JPH02268788A - Control installation for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent any disturbance in transfer to a new system for supplying information showing the degree of fixation of the new system to the system operating side by using both the new system of lending a game medium by the use of a recording medium and the conventional system of lending the game medium by the use of a coin. CONSTITUTION:A card is purchased by utilizing a card vending machine 7 to pay a charge, and inserted in a card-ball lending machine 5. When the card is proper one, game mediums such as pinballs are lent by a desired number to enable a game by a game machine. An amount of money corresponding to pinballs lent by the ball lending machine 5 is subtracted from an amount of money used by the card and renewed, so that the charge accompanying the amount of cards used is paid to each game shop 1 from a card vending company 73. A plurality of information processing means are constituted of a total concentrated control computer 74, concentrated hall controlling computer 72 and hall controlling computer 70. A system of lending game mediums through recording medium and coin is also used so that the numbers of respective lent game mediums are counted and the information of fixation of the system by the recording medium is supplied to the administration side.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a gaming management equipment device, and more specifically, a gaming management equipment that allows gaming media to be lent out using a recording medium having monetary equivalent value. Regarding equipment.

[Conventional technology]

In order for a player to play at a gaming parlor equipped with gaming machines such as pachinko machines or slot machines, the player must first transfer money, such as banknotes and coins, to a gaming medium such as a ball lending machine or a coin lending machine. It has been common practice to insert certain game media into a lending device, borrow certain game media, and play a game using the game media.

However, in such a conventional gaming media lending system,
In order to borrow game media, players have to carry around coins including coins, which is complicated.

In addition, even in the case of a game hall, there is a drawback that efficiency in terms of accounting cannot be improved by having to perform complicated tasks such as collecting money including small change and making payments.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, a system is adopted that enables gaming by using a recording medium such as a magnetic card and dispensing gaming media within the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium, It is conceivable to try to solve the drawbacks associated with the use of currency.

However, when adopting this new system, if there is a sudden transition from a conventional system to a new system using this recording medium, there may be an inconvenience that transitional confusion will occur due to the system change. Therefore, it is preferable to use the conventional system temporarily until the new system becomes established.

In addition, when using the new system and the conventional system together, it is important to know how much more gaming media is lent out, the number of gaming media lent out with money or the number of gaming media lent out with recording media, compared to the previous system.
If the system operator is provided with information such as how much the number of gaming media lent out using money has decreased and how much the number of gaming media lent out using recording media has increased, it will be possible to judge the extent to which the new system has become established. , which is convenient for the system operation side.

In view of these circumstances, the present invention uses a new system that uses recording media to lend out game media and a conventional system that uses money to lend out game media, and provides a transitional system for transitioning to the new system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming management equipment device that can prevent confusion and supply information to the system operating side that shows the degree of establishment of a new system.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a plurality of gaming machines, a gaming media lending device capable of lending out gaming media that can be used in the gaming machines, and a gaming media lending device in which predetermined information is written and a monetary equivalent value. have,
A gaming management equipment device comprising a recording medium that can be used in the gaming media lending device, and a management device that manages lending status of the gaming media, wherein the gaming media lending device The management device includes: an information reading means for reading information; and a currency identification means for identifying whether the money is correct; The present invention is characterized by comprising: a lending number counting means; and a money lending number counting means for counting a numerical value related to game media lent out by the game media lending device using the money.

[Operation] According to the present invention, if a recording medium having a monetary equivalent value is used in the game media lending device, predetermined information recorded on the recording medium is read and the gaming media can be rented out. Further, when money is put into the game media lending device, it is determined whether the money is correct or not, and if the money is proper, the game media can be lent. Further, by the function of the recording medium lending number counting means, a numerical value related to the game media lent by the recording medium at the game medium lending device is counted,
By the function of the money lending number counting means, a numerical value related to the game media lent by money at the game media lending device is counted.

In other words, the new system that lends out gaming media using recording media and the conventional system that lends out gaming media using money are used together, and the number of gaming media lent out using recording media is counted as well as the number of gaming media lent out using money. Information indicating the degree of establishment of the new system, such as how much the number of game media lent out by recording media has increased compared to the number of game media lent out by money, is supplied to the system operating side.

[Embodiments of the Invention] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of a central gaming management facility device according to the present invention.

In the figure, 73 is a card sales company that sells magnetic cards, which are an example of recording media, and includes a CPU and a RAM.

A comprehensive central control computer 74 including ROM etc. is installed. On the other hand, in a predetermined district (for example, A district, B district,
A district central control center 1 has been established for each district (C district), and this district central control center has CPU, RAM,
A centralized hall management computer 72 including , ROM, etc. is installed.

The centralized hall management computer 72 mainly includes:
It has a function of comprehensively managing the gaming halls 1 in the district to which it belongs (for example, district A). On the other hand, in the game hall 1, C
A hall management computer 70 including PU, RAM, ROM, etc. for managing information in the gaming hall is installed, and also includes a ball lending machine 5, a card vending machine 7, etc., which are examples of gaming media lending devices. is installed. In the figure, 75 is a retail store for selling cards, and a card vending machine 7 is installed therein.

The comprehensive central management computer 74. Central hall management computer 72 and hall management computer 7
0 are connected to each other via communication lines, as indicated by solid line arrows, and are in a state where information can be transmitted.

In such a configuration, first, the card sales company 73 sells cards to each retail store 75 and each gaming hall 1 (see the arrow indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure).

In exchange, each retail store 75 and the game hall 1 pay the card sales company 73 (see the broken line arrow in the figure). Then, a user such as a player pays for a card using the card vending machine 7 in the retail store 75 or the card vending machine 7 installed in the game hall, and then uses the card to lend out the cards. Insert into machine 5. If the inserted card is a proper card, a desired number of game media such as pachinko balls are lent out. The player can play a game using the game machine using the loaned game medium. Then, the usable amount of the card is subtracted and updated by the amount corresponding to the pachinko balls lent out by the ball lending machine 5, and the fee associated with the amount of card usage is sent to each gaming hall from the card sales company 73. 1 will be paid.

The comprehensive central management computer 74. Central hall management computer 72 and hall management computer 7
0 constitutes a plurality of information processing means distributed at predetermined locations. In addition, communication lines connecting the respective information processing means and wiring connecting the ball lending machine 5 and the hall management computer 70 (solid line arrows in the figure) are used to connect the recording medium reading means described later and the plurality of predetermined information processing and a transmission path for transmitting information between a predetermined plurality of information processing means and a verification information storage means to be described later.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic plan view of the gaming hall 1.

Each gaming machine installation island 2 arranged in the gaming hall has pinball gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and arranged ball pachinko gaming machines. A plurality of gaming machines such as coin gaming machines 4 such as slot machines are arranged. Furthermore, a ball lending machine 5 and a card/coin lending machine 6, which is an example of a game media lending device, are also provided.

Furthermore, a card vending machine 7 is arranged at one end of the predetermined gaming machine installation island 2. Those card vending machines7. Ball rental machine 5. The card/coin lending machine 6 and the gaming machine are connected to a hall management computer 9 by wiring, and are configured to be able to send and receive information to and from each other. on the other hand,
As mentioned above, the hall management computer 9 is connected to the centralized hall management computer 72 and the integrated central management computer 74 via communication lines.

Note that a card payment machine may be installed within the game hall 1 that allows payment of the amount of money used with a card. In addition, in the figure, 8 indicates a prize ball counter or a coin counter, which counts the number of prize balls obtained with the pinball game machine 3 and the number of coins obtained with the coin game machine 4, and calculates the counted value. This information is sent to the hall management computer and used as business information.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram showing recorded information recorded on a magnetic card 20, which is an example of a recording medium, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing the magnetic card 20.

The magnetic card 20 is formed of a synthetic resin material such as plastic into a plate shape, and a magnetic stripe 2 is formed on a part of the plate.
1 is formed. Further, one of the corners of the magnetic card 20 is cut off, and the structure is such that the direction in which the magnetic card 20 is inserted into the machine can be detected using this missing part. Furthermore, the magnetic card 20 has a number attached to it to display the amount of money that can be used, which decreases as the card is used, and a punch hole or the like is punched above the number that corresponds to the current amount of money that can be used. card so that it can be recognized by the card user.

Information shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. i.e. card number, store (vending machine)
This information includes the code, card amount, available amount, usage code, etc. The card price is the price of the magnetic card 20 at the time when it is sold, and in other words, it is the amount of money that can be used when the magnetic card 20 is not used at all. In addition, the usage code is used to determine whether the card has been used before.
This usage code is "0" when it is not used, and is rewritten to "1" if it is used even once. Then, each time it is used, the usable amount is subtracted by the usage amount and rewritten to a new amount. In addition, the store (vending machine) code corresponds to the number of the card vending machine where the card was sold, and if the card is sold at a retail store that does not have a card vending machine installed, the Store code number is recorded. This store (vending machine) code is
When the card is used for the first time, it is stored in the integrated central management computer. One line of card information shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on one magnetic card. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, from 5022 to 5 of the card number
Card numbers up to 025 are missing, but this is because the card's usable amount became "0" and was discarded as a used card. Note that, as will be described later, when the usable amount of the magnetic card 20 becomes, for example, 1000 yen or less, it may be deleted from the memory of the general central management computer 74. In addition, if necessary, magnetic card 2
As the information to be stored in 0, card expiration date information can be considered. In addition, store codes that can be used are stored, and codes 100 and 100 can be used nationwide. You may also set a code 20.60 that can only be used at a specific chain store or amusement park.

For example, when recording information, a magnetic head is moved in a zigzag manner on the magnetic stripe 21 to record information on the magnetic stripe 21 of the magnetic card 20 shown in FIG. The recorded information is configured so that it cannot be easily recorded. moreover,
The security of the card is improved by checking whether the position of the punch hole formed to display the available amount of money matches the available amount of money recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. Configure to obtain. Furthermore, printing other than magnetic recording is applied to the card using a recording means other than magnetic recording (for example, printing with a thermal printer),
As the card is used, the card's usable amount in the recorded area other than the magnetic recording area is also updated, and when the card is used, it is checked whether the usable amount of both the magnetic stripe 21 and the recorded area other than the magnetic recording area match. It is also conceivable to configure the card so that the security of the card can be improved. Although the magnetic card 20 is shown as having a rectangular flat plate shape, the present invention is not limited to this.
It may be rod-shaped or the like, and the shape is not limited. Also,
Various types of cards can be considered, such as an IC card, a card using an optical disk memory, a card with a bar code printed thereon, or a card with punched holes formed therein.

FIG. 5 is an overall front view showing an example of a card vending machine used in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a back view showing a part of the internal structure of the card vending machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the card vending machine. Further, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the card vending machine 8 has a
A coin slot 39 and a bill slot 40 are provided,
It is configured to allow the customer to insert coins as well as banknotes. The amount of money inserted is displayed on the inserted amount display 38. In the figure, 48 is a sales card price selection button, which is a button for selecting the price of the card to be purchased. Reference numeral 47 is a card number selection button, which is used to select the number of cards to be purchased. When the card purchaser selects and presses the sales card selection button 48, the selected amount is displayed on the amount display 43, and when the card purchaser presses the number of cards selection button 47, the selected amount is displayed on the number of cards display 44. It is configured to display the number of sheets. By pressing the sales button 49, the selected number of cards of the selected amount are dispensed from the card dispensing opening 45. Note that a predetermined type of card may be unconditionally paid out using the inserted currency. On the other hand, if the user makes a mistake in selecting a card, by pressing the cancel button 50, the previous operation of the selection button can be canceled and a new selection can be made. If there is change after the card is paid out, the change dispensing port 4 that dispenses coins
Change is dispensed from a change dispensing port 46 which dispenses 1 and banknotes. Note that 42a in the figure is a discontinuation indicator, which is used to display that card sales are currently discontinued. Further, 42b is a sales indicator, which is used to display that cards are currently being sold.

In FIG. 6, 52 is a coin sorting machine, which is used to sort coins inserted from the coin input slot 39 according to their denominations.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a banknote sorting machine, which is used to sort the inserted banknotes by denomination.

Reference numerals 54 and 55 denote a change holding and returning mechanism, which temporarily holds inserted coins and banknotes and returns and dispenses the change when change is needed.

56 is a control unit for controlling the card vending machine.

Next, the control circuit of the card vending machine will be explained based on FIG.

The control circuits are broadly classified into a cash mechanism 76, a display mechanism 77, a selection instruction mechanism 79, and so on. It consists of a card issuing mechanism 80 and a control mechanism 78.

First, the money mechanism 76 will be explained. The money mechanism 76 includes a coin slot 39 , and coins inserted through the coin slot 39 are sorted by a coin sorter 52 and further counted by a coin counter 57 . On the other hand, the bill slot 40
The banknotes inserted are sorted by a banknote sorter 51 and counted by a banknote counter 57. and money counter 5
The count signal counted in step 7 is sent to the control section 56 of the control mechanism 78. On the other hand, the coin sorting machine 52 and the banknote sorting machine 51
Some of the money that has passed through the change holding and returning mechanism 54.55
Change return slots 41 and 46 are used when change is required.
will be returned from. Further, the money counted by the money counter 57 is finally stored in a safe 58.

Next, the selection instruction mechanism 79 will be explained. When the sales card amount selection button 48 is operated to suppress, the operation signal is provided to the control unit 56 via the signal acquisition circuit 61. When the sales card number selection button 47 is suppressed, the operation signal is transmitted to the control unit 56 via the signal acquisition circuit 61.
given to.

When the sales button 49 is pressed, the operation signal is given to the control section 56 via the signal acquisition circuit 61. When the cancel button 50 is operated, the operation signal is given to the control section 56 via the signal acquisition circuit 61.

Next, the display mechanism 77 will be explained. A control signal from the control section 56 is given to each display via a display driver 60. As a result, the input amount display 38. On sale indicator 42b, cancellation indicator 42a, sale card amount indicator 43
．． The sales card number display 44 is lit and displayed.

Next, the card issuing mechanism 80 will be explained. Card issuing mechanism 8
0 is given a control signal from the control section 56, the card is conveyed from the card paper stock section 62 to the data writing section 63, and store (vending machine) code data is written on the magnetic stripe 21. The card is conveyed to the data printing section 64 and necessary data is printed on the card surface, and then the card passes through the ticket issuing processing section 53 and is dispensed from the card dispensing port 45.

Note that the data printing section 64 may not be provided, and necessary data may be written on the card in advance.

Next, the control mechanism 78 will be explained. The control mechanism 78 includes a control section 56, an input amount storage section, and a change storage section 59. The control unit 56 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. ROM
The control program shown in FIG. 7 is incorporated into the . In addition, numeral 10 in the figure is a power supply circuit, which is used to supply necessary current to the various devices and control circuit portions.

Next, the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 7 will be explained based on FIG. 8.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether the card vending machine is in a state where it can sell or not. If it is determined that the card vending machine is not in a state where it can sell, the process proceeds to step S2, and the cancellation indicator 42g displays a cancellation. Further, when the card vending machine is in a state where it can sell (that is, a state where conditions such as having a fixed amount of cards and change are met), a YES determination is made in step S1 and the process proceeds to step S3, where the on-sale indicator 42b Displays that the product is on sale, and proceeds to step S4.
A determination is made as to whether coins or banknotes have been inserted;
It will wait until input. If the person who wants to purchase a card inserts coins or bills from the coin slot 39 or the bill slot 40, a YES determination is made in step S4 and the process proceeds to step S5, in which it is determined whether the coins or bills are genuine or not. If it is determined that the currency is not genuine, the process proceeds to step S6, the inserted coin is returned, and the process returns to step S4. On the other hand, if the inserted coins or banknotes are determined to be genuine, the process proceeds to step S7, where the amount of the inserted coins is counted and memorized, and the process proceeds to step S8, where the inserted amount display 38 indicates the amount of the inserted coins. is displayed and the process advances to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether or not a sales card selection button has been operated, and the process waits until it is operated. If the customer selects and operates the sales card amount selection button 48, a YES determination is made in step S9, and the process proceeds to step SIO, where the selected amount is displayed on the amount display 43, and step S
Proceed to step 11. In step Sll, it is determined whether or not the cancel button has been operated. If the cancel button has been operated, the process advances to step S10, and the display 43.4
4 is erased and the process proceeds to step S9.

On the other hand, if the cancel button 50 is not pressed,
When a NO determination is made in step S11, the process proceeds to step S1B, where it is determined whether or not the number selection button has been operated, and the process waits until it is operated. Then, when the customer selects and operates the number of cards selection button 47, a YES determination is made in step 813, the process proceeds to step S14, the selected number of cards is displayed on the number display 44, and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the cancel button has been operated. If not, the process proceeds to step S16, where it is determined whether the sales button has been operated. If not, the process returns to step S15. A return loop is formed. During this loop, when the customer presses the cancel button 50, step S15
A determination of YES is made and the process proceeds to step S17.
After turning off the display on the display devices 43 and 44, the process returns to step S9. On the other hand, in the middle of the loop, the customer presses the four sales buttons to perform step S1.
6, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S18, where the vending machine numbers are recorded on all the selected cards, and the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the card information of the selected card is transmitted to the hall management computer, and the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether or not there is change. If it is determined that there is change based on the memory in the change storage section 59, the process proceeds to step S21, and after dispensing the change, the process returns to step S1. return. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no change, the process directly returns to step S1 without dispensing change. In addition, instead of or together with the cancel button 50, a return button for inserted money may be provided, and the inserted money may be returned by pressing the return button.

Further, the sales card number display 44 displays the number of cards "1" when any of the sales card amount selection buttons 48 is pressed.
” may be displayed, and then when any of the sales card number selection buttons 47 is pressed, the number display may be changed.

Furthermore, instead of providing the number of cards selection button 47,
The number of cards to be sold may be detected and displayed in response to the number of times the sales card amount selection button 48 is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the gaming machine 3 and ball lending machine 5 arranged on the gaming machine installation island. A pachinko game machine 3, which is an example of a game machine, has a game area 12 formed by a game board,
When a player puts pachinko balls, which are an example of a game medium, into the prize ball storage tray 13 and operates the ball-hitting operation handle 14, the pachinko balls are transferred one by one to the game area 12.
It is configured to be driven in. When the driven pachinko balls enter a predetermined winning hole, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out into the prize ball storage tray 13.

In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a ball lending machine.Hereinafter, the ball lending machine will be explained as a representative of the gaming media lending machine, and explanations of other types of gaming media lending machines such as coin lending machines will be omitted. The ball lending machine 5 is provided with a card insertion slot 16, which is an example of a recording medium insertion slot. The amount of money that can be used with the card inserted into the card insertion slot 16 is displayed on the amount display 17.

On the other hand, the ball lending machine 5 has a coin insertion slot 109 and a bill insertion slot 1.
10 is provided, and the amount of coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 109 and the amount of bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 110 are displayed on the amount display 17. Then, the player selects and operates the amount instruction buttons (selection buttons) 18a to 18c to borrow pachinko balls within the amount displayed by the amount display 17. Then, pachinko balls corresponding to the amount selected by the player are ejected from the rental ball ejector 19. In addition, the number of rental balls may be a predetermined number paid out each time the card is inserted.

Further, reference numeral 15 in the figure is a loaning indicator, which is used to display to the player that pachinko balls are being loaned.

Further, reference numeral 115 in the figure is a change payout port, and if there is change after lending pachinko balls, a predetermined amount of change is paid out from the change payout port 115.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal structure of the ball lending machine.

When a magnetic card 20 on which a magnetic stripe 21, which is an example of an information recording area, is formed, is inserted from the card insertion slot 16, a magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 detects the inserted magnetic card. Then, the card is transported by the card transport mechanism 24, and the card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 is read by the card data reading/writing device 23, which is an example of recording medium reading means. Based on the card information read by the card data reading/writing device 23, the amount of money that can be used for the card is
The amount is displayed on the amount display 17.

On the other hand, when a coin 138 is inserted through the coin slot 109, the coin identifier 121 identifies the inserted coin and determines whether the coin is correct or not (authenticity) and the amount. If the inserted coin is an inappropriate coin with a forgery effect, etc., the coin identification device 121 determines this, and discharges the inserted coin from the change outlet 115 outside the machine, and also identifies the invalid coin. The lending of pachinko balls using coins is prohibited. On the other hand, if the inserted coin is a proper coin, the amount of the inserted coin is displayed on the amount display 17.

When a banknote 137 is inserted from the banknote insertion slot 110, the banknote insertion detection switch 123 detects the inserted banknote. Then, the bill is conveyed by the bill conveyance mechanism 122, and the bill validator 124 determines whether the inserted bill is correct or not (authenticity). If the inserted bill is an invalid bill such as a counterfeit bill, the bill validator 124 determines this, and the bill conveyance mechanism 122 is operated in the opposite direction to remove the inserted bill from the machine. In addition, the lending of pachinko balls using such illegal banknotes will be prohibited. On the other hand, if the inserted banknote is a proper banknote, the amount of money of the inserted banknote is displayed on the amount display 17.

The player selects and operates the amount instruction buttons 18a to 18C based on the amount displayed by the amount display 17. Then, the ball lending processing solenoid 32 is excited and controlled, and the transmission link 31. The partition member 29 is rotated around the rotation fulcrum 27 via the locking part 28, the partition member 29 prevents the pachinko balls above from flowing down, the release valve 33 is opened, and the pachinko balls are released into the rental ball storage pipe 30. The stored pachinko balls are released into the rental ball storage section 34. Then, when the player pushes up the rental ball release port 19, the rental ball storage section 34
Pachinko balls stored therein are released from the rental ball release port 19 to the player side. In this way, by controlling the partition member 29 with the ball rental processing solenoid 32, the amount of pachinko balls released into the rental ball storage section 34 can be controlled. In addition, the inserted coins descend down the coin collection passage 134 and are temporarily stored in the change dispensing device 135, and when it is necessary to dispense change after lending the pachinko balls, a predetermined amount of change is sent from the change dispensing device 135. The change is paid out to the change payout port 11.5.

Coins that cannot be stored in the change dispensing device 135 are collected via an overflow coin collection passage 136. In addition, 26 in the figure is a pachinko ball shortage detector, and when the upper surface of the pachinko balls in the pachinko ball supply pipe 25 falls below this pachinko ball shortage detector 26, the pachinko ball shortage detector 26 is activated. The sensor is configured to derive a detection signal. Based on the detection signal from the pachinko ball shortage detector 26, the card sale is suspended.

The coin validator 121 and the banknote validator 124 constitute a currency validator for determining whether the coin is correct or not.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the ball lending machine 5. As shown in FIG.

The control circuit includes a control section 35, and this control section 35 includes a C
Includes PU, RAM, ROM, etc. The control unit 35 includes a detection signal from the card insertion detection switch 22, a read information signal from the card data reading/writing element 23, a detection signal from the banknote insertion detection switch 123, an identification signal from the banknote sorter 124, The identification signal from the coin identification device 121, the detection signal from the ball shortage detector 26, the amount instruction button], and the selection operation signals from 8a to 18c are input.

Further, the control section 35 outputs a card conveyance control signal to the card conveyance mechanism 24, and the banknote conveyance machine +R1, 22
A banknote conveyance control signal is output to the card data reading/writing element 23, a change dispensing control signal is output to the change dispensing device 135, and a coin lending process is performed via the solenoid driver 36. A control signal is given to the solenoid 32, and a display control signal is also given to the amount display 17 and the rental display 15 through the display driver 37. Note that the control unit 35 and the hall management computer are connected by wiring.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 11. Also, Figure 13A, 1
FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing another embodiment for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 11.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not there is human power from the insertion switch, and the process waits until there is input. Then, when the player inserts the card from the card insertion slot 16, a detection signal from the magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 is input to the control unit 35, and a YES determination is made in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S26, where the card is transported. The mechanism 24 is moved to take in the card, and the process proceeds to step S27, where the card data reading/writing element 23 reads the card information. Next, the process proceeds to step 528, and the step S2
The read information read by Step 7, that is, the card information and the ball lending machine number into which the card is inserted, is transmitted to the hall management computer, and the process proceeds to step S29, where the process waits until a reply is received from the hall management computer. The hall management computer sends a reply to the effect that an abnormal situation has occurred in step S94, which will be described later, and also sends a reply to the effect that the information card is an appropriate information card in steps 5100 and 5116. If there is a reply from the hall management computer, a YES determination is made in step S29, and the process proceeds to step S30, where it is determined whether or not the reply indicates that the card is an appropriate information card. If the reply is not that it is an appropriate information card, it is a reply that an abnormal situation has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S31, after which processing is performed when an abnormal situation occurs, the card is collected or returned to the cabin in step S32, and the card is returned again. Return to step S25. Note that the process performed in step S31 when an abnormal situation occurs may include sounding an alarm or lighting or blinking an abnormal situation lamp.

On the other hand, if the hall management computer returns a reply indicating that the card is an appropriate information card based on steps 5100 and 5116, which will be described later, then the answer is YES in step S30.
When the determination S is made, the process proceeds to step 833, where the amount data is displayed on the amount display 17 for the player to recognize.
In step S34, it is determined whether or not the amount instruction button (selection button) has been operated, and the process waits until the selection button is operated. Then, when the player selects and operates the ball rental signal command button 18, Y is determined in step S34.
After the ES determination is made, the process proceeds to step S35, where it is determined that "selected amount ≦ remaining amount", and when the remaining amount, that is, the amount selected by the player's ball rental signal command button is greater than the usable amount of the inserted card. In this case, a negative determination is made in step S35, the process proceeds to step S36, and after error processing is performed, the process returns to step S34. This is a process that is performed because the player's selected amount exceeds the usable amount of the inserted card, so pachinko balls equivalent to the selected amount cannot be lent out with the inserted card. It is.

On the other hand, if the selected amount is equal to or less than the remaining amount, a YES determination is made in step 835, and the process proceeds to step S37, where the solenoid driver is controlled according to the selected amount, and the number of solenoid drivers is controlled according to the selected amount. Pachinko balls are paid out, and the process proceeds to step 338, where the usable amount of the card after the pachinko balls have been paid out, that is, the remaining amount, is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S39.

In step S39, it is determined whether or not there is still a remaining amount, that is, the usable amount of the inserted card. If there is, the process proceeds to step S40, and the usable amount data of the card is transferred to the new usable amount. The amount is rewritten, the process proceeds to step S41, the card information with the new usable amount is sent to the hall management computer, and the process returns to step S25. Note that the usable amount may be rewritten by the hall management computer. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that there is no remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S42, and after the card is collected on board the aircraft, the process proceeds to step S4B. is sent to the hall management computer and the process returns to step S25. Note that in step S42, the card may be released to the player instead of being collected into the machine.

Next, another example of the control circuit shown in FIG.
This will be explained based on FIG. A and FIG. 13B.

Alternatively, cards may be collected in a concentrated manner at one location.

Steps S50 to 872 shown in FIG. 13A
At the same time as the above process is executed, the interrupt program shown in FIG. 13B is executed once every predetermined time (4 msec). Therefore, this Figure 13A.

In order to execute the program shown in FIG. 13B, a pulse frequency dividing circuit (an interrupt pulse generating circuit) that divides a clock signal and periodically supplies an interrupt pulse to the MPU is required to run the program shown in FIG. 13B. ) is necessary.

First, let's explain the interrupt program. In step S80, it is determined whether there is a reply from the hall management computer, and if there is no reply, the interrupt program ends. On the other hand, if there is a reply from the hall management computer, the process advances to step S81, where it is determined whether the reply is to the effect that an abnormal situation has occurred, and if the reply is not to the effect that an abnormal situation has occurred (steps 5100, 5l1).
Since the reply from 6) is a reply indicating that the card is an appropriate information card, the process proceeds to step S82, where the information that the card is an appropriate information card is stored in the storage section of the control section 35, and the interrupt program ends. On the other hand, if the reply from the hall pipe ring computer is a reply to the effect that an abnormal situation has occurred (in the case of the reply in step S94), the process proceeds to step S83, in which the abnormal situation has occurred and the card number of the abnormal information card. is stored in the storage section of the control section, and the interrupt program ends.

Next, the program shown in FIG. 13A will be explained.

In step S50, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the insertion switch, and the process waits until there is an input. Then, when the player inserts a card from the card insertion slot 16, a detection output from the magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 is given to the control section 35, and step S50 returns Y.
When the judgment S is made, the process proceeds to step S51, where the transport mechanism is moved to take in the card, and the process proceeds to step S52, where the card information is read by the card data reading/writing element 23.

Next, the process proceeds to step S53, where the card information and ball lending machine number are sent to the hall management computer, which determines whether or not the card information is appropriate. However, without waiting for the response of the judgment result of the suitability of the card, the process immediately proceeds to step S54, and the card amount is displayed on the amount display 1.
7 is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S55, where it is determined whether or not there is an operation on the selection button, and the process waits until there is an operation. When the player selects and operates the ball rental signal command button 18, a YES determination is made in step S55, and the process proceeds to step S56, where it is determined that "selected amount ≦ remaining amount". If the selected amount, that is, the amount selected by the player by operating the ball rental signal command button 18, is larger than the remaining amount, that is, the usable amount of the inserted card, the process advances to step S57, and after error processing is performed, step Return to S55 again. On the other hand, if the selected amount is smaller than or equal to the remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S58, where it is determined whether or not there is a memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation, and the step S58
If B remembers the abnormal situation, step 358
A determination of YES is made, and the process proceeds to step S59.
After processing when an abnormal situation occurs, the process advances to step S84, where the memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation and the memory of the card number of the abnormal information card are cleared, and the process returns to step S50. Various types of processing can be considered when an abnormal situation occurs in step S59, such as sounding an alarm or lighting or flashing an abnormal situation display lamp.

On the other hand, if at the time of the judgment in step 358, the reply regarding the suitability of the inserted card has not yet been received from the hall management computer, a No judgment is made in step 958, and in that case, Proceeding to step S60, the solenoid driver is controlled according to the selected amount of money to pay out the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the selected amount of money. That is, the pachinko balls are put out without waiting for the judgment result from the hall management computer. In this case, instead of paying out the number of pachinko balls according to the selected amount, control may be performed so that the payout is limited to the minimum unit of pachinko balls. Note that the pachinko balls may be paid out after waiting for the result of the suitability determination. Next step S
The process proceeds to step S61, where the remaining amount is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S62, where it is determined whether there is any remaining amount. If there is a remaining amount, the process proceeds to step 363, where the card data reading/writing element 23 rewrites the usable amount data of the card with new data, and the process proceeds to step S66. Step S66
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation. If not, the process proceeds to step S67, and it is determined whether or not there is a memory that the card is a normal information card. If there is no memory, the process proceeds to step S67. A loop returning to step S66 is formed. During this loop, there is a reply from the hall computer, and if the reply is to the effect that an abnormal situation has occurred, a YES determination is made in step S66 and the process proceeds to step S59. On the other hand, if the reply is that it is an appropriate information card, a YES determination is made in step S67, and step S6
5, the inserted card is ejected, the process proceeds to step S68, the card information with the new usable amount is sent to the hall management computer, and the process proceeds to step S75, where the memory that it is an appropriate information card is cleared. Later Steve S.
Return to 50. Note that step 863 and step S6
6, a step is inserted to determine whether or not there is a memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation, and if it is determined that there is no memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation, the card is immediately released. May be controlled. In that case, after the card is ejected, when the memory of the occurrence of an abnormal situation occurs in step S83, the accident card registration application is controlled in step 5112, which will be described later, based on the memory of the card number of the abnormal information card. It is desirable to do this automatically.

Further, during the loop including steps S66 and S67, the determination in step S50 is not performed, so even if the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 16, the card is not captured in step S51. do not have. Therefore, even if the loop including steps S66 and S67 is in the middle of the loop, control may be provided to import the next inserted card, and the previous card after importing is the abnormal information card. If it is determined that the abnormality information card is stored, the abnormality information card may be specified based on the storage of the card number of the abnormality information card.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a program installed in, for example, the hall management computer 70 in area A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, in step S85, it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the card vending machine, and if there is no reception, step S85 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S86, where it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the ball lending machine. If there is no reception, the process proceeds to step S87, where it is determined whether or not there is an application for registration of an accident card, and there is no registration application. If so, the process advances to step 888, where it is determined whether or not there is reception from the centralized hall management computer.If there is no reception, the process advances to step S89, where it is determined whether or not the hall has closed on -day. A loop is formed in which the process returns to step S85 again if the process is not yet completed. During this loop, if card information is transmitted from the re-card vending machine in step S19, a YES determination is made in step S85 and the process proceeds to step S90, where the vending machine number and the card amount of the vending card are sent. Store it and return to step 885.

Further, the step S28. S41. If there is a transmission from the ball rental machine in S43 or steps 853, 868, and 872, YES is determined in step S86 and the process advances to step S91. There are three types of information received from the ball lending machine: card information, ball lending machine number, card information with a new available amount, and card information with a balance of "0". If it is the information and ball rental machine number, step S91 returns YE.
A determination of S is made and the process advances to step S92.

In step S92, it is determined whether or not the received card information is an accident card by comparing the memory of the accident card with the received card information. If it is an accident card, the process proceeds to step S94 and the abnormal situation is detected. The occurrence is transmitted to the ball lending machine, the process proceeds to step S95, abnormality processing is performed, and the process returns to step S85. In step S94, based on the fact that the reply information from the reply means described later is information indicating that the recording medium is inappropriate, the ball lending machine uses the recording medium determined to be inappropriate. Disallowance signal output means is configured to output a signal indicating disapproval. In addition, the abnormality processing in step S95 includes, for example, displaying information on the display of the hall management computer indicating that an abnormal situation has occurred, the ball lending machine number where the abnormal situation occurred, the installation position of the ball lending machine, and the abnormality information card. It is conceivable to display the card number.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S92 that the card is not an accident card, the process proceeds to step 893, where the authenticity of the card information is checked. To check the authenticity of this card information, as mentioned above, check the consistency between the card's usable amount recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 and the position of the punch hole, or check the authenticity of the information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. Whether or not the information is recorded in a standard zigzag pattern, or if a recording means other than magnetic recording means is provided, whether the recorded content matches the recorded content within the magnetic stripe 21. etc. to judge. In other words,
The check in step 39B is a check that is determined only from the information recorded on the card. Then, the process proceeds to step S84, and as a result of the authenticity check, it is determined whether or not the card is an abnormal information card. If it is determined that the card is an abnormal information card, the process proceeds to step S94, but it is determined that the card is not an abnormal information card. If it is determined that the card amount is 1,000 yen or less, the process proceeds to step S96, where it is determined whether the card amount is 1,000 yen or less. If it is determined that the card amount is 1,000 yen or less, the process directly returns to step S85. That is, when a card with a card amount of 1,000 yen or less is inserted into the card ball rental machine, only the suitability determination based on the card information in step S93 is performed. Note that in the judgment made in step S96, the card amount is not limited to r1000 yen, but may be 2000 yen,
It may be 3,000 yen, or any amount as long as it is a relatively low card amount. In addition, in the determination in step S96, instead of determining whether the card amount is large, it may be determined whether the usable amount of the card is large. That is, if the available amount of the card is already 1000 yen or less as a result of the card being used, a YES determination is made in step S96 and the process returns to step S85, and the available amount of the card is still 1000 yen or less.
If more than 0.000 yen remains, N is determined in step S96.
Control may be performed such that the determination o is made and the process proceeds to step S97. In this case, the available amount of the card is 100
If it falls below 0 yen, the hall management computer 70. The card information corresponding to the card whose value is less than 1000 yen in the central hall management computer 72 and the comprehensive central management computer 74 may be deleted. In that case, if a card with a usable amount of 1,000 yen or less is forged and the usable amount is increased to more than 1,000 yen, if the counterfeit card is used, Since the card is not already stored in the hall management computer 70, it is possible to immediately determine that the card is an abnormal information card.

Next, if a NO determination is made in step S96, the process proceeds to step S97, where it is determined whether or not the card has already been used in this hole today.If it is determined that the card has already been used, step The process proceeds to step 598, where the card information is compared with the information stored in the hall management computer to check whether the card information is correct. In other words, if the card inserted into the card ball lending machine is a card that has already been used at this hole today, the card information has already been recorded in the hall management computer in step 5117, which will be described later. By comparing the information stored in the hall management computer with the sent card information, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the information is appropriate. Note that the "stored information" in step 598 has the contents as shown in FIG. 15, for example. That is, the card number and the card amount and available amount corresponding to that card number. Note that the usable store code number may be recorded. For example, code 100 can be used at any gaming parlor, but code 20 can be used only at a limited number of gaming parlors. For example, if a card sold at a card vending machine installed in District B or C is used at a game hall in District A, the card information for District B or C will also be stored ( (In Figure 15, information on both lines with card number 12044.83259). Furthermore, the first
The card information shown in FIG. 5 is stored not only for that day but also for the next day, and in step S97, it is controlled to determine whether the card has already been used in this hole yesterday or today. It's okay. Next, the process proceeds to step S99, and if it is determined that the card is an abnormal information card as a result of the check in step S98, the process proceeds to step S94, and if it is determined that the card is not an abnormal information card, the process proceeds to step 5100, After replying to the ball lending machine that it is an information card, the process returns to step S85.

If the determination in step S97 is No, the process advances to step 5101, where it is determined whether the card has been used in any hole in the past, and if the card has never been used, If the determination is No, the process proceeds to step 5102, where necessary card information is sent to the general central management computer and step S85
Return to

On the other hand, if the card has been used at least once in the past,
If YES is determined in step 5101, the process proceeds to step 8103, where the district to which the card belongs is determined based on the vending machine number in the card information, and step 510
Proceeding to step S85, the necessary card information is sent to the centralized hall management computer in that area, and the process returns to step S85.

In other words, if the card has been used at least once in the past, the card information is recorded in the central hall management computer of the district to which the card belongs, so the card information cannot be sent to that central hall management computer. However, if the card has never been used before, the card information is only stored in the comprehensive central control computer, so in that case, the general central control computer It is necessary to send it to the management computer and have it judge whether it is appropriate or not. Said step S28. Through S53, 5103 and 5104, the information processing means designated by the later-described designation means,
Information transmitting means is configured to transmit the read information of the recording medium that is the designated target.

Next, if the determination in step S91 is No, the process proceeds to step 5105, where it is determined whether or not the card information with the new amount has been received, and the card information with the new amount is determined. If it is determined that the card has been received, the process proceeds to step 5109, where the district to which the card belongs is determined based on the vending machine number, and the process proceeds to step 51.
Proceeding to step 10, a notification that the necessary card information and available amount of money have been rewritten is sent to the centralized hall management computer of the district to which the card belongs. Note that the card information derived from the hall management computer is unconditionally sent to the centralized hall management computer for the location of the hall, and from there it is transferred directly or via the integrated central management computer to a predetermined centralized hall management computer. You can do it like this. Next, the process advances to step 5111, and the stored content in the usable amount column is corrected to a new amount, and the process returns to step S85. The steps 5107, 5104 and step 5110 constitute read information output means that outputs read information read by the recording medium reading means. Also, step 5106.510
3,5109 and a communication line connecting each hall management computer and the centralized hall management computer 72 or the mutual centralized management computer 74, the read information output from the read information output means is transmitted to the district to which the read information belongs. An information guiding means is configured to guide the information to the internal central control center.

This information guidance means not only directs the read information to the central control center in the district where the card is sold, but also to the central central control center in the district where the card is used for the first time. There may be.

Next, if the determination in step 5105 is No, this means that card information with the usable amount of "0" has been sent, so the process proceeds to step 5106, and the vending machine in the card information is The district to which the card belongs is determined based on the number, and the process proceeds to step 5107, where necessary card information and the fact that the available amount of money is "0" are sent to the central hall management computer of the district to which the card belongs. Send. Then, the process proceeds to step 8108, in which the usable amount column in the storage contents of the hall management computer is corrected to "0", and the process returns to step S85.

Next, if the staff at the amusement center applies for registration of an accident card,
A YES determination is made in step S87, and the process advances to step 5112. This accident card is registered when a card is stolen, when it is discovered that it is an abnormal information card as a result of being used and the abnormal information card is taken away by the player, or when the power card is lost. Apply.

In step 5112, the card information of the accident card is sent to the general central management computer, and the process returns to step S85.

Next, if there is a reception from the central hall management computer, a YES determination is made in step S88 and the process proceeds to step 5113. From the centralized hall management computer, steps 5140. Step 3139. Step 5147. Step 5149
．． Each piece of information is sent in step 5150.

If the content received from the central hall management computer is information regarding the suitability of card information, a YES determination is made in step 8113 and step 511
The process proceeds to step S94, where it is determined whether or not the reception indicates that the card is an abnormality information card.If the reception indicates that the card is an abnormality information card, the process proceeds to step S94; however, if the reception does not indicate that the card is an abnormality information card, the process proceeds to step S94. The process proceeds to step 5116, in which a message indicating that the card is appropriate is sent to the ball rental machine, and the process proceeds to step 5117, in which the card information of the appropriate information card is stored in the hall management computer (see FIG. 15), and the process returns to step S85. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 8113 that the card information is not received as appropriate, the received information is specified as accident card information, and the process proceeds to step 5114.
Memorize the information on the sent accident card and proceed to step S8.
Return to 5.

Next, when the gaming facility closes for the day,
If YES is determined in step S89, the process proceeds to step 5118, where the daily sales amount is totaled for each ball rental machine number, and the process proceeds to step 5119, where the total sales amount for all ball rental machines is calculated.2, and the process proceeds to step 5120. , aggregate the amount spent by card number. Note that for all ball rental machines, the total sales amount by card usage and the total sales amount by cash are calculated respectively. Next, the process advances to step 5121, where cards sold at the own store and cards sold at other stores are classified based on the vending machine number, and the total amount spent is calculated for each card sold at the own store and cards sold at other stores. Next, the process proceeds to step 5122, where the number of sales cards for each denomination is totaled, and the process proceeds to step 8123, where the total amount of sales for all ball lending machines is transmitted to the centralized hall management computer. Next, the process proceeds to step 5124, where predetermined information is printed, and then the process proceeds to step 5125, where the card information of the card whose usable amount is "0" is deleted from the memory contents of the hall management computer, and the program ends.

The predetermined information printed in step 5124 is as follows:
For example, the content is as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B to 18. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a list of sales amounts by ball rental machine number. In the figure, PI, P
The 2nd grade is, for example, the machine number of the pachinko game machine located on the left and right of the 1-cup ball rental machine. On the other hand, FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a list of selling amounts for each coin lending machine. In the figure, CI and C2 mean that, for example, coin gaming machines with machine numbers C, C2 are disposed on the left and right of a coin lending machine with coin lending machine number 186.

Note that the predetermined information to be printed may be such that only the necessary information is printed by setting a keyboard corresponding to the hall management computer and performing necessary key operations.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a tabulation of sales amounts. The details include the total sales amount of ball rental machines, the total sales amount of coin rental machines, and the total amount of sales of own-store cards.

These include the total amount of money used for cards sold at other stores, the amount of sales from card vending machines, the total amount of sales from card vending machines, and the number of cards sold by denomination.

FIG. 18 is a diagram in which recorded contents such as accident information are printed. For example, as the contents of the accident information, the ball lending machine number, the time when the accident occurred, the card number of the abnormality information card, the vending machine number where the card was sold, etc. are displayed in a list form. In addition, the total number of prize exchange balls, the total number of prize exchange coins, the actual pachinko machine operating ratio, the actual coin machine operating ratio, etc. may be calculated and displayed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the amount of sales by the game media lending device and the usage status of cards and cash, calculated and displayed or printed out by the hall management computer.

In the figure, r88.12.1 10:00AMJ represents the output date and time of this data. In other words,
This is data printed or displayed at 10 am on December 1, 1988. This data shows data for a game hall in district A with a hall code of 001. In the first left column of the table, there is a column showing the date, November 1st.
It is configured to display information for each day from November 1st to November 30th as well as total information for November 1st to November 30th. The top row of the table has columns for sales amount, card usage amount, and cash usage amount. The "sales amount" is the sales amount from all game media lending devices at the game parlor. Further, the "card usage amount" is the total amount of gaming media lent out using the card. The "cash usage amount" is the total amount of gaming media lent out using cash. According to this table, the amount lent from the game media lending device using a card on November 1st is 3,181,200 yen, the amount lent by cash is 2,187,400 yen, and the sum of both amounts is The sales amount is r5368600
It turns out that it is "Yen". The hall management computer 70 that calculates the card usage amount constitutes recording medium lending number counting means that counts a numerical value related to the game media lent out by the game medium lending device using the recording medium. Further, the hall management computer 70 that calculates the amount of cash used constitutes a money lending number counting means that counts the numerical value related to the game media lent out by the game media lending device using the money.

The amount of money spent on the card may be classified into the amount of money spent on the card sold by the store itself and the amount used on the card sold at other stores, and each of them may be calculated and expressed. In addition, the amount of card usage against the sales amount,
The respective ratios of cash usage amounts may be calculated and expressed.

Note that the calculations explained in FIG. 19 and the printing or display of the calculations may be performed by a centralized hall management computer or a comprehensive central management computer instead of the hall management computer. This may be done on both the management computer and the management computer.

Furthermore, the above-described calculations and calculation results may be printed or displayed only within a limited area of one gaming hall.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are flowcharts showing programs installed in the centralized hall management computer 72 shown in FIG.

First, in step 8130, it is determined whether or not there is reception from the hall computer, and if there is no reception, the process proceeds to step 8131, where it is determined whether or not there is reception from the general central management computer. If there is no reception, the process advances to step 8132, where it is determined whether or not the halls nationwide have closed, and if the operation has not yet ended, a loop is formed in which the process returns to step 8130 again. During this loop, if there is a reception from the hall management computer, step 8130
A YES determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 8133. From the hall management computer, step 5
Respective information is transmitted via 107.5104 and 5123.5110. Then, if the content received from the hall management computer is the necessary card information and information that the available amount has become "0",
If YES is determined in step 8133, the process proceeds to step 8134, where the usable amount column in the storage contents in the central hall management computer is corrected to "0". Next, the process proceeds to step 8135, where the card information and the fact that the usable amount has become "0" are sent to the general central management computer, and the process returns to step 8130.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 8133 is NO, the process proceeds to step 8136, where it is determined whether or not the necessary card information has been received, and the necessary card information is transferred to the centralized hall management based on step 5104. If the data is sent to a computer for use, step 813
If YES is determined in step 6, the process proceeds to step 5137, in which the card information is compared with the card information stored in the centralized hall management computer to determine suitability, and in step 8138, it is determined whether or not the information is proper. Let's do it.

If it is determined that the information is appropriate, the process advances to step 8139, and the information that the information card is appropriate is sent to the hall management computer, which is the source of the read information, that is, the card information read by the card ball rental machine. and returns to step 8130. On the other hand, the step 813
If it is determined in step 8 that the card is not a proper card, the process proceeds to step 5140, where a message indicating that the card is an abnormal information card is sent to the hall management computer, which is the source of the read information, and the process returns to step 5130. Step S98. S99.
5137 and 5138, the read information transmitted from the information transmission means is compared with registered verification information to be described later, and the suitability of the read information is determined, and the recording medium is used in the game medium lending device. Appropriateness determining means is configured to determine whether or not to permit. Furthermore, the steps 8139 and 5140 include a reply means for replying the determination output from the suitability determination means, which will be described later, to the gaming hall that is the source of the read information that is the object of the determination.

Next, if the determination in step 8136 is No, the process proceeds to step 5141, in which it is determined whether or not the necessary card information and available amount of money have been rewritten. If the transmission has been made to the central hall management computer, a YES determination is made in step 5140 and the process proceeds to step 5142. In step 5142, the previous step 840 updates the stored contents in the usable amount column in the central hall management computer to the new available amount rewritten in step 8631. Next, the process advances to step 8143, where a notification that the card information and available amount of money have been updated is sent to the general central management computer, and the process returns to step 5130.

Next, if the determination in step 5141 is NO, the information sent from the hall management computer is specified as the total sales amount of all ball rental machines explained in step 3123. Step 514
The process proceeds to step 4, where the total sales amount of all the ball rental machines and the holes thereof are memorized, and the process returns to step 8130.

Next, if there is a reception from the integrated central management computer, a YES determination is made in step 8131 and the process proceeds to step 5145. From the general central management computer, step 5236. will be described later. Step 5237
．． Information is transmitted through step 5240, respectively. Then, in step 5145, it is determined whether or not the received information is card information, and in step 8237, if card information of an appropriate card is sent, YES.
When the determination S is made, the process proceeds to step 5146, and the card information is stored in the centralized hall management computer. Next, the process proceeds to step 5147, where the card information and the fact that the card is a proper information card are sent to the hall management computer, which is the source of the read information, and step 8130 is performed.
Return to

On the other hand, if the information transmitted from the comprehensive central management computer is not card information, a negative determination is made in step 5145 and the process proceeds to step 5148, where a determination is made as to whether or not it is accident card information. If card information has been sent, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step 8149.
The card information of the accident card is sent to all hall management computers in the district and the process returns to step 8130. Further, if a NO determination is made in step 5148, the identification is made when information indicating that the card is an abnormality information card is transmitted in accordance with step 8236, and the process proceeds to step 5150, where the card is identified as an abnormality information card. This is sent back to the hall management computer that is the source of the read information, and the process returns to step 8130.

Next, if it is determined in step 8132 that the operations of halls nationwide have ended, the process proceeds to step 5155, where the initial value of I-1 is set, and in step 5156,
N-(total number of holes in area A) is defined. Next, proceed to step 5157, and proceed to the hall where A district is located (
In step 1), the amount information for each card used today and sold outside the area is retrieved from the centralized hall management computer of the card sales area, and the total is calculated. Then step 5158
Then, the total amount M of all cards used today in a hole (I) in district A and sold in district A is calculated. Next, proceed to step 5159 and enter the hole (I).
The total sales amount of all ball rental machines on -day is K(1), and K
(I) Calculate -L0M. Next, the process advances to step 5160, where the total sales amount of all ball rental machines received from hall (1) is recorded! Call R(1). And step 5
The process proceeds to step 161, where K (1) - R (1) is determined, and if it is determined that they are not equal, the process proceeds to step 516.
2, a message is printed to the effect that the billing for the total sales amount for hall (1) is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step 5164. In other words, K (1) is the value calculated by the centralized hall management computer of the total sales amount due to the use of the card of hall (1), while R (1) is the value charged by hall CI). This is the total amount of sales due to the use of the card, and the two must originally match. If they do not match, it means that the billing for the total sales amount of Hall (1) is abnormal. On the other hand, if the determination in step 5161 is YES, the process proceeds to step 8163, where the total sales amount of all the ball lending machines in hall (1) is printed, and the process proceeds to step 5164. In step 5164, an I-N determination is made. If it is determined that it has not yet become I-N, the process proceeds to step 5165, and after the process of I-I+1 is performed, the process returns to step 5157. Then, if steps 5157 to 5165 are repeated many times, and the process is repeated a number of times equivalent to the number of all holes in area A, I-N will be obtained, so a YES determination will be made in step 5164. Then, the process proceeds to step 5166, where a process is performed to total up the 0 cards whose usable amount is "0" in all the holes in the A district. Next step 5
The process proceeds to step 167, and after transmitting the card information of the 0 card to the general central management computer, the information of the 0 card is deleted from the memory contents of the hall management combination computer, and the program ends.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative diagram showing card information stored in the centralized hall management computer in district A.

The central management computer in District A stores card information for cards sold in District A.

The stored contents include, for example, a store (vending machine) code number, card amount, available amount of money, and the like.

Note that the usable store code may be stored as necessary. In the diagram, card numbers 5024 to 502
The number 6 is missing, but this is partly because the card with that card number became a so-called 0 card with a usable amount of ``0'', so it was deleted from memory. In addition, since the usage code is "0", that is, the card is an unused card that has never been used, the card information corresponding to that card number is still in the centralized hall management computer in Area A. This is a case where the information is not stored and is stored only in the integrated central management computer.

In addition, as another example, if a card sold in District B or District C is used in District A, the
The card information of the card used may also be transmitted from the general central management computer to the central hall management computer in the district and stored therein. For example, as shown in the lower half of FIG. 21, card information for card number 12044 in district B, card information for card number 83256 in district C, etc. are stored.

Next, a flowchart showing the program installed in the integrated central management computer 74 shown in FIG.
This will be explained based on FIG. 22.

First, in step 8230, it is determined whether or not the card information has been received. If not, the process proceeds to step 8231, where it is determined whether or not the card information and the available amount of money have been updated. A determination is made, and if there is no reception, the process proceeds to step 5232, and a determination is made as to whether or not the card information of the accident card has been received.If no card information is received, the process proceeds to step 8233, and the card information of the 0 card is received. A loop is formed in which it is determined whether or not there is any reception, and if there is no reception, the process returns to step 8230 again. In the middle of this loop, the step 510
If the necessary card information is transmitted according to 2, a YES determination is made in step 8230, and the process proceeds to step 8234, in which the card information and the card information stored in the unused management file of the integrated central management computer are sent. Compare with the above to determine suitability. Then, in step 8235, it is determined whether or not the information card is an appropriate information card. If it is determined that the information card is not an appropriate information card, the process proceeds to step 8236, and a message indicating that the card is an abnormal information card is sent to the central office that sent the card information. A reply is sent to the management computer and the process returns to step 8230. Meanwhile, step 82
35, if it is determined that the information is appropriate, the process proceeds to step 5237, and the card information of the appropriate card is
The card information is returned to the centralized hall management computer that sent it, and the process advances to step 8238.

For example, if a card sold in District B or District C is used at a game hall in District A, the step 82
37 to send the card information of the appropriate information card back to the central hall management computer in district A.
You may also control it. In other words, if the card is used in the district it entered, there is a high possibility that it will be used in district A in the future, so it is sent back to the centralized hall management computer in district A and the card information of the appropriate information card is stored. It is also effective to leave it alone. Through the steps 8139 and 8237, the reading means in one or more game arcades that are likely to be used for each of the recording media is set to have a higher information transmission distance than the collation information storage means. A designation means for designating the nearby information processing means is configured.

Further, steps 5117 and 8146 constitute a registration means for registering, in the information processing means designated by the designation means, the collation information corresponding to the designated recording medium. Next step 8
At step 238, the card information of the appropriate card is transferred from the unused file to the used management file, and the process returns to step 8230. Further, in determining the suitability of read information, the thoroughness of the suitability determination in step S96 differs depending on the magnitude of the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium. Therefore, in this step S96, compared to the suitability determination that is performed when the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium is small, a more thorough suitability determination is performed when the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium is large. A determination level variable type suitability determining means for making the determination is configured. In the present embodiment, this judgment level variable type suitability judgment means makes suitability judgment only based on the read card information when the monetary equivalent value is low, and when the monetary equivalent value is high, the suitability judgment is performed from the card information. In addition to determining suitability based only on the read information, the system is configured to perform so-called card back number management by comparing the read card information with pre-stored card information to see if they match. The present invention is not limited to this,
So-called jersey number management may be carried out for both low and large amounts, and the thoroughness of the uniform number management may be varied.

Next, if a message indicating that the card information and available amount of money have been updated is sent in accordance with step 8143, a YES determination is made in step 8231 and the process proceeds to step 8239, in which the available amount of money for that card is updated. The stored content in the column is updated to the new updated amount and the process returns to step 8230.

Further, if the card information of the accident card is transmitted according to step 5112, a YES determination is made at step 8232 and the process proceeds to step 5240, where the card information of the accident card is transmitted to the computer for central hall management and step 8230 is performed. Return to

Further, if the card information of the 0 card is transmitted according to step 5135, a YES determination is made at step 8233, and the process proceeds to step 5241, where the card information of the 0 card is deleted from the storage contents of the integrated central management computer, and step 3230 Return to

FIG. 23 shows card information stored in the integrated central management computer. The specific information contents are district information, card number, store (vending machine) code, card amount, usable amount, and usage code. Additionally, a usable store code may be added if necessary. Also, for example, the card number 5024.5025 in District A and the card number 12040.12041.12043 in District B are missing, but this is because they are now so-called O cards with a spendable amount of "0". It has been erased.

The storage information shown in FIGS. 15, 21, and 23 constitutes collation information for collating recorded information on a plurality of recording media to determine suitability. The hall management computer 70; the centralized hall management computer 72 and the integrated central management computer 74 constitute a collation information storage means that stores collation information corresponding to each of the plurality of recording media. There is.

Note that the recording medium may be configured to be usable in something other than a game media lending device, such as a vending machine for canned juice or the like installed in a game hall.

Further, as another example according to the present invention, a game management equipment device shown in FIG. 24 can be considered instead of the gaming management equipment device shown in FIG. 1.

In the figure, 18 to 1f are gaming halls, each of which is equipped with a hall management computer 70 and a card data reading/writing device 23, which is an example of a recording medium reading means. The management convenience store Tough 0 for each hole provided in the gaming hall is
They are connected via communication lines via nodes N, respectively. In this state, if the card sales company 73 (see FIG. 1) sells a predetermined number of cards to the game hall 1a, for example, the record information of the predetermined number of sold cards is stored in the game hall 1a.
The information is stored in the hall management computer 70 as verification information. Then, when a released card is sold from a card vending machine and used, for example, at the game hall 1c, the verification information corresponding to the used card is transferred from the hall management computer 70 of the game hall 1a to the game hall 1c. The information is transmitted to the management computer 70 for the hall of the game hall, and
The card is registered in the hall management computer 70 of c, and the registered verification information is compared with the read information of the used card to determine whether or not the card used is appropriate.

In other words, the fact that the -degree card was used at the game hall 1c means that there is a high possibility that the card will be used at the game hall 1c from now on. Since the verification information corresponding to the card is registered in the card, the read information of the card can be immediately verified in the hall management computer 70 of the gaming hall 1c to determine suitability when the card is used thereafter. There is no need to transmit the information to the gaming hall 1a, which has the advantage of shortening the transmission distance.

FIG. 23 also shows that the game halls 18 to 1f are divided into, for example, three districts, and if a sales card is used, for example, at the game hall IC, all the game halls in the district to which the game hall 1c belongs are divided. Verification information corresponding to the card used may be registered in the hall management computer 70. In other words, if a card is used at a game hall IC, there is a high possibility that the card will also be used at other game halls within the district where that game hall IC is installed, and within the same district. By registering verification information in the hall management computers 70 of all the gaming halls,
When a card is used in the same area, the recorded information can be checked immediately by the hall management computer in the game hall.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention uses a new system that uses recording media to lend out game media and a conventional system that uses money to lend out game media, thereby preventing transitional confusion when transitioning to the new system. Now, we have been able to provide a game management equipment device that can supply the system operator with information that shows the degree of establishment of the new system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram schematically showing a gaming management equipment device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the gaming place. FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram showing the contents of card information, which is an example of recorded information recorded on a recording medium. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a magnetic card which is an example of a recording medium. FIG. 5 is an overall front view of the card vending machine. FIG. 6 is an overall back view showing a part of the internal structure of the card vending machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the card vending machine. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a part of the gaming machine installation island arranged in the gaming hall, and showing a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine and a card ball lending machine that is an example of a gaming media lending machine. It is. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram for explaining the inner paper structure of the card ball lending machine. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card ball rental machine. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 11. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing other examples of flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit of FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a program installed in the hall management computer. FIG. 15 is an illustrative diagram showing the contents of card information stored in the hall management computer. FIGS. 16A, 16B to 18 are diagrams showing management data of the hall management computer. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing sales amounts and usage status of cards and cash. FIGS. 20A and 20B are flowcharts showing programs installed in the central hall management computer. FIG. 21 is an illustrative diagram showing the contents of card information stored in the intensive hall management computer in district A. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a program installed in the integrated central management computer. FIG. 23 is an illustrative diagram showing the contents of card information stored in the integrated central management computer. FIG. 24 is an overall block diagram showing another example of the gaming management facility device. In the figure, 20 is a magnetic card which is an example of a recording medium, 23 is a card data reading/writing device which is an example of a recording medium reading means, 3 is a pinball game machine which is an example of a gaming machine, and 4 is an example of a gaming machine. is a coin gaming machine, 71 is a district central control center, 72 is a central hall management computer, 73 is a card sales company, 74 is a general central management computer, 70 is a hall management computer, 5 is a ball lending machine, and 7 is a coin gaming machine. It's a card vending machine. Figure 4, Figure 10, Figure 1, Figure 1bIA, Figure 55, Figure 17, Figure 1? Figure 1.20F3121)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plurality of gaming machines, a gaming media lending device capable of lending gaming media that can be used in the gaming machines, and having predetermined information written therein and having a monetary equivalent value;
A gaming management equipment device comprising: a recording medium that can be used in the gaming media lending device; and a management device that manages lending status of the gaming media, wherein the gaming media lending device The management device includes: an information reading means for reading information; and a currency identification means for identifying whether the money is correct; A gaming management equipment device comprising: a lending number counting means; and a money lending number counting means for counting a numerical value related to game media lent out by the game media lending device using the money.