JP2021040875A - Each game device and game medium count management method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve convenience when an enclosed-type game machine is used.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 monitors a game possible count during game. If the game possible count reaches a threshold value or more, a counting induction display and operation restriction are made. The counting induction display is a notification output for inducing a game player to count by displaying such a message as "game balls are many. So, please count them". Meanwhile, the operation restriction inhibits operation (ball rent, owned ball re-play, stored ball re-play) for increasing the game possible count. If the game possible count is reduced to be less a threshold value by the counting, the counting induction display and the operation restriction are released to thereby return the game into a normal game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a device for each machine that is installed in association with a game machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed inside and performs processing related to the game medium, and a method for managing the number of game media.

Conventionally, game stores have provided games with a game medium intervening. For example, in pachinko games, a game ball is used as a game medium, and the game ball is driven into the game board surface to play a game. A plurality of winning areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are given as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls through the winning areas. 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 prizes.

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

In addition, recently, the problem of balls brought in from other stores and balls brought in between different lending rates has become apparent, and therefore, enclosed game machines that do not generate such brought-in balls are attracting attention. The enclosed game machine has a structure in which the player does not touch the game medium, and the number of launchable game media (hereinafter referred to as the playable number) is managed as data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .).

In each device attached to such an enclosed game machine, the number of game media is transmitted to the game machine as data, instead of controlling the actual game medium to be paid out by the own device or the game machine. Become. Further, at the end of the game, each device acquires the number of games that can be played from the game machine and adds it to the number of game media that can be played. The operation of each device acquiring the number of games that can be played from the game machine and adding it to the possession game medium corresponds to the operation of counting the game media. Therefore, hereinafter, the operation is referred to as a counting operation in the present specification.

JP-A-2002-233635

However, in the conventional technique, there is a case that the length of time required for acquiring the playable number from the game machine and adding it to the possession game medium becomes a problem. Specifically, it takes 300 ms to add the playable number of 250 balls to the number of game media, and if the playable number is 10,000 balls, it takes 12 seconds.

In a game machine in which the actual game medium is paid out, it is easy for the player to recognize that the number of game media has increased, and the counting is performed naturally. However, in the enclosed game machine, it is difficult for the player to notice that the number of games that can be played has increased, and it is conceivable that the number of games that can be counted at one time increases. Therefore, the length of time required for counting becomes a problem. In particular, if a large number of counts occur on a plurality of gaming machines just before the store closes, the waiting time of the players increases, which hinders the smooth operation of the store.

For this reason, it has been an important issue to improve the convenience of the player by appropriately counting the number of possible games.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides each device and a method for managing the number of game media, which can improve convenience when using an enclosed game machine. The purpose.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is installed in association with a game machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed inside, and each device that performs processing related to the game medium. A value management means for managing the value of the game medium, a game machine management medium number acquisition means for acquiring the number of game machine management media which is the number of game media managed by the game machine, and the game machine management medium. It is characterized in that it is provided with a notification control means for controlling a notification for urging a transition operation for shifting the number of game machine management media to the value according to the number.

Further, in the present invention, the notification control means is characterized in that when the number of game machine management media exceeds a predetermined threshold value, notification for prompting the transition operation is performed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the predetermined threshold value is changed according to the time of day.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the predetermined threshold value is changed according to the type of player.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the notification control means provides a waiting time from the notification for prompting the transition operation to the next notification for prompting the transition operation.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the operation limiting means for limiting the operation of increasing the number of the game machine management media according to the number of the game machine management media is further provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold value that the operation limiting means compares with the number of game machine management media is larger than the threshold value that the notification control means compares with the number of game machine management media. ..

Further, the present invention is a method for managing the number of game media by each device that is installed in association with a game machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed inside and performs processing related to the game medium. The value management step for managing the value related to the game medium, the game machine management medium number acquisition step for acquiring the number of game machine management media which is the number of game media managed by the game machine, and the game machine management medium number according to the game machine management medium. It is characterized by including a notification control step that controls a notification that prompts a transition operation for shifting the number of game machine management media to the value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience when using an enclosed game machine.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of each stand device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine and the game machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the inter-table card processing machine and the game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-unit card processor. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the threshold value. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of automatic payout at the time of card insertion.

Hereinafter, preferred examples of the device for each unit and the method for managing the number of game media according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present specification, the possession ball is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and may be re-used for the game only during the day (time before the store closes). Say what you can do. The stored balls are data indicating the game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game from the next day onward (time after the store is closed). The possession ball can be used by both general players and member players, and is used when the game machine used for the game is changed (so-called table movement). The ball storage is usually available only to member players, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for games on the next day or later. A predetermined fee may be charged for the use of the stored balls.

First, the concept of each device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of each stand device according to this embodiment. A plurality of game machines 20 are installed in the game store, and each game machine 20 is provided with a machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 which is a device for each machine.

The game machine 20 is an enclosed game machine having a structure in which the player does not touch the game ball, which is a game medium, and manages the number of game balls that can be fired as the gameable number. A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface of the game machine 20, and the game balls fired on the game board surface by the handle operation fall between the obstacle nails and win a prize at the winning opening and the starting opening. Or, it is discharged to the outside of the game board from the out port of the game board without winning a prize. The game ball discharged from the game board surface is transported inside the game machine 20 and used for firing again.

The machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 is a device for each machine that executes processing such as receiving payment and lending game balls. The game balls are lent out by adding the number of game machines that can be played, instead of paying out the game balls in kind. Similarly, when the player performs the ball holding replay operation, the table-to-table card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number of balls and adds a predetermined number to the playable number. Further, the inter-table card processing machine 10 can count the game balls by shifting the number of playable balls managed by the game machine 20 to the possession balls managed by the own device.

Further, the inter-table card processor 10 monitors the number of possible games during the game, and if the number of possible games exceeds the threshold value, the counting promotion display and the operation restriction are performed. The counting promotion display is a notification output that prompts the player to count by displaying a message such as "There are many game balls. Please count." In addition, the "game ball" in this message indicates the number of playable balls, not the actual game ball. In addition, the operation restriction prohibits operations (ball lending, ball replay, ball storage replay) that increase the number of games that can be played. When the number of games that can be played becomes smaller than the threshold value by counting, the counting promotion display and the operation restriction are released, and the game returns to the normal game.

In this way, the inter-table card processing machine 10 manages the balls and the like as the value related to the game balls, and prompts the counting according to the number of gameable machines, which is the number of game machine management media managed by the enclosed game machine 20. To control. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for one counting by appropriately executing the counting, and improve the convenience of the player.

Next, the system configuration of the game store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. As shown in FIG. 2, in the game store, a plurality of game machines 20 and an inter-table card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each game machine 20 are installed. The inter-unit card processor 10 connects to a communication line, which is a network in the store, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

The game machine 20 is a device for playing a game by driving a game ball enclosed inside the device into a game board surface. A plurality of prize areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface of the game machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are given as prize balls based on the fact that the game balls have passed through the prize areas. It has become. Further, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big hit, the operation of a predetermined movable member or the like will perform an operation that is advantageous in terms of the game, such as improving the probability of passing the game ball to the above-mentioned winning area or another starting area. It is also possible to provide an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

In the above-mentioned winning area, a winning sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball to the winning area is provided, and the passing (winning) of the game ball driven into the winning area by this winning sensor is detected. It has become. Further, the control unit of the game machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be given as prize balls for each winning area, and a gameable number memory indicating the number of balls that can be thrown by the player. There is.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects that the driven game ball has passed through the specific winning area, the game machine 20 should give the game ball based on the stored contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area. The number of prize balls can be determined, and the determined number of prize balls can be paid out.

In the enclosed game machine 20, the payout process of the number of prize balls is performed by adding the number of prize balls to the number of playable numbers stored in the playable number memory and updating the stored contents. In addition, when the number of playable numbers is transferred as the number of balls held by the inter-vehicle card processor 10, the number of playable numbers stored in the playable number memory is notified to the inter-vehicle card processor 10 so that the number of playable numbers can be played. To zero. Further, when the notification of the addition of the playable number by the ball lending operation or the like is received from the inter-unit card processor 10, the notified number of balls is added to the playable number to update the stored contents.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts payments, lends game balls, communicates with the card management device 40, and communicates with the game machine 20. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the bills inserted by the player, it transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the bills to the card management device 40, and the amount is set to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add the numbers according to. Then, when the predetermined ball lending operation is performed, the 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 played. Performs ball payout processing.

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

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card insertion, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls. Then, when the number of balls held is stored, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the ball holding request data to the card management device 40 to reduce the number of balls held by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

Further, when the platform card processor 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls stored in its own device, and pays out the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of balls. Do. Further, when the inter-unit card processor 10 receives the ball storage replay operation, the table-to-vehicle card processing machine 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40 to subtract a predetermined number from the number of balls stored managed by the member management device 50. Then, the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls is paid out. The payout process of the game balls based on the replay of the possessed balls and the replay of the stored balls is also performed by notifying the game machine 20 of the corresponding number and adding it to the playable number.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding ball addition request data including the number of balls held by the own device to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 holds the balls. After adding the numbers, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control the ejection of the cards.

Further, the inter-table card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a game machine ID from the game machine 20 and authenticating the game machine 20 by using the acquired game machine ID and an authentication key received from the card management device 40. Have. This authentication is performed at the time of opening the store, and the game 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 game machines 20 and an inter-unit card processing machine 10 provided on the game island.

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

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball holding ball subtraction request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 sets the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls managed by the card management device 40. to add.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and converts the ball lending permission data into the inter-unit card processing machine 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, and when the member management device 50 outputs the ball storage replay data, the ball storage replay data is transferred to the machine. It is transmitted to the card processor 10.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives 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 settlement machine 80, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the settlement machine 80.

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

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

When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 uses the stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the password associated with the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. It is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10. Further, when the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID shown in the ball storage replay request data. The stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. The communication between the inter-unit card processor 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

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

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes attached to a prize exchange counter in the game store, and performs a prize exchange process for exchanging acquired balls, the number of stored balls, and the number of balls held for 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 prizes. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the general card or the membership card (or when the identification data corresponding to the card ID is read from the mobile terminal or the like), the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40. The number of balls possessed by the card ID is requested. When exchanging the number of stored balls for prizes, the member management device 50 is requested to store the number of stored balls.

When the card 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 acquire the prepaid value associated with the card. Then, the money is paid out according to the acquired prepaid value.

Next, the ball lending process of the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the platform card processor 10, the platform card processor 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 in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data.

When the card management device 40 receives 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-unit card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

Next, the ball holding replay process when the holding ball is replayed by the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processor 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it 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 in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

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

The inter-unit card processor 10 stores the number of balls held from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, the data for specifying the rate, and the ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of balls held is cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. When the card management device 40 receives the ball subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held at each rate specified by the card ID to zero. Further, when the platform card processor 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation and performs the holding ball replay, the platform card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of holding balls and performs a payout process of the corresponding number of game balls. .. Here, the inter-vehicle card processor 10 is allowed to replay the balls using the number of balls other than the rate of the own machine when the number of balls held other than the rate of the own machine exists. If it is set, the number of balls held other than the rate of the player can be converted into the number of balls held at the rate of the player and the ball can be replayed according to the operation of the player. Here, assuming that the unit price per game medium of another rate is A and the unit price of the own machine's rate is B, X x (A / B) payout processing is performed by subtracting X balls of other rates. It can be performed.

The inter-unit card processor 10 transfers the management by using the number of playable numbers of the inter-unit card processor 10 as the possession of the inter-unit card processor 10. When the management transition request data is received from the game machine 20, the management shift The number of games that can be played shown in the request data is added to the number of balls held by the own device. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-unit card processor 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, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls held at each rate. ..

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the possession 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, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls held at each rate. ..

When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the card ejection notification data to the card management device 40.

Next, the ball storage replay process in the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processor 10 reads the card ID from the membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as the membership card, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-unit card processor 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 has a password associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data. Then, the stored ball replay data including the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. The number of possible ball storage replays indicates the number of times the ball storage replay can be performed, and corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of game ball payout units in the ball storage replay. However, if an upper limit is set for ball storage replay, the number of ball storage replays that can be replayed is limited by this upper limit.

The inter-vehicle card processor 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and can accept the ball storage replay operation when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the ball storage replay data is 1 or more.

When the inter-vehicle card processor 10 first accepts the ball storage replay operation after storing the ball storage replay data, the player is requested to input a password, and the entered password is the ball storage replay data. It is determined whether or not it matches the password shown in.

When the passwords match, the inter-vehicle card processor 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40. The ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the source, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing. Includes data for identifying the rate of the machine 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the ball storage replay request data. Then, recalculate the possible number of ball storage replays. Then, the stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10.

The inter-vehicle card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls to be stored, and performs a processing of paying out the number of game balls corresponding to the number of payout units of the stored ball replay. Here, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is set so that the number of stored balls other than the rate of the own machine exists, and the replay of the stored balls using the number of stored balls other than the rate of the own machine is permitted. If this is the case, as in the case of replaying the ball, the number of balls stored other than the rate of the player can be converted to the number of balls stored at the rate of the player and the ball can be replayed according to the operation of the player. it can. Further, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 determines whether or not the number of possible number of replays of stored balls after the update is 1 or more after the payout process. If the number of possible ball storage replays is 0, the ball storage replay operation cannot be accepted. If the number of possible ball storage replays after the update is 1 or more, the ball storage replay operation can be accepted again. It is not necessary to confirm the PIN for the second and subsequent replays of the stored balls. The personal identification number may be confirmed every time. Further, although the case where the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls and then the inter-unit card processing machine 10 performs the game ball payout process is illustrated here, the game ball payout process is performed based on the stored ball replay request. After that, the balance of the stored balls may be subtracted. This is because the number of possible ball storage replays is shown in the ball storage replay data before the ball storage replay request, and the balance shortage is not found after the ball storage replay request is accepted.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the number of balls held in the card management data at the time of closing the store, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls held larger than zero, the card management device 40 displays 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 from the card management device 40 to the number of stored balls specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero.

Next, the appearances of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the game machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the game machine 20. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the inter-table card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes, a unit for accepting coins can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-table card processing machine 10 has 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 holding unit 14b.

The status display unit 11 displays the status of the device of the inter-unit card processor 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 accepts the display of operation buttons such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display and the input operation by the operation buttons.

The card insertion slot 14a is a card insertion slot owned by the player. The holding unit 14b is a portion for holding the mobile terminal used for membership registration, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal.

Although the display operation unit 22 is a display device such as a touch panel display and is located in front of the game machine 20, the input / output of the display operation unit 22 is controlled by the inter-table card processing machine 10. The display operation unit 22 is used for displaying various information such as the balance of the balls held, receiving various operations such as a display switching operation, and the like.

The game machine 20 is provided with a game board surface, a handle 21 used for throwing the enclosed game ball onto the game board surface, and a counting button 23.

The counting button 23 subtracts the playable number of the game machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-unit card processing machine 10, so that the number of balls that can be thrown is managed from the game machine 20 to the inter-unit. This is an operation button for performing a management shift to shift to the card processing machine 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-unit card processing machine 10 counts the paid-out game balls and adds them to the possessed balls in the open-type game machine in which the actual game balls are paid out by winning a prize.

Next, the configurations of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the game machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the game machine 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-table card processor 10 includes a bill carrier unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14b, a communication unit 15, a game management unit 18, and a storage unit. It has 16, a control unit 17, and a display operation unit 22.

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

The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads a card ID from a card inserted in 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 possessed by the player. It is used for replaying the number of stored balls. Further, the reader / writer 14 has a function of associating a card stored in the card storage unit with a valuable value such as a possession ball or a prepaid value shown in the card data 16b and issuing it as a new card according to the return operation of the player. Also has. 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, the card is controlled not to be returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control for preventing a game store from losing money due to the discarding of a card associated with a small amount of balls. As a fixed number, for example, the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls held by the lending unit price per ball can be set to be the card price or the lowest price prize in the game store, but the game is not limited to this. It can be set freely according to the store policy. In addition, when controlling so that the card is not returned even if there is a return operation, it is possible to send the stored balls to the game machine 20 as the number of games that can be played, but the fact that the card cannot be returned and the balls A display prompting 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, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores the own device state data 16a and the card data 16b.

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

The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possession 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 transfer. Further, even when a card is conveyed from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transfer.

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

The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the game 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 game machine 20. Even if the authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the game machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, but after a predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication. Does not transmit the operation permission to the game machine 20 and prohibits the use of the game machine 20. The authentication processing unit 18a transmits an authentication result such as success or failure of the authentication to the card management device 40, and appropriately controls the display on the display operation unit 13.

The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. The usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the game machine 20 reaches the usage 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 energizing time of the substrate on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the game 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 game machine state management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the game machine 20 and manages the state of the game machine 20. Specifically, the game machine state management unit 18c acquires the game machine ID from the game machine 20, sends a request for addition to the playable number by ball lending, and changes the ball from the ball to the playable number by replaying the ball. Sending a management transition request, sending a request to add to the number of playable balls by replaying stored balls, receiving game results such as the number of balls hit and the number of prizes paid out in the game machine 20, and counting the number of playable balls to the possessed balls Receive the management transition request. Further, the game machine state management unit 18c periodically acquires the number of game machines 20 that can be played as a reference value. The number of playable numbers acquired by the game machine state management unit 18c can be displayed and controlled by the display operation unit 13 and the like. The communication between the inter-unit card processing machine 10 and the game machine 20 may be performed by cryptographic communication using a predetermined encryption method.

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

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire unit-to-table card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game setting processing unit 17b, a notification control unit 17c, and an operation restriction unit 17d.

When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits the 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. Further, when the data management unit 17a receives data including valuable value (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received valuable value. .. The data management unit 17a appropriately displays and controls the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls shown in the card data 16b on the display operation unit 13.

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

Further, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball lending request data including the card ID and the device ID to the card management device 40 when the ball lending operation is performed by the player. When the 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 game machine 20. Perform the payout process at.

Further, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls held in the card data 16b when the player performs a ball holding replay operation, and sets the corresponding number of balls in the game of the game machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the game management unit 18 to add to the possible number.

Further, when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a can display the ball storage replay button on the display operation unit 13 and accept the ball storage replay operation. And. When the player performs the ball storage replay operation, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball storage replay request data including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When the ball storage replay data is received as a response to the ball storage replay request data, the game is performed so that the number of balls stored in the card data 16b is updated and the number of payout units for the ball storage replay is added to the playable number of the game machine 20. The payout process is performed by instructing the management unit 18. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, the input of the password is requested, and the ball storage replay request data is transmitted on condition that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

Further, when the game management unit 18 receives the game ball transfer request from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed to the game management unit 18 to the balls held by the card data 16b. Update.

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

In this way, the data management unit 17a realizes a function as a value management means for managing the value of the game medium.

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 to the display operation unit 13 or the display operation unit 22, and the player selects the rate. When the setting is set to accept, the 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 according to the game type corresponding to the selected rate. On the other hand, if the player is not set to accept the rate selection, the selectable rate is not displayed during the game. In this case, the selectable rate is displayed on condition that the remote control operation by the employee is accepted and the authentication is performed. When the employee selects a rate, the game setting processing unit 17b updates the game setting of the own device state data 16a according to the game type corresponding to the selected rate. Further, in this case, when there is a signal instructing the selection of the game type from a higher-level device such as the card management device 40, the own device state data 16a is performed according to the instructed game type without displaying the selectable rate. Update the game settings of.

The notification control unit 17c controls a notification that prompts a counting operation for shifting the gameable number to a ball according to the gameable number acquired by the game machine state management unit 18c. Specifically, the notification control unit 17c notifies the player by displaying a message prompting the counting operation on the display operation unit 13 when the number of games that can be played exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

The threshold value used by the notification control unit 17c for comparison with the playable number is referred to as a counting promotion threshold value for convenience. The counting promotion threshold value may be different depending on the time. The closer to closing the store, the smaller the counting promotion threshold. Further, the counting promotion threshold value may be different depending on the type of player. For member players, the member players are given preferential treatment by using a counting promotion display that is smaller than that of general players.

Here, if the notification prompting the counting operation is repeatedly output at short intervals, the player feels annoyed and the effect of the notification is reduced. Therefore, the notification control unit 17c suppresses the next notification until a predetermined waiting time elapses after the notification for prompting the counting is performed. Further, the notification control unit 17c waits for a comparison with the threshold value during the process of increasing the number of games that can be played, that is, during the payout, and executes the comparison with the threshold value after the payout is completed.

The operation limiting unit 17d limits the operation of increasing the playable number according to the playable number acquired by the game machine state management unit 18c. Specifically, the notification control unit 17c prohibits ball lending, ball replay, and ball storage replay.

The threshold value used by the operation limiting unit 17d for comparison with the number of games that can be played is referred to as an operation limiting threshold for convenience. The operation limit threshold value may be the same as the counting promotion threshold value, but is preferably a value larger than the counting promotion threshold value. Further, the operation limit threshold value can be made different according to the time and the type of the player, similarly to the counting promotion threshold value.

Next, the internal configuration of the game machine 20 will be described. The game 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-unit card processor 10. For communication with the inter-unit card processor 10, encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method may be used.

When the game machine 20 is started, 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, confirms whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate. , The communication with the inter-unit card processor 10 is established and the standby state is established. When the operation permission is received from the inter-table card processor 10 in the standby state, the effect control unit 25, the game control unit 26, and the game ball control unit 27 are activated to enable the game.

The game control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the game by the game machine 20. Specifically, the game control unit 26 controls the launch of the game ball to the game board surface by detecting the handle operation, detects the game ball that has entered the winning opening on the game board surface, and the random number (0 to 0) by the game ball that has entered the starting port. Among the random number values of 65535, acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of acquisition and lottery (special symbols and ordinary symbols) of big hits, small hits, and outliers assigned to each predetermined range, movable members (tulips, etc.) provided on the game board surface ), Display control of the special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of abnormalities that may be fraudulent (the front frame is open, vibration detected, etc.), and notification to the higher-level device.

A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and the game ball fired on the game board surface by operating the handle falls between the obstacle nails and wins a prize at the winning opening and the starting opening, or wins a prize. It is discharged to the outside of the game board from the out port of the game board without. A lottery is held when a game ball wins a prize at the start opening, and when a big hit occurs, a big hit game is performed in which a predetermined winning opening on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and the winning opening is won. By making it easier, a prize ball is given to the player.

Further, the jackpot includes a jackpot game with a privilege that grants a predetermined privilege game to the player after the jackpot game is completed. The jackpot game with benefits includes a probability fluctuation jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability-variable jackpot and the time-saving jackpot grant the probability-variable game and the time-saving game as privilege games after the jackpot, respectively. In the time-saving game, the variable time (from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal symbol lottery (the above-mentioned opening and closing lottery of the movable member) and / or the special symbol lottery (the above-mentioned big hit lottery by winning the game ball) By shortening the time), the number of lottery per unit time is increased, and the probability of winning a big hit per unit time is increased. This privilege game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the winning probability of the normal symbol. The time-saving game by the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lottery of the special symbol lottery is performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. The probability fluctuation game will be described later.

The game control unit 26 has a probability variation function. The probability fluctuation function controls to change (generally about 10 times) the random number range of the big hit to be used for the next lottery when the lottery result falls within a particularly defined random number range among the big hits. It is a function. In the probability fluctuation game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the changed probability. The probability fluctuation game will continue until the next big hit. Further, the probability variation game and the time saving game may be given at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected damage to the game store, if the player acquires a certain game medium after the start of the probability fluctuation game or the time-saving game, it will be stopped (the card will be ejected once and the prize will be exchanged or the table will be moved. It may be a process. In this case, the game machine 20 counts the number of game media acquired after the probability-variable game state is reached, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, game stop control such as stopping the firing of the game ball is performed. It can be realized by.

The effect control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the effect during the game, and has an effect symbol lottery unit 25a and an effect lottery unit 25b. The effect symbol lottery unit 25a is a lottery (specifically, the display is final) of the effect symbols (designs to be displayed by the effect symbol display device such as the display device on the game board surface) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 26. Whether to stop at 7, 7, 7 etc.).

The effect lottery unit 25b performs a lottery of the type of effect (such as when a character comes out to perform a reach effect) before displaying the lottery result based on the effect symbol. Such an effect is set so that the effect selected for the main lottery result is different.

The effect control unit 25 stores the effect data of each effect. Further, the effect control unit 25 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and when the effect is executed, the effect data is superimposed on the background symbol data to display the effect. In addition, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from the normal state is set.

The game ball control unit 27 is a control unit that controls the number of games that can be played. Specifically, the playable number is stored in the playable number memory 27a, the playable number is subtracted by "1" each time the game ball is fired, and the number of prize balls given by winning is added to the playable number. .. When the number of balls is notified by the inter-unit card processor 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of playable balls stored in the playable number memory 27a, and the inter-unit card processor 10 is notified. A confirmation signal indicating that the number has been added to the number of games that can be played is transmitted. In addition, the game ball control unit 27 can also perform cleaning control of the game ball (circulating ball) enclosed in the game machine 20.

Further, the game ball control unit 27 periodically transmits the gameable number stored in the gameable number memory 27a to the inter-table card processor 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 27 does not clear the contents of the gameable number memory 27a to zero, keeps updating the gameable number depending on the game state, and at the time of data acquisition to the inter-machine card processor 10. Send the number of games that can be played.

Further, the game machine 20 is provided with a counting button 23, and a signal indicating that the counting button 23 is 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 period from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, a fixed number of games (for example, 100 balls per operation) can be played. A management transition request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10 together with the data of. Then, the number of balls that has been transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of playable balls. Further, 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 detection signal is raised, a fixed number of the detection signal is raised every time the detection signal is raised for a certain period of time (for example, per 5 seconds). A management shift request is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10 together with the data on the number of playable numbers (200 balls). Then, the number of balls that has been transferred to the management of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of playable balls. When subtracting from the number of games that can be played, a method of decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in the memory, or updating the value stored in the memory with the value after subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before subtraction. A method of deleting and invalidating the value can be considered, but the value 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 configured 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 each have a unique ID. The game machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the game machine ID.

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

The own device state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A shows a state in which the device ID of the stand-to-stand card processor 10 is "3001" and "ball 3" is set as the game type of the stand-to-stand card processor 10. Shown.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B shows a state in which the ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "2002". Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card whose first digit is "1" is a general card, and the card whose first digit is "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. Further, in the card data 16b, the number of balls held by ball 1 is "0 balls", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "0 balls", the number of balls held by ball 3 is "875 balls", and the number of balls held by balls 4 is "0 balls". It shows the state of "500 balls".

Further, in the card data 16b, the password for replaying the stored balls is "7777", the number of replayable balls is "1", the number of stored balls 1 is "250", and the number of balls 2 is 2. It shows a state in which the number of stored balls is "0 balls", the number of stored balls of balls 3 is "50 balls", and the number of stored balls of balls 4 is "0 balls". Further, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores ON / OFF of the "lock" flag indicating the validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the possessed ball, the stored ball, and the prepaid value in association with the card ID. , When the theft of the card is discovered, it is turned on by the employee operation. These data are also included in the card data 16b and stored. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of stored balls", "boarding", etc.). For example, only the "boarding" function is subject to "locking" at the request of the player. It can also be used to prevent erroneous operation.

Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 includes a display unit 41, an input unit 42, an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

The display unit 41 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the amusement store. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 80 via a communication line in the game store.

The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, and device management data 45c.

The game type setting data 45a is data in which the lending rate and the display name are associated with the game type. The card management data 45b is data in which the prepaid value, the number of balls held in each game type, and the destination device ID indicating the device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted are associated with the card ID. is there. The device management data 45c is data related to the device placed in the game store. The device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-unit card processor, the address of the inter-unit card processor 10, the installation location, the game machine ID of the attached game machine, and model data.

The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, and a game restriction setting unit 46d. Actually, the program corresponding to these functional units is stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed to execute the game type setting management unit. The processes corresponding to the 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, and the game restriction setting unit 46d are executed.

The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages the game type used in the game store, the rate, and the display name as the game type setting data 45a in association with each other.

The card management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46b receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b also notifies the card insertion notification of the destination device ID of the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. The device ID shown in the data. In addition, the prepaid value associated with the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held at each rate are notified to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as value data. If the inserted card is a membership card, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the member management device. When the card management unit 46b receives the ball subtraction request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b clears the number of balls held at the rate indicated in the ball subtraction request data to zero.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball lending request data including the card ID from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, it determines whether or not the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. .. When the prepaid value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the predetermined value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b, and includes the prepaid value updated in the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send the ball lending permission data. On the other hand, when the prepaid value is less than a predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-unit card processor 10 of the ball lending non-profit data.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the payment notification data including the amount of money, the card ID and the device ID inserted from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b notifies the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the payment. Add the prepaid value for the amount shown in.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b transfers the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. Further, the response data from the member management device 50 to the ball storage replay request data is also transferred to the inter-unit card processor 10.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball addition request data, the card management unit 46b adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls held at the corresponding rate. Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ejection notification data, the card management unit 46b erases the user device ID of the card ID.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management unit 46b notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ID from the payment machine 80, the card management unit 46b notifies the payment machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID.

The device management unit 46c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45c. The device management unit 46c generates and updates the device management data 45c based on the device ID acquired from the machine-to-table card processor 10, the address of the machine-to-machine card processor 10, the installation location, and the game machine ID.

The game restriction setting unit 46d determines the counting promotion threshold value, the content of the notification for promoting counting, the operation restriction threshold value, and the content of the operation restriction, and performs a process of notifying the plurality of inter-machine card processing machines 10 in the game store.

Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40.

The game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 7A associates the game type name “ball 1” with the rate “4 yen” and the display name “4 pachinko”. Further, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachinko". Further, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachinko".

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "1001" has a prepaid value "2500", the number of balls held by ball 1 is "1500", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "2300", and the number of balls 3 is 3. Is associated with the number of balls "0". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and the holding balls are managed by the card management device 40.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "1002" is associated with the prepaid value "500", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3004". That is, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3004", and the number of balls held is transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "2002" is associated with the prepaid value "2000", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3001". That is, the card with the card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the jade is transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

In the device management data 45c shown in FIG. 7 (c), the address on the network of the inter-unit card processor 10 with the ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", and the installation location is "Island 1-1". , The ID of the connected game machine 20 is "P001", the game type is "ball 3", and the model of the connected game machine 20 is "EV01". It also shows that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

Next, a specific example of the threshold value will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the threshold value. In FIG. 8, the counting promotion threshold for general players at the time “opening to 1 hour before closing” is set to “5000” and the operation limiting threshold is set to “7000”. In addition, the counting promotion threshold for member players at the time "opening to 1 hour before closing" is set to "7000", and the operation limiting threshold is set to "9000".

Similarly, the counting promotion threshold for general players at the time "1 hour before closing to 30 minutes before closing" is set to "3000", and the operation limit threshold is set to "5000". In addition, the counting promotion threshold for member players at the time "opening to 1 hour before closing" is set to "5000", and the operation limiting threshold is set to "8000".

Similarly, the counting promotion threshold for general players at the time "1 hour before closing to 30 minutes before closing" is set to "0", and the operation limit threshold is set to "1000". In addition, the counting promotion threshold for member players at the time "opening to 1 hour before closing" is set to "1000", and the operation limiting threshold is set to "3000".

Next, the processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. First, the game machine state management unit 18c of the inter-table card processing machine 10 acquires the number of games that can be played from the game machine 20 (step S101).

The notification control unit 17c and the operation restriction unit 17d select a threshold value based on the time and the type of player (step S102). The operation restriction unit 17d compares the selected operation restriction threshold value with the number of games that can be played (step S103).

If the number of games that can be played is equal to or greater than the operation limit threshold value (step S103; Yes), the operation limit unit 17d executes the operation limit (step S104). If the playable number does not meet the operation limit threshold (step S103; No), the notification control unit 17c compares the selected counting promotion threshold with the playable number (step S105).

After step S104, or when the number of playable numbers is equal to or greater than the counting promotion threshold value (step S105; Yes), the notification control unit 17c displays a message prompting a counting operation when the number of playable numbers exceeds a predetermined threshold value. By displaying the display on the thirteenth, the player is notified (step S106).

After step S106, the notification control unit 17c determines whether or not a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the previous display (step S107), and if the waiting time has not elapsed (step S107; No), step S107. repeat.

When the waiting time has elapsed (step S107; Yes), or when the number of games that can be played does not reach the counting promotion threshold (step S105; No), is the notification control unit 17c in the process of increasing the number of games that can be played? Whether or not it is being paid out, that is, whether or not it is being paid out is determined (step S108). Then, if the payout is in progress (step S108; Yes), the process returns to step S108 to wait for the end of the payout.

If it is not being paid out (step S108; No), the notification control unit 17c determines the end of the game (step S109). If the game is not completed (step S109; No), the process proceeds to step S101, and when the game is completed (step S109; Yes), the process ends.

Next, automatic payout at the time of card insertion will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of automatic payout at the time of card insertion. When a card is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 to start a game, if there are balls or stored balls, the balls or stored balls are often used in preference to the prepaid value.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the inter-unit card processor 10 accepts the card insertion (1), the replay of the possessed ball or the stored ball is automatically executed (2). If the payout is made by this automatic replay, the operation by the player can be reduced and the operability is improved.

Here, both the possession ball and the stored ball may be the target of the automatic replay, but the automatic replay may be performed only for the possessed ball or only the stored ball. In addition, when a plurality of types of stored balls (for example, same-day stored balls and past stored balls) are provided, it is possible to set whether or not to target automatic replay for each type of stored balls.

The player may be able to specify the setting for the target of automatic replay. For example, if it is a member player, the target of automatic replay is specified and registered in association with the member card ID. If it is a general player, the target of automatic replay is specified when the card is returned, and the card is registered in association with the general card ID. The settings associated with the general card ID are deleted when all the values (prepaid value, possession ball, stored ball) become 0.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inter-table card processing machine 10 is installed in association with the enclosed game machine 20, manages the balls and the like as a value related to the game medium, and is the enclosed game machine 20. Controls the notification that prompts the counting according to the number of playable games, which is the number of game machine management media managed by. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for one counting by appropriately executing the counting, and improve the convenience of the player.

In addition, the inter-table card processing machine 10 can perform a notification prompting a transition operation when the number of games that can be played exceeds a predetermined counting promotion threshold value.

Further, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 can change the counting promotion threshold value according to the time. Similarly, the counting promotion threshold can be changed according to the type of player.

In addition, the inter-unit card processor 10 can provide a waiting time between the notification for prompting the transition operation and the next notification for prompting the transition operation.

Further, the inter-table card processor 10 can limit the operation of increasing the number of games that can be played according to the number of games that can be played. It is preferable that the threshold value for limiting this operation is larger than the counting promotion threshold value.

In the above-described embodiment, detailed description of the form of the card, which is a medium for associating the number of game media, has been omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, although the description has been made by taking a "card" as an example for convenience of explanation, the present invention can be applied when a chip, a stick, a mobile terminal or the like is used in addition to the card.

Further, each of the illustrated configurations is a schematic function, and does not necessarily have to be physically illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the device is functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

As described above, each device and the method for managing the number of game media according to the present invention are suitable for improving the convenience when using the enclosed game machine.

10 Card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Bill transport unit 12a Bill insertion port 13, 22 Display operation unit 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion port 14b Holding unit 15 Communication unit 16, 45 Storage unit 16a Own device status data 16b Card data 17, 46 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game setting processing unit 17c Notification control unit 17d Operation restriction unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Game machine status 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 Gameable number memory 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41 Display unit 42 Input unit 43 External network communication unit 44 Stores Network communication unit 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Device management data 46a Game type setting management unit 46b Card management unit 46c Device management unit 46d Game restriction setting unit 50 Member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Settlement machine

Claims (8)

Each device is installed in association with a game machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed inside, and performs processing related to the game medium.
Value management means for managing the value of the game medium and
A game machine management medium number acquisition means for acquiring the number of game machine management media, which is the number of game media managed by the game machine, and
Each device is provided with a notification control means for controlling a notification for urging a transition operation for shifting the number of game machine management media to the value according to the number of game machine management media. The device according to claim 1, wherein the notification control means performs notification to prompt the transition operation when the number of game machine management media exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined threshold value is changed according to a time. The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined threshold value is changed according to the type of the player. The notification control means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a waiting time is provided between the notification for prompting the transition operation and the next notification for prompting the transition operation. Each stand device. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an operation limiting means for limiting an operation for increasing the number of game machine management media according to the number of game machine management media. .. The device according to claim 6, wherein the threshold value for the operation limiting means to be compared with the number of game machine management media is larger than the threshold for the notification control means to be compared with the number of game machine management media. It is a method of managing the number of game media by each device that is installed in association with a game machine that plays a game using a game medium enclosed inside and performs processing related to the game medium.
A value management step for managing the value of the game medium and
A step of acquiring the number of game machine management media, which is the number of game media managed by the game machine, and the step of acquiring the number of game machine management media.
A method for managing the number of game media, which comprises a notification control step for controlling a notification for urging a transition operation for shifting the number of game machine management media to the value according to the number of game machine management media.

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