JP2005329263A - Recording medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium processor that restrains the fraudulent conduct of receiving a large amount to a recording medium by abusing a money receiving function in an off-line condition. <P>SOLUTION: The recording medium processor judges whether it is in an on-line condition where it can communicate with a management computer or in an off-line condition where it cannot communicate with the management computer when cash to add and update a balance of a member's card is received. In the off-line condition, the updating of the balance of the member's card is permitted on condition that the receipts are less than an upper limit set at a value lower than during the on-line condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium processing apparatus typified by, for example, a card unit, and more specifically, is provided corresponding to a gaming machine, and a gaming value specified by recording information on a recording medium is within the gaming value range. It is related with the recording medium processing apparatus containing the use processing means which performs the use processing for carrying out the use in the game in the said gaming machine.

  In this type of recording medium processing apparatus, what is conventionally known is provided corresponding to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine in which a game is played using a gaming medium such as a ball. There was a recording medium processing device such as a card unit. As such a recording medium processing apparatus, a usage processing means for performing a usage process for deducting a gaming value specified by the recording information of the recording medium within the range of the gaming value and using it for a game in the gaming machine. There was something that included. Some recording medium processing apparatuses of this type have a function of adding and updating the game value specified by the recording information of the recording medium by a player's deposit operation.

  It is conceivable that this type of recording medium processing apparatus and a management apparatus that manages the recording medium are connected online, and the management apparatus is authenticated using the recording information of the recording medium. In this case, when the communication between the recording medium processing device and the management device changes to the offline state, the recording information on the recording medium cannot be managed on the management device side. It is thought that it is easy to carry out expensive fraudulent deposits using functions. However, the conventional recording medium processing apparatus cannot suppress such an expensive fraudulent payment act.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of the actual situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium processing apparatus capable of suppressing a large amount of fraudulent depositing action by exploiting a depositing function to a recording medium in an offline state. Is to provide.

Specific examples of means for solving the problems and their effects

(1) Use that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and performs a usage process for using the gaming value in the gaming machine by deducting the gaming value specified by the recording information of the recording medium within the range of the gaming value A recording medium processing apparatus (card unit 3) including processing means,
Recording information reading means (card reader / writer device provided in the card unit 3) for reading the recording information of the recording medium;
Information transmitting means (information output unit 352) for transmitting the recording information read by the recording information reading means to a management device (card unit management device 400) that authenticates the recording medium using the recording information;
A communication state determination unit (S13) for determining whether the information transmission unit is in an online state in which communication with the management apparatus is possible or in an offline state in which communication is impossible;
When the communication state determining unit determines that the online state is established, a deposit amount deposited to the recording medium processing device is determined in advance in order to add and update the game value specified by the recording information of the recording medium. First upper limit determining means (S14) for determining whether or not the first upper limit is exceeded;
Second upper limit amount determining means for determining whether or not the deposit amount exceeds a predetermined second upper limit amount lower than the first upper limit amount when the communication state determining unit determines that the communication state is in the offline state. (S15),
In the online state, if the first upper limit amount determining means determines that the deposit amount does not exceed the first upper limit amount, the game value specified by the record information of the recording medium is included in the game value. The game value corresponding to the amount is added, and recording on the recording medium is performed on the condition that, in the offline state, the second upper limit determining means determines that the deposit does not exceed the second upper limit. Adding means (S16) for adding the game value corresponding to the deposit amount to the game value specified by the information.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a high-priced fraudulent depositing act that misuses the depositing function to the recording medium in the offline state.

(2) storage means for storing authentication data for authenticating the recording medium (storage of security information in the control unit 340 of the card unit 3);
Authentication means (offline state) for authenticating the recording medium by comparing and determining authentication data stored in the storage means and authentication data recorded in advance on the recording medium in the offline state In this case, the card unit 3 alone authenticates the member card 21. In this case, for example, the security information is stored in the control unit 340 of the card unit 3, and the security information and the member card 21 are authenticated. If the security information read out from the card matches, the simple authentication is performed to authenticate that the member card 21 is an appropriate card.).

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a card unit provided corresponding to a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of the recording medium processing device. However, as the card unit, for example, a coin gaming machine, a slot that uses a coin It may be a card unit provided corresponding to other gaming machines, such as a gaming machine that performs a slot machine game by inserting a predetermined number of pachinko balls instead of a machine and coins, and other than the card unit It may be a recording medium processing apparatus. In other words, the present invention is a recording medium provided corresponding to a gaming machine, in which the owner is specified, and information that can specify the magnitude of the value for gaming that can be used for gaming by the gaming machine is recorded. Any management device can be used as long as it is a recording medium processing device that performs a use process for using a game value of a size specified by the record information of the owner-specified recording medium within a range of the size. Is also applicable.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 2 as an example of a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island and a card unit 3 as an example of a recording medium processing device. In the amusement hall, a plurality of gaming machine installation islands 200a are provided in which a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are provided side by side (in a form in which the back side faces each other). A card unit 3 is attached to the left side of each pachinko gaming machine 2 in a one-to-one correspondence with one pachinko gaming machine 2.

  In this card unit 3, a member card (see member card 21 in FIGS. 3A, 3C, etc.) issued individually to a player registered as a member in the game hall, and all players Two types of cards, such as a visitor card that can be used (see visitor card 23 in FIGS. 3B, 3D, etc.) can be used to receive balls.

  The membership card is a recording medium that can be issued, for example, when a player fills in a predetermined registration form and submits it to a game hall. As will be described later, various information such as a card balance as a consideration for the player's input fee and member information for identifying individual members are recorded on the member card as card information. The membership card is owned by the member and can be used in principle by any card unit 3. The visitor card is a recording medium that is built in the card unit 3 and is issued after the player inserts a bill or a coin, and is repeatedly used in one card unit 3. . In the visitor card, as will be described later, various information such as a card balance as a consideration for the player's input money is recorded as card information. These membership cards and visitor cards are constituted by non-contact type IC cards as will be described later.

  In addition, in the gaming machine installation island 200a, at one end, there are devices such as an island edge control device that performs various controls related to the gaming machine installation island 200a, such as money transfer control in the gaming machine installation island 200a, and a money collection box. The provided island edge control box 201 is provided.

  When a player inserts a membership card into the card insertion / extraction port 4 provided at the lower end of the card unit 3, the card is inserted by a card reader / writer device (see FIGS. 4 to 6) provided in the card unit 3. The recorded information of the registered membership card is read. Then, when the ball lending switch 80 is pressed (lending request operation), a part or all of the card balance included in the read data is withdrawn and withdrawn to the upper plate 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card balance. The number of balls equivalent to is rented out. The card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2 are connected by wiring, and are configured to exchange data between them.

  When the membership card is inserted and the ball balance is deducted in accordance with the player's operation and the ball is lent out, a ball rental command signal is transmitted from the card unit 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2. The pachinko gaming machine 2 pays out a predetermined number of balls to the upper plate 5 according to the ball lending command signal. Then, the player can play the ball by paying the ball paid out to the upper plate 5 to the game area provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2. When returning the membership card, it is returned when the return switch 81 is pressed. It is also automatically returned when the card balance of the membership card becomes zero.

  The upper plate 5 is also provided with a card balance display 8 for displaying the card balance recorded on the inserted member card and the card balance recorded on the issued visitor card.

  On the other hand, in a state where the membership card is not inserted from the card insertion / ejection slot 4, the player inserts a banknote (1000 yen banknote) into the banknote insertion slot 61 provided in the card unit 3, or the card unit 3. By inserting coins (500 yen, 100 yen coins) into the coin insertion slot 62 provided in the card, the above-mentioned visitor card in which the card balance corresponding to the inserted amount is recorded is sent from the card insertion outlet 4 to the player. publish. This visitor card is carried into a game hall by a prepaid card issuing company, and is set in each card unit 3 at the game hall, and is built in each card unit 3. At the time of issuance, the visitor card is once discharged from the card insertion / discharge port 4 in such a manner that the player can visually recognize it but cannot remove it, but thereafter, automatically from the card insertion / discharge port 4 without any operation by the player. It is taken inside.

  When a visitor card is issued, the entire card balance of the imported visitor card is automatically withdrawn, and balls are rented out by paying out to the upper plate 5 in the same manner as for the membership card described above. The entire card balance is lent out in a lump.

  Since it is possible to issue visitor cards in response to the insertion of banknotes, a relatively high amount (for example, 1000 yen) can be consumed with one issuance. There is an advantage that sales increase. Also, if a visitor card is issued once, the entire amount of the card balance will be withdrawn for lending of balls, so the player will at least use up the card balance specified from the record information of the issued visitor card In order to play a game, the operation rate of the pachinko gaming machine 2 at the game hall is improved.

  In addition, in the gaming machine installation island 200a, in the space between the rows of the two rows of pachinko gaming machines and the card units 3 opposite to each other on the back side, a conveyance path of the money conveyance device is provided. The banknotes and coins received by the card unit 3 are discharged from the back side of the card unit 3 onto the conveyance path after being processed for identifying the banknotes, and are collected at the end of the gaming machine installation island 200a. To be collected.

  When the player operates the hitting operation handle 51, the pachinko balls on the upper plate 52 are shot and fired one by one into the game area 53. When the hit ball that has been driven into the game area 53 wins the start winning opening 54, the winning ball is detected by a start winning ball sensor (not shown), and the variable display device 55 provided at the center of the game area 53 In a variable display area (for example, the variable display area has three variable display areas arranged on the left, middle, and right), a variable display of a special symbol consisting of a plurality of types of symbols such as numbers (both update display and variable display) Called) is started. Note that the hitting of the hit ball at the start winning opening 54 is particularly referred to as a start winning.

  Then, if the result of stopping the variable display of the special symbol in the variable display device 55 is a jackpot symbol that is a predetermined specific display mode (for example, a combination of symbols such as 777), the jackpot as the specific gaming state A condition occurs. There are a plurality of types of jackpot symbol combinations. If any one of the jackpot symbol combinations is stopped and displayed, a jackpot state occurs.

  When a big hit state occurs, a sonoid (not shown) is excited, whereby the open / close plate 57 provided in the variable winning ball device 56 located in the lower portion of the variable display device 55 is opened and the big winning opening is opened. Is opened, and the variable winning ball apparatus 56 is in a first state advantageous to the player. In the variable winning ball device 56, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the pachinko balls to the variable winning ball device 56, or the elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), whichever comes first is selected. When established, the first state is terminated, and the opening / closing plate 57 is closed to change to a second state unfavorable to the player.

  If the hitting ball wins again at the start port 54 during the variable display of the variable display device 55, the start winning is memorized and waits until the variable display device 55 can be variably started after the variable display device 55 is variably stopped. Based on this, the variable display device 55 is variably started again. The upper limit value of the start winning memory is set to “4” and is displayed at a predetermined location.

  Pachinko balls that have entered the variable winning ball device 56 during the period in which the variable winning ball device 56 is in the first state are detected by a 10-count sensor (not shown) or a specific winning ball set (not shown). If the pachinko ball is detected by the specific winning ball sensor, repeated continuous control for controlling the variable winning ball device 56 to the first state again after the first state of the variable winning ball device 56 at that time is finished. Is done. The upper limit number of executions of this repeated continuation control is set to 16 times, for example.

  After the repeated continuous control is finished, the so-called big hit state is finished, and the open / close plate 57 is not opened unless a big hit occurs again. It should be noted that when the state is shifted to such a state, when the jackpot generated before the state shift is caused by a combination of a particular symbol, control is performed such that the probability of the jackpot occurring is increased. That is, when there are a plurality of types of symbol combinations in which a big hit occurs, and when a big hit occurs in a combination of symbols, control is performed so that the probability that a big hit will occur is increased.

  A gaming state in which the jackpot probability fluctuates in this way is particularly called a probability variation state (abbreviation, probability variation). Such a state in which the jackpot probability fluctuates continues, for example, until the jackpot is generated twice thereafter.

  During the variable display of the variable display device 55, a reach state may occur. Here, “reach” has a variable display device whose display state can be changed, the variable display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are specified in advance. In a gaming machine in which the gaming state is a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player when the display mode is combined, the plurality of display results are already derived and displayed at a stage where they are not yet derived and displayed. A display state in which a display result satisfies a condition that is a combination of the specific display modes. In other words, reach means that a game state is obtained when a display result of a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states can be changed is a combination of predetermined display modes. In a gaming machine that is in a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player, when the display result of the variable display device has not yet been derived and displayed, the combination of the specific display modes is likely to be displayed. This is the display state that makes a person think. For example, a state in which variable display by the plurality of variable display units is performed while maintaining a state where the combinations of the specific display modes are aligned is also included in the reach display state. In addition, some reach is likely to generate a big hit when it appears compared to a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called super reach. Also, some reach will be 100% big hit when it appears. Such a specific reach is called premium reach.

In addition, the reach state is out of the display condition that becomes the specific display mode even when the display control proceeds after the variable display device is variably started and the display result is reached before the display result is derived and displayed. It also refers to a display mode that does not exist.
The reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the variable display device progresses and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. This also refers to a display state in a case where at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display areas that have been satisfied the conditions for the specific display mode.

  Further, in the game area 53, in addition to the above-described start winning port 54, a normal winning port 58 is provided. Further, pachinko balls that have not won any winning area (winning area and winning area in the variable winning ball apparatus) are collected by an out port 58 provided at the bottom of the game area 53. The balls collected by the out port 58 and the balls that have won the winning area are merged inside the pachinko gaming machine 2 and discharged to the outside through a predetermined discharge route.

  In such a pachinko gaming machine 2, when a ball wins, a predetermined number of premium balls are paid out according to the winning, and the ball can be continuously fired using the balls to play a game. Balls to be paid out for lending and balls to be paid out as premium balls are both supplied into the pachinko gaming machine 2 through a predetermined supply route.

  Next, the configuration of the card unit 3 will be described in detail. 2A is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit 3, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the card insertion / discharge port 4 along the line AA in FIG. 2A.

  A card insertion / ejection port 4 is provided at the lower end on the front side in the card unit 3, and a card reader / writer device (see FIGS. 4 to 6) including an IC card reader / writer is provided on the back side. The visitor card 23 is set in the card reader / writer device and is always held (see FIG. 5B). Then, in a state in which the membership card is not inserted from the card insertion / ejection slot 4, the player inserts coins by inserting a banknote into the banknote insertion slot 61 or inserting a coin into the coin insertion slot 62. Then, the card balance corresponding to the amount of the inserted money is written into the visitor card 23 by the card reader / writer device, and the visitor card 23 is issued by partially protruding from the card insertion / ejection port 4 (FIG. 2B). )reference).

  Referring to FIG. 2B, the vicinity of the card insertion / ejection port 4 on the front side of the card unit 3 is a recess 40 that is recessed toward the back of the card unit 3. A cover 24 made of a transparent resin is fitted in the space 40. The cover 24 is formed with a card insertion / removal hole 41 through which a card can be inserted / removed in accordance with the shape of the card insertion / ejection port 4, and is attached so as not to protrude outward from the front surface of the card unit 3. The cover 24 is configured so that the card discharge state can be visually recognized from all angles including the front surface of the card unit 3 even when the card is slightly discharged from the card insertion / discharge port 4 due to the prism effect.

  A part of the visitor card 23 is ejected from the card insertion / exit opening 4 to a position where the player can visually recognize it, and thereafter, the visitor card 23 is immediately taken into the player without passing into the player's hand. At the time of issuance, the visitor card 23 is discharged into the cover 24 so as not to jump out of the cover 24. For this reason, the visitor card 23 can be taken into the card unit 3 again without reaching the player's hand when issued. As described above, the card insertion / discharge port 4 is covered with the cover 24, so that the player cannot pull out the visitor card 23 when the visitor card 23 is issued.

  The card unit 3 is provided with a card insertion / exhaust port as it is on the front surface of the card unit 3 without providing a recess in the front surface portion of the card unit 3 and a transparent resin cover member (similar to the cover 24 described above). The card may be provided with a card insertion / removal hole through which the membership card 21 can be inserted / extracted, and a part of the card may be protruded into the cover member when the visitor card 23 is issued. Even in that case, due to the presence of the cover member, the card issuance state can be visually recognized, and the player cannot pull out the visitor card 23.

  The card balance of the visitor card 23 taken inside after being issued is read by the card reader / writer device. Then, the number of balls lent corresponding to the total card balance read from the visitor card 23 is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2 into the upper plate 5. In other words, ball lending using a visitor card is performed in a lump sum for the entire card balance. Then, after the balls are lent out, the visitor card is automatically returned to a predetermined standby position inside the card reader / writer device and put into a standby state for the next issue. Thereby, the visitor card can be used repeatedly.

  In this way, the card unit 3 can repeatedly perform the operation of issuing the visitor card 23 once and taking it in again to lend out balls, so that the running cost in the game hall can be suppressed as much as possible.

  Also, the cover 24 is provided with a member light emitting lamp 241 that emits red light when the member card 21 is used and a visitor light lamp 242 that emits green light when the visitor card 23 is used. Yes. Specifically, the member light emitting lamp 241 is caused to emit light while the member card 21 is inserted. On the other hand, the visitor light-emitting lamp 242 is caused to emit light from the time of issuance of the visitor card 23 until the end of lending of the balls after issuance. Due to such a difference in light emission color, the card unit 3 can inform the player which card is being used, and the player distinguishes the light emission color to determine which card is being used. Can be clearly distinguished.

  In the present embodiment, the card balance of the visitor card 23 is shown to be withdrawn all at once. However, when the visitor card 23 is issued, only a part of the card balance may be withdrawn.

  On the uppermost part of the card unit 3, an online display lamp 91 for notifying whether or not the card unit 3 is in an online state with respect to the card unit management apparatus (see FIG. 6) is provided. The online display lamp 91 is turned on when the card unit 3 is online with respect to the card unit management apparatus, and is turned off when the card unit 3 is offline. Below the online display lamp 91, a visitor card use lamp 92 is provided to notify whether or not the visitor card 23 can be used. The visitor card available lamp 92 is turned on when the visitor card 23 is usable, and is turned off when the visitor card 23 cannot be used.

  When any error occurs in the card unit 3 or when a communication error occurs between the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2, the visitor card available lamp 92 blinks.

  A bill insertion slot 61 and a coin insertion slot 62 are provided below the visitor card usable lamp 92 in the vertical direction. A plurality of types of banknotes of 1000 yen, 200 yen, 5000 yen, and 10000 yen can be inserted into the banknote insertion slot 61. A plurality of types of coins of 100 yen and 500 yen can be inserted into the coin insertion slot 62.

  If a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 61, the banknote identification device 31 (see FIG. 6) takes in the banknote and determines whether it is a proper banknote. Further, by inserting a coin into the coin insertion slot 62, it is determined whether or not the coin is taken in by the coin identification device 32 (see FIG. 6) and is an appropriate coin. When such bills and coins, that is, coins are appropriate, depending on the situation, the member card 21 can be deposited (in this embodiment, up to 10,000 yen can be deposited). ) Or a visitor card 23 can be issued (in this embodiment, a card balance with a maximum of 1000 yen can be issued).

  When a proper amount of money (banknotes, coins) not exceeding a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 1000 yen) is inserted in a state where an appropriate membership card 21 is not inserted into the card insertion / exit port 4, A visitor card 23 in which an amount corresponding to the inserted money is recorded as a card balance is automatically issued without the player's operation. In addition, when an amount of money that does not exceed a predetermined upper limit (for example, 10,000 yen) is inserted in a state where the member card 21 is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 4, the card balance is “0”. It is possible to deposit the membership card 21 on the condition that “ Here, the deposit refers to updating the card balance by adding an amount corresponding to the inserted money to the card balance. In this embodiment, when money is inserted in a state where the card balance is “0”, the deposit is automatically performed without the player's operation. In this way, with the membership card 21, payment cannot be made unless the card balance once becomes “0”.

  Below the coin insertion slot 62, a return button 93 is provided which is operated to request a return when the inserted coin is jammed inside. When the return button 93 is operated, the inserted coin is returned from the coin return port 94 provided below the display plate 30 by performing a mechanical discharging operation according to the operation.

  Below the return button 93, a display plate 30 for performing various displays and operations is provided. The display plate 30 includes a money available lamp 13, a money setting button 14, a money indicator 15, a fraction display button 16, a money indicator 17, a ball indicator 18, a connecting table direction indicator 19, and a card being inserted. A lamp 20 is provided.

  The money available lamp 13 informs whether or not money (banknotes and coins) can be inserted into the bill insertion slot 61 or the coin insertion slot 62 in order to deposit the membership card 21 and issue the visitor card 23. belongs to. The currency usable lamp 13 is turned on when at least one of banknotes and coins can be inserted, and is turned off when both banknotes and coins cannot be inserted.

  In this card unit 3, the visitor card 23 cannot be issued when the member card 21 is inserted. Further, the card unit 3 is configured such that when the visitor card 23 is issued and the card balance of the visitor card 23 is not 0, the visitor card 23 cannot be issued and the membership card 21 cannot be paid. ing.

  The amount setting button 14 is used to set the amount of a card balance used for one ball lending using the member card 21 (hereinafter referred to as a lending set amount). A set amount can be selected. Each time the money amount setting button 14 is pressed, the card balance used for one lending is switched. The amount of money that can be selected by the amount setting button 14 is provided in plural types such as 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, 500 yen,... The amount can be selectively determined. For this reason, the player can freely select and set the lending set amount. On the other hand, with respect to the visitor card 23, since all the amount provided for the card issuance is used for one lending, the one lending set amount cannot be freely set.

  The relationship between the operation of the amount setting button 14 and the selection of the lending set amount is as follows. For example, an initial value (default value) is set for the lending set amount, and each time the amount setting button 14 is pressed, the lending set amount is 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, When the operation is switched once more in the order of 500 yen,..., 1000 yen, and the operation is performed once more from the selected state of 1000 yen, the set lending amount returns to 100 yen again and is switched in the same order. That is, each time the amount setting button 14 is operated, a plurality of types of loan setting amounts are rotated.

  As the initial value of the lending set amount, one amount selected from a plurality of types of amounts is set. In the lending set amount, one of a plurality of selectable lending set amounts described above is determined in advance as an initial value. It is desirable to set the initial value of the loan setting amount, for example, to an amount that is recognized as having the highest probability that the player selects as the loan setting amount (for example, 500 yen in the case of the above-described amount example). If such a setting is made, it is possible for the player to save the trouble of changing the lending set amount, which is convenient for the player.

  The set amount for lending selected according to the operation of the amount setting button 14 is displayed by the amount display 15. Then, the member card 21 is inserted and the ball lending switch 80 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 is operated in a state where the amount setting button 14 is operated and the lending setting amount of 200 yen is selected, for example. In this case, 200 yen is deducted from the card balance recorded on the member card 21, and a 200-yen ball is paid out from the pachinko gaming machine 2.

  In addition, a new member card 21 is used from the time when the use of the member card 21 is ended, as in the case where the member card 21 is discharged from the card insertion / discharge port 4 and is removed from the member card insertion port 4 by the player. If a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses, the set value of the lending set amount used for one ball lending (ball lending) is returned to the initial value described above, and the initial value (500 yen) Is displayed on the amount display 15.

  By pressing the fraction display button 16, a card unit setting state such as an ID number for identifying the card unit 3 and a display for specifying the lending status immediately before the previous time are displayed.

  The amount indicator 17 is for displaying various amounts such as the amount inserted for depositing the membership card 21 or issuing the visitor card 23. In addition to the amount, the number of stored balls and replay Display numbers selectively. In this embodiment, savings and replays are only allowed for members. Here, the stored ball refers to an act of depositing a player-owned score or a value of a ball or the like to a game hall side or a third party management organization entrusted by the game hall and the deposited value. For example, when a player brings a ball and a member card 21 to a ball counter (jet counter) in a game hall and counts the balls, the player inserts the member card 21 into the device. If an operation for designating that the ball is to be stored is performed, the counted number of balls is registered as a stored ball in a member management device (see FIG. 6) described later, and can be performed for each member. The replay means that a player plays a game by using a stored ball to borrow a ball. The number of replays refers to the number of replays that can be replayed by deducting from the number of stored balls with a predetermined number of balls as one unit. The relationship between the number of stored balls and the number of borrowed balls in replay is determined in advance, and balls are lent out by subtracting the number of replays from the number of stored balls.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a pachinko ball is deposited as a saving ball, but the concept as a saving ball is not only a pachinko ball but also a saving medal for depositing a medal, a score for depositing a score, etc. Including depositing other values of.

  Further, the money amount display unit 17 is also used for displaying an error code. For example, an error code is displayed for each cause of abnormality such as various abnormal states occurring in the card unit 3 or communication abnormality between the card unit 3 and the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 2.

  The ball indicator 18 selectively displays whether the card unit 3 is for renting a pachinko ball or for medals. Some of the card units 3 are for lending medals (coins) such as slot machines instead of lending pachinko balls, and are configured so that the distinction from them can be recognized by the lighting display of the ball indicator 18 Has been.

  The connection table direction indicator 19 is used to light and indicate which pachinko gaming machine 2 is connected to the card unit 3 by wiring. The card insertion lamp 20 is for informing that the member card 21 is inserted into the member card insertion slot 4 by lighting display.

  A coin return port 94 is provided below the display plate 30. The inserted coins can be returned from the coin return port 94 as described above. A numerical value input unit 95 including a numeric keypad capable of inputting a numerical value such as a password is provided below the coin return port 94. When a player becomes a member, a personal identification number is determined for each member, and the personal identification number is included in the member information and registered on the game side. When the member performs savings and replay, the player inputs a personal identification number from the numerical value input unit 95 for authenticating the person. When the password entered in this way matches the registered password, saving and replay can be performed. When replaying, the player can specify the replay number by inputting the replay number from the numerical value input unit 95.

  If the member card 21 is inserted into the card insertion / exit port 4 and used in the game, and the player performs a pressing operation of the return switch 81 (see FIG. 1) as a game ending operation, the reduced and updated card balance is obtained. The recorded member card 21 is discharged (returned) in such a manner that a part of the member card 21 protrudes from the member card insertion slot 4 to the outside of the cover 24. A zero card that has used up all the card balance is also discharged (returned) from the card insertion slot 4 in the same manner. The player receives the discharged member card 21 by extracting the member card 21 discharged in such a state.

  Next, the member card 21 and the visitor card 23 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration and recording information of the membership card 21 and the visitor card 23.

  3, (a) is a partially broken plan view of the member card 21, (b) is a partially broken plan view of the visitor card 23, (c) is recorded information of the member card 21, and (d) Shows the recorded information of the visitor card 23, respectively.

  Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the membership card 21 is configured to have the same size as a general card, but the visitor card 23 has a smaller size than the membership card 21. Card. Both the membership card 21 and the visitor card 23 are non-contact type IC cards.

  Inside the member card 21, an IC chip 21a and an antenna coil 21b connected to the IC chip 21a are provided at one end. The IC chip 21a and the antenna coil 21b are provided in a manner embedded in the member card 21. In the figure, a state in which the vicinity of the IC chip 21a and the antenna coil 21b is broken is shown, and a configuration in which the IC chip 21a and the antenna coil 21b are embedded in the card is shown. The antenna coil 21b receives electromagnetic waves output from the card reader / writer. Thereby, power is generated in the IC chip 21a and the IC chip 21a operates. The antenna coil 21b transmits / receives various data to / from the card reader / writer.

  The IC chip 21a is provided with various components such as a power supply unit, a control unit, and a memory (not shown). Power is generated by the power supply unit and supplied to each unit, and the control unit and the memory operate. . The control unit is a processor capable of executing various operations and controls, and performs various controls such as data transmission / reception and data reading and writing by executing a control program. The memory stores data without losing data even when there is no power, and stores and holds card information.

  Referring to FIG. 3B, in the visitor card 23, an IC chip 23a and an antenna coil 23b connected to the IC chip 23a are provided at one end. In the figure, a state in which the vicinity of the IC chip 23a and the antenna coil 23b is broken is shown, and a configuration in which the IC chip 23a and the antenna coil 23b are embedded in the card is shown. Such an IC chip 23a and antenna coil 23b have the same configuration as the IC chip 21a and antenna coil 21b of the member card 21 described above, and function in the same manner.

  Referring to FIG. 3C, the member card 21 includes card number information 211, issuing store information 212, card balance information 213, member specifying information 214, deposit unit number information 215, accumulated number information 216, service information. 217, security information 218, and other information 219 are recorded in the memory. In the memory of the membership card 21, an area for recording each information is provided in order to record these information.

  The card number information 211 is information that can identify a member card number that is identification information given to each member in order to identify the member. The issue store information 212 is information for specifying the game arcade where the membership card 21 is issued.

  The card balance information 213 is information for specifying the card balance. The member specifying information 214 is information for specifying a member individual such as a member's name, address, and date of birth. The deposit unit number information 215 is information specifying the unit number of the card unit 3 in which the card balance recorded on the card is recorded. The number of stored balls information 216 is information for specifying the number of stored balls of the member. The service information 217 is information for specifying each of information related to the number of points for services to be described later given to the member and information related to services other than the number of points. The security information 218 is information for performing a security check of the member card 21, and when the security information 218 matches the predetermined security information, it is determined that the card is a legitimate card. In addition to such information, the member card 21 stores various information, that is, other information 219.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3D, the visitor card 23 has card number information 231, issuing store information 232, card balance information 233, issuing unit number information 234, security information 235, and other information. 236 is recorded in the memory.

  The card number information 231 is information that can specify a visitor card number that is identification information given to each visitor card 23 in order to identify the visitor card 23. The issue store information 232 is information for identifying a game hall where the visitor card 23 is issued, that is, a game hall where the card unit 3 is provided. The card balance information 233 is information for specifying the card balance of the visitor card 23. The issue unit number information 234 is information for specifying the unit number of the card unit from which the visitor card 23 is issued, that is, the card unit 3 in which the visitor card 23 is built. The security information 235 is the same information as the security information 217 of the membership card 21 described above. In addition to such information, various information, that is, other information 236 is recorded in the visitor card 23.

  Next, the processing operation of the membership card 21 in the card reader / writer device 33 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the card reader / writer device 33 showing the processing operation of the member card 21 in the card reader / writer device 33. In FIG. 4, the change of the state according to the passage of time is shown in (a) to (e).

  Referring to FIG. 4A, the card reader / writer device 33 is provided with a space that is wide enough to move one card, in which the visitor card 23 and the membership card 21 are transported. The The card is conveyed by a plurality of conveyor belts (only the conveyor belts 332, 333, and 334 are shown) driven by a motor provided in the card reader / writer device 33.

  A communication unit 331 including an antenna coil for communicating with the antenna coil units 21b and 23b of the card described above is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the space in the card reader / writer device 33. In the space inside the card reader / writer device 33, when the antenna coil units 21b and 23b are located at positions facing the communication unit 331, each card and the card reader / writer device 33 can communicate with each other, and the recording information of each card Can be read and written.

  In the card reader / writer device 33, a plurality of card detection position sensors 335 to 338 are provided to detect the presence / absence of a card in the internal space of the card reader / writer device 33. Each card detection position sensor optically detects the presence of a card based on whether or not the light receiving unit has received light emitted from the light emitting unit by arranging the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit to face each other in the internal space of the card reader / writer device 33. It is a sensor. In the space in the card reader / writer device 33, four card detection position sensors 338, 337, 336, and 335 are provided in order from the card insertion / discharge port 4 side to the back.

  The card detection position sensor 338 is provided at an intermediate point between the card insertion / ejection port 4 and the communication unit 331. The card detection position sensor 337 is provided in the vicinity of the communication unit 331 and at a position closer to the card insertion / discharge port 4 than the communication unit 331. The card detection position sensor 336 is provided in the vicinity of the communication unit 331 and at a position facing the card detection position sensor 337 across the communication unit 331. The card detection position sensor 335 is provided at an intermediate point between the card insertion / ejection port 4 and the communication unit 331. The card reader / writer device 33 is provided on the innermost side of the internal space.

  In the inner space of the card reader / writer device 33, a transport belt 332 capable of transporting a card from the innermost position of the internal space to a position around the communication unit 331 is provided on the back side of the communication unit 331. . The conveyance belt 332 conveys the card with the card sandwiched from both sides, and only one conveyance belt is shown in the drawing. Further, in the internal space of the card reader / writer device 33, the card can be transported from the position of the card insertion / discharge port 4 in the internal space to a position around the communication unit 331 closer to the card insertion / discharge port 4 side than the communication unit 331. Conveying belts 333 and 334 are provided in parallel in the vertical direction. The conveying belts 333 and 334 convey the card with the card sandwiched from both sides, and only one conveying belt is shown in the drawing.

  Referring to FIG. 4A, in the card reader / writer device 33, in a standby state in which neither the membership card 21 nor the visitor card 23 is processed, the visitor card 23 is at the deepest position in the internal space of the card reader / writer device 33. Is retained. In this state, the visitor card 23 is pinched by the transport belt 332 and the end portion is detected by the card detection position sensor 335.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4B, when the member card 21 is inserted, the member card 21 is detected by the card detection position sensor 338. In response to the detection, the transport belt 333 and 334 are driven in a direction to transport the member card 21 to the inside, and the member card 21 is transported to the inside by the transport belt 333 and 334 (see white arrows in the figure).

  Next, referring to FIG. 4C, when the membership card 21 is transported to the inside and its end (front end in the transport direction) is detected by the card detection position sensor 336, the transport belts 333, 334 The driving is stopped, and the member card 21 stops at a position where the antenna coil unit 21 b faces the communication unit 331. As a result, data can be read and written between the member card 21 and the card reader / writer device 33. That is, the card detection position sensor 336 is arranged at a position where the antenna coil portion 21b is positioned to face the communication portion 331 when the end portion (tip portion in the transport direction) of the member card 21 is detected. . Even if the membership card 21 has entered the position of the communication unit 331, the visitor card 23 is held in a position that does not come into contact with the incoming card. And the inserted membership card 21 do not come into contact with each other.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4D, when depositing to the membership card 21 is performed, after the card balance is updated and recorded by depositing the membership card 21, the conveyor belts 333 and 334 insert the card. It is driven in the direction of conveyance to the outside (see the white arrow pointing to the right in the figure). As a result, the member card 21 is conveyed outward. Then, as shown in the figure, when the member card 21 is no longer detected by the card detection position sensor 337, the driving of the transport belts 333 and 334 is temporarily stopped, and the member card 21 moves the end (the front end in the transport direction). It stops in a manner of protruding into the case 24. Immediately thereafter, the conveyor belts 333 and 334 are driven in the direction in which the card is conveyed to the inside (see the white arrow pointing leftward in the figure). Thereby, the membership card 21 is conveyed toward the inside.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4 (e), the membership card 21 conveyed toward the inside is returned to the original position. In this way, when the membership card 21 is deposited, a part of the membership card 21 protrudes into the case 24 to indicate that the deposit has been made, and then returned to the original position. In this case, when the end of the membership card 21 (the rear end in the transport direction) is no longer detected by the card detection position sensor 336, the driving of the transport belts 333 and 334 is stopped, so that the membership card 21 is returned to the original position. Is returned to.

Next, the processing operation of the visitor card 23 in the card reader / writer device 33 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the card reader / writer device 33 showing the processing operation of the visitor card 23 in the card reader / writer device 33. In FIG. 5, the change of the state with the passage of time is shown in (a) to (e). With reference to FIG. 5 (a), the card reader / writer device 33 issues a visitor card 23. In this case, the conveyance belt 332 is driven in the direction of conveying the card to the outside, and the visitor card 23 is conveyed to the outside by the conveyance belt 332 (see white arrows in the figure).

  Next, referring to FIG. 5B, when the visitor card 23 is transported and its end (rear end in the transport direction) is detected by the card detection position sensor 337, the driving of the transport belt 332 is stopped. Then, the visitor card 23 stops at a position where the antenna coil unit 23b faces the communication unit 331. As a result, data can be read and written between the visitor card 23 and the card reader / writer device 33. In other words, the card detection position sensor 337 is disposed at a position where the antenna coil portion 23 b faces the communication portion 331 when the tip of the visitor card 23 is detected. When the visitor card 23 is issued, various card information is recorded on the visitor card 23 at a position as shown in FIG.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5C, after various card information is recorded on the visitor card 23, the direction in which the conveyor belts 332, 333, and 334 convey the card to the outside (the white arrow in the right direction in the figure). To be referred to). Thereby, the visitor card 23 is conveyed toward the outside. Then, as shown in the figure, when the visitor card 23 is no longer detected by the card detection position sensor 338, the driving of the conveyor belts 332, 333, and 334 is temporarily stopped, and the visitor card 23 projects the leading end portion into the case 24. Stop in the manner that was allowed. Immediately thereafter, the conveyor belts 333, 334, and 332 are driven in the direction in which the card is conveyed to the inside (see the white arrow in the left direction in the figure). Thereby, the visitor card 23 is conveyed toward the inside. As described above, when the visitor card 23 is issued, the player card 23 is temporarily discharged, so that the player can visually recognize that the visitor card 23 has been issued.

Next, referring to FIG. 5D, the visitor card 23 conveyed toward the inside is once returned to the original position where the communication unit 331 and the antenna coil unit 23b overlap. In this state, the recorded information is read out. In this case, when the end of the visitor card 23 (the rear end in the transport direction) is no longer detected by the card detection position sensor 337, the drive of the transport belts 332, 333, and 334 is stopped, so that the visitor card 23 is It returns to the position. After that, the conveyor belt 332 is further driven in the direction of conveying the card to the inside (see the white arrow in the left direction in the figure).

Next, with reference to FIG.5 (e), the visitor card 23 conveyed toward the inside is returned to the original position. That is, as shown in the figure, when the end of the visitor card 23 (the leading end in the transport direction) is detected by the card detection position sensor 335, the drive of the transport belt 332 is stopped and the visitor card 23 is in the standby position. Stop.

  Next, the configuration of the card unit 3 and the configuration of the management system inside and outside the game hall 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card unit 3 and the configuration of the management system inside and outside the game hall, and illustration and description of some configurations are omitted.

  In the game hall 100, a card unit management device 400 including a management computer for managing a plurality of card units 3 provided in the hall is provided so as to be able to communicate with the card unit 3. Outside the game hall 100, a unit management center 500, which is an organization that manages all the card units 3 in the plurality of game halls 100 in which the card units 3 are provided, is provided. The unit management center 500 is provided with a central management device 501 including a computer that comprehensively manages all card units 3 in a plurality of game halls 100. The central management device 501 is communicably connected to the card unit management device 400 of each game arcade 100 via a communication line. By communicating with each card unit management device 400, all of the information in each game arcade 100 is provided. The card unit 3 is centrally managed. In addition, the central management device 501 manages the card balances of all the members registered in each game hall 100.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 34 in the card unit 3 includes a bill recognition device 31, a coin recognition device 32, a card reader / writer device 33, sensors and lamps 91, 92,..., 338, buttons 14 and 16, and numerical values. The input unit 95 is connected. Further, the control unit 340 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 and can communicate with each other via the communication unit 36 and the payout control unit 200 including a control microcomputer capable of paying out balls for lending. Connected in a manner. Further, the control unit 340, via the communication unit 36, the ball lending switch 80, the return switch 81, the card balance display 8, the game control unit 300, the supply ball detector 701 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2, A discharge ball detector 702 is connected.

  The banknote identification device 31 includes an identification section for identifying whether or not a banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 61 is an appropriate banknote and a banknote transport section (both not shown). In the banknote identification device 31, the inserted banknote is sent to the identification section by the transport section, the banknote identification process is performed by the identification section, and information indicating the banknote identification result is given to the control section 340. The banknote recognition device 31 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 340.

  The coin identifying device 32 includes an identifying unit that identifies whether or not the inserted coin is an appropriate coin, and a coin transporting unit (both not shown). In the coin identifying device 32, the inserted coin is sent to the identifying unit by the transport unit, the coin identifying process is performed by the identifying unit, and information indicating the coin identifying result is given to the control unit 340. The coin identifying device 32 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 340.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 34 includes an off-line display lamp 91, a visitor card usable lamp 92, a currency usable lamp 13, a monetary indicator 15, a monetary indicator 17, a ball indicator 18, a connection table direction indicator 19, and a card. A display control signal is given to each of the inserting lamp 20, the member card use lamp 241, and the visitor card use lamp 242, and the display control as described above is performed for each lamp and display.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 34 receives an operation signal of each button from the money amount setting button 14 and the fraction display button 16, and performs the control as described above according to the operation signal. The control unit 340 receives the operation input signal from the numerical value input unit 95 and performs the control as described above according to the operation input signal.

  When money is inserted in a state where the member card 21 is not inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 4, the control unit 340 of the control device 34 has a visitor card in which the amount corresponding to the inserted money is recorded as a card balance. Control to issue 23 is performed. In this control, a control signal is given to the card reader / writer device 33 while monitoring the position of the visitor card 23 based on the detection signals from the card detection position sensors 335 to 338, and issuance control of the visitor card 23 is performed as described above. .

  Further, the control unit 340 of the control device 34 is provided on the condition that, when money is inserted in a state where the member card 21 is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 4, the card balance is “0”. Then, control for adding the amount corresponding to the inserted money to the card balance of the member card 23 is performed. In the control, the control signal is given to the card reader / writer device 33 while monitoring the position of the member card 21 based on the detection signals from the card detection position sensors 335 to 338, and the deposit control to the member card 21 as described above is performed. Do.

  Further, the control unit 340 of the control device 34 performs ball lending control as described above in response to a lending request operation signal from the ball lending switch 80. Further, the control unit 340 performs the card return control as described above in response to the return request operation signal from the return switch 81 and the ball lending switch 80. In addition, the control unit 340 gives a display control signal to the card balance display 8 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 2 and performs control to display the card balance of the member card 21 or the visitor card 23 on the card balance display 8. .

  Further, when any abnormality occurs in the card unit 3, the control device 34 performs control to display an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality on the money amount display 17 or the card balance display 8. As a result, the money amount display 17 or the card balance display 8 displays an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 34 performs control for lending balls by debiting the card balance immediately after issuance of the visitor card 23 and when a lending request operation is performed when the membership card 21 is inserted. In the control for lending the ball, the control unit 340 performs control to transmit a lending command signal for lending a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the lending amount to the payout control unit 200 in the pachinko gaming machine 2. .

  The lending command signal is a signal for instructing lending of balls in units of one payout unit (100 yen). For example, in the case of instructing lending of balls for 1000 yen, the lending of balls in one payout unit is instructed. The lending command signal will be sent 10 times. The payout control unit 200 performs a control for lending a ball in response to the lending command signal, and returns a lending completion signal to the control unit 340 of the control device 34 every time a unit of ball is paid out.

  The control unit 340 performs an operation of subtracting and updating the card balance read from the member card 21 or the visitor card 23 and stored in the control unit 340 every time a loan completion signal is received. Further, the control unit 340 performs control to display the card balance updated in accordance with the card balance subtraction update on the card balance display 8. The control unit 340 then sets the members set in the card reader / writer device 33 when the lending of the balls for the set lending amount (in the case of the member card 21) or the inserted amount (in the case of the visitor card 23) is completed. Update record control is performed to rewrite the card balance of the card 21 or the visitor card 23 to the updated card balance.

  When the visitor card 23 is issued, issuance amount data indicating the amount (issue amount) recorded at the time of issuance of the visitor card (payment for issuance) according to the insertion of the bill is issued from the control unit 340 in real time. The data is output to the outside of the card unit 3 via 35. Further, when the member card 21 is deposited, the deposit amount data indicating the deposit amount is output from the control unit 340 to the outside of the card unit 3 via the communication unit 35 in real time. In addition, when the ball is lent by debiting the card balance of the visitor card 23 or the membership card 21, consumption amount data indicating the rent amount is sent from the control unit 340 via the communication unit 35 in real time to the card unit 3. Is output outside of.

  When such issue amount data, deposit amount data, and consumption amount data are output, the following data is added to the data. The game hall number (number identifying the game hall where the card unit is installed), unit number (number identifying the card unit), and member ID are added to the deposit amount data and consumption amount data by the member card 21. Is done. Further, the consumption amount data by the membership card 21 is also added with data for specifying whether the consumed amount is deposited on the day or on the day before that.

  In addition, the issuance amount data and consumption amount data by the visitor card 23 include a game hall number (a number for identifying a game hall where a card unit is installed), a unit number (a number for identifying a card unit), and a visitor card. An ID (a number assigned in advance to the visitor card and identifying the visitor card) is added. By adding such data to the issuance amount data, receipt amount data, and consumption amount data that are output to the outside, on the card receiving side, the output data is output from which card unit. As well as the data corresponding to the membership card 21 and the data corresponding to the visitor card 23. Further, the ID card data can be grasped for the member card 21.

  The issue amount data, the deposit amount data, and the consumption amount data output to the outside in this way are relayed by a plurality of relay devices 60 provided in the game hall 100 and given to the card unit management device 400. The relay device 60 is a device having an information relay function provided for each gaming machine installation island 200a in the game hall 100, and relays various data output from a plurality of card units 3 in the gaming machine installation island. Do. A plurality of card units 3 are connected to each relay device 60 by serial communication. The plurality of relay devices 60 are connected to the card unit management device 400 through serial communication. Other than the relay device 60 directly connected to the card unit management device 400, the other relay devices 60 are connected via other relay devices 60. Data is sent to the card unit management device 400. Thus, due to the connection relationship among the card unit 3, the relay device 60, and the card unit management device 400, the card unit 3 is serially connected to the card unit management device 400 via the relay device 60.

  In addition, the issue amount data, the deposit amount data, and the consumption amount data are similarly provided from the control unit 340 in the game hall 100 and the game information of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the sales of the game hall 100. Is also transmitted to a hall management computer (not shown) for managing

  The card unit management device 400 is a management device including a microcomputer that executes various management processes. One card unit management device 400 is provided in the game hall 100, and manages all the card units 3 installed in the game hall 100 in an integrated manner. The management content includes management of the operating status of the card unit 3, sales management of the card unit 3, management of the membership card 21, and management of the visitor card 23. For example, the card unit management device 400 classifies and aggregates sales information such as issue amount data, deposit amount data, and consumption amount data for each member card, visitor card, or for each card unit 3 and totals them. By transmitting the information to the unit management center 500, it is configured to be useful for the business management of the prepaid card issuing company. Further, the card unit management device 400 collects the payment information including the issue amount data and the payment amount data and the consumption information including the consumption amount data for each card type, and performs sales management within the amusement hall 100.

  In addition, the card unit management device 400 stores a member management database including various management data including member information and the like for managing sales and the like by members registered in the game hall 100. This membership management database also stores authentication data for authenticating whether or not the membership card 21 inserted into the card unit 3 is an appropriate membership card.

  In the gaming hall 100, the card unit management device 400 includes a membership management device 71 for managing membership on the gaming hall 100 side, and a payment for the membership card 21 (the card balance is converted into cash and paid back to the player). ) Is connected to a settlement apparatus 72 for performing the above.

  The member management device 71 includes an input unit, a display unit, a control unit (a microcomputer capable of executing processing for managing member information), an external storage unit, and a communication unit (see FIG. 7 for details). If there is a member registration, member information relating to the member is input from the input unit in the member management apparatus 71. In the member management device 71, for all members registered in the amusement hall 100 based on the input member information, the member card number, name, address, date of birth, card balance, number of balls, password, and Predetermined member information such as service information (information regarding service point grants for players and service grants other than point grants) is databased in an external storage unit and stored as a member database.

  The member management device 71 is communicably connected to the card unit management device 400, and when member information is input in response to a new member registration, the newly registered member information (the number of stored balls and the password) (Excluding member information) is sent to the card unit management device 400. As a result, the card unit management device 400 additionally stores the member information sent from the member management device 71. By additionally storing member information in this way, the card unit management device 400 stores the latest member information in the member management database.

  When the player inserts the membership card 21 into the card unit 3, the card unit 3 first reads the recorded information of the membership card 21 by the card reader / writer device 33, and the relay device 60 is changed based on the read information. Authentication data (card number information, card balance information, security information) is sent to the card unit management device 400 by communication via the network. This authentication data is data for authenticating that the inserted card is a proper card. When the card is recognized as a proper card based on this authentication data, the member card 21 is used. Various processes such as deposit and lending can be performed.

  In the card unit management device 400, authentication data (card number information, card balance information, security information) stored in the member management database corresponding to the member card number included in the authentication data sent from the card unit 3 is stored. ), And the read authentication data and the authentication data sent from the card unit 3 are collated, and if the data match, it is authenticated that the member card 21 is an appropriate member card. The use information is permitted and permission information indicating that the use is permitted is returned to the card unit 3. That is, the player can freely insert the member card 21, but deposit and lending using the card are performed on the condition that the card is authenticated by the card unit management device 400.

  Also, when replaying with a stored ball using the member card 21 permitted to be used by the authentication as described above, the input of the personal identification number from the numerical value input unit 95 in the card unit 3 is a game. Required by the person. In that case, the card unit 3 sends the member card number and password information of the inserted member card 21 to the member management device 71 by communication via the relay device 60 and the card unit management device 400. In the member management device 71, based on the member information stored in the database, the password of the sent membership card number is compared with the password of the membership card number stored in the database. When the numbers match, replay by the stored ball is permitted, replay number information indicating that replay is permitted and indicating the number of replays corresponding to the number of stored balls is returned to the card unit 3. The card unit 3 that has received such replay count information displays the replay count specified by the replay count information on the money amount display 17 and allows replay.

  In addition, when the member card 21 is inserted, each time the card balance or the number of balls is updated and recorded in the member card 21 for lending the ball, the update record information includes information for specifying the member card number. The card unit management device 400 is given by communication via the relay device 60. The card unit management device 400 updates the card balance information of the corresponding member based on the received card balance information. Further, the information on the card balance or the number of balls received by the card unit management device 400 from the card unit 3 is also given to the member management device 71. In the member management apparatus 71, based on the received card balance information and information on the number of stored balls, the information on the card balance and the number of stored balls of the corresponding member is updated in the database.

  Further, when the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are in an online state, the information on the member card 21 is communicated between the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 as described above. Authentication is performed, but when the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are in an offline state, the member card 21 is authenticated by the card unit 3 alone. In this case, for example, when the security information is stored in the control unit 340 of the card unit 3 and the security information matches the security information read from the member card 21, the member card 21 is properly set. Simple authentication is performed to authenticate the card. In such an offline state, for the purpose of preventing fraud, the upper limit value of deposit is set to an amount lower than the upper limit value in the online state.

  In addition, in the game hall 100, when a member is registered, the registration information is stored in the member management device 71 as described above, but management is performed so that the member card 21 cannot be used on the registration day. Is done. That is, when a member is registered, registration information is stored in the member management device 71 on that day, but the new registration information is sent from the member management device 71 to the card unit management device 400 on the next day. It is. Further, the above-mentioned member identification information is not recorded on the member card 21 on the registration day. Then, when a new member card 21 is inserted into the card unit 3, the card management device 400 is notified from the card unit 3 that a new card in which member identification information is not recorded is being used. The member specifying information of the member is sent from the card management device 400 to the card unit 3 and recorded on the member card 21 by the card unit 3 of the member specifying information, so that the member card 21 becomes a usable card. It is. Note that the member card 21 may be usable from the day of registration, rather than being usable from the next day of member registration.

  In addition, service information used for services such as provision of service points is supplied from the supply ball detector 701, the discharged ball detector 702, and the game control unit 300 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 via the communication unit 36. To the control unit 340. Here, the game control unit 300 includes a microcomputer, and is a control unit that performs game control of the pachinko gaming machine 2 as described above. The replenishment ball detector 701 moves from a replenishment basket for replenishing balls to each pachinko gaming machine 2 in the gaming machine installation island 200a to a ball tank of each pachinko gaming machine 2 (a tank for storing balls to be dispensed). The ball is provided in the supply route and is used to detect a ball (supplement ball) supplied to the pachinko machine 2 through the supply route, and a supply ball detection signal is output to the control unit 340 as service information. To do. In addition, the discharge ball detector 702 is provided in a discharge path of balls (discharge balls) discharged to the outside for collection from each pachinko machine 2 and detects balls discharged to the outside through the discharge path. The detection signal of the discharged balls is output to the control unit 340 as service information. The game control unit 300 is a control unit including a microcomputer that performs various game controls in the pachinko gaming machine such as the control of the variable display device as described above, and information for a predetermined type of service (described later). Specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, etc.) can be output.

  In response to the input of the service information described above, the control unit 340 stores and stores the service information in association with the member identification information of the inserted member card 21, and stores such service information in a predetermined manner. Every time passes, the data is output to the outside via the communication unit 35. The service information output in this way is sent to the member management device 71 via the relay device 60 and the card unit management device 400. When the service management information and the member identification information are received, the member management device 71 stores the service information in association with the member identification information, and points and points as services based on the stored service information It is determined whether or not to grant each of the outside services, and if it is determined that one of the services is to be granted, a signal for instructing service grant (hereinafter referred to as service command information) is sent to the card unit management device 400. The data is sent to the control unit 340 via the communication unit 35 via the relay device 60. In the card unit 3, the control unit 340 performs processing for providing points (adding and updating the number of points) or providing an out-of-point service in response to such a command of service command information.

  The settlement apparatus 72 performs processing for such settlement for a player who requests settlement of the card balance of the member card 21. The payment apparatus 72 is communicably connected to the card unit management apparatus 400, and includes an input unit, a display unit, a processing unit (a microcomputer capable of executing a payment process), a cash payout unit, and a communication unit.

  In the case of this embodiment, when the card balance remains in the membership card 21, the player who wants to settle the card balance takes the membership card 21 to the settlement apparatus 71 and sends the card to the settlement apparatus 71. You can receive the checkout process by inserting.

  When the player inserts the member card 21 into the checkout device 72, the checkout device 72 reads the recorded information of the inserted member card 21, and based on the read information, the card unit management device 400 sends authentication data (card (Number information, card balance information, security information). It is acquired from the card unit management device 400 through communication via the communication unit, and verified with the authentication data (card number information, card balance information, security information) recorded on the member card 21. When the authentication data matches, the card unit management apparatus 400 authenticates the authentication data stored in the member management database (corresponding to the member card number included in the authentication data sent from the card unit 3). Card number information, card balance information, and security information), the read authentication data and the authentication data sent from the card unit 3 are collated, and if the data match, the member card 21 is appropriate. The member card is authenticated and allowed to be used, and permission information indicating that permission is permitted is returned to the card unit 3. That is, the player can freely insert the membership card 21, but the payment using the card is performed on the condition that the card is authenticated by the card unit management device 400. When the card is authenticated, the checkout device 72 displays the card balance on the display unit, and performs a checkout process for paying out cash corresponding to the total amount of the card balance of the inserted member card 21 from the cash payout unit. . By providing such a settlement apparatus 72, the card balance of the day can be paid out to the player as cash according to the player's wish. When such a settlement is performed, the card balance information after settlement is sent from the settlement apparatus 72 to the card unit management apparatus 400 together with the member card number information, whereby the card unit management apparatus 400 is sent as such. The card balance of the corresponding member card number is updated in the database based on the information that comes.

  Further, the following information is communicated between each card unit 3 and the central management apparatus 501 via the card unit management apparatus 400. When the power of the card unit 3 is turned on before the store is opened on the business day of the amusement hall 100, the card unit management device 400 starts operating operation (normal operation) from the control unit 34 of the card unit 3. Operation start information is given. In the card unit management device 400, the operation start information received from all the card units 3 in the game arcade 100 is identified to the unit number of the card unit 3 as the transmission source and transmitted to the central management device 501. When the central management device 501 receives the operation start information from each game hall 100, it indicates that the operation of the corresponding card unit 3 is permitted on condition that a predetermined operation permission condition is satisfied. The operation permission information is sequentially transmitted to the card unit management device 400 of each game hall 100 by designating the unit number of the destination card unit 3. Upon receiving the operation permission information, the card unit management apparatus 400 immediately transmits the operation permission information to each card unit 3 together with the date information on which the operation permission information is self-managed. The card unit 3 is permitted to operate for business on the condition that such operation permission information is received, and starts the business operation.

  Further, when the game hall 100 is closed, after the store is closed, the daily sales information for each card unit 3 in the game hall 100 is collectively transmitted from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501. Here, the sales information is information including the aforementioned issue amount data, deposit amount data, and consumption amount data. In the central management device 501, in response to receiving the sales information, totaling processing such as totaling sales information for each card unit, totaling sales information for each game hall, and totaling sales information for card units in all game halls, etc. To manage sales information.

  Here, an example is shown in which sales information is transmitted to the central management device 501 after the game hall 100 is closed. However, the sales information is not limited to this, and the card unit management device 400 receives the sales information from each card unit 3. Each time it is received, it may be transmitted from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501. Further, the card unit management device 400 receives sales information from each card unit 3, totals the sales information to some extent, and manages the card unit at a cycle longer than the cycle in which the sales information is sent from each card unit 3. It may be transmitted from the apparatus 400 to the central management apparatus 501. That is, for example, when the sales information is sent from each card unit 3 at a period of 30 minutes, the sales information collected from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501 is sent every 3 hours. You may make it be.

  As described above, when the visitor card 23 is used, the visitor card 23 is automatically issued when the player inserts banknotes or coins, and then automatically regardless of the player's operation. Loans are issued for the entire issue amount. This prevents the player from leaving the front of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 in order to purchase a card that can be used for the game and to lend the ball. As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the card unit 3 are operated. The rate can be improved. Furthermore, since the once issued visitor card 23 is taken in without reaching the player's hand, it is possible to make it difficult to perform an illegal act of recording illegal information on the visitor card 23.

  Next, the transmission path of service information will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a transmission path for service information. The communication unit 36 of the card unit 3 includes an information input unit 360 into which service information is input. The information input unit 360 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input ports 361, 361,... And the plurality of input ports 361, 361,. A plurality of input circuits 362, 362,... For performing an input process for converting an input signal input from the card into an internal signal of the card unit 3.

  For example, when a predetermined specific reach such as a premium reach with a very low probability of occurrence (for example, a reach that generates 100% jackpot) occurs, the game control unit 300 indicates that the specific reach has occurred. The specific reach information shown is output as service information. Furthermore, the game control unit 300 outputs, as service information, specific jackpot symbol information indicating that the specific jackpot symbol has been generated when a jackpot is generated due to a predetermined specific jackpot symbol. The specific reach information and jackpot symbol information are input via different input ports 361 and sent from the corresponding input circuit 362 to the control unit 340.

  Further, when a replenishment ball is detected by the replenishment ball detector 701 described above, the detection signal is also output as replenishment information, which is one piece of service information. Further, when a discharge ball is detected by the discharge ball detector 702 described above, the detection signal is also output as discharge information which is one of service information. The replenishment information and the discharge information are input via separate input ports 361 and sent from the corresponding input circuit 362 to the control unit 340.

  The control unit 340 includes a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 341, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 342, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 343. In the control unit 340, the CPU 341 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 342, and executes various processes by executing the control program using the RAM 343 as a work area.

  In addition, when executing the ball lending process, the control unit 340 reads information on the amount of money consumed for lending and temporarily stores it in the RAM 343 as lending information. When the specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, supply information, and discharge information as described above are input, the control unit 340 temporarily stores the input information in the RAM 343. Then, every time a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses, the control unit 340 performs control to output the information temporarily stored in the RAM 343 in this way as service information through the communication unit 35 in the parallel signal format. . Therefore, the RAM 343 is provided with areas for storing specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, supply information, discharge information, and lending information, and each information is temporarily stored in these storage areas. Each information stored (saved) and stored at an output timing of a predetermined cycle is output.

  The control device 34 operates by receiving power for operation from the main power supply 100. However, when the power supply from the main power supply 100 is interrupted due to a power failure or the like, the data stored in the RAM 343 is stored for a predetermined period. A backup power supply 345 that supplies backup power to the control unit 340 is provided for backup storage. The backup power source 340 accumulates electric charges based on the electric power in a state where electric power is supplied from the main power source to the control unit 340, and the accumulated electric charges when the electric power supply from the main power source 100 is cut off. Is configured by a large-capacitance capacitor that supplies power as backup power. Note that the backup power supply 345 is not limited to a large-capacity capacitor, and may be configured by other backup power supply sources such as a battery.

  The communication unit 35 of the card unit 3 converts a parallel signal format service information output from the control unit 340 into serial signal format information, and outputs various information such as service information. An information output unit 352 and an information input unit 351 for receiving input of various information such as the above-described service provision command information are included. The information output unit 352 includes an output port 352a and an output circuit 352b for converting the level of the signal converted by the signal conversion circuit 353 into a predetermined level of an external output signal and outputting it. Yes.

  The signal conversion circuit 353 converts specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, supply information, and discharge information output from the control unit 340 in parallel signal format into serial signal format information. Then, such specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, supply information, and discharge information are output to the outside from the output circuit 352b via the output port 352a in the form of a serial signal. The service information output in this way is input to the member management device 71 via the relay device 60 and the card unit management device 400.

  The information input unit 351 includes an input port 351 a and an input circuit 351 b that performs input processing for converting an input signal input from the input port 351 a into an internal signal of the card unit 3. An input signal such as service command information is given to the input circuit 351b via the input port 351a, and is given to the control unit 340 from the input circuit 351b.

  The member management device 71 includes an input unit 711, a display unit 712, a control unit 713, an external storage unit 714, and a communication unit 715.

  The control unit 713 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 713a, a ROM 713b, and a RAM 713c. In the control unit 713, the CPU 713a reads out a control program stored in the ROM 713b, and executes various processes by executing the control program using the RAM 713c as a work area.

  The control unit 713 performs communication with the card unit management device 400 via the communication unit 715. The display unit 712 includes an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and is controlled by the control unit 713 to display various information such as management information described later. The external storage unit 714 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk device, and stores various types of information such as the member database described above. The input unit 711 includes various operation input means such as a keyboard and a switch (button), and gives operation input information to the control unit 713.

  The control unit 713 performs predetermined control processing such as management information display on the display unit 712 in accordance with the operation input information. Further, the control unit 713 performs processing relating to the provision of points and the provision of out-of-point services based on the aforementioned service information input from the card unit 3 via the relay device 60 and the card unit management device 400. When the point grant condition is satisfied, service command information for instructing point grant is output via the communication unit 715. When the out-of-point service grant condition is satisfied, the service command information for instructing the out-point service grant is output. The data is output via the communication unit 715. The service command information output in this way is input to the control unit 340 via the card unit management device 400 and the relay device 60 via the input port 351a included in the information input unit 351. The control unit 340 performs a process for giving a service to a member in accordance with the input service command information.

  Next, the configuration of the input circuit 362 in the information input unit 360 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input circuit 362 in the information input unit 360. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions common to those in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, input circuit 362 includes an input switching circuit 362a, a no-voltage signal input circuit 362b, and a voltage signal input circuit 362. The input switching circuit 362a is a circuit for switching a circuit that performs input processing on an input signal from the input port 361 between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362c. The input signal is sent to a selected circuit among the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362.

  The no-voltage signal input circuit 362b is a circuit that is selected as an input circuit when the input signal is a no-voltage signal, and has a circuit configuration that performs input processing for converting the no-voltage signal into an internal signal. On the other hand, the voltage signal input circuit 362c is a circuit that is selected as an input circuit when the input signal is a voltage signal, and has a circuit configuration that performs input processing for converting the voltage signal into an internal signal as an input signal. .

  The input switching circuit 362a receives a switching signal for switching the input circuit to be selected, and selects a circuit to be selected as an input circuit between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362 according to the switching signal. Switch. That is, if the circuit configuration of the input signal transmission source is a configuration for a no-voltage signal, the input circuit is switched to the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b according to the switching signal, and the circuit configuration of the input signal transmission source is a voltage In the case of the signal configuration, the input circuit is switched to the voltage signal input circuit 362c in accordance with the switching signal. Thus, the information input circuit 360 can receive either a non-voltage signal or a voltage signal in accordance with the circuit configuration of the input signal transmission source. In this case, a changeover switch (not shown) is provided as a changeover operation unit for switching between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage-added signal input circuit 362 at a predetermined location of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The administrator can switch between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362. That is, the switching signal described above is applied to the input switching circuit 362a in accordance with the operation state of the switching switch described above, and the switching between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362 is performed.

  Next, card processing executed in the control unit 340 of the control device 34 will be described. This card processing is one of subroutine programs activated by a main program executed for various controls in the control unit 340, and is used for lending balls using the membership card 21 and the visitor card 23. It is a process to be executed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the card processing. First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, it is determined whether or not a member card (member card that has been authenticated as a regular member card) 21 is being inserted. If it is determined in S1 that it is not being inserted, the process proceeds to S6 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the card is being inserted, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not money (banknote, coin) has been inserted.

  If it is determined in S2 that money has been inserted, a member depositing process subroutine is executed to deposit the inserted member card 21. The contents of the member deposit process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that no money is inserted, the process proceeds to S4, and it is determined whether or not a lending operation (lending request operation) has been performed by the ball lending switch 80. If it is determined in S4 that there has been a lending operation, the process proceeds to S5, and a member lending process subroutine is executed for lending balls using the balance of the inserted member card 21. The contents of this member lending process will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that there is no lending operation, this card processing ends.

  If it is determined in S1 that the membership card 21 is not being inserted and the process proceeds to S6, it is determined whether or not money (banknote, coin) has been inserted. If it is determined in S6 that money has been inserted, the process proceeds to S7, and a visitor processing subroutine is executed to issue the inserted visitor card 23. The contents of this visitor process will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in S6 that no money has been inserted, this card process ends.

  As described above, in the card process, the progress of the process is divided into the process of the member card 21 and the process of the visitor card 23 depending on whether or not the member card 21 is inserted when money is inserted.

  Next, the member deposit process executed in S3 of FIG. 9 will be described. This member depositing process is one of subroutine programs executed in the control unit 340 and is a process executed for depositing the membership card 21.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the member deposit process. First, in S11, a process for displaying the input money amount on the money amount display unit 17 is performed. Next, in S12, it is determined whether or not the card balance of the inserted member card 21 is “0”.

  In the case of this card unit 3, a card balance of “0” is one of the conditions for permitting payment to the membership card 21. Therefore, if it is determined in S12 that the card balance is not “0”, the process proceeds to S21 to return the input amount, and then the member deposit processing apparatus is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the card balance is “0”, the process proceeds to S13 to determine whether or not the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are in the online state.

  If it is determined in S13 that the offline state is determined instead of the online state, the process proceeds to S15 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S13 that the online state is set, the process proceeds to S14, and it is determined whether or not the input amount exceeds the online upper limit value. Here, the online upper limit value is the upper limit value of the input amount in the above-described online state, and deposits exceeding the amount are not allowed. In the case of this embodiment, the online upper limit value is set to 10,000 yen, for example. Therefore, in this embodiment, any denomination can be accepted in the online state. Note that the on-line upper limit may be set to other amounts such as 5000 yen in operation.

  If it is determined in S14 that the online upper limit value is exceeded, the process proceeds to S21 described above to perform the process of returning the input amount, and then the member payment process is terminated. In the case of this embodiment, the online upper limit is set to 10,000 yen, and since the amount of money is limited to one bill or one currency, the amount of money to be inserted is returned. There is nothing. On the other hand, if it is determined in S14 that the online upper limit value is not exceeded, the process proceeds to S16 described later.

  Further, as described above, when it is determined in S13 that the offline state is set and the process proceeds to S15, it is determined whether or not the input amount exceeds the offline upper limit value. Here, the offline upper limit value is the upper limit value of the input amount in the case of the offline state described above, and deposits exceeding that amount are not allowed. In the case of this embodiment, the offline upper limit value is set to, for example, 1000 yen which is lower than the online upper limit value.

  Here, the reason why the offline upper limit value is set lower than the online upper limit value is as follows. That is, in the offline state, the card unit management device 400 does not manage sales information, membership card information, and the like for the card unit 3, and therefore, it is considered that fraudulent acts are easier to perform than in the online state. For this reason, even if it is easy to cheat, if the amount of money deposited once is low, fraudulent deposits must be made many times to make a large amount of fraud, and the efficiency of fraud is reduced. As a result, cheating can be suppressed. For this reason, the offline upper limit is made lower than the online upper limit.

  If it is determined in S15 that the offline upper limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S21 described above to return the input amount, and then the member deposit process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S15 that the offline upper limit value is not exceeded, the process proceeds to S16.

  When the process proceeds to S16, the card member recorded in the recording area of the card balance information 213 shown in FIG. A process of updating and recording the deposit unit number recorded in the recording area 215 to the number of the card unit 3 is performed. As a result, the deposit amount is deposited, and the number that identifies the card unit 3 on which the deposit has been performed is recorded.

  Next, the process proceeds to S17, and a process of executing an operation of discharging a part of the member card 21 is performed in order to perform a partly discharging operation of the member card 21 at the time of deposit shown in FIG. This process is performed as shown in FIG. 4 while confirming the detection signals of the card detection position sensors 335 to 338. Then, the process proceeds to S18, and a process for executing the operation of taking in the membership card 21 that has been partially ejected is performed in order to take in the membership card 21 shown in FIG. 4D after the partial ejection operation. The This process is performed as shown in FIG. 4 while confirming the detection signals of the card detection position sensors 335 to 338. By such an operation, it is possible to appeal to the player that the deposit is performed visually and easily.

  Next, in S19, the card balance display 8 displays the card balance to be updated to the updated card balance corresponding to the deposit, and then the input displayed on the amount display 17 by S20. Processing to clear the amount to “0” is performed. Thereby, it can be clearly shown to the player that the card balance has increased by the amount of money inserted. Further, the card balance is updated after the partial discharge operation of the membership card 21, so that the player can easily understand the meaning of the partial discharge operation. Although not shown after S20, the member depositing process is completed through a process of transmitting deposit amount data indicating the deposited amount to the card unit management apparatus 400.

  Next, the member lending process executed in S5 of FIG. 9 will be described. This member lending process is one of the subroutine programs executed by the control unit 340, and is a process executed for lending balls using the card balance of the member card 21.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the member lending process. First, in S21, it is determined whether or not the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are in an online state.

  If it is determined in S21 that the user is online, the process proceeds to S23 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S21 that it is not in an online state but in an offline state, the process proceeds to S22, and the card unit 3 that has just deposited the member card 21 and the card unit 3 that is currently inserted are about to be lent. It is determined whether or not the card unit 3 is the same card unit. Specifically, the identity of the card unit is determined by determining whether or not the deposit unit number recorded on the membership card 21 matches the unit number of the card unit 3 currently inserted. .

  In the case of this embodiment, in the offline state, the card balance of the member card 21 can be used for lending only in the card unit 3 to which the member card 21 has been deposited. In other words, in the offline state, the card balance deposited by a certain card unit 3 cannot be used for lending in other card units 3. In other words, in S22, the distribution is performed to exclude the use of the membership card 21 in which the card balance that has been deposited by the other card unit 3 is recorded.

  If it is determined in S22 that the deposit and lending are not the same card unit, the process proceeds to S27, and the return process for discharging the inserted card to a position where the player can take it out for returning the inserted member card 21. After this, the member lending process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S22 that the deposit and lending are the same card unit, the process proceeds to S23. Thereby, in the offline state, only the card balance by depositing with the same card unit 3 can be used for lending.

  When the process proceeds to S23, it is determined whether or not the currently inserted member card 21 has a card balance corresponding to the set amount for lending. If it is determined in S23 that there is no card balance corresponding to the set amount for lending, the card balance is insufficient, so that the process proceeds to S23a to determine whether or not the card balance is “0”.

  If it is determined in S23a that the card balance is “0”, the process proceeds to S27, where the member card return process as described above is performed, and then the member lending process ends. As a result, if the balance of the member card 21 is “0” and the balance is less than the set lending amount, the member card 21 is returned as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S23a that the card balance has not become “0”, a processing for lending balls for the entire amount of the card balance less than the set lending amount is performed in S23b, and then the membership card 21 in S23c. The card balance recorded in the recording area of the card balance information 213 is subtracted, updated and recorded to “0”. Then, the process proceeds to S27, and after the membership card return process as described above is performed, the member lending process ends. As a result, when the card balance of the member card 21 is not “0” but the balance is less than the set lending amount, the current card balance is used and the ball is lent out, and then the card balance is “0”. Will be returned.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S23 that there is a card balance corresponding to the set amount of lending, the process proceeds to S24, where the calculation is made for lending the ball for the set amount of lending, subtracting the card balance by debiting at the time of lending, And the process which performs the update display according to withdrawal of a card balance is made.

  Next, the process proceeds to S25, where the card balance recorded in the recording area of the card balance information 213 in the member card 21 is subtracted, updated, and recorded by the loan amount. Next, in S26, it is determined whether or not the card balance is “0”.

  If it is determined in S26 that the card balance is “0”, the process proceeds to S27, and the inserted member card 21 is discharged to a position where the player can take it out. As a result, the member card 21 whose card balance has run out is returned without a return operation by the player. Thus, by automatically returning the member card 21 whose card balance has been lost, it is possible to reduce the operational burden on the player and to prevent the player from forgetting to remove the member card 21. After S27, the member lending process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S26 that the card balance is not “0”, there is no need to return the member card 21, so the member lending process is terminated as it is.

  As described above, the membership card 21 is ejected in a state where the player can withdraw when the card balance is exhausted. However, when the same card unit 3 is deposited again after such ejection, the membership card 21 is removed. What is necessary is just to insert once again after extracting 21 once. In addition, when the member card 21 is discharged in response to the card balance being exhausted, in response to the insertion of money with the member card 21 still remaining in the card insertion outlet 4, The member card 21 may be automatically taken into the inside without the player's insertion operation, and the control for depositing may be performed. By doing so, the operational burden on the player can be reduced.

  Next, the visitor process performed by S7 of FIG. 9 is demonstrated. This visitor process is one of subroutine programs executed in the control unit 340, and is a process executed for issuing the visitor card 23 and lending balls using the card balance.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of visitor processing. First, in S31, a process of displaying the input money amount on the money amount display unit 17 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S32, in which it is determined whether or not the input amount exceeds the visitor issuance upper limit value. Here, the visitor issuance upper limit value is an upper limit value of the input amount when a visitor card is issued, and an issue amount exceeding the amount is not allowed.

  In the case of this embodiment, the visitor issuance upper limit is set to 1000 yen, for example. The visitor issuance upper limit value is given to grant benefits to members in the relationship between members and visitors (equivalent to the deposit amount in the case of a member and equivalent to the issue amount in the case of a visitor). Is set to an amount lower than the online upper limit of the deposit amount of the member card 21. The visitor issuance upper limit value may be changed to another amount such as 500 yen other than 1000 yen in operation.

  If it is determined in S32 that the visitor issuance upper limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to S38 to return the input amount, and then this visitor process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S32 that the visitor issue upper limit is not exceeded, the process proceeds to S33.

  When the process proceeds to S33, the card reader / writer device 33 records the card information as described above on the visitor card 23 while performing the operation control as shown in FIGS. Processing for issuing the card 23 is performed. Thereby, a part of the visitor card 23 is discharged in the state shown in FIG. 5C, and it is shown to the player that the visitor card 23 has been issued.

  Next, proceeding to S34, the card reader / writer device 33 takes in the visitor card 23 while performing operation control as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, and records from the visitor card 23 when issued. Processing for reading the recorded information is performed.

  Next, the process proceeds to S35, where balls for the entire card balance of the visitor card 23 are lent out together, calculation for subtracting the card balance by debiting at the time of lending, and an update display according to the deduction of the card balance. Processing is done.

  Next, the process proceeds to S36, in which the card balance recorded in the recording area of the card balance information 233 in the visitor card 23 is updated and recorded to “0” (becomes “0” for lending in full). Then, the process of clearing the input money amount displayed on the money amount display unit 17 to “0” in S37 is performed. Thereby, it is possible to clearly show the player that the money has been withdrawn for the lending of the ball by the amount of money inserted. After S37, this visitor process ends.

  In addition, if a password is input while the membership card 21 is inserted, replay using a stored ball can be performed. The process for performing such replay is described above with reference to FIGS. Since it is executed by a subroutine different from FIG. 12, detailed description thereof will not be given here.

  Next, processing related to input / output of service information executed by the control unit 340 of the card unit 3 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the service information input processing executed by the control unit 340 of the card unit 3. First, in S41, it is determined whether or not supply information has been input. If it is determined in S41 that replenishment information has been input, the process proceeds to S42. After the input replenishment information is stored in the storage area of the replenishment information in the RAM 343, the process proceeds to S43. On the other hand, if it is determined in S41 that replenishment information has not been input, the process proceeds directly to S43. In the case of replenishment information, the number of replenishment balls indicated by the replenishment information input during the output timing is added and stored in response to the supply of replenishment information. The number of supply balls stored in such a manner is cleared upon completion of output of the stored service information.

  When the process proceeds to S43, it is determined whether or not discharge information is input. If it is determined in S43 that there is an input of discharge information, the process proceeds to S44, and after processing for storing the input discharge information in the discharge information storage area in the RAM 343 is performed, the process proceeds to S45. On the other hand, if it is determined in S43 that no discharge information is input, the process proceeds to S45 as it is. In the case of the discharge information, the number of discharged balls indicated by the discharge information input during the output timing is added and stored in response to the input of the discharge information. The number of discharged balls thus stored is cleared upon completion of output of the stored service information.

  When the process proceeds to S45, it is determined whether or not specific reach information is input. If it is determined in S45 that the specific reach information is input, the process proceeds to S46, and after the process of storing the input specific reach information in the storage area of the specific reach information in the RAM 343, the process proceeds to S47. The specific reach information stored in this manner is cleared upon completion of output of the stored service information. On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the specific reach information is not input, the process proceeds to S47 as it is.

  When the process proceeds to S47, it is determined whether or not specific jackpot symbol information has been input. If it is determined in S47 that the specific jackpot symbol information has been input, the process proceeds to S48, and after the process of storing the input specific jackpot symbol information in the storage area of the specific jackpot symbol information in the RAM 343, the process proceeds to S49. . The specific jackpot symbol information stored in this way is cleared upon completion of output of the stored service information. On the other hand, if it is determined in S47 that the specific jackpot symbol information has not been input, the process proceeds to S49 as it is.

  When the process proceeds to S49, it is determined whether or not lending information indicating the amount of money consumed for lending the ball has been generated in accordance with the execution of the member lending process described above. If it is determined in S49 that the lending information has been generated, the process proceeds to S50, where the lending information is stored in the lending information storage area in the RAM 343, and then the service information input process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S49 that no lending information has been generated, the service information input process is terminated. In this way, the loan amount indicated by the input loan information is stored in response to the input of the loan information, but if the loan information is generated a plurality of times before the information output timing, the loan is The sum is added and the total value is stored. The loan amount stored as such is cleared upon completion of the output of the stored service information.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the service information output processing executed by the control unit 340 of the card unit 3. First, in S61, it is determined whether or not the outputting flag is set. Here, the outputting flag is a flag indicating that the service information is being output, and is set by S64 described later and cleared by S67.

  If it is determined in S61 that the outputting flag is set, the process proceeds to S65 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S61 that the outputting flag is not set, the process proceeds to S62 to determine whether it is the output timing of the service information. The service information is output every time a predetermined time elapses by managing the timer by the control unit 340. In S62, based on the timer management, it is determined whether or not the output timing of the service information has come.

  If it is determined in S62 that the service information output timing is not reached, this service information output process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S62 that it is the output timing of the service information, the process proceeds to S63 and processing for starting output of the service information is performed. In S63, processing for outputting various service information stored by the above-described service information input processing in a predetermined order is performed. The service information output in this case is output with information that can specify the member ID and information of the card unit number of the output card unit 3 added thereto. By adding information on the member ID in this way, the member management apparatus 71 on the service information receiving side can easily identify which member the received service information corresponds to. . Further, the member management apparatus 71 can grasp which card unit 3 has received the service information by adding the output card unit number to the service information.

  Next, proceeding to S64, the above-described output flag is set. This indicates that the service information is being output. After S64, the process proceeds to S65. In S65, it is determined whether or not there is response information. Here, when the member management apparatus 71 receives service information from the card unit 3, it returns response information indicating that to the card unit 3 when the reception is completed. In S65, it is determined whether or not the reception of the service information is completed by determining whether or not there is such response information.

  If it is determined in S65 that there is no response information, this service information output process ends in order to wait for the response information. In this case, when the next service information output process is executed, since the outputting flag is set, the process proceeds directly from S61 to S65. On the other hand, if it is determined in S65 that there is response information, the process proceeds to S66 and processing for stopping output of the service information is performed. Then, in S67, a process for clearing the outputting flag is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S68, where the stored service information is cleared. As a result, the service information stored as described above is stored and held until it is confirmed that the member management apparatus 71 has received the information. After S68, the service information output process ends.

  Next, a member service process executed by the control unit 710 of the member management apparatus 71 in response to the output of service information from the card unit 3 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of member service processing executed by the control unit 710 of the member management apparatus 71.

  First, in S71, it is determined whether or not service information is input. If it is determined in S72 that no service information has been input, the process proceeds to S73, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in S71 that service information has been input, the process proceeds to S72, and based on the member ID information added to the service information, the service information of which member is the input service information. And processing for storing the input service information in the service information storage area of the corresponding member is performed. Here, the member database is provided with areas for storing each member's service information, point number information and out-of-point service information, and each member's service information is stored in the area. . In that case, the information about the specific reach information and the jackpot symbol information is stored as it is, and the number indicated by the input information is stored for each of the replenishment information and the discharge information. As for the lending information, the lending amount indicated by the input information is accumulated and stored. After S72, the process proceeds to S72a, where the above-described response information is returned to the card unit 3 that is the output source of the service information. It progresses to S73 after S72a.

  When the process proceeds to S73, the service information for each member is read from the member database. Then, the process proceeds to S74, where it is checked whether or not a predetermined point granting condition is satisfied for the service information read by each member. A determination is made whether or not.

  The point granting conditions in this case are, for example, the following [1] to [5]. [1] When the number of difference balls per day (= the number of supplied balls−the number of discharged balls) reaches a predetermined number (for example, +10000) on the plus side, the point granting condition is satisfied and 2 points are awarded. [2] When the number of balls in a day (= the number of supplied balls−the number of discharged balls) reaches a predetermined number (for example, −5000) on the minus side, the point granting condition is satisfied and 3 points are awarded. . [3] When a specific reach occurs (when there is specific reach information), a point granting condition is established and one point is awarded. [4] When a big hit with a specific jackpot symbol occurs (when there is specific jackpot symbol information), a point granting condition is established and one point is awarded. [5] When the amount of lending on one day is accumulated to a predetermined amount (for example, 10,000 yen), the point granting condition is satisfied and 1 point is awarded.

  In S74, when there is a member that satisfies at least one point granting condition among the point granting conditions of [1] to [5] described above, it is determined that there is a member that satisfies the point granting condition. . If it is determined in S74 that there is no member who satisfies the point granting condition, the member service process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S74 that there is a member who satisfies the point granting condition, the process proceeds to S75.

  If the process proceeds to S75, the information on the number of points of the corresponding member stored in the member database is added and updated in accordance with the establishment of the point granting condition. Next, the process proceeds to S76, and the command to add and update the number of points in order to update the information on the number of points recorded as service information on the member card 21 of the corresponding member in accordance with the establishment of the point granting condition. The service command information is output to the card unit 3 that is the transmission source of the service information. The service command information in this case includes information for requesting point addition update, member ID information of the member for which point addition is updated, and information on the point addition number. When the service command information output in this way is sent to the card unit 3, the control unit 340 provides information on the number of points in the member card 21 of the corresponding member inserted in the card unit 3 in accordance with the content of the command. Is added and updated. After S76, the process proceeds to S77.

  When the process proceeds to S77, it is determined whether or not the out-of-point service provision condition is satisfied. Here, the out-of-point service granting condition is, for example, when the above-mentioned point granting condition of [4] is satisfied in a state where the lending amount in one day is accumulated to a predetermined amount (for example, 10,000 yen) or more. Is established.

  If it is determined in S77 that the out-of-point service provision condition is not satisfied, the member service process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S77 that the out-of-point service provision condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S78, and processing for storing out-of-point service provision information as out-of-point service information of the member in the member database is performed. This out-of-point service grant information means that an out-of-point service is granted to a member.

  Next, proceeding to S79, in order to record the above-mentioned out-of-point service grant information as service information on the member card 21 of the corresponding member, the service command information of the content instructing to record the out-of-point service grant information is A process of outputting the information to the card unit 3 that is the transmission source of the business information is performed. In this case, the service command information includes information for requesting recording of the out-of-point service grant information and member ID information of the out-of-point service grant information recording target member. When the service command information output in this way is sent to the card unit 3, the control unit 340 grants the out-of-point service to the member card 21 of the corresponding member inserted in the card unit 3 according to the content of the command. Control for recording information is performed. In this way, when the out-of-point service grant information is recorded on the member card 21, for example, when a big hit occurs for a game in the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the card unit 3 in which the member card 21 is inserted When there is a game restriction that the game cannot be continued unless the prize is exchanged for the game, the control unit 340 performs control for giving a privilege of releasing the game restriction. After S79, this member service process ends.

  In this way, points and out-of-point services are given based on the service information. When the member submits the member card 21 to the counter of the game hall, the member can receive various services depending on the number of points assigned to the card. As the service, for example, a predetermined prize determined in plural types according to the number of points is given to the member, and when the number of points exceeds the predetermined point, the member is given a right to see special game information. As described above (a password for viewing special game information is given in the game information display unit), a service that allows members to enjoy various benefits is provided.

Next, main effects obtained by this embodiment will be described together.
As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, in the card unit 3, the input port 361 to which service information is input and the input service information can be output to a member management device 71 provided outside the card unit 3. Since the output port 352a is provided, it is not necessary to separately install a device for inputting and outputting service information. Thereby, the installation work of the apparatus provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 2 can be simplified. Further, since the card unit 3 also serves as an input / output device for service information, the number of devices to be installed is reduced by integrating functions into one device, so that the cost required for installation work can be reduced and the service information It is not necessary to purchase an input / output device separately, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of introducing a device provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 2 to the game hall. Further, since the card unit 3 also serves as an input / output device for service information, when the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the corresponding device are installed on the gaming machine installation island 200a, the arrangement configuration of the devices in the gaming machine installation island 200a Can be simplified.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, since a plurality of input ports 361,... Are provided, a plurality of service information can be obtained from the information input unit 360.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the input switching circuit 362a can switch the circuit that receives the service information input between the no-voltage signal input circuit 362b and the voltage signal input circuit 362c. The service information can be received in correspondence with both the signal and the voltage signal.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, in the information output unit 352, the signal conversion circuit 353 converts the service information input in the parallel signal format into the serial signal format, so that the signal input in parallel is serialized. Since the signal can be output in the form of a signal, the number of service information output signal lines can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in S63 to S68 of FIG. 14, when the service information is output to the member management apparatus 71, a response information indicating that the service information has been received from the member management apparatus 71 is received. Since the service information being output is stored and held in the RAM 343, even if the communication between the card unit 3 and the member management device 71 is in a poor communication state, the service information can be reliably sent to the member management device 71. it can.

  Further, the service information input to the control unit 340 and stored in the RAM 343 by the functions of the RAM 343 and the backup power source 345 controlled by the control unit 340 is set according to the establishment of a predetermined backup condition (power failure occurrence). Since the backup is saved, the input service information can be saved even if a power failure occurs. For this reason, it is possible to store the service information that has been input but not yet output at the time of a power failure, and can output the stored service information that has not yet been output after the power failure is restored.

  In addition, as shown in the visitor process of FIG. 12, in the card unit 3, in addition to the membership card 21, the visitor card 23 can also be used for lending balls, so that the card unit 3 that can be easily used by any player. Can be provided.

  Further, as shown in S16 of FIG. 10, since it is possible to make a deposit by adding and updating the card balance of the member card 21 in accordance with the receipt of money from the player, the player can start from the spot in the card unit 3. It becomes possible to deposit without leaving, and the operating rate of the card unit 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 2 can be improved.

  Further, since information related to the use of the member card 21 such as lending information is included in the service information, it becomes possible to provide a service related to the use of the member card 21, and the use of the member card 21 Can be promoted.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and the like, since the visitor card 23 stored (built-in) in a manner that can be issued repeatedly can be issued in the card unit 3, the built-in visitor card 23 is repeatedly issued. can do. Thereby, the card consumption can be reduced and the running cost of the card can be reduced, and the visitor card 23 can be reused without providing a card recovery processing device, and the cost related to the card recovery can be reduced. it can.

  Also, as shown in S1 to S3 in FIG. 9 and S11 to S21 in FIG. 10, when there is an amount of money identified with the membership card 21 being received, this corresponds to the amount of money. Since the processing for adding the card balance to the card balance specified from the record information of the member card 21 is performed, the card unit 3 corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 2 performs the payment to the card balance of the member card 21. be able to. Thereby, it becomes possible to make a deposit even if the player does not go to a place away from the pachinko gaming machine 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, when the member card 21 is inserted and received by the card receiving unit 33b, a member light-emitting lamp 241 for notifying the player of the light is emitted. Since it is provided, it is possible to easily grasp that the member card 21 is received based on the notification.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, since the visitor card 23 is smaller than the membership card 21, the area required for the incorporation of the visitor card 23 can be saved, and thereby, Space saving for the entire card unit 3 can be achieved.

  Also, as shown in S17 and S18 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, when payment to the membership card 21 is completed, after the member card 21 is partially ejected in a visible manner, Since the taking-in operation is performed without operation, it is possible to easily grasp visually that the deposit has been completed.

  Further, as described above, a plurality of types of coins (for example, 100 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen, 2000 yen, 5000 yen, and 10,000 yen) can be received by the bill insertion slot 61 and the coin insertion slot 62. Since a plurality of types of money can be identified by the device 31 and the coin identifying device 32, it is possible to cope with the use of money desired by the player, and as a result, the convenience of the player can be improved.

Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) The gaming machine described in the present embodiment has been shown to pay out gaming media such as balls or coins. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is specified by the recording information of the recording media. Instead of deducting (using) gaming value and paying out game media, the game machine gives a score equivalent to the withdrawal value (score indicating the number of gaming media such as balls or coins) By adding and updating the player's score, the game is played using the number of game media corresponding to the score, and by controlling to increase or decrease the score according to the game situation, Although the game medium is not paid out directly, the game machine may be configured such that the game medium is given to the player in the form of a score. Further, the balls or coins included in the game medium include those displayed from images in addition to the actual balls or coins.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 34 controls the transmission of a lending command signal for lending balls by debiting the card balances of the membership card 21 and the visitor card 23. It is shown as an example of a process for using a gaming value (card balance) of a size specified from the recorded information of the visitor card 23) for a game by a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 2). Here, in the case of a gaming machine that pays out gaming media (balls, coins, etc.) based on the card balance, processing for using the gaming value of the size specified from the recording information of the recording media for gaming by the gaming machine Includes any process as long as it relates to paying out game media (balls, coins, etc.) by deducting a gaming value (card balance) of a size specified from the recording information of the recording medium (card) The process is not limited to the transmission of the lending command signal described above. Further, in the case of a gaming machine that gives a score based on a card balance, a process for using a gaming value of a size specified from recording information of a recording medium for a game by the gaming machine is a recording medium (card) This is a process including any process as long as it is a process related to the deduction of the gaming value (card balance) of the size specified from the recorded information of the above and giving a score.

  In addition, in order to monitor an abnormal situation in which the player destroys the cover 24 and pulls out the visitor card 23, wiring is laid on the inner surface of the cover 24, and electricity is passed through the wiring to detect a state in which electricity is flowing. Then, if it is judged normal and an abnormality in which the wiring is cut and no current flows due to the destruction of the cover 24 is detected, an abnormality control such as sounding an alarm may be performed.

  (2) The cover 24 constitutes blocking means for blocking the owner-unspecified recording medium (visitor card 23) issued from the recording medium issuing means (card reader / writer device 33) from reaching the player's hand. ing. This blocking means is not limited to the cover 24. For example, the owner-unspecified recording medium partially protruding from the recording medium issuing means is locked and cannot be pulled out even if the player tries to pull it out. It may be anything such as a fixed one.

  (3) The bill-usable lamp 13 constitutes an owner-unspecified recording medium issuable display means for displaying that the owner-unspecified recording medium (visitor card 23) can be issued using the player-owned funds. Has been. The visitor card 23 may be issued using coins instead of banknotes, and may be issued using, for example, a credit card, a debit card, or electronic money. In this way, for the issuance of a visitor card, not only banknotes but other value objects may be used.

  (4) The amount display unit 17 constitutes value display means for displaying the size of the game value (card balance) specified by the recorded information of the visitor card. This value display means also has a function of displaying information capable of recognizing the cause of abnormality when an abnormality occurs.

  The already inserted recording medium insertion display means for displaying that the already issued recording medium is being inserted is constituted by the card insertion lamp 20.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the game value (card balance) is directly recorded on the member card 21 or the visitor card 23 in addition to the recording medium identification information such as the card number. In addition to this, The game hall management computer or the card issuer management computer (card unit management device 400) stores the current gaming value of the recording medium together with the recording medium identification information, and the recording medium is used when the recording medium is used. Is sent to the management computer to retrieve the game value corresponding to the record medium identification information, and the retrieved game value and the game value of the membership card 21 match. It may be configured so that a game can be played using the value for gaming after checking what is to be done. Further, the game card value is not recorded on the member card 21, but the game value is recorded only on the hall management computer, and based on the recording medium identification information recorded on the member card 21 as described above. A corresponding gaming value may be searched and gaming media may be lent (rented) using the gaming value.

  Further, both or one of the membership card 21 and the visitor card 23 described above may be constituted by a contact type IC card. Further, these cards may be constituted by magnetic recording cards provided with magnetic stripes. Furthermore, one or both of these cards may be composed of an IC card of a magnetic recording and IC recording combined type in which a magnetic stripe is provided in part. In that case, for example, the membership card may be an IC card of a magnetic recording and IC recording combined type, and information relating to the storage ball may be magnetically recorded.

  (6) A recording medium provided by the card unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 or the like corresponding to a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 2) in which a game is played using the gaming medium, and the owner is specified. The game medium (ball) is lent using the game value (card balance) specified by the record information of the owner-specific recording medium (member card 21) in which information that can specify the game value is recorded. A recording medium processing apparatus for performing the processing for the above is configured. This recording medium processing apparatus may be capable of using not only money but also a recording medium such as a debit card and a credit card for depositing and issuing a card. That is, the recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a gaming machine in which a game is played using a game medium, and is a recording medium in which an owner is specified and information that can specify a game value is recorded. Any recording medium processing apparatus that performs processing for lending the game medium using the game value specified by the record information of the owner-specified recording medium is a target. . Also, when such a recording medium processing device is provided corresponding to a pachinko gaming machine, the game medium to be paid out is a ball, and such a recording medium processing device inserts a coin into a slot machine game A game medium to be paid out when provided corresponding to a machine is a coin, and such a recording medium processing device inserts a predetermined number of pachinko balls instead of inserting coins to perform a slot machine game ( For example, a game medium to be paid out when provided corresponding to a so-called pachilot or a slot machine or the like is a ball.

  (7) The above-mentioned money amount display unit 17 is provided on, for example, an upper plate of a pachinko gaming machine instead of being provided on the card unit 3, and is connected to the control device 34 to display the card balance (card frequency). Good.

  (8) As a value object accepted by the recording medium processing apparatus (card unit 3), a bill, a coin, a debit card, or a credit card may be used, but as a value object identification means for identifying the authenticity of the value object. Uses a banknote identification device in the case of banknotes, a coin identification device in the case of coins, and a card identification device in the case of debit cards and credit cards.

  (9) The central management device 501 shown in FIG. 5 is provided in each game hall via a plurality of recording medium processing device management devices (card unit management device 400) provided in the plurality of game spaces 100. In addition, a central management device that centrally manages a plurality of recording medium processing devices (card unit 3) is configured.

  (10) Between the centralized management device and the plurality of recording medium processing device management devices provided in the game hall, a plurality of recording medium processing device management devices are arranged in a district where the game hall exists (for example, nationwide For example, a block management device may be provided that divides and manages a plurality of blocks. In that case, the block management device aggregates and manages the sales information of the management devices in the block, and transmits the management information to the centralized management device. Then, the central management device further collects and manages information transmitted from a plurality of block management devices that manage each district. That is, the block management apparatus is provided with a part of the functions of the central management apparatus 501 shown in the above-described embodiment. In this way, the total management processing burden is shared between the central management apparatus 501 and the block management apparatus, so that the processing burden on the central management apparatus 501 can be reduced.

  (11) The management apparatus for recording medium processing apparatus is not limited to the card unit management apparatus 400 shown in the embodiment. For example, the card unit management device 400 may not be provided, and the central management device 501 shown in the embodiment may directly manage the card unit 3. In this case, the central management apparatus 501 corresponds to the recording medium processing apparatus management apparatus. Further, the card unit management device 400 may be provided outside the game hall instead of inside the game hall. In this case, each card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are connected using a communication line, and information mutual communication as shown in the above-described embodiment is performed. As such, when the card unit management device 400 is provided outside the game hall, a plurality of game halls (for example, a plurality of game halls of different management provided in a predetermined area and a plurality of game halls of the same management). One card unit management device 400 (a card unit management device that manages the card units 3 of a plurality of game halls) may be provided.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, an encapsulated type in which information capable of specifying a game value (card balance) corresponding to the total amount of money identified by the currency identifying means (banknote identifying device 31) is recorded. Although only the example in which the recording medium (visitor card 23) is issued is shown, the change dispensing function (change dispensing unit, change storage unit, change dispensing device, and change dispensing control means) in the card unit 3 is as follows. Is issued, and a visitor card 23 in which information capable of specifying a game value (card balance) corresponding to a part of the identified money (banknote) (for example, 1000 yen) is recorded is issued, and the remaining amount May be paid out as change. For example, in the embodiment as described above, a visitor card 23 that can accept and identify bills of 1000 yen or more such as 10000 yen, 5000 yen, 2000 yen, etc., and records a card balance of a predetermined amount (1000 yen). , The necessary change (for example, 4000 yen change when receiving 5000 yen) may be calculated and paid out. In other words, the encapsulated recording medium (visitor card 23) has a game value (card balance) corresponding to a predetermined amount (including both full amount and partial amount) within the range of the amount of money identified by the money identifying means. ) May be recorded as long as information capable of specifying the above is recorded.

  (13) In the above-described embodiment, when replaying using a storage ball, a personal identification number is used for personal authentication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a glow, fingerprint, face, fist shape, etc. You may make it authenticate using the physical characteristics of the person. In addition, the user authentication may be performed using personal characteristics other than the physical characteristics of the user such as handwriting. In other words, when such a player's feature points are converted into data and registered on the game site side, a detection device capable of detecting such feature points is provided in the card unit, and the data of such feature points match. The person may be authenticated. Note that replay may be permitted without authenticating the user with a personal identification number as described above.

  (14) In the above-described embodiment, the example is shown in which the member management device 71 is provided in the game hall to manage the member information including the storage ball. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit management device 400 described above is a member. The management device 71 may also be used.

  (15) The card balance display 8 shown in the above-described embodiment is a dual-purpose display that also displays the card balance of the member card 21 under the control of the control device 34, but the visitor card dedicated display and the member card dedicated display A display device may be provided. Moreover, when providing, not only a top plate but another location, for example, a curtain board etc., may be provided in the same location as a trouble lamp.

  (16) In the above-described embodiment, in the case of depositing the membership card 21 and issuing the visitor card 23, an example is shown in which only one bill or coin can be inserted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the case of depositing the membership card 21 and issuing the visitor card 23, a plurality of bills and coins may be inserted.

  (17) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which application for saving balls is made at the counter of the game hall when saving balls using the membership card 21 is shown. The card unit itself may be able to store balls by doing. Further, a ball storage device may be provided in the game hall separately from the card unit 3, and the member card 21 may be inserted into the ball storage device to perform a predetermined operation so that the ball can be stored.

  (18) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the upper limit of the deposit amount is more limited than the online state with respect to the use of the membership card 21 when the card unit 3 and the card unit management device 400 are in the offline state. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the offline state, the same processing as the visitor card 23 is performed, such as using the entire amount of money for lending of balls in addition to the restriction on the upper limit value of money received. It may be. By doing so, fraudulent acts in the offline state can be prevented as much as possible.

  (19) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the visitor card 23 is built-in is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the visitor card 23 is not built in the card unit 3 but is a player like the member card 21. May be portable.

  (20) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the visitor card 23 cannot settle the card balance is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the visitor card 23 can settle the card balance like the membership card 21. It may be. For such settlement, the card unit 3 is provided with a settlement function for the visitor card 23 when the visitor card 23 is a built-in type, and when the visitor card 23 is not the built-in type, A function capable of the same settlement as the card 21 is provided.

  (21) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the supply ball detector 701 is outside the pachinko gaming machine 2 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the supply ball detector is a supply ball inside the pachinko gaming machine 2. May be detected. Moreover, although the example in which the discharge ball detector 702 is outside the pachinko gaming machine 2 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge ball detector may detect the discharge ball inside the pachinko gaming machine 2. Good.

  (22) The specific jackpot symbol that is the condition for outputting the service information described above may be a jackpot symbol that changes with probability, or may be a jackpot symbol that does not change with probability. Further, the control unit 340 may execute a control program that allows the game hall side to freely input and set the specific jackpot symbol from a predetermined input means.

  (23) In the embodiment described above, when the specific jackpot symbol information, which is one of the service information, is output, it is determined that the specific jackpot symbol has occurred on the game control unit 300 side, and the specific jackpot symbol information is output. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in all cases where a big hit has occurred, the jackpot symbol information is output, and the control unit 340 that receives the information determines whether or not it is the specific jackpot symbol information. The specific jackpot symbol information may be output to the member management apparatus 71 as service information.

  (24) In the embodiment described above, when the specific reach information that is one of the service information is output, the game control unit 300 determines that the specific reach has occurred and outputs the specific reach information. Although an example has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and in all cases where reach has occurred, the reach symbol information is output, and the control unit 340 that receives the information determines whether or not it is specific reach symbol information, The specific reach symbol information may be output to the member management apparatus 71 as service information.

  (25) In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 340 temporarily stores the input service information and outputs the service information at a predetermined time interval. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 340 may output the input service information in real time every time there is an input.

  Further, the service information may be output separately for information output in real time and information output after being accumulated for a predetermined time. In such a case, for example, information that immediately leads to point grants when it occurs, such as specific reach information, is preferably information that is output in real time. Is preferably information to be output after being accumulated for a predetermined time. In this way, the processing burden on the control unit 340 required for the service information output process can be reduced.

  (26) In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the member management apparatus 71 performs both the determination as to whether or not to grant points based on the service information and the determination as to whether or not to provide an out-of-point service. It was. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one of the determinations may be performed on the control unit 340 side of the card unit 3, and both determinations may be performed on the control unit 340 side of the card unit 3. Also good. In that case, it is necessary to give information necessary for the above-described determination from the member management apparatus 71 to the control unit 340 of the card unit 3.

  (27) In the above-described embodiment, specific reach information, specific jackpot symbol information, etc. are shown as examples of service information. The service information is not limited to such information, and other information such as probability variation information indicating that probability variation has occurred when probability variation has occurred may be used.

  (28) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the switching between the no-voltage signal input circuit and the voltage signal input circuit shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such switching may be performed by the control unit 340 as follows. In other words, the administrator performs an input operation from an operation unit such as a predetermined switch on the control unit 340, so that a circuit for selecting either the no-voltage signal input circuit or the voltage signal input circuit in advance is selected. Set to specify. And the control part 340 outputs the switching signal which shows the circuit selected according to such a setting.

  (29) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the example in which the card unit 3 outputs the input service information via the control unit 340 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit 3 may be configured such that the input service information is directly sent to the signal conversion circuit 353 and output to the outside. That is, the card unit 3 may output the input service information without using the control unit 340.

  (30) The card insertion / ejection port 4 shown in FIG. 1 or the like records information that can specify the size of a gaming value (card balance) that can be used for a game, which is a recording medium in which the owner is specified. The recording medium insertion slot into which the owner-specific recording medium (member card 21) is inserted is configured. As shown in the above-described embodiment, the recording medium insertion slot allows the owner-specific recording medium (member card 21) to be inserted from the outside of the recording medium processing apparatus (card unit 3), and the player does not own the owner. A part of the specific recording medium (visitor card 23) can be put in and out in a manner that does not reach the player.

  (31) The pachinko gaming machine 2 shown in the above-described embodiment has been shown to be able to play a ball by bullet firing into the game area. That is, in the embodiment, the case where the pachinko gaming machine 2 is a gaming machine in which a player can directly get a pachinko ball has been described, but not limited thereto, the pachinko gaming machine 2 described above is Other game machines such as a ball-enclosed pachinko game machine of the type in which pachinko balls enclosed therein are circulated and used for games may be used. In the pachinko gaming machine 2 described above, the structure of the gaming area and the pachinko gaming machine related objects such as pachinko balls are displayed as images on an image display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Other game machines such as an image-type game machine capable of playing a game with the displayed image may be used.

  (32) In the embodiment described above, an example has been shown in which payment to the membership card 21 is possible when there is no card balance (when the card balance = 0). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the condition for depositing the membership card 21 may be a case where there is a card balance (when the card balance> 0). Moreover, as a condition for depositing into the membership card 21, it may be possible to deposit anytime regardless of the card balance.

  (33) The card balance recorded on the membership card 21 shown in the above-described embodiment may have an expiration date or may not have an expiration date (indefinite). When setting an expiration date on the card balance, the expiration date may be set to a predetermined period (for example, a fixed period such as one day, one week, one month, one year, etc.). Based on the update by the person, it may be set at irregular intervals such as extending every predetermined period (for example, every 30 days).

  (34) In the embodiment described above, information such as issue amount data, deposit amount data, and consumption amount data transmitted from the recording medium processing apparatus (card unit 3) to the recording medium management apparatus (card unit management apparatus 400) is included. In this example, information is output in real time when issuance, payment, consumption, etc. is made. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transmission of information from the recording medium processing apparatus to the recording medium management apparatus It may be performed at other timings such as an end timing (for example, a card ejection timing in the case of the membership card 21, a timing when the card returns to the standby position in the case of the visitor card 23, etc.). In the embodiment described above, an example in which the card reader / writer for the membership card 21 and the card reader / writer for the visitor card 23 are configured by one card reader / writer (card reader / writer device 33) has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card reader / writer for the membership card 21 and the card reader / writer for the visitor card 23 may be separately provided.

  (35) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the visitor card 23 is issued in the card unit 3 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the visitor card 23 used in the card unit 3 may be used by being issued by an issuing device such as a card issuing machine other than the card unit and inserted into the card unit 3. Good. In this embodiment, the visitor card 23 is a card that is built in the card unit 3 and cannot be taken out. However, the visitor card is not limited to this, and a card that can be taken out is used. (It is a card that is built-in and used repeatedly, but it may be taken out to the outside, or it may be a card that can be inserted and removed without being built-in.)

  (36) In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which card units are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and card units are two-to-one with respect to gaming machines. (Multiple-to-one correspondence) may be provided (for example, a card unit is provided between adjacent gaming machines).

  (37) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the card unit is arranged on the side of the gaming machine is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit is located at other positions such as above and below the gaming machine. May be provided.

  (38) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko game machine and card unit which were installed in the game machine installation island. (A) is a partially enlarged front view of the card unit, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the card insertion / discharge opening along the line AA of (a). It is a figure which shows the structure and recording information of a membership card and a visitor card. It is sectional drawing of the card reader / writer apparatus which shows the processing operation of the membership card in a card reader / writer apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the card reader / writer apparatus which shows the visitor card processing operation in a card reader / writer apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the card unit 3, and the structure of the management system inside and outside a game hall. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the transmission path | route of the information for service. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input circuit in an information input part. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of card processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a member payment process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a member rental process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a visitor process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the information input process for services performed by the control part of a card unit. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the information output process for services performed by the control part of a card unit. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of member service processing. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  2 Pachinko machines, 21 Member card 21, 3 Card unit, 360 Information input unit, 71 Member management device, 352 Information output unit, 361 Input port, 362b No-voltage signal input circuit, 362c Voltage-input signal input circuit, 353 signal Conversion circuit, 343 RAM, 345 backup power supply, 23 visitor card, 33 card reader / writer device, 34 control device, 340 control unit.

Claims (2)

Use processing means provided corresponding to the gaming machine and used for processing in the gaming machine by deducting the gaming value specified by the recording information of the recording medium within the range of the gaming value. A recording medium processing apparatus comprising:
Recording information reading means for reading the recording information of the recording medium;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the recording information read by the recording information reading means to a management device for authenticating the recording medium using the recording information;
A communication state determination unit for determining whether the information transmission unit is in an online state in which communication with the management device is possible or in an offline state in which communication is impossible;
When the communication state determination unit determines that the online state is established, a deposit amount deposited in the recording medium processing device is determined in advance in order to add and update the game value specified by the recording information of the recording medium. First upper limit determining means for determining whether or not the first upper limit is exceeded,
Second upper limit amount determining means for determining whether or not the deposit amount exceeds a predetermined second upper limit amount that is lower than the first upper limit amount when the communication state determining means determines that it is in the offline state. When,
In the online state, if the first upper limit amount determining means determines that the deposit amount does not exceed the first upper limit amount, the game value specified by the record information of the recording medium is included in the game value. The gaming value corresponding to the amount is added, and the recording on the recording medium is performed on the condition that, in the offline state, the second upper limit determining means determines that the deposit does not exceed the second upper limit. An addition means for adding the game value corresponding to the deposit amount to the game value specified by the information. Storage means for storing authentication data for authenticating the recording medium;
An authentication unit for authenticating the recording medium by comparing and determining the authentication data stored in the storage unit and the authentication data recorded in advance on the recording medium in the offline state; The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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