JP2021137090A - Prize exchange system and prize exchange method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a prize exchange system capable of improving convenience when exchanging prizes.SOLUTION: When performing prize exchange processing by using a plurality of cards by a player, after reading all cards, data are withdrawn in each rate and aggregated into data of the initially inserted card, regardless of selection of the rate for performing initially set exchange. Then, prize exchange and card return processing are performed based on held data subjected to aggregation processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a prize exchange system and a prize exchange method for providing a player with a prize as a result of a game.

Conventionally, in order to meet the diverse needs of pachinko players, gaming machines have been installed in multiple corners, and the rental unit price of gaming media (sometimes referred to as the "rental rate") is as follows. So-called multi-rate operation, in which (simply referred to as "rate") is different, may be performed.

In the multi-rate operation, when a multi-rate gaming medium is associated with the read recording medium, a prize exchange process is performed for one of the rates (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The rate to be exchanged may be arbitrarily selected, or the rate of the game medium associated with the first read recording medium is automatically selected depending on the reading order of the recording medium, for example. In some cases.

Japanese Patent No. 4571966

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when a plurality of recording media are read in the exchange process, the number of game media at the exchange target rate is accumulated, but the game media at other rates are exchanged. Since it is excluded from the processing target, the number of game media is not accumulated. Therefore, in the conventional technique, when the gaming media of these other rates are divided into a plurality of recording media and associated with each other, it is difficult to grasp the quantity thereof, and the convenience of the player is low. It was a thing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is a prize exchange system capable of improving the convenience of prize exchange for a player even when operating a plurality of rates. The purpose is to provide a method of exchanging prizes.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention uses a recording medium receiving means for receiving a recording medium associated with a game medium acquired by a player and a recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means. When there are a plurality of game medium specifying means for specifying the associated game medium and a plurality of game types of the game medium specified by the game medium specifying means, the exchange target game type which is the game type to be exchanged is specified. The means for specifying the game type to be exchanged, the first cumulative number specifying means for specifying the first cumulative number which is the cumulative number of the game media of the game type to be exchanged, and the cumulative number of game media of the game type other than the game type to be exchanged. It is characterized by having a second cumulative number specifying means for specifying a second cumulative number, which is a number, and a prize exchange processing means for performing a prize exchange process for the first cumulative number.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, the second cumulative number specifying means can specify the second cumulative number for each game type, and the game medium of the second cumulative number of the specific game type can be specified. It is characterized in that it is provided with a cumulative number-related means associated with one recording medium.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, there are a plurality of valuable value specifying means for specifying the valuable value associated with the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means and a plurality of recording media received by the recording medium receiving means. In some cases, the valuable value accumulating means for specifying the cumulative value of the valuable value specified by the valuable value specifying means and the value of associating a part or all of the cumulative value specified by the valuable value accumulating means with the recording medium. It is characterized by having value-related means.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, the second cumulative number specifying means is the second cumulative number of the second cumulative number of game types, which is a number larger than the first number, which is the number of game types that can be held in the recording medium. It is characterized in that it is possible to specify the number.

Further, the present invention is further characterized in that, in the above invention, a second cumulative number display control means for displaying and controlling the second cumulative number in association with identifiable information for each game type is further provided. ..

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when the second cumulative number is specified by the second cumulative number specifying means, the prize exchange processing means is continuous with the prize exchange process of the game type to be exchanged. It is characterized in that it is provided with a continuous prize exchange processing means for performing a prize exchange process in which another game type is used as an exchange target game type.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention further includes a split issuing means for split issuing the recording medium when the balance or the number of game types associated with the recording medium exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. It is a feature.

Further, the present invention specifies a game medium that specifies a recording medium reception step that accepts a recording medium associated with a game medium acquired by a player and a game medium that is associated with the recording medium received in the recording medium reception step. When there are a plurality of game types of the game medium specified in the step and the game medium specifying step, the exchange target game type specifying step for specifying the exchange target game type which is the game type to be exchanged, and the exchange target The first cumulative number specifying step for specifying the first cumulative number, which is the cumulative number of game media of the game type, and the second cumulative number, which is the cumulative number of game media for game types other than the exchange target game type, are specified. 2. It is characterized by including a cumulative number specifying step and a prize exchange processing step of performing a prize exchange process for the first cumulative number.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of exchanging prizes for players.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the prize exchange system according to the present 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 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-unit card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the member management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of data stored in the storage unit of the member management device shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the prize management device and the device connected to the prize management device shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a detailed appearance of the prize management device and the device connected to the prize management device shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prize management device shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an example of a screen display related to prize exchange in the prize management device shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the prize exchange shown in FIG. 1 is performed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the prize exchange system and the prize exchange method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

<Overview of prize exchange system>
First, an outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment. Here, the upper limit of the remaining amount of prepaid value that can be associated with the card (hereinafter, simply referred to as "remaining amount") is "11000 yen", and the number indicating the type of rate that can be associated with the card (hereinafter, simply referred to as "remaining amount"). It is assumed that the upper limit of (referred to as "rate number") is "3".

In the conventional prize exchange system, when exchanging prizes, the prize management device 60 is made to read a card (including a membership card and a general card), a receipt, etc., which are media associated with the game medium. Then, the prize is selected within the range of the read game medium. In this case, when a plurality of cards are read, the rate to be exchanged when the first card is read (hereinafter, referred to as "exchange target rate") is determined by selection or the like. After that, when different cards are read in succession, the number of game media at the exchange target rate is added, but the number of game media other than the exchange target rate is not added. Therefore, when the player exchanges prizes, it becomes difficult to grasp the quantity of the game medium other than the exchange target rate. For this reason, the operation must be completed for each rate, which may cause difficulty in use and troubles related to the card reception process.

Therefore, in the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment, when the player performs the prize exchange process using a plurality of media (for example, cards), not only the determined exchange target rate but also other than the exchange target rate The number of game media is configured to be added for each rate.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, as card 1, the player is the first card in the game store, the balance is "10,000 yen", the rate 1 possession ball "100 pieces", and the rate 2 possession ball. When the prize management device 60 reads a card containing "70" data, the prize management device 60 displays the rate selection screen and the balance and the ball possession data associated with the card 1 on the display unit 61. If the player selects rate 1 as the exchange target rate, the remaining amount of the card 1 and the ball possession data are retained as the retained data.

After that, when a card containing the data of the remaining amount "5000 yen" and the rate 2 possession ball "70 pieces" is read as the second card 2, the remaining amount of the card 2 and the rate 2 possession ball data are included in the retained data. Is added up, and the remaining amount "15,000 yen", the rate 1 possession ball "100 pieces", and the rate 2 possession ball "140 pieces" are displayed on the display unit 61.

After that, as the third card 3, a card containing data of the remaining amount "3000 yen", the rate 1 possession ball "300", the rate 3 possession ball "80" and the rate 4 possession ball "90". When the prize management device 60 reads "Items", "80 pieces" of balls having a rate of 3, and "90 pieces" of balls having a rate of 4 are displayed on the display unit 61.

After that, when the player exchanges prizes using 300 of the 400 balls with a rate of 1, the data allocation is determined so that the number of returned cards is minimized, and the cards are returned. For example, the first card containing the data of the balance "11000 yen", the rate 1 ball "100", the rate 2 ball "140" and the rate 3 ball "80", and the balance " The second card containing the data of "7,000 yen" and "90 pieces" of balls with a rate of 4 will be returned.

As described above, in the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment, when the player exchanges prizes using a plurality of cards, the rate selected after inserting the cards and selecting the exchange rate is selected. It is stored as retained data including rates other than the above, and when other cards are accepted, the retained data is added to the retained data. Trouble can be reduced. In addition, by retaining the data of the inserted cards and performing the summing process for each, it is possible to continue to exchange another rate after exchanging the selected rate, improving convenience when exchanging prizes. be able to. In addition, since the data of the remaining amount of the inserted card and the number of balls held at each rate can be added up and held, it is possible to handle the number of rates equal to or higher than the upper limit that the card can hold.

Further, when the balance or the number of rates associated with the card exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the card is issued in installments. Specifically, the remaining amount of the retained data when the data of the card 3 shown in FIG. 1 is added up is "18,000 yen", which exceeds the upper limit value of "11000 yen". Further, since the number of rates of the retained data when the data of the cards 3 shown in FIG. 1 are added up is 4, it exceeds the upper limit of the number of rates, "3". Therefore, when the card is returned, it is divided into two cards and issued separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the balance of one card is 11,000 yen or less, the balance of the plurality of cards is added up, so that the balance of the prepaid value can be taken in exceeding the upper limit of the balance. Therefore, when the payment machine is connected to the prize management device 60 or when the prize management device 60 has the function of the payment machine, the remaining amount can be settled collectively.

Further, in the present embodiment, regarding the number of balls held at a plurality of rates for which prizes have not been exchanged, if the membership card is read, it is possible to store the balls collectively or in part thereof in association with the membership card.

<System configuration>
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 a machine-to-machine 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 gaming machine 20 is a device for driving a gaming ball into a gaming board surface to play a game. 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. The result of the lottery due to the passage of the ball to the starting port is displayed on the special symbol display device that displays the result of the lottery. The lottery result of this special symbol display device is displayed in a mode in which a final display is performed after a variable display for a predetermined time. Further, on the game board surface, a decorative symbol display device for variably displaying decorative symbols such as predetermined numbers based on the result of the lottery is provided, and when the result of the lottery is a big hit, for example, (7, 7). , 7), etc. are displayed and notified. 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 prize area.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects that the driven game ball has passed through the specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 should give the game ball based on the stored contents of the winning 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 addition, the driven game balls are finally discharged from the back side of the game board to the outside of the game machine regardless of whether or not they have passed through the winning area. The game balls discharged to the outside of the game machine are detected by an out-ball detection device attached to each game machine.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts payments, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives a bill inserted by a player, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the bill 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.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card insertion, it transmits the card insertion notification data 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 inter-table card processing machine 10 receives the ball holding replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of holding balls stored in its own device, and pays out the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of holding balls. conduct. Further, when the inter-unit card processor 10 receives the ball storage replay operation, the table-to-table 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.

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

The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of game machines 20 and a machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 provided on the game island.

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the 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.

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 the card ID from the card and a prize payer that pays out the prize. 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 storage replay process in the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processing machine 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, an address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the source, 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-machine 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 balls that can be replayed indicates the number of balls that can be replayed. The possible number of ball storage replays is a multiple of the number of game ball payout units in the ball storage replay. If an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit is the possible number of ball storage replays. In addition, instead of the possible number of ball storage replays, the number of times the ball storage replay is possible may be used as the ball storage replay frequency. The stored ball replay frequency corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the stored ball number by the number of game ball payout units in the stored ball replay. However, if an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the ball storage replay frequency 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-unit 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 machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, an address that identifies the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 that is the source, or arbitrary identification data, and the machine-to-machine 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-unit 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. In addition, it is determined whether or not the number of possible replays of the stored balls after the update is 1 or more. 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 password 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 will not be found after the ball storage replay request is accepted.

<Configuration of inter-unit card processing machine 10>
Next, the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine 10. Note that FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the inter-table card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 as the inter-table card processing machine 10. Further, the game machine 20 to be installed is shown by a broken line. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the inter-table card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes, it is also possible to provide a mobile terminal or a unit having a function of accepting electronic money or coins associated with the card.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-table card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, a holding portion 14b, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

The status display unit 11 is composed of, for example, multicolor LEDs, and displays the status of the device of the inter-unit card processor 10 by lighting or blinking in 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 composed of, for example, a full-color touch panel type liquid crystal display or the like, and accepts display of operation buttons and input operations by the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 3, the display operation unit 13 has a flat plate shape in which the long side of the corresponding gaming machine 20 side is pivotally supported by the inter-table card processing machine 10.
The angle formed by the front panel of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display operation unit 13 can be changed.

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. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for ejecting a game ball to the game machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a is composed of a cylindrical nozzle provided on the front surface of the inter-table card processing machine 10 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and the tip of the nozzle can be located in the storage portion of the gaming machine. There is. The nozzle is supplied with the game medium from the ball supply device in the table-to-table card processor, which has been supplied with the game medium from the supply mechanism on the island where the table-to-table card processor 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower plate of the game machine 20. The counting unit 18b includes a saucer for receiving game balls, a counting unit provided at the lower part of the inter-table card processing machine 10 for counting game balls with a counting sensor, and a counting unit for passing a game medium from the saucer to the counting unit. It consists of a passage part. The saucer portion and the counting passage portion can be integrally removed from the inter-table card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). Further, the counting unit has a unit structure, and by removing the counting unit, the saucer unit, and the counting passage unit, the inter-table card processing machine 10 can be operated without a counting function.

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

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. Further, the reader / writer 14 has a function of associating the card stored in the card storage unit with value data such as a possession ball and a prepaid value shown in the card data 16b and issuing the card 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 (minimum number of holdings), control is performed so that the card is not 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 loan 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 pay out the stored ball, but a display indicating that the card cannot be returned and prompting the player to replay the card is displayed. You may.

The communication I / F unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the gaming machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used for paying out a part or all of the game balls when paying out the game balls by lending or replaying. The counting unit 18b is a unit that counts game balls.

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 processing machine 10. The own device state data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processor and the game setting. The device ID of the inter-table 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-table card processing machine 10. When handling multiple rate game balls in a game store, "ball 1" for a 4-yen rate game ball, "ball 2" for a 2-yen rate game ball, and "ball 3" for a 1-yen rate game ball. In this way, the game type name is set and managed for each rate. The inter-table 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. There is data for each type of game (rate) for possessed balls and stored balls. 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 control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-unit card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a and a counting processing unit 17b.

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 value data (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 value data. .. 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 performs a predetermined number of game ball payout processing.

Further, when the player performs the ball holding replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls held in the card data 16b and performs a payout process of the corresponding number of game balls. conduct.

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 card management device 40. When the stored ball replay data is received as a response to the stored ball replay request data, the number of stored balls in the card data 16b is updated, and the game balls of the number of payout units of the stored ball replay are paid out. 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 it matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

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.

Further, when the possession ball and the prepaid value of the general card become 0, the data management unit 17a transmits the general card use-up data including the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40.

Further, when the wagon prize is exchanged, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held corresponding to the prize from the number of balls held shown in the card data 16b. Then, by transmitting the wagon prize exchange data including the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40, it is notified that the wagon prize exchange has been performed. Here, the wagon prize exchange is a service that allows a game clerk to carry prizes such as drinks and cigarettes around the game store and allow the player to exchange prizes and balls while continuing the game.

Further, when the ball holding is divided, the data management unit 17a divides and associates the two cards with the number of balls shown in the card data 16b, and ejects one of the cards. .. Then, by transmitting the possession ball division notification data including the card IDs of the two cards to the card management device 40, it is notified that the possession ball division has been performed.

When performing the ball holding division, the data management unit 17a enables the display operation unit 13 to display the holding ball dividing button, and when the holding ball dividing button is operated, a new card is inserted. And accepts the input of the number of split balls. The newly inserted card becomes the split destination card, and the card used up to that point becomes the split source card. The data management unit 17a subtracts the number of split balls from the number of balls held in the card data 16b, which is the number of balls held by the split source card, associates the number of balls held with the split destination card with the number of balls held, and associates the number of balls with the number of split balls with the split destination card. Eject the card.

When the ball is split, it is identified that the split destination card and the split source card are used by the same player. Further, the split destination card and the split source card may be set to be identified as being used by different players.

<Configuration of card management device 40>
Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, 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 or an organic EL. 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. be. 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 machine-to-machine card processor, the address of the machine-to-machine card processor 10, the installation location, the game machine ID of the adjacent 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, and a device management unit 46c. Actually, the programs corresponding to these functional units are 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 corresponding processes are executed by the 46a, the card management unit 46b, and the device management unit 46c, respectively.

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 insertion notification data indicates the user device ID of the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. The device ID shown in the data. Further, 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 50. When the card management unit 46b receives the ball subtraction request data from the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the prize management device 60, 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-machine 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 after the update 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 processing machine 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 processing machine 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-machine card processing machine 10, the address of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID.

Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 6 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. 6A 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. 6B, the card ID "1001" has a prepaid value "2500", the number of balls 1 has "1500", the number of balls 2 has "2300", and the ball 3 has 3 Is associated with the number of balls "0". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-table 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. 6B, 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. 6B, 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. 6 (c), the address on the network of the inter-machine 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 gaming machine 20 is "P001", the gaming type is "ball 3", and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01". It also shows that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

<Configuration of member management device 50>
Next, the internal configuration of the member management device 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the member management device 50 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the member management device 50 is connected to the display unit 51 and the input unit 52. The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like, and the input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

Further, the member management device 50 includes an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the amusement store. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the prize management device 60, the card management device 40, and the like via a communication line in the game store.

The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores member management data 55a, game type setting data 55b, and prize master 55c.

The member management data 55a is data in which a name, a ball, a mobile IDm, an address, a telephone number, a game history, and the like are associated with the card ID of the membership card issued to the member. The game history includes a deposit history, a game time history, a difference ball history, and the like. The game type setting data 55b is data in which a rate and a display name are associated with the game type. The prize master 55c is data used when exchanging game balls for prizes.

The control unit 56 is a control unit that controls the member management device 50 as a whole, and has a member management unit 56a and a prize master management unit 56b. Actually, the programs corresponding to these functional units are 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 member management unit 56a and the member management unit 56a. The prize master management unit 56b will be made to execute the corresponding processes.

The member management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55a. The member management unit 56a communicates with the card management device 40 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of the stored balls associated with the card ID. Further, when the member management unit 56a receives the member registration request, the member management unit 56a updates the member management data 55a by adding a member.

Here, the ball storage replay process by the member management unit 56a will be described. When the member management unit 56a receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management unit 56a has the balance of the stored balls at the payout destination rate among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the ball storage replay request data. Is deducted by the number of payout units, and the number of possible replays of stored balls is recalculated. 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 prize master management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the prize master 55c. When the prize master 55c is updated, the prize master management unit 56b distributes the prize master 55c to the prize management device 60 in the game store.

Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 55 shown in the figure will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management device 50. The member management data 55a shown in FIG. 8A shows a state in which the card ID “2002” is associated with the name “BC”, the balance of the stored balls of each game type, the mobile IDm “IDmX1”, and the like. There is. Although not shown, the member management data 55a can associate points, number of visits, game history, PIN, etc. with a card ID. Further, the mobile IDm is identification data that can identify a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, and is used when the mobile terminal is used as a membership card.

Further, in FIG. 8A, the stored balls are provided for the three game types of “ball 1”, “ball 2”, and “ball 3”. For example, the balance of the stored balls of "ball 1" of the card ID "2002" is "250", the balance of the stored balls of "ball 2" is "1000", and the balance of the stored balls of "ball 3" is "4000".

The game type setting data 55b shown in FIG. 8B associates the game type name “ball 1” with the rate “4 yen” and the display name “4 pachinko”. Further, the game type setting data 55b associates the game type name "ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachinko". Further, the game type setting data 55b associates the game type name "ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachinko".

The prize master 55c shown in FIG. 8C is data in which the prize name, the group code, the prize value, and the number of exchanged balls are associated with the prize code that uniquely identifies the prize. Here, the group code is identification information for classifying and managing prizes. The group code "01" indicates an exchange prize that can be transferred at a predetermined value through a certain procedure. Group code "02" and later are general prizes including daily necessities other than exchange prizes.

The prize master 55c has a prize code of "0001", a prize name of "grand prize", a group code of "01", a prize value of "1000", a number of exchanged balls of ball 1 "250", and a number of exchanged balls of ball 2 "500". , The number of exchanged balls "1000" of the ball 3 is associated.

Further, the prize master 55c has the prize name "small prize", the group code "01", the prize value "500", the number of exchanged balls of ball 1 "125", and the number of exchanged balls of ball 2 with respect to the prize code "0002". "250" and the number of exchanged balls "500" of the ball 3 are associated with each other.

In addition, the prize master 55c has the prize name "M Seven", the group code "02", the prize value "400", the number of exchanged balls of ball 1 "100", and the number of exchanged balls of ball 2 with respect to the prize code "0100". "200" and the number of exchanged balls "400" of the ball 3 are associated with each other.

In addition, the prize master 55c has the prize name "rack", the group code "02", the prize value "420", the number of exchanged balls for ball 1 "105", and the number of exchanged balls for ball 2 "0101". "210" and the number of exchanged balls "420" of the ball 3 are associated with each other.

In addition, the prize master 55c has a prize code of "0600", a prize name of "end ball candy", a group code of "04", a prize value of "12", a number of exchange balls of ball 1 "3", and an exchange ball of ball 2. The number "6" and the number of exchanged balls "12" of the balls 3 are associated with each other.

Next, the appearance of the prize management device 60 and the device connected to the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the prize management device 60 and the devices connected to the prize management device 60. As shown in FIG. 9, the prize management device 60 is installed in the prize exchange counter, and the operation unit 62, the card reader 64, and the prize payer 70 are connected to the prize management device 60.

As shown in FIG. 9, the prize management device 60 is installed so that the player can operate it, and the prize payout machine 70 is also installed so that it can be taken out from the player side. The detailed appearance of the prize management device 60, the operation unit 62, and the card reader 64 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 9, the prize payout machine 70 is provided with a payout outlet 70a. The payout port 70a is a port for paying out prizes, and has a structure such that the paid out prizes can be taken out from the customer side. Further, the prize payer 70 pays out the prize designated by the instruction of the prize management device 60, and monitors that the paid out prize is taken out.

Next, the detailed appearance of the prize management device 60 and the card reader 64 connected to the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a detailed appearance of the prize management device 60 and the card reader 64 connected to the prize management device 60.

As shown in FIG. 10, the prize management device 60 is provided with a display unit 61, an operation unit 62, and a receipt issuing unit 66, and a card reader 64 is connected to the prize management device 60. The display unit 61 is a display device, and displays prize exchange details, operation guidance, and the like. The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of keys such as a numeric keypad, a dedicated key, and a mode key, and is used when inputting a prize exchange operation or the like.

The card reader 64 is a device that is connected to the prize management device 60 and can hold a plurality of cards in a storage unit (not shown), and has a card ID, a balance, and a ball held in the card inserted by the player. Information such as the number is read and transmitted to the prize management device 60. When a card is inserted into the card reader 64 by a player, the prize management device 60 acquires data such as the remaining amount and balls held in the card, holds the data, and the inserted card is a general card. If so, collect the card in the reservoir. The receipt issuing unit 66 is a printer that prints on roll paper of a thermal type or the like, and is an output unit that issues various receipts related to prize exchange.

Next, the functional configuration of the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prize management device 60. As shown in FIG. 11, the prize management device 60 is connected to a communication line. The prize management device 60 includes a display unit 61, an operation unit 62, a printer 63, a card reader 64, a mobile terminal reader 65, a receipt issuing unit 66, a communication unit 67a, and a prize payer connecting unit 67b.

The printer 63 is a issuing unit that issues and processes various receipts such as a registration list and a tabulation list, and includes a thermal printer or the like. When a terminal device capable of transmitting a terminal ID by short-range wireless communication is used as a membership card, the mobile terminal reader 65 receives the terminal ID from the mobile terminal. The receipt issuing unit 66 is a printer that prints on roll paper of a thermal type or the like, and is an output unit that issues various receipts related to prize exchange.

The communication unit 67a is an interface unit for the prize management device 60 to communicate with the card management device 40 and the member management device 50 via a communication line. The prize payer connection unit 67b is an interface unit for transmitting a special prize payout instruction to the prize payer.

The storage unit 68 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores the prize master 68a, the exchange target rate holding data 68b, the non-exchange target rate holding data 68c, and the return card data 68d. The prize master 65a is data used when exchanging game balls for prizes, and stores data distributed from the member management device 50.

The exchange target rate holding data 68b is rate data used when exchanging game balls for prizes, and is data for holding data on the number of balls held at a selected rate in a card inserted by a player. The non-exchangeable rate holding data 68c is rate data used when exchanging game balls for prizes, and is data for holding data on the number of balls held at a rate not selected in the card inserted by the player. .. The return card data 68d is data to be written when the card is returned to the player after the prize exchange process is completed.

The control unit 69 is a control unit that controls the prize management device 60 as a whole, and includes a prize management unit 69a, a prize exchange processing unit 69b, a payout instruction unit 69c, a non-exchangeable rate creation unit 69d, a card data total processing unit 69e, and a return. It has a card data distribution processing unit 69f, a card return processing unit 69g, and a card data update request processing unit 69h. Actually, the programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed to execute the prize management unit 69a. , Prize exchange processing unit 69b, payout instruction unit 69c, non-exchangeable rate creation unit 69d, card data total processing unit 69e, return card data distribution processing unit 69f, card return processing unit 69g, and card data update request processing unit 69h. Each corresponding process will be executed.

The prize management unit 69a is a management unit that manages the number of exchanged balls of the prize to be handled by the prize management device 60 by using the prize master 68a stored in the storage unit 68 and the non-exchange target rate holding data 68c. The prize management unit 69a acquires the prize master from the member management device 50 and stores it in the storage unit 68 as the prize master 68a.

The prize exchange processing unit 69b transmits the card ID read by the card reader 64 or the mobile terminal reader 65 to the card management device 40, acquires the possession ball and the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and obtains the acquired contents. It is added to the exchange target rate holding data 68b. Further, when the read card is a membership card, the prize exchange processing unit 69b transmits the read card ID to the member management device 50, acquires the number of stored balls associated with the card ID, and exchanges the card. It is added to the number of stored balls of the rate holding data 68b. Obtain information such as the balance and the number of balls you have from the read card. The prize exchange processing unit 69b sets the total of the number of balls held, the number of stored balls, and the number of acquired balls as the number of balls to be exchanged for prizes. Further, the prize exchange processing unit 69b can add the number of actual game balls handed to the clerk by the player to the number of balls to be exchanged for prizes. The prize exchange processing unit 69b performs prize exchange processing for special prizes and general prizes based on the prize master 68a within the range of the number of balls to be exchanged for prizes.

Specifically, when the prize exchange processing unit 69b specifies the exchange processing of the special prize, the prize exchange processing unit 69b obtains the type and combination of the number of special prizes that can be exchanged within the range of the number of balls to be exchanged for the prize, and exchanges the special prize. Subtract the required number of balls from the number of balls to be exchanged for prizes. Further, when the prize exchange processing unit 69b exchanges general prizes other than special prizes, the prize designated by the operation of the operation unit 62 is used as an exchange prize, and the number of balls required for exchange is set as the prize exchange target ball. Subtract from the number.

The payout instruction unit 69c is a processing unit that pays out special prizes by transmitting a payout instruction to the prize payout machine for a combination of special prizes specified by the prize exchange processing unit 69b.

The non-exchange target rate creation unit 69d is a processing unit for storing as retained data in order to store each rate data other than the rate set when the player exchanges prizes. Specifically, after the player selects the rate to be exchanged, each rate data other than the rate is used as the holding data to create the non-exchange target rate holding data 68c and store it in the storage unit 68. The non-exchangeable rate creation unit 69d can hold and add the number of game media having a rate equal to or higher than the number of operating rates M (M is an integer). In the case of the present embodiment, since the number of operating rates is 4, four rates can be maintained. Therefore, even if the rate of the number of balls that can be associated with the card is limited due to the data structure (for example, when it is limited to three), the number of rates that is larger than the number of holding rates of the card is retained. be able to.

After the player selects the rate to be exchanged by the card data total processing unit 69e, the exchange target rate holding data 68b and the non-exchange target rate holding data 68c are held, and then another card is inserted by the player. When, in order to add up the remaining amount of another card read and the number of balls held data at each rate to the remaining amount of the exchange target rate holding data 68b and the non-exchange target rate holding data 68c and the number of balls held data at each rate, and overwrite it. It is a processing part of.

The return card data distribution processing unit 69f is a processing unit that distributes an appropriate number of return cards, the remaining amount, and the number of balls held after the prize exchange process is completed by the player. Specifically, based on the upper limit of the remaining amount and the number of rates that can be written on the card, try to put the remaining amount and the number of rates of one card as much as possible, and based on the standard of returning the card with the minimum number of cards, what? It is determined whether or not to return the card, and the appropriate balance and the number of balls held are calculated and stored in the storage unit 68 as the return card data 68d.

The card return processing unit 69g is a processing unit for receiving an operation of the player after the prize exchange is completed, associating the return card data 68d with the card ID, and ejecting the associated card to return the card to the player.

After the prize exchange is completed, the card data update request processing unit 69h transfers the card balance, possession balls, and stored ball information returned by the card return processing unit 69g to the card management device 40 and the member management device through the communication unit 67a. It is a processing unit that transmits the information of the card in 50 and requests an update.

Next, an example of the prize exchange process in the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 and the input screen at the time of selecting another rate will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen at the time of prize exchange processing and selection of another rate in the prize management device 60.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a list of exchange prize candidates designated by the operation unit 62 is displayed on the prize exchange confirmation screen. This list shows the number of prizes selected for each prize. FIG. 12A shows that the number of grand prizes is “1” and the number of middle prizes and small prizes is “0”. In addition, the selected rate, the total number of cards read, the total number of selected rates, and the remaining number of selected rates after exchanging prizes are displayed at the bottom of the display column of the number of selected prizes. On the screen of FIG. 12A, "Rate 1" is selected in the prize exchange, the cards "3" are read, the total number of balls with rate 1 is "400", and the remaining number after the prize exchange is "100". "Individual" is displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, the prize exchange confirmation screen displays data holding the total number of balls, which is the total of the remaining amount of the read cards and the balls held at each rate. On the screen of FIG. 12A, the total value of the remaining amount of the cards is "18,000 yen", the rate "1" is "400", the rate "2" is "140", and the rate is "1". It shows that the data of "80 pieces" is held as the holding ball of "3" and "90 pieces" is held as the holding ball of the rate "4".

On the exchange confirmation screen shown in FIG. 12B, the operation unit 62 displays a screen "The prize has been exchanged. Do you want to continue exchanging another rate?". Further, below the screen display field, a button for instructing the rate change in the prize exchange is displayed. With this button, it is possible to select either "continue replacement" or "end". "Continue exchange" indicates that the prize exchange at the current rate ends and the prize exchange at another held rate is performed, and "End" indicates that the prize exchange at the read card ends.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the display unit 61 displays data holding the total number of balls, which is the total of the remaining amount of the read cards and the balls held at each rate. The screen of FIG. 12B shows "18,000 yen" as the total value of the remaining amount of the card, "100" as the ball with the rate "1", "140" as the ball with the rate "2", and the rate "1". It shows that the data of "80 pieces" is held as the holding ball of "3" and "90 pieces" is held as the holding ball of the rate "4".

Next, the procedure for exchanging prizes in the prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process procedure for exchanging prizes in the prize management device 60.

First, the prize management device 60 is in a state of waiting for the player to read the card (step S101; No), and when the player reads the card 1 (step S101; Yes), when there is only one rate information in the card. (Step S102; No), the rate becomes the exchange target rate, and the remaining amount in the card 1 and the ball possession data at each rate are retained (step S105). When there are a plurality of rates in the card (step S102; Yes), the rate selection screen for prize exchange is displayed on the display unit 61 (step S103). After that, when the player performs the operation of selecting the rate to be exchanged (step S104), the remaining amount in the card 1 and the ball holding data at each rate are held (step S105).

Next, when the player does not read another card other than the card 1 (step S106; No), the exchange button is in a standby state (step S107; No), and after the exchange button is pressed (step S107; Yes), The prize exchange process is performed with the total value of the selected rates (step S110). When another card is read by the player (step S106; Yes), the card n, which is the card nth inserted by the player and has the same standard as the card 1 and is read by the player into the prize management device 60. The remaining amount in (n> 1) and the ball holding data at each rate are added up to the remaining amount held in step S105 and the ball holding data at each rate (step S107).

After that, when the nth card is not the last card (step 108; No), the process of step S106 is continued so that n = n + 1th. When n is the last card (step S108; Yes), the prize exchange process is performed at the total value of the selected rates (step S109).

Next, after the prize exchange process is completed at the selected rate, when the next rate is set as the exchange target rate and the prizes are not exchanged continuously (step S110; No), the data is set so that the number of return cards is appropriate. The distribution process is performed (step S112), the card is returned to the player based on the data generated in the distribution process (step S113), and the process is completed. When the player continuously exchanges prizes with the next rate as the exchange target rate (step S110; Yes), the exchange process is repeated with the next rate as the exchange target rate (step S111), and the appropriate number of return cards and The distribution process is performed so as to become data (step S112), the card is returned to the player based on the data generated in the data distribution process (step S113), and the process is completed.

As described above, when exchanging prizes using a plurality of cards, the prize exchange system according to the present invention can add up the ball data of each rate other than the selected rate and retain the data. Therefore, it is possible to exchange prizes at the next rate without terminating the operation for each rate at the time of exchanging prizes, and it is possible to solve the difficulty and trouble of using the prizes at the time of exchanging prizes and improve the convenience.

Further, where there is an upper limit on the number of rate data that can be held by one card, it is possible to handle a number of rates that exceeds the upper limit that can be held by the card.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is configured to handle a gaming machine having a counting function for each machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to handle an enclosed management gaming machine. ..

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card is exemplified as a medium for holding the game medium used for exchange, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the game medium acquired by the player is used by the island-end counting device. The receipt may be counted and associated, or the receipt and the card may be mixed and used for exchange.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cards are returned in an appropriate number, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of game media is smaller than the number of exchange game media of a specific prize (so-called). , End balls), etc. may be configured to be issued as a receipt. For example, when a receipt can be issued as a medium for exchange, by issuing a receipt for the end jade, the number of cards can be reduced and the loss of the game store due to the discarding of the cards can be suppressed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the prize is exchanged with a general card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and when a membership card is inserted at the time of inserting a plurality of cards, the membership card is inserted. It may be configured to write preferentially.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the prize management device 60 is configured to exchange prizes, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the prize management device 60 is provided with a settlement function so that the balance can be settled. It may be configured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the card is returned, the remaining amount and the number of balls held at each rate are summarized in the optimum number and then returned to the player, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the number of cards ejected, the balance, and the breakdown of the number of balls held at each rate may be displayed on the screen during the exchange transaction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a card in which information on the total remaining amount and the number of balls held is returned is returned, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a game is played when exchanging prizes. It may be configured to associate data for each player such as model and out-safe. For example, when a player plays a game again with the returned card, the game trend management can be continued even after the exchange is completed by determining that the game data is the same customer.

Further, each configuration shown in each of the above embodiments 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.

The prize exchange system and the prize exchange method according to the present invention are suitable for improving the convenience of prize exchange for a player even when a plurality of cards are used to exchange prizes.

10 Card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Bill carrier 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding section 15 Communication I / F section 16, 45, 55, 68 Storage section 16a Own device Status data 16b Card data 17, 46, 56, 69 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Counting processing unit 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Game machine 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41, 51, 61 Display unit 42, 52 Input unit 43, 53 External network communication unit 44, 54 Store network communication unit 45a, 55b 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 50 Member management device 55a Member management Data 55c, 68a Prize master 56a Member management unit 56b Prize master management unit 60 Prize management device 62 Operation unit 63 Printer 64 Card reader 65 Mobile terminal reader 66 Receipt issuing unit 67a Communication unit 67b Prize dispenser connection unit 68b Exchange target rate holding data 68c Non-exchangeable rate retention data 68d Return card data 69a Prize management unit 69b Prize exchange processing unit 69c Withdrawal instruction unit 69d Non-exchangeable rate creation unit 69e Card data total processing unit 69f Return card data distribution processing unit 69g Card return processing unit 69h Card data update request processing unit 70 Prize payer 70a Payout 80 Settlement machine

Claims (8)

A recording medium receiving means for receiving a recording medium associated with a game medium acquired by a player, and a recording medium receiving means.
A game medium specifying means for specifying a game medium associated with a recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means, and a game medium specifying means.
When there are a plurality of game types of the game medium specified by the game medium specifying means, the exchange target game type specifying means for specifying the exchange target game type, which is the game type to be exchanged, and the exchange target game type specifying means.
The first cumulative number specifying means for specifying the first cumulative number, which is the cumulative number of the game media of the game type to be exchanged, and
A second cumulative number specifying means for specifying a second cumulative number, which is a cumulative number of game media of a game type other than the exchange target game type, and
A prize exchange system comprising a prize exchange processing means for performing a prize exchange process for the first cumulative number. The second cumulative number specifying means can specify the second cumulative number for each game type.
The prize exchange system according to claim 1, further comprising a cumulative number-related means for associating the second cumulative number of game media of a specific game type with one recording medium. A valuable value specifying means for specifying the valuable value associated with the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means, and a valuable value specifying means.
When there are a plurality of recording media received by the recording medium receiving means, the valuable value accumulating means for specifying the cumulative value of the valuable value specified by the valuable value specifying means and the valuable value accumulating means.
The prize exchange system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a value-related means for associating a part or all of the cumulative value specified by the value accumulation means with a recording medium. The second cumulative number specifying means is
Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it is possible to specify the second cumulative number of the second number of game types, which is a number larger than the first number, which is the number of game types that can be held in the recording medium. The prize exchange system described in any one of. Any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second cumulative number display control means for displaying and controlling the second cumulative number for each game type in association with identifiable information. The prize exchange system described in. When the second cumulative number is specified by the second cumulative number specifying means, the prize exchange processing means exchanges other game types in succession with the prize exchange process of the exchange target game type. The prize exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a continuous prize exchange processing means for performing the prize exchange processing. Any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a split issuing means for split issuing the recording medium when the balance or the number of game types associated with the recording medium exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. The prize exchange system described in one. A recording medium reception step for accepting a recording medium associated with a game medium acquired by a player, and a recording medium reception step.
A game medium specifying step for specifying a game medium associated with the recording medium received in the recording medium receiving step, and a game medium specifying step.
When there are a plurality of game types of the game medium specified in the game medium specifying step, the exchange target game type specifying step for specifying the exchange target game type, which is the game type to be exchanged, and the exchange target game type specifying step.
The first cumulative number specifying step for specifying the first cumulative number, which is the cumulative number of the game media of the game type to be exchanged, and
A second cumulative number specifying step for specifying a second cumulative number, which is the cumulative number of game media of a game type other than the exchange target game type, and
A prize exchange method comprising a prize exchange processing step of performing a prize exchange process for the first cumulative number.

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