JP2002018083A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide game machine capable of preventing the fraudulent carrying-out and a theft of game storage medium processors such as spare card units. SOLUTION: Game devices comprise the game storage medium processors 3 each provided with a game storage medium processing means 309 and a communicating means 312 maintaining communication with an external apparatus, a storage chamber 20 storing and holding the game storage medium processors 3, and a management device 50 communicatably connected to the game storage medium processors 3 provided correspondingly to game machines 2 and the game storage medium processors 3 stored in the storage chamber 20 to manage the game storage medium processors 3. The management device 50 is provided with a communication state confirming means confirming the communication state with the game storage medium processors 3 stored in the storage chamber 20. When the communication state confirming means detects a game storage medium processor 3 kept in an unconnected state, the management device reports it or outputs a prescribed signal (report request) on it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game recording medium, such as a prepaid card, which can be used for a game,
The present invention relates to a game device including a game recording medium processing device such as a card unit for performing a process relating to the use of the game recording medium in a game, and a management device for managing the game recording medium processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, from the viewpoints of labor saving of cash collection at a game arcade and securing transparency of business contents, a game that can be played in a game arcade using a game recording medium such as a prepaid card in many game arcades. Equipment is used. The ability to play games using these game recording media means that compared to the conventional method of lending pachinko balls and coins as game media with cash, these inserted cash can be sequentially collected from each lending device. In addition to saving the labor involved in doing so, the management of these prepaid cards is managed by a third party such as a management company, which has the advantage that the management of the amusement arcade can be made transparent. As a game recording medium, since a magnetic card is used from the viewpoint of cost because it is used up, a game device that can use a prepaid card which is a magnetic card, for example, a card unit installed between game machines Plagiarizing a game recording medium processing device such as a pachinko ball, etc. By analyzing whether the output for issue is made, there is a case where she can forge prepaid card relatively easily incorrect data has been written.

[0003]

When a game recording medium processing device such as a card unit is stolen, the device is not already installed corresponding to the gaming machine, but the card unit or the like already installed is not stolen. When a malfunction or failure occurs in the game recording medium processing device, a spare card unit that is prepared so that business can be continued by replacing the malfunction or failure with the game recording medium processing device. In many cases, game recording media processing apparatuses such as the above are stolen, and there has been a long-awaited need for a game apparatus capable of preventing unauthorized removal or plagiarism of these spares.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a game apparatus capable of preventing unauthorized removal or theft of a game recording medium processing device such as a spare card unit. It is intended to provide.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine of the present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine, and has a large value of gaming value that can be used for gaming in the gaming machine. Game recording medium for receiving a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the size of the game is recorded, and performing processing related to the use of the game value of the size specified by the received recording information of the game recording medium in the game. A game recording medium processing device comprising a medium processing means and a communication means for performing communication with an external device; a storage for accommodating and storing the game recording medium processing device; and a storage installed corresponding to the game machine. A game recording medium processing device and a management device that is communicably connected to the game recording medium processing device accommodated in the storage and manages the game recording medium processing device, Management device before If communication status confirmation means for confirming the communication status with the game recording medium processing device accommodated in the storage is provided, and if the communication status confirmation means detects an unconnected game recording medium processing device, It is characterized in that it is notified or a predetermined signal indicating that fact is output. According to this feature, when trying to steal the game recording medium processing device stored in the storage,
The communication status with the management device becomes an unconnected state, and the unconnected state is detected by the communication status checking means, and the occurrence of the unconnected state is notified or output, so that it is stored for backup. It is possible to prevent unauthorized removal or theft of the game recording medium processing device accommodated in the storage.

In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the gaming recording medium processing device is provided with identification information capable of identifying each gaming recording medium processing device, and each of the gaming devices connected to the management device is provided with identification information. If the identification information of the recording medium processing device is registered and the communication status checking means detects a game recording medium processing device in an unconnected state, the identification information of the gaming recording medium processing device is notified or It is preferable to output. In this way, it is possible to identify a game recording medium processing device that has been illegally taken out or stolen.

[0007] In the gaming machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the storage is provided with a notifying means for notifying the occurrence of the disconnection. In this way, in a storage where an illegal take-out or theft is performed, the occurrence of the illegal take-out or theft can be recognized, and a quick response can be made.

[0008] It is preferable that the gaming machine of the present invention further comprises a release means capable of releasing the notification or the output of the occurrence of the disconnection. In this way, it is possible to prevent the notification or output due to the non-connection from being activated in a regular exchange or the like.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, an operator identification code capable of specifying an operator is registered in the management device, and the registered operator identification code and the input operator identification code input by the operator are registered. If they match, it is preferable to perform release by the release means. In this way, by registering in advance an operator identification code that can identify a specific operator, for example, a manager such as a store manager of a game arcade, a normal operation that perceives these operator identification codes can be performed. Only the person in charge, such as the manager of the game hall, can perform the cancellation.

[0010] In the game device according to the present invention, the management device includes:
It is preferable that the information is connected to a centralized management device installed in a management organization outside the game arcade, and at least the unconnected occurrence information is output to the centralized management device. If you do this,
The occurrence of the unconnection can also be grasped by the central management device.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, 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 can be applied to other gaming machines, for example, gaming machines such as slot machines. It is.

(Embodiment) The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is provided near the island end of a gaming island 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is installed on the gaming island 1 together with a pachinko machine 2 which is a gaming machine. Card unit 3 as a recording medium processing device for use, a spare stocker 20 as a storage capable of accommodating a plurality of spare card units 3, And a management computer 50 (see FIG. 5) as a management device connected to the spare stocker 20 so as to be able to perform data communication. The management computer 50 is provided in parallel with the pachinko machine 2 on the gaming island 1. Card unit 3 installed
And the spare stocker 20 and the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 are communicably connected to each other, and are installed in a card management center, which is a third-party organization installed outside the game arcade. Server 90 as a centralized management device for the communication network 8 such as a telephone line
0 so that data communication is possible.

First, a gaming island 1 used in this embodiment has a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine on its front and rear surfaces (rear surface is not shown).
And a plurality of the card units 3 installed one by one at side positions of the pachinko machine 2, and a plurality of pachinko balls are provided inside the gaming island 1 in each of the pachinko machines 2. Used in the supply gutter for supplying
A lifting device (not shown) that collects the discharged pachinko balls and transports the collected pachinko balls to the supply gutter is provided.

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 ports 224, a passing gate 211, a starting port 214, and a variable winning class device 216. At the lower part of the game area 207, hit balls that have not won are collected. An 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 normal symbol stopped and displayed at 0 starts variably, and the hit ball passes through the starting winning opening 214, the special symbol displayed on the variable display portion 209 starts scrolling.

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. 8 and the pachinko balls paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 203 described above. The game can be carried out using.

The award ball control board 237 can be connected to a pachinko machine connection socket 305 provided on a card unit control board (not shown) of the card unit 3 via a signal cable. And a pachinko machine ready signal (PRDY) are output to a microprocessing unit (MPU) 313, which will be described later, provided in the card unit 3, and the MPU of the card unit 3 will be described.
A card unit ready signal (BRDY) and a lending request completion confirmation signal (BRQ), which will be described later, which are output from 313, are input.

The operation board 18 can be connected to the pachinko machine connection socket 305 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 ball lending operation is performed by the player and the return button 15 is operated to return the prepaid card 37 inserted into the card insertion slot 303 described later by the player. In this case, a return input signal output in the event of a failure is output to the MPU 313 of the card unit 3, and a display control signal of the frequency display unit 17 output from the MPU 313 is input. I have.

Next, the card unit 3 as a game recording medium processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. On the front of the card unit 3, as shown in FIG. The operation lamp 301 for notifying the operation of the card unit 3, the stand designation lamp 302 for notifying whether the corresponding pachinko machine 2 is the right or left pachinko machine 2 by lighting, and the prepaid card 37 can be inserted. A card insertion slot 303;
And a card indicator 304 for notifying the player of the discharge of the prepaid card 37 inserted in the pachinko machine 2 as shown in FIG. 4 (b). A pachinko machine connection socket 305 to which a connection terminal of a signal cable can be connected, and a communication cable 48 to be connected to the management computer 50.
And a power input socket 307 for inputting power in the card unit 3 are provided.

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. A storage unit 310 the identification information (unit ID) is stored, the pachinko machine connecting socket 3
05, the winning ball control board 23 of the pachinko machine 2
I / O for inputting and outputting various signals to and from the operation board 18 and the operation board 18
A communication unit 312 that is connected to the O port 311 and the communication socket 306 and that performs data communication with the management computer 50; a communication unit 312 that controls these units and a frequency display unit that is mounted on the operation board 18; And an MPU 313 for performing the control and the like at 17. These units are connected as shown in FIG. 8.

Each of the card units 3 can transmit and receive various data between the management computer 50 and the card unit 3 by connecting a communication cable connected to the management computer 50 to the communication socket 306. It is possible.

The MPU 3 of these card units 3
13, when the unit ID included in the response request corresponds to the unit ID stored in the storage unit 310 by receiving a response request based on a confirmation process described later output from the management computer 50, Is returned to the management computer 50.

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.

Further, these prepaid cards 37 include:
Card identification information (card ID) capable of identifying each prepaid card 37 is recorded in advance, and the management computer 50 registers and manages the history of the usage status of the prepaid card 37 for each card ID. These pieces of history information are transmitted to the management server 90 installed in the card management center every predetermined period (for example, every day), and are also managed by the management server 90.

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 a state where PRDY is output, the MPU 313 of the card unit 3 turns on the 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, the award ball control board 237 turns on the EXS when it detects a BRQ while detecting the BRDY output from the MPU 313.
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 which 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 the present embodiment, one degree is subtracted from the frequency of the storage unit 310 and the frequency of the frequency display unit 17 at the stage 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 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.

Next, the spare stocker 20, which is a storage of the present invention, will be described. The spare stocker 20 is installed near the island end of the game island 1, and has a front opening as shown in FIG. A card unit accommodating portion 22 capable of accommodating a plurality of the card units 3 is formed above and below the inside of the housing 21, and is connected to a control unit 28, which will be described later, at an upper portion of the housing 21.
A notification lamp 26, which is a notification unit of the present embodiment, which is turned on based on the control of, is provided.

An openable door 23 is provided on the front surface of the housing 21. The openable door 23 has a cylinder lock 24 so that it cannot be unlocked. Further, a confirmation window 25 having a transparent glass mounted thereon is formed at a predetermined position of the opening / closing door 23. Even when the opening / closing door 23 is closed, the operation lamp of the card unit 3 housed from the outside is provided. The lighting state of 301 can be visually checked.

A plurality of guide rails 27 are provided on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the card unit accommodating portion 22 formed in the housing 21 from the open surface side to the back, at a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the card unit 3. The upper and lower portions of the card unit 3 are slidably inserted between a pair of guide rails 27.

As shown in FIG. 8, a communication socket 306 of the card unit 3 to be inserted between the guide rails 27 is provided on the back of the card unit housing 22.
The communication socket 306 and the power input socket 3 are located at positions corresponding to the power input socket 307.
A communication terminal 29 and a power supply terminal 30 that can be connected to the card unit 3 are provided. By slidingly inserting the card unit 3 between the guide rails 27, as shown in FIG.
The communication socket 306 is mounted and connected to the communication terminal 29, and the power input socket 307 is mounted and connected to the power supply terminal 30.

These power supply terminals 30 are used for operating power of the accommodated card unit 3 (AC 100 V in this embodiment).
The communication terminal 29 and the notification lamp 26 are connected to the management computer 50 via a communication cable 48 so as to be able to perform data communication, as shown in FIG. The control unit 28 is connected to the control unit 28.
Performs relay processing between the card unit 3 connected to the communication terminal 29 and the management computer 50, and performs lighting control of the notification lamp 26 based on a notification request output from the management computer 50. ing.

In the spare stocker 20 configured as described above, power can be supplied to the card unit 3 accommodated in the card unit accommodating section 22, and the card unit 3 accommodated in the card unit accommodating section 22 can be controlled. The transmission and reception of data to and from the computer 50 can be performed via the control unit 28, and the confirmation processing described later is performed between the card unit 3 being housed and the management computer 50. The card unit 3 in the standby state can be used immediately, and if a trouble occurs in the operating card unit 3 installed in the gaming island 1, the card unit in the standby state accommodated therein By exchanging with No.3, these troubles can be promptly dealt with.

Next, the configuration of the management computer 50 to which the card unit 3 installed on the gaming island 1 and the spare stocker 20 are connected will be described. As shown in FIG. The data bus 51 for transmitting and receiving data at
A central processing unit (CPU) 52, a RAM 53, a display device 54, an input device 55 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a storage device 56 composed of a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk, Communication for performing data communication with the card unit 3 installed in the game island 1, the control unit 28 of the spare stocker 20, and the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 connected via the control unit 28. An interface 57, a management server 90 of a card management center installed outside the amusement arcade, and a communication network 80
And a communication modem 58 for transmitting and receiving data via the storage device 56. The storage device 56 has a processing program for executing the processing of the management computer 50 and a processing program for each card unit 3. The stored identification information (unit ID), an operator ID capable of specifying the operator of the management computer 50, a password registered corresponding to the operator ID, and the like are stored.
Management information such as the usage status of the prepaid card 37 used in the card unit 3 installed on the gaming island 1 is stored as a history.

The CPU 52 of the management computer 50
Outputs a response request to the card units 3 of the gaming island 1 at predetermined intervals in accordance with the number of card units 3 connected thereto, and outputs a response request to the card units 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20. Is configured to output a response request at regular intervals (every 5 seconds in this embodiment) regardless of the number of connected devices, and based on the presence or absence of response information returned from the card unit 3 that has received these response requests. A confirmation process for confirming whether or not the communication status of the card units 3 is normal is performed, and the communication status of the card unit 3 based on the confirmation process is determined for each unit ID of the card unit 3. The communication status of the card unit 3 stored in the storage device 56 is displayed on the card unit management screen shown in FIG. And it is displayed on the display device 54.

As shown in FIG. 11, the card unit management screen displays the communication status of the operating card unit 3 which is currently juxtaposed with the pachinko machine 2 in the gaming island 1 and is in operation. A unit communication status window 59, a standby card unit communication status window 60 displaying the communication status of the spare card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20,
It is mainly composed of

In the operating card unit communication status window 59, a communication status column is provided for each unit ID of the operating card unit 3 registered in advance, and the communication status of the card unit 3 corresponding to each unit ID is provided. The status is displayed. If the communication status with these card units 3 is normal based on the confirmation processing, "OK" is displayed in the communication status column of the corresponding unit ID. In addition, when an error has occurred in the communication status, the corresponding communication status column is inverted in black and white and a message "Error" is displayed. Of the card unit 3 can be specified.

In the communication status window 60 in the standby state, a communication status column is displayed for each unit ID of the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 and connected to the control unit 28 via the communication terminal 29. The communication status column of the corresponding unit ID is provided so that the communication status is displayed, and a release button unit 61 for performing release of a notification process described later corresponding to each unit ID is provided. The communication status column and the release button 61 are provided in such a manner that the spare card unit 3 is accommodated in the spare stocker 20 and the communication terminal 2
9 is generated together with the unit ID of the connected card unit 3.

Hereinafter, the management status of the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 in the management computer 50 of the present embodiment will be described.

For example, the unit IDs “0050” to “0”
053 "is accommodated in the spare stocker 20, and each of these card units 3 is
9, the management computer 50 is in a state in which data communication with the management computer 50 is possible.
These accommodated unit IDs “0050” to “0”
053 "is performed on the card unit 3.

The CPU 52 of the management computer 50 determines the unit IDs “0050” to “00” based on the confirmation processing.
If it is determined that the communication status with the card unit 3 of “53” is normal, the unit ID “0050” in the card unit communication status window 60 in the standby state will be described.
"OK" is displayed in each of the communication status columns ".about." 0053 ".

Next, for example, when the response information output from the card unit 3 having the unit ID “0051” is not received in response to the output of the response request in the confirmation processing, the CPU 52 sets the unit ID “005”.
The response request is output to the card unit 3 of "1" again. Based on this, if the reply of the reply information is received, it is determined that the communication status with the card unit 3 of the unit ID “0051” is normal, and if the reply of the reply information is not received even in the response request again. Is the unit ID
It is determined that the communication error of the card unit 3 of “0051” has occurred, and as shown in FIG.
In the communication status column of “0051”, “Error” which has been inverted in black and white
r ”is displayed, and the unit ID“ 005 ”is displayed.
In addition to notifying that the communication with the card unit 3 of “1” has been disabled, the controller outputs a notification request to the control unit 28 of the standby stocker 20 and outputs the notification to the standby stocker 2.
A notification process for turning on the notification lamp 26 of 0 is performed.

At this time, the management computer 50 notifies the management server 90 of the card management center via the communication line network 80 of the occurrence of the communication error together with the corresponding unit ID.
The communication error of the card unit 3 can also be grasped at the card management center, which is a third party organization. In the present embodiment, only information relating to the occurrence of a communication error in the management status of the card unit 3 is output to the management server 90 of the card management center, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the management status of the card unit 3 may be periodically output to the management server 90 so that the management status of the card unit 3 can be grasped.

As described above, in this embodiment, each card unit 3 is provided with a unit ID as identification information capable of identifying each card unit 3, and when a communication error is detected by the above-described confirmation processing, The error message is displayed in the communication status column corresponding to the unit ID of the card unit 3 in which the communication error has occurred in the card unit communication status window 60 in the standby state. The unit 3 can be specified. If these are due to unauthorized take-out or theft, it is possible to specify which card unit 3 has been taken out illegally or stolen.

In this embodiment, the management computer 5
When a communication error with the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 is detected at 0, the notification lamp 26 provided in the spare stocker 20 is turned on, and unauthorized removal or theft occurs. In this case, it can be recognized around the spare stocker 20 and quick response is possible.

Next, in the case where a staff at a game arcade or the like replaces the card unit 3 in the standby state accommodated in the spare stocker 20 based on a trouble such as a failure of the card unit 3 installed on the game island 1, Spare stocker 20
When the card unit 3 with the unit ID “0050” is to be taken out, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the card unit communication status window 60 in the standby state will be described.
Of the release button unit 61 corresponding to the unit ID "0050" of the user.

Based on this, the display device 54 is
Is displayed, and an ID input section 63 of the operator ID input screen 62 is displayed.
After inputting an operator ID capable of specifying an operator and a password set corresponding to the operator ID into the password input section 64, the user inputs the OK button section 65, thereby performing the input operation. The operator ID and the password are compared with the operator ID and the corresponding password stored in the storage device 56, and when the collation result is correct, the execution of the notification processing based on the communication error is canceled by the CPU 52, and FIG. As shown, the unit ID “005” in the card unit communication status window 60 is shown.
"0", the communication status column corresponding to the unit ID and the release button section 61 are deleted.

At this stage, the management computer 50
Output of a response request to the unit ID “0050” is stopped. Even if the card unit 3 with the ID “0050” is taken out from the spare stocker 20, a communication error on the card unit management screen is displayed. The notification and the notification by the notification lamp 26 provided in the spare stocker 20 and the output of the communication error to the card management center are not performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the corresponding card unit 3 is released based on the release operation of the notification process by the operator.
Of the notification process based on the communication error is canceled, and even if the card unit 3 is removed from the spare stocker 20 by regular replacement, the notification process by the CPU 52 of the management computer 50 is performed. Can be avoided.

In this embodiment, the operator inputs a password corresponding to the operator ID given to the operator, and when the entered operator ID and password are authenticated, the above-described operation is performed. The release operation is enabled, and by registering in advance an operator ID capable of specifying a specific operator, for example, a manager such as a manager of a game arcade, the operator ID is perceived. Only a responsible person, such as a store manager of a game arcade, who is an authorized operator, can perform the release operation.

As described above, in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, when the card unit 3 stored in the spare stocker 20 is taken out to steal, the communication status with the management computer 50 becomes unconnected. The unconnected state is detected by the CPU 52 of the management computer,
The occurrence of the unconnected state is notified on the card unit management screen displayed on the display device 54, and the notification lamp 26 of the standby stocker 20 is turned on to notify the vicinity of the standby stocker. It is possible to prevent the card unit 3 housed in the spare stocker 20 from being illegally taken out or stolen.

Each element in each of the above embodiments corresponds to the present invention as follows.

Claim 1 of the present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko machine 2), and determines the value of a game value (frequency) that can be used for a game in the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2). A game recording medium (prepaid card 37) on which identifiable information is recorded is received, and a game value (frequency) of a size specified by the received game recording medium (prepaid card 37) recorded information is received. A game recording medium processing device comprising a game recording medium processing means (magnetic card reader / writer 309) for performing processing relating to use in a game (lending processing) and a communication means (communication unit 312) for communicating with an external device. (Card unit 3), a storage (reserve stocker 20) for accommodating and storing the game recording medium processing device (card unit 3), and installed corresponding to the game machine (pachinko machine 2). Recording medium processing apparatus for a game which is (card unit 3) and the storehouse (preliminary stocker 2
0) A management device (management computer 50) communicably connected to a game recording medium processing device (card unit 3) housed in the device and managing the game recording medium processing device (card unit 3). The management device (management computer 50) checks the communication status with the game recording medium processing device (card unit 3) housed in the storage (backup stocker 20). Means (Central Processing Unit (CPU) 52) and said communication status checking means (Central Processing Unit (CPU))
In 52), if a game recording medium processing device (card unit 3) in an unconnected state is detected, this is reported or a predetermined signal (report request) indicating this is output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the game recording medium processing device (card unit 3) has identification information (unit ID) capable of specifying each game recording medium processing device (card unit 3). The identification information (unit ID) of each connected game recording medium processing device (card unit 3) is registered in the management device (management computer 50), and the communication status confirmation means (C
If the PU 52) detects an unconnected game recording medium processing device (card unit 3), it notifies or outputs identification information (unit ID) of the game recording medium processing device (card unit 3).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the storage (backup stocker 20) includes a notifying unit (notifying lamp 26) for notifying the occurrence of the disconnection.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a releasing means (CPU 52) capable of releasing the notification or the output of the occurrence of the disconnection.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an operator identification code (operator ID) capable of specifying an operator is registered in the management device (management computer 50), and the registered operator identification code (operator ID) is registered. ) And the input operator identification code (operator ID) input by the operator, the release by the release means (CPU 52) is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the management device (management computer 50) is a centralized management device (management server 9) installed at a management organization (card management center) outside the game arcade.
0), and at least the unconnected occurrence information (the occurrence of a communication error and the corresponding unit ID) is output to the central management apparatus (the management server 90).

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 embodiment, one card unit 3 is provided for one pachinko machine 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two pachinko machines 2 are provided. May be set to one.

In the above embodiment, the management computer 50 and the card unit 3 accommodated in the spare stocker 20 are used.
When a communication error occurs with the management computer 50,
The occurrence of these communication errors is notified by displaying an error on the display device 54 or turning on the notification lamp 26 provided in the spare stocker 20, but the present invention is not limited to these. Instead, for example, these may be notified by outputting a voice or a notification sound, and a method thereof can be appropriately selected.

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 applied to a contact type or non-contact type IC card. 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-described 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-mentioned embodiment, the normal pachinko machine 2 for paying out pachinko balls as the game medium to the outside is used, but the present invention is not limited to these normal pachinko machines, but also uses the coins to play the game. 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.

[0080]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the game recording medium processing device stored in the storage is taken out to steal, the communication status with the management device becomes unconnected. The unconnected state is detected by the communication status checking means, and the occurrence of the unconnected state is notified or output, so that the game recording medium processing device accommodated in the storage for spare Unauthorized removal and theft can be prevented.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to specify a game recording medium processing apparatus which has been illegally taken out or stolen.

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, in a storage room where an illegal take-out or theft is performed, the occurrence of the illegal take-out or theft can be recognized, and a quick response can be made.

(D) According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the notification or output from being activated due to the non-connection during regular replacement or the like.

(E) According to the invention of claim 5, by registering in advance an operator identification code capable of identifying a specific operator, for example, a person in charge such as a store manager of a game arcade, these operator identifications are registered. Only the responsible person, such as the manager of the game arcade, who is a legitimate operator who perceives the code, can execute the cancellation.

(F) According to the invention of claim 6, the occurrence of the non-connection can be grasped by the central management device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

FIG. 4A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a front side of a card unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a back side of the card unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gaming machine and a configuration of a pachinko machine 2, a card unit 3, and a spare stocker 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 an external perspective view of a spare stocker in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a card unit accommodating portion of the spare stocker in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of storing card units in a spare stocker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a card unit management screen displayed on the display device of the management computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a card unit management screen displayed on the display device of the management computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a card unit management screen displayed on the display device of the management computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operator ID input screen displayed on the display device of the management computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a card unit management screen displayed on the display device of the management computer in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming island 2 Pachinko machine (Gaming machine) 3 Card unit (Gaming recording medium processing device) 14 Operation part 15 Return button 16 Lending button 17 Frequency display part 18 Operation board 20 Spare stocker (storage) 21 Housing 22 Card unit Housing 23 Opening / closing door 24 Cylinder lock 25 Confirmation window 26 Indicator light (Informing means) 27 Guide rail 28 Control unit 29 Communication terminal 30 Power supply terminal 37 Prepaid card 48 Communication cable 50 Management computer (Management device) 51 Data bus 52 Central Arithmetic processing unit (CPU) (communication status confirmation means, release means) 53 RAM 54 display device 55 input device 56 storage device 57 communication interface 58 communication modem 59 active card unit communication status window 60 card unit in standby state Communication status window 61 Release button part 62 Operator ID input screen ID input part 63 ID input part 64 Password input part 65 OK button part 80 Communication network 90 Management server (centralized management device) 202 Glass door frame 203 Hitting supply tray 204 Excess Ball 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 / closing plate 224 Winning opening 226 Out opening 231 Games Control board 235 Lamp control board 237 Prize ball control board 270 Voice control board 280 Display control board 291 Launch control board 297 Ball dispenser 301 Operation lamp 302 Unit designation lamp 303 Card slot 304 Card indicator 305 Pachinko machine contact Connection socket 306 Communication socket 307 Power input socket 308 Dip switch 309 Magnetic card reader / writer (gaming recording medium processing means) 310 Storage unit 311 I / O port 312 Communication unit (communication means) 313 Microprocessing unit (MPU)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game recording medium provided corresponding to a gaming machine and recorded with information capable of specifying the size of a gaming value that can be used for a game in the gaming machine is received. RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING GAME RECORDING MEDIUM PROCESSING MEANS FOR PROCESSING USING GAME VALUE OF SIZE SPECIFIED BY RECORDED INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM IN GAME AND COMMUNICATION MEANS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT A processing device, a storage for accommodating and storing the game recording medium processing device, a game recording medium processing device installed corresponding to the gaming machine, and a game recording medium stored in the storage And a management device communicably connected to a processing device for managing the game recording medium processing device, wherein the management device includes a game recording medium processing device accommodated in the storage. Check the communication status A communication status confirmation means for detecting a game recording medium processing device in an unconnected state by the communication status confirmation means, or notifying the fact or outputting a predetermined signal indicating the fact. Equipment. 2. The game recording medium processing device is provided with identification information capable of identifying each game recording medium processing device, and the management device is connected to each of the game recording medium processing devices. The identification information is registered, and when the communication status confirmation unit detects a game recording medium processing device in an unconnected state, the identification information of the game recording medium processing device is reported or output. A gaming device according to the preceding claims. 3. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the storage includes a notifying unit for notifying the occurrence of the unconnection. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a release unit capable of releasing the notification or output of the occurrence of the disconnection. 5. An operator identification code capable of identifying an operator is registered in the management device. If the registered operator identification code matches an input operator identification code input by the operator, the release is performed. The gaming device according to claim 4, wherein the releasing is performed by means. 6. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is connected to a central management device installed in a management organization outside the game arcade, and at least the unconnected occurrence information is output to the central management device. A gaming device according to any of the claims.