JP2013165875A - Game parlor operation system and game parlor operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game parlor operation system which can prevent fraudulent practice in a pay-by-the-hour game.SOLUTION: Play validity period information showing a playable period and play history information for identifying a game machine with which a game is played last time and its time of day are stored to a play information storage means in association with medium identification information of a recording medium, and play prohibition regulation time information for prohibiting play with a game machine other than the game machine with which a game is played last time is stored to a play prohibition regulation time information storage means. When the medium identification information is obtained from the recording medium, it is determined by a playability determination means on the basis of the play validity period information, the play history information, and the play prohibition regulation time information whether or not play with a current game machine is allowed, and a playable signal generation means outputs a playable signal for allowing the current game machine to start a game on the basis of a result of determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game field management system and a game field management method for realizing a play mode with no limit on the number of play times for a predetermined time in a game machine, and more specifically, playing on a game machine other than the game machine currently being played. The present invention relates to a game field management system and a game field management method that are prohibited for a predetermined time.

  Conventionally, various systems for collecting a game fee using a recording medium such as a card in an arcade game facility such as a game center have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of paying a predetermined fee per play. Is disclosed.

  In the game fee collection system of Patent Document 1, card information is recorded by printing a barcode on the card when the card is issued by a card issuing / settlement machine, and the amount paid at the time of card issuance is used as balance information. Stored in the external storage device of the host personal computer. During the game, card information is read by the card reading unit of the game machine, and the read card information is notified to the host personal computer. The game fee is collected when the host personal computer subtracts the game unit price information from the balance information corresponding to the card information.

  On the other hand, there is also known a so-called “time lending” play mode that enables free play for a predetermined time according to the amount of payment. For example, Patent Documents 2 to 5 disclose such a technique. .

  In the device / facility use management method of Patent Document 2, predetermined time data is recorded on a magnetic recording card, and the time data is reduced according to the use time of the game machine, whereby the time data becomes a value indicating zero. Until now, game machines can be used.

  In the play signal generation device of Patent Document 3, the play information relating to the play time stored in the IC card is read, it is determined whether or not play is possible based on the read play information, and if play is possible, the play start signal is output. By generating and transmitting to the game machine, free play for a predetermined time is made possible.

  In the gaming system of Patent Document 4, when a prepaid card is issued, a unique card number is recorded on the prepaid card, and a ball lending time (game time) is set according to the paid price. The card number and the rentable time are transmitted to the management device. The card unit reads the card number recorded on the prepaid card, receives the lending available time corresponding to the card number from the management device, and can continuously play the game until the lending available time elapses.

  In the game field system of Patent Document 5, identification information is recorded on the game recording medium issued by the game recording medium issuing device, and the game recording medium management terminal installed for each gaming unit is recorded on the game recording medium. Read identification information. The read identification information is transmitted from the game recording medium management terminal to the central management device, and the central management device confirms the amount of money to be inserted based on the transmitted identification information, and calculates the game possible time. The central management device transmits the game available time information to the game recording medium management terminal, and the game recording medium management terminal is allowed to play the game only for the game available time.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-263175 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, paragraph numbers 0005 to 0008) JP-A-7-129682 (FIG. 1, paragraph numbers 0015 to 0019) JP2009-160325A (FIGS. 1 to 4, paragraph numbers 0022 to 0023, paragraph numbers 0035 to 0040) JP 2002-355430 A (FIGS. 1-4, paragraph numbers 0012-0015) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-87645 (FIG. 1, paragraph numbers 0031 to 0036)

  By the way, the game machine is provided with a function called credit that can store the number of times of play corresponding to the paid price, and this function can also be used in time rental play. For example, if the credit function is applied to the play signal generation device of Patent Document 3, a play start signal corresponding to the number of operations during free play is transmitted from the play signal generation device to the game machine, and the play for the number of operations is performed by the game machine. Credited.

  When the credit function is used in the time-lending play in this way, there is a problem that a so-called “also lending” fraudulent act in which a plurality of players use one recording medium becomes possible. In other words, since it is possible to credit a plurality of game machines one after another using the same recording medium within a time lending playable time, a single recording medium can be played simultaneously on a plurality of game machines. In addition, when one player performs this action, a plurality of game machines are occupied by one player within the time that can be lent and played, preventing the use of the game machines of other players. It will be. Therefore, not only the profit of the game field is deteriorated, but there is a possibility that the operation of the game field may be hindered. In any of the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 5, there is a problem that such illegal acts cannot be prevented. The same problem also occurs when “time lending” is realized by applying the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method capable of preventing fraud in time lending play. is there.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method in which a plurality of game machines are not credited one after another by one recording medium in a time rental play.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method capable of prohibiting simultaneous play on a plurality of game machines in time-lending play.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method capable of preventing troubles in game field management.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method capable of easily introducing time-lending play without significant changes to the game machine.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game field management system and a game field management method capable of reducing the operation cost by making it possible to use a low-cost portable recording medium.
Other objects of the present invention which are not specified here will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In order to achieve this object, a game field management system and a game field management method according to the present invention are configured as follows.
(1) The game field management system of the present invention enables play for a predetermined time according to the payment fee in a game field where a plurality of game machines are installed based on the medium identification information recorded on the portable recording medium. A game field management system that is arranged corresponding to each of the game machines, and that has recording medium reading means for acquiring the medium identification information from the recording medium, play expiration date information indicating a playable time limit, and past Play information storage means for storing the last played game machine and play history information capable of specifying the time in association with the medium identification information, and a regulation prohibiting play on a game machine other than the last played game machine Play prohibition restriction time information storage means for storing play prohibition restriction time information indicating time, and the recording medium reading means obtains the medium identification information. In this case, based on the play expiration date information corresponding to the acquired medium identification information, the play history information, and the play prohibition restriction time information, the current game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means can be played. Based on the determination result by the playability determination means and the playability determination means for determining whether or not the game machine, the game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means that acquired the medium identification information is started to play. And a playable signal generating means for outputting a playable signal to be enabled.

  In the game field management system of the present invention, the medium identification information of the recording medium is acquired by the recording medium reading means arranged corresponding to each game machine. The play information storage means stores, in association with the acquired medium identification information, play expiration date information indicating a playable time limit, and play history information capable of specifying the last game machine and time played. . Play prohibition restriction time information indicating a restriction time during which play on a game machine other than the game machine played last time is prohibited is stored in the play prohibition restriction information storage unit. When the medium identification information is acquired by the recording medium reading unit, the play permission / inhibition determining unit determines the recording medium based on the play expiration date information, the play history information, and the play prohibition restriction time information corresponding to the acquired medium identification information. It is determined whether or not the current game machine corresponding to the reading means can be played. Then, based on the determination result by the play enable / disable determining unit, the playable signal generating unit outputs a playable signal that allows the start of play to the game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading unit that has acquired the medium identification information. . Therefore, if the current game machine is different from the last game machine played and the play prohibition restriction time has not elapsed since the last play time, it is determined that play is impossible and a play enable signal is output. You can avoid it. In other words, play on a plurality of game machines can be prohibited during the play prohibition regulation time. Therefore, in a time-lending play, a plurality of game machines are not credited one after another by a single recording medium, and fraudulent acts of lending are prevented. There is nothing. Further, since the lending play can be performed only by adding the recording medium reading means and the play signal generating means to each game machine, it is possible to easily introduce the lending play without requiring a significant change of the game machine itself. Furthermore, since the play expiration date information and the play history information (information that can specify the game machine and the time played last time) are stored in association with the medium identification information of the recording medium, the play expiration date information is stored in the recording medium itself. There is no need to record (or store) play history information. In other words, only the medium identification information may be recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, for example, if a paper card on which a barcode is printed is used, the cost of the portable recording medium can be reduced and the operation cost can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the “expiration date” is a concept including a time, date and time, a period, etc. during which validity is maintained.

  (2) In a preferred example of the game field management system of the present invention, in the game field management system of (1), a recording medium reception device is arranged corresponding to each of the game machines, and the management device is the recording device. Each of the medium reception devices is communicably connected, each of the recording medium reception devices has the recording medium reading means and the playable signal generation means, and the management device is the play information storage means and the play prohibition The recording medium accepting device has a restriction time information storage unit and a play availability determination unit, and the recording medium reception device transmits play availability inquiry information including the acquired medium identification information to the management device, and the play availability inquiry information is transmitted to the management device. The received management device receives the play permission corresponding to the medium identification information included in the play permission inquiry information. The determination result of the determining means, and transmits the transmitted the play inquiring the information the recording medium acceptance device. In this case, there is an advantage that the play expiration date information, the play history information, and the play prohibition regulation time information can be collectively managed in the management device.

  (3) In another preferable example of the game field management system according to the present invention, in the game field management system according to (2), the recording medium reception device holds device identification information, and the corresponding game machine has the device identification. Specified by information. In this case, since the game machine can be specified based on the device identification information of the recording medium reception device, the identification information is not required in the game machine. Therefore, there is an advantage that the recording medium receiving apparatus can be used as it is even if the game machine is replaced.

  (4) In still another preferred example of the game field management system of the present invention, in the game field management system of (3), a fee that is communicably connected to the management device and paid for the recording medium A recording medium processing device that determines a playable time according to the information and transmits the playable expiration date information in association with the medium identification information of the recording medium. In this case, since the recording medium processing apparatus determines the time for which the time lending play is possible according to the paid fee, there is an advantage that the expiration date of the time lending play can be changed depending on the amount of payment.

  (5) The game field management method of the present invention enables play for a predetermined time according to the payment fee in a game field where a plurality of game machines are installed based on the medium identification information recorded on the portable recording medium. And a game history management method that stores play expiration information indicating a playable time limit and play history information capable of specifying the last game machine and time of play in association with the medium identification information. The play prohibition restriction time information indicating the play prohibition restriction time in a game machine other than the game machine that was played last is stored, and recorded on the recording medium by a recording medium reading unit arranged corresponding to the game machine When the medium identification information is acquired, the play expiration date information, the play history information, and the play prohibition rules corresponding to the acquired medium identification information. Based on the time information, it is determined whether or not play with the current game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means is possible, and the playable signal generating means with respect to the current game machine based on the determination result This is a game field management method for outputting a play start signal that enables the start of play.

  In the game field management method of the present invention, the play expiration date information indicating the playable time limit, the game machine that played last time and the play history information that can specify the time are stored in association with the medium identification information, and the past last The play prohibition restriction time information indicating the play prohibition restriction time in a game machine other than the game machine that has been played is stored. When the medium identification information recorded on the recording medium is acquired by the recording medium reading means arranged corresponding to the game machine, the play expiration date information and the play history information corresponding to the acquired medium identification information and play prohibition regulations Based on the time information, it is determined whether or not the current game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means can be played. Then, based on the determination result, the playable signal generating means outputs a playable signal that allows the game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means that has acquired the medium identification information to start play. Therefore, like the game field management system of (1) above, the current game machine is different from the game machine played last in the past, and the play prohibition restriction time has not elapsed since the last play time. In this case, it is possible to determine that play is not possible and prevent play. In other words, play on a plurality of game machines can be prohibited during the play prohibition regulation time. Therefore, in a time-lending play, a plurality of game machines are not credited one after another by a single recording medium, and fraudulent acts of lending are prevented. There is nothing. Further, since the lending play can be performed only by adding the recording medium reading means and the play signal generating means to each game machine, it is possible to easily introduce the lending play without requiring a significant change of the game machine itself. Furthermore, since the play expiration date information and the play history information (information that can specify the game machine and the time played last time) are stored in association with the medium identification information of the recording medium, the play expiration date information is stored in the recording medium itself. There is no need to record (or store) play history information. In other words, only the medium identification information may be recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, for example, if a paper card on which a barcode is printed is used, the cost of the portable recording medium can be reduced and the operation cost can be reduced.

  In the game field management system and the game field management method of the present invention, (a) fraudulent acts can be prevented in the time rental play, and (b) a plurality of game machines are credited one after another by one recording medium in the time rental play. (C) It is possible to prohibit simultaneous play of a plurality of game machines in time lending play, (d) It is possible to prevent the operation of the game field from being hindered, (e) Without significant changes to the game machine It is possible to easily introduce a time-lending play, and (f) the operation cost can be reduced by making it possible to use a low-priced portable recording medium.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the game field management system of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the card | curd used for the game field management system of FIG. 1, (A) is a prepaid card, (B) is a pack card, (C) is a time lending card. It is a schematic front view of the card issuing apparatus used for the game field management system of FIG. The game machine which comprises the game field management system of FIG. 1 is shown, (A) is a schematic front view, (B) is a control block diagram. It is a schematic front view which shows the card reception apparatus which comprises the game field management system of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the card reception apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the management apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the information management table produced with the management apparatus of FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the game field management system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the card issuing apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the card | curd acceptance apparatus of FIG. 5 and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of management PC in the management apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server apparatus in the management apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the play availability determination step in the flowchart of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a game field management system GMS according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game field management system GMS includes a recording medium processing device (hereinafter referred to as a card issuing device) 2 that issues a portable card-like recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a card) 1 in which predetermined information is recorded, and a plurality of games. It is possible to communicate with a machine 3 and a plurality of recording medium accepting devices (hereinafter referred to as card accepting devices) 4 arranged corresponding to the game machine 3 and a card issuing device 2 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 13. A personal computer for management (hereinafter referred to as a management PC) 5 connected to the card receiving apparatus 4 through the wireless slave unit 11 and the wireless master unit 12 so as to be communicable with each other, and communicates with the management PC 5 via the LAN 13. And a server device 6 connected in a possible manner. The management PC 5 and the server device 6 constitute a management device 7. Normally, a larger number of game machines 3 are installed in the game field, but only three game machines 3 are shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity.

(card)
The card 1 is a recording medium issued as a price payment fee, and includes a thin card body 101 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a barcode 102 printed on the surface of the card body 101. The bar code 102 is a code having a predetermined number of digits composed of numerical values and characters depending on the thickness of a striped line. With this code, card identification information (hereinafter also referred to as a card ID) CID capable of identifying the card 1 is recorded. In this embodiment, the card body 101 is made of paper, so that the price can be reduced to a disposable level.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, three types of cards 1a, 1b, and 1c are prepared as the card 1. That is, it can be used for all models of the game machine 3, and can be used only for the prepaid card 1a in which the play fee preset for each model is deducted from the payment balance for each play and the specific model of the game machine 3. The prepaid card for a specific model (hereinafter referred to as a pack card) 1b, in which the play fee set at a lower price than usual is reduced from the payment balance for each play, can be played for a predetermined time as a payment fee. A time lending card 1c can be used. A character string 103 that can distinguish the card type is printed on the cards 1a, 1b, and 1c so that the player can visually recognize the card type. It is also preferable to make it easier to identify the card type by applying a different color or printing a pattern on the surface of the card body 101 of the cards 1a, 1b, and 1c.

  As the card 1, a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe, an IC card with a built-in non-volatile memory, or the like can be used. However, the paper card 1 having the barcode 102 is the cheapest recording medium. It is preferable from a certain point. A recording medium other than a card can be used. For example, a coin-type recording medium can be used.

(Card issuing device)
Next, the card issuing device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The card issuing device 2 has a function of issuing the card 1 on which the barcode 102 is printed in advance. It is possible to incorporate a barcode printing device that prints the barcode 102 in the card issuing device 2 and print the barcode 102 on the card body 101 when issuing the card 1. Becomes higher. In this embodiment, the card 1 on which the barcode 102 has been printed is used in order to reduce the price.

  The card issuing device 2 includes a box-shaped casing 201, a display 211 constituted by a liquid crystal display panel, etc., a touch panel 212 that constitutes the input device 210 together with the display 211, a bill insertion slot 231 and a bill dispensing outlet 232 Deposit / withdrawal device 230, card reader 220 with card slot 221, three card payout devices 240A, 240B, 240C with card payout ports 241A, 241B, 241C, coin slot 251, coin payout port 252, checkout port 261 And a control device 281 for controlling the entire card issuing device 2 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F) 282 for connecting to the LAN 13.

  The display 211 has a horizontally long rectangular shape and is disposed on the front upper portion of the housing 201. Various guides are displayed on the display 211, and a selection button 213 is displayed in a timely manner. A touch panel 212 is superimposed on the surface of the display 211, and the input device 210 is configured by the display 211 and the touch panel 212 in accordance with the display of the selection button 213. By operating the selection button 213, the card type, that is, any one of the prepaid card 1a, the pack card 1b, and the time lending card 1c can be selected. When the selected card type is the prepaid card 1a or the pack card 1b, a selection button 213 that allows the payment amount to be selected within the range of the amount inserted into the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 230 is displayed. On the other hand, when the selected card type is the time lending card 1c, a selection button 213 that can select a play expiration date (in other words, playable time) within the range of the amount inserted into the banknote deposit and withdrawal device 230 is displayed. The

  The banknote deposit / withdrawal device 230 has a banknote insertion slot 231 disposed below the display 211 on the right side of the front center of the housing 201 and a banknote ejection slot 232 disposed below the banknote insertion slot 231. . Each of the bill insertion slot 231 and the bill delivery outlet 232 has a horizontally long slit shape. The bill deposit / withdrawal device 230 determines the authenticity of the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 231, accepts a genuine bill, and returns a fake bill or an indistinguishable bill to the bill payout exit 232. If the amount selected by the selection button 213 for the inserted bill is lower than the face value of the inserted bill, the fishing bill is paid out from the bill payout exit 232, and the selected amount or playable time is paid amount or playable time. Confirm as

  The card payout device 240A has a function of paying out the play paid card 1a. The card dispensing apparatus 240A includes a horizontally long slit-shaped card dispensing outlet 241A disposed below the display 211 on the front left side of the housing 201, a card reader 242A disposed below the card dispensing outlet 241A, and a prepaid card 1a. Card storage unit 243A for storing the card. In the present embodiment, the card reader 242A is a barcode reader that reads the barcode 102. The card payout device 240A sends out the lowest prepaid card 1a stacked in the card storage unit 243A toward the card payout outlet 241A in a horizontal state, and pays out until the prepaid card 1a protrudes about half of its total length. In this payout process, the card reader 242A arranged below the card payout exit 241A reads the barcode 102 recorded on the prepaid card 1a.

  The card dispensing device 240B has a function of dispensing the pack card 1b. The card dispensing device 240B includes a horizontally long slit-shaped card dispensing port 241B disposed below the card dispensing port 241A of the card dispensing device 240A, a card reader 242B disposed below the card dispensing port 241B, and a pack card 1b. And a card storage section 243B for storing. The card dispensing device 240B sends out the lowest pack card 1b stacked in the card storage unit 243B toward the card dispensing outlet 241B in a horizontal state, and is dispensed to the extent that the pack card 1b protrudes about half of its total length. During the payout process, the card reader 242B disposed below the card payout exit 241B reads the barcode 102 recorded on the pack card 1b.

  The card payout device 240C has a function of paying out the time lending card 1c, and has a horizontally long slit-like card payout port 241C disposed on the right side of the card payout port 241B of the card payout device 240B and a lower side of the card payout port 241C. And a card storage unit 243C for storing the time lending card 1c. The card dispensing device 240C sends out the lowest time lending card 1c stacked in the card storage unit 243C toward the card dispensing outlet 241C in a horizontal state, and is dispensed until the time lending card 1c protrudes about half of its total length. . In this payout process, the card reader 242C arranged below the card payout exit 241C reads the barcode 102 of the time lending card 1c.

  The card reader 220 is used when the balance of the issued card 1 is increased or the play time is extended (hereinafter referred to as “recharge”), and is disposed below the display 211 on the front center left side of the housing 201. A card slot 221 is provided. A card reader 222 is built in the housing 201 below the card slot 221. The card reader 220 receives the card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 221 in a horizontal state, and reads the barcode 102 recorded on the card 1 by the card reader 222 in the receiving process. After reading the barcode 102, information on the card 1 is displayed on the display 211. That is, when the prepaid card 1a or the pack card 1b is inserted, the balance of the prepaid card 1a or the pack card 1b is displayed. When a bill is inserted into the bill depositing / dispensing device 230 in order to increase the balance, a selection button 213 for selecting a payment amount within the range of the amount inserted is displayed, and the amount selected by the selection button 213 is confirmed as the payment amount. Then, the confirmed payment amount is added to the balance. When the time lending card 1c is inserted, the remaining playable time is displayed on the display 211. When extending the playable time, a bill is inserted into the bill depositing / dispensing device 230, and a selection button 213 capable of selecting the extension time within the range of the amount inserted is displayed on the display 211. The selected extension time is determined by selecting the displayed selection button 213, and the determined extension time is added to the remaining playable time. After the increase of the balance or the extension of the playable time is confirmed, the card reader 220 sends out the received card 1 toward the card insertion slot 221 in a horizontal state, and the card 1 is paid out to the extent that the card 1 protrudes about half of its total length. .

  The coin slot 251 is arranged on the right side of the banknote outlet 232 and has a vertically long slit shape. In the case 201, a coin sorting device 253 for authenticating the coin and discriminating the denomination is built in after the coin slot 251. The coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 251 are sorted by the coin sorting device 253, and the false coins are returned to the coin payout exit 252. The true coin is sent to a holding unit (not shown) in the housing 201 and held there.

  The coin payout outlet 252 is a box that is disposed below the coin inlet 251 and has one surface opened in a rectangular shape. The coin payout exit 252 holds coins that have been determined to be fake coins by the coin sorting device 253 and canceled coins. The fake coins and the like held at the coin payout exit 252 can be taken out by the customer through the opening.

  The checkout port 261 is a box that is disposed below the banknote depositing / dispensing device 230 and has one surface opened in a rectangular shape. The payment port 261 has a function of holding the coins that have been settled and paid out from the change dispenser 271 built in the housing 201 so that the coins can be taken out. The coins held in the checkout port 261 can be taken out by the customer through the opening.

  The control device 218 inputs / outputs data to / from the display 211, the input device 210, the card reading device 220, the banknote depositing / dispensing device 230, the card dispensing devices 240 </ b> A, 240 </ b> B, 240 </ b> C, the coin sorting device 253, and the change dispenser 271. And has a function of controlling the operation of the card issuing device 2. The control device 218 includes a storage unit 283 that stores various data. The storage unit 283 stores card issuing device identification information UID for identifying the card issuing device 2.

  When the prepaid card 1a is selected by the selection button 213, the control device 218 operates the card payout device 240A to control to pay out the prepaid card 1a from the card payout exit 241A while reading the barcode 102 with the card reader 242A. . At this time, the read card identification information CID, the card type information CKD indicating the type of the selected card 1 (that is, the prepaid card 1a), the payment amount information MNY indicating the payment amount determined by the selection button 213, and the card The card issue date / time information IDT indicating the issue date / time of 1 is temporarily stored by the control device 218.

  When the pack card 1b is selected by the selection button 213, the control device 218 operates the card dispensing device 240B, and dispenses the pack card 1b from the card dispensing outlet 241B while reading the barcode 102 with the card reader 242B. At this time, the read card identification information CID, the card type information CKD indicating the type of the selected card 1 (that is, the pack card 1b), the payment amount information MNY indicating the payment amount determined by the selection button 213, and the card The card issue date / time information IDT indicating the issue date / time of 1 is temporarily stored by the control device 218.

  When the time lending card 1c is selected by the selection button 213, the control device 218 operates the card dispensing device 240C and pays out the time lending card 1c from the card dispensing outlet 241C while reading the barcode 102 with the card reader 242C. At this time, the read card identification information CID, the card type information CKD indicating the selected card type (that is, the time lending card 1c), the play expiration date information PVL indicating the playable time determined by the selection button 213, and The card issue date / time information IDT indicating the issue date / time of the card 1 is temporarily stored by the control device 218.

  The communication I / F 282 is connected to the control device 281 and the LAN 13 and has a function of transmitting and receiving data via the LAN. The card identification information CID, card type information CKD, payment amount information MNY or play expiration date information, and card issue date / time information IDT temporarily stored in the control device 281 are managed later via the LAN 13 together with the card issue device identification information UID. It is transmitted to PC5.

(game machine)
Next, the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the game machine 3 includes a display 301 that is arranged in the upper front portion and displays game content. An operation panel 302 on which various operation keys including a play start button 303 are arranged is arranged in the middle front of the game machine 3, and a coin accepting machine 310 is arranged in the lower front part. Inside the game machine 3, a game control device 320 and a game execution device 330 are arranged.

  The coin accepting machine 310 has a coin insertion slot 311, a coin return slot 312, and a coin identifying and sorting machine 313. The coin identification sorter 313 discriminates the authenticity and denomination of the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 311, returns it to the coin return slot 312 in the case of a fake coin, and discriminates the denomination in the case of a genuine coin. Hold in the safe 314 in the game machine. The coin accepting machine 310 outputs a playable signal PAS to the game control device 320 when the inserted coin reaches a predetermined amount of game fee.

  When a playable signal PAS is supplied from the coin accepting device 310 or the card accepting device 4 described later, the game control device 320 sends a game control device 320 to the game execution device 330 based on a predetermined control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory). On the other hand, a game control signal GCS is output to control the game execution device 330 and operate the game execution device 330. The game control device 320 has a credit function that counts the number of inputs of the playable signal PAS and accumulates the number of playable times according to the counted number. The accumulated number of playable times is displayed in a credit amount display area 304 of the display 301. When the playable number is 1 or more, the game control device 320 instructs the game execution device 330 to execute the game while subtracting the playable number by one count each time the play start button 303 is pressed. When the playable number of times is “0”, the game control device 320 does not instruct the game execution device 330 to execute the game even if the play start button 303 is pressed.

  The game execution device 330 executes a game execution program stored in the ROM based on the game control signal GCS supplied from the game control device 320. In other words, when the playable signal PAS is supplied to the game control device 320 and the play start button 303 is pressed, the game machine 3 starts executing the game.

(Card reception device)
Next, the card reception device 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The card reception device 4 is arranged adjacent to the corresponding game machine 3. The card reception device 4 acquires the card identification information CID by reading the barcode 102 of the card 1, transmits the acquired card identification information CID to the management PC 5 to be described later, and the play propriety determination result output from the management PC 5 And a playable signal PAS is output to the corresponding game machine 3 based on the playability determination result.

  The card reception device 4 includes a main body 41 having a rectangular box-shaped outer shape in plan view, and a reader device 42 formed integrally with the main body 41, and is disposed adjacent to the operation panel 302 of the game machine 3. A display unit 402 and a selection button 403 are disposed on the front surface 401 of the main body 41. A card insertion groove 404 is formed in the reader device 42, and a reader unit 405 is built in a position corresponding to the card insertion groove 404. Further, the main body 41 includes a control unit 410, a playable signal generation unit 411, an output unit 412, and a communication I / F 420. Of course, the main body 41 and the reader device 42 may be configured as separate bodies.

  The display unit 402 is composed of a display device disposed below the surface 401. As the display, a segment type or dot type display device using a light emitting diode, a fluorescent display tube, a liquid crystal panel or the like can be used. On the display unit 402, for example, a play amount to be used, a time lending time limit, error information, and the like are displayed.

  The selection button 403 is disposed above the display unit 402 and is used for selecting a function of the card reception device 4. For example, when playing using the prepaid card 1a or the pack card 1b, the play amount is selected. The play amount in this case is set for each game machine 3. For example, if 100 yen is selected, one play game is possible, and if 200 yen is selected, three play games are possible. That's it. Note that the selection button 403 does not function when the time lending card 1c is used.

  The card insertion groove 404 is a vertically long slit-like groove disposed at the front center of the reader device 42. The width of the card insertion groove 404 is slightly wider than the thickness of the card 1 and is set so that the card 1 can move smoothly without being swayed in a state where the card 1 is inserted into the card insertion groove 404. . The depth of the card insertion groove 404 is set so that the barcode 102 of the card 1 can be accommodated in the card insertion groove 404. This is to ensure reading of the barcode 102 by the reader unit 405.

  The reader unit 405 includes a light source and an optical sensor (not shown), and has a function of detecting a change in reflectance due to the barcode 102 and reading the code. That is, by moving the card 1 in one direction along the card insertion groove 404 while inserting the card 1 into the card insertion groove 404, the output signal of the optical sensor changes corresponding to the pattern of the barcode 102. The code can be identified from the change in the output signal. In other words, the card identification information CID of the card 1 can be acquired by this operation.

  The communication I / F 420 is an interface having a serial port such as RS-232C, and is connected to the wireless slave device 11 so as to be communicable. The communication I / F 420 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from the management PC 5 via the wireless slave device 11 and the wireless master device 12.

  The control unit 410 has a storage unit 413, and device identification information PID for identifying the card receiving device 4 is stored in the storage unit 413. The control unit 410 has a function of controlling the display unit 402, the selection button 403, the reader unit 405, the playable signal generation unit 411, and the communication I / F 420. The reader unit 405 is controlled to read the barcode 102 from the card 1 and acquire the card identification information CID, and communicates the acquired card identification information CID with the device identification information PID stored in the storage unit 413. Output to / F420. When the reader unit 405 cannot acquire the card identification information CID, the display unit 402 is controlled to display an error. When the selection button 403 is operated, the display unit 402 is controlled to display the play amount corresponding to the operation, and play amount information PMN indicating the play amount is output to the communication I / F 420.

  When the communication I / F 420 receives play permission information permitting play in the game machine 3 from the management PC 5, the control unit 410 controls the playable signal generation unit 411, and the playable signal generation unit 411 generates the playable signal PAS. Generate. The generated playable signal PAS is output to the game machine 3 via the output unit 412. When the communication I / F 420 receives play non-permission information that does not permit play on the game machine 3 from the management PC, the control unit 410 controls the display unit 402 to display an error.

(Management device)
Next, the management device 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The management device 7 includes a management PC 5 and a server device that is communicably connected to the management PC 5 via the LAN 13. The management device 7 associates card type information CKD, payment amount information MNY or play expiration date information, card issue date information IDT, balance information RMN, play history information PH (described later), etc. in association with the card identification information CID of the card 1. It has a function of determining whether or not to play the game machine 3 using the recording medium 1 from the information and updating the balance information RMN and the play history information PH every time a play is performed. In other words, the management device 7 can manage the usage status of the card 1.

  First, the management PC 5 will be described. The management PC 5 includes an input unit 501 for inputting various types of data, a display unit 502 for displaying various types of information, a first communication I / F 503 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the wireless master unit 12, and a first unit for connecting to the LAN 13. 2 communication I / F504, the memory | storage part 505 which memorize | stores various data, and the data processing part 506 which processes the data acquired via the input part 501, 1st communication I / F503, and 2nd communication I / F504 It is out.

  The input unit 501 includes a keyboard input device, a pointing mouse, and the like. The display unit 502 is a display device that displays character information, image information, and the like on a screen. The first communication I / F 503 is an interface having a serial port such as RS-232C. The second communication I / F 504 is an interface having, for example, an IEEE standard wired LAN port. The storage unit 505 is configured by a storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The data processing unit 506 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), performs predetermined processing on the input data, and outputs the processed data.

  In the management PC 5, the data input via the input unit 501 by the game field manager and the data received via the first communication I / F 503 and the second communication I / F 504 are input to the data processing unit 506. The data processing unit 506 executes data processing based on a predetermined program stored in the ROM. The data processing result is stored in the storage unit 505 and is output to the display unit 502, the first communication I / F 503, and the second communication I / F 504 as necessary.

  Next, the server device 6 will be described. The server device 6 includes a communication I / F 601 for connecting to the LAN 13, a data storage unit 602 that stores various data, and a control unit that controls input / output of data between the communication I / F 601 and the data storage unit 602. 603.

  Similar to the second communication I / F 504 of the management PC 5, the communication I / F 601 is an interface having an IEEE standard wired LAN port. The data storage unit 602 is composed of a plurality of HDDs having at least a mirroring function in order to improve reliability. The control unit 603 includes a CPU, RAM, and ROM.

  In the server device 6, the data received via the communication I / F 601 is converted into an information management table IMT having a predetermined format by the control unit 603 and stored in the data storage unit 602. Data of the information management table IMT stored in the data storage unit 602 is read by the control unit 603 as necessary and transmitted via the communication I / F 601.

(Management table)
Next, the information management table IMT stored in the data storage unit 602 of the server device 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The information management table IMT includes card identification information (card ID) CID, card type information CKD, card issue date / time information (card issue date / time) IDT, card issue device identification information (issue device ID) UID, payment amount information (payment amount) ) MNY, balance information (balance) RMN, time lending play expiry date information (play expiry date) PVL, play prohibition restriction time information (play prohibition restriction time) PPT, last play date information (last play date) LPDT, final play device Each information of identification information (final play apparatus ID) LPID and playable apparatus identification information (playable apparatus ID) PAID is stored as play management information PMI.

  The card identification information CID is represented by a five-digit number and can identify 100,000 cards 1. The card type information CKD is expressed by a one-digit number from “1” to “3”, “1” indicates a play pay card 1a, “2” indicates a pack card 1b, and “3” indicates a time lending card 1c. . The card issuing device identification information UID is represented by a two-digit number, and 100 card issuing devices 2 can be identified. The payment amount information MNY is expressed as a numerical value in units of yen corresponding to the payment amount. The balance information RMN is expressed as a numerical value in units of yen. The time lending play expiry date information PVL is expressed by a 10-digit number, and the two digits from the top to the bottom indicate “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, and “second”. Since this time lending play expiration information PVL is valid only when the card type information CKD is “3”, when the card type information CKD is “1” or “2”, all 10 digits are “0”. It becomes a number. The play prohibition regulation time information PPT is expressed as a numerical value in seconds. The last play date / time information LPDT is represented by a 10-digit number indicating “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, and “second” every two digits, like the card issue date / time information IDT. The final play device identification information LPID is represented by a 4-digit number. The playable device identification information PAID is device identification information PID of the card receiving device 4 corresponding to the game machine 3 that can be played with the pack card 1b, and is represented by a four-digit number or an asterisk “*”. In the case of an asterisk, the game machine 3 can be played on all models.

  For example, in the information management table IMT of FIG. 8, in the case of the card 1 with the card identification information CID “00001”, the card issuing device 2 with the card issuing device identification information UID “01” “ It can be seen that the prepaid card 1a issued in “5 seconds” has a balance of “800 yen” with respect to the payment amount of “1000 yen”. Furthermore, it can be seen that the prepaid card 1a was used at “01: 10: 10: 10” in the card reception device 4 with the device identification information PID “0001”.

  In the case of the card 1 with the card identification information CID “00002”, the pack card 1b issued at “15: 5: 35 on January 1” in the card issuing device 2 with the card issuing device identification information UID “03”. Yes, the balance is “400 yen” for the payment amount of “500 yen”, and it can be seen that a plurality of device identification information PIDs such as “0010” are set as playable device identification information PAID. Furthermore, it can be seen that the pack card 1b was used at “01: 10: 15: 710” in the card reception device 4 with the device identification information PID “0010”.

  In the case of the card 1 with the card identification information CID “00020”, the time lending issued at “11:10:20 on January 1” in the card issuing device 2 with the card issuing device identification information UID “01”. It can be seen that the expiration date of the time lending play is “January 1, 12:10:20” for the payment amount of “1000 yen” for the card 1c. In other words, it can be seen that the time-lapse card 1c has a play expiration date of 1 hour. Further, it can be seen that the time lending card 1c was used at “11: 11: 2 on January 1,” in the card reception device 4 with the device identification information PID “0015”.

(Operation of game hall management system)
Next, the operation of the entire game field management system GMS will be described. First, the interaction of the card issuing device 2, the game machine 3, the card receiving device 4, the management PC 5 and the server device 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first step S1, the card 1 is issued from the card issuing device 2. In the next step S2, the card identification information CID, card type information CKD, card issue date / time information IDT, card issuing device identification information UID and payment amount information MNY of the issued card 1 are transmitted to the management PC 5. When the issued card 1 is a time lending card 1c, in addition to the above information, time lending play expiration date information PVL is transmitted from the card issuing device 2 to the management PC 5.

  The management PC 5 that has received various information from the card issuing device 2 receives the received card identification information CID, card type information CKD, card issue date / time information IDT, card issue device identification information UID, payment amount information MNY, and time lending play expiration date information. The PVL is transferred to the server device 6 (step S3).

  In the next step S4, the server device 6 is based on the received card identification information CID, card type information CKD, card issue date / time information IDT, card issue device identification information UID, payment amount information MNY, and time lending play expiration date information PVL. The information management table IMT is created.

  When the player inserts the card 1 into the card insertion groove 404 of the card reception device 4 and moves the card 1, the reader unit 405 of the card reception device 4 reads the card identification information CID of the card 1 in step S5.

  Subsequently, in step S6 to be executed, the card receiving device 4 sends the card identification information CID and the device identification information PID to the management PC to inquire whether or not play is possible. When the card 1 used is the prepaid card 1a or the pack card 1b, the play amount information PMN indicating the play amount set by the player operating the selection button 403 of the card reception device 4 is the card identification information. It is transmitted to the management PC 5 together with the CID.

  The management PC that has received the play permission inquiry from the card reception device 4 transmits the received card identification information CID to the server device 6 in step S7.

  In the next step S8, various management information corresponding to the card identification information CID received by the server device 6 is extracted from the information management table IMT, and in the subsequent step S9, the extracted information is transmitted to the management PC 5.

  In the next step S10, the management PC 5 determines whether or not play is possible based on various information transmitted from the server device 6 according to a determination procedure described later. The determination result is transmitted to the card receiving device 4 having the device identification information PID received in step S6 (step S11).

  If it is determined in the management PC 5 that play is possible, a play enable signal is output from the card reception device 4 to the corresponding game machine 3 in the next step S12. Thereby, the play with the game machine 3 is started (step S13).

  In step S <b> 14, the management PC 5 requests the server device 6 to update various management information associated with the card identification information CID. Upon receiving the update request, the server device 6 updates the information management table IMT based on the data transmitted from the card reception device 4 in step S6.

(Operation of card issuing device)
Next, the operation of the card issuing device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21, whether or not the selection button 213 has been operated by the player to select whether to issue a new card 1 (prepaid card 1a, pack card 1b or time lending card 1c) or to recharge the issued card 1 has been selected. Is determined. If issuance of the card 1 or selection of recharge is not performed, the process returns to step S21. That is, the process enters a standby state in which step S21 is repeatedly executed until the card 1 issuance or recharging is selected.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the card issuance is selected, the card 1 is paid out from any one of the card payout devices 240A, 240B, and 240C. If it is determined in step S21 that recharge is selected, the player inserts the issued card 1 into the card reader 220, and the inserted card 1 is paid out from the card reader 220. In the process in which the card 1 is paid out from any one of the card dispensing devices 240A, 240B, 240C or the card 1 is taken in from the card reader 220, the barcode 102 of the card 1 is read and the card identification information CID is obtained. (Step S22). In a succeeding step S23, it is determined whether or not the data acquisition is successful. If not successful, the process returns to the step S22. In this case, after the card 1 in the payout process returns to the card payout devices 240A, 240B, 240C, the payout is performed again, and the barcode 102 is read again in the payout process. In the case of the card reader 220, the barcode 102 is read again in the process of being taken into the card reader 220.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the data has been successfully acquired, it is determined in step S24 whether the payment amount or the time lending play time has been determined. That is, when the player operates the selection button 213, it is determined that the payment amount or the time-lending play time is fixed, and the process proceeds to the next step S25. Step S24 is repeatedly executed until the player operates the selection button 213 to determine the payment amount or the time lending play time.

  In the next step S25, the card identification information CID acquired in step S22, the card type information CKD indicating the type of the selected card 1, the card issue date information IDT indicating the issue date of the card 1, and the card 1 are issued. The card issuing device identification information UID of the card issuing device 2 and the payment amount information MNY indicating the payment amount determined in step S24 or the time lending play expiration information PVL indicating the time lending play time are managed as the card issuance information CPI. It is transmitted to PC5.

  In the next step S26, it is determined whether or not the data including the card issue information CPI has been normally transmitted. If the data has not been normally transmitted, step S25 is repeatedly executed. If the transmission is successful, the process returns to step S21 and enters a standby state.

(Operation of the card reception device)
Next, the operation of the card reception device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S31, it is determined whether or not the selection button 403 has been operated. If the selection button 403 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S32. If the operation button S403 is operated, the process proceeds to step S32. When the card 1 used is the time lending card 1c, the operation of the selection button 403 in step S31 is not necessary. In the next step S32, the player selects a play amount and determines the play amount.

  In the next step S33, it is determined whether or not reading of data recorded on the card 1 has been executed. That is, when the player inserts the card 1 into the card insertion groove 404 and slides it, the card 1 is detected by the reader unit 405 and the card data (card identification information CID) is read. When the reading is executed, the process proceeds to step S34, and when the card 1 is not detected and the reading is not executed, the process returns to step S31.

  In the next step S34, it is determined whether or not data acquisition from the card 1 has been successful in step S33. If the data acquisition is successful, the process proceeds to step S36. If the data acquisition has failed, an error indicating data reading failure is displayed on the display unit 402 in step S35, and the process returns to step S31. That is, steps S31 to S35 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S34 that the data acquisition of the card 1 is successful.

  In step S36, data including the card identification information CID acquired in step S33 is transmitted to the management PC 5. The play amount information PMN indicating the play amount determined in step S32 and the device identification information PID stored in the storage unit 413 are also included in the data. Step S36 corresponds to the play permission inquiry in step S6 shown in FIG.

  In the next step S37, it is determined whether or not the data transmission is successful. If the data transmission fails, step S36 is repeatedly executed, and if the data transmission is successful, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In the next step S38, it is determined whether or not the playability determination result transmitted from the management PC in step S11 of FIG. 9 has been received. When the determination result is not received, step S38 is repeatedly executed, and when the determination result is received, the process proceeds to step S39. In other words, in step S38, the determination result is in a reception standby state.

  In the next step S39, it is determined whether or not play is possible based on the determination result received from the management PC 5. If it is determined that play is possible, the playable signal PAS generated by the playable signal generation unit 411 is output to the corresponding game machine 3 via the output unit 412 in step S40. On the other hand, if it is determined that play is not possible, an error indicating that play is not possible is displayed on the display unit 402 in step S41. After execution of step S40 or step S41, the process returns to step S31, and the above steps S31 to S41 are repeatedly executed.

(Management PC operation)
Next, the operation of the management PC 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S51, it is determined whether data has been received. If data is received, the process proceeds to step S52. If no data is received, step S51 is repeatedly executed. In other words, it is in a data reception standby state in step S51.

  In the next step S52, it is determined whether or not the received data is the card issue information CPI transmitted from the card issuing device 2 in step S2 of FIG. If the card issuance information CPI, the card issuance information CPI is transmitted to the server device 6 in step S53, and the process returns to step S51. If it is not the card issue information CPI, the process proceeds to step S54.

  In the next step S54, it is determined whether or not the received data is a playability inquiry transmitted from the card reception device 4 in step S6 of FIG. If it is a play permission inquiry, a management information extraction request is transmitted to the server device 6 (corresponding to step S7 in FIG. 9) in step S55, and then the process returns to step S51. As described above, the card identification information CID is included in the play permission inquiry data, and the server apparatus 6 is requested to extract the play management information PMI associated with the card identification information CID.

  If it is determined in step S54 that it is not a play permission inquiry, it is determined in step S56 whether or not the play management information PMI is transmitted from the server device 6 in S9 of FIG. If it is not the play management information PMI, an error is displayed on the display unit 502 in step S57, and then the process returns to step S51. When it is play management information PMI, it progresses to step S58.

  In step S58, whether or not play is possible is determined based on the play management information PMI transmitted from the server device 6 in S9 of FIG. This determination corresponds to step S10 in FIG. 9, and differs depending on the type of the card 1 as will be described later.

  In the next step S59, the determination result in step S58 is transmitted to the card reception device 4 corresponding to the device identification information PID included in the transmitted play management information PMI (corresponding to step S11 in FIG. 9).

  In the following step S60, it is determined whether or not the data transmission is successful. If the transmission is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S59, and the determination result is repeatedly transmitted. If the data transmission is successful, the process proceeds to step S61.

  In step S61, the server device 6 is requested to update the play management information PMI (corresponding to step S12 in FIG. 9). That is, in the case of the prepaid card 1a and the pack card 1b, the play amount is reduced based on the balance information RMN transmitted from the server device 6 and the play amount information PMN transmitted from the card receiving device 4, and the reduced balance information RMN. And the last play date / time information LPDT and the last play device identification information LPID (that is, the play history information PH) are requested to be updated based on the current date / time and the device identification information PID. On the other hand, in the case of the time lending card 1c, the last play date / time information LPDT and the last play device identification information LPID (that is, the play history information PH) are requested to be updated based on the current date / time and the device identification information PID. If the current date and time has passed the play expiration date, the balance information RMN is requested to be updated to “0”.

  In the next step S62, it is determined whether or not the data transmission is successful. If the transmission is unsuccessful, the process returns to step S61, and the management information update request is repeatedly executed. If the data transmission is successful, the process returns to step S51.

(Operation of server device)
Next, the operation of the server device 6 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S71, it is determined whether data has been received. If data is received, the process proceeds to step S72. If no data is received, step S71 is repeatedly executed. In other words, it is in a data reception standby state in step S71.

  In the next step S72, it is determined whether or not the received data is an information extraction request transmitted from the management PC 5 in step S7 of FIG. If it is an information extraction request, the process proceeds to step S73, and the play management information PMI corresponding to the card identification information CID included in the information extraction request is extracted from the information management table IMT (corresponding to step S8 in FIG. 9). In the next step S74, the extracted play management information PMI is transmitted to the management PC 5 (corresponding to step S9 in FIG. 9), and the process proceeds to step S75.

  In step S75, it is determined whether the data transmission is successful. If the data transmission is successful, the process returns to step S71. If the data transmission fails, the process returns to step S74, and the transmission of the extracted play management information PMI is repeatedly executed.

  If it is determined in step S72 that the request is not an information extraction request, the process proceeds to step S76. In step S76, it is determined whether or not the data received in step S71 is an information update request transmitted from the management PC 5 in step S14 of FIG. If it is an information update request, the process proceeds to step S77, and the play management information PMI in the information management table IMT is updated. That is, the balance information RMN, the last play date / time information LPDT, and the last play device identification information LPID (that is, the play history information PH) corresponding to the card identification information CID of the data received in step S71 are updated. After execution of step S77, the process returns to step S71.

  If it is not an information update request in step S76, the process proceeds to step S78, where it is determined whether or not the card issuance information CPI for recharging. If it is recharge card issuance information CPI, the process proceeds to step S77, and the play management information PMI in the information management table IMT is updated. That is, the balance information RMN or time lending play expiration date information PVL corresponding to the card identification information CID of the data received in step S71 is updated (corresponding to step S4 in FIG. 9). After execution of step S77, the process returns to step S71.

  If it is not the recharge card issuance information CPI in step S78, it is assumed that a new card 1 has been issued, and the process proceeds to step S79, and the play management information PMI associated with the card identification information CID of the data received in step S71 is displayed in the information management table. It adds to IMT (equivalent to step S4 of FIG. 9). After execution of step S79, the process returns to step S71.

(Playability judgment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the details of the playability determination in step S58 of FIG. 12 will be described. First, in step S81, based on the card type information CKD transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the card type of the card 1 is a time lending card 1c. If the card type is the time lending card 1c, the process proceeds to step S82, and whether the current time is within the time lending play expiration date based on the time lending play expiration date information PVL transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 in FIG. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S82 that it is not within the time lending play expiration date, it is determined in step S83 that play is not possible due to expiration, and the process returns to step S58.

  If it is determined in step S82 that it is within the time lending validity period, the process proceeds to step S84, and the card accepting device 4 that inquires whether play is possible in step S6 in FIG. 9 (in other words, the card corresponding to the current game machine 3). It is determined whether or not the device identification information PID of the receiving device 4) matches the final play device identification information LPID transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 of FIG. When it is determined in step S84 that they match, the process proceeds to step S85, where it is determined that play is possible and the process returns to step S58.

  If it is determined in step S84 that they do not match, the process proceeds to step S86, and whether or not the current time is within the play prohibition restriction time based on the play prohibition restriction time information PPT transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 of FIG. Is determined. If it is determined in step S86 that it is within the restricted play prohibition time, the process proceeds to step S87, where it is determined that play is not possible during the restricted time, and the process returns to step S58. If it is determined that it is not within the play prohibition regulation time, the process proceeds to step S85, it is determined that play is possible, and the process returns to step S58.

  When it is determined in step S81 that the card type is not the time lending card 1c, the process proceeds to step S91, and based on the card type information CKD transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 in FIG. 9, the type of the card 1 is the pack card 1b. It is determined whether or not. When it is determined that the card type is not the pack card 1b (in other words, when the card type is determined to be the prepaid card 1a), the process proceeds to step S92, and the play amount when inquiring whether play is possible in step S6 of FIG. Based on the information PMN and the balance information RMN transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the play amount is equal to or less than the balance. If it is determined in step S92 that the play amount is equal to or less than the balance, the process proceeds to step S85, where it is determined that play is possible and the process returns to step S58.

  If it is determined in step S92 that the play amount is not less than or equal to the balance (in other words, the play amount exceeds the balance), the process proceeds to step S93, where it is determined that play is not possible due to a shortage of balance, and the process returns to step S58.

  If it is determined in step S91 that the card type is the pack card 1b, the process proceeds to step S94, and the card reception device 4 that inquires whether play is possible in step S6 in FIG. 9 (in other words, the card corresponding to the current game machine). It is determined whether or not the device identification information PID of the receiving device 4) matches the playable device identification information PAID transmitted from the server device 6 in step S9 of FIG. If it is determined in step S94 that the card matches, the process proceeds to step S92, and the same processing as in the case of the prepaid card 1a is performed.

  If it is determined in step S94 that the game does not match, it is determined that play is not possible due to the game model mismatch, and the process returns to step S58.

  As described above, in the game field management system GMS according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the game field where a plurality of game machines 3 are installed, the card issuing device 2, the card receiving device 4, the management PC 5 and the server device 6 are used. The management apparatus 7 comprised by these is provided. The card issuing device 2 functions as a card processing device that issues a card 1 as a recording medium in response to a fee payment and can additionally pay (recharge) the fee to the card 1. The card body 101 of the card 1 issued by the card issuing device 2 is printed with a barcode 102 including card identification information (in other words, medium identification information) CID that can identify the card 1.

  The card issuing device 2 is communicably connected to the management PC 5 via the LAN 13, and card issue information CPI relating to the issue and recharge of the card 1 is transmitted to the management PC 5. The card issuance information CPI includes card identification information CID, card type information CKD, card issuance date / time information IDT, card issuance device identification information UID, payment amount information MNY, time lending play expiration date information PVL, and the like.

  The card receiving device 4 is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of game machines 3 and has a reader unit 405 that can read the barcode 102 of the card 1. In other words, the reader unit 405 is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of game machines 3 and can acquire the card identification information CID recorded on the card 1. The card reception device 4 also includes a selection button 403 for setting a play amount by the player, and a storage unit 413 for storing device identification information PID for identifying the card reception device 4. The card reception device 4 is communicably connected to the management PC 5 (in other words, the management device 7) via the wireless slave device 11 and the wireless master device 12 that can communicate with each other wirelessly, and the acquired card identification information CID, The play amount information PMN indicating the set play amount and the stored device identification information PID are transmitted to the management PC 5. Furthermore, it has the playable signal generation part 411 which produces | generates the playable signal PAS which enables play with respect to the corresponding game machine 3, and based on the playability determination result transmitted from management PC5, the playable signal PAS is obtained. Output to the corresponding game machine 3.

  The management PC 5 is communicably connected to the server device 6 via the LAN 13 and transmits (that is, transfers) the card issuance information CPI transmitted from the card issuing device 2 to the server device 6. Further, the management PC 5 has a data processing unit 506 that determines whether or not the game machine 3 corresponding to the card reception device 4 can be played. In other words, the data processing unit 506 functions as a playability determination unit. When the management PC 5 receives the card identification information CID, the play amount information PMN, and the device identification information PID from the card reception device 4, the management PC 5 receives the play management information PMI corresponding to the card identification information CID from the server device 6, Based on the card identification information CID, the play amount information PMN and the device identification information PID received from the card reception device 4 and the play management information PMI received from the server device 6, the data processing unit 506 determines whether or not play is possible.

  The server device 6 sends the card issuance information CPI (card identification information CID, card type information CKD, card issuance date / time information IDT, card issuance device identification information UID, payment amount information MNY, time lending play expiration date from the management PC 5 via the LAN 13. When the information PVL) is transmitted, an information management table IMT for storing various information associated with the card identification information CID is created. When the management PC 5 requests extraction of the play management information PMI, the play management information PMI corresponding to the card identification information CID transmitted from the management PC 5 is extracted from the information management table IMT, and the extracted play management information PMI is extracted. Is transmitted to the management PC 5. Furthermore, when the play management information PMI is requested to be updated from the management PC 5, the server device 6 uses the card identification information CID, device identification information PID, and play amount information PMN transmitted from the card reception device 4 via the management PC 5. Based on this, the balance information RMN and play history information PH (last play date information LPDT and last play device identification information LPID) are updated.

  Whether the management PC 5 can play or not when using the time lending card 1c is determined to be playable if the current time is within the play expiration date and the device identification information PID and the final play device identification information LPID match. If the current time is within the play expiration date and the device identification information PID and the last play device identification information LPID do not match, it is determined that play is possible if the current time exceeds the play prohibition restriction time, and the current time is played. If it is within the prohibited regulation time, it is determined that play is not possible. If the current time exceeds the time lending play expiration date, it is determined that play is not possible.

  Therefore, if the current game machine 3 is different from the last game machine 3 played and the play prohibition restriction time has not elapsed from the date and time of the last game play, it is determined that play is impossible and a play enable signal PAS can be prevented from being output. In other words, play on a plurality of game machines 3 can be prohibited during the play prohibition regulation time. Therefore, a plurality of game machines 3 are not credited one after another by one card 1 in the time-lending play, and the fraudulent acts of lending are prevented. Will not occur. In addition, since the lending play can be performed simply by installing the card reception device 4 outside the game machine 3, it is possible to easily introduce the lending play without requiring a significant change of the game machine 3 itself.

  Further, since the corresponding game machine 3 is specified by the device identification information PID, the game machine 3 does not need identification information. That is, even if the game machine 3 is replaced, the card receiving device 4 can be used as it is.

  In addition, since the play prohibition restricted time information PPT is stored in the information management table IMT stored in the data storage unit 602 of the server device 6, the play prohibition restricted time can be set for each game machine 3. In other words, the play prohibition restriction time can be changed for each game machine 3.

  Furthermore, since the management PC 5 transmits an update request for the play management information PMI to the server device 6, the play history information PH in the information management table IMT can always be maintained in the latest state.

In the game field management system GMS of the above-described embodiment, since three types of cards 1 such as the play pay card 1a, the pack card 1b, and the time lending card 1c can be used, a variety of play modes can be realized with one system.
(Modification)

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, information indicating the effective date and time of the time lending play is used as the time lending play expiration date information PVL. However, the effective period of the time lending play, that is, from the start to the end of the time lending play. It is also possible to use time. In that case, the valid time may be expressed as a numerical value in seconds as the play valid period information PVL of the information management table IMT. Alternatively, the date and time when the first play is executed can be used as the start date and time of the lending play. In this case, when new play management information PMI is added to the information management table IMT in step S4 of FIG. 9, 10 digits “0” may be written as the last play date information LPDT. Furthermore, the card issue date / time information IDT, the time lending play expiration date information PVL, and the last play date / time information LPDT need only be information capable of determining the time of the day, and the data format is not limited to the date / time.

  In the above embodiment, the card issuing device 2 issues and recharges the card 1, but a card processing device other than the card issuing device 2, for example, a reader device that can read the card identification information CID of the card 1 It is also possible to use a computer having

  Furthermore, the play prohibition regulation time information PPT is not limited to the above five minutes, and can of course be set as appropriate. It is also possible to set different play prohibition restriction time information PPT for each game machine 3 or for each type of game machine 3.

  In the above embodiment, the card reception device and the management PC 5 are communicably connected via the wireless slave unit 11 and the wireless master unit 12, but they can also be connected via a wired LAN.

  Further, the management device 7 includes the management PC 5 and the server device 6, but the server device 6 can be omitted by providing the management PC 5 with the function of the server device 6. In that case, the information management table IMT may be stored in the HDD constituting the storage unit 505 of the management PC 5, and the data processing unit 506 may create and update the information management table IMT and extract information from the information management table IMT.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for a game field that realizes a play mode that does not limit the number of play times for a predetermined time in a game machine.

1 card 1a prepaid card 1b pack card 1c lending card 2 card issuing device 3 game machine 4 card accepting device 5 management PC
6 Server device 7 Management device 11 Wireless slave device 12 Wireless master device 41 Main body 42 Reader device 101 Card main body 102 Bar code 103 Character string 201 Case 210 Input device 211 Display 212 Touch panel 213 Selection button 218 Control device 220 Card reader 221 Card slot 222 Card reader 230 Banknote deposit / withdrawal apparatus 231 Banknote slot 232 Banknote ejection outlet 232 Change bill into banknote ejection outlet 240A Card dispensing apparatus 240B Card dispensing apparatus 240C Card dispensing apparatus 241A Card dispensing outlet 241B Card dispensing outlet 241C Card dispensing outlet 242A Card reader 242B Card reader 242C Card reader 243A Card storage unit 243B Card storage unit 243C Card storage unit 251 Coin slot 252 Coin payout port 253 Coin sorting device 261 Checkout port 271 Cash dispenser 281 Control device 282 Communication interface 283 Storage unit 301 Display 302 Operation panel 303 Play start button 304 Credit number display area 310 Coin accepting device 311 Coin insertion port 312 Coin return port 313 Coin identification sorter 314 Safe 320 Game control device 330 Game execution device 401 Surface 402 Display unit 403 Selection button 404 Card insertion slot 405 Reader unit 410 Control unit 411 Playable signal generation unit 412 Output unit 413 Storage unit 420 Communication interface 501 Input unit 502 Display unit 503 First communication interface 504 Second Communication interface 505 Storage unit 506 Data processing unit 602 Data storage unit 601 Communication interface 602 Control unit 603 Control unit GMS Game field management system CID Card identification Information CKD Card type information CPI Issuance information GCS Game control signal IDT Card issuance date / time information IMT Information management table LPDT Last play date / time information LPID Last play device identification information MNY Payment amount information PAID Playable device identification information PAS Playable signal PH Play history information PID device identification information PMI Play management information PMN Play amount information PPT Play prohibition restriction time information PVL Play expiration date information RMN Balance information UID Card issuing device identification information

Claims (5)

Based on the medium identification information (CID) recorded on the portable recording medium (1), a game field that allows a predetermined time according to the payment fee in a game field where a plurality of game machines (3) are installed An operating system,
A recording medium reading means (42) arranged corresponding to each of the game machines (3) and acquiring the medium identification information (CID) from the recording medium (1);
Play information storage that stores play expiration information (PVL) indicating a playable time limit and play history information (PH) that can specify the last game machine and time of play in association with the medium identification information (CID). Means (602);
Play prohibition restriction time information storage means (602) for storing play prohibition restriction time information (PPT) indicating restriction time for prohibiting play on a game machine other than the game machine played last in the past;
When the recording medium reading means (42) acquires the medium identification information (CID), the play expiration date information (PVL) and the play history information (PH) corresponding to the acquired medium identification information (CID). And play allowance judging means (506) for judging whether or not play with the current game machine corresponding to the recording medium reading means (42) is possible based on the play prohibition regulation time information (PPT). ,
Based on the determination result by the play possibility determination means (506), the game machine (3) corresponding to the recording medium reading means (42) having acquired the medium identification information (CID) can be started to play. Playable signal generating means (411) for outputting a playable signal to be played,
Game site management system with A recording medium receiving device (4) is arranged corresponding to each of the game machines (3), and a management device (7) is communicably connected to each of the recording medium receiving devices (4).
Each of the recording medium receiving devices (4) has the recording medium reading means (42) and the playable signal generating means (411),
The management device (7) includes the play information storage means (602), the play prohibition restriction time information storage means (602), and the play permission / inhibition determination means (506).
The recording medium reception device (4) transmits playability inquiry information (PAI) including the acquired medium identification information (CID) to the management device (7),
The management device (7) that has received the play permission inquiry information (PAI) determines the play permission determination means (506) corresponding to the medium identification information (CID) included in the play permission inquiry information (PAI). The game field management system according to claim 1, wherein the result is transmitted to the recording medium reception device (4) that has transmitted the playability inquiry information (PAI).   The game field management system according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium receiving device (4) holds device identification information (PID), and the corresponding game machine (3) is specified by the device identification information (PID).   The management device (7) is communicably connected, determines a playable time according to a fee paid to the recording medium (1), and the recording medium (1) as the playable expiration date information. The game field management system according to claim 3, further comprising a recording medium processing device (2) for transmission in association with the medium identification information (CID). Based on the medium identification information (CID) recorded on the portable recording medium (1), a game field that allows a predetermined time according to the payment fee in a game field where a plurality of game machines (3) are installed A management method,
Play expiration date information (PVL) indicating a playable time limit and play history information (PH) that can specify the last game machine and time played in association with the medium identification information (CID) and store the past Store play prohibition restriction time information (PPT) indicating play prohibition restriction time on a game machine other than the last played game machine,
When the medium identification information (CID) recorded on the recording medium (1) is acquired by the recording medium reading means (42) arranged corresponding to the game machine (3), the acquired medium identification Based on the play expiration date information (PVL) and the play history information (PH) corresponding to the information (CID) and the play prohibition restriction time information (PPT), the current corresponding to the recording medium reading means (42) It is determined whether or not the game machine can be played, and based on the determination result, the playable signal generating means (411) outputs a play start signal that allows the current game machine to start play. Game venue management method.

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