JP2007075208A - Game medium management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely verify the number of game media in a game parlor. <P>SOLUTION: This game medium management system 1 is so formed that a counting machine 10 is provided with the number of balls accumulation and storage part 16a accumulating and storing the number of "fallen balls", when counting "the fallen balls" fallen from a storage box of "acquisition balls" acquired by a player and/or game medium retaining areas (an upper plate and a lower plate) of the game machine (a Pachinko machine); and the number of fallen balls notification part 17a notifying the number of "the fallen balls" accumulated and stored by the number of fallen ball accumulation and storage part 16a to a prize management device 20 at a prescribed timing (for example, "a periodic notification time" provided at a prescribed period or a timing after the close of business of a game parlor). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium management system comprising a counter for counting the number of game media and a game medium management device for managing the number of game media in a game hall based on the number of game media counted by the counter. And a game medium management method.

  Conventionally, in game stores that provide games such as pachinko games and slot games, in order to prevent illegal acts such as bringing in game media from outside the store or bringing in illegal receipts, the number of game media in the game hall is reduced. Verifying.

  As a system for performing such “verification”, a counter for counting the number of game media, and a game medium management device for managing the number of game media in the game hall based on the number of game media counted by the counter Is well known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Of these, the counting machine counts and counts the “acquired balls / medals” or “acquired balls / medals” that have been spilled from the storage area of the acquired balls / medals or the gaming area of the gaming machine. A recording medium (for example, a recording medium such as a receipt on which a barcode is printed or a magnetic card) on which the number of balls / medals “counted balls / medals” is recorded is issued.

  In addition, when the prize management device accepts the counting receipt issued by the counter, the counting receipt for the prize exchange in which “acquired ball / medal” is counted and the pick-up ball in which “spilled ball / medal” is counted. / The counting receipt for the medal is distinguished by the employee, and a prize exchange process (including a taking-in process) or a pick-up ball / medal process is performed.

  Here, the prize exchange process refers to a process of subtracting the number of acquired balls / medals corresponding to a prize in exchange for a desired prize, and the number of balls / medals for which the prize exchange process has been performed is “a prize exchange ball”. / Medal "is registered in the game medium management device. In addition, picking up balls / medals processing means picking up spilled balls / medals of unknown owners owned by amusement stores in order to ensure consistency between the number of balls / medals counted and the number of balls / medals exchanged for prizes. Refers to the process of registering in the game medium management device as a ball / medal. During the prize exchange process, the fractional number of balls / medals less than the value that can be exchanged for prizes is registered in the game medium management device as “number of balls to be taken in / number of medals”.

  In such a game medium management system, based on the pachinko ball / medal counting information and prize exchange information stored and managed by the game medium management device, the “total number of balls / medal number” and the “total number of receipts received” By comparing “/ number of medals” (number of prize exchanged balls / number of medals + number of balls taken in / number of medals + number of spilled balls / number of medals), it is verified whether an illegal receipt or a fake receipt is brought in. In addition, “the number of possessed balls / the number of medals” (total number of balls / medal number−total out + total safe) and “the total number of counted balls / the number of medals” obtained from the stand information collector attached to the gaming machine By comparing, it is possible to verify whether or not a game medium is brought from outside the store.

JP-A-11-128522

  However, since the above-described prior art (Patent Document 1) is not guaranteed to register the “spilled ball / medal” as the “pickup ball / medal” in the game medium management device, the “pickup ball / medal” Due to omission of registration or misregistration, an error occurs between the total number of “count balls / medals” and the total number of “recording medium (receipt) acceptance balls / medals”. There was a problem that the quantity of media could not be verified accurately.

  More specifically, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the number of game media read from the recording medium for prize exchange or the recording medium for picking up balls / medals is expressed as “premium exchange balls / medals”, “take-in balls / medals”. ”And“ Pickup ball / medal ”, etc., so that the employee can perform the registration work separately for each management category, so that the employee has a recording medium for gift exchange and a recording medium for the pickup ball / medal. Because it is the same, the number of game media read from the picked-up ball / medal recording medium may be misregistered as “Premium exchange ball / medal” or the picked-up ball / medal for the registration work. There is a risk of employee error such as losing the recording medium itself, and ensuring that “spilled balls / medals” are registered in the game media management device as “picked balls / medals” It can not be.

  Further, in the above-described prior art, when the pick-up ball / medal recording medium issued by the counter is crossed by a third party, the prize exchange recording medium and the pick-up ball / medal recording medium are the same. Therefore, it is not easy to perceive that the recording medium received by the prize management device is a recording medium for a picked-up ball / medal that has been diverted, and there is a risk of overlooking such an illegal act. There is also a problem. Further, in this case as well, the total number of “count balls / medals” and the total number of “recording medium (receipt) acceptance balls / medals” are similar to the omission or misregistration of “picking balls / medals”. An error will occur between the two.

  Further, in the above-described conventional technology, an employee of the amusement shop reads “acquired number of balls / medal number” or “number of spilled balls / medal number” from a recording medium issued by a counter, and reads the pachinko ball / There is also a problem that the work of the employee becomes complicated because the work of registering the number of medals in the game medium management apparatus as “Premium exchange balls / medals” or “Pick up balls / medals” must be performed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems (problems) of the prior art, and a game medium management system and a game medium management capable of accurately verifying the number of game media in a game hall It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the game medium management system according to the invention of claim 1 includes a counter for counting the number of game media, and the number of game media counted by the counter. And a game medium management system that manages the number of game media in the game hall, wherein the counter is a storage box for acquired game media and / or It is characterized by comprising notifying means for notifying at least the number of spilled game media to the game media management device when the number of spilled game media spilled from the game media holding area is counted.

  In addition, the game medium management system according to the invention of claim 2 further comprises cumulative storage means for accumulating and storing the number of spilled game media when the spilled game media are counted. The number of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage means is notified at a predetermined timing.

  Further, in the game medium management system according to the invention of claim 3, the notification means accumulates and stores when the quantity of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage means exceeds a predetermined quantity. The amount of spilled game media is notified to the game media management device.

  In addition, in the game medium management system according to the invention of claim 4, when the notification means counts the spilled game media, the notification means provides the identification information of the employee who performed the counting process together with the number of spilled game media. Further notification is provided.

  In the game medium management system according to the invention of claim 5, when the counter counts the spilled game media, the counting information includes the number of spilled game media and identification information of the recording medium to be issued. Is further provided with a recording medium issuing means for issuing a recording medium of a spilled gaming medium on which is recorded, the notifying means notifies the gaming medium management apparatus of count information of the spilling gaming medium, and the gaming medium management apparatus comprises: It has an acceptance determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium notified as the counting information of the spilled game medium by the notification unit is received by the premium management device that performs the premium exchange process. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium management method for managing the number of game media in a game hall based on a counter for counting the number of game media and the number of game media counted by the counter. A game medium management method used in a game medium management system comprising a game medium management device, wherein the counter is a storage box for acquired game media acquired by a player and / or a game medium holding area of the game machine. The method includes a notification step of notifying at least the number of spilled game media to the game media management device when the number of spilled game media is counted.

  The game media management method according to claim 7 further includes a cumulative addition step of cumulatively adding the number of spilled game media to a cumulative storage means when counting the spilled game media, wherein the notifying step The number of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage means is notified at a predetermined timing.

  According to the present invention, when the counting machine counts the spilled game media spilled from the storage box of the acquired game media acquired by the player and / or the game media holding area of the game machine, at least the number of spilled game media To the game media management device, it is possible to ensure that “spilled game media” is registered in the game media management device as “pickup game media”, and the number of game media in the game hall is accurately determined. It becomes possible to verify.

  According to the present invention, when spilled game media are counted, the number of spilled game media is accumulated and stored, and the number of spilled game media stored cumulatively is notified at a predetermined timing. As a result, the quantity of “spilled game media” can be notified without excessive communication with the host device (game media management device), and the communication line provided in the game hall can be prevented from being compressed. Is possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the number of accumulated spilled game media exceeds a predetermined number, the game media management device is notified of the number of accumulated spilled game media. As a result, the quantity of “spilled game media” can be notified without excessive communication with the host device (game media management device), and the communication line provided in the game hall can be prevented from being compressed. Is possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, when counting spilled game media, the identification information of the employee who performed the counting process is further notified together with the quantity of spilled game media, so that “spilled game media” It is possible to grasp the status of the collection work (the number of “spilled game media” collected and the number of times of counting for each person in charge of counting), and to manage employee time and absence.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the counting device counts spilled game media, the spilled game media recorded with count information including the number of spilled game media and the identification information of the recording medium to be issued Issuing a medium and notifying the spilled game media count information to the game media management device, and the game media management device exchanges a recording medium corresponding to the recording medium identification information notified as the spilled game media count information Since it was decided whether or not the prize management device to be processed was accepted, the recording medium of “spilled game media” that was not accepted by the prize management device was easily identified, and this “spilled game media” The counted employees can be identified, and it is possible to prevent the lateral distribution of the recording medium issued in the store and to manage the employee's absence.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium management system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, after describing the outline and features of the game medium management system according to the present invention, the game medium management system according to the first embodiment will be described. Finally, various modifications (examples) will be described as other embodiments. 3) will be explained. Further, in this embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the number of “pachinko balls” in the game hall is managed by the game medium management system.

(Overview and features)
First, the outline and features of the game media management system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline and features of the game medium management system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the game medium management systems 1 and 100 include counters 10 and 110 for counting the number of game media, and game media in the game hall based on the number of game media counted by the counter. The prize management devices 20 and 120 are configured to manage the quantity.

  This prize management device is equivalent to the “game media management device” in the claims, and is a plurality of time points when the pachinko ball or the pachinko ball quantity information changes in the game hall (for example, counting time and prizes). Each time it is exchanged, it has a function to “verify” the pachinko ball quantity and perform “verification” by comparing the pachinko ball quantity at these multiple times (for example, at the time of counting and prize exchange). However, the functions relating to “storage management” and “verification” of the quantity of game media may be distributed or integrated in an arbitrary device to constitute a game media management system.

  Here, in the game medium management system 1 according to the present invention, the counter 10 spills from the storage box of the acquired balls acquired by the player and / or the game medium holding area of the game machine (pachinko machine). The main feature is that the number of “spilled balls” is notified to the prize management device 20 when the “balls” are counted, and the number of game media in the game hall can be accurately verified by such a series of processing. I can do it.

  Specifically, in the game medium management system 100 according to the above-described prior art, the counter 110 has an “acquired ball” acquired by the player or “spillage” picked up by the employee at the playground. The “balls” are counted, and a “counting receipt” in which counting information indicating the number of pachinko balls counted is printed with a barcode is issued. In this embodiment, an embodiment in which a printed matter on which a barcode indicating count information is printed will be described as a recording medium on which the number of game media is recorded. However, a magnetic recording medium, an IC card, etc. Other recording media may be used.

  That is, in the counting machine 110 according to the related art, as shown in FIG. 1, for a pick-up ball in which the number of “count receipts” and “spilled balls” for exchanging premiums in which the number of “acquired balls” is recorded are recorded. Since the “receipt” of the same mode is issued as the “counting receipt”, the employee needs to distinguish the count receipt of the same mode and register it as “premium exchange ball” or “pickup ball”.

  For this reason, the game media management system 100 according to the prior art erroneously registers the number of pachinko balls read by the employee from the counting receipt for picked up balls as a “prize exchange ball”, or the counting receipt for picked up balls. It is not possible to eliminate the cause of human error by employees, such as losing itself, so it is not possible to guarantee that “spilled ball” will be registered as a “pickup ball” in the prize management device. .

  Therefore, in the game medium management system 1 according to the present invention, when the counter 10 counts “spilled balls”, the number of “spilled balls” is notified to the prize management device 20 so that the management classification of the counting receipts. Such as discriminating work and bringing in counting receipts for picked-up balls to a free gift simple device, work that involves human factors is eliminated, and "spilled balls" are registered as "pick-up balls" in the free gift management device. We are trying to ensure that.

  Therefore, in the example of the prior art described above, by eliminating work that involves human factors, such as management classification work of counting receipts and bringing work of counting receipts for picked-up balls to a gift simple device, It is possible to ensure that “spilled balls” are registered in the game media management device as “pick-up balls”, and it is possible to accurately verify the quantity of game media in the game hall as described above. Become.

  In addition, according to the game medium management system 1 according to the present invention, when the counted pachinko ball management classification is “spilled ball”, the quantity of “spilled ball” is given as a prize management device (game media management device). By notifying 20, the counting receipt for the picked-up balls can be made unnecessary, and it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as the lateral flow of the recording medium and the bringing of the recording medium from outside the store.

  Furthermore, according to the game medium management system according to the present invention, when the management category of the pachinko balls counted is “spilled balls”, the quantity of “spilled balls” is set as a prize management device (game media management device) 20. This makes it possible to eliminate the work of discriminating the management classification of counting receipts, the reading work of counting receipts, and the work of bringing counting receipts for picked-up balls into the gift simplification device. It becomes possible to simplify.

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

(Configuration of game media management system)
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the game medium management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the game medium management system 1 obtains a prize equivalent from the counter 10 that counts the number of game media and the number of media in the count receipt issued by the counter in exchange for the desired prize. And a prize management device 20 for performing a prize exchange process for subtracting the number of balls.

  Among these, the counter 10 includes a communication control IF unit that controls various communications among the touch panel 11, the card reading unit 12, and various host devices (for example, devices such as the gift management device 20 and the T / C). 13, a counting unit 14, a receipt issuing unit 15, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17, and a time measuring unit 18. In the game medium management system 1 according to the first embodiment, there are a plurality of counters 10.

  The touch panel 11 is a display input unit configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display. For example, the touch panel 11 displays the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 14 or is counted from a game shop employee. It accepts operations such as entering the management category of pachinko balls and issuing instructions to issue counting receipts.

  The card reading unit 12 reads information recorded on various cards such as an employee card and a member card. For example, the card reading unit 12 reads an “employee ID” from the employee card or “member” from the member card. ID ”is read.

  The counting unit 14 distinguishes between the “acquired ball” acquired by the player and the management category of “spilled ball” spilled from the storage box of the acquired ball or the game medium holding area of the game machine (pachinko machine). It is a processing part which counts. Specifically, if the management classification received from the employee who performs the counting work through the touch panel 11 is “acquired balls”, the number of acquired balls is output to the receipt issuing unit 15 and the received management classification is “spilled”. If it is "ball", the quantity of spilled balls is output to the spilled ball count storage unit 16a. In the first embodiment, the pachinko ball management classification to be counted is received before counting the pachinko balls, and the management classification of “acquired balls” and “spilled balls” is distinguished and counted. The present invention is not limited to this, and management divisions may be received and distinguished during and after the counting process.

  The receipt issuing unit 15 is a processing unit that issues a recording medium in which counting information including at least the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 14 is recorded. Specifically, the “counting time”, the employee who counted Issue a “counting receipt” in which counting information such as “employee ID” and “number of balls acquired” is printed as a barcode. In the first embodiment, a “counting receipt” for picked up balls in which the quantity of “spilled balls” is recorded is not issued.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage unit (storage unit) that stores data and programs necessary for various processes by the control unit 17, and includes a spilled ball number accumulation storage unit 16a as related to the present invention. The spilled ball number storage unit 16a accumulates and stores the number of “spilled balls” counted by the counting unit 14. For example, as shown in FIG. “Employee ID”, “Number of spilled balls” and the like are stored in association with each other. It should be noted that the count information stored in the spilled ball number accumulating storage unit 16a is only a record not notified to the prize management device 20, and the notified record is cleared at any time.

  The control unit 17 includes a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing necessary data, and is a processing unit that executes various processes using these. In particular, as closely related to the present invention, a spilled ball number notification unit 17a is provided.

  The spilled ball number notifying unit 17 a is a processing unit that notifies the prize management device 20 of the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 14 as having the management classification “spilled ball”. Specifically, the count information of the “spilled balls” stored by the cumulative number of spilled balls storage unit 16a, that is, “counting time”, “employee ID”, and “number of spilled balls” is recorded at regular intervals (periodic notification time). To the prize management device 20. In addition, if it is after the end of the business of the amusement store, the count information is transmitted without waiting for the regular notification time.

  The time measuring unit 18 is a processing unit that measures time, and specifically, a time that is the timing of the spilled ball number notification performed from the spilled ball number notifying unit 17a to the prize management device 20 (that is, a regular notification time). Or the time after the end of business) is counted and output to the spilled ball number notification unit 17a.

  In this way, the accumulated quantity of “spilled balls” is accumulated and stored, and the accumulated and stored quantity of “spilled balls” is notified at a predetermined timing, so that the quantity of “spilled balls” is ranked higher. Notification can be made without excessive communication with the device (game medium management device), and it is possible to prevent compression of the communication line provided in the game hall.

  In addition, by reporting the ID of the employee who performed the counting process along with the number of counted “spilled balls”, the status of charge collection of “spilled balls” (recovery of “spilled balls” for each counting staff) The number of balls and the number of counting) can be ascertained, and it becomes possible to manage employee absence and attendance.

  On the other hand, the prize management device 20 controls various communications among the touch panel 21, the card reading unit 22, the receipt reading unit 23, and various devices (for example, devices such as the counter 10 and the T / C). A communication control IF unit 24, a gift exchange ball number management DB 25, a counting ball number management DB 26, and a control unit 27 are provided.

  Among these, the touch panel 21 is a display input unit composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display. For example, the touch panel 21 displays the counting date and the number of balls acquired by the receipt reading unit 23, and a desired prize. When the prize is exchanged, the number of balls equivalent to the prize is subtracted from the acquired ball, and the input operation for registering the subtracted number of balls as the “prize exchange ball” in the prize exchange number management DB 25 and the prize exchange are possible. An input operation for registering the number of balls less than the value as a “take-in ball” in the free gift management ball number DB 25 is accepted.

  The card reading unit 22 reads information recorded on various cards such as an employee card and a membership card. For example, the card reading unit 22 reads an “employee ID” from the employee card or a “member” from the member card. ID ”is read.

  The receipt reading unit 23 is a processing unit that reads the counting information recorded on the counting receipt issued by the counter 10, and specifically counts the “counting date” printed on the “counting receipt”. Count information such as “employee ID” and “acquired number of balls” of the employee is read.

  The prize exchange ball number management DB 25 is a storage means for storing the number of balls for which the “prize exchange process” and the “take-in process” have been performed by the prize management device 20, and specifically, for each “receipt No.”. , “Reception time”, “employee ID” that received a prize exchange, “number of prize exchanged balls”, and “number of captured balls” in association with each other.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, for each receipt No. “11001”, the reception time “12:05”, the employee ID “008” that received the gift exchange, the number of gift exchange balls “2221”, and the number of captured balls “1” is stored in association with each other. The first digit of “receipt No.”, that is, “1” in the above example, indicates the counter number “1”.

  The counting ball number management DB 26 is a storage means for storing the counting information counted by the counter 10. Specifically, for each “counter No.”, “management division”, “counting time”, “issue” This is a database for storing “Receipt No.”, “Employee ID” for which the counting was performed, and “Number of balls to be counted”.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, for each counter No. “1”, the management classification “2; spilled ball”, the counting time “11:20”, the issued receipt No. “−” (acquired ball only), the counting Employee ID “001” and the number of counting balls “1” are stored in association with each other. Conventionally, these count information does not distinguish between management categories such as “acquired balls” and “spilled balls”, and only the number of counted balls is stored and managed in association with the counting time, and the quantity of “spilled balls” Is stored and managed as a “pick-up ball” in the prize exchange ball number management DB. However, in the present invention, “spilled ball” is not managed by the counting ball number management DB 26 because no counting receipt is issued. .

  The control unit 27 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and required data, and performs various processes (that is, an import process). A processing unit that executes a prize exchange process including the above, and a prize throwing instruction to the prize dispenser 30). In particular, the processing part is closely related to the present invention and includes a counting ball verification part 27 a.

  The counting ball verification unit 27a is a processing unit that verifies the quantity of pachinko balls in the game hall. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the total number of “acquired balls” acquired by the player and the total number of “spilled balls” spilled from the storage box of the acquired balls or the game medium holding area of the pachinko machine 40 The total number of pachinko balls counted by the counter 10 is “total number of balls”, and the total number of “prize exchange balls” for which the gift exchange process has been performed is “ The sum of the total number of “take-in balls” is the “total number of receipts received”. The counting ball verification unit 27a performs “verification” of bringing in an illegal (counterfeit) receipt by comparing the “total counting ball number” and the “total receipt received ball number”.

  More specifically, the total number of spilled balls “total number of spilled balls” (see FIG. 5) is added to the total “total number of received receipts” (see FIG. 4) of the number of received receipts stored by the prize exchange ball number management DB 25. The added number of balls is compared with the total “total number of balls” (see FIG. 5) of the number of balls counted stored by the counting ball number management DB 26. The reason for adding “total number of spilled balls” to “total number of received receipts” is because the “total number of received receipts” includes the “total number of spilled balls”. In order to ensure the consistency of the formula, in the first embodiment, the “total number of spilled balls” is added to the “total number of received receipt balls”.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when “total counting ball number” = “total receipt acceptance ball number” + “total spilling ball number”, all counting receipts issued by the counter 10 are all. It can be confirmed that a prize exchange process has been performed (that is, there is no counting receipt that has not yet been given a prize exchange process), and that an illegal (counterfeit) counting receipt has not been given a prize exchange process.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7-2, when “total number of balls”> “total number of receipts received” + “total number of spilled balls”, the number of counting receipts issued by the counter 10 In addition, it can be confirmed that there is a count receipt that has not yet been processed for prize exchange due to the loss of the count receipt by the player or the take-away of the count receipt by the player. In this case, when notifying in-house broadcasts that the receipt of receipts is tentatively closed, a notice that there is a player holding an unprocessed receipt is sent to the players in the game hall. May be.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7-3, when “total counting ball number” <“total receipt acceptance ball number” + “total spilling ball number”, other than the counting receipt issued by the counter 10 It can be confirmed that the prize exchange process has been performed on the fraudulent (counterfeit) receipt. In this case, it is necessary to check the count receipt that has been subjected to the prize exchange process to find out an illegal receipt and to take countermeasures.

  In this way, the “total number of balls received” and “the total number of received receipt balls” + “the total number of spilled balls” were verified by registering in the counting ball number management DB 26 without leaving “spilled balls”. In some cases, if they do not become the same number, it can be specified that the cause is not on the game store side but on the player or the person who performs the fraud.

(Processing procedures)
Next, procedures of various processes of the game medium management system according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, “spilled ball number notification process” in the counter 10 will be described as a main feature of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the spilled ball number notification process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when “employee ID” is read from the employee card by the card reading unit 12 (Yes in step S801), the management classification of the pachinko balls to be counted from the employee via the touch panel 11 is set. The input is accepted (step S802), and the counting unit 14 counts “acquired balls” acquired by the player or “spilled balls” collected by the employee (step S803).

  Here, when the management division of the pachinko ball counted by the counting unit 14 is “acquired ball” (No at step S804), the receipt issuing unit 15 sets “counting time”, “employee of employee counted” A “counting receipt” in which counting information such as “ID” and “acquired number of balls” is printed as a barcode is issued (step S805), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the management classification of the pachinko balls counted by the counting unit 14 is “spilled ball” (Yes in step S804), the counting unit 14 counts the “spilled ball” counting information (that is, “counting time”, The counted employee information (such as “employee ID” and “acquired number of balls”) is written into the spilled ball number accumulation storage unit 16a (step S806).

  If the time counted by the counting unit 14 is “periodic notification time” (Yes at Step S807) or after “business end time” (No at Step S807 and Yes at Step S808), the number of spilled balls The notification unit 17a notifies the prize management device 20 of the count information of “spilled balls” accumulated and stored in the spilled ball number accumulation storage unit 16a (step S809), and is stored in the spilled ball number storage unit 16a. The count information of “spilled ball” is cleared and the process is terminated. Note that the prize management device 20 writes the count information of “spilled balls” notified by the spilled ball number notification unit 17 a in the counting ball number management DB 26.

  If the time counted by the counting unit 14 is not the “periodic notification time” (No at Step S807) and is earlier than the “business end time” (No at Step S808), the prize management device 20 is contacted. The “spilled ball” notification is not performed, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the game medium management system according to the first embodiment, there are human factors such as the management classification work of counting receipts and the work of bringing the counting receipts for picked up balls into the free gift simple device. By eliminating the work to be performed, it is possible to ensure that “spilled balls” are registered as “pick-up balls” in the game media management device, and it is possible to accurately verify the number of game media in the game hall Become.

  Also, according to the game medium management system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the management category of the pachinko balls counted is “spilled balls”, the quantity of “spilled balls” is set as a prize management device (game media management). By notifying the apparatus 20), it is possible to eliminate the counting receipt for the picked-up balls, and it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as lateral flow of the recording medium and bringing the recording medium from outside the store.

  Furthermore, according to the game medium management system according to the first embodiment, when the management classification of the counted pachinko balls is “spilled balls”, the quantity of “spilled balls” is set as a prize management device (game media management device). ) 20, it is possible to eliminate the work of discriminating the management classification of counting receipts, the reading work of counting receipts, and the work of bringing the counting receipts for picked-up balls into the gift simple device. It becomes possible to simplify the business.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments in addition to the above-described first embodiment within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It may be.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the prize management device 20 has been described as an example in which “the number of counting balls” and “the number of received receipt balls” are “stored and managed”, but the present invention is not limited to this. One or both of these may be stored and managed by another device, for example, a management device called a terminal controller (T / C) 60 or a terminal device outside the game store (see FIG. 9). . Further, even in this case, even when the game medium management system is configured so that the counting ball verification unit 27a for verifying the “counting ball number” and the “receipt acceptance ball number” is provided in the T / C 60 or an external device. The invention can be applied as well.

  In the first embodiment, the game medium management system that verifies the “count ball count” and the “receipt acceptance ball count” has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. Like the existing game media management system, “total number of balls” and “total number of balls” (total number of balls = total number of balls rented-total number of hits “out” + total number of payouts “safe” (See FIG. 6).

  Further, in the present invention, when counting the “spilled balls”, the counter 10 is used for “spilled balls” in which counting information including the number of spilled game media and identification information of count receipts to be issued is recorded. Is issued to the prize management device (game media management device) 20 and the prize management device 20 provides the count receipt notified as the count information of “spilled ball”. You may make it determine whether the count receipt corresponding to identification information was received in the prize management apparatus 20. FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the receipt issuing unit 15 in the counter 10 records “counting time”, “employee ID”, “number of spilled balls”, and “receipt No.”. Issue a “counting receipt” for “spilled balls”. At this time, the spilled ball number notification unit 17 a notifies the prize management device 20 of the count information of “spilled balls”.

  Then, the prize management device 20 monitors whether or not the “count receipt” of the “spilled ball” issued by the receipt issuing unit 15 has been received. For example, the “spilled ball” counting information (information such as “counting time”, “employee ID”, “spilled ball number” and “receipt No.”) notified by the spilled ball number notification unit 17a is stored. As for the received “counting receipt”, the “receipt reception flag” is set to “ON” as needed.

  In this way, if the game medium management system 1 is configured, a “counting receipt” whose “receipt acceptance flag” is “OFF”, that is, a “counting receipt” of “spilled balls” not received by the prize management device 20 can be easily obtained. In addition, it is possible to identify the employee who counted the “spilled balls”, and to prevent the inflow of the in-store receipt and to manage the employee's time and absence.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a gaming system that does not have a member management T / C that provides member services such as saving and replaying to a player (member) who has passed a predetermined procedure in a game store. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to the “number of issued balls” as a breakdown of the number of “acquired balls” in the counting ball number management DB 26, the counting is further performed. The number of stored balls processed by the machine 10 is managed, and in addition to the “number of received gift balls” as a breakdown of the “receipt received number of balls” in the prize exchanged ball management DB 25, the prize management device 20 further stores the balls. By further managing the “number of stored balls”, it is possible to perform “verification” comparing the “total number of counted balls” and the “total number of received receipt balls”, and even a gaming system having a member management T / C The present invention applies in the same way It is possible.

  Further, in the present invention, when the counting machine 10 or the prize management device 20 is connected to the member management T / C 70, as shown in FIG. May be added to the game store possessed data managed by the member management T / C 70.

  In the first embodiment, when the time counted by the counting unit 14 is the “periodic notification time” or after the “business end time”, it is accumulated and stored in the spilled ball number accumulation storage unit 16a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the “spilled ball” accumulated and stored by the spilled ball number storage unit 16a is notified. When the quantity of “” exceeds a predetermined quantity (for example, “10 balls”), the prize management device 20 may be notified of the quantity of spilled game media accumulated and stored.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the counter 10 in which the counting unit 14 and the receipt issuing unit 15 are integrated is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the counter is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied in the same manner even when the receipt issuing machines are configured independently of each other and are communicably connected.

  In the first embodiment, the game medium management system for managing the quantity of pachinko balls in the game hall has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and further, the quantity of medals in the game hall is managed. The present invention can be similarly applied to any of the cases where the game medium management system is configured and the game medium management system is configured to manage only the number of medals in the game hall.

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

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

  As described above, the game medium management system according to the present invention manages the number of game media in the game hall based on the counter that counts the number of game media and the number of game media counted by the counter. The present invention is useful for a game medium management system and a game medium management method including a game medium management device, and particularly suitable for a game medium management system and a game medium management method capable of accurately verifying the number of game media in a game hall. Yes.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary and the characteristic of the game media management system which concern on this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a game medium management system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in a spilled ball number accumulation storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in free gift exchange ball number management DB. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information memorize | stored in count ball number management DB. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the verification of the pachinko ball in a game hall. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating verification of the number of counting balls and the number of receipt acceptance balls. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating verification of the number of counting balls and the number of receipt acceptance balls. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating verification of the number of counting balls and the number of receipt acceptance balls. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the spilling ball number notification process which concerns on the present Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game media management system 10 Counter 11 Touch panel 12 Card reading part 13 Communication control IF part 14 Count part 15 Receipt issue part 16 Storage part 16a Spilled ball number accumulation storage part 17 Control part 17a Spilled ball number notification part 18 Timekeeping part 20 Premium Management device 21 Touch panel 22 Card reading unit 23 Receipt reading unit 24 Communication control IF unit 25 Premium exchange number management DB
26 Counting management DB
27 Control Unit 27a Counting Ball Verification Unit 30 Premium Thrower 40 Gaming Machine (Pachinko Machine)
50 Lending machine 60 Terminal controller (T / C)
70 Member Management T / C

Claims (7)

A game medium management system comprising a counter for counting the number of game media and a game medium management device for managing the number of game media in the game hall based on the number of game media counted by the counter,
The counter is
Notification for notifying the game medium management device of at least the quantity of spilled game media when counting the spilled game media spilled from the storage box of the acquired game media acquired by the player and / or the game media holding area of the gaming machine A game media management system comprising: means. When the spilled game media are counted, further comprising cumulative storage means for accumulating and storing the number of spilled game media,
2. The game medium management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the number of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage unit at a predetermined timing.   The notification means notifies the game medium management device of the quantity of spilled game media accumulated and stored when the quantity of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage means exceeds a predetermined quantity. The game medium management system according to claim 2, wherein:   The said notification means, when counting the spilled game media, further notifies the identification information of the employee who performed the counting process together with the quantity of the spilled game media. The game media management system described in 1. The counter is
When the spilled game media are counted, a recording medium issuing means for issuing a recording medium of the spilled game media in which counting information including the number of spilled game media and identification information of the recording medium to be issued is recorded is further provided. ,
The notifying means notifies the game medium management device of counting information of the spilled game medium;
The game media management device includes:
It has an acceptance determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium notified as the counting information of the spilled game medium by the notification unit is received by the premium management device that performs the premium exchange process. The game medium management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein A game used in a game medium management system comprising a counter for counting the number of game media and a game medium management device for managing the number of game media in the game hall based on the number of game media counted by the counter A medium management method,
The counter is
Notification for notifying the game medium management device of at least the quantity of spilled game media when counting the spilled game media spilled from the storage box of the acquired game media acquired by the player and / or the game media holding area of the gaming machine A game medium management method characterized by including a process. A cumulative addition step of cumulatively adding the number of spilled game media to cumulative storage means when counting the spilled game media;
7. The game medium management method according to claim 6, wherein the notification step notifies the quantity of spilled game media accumulated and stored by the accumulation storage means at a predetermined timing.

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