JPH11104343A - Game medium management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium management device, by which accurate data management can be promoted when an abnormal condition is caused in communication during execution of data processing related to a replay of a game while labor in operation can be reduced. SOLUTION: When game replay processing is carried out in a ball dispenser 10 serving as a game replay processor arranged in a pachinko parlor, a game replay process unavailable ticket, to which a process unavailable number is applied, is issued if an abnormal condition is caused in communication between a host computer 30 and the ball dispenser 10. Then, the number of stored balls is confirmed by means of a ball dispenser 10 other than the ball dispenser 10 with defective communication. If the stored ball data is renewed, a predetermined number of pachinko balls to be supplied for a replay are dispensed when the process unavailable number is inputted to the ball dispenser 10 with defective communication, and then the game replay process is finished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a replaying machine for distributing game media deposited as so-called coins to a game store side, in which a communication error occurs between the replaying machine and a host computer. The present invention relates to a game medium management device capable of smoothly performing a replay process when a game is played.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a number of game stores have adopted a so-called ball storage system. When a player becomes a member of a game store, the ball storage system gives a membership card with an ID number and a password set for each member, and through this card, a game medium acquired by the player in the game. ,
It is a system that can be deposited in a game store.

[0003] In the ball storage system, when a player saves a ball obtained at the end of a game, a member card is generally inserted into a card insertion / ejection slot of a ball lending machine, and the member card is authentic. In this case, the new number of stored coins is added to the number of stored coins (the number of saved coins) already registered in the host computer, and the record is updated.

[0004] A player can use the stored coins later in the game within the range of the number of stored coins. That is, when the player plays the game again, by inserting a card into the card insertion / ejection slot and entering a predetermined password, the ID number and the password of the member card are collated by the host computer. The number of stored balls stored for each ID number was transmitted to the ball lending machine, and the actual balls were paid out as appropriate.

[0005] In such a ball storage system, data management of the number of stored balls is collectively performed by a host computer. As means for requesting processing such as data collation and data addition / subtraction from a terminal (re-game processing machine) that pays out game media, communication is generally used. In this case, data is distinguished between online and offline depending on the status of the communication path.

For example, when a processing request is made to the host computer with the number of game media paid out by the re-game processing machine as a pay-out number, when an abnormality occurs, or when a situation such as communication channel congestion occurs, the re-game processing is performed. If the machine can determine that communication is not possible before transmission, the operation is stopped.

[0007]

However, according to the above-described conventional technique, when a communication abnormality in such a situation occurs, for example, when the replaying machine does not respond from the host computer after transmitting data, the online processing is performed. If you do, it is necessary to manually count the number of game media and hand it over to the user of the re-processing machine, or to modify the data content of the host computer to invalidate the process, in order to return the game media as a result, It was very inconvenient when a communication error occurred during the operation of the ball storage system.

[0008] Further, in a situation where data correction or the like occurs, if the host computer has not updated the data, or if an error in updating the accumulated ball has occurred due to an operational mistake, the host computer may execute the accumulated ball data or replay game. When performing data tabulation analysis, uncertain data is generated, which causes a problem that data management becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and promotes accurate data management when a communication error occurs during execution of data processing relating to replay. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium management device capable of reducing the human burden on the operation side.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] A re-game processing machine (10) for paying out a game medium to be used for a re-game in a game machine (2), and the re-game processing machine (10)
Is connected to a host computer (3
0), the re-game processing machine (10) records and updates the saved number of game media deposited by the player at the gaming store on a predetermined card, and pays out the game media within the range of the saved number. The host computer (30)
Stores and updates various information including the number of savings output from the re-game processing machine (10),
0), when the re-game processing machine (10) pays out the game medium, a communication error occurs with the host computer (30), and the game medium management apparatus (10) controls the game medium. A recording medium output unit (24) for paying out a recording medium on which at least an unprocessable number is recorded when the communication computer has not actually been paid out, and a replaying machine (10) in which the communication error has occurred. When it is determined that the payout number of the game medium output to (30) is subtracted from the existing saving number stored in the host computer (30) and the storage medium is updated to the new saving number, the recording medium is updated. And a re-discharge control unit (31A) for instructing the re-game processing machine (10) to pay out the game media for the pay-out number based on the input operation of the processing impossible number. Technical media management device.

[2] In addition to the recording medium output unit (24), the re-game processing machine (10) inserts and ejects the card provided with an ID number predetermined for each player. A password (13c), a password input unit (16c) for inputting a password predetermined for each player when a card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port (13), and a password from the host computer (30). The game medium management device according to [1], further comprising: display means (15) for displaying the received information; and discharging means (14) for paying out the game medium based on a player's instruction.

[3] The host computer (30)
Stores and updates the number of savings for each ID number of each card.

[4] The recording medium output unit (24) of the re-game processing machine (10), in addition to the unprocessable number, stores the number of savings before and after the storage abnormality before and after the communication abnormality and performs the storage update. The gaming medium management device according to [3], wherein the number of savings in the case of being performed is recorded at least on a recording medium.

[5] Whether the number of payouts output from the re-game machine (10) is subtracted from the existing number of savings stored in the host computer (30) and is updated to a new number of savings. The determination is made as follows: a card is taken out from the replaying machine (10) in which the communication error has occurred, the card is taken into another replaying machine (10), and read out from the host computer (30). The determination is made by comparing the number of savings corresponding to the card with the number of savings before and after the record update recorded on the recording medium paid out from the replaying machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred. A game medium management device according to the item [4], wherein

[6] The operation for inputting the processing impossible number is set so as to be performed by the password input section (16c) of the replaying machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred [5]. The game medium management device according to the above.

[7] The re-game processing machine (10) is provided in a game medium lending machine (10) for lending game media to a player [1], [2], [3], [4],
The game medium management device according to [5] or [6].

[8] The re-game processing machine (10) is provided in a game medium counter for counting game media obtained by a player [1], [2], [3], [4],
The game medium management device according to [5] or [6].

In the invention described in each of the above items, the gaming machine (2) refers to a pachinko machine, a slot machine, or the like,
The game medium is a pachinko ball used in the pachinko machine or a medal used in the slot machine. A card refers to a magnetic card or an IC card capable of storing various data.

The game media deposited at the game store are generally called “balls”, and the player can play a game with another gaming machine (2) at a later date or on the same day, or exchange it for a prize at a later date. . The re-game refers to playing a game at a different game machine (2) at a later date or on the same day using the above-mentioned coins. The replaying machine (10) refers to a terminal for receiving the payout of the coins when the replaying is performed.

Next, the operation of the invention described in each of the above items will be described. According to the game medium management device of [1], when the player performs a re-game, the player first performs a predetermined operation with the re-game processing machine (10) to perform the re-play within the range of the number of savings stored corresponding to his / her own card. Receive the payout of game media.

That is, the number of paid out game media is output from the re-game processing machine (10) to the host computer (30), and the number of paid outs is subtracted from the stored existing saving number in the host computer (30). The value is stored and updated as the new savings number. Subsequently, the payout instruction of the game medium is sent from the host computer (30) to the re-game processing machine (1).
0), and the actual game medium is paid out in the re-game machine (10).

The exchange of information between the replaying machine (10) and the host computer (30) is performed by communication via a communication line. If a communication abnormality occurs during the replaying, the communication is performed. In the re-game machine (10) in which the abnormality has occurred, the actual game medium is not paid out,
It is impossible to determine whether the existing savings number stored in the host computer (30) has been updated.

In such a case, the recording medium on which at least the unprocessable number is recorded is paid out from the recording medium output section (24). Here, the recording medium output section (24) may be provided in the re-game processing machine (10) so that the recording medium is paid out from the re-game processing machine (10) itself in which the communication abnormality has occurred. Next, the number of game mediums output from the re-game processing machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred is determined by the existing number of host computers (30) despite the fact that the game medium has not actually been paid out. It is determined by some method whether or not the number of savings has been subtracted from the number of savings and updated to the new number of savings.

If it is determined that the existing savings number of the host computer (30) has been stored and updated to the new savings number, the re-emission control unit (31A)
Is based on the input operation of the unprocessable number of the recording medium,
The payout of the game media for the payout number is instructed to the re-game processing machine (10). Thereby, in the re-game processing machine (10), the payout processing of the game medium interrupted by the communication abnormality is executed again, and the number of game media to be paid out is actually paid out.

According to the re-game processing device (10) of the game medium management device of the item [2], a card with an ID number predetermined for each player is inserted into and removed from the card insertion / ejection slot (13). Is done. When a personal identification number predetermined for each player is input by the personal identification number input section (16c) with the card inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot (13), the above-mentioned [3]
As described in the section, the stored number stored for each ID number of each card is called.

Here, the information transmitted from the replaying machine (10), such as the ID number and the password, is received by the host computer (30), and the host computer (30) Is transmitted to the replaying machine (10). In the replaying machine (10), the received information is displayed by the display means (15) so as to be visible. In addition, the actual game medium is paid out to the player by the discharging means (14).

According to the re-game processing machine (10) of the game medium management device of the item [4], the recording medium output section (24).
Records at least the number of savings before and after the storage update before and after the communication abnormality and the number of savings when the storage update is performed, in addition to the processing impossible number.

Therefore, by simply looking at the recording medium, the number of savings after subtracting the number of savings that should be originally paid out assuming that no communication abnormality has occurred as well as the number of savings before the occurrence of the communication abnormality can be easily obtained. Can be confirmed.

According to the game medium management device of item [5], the number of payouts output from the re-game processing machine (10) is subtracted from the existing number of savings stored in the host computer (30). The determination as to whether or not the storage has been updated to the new savings number is performed in the following procedure.

That is, first, a card is taken out from the replaying machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred, and the card is taken into another replaying machine (10), and the number of savings corresponding to the card is calculated. Read from the host computer (30).

Next, the value read from the host computer (30) by the other replaying machine (10) is recorded on the recording medium paid out from the replaying machine (10) in which the communication error has occurred. The determination may be made by comparing the two saving numbers before and after the record update.

Here, if the value read from the host computer (30) is equal to the number of savings before the storage update in the recording medium, the host computer (30) can determine that the payout has not been stored and updated.

On the other hand, if the value read from the host computer (30) is equal to the number of savings assuming that the storage update in the recording medium has been made, the payout is stored and updated in the host computer (30). Can be determined.

According to the game medium management device of the item [6], the input operation of the processing impossible number is performed by the password input unit (16c) of the re-game processing machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred. The player can receive the game medium to be paid out without moving to another re-game processing machine (10).

The re-game processing machine (10) of the game medium management device according to the item [7] is provided in a game medium lending machine (10) for renting a game medium to a player. In this case, the discharging means (14) according to the above [2] may be used in combination with the means for discharging the game medium originally provided in the game medium lending machine (10).

The re-game processing machine (10) of the game medium management device according to the item [8] is provided in a game medium counter for counting the game media obtained by the player. In this case, the discharging means (14) according to the item [2] may be used in combination with a means for returning a surplus fraction of the game media originally provided in the game medium counter.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the game arcade has LON (Local Operating Neighborhood).
A game media management device of a distributed network to which a work: Ehallon (registered trademark) technology is applied has been constructed.

In the gaming island 1, a repeater (usually referred to as a table controller) 8 includes a set of a pachinko machine (game machine) 2 and a ball lending machine 10 (including a counter 20; the same applies hereinafter). It is provided correspondingly. The repeater 8 includes an LON chip and detects, monitors, and controls the operation of the corresponding pachinko machine 2 and the ball lending machine 10 and the transmission and reception of various signals.

The re-game processing machine constituting the game medium management device is a terminal for receiving a payout of a ball when the player performs a re-game, but in the present embodiment, it is a game medium for the player. Ball rental machine 1 for lending pachinko balls
0 is provided.

Also, a repeater 8 is provided for the sales vault 7 installed at the island end of the gaming island 1 so that the relay 8 can detect, monitor, and control the sales vault 7. It has become. Each of the repeaters 8 is a HALL-B
Island controller 9 that doubles as a gateway via US
It is connected to the. The island controller 9 includes the pachinko machine 2, the ball lending machine 10, and the equipment of the corresponding gaming island 1.
Each data of the sales safe 7 and the like is temporarily accumulated and stored.

The island controller 9 is connected to the LAN, and the host computer 30 and the hall terminal 4 are connected to the LAN.
0, hall management computer 50, and POS device 6
0 and the like are respectively connected. A CRT, a printer, a modem, and a voice output device are further connected to these various devices.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of game islands 1 are arranged in a game hall so as to be aligned with a passage therebetween. Each gaming island 1 includes a large number of pachinko machines 2 arranged side by side in two rows, and a ball lending machine 10 is installed for each pachinko machine 2. A hall terminal 40 and a POS device 60 are installed at a prize exchange in the amusement arcade, and various prizes are displayed on shelves installed behind the prize exchange.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 2 launches a ball on the gauge board 3 by rotating the handle 6 and enjoys winning the ball. In the lower part of the pachinko machine 2, a front plate 4 and a lower plate 5 in which pachinko balls to be used for a game enter are provided. The pachinko balls in the lower plate 5 are set so that they can be appropriately introduced into the counter 20 below.

The ball lending machine 10 is a device for paying out a predetermined number of pachinko balls in accordance with the insertion of money or cards. In the present embodiment, a counter 20 is provided integrally. On the front of the ball lending machine 10, a remote control receiver 19, a bill slot 11 for inserting and discharging bills, a coin slot 12 for inserting coins,
A coin return port 12a for returning coins, a coin return button 12b for returning coins, a card insertion / ejection slot 13 for inserting and ejecting cards, and a ball ejection nozzle (ejection means) 14 for ejecting pachinko balls are provided. The remote control receiver 19 is a part that receives a continuous game and a single exchange game of the gaming machine.

In addition, above the ball discharge nozzle 14,
The number of balls counted by the counter 20 and the host computer 30
Display means 15 for displaying various information received from the user, and operation means 16 (payment button 16a, ball return button 16b, password input section 16c). Display means 15
Is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal screen,
Various types of information are displayed in a visible manner based on a command from the user.

The settlement button 16a outputs a settlement signal when pressed. The ball return button 16b instructs the player to return the ball within a range of the number of stored or premium balls displayed on the display means 15, for example, by a predetermined number (for example, 100) each time the ball is pressed once. Is what you do. The returned number of payouts is controlled so as to be subtracted from the display means 15 and displayed.

The personal identification number in the personal identification number input section 16c is a number predetermined for each card of a player who is a member of the game store, and the personal identification number input section is provided with the card inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 13. By inputting a password from 16c, information unique to the player can be called from the host computer 30 to the ball lending machine 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, inside the ball lending machine 10, in addition to the CPU 17 for centrally controlling the operation of the ball lending machine 10 and input / output of various signals, bill recognizing means 18A, coin recognizing means 18B, card Identification means 18C, ball release control section 18D,
In addition, a timer control unit 18E and the like are provided.

The bill discriminating means 18 A accepts bills inserted from the bill outlet 11, discriminates the authenticity and the amount of the bills, and outputs a discrimination signal to the table controller 8. The coin discriminating means 18B is connected to the coin slot 12
The authenticity or the type of the inserted coin is identified, and the identification result is output. Card identification means 18C
The device operates by reading the authenticity and data of the card inserted from the card insertion / ejection slot 13 and exchanging data and signals with the host computer 30 via the base controller 50.

The card discriminating means 18C stores the balls obtained by the player (they can deposit the obtained balls in a game store and play the game using the obtained balls at a later date or exchange them for premiums). At the time of settlement, data such as the number of saved coins (same as the number of saved coins) already registered in the host computer 30 is newly written on the inserted card and paid out. As a storage form of the data, in addition to the storage as magnetic data, a method of printing numbers or characters on the card surface, a bar code printing, or the like may be used together.

The ball release control section 18D controls the payout of a predetermined number of pachinko balls when the ball return button 16b is pressed at the time of a normal game or a replay, and the like. The ball is a ball discharge nozzle 14
Is paid out into the front plate 4 of the pachinko machine 2 via the. A counter (not shown) for counting and discharging pachinko balls one by one is provided on the base end side of the ball discharging nozzle 14. The timer control unit 18E detects a communication abnormality between the ball lending machine 10 and the host computer 30, and will be described later in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the counter 20 is rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction via a hinge 21 so that the ball lending machine 1 can rotate.
0 is supported at the lower end. If the counter 20 is rotated in the forward direction so as to be separated from the front of the pachinko machine 2, it does not become an obstacle when the pachinko machine 2 is replaced.

On the upper surface of the counter 20, there is provided a ball insertion opening 22 into which a prize ball obtained by the pachinko machine 2 is inserted. Inside the counter 20, there is provided a counting means 23 including an optical sensor for counting the number of balls introduced from the ball insertion port 22. The result of counting by the counting means 23 is set to be output to the repeater 8 and to be displayed on the display means 15. The counted balls are returned to the gaming island 1 via the lower portion of the ball lending machine 10 via the hinge portion 21.

Further, a receipt payout opening 24a is opened on the side of the ball insertion opening 22.
A receipt ticket issuing means 24 is provided below a. The receipt ticket issuing means 24 is set so as to print out the number of balls obtained by the player, that is, the result of counting the number of prize balls by the counter 20 on a receipt and pay it out at the time of prize exchange settlement for exchanging prizes within the day. ing.

Further, the receipt issuing means 24 constitutes a recording medium output section which forms the basis of the present invention. That is, in addition to the receipt issuance at the time of the prize exchange settlement, the receipt issuance means 24 generates a communication abnormality with the host computer 30 described later when the player receives the payout of the coins, and the coins are actually paid. If not issued,
It is also set so as to pay out a re-game processing impossible ticket which is a recording medium on which at least the processing impossible number is printed. In addition, the re-game processing impossible ticket is issued by a predetermined operation of a game store employee.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the re-game processing impossible ticket is, as shown in FIG. The number of payouts to be paid out), the commission (the fee for replaying the game), the balance of the savings (total total number of savings by the current replaying), and the receipt issued with the unprocessable number printed. In addition, the results of the above-mentioned ball account settlement and prize exchange settlement are collectively managed by the host computer 30.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the host computer 30, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the host computer 30. The host computer 30 is configured to control and update the ball lending machine 10 by storing and updating various information including the number of savings output from the ball lending machine 10 as a re-game machine. The host computer 30 is installed in an office of a game arcade or the like.

More specifically, the host computer 30
It comprises a CPU 31, a ball storage information storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and an output unit 35. CPU3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a unit for executing predetermined calculations and processes for controlling various operations of the ball lending machine 10, and particularly includes a re-discharge control unit 31A which forms the basis of the present invention.

The re-discharge control unit 31A determines that the number of payouts output from the ball lending machine 10 in which the communication error has occurred is subtracted from the existing number of stored balls and is updated to the new number of stored balls. Then, based on the input operation of the unprocessable number, the payout of the stored number of balls is instructed to the ball release control unit 18D of the ball lending machine 10. Savings information storage unit 32
Stores the number of stored coins for each ID number of each card. In the present embodiment, by providing the re-emission control unit 31A on the host computer 30 side, the processing impossible number input from the ball rental machine 10 side can be used after the communication line recovers from an error or on another line. However, the re-emission control unit 31A may be provided on the ball lending machine 10 side.

The operation unit 33 is specifically composed of a keyboard and performs various input operations. The display unit 34
Specifically, it is composed of a CRT, and can display calculation data and the like in the CPU 31 based on a predetermined operation of the operation unit 33. The operability of the host computer 30 may be improved by using the display unit 35 of a touch panel type. Output unit 3
Numeral 5 is composed of a printer, and can print out and output the operation data of the CPU 31 based on a predetermined operation of the operation unit 33.

The operation of the game medium management device will be described below. The player first inserts money or a card into the ball lending machine 10 to obtain a predetermined amount of pachinko balls,
Enjoy the game with pachinko machine 2. Player is pachinko machine 2
Are collected in the front plate 4 and the lower plate 5, fall naturally from the lower plate 5 by the operation of the player, and are thrown into the slot 22 of the counter 20. The prize balls are counted by the counting means 23 in the counter 20, and are returned to the game island 1 through the lower part of the ball lending machine 10 after the counting. The counting result by the counting means 23 is displayed on the display means 15 of the ball lending machine 10.

If the player is a non-member of the game arcade, the player plays the game without inserting a card into the ball lending machine 10, and when the game is over, the settlement button 16a on the ball lending machine 10 is depressed. A receipt on which the result of counting by the counter 20 (the number of premium balls) is printed is issued from the receipt issuing means 24.

On the other hand, when the player is a member of the game hall, the player plays a game by inserting a card into the card slot 13 of the ball lending machine 10. At the end of the game, if the obtained ball is to be stored, if the card is authentic, the counting result (number of premium balls) by the counter 20 is added to the number of stored balls already stored and registered in the host computer 30. The sum is added and stored and updated as a new number of stored coins.

At the time of a prize exchange settlement in which a player as a member exchanges prizes within the same day, a receipt on which the number of obtained balls is printed is paid out from the receipt issuing means 24 of the counter 20. The results of the above-mentioned payout settlement and prize exchange settlement are collectively managed by the host computer 30, respectively.

When the player replays, the ball lending machine 10
The user inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection slot 13 and inputs a predetermined password from the password input section 16c. Then, the ID number and the password of the card are collated by the host computer 30, and the number of stored coins stored for each ID number is transmitted to the ball lending machine 10.

The transmitted number of balls is displayed on the display means 15 of the ball lending machine 10, and the player inputs the number of balls required for the replay into the personal identification number input section 16c. It is transmitted to the host computer 30. Upon receiving the number of payouts, the host computer 30 subtracts the number of payouts from the existing number of stored coins, and stores and updates the number as the new number of stored coins. Further, a considerable number of pachinko balls are discharged from the ball discharge nozzle 14 of the ball lending machine 10.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation when an abnormality occurs during communication between the counter 20 of the ball lending machine 10 and the host computer 30 during the replay. FIG.
Is a flowchart showing the operation of the replayable game ticket. Normally, the player first gives the membership card to the ball lending machine 1
No. 0 is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 13, and a password predetermined for each member is input from the password input unit 16c (FIG. 1).
0, S1). After inputting the personal identification number, the ball lending machine 10 requests the host computer 30 to display and inquire the number of accumulated balls of the member (reserved ball member display inquiry request; S2 in FIG. 10).

When the host computer 30 receives the ball display member inquiry request, the host computer 30 outputs to the ball lending machine 10 a response to the reception and a message relating to the ball storage data (a ball display member inquiry response). When the ball lending machine 10 receives the ball display member inquiry response, the ball lending machine 10 displays the ball storage data on the display means 15 and temporarily stores the same, and sends the replay ball number (payout number) to the host computer 30. A request is made to store the number of balls to be paid out as data (replay ball number data recording request; S3 in FIG. 10).

When the host computer 30 receives the count data recording request, the host computer 30 outputs a response message (replay ball number data recording response) to the ball lending machine 10 indicating that the stored coins have been subtracted by the payout number and stored and updated. I do. When the ball rental machine 10 receives the replay ball number data recording response and the actual pachinko balls corresponding to the payout number are released from the ball discharge nozzles 14, the replay processing ends and the temporarily stored payout number is returned. Then, the number of accumulated coins is reset, and the member card is ejected from the card insertion / ejection slot 13.

However, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
When a communication error occurs between 0 and the host computer 30, a state occurs in which it is not known whether or not the number of stored coins has actually been subtracted by the payout number and stored and updated on the host computer 30. That is, in the ball lending machine 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred, the actual pachinko ball is not paid out,
It is not possible to determine whether the existing number of stored coins stored in the host computer 30 has been stored and updated.

As a case of the communication abnormality, as shown in FIG. 7, a communication abnormality occurs while transmitting the replay ball number data recording request to the host computer 30, and as shown in FIG. Although the number data recording request is transmitted to the host computer 30, there may be a case where a communication error occurs during transmission of the replay ball number data recording response to the ball rental machine 10. In the case shown in FIG. 7, the accumulated coins are subtracted by the number of payouts on the host computer 30 and are not stored and updated. In the case of FIG. It will be in the state that was done.

In addition, a communication error may occur during transmission of the ball display member inquiry request to the host computer 30 or during transmission of the ball display member inquiry response to the ball rental machine 10. In these cases, , Host computer 30
Since it is clear that the above-mentioned savings are not in the state of subtraction storage update, the card may be ejected and the other normal ball lending machine 10 may re-execute the game.

The state shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter referred to as communication abnormality 1) and the state shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter referred to as communication abnormality 2).
Is determined by the following method. First, the time required from the transmission of the replay ball number data recording request to the reception of the replay ball number data recording response in the ball lending machine 10 is measured in advance, and the timer control unit 18E of the ball lending machine 10 performs the measurement. If the reception of the replay ball number data recording response is not confirmed even after the lapse of time (N in S4 in FIG. 10), it is determined that a communication abnormality has occurred in the timer control unit 18E. The employee is notified by lighting or the like (FIG. 10, S5).

Then, based on the operation of the employee, the ball lending machine 1
A non-replayable ticket is paid out by the receipt issuing means 24 of 0 (FIG. 10, S6). The employee has another ball lending machine 10
(A normally communicable one) takes in the card and determines the number of coins stored corresponding to the card in the host computer 30.
And display it on the display means 15 (FIG. 10, S7
9), the display result is compared with the remaining coin balance of the non-replayable game ticket (FIG. 10, S10).

If the value read out from the host computer 30 is equal to the previous balance stored in the last game printed on the non-replayable ticket, the payout amount is not stored and updated in the host computer 30. Can be determined. On the other hand, if the value read from the host computer 30 is equal to the balance of the coins printed on the non-replayable game ticket, the payout amount is stored and updated in the host computer 30, and it can be determined that the communication abnormality 2 has occurred.

According to the result of the determination, if the communication abnormality is 1, since the accumulated ball is not subtracted and updated by the host computer 30 (N in S10 of FIG. 10), the normal game machine 10 replays the game. Perform processing. At this time, the unplayable game ticket is discarded by the employee.

On the other hand, if the communication abnormality is 2, since the number of accumulated balls has already been subtracted and updated in the host computer 30 (Y in S10 of FIG. 10), the ball lending machine 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred is performed. Of the re-game processing impossible ticket is input to the personal identification number input section 16c (FIG. 10, S11).

Based on the input operation of the processing impossible number, the re-discharge control section 31A of the host computer 30 instructs the ball lending machine 10 to pay out the balls of the number of the payout. Thereby, an actual ball corresponding to the payout number (the number of replay balls) temporarily stored in the ball rental machine 10 is discharged from the ball discharge nozzle 14 (FIG. 10, S12). Thereafter, the replayable game ticket is discarded by the employee (FIG. 10, S1).
3).

As described above, if a communication error occurs during the replay, the host computer 3
The employee determines whether or not the number of stored coins of 0 has been subtracted and updated, and, based on the result of the determination, re-executes the re-game processing again or discharges the number of payouts from the ball discharge nozzle 14 by a re-game impossible ticket. Since the replay process is terminated, it is not necessary to perform the replay processing in the POS device of the congested prize exchange, unlike the related art, and double replay registration and erroneous operation are eliminated.

Note that the game medium management device according to the present invention
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the following modifications or extensions are possible. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the counter is integrated with the ball rental machine and installed for each pachinko machine. However, one or two counters may be installed on a game island, It is only necessary that at least two units be installed.

Also, the re-game processing machine of the game medium management device is provided in the ball rental machine, but one or two such re-game processing machines are installed on the game island (prize ball counter (game medium counter)).
May be provided. In this case, the discharging means corresponding to the discharging nozzle of the ball counting machine may be used in combination with the means for returning the surplus fractional balls originally provided in the prize ball counting machine.

[0082]

According to the game medium management device of the present invention, when a communication error occurs during execution of data processing relating to replay, accurate data management is promoted.
It is possible to improve the operation at the time of the replay and to suppress the generation of unclear data, and it is possible to suppress the generation of unclear data particularly in data management in the ball prize management system. Further, by improving the operation at the terminal, it is possible to reduce the human load on the operation side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game medium management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire game arcade equipped with the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a ball lending machine and a counter constituting the gaming medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention are installed in the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a ball lending machine included in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a host computer included in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a host computer constituting the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of communication abnormality 1 in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of communication abnormality 2 in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a non-replayable game ticket paid out from a ball rental machine included in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a re-game process in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game island 2 ... Pachinko machine 4 ... Front plate 5 ... Lower plate 8 ... Repeater 9 ... Island controller 10 ... Ball rental machine 11 ... Bill ejection and ejection port 12 ... Coin insertion port 12a ... Coin return port 12b ... Coin return button 13 Card insertion / ejection opening 14 Ball discharge nozzle 15 Display means 16a Settlement button 16b Ball return button 16c Password input unit 17 CPU 18A Banknote identification means 18B Coin identification means 18C Card identification means 18D Ball release control section 18E Timer control section 20 Counter 21 Hinge section 22 Ball slot 23 Counting means 24 Receipt ticket issuing means 24a Receipt payout port 30 Host computer 31 CPU 31A Rerelease control section 32 ... Ball storage information storage unit 33. OS devices

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji 3-12-9 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Inside Ace Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadayuki Sano 5-27-10 Nishikamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Tokyo Data Machine Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A re-game processing machine for paying out a game medium to be used for a re-game in a game machine, and a host computer connected to the re-game processing machine via a communication line. The predetermined number of cards are recorded and updated the number of game media saved by the player at the game store, and the payout is performed within the range of the number of saved game media. The host computer performs the re-game processing. In the game medium management device configured to store and update various information including the number of savings output from the machine and to control the re-game processing machine, when the re-game processing machine pays out game media, When a communication error occurs with the host computer and the game medium is not actually paid out, a recording medium output unit that pays out a recording medium that records at least a processable number, and the communication error is When it is determined that the generated payout number of the game medium output from the re-game processing machine to the host computer is subtracted from the existing savings number stored in the host computer and stored and updated to a new savings number. , Based on the input operation of the processing impossible number of the recording medium,
A game medium management device, comprising: a re-emission control unit that instructs the re-game processing machine to pay out the game media for the payout number. 2. The card processing device according to claim 1, wherein the re-game processing machine further comprises a card insertion / ejection slot for inserting / ejecting the card provided with an ID number predetermined for each player, in addition to the recording medium output unit. A password input unit for inputting a password predetermined for each player when a card is inserted into a mouth; a display unit for displaying information received from the host computer; and a game medium based on an instruction of the player. 2. The game medium management device according to claim 1, further comprising a payout discharging unit. 3. The host computer according to claim 1,
3. The game medium management device according to claim 2, wherein the saving number is stored and updated for each D number. 4. The storage medium output unit of the re-game machine further includes, in addition to the unprocessable number, the number of savings before and after the storage abnormality before and after the communication abnormality, and the number of savings when the storage is updated. The game medium management device according to claim 3, wherein at least one is recorded on a recording medium. 5. A determination as to whether or not the number of payouts output from the re-game processing machine has been subtracted from the existing number of savings stored in the host computer and the storage number has been updated to a new number of savings is determined by the communication. Take out the card from the replaying machine where the abnormality occurred, let the card be taken into another replaying machine,
The number of savings corresponding to the card read from the host computer is compared with the number of savings before and after the recording update recorded on the recording medium paid out from the replaying machine in which the communication abnormality has occurred. The game medium management device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The game medium management device according to claim 5, wherein the input operation of the processing-impossible number is set to be performed by a password input unit of the re-game machine in which the communication abnormality has occurred. 7. The game medium management device according to claim 1, wherein the re-game processing machine is provided in a game medium lending machine for renting game media to a player. . 8. A game according to claim 1, wherein said re-game processing machine is provided in a game medium counting machine for counting game media obtained by a player. Media management device.