JP4213231B2 - Amusement park management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention shows a game situation for each player using a record carrier issued to a player in a game hall where a large number of gaming machines that release game media in response to winnings of game media are installed. The present invention relates to a management system for a game arcade capable of storing game data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in pachinko halls, a ball counter that performs a counting operation of a pachinko ball acquired by a player at a position corresponding to a pachinko machine on a one-to-one basis and stores the count data in a storage means, By installing each ball lending machine capable of lending pachinko balls based on it, it is not necessary to carry the acquired pachinko balls, and the pachinko balls once counted by the ball counting machine can be returned through the ball lending machine There has been proposed a system (so-called counting-by-unit replay system) that is configured so that a game can be played in a state that is not different from the case where a pachinko ball is actually at hand.
[0003]
In addition to the above system, when a player finishes a game on a gaming machine, the pachinko ball (acquired pachinko ball) once counted by a ball counter corresponding to the gaming machine is exchanged for a prize. It is also conceivable to add a so-called ball storage function in which the pachinko ball is temporarily deposited without being used, and the pachinko ball can be used for games on or after that day.
[0004]
In order to realize such a storage function, for example, a system as described below is constructed. That is, a membership card in which data including an ID code assigned to the player is recorded is issued to a player who is registered as a member in advance. In addition, a card reader is installed in correspondence with the pachinko gaming machine, and the counting operation function by the ball counter is operated only when the card reader reads the ID code stored in the membership card. The counting data by the ball counter is configured to be stored as data (storing ball data) indicating the number of balls stored in association with the read ID code. Furthermore, the ball lending machine reads the stored ball data corresponding to the ID code from the storage means only when the card reader has read the ID code from the membership card, and within the range of the number of stored balls indicated by the stored ball data. The pachinko balls are configured to be able to be released, and the number of stored balls is reduced by the amount of the release.
[0005]
When the above system is constructed, game data for each player (data indicating the type of pachinko machine that was played, the amount of pachinko balls consumed in the game, the amount of pachinko balls earned in the game, the number of stored balls, etc.) Etc.) can be tabulated individually, and accumulating such data has the advantage that it is extremely useful in the sales strategy of pachinko halls.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the above-mentioned storage function is very convenient for the player side, there are many cases where one member card is reused by a plurality of players. Specifically, for example, when a player who does not have the remaining amount of balls corresponding to his / her membership card (or a player who has not been issued a membership card) plays a game on a pachinko gaming machine, It is necessary to borrow pachinko balls by paying new consideration through However, if a player who needs to pay a new price as mentioned above is visiting with another player (friend, family, etc.), he / she can use the membership card of the other player when playing the game. There are many cases where pachinko balls are lent out using stored ball data, and when such membership card is reused, when game data for each player is accumulated, The data becomes inaccurate and the intended purpose cannot be achieved.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to count the number of game media using a record carrier issued to a player and to play each game based on the rental data. An object of the present invention is to provide a game hall management system that can effectively prevent a situation in which stored data becomes inaccurate when a configuration for storing game data indicating a game situation for each customer is realized.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a record carrier on which data including an ID code issued to a player and assigned to the player is recorded,
Data reading provided so that the record carrier can be mounted at a position corresponding to the gaming machine configured to release the game medium in response to winning of the game medium, and the record data of the record carrier is read in the mounted state Means,
Counting means provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine and switching to a state in which the game medium can be counted only when the record carrier is mounted on the data reading means corresponding to the gaming machine;
Storage means for storing game medium number data based on the counting result by the counting means in a state associated with the ID code of the record carrier;
In a state in which a game medium having an equivalent value is discharged in response to the insertion of money at a position corresponding to the gaming machine and the record carrier is attached to the data reading means corresponding to the gaming machine, the memory Lending means for releasing the game medium based on the data corresponding to the ID code of the record carrier among the game medium number data stored in the means;
Subtracting means for reducing the number of corresponding game medium data in the storage means when the game medium is released by the lending means;
Based on the ID code read by the data reading means, the number of game media data by the counting means, the number of released game media by the lending means, etc., the game situation for each player who has been issued the record carrier In a game hall management system comprising game data storage means for storing game data shown,
From the total number of game media released through the lending means and the number of game media released at the gaming machine, the number of game media consumed for the game at the gaming machine and the number of game media counted by the counting means A calculation means for calculating a value obtained by subtracting the total as remaining game medium number data associated with the ID code of the record carrier;
When the remaining game medium number data calculated by the calculation means is not less than a preset limit value when the record carrier is not attached to the data reading means, an ID code associated with the data is recorded. And a prohibiting means for invalidating the lending function of the lending means based on the recorded record carrier (claim 1).
[0009]
According to such a configuration, a player who has been issued a record carrier that records data including an ID code assigned to the player can use the gaming machine to acquire the gaming medium acquired by the gaming machine. Can be counted by a counting means corresponding to the above. In this case, the record carrier is attached to data reading means provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine. Then, the counting means switches to a state in which the game medium can be counted, and when the game medium is counted, the storage means stores the game medium number data based on the count result on the ID code of the record carrier. Are stored in a state of being associated with each other.
[0010]
Further, the lending means provided at the position corresponding to the gaming machine has the game medium number data stored in the storage means as described above in a state where the record carrier is mounted on the data reading means corresponding to the gaming machine. Among them, the number of game media within the range of the game media number data corresponding to the ID code of the attached record carrier can be released, and the subtracting means is equivalent to the amount of the release when the game media is released. Since the game medium count data stored in the storage means is reduced, the player can play a game using the game media released through the lending means.
[0011]
In other words, when using the counting means, it is necessary to attach the record carrier to the data reading means. Further, in a state where the record carrier is mounted on the data reading means, the game media within the range of the number of game media data stored in the storage means can be released through the lending means. As a result, it is assumed that the player receives a record carrier in order to enjoy the convenience of the counting means and the lending means provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine. This is useful for increasing the number, that is, increasing the number of fixed customers at the game hall.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the state in which the game media are counted or released as described above, the game data storage means stores the ID code read by the data reading means, the game medium number data by the counting means, and the game media by the lending means. The game data indicating the game situation of each player who has been issued the record carrier based on the number-of-releases data is stored.
[0013]
Further, the calculating means counts the number of game media consumed in the game at the gaming machine and the counting means from the total number of game media released through the lending means and the number of game media released at the gaming machine. A value obtained by subtracting the total number of game media played is calculated as remaining game media count data associated with the ID code of the record carrier. In this case, the remaining number of game media data calculated as described above corresponds to the number of game media currently possessed by the player, and the state in which this is greater than or equal to a preset limit value However, it is indicated that there is no need to borrow new game media using the record carrier.
[0014]
In such a situation, that is, when the remaining game medium number data calculated by the calculation means is greater than or equal to a preset limit value, when the record carrier is not attached to the data reading means, The prohibiting means invalidates the lending function of the lending means based on the record carrier in which the ID code associated with the remaining game medium number data is recorded (that is, the record carrier issued to the player). Become.
[0015]
As a result, a situation in which the record carrier is reused by a plurality of players (a situation in which a player other than the owner of the record carrier uses the record carrier to borrow game media) can be prevented. Accordingly, as described above, the game data for each player stored by the game data storage means can be made accurate, which is extremely useful in the business strategy of the game hall.
[0016]
In this case, as in the invention described in claim 2, when the remaining game medium number data falls below a preset auxiliary limit value, the ID code associated with the data is recorded. The counting function of the counting means based on the record carrier may be invalidated.
[0017]
According to such a configuration, when the remaining game medium number data decreases beyond the auxiliary limit value, it becomes impossible to count the game media using the record carrier corresponding to the data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a player other than the owner of the record carrier performs a counting operation by the counting means under such circumstances. As a result, game data (particularly counting means) It is possible to correct the counting result by (that is, data indicating the number of game media acquired on the player side).
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a front view of a membership card 1 (corresponding to a record carrier in the present invention) used in the system of this embodiment. This membership card 1 is issued, for example, to a player who becomes a gaming member of a pachinko hall. A tape-like magnetic recording unit 2 is provided on the surface of the membership card 1 and the member store name 1a, A number string 1b corresponding to data unique to the member store and the member, a character string 1c indicating the name of the member, and a number string 1d indicating the card effective date are formed by embossing.
[0026]
In this case, the magnetic recording unit 2 includes, for example, a member store code for identifying a pachinko hall, a member number which is an ID code assigned to the member (player), and expiration date data indicating a card valid date. Etc. are recorded.
[0027]
In FIG. 2, the pachinko gaming machine 3 is configured to launch a pachinko ball (game medium) in the upper plate 4 to the board surface 6 through an electric ball launching mechanism (only the operation dial is indicated by reference numeral 5). ing. In this case, although not specifically shown, the board surface 6 is provided with a start winning hole for a special prize operation, a movable winning hole, and an electrical accessory associated therewith in addition to a normal winning hole. The special prize state that greatly increases the winning rate in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is selectively presented.
[0028]
In the pachinko machine 3, the pachinko ball as a prize ball is discharged to the upper plate 4. When the upper plate 4 is full, the overflowed pachinko ball flows into the lower plate 7. It has become. The pachinko balls in the upper plate 4 can be dropped into the lower plate 7 by a sliding operation of the knob 4a.
[0029]
On the other hand, the lower plate 7 is also provided with a knob 7a. When the knob 7a is slid, a drop opening (not shown) formed at the bottom of the lower plate 7 is opened so that an internal pachinko ball is It is configured to flow into a guide tube 8 to be described later. However, the knob 7a is provided with a lock mechanism 7b having an electric drive unit, and the lock mechanism 7b operates the knob 7a (as a result, pachinko ball counting operation by a ball counter described later). Can be prohibited. The lock mechanism 7b is normally held in a locked state.
[0030]
The ball lending machine 9 as a lending means is installed on the left side of the pachinko gaming machine 3 in an adjacent state corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 3 on a one-to-one basis. explain.
[0031]
In other words, the ball lending machine 9 is configured in a vertically long rectangular box shape, and on the front surface thereof, the call lamp 10a and the special prizes for displaying each of the statuses in which the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 has a special prize and a stoppage have occurred. Display lamp 10b and stop display lamp 10c, panel unit 11, pachinko ball discharge nozzle 12, coin return slot 13, card insertion slot 14 for inserting the membership card 1, eject switch 15 for card ejection, A counter unit 16 to which the base of the guide tube 8 is connected is provided.
[0032]
In this case, the nozzle 12 is for discharging a pachinko ball from a discharge mechanism (indicated by reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1) provided in the ball lending machine 9, and the tip of the nozzle 12 is the pachinko machine 3. It is provided so as to be able to reciprocate between a normal position facing the upper plate 4 from above and a retracted position rotated forward, and is normally urged to a normal position by spring means (not shown).
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner, the panel unit 11 includes a display unit comprising a coin slot 18, a coin return button 19, a call switch 20, and a flat display capable of displaying an image (for example, a dot display type liquid crystal display). 21, a data screen selection switch 22 for selecting a state for displaying various types of management data provided from the pachinko hall side on the display unit 21 (such as the number of times a special prize has been generated for the pachinko gaming machine 3), A total of two data screen changeover switches 23 for switching the contents, a TV screen selection switch 24 for selecting a state of displaying a television broadcast screen on the display unit 21, an audio supplied to the player side through an earphone (not shown), etc. A total of two volume switches 25 for adjusting the output volume, the above TV screen Channel selector switch 26, the switch panel 27 is provided.
[0034]
In particular, the switch panel 27 is provided with a ten-key switch 27a for inputting a personal identification number, a correction switch 27b for correcting input contents by the ten-key switch 27a, and a return switch 27c for pachinko ball return (release). It has been.
[0035]
2, the counter unit 16 includes a ball counter 28 (corresponding to the counting means in the present invention) that counts pachinko balls flowing through the guide tube 8, and a count value obtained by the ball counter 28. Are displayed, a count start switch 30 that is operated when counting of pachinko balls is started, and a count end switch 31 that is operated when the counting is ended. In addition to the count value obtained by the ball counter 28, the digital display 29 displays the number of cash prizes that can be exchanged with a number of pachinko balls corresponding to the count value.
[0036]
Here, the guide tube 8 can be reciprocally rotated between a normal position where the tip faces downward to a drop opening (not shown) formed on the lower plate 7 of the pachinko gaming machine 3 and a retracted position rotated forward. And is normally biased to a normal position by spring means (not shown). A support leg 8 a is provided on the distal end side of the guide tube 8.
[0037]
The coin check mechanism 32 provided in the ball lending machine 9 so as to communicate with the coin insertion slot 18 has a known configuration having a function of determining the authenticity of the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 18. A determination signal indicating the determination result is supplied to a control unit (shown with reference numeral 33 in FIG. 1) to be described later.
[0038]
A card reader 34 (corresponding to the data reading means in the present invention) provided in the ball lending machine 9 so as to correspond to the card insertion slot 14 takes in the card inserted from the card insertion slot 14 into the inside. The operation of reading the data recorded on the card is performed, and the ejection operation of the card that has been taken in the card is performed by a command from the control unit 33.
[0039]
In FIG. 1, the electrical configuration of the ball lending machine 9 and parts related thereto is shown by a combination of functional blocks. In FIG. 1, the control unit 33 included in the ball lending machine 9 has a function of a prohibition unit referred to in the present invention, and includes a data memory 33 a in addition to a CPU (not shown).
[0040]
This control unit 33 is a group of switches in the panel unit 11 (see FIG. 3 The operation signal from the call switch 20, the data screen selection switch 22, the data screen changeover switch 23, the TV screen selection switch 24, the volume switch 25, the numeric keypad switch 27a, the correction switch 27b, the return switch 27c) shown in FIG. Operation signals, switch groups in the counter unit 16 (count start switch 30 and count end switch 31 shown in FIG. 2) and operation signals and numerical signals from the ball counter 28, judgment signals from the check mechanism 32, card reader The display unit 21 in the panel unit 11, the calling lamp 10a, the special prize display lamp 10b, the stop display lamp 10c, the release mechanism, based on the read data by the data 34, the transmission data from the management device 35 described later, and the program stored in advance. 17, card reader 34, click Which controls the gaming machine 3 side of the stopper mechanism 6b, and is configured to perform control for transmission and reception process between the management apparatus 35.
[0041]
In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 3 generates an out ball signal indicating the number of pachinko balls to be thrown along with the game, a safe ball signal indicating the number of pachinko balls released as a prize ball with the game, and the special prize state described above. The central control computer 36 is provided with a special award signal that continuously stands up during a certain period and a start signal that indicates that a pachinko ball has won a start winning hole (not shown).
[0042]
Based on the signal from each pachinko gaming machine 3, the centralized management computer 36 calculates the management data for each pachinko gaming machine 3 (the number of out balls, the number of safe balls, the number of difference balls, the output rate, etc.) It has a well-known configuration having a stop control function based on the calculation result, and is configured to transmit the management data as described above to the management device 35 every time a predetermined time elapses. The central management computer 36 also transmits a stop signal related to the pachinko gaming machine 3, a release signal indicating release of the stop state, the special prize signal, a start signal, and the like to the management device 35 in real time as management data. It has become. Note that the management data is transmitted in a state of being combined with the machine number data of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3.
[0043]
The management device 35 has functions of a storage means, a subtraction means, a game data storage means, and a calculation means in the present invention. The management device 35 includes, for example, a data display 35a composed of a CRT display in addition to a CPU (not shown). Management control related to the pachinko ball discharge operation by the ball lending machine 9 is performed by the centralized management computer 36. Is executed based on the transmission data as described above and the transmission data from the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9.
[0044]
The management device 35 includes individual data file groups for management as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, and when there is a request from the control unit 33 side of the ball lending machine 9, these individual data file groups. It is configured to answer back each signal created based on the following.
[0045]
Specifically, the individual data file group includes a member data file, a game history file (the game history data stored therein corresponds to the game data referred to in the present invention), a gaming machine data file, an interruption file, and the number of remaining balls. It consists of data files, and each file has the following structure. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, “χ” means an arbitrary decimal number, “◯” means an arbitrary kana character, “−” means no data, and “HHMM” means time. "Hour / Minute" is shown respectively.
[0046]
The member data file shown in FIG. 11 is associated with the member numbers recorded on all issued member cards 1, for example, a four-digit password registered in advance for each member, the member's name, gender, It is a format that stores data indicating the age, the number of balls, and the number of balls held.
[0047]
The game history file shown in FIG. 12 shows game history data for each player who has been issued a membership card 1, and is created for each membership number of each membership card 1. This game history file is associated with the game start time and the machine number in the pachinko machine 3, and the number of out balls, the number of safe balls, the number of start in the pachinko machine 3 (the winning prize to the start winning hole) Number), the number of special prizes, the number of sales balls indicating the number of pachinko balls released in the ball lending machine 9 adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 3 and the game end time.
[0048]
The gaming machine data file shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and the number of out balls and the number of safe balls of the pachinko gaming machine 3 are released by inserting coins in the adjacent ball lending machine 9. The number of sold balls indicating the number of pachinko balls, the number of stored ball returns indicating the number of pachinko balls released based on the stored ball data in the ball lending machine 9, and the number indicating the number of pachinko balls counted by the corresponding ball counter 28 It has a format that stores the number of balls, the number of starts, and the number of special prizes.
[0049]
The interruption file shown in FIG. 14 is for identifying the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the game is interrupted in the middle. The membership number of the membership card 1 is associated with the machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3. And the number of holding balls respectively.
[0050]
The remaining ball number data file shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to the machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and the remaining ball number ΔX obtained by the calculation as described later, the member number of the member card 1 and the counting prohibition flag F ( “1” in the set state and “0” in the reset state).
[0051]
4 to 6 show the contents of control by the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9, which will be described below together with related actions. However, in FIGS. 4 to 6, the contents related to the release control of the pachinko balls according to the insertion of money are omitted, but the ball lending machine 9 releases the number of pachinko balls according to the insertion of money. Is performed, an operation of transmitting a sales ball signal indicating the number of released pachinko balls (this is combined with the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 machine number data) to the management device 35 is performed. .
[0052]
4 and 5, in the initial state, the control unit 33 stands by until an operation for inserting a card into the card insertion slot 14 is performed (step A1). When a card is inserted from this state, reading by the card reader 34 is performed. It is determined whether or not the card inserted based on the data is the member card 1 of the own store (step A2). In this case, if the inserted card is not the member card 1 of the own store, the process returns to the determination step A1 after executing step A3 for discharging the inserted card.
[0053]
If “YES” is determined in step A2, that is, if the member card 1 of the own store is inserted into the card insertion slot 14, an interruption confirmation signal is transmitted to the management device 35 (step A4). The management apparatus 35 waits until any of the game permission signal, the suspension release signal, the suspension continuation signal, and the rejection signal is answered (steps A5 to A8).
[0054]
In this case, the interruption confirmation signal includes a member number read through the card reader 34 from the member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 and the corresponding machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3. Yes.
[0055]
In addition, in the management device 35 that has received the interruption confirmation signal, as will become clear from the following description, a game history file (see FIG. 12), an interruption file (see FIG. 14), a remaining ball count data file ( Based on (see FIG. 15), any one of the game permission signal, the suspension release signal, the suspension continuation signal, and the rejection signal is created and the answer back is performed.
[0056]
And if it is determined as “YES” in step A7, that is, if the interruption continuation signal is answered (as will be understood from the description below, it corresponds to the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the game is temporarily interrupted) A player who is different from the player before the card insertion slot 14 Membership card 1 Step A9a in which a message indicating that the inserted card is different from the one before the game is interrupted is displayed on the display unit 21 and step A10 in which the inserted card is ejected are sequentially executed. Return to.
[0057]
In addition, if “YES” is determined in step A8, that is, if the rejection signal is answered (as will be understood from the description below), the game corresponds to the pachinko gaming machine 3 that is not temporarily interrupted. The membership card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is already used for a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3, and the remaining number of balls in the other pachinko gaming machine 3 (this will also be described later) Is equivalent to the case where “Yes” is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), after step A9b and a card ejection step A10 are displayed in order to display on the display unit 21 a message prompting to end the game in the other pachinko gaming machine 3 Return to Step A1.
[0058]
If “YES” is determined in step A6, that is, if the interruption release signal is answered (as will be understood from the description below), the card corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the game is temporarily interrupted When the membership card 1 owned by the player who interrupted the game is inserted into the insertion slot 14, the message displayed on the display unit 21 (as can be understood from the description below) Step A11 for erasing the interruption message indicating that the game in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is interrupted in the middle is executed, and then the control after Step A12 shown in FIG. 5 is executed.
[0059]
Furthermore, if “YES” is determined in step A5, that is, if the game permission signal is answered (as will be understood from the description below, it corresponds to a pachinko gaming machine 3 that is not temporarily interrupted). When the member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is already used for a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3, the remaining number of balls in the other pachinko gaming machine 3 is a predetermined value. In the case of less than the above, and when the membership card 1 is in a state of being used in another pachinko gaming machine 3, this corresponds to the case where the game in the other pachinko gaming machine 3 has already been completed) Then, the control after step A12 shown in FIG. 5 is executed.
[0060]
In FIG. 5, steps A12 to A19 for making each determination as described later are executed. If it is determined “NO” in each of these steps A12 to A19, the counting processing routine A20 is performed. Then, after sequentially executing the data display processing routine A21 and the TV display processing routine A22, a loop is formed in which the control after step A12 is re-executed.
[0061]
In the counting processing routine A20, only when the ball counter 28 is performing the pachinko ball counting operation, the count value is updated and stored in the data memory 33a and displayed on the digital display 29, and the pachinko ball is displayed. When the counting operation is completed, the count value by the ball counter 28 is initialized (the stored count value in the data memory 33a remains as it is), and a message indicating that the count is completed is displayed on the display unit 21.
[0062]
In the data display processing routine A21, when the data screen selection switch 22 is turned on, various management data provided from the pachinko hall side is selectively displayed on the display unit 21. Further, in the TV display processing routine A22, when the TV screen selection switch 24 is turned on, a TV image is displayed on the display unit 21. This TV screen switching operation is performed by the channel switch 2 6 It can be done by.
[0063]
In step A12, it is determined whether or not a 4-digit password has been entered through the numeric keypad 27a. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step A13 as it is, but if "YES" is determined, the stored ball number display processing routine A23 is executed and then the process proceeds to step A13.
[0064]
In the stored ball number display processing routine A23, when the stored ball data request signal is transmitted to the management device 35 and the stored ball data request signal is answered back from the management device 35 in response to this, the stored ball indicated by the stored ball data signal is displayed. The number is stored in the data memory 33 a and displayed on the display unit 21, thereby enabling the lending function of the ball lending machine 9 using the member card 1. Further, when the mismatch signal is answered from the management device 35 side, a message instructing to input the password again is displayed on the display unit 21.
[0065]
The stored ball data request signal includes a membership number read from the membership card 1 through the card reader 34, a corresponding machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and a password entered through the numeric keypad 27a. ing.
[0066]
In addition, in the management device 35 that has received the storage ball data request signal, as will be apparent from the following description, based on the member data file (see FIG. 11), the PIN number included in the storage data request signal is stored. Judgment is made, and if the PIN number is correct, the storage ball data signal including the number of stored balls (data in the member data file) corresponding to the member number in the storage ball data request signal is answered and the PIN number is returned. If the signal is inappropriate, the mismatch signal is answered.
[0067]
In step A13, it is determined whether the counting start switch 30 is on. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step A14 as it is, but if "YES" is determined, the process proceeds to step A24.
[0068]
In this step A24, it is determined whether or not the ball counter 28 is in a counting prohibition state to be described later. If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to determination step A14. However, if “NO” is determined, the lock mechanism 7b is switched to the unlocked state to allow operation of the knob 7a. Step A for starting the timer operation (for example, about 10 to 15 seconds) of the shutter timer 25b Are sequentially executed, and then the process proceeds to decision step A14.
[0069]
Accordingly, when the count start switch 30 is turned on with the proper membership card 1 inserted in the card insertion slot 14, the operation of the knob 7a is prohibited, that is, the pachinko ball counting by the ball counter 28 is performed. The state in which the operation is prohibited is released. Thereby, the pachinko balls in the lower plate 7 can be caused to flow into the guide tube 8 in accordance with the operation of the knob 7 a, so that the pachinko balls in the lower plate 7 can be counted by the ball counter 28.
[0070]
The shutter timer is realized by, for example, a program of the control unit 33, and has a retrigger function in which the timer operation time is returned to the initial state when the ball counter 28 is performing the counting operation. It has become.
[0071]
In step A14, the ON state of the counting end switch 31 is determined. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step A15 as it is, but if "YES" is determined, the process proceeds to step A15 after executing the data transfer processing routine A26.
[0072]
In the data transfer processing routine A26, when the counting by the ball counter 28 is finished, the counting result can be returned as a so-called storage ball (pachinko ball in a form once deposited on the pachinko hall side) or holding ball (as it is in a ratio) Is stored in the data memory 33a as data indicating the number of any one of the pachinko balls), and the allocation to the stored balls or holding balls is the ball return mode set in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 Based on.
[0073]
That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 3, for example, a one-time exchange mode (a mode in which the counting pachinko balls by the ball counter 28 are transferred to the storage balls), a non-quantitative mode (a mode in which the counting pachinko balls are transferred to the holding balls unconditionally) Lucky chance mode (mode in which the pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a so-called lucky chance state, the counting pachinko ball is transferred to the holding ball, and in other periods it is transferred to the storage ball), the stop mode (pachinko gaming machine 3 hits The ball return mode is set such as a mode in which the counting pachinko ball is transferred to the storage ball when the stop state is reached, and the counting result by the ball counter 28 is set in such a ball return mode. Accordingly, the number of accumulated balls and the number of possessed balls is selectively transferred to. It should be noted that the number of stored balls or the number of held balls as described above is added to the number of stored balls and the number of held balls already existing in the data memory 33a.
[0074]
In step A15, the on state of the eject switch 15 is determined. If "NO" is determined here, the process directly proceeds to step A16. If "YES" is determined, the card discharge processing routine A27 is executed and then the process returns to the initial step A1.
[0075]
The specific contents of the card discharge processing routine A27 are shown in FIG. That is, in the card discharge processing routine A27 shown in FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the count value by the ball counter 28 is zero (step a1).
[0076]
If “NO” is determined in step a1, that is, if the processing of the count value by the ball counter 28 has not been completed, the process returns as it is, but if “YES” is determined, it is stored in the data memory 33a. It is determined whether or not the number of held balls is zero (step a2).
[0077]
If “YES” is determined in step a2, the process proceeds to step a11 described later. If “NO” is determined, a discharge message is displayed on the display unit 21 (step a3). Specifically, the discharge message prompts the operation of the “1” key of the numeric keypad 27a when the game is temporarily interrupted, and the operation of the “9” key of the numeric keypad 27a when the game ends. It is something that encourages.
[0078]
After execution of the display step a3 as described above, the process waits until either the “1” key or the “9” key of the numeric keypad switch 27a is operated (steps a4 and a5).
[0079]
When the “1” key of the numeric keypad 27a is operated, an interruption message with a content for notifying that the game in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is interrupted is displayed on the display unit 21. After executing step a6, step a7 for transmitting an interruption signal to the management device 35, and step a16 for discharging the member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14, the process returns. Note that the interruption signal includes the membership number read from the membership card 1 inserted through the card insertion slot 14 through the card reader 34, the corresponding machine number data of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and immediately before the transmission of the interruption signal. The data includes the data indicating the number of holding balls displayed on the display unit 21 at the time.
[0080]
On the other hand, when the “9” key of the numeric keypad switch 27a is operated, the ball return mode set in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is the carry-in ball mode (pachinko balls counted by the ball counting machine 28). It is determined whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the machine 28 is in a mode permitting only the other pachinko gaming machines 3 of the same model to be brought in (step a8).
[0081]
If "YES" is determined here, step a9 for transmitting a ball signal to the management device 35, step a15 for initializing the display on the display unit 21, and the card ejection step a16 are sequentially executed, and then the process returns. If a ball return mode other than the carry-in ball mode is set (“NO” in step a8), the number of balls in the data memory 33a is added to the number of stored balls and the number of held balls is changed to zero. Step a10, Step a11 for transmitting the stored ball signal to the management device 35, and Step a12 for transmitting the end signal to the management device 35 are sequentially executed. The control after the transmission step a11 is executed even when “YES” is determined in step a2.
[0082]
Here, the ball holding signal is the member number read from the member card 1 through the card reader 34 on the ball lending machine 9 side, the corresponding machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and the time immediately before transmission of the ball holding signal. The data memory 33a includes data indicating the number of possessed balls. In addition, the ball signal is stored in the data memory 33a at the time immediately before transmission of the member number read from the member card 1 through the card reader 34, the machine number of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3, and the ball signal. And data indicating the number of stored balls stored in. Further, the end signal includes a member number read through the card reader 34 and the unit number data of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3.
[0083]
After execution of the transmission step a12, it is determined whether or not the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a lucky chance state (step a13). If it is in the lucky chance state, step a14 for canceling the lucky chance state is executed, and after the display initialization step a15 and the card ejection step a16 are sequentially executed, the process returns. On the other hand, when the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is not in the lucky chance state, after jumping the step a14, the display initialization step a15 and the card discharge step a16 are sequentially executed and the process returns.
[0084]
In step A16, it is determined whether the return switch 27c is on. If "NO" is determined here, the process directly proceeds to step A17. If "YES" is determined, the ball return process routine A28 is executed and then the process proceeds to step A17.
[0085]
In the ball return processing routine A28, when the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a stop state and when the ball counter 28 is in a count prohibition state described later, the ball return process routine A28 returns as it is, and the stop state as described above. Alternatively, even if the counting is not prohibited, when the counting operation by the ball counter 28 is not completed, the process returns as it is. If the counting operation by the ball counting machine 28 has been completed, and the ball return mode set in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is not in either the stop state or the counting prohibited state, the ball return mode is set to the once exchange mode. The pachinko ball is released (returned) based on the stored ball data stored in the data memory 33a, and stored in the data memory 33a when the ball return mode is other than the once exchange mode. The pachinko balls are released based on the number of balls that have been held. In addition, when the number-of-balls data becomes zero due to such a release, or when it has been zero from the beginning, the pachinko ball is released based on the stored-ball data in the data memory 33a.
[0086]
Here, the release of pachinko balls as described above is performed by a predetermined unit number (for example, 25) (if the data indicating the number of stored balls or the number of balls is less than the unit number, the number Each time it is released, the corresponding one of the stored ball number data and the number of held ball data in the data memory 33a is reduced by a value corresponding to the number of released pachinko balls. However, the release of pachinko balls based on the data indicating the number of balls is performed at the same ratio, but when releasing the pachinko balls based on the data indicating the number of stored balls, a predetermined discount rate (for example, 20) is applied to the data. (Appropriate value in a range of ˜80%). That is, for example, when the discount rate is set to W and n pachinko balls are released based on the data indicating the number of stored balls, the data indicating the number of stored balls in the data memory 33a is “ The value is reduced by a value corresponding to “100 n / W” (however, the fraction is rounded down, for example).
[0087]
In step A17, the shutter timer (step A25b To start the timer operation). If "NO" is determined here, the process directly proceeds to step A18. If "YES" is determined, the lock mechanism 7b is returned to the locked state and the operation of the knob 7a is prohibited. A Step A after executing 29 18 Migrate to
[0088]
In Step A18, it is determined whether or not a count prohibition signal transmitted from the management device 35 side as described later has been received. If "NO" is determined here, the process directly proceeds to step A19, but if "YES" is determined, the count prohibition processing routine A30 is executed and then the process proceeds to step A19.
[0089]
In the counting prohibition processing routine A30, the lock mechanism 7b is returned to the locked state to prohibit the operation of the knob 7a (that is, the counting operation by the ball counter 28) and the ball counter 28 cannot be used for the display unit 21. Displays a message prohibiting use of.
[0090]
In Step A19, it is determined whether or not a count prohibition release signal transmitted from the management device 35 side as described later has been received. If “NO” is determined here, the processing proceeds to the counting processing routine A20 as described above. If “YES” is determined, the counting prohibition canceling processing routine A31 is executed and then the counting processing routine A20 is performed. Transition. In the count prohibition release processing routine A31, the count prohibiting state of the ball counter 28 is cancelled, and control for terminating the display state of the use prohibition message on the display unit 21 is performed.
[0091]
The management device 35 controls the pachinko ball lending operation by the ball lending machine 9 and the control related to the management of the counting result by the ball counting machine 28, the transmission data from the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9, and the centralized management computer. It is configured to execute based on management data (including an out ball number signal, a safe ball number signal, etc. for each pachinko gaming machine 3) transmitted every time a fixed time elapses from 36. As the transmission data from the control unit 33, in addition to the interruption confirmation signal, the storage ball data request signal, the interruption signal, the end signal, and the ball signal, the pachinko ball released in response to the insertion of money in the ball lending machine 9 There are a sales ball number signal indicating the number, a ball return number signal indicating the number of pachinko balls released in the ball lending machine 9 based on the stored ball data, and the like.
[0092]
FIG. 7 shows only the part related to the gist of the present invention among the contents of control by the management apparatus 35, and this will be described below together with related actions.
In FIG. 7, the management device 35 forms a standby loop that sequentially executes steps B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6, so that an interruption confirmation signal from the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 is obtained. 36 and file rewriting data from the control unit 33 (management data from the centralized management computer 36 and sales ball number signal and storage ball return signal from the control unit 33), storage ball data request signal and interruption signal from the control unit 33 The presence / absence of an end signal, a holding ball signal, or a storage ball signal is determined.
[0093]
When the file rewriting data is received (“YES” in step B2), the data update processing routine B7 and the remaining ball number calculation storage processing routine B8 are sequentially executed. Note that the management data, the sales ball number signal, and the stored ball return number signal constituting the file rewriting data are combined with the machine number data of the pachinko gaming machine 3 as described above, and each processing routine B7 , B8 is used for the control in B8.
[0094]
In the data update processing routine B7, each data (out ball number, safe ball number, sales ball number, stored ball return number, counting ball number, start number, special prize number) in the gaming machine data file (see FIG. 13) is received. In addition to performing the rewriting process based on the file rewriting data, the game history file (see FIG. 12), the data of the part where the game start time and the machine number are registered as described later (the number of out balls, The number of safe balls, the number of start times, the number of special prizes, the number of sales balls) is rewritten based on the received file rewriting data.
[0095]
In the remaining ball number calculation storage processing routine B8, for each pachinko gaming machine 3, the number of pachinko balls released through the corresponding ball lending machine 9 and the number of pachinko balls released as a prize ball in the pachinko gaming machine 3 (the number of safe balls) The value obtained by subtracting the total number of pachinko balls (corresponding to the number of out balls) consumed by the game in the pachinko machine 3 and the number of pachinko balls counted by the corresponding ball counter 28 from the total of The number of remaining balls ΔX associated with the membership number of the member card 1 is calculated, and the calculation result is written in the remaining ball number data file (see FIG. 15). If the membership card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14 corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 3, the membership number of the membership card 1 is set in the area corresponding to the car number data in the remaining ball count data file. The writing process is also performed at the same time.
[0096]
Note that the calculation process of the remaining number of balls ΔX as described above can be specifically performed using, for example, the storage data of the gaming machine data file, and the remaining number of balls ΔX is (sales number of balls + stored balls). It can be obtained by calculating the number of returned items + the number of safe balls) − (the number of out balls + the number of counted balls).
[0097]
After execution of the remaining ball number calculation storage routine B8, there is a pachinko machine 3 in which the remaining ball number ΔX is less than a preset limit value N1 (eg, “25”) in the remaining ball number data file. (Step B9).
[0098]
If “YES” is determined in this step B9, it is determined whether or not a member number is stored in an area corresponding to the machine number data of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 in the remaining ball number data file (step B10). In the case of “YES”, the process proceeds to step B12 after executing step B11 for deleting the member number, and in the case of “NO”, the process jumps to step B11 and proceeds to step B12.
[0099]
In step B12, it is determined whether or not there is a pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the remaining ball number ΔX is less than a preset auxiliary limit value N2 (for example, “1”) in the remaining ball number data file. If “YES” is determined, it is determined whether or not the count prohibition flag F is set in an area corresponding to the machine number data of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 in the remaining ball number data file (step) B13).
[0100]
If “YES” is determined in this step B13 (F = “1”), the process returns to the standby loop as it is, but if “NO” is determined (F = “0”), After executing Step B14 for setting the count prohibition flag F and Step B15 for answering back the count prohibition signal to the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3, the process returns to the standby loop.
[0101]
Thus, the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the count prohibition signal executes the control after the count prohibition processing routine A30 in FIG. As a result, when the remaining number of balls ΔX falls below the auxiliary limit value N2 in a state where the game is performed using the member card 1 in the pachinko gaming machine 3, the member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14. Ball counter 2 even in 8 The counting operation at is prohibited.
[0102]
When “NO” is determined in Step B9 (when there is a pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the remaining ball number ΔX is equal to or greater than the limit value N1 in the remaining ball number data file), and “NO” is determined in Step B12. If there is a pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the remaining ball number ΔX is less than the limit value N1 and the auxiliary limit value N2 or more in the remaining ball number data file, the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 in the remaining ball number data file It is determined whether or not the count prohibition flag F is set in the area corresponding to the machine number data (step B16).
[0103]
If “NO” is determined in this step B16 (F = “0”), the process returns to the standby loop as it is, but if “YES” is determined (F = “1”), After executing Step B17 for resetting the count prohibition flag F and Step B18 for answering back the count prohibition release signal to the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3, the process returns to the standby loop.
[0104]
Thus, the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the count prohibition signal executes the control after the count prohibition processing routine A30 in FIG. As a result, when the remaining number of balls ΔX falls below the auxiliary limit value N2 in a state where the game is performed using the member card 1 in the pachinko gaming machine 3, the member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14. Ball counter 2 even in 8 The counting operation at is prohibited.
[0105]
If “NO” is determined in Step B9, Step B11 for deleting the member number from the remaining ball number data file is not executed. For this reason, for a pachinko gaming machine 3 having a remaining ball number ΔX of the limit value N1 or more, when a member number is once written in the remaining ball number data file, the member number remains without being deleted. . The member number left in the remaining ball number data file is used for invalidation control of the lending function of the ball lending machine 9 as described later.
[0106]
When the stored ball data request signal is received (“YES” in step B3), that is, in the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9, the stored ball number display processing routine A23 (see FIG. 5) as described above according to the input of the password. ) Is executed, a stored ball data output processing routine B19 is executed. In this processing routine B19, on the basis of the member data file (see FIG. 11), the suitability of the personal identification number included in the received storage data request signal (the combination of the membership number and personal identification number in the storage data request signal is the member data file). It is determined whether or not the combination of the member number and the personal identification number is the same.
[0107]
If the PIN number in the stored ball data request signal is appropriate, the number of stored balls corresponding to the member number in the stored ball data request signal is read from the member data file, and the stored ball data signal including the number of stored balls Is returned to the ball lending machine 9 side that is the transmission source of the stored ball data request signal. Also, if the password is inappropriate, the mismatch signal is answered. Thereby, in the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the stored ball data signal or the mismatch signal, the storage control and display control described above in the stored ball number display processing routine A23 are executed based on the received signal. Will do.
[0108]
When the interruption signal is received (“YES” in step B4), that is, when the interruption signal output step a7 as shown in FIG. 6 is performed on the ball lending machine 9 side (“1” or more in the data memory 33a) (This corresponds to the case where the “1” key of the numeric keypad switch 27a is operated after the eject switch 15 is turned on in the state where the number of balls is stored), and the interruption file (see FIG. 14) is accessed ( In step B20), the member number, the machine number data of the pachinko gaming machine 3, and the number of possessed balls data included in the received interruption signal are registered in the interruption file (step B21). Therefore, the presence of the machine number data in the interruption file means that the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the machine number is in a game interruption state.
[0109]
When the end signal is received (“YES” in step B5), that is, when the end signal output step a12 as shown in FIG. 6 is performed on the ball lending machine 9 side (the holding ball stored in the data memory 33a) When the eject switch 15 is turned on in a state where the number is zero, or after the eject switch 15 is turned on in a state in which the number of held balls of “1” or more is stored in the data memory 33a, the numeric key switch 27a When the “9” key is operated, this corresponds to the case where the ball return mode set in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is other than the carry-in ball mode), in the remaining ball count data file (see FIG. 15). Access (step B22).
[0110]
Next, it is determined whether or not there is a pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the remaining ball number ΔX is greater than or equal to a preset limit value N1 in the remaining ball number data file (step B23). If “YES” is determined in Step B23, after executing Step B24 in which the number data and the member number included in the received end signal are registered in the remaining ball number data file together with the remaining ball number ΔX. Return to the wait loop. Therefore, the presence of the membership number and the unit number data in the remaining ball number data file means that the remaining ball number ΔX in the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the unit number is equal to or greater than the limit value N1. Become.
[0111]
If “NO” is determined in step B23, the game history file (see FIG. 12) is accessed (step B25), and the received end signal (or later described) in the storage area in the game history file is accessed. After executing step B26 for registering data indicating the game end time in the storage area corresponding to the member number included in the holding ball signal, the process returns to the standby loop.
[0112]
When a holding ball signal or a storage ball signal is received (“YES” in step B6). That is, the ball signal transmitting step a as shown in FIG. 9 Alternatively, when the stored ball signal transmission step a11 is performed, the member data file (see FIG. 11) is accessed (step B27).
[0113]
And, among the data indicating the number of balls and the number of balls in the member data file, the data corresponding to the member number in the received signal or the ball signal is the data indicating the number of balls in the signal or After executing Step B28 for updating to a value corresponding to the data indicating the number of balls in the ball signal Move on to step B22 .
[0114]
When an interruption confirmation signal is received (“YES” in step B1), that is, when an appropriate member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14 on the ball lending machine 9 side, an interruption file (see FIG. 14). ) (Step B29), it is determined whether or not the data corresponding to the machine number included in the interruption confirmation signal exists in the interruption file (step B30). Note that the presence of the machine number data in the interruption file means that the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the machine number is in a game interruption state as described above.
[0115]
If “YES” is determined in step B30, that is, if the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a game interruption state, the member number corresponding to the corresponding machine number in the interruption file and the interruption confirmation signal are included. It is determined whether or not the registered membership number matches (step B31).
[0116]
The state determined as “YES” in step B31 is the same as the card inserted in the card insertion slot 14 before the interruption when the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in the game interruption state. In this case, the process returns to the standby loop after executing the step B32 of answering back the suspension release signal to the ball lending machine 9 side that is the transmission source of the suspension confirmation signal. Thereby, in the control part 33 of the ball lending machine 9 which received the said interruption cancellation | release signal, control after step A11 in the said FIG. 4 will be performed.
[0117]
On the other hand, when it is determined “NO” in step B31, that is, when the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the ball lending machine 9 that is the transmission source of the interruption confirmation signal is in the game interruption state, the card insertion slot If the card inserted in 14 is different from the membership card 1 inserted before the interruption, execute step B33 to answer back the interruption continuation signal to the ball lending machine 9 side that is the transmission source of the interruption confirmation signal. After that, the process returns to the waiting loop.
[0118]
As a result, the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the interruption continuation signal discharges the inserted card by sequentially executing steps A9a and A10 in FIG.
[0119]
On the other hand, if it is determined as “NO” in step B30 (corresponding to the case where the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is not in the game interruption state), the member number included in the received interruption confirmation signal is included in the interruption file. It is determined whether or not the same membership number exists (step B34).
[0120]
Here, if it is determined to be “YES” (this state is a state in which the player who possesses the member card 1 temporarily interrupts the game of the other pachinko gaming machine 3 and the pachinko gaming machine 3 is different from this). Is equivalent to a state in which the game is to be started), the stored ball transfer processing routine B35 is executed.
[0121]
In the storage ball transfer processing routine B35, control is performed to add the number of possession data corresponding to the member number in the interruption file to the number of storage balls corresponding to the member number in the member data file (see FIG. 11). As a result, when the player has occupied two or more pachinko gaming machines 3, the pachinko balls that have been possessed by the player are changed to storage balls.
[0122]
After execution of the storage ball transfer processing routine B35, the game history file (see FIG. 12) is accessed (step B36), data indicating the game start time in the storage area corresponding to the member number in the game history file and the correspondence The machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3 to be registered is registered (step B37). And after execution of this step B37, after performing step B38 which answers a game permission signal to the ball lending machine 9 side used as the transmission source of the interruption confirmation signal, it returns to the said standby loop.
[0123]
Thereby, in the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the game permission signal, 5 The control after step A12 in the middle is executed. Accordingly, from this state, when an appropriate password is input through the numeric keypad 27a on the control unit 33 side, an answer back is sent from the management device 35 side in response to execution of the stored ball number display processing routine A23 (see FIG. 5). The stored ball number indicated by the stored ball data signal is stored in the data memory 33a and displayed on the display unit 21, so that the lending function of the ball lending machine 9 (the lending function using the member card 1) is effective. Will be converted.
[0124]
On the other hand, if it is determined as “NO” in step B34 (corresponding to the case where the player who inserted the membership card 1 is not in a state in which the other pachinko gaming machine 3 is temporarily interrupted), the number of remaining balls The data file (see FIG. 15) is accessed (step B39), and it is determined whether or not there is a member corresponding to the member number included in the received interruption confirmation signal in the remaining ball count data file (step B39). B40). As described above, when the member number exists in the remaining ball number data file, the remaining ball number ΔX in the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the machine number data corresponding to the member number is equal to or greater than the limit value N1. It corresponds to a state.
[0125]
If “NO” is determined in Step B40, the control after Step B36 is executed. Therefore, when the member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is used for a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3, the remaining number of balls ΔX accompanying the game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is less than the limit value N1. If there is, the lending function using the membership card 1 of the ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the card insertion slot 14 is activated, and the game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 using the membership card 1 is permitted. Will be.
[0126]
On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step B40, it is determined whether or not the corresponding car number data in the remaining ball number data file matches the car number data in the received interruption confirmation signal ( Step B41).
[0127]
When it is determined as “YES” in this step B41, that is, when the membership card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is used for a game in the pachinko gaming machine 3, it accompanies the game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 Even if the remaining ball number ΔX is equal to or greater than the limit value N1, if the member card 1 is used for a game in the same pachinko gaming machine 3, the process goes to step B38 for transmitting the game permission signal. Transition. Accordingly, even in such a case, the lending function using the member card 1 of the ball lending machine 9 is validated and the game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is allowed.
[0128]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in Step B41, Step B42 is executed in which the rejection signal is answered back to the ball lending machine 9 side that is the transmission source of the interruption confirmation signal. As a result, the control unit 33 of the ball lending machine 9 that has received the rejection signal discharges the inserted card by sequentially executing steps A9b and A10 in FIG. Therefore, when the member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is used for a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3, the remaining number of balls ΔX accompanying the game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is equal to or greater than the limit value N1. If there is, the lending function using the membership card 1 of the ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the card insertion slot 14 is invalidated, and the game on the pachinko gaming machine 3 using the membership card 1 is prohibited. Will be.
[0129]
Further, after the execution of step B42, the alarm processing routine B43 is executed and then the process returns to the standby loop. In this alarm processing routine B43, an alarm generating operation as described below is performed using the data display 35a.
[0130]
That is, the operation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8 is always displayed on the data display 35a. In this operation confirmation screen, a machine number area G1, a member data display area G2, and a game history data display area G3 displaying machine numbers for all the pachinko gaming machines 3 in the pachinko hall are set.
[0131]
In the machine number display area G1, the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 3 of the machine number (non-operating state, use of the membership card 1) is made by making each machine number display part a different display pattern that can be visually identified. Can be selectively displayed). (Game state accompanied by the game state and game state not accompanied by the use of the membership card 1).
[0132]
In the member data display area G2, if the pachinko gaming machine 3 with the machine number designated by the external operation is in a gaming state with the use of the member card 1, the member corresponding to the member card 1 is displayed. Data (which is created based on the member data file (see FIG. 11)) is displayed.
[0133]
In the game history data display area G3, game history data for the pachinko gaming machine 3 with the machine number designated as described above (this is created based on the game history file (see FIG. 12)) is displayed. It has become so.
[0134]
Then, in the alarm processing routine B43, an operation confirmation screen at the time of fraud occurrence as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the data display 35a. In this fraud occurrence confirmation screen, a fraud content display area G4 is set instead of the member data display area G2 and the game history data display area G3. In this case, in the illegal content display area G4, a message indicating that the member card 1 has been reused, the machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the reuse has occurred, and the member about the reused member card 1 are displayed. Data is displayed. At the same time, the corresponding unit number display portion in the unit number display area G1 blinks, for example.
[0135]
In short, according to the above-described embodiment, the membership card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 14 is used for a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3, and in the pachinko gaming machine 3 If the number of remaining balls ΔX (corresponding to the number of pachinko balls currently held by the player) is equal to or greater than the limit value N1 (eg, “25”), that is, the player uses the membership card 1 When it is not necessary to receive a new pachinko ball loan, the lending function using the member card 1 in the ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the card insertion slot 14 is invalidated, and the member card A game in the pachinko gaming machine 3 using 1 is prohibited.
[0136]
As a result, when the player plays a game, the use of the member card 1 to receive the pachinko ball loan from the ball lending machine 9 using the stored ball data corresponding to the member card 1 of the other player is prevented in advance. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the game history data for each player receiving the membership card 1 is inaccurate.
[0137]
Further, when the remaining number of balls ΔX falls below the auxiliary limit value N2 (for example, “1”), even when the member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14, the ball counter 2 8 In such a situation, it is possible to prevent a player other than the owner of the member card 1 from performing a counting operation by the ball counter 28 in advance. As a result, the game history data can be more accurate from this aspect.
[0149]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications or expansions are possible.
The system using the membership card 1 is premised, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a system using a so-called premium card issued to a player for counting pachinko balls, or the membership card 1 and the premium It is also possible to assume a system using both of the ball cards.
[0150]
Although the data transfer processing routine A26 (see FIG. 5) is executed by turning on the count end switch 31 in response to the end of counting by the ball counter 28, a means for automatically detecting the end of counting is provided. If the configuration is such that the data migration processing routine A26 is executed when the detection means enters the detection state, the counting end switch 31 can be dispensed with. Further, the counting start switch 30 can be made unnecessary if, for example, the function is replaced by the operation knob 7a.
[0151]
The game interruption state in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is determined on the management device 35 side based on the interruption confirmation signal from the control unit 33 in the corresponding ball lending machine 9, but is determined on the control unit 33 side. It is also possible.
[0152]
As the data reading means for reading data from the membership card 1, the card reader 34 in the form of taking in the inserted card is used. However, a slide type card reader for reading data according to the card slide operation may be used. An IC card can also be used as a record carrier. Although the pachinko gaming machine 3 that uses a pachinko ball as a game medium is a management target, a gaming machine (slot machine) that uses a gaming metal as a gaming medium may be a management target.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Front view of pachinko machine and ball lending machine
[Figure 3] Front view of the main part of the ball lending machine
FIG. 4 is a flowchart 1 showing the control contents of the control unit of the ball lending machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents of the control unit of the ball lending machine, part 2
FIG. 6 is a flowchart 3 showing the control contents of the control unit of the ball lending machine.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the management apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of display by a data display unit included in the management apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example by a data display device included in the management apparatus, part 2
[Figure 10] Front view of membership card
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a format example of a member data file
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format example of a game history file
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of a gaming machine data file
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a format example of an interrupted file
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a format example of a remaining ball count data file
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is a membership card (record carrier), 3 is a pachinko machine, 9 is a ball lending machine (lending means), 11 is a panel unit, 14 is a card insertion slot, 15 is an eject switch, 16 is a counter unit, and 17 is released Mechanism, 21 is a display unit, 27 is a switch panel, 27a is a numeric key switch, 27c is a return switch, 28 is a ball counter (counting means), 30 is a count start switch, 31 is a count end switch, 33 is a control unit (prohibited) Means), 33a is a data memory, 34 is a card reader (data reading means), 35 is a management device (storage means, subtraction means, game data storage means, calculation means), 35a is a data display, and 36 is a centralized management computer. Show.

Claims (2)

It is provided in a game hall where a large number of gaming machines that release game media in response to winnings of game media are installed,
A record carrier on which data including an ID code issued to a player and assigned to the player is recorded;
A data reading means provided so that the record carrier can be attached at a position corresponding to the gaming machine, and provided to read the record data of the record carrier in the attached state;
Counting means provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine and switching to a state in which the game medium can be counted only when the record carrier is mounted on the data reading means corresponding to the gaming machine;
Storage means for storing game medium number data based on the counting result by the counting means in a state associated with the ID code of the record carrier;
In a state in which a game medium having an equivalent value is discharged in response to the insertion of money at a position corresponding to the gaming machine and the record carrier is attached to the data reading means corresponding to the gaming machine, the memory Lending means for releasing the game medium based on the data corresponding to the ID code of the record carrier among the game medium number data stored in the means;
Subtracting means for reducing the number of corresponding game medium data in the storage means when the game medium is released by the lending means;
Based on the ID code read by the data reading means, the number of game media data by the counting means, the number of released game media by the lending means, etc., the game situation for each player who has been issued the record carrier In a game hall management system comprising game data storage means for storing game data shown,
From the total number of game media released through the lending means and the number of game media released at the gaming machine, the number of game media consumed for the game at the gaming machine and the number of game media counted by the counting means A calculation means for calculating a value obtained by subtracting the total as remaining game medium number data associated with the ID code of the record carrier;
When the remaining game medium number data calculated by the calculation means is not less than a preset limit value when the record carrier is not attached to the data reading means, an ID code associated with the data is recorded. And a prohibiting means for invalidating the lending function of the lending means based on the recorded record carrier.   The prohibiting means invalidates the counting function of the counting means based on a record carrier on which an ID code associated with the remaining game medium number data is below a preset auxiliary limit value. The management system for a game hall according to claim 1, wherein the management system is configured so as to be realized.

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