JP2006334300A - Game system and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and a control method improving the convenience of a game machine for a game player in a simple communication process. <P>SOLUTION: When cash is inserted for using the game machine 201, this game system prohibits an additional receipt of money once, stores the inserted cash in an internal storage area of a dispensing spacer machine and dispenses Pachinko balls corresponding to the inserted cash to the game machine 201. After finishing the dispensation, this game system executes a process of permitting the additional receipt of money and makes it possible to receive the additional money. A parlor controller 100 managing the whole game facilities requests the dispensing spacer machine to provide sales amount data, and the dispensing spacer machine 200 notifies the sales amount data stored in the internal storage area to the parlor controller 100, or the request source of provision, and clears the stored sales amount data by the completion of the notification. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system and a control method for providing a game by a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming system and a method for improving convenience for a user by controlling processing related to cash insertion.

  Generally, when using gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines installed in pachinko parlors, cash or cash-related value is specified in a device called a lending machine between the machines. A game can be played by inserting a prepaid card or the like and receiving a pachinko ball or medal. Of the cash or prepaid card that was thrown in, the usage amount using the gaming machine is recorded as the sales amount.

  At this time, in amusement facilities such as pachinko parlors, a plurality of sets of gaming machines and inter-table lending machines are arranged in one “island” group, and an island controller is provided for each “island”. (Also called “island management device”) manages the usage status, usage status, sales amount, etc. of gaming machines. The island controller is also able to respond quickly by detecting a failure that occurred in the gaming machine and notifying the administrator.

  These amusement facilities are composed of a plurality of “islands” and are managed by a plurality of island controllers installed on each “island”. Each island controller is further managed by a management device (also referred to as a “store controller”) that manages the entire gaming facility, and the entire gaming facility forms a gaming system with a tree configuration.

  As a conventional technique for renting a game medium such as a pachinko ball by using various cards such as a prepaid card, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.

In the prior art disclosed in this patent document 1, by accessing various terminals connected to the island controller that manages each “island”, the communication load on the terminal controller that manages the entire system is reduced and the space is reduced. Has solved the cost problem.
JP 2002-282522 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, an increase in installation space and equipment cost is suppressed when it is necessary to prepare a large number of card settlement machines in the amusement hall. There is a problem that the introduction cost increases. Furthermore, since each island controller needs to manage various devices such as a card settlement machine and a card issuing machine, a high-performance island controller is required.

  In addition, since the card settlement machines and the card issuing machines are connected in a distributed manner at each island controller, centralized management via the island controller is required, and there is a problem in maintainability.

  In general, inter-bank lending machines are configured so that no further cash can be thrown in when the cash deposit is confirmed, and game media such as pachinko balls and medals equivalent to the thrown-in cash are lent out. ing. The inter-table lending processor having such a configuration enables cash re-payment upon completion of lending of game media and completion of sales data transmission to the management device. For this reason, when a small amount of cash is inserted and then it is attempted to input cash, it takes time until the input, which causes the user to wait.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration diagram of a gaming system at a gaming facility in the prior art.

  In FIG. 9, the store controller 100, island controllers (900-1, 900-2...) (Hereinafter “island controller 900”), inter-table lending machines (200-1, 200-2...) ( Hereinafter, it is comprised including a "table lending processing machine 200") and gaming machines (201-1, 201-2, ...) (hereinafter referred to as "gaming machine 201"). The machine 201 is connected to the island controller 100 for each “island” via the RS485 cable 101, and the island controller 100 is connected to the store controller 100 via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable 901. .

  The store controller 100 is a controller (terminal controller) that controls and controls the entire gaming system. For example, a CPU that is a control unit, a storage device such as a hard disk, a memory that stores an operation program, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, A display device such as a TFT or CRT, and an information processing terminal such as a PC (personal computer) having a communication interface (I / F) unit for communicating with the store controller 100 are configured.

  In the store controller 100, the memory has a sales management table. In the sales management table, the sales data transmitted from the island controller 900 is managed as sales data for each inter-lending machine 200.

  The island controller 900 has a connection form that is connected to the store controller 100 via the LAN cable 901 and a connection form that is connected to the inter-car lending processor 200 via the RS485 cable 101, and is an “island” component. Controls a certain lending machine 200 and a gaming machine 201. The sales data notified from the inter-table lending processor 200 is received and transferred to the store controller 100. Further, the operating state of the gaming machine 201 forming the “island” and the communication state of the RS485 cable 101 are managed.

  Further, although not shown in the figure, control of a pachinko ball settlement machine that performs settlement of pachinko balls arranged at both ends of the “island” or in front of the counter is also performed.

  The inter-table lending machine 200 is disposed between the respective gaming machines 201 (between the dais), and lends pachinko balls in cooperation with a ball throwing mechanism provided in the gaming machines 201. The front panel of the inter-table lending processor 200 is provided with a bill insertion slot, a coin insertion slot, a card insertion slot, a money amount display section, and the like.

  When the player inserts cash from the bill slot or coin slot, a process for prohibiting additional deposit is performed at the same time.

  The pachinko ball throwing equivalent to the amount of cash received is transferred to the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine, and the pachinko ball throwing is instructed. At the same time, the amount input to the island controller 900 is transmitted as sales data (sales amount), and thereafter the sales data is cleared.

  Additional payment can be made after the completion of the sales data transmission and the completion of the game machine.

  The gaming machine 201 has a ball throwing mechanism for throwing pachinko balls, and provides a pachinko game by a player. When a pachinko ball throwing request is received from the inter-table lending machine 200, a pachinko ball corresponding to the amount of cash thrown by the ball throwing mechanism is thrown out.

  Further, FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the system configuration diagram of the prior art shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, when a player puts cash into the interbank lending machine installed in the gaming machine, the processing is started, and the amount of the inserted cash is used as sales data in the internal storage area provided in the interbank lending machine. (S1001). The sales data stored at this time indicates the amount of money that has been input. Next, the amount of money that has been thrown in is stored, and a process for prohibiting additional cash money is performed in response to the confirmation that cash has been thrown in (S1002).

  At this time, as an example of the prohibition process of the additional deposit, there is a method of preventing the deposit of cash by closing the cash slot.

  When the additional payment prohibition process is performed and no additional payment is made by the player, a pachinko ball corresponding to the amount of cash inserted is instructed to the gaming machine, and the gaming machine has a ball throwing mechanism. Starting to throw out pachinko balls (S1003). When the dispensing starts, the interbank lending processor notifies the island controller that manages the group called “Island” shown in FIG. 9 of the amount (sales data) that the pachinko ball has been thrown out (S1004), and the notification is completed. After the normal reception at the island controller is confirmed, the temporarily stored sales data is deleted (S1005).

  This means that the sales data for the deposited cash is managed by mutual cooperation between the inter-table lending processor and the island controller.

  Subsequently, at the time of erasing the temporarily stored sales data, it is determined whether or not the pachinko ball corresponding to the amount of cash inserted is complete (S1006). In step S1006, NO is completed, and processing for enabling the next cash input is performed after completion of the investment (S1007). In other words, the next cash can be inserted by completing the processing of sending the sales data from the interbank lending machine to the island controller and completing the pachinko ball throwing using the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine. Become.

  As a result, data communication is generated from the interbank lending processor to the island controller every time cash is inserted, and during that time, it becomes impossible to continue to deposit the interbank lending processor. In particular, when the number of connected island controllers increases or when traffic is concentrated, data transmission takes a lot of time, and the time until the next cash input tends to be long.

  It is not convenient for players because they cannot use the game machine smoothly, and it does not lead to an increase in the ability to attract customers or increase profits for the manager who manages the game facilities.

  In addition, when communicating from the interbank lending machine to the island controller, if the communication line is in a disconnected state due to some trouble, sales data cannot be notified to the island controller, so the next deposit is permitted. It may not be possible, and the gaming machine may stop.

  The island controller installed for each group called “island” in the prior art shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is a store controller (terminal controller (T) that manages the entire store for data communication generated from the inter-bank lending machine. / C)) is installed mainly for the purpose of distributing the load of the traffic concentrated on.

  However, providing an island controller for each “island” is not only a problem as described above, but also has a problem that the cost performance is low because a lot of costs are required for maintenance in addition to the cost for installation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system and a control method in which convenience of a gaming machine by a player is improved by simple communication processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided in each of the gaming machines and includes a plurality of inter-table lending processors that control lending of game media based on cash deposit, and the plurality of inter- lending lending machines. In a gaming system having a management device for managing sales, the inter-lending processing machine stores cash holding means for receiving cash deposits, and stores and holds cash deposits received by the cash accepting means as sales data. Means, a game medium throwing-out means for throwing out the game medium based on the deposit of cash by the cash accepting means, and a cash receipt by the cash accepting means upon completion of the game medium throw-out by the game medium throwing-out means It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling new acceptance and transmission means for sending sales data stored and held in the storage means to the management apparatus.

  Further, the invention of claim 2 is related to a gaming machine, a plurality of inter-bank lending processors that are respectively attached to the gaming machine and control lending of game media based on cash deposit, and sales of the plurality of inter-loan lending processors. In the gaming system having a management device for managing cash, the inter-lending processing machine has a cash receiving means for receiving cash deposits, and a storage means for storing and holding the cash deposit amount received by the cash accepting means as sales data And a game medium dispensing control means for controlling the dispensing of the game medium based on the deposit of cash by the cash receiving means, and the cash receiving means by the completion of the dispensing of the game medium by the game medium dispensing control means. Control means for enabling new acceptance of cash, and transmission means for transmitting sales data stored and held in the storage means to the management device To.

  Further, in the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, when the storage means stores the sales data and there is a new cash deposit, new cash is added to the sales data. It is characterized by storing and holding sales data obtained by adding the deposit amount.

  The invention of claim 4 further comprises setting means for setting an upper limit amount of sales data stored in the storage means in the invention of claim 3, wherein the control means is configured to receive money by the cash receiving means. At the time of acceptance, it is determined that the amount of sales data stored and held in the storage means by the deposit exceeds the upper limit set by the setting means, and the determination means determines that the upper limit is exceeded. And a prohibiting means for prohibiting acceptance of a new deposit by the cash accepting means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the transmission means stores sales data stored and held in the storage means in response to a sales data request from the management apparatus. It is characterized by transmitting.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is provided in a gaming machine and controls the lending of game media on the basis of the cash deposit, and is accepted by the cash accepting means and the cash accepting means for accepting cash deposit. By storage means for storing and storing cash deposit amount as sales data, game medium throwing control means for controlling throwing of the game medium based on cash deposit by the cash receiving means, and by the game medium throwing control means Control means for controlling new acceptance of cash by the cash acceptance means upon completion of throwing out the game medium, and transmission for transmitting the sales data stored in the storage means to a management device for managing the sales data Means.

  Further, the invention of claim 7 is provided in each gaming machine, and manages a plurality of inter-bank lending processors that control lending of game media based on cash deposit, and manages the sales of the plurality of inter-car lending processors. In the control method of the gaming system having the apparatus, the inter-table lending processor stores the cash deposit received by the cash accepting unit in the storage unit as sales data, and based on the cash deposit by the cash accepting unit Control is made so that new acceptance of cash by the cash accepting means is enabled upon completion of throwing out the game media by the game media throwing means.

  According to the present invention, the sales data up to a predesignated amount is held in the inter-lending machine, and the communication load with the management device is minimized by transmitting the sales data based on the sales acquisition request from the management device. Since it is configured so that cash can be inserted up to a designated amount, the convenience of the user who uses the gaming machine can be improved.

  In addition, since the island controller is not required, the cost for maintenance as well as the introduction cost can be reduced, so that the cost performance is excellent.

  And even if a communication failure occurs between the management device and the interbank lending processor, and the sales data can no longer be transmitted to the management device, the intermediary lending processor does not immediately go down and is set in advance. Since it can be used up to the upper limit, the convenience of the user who uses the gaming machine can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming system and a control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a pachinko store is shown as a gaming facility for playing games, and a pachinko machine is shown as a gaming machine that provides games at the gaming facility. A gaming machine used in a gaming facility such as a game center may be a slot machine.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram configured by applying a gaming system and a control method according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, this gaming system is a system for managing gaming machines provided in gaming facilities such as pachinko parlors and slot shops, and includes a store controller 100, an RS485 cable 101, a line concentrator 102, an inter-car lending processor ( 200-1, 200-2, 200-3... 200-N) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “border lending processor 200”), gaming machines (201-1, 201-2, 201-3). ... 201-N) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “gaming machine 201”).

  In the gaming system, a plurality of inter-table lending machines 200 are connected via an RS485 cable 101 to the store controller 100 that manages the entire gaming facility, and each inter- lending lending machine 200 is provided with a gaming machine 201. ing. In addition, a plurality of combinations of [gaming machine 201 and inter-table lending processor 200] are arranged for each group called “island”, and RS485 cable 101 that bundles each “island” is connected to concentrator 102. ing.

  By connecting the line concentrator 102 and the store controller 100 with the RS485 cable 101, the information from the lending machine 200 can be collected and managed by the store controller 100. Of course, it may be configured to connect directly to the store controller 100 without providing the concentrator 102.

  The store controller 100 centrally manages the amount of cash input to the connected lending machine 200 (total amount of cash input to use the gaming machine 201) for each lending machine 200. . The sales amount stored in the inter-vehicle lending processor 200 is acquired by sequentially transmitting the sales acquisition request to each inter-car lending processor 200 connected thereto. The acquired sales amount is managed in the sales management table as the sales amount for the inter-table lending processor 200.

  The RS485 cable 101 is a cable for performing data communication between the inter-card lending processor 200 and the store controller 100.

  The line concentrator 102 is an apparatus for electrically concentrating data from the inter-table lending processor 200 connected via the RS485. For example, in the case of network connection using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, a HUB (HUB: Concentrator) and L2 (Layer 2) switch.

  The inter-table lending machine 200 is provided in the gaming machine 201 and lends pachinko balls in cooperation with a ball throwing mechanism provided in the gaming machine 201.

  The player can use the gaming machine by using the gaming machine 201 by inserting cash into the interbank lending machine and receiving a pachinko ball equivalent to the amount of cash inserted. Become.

  Further, the inserted cash is stored in the internal storage area as sales data (also referred to as “sales amount”). If the sales data is already stored in the internal storage area, the cash sales data added to the stored sales data is added and stored. When the sales data of the inserted cash is stored, pachinko ball lending corresponding to the amount of the inserted cash is performed, and during this time, a process for prohibiting the insertion of cash is performed. For example, as a process for prohibiting the insertion of cash, the cash insertion slot (coin insertion slot, banknote insertion slot) of the inter-table lending machine is closed.

  When the ball lending to the gaming machine 201 is completed in a state where the insertion of cash is prohibited, a process for enabling the insertion of cash is performed. In the case of the above example, cash can be input by opening a closed cash input slot. At this time, the stored sales amount is transmitted to the store controller 100 by receiving a sales transmission request for transmission of sales data from the store controller 100.

  Furthermore, an upper limit amount may be provided for the sales amount that can be added and stored, and control may be performed so that additional payment beyond the upper limit amount cannot be performed.

  The gaming machine 201 has a ball throwing mechanism and performs pachinko using the pachinko balls thrown from the ball throwing mechanism. Each gaming machine is provided with an inter-table lending processing machine 200, and the ball dispensing mechanism throws out the pachinko balls in response to a pachinko ball throwing instruction from the inter-table lending processing machine 200.

  The flow of processing performed by such a configuration is shown below.

  When the cash used by the player is inserted from the cash insertion slot (banknote insertion slot, coin insertion slot) of the inter-table lending processor 200, first, a process for prohibiting the additional insertion of cash is performed first. Pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of cash thrown in the inter-table lending processor 200 are thrown out by a ball throwing mechanism provided in the gaming machine 201. Next, the amount of cash inserted is stored in the internal storage area of the inter-table lending machine 200 as the sales amount. At this time, if the sales amount has already been stored, it is stored by adding the sales amount of the cash inserted this time to the stored sales amount. When it is confirmed that the pachinko ball has been thrown out from the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine 201 by the inter-table lending machine 200, a process for allowing the additional cash once prohibited is performed.

  As a result, in addition to the management of the sales amount by the interbank lending machine 200, it becomes possible for the player to continuously deposit money after the pachinko ball is thrown out. A game with excellent convenience can be provided.

  Further, by receiving a sales acquisition request for requesting acquisition of the sales amount stored in the inter-table lending processor 200 from the store controller 100, the stored sales amount is transmitted to the store controller 100 that has requested the sales amount. When acquisition of the sales amount is completed by the store controller, the inter-table lending processor 200 initializes the sales amount and puts it in an initial state. The store controller 100 manages the sales amount acquired from each inter-unit lending processor 200 according to the sales acquisition request for each inter-unit lending processor.

  As a result, it becomes possible to manage it for the convenience of the store controller 100, and since data communication does not occur every time the player uses the gaming machine, the traffic flowing on the RS485 cable 101 can be kept optimal, and the reliability is improved. Management performance improves with improvement.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the store controller.

  The store controller 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes an I / F 10, a control unit 11, a communication management unit 12, a storage unit 13, a sales amount processing unit 14, an input unit 15, and a display unit 16. It is connected to each inter-car lending processor 200 using an RS485 cable.

  The control unit 11 performs main control of the store controller as a whole and processes data received via the I / F 10. In addition, data processed by each component (communication management unit 12, storage unit 13, sales amount processing unit 14, input unit 15, display unit 16) is transmitted via the I / F 10.

  In addition, a sales acquisition request for requesting the sales amount is created for each inter-car lending processor 200 connected via the I / F 10 using the sales data obtaining program stored in the storage unit 13, and the inter-car lending process Get the sales amount from the machine. The acquired sales data is transferred to the sales amount processing unit 14.

  Further, when an instruction is received from the administrator or employee of the game facility via the input unit 15 or the display unit 16, processing based on the instruction content is performed. For example, when a display amount display request is made to the lending machine 200 stored in the storage unit 13 from the input unit 15, the control unit 11 causes the sales data or sales to the lending machine 200 requested to be displayed. The entire data is acquired from the sales management table stored in the storage unit 13 and displayed on the display unit 16.

  The communication management unit 12 manages data communication with the inter-table lending processor 200 connected to the store controller 100. By detecting a failure with the connected lending machine 200 or a failure occurring in the lending machine 200, the display unit 16 displays that fact. Further, the control unit 11 may store the log information in the storage unit 13. In this case, the manager or the employee can recover from the failure by examining the inter-table lending processor and its communication line based on the displayed information.

  Furthermore, the transmission timing of the sales acquisition request created by the control unit 11 is managed, and polling is sequentially performed for all the connected lending machine 200.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores programs necessary for managing the entire gaming system, parameters used in the programs, and the like. For example, a sales data acquisition program that makes a request for acquiring sales data to each connected inter-table lending processor 200 is stored, and is executed by the control unit 11 when called from the control unit 11.

  Further, the sales amount acquired by executing the sales data acquisition program in the control unit 11 is managed in the sales management table for each lending machine. The sales management table includes an inter-car lending processor identification number, a sales amount, and an acquisition date and time, and sales data is managed for each inter-car rental processing machine.

  The sales amount processing unit 14 performs sales amount (sales data) registration processing in order to manage the sales data acquired by executing the sales data acquisition program stored in the storage unit 11 as a sales management table of the storage unit 11. Control sales data.

  As a sales data control process, for example, in a tabulation process performed after a game facility is closed, all sales data (sales amount) is acquired from the sales management table of the storage unit 11 and totaled to obtain a unit period (one Calculate the total sales amount per day, week, etc.). Furthermore, it is possible to calculate the sales situation per unit time or unit period for each inter-unit lending processor 200.

  The input unit 15 represents an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and is a user interface through which an administrator or employee instructs the store controller 100.

  The display unit 16 indicates a display device such as a display, and specific data is displayed by an instruction from the input unit 15. In addition, when the occurrence of a failure is detected by the communication management unit 12 or the like, a screen to that effect is displayed.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit an acquisition request for sales data to all of the inter-table lending processors 200 connected to the store controller 100, and the sales data acquired based on this is sent to the inter-table lending processor 200. Can be managed for each.

  Thereby, sales data can be acquired according to the status of the communication line with the store controller or the inter-table lending processor without applying an excessive load on the store controller 100.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the device configuration of the inter-table lending processor and the gaming machine.

  3, FIG. 3 (a) is a diagram showing a device configuration of the inter-table lending processor 200, and FIG. 3 (b) is a diagram showing a device configuration of the gaming machine 201.

  3A includes a status display lamp 24-A, a money amount display unit 24-B, a remote control light receiving unit 26, a bill insertion slot 23-A, a coin insertion slot 23-B, and a return button. 25, a coin return slot 23-C is included, and a player plays a game by inserting cash from the bill insertion slot 23-A or the coin slot 23-B in order to start a pachinko game machine 201. be able to.

  The total amount of cash inserted at the bill insertion slot 23-A or the coin insertion slot 23-B is displayed on the money amount display section, and instructs the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine to throw a pachinko ball corresponding to the cash amount. Then, the pachinko ball is thrown out.

  The status display lamp 24-A is a lamp for visually notifying employees and managers of the gaming facility of events that have occurred in the inter-table lending machine 200 or the gaming machine 201. For example, it is notified that the gaming machine 201 is in a big hit state, or that an error has occurred in the inter-table lending processor.

  The remote control light receiving unit 26 receives a signal from a remote control held by an employee or an administrator. In particular, it is used to open and close a door installed on the front surface of the inter-machine.

  In addition, although not shown, a pachinko ball to be thrown into the gaming machine is not performed from the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine, but a ball throwing nozzle is provided in the inter-table lending processing machine to throw a ball from there. It may be configured.

  A gaming machine 201 shown in FIG. 3 (b) has a ball throwing mechanism 202, and performs throwing based on a pachinko ball throwing instruction from the inter-table lending processor 200.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the inter-table lending processor shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the inter-table lending processor 200 includes an I / F 20, an inter-table lending processor control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a cash processing unit 23, a status display unit 24, an operation unit 25, a remote control light receiving unit 26, a locking process. Unit 27, power supply unit 28 is provided, and store controller 100 and gaming machine 201 are connected via I / F 20, and cash collection for collecting cash (banknotes, coins) received by cash processing unit 23. It is connected to the device 203.

  The I / F 20 is a communication interface that performs communication with an inter-table rental processing machine (store controller, game machine).

  The inter-table lending processor control unit 21 controls all processes related to the inter-loan lending processor. When the cash inserted in the cash processing unit 23 is processed and the usage amount is fixed, the determined usage amount is stored in the storage unit 22 as a sales amount.

  Further, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of cash inserted is transmitted to the gaming machine 201 provided therewith, and the pachinko ball lending by the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine 201 is controlled. When the throwing of the designated number of pachinko balls is completed, a throwing completion notification indicating the completion of throwing is received from the gaming machine 201. When this notification of the completion of the dispensing is received, this is notified to the cash processing unit 23.

  And when the upper limit of the sales amount which can be memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 22 is set, it controls so that additional payment cannot be performed exceeding the upper limit.

  The storage unit 22 stores a processing program realized by the inter-table lending processor 200 and various parameters used in the processing program, and also throws out pachinko balls into the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine out of the cash thrown by the player. Is stored as the sales amount. The sales amount is stored as a sales table together with the identification number of the store where the inter-table lending processor 200 is installed and the date on which the transaction was performed.

  Furthermore, the frame data which is the upper limit of the sales amount that can be stored and stored as a sales table is stored. The inter-bed processing control unit 21 controls so that cash cannot be inserted beyond the amount stored as the frame data. When the inter-lending lending processor control unit 21 notifies the store controller 100 of the sales amount in the sales table, the inter-lending lending processor control unit 21 initializes the sales amount. Or the sales amount is set to “0 yen”.

  The cash processing unit 23 calculates the total amount of cash inserted by identifying the cash input. Since the bills and coins are inserted from the bill insertion slot and the coin insertion slot, respectively, the total amount of money is calculated by adding the total amount of bills and the total amount of coins.

  In addition, the amount of money instructed to throw out pachinko balls from the interbank lending processor control unit 21 to the gaming machine 201 in the inserted cash is transferred to the storage unit 22 to be stored as sales data in the storage unit 22. . Then, the transferred amount of cash is transported to the cash collection device 203 by a cash transport device (not shown) installed on the back of the interbank lending processor or the gaming machine.

  In addition, you may comprise so that cash may be stored in the safe in a lending machine between machines.

  Further, when the insertion of cash is completed, processing for prohibiting the deposit is performed. For example, the cash insertion by the player is prohibited by blocking the bill insertion slot and the coin insertion slot.

  Further, when the payment is prohibited, the interbank lending processor control unit 21 is notified that the game machine 201 has completed the throwing out, and the deposit prohibition process is canceled to allow additional payment.

  The state display unit 24 shows the state display lamp 24-A and the amount display unit 24-B shown in FIG. 3, and displays the total amount of the input amount calculated by the cash processing unit 23. The status display lamp 24-A is lit to display the amount stored as sales data in the storage unit 22 or to notify the event detected by the inter-table lending processor control unit 21. An example of display at this time is a display method of “7 segments × 3 digits”.

  The operation unit 25 is a user interface that gives instructions to the inter-table lending processor 200, and includes a numeric keypad and operation keys. For example, there is a return button, and when it is pressed, the inserted cash is returned. However, out of the inserted cash, when the ball is lent for each predetermined usage unit, the excess from the predetermined amount may be returned. For example, if the predetermined usage unit is 1,000 yen and the input amount is 18 million yen, 8 hundred yen is returned from the coin return slot as an excess.

  The remote control light receiving unit 26 receives a signal from a remote control held by an administrator or employee of the game facility. In particular, it is used for opening and closing doors.

  The locking processing unit 27 locks a door provided on the front surface or the back surface. When the door is opened and closed, the process is stopped when the door is open.

  The power supply unit 28 supplies power to perform processing in each component unit.

  With such a configuration, the sales amount is not notified from the interbank lending processor 200 to the store controller 100 each time cash is inserted. Moreover, if the pachinko ball lending corresponding to the amount of cash deposited first is completed, the deposit can be continued.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the inter-table lending processor.

  In FIG. 5, when a player inserts cash (banknotes, coins) into the inter-table lending processor for use of the gaming machine, the process is started, and it is determined whether the amount is within an amount that can be inserted at one time (S501).

  If the amount of cash that has been input exceeds the amount that can be input (NO in S501), the amount that has been input is refunded (S502).

  If the amount of cash entered is within the amount that can be entered (YES in S502), the amount of money deposited is added to the amount of unsent sales and the sales amount is updated (S503).

  For example, under the condition that the frame data is “2,000 yen” and the sales data in the internal storage area stored in advance is “1,000 yen”, the amount of money received by the player is “2,000 yen” The total amount obtained by adding the deposit amount “2,000 yen” input to the sales data “thousand yen” stored in the storage area is “3,000 yen”. This is because the amount of money “2,000 yen” is exceeded from the frame data “2,000 yen”, so the amount of money “2,000 yen” that has been invested is refunded because it exceeds the amount that can be entered at once.

  Also, under the same conditions, if the amount of cash deposited by the player is “1000 yen”, the amount of cash “1000 yen” deposited in the sales data “1000 yen” stored in the internal storage area Since the total amount of “2,000 yen” is less than “2,000 yen” in the frame data, the amount of cash received “1,000 yen” is added to the sales data “1000 yen” stored in the internal storage area. The sales data in the internal storage area is updated to “2,000 yen”.

  Subsequently, when the sales data in the internal storage area is updated (S503), an additional payment prohibition process by the player is performed by an operation such as closing the cash slot of the inter-bank lending processor (S505), Pachinko ball lending equivalent to the amount of money added to the sales data in the internal storage area (“1000 yen” in the above example) is performed (S506).

  Then, the amount that can be inserted next time is calculated from the frame data and the untransmitted sales amount (S506), and it is possible to determine whether or not the next deposit may be permitted.

  After the amount of money that can be inserted next time is calculated, or when the amount of money that has been deposited exceeds the limit data, additional cash can be added by opening the sealed cash slot after refunding the cash that was inserted. Processing is performed (S507).

  As a result, a series of processing operations from the use amount input to the ball lending can be completed inside the inter-table lending processor, so that no traffic is generated with the external management device.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the inter-table lending machine according to the sales transmission request from the store controller.

  In FIG. 6, when the sales transmission request is received from the management apparatus, the process is started, the sales amount stored in the internal storage area of the inter-car lending processor is called (S601), and the called sales amount is requested as the sales transmission request. The store controller that performed the notification is notified together with the device ID for identifying the inter-table lending machine (S602). When the notification is completed, the sales amount that has been transmitted is initialized so as to be stored in an unstored state (S603).

  Accordingly, the inter-table lending machine can transmit the sales data for the convenience of the store controller, and can manage the sales data without imposing an excessive load on the store controller. Further, since unnecessary data does not flow on the communication line, stable operation of the system can be realized.

  Since the store controller normally polls each inter-vehicle lending machine, the store controller periodically transmits a sales transmission request.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of updating the frame data stored in advance in the inter-table lending processor.

  In FIG. 7, when transitioning to a maintenance mode for maintaining the inter-table lending machine, the frame data can be updated, the frame data to be updated is called (S701), and the operation panel or remote controller of the inter-table lending machine is displayed. Use to set new frame data (S702). The set frame data is updated (S703), and it is determined whether it has been updated normally (S704). If it has been updated normally (YES in S704), cash can be inserted.

  If not updated normally, an error process is performed to notify the administrator who is performing the frame data update operation (S705).

  Thereby, the frame data can be updated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sales table stored in the internal storage area of each inter-car lending processor.

  8A is a diagram illustrating a sales table in a state before the sales data is updated, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the sales table in a state after the sales data is updated. is there.

  The sales table includes a store code 801, a sales amount 802, and a transaction date 803. The sales amount “1,000 yen” shown in FIG. Fig. 8 (b) shows an updated figure of "2,000 yen" added to "1,000 yen" and added to "1,000 yen" added to the existing sales amount of "1,000 yen". Yes.

  Upon receiving the sales transmission request from the store controller, the inter-table lending processor transmits the sales amount “2,000 yen” to the store controller together with the device ID for identifying the inter-loan lending processor. As a result, the store controller can manage sales data for each rental machine.

  When the date when the cash is inserted is the same, only the sales amount 802 is updated, but when the date is updated across the dates, the date when the cash is inserted is updated to the transaction date 803.

  With the above processing, in the gaming system of the present invention, it becomes possible to make an additional deposit by completing the pachinko ball throwing out for the amount of cash inserted. In addition, the sales amount stored in each inter-car lending processor can be transmitted based on the sales transmission request from the management device that manages the sales data.

  As a result, the time until additional payment can be reduced, and the player can continuously play the game.

  Therefore, the convenience of the gaming machine is improved by applying the present invention. In addition, the utilization efficiency of gaming machines is improved, and profits are expected to increase.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which cash is inserted is shown. However, it is possible to use a prepaid card or a membership card by using a valuable value corresponding to cash and using the card. .

  Further, the sales amount is transmitted by receiving the sales acquisition request which is polling from the store controller 100, but the inter-table lending processor 200 actively transmits to the store controller 100. Any configuration may be used.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example of throwing a pachinko ball from a ball throwing mechanism of a gaming machine was given, but instead of throwing a pachinko ball from a gaming machine, a stand equipped with a nozzle for throwing a ball You may make it throw a pachinko ball from a lending processor.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a gaming system and a control method having a management device for managing sales data in a machine rental processing machine provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine and a plurality of machine rental processing machines. In particular, it is useful for improving the convenience of the user who uses the gaming machine by controlling the cash thrown into the lending machine between the machines when using the gaming machine.

The system block diagram which applied and configured the game system and control method concerning this invention. The figure which shows the internal structure of a shop controller. The figure which shows the apparatus structure of a lending machine between machines, and a game machine. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the rental machine between pedestals shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a lending machine between stands. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the rental machine for a machine concerning the sales transmission request from a store controller. The flowchart which shows the flow of the update process of the frame data previously memorize | stored in the lending machine between machines. The figure which shows the table of the sales data memorize | stored in the internal storage area of each inter-vehicle lending processor. The block diagram of the game system in the game facility in a prior art. Flowchart of the system configuration diagram of the prior art shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Communication management part 13 Memory | storage part 14 Sales amount processing part 15 Input part 16 Display part 20 Communication I / F
21 Inter-bank Lending Machine Control Unit 22 Storage Unit 23 Cash Processing Unit 23-A Bill Insertion Port 23-B Coin Insertion Port 23-C Coin Return Port 24 Status Display Unit 24-A Status Display Lamp 24-B Amount Display Unit 25 Operation unit 26 Remote control light receiving unit 27 Locking processing unit 28 Power supply unit 100 Store controller (processing server)
101 RS485
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Concentrator 200 Inter-car rental processing machine 201 Game machine 202 Ball throwing mechanism 203 Cash collection apparatus

Claims (7)

In a gaming system provided with each gaming machine and having a plurality of inter-table lending processing machines that control lending of gaming media based on cash deposit, and a management device that manages sales of the plurality of inter-table lending processing machines,
The inter-table lending machine is
Cash acceptance means for accepting cash deposits;
Storage means for storing and holding the cash deposit received by the cash receiving means as sales data;
Game medium throwing means for throwing out the game medium based on cash deposit by the cash accepting means;
Control means for controlling the cash receiving means to accept new cash upon completion of the game medium throwing out by the game medium throwing means;
A gaming system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the sales data stored and held in the storage unit to the management device. A gaming machine having a gaming machine, a plurality of lending machine for controlling lending of game media based on cash deposit, respectively, and a management device for managing sales of the lending machine for gaming machine In the system,
The inter-table lending machine is
Cash acceptance means for accepting cash deposits;
Storage means for storing and holding cash deposit amount received by the cash receiving means as sales data;
Game medium dispensing control means for controlling the dispensing of the game medium based on the deposit of cash by the cash accepting means;
Control means for controlling the cash receiving means to accept new cash upon completion of throwing out the game media by the game medium throwing control means;
A game system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the sales data stored and held in the storage unit to the management device. The storage means
The sales data obtained by adding a new cash deposit to the sales data when the new cash is received in the state where the sales data is stored is stored and retained. The described gaming system. Setting means for setting an upper limit of sales data stored in the storage means; and
The control means includes
A determination unit for determining whether the amount of sales data stored and held in the storage unit by the deposit exceeds an upper limit set by the setting unit upon receipt of the deposit by the cash accepting unit;
4. The gaming system according to claim 3, further comprising: prohibiting means for prohibiting acceptance of a new deposit by the cash accepting means when the judging means determines that the upper limit is exceeded. The transmission means includes
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sales data stored in the storage means is transmitted to the management device in response to a sales data request from the management device. In an inter-table lending machine that is attached to a gaming machine and controls lending of gaming media based on cash deposits,
Cash acceptance means for accepting cash deposits;
Storage means for storing and holding the cash deposit received by the cash receiving means as sales data;
Game medium dispensing control means for controlling the dispensing of the game medium based on the deposit of cash by the cash accepting means;
Control means for controlling the cash receiving means to accept new cash upon completion of throwing out the game media by the game medium throwing control means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the sales data stored and held in the storage means to a management device for managing the sales data. A game system control method comprising a plurality of inter-table lending processors that are provided in each gaming machine and that control lending of game media based on cash deposit, and a management device that manages sales of the plurality of inter-table lending processors In
The inter-table lending machine stores the cash deposit received by the cash accepting means in the storage means as sales data,
A control method for a gaming system, characterized in that, based on the deposit of cash by the cash accepting means, the cash accepting means allows new acceptance of cash by the completion of the game medium throwing out by the game medium throwing means.

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