JP2002159729A - Device for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make inactivable money-related processings which making them match with the using conditions of a device for game. SOLUTION: Corresponding to the operation of a paper money use control switch 39, a paper money identifier 32 is turned into the state where an identification operation is inhibited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device represented by, for example, a card unit or a cash sand.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that accepts money and performs processing for lending game media usable for gaming with a gaming machine in accordance with the money.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine of this type, a game machine which is generally known in the related art is provided, for example, adjacent to a game machine and accepts money. There has been a so-called sanding device for performing a process for renting a game medium usable for a game by a game machine, such as lending a game medium such as a ball usable for a game machine.

In such a gaming machine, for example, a predetermined money-related process is performed in relation to the acceptance of money, such as the operation of money identification means for discriminating the inserted money. There was something composed.

[0004]

In a game arcade where such a game device is installed, there are the following problems. For example, when the corresponding gaming machine breaks down, it is impossible to use the gaming device in order to avoid trouble with the player who uses the currency without knowing the inconvenience of using the currency with the gaming device. For example, there may be a case where it is desired that the money-related processing as described above cannot be performed based on the business convenience of the game arcade.

[0005] Further, in the case where an abnormality of the gaming machine itself occurs such that the money-related processing performed in response to the acceptance of money cannot be performed normally, leaving it as it is may cause various troubles. In some cases, it is desired to deactivate money-related processing.

[0006] However, in the conventional gaming machine, there is a problem that the deactivation of the money-related processing cannot be performed in accordance with the use condition of the machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to deactivate money-related processing in accordance with the use state of a game device. .

[0008]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects
(1) A gaming machine (card) that accepts money and performs processing for lending (for example, lending) game media (for example, balls) that can be used for games by a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 2) in accordance with the money. An operation unit (3) that is capable of performing an operation for inactivating a predetermined money-related process (for example, the identification operation process of the bill identification device 32) performed in connection with the acceptance of money. A bill use control switch 39) and a process deactivating means for deactivating the money-related processing in accordance with the operation of the operation means (the control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 and the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32). And

According to such a configuration, the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the operating means, so that the money can be used without knowing the inconvenience of using the money in the game machine, for example. For example, when it is desired to deactivate the money-related processing in order to avoid trouble with the player who performs the money-related processing, the money-related processing can be deactivated based on the business convenience of the game arcade. This makes it possible to deactivate the money-related processing in accordance with the usage status of the gaming device based on the business convenience of the game arcade. In addition, when the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the operation means, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming device, the money-related processing can be deactivated based on the state of the abnormality. it can. This makes it possible to deactivate the money-related processing in accordance with the usage of the gaming device when an abnormality occurs in the gaming device.

[0010] (2) When accepting a currency, the system further includes a currency identification means (a bill identification device 32) for performing an identification operation for identifying the authenticity of the currency, and the processing inactivating means includes:
When the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the operation means, the identification operation by the money identification means is deactivated (see S3 in FIG. 5 and S12 in FIG. 6).

According to such a configuration, the discriminating operation of the money discriminating means is deactivated in response to the operation of the operating means. When it is desired to inactivate or when an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine, the operation of identifying money can be inactivated in accordance with the convenience of use.

(3) The processing deactivating means, when deactivating the discriminating operation, outputs a deactivation command signal (reception prohibition command signal) for commanding deactivation of the discriminating operation to the money discrimination. (S3 in FIG. 5), and the money discriminating means deactivates the discriminating operation in response to receiving the deactivation command signal (S12 in FIG. 6).

According to such a configuration, the money discriminating means deactivates the discriminating operation in response to receiving the deactivating command signal sent from the processing deactivating means.
By exchanging such signals, the inactivation of the identification operation can be reliably performed according to the operation of the operation means.

(4) The processing inactivating means is in a state in which money cannot be accepted (for example, a state in which the operation of the transport unit is prohibited).
By doing so, the money related processing is deactivated.

According to such a configuration, when the money-related processing is deactivated, the money cannot be accepted. For example, when the money is accepted, the money-related processing is not performed. It is possible to prevent disadvantages of the player and confusion of the player caused by accepting the money despite the abnormality in the money-related processing.

(5) When the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the operation means, a notification that can specify the fact is performed (for example, a notification that changes from a lighting state to a non-lighting state). Means (a bill usable lamp 13) is further included (see S4 in FIG. 5).

According to such a configuration, when the money-related processing is deactivated, a notification that can specify the fact is performed, so that the player is notified that the money-related processing is deactivated. Can be easily grasped by those who have not.

(6) A recording medium on which information for specifying a game value (card balance) usable for a game is recorded, and the recording medium has already been issued to the player (the issued prepaid card 21). ), The already-issued recording medium processing means (the already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, which performs processing for reading out the recorded information and lending the game medium using the game value specified by the recorded information) Device 33), a money accepting unit (bill insertion slot 6) for accepting money as a purchase price of a player, and a game value (equivalent to a predetermined amount within a range of the amount of money accepted by the money accepting unit). (A card balance) is recorded on the recording medium, and the recording medium is issued to the player by the recording medium processing device and then taken in without being handed over to the player. After that, an encapsulation type recording medium (encapsulation type prepaid card 23) for issuing an encapsulation type recording medium (encapsulation type prepaid card 23) in which the game medium can be lent using the game value (card balance) specified from the recording information of the recording medium. Medium issuing means (encapsulated prepaid card reader / writer device 34);
Enclosure type recording medium processing means for performing a process for enabling a game by the gaming machine using a game value specified by recording information of the enclosing type recording medium issued from the enclosing type recording medium issuing means. (Enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer device 34, main controller 33).

According to such a configuration, when money is accepted, it is possible to have the enclosure-type recording medium issued by using the enclosure-type recording medium issuing function and play a game with the enclosure-type recording medium. Becomes Thus, it is possible to prevent the player from leaving the front of the gaming device for purchasing a recording medium usable for the game and lending the gaming medium, and as a result, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the gaming device. . In addition, since the money-related processing is deactivated according to the operation of the operation means, only the processing relating to the enclosing recording medium can be deactivated according to business circumstances, and when an abnormality occurs in the money-related processing. In this case, it is possible to deactivate only processing relating to the enclosing recording medium, and in such a case, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine.

[0020]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine in which a game machine that accepts money and performs a process for lending a game medium that can be used for a game by a gaming machine is used in accordance with the money. The gaming machine may be another gaming machine such as a coin gaming machine or a slot machine. In addition, a card unit capable of processing cash will be described as an example of the gaming machine, but the gaming machine may be a cash ball lending unit (one that does not process cards) or the like attached to a gaming machine. Other gaming devices may be used. In other words, the present invention is applicable to any gaming device that accepts money and performs a process for lending game media usable for gaming by the gaming machine in accordance with the money. It is possible.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 2 as an example of a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island, a recording medium processing device, and a card unit 3 as an example of a gaming device. In the amusement arcade, a gaming machine installation island 200a in which a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are provided side by side (in a mode in which the back sides face each other) is provided. A card unit 3 is attached to the left of each pachinko gaming machine 2 in a one-to-one correspondence with one pachinko gaming machine 2.

In the gaming machine installation island 200a,
At one end, an island edge control box 201 provided with an island edge control device for performing various controls related to the gaming machine installation island 200a such as a banknote transport control in the gaming machine installation island 200a and a device such as a bill collection box is provided. Have been. A prepaid card issuance device (not shown) is installed at the other end of the gaming machine installation island 200a, and a player inserts a bill into the prepaid card issuance device to purchase a prepaid card. Is performed, the issued issued prepaid card 21 composed of a magnetic card or the like is ejected and issued to the player.

The issued prepaid card 21 records card balance data as compensation for the player's insertion fee, security data for maintaining security, a card number for identifying the issued prepaid card 21, and the like. ing.

The player inserts the issued prepaid card 21 into the card slot 3 of the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
, The recorded information of the inserted issued prepaid card 21 is read by an already issued prepaid card reader / writer (not shown) provided in the card unit 3. Then, when the ball lending switch 80 is pressed, a part of the card balance included in the read data is withdrawn and the lending corresponding to the card balance is paid out to the upper plate 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and payout. Is done. The card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2 are wired and connected, and are configured so that data can be exchanged between them. When the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted and a part of the card balance is withdrawn and used for a game, a ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the pachinko gaming machine 2 Pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the upper plate 5 accordingly. Then, the player can play the ball by firing the lending ball paid out to the upper plate 5 to the game area. When the already issued prepaid card 21 is to be returned, the return switch 81 is pressed and returned. Also, when the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 becomes 0, it is automatically returned.

The upper plate 5 is provided with a card balance display 8 for displaying the card balance recorded on the inserted issued prepaid card 21 and the card balance recorded on the enclosed prepaid card 23 described later. ing.

On the other hand, when the player inserts a bill (for example, a 1000 yen bill) into the bill insertion slot 6 provided in the card unit 3, the sealed prepaid card 23 as an example of the sealed recording medium is inserted into the player. Issued to In the card unit 3, a single prepaid card 23 made of a magnetic card or the like is set, and when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill is recorded. The enclosed prepaid card 23 is partially ejected from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 (see FIG. 2B). In other words, a recording medium (encapsulated prepaid card 23) on which information capable of specifying the size of the game value (card balance) corresponding to the amount of money as the purchase price of the player is recorded is issued. . The enclosed prepaid card 23 is carried into the game arcade by the prepaid card issuing company, and is set one by one in each card unit 3 in the game arcade.

Since issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is performed by inserting bills, a relatively large amount (for example, 1000 yen) is consumed in one issuance, and the sales of the game arcade are reduced. There are benefits to improve.
In addition, the enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card)
If the game is issued twice, the player plays the game at least until the game value specified from the issued recording information of the enclosing recording medium is used up, so that the operating rate of the gaming machine in the game hall is improved. .

Further, even if there is an upper limit on the number of repetitions of the processing to be taken in and used for a game after the enclosed recording medium is issued, a relatively expensive enclosed recording medium is issued in one processing. Therefore, the total value of the gaming value used for the game until the upper limit is reached can be increased.

The card unit 3 is provided with an enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 (see FIG. 3), and one enclosed prepaid card 23 is set in the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34. And is in a state of being constantly held. Then, as described above, when the player inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a card balance corresponding to the inserted amount is written into the enclosing prepaid card 23 by the enclosing prepaid card reader / writer device 34, The enclosure type prepaid card 23 is issued by partially projecting from the enclosure type prepaid card issuance port 22.

The enclosed prepaid card issuance port 22 is covered with a cover 24 made of a transparent resin so that a player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23.

The enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player side by partially protruding from the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22, but is immediately taken into the inside without passing to the player's hand. The taken-in prepaid card 23 is inserted into the prepaid card reader / writer device 3.
The card balance is read by 4, the entire card balance is withdrawn, and the number of lending balls corresponding to the withdrawn amount is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2 into the upper plate 5.

When paying out a lending ball using the card balance of the enclosed prepaid card, a lending command signal is sent from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2 similarly to the case of the previously issued prepaid card 21 described above. Is transmitted, and the ball payout control means provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 operates the ball payout device in accordance with the lending command signal to pay out a predetermined number of lending balls to the upper plate 5. In the present embodiment, the card balance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is described as being collectively debited, but the card balance may be partially debited. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an enclosed type prepaid card confirmation window, and reference numeral 30 denotes a display plate, which will be described later in detail.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit 3, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2A.

At the top of the card unit 3, a frequency identification sticker 9 is attached. The frequency identification sticker 9 is for displaying a communication frequency when a wireless communication is performed between the card unit 3 and a management computer for a hall, which is a management computer of a game arcade, for example. The card unit 3 can select and set a plurality of types of communication frequencies. The frequency identification label 9 indicates which communication frequency the card unit 3 is set to.
Can be recognized by confirming the color of.

Below the frequency identification sticker 9, a card usable lamp 10 is provided. The card usable lamp 10 is for notifying the operation status of the card unit 30. When the card unit 3 is operating normally, the card usable lamp 10 is turned on to display a display to that effect. Is performed. Also, the card unit 30
When any error occurs in the card, or when a communication error occurs between the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2, the card available lamp 10 blinks.
In the figure, reference numerals 11 and 12 are handles. A unit holder (not shown) is provided on the gaming machine installation island, and the card unit 3 can be installed on the gaming machine installation island by pressing the back side of the card unit 3 against the unit holder. Further, by pulling out the card unit 3 from the unit holder, the card unit 3 can be removed from the gaming machine installation island. Attachment and removal of the card unit 3 to and from such a unit holder are performed by gripping the handles 11 and 12.

A bill insertion slot 6 is provided below the handle 11. By inserting, for example, a 1000-yen bill into this bill insertion slot, the bill identifying device 32 (see FIG. 3) takes in the bill and determines whether or not the bill is a proper bill (genuine bill). If the bill is appropriate, the operation of issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23 is performed as described above.

Below the bill slot 6, a display plate 30 for performing various displays is provided. Referring to the enlarged view of the display plate 30, the display plate 30
Includes a bill usable lamp 13, a money amount selection button 14, a money amount display 15, a fraction display button 16, a sealed prepaid card frequency display 17, a ball display 18, a connecting stand direction display 19, and a card insertion lamp 20. Is provided.

The bill usable lamp 13 is used to insert a bill into the bill insertion slot 6 so that the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued.
This is for lighting and displaying that it is possible to input the data. In the card unit 3, when the game is being played by inserting the already issued prepaid card 21, it is not possible to insert a bill and issue the enclosed prepaid card 23. In this case, the bill usable lamp 13 is turned off. On the other hand, a bill is inserted and an enclosing prepaid card 23 is issued and the encapsulating prepaid card 23 is issued.
When the card balance of is not 0, the game is not allowed to be performed by inserting the already issued prepaid card 21.

The amount selection button 14 is used to select an amount of the card balance (ball lending amount) used for one ball lending by the issued prepaid card 21. Each time the amount selection button 14 is pressed, the card balance used for one ball lending is switched. The amount that can be selected by the amount selection button 14 is, for example, 1
A plurality of types are set, such as 00 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, and 500 yen.
The user can select and determine any of the amounts by the operation described above. Therefore, the player can freely select the ball lending amount.

The relationship between the operation of the amount selection button 14 and the selection of the ball lending amount is as follows. For example, an initial value (default value) is set for the ball lending amount, and each time the amount selection button 14 is pressed once, the ball lending amount becomes 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, and 400 yen. 500
The order is switched in the order of circles, and one more from the selection state of 500 yen
When the rounding operation is performed, the ball lending amount returns to 100 yen again, and is continuously switched in the same order. That is, each time the amount selection button 14 is operated, a plurality of types of ball lending amounts rotate.

As the initial value of the ball lending amount, one amount selected from a plurality of types of amounts is set. As the ball lending amount, one of the plurality of types of selectable ball lending amounts described above is predetermined as an initial value. For setting the initial value, one of the plurality of types of ball lending amounts is set by the amount initial value setting unit 41 described later. The initial value of the ball lending amount is desirably set to, for example, an amount (for example, 500 yen or the like in the case of the above-described amount) that is recognized as having the highest probability that the player selects the ball lending amount. By making such a setting, it is possible to save the trouble of the player performing the operation of changing the ball lending amount, which is convenient for the player.

The ball lending amount selected in response to the operation of the amount selection button 14 is displayed on the amount display 15.
Then, by operating the amount selection button 14, for example, 500
When the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted and the ball lending switch 80 provided on the pachinko gaming machine 2 is operated in a state in which the ball lending amount of the yen is selected, recording on the prepaid card 21 is performed. 500 yen is deducted from the paid card balance, and 500 yen lending is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2.

Further, the use of the issued prepaid card 21 is terminated as in the case where the already issued prepaid card 21 is ejected from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and removed from the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 by the player. If a predetermined time (for example, one minute) elapses without using the newly issued issued prepaid card 21 from the time when the
The ball lending amount used for the ball lending (ball lending) is returned to the above-described initial value, and the initial value is displayed on the amount display 15.

By pressing the fraction display button 16, a display for specifying a card unit setting state such as an ID number for identifying the card unit 3 and a lending state immediately before the last time is performed.

Sealed type prepaid card frequency indicator 17
Displays the current card balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 that has been issued. The enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 is also used for displaying an error code. For example, a code is displayed for each cause of abnormality, such as various abnormal states occurring in the card unit 3 and communication abnormalities between the card unit 3 and the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 2.

The ball display 18 is provided for the card unit 3.
Is selectively lit to indicate whether it is for renting a pachinko ball or a medal. Some of the card units 3 are for lending medals (coins), such as slot machines, instead of lending pachinko balls.
Is configured to be able to be recognized by the lighting display of.

The link stand direction indicator 19 is for lighting and displaying which pachinko gaming machine 2 the card unit 3 is connected to by wire. The card insertion lamp 20 is for illuminating and displaying that the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.

In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window, and the characters "encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window" indicating that it is an issuance section of the encapsulation type prepaid card are shown at the lower front of the encapsulation type prepaid card confirmation window 7. It is attached to the part. FIG. 2B shows an AA cross section of the enclosed prepaid card confirmation window 7. A cover 24 made of a transparent resin is provided on the front side of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 provided on the front side of the card unit 3. Then, when the player inserts a regular bill into the bill insertion slot 6, a part of the enclosed prepaid card 23 in which a card balance (frequency) corresponding to the amount of the bill is recorded is transferred from the card issuing slot 22. As a result, the sealed prepaid card 23 is issued to the player. In this issuance state, the player
Although the projected portion of the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be visually recognized through 4, the player cannot pull out the enclosed prepaid card 23 due to the presence of the cover 24. As a result, the operation of once issuing the enclosed prepaid card 23, taking it in again, and lending the ball can be repeated, and the running cost in the game hall can be minimized.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
Is issued by partially protruding the enclosed prepaid card forward of the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. A recess may be provided in the front portion of the card unit 3 and the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22 may be formed in the recess. In this case, the recessed bottom portion is the front surface of the enclosed prepaid card issuing port 22. In order to become, the enclosed prepaid card 2
When a part of 3 protrudes, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued. That is, the term “front surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit” in the present invention is not limited to the front surface of the card unit 3, but includes a concave bottom surface of the enclosing recording medium issuing unit when the enclosing recording medium issuing unit is depressed. is there.

When the already issued prepaid card 21 is inserted into the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and used for a game, and the player performs a pressing operation of the return switch 81 as a game ending operation, the updated card balance is reduced. The recorded issued prepaid card 21 is ejected (returned) from the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4. It should be noted that the zero card that has completely used up the card balance is also discharged (returned) from the card insertion slot 4. In such a case, the issued prepaid card 21 is ejected from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 while being held in a manner that allows the player to remove it. The player receives the discharged issued prepaid card 21 by extracting the discharged issued prepaid card 21 in such a state.

Although the issued prepaid card 21 is conventionally formed in a general size, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is formed of a card smaller in size than the issued prepaid card 21.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit 3. An issued issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 is provided below the card unit 3. The issued issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 has an issued issued prepaid card reader / writer and a microcontroller for controlling the same. And a control board on which a computer or the like is mounted.

Although not shown, at the card entry side of the already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, for example, in the case of returning the card, the card is located near the already-issued prepaid card insertion slot 4. There is provided an entrance card detection switch 341 (see FIG. 4) for detecting an inserted card.

An enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 is provided above the previously issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The information in the recording section of the enclosed prepaid card 23 is erased or newly written by the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34.

A main controller 33 is provided above the enclosed type prepaid card reader / writer 34. In the main control device 33, a control board on which a control unit 330 (see FIG. 4) composed of a control microcomputer for controlling the entire card unit 3 as a whole is provided. .

A bill discriminating device 32 is provided above the main controller 33. A bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 6 is discriminated by the bill discriminating device 32 and its authenticity is determined. In the bill validator 32, a transport unit 321 that transports the inserted bill by a roller driven by a motor, an identification unit 322 that optically determines the authenticity of the bill transported by the transport unit 321, and And a control board on which a control unit 320 (see FIG. 4) including a control microcomputer for controlling the transport unit 321 and the identification unit 322 is provided.

The side of the main controller 33 has a state in which the bill recognizing device 32 is in the banknote rejection state or the bill recognizing device 3.
2. A bill use control switch 39 comprising a toggle switch for selecting one of the bill accepting states in 2
Is provided.

Although not shown, the bill validator 32
An entrance banknote detector 301 (see FIG. 4) for detecting a banknote carried in from the outside of the banknote recognition device 32 is provided on the entrance side of the banknote recognition device 32. An exit bill detector 302 (see FIG. 4) for detecting bills carried out from the inside of the device 32 to the outside is provided.

A communication relay device 31 is provided above the bill validator 32. Communication with a terminal box installed in the game hall is performed via the communication relay device 31.

At the lowermost part of the card unit 3, a junction box 36 is provided. The junction box 36 stores ID information of the card unit 3, that is, identification information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card unit 3
The shape of the front part of the is a sealed prepaid card issuing port 2
The front face of the card unit provided with the cover 24 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and the face provided with the bill insertion slot 6 are compared with the other front face of the card unit (display plate 30). Protruding forward. This allows the player to enter the enclosed prepaid card issuing section 22 and the issued prepaid card insertion slot 4.
And the portion where the bill insertion slot 6 is provided and the other portion can be easily distinguished.

Further, on the back (back) side of the card unit 3, a payout control unit (control unit for performing payout control of a lending ball) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2, a hall management provided in the game hall. A relay board 37 provided with electronic components such as a computer and a connector for connection to an external device such as an interface device described later is provided. The control unit 330 (see FIG. 4) in the main control device 33 is communicably connected to the above-described external device via the relay board 37.

In the gaming machine installation island 200a, a transport path of a bill transporting device is provided in a space between the rows of the pachinko gaming machines and the card units 3 in which the back surface side is arranged to face each other. After the banknotes received by the card unit 3 are processed, the bills are discharged from the back side of the card unit 3 onto a transport path, transported to a collection box provided at an end of the gaming machine installation island, and collected. .

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a control operation of the above-described various devices will be described. Junction box 36
Has a function of supplying DC power to the inside of the card unit 3 and setting the above-described ID information (identification number) indicating the installation position in the game arcade. The identification number, which is the set ID information, is transmitted to the hall management computer of the game hall together with information for specifying the use value (sales) associated with the use of the card. The hall management computer is configured so as to classify and output sales information and the like for each identification number of the card unit and to serve for business management of the amusement arcade.

The already-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 takes in the already-issued prepaid card 21 inserted into the already-issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 and reads the information recorded on the already-issued prepaid card 21 to determine the authenticity. And the card balance included in the read information is transmitted to the main controller 33. Main controller 33 performs control for displaying the card balance based on the received card balance information. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the card balance is output to a balance display 8 provided on the upper plate of the pachinko gaming machine or the like.

Further, main controller 33 outputs a lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine to pay out a number of lending balls corresponding to a predetermined unit amount (for example, 100 yen). Is output. By repeating the lending operation for one unit amount a plurality of times, a lending corresponding to a predetermined amount is executed. Then, it outputs a subtraction command signal for subtracting the value of the amount of money lent to the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. Already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 3
Reference numeral 5 updates the card balance of the issued issued prepaid card 21 inserted in accordance with the output command signal and writes the reduced card balance into the issued issued prepaid card. Then, when the game is over, a process of discharging the already issued prepaid card 21 from the already issued prepaid card insertion slot 4 is performed.

When a 1,000-yen bill is inserted through the bill insertion slot 6, the bill validator 32 discriminates the authenticity of the bill, and when the bill is identified as a correct bill, a signal to that effect is sent to the main controller 33. Transmit to The main control device 33 sends a control signal to the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34. Receiving the control signal, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 records balance information for 1,000 yen in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and transmits the encapsulation type prepaid card from the encapsulation type prepaid card issuing port 22. 23 is protruded and issued. Then, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 takes in the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 and the encapsulation type prepaid card 2
3 is read, and the card balance (1000 yen) included in the read information is transmitted to the main controller 33.

Main controller 33 displays the size of the card balance (1000 yen) transmitted to enclosed type prepaid card frequency display 17 and card balance display 8 according to the transmitted information. Display control to perform the display. Specifically, a display control signal for digitally displaying the transmitted balance of the enclosed prepaid card (1,000 yen) is output to the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8. The enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 digitally display the size of the card balance (1000 yen) according to the output display control signal.

Further, the main controller 33 outputs the above-mentioned one unit (for example, 100 yen) ball lending command signal to the ball payout control microcomputer of the pachinko game machine, and performs one unit ball lending operation. Let them do it. By performing the ball lending operation of one unit a plurality of times (10 times in the present embodiment), the ball lending operation for 1,000 yen is performed.

When the ball lending operation for the amount of one thousand yen has been completed, the main controller 33 outputs a reduction update control signal for the one thousand yen to the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34. In response to this, the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34 rewrites the card balance information of the enclosed enclosed prepaid card 23 to zero.

On the other hand, the main controller 33 outputs the above-mentioned deduction update control signal and, at the same time, outputs a display control signal for setting the frequency display of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 to 0. It outputs to the enclosed type prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8.
In the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8, the display of the card balance is set to "0" according to the control signal. Further, when any abnormality occurs in the card unit 3, the main controller 33 performs control to display an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 or the card balance display 8. . As a result, the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 or the card balance display 8 displays an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality.

More specifically, the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 flashes the card balance (remaining number) of the enclosed prepaid card 23 during the lending of the game medium, and displays the card balance (remaining number) when an error occurs. ) And an error code (a code indicating the cause of the error) are alternately displayed in time difference. If an error occurs during standby for bill insertion, only the error code is displayed. The error codes displayed by the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 include errors related to the enclosed prepaid card 23 such as clogging and reading errors of the enclosed prepaid card 23, and errors related to the banknote recognition device 32 such as banknote jam. There is a code indicating a predetermined error related to the processing of the encapsulation prepaid card 23 such as an error of the encapsulation prepaid card related parts (hereinafter referred to as an encapsulation prepaid card processing error).

On the other hand, the error codes displayed by the card balance display 8 include a hardware failure of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 and a card unit 3.
Card unit 30 side errors such as communication errors in various devices, clogging of the issued prepaid card 21, abnormal insertion errors of the issued prepaid card 21, and other errors related to the issued prepaid card, the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine An error related to the connection cable such as a communication error with the second, a previously issued prepaid card 21 such as an error on the pachinko gaming machine side such as an error on the pachinko gaming machine side when the lending refusal situation due to a broken ball or the like occurs on the pachinko gaming machine side during lending of the ball There is a code indicating a predetermined error (referred to as an already issued prepaid card processing related error) related to the above processing.

As described above, depending on the cause of the error, the case where the error code is displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the case where the error code is displayed on the card balance display 8 are divided into two cases. No error code is displayed.

As described above, the main controller 33 controls the enclosing type prepaid card frequency display 17 to display the balance of the enclosing type prepaid card 23. In addition, the main controller 33 additionally controls the upper plate of the pachinko gaming machine 2 described above. The display control signal is also transmitted to the card balance display 8 provided in the display 5 to control the display of the balance of the enclosed prepaid card. The card balance display 8 is a dual-purpose display that also displays the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21 under the control of the main controller 33. May be provided respectively. In addition, when it is provided, it is not limited to the upper plate 5 and may be provided at another location, for example, a curtain plate or the like, or may be provided at the same location as the trouble lamp. Further, the balance of the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be displayed on only one of the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8.

The main controller 33 also performs control for displaying the bill usable lamp 13, the card usable lamp 10, the card insertion lamp 20, and the like as described above.

Next, the configuration of the control device in the card unit 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the card unit 3, and illustration of a part of the configuration is omitted.

In the game arcade, there is provided a card unit management device 400 comprising a management computer for managing a plurality of card units 3 provided in the arcade. Outside the game arcade, a unit management center (not shown) is provided, which is an institution that manages all card units 3 in a plurality of game arcades in which the card units 3 are provided. In this unit management center, all card units 3 in a plurality of game arcades
A central management device (not shown) including a computer that manages all of the devices is provided. This central management unit
Card unit management device 4 at each game hall via communication line
00 and is communicably connected to each of the card unit management devices 400, so that all the card units 3 in each of the amusement arcades are comprehensively managed.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 of the card unit 3 includes a control unit 340 of the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34, a control unit 350 of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, and the banknote recognition device 3.
The two control units 320 are communicably connected to each other. The control unit 330 of the main control device 33 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 and can communicate with the payout control unit 200, which is a control microcomputer including a control microcomputer capable of paying out balls for lending. Connected by

The control unit 320 of the bill validator 32 gives a control signal to the transport unit 321 to drive and control the transport unit 321 provided for the bill validator 32.
The transport unit 321 is driven and controlled in accordance with a control signal received from the control unit 320, and performs an operation of transporting the inserted bill. The control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 provides a control signal for controlling a recognition operation to a banknote recognition unit 322 provided in the banknote recognition device 32. The identification unit 322 includes the control unit 3
In accordance with the control signal received from 20, a bill discriminating operation is performed, and information indicating the discrimination result is provided to the control unit 320.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 sends various kinds of information (signals such as a reception prohibition command signal capable of indicating the reception prohibition command information and the reception permissible command information to the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32. , Information including data). Various information such as information indicating the identification result of the banknote is given from the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33.

The control unit 330 of the main controller 33 controls the lamp to be turned on by supplying power to the card usable lamp 10 when the issued prepaid card 21 can be used, so that the use of the card is disabled. When it is impossible (when prohibited), the power supply to the card usable lamp 10 is cut off to control the lamp to be turned off. In addition, the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 controls the lamp to be turned on by supplying power to the bill usable lamp 13 when the bill can be accepted, and when the receipt of the bill is prohibited. By cutting off the power supply to the bill usable lamp 13, the lamp is controlled to be turned off.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 receives detection signals from the above-described entrance banknote detector 301 and the above-described exit banknote detector 302, and receives the detection signals.
No. 2 recognizes the presence or absence of a bill on the entrance side and the exit side.

The reception prohibition time set by the reception prohibition time setting device 38 is basically issued from the time when the inserted bill is identified as a genuine bill by the bill validator 32 in accordance with the amount of the bill. Enclosed prepaid card 23
Is set to a time within a time corresponding to a time until all the balls lent based on the card balance are considered to be consumed by firing the balls. In other words, the reception prohibition time is set in a plurality of stages by the reception prohibition time setting device 38, but when it is considered that all the balls lent in such a manner are consumed by firing the balls in any of the stages. Until the time corresponding to the time is up.
Therefore, even if the acceptance of the bill is prohibited by the acceptance prohibition timer for a predetermined time, for a general player who performs a normal game, the acceptance acceptance state of the bill is released by the time all the balls are consumed by firing. As a result, the prohibition of acceptance does not pose a particular problem, and does not hinder the player's use of bills. Therefore, there is no disadvantage of a general player and disadvantage of a game hall.

As described above, by prohibiting the acceptance of the next bill until a predetermined period has elapsed since the bill was identified, excessively frequent use of the bill is restricted, and the use of a prepaid card using a counterfeit bill is restricted. Since the efficiency of illegal issuance and illegal lending of balls is reduced, it is possible to make it difficult to perform fraudulent acts using counterfeit bills. In addition, since the reception prohibition time setting device 38 can set the reception prohibition time for bills, such a reception prohibition time can be arbitrarily set at the game hall. as a result,
It is possible to set a reception prohibition time suitable for the operation of the game arcade.

During the banknote acceptance prohibition period, the bill available lamp 13 is turned off to notify that the banknote will not be accepted. Therefore, the player can easily recognize that the banknote will not be accepted during the banknote acceptance prohibition time, and the confusion of the player due to the failure to accept the banknote can be prevented.

The control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 gives the issuance command information for instructing the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 upon receipt of the bill, to the control unit 340 of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer unit 34. Control unit 330
In response to receiving the issuance command information, the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 controls the issuance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and in response, issues the issuance command response information indicating that the issuance has been issued. Device 3
3 to the control unit 330.

In response to receiving the issuance command response information, the control unit 330 transfers issue amount data indicating the issue amount of the enclosed prepaid card to the control unit 350 of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. Then, the control unit 330 controls the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 1
7 is provided with an issuance amount display signal, and control is performed to display the issuance amount as a balance on the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17.

Control unit 35 which received the transfer of the issue amount data
In the case of 0, the issue amount data is accumulated and stored, and the accumulated issue amount data is transmitted to the card unit management device 400 installed in the amusement arcade via the communication relay device 31 at regular intervals together with the consumption amount data described later. I do. Such issuance amount data is similarly transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

After confirming the response information from control unit 340, control unit 330 of main control unit 33 sends a lending command signal for lending pachinko balls corresponding to the deposit amount to payout control unit 200 in pachinko gaming machine 2. Controls transmission.
The lending command signal is a signal for instructing lending of balls by one payout unit. For example, in the case of instructing lending of balls for 1000 yen, a lending instruction signal for instructing lending of one payout unit of balls is 10 units. Will be forwarded. Payout control unit 2
At 00, a lending command signal is received to control the lending, and a lending completion signal is returned to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 each time one unit of the ball is paid out.

The control unit 330 of the main controller 33 controls the balance displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 every time the lending completion signal is received. In addition, when the lending of the full amount of the accepted bill is completed, the control unit 330 of the main controller 33 controls the control unit 340 of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34.
The balance 0 recording instruction information is provided as a reduction update control signal for writing “0” as the card balance in the enclosed prepaid card 23. In response to receiving the balance 0 recording command information, the control unit 340 performs control to rewrite the card balance of the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 to “0”, and after the rewriting is completed, sets the card balance to “0”. The balance 0 recording command reply information indicating the rewriting is returned.

As described above, the enclosed prepaid card 23
In the case of using, when the player inserts a bill, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is automatically issued, and thereafter, lending of a ball for the entire amount of the issued amount is automatically performed regardless of the operation of the player. It is done. This prevents the player from leaving the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in front of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 to purchase and lend a ball usable for the game, and as a result, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 Rate can be improved.
Further, since the issued enclosed prepaid card 23 once issued is taken in without being handed over to the player,
It is possible to make it difficult to perform an illegal act of recording illegal information on the enclosed prepaid card 23.

When the balance “0” is written as a balance on the enclosed prepaid card 23 upon completion of the lending of the ball, consumption amount data indicating the amount consumed for lending the ball out of the issued amount is included. The information is transferred to the control unit 350 of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The control unit 350 that has received the transfer of the consumption amount data accumulates and stores the consumption amount data, and stores the accumulated and stored consumption amount data together with the above-mentioned issue amount data to the game hall via the communication relay device 31 at regular intervals. This is transmitted to the installed card unit management device 400. Such consumption data is
The same is transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

When a ball is lent out based on the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21, the ball lending switch 80 is operated according to the ball lending operation of the ball lending switch 80 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2. Receives a ball lending operation signal to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33, and in response to receiving the ball lending operation signal, the control unit 330 pays out the selected amount of money when using the already issued prepaid card 21. Is transmitted to the payout control unit 200. When it is confirmed that the payout of the selected amount of the ball lending (for example, 500 yen or the like) is completed, the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 transmits the card balance to the control unit 350 of the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. An update command is given, and the control unit 350 controls to rewrite the card balance of the issued prepaid card 21.

When the lending of the ball is completed,
Consumption amount data indicating the amount consumed for lending the ball is transferred from the control unit 330 to the control unit 350 of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35. The control unit 350 that has received the transfer of the consumption amount data of the already issued prepaid card 21 accumulates and stores the consumption amount data,
The accumulated and stored consumption amount data is transmitted to the card unit management device 400 installed in the amusement arcade via the communication relay device 31 at regular intervals together with the issuance amount data and the consumption amount data of the enclosed prepaid card 23 described above. . Such consumption amount data is similarly transmitted from the control unit 350 to the hall management computer.

When the above-mentioned error relating to the processing of the enclosed prepaid card occurs, the banknote discriminating device 32, the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34, and the issued prepaid card reader / writer are controlled by the control unit 330. The device 35 is deactivated (however, the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 can be activated in accordance with the operation of the bill use control switch 39), the card usable lamp 10, the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17, and a predetermined notification indicating that an error has occurred is performed using the bill usable lamp 13. In the case of this notification, the card usable lamp 10 blinks. An error code indicating the type of error that has occurred is displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 (if an error occurs during lending of a ball, the card balance and the error code at that time are determined by a predetermined number). Displayed alternately in a cycle). The bill usable lamp 13 is turned off. When performing such notification, the control unit 330
Based on the control signals to the relevant indicators and lamps,
The corresponding indicators and lamps are controlled. When deactivating the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 and the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35,
Each device is deactivated by the control unit 330 not executing the process for controlling the corresponding device.

The bill use control switch 39 is provided on a control board on which the control unit 330 of the main controller 33 is provided, and sets the state of the bill validator 32 in two states: a bill acceptance permitted state and a bill acceptance prohibited state. And an operation signal indicating the selected state is provided to the control unit 330 of the main control device 33.
When the control unit 330 receives the operation signal and selects the banknote acceptance prohibited state, the control unit 3 of the banknote recognition device 32
By setting the reception prohibition command signal to 20 to a high level, reception prohibition command information for prohibiting reception of banknotes is given.
In that case, the control unit 320 performs control to prohibit acceptance of bills. For this reason, when the banknote acceptance prohibition state is selected due to the above-described error state, the control unit 330 controls the banknote recognition device 32 to a state where banknotes cannot be accepted. Further, the control unit 330 performs control for activating the processing of the issued prepaid card 21 that has been deactivated when the bill acceptance prohibited state is selected when an error relating to the encapsulation type prepaid card processing occurs. In addition, in the control unit 330, when the bill accepting state is selected, the acceptance prohibition command signal to the control unit 320 of the bill identifying device 32 is set to a low level, so that the acceptance allowance information for accepting the bill is received. give. In this case, the control unit 320 allows the bill to be accepted, and controls the bill identifying device 32 to a state in which the bill can be accepted. Here, when the bill acceptance permitted state is newly selected in the situation where the bill acceptance prohibited state has been selected, the bill acceptance prohibited state is released, and the bill acceptance is permitted.

As described above, the bill recognizing device 32 becomes inactive because the receipt of the bill is prohibited in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39. In addition, when the banknote recognition device 32 is in an inactive state, the card unit 3 performs a banknote recognition operation (identification process) performed according to the inserted banknote, an issuance operation of the enclosed prepaid card 23 (issue process), In addition, the money-related processing performed in connection with the acceptance of bills, such as a lending payout operation (ball payout processing), is deactivated.

[0099] As described above, the bill validating apparatus 3 that performs operations related to the processing of the enclosed prepaid card 23.
2 and enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34
If the error described above occurs and it is unlikely that the error can be resolved, the control unit 330 cannot accept the bill in the bill identifying device 32 according to the operation of the bill use control switch 39 by the attendant as described above. By controlling the prepaid card 23 to be in a state such that the enclosed prepaid card 23 cannot be used, the issued prepaid card 2 by the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 is controlled.
1 is activated. As a result, in such a case, the card-type unit 3 cannot use the enclosed recording prepaid card 23, but the already issued prepaid card 21.
Can be used.

If the above-mentioned error relating to the processing of the issued prepaid card has occurred, the banknote recognition device 32, the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34, and the
Inactivation of the already issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35, card usable lamp 10, lendable lamp (a lamp provided on the upper plate 5 for indicating that lending of balls is possible), and card balance A predetermined notification indicating that an error has occurred by the display unit 8 and invalidation of the operation of the ball lending switch 80 are performed under the control of the control unit 330.
In the case of this notification, the card usable lamp 10 blinks. An error code indicating the type of error that has occurred is displayed on the card balance display 8 (if an error occurs during lending of a ball, the card balance at that time and the error code alternate at a predetermined cycle. Will be displayed on your device). The lendable lamp is turned off. When such notification is made, the control unit 330 controls the corresponding display and lamp based on a control signal to the relevant display and lamp. Enclosed-type prepaid card reader / writer device 34 and pre-issued prepaid card reader / writer device 3
In the case of deactivating 5, each device is deactivated by the control unit 330 not performing the process for controlling the corresponding device.

Next, the contents of the bill use control switch process executed in the control section 330 of the main control device 33 will be described. This bill use control switch process is performed by the control unit 3
30 is one of subroutine programs started by a main program executed for various controls in the banknote 30. In accordance with the operation of the banknote use control switch 39, the use / non-permission (permissible) of the banknote in the banknote recognition device 32 is permitted. / Prohibition).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the bill use control switch process. First, step S
(Hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1 is used to determine whether or not the bill use control switch 39 has been operated. If it is determined in S1 that no operation has been performed, the bill use control switch process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not the acceptance of the bill has been selected by operating the bill use control switch 39.

If it is determined in S2 that the acceptance of bills has not been selected by operating the bill use control switch 39, in other words, if acceptance of bills has been selected, the flow proceeds to S5 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined in S2 that the banknote use control switch 39 has been operated to prohibit the receipt of banknotes, the process proceeds to S3, in which the above-described process of setting the prohibition command signal to a high level (output state) is performed. As a result, a command to prohibit acceptance of the bill by the bill identification device 32 is sent from the control unit 330 of the main control device 33 to the control unit 320 of the bill identification device 32, and accordingly, as described later, the acceptance of the bill is performed. It is forbidden. Then, the process proceeds to S4, in which a process of controlling the bill usable lamp 13 from the lit state to the unlit state is performed, and thereafter, the bill use control switch process ends.

If it is determined in step S2 that the banknote use prohibition is not selected by operating the banknote use control switch 39, and the process advances to step S5, the above-described reception prohibition command signal is set to the low level (output stop state). ) Is performed. Thereby, the control unit 330 of the main control device 33
To the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 from the banknote recognition device 3
No instruction is issued to prohibit the acceptance of bills by No. 2, and accordingly, acceptance of bills is permitted, as will be described later. Then, the process proceeds to S6, in which a process of controlling the bill usable lamp 13 from the unlit state to the lit state is performed, and thereafter, the bill use control switch process ends.

By executing the above-mentioned bill use control switch processing, the state of the bill discriminating device 32 is changed in accordance with the operation of the bill use control switch 39, between the state in which the bill is accepted and the state in which the bill is accepted. A command to switch to any of the prohibited states is issued from main controller 33 to bill validator 32. Further, the state of the bill usable lamp 13 is switched in accordance with the operation of the bill use control switch 39, thereby notifying that the bill can be used.

In the case of an error relating to the processing of the enclosed prepaid card as described above, the predetermined error processing executed by the control section 330 allows the banknote use control switch 39 to be operated in accordance with the selection of prohibition of acceptance of the bill. Control is performed to activate the process of the issued prepaid card 21 that has been deactivated.

Next, the bill use selection process executed in the control unit 320 of the bill validator 32 will be described. This bill use selection process is one of subroutine programs started by a main program executed for various controls in the control unit 320, and determines whether the bill can be used or not in the bill validator 32. This is a process for selecting.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the bill use selection process. First, in S11, it is determined whether the reception prohibition command signal from main controller 33 is at a high level. If it is determined in S11 that the reception prohibition command signal is at the high level, the bill validator 32
Is a command to prohibit the use of banknotes, the process proceeds to S12, a process of setting a transport unit operation prohibition flag is performed, and the process of selecting the use of banknotes ends. Here, the transport unit operation prohibition flag is a flag indicating that the operation of the transport unit 321 is prohibited, and when this flag is set, the process of controlling the operation of the transport unit 321 by the transport unit 321 is prohibited. When the operation is prohibited, the transport unit 321 cannot operate, and the bill cannot be accepted. That is, in this case, even if an attempt is made to insert a bill through the bill insertion slot 6, the bill is not taken inside.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 that the reception prohibition command signal is not at the high level,
This is the case where the use of the banknote is permitted in S2, and the process proceeds to S13, where it is determined whether or not the above-described conveyance unit operation prohibition flag is being set. If it is determined in S13 that the transport unit operation prohibition flag is not being set, the use of the bill is originally permitted, and the bill use selection process ends to continue the state. On the other hand, S
If it is determined by 13 that the transport unit operation prohibition flag is being set, the original state is a state in which the use of bills is prohibited, and in order to change that state to a state in which use of bills is permitted, Proceeding to S14, processing for clearing the transport unit operation prohibition flag is performed. Thereafter, the bill use selection process ends.

By executing the above-described bill use selection process, the control unit 330 of the main controller 33 instructs the bill recognition device 32 to prohibit acceptance of the bill by the operation of the bill use control switch 39. Then, the operation of the transport unit 321 is prohibited by the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32, so that the reception of the banknote by the banknote recognition device 32 is prohibited. On the other hand, in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39, when the control unit 330 of the main control unit 33 allows the bill recognition device 32 to accept a bill, the control unit 320 of the bill recognition device 32 operates the transport unit 321. Is permitted, the acceptance of the bill by the bill identifying device 32 is permitted.

The bill use control switch 39 is operated in the following cases, for example, in addition to the above-described case of the occurrence of the error relating to the encapsulation-type prepaid card processing, and selection of prohibition of receipt of bills is made.

When the pachinko gaming machine 2 is out of order, or when an abnormality occurs in the communication path between the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3, even if the card unit 3 can operate normally, The lending of the ball according to the insertion of the bill is not performed normally. In such a case, in order to avoid troubles with a player who uses the bill without knowing the inconvenience of using the bill in the card unit 3, it is desired to prohibit acceptance of the bill for business reasons. In this case, if the banknote use control switch 39 is operated to select the banknote acceptance prohibition, the acceptance of the banknote is prohibited, and such troubles can be avoided.

Further, if the card unit 3 which can use both the issued prepaid card 21 and the enclosed prepaid card 23 is installed, but it is not desired to use the enclosed prepaid card 23 due to actual business problems,
I want to prohibit acceptance of banknotes for business reasons. In this case, if the banknote use control switch 39 is operated and the banknote acceptance prohibition is selected, the acceptance of the banknote is prohibited.
The device can be operated according to the business convenience of the amusement arcade.

Next, main effects obtained by this embodiment will be described together. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the receipt of money is prohibited in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39 and the bill recognition device 32 is deactivated, so that the money is used in the card unit 3, for example. Based on the business convenience of the game hall, such as when it is desired to deactivate money-related processing to avoid trouble with players who use money without knowing the inconvenience of
Inactivation of money related processing can be performed. This makes it possible to deactivate the money-related processing according to the situation of use based on the business convenience of the game arcade. Similarly, the receipt of money is prohibited in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39, and the bill identification device 32 is deactivated, thereby causing an abnormality in the card unit 2 such as an abnormality of the bill identification device 32. In such a case, it is possible to deactivate the money-related processing based on the situation of the abnormality. This makes it possible to deactivate the money-related processing in accordance with the usage of the gaming device when an abnormality occurs in the gaming device.

More specifically, in the case where an abnormality occurs in a money-related process such as a bill discriminating operation by the bill discriminating device 32, it is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged as much as possible. Further, the operation of the bill use control switch 39 is a condition for deactivating the money-related processing.
Since the situation of the abnormalities of the money-related processing can be actually confirmed before inactivating the banknote recognition device, the banknote identification device 32 is inactivated only when the necessity of the inactivation is actually confirmed. Can be. In this manner, the player is prevented from being disadvantaged as much as possible, and the banknote recognition device 32 is deactivated only when the necessity of deactivation is actually confirmed. In the case where an abnormality occurs in the money-related processing in, an abnormal-time processing suitable for an actual situation can be performed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the acceptance of the bill is prohibited in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39, the discriminating operation of the bill discriminating device 32 is deactivated. In the card unit 3, when it is desired to deactivate money-related processing due to business reasons on the game arcade side, or when an abnormality occurs in the card unit 3, it is impossible to identify money in accordance with the convenience of use of the device. Mobilization can take place.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bill validator 32 prohibits the operation of the transport unit 321 in response to receiving the reception prohibition command signal sent from the main controller 33. As a result, the discrimination operation is deactivated, and thus, by exchanging such signals, the deactivation of the discrimination operation can be reliably performed according to the operation of the bill use control switch 39.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the currency-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39, the bill is accepted by prohibiting the operation of the transport unit 321. Since the state is disabled, for example, a bill is accepted in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the money-related processing such as a case where the money-related processing is not performed even if the bill is accepted. The disadvantage of the player and the confusion of the player caused by the above can be prevented beforehand. The disadvantage of the player in this case is, for example, a case where a ball is not paid out even though a bill is accepted. In addition, the confusion of the player in this case means that, for example, the banknote is accepted even though the money-related processing is in an abnormal state, and it can be understood whether or not the money-related processing is actually abnormal. As an example, it can be confused without being.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the money-related processing is deactivated, a notice capable of specifying the fact (the bill cannot be used) is given from turning on the bill usable lamp 13 to turning it off. Is performed according to the state change, so that a player or the like can easily recognize that the money-related processing is deactivated.

Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the like, when money is accepted, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued by using the enclosed The game can be played with the prepaid card 23. This prevents the player from leaving the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in front of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 for purchase of cards usable for the game and lending of balls as a game medium. As a result, the pachinko gaming machines 2 and The operating rate of the card unit can be improved. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the bill use control switch 39, so that only the processing relating to the encapsulation type prepaid card 23 is performed in accordance with business circumstances. In addition to being able to deactivate, when an abnormality occurs in the money-related processing, it is possible to deactivate only the processing relating to the encapsulation type prepaid card 23, and to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the card unit 3 even in such a case. Can be.

Next, modifications and features of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) Although the gaming machine described in the present embodiment pays out gaming media such as lending balls or lending coins, the present invention is not limited to this, and is specified by recording information of a recording medium. Instead of paying out (using) the game value and paying out the game media, the gaming machine gives a score corresponding to the deducted value (score indicating the number of game media for lending such as lending balls or lending coins). ) By adding and updating the score of the player, so that the game is performed using the number of game media corresponding to the score, and by controlling the score to be increased or decreased according to the situation of the game, A game machine may be used in which the game media is not directly paid out, but the game media is provided to the player in the form of scores.

Therefore, the currency according to the present invention is accepted,
In accordance with the money (in the case of a recording medium, using the game value specified by the recording information of the recording medium), a game for performing a process for lending a game medium usable for a game by a gaming machine In the apparatus, "lending a game medium" means paying out (lending) an actual lending or lending coin to a player, and giving a lending ball or lending coin indicated by a score to the player. Both concepts are included.
Further, the balls or coins included in the game medium include not only actual balls or coins but also those displayed from images.

Further, in order to monitor an abnormal situation in which the player breaks the cover 24 and pulls out the enclosed prepaid card 23, wiring is laid on the inner surface of the cover 24, electricity is supplied to the wiring, and electricity flows. If an abnormal state is detected by detecting the abnormal state in which the wiring is cut due to the breakage of the cover 24 and the current stops flowing, abnormal state control such as sounding an alarm may be performed.

(2) The cover 24 prevents the enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card 23) issued from the enclosed recording medium issuing section (enclosed type recording medium issuing port 22) from reaching the player's hand. A blocking means for blocking is configured. The blocking means is not limited to the cover 24. For example, the locking means locks the enclosing recording medium partially exposed from the enclosing recording medium issuing section, and the player cannot pull out the locking medium. Etc.
It can be anything.

(3) By the frequency identification seal 9,
Frequency display means for displaying a frequency at the time of wireless communication with the recording medium processing device (card unit 3) is configured.

The bill usable lamp 13 constitutes an enclosed prepaid card issuable display means for displaying that an enclosed recording medium (enclosed prepaid card 23) can be issued using funds owned by the player. I have. It should be noted that the enclosed prepaid card may be issued using coins instead of bills.

[0127] Enclosed prepaid card 23 using coins
In order to enable the issuance of a coin, instead of or in addition to the bill insertion slot 6 and the bill identification device 32, a coin insertion slot as an example of a coin accepting unit and a coin identification device for determining the authenticity of the inserted coin. Are provided in the card unit. Then, the coin discriminating apparatus determines that the coin inserted from the coin receiving unit is an appropriate coin, and a predetermined amount of money (for example, 50
0)), a signal to that effect is transmitted to the main controller 33, and thereafter, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is controlled by the same control as in the case of the above-mentioned bill. publish. When accepting both banknotes and coins to enable the issuance of the enclosed prepaid card 23, if a banknote is inserted, the enclosed prepaid card 23 is issued only with the inserted banknote and if a coin is inserted, the One method of issuing with only the inserted coin is conceivable, but as another method, according to the selection of the player, the enclosed prepaid card 23 can be issued using the total amount of the inserted bill and the inserted coin. You may.

(4) The enclosure type prepaid card frequency indicator 17 constitutes value display means for displaying the size of the game value (card balance) specified by the recording information of the enclosure type prepaid card. This value display means also has a function of displaying information by which the cause of the abnormality at the time of occurrence of the abnormality can be recognized.

The card insertion lamp 20 constitutes an already-issued recording medium insertion display means for displaying that an already-issued recording medium is being inserted.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the game value (card balance) is recorded directly on the issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23 in addition to the recording medium identification information such as the card number. In addition, in addition to this, the management computer for the hall of the game arcade or the management computer of the prepaid card issuer also stores the current game value of the recording medium together with the recording medium identification information. The recording medium identification information of the medium is transmitted to the management computer, and the gaming value corresponding to the recording medium identification information is searched, and the searched gaming value and the prepaid card 2 are searched.
After checking that the sizes of the game values 1 and 23 match, the game value (ball or the like) can be lent (loaned) using the game value.
Further, the game value is not recorded on the issued prepaid card 21 or the enclosed prepaid card 23, but is recorded only on the hall management computer, and recorded on the prepaid cards 21 and 23 in the same manner as described above. The corresponding game value may be retrieved based on the recorded medium identification information, and the game value may be lent out using the game value.

Furthermore, both or one of the previously issued prepaid card 21 and the enclosed prepaid card 23 may be constituted by an IC card. This IC card may be either a contact type or a non-contact type (including a contact type).

(6) The present embodiment is divided into a case where an error code is displayed on the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and a case where an error code is displayed on the card balance display 8 depending on the cause of the error. The same error cause is not displayed as an error code in both, but the same error cause may be displayed as an error code in both the enclosed prepaid card frequency display 17 and the card balance display 8 instead. . Furthermore, the error code is composed of a roughly classified error code roughly classified and a finely divided error code which further classifies each major classified error code, and the above-described enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 and card balance One of the displays 8 may display a large classification error code, and the other may display a fine classification error code.

(7) The card unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 or the like uses the game value (card balance) specified by the recording information (the issued prepaid card 21, the enclosed prepaid card 23) of the recording medium. Game media (balls, etc.) that can be used for gaming with pachinko gaming machines (pachinko gaming machines 2)
A recording medium processing device that performs a process of lending (renting, etc.) the device. This recording medium processing device may be capable of using a recording medium such as a debit card or a credit card, as well as a card such as an already issued prepaid card. Further, the above-described recording medium processing device may be capable of processing not only banknotes but also coins in addition to recording media. Also, when such a recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a pachinko gaming machine, the game medium to be paid out is a ball, while, when such a recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a slot machine, The game medium to be paid out is a coin.

(8) The above-mentioned enclosed prepaid card frequency indicator 17 is provided on a pachinko game machine, for example, instead of being provided on the card unit 3, and is connected to the card unit main control device 33 by wiring. (Card frequency) may be displayed.

(9) During the period in which the acceptance of money (banknotes) is disabled, the currency identification means (the banknote identification device 3
Although the value object is not guided in 2), the following specific examples are included in the case where the value object is not guided. For example, this includes stopping the transfer of money to the money identifying means. Also, in the case of coins, there are cases where the coin slot is closed and cases where the coin is dropped to the return port without closing the slot. Is switched from the path to the money identifying means to the path to the return port.

(10) The bill usable lamp 13 shown in FIG. 1 and the like constitutes a notifying means for notifying that no money is accepted during the period in which the acceptance of money is disabled. The notification means is not limited to a lamp, and may be another notification means such as an LED that performs notification by emitting, turning off, or blinking, or a sound notification means including a speaker or the like that performs notification by voice.

(11) As a value object accepted by the gaming machine (card unit 3), bills, coins, debit cards, and credit cards may be used.
Value object identification means for identifying the authenticity of a value object includes:
In the case of a bill, a bill identification device is used, in the case of a coin, a coin identification device is used, and in the case of a debit card and a credit card, a card identification device is used.

(12) In the above-described embodiment, the means (the issuance recording medium-related operation means) that operates in connection with the processing of the issued prepaid card 21 such as the issued prepaid card reader / writer device 35 has a predetermined abnormality. As an example of performing control such that lending of a ball becomes impossible in the state, it has been described that prohibition of acceptance of banknotes and prohibition of acceptance of pre-issued prepaid cards have been described. In the case of such a predetermined abnormal state,
The entire card unit 3 may be automatically stopped (for example, each unit (particularly, each control unit) in the unit)
Power is not supplied to the

(13) Card balance display 8 described above
May be provided in the card unit 3 instead of the pachinko gaming machine 2 to display the card balance (card count) and display an error (display an error code, etc.).

(14) In the above-described embodiment, the display of the error code relating to the error state relating to the processing of the encapsulation type prepaid card and the error state relating to the processing of the encapsulation type prepaid card is indicated by two indicators (enclosure type prepaid card frequency display). Although the example in which the display is performed separately by the display 17 and the card balance display 8) is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display of the error code may be performed using any one display. The display of such an error code may be performed by providing a display dedicated to error notification.

(15) In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the notification by the notification means for notifying the occurrence of the predetermined abnormal state, the display of the error code and the blinking display have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification by the notification means may be performed by notification using a notification sound or a combination of the notification using the notification sound and the display or blinking display of the error code.
Instead of displaying the error code, a message using characters (a message indicating the type of error) may be displayed.

(16) Using the bill use control switch 39 shown in FIG. 4, etc., to perform an operation for deactivating a predetermined money-related process performed in connection with acceptance of money (for example, bills). The operation means which can perform the operation is constituted. The money-related process in this case is not limited to the above-described banknote recognition operation of the banknote recognition device 32 and the control operation of the encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer 35, but a ball payout request process by the main controller 33 according to the insertion of the banknote. Etc. are also included. In other words, as the money-related processing, all the processing is performed as long as the processing is performed in connection with the acceptance of money.

(17) Main controller 3 shown in FIG.
The control unit 330 of No. 3 and the control unit 320 of the banknote recognition device 32 constitute processing inactivating means for inactivating the money-related processing in accordance with the operation of the operating means. The target of deactivation in this case is not limited to the banknote identification unit (banknote identification device 32) described in the embodiment, but is an encapsulation type recording medium processing unit (encapsulation type prepaid card reader / writer device 34) that performs currency-related processing. ) May be deactivated. In other words, if money related processing is to be deactivated, the target of deactivation of the processing deactivation means is:
Any means may be used. In addition, in this case, in addition to prohibiting the operation in the control processing as described above, the inactivation by stopping the power supply to the bill validator 32, and the inactivation of the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer 34 Inactivation by stopping supply of power, stopping transmission of control signals from main controller 33 to bill validator 32, main controller 3
Inactivation by other methods, such as stopping transmission of a control signal from 3 to the enclosed prepaid card reader / writer device 34, is also included.

(18) In the above-described embodiment, the operation signal of the operation means (the bill use control switch 39) is given to the main control means (the control section 330 of the main control device 33), and the main control means transmits the bill identification data. The example in which the control for inactivating the means (the bill validator 32) is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation signal of the operation means is directly given to the control unit 320 of the bill identification device 32, and the bill identification device 32 itself operates independently in response to receiving the operation signal. May be performed. In addition, in addition to the main control unit, an inactivation unit (for example, a deactivation control unit including a microcomputer) capable of controlling the inactivation of the banknote identification unit is provided, and an operation signal of the operation unit is provided. The deactivating means may be provided to the deactivating means and perform a process of deactivating the operation of the bill validating means in response to receiving the operation signal. In other words, the place where the deactivating means is installed is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

(19) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the bill validator 32 is provided in the card unit has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a card unit that processes cash but is not provided with a cash identification device such as a bill identification device. The predetermined money-related processing in that case does not include the identification operation by the money identification means.

(20) When the money related processing is deactivated by the bill usable lamp 13 shown in FIG. 2 or the like in response to the operation of the operating means, a notification is provided which can specify that fact. Notification means is configured. This notifying means is not limited to the lamp shown in the embodiment, but may be an LED.
Other light emitting means such as described above may be used. The notifying means is not limited to the light emitting means, but may be a sound generating means for notifying by sound, a display means for notifying by image display, or a notifying means by any one of these combinations. May be used.

(21) In the above-described embodiment, the amount of money accepted by the money accepting unit (the bill insertion slot 6) (more specifically, identified by the money identifying means (the bill identifying device 32)). The above shows only an example in which an enclosure-type recording medium (encapsulation-type prepaid card 23) in which information for specifying a game value (card balance) corresponding to a predetermined amount within the range is recorded is issued. The card unit 3 is provided with a change dispensing function (a change dispensing unit, a change storing unit, a change dispensing device, and a change dispensing control unit), and a part of the identified money (banknote) (for example, 1000 yen).
It is also possible to issue an enclosed prepaid card 23 in which information for specifying a game value (card balance) corresponding to is recorded, and pay out the remaining amount as change. For example, in the embodiment described above, 10000
It is possible to accept and identify banknotes of 1,000 yen or more, such as yen, 5000 yen, and 2000 yen, and to set a predetermined amount (100 yen).
When issuing an enclosed prepaid card 23 recording a card balance of 0 yen), a required change (for example, 500 yen) is required.
In the case of 0 yen reception, a change of 4000 yen) may be calculated and paid out. That is, the enclosed recording medium (enclosed type prepaid card 23) has a game value (including both a full amount and a partial amount) within a range of the amount of money identified by the money identifying means. Card balance)
What is necessary is just to record the information which can specify this.

(22) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit installed on a gaming machine installation island.

FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the inside of the card unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the card unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a bill use control switch processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a bill use selection processing.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Pachinko machine, 3 card unit, 32 bill validator, 39 bill use control switch, 33 main controller, 330, 320 control unit, 13 bill usable lamp, 21 issued prepaid card, 35 issued prepaid card reader / writer Device, 6 bill slot, 23
Enclosure type prepaid card, 22 Enclosure type prepaid card issuing port, 34 Enclosure type prepaid card reader / writer device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 000128946 Mamiya OP Co., Ltd. 10-13-1, Nishibori, Saitama-shi, Saitama (72) Inventor Shohachi Ugawa 1-164-1, Aioi-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma 5 72) Inventor Mitsuo Abe 2-14-21 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Japan Inside Advanced Card System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Kumatoriya 1-2-5 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Cosmo EC (72) Inventor Keijiro Arauchi 10-13-1, Nishibori, Urawa-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 2M088 BA88 BB03 BB13 BB14 BB19 BB20 BB21 BB23 BB30 BB32 BB36 BB43 BC67 BC79 CA02 CA08 CA27 EA45 EB68

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine for accepting money and, in accordance with the money, lending a game medium usable for a game with a gaming machine, wherein the predetermined game is performed in connection with the acceptance of money. Operating means capable of performing an operation for inactivating the money-related processing of the above, and processing inactivating means for inactivating the money-related processing in accordance with the operation of the operating means. A gaming device, characterized by: 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a currency identification unit that performs an identification operation of identifying the currency when accepting the currency, wherein the process inactivating unit performs the currency-related process in response to an operation of the operation unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, when deactivating, the discriminating operation by the money discriminating means is deactivated. 3. The process deactivating means, when deactivating the identification operation, sends a deactivation command signal for instructing deactivation of the identification operation to the currency identification means, wherein the currency identification is performed. 3. The gaming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means deactivates the identification operation in response to receiving the deactivation command signal. 4. The game according to claim 1, wherein the processing inactivating means inactivates the money-related processing by making the currency unacceptable. Equipment. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, when the money-related processing is deactivated in response to the operation of the operation means, a notification means for performing notification that can specify the fact. 5. The gaming device according to any one of 4. 6. A recording medium on which information which can specify a game value usable for a game is recorded, and the recording information of an already issued recording medium which has already been issued to the player is read, and the recording information is specified by the recording information. Already-issued recording medium processing means for performing a process for lending the game medium using the game value to be provided, a money receiving unit for receiving money as a purchase price of the player, and a money receiving unit for receiving the money as a purchase price of the player. Information that can specify a game value corresponding to a predetermined amount within the range of the amount of money that has been recorded is recorded and once issued to the player by the recording medium processing device and taken in without passing to the player's hand A recording medium, which is a recording medium for performing processing for issuing a recording medium capable of renting the game medium by using a game value specified from recorded recording information of the recording medium. Departure Means for performing a process for lending the game medium using a game value specified by the recording information of the enclosure type recording medium issued from the enclosure type recording medium issuing means. The gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: