Network pachinko system, method for playing network pachinko, recording medium recorded program for executing network pachinko, and apparatus used in implementing network pachinko

Abstract

The present invention provides a pachinko system for playing a virtual pachinko game via a network. A player may obtain a pachinko game program in the form of a CD-ROM or by downloading the same program via a network. When a player activates the pachinko game program on their terminal, the player terminal is automatically linked to the network and starts communicating with a pachinko hall server. The information on the player is registered in the pachinko hall server. A virtual map representing information on each location of pachinko halls and information on unoccupied seats in each pachinko hall is displayed. The player may select one favorite pachinko hall and one preferred pachinko machine. Once the player selects one pachinko machine, an image of the machine is displayed on the screen. When the player starts playing, the player may control the game as with an actual pachinko machine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A network pachinko system for playing a network pachinko being a virtual pachinko game via a network, said network pachinko comprising: 
 a player terminal operated by a pachinko player; and    a pachinko hall server communicatably connected with said player terminal to provide an information on said network pachinko of a pachinko hall,    wherein said pachinko hall server includes; 
 player verification means for verifying said pachinko player,  
 pachinko hall information service means for providing an information on said pachinko hall and/or an information on pachinko machines of said pachinko hall upon request of said player, and  
 pachinko machine determination means for determining a pachinko machine upon request of said player, and  
   said player terminal includes; 
 pachinko hall designation means for selectably designating the pachinko hall,  
 pachinko machine designation means for selectably designating the pachinko machine,  
 pachinko machine operating characteristic setting means for setting an operating characteristic of said designated pachinko machine, and  
 game status display means for displaying the status of pachinko game played by said player using said designated pachinko machine.  
   
     
     
         2 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said game status display means includes means for displaying said designated pachinko machine on a screen of said player terminal, for launching pachinko balls onto a playing field of said displayed pachinko machine upon request of said player, and for displaying the state of said launched pachinko balls on said screen of said player terminal.  
     
     
         3 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pachinko hall server is provided in each of networked pachinko halls on the network.  
     
     
         4 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a program for executing said pachinko game is installed on said player terminal via a recording medium or the network.  
     
     
         5 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said player terminal further includes premise status notification means for notifying the playing status of another pachinko players to said player at any given time when said player playing said pachinko game at said designated pachinko machine.  
     
     
         6 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pachinko machine operating characteristic setting means is arranged to control a launching speed of pachinko balls as needed.  
     
     
         7 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said pachinko hall server further include ball control means for controlling prize balls in any pachinko machines of the pachinko hall associated with said pachinko hall server.  
     
     
         8 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said prize ball control means includes characteristic change means for changing a winning characteristic of prize balls in said pachinko machines of said pachinko hall.  
     
     
         9 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said prize ball control means and said pachinko machines are arranged to periodically transmit an information therebetween, wherein said information is encoded with appropriately changeable codes.  
     
     
         10 . A pachinko network system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said player terminal further includes additional charge means for additionally obtaining pachinko balls and charging them into said designated pachinko machine during playing said pachinko game.  
     
     
         11 . A network pachinko gaming method for playing a network pachinko being a virtual pachinko game via network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 communicatably connecting a player terminal operated by a pachinko player with a pachinko hall server providing an information on said network pachinko of a pachinko hall;    verifying whether the player qualifies for playing said network pachinko;    providing an information on said pachinko hall and/or an information on pachinko machines of said pachinko hall upon request of said qualified player;    determining a pachinko machine upon request of said player;    setting an operating characteristic of said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    virtually charging a given number of pachinko balls into said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    displaying said determined pachinko machine on a screen of said player terminal;    launching the pachinko balls onto a playing field of said displayed pachinko machine upon request of said player; and    displaying the status of said launched pachinko balls on said screen of said player terminal.    
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , which further includes the step of notifying said player the status of remaining balls in said pachinko machine being used by said player.  
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the status of remaining balls is notified by displaying said status on said screen of said player terminal.  
     
     
         14 . A recording medium having a program recorded thereon for executing a network pachinko gaming method for playing a network pachinko being a virtual pachinko game via network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 communicatably connecting a player terminal operated by a pachinko player with a pachinko hall server providing an information on said network pachinko of a pachinko hall;    verifying whether the player qualifies for playing said network pachinko;    providing an information on said pachinko hall and/or an information on pachinko machines of said pachinko hall upon request of said qualified player;    determining a pachinko machine upon request of said player;    setting an operating characteristic of said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    virtually charging a given number of pachinko balls into said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    displaying said pachinko machine on a screen of said player terminal;    launching the pachinko balls onto a playing field of said displayed pachinko machine upon request of said player; and    displaying the status of said launched pachinko balls on said screen of said player terminal.    
     
     
         15 . A pachinko hall server for use in implementing a network pachinko gaming method for playing a network pachinko being a virtual pachinko game via network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 communicatably connecting a player terminal operated by a pachinko player with a pachinko hall server providing an information on said network pachinko of a pachinko hall;    verifying whether the player qualifies for playing said network pachinko;    providing an information on said pachinko hall and/or an information on pachinko machines of said pachinko hall upon request of said qualified player;    determining a pachinko machine upon request of said player;    setting an operating characteristic of said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    virtually charging a given number of pachinko balls into said determined pachinko machine upon request of said player;    displaying said pachinko machine on a screen of said player terminal;    launching the pachinko balls onto a playing field of said displayed pachinko machine upon request of said player; and    displaying the status of said launched pachinko balls on said screen of said player terminal.