JP2010279598A - Each machine counting system and sandwiched device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the theft of a recording medium issued by a game machine adopting an each machine counting system without applying work loads on an employee and without hampering convenience for a player. <P>SOLUTION: The sandwiched device counts game media, and the sandwiched device obtains authentication information for return to be compared when returning the recording medium associated with a count value and/or a valuable value which is the counted value of the game media. The sandwiched device makes counting processing stand by in a counting impossible state when the obtained authentication information is abandoned or when no authentication information is obtained, and the counting processing made to stand by the sandwiched device is turned to a counting possible state when the authentication information is obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stand counting system and a stand unit including a stand unit provided for each game stand for counting game media and a management unit for managing the stand unit. The present invention relates to a counter counting system and a counter unit that can prevent theft of a recording medium without impairing convenience for a player.

  Conventionally, a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine installed in a game shop such as a pachinko shop is juxtaposed, and the game media acquired by the player on the game machine (hereinafter referred to as “mochitama”) is counted. Inter-table devices are known.

  In addition, it is associated with a recording medium a holding ball value or a prepaid value which is a value obtained by counting the holding balls. The player can replay with this recording medium, and the convenience for the player is improved. However, when a recording medium is used in an amusement store, the theft of the recording medium becomes a problem.

  For example, when a player is required to leave the game stand, the recording medium is removed and the game is played with the number of balls associated with the recording medium, or the prepaid value is recorded with the recording medium settlement machine. Unauthorized use of the recording medium occurs due to theft such as payment.

  From the viewpoint of preventing such theft of the recording medium, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an employee or a player performs a keep operation instruction for disabling the game machine and disabling the game medium. Is disclosed.

JP 2003-275449 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, whenever the player leaves the seat, the employee or the player is forced to perform a keep operation and a keep release operation. For this reason, there is a problem that the work load is imposed on the employee and the convenience of the player is impaired.

  For example, when an employee performs a keep operation and a keep release operation, the player calls the employee using a stand lamp or the like when leaving and returning, and the employee inserts a key into the game table to perform the operation. There is a need to do. Therefore, the work load of the employee is increased.

  For example, even if the player performs a keep operation and a keep release operation, it is necessary for the player to perform the operation every time he / she leaves the seat, which is both cumbersome for the player and may be forgotten.

  In addition, in the case of money value associated with a recording medium, unlike prepaid value, there are few game stores that set an upper limit value, so if the recording medium is stolen, the loss to the player is very high It can be expensive.

  For these reasons, how can each counter counting system and inter-device be able to prevent theft of recording media without burdening employees and without sacrificing convenience for players? The realization is a big issue.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and does not impose a work load on the employee, and does not impair convenience for the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter counting system and a counter unit capable of performing prevention.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an individual counter counting system including an inter-device provided for each game machine and a management device that manages the inter-device. The inter-device includes a counting means for counting the game media, and return authentication information to be compared when returning a recording medium associated with a count value and / or a valuable value that is a value obtained by counting the game media. When the authentication information acquisition means to be acquired and the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition means are discarded, or when no authentication information is acquired by the authentication information acquisition means, the counting means is counted. Counting waiting means for waiting in an impossible state, and counting capable of putting the counting means waiting in the counting waiting means into a countable state when the authentication information acquiring means acquires the authentication information Characterized by comprising a stage.

  Further, in the present invention according to the present invention, the gaming machine lending process is performed when the authentication information is not acquired by the authentication information acquiring unit if the value is greater than a predetermined amount. It is further provided with a lending prohibition means for waiting in a disabled state.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the countable means is a case in which the authentication information acquisition means has not acquired the authentication information if the game console provided therein is in a special prize state. The counting means placed on standby by the counting waiting means is set to a countable state, and the counting standby means sets the counting means in a non-countable state when the special award state of the gaming table provided is completed. It is characterized by making it wait.

  In the invention described above, the authentication information acquisition unit discards the acquired authentication information when the count value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the authentication information acquisition means discards the acquired authentication information when the remaining value of the valuable value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

  According to the present invention, the authentication information for return to be compared when the inter-device performs counting of the game media and returns the recording medium associated with the count value and / or the valuable value which is a value obtained by counting the game media. If the acquired authentication information is discarded or if no authentication information has been acquired, the inter-tablet device waits for the counting process in a non-countable state and acquires the authentication information. In this case, the counting process that the inter-tablet device waits is made to be in a countable state, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting registration of authentication information to be authenticated in order to prevent theft of recording media and There is an effect that the recording medium can be prevented from being stolen without being loaded and without losing convenience for the player.

  Further, according to the present invention, if the valuable value is larger than the predetermined amount, the inter-table device waits in a disabled state for the gaming medium lending process when the authentication information is not acquired by the authentication information acquiring means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent theft of a recording medium associated with a high value.

  In addition, according to the present invention, if the game machine to be installed is in the special prize state, the waiting counting process is set to the countable state even when the inter-table device has not acquired the authentication information. When the special gaming state of the attached game stand is over, the counting process is made to stand by in a non-countable state, so the player interrupts the game with the ball that the player has acquired in the special gaming state. There is an effect that it is possible to count without doing.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the counted value is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the acquired authentication information is discarded, so that it is possible to determine that the player may have changed. Play.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the remaining value is less than the predetermined threshold, the acquired authentication information is discarded, so that it can be determined that the player may have changed. There is an effect.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of each vehicle counting system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the inter-station apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external view of the inter-device. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the in-store system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus according to the present embodiment when a bill or a card is inserted. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus according to the present embodiment at the time of a special prize. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a password discarding process procedure performed by the inter-station apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the card return processing procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of card information.

  Exemplary embodiments of a counter counting system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, below, after describing the outline | summary of each stand counting system concerning this invention using FIG. 1, the Example about each stand counting system concerning this invention is described using FIGS. To do.

  In each counter counting system according to the present invention, when a game is started on a gaming table, a password to be compared for player confirmation is registered in advance when a card associated with a possession value or valuable value is returned. Then, the player can count the number of possessed balls acquired by the player.

  In other words, if you do not register your password, you will be able to prevent the registration of the password to be authenticated to prevent theft of the card by waiting for the counting of the number of possessions acquired on the game stand in an impossible state. There are features.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of each vehicle counting system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the pachinko machine's game machine consists of a pachinko machine that counts pachinko balls (hereinafter referred to as “mochitama”) acquired by the player and a pachinko machine attached to the inter-game machine. Composed.

  If the password (which is simply referred to as “password” below), which is an arbitrary character string that is registered in advance and is necessary for identity verification, is not entered, It is in a “counting disabled state” and is waiting (see (1) in the figure).

  When the player inserts a card or money associated with the value of the number of possessed balls (hereinafter referred to as “the number of retained balls”), the inter-device device determines that the game has started, and issues a password input instruction. By notifying the display unit or the like, the player is prompted to input a password.

  Then, the player inputs a password in accordance with a predetermined format from an input unit including a numeric keypad of the inter-device device (see (2) in the figure). When the password is input, the inter-device apparatus puts the ball counting unit in the “countable state” (see (3) in the figure).

  Therefore, when the pachinko machine is in the special prize state, it is possible to count the number of balls acquired by the player with the ball counting unit of the inter-device. Then, at the end of the game, the inter-device will return the card associated with the counted number of balls and the remaining amount of money.

  At that time, at the end of the game, at the end of the game, the password re-entered by the player and the pre-entered password are compared, and if they match, it is confirmed that the card is the owner of the card. Return the card.

  In this way, when playing a game on a game machine adopting each machine counting method, if a password to be compared is registered by the player, a password that is authenticated to prevent theft of the card by setting it to “countable state” Forgetting to register can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the case of the number of balls, unlike the remaining amount, there are few game stores that set an upper limit value, so if the recording medium associated with the number of balls is stolen, the loss to the player is extremely In addition to being expensive, there is a possibility of developing a big trouble.

  Therefore, by doing so, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stolen without burdening the employee and without losing convenience for the player. Below, the Example about each stand counting system concerning this invention is described in detail.

  Embodiments of the counter counting system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the configuration of each counter counting system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in order to explain a schematic configuration of the inter-table device 10, an external appearance of the inter-device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is an external view of the inter-device. In the figure, the pachinko machine 20 provided with the inter-device 10 is indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in the figure, the inter-table device 10 includes a status display unit 101 that displays the status (normal, error), etc. of the inter-unit device 10, a bill insertion unit 102 that accepts various bills for paying out pachinko balls, A remote control light receiving unit 103 that receives an instruction from a remote control (mobile terminal device) carried by the employee.

  The inter-device 10 includes an operation unit 104 including an operation button for password registration and input, a payout button for a pachinko ball payout request, a return button for a card return request at the end of the game, and the like. ing.

  Further, the inter-device 10 displays a display unit 105 that displays the remaining amount of the inserted bill, and a card R / W (reading) that accepts a member card, a visitor card, or the like that is valued for the remaining amount of the bill or the number of possessions. / Write) unit 106.

  In addition, the inter-device 10 includes a ball counting unit 11 that counts the balls and a ball dispensing unit that includes a nozzle that dispenses pachinko balls when the pachinko balls counted by the ball counting unit 11 are dispensed. 107 and a ball storage unit 108 for storing a ball.

  For example, when the pachinko machine 20 is in a special prize state, the inter-spindle device guides the ball from the lower plate 109 of the pachinko machine 20 shown in FIG. Count quantity. The pachinko balls after counting are discharged to a pachinko ball collection path (not shown).

  When counting is started, the player may automatically start counting by flowing a pachinko ball to the ball storage unit 108, or the player presses a count button provided in the ball counting unit 11 By doing so, the counting may be started.

  When the payout button of the operation unit 104 is pressed by the player, the remaining amount of the bill inserted into the bill insertion unit 102 or the remaining amount associated with the card inserted into the card R / W unit 106 (hereinafter simply referred to as “remaining amount”). In the case of paying out using a “pause”, the pachinko balls are thrown out from the pachinko machine 20 as rental balls.

  On the other hand, when the payout button of the operation unit 104 is pressed and payout is performed using the number of balls, a pachinko ball is thrown out via the ball payout unit 107 provided with a nozzle. Note that the holding ball dispensing unit 107 may not be provided, and in that case, the holding ball may be thrown out from the pachinko machine 20 in the same manner as the rental ball.

  At the end of the game, if the player presses a return button for requesting the return of the card, the inter-device device associates the remaining amount of banknotes or the number of possessions with the card, and then inserts the card into the card R / W unit 106. return.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the configuration of the inter-station apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter-station apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, only components necessary for explaining the characteristic points of the inter-device apparatus 10 are extracted and shown.

  First, the inter-device 10 includes a ball counting unit 11, a password input unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14. Furthermore, the control unit 14 further includes a password discard unit 14a, a count standby unit 14b, a number of possessed balls acquisition unit 14c, a countable unit 14d, and a password acquisition unit 14e. The number of balls information 13a and the password 13b are stored.

  The holding ball counting unit 11 includes a counting button for performing a counting request operation, and counts the pachinko balls acquired by the player when the pachinko machine attached to the inter-device is in a special prize state, and acquires the number of balls acquired 14c. Pass the number of balls you have counted.

  Although the counting unit 11 starts counting by depressing the counting button, the counting may be automatically started when the player causes the pachinko ball to flow to the ball storage unit 108. Good.

  The password input unit 12 is provided with operation buttons for inputting a password, such as a numeric keypad and an arrow key, and is used to confirm whether the card holder is the owner of the card when returning the card associated with the possession value or the valuable value. Register and enter the password that is the authentication information.

  The storage unit 13 is a storage unit configured by a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive, stores the number of balls counted by the ball counting unit 11 as the ball number information 13a, and the password input unit 12 The password 13b input in is stored. Furthermore, the remaining amount not shown is stored.

  The password discarding unit 14a pays out the pachinko balls based on the number of remaining balls or the remaining amount stored in the storage unit 13, but when the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount are less than a predetermined threshold, the password 13b It is a processing part which performs the process which discards.

  Further, the password discarding unit 14a performs a process of discarding the password 13b and issuing a count standby instruction to the counting standby unit 14b so that the ball counting unit 11 is placed in a “counting disabled state” and waits.

  The counting standby unit 14b is a processing unit that performs processing for setting the holding ball counting unit 11 in a “counting disabled state” and waiting. For example, when counting the number of balls, the pachinko ball collection path between the ball storage unit 108 and the ball counting unit 11 is closed.

  Here, the pachinko ball collection path of the inter-device 10 is described as being closed, but the entrance of the ball storage unit 108 is set so that no balls can enter the ball storage unit 108 from the lower plate 109 of the pachinko machine 20. You may make it close.

  On the other hand, the countable unit 14d can count the number of balls at any time by setting the ball counting unit 11 that has been set in the “countable state” and waiting by the counting standby unit 14b to the “countable state”. It is a process part which performs the process made into a state.

  For example, when the password is input from the password input unit 12 by the player, the ball counting unit 11 is set to the “countable state”.

  In addition, when the pachinko machine 20 wins a special prize, even if the password is not stored in the storage unit 13, if the acquired balls are not counted, the pachinko balls are collected from the lower plate 109, the ball storage unit 108, and the like. There is a risk of overflowing.

  Therefore, in this case, the inter-device device 10 temporarily changes the holding ball counting unit 11 from the “countless state” to the “countable state” and displays the player to input a password. An input instruction is notified to the unit 105 and the like.

  Then, when the special prize state is completed, the inter-table device 10 returns the retained ball counting unit 11 to the “countable state” by the counting standby unit 14b.

  Here, it is described that the password input instruction is notified to the player. However, the status display unit 101 may display “password not registered”.

  In addition, it is possible to notify the in-store equipment provided in the amusement store such as a management device connected to the inter-device 10 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) that “the password is not registered”. .

  In this case, the employee who manages the in-store device is notified that “the password is not registered”. Thus, the employee can go directly to the corresponding pachinko machine 20 and explain the password input instruction and input method to the player, so that forgetting to register the password can be prevented.

  The number-of-balls acquisition unit 14 c is a processing unit that performs processing for acquiring the number of balls counted by the ball counting unit 11 and storing it in the ball number information 13 a of the storage unit 13.

  The password acquisition unit 14 e is a processing unit that performs a process of acquiring the password input by the password input unit 12 and storing it in the password 13 b of the storage unit 13. In addition, the password acquisition unit 14e also performs a process of issuing a countable instruction to the countable unit 14d so as to make the ball counting unit 11 “countable”.

  Here, the password discarding unit 14a and the password acquiring unit 14e have been described as being performed by separate processing units. However, as a “password processing unit”, a single processing unit performs acquisition and discarding processing related to a password. It may be.

  Next, the system configuration of the in-store system of the amusement store according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the in-store system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the management device 30 installed in the amusement store includes an island controller 40, a payment machine 50, a prize management device 60, and a card terminal via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). 70 is connected.

  Further, the management device 30 stores the card information 31 in a database provided in the management device 30 and associates the remaining amount and the possession amount with a visitor card or membership card identifier (hereinafter referred to as “card ID”). The number of holdings is managed.

  The island controller 40 is a relay device that bundles a group of pachinko machines 20 and the inter-device 10 provided in a space (amusement island) surrounded by a passage. Although only one island controller 40 is shown in the figure, it is assumed that a predetermined number of island controllers 40 are connected to the management device 30.

  The pachinko machine 20 is a device for launching a pachinko ball into a game area and allowing a player to play a pachinko game. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pachinko machine 20 is compatible with a card. In addition, the inter-device device 10 is interposed between the island controller 40 and the pachinko machine 20, and adopts each vehicle counting method that can count the number of balls acquired by the player.

  When the card with the remaining amount of the card is inserted, the checkout machine 50 pays out the cash corresponding to the remaining amount and performs the payment of the card. The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes provided alongside a prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and manages exchange of acquired balls and prizes using exchange ball number management information (not shown). The exchanged ball number management information stores the number of exchanged balls required for exchanging with the prize for each prize in association with each other.

  In addition, the player brings the card to the prize exchange counter, inserts a card associated with the number of possessions into the prize management apparatus 60, or holds the card over the card terminal 70 provided in the prize management apparatus 60. The prize according to the number of balls stored in the card information 31 can be received.

  At that time, the employee in the prize exchange counter presses the exchange button corresponding to the prize designated by the player, and the prize management device 60 subtracts the number of exchange balls corresponding to the prize from the acquired balls. And then hand it over to the player manually by the employee.

  As described above, in the amusement store, as a system for providing services to members and players, in-store devices that handle the membership card (for example, the table device 10 and the prize management device 60) and these in-store devices are provided. A member management system that includes a member management device (not shown) that manages the card, a card system that includes in-store devices that handle cards (for example, the inter-device 10 and the checkout machine 50), and There are coexisting systems that include in-store equipment (for example, the inter-table device 10 and the pachinko machine 20, etc.) that handle the game table data.

  Next, a processing procedure executed by the inter-station apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a processing procedure performed by the inter-device 10 when a bill or a card is inserted will be described, and then a processing procedure performed at the time of a special prize, a password discard processing procedure, and a card return processing procedure will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the inter-device 10 according to the present embodiment when a bill or a card is inserted. As shown in the figure, in the inter-bed apparatus 10, when a bill or a card is inserted by the player (step S101), it is determined whether or not a high-value bill or card is inserted (step S102).

  If the inter-device device 10 determines that an expensive bill or card has been inserted (step S102: Yes), an instruction is given to input a password for player confirmation as compared to when the card is returned (step S103). .

  Thereafter, the inter-device device 10 determines whether or not a password has been input by the player (step S104). If it is determined that there is a password input (step S104: Yes), the password 13b is stored in the storage unit 13 ( Step S105).

  Then, the counting unit 14d sets the holding ball counting unit 11 waiting in the “counting disabled state” to the “countable state” (step S106), and ends the processing when a bill or a card is inserted.

  On the other hand, in the inter-tablet device 10, when it is determined in step S102 that a large bill or a card is not inserted (step S102: No), the holding ball counting unit 11 is kept in a “counting disabled state” to wait for the bill. Alternatively, the processing at the time of card insertion is terminated.

  Further, in the inter-tablet device 10, when the password is not input in step S104 (step S104: No), the ball counting unit 11 is kept in the “counting disabled state” and processing when a bill or a card is inserted. Exit.

  Here, it has been described that it is determined whether or not a password has been input in step S104 when a bill or a card is inserted. However, even if a password is input during a game, steps S105 to S106 are performed. The process is repeated.

  In addition, although it has been described so as to check whether or not a large bill or a card has been inserted in step S102, even if it is a card, if the valuable value and the count value in the card are less than a predetermined value, or if the card has a password If they are not associated, the processing in the case of step S102: No may be performed. That is, inserting a large amount of banknotes is associated with the built-in card as a valuable value after the payment is confirmed, and therefore, it is determined by the magnitude of the valuable value of the card.

  Next, a processing procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus 10 at the time of a special prize will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment at the time of a special prize.

  As shown in the figure, when the pachinko machine 20 wins a special prize (step S201), the inter-device 10 determines whether or not the password 13b is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S202).

  If the inter-device device 10 determines that the password 13b is not stored (step S202: Yes), an instruction is given to input the password for player confirmation, which is compared with when the card is returned (step S203). .

  Thereafter, the inter-device device 10 determines whether or not a password has been input by the player (step S204). If it is determined that there is no password input (step S204: Yes), the ball counting unit 11 is temporarily set. The “countable state” is changed to the “countable state” (step S205).

  Then, the ball counting unit 11 in the “countable state” counts the number of balls acquired during the special award (step S206), and after completion of the special prize, the counting standby unit 14b counts the ball counting unit 11 as “counting”. It is made to stand by with "impossible state" (step S207).

  If this is the case, the card cannot be returned because the password has not been registered. Therefore, the inter-device 10 notifies the in-store device provided in the game store such as the management device 30 or the state display unit 101 that “password is not registered” (step S208).

  Thereby, the employee who manages the in-store device will explain the password input instruction and input method to the player.

  On the other hand, in the inter-device apparatus 10, when it is determined in step S202 that the password 13b is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S202: No), the coin counting unit 11 is in a “countable state”, and therefore the special prize The number of possessed balls acquired inside is counted (step S209).

  Further, when it is determined in step S204 that there is a password input (step S204: No), the inter-device apparatus 10 stores the password 13b in the storage unit 13 (step S210), and the countable unit 14d 11 is set to the “countable state” (step S211).

  Thereafter, the ball counting unit 11 counts the number of balls acquired during the special prize since it is in the “countable state” (step S212).

  Next, a password discarding process procedure performed by the inter-device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the password discarding process procedure performed by the inter-device apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the player pays out using the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount during the game with the pachinko machine 20, but in the inter-device 10, whether the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount are less than a predetermined threshold value. It is determined whether or not (step S301).

  If the inter-device device 10 determines that the number of possessed balls and the remaining amount are less than the predetermined threshold (step S301: Yes), the password discard unit 14a discards the password 13b in the storage unit 13 (step S302). . Thereafter, the holding ball counting unit 11 is kept in a “counting disabled state” (step S303), and the password discarding process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the inter-device device 10 that the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount cannot be said to be smaller than the predetermined threshold (step S301: No), the player pays out using the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount. Step S301 is repeated as long as there is.

  Next, a card return processing procedure performed by the inter-device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a card return processing procedure performed by the inter-device 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, in the inter-device apparatus 10, when the player presses a return button for requesting a card return at the end of the game (step S401), an instruction is given to re-enter the password for player confirmation. (Step S402).

  Then, the inter-device apparatus 10 compares the password 13b in the storage unit 13 with the password re-input by the player, and determines whether or not they match (step S403).

  Thereafter, when the password 13b and the re-entry password match (step S403: Yes), the inter-device apparatus 10 confirms that the card is the owner of the card and associates the number of balls in the storage unit 13 with the card ( Step S404).

  Further, the inter-device 10 associates the remaining amount of the storage unit 13 with the card (step S405), further associates the password 13b of the storage unit 13 with the card (step S406), and returns the card (step S407).

  The card returned here is returned to the player who has inserted the membership card or visitor card, and the player who has not inserted the card returns to the inter-device 10. The card stored in advance will be returned in association with the number of balls, balance and password.

  On the other hand, if the password 13b and the re-entry password do not match in step S403 (step S403: No), the fact that the re-entry password is different is notified (step S408), and the password re-input instruction is issued again. The process proceeds to step S402 to be performed.

  After that, although not shown, the player can replay with the returned card, and when starting the replay, the password associated with the card may be taken over by another game stand. it can.

  Specifically, the inter-device 10 saves the password associated with the card inserted by the player in the storage unit 13 so that it is not necessary to register the password in advance for player confirmation, and when the card is returned Just re-enter your password.

  In this example, the password associated with the card has been described so that it can be inherited by other game machines. However, the password associated with the card is not inherited by the game store setting or by the player selecting it. The password may be registered every time the card is inserted.

  In this way, in the inter-device apparatus 10, if the player does not register a password after starting the game, the card theft is made impossible by counting the number of possessions acquired at the game table. Forgetting to register passwords for authentication can be prevented.

  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the password from being forgotten, prevent the work load for the employee, and prevent the recording medium from being stolen without impairing the convenience for the player.

  By the way, although the Example of this invention was described so far, this invention may be implemented with a various different form other than an above-described Example. In this embodiment, the input password is stored in the storage unit 13 of the inter-device 10 so that the password is associated with the card when the card is returned.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, in the following, a modification of the password association process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the card information 31.

  As shown in the figure, the modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that the “password” item is also managed in association with the “card ID” of the card information 31 of the management device 30. The card information 31 includes a “card ID” item, a “remaining amount” item corresponding to the card ID, a “number of balls” item, and a “password” item.

  At the end of the game, the inter-device 10 returns the card associated with the counted number of held balls and the remaining amount of money, and also manages the card ID, the remaining amount, the number of held balls, and a registered password for player confirmation. Send to.

  Then, the management device 30 stores the remaining amount, the number of possessions, and the password in association with the received card ID as card information 31 in a database provided in the management device 30.

  For example, a player plays a game with the pachinko machine 20 provided in the inter-device 10 and at the end of the game, the balance of the banknote is 3000 yen, and the number of pachinko balls held by the inter-device 10 is 1550. The case where the registered password is “4141” will be described (see the first line of the chart).

  In this case, the inter-device device 10 transmits the card ID 001, the remaining amount of 3000 yen, the number of possessed balls 1550 pieces, and the password “4141” to the management device 30, so that the card information 31 includes “card ID: 001, remaining amount: 3000 yen, number of balls: 1550, password: 4141 ".

  Thereafter, when the player plays the card with the card ID 001 again, the inter-device 10 acquires the remaining amount, the number of balls and the password associated with the card ID 001 of the card information 31 from the management device 30.

  The inter-device 10 stores the acquired password in the password 13b of the storage unit 13. In this way, it is not necessary to register a password in advance for player confirmation, and it is only necessary to re-enter the password only when the card is returned.

  Then, the inter-device device 10 compares the password 13b with the re-entered password, and if they match, it can be confirmed that the card is the owner of the card.

  When the number of remaining balls and the remaining amount are less than a predetermined threshold, for example, as shown in the third line of the chart, the card information 31 includes “card ID: 003, remaining amount: 0 yen, number of remaining balls” : 90, password: none (-) ".

  Specifically, when the threshold of the remaining amount is 1000 yen and the threshold of the number of balls is 125, since the number of balls is less than the threshold (90 <125), the storage unit 10 Since the 13 passwords 13b are discarded, the password of the card information 31 is also stored as “none (−)”.

  In this case, when the player replays with the card having the card ID 003, it is necessary to register a password again for player confirmation.

  As described above, in this modified example, the “password” item is also managed in association with the “card ID” of the card information 31. Therefore, the convenience of the player can be achieved by allowing the password to be taken over by other game machines. Can be improved and a better service can be provided to the player.

  In addition, the table apparatus described in the present invention is the table apparatus 10, the management apparatus is the management apparatus 30, the counting unit is the ball counting unit 11, the authentication information acquiring unit is the password acquiring unit 14e and the password discarding unit 14a, and the counting standby. The means is an example of the count standby unit 14b, and the countable unit is an example of the countable unit 14d.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ball counting unit 11 is set in the “countless state” to wait, and the password is registered for player confirmation, so that the ball counting unit 11 is moved from the “countable state”. "Countable state" was set.

  However, the holding ball counting unit 11 is set in the “not countable state” and waited, and the pachinko ball lending process is waited in the “lending disabled state” and the password is registered, so that the holding ball counting unit 11 is set to “ The “countable state” may be changed to the “countable state”, and the “lending unavailable state” may be changed to the “lending available state”.

  In this case, when the player registers the password, the pachinko ball lending process is performed and the game can be started, so that forgetting to register the password to authenticate to prevent theft of the card can be suppressed. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the password is not registered in the inter-table device 10, if a special prize is won, the ball counting unit 11 is temporarily set to the “countable state”, and an input instruction and notification are made. However, it does not have to be the same timing.

  In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that “the number of possessed balls and the remaining amount are less than the predetermined threshold”, the password 13b of the storage unit 13 is discarded. The password 13b may be discarded.

  Further, the condition and threshold value for discarding the password 13b can be set and changed by the in-store device such as the management apparatus 30, and the inter-device 10 acquires the condition and threshold value for discarding the password 13b from the management apparatus 30, for example. Then, it may be determined whether to discard the password 13b.

  In this case, since the employees of the amusement store can set and change the conditions, each amusement store can take a flexible response.

  In the above-described embodiments, the password is described. However, not only the password but also biometric authentication such as a face image and a fingerprint, chip information (Idm) of a mobile phone owned by a player or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, etc. May be used as authentication information. In that case, it is necessary to provide a reader for reading the authentication information.

  Moreover, although the case where the banknote was inserted was described in the Example mentioned above, it can apply similarly also when dealing with the money containing a coin.

  Moreover, although the example applied to a pachinko game has been described in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a pachislot game is further included or a case where only a pachislot game is targeted.

  As described above, each vehicle counting system according to the present invention is useful in a game store where game machines adopting each vehicle counting method are installed, and in particular, the work load is not imposed on employees, It is suitable for the player to prevent theft of the recording medium issued by the game machine adopting the respective machine counting method without impairing convenience.

10 Inter-device 11 Retained ball counting unit 12 Password input unit 13 Storage unit 13a Retained ball number information 13b Password 14 Control unit 14a Password discarding unit 14b Count waiting unit 14c Retained ball number obtaining unit 14d Countable unit 14e Password obtaining unit 20 Pachinko Machine 30 Management device 31 Card information 40 Island controller 50 Settlement machine 60 Gift management device 70 Card terminal 101 Status display unit 102 Bill insertion unit 103 Remote control light receiving unit 104 Operation unit 105 Display unit 106 Card R / W unit 107 Handball dispensing unit 107 108 Ball reservoir 109 Lower plate

Claims (6)

Each counter counting system including an inter-device provided for each game machine and a management device that manages the inter-device.
The inter-device is
Counting means for counting the game media;
Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information for return to be compared when returning a recording medium associated with a count value and / or a valuable value which is a value obtained by counting the game media;
Count waiting means for waiting the counting means in a non-countable state when the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquiring means is discarded or when no authentication information is acquired by the authentication information acquiring means When,
A counter counting system comprising: counting means for causing the counting means that has been waiting by the counting waiting means to be in a countable state when the authentication information acquiring means has acquired the authentication information. The inter-device is
If the valuable value is larger than a predetermined amount, it further comprises lending prohibiting means for waiting the lending process of the game medium in a disabled state when the authentication information is not acquired by the authentication information acquiring means. The counter counting system according to claim 1. The counting means is
If the gaming machine to be installed is in a special prize state, even if the authentication information acquisition unit has not acquired the authentication information, the counting unit waited by the counting standby unit can be counted. Let the state
The counting standby means is
3. The counter counting system according to claim 1, wherein, when the special award state of the game machine to be provided is completed, the counting unit is made to stand by in a non-countable state. The authentication information acquisition means includes
The each counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the acquired authentication information is discarded when the counting value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. The authentication information acquisition means includes
5. The individual counter counting system according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining value of the valuable value is less than a predetermined threshold, the acquired authentication information is discarded. An inter-device provided for each game machine,
Counting means for counting game media;
Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information for return to be compared when returning a recording medium associated with a count value and / or a valuable value which is a value obtained by counting the game media;
Count waiting means for waiting the counting means in a non-countable state when the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquiring means is discarded or when no authentication information is acquired by the authentication information acquiring means When,
Countable means for causing the counting means that has been waiting in the counting waiting means to be in a countable state when the authentication information obtaining means has acquired the authentication information;
If the valuable value is larger than a predetermined amount, it comprises a lending prohibiting means for waiting the lending process of the game medium in a disabled state when the authentication information is not acquired by the authentication information acquiring means. Inter-device.

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