JP2006296583A - Reserved ball control system and reserved ball control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure consistency of reserved ball control between the third-party organization and a game saloon. <P>SOLUTION: The reserved ball control system 11 has a third-party center 100 and T/Cs 10. The third-party center 100 is provided with a reserved ball compensation fund payment possibility judgment part 130a for judging whether the game saloon pays a reserved ball compensation fund; and a reserved ball threshold possibility judgment part 130b for judging existence of data of the number of reserved data exceeding an upper limit value in reserved ball data controlled by the T/C 10 in each game saloon. Each T/C 10 is provided with: a communication possibility judgment part 13a for judging the possibility of communication between the T/C 10 and the third party center 100; and an update processing restriction/prohibition part 13b which restricts or prohibits update processing to the reserved ball data in the case of judging that communication is impossible or in the case of judging that the game saloon having the T/C 10 does not satisfy essential requirements for execution (such as payment of the reserved ball compensation fund, observance of the upper limit of the reserved balls). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a management device that manages the amount of game media (pachinko balls and medals) deposited by a pre-registered player as stored ball data, and a third party that manages and manages the stored ball data managed by the management device. The present invention relates to a storage management system including a center and a storage management method.

  Conventionally, gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines that play games by inserting gaming media such as pachinko balls and medals into gaming machines are known. In game stores where these gaming machines are installed, various recording media such as prepaid cards or membership cards are often used.

  In such a game store, this member card is issued to a player who has registered for a predetermined member, and the game on the pachinko machine is terminated in association with the identification information (eg, member ID) of the member card. A system for registering the quantity information (the number of stored balls) of pachinko balls and medals acquired at the time of so-called, a so-called storage system has been constructed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to this storage system, members can borrow a pachinko ball and play a game again within the range of the number of storage balls. It is also possible to purchase gifts such as confectionery and tobacco) or special gifts.

  In addition to the widespread use of the game system for game stores, in the gaming industry, from the perspective of protecting customers, a third-party organization that operates institutional compensation (the Game Compensation Fund) ) (Hereinafter referred to as system membership).

  This third-party organization collects and manages the stored-ball data information for each member at the contracted amusement store. If the amusement store's data is damaged or the amusement store goes bankrupt, the member's stored-ball data It has a function that can confirm. In particular, when the amusement store goes bankrupt, each member is compensated for the valuable value (the amount of money) based on the accumulated data.

JP-A-11-276698

  However, the above-described prior art has a problem that it is not possible to ensure consistency in savings management between a third-party organization and an amusement store. In other words, in order to realize the management of stored balls by a third party organization, the stored data (number of members and the number of stored balls) is regularly sent from the management device (member management device) installed in the amusement store to the third party center. However, if the game store intentionally disrupts communication with a third-party organization, the notification of savings data is not accompanied by legal regulations or administrative guidance. For example, the third party center cannot update the stored ball data to be managed, and it is extremely difficult to ensure the consistency of the stored ball management between the third party organization and the amusement store.

  For this reason, if such an amusement store goes bankrupt, the misuse of the compensation system (ie fraudulent acts such as impersonation) is overlooked, the number of stored balls deposited by the player, and the third party's Since there is a gap between what is recognized as a number, there is a risk of causing a problem of compensation for savings between the third party and the player.

  In addition, membership in the system itself is not accompanied by legal regulations or administrative guidance, and running costs including compensation funds are required. There is an inherent concern that if a game store that has not paid the savings compensation fund goes bankrupt, it will not be possible to give the player compensation for savings, which may cause social problems.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the conventional technology, and can be used to secure consistency of stored money management between a third-party organization and an amusement store. The object is to provide a system and a storage management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a storage management system according to the invention of claim 1 is a management device that manages the number of game media deposited by a player registered in advance as storage data. , A storage ball management system comprising a third party center for overall management of storage ball data managed by the management device, wherein the management device can communicate between the management device and the third party center A communication enable / disable determining unit that determines whether or not there is an update process limiting / inhibiting unit that limits or prohibits an update process for the stored ball data when the communication enable / disable determining unit determines that communication is impossible. It is provided with.

  In the storage management system according to claim 2, the update processing restriction / inhibition means subtracts update processing for the storage data when the communication availability determination means determines that communication is impossible. It is limited to processing only.

  Further, in the storage management system according to the invention of claim 3, when the update processing restriction / inhibition means determines that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination means, the update processing for the storage data is performed, The present invention is limited to an addition process for adding stored balls within a predetermined value and / or an addition process on condition that replay or prize exchange is performed within a predetermined period.

  Further, in the storage management system according to the invention of claim 4, the update processing restriction / inhibition means performs an update process on the storage data when the communication enable / disable determination means determines that communication is impossible. The present invention is limited to subtraction processing, addition processing for adding stored balls within a predetermined value, and / or addition processing on condition that replay or prize exchange is performed within a predetermined period.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the third-party center includes a requirement availability determination unit that determines whether or not the management device satisfies the requirements for enabling the update process, and the management device. A reply processing unit that returns a communication response including a determination result by the requirement availability determination unit to the management apparatus when responding to the communication from the request, and the update process restriction / inhibition unit includes the requirement availability determination unit When it is determined that the management device does not satisfy the enablement requirement, update processing for the stored ball data is restricted or prohibited.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management method for managing the amount of game media deposited by a pre-registered player as storage data, and managing the storage data managed by the management device. A storage management method used in a storage management system comprising a third party center to be managed, wherein the management device determines whether communication is possible between the management device and the third party center A communication availability determination step, and an update processing restriction / inhibition step for restricting or prohibiting an update process for the stored ball data when communication is determined to be impossible by the communication availability determination step. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the storage management method subtracts an update process for the storage data when the update process restriction / prohibition process determines that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination process. It is limited to processing only.

  According to the present invention, the management device determines whether or not communication is possible between the management device and the third party center, and when it is determined that communication is impossible, the update processing for the stored ball data Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the update process for the stored ball data is performed under the situation where communication is established between the management device and the third party center. It will be possible to ensure consistency in savings management among amusement stores. Furthermore, by ensuring consistency in savings management between the third-party organization and the amusement store, misuse of the compensation system (that is, fraudulent acts such as impersonation) and savings compensation that occurs between the third-party organization and the player It becomes possible to prevent problems in advance.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that communication is impossible, the update process for the stored ball data is limited to only the subtraction process, so that the stored ball data stored before the communication is interrupted is extracted. It is possible to prevent fraudulent acts on the stored-ball data (that is, impersonation that inputs the stored-ball data of duplicate members or fictitious members) without penalizing the player and the amusement store.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when it is determined that communication is impossible, an update process for the stored ball data is performed by adding a stored ball within a predetermined value and / or replay or prize exchange within a predetermined period. Since it is limited only to the addition processing on condition that it is done, it is less likely that the player feels inconvenience, and the risk that the stored data of the game store can be increased in an unlimited state in a communication interruption state can be avoided. it can.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that communication is impossible, the update processing for the stored ball data is performed by subtraction processing, addition processing for adding stored balls within a predetermined value, and / or re-processing within a predetermined period. Since it is limited only to the addition processing that is subject to game or prize exchange, there is little risk of inconvenience to the player, and there is a risk that the game store's stored data will increase without limit in a communication interruption state It can be avoided.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the third-party center determines whether or not the management device satisfies the requirements for enabling the update process and responds to the communication from the management device, a communication response including the determination result is sent. Reply to the management device, and if it is determined that the management device does not meet the requirements for practicability, we decided to restrict or prohibit the update process for the savings data, so join the third-party organization (savings compensation fund) It becomes possible to comply with the obligations arising from (system membership).

  Exemplary embodiments of a storage ball management system (storage ball management method) according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the outline and features of the storage management system according to the present invention will be described, and then the storage management system according to the first embodiment will be described. Finally, various modifications (examples) will be described as other embodiments. 2) will be explained.

(Overview and features)
First, the outline and features of the storage ball management system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the outline and features of a storage management system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, this storage management system 1 is a management device (hereinafter referred to as a terminal controller; T / C) that manages the quantity of game media (pachinko balls and medals) deposited by a player as storage data. 10 and a third-party center 100 that comprehensively manages the stored ball data managed by the T / C 10 are connected to each other via the network 2 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

  Here, the storage management system 1 according to the present invention determines whether the T / C 10 can communicate between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100, and determines that communication is not possible. In this case, the main feature is to restrict or prohibit the update process for the stored-ball data, and this series of processes enables the consistency of stored-ball management between the third-party organization and the amusement store. ing.

  That is, in this T / C 10, as shown in FIG. 1, when it is determined that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible, the update processing for the stored ball data is restricted or prohibited. Thus, it is possible to ensure that the update process for the stored ball data is performed in a situation where communication is established between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100.

  Therefore, in the example of the prior art described above, communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is not overlooked that the amusement store side intentionally interrupts communication with the third party organization. Ensuring that the renewal process of the stored ball data is performed under established conditions, and ensuring the consistency of the stored ball management between the third-party organization and the amusement store as described above. Is possible. Furthermore, by ensuring consistency in savings management between the third-party organization and the amusement store, misuse of the compensation system (that is, fraudulent acts such as impersonation) and savings compensation that occurs between the third-party organization and the player It becomes possible to prevent problems in advance.

  In addition, in connection with this, by providing the amusement store with a T / C that allows an update process to the stored ball data only under a situation where communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is established, It is possible to promote accession to a third-party organization that operates institutional compensation (the savings compensation fund).

  The storage management system 1 according to the present invention has additional features related to the main features described above. In other words, in this storage management system 1, when it is determined that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible in the T / C 10, the update process for the storage data is limited to the subtraction process only. To do.

  In other words, when the T / C 10 at the game store side cannot communicate with the third party center 100, update processing (that is, addition processing and subtraction processing) for the stored ball data is completely prohibited. However, since the player is placed in a situation where his / her own money cannot be used, the convenience of the player may be impaired. In addition, even if the game store side intentionally interrupts communication with a third party organization (even if a network failure or device failure occurs), update processing for the stored ball data will be prohibited. There is also a risk of hindering the sales of the store.

  For this reason, when it is determined that communication between the T / C 10 and the third-party center 100 is impossible, the update process for the stored data is limited to only the subtraction process, and the deposit was made before the communication was interrupted. Since only the withdrawal process of the stored ball data can be executed, fraudulent acts on the stored ball data (that is, impersonation to input the stored ball data of duplicate members or fictitious members) without causing any disadvantage to the player and the amusement store. Can be prevented.

  Next, a storage management system according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, after describing the configuration of the storage management system according to the first embodiment, the procedure of various processes of the storage management system 1 will be described.

(Configuration of the storage management system)
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the storage management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the storage management system 1 has a configuration in which a terminal controller (T / C) 10 and a third party center 100 are connected to each other via a network 2 so as to communicate with each other.

  Among these, the third party center 100 is a device that manages and manages the storage data managed by the T / C 10, and a communication control IF unit that controls various communications between the third party center 100 and the network 2. 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

  The storage unit 120 is a storage unit (storage unit) that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 130. The storage compensation fund management table 120a and the hall storage management table 120b are related to the present invention. Is provided.

  The savings compensation fund management table 120a is a table for managing whether or not each game store can pay the savings compensation fund. Specifically, for each gaming store (hall), whether or not each “month” can be paid for the savings compensation fund. It is stored in association. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, whether or not a game store “A” can pay the savings compensatory fund in January “○”, whether or not it can pay the savings compensation fund in February “○”, and the payment of the savings compensation fund in March The possibility “x”,... Are stored in association with each other.

  The hall savings management table 120b is a table for managing the savings data of each amusement store, and specifically stores the savings data of savings members for each amusement store (hall). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the member number “0001”, the stored ball data “1000 (departure)”, and the member name “user D” are stored in association with the game store “A”.

  The control unit 130 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the third-party center 100, and is a control unit that controls transmission and reception of various data between the functional units. The control unit 130 receives and receives the stored ball data from each T / C 10. The accumulated ball data is updated to the hall accumulated ball management table 120b. The control unit 130 includes, as processing units related to the present invention, a storage compensation fund payment availability determination unit 130a and a storage ball threshold availability determination unit 130b.

  Among these, the savings compensation fund payability determination unit 130a is a processing unit that refers to the savings compensation fund management table 120a and determines whether or not the amusement store is paying the savings compensation fund. For example, when a connection confirmation packet is received from amusement store A, the field of “Amusement store A” (see FIG. 3) of the savings compensation management table 120a (see FIG. 3) is not paid. It is determined that the savings compensation fund has not been paid. In the first embodiment, if a “connection confirmation packet” is received from the T / C 10 when the T / C (member management device) 10 is activated at each amusement store, this “savings compensation fund can be paid or not” Judgment "is made.

  The storage threshold threshold determination unit 130b refers to the hall storage management table 120b, and sets the maximum number of storage balls (for example, set to 10,000) in the storage data managed by the T / C 10 in each amusement store. It is a processing unit that determines whether or not there is an excess. For example, when checking the T / C10 storage ball data of the game store A in the hall storage management table 120b, it is detected that the storage data of the member No. “0002” has exceeded “10000 (departure)”, and the upper limit of storage balls Will be judged as not being observed. In the first embodiment, in each amusement store, when the stored ball data is received from the T / C 10 when the “close processing” is performed at the T / C 10, the “determining whether or not the stored ball threshold is acceptable” is performed. To do. Note that the “settlement compensation fund payment availability determination unit 130a” and the “storage ball threshold availability determination unit 130b” correspond to “requirement availability determination unit” in the claims.

  When the control unit 130 replies to the “connection confirmation packet” from the T / C 10, the control unit 130 replies to the T / C 10 with a communication response including the determination result by the storage compensation compensation fund payment determination unit 130 a or the storage threshold determination unit 130 b. .

  On the other hand, the terminal controller (T / C) 10 is a management device that manages the quantity of game media (pachinko balls and medals) deposited by a player as accumulated ball data, and is between the T / C 10 and the network 2. A communication control IF unit 11 that controls various types of communication, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13 are provided.

  The storage unit 12 is a storage unit (storage unit) that stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 13, and includes a member management table 12a as related to the present invention. The member management table 12a is a table for managing member information including stored ball data of each member (player). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, stored number data “1000 (departure)”, member name “user D”,... Are stored in association with member No. (member ID) “0001”.

  The control unit 13 includes a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing necessary data, and is a processing unit that executes various processes using these. In particular, as closely related to the present invention, a communication availability determination unit 13a and an update process restriction / inhibition unit 13b are provided.

  Among these, the communication availability determination unit 13 a is a processing unit that determines whether communication is possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100. Specifically, connection confirmation packets are sent to the third party center 100 at predetermined intervals when the T / C 10 is activated (when the store is opened), when the T / C 10 is turned off (when the store is closed), or while the T / C 10 is operating. Transmit and perform "communication availability determination". In the first embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the communication feasibility determination that is performed when the T / C 10 is activated (when the store is opened) is performed when “checking when activated” and when the T / C 10 is turned off (when the store is closed). The communication availability determination performed is referred to as “closed check”, and the communication availability determination performed at predetermined intervals while the T / C 10 is operating is referred to as “periodic check”.

  More specifically, the communication availability determination unit 13a transmits a connection confirmation packet including a request code for “determining whether or not to pay the savings compensation fund” to the third party center 100 in the case of “check at startup”. In the case of “check”, a connection confirmation packet including the stored ball data of all the members read from the member management table 12a and a request code for “determining whether or not the stored ball threshold is available” is transmitted to the third party center 100. In the “periodic check”, only the connection confirmation packet is transmitted to the third party center 100. When these connection confirmation packets are transmitted, the game store identification information is also transmitted.

  When receiving a communication response to the connection confirmation packet from the third party center 100, the communication feasibility determination unit 13a determines that communication is possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100, and If a communication response to the connection confirmation packet is not received from the three party center 100, it is determined that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible.

  The update process restriction / prohibition unit 13b is a processing unit that restricts or prohibits the update process for the stored ball data when the communication availability determination unit 13a determines that communication is impossible. Specifically, when the communication response to the connection confirmation packet is not received from the third party center 100, the update process for the stored ball data is limited to the subtraction process only.

  In this way, when it is determined that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible, the update process for the stored ball data is limited to only the subtraction process, thereby allowing the player and the amusement store. It is possible to prevent fraudulent acts on the stored-ball data (that is, impersonation that inputs the stored-ball data of duplicate members or fictitious members) without causing any disadvantage.

  In addition, even when the update process restriction / prohibition unit 13b determines that communication is possible by the communication availability determination unit 13a, the storage compensation fee payment determination unit 130a or the storage threshold determination unit 130b determines the T If it is determined that the amusement store having / C10 does not satisfy the requirements for implementation (for example, delivery of the savings compensation fund or compliance with the savings upper limit value), the addition processing for the savings data stored in the member management table 12a ( For example, the addition of the number of pachinko balls and medals is prohibited.

  Here, the aspect which restrict | limits or prohibits the update process with respect to stored ball data is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game hall system. As shown in the figure, in this game hall system 3, T / C 10, a prize management machine 20, a replay ball lending machine 70, a vending machine child machine 80, and a ball count are provided as devices capable of executing an update process for the stored ball data. There is a machine 90. Here, after describing the update process for the stored ball data performed by these devices, the mode of restriction or prohibition of the update process for the stored ball data will be described.

  Among these, in the ball counter 90, when the number of acquired balls is counted, if the member card is read and deposit processing is performed, balls corresponding to the count value are deposited, and the T / C10 accumulated ball data is updated (added). .

  When the replay ball lending machine 90 accepts the reading of the membership card and the input of the personal identification number and performs the replay process, the T / C 10 accumulated ball data is updated (added) and the corresponding number of pachinko balls are paid out. It is.

  When the free gift management machine 20 receives the membership card reading and the input of the personal identification number and performs the free gift exchange process, the stored data of the T / C 10 is updated (added) and the value corresponding to the number of balls subtracted is obtained. A free gift exchange takes place.

  In addition, when the prize management machine 20 accepts reading of a membership card and input of the number of balls (reading of a count receipt or manual input of the number of balls) and performing deposit processing, the entered number of balls is deposited, and T / The stored ball data of C10 is updated (added).

  Furthermore, the prize management machine 20 can update (add) the stored ball data by operating the data after confirming that the employee is a staff member having a qualification of a predetermined level or more. In addition, the update of the stored ball data by a qualified person can also be executed in the T / C 10 itself.

  When the vending machine 80 accepts the reading of the membership card and the input of the personal identification number and selects the product with the connected vending machine 85, the product (cigarette, beverage, etc.) is paid out, and the number of balls corresponding to the product price. Is updated (subtracted) from the T / C 10 stored ball data.

  Here, the mode of restriction or prohibition of the update process for the stored ball data will be described. For example, in the case of prohibiting addition processing (for example, addition of the number of pachinko balls or medals) in the entire game store, as shown in FIG. 7, in T / C10, Addition processing (for example, addition of the number of pachinko balls stored) is prohibited, and the prize management machine 20 prohibits processing for adding stored data by inputting the number of balls or performing data operations. Further, the ball counter 90 prohibits the storage processing (addition of storage data) even if a pachinko ball is inserted and the number of acquired balls can be counted. The number of balls counted by the ball counter 90 is issued as a ball number receipt or the like, and can be exchanged at a prize counter.

  In this case, the prize management machine 20 is allowed to exchange prizes from the stored ball data, and the replay ball lending machine 70 is allowed to convert the stored ball data to balls (replay = subtracting stored ball data), and the vending machine. In the handset 80, merchandise sales (= free gift exchange) using the stored ball data are permitted.

  In this way, when it is determined whether the T / C 10 satisfies the enablement requirement for the update process, and when responding to the communication from the T / C 10, a communication response including the determination result is returned to the T / C 10, Obligations arising from joining a third-party organization (savings compensation fund) by restricting or prohibiting the updating process for savings data when it is determined that T / C10 does not meet the requirements for implementation Can be observed.

(Processing procedures)
Next, procedures of various processes of the storage ball management system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a basic control procedure in the management apparatus, and FIGS. 9 to 11 are sequence diagrams illustrating a storage management procedure of the storage management system according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the T / C 10 is activated (Yes in step S801), the communication availability determination unit 13a executes “check at activation”.

  This “check at startup” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the communication availability determination unit 13a transmits a connection confirmation packet including a request code of “determining whether or not to allow payment for the savings compensation fund” to the third party center 100 (step S901).

  When the third party center 100 receives a connection confirmation packet including a request code for “determining whether or not to allow payment for the savings compensation fund” (Yes in step S902), the savings compensation fund payment availability determination unit 130a performs the savings compensation fund management. It is determined with reference to the table 120a whether or not the game shop is paying the savings compensation fund (step S903).

  Here, when it is determined that the savings compensation fund is not paid by the savings compensation fund payability determination unit 130a (No in step S903), the control unit 130 of the third party center 100 causes the savings compensation of the amusement store to be compensated. A communication response including that the payment of the fund is “NG” is returned to the T / C 10 (step S904).

  In addition, when it is determined by the storage compensation fund payability determination unit 130a that the storage compensation fund has been paid (Yes in step S903), the control unit 130 of the third-party center 100 determines that the storage store compensation fund of the amusement store. A communication response including “OK” is returned to the T / C 10 (step S905).

  On the other hand, the communication availability determination unit 13a in the T / C 10 can communicate between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 based on the presence or absence of a communication response to the connection confirmation packet from the third party center 100. It is determined whether or not there is (step S906).

  Here, when it is determined by the communication availability determination unit 13a that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible (Yes in step S906), or by the communication availability determination unit 13a. / C10 and the third-party center 100 are determined to be able to communicate, and if a communication response is received indicating that the payment of the game store's savings compensation fund is “NG” (No in step S906 and step S906) In step S907, the update process restriction / prohibition unit 13b activates the T / C 10 (step S908), and transmits a permission signal for the stored data subtraction process to the replay ball lending machine 70 and the vending machine slave unit 80 (step S908). S909), a prohibition signal for the stored data addition process is transmitted to the ball counter 90 and the prize manager 20 (step S910).

  In addition, a communication response indicating that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is possible by the communication availability determination unit 13a and that the payment of the savings compensation fund of the game store is “OK”. (No in Step S906 and No in Step S907), the control unit 13 reads the T / C 10 program (member management program) from the storage unit 12 as normal, and starts the T / C 10 (Step S911). At the same time, a permission signal for the stored ball data subtraction process is transmitted to the replay ball lending machine 70 and the vending machine slave unit 80 (step S912), and a permission signal for the stored ball data addition process is transmitted to the ball counter 90 and the prize management device 20 ( Step S913).

  Returning to the description of FIG. 8, when the T / C 10 is being activated and has reached a predetermined cycle (execution timing of “periodic check”) (No in step S801 and positive in step S802), the communication availability determination unit 13a , “Periodic check” is executed.

  This “periodic check” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the communication availability determination unit 13a transmits a connection confirmation packet to the third party center 100 (step S1001).

  When the third party center 100 receives the connection confirmation packet (Yes at step S1002), the control unit 130 of the third party center 100 returns a communication response to the connection confirmation packet to the T / C 10 (step S1003). ).

  On the other hand, the communication availability determination unit 13a in the T / C 10 can communicate between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 based on the presence or absence of a communication response to the connection confirmation packet from the third party center 100. It is determined whether or not there is (step S1004).

  Here, when it is determined by the communication availability determination unit 13a that communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible (Yes in step S1004), the update processing restriction / inhibition unit 13b A permission signal for the storage ball data subtraction process is transmitted to the replay ball lending machine 70 (step S1005), and a prohibition signal for the storage ball data addition process is transmitted to the ball counter 90 and the prize management machine 20 (step S1006).

  If it is determined by the communication availability determination unit 13a that communication is possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 (No in step S1004), the setting state is not changed and steps S801 to S801 are performed. The processing in step S803 is repeated, and “periodic check” is recursively performed at predetermined intervals, and when the store is closed, “closed processing” is performed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 8, when the store closing process is performed and the power of the T / C 10 is turned off (Yes at Step S <b> 803), the communication feasibility determining unit 13 a executes “Store Close Check”.

  This “closed store check” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the communication feasibility determination unit 13a reads the stored ball data from the member management table 12a (step S1101), and includes the stored ball data read from the member management table 12a and the request code for “determining whether or not the storage ball threshold is available”. A confirmation packet is transmitted to the third party center 100 (step S1102).

  When the third party center 100 receives the connection confirmation packet including the T / C 10 accumulated ball data and the request code for “determining whether or not the accumulated ball threshold is acceptable” (Yes in step S1103), the control unit 130 uses the hole identification information. After the accumulated ball data is updated in the record of the corresponding hall accumulated ball management table 120b, the written accumulated ball data is read again (step S1104).

  Subsequently, the storage ball threshold value determination unit 130b refers to the hall storage ball management table 120b, and there is a storage ball data managed by the T / C 10 in the game store in which the number of storage balls exceeds the upper limit. It is determined whether or not (step S1105).

  Here, when it is determined by the storage-threshold threshold determination unit 130b that the storage-ball upper limit value is not observed (No in step S1105), the control unit 130 of the third-party center 100 determines that the storage-ball upper limit of the game store is “ A communication response including “NG” is returned to the T / C 10 (step S1106).

  In addition, when it is determined by the storage-threshold threshold determination unit 130b that the storage-ball upper limit value is observed (Yes in step S1105), the control unit 130 of the third party center 100 determines that the storage-ball upper limit of the game store is “OK”. Is returned to the T / C 10 (step S1107).

  On the other hand, the communication availability determination unit 13a in the T / C 10 can communicate between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 based on the presence or absence of a communication response to the connection confirmation packet from the third party center 100. It is determined whether or not there is (step S1108).

  Here, when it is determined by the communication availability determination unit 13a that communication is not possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 (Yes in step S1108), or by the communication availability determination unit 13a. When it is determined that communication is possible between / C10 and the third party center 100, and a communication response indicating that the upper limit of the game store's storage is “NG” is received (No in step S1108 and positive in step S1109) In addition, the update processing restriction / prohibition unit 13b performs the accumulated ball data addition process until the abnormal state (communication interruption, upper limit exceeded, etc.) is resolved and a signature is received from the third party center 100 that the accumulated ball upper limit is “OK”. After setting to prohibit (step S1110), the power of the T / C 10 is turned off (step S1111), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, the communication availability determination unit 13a determines that communication is possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100, and has received a communication response indicating that the upper limit of the game store's storage is “OK”. In the case (No at Step S1108 and No at Step S1109), the control unit 13 turns off the power of the T / C 10 (Step S1111) and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the storage management system 1 according to the first embodiment, the update processing for the storage data is performed in a situation where communication is established between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100. It is possible to ensure the consistency of savings management between the third party organization and the amusement store.

  Furthermore, according to the storage management system 1 according to the first embodiment, the compensation system is abused (that is, fraud such as impersonation) by ensuring the consistency of storage management between a third-party organization and an amusement store. In addition, it becomes possible to prevent the problem of compensation for saving money that occurs between the third party organization and the player.

  Further, according to the storage ball management system 1 according to the first embodiment, fraudulent acts on the storage ball data (that is, impersonation by inputting the storage data of duplicate members or fictitious members without causing any disadvantage to the player and the amusement store). Act) can be prevented.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments in addition to the above-described first embodiment within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It may be. Therefore, as shown below, different embodiments will be described by dividing into (1) connection confirmation, (2) restriction / prohibition of storage data update processing, (3) requirement availability determination, (4) others, etc. To do.

(1) Connection confirmation For example, in the first embodiment, in order to determine whether or not communication is possible between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100, the communication availability determination unit 13a receives a connection confirmation packet. Although it was decided to transmit to the three-party center 100, including the encryption key randomly changed in the communication response transmitted from the third party center 100, this encryption key is one of the encryption key groups held by the T / C 10. A more secure communication network can be constructed between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 by configuring the storage management system so as to permit the update process for the storage data only when they match. Note that the encryption key group held by the T / C 10 is also configured to be acquired from the third party center 100, so that the encryption key group can be prevented from being analyzed and camouflaged.

  In addition, the third party center 100 manages the history of the connection confirmation executed from the T / C 10 of each game shop, and information on the game shop that has not transmitted the connection confirmation packet (for example, the game shop name, address, contact information) , The number of members, etc.) may be output (display, voice output, printing).

  In the first embodiment, the T / C 10 voluntarily checks the connection with the third party center 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the communication with the T / C 10 is impossible, a signal for restricting / inhibiting the update process for the stored ball data may be transmitted to the T / C 10.

(2) Restriction / prohibition of storage ball data update processing Further, in the first embodiment, when communication between the T / C 10 and the third party center 100 is impossible, the addition processing of the storage ball data is completely performed. Although the embodiment to be prohibited has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the addition processing of the stored ball data may be permitted under certain conditions.

  For example, “temporary savings data” is set and managed in addition to the “savings data” deposited before the communication is interrupted (see FIG. 12). The “provisional storage ball data” can be stored even after the communication with the third party center 100 is interrupted, but an upper limit is set (for example, 500), and no further deposits can be made. As a result, the player is less likely to feel inconvenience, and the risk that the game store's stored ball data is increased indefinitely when communication is interrupted is avoided.

  In addition, the “provisional savings data” may have a valid period. For example, if the validity period is set to “limited to the current day”, the player will perform (provisional) savings ball processing when earned balls are counted (even if the savings are restricted), and only replays or prizes will be given on that day. Since it can be exchanged, there is little inconvenience. In this case, it is necessary to manage the “deposit date” when the game medium is deposited by the player, and the provisional savings amount may become invalid after the valid period, and the player (member) It is necessary to call attention to this point.

  In addition, if the validity period is set to “OK until the next day” (even if the storage is restricted), the player ends the game just before closing the store, and if there are a large number of acquired balls, the acquired balls are counted If the (provisional) savings processing is performed, it is possible to return without waiting at the crowded prize counter, and it is possible to return to the next day and exchange or replay the prize.

(3) Determining Availability of Requirements In the first embodiment, the embodiment is described in which the update processing for the stored ball data is limited when the stored ball compensation fund has not been paid even for “one month”, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the updating process for the stored ball data may be restricted or prohibited when the stored ball compensation fund has not been paid for a predetermined period.

(4) Others For example, in the first embodiment, the embodiment using the number of pachinko balls stored as the stored ball data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even when a medal is used as the stored ball data. The same can be applied.

  Moreover, although Example 1 demonstrated the Example at the time of applying this invention to the replay ball lending machine 70 which performs the ball lending process of replay, this invention is not limited to this, Replay The same applies to a card processing unit in which the function of the ball lending machine 70 is incorporated.

  In addition, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, specific name, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above-mentioned document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured. Further, all or any part of each processing function performed in each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

  As described above, the storage management system according to the present invention supervises the management device that manages the quantity of game media (pachinko balls and medals) deposited by the player as storage ball data, and the storage data managed by the management device. A storage ball management system and a storage ball that are useful for a storage ball management system and a storage ball management method provided with a third party center for management, and in particular, can ensure consistency of storage ball management between a third party organization and an amusement store. Suitable for management method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary and the characteristic of the storage ball management system concerning this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage ball management system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in a savings compensation fund management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in a hall | hole storage management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in a member management table. It is a schematic block diagram which shows schematic structure of a game hall system. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of a restriction | limiting / prohibition of storage ball data update processing. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control procedure in a management apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the storage management procedure of the storage management system which concerns on the present Example 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the storage management procedure of the storage management system which concerns on the present Example 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the storage management procedure of the storage management system which concerns on the present Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in a member management table.

Explanation of symbols

1 Storage management system 2 Network 10 Terminal controller (T / C)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Communication control IF part 12 Storage part 12a Member management table 13 Control part 13a Communication availability determination part 13b Update processing restriction / prohibition part 20 Premium management machine 70 Replay ball lending machine 90 Ball counter 100 Third party center 110 Communication control IF Unit 120 storage unit 120a savings ball compensation fund management table 120b hall savings ball management table 130 control unit 130a savings ball compensation fund payability determination unit 130b savings ball threshold value determination unit

Claims (7)

In a storage management system comprising a management device that manages the amount of game media deposited by a pre-registered player as storage ball data, and a third party center that manages and manages the storage ball data managed by the management device. There,
The management device
Communication enable / disable determining means for determining whether communication is possible between the management device and the third party center;
An update processing restriction / inhibition means for restricting or prohibiting an update process for the stored ball data when communication is determined to be impossible by the communication availability determination means.   The update process restriction / prohibition means limits the update process for the stored ball data to only a subtraction process when it is determined by the communication availability determination means that communication is impossible. The listed storage management system.   The update process restriction / prohibition means performs an addition process for adding stored balls within a predetermined value and / or a predetermined process for updating the stored ball data when communication is determined to be impossible by the communication availability determining means. 2. The storage management system according to claim 1, wherein the storage management system is limited to only addition processing on condition that replay or prize exchange within a period is performed.   The update process restriction / prohibition means, when it is determined that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination means, the update process for the stored ball data, a subtraction process and an addition process for adding stored balls within a predetermined value 2. The storage ball management system according to claim 1, wherein the storage management system is limited to only addition processing on condition that replay or prize exchange within a predetermined period is performed. The third party center
Requirement availability determination means for determining whether or not the management device satisfies the requirements for enabling the update process;
A reply processing means for returning a communication response including a determination result by the requirement availability determination means to the management apparatus when responding to the communication from the management apparatus;
The update process restriction / prohibition means restricts or prohibits the update process for the stored ball data when the requirement determination unit determines that the management device does not satisfy the enablement requirement. The storage ball management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Used in a storage ball management system comprising a management device that manages the amount of game media deposited by a pre-registered player as storage ball data, and a third party center that manages and manages the storage ball data managed by the management device. A storage ball management method,
The management device
A communication enable / disable determining step of determining whether communication is possible between the management device and the third party center;
An update processing restriction / inhibition step of restricting or prohibiting an update process for the stored ball data when communication is determined to be impossible by the communication availability determination step.   7. The update process restriction / prohibition step restricts update processing for the stored ball data to only subtraction processing when it is determined that communication is impossible by the communication availability determination step. The stored-ball management method described.

Images