Gaming system and method using incoming communications history data for variability

A gaming machine, having image displaying device for displaying an image and operation input device, inputs incoming history data indicating a history of incomings from the outside, generates an execution variable to change a progress of game by use of the inputted incoming history data, and executes a game by use of the generated execution variable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-311629, filed on Sep. 3, 2003; 2004-236736, filed on Aug. 16, 2004 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, GAME SERVER AND GAME PROGRAM” referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-311623, filed in Japan on Sep. 3, 2003; 2004-236733, filed in Japan on Aug. 16, 2004. The co-pending application including specification, drawing and claims are expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, a game supplying system, and a game program, which have a constitution for changing an operation in response to an incoming history.

2. Related Background Art

Heretofore, various gaming machines have been known which are constituted to enable players to enjoy playing games. Among them has been a gaming machine which has reading device for reading a bar code on a bar coded card and executing device for a match-up game played with cards in accordance with information read by the reading device (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-open No.1991-193074:Patent Document 1).

In addition, there has been a gaming machine which has a bar code scanner for reading a bar code printed on bottled and steel canned merchandise and the like, and which is constituted to use information read by the bar code scanner as a bar code for a match-up game (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-open No.1994-238031: Patent Document 2).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As done by the aforementioned gaming machines, when a bar code which has been read is used for execution of a game, a result of the match-up can be changed, and a progress of game can be changed, each time a different bar code is used.

However, in order to change a progress of game and make the change extensive, as many bar codes as possible have to be collected. In this point, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 requires many bar coded cards to be collected, and is troublesome. In addition, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 2 requires not cards but bottled and steel canned merchandise to be collected in a large number and in a variety of kinds. This is not only troublesome, but also adds up costs for purchasing merchandise and the like. If bar coded cards or pieces of merchandise are decreased in number in order to avoid these troubles, variations of a game decrease, and the game is deprived of fun.

With this taken into account, the present invention has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine, a game supplying system, and a game program, which have a constitution for making a progress of game change extensively with saving trouble and reducing costs, and for enabling a user to play an amusing game.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is characterized by a gaming machine having image displaying device for displaying an image and operation input device for performing a operation input of information to be used for the execution of a game, the gaming machine comprises: incoming history data inputting device for inputting incoming history data indicating an incoming history from the outside; execution variable generating unit for generating an execution variable for changing a progress of game by use of the incoming history data inputted by the incoming history data inputting device; and game executing unit for executing a game by use of the execution variable generated by the execution variable generating unit.

Since this gaming machine executes the game by use of the incoming history data which are to be updated from time to time, and whose update timing is irregular, the gaming machine can change a progress of game to an extent of being unpredictable even if the gaming machine remains at a certain position.

In addition, the gaming machine may further comprise incoming history data storing device for storing incoming history data and extracting unit for extracting incoming history data satisfying a predetermined condition out of incoming history data stored in the incoming history data storing device, and the execution variable generating unit may generate an execution variable by use of incoming history data extracted by the extracting unit.

This gaming machine stores incoming history data, and generates an execution variable by use of incoming history data satisfying a predetermined condition out of the stored incoming history data. For this reason, a progress of game can be changed to an extent of being unpredictable even if the number of incomings is large.

The execution variable generating unit may be configured to generate an execution variable by use of a plurality of assistant variables generated through such a procedure that at least one of the plurality of assistant variables is random.

In addition, with regard to this gaming machine, it is preferable that the game executing unit may comprise generating unit for generating, by an execution variable, fortune telling data indicating a result of a fortune telling, and changing unit for making an instruction for changing the displaying of the image on image displaying device by the fortune telling data generated by the generating unit.

In this case, the gaming machine can execute a fortune telling game whose progress changes based on incoming history data.

Furthermore, the game executing unit may comprise: generating unit for generating, by an execution variable, raising data for determining growth contents of an object to be raised; and changing unit for making an instruction for changing the displaying of an image on the image displaying device by the raising data which have been generated by the generating unit.

In this case, the gaming machine can execute a pet raising game whose progress changes based on incoming history data.

The present invention provides a game supplying system which includes: a gaming machine having image displaying device for displaying an image and operation input device for performing an operation input of information to be used for the execution of a game; and an incoming history data supplying machine for supplying incoming history data indicating an incoming history to the gaming machine. The gaming machine inputs the incoming history data supplied from the incoming history data supplying machine. In addition, the gaming machine comprises: execution variable generating unit for generating an execution variable in order to change a progress of game by use of the inputted incoming history data; and game executing unit for executing a game by use of an execution variable generated by the execution variable generating unit.

According to this game system, even if nothing but the gaming machine and the incoming history data supplying machine is available, a game which is so varied that a progress of game is unpredictable can be executed in the gaming machine.

The present invention provides a game supplying system which includes: a gaming machine having image displaying device for displaying an image and operation input device for performing a operation input of information to be used for execution of a game; and an incoming history data supplying machine. The incoming history data supplying machine comprises: communication device for making wire or wireless communications; incoming history data storing device for storing incoming history data indicating a history of an incoming which has been performed by the communication device; output device for outputting the incoming history data to the outside; and control device for reading the incoming history data which has been stored in the incoming history data storing device, and for inputting the incoming history data to the output device. The gaming machine comprises: incoming history data inputting device for inputting the incoming history data supplied from the incoming history data supplying machine; incoming history data storing device for storing the incoming history data inputted by the incoming history data inputting device; extracting unit for extracting incoming history data satisfying a predetermined condition out of the incoming history data stored in the incoming history data storing device; execution variable generating unit for generating an execution variable in order to change a progress of game by use of the incoming history data extracted by the extracting unit; and game executing unit for executing a game by use of the execution variable generated by the execution variable generating unit.

Also, according to this supplying system, even if nothing but the gaming machine and the incoming history data supplying machine is available, a game which is so varied that a progress of game is unpredictable can be executed in the gaming machine.

Additionally, the present invention provides a carrier wave encoding a sequence of instructions for executing a game in a gaming machine including image displaying device for displaying an image and operation input device for performing an operation input of information to be used for the execution of a game, when executed by the gaming machine, cause the gaming machine to perform the steps of: inputting incoming history data indicating an incoming history from the outside; generating an execution variable to change a progress of game by use of the incoming history data; and executing a game by use of the execution variable.

By causing this carrier wave to be stored in the gaming machine, a game which is so varied that a progress of game is unpredictable can be executed in the gaming machine.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will be provided below for an embodiment of a gaming machine, a game supplying system and a game program according to the present invention with reference to drawings.

Here,FIG. 1is a system constitution diagram of an overall game supplying system including a gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, a game supplying system20has a portable gaming machine1and an incoming history data supplying machine21, and is constituted to be capable of connecting the gaming machine1and the incoming history data supplying machine (hereinafter referred to as a “supplying machine”)21through a connecting cable30.

The gaming machine1inputs incoming history data from the supplying machine21through the connecting cable30, and can execute various games by use of the inputted incoming history data. As shown inFIG. 2, the gaming machine1includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)3, a ROM (Read Only Memory)4, a RAM (Random Access Memory)5, an operation input part6, and a liquid crystal display7. In addition, the gaming machine1further includes a data storing part8, a sound conversion processing part9, a data input part10, an input terminal11, and a speaker12.

In the present embodiment, the gaming machine will be described citing an example of the portable gaming machine1. However, the gaming machine1is not limited to a portable one, and may be a desktop one.

The CPU3operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM4. The CPU3performs the controlling of operations of the entire gaming machine1, and operates as each unit which is a feature of the present invention. The ROM4stores a program which the CPU3is to execute. For example, the ROM4stores a game control program for controlling the execution of the game. The RAM5stores data needed for the execution of a program by the CPU3.

The operation input part6has a plurality of operation input buttons, and inputs to the CPU3data which have been inputted through input manipulations of each of the operation input buttons. For example, the operation input part6has operation buttons through which input manipulations needed for execution of a game are performed, and a plurality of character input buttons. The liquid crystal display7has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and its driving part, and is image displaying device for displaying images such as a character, a figure, a symbol and the like. For instance, the liquid crystal display7displays a game executing image to be displayed when executing the game, images of operation contents to be displayed when inputting incoming history data, and the like.

A data storing part8stores a game program and data (hereinafter referred to as “game data”) for executing a game for each game, and furthermore is provided with an incoming history data storing part14, which will be described later. Each set of game data is read from a storage medium, which is not illustrated, and is stored in the data storing part8. A sound conversion processing part9expands sound data and outputs the sound data to a speaker12. A data inputting part10operates in accordance with an instruction from the CPU3, and inputs incoming history data supplied from the supplying machine21. An input terminal11is a terminal for connecting a connecting cable30(specifically an input connector31aof the connecting cable30). The speaker12is sound output device for outputting a sound and a sound to be caused while a game is executed.

An incoming history data storing part14is incoming history data storing device for storing incoming history data (data indicating a history of an incoming which has been performed by a below described communication processing part26of the supplying machine21) to be inputted from the supplying machine21. As shown inFIG. 3, the incoming history data storing part14has incoming history numbers14a, incoming dates and times14band callers' telephone numbers14c, and those are stored in association with each other. A serial number corresponding to the order in which the supplying machine21has generated each piece of incoming history data is stored in the incoming history numbers14a. A date and time on which the supplying machine21has received an incoming is stored in the incoming dates and times14b. A caller's telephone number which is informed by the caller's telephone when the incoming is received is stored in the callers' telephone numbers14c.

As shown inFIG. 1, the supplying machine21comprises an incoming history data storing part22, a control part23, a operation input part24, a liquid crystal display25and a communication processing part26, and supplies incoming history data to the gaming machine1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the supplying machine21is a mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone which makes wireless sound communications, a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) and the like, but the supplying machine21is not limited to such a terminal. In other words, the supplying machine21has the communication processing part26as communication device for making cable or wireless communications, but it suffices if the supplying machine21can generate incoming history data indicating a history of an incoming which the communication device has performed. The supplying machine21may be a fixed telephone, a facsimile, a public telephone, a personal computer, or any other communication machine which is not categorized as these.

The incoming history data storing part22stores incoming history data indicating a history of an incoming which has been performed by the communication processing part26. This incoming history data storing part22has incoming history numbers, incoming dates and times and callers' telephone numbers which store information similar to the aforementioned incoming history numbers14a, incoming dates and times14band callers' telephone numbers14c, and those are stored in association with each other.

The control part23has a ROM and a RAM. The control part23operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM, and controls operations of the entire supplying machine21. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the supplying machine21, and the RAM stores data to be used when the control part23operates. The operation input part24has a plurality of operation input buttons, and enters into the control part23data which have been inputted through input manipulations of each of the operation input buttons. For example, the operation input part24has a plurality of character input buttons, a button for sending a call button, a button for receiving a call and the like.

The liquid crystal display25has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and its driving part, and is image displaying device for displaying images such as a character, a figure, a symbol and the like. For example, the liquid crystal display25displays a telephone number of the communicating counterpart of a user when an outgoing call is made, a present time, an incoming history, a received e-mail, a standby image, and additionally an image such as an output instruction button and the like to be used when an instruction for outputting incoming history data is made. The communication processing part26operates in accordance with an instruction from a CPU31, and performs the transmitting and receiving of data by wireless communication. An output part27inputs incoming history data from the control part23, and outputs the incoming history data from an output terminal, which is not illustrated, to the connecting cable30(the connector31bof the connecting cable30).

The connecting cable30is transferring device for transferring incoming history data, which are outputted from the supplying machine21, to the gaming machine1, and has the connector31awhich is to be connected to the gaming machine1and the connector31bwhich is to be connected to the supplying machine21. In the present embodiment, the connecting cable30is used, and incoming history data which are to be outputted from the supplying machine21are transferred to the gaming machine1by cable communication. However, the incoming history data may be transferred by wireless communication in accordance with Bluetooth or any other communication standard.

Next, a description will be provided for contents of operations by the game supplying system20which has the aforementioned constitution, focusing mainly on an operation procedure of the gaming machine1.FIG. 4is a chart showing in time sequence procedures of operations by a user in the gaming machine1and the supplying machine21to be performed when the supplying machine21supplies incoming history data to the gaming machine1, and contents of the operations in the gaming machine1and the supplying machine21. Incidentally, a longitudinal axis in the middle represents a temporal axis T. In the figure, it is assumed that time elapses from the top to the bottom. In addition, a narrow lined arrow heading from each step to the temporal axis T indicates a procedure of an operation by a user, and a double lined arrow indicates a content of an operation by the gaming machine1or the supplying machine21.

As shown inFIG. 4, first of all, before a user plays a game with the gaming machine1, the user inputs incoming history data from the supplying machine21. In this case, at a time t1, the user connects the input connector31aof the connecting cable30to the input terminal11of the gaming machine1, and connects the output connector31bto the output part27of the supplying machine21.

Next, the user operates the operation input part6in the gaming machine1at a time t2, and makes an instruction for inputting the incoming history data. Then, the CPU3operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM4at a time t3, and causes the data inputting part10to operate to be in a standby mode for waiting for the incoming history data to be inputted.

Then, the user operates the operation input part24in the supplying machine21at a time t4, and makes an instruction for outputting the incoming history data. By this, the control part23operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM, and accesses the incoming history data storing part22to read the stored incoming history data at a time t5. The control part23inputs the read incoming history data to the output part27. The output part27outputs the inputted incoming history data from the output terminal.

Subsequently, at a time t6, when the CPU3detects through the input terminal11that the incoming history data has been inputted in the data inputting part10, the gaming machine1accesses the data storing part8, and causes the incoming history data inputted to the data inputting part10to be stored in the incoming history data storing part14. Through the aforementioned steps, the gaming machine1can input the incoming history data to be supplied from the supplying machine21, and can store the data in the data storing part8.

After the incoming history data are inputted through the aforementioned procedure, the user operates the operation input part6to select a game which he/she intends to play. The gaming machine1stands by until an instruction of a selected game from the user comes. Once the instruction of a selected game comes, the CPU3displays a game menu in the liquid crystal display7. At this time, a game menu screen shown inFIG. 5is displayed in the liquid crystal display7. This game menu screen is a screen for selecting a desired game out of games capable of being executed by the gaming machine1. As shown inFIG. 5, according to the present embodiment, the following 5 games are selectable: “1. fortune telling game, 2. pet raising game, 3. RPG (Role Playing Game), 4. shooting game, 5. match-up game.”

When a user of the gaming machine1selects a desired game (in this case, it is assumed that “1. fortune telling game” is selected) while referring to the game menu screen, the CPU3performs a game process for executing the selected game in accordance with the game control program along a flowchart shown inFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of a game process to be performed in the gaming machine1. Incidentally, step is abbreviated to s inFIG. 6and the below mentionedFIGS. 7 to 9.

Once the CPU3starts the game process, the CPU3proceeds to step1. The CPU3accesses the data storing part8, and performs a process for reading game data which have been stored there. Subsequently, the CPU3proceeds to step2. The CPU3accesses the incoming history data storing part14of the data storing part8, and reads the stored incoming history data. Then, once the CPU3proceeds to step3, the CPU3operates in accordance with a game program included in the game data which have been read in step1, and performs a generating process for an execution variable. Here, the CPU3generates the execution variable, which will be described later, in accordance with a flowchart shown inFIG. 7.

Once the CPU3starts the generating process for an execution variable, the CPU3proceeds to step10shown inFIG. 7. The CPU3operates as extracting unit, and extracts incoming history data satisfying a predetermined condition out of the incoming history data which have been read in step2. Various contents are conceivable as a condition (extracting condition) for extracting incoming history data. In the present embodiment, however, as an example, last twenty pieces of incoming history data (hereinafter these twenty pieces of incoming history data are referred to as a “first object data”) are extracted out of the read incoming history data in order to generate an execution variable for changing a progress of a game (a fortune telling game) which a user has selected. Incidentally, a caller's telephone number (“090-1234-222*” in a case shown inFIG. 3) in the incoming history data which made the most frequent incomings in the first object data is referred to as an “extracted number.”

Then, when the CPU3proceeds to step11, the CPU3operates as execution variable generating unit, and performs the following processing prior to the generating of an execution variable. In other words, the CPU3finds assistant variables A, B, C and D for generating an execution variable X, on a basis of the incoming history data which have been extracted in step10, in accordance with the following procedures 1 to 4.

The assistant variables A, B, C and D are calculated by paying attention to data attributes included in the incoming history data which have been extracted in step10. As is described later, since a result of the execution of a game is changed by an execution variable X, it is preferable that the execution variable X is caused to have an irregular value (random value) in order to diversify a result of the execution of a game and to make a game more amusing. However, since the execution variable X is generated through a certain predetermined procedure, it is preferable that a plurality of assistant variables are prepared, which are generated through a procedure by which at least one of the plurality of assistant variables is random, and that the execution variable X is generated by use of the plurality of assistant variables. Use of such a plurality of assistant variables enables the execution variable X to have a random value if one of the plurality of assistant variables takes up a random value, even if the rest of the plurality of assistant variables take up regular values.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the four assistant variables A, B, C and D are prepared, and each of them is generated through a procedure (the following procedures 1 to 4) by which at least one of the plurality of assistant variables is random. As long as the procedures1to4themselves are performed by the CPU3, all the procedures are predetermined ones. However, the plurality of procedures are combined in order to make a generated assistant variable irregular.

As characteristics of data included in the incoming history data, there are ones of telephones from which a call is sent (a telephone from which a call is made is categorized into a general telephone, a cellular phone, a public telephone and an overseas telephone), a mode of displaying an incoming (whether or not it is a call with a hidden phone number), a date and time of an incoming, a time of an incoming. Incidentally, the below-mentioned procedures 1 to 4 are examples of procedures for generating an execution variable X, and the execution variable may be generated through different procedures. For example, a presence or absence of a call with a hidden phone number and a time of the incoming may be combined in the third procedure.

Procedure 1 (A Procedure for Finding an Assistant Variable A)

If an extracted number represents “a general telephone,” a remainder is found by dividing a number, which is obtained by summing up the last four digit numbers, by 3. Then, A is found by adding 2 to the remainder.

If an extracted number represents “a cellular phone,” a remainder is found by dividing a number, which is obtained by summing up the last four digit numbers, by 3. Then, A is defined as the remainder.

If an extracted number represents “a public telephone,” a remainder is found by dividing a number, which is obtained by summing up the last four digit numbers, by 3. Then, A is found by adding −1 to the remainder.

If an extracted number represents “any other telephone,” a remainder is found by dividing a number, which is obtained by summing up the last four digit numbers, by 3. Then, A is found by adding −2 to the remainder.

In addition, if an extracted number is a caller's telephone number whose data account for more than 10 calls in the last 20 calls, A is found by adding −2 further. A is from −4 to 4.

Procedure 2 (A Procedure for Finding an Assistant Variable B)

Callers' telephone numbers whose incoming history numbers are even are selected out of the first object data. All the fourth digit numbers from the left of the selected callers' telephone numbers (“1” in a case of incoming history data whose caller's telephone number is “090-1234-222*”) are summed up. Then, B1is defined as a remainder which is found by dividing the sum by 6.

Callers' telephone numbers whose incoming history data are the twentieth (the date and time of the incoming call is latest), the tenth, the fifth and the first in the first object data are selected. All the last digit numbers of the selected callers' telephone numbers are summed up. Then, B2is defined as a remainder which is found by dividing the sum by 6.

By this, B (B: 0-11) is defined as a remainder which is found by dividing the sum of B1and B2(B1+B2) by 12.

Procedure 3 (A Procedure for Finding an Assistant Variable C)

If the first object data includes no call with a hidden phone number but an overseas call, C is defined as “2.”

If the first object data includes neither a call with a hidden phone number nor an overseas call, C is defined as “0.”

If the first object data includes both a call with a hidden phone number and an overseas call, C is defined as “1.”

If the first object data includes a call with a hidden phone number but no overseas call, C is defined as “−2.” C is from −2 to 2.

Procedure 4 (A Procedure for Finding an Assistant Variable D)

If there are more then two missed calls, D is defined as “−3.”

If there is only a missed call, D is defined as “−1”.

If there is no missed call, D is defined as “0.” D is from −3 to 0.

After step11is performed, the CPU3proceeds to step12. A calculation in accordance with the below-mentioned conditional expression is made with the assistant variables A, B, C and D which have been found in step11, and thereby an execution variable X (−9 to 17) is generated.

Then, after step12is performed, the generating process for an execution variable is completed. The CPU3proceeds to step4shown inFIG. 6, and performs a game executing process in accordance with the game program. Once the CPU3starts the game executing process, the CPU3performs the process in accordance with a flowchart shown inFIG. 8. Here, a written oracle data which constitute fortune telling data indicating a result of a fortune telling is generated in accordance with the following examination procedure1, in response to the execution variable X.

Examination Procedure 1

When the execution variable X is from −9 to −4: singular ill fortune.

When the execution variable X is from −3 to −1: ill fortune.

When the execution variable X is from 0 to 4: good fortune.

When the execution variable X is from 5 to 9: better fortune.

When the execution variable X is from 10 to 14: the best fortune.

When the execution variable X is from 15 to 17: the very best fortune.

Next, the CPU3proceeds to step14. A process for diagnosing inter-personal relations by the execution variable X is performed, and fortune telling data is generated. Here, inter-personal diagnosis data concerning inter-personal relations of a user is generated as fortune telling data in accordance with the following examination procedure2in response to the execution variable X.

Examination Procedure 2

A user of a telephone whose caller's telephone number has an incoming history number equal to a remainder which is found by dividing the execution variable X by 10 is a “lucky person” from a viewpoint of a user of the gaming machine1.

A user of a telephone whose caller's telephone number has an incoming history number equal to a number which is obtained by adding 10 to a remainder which is found by dividing the execution variable X by 10 is an “unlucky person” from a viewpoint of a user of the gaming machine1.

Then, the CPU3proceeds to step15, and makes an output corresponding to a result of a fortune telling by use of the fortune telling data which has been generated in steps13and14. At this time, the CPU3operates as changing unit, and makes an instruction for changing the displaying of an image or sound outputs based on the fortune telling data. For example, the CPU3instructs the liquid crystal display7to display the fortune telling data (written oracle data and inter-personal diagnosis data) on the LCD. Or else, the CPU3instructs the sound conversion processing part9to output a sound corresponding to the fortune telling data from the speaker12. After step15is performed, the game process shown inFIG. 6is completed.

As described above, in the gaming machine1, the incoming history data is inputted from the outside (the supplying machine21in the present invention), and the execution variable for changing a progress of a game (a fortune telling game in the above description) is generated by use of the incoming history data. A result of the execution of a game by use of the execution variable is obtained, and an image corresponding to fortune telling data indicating the result of the executing of the game is designed to be displayed on the liquid crystal display7(and/or a sound is designed to be outputted from the speaker12). Consequently, with progress contents of a game, a result of the executing of the game is designed to change in response to the incoming history data, and also displayed contents of the liquid crystal display7(and/or contents of a sound output of the speaker12) is designed to change.

Furthermore, the incoming history data which change a result of the execution of a game is updated from time to time, and the update timing is also irregular. In addition, since the incoming history data are usually generated not at the will of a user of the gaming machine1but by an incoming from the communicating counterpart of the user, the will of the user is not reflected, and the predictability is also low. Additionally, since the incoming history data are updated from time to time, a progress of game can be changed to an extent of being unpredictable, and consequently the game can be made amusing. Besides, it suffices if a user gets the supplying machine21and the connecting cable30ready in addition to the gaming machine1. Unlike gaming machines described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 and 2, the gaming machine1can execute a game whose progress changes to an extent of being unpredictable with scores of cards, merchandise and the like being not got ready. To this end, no troubles or costs are required.

In addition, incoming history data are updated randomly, and can not be predicted. For this reason, if a match-up game is executed by use of the incoming history data, the degree of difficulty in winning the match-up game can be made higher. In addition, with regard to the incoming history data, types of the data are not restricted. For this reason, contents which vary in the game can be made wide-ranging compared to a case that determined data are used.

It should be noted that, according to the above description, since the incoming history data have been stored in the incoming history data storing part14and data satisfying a predetermined condition is extracted out of them, incoming history data can be stored only in a certain amount. For this reason, even if the number of incoming history data intended to be inputted is large, an execution variable is designed to be capable of being generated in accordance with a certain condition. The gaming machine1according to the present embodiment suffices as long as an execution variable can be generated from incoming history data. The incoming history data do not have to be stored. Ones which satisfy a predetermined condition do not have to be extracted. For example, if the number of incoming history data is small, an execution variable may be generated for each piece of incoming history data, without storing the incoming history data.

Another Example of a Game

Next, a description will be provided for a case that a user of the gaming machine1selects “2. pet raising game” referring to a game menu screen shown inFIG. 5. Incidentally, in this case, it is assumed that an image which has been taken by imaging device, which is not illustrated, is registered (hereinafter referring to this registered image as a “registered image”) in the gaming machine1. As a registered image, an image of the face of one of the user's friends is conceivable.

In addition, before the user selects “2. pet raising game,” the gaming machine1inputs incoming history data from the supplying machine21, and stores the data in the incoming history data storing part8, through procedures similar to those to be performed when the aforementioned “1. fortune telling game” is selected. The CPU3reads such as read game data corresponding to the selected “2. pet raising game,” and performs the aforementioned steps1to3. At this time, in step10shown inFIG. 7, the CPU3operates as extracting device, and extracts incoming history data satisfying a predetermined extracting condition out of incoming history data which have been read in step2. Here, last 20 pieces of incoming history data (hereinafter referring to these 20 pieces of incoming history data as “second object data”) are extracted out of incoming history data whose incoming date and time belong to a certain time span (for example, time spans between 8:00 and 9:00, between 12:00 and 13:00 and between 19:00 and 20:00) in accordance with an extracting condition for the pet raising game.

Next, in steps11and12, the CPU3operates as execution variable generating device, finds the assistant variables A, B, C and D, and thereby generates the execution variable X through the aforementioned procedures. Subsequently, once the CPU3starts a game executing process in step4, the CPU3starts the process along a flowchart shown inFIG. 9, and executes the game by use of the execution variable X. At this time, in step17, the CPU3selects food corresponding to the execution variable X, and generates raising data for determining growth contents of the object to be raised. For example, if an object to be raised (a pet intended to be raised) is a dog, any one of “bread,” “dog food,” “fish” and “meat” is selected in response to the execution variable X, and raising data corresponding to each of them are generated.

Next, the CPU3proceeds to step18, and a pet growing process is performed on a basis of the raising data which have been generated in step17. In this case, an image data in which the degree of the growth of the pet is changed (growth image data) are generated in response to the raising data. In other words, an image of the pet (pet image) which has been created by placing a registered image in the portion of the face of the pet is modified in response to the raising data, and is processed. The growth image data is generated in this manner. Then, the CPU3proceeds to step19. The CPU3outputs the growth image data which have been generated in step18by an image display, and outputs a result of the growth (the raising of the pet). At this time, the CPU3operates as changing unit, and makes an instruction for displaying the growth image data. Then, the CPU3instructs the liquid crystal display7to display an image of the grown pet on the LCD. After step19is performed, a process shown inFIG. 6is completed.

In this case, too, the execution variable is generated by use of the incoming history data, and a result of the executing of the game by use of the execution variable is obtained. The growth image data indicating the result of the executing is designed to be displayed on the liquid crystal display7. Consequently, with progress contents of a game, a result of the executing of the game is designed to change in response to the incoming history data, and displayed contents of the liquid crystal display7is also designed to change. For this reason, even if the user gets ready nothing but the gaming machine1, the supplying machine21and the connecting cable30, the progress of game can be changed to an extent of being unpredictable, and the game can be made more amusing.

Particularly in the case of the aforementioned pet raising game, the pet image which has been created by placing the face in the registered image of a friend of the user is caused to change in response to the incoming history data. This enables the game to be made more amusing. When the number of incomings from the same communicating counterpart is large in the supplying machine21to supply incoming history data, the pet image becomes similar to the communicating counterpart in many cases, this enables the game to be made further amusing. Incidentally, in the pet raising game, instead of the pet image, other pet raising tips (for example, discipline and a nurturing method) may be changed.

In the above description, the description has been provided citing the case that a progress of game changes on a basis of incoming history data and accordingly the displaying of an image or sound output changes. Instead, however, producing device for a sticker with a photo of the face of a user himself/herself (e.g. producing device for a sticker in Print Club (registered trade mark), or in what is called Puri Kura) may be mounted in the gaming machine, and framing image (a themed background for the image) may be changed by use of the incoming history data. Since this makes the framing image change irregularly, the gaming machine becomes more convenient for a user. In addition, when a progress of game is caused to change on a basis of incoming history data, for example, graphics of characters or a battle parameter in the RPG may be changed. Also, images and sounds of scene displays in the shooting game as well as weapon displays may be changed.

According to the present invention, a progress of game can be diversified extensively, and a game amusing to a user can be executed, with saving troubles and costs.

It is apparent that various embodiments and modifications of the present invention can be embodied, based on the above description. Accordingly, it is possible to carry out the present invention in the other modes than the above best mode, within the following scope of claims and the scope of equivalents.