JP2013132445A - Game machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it difficult to fraudulently use an IC card and to conveniently perform lending of credits or the like, in a game machine system including a lending machine.SOLUTION: The game machine system 1 includes a slot machine 10 and a lending machine 20 for lending credits to the slot machine. In the IC card used in the lending machine 20, an intrinsic medium ID is recorded. A player can borrow the credit of the slot machine 10 from the balance of the IC card by inserting the IC card to the lending machine 20 and performing a lending operation. A card replacement monitoring means 208 of the lending machine 20 detects replacement to a different IC card, and when the prescribed three or more credits are left, the lending processing of the slot machine 10 is inhibited. When the credits are fewer than three, the fraction is cleared.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine system including a rental machine and the gaming machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine system and its gaming machine that realizes fair information management such as an operating history of gaming machines and a game value input / acquisition balance (INOUT) by increasing security.

  In game halls where a large number of gaming machines such as slot machines are installed, a lending machine is usually provided adjacent to each slot machine in order to lend medals, which are game media used for slot machine games, to players. . The player can borrow a predetermined number of medals by inserting banknotes into the lending machine and performing a lending operation. In order to eliminate the complexity of inserting bills, card-compatible lending machines such as prepaid cards are also widespread.

  A gaming machine system including a slot machine and a lending machine is provided with communication means for exchanging state signals and operation signals. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic gaming machine has been disclosed that includes an adjustment unit that prioritizes a payout operation on the slot machine side as a means for preventing interference between a medal payout operation (including credit renewal) in a slot machine and a lending operation in a lending machine. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In order to eliminate the inconvenience of handling medals and facilitate replay at a later date, a system using an IC card that records player user information and game media information used in the game has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). According to this system, a store access server is connected to a network of stores (game halls), and an external medal management proxy server is further connected through the store access server. The store access server manages IC card user information. The medal management proxy server has a settlement function for issuing and collecting game medium information to the IC card.

  In addition, a server on the network collectively manages gaming machine information such as setting values, game information, and game specifications (number of sliding frames and AT specifications) of the store's gaming machines, and the server changes the probability of gaming machines as needed. A gaming machine management system and the like for adjusting the setting of the game machine are disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2000-167109 A JP-A-2001-347047 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-113651

  In a network system including a conventional card-compatible lending machine, game value information (game medium information as referred to in Patent Document 2) is recorded on the IC card itself, and the server (medal management proxy server as referred to in Patent Document 2) is used as the game. Since it only has a payment function for value issuance and collection, there has been a risk of unauthorized gaming if the gaming value information of the IC card is altered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine system including a lending machine that makes it difficult to illegally use an IC card and allows a credit to be lent out conveniently.

  The present invention includes the following means in order to solve the above-described problems.

  A gaming machine system including a lending machine and a gaming machine that are communicably connected to a management server, and medium identification information recorded on an electronic gaming medium issued to a player by the management server And the medium identification information and the valuable value are managed in association with each other in the database, and the lending machine reads the medium identification information recorded in the electronic game medium, An electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring unit that monitors replacement of the electronic gaming medium based on the medium identification information, and inquires the management server for medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium read by the reading unit, and the medium A balance information acquisition means for acquiring balance information of valuable value associated with the identification information, and a bet when the gaming machine plays a unit game in the gaming machine Credit management means for storing and managing credits that are consumed more, and the credit management means of the gaming machine increases the credit within a range of value assigned to the electronic gaming medium, The electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring means of the lending machine is configured to lend a credit to a person, and when the electronic gaming medium is replaced and the credit is left more than a predetermined remaining number, This is a gaming machine system that transmits a lending impossible signal forbidding lending processing to a machine.

  Further, the lending machine is a gaming machine system further comprising an electronic gaming medium discharging means for discharging a newly inserted electronic gaming medium to the outside when transmitting the lending impossible signal.

  Further, the credit management means of the gaming machine determines that the electronic gaming medium has been replaced by the electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring means of the lending machine, and the credit is less than the predetermined remaining number Is a gaming machine system that clears the credit to zero.

  In addition, in the gaming machine system, medium identification information of an electronic gaming medium inserted in the lending machine can be updated by a command from the management server.

  The lending machine includes storage means for storing medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium read by the reading means from the inserted electronic gaming medium, and writing means for writing and recording information on the electronic gaming medium. A medium identification information updating unit that updates the medium identification information of the electronic game medium, and the medium identification information updating unit receives the identification information update command signal as a command from the management server; The medium identification information stored in the means is compared with the medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium read by the reading means from the currently inserted electronic gaming medium, and only when the medium identification information matches. A gaming machine system that records and updates new medium identification information indicated by the received identification information update command signal on the electronic gaming medium by the writing means. .

  The electronic game medium replacement monitoring means is a gaming machine system that determines that the electronic game medium has been replaced when the continuity of the medium identification information of the electronic game medium is interrupted.

  According to the present invention, in a gaming machine system including a lending machine, it is possible to make unauthorized use of an IC card difficult and to lend credits and the like conveniently.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system containing the management server which manages operation | movement etc. of a game machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing a gaming machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of the symbol arrange | positioned at each reel by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the slot machine and a lending machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the game and effect control processing of a slot machine with a block by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the game and effect control of the slot machine by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means concerning the operation authentication process of a slot machine with a system by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which starts the slot machine by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on ID authentication of the slot machine by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the operation authentication process of the slot machine by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on ID authentication of the slot machine by other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the operation authentication process of the slot machine by other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the secret communication process between the slot machine and a lending machine by the gaming machine system of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the ticketing process of an IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the ticketing of an IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the collation process of IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the collation process of IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the credit lending process by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the loan of credit by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the loan process of a credit by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the payment process of credit by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the adjustment of credit by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the payment process of credit by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means which concerns on the replay process by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the replay by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the replay process by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means concerning the update process of medium ID of an IC card with a system by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a figure which shows the signal which concerns on the update process of medium ID of an IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the means concerning the process at the time of replacement | exchange of an IC card by the system by the system of embodiment of this invention with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on replacement | exchange of an IC card by the system of embodiment of this invention.

[Entire system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall system configuration including a gaming machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a management server that manages the operation of gaming machines and the like. This system includes at least a slot machine 10 as a gaming machine, a lending machine 20 adjacent to the slot machine 10, and a hall computer 4 installed in a hall (amusement hall for the purpose of gaming business) as constituent devices. . Although not shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the plurality of slot machines 10 and lending machines 20, a plurality of types of gaming machines that normally perform other games such as pachinko are installed in the hall. The hall computer 4 according to the present embodiment includes a first computer 41 and a second computer 42 which are at least two functionally separated units. However, the first and second computers 41 and 42 may be configured by one computer unit, and each function may be realized simultaneously by a plurality of parallel processes. A database 41a is connected to a first computer 41 that functions as an authentication management computer to be described later. A database 42a is connected to a second computer 42 that functions as a lending sales management computer described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first computer 41 of the hall computer 4 is connected to the server 2 installed in the ID management center via a wide area network WAN, which is the Internet, for example. Similarly, the second computer 42 is also connected to the server 3 of the data management center, which is an external organization, via the wide area communication network WAN. The server 2 and the server 3 are large mainframes, for example, and each include large-capacity databases 2a and 3a. Further, it is assumed that the ID management center server 2 and the data management center server 3 are provided with sufficient security measures so as not to receive an unauthorized cyber attack from the outside. In this embodiment, a system including the server 2 of the ID management center and the server 3 of the data management center will be described. However, these are not essential components in the implementation of the present invention. That is, part or all of the functions of the server 2 and the server 3 described as embodiments below may be performed by the hall computer 4 as a management server.

  The lending machine 20 is a device for lending to a player the gaming value paid as a bet (bet) when playing the slot machine 10 using an IC card purchased by the player in advance as a credit. In a general slot machine, a medal is usually used as a material (game medium) that embodies the game value used in the game. Therefore, many conventional lending machines lend a predetermined number of medals according to the lending operation of the player. However, in order to prevent illegal acts such as plagiarizing someone else's medal or misappropriating a counterfeit medal, and to completely seal off the intrusion of illegal means from the outside, the slot machine 10 of this embodiment It is configured as a medal-less gaming machine with no entry or exit. The lending machine 20 of this embodiment is not provided with a mechanism for discharging medals so as to be compatible with such a medalless slot machine 10. Instead, a predetermined number of game values are lent to the player by increasing the credit of the slot machine 10 in accordance with the renting operation by the player.

  Here, “valuable value” is divided into “cash value” and “game value” for each purpose of use. In this specification, “cash value” includes a case of a currency such as a banknote and a mode of charge money allocated to an IC card. That is, the IC card charge is handled in the same way as cash. Further, the “game value” is a value that can be input to the game machine or acquired from the game machine, and is lent to the player by the lending machine 20 in exchange for the cash value. Although details will be described later, in this specification, “game value” refers to a mode of a game medium such as a medal, a mode of “credit” stored in the slot machine 10, and an “extended credit” stored in the lending machine 20. And a mode managed by the hall computer 4 as a “carryover saving medal”.

  “Credit” means a game value that can be consumed when a player plays a game in a slot machine, and is stored in the slot machine in the form of electronic information. Further, in this specification, storing the game value as electronic information of the slot machine is sometimes used as a verb stem such as “credit”. In general, one medal used as a game medium is equivalent to the minimum credit unit. Therefore, even in the medal-less slot machine 10, the number of credits may be represented by the number of medals. In the medalless gaming machine system 1 of the present embodiment, the gaming value corresponding to the upper limit of credits stored in the slot machine 10 (for example, 50 cards) is automatically transferred to the lending machine 20, and the lending machine 20 The game value stored on the side is particularly referred to as “extended credit” in this specification.

  The slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 are connected to be able to communicate with each other by one-to-one security communication in which the confidentiality of the contents of communication data is enhanced. In this specification, a system including the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 connected to the slot machine 10 is referred to as a “game machine system”.

  In a typical in-hall system, a plurality of (several hundreds depending on scale) gaming machine systems 1 and a hall computer 4 are connected to each other via a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The in-hall system includes one or several ticket machines 5 connected to the hall computer 4 via the LAN and a terminal 6 installed at the hall counter.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first computer 41 of the hall computer 4 functions as an authentication management computer that manages authentication of each slot machine 10. As the management server related to the authentication of the present application, the first computer 41 has a main function of authentication management, the server 2 of the ID management center has the main function, or the first computer 41 and the ID Either of the modes in which both the servers 2 of the management center have the respective functions and cooperate with each other may be used. Here, the server 2 of the ID management center serves as a management entity and functions as having the authority of authentication of all the slot machines to be targeted, and the first computer 41 is connected to the slot machine 10 and the server 2 of the ID management center. A description will be given of an embodiment having a function of recording and managing the authentication ID of each machine by limiting the communication between them to the slot machine 10 in the hall. However, a part or all of the functions of the server 2 described below as an embodiment may be performed by the first computer 41 as the management server.

  The second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 functions as a lending sales management computer, and inputs (IN information) and acquisition (OUT information) of game value in each slot machine 10 and their difference information (INOUT information), It manages accounting information such as monetary converted sales and profit / loss balances of each slot machine 10, and transaction history such as lending and borrowing of game value via IC cards. The operation information of the slot machine 10 includes not only the INOUT information but also game history information including the set value of the slot machine 10, the total number of games, and the number of games of a predetermined game such as a special game. Here, the “set value” is a value set in, for example, six levels according to a payout rate (a rate in which game value acquisition / injection is expressed as an expected value) based on a lottery probability assigned to each slot machine. Say. The second computer 42 according to the present embodiment collectively manages operation information including information such as INOUT information, setting values, and the number of games of the plurality of slot machines 10 in the hall.

  As the management server related to the management of credit lending and sales of the present application, the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 has the main function, the server 3 of the data management center has the main function, Alternatively, any form in which both the second computer 42 and the server 3 of the data management center have the respective functions and cooperate with each other may be used. In the present embodiment, the server 3 of the data management center has the title of issuing and updating a unique medium ID of an IC card, which will be described later, used in the lending machine 20, and charges the IC card issued. It assumes functions such as guaranteeing. On the other hand, the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 mediates communication between the slot machine 10 and the server 3 of the data management center, so that the operation in each machine is limited to the slot machine 10 in the hall. Information, management of carry-over saving medals carried over to IC card for replay, and accounting information such as sales based on credit lending transaction history via IC card and accounting information such as sales online to data management center Responsible for reporting and other functions. However, part or all of the functions of the server 3 described below as an embodiment may be performed by the second computer 42 as the management server.

  Next, each component device and operation of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Configuration of slot machine]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the gaming machine system 1 according to the present embodiment, and shows the external configuration of the front surface of the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20. In the slot machine 10, for example, three game values are bet from credits when a player performs a bet operation. Then, when the player operates the reel to rotate and stop, the symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel are displayed in a variable manner. The slot machine 10 takes a variety of game modes such as one unit game from the time the reel rotates to the time it stops and a prize is determined according to a combination of a plurality of symbols displayed on the stopped reel. Can be provided.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 is provided with a front door 11 constituting a game area at a position where the front opening of the substantially rectangular housing is closed. The front surface of the front door 11 is constituted by a front panel that is a panel member that is designed so as to enhance the visual effect on the player. Inside the slot machine 10, there are provided three reels 12L, 12C, and 12R that can be separately rotated on the same axis, and a reel tape having a symbol arrangement shown in FIG. 3, for example, is wound around the outer peripheral surface thereof. .

  A display window 11a for displaying symbols and the like of the internal reels 12L, 12C, and 12R is formed on the middle panel provided substantially at the middle stage of the front panel. This middle panel is made of a resin plate such as hard acrylic, and through a display window 11a which is a transparent portion at the center, the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R inside the housing each have a total of 9 frames of 3 rows x 3 frames vertically. The design is visible.

  In the display window 11a, five lines are preset in a direction crossing the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R. These five lines are composed of three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines. Among these lines, a line (hereinafter referred to as an “effective line”) serving as a reference for winning determination is selected according to the game value (number of credits) bet on the game. When the symbols of the stopped reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are displayed in a predetermined combination on the selected active line, a combination corresponding to the combination of symbols (for example, a small combination that can acquire medals) is established. It will be.

  In addition to the display window 11a, the middle panel is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information related to the game. For example, a credit number display 13a and an obtained number display 13b are provided below the display window 11a.

  The credit number display 13a is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of game values currently credited to the slot machine 10. The player can play a game within the range of the number of game values credited to the slot machine 10.

  The acquired number display 13b is a 2-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of game values given to the player when a winning is established in the game. The acquired game value number is added to the credit.

  Below the above-described middle panel, an operation console unit having a table-like surface whose upper surface is slightly inclined is formed. On the left side of the table-like surface, a bet switch 14 is provided for allowing the player to bet the credit game value on the slot machine 10. When the bet switch 14 is operated, a gaming value corresponding to three medals is credited for the game from the credit of the slot machine 10. When a predetermined number of credits are bet by operating the bet switch 14, the gaming value corresponding to the bet number is subtracted from the credit, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number display 13a is also subtracted.

  As a bet switch, a switch for one bet or two bets for betting a game value corresponding to one or two medals from credits may be provided.

  Here, in a game in which one game value is bet from the credit to the slot machine 10, only the middle line, for example, of the above-mentioned five lines is selected as an effective line as a reference for winning determination. In a game where two game values are bet, for example, three horizontal lines among the lines are selected as effective lines. Further, in a game in which the most three game values are bet, all five or four lines except for the lowest line are selected as effective lines and a winning decision is made. In this way, in the game of the slot machine 10, as the game value to be betted increases, the number of lines selected as active lines increases, so that the chances of winning a winning line with symbols are increased. In addition, all the lines may be activated regardless of the number of bets, and the winning chance may be changed by changing the winning probability of the combination depending on the number of bets.

  A start switch 15 having an operation knob capable of tilting operation is provided on the left front portion of the above-described console section. After the player bets a predetermined number of game values on the slot machine 10, when the start switch 15 is operated, all the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R start to rotate all at once. Thereby, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are moved (scrolled) from the top to the bottom through the display window 11a and displayed.

  Three stop switches 16L and 16C for stopping the rotation of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R by a player's pressing operation (referred to as “stop operation”) are provided at the front center of the console section. , 16R are provided. The left end stop switch 16L corresponds to the left end reel (left reel) 12L, the center stop switch 16C corresponds to the center reel (middle reel) 12C, and the right end stop switch 16R corresponds to the right end reel (right reel) 12R. Corresponding to

  That is, the slot machine 10 stops the reel 12L when the stop switch 16L is operated with respect to the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R that have started rotating by the tilting operation of the start switch 15, and the reel 12L when the stop switch 16C is operated. When 12C stops and the stop switch 16R is operated, the reel 16R stops. When the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are stopped, the braking slip amount is controlled to be within a specified number of frames (for example, 5 frames), and a symbol within that range is selected and stopped at a fixed position on the line.

  Note that the stop switches 16L, 16C, and 16R are used until the constant speed rotation (for example, 80 rotations / min) is reached after the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R start rotating when the start switch 15 is tilted. Stop operation is disabled.

  An image display device 18 composed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display is provided on the upper stage of the front panel. The image display device 18 displays, for example, an animation in which a story develops as an effect image as the game progresses. The display device provided in the slot machine may not be the image display device 18 but may be, for example, a dot matrix type display device. Further, the game history and the internal lottery result information may be directly displayed with characters, symbols, or the like, or such information may be coded and displayed. That is, as the display device of the slot machine 10, display means of any method suitable for the application and purpose can be used.

  In addition, electric lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of the front panel. The illumination lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c, for example, when one of the combinations is established, turn on and blink in a pattern according to the combination, thereby visually creating the combination.

  Speakers 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d are provided at the left and right positions of the upper and lower parts of the front panel. For example, the effect image of the moving image displayed by the image display device 18 and the stereo effect sound in conjunction with the lighting / flashing of the illumination lamps 17a, 17b, 17c are output via the speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20.

  The main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 includes an internal bus (data and control signal lines) in addition to the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output circuit, as well as a display drive circuit, a motor drive control circuit, and a rotational position detection circuit. Is manufactured as a microcomputer unit connected via The CPU of the main control board 100 executes arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the ROM, thereby controlling the game progress mainly affecting the game result in addition to the overall system control in the slot machine 10. Do.

  In the ROM of the main control board 100, in addition to the control program for the slot machine 10, for example, a symbol number table in which symbol numbers and type codes of symbols shown in FIG. Table data such as a role symbol table, a winning lottery table to which a winning numerical value or a winning numerical value range of each winning is assigned is stored.

  In addition, the RAM of the main control board 100 stores a set value for setting a payout rate, and variables and various flags that are referred to in the course of processing of a program by the CPU. For example, the credit variable memory area of the RAM stores data on the number of credit game values. In addition, the number of bets bet in the game, the random number value obtained for lottery drawing, the symbol number of the symbol stopped on the display window 11a, the number of winnings given by increasing the credit due to winning, in a specific gaming state A variable memory area for temporarily storing data such as the number of games is set. Further, in the RAM, flag memory areas such as a combination lottery flag indicating the result of the internal lottery, a combination formation flag indicating the established combination, and a game state flag indicating the gaming state of the game are set.

  The main control board 100 is connected to switches such as the bet switch 14, the start switch 15, the stop switches 16L, 16C, and 16R shown in FIG. Then, contact signals of these switches are input to the CPU via the input circuit and the bus. The main control board 100 is connected to indicators such as a credit number indicator 13a and an obtained number indicator 13b. The display driver circuit of the main control board 100 converts data such as the number of credits stored in the RAM and the number of game values (equivalent to medals) acquired by winning a small role into a segment code for display, The credit number display 13a and the acquired number display 13b are displayed.

  The motor drive control circuit of the main control board 100 outputs drive pulse signals to the stepping motors 121L, 121C, and 121R that drive the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R, thereby rotating the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R. And control the stop action. In the present specification, “rotation control” including control of rotation and stop of the reel is referred to.

  The rotational position detection circuit of the main control board 100 receives a reference position signal output by the photosensors 122L, 122C, 122R provided on each reel detecting and outputting the rotational reference position of each reel 12L, 12C, 12R. The current rotational positions of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are detected based on the number of pulses of the drive pulse signal output from the motor drive control circuit with reference to the detected time.

  The sub-control board 120 connected to the main control board 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output circuit, as well as a lamp driving circuit, a speaker driving circuit, a display control circuit, and the like connected via an internal bus. It consists of a computer unit. The CPU of the sub-control board 120 executes arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the ROM, and mainly produces game effects in the slot machine 10 according to various commands related to commands and game progress transmitted from the main control board 100. Control.

  Connected to the sub-control board 120 are the image display device 18, the electric lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c, the speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d shown in FIG. The display control circuit of the sub-control board 120 performs control to read the image data in the image data memory, generate a video signal, and display a moving image such as an animation on the image display device 18 under the control of the CPU. Lamps such as the illumination lamps 17a and 17b are turned on and blinked by the lamp driving circuit of the sub-control board 120. Further, the CPU of the sub control board 120 controls the speaker driving circuit, reads voice data such as announcements and musical sounds from the voice data memory, converts them into sound signals, amplifies the generated sound signals, and speakers 19a, 19b. , 19c, 19d.

  The sub control board 120 selects an effect pattern of the game effect corresponding to the lottery result transmitted from the main control board 100. The effect pattern is selected by a lottery means (not shown) using a random number, for example. In addition, the lottery means of the sub control board 120 also performs lottery (for example, AT lottery) for notifying the player of the result of the internal lottery on the main control board 100. Furthermore, a lottery such as determination of winning or losing in another game of the player participation type performed in association with the original game of the slot machine 10 can also be performed.

  The ROM of the sub control board 120 stores an effect lottery table to be referred to in the lottery process described above, in addition to the program executed by the CPU and its initial data. In the RAM of the sub-control board 120, memory areas such as variables and flags to be referred to in the course of processing of the program by the CPU are secured.

  A payout control board 130 is also connected to the main control board 100. In a normal slot machine that is not medalless, the payout control board originally controls a medal payout device (hopper device) in order to pay out to the outside a medal that exceeds the upper limit of credits given at the time of winning a prize or the like. . On the payout control board 130 of the present embodiment, a ROM 132 that stores an authentication ID, which is gaming machine identification information unique to the slot machine 10, and enhances confidentiality is mounted. By assigning and managing the authentication ID authenticated in a predetermined procedure for each slot machine 10, the resale and proper operation of the slot machine 10 are uniformly managed not only by the hall administrator but also by a fair third party organization. can do. The ROM 132 that stores the authentication ID is preferably sealed to the dispensing control board 130 with a sealing seal that leaves a trace once peeled off. Further, the entire payout control board 130 on which the ROM 132 for storing the authentication ID is mounted is disposed in the case, and the case itself is sealed with a sealing seal or fixed to prevent opening by using a lock member (so-called caulking member). By doing so, it may be left as a trace that the case has been opened.

  Instead of the ROM 132, an IC chip that stores an authentication ID may be provided inside or outside the main control board 100. The IC chip includes a microcomputer with simplified functions, an EEPROM, a RAM, and the like. Further, the authentication ID may be stored in a storage device such as a smart memory and connected to the main control board 100 or the payout control board 130.

  Furthermore, the payout control board 130 is provided with a secret communication means (to be described later) that encrypts and decrypts signals exchanged between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20. It should be noted that the circuit portion including the confidential communication means and the ROM 132 with increased confidentiality, or the entire payout control board 130 including the circuit portion is not limited to a person who intends to cheat but also a hall salesperson or a gaming machine. It is preferable that a black box is formed in a state incapable of being analyzed by a buyer. Note that secret communication with the lending machine 20 is performed via the communication interface circuit 140.

[Lending machine configuration]
The configuration of the lending machine 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. The lending machine 20 is usually installed adjacent to the right side of the slot machine 10 when viewed from the front. In order to borrow from the lending machine 20 a gaming value that a player bets on the game of the slot machine 10, a predetermined IC card, which is an electronic gaming medium issued in advance, is required. A medium ID, which is unique medium identification information, is recorded on this IC card. Although details will be described later, this medium ID is identification information having a character that is updated as needed within a range that does not overlap with other medium IDs, and is centrally managed by the server 3 of the data management center described above.

  Here, the IC card includes an RF tag incorporating an IC chip and a small antenna. The IC chip of the RF tag may be a passive type that does not include a battery and is supplied with operating power via electromagnetic waves received at a predetermined loading position of the R / W unit 210 in the inserted lending machine 20. preferable. The R / W unit 210 in the lending machine 20 reads and writes recording information such as the medium ID recorded on the RF tag embedded in the IC card in a non-contact manner.

  A cash value can be assigned (charged) to the IC card via the ticket vending machine 5 or the terminal 6 of the in-hall system shown in FIG. The amount charged to the IC card is managed in association with the medium ID by the server 3 of the data management center described above. As described above, the information of the medium ID is only recorded on the IC card, and the IC card itself does not have a valuable value. However, it is possible to store charge information as reference information in the IC card.

  In addition to the card-like medium such as the IC card of the present embodiment, an electronic game medium used in the lending machine 20 is selected to have a coin-like shape or other suitable shape suitable for the game content. can do.

  A card insertion slot 26 for inserting and discharging an IC card is formed on the front panel of the lending machine 20. Various operation switches such as a lending operation switch 21, a return operation switch 22, a settlement operation switch 23, and a replay operation switch 24 are provided at predetermined positions on the front panel. Further, a numerical value display unit 25 for displaying numerical values of the valuable value of the IC card inserted into the card insertion slot 26 with 7 segments of a plurality of digits is provided on the front panel. The numerical value display unit 25 includes a balance amount display unit 25a and an extended credit display unit 25b.

  The lending machine 20 conceptually has an account for cash value (charge money) of the inserted IC card (so-called virtual wallet) and a game value for storing the amount of overflow of the credit of the slot machine 10. Each has a separate account (a virtual dollar box). The lending operation switch 21 is an operation switch for lending a predetermined number of gaming values to a player by adding a gaming value corresponding to, for example, 50 medals to credits of the slot machine 10 in one lending operation. . An amount corresponding to the game value lent by the lending operation is deducted from the charge of the IC card. However, if there is a balance in the extended credit stored in the lending machine 20, the game value of the extended credit may be transferred to the credit of the slot machine 10 instead of being deducted from the charge. In this way, the credit is lent out within the range of the extended credit stored in the lending machine 20 and the charge amount of the IC card.

  Further, the lending machine 20 may add credits by an acceptable game value number obtained by subtracting the current credit number from the credit upper limit number (for example, 50 cards). Furthermore, the slot machine 10 may be configured to manage the gaming value that can be used only with the extended credit of the lending machine 20 without providing the credit function.

  The return operation switch 22 is an operation switch for returning the IC card inserted into the lending machine 20 from the card insertion slot 26. The player can take out the IC card by operating the return operation switch 22 when he / she wants to stop the game at the machine or when he / she temporarily leaves the machine for a break or the like. In the gaming machine system 1 of the present embodiment, when an IC card is not inserted into the lending machine 20, the game of the slot machine 10 is restricted, or another IC card is inserted even though there is a balance in credit. In some cases, the IC card is forcibly ejected. By performing such an exceptional exception process, it is possible to indicate that the game is being played to another person without placing baggage on the chair, and the substantial occupation of the machine is ensured.

  The payment operation switch 23 is an operation switch for adjusting the credit of the slot machine 10 and the extended credit of the lending machine 20. The credit left by the settlement operation is cleared, but the paid game value is associated with the IC card. As a mode of associating the valuable value (game value and cash value) with the IC card, the adjusted game value is converted into cash value and added to the charge of the IC card, and the game value is not converted into cash May carry over. In the hole where the so-called equivalent exchange is performed where the price for borrowing the game value is the same as the price to be returned, the replay can be performed without any loss in the case where the credit is exchanged for cash or the case where the credit is carried over as a stored medal. However, in a hole where there is a difference in the exchange rate, it is more advantageous for the player to carry over the remaining credits as they are and replay them. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the credit settlement method according to whether or not the cash exchange rate is set in the hall.

  The replay operation switch 24 is an operation switch that enables replay by returning the stored medals carried over to the IC card to the credit of the slot machine 10 after settlement. That is, when a replay operation is performed, the game value stored in the IC card is transferred to the credit of the slot machine 10 or the extended credit of the lending machine 20.

  The balance amount display 25a displays the amount currently charged in the IC card inserted in the lending machine 20. Further, the extended credit indicator 25b displays the game value of the extended credit currently stored in the lending machine 20 in the equivalent of the number of medals.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4 again, the hardware configuration of the lending machine 20 will be described.

  Various operation switches such as the lending operation switch 21, the return operation switch 22, the settlement operation switch 23, and the replay operation switch 24 described above are connected to the lending machine control board 200 that controls the entire operation of the lending machine 20. The contact signal is input. In addition, the lending machine control board 200 includes an R / W unit 210 that reads and writes information with an IC card inserted into the card insertion slot 26, a balance amount display unit 25a, and an extended credit. The display 25b is connected. In addition, a LAN control circuit 220 that performs mutual communication control with a predetermined protocol via a LAN for each device in the hall system including the hall computer 4 is provided.

  The lending machine control board 200 accesses the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4, which is a lending sales management computer, and corresponds to the medium ID in the database 42a based on the medium ID of the IC card read by the R / W unit 210. It is comprised so that the balance information of the charge money of the said IC card attached may be acquired. Then, the lending machine control board 200 displays the acquired balance amount on the balance amount display 25a. Further, the lending machine control board 200 displays the extended credit game value number stored in the internal RAM on the extended credit display 25b.

  The communication interface circuit 230 connected to the lending machine control board 200 is provided for performing secret communication described later with the slot machine 10.

[Composition of ticket vending machine]
Next, the ticket vending machine 5 in the system of FIG. 1 will be described. The ticket vending machine 5 is connected to the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 via the hall LAN. Although only one ticket vending machine 5 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of ticket vending machines 5 are installed in various places in a relatively large hall. The ticket vending machine 5 is a device in which a player issues an IC card mainly in exchange for cash. The newly issued medium ID is recorded on the issued IC card. The amount inserted when the IC card is issued is charged as the initial charge for the IC card. Note that the ticket vending machine 5 may correspond to credit settlement using a credit card as well as cash. Moreover, the ticket vending machine 5 can also be equipped with the charge function which adds charge money to the IC card already issued.

  Further, the ticket vending machine 5 does not have the title to issue an IC card alone, receives permission from the data management center 3, and performs the IC card ticketing process with the medium ID issued by the data management center 3. Do. Communication between the ticket machine 5 and the data management center 3 is performed via the hall computer 4 (second computer 42).

[Configuration of terminal]
The terminal 6 installed at the hall counter or the like is composed of a dedicated terminal or a general-purpose personal computer connected to the hall computer 4 via a LAN. The terminal 6 is provided with a card reader 6a for reading a medium ID which is the stored content of the IC card. Communication between the terminal 6 and the data management center 3 is performed via the hall computer 4. The terminal 6 determines the charge amount of the IC card managed by the data management center 3 or the IC card managed by the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 based on the medium ID of the IC card read by the card reader 6a. The stored medals carried over to the terminal 6 can be referred to, and the information is displayed on the monitor screen of the terminal 6. The terminal 6 may be provided with a card reader / writer that can read and write information to the IC card.

  Further, when exchanging the stored medals carried over to the IC card for a prize, the terminal 6 transmits a withdrawal request signal together with the medium ID read by the card reader 6 a to the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4. It is also possible to withdraw the number of stored medals corresponding to the prize from the IC card and perform settlement processing.

[Means related to game / effect control processing in the slot machine]
Next, means relating to the game / effect control process in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing means related to the game / effect control in the slot machine 10.

  The game / effect control process in the slot machine 10 is performed by the main control board 100 and the sub control board 120 described above. Among them, the main control board 100 mainly controls the game progress such as lottery and reel stop that directly influence the game result, and the sub control board 120 mainly plays the game under the control of the main control board 100. Control. Each means referred to in FIG. 5 is realized in software by the CPU of the main control board 100 and the sub control board 120 performing arithmetic processing, but some of these means may be configured by hardware. it can.

(Main control means)
The main control means 1001 provided on the main control board 100 controls each of the control means described below, and mainly controls the progress of the game performed in the slot machine 10. The operation of each control means will be described in accordance with the progress of the unit game of the slot machine 10 with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The main control means 1001 performs initialization processing of various flags and variables in a standby state at the start of the game. Here, the game start standby state refers to a state in which the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R are stopped and a winning determination is made and waiting for the next bet operation.

  The credit management means 1002 stores and manages credit amount data in the RAM of the main control board 100. The upper limit of the number of credits that can be stored in the slot machine 10 is, for example, up to a gaming value equivalent to 50 medals. When an operation of the bet switch 14 is detected in the standby state for starting the game (step S11: YES), the bet number setting means 1003 performs a process of betting three game values on the game, for example. On the other hand, the credit management means 1002 subtracts the game value corresponding to three medals from the number of credits, and also subtracts the display value of the credit number display 13a accordingly. Note that the betting number setting means 1003 can invalidate the operation of the bet switch 14 when the credit is less than three.

  The betting number setting means 1003 sets an effective line according to the prescribed number of gaming values finally bet. That is, in a game where one game value is bet, one horizontal line in the display window 11a, for example, is set as an effective line, and in a game where two game values are bet, the upper, middle, and lower 3 A horizontal line of books is set as an effective line, and in a game in which three game values are bet, five diagonal lines plus two lines are set as effective lines.

  When the main control means 1001 detects an operation of the start switch 15 in a state where a specified number of game values are bet or a re-playing combination is established (step S12: YES), a combination lottery process by the combination lottery unit 1004 is executed. (Step S13). The combination lottery means 1004 draws a combination of games by the slot machine 10 by, for example, a table lottery process referring to a combination lottery table based on a random value. Such a lottery process, which is a condition for establishing a winning combination, is also referred to as “internal lottery”. “Position” is a “small role” that gives a predetermined number of game values when at least winning (established), and carry over to the next game without losing the game value bet in the previous unit game, and again The game includes a “re-game player” that can play a game and a “special game player” that shifts to a special game that is advantageous to the player. A gaming state other than the special game is also referred to as “general game”.

  As the special game players, “SB role” to be transferred to “SB (single bonus) game”, “RB role” to be transferred to “RB (regular bonus) game”, and “BB (big bonus) game” to be transferred “ "BB role". The SB game is a high probability game in which a specific small role is won with a higher probability than a general game. An RB game is a gaming state in which such a high-probability game is continued a plurality of times and continues until a predetermined number of games (for example, 12 games) are consumed or a small role is won a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times). Refers to the game state. The BB game is a gaming state in which the above-mentioned RB combination is won with a high probability with a specific small combination during the general game and continues to be given until a predetermined maximum payout number (for example, 480) is awarded.

  Furthermore, there are also a plurality of predetermined symbol combinations that are simultaneously won in a single lottery by the combination lottery means 1004. Such a combination is normally assigned an operation order of the stop switches 16L, 16C, and 16R as an “AT combination”. Note that the AT winning combination may also be a predetermined small combination or replay combination, for example. When the AT combination is won internally and a stop operation is performed in a certain operation order, the reel rotation control means 1005 described later controls the drawing to which the operation order is assigned and displays it on the effective line.

  Next, the reel rotation control means 1005 controls the rotation and stop of the reels 12L, 12C, 12R in step S14 of FIG. That is, when the reel rotation control means 1005 detects the operation of the start switch 15 in a state where the game value is bet on the game, a drive pulse signal is sent to the stepping motors 121L, 121C, 121R via the motor drive control circuit. Is output to rotate the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R all at once. Then, the reel rotation control means 1005 controls each reel at a constant speed, for example, at 80 rotations / min.

  The reel rotation control means 1005 responds to a stop operation signal from the stop switches 16L, 16C, 16R within a predetermined time (for example, 190 msec) from the stop operation of the corresponding reel and has a specified number of control frames (for example, 5). The symbols within the frame) are stopped on the line of the display window 11a. If the symbol corresponding to the internal winning combination is within the specified number of control frames, the symbol is controlled to be drawn into the set effective line. Therefore, even if the winning combination is won internally, if the symbol corresponding to the winning combination is stopped at a position farther than the specified number of control frames, the symbols will not be aligned, so-called missing (failed to press). . Further, when the result of the internal lottery is a loss that does not win any winning combination, so-called kicking control is performed so that the symbols related to the formation of the winning combination do not stop on the active line.

  When all the reels 12L, 12C, 12R are stopped by the stop operation of the stop switches 16L, 16C, 16R, the winning determination means 1006 is activated (step S15). The winning determination unit 1006 refers to the reel control flag used when the reel rotation control unit 1005 controls the rotation of the reel, and recognizes the symbol stopped on the active line. Also, the winning determination means 1006 checks whether the display mode of the symbols displayed on the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R along the active line is a combination corresponding to any combination that is referred to from the combination symbol table. The winning determination means 1006 determines that the corresponding combination has been established (winning) when the symbol display mode matches the combination of symbols corresponding to any combination.

  Next, the winning combination actuating means 1007 will be described. In step S16 of FIG. 6, when the winning determination means 1006 determines that any small role is established (step S16: YES), the number of game values assigned to the small role is added to the credit as a winning payout. (Step S17). The credit management means 1002 displays the number of game values acquired on the acquired number display 13b in accordance with the credit addition process. Thus, the player can recognize that the game value has been acquired by the amount added to the credit. This credit addition process has a meaning as a medal payout process.

  During the credit addition process, a “payout BUSY signal” is transmitted from the payout control board 130 of the slot machine 10 to the lending machine 20, and the lending operation from the lending machine 20 is restricted. Further, if the credit of the slot machine 10 exceeds the above-described upper limit as a result of the game value being awarded by the small role winning, the excess game value information from the payout control board 130 of the slot machine 10 to the lending machine 20. An “overflow data signal” including “” is transmitted, and the excess game value is added to the extended credit of the lending machine 20.

  In step S18 of FIG. 6, when the winning determination unit 1006 determines the establishment of the transition combination to another game state such as the RB combination or the BB combination (step S18: YES), the winning combination actuating unit 1007 will be described next. A game transition process is executed (step S19). In the game transition process of step S19, a game state flag (for example, a BB state flag) in the RAM of the main control board 100 is set, and counter variables such as a game number counter, a small part winning counter, and a winning number counter related to special games are set. Reset to zero. In addition, the winning combination actuating means 1007 sets the winning lottery table corresponding to the established winning combination in a state that can be referred to the winning lottery means 1004 in the game transition process.

  In step S20 of FIG. 6, when the winning determination means 1006 determines that the re-game is established (step S20: YES), the winning combination actuating means 1007 sets a game state flag relating to the re-game of the RAM. Thus, the main control means 1001 sets the progress of the unit game to the game start state waiting for the operation of the start switch 15 in the next game.

(Sub-control means)
Next, various means provided in the sub control board 120 will be described. The sub-control means 1201 provided in the sub-control board 120 basically produces effects by light using the lamps such as the electric lamps 17a and 17b according to the command transmitted from the main control board 100, and the speakers 19a and 19b. , 19c, and 19d, and an effect using images and characters using the image display device 18 are controlled.

  The effect lottery means 1202 of the sub control board 120 is activated when a specific command is received from the main control board 100, and performs a table lottery using an effect lottery table based on a random value, for example. For example, when a rotation start command indicating the start of rotation of the reels 12L, 12C, and 12R is received, an effect pattern that changes every time a stop operation command is received is selected from a plurality of patterns. In addition, when the combination lottery result command from the main control board 100 is a content indicating that a predetermined AT combination is won internally, for example, the effect lottery means 1202 determines whether or not to notify the stop operation order. AT lottery).

  The role notifying means 1203 of the sub-control board 120 is an image display device when the effect lottery means 1202 draws a notification of the internal winning combination or when a command instructing the winning combination notification from the main control board 100 is received. 18 and speakers 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and the like are used to produce an effect of notifying the winning of the role in such a manner that the winning of the corresponding role can be basically recognized by the player's visual or auditory sense. Further, instead of explicitly notifying the winning of the combination, it is possible to select a different production pattern for each possibility of winning by the lottery by the production lottery means 1202 and to imply the winning combination.

  In principle, the AT control means 1204 of the sub control board 120 performs an effect of notifying the player of the stop operation order in which, for example, a small role is surely established when the notification of the stop operation order is lottery by the AT lottery. However, as long as the role lottery result command from the main control board 100 instructs the execution of the AT effect, the AT effect may be given priority regardless of the result of the AT lottery.

[Means for slot machine operation authentication]
Next, means relating to slot machine operation authentication by the system of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The plurality of slot machines 10 installed in the hall are connected to the first computer 41 of the hall computer 4 and the server 2 of the ID management center, which are management servers for authentication, through the lending machine 20 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The In the present embodiment, the server 2 of the ID management center functions as a management entity and possesses the right of authentication for all the slot machines 10 to be targeted. However, the hall computer 4 may function as a management server for authentication, and the server 2 of the ID management center is not an essential component. However, in the present embodiment, the first computer 41 of the hall computer 4 mediates communication between the slot machine 10 and the server 2 of the ID management center, so that each machine is limited to the slot machine 10 in the hall. A system for recording and managing the authentication ID will be described.

  As a premise, in the database 2a of the server 2 of the ID management center, authentication ID information as gaming machine identification information given to all slot machines 10 (not limited to those set in the hall) to which management authority extends Is registered. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine maker makes an application for authentication ID issuance registration to the ID management center in a predetermined procedure, and the ID management center issues a new authentication ID to the gaming machine maker. The ID management center registers the new authentication ID in the database 2 a together with information such as the model of the slot machine 10. The gaming machine manufacturer gives the slot machine 10 the authentication ID issued at the factory shipment stage. Note that it is preferable that the gaming machine manufacturer reports an authentication ID issued together with, for example, a gaming machine certification application to a gaming machine management organization or a public safety authority having jurisdiction. This authentication ID is handled as secret identification information for identifying the gaming machine to which the authentication ID is assigned.

  Here, the fact that a gaming machine maker gives an authentication ID to the slot machine 10 means that an authentication ID storage unit 153 as a storage unit for storing the authentication ID is installed in the slot machine 10. As a specific example, there is a method in which the authentication ID storage unit 153 is configured by a PROM (ROM 132), and the PROM is sealed with a sealing seal on, for example, the payout control board 130 of the slot machine 10 to increase the confidentiality. Alternatively, the authentication ID storage unit 153 may be configured by an IC chip or a smart memory that stores the authentication ID, and may be provided only within the case of the main control board 100 or the payout control board 130.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing means related to the operation authentication of the slot machine provided in the present system. As shown in FIG. 7, the slot machine 10 includes a communication connection request unit 151, an authentication processing control unit 152, an authentication ID storage unit 153 as a storage unit, an operation regulation unit 154 that regulates the operation of the slot machine 10, and a secret communication. Means 155 are provided. An authentication processing control unit 152 related to processing such as operation authentication of the slot machine 10 is connected so as to be accessible to the authentication ID storage unit 153 so that the authentication ID assigned to the machine can be read. Note that each means shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the payout control board 130 of the slot machine 10. However, all or a part of these means may be provided on the main control board 100 or other boards, or each means may be distributed over a plurality of boards.

  The lending machine 20 includes a communication permission / refusal unit 251, a communication conversion unit 252, and a secret communication unit 255. The communication permission / refusal unit 251 outputs a communication permission signal to the slot machine 10 when communication with the slot machine 10 is permitted or when the operation is permitted. The communication conversion means 252 is a means for converting a signal to be transmitted from the slot machine 10 to the hall computer 4 into a LAN protocol and transmitting it to the hall computer 4. Each of the secret communication means 155 and 255 of the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 performs a one-to-one communication by exchanging public keys with each other, thereby making it highly difficult to intercept and tamper with the communication contents. It is a means for performing.

  For example, the first computer 41 of the hall computer 4 includes operating machine management recording means 411. Based on the authentication ID assigned to the slot machine 10, the operating machine management recording unit 411 performs mediation processing at the time of operation authentication of the slot machine 10 by the server 2 of the ID management center. In addition, the operating machine management recording unit 411 records and manages the authentication ID of the gaming machine and the operating status based on the authentication ID, limited to the slot machine 10 and other gaming machines that operate in the hall through such mediation processing. . The hall computer 4 includes a broadband router 412 for connecting to a wide area communication network WAN such as the Internet.

  The server 2 of the ID management center includes an authentication ID management unit 2001 and a gaming machine authentication unit 2002. The authentication ID management unit 2001 centrally manages the authentication IDs of all the gaming machines to be managed that are distributed in a nationwide range. The authentication ID management unit 2001 is registered in the database 2a in response to an authentication ID inquiry signal from the slot machine 10 that can confirm the source in addition to issuing a new authentication ID, updating and discarding the existing authentication ID. The authentication ID information signal is returned. When the gaming machine authentication unit 2002 receives the authentication request signal including the authentication ID information of the slot machine 10, the gaming machine authentication unit 2002 refers to the database 2 a and outputs an authentication signal for authenticating the operation of the slot machine 10 when matching with the registered content. Send back.

  Next, processing related to operation authentication from when the slot machine 10 is turned on will be described in time series with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in FIG. 8, when the main switch of the slot machine 10 is turned on by a hall manager or the like (step S <b> 21), the communication connection request unit 151 of the slot machine 10 transmits a communication connection request signal to the lending machine 20. (Step S22). When the lending machine 20 is in operation, the communication permission / refusal means 251 receives this communication connection request signal (step S23) and checks the online environment (step S24). Specifically, the communication permission / refusal means 251 checks whether or not the lending machine 20 is connected to the hall computer 4 via a LAN and whether it is connected to the WAN via the router of the hall computer 4. The communication permission / refusal means 251 of the lending machine 20 transmits a communication permission signal to the slot machine 10 when it is determined that various conditions such as the environment in which the lending machine 20 can access the server 2 of the ID management center are satisfied. (Step S25).

  A communication permission signal from the lending machine 20 is transmitted to the slot machine 10 by setting the communication permission / rejection signal line to a high voltage level (H). A case where the communication permission signal line is at a low voltage level (L) or a ground level can be used as a communication rejection signal. The communication permission / refusal means 251 of the lending machine 20 always sets the communication permission / rejection signal line to a high voltage level (communication permission) regardless of the presence / absence of a request signal from the slot machine 10 when conditions for communication are in place. When the machine 20 is not operating, the slot machine 10 may be informed of whether the communication state is acceptable by setting the communication permission / rejection signal line to the ground level (communication rejection).

  When the slot machine 10 receives the communication permission signal from the lending machine 20 (step S26: YES), the process proceeds to ID authentication. If the slot machine 10 fails to receive a communication permission signal from the lending machine 20 before a predetermined time has elapsed (step 26: timeout), it performs a shutdown process (step S27), for example, automatically disconnects the main power supply. To do. Alternatively, the activation process of the slot machine 10 may be stopped until a communication permission signal is obtained.

  When the slot machine 10 establishes communication with the lending machine 20, the slot machine 10 starts the ID authentication process shown in FIG. The authentication processing control means 152 of the slot machine 10 reads the authentication ID of the slot machine from the authentication ID storage means 153 and sends an authentication request signal including information on the authentication ID to the ID via the lending machine 20 and the hall computer 4. It transmits to the server 2 of the management center (step S31). At this time, the slot machine 10 transmits a command indicating that the authentication process is being performed to the sub-control board 120 (step S32), and for example, displays the fact on the image display device 18. After that, the slot machine 10 enters a wait state for several seconds as necessary in accordance with the gaming machine authentication process in the server 2 (step S33).

  When the server 2 of the ID management center receives the authentication request signal (step S34), the gaming machine authentication means 2002 searches the database 2a and checks whether or not the sent authentication ID is registered. (Step S35). The server 2 also considers incidental information such as the manufacturing number of the slot machine 10, the MAC address of the hall computer 4, or the manufacturing number of the lending machine 20 corresponding to the authentication ID. Can be judged. As a result, if the consistency or consistency is recognized and it is determined that the sent authentication ID is valid, authentication of the slot machine 10 is permitted (step S36). If it is determined to be invalid, the authentication is denied (step S37). Then, the server 2 transmits to the slot machine 10 an authentication approval / disapproval signal indicating the consistency check result by the gaming machine authentication means 2002 (step S38). The authentication approval / disapproval signal is generated as an authentication signal if authentication is possible in step S36, and is generated as a non-authentication signal if authentication is impossible in step S37.

  In the communication exchanged between the slot machine 10 and the server 2 as in the authentication request signal and the authentication enable / disable signal, the one-to-one communication between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 is a secret communication described later. The contents of information are encrypted by means 155, 255 and transmitted / received. In the communication between the slot machine 10 and the hall computer 4, the communication protocol of the one-to-one communication and the LAN communication is converted by the communication conversion means 252 of the lending machine 20 that mediates. Further, in the communication between the lending machine 20 and the server 2, mutual communication protocols of LAN communication and wide area wireless network WAN communication are converted by the broadband router 412 of the hall computer 4 that mediates.

  The authentication processing control unit 152 of the slot machine 10 retries the transmission of the authentication request signal in step 31 a predetermined number of times until it receives the authentication permission signal from the server 2. When the authentication processing control unit 152 fails to receive an authentication permission / rejection signal from the server 2 until a predetermined time has elapsed or the authentication request is retried a predetermined number of times (step 39: timeout / retry exceeded), a shutdown process is performed ( Step S40), for example, the main power supply is automatically cut off. Alternatively, the processing of the slot machine 10 may be stopped until the authentication permission / inhibition signal is received.

  The authentication process control means 152 of the slot machine 10 performs a process of restricting the operation of the slot machine 10 when the operation restriction means 154 is activated when the received authentication propriety signal is a non-authentication signal (step S41: NO) (step S41). S42). That is, if the slot machine 10 is not authenticated by the ID management center, which is a fair third party, there is a high probability that the slot machine 10 is an illegal distribution machine or an illegally modified gaming machine. By restricting the operation of, unfair games can be prevented in advance. The operation restricting means 154 restricts the game control process so that at least the slot machine game cannot be executed. In the slot machine 10 in which authentication is not obtained or communication with the lending machine 20 is interrupted, all subsequent processing is restricted. For this reason, for example, if authentication of the slot machine 10 is not obtained when the power is turned on, it is impossible to even set the payout rate. The operation restriction unit 154 may display, for example, a message indicating that no game is possible on the image display device 18 together with the operation restriction process.

  When the operation authentication of the slot machine 10 is obtained, the main control board 100 determines whether or not a setting key (not shown) is turned on in a predetermined procedure at the same time when the main switch is turned on (step S43). When the setting key is not turned on (step S43: NO), the main control board 100 performs a memory check on the main control board 100 (step S44), and the game before power interruption that is stacked at the time of shutdown. The state is restored (step S45). On the other hand, if the setting key is turned on when the power is turned on (step S43: YES), the main control board 100 performs a predetermined process for setting a set value (step S46) and initializes the memory. (Step S47).

  The slot machine 10 performs the above authentication process every time the main power is turned on, and starts the original game control process on the condition that the authentication is obtained. The lending machine 20 constantly monitors the communication state with the slot machine 10 and the hall computer 4 that is the management server even after the authentication process is performed when the power is turned on. If the communication is impossible, the communication permission / rejection signal line is set to L communication rejection. When the slot machine 10 detects that the communication permission / rejection signal line is L, the slot machine 10 may activate the operation restricting means 154 by interrupt processing even when a game is being executed, and stop all subsequent processing.

  Next, another example of the processing related to the operation authentication of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 showing related signals. Since the process related to the activation immediately after the slot machine 10 is turned on is the same as the process for establishing communication with the lending machine 20 already described, the description here is omitted (see steps S21 to S27 in FIG. 8). .

  When receiving the communication permission signal from the lending machine 20, the slot machine 10 activates the ID authentication process shown in FIG. The authentication processing control means 152 of the slot machine 10 transmits an authentication ID inquiry signal for inquiring information of an authentication ID unique to the slot machine 10 to the server 2 of the ID management center (step S51). The authentication ID inquiry signal includes a plurality of pieces of identification information necessary and sufficient for specifying the slot machine 10, such as the manufacturing number of the slot machine 10, the model type, the MAC address of the hall computer 4, or the manufacturing number of the lending machine 20. included.

  When the authentication ID management unit 2001 receives the authentication ID inquiry signal (step S52), the server 2 of the ID management center is registered with reference to the database 2a and corresponding to the identification information included in the received authentication ID inquiry signal. The authentication ID is searched (step S53). When the server 2 finds the corresponding registered authentication ID, the server 2 transmits an authentication ID signal including information on the authentication ID to the slot machine 10 (step S54).

  The authentication process control means 152 of the slot machine 10 repeats the loop process until the authentication ID signal is received from the server 2 (step S55: NO). The authentication process control means 152 performs a shutdown process (step S56), for example, automatically when the authentication ID signal is not received from the server 2 before a certain time elapses (timeout) (step 55: timeout). Turn off the main power. Alternatively, the processing of the slot machine 10 may be stopped until the authentication ID signal is received.

  The authentication processing control unit 152 of the slot machine 10 checks whether the authentication ID information included in the authentication ID signal received by referring to the server 2 matches the authentication ID information stored in the authentication ID storage unit 153 or not. Sex is judged (step S57). When the authentication processing control unit 152 determines that the consistency is not obtained (step S57: NO), the authentication processing control unit 152 activates the operation restricting unit 154 to perform processing for restricting the operation of the slot machine 10 (step S58). In this way, by restricting a game in a slot machine that is not managed fairly by a third party organization, an illegal game by an illegal distribution machine or the like can be prevented in advance. The operation restricting means 154 restricts the game control process so that at least the slot machine game cannot be executed.

  When the operation authentication of the slot machine 10 is obtained, the main control board 100 determines whether or not a setting key (not shown) is turned on according to a predetermined procedure at the same time as the main switch is turned on (step S59). When the setting key is not turned on (step S59: NO), the main control board 100 performs a memory check of the main control board 100 (step S60), and the game before power interruption that is stacked at the time of shutdown. The state is restored (step S61). On the other hand, if the setting key is turned on when the power is turned on (step S59: YES), the main control board 100 performs a predetermined process for setting a set value (step S62) and initializes the memory. (Step S63). Then, the game process is started.

  As still another example of the processing related to the operation authentication of the slot machine 10, a combination of the chip ID given to the CPU of the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 and the authentication ID given to the payout control board 130 is used. On the basis of the above, the hall computer 4 as the management server or the adjacent lending machine 20 can authenticate the slot machine 10 and permit the operation. In addition to the chip ID and / or authentication ID of the slot machine 10, based on the combination of the lending machine IDs assigned to the adjacent lending machines 20, the management server determines whether or not the slot machine 10 is authenticated and operated. The structure which performs may be sufficient. Furthermore, based on individual IDs such as a chip ID, an authentication ID, and a lending machine ID, a configuration in which authentication and operation are permitted for each board, device, or device to which each ID is assigned may be used.

[Means related to confidential communication]
Next, the secret communication process between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 by the secret communication means 155 and 255 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the secret communication process between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, first, the secret communication means 155 of the slot machine 10 creates a secret key As1 for encryption, and creates a public key Ao1 that is a pair from the secret key (step S51). Further, the secret communication means 255 of the lending machine 20 creates the secret key Bs1 and the public key Bo1 that is a pair thereof (step S52). The secret key is preferably created by the secret communication means 155 and 255 by a method that cannot be estimated from the outside based on, for example, the extracted random number or the internal random number table.

  The secret communication means 155 of the slot machine 10 transmits the created public key Ao1 to the lending machine 20 (step S53). The secret communication means 255 of the lending machine 20 transmits the created public key Bo1 to the lending machine 20 (step S54). Since the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 are in one-to-one communication, it is difficult to access from the outside. However, even if the public key is illegally exploited, the encrypted data is kept secret as long as the secret key is concealed. It is virtually impossible to decipher.

  Each of the secret communication means 155 and 255 again creates another pair of secret keys As2 and Bs2 and public keys Ao2 and Bo2 at random within each board (steps S55 and S56). The secret communication means 155 of the slot machine 10 encrypts the arbitrary data X1 and the newly created public key Ao2 with the public key Bo1 received from the lending machine 20, and transmits the encrypted data to the lending machine 20 (step S57). The secret communication means 255 of the lending machine 20 can decrypt and decrypt the data X1 and the public key Ao2 using its own secret key Bs1. The secret communication means 255 of the lending machine 20 encrypts the arbitrary data Y1 and the newly created public key Bo2 with the public key Ao1 received from the slot machine 10 and transmits the encrypted data to the slot machine 10 (step S58). The secret communication means 155 of the slot machine 10 can decrypt and decrypt the data Y1 and the public key Bo2 using its own secret key As1.

  Similarly, each secret communication means 155, 255 again creates another secret key As3, Bs3 and public key Ao3, Bo3 pair (steps S59, S60). Then, the secret communication means 155 of the slot machine 10 encrypts the arbitrary data X2 and the newly created public key Ao3 with the public key Bo2 received last time from the lending machine 20, and transmits it to the lending machine 20 (step S61). . The secret communication means 255 of the lending machine 20 encrypts the arbitrary data Y2 and the newly created public key Bo3 with the public key Ao2 received from the slot machine 10 last time, and transmits the encrypted data to the slot machine 10 (step S62). .

  In this way, the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 update the secret key and the public key every time they communicate. By updating the encryption key for each communication, the confidentiality of the communication data between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 is further increased.

  Each of the secret communication units 155 and 255 may be provided with a set of a plurality of encryption keys in advance, and for example, the encryption keys may be updated in order according to a predetermined rule for each communication. Alternatively, each of the secret communication means 155 and 255 may be provided with a set of a plurality of encryption keys, and only the key number indicating the encryption key to be used may be included for each communication to notify the other party. The timing of the update may be performed every time the main power is turned on or every elapse of a certain time, in addition to each communication. In these cases, the encryption key is not leaked to the outside, the amount of communication data is reduced, and the burden of data processing by the respective secret communication means 155 and 255 is reduced.

[Means for IC card ticketing]
Next, IC card ticketing processing in the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the means related to the IC card ticketing process. As shown in FIG. 14, the ticket vending machine 5 includes a deposit acceptance unit 501, a medium ID application unit 502, and a card ticket issuing unit 503. The second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 includes sales management means 424. The server 3 of the data management center includes medium ID management means 3001, medium balance management means 3002, and sales information management means 3003. The medium ID management means 3001 of the server 3 registers information on the medium ID recorded on the IC card issued to the player in the database 3a. The medium balance management unit 3002 of the server 3 manages the information of the medium ID and the amount value (charge amount) in the database 3a in association with each other.

  Processing by the ticket machine 5 and the server 3 of the data management center will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the deposit acceptance means 501 of the ticket vending machine 5 accepts the deposit of cash such as banknotes from the player (step S71), the medium ID application means 502 sends a medium ID application signal including the inserted amount information to the hall computer 4. To the server 3 of the data management center. The server 3 receives the medium ID application signal (step S73), and when the medium ID management means 3001 recognizes that the signal is valid and the application is valid (step S74: YES), it issues a new medium ID (step S74). Step S75). The medium balance management unit 3002 associates and registers the medium ID issued by the medium ID management unit 3001 and the amount indicated by the medium ID application signal in the database 3a (step S76). This registered amount is guaranteed as the charge amount of the IC card having the medium ID. Then, the server 3 transmits a medium ID issuing signal including information on the issued medium ID to the ticket vending machine 5 (step S77). When the medium ID management unit 3001 determines that the application for the medium ID is invalid (step S74: NO), the medium ID management unit 3001 performs a process for rejecting the application and does not issue the medium ID (step S78).

  The ticket vending machine 5 receives the medium ID issue signal (step S79). The card issuing means 503 of the ticket vending machine 5 examines the received medium ID issuance signal and determines that the issued medium ID is valid when the signal is valid (step S80: YES). Then, the card issuing means 503 records the medium ID on the IC card stocked inside (step 81), and ejects it as a new IC card (step S82). When the card issuing means 503 determines that the medium ID issuance signal has been altered (eg, falsified) (step S80: NO), it performs a refund process (step S83) and does not issue an IC card.

  The sales management means 424 of the hall computer 4 shown in FIG. 14 mediates communication such as a medium ID application signal and a medium ID issue signal exchanged between the ticket vending machine 4 and the server 3. The communication history is recorded in the database 42a, and sales of the hall associated with the issuance and charge of the IC card are recorded and managed from these contents.

[Means for IC card verification processing]
Next, a verification process for determining whether or not the IC card inserted into the lending machine 20 is genuine will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing means related to the collation processing, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing signals related to the collation processing. In the system of the present embodiment, the lending machine 20 is provided with a medium ID collating unit 202 as a medium identification information collating unit for the IC card collating process. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, when the IC card is inserted into lending machine 20, information reading unit 211 as a reading unit of R / W unit 210 reads the medium ID from the IC card. The medium ID verification unit 202 of the lending machine 20 transmits a verification request signal including the read medium ID information to the server 3 of the data management center.

  The medium ID management means 3001 of the server 3 of the data management center searches the database 3a to check whether the medium ID is properly registered, and returns a verification response signal including the result to the lending machine 20. To do.

  The medium ID verification unit 202 of the lending machine 20 checks the verification response signal returned from the server 3. If the medium ID of the IC card inserted in the lending machine 20 has a history that has not been registered in the server 3 or has been misused in the past, the medium ID collating means 202 lends The machine 20 immediately sends a lending impossible signal to the slot machine 10. Then, the lending machine 20 discharges the IC card and returns it to the player. The verification that the medium ID is properly registered in the server 3 by the verification response signal is one requirement for transmitting the lending permission signal described below to the slot machine 10.

  The slot machine 10 receives a lending command signal to be described next during a period from when the lending disabling signal is transmitted from the lending machine 20 to when the lending disabling signal is transmitted (that is, when the lending disabling signal is active). However, this is invalidated and no credit lending process is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized credit lending using a fraudulent IC card.

[Means related to credit lending]
Next, credit lending processing using an IC card will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing means related to credit lending processing according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the slot machine 10 is provided with the credit management means 1002 described above, and is involved in credit lending processing. In the lending machine 20, the lending operation switch 21, the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210, the card ejecting unit 213, and the like are involved. Further, in the RAM of the lending machine control board 200 of the lending machine 20, each of the storage areas of the medium ID storage area 201a, the balance amount storage area 201b, and the extended credit storage area 201c is secured. Further, the lending machine 20 is provided with balance information acquisition means 203 and lending control means 204. The second computer 42 which is a lending sales management computer of the hall computer 4 is related to lending management means 421 and sales management means 424 in connection with lending processing. Further, in the server 3 of the data management center, the medium balance management means 3002 described above is involved in the lending process.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing credit lending processing, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing related signals. The operation of credit lending processing to the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to these drawings.

  When the IC card is inserted into the lending machine 20, the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210 reads the medium ID from the IC card, and the medium ID of the IC card is verified by the medium ID verification unit 202 described above. Then, when it is determined that the medium ID is valid, the IC card is accepted (step S101: YES). Information on the medium ID read by the information reading unit 211 is stored in the medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM. The balance information acquisition unit 203 of the lending machine 20 transmits a balance inquiry signal including information of the read medium ID to the server 3 of the data management center (step S102).

  The medium balance management means 3002 of the server 3 of the data management center searches the database 3a for the balance information of the charge amount associated with the medium ID included in the received balance inquiry signal (step S103). Then, the server 3 transmits a balance data signal including the balance information to the lending machine 20 (step S104).

  The balance information acquisition means 203 of the lending machine 20 acquires the balance information of the charge amount of the IC card currently inserted in the lending machine 20 from the transmitted balance data signal. The acquired balance information is stored in the balance amount storage area 201b of the RAM, and the amount is displayed on the balance amount display unit 25a of the numerical value display unit 25. When at least the balance corresponding to the minimum credit unit (one medal) is charged to the IC card (step S105: YES), the lending control means 204 of the lending machine 20 sends the slot machine 10 A lending permission signal is transmitted. If the balance of the IC card is zero or less than the above-mentioned minimum amount (step S105: NO), the IC card in which the card discharge means 213 of the lending machine 20 is inserted is discharged from the card insertion slot 26 (step S107). . Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, even if there is no balance on the IC card, if the game value is left in the extended credit of the lending machine 20, the credit of the slot machine 10 is transferred from the extended credit by the lending operation. The game value can be moved to.

  When the lending control means 204 of the lending machine 20 accepts a lending operation that is an operation to the lending operation switch 21 (step S108: YES), it transmits a lending command signal to the slot machine 10 (step S109). Only when the lending machine 20 is in a lending enabled state and the lending command signal is generated while the slot machine 10 is in the ready READY state, the credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 is predetermined for one lending operation. The game value of the number (for example, 50) is added to the credit (step S110), and the display value of the credit number display unit 13a is added accordingly. Thereby, the lending to the credit of the slot machine 10 is completed, and the slot machine 10 transmits a lending completion signal to the lending machine 20 (step S111).

  When the credit of the slot machine 10 exceeds the upper limit due to the lending operation to the lending machine 20, an overflow data signal including information on the gaming value of the excess is transmitted from the slot machine 10 to the lending machine 20. Then, the excess game value number is added to the extended credit variable allocated to the extended credit storage area 201c.

  Although not shown as a flowchart, the lending control means 204 of the lending machine 20 receives the credit data signal from the slot machine 10 to acquire the current credit number, and the number of acceptable game values (= credit (The upper limit number−the current number of credits) may be obtained, and credits may be added by that number. That is, in this embodiment, the number of acceptable game values is the number of loans from the lending machine 20.

  The lending control means 204 of the lending machine 20 receives a lending completion signal from the slot machine 10 and transmits a withdrawal request signal to the server 3 of the data management center (step S112). This withdrawal request signal includes at least information on the medium ID of the IC card and the amount corresponding to the game value lent out as credit. Based on the received withdrawal request signal, the medium balance management means 3002 of the server 3 performs a process of subtracting the amount corresponding to the gaming value lent out from the charge money associated with the medium ID, and corresponds to the database 3a. The recording area is updated and registered (step S113).

  The lending control means 204 of the lending machine 20 transmits a lending number data signal including information on the number of game values lent out using the IC card to the hall computer 4 (see FIG. 20). The lending management means 421 of the hall computer 4 records the game value number indicated by the lending number data signal from each lending machine 20 together with the identification information of the lending machine 20 and the slot machine 10 in the database 42a. The sales management means 424 accumulates the amount converted into the game value for each lending operation using the IC card, and records and manages the transaction amount for each operation and the total as sales information in the lending machine 20 in the database 42a. .

[Means related to credit settlement]
Next, credit settlement processing using an IC card will be described. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the means related to the credit settlement process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a credit settlement process, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing signals related to the settlement process.

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the slot machine 10, the credit management means 1002 described above is involved in the credit settlement process. Further, the lending machine 20 includes a settlement control unit 205, and involves the settlement operation switch 23, the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210, the medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM, the extended credit storage area 201c, and the like. The second computer 42, which is a lending sales management computer of the hall computer 4, includes carry-over saving medal management means 423 and INOUT information management means 422 related to the settlement process, and the above-described sales management means 424 is involved in the settlement process. . In the server 3 of the data management center, the medium balance management unit 3002 and the sales information management unit 3003 described above are involved in the settlement process.

  The legitimate IC card inserted into the lending machine 20 is accepted through a predetermined collation process in step 121 of FIG. 22 (step S121: YES). The medium ID of the IC card is read by the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210 and stored in the medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM. When the settlement operation switch 23 is operated and accepted (step S122: YES), the settlement control unit 205 of the lending machine 20 transmits a settlement command signal to the slot machine 10 (step S123).

  The credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 transmits a credit data signal including the game value balance information currently credited to the slot machine 10 to the lending machine 20 (step S124).

  The settlement control means 205 of the lending machine 20 determines the number of carry-over saved medals by adding the number of balances indicated by the credit data signal to the number of balances of the extended credits stored in the extended credit storage area 201c (step S125). Then, the settlement control unit 205 generates a carryover data signal including the medium ID information stored in the medium ID storage area 201a and the information of the determined carryover medal number, and transmits the carryover data signal to the hall computer 4 (step). S126).

  The carryover saving medal management means 423 of the hall computer 4 registers the carryover saving medal number in the database 42a in association with the medium ID included in the carryover data signal (step S127). When the registration is completed, the hall computer 4 transmits a carryover registration completion signal to the lending machine 20 (step S128).

  The settlement control means 205 of the lending machine 20 receives the carryover registration completion signal and transmits a settlement completion signal to the slot machine 10 (step S129), and clears the extended credit variable in the extended credit storage area 201c to zero (step S129). S130). Then, the card discharging means 213 of the lending machine 20 discharges the IC card and returns it to the player (step S131).

  The credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 receives the payment completion signal from the lending machine 20 and clears the credit to zero (step S132).

  The INOUT information management means 422 of the hall computer 4 stores the number obtained by subtracting the number of carry-over saved medals from the total number of game values lent out by the IC card in the database 42a as INOUT (difference balance) information in the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20. Record and manage (step S133). Then, the INOUT information management unit 422 and the sales management unit 424 of the hall computer 4 transmit an INOUT / sales data signal including the INOUT information of each slot machine 10 and the sales information of each lending machine 20 to the server 3 of the data management center. (Step S134). The sales information management means 3003 of the server 3 records and manages sales information for each hall in the database 3a.

  In the credit settlement process described above, the credit may be returned to the IC card charge by the player's selection. In this case, the settlement control unit 205 of the lending machine 20 uses the amount obtained by multiplying the gaming value balance of all the credits remaining in the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 20 by a predetermined cash exchange rate, the medium balance management unit of the server 3. The IC card can be charged through 3002.

[Means related to replay processing]
Next, the replay process using the carryover saving medal will be described. FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing means related to the replay process according to the present embodiment, FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the replay process, and FIG. 25 is a diagram showing signals related to the replay process.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the above-described credit management means 1002 in the slot machine 10 is involved in the replay process. The lending machine 20 includes a replay control unit 206, and includes a replay operation switch 24, an information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210, a medium ID storage area 201a of RAM, an extended credit storage area 201c, and the like. The second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 is related to the carry-over saving medal management means 423 in relation to the replay process.

  When a legitimate IC card having the adjusted carryover saving medal is inserted into the lending machine 20, the medium ID is read by the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210, and the medium ID is stored in the medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM. Is stored. When the lending machine 20 accepts the IC card by a predetermined collation process (step S141: YES) and the replay operation switch 24 is operated (step S142: YES), the replay control means 206 is activated. The replay control means 206 transmits a carryover inquiry signal including information on the medium ID of the IC card inserted in the lending machine 20 to the hall computer 4 (step S143).

  The carryover medal management means 423 of the hall computer 4 searches the database 42a and obtains information on the number of carryover medal numbers associated with the medium ID indicated by the carryover inquiry signal. Then, the hall computer 4 returns a carryover response signal including information on the number of carryover medals to the lending machine 20 (step S144).

  The replay control means 206 of the lending machine 20 receives the carryover response signal from the hall computer 4, and transmits a credit recovery data signal including information on the number of carryover medals to the slot machine 10 (step S145). Upon receiving the credit recovery data signal from the lending machine 20, the credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 sets the credit to the number of carry-over medals and recovers it (step S146). When the credit exceeds the predetermined upper limit due to the replay operation, the credit management means 1002 transmits an overflow data signal including the game value information of the excess to the lending machine 20, and the excess is lent. Add to your extended credit.

  Finally, the credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 transmits a credit setting completion signal to the lending machine 20 and the hall computer 4 (step S147). In response to the credit setting completion signal, the carryover saving medal management means 423 of the hall computer 4 clears the number of carryover saving medals associated with the medium ID in the database 42a to zero (step S148).

[Means related to update processing of medium ID of IC card]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the medium ID of the IC card can be updated by a command from the server 3 of the data management center. Here, FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing means related to the medium ID update processing according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 28 is a diagram showing signals related to the medium ID update processing.

  In connection with the update process of the medium ID of the IC card, the lending machine 20 includes a medium ID update unit 207 as a medium identification information update unit, and includes an information reading unit 211 and an information writing unit 212 of the R / W unit 210. The medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM is involved. The second computer 42 of the hall computer 4 includes a medium ID update recording unit 425. In the server 3 of the data management center, the medium ID management means 3001 described above is involved.

  The medium ID of the IC card inserted into the lending machine 20 is read by the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210 and stored in the medium ID storage area 201a of the RAM. The medium ID update means 207 of the lending machine 20 transmits a medium ID update trigger signal to the server 3 of the data management center via the hall computer 4 as needed. The update trigger signal can be transmitted to the server 3 at an arbitrary timing. However, it is preferable to transmit the update trigger signal for each communication including the medium ID of the IC card, or at the completion of a series of system processes such as a credit lending process. This update trigger signal includes information on the medium ID to be updated.

  When the received update trigger signal is valid and valid, the medium ID management unit 3001 of the server 3 issues a new medium ID. Then, the server 3 transmits a medium ID update command signal including information on the new medium ID to the lending machine 20.

  When the medium ID update unit 207 of the lending machine 20 receives the medium ID update command signal from the server 3, the medium ID of the IC card currently inserted is read again by the information reading unit 211 of the R / W unit 210. Then, the medium ID updating unit 207 compares the medium ID stored in the medium ID storage area 201a with the medium ID read from the inserted IC card. The medium ID update unit 207 controls the information writing unit 212 of the R / W unit 210 only when they match, and currently lends information on the new medium ID indicated by the received medium ID update command signal. Record and update on the IC card inserted in the machine 20. When the update of the medium ID is completed, the lending machine 20 transmits an update completion signal to the hall computer 4 and the server 3 of the data management center.

  The medium ID update recording means 425 of the hall computer 4 records a signal exchanged between the lending machine 20 and the server 3, and based on the record, all ICs that are actually confirmed to be used in the hall. The update history of the card medium ID is recorded and managed in the database 42a.

[Means for processing when replacing an IC card]
According to the gaming machine system 1 of the present embodiment, when a player wants to stop the game or temporarily leaves the slot machine 10 for a break or the like, the IC card is taken out by operating the return operation switch 22 of the lending machine 20. be able to. Therefore, measures are taken to prevent other players from playing unfairly using credits left in the slot machine 10 while the player is absent. Therefore, means relating to processing at the time of replacement of the IC card in preparation for such a case will be described below.

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing means related to the processing at the time of IC card replacement according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the processing.

  In relation to the processing at the time of replacing the IC card, the slot machine 10 is associated with the credit management means 1002. The lending machine 20 includes a card replacement monitoring unit 208 as an electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring unit, an exception processing unit 209 at the time of replacement, an information reading unit 211 and a card discharging unit 213 of the R / W unit 210, and a RAM medium. An ID storage area 201a, an extended credit storage area 201c, and the like are involved. In the second computer 42 of the hall computer 4, the medium ID update recording means 425 described above is involved.

  Referring to FIG. 30, when an IC card is inserted into lending machine 20 (step S151), information reading unit 211 of R / W unit 210 reads the medium ID of the IC card (step S152). The card replacement monitoring unit 208 of the lending machine 20 reads the medium ID stored in the medium ID storage area 201a and the information of the IC card inserted immediately before the IC card is inserted in step S152. If the medium ID matches (step S153: YES), it is considered that the same IC card has been inserted again, and the process ends. That is, in this case, it is regarded as a continuous game by the same player, and no exception processing is performed when the IC card is replaced.

  In step S153, when the immediately preceding medium ID does not match the current medium ID, the card replacement monitoring unit 208 sends an update inquiry signal including information on the immediately preceding medium ID and the current medium ID to the hall computer 4. (Step S154).

  The medium ID update recording means 425 of the hall computer 4 checks the continuity where the current medium ID obtained from the update inquiry signal is updated from the immediately preceding medium ID with reference to the update record stored in the database 42a. (Step S155). Then, the inspection result is returned to the lending machine 20 as an update reply signal (step S156).

  When the card replacement monitoring means 208 of the lending machine 20 confirms the continuity of the inserted IC card based on the update response signal from the hall computer 4 (step S157: YES), it is considered that the same IC card is inserted again. To finish the process. That is, in this case, the medium ID of the IC card owned by the player is updated in the middle, but the IC card itself is not changed, so that it is treated as a continuous game by the same player.

  Further, if the continuity of the IC card is not recognized in step S157 (step S157: NO), the card replacement monitoring means 208 determines that the IC card has been replaced, and the exception processing at the subsequent replacement of the IC card. Is executed. In other words, in this case, it is handled that a game by another player has started.

  If the card replacement monitoring unit 208 of the lending machine 20 determines that the IC card has been replaced (step S157: NO), the replacement exception processing unit 209 is activated. The replacement exception processing means 209 of the lending machine 20 transmits a credit inquiry signal to the slot machine 10 (step S158). The credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 receives the credit inquiry signal from the lending machine 20, and transmits a credit data signal including information on the remaining number of credits to the lending machine 20 (step S159).

  The replacement exception processing means 209 of the lending machine 20 determines that a total credit remaining number obtained by adding the credit remaining number indicated by the credit data signal and the expanded credit remaining number in the expanded credit storage area 201c is a game in the slot machine 10. When, for example, three or more remaining game value numbers are left (step S160: YES), a lending impossible signal is transmitted to the slot machine 10 (step S161), and the card ejection means 213 ejects the IC card. Return (step S162). As a result, if a predetermined number or more of credits are left, it is assumed that the player who has removed his / her seat has an intention to continue the game, and another player plays a game using a different IC card. Is prohibited. Accordingly, substantial occupation of the machine during the game is ensured.

  If the remaining credit is only a so-called fractional number of 3 or less (step S160: NO), it is considered that the player who has left the seat does not intend to continue the game, and the lending machine 20 sends a credit clear signal to the slot. It transmits to the machine 10 (step S163). Then, the credit management means 1002 of the slot machine 10 clears the fractional credits to zero (step S164). If a fraction is left in the extended credit of the lending machine 20, the lending machine 20 clears the variable value in the extended credit storage area 201c to zero.

  The lending machine 20 may add credits by the number of acceptable game values obtained by subtracting the current credit number from the credit upper limit number (for example, 50 cards). Further, the gaming value that can be used only with the extended credit of the lending machine 20 without managing the credit function in the slot machine 10 may be managed. In this case, a predetermined number of game values are added to the extended credit of the lending machine 20 by the lending operation. Further, the gaming value is deducted from the extended credit of the lending machine 20 by the betting operation of the slot machine 10, and the gaming value given by winning is added to the extended credit. These processes are performed through mutual communication between the slot machine 10 and the lending machine 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine system 2 Server of ID management center 3 Server of data management center 4 Hall computer 5 Ticket vending machine 6 Terminal device of hall counter 10 Slot machine 20 Lending machine 21 Lending operation switch 22 Return operation switch 23 Checkout operation switch 24 Replay operation Switch 25 Numerical display 41 First computer (authentication management computer)
42 Second computer (lending sales management computer)
100 Main control board 120 Sub control board 130 Discharge control board 132 ROM
151 Communication Connection Requesting Unit 152 Authentication Processing Control Unit 153 Authentication ID Storage Unit 154 Operation Restricting Unit 155 Secret Communication Unit 200 Lending Machine Control Board 202 Medium ID Verification Unit 203 Balance Information Acquisition Unit 204 Lending Control Unit 205 Reimbursement Control Unit 206 Replay Control Means 207 Medium ID update means 208 Card replacement monitoring means 209 Replacement time processing means 210 R / W unit 251 Communication permission / rejection means 252 Communication conversion means 255 Secret communication means 411 Operating machine management recording means 421 Lending management means 422 INOUT information management means 423 carry-over saving medal management means 424 sales management means 425 medium ID update recording means 501 deposit acceptance means 502 medium ID application means 503 card ticket issuing means 2001 authentication ID management means 2002 gaming machine authentication means 3001 medium ID Management means 3002 media balance management means 3003 sales information management means

Claims (6)

A gaming machine system that includes a lending machine and a gaming machine that are communicably connected to a management server,
Registering the medium identification information recorded on the electronic game medium issued by the management server to the player in a database, managing the medium identification information and the valuable value in association with the database,
The lending machine reads the medium identification information recorded on the electronic game medium, the electronic game medium replacement monitoring means for monitoring the replacement of the electronic game medium based on the read medium identification information, Balance information acquisition means for referring to the management server for medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium read by the reading means and acquiring balance information of value associated with the medium identification information;
Credit management means for storing and managing credits consumed by betting when the gaming machine performs a unit game in the gaming machine,
The credit management means of the gaming machine is configured to lend credit to a player by increasing the credit within a range of value assigned to the electronic gaming medium,
The electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring means of the lending machine is not permitted to lend the gaming machine to lending processing when the electronic gaming medium is replaced and the predetermined number of remaining credits are left. A gaming machine system that transmits signals.   2. The gaming machine system according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic gaming medium discharging unit that discharges a newly inserted electronic gaming medium to the outside when the lending machine transmits the lending impossible signal.   The credit management means of the gaming machine determines that the electronic gaming medium has been replaced by the electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring means of the lending machine, and the credit is less than the predetermined remaining number, The gaming machine system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the credit is cleared to zero.   The gaming machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein medium identification information of an electronic gaming medium inserted in the lending machine can be updated by a command from the management server. The lending machine includes storage means for storing medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium read by the reading means from an inserted electronic gaming medium, writing means for writing and recording information on the electronic gaming medium, Medium identification information updating means for updating medium identification information of the electronic game medium, and
When the medium identification information update means receives an identification information update command signal as a command from the management server, the medium identification information update means reads the medium identification information stored in the storage means and the currently inserted electronic game medium. The read medium identification information of the electronic game medium is compared, and only when the medium identification information matches, the new medium identification information indicated by the received identification information update command signal is The gaming machine system according to claim 4, wherein the gaming machine system is recorded and updated in an electronic gaming medium.   The gaming machine system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the electronic gaming medium replacement monitoring unit determines that the electronic gaming medium has been replaced when the continuity of the medium identification information of the electronic gaming medium is interrupted.

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