JP2016034375A - Game machine management system and game machine management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which notifies a game player playing a game of the use state of other game machines, and improves selection service of the game machines.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 receives retrieval information on a game machine 20 from a game player, and transmits an unoccupied machine reservation request to a card management device 40 when the game player selects an unoccupied machine on the basis of the retrieval result. The card management device receiving the reservation request makes the inter-machine card processor perform lock processing in order to prohibit play of game players other than the requester with respect to the unoccupied machine. The unoccupied machine shifts to a playable state only with the card of the requester and does not receive cards and payment of the other game players. When a desired game machine is occupied, the inter-machine card processor receives the operation of the game player and transmits an unoccupied machine notification request to the card management device. The card management device transmits the unoccupied machine notification to the inter-machine card processor that has made the request when receiving notification to the effect that the game machine is unoccupied, and receives the unoccupied machine reservation request as well.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine management system and a gaming machine management method including a gaming machine that uses a gaming medium to play a game, and each of the devices attached to the gaming machine.

  Conventionally, various types of gaming machines are installed in game stores such as pachinko parlors. A player who enters a game store heads to a game machine of an intended model, and starts a game with the game machine if it is available. If the intended gaming machine is not available, the next gaming machine is played. If none of the intended gaming machines are available, the player will continue to wait for the gaming machine to become available while playing around the desired gaming machine or without playing.

  In addition, there may be a player who misses an opportunity to play a game because he / she goes around the store looking for a vacant machine or a game machine that invites a game but cannot find an affordable game machine.

  In order to support selection of a gaming machine by a player, Patent Literature 1 installs a reservation reception device in a gaming store and can collectively check whether each gaming machine installed in the store is in use. In addition, a gaming machine reservation system that reserves a free gaming machine is disclosed.

JP 2009-247374 A

  However, even if a conventional technique represented by the above technique is used, there is a problem that a player may not be able to select a desired gaming machine smoothly. Specifically, in the gaming machine reservation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to reserve a vacant gaming machine at that time, but there is a vacant gaming machine desired by the player. Not necessarily. If all the desired gaming machines are in use, the player waits for the desired gaming machine to be free while playing with other gaming machines, or waits around the desired gaming machine.

  In the case of waiting for the desired gaming machine to be free while playing with another gaming machine, the desired gaming machine may remain unusable without noticing that the desired gaming machine is free. In addition, in the case of waiting around the desired gaming machine, a player who is willing to play is in a waiting state without playing a game, so that an opportunity for profits is lost for the gaming store.

  For these reasons, it has been an important issue to support the smooth selection of gaming machines by the player, improve the convenience of the player, and contribute to the profit of the gaming store.

  The present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and notifies a player who is playing a game about the usage status of a desired gaming machine, and the selection of the gaming machine when free It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine management system and a gaming machine management method that can easily perform the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention relates to a gaming machine management system for managing a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, the plurality of gaming machines installed in the gaming store A usage status management means for managing the usage status indicating whether or not it is in use, and a plurality of stand devices respectively attached to the plurality of gaming machines. Other gaming machine status acquisition means for acquiring the usage status of other gaming machines other than gaming machines attached to the apparatus from the usage status management means, and other gaming machines acquired by the other gaming machine status acquisition means An informing means for informing the usage status is provided.

  Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, each of the plurality of stand devices may make a secure request for requesting a transition to a secure state in which other game machines that are not in use are excluded from use by other players. It further comprises requesting means and securing processing means for placing a gaming machine attached to its own device in a secured state when a securing request is received from another gaming machine.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the other gaming machine status acquisition means acquires the usage status for other gaming machines that meet the conditions specified by the player.
It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when each of the plurality of stand devices is in an idle state in which a gaming machine that meets a condition specified by a player among other gaming machines in use is not in use. Further comprising a notification requesting means for making a notification request for requesting notification, wherein the usage status management means has changed from being in use to a vacant state in use of a gaming machine that meets the conditions specified in the notification request. In this case, the notification request is notified to each device that is the request source.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described invention, wherein when there are a plurality of each requesting device and each of the plurality of devices receives a notification from the usage status management unit, the plurality of devices that have received the notification The apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting each of the stand devices that can secure the gaming machine from the device.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the securing processing unit makes a securing request to the securing requesting unit after receiving a securing request from another gaming machine and placing the gaming machine attached to the own device in a secured state. The secured player is authenticated, or when the predetermined time has elapsed, the secured state is released.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the reservation requesting means associates the reservation request with identification information of a predetermined storage medium, and the reservation processing means is based on the identification information read from the storage medium. The player is authenticated.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the securing request means is a member storage medium for members registered as a member in the game store, or the identification information of a storage medium having a valuable value balance equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is characterized by associating a securing request.

  The present invention is also a gaming machine management method for managing a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, wherein the plurality of gaming machines installed in the gaming store are used to indicate whether they are in use or not. A usage status management step for managing each status, and a plurality of each device attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines obtains the usage status of other gaming machines which are gaming machines other than the gaming machine attached to the own device. The other gaming machine status acquisition step, and each table device provided in the plurality of gaming machines includes a notification step of notifying the usage status of the other gaming machine acquired in the other gaming machine status acquisition step. Features.

  According to the present invention, for a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, each managing a usage status indicating whether or not it is in use, and a plurality of each device attached to each of the plurality of gaming machines, Since it is configured to acquire the usage status of other gaming machines other than the gaming machine in which the own device is installed, and to notify the usage status of the gaming machine in each of the gaming machines installed in the other gaming machine, The player can grasp the vacant situation of other gaming machines during the game and select a vacant gaming machine, and the convenience of selecting a desired gaming machine is improved.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of gaming machine management according to the present 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 inter-card card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the own apparatus state data, gaming machine state data, card data, vacant base determination reference data, and movement setting data shown in FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the card management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit of the card management apparatus. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining empty table search and empty table securing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to secure an empty board in response to an empty board notification when a gaming machine in use becomes empty. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition from reception of the base information search to selection of an empty base in the display operation unit of the inter-card card processor. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions from reception of table information search in the display operation unit of the inter-card card processor to selection reception of a table in use. FIG. 12 is an example of a display screen of the display operation unit when a card of a player other than the requester is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine for which an empty board has been secured. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the reception-destination card processing machine to reception of selection of a table until reception of selection of a table. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the inter-unit card processing machine receives an empty table notification and secures an empty table. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for providing table information and selecting a table by the card management apparatus. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the card management device receives a vacant card notification and accepts a vacant card securing request from the requesting inter-card card processor. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for securing an empty board by the card management apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which an inter-card card processor that has become an empty base secures an empty base in response to an instruction from the card management apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a gaming machine management system and a gaming machine management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, “mochitama” refers to data indicating the number of game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and may be used again for the game only during that day (time before closing). Say what you can do. The stored ball is data indicating the game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game after the next day (time after closing). Mochitama can be used by both general and member players, and is used when a gaming machine is moved. The stored ball is normally only available to member players, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for games from the next day. A predetermined fee may be imposed on the use of the stored ball.

  First, the concept of gaming machine management according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of gaming machine management according to the present embodiment. In the game store, a plurality of gaming machines 20 are installed, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with an inter-card processing machine 10. The gaming machine 20 is an enclosed gaming machine that is structured so that the player does not touch the gaming medium, and manages the number of game balls that can be fired as the number of games that can be played. Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 manages the possessed balls received from the card management device 40 as data, and accepts operations such as lending balls and replaying possessed balls.

  The gaming machine management system according to the present embodiment provides the player with information including the usage status of other gaming machines 20 even when the player is playing a game. In addition to widening the width, the selection of an empty gaming machine 20 (hereinafter referred to as an empty board) is supported. Further, when not only a vacant stand but also a gaming machine 20 that is in use is vacant, the player who has requested the gaming machine 20 is notified, and the vacant stand is systematized according to the player's request. So that the player can move to a vacant platform with plenty of room.

  This gaming machine management will be specifically described. The inter-card processing machine 10 receives information on the gaming machine state from the gaming machine 20 at a predetermined timing, and monitors the gaming situation in the gaming machine 20. Each inter-card card processing machine 10 determines the usage status of the gaming machine 20 from the gaming machine status information, and transmits to the card management device 40 whether it is in use or not used. The card management device 40 also collects data related to the operating status of the gaming machine 20 from the hall computer 70 described later that collects various operating information from the gaming machine 20. Accordingly, the card management device 40 comprehensively monitors the usage status of the gaming machine 20 ((1) in FIG. 1).

  Further, the card management device 40 itself confirms that the gaming machine 20 is used for a game by receiving the insertion of the card into the inter-card processing machine 10 and the use and addition of the prepaid value.

  If a player is thinking about playing a game on a gaming machine 20 different from the gaming machine 20 he or she is currently playing, whether or not the gaming machine 20 to be played is currently available or in use An inquiry is made to the card management device 40 via the inter-card processing machine 10 ((2) in the figure). At this time, for example, as shown in (2) of the figure, if the player in the A series (hereinafter referred to as “player A”) decides that the gaming machine 20 that the player wants to play is a new machine that is a new gaming machine, The card management device 40 is inquired whether there is a vacancy.

  Upon receipt of the inquiry, the card management device 40 provides information about the vacant new machine to the inter-card card processing machine 10 according to this search condition ((3) in the figure). Further, if a search condition is further added, the card management device 40 can provide information including the type of the gaming machine 20 to the player. Here, the card management device 40 transmits vacant machine information of the gaming machines 20 below the B number, and the inter-card card processing machine 10 displays the information on the display operation unit 22 on the gaming machine 20 side. Further, this B-number gaming machine 20 is a new machine, and although the probability of a big hit is low, it shows that it is a MAX type with a lot of prizes if a big hit.

  When the player A finishes the game and tries to play a game in the vacant B series, the inter-card card processing machine 10 receives a request for securing the B series from the player A and sends a card management device 40 to the card management device 40. To secure the B series ((4) in the figure). Securing the B number is to set so that the player A obtains the right to occupy the next B game. That is, the inter-B card processor 10 in the B series is locked so that the gaming machine 20 cannot be used by anyone other than the player A.

  For this reason, the card management device 40 that has received a request for securing the B number from the inter-A card processor 10 transmits the identification information unique to the player A to the inter-B card processor 10. . The inter-B card processor 10 in the B-th level that has received this information stores identification information for identifying the A-th class player and other players, and puts its own device into a locked state ((5) in the figure). This identification information includes, for example, the ID of the card inserted into the inter-A card processor 10 and the inter-card processor ID. As a result, the inter-card card processor 10 in the B range does not accept cards other than the player A and accepts a deposit operation, so that no other player can play in the B range.

  Thereafter, the inter-B card processor 10 of the B-th level transmits the fact that the lock is completed to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 transmits it to the inter-card card processing unit 10 of the A-th level. The player A who has confirmed that the B number has been secured by looking at the display on the display / operation unit 22 ends the game at the A number and moves to the B number, so the card on which the movement information is recorded is ejected. ((6) in the figure). Then, the player who has moved to the B series inserts the card into the inter-card card processing machine 10 ((7) in the figure). The inter-B card processor 10 in the B series receives this card, and if it is determined that the card belongs to the player A, the locked state is released and the game is restored. Thereby, the player A can play a game in the B series.

  In this manner, the player can grasp the situation of the other gaming machines 20 while searching for the other gaming machines 20 according to the search conditions, and thus can enjoy a degree of freedom in selecting gaming machines. Also, for the game store, by securing a vacant stand for the player, it is not necessary for the player to wait around the intended stand without playing, so the operating rate of the gaming machine 20 can be reduced. Can be improved.

  Here, the case where the current vacant table is searched and the game is continued by moving the table has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If all the gaming machines 20 that the player wants to play in the table information search are in use, a notification will be received when the gaming machine 20 is free, and if the gaming machine 20 receives a free notification, an empty table is secured. It is also possible to set to move the table. In addition, in order to perform an effective response to the information retrieval and vacant space securing requests from the inter-card card processing machine 10, a non-member, such as a deposit (prepaid value or number of possessions), etc. with a general card, etc. Conditions may be provided. Details will be described later.

  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-card card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming store. The inter-card processing 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 gift management device 60, the hall computer 70, and the payment machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays a game by driving a game ball enclosed in the device into a game board surface. The gaming board surface of the gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning openings), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are given as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning area. It has become. In addition, a predetermined number of start areas (start ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the game balls passing through the start areas. If the lottery is a big win, an operation that is advantageous in terms of game is performed, for example, by increasing the probability of passing the game ball to the winning area or other starting area by operating a predetermined movable member or the like. There may be an area that doubles as a starting area and a winning area.

  The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passing of a game ball to the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passing (winning) of the game ball that has been driven into the winning area. ing. In addition, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory that stores how many game balls are awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a gameable number memory that indicates the number of balls that the player can throw out. Have.

  Accordingly, when the passing of the game ball that has been struck to a specific winning area is detected by the winning sensor, the gaming machine 20 receives a prize ball to be given from the storage content of the winning ball memory and the number of gaming balls that have passed the winning area. The number is determined, and the determined number of prizes is added to the game possible number stored in the game possible number memory to update the stored content. Further, when the number of games that can be transferred is transferred as the number of balls in the inter-card card processing machine 10, the number of games that can be held in the game-capable number memory is notified to the inter-card card processing machine 10, and the number of games that can be played Is cleared to zero. Further, when a notice of the number of games that can be added by ball lending operation or the like is received from the inter-card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of games that can be played, and the stored contents are updated.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives payment, rents out game balls, communicates with the card management device 40, and communicates with the gaming machine 20. When the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts a bill inserted by the player, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a payment notification including the deposit amount to the card management device 40, thereby converting the prepaid value into a prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Let them add. If a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball 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 corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is The machine 20 is notified and added to the number of games that can be played.

  Further, if the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts the card insertion, the inter-card card processing machine 10 transmits a card insertion notification to the card management device 40. Further, when the inter-card card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance or the balance of the stored ball from the card management device 40, the balance is stored. And when the balance of a possession ball is received and memorize | stored, the balance of the possession ball which the card management apparatus 40 manages is cleared to zero by transmitting a possession ball subtraction request | requirement with respect to the card management apparatus 40.

  Further, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the holding ball replay operation, the predetermined number of holding balls managed by its own device is subtracted, and the gaming machine 20 is notified of the number corresponding to the subtracted holding ball number, Add to the number of possible games. In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the stored ball replay operation, it transmits a stored ball replay request to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number of stored balls managed by the member management device 50, The gaming machine 20 is notified of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls, and is added to the game possible number.

  Further, if the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a holding ball addition request including the number of holding balls to the card management device 40 and causes the card management device 40 to add the holding balls, A card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control the card discharge. In addition, when the transfer operation of the game possible number is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the transferred game possible number is added to the number of possessed balls, and the balance of the possessed balls of the card management device 40 is calculated. Update.

  In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and the authentication key received from the card management device 40. Have. This authentication is performed at the time of the store opening process or the like, and the gaming machine 20 can play a game on the condition that the authentication is successful.

  In addition, the inter-card card processing machine 10 receives notification of the number of games that can be played and the operation state of the handle 21 from the gaming machine 20, and receives display control of the display operation unit 22 and reception of player operations on the display operation unit 22. I do.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives gaming machine status information from the gaming machine 20 at a predetermined timing, determines whether or not the gaming machine 20 is in use, and if it is determined that the gaming machine 20 is empty, the card management device 40 To that effect. When an instruction to secure a gaming machine is received from the card management device 40, the own device is set in a locked state (unusable state), the acceptance of cards other than the designated card is prohibited, and the accepting operation of the deposit is impossible. And When the designated card is inserted, or when the designated card has not been inserted after the empty card is secured, the locked state of the own apparatus is released.

  Further, the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts an operation for searching for table information from a player, and transmits a table information search request to the card management device 40. Then, the table information received from the card management device 40 is displayed on the display operation unit 22. In addition, an operation for requesting movement from a player to an empty board is accepted, and an empty board securing request is transmitted to the card management device 40. When the inter-card card processing machine 10 receives the notification of completion of the vacant card reservation, the inter-card card processing machine 10 displays that fact on the display operation unit 22.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-card card processing 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 balls, etc. as card data.

  When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management apparatus 40 manages the ID of the inserted card and the inter-card card processing machine 10 in association with each other, and prepaid associated with the card ID. The value and the balance of the possession ball are transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Further, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of the member card, the card insertion notification is transmitted to the member management device 50, and the replay data received from the member management device 50 is used as the interbank card. It transmits to the processor 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives the holding ball subtraction request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the holding ball to zero and receives the internal ball addition request from the inter-card card processing machine 10. In such a case, the number of possessed balls indicated in the retained ball addition request is added to the balance of the retained balls.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives a ball rental request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and grants the ball rental permission to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Send. Then, when the storage ball replay request is received, the storage ball replay request is transmitted to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 outputs the storage ball replay data, Transmit to the card processor 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 number of possessed balls 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.

  Further, the card management device 40 acquires the gaming machine ID from the inter-card card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machine 20 installed in the own store. Then, an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machine 20 set in the own store is acquired from the authentication key management center outside the gaming store, and distributed to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a free notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 determines the free state of the gaming machine 20 together with the information of the hall computer 70 and its own device, and uses the gaming machine 20. Remember and update the situation. Furthermore, a table information search request from the inter-card card processor 10 is received and information corresponding to the search condition is returned to the inter-card card processor 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a request for securing an empty base from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the card management apparatus 40 transmits an instruction for securing an empty base to the inter-card card processing machine 10 of the empty base, and as a result Is returned to the requesting inter-card processing machine 10.

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

  When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management apparatus 50 stores the inter-ball replay data including the balance of the storage ball corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification and the personal identification number. Transmit to the card processor 10. Further, when the member management device 50 receives the stored ball replay request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number of the balance of the stored ball associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and after the subtraction The stored ball replay data including the balance of the stored balls is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-card card processor 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

  In addition, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the premium management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the premium management device 60 of the balance of the stored balls corresponding to the designated card ID.

  The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes attached to a prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs prize exchange processing for earned balls, storage balls, and holding balls. The premium management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of the card and a premium dispensing device that dispenses premiums. The premium management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40 when the card ID is read from the general card or the membership card (or when the identification information corresponding to the card ID is read from the mobile terminal or the like). And request the balance of the possession of the card ID. In addition, when exchanging prizes for the stored balls, the member management device 50 is requested for the balance of the stored balls.

  The hall computer 70 manages the operating status and model data of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the operation information of each gaming machine 20 is collected by collecting operation information including information on the number of balls shot out from each gaming machine 20 (number of balls out) and information on the number of balls paid out after winning a prize (number of safe balls). Manage the situation. The hall computer 70 collects various statistical information from each gaming machine 20 and provides information for business management. Further, the hall computer 70 notifies the card management device 40 of the operating status of the gaming machine 20.

  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.

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

  When the card management device 40 receives a message including a ball 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 ball lending permission is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-card card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal requesting addition to the number of possible games (for example, 125) corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value to the gaming machine 20.

  The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds the number of games that can be played, and transmits the number of games that can be added to the inter-card card processor 10. The inter-card processing machine 10 confirms whether or not the addition of the possible number of games has been properly performed using the possible number of games before the addition, the possible number of games after the addition, and the number of ball lending. .

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

  When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10, among the possessed balls associated with the card ID in the message, the balance of the coins at the rate specified by the message Is sent to the inter-card card processor 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the balance of the coins received from the card management device 40. And the message containing the information which specifies card ID and a rate, and a possession subtraction request | requirement is transmitted to the card management apparatus 40. FIG. When the card management device 40 receives the possession ball subtraction request, the balance of the possession ball specified by the card ID and the rate is cleared to zero. In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the possession ball replay operation, the balance card balance is subtracted by a certain number, the corresponding number is notified to the gaming machine 20, and is added to the possible number of games.

  The inter-card card processing machine 10 is transmitted if it receives from the gaming machine 20 a management transfer request for transferring its management by setting the possible number of gaming machines 20 to be possessed by the inter-card card processing machine 10. Add a certain number of playable games to your own device. After that, if a card return operation is accepted, a message including a request for adding coins is transmitted to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card to be ejected, an address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processor 10 that is the transmission source, information for identifying the rate of the inter-card card processor 10, and possession Includes a balance of balls and a request for adding balls.

  When the card management device 40 accepts a request for adding a ball, the card management device 40 updates the balance of the ball having the rate specified by the message to the received value among the balls associated with the card ID in the message. To do.

  Thereafter, the inter-card card processor 10 transmits a card discharge notification to the card management device 40 and controls the card discharge.

  Next, a stored ball replay process when the replay of the stored ball is performed with the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The inter-card processing machine 10 designates the local address of the card management device 40 as a destination when a membership card is inserted or when identification information corresponding to a card ID is read from a portable terminal that can be used as a membership card. Send a message. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-card card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal; hereinafter referred to as the card ID), and the inter-card process that is the transmission source. An address for identifying the machine 10 or arbitrary identification information, information for identifying the rate of the inter-card card processing 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 a card insertion notification message, the member management device 50 includes a personal identification number associated with the card ID in the message and the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the received stored ball replay data, and the balance of the stored ball indicated in the stored ball replay data is the number of game balls paid out in the stored ball replay (the number of stored ball replay units. For example, 125 balls). ) If it is above, it is possible to accept the replay operation of the stored ball.

  When the storage card replay data is stored for the first time after the storage ball replay data is stored, the inter-card processing machine 10 requests the player to input a password, and the input password is the stored ball replay data. Confirm that it matches the PIN number shown in.

  The inter-card card processor 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-card card processing machine 10, the address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, and the rate of the inter-card card processing machine 10 And information for identifying the storage ball replay request.

  The card management device 40 transmits a telegram of a storage ball replay request to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives a message for a replay request for a stored ball, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined amount of the balance of the stored ball at the rate specified by the message from among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, The stored ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of the stored ball, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units, and adds it to the number of possible games. Further, it is determined whether the balance of the updated storage ball is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of the stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, the stored ball replay operation can be accepted again, and if the stored ball replay operation is received, a stored ball replay request is transmitted. In the second and subsequent replay operations of the stored ball, it is not necessary to confirm the password. If the balance of the updated storage ball data becomes less than the number of stored ball replay units, the stored ball replay operation cannot be accepted.

  Next, the transition from the holding ball to the storage ball in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the balance of the possessed ball in the card management data during the closing process, and if there is a retained ball with a retained balance larger than “0”, the balance of the retained ball is used as the card ID and the rate. In addition, the member management apparatus 50 is notified. The member management device 50 adds the notified balance to the balance of the stored ball specified by the card ID and the rate and updates it. Thereafter, the card management device 40 clears the balance of the holding ball to zero.

  Next, the external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. Although the inter-card card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes is illustrated in the figure, a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the apparatus of the inter-card card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color lamp, and a bill insertion slot that accepts various bills. 12a, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a for receiving a card associated with a card ID, and a display operation unit 22 such as a large touch panel display.

  The gaming machine 20 is provided with a game board surface, a handle 21 used when throwing out the enclosed game balls onto the game board surface, and a counting button 23.

  The counting button 23 subtracts the number of games that can be played by the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls of the inter-card card processing machine 10, thereby managing the number of balls that can be thrown from the gaming machine 20 to the This is an operation button for performing management transfer to the card processor 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which, in an open-type gaming machine in which the actual game balls are paid out by winning, the paid game balls are counted by the inter-card card processing machine 10 and added to the holding balls.

  Although the display operation unit 22 is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 20, input / output control thereof is performed by the inter-card card processing machine 10. The display operation unit 22 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various types of information such as the balance of the holding ball and receives various types of operations such as a display switching operation.

  Next, the internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a gaming machine management board 18, a storage unit 16, and a control. Unit 17 and display operation unit 22.

  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 display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various kinds of information such as valuable value and accepts various operations such as a ball lending operation.

  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 the card management device 40 via a communication line.

  The gaming machine management board 18 is a board built in the inter-card card processing machine 10. The gaming machine management board 18 performs authentication and activation management of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine 20 is authenticated using the authentication key received from the card management device 40. If the authentication is successful, an operation permission is transmitted to the gaming machine 20, and a result of the authentication success is transmitted to the card management device 40. It is preferable to authenticate the gaming machine 20 with a plurality of parameters. And even if it is a case where a part of authentication becomes NG, it is preferable to enable operation | movement only for a fixed period (for example, 10 days).

  Further, the gaming machine management board 18 communicates between the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the acquisition of a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, the management shift from the possession ball to the number of games that can be played, the management transition from the number of games that can be played to the possession ball, the number of shot balls and the winning balls in the gaming machine 20 Receive game results such as numbers. The communication between the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 uses encryption communication using a predetermined encryption method.

  The gaming machine management board 18 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the control unit 17 when the inter-card card processing machine 10 is activated, and checks whether the identification information is appropriate. 10 is permitted, and a state in which communication with the gaming machine 20 is possible is set. Note that the gaming machine management board 18 communicates in different encryption modes for communication with the control unit 17 when the inter-card card processing machine 10 is started up and communication with the gaming machine 20.

  The gaming machine management board 18 receives a signal transmitted from the gaming machine 20 at regular intervals, and returns a signal indicating that it has been received to the gaming machine 20 based on the reception of the signal. The signal transmitted from the gaming machine 20 includes, for example, data indicating a signal serial number (hereinafter referred to as “signal serial number”) using a certain range of numbers and data indicating the state of the gaming machine 20. The gaming machine management board 18 has a storage unit that stores the signal sequence number of the signal received from the gaming machine 20 at least once before, and the gaming machine 20 is compared with the signal sequence number received from the gaming machine 20 this time. Control to maintain the consistency of information from. For example, if the signal sequence number of the received signal is different from the sequence number stored in the storage unit plus one (for example, a number greater than 1), the signal reception may be lost. As a result, the game machine 20 is requested to retransmit the previous signal. The reply signal returned to the gaming machine 20 also includes a signal sequence number, and for example, 1 is added to the signal sequence number for each transmission. Further, data indicating the state of the gaming machine 20 included in the received signal is stored in the gaming machine state data 16b. In addition, the gaming machine management board 18 determines that the state is abnormal when there is no signal transmission from the gaming machine 20 for a certain period longer than the above certain interval, and performs abnormality processing (notification output, error Down). The data indicating the state of the gaming machine 20 transmitted from the gaming machine 20 includes the current number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20, game information indicating whether the game machine 20 is normal or probability variation, and the like. In this way, the time interval for acquiring the state of the gaming machine 20 is set to be narrower than the interval at which the gaming balls are launched (used) in the gaming machine 20.

  The gaming machine management board 18 has a security chip. The security chip has its own identification ID and a predetermined encryption / decryption program, and communicates with the security chip of the gaming machine 20.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores its own device state data 16a, gaming machine state data 16b, card data 16c, vacant base determination reference data 16d, and movement setting data 16e.

  The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-card card processing machine 10. The own apparatus state data 16a includes an inter-card card processor ID and a game setting. The inter-card card processor ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-card card processor 10 within the amusement store. The game setting is data indicating a game setting or the like set in the inter-card card processing machine 10. When handling multiple rate game balls in a game store, “ball 1” for 4 yen game balls, “ball 2” for 2 yen game balls, “ball 3” for 1 yen rate game balls Like this, game setting names are set and managed for each rate. The inter-card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for the game from these game settings and stores it as a game setting. The game setting may be a game setting fixed for each section where the inter-card card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by a player's operation.

  The gaming machine state data 16b is data indicating the state of the gaming machine 20. The gaming machine state data 16b includes a gaming machine ID, the number of games that can be played, a firing strength, and the like. The gaming machine ID is a gaming machine ID received from the gaming machine 20 by the gaming machine management board 18. The number of games that can be played, the firing speed, and the like are updated each time update data is received from the gaming machine 20.

  The card data 16c is data related to a card that is being used by a player. The card data 16c includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possession ball, a storage ball, and the like. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card data 16c is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16c is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport. The prepaid value indicates a balance of prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and a holding ball and a stored ball indicate respective balances.

  The vacant base determination reference data 16d is data serving as a reference for determining and reporting whether or not the inter-card card processing machine 10 is an empty base. When the inter-card card processing machine 10 determines that the standard specified in the vacant base determination reference data 16d is met, it determines that the gaming machine 20 provided is an empty base and notifies the card management device 40 of the empty base. Send. The vacant base determination reference data 16d may be set from the card management device 40, or may be set by the inter-card card processor 10.

  The movement setting data 16e is sent from the card management device 40 when the request for securing the vacant unit is received from another inter-card processing machine 10, and the movement setting data 16e is sent from the card management device 40 to the player who requested the vacant unit reservation. This is data that stores identification information. The movement setting data 16e includes the card ID of the player, the transmission time when the vacant space securing process is completed, and the like. The inter-card processing machine 10 determines whether or not it is a requester of the gaming machine 20 by comparing the movement setting data 16e with movement information recorded in the card ID of the reservation person.

  Note that the movement setting data 16e is initialized when a player who has secured a vacant card inserts a card within a predetermined time. In addition, when a player who has requested a free space reservation within a predetermined time has not received a card, the initialization is performed and the free space reservation is canceled.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that totally controls the inter-card card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game setting processing unit 17b, a gaming machine state management unit 17c, a table information acquisition unit 17d, an information notification unit 17e, a request It has a processing unit 17f, a securing processing unit 17g, a card determination unit 17h, and a time measuring unit 17i.

  When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-card card processor ID to the card management device 40. In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a valuable value (at least one of prepaid value, holding ball, and storage ball) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16c with the received valuable value.

  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 the inserted banknote, card ID, and inter-card processing machine ID to the card management apparatus 40.

  The data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-card processing machine ID to the card management device 40 when a ball lending operation is performed by the player. If the ball lending permission is received as a response to the ball lending request, the data management unit 17a subtracts the prepaid value of the card data 16c and transmits a predetermined number of balls to the gaming machine 20 to obtain the number of gaming balls. Let them add.

  In addition, if the data management unit 17a accepts the possession ball replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts and updates the possession ball of the card data 16c by a predetermined number unit, and transmits the corresponding number of balls to the gaming machine 20 to play the game ball. Let it be added to the number.

  Further, when the balance of the stored ball indicated in the card data 16c is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13 or the display operation unit 22, Replay operation can be accepted. The data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID and the inter-card processing machine ID to the card management device 40 when the player performs a stored ball replay operation. If the stored ball replay data is received as a response to the stored ball replay request, the balance of the stored ball in the card data 16c is updated, and the number of balls corresponding to the stored ball replay unit number is transmitted to the gaming machine 20 to play the game ball. Let it be added to the number. In addition, at the time of the first storage ball replay operation, a password is requested to be input, and a condition for transmitting a stored ball replay request is to match the password shown in the card data 16c.

  In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives a game ball transfer request from the gaming machine 20 through the gaming machine management board 18, the data management unit 17a adds the number of games that can be transferred from the gaming machine 20 to the holding balls of the card data 16c. And update.

  In addition, when the data management unit 17a accepts a card return operation, the data management unit 17a transmits a possessed ball addition request including a card ID, an inter-card card processor ID, and a retained ball balance to the card management device 40. Then, after clearing the card data 16c, a card discharge notification is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

  Further, when the data management unit 17a accepts the movement of the table and discharges the card, the data management unit 17a discharges the card after receiving the notification that the table movement information is recorded on the card from the request processing unit 17f.

  In addition, when the reservation processing unit 17g has set the reservation of its own table, the data management unit 17a prohibits the reception of cards other than the requester of the table and the reception of banknotes. If inserted, it is forcibly discharged. Then, when the requester's card is inserted, the data management unit 17a cancels the prohibition of accepting the card and the banknote and returns to the normal state.

  The game setting processing unit 17b displays the rate corresponding to the current game setting set in the game setting of the own device state data 16a on the display operation unit 13 or the display operation unit 22, and selects the rate by the player. When the setting for accepting is made, a selectable rate is displayed on the display operation unit 13 or the display operation unit 22. When the player selects a desired rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own apparatus state data 16a with the game setting corresponding to the selected rate. On the other hand, if the player is not set to accept rate selection, no selectable rate is displayed during the game. In this case, selectable rates are displayed on condition that the remote control operation by the employee is accepted and the authentication is performed. When the employee selects a rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own apparatus state data 16a with the game setting corresponding to the selected rate. Further, in this case, when there is a signal instructing selection of game settings from a higher-level device such as the card management device 40, the own device state data 16a is displayed by the instructed game settings without displaying a selectable rate. Update game settings for.

  The gaming machine state management unit 17c performs a process of updating the gaming machine state data 16b when the gaming machine ID, the number of games that can be played, the firing strength, and the like are acquired from the gaming machine 20. In addition, when a gaming machine ID is acquired from the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine ID depends on whether the gaming machine ID matches the previously acquired gaming machine ID, that is, the gaming machine ID indicated in the gaming machine state data 16b. 20 replacements may be detected. When the gaming machine ID acquired from the gaming machine 20 does not match the previously acquired gaming machine ID, the gaming machine state management unit 17c determines that the gaming machine 20 has been replaced, and the gaming machine ID is determined based on the acquired gaming machine ID. The gaming machine ID in the machine status data 16b is updated, and the updated gaming machine ID and inter-card card processing machine ID are transmitted to the card management device 40.

  The stand information acquisition unit 17d is a processing unit that acquires information about the gaming machine 20. The table information acquisition unit 17d receives the search request and displays a table search request screen. Then, a search request operation related to gaming machine information is received from the player via the table search request screen, and is transmitted to the card management device 40. When information that matches the search condition is received from the card management device 40, the information is displayed on the display operation unit 22.

  Further, when receiving the search request for the gaming machine 20, the table information acquiring unit 17d receives the request if the member or the general card has a prepaid value or the number of possessed balls more than a predetermined value. If the condition is not met, a message indicating that the search request is not accepted is displayed on the display operation unit 22. Alternatively, the table search request screen itself may not be displayed.

  The information notification unit 17e is a processing unit that determines whether or not the gaming machine 20 is in use and notifies the card management device 40 of the determination result. In addition to card discharge, the information notification unit 17e determines whether there is a vacant unit according to the vacant unit determination reference data 16d, such as zero prepaid value balance and holding ball, no predetermined time out, no game playable number, no face image for a predetermined time, etc. I do. And when it becomes a vacant stand, the card management device 40 is notified of the vacant stand notification and the report type of the vacant stand judgment reference data 16d.

  In addition, when the game machine 20 is in use, the information notification unit 17e sets the designation flag to “1” when the empty notification notification request is received from the card management device 40. Then, when the availability determination is performed and the availability notification is transmitted, if the designation flag is “1”, the allocation processing unit 17g is allowed to perform the allocation processing for a predetermined time. After that, when a free space reservation request is made by another player and a table movement is accepted, if there is no free space reservation request for a predetermined time and there is no movement within a predetermined time after the free space reservation, the free space reservation state When is released, the specified flag is initialized.

  In addition, when the face authentication device can be used, the information notification unit 17e may add that there is no face image for a predetermined time to the determination criterion for the empty base. Further, the information notification unit 17e receives an inquiry from the card management device 40, and notifies the card management device 40 of the gaming state information of the gaming machine 20 such as jackpot information and game information other than the vacant table information. May be.

  Further, it is desirable that the information notification unit 17e notifies the card management device 40 when the state changes from an empty base to in use and from in use to an empty base.

  The request processing unit 17f is a processing unit that accepts a free space notification request and a free space securing request operation from a player. The request processing unit 17f receives a request operation by the player from the table information search result screen. In the table information search result screen, when requesting notification when a table in use is vacant, an empty table notification request is transmitted to the card management device 40.

  In addition, when there is an empty table, the request processing unit 17f transmits an empty table reservation request to the card management device 40 if an operation for requesting an empty board is received from the player. The message for requesting to secure an empty table includes a card ID, a card processor ID between requesting units, a requested unit number, and the like. And when the message | telegram to the effect that reservation of the vacant base of a movement destination was completed from the card | curd management apparatus 40, it displays on the display operation part 22, and alert | reports completion of reservation to a player. The received message from the card management device 40 includes the inter-card card processor ID of the vacant base securing destination, the reception time, and the like.

  When the request processing unit 17f receives a message for securing a vacant card from the card management device 40, the request processing unit 17f sets the card-to-card processing unit ID of the transfer destination, the table-to-card processing unit ID of the own device, the reception time, etc. Record. Thereafter, a guide for moving the table is displayed, and the data management unit 17a is instructed to eject the card.

  The securing processing unit 17g is a processing unit that performs a securing unit securing process in response to an instruction from the card management device 40 when the gaming machine 20 to be installed is a vacant unit. When the reservation processing unit 17g receives an instruction to secure an empty table from the card management device 40, the card ID included in the message of the empty table reservation instruction, the ID of the card processor 10 between the requesting units, the message reception time, etc. Is recorded in the movement setting data 16e. Then, the time measuring unit 17i starts time measurement, locks its own device, and transmits to the card management device 40 that the free space has been secured. In this case, if the data management unit 17a detects the insertion of a card other than the empty card securing requester's card, the data management unit 17a is forcibly ejected and the acceptance of the deposit operation is also prohibited.

  In addition, when the reservation processing unit 17g receives the card of the requester of the free space reservation within the predetermined time after the reservation of the free space, or when the card is not received within the predetermined time, the reservation processing unit 17g sets the free space reservation state. Release and return to playable state.

  The card determination unit 17h is a determination unit that determines whether or not a player satisfies a condition for allowing a table search request and table movement. The card determination unit 17h determines whether the card is a member or whether the prepaid value or the number of possessed balls is a predetermined number or more with a general card, and passes the determination result to the table information acquisition unit 17d.

  Further, the card determination unit 17h performs processing for securing the gaming machine 20 that has become a vacant machine, and collates the movement setting data 16e with the information recorded on the card to determine whether the player has moved. The determination is made and the result is notified to the securing processing unit 17g.

  The timer unit 17i is a timer that measures time from the start of the event. The timer unit 17i receives time measurement and timer time request from the information notification unit 17e and the reservation processing unit 17g, performs time measurement, and notifies the information notification unit 17e and the reservation processing unit 17g when a predetermined time has elapsed. Here, the event is an event such as completion of vacant space reservation, zero number of games that can be played.

  Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 will be described. The gaming machine 20 includes a counting button 23, a communication control unit 24, an effect control unit 25, a game control unit 26, and a game ball control unit 27. The communication control unit 24 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-card card processor 10. The communication control unit 24 has a security chip. The security chip has its own identification ID and a predetermined encryption / decryption program, and communicates with the security chip of the inter-card card processor 10.

  The communication control unit 24 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 26 and / or the game ball control unit 27 when the gaming machine 20 is activated, and checks whether the identification information is appropriate. The start of the gaming machine 20 is permitted, and a state in which communication with the inter-card card processing machine 10 is possible is set.

  The communication control unit 24 reads out the game possible number stored in the game possible number memory of the game ball control unit 27 at regular intervals, and the state of the gaming machine 20 stored in the game control unit 26 (normal or during probability variation). Or the like) and the like are transmitted to the inter-card card processor 10 as a signal. This signal includes, for example, data indicating a signal serial number (hereinafter referred to as “signal serial number”) using a certain range of numbers. The communication control unit 24 confirms the signal sequence number included in the reply signal returned from the inter-card card processor 10 for the signal transmitted to the inter-card card processor 10 and compares it with the transmitted signal sequence number. Control to maintain the integrity of information. Further, the communication control unit 24 has a function of managing the signal sequence number, stores the signal sequence number assigned to the previously transmitted signal, and when transmitting a signal, the communication control unit 24 sets a value obtained by incrementing the previously transmitted signal sequence number by 1. Attach to signal and send. When the signal sequence number reaches a certain value, it returns to the initial value and circulates. Further, when transmitting the game possible number read from the game possible number memory, the configuration may be such that the value of the game possible number is transmitted as it is, or information indicating a rough number (approximate number) such as adjusting by a certain digit. You may transmit.

  In addition, the communication control unit 24 receives a signal for adding the number of games that can be played from the inter-card processing machine 10 (a loan signal based on valuable value, a management transfer signal based on holding balls), and the game ball control unit 27 Involved in the control of adding to the number of games that can be played. In addition, the holding ball management request from the gaming ball control unit 27 to the gaming machine 20 is relayed.

  The security chip determines whether the data input / output from the communication control unit 24 corresponds to a predetermined data type that requires security, and if not, inputs / outputs the data as it is. On the other hand, if it falls under a data type that requires security, the data encrypted by the encryption program is output when data is input / output. Decode the processed data. The encryption / decryption method is determined in advance with the security chip of the inter-card processing machine 10, and the data encrypted by the other party can be mutually decrypted.

  Further, the gaming machine 20 starts control when the power is turned on at the start of business, but does not enter the normal gaming enabled state when the power is on, but is in a standby control state. In the standby control state, the mutual authentication with the inter-card card processor 10 is OK in the communication control unit 24, and a game is started when a game control start signal is received from the inter-card card processor 10 through the communication control unit 24. It becomes possible.

  The game control unit 26 is a control unit that controls a game by the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the game control unit 26 controls the launching of the game balls onto the game board surface by detecting the handle operation, the detection of the game balls that have entered the winning opening on the game board surface, and the random number (0 to Acquisition and lottery (special symbols and normal symbols) of big hits, small hits, and off numbers for each predetermined range among 65535 random numbers, movable members (tulips, etc.) provided on the game board ), Display control of a special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of anomaly that may be fraudulent (front frame opened, vibration detected, etc.) and notification to the host device.

  In addition, when the game control unit 26 receives a control to stop use from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the game control unit 26 stops the game operation of the game machine 20, and plays a game such as the number of game balls stored in the game number memory. Control to hold the machine status data. In addition, when receiving a return instruction from the use stop, it is returned to the state at the use stop state.

  A lot of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and the game balls fired on the game board surface by the handle operation will fall between the obstacle nails and win or win the prize opening, start opening Without being discharged from the game board surface out of the game board surface. A lottery is made when the game ball wins the starting hole, and when a big hit is made, a big hit game is performed in which a predetermined winning port on the game board surface is controlled to be opened multiple times, and the game ball wins at this winning hole. As a result, the player is given a prize ball.

  Further, the jackpot includes a bonus jackpot game with a bonus that gives a predetermined bonus game to the player after the jackpot game ends. Bonus games with benefits include probability variation jackpots and hourly jackpots. The probability variation jackpot and the short-time bonus jackpot are those that give a probability-changing game and a time-shortage game as a bonus game after each jackpot. Short-time game is a normal symbol lottery (opening and closing lottery of the movable member described above) and / or special symbol lottery (big hit lottery by winning the above-mentioned game ball) (from the start of the lottery process until the result is displayed) This is a privilege game that increases the number of lotteries per unit time and increases the probability of winning a big hit per unit time by shortening (time). This special game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the probability of winning the normal symbol. The time-saving game based on the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lotteries for the special symbol lottery is a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. The probability variation game will be described later.

  The game control unit 26 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a control for changing the jackpot random number range used for the next lottery (generally about 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a predetermined random number range of the jackpot. It is a function. In the probability variation game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the probability after the change. Stochastic games will continue until the next big hit. Further, the probability variation game and the short time game may be given simultaneously. However, in order to prevent unforeseen game store damage, if a player acquires a certain amount of game media after the start of probability-changing games or short-time games, it will be stopped (temporarily ejecting the card and requesting exchange of prizes or moving of the table) It is good also as processing. In this case, the number of game media acquired after entering the probability variation gaming state is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, the game stop control such as stopping the launch of the game ball is performed. This can be achieved.

  The effect control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the effect during the game, and includes an effect symbol lottery unit 25a and an effect lottery unit 25b. The effect symbol lottery unit 25a draws the effect symbol (the symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device such as a display device in the game board) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 26 (specifically, the final display) To stop at 7, 7, 7 etc.).

  The effect lottery unit 25b performs an effect type lottery (such as when a character comes out and performs a reach effect) until the lottery result based on the effect symbol is displayed. Such effects are set so that the effects selected for the main lottery result are different.

  The effect control unit 25 stores effect data of each effect. Further, the effect control unit 25 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and at the time of executing the effect, the effect data is superimposed on the background symbol data to display the effect. Further, when the probability changes, background color data different from the normal state is set.

  The game ball control unit 27 is a control unit that controls the number of games that can be played, and includes a game number management unit 27a and a dispensing control unit 27b. The game number management unit 27a stores the game number in the game number memory, and performs a process of updating the game number.

  Specifically, the game number management unit 27a subtracts “1” from the game number every time a game ball is fired, and adds the number of game balls to the game number when a winning occurs. In addition, when the number of balls is notified from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the game possible number, and the inter-card card processing machine 10 is added to the game possible number. A confirmation signal is transmitted.

  Further, the game possible number management unit 27 a periodically transmits the game possible number to the inter-card card processing machine 10. In this case, the game number management unit 27a does not subtract the game number. In addition, when the count button 23 is operated, the game number management unit 27a transmits a management transfer request to the inter-card card processor 10. At this time, if the operation time of the counting button 23 is less than the predetermined time, the game possible number management unit 27a transmits a management transfer request for adding a predetermined number (for example, 100) to the possession card to the inter-card card processing machine 10. In response to a response indicating completion of addition to the holding ball, a predetermined number is subtracted from the number of games that can be played. Further, if the operation time of the counting button 23 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the game possible number management unit 27a sends a management transfer request for adding all the game possible numbers at that time to the possession balls to the inter-card card processing machine 10. The number of games is cleared to 0 in response to a response indicating completion of addition to the ball.

  The throwing control unit 27b is a control unit that controls throwing of the game ball, determines the throwing direction of the game ball according to the operation amount of the handle 21, and controls the throwing mechanism to throw the game ball. Let go out.

  The game control unit 26 and the game ball control unit 27 are each configured on separate boards. The game control board on which the game control unit 26 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 27 is configured each have a unique ID. The gaming machine 20 uses the gaming control board ID and the gaming ball control board ID in combination as a gaming machine ID.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 16 illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the own device state data 16a, the gaming machine state data 16b, the card data 16c, the vacancy determination criterion data 16d, and the movement setting data 16e shown in FIG.

  The own apparatus state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-card card processing machine 10 is “3002” and “ball 1” is set as the game setting of the inter-card card processing machine 10. ing.

  The gaming machine state data 16b shown in FIG. 5B indicates that the ID of the gaming machine 20 is “A0012X4234”, the current number of possible games is “2700”, and the firing strength is “38”. Yes. In addition, it shows that the gaming machine 20 is in a normal state with no probability variation and the equipment is operating normally. The reach reliability is data representing the reliability of realization when a big hit reach occurs. The gaming machine state data may include the number of big hits and the number of reach times during the game.

  The card data 16c shown in FIG. 5C indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-card card processor 10 is “2002”. Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card with the first digit “1” being a general card, and the card with the first digit “2” being a membership card. The card data 16c indicates a state where the prepaid value is “20” frequency. Here, the frequency of prepaid value is equivalent to 100 yen per frequency. Further, the card data 16c indicates a state in which the balance of the ball 1 is “500”, the balance of the ball 2 is “0”, and the balance of the ball 3 is “130”. ing.

  In addition, the card data 16c has a password for replaying the stored ball of “7777”, the balance of the ball 1 is “1000”, the balance of the ball 2 is “0”, and the ball 3 is stored. The balance is a “0” ball.

  The vacant base determination reference data 16d shown in FIG. 5 (d) indicates the report type and the contents when the inter-card card processing machine 10 determines that the gaming machine 20 provided as an vacant base is an empty base. As shown in FIG. 5D, the inter-card processing machine 10 determines whether or not it is a vacant car based on a combination of the prepaid value, the number of possessed balls and the number of games that can be played, the time when there is no change in the number of games and the time when there is no face image. doing. In other words, if there is no prepaid value, the number of possessed balls, and the number of game balls, the time when there is no change in the number of games and the time when there is no change in the face image are determined to be relatively short. In addition, if any one of the prepaid value, the number of possessed balls, and the number of games that can be left remains, it is determined that there is a vacant table with a longer game time and no face image time. Note that “no change in the number of playable games” indicates a state in which no game balls are fired in the gaming machine 20.

  In the report type “W” in FIG. 5D, the prepaid value, the number of possessed balls, and the number of games that can be played are “0”. It shows that it is set to report as a vacant stand at the time.

  In addition, in the report type “X” in FIG. 5D, the prepaid value and the number of possessed balls are “0”, and the number of games that can be played is “less than a predetermined number (for example, a minimum that can be exchanged for a prize of a specific type). "Less than the number of balls") indicates that a setting is made to report that there is a vacant board when the no-game-changeable time is 5 minutes or more and the face image-free time is 5 minutes or more. Further, in the report type “Y”, the prepaid value is “0”, the number of balls is “less than a predetermined number (for example, less than the minimum number of balls that can be exchanged for a specific type of prize)”, and the number of games that can be played is At “0”, a setting is made to report that there is a vacant machine at the time when the no-game-change time and the face image-free time have passed for 5 minutes or more. Further, in the report type “Z”, the prepaid value is less than a predetermined value (for example, less than the value corresponding to a specific prize), and the total value of the number of balls and the number of games that can be played is “less than a predetermined number”, so that the game is possible. This indicates that a setting for reporting a vacant stand is made when the time without number change is 10 minutes or more and the time without face image has passed 10 minutes or more.

  The movement setting data 16e shown in FIG. 5 (e) includes the empty card requester card ID, the transferer card processing machine ID, and the empty card reservation because the card processing machine 10 is being used by the player. The processing completion transmission time is blank.

  Next, the internal configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 is connected to a display unit 41 and an input unit 42, and includes a game store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

  The display unit 41 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like. The input unit 42 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The amusement store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, the hall computer 70, and the checkout machine 80 via a communication line in the amusement store.

  The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 45a, device management data 45b, and request management data 45c.

  The card management data 45a is data in which a prepaid value balance, a balance of coins, and the like are associated with a card ID. The device management data 45b is data relating to a device placed in the amusement store. The device management data 45b includes the inter-card card processing machine ID, the address of the inter-card card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, and the usage status. The request management data 45c is data for managing request data such as an empty card notification request from a player received from the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The control unit 46 is a control unit that performs overall control of the card management device 40, and includes a card management unit 46a, a device management unit 46b, a table search processing unit 46c, a request registration processing unit 46d, and a table movement processing unit 46e. Actually, by loading and executing these programs on a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a card management unit 46a, a device management unit 46b, a table search processing unit 46c, a request registration processing unit 46d, and a table movement processing unit 46e. The process corresponding to each is executed.

  The card management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45a. The card management unit 46a communicates with the inter-card card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the coins associated with the card ID.

  In addition, when the card management unit 46a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46a notifies the valuable value associated with the card and the balance of possessions.

  The device management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45b. The device management unit 46b generates and updates device management data 45b based on the inter-card card processing machine ID, the inter-card card processing machine 10 address, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-card card processing machine 10. .

  In addition, the device management unit 46b receives a notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10 regarding the state of the gaming machine 20, and monitors the operating status. In addition, when there is an empty card notification from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the device management unit 46b determines the operating status (the number of out balls, the number of safe balls, etc.) of the gaming machine 20 notified from the hall computer 70. When the comparison is made and it is determined that there is an empty table, the device management data 45b is updated, and the request registration processing unit 46d is notified that the empty table is available. Note that the device management data 45b is also updated and notified to the request registration processing unit 46d even when a vacant unit notification is made by a remote control operation or the like from an employee.

  In addition, when the device management unit 46b receives the gaming machine ID from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the device management unit 46b inquires of the model data to the model management center and updates the model data of the device management data 45b. Further, when the device management unit 46b updates the gaming machine ID and the model data, the device management unit 46b requests the setting change to the inter-card card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50, so that the setting related to the replacement of the gaming machine 20 is performed. Make changes automatically.

  The table search processing unit 46c is a processing unit that receives a table information search request from the inter-card card processor 10 and returns a search result. The table search processing unit 46c receives a table search request with a search condition from the inter-card card processor 10, and transmits matching table information. Search conditions include, for example, the same model (predecessor model) as the current gaming base, the same specs as the current gaming base (MAX, middle, sweet digital, etc.), new base empty base, recommended base, etc. You may set according to the situation of an amusement store.

  In addition, the table retrieval processing unit 46c provides not only static information such as the specifications of the gaming machine 20 but also dynamic information such as the number of times of reaching the day, the number of hits on the day, and information on the game to the inter-card processing unit 10. You may make it notify to the card | curd card processor 10 of the inquiry and search request origin.

  The request registration processing unit 46d is a processing unit that accepts an empty card notification request from the inter-card card processor 10 and stores and manages it as request management data 45c. When the request registration processing unit 46d receives the empty card notification request from the inter-card card processing machine 10, the request registration processing unit 46d transmits the empty card notification request to the inter-card card processing machine 10 provided in the corresponding gaming machine 20 currently in use. To set the designated flag to 1.

  When the request registration processing unit 46d receives a vacant card notification from the inter-card card processor 10 of the gaming machine 20 that has transmitted the vacant card notification request through the device management unit 46b, the request registration inter-card card process The vacant machine notification is transmitted to the machine 10, and the information is transferred to the machine movement processing unit 46e. In addition, when an empty table notification is received by an employee's remote control operation or the like, empty table information is similarly passed to the table movement processing unit 46e.

  Further, the request registration processing unit 46d receives a report of the completion of the movement of the cards from the inter-card card processor 10 that has instructed the reservation of the empty tables, or a report that the reservation of the empty tables has been canceled because the movement of the vehicles has not been performed within a predetermined time. The corresponding request management data 45c is updated.

  The table movement processing unit 46e is a processing unit that accepts an empty table securing request from the inter-card card processor 10 and performs a table movement process for a player. The table movement processing unit 46e receives the empty table securing request from the inter-card card processor 10 received earliest, and transmits a request for securing an empty table to the inter-card card processor 10 of the empty table. When receiving a notification of completion of vacancy reservation from the inter-card card processing machine 10, a message indicating the vacancy reservation success is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10 that has transmitted the vacancy reservation request earliest. At this time, the card ID inserted into the requesting inter-card card processing machine 10, the inter-card card processing machine ID, and the like are transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is empty. In addition, the inter-card card processor ID of the vacant base is transmitted to the inter-card card processor 10 as the request source.

  When the table movement processing unit 46e receives empty table securing requests from a plurality of inter-card card processing machines 10, the inter-card card processing machines 10 other than the inter-card card processing machine 10 that received the empty table securing request earliest. In response to this, a message indicating that the vacant space has not been secured is returned. In addition, when a vacant board securing request is received after the vacant board notice is received, but it is secured by another player before sending the vacant board securing instruction to the inter-card card processor 10 of the vacant board. Transmits a reservation failure message to the inter-card card processing machine 10 which has been requested to secure an empty board.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40. In the card management data 45a shown in FIG. 7A, the card with the card ID “1001” is associated with the prepaid value “25” frequency, and the balance of the ball data of the balls 1, 2 and 3 is “0” ball. Further, the card with the card ID “2002” has a prepaid value “20” frequency, and the ball data of the balls 1, 2 and 3 is “0”. These two cards are inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10, and the management of the possession balls is performed by the inter-card card processing machines 10 with the usage IDs “3001” and “3002”, respectively. It shows that it is in.

  In the device management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the network address of the inter-card card processor 10 with ID “3001” is “AB.CD.EF.GH”, and the installation location is “island 1-1. The ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “A0012X4233”, and the model data of the connected gaming machine 20 is “EV01”. It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

  In addition, the address on the network of the inter-card processing machine 10 with ID “3010” is “AB.CD.EF.HH”, the installation location is “island 1-1”, and the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “A0012X4242” indicates that the model data of the connected gaming machine 20 is “EV01”. In addition, the gaming machine 20 is in a state of securing an empty board.

  In addition, the address on the network of the inter-card processing machine 10 with ID “3500” is “AB.CD.EG.AH”, the installation location is “Island 2-1”, and the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “A0013X1234” indicates that the model data of the connected gaming machine 20 is “EV02”. In addition, this game machine 20 is in an empty state.

  The request management data 45c shown in FIG. 7C indicates that the request with the request ID “ResaA0001” is “new stand”, the game setting is “ball 1”, and the request source card ID is “1001”. Yes. Further, the request with the request ID “ReserB0013” indicates that the game setting is “ball 2” and the request source card ID is “1002” on the table of the same specification as the currently playing table.

  Further, it is indicated that the request with the request ID “ReserC0021” is designated as “4250 series” and the request source card ID is “1050”. Furthermore, the request with the request ID “ReserR0002” indicates that “game store recommendation table”, the game setting “ball 1”, and the request source card ID “2002”.

  Next, vacant space search and vacant space reservation according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining empty table search and empty table securing according to the present embodiment. The inter-card card processing machine 10 as the movement source transmits usage information indicating that the gaming machine 20 is in use to the card management apparatus 40 (step S11). In addition, the inter-card card processing machine 10a as the movement destination transmits empty table information indicating that the own apparatus is an empty table. (Step S21). The card management device 40 records and updates the received usage status in the device management data 45b, and monitors the usage status of the gaming machine 20 (step S41).

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives a table search request from the player (step S12), and inquires the card management device 40 about vacant table information. The card management device 40 searches the device management data 45b for the vacant table that has received the inquiry according to the search condition (step S42). Then, the vacant card information that matches the search condition is notified to the inter-card card processor 10 (step S43).

  The inter-card card processor 10 receives the vacant card information and displays it on the display operation unit 22 (step S13). Then, it accepts an empty table selection and movement processing request from the player, and transmits an empty table securing request to the inter-card card processing machine 10a to the card management device 40 (step S14).

  The card management device 40 that has received the empty table securing request sends an empty table securing instruction message including the requesting card ID and the ID of the inter-card card processor 10 to the empty card processor 10a. It transmits (step S44) and registers in the request management data 45c (step S45a). Then, the inter-card card processing machine 10a that has received the vacant table securing instruction message stores it in the movement setting data 16e, locks its own device to secure the vacant table (step S22), and notifies the vacant table securing completion. Is transmitted to the card management device 40. The card management device 40 relays this completion notification to the inter-card card processor 10.

  The inter-card card processing machine 10 that has received the vacant board securing completion notification records information necessary for moving the car as movement information on the card (step S15). Thereafter, the card is ejected and the process is terminated (step S16).

  When the destination card processing machine 10a receives the card of the player at the movement source (step S23), it unlocks its own device and returns to a game-ready state (step S24). Thereafter, a notification that the device itself has been returned is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the process is terminated. The card management device 40 receives a notice of return completion from the inter-card card processing machine 10a, updates the data of the request management data 45c, and ends the process (step S45b).

  Next, a description will be given of a case where the vacant machine is secured after waiting for the gaming machine 20 that has been playing at the time when the machine search is performed. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to secure an empty board that is received upon receiving an empty board notification when the gaming machine 20 being used becomes empty. The inter-card processing machines 10 and 10a notify the card management device 40 that the game machine 20 is in use (steps S11 and S21a). The inter-card processing machine 10 records and updates the received usage status in the device management data 45b, and monitors the usage status (step S41).

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives a table search request including the gaming machine 20 in use from the player (step S12), and makes an inquiry to the card management device 40. The card management device 40 searches for the gaming machine 20 that has received the inquiry from the device management data 45b in accordance with the search conditions, and notifies the inter-card card processor 10 of the table information that matches the search conditions (step S42).

  The inter-card processing machine 10 displays the received table information on the display operation unit 22. When a selection of the gaming machine 20 in use is received from the player (step S13a), an empty card notification request is transmitted to the card management device 40. The card management device 40 that has received the empty card notification request registers it in the request management data 45 (step S43a). Then, the vacant card notification request designation is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10a to notify that the vacant card notification request is made.

  Thereafter, when the game machine 20 determines that the gaming machine 20 is an empty machine, or accepts an employee's remote control operation, the inter-card card processing machine 10a transmits an empty machine notice to the card management device 40 (step S21b). In that case, the own device is locked for a predetermined time, and the gaming machine 20 is set in a secured state. The card management device 40 transmits an empty card notification to the inter-card card processing machine 10 that is a request source (step S43b). The inter-card card processing machine 10 that has received the vacant card notification displays the vacant card notice on the display operation unit 22 and asks the player to select the pedestal movement (step S13b).

  Then, when a request for movement from the player to the vacant table is received, a vacant table securing request is transmitted to the card management device 40 in order to move the table to the inter-card card processing machine 10a (step S14). When the card management device 40 receives the empty table securing request, the card management device 40 transmits an empty card securing instruction including the requesting card ID and the ID of the inter-card card processor 10 to the inter-card card processor 10a (step S44). .

  The inter-card card processing machine 10a that has received the vacant card securing instruction stores it in the movement setting data 16e, locks its own device, and performs the vacant card securing process. (Step S22). Then, the card management device 40 is notified of a vacant space securing completion notification. The card management device 40 relays the vacant card reservation completion notification to the inter-card card processor 10.

  The inter-card card processor 10 records the movement information necessary for moving the table on the card (step S15), ejects the card, and ends the process (step S16).

  Thereafter, the inter-card card processing machine 10a accepts the card of the player who is the vacant card requester (step S23), releases the lock of the own device, and returns to the game-ready state (step S24). Thereafter, a notification that the device itself has been returned is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the process is terminated. The card management device 40 receives a notice of return completion from the inter-card card processing machine 10a, updates the data of the request management data 45c, and ends the process (step S45b).

  Next, a specific example of the display screen at the time of table search and table movement will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition from reception of table information search to selection of an empty table in the display operation unit 22 of the inter-card card processing machine 10. FIG. 10A shows a display screen when a table search is requested. As shown in FIG. 10A, the player can select from the same model as the current gaming machine 20, the same specifications as the current gaming machine 20, a new stand, and a store manager recommended stand. . In addition, it is possible to select whether only the vacant base or all the bases in play are included.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which only the vacant units are selected and searched with the same specifications as the current gaming machine 20. FIG. 10B shows the search result, and more detailed search and selection conditions can be set in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, in addition to static information such as type “middle” and “sweet digital”, dynamic table information such as jackpot count and reach count can also be displayed. Although not shown, the dynamic information is not displayed by default, and the card management device 40 is pulled out from the inter-unit card processor 10 by specifying the search condition. . Further, here, a state in which the gaming machine 20 in the “3620” series is selected is shown.

  FIG. 10C is a screen for selecting whether or not to move to the selected empty base. If “Yes” is selected here, the reservation of the vacant base by the movement process in step S14 of FIGS. 8 and 9 is started. FIG. 10D shows an example of a screen when the vacant base is successfully secured at the movement destination by the movement process.

  In FIG. 10 (d), on the assumption that the number of games that can be played is not counted, the card return button is pressed after the counting is promoted and the number of games that can be played is transferred to a possession ball. In addition, a stipulated time of 10 minutes is provided for the table movement time, and there is a warning that if the table is not moved within this time, the reservation for vacant table reservation is cancelled.

  Next, the screen transition from the reception of the table information search to the selection reception of the table in use in the display operation unit 22 of the inter-card card processor 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition from reception of the table information search in the display operation unit 22 of the inter-card card processor 10 to reception of selection of the table in use. FIG. 11A is a screen showing that the desired gaming machine 20 is in use as a result of the table search. Here, a state is shown in which the stand number “4501” is selected to request an empty stand notification.

  In FIG. 11B, the gaming machine 20 that has requested the vacant machine notification in FIG. 11A becomes an vacant machine, the inter-card card processor receives the vacant machine notice, and the result is displayed on the display operation unit 22. Screen. In FIG. 11 (c), the player is informed that an empty board has been secured by another player first. In this case, since the vacant stand notification request has not yet been cleared, it is notified that the vacant stand notification is notified again when an empty pedestal comes out.

  Next, a display screen of the display operation unit 22 when a card of a player other than the requester is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine in which an empty board has been secured will be described. FIG. 12 is an example of a display screen of the display operation unit 22 when a card of a player other than the requester is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine for which an empty board has been secured. As shown in FIG. 12, even if a player other than the table requester inserts a card to play a game, the card is forcibly ejected and no bill is accepted. When the card requester's card is inserted, the screen of the display operation unit 22 is displayed as a default display or a display to the effect that the game can be restored.

  Next, the processing procedure from the base information search to the base selection in the transfer source inter-card card processor 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the machine information card processor 10 of the movement source until the machine selection is accepted until the machine selection is accepted. The stand information acquisition unit 17d of the inter-card processing machine 10 displays a stand search request screen (step S101). In this case, if the card is a membership card or a general card and the number of prepaid or possessed balls is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S102; No), a message indicating that the request cannot be accepted is displayed (step S119), and the process is performed. finish. In this case, the table search request screen may be displayed in an inactive manner, or a condition for requesting a table search may be notified.

  If the table information acquisition unit 17d is a membership card or a general card with a predetermined number of balances or more (step S102; Yes), it receives a table search request from the player via the table search request screen (step S103). Then, the table search setting screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed (step S104), the search condition is received and transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S105). Then, the information on the candidate base returned from the card management device 40 is received and displayed (step S106).

  When the request processing unit 17f receives a request for selecting and securing an empty table based on the displayed table information (step S107; Yes), the request processing unit 17f transmits a request for securing an empty table to the card management device 40 (step S108). . Then, when a response indicating that the vacant space has been successfully secured is received from the card management device 40 (step S109; Yes), the request processing unit 17f displays the vacant space securing completion and movement guidance (step S112), and moves to the card. Information is recorded (step S113). Thereafter, the data management unit 17a ejects the card (step S114) and ends the process.

  When receiving a reply that failed to secure the vacant base (step S109; No), the request processing unit 17f displays the failure to secure (step S110) and determines whether there is another vacant base to be selected. (Step S111). If there is no other vacant base to be selected (step S111; No), the process is terminated. If there is still an available base to be selected (step S111; Yes), the process proceeds to step S107.

  If there is no request for securing an empty base (step S107; No), it is determined whether or not selection of a desired model or the like has been received (step S115). If the selection of the desired model is not accepted (step S115; No), the process is terminated.

  When the selection of the desired model or the like is accepted (step S115; Yes), a request for notifying the availability of the desired model or the like is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S116). Then, a response indicating that the request has been accepted is received from the card management device 40 (step S117), the fact that the acceptance of the request has been completed is displayed (step S118), and the processing is terminated.

  Next, a processing procedure for securing an empty card in the inter-card card processor 10 when an empty card notification request is registered in the card management apparatus 40 and an empty card notification is received will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the inter-card card processor of the transfer source receives an empty card notification and performs an empty card securing process. The stand information acquisition unit 17d of the inter-card processing machine 10 waits for a notification that the gaming machine 20 that is requesting an empty stand has become empty (step S201; No). If the vacant board notification is received (step S201; Yes), the request processing unit 17f accepts the selection of whether or not to move to the vacant board (step S202).

  If there is no selection to move to an empty base (step S202; No), the request processing unit 17f transmits a request change to the card management device 40 to update the request management data 45c (step S210).

  When the movement to the vacant base is selected (step S202; Yes), the request processing unit 17f transmits a request for securing the selected vacant base to the card management device 40 (step S203). If the vacant space securing success is received from the card management device 40 (step S204; Yes), the vacant space securing completion and movement guidance are displayed (step S205). Then, the movement information is recorded on the card (step S206), the card is ejected (step S207), and the process ends.

  When receiving a reply from the card management device 40 that the vacant space allocation has failed (step S204; No), a message indicating that the allocation has failed is displayed (step S208). If another vacant base can be selected (step S209; Yes), the process proceeds to step S202, and an operation for securing a vacant base is accepted again. If there is no vacant base that can be selected (step S209; No), the process is terminated.

  Next, a processing procedure from reception of a table search request by the card management device 40 to reception of a table selection will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for providing table information and selecting a table by the card management device 40. When the table search processing unit 46c receives a search request from the inter-card card processor 10 (step S301; Yes), the table search processing unit 46c performs a table information search process that matches the search conditions (step S302). Then, the table information search result is transmitted to the table card processing machine 10 (step S303).

  When it is not reception of the table | surface search request | requirement from the inter-card card processing machine 10 (step S301; No), it transfers to step S304.

  When a request for moving by selecting an empty table from the inter-card card processor 10 is received (step S304; Yes), the table movement processing unit 46e performs an empty table securing process (step S305). When an empty table is secured (step S306; Yes), a transfer result notification is received from the transfer-destination card processor 10 (step S307), and the request management data 45c is updated (step S308). The process is terminated. If a vacant board is secured, even if a player moves to a table within a predetermined time and accepts a player's card, even if the vacant board reservation is canceled after a predetermined time, the request management data Similarly, 45c is updated as treated.

  If a response that fails to secure the vacant space is received (step S306; No), the process is terminated. In this case, the request management data 45c is not updated, and the availability notification request remains valid.

  If the player does not select and move an empty board (step S304; No), the request registration processing unit 46d determines whether or not a desired model has been selected (step S309). If the desired model is not selected (step S309; No), the process is terminated.

  When the desired model is selected (step S309; Yes), the request registration processing unit 46d registers an empty table notification request in the request management data 45c (step S310). Then, the fact that the game machine 20 is to be reserved is transmitted to the inter-card card processing machine 10 at the transfer destination (step S311). Upon receipt of the confirmation response from the inter-card card processor 10 (step S312), the request registration processing unit 46d transmits request registration completion indicating that the request has been received to the inter-card card processor 10 that is the request source (step S313). ), The process is terminated.

  Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure in which the gaming machine 20 that has been in use is empty and the card management device 40 that has received the empty card notification receives an empty card securing request from the inter-requesting card processor 10. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the card management device 40 receives a vacant card notification and accepts a vacant card securing request from the inter-card card processor 10 as a request source.

  The card management device 40 waits for an empty card information notification from the inter-card card processor 10 that has notified the empty card notification request (step S401; No). If the vacant information notification is received (step S401; Yes), the vacant information is notified to the requesting inter-card card processor 10 (step S402).

  If there is a request for securing an empty base within a predetermined time (step S403; Yes), the base movement processing unit 46e performs an empty base securing process (step S404). If a vacant table is secured (step S405; Yes), the movement result is received from the vacant table card processor 10 (step S406), the request management data 45c is updated (step S407), and the process is performed. finish. If an empty board is not secured (step S405; No), the process is terminated.

  If there is no request for securing a vacant unit at a predetermined time (step S403; No), the pedestrian movement processing unit 46e registers the corresponding vacant unit notification request in the request management data 45c as treated (step S408), and ends the process. To do.

  Next, the empty table securing process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure for securing a free space by the card management device 40 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The table movement processing unit 46e determines whether or not the received request for securing an empty table has arrived first (step S501). If it is the request that has arrived first (step S501; Yes), an empty table securing instruction is transmitted to the empty card processor 10 (step S502).

  When the vacant table securement completion is received from the vacant card processor 10 (step S503; Yes), the pedestrian movement processing unit 46e notifies the requesting intercard card processor 10 that the vacant card has been secured. (Step S504). Thereafter, the request management data 45c is updated assuming that the vacant disk notification request has been processed (step S505), and the process is terminated.

  If securing of the vacant base has failed and a notification in use or the like has been received (step S503; No), the base movement processing unit 46e displays that the reservation has failed (step S506), and ends the process.

  If the empty table securing request has reached the second or later (step S501; No), the table movement processing unit 46e transmits a notification to the request source inter-card card processor 10 that the allocation has not been achieved ( Step S507), the process is terminated.

  Next, a processing procedure in which the vacant card processor 10 secures a vacant card will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the inter-card card processing machine 10 which has become an empty board secures an empty board in response to an instruction from the card management device 40. The information notification unit 17e determines whether or not the game in the gaming machine 20 has ended and is a vacant machine (step S601). If it cannot be determined as an empty base (step S601; No), it waits until it can be determined as an empty base.

  If it is determined that the information notifying unit 17e is an empty table (step S601; Yes), the information notification unit 17e determines whether or not the gaming machine 20 is scheduled to secure an empty table (step S602). In this case, the determination is made based on whether or not the designation flag, which is a condition for waiting for an empty board, is “1”. If the gaming machine 20 is scheduled to secure an empty board (step S602; Yes), the securing processing unit 17g performs an empty board securing process (step S603). If it is not scheduled to secure an empty board (step S602; No), the process proceeds to step S604.

  The information notification unit 17e transmits the vacancy information to the card management device 40 (step S604). Then, if an instruction for securing an available unit is received within a predetermined time (step S605; Yes), the securing processing unit 17g records the information of the requesting inter-card card processor 10 in the movement setting data 16e, and A lock process for securing is performed (step S606), and the card management device 40 is notified of the completion of securing an empty unit (step S607).

  Thereafter, when the card is received within a predetermined time (step S608; Yes), the card determination unit 17h determines whether or not the card belongs to an empty card requester (step S609). If the card is not an empty card requester card (step S609; No), the securing processing unit 17g causes the data management unit 17a to forcibly eject the card (step S613), and the process returns to step S608.

  If the received card is a card for the empty space requester (step S609; Yes), the securing processing unit 17g releases the lock state and returns to the game-ready state (step S610). Then, the completion of the table movement is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S611), the movement setting data 16e is cleared (step S612), and the process is terminated.

  If the card is not received within the predetermined time (step S608; No), the securing processing unit 17g cancels the securing of the vacant base and returns to the game ready state (step S614). Then, the fact that the predetermined time has elapsed and the reservation of the empty space has been canceled is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S615), the movement setting data 16e is cleared (step S612), and the processing is terminated.

  In step S605, if an instruction for securing an available base is not received within a predetermined time (step S605; No), the securing processing unit 17g can be used for a game if it is locked (step S616; Yes). (Step S617), and the process ends. If not locked (step S616; No), the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the card management device 40 monitors the status of the gaming machine 20 and manages the information on the vacant machines in almost real time. It is easy to secure and move the base. In addition, even if the intended gaming machine 20 is in use, it is notified in real time if it becomes a vacant machine, so there is no need to wait in the vicinity of the intended machine or play a game in the vicinity. It becomes possible to wait for an empty stand while playing even with 20.

  Further, the card management device 40 not only notifies the usage status of the gaming machine 20, but also according to the search conditions, the model information of the gaming machine 20 such as a new machine, the same model, the same specifications, etc. Since dynamic information can be additionally presented, the player can have a wide variety of other gaming machine 20 options even if the most intended gaming machine 20 cannot be secured. This can also contribute to an improvement in the operating rate of the gaming machine 20.

  Further, the search conditions are not limited to the items of the present embodiment, and may be added / deleted as appropriate according to the situation of the amusement store, or may be different for members and general customers. For example, in the case of a member, information may be provided by adding a gaming machine 20 having a high gaming frequency, a popular model for each age or gender, a store manager recommended model, and the like to the search conditions for general customers.

  Further, in this embodiment, when an empty table securing request is transmitted from a plurality of inter-card card processors 10, the empty table securing process is performed in the first-come-first-served basis. The requester may be determined by lottery. For example, if four vacancy reservation requests are transmitted within a predetermined time for one vacancy notification, a random number of up to 100 is generated, and the first 1 to 25 numbers are output. The request can be assigned to the requester according to the value of the generated random number so that the request can secure an empty table for the second request with numbers from 26 to 50.

  In addition to securing vacant units on the day, if the previous day ended with a probability fluctuation state, the vacant unit securing process was performed in the same way as vacant unit securing, and the same player card was inserted the next morning. It is also possible to set to resume the game subsequently.

  In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine that is a kind of a ball-type gaming machine that fires a game ball and gives a prize when the game ball passes through a predetermined area has been described as an example. The use is not limited to this, but other types of ball-type game machines and a predetermined number of game media are set as the number of bets for one game and the reel is rotated. The shape of the game medium to be used even for a spinning-type game machine that gives a prize when a predetermined symbol combination is established on the stop line set on the spinning cylinder when the cylinder is stopped. It is possible to apply in the same manner.

  Further, in this embodiment, detailed description of the form of the card, which is a medium for associating the number of game media, is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, although the “card” has been described as an example here for convenience of explanation, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal, or the like is used in addition to such a card. 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 addition, each configuration illustrated in the above-described embodiments is functionally schematic 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, the gaming machine management system and the gaming machine management method according to the present invention are suitable for a case where it is desired to improve a gaming machine selection service by a player and increase the operating rate of a gaming machine in a gaming store. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a Inter-card card processing machine 11 Status display part 12 Banknote conveyance part 12a Bill insertion slot 13, 22 Display operation part 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 15 Communication part 16, 45 Storage part 16a Own apparatus state data 16b Game machine state Data 16c Card data 16d Unoccupied vehicle determination reference data 16e Movement setting data 17, 46 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game setting processing unit 17c Game machine state management unit 17d Stand information acquisition unit 17e Information notification unit 17f Request processing unit 17g Securement processing Section 17h Card determination section 17i Timing section 18 Game machine management board 20 Game machine 21 Handle 23 Count button 24 Communication control section 25 Production control section 25a Production design lottery section 25b Production lottery section 26 Game control section 27 Game ball control section 27a Possible to play Number management part 27b Throwing control part 3 Island controller 40 Card management device 41, 51 Display unit 42, 52 Input unit 44 Amusement store network communication unit 45a Card management data 45b Device management data 45c Request management data 46a Card management unit 46b Device management unit 46c Car search processing unit 46d Request registration Processing unit 46e Transfer processing unit 50 Member management device 60 Premium management device 70 Hall computer 80 Settlement machine

Claims (9)

A gaming machine management system for managing a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store,
About a plurality of gaming machines installed in the game store, usage status management means for managing usage status indicating whether or not the gaming machine is being used,
A plurality of stand devices respectively attached to the plurality of gaming machines,
Each of the plurality of stand devices is
Other gaming machine status acquisition means for acquiring from the usage status management means the usage status of other gaming machines that are gaming machines other than gaming machines installed in the own device;
A gaming machine management system comprising: notifying means for notifying the usage status of other gaming machines acquired by the other gaming machine status acquiring means. Each of the plurality of stand devices is
A securing request means for performing a securing request for requesting a transition to a secured state that excludes use by other players from other gaming machines that are not in use;
The gaming machine management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a securing processing unit that secures a gaming machine installed in the own device when a securing request is received from another gaming machine.   The gaming machine management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other gaming machine status acquisition unit acquires a usage status of another gaming machine that meets a condition specified by a player. Each of the plurality of stand devices sends a notification request for notifying when a gaming machine that meets the conditions specified by the player among other gaming machines that are in use enters an empty state that is not in use. A notification requesting means for performing
The usage status management means is configured to notify each device that requested the notification request when the usage status of the gaming machine that meets the conditions specified in the notification request has changed from being used to being idle. The gaming machine management system according to claim 1, 2, or 3.   When there are a plurality of each of the request source devices, and each of the plurality of table devices receives a notification from the usage status management unit, each of the plurality of device devices that can secure the gaming machine from the plurality of received device devices 5. The gaming machine management system according to claim 4, further comprising selection means for selecting a stand device.   The securing processing means authenticates the player who made the securing request to the securing request means after placing the gaming machine attached to the own device in a secured state in response to a securing request from another gaming machine, or The gaming machine management system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the secured state is canceled when a predetermined time has elapsed. The securing request means associates the securing request with identification information of a predetermined storage medium,
The gaming machine management system according to claim 6, wherein the reservation processing unit authenticates the player based on identification information read from the storage medium.   The securing request means associates the securing request with identification information of a member storage medium for a player registered as a member in the game store or a storage medium with a valuable value balance equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Item 8. The gaming machine management system according to Item 7. A gaming machine management method for managing a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store,
About a plurality of gaming machines installed in the amusement store, a usage status management step for managing usage status indicating whether or not the gaming machine is being used,
The other gaming machine status acquisition step for acquiring the usage status of other gaming machines that are gaming machines other than the gaming machine installed in the own device, wherein each of the plurality of devices connected to the gaming machines, respectively,
A gaming machine management method comprising: a notifying step in which each of the game machines installed in the plurality of gaming machines informs the usage status of other gaming machines acquired in the other gaming machine status obtaining step.

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