JPH11104344A - Game medium management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate vague data by which clear discrimination between on-line and off-line cannot be carried out in storage of balls after a player finishes the game so as to suppress double renewal or error transaction of storage data due to operation error and so as to reduce labor in operation. SOLUTION: In storage and integration of balls in a ball dispenser 10 (including a counter 20) installed in a pachinko parlor, a ball storage process unavailable ticket, to which a process unavailable number is applied, is issued if a communication fault is caused between a host computer 30 and the ball dispenser 10. The number of the stored balls is confirmed by means of another ball dispenser 10 other than the ball dispenser 10 in which a communication fault is caused. If the number of the stored balls is not renewed, a receipt, on which the number of gained balls is printed, is issued in the similar way to exchange for a prize when the process unavailable number is inputted to the ball dispenser 10 in which abnormal communication is caused.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a settlement process when a communication error occurs between a settlement processor and a host computer when the number of game media counted by the counter is saved and settled by the settlement processor. And a game medium management device for managing counting information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a number of game stores have adopted a so-called prize management system. When a player becomes a member of a game store, the system provides a membership card with an ID number and a password assigned to each member, and the game acquired by the player through the card through this card. This is a system that allows media to be deposited in a game arcade.

[0003] In the ball prize management system, when a player saves a ball obtained at the end of a game, a member card is generally inserted into a card slot of a ball lending machine, and the member card is authentic. In the case of, the number of saved coins (the number of saved coins) already registered in the host computer is added, and the new number of saved coins is recorded and updated. The player can use the coins for a replay at a later date or exchange them for a prize within the range of his or her number of coins.

In such a conventional ball prize management system, game medium data is managed by a host computer. The ball mortgage data for depositing pachinko balls into a game shop at the time of settlement at the end of the game, and the prize within the day. It is distinguished from ticketing data relating to receipts for exchange.

These data can be referred to from terminals such as a counter and a POS device, and are stored and updated in accordance with processing requests such as data addition and data subtraction. Here, communication is generally used as a processing request means, and data is treated as online / offline depending on the state of a communication path.

For example, when a processing request is made to the host computer with the number of game media counted by the counter as a storage ball and a situation such as occurrence of a failure or congestion of a communication path occurs, the counter determines that transmission is impossible before transmission. When it can be determined, the processing is performed as off-line ticketing data without using the ball storage data.

On the other hand, in the case of ball storage data in which the counter does not receive a response from the host computer after data transmission and cannot determine whether or not the data has been received, online / offline cannot be clearly distinguished and vague ticketing data (hereinafter referred to as vague data). ).

[0008] The data at the time of the failure of the ball storage processing is printed out by printing out a form that can be traded by the POS device in order to simplify the processing on the operation side, and by using means for operating a prize transaction or a ball storage. This is a very effective means in the operation of saving / ticketing when communication is abnormal.

[0009]

However, in the prior art as described above, in a situation where ambiguous data is generated, if the accumulated ball data is updated by the host computer as the accumulated ball processing, the accumulated ball is lost due to an operational mistake. There have been problems such as double updating or erroneous transactions occurring as prize data from the POS device.

[0010] In addition, since the host computer generates vague data which cannot be classified when the host computer analyzes and collects the ball storage data and the ticketing data, there has been a problem that the data management becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. When a player finishes a game and saves a ball, he / she removes vague data that cannot be clearly distinguished between online and offline. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium management device which can suppress double updating of ball storage data and erroneous transactions due to operational mistakes, and can reduce human burden on operational aspects.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] A counter (2) for counting game media acquired by a player
0), a settlement processor (10) for executing a settlement process at the end of the game based on the counting result of the counter (20), and a host computer connected to the settlement processor (10) via a communication line. (30), wherein the payment processing machine (10) is a prize which is a counting result in order to exchange the game media counted by the counter (20) with a desired prize within the counting day. A prize exchange payment for paying out a recording medium on which the number of exchanges is recorded, and a deposit for storing and updating the saved number of game media for depositing the counted game media at a game store to be used for a replay at a later date or exchanged for a desired prize. The host computer (30) configured to selectively execute a settlement.
Stores and updates various information including the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings output from the payment processing machine (10), and controls the payment processing machine (10). Settlement processing machine (10) at the time of savings settlement
And a host computer (30), in the event of a communication error, an abnormal-time payout control unit (10) instructing the payment processing machine (10) to pay out an abnormal-time recording medium in which at least a processing-impossible number is recorded. 17A), when the communication abnormality occurs, the savings number to be changed by the savings settlement at that time is not stored and updated instead of the existing savings number stored in the host computer (30). When it is determined that the reimbursement processing is stopped, the reimbursement processing control unit instructs the reimbursement processing machine (10) to stop the savings reimbursement and to execute the premium exchange reimbursement instead. (17B) A game medium management device characterized by having:

[2] The settlement processor (10) includes a card insertion / ejection slot (13) for inserting and removing a card with an ID number predetermined for each player, and a card insertion / ejection slot (1).
3) When the card is inserted, when the player inserts the card into the card insertion slot (13), the operating means (16a) for the player to select either the prize exchange settlement or the savings settlement. The player is the host computer (30)
A password input means (16c) for inputting a password predetermined for each player to call up the number of savings stored in the personal computer, and various information including the number of savings received from the host computer (30). The game medium management device according to [1], further comprising: display means (15) for displaying information; and a recording medium output means (24) for selectively paying out the recording medium and the recording medium for abnormal situations. .

[3] The host computer (30)
Stores and updates the number of savings for each ID number of each card, [1] or [2].

[4] The host computer (30)
The game medium management device according to [1], [2] or [3], wherein the data of the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings are separately stored and updated.

[5] The host computer (30)
Is used for online data relating to the number of prize exchanges when communication is normally performed between the settlement processor (10) and the host computer (30) during the prize exchange, and for the savings settlement when a communication abnormality occurs. [1], characterized in that it is stored and updated separately from offline data relating to the number of prize exchanges in the prize exchange settlement executed instead.
The game medium management device according to [2], [3] or [4].

[6] When a communication error occurs during the savings settlement, it is determined whether or not the number of savings stored in the host computer (30) has been newly updated. The card is taken out from the processing machine (10), the card is taken into another settlement processing machine (10), the number of savings corresponding to the card read out from the host computer (30), and the communication error occurs. [1], [2], [3], [1], [2], [3], [1], [2], [3], and [3], wherein the number of savings before and after the record update recorded on the recording medium paid out from the settlement machine (10).
The game medium management device according to [4] or [5].

[7] It is characterized in that the input operation of the unprocessable number is performed by a password input unit of the payment processing machine (10) in which the communication error has occurred [1], [2]. , [3], [4], [5] or [6]
The game medium management device according to the above.

[8] The counter (20) is provided for each gaming machine [1],
[2], [3], [4], [5], [6] or [7]
The game medium management device according to the above.

[9] The payment processing machine (10) is provided in a game media lending machine that lends a predetermined number of game media in response to insertion of money or a card [1],
The game medium management device according to [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] or [8].

[10] The counter (20) is provided integrally with the game media lending machine [1],
[2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7],
The game medium management device according to [8] or [9].

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

In the case where the game medium deposited at the game store is a pachinko ball, it is generally referred to as a savings ball, and it is possible for a player to play a game at a different gaming machine at a later date or on the same day or exchange it for a premium at a later date. it can.

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], the player counts the game media acquired by the gaming machine by the counter (2).
0), and the counting result can be used for exchanging the desired prize in the same day, or can be processed at a game store to store and update the number of savings.

When performing a savings settlement process for storing and updating the number of savings, the player performs a predetermined operation to
The existing saving number stored in the host computer (30) is stored and updated as a new saving number obtained by adding the counting result of the counter (20) to the existing saving number.

When a prize exchange settlement process for exchanging prizes within the counting day is performed, a payout of a recording medium in which the number of prize exchanges as the counting result is recorded is received. The payout data of the recording medium at this time is stored in the host computer (30). Further, the player can exchange the recording medium for a desired prize at a prize exchange.

The exchange of information between the settlement processor (10) and the host computer (30) is performed by communication via a communication line. If a communication error occurs during the above-mentioned savings settlement, a communication error occurs. In the settlement processor (10) in which has occurred, it is impossible to determine whether or not the existing savings number stored in the host computer (30) has been stored and updated.

In such a case, the abnormal-time payout control unit (17)
A) outputs a payout command for a recording medium for an abnormal situation in which at least a processing impossible number is recorded, and based on this, the recording medium is paid out from the settlement processor (10). Here, the abnormality-time payout control unit (17A) may be provided in the payment processing machine (10) itself.

Next, by the savings settlement when the communication abnormality occurs, whether the savings number to be originally changed is stored and updated instead of the existing savings number stored in the host computer (30). Whether or not it is determined is determined by some method.

If it is determined that the existing savings number of the host computer (30) has not been updated to the new savings number, the re-payment processing control unit (17)
B), based on the input operation of the unprocessable number of the recording medium, outputs a command for stopping the savings account and instead prompting execution of the prize exchange account. As a result, the payment processing machine (1
In 0), a recording medium on which the number of prize exchanges is recorded is paid out in the same manner as in normal prize exchange settlement.

According to the settlement processing machine (10) of the game medium management device described in the item [2], the player inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection slot (13) and operates the prize exchange settlement by operating means (16a). And savings settlement. In addition, the recording medium and the recording medium for abnormal situations are selectively paid out by the recording medium output means (24).

If a password is input from the password input means (16c) while the card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot (13), as described in the above item [3], the number of each card is reduced. The number of savings stored for each ID number is called. Here, information such as the number of savings received from the host computer (30) is displayed on the display means (15),
The player can check as appropriate.

According to the game medium management device of the item [4], since the data of the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings are separately stored and updated in the host computer (30), the amusement store can accurately store sales data. It can be used as a simple decision material.

According to the game medium management device of the item [5], the host computer (30) can normally communicate between the settlement processor (10) and the host computer (30) at the time of the exchange of the prize. The online data on the number of prize exchanges in the event of a communication error and the offline data on the number of prize exchanges in the prize exchange settlement executed in place of the savings settlement when a communication error occurs are separately stored and updated, so Thus, accurate data processing can be performed.

According to the game medium management device of item [6], when a communication error occurs during the savings settlement, it is determined whether or not the savings number stored in the host computer (30) is newly stored and updated. Is performed in the following procedure.

That is, first, a card is taken out from the settlement processor (10) in which the communication error has occurred, the card is taken into another settlement processor (10), and the number of savings corresponding to the card is stored in the host computer. Read from (30).

Next, the value read from the host computer (30) by the other settlement processor (10) is updated to the record update recorded on the recording medium paid out from the settlement processor (10) in which the communication error has occurred. May be compared with the number of savings before and after.

If the value read from the host computer (30) is equal to the number of savings recorded on the recording medium before updating the storage, the host computer (30) determines that the number of savings has not been updated. it can.

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 recorded on the recording medium has been performed, the host computer (30) stores the number of savings. It can be determined that it has been updated.

According to the game medium management device of the item [7], the input operation of the unprocessable number is performed by the password input unit of the payment processing machine (10) in which the communication abnormality has occurred, so that the player can enter Without moving to the payment processing machine (10)
You can receive game media to be paid out.

According to the game medium management device of item [8], since the counter (20) is provided for each game machine,
The player can count on the spot without carrying the game medium.

According to the game medium management device of the item [9], since the settlement processing machine (10) is provided in the game medium lending machine for lending a predetermined number of game media according to insertion of money or a card, Installation space can be reduced.

According to the game medium management device of the item [10],
Since the counter (20) is provided integrally with the game media lending machine, the installation space for the device can be further reduced.

[0044]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 11 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 game island 1, a repeater (usually referred to as a table controller) 8 is provided for each set of a pachinko machine (game machine) 2 and a ball rental 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 settlement processing machine constituting the game medium management device is a terminal for executing a prize exchange settlement or a savings settlement when the player finishes the game. In the present embodiment, the settlement processing machine is provided to the player. It is provided in a ball lending machine 10 for lending pachinko balls, which are game media.

Also, a repeater 8 is provided for a sales vault 7 installed on 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 a 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 arcade with a passageway 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 of 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 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.

Further, 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 such as the number of savings received from the user, and operation means 16 (payment button 16a, ball return button 16b, password input means 16c). The display means 15 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal screen, and displays various kinds of information in a visible manner based on a command from the CPU 17 described later.

The settlement button 16a is connected to the card slot 1
3 is an operation means for the player to select one of the prize exchange settlement and the savings settlement when the card is inserted into the card 3, and outputs a settlement signal corresponding to each selected settlement mode to the CPU 17 of the ball lending machine 10. And to the host computer 30.

The ball return button 16b returns the ball to the player within a range of the number of stored or premium balls displayed on the display means 15 by a predetermined number (for example, 100) each time the button is pressed once. It is to order that. 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 means 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 means is provided with the card inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 13. When the personal identification number is input from 16c, information such as the number of savings 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 CPU 17 includes the ball lending machine 10 and the counter 2.
0 to execute various operations, prize exchange payment processing and savings payment processing, and predetermined calculations and processing for controlling communication with the host computer 30. In particular, an abnormal time payout control which forms the basis of the present invention. Unit 17A and a re-payment processing control unit 17B.

In order to exchange pachinko balls counted by the counter 20 described later with desired prizes within the counted day, a receipt recording the number of prize exchanges as a counting result is paid out. Say the process up to. On the other hand, the savings settlement means that the pachinko balls counted by the counter 20 are deposited in a game store, and the so-called savings balance that can be used for replaying at a later date or exchanged for a desired premium is stored and updated in the host computer 30. This is the process up to that point.

When a communication error occurs between the ball rental machine 10 and the host computer 30 at the time of savings settlement, the abnormal-time payout control unit 17A is an abnormal-time recording medium for recording at least a processing impossible number. This is for instructing receipt receipt issuing means 24 to pay out the unprocessable ticket.

As shown in FIG. 9, the non-storeable processing ticket has a game store name, an expiration date, the date and time of issuing the non-storeable processing ticket, the previous balance (the number of savings before the storage update), This is the receipt issued by the receipt issuing means 24 with the number of balls to be performed), the accumulated coin balance (the accumulated number of saved coins obtained by adding the current number of accumulated coins to the previously saved coin balance), and the unprocessable number printed thereon.

In addition, when the communication abnormality occurs, the re-payment processing control unit 17B stores in the host computer 30 the number of savings (storage balance) that should be stored and updated by the savings settlement at that time. When it is determined that the storage has not been updated in place of the existing savings number (previous savings balance), the savings settlement is stopped based on the input operation of the unprocessable number, and the execution of the prize exchange settlement is instructed instead. Things. Here, the input operation of the unprocessable number is performed by the password input unit 1 of the ball lending machine 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred.
6c.

The bill discriminating means 18 A accepts a bill inserted from the bill outlet 11, discriminates the authenticity and the amount of the bill, and outputs an identification 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.

The card identification means 18 C
Read the authenticity and data of the card inserted from 3,
It operates by exchanging data and signals with the host computer 30 via the table controller 50. 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 through 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 replacing the pachinko machine 2.

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 prints the number of prize exchanges, which is the counting result of the balls acquired by the player with the counter 20 based on the instruction from the CPU 17 when the prize ball exchange settlement is selected by the settlement button 16a. It is set to pay out receipts.

The receipt ticket issuing means 24 activates the CPU 17 when the savings settlement is selected by the settlement button 16a and a communication error occurs between the ball rental machine 10 and the host computer 30 during the savings settlement. Based on the command from the abnormal time payout control unit 17A, it is set so as to pay out the above-mentioned coin storage impossible processing ticket. It should be noted that the non-storeable ticket is issued by a predetermined operation of a game store employee.

Further, when a communication error occurs during the savings settlement, the receipt issuing means 24 stores in the host computer 30 the number of savings (storage balance) that should be stored and updated by the savings settlement at that time. When it is determined that the stored amount has not been updated in place of the existing saved number (previous savings balance), the re-payment processing control unit 1 of the CPU 17
Based on a command from 7B, a normal receipt printed with the number of prize exchanges is set to be paid out.

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 stores and updates various information including the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings output from the ball lending machine 10 as a settlement processing machine, and operates the ball lending machine 10 (prize exchange settlement and savings settlement, etc.). Is configured to be controlled. 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 prize exchange information storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and an output unit 35. CP
U <b> 31 executes a predetermined calculation / process for controlling various operations of the ball lending machine 10. In the present embodiment, as described above, the abnormal-time payout control unit 17A and the re-payment processing control unit 17B are provided on the ball lending machine 10 side, but both or one of them may be provided on the host computer 30 side. . In such a case, the communication between them is performed after the communication line recovers from the abnormality or on another line.

The premium exchange information storage unit 32 stores the I
The number of savings is stored and updated for each D number, and the data of the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings are separately stored and updated. Further, the prize exchange information storage unit 32 stores online data on the number of prize exchanges when communication between the ball rental machine 10 and the host computer 30 is normally performed at the time of the prize exchange, and when the communication abnormality occurs, The setting is made so that the storage update is performed separately from the offline data relating to the number of prize exchanges in the prize exchange settlement executed in place of the savings settlement.

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
The prize balls obtained from are temporarily stored in the front plate 4 and the lower plate 5,
The player naturally falls from the lower plate 5 by the operation of the player, and is 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.

When the player is a non-member of the gaming shop, the player plays the game without inserting a card into the ball lending machine 10, and when the game is over, the prize exchange payment is set by the payment button 16a on the ball lending machine 10. Select Then, a receipt on which the result of counting by the counter 20 (the number of prize balls) is printed is issued from the receipt issuing means 24.

On the other hand, when the player is a member of a game arcade, a card is inserted into the card slot 13 of the ball lending machine 10 to play a game. At the end of the game, if the user selects the savings account with the account settlement button 16a, if the card is genuine, the prize exchange information storage 3
The counting result of the counter 20 is added to the number of savings stored in the storage No. 2 (last time balance), and is updated as a new number of savings (balance of savings).

When the member player selects the prize exchange payment for exchanging prizes within the 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 savings account and the prize exchange account are collectively managed by the host computer 30, respectively.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation when an abnormality occurs during communication between the ball lending machine 10 and the host computer 30 at the time of the savings settlement. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the unreservable ticket. At normal times, first, a player inserts a member card into the card insertion / ejection slot 13 of the ball lending machine 10, and inputs a password predetermined for each member from the password input means 16c (FIG. 10, S).
1). 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 storage 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 the ball lending machine 10 has already counted the ball storage data with respect to the host computer 30.
A request is made to record the number of balls to be newly saved (count data recording request; S3 in FIG. 10).

When the host computer 30 receives the counting data recording request, the counting result is added to the existing savings number (previous savings balance) for the ball lending machine 10 to obtain a new savings number (ball savings balance). A response message (count data recording response) indicating that the storage has been updated is output. When the ball lending machine 10 receives the counting data recording response, the savings settlement ends, the temporarily stored number of balls stored 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 saved number is actually added and updated by the number of stored balls on the host computer 30. That is, in the ball lending machine 10 in which the communication abnormality has occurred, it is impossible to determine whether the existing savings number stored in the host computer 30 has been updated.

As shown in FIG. 7, a case where a communication error occurs during transmission of the count data recording request to the host computer 30 as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the host computer 30, but the counting data recording response is transmitted to the ball lending machine 10
There is a case where a communication error occurs during transmission to the server. In the case shown in FIG. 7, the saved number is not stored and updated on the host computer 30, and in the case shown in FIG. 8, the saved number is stored and updated on the host computer 30.

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 lending machine 10. , Host computer 30
Since it is clear that the above-mentioned savings number is not updated, it switches to the prize exchange settlement and pays out a receipt recording the number of balls obtained. Further, the paid-out receipt can be updated and recorded in the host computer 30 by the POS device 60 as a stored coin.

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 counting data recording request to the reception of the counting data recording response is measured in advance by the ball lending machine 10, and the timer control unit 18E of the ball lending machine 10 passes the measured time. Even if the reception of the count data recording response is not confirmed (N in S4 in FIG. 10), the timer control unit 18E determines that a communication abnormality has occurred, and notifies the employee by, for example, an alarm or lighting. The user is notified (FIG. 10, S5).

After that, based on the operation of the employee, the receipt issuing means 24 of the ball lending machine 10 pays out the unreservable processing ticket in response to a command from the abnormal time payout control unit 17A (FIG. 10, S6). The employee loads the card into another ball lending machine 10 (one that can communicate normally), calls the number of savings corresponding to the card from the host computer 30, and displays it on the display means 15 (FIG. 10, S7-9),
The display result is compared with the balance of the coins that cannot be stored in the coins (S10 in FIG. 10).

Here, if the value read from the host computer 30 is equal to the previous balance of the coins printed on the coins that cannot be processed, the number of saved coins is not updated in the host computer 30, and the communication error 1 Can be determined. On the other hand, if the value read from the host computer 30 is equal to the coin balance printed on the coin-disabled ticket, the number of saved coins is stored and updated in the host computer 30, and it can be determined that the communication error 2 has occurred.

According to the result of the determination, if the communication abnormality is 1, the saved number is not updated in the host computer 30 (N in FIG. 10, S10). In the password input means 16c of
The processing impossible number printed on the coin storage processing impossible ticket is input (FIG. 10, S11).

Based on the input operation of the unprocessable number, the re-payment processing control unit 17B stops the savings settlement and instructs execution of the prize exchange settlement instead. As a result, a receipt printed with the number of balls (in this case, the number of stored balls) temporarily stored in the ball lending machine 10 is paid out from the receipt ticket issuing means 24 in the same manner as in normal prize settlement (offline). Ticket issuance (FIG. 10, S12). After that, the above-mentioned unreservable ticket is discarded by the employee (FIG. 10, S1).
3).

On the other hand, if the communication abnormality is 2, since the number of savings has already been stored and updated in the host computer 30 (Y in S10 in FIG. 10), the savings settlement is normally performed despite the communication abnormality. It has been finished. Also in this case, the above-mentioned coin-saving processing ticket is discarded by the employee.

As described above, if a communication error occurs during the execution of the savings settlement, the employee judges on the spot whether or not the savings settlement has been completed. End the prize exchange payment. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to perform the operation at the POS device of the congested prize exchange, and it is possible to prevent double coin storage registration and erroneous operation.

In the prize exchange information storage section 32 of the host computer 30, the number of stored coins, online ticketing, and offline ticketing can be accurately distinguished and stored and managed. FIG. 11 is a screen diagram when a state in which the stored coins and online and offline ticketing on the host computer 30 are stored and managed is output to the display unit 34.

On the screen of the display unit 34, the pachinko machine 2 and the slot machine are distinguished from each other, and the total of the counting and handling (the ball lending machine 1) is displayed.
0 and the number and number of balls for which the settlement process has been performed by the counter 20), the number of balls stored in the counter (the number of balls and the number of balls for which the balance adjustment has been performed by the ball lending machine 10 and the counter 20), and the number of picked-up balls (for employees playing games) The number of balls picked up while cleaning the shop, etc.), the number of online tickets (number of tickets issued by the receipt ticket issuing means 24 when communication is normal, and the total number of balls stored at the time of ticket issuing), the number of offline tickets (receipt ticket issuing means 24 when communication is abnormal) The number of issued tickets and the total number of balls stored at the time of issuance are displayed.

[0093] In addition, the handling information in the POS device 60 is displayed. Actual handling total (number and number of balls actually handled by the POS device 60), number of issued tickets (number of receipts read and number of balls), number of withdrawal of coins (exchange of coins with prizes, use again in pachinko machine 2) Number of balls to do),
The number of prizes paid out (the number of balls exchanged for prizes), the number of surplus balls (the number of remaining balls obtained by dividing the number of balls on the receipt by the number of units according to the exchange of prize (special prize)), and the number of additional coins (in the POS device 60) The number of balls that have been saved) is displayed.

As described above, on the basis of various data displayed on the display unit 34 of the host computer 30, the game shop can greatly utilize the data as business decision data for the game arcade. Of course, the display content of the display unit 34 can be printed as a form from the output unit 35 as it is.

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. In addition, although the payment processing machine of the game medium management device is provided in the ball rental machine, one or two such payment processing machines may be provided in a prize ball counter (game media counter) provided in one or two game islands.

[0096]

According to the game medium management device of the present invention, when a player finishes a game and saves and setstles, eliminating ambiguous data that cannot be clearly distinguished between online and offline, and savings due to operational mistakes. Double updating of data and erroneous transactions can be suppressed, and clear business materials can be provided in management forms and total analysis. In addition, since the number of savings is checked and settled intensively by the settlement processing machine, double updating of data due to operation mistakes in the POS device and erroneous transactions can be prevented as before, and furthermore, It is possible to reduce the human burden 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-storeable ball processing ticket paid out from a ball lending 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 an offline ticketing process in the game medium management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a screen diagram showing a display mode of various data displayed on a display unit of a host computer included 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 lending machine 11 ... Bill ejection and ejection port 12 ... Coin insertion port 12a ... Coin return port 12b ... Coin return button DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Card insertion / ejection opening 14 ... Ball discharge nozzle 15 ... Display means 16a ... Settlement button 16b ... Ball return button 16c ... Personal identification number input part 17 ... CPU 17A ... Dispensation control part for abnormal time 17B ... Re-payment processing control part 18A ... Bill discriminating means 18B Coin discriminating means 18C Card discriminating means 18D Ball discharge control section 18E Timer control section 20 Counter 21 Hinge section 22 Ball slot 23 Counting means 24 Receipt issuing means 24a Receipt payment Exit 30 Host computer 31 CPU 32 Bill storage information storage unit 33 Operation unit 34 Display unit 35 Output unit 40 Hall terminal 50 Hall management computer 60 ... POS equipment

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────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 (10)

[Claims] 1. A counter for counting game media obtained by a player, a payment processor for executing a payment process at the end of a game based on the counting result of the counter, and a communication line connected to the payment processor via a communication line. And a host computer connected to the counter, wherein the payment processing machine calculates a prize exchange number which is a counting result in order to exchange the game media counted by the counter with a desired prize within the day counted. Premium exchange settlement to pay out the recorded recording medium, and deposit the counted game media in the game store,
And a savings account for storing and updating the savings number of the game medium used for a replay at a later date or exchanged for a desired premium is set to be selectively executed, and the host computer outputs the account outputted from the account settlement processing machine. In the game medium management device configured to store and update various information including the number of prize exchanges and the number of savings and to control the payment processing machine, the communication abnormality between the payment processing machine and the host computer at the time of the savings payment. In the event of occurrence, an abnormal time dispensing control unit for instructing the settlement processing machine to dispense the recording medium for abnormal time in which at least the unprocessable number is recorded, and when the communication abnormality occurs, change by the savings settlement at that time. When it is determined that the number of savings to be performed has not been updated in place of the existing number of savings stored in the host computer, Based on the input operation management impossible number, game medium management apparatus; and a re-settlement processing control unit for instructing the execution of the prize exchange settlement instead to the settlement processor to abort the savings settlement. 2. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the card processing device comprises: a card insertion / ejection slot for inserting / removing a card with an ID number predetermined for each player; and a player when a card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot. Operating means for selecting either one of the prize exchange settlement and the savings settlement, and when the player inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection slot, the player calls up his / her savings number stored in the host computer. A personal identification number input means for inputting a personal identification number predetermined for each player, a display means for displaying various information including the number of savings received from the host computer, and the recording medium and the recording medium for abnormal time 2. A recording medium output means for selectively paying out.
The game medium management device according to the above. 3. The host computer according to claim 1,
3. The game medium management device according to claim 1, wherein the number of savings is stored and updated for each D number. 4. The game medium management device according to claim 1, wherein the host computer stores and updates the data of the number of gift exchanges and the number of savings separately. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said host computer is provided with: online data relating to the number of prize exchanges when communication between said settlement processor and said host computer is normally performed during said prize exchange; 5. The game medium management device according to claim 1, wherein the update is performed separately from offline data relating to the number of prize exchanges in the prize exchange settlement executed in place of the settlement. 6. When a communication error occurs during said savings settlement,
The determination as to whether or not the number of savings stored in the host computer has been newly stored and updated is performed by removing a card from the payment processing machine in which the communication error has occurred, and loading the card into another payment processing 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 record update recorded on the recording medium paid out from the payment processing machine in which the communication error has occurred. Claims 1, 2, 2,
7. The game medium management device according to 3, 4, or 5. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of inputting the processing-impossible number is performed by a password input section of the payment processing machine in which the communication error has occurred.
7. The game medium management device according to 4, 5, or 6. 8. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein said counter is provided for each gaming machine.
Or the game medium management device according to 7. 9. The game machine lending machine according to claim 1, wherein said payment processing machine is provided in a game medium lending machine for lending a predetermined number of game media in response to insertion of money or cards.
The game medium management device according to 5, 6, 7, or 8. 10. The gaming machine lending machine according to claim 1, wherein said counter is provided integrally with said game media lending machine.
The game medium management device according to 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9.