JP2012050753A - Each game machine device, game system including each game machine device, and game medium number division processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently give a part of game media to a third person when a part of the game media such as the number of held ball and the number of stored balls is given to another player so as to share the game balls.SOLUTION: When the number of division to be associated with a division destination card among the number of held balls associated with a division source card is received by an operation on a display operation part 13, a held ball division processing part 10h discharges the division source card with which a value obtained by subtracting the number of division from the number 10d of the held balls is associated, and then, discharges the division destination card with which the number of division is associated, thereby to perform division processing of the number 10d of the held balls associated with the division source card.

Description

  The present invention relates to each pedestal device provided corresponding to a gaming machine, a gaming system including each pedestal device, and a method for dividing the number of gaming media, and in particular, a part of gaming media such as holding balls and storage balls is efficiently stored. The present invention relates to each device that can be transferred to the three parties, a game system including each device, and a game medium number division processing method.

  Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko parlors are often provided with gaming machine machines that lend out gaming media. Players can borrow game media by putting cash into this inter-card card processing machine, and perform replay by performing withdrawal operation of stored media with this inter-card card processing machine. It can be carried out.

  Recently, a counter unit for counting the number of game media is provided for the inter-card card processing machine, and the number of game media counted by the counter unit of the inter-card card processing machine is associated with a card ID as a ball. There are also inter-card card processing machines with counter units that are managed by a card processing machine and a card management device, and each player pays out a predetermined number of such holding balls by a player performing a batting-ball paying operation with the inter-card card processing machine. It is spreading (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this way, by using the inter-counter card processing machine with each counter, the card associated with the ball, the game medium, and the prepaid value even if the player does not carry the actual game medium such as a pachinko ball. Can be used to continue the game and move the gaming machine.

JP 2007-229111 A

  However, in the case of using the above-mentioned conventional technology, there is a problem that it is difficult to transfer a ball from one player to another player when a plurality of people come to the game store and share the ball. is there. To explain this point in more detail, when a part of a possession obtained by a certain player is to be transferred to another player, this possession does not exist as a real game medium, and the counting result Since the data is associated with the card, the actual game medium cannot be transferred between the players.

  For this reason, in order to transfer the actual game medium between the players, it is necessary for the player to repeat the possession payout operation and throw out the actual game medium. However, since the number of game media to be paid out by a single ball payout operation is as small as 125, for example, the player has to repeat the ball payout operation over and over, resulting in a lack of convenience. .

  It is also possible that a certain player lends a card with a ball associated with another player, but if the player performs a card return operation, the player then performs a payout operation. Cannot be performed, and the result is still inconvenient.

  Although a technique for associating a ball with a plurality of cards by an employee operation is also conceivable, if an employee operation is required each time a ball is shared, the burden on the employee will increase. Originally, one of the reasons for introducing the inter-counter card processing machine with each counter was to reduce the labor of employees, so it was necessary to operate the employees to enable sharing This is contrary to the purpose of introducing the inter-card card processor with each counter.

  For these reasons, when sharing a game medium by transferring a part of game media such as holding balls or storage balls to other players, how to efficiently transfer a part of this game medium to a third party Making it possible is a big issue.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and a part of game media such as the number of holding balls and the number of stored balls is transferred to another player to share the game media. In this case, it is an object of the present invention to provide each device, a game system including each device, and a method for dividing the number of game media, in which a part of the game media can be efficiently transferred to a third party.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, and a predetermined number of gaming media are provided in response to a gaming media payout operation. Each unit device that performs a throw-out process on a corresponding gaming machine, and among the number of gaming media to be associated with the first recording medium, divides and associates with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium An accepting unit for accepting the number of divided game media, and the number of divided game media after discharging the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of game media received by the accepting unit from the number of game media And a division processing means for discharging the second recording medium associated with the number of game media and performing division processing for the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium.

  The present invention further includes storage means for storing a minimum number of game media that can be associated with the first recording medium or the second recording medium in the above invention, wherein the division processing means is configured to receive the reception If either the number of divided game media received by the means or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media stored in the storage means, the division The processing is not performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, either the number of divided game media received by the receiving unit or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media is stored in the storage unit. When it is less than the minimum number of game media, it further comprises a first notification means for notifying the abnormality of the number of divided game media.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the division processing means is received by the receiving means when the first recording medium is a member recording medium registered as a member in the amusement store. Even if either the number of divided game media or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media stored in the storage means, the division processing is performed. Features.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the division processing unit is configured such that the number of divided game media received by the reception unit and the prepaid value associated with the second recording medium are zero, or the division The division process is not performed when the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of game media from the number of game media and the prepaid value associated with the first recording medium are zero.

  Further, in the present invention, when the number of divided game media is received by the receiving means in the above invention, at least when a predetermined number of recording media that can be the second recording media are not stored in the apparatus. Further, the recording apparatus further comprises a second notifying means for notifying the shortage state of the recording medium.

  Further, the present invention, in the above invention, accepts the first recording medium and the second recording medium from the time when the dividing process is performed by the dividing unit until a predetermined period elapses. In this case, there is further provided summing processing means for associating a sum value obtained by summing the number of game media associated with the first recording medium and the number of game media associated with the second recording medium with the first game medium. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, the present invention is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, and a predetermined number of gaming media are thrown out to the corresponding gaming machine in response to a gaming media payout operation. A game system including each device, wherein the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium is received to receive the number of divided game media divided and associated with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium And the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media received by the reception means from the number of game media, and then the second associated with the number of divided game media. And a division processing unit for discharging the recording medium and performing division processing of the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium.

  In addition, the present invention is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, and a predetermined number of gaming media are thrown out to the corresponding gaming machine in response to a gaming media payout operation. A method of dividing the number of game media in each device, wherein the number of divided game media is divided and associated with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium among the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium. And receiving the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media received by the reception unit from the number of game media, and then associating the number of divided game media with each other. And a division processing unit that discharges the second recording medium and performs division processing of the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium.

  According to the present invention, among the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium, the number of divided game media to be divided and associated with the second recording medium different from the first recording medium is received, and the number of divided game media received After the first recording medium associated with the number of gaming media obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media from the number of gaming media is ejected, the second recording medium associated with the number of divided gaming media is ejected and the game to be associated with the first recording medium Since the division processing of the number of media is performed, when a part of game media such as holding balls and storage balls is transferred to another player to share the game media, the part of the game media is efficiently used. Can be transferred to a third party.

  Further, according to the present invention, the minimum number of game media that can be associated with the first recording medium or the second recording medium is stored, and the received number of divided game media or the number of divided game media is determined as the number of game media. If any one of the number of game media subtracted from the number is less than the minimum number of game media, the division process is not performed, so the player performs the unnecessary process of dividing the number of game media and is useless. The issuance of recording media can be suppressed.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when either one of the received number of divided game media or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media, Since the abnormality is notified, it is possible to notify the player of the input value abnormality when the player erroneously inputs the number of divided game media, and to prompt the player to re-enter the number of divided game media.

  According to the present invention, when the first recording medium is a recording medium for a member registered as a member in a game store, the number of divided game media received or the number of divided game media is calculated from the number of game media. Even if one of the subtracted number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media, the division process is performed. Therefore, in the case of a member who is unlikely to issue a useless recording medium by mischief, the minimum game Even if the number of media is less than the number of media, division processing can be performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the received number of divided game media and the prepaid value associated with the second recording medium are zero, or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media and When the prepaid value associated with one recording medium is zero, the division process is not performed, so that it is possible to prevent the recording medium that is meaningless to be divided from being issued.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the number of divided game media is received, if a predetermined number of recording media that can be at least the second recording media are not stored in the apparatus, the shortage state of the recording media is determined. Since the notification is configured, an employee of the game shop can smoothly replenish the recording medium.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the first recording medium and the second recording medium are received during the period from when the division process is performed until the predetermined period elapses, the first recording medium is associated with the first recording medium. Since the total value obtained by adding together the number of game media and the number of game media associated with the second recording medium is related to the first game media, the situation may be that the player has accidentally divided the When it is no longer necessary to give the game medium to another player, the original state can be smoothly restored.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the inter-card card processing machine and the ball splitting method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the game medium processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the card unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the inter-card card processor and the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the card information shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a card is inserted by the inter-card card processing machine and the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of the ball splitting process by the inter-card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the holding ball dividing operation. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the inter-card card processor and the card management device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of the holding ball adding process by the inter-card card processing machine and the card management device shown in FIG.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of each device, a game system including each device and a game medium number dividing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the case where the recording medium is a card and the holding balls associated with the card are targeted for division will be mainly described.

  First, the concept of the inter-card card processing machine and the ball splitting method according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the inter-card card processing machine and the ball splitting method according to the first embodiment. The inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that can divide the ball by the player's own operation.

  For example, when a player wants to transfer “500 balls” out of “1500 balls” possessed by the player to a third party and transfer it to a third party, the player performs a possession ball splitting operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, “500” is input to the display operation unit 13 provided in the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the card return button 21a provided in the gaming machine 20 is pressed. Manipulate.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the splitting card associated with the holding ball “1000 balls” is ejected from the card unit 15, and subsequently, as shown in FIG. The division card associated with “500 balls” is discharged from the card unit 15.

  For this reason, the player continues the game by inserting the division source card into the card unit 15 of the inter-card processing machine 10 and passes the division destination card to a third party to obtain a part of the possession ball. Can be transferred to three parties. The third party who received this split card possessed a holding ball of “500 balls” by inserting the split card into the card unit 15 of the inter-card processing machine 10 installed in another gaming machine. It becomes possible to play a game in the state.

  The numeric keypad of the display operation unit 13 is used for various input operations (for example, input of a personal identification number at the time of replaying a stored ball). However, when operated with a ball being held, it functions as a means for inputting the number of divided balls.

  Further, in this inter-card card processing machine 10, the number of balls input to the display operation unit 13 is inappropriate, and the number of balls associated with the division destination card or the division source card is a predetermined value (for example, “125 balls”). ), The division process is not performed. This is because when the associated holding balls are extremely few, the generated division card may be discarded. However, if the membership card given to the member registered in the amusement store is a splitting source card, the splitting process is performed even when the number of balls associated with the splitting destination card or the splitting source card is less than a predetermined value. . This is because it is considered that a member is unlikely to generate a division card by mischief.

  Further, the inter-card card processing machine 10 can return the two divided cards to the original state during a predetermined period (for example, “30 seconds”) after the end of the dividing process. Is possible. This is because it is possible to flexibly cope with a case where the division operation is wrong or a situation changes during the division process. This point will be described in detail in Example 2 described later.

  Next, the system configuration of the game medium processing system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the game medium processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this game medium processing system, a plurality of gaming machines 20, an inter-card card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20, a card management device 40, and a member management device 50, a plurality of island edge counters 60, a settlement machine 70, and a prize management device 80 are connected via a communication line 90. The plurality of gaming machines 20 and the inter-card card processing machine 10 are connected to the communication line 90 via the island controller 30.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device such as a pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball is driven into a game area and a player plays a pachinko game. The inter-card processing machine 10 performs a ball lending process to the gaming machine 20, a pachinko ball counting process acquired by the gaming machine 20, a process of re-throwing the counted pachinko balls as a holding ball, a replay process of a stored ball, and the like. Device.

  The inter-card card processing machine 10 stores a plurality of cards in advance, and when the player finishes the game and presses the card return button 21a, the prepaid value and the number of balls are associated with the card 1. Will be returned later. Specifically, the prepaid value and the number of possessions are written in the card 1 and the contents of the card information 40e managed by the card management device 40 are updated. Further, if the card 1 is accepted, the prepaid value and the number of possessed balls of the card 1 are acquired from the card management device 40, and the pachinko ball lending process and the throwing of the retained balls are performed based on the acquired prepaid value and the number of retained balls. Perform out processing. The reason why the prepaid value and the number of possessed balls are written in the card 1 is mainly because offline operation is considered. In normal operation, the card information 40e managed by the card management device 40 is treated as positive.

  In addition, when the ball splitting operation for inputting the number of splits of the ball is performed in a situation where the ball is present, the inter-card card processing machine 10 associates a value obtained by subtracting the number of splits from the number of balls. After discharging the division source card, the division destination card associated with the division number is discharged. For this reason, the player can continue the game by inserting the previously ejected division source card into the inter-card processing machine 10 again, and can pass the division destination card to a third party to share the ball. it can.

  Here, if the number of held balls is not an appropriate value and the number of held balls associated with the division source card and the division destination card is less than a predetermined value (for example, “125 balls”), Split processing is not executed. This is because a split destination card with extremely few associated balls is likely to be discarded in vain. However, if the splitting source card is a membership card, the splitting process of the holding balls is executed even if the number of balls that are associated with the splitting source card and the splitting destination card is less than a predetermined value. In the case of a member, there are few cases where a useless division card is issued, and there is a possibility that a small amount of balls will be split in order to avoid exceeding the storage limit when the balls are automatically transferred at night Because there is.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-card card processing machines 10 provided on the gaming island. The card management device 40 is a management device that manages the prepaid value of the card 1 and the number of possessed balls as card information 40e. Although detailed description thereof will be described later, the card information 40e includes not only the prepaid value and the number of possessed balls, but also divided data including a division number, a division source card ID, and a division destination card ID.

  The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member data of members registered as members in the amusement store. Specifically, the member data such as the member's name and address, and the storage data are managed in association with the member card ID issued to the member. In addition, although the description about the division | segmentation process of a storage ball is abbreviate | omitted in a present Example, it can carry out similarly to the holding ball division | segmentation process.

  The island edge counter 60 is provided at a game island edge or the like, counts the number of pachinko balls acquired by the player, and associates the counted value with the card 1 or prints it on a receipt and issues it. When the card 1 associated with the prepaid value of various banknotes inserted into the banknote insertion unit 42 is inserted, the checkout machine 70 pays out cash corresponding to the prepaid value. The prize management device 80 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes provided at a prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs a prize exchange process for storing and holding balls.

  Next, the external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. In the drawing, a gaming machine 20 to which the inter-card card processing machine 10 is provided is shown by a broken line. Moreover, although the inter-card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes is shown in the figure, a unit for accepting coins may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the apparatus of the inter-card card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color lamp, and various types of pachinko balls. And a bill insertion part 12 for receiving bills. Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a display operation unit 13 including a display unit such as a display and an operation unit including a numeric keypad and various buttons, a nozzle 14 for supplying game media to the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 20, and a card. A card unit 15 that receives the card 1 in which the ID, prepaid value, stored ball data, and possession data are stored, and a portable reader 16 that reads IDm that is an identifier of the portable terminal are provided.

  In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a counting unit 17 that counts the number of pachinko balls acquired by the player as the number of balls, and a ball storage unit 18 that stores the acquired balls. The game media dropped from the lower tray 22 of the gaming machine 20 is guided to the counting unit 17 through the holding ball storage unit 18. The retained ball storage unit 18 is provided with a retained ball number display unit 18a for displaying the number of retained balls. This number-of-balls display unit 18a is configured by a 7-segment (7SEG) LCD or the like, and is display-controlled by a control unit 10f of the inter-card card processing machine 10 described later.

  Note that the gaming machine 20 is provided with an upper plate 21 for storing pachinko balls and a lower plate 22 for storing pachinko balls in which the amount stored in the upper plate 21 is increased. The upper plate 21 is provided with a card return button 21a for returning a card. Although the detailed description thereof will be described later, when a predetermined number of pachinko balls are input from the display operation unit 13 and the card return button 21a is pressed, a ball splitting process is performed.

  Next, the card unit 15 of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the card unit 15 shown in FIG. FIG. 2A shows a schematic front view of the card unit 15 viewed from the front side (the negative direction of the Z axis in FIG. 1), and FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view taken along the YZ plane of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the card unit 15 includes a card transport unit 15a, a reader / writer unit 15b, and a storage unit 15d. The reader / writer unit 15b includes an antenna unit 15c. The reader / writer unit 15b is the same as the R / W unit 10a shown in FIG. The card handled by the card unit 15 is a so-called IC card with a built-in IC chip, in which a card ID is recorded in advance, and data such as the number of balls and prepaid value are recorded. The number of balls and the prepaid value are stored in the card information 40e of the card management device 40.

  The card transport unit 15a transports the card in the positive direction of the Z axis in the figure when a membership card or a general card issued to a member of the amusement store is inserted. When the card is ejected, the card is conveyed in the negative direction of the Z axis in FIG.

  The reader / writer unit 15b includes an antenna unit 15c that performs data transmission / reception with a card. Further, the reader / writer unit 15b holds the card on the antenna unit 15c when transmitting and receiving data. Therefore, when the inter-card card processing machine 10 divides the number of balls associated with the card, it is necessary to transport the card to the position of the reader / writer unit 15b.

  The storage unit 15d is a storage area of a so-called general card that is mainly used by general customers who are not members of the amusement store. A predetermined number of general cards are stored in the storage unit 15d in advance before the amusement store is opened. In addition, when a general card associated with the ball data is inserted from the insertion slot, the ball data is read by the reader / writer unit 15b to cancel the association. The general card whose association has been canceled is stored in the storage unit 15d. When the inter-card processing machine 10 performs the ball splitting process, among the predetermined number of general cards stored in the storage unit 15d, the general card that is always positioned at the highest position is the position of the reader / writer unit 15b. It will be conveyed to.

  Next, the internal configuration of the inter-card card processor 10 and the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the inter-card card processor 10 and the card management device 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes an R / W unit 10a, a communication I / F unit 10b, a storage unit 10c, and a control unit 10f. The control unit 10f is connected with a display operation unit 13, a counting unit 17, and a number-of-balls display unit 18a.

  The R / W unit 10a is a processing unit that reads and writes data from and to the received card 1. Specifically, when the card 1 is inserted, the card ID, prepaid value, and number of possessions of the card 1 are read and output to the control unit 10f. When the card 1 is returned, a process of writing the prepaid value and the number of balls in the card 1 is performed. The reason for writing the prepaid value and the number of balls in the card 1 is to enable offline operation even in a situation where communication with the card management device 40 is interrupted.

  The communication I / F unit 10b is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40. The storage unit 10c is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 10c has a minimum number of balls 10d indicating the number of balls held by the player, and a minimum number that indicates a minimum number as a condition for performing the ball division. The number of balls 10e is memorized.

  The control unit 10f is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-card card processing machine 10, and includes a holding ball management unit 10g, a holding ball division processing unit 10h, and a payout processing unit 10i. The possession management unit 10g is a management unit that manages the number of possessions of the player using the number of possessions 10d stored in the storage unit 10c. Specifically, when a new ball is counted, the count value is added to the number of balls, and when the ball is paid out, the payout number is subtracted from the number of balls. When the card 1 is returned, the card management device 40 is notified of the number of possessed balls, and the card information 40e managed by the card management device 40 is instructed to be updated.

  The holding ball division processing unit 10h is a processing unit that performs a division processing of the holding balls. Specifically, if a ball split operation is received in order to divide the ball through the display operation unit 13, after the division source card associated with a value obtained by subtracting the division number from the number of balls 10d is discharged, A process of discharging the division destination card associated with the division number is performed. However, the holding ball division processing unit 10h is configured such that the number of divisions specified by the holding ball dividing operation or a value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the holding ball number 10d is less than the minimum holding ball number (for example, “125 balls”). Does not perform the ball splitting process. However, when the splitting source card is a membership card, the ball splitting process is performed even if the splitting number is less than the minimum number of balls.

  Specifically, if the possession ball division processing unit 10h receives an input of the number of divisions from the display operation unit 13 and detects an operation of pressing the card return button 21a of the gaming machine 20, the possession ball division operation is performed. It is determined that Then, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the number of balls 10d or the number of divisions is less than the minimum number of balls. As a result, if either the value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the number of possessed balls 10d or the number of divisions is less than the minimum number of possessed balls, “NG” indicating an input value abnormality is displayed on the display operation unit 13. Do not perform the splitting process. On the other hand, when both the value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the number of possessed balls 10d and the number of divisions are equal to or greater than the minimum number of possessed balls, the ball division processing is performed. A detailed description of the holding ball dividing process will be described later.

  The payout processing unit 10i throws a predetermined number (for example, 125 balls) out of the number of possessions through the nozzle 14 to the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 20 when the possession payout button is pressed. When the lending button is pressed, the processing unit instructs the gaming machine 20 to pay out a predetermined number of gaming media on condition that the card 1 has a prepaid value. When replaying the stored balls, a predetermined number (for example, 125 balls) out of the number of stored balls is thrown through the nozzle 14 onto the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 20.

  Next, the card management device 40 includes an input unit 40a, a display unit 40b, a communication I / F unit 40c, a storage unit 40d, and a control unit 40f. The input unit 40a is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and the display unit 40b is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The communication I / F unit 40c is an interface unit for data communication with the inter-card card processor 10, and the storage unit 40d is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 40d stores card information 40e in which a card ID, a prepaid value, the number of balls, and division data are associated with each other. In FIG. 6, “500 balls” out of the “1500 balls” with the card ID “001” is divided into the card ID “002”, and the number of balls with the card ID “001” is “1000 balls”. Thus, the number of balls with the card ID “002” is “500 balls”. When such splitting is executed, as shown in FIG. 6, the prepaid value “0 yen”, the number of coins “1500 balls”, the number of splits “500 balls”, and the card ID “002” as the splitting card ID “002”. 001 ”, the prepaid value“ 0 yen ”, the number of balls“ 500 balls ”, and the division source card ID“ 001 ”are associated with the card ID“ 002 ”.

  The control unit 40f is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a card information management unit 40g. The card information management unit 40g manages the number of balls and prepaid value of each card using the card information 40e stored in the storage unit 40d.

  Next, a processing procedure at the time of card insertion by the inter-card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the card is inserted by the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 shown in FIG. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a ball is associated with the card 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inter-card card processing machine 10 is initially in a reception waiting state for the card 1 (step S101; No), and if the card 1 is received (step S101; Yes), the R / W unit 10a. Thus, the card ID is read (step S102), and the inquiry signal of the number of possessed balls including the card ID is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S103).

  When the card management device 40 receives the number-of-balls inquiry signal (step S104; Yes), the card management device 40 searches the card information 40e by the card ID and extracts the number of balls (step S105). Is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10 (step S106), and the number of possessed balls corresponding to the card ID of the card information 40e is cleared to “0 ball” (step S107). If the inter-card processing machine 10 receives the number of balls (step S108; Yes), the received number of balls is stored in the storage unit 10c (step S109), and this number of balls is displayed. 18a is displayed (step S110). By performing the above-described series of processing, the number of balls 10d associated with the card is stored in the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  Thus, in normal times, if the number of held balls stored in the card management device 40 is used as positive instead of the number of held balls recorded on the card, and the card is inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10 In this case, the number of balls is transferred to the inter-card card processing machine 10. When the card is returned, the number of balls in the inter-card processing machine 10 is transferred to the card management device 40, and the card information 40e is updated.

  Next, a processing procedure at the time of the ball splitting process by the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure during the coin splitting process by the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the number of possessed balls 10d is stored in the storage unit 10c of the inter-card processing machine 10 by the process shown in FIG. 7 or a game by the player.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the inter-card card processing machine 10 is in a state of waiting for a ball split operation (step S201; No), and if a ball split operation is received (step S201; Yes), Perform the ball splitting process. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the holding ball dividing operation. When the player wants to divide “500 balls” from the number of balls he holds, first, “5” is input with the numeric keypad of the display operation unit 13 as shown in FIG. As a result, “5” is displayed on the LCD of the display operation unit 13.

  When the player continues to input “0” using the numeric keypad of the display operation unit 13 as shown in FIG. 9B, “50” is displayed on the LCD of the display operation unit 13, as shown in FIG. 9C. Thus, when “0” is continuously input using the numeric keypad of the display operation unit 13, “500” is displayed on the LCD of the display operation unit 13. Thereby, the designation of the division number “500 balls” is completed. At this time, it is assumed that a value larger than the current number of balls cannot be input. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), the player presses the card return button 21a provided on the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 20, thereby completing the holding ball dividing operation of the division number “500 balls”. To do.

  When such a holding ball splitting operation is performed, the number of holding balls (C) of the split source card after splitting is calculated from a formula of “C = A−B” based on the current holding ball count 10d (A) and the split count (B). Calculated (step S202). Then, it is determined whether at least one of the number of possessed balls (C) or the number of divided units (B) of the divided original card after the division is less than the minimum number of retained balls (steps S203 to S204).

  As a result, when at least one of them is less than the minimum number of balls (step S203; No or step S204; No), “NG” indicating an input value error is displayed on the LCD of the display operation unit 13 for processing. Exit.

  On the other hand, when the number of balls (C) and the number of divisions (B) of the divided original cards after the division are both equal to or greater than the minimum number of balls (step S204 Yes), the number of balls (C) is associated. The division source card is discharged (step S206). Specifically, the number of possessed balls (C) is transmitted to the card management device 40 to instruct rewriting of the card information 40e, and after the rewriting of the card information 40e is completed, the number of possessed balls (C) is recorded on the card 1 and recorded. Card 1 will be discharged after completion.

  Thereafter, the same processing as the division source card discharge processing is performed to discharge the division destination card associated with the division number (C) (step S207). If the number of cards stored in the card unit 15 is less than the predetermined value (step S208; No), the card number shortage “NO CARD” is displayed on the LCD of the display operation unit 13 (step S209). ), Notify the player of the card shortage. As a result, the player calls a store clerk to replenish the card. When such a card shortage occurs, it is possible to notify the store clerk of the card shortage by causing the status display unit 11 of the inter-card processing machine 10 to blink in red, for example.

  Since the cards are discharged in the order of the division source card and the division destination card by the above-described series of processing, the player continues the game by inserting the division source card into the inter-card card processing machine 10. Then, the split card can be handed over to a third party to effectively transfer the ball. When the splitting card is a membership card, even if at least one of the number of balls (C) or the number of splits (B) of the splitting card after splitting is less than the minimum number of balls Further, it can be configured to perform the dividing process. This is because, in the case of a member, since the name and address are registered in advance, there is a low possibility of performing useless ball split processing due to mischief or the like.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, if the number of divisions associated with the division destination card among the number of possessions associated with the division source card is received by the operation on the display operation unit 13, the ball division processing unit 10h discharges the division source card associated with the value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the number of balls 10d, then discharges the division destination card associated with the number of divisions, and the number of balls 10d associated with the division source card Since the division process is performed, when a portion of the number of possessed balls 10d is transferred to another player and the ball is shared, a portion of the number of possessed balls 10d is efficiently transferred to a third party. Can do.

  At this time, the minimum number of balls that can be associated with the division source card or the division destination card is stored, and either the division number or the value obtained by subtracting the division number from the number of possession balls 10d is less than the minimum number of balls. In some cases, since it is configured not to perform the possession ball dividing process, it is possible to suppress the issuance of useless recording media by performing a dividing process of the number of game media unnecessary for the player.

  In addition, when either one of the number of divisions or the value obtained by subtracting the number of divisions from the number of possessed balls 10d is less than the minimum number of retained balls, “NG” indicating an abnormality of the number of divisions is displayed. When the customer inputs the division number by mistake, the input value abnormality can be notified to the player, and the player can be prompted to input the division number again.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the ball splitting process is not performed when either the division number or the value obtained by subtracting the division number from the ball holding number 10d is less than the minimum ball holding number is shown. The present invention is not limited to this, and when the prepaid value associated with the card and the number of possessed balls are both “0”, it may be configured not to perform the possessed ball splitting process. In this way, it is possible to prevent issuing a meaningless division destination card.

  By the way, in the said Example 1, although the case where the ball splitting process was performed was shown, for example, when the player tried to transfer the ball to a third party, but the situation changed or the division number was entered incorrectly It is desirable to return the divided balls to their original positions. For this reason, in the present Example 2, the case where the thing which once carried out the ball | bowl division | segmentation process is added up will be shown. Since the system configuration and the like according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 100 and the card management apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the function part similar to what was shown in FIG. 5, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. As shown in FIG. 10, in this inter-card card processing machine 100, a timer 101 and a holding ball totaling processing unit 102 are added to the configuration shown in FIG. The timer 101 is a timing device that counts the elapsed time from receiving the timing start instruction to the current time.

  The possession ball summation processing unit 102 is a processing unit that sums up the possession balls that have been subject to the separation of the possession balls into the split source card and the split destination card according to the first embodiment. The endurance summing processing unit 102 does not unconditionally perform the endurance summing process, and permits the summing process only within a predetermined time (for example, “30 seconds”) from the time when the division processing is finished. In addition, a special operation for adding balls is not required, and when a splitting source card and a splitting destination card are inserted into the card unit 15, the processing of adding balls is executed.

  In addition, the card management device 110 is added with a summing determination unit 111 in the configuration shown in FIG. This summing availability determination unit 111 is a processing unit that determines whether summing is possible by referring to the divided data included in the card information 40 e when an interrogation inquiry signal is received from the inter-card card processor 100. For example, the division number “500” of the division source card ID “001” shown in FIG. 6 matches the number of possessions of the division destination card ID “002”, and the division source card is added to the division data of the division destination card ID “002”. When the ID “001” exists and the division destination card ID “002” exists in the division data of the division source card ID “001”, it is determined that the addition is possible. In addition, when the number of division | segmentation and the number of possession balls do not correspond, or when the division | segmentation origin card ID or division | segmentation destination card ID contained in division | segmentation data do not correspond, it determines with a sum being impossible.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of the holding ball adding process by the inter-card card processing machine 100 and the card management apparatus 110 shown in FIG. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the time counting by the timer 101 is started at the time when the ball splitting process is completed. In addition, it is assumed that the number of balls in the first card is transferred to the inter-card processing machine 100 by the procedure shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, if the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts the second card (step S301; Yes), the time measured by the timer 101 at the time when the second card is accepted is predetermined. (Step S302), and if the predetermined time has been exceeded (step S302; No), the second card is ejected. (Step S303), the process ends. Note that the first card in this case is taken into the card unit 15 and the processing shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is within the predetermined time (step S302; Yes), an inquiry signal is sent to the card management apparatus 110 as to whether or not addition is possible (step S304). This inquiry signal includes the card IDs of the two cards received by the card unit 15.

  When the card management apparatus 110 receives the inquiry signal of whether or not addition is possible (step S305; Yes), the card management device 110 checks the division source card ID and the division destination card ID to determine whether or not addition is possible (step S306). As a result, when it is determined that the addition is impossible (step S307; No), the addition impossible data is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 100 and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the total can be added (step S307; Yes), the number of possessed balls of the division destination card ID is acquired from the card information 40e and transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 100 (step S309). After clearing the number of possessed balls of the card ID 40e of the division destination card ID to “0 balls” (step S310), the process is terminated.

  If the inter-card processing machine 100 receives the data that cannot be added (step S311; Yes), it displays “cannot be added” on the LCD of the display operation unit 13 (step S312) and ejects the second card. (Step S313), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the number of balls is received (step S314; Yes), the received number of balls is added to the number of balls 10d stored in the storage unit 10c (step S315), and the added number of balls is displayed. The information is displayed on the LCD of the unit 13 (step S316), and the summing process is terminated.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is within a predetermined time from the time when the ball splitting process is finished, and two cards (a splitting source card and a splitting destination card) can be accepted and added together. When it is determined, it is possible to add up the divided balls without any special holding ball adding operation.

  In the second embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the summation feasibility judgment unit 111 of the card management apparatus 110 performs the summation feasibility judgment processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inter-card card processing is performed. It is also possible to perform a process for determining whether or not addition is possible on the machine 100 side. Specifically, if the divided data in the card information 40e is notified from the card management device 110 to the inter-card card processor 100, the inter-card card processor 100 can determine whether or not the sum can be added.

  Moreover, in the said Example 1 and 2, when a card | curd is inserted in the inter-card card processing machine, the number of balls managed by the card management apparatus is transferred to the inter-card card processing machine 10 and managed by the card management apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of possessed balls is managed by both the inter-card processing machine and the card management device, or only by the card management device. It can also be applied when managing the number of balls.

  Moreover, in the said Example 1 and 2, although the case where the division | segmentation process and a summation process were carried out was shown, this invention is not limited to this, It applies when carrying out a division | segmentation process and a summation process, etc. You can also. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the ball is paid out from the inter-card card processing machine via the nozzle is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the game is executed from the inter-card card processing machine. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a payout instruction is issued to a machine and a pachinko ball is paid out from the inside of the gaming machine.

  In the first and second embodiments, the card management device and the member management device are shown as separate devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card management device and the member management device are integrated. It is also possible to apply it.

  Moreover, in the said Example 1 and 2, although the case where the division | segmentation process was performed with the inter-card card processing machine 10 was shown, a part of function was given to the island controller 30 or the card management apparatus 40, and the same function as a system May be achieved. Specifically, the inter-card card processing machine 10 has functions of split instruction input and card ejection control, but the ball splitting process itself may be performed on the management device side. A part of the functions can be provided to devices other than the island controller 30 and the card management device 40.

  In addition, when the inter-card card processing machine (CR unit) called double sand and the counter counter are separated, the inter-card card processing machine (CR unit) that has a lending function for the counting function and the ball split function. ) May be provided in a separate device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, each device, the game system including each device, and the game media number division processing method transfer part of the game media such as the number of possession balls and the number of game balls to other players. Thus, when sharing a game medium, it is suitable for transferring a part of the game medium to a third party efficiently.

1 card 10 inter-card processing machine 10a R / W unit 10b communication I / F unit 10c storage unit 10d number of balls 10e minimum number of balls 10f control unit 10g holding ball management unit 10h holding ball division processing unit 10i payout processing unit 11 Status display section 12 Bill insertion section 13 Display operation section 14 Nozzle 15 Card unit section 15a Card transport section 15b Reader / writer section 15c Antenna section 15d Storage section 16 Portable reading section 17 Counting section 18 Holding ball storage section 18a Number of holding balls display section 20 Gaming machine 21 upper plate 21a card return button 22 lower plate 30 island controller 40 card management device 40a input unit 40b display unit 40c communication I / F unit 40d storage unit 40e card information 40f control unit 40g card information management unit 50 member management device 60 Island edge counter 70 Settlement machine 80 Premium management device 90 Communication 100 units the line card processor 101 timer 102 lifting ball summing section 110 card management device 111 summing determination unit

Claims (9)

Each device is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store and performs a dispensing process of a predetermined number of gaming media to the corresponding gaming machines in response to a gaming media payout operation. ,
Receiving means for receiving a divided number of game media divided and associated with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium among the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium;
After discharging the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media received by the receiving means from the number of game media, the second recording medium associated with the number of divided game media A division processing means for performing a division process of the number of game media to be discharged and associated with the first recording medium;
Each stand apparatus characterized by comprising.   The apparatus further comprises storage means for storing a minimum number of game media that can be associated with the first recording medium or the second recording medium, wherein the division processing means is the number of divided game media received by the reception means or the division The division processing is not performed when any one of the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of game media from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media stored in the storage means. Each stand apparatus of 1.   When either the number of divided game media received by the receiving means or the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media stored in the storage means, 3. Each stand apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a first notification means for notifying an abnormality in the number of divided game media.   When the first recording medium is a member recording medium registered as a member in the game store, the division processing means determines the number of divided game media received by the reception means or the number of divided game media. 3. Each unit according to claim 2, wherein the division processing is performed even if any one of the number of game media subtracted from the number of game media is less than the minimum number of game media stored in the storage means. apparatus.   The division processing means subtracts the number of divided game media from the number of game media when the number of divided game media received by the receiving means and the prepaid value associated with the second recording medium are zero. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the division processing is not performed when the number of game media and the prepaid value associated with the first recording medium are zero.   When the number of divided game media is received by the receiving means and at least a predetermined number of recording media that can serve as the second recording media are not stored in the apparatus, a shortage of the recording media is notified. Each stand apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 further provided with 2 alerting | reporting means.   When the first recording medium and the second recording medium are received during a period from when the division processing is performed by the division processing means until a predetermined period elapses, the first recording medium is associated with the first recording medium. A summation processing means for associating a sum value obtained by summing the number of game media and the number of game media associated with the second recording medium with the first game media is further provided. Each stand apparatus as described in any one of. A game that is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, and that includes each table device that dispenses a predetermined number of gaming media to the corresponding gaming machines in response to a gaming media payout operation. A system,
Receiving means for receiving a divided number of game media divided and associated with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium among the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium;
After discharging the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media received by the receiving means from the number of game media, the second recording medium associated with the number of divided game media A game system including each device, comprising: a split processing unit that discharges and splits the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium. Each stand device provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game store, each of which is a processing unit that performs a dispensing process of a predetermined number of gaming media to the corresponding gaming machine in response to a gaming media payout operation A game media number division processing method in a game system including a stand device,
Receiving means for receiving a divided number of game media divided and associated with a second recording medium different from the first recording medium among the number of game media to be associated with the first recording medium;
After discharging the first recording medium associated with the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of divided game media received by the receiving means from the number of game media, the second recording medium associated with the number of divided game media A division processing means for performing a division process of the number of game media to be discharged and associated with the first recording medium;
A game media number division processing method characterized by comprising:

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