JP2000037543A - Came management system for game parlor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent worsening of business profits caused by a gap of gambling characteristics of game machines. SOLUTION: A ball dispensing unit 2, which is set next to a pachinko machine 1, is changed to ball dispensable state according to the setting of member card that a player has. At the state, when it is paid the value, the balls are discharged by the number according to the value and the preset value/game medium exchange rate. The changing rate switch is set on the ball dispensing unit 2, at only the state that the member card is set on the ball dispensing unit 2, it is possible to operate to change the value/game medium exchange rate with it. A counter 4 is changed to the state that is possible to count, according to the setting of member card and at the state, it counts the thrown game medium. The counted pachinko ball evaluation with the counter 4 at the state that is set the member card is done the operation based on the value/game medium exchange rate discharged at the ball dispensing unit 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for managing the number of game media acquired by a player in response to a game at a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine through an ID card issued to the player. The present invention relates to a game management system for a game arcade.

[0002]

Generally, the disparity in popularity among pachinko machines is greatly influenced by the level of interest in playing games on the pachinko machines (high game performance). However, there are circumstances in which the level of gambling is greatly affected. For this reason, in recent years, there has been a tendency to improve the attracting rate by increasing the gambling property while maintaining the game property in a high state.

[0003] However, in the pachinko machine having such a high gambling property, there is a fact that a relatively large number of players prefer the pachinko machine. Since there is a tendency that the time during which the game can be continued is shortened, it is also true that some players avoid this.

[0004] For this reason, if only a pachinko machine having a high gambling property is installed in a pachinko hall, there is a possibility of causing a customer separation phenomenon. On the other hand, when a pachinko machine having a high gambling property and a pachinko machine having a low gambling property are mixed and installed, it becomes very difficult to select a ratio thereof. In other words, if the ratio is incorrectly selected, there is a problem that the operating profit of the pachinko hall is deteriorated. In particular,
If the proportion of players who prefer pachinko machines with high gambling characteristics is relatively large, the operating rate of pachinko machines with low gambling characteristics will decrease, and conversely, game machines that prefer pachinko machines with low gambling characteristics If the ratio of pachinko machines is relatively high, the occupancy rate of pachinko machines with high gambling characteristics will decrease, and as a result, the occupancy rate of pachinko machines in the entire pachinko hall will decrease. Cause deterioration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a game management system for a game arcade in which it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in operating revenue due to the level of gambling of pachinko machines. Is to provide.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gaming machine which releases a predetermined number of game media each time a hit state occurs according to a game using the game media, Is provided to carry the ID card in which an ID code for identifying the player is set, and is provided to shift to a lending possible state according to the set of the ID card. Lending means for releasing a number of game media according to the payment price and a preset price / game media conversion rate when the consideration is paid, and only when the ID card is set in the lending means. The charge / game conversion rate set in the lending means is changed so as to be changeable, and the state shifts to a countable state according to the set of the ID card. Counting means for counting the number of game media inserted in a countable state, and the ID card set in the lending means for the value / game medium conversion rate when the lending means releases the gaming medium. And the number of game media counted by the counting means is associated with the ID code of the ID card set in the counting means, and stored in association with the ID code. A management device that stores the data as count data corresponding to the value / game medium conversion rate, and evaluates the number of game media counted in a state where the ID card is set in the counting means. Based on the count data stored in the device in association with the ID code of the ID card and the corresponding value / game medium conversion rate corresponding thereto. It is obtained by the arrangement performed by calculation (Claim 1).

According to this configuration, when a player plays a game at a gaming machine, an ID card issued in advance to specify the player is set in the lending means. Then, the lending unit shifts to a lending-enabled state, and the user pays a fee through the lending unit in this state. When such consideration is paid, the lending means releases a number of game media corresponding to the payment consideration and a preset price / game media conversion rate. The game is played on the gaming machine using the medium. In this case, the consideration / game medium conversion rate set in the lending means can be changed through the rate changing means only when the ID card is set in the lending means. For this reason, the number of game media released from the lending means can be changed on the player side in accordance with payment of the consideration. In other words, if the price / gaming medium conversion rate is set to a large value, a larger amount of game media will be released than in the normal case even if the payment price is the same.

[0008] However, if the game on the gaming machine is performed using the gaming medium released from the lending means in a state where the value / gaming medium conversion rate is set to a large value, the game on the gaming machine is not played. When exchanging game media obtained by a player for a game with a prize, for example, or for providing a game at another game machine, the number of the obtained game media is corrected in consideration of the above-mentioned price / game media conversion rate. The need comes out. in this case,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the value / game medium conversion rate when the game medium is released by the lending means is set in the lending means on the management device side.
The number of game media counted in the state where the ID card is set by the counting means (that is, the number of game media obtained on the player side) is stored in association with the ID code of the D card. It is stored as count data corresponding to the value / game medium conversion rate stored in association with the ID code, and the evaluation of the number of game media counted by the counting means is provided to the management device. Since the calculation is performed based on the count data stored in association with the ID code of the ID card and the corresponding value / game medium conversion rate corresponding to the count data, the above-described correction can be reliably performed. become.

[0009] In short, if the value of the game medium and the conversion rate of the game medium when the game medium is released through the lending means are set to large values, the gambling property of the game in the game machine is reduced. That is, it is possible to arbitrarily lower the gambling property at the time of the game with the gaming machine by the intention of the player. As a result, even in a case where a gamer who prefers a gaming machine with high gambling and a gamer who prefers a gaming machine with low gambling are mixed, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operating rate of the gaming machine is reduced beforehand, It is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in operating profit due to the level of gambling of gaming machines. In addition, unlike the related art, when the gaming machine having a high gambling property and the gaming machine having a low gambling property are mixedly installed, there is no possibility that the selection of the ratio becomes difficult.

[0010] As described in claim 2, the number of game media counted by the counting means with the ID card set is stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card. If the configuration is such that the number of standard game media corresponding to the standard unit price of the predetermined game media is converted by the calculation based on the conversion rate and the conversion rate of the game media, the number of standard game media after the conversion is calculated. There is an advantage that the prize exchange operation based on the prize can be easily performed, and the player can easily and accurately evaluate the number of game media obtained by the player.

In this case, as described in claim 3, the management device adds the number of game media released by the game in the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means. And, by subtracting the number of game media consumed in the game at the gaming machine, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result is the ID of the ID card held by the player. After being stored in association with a code, the counting means
The difference between the number of game media counted while the D card is set and the number of hand-held game media stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card is equal to or greater than a predetermined error range. A configuration may be adopted in which an error alarm is output in a certain case.

According to this configuration, the number of game media counted by the counting means (the actual number of game media held by the player).
When an abnormal situation occurs in which an unnatural difference appears between the number of game media held by the player and the number of game media held by the player managed by the management device, an error alert is output. , The abnormal situation can be promptly dealt with.

[0013] As described in claim 4, the management device adds the number of game media released by the game in the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means, and By subtracting the number of game media consumed in the game at the gaming machine, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result corresponds to the ID code of the ID card held by the player. And the rate changing means is provided to the lending means.
When the number of handheld game media stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card is zero or within a set range in a state where the D card is set, the value / gaming media conversion rate is changed. It is good also as a structure which allows operation.

[0014] According to this configuration, under the situation where it is assumed that the number of handheld game media managed by the player managed by the management device still remains, the change of the price / game media conversion rate is prohibited. Therefore, the ID of the ID card is
The value / game medium conversion rate stored in association with the D code is not changed. Therefore, when evaluating the number of game media counted in a state where the ID card is set in the counting means, there is no possibility that the content of the evaluation is inadvertently destroyed.

[0015] As described in claim 5, the management device adds the number of game media released by the game in the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means, and By subtracting the number of game media consumed in the game at the gaming machine, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result corresponds to the ID code of the ID card held by the player. With the configuration in which the number of handheld game media stored in association with the ID code of the ID card on the management device side is zero or within a predetermined limit range, a game target is It is good also as a structure which allows change of a game machine.

According to this configuration, in a situation where it is assumed that the number of handheld game media on the player side managed by the management device is still left, it is prohibited to change the gaming machine to be played. become. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a problem that occurs when the game medium released in the lending unit with the value / game medium conversion rate set at a high rate is used by another gaming machine.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game management system for a pachinko hall will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire game management system according to the present embodiment by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 (corresponding to a gaming machine according to the present invention) and a ball lending unit 2 corresponding to the pachinko machines 1 to 1 (corresponding to lending means according to the present invention) are provided in a pachinko hall. Are installed adjacent to each other.
The ball lending unit 2 is configured to exchange data signals with each other, and is also configured to exchange data signals with the host computer 3 as a management device. A plurality of counters 4 (corresponding to the counting means in the present invention) and a POS terminal 5 are installed in the pachinko hall.
The OS terminal 5 is also configured to be able to exchange data signals with the host computer 3. The counting machine 4 can be provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machines 1 so that the player on each pachinko machine 1 can use the machine without moving.

Although not specifically shown, the pachinko machine 1 has a predetermined number of pachinko balls when a pachinko ball shot on the board wins a predetermined prize hole (that is, when a hit state is reached). Of a pachinko ball is released, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a prize state and a probability fluctuation state are exhibited. That is, for example, on the surface of the pachinko machine 1, in addition to a normal winning hole, a start winning hole for a special prize operation, a movable winning hole in which the winning rate becomes extremely high in the special prize state, and the above-mentioned start hole are provided. A symbol display unit or the like that is operated in accordance with the win of the pachinko ball into the winning hole is provided, and when the symbol display unit becomes a winning symbol, a special prize state is provided. When the state occurs in a predetermined state, a known probability variation state is provided.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the ball lending unit 2 in combination of functional blocks, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic front appearance of an operation panel 2a provided on the front surface of the ball lending unit 2. Have been. In FIG. 2, the ball lending unit 2 controls its operation by a control circuit 6 mainly composed of a microcomputer.
The following devices are connected to the control circuit 6.

That is, the ball discharging section 7 is provided for discharging a number of pachinko balls according to a command from the control circuit 6 from a ball discharging port (not shown). The check section 8 is for determining the authenticity of coins inserted from a coin insertion slot (not shown), and has a function of returning the inserted coins. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the coin lending unit 2 has a configuration in which only coins can be used.
It goes without saying that a pachinko ball lending system that can cope with the use of bills may be constructed.

The operation section 9 is provided with rate setting switches 9a, 9b, 9c (corresponding to rate changing means according to the present invention) and an end switch 9d provided on the operation panel 2a shown in FIG. . In this case, on the surface of the rate setting switches 9a to 9c, for example, "4 yen", "3 yen", "3 yen" indicating the unit price of the pachinko balls released through the ball discharging section 7 (hereinafter referred to as "rented pachinko balls"). For example, "1 time", "4/3" indicating the release rate of the rented pachinko ball is provided at a position corresponding to each of the rate setting switches 9a to 9c on the operation panel 2a while each character "2 yen" is given.
The characters “double” and “double” are made visible, and depending on the operation, the value of the coin to be lent to the pachinko ball
The game media conversion rate (hereinafter simply referred to as the conversion rate) can be selected and set from three ratios (1 ×, 4/3 ×, 2 ×). However, as will be apparent from the description below, the selection of the conversion rate by the rate setting switches 9a to 9c can be performed only by the player who has the membership card 10 (corresponding to the ID card in the present invention). Has become.

If the original unit price per pachinko ball is 4 yen, the unit price per pachinko ball at the conversion rate of 1 is 4 yen, and the conversion rate is 4/3.
The unit price per pachinko ball in a doubled state is 3 yen, and the unit price per pachinko ball in a state with a double conversion rate is 2 yen. In addition, the set conversion rate is equivalent to the rate setting switches 9a to 9c composed of illuminated switches.
It is displayed according to the lighting of 9c.

As shown in FIG. 3, the possessed ball number display section 11
It is provided in the operation panel 2a, and digitally displays the number of pachinko balls held by the player at the time of playing a game on the corresponding pachinko machine 1 as the number of held balls (corresponding to the number of handheld game media in the present invention). It has become.

The card reader 12 has a card insertion slot (not shown) provided in the front of the ball lending unit 2 and, for example, the member issued to a pachinko hall game member. When the card 10 is inserted (set) into the card insertion slot, the stored data of the member card 10 is read. In this case, although not specifically shown, the member card 10 has embossed character and numeral information such as a pachinko hall name and a member name on its surface, and has a tape-shaped magnetic storage unit. The magnetic storage unit includes, for example, an ID code for identifying a pachinko hall, a member number which is an ID code assigned to the member (player), expiration date data indicating a card expiration date, and the like. Are stored.

The shutter section 13 is provided for closing a coin slot (not shown) in response to a command from the control circuit 6. The transmission / reception unit 14 is provided for transmitting / receiving data between the control circuit 6 and the host computer 3.

The information on the membership card 10 is as follows.
It is configured to be stored in a member data file as shown in FIG. 14 constructed on the host computer 3 side. Here, the member data file will be described in advance.

That is, in FIG. 14, the member data file is associated with each of the member numbers of the issued member cards 10, the latest conversion rate set using the member card 10, and the latest conversion rate. In addition to the machine number of the pachinko machine 1 (corresponding to the pachinko machine 1 in which the game was finally played) corresponding to the ball lending unit 2 in which is set, and the number of balls data indicating the number of pachinko balls held by the player, , The first counted ball number data, the second counted ball number data, and the third counted ball number data (each corresponding to the counted data in the present invention). The first counted ball number data is obtained by counting the number of pachinko balls acquired by a game using a pachinko ball having a conversion rate of 1 on the pachinko machine 1 by a counting machine 4.
The second count ball count data and the third count ball count data have conversion rates of 4/3.
It is the data which shows the result of having counted the pachinko ball acquired by the game which used each double and double pachinko ball by the counter 4, respectively. Further, the expiration date data of the membership card 10 is stored in the member data file,
The expiration date data may be used to determine whether the membership card 10 is appropriate.

Further, the control circuit 6 receives a winning signal, an out signal, a special prize signal and a probability variation signal from the corresponding pachinko machine 1. in this case,
The winning signal is a pulse-shaped signal that is output when a predetermined number of pachinko balls are released in accordance with the winning of the pachinko balls into the winning holes in the pachinko machine 1, and the out signal is a pachinko machine. 1 is a pulse-like signal output each time a pachinko ball is discharged from the out hole, and a special prize signal and a probability variation signal are respectively generated when a special prize state and a probability variation state occur on the pachinko machine 1. The output level signal.

The control circuit 6 includes a control program stored in advance, the input unit 9 from the check unit 8, the operation unit 9 (rate setting switches 9a to 9c, end switch 9d), the card reader 12, and transmission / reception. Based on the received signal through the unit 14, the winning signal, the out signal, the special prize signal, the probability variation signal, etc. given from the pachinko machine 1, control of the pachinko ball discharging operation by the ball discharging unit 7, In addition to performing display control, control of a card ejection operation by the card reader 12, operation control of the shutter unit 13, and the like, a signal transmission operation to the host computer 3 is executed through the transmission / reception unit 14.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the ball lending unit 2.
The contents of control by the control circuit 6 are shown, which will be described below. First, in FIG.
Waits until a card is inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) (step A1). When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot, that is, when the card reader 12 takes in the card, data read from the card to determine whether or not the card is the member card 10 of the own shop (especially, when a pachinko hall is specified). (Step A2). In this step A2, "N
If "O" is determined, the process returns to step A1 after executing step A8 for discharging the inserted card.

On the other hand, if "YES" is determined in the step A2, an inquiry processing routine A5 is executed. In this processing routine A5, the machine number of the corresponding pachinko machine 1
In addition, an inquiry request signal including a membership number read from the inserted membership card 10 is created and transmitted to the host computer 3 to make an inquiry about the membership card 10. At this time, in the host computer 3 which has received the inquiry request signal, as will be apparent from the following description, the host number and the member number included in the inquiry request signal are stored in the member data file (see FIG. 14). By comparing the received inquiry request signal with the device number and member number data in the table, it is determined whether the received inquiry request signal is appropriate. The rejection signal is answered back to the ball lending unit 2, and if it is determined to be appropriate, the member data is answered back. The member data to be answered as described above is created based on the stored data in the member data file, and is data including the number of possessed balls corresponding to the member number in the received inquiry request signal. is there.

After execution of the inquiry processing routine A5,
It waits until either the member data or the rejection signal is answered back from the host computer 3 (step A).
6, A7), when the rejection signal is answered back,
The card discharging step A8 is executed, and the process returns to step A1.

On the other hand, when the member data is received, the ball number data in the member data is stored in a ball number storage area preset in the control circuit 6, and
A membership data display routine A9 for displaying the stored ball count data on the ball count display unit 11 is executed.

After the execution of the membership data display routine A9, the process stands by until a rate setting operation by the rate setting switches 9a to 9c or a termination operation by turning on the termination switch 9d (step A1).
0, A11), when the end operation is performed, a step A3 for initializing the illuminated display state of the rate setting switches 9a to 9c and the display state of the possessed ball number display section 11, and a step A4 for discharging the inserted card. Are sequentially executed, and the process returns to step A1. The rate setting switches 9a to 9
The state in which the illuminated display 9c is initialized is, for example, a state in which all the rate setting switches 9a to 9c are turned off or turned on, and a state in which the display of the possessed ball number display unit 11 is initialized is, for example, ""0" is displayed.

When the rate setting operation is performed, a conversion rate setting processing routine A12 is executed. FIG. 5 shows the contents of the conversion rate setting processing routine A12. That is, in FIG. 5, in the conversion rate setting processing routine A12, first, it is determined whether or not the number of possessed balls stored in the possessed ball number storage area is zero (step a1). If "NO" is determined here, the process returns as it is.
If the judgment is “YES”, the corresponding pachinko machine 1
Is determined based on the special prize signal from the pachinko machine 1 (step a2). If “YES” is determined here, the process returns as it is. If “NO” is determined, it is determined whether or not the corresponding pachinko machine 1 is in the probability variation state by the probability from the pachinko machine 1. Judgment based on the fluctuation signal (step a
3). If "YES" is determined in step a3, the process returns as it is, but if "NO" is determined, the conversion rate set by the rate setting switches 9a to 9c (1x, 4 / 3x, 2), the set conversion rate is illuminated and displayed according to the lighting of the corresponding rate setting switches 9a to 9c, and the set conversion rate is inserted into the membership card 10 in the inserted state. After executing step a4 of transmitting to the host computer 3 together with the member number of the above, the process returns.

Turning to FIG. 4, after executing the conversion rate setting processing routine A12 as described above, the shutter unit 1
3 is operated to open a coin slot (not shown) (step A13). As a result, the ball lending unit 2 is shifted to a lending possible state in which a pachinko ball discharging operation can be sequentially performed according to coin insertion into the coin insertion slot.

When shifting to such a lending possible state, it is determined whether or not a coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot (step A14). If the determination is "YES", the lending process routine A15 is executed. FIG. 6 shows the contents of the lending process routine A15.

That is, in FIG. 6, the lending processing routine A
In step 15, first, the authenticity of the inserted coin is checked using a signal from the check unit 8 (step a11), and it is determined whether or not the inserted coin is genuine based on the check result (step a12). . "NO" in this step a12
If it is determined, the process returns to step a13 in which the inserted coin is discharged through the check section 8. On the other hand, if "YES" is determined in the step a12, the conversion rate stored in the conversion rate setting processing routine A12 is read (step a14), and thereafter, the step a15 for the pachinko ball discharging operation is executed. After returning. In this step a15, the amount of the inserted coin is divided by "100", and the divided value is determined by a predetermined standard number (for example, "25":
The pachinko balls are sequentially multiplied by the read conversion rate and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the final multiplication result is discharged through the ball discharge unit 7.

Therefore, when the conversion rate set through the rate setting switches 9a to 9c is one time, 100
A standard number of 25 pachinko balls will be released according to the insertion of a yen coin, but if the set conversion rate is 4/3 times, the number of pachinko balls will be reduced to 34 according to the insertion of a 100 yen coin.
If one (rounded up) pachinko balls are released and the set conversion rate is doubled, 50 pachinko balls will be released in response to the insertion of a 100 yen coin.

Turning back to FIG. 4, the above-mentioned lending processing routine A1
After the execution of step 5, the number of pachinko balls released as described above is added to the number-of-balls data stored in the number-of-balls storage area as described above, and the number-of-balls data after the addition is stored. A held ball number display update step A16 of displaying on the ball number display section 11 is executed.

After the execution of the held ball number display updating step A16, and during the period when it is determined "NO" in the step A14, it is determined whether or not the out signal and the winning signal from the corresponding pachinko machine 1 are inputted. (Steps A17, A1
8) In each case where an out signal and a winning signal are input, a ball number display change step A19 is executed. In this ball number display change step A19, when an out signal is input, the ball number data stored in the ball number storage area is subtracted by "1" and the ball number display section 11
Is changed to the number-of-balls data after the subtraction, and when a winning signal is input, a predetermined value (pachinko-ball is a winning hole) is stored in the number-of-balls data stored in the number-of-balls storage area. (Equivalent to the number of pachinko balls released when winning), and the display content of the possessed ball number display section 11 is changed to the possessed ball number data after the addition.

After execution of the ball number display change step A19,
When neither the out signal nor the winning signal is input (when both of steps A17 and A18 are determined to be "NO"), it is determined whether or not the end operation according to the turning on of the end switch 9d is performed. (Step A2)
0). If “NO” is determined here, the process returns to the step A14, but if “YES” is determined, the game data is transmitted to the host computer 3 (step A21). In this case, the game data includes the membership number of the membership card 10 in the inserted state, the set conversion rate, the corresponding pachinko machine number of the pachinko machine 1, and the possessed ball number data stored in the possessed ball number storage area. This is the combined data.

Such a member data transmission step A21
After execution of step A22, after executing step A22 of operating the shutter unit 13 to close a coin slot (not shown),
The display initialization step A3 and the card ejection step A
4 and the process returns to step A1.

The contents related to the gist of the present invention among the contents of control by the control circuit 6 described above are summarized as follows. (1) An appropriate membership card 10 in a card slot (not shown)
Is inserted, an inquiry request signal is transmitted to the host computer 3 to inquire about the membership card 10. When the rejection signal is answered by the host computer 3 in response to the transmission of the inquiry request signal, the inserted membership card 10 is ejected. When the member data is answered back from the host computer 3, the ball count data in the member data is stored in the ball count storage area, and the ball count data is displayed on the ball count indicator 11. I do.

(2) As described above, the host computer 3
In the state where the member data is answered back from the side, the setting operation of the conversion rate through the rate setting switches 9a to 9c is permitted, and when the setting operation is performed, the set conversion rate (1 time, 4 / (3 times or 2 times) and transmits the set conversion rate to the host computer 3 together with the member number of the inserted member card 10 and further sets any of the rate setting switches 9a to 9c. Is turned on to display the set conversion rate. The conversion rate once set is held as it is until the end operation by the end switch 9d is performed.

(3) After the setting of the conversion rate, a coin slot (not shown) is opened, whereby the ball lending unit 2 shifts to a lending possible state in which a pachinko ball discharging operation can be performed. Let it.

(4) In the above-mentioned lending possible state, the operation of releasing a number of pachinko balls according to the inserted amount and the set conversion rate in accordance with the insertion of the coin into the coin insertion slot. Do. Specifically, the conversion rate is 1
If the number is set to double, the number of pachinko balls released by multiplying the input amount by a predetermined standard number (25 pieces / 100 yen) is released, and the conversion rate is set to 4/3 times and 2 times. In each case, pachinko balls of 4/3 times and 2 times the number of pachinko balls, respectively, are released as described above (however,
In the case of / 3 times, round up.) When such a pachinko ball release operation is performed, the released pachinko ball count is added to the ball count data stored in the ball count storage area, and the ball count display is performed accordingly. The display content of the unit 11 is updated.

(5) When the ball lending unit 2 is in a lending possible state and an out ball is generated due to a game at the corresponding pachinko machine 1, the ball number data stored in the ball number storage area is read out. The display value of the possessed ball number display unit 11 is changed while the value corresponding to the number of out-balls is reduced. Further, when a prize is generated due to a game in the corresponding pachinko machine 1, the ball number data stored in the ball number storage area is increased by a value corresponding to the number of released pachinko balls in accordance with the prize, and the ball number is increased. The display content of the display unit 11 is changed.

(6) When the end switch 9d is operated while the ball lending unit 2 is in the lending enabled state, the membership number of the inserted membership card 10, the set conversion rate, and the corresponding pachinko machine The game data is transmitted to the host computer 3 in combination with the number of balls and the number of balls stored in the number-of-balls storage area, and the illuminated display state of the rate setting switches 9a to 9c and the number-of-balls display section 11 Is initialized, and the inserted membership card 10 is ejected.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows the electrical configuration of the counter 4 by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 7, the operation of the counter 4 is controlled by a control circuit 15 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control circuit 15 is connected to the following devices.

That is, the counting section 16 is provided for counting pachinko balls put into a hopper (not shown) and providing the counting result to the control circuit 15. Card reader 17
Is provided with a card insertion slot (not shown) provided on the front face of the counter 4 so that when the member card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot, data stored in the membership card 10 is read. ing.

As shown in the display example of FIG. 8, the display unit 18 displays the member number read from the member card 10 by the card reader 17 and the member data file (FIG. 14) of the host computer 3 in association with the member number. 8), the number of balls held in the member data file, and the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 16 ("" in FIG. 8). Counting number of balls)), the counting section 1
Data indicating whether or not the counting result by No. 6 is appropriate (in the example of FIG. 8,
Although "OK" is shown when the counting result is correct, "NG" is displayed when the counting result is incorrect.)
Can be displayed.

The end switch 19 is provided to operate when the counting of the pachinko balls in the counter 4 is completed. The shutter section 20 is provided to close the pachinko ball insertion section of the hopper (not shown) in response to a command from the control circuit 15. The transmission / reception unit 21 is provided for transmitting / receiving data between the control circuit 15 and the host computer 3.

The control circuit 15 includes a control program stored in advance, the counter 16, a card reader 17,
Based on each input signal from the end switch 19, a signal received through the transmission / reception unit 21, and the like, control of a card ejection operation by the card reader 17, display control of the display unit 18, operation control of the shutter unit 20, and the like are executed. The configuration is such that a signal transmission operation to the host computer 3 is executed through the transmission / reception unit 21.

FIG. 9 shows a control circuit 15 in the counter 4.
Is shown, and this will be described below. In FIG. 9, the control circuit 15 waits until a card is inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) (step B1). When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot, that is, when the card reader 17 takes in the card, the data read from the card to determine whether or not the card is the member card 10 of the own shop (especially when the pachinko hall is identified). (Step B2). If "NO" is determined in step B2, the process returns to step B1 after executing step B3 of discharging the inserted card.

On the other hand, "YES" in step B2.
If it is determined that the answer is NO, an inquiry processing routine B4 is executed. In this processing routine B4, an inquiry relating to the member card 10 is performed by creating an inquiry request signal including the member number read from the inserted member card 10 and transmitting it to the host computer 3 side. At this time, the host computer 3 that has received the inquiry request signal, as will be apparent from the following description, replaces the member number included in the inquiry request signal with the member number in the member data file (see FIG. 14). By comparing with the number data, it is determined whether or not the received inquiry request signal is proper. If it is determined that the inquiry request signal is inappropriate, the rejection signal is sent to the counter 4 which has transmitted the inquiry request signal. Is answered back, and when it is determined that the member data is appropriate, the member data is answer backed. The member data to be answered as described above is created based on the stored data in the member data file, and the conversion rate and the ball number data corresponding to the member number in the received inquiry request signal are stored. Data.

After the execution of the inquiry processing routine B4,
It waits until either the member data or the rejection signal is answered back from the host computer 3 (step B).
5, B6), when the rejection signal is answered back,
The card discharging step B3 is executed, and the process returns to step B1.

When member data is received, a member data display routine B7 is executed. In this display routine B7, the ball number data in the received member data is stored in a ball number storage area preset in the control circuit 15 in association with the member number and the conversion rate in the member data. The member number, conversion rate, and possessed ball number data thus stored are displayed on the display unit 18.

After the execution of the member data display routine B7, the shutter section 20 is operated to open the pachinko ball insertion section of the hopper (not shown) (step B8), thereby shifting the counter 4 to a countable state. Then, thereafter, it is determined whether or not an end operation according to the turning on of the end switch 19 has been performed (step B9).
During the period determined as "O", the counting process routine B10 is executed.

In the counting process routine B10, the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 16 (corresponding to the number of pachinko balls put into the hopper) is sequentially added and stored, and the counted number of pachinko balls is displayed on the display unit 18 as "counting balls". The operation of displaying as "number" is performed.

In this state, when the end operation according to the turning-on of the end switch 19 is performed ("YES" in step B9), it is determined whether or not the counting result by the counting section 16 is proper. Is determined on the basis of the counted result and the ball count data stored in the ball count storage area (step B11). Specifically, in this step B11,
When the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 16 is N and the number of held balls data is W, for example, when 0.9 × W ≦ N ≦ 1.1 × W is satisfied, the counting result Is determined to be appropriate, and when 0.9 × W> N 1.1 × W <N holds, it is determined that the counting result is inappropriate.

The determination as to whether the counting result is appropriate or not is based on whether or not the counted pachinko ball has taken over the conversion rate at the time of release from the ball lending unit 2 as it is. It is for inspection.

If the counting result by the counting section 16 is incorrect ("NO" in step B11), the process returns to step B9 after executing the error processing routine B12. In the error processing routine B12, the display unit 18 displays that the counting result is incorrect, and outputs an alarm indicating that an error has occurred. This warning is output in a form that pachinko hall employees can recognize.

On the other hand, when the counting result by the counting section 16 is appropriate (“YE” in step B11).
In step S13), after executing step B13 of displaying that the counting result is appropriate on the display unit 18, the counting result data is transmitted to the host computer 3 (step B1).
4). In this case, the counting result data is data obtained by combining the membership number of the member card 10 in the inserted state, the conversion rate displayed on the display unit 18, and the final counted ball count data.

Such a counting result data transmission step B
After the execution of 14, the step B15 of ejecting the inserted membership card 10, the step B16 of operating the shutter unit 20 to close a coin slot (not shown), and the step B17 of initializing the display contents by the display unit 18 are performed. The execution is sequentially performed, and the process returns to step B1.

The main part of the control contents of the control circuit 15 described above is summarized as follows. (1) An appropriate membership card 10 in a card slot (not shown)
Is inserted, an inquiry request signal is transmitted to the host computer 3 to inquire about the membership card 10. When the rejection signal is answered by the host computer 3 in response to the transmission of the inquiry request signal, the inserted membership card 10 is ejected. When the member data is answered back from the host computer 3, the member number, the conversion rate, and the number of balls held in the member data are stored.
The member number, conversion rate, and ball number data are displayed on the display unit 18.

(2) After such a display, the pachinko ball insertion portion of the hopper (not shown) is opened, whereby the counter 4 is brought into a countable state in which the operation of counting the pachinko balls can be performed. Migrate. Then, in such a countable state, the counting section 16 counts the pachinko balls put into the hopper, and displays the counted number of pachinko balls on the display section 18.

(3) When the end switch 19 is operated after the counting of the pachinko balls by the counter 4 is completed,
By comparing the pachinko ball count result with the ball count data stored in the ball count storage area, it is determined whether or not the count result is appropriate (the counted pachinko ball is in the ball lending unit). 2 is determined as to whether or not the conversion rate at the time of release from 2 has been taken over as it is). If it is determined that the counting result is inappropriate, that fact is displayed on the display unit 18 and an error warning is output.
On the other hand, when the counting result is appropriate, the display unit 18 displays that the counting result is appropriate, and the member number of the inserted member card 10 is displayed on the display unit 18. The counting result data obtained by combining the conversion rate and the final counted ball number data is transmitted to the host computer 3. Thereafter, the inserted membership card 10 is ejected, the pachinko ball insertion section of the hopper is closed, and the display on the display section 18 is initialized.

FIG. 10 shows the electrical configuration of the POS terminal 5 by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 10, a POS terminal 5 includes a control unit 22 mainly composed of a microcomputer, a display unit 23 capable of displaying data on the number of balls counted, a predetermined message, and the like, and a key for selecting a prize to be exchanged. An operation unit 24 including a switch (not shown), a card reader 25 for reading data from the membership card 10 inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown), and a transmission / reception for transmitting / receiving a data signal to / from the host computer 3 The configuration is provided with the section 26.

The control circuit 22 controls the card ejection operation of the card reader 25 and the display control of the display unit 23 based on a control program stored in advance and each input signal from the operation unit 24 and the card reader 25. And transmitting and receiving data signals to and from the host computer 3 through the transmission / reception unit 26.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of control by the control circuit 22 in the POS terminal 5, which will be described below. In FIG. 11, the control circuit 22 waits until a card is inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) (step C1). When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot, that is, when the card reader 25 takes in the card, it is determined whether or not the card is the member card 10 of the own shop by reading data from the card (especially identifying a pachinko hall). (Step C2). If "NO" is determined in the step C2, the process returns to the step C1 after executing the step C3 of discharging the inserted card.

On the other hand, "YES" in step C2.
If it is determined that the inquiry processing routine C4 has been executed, the inquiry processing routine C4 is executed. In the processing routine C4, an inquiry about the member card 10 is performed by creating an inquiry request signal including the member number read from the inserted member card 10 and transmitting the created inquiry request signal to the host computer 3 side. At this time, the host computer 3 that has received the inquiry request signal, as will be apparent from the following description, replaces the member number included in the inquiry request signal with the member number in the member data file (see FIG. 14). By comparing with the number, it is determined whether the received inquiry request signal is appropriate or not, and if it is determined to be inappropriate, a rejection signal is sent to the POS terminal 5 that has transmitted the inquiry request signal. The answer back is performed, and if it is determined that the membership data is appropriate, the member data is answer backed. Note that the member data to be answered as described above is created based on the stored data in the member data file, and the first to third members corresponding to the member number in the received inquiry request signal.
This is data including the counted ball number data.

After execution of the inquiry processing routine C4,
It waits until either the member data or the rejection signal is answered back from the host computer 3 (step C).
5, C6), when the rejection signal is answered back,
The card ejection step C3 is executed, and the process returns to step C1.

When member data is received, a member data display routine C7 is executed. In this display routine C7, the first to third counted ball count data in the received member data are stored in the counted ball count storage area preset in the control circuit 25, and the member number, The first to third counted ball number data are displayed on the display unit 23.

After the execution of the member data display routine C7, a prize exchange processing routine C8 is executed. In the prize exchange processing routine C8, the first to third counted ball count data displayed as described above are converted into the predetermined conversion rates (1 ×, 4/3 ×,
The number of pachinko balls corresponding to a predetermined unit price (4 yen) of pachinko balls (equivalent to the number of standard game media in the present invention) corresponding to a predetermined unit price of pachinko balls (4 yen) is displayed on the display unit 23 by an operation based on (2 times). In addition, based on the conversion result, a well-known prize payout process is performed in a general POS terminal. After the prize payout process is completed, the number of standard pachinko remaining after the prize payout is displayed on the display unit 23. And store it as balance data.

Such a prize exchange processing routine C8
Is executed, the POS processing data is transmitted to the host computer 3 (step C9). In this case, the POS
The processing data is data obtained by combining the membership number of the inserted membership card 10 and the balance data (data indicating the number of standard pachinko balls remaining after the prize is paid out) displayed on the display unit 18.

After the execution of the POS processing data transmission step C9, a step C10 of discharging the inserted membership card 10 and a step C11 of initializing the display contents on the display unit 23 are sequentially executed, and the process returns to step C1.

The control contents of the control circuit 22 described above are summarized as follows. That is, in a state where the appropriate member card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot, the first to third counting ball number data stored in a state in which the member card 10 is associated with the inserted member card 10 are read from the host computer 3 side, The first to third counted ball count data is converted into a standard pachinko ball count based on a previously set conversion rate and displayed on the display unit 23, and a prize payout process is performed based on the display content.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show portions related to the gist of the present invention in the contents of control by the host computer 3, which will be described below. FIG.
2 and FIG. 13, the host computer 3 determines whether or not an inquiry request signal has been received from the ball lending unit 2, a step D2 which determines whether or not game data has been received from the ball lending unit 2, and step D2. Step D3 for determining whether or not a conversion rate has been received from the ball rental unit 2;
Step D4 for determining whether or not an inquiry request signal has been received from the counter 4, Step D5 for determining whether or not to have received count result data from the counter 4, and whether or not an inquiry request signal has been received from the POS terminal 5. Step D6 to determine, same PO
A standby loop for cyclically executing step D7 of determining whether or not POS processing data has been received from the S terminal 5 is formed.

If an inquiry request signal from ball lending unit 2 is received ("YES" in step D1), step D8 accesses member data file (see FIG. 14).
Is executed, it is determined whether or not the member number included in the received inquiry request signal exists in the member data file (step D9).

If "NO" is determined in the step D9, a step D10 of answerback transmitting the rejection signal to the ball lending unit 2 which is the transmission source of the inquiry request signal.
Is executed, the process proceeds to step D2, but "YES"
If it is determined that the membership data file contains zero ball number data corresponding to the member number included in the received inquiry request signal (step D1).
1). If "YES" is determined here, the member data created based on the stored data in the member data file (in this case, the received inquiry After performing step D13 of answer-back transmitting data including the number-of-balls data corresponding to the member number in the request signal, the process proceeds to step D2.

If the determination at step D11 is "NO", the pachinko machine number included in the received inquiry request signal and the member number included in the inquiry request signal in the member data file are displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the device number corresponding to is the same (step D12). If "YES" is determined in step D12, the process proceeds to step D2 after executing the member data transmitting step D13, and if "NO" is determined, after executing the rejection signal transmitting step D10 Step D2
Move to.

When game data is received from ball lending unit 2 ("YES" in step D2), step D1 accesses member data file (see FIG. 14).
4. Among the data in the member data file, step D15 of sequentially updating the latest conversion rate, stand number, and ball count data to the conversion rate, stand number, and ball count data in the received game data is sequentially executed. Then, the process proceeds to step D3.

When the conversion rate is received from ball lending unit 2 ("YES" in step D3), step D1 accesses member data file (see FIG. 14).
6. Step D of updating the latest conversion rate among the data in the member data file to the received conversion rate
17 are sequentially executed, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step D4.

When the inquiry request signal from counter 4 is received ("YES" in step D4), step D18 for accessing the member data file (see FIG. 14) is executed, and then the member data file is read. Then, it is determined whether or not the member number included in the received inquiry request signal exists (step D19).

If the determination at step D19 is "NO", the counter 4 which has transmitted the inquiry request signal
After performing step D20 of transmitting the rejection signal answer back to the server, the process proceeds to step D5, but if "YES" is determined, the counting device 4 which has transmitted the inquiry request signal is sent to the member data file. Step D2 of answerback transmitting member data created based on the stored data (in this case, data including the conversion rate and ball count data corresponding to the member number in the received inquiry request signal).
After executing step 1, the process proceeds to step D2.

If the counting result data is received from the counter 4 ("YES" in step D5), the access to the member data file (see FIG. 14) is performed in step D22.
Among the data in the member data file, the first to third counted ball count data are updated based on the conversion rate and the final counted ball count data in the received count result data, and the member data file is updated. Step D23 for returning the ball number data to zero is sequentially executed, and thereafter, step D23 is performed.
Move to 6. In the data updating step D23, specifically, when the conversion rate in the received count result data is one time, the counted ball number data in the count result data is stored in the member data file in the member data file. When the conversion rate in the received counting result data is 4/3 times and 2 times stored as one counting ball number data, the counting ball number data in the counting result data is stored in the member data file. They are stored as the second counted ball number data and the third counted ball number data, respectively.

If an inquiry request signal is received from POS terminal 5 ("YES" at step D6), step D24 accesses member data file (see FIG. 14).
Is executed, it is determined whether or not the member number included in the received inquiry request signal exists in the member data file (step D25).

If "NO" is determined in the step D25, a step D26 of answer-back transmitting the rejection signal to the POS terminal 5 which has transmitted the inquiry request signal.
Is executed, the process proceeds to step D7, but "YES"
If it is determined that P is the transmission source of the inquiry request signal
For the OS terminal 5, the member data created based on the storage data in the member data file (in this case, data including the first to third counted ball count data corresponding to the member number in the received inquiry request signal) After performing step D27 of answer-back transmission of the command, the process proceeds to step D7.

If the POS processing data is received from the POS terminal 5 ("YES" in step D7), step D for accessing the member data file (see FIG. 14)
28. Among the data in the member data file, the number-of-balls data is updated to the balance data (indicating the number-of-balls remaining after the prize is paid out) in the received POS processing data, and the first to third balls are updated. Initial value (zero) of counted ball data
Are sequentially executed, and thereafter, the process returns to step D16.

In short, the host computer 3
The operation of answering back the member data including the ball count data in response to the request from the ball lending unit 2, and the member data including the latest conversion rate and ball count data in response to the request from the counter 4 The operation of answering member data including the first to third counted ball count data in response to a request from the POS terminal 5 is performed based on the member data file (see FIG. 14). (Amount data, first to third counted ball number data) in the game data from the ball lending unit 2, a counter 4
The updating operation is performed based on the counting result data from the POS terminal 5 and the POS processing data from the POS terminal 5. When the counting operation with the member card 10 set in the counter 4 is completed, the host computer 3 resets the possessed ball number data corresponding to the member card 10 to zero among the data in the member data file. Perform the operation of initializing to.

According to the game management system of the present embodiment, when a player plays a game on the pachinko machine 1, the member card 10 issued in advance to identify the player is assigned to the ball lending unit 2. Insert (set) into the card slot. Then, since the ball lending unit 2 shifts to a lending possible state, a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot of the ball lending unit 2 in this state, and the consideration is paid. When such consideration is paid, the ball lending unit 2 determines the payment consideration and a preset conversion rate (1 ×, 4/3).
Since the number of pachinko balls is released according to the number of pachinko balls, the game on the pachinko machine 1 is performed using the pachinko balls. In this case, the conversion rate set in the ball lending unit 2 is the rate setting provided in the ball lending unit 2 only when the member card 10 is inserted into the card insertion slot of the ball lending unit 2. It can be changed through the switches 9a to 9C. For this reason, the number of pachinko balls released from the ball lending unit 2 can be changed on the player side in accordance with the payment of the consideration. That is, if the conversion rate is set to a large value through the rate setting switches 9a to 9c, a larger amount of pachinko balls will be released than in the normal case even if the payment price is the same.

However, when the game on the pachinko machine 1 is performed using the pachinko balls released in a state where the conversion rate is set to a large value, the pachinko machine 1 The pachinko balls acquired by POS, for example,
When exchanging for a prize in the terminal 5, it is necessary to correct the number of acquired pachinko balls in consideration of the conversion rate. In this case, in this embodiment, in the member data file of the host computer 3, the conversion rate when the pachinko ball is released by the ball rental unit 2 as described above is set in the card insertion slot of the ball rental unit 2. The number of pachinko balls counted while the member card 10 is inserted (set) in the card insertion slot of the counter 4 is stored in association with the ID code of the inserted member card 10. In other words, the number of pachinko balls acquired by the player)
As described above, the conversion rate stored in the member data file in association with the ID code is stored as first to third counted ball count data in which the conversion rate is set.

Therefore, the evaluation of the number of pachinko balls counted by the counter 4 is based on the first to third counted ball number data stored as described above, that is, the data stored separately for each conversion rate. (Operation in consideration of the conversion rate set for each piece of counted ball data), so that the above-described correction can be reliably performed. Specifically, in the POS terminal 5, the first to third counted ball count data obtained from the host computer 3 are calculated in advance based on a conversion rate preset for each of the counted ball count data. The pachinko balls counted by the counter 4 are converted into a standard number of pachinko balls corresponding to the determined standard unit price of pachinko balls (4 yen) and a prize payout process is performed based on the conversion result. This makes it possible to accurately evaluate numbers. Moreover, as a result of such a configuration, the POS terminal 5 can easily perform a prize exchange operation based on the converted standard pachinko ball count, and the standard pachinko ball count is displayed on the display unit 23. As a result, there is an advantage that the player can easily and accurately evaluate the number of pachinko balls obtained by himself / herself.

In short, if the conversion rate for releasing the pachinko balls through the ball lending unit 2 is set to a large value, the gambling property of the game on the pachinko machine 1 is reduced. In other words, it is possible to arbitrarily lower the gambling property at the time of the game on the pachinko machine 1 by the will of the player. As a result, even if a player who prefers a pachinko machine having a high gambling property and a player who prefers a pachinko machine having a low gambling property coexist, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation rate of the pachinko machine 1 is reduced beforehand. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in operating profit due to the level of gambling of the pachinko machine 1. Further, unlike the conventional case, it is not likely that it becomes difficult to select a ratio when the pachinko machine 1 having a high gambling property and the pachinko machine 1 having a low gambling property are mixedly installed, which is extremely useful in pachinko hall management.

In this embodiment, the host computer 3 adds the number of pachinko balls released by the game on the pachinko machine 1 to the number of pachinko balls released through the ball lending unit 2, and By subtracting the number of pachinko balls consumed in the game on the pachinko machine 1, the number of pachinko balls held for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result is used as the ID of the member card 10 held by the player. In addition, the counting machine 4 is configured to store the number of pachinko balls counted with the member card 10 inserted into the card insertion slot and the ID code of the member card 10 in the host computer 3. When the difference from the number of hand-held pachinko balls stored in association with is greater than or equal to a preset error range, an error alarm is output. . As a result of this configuration, there is a difference between the number of pachinko balls counted by the counter 4 (the actual number of pachinko balls held by the player) and the number of pachinko balls held by the player managed by the host computer 3. Since an error alarm is output in the case of an abnormal situation in which a natural difference occurs, the abnormal situation can be promptly dealt with based on the error alarm.

Further, in this embodiment, the rate changing operation by the rate setting switches 9a to 9c is performed by the ball rental unit 2
The rate change operation is stored in the host computer 3 in association with the ID code of the member card 10 described above. The configuration is such that it is allowed only when the number of pachinko balls on hand is zero. As a result of this configuration, if it is assumed that the number of pachinko balls on hand held by the player managed by the host computer 3 still remains, the change of the conversion rate is prohibited. The conversion rate stored in association with the ID code of the member card 10 is not changed. For this reason, when the number of pachinko balls counted while the member card 10 is set in the counter 4 is evaluated, there is no possibility that the contents of the evaluation are inadvertently destroyed. The rate change operation may be allowed even when the number of handheld pachinko balls stored in the host computer 3 in association with the ID code of the membership card 10 is within a predetermined setting range. In this case, even when there is a data error in the number of handheld pachinko balls stored in the host computer 3, the function of changing the conversion rate works and the redundancy for the error is increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as described below.
The configuration is such that the pachinko machine 1 to be played can be changed only when the number of hand-held pachinko balls stored in the host computer 3 in association with the ID code of the membership card 10 is zero or within a preset limit range. Is also good. According to this configuration, it is prohibited to change the pachinko machine 1 to be played in a situation where it is assumed that the number of pachinko balls held by the player managed by the host computer 3 still remains. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem associated with using the pachinko ball released in the ball lending unit 2 with the conversion rate set to be high in another pachinko machine 1 beforehand. Although the pachinko machine 1 has been described as an example of the gaming machine, a gaming machine such as a slot machine using a metal (coin) as a gaming medium may be managed.

[0099]

According to the present invention, as is apparent from the above description, the price / game medium conversion rate at the time of converting the paid price into the game media for providing the game can be changed on the player side. In addition to the above configuration, a configuration that can correct inconsistencies due to such a change in the conversion rate is adopted, so that it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in operating revenue due to the level of gambling of the gaming machine. It is effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overall schematic configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a ball rental unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel provided in the ball lending unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 1 showing the control contents of a control circuit in the ball lending unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a control circuit in the ball lending unit, part 2

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a control circuit in the ball lending unit;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the counter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit provided in the counter.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control contents by a control circuit in the counter.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the POS terminal.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control contents by a control circuit in the POS terminal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main part of the control contents by the host computer;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart 2 showing a main part of control contents by the host computer;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a format example of a member data file constructed on the host computer side;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko machine (gaming machine), 2 is a ball lending unit (lending means), 3 is a host computer (management device), 4 is a counter (counting means), 5 is a POS terminal, 6 is a control circuit, 7 is a ball. A discharge unit, 9 is an operation unit, 9a to 9c are rate setting switches (rate changing means), 10 is a membership card (ID card), 11 is a ball number display unit, 12 is a card reader, 15
Is a control circuit, 16 is a counting section, 17 is a card reader, 18
Indicates a display unit, 22 indicates a control circuit, and 25 indicates a card reader.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Shibahara 1-47-1, Naguno, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya Furuya International Center Building 2F Daikok Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C088 BA13 BA17 BA88 BA90 BB06 BB07 BB21 CA31 CA35

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine for discharging a predetermined number of game media each time a hit state occurs in accordance with a game using a game medium, and a game machine provided to be owned by the game player and for identifying the game player. An ID card in which an ID code is set, and a state in which the ID card can be rented in accordance with the set of the ID card, is provided. Lending means for releasing the number of game media according to the price / game medium conversion rate, and the price / game medium conversion rate set in the lending means only when the ID card is set in the lending means. Rate changing means provided so as to allow a change operation; and a game medium which is provided so as to shift to a countable state in accordance with the set of the ID card, and is inserted in the countable state. Counting means for counting the number of times the game medium has been released by the lending means, and storing the value and the game medium conversion rate in association with the ID code of the ID card set in the lending means. Counting data in which the number of game media counted by the means is associated with the ID code of the ID card set in the counting means, and is associated with the above-described value / game medium conversion rate stored in association with the ID code. A management device for storing the number of game media counted in a state where the ID card is set in the counting means, and the management device
A game management system for a game arcade, wherein the game is performed by calculation based on count data stored in association with an ID code of a card and a corresponding price / game medium conversion rate. 2. The value / game medium conversion rate stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card, wherein the number of game media counted with the ID card set in the counting means is stored. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein the number of standard game media corresponding to a predetermined standard price of the game media is converted by a calculation based on (i). 3. The management device adds the number of game media released by the game in the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means, and consumes the game in the game in the game machine. By subtracting the number of game media obtained, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result is stored in association with the ID code of the ID card possessed by the player. The counting means calculates a difference between the number of game media counted with the ID card set therein and the number of handheld game media stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card. 3. The game management system for a game hall according to claim 1, wherein an error warning is output when the error is equal to or larger than a preset error range. 4. The management device adds the number of game media released by the game in the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means, and consumes the game in the game in the gaming machine. By subtracting the number of game media obtained, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result is stored in association with the ID code of the ID card possessed by the player. The rate changing unit, when the ID card is set in the lending unit, the number of handheld game media stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card is zero or within a set range. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a change operation of the value / game medium conversion rate is permitted only in the state of (1). Beam. 5. The management device adds the number of game media released by the game at the gaming machine to the number of game media released through the lending means, and consumes the game at the game at the gaming machine. By subtracting the number of game media obtained, the number of hand-held game media for each player is sequentially calculated, and the calculation result is stored in association with the ID code of the ID card possessed by the player. A configuration in which the change of the gaming machine to be played is permitted only when the number of handheld game media stored in the management device in association with the ID code of the ID card is zero or within a preset limit range. The game management system for a game arcade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said rate changing means prohibits a change operation of a value / game medium conversion rate when said gaming machine is in a special prize state with an increased winning probability. 6. The game management system for a game hall according to any one of claims 5 to 5. 7. A structure in which the rate changing means prohibits a change operation of a value / game medium conversion rate during a game continuation period in the gaming machine and during a period until a predetermined time elapses after the game ends. The game management system for a game arcade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: