JP2023167621A - Game system, each machine device, and game medium number shift control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To shift the number of game media between the number of game media stored in a game machine and the number of game media stored in each machine device.SOLUTION: When the number of owned balls is 50,000, the number of game balls is 70,000, and the upper limit of the number of game balls is 100,000, the number of balls that can be put out to a game machine 20 becomes 30,000 or less. When a game player exactly inputs 10,000 as the number of owned balls and performs decision key operation, 40,000 balls are put out but the number exceeds the upper limit of the number of game balls of the game machine 20. For this reason, an inter-machine card processor 10 displays "20,000 to 49,999" exactly as the number of inputtable owned balls such that the number of putout balls becomes 30,000 or less. When the game player performs decision key operation by inputting "30,000 balls", the number of input balls is received and owned balls are put out by replay button operation. In this case, since the number of putout balls does not reach the upper limit of game balls, all can be put out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can efficiently relieve players' concerns when the number of game media is transferred between the number of game media stored in a gaming machine and the number of game media stored in each device. The present invention relates to a gaming system, each device, and a method for controlling the number of gaming media.

Conventionally, in gaming parlors such as pachinko parlors, gaming machines that dispense game media consisting of balls or medals to the outside of the machine have been installed in the gaming parlors. An enclosed type smart gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "gaming machine") has been developed.

Such a gaming machine stores data called the "number of balls played", and the inter-machine card processing machine (each device) attached to the gaming machine stores data called the "number of balls held" (for example, (See Patent Document 1). Then, when a predetermined replay operation is performed, a process is performed in which the number of replay balls is subtracted from the number of balls held and the number of replay balls is added to the number of game balls.

When replaying such balls, specify the number of balls to be left in the inter-machine card processing machine (hereinafter referred to as "perfect balls") out of the number of balls you have, and change the remaining number of balls to game balls. Techniques for adding are known. For example, if there is a total of 30,000 balls, and 10,000 of them are specified as the exact number of balls, 20,000 balls will be subtracted from the number of balls, and this 20,000 balls will be It is added to the game ball.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-040875

However, as in the prior art described above, when transferring a large number of balls to game balls, a long transfer time is required, which may cause the player to feel uneasy. In particular, if you try to transfer balls that exceed a predetermined upper limit of the number of game balls (for example, 100,000 balls) to game balls, an error will occur and the transfer time will become longer.

Therefore, when transferring the number of balls held by an inter-machine card processing machine to game balls of a gaming machine, how to alleviate the concerns of players has become an important issue. This problem also occurs when changing from the number of held medals to the number of game medals.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to transfer the number of game media between the number of game media stored in the game machine and the number of game media stored in each device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system, each device, and a method for controlling the number of game media transfer, which can efficiently eliminate the anxiety of players when playing games.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first game machine in which game media are sealed and stores the number of game media, and a second game machine installed alongside the game machine that stores the second number of game media. A gaming system comprising a device, wherein each device has a memory for storing the number of second game media stored in the gaming machine and an upper limit value of the number of second gaming media that can be stored in the gaming machine. means, a reception means for accepting the number of remaining game media to be left in the own device, a calculation means for calculating the number of transfer game media by subtracting the number of remaining game media from the second number of game media, and the number of transfer game media; The game apparatus is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to limit the transfer of the number of transferred game media to the first number of game media based on the first number of game media and the upper limit value.

Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media is greater than the upper limit value, the control means controls the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media. The present invention is characterized in that the number of game media whose sum does not exceed the upper limit is controlled to be displayed as the input possible number.

Further, in the above invention, the control means may control the re-input of the number of remaining game media when the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media is greater than the upper limit value. The display is controlled to prompt.

Further, in the above invention, the present invention provides that when the sum of the number of transferred gaming media and the first number of gaming media is less than the upper limit value, the control means changes the number of transferred gaming media to the first number of gaming media. The present invention is characterized in that control is performed to shift the number of game media to .

Further, in the above-described invention, the control means, if a predetermined transfer abort operation is received during the transition of adding the first number of game media to the number of transferred game media, The present invention is characterized in that the shift to the first number of game media regarding the number of media is stopped, and a display control is performed to indicate that the shift has been stopped.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the predetermined transition canceling operation is an operation of a predetermined cancel button by a player, or a remote control operation by an employee of the store.

Further, in the above-described invention, the control means may be arranged such that the first number of game media is greater than the upper limit value during the transition of adding the first number of game media to the number of transition game media. If this occurs, the transfer to the first number of game media related to the number of transferred game media is canceled, and a display control is performed to indicate that the transfer has been canceled.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the control means corrects the second number of game media when the transition to the first number of game media is stopped. It is characterized by

The present invention also provides an apparatus for each machine that is attached to a gaming machine that stores a first number of game media enclosed in the machine, and that stores a second number of game media that is stored in the gaming machine. storage means for storing the number of second game media stored in the gaming machine and the upper limit of the number of second game media that can be stored in the gaming machine; reception means for accepting the number of remaining game media to be left in the gaming machine; a calculation means for calculating the number of game media to be transferred by subtracting the number of remaining game media from the number of game media, and calculating the number of game media to be transferred based on the number of game media to be transferred, the first number of game media, and the upper limit; The game apparatus is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to limit the transition to the first number of game media.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a game machine having a game machine in which game media are sealed and stores a first number of game media, and each device that is attached to the game machine and stores a second number of game media. A method for controlling the number of gaming media in a system, comprising: a receiving step in which each device receives the number of remaining gaming media to be left in its own device; and a step in which each device receives the remaining gaming media from the second number of gaming media a calculation step of calculating the number of transferred gaming media by subtracting the number of transferred gaming media; and an upper limit of the number of transferred gaming media, the first number of gaming media, and the second number of gaming media that each device can store in the gaming machine. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control step of controlling to limit the transfer of the number of transferred game media to the first number of game media based on the value.

According to the present invention, when the number of game media is transferred between the number of game media stored in a gaming machine and the number of game media stored in each device, it is possible to efficiently eliminate the anxiety of players. I can do it.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a gaming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine and gaming machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data, card data, game ball upper limit data, correspondence setting data, and game ball number data shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data, device management data, member management data, ball game class upper limit data, and corresponding setting data shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 3) showing an example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of response 1 in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedures of response 2 and response 3 in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of Countermeasure 4 in the inter-machine card processing machine according to the embodiment.

Below, the gaming system, each device, and the gaming medium number transfer control method according to the present embodiment will be explained in detail.

In this specification, "balls held" is data indicating game media that a player has acquired in a game, and can only be used again during the same day (before the closing time of the game parlor). Refers to what is possible. Note that the "number of balls held" refers to the number of gaming media that the player has acquired through playing the game. Furthermore, "stored balls" refers to data indicating gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming parlor, which can be used again for gaming on the next day or later (time after the closing time of the gaming parlor). Note that the "number of stored balls" refers to the number of gaming media deposited by the player at the gaming parlor. The balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when the gaming machine is moved. In principle, the accumulated balls can only be used by member players, and are used when the acquired game media are used for games on the gaming machine from the next day onwards. In addition, the "number of game balls" refers to the number of playable balls that can be used by the player in a game.

<Overview of gaming system according to embodiment>
First, an overview of the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a gaming system according to this embodiment.

In the gaming system according to this embodiment, an upper limit of game balls that can be stored in the gaming machine 20 (for example, 100,000 balls) is defined, and the number of game balls that exceeds this upper limit cannot be stored.

When a player pays out balls that he or she owns to the gaming machine 20 using the method of exactly holding balls, if this payout exceeds the upper limit of game balls of the gaming machine 20, the number of balls input using the method of exactly holding balls will be , displays the possible number of inputs so as not to exceed the upper limit of game balls and prompts re-input.

For example, if the player has 50,000 balls, the gaming machine 20 has 70,000 balls, and the upper limit of gaming balls is 100,000 balls, the number of balls that can be paid out to the gaming machine 20 is 30,000 balls or less. Become. If a player who has 50,000 balls enters exactly 10,000 balls and presses the confirmation key, 40,000 balls will be paid out. Exceeds the ball limit.

Therefore, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays "20,000 to 49,999 balls" as the inputtable number of balls in hand so that the number of balls to be paid out is 30,000 balls or less. Then, when the player inputs "30,000 balls" and operates the confirmation key, the input number of balls is accepted, and the remaining balls are paid out by operating the replay button. In this case, since the number of balls to be paid out does not reach the upper limit of game balls, all can be paid out.

In this way, the gaming system according to the present embodiment is configured to display the exact number of balls that can be inputted so that the number of playing balls of the gaming machine 20 does not exceed the upper limit, When the number of game media is transferred between the number of media and the number of game media stored in each device, the anxiety of the player can be efficiently alleviated.

<System configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 are installed in the gaming parlor. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via an island controller 30.

An island controller 30, a management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a payment machine 70 are connected to the communication line. Further, the remote control terminal 40 is communicably connected to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by wireless communication using infrared rays or the like.

The game machine 20 is a device that plays games by hitting game balls sealed inside the device onto a game board surface. Note that these game balls are physical "balls" used in games, and are different from "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 handles as data. A plurality of winning areas (winning holes) are provided on the game board surface of this gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prizes based on the game balls passing through the winning areas. It has become. Further, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is to be performed based on the passage of game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to perform an operation that is advantageous in terms of gaming, such as improving the probability of passage of game balls to the above-mentioned winning area or other starting area. Note that there may be an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

A winning sensor is provided in the winning area to detect the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball hit into the winning area. ing. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize memory that stores how many game balls are given as prizes for each winning area, and a playable number memory that indicates the number of game balls. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 periodically transmits the number of game balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

When receiving a deposit from a player, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates a prepaid value corresponding to the deposited amount with identification information (card ID) of a card stored within the machine. This prepaid value can be used for lending game balls. Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, balls held, accumulated balls, etc. At the end of the game, the card associated with the prepaid value, balls held, accumulated balls, etc. is ejected and returned to the player. Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits the history of operations such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

The gaming machine 20 transmits driving data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 every time one game ball is struck onto the gaming board surface, and when a predetermined number of gaming balls have been struck, the out data is sent to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. 10. Furthermore, the game machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 when the game ball passes through the winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game ball. Furthermore, when the game ball passes through the starting area, the start data is sent to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the starting area, resulting in a jackpot, etc. If a special condition occurs, special prize data indicating the occurrence of such condition is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The out data corresponds to the number of balls hit, which is the number of balls hit onto the game board by the player. The safe data corresponds to the number of prize balls obtained by winning. Moreover, the special prize data indicates the state of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each data is sent to the management device 50 via the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the management device 50 stores the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating out data, safe data, and special prize data as operation information. Obtainable.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machine 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives banknotes inserted by the player, it sends a deposit notification including the deposited amount to the management device 50, so that the prepaid value corresponding to the deposited amount is transferred to the prepaid card managed by the management device 50. Add to value. When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is sent to the management device 50, the prepaid value managed by the management device 50 is subtracted, and a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is sent to the gaming machine 20. will be notified and added to the number of game balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the card insertion, it transmits a card insertion notification to the management device 50. Moreover, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the balance of prepaid value, retained balls, or accumulated balls from the management device 50, it stores the balance. When the balance of balls held is received and stored, the balance of balls managed by the management device 50 (the number of balls held) is set to zero by sending a request for subtraction of balls held to the management device 50. clear.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives an operation to replay the balls it owns, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls it owns, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of balls it owns, and Add it to the number. Further, when receiving the stored ball replay operation, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a stored ball replay request to the management device 50 to subtract a predetermined number from the number of stored balls managed by the management device 50. The game machine 20 is notified of the number corresponding to the stored number of balls, and is added to the number of game balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the card return operation, it sends a request to add the number of balls it has to the management device 50, causes the management device 50 to add the number of balls it has, and then sends a card ejection notification. is transmitted to the management device 50, and card ejection is controlled. Note that if a counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of game balls is added to the number of balls held.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and the authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed at the time of store opening processing, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes capable of playing games on the condition that the authentication is successful.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs various display controls based on the status of the gaming machine 20 and transmits the status of the gaming machine 20 to the management device 50.

The remote control terminal 40 is a mobile terminal device that can instruct the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to perform various operations through wireless communication using infrared rays or the like. The remote control terminal 40 is operated by an employee to issue an instruction to cancel the payout process of the balls that are exactly held.

The island controller 30 is a device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processing machines 10 provided on the gaming island, and relays various information to the management device 50.

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Then, the prepaid value and the remaining balance associated with the card ID are transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Moreover, when the card ID shown in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, the stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Further, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract the balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of the balls to zero, and when it receives a request to add the balls held from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the management device 50 clears the balance of the balls held to zero. , the number of balls indicated in the ball holding addition request is added to the ball balance.

Further, when the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the management device 50 subtracts a prepaid value associated with the card ID by a predetermined value, and transmits a ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. do. When the stored ball replay request is received, the stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Further, upon receiving the card ID from the prize management device 60, the management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls associated with this card ID. Further, upon receiving the card ID from the payment machine 70, the prepaid value associated with this card ID is notified to the payment machine 70.

Furthermore, the management device 50 acquires the gaming machine ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own store. Then, an authentication key for authenticating the gaming machine 20 set in the own parlor is obtained from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the gaming parlor, and distributed to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Furthermore, the management device 50 manages member management data of members registered as members at the game parlor. Specifically, the number of stored balls, password, name, etc. are managed in association with the membership card ID issued to the member.

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the management device 50 transfers the accumulated ball replay data including the accumulated ball balance and the password corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card. It is transmitted to the processing device 10. Further, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and after the subtraction, The stored ball replay data including the remaining ball balance is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Further, upon receiving an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of stored balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the game parlor, and performs a prize exchange process for accumulated balls and held balls. A card reader that reads the card ID of a card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads a card ID from a general card or a membership card (or when it reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the management device 50. , requests the balance of the balls of the card ID. In addition, when exchanging the stored balls for a prize, a request is made to the management device 50 for the balance of the stored balls.

When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the payment machine 70 transmits the card ID of this card to the management device 50, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card, and obtains the prepaid value equivalent to the acquired prepaid value. pay out cash.

Next, the ball lending process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification information that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, the management device 50 sets the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message to a predetermined value (for example, 500 yen representing 500 yen when the number of purchases is 100 yen). The card management data is updated by subtracting the frequency), and the ball lending permission is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20 requesting that a number (for example, "125") corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value be added to the number of game balls.

The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds up the number of game balls and transmits the added number of game balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 determines whether or not the number of game balls has been added appropriately based on the number of game balls after addition of the number of game balls before addition and the number of balls lent. It may be determined.

Next, the ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message contains the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification information that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. information for identifying the card and a card insertion notification.

When the management device 50 receives the card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the management device 50 calculates the balance of the balls with the rate specified by the message among the balls associated with the card ID in the message. This notification is then sent to the card processing machine 10.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of balls received from the management device 50. Then, a message including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request for subtraction of balls held is transmitted to the management device 50. When the management device 50 receives the request for subtracting the number of balls held, it clears the balance of the number of balls specified by the card ID and the rate to zero. Moreover, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the operation to replay the balls held, it subtracts the balance of the balls held by a fixed number, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and causes it to be added to the number of game balls.

Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process based on exactly how many balls are held in the gaming system according to this embodiment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a replay operation based on the number of balls in hand, it continuously subtracts the balance of the balls in hand by a fixed number until the input number of balls is reached, and the corresponding number of balls is is notified to the gaming machine 20. In addition, due to this payout of balls, it is predicted that the number of game balls will reach the upper limit of game balls, or the number of game balls will reach the upper limit of game balls, or the number of game balls will reach the number of balls close to the upper limit of game balls. If the number has increased, processing is performed using one of the following methods 1 to 4.

In response 1, if the sum of the input number of balls held and the number of game balls exceeds the upper limit of game balls, a re-input screen for the input number of balls is displayed. In response 2, a stop button is displayed while the payout process for the balls being held is being performed, and when this cancel button is selected, the payout process for the balls being held is stopped.

In response 3, while the payout process for the balls being held is being executed, a payout stop instruction from the remote control terminal 40 can be accepted, and if this payout stop instruction is received, the payout process for the balls being held is stopped. In response 4, if the number of game balls reaches the upper limit of game balls during the execution of the payout process for the balls held, the payout process for the balls held is stopped.

If the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 that transfers the management of the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 to the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 requests the management transfer. Add the number of game balls shown in to the number of balls owned by the own device. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, a message including a request for adding up the number of balls held is sent to the management device 50. This message contains the card ID of the card to be ejected, an address or arbitrary identification information for specifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for specifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and information for specifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. It includes the balance of balls and a request for addition of balls.

When the management device 50 accepts the request for addition of balls, it receives the balance (number of balls) of the balls at the rate specified by the message among the balls associated with the card ID in the message. Update to value. Thereafter, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the card ejection.

Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. When receiving a membership card or reading identification information corresponding to a card ID from a mobile terminal 110 that can be used as a membership card, the inter-stand card processing machine 10 sends a message to the local address of the management device 50. Send. This message specifies the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (or the identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal 110) and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender. It includes an address or arbitrary identification information, information for specifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

The management device 50 transmits accumulated ball replay data including the password associated with the card ID in the message and the balance of accumulated balls at the rate specified by the message among the accumulated balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. do.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and if the balance of the storage balls indicated in the storage ball replay data is the number of game ball payout units in the storage ball replay (the number of storage ball replay units; for example, "125 If the number of balls is equal to or higher than "balls"), it is possible to accept a ball storage replay operation.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a stored ball replay operation for the first time after storing the stored ball replay data, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 prompts the player to input a PIN number, and the input PIN is used as the stored ball replay data. Check if it matches the PIN number shown.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50 when the passwords match. This message contains the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification information that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This includes information for identifying the player, and a request to replay the stored balls.

The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the accumulated balls at the rate specified by the message from among the accumulated balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transfers the accumulated ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction to the inter-machine card. It is transmitted to the processing device 10.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the balance of stored balls, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of a number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to add it to the number of game balls. Also, it is determined whether the balance of the ball storage after the update is less than the number of ball storage replay units. If the balance of the ball storage data after the update is equal to or greater than the number of ball storage replay units, it is possible to accept the ball storage replay operation again, and if the ball storage replay operation is accepted, a ball storage replay request is transmitted. Confirmation of the PIN number is not required for the second and subsequent ball storage replay operations. If the balance of the ball storage data after the update becomes less than the number of ball storage replay units, the ball storage replay operation cannot be accepted.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be explained. The management device 50 checks the balance of balls in the card management data at the time of closing processing, and if there is a ball with a balance greater than "0", it adds the balance of the ball to the balance of stored balls. and update. After that, the management device 50 clears the balance of the balls to zero.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 includes a status display section 11 that displays the device status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color, and a bill insertion slot that accepts various banknotes. 12a, a display operation section 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a that accepts a card associated with a card ID, and a remote control light receiving section 19 that receives various instructions from a remote control terminal 40.

The game machine 20 is provided with a game board surface, a handle 21 used for discharging enclosed game balls onto the game board surface, and a counting button 22.

The counting button 22 subtracts the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, thereby managing the number of balls that can be thrown out from the gaming machine 20. This is an operation button for performing management transfer to the card processing machine 10. This management shift corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 counts the paid out game balls and adds them to the balls held in the open type gaming machine 20 where actual game balls are paid out upon winning.

<Configuration of inter-stand card processing machine 10>
Next, the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 includes a banknote transport section 12, a display operation section 13, a reader/writer 14, a remote control light receiving section 19, a communication section 15, a storage section 16, a control section 17, and a game management section 18. has.

The banknote transport unit 12 is a transport unit that determines the denomination and authenticity of a banknote inserted through the banknote insertion slot 12a and transports the banknote to a banknote storage unit (not shown). The display operation unit 13 is an input/output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

The reader/writer 14 is a reader that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. Note that the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a passes through the reader/writer 14 and is stored in a card storage section (not shown). The remote control light receiving unit 19 is an input device that receives various instructions from the remote control terminal 40. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

The storage unit 16 is a storage device consisting of a hard disk device, nonvolatile memory, or the like. The storage unit 16 stores own device status data 16a, card data 16b, game ball upper limit data 16c, correspondence setting data 16d, and game ball number data 16e.

The self-device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This own device status data 16a includes an inter-machine card processing machine ID, a gaming machine ID, a game type, and the like. The inter-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming arcade. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When handling game balls with multiple rates in a game store, game balls with a 4 yen rate are given "ball 1", game balls with a 2 yen rate are given "ball 2", and game balls with a 1 yen rate are given "ball 3". The name of the game type is set and managed for each rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for the game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The game type may be fixed for each section where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the player's operation.

The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a password, a prepaid value, balls held, accumulated balls, 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 section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during the conveyance. Furthermore, even when the card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for lending balls, and the balls held and the accumulated balls indicate their respective balances.

The game ball upper limit data 16c is data indicating the upper limit number of game balls that can be stored in the gaming machine 20. The correspondence setting data 16d is data indicating the response when the number of game balls reaches the upper limit of the game ball with regard to the payout of the balls held exactly. The game ball number data 16e is data indicating the number of game balls stored in the gaming machine 20.

The game management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable that the game management section 18 be formed on a different substrate from the control section 17. The gaming management section 18 includes an authentication processing section 18a, an authentication key management section 18b, and a gaming machine state management section 18c. In reality, by loading and executing these programs into a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the authentication processing section 18a, authentication key management section 18b, and gaming machine state management section 18c are made to execute the corresponding processes. Become.

The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits operation permission to the gaming machine 20. The authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20 if the authentication fails. Even if the authentication fails, the operation permission will be sent to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period since the last successful authentication, and after the predetermined period has passed since the last successful authentication, the operation permission will be sent to the gaming machine 20. It may be configured such that the use of the gaming machine 20 is prohibited without transmitting the operation permission.

The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages authentication keys. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the energization time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20, and manages the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the store via the management device 50, and updates the authentication key.

The gaming machine state management section 18c is a processing section that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the state of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, sends a request for addition to the number of game balls by loaning balls, and adds the number of balls to the number of game balls from the balls held by replaying the balls held. Sending a management transfer request, sending a request for addition to the number of game balls by replaying stored balls, receiving game results such as the number of balls hit and the number of prize balls on the gaming machine 20, and changing the number of game balls by counting to the number of balls held. Receives management migration requests. Communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

In addition, the gaming machine state management unit 18c further acquires the state set for the game of the gaming machine 20, such as the current number of game balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of drawings. It is desirable that the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 is set shorter than the interval at which game balls are fired (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, upon acquiring the number of game balls from the game machine 20, the game machine state management section 18c passes the number of game balls to the control section 17.

Note that the timing at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c newly acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before the opening of the store. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of game balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.), when returning from an offline state, etc. It is possible to obtain a gaming machine ID and to determine whether to replace the gaming machine 20. Further, these timings may be used in combination.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a game ball upper limit management unit 17b, a correspondence setting unit 17c, a game ball number management unit 17d, and a ball management unit 17e. has. In reality, by loading these programs into the CPU and running them, the data management section 17a, game ball upper limit management section 17b, correspondence setting section 17c, game ball number management section 17d, and ball possession management section 17e are respectively supported. This will cause the process to run.

When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50. Further, when data containing value (at least one of prepaid value, retained balls, and accumulated balls) is received from the management device 50, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received value.

Further, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits a deposit notification including the amount of the inserted banknote, card ID, and inter-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50.

Furthermore, when a player performs a ball lending operation, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including a card ID and an inter-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50. If a ball lending permission is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a subtracts the prepaid value of the card data 16b and adds a predetermined number of balls to the number of playing balls of the gaming machine 20. Instruct the game management section 18.

In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives an operation to replay the balls held, the data management unit 17a subtracts and updates the balls held in the card data 16b, and manages the game so that the corresponding number of balls is added to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20. 18.

Furthermore, when the balance of the stored balls indicated in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of stored balls replay units, the data management section 17a displays a stored balls replay button on the display operation section 13 and accepts the stored balls replay operation. possible. The data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including a card ID and an inter-machine card processing machine ID to the management device 50 when a player performs a stored ball replay operation. When the stored ball replay data is received as a response to this stored ball replay request, the ball balance in the card data 16b is updated, and the number of balls corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units is added to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20. The game management section 18 is instructed to do so. In addition, at the time of the first stored ball replay operation, the input of the password is required, and the condition for transmitting the stored ball replay request is that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

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

Moreover, when the data management unit 17a receives a card return operation, it transmits to the management device 50 a request for adding up the remaining balls, including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the balance of the remaining balls. After clearing the card data 16b, a card ejection notification is sent to the management device 50, and the card is ejected.

The game ball upper limit management section 17b is a processing section that manages the game ball upper limit data 16c. When the game ball upper limit management unit 17b receives the game ball upper limit from the management device 50, it stores this game ball upper limit in the game ball upper limit data 16c.

The correspondence setting section 17c is a processing section that manages the correspondence setting data 16d. When the correspondence setting unit 17c receives the correspondence setting from the management device 50, it stores this correspondence setting in the correspondence setting data 16d.

The game ball number management unit 17d is a processing unit that manages the game ball number data 16e. When the game ball number management section 17d receives the number of game balls from the gaming machine state management section 18c, it stores this number of game balls in the game ball number data 16e.

The ball management unit 17e is a processing unit that controls the replay of balls held. When the ball management unit 17e receives a replay operation for balls held by pressing a replay button (not shown), it subtracts the balance of balls by a certain number (for example, "125"), and calculates the corresponding number of balls in the gaming machine. Notify 20.

Furthermore, if the ball management unit 17e receives a replay operation based on the exact number of balls held from the display operation unit 13, the ball management unit 17e continuously subtracts the balance of the balls held by a certain number until the input number of balls is reached. Then, the corresponding number of balls is notified to the gaming machine 20. It should be noted that due to this payout of balls, it is predicted that the game ball number data 16e will reach the game ball upper limit data 16c, or the game ball number data 16e will reach the game ball upper limit data 16c, or the game ball number data When the number of balls 16e increases to a number close to the game ball upper limit data 16c, processing is performed using one of the following methods 1 to 4 specified by the correspondence setting data 16d.

In response 1, if the sum of the input number of balls and the number of game balls data 16e exceeds the game ball upper limit data 16c, the ball management unit 17e displays a re-input screen for the input number of balls on the display operation unit 13. indicate. At this time, the possible input number that does not exceed the game ball upper limit data 16c is also displayed.

In response 2, the owned ball management unit 17e displays a stop button on the display operation unit 13 during the execution of the payout process for the balls held, and if this stop button is selected, cancels the payout process for the balls held. . Then, a payout stop screen including the current number of balls held is displayed on the display operation section 13.

In response 3, the owned ball management unit 17e accepts a payout stop instruction from the remote control terminal 40 during the execution of the payout process for the held balls, and if this payout stop instruction is received from the remote control light receiving unit 19, the held balls are discontinued. cancel the payment process. Then, a payout stop screen including the current number of balls held is displayed on the display operation section 13.

In response 4, the possession management unit 17e stops the possession processing when the game ball number data 16e reaches the game ball upper limit data 16c during the execution of the possession processing. Then, a payout stop screen including the current number of balls held is displayed on the display operation section 13.

Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a, card data 16b, game ball upper limit data 16c, correspondence setting data 16d, and game ball number data 16e shown in FIG.

The self-device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5(a) indicates that the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and the inter-machine card processing machine A state in which "ball 1" is set as the 10 game type is shown.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "2001". Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, and a card whose first digit is "1" is a general card, and a card whose first digit is "2" is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates that the pin number for replaying stored balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" degrees. Note that, in this case, the frequency of prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen.

In addition, the card data 16b shows that the balance of balls 1 has is "1500" balls, the balance of balls 2 has "2500" balls, and the balance of balls 3 has "0" balls. Yes, the balance of ball 1 is "500" balls, the balance of ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of ball 3 is "0" balls.

The game ball upper limit data 16c shown in FIG. 5(c) shows a state where the game ball upper limit is "100,000" balls. The correspondence setting data 16d shown in FIG. 5(d) shows a state in which the correspondence setting is "correspondence 1." The game ball number data 16e shown in FIG. 5(e) shows a state where the number of game balls is "70,000" balls.

<Configuration of gaming machine 20>
Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming machine 20 includes a communication control section 23, an effect control section 24, a game control section 25, and a game ball control section 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

When the gaming machine 20 is started, the communication control unit 23 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and/or the gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if appropriate, , establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and enters a standby state. In the standby state, when an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the production control section 24, the game control section 25, and the game ball control section 26 are activated to make the game possible.

The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games by the gaming machine 20. In reality, the process is executed by loading a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 into the CPU and executing it.

Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the firing of game balls onto the game board surface by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning slot on the game board surface, and calculates random numbers (0 to 1) by game balls that have entered the starting slot. Among the 65535 random numbers, jackpot, small win, and loss numbers are assigned to each predetermined range) acquisition and lottery (special symbols and normal symbols), movable members provided on the game board surface (tulips, etc.) ), display control of the special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of abnormalities that may indicate fraud (front frame open, vibration detected, etc.), and notification to the host device.

A large number of obstacle nails are planted on the game board surface, and game balls that are fired onto the game board surface by operating the handle will fall between the obstacle nails, and will either enter the prize opening or the starting opening, or will not win the prize. It is ejected out of the game board surface from the outlet of the game board surface. A lottery is held when a game ball enters the starting hole, and when a jackpot is achieved, a jackpot game is performed in which a predetermined winning hole on the game board is opened multiple times, and the game ball enters the winning hole. To award prize balls to a player by making it easier.

Further, the jackpot includes a bonus jackpot game in which a predetermined bonus game is given to the player after the jackpot game ends. The bonus jackpot game includes a probability fluctuation jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability variable jackpot and the time-saving jackpot are each provided with a probability variable game and a time-saving game as bonus games after the jackpot. Time-saving games include the variable time (from the start of the lottery process until the result is displayed) of the normal symbol lottery (the above-mentioned opening/closing lottery of the movable member) and/or the special symbol lottery (the above-mentioned jackpot lottery due to the winning of game balls). This is a bonus game that increases the number of drawings per unit time and increases the probability of winning a jackpot per unit time by shortening the amount of time. This bonus game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the probability of winning a normal symbol. The time-saving game based on the time-saving jackpot ends when 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 25 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a control that changes the random number range of the jackpot used for the next lottery (generally about 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a specified random number range of the jackpot. It is a function. In the probability variation game, a special symbol lottery is performed using the changed probability. The probability variable game continues until the next jackpot is won. Further, the probability fluctuation game and the time saving game may be provided at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected damage to the game parlor, if a player acquires a certain amount of game media after starting a probability variable game or a time-saving game, the game will be stopped (eject the card once and request a prize exchange or move of the machine). processing). In this case, the number of game media after entering the probability variable game state is counted by the game machine 20, and when this counted value reaches a predetermined value, game stop control such as stopping the firing of game balls is performed. This can be achieved with

The performance control section 24 is a control section that controls the performance during the game, and includes a performance symbol lottery section 24a and a performance lottery section 24b. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the effect symbol lottery section 24a and the effect lottery section 24b are caused to execute the corresponding processes, respectively.

The performance symbol lottery unit 24a selects a lottery (specifically, finalizes the display) of performance symbols (symbols to be displayed on a performance symbol display device such as a display device within the game board) based on the special symbol lottery performed by the game control unit 25. (such as whether to stop at 7, 7, 7).

The performance lottery section 24b performs a lottery on the type of performance (such as a character appearing and performing a reach performance) before displaying the lottery results based on the performance symbols. The effects are set so that the effects selected are different for the main lottery results.

The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control section 24 controls the display of the performance symbol display device, and when performing the performance, displays the performance data by superimposing the performance data on the background pattern data. Furthermore, when the probability changes, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. In reality, the process is executed by loading a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 into the CPU and executing it. The playable number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the playable number, that is, the number of game balls.

Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in the playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls each time a game ball is fired, and calculates the number of prize balls to be won by winning. is added to the number of game balls. In addition, when the number of balls is notified from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of game balls, and a notification is sent to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to the effect that it has been added to the number of gaming balls. send a confirmation signal indicating the Further, the game ball control section 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the gaming machine 20.

Further, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 continues to update the number of game balls according to the game state without zero-clearing the contents of the memory for the number of possible games, and updates the game ball control unit 26 to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 at the time of data acquisition. Send the number of pitches.

The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the game ball control unit 26. The game ball control unit 26 detects the pressing operation of the counting button 22, and if the time from the rise to the fall of the detection signal is less than a certain time, the game ball control unit 26 counts the number of game balls by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). A management transfer request is sent to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with the data. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. In addition, when the pressing operation of the counting button 22 is detected and the falling edge is not detected for a predetermined period of time after the detection signal rises, a certain number is added each time the detection signal rises for a certain period of time (for example, every 5 seconds). A management transfer request is sent to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with data on the number of game balls (200 balls). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, there is a method of decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after subtraction and deleting the value before subtraction or using logic. A method such as deleting and invalidating it may be considered, but there is no particular limitation as long as the value after subtraction can be specified.

The game control section 25 and the game ball control section 26 are each configured on separate boards. The game control board in which the game control section 25 is configured and the game ball control board in which the game ball control section 26 is configured each have a unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the gaming control board and the ID of the gaming ball control board, and uses the combination as the gaming machine ID.

<Configuration of management device 50>
Next, the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display section 51 and an input section 52, and includes an external network communication section 53, a store network communication section 54, a storage section 55, and a control section 56.

The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication section 54 is an interface section for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 70 via a communication line within the game store.

The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, game ball upper limit data 55d, and corresponding setting data 55e.

The card management data 55a is data in which the card ID is associated with the balance of prepaid value and the balance of balls held. The device management data 55b is data regarding devices installed at the game parlor. This device management data 55b includes the inter-machine card processing machine ID, installation location, gaming machine number, gaming machine ID, model data of the gaming machine 20, and the like. The member management data 55c is data in which the member's name, information on accumulated balls, etc. are associated with the card ID of the member card issued to the member.

The game ball upper limit data 55d is data indicating the upper limit number of game balls that can be stored in the gaming machine 20. The correspondence setting data 55e is data indicating the response when the number of game balls reaches the upper limit of game balls regarding the payout of the balls held exactly.

The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and includes a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, a game ball upper limit management unit 56d, and a correspondence setting unit 56e. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the card management section 56a, device management section 56b, member management section 56c, game ball upper limit management section 56d, and correspondence setting section 56e are executed. It will be executed.

The card management section 56a is a processing section that manages card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balance associated with the card ID. Further, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the card of the value associated with the card and the balance of the cards.

The device management section 56b is a processing section that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates device management data 55b based on the inter-machine card processing machine ID, installation location, and gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The member management section 56c is a processing section that manages member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the prize management device 60 to update the balance of accumulated balls associated with the card ID. Further, when receiving a member registration request, the member management unit 56c updates the member management data 55c to add a member.

Here, the stored ball replay processing by the member management section 56c will be explained. When the member management unit 56c receives the accumulated ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the member management unit 56c calculates the balance of accumulated balls at the payout destination rate among the accumulated balls associated with the card ID in the accumulated ball replay request data. is withdrawn by the number of payout units, and the possible number of stored balls to be replayed is recalculated. Then, the stored ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction and the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The game ball upper limit management section 56d is a processing section that manages the game ball upper limit data 55d. When the game ball upper limit management unit 56d receives the game ball upper limit from the input unit 52, it stores the game ball upper limit in the game ball upper limit data 55d and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the management device 50 stores the game ball upper limit data 55d, but the management device 50 does not store the game ball upper limit data 55d, and the game ball upper limit data 55d is stored in advance for each inter-machine card processing machine 10. It can also be configured to store upper limit data 16c.

The correspondence setting unit 56e is a processing unit that manages the correspondence setting data 55e. When the correspondence setting unit 56e receives the correspondence setting from the input unit 52, it stores the correspondence setting in the correspondence setting data 55e and notifies it to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, game ball upper limit data 55d, and corresponding setting data 55e shown in FIG.

In the card management data 55a shown in FIG. 8(a), the card ID "1001" is associated with the prepaid value "0" frequency, the balance of balls of each rate "0", and the destination ID "A101". . That is, the card with the card ID "1001" has been inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of balls at each rate is zero.

In addition, in the card management data 55a, the card ID "2001" has a prepaid value of "3000", the balance of balls of ball 1 is "1500" balls, the balance of balls of ball 2 is "2500" balls, balls It is associated with the balance of 3 balls with a balance of "0", but there is no association with the destination ID. That is, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the management device 50 manages the balls held.

The device management data 55b shown in FIG. 8(b) indicates that for the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the ID "A101", its installation location is "Island 1-1", and the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201". ”, the game machine number is “11”, the game type is “ball 1”, the model of the game machine 20 is “EV01”, and the serial number is “a”. It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

Furthermore, the device management data 55b indicates that for the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the ID "A201", its installation location is "Island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", and the gaming machine number. is "21", the game type is "ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the serial number is "g". It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The member management data 55c shown in FIG. 8(c) shows the name, accumulated balls, etc. that are associated with the card ID. Specifically, the member management data 55c includes, for the card ID "2005", the name "Tokyo Taro", the balance of balls for "ball 1" of "1500 balls", and the balance of balls for "balls 2" of "200". This shows a state where the balance of the stored balls of "balls 3" is "0" balls.

The game ball upper limit data 55d shown in FIG. 8(d) shows a state where the game ball upper limit is "100,000" balls. The correspondence setting data 55e shown in FIG. 8(e) shows a state in which the correspondence setting is "correspondence 1."

<An example of a display in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the embodiment>
Next, an example of the display in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing examples of displays in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment. In the gaming system according to the present embodiment, the display contents on the inter-machine card processing machine 10 are different in each of correspondences 1 to 4, so each will be explained. Note that since the correspondence 1 has already been explained in FIG. 1, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In case of response 2, as shown in FIG. 9, a screen for inputting the number of balls to be kept is displayed, and for example, input "10,000 balls" and select the confirm button to confirm the input number of balls. Then, by performing a replay operation, the payout of the balls held is executed, and a "paying out" screen is displayed during the execution. A cancel button is also displayed on this screen.

If the stop button is selected while the balls are being put out, the payout is stopped and a message is displayed to the effect that the processing of the balls exactly has been stopped. At this time, the current number of balls (for example, 20,000 balls) is also displayed.

In the case of response 3, as shown in FIG. 10, a screen for inputting the number of balls to be kept is displayed. For example, enter "10,000 balls" and select the confirm button to confirm the input number of balls. Then, by performing a replay operation, the payout of the balls held is executed, and a "paying out" screen is displayed during the execution.

If the instruction to stop the payout is selected by the remote control terminal 40 while the balls are being put out, a message is displayed to the effect that the payout is stopped and the processing of the balls exactly is stopped. At this time, the current number of balls (for example, 20,000 balls) is also displayed.

In the case of response 4, as shown in FIG. 11, a screen for inputting the number of balls to be kept is displayed. For example, enter "10,000 balls" and select the confirm button to confirm the input number of balls. Then, by performing a replay operation, the payout of the balls held is executed, and a "paying out" screen is displayed during the execution.

When the game ball number data 16e reaches the game ball upper limit data 16c during the payout of the balls held, the payout is stopped and a message indicating that the processing of the balls held is stopped is displayed. At this time, the current number of balls (for example, 20,000 balls) is also displayed.

<Processing procedures for each response in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the embodiment>
Next, each corresponding processing procedure in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained. 12 to 14 are flowcharts showing each corresponding processing procedure in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment.

First, the processing procedure of response 1 in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 12, if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input of the number of balls to be left as balls (step S101; Yes), the sum of the input number of balls and the game ball number data 16e and the game The ball upper limit data 16c is compared (step S102).

If the sum of the input number of balls and the game ball number data 16e exceeds the game ball upper limit data 16c (step S102; Yes), a re-input screen for the number of balls is displayed (step S103), and the process moves to step S101. do.

If the sum of the input ball number and the game ball number data 16e is less than or equal to the game ball upper limit data 16c (step S102; No), by accepting the replay operation, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the input ball number from the number of balls held is paid out (step S104), and the process ends.

Next, processing procedures for measures 2 and 3 in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 13, if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the input of the number of balls to be left as possession (step S201; Yes), it accepts a replay operation to change the input number of balls from the number of balls held. The number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of balls is paid out (step S202). If the payout is completed (step S203; Yes), the process is ended.

Before the end of payout (step S203; No), if the cancellation is accepted (step S204; Yes), the payout process is canceled (step S205). In response 2, this cancellation is accepted when the cancel button on the display operation section 13 is selected, and in response 3, the dispensing cancellation instruction from the remote control terminal 40 is received from the remote control light receiving section 19. Then, a payout cancellation screen is displayed (step S206), and the process ends.

Next, the processing procedure of Countermeasure 4 in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 14, if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the input of the number of balls to be left as possession (step S301; Yes), by accepting a replay operation, the number of balls to be kept is changed to the input number of balls. The number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of balls is paid out (step S302). If the payout is completed (step S303; Yes), the process is ended.

If the game ball number data 16e reaches the game ball upper limit data 16c before the end of the payout (step S303; No), the payout process is stopped (step S305). Then, a payout cancellation screen is displayed (step S306), and the process ends.

As described above, the gaming system according to the present embodiment displays the number of balls that can be input exactly so that the number of playing balls of the gaming machine 20 does not exceed the upper limit of playing balls, or displays the number of balls that can be inputted while paying out the balls that the gaming machine 20 has. If the number of game balls reaches the upper limit, the number of game media stored in the gaming machine and the number of game media stored in each device are different. When transferring the number of game media between players, it is possible to efficiently eliminate the anxiety of players.

Note that in the above embodiment, a configuration in which responses 1 to 4 are individually designated is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple responses among responses 1 to 4 can be specified in parallel. It can also be configured to correspond to

Furthermore, each configuration illustrated in the above embodiments is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of dispersion/integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the diagram, but all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units depending on various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

The gaming system, each device, and the number of gaming media transfer control method according to the present invention are for the case where the number of gaming media is transferred between the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine and the number of gaming media stored in each device. It is useful for

10 Inter-machine card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Banknote transport unit 12a Banknote insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader/writer 14a Card insertion slot 15 Communication unit 16 Storage unit 16a Own device status data 16b Card data 16c Game ball upper limit data 16d Compatibility Setting data 16e Game ball number data 17 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Game ball upper limit management unit 17c Corresponding setting unit 17d Game ball number management unit 17e Ball management unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Game Machine status management section 19 Remote control light receiving section 20 Game machine 21 Handle 22 Counting button 23 Communication control section 24 Production control section 24a Production symbol lottery section 24b Production lottery section 25 Game control section 26 Game ball control section 26a Game possible number management section 30 Island Controller 40 Remote control terminal 50 Management device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 External network communication section 54 Store network communication section 55 Storage section 55a Card management data 55b Device management data 55c Member management data 55d Game ball upper limit data 55e Corresponding setting data 56 Control section 56a Card management department 56b Device management department 56c Member management department 56d Game ball upper limit management department 56e Compatible setting department 60 Prize management device 70 Settlement machine

Claims (10)

A gaming system comprising a gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media in which gaming media are enclosed, and each device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores a second number of gaming media,
Each of the above devices is
storage means for storing the number of second game media stored in the gaming machine and the upper limit value of the number of second gaming media that can be stored in the gaming machine;
a reception means for accepting the number of remaining game media to be left in the own device;
Calculation means for calculating the number of transferred game media by subtracting the number of remaining game media from the second number of game media;
and a control means for controlling to limit the transfer of the number of transferred game media to the first number of game media based on the number of transferred game media, the first number of game media, and the upper limit value. A game system featuring: The control means includes:
If the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media is greater than the upper limit, the number of game media in which the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media does not exceed the upper limit. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the display is controlled as a possible input number. The control means includes:
3. When the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media is greater than the upper limit value, display control is performed to prompt re-input of the number of remaining game media. gaming system. The control means includes:
A claim characterized in that when the sum of the number of transferred game media and the first number of game media is less than the upper limit value, the number of transferred game media is controlled to be transferred to the first number of game media. The gaming system according to item 3. The control means includes:
If a predetermined transition stop operation is received during the transition of adding the first number of game media to the number of transition gaming media, the transition to the first number of gaming media related to the number of transition gaming media is canceled. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising display control to indicate that the game has been cancelled. The predetermined migration abort operation is
6. The gaming system according to claim 5, wherein the operation is an operation on a predetermined cancel button by a player, or a remote control operation by an employee of the store. The control means includes:
If the first number of game media becomes greater than the upper limit during the transition of adding the number of transferred game media to the first number of game media, the first game related to the number of transferred game media 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the transition to the number of media is canceled and a display control is performed to indicate that the transition to the number of media has been canceled. The control means includes:
8. The gaming system according to claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein when the transition to the first number of game media regarding the transitional number of game media is canceled, the second number of game media is corrected. . Each device is attached to a gaming machine that stores a first number of game media in which game media are enclosed, and stores a second number of game media,
storage means for storing the number of second game media stored in the gaming machine and the upper limit value of the number of second gaming media that can be stored in the gaming machine;
a reception means for accepting the number of remaining game media to be left in the own device;
Calculation means for calculating the number of transferred game media by subtracting the number of remaining game media from the second number of game media;
and a control means for controlling to limit the transfer of the number of transferred game media to the first number of game media based on the number of transferred game media, the first number of game media, and the upper limit value. Each unit features: Shifting the number of gaming media in a gaming system having a gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media enclosed in the machine, and each device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores a second number of gaming media A control method,
a reception step in which each device receives the number of remaining game media to be left in its own device;
a calculation step in which each of the devices calculates the number of transferred gaming media by subtracting the number of remaining gaming media from the second number of gaming media;
Each of the machines determines the first number of game media to be transferred based on the upper limit of the number of game media to be transferred, the first number of game media, and the second number of game media that can be stored in the gaming machine. A control method for controlling the number of game media, comprising: a control step for controlling the transition to the number of game media.

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