JP2020039462A - Each machine device and method for managing number of game media - Google Patents

Abstract

To match the number of possessed game media to a desired value of a game customer by simple operation.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 disposed side by side with a sealed game machine 20 sets a target value of owned balls and can shift surplus owned balls to the number of playable games of the game machine 20 when the number of owned balls exceeds the target value. In Fig. 1, the inter-machine card processor 10 sets a target value of owned balls to "500" by operation of a game customer (S1). When the number of owned balls is "2000", the inter-machine card processor 10 shifts the surplus "1500" to the number of playable games of the game machine 20 (S2), and adjusts the number of owned balls of the inter-machine card processor 10 to the target value "500".SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is installed in association with a gaming machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed therein and performs processing related to the game medium, and a game medium number management method.

  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.

  In order to simplify the handling of the acquired game media, each of the devices attached to the gaming machine is provided with a function of counting the number of game media, and the number of counted game media is associated with the card as the number of held game media. ing. By presenting the card at the prize counter, the player can exchange the prize according to the number of associated game media.

  Here, there is a demand to make the number of game media to be associated with the card a desired value. For example, such a request occurs when the user wants to use up the surplus in a game while leaving the number of game media required for exchange for a desired prize, or to manage the result of his or her own game. For this reason, in each of the devices disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the number of game media held is compared with the target value to notify the player. Specifically, if the number of possessed game media exceeds the target value, a notification that prompts a payout operation of the carried game media is issued, and if the number of carried game media does not reach the target value, a notification that prompts counting is performed. If the number matches the target value, it is notified.

  Also, recently, the problem of brought-in balls from other stores and brought-in balls between different lending rates has become apparent, and thus, enclosed-type gaming machines that do not generate such brought-in balls have been attracting attention. The enclosed gaming machine has a structure in which a player does not touch the game medium, and the number of game media that can be fired (hereinafter, referred to as a playable number) is managed as data (for example, see Patent Document 2). .).

  In each of the stand-alone devices attached to such an enclosed gaming machine, the actual number of gaming media is transmitted to the gaming machine as data, instead of controlling the actual gaming media to be paid out by the own device or the gaming machine. Become. When the game is finished, each base device acquires the number of playable games from the gaming machine and adds the number to the number of game media held. The operation in which each device acquires the number of playable games from the gaming machine and adds it to the number of game media that can be held corresponds to the operation of counting the number of game media, and is hereinafter referred to as a counting operation in this specification.

JP 2017093933 A JP-A-2002-233635

  However, the conventional technique represented by the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a problem that the operation for the player to set the number of game media to a desired value is complicated. Specifically, in the conventional technology, when the number of possessed game media exceeds a target value, the number of possessed game media is set to a target value by repeating a ball replay operation of paying out a predetermined number of carried game media. Had to be adjusted. In addition, since the number of game media that can be held on the upper plate of the gaming machine is limited, it is not possible to sufficiently pay out the game media depending on the difference between the number of game media held and the target value, and the number of game media held is limited. Was not able to meet the target value.

  For these reasons, it has been an important issue how to adjust the number of game media to a desired value of a player by a simple operation.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a base device and a method of managing the number of game media in which the number of game media held can be adjusted to a desired value of a player by a simple operation. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is directed to a stand-by apparatus that is installed in association with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein and performs processing related to the game medium. A game medium number storage unit for storing the number of game media acquired by the player as a number of game media, a target value setting unit for setting a target value of the number of game media, When the number of portable game media stored in the number-of-mediums storage unit exceeds the target value, the number of gaming media in excess is transferred to the number of gaming machine management media, which is the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine. And a medium number adjusting unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, as a result of performing the counting process of shifting the number of gaming machine management media to the number of owned gaming media, the number of held gaming media is the target value. When the number of game media exceeds the number of game media, the number of game media in excess is transferred to the number of game machine management media.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above invention, the number-of-held-gaming-mediums adjusting unit is configured such that, when the number of held gaming media stored in the number-of-held-gaming-medium storage unit is less than the target value, the counting process is performed. It is characterized by waiting.

  In the present invention, in the above invention, the number-of-held-gaming-mediums adjusting unit, when the number of held gaming media stored in the number-of-held-gaming-medium storage unit is less than the target value, notifies the notification prompting the counting process. It is characterized by executing.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above invention, the number-of-gaming-mediums adjusting unit accepts a predetermined release operation or sets the target value when the number of the gaming media is discharged in association with a predetermined storage medium. Is canceled.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above invention, the number-of-gaming-mediums adjusting unit cancels the setting of the target value when the number of gaming media stored in the number-of-gaming-medium storage unit matches the target value. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, the present invention provides a method of managing the number of game media by each device installed in association with a gaming machine for playing a game using a game medium enclosed therein, and performing processing related to the game medium, Storing a number of gaming media stored in the number-of-gaming-medium storage unit as the number of gaming media acquired by the customer as a number of gaming media held; a target value setting step of setting a target value of the number of gaming media; When the number of held game media stored in the held game medium storage unit exceeds the target value, the excess number of held game media is transferred to the number of gaming machine management media, which is the number of game media managed by the gaming machine. Adjusting the number of held game media.

  According to the present invention, the number of game media held can be adjusted to a value desired by a player by a simple operation.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of each unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-card processing machine and the gaming machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the inter-card processing machine and the gaming machine 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 flowchart showing a processing procedure of the perfect ball holding mode by the between-card processing machine. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the operation in the ball holding mode. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of adjustment and automatic payout of accumulated coins.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below 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 each unit according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of each unit according to the present embodiment. A plurality of gaming machines 20 are installed in the amusement store, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with a stand-to-stand card processing machine 10 which is a stand apparatus.

  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. Similarly, the inter-card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number of balls and adds a predetermined number to the playable number when the player performs a ball-play replay operation. 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.

  Further, the inter-card processing machine 10 can set a target value of possessed balls, and when the possessed balls exceed the target value, can transfer the excess possessed balls to the playable number. In FIG. 1, the inter-card processing machine 10 sets the target value of the possessed ball to “500” by the operation of the player (S1). If the ball held at this time is "2000", the inter-card processing machine 10 shifts the excess "1500" to the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20 (S2), and the inter-card processing machine 10 The possessed ball is adjusted to the target value “500”.

  As described above, the inter-card processing machine 10 is installed in association with the enclosed gaming machine 20, stores a game ball obtained by a game player as a ball, and sets a target value of the ball. When the number of balls exceeds the target value, the excess balls can be transferred to the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20. Therefore, the player can adjust the ball possession to a desired value only by setting a desired target value.

  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.

  Also, 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 an 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.

  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 shown 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 display operation unit 22, a card insertion slot 14a, and a shade unit 14b.

  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 display operation unit 22 is a display device such as a touch panel display, and is located at the front of the gaming machine 20, but its input / output is controlled by the inter-card processor 10. The display operation unit 22 is used for displaying various information such as the balance of possessed balls and receiving various operations such as a display switching operation.

  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, a control unit 17, and a display operation unit 22.

  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, and the number of balls to be used for ball lending, and accepting 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 own device state data 16a, card data 16b, and target value data 16c.

  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 target value data 16c indicates a value specified by the player for the target value of the possessed ball.

  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 a request for addition 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 balls by counting. The management shift request is received. 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, a target value setting unit 17c, and a ball adjustment unit 17d.

  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 the display operation unit 22, and selects the rate by the player. When the setting for accepting is set, 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 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 target value setting unit 17c is a processing unit that sets a target value of the possessed ball. Specifically, the target value setting unit 17c receives an input for designating a target value of a ball held by the display operation unit 13 or the like, and stores the received target value in the storage unit 16 as target value data 16c.

  Here, the input for designating the target value may be an input of an arbitrary numerical value using a numeric button or the like, or may be an input for selecting a target value from a plurality of candidate values prepared in advance. Further, the target value does not need to be a single value, and a plurality of target values can be set. Further, the input value may be set as a reference value of the target value, and all integral multiples of the reference value may be set as the target values.

  The ball-holding adjustment unit 17d is a processing unit that compares the ball-holding with a target value and adjusts the value of the ball-holding. Specifically, the ball-holding-adjustment unit 17d starts the “close ball-holding mode” based on the operation of the player, and causes the target value setting unit 17c to set the target value.

  When the target value is set, the ball adjuster 17d determines the magnitude relationship between the ball and the target value, and performs a process according to the result of the determination. The ball held for this determination is the ball held at the own rate shown in the card data 16b. The target value used for the determination is the target value indicated in the target value data 16c.

  When the ball possession exceeds the target value, the ball possession adjusting unit 17d shifts the excess ball possession to the playable number. In other words, the possessed ball adjustment unit 17d automatically executes the possessed ball replay with an irregular number of balls. When the ball-playing replay operation is performed by the player, a predetermined number of balls are transferred to the playable number, but in the ball-playing replay by the ball-adjusting unit 17d, “ball-target value” Is the number of balls in the replay of possessed balls.

  In addition, when the number of possessed balls does not reach the target value, the possessed ball adjusting unit 17d waits until the counting process is performed. Alternatively, a notification prompting the counting process is performed. Then, as a result of the counting process, if the number of possessed balls exceeds the target value, the excess possessed balls are transferred to the playable number.

  If the possessed ball matches the target value, the possessed ball adjusting unit 17d notifies the player of that fact. By performing the card return operation, the player who has received the notification can obtain a card associated with the ball held for the set value designated by the player.

  When the card is returned, the ball holding adjustment unit 17d ends the ball holding mode. In addition, when the release operation is received, the “close ball mode” is ended. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the “close ball mode” ends when the ball match the target value.

  The ball holding adjustment unit 17d deletes the target value of the card data 16b when the “close ball holding mode” ends. Alternatively, a target value setting flag indicating “valid” or “invalid” may be provided for the target value, and the target value setting flag may be set to “invalid” when the “close ball mode” ends. With this configuration, the target value can be held even after the “close ball mode” ends, and can be used as a candidate for the target value to be used in the “close ball mode” from the next time.

  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 also stores ON / OFF of a “lock” flag indicating validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the possessed ball, the accumulated 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.

  The target value data 16c shown in FIG. 5C is data in which the target value of the ball held by the target value setting unit 17c and the target value setting flag are associated with each other. FIG. 5C shows a state where the target value is “500” and the target value setting flag is “valid”.

  Next, a processing procedure of the perfect ball mode by the inter-card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the perfect ball holding mode by the inter-card processing machine 10. First, when a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of a “close ball” button) is received, the ball adjusting unit 17d starts the “close ball mode” (step S101).

  Then, the target value setting unit 17c causes the display operation unit 13 to display a screen for inputting the target value, and sets the target value based on the input by the player (step S102). The set target value is stored in the storage unit 16 as target value data 16c.

  The target value setting unit 17c performs a held ball determination process of determining the magnitude relationship between the number of held balls and the target value (step S103). As a result of the possessed ball determination processing, if the possessed ball is larger than the target value (step S104; Yes), the possessed ball adjustment unit 17d shifts the excess possessed ball to the playable number by the possessed ball payout processing (step S105). ). With this ball divesting process, the ball is equal to the target value.

  If the number of possessed balls is equal to or less than the target value (Step S104; No), the possessed ball adjustment unit 17d determines whether the number of possessed balls is less than the target value (Step S106). Here, if the possessed ball is not less than the target value, the possessed ball and the target value match.

  When the ball is not less than the target value and is equal to the target value (step S106; No), or after the ball is equal to the target value by the ball diversion processing of the excess in step S105, the ball adjustment unit 17d Notifies that the ball and the target value match (step S108). Then, it is determined whether or not a return operation has been received (step S109). If a return operation has been received (step S109; Yes), the card is returned by associating the ball with the card (step S110).

  If the number of possessed balls is less than the target value (step S106; Yes), a notification prompting a counting process is performed (step S107).

  After step S107, or when the card return operation has not been received (step S109; No), the possessed ball adjustment unit 17d determines whether a release operation has been received (step S112). If the release operation has not been received (Step S112; No), the ball-adjusting unit 17d proceeds to Step S103 and performs the ball-position determination processing. This is because if the number of possessed balls changes due to a counting process or the like, the result of the possessed ball determination process may be different from the previous time.

  If the card is returned in step S110 or a release operation is received (step S112; Yes), the ball-holding-adjustment unit 17d cancels the "close ball-holding mode" (step S111), and ends the process. In addition, the ball adjusting unit 17d deletes the target value of the card data 16b or sets the target value setting flag to "invalid" when the "close ball mode" is released.

  Next, a specific example of the operation of the ball holding mode will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the operation in the ball holding mode. FIG. 7A is a specific example of a menu screen displayed on the display operation unit 13 by the inter-card processing machine 10. On this menu screen, a “member information” button, a “holding ball information” button, a “holding ball division” button, a “fit ball holding” button, and a “return” button are displayed.

  The “member information” button is an operation button for displaying information about the member managed at the game store when the player has registered as a member at the game store. The “holding ball information” button is an operation button for displaying information about the ball holding at the current time. The “divided ball” button is an operation button for dividing the ball into a plurality of cards and associating them. The “return” button is an operation button for returning to the previous display screen.

  The “close ball” button is an operation button for starting the close ball mode. When receiving the operation on the “close ball” button, the inter-card processing machine 10 starts the “close ball mode”, and inputs an instruction to specify the target value of the ball as shown in FIG. 7B. Accept. FIG. 7B shows a state in which a numeral button, a cancel button, and a confirm button are displayed, and the operation of these buttons sets 500 balls as the target value.

  When the target value is set, the inter-card processing machine 10 determines the magnitude relationship between the number of balls and the target value, and performs a process corresponding to the determination result.

  If the ball possession is larger than the target value, the inter-card processing machine 10 executes a ball possession payout process for shifting the excess ball possession to the playable number. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7 (c1), the display operation unit 13 performs a display indicating that the ball is being paid out. In FIG. 7 (c1), a message “Paying out 250/1500” is displayed. Then, when the payout is completed, the balls held match the target value.

  If the possessed ball matches the target value, the inter-card processing machine 10 notifies the fact as shown in FIG. 7 (c2). In FIG. 7 (c2), the display “the ball held has reached the target value” is displayed. In addition to displaying the ball and the target value, a release button is displayed. In FIG. 7C2, both the possessed ball and the target value are “500”. Then, when the release button is operated, the inter-card processing machine 10 releases the ball holding mode exactly, and returns to the standby screen. When the card return operation is performed, the ball held equal to the target value is associated with the card, the card is returned, and the ball holding mode is released.

  When the number of possessed balls is less than the target value, the inter-card processing machine 10 issues a notification urging a counting process as shown in FIG. 7 (c3). In FIG. 7 (c3), "Please count the shortage" is displayed. In addition to displaying the ball and the target value, a release button is displayed. In FIG. 7C3, the possessed ball is “400” and the target value is “500”. Then, when the release button is operated, the inter-card processing machine 10 releases the ball holding mode exactly, and returns to the standby screen. In addition, when the counting operation is performed, the number of possessed balls is added, so the magnitude relationship between the number of possessed balls and the target value is determined again, and a process corresponding to the determination result is performed.

  In the above description, the case where the possessed ball is adjusted to the desired value of the player has been described. However, it is also possible to adjust the accumulated ball to the desired value of the player. In addition, when the number of playable balls falls below the designated number of balls, it can be combined with an automatic payout that automatically shifts the number of balls and the number of stored balls to the number of playable balls.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of adjustment and automatic payout of accumulated coins. FIG. 8A shows the setting of automatic payout. First, when the operation of the “automatic payout” button is received in the menu displayed on the display operation unit 13, the inter-card processing machine 10 receives the selection of “holding ball” or “storage ball”. Here, if the ball is selected, the inter-card processing machine 10 automatically pays out the ball at its own rate. On the other hand, if the coins are selected, the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the setting of the rate used for the automatic payout and automatically pays out the coins at the set rate. In FIG. 8A, since “4 yen” is selected from “4 yen”, “2 yen”, and “1 yen”, automatic payout is performed from the accumulated coins at this rate.

  FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of adjustment of the ball storage. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the selection of “suggested ball setting” in a menu displayed on the display operation unit 13 and sets the number of balls to be left for the ball at each rate. I have. Specifically, a setting is made to leave 1,000 4-yen coins and 2,000 2-yen coins, and the number of remaining one-yen coins is not set.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, when the number of coins set in the automatic payout reaches the set number of balls, the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts a selection of a rate to be used next for automatic payout. In Fig. 8 (c), the message "4 yen coins have become 1000 coins remaining. Please select the rate to use next." Is displayed, and either one of 2 yen coins or 1 yen coins is selected. It is possible.

  As described above, by performing the automatic payout, the adjustment of the ball holding, and the adjustment of the ball storage, the convenience for the player can be improved. In FIG. 8, the confirmation screen is displayed after the number of stored coins reaches the number set by the automatic payout. However, a configuration may be used in which the use order of the stored coins is set in advance and the used coins are automatically switched. You may be comprised so that the use object of automatic payment can be switched between a possession ball and a ball storage.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the inter-card processing machine 10 is installed in association with the enclosed gaming machine 20 and stores a game ball acquired by a player through a game as a ball, Is set, and if the number of possessed balls exceeds the target value, the excess possessed balls can be transferred to the playable number of the gaming machine 20. Therefore, the player can adjust the ball possession to a desired value only by setting a desired target value.

  Not only at the time of setting the target value, but also when the ball possession exceeds the target value by counting, the excess ball possession can be shifted to the number of playable games of the gaming machine 20. Therefore, when the number of possessed balls is less than the target value, the inter-card processing machine 10 waits until the counting process is performed. Alternatively, a notification for prompting the counting process is executed.

  In addition, the inter-card processing machine 10 cancels the setting of the target value when a predetermined canceling operation is received or when a ball is ejected in association with a card. In addition, it is also possible to cancel the setting of the target value when the possessed ball matches the target value.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, when the counting process is performed, the case where the number of balls is increased until the target value is exceeded and then the excess is returned to the playable number by the ball discharging process, however, the counting process is performed in the counting process. The counting process may be stopped when the ball reaches the target value.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the target value is designated by a numerical value is illustrated, but the target value may be selectable from candidates. The candidate for the target value may be determined based on the actual use by the player, or may be a value that is easy to use for exchange for a prize.

  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.

  As described above, the respective stand devices and the game medium number management method according to the present invention are suitable for adjusting the number of game media held to a desired value of a player by a simple operation.

10 Card processing machine between 11 11 Status display section 12 Bill transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13, 22 Display operation section 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding section 15 Communication section 16 Storage section 16a Own device state data 16b Card data 16c Target Value data 17 control unit 17a data management unit 17b game setting processing unit 17c target value setting unit 17d ball adjustment unit 18 game management unit 18a authentication processing unit 18b authentication key management unit 18c gaming machine state management unit 20 gaming machine 21 handle 23 counting 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

Claims (7)

A gaming machine that is installed in association with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium encapsulated therein and performs processing related to the game medium,
A number-of-gaming-medium storage unit that stores the number of gaming media obtained by a player as a number of gaming media,
A target value setting unit that sets a target value of the number of held game media,
When the number of portable game media stored in the number-of-portable-medium storage unit exceeds the target value, the excess number of carried game media is transferred to the number of gaming machine management media, which is the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine. And an adjusting unit for controlling the number of game media.   The number-of-gaming-mediums adjusting unit performs a counting process of shifting the number of gaming machine management media to the number of gaming media. As a result, when the number of gaming media exceeds the target value, the excess gaming medium is adjusted. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of gaming media is shifted to the number of gaming machine management media.   3. The number-of-gaming-mediums adjustment unit, when the number of gaming media stored in the number-of-gaming-medium storage unit is less than the target value, waits until the counting process is performed. Each device described in.   The said game media number adjustment part performs information which prompts the said count process, when the number of the game media which the said game media storage part memorize | stores is less than the said target value. Each device described in.   The said holding | maintenance game medium adjustment part cancels | releases the setting of the said target value, when a predetermined release operation is received or the said number of holding | maintenance game media is discharged | emitted in connection with the predetermined | prescribed storage medium. Each apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4.   The said game media number adjustment part cancels the setting of the said target value, when the number of the game media which the said game media storage number storage part matches with the said target value is characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. Each apparatus according to any one of 4. A method of managing the number of game media by each device that is installed in association with a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein and performs a process related to the game medium,
A number-of-held-gaming-mediums storing step of storing the number of gaming media acquired by a player as a number of gaming media in a number-of-gaming-medium storage unit;
A target value setting step of setting a target value of the number of held game media;
When the number of portable game media stored in the number-of-portable-medium storage unit exceeds the target value, the excess number of carried game media is transferred to the number of gaming machine management media, which is the number of gaming media managed by the gaming machine. Adjusting the number of game media to be carried out.

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