparation screen, theplayer 103 prepares a mail addressed to anotherplayer 103 who is playing a game in anothergaming machine 10. In the mail preparation screen, acharacter input screen 255a, which is similar to thecharacter input screen 254a of the register screen is displayed in a left part of themain area 251b. Anaddress field 255b, amessage field 255c, and a "TRANSMISSION"button 255d are displayed in a right part of themain area 251b. A destination address is inputted in theaddress field 255b. Contents of the mail are inputted in themessage field 255c. Here, what is inputted in theaddress field 255b is a name thedestination player 103 inputted at the time of registering himself/herself. When the "TRANSMISSION"button 255d is touched, mail data, which includes a machine number of thegaming machine 10 and what have been inputted in theaddress field 255b and themessage field 255c, are transmitted to thehall computer 40.
• Thehall computer 40 receives the mail data, and then refers to a later-described player data table, so as to transmit the mail to agaming machine 10 that corresponds to the name inputted in theaddress field 255b. When the mail has been transmitted properly, a message that transmission has been completed appears as shown in FIG. 10B, and then the demo screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. In a case where, for example, the name inputted in theaddress field 255b is not registered in thehall computer 40, the mail is not transmitted. Instead, a message urging theplayer 103 to review the destination address appears as shown in FIG. 10C. Then, the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed again.
• Thegaming machine 10 that has received a mail from thehall computer 40 displays on its liquid crystal monitor 25 contents of the mail and a name of aplayer 103 who transmitted the mail.
• Next, acounter 30 will be described.
• As shown in FIG. 3, thecounter 30 has amain body 30a and aticket issuer 30b which are formed as a unit and placed adjacent to each other. A controller 80 (see FIG. 5) which is provided inside themain body 30a controls thecounter 30. Themain body 30a has a case-like shape and includes therein amedal receiver 31 and a counting passage (not shown). Themedal receiver 31 opens in a top face of themain body 30a. The counting passage aligns medals in themedal receiver 31. Amedal sensor 31S is provided in themedal receiver 31 and connected to thecontroller 80. Themedal sensor 31S detects a medal which is passing through the counting passage, and transmits a detection signal to thecontroller 80. Based on the detection signal thus fed from themedal sensor 31S, thecontroller 80 counts medals inserted into themedal receiver 31.
• Themain body 30a also has, in its upper part, aCCD camera 32, a number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33, and areceipt issuing button 34. TheCCD camera 32 shoots acounting person 104 who is using thecounter 30. The number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33 indicates the number of all medals inserted. No description will be given to theCCD camera 32, because it has the same construction as that of the above-describedCCD camera 24. TheCCD camera 32, the number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33, and thereceipt issuing button 34 are respectively connected to the controller 80 (see FIG. 5).
• As shown in FIG. 3, theticket issuer 30b is placed adjacent to and formed as a unit with themain body 30a. Theticket issuer 30b has a case-like shape and areceipt discharge opening 35,provided on a front face thereof. A printing unit 36 (see FIG. 5) that is connected to thecontroller 80 is provided inside theticket issuer 30b. Theprinting unit 36 includes a printing section that performs a printing on a receipt (not shown), and a discharging section that discharges the printed receipt out through thereceipt discharge opening 35. Upon a pressing of thereceipt issuing button 34, a receipt on which a result of counting is printed is discharged through thereceipt discharge opening 35.
• Thecontroller 80 is formed of a microcomputer, and includes aCPU 81, aRAM 82, aROM 83, and acommunicator 84. TheROM 83 stores therein a program shown in FIG. 19, data, and the like. TheRAM 82 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the program is being executed, and the like. TheCPU 81 enables execution of the program stored in theROM 83. Thecommunicator 84 enables data communication with thehall computer 40.
• Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given to an electrical construction of thehall computer 40 which is data-communicably connected to each of thegaming machines 10 and thecounters 30.
• Acontroller 90 of thehall computer 40 is formed of a microcomputer, and includes aCPU 91 that can execute programs shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, aRAM 92, aROM 93, and acommunicator 94. TheROM 93 stores therein programs shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, data, and the like. TheRAM 92 temporarily stores therein data to be used while the programs are being executed, and the like. TheCPU 91 enables execution of the programs stored in theROM 93. Thecommunicator 94 enables data communication with thegaming machines 10 and thecounters 30.
• An operatingunit 95, adisplay 96, and amass storage 97 are connected to thecontroller 90. The operatingunit 95 includes a keyboard and a mouse for example, and used for inputting a processing instruction, a name of astaff 105, and the like. Thedisplay 96 such as a CRT monitor displays states of theplayers 103 and states of thegaming machines 10, and notifies thestaff 105 of fraud in accordance with results of processings which will be described later. Thestorage 97 stores therein a player data table (see FIG. 11), a gaming machine data table (see FIG. 12), and a staff data table (see FIG. 13). Thecontroller 90 retrieves data from the data tables, creates new data, rewrites data, and so on.
• As shown in FIG. 11, the player data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to theplayers 103 each having completed the registration. Each data set is made up of face image data of acorresponding player 103, a name of theplayer 103, a machine number of agaming machine 10 theplayer 103 is using, and game status data. In the player data table, the machine number and the game status data are rewritten in accordance with data received from thegaming machines 10.
• As shown in FIG. 12, the gaming machine data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to thegaming machines 10. Each data set is made up of a machine number of acorresponding gaming machine 10, face image data of aplayer 103 who is using thegaming machine 10, and game status data. In the gaming machine data table, the player's face image data and the game status data are rewritten in accordance with data received from thegaming machines 10.
• As shown in FIG. 13, the staff data table stores therein data sets respectively corresponding to thestaffs 105 who are present in thehall 101. Each data set is made up of face image data of acorresponding staff 105 and a name of thestaff 105.
• Next, operations of themain body 10a of thegaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.
• First, thecontroller 60 of themain body 10a performs a game-starting initialization (A1) to initialize memory contents of theRAM 62, communication data, and the like. Then, thecontroller 60 erases predetermined memory contents of theRAM 62 which were stored at the end of a game (A2). More specifically, thecontroller 60 erases data from a "writable area" of theRAM 62 which was used in the previous game, writes a parameter necessary for a next game into the writable area of theRAM 62, designates a start address for a sequence program of the next game, and the like.
• Then, thecontroller 60 determines whether a game start permission signal is received from themedal lending device 10b (A3). As will be detailed later with reference to FIG. 18, themedal lending device 10b transmits the game start permission signal under a condition that an ID card is inserted into thecard insertion slot 26b and also that face image data stored in the ID card is identical to face image data obtained from a shooting by theCCD camera 24. When the game start permission signal has not been received (A3: NO), thecontroller 60 waits until it receives the signal. When the game start permission signal has been received (A3: YES), the processing proceeds to A4.
• In A4, thecontroller 60 waits until it receives a signal from the inserted-medal sensor 13S or theBET button 11. Then, thecontroller 60 determines whether thestart lever 6 is operated, that is, whether it receives a command signal for starting a game (A5). Thecontroller 60 waits until thestart lever 6 is operated. When thestart lever 6 is operated (A5: YES), thecontroller 60 samples a random number for lottery (A6). Then, thecontroller 60 checks a game mode for the current game (A7). More specifically, thecontroller 60 sets a game mode for the current game to any of the BB base game mode, the RB game mode, and the base game mode, and transmits the set game mode to themedal lending device 10b.
• Subsequently, an internal win is determined by executing a probability lottery processing (A8). Then, a stop table group that corresponds to the determined internal win is selected (A9). Then, thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated using the stop table group thus selected (A10).
• Then, rotations of thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped (A11). More specifically, at a timing when thestop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed or at a timing when an automatic stop timer indicates "0", the number of sliding frames is determined based on the stop table selected in A9 and on a reel position at the stop operation. The number of sliding frames means the number of symbols that moves within thedisplay windows 4L, 4C, and 4R after thestop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pressed and before thereels 3L, 3C, 3R are actually stopped. Thereby, thereel 3L, 3C, 3R that corresponds to the pressedstop button 7L, 7C, 7R is rotated so as to slide the determined number of frames, and then stopped.
• Next, a win is determined (A12). More specifically, a win type is determined based on a combination of symbols of thereels 3L, 3C, and 3R that are stopped on thecenter line 8c. Then, medals depending on the determined win are credited or paid out (A13). Here, the number of medals to be acquired depending on the determined win is indicated by the number-of-acquired-medals indicator 18. Depending on an operation of the C/P button made by the player, the acquired medals are credited or all medals that have already been acquired are paid out through themedal payout opening 15. When paying out medals,controller 60 transmits the number of medals paid out to themedal lending device 10b. When the medals are credited, the credited medals can be bet for a next game by pressing theBET button 11 in the next game. In A13, under a condition that the win determined in A12 was the BB or RB, the game mode shifts to the BB base game mode or the RB game mode.
• Next, determined is whether the current game mode is the bonus game mode, that is, whether the current game mode is the BB base game mode or the RB game mode (A14). When the current game mode is neither the BB base game mode nor the RB game mode (A14: NO), the processing returns to A2. When the current game mode is the BB base game mode or the RB game mode (A14: YES), thecontroller 60 checks the number of games which should be played in the BB base game mode or the RB game mode (A15). More specifically, thecontroller 60 checks how many times a shifting to the RB game mode was made, how many games are set in the BB base game mode, how many times a win was made in the RB game mode, and how many games are set in the RB game mode.
• Next, determined is whether the bonus game mode should be ended (A16). More specifically, when, in the third RB game mode after the BB was won, 8 wins are made or 12 games are played, or when, in the BB base game mode, 30 games are played, it is determined that the bonus game mode should be ended. When, in the RB game mode after the RB was won as a result of a combination of "Red 7 - Red 7 - Blue 7" appearing on the activated line, 8 wins are made or 12 games are played, it is determined that the bonus game mode' should be ended. When it is determined that the bonus game mode should not be ended (A16: NO), the processing returns to A2. When it is determined that the bonus game mode should be ended (A16: YES), the bonus game mode is ended (A17), and the game mode shifts to the base game mode. Then, the processing returns to A2.
• Next, operations of themedal lending device 10b of thegaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.
• First, thecontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b displays the demo screen of FIG. 7 on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (B1). Then, thecontroller 70 determines whether, in the demo screen, any button other than the "DEMO"button 252a shown in the functionselect area 251a is touched or not (B2). When theplayer 103 touches the "DEMO"button 252a or does not touch any button, it is determined that a button other than the "DEMO"button 252a is not touched (B2: NO), and the processing returns to B1 so that the demo screen remains displayed on theliquid crystal display 25.
• When theplayer 103 touches a button other than the "DEMO"button 252a (B2: YES), then thecontroller 70 determines whether the "REGISTER"button 252b is touched or not (B3). When it is determined that the "REGISTER"button 252b is touched (B3: YES), the register screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 and then a registration processing of FIG. 16 is executed (B5).
• In the registration processing, first, whether in the register screen a name has been inputted or not is determined (C1). More specifically, determined are whether a name of theplayer 103 has been inputted in thefield 254b shown in FIG. 8 and then the "OK"button 254c shown in FIG. 8 has been touched or not. When a name has not been inputted (C1: NO), whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the register screen was displayed or not is determined (C13). When the predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed (C13: NO), the processing returns to C1. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed (C13: YES), the processing exits from this routine and returns to B1 of FIG. 15 so that the demo screen is displayed.
• When a name has been inputted (C1: YES), the "SHOOT"button 254d in the register screen becomes selectable (C2). Then, whether the "SHOOT"button 254d has been touched or not is determined (C3). When the "SHOOT"button 254d has not been touched (C3: NO), thecontroller 70 waits until the "SHOOT"button 254d is touched. When the "SHOOT"button 254d has been touched (C3: YES), theCCD camera 24 shoots the player 103 (C4). More specifically, the CCD camera is constantly transmitting image data of theplayer 103 to thecontroller 70, and the image data is temporarily stored in an image RAM (not shown) of thecontroller 70. At a timing when the "SHOOT"button 254d is touched, thecontroller 70 reads the image data out of the image RAM.
• Subsequently, thecontroller 70 extracts a face region of theplayer 103 from the read image data by a known method, and generates face image data of the player 103 (C5). More specifically, in an example, thecontroller 70 firstly determines whether a color tone and a gradation of each pixel are within a predetermined skin-color range, and extracts a skin-color region. Then, thecontroller 70 extracts a face region from the skin-color region by removing from the skin-color region parts different from a face region based on their sizes and shapes. Data on the face region extracted in this manner is the face image data.
• Then, thecontroller 70 reads a machine number out of the ROM 73 (C6). In C7, thecontroller 70 transmits to thehall computer 40 the machine number read out in C6 and registry data which includes the inputted name and the face image data generated in C5. Thecontroller 70 then determines whether it has received from the hall computer 40 a notification about the registration or not (C8). When the notification has not been received (C8: NO), thecontroller 70 waits until it receives the notification.
• When the notification has been received (C8: YES), thecontroller 70 determines whether a registration has been completed or not based on the notification received (C9). In a case where a name inputted in thename field 254b has already been registered in thehall computer 40 or in a case where the face image data obtained from the shooting has already been registered in thehall computer 40, a notification of non-registerability is received (C9: NO), and a message that the name has already been registered or a message that theplayer 103 has already been registered appears as shown in FIG. 9B or 9C (C12). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to B1. of FIG. 15 in which the demo screen is displayed. Alternatively, it is also possible that the register screen of FIG. 8 is displayed.
• When thecontroller 70 receives a notification that the registration has been completed (C9: YES), a message that the registration has been completed appears as shown in FIG. 9A (C10). Then, a new ID card with an IC chip which stores therein the registry data including the name and the face image data is issued out through thecard issuing slot 26a (C11). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to B1 of FIG. 15 in which the demo screen is displayed.
• In a case where thecontroller 70 has failed to generate face image data in C5, a message advising theplayer 103 to shoot himself/herself again may appear on theliquid crystal monitor 25. This can ensure that face image data of theplayer 103 is generated.
• Referring to FIG. 15 again, when it is determined that the "REGISTER"button 252b is not touched (B3: NO), thecontroller 70 determines that the "MAIL"button 252c is touched, and displays the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (B6). Then, a mail transmission processing of FIG. 17 is executed (B7).
• In the mail transmission processing, first, thecontroller 70 determines whether in the mail transmission screen the "TRANSMISSION"button 255d has been touched or not (D1). When the "TRANSMISSION"button 255d has not been touched (D1: NO), thecontroller 70 waits until the "TRANSMISSION"button 255d is touched. When the "TRANSMISSION"button 255d has been touched (D1: YES), thecontroller 70 then determines whether a destination address has been inputted in theaddress field 255b or not (D2). When a destination address has not been inputted (D2: NO), the processing returns to D1. In this case, a massage advising theplayer 103 to input a destination address may appear on theliquid crystal monitor 25. When a destination address is has been inputted (D2: YES), thecontroller 70 transmits mail data to the hall computer 40 (D3). The mail data includes a machine number of thegaming machine 10 and contents inputted in theaddress field 255b and themessage field 255c.
• Thecontroller 70 determines whether it has received from the hall computer 40 a notification about the transmission of mail or not (D4). When the notification has not been received (D4: NO), thecontroller 70 waits until it receives the notification. When the notification has been received (D4: YES), thecontroller 70 determines whether a main transmission has been completed or not based on the notification received from the hall computer 40 (D5). In a case where, for example, the name inputted in theaddress field 255b has not been registered in thehall computer 40, a mail transmission is uncompleted (D5: NO). In this case, a message advising theplayer 103 to review the destination address appears as shown in FIG. 10C (D7), and the mail preparation screen of FIG. 10A is displayed again (D8). Then, the processing returns to D1. When a mail transmission is completed (D5: YES), a message that a mail has been transmitted appears as shown in FIG. 10B (D6), and the processing exits from this routine. The processing then returns to B1 of FIG. 15 in which the demo screen is displayed.
• Thecontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b executes the main routine of FIG. 15, while it also executes a player authentication processing of FIG. 18 under the condition where an ID card is inserted into thecard insertion slot 26b. The authentication processing is being continuously executed while an ID card is being inserted into thecard insertion slot 26b.
• In the player authentication processing, first, thecontroller 70 reads face image data out of an IC chip of an inserted ID card (E1). The data thus read out is temporarily stored in theRAM 72. Then, theCCD camera 24 shoots a player (E2), and face image data is generated in the same manner as described above (E3). In E4, thecontroller 70 compares the face image data read out of the ID card in E1 with the face image data generated in E3. Then, thecontroller 70 determines whether these two pieces of face image data are identical or not (E5). More specifically, in E4, thecontroller 70 calculates a similarity between the two pieces of face image data by a known method. In E5, when the similarity calculated in E4 is equal to or more than a threshold value it is determined that the two pieces of face image data are identical, and when the similarity is less than the threshold value it is determined that the two pieces of face image data are not identical.
• When the pieces of face image data are not identical (E5: NO), thecontroller 70 determines that theplayer 103 who is currently trying to play a game in thegaming machine 10 is not identical to a player who is registered in the ID card. Thus, thecontroller 70 forces the ID card out from thecard insertion slot 26b (E10), and the processing exits from this routine. That is, in this case theplayer 103 cannot start a game.
• When the pieces of face image data are identical (E5: YES), thecontroller 70 transmits a game start permission signal to themain body 10a of the gaming machine 10 (E6). Then, thecontroller 70 reads a machine number and game status data out of the RAM 72 (E7). In E8, thecontroller 70 transmits to thehall computer 40 authentication data, which includes the face image data generated in E3 and the machine number and the game status data read out in E7.
• In E9, thecontroller 70 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed or not since theCCD camera 24 previously shot theplayer 103. When the predetermined period of time has not yet elapsed (E9: NO), thecontroller 70 waits until the predetermined period of time elapses. When the predetermined period of time has elapsed (E9: YES), the processing returns to E2 and the above-described operations are repeated.
• When thecard eject button 26c is pressed, the ID card is ejected from thecard insertion slot 26b (E10), and the processing exits from this routine.
• It may also be possible to, when the ID card is ejected from thecard insertion slot 26b (E10), force the game mode into the base game mode even during the bonus game mode. As a result, even when theplayer 103 quits a game in the bonus game mode, anotherplayer 103 cannot take over the game and thus cannot dishonestly acquire medals.
• Next, operations of thecounter 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 19.
• Thecontroller 80 of thecounter 30 firstly determines, based on a detection signal transmitted from themedal sensor 31S, whether a medal or medals is/are inserted into themedal receiver 31 or not (F1). When no medal is inserted (F1: NO), thecontroller 80 waits until a medal is inserted. When a medal or medals is/are inserted (F1: YES), thecontroller 80 counts the medal(s) that have been inserted into themedal receiver 31, based on the detection signal transmitted from themedal sensor 31S. Then, thecontroller 80 displays a result of the counting on the number-of-inserted-medals indicator 33 (F2).
• Then, theCCD camera 32 shoots a counting person 104 (F3), and generates face image data in the same manner as described above (F4). In F5, thecontroller 80 transmits to the hall computer 40 a medal count data, which corresponds to the result of the counting performed in F2, and the face image data of thecounting person 104 which was generated in F4. Then, thecontroller 80 determines whether thereceipt issuing button 34 is pressed or not (F6). When thereceipt issuing button 34 is not pressed (F6: NO), thecontroller 80 waits until thereceipt issuing button 34 is pressed. When thereceipt issuing button 34 is pressed (F6: YES), thecontroller 80 drives the printing section and the discharging section of theprinting unit 36, so that the result of counting the medals is printed on a receipt which is then discharged through the receipt discharge opening 35 (F7). Then, the processing returns to F1, and the above-described operations are repeated.
• Next, operations of thehall computer 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 20.
• Thecontroller 90 of thehall computer 40 firstly determines whether registry data is received from any one of themedal lending devices 10b or not (S1). When registry data is received (S1: YES), thecontroller 90 executes a registration processing of FIG. 21 (S2).
• In the registration processing, first, thecontroller 90 determines whether a name included in the received registry data is registered in the player data table stored in thestorage 97 or not (S101). When the name is registered (S101: YES), thecontroller 90 transmits a notification of non-registerability to themedal lending device 10b that has transmitted the registry data (S109). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9B appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of themedal lending device 10b. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• When the name included in the received registry data is not registered (S101: NO), thecontroller 90 then determines whether face image data included in the registry data is registered in the player data table stored in thestorage 97 or not (S102). More specifically, thecontroller 90 compares a local image of the face image data included in the received registry data with a local image of face image data included in each data set stored in the player data table. When thecontroller 90 finds identical face image data, it determines that the face image data is registered.
• When the face image data is registered (S102: YES), thecontroller 90 determines that aplayer 103 who is attending to the current registration has already been registered, and transmits a notification of non-registerability to themedal lending device 10b that has transmitted the registry data (S107). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9C appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of themedal lending device 10b. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• When the face image data is not registered (S102: NO), thecontroller 90 registers aplayer 103 based on the received registry data and the machine number received together with the registry data (S103). More specifically, thecontroller 90 creates a new data set in the player data table stored in thestorage 97. Then, thecontroller 90 transmits a notification that the registration has been completed to thegaming machine 10 that is a sender of the registry data (S104). In this case, the message shown in FIG. 9A appears on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of themedal lending device 10b, and an ID card is issued.
• Then, based on the received machine number, thecontroller 90 retrieves, from the gaming machine data table stored in thestorage 97, a data set corresponding to thegaming machine 10 that is a sender of the registry data (S105). Face image data included in the retrieved data set is rewritten into the face image data included in the received registry data, and game status data included in the data set is reset (S106). Here, resetting the game status data means setting the number of payout medals to zero. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• Referring to FIG. 20 again, when thecontroller 90 does not receive registry data (S1: NO), then thecontroller 90 determines whether authentication data is received from any of themedal lending devices 10b (S3). When authentication data is received (S3: YES), thecontroller 90 executes a player data table updating processing of FIG. 22 (S4).
• In the player data table updating processing, first, thecontroller 90 determines whether face image data included in the received authentication data is registered in the player data table stored in thestorage 97 or not (S201). When the face image data included in the received authentication data is registered (S201: YES), thecontroller 90 retrieves a corresponding data set from the player data table (S202). Thecontroller 90 determines whether a machine number included in the retrieved data set is identical to a machine number included in the received authentication data (5203).
• When they are not identical (S203: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that theplayer 103 has moved to anothergaming machine 10, and rewrites the machine number included in the retrieved data set into the machine number included in the received authentication data (S204). Subsequently, thecontroller 90 rewrites game status data included in the retrieved data set into game status data included in the received authentication data (S205).
• When they are identical (S203: YES), thecontroller 90 determines that theplayer 103 has not moved to anyother gaming machine 10, i.e., has been staying at thesame gaming machine 10, and rewrites game status data alone included in the retrieved data set (S205).
• After S205, thecontroller 90 notifies astaff 105 that data stored in thestorage 97 have been updated, by means of the display 96 (S207). Then, the processing exits from this routine.
• When the face image data included in the received authentication data is not registered in the player data table (S201: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that there is high possibility of occurrence of an error or fraud by theplayer 103. This is because face image data of theplayer 103 is not registered in the player data table of thehall computer 40 although themedal lending device 10b determines that face image data registered in the ID card and face image data obtained from a shooting are identical (see E5 of FIG. 18). Therefore, through thedisplay 96, thecontroller 90 notifies thestaff 105 that fraud or an error has occurred (S206), and the processing exits from this routine.
• Like this, face image data of theplayer 103 is checked twice. Specifically, themedal lending device 10b compares face image data obtained from a shooting by theCCD camera 24 with face image data registered in an ID card, and in addition thehall computer 40 subsequently examines whether the face image data is registered in the player data table or not. As a result, authentication accuracy is improved to more easily prevent occurrence of an error or fraud by a player.
• After S4, thecontroller 90 executes a gaming machine data table updating processing of FIG. 23 (S5). In the gaming machine data table updating processing, first, thecontroller 90 retrieves from the gaming machine data table a data set that corresponds to a machine number included in the received authentication data (S301). Thecontroller 90 determines whether face image data included in the retrieved data set is identical to face image data included in the received authentication data (S302). When they are not identical (S302: NO), thecontroller 90 determines based on game status data included in the retrieved data set whether a game mode currently adopted in thegaming machine 10 is any of the BB base game mode and the RB game mode (S303).
• When the current game mode is neither the BB base game mode nor the RB game mode (S303: NO), thecontroller 90 rewrites face image data included in the retrieved data set into face image data included in the received authentication data and at the same time resets the game status data included in the data set (S304).
• When face image data included in the retrieved data set and face image data included in the received authentication data are identical (S302: YES), the controller determines that thesame player 103 continues playing a game in thegaming machine 10, and rewrites the game status data alone into game status data included in the received authentication data (S306).
• After S304 or S306, thecontroller 90 notifies astaff 105 that data stored in thestorage 97 have been updated, by means of the display 96 (S307). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• When the current game mode is the BB base game mode or the RB game mode (S303: YES), the controller determines that aplayer 103 playing in thegaming machine 10 has been replaced in a bonus game mode, and notifies astaff 105 of replacement by means of the display 96 (S305). As a result, while aplayer 103 who plays a game in the bonus game mode is temporarily leaving agaming machine 10, another player cannot resume the game in thegaming machine 10. Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• Referring to FIG. 20 again, when authentication data is not received from any of themedal lending devices 10b (S3: NO), thecontroller 90 determines whether medal count data is received from any of thecounters 30 or not (S6). When medal count data is received (S6: YES), thecontroller 90 executes a counting person monitoring processing of FIG. 24 (S7).
• In the counting person monitoring processing, first, thecontroller 90 determines whether face image data, which has been received together with the medal count data from thecounter 30, is registered or not in the player data table stored in the storage 97 (S401). When the face image data is registered (S401: YES), a data set corresponding to the face image data is retrieved from the player data table (S402). Then, thecontroller 90 compares the number of payout medals that is included in the retrieved data set with the received medal count data (S403), and then determines whether they are identical or not (S404). When they are identical (S404: YES), it is deemed to be normal and thus the processing exits from this routine. When they are not identical (S404: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that, for example, there is high possibility that thecounting person 104 who is using thecounter 30 has dishonestly brought medals in from the outside. Therefore, through thedisplay 96, thecontroller 90 notifies thestaff 105 of occurrence of fraud (S406). Then, the processing exits from this routine.
• In a case where, in S403, the number of medals counted by thecounter 30, which is expressed by the received medal count data, is smaller than the number of medals paid out of thegaming machine 10, which means the number of payout medals included in the retrieved data set, it may be considered that, for example, theplayer 103 after finishing a game has dropped some of his/her medals while he/she was carrying the medals from thegaming machine 10 to thecounter 30. This is not fraud. In this case, therefore, in S404 thecontroller 30 may determine that the number of payout medals and the result of counting medals are identical.
• When the face image data received from thecounter 30 is not registered in the player data table (S401: NO), then thecontroller 90 determines whether the face image data is registered in the staff data.table stored in thestorage 97 or not (S405). When the face image data is registered in the staff data table (S405: YES), thecontroller 90 determines that astaff 105 counts medals in thecounter 30 on behalf of theplayer 103, and the processing exits from this routine. When the face image data is not registered in the staff data table (S405: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that someone other than theplayer 103 nor thestaff 105 is using thecounter 30, which is therefore notified to thestaff 105 through the display 96 (S406). Then, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• Like this, by determining whether face image data obtained by shooting acounting person 104 who is using thecounter 30 is registered in thestorage 97 of thehall computer 40 or not in S401, thecontroller 90 can check whether the countingperson 104 has actually played a game and acquired the medals by himself/herself or not. This can prevent acounting person 104 from practicing fraud with thecounter 30. In addition, the number of medals counted by thecounter 30, which is expressed by the received medal count data, is compared with the number of medals paid out of thegaming machine 10, which means the number of medals included in the retrieved data set (S403). Thereby, thecontroller 90 can check whether acounting person 104 has dishonestly brought medals in or not.
• Referring to FIG. 20 again, when medal count data is not received from any of the counters 30 (S6: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that a mail data is received from any of themedal lending devices 10b and executes a mail transmission/reception processing of FIG. 25 (S8).
• In the mail transmission/reception processing, first, thecontroller 90 specifies a name of aplayer 103 who has transmitted a mail, based on a machine number included in the received mail data (S501). More specifically, thecontroller 90 retrieves, from the gaming machine data table stored in thestorage 97, a data set corresponding to the machine number included in the received mail data, and specifies a name based on the data set.
• Then, thecontroller 90 determines whether the name specified in S501 is registered in the player data table or not (S502). When the name is not registered (S502: NO), thecontroller 90 determines that a sender of the mail does not exist, and transmits a notification of transmission error to agaming machine 10 that is a sender of the mail (S507). In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 10C is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of amedal lending device 10b included in thegaming machine 10. Thus, the processing exits from this routine.
• When the name specified in S501 is registered in the player data table (S502: YES), thecontroller 90 retrieves a data set corresponding to the name from the player data table (S503), and specifies a machine number included in the data set (S504). Then, thecontroller 90 transmits the mail data to agaming machine 10 that is assigned to the specified machine number, i.e., that is a destination of the mail (S505). Then, thecontroller 90 transmits a notification that a mail transmission has been completed to thegaming machine 10 that is a sender of the mail (S506). In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 of themedal lending device 10b included in thegaming machine 10. Thus, the processing exits from this routine, and returns to S1 of FIG. 20.
• In this embodiment, as thus far described above, in a case where face image data formed based on a shooting by theCCD camera 24 of themedal lending device 10b has already been registered in the hall computer 40 (S201: YES) and in addition a machine number corresponding to the face image data is not identical to a machine number included in authentication data received from themedal lending device 10b (S203: NO), thecontroller 90 rewrites a machine number (S204). That is, each time aplayer 103 changes agaming machine 10, contents of thestorage 97 of thehall computer 40 are accordingly rewritten. Then, when a mail which is addressed to a name is transmitted from amedal lending device 10b to thehall computer 40, thehall computer 40 transmits the mail based on a machine number that is associated with the name with reference to thestorage 97. Accordingly, when aplayer 103 wants to communicate with anotherplayer 103, he/she does not have to know whichgaming machine 10 anotherplayer 103 is using now, but has only to transmit a mail addressed to a name of anotherplayer 103, so as to transmit the mail to anotherplayer 103 thus communicating with anotherplayer 103. In addition, aplayer 103 can concentrate on a game because he/she does not have to exert an effort to always know whichgaming machine 10 his/her communicatee is using now.
• In S401, whether a face image data of acounting person 104 resulting from an imaging by theCCD camera 32 of thecounter 30 is registered in the player data table within thestorage 97 or not is determined. Thereby, whether the countingperson 104 who is counting a game value on thecounter 30 has actually played a game in agaming machine 10 or not can be determined. Accordingly, even though, for example, medals acquired by a player is brought out by a dishonest stranger who then attempts counting the medals on thecounter 30, whether the countingperson 104 is counting medals he/she has acquired by himself/herself as a result of actually playing a game or not can be determined. This can prevent fraud in thecounter 30, without requiring a monitoring by astaff 105.
• Moreover, in S403, the number of medals counted by thecounter 30 is compared with the number of medals paid out by thehopper 69 of agaming machine 10. When they are not identical (S404: NO), astaff 105 is notified of occurrence of fraud through the display 96 (S406). Even when a face image data of acounting person 104 is stored in thestorage 97, the above-described comparison is made, to determine whether the countingperson 104 dishonestly acquired medals or not. This can more effectively prevent fraud in thecounter 30.
• Further, thestorage 97 of thehall computer 40 stores therein the staff data table (see FIG. 13) including a face image data of eachstaff 105. In S405, whether a face image data of acounting person 104 received from thecounter 30 is registered in the staff data table or not is determined. This tells whether a person who is counting medals on thecounter 30 is astaff 105 or not.
• As long as an ID card is kept inserted in thecard insertion slot 26b, aplayer 103 is shot at predetermined intervals (E9 and E2), and face image data thus generated is outputted to thehall computer 40. Accordingly, even when aplayer 103 has changed during a game, it can immediately be detected. For example, if, while aplayer 103 who plays a game in the bonus game mode is temporarily leaving agaming machine 10, anotherplayer 103 resumes the game in thegaming machine 10 without permission, this fraud can immediately be detected.
• If the player authentication processing (see FIG. 18) utilizes face image data of aplayer 103 which is registered in thehall computer 40, the authentication processing' cannot be executed when a trouble occurs in a network that connects therespective gaming machines 10 to thehall computer 40 or when a data table, etc., stored in thehall computer 40 is erased. In this embodiment, on the other hand, face image data formed based on a shooting by theCCD camera 24 are not transmitted from themedal lending device 10b to thehall computer 40. Instead, eachmedal lending device 10b itself authenticates aplayer 103 by comparing face image data stored in an ID card with face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera 24 (E4). Thus, in this embodiment, the authentication processing is reliably executed even when the above-mentioned troubles occur.
• Themore players 103 are registered, the more volume of data must be recorded in thehall computer 40, which may cause a lot of trouble with data management. In this embodiment, on the other hand, registry data is stored in an ID card which is owned by eachplayer 103, so that data management can easily be done.
• In the above-described embodiment, theCCD camera 24 is mounted on themedal lending device 10b, so that theCCD camera 24 shoots, in an oblique direction, aplayer 103 who is sitting in front of themain body 10a. However, it may be possible that themain body 10a is provided with aCCD camera 124 as shown in FIG. 26. In this case, an image obtained is a front image of aplayer 103 resulting from a shooting by theCCD camera 124. This gives improved reliability to a shooting result by theCCD camera 124, and therefore an authentication error does not easily occur, so as to improve authentication accuracy. Alternatively, it may also be possible that theCCD camera 24 is mounted on a device that is separate from both of themain body 10a and themedal lending device 10b.
• A device that images aplayer 103 is not limited to theCCD camera 24, but may for example be a CMOS camera or any other cameras.
• Themain body 10a and themedal lending device 10b of thegaming machine 10 may be controlled by a single controller.
• In the counting person monitoring processing executed by the hall computer 40 (see FIG. 24), it may be possible that thehall computer 40 transmits a signal to thecounter 30 so as to prevent theticket issuer 30b from issuing a receipt in a case where face image data obtained from a shooting by theCCD camera 32 is not registered in the player data table (S401: NO) or in a case where the received medal count data is not identical to the number of payout medals included in the retrieved data set (S404: NO). This can prevent fraud in thecounter 30.
• It may be possible that an ID card insertion slot is formed in thecounter 30, in order that thecontroller 80 of thecounter 30 can compare face image data read out of the ID card with face image data obtained from a shooting by the CCD camera. Further, it may be possible that not only the registry data but also the number of medals paid out of thegaming machine 10 is stored in an ID card, in order that thecontroller 80 of thecounter 30 can compare the number of payout medals read out of the ID card with a result of counting based on a detection signal from themedal sensor 31S. That is, although in the above-described embodiment thehall computer 40 performs the counting person monitoring processing (see FIG. 24) to detect acounting person 104 practicing fraud, each counter 30 itself may detect acounting person 104 practicing fraud by executing the above-mentioned comparison. This makes it possible for each counter 30 to detect acounting person 104 practicing fraud even when communication with thehall computer 40 is broken by a network trouble, etc.
• Face image data of aplayer 103 is used as the player image data item in the above-described embodiment, but alternatively image data of a certain part, e.g., a nose or an eye, of theplayer 103 other than a face may be used. For example, it may be possible to extract, as the player image data item, a nose or an eye part from image data obtained by theCCD camera 24. A method of generating a player image data item and a method of checking image data are not limited to the ones employed in the above-described embodiment.
• In the above-described embodiment, a mail is transmitted and received through the liquid crystal monitor 25 mounted on themedal lending device 10b. However, this is not limitative. For example, theliquid crystal display 5 of themain body 10a of the gaming machine may serve to transmit and receive a mail.
• The identification data item to which a mail is addressed may either be a real name and a handle name, and alternatively may be anything other than the name, as long as it enables identification of each individual player.
• A notification means is not limited to thedisplay 96 of thehall computer 40 but may be, for example, a portable device which is carried by astaff 105 and through which thestaff 105 is notified of fraud and the like.
• In the above-described embodiment, thecontroller 60 of themain body 10a is connected to thehall computer 40 through thecontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b. However, thecontroller 60 may be directly connected to thehall computer 40. In this case, it may be possible that thecontroller 60 of themain body 10a transmits data received from thecontroller 70 of themedal lending device 10b to thehall computer 40.
• Thegaming machines 10, thecounters 30, and thehall computer 40 may be connected wirelessly.
• Thegaming machine 10 is not limited to a pachi-slot machine, but may be a so-called pinball machine using pinballs. In addition, in thegaming machine 10, a card that stores therein game values given to a player may be used as a game medium. The game value may not only be a medal but also be a coin, a pinball, and the like.
• While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. A server that is data-communicably connected to respective gaming machines and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines, each of the gaming machines having an imaging means that images a player and an input means through which the player inputs his/her identification data item,
   characterized in that the server comprises:

   a storage means that rewritably stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the imaging means, a specifying data item that specifies each of the gaming machines, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another;

   a first determination means that determines, upon every imaging by the imaging means, whether a player image data item resulting from the imaging has been stored in the storage means or not;

   a second determination means that determines, when the first determination means determines that the player image data item resulting from the imaging has been stored in the storage means, whether or not a specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is identical to a specifying data item received, upon every imaging by the imaging means, from a gaming machine that has the imaging means;

   a rewriting means that, when the second determination means determines that the specifying data items are not identical, rewrites the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means into the specifying data item received from the gaming machine;

   a mail reception means that receives from any of the gaming machines a mail addressed to an identification data item; and

   a mail transmission means that transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item to which the mail is addressed.
2. A game system that includes gaming machines and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines, and enables a mail transmission and reception among the gaming machines,
   characterized in that each of the gaming machines comprises:

   a specifying data item storage means that stores therein a specifying data item for specifying the gaming machine itself;

   an imaging means that images a player;

   a player image data item generation means that generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the imaging means;

   an output means that outputs the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means together with the specifying data item;

   an input means through which a player inputs his/her identification data item;

   a mail preparation means that prepares a mail addressed to an identification data item of another player; and

   a mail transmission means that transmits the mail prepared by the mail preparation means,

   characterized in that the server comprises:

   a first reception means that receives the player image data item and the specifying data item outputted from the output means;

   a second reception means that receives the identification data item inputted through the input means;

   a storage means that rewritably stores therein the player image data item, the specifying data item, and the identification data item, in such a manner that these data items are associated with one another;

   a first determination means that determines whether the player image data item received by the first reception means has been stored in the storage means or not;

   a second determination means that determines, when the first determination means determines that the player image data item has been stored in the storage means, whether or not a specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means is identical to the specifying data item received by the first reception means together with the player image data item;

   a rewriting means that, when the second determination means determines that the specifying data items are not identical, rewrites the specifying data item associated with the player image data item in the storage means into the specifying data item received from the gaming machine;

   a mail reception means that receives from any of the gaming machines a mail addressed to an identification data item; and

   a mail transmission means that transmits the mail based on a specifying data item stored in the storage means and associated with the identification data item to which the mail is addressed.
3. A server that is data-communicably connected to a plurality of gaming machines each having a player imaging means that images a player and a payout means that pays out a game value based on a game result, and also data-communicably connected to a counter having a counting means that counts the game value and a counting-person imaging means that images a counting person,
   characterized in that the server comprises:

   a storage means that stores therein a player image data item resulting from an imaging by the player imaging means;

   a retrieval means that retrieves from the storage means a player image data item that is identical to a counting-person image data item resulting from an imaging by the counting-person imaging means; and

   a first notification means that notifies a result of retrieval made by the retrieval means.
4. The server according to claim 3,characterized in that the server further comprises:

   a payout amount data reception means that receives an amount data item of the game value paid out by the payout means;

   a payout amount data storing means that stores, into the storage means, the payout amount data item received by the payout amount data reception means, in such a manner that the payout amount data item is associated with a player image data item;

   a counted amount data reception means that receives an amount data item of the game value counted by the counting means;

   a comparison means that compares the payout amount data item associated with the player image data item retrieved by the retrieval means with the counted amount data item received by the counted amount data reception means; and

   a second notification means that notifies a result of comparison made by the comparison means.
5. The server according to claim 3 or 4,characterized in that:

   the storage means stores therein a manager image data item regarding a manager of the gaming machines; and

   the retrieval means retrieves from the storage means a manager image data item that is identical to a counting-person image data item resulting from an imaging by the counting-person imaging means.
6. A game system that includes a plurality of gaming machines each paying out a game value based on a game result, a counter counting the game value, and a server data-communicably connected to the respective gaming machines and the counter,
   characterized in that each of the gaming machines comprises:

   a player imaging means that images a player;

   a player image data item generation means that generates a player image data item based on a result of an imaging by the player imaging means; and

   a player image data item transmission means that transmits, to the server, the player image data item generated by the player image data item generation means,

   characterized in that the counter comprises:

   a counting-person imaging means that images a counting person;

   a counting-person image data item generation means that generates a counting-person image data item based on a result of an imaging by the counting-person imaging means; and

   a counting-person image data item transmission means that transmits, to the server, the counting-person image data item generated by the counting-person image data item generation means,

   characterized in that the server comprises:

   a player image data item reception means that receives the player image data item transmitted by the player image data item transmission means;

   a storage means that stores therein the player image data item received by the player image data item reception means;

   a counting-person image data item reception means that receives the counting-person image data item transmitted by the counting-person image data item transmission means;

   a retrieval means that retrieves from the storage means a player image data item that is identical to the counting-person image data item received by the counting-person image data item reception means; and

   a notification means that notifies a result of retrieval made by the retrieval means.
7. The game system according to claim 6,characterized in that the player imaging means images a player at predetermined intervals.

Images