US20070219000A1

US20070219000A1 - Gaming system recommending specific games

Info

Publication number: US20070219000A1
Application number: US11/671,002
Authority: US
Inventors: Eiji Aida
Original assignee: Konami Gaming Inc
Current assignee: Konami Gaming Inc
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Also published as: JP2007244631A

Abstract

A gaming system of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that can communicate with each other. A player operates a console unit of the gaming terminal to select a game program stored in a memory unit of the server, and play a game conducted by a selected game program that is executed by a controller unit installed in the server or the gaming terminal. An input receiver unit of the server receives game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs stored in the memory unit. A display unit of the gaming terminal displays a game recommendation screen including an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data, before the console unit of the gaming terminal receives data showing the type of game program selected by the player.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming system comprising gaming terminals and a server that is installed in a casino or the like.
2. Background Information
A general, conventional gaming system installed in a casino or the like comprises a plurality of gaming machines, which separately execute respective game programs. In such a gaming system, different game programs require different game machines. The more types of game programs are made available to players, the more gaming machines are required. However, there is not always sufficient space in the casino for a desired number of gaming machines. Thus, the capacity of the casino limits the number of types of available game programs.
A gaming system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602. This gaming system comprises a server and a plurality of client gaming terminals. The server can execute a plurality of game programs. Each client gaming terminal is allowed to access one of the game programs, and display game screens of the accessed game program on its own display unit. Players are allowed to play any games of the game programs executed by the server through operations of the client gaming terminals. Players are also allowed to select desired games by using console units of the client gaming terminals. This gaming system allows a large number of types of game programs to be available to players, regardless of the capacity of the casino.
By using such a gaming system, a larger number of types of games will be available to players, and thereby, a larger number of players will be satisfied. However, an excessive number of choices require players to take too much time to select a game, and thus game selection may become burdensome to the players. More specifically, if a player has determined a desired type of game in advance, the player can select the desired game quickly and smoothly. Most players, however, have not determined any desired type of game in advance, and thus will select an interesting game from the choices presented to them. In this case, if the number of the choices is too large, the players will have difficulty finding and selecting an interesting game, and waste too much time in game selection. This causes the game selection to become burdensome to the players, and thus, make the players reluctant to play games.
Note that there appears to be another download-type gaming system than the gaming system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602, in which a server stores a plurality of game programs, and each client gaming terminal downloads a game program selected by a player from the server and then executes the game program. Alternatively, there appears to be another gaming machine which stores many types of game programs in its memory unit, and executes one of the game programs selected by a player. These gaming systems and machines also have the same problem, i.e., if the number of the choices is too large, the players will have difficulty finding and selecting an interesting game, and as a result of that, the game selection becomes burdensome to the players, and thus, makes the players reluctant to play games.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved gaming system that reduces the burdens of selecting games on players, and thereby enhances players' willingness to play games. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gaming system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other. The server comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs; and a server communications unit configured to transmit the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received to the gaming terminal, and receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal comprises a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a terminal communications unit configured to receive the game recommendation data from the server, and transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of the selected game program; and a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of the selected game program. Furthermore, one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises a controller unit configured to execute a game program that the request indicates.
In this gaming system, the console unit of the gaming terminal accepts the selection of a game, and then, a request for the selected type of game program is transmitted to the server. At that time, the controller unit executes the requested game program. A “thin-client-type gaming system” hereinafter refers to a gaming system where the server comprises the controller unit, and the gaming terminal allows game play to be conducted by a game program executed by the server. On the other hand, a “download-type gaming system” hereinafter refers to a gaming system where the gaming terminal comprises the controller unit, and allows game play to be conducted by a game program downloaded from the server and executed by the gaming terminal. The gaming system of the present invention may be a thin-client-type gaming system or a download-type gaming system. Note that the gaming system may comprise two or more of the gaming terminals.
This gaming system lets a player know the game contents conducted by the specific game programs through the image displayed on the gaming terminal (hereinafter, the recommendation screen), before the player selects a game through the console unit (preferably, before a selection screen control unit of the gaming terminal causes the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game programs). This may increase the possibility that a player, especially one who has not decided upon a game to play in advance, will select one of the game programs identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the game programs recommended by the image. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Preferably, managers of the gaming system will determine the types of game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the game programs into the input receiver unit of the server. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the game programs that the managers want players to play.
A gaming system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other. The server comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies a type of the game programs; and a server communications unit configured to receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal comprises a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; and a terminal communications unit configured to transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of the selected game program. Furthermore, one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises a controller unit configured to execute a game program that the request indicates; and a play monitor unit configured to detect that the player has stopped playing the game conducted by the game program that the controller unit executes. The controller unit is in particular configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game.
In this gaming system, the console unit of the gaming terminal accepts the selection of a game, and then a request for the selected type of game program is transmitted to the server. At that time, the controller unit executes the requested game program. The gaming system according to another aspect of the present invention may be a thin-client-type gaming system or a download-type gaming system. Note that the gaming system may comprise two or more of the gaming terminals.
When a player stops playing a game on the gaming terminal, the gaming terminal displays the game screen of a specific game program identified by the game recommendation data. This game screen may invite another player to play the game on the gaming terminal. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Here, managers of the gaming system determine the specific game program, and accordingly, there may be an increased possibility that the player will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play.
A gaming machine according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a controller unit configured to execute the game program selected through the console unit; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of the selected game program.
This gaming machine is a standalone one, i.e., the gaming machine accepts the selection of a game from game programs stored in its own memory unit, and then executes the selected game program by using its own controller unit.
This gaming machine lets a player know the game contents conducted by the specific game programs through the recommendation screen, before the player selects a game through the console unit (preferably, before a selection screen control unit of the gaming machine causes the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game programs). This may increase the possibility that a player, especially one who has not determined a desired game in advance, will select one of the game programs identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the game programs recommended by the image. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Preferably, managers of the gaming system determine the types of game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the game programs into the input receiver unit. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the game programs that the managers want players to play.
A gaming machine according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs; a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program; a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; a controller unit configured to execute the game program selected through the console unit; an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies a type of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and a play monitor unit configured to detect that the player has stopped playing the game conducted by the game program that the controller unit executes. The controller unit is in particular configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game.
This gaming machine is a standalone one, i.e., the gaming machine accepts a selection of a game from game programs stored in its own memory unit, and then, executes the selected game program by using its own controller unit.
When a player stops playing a game on the gaming machine, the gaming machine displays the game screen of a specific game program identified by the game recommendation data. This game screen may invite another player to play the game on the gaming machine. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. Here, managers of the gaming system determine the specific game program, and accordingly, there may be an increased possibility that the player will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play.
The above-described gaming systems and gaming machines according to the present invention can urge players to select specific game programs by using the game recommendation data. This may increase the possibility that players will select the game program identified by the game recommendation data, and reduce the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, there may be an increased possibility that players will select the specific game program that the managers want players to play.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a portion of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the main configuration of a gaming system for a casino according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a server included in the gaming system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of a gaming terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a main control board included in the gaming terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a sub-control board included in the gaming terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a game selection on the gaming terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sequential flow chart between the server and the gaming terminal shown in FIG. 1 after the game selection shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a slot game conducted by a game program that the server shown in FIG. 1 executes;

FIG. 9 is an example of a game screen which shows a pattern of stopped symbols and winning combinations;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the main configuration of a gaming system for a casino according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sequential flow chart between the server and the gaming terminal shown in FIG. 10 when a player plays a game on the game terminal shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the main configuration of a gaming system for a casino according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the main configuration of a gaming system for a casino according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Embodiment 1

A preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, Embodiment 1) is a gaming system preferably installed in a casino. This gaming system is a thin-client-type gaming system. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming terminals 1, none of which has a game control board, and a server 50 that stores a plurality of types of game programs. The server 50 executes game programs, and each of the gaming terminals 1 allows players to play game conducted by one of the game programs. In the gaming system of Embodiment 1, many functions of a prior art gaming machine such as executing game programs are moved from each gaming terminal 1 to the server 50 collectively, in contrast to a prior art gaming system where each gaming machine separately executes an individual game program. Accordingly, the gaming system of Embodiment 1 can be realized and maintained at lower cost than the prior art gaming system, since each gaming terminal 1 can be prepared at lower cost than the prior art gaming machine.
The gaming terminals 1 are placed on the casino floors, and serve as interfaces between players and games. The server 50 is placed in a security room off-limits to players, which is locked by the casino managers. Each of the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50 are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other through a communication network. When some or all of the functions of the server 50 are placed far away from the casino, the communication network can include a public telephone line, a leased telephone line, a cable television line, and a wireless communications line.

Configuration of the Server 50

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 50 comprises a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a system bus 54, a storage device 55, an input device 56, an output device 57, a server transceiver 58, and the like. These components exchange data and commands of programs with each other through the system bus 54. The ROM 53 and the storage device (preferably, one or more HDDs) 55 store programs for operations of the server 50 using predetermine procedures. The programs are invoked into the CPU 51 or the working area of the RAM 52, and then executed. The storage device 55 stores many types of game programs A, B, C, . . . , which allow the selective playing of games on the gaming terminals 1. The storage device 55 allows a casino-employed operator to enter additional game programs thereinto and delete the stored game programs therefrom by using the input device 56 such as a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. The game programs stored in the storage device 55 are used in games on slot machines, table games such as blackjack, poker, and the like. The operator can check the game programs stored in the storage device 55 through the output devices 57, for example, visual data on the screen of a display device, or printed data on a piece of paper ejected from a printer.
As described below, the server 50 receives a request for a game program from one of the gaming terminals 1, and then the CPU 51 executes the game program that the request identifies. The server transceiver 58 provides the gaming terminal 1 that sent the request with visual and audio data in accordance with the status of the game conducted by the executed game program. The gaming terminal 1 receives the visual and audio data, and then produces game screens and sound effects based on the visual and audio data, respectively. A player operates the gaming terminal 1 to pursue game play, and then the gaming terminal 1 sends game operation data to the server 50. The CPU 51 of the server 50 controls the changes in game status based on the game operation data. Thus, the player is allowed to operate the gaming terminal 1 to play the game conducted by the game program that the server 50 executes.
Note that the server 50 may be a special-purpose controller, or a general-purpose computer system. The server 50 may be a single computer, or a group of computers which are linked to each other and serve separate functions through a network.

Configuration of the Gaming Terminal 1

As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming terminal 1 comprises a box-shaped cabinet 2, and a front panel 3 that is coupled to the front of the cabinet 2 and capable of being opened and closed. On the front panel 3 are provided, for example, a display window 4, a coin slot 5 a, a bill slot 5 b, a spin button 6 a, a credit payout button 6 b, bet buttons 7 a, 7 b, game selection buttons 8, a coin tray 9, and lamps 10 a and 10 b. A monitor 11 is visible through the display window 4. A player places bets on the gaming terminal 1 by using the bet buttons 7 a and 7 b. Coins are discharged from a coin chute 9 a, and then stored in the coin tray 9. The buttons 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b, and 8 are preferably lamp buttons including light emitting devices which emit light when pushed. Alternatively, one or more of the buttons 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b, and 8 may be replaced with one or more touch panels installed on the monitor 11.
The monitor 11 is placed inside the gaming terminal 1. The monitor 11 displays a game screen based on image data received from the server 50. For example, the monitor 11 displays a column of various symbols, which are arranged in a predetermined order, on each of five symbol display areas 11 a. The monitor 11 is preferably included in a cathode-ray-tube display, or alternatively, may be included in a plasma display or a liquid crystal display. The monitor 11 also displays a credit display area 11 b, a bet display area 11 c, and an award display area 11 d above the symbol display areas 11 a. The total amount of money that a player has inserted into the coin slot 5 a and the bill slot 5 b, or the amount of the credits available to the player, appears in the credit display area 11 b. The amount of the bet that the player has placed by using the various bet buttons 7 a and 7 b appears in the bet display unit 11 c. The amount of the award that the player has won as a result of a game appears in the award display area 11 d.
A coin acceptor, a coin payout device, and a speaker are installed inside the gaming terminal 1 (not shown in FIG. 1.) The coin acceptor validates coins and bills inserted through the coin slot 5 a and the bill slot 5 b, respectively. The coin payout device includes a hopper and can hold a large number of coins. Note that a controller unit is installed in the server 50, not in the gaming terminal 1, and executes game programs to conduct games, as described above.
A card slot 13 and a display window 14 are mounted on the top of the gaming terminal 1. A house card is inserted into the card slot 13. The house card is a removable recording medium usable within the casino. The house card stores personal information of a player who has, for example, registered at the reception desk of the casino, and in particular, an ID of the player. The house card is used, for example, by the server 50 in keeping track of the number of points that represents the amounts of money and the like that the player has spent on games. The player can be provided with bonuses such as free accommodation coupons, depending on the total number of the points. The display window 14 displays the number of the points provided to the player.
The gaming terminal 1 comprises a main control board 20 and a sub-control board 30 (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the main control board 20 includes a CPU 21, a first I/O port 21 a, a second I/O port 21 b, a third I/O port 21 c, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a video driver unit 25, a lighting control unit 26, a sound control unit 27, and a payout control unit 28. The first I/O port 21 a is used in communication between the main control board 20 and the sub-control board 30. The second I/O port 21 b is used in communication between the main control board 20 and the monitor 11, the lamps 10 a, 10 b, the speaker 15, the various buttons 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b, 8, and the coin payout unit 16. The third I/O port 21 c is used in communication between the main control board 20 and the server 50 through the communications network. The ROM 22 stores various programs such as a communications program except for game programs. The CPU 21 invokes the programs. The RAM 23 temporally stores results computed by the CPU 21. The video driver unit 25 controls the display on the monitor 11 under the control of the CPU 21. The lighting control unit 26 switches the lamps 10 a and 10 b on and off under the control of the CPU 21. The sound control unit 27 controls the speaker 15 and causes it to reproduce voice announcements, sound effects, and the like under the control of the CPU 21. The payout control unit 28 controls the coin payout unit 16, thereby supplying a proper amount of coins through the coin chute 9 a to the coin tray 9 under the control of the CPU 21. The CPU 21 is connected to the spin button 6 a, the credit payout button 6 b, the various bet buttons 7 a and 7 b, and the game selection buttons 8, and sends operation signals through the second I/O port 21 b. Moreover, the CPU 21 is also connected to a coin counter (not shown in figures) that counts the amount of money inserted into the coin slot 5 a and the bill slot 5 b.
As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control board 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a card reader 34, a display driver 35, a fourth I/O port 36 a, and a fifth I/O port 36 b. The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data bases. The CPU 31 invokes the programs, and accesses the data bases. The RAM 33 temporally stores results computed by the CPU 31. The card reader 34 reads a player's ID from the house card inserted into the card slot 13, and provides the ID to the CPU 31. The display driver 35 controls the display window 14 under the control of the CPU 31. The fourth I/O port 36 a is used in data communication between the main control board 20 and the sub-control board 30. The fifth I/O port 36 b is used in data communication between the display window 14 and the sub-control circuit board 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming terminal 1 is broadly divided into a console unit 41, a terminal communications unit 42, a display unit 43, a selection urging unit 44. The console unit 41 comprises the spin button 6 a, the credit payout button 6 b, the various bet buttons 7 a and 7 b, and the game selection buttons 8. When a player pushes the buttons, the console unit 41 sends corresponding operation signals from the second I/O port 21 b to the CPU 21 on the main control board 20. Here, the player uses the buttons in game selection, that is, to select types of game programs to be executed by the server 50. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the third I/O port 21 c of the main control board 20 constitute the terminal communications unit 42, which is used in two-way communication between the gaming terminal 1 and the server 50. When the console unit 41 accepts a game selection made by a player (detail will be described below), the terminal communications unit 42 sends a request for a selected game program to the server 50. When the console unit 41 accepts a game operation made by a player, the terminal communications unit 42 sends game operation data, i.e., commands to change the status of the game conducted by a game program executed by the server 50 to the server 50. In addition, the terminal communications unit 42 receives visual and audio data depending on the game status, and game recommendation data from the server. The CPUs 21, 31, the ROMs 22, 32, the RAMs 23, 33, the video driver 25, the display driver 35, the monitor 11, and the display window 14 constitute the display unit 43, which displays game screens on the monitor 11 and/or the display window 14. The game screens are based on the image data received by the terminal communications unit 42. The display unit 43 also displays a game selection screen on the monitor 11 as described below.
The CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 of the main control board 20 constitute the selection urging unit 44, which causes the display unit 43 to display a game recommendation screen on the monitor 11 or the display window 14. The game recommendation screen is an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit 42 has received, before the console unit 41 accepts a game selection.
The server 50 is broadly divided into a main memory unit 61, a controller unit 62, a server communications unit 63, a sub-memory unit 64, and an input receiver unit 65. The RAM 52, the ROM 53, and the storage device 55 constitute the main memory unit 61, which stores one or more types of game programs A, B, C, . . . . The CPU 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53, and the system bus 54 constitute the controller unit 62, which can executes two or more game programs in parallel. When the server communications unit 63 receives a request for a game program from a gaming terminal 1, the controller unit 62 invokes the game program that the request identifies from the main memory unit 61. If the controller unit 62 receives a second request for a game program from another gaming terminal 1, the controller unit 62 executes the game program that the second request identifies in parallel with the previous game program. The controller unit 62 controls the server communications unit 63 to send visual and audio data in accordance with the status of each game conducted by the game programs to the gaming terminals that sent the requests. When the server communications unit 63 receives game operation data from a gaming terminal, the controller unit 62 changes the status of the game conducted by the game program on that gaming terminal. The CPU 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53, the system bus 54, and the server transceiver 58 constitute the server communications unit 63, which allows two-way communication between the server 50 and the gaming terminals 1. The server communications unit 63 receives requests for game programs and game operation data from each gaming terminal 1, and sends visual and audio data in accordance with the status of each of the games conducted by the game programs that the controller unit 62 is executing. The server communications unit 63 also sends game recommendation data which is stored in the sub-memory unit 64 to each gaming terminal 1.
The RAM 52 and the storage device 55 constitute the sub-memory unit 64, which stores game recommendation data therein and links it to each terminal ID, i.e., the ID of each gaming terminal 1. The game recommendation data is for use in identifying one or more types of game programs (hereinafter, recommended game programs), which are included in the game programs stored in the main memory unit 61. The game recommendation data preferably varies with the gaming terminals 1. In particular, the sub-memory unit 64 can link different game recommendation data to different terminal IDs, and accordingly, allows recommended game programs to vary with the gaming terminals 1, as described below. The game recommendation data preferably includes an image for urging a player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data.
Note that all the gaming terminals 1 may share the common game recommendation data. In this case, there is no need to link the game recommendation data to the terminal IDs. If only one gaming terminal 1 is connected to the server, there is no need to link the game recommendation data to the terminal ID. Alternatively, the gaming terminals 1 may be divided into groups of two or more, and the game recommendation data may be shared on a group by group basis. In this case, a common group ID may be assigned to gaming terminals of each group, instead of the terminal IDs, and the game recommendation data may be linked to the group IDs and stored in the sub-memory unit 64. Thus, the gaming terminals of each group share the same recommended game programs, but different groups have different recommended game programs.
The CPU 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53, and the input device 56 constitute the input receiver unit 65, which receives the input of game recommendation data and stores the game recommendation data into the sub-memory unit 64. When a floor manager of the casino and the like instructs the input receiver unit 65 to link specific game recommendation data to a gaming terminal, the game recommendation data is then accepted, linked to a terminal ID corresponding to the gaming terminal, and stored into the sub-memory unit 64.
The flow of the processes of preparing game play on a gaming terminal 1 will be described as follows (cf. FIG. 6). Before a new player starts game play on the gaming terminal 1, a game screen of the game that a previous player played will generally remain on the monitor 11 of the gaming terminal 1. The new player may play that game, or another game conducted by a game program stored in the main memory unit 61 of the server 50. In the latter case, the player first operates the consol unit 41 to call up a game selection screen (Step S11). When the consol unit 41 accepts the operation, the consol unit 41 informs the selection urging unit 44 of the contents of the operation. The selection urging unit 44 then causes the terminal communications unit 42 to send a request for game recommendation data to the server 50. When the server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the request, the server communications unit 63 retrieves the game recommendation data linked to the terminal ID of the gaming terminal 1 that sends the request from the sub-memory unit 64, and sends the game recommendation data to the gaming terminal 1. Thus, the gaming terminal 1 can receive the game recommendation data linked thereto (Step S12).
When the terminal communications unit 42 receives the game recommendation data, the selection urging unit 44 causes the display unit 43 to display a game recommendation screen on the monitor 11 according to image data included in the game recommendation data (Step S13). The game recommendation screen includes an introduction and a description of a recommended game identified by the game recommendation data. If the player is attracted to the game recommendation screen and wants to play the recommended game, the player will operate the console unit 41 to select the recommended game according to instructions displayed on the game recommendation screen (Step S14). Then, the terminal communications unit 42 sends game selection data that represents the contents of the operation to the server 50 (Step S15).
If the player is not attracted to the game recommendation screen and does not want to play any of the recommended games, the player will operate the console unit 41 in order to skip the selection of recommended games according to instructions displayed on the game recommendation screen. Then, the CPU 21 of the gaming terminal 1 executes a game selection program, and reads game selection screen data from the ROM 22 or the RAM 23 that stores the data (Step S16). Note that the game selection screen data may be stored in the server 50, instead of the each of the gaming terminals 1. In this case, the server 50 can manage the data collectively for all the gaming terminals 1. This facilitates an update of the data caused by an addition of a new game program or a deletion of an old game program.
The game selection screen includes a list of games available to a player on the gaming terminal 1. The player watches the screen, and operates the console unit 41 to select a desired game by using the game selection buttons 8 (Step S17). Then, the terminal communications unit 42 sends game selection data that represents the contents of the operation to the server 50 (Step S118).
The flow of the processes after the game selection on the gaming terminal 1 will be described as follows (cf. FIG. 7). When the server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the above game selection data sent by the terminal communications unit 42 at the step S15 or S18, the controller unit 62 of the server 50 retrieves and executes the game program identified by the game selection data from the game programs stored in the main memory unit 61. Then, the corresponding game starts on the gaming terminal 1 that sends the game selection data.
The controller unit 62 causes the server communications unit 63 to send image data that represents the status of the game conducted by the executed game program to the gaming terminal 1 that sends the game selection data. When the terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the image data, the display unit 43 displays a game screen according to the image data. Then, the player is allowed to play the selected game.
The flow of the processes of a slot game, i.e., one of the games available to the player, will be described as follows (cf. FIG. 8). First, the player inserts coins or bills into the coin slot 5 a or the bill slot 5 b, respectively. The coin counter then counts the coins and bills. The CPU 21 of the main control board 20 updates credit data stored in the RAM 23 to increase credits by the number corresponding to the count of the coin counter.
The player operates the console unit 41 to place a desired bet by using the bet buttons 7 a and 7 b (Step S1). The console unit 41 accepts the placement of the bet, and then the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 updates credit data stored in the RAM 23 to decrease credits by the amount corresponding to the amount of the bet (Step S2). On the other hand, the terminal communications unit 42 sends bet data representing the bet to the server 50. When the server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the bet data, the controller unit 62 of the server 50 changes the status of the slot game to allow the player to spin the video reels by using the spin button 6 a. More specifically, the server communications unit 63 provides the gaming terminal 1 with image data of the updated game screen that includes the amount of the bet to be displayed on the bet display area 11 c of the monitor 11. When the terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the image data, the display unit 43 displays the amount of the bet on the bet display area 11 c according to the received image data.
After that, the player pushes the spin button 6 a of the gaming terminal 1 (Step S3). The console unit 41 detects the push, and then the terminal communications unit 42 sends a spin signal to the server 50. When the server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the spin signal, the controller unit 62 of the server 50 responds to the spin signal, and changes the status of the slot game to cause the display unit 43 to continuously display moving symbols on the five symbol display areas 11 a of the monitor 11 (Step S4). More specifically, the server communications unit 63 continues to provide the gaming terminal 1 with image data of the moving symbols to be displayed on the symbol display areas 11 a. While the terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the image data, the display unit 43 continuously displays the moving symbols on the symbol display areas 11 a according to the received image data.
The server communications unit 63 receives the spin signal, and then the controller unit 62 generates five random numbers, and uses them in a determination of stopped symbols to be displayed on each of the symbol display areas 11 a (Step S5). More specifically, the control unit 62 compares the five generated random numbers with items in the respective tables (hereinafter, stopped symbol tables) that represent a predetermined link between random numbers and symbols. Each of the stopped symbol tables is assigned to one of the symbol display areas 11 a. The controller unit 62 then determines stop positions of the video reels that indicate symbols linked to the generated random numbers in the stopped symbol tables.
Furthermore, the controller unit 62 performs a lottery process to determine whether or not to provide an award to the player, i.e., compares the combination of the five random numbers with the items in a table (hereinafter, a winning combination table) that represents a predetermined link between combinations of five random numbers and awards (Step S6). The awards are broadly divided into predetermined amounts of credits and rights to play a special game such as an event, a bonus game, a feature game, or the like. If there is an award linked to the combination of the generated random numbers in the winning combination table, the controller unit 62 then determines that the award is to be provided to the player.
The awards are linked to the combinations of the five random numbers. Each of the random numbers is linked to a stopped symbol in one of the stopped symbol tables. Accordingly, the awards are linked to specific arrangements (i.e., winning combinations) of stopped symbols on the symbol display areas 11 a. In this embodiment, preferably, winning combinations are assigned to arrangements where symbols of the same type are stopped in three or more consecutive symbol display areas. Winning combinations that include more symbols of the same type are linked to larger amounts of awards. Needless to say, winning combinations are not limited to the above-described types.
FIG. 8 shows an example of five winning combinations included in an arrangement of stopped symbols displayed on the five symbol display areas 11 a (hereinafter, a first, a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth symbol display area, starting from the left in FIG. 8). A “1st” symbol is stopped in each of the symbol display areas. This arrangement is a winning combination linked to a “1st” award. Here, the amount of the “1st” award linked to the arrangement of the five “1st” symbols is larger than the amounts of the “1st” awards linked to the arrangements where three or four “1st” symbols are stopped in three or four consecutive symbol display areas. A wildcard symbol “W” is stopped in the second symbol display area. The “W” symbol and the four “1st” symbols stopped in the other symbol display areas constitute a winning combination linked to another “1st” award. A “K” symbol is stopped in each of the symbol display areas. This arrangement is a winning combination linked to a “king” award. The “W” symbol and the four “K” symbols stopped in the other symbol display areas constitute a winning combination linked to another “king” award. A “2nd” symbol is stopped in each of the third and fourth symbol display areas. The two “2nd” symbols and the “W” symbol, which are equivalent to three “2nd” symbols”, constitute a winning combination linked to a “2nd” award. An “A” symbol is stopped in each of the first and second symbol display areas, but neither “A” nor “W” symbol is stopped in the third symbol display area. This arrangement is not a winning combination linked to an “ace” award.
After the lottery process and a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception of the spin signal, the controller unit 62 of the server 50 changes the status of the slot game to cause the display unit 43 to display the stopped symbols determined by using the above five random numbers and the winning combination table on the symbol display areas 11 a of the monitor 11 (Step S7). More specifically, the server communications unit 63 provides the gaming terminal 1 with image data representing changes from the moving symbols to the stopped symbols. The terminal communications unit 42 receives the image data, and then the display unit 43 changes images displayed on the symbol display areas 11 a of the monitor 11 from the moving symbols to the stopped symbols according to the received image data.
If the result of the lottery process is that the player will win a predetermined amount of credits (Step S8), the controller unit 62 of the server 50 causes the server communications unit 63 to send winning information to the gaming terminal 1. The terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the winning information, and then the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 pays the credits to the player (Step S9). More specifically, the CPU 21 updates the credit data stored in the RAM 23 to increase the player's credits by the amount represented by the winning information. The winning information further includes commands for controlling lamps and audio data for use in sound effects. The CPU 21 provides the lighting control unit 26 and the sound control unit 27 with commands according to the commands for controlling lamps and the audio data, respectively. The lighting control unit 26 then turns on and off the lamp buttons equipped with internal light emitting devices, such as the lamps 10 a, 10 b, the spin button 6 a, the credit payout button 6 b, the bet buttons 7 a and 7 b, and the game selection buttons 8, in the patterns represented by the commands. The sound control unit 27 changes sounds reproduced from the speaker 15 to the sound effects according to the audio data.
If the player wants to play another game while playing the above slot game, the player operates the console unit 41 to call the game selection screen. Then, the game recommendation screen first appears on the monitor 11, as described above. If the player operates the console unit 41 to skip the selection of recommended game programs, the game selection screen next appears on the monitor 11. The player operates the game selection buttons 8 to select another game according to the game selection screen. Thus, the player is allowed to play another game.
As described above, the gaming system of Embodiment 1 causes the display unit 43 of the gaming terminal 1 to display the game recommendation screen, before the console unit 41 of the gaming terminal 1 accepts a game selection by the player. Here, the game recommendation screen includes an image for urging the player to select the recommended game programs identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit 65 of the server 50 has accepted in advance. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the recommended game programs, if the player has determined no desired game in advance. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the recommended game programs. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, the floor managers of the casino can determine recommended game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the recommended game programs into the input receiver unit 65 of the server 50. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the recommended game programs that the floor managers want players to play.

Embodiment 2

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, Embodiment 2) is a gaming system preferably installed in a casino. This gaming system is a download-type gaming system. As shown in FIG. 10, the gaming system comprises a server 50 that stores a plurality of types of game programs, and a plurality of gaming terminals 1 that download and execute game programs from the server 50. Each of the gaming terminals 1 allows players to play game conducted by one of the game programs. In the gaming system of Embodiment 2, many functions of a prior art gaming machine, such as storing game programs, are moved from each of the gaming terminal 1 to the server 50 collectively, in contrast to a prior art gaming system where each gaming machine separately stores an individual game program. Accordingly, the gaming system of Embodiment 2 can be realized and maintained at lower cost than the prior art gaming system, since game programs for use on all the gaming terminal 1 can be collectively maintained by the server 50.
The gaming terminals 1 are placed on the casino floor. The server 50 is placed in a security room in a manner similar to Embodiment 1. Each of the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50 are allowed to perform two-way communication with each other through a communication network. When some or all of the functions of the server 50 are placed far away from the casino, the communication network can include a public telephone line, a leased telephone line, a cable television line, and a wireless communications line. The hardware configurations of the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50 are similar to those of Embodiment 1, and accordingly the description of the hardware configurations can be found above in the description of Embodiment 1.
In contrast to the gaming terminal of Embodiment 1, the gaming terminal 1 of Embodiment 2 is equipped with the controller unit 70, as well as a console unit 41, a terminal communications unit 42, a display unit 43, a selection urging unit 44. The console unit 41 accepts a game selection made by a player, and then the terminal communications unit 42 sends a request for a selected game program to the server 50, and thereby downloads the selected game program from the server 50. The terminal communications unit 42 also receives game recommendation data from the server 50. The controller unit 70 executes the downloaded game program. When the console unit 41 accepts a game operation made by the player, the controller unit 70 changes the status of the game conducted by the executed game program in accordance with the game operation. Depending on the game status, the controller unit 70 further causes the display unit 43 to display appropriate game screens on the monitor 11 and the display window 14, and produces sound effects from the speaker 15. Thus, the controller unit 70 controls the game on the gaming terminal 1 in a manner similar to that of the controller unit 62 of the server 50 of Embodiment 1.
The controller unit 70 of each gaming terminal 1 has to execute only a single game program, in contrast to the controller unit 62 of the server 50 of Embodiment 1, which can execute two or more game programs in parallel. Accordingly, significantly less performance may be required of the controller unit 70 than the controller unit 62 of the server 50, and thereby the controller unit 70 can be prepared at a significantly lower cost than the controller unit 62.
The server 50 of Embodiment 2 does not have to be equipped with a controller unit 62, i.e., the function of executing game programs and conducting games, in contrast to the server 50 of Embodiment 1. Note that other functions of the server 50 of Embodiment 2 are similar to those of the server 50 of Embodiment 1.
The player selects a game according to a game recommendation screen or a game selection screen in a manner similar to that of Embodiment 1. The flow of the processes after the game selection on the gaming terminal 1 will be described as follows (cf. FIG. 11). The server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the game selection data from the terminal communications unit 42, and then retrieves the game program identified by the game selection data from the game programs stored in the main memory unit 61. The server communications unit 63 further sends the retrieved game program to the gaming terminal 1 that sends the game selection data.
The terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the game program, and temporarily stores it into a game program area of the RAM 23. After that, the controller unit 70 of the gaming terminal 1 executes the game program stored in the RAM 23, and conducts a slot game. More specifically, the controller unit 70 causes the display unit 43 to display a game screen in accordance with the status of the slot game conducted by the game program. Then, the player is allowed to play the selected slot game. In particular, each time the console unit 41 accepts an operation from the player, such as placing a bet or pushing the spin button 6 a, the controller unit 70 changes the status of the slot game in accordance with the operation in a manner similar to that of the controller unit 62 of Embodiment 1.
If the player stops playing the slot game and selects another game, the game program conducting the slot game may be deleted from the game program area of the RAM 23. In this case, the game program area of the RAM 23 is required to have a capacity of only a single game program. This facilitates a cost reduction of the RAM 23. Alternatively, some or all of the game programs stored in the game program area of the RAM 23 may be deleted in the order in which the game programs were stored therein, when the available portion of the game program area is smaller than the size of a game program to be downloaded. In this case, if a game program that a player newly selects remains in the game program area, the controller unit 70 can start executing it in short order without access to the server 50. This reduces the traffic volume between the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50, and effectively maintains the high performance of the gaming system.
As described above, the gaming system of Embodiment 2 causes the display unit 43 of the gaming terminal 1 to display the game recommendation screen, before the console unit 41 of the gaming terminal 1 accepts a game selection by the player. Here, the game recommendation screen includes an image for urging the player to select the recommended game programs identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit 65 of the server 50 has accepted in advance. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the recommended game programs, if the player has determined no desired game in advance. In other words, the player can select a game in view of the recommended game programs. This reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, the floor managers of the casino can determine recommended game programs, and enter the game recommendation data identifying the recommended game programs into the input receiver unit 65 of the server 50. This may increase the possibility that the player will select one of the recommended game programs that the floor managers want players to play.

Embodiment 3

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, Embodiment 3) is a thin-client-type gaming system preferably installed in a casino, which is similar to the gaming system of Embodiment 1. Hardware configurations of the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50 of Embodiment 3 are similar to those of Embodiment 1, and accordingly the description of the hardware configurations can be found above in the description of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the functions of the server 50 of Embodiment 3 are similar to those of the server 50 of Embodiment 1.
As shown in FIG. 12, the gaming terminal 1 of Embodiment 3 is equipped with a play monitor unit 72, as well as a console unit 41, a terminal communications unit 42, and a display unit 43, in contrast to the gaming terminal of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, no selection urging unit of Embodiment 1 may be required in the gaming terminal 1 of Embodiment 3.
The play monitor unit 72 detects a state of the gaming terminal 1 in which no player is playing a game thereon by using an internal timer (not shown in FIG. 12). More specifically, the play monitor unit 72 uses a timer in order to measure the time elapsed since the console unit 41 has accepted an operation from a player. When the measured time reaches a predetermined time, the play monitor unit 72 generates a signal indicating that no player is playing a game. The terminal communications unit 42 sends the signal to the server 50. The server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the signal, and then the controller unit 62 of the server 50 accesses the sub-memory unit 64 to read game recommendation data linked to the terminal ID of the gaming terminal 1 that sends the signal. Here, the game recommendation data is similar to that of Embodiment 1, i.e., for use in identifying recommended game programs, which are included in the game programs stored in the main memory unit 61. The game recommendation data preferably varies with the gaming terminals 1. The controller unit 62 next accesses the main memory unit 61 to read and execute one of the recommended game programs identified by the read game recommendation data. Then, the controller unit 62 causes the server communications unit 63 to send image data that represents the status of the game conducted by the executed game program to the gaming terminal 1 that sends the signal. The terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the image data, and then the display unit 43 displays a game screen according to the image data.
When the play monitor unit 72 detects that no player is playing a game on the gaming terminal 1, the display unit 43 displays the game screen of the recommended game program identified by the game recommendation data linked to the gaming terminal 1, regardless of the type of game that a previous player has played. This game screen may invite another player to play the recommended game on the gaming terminal 1. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the recommended game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, the floor managers of the casino can select and change the appropriate types of the recommended game programs terminal by terminal. Here, the floor managers have only to enter or update desired game recommendation data linked to each gaming terminal 1 through the input receiver unit 65. This may easily increase the possibility that players will select the recommended game programs that the floor managers want players to play.
Note that the play monitor unit 72 may detect other data that implies no player playing on the gaming terminal 1, instead of the elapsed time measurement with the timer. For example, the play monitor unit 72 may detect that credit data representing zero credits is stored in the RAM 23 of the gaming terminal 1, or alternatively detect the presence a player in front of the cabinet of the gaming terminal 1 by using a human sensor. The play monitor unit 72 may use a combination of various detection methods such as the above-described ones.
Note that the play monitor unit 72 may be installed in the server 50, instead of each gaming terminal 1. In this case, the play monitor unit 72 preferably uses a timer that measures the time elapsed since the server communications unit 63 has accepted an operation (e.g., a game operation or a game selection) from a gaming terminal 1. When the measured time reaches a predetermined time, the play monitor unit 72 will determine that no player is playing a game on the gaming terminal 1.

Embodiment 4

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, Embodiment 4) is a download-type gaming system preferably installed in a casino, which is similar to the gaming system of Embodiment 2. Hardware configurations of the gaming terminals 1 and the server 50 of Embodiment 4 are similar to those of Embodiment 2, and accordingly the description of the hardware configurations can be found above in the description of Embodiment 2. Furthermore, the functions of the server 50 of Embodiment 4 are similar to those of the server 50 of Embodiment 2.
As shown in FIG. 13, the gaming terminal 1 of Embodiment 4 is equipped with a play monitor unit 72, as well as a console unit 41, a terminal communications unit 42, a display unit 43, and a controller unit 70, in contrast to the gaming terminal of Embodiment 2. Furthermore, no selection urging unit of Embodiment 2 may be required in the gaming terminal 1 of Embodiment 4.
The play monitor unit 72 of Embodiment 4 is similar to that of Embodiment 3, except that the play monitor unit 72 sends the signal indicating that no player is playing a game to the controller unit 70. At the reception of the signal, the controller unit 70 causes the terminal communications unit 42 to send a request for recommended game programs to the server 50. The server communications unit 63 of the server 50 receives the request, and then accesses the sub-memory unit 64 to read game recommendation data linked to the terminal ID of the gaming terminal 1 that sends the request. Here, the game recommendation data is similar to that of Embodiment 1, i.e., for use in identifying one or more types of game programs (recommended game programs). The server communications unit 63 next accesses the main memory unit 61 to read one of the recommended game programs identified by the read game recommendation data. Then, the server communications unit 63 sends the read recommended game program to the gaming terminal 1 that sends the request. The terminal communications unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1 receives the recommended game program, and temporarily stores it into a game program area of the RAM 23. After that, the controller unit 70 of the gaming terminal 1 executes the recommended game program stored in the RAM 23. In particular, the controller unit 70 causes the display unit 43 to display a game screen in accordance with the image data, depending on the status the game conducted by the executed, recommended game program.
When the play monitor unit 72 detects that no player is playing a game on the gaming terminal 1, the display unit 43 displays the game screen of the recommended game program identified by the game recommendation data linked to the gaming terminal 1, regardless of the type of game that a previous player has played. This game screen may invite another player to play the recommended game on the gaming terminal 1. This may increase the possibility that another player will select the recommended game program identified by the game recommendation data. In other words, this reduces the player's burden of selecting a game. In addition, the floor managers of the casino can select and change the appropriate types of the recommended game programs terminal by terminal. Here, the floor managers have only to enter or update desired game recommendation data linked to each gaming terminal 1 through the input receiver unit 65. This may easily increase the possibility that players will select the recommended game programs that the floor managers want players to play.
Note that the play monitor unit 72 may be installed in the server 50, instead of each gaming terminal 1.
In contrast to the above-described embodiments, the present invention may be applied to a standalone gaming machine. The gaming machine accepts a selection of a game from a plurality of types of game programs stored in its own memory unit, and then executes the selected game program by using its own controller unit. In other words, the gaming machine has functions similar to those of the server 50 and the gaming terminal 1.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or portion of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single portion or a plurality of portions. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising a server and a gaming terminal configured to perform two-way communication with each other, wherein

the server comprises:

a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs;

an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs; and

a server communications unit configured to transmit the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received to the gaming terminal, and receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal;

the gaming terminal comprises:

a console unit configured to allow a player to select one of the game programs stored in the memory unit, and change the status of the game conducted by a selected game program;

a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status;

a terminal communications unit configured to receive the game recommendation data from the server, and transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server when the console unit has received data indicating the type of game program selected; and

a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit has received, before the console unit receives data indicating the type of game program selected; and

one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises a controller unit configured to execute a game program indicated by the request.

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming terminal comprises a selection screen control unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game program, after the selection urging unit causes the display unit or another display unit to display the image.

3. A gaming system comprising a server and a gaming terminal configured to perform two-way communication with each other, wherein

the server comprises:

a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs;

an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one type of the game programs; and

a server communications unit configured to receive a request for one of the game programs from the gaming terminal;

the gaming terminal comprises:

a display unit configured to display a game screen in accordance with game status; and

a terminal communications unit configured to transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of game program selected; and

one of the server and the gaming terminal comprises

a controller unit configured to execute a game program indicated by the request; and

a play monitor unit configured to detect that the player has stopped playing the game conducted by the game program that the controller unit executes;

wherein the controller unit is configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game.

4. A gaming terminal configured to perform two-way communication with a server comprising a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs, the gaming terminal comprising:

a terminal communications unit configured to receive game recommendation data from the server, and transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server, when the console unit has received data showing the type of the selected game program; and

a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select one type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of game program selected.

5. A server configured to perform two-way communication with a gaming terminal comprising a console unit and a display unit, the server comprising:

a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs;

a server communications unit configured to receive a request for one of the game programs selected and operation data entered through the console unit from the gaming terminal, and transmit game screen data in accordance with the status of the game conducted by the selected game program;

a controller unit configured to execute the selected game program identified by the request that the server communications unit has received, change the game status based on the operation data that the server communications unit has received, and cause the server communications unit to transmit the game screen to the gaming terminal;

6. A gaming terminal configured to perform two-way communication with a server comprising a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs, the gaming terminal comprising:

a terminal communications unit configured to transmit a request for a game program selected through the console unit to the server when the console unit has received data showing the type of game program selected, and receive the selected game program and game recommendation data from the server;

a controller unit configured to execute the selected game program received from the server; and

wherein the controller unit is configured to execute the game program identified by the game recommendation data that the terminal communications unit has received, when the play monitor unit has detected that the player has stopped playing the game.

7. A gaming machine comprising:

a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs;

a controller unit configured to execute the game program selected through the console unit;

an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and

a selection urging unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data that the input receiver unit has received, before the console unit receives data showing the type of the game program selected.

8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, comprising a selection screen control unit configured to cause the display unit or another display unit to display a selection screen for use in the selection of the game programs, after the selection urging unit causes the display unit or another display unit to display the image.

9. A gaming machine comprising:

a memory unit configured to store a plurality of game programs;

an input receiver unit configured to receive game recommendation data that identifies one type of the game programs stored in the memory unit; and