JP2651823B2 - Storage media type game equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game system using a game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball, a slot machine, and the like, and particularly enables a game to be played with a storage medium exchanged for money. The present invention relates to technology that is effective when used in a gaming system.

[Prior Art] In recent years, a card-type pachinko gaming system has been proposed as a typical example of playing a game using a card-shaped storage medium. The card method has the advantage that the player only needs to carry the card, which is a storage medium, and can reduce the burden of carrying a large number of pachinko balls that are easy to fall. Conventionally proposed card-type pachinko gaming systems are roughly divided into the following two types.

In the first method, when issuing a card, the number of balls held corresponding to the purchase amount is stored in the card, a pachinko game is performed within the range of the number of balls held, and the number of balls held is increased or decreased in the game process. (See JP-B-47-42227).

The second type of card method is to issue a card in which only the code number is recorded at the time of purchase of diving balls, store the number of diving balls in the form of a table in the memory of the central control device, and read the card from a pachinko machine. The player can play the game by inserting the code number into the device or by using the numeric keypad provided on the pachinko machine to enter the code number and retrieve the stored number of balls. Kuniaki 61-32709
No., JP-A-55-16608).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Of the above-mentioned conventional systems, the first system in which the number of balls held is stored in the card itself, the card is taken to a pachinko machine, and the card is inserted to play a game. In that case, since the number of balls held is stored in the card itself, fraud by card copying is easily performed, and there is a possibility that the profit of the game store may be impaired.

On the other hand, in the second method in which a code number is given to a purchaser and the number of balls held is read from the memory of the management device based on the number, there is no damage to the game store by copying the card or stealing the code number. There is a possibility that the interests of the original right holder (player) may be impaired. Also, the storage information management of the memory is performed exclusively in the form of a table in which the code number and the number of possessed balls correspond to each other. When the number of possessed balls of the card becomes zero, the information of the card is deleted from the table. I was For this reason, there is an inconvenience that it is not possible to accumulate information on the behavior of each player and statistically process the information.

An object of the present invention is to prevent damage to a game store and a player caused by copying a storage medium or stealing a code number, collect information on the behavior of each player and statistically process the information, and perform business operations after the next day. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage-medium type game facility capable of determining a policy.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has a storage medium issuing device that issues a storage medium that stores at least its own identification code, and a reading device for the storage medium, and is loaded into the reading device. A gaming machine that allows a player to play a game with a value provided to a storage medium and provides a player with an added value when a specific state occurs, storage means for storing at least information on the storage medium, and the storage medium A management device having an operation monitoring means for monitoring the state transition of the storage means and storing the transition state in the storage means for each storage medium using the identification code at the time of the transition. The medium issuing device, the gaming machine, and the management device are connected by a transmission unit, and the transition state of each storage medium grasped by the operation monitoring unit Is configured to enable operation of the storage medium in a corresponding mode only when the storage medium is in a predetermined state.

[Operation] According to the above-described means, by checking the transition state in the storage means of the management device, it is possible to avoid a double game using a storage medium (card) having the same identification code and a duplicate payment using a settled storage medium. It is possible to prevent fraudulent fraud. Also, at the time of the state transition of the storage medium (at the time of action)
By storing the information on the storage medium in the storage means, the history of the storage medium can be left as a record, and by analyzing this after closing, the behavior of the player can be statistically grasped. .

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pachinko game system to which the present invention is applied.

The pachinko gaming system according to the present embodiment includes a pachinko machine 100 as a gaming machine and an issuing machine as a storage medium issuing device that issues a card CD as a storage medium having a local value in order to start a game in each pachinko machine.
Centrally manages and controls 200, a prize ball obtained as a result of the game and a payment machine 300 as a storage medium payment device for payment of remaining purchase money not used for the game, and the above-mentioned various terminals. And a data transmission line 500 for organically connecting the management device 400 and each terminal. These components constitute an organic combination. This organic combination can be interposed only by the card CD, and the card can be operated and its valuable data can be converted only by the organic combination. Therefore, the pachinko machine 100, the issuing machine 200, each component of the organic conjugate,
The checkout machine 300 and the management device 400 are each provided with a card driver (card reader and card writer), and the information of the card and the information of each terminal are stored in the storage device of the management device 400 in the form of a file. It is to be remembered.

Next, before a detailed description of each component of the organic conjugate, a card used in the system of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, the card CD used in the system of the present embodiment can be used in an available area, that is, a game store name HALL, a purchase amount AM, and a card insertion direction DI.
Information necessary for the player, such as R, date of issue, date, etc., and an issue serial number n, etc., necessary for the recovery of the damaged card are printed on the surface of the card CD. Further, when the purchase amount is completely used up and the number of possessed balls becomes zero, a card invalid display INV such as an X mark is also printed.

On the other hand, the back surface of the card CD is a magnetic surface coated with a magnetic material over the entire surface. The magnetic surface is provided with three blocks BL1, BL2, and BL3 along the card insertion direction. The same information is redundantly recorded in each of them, and data is determined based on the majority rule at the time of reproduction. In addition, the information recorded on the magnetic surface of the card of this embodiment is an appropriate function based on the identification code for specifying the use area of the card, the issue date for indicating the validity period of the card, and the issue serial number n. Alternatively, only the card number as an identification code obtained by using the conversion method and the check code for error detection are used, and the purchase amount and the number of balls are not recorded. These are configured to be able to be extracted in real time from the data file of the management device 400 by the card number. This prevents fraud by copying the card and minimizes the damage caused by fraud. In other words, even if the card is copied, no damage occurs beyond the purchase price and the number of balls registered in the data file, so copying the card is a completely useless act.

In addition, the card is disposable, so that card collection equipment is not required, simplifying the system and facilitating card management. 54mm standard and paper is selected as card material.

 FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the card issuing machine 200.

The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment includes a bill identifying device 210 for identifying bills for card purchase, and a card writer 22 for printing an amount corresponding to the purchase amount and recording a card number.
0, a balance payout device 230 for discharging change, various indicators 241 to 245, a control unit 250 for controlling the entire issuing machine 200, and the like.

Corresponding to the bill validator 210, the front panel 201 is provided with a bill insertion slot 211, a purchase price selection switch group 212 and a price display 213. Therefore, the player first inserts the bill from the bill insertion slot 211, and the selection switch group 2
Press the switch corresponding to the desired purchase price from 12. Then, the inserted amount is displayed on the amount display 213, and the card corresponding to the desired purchased amount is stored in the card writer 220.
Is issued from the card ejection port 202. Further, each of the money amount selection switch groups 212 is configured by a switch with a built-in lamp, and when the switch is operated, the corresponding built-in lamp is turned on. Then, the inserted bill is collected in the bill storage tank 214.

The card writer 220 takes out blank cards stored in the card tank 221 one by one and prints the purchase amount, the issue date and the issue serial number n given by the management device 400 on the front side, and The card number and identification code (store code), date of issue, and check code calculated by the control unit 250 are recorded on the magnetic surface on the back of the card, and the card is ejected from the card ejection port 202 provided on the front panel 201. I do. The issuing serial number n is determined by the management apparatus 400, which has received an application for card purchase from the card issuing machine 200, in the order in which it is received for purchase applications from a plurality of card issuing machines under its control. , A number assigned to each card issuing machine, in order to prevent fraud by copying the card, the magnetic surface of the card is provided with an operation or bit using a predetermined function f (n) with respect to the issuance serial number n. Are recorded as a card number obtained by performing a code conversion process such as rearrangement of. In order to enable calculation of the card number from the serial number n, the control program of the management device 400 is provided with a function f (n) or a code conversion procedure in advance, and the card number read from the card and the function f (n). An inverse function or an inverse conversion procedure is provided to confirm the coincidence with the issue serial number n.

FIG. 4A schematically shows the structure of the card writer 220.

That is, the card writer 220 includes a card removal device 22 that removes cards one by one from the card tank 221, a transport motor 223, and a card sensor 2 that detects the position of the card.
24a, 224b, a magnetic head 225 for recording card numbers and the like,
A printing device (marking device) 226 is provided. Further, the card writer of the embodiment has a reproducing head 227 in order to perform a verify function, that is, to check write data, and each of the above driving means is controlled by a control board (controller) 228 based on a detection signal of a sensor. Then, recording, printing, and discharging on the card are performed.

On the other hand, when inserted from the bill insertion slot 211, the purchase amount is determined by the amount selection switch 212, and when a balance is generated, the balance payment device 230 for repaying the balance includes a bill tank 231 for stocking the bills. The bill corresponding to the balance is discharged to the bill outlet 232 provided on the front panel 201.
Is configured to be discharged.

Further, on the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200,
Issue lamp 24 indicating that the card can be issued
1.Issuance stop lamp 242 indicating that the card cannot be issued, a bill pool over display 243 indicating that the tank 214 is full of bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 211, and unissued cards in the card tank 221 are empty. Card shortage indicator 244 that informs that the money has become empty, and the bill tank 231 of the balance dispenser.
A change shortage indicator 245 is provided to notify that the stock bills have run out. Further, in order to detect the above state and turn on the corresponding indicator, the bill tank 214,
Sensors 261, 262, and 263 are provided in the 231 and the card tank 221, respectively.

Further, in the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment, the management device 400 can identify the issuing machine that issued the specific card by distinguishing each of the plurality (several tens) of issuing machines 200 installed in the game arcade. A device number setting device 205 is provided inside the device so that the device number set by the device 205 is transmitted to the management device 400 to generate a transmission address for data communication and to issue each device. Is used to create a data file.

Although not particularly limited, the same number as the machine number set by the setting device 205 is displayed on a name plate 206 attached to an upper portion of the front panel 201 of the issuing machine.

FIG. 5 shows a card issuing machine 20 configured as described above.
A configuration example of a control system of 0 is shown.

In the drawing, reference numerals L1 to L5 denote lamps built in the purchase amount selection switch group 212, and the lamp corresponding to the turned on switch is turned on to illuminate the operation button from behind. It is supposed to.

In this system, a card writer shown in FIG.
Each component of the 220 is controlled by a controller 228 such as a CPU (microcomputer). The controller 228 and various sensors and indicators provided on the issuing machine, the bill validator 210, and the balance payout device 230 are also microcontrollers. It is controlled by a unit controller 251 in a control unit 250 composed of a computer.

The unit controller 251 performs the card issuing process by controlling the above components and receiving the card number, collects the operation data, and transfers it to the unit memory as a parallel communication means comprising a dual port memory.
Write to the transmission data area SDA in 270. The operation data written in the unit memory 270 is transmitted to the management device by a transmission controller and a network control unit (NAU), which will be described later, by data communication with the management device 400 via a transmission cable (network). Also, it is sent from the management device 400. Data is also temporarily stored in unit memory 2.
The data is written to the reception data area RDA in 70, and the unit controller 251 reads the data to receive data. The unit memory 270 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which commands and status information for transmitting the transmission data and the reception data in the memory to the other controller are stored.

Tables 1, 2, and 3 show the unit memory 27, respectively.
5 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area in 0.

The hot code shown in Table 1 is written by the management device in the transmission area of the unit memory 270 at the time of system startup, for example, by writing a code of 010101 コ ー ド 01, and periodically writing to the management device. In addition, it is possible to check whether the RAM data is destroyed due to noise such as static electricity or the like, and quickly detect an abnormality in the transmission data.

Note that the monitor information 1 shown in Table 1 above corresponds to Table 4
As shown in the figure, a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a bit indicating a local network (transmission cable 500) error (for low and high layers) 2 bits), a bit indicating an issuer abnormality, and the like.

As shown in Table 5, the monitor information 2 includes a bit indicating an abnormality of the card writer, a bit indicating the presence or absence of a card, a bit indicating a state in the banknote tank, a bit indicating a jam in the banknote, and a forcible blowing of the banknote. A bit indicating the state of the balance dispenser in the bill tank, a bit indicating an abnormality of the balance dispenser, and the like.

Next, an example of the configuration of a pachinko machine that provides an original geisha will be described with reference to FIG.

The pachinko machine 100 of this embodiment is mounted on an island facility or the like above the main body of the gaming machine in a one-to-one correspondence with the main body of the gaming machine 110 and mainly performs processing relating to cards and collection of operation data during the game. And a control unit 160 for controlling it.

The control unit 160 is configured separately from the gaming machine main body 110 in this embodiment, and displays a card insertion / ejection slot 161, an amount display 162 for displaying the amount of money of the card, and the number of balls held by the player in digital numbers. It has a ball display 163, an analog display 164 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a line, a call switch 165 for calling a clerk, and the like. The analog display 164 is used to display the number of balls held in a game in an analog manner, and to display a stopped state and a free state by simultaneous blinking and moving blinking.

In addition, although not particularly limited, a safe lamp 166 for displaying a prize ball, a game display lamp 167 for indicating that the game is being played, and a sound effect sound, which are conventionally provided on the main body of the pachinko machine, are provided on the front of the control unit 160. Further, a speaker 168 for generating a warning is provided. Further, the pachinko machine 10 is located at a position located inside the island facility on the side of the control unit 160.
0 is separated from the management device 400, a test switch 171 for enabling a game operation using a test card, which will be described later, and a name plate 172 on the front of the unit that clearly indicates a machine number given to the pachinko machine. Are provided respectively.

Inside the control unit 160, a card reader 180 corresponding to the card insertion / ejection slot 161 and a machine number setting switch 173 behind the machine name plate 172 further control the entire control unit 160. Unit controller 1
90 are each provided. Unit controller 190
Is a transmission line such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable.
1 connects to the control device 150 of the gaming machine main body 110 and to the management device 400 via a transmission controller and a local network (transmission cable) described later. The card reader 180 has substantially the same configuration as the issuing machine card writer 220 shown in FIG. 4A (see FIG. 4B), and omits the card tank 221 and the recording head 225.
The configuration is such that a forced ejection device 181 is provided instead of the card ejection device 222.

On the other hand, the game machine main body 110 of the present embodiment is configured as a closed-type game machine that circulates and uses game balls sealed in the machine, and has a circulation device 120 that circulates the sealed balls.
In addition, at the lower part of the gaming machine main body 110, a launching device 111 for launching the above enclosed balls one by one into the gaming area and its operation dial 1
There are provided a purchase switch 113, an end switch 114, and an interruption switch 115 for enabling a game procedure using the card. The configuration of the game area is the same as the conventional one. The purchase switch 113 is connected to the card slot 161
This is an instruction switch for converting a game ball into a game ball in a unit of 200 yen or the like within a range of the amount of money of the card on the assumption that the card is inserted into the game ball.
The number of possessed balls is displayed on the possessed ball indicator 163, and the number of possessed balls is decremented by one each time one game ball is fired by the hit ball launching device,
When a prize ball is generated, it is added and displayed for the number of prize balls.
The end switch 114 is turned on at any time when the player wants to end the game (including when the player wants to change the game console), so that the card in use is controlled by the control unit 16.
It can be discharged from zero. At that time, the unit controller 190 registers the number of balls held by the player (sum of purchased balls and acquired balls) in the file of the management device 400 at that time, and then ejects the card from the insertion / ejection opening 161. Further, the interruption switch 115 is a switch used to temporarily stop the game for a break although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing, and when this switch is operated. The unit controller 190 once ejects the card and waits until the same card is inserted again, during which time no other cards are accepted. Of the above switches, the purchase switch 113 and the interruption switch 115 are of a built-in lamp type.
The lamp in 3 flashes, and when the interruption switch 115 is pressed, the built-in lamp is turned on until the interruption is released.

 FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the back surface of the gaming machine main body 110.

A prize ball collecting gutter 122 covering a plurality of prize ball derivation holes 121 formed to penetrate the game board corresponding to a prize area provided in a game area on the front of the game board 101, Installed. The bottom wall of the prize ball collecting gutter 122 is inclined downward toward the center to be guide shelves 122a and 122b,
The first guiding gutter 123 is connected to the lower end of the flow, and the winning balls flowing into the winning ball collecting gutter 122 flow down on the guide shelves 122a and 122b to be collected and flow down the first guiding gutter 123. It is detected by the safe sensor 131 on the way. Further, a collecting gutter 124 is provided on the back surface of the game board corresponding to the out hole 102 provided at the lower part of the game area, and the end of the collecting gutter 124 is provided at the end of the first guiding gutter 123. Have joined. Further, in this embodiment, a second guiding gutter 125 is provided for collecting a winning game ball in a large variable winning device provided in the game area, and the end of the second guiding gutter 125 is provided at the end of the collecting gutter 124. Has been joined. The recovery gutter 124 and the second guiding gutter 125 are provided with an out sensor 132 and a safe sensor 133, and detect a game ball flowing into them. First
By providing the guide gutter 123 and the second guide gutter 125, it is possible to provide the player with different numbers of prize balls obtained by winning the respective winning regions.

The confluence of each of the gutters is communicated at a communication port 127 in the middle of a guide gutter 126 for guiding the recovered game class to the hitting ball firing device 111.

As shown in FIG. 8, the guide gutter 126 has a foul ball intake 104 provided in the middle of an arc-shaped guide rail 103 for guiding a game ball fired by the hit ball firing device 111 to an upper part of the game area. A foul ball, a safe ball (winning ball) and an out ball are all finally collected by the guide gutter 126, and the hitting ball launcher 111
Is guided until. In the middle of the guide gutter 126, a foul sensor 134 for detecting game balls collected from the foul ball intake 104, a ball narrator 105 for aligning the game balls collected in the guide gutter, and a box for extracting the enclosed ball to the outside. Ball lever 106
Is provided. The ball detected by the foul sensor 134 is subtracted from the shot ball, and the number of hit balls actually hit in the game area is accurately counted. Also, guide rail 10
At the starting end of 3, firing sensors 135 and 136 for detecting a hit ball fired by the hit ball firing device 111 are provided, so that they are not counted as empty hitting balls, and the firing sensor 135 side to the firing sensor 136 side The movement of the hit ball is counted as the number of shots. On the other hand, when the movement of the hit ball from the firing sensor 136 side to the 135 side is detected as the reverse, it is counted as a return ball (a foul ball). The ball pulling lever 106 prevents the rotation of the rotatable rotating plate 107 provided so as to constitute a part of the bottom wall of the guide gutter 126 to supply the game ball to the hitting ball firing device side, and Ninth
As shown in Fig. (A), slide upward to rotate the plate.
107 is configured to rotate downward by its own weight and discharge game balls in the guide gutter 126.

On the other hand, a ball feed 128 having a ball receiving portion 128a is swingably attached to the lower end of the guide gutter 126 as shown in FIG. 9 (B).
The game balls inside are separated one by one and moved to the firing start position of the guide rail 103. Ball feed 128
Is rotated upward in conjunction with the firing rod 111a of the hit ball firing device 111. A separation wall 109 is formed at the boundary between the guide gutter 126 and the start end of the guide rail 103. When the ball feed 128 is rotated upward, the game ball engaged with the ball receiving portion 128a at the tip end By moving over only one of the separation walls 109, the ball moves. Note that a cylindrical weight 129 is built in the ball feed 128, and the weight of the weight allows the ball feed 128 to smoothly return to the rotation.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a control system of the pachinko machine 100.

In this system, the card sensor 224, the reproducing head 227, the marking device 226, and the transport motor 223, which are the respective components of the card reader 180, are connected to a controller 188.
Is controlled by Then, various switches 165 and 17 provided in the controller 188 and the control unit 160 are provided.
1,173, displays 162,163,164,166,167, speaker 168,
Also, it is controlled by a unit controller 190 composed of a microcomputer.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, a control device 150 of the game machine main body 110, various sensors, a display, and the like are connected to the unit controller 190 via an optical cable 191. In order to enable communication using an optical fiber cable, a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data and serial data and an optical-to-optical converter for converting electrical signals and optical signals are used.
Optical multiplexed data links (interfaces) 192 and 193 including electrical converters and the like are provided between the unit controller 190 and the optical fiber cable 191 and between the optical fiber cable and the control device 150.

In addition, by using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit controller 190 and the control device 150 of the pachinko machine, a large number of wirings conventionally arranged in a complicated manner on the back side of the pachinko machine are cleared, Maintenance and management can be facilitated, and incorrect wiring connection can be prevented.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a control system of the gaming machine main body 110.

Under the control of the unit controller 190 via the optical multiplex data link 193 and the optical cable 191, together with the control device 150, the hitting ball launching device 111 and the purchase switch 113
A built-in purchase enable indicator lamp 113a and a built-in interrupt indicator 115a built into the interrupt switch 115 are installed via a driver 195. Also, a purchase switch 113, a game end switch 114,
The signal from the interruption switch 115 is transmitted to the unit controller 190 via the optical multiplex data link 193 and the optical fiber cable 191.

The control device 150 is also configured by a microcomputer, and the control device 150 includes emission sensors 135 and 136.
The detection signals from the safe sensors 131 and 133, the foul sensor 134, and the out sensor 132 are input. Based on these signals, a winning ball, a foul ball, an out ball, and the like are determined, and the unit controller 190 is notified.

On the other hand, the unit controller 190 calculates operation data such as the number of payout balls, the number of outgoing balls, the number of possessed balls, the sales amount, etc., based on the detection signals relating to these game balls, the signals from the purchase switch 113, and the like. It generates operation information (game state), monitor information, and the like regarding the machine, and writes them into the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 170 composed of a dual port memory.

The operation data and the like written in the unit memory 170 are as follows:
The data is transmitted to the management device by data communication with the management device 400 by a transmission controller described later. Also a management device
The data sent from 400 is also once written to the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 170, and the unit controller 190 reads this to receive data. Unit memory 170 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which commands and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory are stored.

Tables 6, 7 and 8 show the unit memory 14 respectively.
2 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area CDA in 0.

The monitor information 1 shown in Table 6 includes a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating whether an initial value is set / not set, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a local network, as shown in Table 9. Bits (2 for low-rise and high-rise) indicating abnormalities of (transmission cable 500)
Bit), a bit indicating a gaming machine abnormality, and the like. Further, the monitor information 2 has bits indicating an abnormality of the card reader as shown in Table 10.

Further, the operation information includes a bit indicating a stop state as shown in Table 11, a bit indicating that a game is interrupted, a bit indicating a forced termination state by a management device or a controller based on a communication error or fraud detection, etc. The bit includes a bit indicating that there is a game machine, a bit indicating that the gaming machine is in a free state without a player, and the like.

From Table 11 above, the actual state of the pachinko machine is Is represented by

 FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the above-described settlement machine 300.

The payment machine 300 of this embodiment includes a card reader 310 that reads the card number of the inserted card CD, a balance payment device 320 for refunding an amount corresponding to an unpurchased amount remaining unused for the card, It is composed of a printer 330 for issuing a receipt on which the number of balls held by the game is printed, various displays 340 to 342, a control unit 350 for controlling the entire settlement machine 300, and the like.

Corresponding to the card reader 310, the front panel 301 has a card insertion slot 311, a ball number display 312 for displaying the number of acquired prize balls (the number of balls held), and an amount display 313 for displaying an unpurchased amount. Is provided. When a player first inserts a card from the card insertion slot 311, the card reader 310 reads the card number recorded on the magnetic surface on the back of the card, sends the card number to the management device 400, and receives data related to the card. Then, while the unpurchased amount is displayed on the amount display 313, the acquired number of balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 312,
After the inserted card is printed or punched with an invalid mark by the marking device, the card storage tank
Collected (confiscated) in 314.

This prevents the misused card from being abused. The configuration of the card reader 310 is the same as that of the card writer
This is almost the same as 220 (see FIG. 4 (A)), and includes a card tank 221, a card ejection device 222, and a magnetic head for recording.
225 is unnecessary (FIG. 4 (C)).

The printer 330 pulls out the blank sheet stocked in a roll state, prints the date of issue, the number of balls acquired, the amount of unused money, and the card history on the surface, and discharges it from the receipt issuing port 331. I do.

At the same time, the money corresponding to the unpurchased amount is paid out as a balance from the banknote payout device 320 and the coin payout device 326. The bill dispensing device 320 includes a bill tank 321 for storing bills and a bill outlet 322. In addition, since a fraction of less than 1000 yen is generated at the time of settlement, a coin dispensing device 326 including a coin tank 324 for storing coins in units of 100 yen and a coin payout port 325 is provided.

Further, on the front panel 301 of the settlement machine 300, a settlement lamp 341 indicating that the card is being settled, a settlement stop lamp 342 indicating that the card cannot be settled, and a tank 313 with a card inserted from the card insertion slot 311. A card overflow indicator L11 and a cash-out device 3 that indicate that the battery is full
A bill shortage indicator L12 that indicates that the stock bills in the 20 bill tanks 321 have run out, a coin shortage indicator L13 that indicates that the stock coins in the coin tank 324 of the coin dispenser have run out, and a roll paper in the printer 330 There is provided a monitor display lamp group 340 including a paperless indicator L14 and the like for indicating that the battery has run out. In addition, sensors 361, 362, 363, and 364 are provided in the card tank 314, the bill tank 321, the coin tank 324, and the printer 330, respectively, in order to detect the above states and turn on the corresponding indicators. The coin dispensing device 326 has a coin removal switch 3
27 are provided.

Further, the settlement machine 300 of this embodiment has a stand for distinguishing each of the plurality of settlement machines installed in the amusement store and allowing the management device 400 to recognize the settlement machine that has performed the settlement of the specific card. A number setting device 305 is provided inside, and the unit number set by this setting 305 is
It is sent to 00 and is used for generating a transmission address for data communication and creating a data file for each settlement machine.

Note that, although not limited, the same number as the machine number set by the setting device 305 is displayed on a name plate 306 attached to an upper portion of the front panel 301 of the checkout machine.

FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of a control system of the payment machine 300 configured as described above.

Note that, in the figure, reference numerals L11 to L14 indicate lamps constituting the monitor display lamp group 340.

In this system, the card sensors 224a, 224b, the reproducing head 227, the marking device 22
6 and the transport motor 223 are controlled by a controller 319 including a CPU (microcomputer), and various sensors and indicators provided in the controller 319 and the settlement machine, a bill dispenser 320, a coin dispenser 326, a printer
330 is controlled by a unit controller 351 in a control unit 350 also composed of a microcomputer.

The unit controller 351 controls the above components, checks the card number, receives and displays the card data, executes the settlement processing, collects the operation data, and stores it in the unit memory 370 including a dual port memory. Write to the transmission data area SDA. The operation data written in the unit memory 370 is sent to the management device by data communication between the transmission controller and the management device 400 via the transmission cable. Also, data sent from the management device is once written in the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 370, and the unit controller 351 reads the data to receive data. Unit memory 370 is provided with a shared data area CDA for storing commands and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory.

Tables 12, 13, and 14 show the unit memory 37, respectively.
2 shows a configuration example of a transmission data area SDA, a reception data area RDA, and a shared data area CDA in 0.

As shown in Table 13, in this embodiment, the card history data is also received, printed on a receipt together with the time data, and ejected, thereby impressing the player that the payment data has high reliability. Can be. However, the history data is up to 20 in the card file
It is data up to times.

Note that the monitor information 1 shown in Table 12 above corresponds to Table 15
As shown in the figure, a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, a bit indicating a hot code error, and a bit indicating a local network (transmission cable 500) error (for low and high layers) , 2 bits), a bit indicating an abnormality of the payment apparatus, and the like.

The monitor information 2 includes a bit indicating a printer error, a bit indicating a card reader error as shown in Table 16,
A bit indicating the state in the coin tank, a bit indicating a jam in the coin dispensing device 326, a bit indicating an abnormality in the coin dispensing machine, a bit indicating a state in the bill tank of the bill dispensing machine, and a bit indicating an abnormality in the bill dispensing machine. And the like.

Next, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the payment machine 300 configured as described above are collectively controlled, and operation data is collected in real time. A description will be given of a management device 400 that restores the data state, resumes the operation of each part of the system, and enables the totalization of data necessary for the management of the game store.

FIG. 14 shows a specific configuration of the management device 400, and FIG. 15 shows a system configuration of the management device.

The management device 400 has substantially the same configuration as an office computer. That is, a control box 401 in which a central processing unit CPU, a main storage device M-MEM including a semiconductor memory (RAM), a timer (including a calendar), a TMR, a communication control device SCC, and the like are stored. A floppy disk storage device 402 as an auxiliary storage device provided in the hard disk storage device 4
03, a printer 404 for printing collected data, etc.,
A CRT display device 405 for displaying messages and collected data,
The management device 400 is constituted by the console 406 for the operator to give commands and setting data to the central processing unit.

The printer 404 includes a buffer 404a for temporarily storing data to be printed in order to improve the throughput of the management device 400.

Further, the management device 400 includes a card writer 407 that issues a test card as a medium for causing the system to perform an action from each terminal and a “stop” generated by the pachinko machine, which is unique to the pachinko gaming system.
For example, an auxiliary printer 408 for printing emergency information generated in the system in real time is provided above the control box 401.

In addition, in the event of a power failure, at least 10 data is transferred to the hard disk storage device 403 to protect the operation data of all terminals volatilely held in the main storage device and the data of all issued cards to the hard disk storage device 403. An auxiliary power supply 409 that allows the management device to operate for about a minute is provided below the control box 401.

In this embodiment, a system mainly comprising a pachinko machine, a card issuing machine, a checkout machine, and a management device will be described, but the present invention relates to an in-store broadcasting device as shown by broken lines X, Y, and Z in FIG. A premium exchange device, a vending machine, and the like can also be extended to a system in which the prize exchange device and the vending machine are controlled by the management device 400. In particular, there is a possibility that the prize exchange apparatus can easily apply a method that allows the prize exchange apparatus to directly exchange prizes without passing through the checkout machine 300 using a card.

Further, the console 406 configuring the management device 400 also has a unique key configuration most suitable for the pachinko game system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the console 406. FIG. 1B shows the upper surface of the console, that is, the panel surface, and FIG. 1A shows the rear surface of the console.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 421 denotes a store opening switch for instructing the start of business for each terminal of the system, and reference numeral 422 denotes a store close switch for instructing the end of business.
After the 421 is turned on, the card can be operated in each terminal until the store closing switch 422 is turned on. Also, 423 is an end switch for storing the operation data of all terminals in the floppy disk storage device 402 after the business is closed, and instructing the management device to stop the operation, and 424 for instructing the recovery process of the damaged card. It is a card resurrection switch.

The four switches of the store opening switch 421, the store closing switch 422, the end switch 423, and the card resurrection switch 424 are particularly important switches for the present system, and in order to prevent the system from being easily operated during operation of the system. Key switch provided at the rear (upper in the figure)
It is linked to 420, and unless the key switch 420 is turned on, the switches 421 to 424 cannot be operated to be turned on.

Numerals 425, 426, and 427 are the same type of numeric keys, return keys, and territ keys provided on a console of a personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, reference numeral 428 denotes a display menu switch for giving an instruction to display data relating to the card and operation data of each terminal on the screen of the CRT display device 405, and reference numeral 429 denotes a CRT clear switch for requesting deletion of data displayed on the CRT display device. It is. Reference numeral 430 denotes a print menu switch for giving a command to cause the printer 404 to print data related to the card, operation data of each terminal, and the like. Reference numeral 431 denotes a print stop switch for requesting the printer 404 to stop printing. 432 is a setting switch for requesting the setting of the number of hits or the hitting mode in the pachinko machine, and 433 is hitting, that is, the game cannot be continued because the prize balls of the set hitting number are paid out. The stop release switch 434 for giving the release command of the stop state of the pachinko machine, 434, when normal control and data collection becomes impossible due to communication network abnormalities, etc.
Alternatively, a forced termination switch for requesting forced termination of a specific terminal or all terminals when a player's fraud is found, 435 is a termination release switch for releasing the suspension of a forcedly terminated terminal, and 439 is for date and time setting Switch. Further, the console 406 of the embodiment is provided with a buzzer 440 that generates a sound that prompts the operator to wake up in the event of an emergency such as a pachinko machine hit and a buzzer stop switch 436 that instructs to stop sounding. Have been.

Of the above switches, the switches 421 to 424 and 432 to 436 indicated by double frames in the figure are switches with built-in lamps. Lights up. However, the lamp in the buzzer stop switch 436 is linked with the buzzer, lights up while the buzzer is sounding, and the stop switch 43
Turns off when 6 is pressed.

Further, the console 406 of this embodiment has a test card switch 437 for giving a test card issuance command on the back thereof, an exchange rate of purchased balls, a store code, a total number of terminals, and a prize ball 1 when the system is introduced. A built-in switch 438 is provided for making a setting request for setting values such as the number of prize balls per piece. These switches 437 and 438
Unlike other switches, is a switch that is usually hardly used, and is a switch that only needs to be known by a specific person (such as a manager of an amusement store), and is therefore provided on the back of the console.

Here, the test card will be described. As is clear from the configuration already described, the gaming system of this embodiment includes all terminals (pachinko machines, card issuing machines,
The settlement machine is under the control of the management device, and shifts to an operable state by exchanging card numbers and the like, and cannot be operated by the terminal alone. However, since pachinko machines are frequently used, jams and so-called tulips and other accessories often break down, and it is necessary to adjust nails in the game area to adjust the payout rate. In that case, a trial driving is performed after repair or nail adjustment, but it is very inconvenient to start up the entire system and operate the pachinko machine only with a purchase card. Therefore, in this embodiment, the test switch 171 in the control unit 160 of each pachinko machine described above is turned on, and a special test card issued by the management device is inserted through the card insertion / ejection port 161 of the control unit 160. Then, a certain number of balls is given, and the pachinko machine is configured to be able to execute the game operation alone.

The card writer 407 provided in the management device 400 has substantially the same configuration as the card writer 220 in the card issuing machine shown in FIG. 4A (see FIG. 4D). However, unlike the card issuing machine, the card tank 221 and the card take-out device 222 do not have a blank card inside and record a predetermined code by inserting a blank card from the outside.
I do not have. Further, since the test card and the resurrection card issued by the management device 400 do not necessarily need to specify the use date, number, and the like unlike other general cards, the marking device 226 is also omitted. However, the reproducing head 227 for verification is provided.

As described above, the terminals 100, 200, and 300 of this embodiment are all under the control of the management device 400, and cannot operate independently unless the management device 400 is activated. Therefore, when the system is started up, the management apparatus 400 gives setting values to all terminals and initializes them.
In addition, prior to this initialization, the terminal number is collected from each terminal to enable data transmission, and one by one.
Form two transmission addresses. During operation of the system, operation data of all terminals is collected in real time and stored in the main storage M-MEM.

As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of data handled by the management device 400 is enormous. Therefore, in the embodiment, these data are organized by file management to facilitate handling.

Table 17 shows a file configuration example of data managed by the management device 400.

These files are usually recorded in the main memory M-MEM, but all files are saved in the hard disk storage 403 at the time of power failure. Further, the data files relating to the terminals, that is, the pachinko machine files (hereinafter referred to as P machine files), the issuing machine files and the settlement machine files are stored in the floppy disk storage device 402 at the end of business hours, and are provided for monthly operation data totaling and the like. You.

Next, each file shown in Table 17 will be described in more detail.

The setting value file FL1 in the table depends on the characteristics and configuration of the system such as the exchange rate of purchased balls, the store code, the number of terminals, the number of prize balls, the number of hits, etc. Is a setting value that fluctuates. This setting value file is normally loaded from the hard disk HDD to the main storage device at the start of business.
The set value file FL1 can be updated from the console by pressing a built-in switch when replacing a pachinko machine or the like.

 Table 18 shows a configuration example of the setting value file FL1.

In the table, the exchange rate of purchased balls is the number of balls lent, ie, the number of initially held balls, per unit of purchase amount (for example, 200 yen), and the number of NAUs is the connection between the high-layer network and the low-layer network as a data transmission system. The total number of network adapter units (communication control devices) provided in the unit. Further, the number of prize balls from a certain pachinko machine to a certain pachinko machine is set in a table indicated by a symbol i. Two types of prize balls can be set for each prize ball. In addition, as shown by i = 1 to 16, in this embodiment, all the pachinko machines of the game arcade are divided into 16 groups, and the number of two prize balls of main and sub can be set separately. ing. However, consecutive machine numbers are given to pachinko machines having the same set value, and the target range is specified by the start number and end number.

Further, the number of hits is set in the table indicated by j, and the hitting mode is set in the table indicated by k. Here, the hit mode indicates a method of calculating the number of hits (arithmetic formula). For example, a mode in which hitting is performed when the number of payout prize balls reaches the hit number, or the number of payout prize balls. There is a mode in which, when the number of hit balls is subtracted from the number of hits reaches the number of hits, hitting is performed when the hitting number is reached. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, as shown by j = 1 to 16, k = 1 to 16, the number of hits and the hitting mode can be independently set for each of 16 groups.

Table 19 shows a configuration example of a transmission address file FL2 used for data transmission.

In Table 19, the type flag is a flag for indicating the type of terminal. "1" indicates a pachinko machine, "2" indicates a card issuing machine, "4" indicates a checkout machine, and "0" indicates a terminal. Indicates the absence of each. Vehicle number and serial number are "4"
And the serial number of the terminal created except for "9", and the unit number is the number of each terminal placed under one NAU (network adapter unit) regardless of the type of terminal, The channel number is a number that is the address of each terminal as viewed from the management device.

The NAU number and the unit number are set by the setting switches (1
73, 205, 305, 561). In the case of a pachinko parlor, it is a skip number given by a number excluding "4" and "9". Here, the fact that "4" and "9" are not used indicates that an octal representation is possible. Therefore, using the conversion table shown in Table 20, the unit number displayed in decimal notation is set to 0.
Expressed only with numbers from 7 to 7. According to this, for example, "25
The number "8" is written as "247".

If this is represented by a binary code in a binary octal system, it will be "010/100/111". This code indicates “167” in decimal notation, whereby the pachinko machine numbers missing “4” and “9” are consecutive numbers.
On the other hand, the lower 6 bits of the above code are taken, and this is regarded as a code “10 · 0111” expressed in a binary coded decimal system, and this is “27H” when expressed in HEXA. In this embodiment, this is used as the unit number. Further, “NAU number + unit number” in which an NAU number is prefixed to the unit number is used as a channel number. According to such a method, in the custom of a pachinko game store having a number that does not use “4” and “9”, efficient address processing that matches the characteristics of a microcomputer that performs data processing using only the binary system Becomes possible.

The file is created for all terminals based on the response data of the unit table request by the management device after the line test.

Table 21 shows a configuration example of the card file FL3. The card file FL3 contains information for each card.

In the same table, the card number is a number obtained from the issue serial number n using the function f (n), and the number of balls and the amount of money, and the card status is the current status of the card specified by the issue serial number n and the card number. This information is referred to as a card text in this embodiment. Here, the card status is, as shown in Table 22, a bit indicating a free status that is not used in a game, a bit indicating a game, a bit indicating a pause temporarily leaving the gaming machine, A bit indicating that the card has been settled, a bit indicating that both the number of balls held and the balance of the card have become zero, a bit indicating that one or more hits have occurred in the past, It is composed of a bit indicating that the card is used in the pachinko machine, a bit indicating that the card has been restored, and the like.

Therefore, the actual card status is It is represented by

On the other hand, returning to Table 21, in the card file FL3, a terminal serial number indicating the position of the terminal where the card is currently present and a terminal number are registered. Since pachinko machine gaming stores do not use the numbers “4” and “9” as unit numbers as a convention, two types of terminal numbers, back and front, are generated.

In Table 21, the i-counter indicates the number of actions taken by the card, that is, the number of times the card has been ejected from the system as the organic combination to the outside. Number, number of balls, amount,
Card information such as time, that is, card history is recorded. Statistically, most players play with less than 20 pachinko machines per day.
It is decided to record the card history up to 20 times. However, 20
If the number of times exceeds the number of times, the information is recorded in a form updating the table indicated by i = 20. In the above case, the i counter does not count the interruption of the game. That is, each card information is recorded in a new area at the time of interruption, but the value of the i-counter is substantially updated by recording the card information in the same area without updating the counter when the game end switch is turned on after the interruption is released, and recording the card information in the same area. The number is matched.

Here, the state of the card, the action of the card, and the registration of the card information in the card file FL3 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when a card is issued in the card issuing machine 200, the card is ejected and the card shifts from the unissued (blank) state SS0 to the free state SS1. At this time,
The management device 400 uses the card number as an index, forms a card file for recording the number of balls held in the card, the purchase amount, and the card state as data, and sets the card state in the card file to the free state. When the card in the free state is inserted into the desired pachinko machine 100, the state shifts to the gaming state SS2. At this time, the management device 400 searches for a card file using the card number read from the card, first checks the card status to confirm that the card can be started, and changes the card status to “playing”. Then, send the card text to the pachinko machine to start the game.

During the game (state SS2), if the number of balls and the amount of the card becomes zero, the card state entered into the unit memory 170 of the pachinko machine is changed to "return to zero", and then the card is ejected and returned. Move to zero state SS3. Also, when the suspend switch 115 is pressed during the game, the card state in the unit memory 170 is changed to “suspended”, the card is ejected, and the state shifts to the suspended state SS4.

Thus, in the interrupted state, the game returns to the gaming state SS2 again by reinserting the same card into the same pachinko machine. At this time,
The management device 400 searches for the card file using the card number read from the card, first checks the card status to confirm that the card is a game startable card, and changes the card status to “playing”. Then, the card text is sent to the pachinko machine to start the game.

And an end switch to end the game during the game
When 114 is pressed, the card status in the unit memory 170 is changed to "free", then the card is ejected and the free status
Move to SS1. The card is ejected due to forced termination or hitting by the CPU, and the game state SS2 changes to the free state S
May move to S1. When the user goes to the checkout machine 300 with the card in the free state and performs the checkout process, the card is collected after an invalid mark is added, and the state is shifted to the settled state SS5.
In the system of this embodiment, it is also possible to go to the checkout machine 300 without returning to the pachinko machine with the card in the interrupted state SS4 and perform the checkout process.
Move from 4 to the settlement completed state SS5.

When shifting from the free state SS1 to the settled state SS5, and when shifting from the suspended state SS4 to the settled state SS5,
The management device 400 searches the card file using the card number, confirms that the card can be settled by checking the card state, and changes the card state to “paid”.

 Next, Table 23 shows a configuration example of the P machine file FL4.

In the figure, items from the machine number to the card status are as follows:
These are data held in the transmission data area shown in Table 6, which are sampled once a second by the management device 400 and registered in a file. In addition, the number of main prize balls, the number of sub prize balls, the number of hits, and the hit mode,
Setting value files shown in Table 18 at system startup
It is registered in the P machine file FL4 based on FL1.

Table 24 and Table 25 show the issuing machine file FL5 and the checkout machine file FL6, respectively. The data items shown in Table 24 are shown in Table 1.
The data stored in the transmission data area of the issuing machine shown in Table 25 and the data items shown in Table 25 match the data stored in the transmission data area shown in Table 12. These are sampled by the management device once a second.

In Tables 23 to 25, data marked with a circle in the save column is data saved on the floppy disk FDD at the end of business.

Next, the card issuing machine 100 as a terminal configured as described above, the pachinko machine 200, the settlement machine 300, and a management device 400 that performs centralized control of those terminals are organically connected to perform data transmission and card transfer. A data transmission path (local area network) that enables operation will be described. FIG. 18 shows a configuration example of a pachinko game system using a hierarchical data transmission path.

That is, 100 to 1000 terminals are grouped in units of 20 to 40, for example, in units such as amusement park island facilities, and each group of terminals is a token that circulates at high speed on a ring-shaped transmission path. A network adapter unit (hereinafter, referred to as NAU) 530 is provided by a token-passing low-layer network (token bus) 510 in which a node (terminal) having the access right has a right to transmit and receive data in packet form. It is connected to the.

A plurality of NAUs 530 that control each low-layer network (token bus) 510 are connected to the management device 400 via a high-level network 520 of the CSMA / CD system.

The low-layer network 510 is 2.5Mbps (megabit /
Second) and have a high-speed network 520
Is controlled to have a transmission rate such as 10 Mbps,
The NAU530 acts as a buffer that absorbs the difference between the two transmission rates and enables smooth data transmission,
The burden on the management device 400 is reduced, and a large amount of operation data can be collected.

In FIG. 18, the symbol P indicates a pachinko machine as a terminal, the symbol H indicates a card issuing machine, and the symbol S indicates a checkout machine.

Each of the terminals P, H, and S is connected to a branch line branched from the low-layer network 510 by a cable branch circuit 540 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 12. At the end of each branch line, control units 160, 250 and 3 of each terminal
50 is connected. In FIG. 18, a reference unit U indicates a control unit of each terminal.

FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of a control unit common to each terminal.

That is, a unit memory 170 (27, 27) as parallel communication means is provided between the unit controller 190 (251, 351) for controlling each terminal and the low-layer network 510.
0,370), a data transmission controller 551 for transmitting and receiving data without disturbing the operation of the unit controller 190 (251,351), and a buffering packet memory 552 for holding transmission / reception data in the form of packets for speeding up data transmission. And a transmission / reception right in the low-layer network (token bus) 510, and a communication control network controller 553 for converting parallel data to be transmitted to serial data or converting received serial data to parallel data. A level conversion circuit 554 for converting the level of a data signal and a cable branch circuit 540 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal are connected. Each of the controllers 551 and 553 is constituted by a microcomputer, and the packet memory 552 is constituted by a dual port memory like the unit memory 170. However, there is no shared data area in which a command is stored in the packet memory 552, and transmission / reception requests between the data transmission controller 551 and the network controller 553 are directly exchanged between the controllers.

FIG. 20 shows a circuit configuration example of the NAU (network adapter unit) 530 that buffers data transmission between the low-layer network 510 and the high-layer network 520.

The NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a low-layer network controller 533 that establishes a transmission / reception right in the low-layer network 510 and performs serial / parallel conversion of data, and a high-level network that establishes a transmission / reception right and serial-parallel conversion of data in a CSMA / CD high-layer network. Network controller 537
And a data transmission controller 535 for controlling data transfer between these network controllers 533 and 537. Among the above controllers, the low-layer network controller 533 is composed of a communication LSI dedicated to token passing, and the high-layer network controller 537 and the data transmission controller 535 are composed of general-purpose microcomputers. Further, between these controllers 533 and 535 and between 535 and 537, buffer packet memories 534 and 536 for absorbing a difference in data transmission speed between the low-layer network 510 and the high-layer network 520 are provided.
And are connected respectively. The above packet memory 534,
536 is constituted by a dual port memory and has a transmission data area and a reception data area. Further, between the low-layer network controller 533 and the low-layer network (Talks bus) 510, a branch circuit 531 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal, and a level conversion circuit 532 for converting the level of a transmission / reception data signal. Is connected. Similarly, a level conversion circuit 538 and a branch circuit 539 are connected between the high-layer network controller 537 and the high-layer network 520.

Further, the NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a NAU number setting unit 561 for setting a number for distinguishing a plurality of connected NAUs from each other, and a terminal existing on the low-layer network 510 under the control of each NAU 530. And a number setting device 563 for setting the number of terminals existing on the low-layer network. The set values of the setting units 561 to 563 are input to the data transmission controller 535 in the NAU 530, and the NAU number is used for forming the transmission address of each NAU in the high-layer network 520. The transmission address of each terminal in the low-layer network 510 is formed by the minimum number and the number.

In the hierarchical local network 500 (FIG. 8), when the system starts up, the management device 400 performs a line test through each NAU 530 and sets a set value for each terminal. Is used to collect operation data from the terminals P, H, and S once a second and store them in their own memory. The accumulated data is stocked in the data file in the management device 400 from each NAU 530 through the high-layer network 520 once a second in response to a request from the management device 400.

As described above, since the communication network has a hierarchical configuration using the NAU 530 as a buffer and the high-layer network 520 has a transmission speed four times the transmission speed of the low-layer network 510 of 2.5 Mbps, 100 to 1000 In a system having terminals, Tables 1, 6 and
A large amount of operation data as shown in Table 12 can be collected by the management device once a second.

Next, a file creation procedure at the time of issuing a card in the management device 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A bill is inserted into each issuing machine 200 and a purchase selection switch 212
Is pressed, the control unit 250 of the issuing machine increments the issuance receipt number and issues a “card purchase” request to the management device.
Perform for 400. At the time of this request, the communication packet is attached to the issue acceptance number and transmitted to the management device 400. The management device 400 holds the number of issued cards for each issuing device in the issuing device file FL5 (see Table 24), and upon receiving a "card purchase" request from the issuing device, first issues the issuing device number in the communication packet. The issuing machine file FL5 is searched using the number, the number of issuances up to that time is read out, and it is determined whether or not the number obtained by adding “1” to the received issuance acceptance number matches (routine R101).

Here, if the request for the regular card purchase is made correctly (without any communication trouble), the result of the determination in the routine R101 is YES (YES), and the routine proceeds to the routine R102, where the total number of issuances in all the issuing machines is calculated. The issue serial number n is determined by adding “1”. Then, a card number is calculated from the issue serial number n using the function f (n) or an appropriate code conversion method (routine R103). Then, use this card number to create a card file as shown in Table 21.
Create FL3 (routine R104). When the card file was created, the number of balls held was "0", the amount of money (unused) matched the purchase amount, the card status was set to "free", the terminal serial number and the terminal terminal number. Is set to "0", and the i counter for designating the log field to be used next is set to "1". Then, in the first card history field, the number of the issuing machine that issues the card is displayed in the field of the number of the machine, "0" is displayed in the field of the number of balls held, the purchase price is displayed in the field of the price, and the time. The current time is set in each of the item fields. In the other history fields (i = 2 to 20), all the item fields are initialized to “0”.

After the creation of the card file, the management apparatus 400 sends the response packet "ACK" to the requesting issuing machine 200 with the card text including the card number, the number of balls held, the amount, and the card state (routine R105). . Receiving machine 200 receives this "ACK" packet and starts card issuing processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the routine R101 that the issuance reception number does not match the “number of issuances + 1”, the process proceeds to the routine R111 and the issuance reception number received does not match the issuance reception number in the previous reception. Is determined.

"ACK" by the above routine R105 due to a communication problem
Such determination is made in order to prevent a double issue when the issuer 200 cannot receive the request. That is,
If the issuing machine 200 does not receive an "ACK" after a certain period of time after the "card purchase" request to the management device 400, the issuing device 200 makes a "card purchase" request again. If the number of issuances has been updated (routine R102), the determination in routine R101 is NO (NO). Therefore, it is determined whether or not the request is a re-request by determining in the routine R111 whether the issuance acceptance number is the same as the previous one.

If it is determined in the routine R111 that the numbers do not match,
A "NAK" to reject the response is transmitted (routine R121). If the numbers match, the routine proceeds to routine R112, where the same issue serial number n as calculated in routine R102 is calculated, and the card file FL3 is searched using this number to read the corresponding card file (routine R114). Then, it is checked whether or not the amount in the first history column in the read card file matches the purchase amount in the “card purchase” request packet. “ACK” with the text is transmitted, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to routine R121 to transmit “NAK”.

Next, a procedure when a card is inserted into the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

When a card is inserted into the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine 100 and the card reader 180 reads the card number and identification code recorded on the card and determines that the card is a legitimate card, the card number is managed together with the machine number and the serial number. 400 will be informed.

Upon receiving the card number, the management device 400 calculates the issue serial number n using an inverse function or the like (routine R201).
Then, the card file FL is issued using the issue serial number n.
3 is searched (routine R202), and if a desired card file is not found, the routine proceeds to routine R221 and transmits "NAK". If a file is found, the routine proceeds from routine R203 to routine R204 to read out the card file. Then, it is determined whether or not the card state is in the "free" state (routine R205). If the card is illegally copied and the original right holder is playing a game with another pachinko machine, it is determined to be no in routine R205 and the routine proceeds to routine R211 where the card status is changed. "Playing"
If it is determined that the card is invalid, it is regarded as a fraudulent card and "NA
K "is transmitted (routine R221).

On the other hand, if it is determined in the routine R205 that the previous card state is the "free" state, the routine proceeds to the routine R206, where the card state in the card file of the card is changed to "playing", the terminal serial number and the Write the serial number and machine number of the pachinko machine into which the card is inserted in the number fields. Then, using the serial number of the pachinko machine, search the file FL4 of the P machine to find the file of the corresponding pachinko machine, change the card number in the file (routine R207), attach the card text, and add "ACK" Is transmitted to the pachinko machine (routine R208).

The pachinko machine is configured to manually remove the card even when the card cannot be ejected due to a power failure or a failure. In this case, when the card is inserted again, at that time, the card state in the card file FL3 is "playing", so the routine R205 determines that the card state is not "free" and the routine R211
Will move to Therefore, in this embodiment, in consideration of such a case, if it is determined in the routine R211 that the card state is not "playing", the process proceeds to the routine R221 to transmit "NAK" and "playing". Then, the process proceeds to the routine R212, and it is determined whether or not the platform number in the received packet and the platform number in the card file match. If they match, the process proceeds to the routine R208 to transmit "ACK". I have to. If the machine numbers do not match in the routine R212, the process shifts to the routine R221 to transmit "NAK".

The above-described processing procedure can also be used in a system configured to read a card inserted into a pachinko machine and immediately eject the card.

Next, a procedure for updating a card file in the management device 400 when the game end switch 114 is turned on in the pachinko machine 100 during a game will be described with reference to FIG.

When the game end switch 114 is turned on in the pachinko machine 100, the unit controller 190 in the control unit 160
Changed the card status held in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 170 to "free", and then the transmission controller 551 responded to the packet informing of the end of the game with the item in the card file of the table 21 such as the card text. The data is entered and transmitted to the management device 400.

Then, the management device 400 extracts the card number from the card text in the received packet, and issues the issue serial number n
Is calculated (routine R301). Then, the card file FL3 is searched using this issue serial number n (routine R30).
2) When the desired card file is found, routine R303
Goes to R304, and if not found, R311
Go to and send “NAK”. In the routine R304, the found card file FL3 is read, and it is determined whether or not the platform number in the received packet matches the platform number registered in the file (routine R305). If not, the flow shifts to the routine R311 to transmit “NAK”. In the routine R306, it is determined whether or not the card state in the file is "playing". If NO is determined in the routine R306, the process proceeds to the routine R311 to transmit "NAK", and if YES is determined, the routine R307 is performed.
Then, the data of each item in the card file shown in Table 21 is changed based on the data in the received packet, the value of the i counter at that time is incremented, and the game history is displayed in the card history column indicated by the i counter. Write the machine number and the number of balls, unused money, and time of the pachinko machine at the end. As a result, the latest card status in the card file FL3 becomes “free”. Then, the process proceeds to the routine R308, and returns “ACK” to the pachinko machine that has sent the “game end” packet.

In FIG. 24, in the pachinko machine during the game, both the possessed ball and the unused amount of the card become zero, and a packet notifying the return (zero) is sent from the pachinko machine 100 to the management device 4.
The following describes the procedure for updating the card file FL3 when the file is sent to 00. The process in the management device 400 in this case is
This is exactly the same as when the transmission of the “game end” packet in FIG. 23 is received. In the “return-to-zero” packet sent from the pachinko machine 100 to the management device 400, data corresponding to each item of the card file such as the card text is sent, similarly to the packet informing of the “game end”. routine
By executing the processing consisting of R401 to R409, the latest card state in the corresponding card file changes to the “return to zero” state.

FIG. 25 shows a card file update processing procedure in a case where the interruption switch 115 is turned on in a pachinko machine being played and a packet notifying the interruption switch 115 is sent from the pachinko machine 100 to the management device 400. In this case,
This is exactly the same as when the “game end” packet of FIG. 23 is received. By executing the processing including the routines R501 to R509, the state of the latest card in the corresponding card file becomes the “suspended” state.

In Figure 26, the card is inserted into the suspended pachinko machine,
The following describes the processing procedure in the case where a packet notifying them has been transmitted.

In this case, the transmission packet does not include data such as card text, and only the machine number and serial number of the pachinko machine and the card number are sent. Then, the procedure of searching for the card file FL3 using the card number R601 to R601
Step 605 is the same as the routines R301 to R305 in FIG.

The difference is that in this series of processes, the routine R606 determines whether or not the previous card status is "suspended". If "suspended", the card status in the card file is determined by the routine R607. Is changed to "during game" and the value of the i counter is decremented. By decrementing the value of the i-counter at the time of canceling the interruption, when a writing factor to the card history column in the card file occurs next, the i-counter is overlapped with the card history column written at the time of interruption. That is, the data of the card is written in an updated form. As a result, it is possible to prevent the card history column (up to 20 times) from being filled up by a suspending action that frequently occurs during the game, and in particular, does not require data to be recorded. After the change of the card state in the routine R607, the process proceeds to the routine R608, returns "ACK" with the card text attached to the pachinko machine, and the process ends.

FIG. 27 shows a file update processing procedure in the case where a pachinko flag is hit during a game and a packet notifying them is sent to the management device 400.

When a hit occurs in the pachinko machine 100, the control unit 160 changes the status of the card in the unit memory 170 to "hit".
After changing to the state, the card text and other data corresponding to each item of the card file are put into a “stop” packet and transmitted to the management device 400. Upon receiving the packet, the management apparatus 400 extracts the card number from the card text in the packet and calculates the issue serial number n (routine R701). Then, the card file FL3 is searched using this issue serial number n (routine R702). When a desired card file is found, the routine R703 to the routine R7 are executed.
Proceed to 04, if not found, proceed to routine R721 to “NA
K ”is transmitted. In the routine R704, the found card file is read, and it is determined whether or not the platform number in the received packet matches the platform number registered in the file (routine R705). Proceed to R706, and if they do not match, proceed to routine R721 to transmit “NAK”.
In the routine R706, it is determined whether or not the card status in the file is "playing".

If no is determined in the routine R706, the process proceeds to the routine R721 to transmit "NAK", and if determined to be yes, the process proceeds to the routine R707, and the operation information in the P machine file FL4 is changed to "stop". Then, proceed to the routine R708, based on the data in the received packet, the card file shown in Table 21
In addition to changing the data of each item in FL3, the value of the i-counter at that time is incremented, and the card number of the pachinko machine at the time of hitting and the number of balls,
Write the unused amount and time respectively. As a result, the latest card status in the card file FL3 becomes “free”. Then, the process proceeds to a routine R709, in which an interruption message for displaying the occurrence of the hit and the machine number is displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 405, and the occurrence of the hit is printed out by the printer 408 at R710, and then the process proceeds to the routine R711. Then, "ACK" is returned to the pachinko machine which sent the "stop" packet.

FIG. 28 shows a card file update processing procedure in the management device 400 when a card is settled in the settling machine 300.

When the card is inserted into the checkout machine 300, the control unit 350 of the checkout machine puts the card number read by the card reader 310 together with the checkout machine terminal stand number in a packet for notifying a card payment request and transmits it to the management device 400. I do.

Upon receiving the packet, the management device 400 calculates the issue serial number n from the card number in the packet (routine R801), and uses the issue serial number n to
Search for FL3 (routine R802). When the desired card file is found, the routine R803 to the routine R804
Then, the file is read, and if the file is not found, the process proceeds to the routine R811 to transmit “NAK” (response rejected) to the settlement machine 300.

After reading the card file in the routine R804, the state of the card in the file is checked to determine whether it is "free" or "interrupted". Here, if it is determined to be no, the process proceeds to the routine R811 and “NAK” is sent to the settlement machine 300.
If the determination in step R805 is yes, the routine
Go to R806 and put the data in the card file “ACK”
Returns a packet (in this case, does not change the card status in the card file yet).

The payment machine 300 starts full-scale payment processing in response to "ACK" from the management device 400, and rejects payment when it receives "NAK", assuming that it is an unauthorized card. Then, when the settlement of the card is completed, a “payment completed” packet is formed, the card number is put in the packet, and the packet is sent to the management device 400.

The management apparatus 400, which has received the “payment end” packet, reversely calculates the issue serial number n again from the card number in the packet (routine R901), and based on that, calculates the card file FL3.
And reads the corresponding card file (routine R902).

Then, proceeding to the routine R903, it is determined whether or not the card state is "free". If yes, that is, if the card state is "free", the card state in the card file is changed to "paid" in the routine R904, and i The counter is incremented, and the number of the settlement machine, the number of balls at the time of settlement, the amount, and the time are recorded in the card history column. On the other hand, when the determination is NO in the routine R903, the card state is “interrupted”. In other words, when the payment is made by inserting the suspended card into the payment machine 300, it is determined to be no in the routine R903. Then, the process shifts to a routine R905 to check the machine number of the pachinko machine being suspended based on the data in the card file FL3, and transmit a packet for releasing the suspended state to the pachinko machine 100. Then the routine
After the card file having the same content as that of R904 is updated (routine R906), the process proceeds to routine R907 to transmit "ACK" to the payment machine 300. However, the routine R906
In the update of the card file FL3, unlike the update in the routine R904, the settlement data is recorded in the card history column without incrementing the i counter. At this time, the data at the time of interruption is already recorded in the card history column i in which the settlement data is written, and the data may be deleted.

As described above, in response to the card settlement request from the settlement machine 300, the settlement device sends the settlement data from the management device 400, and when the settlement is completed, notifies the management device of the completion of the settlement again,
At that time, the settlement is handled for the first time, so even if an accident such as a power failure occurs in the middle of the settlement at the settlement machine, the settlement data is kept in the card file FL3, and immediately after recovery from the power failure The payment process can be continued. As a result, there is no possibility that the player will be disadvantaged, and the reliability of the system is improved. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the settlement device 300
To send all the history data to the payment receipt (prize voucher) so that the history data can also be printed. Therefore, the credibility of the printed payment data (number of possessed balls) increases, Trust in the system will be enhanced.

In the settlement machine of the above embodiment, the card is forfeited after the settlement is completed, but the card is returned to the player and the prize exchange is performed using the card and the receipt issued by the settlement machine. It may be.

Also, in the pachinko machine of the above embodiment, the card is held in the card reader during the game, and the card is ejected after the game ends or when the game is interrupted, so that the card is inserted into the free state. When a game is started, a card number or the like may be read by a card reader to eject the card, then the game may be started, and the game may be terminated by inserting a second card. When such a system is configured, the game end switch 114 provided in each of the gaming machines of the above-described embodiment becomes unnecessary.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention includes a storage medium issuing device that issues a storage medium that stores at least its own identification code, and a reading device for the storage medium, and a storage device that is input to the reading device. A gaming machine capable of playing a game with a value given to the medium and providing a player with an added value by the occurrence of a specific state, a storage unit for storing at least information on the storage medium, and a storage medium for the storage medium A storage device provided with an operation monitoring unit for monitoring a state transition and storing the transition state in the storage unit for each storage medium using the identification code in the storage unit at the time of the transition; The issuing device and the gaming machine and the management device are connected by a transmission unit, and the transition of each storage medium grasped by the operation monitoring unit Since the storage medium can be operated in the corresponding mode only when the state is in the predetermined state, the storage medium having the same identification code can be checked by examining the transition state in the storage unit of the management device. It is possible to avoid a double game by a (card) or a duplicate payment by a settled storage medium, and prevent fraud by a forgery of the storage medium. Further, by storing information on the storage medium in the storage means at the time of a state transition (action) of the storage medium, the history of the storage medium can be left as a record. As a result, the game store can grasp the game trend of each storage medium, that is, the player after the store closes. For example, the average purchase price and how much the first valuable data is converted into the second valuable data among them. Data, such as how much the second valuable data is used per game machine, and how much the number of possessed balls reaches when the payment is made.

Therefore, it is now possible to grasp the trends of players who could only be grasped as a whole game store in the past, on an individual player basis, and based on the data obtained in this way, the sales policy for the next day and thereafter There is an effect that can be determined.

Further, the operation monitoring means can prevent damage to the amusement store due to unauthorized use of the storage medium stolen from the issuing machine or the like before the issuance by monitoring the issuance state particularly as the transition of the storage medium. By monitoring the suspended state, it is possible to prevent the suspended storage medium from being used by a gaming machine other than the gaming machine related to the suspended state, to guarantee fairness to the player, and to adjust the suspended storage medium In such a case, the interrupted gaming machine may be promptly set in the free state by a command from the management device to increase the operating rate of the gaming machine and to eliminate the need for the player to return to the gaming machine and perform the end operation. it can.

In the embodiment, a receipt on which the number of balls held in the storage medium is printed at the time of payment of the storage medium in the payment machine is issued,
Although the system for exchanging prizes with this receipt was explained, instead of issuing receipts with valuable value, configure the checkout machine to directly pay out equivalent money under the fixed exchange rate with the number of balls held Is also possible.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a system in which a pachinko machine is used as a game machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Used for general gaming systems, such as arrangement balls and slot machines, which are configured by arranging a plurality of game machines that convert money into value equivalent to game rights at a fixed exchange rate and play games. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming system to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are front views showing the configuration of cards used in the system according to the present invention; Rear view, FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a card issuing machine used in the system according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a card reader. B) is a schematic diagram of a card reader for a pachinko machine, (C) is a card reader for a checkout machine, and (D) is a schematic configuration diagram of a card reader for a management device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the card issuing machine. 6A is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine, FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a control unit of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a configuration example of a back surface of the pachinko machine. Fig. 8 is a rear view showing an example of the configuration of a sealed ball circulation device on the back of a pachinko machine. FIG. 9 (A) is an enlarged view showing details of a ball removing portion of the enclosed ball circulating device, FIG. 9 (B) is a perspective view showing details of a ball feeding portion of the enclosed ball circulating device, and FIG. 10 is a pachinko machine. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pachinko machine control device, FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of a checkout machine, and FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a checkout machine. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the entire management apparatus, FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the management apparatus itself, and FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the console of the management apparatus. This shows a configuration example.
(A) is a plan view, (B) is a rear view, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of a card in the gaming system of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a configuration example of a transmission system in the gaming system of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit that controls data transmission and reception between a unit controller of each terminal and a transmission line (network). FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing data on a network. NA that performs transfer control
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a U (network adapter unit). FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file creation procedure when a card is issued in the management device. FIG. 22 is a card when a card is inserted into a pachinko machine. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a file update procedure, FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file update procedure at the end of a game, FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file update procedure when a card returns to zero, FIG. The figure shows a flowchart illustrating an example of a card file updating procedure when a game is interrupted. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file updating procedure when a suspended card is inserted into a pachinko machine. Is a flowchart showing an example of a card file update procedure when an error occurs. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file updating procedure at the start of settlement in FIG. 29. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a card file updating procedure at the end of settlement in the settlement machine. 100: Pachinko machine, 110: Gaming machine body, 120: Enclosed ball circulation device, 160: Control unit, 170: Unit memory, 180: Card reader, 190: Unit controller, 200: Card issue Machine, 210 ... Bill validator, 220
…… Card writer, 230 …… Balance dispenser, 250 …… Control unit, 300… Checkout machine, 310 …… Card reader, 320…
... Bill dispenser, 330 ... Printer, 350 ... Control unit, 400 ... Management device, 510 ... Low-layer network, 520
…… High-layer network, 530 …… NAU (network adapter unit).

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage medium issuing device for issuing a storage medium for storing at least its own identification code, and a reading device for the storage medium, and a value given to the storage medium inserted into the reading device. A gaming machine that enables a game to be provided with a value added to the player by the occurrence of a specific state, a storage unit that stores at least information on the storage medium, and a state transition of the storage medium that is monitored to perform a transition. A management device having an operation monitoring means for storing the transition state in the storage means for each storage medium using the identification code; anda storage medium-type game facility comprising: the storage medium issuing device, the gaming machine, The management device and the management device are coupled by a transmission unit, and when the transition state of each storage medium grasped by the operation monitoring unit is in a predetermined state. A storage-medium type gaming facility, wherein only the storage medium can be operated in a corresponding mode. 2. The storage medium-type gaming facility according to claim 1, wherein said operation monitoring means monitors at least an issue state or a suspended state as a transition state of said storage medium.