JP2007000353A - Game hall system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game hall system in which the sales information of currency or a prepaid card and balance information of the prepaid card in a plurality of lending processors for performing game medium lending processing by using the currency or the prepaid card are managed in a premium exchange management device which is used for the management of premiums. <P>SOLUTION: In the game hall system including the plurality of lending processors for receiving the currency or a recording medium having information capable of specifying the number of game media recorded thereon and performing the game medium lending processing and a premium management device for managing the premium to be exchanged with game media acquired by a player, the lending processors and the premium management device are communicably connected, the lending processors notify the premium management device of the information relating to the received currency or recording medium, and the premium management device sums up and manages the information notified from the respective lending processors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall system, and in particular, management of money or prepaid card sales information and prepaid card balance information in a plurality of lending processing machines that perform gaming medium lending processing using money or prepaid cards. The present invention relates to a game hall system performed by a prize management device used.

  When playing pachinko and slot (pachislot) games at pachinko halls and other gaming stores, it is necessary to borrow pachinko balls and medal game media, and the game media is loaded with cash, prepaid cards, etc. Thus, it is possible to borrow a number of game media corresponding to the amount of cash or the valuable value of the prepaid card.

  In addition, the player can exchange game media acquired by a pachinko or pachislot game with a prize corresponding to the number of acquired game media at a predetermined exchange rate.

  When exchanging earned game media for prizes, the earned game media are counted with a ball counter or medal counter, and a receipt on which the counting results are printed or a card on which the counting results are magnetically recorded are displayed at the amusement store prize corner. Can be exchanged according to the counting result, and exchangeable prize information corresponding to the counting result is provided to the player. Can be exchanged.

  As a technology of the prize exchange management device, for example, a prize exchange management device described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

In addition, as a technology of a game medium lending device for lending game media, for example, a game medium lending device and a game medium lending system described in Patent Document 2 are disclosed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-70783 JP 2002-301260 A

  The prize exchange management device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is a total for performing prize exchange management for exchanging game media and prizes acquired by a player, prize inventory management, sales management, processing management for each ball and medal, etc. If you have forgotten to clear the previous day's summary data and have turned off the power on the previous day so that the data can be cleared without fail, the power-on detection means will detect the next power-on. In such a case, a warning message is displayed to alert the operator, and the work of the day is not started without clearing the total data.

  In addition, the game medium lending device and the game medium lending system disclosed in Patent Document 2 realizes space and cost by realizing reading of a plurality of different types of cards and necessary processing with a single game medium lending device. This is a configuration that eliminates general problems and improves operability and convenience for the player.

  However, the game medium lending device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a game store that uses a dedicated management device for managing the game medium lending device (for example, a hall computer that centrally manages each device disposed in the game store). It is necessary to manage the sales of the game media lending device, the input amount, the balance information of the inserted card, etc., and the introduction cost when introducing the game medium lending device and the game media lending There is a problem that it is difficult to secure a place for installing a dedicated device for managing the device.

  In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the game medium lending device, the abnormality information is notified from the game medium lending device to the dedicated device that manages the game medium lending device, but the store clerk is always in the office where the dedicated device is installed. Since it is not always waiting, there is a problem that the response to the abnormal information may be delayed.

  In addition, the prize exchange management device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 aggregates daily sales at the time of closing of the day's business, entry and exit of game media and prizes, etc. Although it has a function of notifying a hall computer or the like, it is not possible to confirm gross profit based on real-time card sales information in an amusement shop that is in business, or prize exchange information by prize exchange.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Prepaid card sales management and prepaid card balance management in a plurality of lending processing machines that perform lending processing of game media using a prepaid card are performed for gift exchange. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game hall system that is performed by a prize management device used for management.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a plurality of lending processing machines for receiving a recording medium on which information capable of specifying the number of money or the number of game media is recorded, and a game medium lending process; A game hall system including a prize management device for managing a prize exchanged for an acquired game medium, wherein the lending processor and the prize management device are communicably connected, and the lending processor is configured to accept received money or Information on the recording medium is notified to the premium management device, and the premium management device aggregates and manages information notified from each lending processor.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the lending processor receives the money amount receiving means for receiving the money and the amount information of the received money when the money is received by the money receiving means. A first notification means for notifying the prize management device in association with the processing machine identification code for specifying the processing machine identification code, wherein the prize management device uses the processing machine identification code to receive the amount information notified from the lending processing machine. It is characterized in that it is aggregated and managed in association with.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the lending processing machine is based on a recording medium processing unit that receives and processes the recording medium, and a recording medium received by the recording medium processing unit. And a second notification means for notifying the premium management device of the gaming medium rental information performed in association with a recording medium identification code for specifying the recording medium, wherein the premium management device includes the rental processing device. The lending information notified from is collected and managed in association with the recording medium identification code.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the premium management device counts and manages the balance information for each recording medium based on the lending information notified from the lending processor. Features.

  The invention of claim 5 further comprises a center device that centrally manages lending information and balance information of game media using the recording medium according to the invention of claim 4, wherein the prize management device is configured to collect the lending Transmitting means for transmitting the information and the balance information to the center device is provided.

  The invention of claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lending processor detects an abnormality by an abnormality detecting means for detecting occurrence of an abnormality in the own machine and the abnormality detecting means. An abnormality notification means for notifying the abnormality management device of abnormality information related to the abnormality in association with a processing machine identification code for identifying the own machine, the premium management apparatus, An abnormality notifying means for notifying the abnormality of the lending processor based on the notified abnormality information is provided.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the prize management device includes a communication state confirmation unit for confirming a communication state with each lending processor, and the communication state confirmation unit. And a communication abnormality notifying means for notifying the occurrence of the communication abnormality in association with the processor identification code for identifying the lending processor when a communication abnormality is detected.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the prize management device pays out the rental information collected from the rental processing machine within a predetermined period and the prize exchange process. An approximate profit calculating means for calculating an approximate value of sales profit by comparing the given free gift exchange information, and outputting an approximate value of the sales profit calculated by the approximate profit calculating means And

  According to the game center system of the present invention, a plurality of lending machines for receiving a recording medium on which money or information capable of specifying the number of game media is recorded and lending processing of the game medium, and game media acquired by the player In a game hall system including a prize management device that manages prizes to be exchanged, the lending processing machine and the prize management apparatus are connected so as to communicate with each other, and the lending processing machine sends information on the accepted money or recording medium to the prize management apparatus. The prize management device collects and manages the information notified from each lending processor, so that the introduction cost when constructing a new amusement hall system in the amusement store is reduced, and the lending processor is managed. It is not necessary to install a dedicated management device.

  In addition, the prize management information and the sales information in the lending processor are aggregated in the prize management apparatus, so that the gross profit in the amusement store can be grasped in real time.

  Further, the lending processor includes abnormality notification means for notifying the prize management device of abnormality information indicating the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the lending processor, and the prize management device is notified from the lending processor. Since there is an abnormality notification means for notifying the abnormality of the lending processor based on the abnormality information, if an abnormality occurs in the lending processor, the prize placed at the prize exchange corner where the store clerk is always waiting in the amusement store The abnormality is notified to the management device, and the response of the clerk to the abnormality information is quick.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game hall system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a game hall system 100 according to the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a case of a pachinko game among a pachinko game and a pachislot game at a game store will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a game hall system 100 according to the present invention includes a gaming machine 41 and a pachinko ball or medal that are pachinko games or pachislot games in a game store that performs pachinko games or pachislot (slot) games. A plurality of gaming units 40 each consisting of a card unit 42 (a portion surrounded by an alternate long and short dash line) of a lending processing machine that performs a process of lending gaming media are installed in units of groups called islands 50 (a portion surrounded by a broken line). The plurality of gaming units 40 on the island 50 are managed by the island controller 30.

  In addition, a plurality of island controllers 30 for managing a plurality of gaming units 40 for each island 50, and a POS (= Point Of Sales) function used for managing prize exchange via the HUB 20 and the LAN (= Local Area Network) 80 are provided. The prize management apparatus 10 has the card sales information, the card balance information, etc. by the card unit 42 at the time of the closing process for performing various totals of the day and data processing after the game shop is closed. It is configured to notify the center device 90 of the center to be centrally managed.

  Notification of various types of information from the prize management device 10 to the center device 90 is notified via the network 95 via a dedicated line, a telephone line, or the like.

  The island controller 30 has various information such as a card ID for identifying a prepaid card that is a recording medium on which information on the amount of money inserted into each card unit 42 of the own island 50 and information that can specify the number of game media are recorded. In addition, it has a function of notifying the prize management device 10 of the rental information of game media in each card unit 42 and notifying the gaming unit 40 managed by the own island controller 30 of various information notified from the prize management device 10. is doing.

  The card unit 42 of the gaming unit 40 is disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine 41 between the gaming machine 41 and the gaming machine 41 (between the stands), and a ball throwing mechanism (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 41 is provided. Lending game media (pachinko balls) through (in the case of pachinko machines).

  The player inserts money into a bill insertion slot 423 and a coin insertion slot 424 (see FIG. 2) described later of the card unit 42, or inserts a prepaid card in which the card ID is magnetically recorded into the card unit 42 described later. By inserting it into the mouth 431 (see FIG. 2), it is possible to borrow a number of game media corresponding to the monetary amount or the valuable value of the inserted prepaid card.

  The prepaid card is inserted into the card unit 42, and when there is a balance at the end of the game, a prepaid card in which a card ID for identifying the prepaid card is associated with balance information is issued and the card insertion slot 431 Discharged from.

  As described above, a card ID for identifying a prepaid card is magnetically recorded in the prepaid card, and management information in which the card ID and balance information are associated with each other is managed by the prize management device 10.

  When the prepaid card is issued from the card unit 42, information such as the card ID of the prepaid card and the issue amount is notified from the card unit 42 to the prize management device 10 via the LAN 80, and the prepaid of the prize management device 10 to be described later. Information such as valuable value (issue amount) is registered in the card management table 601 (see FIG. 6) in association with the card ID.

  The prize management device 10 also manages prize storage / extraction management information, exchange prize information, various totals information, etc. necessary for processing related to prize exchange, as well as card sales information and card unit 42 in the card unit 42. Various information including the frequency of the prepaid card inserted in the card and the amount of money inserted are managed.

  For example, when a player inserts money into the card unit 42 and borrows a game medium to play a game, the prize management device 10 receives information on the amount of money inserted into the card unit 42 notified from the card unit 42 or a card. Based on the rental information of the game media from the unit 42, data of a card sales information management table (see FIG. 7) described later of the prize management device 10 is updated.

  When a player inserts a prepaid card into the card unit 42 and borrows a game medium to play a game, the prepaid card management table 601 (see FIG. 6) is based on the card ID of the inserted prepaid card notified from the card unit 42. ), The valuable value data (remaining frequency) corresponding to the card ID is notified to the card unit 42, and the prepaid card management table 601 of the prize management device 10 is based on the rental information of the game medium notified from the card unit 42. Data in the card sales information management table 602, etc. is updated.

  In addition, when the abnormality occurs in the card unit 42, the prize management device 10 displays the abnormality information notified from the card unit 42 on the display screen 11 for clerk described later (see FIG. 4).

  By the way, the game hall system 100 according to the present invention uses the prize management device 10 provided with the management means of the prepaid card used in the card unit 42 in the prize exchange management device having the existing POS function. Various information including the frequency of the prepaid card to be inserted and the amount of money to be inserted, and storage / management management of prizes associated with prize exchange management work, exchange prize information, various aggregate information, etc. are collected in the prize management apparatus 10 in real time. The gift exchange information and the card sales information by the card unit 42 can be confirmed.

  In the game hall system 100 configured as described above, a player selects a desired game unit 40 at a game store, borrows a game medium using cash or a prepaid card, plays a game, and uses the game medium acquired by the game as a prize. A brief description of the flow of a series of operations up to the replacement will be as follows.

  First, a player selects a desired gaming unit 40 from a plurality of gaming units 40 on a plurality of islands 50 installed in a gaming store, and inserts a cash or prepaid card into the card unit 42 of the selected gaming unit 40. At the same time, if necessary, the game media lending unit (the frequency of lending by one lending operation) is set, and the ball throwing mechanism (pachinko gaming machine of the pachinko gaming machine is operated by operating a lending button (not shown) of the gaming machine 41. ) Is activated, and game media (pachinko balls) for a rental unit are thrown onto an upper plate (not shown) of the gaming machine 41.

  Note that various operating switches for lending gaming media and the like are provided at the lower front portion of the gaming machine 41.

  Specifically, the front portion of the upper plate of the gaming machine 41 is provided with a frequency display unit, a lending button, a return button, and a lending lamp (not shown). The lending button allows a player to lend a pachinko ball. The frequency display section is a display section that displays the remaining frequency of the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 42 or the remaining frequency according to the amount of money inserted.

  The prepaid card inserted into the card unit 42 is magnetically recorded with a card ID that can identify the prepaid card, not the frequency itself, and the frequency display portion of the gaming machine 41 indicates the remaining frequency of the prepaid card corresponding to the card ID. It is acquired from the prize management device 10 via the card unit 42 and displayed.

  Further, a ball throwing mechanism is provided inside the gaming machine 41, and this ball throwing mechanism is used both for lending pachinko balls and for paying out prize balls when winning in the gaming machine 41. is doing.

  Therefore, this ball throwing mechanism is controlled by the card unit 42 directly or indirectly through a controller (not shown) of the gaming machine 41, and the display content is based on a command signal from the card unit 42. Updated.

  In addition, the operation status of the rental buttons and the like of the gaming machine 41 is notified to the card unit 42.

  The payment amount of the pachinko ball thrown out from the ball throwing mechanism when the player borrows the pachinko ball is pre-paid card management table 601 of the prize management device 10 in advance corresponding to the card ID of the inserted prepaid card (FIG. 6). The card sales information management table 602 of the prize management device 10 (see FIG. 7) is subtracted from the frequency managed in (see FIG. 7), or subtracted from the frequency corresponding to the input amount, and based on the pachinko ball throw-out price. ) Sales amount information etc. is updated.

  A player uses a pachinko ball thrown from the ball throwing mechanism of the gaming machine 41 to play a pachinko game on the gaming machine 41. If there is a prize ball after the game, it is arranged at one end of each island 50. A pachinko ball of a prize ball is inserted into a ball counter (not shown), and the number of acquired balls is counted.

  The ball counter counts the inserted pachinko balls and prints out various data including the counting result as a receipt on roll paper or the like previously loaded in the ball counter.

  The player goes to the prize exchange corner in the amusement store with the receipt printed out from the ball counting machine, and submits the receipt to the store clerk, so that the groceries and miscellaneous goods according to the counting information recorded on the receipt It can be exchanged for a general prize or a special prize that can be exchanged for cash at a prize exchange located outside the amusement store.

Specifically, the processing procedure for the prize exchange at the prize exchange corner is as follows: The bar code printed on the receipt corresponding to the counting result of the number of balls obtained by the customer submitting the receipt to the clerk at the prize exchange corner Can be read by the handy terminal 120 of the prize management device 10 installed in the prize exchange corner, and the read count information can be exchanged for the display screen 11 for the clerk of the prize management device 10 or the display screen 15 for the customer (see FIG. 4). Displayed as the number of balls.
The player selects general prizes such as food and miscellaneous goods or special prizes displayed in the prize exchange corner within the number of exchangeable balls displayed on the screen of the prize management device 10, and orders a prize to the store clerk. It is exchanged for various prizes.

  In addition, various devices such as a card issuing machine, a card settlement machine, a ball card reader, a prize dispenser, and a ball thrower are installed in the amusement store. Since it is not the main part of this invention, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Here, regarding the configuration of the card unit 42 and the prize management device 10 which are the main parts of the game hall system 100 according to the present invention, refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 for the card unit 42 and FIG. 4 and FIG. However, it explains in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external structure of the card unit 42, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the card unit 42.

  As described above, the card unit 42 is a unit that accepts money or a prepaid card and performs a lending process of game media (pachinko balls, medals) according to the valuable value of the prepaid card or the amount of money inserted, Lending of game media (in this case, pachinko balls) in the game store is realized mainly by the cooperation of the card unit 42 and the ball throwing mechanism provided in the gaming machine 41.

  As shown in FIG. 2, since the card unit 42 is installed between the gaming machine 41 and the gaming machine 41, the card unit 42 is formed in a vertically long shape. A card lamp 421 and a cash lamp 422 indicating which of the cards is accepted are provided.

  When the card lamp 421 is lit, it indicates that a prepaid card is inserted into the card unit 42, and when the cash lamp 422 is lit, it indicates that cash can be inserted. .

  When the cash lamp 422 is turned off, it is impossible to insert cash, for example, when a prepaid card is inserted (the card lamp 421 is turned on).

  Below the cash lamp 422, a mechanism for inserting cash (a bill insertion slot 423, a coin insertion slot 424, a return lever 425) is disposed, and a gaming medium is lent out in the center of the front surface of the card unit 42. Mechanisms (type lamp 426, amount display unit 427, amount setting button 428, fraction setting button 429) are arranged.

  The type lamp 426 indicates the type of game medium (pachinko ball or medal) lent out by the card unit 42. When the ball lamp is lit, it indicates that the pachinko ball is lent, and the medal lamp When is lit, it indicates that a medal is lent for use in a pachislot game.

  The amount setting button 428 is a button for the player to specify the amount (lending unit) of the game medium to be lent every time the lending button of the gaming machine 41 is operated once. The amount display portion 427 is displayed by the amount setting button 428. The set amount is displayed.

  The display of the money amount display unit 427 is updated in accordance with the operation of the money amount setting button 428, but the designation and display of the lending unit is actually performed in units of frequency.

A coin return port 430 is disposed at a lower position on the front surface of the card unit 42, and a card insertion port 431 for a prepaid card is disposed at the lowermost front surface of the card unit 42.
As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of various processing functions of the card unit 42 includes a communication control unit 440 that performs communication control with the prize management device 10, and a cash processing unit that identifies and stores money inserted into the card unit 42. 441, a display unit 442 for controlling processing of the amount display unit 427 in FIG. 2, a memory unit 443 for storing various data such as operation programs, a return lever 425, an amount setting button 428, and a fraction setting button 429 in FIG. Are recorded on the prepaid card taken in by the card insertion / ejection unit 445, the card insertion / ejection unit 445 that takes in and ejects the inserted card through the card insertion slot 431 in FIG. The card read unit 446 for reading out the read information and the system for controlling the card unit 42 as a whole. And a part 448.

  Further, the control unit 448 has a processing result notification unit 4481 for notifying the prize management device 10 and the gaming machine 41 of processing results of various processes including a lending process of the prepaid card or cash game media in the card unit 42, A game medium lending control unit 4482 for instructing the gaming machine 41 to pay out a lending ball or a lending medal; a card control unit 4483 for controlling reading of information for a card inserted into the card unit 42; and prepaid A value conversion unit 4485 having a value conversion function of converting at least a part of the valuable value of the card and the amount of money inserted into the value of the game medium (for example, the number of prepaid cards → the number of game media).

  Next, the configuration of the prize management device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external structure of the prize management device 10, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the prize management device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gift management device 10 displays, in appearance, necessary data and guidance display for the operation clerk. And a customer display screen 15 for displaying data necessary for the player and guidance such as the type and number of prizes that can be exchanged for prizes at the time of prize exchange processing, and a store clerk manually operating A keyboard 12 for inputting necessary data, a mode switch 13 for switching to an operation mode of each process such as a prize exchange process or a prize entry / exit management process, a journal printer 14 for printing a journal, A handy terminal 120 capable of reading a barcode or the like is provided.

  The operation mode of the giveaway management apparatus 10 includes a registration mode, an exchange mode, a business mode, a totaling mode, and the like. By manually switching the switch of the mode change switch 13, a registration mode, a replacement mode, a business mode, a totaling mode, etc. Each operation mode can be set.

  The registration mode is a mode for registering prize names and exchange rates for prize balls (pachinko balls and medals). The exchange mode is a mode used for exchanging prize balls and prizes, and the business mode is prizes. The mode for performing data input processing such as inventory management and sales, and the aggregation mode are modes for performing aggregation processing.

  The keyboard 12 has a “special gift” key, a “special gift” key, an “end” key, a “card receipt” key, an “all” key, a “half” key, an “add +” key, “Return-” key, “Redo” key, numeric keypad, “OK” key, “Code No.” key, “Arrow” key, “Pickup ball” key, “In-house use” key, There are "Inventory" key, "Verify" key, "Statement" key, "Print" key, "Feed" key, "Return" key, "Manually enter" key, etc. The key is used for registering and exchanging general prizes.

  When the mode changeover switch 13 is set to the registration mode, an input screen for prize balls is displayed on the display device, a product name as a prize is assigned to this key, and the number of prize balls exchanged for each kind of prize Can be registered.

  In the exchange mode, prize ball number data assigned to the prize key is extracted from the storage unit 115 and sent to the control unit 110.

  In addition, when the mode switch 13 is switched to the business mode, data input for general prizes is possible.

  The “special prize” key on the keyboard 12 is a switch key for handling a special prize that is a cash prize. By pressing this key, the exchange rate between the special prize and the number of prize balls in the registration mode. In the exchange mode, a special prize (a cash prize) registered in advance is automatically assigned, and if there is a remaining number, an end prize is automatically assigned.

  In the business mode, when the “special prize” key is pressed, the screen is switched to a special prize input screen.

  The “End” key is used to end each process. When a prize is exchanged, the process is returned to a standby state. When data is input, the data is updated and the previous process screen is displayed. Return to the screen.

  The “card receipt” key interrupts the prize exchange process and issues the remaining number of balls or medals using a card or a receipt.

  When the “all” key is pressed during the prize exchange process using the prize-dedicated key, all remaining numbers are exchanged for the same prize.

  When the “half” key is pressed during a prize exchange process using a prize-dedicated key, half of the remaining number is exchanged for the same prize.

  The “Add +” key is used to add and input the balls or medals handled at the time during the prize exchange. The display screen at this time is changed from the prize exchange screen to the input screen for prize balls. change.

  The “return-” key is used when the remaining number is returned as a ball or medal by the return machine during the prize exchange.

  The “Redo” key is used to clear the menu screen in each mode or return to the previous menu screen.

  The numeric keypad is used to input numerical values such as the number of prizes using the “0” to “9” keys. Until the “OK” key is pressed, the “C” key, which is the “Clear” key, is used to set the number. Cancellation is possible, and when the “OK” key is pressed, the numerical value from the numeric keypad is fixedly input.

  The “Code No.” key indicates the prize code No. Used when inputting with.

  The “arrow” key can be used to select a selection on the screen.

  The “pickup ball” key is used to process a pickup ball picked up in the store.

  The “in-house use” key is used when performing a delivery process when a free gift is used for an employee.

  Specifically, for example, it is used when the store owner supplies the store clerk as a reminder. The “stock” key is used to check the stock of special prizes.

  The “Verify” key is used to confirm that the card or receipt input has not been accepted if there is an error.

  The “detail” key is used when issuing a detail list of the number of balls and prize exchange processing.

  The “Print” key is used to print the input result.

  While the “feed” key is being pressed, the printing paper of the journal printer 14 is fed.

  The “Return” key is used to return a free gift.

  The “manual input” key is used to manually input pachinko ball or medal data.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of various processing functions of the prize management apparatus 10 includes a control unit 110 that performs overall control of the prize management apparatus 10 and a ROM (= Read Only Memory) that stores various programs for control. ) And a RAM (= Random Access Memory) that stores various management tables in which the exchange rate of the number of pachinko balls and medals assigned to the prize and various data are stored in a database and stored, and the time The clock 113 for measuring and notifying the operation time of the prize management device 10, the print output unit 117 for performing the printing process in the journal printer 14 in FIG. 4, and the operation control of the display screen 11 for the clerk in FIG. The display section 111 for the clerk who performs and the display section 1 for the customer which controls the operation of the display screen 15 for the customer in FIG. 2, the operation unit 116 that controls the operation of the keyboard 12 in FIG. 4, the mode switching unit 118 that controls the operation of the mode changeover switch 13 in FIG. 4, and the prize management device 10 via the LAN 80 And a communication unit 114 that controls communication with the apparatus.

  In the RAM of the storage unit 115, a prepaid card management table 601 (see FIG. 6), a card sales information management table 602 (see FIG. 7), a prize management table 603 (see FIG. 8A), and a prize storage, which will be described later. Each management table, such as a management table 604 (see FIG. 8B), a prize issue management table 605 (see FIG. 8C), is stored, and the prepaid inserted into the card unit 42 using the management table 601 Various information including card frequency information is managed, and card sales information and the like by the card unit 42 are managed by a card sales information management table 602.

  Also, the prize management table 603 manages the amount of information such as the number of balls and medals that can be exchanged with the registered prize, and the amount information such as the cost and price of the prize, and the prize storage management table 604 and the prize delivery management table 605 store and receive prizes. Information is managed.

  The RAM is battery-backed up, and its stored contents are maintained as it is even when the prize management device 10 is powered off.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the details of the prepaid card management table 601 are stored for each card ID, such as the issue date, issue amount, remaining frequency, expiration date, and the like. Current remaining frequency data in the unit 42 is registered.

  As shown in FIG. 7, details of the card sales information management table 602 include a card unit ID for identifying the card unit 42, an island number of the card unit 42, a type (pachinko or pachislot), date and time, sales amount, payment amount, etc. Various types of data are stored, and the sales amount column corresponds to the sales amount (corresponding to the number of game media lent out by the card unit 42) in the card unit 42 associated with the card unit ID at the date and time (current time) of the day. The value of the amount corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the card unit 42 or the remaining number of inserted prepaid cards is displayed and updated.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, details of the prize management table 603 include a prize code, a prize name, a prize type (general prize or special prize), the number of balls (the number of pachinko balls that can be exchanged for prizes), a medal. Various data such as the number (number of medals that can be exchanged for prizes), bar code, purchase cost, list price, etc. are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the details of the prize entry table 604 are stored as various kinds of data such as a prize code and the number of receipts. As shown in FIG. Various data of the number of outgoings are stored.

  The prize management device 10 uses the frequency management information stored in the management table 601 to calculate the remaining frequency corresponding to the card ID of the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 42 or the input amount inserted into the card unit 42. The corresponding remaining number is managed, and using the prize management information stored in the management tables 603, 604, and 605, prize exchange information, exchange prize total information, and the like are created and managed.

  The contents of the frequency management information, prize exchange information, exchange prize total information, etc. are updated as appropriate during the game by the player, or at the end of the game or at the time of prize exchange.

  The prize management device 10 is also connected to a handy terminal 120 or the like for reading a barcode printed in correspondence with the counting information such as the number of prizes on the receipt, and for entering and leaving prizes.

  9 and 10 are sequence charts showing the flow of processing operations of the main parts of the card unit 42 and the prize management device 10 in the game hall system 100 according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing processing operations of the card unit 42 and the prize management device 10 when a player inserts cash into the card unit 42 and borrows a game medium to play a game. 7 is a sequence chart showing processing operations of the card unit 42 and the prize management device 10 when a prepaid card with a balance is inserted into the card unit 42 and a game medium is borrowed and played.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the card unit 42 is in a standby state, when a player inserts a bill or a coin into the bill slot 423 or the coin slot 424 of the card unit 42, the control unit 448 of the card unit 42 42, the cash lamp 422 is turned on, and the cash processing unit 441 detects the amount of money inserted into the bill insertion slot 423 or the coin insertion slot 424 and the total amount of money inserted (payment amount), and the detected deposit amount And the card unit ID associated with the deposit amount are notified to the prize management device 10 via the processing result notification unit 4481 of the control unit 448, the communication control unit 440 and the island controller 30 (steps S101 and S102).

  The card unit 42 performs various abnormality checks on the card unit 42 in a timely manner, and when an abnormality is detected, the card unit 42 executes a predetermined abnormality process and notifies the prize management device 10 that the abnormality has occurred.

  Specifically, for example, when the money inserted into the card unit 42 cannot be identified, the fact is notified to the prize management device 10 as abnormality information.

  The prize management device 10 that has received the notification of the deposit amount information and the card unit ID from the card unit 42, the card unit of the card sales information management table 602 stored in the storage unit 115 of the prize management device 10 based on the deposit amount information. The value in each column corresponding to the card unit ID associated with 42 is updated (step S103).

  Specifically, the value in the deposit amount column corresponding to the card unit ID associated with the card unit 42 in the card sales information management table 602 is updated to a value obtained by adding the total amount of deposited money (deposit amount). The value in the sales amount column is updated to a value obtained by adding the price of the game medium lent out from the card unit 42.

  Each conversion process, such as conversion between money value and frequency, or conversion between the number of rental game media and frequency, is performed by the control unit 110 of the prize management device 10 based on various data stored in the storage unit 115. .

  The card unit 42 displays the frequency (remaining frequency) corresponding to the deposit amount on the frequency display portion of the gaming machine 41 and sets the lending unit according to the operation of the deposit amount or the amount setting button 428 in the deposit amount. Then, the game medium corresponding to the set lending unit amount is lent, and the rent information of the game medium is notified to the prize management device 10 (steps S104 and S105).

  The control unit 110 of the prize management device 10 updates the value of the sales amount in the card sales information management table 602 based on the rental information of the game medium of the card unit 42 notified from the card unit 42 in a timely manner.

  As described above, while the update processing operation of each management table 601 and 602 accompanying the lending of game media by the card unit 42 is repeated (step S106), the control unit 110 of the prize management device 10 has the remaining number in the card unit 42. If it is determined that there is a remaining number, the same processing as described above is repeated. If it is determined that there is no remaining number, the cash lamp 422 is turned off and the card unit 42 is set in a standby state.

  The prize management device 10 notifies the center device 90 of the center of the card sales information and the card balance information as store information based on the information of the card sales information management table 602 and the prepaid card management table 601 during the tightening process (step S107).

  Next, a description will be given of the sequence of processing operations of the principal parts of the card unit 42 and the prize management device 10 when a player inserts a prepaid card with a balance into the card unit 42 and borrows a game medium to play.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a player inserts a prepaid card into the card insertion slot 431 of the card unit 42 while the card unit 42 is in the standby state, the control unit 448 of the card unit 42 turns on the card lamp 421 of the card unit 42. At the same time, the prepaid card is taken into the card unit 42 by the card insertion / ejection unit 445, and the magnetic recording data of the insertion card is read by a built-in magnetic head (not shown) (step S201).

  The card control unit 4483 of the control unit 448 of the card unit 42 detects the card ID magnetically recorded on the prepaid card read by the magnetic head, and inquires the prize management device 10 for balance information corresponding to the detected card ID ( Step S202).

  The card unit 42 performs various abnormality checks on the card unit 42 in a timely manner, and when an abnormality is detected, the card unit 42 executes a predetermined abnormality process and notifies the prize management device 10 that the abnormality has occurred.

  Specifically, for example, when it is determined that the card inserted by the card control unit 4483 is not a card that can be used in the card unit 42, it is abnormal while executing a predetermined abnormality process as an abnormality is detected. This is notified to the prize management device 10, and the inserted card is returned from the card insertion / ejection unit 445 of the card unit 42.

  In step S202, for the inquiry of the balance information corresponding to the card ID to the prize management device 10, the card ID of the inserted prepaid card detected by the card control unit 4483 is used as the processing result notification unit 4481 of the control unit 448, the communication control unit 440, and the like. By notifying the prize management apparatus 10 via the island controller 30, the prize management apparatus 10 retrieves the remaining frequency information corresponding to the card ID from the prepaid card management table 601 stored in the storage unit 115 of the prize management apparatus 10. Then, the remaining frequency information of the search result is notified to the inquiring card unit 42 (step S203).

Specifically, based on the card ID notified from the card unit 42, the control unit 110 of the prize management device 10 reads the valuable value (remaining frequency) corresponding to the card ID from the registration data of the prepaid card management table 601. The remaining frequency data is transmitted to the inquiring card unit 42, and the value in the deposit amount column corresponding to the card unit ID associated with the card unit 42 in the card sales information management table 602 is updated.
In addition, when the prepaid card is inserted, the remaining number is displayed on the frequency display section of the gaming machine 41, and the lending unit is set according to the operation of the amount setting button 428 of the card unit 42, and the lending unit set at that time Is displayed on the money amount display unit 427.

  Thereafter, when the return button 425 is operated, a card return process is executed, and the inserted prepaid card is returned from the card unit 42.

  When the remaining number is not zero and the lending button of the gaming machine 41 is operated, the card unit 42 lends as many game media as the number corresponding to the set lending unit (step S204), and the prize terminal device 10 is notified of gaming medium lending information (step S205), and the prize terminal device 10 performs subtraction updating of the frequency management information in the prepaid card management table 601 and sales information in the card sales information management table 602 (step S206). .

  Specifically, the control unit 448 of the card unit 42 notifies the premium terminal device 10 of the number of rental game media, and the premium management device 10 stores the prepaid card management table 601 based on the rental information notified from the card unit 42. Subtract the remaining frequency data.

  Further, the sales amount column of the card sales information management table 602 is updated to a value obtained by adding a price corresponding to the number of game media lent out by the card unit 42.

  When the return button is pressed while such processing operations are repeated, the card unit 42 returns the prepaid card regardless of the remaining number of prepaid cards.

  The prize management device 10 notifies the center device 90 of the center of card sales information and card balance information as store information based on the information of the card sales information management table 602 and the prepaid card management table 601 during the tightening process (step S207).

  Next, the operation in each operation mode of the prize management apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described by taking the aggregation mode, the business mode, and the exchange mode as examples.

  When the mode changeover switch 13 of the giveaway management apparatus 10 is set to the aggregation mode, an aggregation mode menu screen (not shown) is displayed. By selecting the selection number of the selection item on the aggregation mode menu screen with the numeric keypad and selecting it, Each aggregation process according to the key input is performed.

  Note that when the mode change switch 13 is switched during setting of each operation mode of the prize management device 10, a menu screen corresponding to the mode is displayed.

  Regarding the operation when the free gift management apparatus 10 is set to the totaling mode, here, an example of the operation of the totaling processing for the card sales information and free gift exchange sales information of all the card units 42 will be shown.

  When the selection number associated with “card sales total” is entered on the numeric keypad and “card sales total” is selected on the tabulation mode menu screen displayed on the display screen 11 for the clerk of the prize management device 10, the prize management device 10 is selected. The control unit 110 refers to the card sales information management table 602 in the storage unit 115, and the total amount of card payment and the total card sales by the card unit 42 for each gaming machine 41 of the pachinko or pachislot (slot), and all of the pachinko and pachislot The total card deposit and total card sales by the card unit 42 of the gaming machine 41 are calculated and a card sales information screen 700 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  Also, on the tabulation mode menu screen, when the selection number associated with “sales aggregation by premium exchange” is entered using the numeric keypad and “sales aggregation by premium exchange” is selected, the control unit 110 of the prize management device 10 stores the storage unit 115. Referring to the free gift management table 603 and the free gift management table 605, the total amount of exchanged special premiums and general free gifts, and the total amount of exchange free gifts obtained by adding up the total of special free gifts and general free gifts, are shown in FIG. Such a premium exchange sales information screen 701 is displayed.

  After completion of each aggregation process in the aggregation mode, the mode switching process can be performed by switching the mode changeover switch 13 to the desired mode.

  Next, for example, when a free gift is received, the business mode is set, and the free gift exchange business is normally performed in the free exchange mode.

  When the mode change switch 13 is set to the business mode, a business mode menu screen (not shown) is displayed. By selecting the selection number of the selection item on the business mode menu screen using the numeric keypad, it is possible to respond to the key input. Each business process is executed.

  Here, an example will be shown in the case of performing a task of receiving a gift.

  On the business mode menu screen, if you enter the selection number associated with “Premium warehousing work” and select “Premium warehousing work”, a premium warehousing process screen (not shown) will be displayed, giving free gift information, for example, a premium code. By inputting, a prize warehousing information input screen 702 as shown in FIG. 13 corresponding to the prize code is displayed, and by inputting the purchase cost and the number of goods received of the prize corresponding to the prize code, the receipt amount of the warehousing amount can be calculated. Each value corresponding to the input information is set in the free gift management table 603 and free gift storage management table 604.

  Further, when the mode changeover switch 13 is set to the exchange mode and the bar code recorded on the receipt submitted by the player is read by the handy terminal 120 connected to the prize management apparatus 10, the control unit 110 of the prize management apparatus 10 Based on the exchange rate between the prize and the number of balls stored in the storage unit 115, the type and number of exchangeable prizes are displayed.

  Specifically, when the clerk reads the bar code recorded on the receipt at the handy terminal 120 and the player wishes to exchange the prize ball for a special prize, the clerk selects "special" By pressing the “prize” button, the control unit 110 automatically converts the type and number of special prizes based on the exchange rate between the prize and the number of balls, and a prize exchange information screen 703 as shown in FIG. Displayed on the customer display screen 11 and the customer display screen 15.

  In the example of the prize exchange information screen 703 shown in FIG. 14, the number of pachinko balls (total number) is displayed as 9462 based on the barcode information, the special prize size (5000 yen) is 7, and the special prize is 1000 yen (1000 yen). Can be converted into 2 sheets and the special prize small (200 yen) can be converted into 4 sheets.

  In the above explanation, the prepaid card is used for managing the sales of the prepaid card and managing the balance of the prepaid card in a card unit that can lend gaming media by inserting a cash or inserting a prepaid card with a balance. Although the example in which the card management means is provided in the prize management device is shown, it corresponds to the function of the card unit (for example, a game using various cards such as a membership card, a service card, a debit card, an IC card in addition to a prepaid card) A function that enables the lending of a medium), card management means for managing card sales of card units and card balance management may be provided in the prize management device.

  The control operation of the card unit and the prize management device in the game hall system according to the present invention may be programmed and installed in the card unit 42 and the prize management device.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a game hall system 100 according to the present invention. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the card unit 42 The block diagram which shows the function structure of the card unit 42 The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the prize management apparatus 10 The block diagram which shows the function structure of the prize management apparatus 10 Configuration diagram of prepaid card management table 601 Configuration diagram of card sales information management table 602 Configuration diagram of the prize management table 603, the prize receipt table 604, and the prize delivery table 605 The sequence chart figure which shows the processing operation at the time of coin insertion in game hall system 100 The sequence chart figure which shows the processing operation at the time of card insertion in game hall system 100 The figure which shows an example of the card sales information screen 700 The figure which shows an example of free gift exchange sales information screen 701 The figure which shows an example of premium receipt information input screen 702 The figure which shows an example of free gift exchange information screen 703

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Premium management device 11 Display screen for salesclerk 12 Keyboard 13 Mode change switch 14 Journal printer 15 Display screen for customer 100 Amusement hall system 110 Control unit (Premium management device)
111 Display Unit for Clerk 112 Display Unit for Customer 113 Clock 114 Communication Unit 115 Storage Unit 116 Operation Unit (Premium Management Device)
117 Print Output Unit 118 Mode Switching Unit 120 Handy Terminal 130 Card Issuing Machine 131 Ball Counting Machine 132 Card Clearing Machine 133 Ball Card Reader 134 Premium Dispenser 135 Round Ball Dispenser 20 HUB
30 island controller 40 gaming unit 41 gaming machine 42 card unit (lending processing machine)
421 Card lamp 422 Cash lamp 423 Bill insertion slot 424 Coin insertion slot 425 Return button 426 Type lamp 427 Amount display section 428 Amount setting button 429 Fraction setting button 430 Coin return slot 431 Card insertion slot 441 Cash processing section 442 Display section 443 Memory section 444 Operation unit (lending machine)
445 Card insertion / ejection unit 446 Card lead unit 448 Control unit (lending processor)
4481 Processing result notifying unit 4482 Game media lending control unit 4483 Card control unit 4485 Value conversion unit 50 Island 600 Prepaid card management table 601 Member card management table 602 Card sales information management table 603 Premium management table 604 Premium storage table 605 Premium output table 700 Card sales information screen 701 Free gift exchange sales information screen 702 Free gift receipt information input screen 703 Free gift exchange information screen 80 LAN (= Local Area Network)
90 Center unit 95 Network

Claims (8)

A plurality of lending processing machines that accepts a recording medium on which money or information that can specify the number of game media is recorded and a game medium lending process, and a prize management that manages a prize exchanged for the game medium acquired by the player A game system including a device,
The lending processor and the prize management device are connected to be communicable,
The lending processor notifies the prize management device of information related to the accepted money or recording medium,
The prize management device collects and manages information notified from each rental processing machine. The lending processor is
Money accepting means for accepting the money;
First notifying means for notifying the prize management device of the money amount information received when the money is accepted by the money accepting means in association with a processing machine identification code for identifying the machine;
The giveaway management device includes:
The game hall system according to claim 1, wherein the amount information notified from the lending processor is aggregated and managed in association with the processor identification code. The lending processor is
Recording medium processing means for receiving and processing the recording medium;
Second notification means for notifying lending information of game media performed based on the recording medium received by the recording medium processing means to the prize management device in association with a recording medium identification code for specifying the recording medium; Equipped,
The giveaway management device includes:
The game hall system according to claim 1, wherein the lending information notified from the lending processor is aggregated and managed in association with the recording medium identification code. The giveaway management device includes:
The game hall system according to claim 3, wherein the balance information for each recording medium is tabulated and managed based on the lending information notified from the lending processor. Further comprising a center device for centrally managing lending information and balance information of game media by the recording medium,
The giveaway management device includes:
The game room system according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the aggregated lending information and the balance information to the center device. The lending processor is
Anomaly detection means for detecting the occurrence of anomalies in the aircraft,
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the apparatus further comprises abnormality notification means for notifying abnormality information relating to the abnormality to the prize management device in association with a processing machine identification code that identifies the own machine,
The giveaway management device includes:
The game hall system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising abnormality notifying means for notifying the abnormality of the lending processor based on the abnormality information notified by the abnormality notifying means. The giveaway management device includes:
Communication status confirmation means for confirming the communication status with each lending processor;
Communication abnormality notifying means for notifying the occurrence of a communication abnormality in association with a processor identification code identifying the lending processor when a communication abnormality is detected by the communication state confirmation means;
A game hall system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The premium management device is:
An approximate profit calculating means for calculating an approximate value of sales profit by comparing the gaming medium lending information collected from the lending processing machine within a predetermined period and the prize exchanging information paid out by the prize exchanging process; Equipped,
The game room system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an approximate value of sales profit calculated by the approximate profit calculation means is output.

Images