JP2001120818A - Game management system and management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game management system and a management device allowing use of a recording medium in common among plurality of game parlors. SOLUTION: Management devices 21, 22, or the like, arranged in respective game parlors P1-PN are connected to a central management device 11 via a communication network 100 for transmitting and receiving information, and the like, about the delivery of a recording medium to a parlor. The management devices 21, 21 respectively arranged in the parlors P1, P2 constituting a group G of parlors are connected mutually via a LAN 200 is as to transmit/receive information about the recording medium available in the parlors P1, P2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can improve the convenience of using a recording medium when playing a game using a recording medium such as an IC card, and can increase the unauthorized use of the recording medium. Game management system, which can prevent
And a management device for managing record information recorded on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game management system for managing information recorded on a recording medium in order to make a financial payment using a recording medium such as a magnetic card having a magnetic recording area as a prepaid card has been realized. Have been. In order to record more information than a magnetic card, a game management system using a prepaid card such as an IC card provided with a semiconductor memory is also being constructed.

[0003] Many of such game management systems employ house cards, which are prepaid cards that can be used only at specific gaming stores, in order to prevent the spread of unauthorized use of prepaid cards.

[0004] Such a house card is a store identifier (hereinafter referred to as store I) for identifying a game store where the card can be used.
D) is recorded and then issued by the card issuing company. Then, the issued house card is delivered to each game store identified by the store ID recorded on the card.

In a game management system employing a house card (hereinafter referred to as a house card system), the card can be used only at a game store identified by a store ID recorded on the house card. . The store ID once recorded cannot be rewritten. Therefore, the card cannot be used in a game store other than the game store indicated by the store ID,
Moreover, since the store ID cannot be rewritten, even if the prepaid card is forged and illegally used, the illegal act can be prevented from spreading to a plurality of game stores.

[0006]

As described above, such a house card system is excellent in preventing the illegal use of a recording medium from spreading, but on the other hand, as described below, There were inconveniences for the user, the recording medium issuing company, and the game store management company.

In a house card system, a user cannot use a recording medium in common at a plurality of game stores. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of game stores in the same building or when a plurality of game stores are installed in close proximity, even when it is possible to easily move between a plurality of game stores, The user had to use multiple house cards for each game store. Therefore, there is a problem that the house card system is inconvenient for the user.

Further, in the house card system, the house card is delivered from the recording medium issuing company to each of the amusement stores as described above. In this case, in order to prevent an unauthorized prepaid card from being issued, the recording medium issuing company manages information indicating to which game store the house card was delivered to each game store and stores the house card in the warehouse. And the like, it is necessary to store the information for each game store, so that there is a problem that the work required for these must be complicated.

[0009] Further, for a management company that manages a plurality of game stores, using a prepaid card which can be used in common for the plurality of game stores is more effective than using a house card. In comparison, the cost required for managing the card can be reduced, and the paperwork does not need to be complicated.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and stores information on recording media that can be used in each game store and is managed by the same company. By exchanging the information between a plurality of gaming stores in a specific relationship such as being located in the same building or being installed close to each other, the recording medium can be shared by the plurality of gaming stores. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game management system that can be used and a management device that manages recorded information recorded on a recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the management cost of the information by managing information relating to the delivery of the recording medium to the game store to a plurality of game stores instead of each game store. An object of the present invention is to provide a game management system and a management device capable of playing the game.

[0012]

A game management system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided in each of a plurality of game stores and enables a game by making a payment using a recording medium having a valuable value. A plurality of gaming machines, provided at each game store,
In a game management system comprising a plurality of management devices for managing store group information related to a store group composed of a predetermined number of game stores, and wherein the plurality of management devices are configured to communicate with each other, the management device includes: A storage unit for storing information on the recording medium, wherein one management device, when a request for approval of use of the recording medium is input, stores the same store group as the amusement store where the one management device is installed. When the use approval request is transmitted to another management device provided in the gaming arcade that constitutes, and the other management device receives the use approval request, the use approval stored in the storage unit is used. The information about the recording medium according to the request is transmitted to one management apparatus, and the one management apparatus, when receiving the information about the recording medium, registers the received information in the storage unit. Setting Characterized in that the use of the recording medium at a gaming facility that is are no order to the variable.

[0013] A game management system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of gaming machines provided in each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making a payment using a recording medium having a valuable value; A terminal device provided at each game store for reading and writing recorded information recorded on a recording medium, and a plurality of management devices provided at each game store and managing store group information on a store group composed of a predetermined number of game stores In a game management system comprising a device and the plurality of management devices communicating with each other, the terminal device includes: a unit for receiving a use approval request for a recording medium; and Means for transmitting a use approval request to a management device, wherein the management device includes a storage unit for storing information related to the recording medium, and one management device is configured to receive a use approval request for the recording medium. When the power is input, the use approval request is transmitted to another management device provided in the game store configuring the same store group as the game store in which one management device is installed, and the other management device Will receive an authorization request,
When the information related to the recording medium related to the use approval request is stored in the storage unit and transmitted to one management device, and one management device receives the information related to the recording medium,
The received information is registered in the storage unit, a registration completion signal indicating that the registration is completed is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device further receives registration completion information from the management device, The information processing apparatus further includes means for writing, into a recording medium, information enabling use in a game arcade where the terminal device is installed.

A game management system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of gaming machines provided in each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making a payment using a recording medium having a valuable value; A store that is provided at each game store and issues a recording medium, a plurality of management devices that are provided at each game store and manages recording information recorded on the recording medium, and a store that includes a predetermined number of game stores A central management device that manages store group information about the group, manages information about the recording medium for each recording medium identifier for identifying the recording medium, and communicates with the plurality of management devices. In the game management system provided, the central management device stores, for each of the store groups, correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the recording medium identifier and a game store where an issuing device to which the recording medium is to be issued is installed. A first storage unit; and means for transmitting the same correspondence information to each of the management devices provided in the amusement arcades constituting the same store group. Receiving means, and means for transmitting a recording medium identifier of a recording medium to be issued to the management device, wherein the management device stores a correspondence information received from the central management device, Means for determining whether or not information on the recording medium identified by the recording medium identifier received from the storage unit is stored in the second storage unit, and approves the issuance when the determination unit determines that the information is stored. Means for transmitting an issuance approval signal to the issuance apparatus, wherein the issuance apparatus further comprises means for issuing the recording medium to be issued when the issuance approval signal is received.

A game management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes
In the game management system according to the present invention, the management device further transmits an issuance approval signal indicating that the issuance approval has been performed when the issuance approval signal is transmitted to the issuance device. Means for transmitting to a management device installed in a game store constituting the same store group,
Means for deleting, from the second storage unit, the corresponding information on the issued recording medium when receiving the issuance approval completion signal.

A management device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is provided in each of a plurality of amusement arcades, and records information recorded on a recording medium having a valuable value usable in the amusement machine and a predetermined number of amusement arcades. In a management device that manages store group information about a configured store group, a storage unit that stores information about a recording medium, and when a use approval request for the recording medium is input,
Means for transmitting the use approval request to another management device provided in a game store constituting the same store group as the game store in which the management device is installed, and a use approval request from the other management device When receiving the information on the recording medium related to the use approval request stored in the storage unit, means for transmitting to another management device, when receiving the information on the recording medium from another management device, By registering the received information in the storage unit, it is possible to use the recording medium in a game arcade where the management device is installed.

According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, the management device provided in each of the plurality of amusement arcades has a storage unit for storing information on a recording medium. When the management device provided in a certain amusement store receives the use approval request for the recording medium, the management device provided in the amusement store configuring the same store group as the store in which the management device is installed, Send the accepted use approval request.

The management device that has received the use approval request changes the information on the recording medium that is the object of the use approval request from the information stored in the storage unit of the management device. Is transmitted to the management device that is the transmission source.

The management device that has received the information on the recording medium registers the information in the storage unit. as a result,
The recording medium can be used at the store where the management device is installed.

In this way, each management device installed in a plurality of amusement stores constituting the same store group mutually transmits and receives information on the storage medium, thereby transferring the storage medium to the plurality of amusement stores. Therefore, the convenience of the recording medium can be improved.

Further, for a management company that manages a plurality of amusement stores constituting the same store group, it is possible to facilitate office work. Further convenience improves the number of users of the prepaid card, and as a result, it is possible to obtain high profits.

According to the second aspect, the terminal device provided in each of the plurality of amusement arcades receives the use approval request for the recording medium and transmits the received use approval request to the management device. Similarly, it is provided in each of a plurality of amusement stores,
A management device having a storage unit for storing information on a recording medium, when receiving a use approval request from a terminal device,
The received use approval request is transmitted to the management device provided in the amusement store configuring the same store group as the store where the management device is installed.

The management device that has received the use approval request changes the information related to the recording medium that is the object of the use approval request from the information stored in the storage unit of the management device. Is transmitted to the management device that is the transmission source.

The management device that has received the information on the recording medium registers the information in the storage unit, and transmits a registration completion signal indicating that the registration has been completed to the terminal device.
The terminal device that has received the registration completion signal writes information indicating that the terminal device can be used in a game arcade where the terminal device is installed on a recording medium.

Therefore, if a user plays a game using a recording medium at a certain game store and wants to use the recording medium at another game store, the same store as the game store where the game was played is used. By entering a game store forming a group and requesting approval of use of the recording medium using the terminal device, the recording medium can be used at the game store that has entered the store. . In this way, the user can use the recording medium in common at a plurality of gaming arcades, and thus the convenience of the recording medium can be improved.

Further, unless a request for approval of the use of the recording medium is received from the user, the game cannot be played at the amusement shop using the recording medium. it can.

When a player uses a recording medium at a certain game store to play a game and then exits the game store, and then wants to use the recording medium at the same game store, the user must be prepared for that game store. Since the managed device stores the information on the recording medium, the user does not need to make an approval request for using the recording medium.

According to the third aspect, the central management device stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the recording medium identifier for identifying the recording medium and the game store where the issuing device to which the recording medium is to be issued is installed. It has a first storage unit for storing each store group, and transmits this correspondence information to each management device. At this time, the same correspondence information is transmitted to each management device provided in the amusement arcades constituting the same store group.

When the issuance device receives the recording medium issuance request, it transmits the recording medium identifier of the to-be-issued recording medium to the management device. The management device has a second storage unit that stores the correspondence information received from the central management device, and information about the recording medium identified by the recording medium identifier received from the issuing device is stored in the second storage unit. It is determined whether or not there is. If it is determined that the information is stored, an issuance approval signal indicating that the issuance is approved is transmitted to the issuing device. Then, the issuance device that has received the issuance approval signal issues the recording medium to be issued.

As described above, the central management device stores the correspondence information not for each game store but for each store group which is a set of a plurality of game stores. Therefore, management of such correspondence information becomes easier.

In addition, since the recording medium issuing company only needs to store the recording medium in the warehouse or the like for each group of stores instead of for each game store, the work required for such maintenance can be reduced.

Further, since the management device provided in each game store stores the same correspondence information, if the recording medium is identified by the recording medium identifier in the correspondence information,
Any recording medium may be issued at any game store. Therefore, a management company that manages a plurality of amusement stores that make up the same store group, after receiving a plurality of storage media from a storage medium issuing company, delivers an arbitrary number of storage media to each amusement store. This makes it possible to deliver an appropriate number of recording media to each game store based on the size of the game store, the sales situation, and the like.

According to the fourth aspect, when the management device transmits the issuance approval signal to the issuance device, the management device sends an issuance approval completion signal indicating that the issuance has been approved to the same store group as the store where the management device is installed. The information is transmitted to the management device installed in the gaming arcade. Then, the management device that has received the issuance approval completion signal deletes the corresponding information on the issued recording medium from the second storage unit.

As described above, since the management device deletes the corresponding information on the issued recording medium from the second storage unit,
By referring to the second storage unit after the deletion, it is possible to confirm which recording medium has been issued at the gaming shop where the management device is installed.

Information on the issued recording medium is as follows.
The information is deleted from the second storage unit of the management device provided in the game store constituting the same store group as the game store that issued the issuance. Since the storage areas are automatically arranged in this manner, the second storage unit does not need to have a large-capacity storage area.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. The game management system of the present invention is, for example, a payment system for a game store provided with a game machine such as a pachinko machine and a slot machine. A recording medium used in this system is a prepaid card such as an IC card having a semiconductor memory, and information on the prepaid card (hereinafter, referred to as card information) is recorded.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a card issuing company, and the card issuing company 1 is provided with a central management device 11. The central management device 11 is connected to management devices 21, 21... Provided in each of a plurality of gaming stores P1 to PN such as pachinko parlors via a communication network 100 such as a public line. The card information is transmitted / received to / from 21, 21,...

Some of the amusement stores P1 to PN are operated by the same company, are installed in the same building, or are installed in different buildings but are close to each other. And so on. Hereinafter, a set composed of a plurality of gaming stores P1 to PN having a specific relationship in this manner is referred to as a “store group”. Management devices 21 and 21 provided in each of the amusement stores constituting the same store group
Are mutually connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 200. In the present embodiment, the game stores P1 and P2 are operated by the same company, and the store group G
Is composed of these two stores. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the management devices 21 and 21 provided in each of the gaming arcades P1 and P2 are connected via the LAN 200.

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of store groups is one, and the number of stores constituting the store group is two. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and The number and the number of stores constituting the store group may be any number.

If the management apparatuses 21, 21... Provided in a plurality of amusement stores constituting the same store group cannot be connected via a LAN due to geographical restrictions, a WAN (Wide) is used. (Area Network), and a public line or a dedicated line may be used. Further, these management devices 21, 21,... May communicate by wireless instead of by wire.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game management system of the present invention in each game store. As shown in FIG. 2, management devices 21, 21,... Are issuing devices 22, 22, which are used by a user to purchase a prepaid card.
, And transmits and receives card information to and from the issuing devices 22, 22,. Issuing device 22, 22
.. Issue a prepaid card based on the information received from the management devices 21, 21.

The management devices 21, 21,... Are reception devices 23 for reading and writing card information, etc., in order to be able to use them in common in each of the amusement stores constituting the same store group. , 23 ... are connected to each other, and transmit / receive card information to / from these accepting machines 23, 23 ....

Are provided between the two gaming machines 24, 24,..., And are connected to inter-machines 25, 25,. , The card information is transmitted and received to and from these inter-devices 25. Stand machine 25, 25 ...
Sends an instruction to eject a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a medal to the gaming machines 24, 24,... Based on the information received from the management devices 21, 21,.
, 24 ... discharge the game medium.

In the present embodiment, the receiving machines 23, 2
3 and the machine 25, 25 ... are separate devices,
.. May also serve as the functions of the receiving machines 23, 23.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a process until the manufactured prepaid card is delivered to the game stores P1 and P2. In FIG. 3, C indicates a prepaid card, and the prepaid card C (hereinafter, referred to as card C).
Has a recording area 300 for recording card information.

The card information recorded in the recording area 300 includes a card identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a card ID) for identifying the card C, and the gaming stores P1 to P1 where the card C was issued.
Issuer store identifier for identifying the PN (hereinafter, issuer store ID
), A ticket issuing date indicating the date of issuance of the card C, and a store identifier (hereinafter referred to as a store ID) for identifying the amusement stores P1 to PN in which the card C can be used. The card information also includes a balance indicating the amount of money that can be used by the card C. This balance is determined for each card ID by the management devices 21, 21,... Provided in the game stores P1, P2. Is managed. Only the card ID is recorded in the recording area 300 of the card C, and the other card information is stored in the management devices 21 and 21.
1 and the central management device 11 or any one of them may store and manage.

Such a card C is issued by the card issuing company 1
Is manufactured by the card manufacturing company 3 based on the request from the company.
Is recorded in the recording area 300. The card C manufactured in this manner is, as shown in FIG.
Is delivered to the card issuing company 1.

Next, the card issuing company 1 selects the amusement shops P1 and P from the card C received from the card manufacturing company 3.
2. Select card C issued at two stores. Then, the selected card C is delivered to the game store management company 4 that manages the game stores P1 and P2. Here, the central management device 11 provided in the card issuing company 1 stores information indicating which card ID on which the card C is recorded has been delivered to the game store management company 4, and stores this information in the game store P1.
And P2 to the management devices 21 and 21, respectively.

It should be noted that the management device 2 provided in the game store P1
1 may receive the information on the delivery from the central management device 11 and transmit the received information to the management device 21 provided in the amusement shop P2. In addition, a computer is installed in the game store management company 4, and the computer receives the information on the delivery from the central management device 11, and transmits the received information to the management devices 21 and 21 provided in the game stores P1 and P2, respectively. It may be transmitted to.

Next, the game store management company 4 delivers an appropriate number of cards C to the game stores P1 and P2, respectively, based on the size and sales status of the game stores P1 and P2. The delivered card C is stored in issuing devices 22, 22 provided in each of the gaming stores P1 and P2.

The cards C stored in the issuing devices 22 provided in the gaming stores P1 and P2 in this manner are provided.
Is issued according to the procedure described below. First, the issuing devices 22, 22,... Confirm the validity of the card information recorded in the recording area 300 of the card C to be issued. If this is confirmed, the issuing devices 22, 22,.
The card information of the card C to be issued is transmitted to the connected management apparatuses 21, 21. Receiving the card information, the management device 21, 21,...
, And the referenced card ID and the central management device 11
The card ID in the information received from is compared with the card ID, and it is confirmed that the card is the prepaid card C delivered from the card issuing company 1. When the confirmation is successful, the management devices 21, 21,... Transmit information indicating the success to the issuing devices 22, 22,.
2, 22,... Write the date of ticket issuance in the recording area 300,
Issue card C.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central management unit 11 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a CP.
U, and the CPU 401 includes the management device 21,
Communication interface 402 for performing communication with 21.
And a storage unit 403 for storing data generated in the CPU 401.

The storage unit 403 has a store group DB 410 for storing information on store groups. In the present embodiment, information on the store group G, for example, the store group G is a game store P1
And P2 are stored.

The storage unit 403 further stores the management device 21,
21 and a delivery DB 411 for storing the payment information related to the issuance and consumption of the card C received from the card C, and information (hereinafter referred to as delivery information) for associating the card C with the destination amusement stores P1 to PN. DB412.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management devices 21, 21,... Of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a CPU. The CPU 501 communicates with the central management device 11, issuing devices 22, 22,..., Receiving devices 23, 23, and inter-devices 25, 25,. A communication interface 502 and a storage unit 503 that stores data generated in the CPU 501 are connected. The storage unit 503 has five databases described below.

The in-use DB 51 as the first database
0 is the game store P in which the management devices 21, 21,... Are installed.
The card information of the card C that can be used in 1 to PN is stored. Therefore, this in-use DB 51
The card C whose card information is not stored in 0 cannot be used in the gaming stores P1 to PN.

Store group DB 51 as a second database
1 is a game store P in which the management devices 21, 21,... Are installed.
The information about the gaming establishments constituting the same shop group as 1 to PN is stored. This information includes information such as the address of the management device 21 provided in each of the gaming arcades P1 to PN.

In the case of the present embodiment, the store group DB 511 of the management device 21 provided in the game store P1 contains the game store P
2 is stored in the store group DB 511 of the management device 21 provided in the game store P2.
1 is stored.

Settlement DB 512 as a third database
Stores the information on the issuance of the card C received from the issuing devices 22, 22,... And the information on the consumption of the card C received from the inter-machines 25, 25,. The settlement information relating to the ticketing and consumption is transmitted to the central management device 11,
The central management apparatus 11 stores the received payment information in the payment DB 411
To memorize.

The delivery DB 513 which is the fourth database
Stores the delivery information received from the central management device 11. By referring to the delivery information, it can be determined whether or not the card is issued by the card issuing company 1.

As described above, the management device 2 provided in each of the amusement stores P1 to PN constituting the same store group.
, 21... Receive the same delivery information from the central management device 11.

A fraudulent information DB 5 as a fifth database
14 stores the card ID of the unauthorized card. In the fraudulent information DB 514, not only the card ID of the card C determined to be fraudulent in the gaming stores P1 to PN in which the management devices 21, 21,. The card ID of the card C determined to be present is also stored.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the issuing devices 22, 22,... Of the present invention. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a CPU. The CPU 601 includes a storage unit 602 for storing a card C, a money input unit 603 for receiving money from a user, and a process of reading and writing card information of the card C. ., An input unit 605 such as a touch panel for receiving a purchase request for a card C from a user, a display unit 606 for displaying information such as a ticketing result, and communication with the management devices 21, 21. A communication interface 607 for performing the operation, a storage unit 608 for storing data generated by the CPU 601, and a card input / output unit 609 for inserting and ejecting the card C are connected.

A plurality of cards C delivered from the card issuing company 1 are stored in the storage section 602 of the issuing devices 22, 22,. Are issued from the user to the cash input unit 603.
When the input unit 605 receives a request for purchasing the card C corresponding to the money, the storage unit 602
One card C from multiple cards C stored in
The card processing unit 604 checks whether the card information of the card C can be read by the card processing unit 604 and whether the balance is equal to the denomination. If these are confirmed here, the issuing devices 22, 22, ... transmit the card information of the card C to the management devices 21, 21, ... via the communication interface 607. Management devices 21 and 21
.. Are determined from the card issuing company 1 by referring to the delivery DB 513, and the result is transmitted to the issuing devices 22, 22,. Issuing device 2
, 22... And the management devices 21, 21..., If it is determined that the card is a legitimate prepaid card, the issuing device 22,. Is recorded, and the card C is ejected from the card input / output unit 609 and passed to the user.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiving machines 23, 23,... Of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 701 is C
PU, the CPU 701 includes a card processing unit 702 for reading and writing card information of the inserted prepaid card C, an input unit 703 for receiving an input from a user, a card information and a user Display unit 704 such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying a message to
, A communication interface 705 for communicating with the management devices 21, 21..., A storage unit 706 for storing data generated by the CPU 701, and a card input / output unit 707 for inserting and ejecting the card C. ing.

The reception machines 23, 23...
When the card C used in the PN is used in the game stores P1 to PN constituting the same store group as this game store, the card C inserted into the card input / output unit 707 by the user is used.
Is read by the card processing unit 702, and the read information is transmitted to the management devices 21, 21,... Via the communication interface 705. Also, the reception machines 23, 23 ...
Are connected to the management device 21 via the communication interface 705.
21 based on the information received from the card processing unit 702.
Then, the card information is written into the recording area 300 of the card C, and the card C is ejected from the card input / output unit 707.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the inter-chamber machines 25, 25... Used in the game management system of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a CPU.
The PU 801 includes a card processing unit 802 that reads and writes card information of the inserted card C,
An input unit 8 for receiving a requested amount of game medium lending from a user
, A display unit 804 for displaying information indicating whether or not the user's request has been approved, a communication interface 805 for communicating with the management devices 21, 21,.
01 is connected to a storage unit 806 for storing the data generated at 01, and a card input / output unit 807 for inserting and ejecting the card C.

The card reader 25 reads the card information of the card C inserted into the card input / output unit 807 by the card processing unit 802, and reads the read card information via the communication interface 805. 21, 21, ...
Send to .. Determine whether or not the card is an unauthorized card, whether or not the balance is left, and the like, and transmit the determination result to the inter-machines 25, 25,. In accordance with the determination result received from the management devices 21, 21,... Via the communication interface 805, the inter-table machines 25, 25,.
At 04, either the frequency indicating the balance of the card C or an error is displayed. Here, when the frequency of the card C is displayed,
The user confirms this and inputs the requested amount of game medium lending into the input unit 8.
Enter using 03. The inter-table machines 25, 25... Send a game medium discharge instruction command to the gaming machines 24, 24. Upon receiving this, the gaming machines 24, 24 ... discharge a predetermined number of game media.

Next, the operation of the game management system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Issuance of Card C) FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the game management system of the present invention when issuing a ticket at the game store P1. Note that these processes are divided into three regions by two vertical broken lines, and the processes in the left region are processes performed by the issuing device 22 (hereinafter, referred to as issuing device 22P1) installed in the game store P1. The processing in the central area is the processing performed by the management device 21 (hereinafter referred to as the management device 21P1) installed in the amusement store P1, and the processing in the right region is the management device 21 ( Hereinafter, the management device 21P2)
Respectively show the processing performed by the.

The issuing device 22P1 receives the card C from the user.
Accepts money for the purchase at the cash input unit 603,
In addition, a request for purchasing the card C corresponding to the money is input to the input unit 6.
05 (S101), the card C to be issued is taken out of the storage unit 602 (S102), and it is determined whether the card processing unit 604 can read the card information of the taken out card C (S102). S103).
If the card information can be read here (S10
It is determined whether or not the balance is equal to the face value of the card C (S104).

If the card information could not be read in step S103 (NO in S103), and if the balance is different from the denomination of card C in step S104 (NO in S104), the card C is discarded ( (S115), and return to step S102.

On the other hand, when the balance is equal to the face value of the card C in step S104 (YES in S104), the issuing device 22P1 transmits the card information of the card C to the management device 21P1 (S105).

When the management device 21P1 receives the card information from the issuing device 22P1, the management device 21P1 refers to the card ID from the card information, and uses the card ID as a key to send the delivery DB.
513 is searched (S106). If this search fails (failure in S106), an issuance error signal indicating that the card is not issued by the card issuing company 1 is transmitted to the issuing device 22P1 (S116).

When the issuing device 22P1 receives the issuance error signal from the management device 22P1, the issuing device 22P1 discards the card C (S115) and returns to step S102.

On the other hand, if the search in step S106 succeeds (successful in S106), the management device 21P1 transmits a normal issue signal indicating that there is a card issued by the card issuing company 1 to the issuing device 22P1 (S107).

The issuing device 22P1 is connected to the issuing device 22P1.
When the issuance normal signal is received from the management device 22P1, it is determined that the card C to be issued is a legitimate card, and the identifier of the amusement store P1 where the issuance device 22P1 is installed is written in the store ID (S108). ), The card C
Is discharged (S109). The issuing device 22P1 transmits a ticketing completion signal indicating that a ticket has been issued to the management device 21P1 together with card information of the issued card C (S1).
10).

When receiving the ticketing completion signal and the card information of the card C from the issuing device 22P1, the management device 21P1 registers the card information of the issued card C in the in-use DB 510 (S111). And the management device 21P1
Refers to the store group DB 511 and determines whether there are game stores P2 to PN constituting the same store group as the game store P1 (S112). Here such a game store P2-P
If there is N (YES in S112), store group DB 511
, The addresses of the management devices 21, 21,... Provided in the game arcade are acquired, and the management devices 21,
The card ID of the issued card C is transmitted to 21 ... (S
113). In the case of the present embodiment, since information about the amusement store P2 is stored in the store group DB 511 of the management device 21P1, the management device 21P1 transmits the card ID to the management device 21P2 based on the information. Become.

When receiving the card ID from the management device 21P1, the management device 21P2 deletes the delivery information on the card C indicated by the card ID from the delivery DB 513 (S114).

As a result of the above processing, since the information on the card C issued at the game store P1 is stored in the in-use DB 510 of the management device 21P1, the user uses the card C at the game store P1. You can play games.

By deleting the information retrieved in S114, the management device 21P2 can organize the delivery DB 513.

The delivery information of the issued card C is
Delivery D of the management devices 21, 21,... Provided in the ticketing store
Since it is not deleted from B513, by referring to the delivery DB 513, it is possible to confirm which card ID in which amusement store P1 to PN is recorded and which card C is issued.

(Use of Card C) Next, the operation of the game management system of the present invention when using the card C issued in the game store P1 as described above will be described. FIG. 11 shows a card C issued at the game store P1.
It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the game management system of this invention when using at the game store P1. Note that these processes are divided into two areas by one vertical broken line, and the processing in the left area is between machines 25, 25... (Hereinafter referred to as machine 25P1) installed in the game store P1. ) Indicates the processing performed by the management apparatus 21P1 installed in the game arcade P1, and the processing in the right area indicates the processing performed by the management apparatus 21P1.

A user playing a game using the card C
The card C is inserted into the card input / output unit 807 of the inter-table machine 25P1. The machine 25P1 reads the card information of the inserted card C by the card processing unit 802 (S201),
The read card information is transmitted to the management device 21P1 (S202).

When receiving the card information from the inter-chamber machine 25P1, the management device 21P1 refers to the store ID from the card information and determines whether or not the referenced store ID indicates the game store P1 ( S203). Here the store I used
When D indicates the game store P1 (YE in S203)
S), the management device 21P1 refers to the card ID from the received card information, and searches the fraudulent information DB 514 using the referred card ID as a key (S204).

If the search in step S204 fails (failure in S204), the management device 21P1 searches the in-use DB 510 using the card ID as a key (S20).
5). Here, if this search is successful (successful in S205), the management device 21P1 stores the searched information and the
Compare with the card information received from 5P1 (S20)
6). Here, when these pieces of information match (match in S206), the management device 21P1 sends the card C to the inter-device 25P1.
Is transmitted, which indicates that is available (S207).

When receiving the usable signal from the management apparatus 21P1, the inter-chamber machine 25P1 refers to the balance from the card information read in S201, and displays the frequency corresponding to the referred balance on the display unit 804 (S208). ).

The user confirms the frequency display of the machine 25P1, and inputs the requested amount of game medium lending to the input unit 8 of the machine 25P1.
Enter using 03.

When the requested amount of game media to be rented is received by the input unit 803 (S209), the machine 25P1 transmits the received requested amount of rent and the card ID of the card C to the management device 21P1 (S210).

When the management device 21P1 receives the requested lending amount and the card ID of the card C from the inter-device 25P1,
The in-use DB 510 is searched using the card ID as a key, and the balance in the searched card information is updated to the balance calculated based on the requested lending amount (S211). Then, a balance update signal indicating that the balance has been updated and an updated value of the balance are transmitted to the inter-chamber machine 25P1 (S212).

When receiving the balance update signal and the balance update value from the management device 21P1, the inter-chamber machine 25P1 records the balance update signal and the balance update value in the recording area 300 of the card C by the card processing unit 802 based on the received balance update value. Update the balance (S
213), and sends a gaming medium discharge instruction to the gaming machines 24, 24,... Based on the lending request amount received from the user (S214).

The gaming machines 24, 24,... Receiving the discharge instruction command from the inter-table machine 25P1 discharge a predetermined number of game media. As a result, the user can play a game with the gaming machines 24, 24,.

Also, in step S203, when the store ID indicates the game stores P2 to PN other than the game store P1 (S203).
If the search is successful in step S204 (success in S204), if the search fails in step 205 (fail in S205), and if the information does not match in step S206 (mismatch in S206). Sends the unusable signal indicating that the card C cannot be used to the inter-machine 25P1 (S215).

When receiving the unusable signal from the management device 21P1, the inter-chamber machine 25P1 displays an error on the display unit 804 (S216). In this case, an appropriate process is performed on the card C and the user by the employee of the game store P1.

(Reception of Card C) Next, the operation of the game management system of the present invention in the reception processing will be described.
Here, the reception processing means that after the use at the gaming stores P1 to PN in which the balance remains on the card C is finished, the gaming stores P forming the same store group as the gaming stores P1 to PN
This is a process for enabling the card C to be used in 1 to PN.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the reception process of the game management system of the present invention for using the card C used at the game store P1 at the game store P2. Note that these processes are divided into three regions by two vertical broken lines, and the processes in the left region are performed by the reception machine 23 (hereinafter, reception machine 2) installed in the game store P2.
3P2), the processing in the central area is the processing performed by the management device 21P2 installed in the game store P2, and the processing in the right region is the processing performed by the management device 21P1 installed in the game store P1. Are shown respectively.

A user who has played a game using the card C at the game store P1 enters the game store P1 and the game store P2 constituting the store group G, and sends the card C to the receiving machine 23P2. It is inserted into the card input / output unit 707. The accepting machine 23P2 reads the card information of the inserted card C by the card processing unit 702 (S301), and displays predetermined information such as the balance and the store ID from the read card information on the display unit 704 (S301). S302).

According to this display, the user can check whether the balance remains on the card C or whether the store ID of the card C is the same as that of the game store P2 in the game stores P1 to PN (in the present embodiment, the game stores P1 to PN). Store P1) is checked. If no balance remains on the card C, the user issues the issuing device 2
It is necessary to purchase a new card C at 2, 22,.
When the game store indicated by the store ID is the game store P2, that is, when the reception device 23P2 is installed, the user inputs a card ejection request using the input unit 703 of the reception device 23P2, The game can be played by inserting the ejected card C into the stand machines 25, 25... Provided in the game store P2. Furthermore, when the game store indicated by the store ID is not the game store P2 or P1, that is, it is not the store where the accepting machine 23P2 is installed, nor is the game store P1 to PN constituting the same store group as the store where the reception machine 23P2 is installed. If
The user must purchase a new card C using the issuing devices 22, 22,.

Here, in order to explain the reception processing, the balance remaining on the card C and the amusement store indicated by the store ID are the amusement store P2 and the amusement store P1 constituting the store group G. There is.

The user uses the input unit 703 of the reception device 23P2 to input a reception processing request. When receiving the reception processing request (S303), the reception device 23P2 performs step S
The card information read in 301 is stored in the management device 21P.
2 (S304).

The management device 21P2, which has received the card information from the accepting machine 23P2, refers to the card ID from the card information, and uses the referred card ID as a key to make the unauthorized information DB.
514 is searched (S305). If the search is successful (successful in S305), the management device 21P2 sends a card fraud signal indicating that the card is fraudulent to the receiving device 23P.
2 (S315).

When receiving the card improper signal from the management device 21P2, the accepting machine 23P2 outputs a message such as "Please consult an employee" on the display unit 704 (S10).
316), the card C is taken into the apparatus without being ejected (S317). For the card C and the user in this case, an appropriate process is performed by an employee of the game store P2.

If the search fails in step S305 (failure in S305), the management device 21P2
Refer to the store ID from the card information received from P2,
The store group DB 511 is searched using the referred store ID as a key (S306). If the search fails here (S3
(Failure at step 06), the management apparatus 21P2 transmits a non-reception signal indicating that the reception process cannot be performed to the reception device 23P2 (S318).

When receiving the unacceptable signal from the management device 21P2, the accepting machine 23P2 outputs a message such as “acceptance processing is not possible” on the display unit 704 (S3
19), the card C is ejected (S320).

If the search is successful in step S306 (successful in S306), the management device 21P2 acquires the addresses of the management devices 21, 21... (The management device 21P1 in the present embodiment) from the searched information. A reception request signal indicating that reception processing is requested to the management device 21P1 and the card ID of the card C are transmitted according to the address (S307).

When receiving the reception request signal and the card ID from the management device 21P2, the management device 21P1 searches the in-use DB 510 using the card ID as a key, and transmits information on the searched card C to the management device 21P2. (S308).

When the management device 21P2 receives the information on the card C from the management device 21P1, it compares this information with the card information received from the accepting device 23P2 (S
309). If the contents of these pieces of information do not match (for example, the balance is different) (mismatch in S309), the card C is regarded as being invalid, and the card ID is set to the invalid information DB.
514 (S321). Hereinafter, the management apparatus 21P2 executes the above-described step S315, and the reception apparatus 23P2 executes the above-described steps S316 and S317, whereby the card C is taken into the reception apparatus 23P2.

If the contents of the information match in step S309 (match in S309), the management device 21P2 registers the information on the card C received from the management device 21P1 in the busy DB 510 (S310), and accepts the card C. Is transmitted to the reception machine 23P2 indicating that has been completed (S311).

When receiving the reception completion signal from the management device 21P2, the reception machine 23P2 receives the reception completion signal from the recording area 30 of the card C.
The use shop ID recorded in 0 is updated to the game shop P2 where the accepting machine 23P2 is installed (S312), and a message such as "acceptance is completed" is displayed on the display unit 704 (S3).
13) After that, the card C is ejected (S314).

As described above, since the information on the card C is stored in the in-use DB 510 of the management device 21P2, the user can transfer the card C to the inter-stand devices 25, 25,. A game can be played by inserting.

In the game management system according to the present embodiment, a prepaid card such as an IC card has been described as an example of a recording medium, but other recording media (for example, a smart media, a memory stick, a compact flash, etc.) may be used. .

[0111]

As described in detail above, according to the game management system according to the first aspect and the management apparatus according to the fifth aspect, each management apparatus installed for each game store is installed at the store where the management apparatus is installed. Stores information about recording media that can be used in the same store by transmitting and receiving this information to and from each management device installed in a game store constituting the same store group. The recording medium can be used in common at a plurality of game stores constituting the group.

According to the game management system of the present invention, each accepting machine installed at each game store accepts a request for approval of use of a recording medium from a user and transmits the request to the management device. When the approval is given by the management device, the information indicating the approval is written in the recording medium, so that the recording medium can be used in common at a plurality of amusement shops.

According to the game management system of the third aspect, the information on the correspondence between the recording medium and the delivery destination is
Since management is performed not for each game store but for each store group that is a set of a plurality of game stores, the management becomes easier, and the recording medium can be stored in a warehouse or the like for each store group. The work required for maintenance can be reduced.

Further, since the management device provided at each game store stores the same correspondence information, if the recording medium is identified by the recording medium identifier in the correspondence information, which recording medium is used for which game It may be issued at a store, and therefore, after receiving a plurality of recording media from a recording medium issuing company, an operating company that manages a plurality of amusement stores constituting the same store group, Recording media can be delivered to each game store, and an appropriate number of recording media can be delivered to each game store based on the size of the game store, sales status, and the like.

Further, according to the game management system and the management device of the fourth aspect, the management device deletes the corresponding information relating to the issued recording medium from the storage unit, so that the management device refers to the storage unit after the deletion. The present invention has an excellent effect in that it is possible to confirm which recording medium has been issued at the gaming shop where the management device is installed, and as a result, the clerical processing does not have to be complicated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game management system of the present invention in each game store.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a process until a manufactured prepaid card is delivered to a game store.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a central management device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an issuing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reception device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a booth machine used in the game management system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the game management system of the present invention when issuing a ticket at a game store.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the game management system of the present invention when issuing a ticket at a game store.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the game management system of the present invention when a card issued at a game store is used.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a reception process of the game management system of the present invention for using a card used at one game store at another game store.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a reception process of the game management system of the present invention for using a card used in one game store at another game store.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card issuing company 3 Card manufacturing company 4 Amusement store management company 21 Management device 22 Issuing device 23 Reception machine 24 Amusement machine 25 Inter-unit machine C Prepaid card G Store group P1-PN Amusement store

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 27, 2000 (2000.10.
27)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0013] A game management system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of gaming machines provided in each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making a payment using a recording medium having a valuable value; A terminal device provided at each game store for reading and writing recorded information recorded on a recording medium, and a plurality of management devices provided at each game store and managing store group information on a store group composed of a predetermined number of game stores In a game management system comprising a device and the plurality of management devices communicating with each other, the terminal device includes: a unit for receiving a use approval request for a recording medium; and Means for transmitting a use approval request to a management device, wherein the management device includes a storage unit for storing information related to the recording medium, and one management device is configured to receive a use approval request for the recording medium. When the power is input, the use approval request is transmitted to another management device provided in the game store configuring the same store group as the game store in which one management device is installed, and the other management device Will receive an authorization request,
When the information related to the recording medium related to the use approval request is stored in the storage unit and transmitted to one management device, and one management device receives the information related to the recording medium,
The received information is registered in the storage unit, and a registration completion signal indicating that the registration has been completed is transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device further transmits a registration completion signal from the management device. When receiving the information, a means is provided for writing, into a recording medium, information enabling use at a game arcade where the terminal device is installed.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Funaki 5-9 Nozaki-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Japan Game Card Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C088 BB43 CA31 CA35 3E044 AA05 BA06 CA06 DC05 DC06 DD02 DE01 DE07 EA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of gaming machines provided at each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making payment by using a recording medium having a valuable value, A plurality of management devices for managing store group information related to a store group composed of a number of game stores, wherein the plurality of management devices are configured to communicate with each other, wherein the management device includes: A storage unit for storing information relating to the recording medium, wherein one management device configures the same store group as the amusement store where the one management device is installed when a request for approval of use of the recording medium is input; The use approval request is transmitted to another management device provided in the amusement shop that is performing, and the other management device, when receiving the use approval request, stores the use approval request stored in the storage unit. The recording medium according to When the information relating to the recording medium is received, the one management device registers the received information in the storage unit, whereby the game in which the one management device is installed is transmitted. A game management system characterized in that the recording medium can be used in a store. 2. A plurality of gaming machines provided at each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making a payment using a recording medium having a valuable value, and a plurality of gaming machines provided at each of the gaming stores. A terminal device that reads and writes recorded information recorded on a medium, and a plurality of management devices that are provided at each game store and manage store group information related to a store group composed of a predetermined number of game stores, In a game management system in which management devices are configured to communicate with each other, the terminal device receives a use approval request for a recording medium, and transmits the use approval request to the management device when the use approval request is received. The management device includes a storage unit that stores information on the recording medium, and one management device is configured such that when a use approval request for the recording medium is input, one management device When the use approval request is transmitted to another management device provided in the game store constituting the same store group as the installed game store, the other management device receives the use approval request, The information related to the recording medium related to the use approval request stored in the storage unit is transmitted to one management device, and the one management device stores the received information when the information related to the recording medium is received. Registered in the unit, a registration completion signal indicating that the registration has been completed is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device is further installed when the registration completion information is received from the management device. A game management system, comprising: means for writing, into a recording medium, information that can be used in a game store. 3. A plurality of gaming machines provided at each of a plurality of gaming stores and capable of performing a game by making payment by using a recording medium having a valuable value; An issuing device that issues a medium, a plurality of management devices that are provided in each game store and manage the recording information recorded on the recording medium, and manage store group information regarding a store group including a predetermined number of game stores. A game management system that manages information about a recording medium for each recording medium identifier for identifying the recording medium, and further includes a central management device configured to communicate with the plurality of management devices; Central management device, the correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the recording medium identifier and the game store where the issuing device that should issue the recording medium is installed,
A first storage unit for storing for each of the store groups; and a unit for transmitting the same correspondence information to each of the management devices provided in the amusement stores constituting the same store group. The apparatus comprises: means for receiving a recording medium issuance request; and means for transmitting a recording medium identifier of a recording medium to be issued to the management device. The management device stores correspondence information received from a central management device. 2 storage unit; means for determining whether or not information on the recording medium identified by the recording medium identifier received from the issuing device is stored in the second storage unit; and determining that the information is stored by the determining means. Means for transmitting an issuance approval signal for approving the issuance to the issuance apparatus, wherein the issuance apparatus further comprises a means for issuing the recording medium to be issued when the issuance approval signal is received. A game management system comprising a step. 4. The management device further sends an issuance approval completion signal indicating that issuance approval has been performed when the issuance approval signal is transmitted to the issuance device. A means for transmitting to the management device installed in the amusement store constituting the group, and a means for deleting the corresponding information on the issued recording medium from the second storage unit when the issuance approval completion signal is received. The game management system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A store related to a store group comprising a predetermined number of game stores provided in each of a plurality of game stores and recorded on a recording medium having a value that can be used in the game machine. In a management device that manages group information, a storage unit that stores information about a recording medium, and when a request for approval of use of the recording medium is input, the same store group as the game store in which the management device is installed is displayed. Means for transmitting the use approval request to another management device provided in the gaming arcade comprising the device; and, when a use approval request is received from another management device, the use approval stored in the storage unit. Means for transmitting the information on the recording medium pertaining to the request to another management device; and, when the information on the recording medium is received from another management device, registering the received information in the storage unit. Management apparatus characterized by devices are no order to the allowed use of said recording medium at a gaming facility in which it is installed.