JP2012239652A - Game media dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game media dispenser capable of preventing the occurrence of a shortage in a fraction of a payoff portion.SOLUTION: The game media dispenser includes an enclosure 22, a counting unit 90 which is juxtaposed to a game machine (Pachinko machine 10) and takes game media dispensed by a game machine (Pachinko machine 10) into the enclosure 22 to count the game madia, an ejecting unit 95 which ejects the game media counted by the counting unit 90 out of the enclosure 22, a fraction dispensing unit (fraction reserving unit 71) which dispenses a fraction of game media whose number does not reach a given number of game media that can be dispensed from the game machine (Pachinko machine 10), to a player, and a supply unit which supplies the fraction of game media to be dispensed, from outside the enclosure 22 to the fraction dispensing unit (fraction reserving unit 71). The counting unit 90 and the fraction dispensing unit (fraction reserving unit 71) are constituted to be separable each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending device that lends a game medium such as a pachinko ball used for playing a game machine such as a pachinko machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game halls where game machines such as pachinko machines are installed, a game medium lending device called sand that lends pachinko balls, which are game media, is attached to the game machines. A player rents a game medium using these game medium lending devices (see Patent Document 1).

  In the game media lending device attached to the pachinko machine, there is a cash input unit for inputting cash, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the cash input from the cash input unit is lent to the player. ing.

  The game medium lending device reads the remaining amount data from an information card such as a prepaid card that can record information, and lends a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the remaining amount data.

JP2010-220969A

  By the way, in the conventional game medium lending device, the pachinko ball paid out as a prize ball from the pachinko machine is counted, and the counting result is recorded on an information card, or a part of the counting result is paid out to the player as a pachinko ball. Some have a counting function.

  This counting function counts the pachinko balls discharged from the lower plate of the pachinko machine, and stores the counted number of balls in the information card as a player's ball. The player can use the number of balls stored in the information card in the game by a predetermined number of units by performing a predetermined operation, and the designated number of pachinko balls can be used according to instructions from the sand. , Paid out from the pachinko machine to the upper plate.

  However, since the original function of the sand is a ball lending function and lends the number of balls in a predetermined amount unit, the unit of the number of pachinko balls to be paid out from the pachinko machine is determined by the instruction from the sand. .

  Therefore, when the player uses the ball stored in the information card, it can be used only in a predetermined number of units (for example, 25 balls) determined by the function of the sand. Conventionally, in consideration of cases where the number of possessed balls counted by the counting device or the number of balls stored in the storage medium is not divisible by a predetermined number (for example, 25 balls), a fractional number of pachinko that cannot be divided is considered. In order to make the ball available to the player, the ball is paid directly to the player from the sand without using a pachinko machine.

  In this case, it is necessary to prepare pachinko balls for fractions in advance in the sand, and in conventional sand, when counting pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine, a part of them is stored for fractions. It is like that. In the sand, when counting, this fraction is stored in a dedicated storage part, and when the storage part is full, the counted pachinko balls are discharged from the discharge part to the outside. The number of pachinko balls stored as fractions in the storage unit is 24 when, for example, the number of payouts per one is 25.

  However, in the configuration for storing pachinko balls that have already been counted, if the player ends the game without counting after paying out the fractional pachinko balls, the fraction storage is full. There can be no state. In such a case, when the next player pays off the fraction from the sand without performing the counting process, there is a problem that the payout number is insufficient.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending device that can prevent a fraction from being paid out.

The present invention provides the following individual counting device.
The gaming medium lending device of the present invention is provided with a housing, a gaming machine, a counting unit that takes the gaming media paid out in the gaming machine into the housing and counts it, and the game counted by the counting unit A discharge unit that discharges the medium to the outside of the housing, a fraction payout unit that pays out a fraction of game media less than a predetermined number of balls that can be paid out from the gaming machine, and pays out as the fraction And a supply unit for supplying game media to the fraction payout unit from the outside of the housing, wherein the counting unit and the fraction payout unit are configured to be separable from each other.

  In this gaming medium lending device, it is possible to prevent a fraction of gaming media from being insufficient by taking in gaming media for fractions from the outside of the housing. Further, since the counting unit and the fraction dispensing unit are configured to be separable, for example, only the counting unit can be taken out and maintenance can be easily performed.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the supply unit includes an opening provided in the housing for introducing a game medium to be paid out as the fraction from the outside of the housing, and the opening. A first shutter that opens and closes, and an attachment for attaching to the opening an engaging portion provided at a leading end of an introduction path for introducing a game medium to be paid out as a fraction into the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure A mechanism part; and an opening / closing mechanism part that opens and closes the first shutter and the second shutter that opens and closes the introduction path in response to attachment and detachment of the engagement part to and from the opening part. It is said.

  In this game medium lending device, the introduction path is removed by opening and closing the first and second shutters in response to the operation of mounting the introduction path for supplying a fraction of game media from the outside. In this case, the first shutter at the opening of the housing can be closed to prevent the gaming media for fractions from spilling out from the opening, and the second shutter at the introduction path can be closed. It is possible to prevent the gaming medium supplied for the fraction from spilling out from the leading end of the introduction path. In addition, when the introduction path is attached to the housing, the first and second shutters are opened, so that the game medium for fraction can be supplied from the introduction path to the fraction payout unit inside the housing.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the opening / closing mechanism section includes a first mechanism section and a second mechanism section, and the second mechanism section includes the second shutter, and a second urging force. The second shutter is urged by the means to close the introduction path, and the second shutter is moved by being pushed by the housing in accordance with the attachment of the engagement portion to the opening. A push lever, and with the movement of the push lever, the second turning arm is turned against the urging force of the second urging means, and according to the turning operation, The second shutter is opened, and the first mechanism portion includes the first shutter, and the first shutter is urged in a direction to close the opening by the first urging means. The rotation arm and the engagement portion are provided, and according to the attachment of the engagement portion to the opening, A guide protrusion that rotates the first rotating arm against the urging force of the first urging means and opens the first shutter according to the rotating operation. It is a feature.

  In this game medium renting device, the second shutter on the introduction path side and the first shutter on the opening side according to the operation of mounting the engaging portion provided at the leading end of the introduction path to the opening on the housing side. The shutter opens. Thus, since the first and second shutters can be opened at a time by a single operation such as mounting the engaging portion, an operation of individually opening each shutter becomes unnecessary.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, a process for transmitting a request signal for renting a game medium to a depositing apparatus that deposits the player's value medium in accordance with a player's operation, and a balance of the depositing apparatus is When receiving information from the depositing device that the information is insufficient, a signal for making a transfer from the bank account of the player to the depositing device or a transfer to the bank account using a credit card, And a control unit that executes a process of transmitting to the portable terminal device of the player.

  In this game medium lending device, when the balance of the depositing device is insufficient, the transfer from the bank account to the depositing device or the bank account using a credit card is performed via the portable terminal device of the player. By performing the transfer from the bank account to the depositing device via the transfer, the player can enjoy the game by borrowing the game media without worrying about the balance of the depositing device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game medium lending device that can prevent the fraction from being paid out.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine which added the game media rental apparatus (sand) by this invention. It is a perspective view which shows sand. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a sand. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the internal structure of sand. It is a basic diagram which shows the attachment state of a control board and a power supply unit. It is a perspective view which shows the back side of sand. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a supply part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd shutter provided in the engaging part. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the mounting method of an engaging part. It is a partial perspective view which extracts and shows only the fraction storage part and its peripheral part. . It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover of the storage part for fractions. It is a partial side view which shows the area | region containing the storage part for fractions, and the area | region containing the payout path. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration in which a control board, a bill validator, an information card reader / writer, a non-contact IC card reader / writer, and the like are provided in a casing, and the counting unit is provided separately from the casing and is detachable. It is a basic diagram which shows the attachment or detachment structure of the unit which concerns on other embodiment. It is a rough-line front view which shows the lock mechanism part which concerns on other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the attachment or detachment structure of the unit which concerns on other embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component controlled by the control board of a sand, and the said control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a rough-line block diagram which shows the game store and financial server in which the sand was installed. It is a block diagram which shows the control board and I / O board | substrate of a sand. It is a flowchart which shows the rental processing procedure of the game media by main CPU. It is a top view which shows the display content for selection displayed on the touchscreen LCD of an operation unit. It is a flowchart which shows the payout process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a leaving warning process procedure. It is a timing chart which shows the exchange of information between sand (main CPU) and a financial server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a payment system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional block of the sand and a mobile telephone in a payment system. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which a user information storage part memorize | stores. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a management server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user possession amount data memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the game hall company table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of game hall company holding amount data memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the hall computer table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the payment system in the case of using a credit card. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. FIG. 39 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 38. FIG. 40 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 39.

(Game media lending device)
Embodiments of the game medium lending device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine provided with a game medium lending device (sand) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sand.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each pachinko machine 10 is provided with a sand 20. Each sand 20 is installed corresponding to the adjacent pachinko machine 10 and is connected to be communicable with the corresponding pachinko machine 10. Each sand 20 is communicably connected to a hall computer (not shown) that performs system management and sales management of the sand 20 for the entire hall. In the present embodiment, the sand 20 that is communicably connected to the hall computer will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even a sand that does not communicate with the hall computer may be used. Good.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an LED (light-emitting diode) portion 31, a card insertion slot 32, a bill insertion slot 33 into which a bill can be inserted, a touch panel LCD (liquid crystal) The display unit is provided with an operation unit 34, a camera unit 35, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, a fraction outlet 40, a counting inlet 39, and the like. The card insertion slot 32 is an insertion slot that can accept an information card issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) in a hall, for example. The LED unit 31 is configured by a full color LED.

  The player can borrow a pachinko ball as a game medium necessary for the game by inserting an information card or a predetermined amount of banknotes into the card insertion slot 32 or the banknote insertion slot 33. Further, the player can receive a pachinko ball required for the game by holding the non-contact IC card over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36.

When the sand 20 receives a value medium such as an information card, a bill, and a non-contact IC card, the sand 20 transmits a command to pay out a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of the value medium inserted to the pachinko machine 10 provided with the command. By doing so, the pachinko ball is paid out from the pachinko machine 10. A player can play a pachinko game with a pachinko ball paid out to the upper plate 12 in the pachinko machine 10.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 10, pachinko balls are paid out to the upper plate 12 according to the result of the game. When the player drops a pachinko ball on the upper plate 12 onto the lower plate 13 by performing a predetermined operation, the pachinko ball falls onto a guide plate 14 mounted below the lower plate 13. The guide tray 14 guides the pachinko balls that have dropped from the lower tray 13 to a counting slot 39 provided in the sand 20. The pachinko balls introduced into the counting slot 39 are counted by a counting unit provided inside the sand 20.

  The counted results are recorded on a card inserted into the card insertion slot 32 or stored in a storage unit provided in the hall computer.

The pachinko balls counted in the counting unit are discharged from a discharge port provided in the back surface of the sand 20 and collected.
Apart from the counting path of the pachinko balls introduced from the counting insertion port 39, a fraction supply part is provided on the back side of the sand 20 so as to receive the fraction pachinko balls from the outside. By this supply unit, the pachinko ball for fraction is always in a state where a certain amount (for example, 24 balls) is stored, and if necessary, from the fraction outlet 40, the guide plate 14 (specifically, , And is paid out to a dedicated payout tray provided below the guide plate 14.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the sand 20 has an identification means (information card reader / writer 62, banknote identification device) for identifying a value medium such as an information card, a banknote, and a non-contact IC card inside the housing 22 (FIG. 2). 61, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, etc.), a power supply unit 65, and a control board 66 are accommodated.

  Further, below the control board 66 and the power supply unit 65, a supply unit 70 that receives external pachinko balls for fractions, and a fraction storage unit that stores the pachinko balls for fractions supplied via the supply unit 70. 71. In the supply unit 70, the introduction path 81 for supplying the fractional pachinko balls from the external system to the sand 20 has an engagement portion 82 provided at the tip thereof with respect to the opening provided on the back surface of the sand 20. The mounting mechanism 75 can be attached and detached. In a state where the engaging portion 82 is attached to the opening on the back surface of the sand 20, a fractional pachinko ball is supplied into the sand 20 from the opening via the introduction path 81. The fraction pachinko balls supplied into the sand 20 are stored in the fraction storage unit 71 via the conveyance path 76. The detailed configuration of the supply unit 70 will be described later.

  A fixed number of pachinko balls are always stored in the fraction storage unit 71, and the number of pachinko balls specified by a payout command from the control board 66 is paid out from the fraction payout port 40 for use as a fraction.

  A counting slot 39 is provided below the fraction outlet 40, and pachinko balls discharged from the guide plate 14 (FIG. 1) attached to the pachinko machine 10 pass through the counting slot 39. Via the counter 90. The counting unit 90 counts pachinko balls and sends the counting result to the control board 66. The counted pachinko balls roll from the counting unit 90 to the discharge unit 95 and are discharged to the outside via the discharge unit 95 and collected. The detailed configuration of the counting unit 90 will be described later.

  Next, the configuration of the camera unit 35 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the camera unit 35 receives an infrared LED substrate 35 </ b> A that irradiates infrared light, and reflected light obtained by reflecting the infrared light at the subject (player), thereby providing a subject image. And a CMOS camera 35B for imaging The infrared LED substrate 35A emits infrared light based on a command from the control substrate 66 by the infrared LED. The CMOS camera 35B sends an imaging signal to the control board 66. The control board 66 performs image recognition based on the imaging signal.

  In the camera unit 35, a filter 35C is provided in front of the infrared LED substrate 35A and the CMOS camera 35B. This filter 35C is a filter that transmits infrared light and does not transmit light of other wavelengths, and transmits only the reflected light of infrared light irradiated to the subject from the infrared LED substrate 35A, thereby allowing the CMOS camera 35B. To receive light. Thereby, the image of the subject (player) can be clearly captured while suppressing the influence of the pachinko machine 10 and the effect light of the hall in which the pachinko machine 10 is installed.

  Next, the arrangement configuration of the control board 66 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the control board 66 and the power supply unit 65 housed in the housing 22 of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the control substrate 66 has a first substrate region 66A and a second substrate region 66B joined at an angle of approximately 90 °. The front panel 21B is stored so as to be in contact with the back surface side. That is, the first substrate region 66A is stored substantially vertically. The second substrate region 66B joined in the direction orthogonal to the first substrate region 66A is provided with a connector 66C at an end thereof, and this connector 66C is connected to the I / O substrate 67.

  The I / O board 67 is arranged so that its main surface is along the back surface portion 22B of the housing 22, and the connector 66C of the control board 66 is connected to the connector provided on the board surface of the I / O board 67. Is done.

  A power supply unit 65 is disposed between the first substrate region 66 </ b> A of the control substrate 66 and the I / O substrate 67. The connector 65C of the power supply unit 65 is connected to a connector provided on the I / O board 67. As described above, the power supply unit 65 is disposed between the first board region 66 </ b> A of the control board 66 and the I / O board 67. The width dimension of the power supply unit 65 and the control board 66 in the left-right direction is such that it is sandwiched between the left and right side walls 22D (FIG. 2) provided on the housing 22 of the sand 20, as shown in FIG. In a state where the power supply unit 65 and the control board 66 are disposed, the power supply unit 65 and the control board 66 are sandwiched by the side wall 22D of the housing 22 from the left-right direction. The power supply unit 65 is also placed on a frame 22 </ b> E provided in a part of the housing 22.

  As a result, the power supply unit 65 is sandwiched from all directions by the I / O board 67, the side wall 22D, the first board area 66A, the second board area 66B, and the frame 22E of the control board 66. Become. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power supply unit 65 from inadvertently moving.

  Next, the antenna arrangement of the information card reader / writer 62 and the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 (FIG. 3) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in the sand 20 of the present embodiment, an information card reader / writer 62 and a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 are provided above and below across the control board 66.

  The antennas of the information card reader / writer 62 and the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 are controlled by the control board 66. The block configuration of the control board 66 will be described later.

  Next, the detail of the supply part 70 for introduce | transducing the pachinko ball for fractions provided in the back side of the housing 22 is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back side of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 6, a supply unit 70 for supplying fractional pachinko balls from the outside is provided on the back side of the housing 22 of the sand 20. In the supply unit 70, a mounting mechanism unit 75 for mounting the introduction path 81 from the outside is provided in an opening formed in the back surface of the housing 22.

  The mounting mechanism portion 75 can attach / detach the engaging portion 82 provided at the distal end portion of the introduction path 81. The introduction path 81 is a cylindrical member made of a metal material or the like, and a pachinko ball is conveyed through the inside. As shown in FIG. 7, the engaging portion 82 provided at the distal end portion of the introduction path 81 has a guide portion 102 that allows the pachinko ball to pass through the frame 101 and a second portion for opening and closing the outlet of the guide portion 102. And a second shutter portion 104 having a shutter.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a side where the engaging portion 82 is attached to the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the frame 101 is provided with a second shutter portion 104 that opens and closes the pachinko ball outlet of the guide portion 102. In the second shutter unit 104, the tip of the arm 104C that is pivotally supported about the rotation shaft 104A with respect to the frame 101 is a second shutter 104B, and the second shutter 104B rotates. The pachinko ball supply port 102A of the guide portion 102 is closed by the moving position.

  The second shutter 104B rotates so as to open the supply port 102A of the guide portion 102 when the engaging portion 82 is mounted on the back surface portion of the sand 20. This rotation mechanism will be described. The second shutter 104B (arm 104C) is always biased by a spring so as to close the supply port 102A of the guide portion 102. The frame 101 is provided with a push lever 105 that can move back and forth. When the engaging portion 82 is attached to the back surface of the sand 20, the contact surface 82 A of the engaging portion 82 contacts the back surface of the sand 20. The front end portion 105 </ b> A of the push lever 105 is pressed by the back surface portion of the sand 20. Thereby, the push lever 105 moves in the direction of arrow a (rearward). With this movement, the second shutter 104B rotates and the supply port 102A of the guide portion 102 is opened. That is, the second shutter 104 </ b> B operates to open the supply port 102 </ b> A of the guide unit 102 in accordance with the operation of mounting the engaging unit 82 on the back surface of the sand 20.

  On the other hand, when the engaging portion 82 is removed from the back surface portion of the sand 20, the second shutter 104 </ b> B operates so as to close the supply port 102 </ b> A of the guide portion 102 accordingly. As a result, in a state where the engaging portion 82 is removed from the sand 20, the pachinko balls supplied for the fraction from the supply port 102 </ b> A of the guide portion 102 are not spilled.

  On the other hand, a first shutter portion 114 is provided on the back surface of the sand 20 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 9, the first shutter portion 114 has a first shutter 114 at the tip of an arm 114 </ b> C that is pivotally supported about a pivot shaft 114 </ b> A with respect to a casing 22 (back portion) of the sand 20. It has a shutter 114B, and the first shutter 114B opens and closes an opening 22F provided on the back surface of the sand 20 depending on the rotational position.

  A rotation mechanism of the first shutter 114B will be described. The first shutter 114B is biased by a spring in a direction to close the opening 22F. An inclined portion 114D that is inclined obliquely is formed at the other end portion. On the other hand, a guide protrusion 82B is formed at a portion of the engagement portion 82 that is in contact with the back surface of the sand 20. When the engaging portion 82 is attached to the back surface portion of the sand 20, the guide projection portion 82B pushes down the inclined portion 114D of the arm 114C. As a result, the first shutter 114B rotates in a direction to open the opening 22F against the biasing force of the spring. As described above, when the engaging portion 82 is mounted on the back surface portion of the sand 20, the first shutter 114B opens the opening 22F.

  Thus, in a state where the engaging portion 82 is not attached, the opening 22F is closed by the first shutter 114B, and when the engaging portion 82 is attached, the opening 22F is released to be engaged. In a state where the portion 82 is not attached, it is possible to prevent the pachinko balls for fractions stored in the opening 22F from dripping down from the opening 22F.

  Incidentally, the engaging portion 82 is positioned by engaging the positioning hole 82C (FIG. 9) with the protrusion 22G provided on the back surface portion of the sand 20, and a part of the frame 101 is screwed to the screw hole 22H. By doing so, it can be fixed to the back surface of the sand 20.

  Next, the fraction storage part 71 (FIG. 3) communicating with the opening 22F will be described. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing only the fraction storage part 71 and its peripheral part. As shown in FIG. 10, a conveyance path 76 is provided inside the sand 20 so as to communicate with the opening 22 </ b> F (FIG. 9), and a fraction storage section 71 is provided at the tip of the conveyance path 76. ing. The fraction pachinko balls supplied from the opening 22 </ b> F are stored in the fraction storage unit 71 via the conveyance path 76.

  The fraction storage unit 71 always stores a certain number of pachinko balls supplied from the outside through the opening 22F, and the number of pachinko balls according to a command from the control board 66 is used as a fraction pachinko ball. Pay out from the service outlet 40.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the fraction storage part 71. In addition, FIG. 11 has shown the state which removed the cover of the fraction storage part 71. FIG. The fraction storage unit 71 stores pachinko balls supplied from the outside via the conveyance path 76 in a line having a bent shape. The bent passage is provided on the cover side.

  A sensor (magnetic sensor, optical sensor, etc.) 71A for detecting a pachinko ball is provided at the lower end of the passage. The sensor 71A has an opening for passing the pachinko sphere one by one, and detects the pachinko sphere passing through the opening. The detection result is sent to the control board 66.

  At the opening of the sensor 71A, a payout arm 121 for passing or not passing the pachinko ball is provided. The payout arm 121 is pivotally supported around a rotation shaft 121 </ b> A and is rotated by a solenoid 222. The pachinko ball can be controlled to pass or not pass by opening or closing the opening of the sensor 71A with the tip of the payout arm 121 according to the rotation position of the payout arm 121. The pachinko ball that has passed through the sensor 71A is paid out from the fraction payout port 40 via the payout path 125.

  FIG. 12 is a partial side view showing the area AR1 including the fraction storage part 71 and the area AR2 including the payout path 125. FIG. 12 omits the side wall of the housing 22 and shows the internal structure. As shown in FIG. 12, the sand 20 has a configuration in which an area AR <b> 1 above the fraction storage part 71 and an area AR <b> 2 including the payout path 125 and the counting part 90 are separated. The payout path 125 is integrated with the counting unit 90 by the connecting portion 125A. The integrated payout path 125 and counting unit 90 constitute one unit 130B (FIGS. 2 to 4) by a housing (not shown) that constitutes the area AR2. This unit 130B is separate from the unit 130A (FIGS. 2 to 4), which is composed of other components above the unit 130B, including a housing, and the unit 130B is inserted and removed independently from the front side. It is possible to do.

  Thereby, only the unit 130B can be taken out and only the counting unit 90 can be individually maintained.

  In a state where the unit 130B is inserted from the front side, the storage portion outlet 71B provided below the sensor 71A of the fraction storage portion 71 and the discharge passage inlet 125B provided at the upper end portion of the discharge passage 125 communicate with each other. Thus, the pachinko ball that has passed through the sensor 71A falls into the payout path 125 via the storage part outlet 71B and the payout path inlet 125B. That is, in the state where the unit 130B is inserted, the pachinko balls that have passed through the sensor 71A of the fraction storage unit 71 are paid out from the fraction payout port 40 via the payout path 125.

  Next, the counting unit 90 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the counting unit 90 discharges the pachinko balls introduced from the counting insertion port 39 from the discharge unit 95 to the outside through the cylindrical conveyance path 91. A sensor (not shown) configured by a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or the like is provided inside the conveyance path 91. By this sensor, a pachinko ball that rolls along the conveyance path 91 is detected, and the detection result is displayed on the control board. 66. The control board 66 counts the number of pachinko balls that roll on the conveyance path 91 based on the detection result from the sensor. As a result, the counting unit 90 can count the number of pachinko balls that have fallen from the lower tray 13 of the pachinko machine 10 to the guide tray 14 and led to the counting inlet 39.

  In FIG. 13, a control board 66, a bill burr 61, an information card reader / writer 62, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, and the like are provided on the housing 22, and the counting unit 90 is provided separately from the housing 22 so as to be detachable. It is a basic diagram which shows a structure. As shown in FIG. 13, the sand 20 is configured by providing a control board 66, a bill burr 61, an information card reader / writer 62, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, and the like inside the housing 22, and the counting unit 90 includes: It has the structure unitized so that attachment or detachment is possible in the space provided in the lower part of the housing 22.

  In the counting unit 90, the counting unit 90 is placed on the lower part of the housing 22 through an attaching / detaching device 634 for the unit portion and an attaching / detaching device (configured by a locking pin, a release pin, a protrusion, etc.) 624 for the housing 22. It can be attached to and detached from the provided housing 622. When the counting unit 90 is mounted, the connector 636 of the counting unit 90 and the connector 626 on the housing 622 side are connected, so that components such as the sensor of the counting unit 90 are connected to the control board 66 on the housing 22 side. The

  As described above, the counting unit 90 is separated from the housing 22 and is slidable from the front side so as to be detachable, so that maintenance work can be easily performed. In the present embodiment, the housing 622 and the housing 22 are completely separate, but the counting unit 90 may be detachable from a part of the housing 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the unit 130B having the counting unit 90 can be inserted and removed from the front is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the unit 130A having the fraction storing unit 71 is provided. It is good also as a structure which can be inserted / removed from the front.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a sand 20 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in the sand 20 according to another embodiment, the housing includes a frame 652 that is assembled to the island facility of the hall. The frame 652 is provided with a frame lower region 652B for incorporating the unit 130B and a frame upper region 652A for incorporating the unit 130A.

  The frame upper region 652A is provided with a guide portion (not shown) that allows the unit 130A to be inserted and removed from the front, and the unit 130A is inserted into the frame 652 from the front along the guide portion. Can be incorporated into the frame 652.

  In this unit 130A, the unit 130A is attached to the frame 652 via the attachment / detachment device 664 on the unit 130A side and the attachment / detachment device 654 (configured by locking pins, release pins, protrusions, etc.) on the frame 652 side. It can be attached to and detached from the upper region 652A. When the unit 130A is mounted, the connector 666 of the unit 130A and the connector 656 on the frame 652 side are connected, so that each unit provided in the unit 130A (bill varis, information card reader / writer, camera unit, control board, An operation unit, a non-contact IC card reader / writer, etc.) are connected to the counter 90 incorporated in the frame 652.

  The unit 130B having the counting unit 90 is fixed to the frame lower region 652B of the frame 652 using screws or the like.

  Here, a key 670 for fixing the unit 130A to the unit 130B is provided below the unit 130A. When the unit 130B is fixed to the frame lower region 652B of the frame 652, the unit 130A is inserted into the frame upper region 652A and the lock mechanism 670 is locked, so that the unit 130A and the unit 13B are integrally engaged. can do.

  FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state in which the lock mechanism 670 of FIG. 14 is viewed from the front. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the lock mechanism unit 670 is provided in a housing of the unit 130 </ b> B, and includes a rotation piece 671 that can be rotated using a key inserted from the outside. . A predetermined key is inserted into the keyhole 672 and rotated to rotate the rotating piece 671, so that the unit 130 </ b> A is locked with respect to the unit 130 </ b> B according to the rotating position of the rotating piece 671. The lock is released. Specifically, the lock mechanism unit 670 moves the rotating piece 671 to the locked position (shown by a broken line in FIG. 15) or the unlocked position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 15) with a key inserted into the key hole 672 from the outside. When the rotation piece 671 is rotated to the lock position, the rotation piece 671 is engaged with an engagement portion 131A (for example, a groove-shaped portion) formed on the housing of the unit 130A. By this engagement, the unit 130A inserted into the frame upper region 652A (FIG. 14) can be locked so as not to be pulled out forward. Since the unit 130B is fixed to the frame 652 with screws or the like, the state where the unit 130A is locked to the unit 130B is a state where the unit 130A is locked to a state where the unit 130A is not pulled out from the frame.

  Further, when the rotating piece 671 of the lock mechanism portion 670 is rotated to the unlocking position, the rotating piece 671 is separated from the engaging portion of the unit 130A, so that the unit 130A inserted in the frame upper region 652A. Is unlocked, and the unit 130A can be pulled forward.

  By using a configuration in which the lock mechanism 670 is unlocked or locked using a key in this way, the unit 130A can be prevented from being removed illegally. Further, the unit 130A and the unit 130B can be separated from each other as necessary by setting the unit 130A and the unit 130B to the locked state or the unlocked state by the lock mechanism unit 670. By making the unit 130A and the unit 130B separable, when the failure location is in either the unit 130A or the unit 130B, they can be separated and only the side with the failure location can be replaced. This eliminates the need to replace extra parts. Further, the unit 130A can be easily replaced and repaired by adopting a configuration in which the unit 130A can be inserted and removed from the front.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, when the unit 130B is replaced or repaired, the fixing unit such as a screw fixing the unit 130B to the frame 652 is removed in a state where the unit 130A is removed from the frame 652, thereby removing the unit 130B. 130B can be removed from the frame 652.

  In the sand 20 according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the configuration in which only the unit 130 </ b> A can be inserted and removed from the front side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it possible to insert / remove from.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the unit 130A and the unit 130B can be separated, and each can be individually inserted into and removed from the frame 652. The frame 652 is provided with a guide portion (not shown) that allows the unit 130A to be inserted and removed from the front and a guide portion (not shown) that allows the unit 130B to be inserted and removed from the front. In FIG. 16, a lock mechanism portion 680 that can lock or unlock the unit 130A with respect to the frame 652 is provided above the unit 130A. The unit 130A is inserted into the frame from the front. In this state, the unit 130A can be locked to the frame by inserting a predetermined key into the lock mechanism portion 680 and locking it. The lock mechanism portion 680 has the same configuration as the lock mechanism portion 670 shown in FIG. 15, and an engaging portion (for example, a groove-like shape) formed on a part of the frame 652 by rotating the rotating piece. The unit 130 </ b> A can be locked with respect to the frame 652 by being engaged with the part).

  A lock mechanism 670 is also provided below the unit 130A. This locking mechanism 670 is the same as the locking mechanism 670 described above with reference to FIG. With this lock mechanism 670, the unit 130A and the unit 130B can be brought into an engaged state and can be separated as necessary.

  Specifically, the unit 130A locks the lock mechanism portion 680 provided on the upper portion thereof, thereby fixing the unit 130A to the frame and setting the lower lock mechanism portion 670 in the locked state. Thus, the unit 130A and the unit 130B can be locked in an engaged state.

  When removing the unit 130A, the upper locking mechanism 680 is unlocked to unlock the frame of the unit 130A, and the lower locking mechanism 670 is unlocked, so that the unit 130A and the unit 130B are unlocked. The engaged state is released and these are separated. Thereby, unit 130A can be pulled out forward.

  In the configuration of FIG. 16, the unit 130B can be inserted into and removed from the frame 652 from the front. When the unit 130A and the unit 130B are inserted into the frame 652, the unit 130B is provided above the unit 130B. By locking the locking mechanism portion 670 (that is, the locking mechanism portion provided at the lower portion of the unit 130A), the unit 130B can be locked with respect to the unit 130A. When exchanging and repairing the unit 130B, the locking mechanism 670 provided at the upper part of the unit 130B is unlocked to be in the unlocked state, thereby releasing the engaged state between the unit 130B and the unit 130A. Pull the frame forward. Thereby, the unit 130B can be separated from the unit 130A and only the unit 130B can be removed. When only the lower unit 130 </ b> B is removed, the upper unit 130 </ b> A is suspended from the frame 652.

  In this way, the unit 130A and the unit 130B can be separated as necessary by setting the unit 130A and the unit 130B to be locked or unlocked by the lock mechanism 670. By making the unit 130A and the unit 130B separable, when the failure location is in either the unit 130A or the unit 130B, they can be separated and only the side with the failure location can be replaced. In particular, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 16, the unit 130B can also be inserted and removed from the front, so that even when there is a failure in the unit 130B, only the unit 130B can be easily removed from the frame 652 for repair and replacement. It can be performed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments (FIGS. 13, 14, and 16), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the discharge path 125 and the fraction outlet 40 are connected to the unit 130B side by the connecting portion 125A. Although the configuration fixed on the counting unit 90 side (that is, the configuration in which the discharge passage 125 and the fraction outlet 40 are provided in the unit 130B) has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. The service outlet 40 may be provided on the unit 130A side. In this case, an opening for introducing a pachinko ball provided in the upper part of the discharge path 125 is fixed to the lower end of the unit 130A (for example, the lower end of the fraction storing part 71). Thereby, the discharge path 125 and the fraction outlet 40 are provided on the unit 130A side. By adopting such a configuration, the configuration relating to the payout for fractions (supply unit 70, conveyance path 76, fraction storage unit 71, etc.) and the configuration for counting (counting unit 90, etc.) are configured as separate units. It becomes possible to do. That is, the pachinko ball is repaired and replaced for each function by separating the configuration (unit 130A) having a series of functions relating to the fractional payout and the configuration (unit 130B) having a function relating to counting. This makes it easier to perform maintenance.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the control board 66 of the sand 20 and the components controlled by the control board 66. A main CPU (central processing unit) 221 reads a control unit program stored in a ROM (read only memory) 222 and executes pachinko ball counting and other processes. Various data relating to the processing is stored in a RAM (random access memory) 223.

  The main CPU 221 stores the amount data read from the information card via the information card reader / writer 62 in the RAM 223 as balance data. Based on the balance data and the operation result output from the operation unit 34, the main CPU 221 pays out a pachinko ball for the specified amount when the amount specified by the player is smaller than the balance data. Is sent to the pachinko machine 10 via the I / O board 67. The pachinko machine 10 pays out the pachinko balls to the upper plate 12 based on the command sent from the sand 20. In this case, the main CPU 221 updates the balance data by subtracting the amount of pachinko balls paid out from the balance data.

  The operation unit 34 also displays a button for returning an information card. When the player operates the operation button, the main CPU 221 inserts the information card inserted into the information card reader / writer 62 into the card insertion slot. Return from 32.

  Further, the main CPU 221 stores the banknote identification result output from the banknote identification device (Bill Bali) 61 in the RAM 223 as balance data. Based on the balance data and the operation result output from the operation unit 34, the main CPU 221 pays out a pachinko ball for the specified amount when the amount specified by the player is smaller than the balance data. Is sent to the pachinko machine 10 and the balance data is updated by subtracting the paid-out amount of the pachinko ball from the balance data.

  The main CPU 221 uses the infrared LED substrate 35A of the camera unit 35 as a monitoring projector, reflects the infrared light from the infrared LED of the infrared LED substrate 35A by the player, and picks up this image with the CMOS camera 35B. To do. The main CPU 221 stores an image captured by the CMOS camera 35B in the ROM 222, and detects the presence of the player based on this image. This detection process is always performed. When the player's state changes to a non-detection (seating) state and there is a balance in the amount data of the information card inserted from the card insertion slot 32, or the amount data of the banknote inserted from the bill insertion slot 33 When there is a balance, the main CPU 221 can alert the player who is about to leave the seat by issuing a warning sound or a warning sound via the speaker 181. As the warning voice, a voice such as “Forgot card” is issued.

  The main CPU 221 performs non-contact communication with the non-contact IC card via the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. This communication method is, for example, an electromagnetic induction method with a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz. The main CPU 221 sends to the pachinko machine 10 a command to pay out the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount of money data read from the non-contact IC card via the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, and the non-contact IC card. Rewrite balance data.

  Note that a mobile phone having a similar function can be used instead of the non-contact IC card. In this case, the mobile phone has a function for performing communication with the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. Examples of this function include a non-contact IC card (for example, Felica: Felica is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation). This mobile phone has a non-contact IC card chip or antenna as a short-range communication unit for performing communication with the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 of the sand 20 in the same manner as the non-contact IC card. Prepare. In the same manner as in the case of the non-contact IC card, the mobile phone performs ty member registration in advance, and transmits and receives the registration contents (member information, usable amount data, etc.) to and from the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. By doing so, a required number of pachinko balls can be paid out.

  The main CPU 221 communicates with a pachinko machine, a hall computer, or a financial server (described later) via the I / O board 67.

  Further, the main CPU 221 can pay out fractional pachinko balls from the fraction storage unit 71 by operating the solenoid 122 via the drive circuit 231. Further, the main CPU 221 can detect the number of pachinko balls to be paid out from the fraction storage unit 71 based on the detection result of the pachinko balls output from the sensor 71A. Thus, the main CPU 221 can pay out a predetermined number of pachinko balls from the fraction storage unit 71.

  Further, the main CPU 221 can count the number of pachinko spheres passed by the counting unit 90 based on the detection result of the pachinko spheres output from the sensor 91A provided in the counting unit 90.

  Further, the main CPU 221 can output sound and sound effects from the speaker 181 via the drive circuit 233.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG. 18, the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment is mainly composed of a main control circuit 10A as game control means and a sub-control circuit 10B as effect control means. The main control circuit 10A controls the entire game, and the sub-control circuit 10B performs control of effects according to the progress of the game (for example, image display control, sound output control, decoration lamp control, etc.). Is positioned in things.

  The sensor group 10C includes a winning ball sensor, a ball passing sensor of each part, and the like, and the main control circuit 10A determines a winning based on a detection result from the sensor and advances the game. The display means 10D includes a speaker, a decoration lamp, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and operates based on a drive signal for performance output from the sub-control circuit 10B as the game progresses.

  The payout / launch unit 10E pays out a pachinko ball and fires it on the game board in accordance with a control signal from the main control circuit 10A. That is, a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the progress of the game are paid out by the paying-out / launching unit 10E.

  A sand 20 and a call computer are connected to the main control circuit 10A via an interface (IF) 10F. The main control circuit 10A pays out the pachinko balls to the upper plate 12 by controlling the payout / launching unit 10E in response to a payout request from the sand 20. Thereby, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout request from the sand 20 is paid out. For example, pachinko balls lending according to the amount of bills and information cards received in the sand 20 are executed in the dispensing / launching unit 10E according to an instruction from the main control circuit 10A.

  Next, the financial server will be described. FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram showing a game store in which the sand 20 is installed and the financial server 300. As shown in FIG. 19, the sand 20 is connected to the pachinko machine 10 and the hall computer 500 installed in the amusement shop, and is also connected to an external financial server 300 via the communication network 200.

  Sand 20 is information regarding the game with the hole computer 500, information regarding the number of pachinko balls (game media) lent to the player (the owner of the information card or contactless IC card) by the hall, Transmits / receives information on the result of counting pachinko balls through the sand 20.

  The sand 20 transmits / receives player credit information and the like to / from the external financial server 300 via a communication path (communication network 200) different from the communication path to the hall computer 500. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the control board 66 and the I / O board 67 of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 20, the I / O board 67 and the control board 66 are directly connected via a connector, the I / O board 67 is connected to the hall computer 500, and the control board 66 includes an interface 68 and The financial server 300 is connected via the external communication network 200.

  The main CPU 221 of the control board 66 performs communication with the hall computer 500 via the I / O board 67, and communication with the financial server 300 without passing through the I / O board 67 ( That is, it is performed directly (without going through the hall computer 500). Thereby, for example, payment information such as a player's personal identification number is directly transmitted from the sand 20 to the financial server 300, thereby improving the security of the information.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a gaming medium lending process procedure by the main CPU 221. This process is always executed by the main CPU 221. As shown in FIG. 21, in step S11, the main CPU 221 determines whether or not there is a payout instruction based on the counted number of pachinko balls. This process determines whether or not an instruction for paying out the number of pachinko balls counted in step S20 (described later) and stored in the RAM 223 is input via the operation unit 34 in the lending process up to the previous time. It is processing to do.

  Incidentally, FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the display content for selection displayed on the touch panel LCD of the operation unit 34 in step S11. As shown in FIG. 22, the touch panel LCD of the operation unit 34 has an icon A11 for selecting a payout instruction based on the counted number of pachinko balls, and an icon for selecting a payout instruction based on cash (value medium). A12 is displayed. The player can specify any one of these icons by pressing the icon.

  When there is a payout instruction based on the counted number of pachinko balls, the main CPU 221 shifts the processing from step S11 of FIG. 21 to step S12, and transmits a command instructing the pachinko machine 10 to pay out the pachinko balls. In the pachinko machine 10, control is performed so that the same number of pachinko balls as the counted number of pachinko balls are paid out to the upper plate 12 of the pachinko machine 10. When the player designates the number of payouts by operating the operation unit 34, the number of pachinko balls designated within the range of the number of pachinko balls stored in the RAM 223 may be paid out.

  On the other hand, when there is no payout designation based on the counted number of pachinko balls in step S11, the main CPU 221 shifts the processing from step S11 to step S13, and determines whether or not a value medium has been input. The value medium means an information card inserted into the card insertion slot 32, a bill inserted into the banknote insertion slot 33, or a non-contact IC card held over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. When the information card is inserted into the card insertion slot 32, the amount data is read from the information card by the information card reader / writer 62. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 33, the bill amount is identified by the bill recognition device (bill validator) 61. When a non-contact IC card is held over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 reads the amount data of the non-contact IC card. These read amount data are stored in the RAM 223.

  When the value medium is inserted, the main CPU 221 obtains an affirmative result in step S13, shifts the processing from step S13 to step S14, and determines whether or not an amount related to payout has been designated. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the player has not specified the amount of the pachinko ball to be paid out via the operation unit 34 (that is, the payout for the entire amount data has been specified). doing. Here, when an information card or banknote is inserted, the amount of money can be designated by the player operating the operation unit 34 after inserting the information card or banknote. When the amount data is read by holding the card, the player can specify the amount data by operating the operation unit 34 before holding the non-contact IC card. When an information card or banknote is inserted, the main CPU 221 once stores the read amount data in the RAM 223, and then the amount specified by the player is within the range of the amount stored in the RAM 223. The amount data in the RAM 223 is rewritten with the specified amount data.

  On the other hand, when a contactless IC card is held, the main CPU 221 sets the specified amount data in the RAM 223 by specifying the amount first, and then the contactless IC card is held over the contactless IC card. When communicating with the card, it is determined whether or not the amount set in the RAM 223 is stored in the contactless IC card, and if it is stored, it is stored in the contactless IC card. By subtracting the amount set in the RAM 223 from the amount, the amount of the contactless IC card is rewritten. On the other hand, when the amount stored in the non-contact IC card is less than the amount set in the RAM 223, the main CPU 221 does not rewrite the amount data of the non-contact IC card and displays an error display on the operation unit 34. By doing so, the payout process is canceled.

  By executing such processing in step S14, the RAM 223 stores data for the amount of money actually withdrawn from the value medium. Incidentally, when there is already balance data in the RAM 223 (the past counting result or the balance when the previous value medium was inserted), the main CPU 221 adds data corresponding to the amount drawn from the value medium to these balance data. Will do.

  When the amount is designated, the main CPU 221 displays the process from step S14 to step S15, and transmits a command to the pachinko machine 10 so that the pachinko ball for the designated amount is displayed in the pachinko machine 10. Control is performed so as to pay out to the upper plate 12. The paid-out amount data is left as payout history data in a specific area of the RAM 223. Then, the main CPU 221 projects the process to step S19.

  On the other hand, when the amount is not designated, the main CPU 221 displays the process from step S14 to step S16 and pays out the inserted pachinko balls for the entire amount via the pachinko machine 10. The paid-out amount data is left as payout history data in a specific area of the RAM 223. Then, the main CPU 221 projects the process to step S17.

  If the player does not insert the value medium, the main CPU 221 obtains a negative result in the above-described step S13, and thus displays the process from step S13 to step S19. The pachinko ball payout (lending) process is thus completed.

  Here, the payout process of the pachinko balls in step S12, step S15 or step S16 will be described. The payout process in these steps is the same process procedure. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the payout process. When the main CPU 221 of the sand 20 moves the process to step S12, step S15 or step S16 in FIG. 21, the payout process shown in FIG. 23 is executed, and in step S31, the number of balls to be paid out is determined. Specifically, the number of pachinko balls lent out (number of payouts) for the amount specified by the player is determined.

  Then, the main CPU 221 shifts the processing to step S <b> 32 and determines whether or not the determined number of payouts has a fraction. The fraction means a fraction when it is not divisible by a number (for example, 25 balls) determined as one payout number in the pachinko machine 10.

  If there is a fraction, the main CPU 221 obtains an affirmative result in step S32, shifts the processing to step S33, and pays out the fraction from the fraction storage unit 71. Specifically, by driving the solenoid 122 of the fraction storage part 71, the fractional pachinko balls are paid out from the fraction outlet 40.

  After paying out fractions in step S33 or when it is determined in step S32 that there are no fractions (NO), the main CPU 221 transmits a payout command to the pachinko machine 10 in step S34. The number of balls specified by the payout command is a number divisible by the number of payouts at a time (for example, 25 balls) in the pachinko machine 10.

  The pachinko machine 10 that has received this command pays out the designated number of pachinko balls to the upper plate 12.

In this way, when there is a fraction, the fractional portion is paid out from the fraction storage unit 71, and the number of pachinko balls that can be divided by the number that can be paid out by the pachinko machine 10 in one delivery (for example, 25 balls). It is paid out in the pachinko machine 10.
After the process of step S34, the main CPU 221 moves the process to the process routine (step S19) of FIG.

  In step S <b> 19 of FIG. 21, the main CPU 221 determines whether or not a pachinko ball has been inserted into the counting unit 90. This determination is made based on whether or not a pachinko ball is detected by a counting sensor provided in the counting unit 90.

  When a pachinko ball is detected, the main CPU 221 shifts the process from step S19 to step S20, and counts the number of pachinko balls detected by the sensor of the counting unit 90. In step S21, the main CPU 221 stores the counting result (the counted number of pachinko balls) in the RAM 223.

  The pachinko ball counting process is completed by the above processing procedure. Next, the main CPU 221 executes an absence warning process in step S22. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the absence warning process. In step S41, the main CPU 221 analyzes the imaging result obtained by the camera unit 35, and in a subsequent step S42, determines whether or not the player has left. When the player leaves the seat, the main CPU 221 shifts the processing from step S42 to step S43, and determines whether or not an information card or cash (amount data) remains. The state where the information card or cash (amount data) remains means a state where the balance remains in the amount data stored in the RAM 223.

  When the money amount data remains, the main CPU 221 shifts the process from step S43 to step S44, causes the drive circuit 133 to generate a warning sound or a warning sound from the speaker 181 and ends the absence warning process. Thus, when the player leaves the seat even though the balance remains, the player can be alerted.

  If the main CPU 221 determines in step S42 that the player has not left the seat, or if it is determined in step S43 that there is no remaining balance, the main CPU 221 ends the absence warning processing, and the processing routine (FIG. The process moves to step S23).

  In step S23 of FIG. 21, the main CPU 221 determines whether or not there is an instruction to write the balance stored in the RAM 223 to the information card or non-contact IC card inserted at this time. This process is a process of displaying an icon for instructing the operation unit 34 to write, and determining whether or not this icon has been pressed.

  When there is a write instruction, the main CPU 221 shifts the processing from step S23 to step S24, and when an information card is inserted into the card insertion slot 32, the balance data in the RAM 223 is written into the information card and information is written. By adding to the balance data of the card, the balance data of the information card is updated. Further, when the information card is not inserted, the main CPU 221 displays a message prompting the user to insert the information card or hold the non-contact IC card over the operation unit 34. When the player inserts an information card into the card insertion slot 32 or holds the non-contact IC card over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the main CPU 221 writes balance data to these cards. The main CPU 221 returns to the above-described step S11 and repeats the same process after the process of step S24 or when determining that there is no write instruction in step S23.

  As described above, the main CPU 221 executes the lending process (FIG. 21), the payout process (FIG. 23), and the absence warning process (FIG. 24), so that pachinko balls can be lent (paid out) and pachinko machines in the sand 20. Sphere counting can be performed.

  In the lending process of the pachinko balls, by lending the pachinko balls using the results counted in the sand 20, the player can take the pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall away from the pachinko machine 10. The counting result can be written to the information card or the non-contact IC card without taking the troublesome work of carrying the pachinko ball to the counting device. In addition, by receiving a pachinko ball paid out based on the counted result, the paid-out pachinko ball is taken without taking the trouble of carrying and counting the pachinko ball to the counting device in the hall away from the pachinko machine 10. Replays can be performed according to the number of balls.

Further, when the player tries to leave the seat despite the balance, the player can be alerted by a warning sound output from the speaker 181 provided on the sand 20.
In addition, the player can write the balance data to an information card or a non-contact IC card, or can be used for paying out a pachinko ball for replaying, so that the player carries the pachinko ball storage box to the hall counting device. And the staff of the hall can be reduced.

  In addition, the player can select the pachinko ball payout based on the input value medium or the pachinko ball payout based on the counting result, so that, for example, the counted pachinko ball data remains as it is. It is possible to select a flexible usage method of adding and using the amount data drawn from the value medium.

  Next, transmission / reception of information with the financial server 300 will be described. FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing the exchange of information between the sand 20 (main CPU 221) and the financial server 300.

  As shown in FIG. 25, in the sand 20, the player inserts a credit card as an information card from the card insertion slot 32 and operates the operation unit 34 to request the pachinko ball lending using the credit card. Then, the main CPU 221 of the control board 66 reads card information from the credit card via the information card reader / writer 62 and prompts the player to input a password by displaying the operation unit 34.

  When the player operates the operation unit 34 and inputs a password, the main CPU 221 transmits the card information and the password to the financial server 300 (step S101). The financial server 300 performs an authentication process based on the transmitted card information and password (step S102). As a result of the authentication process, if it is authenticated that the user is a legitimate user, the financial server 300 transmits authentication completion (authentication OK) information to the sand 20 (step S103).

  The main CPU 221 of the sand 20 that has received the information on the completion of authentication informs the player that the authentication has been completed by displaying the operation unit 34 and prompts the player to input a necessary amount (the number of pachinko balls). In this case, input in a predetermined number unit is prompted.

  When the player operates the operation unit 34 and specifies an amount (number of balls), the main CPU 221 requests a transfer of the specified amount (if the number of balls is specified, the amount corresponding to the number of balls). The transfer request to be transmitted is transmitted to the financial server 300 (step S104).

  In response to the transfer request received from the sand 20, the financial server 300 transfers the specified amount from the account specified by the player to the account of the game store (step S105). When this transfer process is completed, the financial server 300 transmits the transfer completion information to the sand 20 (step S106) and to the hall computer 500 (step S107).

  Based on the transfer completion information from the financial server 300, the main CPU 221 of the sand 20 transmits a command for instructing the pachinko machine 10 to pay out the pachinko balls. The pachinko machine 10 pays out a designated number of pachinko balls to the upper plate 12 based on this command. Thereby, a player can receive a pachinko ball rental using a credit card. The hall computer 500 updates the history information regarding the corresponding sand 20 and the pachinko machine 10 based on the transfer completion information from the financial server 300.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by separately communicating from the sand 20 to the hall computer 500 and the financial server 300, information regarding the player's credit card is directly transmitted to the financial server 300 without using the hall computer 500. It can be transmitted, and security can be further enhanced.

(Payment system)
FIG. 26 is a network diagram showing a configuration of a settlement system according to another embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the payment system 700 includes a management server 1010, a mobile phone 1000 used by a player for personal use, a sand 20, and a hall computer (custody apparatus) 500. The payment system 700 is communicably connected to the financial institution system 800 and the credit card system 900.
The management server 1010 is connected to the mobile phone 1000, the hall computer 500, the financial institution system 800, and the credit card system 900 via the communication network 200.

  The management server 1010 is connected to the communication network 1050 and can communicate with the hall computer 500 via the communication network 1050. The cellular phone 1000 includes a management server 1010, a hall computer 500, a financial institution system 800, and a base station (BS) 1060, a mobile communication network 1070, and a gateway 1080 that connects the mobile communication network 1070 and the communication network 1050. In addition to being communicable, it is possible to communicate with the sand 20 by short-distance communication means (for example, a non-contact IC card and its reader / writer) provided in the mobile phone 1000.

  The financial institution system 800 is a system that can deposit and withdraw the following accounts electronically. A financial institution system 800 used by the payment system 700 is an account of a player who pays using the electronic payment (hereinafter simply referred to as a player) (hereinafter referred to as a bank account of the player). The account (hereinafter referred to as a settlement operator account) of a person (hereinafter referred to as a settlement operator) who directly or indirectly operates and manages the settlement system 700 and receives the consideration, price, fee, etc. of the settlement system 700 operation. ), And a person who provides pachinko balls to a player who receives payment from the player using the payment system 700 (hereinafter referred to as a game hall company) (hereinafter referred to as a game hall company). Called an account). The bank account, settlement operator account, and game hall operator account of these players may be provided in the same financial institution system 800, or may be provided in different financial institution systems 800. In FIG. 26, these accounts are shown as being provided in the same financial institution system 800, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode.

  The credit card system 900 is a system that electronically makes various payments and payments using a credit card. For example, in a Suica (registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company), which is electronic money for transportation, electronic money There is a “Suica Auto Charge Service” that automatically deposits a pre-registered amount into electronic money using a credit card payment when the amount is less than or equal to a preset amount. In addition, as a method of the user's own operation, in the case of Suica, which is the electronic money, the specified amount can be credited to the electronic money from the dedicated menu of the mobile phone by credit settlement. These conventional methods enable electronic money to be deposited. In the settlement system 700 described in this embodiment, an automatic or one-touch deposit method using credit card settlement for a bank account is used. Used. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the “credit card system” is used. However, the present invention is not limited to a system related to a credit card as long as money for supplementing electronic money can be accommodated.

  The mobile phone 1000 used in the payment system 700 has a non-contact IC card function and can perform non-contact proximity communication with the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 of the sand 20.

  With reference to FIG. 27, functional blocks used in the settlement system 700 of the sand 20 will be described. Sand 20 is a game medium such as a pachinko ball (value: a tangible or intangible item that can be purchased in exchange for money) as a consideration for electronic payment using a mobile phone 1000 by a user (player). It is a device to provide.

  FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the sand 20 and the mobile phone 1000. The sand 20 includes a network communication processing unit 1301, a provision control unit 1302, a providing device side short-range communication unit 1303, a valuable value supply unit 1304, and a game history processing unit 305.

  The network communication processing unit 1301 has a function of performing communication with the hall computer 500, and is, for example, a communication board equipped with a protocol stack. A plurality of the sands 20 may be connected to the hall computer 500, and the sand 20 and the hall computer 500 are connected by a communication network such as a LAN or other communication means. In the network communication processing unit 1301 of this embodiment, the main CPU 221, the I / O 67, and the like correspond to this in the control board 66 of the sand 20 shown in FIG.

  The provision control unit 1302 has a function of commanding and controlling the operations of the network communication processing unit 1301, the provision device side short-range communication unit 1303, and the valuable value supply unit 1304. It is a computer. The provision control unit 1302 of the present embodiment corresponds to the main CPU 221 and the ROM 222 storing the program in the control board 66 of the sand 20 shown in FIG.

  The providing device side near field communication unit 1303 has a function of communicating with the terminal side near field communication unit 1201 mounted on the mobile phone 1000. In the case of the present embodiment, the control board 66 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. The non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 connected to is equivalent to this. The communication method used by the providing device near field communication unit 1303 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be infrared communication. In addition, the communication method is not necessarily a non-contact communication method, and a communication method using a communication cable or a USB socket may be adopted.

  The valuable value supply unit 1304 has a function for providing a valuable value (pachinko ball) to the player in accordance with an instruction from the provision control unit 1302. The valuable value supply unit 1304 of the present embodiment includes a ROM 222 storing a program for executing a function of requesting the pachinko machine 10 to pay out pachinko balls on the control board 66 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. The main CPU 221 and the I / O 67 that execute the function correspond to this.

  Based on the use of the sand 20 by the player, the game history processing unit 1305 generates game history data that is data related to the player's game history, and via the network communication processing unit 1301, the hall computer 500 or the management server 1010. It has the function to transmit to. In the case of the present embodiment, in the control board 66 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. 17, the main CPU 221, the ROM 222 storing a program for executing the function, and the RAM 223 storing generated game history data correspond to this. .

  For example, in order for a player to play a game with the pachinko machine 10 to which the sand 20 is attached, the sand 20 and the mobile phone 1000 receive a pachinko ball lending by a payment by the payment system 700. The game history processing unit 1305 provides game history data, such as which player has played which pachinko machine 10 and when, how much money has been played, etc. The operation status of the control unit 1302 and the pachinko machine 10 Is generated according to the operation status of the game, and is transmitted to a server that manages game history data. The game history data is sent to the server and stored every time all the sands 20 are used.

  By analyzing this game history data or analyzing it using data mining techniques, etc., the player's behavior tendency, popularity tendency of pachinko machine 10, usage tendency by time zone, etc. will be clarified. As a result, store management Useful information that can be used as materials for development of game machines and machines.

  In the present embodiment, the management server 1010 is used as a server for managing game history data. However, the server for managing game history data is a server device separate from the management server 1010. 700 may be incorporated.

  Next, the mobile phone 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone 1000 is a terminal device that can communicate with the management server 1010 via the communication network 1050 and can also communicate with the sand 20 using short-range communication means. The mobile phone 1000 may be communicable with the hall computer 500 via the communication network 1050.

  The mobile phone 1000 has, for example, a non-contact IC card (for example, Felica: a registered trademark of Sony Corporation) function. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1000 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. A PDA (Personal Data Assistant) equipped with a short-range communication means and a wireless communication means, a portable game machine, and a wireless LAN are installed. An IP telephone or the like may be used.

  The mobile phone 1000 includes a terminal-side short-range communication unit 1201 for communicating with the sand 20, a payment request generation unit 1202, a wireless communication unit 1203, an input unit 1204, an output unit 1205, and user (player) information. A storage unit 1206 and a transfer request generation unit 1207 are included.

  The terminal-side short-range communication unit 1201 has a function of communicating with the IC card reader / writer 36 of the sand 20 and includes, for example, a non-contact IC card chip and an antenna.

  The payment request generation unit 1202 has a function of generating a payment request message for requesting the hall computer 500 to pay and settle the payment (price) of the pachinko ball received by the player so that the sand 20 can provide the pachinko ball. For example, a microcomputer equipped with an i-appli (registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo).

  The wireless communication unit 1203 has a function of connecting the mobile phone 1000 to the mobile communication network 1070 via the base station (BS) 1060 and executing communication via the mobile communication network 1070, for example, a modulation circuit, A wireless communication circuit having a demodulation circuit. The mobile communication network 1070 may be a general mobile phone communication network or a WIMAX or wireless LAN communication network.

  The input unit 1204 has a function of passing a player's instruction instead of an electrical signal to the payment request generation unit 1202, the transfer request generation unit 1207, and the like, for example, a key of the mobile phone 1000, a touch pen and a touch panel, and a pointing device.

  The output unit 1205 has an information output function for the mobile phone 1000 to transmit information to a player (user), and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel of the mobile phone 1000, an audio output device (speaker or the like), or a small printer. .

  The user information storage unit 1206 has a function of storing information necessary for payment or settlement of the player (user). FIG. 28 shows an example of information stored in the user information storage unit 1206. In this example, the user information storage unit 1206 includes a user ID 1208 that is information that uniquely identifies a player registered as a user of the mobile phone 1000, and the management server 1010 and / or the hall computer 500 is the player's identity. A password 1209 for authentication and a bank number 1210, a branch number 1211, an account number 1212 and information for identifying a user account corresponding to the player's bank account from which the player withdraws the payment amount are set. The personal identification number 1213 is stored.

  These pieces of information are obtained by the player at the time of installing an application that causes the player to function as the payment request generation unit 1202 and the transfer request generation unit 1207 in the mobile phone 1000 or at the time of user registration for receiving the payment system 700 service. It only has to be entered. For example, in the mobile phone 1000, the activated application requests the player to input such information from the input unit 1204, and the input information 1208 to 1213 is stored in the user information storage unit 1206. These pieces of information 1208 to 1213 are used when generating a transfer request message for a deposit transfer request from the user account to the settlement operator account, and are transmitted to the management server 1010 as a part of the transfer request message. become.

  As a result, the player does not need to carry a credit card or bank debit card, and further, personal information, account information, and a PIN number necessary for settlement are input only to the mobile phone 1000 owned by the player. The possibility of information leakage is reduced.

  The user ID 1208 may be an identification number automatically assigned by the management server 1010, or identification information that the mobile phone 1000 has, such as Felica ID (Felica is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation), individual identification number (FOMA card identification information). (FOMA is a registered trademark of NTT Docomo).

  Next, the management server 1010 will be described. As shown in FIG. 26, the payment system 700 has a management server 1010 as a core component. The management server 1010 is a device having an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and, if necessary, an external storage device such as a hard disk device. For example, it is an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a workstation. A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as the management server 1010 or a program for causing the computer to execute the electronic payment method is stored in a ROM or a hard disk device or the like. Is executed, the management server 1010 is realized, or the electronic settlement method is executed.

  In addition, the program is not necessarily stored in a storage device in the information processing device, but is provided from an external device (for example, an ASP (Application Service Provider) server) and is loaded on the main memory. It is good. Furthermore, the management server 1010 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured by combining a plurality of devices via a network. The management server 1010 may have a center configuration in which all functions are integrated in one place, or may have a distributed server configuration in which each function is divided and distributed processing is possible.

  The management server 1010 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the management server 1010. The management server 1010 illustrated in FIG. 29 includes a network communication processing unit 1401, a payment request processing unit 1402, a database unit 1403, a transfer request processing unit 1404, a settlement processing unit 1405, and a game information update unit 1406. ing. Each of these units is a component realized by a storage device that stores a program, a CPU that executes the program, and the like.

  The network communication processing unit 1401 has a function of executing communication with the mobile phone 1000, the hall computer 500, the financial institution system 800, and the credit card system 900 via the communication network 1050. For example, communication for executing a protocol stack It is a board.

  The database unit 1403 stores the holding amount data 1700 of each user (player) registered in the settlement system 700 and the holding amount data 1900 of the game hall company, and is necessary for the transfer performed with the financial institution system 800. A user table 1600, user holding amount data 1700, game hall company table 1800, game hall company holding amount data 1900, hall computer table 2000, and game history information 2100 are stored.

  FIG. 30 is a configuration example of the user table 1600 stored in the database unit 1403. The user table 1600 is data that stores information about users (players). The user table 1600 is data having one record 1601 for each user, and each record 1601 is a user ID 1602, a password 1603, an e-mail address 1604, and a bank for identifying a withdrawal account as a user account. A number 1605, a branch number 1606 of the bank, an account type 1607 of the bank account, an account number 1608 of the bank account, an account name 1609 of the bank account, and a personal identification number 1610 of the bank account are stored.

  The user ID 1602 is information that uniquely identifies a user. The password 1603 is information that prevents a third party from impersonating the user and illegally using the payment system 700. The e-mail address 1604 is information used as a destination address to which the e-mail is sent when the result notifying unit 1407 notifies the user of the result of the payment process. The silver number 1605, the branch number 1606, the account type 1607, the account number 1608, the account name 1609, and the personal identification number 1610 are information for designating a withdrawal destination account to the financial institution system 800 and using the account.

  Information stored in the user table 1600 is input to the management server 1010 when the user registers as a user in the management server 1010.

  FIG. 31 is a configuration example of user possession amount data 1700 stored in the database unit 1403. The user holding amount data 1700 is data having one record 1701 for each user, and each record 1701 is a hall computer that is a user ID field 1702 that stores a user ID and information that uniquely identifies the hall computer 500. It has a hall computer ID field 1703 for storing an ID, and a holding amount field 1704 for storing a holding amount which is an amount deposited by the user (player) in the hall computer 500 specified by the hall computer ID.

  The value stored in the holding amount field 1704 is increased by the deposit amount when the user deposits in the hall computer 500 of the settlement system 700, and decreased by the amount of payment when the payment using the sand 20 is performed. Rewritten. In addition, even if it is the same user, since the holding amount is managed for each hall computer 500, a plurality of records 1701 can be held for the same user.

  FIG. 32 is a configuration example of a game hall company table 1800 stored in the database unit 1403. The game hall company table 1800 is data storing information related to the game hall company. The game hall company table 1800 is data having one record 1801 for each game hall company that is subscribed to the payment system 700. Each record 1801 includes a game hall company ID 1802 for storing a game hall company ID and an account of the game hall company, and a bank for specifying a transfer destination account into which an amount paid by the user to the sand 20 is transferred. A number 1803, a branch number 1804, an account type 1805, an account number 1806, and an account name 1807 are stored.

  The game hall company ID 1802 is information for uniquely identifying the game hall company. The bank number 1803, branch number 1804, account type 1805, account number 1806, and account name 1807 are information for specifying the bank account for the financial institution system 800.

  Information stored in the game hall company table 1800 is input to the management server 1010 when the game hall company registers and registers in the payment system 700.

  FIG. 33 is a configuration example of the amusement hall company possession amount data 1900 stored in the database unit 1403. The game hall company possession amount data 1900 is data having one record 1901 for each game hall company registered in the payment system 700. Each record 1901 has a game hall company ID 1902 and a holding amount 1903 for storing a holding amount, which is an amount transferred by the payment system 700 to the game hall company account. The value stored in the holding amount 1903 increases by the amount paid by the user by using the sand 20 via the hall computer 500, and decreases by the amount transferred to the amusement company account using the financial institution system 800. Will be rewritten to

  FIG. 34 is a configuration example of the hall computer table 2000 stored in the database unit 1403. The hall computer table 2000 is data having one record 2001 for each hall computer 500 included in the payment system 700, and each record 2001 stores a hall computer ID 2002, a hall computer IP address 2003, and a game hall company ID 2004. To do.

  The hall computer ID 2002 is information for uniquely identifying the hall computer 500, and the hall computer IP address 2003 is destination information for the management server 1010 to communicate with the hall computer 500. This is information used as a transmission destination address for use in transmitting a deposit notification message for notifying the hall computer 500 of a deposit from the user. The game hall company ID 2004 is information for identifying a game hall company having a right to receive payment corresponding to the user's consumption for the hall computer 500 to which the hall computer ID 2002 is assigned, and is a game hall company table. The same ID as the 1800 game hall company ID 1802 (FIG. 32) is used.

  The game history information 2100 is information indicating a history of games such as when and how much the player has played with which game machine (pachinko machine 10), and the game history processing unit (control of each sand 20). This is information generated by accumulating and storing game history data generated by the main CPU 221 of the board 66 (FIG. 17) and transmitted via the hall computer 500. Various useful information can be obtained by analyzing the game history information 2100 by a known marketing analysis or data mining technique.

  Returning to FIG. 29, the description of the management server 1010 will be continued. The transfer request processing unit 1404 will be described. The transfer request processing unit 1404 has a function of processing a transfer request message received from the mobile phone 1000. The transfer request processing unit 1404 receives a transfer request message or the like from the mobile phone 1000 or the hall computer 500 via the network communication processing unit 1401. The content of the transfer request message is a content requesting that the specified amount be deducted from the user's bank account so that it can be used by the payment system 700, more specifically, the amount deducted by the specified hall computer 500. Upon receiving this transfer request message or the like, the transfer request processing unit 1404 checks the user table 1600 stored in the database unit 1403. The transfer request processing unit 1404 obtains the bank number 1605, the branch number 1606, the account type 1607, the account number 1608, the account name 1609, and the personal identification number 1610, which are information for identifying the user account that is the transfer source account from the user table 1600. Then, together with these pieces of information, information for specifying a settlement operator account as a transfer destination account is transmitted to the financial institution system 800 via the network communication processing unit 1401 as a transfer request message.

  Upon receiving the transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 transfers the specified amount from the user's bank account to the settlement operator account. The amount transferred is funds (excluding fees) that can be used by the user using the payment system 700.

  Next, the settlement processing unit 1405 will be described. The clearing processing unit 1405 receives a message indicating the amount of money consumed by the user from each hall computer 500, and changes or updates the amusement hall company holding amount data 1900, more specifically, the holding amount 1903 in response to this message. . Further, the clearing processing unit 1405 requests the financial institution system 800 to transfer the amount indicated by the game hall company possession amount data 1900 from the settlement company account to the game shop company account of each game hall company.

  The amount of funds transferred corresponds to the amount of money paid to the game hall company deposited by the payment system 700 from the user, that is, the amount held 1903 of the game hall company held amount data 1900. In the present embodiment, the clearing processing unit 1405 autonomously performs a transfer request process. For example, the clearing processing unit 1405 automatically starts at a predetermined timing (for example, every day at midnight and every weekend). The activated clearing processing unit 1405 inquires each hall computer 500 about the amount of money consumed by the user, that is, the payment amount to the game hall company, and in response to the payment request message transmitted by the hall computer 500 in accordance with this, The holding amount 1903 of the field company holding amount data 1900 is updated.

  Further, the clearing processing unit 1405 checks all the game hall company-owned amount data 1900 stored in the database unit 1403, and those that have not been transferred to the financial institution system 800 from the settlement company account. Send a transfer request to make a transfer to the field operator account.

  The game information update unit 1406 accumulates and stores game history data received via the hall computer 500 from the history information processing unit of the sand 20 (processing of the main CPU of the control board (FIG. 17)), and the game history information 2100 It has a function to update.

  FIG. 35 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the payment system according to another embodiment. FIG. 35 shows a case where a player receives provision of a pachinko ball (game medium) which is a valuable value in order to play a game at a game store.

  In FIG. 35, the player has already completed user registration in this system, and the hall computer 500 has been registered with the player's in-store deposit and registered with the identification information of the mobile phone 1000. In addition, it is assumed that a bank account, a credit card number, and the like of a player used for the transfer process are registered in the management server 1010.

  The player brings the mobile phone 1000 close to the sand 20 and enables communication between both devices. The cellular phone 1000 transmits a provision request message (MSG) to the sand 20 (S201). Here, the “provision request message” is information that allows the sand 20 to recognize that the player has requested the provision of a pachinko ball, and any information that can be recognized. Also good. For example, it may be data consisting of a combination of an IC card application identification number set in the mobile phone 1000 and identification information of the mobile phone 1000. In this embodiment, the “message” includes a signal and a signal sequence that can transmit some information.

  The sand 20 that has received the provision request message transmits to the hall computer 500 a provision permission request message that is a message inquiring whether or not to provide pachinko balls to the mobile phone 1000 that has transmitted the message (S202). . The hall computer 500 that has received the provision permission request message can subtract the price for providing the pachinko ball from the in-store amount of the player corresponding to the mobile phone 1000 (the amount of the player's deposit). The balance confirmation process for determining whether or not is executed (S203). It is assumed that the price is set and registered in advance at any time (for example, uniformly 1000 yen).

  Although not shown in FIG. 35, when the price can be subtracted, the hall computer 500 transmits a provision permission message to the sand 20, and the sand 20 that has received the provision permission message responds to the price. A number of pachinko balls are provided to the player (that is, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the price is paid out from the pachinko machine 10.

  On the other hand, if the amount in the store of the player is less than the price of the pachinko ball and the price cannot be subtracted, the hall computer 500 transmits a balance shortage notification message to the sand 20 (S204). The “balance shortage notification message” may be any information as long as the sand 20 can recognize that the pachinko ball cannot be provided due to a shortage of the player's in-store deposit.

  The sand 20 that has received the balance shortage notification message transmits a deposit replenishment request message to the mobile phone 1000 (S205). Here, “replenishment” means additional payment. The “custody replenishment request message” may be any information as long as it can be recognized that the mobile phone 1000 needs to replenish the player's in-store deposit to receive the pachinko balls. For example, information such as an error number indicating a replenishment request may be used. In this embodiment, the amount to be added to the player's in-store deposit (for example, 1000 yen) and information indicating the transfer destination account to which the amount to be added is transferred are included in the deposit replenishment request message. Although included, these pieces of information may be stored in the mobile phone 1000 in advance.

  The mobile phone 1000 that has received this deposit replenishment request message prompts the player to input confirmation for performing the deposit to replenish the deposit, and performs a replenishment execution confirmation process that waits for this input ( S206). When the confirmation is input, the mobile phone 1000 sends a transfer request message, which is a message requesting to transfer the amount of money from the bank account (player account) of the player to the transfer destination account. (S207). In the present embodiment, the transfer request message is communicated by the sand 20 and the hall computer 500, but the present invention is not limited to the communication path according to the present invention. It should be noted that the player's account as a replenishment source for replenishing the player's deposit is not limited to a bank account, and may be an operator's account for any period as long as it can be transferred.

  The management server 1010 that has received the transfer request message requests the financial institution system 800, which is a financial institution system handling the transfer destination account, to transfer the amount from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account. A transfer request process for generating a transfer request message is executed (S208). Note that the bank account of the player may be specified using data stored in advance in association with identification information of the mobile phone 1000 or the like. The management server 1010 transmits the generated transfer request message to the financial institution system 800 (S209).

  Receiving the transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 performs a transfer process, which is a process of transferring the amount of money from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account (S210). If the transfer is completed normally, the financial institution system 800 transmits a transfer completion message to the management server 1010 (S211). Note that the financial institution system 800 moves to a process of using credits, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 37, when the player's account balance is insufficient in the transfer process (S210).

  In FIG. 35, the management server 1010 that has received the transfer completion message transmits to the hall computer 500 a payment confirmation message that is a message notifying that the amount of money to be added to the in-store deposit of the player has been made. (S212). The hall computer 500 that has received this payment confirmation message transmits a provision instruction message to the sand 20 that is the transmission destination of the balance shortage notification message corresponding to the payment confirmation message (S213). The sand 20 that has received this provision instruction message executes a provision process which is a process for providing a pachinko ball corresponding to the amount of money (S214). In this providing process, the pachinko machine 10 is instructed to pay out the pachinko balls from the sand 20, and the pachinko balls are paid out from the pachinko machine 10.

  By providing this pachinko ball, the processing of the provision request message performed in step S201 in this system is completed, and the player can play a game by receiving the pachinko ball paid out in the pachinko machine 10.

  In the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 35, the mobile phone 1000 transmits the transfer request message to the management server 1010 via the mobile communication network or the like in step S207. 20 and the hall computer 500 may be transmitted to the management server 1010. An embodiment in this case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the settlement system according to the modification of FIG.

  It is assumed that the replenishment execution confirmation process in step S206 shown in FIG. 35 is performed by the mobile phone 1000, and the player inputs confirmation. The mobile phone 1000 that has received the confirmation input transmits to the sand 20 a transfer request message, which is a message requesting to transfer the amount from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account (S301). In this modified example, the transfer request message and the money amount may not be included in the transfer request message. These pieces of information may be stored in advance in the hall computer 500 or the management server 1010 and used.

  In addition, an action in which the player causes the mobile phone 1000 and the sand 20 to communicate with each other may be used in place of the player's confirmation input. For example, the mobile phone 1000 may be used in place of the player's confirmation input by bringing the mobile phone 1000 close to the sand 20 and enabling communication between the two.

  The sand 20 transmits a transfer request message to the hall computer 500 (S302), and the hall computer 500 transmits a transfer request message to the management server 1010 (S303). Thereafter, the processing from step S304 to step S310 shown in FIG. 36 is executed. Since the processing from step S304 to step S310 is the same as the processing from step S208 to step S214 shown in FIG. 35, description of these processing contents is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 37, a process when the bank balance of the player is insufficient will be described. In the process of step S210 in FIG. 35, when the bank account balance of the player is insufficient, a notification that non-pay-in is not possible is returned from the financial institution system 800 to the management server 1010 and the pachinko ball is not provided. Alternatively, the pachinko ball may be provided by depositing into the player's bank account from the player's credit card. FIG. 37 shows an operation example of the present settlement system in the case where it is possible to provide a pachinko ball by depositing into the player's bank account from the player's credit card.

  It is assumed that step S209 (FIG. 35) or step S305 (FIG. 36) has been performed as a premise. When the balance of the player's bank account (for example, 500 yen) is less than the requested transfer amount (for example, 1000 yen), the financial institution system 800 executes a process when the total height is insufficient (S401). When the balance is insufficient, the amount set in advance in the online payment system (hereinafter referred to as the credit card system) of a credit card company that handles the credit card set in advance in the bank account of the player is stored in the bank account of the player. It is a process to transfer.

  After the balance shortage process (S401), the financial institution system 800 transmits a credit use message to the credit card system 900 (S402). In response to the credit use message, the credit card system 900 transmits a transfer request message requesting the financial institution system 800 to transfer the set amount to the player's bank account (S403). Receiving this transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 performs a transfer process to the bank account of the player for a set amount (for example, 50,000 yen) (S405). Thereafter, the financial institution system 800 is provided with a bank account (for example, a hall computer 500) that accepts the in-store deposit from the player's bank account for an amount (for example, 1,000 yen) to be paid as the in-store deposit of the player. The transfer is made to the bank account of the company operating the game store or the bank account of the system operating company (S410). In the above process, the financial institution system 800 has been described as a configuration in which a credit use message is transmitted to the credit card system 900 (see S402). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the balance shortage process (S401), The financial institution system 800 may transmit a message notifying the balance shortage to the management server 1010, and the management server 1010 that has received this message may transmit a credit use message to the credit card system 900. Further, at this time, the management server 1010 is configured to receive a message indicating confirmation of intention to use credits to the mobile phone 1000 to the mobile phone 1000 and transmit the credit use message to the credit card system 900 when such a message is received. It is good.

  On the other hand, when the transfer is completed normally, the financial institution system 800 transmits a transfer completion message to the management server 1010 (S406). Upon receiving the transfer completion message, the management server 1010 sends a payment confirmation message, which is a message notifying that the above amount (1,000 yen in the above example) has been deposited into the player's in-store deposit to the hall computer 500. (S407). The hall computer 500 that has received the payment confirmation message identifies a balance shortage notification message (see S204) corresponding to this payment confirmation message, and sends a provision instruction message to the sand 20 that is the destination of the identified balance shortage notification message. (S408). The sand 20 that has received the provision instruction message executes provision of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount (S409).

  With such a configuration, even if the player's bank account balance is insufficient, the player can immediately receive a pachinko ball within a range that does not deviate from the set amount.

  In the settlement system 700 shown in FIG. 37, when the balance of the bank account of the user (player) is insufficient, a credit use message is transmitted directly from the financial institution system 800 to the credit card system 900 (S402). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an instruction to the credit card system 900 can be given from the user's mobile phone 1000.

  A processing procedure when this processing is performed will be described with reference to FIGS. The payment system that executes the processes shown in FIGS. 38 to 40 has the same configuration as the payment system 700 shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, and the processes are different.

  In this processing, the processing from step S601 to step S609 shown in FIG. 38 is executed. The processes shown in steps S601 to S609 are similar processes corresponding to the steps S201 to S209 shown in FIG. 35, respectively, and therefore the description of the processing contents of these steps S601 to S609 is omitted.

  Receiving the transfer request message transmitted in step S609, the financial institution system 800 tries to execute the transfer process (S610). Here, the subsequent operation will be described on the assumption that the balance of the bank account of the user (player) is insufficient. Note that the operation in the case where the balance of the bank account is sufficient for the transfer is the same as that from step S210 to step S214 in FIG.

  In step S610, the financial institution system 800 that recognizes that the requested bank transfer amount (for example, 1,000 yen) is insufficient for the user's bank account (for example, 500 yen) causes the management server 1010 to store the user's bank account balance. A balance shortage notification message which is a message notifying that the balance is short is transmitted (S411).

  Receiving the balance shortage notification message, the management server 1010 transmits a deposit instruction request message to the mobile phone 1000 (FIG. 39, S701). The deposit instruction request message is a message for requesting an input instructing the user to deposit from the credit card to the user's bank account.

  The mobile phone 1000 that has received the deposit instruction request message displays an input screen for requesting an instruction for depositing from the credit card to the user's bank account, and executes an instruction input standby process for waiting for the user's input ( S702). For example, the instruction input stand-by process is as follows: “The bank account balance is insufficient. Do you want to deposit the initial set amount (50,000 yen) from the credit card to the bank account? <OK>” If the user performs a predetermined operation (for example, pressing the enter button) after this screen is displayed, processing is performed assuming that a deposit instruction input from the credit card to the bank account has been made. In the above example, the initial set amount is deposited. However, the user may be able to specify the deposited amount.

  The cellular phone 1000 that has received the user instruction input transmits a credit use instruction message to the management server 1010 (S703). The credit usage instruction message may be any information or data that indicates that the user's instruction is input in response to the above-described deposit instruction request message.

  The management server 1010 that has received the credit use instruction message executes a credit request process (S704). The credit request process is a process of transferring an amount registered in the management server 1010 and set in the credit card system to the bank account.

  After the credit request process (S704), the management server 1010 transmits a credit request message to the credit card system 900 (S705). The credit request message is a message requesting a transfer of a predetermined amount to the user's bank account as a credit card usage.

  Thereafter, the processing from step S801 to step S809 shown in FIG. 40 is performed, and the valuable value (pachinko ball) is provided to the user. Since the contents of the processing from step S801 to step S809 are the same as the contents of the processing from step S403 to step S410 in FIG. 37, description of the contents of these processes is omitted here.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the sand 20 provided in the pachinko machine 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to the sand provided in the pachislot machine. it can.

(Outline of game media lending device)
The game medium lending device (sand 20) in the present embodiment is provided side by side with the housing 22 and the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10), and the game media paid out by the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10) is stored in the housing 22. A counting unit 90 that takes in and counts inside, a discharge unit 95 that discharges the gaming media counted by the counting unit 90 to the outside of the housing 22, and a predetermined number of payable units from the gaming machine (pachinko machine 10). A fraction payout unit (fraction storage unit 71) for paying out a fraction of game media less than the number of balls to the player, and a game payout unit (fractional portion) from the outside of the housing 22 for paying out the game media as the fraction A supply unit that supplies the storage unit 71), and the counting unit 90 and the fraction dispensing unit (fraction storage unit 71) are configured to be separable from each other.

  In the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent the fraction of game media from being insufficient by taking in fractional game media from the outside of the housing 22. Further, since the counting unit 90 and the fraction dispensing unit (fraction storage unit 71) are configured to be separable, for example, only the counting unit 90 can be taken out and maintenance can be easily performed.

  Further, in the game medium lending device (sand 20) according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above configuration, the supply unit 90 introduces the game medium to be paid out as the fraction from the outside of the housing 22. An opening 22F provided in the housing 22, a first shutter 114B for opening and closing the opening 22F, and an introduction path for introducing a game medium to be paid out as a fraction into the housing 22 from the outside of the housing 22 An attachment mechanism portion 75 for attaching an engagement portion 82 provided at the tip of 81 to the opening 22F, and a second shutter 104B for opening and closing the first shutter 114B and the introduction path 81. An opening / closing mechanism (push lever 105, arm 104C, guide protrusion 82B, arm 114C) that opens and closes in response to attachment / detachment of the joint 82 to / from the opening 22F; It is characterized in that it comprises.

  In the above configuration, the introduction path 81 is removed by opening and closing the first and second shutters 114B and 104B in response to the operation of mounting the introduction path 81 for supplying a fraction of game media from the outside. In the case where the first shutter 114B of the opening 22F of the housing 22 is closed, it is possible to prevent the gaming media for fractions from spilling out from the opening 22F, and to prevent the first of the introduction path 81 from being spilled. It is possible to prevent the gaming medium supplied for the fraction from spilling out from the leading end of the introduction path 81 by closing the second shutter 104B. In addition, when the introduction path 81 is attached to the housing 22, the first and second shutters 114B and 114B are opened, so that the game medium for fractions from the introduction path 81 is sent to the fraction payout unit ( It can be supplied to the fraction storage part 71).

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) according to the present embodiment includes the opening / closing mechanism (the push lever 105, the arm 104C, the guide protrusion 82B, and the arm 114C). A protrusion 82B, an arm 114C) and a second mechanism (push lever 105, arm 104C). The second mechanism has the second shutter 104B, and is provided with a second urging means (spring). The second shutter 104B is urged in a direction to close the introduction path 81, and the housing according to the attachment of the engagement portion 82 to the opening 22F. And a push lever 105 that is moved by being pushed by the movement of the push lever 105. As the push lever 105 moves, the second rotating arm (arm 104C) 2 is rotated against the urging force of the second urging means (spring), and the second shutter 104B is opened in accordance with the rotating operation, and the first mechanism part (guide protrusion 82B, arm 114C) is opened. Has the first shutter 114B, and a first rotating arm (arm 114C) in which the first shutter 114B is urged in a direction to close the opening 22F by a first urging means (spring). ), And the first rotating arm 114C is attached to the first urging means (spring) according to the attachment of the engaging portion 82 to the opening 22F. A guide protrusion 82B that rotates against the force and opens the first shutter 114B according to the rotation.

  In this game medium renting device, the second shutter 104B on the introduction path side and the opening side of the engagement section 82 provided at the front end of the introduction path 81 are attached to the opening 22F on the housing side according to the operation of mounting the engagement section 82 on the housing side opening 22F. The first shutter 114B is opened. In this way, the first and second shutters can be opened at a time by a single operation such as mounting the engaging portion 82, thereby eliminating the need to open each shutter individually.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) according to the present embodiment is a storage device that stores a request signal for renting a game medium and the player's value medium in accordance with the operation of the player ( When the processing transmitted to the hall computer 500) and information indicating that the balance of the depositing device (hall computer 500) is insufficient are received from the depositing device (hall computer 500), the bank account of the player is received. A process of transmitting a signal for making a transfer to the depositing device (hall computer 500) or a transfer to the bank account using a credit card to the portable terminal device (mobile phone 1000) of the player; And a control unit (control board 66) for executing the above.

  In this game medium lending device (sand 20), when the balance of the depositing device (hall computer 500) is insufficient, the bank account is transferred to the depositing device via the player's portable terminal device (cellular phone 1000). Or the transfer to the bank account using the credit card is performed from the bank account to the deposit device (hall computer 500), so that the player can store the deposit device (hall computer 500). ) You can enjoy the game by renting the game media without worrying about the balance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pachinko machine 20 Sand 21 Front part 22 Housing 31 LED part 32 Card insertion slot 33 Banknote insertion slot 34 Operation unit 35 Camera unit 36 Non-contact IC card reader / writer 39 Counting slot 40 Floating outlet 61 Bill identification device 62 Information Card reader / writer 66 Control board 67 I / O board 68 Interface 70 Supply section 71 Fractional storage section 75 Mounting mechanism section 76 Transport path 81 Introduction path 82 Engagement section 90 Counting section 95 Discharge section 104 Second shutter section 104B Second Shutter 114 114 first shutter unit 114B first shutter 130A, 130B unit 200 communication network 300 financial server 500 hall computer 652 frame 670, 680 lock mechanism unit 700 settlement system 800 financial institution system 900 credit Over de system

Claims (4)

The body,
A counting unit that is attached to the gaming machine and takes in and counts the gaming media paid out in the gaming machine into the housing;
A discharge unit for discharging the game media counted by the counting unit to the outside of the housing;
A fraction payout unit that pays out to the player a fraction of game media less than a predetermined number of balls that can be paid out from the gaming machine;
A supply unit for supplying game media for paying out as the fraction to the fraction payout unit from the outside of the housing;
The game medium lending device, wherein the counting unit and the fraction paying unit are configured to be separable from each other. The supply unit
An opening provided in the housing for introducing a game medium to be paid out as the fraction from the outside of the housing;
A first shutter that opens and closes the opening;
A mounting mechanism for mounting an engaging portion provided at a leading end of an introduction path for introducing a game medium to be paid out as the fraction from the outside of the housing into the housing;
An opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the first shutter and the second shutter that opens and closes the introduction path in response to the attachment and detachment of the engagement portion to and from the opening;
The game medium lending device according to claim 1, further comprising: The opening / closing mechanism includes a first mechanism and a second mechanism.
The second mechanism part is
A second rotating arm having the second shutter, wherein the second shutter is biased in a direction to close the introduction path by a second biasing means;
A push lever that is pushed and moved by the housing in response to mounting of the engagement portion to the opening;
The second turning arm is rotated against the urging force of the second urging means in accordance with the movement of the push lever, and according to the turning operation, the second rotating arm is rotated. Open the shutter,
The first mechanism part is:
A first rotating arm having the first shutter, wherein the first shutter is biased in a direction to close the opening by a first biasing means;
Provided in the engaging portion, and rotating the first rotating arm against the urging force of the first urging means in response to mounting of the engaging portion to the opening, The game medium lending device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide protrusion that opens the first shutter according to a rotation operation. A process of transmitting a request signal for renting a game medium to a depositing device for depositing the player's value medium in response to an operation by the player;
When information indicating that the balance of the depositing device is insufficient is received from the depositing device, a transfer from the bank account of the player to the depositing device or a transfer to the bank account using a credit card is performed. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that executes a process of transmitting a signal to the portable terminal device of the player.

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