JP2014161534A - Game parlor management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game parlor system capable of efficiently replenishing and collecting recording media where a payment balance is recorded.SOLUTION: In a dispenser capable of storing a plurality of IC cards for recording a payment balance, excess and deficiency are reported to an employee (S16) if the number of IC cards is in shortage or excess (S15: YES) when a corresponding game machine reaches a non-operating state (S14: YES). Thus, it becomes possible to efficiently replenish and collect IC cards without interfering with a player's game.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall management system having a lending machine that can store a recording medium for recording a deposit balance up to a predetermined upper limit value.

  In a conventional game hall, a lending machine is provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and the lending machine lends game media in accordance with the receipt of money. Also, when the return button of the lending machine is pressed, a card recording the deposit balance is issued. When this card is inserted into the lending machine again, the gaming media can be lent within the range of the deposit balance, and when the deposit balance becomes 0, the card is collected without being returned and used.

JP 2005-342243 A

  In such a system, the number of cards stored in the lending machine becomes 0 and it becomes impossible to issue a card recording the deposit balance, or conversely, the number of cards stocked reaches the upper limit and another gaming machine May not accept a player's card that has moved from. In order to avoid this situation in advance, there has been proposed a system for notifying an employee when the number of cards stored inside becomes equal to or greater than a set value (Patent Document 1). This makes it possible for employees to replenish and collect cards in advance, but if the card is replenished or collected during a game, the player may feel uncomfortable. is there. Also, in order to avoid this, if the player leaves the seat and tries to replenish or collect cards, the work becomes inefficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a game room system capable of efficiently replenishing and collecting a recording medium on which a deposit balance is recorded.

  The gaming center management system according to the present invention records and issues a lending means for giving a game value in response to the receipt of money and a deposit balance that has not been used for giving a game value out of the received money. Recording medium issuing means, recording medium receiving means capable of receiving the recording medium, storage means capable of storing the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means up to a predetermined upper limit value, and the storage means storing Recording medium number specifying means for specifying the number of recording media, a lending machine provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and the number of the recording medium specified by the recording medium number specifying means satisfy a predetermined condition A storage status determining means for determining whether or not, an operating status determining means for determining an operating status of a gaming machine corresponding to the lending machine, and the gaming machine corresponding to the gaming machine by the storage status determining means. Lending When it is determined that the number of the recording media stored in the machine satisfies a predetermined condition, and the operating state determining unit determines that the gaming machine is in a non-operating state, the gaming machine is Output means for outputting identifiable information.

  According to the present invention, when the number of recording media stored in the lending machine satisfies a predetermined condition, the gaming machine is not in operation, instead of immediately outputting information that can identify the gaming machine. Therefore, the recording medium can be replenished and collected efficiently without interfering with the player's game.

Schematic which shows the whole structure of the management system for game centers in one Embodiment of this invention. Figure showing a list of card excess / deficiency Flow chart showing operation of lending machine

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a game hall management system. A large number of gaming machines 1 are installed in the amusement hall, and a lending machine 2 (lending means, recording medium issuing means, recording medium receiving means, storage means, recording medium number specifying means, storage) corresponding to each gaming machine 1 Situation determination means, operation status determination means, and output means) are installed. These gaming machines 1 and lending machines 2 are connected to a management device 5 (corresponding to output means) via a relay device 3 and a LAN 4. The management device 5 manages game data for each gaming machine 1 by receiving a game signal transmitted from the gaming machine side (the gaming machine 1, the lending machine 2, etc.), and personal data for each registered member. Also manage.

In the amusement hall, a counter 6, a prize exchange terminal (POS) 7, and a payment machine 8 are also installed, and are connected to the management device 5 via the LAN 4.
The counter 6 counts the balls that have been thrown in, issues a receipt (not shown) that records the number of balls that are the counting result, and transmits issuance information to the management device 5. The prize exchange terminal 7 executes a prize exchange process based on the number of counting balls specified by the receipt issued from the counter. When the IC card 9 (corresponding to a recording medium) is inserted into the card insertion slot 10, the checkout machine 8 reads the deposit balance recorded on the inserted IC card 9 with a card reader (not shown), A bill or coin corresponding to the read deposit balance is returned from the return port 11.
In addition, when handling the deposit balance recorded on the IC card 9 in the gift exchange terminal 7 and the checkout machine 8, the management device 5 collates with the deposit balance indicated by the issuance information stored in advance corresponding to the IC card 9. The payment balance is paid on the condition that it is determined to be true.

  The management device 5 is installed in, for example, an office room in the game hall, and is connected to a keyboard 12, a monitor 13, a printer (not shown), and the like operated by the game hall manager. Although not shown in FIG. 1, for example, hundreds of gaming machines 1 are actually managed by the management device 5. The management device 5 manages the operating status of the gaming machine 1, the lending machine 2, the prize exchange terminal 7 and the like installed in the game hall.

The gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an operation handle 15, an upper tray 16, and a lower tray 17 that constitute a launching device that launches balls on the board surface 14, and a liquid crystal display unit 18, a start port 19, It has a winning opening 20. The gaming machine 1 performs the following operations.
(1) A jackpot lottery is performed in response to the ball fired on the board surface 14 by operating the operation handle 15 winning (start winning prize) at the start opening 19, and so-called special symbols (special illustrations) are drawn based on the lottery result. ) Is executed on the liquid crystal display unit 18 and a jackpot is generated according to the result. Note that the upper limit of so-called holding balls is four each, and when starting and winning a prize during holding, the upper limit is held, and after the symbol change ends, the held symbol variation is executed sequentially.
(2) The winning probability (probability of jackpot) of the jackpot lottery is 1/300, and the ratio of the jackpot that becomes a probability change state (probability change) after the jackpot is 66.6% (2/3). When a big hit occurs, the big winning opening 20 is opened by the amount corresponding to the corresponding number of rounds (R). The 1R upper limit winning number (upper limit number) is 8, and the upper limit opening time is 30 seconds. When either the upper limit number or the upper limit opening time is satisfied, 1R is ended.
(3) The number of rounds corresponding to the jackpot is 5R and 16R, and the distribution ratio is 25% for 5R and 75% for 16R.
(4) The jackpot probability is improved to 1/30 during probability change. Since the probability change continues until the next jackpot, it continues until a jackpot (ordinary jackpot) that becomes a normal state (normal) after the jackpot occurs, and returns to the normal state when a normal jackpot occurs.

The gaming machine 1 and peripheral devices attached to the gaming machine 1 output the gaming signals shown below as the game progresses such as the ball being thrown by the player and the starting prize at the starting port 19.
Out signal: This is a signal that can specify the used game value (number of used media, out) output from an out BOX (not shown) for collecting used balls. Since one pulse is output for 10 recovered balls (used balls, driven balls), the number of out signals × 10 is specified as out. In addition, the signal directly output from the gaming machine 1 may be used. The out specified by the out signal corresponds to the amount of game value used in the game.

Safe signal: a signal that can specify the payout game value (number of payout media, safe) output from the gaming machine 1. Since one pulse is output for 10 payout balls, the number of safe signals × 10 is specified as safe. A replenishment signal output from a replenishing device (not shown) may be used as a safe signal. The safe specified by the safe signal corresponds to the amount of game value given by winning.
Start winning signal: a signal that can specify a winning (start winning) to the starting port 19 output from the gaming machine 1. Since one pulse is output for each winning prize at the starting port 19, the starting prize is specified in response to reception of the starting prize signal.
Symbol change signal (start signal): This is a signal that can specify a symbol change (actual action) that starts changing (actuation) by a start winning to the start port 19 output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is output when the symbol variation is confirmed (at the end), the symbol variation (start) is specified in response to the reception of the symbol variation signal. It may be a signal output at the start of symbol variation.
-Jackpot signal: A signal that can be output from the gaming machine 1 and that can specify a period of a jackpot state. Since the level is output during the jackpot state, reception of the jackpot signal is specified as being in the jackpot state.
Probability variation signal: A signal that can specify a period in which a probability of winning a jackpot that is output from the gaming machine 1 is in a probability variation state with a high probability of winning. Since the level is output during the probability variation state, reception of the probability variation signal is specified as the probability variation state.

The lending machine 2 lends balls (game media) within the range of the amount of bills inserted. Further, when the IC card 9 is received, the lending / holding ball return process is performed within the range of the deposit balance and the number of counting balls, and the deposit balance is recorded on the IC card 9 when the IC card is issued.
The lending machine 2 is a touch-panel type 21 that accepts operation input from a banknote insertion slot 21 into which a banknote is inserted, and displays game data such as the number of symbol fluctuations (start count) and jackpot probability as the game progresses. The liquid crystal display unit 22, a lending button 23 operated to pay out the balls, a payout nozzle 24 through which the paid out balls pass, a card insertion slot 25 into which the IC card 9 is inserted, a return button 26 and the like are provided.

The lending machine 2 has the following functions.
(1) The amount (1,000 yen unit) of the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 21 is stored, and the inserted amount (payment balance) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22.
(2) The number of balls (125 balls) corresponding to the number of times (500 yen) is paid out from the dispensing nozzle 24 within the range of the deposit balance in accordance with the operation of the lending button 23. At this time, the game machine 1 outputs a signal indicating that the ball has been paid out to the lending machine 2 once, so the amount corresponding to the number of times (500 yen) from the deposit balance displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22 ) And output a sales signal. Since this sales signal outputs one pulse every time one ball is paid out, one pulse is specified as a sales amount of 500 yen.
(3) According to the operation of the return button 26, the deposit balance is recorded on the IC card 9 inserted in the card insertion slot 25 and issued. When the IC card 9 is issued, the issuance information is transmitted to the management device 5 and stored also on the management device 5 side. If the IC card 9 is not inserted into the card insertion slot 25, the IC card 9 stored in the card stock section is fed to the card reader / writer, and the deposit balance is recorded and issued.
(4) When the IC card 9 is inserted into the card insertion slot 25, the deposit balance recorded in the IC card 9 is read and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 22.
(5) The game data of the corresponding gaming machine 1 or other designated gaming machine 1 is displayed according to the operation input to the liquid crystal display unit 22, the message from the game hall is displayed, the player is a member When it is determined that there is a game, the game data of the gaming machine 1 is displayed.

  The management device 5 operates according to a stored computer program and can execute a game information display service for displaying game data indicating the operating status of the gaming machine 1. In order to execute such a service, the operating state of the gaming machine 1 is specified based on the gaming signal input to the input / output unit from the gaming machine 1, the lending machine 2, etc., and the gaming data is collected for each gaming machine 1. It comes to manage.

The game data managed for each gaming machine 1 is as follows.
・ Out ・ Safe ・ Difference = Safe-Out ・ Rounding rate = Safe ÷ Out ・ Hit probability = Number of jackpots ÷ Number of starts

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to the present invention among the operations of the lending machine 2. Whether the lending machine 2 has entered the set value of the adjustment range (S1), received the IC card 9 (S3), ejected the IC card (S5), or entered operating status information from the relay device 3 ( S10), whether there is no deposit balance (= 0) (S11) or whether there is a deposit balance (> 0) (S12).

(Adjustment range setting)
The administrator can set the number of stored adjustments (for example, 3 to 8) within 10 that can be stored in the management device 5, and adjust the number of IC cards 9 stored in the lending machine 2. In this case, for example, set values (upper limit value, lower limit value) of the adjustment range are set for the management device 5 after the end of business. When the set value of the adjustment range is set, the management device 5 outputs the set value to each lending machine 2. When the lending machine 2 inputs the set value of the adjustment range from the management device 5 (S1: YES), the lending machine 2 stores the set value of the adjustment range (S2).

(Determination of the number of stored IC cards 9)
The lending machine 2 can store up to 10 IC cards 9 (corresponding to “predetermined upper limit value”), and has a function of determining the number of stored cards.
When the return button 26 is operated in a state where there is a deposit balance, the lending machine 2 discharges the IC card 9 in which the deposit balance is recorded (S5: YES), and subtracts 1 from the number stored (S6). Even when the “collection” button is operated in a state where the remote controller is pointed at the lending machine 2 by the employee, one IC card 9 is discharged and the number of storage is decremented by one. On the other hand, when the IC card 9 in which the deposit balance is recorded by the player is inserted, the IC card 9 is accepted (S3: YES), and 1 is added to the storage number (S4). The stored number is incremented by 1 even when an IC card 9 in which no deposit balance is recorded is inserted by the employee.

(Judgment of operating status)
The lending machine 2 and the relay device 3 have a function of determining the operating status of the gaming machine 1.
The relay device 3 is determined to be “active” when an out signal or start signal is input from the gaming machine 1, and is “not active” when 20 seconds or more have elapsed since the last input of the out signal or start signal. judge. That is, the state in which the out signal or the start signal is continuously output from the gaming machine 1 is determined as the operating state. When it is determined that the relay device 3 is in the operating state and when it is determined as the non-operating state, the relay device 3 outputs operating status information indicating that fact to the lending device 2.
When the operating status information is input from the relay device 3 (S10: YES), the lending machine 2 updates the operating status information (S13). In other words, when “operation” is input as the operation status information from the relay device 3, the operation status determination by the relay device 3 is set to “active”, and when “non-operation” is input, the operation status determination by the relay device 3 is determined. “Non-operational”.

  On the other hand, when the lending machine 2 changes from a state with no deposit balance (= 0) to a state (> 0) (S11: YES), or when it enters a state without a deposit balance (S12: YES), the operating status information is updated (S13). That is, when the deposit balance is present, the operation status determination based on the deposit balance is “operated”, and when there is no deposit balance, the operation status determination based on the deposit balance is “non-operation”.

  When the lending machine 2 updates the operating status information as described above, the lending machine 2 determines whether or not it is in a non-operating state based on the operating status information (S14). In other words, if either of the operation status determination by the relay device 3 as described above or the operation status determination by the deposit balance is “active”, it is determined that it is in an active state, and if both are not satisfied, it is a non-operating state. Is determined. Note that only one of the operation status determination methods may be used as a determination element, or another determination method may be used. For example, it may be determined that the membership card is inserted in the lending machine 2 or the IC card 9 in which a ball or a stored ball is inserted is in an operating state.

(IC card 9 shortage / overage determination)
The lending machine 2 has a function of determining whether the number of stored IC cards 9 is a set value (adjusted number).
When the lending machine 2 updates the operating status information as described above (S13), it determines whether or not it is in a non-operating state (S14). At this time, in a non-operating state, that is, when no signal is output from the gaming machine 1 and the deposit balance is 0 (S14: YES), it is determined whether the stored number is outside the range of the adjustment number stored in advance. (S15). Specifically, based on a preset upper limit value (for example, 8 sheets) and a lower limit value (for example, 3 sheets), it is determined whether the upper limit value is exceeded or the lower limit value is exceeded. When it is out of the adjustment range (S15: YES), the gaming machine number and the number of storage of the corresponding gaming machine 1 are output to the management device 5. The management device 5 displays and outputs the input result on the monitor 13 and outputs a voice message such as “please replenish (collect) the XX series and IC card” to the income that the employee always has. At this time, the card excess / deficiency list displayed on the monitor 13 is updated.
The IC card 9 may not be output to the management device 5 after replenishment / collection. As a result, even if the storage number becomes “1” when the IC card 9 is replenished in the state where the storage number is “0” and the shortage state continues, it is possible to avoid unnecessary output.

  FIG. 2 shows a card excess / deficiency list. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the gaming machines 1. The gaming machine 1 indicated by the left oblique line is in a non-operating state and the number of storage is less than the set lower limit value, and the gaming machine 1 shown in black is not The gaming machine 1 is shown in the operating state and the number of storage exceeds the set upper limit value. In the actual screen, the corresponding gaming machine 1 is displayed in a different color so that it can be identified. An IC card 9 is added to gaming machines 1 that are not in operation and the number of storage is less than the set lower limit value, and IC cards 9 are those that are inactive and have a storage number that exceeds the set upper limit value. Therefore, it is possible to confirm at a glance whether there is an excess or deficiency.

According to such an embodiment, the following effects can be produced.
In the lending machine 2 capable of storing a plurality of IC cards 9 for recording the deposit balance, if the number of IC cards 9 is insufficient or excessive when the corresponding gaming machine 1 is inactive, Since the excess / deficiency is notified, it is possible to efficiently replenish and collect the IC card 9 without disturbing the game of the player.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
When the IC card 9 is insufficient or excessive, the employee may be notified of the excess or deficiency when the IC card 9 is not in operation.
Although the lending machine 2 determines whether or not the number of stored IC cards 9 is within the adjustment range, for example, the management device 5 may perform the determination.
Although the adjustment range can be arbitrarily set, it may be set in advance.
The operation status may be determined by the management device 5, for example.
In the excess / deficiency list, the number of stored IC cards 9 may be displayed. Moreover, you may further subdivide the identification display according to the number of storage.

  In the drawings, 1 is a gaming machine, 2 is a lending machine (lending means, recording medium issuing means, recording medium receiving means, storage means, recording medium number specifying means, storage status determining means, operating status determining means, output means), 5 Is a management device (output means), and 9 is an IC card (recording medium).

Claims (1)

A lending means for giving game value in accordance with the receipt of money;
A recording medium issuing means for recording and issuing a deposit balance that has not been used for giving game value out of the accepted money;
A recording medium receiving means capable of receiving the recording medium;
Storage means capable of storing the recording medium received by the recording medium reception means up to a predetermined upper limit;
A recording medium number specifying means for specifying the number of recording media stored by the storage means, and a lending machine provided corresponding to the gaming machine,
A storage status determination unit that determines whether or not the number of the recording media specified by the recording medium number specifying unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
An operation status determination means for determining an operation status of the gaming machine corresponding to the lending machine;
For the gaming machine, it is determined by the storage status determination means that the number of the recording media stored in the lending machine corresponding to the gaming machine satisfies a predetermined condition, and the operation status determination means An output means for outputting information capable of identifying the gaming machine when it is determined that the gaming machine is in a non-operating state;
A management system for a game hall characterized by comprising:

Images