JP2014144057A - Apparatus corresponding to each game machine, game medium management system, and game medium management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently deal with irregular game media.SOLUTION: A medal dispenser 10 between game machines can select from plural modes a mode to regulate whether or not to count medals, whether or not to add a counted result to acquired medals, which portion to discharge medals to. Accordingly, while medals counted by a playing customer during a business mode are counted and added to acquired medals and irregular medals included in the medals are reserved in a reject box, medals are not counted and irregular medals included therein are returned to a return opening during a saloon-closed mode. By switching processing on regular medals and irregular medals depending on the situation like this, the irregular medals can be efficiently dealt with.

Description

  The present invention relates to each stand device that is installed corresponding to a gaming machine and manages game media used for gaming by the gaming machine, a gaming medium management system and a gaming medium management method using each stand device.

  Conventionally, at game stores, game balls have been rented out by a unit provided in a pachinko machine using game balls. Moreover, some units for pachinko gaming machines have a function of counting game balls acquired by a game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition to pachinko machines that use game balls as game media, game machines (slot machines) that use medals as game media may be installed in game stores. Since the unit having the function of counting the game balls described above does not have to move the acquired game balls in kind and move the stand, the burden on the player can be reduced. It is conceivable to provide a counter that counts the medals earned for each table.

  Here, when counting game media such as game balls and medals, it is necessary to suppress mixing of unauthorized game media such as game media brought in from other stores. This is because, if a large amount of mixing is performed, an act of exchanging premiums contrary to the prediction of the amusement store is performed, which has a significant impact on sales. In addition, when a business is started with an unauthorized gaming medium mixed in the game hall system, whether the subsequently detected unauthorized gaming medium has been brought in by the player or already exists in the system It is difficult to judge what it was. For this reason, the game store determines the characteristics of the regular game medium and the game medium to be handled, determines whether or not the detected game medium has the characteristics, and determines whether it is a regular game medium. It is conceivable to separate gaming media from regular gaming media (for example, to exclude non-regular gaming media).

JP 2011-156155 A

  However, when the non-regular game media are sorted by each unit, there is a problem that it is difficult to handle the sorted non-standard game media. For example, if a non-regular game medium thrown into a counting machine during a game is returned in a form that can be collected by the player, the non-regular game medium returned if the gaming machine cannot determine whether the game medium is regular or non-genuine. There is a possibility that it will be used again by throwing it into the gaming machine. In addition, in order to avoid re-use, when it is configured to store the non-regular game medium in a storage unit or the like in the counter, it is necessary to limit the access of the player to this storage unit, This is because, in order to collect the game media from the department, it is necessary for the game store clerk to access the storage section using a key or the like.

  In particular, in the case of a configuration in which irregular gaming media are uniformly stored in a storage unit or the like in the counter, the configuration in which a counter is provided for each gaming machine has a limit on the capacity of the storage unit, The counter must be opened and closed to collect from the storage section, and the labor will increase according to the number of gaming machines.

  Also, at game stores after closing, game media is often dropped, and the game store clerk picks up the game media and collects it, but whether or not the picked-up game media is a legitimate game media is manual. The work burden also arises in confirming the above and eliminating the non-regular game media. If the picked-up game medium is put into a counting machine having a game medium discrimination function, it can be mechanically determined whether or not it is a regular game medium, but the non-regular game medium is stored in the storage unit. In the configuration, the work load is increased in order to take out the unauthorized gaming medium from the storage unit.

  For this reason, how to improve the handling of non-regular game media has become an important issue. Such a problem occurs regardless of whether the game medium is a game ball or a medal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide each device, a game medium management system, and a game medium management method capable of efficiently handling unauthorized game media. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a device for managing game media installed corresponding to a gaming machine and used for gaming by the gaming machine, wherein the gaming media A determination means for determining the type of the game, a process setting selection means for selecting a process setting that determines a process for the game medium in association with a determination result by the determination means, and a process setting selected by the process setting selection means. Accordingly, a processing means for processing the game medium determined by the determination means is provided.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the process setting selection means determines whether or not the game medium is to be counted and whether or not the count result is obtained when the game medium is counted. It is characterized in that it has a function of setting whether or not to be subject to addition processing in association with the discrimination result by the discrimination means.

  The present invention further includes a distribution unit that distributes the game medium determined by the determination unit to a plurality of transport destinations in the above invention, and the processing setting selection unit is configured to transfer one of the plurality of transport destinations. It has a function of setting the destination in association with the discrimination result by the discrimination means.

  Further, the present invention, in the above invention, has a throwing port provided on the player side, a storage part provided in each stand device, and an outlet to the outside provided on the island facility side, the distribution The means has a function of using the discharge port, the storage unit, and the discharge port as a transport destination, and the processing setting selection unit selects at least one of the discharge port, the storage unit, and the discharge port as the transfer destination. It is characterized by being set in association with the discrimination result.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, further provided is an informing means for informing when the game medium is located in the storage section.

  In addition, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the determination unit determines the game medium as a regular game medium and a non-regular game medium, and the non-normal game medium is used in other sections in the game store. It has a function of further discriminating between different compartment game media and different store game media not used in the game store, and the processing setting selection means is different for the different compartment game media and the different store game media. A setting in which processing is associated is selected.

  Further, the present invention is a game medium management system that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine and includes each table device that manages game media used for games by the gaming machine, wherein the game medium is stored in each table device. In accordance with a setting selected by the process setting selection means, a process setting selection means for selecting a process setting that determines a process for the game medium in association with a determination result by the determination means, And processing means for performing processing on the game medium determined by the determining means.

  The present invention is also a game medium management method in which each device installed corresponding to a gaming machine manages a game medium used for a game by the game machine, and a determination step of determining the game medium And a process setting selection step for selecting a process setting that defines a process for the game medium in association with a determination result obtained by the determination step, and a process setting selected by the process setting selection step. And a processing step for performing processing on the discriminated game medium.

  According to the present invention, the processing setting that determines the processing for the game medium is selected in association with the determination result of the gaming medium, and the processing for the determined gaming medium is performed according to the selected processing setting. It is possible to improve the efficiency of non-regular game media.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of medal management in the inter-unit medal lending machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the amusement store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the gaming machine and the inter-unit medal lending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-unit medal lending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data structure according to the first embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure when counting medals in the inter-unit medal lending machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the inter-unit medal lending machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data structure according to the second embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure when counting medals in the inter-unit medal lending machine according to the second embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of each apparatus, game medium management system, and game medium management method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, a possession medal is data indicating a game medium or a number of game media acquired by a player in a game, and may be used again for the game only during that day (time before closing). Say what you can do. The stored medals are data indicating the game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and can be used again after the next day (time after closing). The medal can be used by both general and member players, and is used when the gaming machine is moved. The stored medals can usually be used only by member players, and are used when the acquired game media is used for the game from the next day. A predetermined fee may be imposed on the use of stored medals. In addition, you may call a medal holding a medal on the day.

  First, the concept of medal management according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of medal management in the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 20 that uses medals as a gaming medium is provided with a medallion machine 10 between machines. The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 has a plurality of processing settings (hereinafter referred to as modes) related to medal management. This mode is a business mode, a closed store mode, an employee mode, and a test mode, and any one mode is selected. The mode can be changed by an instruction from the host device or an operation of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  The business mode is a mode for allowing a player to play during business hours. The closing mode is a mode used during a closing operation by a game clerk after business hours. The employee mode is a mode used when a game store clerk puts a medal received from a player at a wagon sale or the like during business hours into the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. The test mode is a mode for performing an operation check test of the gaming system when a new gaming machine 20 is introduced outside business hours.

  In association with the mode related to medal management, presence / absence of regular medals, presence / absence of regular medals, presence / absence of irregular medals, presence / absence of irregular medals, and irregular medals The transport destination is set. The presence / absence of counting indicates whether or not to count medals. The presence / absence of a payout count indicates whether or not the counted medal is used as a medal for the player. The reject destination designates the transport destination of the game medium when it is determined that the game medium is an irregular medal, and is a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a reject box) for the purpose of eliminating the inside of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. 19c)) or the return port 19b on the front surface of the housing of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 can be designated. In addition, about a regular medal, it is thrown out to a collection path from the throwing exit provided in the back surface (opposite side of the front surface which accepts a player's operation) of the inter machine medal lending machine 10. FIG. Regular medals thrown into the collection path are automatically transported and collected on the island edge.

  In the operating mode, the regular medals are counted, and the counting result is added to the medal held by the player and thrown out to the collection path. Further, the non-regular medals are counted, and the counting result is added to the medal held by the player and stored in the reject box 19c. The reason why the non-regular medals are counted and the counting result is added to the medal is that the non-regular medals are not always used illegally even if they are non-regular medals. This is because once the irregular medals are mixed, the mixed irregular medals may circulate in the game store and be paid out from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 or the gaming machine 20, and are determined to be irregular medals at the time of counting. However, it is because it is impossible to determine whether the player has been illegally brought in at the time of counting or whether the player has been paid out in circulation at the game store.

  Further, in the operating mode, the irregular medals are stored in the reject box 19c. This is because if an irregular medal is thrown into the collection path like the regular medal, the irregular medal cannot be excluded, and if the irregular medal is thrown into the return port 19b in a form that can be collected by the player, This is because the irregular medals that have been issued will be used again.

  In the closing mode, regular medals are not counted and are thrown into the collection path. Since no counting is performed, the addition to the medal is not performed. Non-regular medals are not counted and discharged to the return port 19b. For this reason, when a game clerk picks up a medal that has been dropped at the game store after closing and inserts it into the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, if the medal is a regular medal, it is thrown into the collection path. Returned to the return port 19b. In this closed store mode, storage in the reject box 19c is not performed, and therefore it is not necessary to open the housing of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 in order to collect medals inserted in the closed store mode. Further, only non-regular medals can be selectively collected from the return port 19b.

  In the employee mode, the regular medals are counted, but the count result is not added to the possessed medals, and is thrown into the collection path. In addition, the non-regular medals are counted, but the count result is not added to the possessed medals and is discharged to the return port 19b. The reason why the counting result is not added to the medal in the employee mode is to insert the medal received as a price in exchange for a prize (beverage, cigarette, etc.) carried by the game shop clerk. Also, in the employee mode, the game store clerk inserts medals, so if the non-regular medal is returned to the return port 19b, it can be collected by the game store clerk, and the non-regular medal is collected from the return port 19b by the player. It will not be used again.

  In the test mode, the regular medals are counted, the counting result is added to the possessed medals, and thrown out to the collection path. On the other hand, irregular medals are not counted and discharged to the return port 19b. For this reason, in the test mode, an operation test can be performed only on regular medals. In addition, since the irregular medals are discharged to the return port 19b, the irregular medals can be removed from the medals circulating in the game store.

  Thus, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 selects from among a plurality of modes that specify whether or not to count medals, whether or not to add the counting result to the medal, and where to discharge the medals. can do. For this reason, it is possible to switch the processing for the regular medal and the non-regular medal according to the situation, so that the handling of the non-regular medal can be made efficient.

  In the operating mode of FIG. 1, even if a non-regular medal is counted, the count and the ball count are unconditionally performed. However, the ball count of a non-regular medal distributed in advance from a higher-level management device such as the card management device 40 is used. In accordance with the upper limit value for performing the above, it is possible to reflect the ball count until the upper limit value is reached, and not to reflect the portion exceeding the upper limit value in the ball count.

  Next, the system configuration of the amusement store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the amusement store. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-unit medal lending machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming store. The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the free gift management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

  The gaming machine 20 is a slot machine that plays a game by inserting medals, which are game media, into the medal slot 23, rotating three drums, and pressing the stop buttons in sequence to align the pictures. When a certain pattern is aligned on the effective lines of the three drums, the gaming machine 20 pays out the number of medals according to the type of the pattern as an acquired medal.

  The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 accepts payment, lends medal, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the interbank medal lending machine 10 accepts a bill inserted by the player, it sends a payment notice including the deposit amount to the card management device 40, thereby converting the prepaid value into the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Let them add. Then, if a predetermined medal lending operation is performed, a medal lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of medals corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value. Pay out.

  In addition, when the inter-card medal lending machine 10 accepts the insertion of the card, the inter-card medal lending machine 10 transmits a card insertion notification to the card management device 40. Further, when receiving the prepaid value, the balance medal account or the balance of the stored medal account from the card management device 40, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 stores the balance. When the balance of the medal account is received and stored, the medal account balance managed by the card management device 40 is cleared to zero by sending a medal subtraction request to the card management device 40. To do.

  In addition, when receiving the medal replay operation, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number of balances of the medal account managed by the own device and pays out medals corresponding to the subtracted number. In addition, when the intermedal medal lending machine 10 accepts the stored medal replay operation, the intermediary medal lending machine 10 transmits the stored medal replay request to the card management device 40, thereby obtaining the balance of the stored medal account managed by the member management device 50. A predetermined number is subtracted, and the number of medals corresponding to the subtracted number is paid out.

  When the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-medal lending machine 10 transmits a possession medal addition request including the balance of the possession medal account managed by the own device to the card management device 40, and stores the possession medal in the card management device 40. After the addition, a card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control the card discharge.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-unit medal lending machines 10 provided on the gaming island. The card management device 40 is a management device that manages the prepaid value of a card, the number of medals, etc. as card data.

  When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the card management device 40 manages the ID of the inserted card and the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 in association with each other, and prepaid associated with the card ID. The value and the balance of the medal account are transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. When the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of the member card, the balance of the stored medal account associated with the card ID is acquired from the member management device 50, and the prepaid value and the medal account Are transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 together with the balance.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives the medal subtraction request from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the medal account to zero and receives the medal addition request from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. In this case, the number of medals indicated in the medal addition request is added to the medal account.

  Further, when receiving a medal lending request from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a corresponding prepaid value by a predetermined value, and transmits a medal lending permission to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. Then, when the medal replay request is received, the medal replay request is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the medal replay permission, the medal replay is performed. The permission is transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives the card ID from the premium management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the premium management device 60 of the balance of the medal account associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the settlement machine 80, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the settlement machine 80.

  The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of members registered as members in the amusement store. More specifically, the number of stored medals, points, personal identification number, name, etc. are managed in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

  When the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the medal account balance from the card management device 40, the member management device 50 notifies the card management device 40 of the balance of the medal account corresponding to the designated card ID. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the stored medal replay request via the card management device 40, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number of the balance of the stored medal account associated with the card ID indicated in the stored medal replay request. And a medal replay permission is output.

  Further, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the saving medal account balance from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the saving medal account corresponding to the designated card ID.

  The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes provided in the prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs prize exchange processing for earned balls, stored medals and held medals. The premium management device 60 is connected to a reader / writer that reads the card ID of the card and a premium dispensing device that dispenses premiums. When the reader / writer accepts the card, the free gift management device 60 transmits the card ID of the card read by the reader / writer to the card management device 40 and requests the medal account balance of the card. In addition, when exchanging prizes for saving medals, the member management device 50 is requested for the balance of saving medals account.

  When the card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits the card ID of this card to the card management device 40, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card, and adds the prepaid value to the acquired prepaid value. Withdraw cash equivalents.

  The medal lending process when medal lending is performed in the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a medal lending operation on the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the inter-table medal lending machine 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as a destination. This electronic message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 that is a transmission source, and a medal lending request.

  When the card management device 40 receives a message including a medal lending request, the card management device 40 subtracts a prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message by a predetermined value (for example, 100 yen = 5 times when the frequency is 1). The data is updated, and the medal lending permission is transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10. The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 that has received the medal lending permission pays out the number of medals (for example, 25) corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

  Next, the medal replay process when the medal replay is performed in the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 accepts insertion of a general card or a membership card, the inter-medal lending machine 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as a destination. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-medal medal lending machine, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-medal medal lending machine 10 that is the transmission source, and the rate of the inter-medal medal lending machine 10 Information for identifying the card and a card insertion notification.

  When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the medal account having the rate specified by the message out of the medal accounts associated with the card ID in the message. Is notified to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 stores the balance of medals received from the card management device 40. Then, a message including information specifying the card ID and rate and a medal subtraction request is transmitted to the card management device 40. When receiving the medal subtraction request, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the medal account specified by the card ID and the rate to zero. When receiving the medal replay operation, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number of stored medal balances and pays out a corresponding number of medals.

  When the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-medal lending machine 10 transmits a message including the medal addition request to the card management device 40. This message includes a card ID of a card to be ejected, an address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the intermediary medal lending machine 10 as a transmission source, information for identifying the rate of the intermediary medal lending machine 10, and possession. Includes a medal balance and a medal addition request.

  When the card management device 40 receives the medal addition request, the balance that has received the balance of the medal account at the rate specified by the message out of the medal accounts associated with the card ID in the message. Update to the value of.

  Thereafter, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the card management device 40 and controls ejection of the card.

  Next, a stored medal replay process in the case of replaying a stored medal in the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 designates the local address of the card management device 40 as a destination when a member card is inserted or when identification information corresponding to a card ID is read from a portable terminal that can be used as a member card. Send a message. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-medal lending machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the portable terminal; hereinafter referred to as the card ID) and the inter-medal medal loan that is the transmission source. It includes an address for identifying the machine 10 or arbitrary identification information, information for identifying the rate of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

  The card management device 40 transmits a card insertion notification message to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification message, the member management device 50 stores the password associated with the card ID in the message and the stored medal account at the rate specified by the message among the stored medal accounts. The stored medal replay data including the balance is transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  The inter-medal lending machine 10 stores the received medal replay data, and the balance of the medal account indicated in the medal replay data is the number of medal payout units in the medal replay (the medal replay unit). When the number is more than 25 (for example, 25), it is possible to accept a stored medal replay operation.

  The intermediary medal lending machine 10 asks the player to enter a password when the medal replay operation is accepted for the first time after storing the medal replay data, and the entered password is stored in the medal Check if it matches the PIN shown in the replay data.

  The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 transmits a message specifying the local address of the card management device 40 as the destination when the passwords match. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-medal medal lending machine, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-medal medal lending machine 10 that is the transmission source, and the rate of the inter-medal medal lending machine 10 And information for specifying the token and a medal replay request.

  The card management device 40 transmits a message for a replay request for saving medals to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives a message for a replay request for saving medals, the member management device 50 calculates the balance of the saving medals account at the rate specified by the message among the savings medals associated with the card ID in the message. A predetermined value is subtracted, and the stored medal replay data including the balance after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  The inter-unit medal lending machine 10 receives the stored medal replay data, updates the balance of the stored medal account, and pays out medals by the number of replayed medal units. Further, it is determined whether the balance of the updated medal saving account is less than the number of saved medal replay units. If the balance is less than the number of saved medal replay units, the stored medal replay operation cannot be accepted. If the balance of the updated medal account is equal to or greater than the number of medal replay units, the medal replay operation can be accepted again, and if the medal replay operation is accepted, a saved medal replay request is sent To do. In the second and subsequent stored medal replay operations, the state where the confirmation of the personal identification number is unnecessary is continued, and this state is maintained until the card is ejected. The password can be confirmed by changing the setting so that the password is confirmed every time a replay operation is performed.

  Next, a transition from a medal to a stored medal in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the balance of the medal account in the card management data during the closing process, and if there is a medal account with a medal balance larger than “0”, the card management device 40 uses the card medal account balance as the card. The member management apparatus 50 is notified together with the ID and rate. The member management device 50 adds the notified medal account balance to the balance of the saving medal account specified by the card ID and the rate, and updates it. Thereafter, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the possession medal account to zero.

  Next, the external configuration of the gaming machine 20 and the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the gaming machine 20 and the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 shown in FIG. In addition, although the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 that accepts only banknotes is illustrated, a unit for accepting coins and electronic money can also be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 20 corresponds to a drum unit 21 having three drums, a display unit 22 for performing various displays, a medal slot 23, and a start lever and a drum for receiving a drum rotation start operation. And an operation unit 24 having three stop buttons and the like, and a tray 25 for receiving medals paid out from the gaming machine 20.

The intermedal medal lending machine 10 also displays a state display unit 11 that displays the device status of the intermediary medal lending machine 10 by turning on or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color, and a banknote insertion slot 12a that accepts various banknotes when lending medal. A display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a for receiving a card, a holding unit 14b for holding a portable terminal or the like, a nozzle 18a for throwing out a medal to a gaming machine, and a medal to be counted A medal insertion part 19a that accepts the insertion, and a return port 19b through which the non-genuine coins are returned for reasons such as non-genuine coins at the time of counting.
Have

  Next, the internal configuration of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 includes a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14 b, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17. And a nozzle unit 18, a counting unit 19, a return port 19b, and a reject box 19c.

  The banknote conveyance part 12 is a conveyance part conveyed to the banknote storage part which is not shown in figure, discriminating the money type and authenticity of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion port 12a. The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage section (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with a communication line.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores a card ID 16a, count data 16b, valuable value data 16c, mode data 16d, and mode definition data 16e.

  The card ID 16 a is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the conveyance. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

  The count data 16b stores the result of counting the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 19a by the counting unit 19. The count data 16b includes a regular medal number and an irregular medal number.

  The valuable value data 16c is data indicating a valuable value that can be used to receive a payout of game media. This valuable value includes the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for medal lending, the balance of the medal account, and the balance of the stored medal account.

  The mode data 16d stores a mode set in the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, and stores any of a business mode, a closed store mode, an employee mode, and a test mode.

  The mode definition data 16e defines the medal management method in the operating mode, the closing mode, the employee mode, and the test mode. For each mode, whether or not a regular medal is counted, whether or not a regular medal appears, whether or not a non-genuine medal is counted, whether or not a non-genuine medal appears, And are set.

  Note that the setting of the mode definition data 16e can also be realized by a method in which the card management device 40 creates and distributes a common setting value to all inter-unit medal lending machines 10. Further, the setting value creation in the card management device 40 may be made possible by selecting a method for selecting a predetermined handling pattern and a method for freely combining and setting operation parameters.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that totally controls the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a discrimination processing unit 17b, a counting processing unit 17c, a valuable value management unit 17d, a reject medal processing unit 17e, and a mode management unit. 17f.

  When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID 16a and the device ID to the card management device 40. When the data management unit 17a receives a valuable value (at least one of a prepaid value, a medal and a stored medal) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the valuable value data 16c with the received valuable value. The data management unit 17a appropriately controls the display operation unit 13 to display the prepaid value, the medal value, and the stored medal value indicated in the valuable value data 16c.

  In addition, when the player performs a medal lending operation, the data management unit 17 a transmits a medal lending request including the card ID 16 a and the device ID to the card management device 40. If a medal lending permission is received as a response to this medal lending request, the data management unit 17a pays out a predetermined number of medals.

  In addition, when a player performs a medal replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number of medal account balances indicated in the valuable value data 16c and pays out a corresponding number of medals. .

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored medal replay request including the card ID 16a and the device ID to the card management device 40 when the player performs a replayed medal operation. When the medal replay permission is received as a response to the replay request for stored medals, the data management unit 17a pays out a predetermined number of medals.

  In addition, when the card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a medal addition request including the card ID 16a, the device ID, and the medal number to the card management device 40, so that the own device medal After clearing the balance of the account to 0, a card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

  Moreover, if a banknote is inserted in the banknote insertion slot 12a, the data management part 17a will transmit the payment notification containing the money amount of inserted banknote, card ID16a, and apparatus ID to the card management apparatus 40. FIG.

  The determination processing unit 17b is a processing unit that determines whether the inserted medal is a regular medal or a non-regular medal when a medal is inserted into the counting unit 19. The discrimination is performed by imaging the inserted medal and comparing the imaging data with the image data of the regular medal. The determination result is output to the count processing unit 17c, the valuable value management unit 17d, and the reject medal processing unit 17e, and used for branching conditions for updating the count data 16b and the valuable value data 16c unit and processing of the reject medal. .

  The operation of the counting unit 19 related to the discrimination processing by the discrimination processing unit 17b will be described. When a player inserts medals into the medal insertion unit 19a on the front face of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10, the inserted medals are aligned and conveyed one by one by a conveyor belt, and an image of medals is obtained by a camera in the counting unit. Is imaged. The discrimination processing unit 17b holds the feature information of the regular medals for authenticity determination, and compares the feature information calculated from the medal image captured by the camera with the feature information of the regular medals to determine the authenticity of each medal. Make a decision.

  The count processing unit 17c performs update processing of the count data 16b according to the determination result by the determination processing unit 17b, the current mode set in the mode data 16d, and the setting contents of the mode definition data 16e of the mode. Specifically, if the medal is regular, if the count of the regular medal is “Yes” in the current mode, the count value of the regular medal in the count data 16b is added, and the current mode If the count of the regular medals is “No”, the count value of the regular medals in the count data 16b is not updated. In addition, when the medal is irregular, if the count of the irregular medal is “Yes” in the current mode, the count value of the irregular medal in the count data 16b is added to the current mode. If the count of the non-regular medals is “No”, the count value of the non-regular medals in the count data 16b is not updated.

  Regarding the processing contents of the counting processing unit 17c, when the setting is made not to count in the mode data 16d, the counting data 16b is not updated, but the counting data 16b has a data format having counting result information for each mode. In this case, the count result for each mode may be recorded.

  The valuable value management unit 17d performs update processing of the valuable value data 16c according to the determination result by the determination processing unit 17b, the current mode set in the mode data 16d, and the setting contents of the mode definition data 16e of the mode. Do. Specifically, if the medal is legitimate and the current medal appearance count is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c. If the regular medal appearance count is “No” in the current mode, the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c is not updated. Further, if the medal is irregular, and if the count of the irregular medal is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c. In the current mode, in the case where the appearance count of non-regular medals is “No”, the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c is not updated.

  The reject medal processing unit 17e is a process of conveying a medal determined to be irregular to the return port 19b or the reject box 19c when the discrimination processing unit 17b determines that the medal is an irregular medal. Whether to transport to the return port 19b or to the reject box 19c is determined by the mode stored in the mode data 16d and the mode definition data 16e. When the setting value of the reject destination in the mode is “return port”, the non-regular medal is conveyed to the return port 19b, and the setting value of the reject destination in the mode is “reject box”. The irregular medals are conveyed to the reject box 19c. The medals determined to be regular medals are thrown out to the collection path from the outlet provided on the back of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10.

  The mode management unit 17f performs a process for updating the value of the mode data 16d. When the mode management unit 17 f receives a mode change instruction through communication from the card management device 40 through the communication unit 15, the mode management unit 17 f changes to the designated mode. The mode management unit 17f can also change the mode by operating the display operation unit or the like.

  Next, the data structure according to the first embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data structure according to the first embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 illustrated in FIG.

  The mode definition data 16e includes, for all modes that can be set in the mode data 16d, the presence / absence of a regular medal, the presence / absence of a regular medal, the presence / absence of a non-regular medal, The presence / absence of the payout count and the transport destination of the non-regular medal are set. The presence / absence of counting indicates whether or not the counting result is reflected in the counting data 16b. The presence / absence of a payout count indicates whether the count result is reflected in the valuable value data 16c. The reject destination designates the transport destination of the medal when it is determined that the counted medal is an irregular medal. The reject box 19c in the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 or the inter-medal medal lending machine 10 is designated. It is possible to set the return port 19b on the front surface of the housing.

  In the mode definition data 16e shown in FIG. 5, in the operating mode, the count is set to “Yes” in the case of a regular medal, and the count is set to “Yes”. The “out” ball count is set to “Yes”, and the reject destination of the non-regular medal is set to “Reject Box”.

  In the closed mode, the count is set to “No” and the ball count is set to “No” for regular medals, and the count is set to “No” and the ball count is also set to “No” for non-regular medals. In addition, “return port” is set as the reject destination of the non-regular medal.

  In the employee mode, the count is set to “Yes” and the ball count is set to “No” for regular medals, and the count is set to “Yes” and the ball count is set to “No” for non-regular medals. In addition, “return port” is set as the reject destination of the non-regular medal.

  In the test mode, the count is set to “Yes” and the ball count is set to “Yes” for a regular medal, and the count is set to “No” and the ball count is set to “No” for an irregular medal. In addition, “return port” is set as the reject destination of the non-regular medal.

  Next, a processing procedure at the time of medal counting by the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when counting medals in the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 according to the first embodiment.

  First, the mode management unit 17f reads the mode data 16d and the mode definition data 16e, and in the current mode, the presence / absence of a regular medal count, the presence / absence count of a regular medal, and the presence / absence of a non-regular medal count. Then, the presence / absence of the appearance count of irregular medals and the rejection destination of irregular medals are determined (step S101).

  After step S101, the determination processing unit 17b determines whether the medal is a regular medal or a non-regular medal for one of the medals inserted into the counting unit 19 (step S102). If the result of the medal discrimination is a regular medal (step S103; Yes), if the presence / absence of the regular medal count is “no” in accordance with the content determined in the mode information reading process (step S101). (Step S104; No), the process proceeds to a process for determining the presence or absence of unprocessed medals (Step S115). When the presence / absence of the count of regular medals is “Yes” (step S104; Yes), the count processing unit 17c adds 1 to the number of regular medals in the count data 16b (step S105).

  After step S105, when the presence / absence of the regular medal appearance count is “No” (step S106; No), the process proceeds to the determination process (step S115) of the presence or absence of an unprocessed medal. On the other hand, when the presence / absence of the regular medal appearance count is “Yes” (step S106; Yes), the valuable value management unit 17d adds 1 to the balance of the possessed medal account of the valuable value data 16c (step S107). ), The process proceeds to the determination process (step S115) of the presence or absence of unprocessed medals.

  If the result of the medal discrimination in step S102 is an irregular medal (step S103; No), the presence / absence of the count of irregular medals is “not” according to the content determined in the mode information reading process (step S101). "(Step S108; No), the process proceeds to a determination process for rejected non-regular medals (step S112). When the presence / absence of the count of non-regular medals is “Yes” (step S108; Yes), the count processing unit 17c adds 1 to the number of non-regular medals in the count data 16b (step S109).

  After step S109, if the presence / absence of the irregular medals is “No” (step S110; No), the process proceeds to a determination process for rejecting irregular medals (step S112). When the presence / absence of the irregular medal appearance count is “Yes” (step S110; Yes), the valuable value management unit 17d adds 1 to the balance of the possessed medal account of the valuable value data 16c (step S111). Then, the process proceeds to the determination process of the rejection destination of the irregular medal (step S112).

  After adding the balance of the medal account by counting non-regular medals (step S111), when non-regular medals are not counted (step S110; No), or when non-regular medals are not counted (step S108; No), the reject medal processing unit 17e determines the reject destination of the irregular medal determined in the mode information reading process (step S101) (step S112).

  As a result of the determination, when the reject destination is “reject box” (step S112; Yes), the reject medal processing unit 17e conveys the non-regular medal to the reject box 19c (step S113), and the unprocessed medal is processed. The process proceeds to the determination process for the presence / absence of medals (step S115). When the reject destination is “return slot” (step S112; No), the reject medal processing unit 17e conveys the non-regular medal to the return slot 19b (step S114), and the unprocessed medal The process proceeds to presence / absence determination processing (step S115).

  In the determination process of whether or not there is an unprocessed medal (step S115), the determination processing unit 17b determines whether or not there is an unprocessed medal that has not yet been subjected to the medal determination process in the counting unit 19. If there is an unprocessed medal (step S115; Yes), one unprocessed medal is selected, and the process proceeds to medal discrimination (step S102). If there is no unprocessed medal (step S115; No), the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 defines whether or not to count medals, whether or not to add the counting result to the medals, and where the medals are discharged. The mode to be performed can be selected from a plurality of modes. For this reason, it is possible to switch the processing for the regular medal and the non-regular medal according to the situation, so that the handling of the non-regular medal can be made efficient.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case of discriminating between regular medals and non-regular medals has been described, but non-genuine medals include other store medals brought in from other stores and other medals in the store. And medals brought in from the parcel. For example, in a case where a game is provided at a plurality of lending rates in the own store, the medals at other rates are not used by dividing a section for each medal lending rate. At this time, if medals with different designs are used for each section or for each rate, it is possible to detect the introduction of medals from another section.

  Other store medals are discarded because they cannot be used in the store, but medals brought from other sections in the store (other rate medals) must be returned to the original section. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case will be described in which an irregular medal is further distinguished from another store medal and another rate medal and handled differently.

  Further, if the mixing ratio of non-regular medals with respect to medals to be counted is high, there is a high possibility that non-genuine medals circulated in the amusement store are not mixed but illegal medals are mixed illegally. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a configuration for issuing an alarm according to the mixed status of irregular medals will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 according to the second embodiment. In the inter-unit medal lending machine 110, the storage unit 16 further stores the alert threshold data 116f, and the contents of the count data 116b and the mode definition data 116e are different from the count data 16b and the mode definition data 16e shown in the first embodiment. The control unit 17 further includes an alert notification unit 117g, and the operations of the determination processing unit 117b, the counting processing unit 117c, the valuable value management unit 117d, and the reject medal processing unit 117e are the determination processing unit 17b illustrated in the first embodiment, Different from the counting processing unit 17c, the valuable value management unit 17d, and the reject medal processing unit 17e. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 shown in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The count data 116b stores the result of counting the medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 19a by the counting unit 19. The count data 116b includes the number of regular medals, the number of other rate medals, and the number of other non-regular medals (number of other store medals).

  The mode definition data 116e defines a medal management method in the operating mode, the closed store mode, the employee mode, and the test mode. For each mode, whether or not a regular medal is counted, whether or not a regular medal is counted, whether or not another rate medal is counted, whether or not another rate medal is counted, and where other rate medals are transported The presence / absence of other store count, the presence / absence count of other store medals, and the transport destination of other store medals are set.

  The alert threshold value data 116f is data that defines a threshold value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not the ratio of irregular medals is high in the alert notification unit 117g.

  When a medal is inserted into the counting unit 19, the determination processing unit 117b determines whether the inserted medal is a regular medal or a non-regular medal, and if the medal is a non-regular medal, It is a processing unit for discriminating whether it is a medal at another rate or a medal at another store. The discrimination is performed by imaging the inserted medal and comparing the imaging data with the image data of the regular medal. The determination result is output to the count processing unit 117c, the valuable value management unit 117d, and the reject medal processing unit 117e, and used for branching conditions for updating the count data 116b and the valuable value data 16c unit and processing the reject medal. .

  The count processing unit 117c performs update processing of the count data 116b according to the determination result by the determination processing unit 117b, the current mode set in the mode data 16d, and the setting contents of the mode definition data 116e of the mode. Specifically, if the medal is regular, if the count of the regular medal is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the count value of the regular medal in the count data 116b, In this mode, when the count of the regular medals is “No”, the count value of the regular medals in the count data 116b is not updated. If the medal is another rate medal, and if the count of the other rate medal is "Yes" in the current mode, 1 is added to the count value of the other rate of the count data 116b, When the other-rate medal count is “NO” in the mode, the other-rate count value of the count data 116b is not updated. Further, when the medal is another store medal, if the count of the non-regular medal other than the other rate medal is “Yes” in the current mode, the count value of the other store medal is counted data 116b. When 1 is added and the count of other store medals is “No” in the current mode, the count value of the other store medals is not updated in the count data 116b.

  The valuable value management unit 117d performs update processing of the valuable value data 16c according to the determination result by the determination processing unit 117b, the current mode set in the mode data 16d, and the setting contents of the mode definition data 116e of the mode. Do. Specifically, if the medal is legitimate and the current medal appearance count is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c. If the regular medal appearance count is “No” in the current mode, the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c is not updated. If the medal is another rate medal, if the other-rate medal appearance count is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c. If the other rate medal appearance count is “No” in the current mode, the balance of the medal account of the valuable value data 16c is not updated. If the medal is a medal at another store, and if the number of appearances at the other store is “Yes” in the current mode, 1 is added to the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c. If the other store medal appearance count is “NO” in the current mode, the balance of the possession medal account in the value data 16c is not updated.

  The reject medal processing unit 117e is a process of conveying a medal to the return port 19b or the reject box 19c when the determination processing unit 117b determines that the medal is an other rate medal or another store medal. In the second embodiment, whether to transport to the return port 19b or to the reject box 19c is determined by the mode stored in the mode data 16d and the setting of the mode definition data 116e. For each medal, a “return slot” or “reject box” can be set. When it is “return port”, it is transported to the return port 19b, and when the set value of the reject destination in the mode is “reject box”, it is transported to the reject box 19c. Note that medals determined to be regular medals are thrown into the collection path from a throw-out port provided on the back of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110.

  The alert notification unit 117g is a function for notifying a store clerk that there is a possibility that an unauthorized medal has been illegally brought. The alert notification unit 117g compares the number of medals at the time of one counting operation and the ratio of non-regular medals included at the time of counting with the alert threshold value data 116f. An alert is sent to the card management device 40 via the unit 15 with information identifying the gaming machine 20 attached thereto. Upon receiving the alert notification, the card management device 40 notifies the gaming clerk terminal of the identification information of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 where the alert has occurred.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, whether or not alert notification is necessary is set by being distributed from the card management device 40, although the alert threshold data 116f is used as a determination criterion and a specific setting method is not specified. It may be done. In addition, regarding the method for creating the alert threshold data 116f in the card management device 40, the counting medal machine 10 always sends the counted number and the irregular medal mixture rate to the card management device 40 at the time of counting, Alert threshold data 116f is automatically created in accordance with a predetermined rule from the mixing rate of irregular medals at the time of counting for the entire store obtained by counting the counted number sent from the medal lending machine 10 and the irregular medals mixing rate. It is also possible to make it.

  Next, the data structure according to the second embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a data structure according to the second embodiment of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110.

  The mode definition data 116e includes, for all modes that can be set in the mode data 116d, the presence / absence of a regular medal, the presence / absence of a regular medal, the presence / absence of another rate medal, and the other rate medal. The presence / absence of a payout count, the transport destination of other rate medals, the presence / absence of count of other store medals, the presence / absence of the count of other store medals, and the transport destination of other store medals are set. The presence / absence of counting indicates whether or not the counting result is reflected in the counting data 16b. The presence / absence of a payout count indicates whether the count result is reflected in the valuable value data 16c. The reject destination designates a transport destination of the medal when it is determined that the counted medal is an irregular medal such as another rate medal or another store medal, and is a reject box inside the inter-unit medal lending machine 110. 19c or the return port 19b on the front face of the housing of the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 can be set.

  In the mode definition data 116e shown in FIG. 8, in the business mode, the count is set to “Yes” for the regular medal, and the count is set to “Yes”, and the count is also set to “Yes” for other rate medals. In the case of other stores medals, the count is also set to “Yes”, the count is also set to “Yes”, the output count is also set to “Yes”, the reject box for other rate medals is rejected, “Reject box” is set as the medal rejection destination.

  Further, in the mode definition data 116e, in the closed mode, the count is set to “do not” for the regular medal and the ball count is set to “do not”, and the count is set to “do not” for the other rate medal. The ball count is also set to “No”, and in the case of other store medals, the count is set to “No” and the output ball count is also set to “No”. "Reject box" is set as the reject destination.

  In the mode definition data 116e, the employee mode is set to “Yes” for the regular medals and “No” for the payout count, and “Yes” for the other rate medals. The ball count is set to “No”, and even in the case of other store medals, the count is set to “Yes” and the output ball count is set to “No”. "Reject box" is set as the reject destination.

  In the mode definition data 116e, in the test mode, the count is set to “Yes” for the regular medal, and the count is also set to “Yes”. In the case of other rate medals, the count is set to “No”. The count is also set to “No”, even in the case of other store medals, the count is also set to “No” and the ball count is also set to “No”. "Reject box" is set first.

  The alert threshold value data 116f is set with a threshold value serving as a reference for determining whether or not the ratio of irregular medals (total of other rate medals and other store medals) is high. Considering the fact that the variation in the mixing rate increases when the number of counted sheets is small, and the variation in the mixing rate decreases when the number of counted sheets is large, a threshold of the mixing rate as an alert when the counted number is small On the other hand, it is possible to set a lower threshold of the mixing rate as an alert when the number of counted sheets is large.

  The alert threshold data 116f shown in FIG. 8 is 30% for the alert threshold when the number of counted sheets is 1 to 50, 25% for the alert threshold when the number of counted sheets is 51 to 100, and the number of counted sheets is 101. 20% alert threshold for 200 sheets, 15% alert threshold for 201-300 sheets, 10% alert threshold for 301-500 sheets, 501 counts From 5 to 1000, the alert threshold is set to 5%, when the counted number is from 1001 to 2500, the alert threshold is 3%, and when the counted number is 2501 or more, 2% is set.

  Next, a processing procedure at the time of medal counting by the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when counting medals in the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 according to the second embodiment.

  First, the mode management unit 17f reads the mode data 16d and the mode definition data 116e, and in the current mode, the presence / absence of a regular medal count, the presence / absence count of a regular medal, the presence / absence of another rate medal count, etc. The presence / absence of the rate medal count and the reject destination of other rate medals, the presence / absence of count of other store medals, the presence / absence of count of other store medals and the reject destination of other store medals are determined (step S201).

  After step S201, the determination processing unit 117b determines, for one of the medals inserted in the counting unit 19, whether the medal is a regular medal, another rate medal, or another store medal (step S202). If the result of the medal discrimination is a regular medal (step S203; Yes), if the presence / absence of the regular medal count is “no” in accordance with the content determined in the mode information reading process (step S201). (Step S204; No), the process proceeds to a determination process (Step S221) for the presence or absence of an unprocessed medal. When the presence / absence of the count of regular medals is “Yes” (step S204; Yes), the count processing unit 117c adds 1 to the number of regular medals in the count data 116b (step S205).

  After step S205, when the presence / absence of the regular medal appearance count is “No” (step S206; No), the process proceeds to the determination process (step S221) of the presence / absence of an unprocessed medal. On the other hand, when the presence / absence of the regular medal appearance count is “Yes” (step S206; Yes), the valuable value management unit 117d adds 1 to the balance of the possession medal account of the valuable value data 16c (step S207). ), The process proceeds to a determination process for the presence or absence of unprocessed medals (step S221).

  If the result of the medal determination in step S202 is an irregular medal (step S203; No), it is further determined whether the medal is another rate medal or another store medal (step S208). If it is an other rate medal (step S208; Yes), and if the other rate medal count is “not” in accordance with the content determined in the mode information reading process (step S201) (step S209). No), the process proceeds to the determination process of the reject destination of the other rate medal (step S213). When the presence / absence of the other rate medal is “Yes” (step S209; Yes), the count processing unit 117c adds 1 to the number of other rate medals in the count data 116b (step S210).

  After step S210, if the presence / absence of the other-rate medal appearance count is “No” (step S211; No), the process proceeds to a process for determining the other-rate medal reject destination (step S213). When the presence / absence of the other-rate medal appearance count is “Yes” (step S211; Yes), the valuable value management unit 117d adds 1 to the balance of the possession medal account of the valuable value data 16c (step S212). Then, the process proceeds to the process of determining the rejection destination of the other rate medal (step S213).

  After adding the balance of the medal account by counting other rate medals (step S212), when other rate medals are not counted (step S211; No), or when other rate medals are not counted (step S209; No), the reject medal processing unit 117e determines the reject destination of the other rate medal determined in the mode information reading process (step S201) (step S213).

  As a result of the determination, if the reject destination is “reject box” (step S213; Yes), the reject medal processing unit 117e conveys the other rate medal to the reject box 19c (step S214). If the reject destination is “return port” (step S213; No), the reject medal processing unit 117e transports the other rate medal to the return port 19b (step S215), and there is an unprocessed medal. The determination process (step S221) is started.

  As a result of the medal discrimination in step S202, if it is another store medal (step S208; No), whether or not the other store medal is counted according to the content determined in the mode information reading process (step S201) is “not performed”. "(Step S216; No), the process proceeds to a process for determining a rejection destination of another store medal (step S220). When the presence / absence of the other store medal is “Yes” (step S216; Yes), the count processing unit 117c adds 1 to the number of other store medals in the count data 116b (step S217).

  After step S217, if the presence / absence count of other store medals is “No” (step S218; No), the process proceeds to a determination process for rejecting other store medals (step S220). When the presence / absence count of other store medals is “Yes” (step S218; Yes), the valuable value management unit 117d adds 1 to the balance of the possession medal account of the valuable value data 16c (step S219). Then, the process proceeds to a process for determining a rejection destination such as another store medal (step S220).

  After adding the balance of the medal account by counting the other store medals (step S219), the other store medals are not counted (step S218; No), or the other store medals are not counted (step S216; No), the reject medal processing unit 117e determines the reject destination of the other store medal determined in the mode information reading process (step S201) (step S220).

  If the result of the determination is that the reject destination is “reject box” (step S220; Yes), the reject medal processing unit 117e transports the other store to the reject box 19c (step S214), and an unprocessed medal. The process proceeds to the determination process (step S221). If the reject destination is “return port” (step S220; No), the reject medal processing unit 117e conveys the other store medal to the return port 19b (step S215), and an unprocessed medal is stored. The process proceeds to presence / absence determination processing (step S221).

  In the determination process for the presence or absence of unprocessed medals (step S221), the determination processing unit 117b determines whether or not there are unprocessed medals that have not yet been subjected to the medal determination process in the counting unit 19. If there is an unprocessed medal (step S221; Yes), one unprocessed medal is selected, and the process proceeds to medal discrimination (step S202).

  If there is no unprocessed medal (step S221; No), the alert threshold data 116f is compared with the medal count counted in the current counting process, the mixing ratio of the non-regular medal, and the alert is issued. A determination process of whether or not (step S222) is performed. If it is determined that the alert is unnecessary as a result of the alert determination (step S223; No), the process ends. When it is determined that the alert is to be issued as a result of the alert determination (step S223; Yes), the gaming clerk terminal is notified that there is a possibility that an unauthorized medal has been illegally introduced (step S224), and processing Exit.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the inter-unit medal lending machine 110 determines whether the medal is a regular medal, a non-regular medal, or a medal at another rate of its own store if it is a non-regular medal. It is determined whether it is an unregular medal other than other rate medals such as other store medals, and whether to count medals for each determination result, whether to add the counting results to the medal, In addition, a mode that defines where the medals are discharged can be selected from a plurality of modes. Further, it is possible to identify and notify a game store clerk of a gaming machine 20 that may have been mixed with an unauthorized non-regular medal at the time of medal counting, based on the mixing ratio of non-regular medals at the time of medal counting. This makes it possible to switch the processing for non-regular medals such as regular medals, other rate medals, and other store medals according to the situation, and it is possible to timely identify illegal carry-in of non-regular medals. The handling of medals can be made more efficient.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, only when the threshold value of the alert threshold value data 116f is exceeded, the number of non-regular medals exceeding the threshold value is counted, and the inter-unit medal lending machine is counted. 110 is notified, but the content of notification to the card management device 40 is not limited to this, and the number of regular medals and the number of non-regular medals counted for each mode from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 are not limited to this. It is also possible to utilize the results obtained by the transmission and totaled by the card management device 40 for automatically creating the alert threshold value data 116f or grasping the current state of the mixing rate of irregular medals. Further, regarding the notification condition from the inter-unit medal lending machine 10 to the card management device 40, it is also possible to notify all of the alerts when non-regular medals are mixed instead of the non-regular medal mixing rate.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which an image of a medal (such as a concavo-convex pattern) is discriminated is shown. However, the method for discriminating a medal is not limited to this. A method for discriminating gloss and the like, a method for discriminating a built-in tag, and the like may be used, and there is no particular limitation as long as it is possible to discriminate between operational targets and non-operational medals.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, detailed determination is not performed for other store medals. However, another store medals may be further determined. Specifically, an image of the other store medal is stored when counting other store medals that are not used in the own store, and a stricter determination threshold is used for counting the same other store medal. It is possible to detect the carry-in of medals with higher accuracy.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where medals are used as game media has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied even when game balls are used as game media.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, a detailed description of the form of the card is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, here, for convenience of explanation, the “card” has been described as an example. However, in addition to the card, a chip or a stick may be used. In particular, when a mobile terminal with an IC chip is used as a medium, since the mobile terminal can be uniquely identified using identification information that can be obtained in a non-contact manner from the IC chip of the mobile terminal, the game medium is associated with the identification information. You can manage the number.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, as the mode definition data 16e and the mode definition data 116e, the modes are “operating mode”, “closed mode”, “employee mode”, and “test mode”. As the operation parameters, “Count / Do not count for regular medals”, “Count / Do not count for regular medals”, “Do not count for other rate medals”, “Do not count for other medals” ”,“ Does not count out for other rate medals ”,“ Does not count out for other store medals ”,“ Reject destination for other rate medals ”,“ Reject destination for other store medals ” Although the setting can be made, the present invention is not limited to this. As the operation parameter, “error mode” due to unauthorized operation, “offline mode” in which connection with the card management device 40 is not possible, and the like can be added as operation parameters such as “counting operation is / is not performed”.

  Each illustrated configuration is schematic in function, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured.

  As described above, each device, the game medium management system, and the game medium management method according to the present invention are suitable for improving the handling of irregular medals.

10, 110 inter-unit medal lending machine 11 status display unit 12 bill transport unit 12a bill insertion slot 13 display operation unit 14 reader / writer 14a card insertion port 14b holding unit 15 communication unit 16 storage unit 16a card ID
16b, 116b Count data 16c Valuable value data 16d Mode data 16e, 116e Mode definition data 116f Alert threshold data 17 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b, 117b Discrimination processing unit 17c, 117c Count processing unit 17d, 117d Valuable value management unit 17e, 117e reject medal processing unit 17f mode management unit 117g alert notification unit 18 nozzle unit 18a nozzle 19 counting unit 19a medal insertion unit 19b return port 19c reject box 20 gaming machine 21 drum unit 22 display unit 23 medal insertion port 24 operation unit 25 saucer 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 50 Member management device 60 Premium management device 80 Settlement machine

Claims (8)

Each device installed in correspondence with a gaming machine and managing gaming media used for gaming by the gaming machine,
Determining means for determining a type of the game medium;
Processing setting selection means for selecting a processing setting that determines processing for the game medium in association with a determination result by the determination means;
Each apparatus comprising: processing means for performing processing on the game medium determined by the determination means in accordance with the process setting selected by the process setting selection means.   The process setting selection means determines whether or not the game medium is to be counted, and whether or not the count result is to be added to the number of game media when the game medium is counted. Each stand apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a function for setting in association with a determination result by the determination unit. Distribution means for distributing the game medium determined by the determination means to a plurality of transport destinations;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing setting selection unit has a function of setting one of the plurality of transport destinations in association with a determination result by the determination unit. It has a throw-out port provided on the player side, a storage part provided in each stand device, and an outlet to the outside provided on the island facility side,
The allocating means has a function of using the outlet, the storage, and the outlet as a transport destination,
The each apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing setting selection unit sets at least one of the throwing port, the storage unit, and the discharging port in association with the determination result.   Each stand apparatus of Claim 3 or 4 further provided with the alerting | reporting means to alert | report when the said game medium exists in the said storage part. The discriminating means discriminates the gaming media into regular gaming media and non-regular gaming media, and uses the non-regular gaming media as different zone gaming media used in other zones within the gaming store, and at the gaming store. It has a function to further distinguish between different store game media that are not used,
6. Each device according to claim 1, wherein the process setting selection unit selects a setting in which different processes are associated with the different compartment game medium and the different store game medium. . A game media management system including each device that is installed corresponding to a gaming machine and manages game media used for gaming by the gaming machine,
A discriminating means for discriminating the type of the game medium in each of the stand devices;
Processing setting selection means for selecting a processing setting that determines processing for the game medium in association with a determination result by the determination means;
A game medium management system comprising: processing means for performing processing on the game medium determined by the determination means in accordance with the setting selected by the process setting selection means. A game medium management method in which each device installed corresponding to a gaming machine manages a gaming medium used for gaming by the gaming machine,
A determination step of determining a type of the game medium;
A process setting selection step for selecting a process setting that determines the process for the game medium in association with the determination result of the determination step;
A game medium management method comprising: a process step of performing a process on the game medium determined by the determination step according to the process setting selected by the process setting selection step.

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