JP2020039426A - Game management system and game management method - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately control of each display device connected to each game machine to achieve effective use of display by each display device.SOLUTION: A display data server device 100 transmits display data to each display device 110 (S1), and each display device 110 stores the display data (S2). When the game is started, an inter-machine card processor 10 and a card management device 40 transmit and receive game-related data (S3). A display data server device 100 determines the communication state between the inter-machine card processor 10 during the game and the card management device 40 (S4). When the communication state is normal, the inter-machine card processor 10 controls the display of each display device 110 (S5a). When detecting an abnormality in the communication state, the display data server device 100 controls the display of each display device 110 (S5b).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game management system and a game management method for managing a game in a game arcade where a gaming machine for playing a game using a game medium is installed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game stores provide games with game media interposed. For example, in a pachinko game, a game ball is used as a game medium, and a game ball is driven into a game board to play a game. A plurality of prize areas (prize ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are provided as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls in the prize area. In this way, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired game media for a prize.

  It is common that a gaming machine is provided with each unit. Each of the devices accepts the payment and performs a game medium lending process. In addition, each device manages the number of game media obtained by the game as the number of game media and performs a replay process of paying out game media by subtracting the number of game media (for example, see Patent Document 1). .).

  Each device is provided with a display unit for displaying a deposit amount, the number of game media, and the like. Further, a configuration has been considered in which a display device having a screen larger than the display unit of each device is externally connected to each device. A display device externally connected to each device is referred to as each device for convenience. The display units can be used for displaying information such as the amount of money to be paid and the number of game media held, as well as providing various kinds of guidance to game players, providing information on gaming machines, and assisting in the production of gaming machines.

  In particular, in an enclosed game machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2) in which a game is circulated by circulating a game ball enclosed in the game machine, the number of game media that can be fired (hereinafter referred to as a playable number) is data. However, each display device can also be used for display output of such data.

JP 2011-131037 A JP-A-2002-233635

  However, in the related art, there is a problem that it is difficult to appropriately control each display device. Since each display device performs various displays on a large screen, the size of display data increases. Each display device that performs display control of each display device is communicatively connected to a higher-level management device for processing related to game media. However, the display device for each display device is connected via the management device and each display device. If the data is transmitted, there is a possibility that the processing related to the game medium, which is the original use, may be obstructed. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the operation of each of the units, the display of each of the units cannot be displayed even though the units of the units are normal.

  For these reasons, it has been an important issue how to appropriately control each display device connected to each device and realize effective use of display by each display device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and it is an object of the present invention to appropriately control each display device connected to each device to realize effective use of display by each display device. A game management system and a game management method that can be performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is provided with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium, and is connected to each of the devices that performs a process related to the game medium, and to each of the devices. The each display device that performs display output based on the display control from each of the display devices, and a display data server device that is connected to each display device and provides display data used for the display output, The display data server device controls the display of each of the display devices when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  In addition, the present invention according to the above invention, further comprising a management device connected to the respective devices, for managing information related to the game medium, the display data server device, the management device and the respective devices The communication state of each of the display units is determined, and when an abnormality is detected in the communication state, display control of each of the display devices is performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the display data server device executes a process of updating display data of each of the display devices according to a state of the management device.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the management device performs a setting relating to display of each of the display devices according to a state of the display data server device.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the display data server device performs display control of each of the display devices on a condition that each of the display devices is not used by a player.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above invention, when each of the display devices performs display output based on display control from each of the display devices, the display device receives and stores the display data in advance from the display data server device. It is characterized by using data.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the gaming machine is an enclosed gaming machine for playing a game using a game medium enclosed therein.

  In addition, the present invention is also provided with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium, each device to perform processing related to the game medium, each device display device connected to each device, A game management method in a game management system having a display data server device connected to a display device, wherein the display data server device provides display data to each of the display devices, Performing a display output of the display data based on display control from each of the units, and the display data server device determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined condition is satisfied. Controlling the display of each of the display devices in each case.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, each display apparatus connected to each display apparatus can be controlled appropriately, and effective use of the display by each display apparatus can be realized.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of the inter-card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-card processor shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of each display device. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the display data server device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of display control by the display data server device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an updating process performed by the display data server device.

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

  In the present specification, the possessed ball is a game medium acquired by the player in the game or data indicating the number of the game medium, and can be provided to the game again only during the day (time before closing). Say what you can do. The coins are data indicating the game media or the number of the game media acquired by the player in the game, and can be used again for the game after the next day (time after closing the store). The possessed ball can be used by both the general player and the member player, and is used when the gaming machine used for the game is changed (so-called table movement). Normally, only the member gaming customers can use the savings, and they are used when the acquired game medium is used for a game on and after the next day. A predetermined fee may be imposed on the use of the coins.

  First, the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a plurality of gaming machines 20 are installed in a gaming arcade, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with a stand-to-stand card processing machine 10, which is a stand-by device.

  The gaming machine 20 is an enclosed gaming machine having a structure in which a player does not touch a game ball as a game medium, and manages the number of game balls that can be fired as the number of playable games. A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a game ball fired on the game board surface by operating the handle falls between the obstacle nails and wins a winning opening and a starting opening. Or, it is discharged out of the game board from the out port of the game board without winning. The game balls discharged from the game board are conveyed inside the gaming machine 20 and used again for firing.

  The stand-to-stand card processing machine 10 is a stand-by device that executes processing such as accepting payment and lending game balls. Lending of game balls is performed not by paying out game balls in kind, but by adding the number of playable game machines 20. In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 can count the number of gaming balls by shifting the number of playable games managed by the gaming machine 20 to the number of balls managed by the own device.

  When the player ends the game, the number of playable balls is shifted to the possessed ball, and the possessed ball is discharged in association with the card. Alternatively, the game is finished by exhausting all the playable number. Therefore, if the player has properly finished the game, after the business hours are over, the gaming machine 20 is in a state where the number of playable games does not remain.

  Each display device 110 is externally connected to the inter-card processing machine 10. Although each display device 110 is located on the front of the gaming machine 20, its input / output control is performed by the inter-card processing machine 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the inter-card processing machine 10 can communicate with the card management device 40, and each display device 110 can communicate with the display data server device 100.

  The card management device 40, which is a higher-level management device connected to the inter-card processing machine 10, manages data related to games such as possessed balls in association with card IDs. The display data server device 100 provides display data that is data used by each of the display devices 110 for display output. Further, the display data server device 100 can perform display control of each display device 110 when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Specifically, first, the display data server apparatus 100 transmits display data to each display device 110 (S1), and each display device 110 stores the display data (S2). The transmission and storage of the display data is preferably performed outside the business hours of the game store, but may be performed during the business hours if necessary. In addition, communication between the display data server device 100 and each display device 110 is possible without passing through the card management device 40 or the inter-card processing device 10.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 receives an operation (payment or card insertion) related to the start of a game during business hours, the inter-card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 transmit and receive data related to the game ( S3), the inter-card processing machine 10 is in a game state. The inter-card processing machine 10 in the gaming state performs processing relating to gaming balls while transmitting and receiving data to and from the card management device 40 as necessary.

  The display data server device 100 determines a communication state between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40 during the game (S4). When the communication state between the inter-card processing device 10 and the card management device 40 is normal, the inter-card processing device 10 controls the display of each of the display devices 110 (S5a). On the other hand, if an abnormality is detected in the communication state between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the card management device 40, the display data server device 100 controls the display of each of the display devices 110 (S5b).

  In the case where the inter-card processing device 10 controls the display of each display device 110, the display data stored in each display device 110 is used. When the display data server device 100 controls the display of each of the display devices 110, display data for a communication error can be appropriately transmitted and used.

  As described above, in the gaming management system, the display data server device 100 provides the display data for the display devices 110 to the inter-card processing device 10, and the display devices 110 display the data from the inter-card processing device 10. The display data is displayed and output based on the control, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the display data server device 100 is configured to control the display of each display device 110. By appropriately controlling each of the display units 110, the display of each of the display units 110 can be effectively used.

  Next, the system configuration of the game store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game store. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming shop. 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 prize management device 60, and the checkout machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

  The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing a game by driving a game ball enclosed in the device into a game board surface. A plurality of prize areas (prize ports) are provided on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are provided as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls in the prize area. Has become. Also, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on a game ball passing through the starting area. If the lottery becomes a big hit, the operation of the predetermined movable member or the like will perform an operation that is advantageous in the game, such as improving the probability of the game ball passing to the above-mentioned winning area or another starting area. Note that an area that also serves as a start area and a winning area may be provided.

  The prize area is provided with a prize sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball to the prize area. The prize sensor detects the passage (prize) of the game ball driven into the prize area. Has become. In addition, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be provided as prize balls for each prize area, and a playable number memory indicating the number of balls that can be thrown out by the player. I have.

  Therefore, when the passing of the driven game ball to the specific prize area is detected by the prize sensor, the gaming machine 20 should award the game ball based on the stored contents of the prize ball memory and the number of the game balls passing through the prize area. The prize ball number is determined, and the payout process of the determined prize ball number can be performed.

  In the enclosed gaming machine 20, the payout processing of the number of prize balls is performed by adding the number of prize balls to the playable number stored in the playable number memory and updating the stored content. When the number of playable games is transferred as the number of balls held by the inter-card processing machine 10, the number of playable games held in the number-of-games memory is notified to the inter-card processing machine 10, and the number of playable games is notified. Is cleared to zero. Further, when a notification of the addition of the number of playable games by the 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 playable games to update the stored contents.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 receives payment, lends a game ball, communicates with the card management device 40, and communicates with the gaming machine 20. When accepting the bill inserted by the player, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and the amount of money is added to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. The number corresponding to is added. When 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 of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is reduced. The payout processing of the ball is performed.

  In the enclosed gaming machine 20, the payout processing of the gaming ball based on the ball lending is performed by notifying the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value and adding the number to the number of playable games.

  Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40 when the card insertion is accepted. In addition, if the inter-card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-card card processor 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of held balls, and the number of stored balls. Then, if the number of possessed balls is stored, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the possessed ball subtraction request data to the card management device 40 to reduce the number of possessed balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

  In addition, when accepting the ball replay operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the ball number stored in its own device, and performs a payout process of a game ball of a number corresponding to the subtracted ball number. Do. In addition, when accepting the ball storage replay operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the ball storage number managed by the member management device 50. Then, the payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls is performed. The payout processing of the game balls based on the ball replay and the ball replay is also performed by notifying the corresponding number to the gaming machine 20 and adding the number to the possible game number.

  In addition, when accepting the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding request data including the ball holding number managed by the own device to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 After the number is added, card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and ejection of the card is controlled. It is desirable that the card ejection control be performed on condition that the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 is zero.

  In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and performing authentication of 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 be played on condition that the authentication is successful.

  The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and a stand-to-stand card processor 10 provided on a gaming island.

  The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the card, the number of balls, and the like as card data. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processor 10, the card management device 40 manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-card processor 10, and manages the card ID. Is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. When the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of the member card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50 and receives the card insertion notification data from the member management device 50. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives the ball holding subtraction request data from the inter-card processor 10, the card management device 40 clears the ball holding number to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the ball-addition request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 changes the ball number included in the ball-addition request data to the ball number managed by the card management device 40. to add.

  When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and transfers the ball lending permission data to the inter-card processing device 10. Send to Then, when the ball storage replay request data is received, the ball storage replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 outputs the ball storage replay data, the ball storage replay data is It is transmitted to the card processor 10.

  When receiving the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the payment machine 80, the prepaid value associated with this card ID is notified to the payment machine 80.

  Further, the card management device 40 acquires the gaming machine ID from the inter-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 obtained from the authentication key management center outside the game store, and distributed to the inter-card processing machine 10.

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

  Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 stores the ball replay data including the ball storage number and the password associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data. To the inter-card processor 10. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the ball storage number associated with the card ID indicated in the ball storage replay request data, The ball storage replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. Communication between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

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

  The prize management device 60 is a prize exchange terminal device attached to a prize exchange counter in the game store, and performs a prize exchange process of exchanging the obtained balls, the number of stored balls and the number of possessed balls into prizes. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads a card ID from a card and a prize payout device that pays out a prize. The prize 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 data corresponding to the card ID is read from a portable terminal or the like). Then, the number of balls possessed by the card ID is requested. When exchanging the number of coins to be awarded, the member management device 50 is requested to exchange the number of coins.

  When the card associated with the prepaid value is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40 and receives the response data to obtain the prepaid value associated with the card. Then, pay out money according to the acquired prepaid value.

  In addition to these configurations, each of the display devices 110 is externally connected to the inter-card processing machine 10 as described above, and each of the display devices 110 is communicably connected to the display data server device 100. It is desirable that the communication line connecting each display device 110 and the display data server device 100 be a communication line different from the communication line to which the island controller 30 and the like are connected. The display data server device 100 can communicate with the card management device 40.

  Next, a ball lending process of the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-card processing machine 10, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. The ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10 and an address for specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source or arbitrary identification data.

  Upon receiving the ball lending request data, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

  Next, a description will be given of a held ball replay process in the case where the held ball is replayed in the gaming system shown in FIG. When receiving the insertion of a general card or a membership card, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processor 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processor 10 as a transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, And data for specifying 10 rates.

  When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-card processing device 10, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-card processing device 10 of the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data. Notice.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 stores the number of balls received from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, the data for specifying the rate, and the ball holding subtraction request data indicating that the ball holding number is cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. If the card management device 40 receives the ball-count subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the ball-count of each rate specified by the card ID to zero. In the case of accepting a ball-replay operation and performing ball replay, the inter-card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored ball number and pays out the corresponding game ball number. . Here, the inter-card processing machine 10 is in a case where the number of possessed balls other than its own rate exists, and the possessed ball replay using the number of possessed balls other than its own rate is permitted. If the setting has been made, the number of balls possessed other than the player's own rate can be converted to the number of balls possessed by the player's own rate in accordance with the operation of the player, and the ball replay can be performed. Here, assuming that the unit price A per game medium of another rate and the unit price of the own machine rate are B, X × (A / B) payout processing is performed by subtracting X pieces of balls at other rates. It can be performed.

  If the inter-card processing machine 10 receives from the gaming machine 20 management shift request data for shifting the management by setting the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 to be the possessed balls of the inter-card processing machine 10, the management shift is performed. The number of possible games indicated in the request data is added to the number of balls possessed by the own device. Thereafter, if a card return operation is received, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball-addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball-addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls at each rate. .

  When receiving the card return operation, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the ball-addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball-addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls at each rate. .

  Upon receiving the ball-addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the ball-number included in the ball-addition request data to the ball-number at each rate associated with the card ID. Thereafter, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card ejection notification data to the card management device 40.

  Next, a description will be given of a stored ball replay process in the gaming system shown in FIG. When reading the card ID from the membership card or a portable terminal usable as a membership card, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processor 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processor 10 as a transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, And data for specifying 10 rates.

  The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-card processing machine 10 to the member management device 50. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 determines the password associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of coins stored at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data among the coins stored. And the ball storage replay data including the possible number of ball storage replays is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. The possible number of ball savings replays indicates the number of times the ball savings replay can be performed, and corresponds to a quotient obtained by dividing the number of ball savings by the payout unit of game balls in the ball savings replay. However, when an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the possible number of the ball storage replay is limited by the upper limit.

  The inter-stands card processor 10 stores the received ball replay data, and when the possible number of ball replays indicated in the ball replay data is one or more, enables the ball replay operation.

  After storing the ball replay data, the inter-card processing machine 10 prompts the player to enter a password when the ball replay operation is first received, and the entered password is stored in the ball replay data. It is determined whether or not the password matches the personal identification number indicated in (1).

  When the personal identification numbers match, the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits the stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40. This ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10, an address for specifying the inter-card processing machine 10 which is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-card processing. And data for specifying the rate of the device 10.

  The card management device 40 transmits the ball-play replay request data to the member management device 50. If the member management device 50 receives the ball-stop replay request data, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the ball-point at the rate specified by the message among the ball-points associated with the card ID in the ball-point replay request data. Then, recalculate the possible number of ball replays. Then, the ball storage replay data including the balance after the subtraction and the possible number of ball storage replays is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 updates the stored number of stored balls and performs payout processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the payout unit of the stored ball replay. Here, the inter-card processing machine 10 is set to permit replay of the accumulated ball using the number of accumulated coins other than the rate of the own machine when the number of accumulated coins other than the rate of the own machine exists. In this case, as in the case of ball replay, in accordance with the operation of the player, the number of balls saved other than the player's own rate can be converted to the number of balls saved at the player's own rate, and the player can play the ball replay again. it can. Further, after the payout process, the inter-card processing machine 10 determines whether the possible number of the accumulated ball replays after the update is one or more. If the possible number of accumulated ball replays is 0, it is determined that the accumulated ball replay operation cannot be accepted. If the possible number of the accumulated ball replays after the update is 1 or more, the accumulated ball replay operation can be accepted again. It is not necessary to confirm the password in the second and subsequent ball replays. The confirmation of the personal identification number may be performed every time. In addition, here, the case where the inter-card processing machine 10 performs the payout processing of the game ball after the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the game ball is described, but the payout processing of the game ball is performed based on the ballpark replay request. After performing, the balance of the savings may be subtracted. This is because the possible number of ball-ball replays is indicated in the ball-ball replay data before the ball-ball replay request, and the shortage of the balance is not determined after the ball-ball replay request is accepted.

  Next, a description will be given of a shift from a held ball to a stored ball in the store closing process. The card management device 40 checks the number of balls held in the card management data at the time of the store closing process, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls held larger than zero, the number of balls held in the record together with the card ID and the rate. Notify the member management device 50. The member management device 50 adds the number of balls held notified from the card management device 40 to the number of balls to be stored specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of possessed balls to zero.

  Next, the appearances of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20. Although FIG. 3 shows the inter-card processing machine 10 that accepts only bills, a unit for receiving coins may be provided.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, and a holding unit 14b, and is externally connected to each of the display units 110. ing.

  The status display unit 11 displays the status of the device of the inter-card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is a device that displays an operation button such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display and receives an input operation using the operation button.

  The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card possessed by the player. The holding section 14b is a section for holding the mobile terminal used for member registration. When the mobile terminal is held over the holding section 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal.

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

  The count button 23 subtracts the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the number of balls of the inter-card processing machine 10 to manage the number of balls that can be thrown out of the gaming machine 20 from the This is an operation button for performing management transfer to be transferred to the card processor 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which an open-type gaming machine in which a real game ball is paid out by a prize, the paid-out game ball is counted by the inter-card processing machine 10 and added to the possessed ball.

  Next, the configurations of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-card processing machine 10 includes a bill transporting unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14 b, a communication unit 15, a game management unit 18, a storage unit 16 and a control unit 17.

  The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that determines the denomination and authenticity of a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a and transports the bill to a bill storage unit (not shown). The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display for displaying various information such as a prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of balls to be used for ball lending and receiving various operations such as ball lending operations. It is.

  The reader / writer 14 is a device 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 unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held over, and is associated with the mobile terminal owned by the player. It is used for replaying the number of saved balls. In addition, the reader / writer 14 associates a card stored in the card storage unit with a valuable value such as a possessed ball or a prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b and issues the card as a new card in response to a return operation of the player. Also have. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number, control is performed so that the card is not returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control for suppressing a loss at a game store due to discarding a card associated with a small number of balls. As a certain number, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the number of possessed balls by the lending unit price per ball can be set so as to be the value of the card or the lowest-priced prize in the amusement store. Can be set freely according to store policy. Also, in the case of controlling not to return the card even if there is a return operation, the stored ball can be transmitted to the gaming machine 20 as the number of playable games, but the fact that the card cannot be returned and the A display urging replay may be displayed.

  The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40 and the like via the island controller 30.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device and a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 16 stores the own device status data 16a and the card data 16b.

  The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-card card processor 10. The own device status data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-card processing machine and the game settings. The device ID of the inter-card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-card processing machine 10 in a game arcade. The game setting is data indicating a game type and the like set in the inter-card processing machine 10. When dealing with a plurality of rates of game balls in a game store, "ball 1" for 4-yen game balls, "ball 2" for 2-yen game balls, and "ball 3" for 1-yen game balls A game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "ball 4" for a game ball with a 0.5 yen rate. The inter-card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types, and stores it as a game setting.

  The card data 16b is data relating to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possessed ball, a stored ball, a possible number of stored ball replays, and the like. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the conveyance. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

  The game management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processes related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable that the game management section 18 be formed on a different substrate from the control section 17. The game management section 18 has an authentication processing section 18a, an authentication key management section 18b, and a gaming machine state management section 18c.

  The authentication processing unit 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the card management device 40. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. Even if the authentication has failed, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, but after a predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication. Does not transmit the operation permission to the gaming machine 20, and prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. The authentication processing unit 18a transmits the result of the authentication such as the success or failure of the authentication to the card management device 40, and controls the display operation unit 13 to appropriately display the result.

  The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages an authentication key. A use time is set for the authentication key, and when the total operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the use time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b manages the usage time of the authentication key by using the energization time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operation time of the gaming machine 20. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b acquires a new authentication key from the authentication key management center via the card management device 40 and updates the authentication key.

  The gaming machine state management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the state of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits an addition request to the number of playable balls by lending the ball, and changes the number of balls to the number of playable balls by replaying the held ball. Transmission of a management shift request, transmission of an addition request to the number of playable balls by replay of ball storage, reception of game results such as the number of driven balls and the number of awarded balls in the gaming machine 20, and the conversion of the number of playable balls to the number of dice by counting Receives a management migration request. The gaming machine state management unit 18c periodically acquires the number of playable gaming machines 20 as a reference value. The number of possible games acquired by the gaming machine state management unit 18c can be displayed and controlled on the display operation unit 13 and the like. Note that the communication between the inter-card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 may use encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

  Note that the gaming machine state management unit 18c may further acquire the current playable number of the gaming machines 20, the state set for the game such as "big hit", and the operating state of the handle 21. The time interval at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the state of the gaming machine 20 is desirably set shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are fired (used) in the gaming machine 20.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game setting processing unit 17b, and a display device control unit 17c.

  When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits card insertion notification data including the device ID of the own device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. In addition, when data including a valuable value (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of accumulated balls) is received from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received value. . The data management unit 17a controls the display operation unit 13 to appropriately display the prepaid value, the number of balls, and the number of accumulated balls indicated in the card data 16b.

  Further, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits payment notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-card processing machine ID to the card management device 40.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits ball lending request data including the card ID and the device ID to the card management device 40 when a ball lending operation is performed by the player. If ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a instructs the game management unit 18 to add a predetermined number of balls to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. Perform payout processing.

  In addition, when a game player performs a ball-playing replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the ball-holding number indicated in the card data 16b, and determines the corresponding ball-number in the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the game management unit 18 to add to the possible number.

  In addition, when the possible number of ball storage replays indicated in the card data 16b is one or more, the data management unit 17a displays a ball storage replay button on the display operation unit 13 and can accept a ball storage replay operation. And The data management unit 17a transmits ball storage replay request data including the card ID and the inter-card processing machine ID to the member management device 50 when the player performs a ball storage replay operation. If the ball replay data is received as a response to the ball replay request data, the number of balls stored in the card data 16b is updated, and the payout unit of the ball replay is added to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the management unit 18. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, input of a password is requested, and ball storage replay request data is transmitted on condition that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

  In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a game ball transfer request from the gaming machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls specified by the game management unit 18 to the number of balls in the card data 16b. Update.

  Further, when the card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball-addition request data including the card ID, the device ID, and the number of balls to the card management device 40, and transmits the card data 16b After clearing the number of balls to zero, the card discharge notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

  The game setting processing unit 17b displays the rate corresponding to the current game type set in the game setting of the own device state data 16a on the display operation unit 13 or each display device 110, and displays the rate by the player. When the setting for accepting the selection is made, the selectable rate is displayed on the display operation unit 13 or each display device 110. When the player selects a desired rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a with the game type corresponding to the selected rate. On the other hand, when the setting for accepting the selection of the rate by the player is not set, the selectable rate is not displayed during the game. In this case, a selectable rate is displayed on condition that the remote control operation or the like by the employee is accepted and authentication is performed. When the employee selects a rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a with the game type corresponding to the selected rate. Also, in this case, when a signal instructing selection of a game type is received from a higher-level device such as the card management device 40, the own device state data 16a is displayed according to the specified game type without displaying a selectable rate. Update game settings.

  The display device control unit 17c is a processing unit that performs display control of each display device 110. When the operation of the inter-card processing device 10 such as communication with the card management device 40 is normal and the game is being played, the display device control unit 17c assigns the control right related to the display of the display devices 110 to each other. Have.

  Specifically, the display device control unit 17c can cause the display device 110 to display the prepaid value, the possessed ball, the accumulated ball, and the like of the card data 16b. In addition, the display device control unit 17c can display the number of playable games of the gaming machines 20 acquired via the game management unit 18 on each display device 110. Further, the display device control unit 17c can cause each display device 110 to perform a display related to the effect of the gaming machine 20.

  Next, an internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 will be described. The gaming machine 20 includes 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 processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-card processing machine 10 may use encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

  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 at the time of starting the gaming machine 20 and checks whether the identification information is appropriate. Then, the communication with the inter-card processing machine 10 is established and the apparatus enters a standby state. In the standby state, if an operation permission is received from the inter-card processing machine 10, the effect control unit 25, the game control unit 26, and the game ball control unit 27 are activated, and the game is enabled.

  The game control unit 26 is a control unit that controls a game played by the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the game control unit 26 controls the firing of the game ball to the game board surface by detecting the handle operation, the detection of the game ball entering the winning opening on the game board surface, and the random number (0 to Acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of random number values of 65535, which are assigned big hits, small hits, and misses for each predetermined range, and 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 an abnormality (the front frame is opened, vibration is detected, etc.) which may be illegal, and notification to a higher-level device.

  A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and the game balls fired on the game board surface by operating the handle fall between the obstacle nails and win or win the winning opening, starting opening or win. Is discharged out of the game board from the out port of the game board. A lottery is performed when the game ball wins the starting opening, and when a big hit is made, a big hit game is performed in which a predetermined winning opening on the gaming board surface is controlled to be opened plural times, and the game ball wins in this winning opening. , A prize ball is given to the player.

  In addition, the big hit includes a big hit game with a privilege for giving a predetermined privilege game to a player after the big hit game ends. The jackpot game with a privilege includes a probability fluctuation jackpot and a time reduction jackpot. The probability fluctuation jackpot and the time reduction jackpot are to give a probability fluctuation game and a time reduction game as bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a variation of the normal symbol lottery (opening and closing lottery of the movable member described above) and / or the special symbol lottery (big hitting lottery by winning the above game balls) This is a bonus game in which the number of lotteries per unit time is increased by shortening the time, and the probability of winning a big hit per unit time is increased. This bonus 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 big hit ends when the number of times of the special symbol lottery is performed a predetermined number of times after the big hit. The probability variation game will be described later.

  The game control unit 26 has a probability changing function. The probability variation function performs control of changing the random number range of the jackpot to be used for the next lottery (generally about 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a particularly determined random number range among the jackpots. Function. In the probability changing game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the changed probability. The probability variation game is continued until the next big hit is won. Further, the probability variation game and the time reduction game may be simultaneously provided. However, in order to prevent accidental damage to a game store, if a player obtains a certain game medium after starting a probability-variable game or a time-saving game, the player must stop the game (eject the card once, request a prize exchange or move the platform). Yes) processing. In this case, the game machine 20 counts the number of game media acquired after the probability variation gaming state is reached, and performs game stop control such as stopping the emission of game balls when the counted value reaches a predetermined value. This can be achieved by:

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

  The effect lottery unit 25b performs a lottery of the type of effect to be performed until the result of the lottery by the effect symbol is displayed (for example, a character appears and performs a reach effect). This effect is set so that the effect selected for the main lottery result is different.

  The effect control unit 25 stores effect data of each effect. Furthermore, the effect control unit 25 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and at the time of executing the effect, performs the effect display by superimposing the effect data on the background symbol data. 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 playable games. Specifically, the playable number is stored in the playable number memory 27a, and the number of playable games is reduced by "1" each time a game ball is fired, and the number of prize balls awarded by winning is added to the number of playable games. . When the number of balls is notified from the inter-card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of playable games stored in the playable number memory 27a. A confirmation signal indicating the addition to the playable number is transmitted. The game ball control section 27 can also perform cleaning control of game balls (circulation balls) sealed in the gaming machine 20.

  In addition, the game ball control unit 27 periodically transmits the playable number stored in the playable number memory 27 a to the inter-card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 27 does not clear the contents of the playable number memory 27a to zero, continues updating the playable number according to the game state, and sends the data to the inter-card processing machine 10 at the time of data acquisition. The number of possible games is transmitted.

  The gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 23, and a signal indicating that the counting button 23 has been pressed is input to the game ball control unit 27. The game ball control unit 27 detects the pressing operation of the counting button 23, and if the time from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, the number of playable games by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per one operation). The management transfer request is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10 together with the data of (1). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. In addition, when the pressing operation of the counting button 23 is detected and the falling is not detected for a predetermined time or more after the rising of the detection signal, a certain number (for example, 5 seconds A management shift request is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10 together with data on the number of playable games (200 balls). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the playable number. When subtracting from the playable number, a method of decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in the memory, updating the value stored in the memory with the value after the subtraction, and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction A method of deleting and invalidating the value is conceivable, but is not particularly limited as long as the value after subtraction can be specified.

  The game control unit 26 and the game ball control unit 27 are respectively formed on separate substrates. 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 have unique IDs. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the gaming machine ID.

  Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card processing machine 10.

  The own device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5A indicates that the device ID of the inter-card processing machine 10 is “3001” and “ball 3” is set as the game type of the inter-card processing machine 10. Is shown.

  The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B shows a state where the ID of the card inserted into the inter-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” is a general card, and the card with the first digit “2” is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates a state in which the prepaid value is “2000 degrees”. Here, the frequency of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen per frequency. The card data 16b indicates that the number of balls held for ball 1 is “0”, the number of balls held for ball 2 is “0”, the number of balls held for ball 3 is “875”, and the number of balls held for ball 4 is “0”. A state of “500 balls” is shown.

  In the card data 16b, the password for the ball replay is “7777”, the possible number of ball replays is “1”, the number of balls stored for ball 1 is “250”, and the ball 2 This shows a state in which the number of stored balls is “0”, the number of stored balls of ball 3 is “50”, and the number of stored balls of ball 4 is “0”. Although not shown, the card management device 40 stores ON / OFF of a "lock" flag indicating validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the ball holdings, the coins, and the prepaid value in association with the card ID. Is turned on by an employee operation when the card is stolen. These data are also included and stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of coins", "entry", etc.). For example, only the "entry" function is subject to "lock" at the request of the player. Alternatively, it can be used to prevent erroneous operations.

  Next, the configuration of each unit display device 110 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of each display device 110. As shown in FIG. 6, each display device 110 includes a communication unit 111, a control unit 112, a display unit 113, an operation unit 114, and a storage unit 115.

  The communication unit 111 is an interface for performing data communication with the inter-card processing machine 10 and the display data server device 100. The display unit 113 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the operation unit 114 is an operation device such as a touch panel, keys, and switches. A liquid crystal display of the display unit 113 and a touch panel of the operation unit 114 may be combined to form a touch panel display. The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory, and stores the display data 115a.

  The control unit 112 controls the entire display device 110. Specifically, when receiving the display data from the display data server device 100, the control unit 112 stores the display data in the storage unit 115 as the display data 115a.

  In addition, the control unit 112 executes display output by the display unit 113. Specifically, when the operation of the inter-card processing device 10 such as communication with the card management device 40 is normal and the game is being played, the control unit 112 controls the display control by the inter-card processing device 10. In response, the display unit 113 executes display output. In the display output based on the display control by the stand-to-card card processor 10, a display such as a prepaid value, a possessed ball, a stored ball, and a playable number, and a display related to the effect of the gaming machine 20 are performed. Here, the display related to the effect of the gaming machine 20 assists the effect of the gaming machine 20, for example, and the corresponding display data 115a is read and used.

  On the other hand, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-card processing machine 10 such as communication with the card management device 40, or when the inter-card processing device 10 is in an idle state that is not playing a game, the control unit 112 performs display control by the display data server In response, display output by the display unit 113 can be executed. For display output based on display control by the display data server device 100, display data appropriately received from the display data server device 100 is used.

  For example, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-card processing machine 10, display data notifying the occurrence of the abnormality and display data notifying the coping method can be received from the display data server device 100 and output. it can. Further, in the case of the empty state, it is possible to receive display data for effect utilizing the empty state from the display data server device 100 and display and output the display data. The effect using the vacant state may be an effect in which a plurality of display devices 110 are linked.

  Next, the configuration of the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the display data server device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the display data server device 100 includes a display unit 101, an input unit 102, a communication unit 103, a storage unit 104, and a control unit 105.

  The display unit 101 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 102 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The communication unit 103 is an interface for performing data communication with another device. Specifically, the communication unit 103 performs data communication with each of the display devices 110 and the card management device 40.

  The storage unit 104 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores display data 104 a to be transmitted to each display device 110.

  The control unit 105 is a control unit that controls the entire display data server device 100, and includes a state determination unit 105a, a data transmission control unit 105b, and a display device control unit 105c. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby the state determining unit 105a, This causes the data transmission control unit 105b and the display device control unit 105c to execute the corresponding processes.

  The state determination unit 105a is a processing unit that determines the states of the card management device 40, the inter-card processing machine 10, the display devices 110, and the like. Specifically, the state determination unit 105a communicates with the card management device 40 and inquires whether the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-card processing machine 10 is normal. Further, the state determination unit 105a communicates with the card management device 40 to inquire whether the inter-card processing machine 10 is in a game state. Further, the state determination unit 105a determines whether or not each of the display devices 110 needs to be updated. The state in which each display device 110 needs to be updated is, for example, when adding or changing display data or when changing the settings of each display device 110.

  The data transmission control unit 105b is a processing unit that controls transmission of data to each display device 110. Specifically, the data transmission control unit 105b needs to update the display units 110, and when the display units 110 can be updated, the data transmission control unit 105b transmits update data to the display units 110. Send. For example, when the inter-card processing machine 10 is playing a game, the display data cannot be updated, and the process waits until the display data can be updated. Further, the condition for determining that the setting can be updated may be changed depending on the content of the update, for example, the setting can be changed only after the end of the business hours.

  The display device control unit 105c is a processing unit that performs display control on each of the display devices 110. The display device control unit 17c displays a display on each of the display devices 110 when an abnormality is detected in the operation of the inter-card processing machine 10 such as communication with the card management device 40 or when the inter-card processing device 10 is in an idle state that is not being played. Has such control.

  Specifically, the display device control unit 105c transmits display data according to the state of the inter-card processing machine 10 and the like, and causes the display devices 110 to display the display data. For example, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the inter-card processor 10, the display data notifying the occurrence of the abnormality and the display data notifying the coping method are transmitted to each display device 110 and displayed. In the case of an empty state, display data for effect utilizing the empty state is transmitted to each display device 110 and displayed. If a plurality of inter-card processing machines 10 installed close to each other are in an empty state, it is also possible to perform an effect by linking the corresponding plurality of display devices 110.

  Next, a processing procedure of display control by the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of display control by the display data server device 100. First, the state determination unit 105a of the display data server device 100 determines the states of the card management device 40, the inter-card processing machine 10, the display devices 110, and the like (step S101).

  As a result of the determination, if an abnormality is detected in the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-card processing machine 10 (Step S102; No), the display device control unit 105c sends a communication error to each of the display devices 110. Corresponding display control, that is, off-line display control is executed (step S104), and the process ends.

  As a result of the determination, if the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-card processing device 10 is normal (step S102; Yes) and the inter-card processing device 10 is empty (step S103; No), the display is performed. The device control unit 105c executes display control corresponding to the empty state, that is, display control for the empty unit, on each unit display device 110 (step S105), and ends the processing.

  If the communication between the card management device 40 and the inter-card processing machine 10 is normal (step S102; Yes) and the inter-card processing machine 10 is in a game state (step S103; Yes), the display device control is performed. The processing is terminated without performing the display control of each display device 110 by the unit 105c. That is, in this case, the inter-card processing machine 10 controls the display of each display device 110.

  Next, an update processing procedure by the display data server device 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an update process performed by the display data server device 100. First, the state determination unit 105a of the display data server device 100 determines whether or not each display device 110 needs to be updated (step S201).

  As a result of the determination, if the update is not necessary (Step S202; No), the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the update is necessary (Step S202; Yes), the state determination unit 105a determines whether the update is possible based on the state of each display device 110 (Step S203). If each of the display devices is not in an updatable state (Step S204; No), the process proceeds to Step S203 to determine the state, and waits until an update is possible.

  If each of the display devices 110 can be updated (Step S204; Yes), the data transmission control unit 105b transmits the data for update to each of the display devices 110 (Step S205), and ends the process.

  As described above, the display data server device 100 can wait for data transmission according to the state of each display device 110. Regarding the transmission of data to the display data server device 100 and the change of the setting, the process waits according to the state of the display data server device 100. Specifically, in a case where the card management device 40 changes the setting relating to the display control of each display device 110 to the display data server device 100, the card management device 40 changes the state of the display data server device 100. judge. If the display data server device 100 controls or updates the display of each of the display devices 110, the card management device 40 waits until the display control or update by the display data server device 100 is completed. The setting of the data server device 100 is changed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display data server device 100 provides display data for each display device 110 to the inter-card processing device 10, and each display device 110 transmits the display data from the inter-card processing device 10. The display data is displayed and output based on the display control described above, and the display data server device 100 is configured to control the display of each display device 110 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The connected display devices 110 can be appropriately controlled to realize effective use of the display by the display devices 110.

  In addition, the display data server device 100 determines the communication state between the card management device 40 and the inter-card processing machine 10 and performs display control of each display device 110 when an abnormality is detected in the communication state. Each of the display devices 110 can be used for notification of occurrence of an abnormality and support for recovery.

  Further, the display data server device 100 determines whether the display data of each display device can be updated from the state of the card management device 40, and waits until the update is possible to update the display data. Can be updated appropriately.

  Further, the card management device 40 performs the setting related to the display of each display device 110 according to the state of the display data server device 100, so that the setting of the display data server device 100 can be appropriately updated.

  Further, the display data server device 100 controls the display of each of the display devices 110 on the condition that the inter-card processing machine 10 is not used by a player, so that each of the display devices 110 110 can be used effectively.

  In addition, when performing display output based on display control from the inter-card processing machine 10, each display device 110 uses display data received and stored in advance from the display data server device 100. The communication load during the communication can be reduced.

  The display data in the above-described embodiment is, for example, data of the image itself displayed on the screen. In addition, a program for generating an image displayed on the screen can be provided as display data.

  Note that, in the above-described embodiment, an explanation has been given by taking an example of an enclosed type gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present invention to an open-type gaming machine that accepts insertion and pays out prize balls.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a game ball is used as a game medium has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where a medal for a slot machine is used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description of the form of the card as the medium for associating the number of game media is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. In addition, although a “card” has been described as an example for convenience of description, the present invention can be applied to a case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal, or the like is used in addition to the card.

  Further, each configuration illustrated is a schematic function, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

  For example, an integrated management server having both the functions of the card management device 40 and the functions of the member management device 50 may be provided.

  As described above, the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention are suitable for appropriately controlling each of the display devices connected to each of the devices and effectively using the display on each of the display devices. .

10 Card processing machine between 11 11 Status display section 12 Bill transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding section 15, 111, 103 Communication section 16, 104, 115 Storage section 16a Own apparatus state Data 16b Card data 17, 112 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game setting processing unit 17c, 105c Display device control unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Game machine state management unit 20 Game machine 21 Handle 23 Count button 24 Communication control unit 25 Production control unit 25a Production design lottery unit 25b Production lottery unit 26 Game control unit 27 Game ball control unit 27a Playable number memory 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 50 Member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Payment Machine 100 display data Server 101,113 display unit 102 input unit 104a, 115a display data 105a state determining unit 105b data transmission control section 110 individual car display device 114 operating unit

Claims (8)

Each stand device that is provided along with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium and performs a process related to the game medium,
Each unit display device connected to the each unit and performing display output based on display control from the each unit,
A display data server device that is connected to each of the display devices and provides display data used for the display output,
The game management system, wherein the display data server device performs display control of each of the display devices when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A management device that is connected to the respective devices and manages information related to the game medium,
The display data server device determines a communication state between the management device and each of the devices, and performs display control of each of the display devices when an abnormality is detected in the communication state. The game management system according to 1.   The game management system according to claim 2, wherein the display data server device executes a process of updating display data of each of the display devices according to a state of the management device.   The game management system according to claim 2, wherein the management device performs a setting related to display of each of the display devices according to a state of the display data server device.   5. The display data server device according to claim 2, wherein the display data server device performs display control of each of the display devices on a condition that the respective display device is not used by a player. Game management system.   When each of the display devices performs display output based on display control from each of the display devices, the display device uses display data received and stored in advance from the display data server device. The game management system according to any one of 1 to 5.   The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game machine is an enclosed game machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein. Each device that is provided in parallel with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium and performs a process related to the game medium, each device display device connected to each device device, and each device device connected to each device display device A game management method in a game management system having a display data server device,
Wherein the display data server device provides display data to each of the display devices;
A step in which each of the display devices performs display output of the display data based on display control from each of the display devices;
A step of the display data server device determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and performing display control of each of the display devices when the predetermined condition is satisfied. .

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