JP2005065788A - Game medium lending processor and method for reporting issuance impossible state for storage medium for game medium lending - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely report to the employee of a game parlor that a card to be issued when lending game media is not loaded in an inter-stand machine separately from other circumstances. <P>SOLUTION: A game medium lending system is provided with the inter-stand machine 1 where money is received, a general card X to which a value for lending the game media Z to be used in a game machine 2 is related is issued, also the general card X is received, and the lending processing of the game media Z is performed on the basis of a value related to the received general card X, and the general cards X to be issued are loaded inside equipment beforehand. The inter-stand machine 1 is provided with an external output mechanism for outputting prescribed signals from the inter-stand machine 1 to external equipment (stand lamp part 3 and revolving light 4) so as to report to the employee of the game parlor that an issuance impossible state is generated when detecting that the general cards X are not loaded inside the equipment and the issuance impossible state of being incapable of issuing the general cards X is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system, and in particular, a storage medium for renting a game medium (for example, a “prepaid card”) used when renting a game medium is also referred to as a game medium lending processor (for example, a “bed machine”). ) Can be surely distinguished from other reasons that it is not loaded to the employees of amusement stores (such as pachinko parlors), so that employees can efficiently replenish storage media for gaming media lending. The present invention relates to a game medium lending processor and a game medium lending storage medium notifying state notification method capable of providing a user-friendly system for both the game store side and the player.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game stores such as pachinko parlors, a game medium lending device (hereinafter referred to as a “border machine”) having a function of issuing and selling cards in addition to a game medium lending function has been introduced (see Patent Document 1). A game hall system is known.

  That is, in this game room system, the inter-machine is installed in one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machine. And the machine itself has a card issuing function, and when money is inserted into the money reception port of the machine, it correlates the value of the money previously inserted into the card stored inside from the card doorway. Issue a card.

  Then, the player inserts the issued card into the card slot of the intermediary machine and presses the pachinko machine lending request switch, so that the ball is thrown out from the ball throwing mechanism inside the pachinko machine, You can play games.

  By the way, in the conventional interim machine, since usually only one or two cards can be stored and held in the device, for example, a player purchases a card with the interim machine and plays a game, and the balance value remains. If a card is returned and the table is moved to another table, the cards held by the table machine will be lost immediately.

  And when there is no card in such a pedestrian machine, the card cannot be issued, and it is returned even if the player inserts a bill.

  Further, conventionally, in the state where there is no card in such a pedestal machine, an LED arranged on the front of the main body on the player side of the pedestal machine is lit.

Then, when the store clerk at the game store replenishes the interbank machine, the card can be issued.
JP 2002-18110 A

  By the way, in the past, when a player who cannot purchase a card, for example, presses a call button or the like installed on the upper part of the pachinko machine, the call lamp installed on the upper part of the pachinko machine is also lit and noticed. The store clerk rushes to the player, checks the status of the machine on the stand machine, checks the status, and takes care of card replenishment processing, etc. There is a risk that the response will tend to be delayed.

  Further, conventionally, the lighting of the call lamp when the player presses the call button or the like is common, and from the game shop side, other highly urgent calls such as clogging, and no card as described above It is inconvenient in terms of business contents that it cannot be distinguished from calls with relatively low urgency due to.

  In addition, for players who are not used to the card system having the intermediary machine having the card issuing function as described above, it is impossible to know the reason why the card cannot be purchased, and the player moves or feels sick. There is a fear. For this reason, the amusement shop also has the disadvantage of lower sales and lowering the reputation of the hall.

  Therefore, in view of the above situation, the present invention ensures that the game medium lending storage medium issued when lending the game medium is not loaded in the game medium lending processor, as distinguished from other reasons. Lending of game media that can be notified to the employee, thereby enabling the employee to efficiently replenish the storage medium for renting game media and providing a system that is easy to use for both the game store and the player An object of the present invention is to provide an issuance disabled state notification method for a processor and a storage medium for renting game media.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 has a function of issuing a storage medium for renting a game medium associated with a valuable value for renting a game medium for use in a gaming machine, and the game medium rental A storage medium for issuing, which has a function of lending the game medium based on the value associated with the received storage medium for renting the game medium, and is not associated with the value In the game medium lending storage medium issuance disabled state notification method in the game medium lending processing machine in which the storage medium is loaded in advance in the device, the game medium lending storage medium is not loaded in the device, and the game In the case of detecting a non-issuable state in which a medium for lending storage cannot be issued, the game medium is used to notify an employee of the game store that the non-issueable state has occurred. And characterized in that from the rent processor outputs a predetermined external signal to the instrument.

  The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is output to a processing terminal installed in the game store together with identification information capable of specifying a game medium lending processor. Upon receipt of the predetermined signal, the processing terminal notifies an employee of the game store that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium rental cannot be issued by a predetermined gaming medium rental processing machine has occurred based on the identification information. A notification process is performed.

  Further, in the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the notification processing displays on the display section that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued by a predetermined gaming medium lending processor has occurred. It is a process.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the notification process automatically makes a voice indicating that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued by a predetermined gaming medium lending processor has occurred. And in-store broadcast processing for notifying employees of the amusement store.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 2, the notification processing automatically makes a voice indicating that a state in which a storage medium for game medium lending cannot be issued by a predetermined game medium lending processor has occurred. This is a wireless notification process for notifying the headphones worn by the employees of the amusement store.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is output to a state notification means installed at or near an island edge of a gaming island where a plurality of the gaming machines are installed. When the predetermined signal is received, the state notification means performs notification using a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued has occurred. And

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the predetermined signal is output to a state notification unit installed in an upper part of the gaming machine, and the state notification unit When the signal is received, a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which the storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued has occurred in the gaming medium lending processor is provided.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is sent to an island state notifying unit installed at or near an island edge of a gaming island where a plurality of the gaming machines are installed. Is output to a gaming machine state notifying unit installed above the gaming machine, and when the island state notifying unit receives the predetermined signal, the gaming medium lending process on the own island When the game machine status notification means receives the predetermined signal, the game machine associated with itself is notified when the game machine status notification means receives the predetermined signal. The game medium lending processing machine corresponding to is notified with a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which a game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued has occurred.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the game medium lending processor lends the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with a member storage medium used in the game store. A storage medium processing means for processing the information stored in the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium, further comprising a replay function for performing processing, the game medium lending storage medium and the member storage; None of the media is loaded in the device, and a predetermined signal is output to the external device when it is detected that the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued. .

  The invention of claim 10 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the game medium lending processor lends the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with a member storage medium used in the game store. Both of the storage media have a replay function for performing processing, and from the state notification control unit that performs state notification indicating that the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium is being received. In the case where the notification of the status that is not accepted is performed, it is determined that the unissueable state has occurred, and a predetermined signal is output to the external device.

  The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 9 or 10, the output timing of the predetermined signal is performed when the issuance impossible state continues for a predetermined time.

  The invention of claim 12 is a function for accepting money and issuing a storage medium for renting a game medium associated with a valuable value for renting a game medium to be used in a gaming machine, and receiving the storage medium for renting a game medium. And a storage medium for publishing game media that has a function of lending the game media based on the value associated with the received storage medium for renting the game media, and that is not associated with the value in advance. In the game medium lending processor loaded in the device, the game medium lending storage medium is not loaded in the device, and an unissueable state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued has occurred. Detecting means for detecting, and when the non-issueable state is detected by the detecting means, the game is used to notify an employee of the game store that the non-issueable state has occurred. Characterized by comprising an external output means for outputting a predetermined signal to an external device from the body lending processor.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 12, wherein the external output means includes the game information lending processing machine in which the predetermined signal cannot be issued together with identification information capable of specifying the game medium lending processor. Output to a processing terminal installed in the store, and when the processing terminal receives the predetermined signal, a state in which the storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued by a predetermined gaming medium lending processor based on the identification information 13. The game medium lending processor according to claim 12, wherein notification processing for notifying an employee of a game store of occurrence of a game is performed.

  Further, the invention of claim 14 is the rental of the game medium according to the invention of claim 12, wherein the game medium lending processor lends the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with a member storage medium used in the game store. A storage medium processing unit for processing information stored in the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium, wherein the storage medium processing unit further stores the game medium lending memory. When neither the medium nor the member storage medium is loaded in the device, and a non-issuable state is detected in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued, a predetermined signal is output to the external device It is characterized by doing.

The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 12, wherein the game medium lending processor lends the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with a member storage medium used in the game store. Both of the storage media are provided by a state notification control unit that further has a replay function for performing processing, and performs state notification indicating that each of the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium is being received. In the case where the notification of the status that is not accepted is performed, it is determined that the unissueable state has occurred, and a predetermined signal is output to the external device.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the output timing of the predetermined signal is performed when the issuance impossible state continues for a predetermined time.

  According to the present invention, occurrence of a state in which a general card (also referred to as a prepaid card) (game medium lending storage medium) used for lending game media is not loaded in the inter-table machine (game media lending processor). Can be automatically notified to an amusement store employee. In addition, the occurrence of the above state can be notified separately from other reasons (such as a jackpot occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state). As a result, it is possible to quickly replenish general cards by employees, improve the operating efficiency of the game store side, and a gaming medium lending system equipped with a pedestrian machine having a card issuing function It is possible to provide a system that is easy to use even for players who are not familiar with the game, leading to an increase in sales at the game store side.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game hall system to which the present invention is applied. In particular, in this case, a schematic configuration of a certain game island 100 is shown.

  In this embodiment, a game hall such as a pachinko shop or a pachislot shop is taken as an example of a game hall, and a pachinko machine is taken as an example of a gaming machine.

  Normally, a game arcade is composed of a plurality of game islands, and a plurality of inter-machines and a plurality of game machines are alternately arranged in each game island.

  In FIG. 1, in this gaming island 100, five gaming machines (pachinko machines) 2 and five inter-machine machines 1 installed in association with each pachinko machine on a one-to-one basis are alternately arranged. ing.

  In addition, a stand lamp unit 3 that performs lighting control indicating a stand state (such as a jackpot state or a state where a call button is pressed) is installed in association with each gaming machine 2.

  A patrol light 4 that performs lighting control indicating the state of the gaming machine 2 on the gaming island 100 (such as a big hit occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state) is installed on the island edge of the gaming island 100.

  Each inter-vehicle machine 1 shown in this embodiment accepts money (for example, 1000 yen bill) from the money insertion slot 11 and keeps the value of money corresponding to the money amount inside the prepaid card X (prepaid A card issuing function that issues a value to the card) and a general card X issued by the own machine or a general card X issued by another intermediary machine through the card slot 15, and the general card X It has a ball lending function that lends gaming media (pachinko balls) Z to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) installed in a one-to-one correspondence within the range of the value of money. In this inter-machine 1, for example, one general card X can be held inside.

  Further, in this embodiment, each inter-vehicle machine 1 accepts a member card Y used in the amusement store from the card insertion / removal port 15 and responds based on the stored number information stored in association with the member card Y. The game machine 1 also has a replay function for lending the game medium Z.

  Each gaming machine 2 also has a balance display unit 201 that displays the value of money (also referred to as balance information) of the card received from the card slot 15 of the corresponding intercom machine 1, and the player lends the game medium Z. A game medium lending button 202 used when making a request and a card return button 203 used when a player requests a card return are provided.

  In the amusement store, a general card X of “0 yen” that is not associated with a valuable value in the card reader unit of the intermediary machine 1 is provided so that the player can sit in the seat and immediately deposit money. Put one.

  In the present invention, when the card issuing impossible state in which the general card cannot be issued by the intermediary machine 1 occurs, the card cannot be issued from the corresponding intermediary machine to the above-described table lamp unit 3 or the patrol light 4. When a predetermined signal is output in order to notify an employee of the game store that a state has occurred, lighting control by a predetermined lighting pattern is performed by the stand lamp unit 3 or the patrol light 4. That is, a lighting pattern different from a lighting pattern based on other reasons (for example, a jackpot occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state) is performed.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the intermediary machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic external configuration on the front customer side of the intermediary machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions inside the intermediary machine 1.

  In FIG. 2, when viewed from the front customer side, the intermediary machine 1 includes a card usable lamp 10, a money insertion slot 11, a money insertion ready lamp 12, a card insertion lamp 13, and a member card Y operation unit 14. And a card slot 15. The balance display unit 201 displays a numerical value (frequency) with 100 yen as one frequency (for example, “1” if there is a value of 100 yen, “1” if there is a value of 2500 yen. 25 ”).

  Here, the card available lamp 10 is a lamp that informs the device status according to the status of the lamp. When the card is lit, the card usable status is notified, and when the lamp is off, the card cannot be used. It is a lamp to notify.

  The money slot 11 is an slot into which money is inserted.

  The money insertion enable lamp 12 is a lamp that indicates whether or not money can be inserted, notifies a money insertion possible state in which the money can be inserted in the lit state, and on the contrary, cannot enter money in the off state. It is a lamp to notify.

  The card insertion lamp 13 includes a general card lamp 131 and a member card lamp 132. The general card X is in a state where the general card X is inserted while the general card lamp 131 is lit. There is a lamp for notifying that the member card Y is not inserted, the member card lamp 132 is lit to notify the state that the member card Y is inserted, and the lamp is turned off to notify that the member card Y is not inserted. There is.

  The membership card operation unit 14 includes a numeric keypad 141 for inputting a personal identification number and a replay button 142 for requesting replay.

  The card insertion / removal port 15 is a card insertion / removal port for taking in and out the general card X and the member card Y used for lending the game medium Z.

  In FIG. 3, the inter-vehicle machine 1 includes a control unit 101, a money processing unit 102, a card processing unit 103, a work memory unit 104, a lamp lighting processing unit 105, an operation processing unit 106, an external unit An output unit 107 and a communication interface unit 108 are provided.

  Here, the control unit 101 is a control unit that comprehensively controls the entire inter-vehicle machine 1, acquires data from other component units, and controls the lending processing of the game medium Z.

  The money processing unit 102 takes in money (for example, a 1000 yen bill) inserted from the money insertion slot 11 by a player and identifies the money type of the taken banknote.

  The card processing unit 103 includes a card reader / writer, a card presence / absence detection sensor, a card storage unit, and the like. When money is inserted from the money insertion slot 11 by the player, the money value (amount information) is stored in the general card X stored in the card storage unit by using the write function of the card reader / writer. The general card X is issued from the card insertion / removal port 15. In addition, the card information of the general card X and the membership card Y inserted into the card slot 15 by the player is read using the read function of the card reader / writer, and the amount information of the card is updated with the rental of the game medium Z. Write using the write function of the card reader / writer. Further, when the card presence / absence detection sensor is used to detect a state in which a general card or a membership card is not loaded for a predetermined time or more, the fact is notified to an external output unit 107 described later.

  The work memory unit 104 is a memory unit that temporarily stores data used for various calculation processes under the control of the control unit 101.

  The lamp lighting processing unit 105 controls lighting of each of the card available lamp 10, the money insertion ready lamp 12, and the card type lamp (including the general card lamp 131 and the membership card lamp 132) 13.

  The operation processing unit 106 performs input processing of operation signals of the member card Y operation unit 14 (including the numeric keypad 141 and the replay button 142).

  The external output unit 107 is in a state in which no general card X is loaded in the interstage machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103] due to the notification from the card processing unit 103, and the general card X cannot be issued ( That is, when a state in which money cannot be inserted) continuously occurs for a certain period of time or longer, an external device [the table lamp unit 3 and the patrol light 4 is used to notify the game store employee that the state has occurred. A predetermined signal is output to at least one of (see FIG. 1). That is, a predetermined signal is output from the external output unit 107 to the lamp unit 3 or the patrol light 4 shown in FIG. Lighting control is performed with a predetermined lighting pattern for notifying employees of the game store that the state has occurred. This lighting pattern is different from the lighting pattern based on other reasons (for example, a big hit occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state). If a predetermined signal is output from the external output unit 107 to both the base lamp unit 3 and the patrol light 4, the general card X cannot be issued by the patrol light 4 in the inter-station machine on the island. The game store employee can be notified that the condition has occurred, and the game machine employee can be informed of the pedestrian machine in which the card issuance disabled state has occurred with the table lamp 3.

  Normally, the external output unit 107 outputs a predetermined signal after a certain period of time has elapsed since the player who had played a game just took out the general card X and left the seat. It does not matter whether the player is seated or not. Therefore, before the next player gets to the seat, the employee notices that the card cannot be issued by turning on the stand lamp portion or the like, and the general card X can be replenished. In addition, even if the next player immediately gets to the seat, the employee notices that the card cannot be issued due to the lighting of the stand lamp section etc., even if the player does not operate the call button etc. The general card X can be replenished.

  The communication interface unit 108 performs communication processing for transmitting / receiving various data to / from a host device [terminal controller (T / C) or management computer].

  In addition, although this stand machine 1 shows the type which issues a throwing instruction to the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine in response to a ball lending request from a correspondingly installed gaming machine, Alternatively, the inter-machine may have a ball throwing mechanism, and the game medium Z may be thrown into the gaming machine via a nozzle or the like.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the stand lamp | ramp part 3 and the patrol light 4 were shown as an apparatus which notifies the employee of the amusement store that the state which cannot issue a card | curd with the machine 1 was shown, in addition to this, Alternatively, a display device for displaying information may be used. In that case, when a predetermined signal is received from the external output unit 107 on the display device, character information such as “No XXX series card” is displayed.

  According to such a configuration, a general card (also referred to as a prepaid card) (a storage medium for gaming medium rental) used when renting the gaming medium Z is not loaded in the inter-story machine (gaming medium rental processing machine). Can be reliably notified to the amusement store employees in distinction from other reasons (such as a jackpot occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state). Thereby, the replenishment work of the general card by the employee can be performed quickly (specifically, the general card X which the employee has no value associated with is inserted into the slot 15). Can improve the operating efficiency of the game store side, and can provide an easy-to-use system for players who are not accustomed to a game media lending system equipped with a pedestrian machine with a card issuing function. It has the effect of leading to improved sales.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the external output unit 107 is in a state in which no general card X is loaded in the inter-table machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103] and the general card X cannot be issued (that is, , A state in which money cannot be inserted) has occurred for a certain period of time or longer, from the intermediary machine to an external device [base lamp unit 3 to notify the game store employee that the state has occurred. And the patrol light 4 (see FIG. 1)], a method of outputting a predetermined signal is employed. Other methods will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the external output unit 107 (see FIG. 3) of the intermediary machine 1 has no general card X loaded in the intermediary machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103]. When a state in which the general card X cannot be issued (that is, a state in which money cannot be inserted) continuously occurs for a certain period of time or longer, an external card is used to notify the game store employee that the state has occurred. A predetermined signal is output to the host device 5 [(terminal controller (T / C) for managing the operating state of the entire game system and various information)], etc. The identification information (unit number information, etc.) that can specify the machine 1 is added and output, and the higher-level device 5 is installed in, for example, an amusement shop office.

  Then, the host apparatus 5 that has received the predetermined signal executes at least one of the following (1) to (3).

  (1) A display unit 51 included in the host device 5 is provided to an employee in the office, and in a certain intermediary machine, one general card X is loaded into the intermediary machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103]. The information for notifying that the state in which the general card X cannot be issued (that is, the state in which money cannot be inserted) has continuously occurred for a predetermined time or longer is displayed. For example, “XX range, no card” is displayed. In addition, an employee of the office or the like who sees this notifies the employee in the amusement hall through a business communication by in-store broadcasting or the like.

  (2) Using a speaker 52 or the like connected to the host device 5, a general card X is placed in the intermediary machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103] in a certain intermediary machine. Is not loaded, and the in-store broadcast for notifying that the state in which the general card X cannot be issued (that is, the state in which money cannot be inserted) has continuously occurred for a predetermined time or longer is executed. For example, utterance processing such as “business communication, XX range, please replenish because there is no card” is performed.

  (3) The communication card 53 or the like connected to the host device 5 is used to voice the income (headphones etc.) 6 worn by employees of the amusement hall, and the general card X is received in a certain intermediary machine. A state in which a single card is not loaded in the intermediary machine [card storage unit of the card processing unit 103] and a general card X cannot be issued (that is, a state in which money cannot be inserted) continuously occurs for a certain time or more. A wireless communication process is performed to notify that it has been performed. For example, voice notification processing such as “XX series, no card” is performed by voice.

  Even with such a configuration, a general card (also referred to as a prepaid card) (a storage medium for game medium rental) used when renting the game medium Z is not loaded in the inter-bed machine (game medium rental processing machine). Can be reliably notified to the amusement store employees in distinction from other reasons (such as a jackpot occurrence state or a call button press occurrence state). As a result, it is possible to quickly replenish general cards by employees, improve the operating efficiency of the game store side, and a gaming medium lending system equipped with a pedestrian machine having a card issuing function It is possible to provide a system that is easy to use even for players who are not familiar with the game, leading to an increase in sales at the game store side.

  In the description of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described above, as a condition for the external output unit 107 to output a predetermined signal to the outside, in the card processing unit 103, either the general card X or the member card Y continues for a certain time or more. Although the condition is that a state of not being loaded is detected, other methods will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined signal may be output to the outside from the lighting state of the card insertion lamp 13. That is, both the signal from the lamp lighting processing unit 105 and the signal from the general card lamp 131 and the signal from the member card lamp 132 are kept at “H” (lamp OFF level) for a predetermined time or longer to the CPU (control unit 101). When input, the CPU turns on the relay circuit of the external output unit 106. As a result, the external output unit 107 outputs a predetermined signal to the outside.

  By the way, in the system shown in the above embodiment, when a player plays a game using a general card and the value of the general card becomes “0 yen”, the general card is automatically returned. Instead, it is held in the card processing unit.

  In addition, in this system, a player who purchased a general card with a general card issuing machine (not shown) or a player who has a general card that is issued by a certain intermediary machine and is associated with a valuable value will normally play. When a general card with a valuable value of “0 yen” is loaded in the pedestrian machine associated with the desired gaming machine, the card return button is pressed and the general card with “0 yen” is inserted. After taking it out and moving it to another place, a general card associated with its own valuable value is inserted into the machine, and a game is played.

  Also, in this system, a player who has a membership card presses the card return button, removes a general card with a valuable value of “0 yen” loaded in the intermediary machine, and moves it to another location. After that, insert your membership card and play.

  For this reason, as mentioned above, in a machine that handles both a general card and a membership card, when a state in which neither a general card nor a membership card is loaded in the machine occurs continuously for a predetermined time or more. In addition, an external device is used to notify an employee of the amusement store that a state in which the general card X cannot be issued from the external output unit 107 (that is, a state in which money cannot be inserted) has continued for a certain period of time. By outputting a predetermined signal, it is not necessary to perform useless notification when a general player or a member player inserts or removes a general card (especially when the player is not in a state where the player cannot play). In addition, it is not necessary to perform useless notification when a member player is playing a game using a member card (particularly notification when the player is not in a state where the player cannot play).

  In the above-described embodiment, as a pedestal machine, in addition to a general card, a membership card is accepted and a pedestal machine having a replay function based on stored ball information is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, Only a general card may be accepted, and it may be applied to a machine with no replay function. In this case, since the membership card is irrelevant, when it is detected that the general card has not been loaded in the inter-vehicle machine for a certain period of time, the external output unit applies to the external device. The predetermined signal is output.

  In the above embodiment, a pachinko machine is taken as an example of the gaming machine 2 and the ball machine 1 is used as a ball lending processing machine in accordance with the pachinko machine. The platform machine 1 may be a medal lending processor.

  Although not particularly described in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the inserted money (such as banknotes) is stored in the inter-machine 1, but in addition to this, money is transferred by a transport mechanism in the game island. It is also possible to apply a type that transports to the edge of the game island.

  Further, as the above-described general card X, a game medium lending storage medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card is used. In addition, since it is sufficient that the valuable value can be valued, the shape is not limited, and the shape may be other than the card shape.

  In the above embodiment, the value information is recorded on the general card X itself. However, the identification code (card ID) is recorded on the general card X, and the identification code and the value information are managed by a higher-level card management device. It may be applied to the type.

  Further, when one card reader / writer supports both the general card X and the membership card Y, the same card specifications are adopted for both cards.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the game hall system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the general | schematic external appearance structure by the side of the front customer of the intermediary machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function inside a stand machine. The figure which shows the other output form of the predetermined signal of the external output part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the conditions which output the predetermined signal of the external output part shown in FIG. 3 outside.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Game island 1 ... Intermediary processor 2 ... Game machine 3 ... Stand lamp part 4 ... Patrite X ... General card Y ... Member card Z ... Game medium 10 ... Card use lamp 11 ... Money insertion slot 12 ... Money insertion possible Lamp 13 ... Card insertion lamp 14 ... Member card Y operation section 15 ... Card slot 131 ... General card lamp 132 ... Member card lamp 141 ... Numpad 142 ... Replay button 201 ... Balance display section 202 ... Game media lending button DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 203 ... Card return button 101 ... Control part 102 ... Money processing part 103 ... Card processing part 104 ... Work memory part 105 ... Lamp lighting processing part 106 ... Operation input processing part 107 ... External output part 108 ... Communication interface part

Claims (16)

A function of issuing a game medium renting storage medium associated with a valuable value for renting a game medium to be used in a gaming machine, and receiving the game medium renting storage medium; A gaming medium lending function that performs a lending process of the gaming medium based on the value associated with the medium, and the storage medium for issuing the gaming medium not associated with the value is loaded in the device in advance. In the method of notifying issuance of a storage medium for gaming media rental in a processing machine,
If the game medium lending storage medium is not loaded in the device and the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued, it is detected that the issuance impossible state has occurred. A game medium lending storage medium issuance status notifying method characterized in that a predetermined signal is output from the game medium lending processor to an external device for notifying an employee. The predetermined signal is:
Along with the identification information that can identify the gaming medium lending processor, it is output to the processing terminal installed in the gaming store,
The processing terminal
When the predetermined signal is received, a notification process is performed to notify an employee of the game store that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued has occurred in the predetermined gaming medium lending processor based on the identification information. The game medium lending storage medium issuance disabled state notification method according to claim 1. The notification process includes
3. The issuance of a storage medium for renting a game medium according to claim 2, wherein the process is a process for displaying on the display section that a state in which a storage medium for renting a game medium cannot be issued by a predetermined game medium lending processor is generated. Disabling status notification method. The notification process includes
The in-store broadcast process for automatically notifying a game store employee that a state in which a storage medium for renting a game medium cannot be issued has occurred in a predetermined game medium rent processing machine is provided. 3. A method for notifying that a storage medium for renting game media according to 2 is not issued. The notification process includes
A wireless notification process in which a game store employee automatically notifies the headphones worn by a game store that a game medium rental storage medium cannot be issued by a predetermined game medium rental processor. The game medium lending storage medium issuance disabled state notification method according to claim 2. The predetermined signal is:
Output to the state notification means installed at or near the island edge of the gaming island where a plurality of the gaming machines are installed,
The state notification means includes
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined signal is received, notification is performed with a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued has occurred in the game medium lending processor. A method for notifying that a storage medium for medium rental cannot be issued. The predetermined signal is:
Output to the state notification means installed in the upper part of the gaming machine,
The state notification means includes
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined signal is received, notification is performed with a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued has occurred in the game medium lending processor. A method for notifying that a storage medium for medium rental cannot be issued. The predetermined signal is:
Output to the island state notification means installed at or near the island edge of the gaming island where a plurality of the gaming machines are installed, and to the gaming machine state notification means installed at the upper part of the gaming machine Is also output,
When the island state notifying means receives the predetermined signal, it notifies with a notification pattern for notifying that a state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued in the game medium lending processor of the own island has occurred, When the gaming machine state notifying means receives the predetermined signal, it notifies that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued in the gaming medium lending processor corresponding to the gaming machine associated with the gaming machine state notification means has occurred. 2. The game medium lending storage medium issuance status notification method according to claim 1, wherein the notification is performed with a notification pattern. The gaming media rental processing machine is
A replay function for renting out the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with the member storage medium used in the game store;
The storage medium processing means for processing the information stored in the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium has both the game medium lending storage medium and the member storage medium loaded in the device. 2. The game medium lending storage medium according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined signal is output to the external device when a non-issuable state in which the game medium lending storage medium cannot be issued is detected. Issuance status notification method. The gaming media rental processing machine is
A replay function for renting out the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with the member storage medium used in the game store;
When the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium is received, a state notification control unit that performs a state notification indicating that each storage medium is being received provides a state notification that both storage media are not received. 2. The game medium lending storage medium issue state notifying method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the issue impossible state has occurred and a predetermined signal is output to the external device. The output timing of the predetermined signal is
11. The game medium lending storage medium issue state notification method according to claim 9 or 10, which is performed when the issuance impossible state continues for a predetermined time. A function of issuing a game medium renting storage medium associated with a valuable value for renting a game medium to be used in a gaming machine, and receiving the game medium renting storage medium; A gaming medium lending function that performs a lending process of the gaming medium based on the value associated with the medium, and the storage medium for issuing the gaming medium not associated with the value is loaded in the device in advance. In the processing machine,
Detecting means for detecting that the storage medium for renting out game media is not loaded in the device and an unissueable state in which the storage medium for renting out game media cannot be issued has occurred;
When the non-issueable state is detected by the detection means, a predetermined signal is output from the game medium lending processor to an external device to notify the game shop employee that the non-issueable state has occurred. And a game medium lending processor. The external output means includes
The predetermined signal is output to a processing terminal installed in the gaming store together with identification information that can identify the gaming medium rental processing machine in which the unissueable state has occurred,
Upon receipt of the predetermined signal, the processing terminal notifies an employee of the game store that a state in which a storage medium for gaming medium rental cannot be issued by a predetermined gaming medium rental processing machine has occurred based on the identification information. The game medium lending processor according to claim 12, wherein notification processing is performed. The gaming media rental processing machine is
A replay function for renting out the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with the member storage medium used in the game store;
A storage medium processing unit that processes information stored in the game medium renting storage medium or the member storage medium, and the storage medium processing unit is a device that is both the game medium renting storage medium and the member storage medium. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a predetermined signal is output to the external device when a non-issuable state is detected that is not loaded in the storage medium and the storage medium for gaming medium lending cannot be issued. Game media rental processing machine. The gaming media rental processing machine is
A replay function for renting out the game medium based on game medium saving information associated with the member storage medium used in the game store;
When the game medium lending storage medium or the member storage medium is received, a state notification control unit that performs a state notification indicating that each storage medium is being received provides a state notification that both storage media are not received. 13. The game medium lending processor according to claim 12, wherein it is determined that the issuance impossible state has occurred, and a predetermined signal is output to the external device. The output timing of the predetermined signal is
16. The game medium lending processor according to claim 14, wherein the game medium lending processor is performed when the issuance impossible state continues for a predetermined time.

Images