JP2002018082A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably conduct satisfactory information (data) transmission and reception even in the environment that the intervals between game machines and between players in a game hall are narrow and the players move near the adjacent game machines. SOLUTION: The game devices are proximately arranged in the game hall where games can be played, conduct prescribed processes or actions related to the games, and each has a noncontact communication means 315 conducting data transmission and reception with an information terminal carried by the player in no contact. The information terminal is applied with identification information capable of identifying the information terminal. The game device is provided with a communication object registering means 310 registering the identification information applied to the information terminal when the information terminal set to a communicatable state is detected by the noncontact communication means 315 and a control means 313 prohibiting the connection of the noncontact communication means 315 to other information terminals when the registration exists in the communication object registering means 310.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal such as a mobile phone carried by a player in a non-contact state, for example, for transmitting and receiving information (data). The present invention relates to a gaming device arranged in close proximity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of electronics technology, there has been a remarkable spread of information terminals, especially mobile phones, and their functions have been remarkable. These mobile phones are connected to a computer network, such as the Internet. Mobile phones and the like capable of displaying various information on the Internet have been put to practical use.

[0003] Also, in view of the situation where these information terminals are becoming more sophisticated and more widely used, various information (data) relating to players, game arcades, games, etc. is provided to these information terminals such as mobile phones. There is a demand to improve the convenience of the player by displaying it on the display unit of the terminal or storing it in the information terminal. However, in order to transmit and receive such information (data), the information terminal held by the player is Since it is complicated for a user to connect to a connection cable or the like, attempts have been made to transmit and receive such information (data) in a non-contact state using light such as radio waves or infrared rays.

[0004]

However, since the gaming machines in a game arcade are usually installed side by side on a game island or the like, the distance between adjacently installed gaming machines and between players is small. At the same time, since the player moves in the vicinity of the gaming machine arranged in the vicinity, even if the output radio wave or the output infrared ray is relatively small, not only the interference is likely to occur, but also the information terminal is accompanied by the movement. There has been a problem that connection processing with the network frequently occurs and stable transmission and reception of good information (data) cannot be performed.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the intervals between gaming machines and players, which are the characteristics of a game arcade, are small. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming apparatus capable of stably transmitting and receiving good information (data) even in an environment where the player moves.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game device according to the present invention is disposed in a game hall,
While performing predetermined processing or operation related to the game,
A gaming device comprising a non-contact communication means for transmitting and receiving data without contact with an information terminal carried by a player,
In the information terminal, identification information capable of identifying the information terminal is stored, and when the information terminal in a communicable state is detected by the non-contact communication means, the identification information stored in the information terminal is detected. Communication target registration means for registering information, and control means for performing control to prohibit connection with another information terminal by the non-contact communication means in a situation where registration is present in the communication target registration means, It is characterized by having. According to this feature, when the identification information of the information terminal is registered in the communication target registration unit, the connection processing with another information terminal and the connection itself are prohibited by the control unit. By the connection processing and connection with these other information terminals, it is possible to eliminate the adverse effect on the non-contact communication with the registered information terminals, and as a result, to stably transmit and receive good information (data). be able to.

[0007] In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the control means includes:
In the case where the non-contact communication with the information terminal registered in the communication target registration unit is in the disabled state, the registration is held for a predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the communication disabled state continues. In such a case, it is preferable to perform control for deleting the registration in the communication target registration unit. In this way, in the non-contact communication with the registered information terminal, even if a temporarily uncommunicable state occurs, the registration is immediately deleted and the connection processing or the like is performed again. The information terminal can be prevented from being erroneously recognized, and as a result, good information (data) can be transmitted and received more stably.

[0010] The gaming machine of the present invention collects and manages the registration contents of the communication targets in the plurality of non-contact communication means arranged, and performs the operation when the registration contents of the communication objects in the plurality of non-contact communication means overlap. The corresponding non-contact communication means transmits a request for retransmission of identification information of the information terminal to the information terminal to be communicated, and the non-contact communication means corresponding to the non-contact communication means in which identification information based on the retransmission request is not received. It is preferable to include a management computer for instructing the control means to delete the registration of the communication object registration means. In this way, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the same information terminal is registered twice by the non-contact communication means in proximity.

In the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the non-contact communication means has an output means capable of outputting electromagnetic waves or light with directivity in a substantially vertical direction. With this configuration, the electromagnetic wave or light output from the output means of the non-contact communication means installed adjacently is output with directivity in a substantially vertical direction. Light can be prevented from interfering with each other, and transmission and reception of good information (data) can be performed more stably.

[0010] In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the information terminal carried by the player is a mobile phone, and a frequency band of electromagnetic waves for performing communication with the non-contact communication means is used for a telephone call in the mobile phone. Preferably, the frequency band is different from the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave. In this way, information (data) can be transmitted / received even in a state where a telephone call is being made.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an example is shown in which a pachinko machine is used as a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other gaming machines, for example, a slot machine or a pachinko ball that is a game medium, The present invention is also applicable to various game machines such as an enclosed game machine in which coins and the like are sealed so as not to be touched. (Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is provided on a game island 1 installed in a game arcade in a one-to-one correspondence with a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine. The card unit 3 is connected to each of the card units 3 installed on the game island so as to be able to perform data communication, and is a simple terminal that is an information terminal possessed by a player through management of the card unit 3 and the card unit 3. Mobile phone (PHS)
The telephone number as identification information of the terminal 30 and the PHS terminal 30
Management computer 5 in which distribution information to be distributed to
0 (see FIG. 5).

First, the game island 1 used in this embodiment is:
A plurality of pachinko machines 2, which are gaming machines, and the card units 3, which are installed one-to-one at side positions of the pachinko machines 2, are provided side by side on the front and rear surfaces (the rear surface is not shown). ,
Inside the gaming island 1, a supply gutter for supplying pachinko balls to each of the pachinko machines 2 and a pump for collecting the pachinko balls used in each of the pachinko machines 2 and discharging the pachinko balls to the supply gutters are provided. A feeding device (not shown) is provided, and a repair plate 5 is formed at a lower position of the pachinko machine 2 so as to protrude from the side surface so as to cross the gaming island 1. A chair 6 on which a player can sit is provided for each machine 2 at a position in front of the corresponding game machine.

First, the gaming island 1 used in this embodiment is:
The pachinko machine 2 is provided on the front and rear surfaces (the rear surface is not shown),
A plurality of card units 3 are installed side by side on the side of the pachinko machine 2 and perform processing relating to lending pachinko balls, which are game media using a prepaid card, and a plurality of card units 3 are provided side by side. Inside, a supply gutter for supplying pachinko balls to each of the pachinko machines 2 and a lifting device used in each of the pachinko machines 2 for collecting and discharging discharged pachinko balls and feeding them to the supply gutters (illustrated) (Abbreviation).

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 2 installed on the game island 1 has a glass door frame 202 formed in a frame shape, and a lower surface of the glass door frame 202 There is a hit ball supply tray 203. An operation unit 14 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the hit ball supply tray 203, and a surplus ball tray 204 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 203 and a hit ball are fired below the hit ball supply tray 203. A hitting operation handle (hereinafter, referred to as an operation knob) 205 is provided.

On the upper surface of the operation unit 14, as shown in FIG. 3, a prepaid card 37 which is a game recording medium inserted by a player into a card insertion slot 303 described later provided in the card unit 3 is provided. A frequency display unit 17 for displaying the frequency as the read game value, and a pressing operation at the start of the game or when the number of balls in the hitting ball supply tray decreases or disappears, and the frequency display unit 17 A lending button 16 for lending a predetermined number of pachinko balls when the remaining number exists, and a new operation are performed on the prepaid card 37 inserted in the card unit 3 by being pressed when ending the game. A return button 15 on which the remaining number is recorded and which is returned, and which are mounted on an operation board 18 provided inside the operation unit 14. To have.

At the rear of the glass door frame 202, a game board 206 is detachably mounted. In addition, game board 2
A game area 207 is provided on the front of 06. In the vicinity of the center of the game area 207, a variable display unit 20 variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information called “special symbols”.
9 and a variable display 210 for variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information called “ordinary symbols”. The game board 206 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 224, a passing gate 211, a starting winning opening 214, and a variable winning class device 216. In the lower part of the game area 207, a hit ball not winning is collected. Out port 226 is formed.

A ball shot by a hammer (not shown) that is swung by operating the hitting operation knob 205 enters a game area 207 through a hitting rail, and then flows down the game area 207. At this time, the pachinko balls that did not reach the game area 207 because the firing momentum was too weak are sent to the surplus ball tray 20 through a circulation path (not shown).
4

When the ball hit into the game area 207 passes through the passing gate 211, the variable display 21
When the ordinary symbol stopped and displayed at 0 starts variably, and the hit ball wins the starting winning opening 214, the special symbol displayed on the variable display unit 209 starts to scroll.

When the display result after the variable display operation of the variable display 210 becomes a predetermined specific display result (for example, 7), the movable piece 2 provided in the starting winning opening 214 is provided.
15 is opened for a predetermined time to be in an advantageous state for the player.

When a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening 214, all special symbols are displayed on the variable display section 209 in a variable display (variable display). Then, after that, when the left, middle and right special symbols stop and the stop display result becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777),
A specific game state (big hit state) occurs. When the big hit state occurs in this way, the open / close plate 220 provided in the variable winning ball device 216 is opened to be in a first state that is advantageous for the player. The first state ends when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) wins, whichever is earlier, is satisfied. A disadvantageous second state results. If a hit ball that has entered the big winning opening of the variable winning ball device 216 in the first state wins in the specific winning area (V pocket) and is detected by a V count switch (not shown), the first time of the round is performed. Waiting for the end of the state, the repeat continuation control for controlling the state from the second state to the first state is performed. The upper limit number of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 15 times.

The structure of the pachinko machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
Variable display control unit 229 on which a display control board 280 or the like for controlling the display is mounted, and a ball payout device 297 for paying out pachinko balls supplied to a ball tank (not shown).
And a payout control microcomputer mounted with a payout control microcomputer for performing a payout control of pachinko balls based on a prize ball signal output from a game control board 231 to be described later and various signals input / output from the card unit 3. Substrate 237
And a lamp control board 235 for controlling a game effect lamp and the like, and a sound control board 270 on which a microcomputer and the like for controlling a sound output from a speaker are mounted.
A launch control board 291 mounted with a microcomputer or the like for controlling a hitting / launching device for firing the pachinko balls paid out to the hitting ball supply tray to the game area 207 based on the operation of the operation knob 205; A game control board 231 equipped with a game control microcomputer for performing control is provided, and these are connected as shown in FIG. 5 and pachinko balls paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 203 described above. The game can be carried out using.

The prize ball control board 237 is connected to a pachinko machine connection socket provided on a card unit control board (not shown) of the card unit 3 via a signal cable. Signal (EXS)
And a pachinko machine ready signal (PRDY) is output to a microprocessing unit (MPU) 313 described later provided in the card unit 3 and a card described later output from the MPU 313 of the card unit 3 Unit ready signal (BRD
Y) and a lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ) are input.

The operation board 18 can be connected to a pachinko machine connection socket (not shown) of the card unit 3 via a signal cable together with the signal cable of the prize ball control board. A lending input signal that is output when the button 16 is operated and a ball lending operation is performed by the player, and a return of the prepaid card 37 inserted into a card insertion slot 303 described later by the player when the return button 15 is operated. A return input signal output when an operation is performed is performed by the MPU 313 of the card unit 3.
And the MPU 31
The display control signal of the frequency display unit 17 output from the control unit 3 is input.

Next, the card unit 3 used in this embodiment
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, on the front of the card unit 3, as shown in FIG. 4, an operation lamp 301 for notifying the operation of the card unit 3 by lighting, and a corresponding pachinko machine 2 have left and right sides. A stand designation lamp 302 for notifying which of the pachinko machines 2 is lit by lighting, and a card insertion slot 3 into which the prepaid card 37 can be inserted.
03, and a card indicator 304 for notifying a player of the ejection of the prepaid card 37 inserted into the card insertion slot 303, and is built into the lower end of the card unit 3 from the lower rear surface. A connection cable 22 capable of transmitting a high-frequency radio wave output from the Bluetooth module 315 is derived,
An antenna module 2 installed at a substantially intermediate position between the chair 6 and the side of the game island and serving as an output unit for outputting the transmitted high-frequency radio wave upward at a predetermined angle which is a predetermined direction.
0 are connected by the connection cable 22.

The structure of the card unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In addition to the operation lamp 301, the table designating lamp 302, and the card indicator 304, a dip switch 308 for switching the table designating lamp 302 is provided. Read out identification information (ID) described later recorded on the prepaid card 37 inserted in the card insertion slot 303 and a value which is a game value, and read a new value updated by the game. A magnetic card reader / writer 309 for performing writing and the like, a frequency for reading and writing from the inserted prepaid card 37 and the like are stored, and a control program describing control contents and the like executed by the MPU 313 described later, and each card unit 3 Each card unit 3 can be identified. Together with the identification information (unit ID) is stored, PHS terminal 30 is the information terminal
The telephone number as identification information sent from
A storage unit 310 as a communication target registration unit to be registered;
Connected to the pachinko machine connection socket (not shown),
The award ball control board 237 and the operation board 18 of the pachinko machine 2
I / O port 311 for input / output of various signals to / from
A communication unit 312 that is a communication unit for performing data communication with the management computer 50; and a data communication with the PHS terminal 30 when the information terminal possessed by the player is the PHS terminal 30 with Bluetooth. Is the radio wave band for the call of the PHS terminal 30 (1.9 GHz band).
A Bluetooth module 315 as a non-contact communication means for performing non-contact communication by radio waves (2.47 GHz band) having a frequency different from that of the control unit, control of these units, control of the frequency display unit 17 mounted on the operation board 18, and And the MPU 313 that performs connection prohibition and the like in the Bluetooth module 315, and these units are connected as shown in FIG.

Each of the card units 3 transmits and receives various data between the management computer 50 and the card unit 3 by connecting a communication cable 48 connected to the management computer 50 to a communication socket. Can be implemented.

The MPU 3 of these card units 3
13, when receiving the various information output requests output from the management computer 50, when the unit ID included in the information output request corresponds to its own unit ID stored in the storage unit 310, A reply of information corresponding to the received information output request is performed.

When the Bluetooth module 315 newly detects the PHS terminal 30 which is an information terminal equipped with Bluetooth, each card unit 3 outputs the newly detected PHS terminal 30 and the telephone number of the newly detected PHS terminal 30. Is transmitted to the management computer 50, and the distribution data transmitted with the unit ID of the card unit 3 from the management computer 50 is transmitted to the Bluetooth module 315.
Is transmitted to the PHS terminal 30 in a contactless manner.

Further, based on the output of the new detection, the management computer 50, as shown in the card unit management screen of FIG.
The telephone number of the S terminal 30 is collected and managed, and when duplication occurs in these registered telephone numbers, a retransmission request of the telephone number is transmitted to each duplicate card unit. The card unit 3
When the retransmission request from the management computer 50 includes its own unit ID, the MPU 313 via the Bluetooth module 315
A request for retransmitting the telephone number is transmitted to the S terminal 30, and when a telephone number is returned from the PHS terminal 3, the received telephone number is transmitted to the management computer 50 together with its own unit ID.

The antenna module 20 connected to the card unit 3 of this embodiment via the connection cable 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The antenna module 20 is, as described above, a chair. 6 and the chair 6 are installed on the floor at a substantially intermediate position between the corresponding pachinko machine 2, and inside the antenna module 20,
A disk-shaped planar antenna 21 capable of radiating a 2.47 GHz radio wave output from the Bluetooth module 315 is separated from the planar antenna 21 by a predetermined distance vertically and concentrically so as to surround the outer periphery of the planar antenna. A ring-shaped output restricting ring 25 made of metal arranged in a state in which the flat antenna 21 is radiated mainly toward the upper surface of the planar antenna 21 as shown in FIG. The restricting ring 25 allows the planar antenna 21
The radio wave radiated in the outer peripheral side direction is reflected or absorbed, and the radio wave radiation is concentrated within a predetermined angle range on the upper surface of the planar antenna 21, and the radio wave radiation is hardly emitted outside the predetermined angle range. By installing the antenna module 20 on the floor for each pachinko machine 2 as described above, the radio wave emission from the antenna module 20 becomes substantially vertical as shown in FIG. Radio interference does not occur.

In this embodiment, as described above, the installation position of the antenna module 20 is located on the floor at a substantially intermediate position between the chair 6 and the pachinko machine 2 to which the chair 6 corresponds. The antenna module 20 is not limited to this. The antenna module 20 may be installed inside the chair 6 as shown in FIG. 13 or the pachinko machine 2 installed on the game island 1 as shown in FIG. In addition to being provided on the table 5 protrudingly formed at the lower position, when forming on the table 5, a folder 24 on which a mobile phone carried by the player may be provided may be provided. .

In this embodiment, the antenna module 20 is arranged on the floor. However, the antenna module 20 is appropriately embedded in the floor for the purpose of restricting the radiation of radio waves to an adjacent method other than the vertical direction. You may do it.

Next, the PH possessed by the player performing the non-contact data communication via these antenna modules 20
The configuration of the S terminal 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
A transmitting / receiving RF module 60 including a receiving unit 61, a transmitting unit 62, and an antenna switch 63 for exchanging band radio waves;
And a π / 4 shift QPSK modem 64 for demodulating the radio wave received by the RF module 60 and modulating the radio wave transmitted by the transmission / reception RF module 60, and the Bluetooth unit 3 built in the card unit 3.
In step 15, various data such as Bluetooth ID used for Bluetooth terminal authentication and telephone number data of the PHS terminal 30 are transmitted in a non-contact manner, and various data such as distribution information transmitted from the Bluetooth unit 315 are transmitted. Bluetooth unit 68 for receiving
And the terminal identification ID and telephone number data unique to the PHS terminal 30 and transmitted from the management computer 50 via the Bluetooth unit 315 of the card unit 3 and received by the Bluetooth unit 68. A nonvolatile flash memory 67 for storing various data such as distribution information;
7 comprising a relatively large LCD panel 53 for displaying various storage contents and the like stored in the LCD 7 and an LCD driver 69.
The audio input from the CD module 70 and the microphone 55 is digitized by an adaptive difference quantization (ADPCM) method, and the π / 4 shift QPSK modem 6
4, an ADPCM codec 72 for converting the ADPCM data into an audio signal, an amplifier 73 connected to the ADPCM codec 72, and a micro-speaker.
A driver 52 for driving a sounder, an LED, a vibrator for outputting a ring tone and a notification sound at the time of various operations, a keypad provided on the front of the PHS terminal 30 and capable of inputting a telephone number and the like. An input unit 54 composed of a group of various switches, an external connection terminal 56 for performing serial data communication with an external device, and an MPU 65 for controlling these various devices are provided inside the MPU 65. Has an internal ROM 66 in which a program describing the control operation performed by the computer is stored.

When the PHS terminal 30 of this embodiment enters the communication area of the Bluetooth module 315 of the card unit 3, the PHS terminal 30 transmits its terminal identification ID and telephone number data to the Bluetooth module 315.
To the Bluetooth module 31
5, a predetermined message is displayed on the LCD panel 53 based on the various information received by the Bluetooth unit 68.
When the user operates the input unit 54 based on the displayed message, predetermined reply information based on the operation is output from the Bluetooth unit 68 to the Bluetooth module 315.

The data communication between the Bluetooth units 315 and 68 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. First, the Bluetooth unit 315 built in the card unit 3
A transmitting / receiving RF module unit 35 including a receiving unit and a transmitting unit and an antenna switch for switching between transmitting and receiving, and a transmitting / receiving unit for enabling transmission of a weak radio wave of about 1 mW or less in the 2.47 GHz band which is an ISM band; RF
Demodulation (despreading) of radio waves received by module unit 35
And a baseband signal processing unit 42 that modulates (spreads) a transmitted radio wave, and transmits and receives demodulated reception data and transmission data that is modulated and output.
U313 and a host interface unit 36 implemented between them.

Similarly, the Bluetooth unit 68 mounted on the PHS terminal 30 transmits and receives the
An RF transmission / reception unit 40 having the same function as the F module unit 35 and a baseband signal processing unit 38 having the same function as the baseband signal processing unit 42 are included therein, and the Bluetooth is reduced in size by one chip. A chip 41 and two ICs, an interface IC 39 for transmitting and receiving demodulated received data and modulated transmission data to and from the MPU 65, can be built in the PHS terminal 30. I have.

Both of these Bluetooth units 31
Between 5 and 68, a very weak antenna power of about 1 mW or less is used as described above, and in Japan, as shown in the T-66 standard of the Radio Industries and Business Association (ARIB), the spread spectrum method is used. The spread spectrum communication enables relatively high-speed data communication without contact.

As described above, the non-contact data communication between the card unit 3 constituting the gaming device and the PHS terminal 30 which is a portable telephone carried by the user is performed by the PHS terminal 3.
0 using 2.47 GHz, which is a radio wave of a frequency different from 1.9 GHz, which is a radio band used with a PHS base station (not shown), can be used even in data communication with the card unit 3. The present invention is not limited to this, since it is possible to receive telephone calls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data communication between the card unit 3 and the PHS terminal 30 constituting these gaming machines is performed by the PHS terminal 30. This may be performed using a frequency for communication, or the 2.4 GHz used in the present embodiment.
A non-contact communication method other than the Bluetooth standard of the band, such as infrared communication, may be used.

The prepaid card 37 used in the card unit 3 of this embodiment has a normal magnetic tape on which a magnetic tape on which data can be written and read by the magnetic card reader / writer 309 of the card unit 3 is attached. It is a magnetic card. In the present embodiment, the prepaid card 37 is a prepaid card (visitor card) which can be purchased by a card issuing machine (not shown) installed at a predetermined place in the game arcade. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these prepaid cards 37 may be used as member cards issued to specific members in advance.

The card unit 3 configured as described above
In this case, the prepaid card 37 is inserted into the card insertion slot 303, so that the magnetic card reader / writer 3
09, the frequency recorded in the inserted prepaid card 37 is read and stored in the storage unit 310, and based on the stored frequency, lending of pachinko balls used for the game of the pachinko machine 2 is performed. The lending process to be performed can be performed.

The control status of the lending process will be described with reference to FIG. 6. First, the prize ball control board 237 of the pachinko machine 2 is described.
When the ball is supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 2 and the pachinko ball can be paid out, the standby state is established, the PRDY is turned ON, and the MP of the card unit 3 is turned on.
It outputs to U313 (S1).

When the lending button 16 is operated in the state where PRDY is output, the MPU 313 of the card unit 3 turns on BRDY and outputs the BRDY to the prize ball control board 237 (S2). In this state, the BRQ is further turned on and output to the award ball control board 237 (S3).

Next, when the award ball control board 237 detects BRQ while detecting BRDY output from the MPU 313, it turns on the EXS.
Is output to the MPU 313 (S4).

The MPU 313 detecting the EXS turns off the output of the BRQ, and the prize ball control board 237 detecting the OFF of the BRQ outputs a ball payout signal to the ball payout device 297. Is paid out (25 in this embodiment), and based on the end of the payout, the EXS output is turned off (S
5).

The MPU 313 that has detected that the EXS has been turned OFF
Is subtracted by one degree from the frequency read from the prepaid card 37 inserted into the card insertion slot 303 of the card unit 3 and stored in the storage unit 310, and is displayed on the frequency display unit 17 1 from frequency
The display is updated by subtracting the degree (S6).

The MPU 313 performs these operations (S3) to (S3).
The control of 6) is repeatedly performed by the number of times of lending based on one operation of the lending button 16, and after these controls are completed, BRDY is turned off to complete the lending process (S7).

As described above, the MPU 32 of the card unit 3
Based on the number of times the BRQ is output from 1, the prize ball control board 237 is configured to borrow a quantity (25 balls) of pachinko balls corresponding to one time, and thus the ball is lent. Using the pachinko balls, the player can execute a game in the pachinko machine 2.

In this embodiment, one degree is subtracted from the frequency of the storage unit 310 and the frequency of the frequency display unit 17 at the step of S6, but the processing of S3 to S5 is lent. Minutes (for example, five times if the loan is five times), that is, after the pachinko balls are paid out for the number of times lent, the frequency (for example, if the loan is for five times) 5 degrees) may be subtracted from the frequency of the storage unit 310 and the frequency of the frequency display unit 17.

The frequency read from the prepaid card 37 inserted in the lending process is "0".
When the reading is completed, the magnetic card reader / writer 309
As a result, the remaining number “0” is recorded on the inserted prepaid card 37 and the card is ejected from the card insertion slot 303.

In the card unit 3 of the present embodiment, when the frequency read from the inserted prepaid card 37 remains, the return button 15 is input to store the data in the storage unit 310. The remaining frequency at that point is overwritten and updated with the recorded content of the inserted prepaid card 37, and the card insertion slot 30
A return process for discharging from No. 3 is performed.

The operation of the gaming machine according to this embodiment will be described below. First, the Bluetooth unit 6 will be described.
When the player carrying the PHS terminal 30 equipped with the PHS 8 is seated on the chair 6 and enters the communication area of the antenna module 20 with the PHS terminal 30, the card unit 3 PHS that has entered the normal authentication procedure accompanying the Bluetooth standard such as sending and receiving
This is performed between the terminal 30 and the PHS.
The telephone number of the terminal 5 is received and obtained through the Bluetooth unit 315 in a non-contact manner.

The obtained telephone number data of the PHS terminal 30 is registered as an information terminal to be communicated in the storage unit 310 as the communication object registration means, and the unit ID individually assigned to the card unit 3. At the same time, it is transmitted to the management computer 50 and displayed on the card unit management screen displayed on the display screen of the management computer 50 as shown in FIG.

At this time, if the telephone number of the same PHS terminal 30 is erroneously obtained by a plurality of card units 3 adjacent for some reason and transmitted to the management computer 50, the management computer 50 transmits the same. A comparison is made to see if there is a registration of the same telephone number as the incoming telephone number. If there is a duplicate telephone number in the comparison, the PHS terminal to be communicated to each card unit 3 An instruction to sequentially transmit a retransmission request for requesting retransmission of a telephone number serving as identification information is transmitted to 30.

Based on this instruction, each card unit 3
Transmits a retransmission request for requesting retransmission of the telephone number to the PHS terminal 30, and the PHS terminal 30 receiving the retransmission request transmits the telephone number data. At this time, the antenna module 2 to which the card unit 3 is connected
Since the retransmission of the telephone number data from the PHS terminal 30 is performed only when the PHS terminal 30 exists in the communication area of 0, the confirmation by the retransmission is sequentially performed in each of the duplicated card units 3. By that
The PHS terminal 30 can reliably specify which card unit 3 is connected to the communication area of the antenna module 20 connected thereto.

When the PHS terminal 30 specifies the antenna module 20 existing in the communication area in this way, the management computer 50 deletes the registration of the communication target in the storage unit 310 with respect to the other card units 3. Output instructions to perform.

As described above, by providing the management computer 50 to manage the duplication of the registration of the communication object,
Although it is preferable because problems such as non-contact communication due to the duplicate registration can be solved, the present invention is not limited to this.

As described above, when the telephone number registration of the PHS terminal 30 exists as the information terminal to be communicated in the storage unit 310, the MPU 31 of the card unit 3
3 is another PH to the Bluetooth unit 315.
A new connection of the S terminal 30 or the like is prohibited. In this way, for example, a player carrying another PHS terminal 30 equipped with Bluetooth may be in a communication range of the antenna module 20 with movement. Even if the user enters the service area, connection processing and the like associated with the service area entry of these new terminals are not performed, and non-contact communication with the already registered PHS terminal 30 is ensured. Contact communication can be performed.

This newly entered communication target registered P
Management computer 5 based on the telephone number of HS terminal 30
0 determines whether the telephone number of the PHS terminal 30 registered as a communication target is a telephone number registered as a member by searching the member database. For example, the unit ID “0” in FIG.
001 ”PH registered in the card unit 3
As in the case of the S terminal 30, when the user has not been registered, as shown in FIG. 12, a message "Do you want to display parlor information?"
The message is transmitted to the terminal 30, and the reception of the message is notified to the player by a ring tone or vibration.

These received messages are shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display screen of the PHS terminal 30,
In addition to prompting the player to input whether information can be distributed, the player is prompted to register as a member.

At this stage, if the player has selected to permit information distribution, information such as the type of service and various benefits to the member and various information such as the member registration method are transmitted from the management computer 50 to the member. The information is distributed and displayed via the card unit 3.

Also, for example, the unit ID in FIG.
When the PHS terminal 30 is already registered as a member, such as the PHS terminal 30 registered in the card unit 3 of “0003”, information provided to the member, for example, event information limited to the member, If there is data such as the accumulated coins, the accumulated coins data is distributed and displayed.

In this embodiment, the MPU 313
Means that even if the non-contact communication with the PHS terminal 30 via the Bluetooth unit 315 is interrupted, the registration in the storage unit 310 is not deleted for a predetermined period of time (5 seconds in this embodiment). In the case where the non-contact communication is in a disconnected state after the lapse of the predetermined period of 5 seconds, the registration of the storage unit 310 is deleted. Even if a short-time momentary interruption occurs in the non-contact communication, it is possible to prevent the registration from being deleted and the connection processing from occurring frequently.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the antenna module 20 which radiates radio waves in a substantially vertical direction as described above even in an environment of a game arcade in which a game machine such as the pachinko machine 2 is juxtaposed. Is used, not only can the occurrence of interference between adjacent card units 3 be significantly reduced or eliminated, but also only one communication target for non-contact communication can be registered and other terminals can enter the area. Even if no connection is established, good data transmission / reception can be performed more stably.

Each element in each embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows. Claim 1 of the present invention
Is a non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module) that is disposed in a game hall, performs predetermined processing or operation related to the game, and transmits and receives data without contact with an information terminal (PHS terminal 30) carried by the player. 315), wherein the information terminal (PHS terminal 30) stores identification information (telephone number) capable of identifying the information terminal, and the non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module 315). Communication object registering means for registering the identification information (PHS terminal 30) stored in the information terminal (PHS terminal 30) when the information terminal (PHS terminal 30) in the communicable state is detected in (Storage unit 310) and the communication object registration unit (storage unit 310)
And a control unit (MPU 313) for performing control for prohibiting connection of the non-contact communication unit (Bluetooth module 315) with another information terminal (PHS terminal 30) in a situation where registration exists. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means (MP
U313) is a communication object registration unit (storage unit 310).
In the case where the non-contact communication with the information terminal (PHS terminal 30) registered in the terminal is not possible, the registration is maintained for a predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the communication impossible state continues. In this case, control is performed to delete the registration in the communication target registration unit (storage unit 310).

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a plurality of the non-contact communication means (the Bluetooth module 31).
5) Collecting and managing the communication target registration contents (telephone number) in the case where the communication target registration contents (telephone numbers) in a plurality of non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module 315) overlap, the corresponding non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module 315) to the information terminal (PHS terminal 30) to be communicated to transmit a request for retransmission of the identification information (telephone number) of the information terminal. The management computer 50 instructs the control unit (MPU 313) corresponding to the contact communication unit (Bluetooth module 315) to delete the registration of the communication target registration unit (storage unit 310).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module 315) has an output means (antenna module 20) capable of outputting an electromagnetic wave or light with directivity in a substantially vertical direction. ing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the information terminal carried by the player is a portable telephone (PHS terminal 30), and the non-contact communication means (Bluetooth module 315)
The frequency band of the electromagnetic wave for communication with the mobile phone (PHS terminal 30) is different from the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave used for communication in the mobile phone (PHS terminal 30).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above embodiments with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and changes and additions may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention is included in the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the Bluetooth module 315 is provided in the card unit 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the Bluetooth module 315 can be used for the pachinko machine 2 as a game machine or various information. May be provided directly on a display device or a game island stand having a unit configuration, or a configuration in which the management computer and the Bluetooth module 315 are directly connected without the card unit 3 interposed therebetween.

In the above embodiment, each card unit 3
In this way, updating of distribution information distributed from the card unit 3 to an information terminal possessed by a player can be easily performed by the management computer 50. The present invention is not limited to this, and the management computer 50 may not be provided as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the prepaid card 3
7 is recorded as a game value, and the lending process can be executed by reading out these frequencies. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By registering the game value such as the frequency in the management computer 50 in association with the ID previously assigned to the card 37 and reading out the identification code (ID), the game value registered in the management computer 50 is read. The value of the game may be specified, or the value of the game may be registered and recorded in both the management computer 50 and the prepaid card 37 in order to improve security, and these data may be compared during use. Fraud may be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the prepaid card 37, which is a magnetic card, is used as the game recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case of specifying the game value using the identification code (ID) as described above, at least information such as the ID, which is the identification information capable of specifying the recording medium, is read. Any medium that can be recorded may be used, and for example, a medium on which a predetermined information recording symbol such as a bar code is printed so as to be readable may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the form of the game value, a frequency of 1 unit is used for the issue amount of 100 yen, but the present invention is not limited to this. The value of the game may be matched with the amount of money so that the player can grasp the value of the money, and furthermore, the value of the game may be determined as a predetermined point or a corresponding number of pachinko balls or coins. May be arbitrarily selected.

In the above embodiment, pachinko balls are used as game media. However, these game media are formed by coins, points, and images of a pachinko machine, a slot machine, and the like, which will be described later. Pachinko balls, coins, and the like may be used, and these game media are included in the game media of the present invention as long as they are media used in the game, and the form is not limited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the normal pachinko machine 2 in which the pachinko balls as the game medium are paid out is used, but the present invention is not limited to these normal pachinko machines, but also the game using coins. Slot machines, pachinko machines and slot machines that can be played without pachinko balls and coins being discharged to the outside, and gaming machines that can be played with data etc. without using these gaming media, It goes without saying that these gaming machines are also limited to image-type pachinko machines in which boards and pachinko balls are displayed in images, and image-type slot machines in which reels are displayed in images. Not something.

In the above embodiment, the telephone number is used as the identification information for identifying the information terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification information can identify the information terminal. Anything is optional.

In the above embodiment, the PHS terminal 30 has been described as an example of the information terminal possessed by the player.
The present invention is not limited to this, and these information terminals may be ordinary mobile phones, electronic notebooks, and mobile computers such as palmtop computers.

Note that the game arcade in the present invention includes not only stores where games can be executed, but also areas and areas where these games can be executed.

[0080]

The present invention has the following effects. (A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the identification information of the information terminal is registered in the communication object registration unit, the connection processing with another information terminal and the connection itself are prohibited by the control unit. As a result, it is possible to eliminate adverse effects on non-contact communication with registered information terminals by connection processing and connection with these other information terminals, and as a result, transmission and reception of good information (data) Can be stably implemented.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, in non-contact communication with a registered information terminal, even if a temporarily uncommunicable state occurs, the registration is immediately deleted and the connection process is performed again. This prevents the information terminal from being erroneously recognized or other information terminals from being erroneously recognized. As a result, transmission and reception of good information (data) can be performed more stably.

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the same information terminal is registered twice by the non-contact communication means in proximity.

(D) According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic wave or light output from the output means of the non-contact communication means installed adjacently is output with directivity in a substantially vertical direction. Therefore, both of these electromagnetic waves or light can be prevented from interfering with each other, and good information (data) transmission / reception can be performed more stably.

(E) According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, information (data) can be transmitted and received even when a telephone call is being made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a game island according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing an operation unit of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a card unit used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the gaming machine and a configuration of the pachinko machine 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an output state of each signal output from a winning ball control board and a card unit of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the configuration of the antenna module used in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a radio wave output state from the antenna module used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a Bluetooth module and a Bluetooth unit used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PHS terminal equipped with a Bluetooth unit used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a card unit management screen in the management computer used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a PHS terminal used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another arrangement method of the antenna module according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing another arrangement method of the antenna module according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming island 2 Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 3 Card unit (gaming device) 5 Repair board 6 Chair 14 Operation part 15 Return button 16 Lending button 17 Frequency display part 18 Operation board 20 Antenna module (output means) 21 Flat antenna 22 Connection cable 24 Folder 25 Output restriction ring 30 PHS terminal (information terminal) 35 Transmit / receive RF module unit 36 Host interface unit 37 Prepaid card 38 Baseband signal processing unit 39 Interface IC 40 Transmit / receive RF unit 41 Bluetooth chip 42 Baseband signal processing unit 48 Communication cable 50 Management computer (distribution computer) 51 Antenna 52 Micro speaker 53 LCD panel 54 Input unit 55 Microphone 56 External connection terminal 58 Communication line 60 Transmission / reception RF module 61 Receiver 62 Transmitter 63 Antenna switch 64 Modem modem 65 MPU 66 Internal ROM 67 Flash memory 68 Bluetooth unit 69 LCD driver 70 LCD module 71 Driver 72 ADPCM codec 73 Amplifier 202 Glass door frame 203 Striking ball supply plate 204 Extra ball Receiving tray 205 Hitting operation handle (operation knob) 206 Game board 207 Game area 209 Variable display unit 210 Variable display 211 Passage gate 214 Starting winning opening 215 Movable piece 216 Variable winning ball device 220 Opening and closing plate 224 Winning opening 226 Out opening 231 Game control Board 235 Lamp control board 237 Prize ball control board 270 Audio control board 280 Display control board 291 Launch control board 297 Ball payout device 301 Operation lamp 302 Specifies lamp 303 card insertion slot 304 card indicator 308 dip switch 309 magnetic card reader writer 310 storage unit 311 I / O port 312 the communication unit 313 microprocessing unit (MPU) 315 Bluetooth module

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game machine provided with a non-contact communication means arranged in a game hall to perform predetermined processing or operation related to a game and to transmit and receive data without contact with an information terminal carried by a player. An apparatus, wherein the information terminal stores identification information capable of identifying the information terminal, and stores the information terminal in the non-contact communication means when the information terminal in a communicable state is detected. Communication target registration means for registering the identification information which has been registered, and in a situation where registration exists in the communication target registration means, control for prohibiting connection of the non-contact communication means with another information terminal is performed. A controlling device for performing the game. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the contactless communication with the information terminal registered in the communication target registration unit is disabled, the control unit holds the registration for a predetermined period, and the control unit stores the registration for a predetermined period. 2. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for deleting registration in the communication target registration unit is performed later when the communication disabled state continues. 3. Collecting and managing the communication target registration contents in the plurality of contactless communication means arranged, and when the communication target registration contents in the plurality of contactless communication means overlap, the corresponding contactless communication Means for transmitting a retransmission request for identification information of the information terminal to the information terminal to be communicated, and communicating with the control means corresponding to the non-contact communication means in which the identification information based on the retransmission request is not received. 3. The gaming device according to claim 1, further comprising a management computer for instructing deletion of registration of the object registration unit. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said non-contact communication means includes an output means capable of outputting electromagnetic waves or light with directivity in a substantially vertical direction. 5. The information terminal possessed by the player is a mobile phone, and a frequency band of an electromagnetic wave for performing communication with the non-contact communication means is a frequency band of an electromagnetic wave used for a call in the mobile phone. The gaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming device is different.