JP2665604B2 - Management facility equipment for games - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game management facility device, and more specifically, a game machine installed in a plurality of game arcades, and a game using a game medium by the game machine. The present invention relates to a game management facility device including a recording medium reading unit that reads information of a recording medium on which information that can specify a valuable value used for performing a game is read.

[Prior Art] In order for a player to play in a game hall in which a gaming machine typified by a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, or a slot machine is installed, first, currency consisting of coins or coins, and a ball lending machine It has been common to insert the game medium into a game medium lending device such as a coin lending machine, rent a predetermined game medium, and play a game using the game medium. However, in such a conventional game arcade, the player has to carry money including coins and the like in order to rent a game medium, which is complicated. In addition, even in the amusement hall, there is a drawback that complicated operations such as collecting and settlement of coins including coins and the like are forced and efficiency in accounting cannot be achieved.

[PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION] Therefore, a recording medium such as a magnetic card is used, and a game medium is paid out within a range of valuable value specified by recorded information of the recording medium to enable a game, It is also possible to try to solve the drawbacks associated with the use of money.

However, when the game medium is simply lent out by using the recording medium, the recording medium has a valuable value, so that the recording medium is dead-copied to make a large number of recording media. There is a risk of illegal use such as illegal use of game media for lending.

Therefore, for example, the same information as the recording information recorded on the released recording medium (collating information) is stored in, for example, a computer in a centralized management center, and the recording medium is recorded each time the recording medium is used. The recorded information is transmitted to the centralized control center, collated with the collated information stored in a computer or the like in the centralized control center, and it is determined whether or not the recorded information on the recording medium and the collated information match. A so-called method of managing the number of the recording medium is conceivable. In this case, the remaining available amount (usable amount) is subtracted and updated each time the recording medium is used, and the updated new available amount information is transmitted to the central management center. It is necessary to rewrite the verification information with a new usable amount that has been updated.

In this way, by adopting a security system that manages so called number for each recording medium, it is possible to prevent illegal use such as dead copying of the recording medium. However, as described above, it is necessary to repeatedly transmit the record information of the recording medium and the like between the game arcade and the centralized management center, which causes a disadvantage of increasing communication cost. Moreover, there is a limit to the number of recording media that can be managed by one centralized management center, and the greater the number of recording media that must be managed, the slower the processing speed becomes. There is also a drawback in that the waiting time of the player when renting out the game becomes long, and the player feels frustrated.

In view of the above situation, the present invention can effectively prevent illegal use of a recording medium for a game, but at the time of using the recording medium, can reduce communication costs and shorten the waiting time of the player as much as possible. The purpose is to provide a management facility device.

[Means for Solving the Problem] According to the present invention, there are provided game machines installed in a plurality of game arcades, and information capable of identifying a valuable value used for playing a game using a game medium by the game machines. A gaming management facility device including a recording medium reading means for reading recorded information of a recorded recording medium, wherein a plurality of pieces of collating information for collating the recorded information of a plurality of the recording media and determining suitability thereof are provided. Collation information storage means stored corresponding to each of the recording media, a plurality of information processing means distributed and arranged at predetermined locations, the recording medium reading means and the predetermined plurality of information processing means, , A transmission path for transmitting information between the predetermined plurality of information processing means and the collation information storage means, and one or two or more of which are likely to be used for each of the recording media. Playground Wherein the recording medium reading device, a specifying means for specifying the information processing means closer in terms of information transmission distance than the verification information storage unit, to the information processing device specified by the specifying means,
A registration unit that registers the collation information corresponding to the designated recording medium, and the read information of the designated recording medium to the information processing unit designated by the designating unit. And a plurality of information processing means for transmitting the information to compare the read information transmitted from the information transmitting means with the registered matching information to determine the suitability of the read information. It is characterized by including the suitability determination means of.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the record information of the recording medium in which the information capable of specifying the valuable value used for performing the game using the game medium by the game machines installed in the plurality of game fields is recorded. It is read by the recording medium reading means. On the other hand, the collation information for collating the record information of the recording medium and determining the suitability thereof is stored in the collation information storage means corresponding to each of the plurality of recording media. Further, the information processing means are distributed and arranged at a plurality of locations. Further, by the function of the designating means, one or two or more amusement halls that are highly likely to be used for each recording medium are designated respectively, and the collation information is given to the recording medium reading means in the designated amusement hall. The information processing means that is closer to the information transmission distance than the storage means is designated, and the collation information corresponding to the designated recording medium is registered in the designated information processing means. The read / write information read and transmitted by the recording medium reading means is collated with the registered collation information by the function of the suitability determination means included in the information processing means to check the read information. Compliance is determined.

In other words, since the so-called jersey number management of the recording medium is adopted, in which the recorded information of the used recording medium is compared with the verification information one by one to determine its suitability, the unauthorized use of the recording medium can be effectively prevented. Also, since the collation information is distributed and registered in predetermined information processing means and the determination of suitability is distributed, the processing load on each information processing means is reduced, the processing speed is improved, and the waiting time of the player is increased. Can be made as short as possible. Moreover, each information processing unit that has registered the collation information has the collation information storage unit with respect to the recording medium reading unit in the game arcade in which the recording medium corresponding to the collation information is likely to be used. Since the location is closer in terms of the information transmission distance than that, the information transmission distance at the time of the so-called back number management is shortened, and the communication cost is reduced accordingly.

Embodiments of the Invention Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of a game central management facility device according to the present invention.

In the figure, 73 is a card sales company that sells magnetic cards as an example of a recording medium, and a centralized management computer 74 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. is installed. On the other hand, centralized area management centers 71 are installed in predetermined areas (for example, Area A, Area B, Area C), and centralized area management centers including CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. are installed in these area centralized management centers. A computer 72 is installed. The centralized hall management computer 72 mainly has a function of comprehensively managing the game arcade 1 in the district (for example, district A) to which the computer 72 belongs. On the other hand, the game hall 1 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and a hall management computer 70 for managing information in the hall.
And a card ball lending machine 5, a card vending machine 7, etc., which are examples of the game medium lending device, are installed.
Reference numeral 75 in the figure is a retail store for selling cards, and a card vending machine 7 is installed therein.

Central integrated management computer 74, centralized hall management computer 72 and hall management computer 70
Are connected by communication lines as shown by solid arrows in the figure, and are in a state where information can be transmitted.

In such a configuration, the card sales company 73 first sells the cards to each retail store 75 and each game hall 1 (see the arrow shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure). In exchange, the price is paid to the card sales company 73 from each retail store 75 and the amusement hall 1 (see the arrow shown by the broken line in the figure). Then, a user such as a player uses the card vending machine 7 of the retail store 75 or the card vending machine 7 installed in the amusement hall to pay for the purchase of the card and to lend the card Insert into machine 5. If the inserted card is a proper card, a desired number of game media such as pachinko balls are lent. The player can play the game by using the rented game medium. Then, the usable amount of the card is subtracted and updated by the amount corresponding to the pachinko balls lent by the card ball lending machine 5,
The amount of money used for the card is paid from the card sales company 73 to each game arcade 1. The collective centralized management computer 74, centralized hall management computer 72, and hall management computer 70 constitute a plurality of information processing means dispersedly arranged at predetermined locations. In addition, by a communication line connecting the respective information processing means and a wiring connecting the card ball lending machine 5 and the hall management computer 70 (solid arrow in the figure), a recording medium reading means described later and the predetermined plurality of information A processing means, and a transmission path for transmitting information between a predetermined plurality of information processing means and a collation information storage means described later are configured.

 FIG. 2 is an overall schematic plan view of the game arcade 1.

On the island 2 where each game machine is installed in the game arcade, there are a plurality of game machines such as a ball game machine 3 such as a pachinko machine and an arrangement ball type pachinko machine, and a coin game machine 4 such as a slot machine. It is set up. Further, a card ball lending machine 5 and a card coin lending machine 6 which is an example of a game medium lending device are also provided. A card vending machine 7 is arranged at one end of the predetermined game machine installation island 2. Those card vending machines 7,
Card ball machine 5, card coin lending machine 6 and game machine
The hall management computer 70 is connected by wiring and is configured to be able to send and receive information to and from each other. On the other hand, as described above, the hall management computer 70 is connected to the centralized hall management computer 72 and the integrated centralized management computer 74 via a communication line. It should be noted that a card settlement machine that can settle the amount of use of the card may be installed in the game hall 1. Also, in the figure, 8
Indicates a prize ball counter or a coin counter, and counts the number of prize balls acquired by the ball game machine 3 and the number of coins acquired by the coin game machine 4, and the count value is stored in the hall management computer. It is for sending and using as sales information.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing recorded information recorded on a magnetic card 20 as an example of a recording medium, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing the magnetic card 20.

The magnetic card 20 is made of a synthetic resin material such as plastic in a plate shape, and has a magnetic stripe 21 on a part thereof.
Are formed. In addition, one of the corners of the magnetic card 20 is cut off, and the magnetic card 20
Is configured to be able to detect the insertion direction of the. Further, the magnetic card 20 is provided with a number for displaying the usable amount of money that decreases as the card is used, and punch holes or the like are formed on the number corresponding to the current usable amount. The card user to recognize it.

The information shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. That is, card number, store (vending machine)
Information such as code, card amount, usable amount, and use code. The card amount is the amount of the magnetic card 20 when the magnetic card 20 is sold, in other words, the usable amount of money when the magnetic card 20 is not used at all. In addition, the usage code is for determining whether or not the card has been used before,
This code is "0" when it is not used and can be rewritten to "1" if it is used even once. Then, each time it is used, the usable amount of money is subtracted by the used amount and rewritten with a new amount of money. In addition, the retailer (vending machine) code is equivalent to the number of the card vending machine where the card was sold, and when the card is sold at a retail store that does not have a card vending machine, the sales The code number of the store is recorded. This store (vending machine) code is stored in the centralized management computer only when the card is used for the first time. The card information for one line shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on one magnetic card. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, from the card number 5022
The card numbers up to 5025 are missing, but this is because the usable amount of the card became "0" and was discarded as a used card. As will be described later, the magnetic card 20 may be erased from the memory of the integrated centralized management computer 74 when the usable amount of the magnetic card 20 becomes 1000 yen or less, for example. Further, as the information to be stored in the magnetic card 20 as necessary, card expiration date information can be considered.

The magnetic stripe 21 of the magnetic card 20 shown in FIG.
For example, when recording information, use a magnetic head
Information is recorded by moving it in a zigzag manner on the magnetic disk 21 so that the recorded information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 cannot be easily tampered with. Further, the position of the punched hole for displaying the usable amount of money and the usable amount of money recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 are collated to check whether or not the card security is high. Configure to improve. Further, recording means other than magnetic recording (for example, printing by a thermal printer)
Print on the card other than magnetic recording using the card, and update the card usable amount of the recording part other than the magnetic recording as the card is used.When using the card, both the magnetic stripe 21 and the recording part other than the magnetic recording are used. It is also conceivable to check whether or not the usable amounts of the cards match and to improve the security of the card. Although the magnetic card 20 is shown as having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a bar or the like, and the shape is not limited. Various types of cards are conceivable, such as an IC card or a card using an optical disk memory, a bar code printed card or a punched hole card.

FIG. 5 is an overall front view showing an example of a card vending machine used in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the card vending machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card vending machine. Further, FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the card vending machine 8 is provided with a coin slot 39 and a bill slot 40 on its front surface.
It is designed to allow customers to deposit coins as well as bills. Then, the amount of money inserted is displayed by the input amount display 38. In the figure, reference numeral 48 denotes a sale card amount selection button, which is a button for selecting the amount of a card to be purchased. Reference numeral 47 is a card number selection button for selecting the number of cards to be purchased. When the card purchaser selects and presses the sale card selection button 48, the selected amount of money is displayed on the amount display 43, and by pressing the card number selection button 47, selection is made by the number display 44. It is configured to display the number of sheets. Then, by pressing the sale button 49, the selected number of cards are paid out from the card payout port 45. In addition, you may make it unconditionally pay out a predetermined type of card by the inserted money. On the other hand, if the card is selected incorrectly, the cancel button 50 is pressed to cancel the operation of the select button up to now and to reselect. Then, if there is change after the card is paid out, the change is paid out from the change paying outlet 41 for paying out coins or the change paying outlet 46 for paying out bills. Incidentally, reference numeral 42a in the figure denotes a cancellation display, which is used to display that card sales are currently stopped. Reference numeral 42b is an on-sale display for displaying that cards are currently sold.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 52 denotes a coin sorter for sorting coins inserted from the coin slot 39 by amount.
Reference numeral 51 is a banknote sorter for sorting the inserted banknotes by amount. 54 and 55 are change-holding and returning mechanisms, which are for temporarily holding input coins and bills and returning and paying out the change when change is required.
56 is a control unit for controlling the card vending machine.

Next, the control circuit of the card vending machine will be described with reference to FIG.

The control circuits are roughly classified into a monetary mechanism 76 and a display mechanism 7.
7, selection instruction mechanism 79, card issuing mechanism 80 and control mechanism 7
It consists of 8.

First, the cash mechanism 76 will be described. The money mechanism 76 includes a coin slot 39, and the coins inserted through the coin slot 39 are sorted by the coin sorter 52, and the coin counter 57 is further provided.
Is counted by. On the other hand, the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 40 are sorted by the bill sorter 51, and the money counter
Counted at 57. Then, the counting signal counted by the money counting 57 is sent to the control unit 56 of the control mechanism 78. On the other hand, the coins that have passed through the currency sorter 52 and the bill sorter 51 are partially held by the change holding and returning mechanisms 54 and 55, and are returned from the change return ports 41 and 46 when the change is required. Also, the currency counter 5
The money after being counted at 7 is finally stored in the safe 58.

Next, the sorting instruction mechanism 79 will be described. When the sales card amount selection button 48 is pressed, the operation signal is given to the control unit 56 via the signal receiving circuit 61. When the sales card number selection button 47 is pressed, the operation signal is given to the control unit 56 via the signal receiving circuit 61. When the sales button 49 is pressed, the operation signal is given to the control unit 56 via the signal receiving circuit 61. When the cancel button 50 is operated, the operation signal is given to the control unit 56 via the signal receiving circuit 61.

Next, the display mechanism 77 will be described. A control signal from the control unit 56 is given to each display through the display driver 60. As a result, the input amount indicator 38, the on-sale indicator 42b,
The cancellation display 42a, the sales card amount display 43, and the sales card number display 44 are lit up.

Next, the card issuing mechanism 80 will be described. Card issuing mechanism 80
Is supplied with a control signal from the control unit 56, the card is conveyed from the card paper stock unit 62 to the data writing unit 63, the store (sale machine) code data is written to the magnetic stripe 21, and the data is written. The data is conveyed to the printing unit 64 and necessary data is printed on the surface of the card, and then the card passes through the ticket issuing processing unit 53 and is paid out from the card payout exit 45.

The data printing unit 64 may not be provided, and necessary data may be written in the card in advance.

Next, the control mechanism 78 will be described. The control mechanism 78 is a control unit.
Includes 56, an input amount storage unit, and a change storage unit 59. Controller 56
Includes CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The control program shown in FIG. 8 is incorporated in the ROM. In the figure, 10 is a power supply circuit for supplying a necessary current to the various devices and control circuit parts.

Next, the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the card vending machine is available for sale. If it is determined that the card vending machine is not for sale, the process proceeds to step S2, and the cancellation display 42a displays a cancellation. Further, if the card vending machine becomes available for sale (that is, the condition in which the amount of cards and change is fixed, etc. are met), a YES determination is made in step S1 and the process proceeds to step S3 to display the on-sale indicator 42b. Then, a display indicating that the product is on sale is displayed, the process proceeds to step S4, it is determined whether or not a coin or a bill has been inserted, and the process waits until the insertion. Then, if the person who wants to purchase the card inserts a coin or a bill from the coin insertion slot 39 or the bill insertion slot 40, a YES determination is made in step S4 and step S4 is performed.
In step 5, it is determined whether or not the coin or bill is legitimate, and if it is not legitimate, step S6.
Then, the input money is returned and the process returns to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the inserted coins or bills are legitimate, the process proceeds to step S7, the amount of coins inserted is counted and stored, the process proceeds to step S8, and the amount of money inserted by the coin amount indicator 38. Is displayed and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the selection button for the sales card amount is operated, and the operation waits until it is operated. Then, if the customer selects and operates the sales card amount selection button 48, YES is determined in step S9 and the process proceeds to step S10.
The selected amount of money is displayed on the amount of money display 43, and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the cancel button is operated. If the cancel button is operated, the process proceeds to step S10, the displays 43 and 44 are turned off, and the process proceeds to step S9.

On the other hand, if the cancel button 50 is not pressed,
If NO is determined in step S11, step S13
Then, it is judged whether or not the number-of-sheets selection button has been operated, and the operation waits until it is operated. Then, the customer selects the number of cards selection button 47 to operate,
If YES is determined in S13, the process proceeds to step S14, the selected number is displayed on the number display 44, and
Proceed to S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the cancel button has been operated, if not operated to proceed to step S16, it is determined whether or not the sale button has been operated, if not operated again, step S15
A loop is formed back to. During the course of this loop, the customer presses the cancel button 50, and YES is determined in step S15, and step S1
After proceeding to 7, the display on the display 43, 44 is erased, and then the process returns to the step S9. On the other hand, the customer presses the sales button 49 while the loop is being circulated, so that step S16
A YES determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S18, where the vending machine number is recorded on all the selected cards and the step is performed.
Proceed to S19. In step S19, the card information of the selected card is transmitted to the hall management computer,
Go to S20. In step S20, it is determined whether or not there is change, and when it is determined that there is change based on the memory of the change recording unit 59, the process proceeds to step S21, and after the change is paid out, the process returns to step S1. Return. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no change, the process directly returns to step S1 without paying out the change. Instead of the cancel button 50 or together with the cancel button 50, a return button for the inserted coin may be provided, and the inserted coin may be returned by pressing the return button. Further, the sales card number display 44 displays the number "1" when any one of the sales card amount selection buttons 48 is pressed, and then when any one of the sales card number selection buttons 47 is pressed. Alternatively, the display of the number of sheets may be changed. Further, instead of providing the card number selection button 47, the number of sales cards may be detected and displayed in response to the number of times the sales card amount selection button 48 is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the gaming machine 3 and the card ball lending machine 5 arranged on the gaming machine installation island.

A pachinko gaming machine 3, which is an example of a gaming machine, has a gaming area 12 formed of a gaming board, and a player throws a pachinko ball, which is an example of a gaming medium, into a prize ball storage tray 13 to hit a ball. By operating 14, the pachinko ball will be 1
It is configured to be driven into the game area 12 one by one. Then, when the inserted pachinko balls enter a predetermined winning opening, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out into the prize ball storage tray 13.

In the figure, 5 is a card ball lending machine which is an example of a game media lending machine. Hereinafter, a card ball lending machine will be described as a representative of the game media lending machine, and other types such as a card coin lending machine will be described. A description of the game media lending machine is omitted. In addition, the card ball lending machine may not only lend a ball by using a card, but may also have a function of arranging a ball by directly inserting coins. The card ball lending machine 5 is provided with a card insertion slot 16 which is an example of a recording medium insertion slot. The usable amount of money of the card inserted in the card insertion slot 16 is displayed by the amount indicator 17. Then, the player selects and operates the lending signal command button 18 in order to rent out the pachinko balls within the range of the amount displayed by the amount display device 17. Then, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount selected by the player is the ball rental exit 19
Emitted from. It should be noted that the number of rental balls may be a predetermined number for each card insertion. Further, reference numeral 15 in the drawing denotes a lending indicator, which is used for displaying to the player that the pachinko balls are being lent.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal structure of the card lender.

When the magnetic card 20 on which the magnetic stripe 21 is formed is inserted from the card insertion slot 16, the magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 detects the inserted magnetic card. And
While the card is transported by the card transport mechanism 24,
A card data read / write element 23, which is an example of a recording medium reading unit, reads the card information recorded on the magnetic stripe 21. Based on the card information read by the card data reading / writing element 23, the usable amount of the card is displayed by the amount display 17, and the player selects the ball rental signal command button 18 based on the display. Manipulate. Then, the ball lending processing solenoid 32 is excited and controlled,
The partition member 29 is pivoted through the transmission link 31 and the locking portion 28.
7 Rotate around 7, partition with a partition member 29 so that the upper pachinko balls do not flow down, open the release valve 33 and put the pachinko balls stored in the ball rental storage pipe 30 in the ball rental storage part 34. discharge. When the player pushes up the ball rental outlet 19, the pachinko balls stored in the ball rental storage unit 34 are released from the ball rental outlet 19 to the player.
In this way, by controlling the partition member 29 by the ball lending processing solenoid 32, the amount of pachinko balls released to the ball rental storage unit 34 can be controlled. Incidentally, 26 in the figure is a pachinko ball deficiency detector, the upper surface of the pachinko ball in the pachinko ball replenishment pipe 25, when the pachinko ball deficiency detector 26 falls below the pachinko ball deficiency detector 26, It is configured to operate to derive a detection signal. The ball lending machine is stopped based on the detection signal from the pachinko ball deficiency detector 26.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the card lending machine 5.

The control circuit includes a control unit 35, and the control unit 35 includes a CPU,
RAM, ROM, etc. are included. And in this control unit 35,
Detection signal from the card insertion detection switch 22, read information signal from the card data read / write element 23, ball depletion detector 26
, And the selection operation signal from the ball rental signal command button 18 is input. Further, the control unit 35 outputs a writing control signal to the card data reading / writing device 23, and at the same time, a control signal is given to the ball lending processing solenoid 32 via the solenoid driver 36. driver
A display control signal is given to the amount display 17 and the ball rental display 15 via 37. The control unit 35 and the hall management computer are connected by wiring.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing another embodiment for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the insertion switch, and the process waits until there is an input. Then, when the player inserts the card from the card insertion slot 16, the detection signal from the magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 is input to the control unit 35, YES is determined in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S26 to carry. The mechanism 24 is moved to take in the card, and the process proceeds to step S27, where the card information reading / writing element 23 reads the card information. Next step
Proceeding to S28, the read information read in step S27, that is, the card information and the ball lender number in which the card is inserted are transmitted to the hall management computer, and step S2
Go to 9 and wait until there is a reply from the hall management computer. The hall management computer replies that an abnormal situation has occurred in step S94 described below, and replies that the card is an appropriate information card in steps S100 and S116. Then, if there is a reply from the hall management computer, YES is determined in step S29, and the process proceeds to step S30 to determine whether or not the reply is a proper information card. If it is not a reply that it is a proper information card, it is a reply that an abnormal situation has occurred, proceed to step S31, and after performing the processing at the time of abnormal situation, collect or return the card to the cabin by step S32 and again Return to step S25. It should be noted that it is conceivable that, in the processing at the time of occurrence of an abnormal situation in step S31, an alarm is sounded or an abnormal situation occurrence lamp is lit or blinked.

On the other hand, when the hall management computer replies that the card is a proper information card based on steps S100 and S116 described later, YES is determined in step S30 and the process proceeds to step S33 to display the amount data. Bowl 17
Is displayed to let the player recognize it, and it is determined whether or not the selection button is operated in step S34, and the operation waits until the selection button is operated. Then, if the player selects and operates the ball rental signal command button 18, step S3
When YES is determined in step 4 and the process proceeds to step S35, "selection amount ≤ remaining amount" is determined, and the remaining amount, that is, the amount selected by the player's ball rental signal command button is more than the usable amount of the inserted card. If it is larger, NO is determined in step S35 and the process proceeds to step S36. After error processing is performed, the process returns to step S34 again. This is because the player's selected amount exceeds the usable amount of the inserted card, so the inserted card cannot lend the pachinko balls corresponding to the selected amount. Is. On the other hand, if the selected amount is equal to or less than the remaining amount, YES is determined in step S35.
Determination is made, the process proceeds to step S37, the solenoid driver is controlled according to the selected amount, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the selected amount is paid out, the process proceeds to step S38, and the usable amount of the card after the pachinko balls are paid out That is, the balance is displayed and the process proceeds to step S39.

In step S39, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount, that is, the usable amount of the inserted card still remains, and if it remains, the process proceeds to step S40, and the usable amount data of the card can be used as the new usable amount. The amount of money is rewritten, and the process proceeds to step S41. The card information for the new usable amount is transmitted to the hall management computer, and the process returns to step S25. The reusable amount may be rewritten by the hall management computer. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that there is no remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S42, the card is collected in the aircraft and then the process proceeds to step S43, and the remaining amount, that is, the usable amount of the card is "0". Is transmitted to the hall management computer, and the process returns to step S25. The above step S
By 42, instead of collecting the card into the machine, the card may be discharged to the player side.

Next, another example of the control circuit shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 13B.

Alternatively, the cards may be collected in one place.

At the same time that the processes of steps S50 to S72 shown in FIG. 13A are executed, the interrupt program shown in FIG. 13B is executed once every predetermined time (4 msec). therefore,
In order to execute the programs shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the control unit 35 of the card ball lending machine divides the clock signal and periodically gives an interrupt pulse to the MPU. It is necessary to provide an interrupt pulse generation circuit).

First, the interrupt program will be described. In step S80, it is determined whether or not there is a reply from the hall management computer, and if there is no reply, the interrupt program ends as it is. On the other hand, if there is a reply from the hall management computer, the process proceeds to step S81, it is determined whether the reply indicates that an abnormal situation has occurred, and if the reply does not indicate that an abnormal situation has occurred (from steps S100 and S116). Is a reply that the card is a proper information card,
Proceeding to step S82, the control unit 3 indicating that the card is a proper information card
It is stored in the storage unit of 5, and the interrupt program ends. On the other hand, if the reply from the hall management computer is a reply indicating that an abnormal situation has occurred (in the case of the reply from step S94), the procedure proceeds to step S83, in which the occurrence of the abnormal situation and the card number of the abnormal information card are indicated. The interrupt program ends after being stored in the storage unit of the control unit.

Next, the program shown in FIG. 13A will be described. Step S
The controller 50 determines whether or not there is an input from the insertion switch, and waits for the input. Then, when the player inserts the card through the card insertion slot 16, the detection output from the magnetic card insertion detection switch 22 is given to the control unit 35, and YES is determined in step S50, and the process proceeds to step S51. Move the transport mechanism to take in the card,
In step S52, the card information reading / writing element 23 reads the card information. Next, in step S53, the card information and the ball lending machine number are transmitted to the hall management computer to make a judgment as to whether or not the card information is proper. However, without waiting for the reply of the determination result of the suitability of the card, the process immediately proceeds to step S54, the card amount is displayed on the amount indicator 17, and the process proceeds to step S55 to determine whether or not the selection button is operated. Wait until there is an operation. When the player selects and operates the ball rental signal command button 18, YES is determined in step S55, and the process proceeds to step S56, where "selection amount≤remaining amount" is determined. When the selected amount, that is, the amount selected by the player operating the ball rental signal command button 18, is larger than the remaining amount, that is, the usable amount of the insertion card,
The process proceeds to step S57, and after error processing is performed, the process returns to step S55 again. On the other hand, if the selected amount is less than or equal to the remaining amount, the process proceeds to step S58, it is determined whether there is a memory of occurrence of an abnormal situation, and if there is a memory of the abnormal situation at step S83, step S58. By Y
After the ES determination is made, the process proceeds to step S59, and after processing at the time of occurrence of the abnormal situation, the process proceeds to step S84 to clear the memory of the occurrence of the abnormal situation and the memory of the card number of the abnormal information card and return to step S50. Various processes such as sounding an alarm sound, lighting or blinking an abnormal situation display lamp, and the like can be considered as the processing when the abnormal situation occurs in step S59.

On the other hand, at the time of the determination in step S58, if the response of the suitability of the insertion card from the hall management computer has not yet been sent, a NO determination is made in step S58, and in that case. Step
Proceeding to S60, the solenoid driver is controlled according to the selected amount of money, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the selected amount of money is paid out. That is, the pachinko balls are paid out without waiting for the judgment result of suitability from the hall management computer. In this case, instead of paying out the number of pachinko balls according to the selected amount of money, it may be controlled to pay out only the minimum unit of pachinko balls. The pachinko balls may be paid out after the judgment result of suitability is reached. Then in step S61
In step S62, the balance is displayed, and in step S62, it is determined whether there is a balance. If there is a balance, the process proceeds to step S63, the card data reading / writing element 23 rewrites the usable amount data of the card with new data, and the process proceeds to step S66. In step S66, it is judged whether or not there is a memory of occurrence of an abnormal situation, and if not, the process proceeds to step S67, in which it is judged whether or not there is a memory indicating that the card is a normal information card, and if there is no memory. A loop for returning to step S66 is formed in the. If a reply is received from the hall computer in the middle of this loop, and the reply contents indicate that an abnormal situation has occurred, YES is determined in step S66 and the process proceeds to step S59. On the other hand, if the reply is a proper information card, YES is determined in step S67, the process proceeds to step S65, the inserted card is ejected, and the process proceeds to step S68, where the new usable amount of card information is reached. Is transmitted to the hall management computer, the process proceeds to step S75, the memory indicating that the card is an appropriate information card is cleared, and then the process returns to step S50. In addition, step S63 and step
Insert a step to judge whether there is a memory of occurrence of an abnormal situation between S66 and immediately release the card if it is determined that there is no memory of occurrence of an abnormal situation by that step. May be controlled as follows. In that case, after the card is discharged, when the memory of the occurrence of the abnormal situation in step S83 occurs, based on the memory of the card number of the abnormal information card, in step S112 described later,
It is desirable to automatically control the accident card registration application.

Further, during the loop of the loop including steps S66 and S67, since the determination in step S50 is not made, even if the card is inserted into the card insertion slot 16, the card is taken in by step S51. Absent. Therefore, even while the loop including the steps S66 and S67 is being circulated, the control may be performed so that the next inserted card is taken in, and the card before the taking in is the abnormality information card. If it is determined that the abnormality information card is stored, the abnormality information card may be specified based on the storage of the card number of the abnormality information card.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a program installed in the hall management computer 70 in the area A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example.

First, in step S85, it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the card vending machine. If not, step S8
Proceed to step 6 to determine if there is a reception from the ball lending machine.If not, proceed to step S87 to determine whether there is an accident card registration application and no registration application. In that case, the process proceeds to step S88, and it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the centralized hall management computer. If there is no reception, the process proceeds to step S89 to determine whether or not the one-day hall is closed. If the determination is made and the process is not finished yet, a loop is formed to return to step S85 again. In the middle of this loop,
When the card information is transmitted from the card vending machine in S19, a YES determination is made in step S85, the process proceeds to step S90, the vending machine number and the card amount of the sales card are stored, and the process returns to step S85. In addition, the steps S28, S
When there is a transmission from the ball lending machine at 41, S43 or steps S53, S68, S72, a YES determination is made at step S86 and the process proceeds to step S91. There are three types of information received from this ball lending machine: card information, ball lending machine number, card information with new usable amount, and card information with remaining amount of "0". If it is the information and the ball lending machine number, YES is determined in the step S91 and the process proceeds to the step S92.

In step S92, the memory of the accident card is collated with the received card information to judge whether the received card information is an accident card. If it is an accident card, the process proceeds to step S94, and the abnormal situation occurs. Occurrence is transmitted to the ball lending machine, the process proceeds to step S95, abnormal time processing is performed, and the process returns to step S85. In step S94, the ball lending by the ball lending machine using the recording medium determined to be incorrect based on the fact that the reply information from the replying means described later is incorrect. A disapproval signal output means for outputting a signal indicating disapproval is configured. Further, the abnormal time process in step S95 is performed by, for example, displaying on the display of the hall management computer that an abnormal situation has occurred, the ball lending machine number where the abnormal situation has occurred, the installation position of the ball lending machine, and the abnormality information card. It is possible to display the card number and.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S92 that the card is not an accident card, the process proceeds to step S93 to check the authenticity of the card information. As described above, the authenticity of the card information is checked by checking the usable amount of the card recorded on the magnetic stripe 21 and the consistency of the position of the punch hole, and the recorded information of the magnetic stripe 21 is the standard. Whether or not it is recorded in a zigzag pattern, or if the recording means other than the magnetic recording means is provided, whether the recorded content and the recorded content in the magnetic stripe 21 are consistent, etc. To judge. That is, the check in step S93 is a check that is determined only from the information recorded on the card. And step
Proceed to S84, as a result of the authenticity check, it is determined whether or not it is an abnormality information card.If it is determined as an abnormality information card, the procedure proceeds to step S94, but it is determined that it is not an abnormality information card. If so, the process proceeds to step S96, and it is determined whether the card amount is 1000 yen or less.
If it is determined that the card amount is 1000 yen or less, the process directly returns to step S85. That is, the card amount is 100
When a card of 0 yen or less is inserted into the card lending machine, only the suitability determination based on only the card information in step S93 is performed. Note that this step S96
In the judgment by the above, the card amount is not limited to "1000 yen", but may be 2000 yen, 3000 yen, etc., and may be any relatively low card amount. Also, step S96
In the above determination, instead of determining whether or not the card amount is high, it may be determined whether or not the card usable amount is high. That is, as a result of the card being used,
If the usable amount of money on the card is less than 1000 yen, YES is determined in step S96 and the step is determined.
Returning to S85, if the usable amount of money of the card is still 1000 yen or more, a NO determination may be made in step S96 and the control may proceed to step S97. In this case, if the usable amount of the card is less than 1000 yen,
At that stage, the card information corresponding to the cards of 1000 yen or less in the hall management computer 70, the centralized hall management computer 72, and the integrated centralized management computer 74 may be deleted. In that case, if you forge a card whose usable amount of money is less than 1000 yen and make the usable amount of money higher than 1000 yen, you can use the counterfeit card in the hall management computer 70. Since it is not already stored, the hall management computer 70 can immediately determine that it is an abnormality information card.

Next, if the determination is NO in step S96, the process proceeds to step S97, and it is determined whether or not the card is already used in this hole today, and if it is determined that it is already used, the step is performed. In step S98, the card information is collated with the information stored in the hole management computer to check whether the card information is proper. In other words, if the card inserted in the card ball lending machine is the card already used in this hole today, step S117 described later.
Thus, since the card information is already recorded in the hole management computer, the stored information of the hole management computer and the sent card information can be collated to immediately determine the suitability. Note that this step
The "stored information" in S98 has the contents shown in FIG. 15, for example. That is, the card number and the card amount and usable amount corresponding to the card number. In addition,
The usable store code number may be recorded. For example,
Code 100 can be used in any playground, but Code 20 can be used only in limited playgrounds.
Further, for example, when a card sold by a card vending machine installed in the B district or the C district is used at a game hall in the A district, the card information of the B district or the C district is also stored ( In Figure 15, information on both lines with card numbers 12044 and 83259). Further, the record of the card information shown in FIG. 15 is not limited to one day of the day, but is continuously stored on the next day.
In step S97, control may be performed so as to determine "whether it is a card already used in this hole yesterday or today". Next, in step S99, as a result of the check in step S98, if it is determined that the card is an abnormality information card, the process proceeds to step S94, and if it is determined that the card is not the abnormality information card, the process proceeds to step S100. After returning to the ball lending machine that it is an information card, the process returns to step S85.

When the determination at step S97 is NO, the process proceeds to step S101, at which it is determined whether or not the card has been used in any hole in the past, and if the card has never been used. Is determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S102, necessary card information is transmitted to the centralized management computer, and the process returns to step S85. on the other hand,
If the card has been used even once in the past, YES is determined in step S101, the process proceeds to step S103, the district to which the card belongs is determined based on the vending machine number in the card information, and step S104. Then, the necessary card information is transmitted to the centralized hall management computer in the area, and the process returns to step S85. In other words, if the card has been used even once in the past, the card information is recorded in the central hall management computer in the district to which the card belongs, so the card information should be transmitted to the central hall management computer. It is possible to judge the suitability of the card by this, but if the card has not been used even once, the card information is not stored in the centralized management computer. It is necessary to send it to the management computer to have it checked for suitability. The steps S28, S53, S103 and
By S104, an information transmission unit that transmits the read information of the recording medium that is the designation target is configured to the information processing unit designated by the designation unit described later.

Next, in step S91, if NO is determined, the process proceeds to step S105, it is determined whether or not the card information having the new amount of money is received, and the card information of the new amount of money is confirmed. If it is determined that the card has been received, the process proceeds to step S109, the district to which the card belongs is determined based on the vending machine number, the process proceeds to step S110, and the necessary card information and usable amount are rewritten. , Send it to the central hall management computer in the district to which the card belongs. In addition, the card information derived from the hall management computer is unconditionally sent to the central hall management computer at the location of the hall, and transferred from there directly or via the centralized central management computer to a predetermined central hall management computer. You may do it. Next, the process proceeds to step S111, the stored contents of the usable amount column are corrected to a new amount, and the process returns to step S85. The steps S107, S104 and step S110 constitute the read information output means for outputting the read information read by the recording medium reading means. Further, the read information output from the read information output means is read by the communication line connecting the steps S106, S103, S109 and each hall management computer and the centralized hall management computer 72 or the mutual centralized management computer 74. An information guiding means for guiding the information to the centralized management center in the area of the area to which the information belongs is configured. It should be noted that this information guiding means not only guides the read information to the centralized management center within the district to which the card sales area belongs, but also leads to the centralized management center within the district where the card was used for the first time. It may be.

Next, when the determination in step S105 is NO, it means that the card information whose usable amount is "0" has been transmitted. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S106, and the vending machine in the card information is sold. The district to which the card belongs is determined based on the number, and the process proceeds to step S107, where the necessary card information and the fact that the usable amount of money is "0" are displayed on the central hall management computer of the district to which the card belongs. Send. Then, the process proceeds to step S108, the usable amount column of the stored contents of the hall management computer is corrected to "0", and the process returns to step S85.

Next, if an attendant at the game arcade applies for registration of an accident card, a YES determination is made in step S87 and step S1
Go to 12. This accident card applies for registration when it is discovered that it is a stolen card or as an abnormal information card as a result of being used and the abnormal information card is taken away by the player, or when the card is lost, etc. . In step S112, a process of transmitting the card information of the accident card to the centralized management computer is performed, and the process returns to step S85.

Next, if there is a reception from the centralized hall management computer, YES is determined in step S88 and the process proceeds to step S113. As will be described later, the centralized hall management computer transmits respective information in step S140, step S139, step S147, step S149, and step S150. Then, if the content received from the centralized hall management computer is the information indicating whether or not the card information is appropriate, a YES determination is made in step S113 and the process proceeds to step S115 to determine whether or not the information is an abnormal information card. If it is determined that the card is an abnormal information card, the process proceeds to step S94.If it is not the message that the abnormal information card is received, the process proceeds to step S116, and the card lending machine indicates that the card is an appropriate card. After returning, the process proceeds to step S117, the card information of the appropriate information card is stored in the hall management computer (see FIG. 15), and the process returns to step S85. On the other hand, in step S113, when it is determined that the card information is not properly received, the received information is specified as the information of the accident card, the process proceeds to step S114, and the information of the accident card sent is stored. Return to step S85.

Next, when the day's business is completed at the game arcade, a YES determination is made in step S89 and step S1
Proceed to 18, total the daily sales amount by ball rental machine number, proceed to step S119, calculate the total sales amount of all ball rental machine,
The process proceeds to step S120, and the amount of money used for each card number is totaled. Next, in step S121, the own-store sales card and the other-store sales card are classified according to the vending machine number, and the own-store sales card,
Calculate the total amount used for each other store sales card. Next, proceeding to step S122, the number of sold cards of each sales type by denomination is totaled, and proceeding to step S123, the total sales amount of all-ball lending machine is transmitted to the centralized hall management computer. Next, in step S124, the predetermined information is printed, and then in step S125, the card information of the card for which the usable amount of money becomes "0" is deleted from the stored contents of the hall management computer, and the program ends.

The predetermined information printed in the step S124 has the contents as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B to 18, for example. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a list of sales amounts by ball rental machine number. In the figure, P1, P2, etc. are the machine numbers of the pachinko gaming machines on the left and right of the first ball lending machine, for example. On the other hand, FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a list showing the sales amount by coin lending machine. In the figure, C1 and C2 are, for example, the coin lender number 186 and the unit numbers C to the left and right of the coin lender number 186, respectively.
₁ and C ₂ means that a coin game machine is provided.

The predetermined information to be printed may be one in which a keyboard corresponding to the hall management computer is provided and only necessary information is printed by a necessary key operation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a summary list of sales amounts. The contents are the total amount of ball lending machine sales, the total amount of coin lending machine sales, the total amount of cards used by own stores, the total amount of cards used by other stores, the sales amount of each card vending machine, the total amount of sales of card vending machines, and the sales. The number of cards is classified by denomination.

FIG. 18 is a diagram in which recorded contents such as accident information are printed. For example, as the contents of the accident information, a ball lending machine number, an occurrence time of the accident, a card number of the abnormality information card, a vending machine number at which the card is sold, and the like are displayed in a list. In addition, the total number of prize exchange balls, the total number of prize exchange coins, the actual pachinko machine sales percentage, the actual coin machine sales percentage, and the like may be calculated and displayed.

19A and 19B are flow charts showing a program incorporated in the centralized hall management computer 72 shown in FIG.

First, in step S130, it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the hall computer, and if there is no reception, the process proceeds to step S131, in which it is determined whether or not there is a reception from the centralized management computer. If there is no reception, the process proceeds to step S132, and it is judged whether or not the business of the halls nationwide is completed. If it is not completed yet, a loop is formed to return to step S130 again. If there is a reception from the hall management computer in the middle of the loop, a YES determination is made in step S130 and the process proceeds to step S133. The respective information is transmitted from the hall management computer in steps S107, S104, S123 and S110. If the contents received from the hall management computer are the necessary card information and the information indicating that the usable amount of money is “0”, YES is determined in step S133 and the process proceeds to step S134. The usable amount column in the stored contents in the centralized hall management computer is corrected to “0”. Next, the process proceeds to step S135, the card information and the fact that the usable amount of money has become "0" are transmitted to the centralized management computer, and the process returns to step S130.

On the other hand, if the determination is NO in step S133, the process proceeds to step S136, it is determined whether or not the necessary card information is received, and based on step S104, the necessary card information is centralized hole management. If it is transmitted to the computer, the determination is YES in step S136 and the process proceeds to step S137, and the card information and the card information stored in the centralized hole management computer are compared to determine the suitability, In step S138, it is determined whether the information is proper information. When it is determined that the information is proper information, the process proceeds to step S139, and the fact that the card is a proper information card indicates that the reading information, that is, the hall management computer that is the transmission source of the card information read by the card lending machine. And returns to step S130. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S138 that the card is not a proper card, the process proceeds to step S140, and the fact that the card is an abnormality information card is returned to the hall management computer that is the source of the read information, and the process returns to step S130. Steps S98, S99, S13
7. By S138, the read information transmitted from the information transmission means is collated with the registered collation information described later to determine the suitability of the read information, and the recording medium is used for the game medium lending device. Appropriateness determining means for determining whether or not to permit is configured. Further, in step S139 and step S140, a reply means for replying the judgment output from the suitability judgment means described later to the game hall which is the source of the read information as the judgment object is constituted.

Next, if the determination is NO in step S136, the process proceeds to step S141, it is determined whether or not it is received that the necessary card information and the usable amount of money have been rewritten, and by step S110. When the data is transmitted to the centralized hall management computer, YES is determined in this step S140 and the process proceeds to step S142. In step S142, the new usable amount rewritten in step S40 or step S63,
The stored contents of the usable amount column in the central hall management computer are updated. Next, the process proceeds to step S143, the fact that the card information and the usable amount of money are updated is transmitted to the centralized management computer, and the process returns to step S130.

Next, when the determination of NO is made in step S141, the information transmitted from the hall management computer is specified as the total sales amount of all-ball lending machine described in step S123, Proceeding to step S144, the total sales amount of the all-ball rental machine and its hall are stored, and the process returns to step S130.

Next, if there is a reception from the centralized management computer, a YES determination is made in step S131 and the process proceeds to step S145. From the central control computer,
Information is transmitted in each of step S236, step S237, and step S240 described below. And step S1
It is determined whether the received information is card information by 45, and if the card information of the proper card is transmitted in step S237, YES is determined and step S14
Proceed to step 6 and store the card information in the central hall management computer. Next, in step S147, the card information and the fact that the card is a proper information card are returned to the hall management computer that is the source of the read information, and the process returns to step S130.

On the other hand, if the information transmitted from the centralized management computer is not the card information, step S145
If NO is determined and the process proceeds to step S148, it is determined whether or not it is accident card information, and if the card information of the accident card is transmitted according to step S240, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S149, The card information of the accident card is transmitted to all the hall management computers in the district, and the process returns to step S130. In addition, the step S1
If NO is determined by 48, it is specified when the information indicating that it is the abnormality information card is transmitted according to step S236, and the process proceeds to step S150, where the information indicating that it is the abnormality information card is read. It returns to the hall management computer, which is the source of information, and returns to step S130.

Next, when it is determined in step S132 that all the halls nationwide are closed, the process proceeds to step S155, and I
= 1 is set, and N = (total number of holes in the area A) is defined in step S156. Next, in step S157, information about the amount of money used for each of the cards used today in a hall (I) in the area A and sold in areas other than the area A is called from the central hall management computer in the area where the card is sold. Then, a process for calculating the combined L is performed. Next, in step S158, the total amount M of money used for all cards used today in a hall (I) in the A district and sold in the A district is calculated. Next, proceeding to step S159, K (I) = L + M is calculated, where K (I) is the total sales amount of all-ball lending machines for one day in the hall (I). Next, in step S160, the memory R (I) of the total sales amount of all the ball rental machines received from the hall (I) is called.
Then, in step S161, it is determined that K (I) = R (I), and if it is determined that it is not equal, the process proceeds to step S162, in which the total sales amount of the hole (I) is abnormally charged. Is printed and the process proceeds to step S164. That is,
The K (I) is a value calculated by the computer for centralized hall management of the total amount of sales associated with the use of the card of the hall (I), while R (I) is the card billed by the hall (I). Is the total amount of sales associated with the use of, and it is the nature that both parties must agree. If they do not match, it means that the billing of the total sales amount of Hall (I) is abnormal. On the other hand, if YES is determined in step S161, the process proceeds to step S163, the total sales amount of all the ball lending machines in the hall (I) is printed, and the process proceeds to step S164. In step S164, I
= N is determined. Then, if it is determined that I = N is not yet satisfied, the process proceeds to step S165, and I =
After the processing of I + 1 is performed, the process returns to step S157. Then, if the processes of steps S157 to S165 are repeatedly executed, and the number of holes corresponding to all the holes in the area A is repeated, then I = N. Therefore, the determination of YES is made in step S164. After that, the process proceeds to step S166, and a process of totaling the 0 cards for which the usable amount of money is “0” is performed in all the halls in the area A. Next, in step S167, the card information of the 0 card is
After transmitting to the centralized management computer, the information of the 0 card is deleted from the stored contents of the hall management computer, and the program ends.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative view showing card information stored in the central hall management computer in the A district.

The centralized management computer in the area A stores the card information of the cards sold in the area A. The stored contents are, for example, a store (vending machine) code number, a card amount, a usable amount, and the like. The usable store code may be stored as necessary. And in the figure, the numbers of the card numbers 5024 to 5026 are missing, but this is partly because the card with that card number becomes a so-called 0 card where the usable amount is "0". Therefore, it was erased from memory. In addition, since the usage code is "0", that is, an unused card that has never been used, the card information corresponding to the card number is still stored in the central hall management computer in the A area. This is the case where they are not stored, but only in the centralized management computer.

As another example, when a card sold in the B area or C area is used in the A area, the card information of the used card is also stored in the central hall management computer of the A area used. It may be stored by being sent from the centralized management computer. For example, as shown in the lower half of FIG. 20, the card information of the 12044th card number in the B area and the card information of the 83256th card number in the C area are stored.

Next, a flow chart showing a program installed in the integrated centralized management computer 74 shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S230, it is determined whether or not the card information is received, and if not received, step S2
It proceeds to step 31 and determines whether or not the card information and the usable amount of money have been updated. If not received, the process proceeds to step S232 and whether or not the card information of the accident card has been received. If it is determined that no card information has been received, it is determined whether or not 0 card information has been received. If no card information has been received, a loop is formed to return to step S230 again. There is. If necessary card information is transmitted in accordance with step S102 during the circulation of this loop, YE is determined in step S230.
When S is determined, the process proceeds to step S234, and the card information and the card information stored in the unused management file of the integrated centralized management computer are compared to determine the suitability. Then, in step S235, it is determined whether or not the card is a proper information card, and when it is determined that the card is not the proper information card, the process proceeds to step S236, and the centralized hall that has transmitted the card information indicating that the card is an abnormal information card. It returns to the management computer and returns to step S230. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S235 that the information is appropriate information, the process proceeds to step S237, where the card information of the appropriate card is
The card information is sent back to the computer for centralized hall management, and the process proceeds to step S238. In addition, for example, when the card sold in the B district or the C district is used in the game hall in the A district, the reply of the card information of the appropriate information card in the step S237 is sent to the central hall management computer in the A district. May be controlled to reply. In other words, the fact that the card is used in the A area is likely to be used in the A area in the future, so the card information of the appropriate information card is stored by replying to the central hall management computer in the A area. It is also effective to leave it.
Due to the steps S139 and S237, the reading means in the one or more amusement halls that are likely to be used with respect to the respective recording media are more in terms of information transmission distance than the collating information storage means. Designating means for designating the information processing means close to each other is configured. Further, the steps S117 and S146 constitute registration means for registering the collation information corresponding to the recording medium designated as the designation target in the information processing means designated by the designation means. Next, in step S238, the card information of the appropriate card is transferred from the unused file to the used management file, and the process returns to step S230. Further, in determining the suitability of the read information, the precision of the suitability determination differs depending on the size of the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium in step S96. Therefore, this step S96
Therefore, as compared with the suitability judgment made when the size of the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium is small, the judgment level variable suitability which makes a closer suitability judgment when the size of the monetary equivalent value of the recording medium is large Judgment means is configured. In the present embodiment, this judgment level variable type suitability judging means judges suitability only from the read card information when the monetary equivalent value is low, and from the card when the monetary equivalent value is high. In addition to the suitability judgment based only on the read information of, the so-called card back number management of whether or not the read card information and the previously stored card information are collated and matched, is configured. The present invention is not limited to this, and so-called back number management may be performed to make the back number management different in both cases of low and high prices.

Next, according to step S143, if the card information and the available amount are updated,
In step S231, a YES determination is made and step S23
The process proceeds to step 9, and the stored content of the usable amount column of the card is updated to the updated new amount, and the process returns to step S230.

Further, if the card information of the accident card is transmitted according to step S112, the determination of YES is made in step S232, the process proceeds to step S240, the card information of the accident card is transmitted to the centralized hall management computer, and step S230 is performed. Return to.

If the card information of 0 card is transmitted according to step S135, YES is determined in step S233 and the process proceeds to step S241, in which the card information of 0 card is deleted from the stored contents of the general set management computer.
Return to S230.

FIG. 22 shows card information stored in the comprehensive set management computer. The specific information contents are district information, card number, store (vending machine) code, card amount, usable amount, and use code. Moreover, you may add an available store code as needed. Also, for example, 5024,5025 card numbers in Area A and 12040,1 in Area B
The card numbers of 2041 and 12043 are missing, but this was erased from memory because the usable amount of money became a so-called 0 card. The stored information shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 20 and FIG. 22 constitutes collation information for collating the record information of a plurality of the recording media and determining the suitability thereof. The hall management computer 70, the centralized hall management computer 72, and the integrated centralized management computer 74 constitute a collation information storage unit that stores collation information corresponding to each of the plurality of recording media. There is.

It should be noted that the recording medium may be configured to be usable in a device other than the game medium lending device, such as a vending machine for canned juice or the like installed in a game hall.

Further, as another example of the present invention, a game management facility device shown in FIG. 23 can be considered in place of the game management facility device shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1a to 1f are game halls, each of which is provided with a hall management computer 70 and a card data reading / writing device 23 which is an example of a recording medium reading means. Then, the management computer 70 for each hall provided in the game hall is the node N
Are connected to each other via a communication line. In this state, when the card sales company 73 (see FIG. 1) has released a predetermined number of cards to the game hall 1a, for example, the record information of the predetermined number of sale cards is used as the hall management computer 70 of the game hall 1a. To be stored as collation information. Then, if the sale card is sold from the card vending machine and is used at the game hall 1c, for example, the verification information corresponding to the used card is transferred from the hall management computer 70 of the game hall 1a to the game 1c. It is transmitted to the hall management computer 70 of the hall, registered in the hall management computer 70 of the game hall 1c, the registered collation information and the read information of the used card are collated, and the suitability of the used card is confirmed. To judge.

In other words, once the card has been used in the amusement hall 1c, it is highly likely that the card will be used in the amusement hall 1c thereafter, and the hall management computer 70 of the amusement hall 1c, which is highly likely to be used, In order to register the verification information corresponding to the card, the read information of the card is immediately used in the subsequent use, and the hall management computer 70 of the game arcade 1c is used.
Therefore, it is possible to determine suitability by collating, and there is no need to transmit the read information to the game hall 1a one by one, which has an advantage of shortening the transmission distance.

In addition, in FIG. 23, the amusement halls 1a to 1f are divided into, for example, three districts, and if a sales card is used at the amusement hall 1c, for example, all of the amusement halls in the district to which the amusement hall 1c belongs. The verification information corresponding to the used card may be registered in the hall management computer 70. In other words, the fact that the card was used at the amusement hall 1c means that the card is likely to be used at other amusement halls in the district where the amusement hall 1c is installed, and within the same district. By registering the verification information in the hall management computer 70 of all the amusement halls, when the card is used in the same area, the recorded information can be collated immediately by the hall management computer in the amusement hall. It will be possible.

[Advantages of the Invention] The present invention having the above-described configuration manages the so-called uniform number of a recording medium, in which the recording information is collated for each recording medium used and the suitability thereof is determined. Since the information processing means performs distributed processing and the read information of the recording medium is collated at the information processing means that is closer to the transmission distance, illegal use of the recording medium can be effectively prevented, while playing the recording medium. It has become possible to provide a game management facility device that can reduce communication costs as much as possible and shorten the waiting time of the player as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram showing an outline of a game management facility device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a game field. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing contents of card information which is an example of recorded information recorded on a recording medium. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a magnetic card which is an example of a recording medium. FIG. 5 is an overall front view of the card vending machine. FIG. 6 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the card vending machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card vending machine. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a part of a game machine installation island arranged in a game hall, showing a pachinko game machine as an example of a game machine and a card ball lending machine as an example of a game medium lending machine. Is. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram for explaining the internal structure of the card ball lending machine. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card ball lending machine. FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another example of the flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit of FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a program incorporated in the hall management computer. FIG. 15 is an illustrative view showing contents of card information stored in the hall management computer. 16A, 16B to 18 are diagrams showing management data of the hall management computer. FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are flowcharts showing the programs installed in the centralized hall management computer. FIG. 20 is an illustrative view showing contents of card information stored in the central hall management computer in the A district. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a program incorporated in the integrated centralized management computer. FIG. 22 is an illustrative view showing contents of card information stored in the integrated centralized management computer. FIG. 23 is an overall block diagram showing another example of the game management facility device. In the figure, 20 is a magnetic card which is an example of a recording medium, 23 is a card data reading and writing device which is an example of a recording medium reading means,
3 is a ball game machine which is an example of a game machine, 4 is a coin game machine which is an example of a game machine, 71 is an area central management center, 72 is a central hall management computer, 73 is a card selling company,
74 is a centralized management computer, 70 is a hall management computer, 5 is a card ball lending machine, and 7 is a card vending machine.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Record information of a game machine installed in a plurality of game arcades, and a record medium in which information that can identify a valuable value used for playing a game using the game medium by the game machine is recorded. A game management facility device including a recording medium reading means for reading, and collating information for collating recorded information of a plurality of the recording media and determining suitability for each of the plurality of recording media. Collation information storage means stored as a plurality of information processing means, a plurality of information processing means distributed in a predetermined place, the recording medium reading means, a predetermined plurality of information processing means, and a predetermined plurality of information processing Means for transmitting information between the means and the collation information storage means, and the recording medium reading means in one or two or more amusement halls that are likely to be used for the respective recording media. Against However, the designation means for designating the information processing means closer to the information transmission distance than the collation information storage means, and the information processing means designated by the designation means Registration means for registering the collation information corresponding to the medium, and the information processing means designated by the designating means,
An information transmission unit for transmitting the read information of the designated recording medium, wherein the plurality of information processing units are for verifying the read information transmitted from the information transmission unit and the registered matching information. A game management facility device, characterized in that it includes a suitability judging means for collating the information and judging the suitability of the read information.