JP3772068B2 - Game management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, for example, can be used in a game management using a recording medium such as an IC card, and the game management can improve the convenience of using the recording medium and can prevent the unauthorized use of the recording medium. About the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game management system for managing recorded information recorded on a card has been realized in order to make a financial payment using a recording medium such as a magnetic card (hereinafter referred to as a card) having a magnetic recording area. Yes. In addition, in order to record more information than a magnetic card, a game management system using a card such as an IC card provided with a semiconductor memory is also constructed.
[0003]
Many of such game management systems employ house cards, which are cards that can only be used at specific game stores, in order to prevent the expansion of unauthorized use of cards as described above.
[0004]
In such a house card, a store identifier (hereinafter referred to as a store ID) for identifying a game store where the card can be used is recorded when issued by the card issuing company. The issued house card is sent to the game store identified by the store ID recorded on the card.
[0005]
In a game management system that employs a house card, the card can be used only at the game store identified by the store ID recorded on the house card. The store ID once recorded cannot be rewritten. Therefore, the game card other than the game shop indicated in the store ID cannot be used, and the store ID cannot be rewritten, so the prepaid card is forged and used illegally. However, it is possible to prevent the cheating from spreading to a plurality of game stores.
[0006]
As described above, the game management system using the house card is excellent in terms of preventing the expansion of unauthorized use of the card, but on the other hand, the card cannot be used in common at a plurality of game stores. Therefore, there are problems such as poor convenience for the user. Therefore, in order to improve the convenience for the user, a game management system that realizes the common use of one card at a plurality of game stores has been proposed.
[0007]
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2980306, when using a card issued at the own store, data is inquired to a local computer provided in the own store, while a card issued at another store is used. Has proposed a game management system (hereinafter referred to as the conventional system) that allows a single card to be used in common at multiple game stores by inquiring data from the host computer provided in the center. Has been.
[0008]
The outline of the conventional system will be described below. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional system. In FIG. 15, 30, 30... Indicate each amusement store, and each amusement store 30, 30... Has a card accepting machine 31, 31. Are provided with local computers 32, 32... For inquiring, and the center 40 is provided with a host computer 41 connected to the local computers 32, 32. The host computer 41 receives the record information of the card including the available balance from each local computer 32, 32... And stores the received record information in the database.
[0009]
In the conventional system configured as described above, when using a card issued at another store, the user needs to insert the card into the card accepting device 31 and perform card verification work. The card accepting machine 31 determines whether the inserted card is a card issued at its own store or a card issued at another store. As a result, if it is determined that the card has been issued at another store, the available balance of the card is inquired to the host computer 41 via the local computer 32 installed at the store. The host computer 41 checks the usable balance of the card with reference to the database, and makes the card usable when the confirmed balance matches the balance recorded on the card.
[0010]
In this way, when using a card issued at another store, the local computer 32 installed at the store cannot check the usable balance of the card, so it can be used by the host computer 41. Check your balance. Thereby, even a card issued at another store can be used.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional system, when a card issued at another store is used, it is necessary to perform a card verification operation at the card reception machine each time the card is used. Therefore, there is a problem that the convenience of the user is impaired as compared with the case where such a card verification operation is not required.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and for each game store, record information of a recording medium that can be used in the game store is stored, and this information is stored in each game via a central management device. Provided is a game management system that can be used without any verification work once it has been verified even if it is a ticket issued or used at another store by transferring between game shops. For the purpose.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Book A game management system according to the invention reads and writes recorded information recorded on a recording medium, and a plurality of gaming machines that enable a game by paying using a recording medium having a valuable value, In a game management system comprising a terminal device for transmitting information and a management device for managing recorded information received from the terminal device in each of a plurality of game stores, and a central management device for managing the plurality of management devices The terminal device includes a receiving unit that receives a use approval request for a recording medium, and a unit that transmits a use approval request received by the receiving unit to the management device. Said When a storage unit that stores recording information of a recording medium that can be used at a game store in which a management device is installed and the use approval request are received, A determination unit that determines whether or not the recording information of the recording medium related to the received use approval request is stored in the storage unit; and when the determination unit determines that the recording information is not stored in the storage unit, the use Requesting means for transmitting a recording information acquisition request for the recording medium related to the approval request to the central management apparatus, and when the central management apparatus receives the acquisition request, the recording information of the recording medium related to the received acquisition request And a means for transmitting the acquisition request to the management apparatus specified by the specifying means, and when the management apparatus further receives the acquisition request, The central management device further comprises means for transmitting the recording information of the recording medium related to the received acquisition request to the central management device, and when the central management device further receives the recording information of the recording medium, And means for transmitting to the serial which is the source of the acquisition request management device, the management device further, when receiving the record information recording medium, the recording information received, Registration means for registering in the storage unit The central management device further comprises a storage unit for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence between a recording medium identifier for identifying the recording medium and a management device storing the recording information of the recording medium, The specifying unit is configured to specify a management device that stores recording information of a recording medium related to the received acquisition request by referring to the correspondence information. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
Book According to the invention, when the terminal device receives a request for approving the use of the recording medium from the user, the terminal device transmits the received request to the management device. The management device has a storage unit that stores recording information of a recording medium that can be used in a game store equipped with the management device, and when the request is received from the terminal device, It is determined whether or not the recording information of the recording medium is stored in the storage unit. If it is determined that the recording information is not stored, an acquisition request for acquiring the recording information is transmitted to the central management device. When the central management apparatus receives a recording information acquisition request from the management apparatus, the central management apparatus identifies the management apparatus storing the recording information and transmits the acquisition request to the identified management apparatus.
[0017]
When the management apparatus receives a recording information acquisition request from the central management apparatus, the management apparatus refers to the storage unit, extracts the recording information related to the acquisition request, and transmits the extracted recording information to the central management apparatus. Then, the central management apparatus transmits the record information received from the management apparatus to the management apparatus that has requested acquisition of the record information. The management apparatus that has received the record information from the central management apparatus registers the received record information in the storage unit.
[0018]
As described above, when the user makes a request for approving the use of the recording medium, the management apparatus that receives the request obtains the recording information of the recording medium through the central management apparatus. Therefore, even in the case of a recording medium issued or used at another store, the user can play a game using the recording medium.
[0019]
In addition, since the management apparatus registers the obtained recording information in the storage unit, once a request for approving the use of the recording medium is made, it is not necessary to make such a request from the next use. The sex can be further enhanced.
[0021]
And The central management apparatus stores correspondence information indicating correspondence between a recording medium identifier for identifying a recording medium and a management apparatus that stores recording information of the recording medium identified by the recording medium identifier. When a recording information acquisition request is received from the management apparatus, the management apparatus that stores the recording information related to the acquisition request is identified with reference to the correspondence information.
[0022]
Since the correspondence information is stored in the central management device, the management device that makes a recording information acquisition request does not need to specify the management device that is the acquisition request destination.
[0023]
Even if there is a recording medium whose usable amusement store is unknown, it is not necessary to inquire all the management devices installed in each amusement store, and it is only necessary to refer to correspondence information stored in the central management device. , System operation efficiency can be improved.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
The game management system of the present invention is, for example, a payment system for a game store including gaming machines such as a pachinko machine and a slot machine. The recording medium used in the system according to the present embodiment is a prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as a card) such as an IC card provided with a semiconductor memory, and records card information related to the card.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a card issuing company, and the card issuing company 1 is provided with a central management device 11. The central management device 11 is connected to management devices 21, 21... Provided in each of a plurality of game stores P1 to PN such as pachinko stores via a communication network 10 such as a public line. Card information is transmitted / received to / from 21, 21.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game management system of the present invention at each game store. As shown in FIG. 2, the management devices 21, 21... Are also connected to the ticketing machines 22, 22... Used for the user to purchase a card, and the management devices 21, 21. Card information is transmitted to and received from. The ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Issue cards based on the information received from the management devices 21, 21.
[0027]
Also, the management devices 21, 21... Are provided between two pachinko machines or gaming machines 24, 24... Such as slot machines, and are connected to inter-machines 25, 25. The card information is transmitted / received between the management devices 21, 21... Based on the information received from the management devices 21, 21,..., The inter-machine 25, 25... Sends a game medium discharge instruction command such as a pachinko ball or medal to the gaming machines 24, 24. The machines 24, 24... Discharge a predetermined amount of game media.
[0028]
Further, the management devices 21, 21... Are also connected to reception devices 23, 23... That read and write card information during card reception processing, which will be described later, and the management devices 21, 21. 23, the card information is transmitted and received.
[0029]
The central management device 11 can also function as the management devices 21, 21,. In this case, the ticket issuing machines 22, 22..., The inter-machines 25, 25... And the receiving machines 23, 23.
[0030]
C indicates a card, and the card C has a recording area 100 for recording card information.
The card information recorded in the recording area 100 includes a card identifier for identifying the card C (hereinafter referred to as a card ID), and a ticketing store identifier for identifying the amusement store where the card C is issued (hereinafter referred to as a ticketing store). ID), a ticketing date indicating the date on which the card C is issued, and a store identifier (hereinafter referred to as a store ID) for identifying a game store where the card C can be used. The card information also includes an available balance indicating the amount of money that can be used by the card C, and this available balance is managed by the management devices 21, 21... Provided in each game store P1 to PN for each card ID. It is managed.
[0031]
Such a card C is manufactured by a card manufacturer based on a request from the card issuing company 1, and the card ID described above is recorded in the recording area 100 at the time of manufacturing.
[0032]
The card issuing company 1 delivers the card C to the game stores P1 to PN that have a business contract. Further, the card issuing company 1 has delivery information in which the game management stores P1 to PN as delivery destinations and the card IDs of the delivered cards C are associated with each other at the central management device 11, and The delivery information related to the PN is transmitted to the management devices 21, 21,...
[0033]
When issuing the card C, the ticketing machines 22, 22... Write the ticketing shop ID in the recording area 100 of the card C to be ticketed, and the game shop P1 to PN in which the written ticketing shop ID installs the ticketing machine 22. Make sure that The management devices 21, 21... Are cards C that have been delivered from the card issuing company 1 by matching the card ID recorded in the recording area 100 of the card C to be issued with the card ID in the delivery information described above. Confirm. When these confirmations can be made, the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Write predetermined information such as the ticket issuing date in the recording area 100 and issue the card C.
[0034]
The user can play a game on the gaming machines 24, 24... By using the card C thus issued at the ticketing store.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central management device 11 used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, to which a communication interface 202 for communicating with the management devices 21, 21,... And a storage unit 203 for storing various data and programs are connected. ing.
[0036]
The storage unit 203 includes a payment information DB 210 that stores payment information related to the issuance and consumption of the card C received from each management device 21, 21..., The card ID of the card C, and the game stores P1 to PN of the delivery destinations. Amusement stores P1 to PN that include a delivery information DB 211 that stores delivery information indicating the association, and a management device that stores the card ID of the card C for which the receiving process described later has been performed and the card information of the card C. The reception information DB 212 (storage unit in claim 3) for storing information indicating the association with the ID, and the unauthorized information DB 213 for storing the card ID of the unauthorized card.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a format example of a file stored in the delivery information DB 211. As shown in FIG. 4, the delivery information DB 211 has two fields, a card ID field 211a and a game shop ID field 211b.
[0038]
The card ID field 211a stores a range of card IDs, and the game store ID field 211b stores the game stores P1 to P1 to which the card C identified by the card ID included in the card ID range is delivered. A game store identifier (hereinafter referred to as a game store ID) indicating the PN is stored. Therefore, in the format example shown in FIG. 4, for example, the card C having a card ID of 1 to 5000 is delivered to the game stores P1 to PN having the game store ID A, and the card ID is 5001 to 10000. The card C indicates that it is delivered to the game stores P1 to PN whose game store ID is B, respectively.
[0039]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a format example of a file stored in the reception information DB 212. As shown in FIG. 5, the reception information DB 212 includes two fields, a card ID field 212a and a game shop ID field 212b.
[0040]
The card ID field 212a stores a card ID related to the card C for which the reception process has been performed, and the amusement shop ID field 212b stores card information of the card C identified by the card ID. Stores game shop IDs of the management apparatuses 21, 21,. Therefore, in the format example shown in FIG. 5, for example, the card information of the card C with the card ID 653 is stored in the management devices 21, 21... Provided in the game stores P1 to PN with the game store ID C. Further, the card information of the card C whose card ID is 7301 is stored in the management devices 21, 21... Provided in the game stores P1 to PN whose game store ID is A, respectively.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management devices 21, 21,... Used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU. The CPU 301 communicates with the central management device 11, ticketing machines 22, 22..., Inter-machines 25, 25. A communication interface 302 is connected to a storage unit 303 that stores various data and programs. The storage unit 303 has four databases described below.
[0042]
The in-use DB 310 (the storage unit in claims 1 and 2), which is the first database, is a card C that can be used in the game stores P1 to PN in which the management devices 21, 21,. Store card information. Therefore, the card C that is not stored in the in-use DB 310 cannot be used at the game stores P1 to PN.
[0043]
The settlement information DB 311 that is the second database stores information related to the ticketing of the card C received from the ticketing machines 22, 22... And information related to the consumption of the card C received from the intermediary machines 25, 25. The payment information relating to ticketing and consumption is transmitted to the central management device 11 and stored in the payment information DB 210 of the central management device 11.
[0044]
The delivery information DB 312 which is a third database stores delivery information received from the central management device 11. By referring to the delivery information, it can be determined whether or not the card C is issued and delivered by the card issuing company 1.
[0045]
The fraud information DB 313 as the fourth database stores the card ID of the fraud card. In this fraud information DB 313, not only the card ID of the card C determined to be fraudulent at the game stores P1 to PN where the management devices 21, 21,. The card ID of the card C determined to be present is also stored.
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 401 denotes a CPU. In the CPU 401, the card storage unit 402 that stores the card C delivered from the card issuing company 1 and the recording information recorded in the recording area 100 of the card C that issues a ticket. A reader / writer unit 403 for performing reading and writing processing, an input unit 404 for receiving a purchase request and money for a card C from a user, a display unit 405 for displaying information such as a ticketing result, and discharging a card C to be issued Are connected to a card discharge unit 406, a communication interface 407 for communicating with the management devices 21, 21,..., And a storage unit 408 for storing various data and programs.
[0047]
When the ticket issuing machine 22, 22... Accepts a purchase request for the card C and money corresponding to the request at the input unit 404, the card issuing unit 22, one card C out of the plurality of cards C stored in the card storage unit 402. And the card information of the card C is written in the ticket writer ID by the reader / writer unit 403, and whether or not the written ticket maker ID indicates the game shops P1 to PN in which the ticket machines 22, 22. Is determined. Further, the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Transmit the card information of the card C to the management devices 21, 21. The management devices 21, 21, etc. determine whether or not they are issued from the card issuing company 1 by referring to the delivery information DB 312, and transmit the results to the ticket issuing machines 22, 22. As a result of discrimination by both the ticket issuing machines 22, 22 ... and the management devices 21, 21 ..., when the card is determined to be a legitimate card, the ticket issuing date in the recording area 100 of the card C by the ticket issuing machine 22, 22 ... The card C on which the card information is written is transferred from the card discharge unit 406 to the user.
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machines 25, 25... Used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 501 denotes a CPU. The CPU 501 includes a card insertion / ejection unit 502 for inserting and ejecting the card C, and card information recorded in the recording area 100 of the inserted card C. A reader / writer unit 503 for performing reading and writing processing, an input unit 504 for receiving a pachinko ball lending amount from a user, a display unit 505 for displaying information indicating whether or not a user request has been approved, and management A communication interface 506 for communicating with the devices 21, 21,... And a storage unit 507 for storing various data and programs are connected.
[0049]
The inter-machines 25, 25... Read the record information of the card C inserted into the card insertion / ejection unit 502 by the reader / writer unit 503, and the read record information via the communication interface 506. Send to. The management devices 21, 21, etc. determine whether or not they are fraudulent cards and whether or not an available balance remains, and transmit the determination results to the intermediary machines 25, 25. In accordance with the determination result received from the management devices 21, 21,... Via the communication interface 506, the intermediary machine 25, 25... Displays either a frequency indicating an available balance of the card C on the display unit 505 or an error. indicate. Here, when the frequency of the card C is displayed, that is, when an available balance remains, a game medium discharge instruction command is sent to the gaming machines 24, 24. Receiving this, the gaming machines 24, 24... Discharge a predetermined amount of gaming media. The input unit 504 and the display unit 505 may be provided in the gaming machines 24, 24.
[0050]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the accepting machines 23, 23... Used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 601 denotes a CPU. The CPU 601 includes a card insertion / ejection unit 602 for inserting and ejecting the card C, and card information recorded in the recording area 100 of the inserted card C. Communication between the reader / writer unit 603 for performing reading and writing processing, the input unit 604 for receiving input from the user, the display unit 605 for displaying information indicating the authentication result, and the management devices 21, 21. Are connected to a communication interface 606 for performing the above and a storage unit 607 for storing various data and programs.
[0051]
The receiving machines 23, 23... Read the card information of the card C inserted into the card insertion / ejection unit 602 by the reader / writer unit 603 and perform the read information via the communication interface 606 during the receiving process described later. To the management devices 21, 21,... Further, the accepting devices 23, 23... Write recording information in the recording area 100 of the card C by the reader / writer unit 603 based on the information received from the management devices 21, 21.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the receiving machines 23, 23... And the pedestal machines 25, 25... Are separate devices, but the pedestal machines 25, 25. Also good.
[0053]
The operation of the game management system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the management devices 21, 21... And the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... In the ticket issuing process of the game management system of the present invention.
When the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Accept a card C purchase request and money corresponding to the request from the user at the input unit 404 (S101), the reader / writer unit 403 receives the card information of the card C to be issued. (S102), it is determined whether or not the ticketing store ID indicates the store where the ticketing machines 22, 22... Are installed (S103). If it is determined that the ticket issuing store ID does not indicate the installation store (NO in S103), the card C is discarded (S110), and the process returns to step S102.
[0054]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the ticket-issuing store ID indicates the installation store (YES in S103), the ticket-issuing machines 22, 22,... (S104).
[0055]
When receiving the card information from the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... (S201), the management devices 21, 21... Refer to the card ID from the received card information and search the delivery information DB 312 using the card ID as a key (S202). ). If the search fails (NO in S202), the management devices 21, 21,... Transmit card abnormality information indicating that the card is not issued from the card issuing company 1 to the ticket issuing machines 22, 22 ... (S206). ).
[0056]
When receiving the card abnormality information from the management devices 21, 21,... (S109), the ticket issuing machines 22, 22 ... discard the card C (S110), and return to step S102.
[0057]
If the search of the delivery information DB 312 is successful in step S202 (YES in S202), the management devices 21, 21,... Show card normal information indicating that there is a card delivered from the card issuing company 1, and the ticket issuing machines 22, 22 (S203).
[0058]
When the card issuing machines 22, 22... Receive the card normal information from the management devices 21, 21... (S 105), the ticket issuing machines 22, 22. The game store ID of the store where the ticketing machines 22, 22... Are installed is written (S106), and the card C is discharged (S107). Further, the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... Transmit the ticket issuing information indicating that the ticket has been issued, together with the card information of the issued card C, to the management devices 21, 21... (S108).
[0059]
When receiving the ticket issue information and the card information from the ticket issuing machines 22, 22... (S204), the management devices 21, 21... Register the card information of the card C issued in the in-use DB 310 (S205).
[0060]
As a result of the above processing, the user can use the card C issued at the game stores P1 to PN, which are ticketing stores, at the ticketing store.
[0061]
Next, the operation of the game management system of the present invention at the time of reception processing performed when the card C used in the game stores P1 to PN which are ticket issuing stores is used in the game stores P1 to PN other than the ticket issuing store. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0062]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the receiving machines 23, 23... And the management devices 21, 21... When the card C is inserted into the receiving machines 23, 23.
When receiving the card C (S301), the receiving machines 23, 23... Read the card information with the reader / writer unit 603 (S302). If reading is not possible (NO in S302), a message such as “Cannot be handled” is output on the display unit 605 (S311), and the card C is ejected (S312).
[0063]
On the other hand, if the card information has been successfully read in step S302 (YES in S302), it is determined whether or not the card C is an illegal card (S303). For this determination, for example, it is confirmed whether or not the usable balance of the card C is equal to or less than the face amount of the card C.
[0064]
If it is determined in step S303 that the card C is a fraudulent card (YES in S303), the accepting devices 23, 23... Receive fraudulent card information indicating that this card is fraudulent. (S304).
[0065]
When the management devices 21, 21... Receive unauthorized card information from the accepting devices 23, 23... (S 401), the card ID of the card C is registered in the unauthorized information DB 313 (S 402) and registered in the unauthorized information DB 313. Is transmitted to the accepting devices 23, 23... (S403).
[0066]
When receiving the unauthorized registration information from the management devices 21, 21,... (S305), the receiving machines 23, 23... Output a message such as “Please consult with the employee” on the display unit 605 (S306). C is taken into the apparatus without being discharged (S307).
[0067]
If it is determined in step S303 that the card C is not a fraudulent card (NO in S303), the accepting devices 23, 23,... Determine whether there is a remaining usable balance (S308). If it is determined that there is no available balance (NO in S308), the receiving machines 23, 23... Output a message such as “Used” on the display unit 605 (S309), and eject the card C. Without taking it into the apparatus (S307). Here, for example, when the game management system adopts a membership system and the member can repeatedly use the card C for the member, the card C is ejected to urge the member to reuse the card C. You may do it.
[0068]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S308 that there is a remaining balance available for the card C (YES in S308), a reception process described later is executed (S310).
[0069]
12 to 14 are flowcharts showing processing procedures of the receiving machines 23, 23,..., The management devices 21, 21,. Hereinafter, the reception machines 23, 23,... Installed in the game shop P1 among the reception machines 23, 23,. .. Of the management devices 21, 21... Are set as the management device 21P1, and the management devices 21, 21... Installed in the game store P2 are the management device 21P2.
[0070]
If it is determined in step S308 that there is a remaining balance available (YES in S308), the accepting device 23P1 transmits a request for accepting the card C to the management device 21P1 (S501).
[0071]
When receiving the acceptance request (S601), the management device 21P1 searches the unauthorized information DB 313 using the card ID of the card C related to the acceptance request as a key (S602). If the search is successful (YES in S602), the unauthorized card information indicating that the card C is an unauthorized card is transmitted to the accepting device 23P1 (S603).
[0072]
When receiving the fraudulent card information (S502), the accepting machine 23P1 outputs a message such as “Please consult with the employee” on the display unit 605 (S503), and takes in the card C without discharging it. (S504).
[0073]
On the other hand, if the search fails in step S602 (NO in S602), the management device 21P1 searches the in-use DB 310 using the card ID of the card C as a key (S604). If the search is successful (YES in S604), reception unnecessary information indicating that reception processing is unnecessary is transmitted to the reception device 23P1 (S605).
[0074]
When receiving the reception unnecessary information from the management apparatus 21P1 (S505), the receiving machine 23P1 outputs a message such as “No reception processing is required” on the display unit 605 (S506), and ejects the card C (S507). .
[0075]
In addition, when the search of the in-use DB 310 fails in step S604 (NO in S604), that is, when the card C that is the object of the reception process is not a card that can be used at the game store P1, the management device 21P1 An information acquisition request is transmitted to the central management apparatus 11 (S606).
[0076]
When the central management device 11 receives a card information acquisition request from the management device 21P1 (S701), the central management device 11 searches the reception information DB 212 using the card ID of the card C related to the acquisition request as a key. If the search fails (NO in S702), the delivery information DB 211 is searched using the card ID as a key (S703). If the search fails (NO in S703), it is determined that the card C is an unauthorized card, and the card ID of the card C is registered in the unauthorized information DB 213 (S704). Further, the unauthorized card information indicating that the card C is an unauthorized card is transmitted to the management device 21P1 (S705).
[0077]
When receiving the unauthorized card information from the central management apparatus 11 (S607), the management apparatus 21P1 registers the card ID of the card C in the unauthorized information DB 313 (S608), and then returns to step S603. As a result, after a message such as “Please consult with an employee” is output on the display unit 605 of the receiving machine 23P1, the card C is taken into the apparatus.
[0078]
On the other hand, if the search of the reception information DB 212 is successful in step S702 (YES in S702) or the search of the delivery information DB 211 is successful in S703 (YES in S703), the management device 21 is based on the searched information. , 21..., A card information acquisition request is transmitted (S706). Here, in the reception information DB 212 or the delivery information DB 211, it is assumed that the game store P2 is shown as the game stores P1 to PN that can use the card C that is the object of the reception process. Therefore, the management devices 21, 21,... That are the transmission destinations of the card information acquisition request in step S706 become the management device 21P2.
[0079]
When receiving the card information acquisition request from the central management device 11 (S801), the management device 21P2 searches the in-use DB 310 using the card ID of the card C related to this request as a key (S802). If the search fails here (NO in S802), the card C is determined to be an unauthorized card, and after registering the card ID of the card C in the unauthorized information DB 313 (S803), the card C is an unauthorized card. The unauthorized card information indicating this is transmitted to the central management apparatus 11 (S804).
[0080]
When the central management device 11 receives the unauthorized card information from the management device 21P2 (S707), the central management device 11 returns to step S704. As a result, the card ID of the card C is registered in the unauthorized information DB 213 of the central management device 11 and the unauthorized information DB 313 of the management device 21P1, respectively. Is displayed, the card C is taken into the apparatus.
[0081]
On the other hand, if the search of the busy DB 310 is successful in step S802 (YES in S802), the management device 21P2 transmits the searched card information to the central management device 11 (S805).
[0082]
When the central management device 11 receives card information from the management device 21P2 (S708), the card ID of the card C in the card ID field 212a in the reception information DB 212 and the game store ID of the game store P1 in the game store ID field 212b. Are stored, respectively, to update the contents of the reception information DB 212 (S709). Then, the card information of the card C is transmitted to the management device 21P1 (S710).
[0083]
When receiving the card information from the central management device 11 (S609), the management device 21P1 registers this card information in the in-use DB 310 (S610). And the reception completion information which shows that the reception process was completed is transmitted to the reception machine 23P1 (S611).
[0084]
When receiving the reception completion information from the management device 21P1 (S508), the receiving machine 23P1 outputs a message such as “Reception processing is completed” on the display unit 605 (S509). Then, after the reader / writer unit 603 rewrites the use store ID of the card C from the game store P2 to the game store P1, the card C is discharged (S510).
[0085]
With the above processing, the card information is transferred from the management device 21P2 to the management device 21P1, and registered in the busy DB 310 of the management device 21P1. As a result, the user can use the card C used at the game store P2 at the game store P1. Further, after the game at the game store P1 is finished, even when the game is played again at the game store P1 using the same card C, the card information of the card C is registered in the in-use DB 310 of the management device 21P1. Therefore, the user can play the game using the card C without performing the reception process.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As detailed above, Of the present invention According to the gaming management system, for each gaming store, by storing information about the recording medium that can be used in that gaming store, and transferring this information between the gaming stores via the central management device, One recording medium can be used in common at a plurality of stores.
[0087]
Further, even if the recording medium is issued or used at another store, the recording medium can be used without performing the reception process after the reception process is performed once.
[0088]
And By storing correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the recording medium identifier for the central management apparatus to identify the recording medium and the management apparatus storing the recording information of the recording medium identified by the recording medium identifier The management apparatus that makes a recording information acquisition request need not specify the management apparatus that is the acquisition request destination.
[0089]
Even if there is a recording medium whose usable amusement store is unknown, it is not necessary to inquire all the management devices installed in each amusement store, and it is only necessary to refer to correspondence information stored in the central management device. As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that the system operation efficiency can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system of the present invention in each game store.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a central management device used in the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a format example of a file stored in a delivery information DB.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a format example of a file stored in a reception information DB.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management device used in the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine used in the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pedestrian machine used in the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reception machine used in the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the management apparatus and the ticket issuing machine in the ticket issuing process of the game management system of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the receiving device and the management device when a card is inserted into the receiving device.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a reception machine, a management apparatus, and a central management apparatus during reception processing.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a reception machine, a management apparatus, and a central management apparatus during reception processing.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a reception machine, a management apparatus, and a central management apparatus during reception processing.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Card issuer
11 Central management device
21 Management device
22 Ticketing machine
23 Reception desk
24 game machines
25 machine
P1-PN amusement store

Claims (1)

A plurality of gaming machines capable of playing a game by paying using a recording medium having a valuable value, a terminal device that reads and writes recorded information recorded on the recording medium, and transmits the recorded information; In a game management system including a management device for managing recorded information received from a terminal device in each of a plurality of game stores, and a central management device for managing the plurality of management devices,
The terminal device
A receiving means for receiving a request for approval to use the recording medium;
Means for transmitting a use approval request received by the receiving means to the management device,
The management device
A storage unit that stores recording information of a recording medium that can be used at a game store in which the management device is installed;
When receiving the use approval request, a determination unit that determines whether or not recording information of a recording medium related to the received use approval request is stored in the storage unit;
Requesting means for transmitting to the central management device an acquisition request for recording information of the recording medium related to the use approval request when it is determined by the determining means that the information is not stored in the storage unit;
The central management device is:
When the acquisition request is received, a specifying unit that specifies a management device that stores recording information of a recording medium related to the received acquisition request;
Means for transmitting the acquisition request to the management device specified by the specifying means,
The management device further includes
Means for transmitting the recording information of the recording medium related to the received acquisition request to the central management device when the acquisition request is received;
The central management device further includes:
Means for transmitting the received recording information to the management device that is the transmission source of the acquisition request when receiving the recording information of the recording medium;
The management device further includes
A registration means for registering the received recording information in the storage unit when receiving the recording information of the recording medium ;
The central management device further includes:
A storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating correspondence between a recording medium identifier for identifying the recording medium and a management device that stores the recording information of the recording medium
With
The game management system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying means is configured to specify a management device that stores recording information of a recording medium related to the received acquisition request by referring to the correspondence information .

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