JP4255990B2 - Amusement park management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a counting means for counting game media acquired by a player and a game within the range of the counting results in a game hall where a large number of gaming machines that release a predetermined number of game media according to the game are installed. The present invention relates to a game hall management system in which a lending means capable of discharging a medium is provided at a position corresponding to each gaming machine.
[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 a ball lending machine configured to perform a pachinko ball lending operation based on this, it is not necessary to carry the acquired pachinko ball, and the pachinko ball once counted by the ball counting machine The system is designed to improve the convenience of the player by making it possible to play the game in the same state as when there is actually a pachinko ball at hand (so-called replay for each car) System) has been proposed.
[0003]
In addition, for a system such as that described above, when a player finishes a game on a pachinko machine, the pachinko ball (acquired pachinko ball) counted by a ball counter corresponding to the pachinko machine is obtained as a prize. There is also a system that further improves the convenience on the part of the player by adding a so-called ball storage function that allows the pachinko ball to be temporarily stored in the pachinko hall side without being exchanged and used for the game on or after the next day. It is considered.
[0004]
In order to realize such a storage function, for example, a member card that stores data including an ID code assigned to the player is issued to a player who has been registered as a member in advance. A card reader for reading data from the member card is installed in correspondence with the gaming machine and ball lending machine. And it is configured so that the counting function by the ball counter works only when the member card is set in the card reader, and the counting result by the ball counter is associated with the ID code read from the member card. It is comprised so that it may memorize | store in a memory | storage means as stored ball data.
[0005]
Furthermore, the ball lending machine can read the stored ball data corresponding to the member card from the storage means only when the member card is set in the corresponding card reader, and can release pachinko balls within the range of the read stored ball data. And the storage data is reduced by the amount of the release. Also, when ending a game with a pachinko gaming machine, it is necessary to cancel the set state of the member card with respect to the card reader. Therefore, the set state of the member card is set at a position corresponding to the ball lending machine on a one-to-one basis. A settlement switch is provided to cancel.
[0006]
However, if the configuration is simply adopted in this way, the pachinko balls once stored as stored ball data will be returned as they are, so it is not possible to expect the pachinko hall side profits associated with the exchange of prizes. The problem arises that sales and profits are compressed.
[0007]
Therefore, in practice, the following system is adopted. That is, the counting result by the ball counter is selectively stored in the storage means by dividing it into first data (hereinafter referred to as holding ball data) and second data (hereinafter referred to as stored ball data). A configuration is possible. In addition, in the ball lending machine, when performing the return (release) operation of the pachinko balls based on the retained ball data, an equivalent return process is performed in which the retained ball data is reduced by the value corresponding to the number of returned pachinko balls, and the accumulated ball data is used. When performing the pachinko ball return operation, a discount return process is performed in which the stored ball data is decreased by a predetermined rate from the actual number of pachinko balls.
[0008]
In addition, when the checkout switch is operated in order to end the game in the pachinko gaming machine, a function is provided for re-storing the ball data stored in the storage means as the stored ball data. As a result, once the game in the pachinko machine is finished, all the acquired pachinko balls in the pachinko machine are transferred to the accumulated ball data, and the sales and profits on the pachinko hall side are compressed. I try to prevent things from happening.
[0009]
It should be noted that whether the counting result by the ball counting machine is stored in either the holding ball data or the stored ball data is determined depending on the model of the pachinko gaming machine, the playing time zone, or other setting conditions. Specifically, for example, counting results with non-popular pachinko machines, counting results when there are few visitors, counting results with so-called lucky chances set by the pachinko hall side Are stored as possession data for use in the equivalent return process.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the system of the above conventional configuration, if the player mistakenly operates the checkout switch, the possessed ball data is forcibly changed to accumulated ball data, and the value of the acquired pachinko ball on the player side will be reduced. There is a concern that the player may feel suspicious and cause unnecessary troubles between the player and the pachinko hall. In order to deal with such problems, the checkout switch is configured so that only pachinko hall employees can operate it, and when a player finishes a game on a pachinko machine, he calls the pachinko hall employee to checkout. A configuration in which the switch is operated is conceivable. However, with this configuration, every time a player finishes a game on a pachinko machine, the pachinko hall employee must go to the pachinko machine, resulting in an increase in the burden on the pachinko hall employee. As a result, there is a problem that the original purpose of the system, that is, the purpose of improving the convenience of the player is hindered.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to increase the profit on the game hall side and the convenience on the player side, to increase the burden on the game hall employees and to suspicious to the player. An object of the present invention is to provide a management system for a game hall that can be realized without incurring a situation of giving.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a management system provided in a game hall in which a large number of gaming machines that release a predetermined number of game media according to a game are installed.
  A memory carrier issued to a player, a counting means provided to count game media released from the gaming machine at a position corresponding to the gaming machine on a one-to-one basis, and counting by the counting means The result is provided so as to be stored in association with the storage carrier, and the counting result can be stored by dividing it into either the first data provided for equivalent return or the second data provided for discount return A lending unit that is provided at a position that corresponds to the storage unit and the gaming machine on a one-to-one basis and that can release a game medium based on the first data and the second data stored in the storage unit And an equivalent return process for reducing the first data by the number of released game media when the game medium is released by the lending device based on the first data stored in the storage device. And before Discount return processing in which when the release operation by the lending means is performed based on the second data stored in the storage means, the second data is further reduced by a predetermined percentage increment from the number of game media released. And a settlement means for performing a settlement operation for re-storing the first data as second data when a settlement instruction is given from the outside.,
  in frontWhen a cancel signal is given from the outside after the settlement operation is performed, the second data stored in the storage unit by the settlement unit is stored again as the first data in the storage unit. Canceling means for cancelingWhenWithAbove,
When a storage carrier whose set state with respect to the lending means is once released is set in a lending means different from the lending means, the canceling operation by the canceling means for the storage carrier is prohibited.It is made into a structure (Claim 1).
[0013]
According to this configuration, the game player can count the game media acquired by playing the game machine with the counting means provided at a position corresponding to the game machine on a one-to-one basis. When such counting is performed, the count result by the counting means is stored in the storage means in a state divided into either the first data or the second data associated with the storage carrier. become.
[0014]
  There is a one-to-one correspondence with gaming machines,UpIn memoryAs mentioned aboveSince lending means is provided to present a state in which the game medium can be released based on the stored first data and second data.,UpAs described above, the game medium once counted by the counting means can be released from the lending means, and the released game medium can be used for the game.
[0015]
In the case where the game medium is released by the lending means as described above, the calculation means is configured to execute the first data when the release operation is performed based on the first data stored in the storage means. The equivalent return process is performed in which the number of game media is reduced by the number of released game media. Further, when the release operation is performed based on the count data of 2 stored in the storage means, the discount return process of reducing the second data by a predetermined percentage increment from the number of released game media To do.
[0016]
In the gaming state as described above, when a settlement instruction is given from the outside, the settlement means performs a settlement operation of re-storing the first data as the second data. That is, when a payment instruction is given, the first data that can be used for equivalent return is forcibly transferred to the second data that is used for discount return.
[0017]
However, when a cancel signal is given from the outside after the settlement operation as described above is performed, the cancellation means stores the second data stored in the storage means by the settlement means to the storage means. Then, the cancel operation of re-storing as the first data is performed.
[0018]
Therefore, even when the player gives a settlement instruction to the settlement means by mistake, if a cancel signal is given from the outside, the first data is forcibly changed to the second data, and the game is The situation that the value of the acquired game medium on the customer side is reduced can be eliminated, and there is no possibility of giving the player a suspicious feeling.
[0019]
  Moreover, the counting means for counting the game media acquired by the player and the lending means for releasing the game media based on the counted data are all provided corresponding to the gaming machine. Therefore, the player does not have to leave the gaming machine when counting the acquired game media or receiving a game media corresponding to the counted data. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience on the part of the player because the task of counting the game media and receiving the return is not complicated for the player, and the improvement of the ability to attract customers at the game hall is also expected. become able to.
  Further, when the storage carrier whose set state with respect to the lending means is once released is set in a lending means different from the lending means, the canceling operation by the canceling means for the storage carrier may be prohibited. In this configuration, if the player changes the gaming machine that is the target of the game, it is considered that the operation of the settlement switch corresponding to the gaming machine before the change is not due to the erroneous operation of the player. In such a case, the canceling operation by the canceling means is prohibited. Therefore, there is no possibility that the above-described canceling operation is performed without darkness, and an increase in the loss on the game hall side can be prevented in advance.
[0020]
Further, as in the invention described in claim 2, a payment switch that gives a payment instruction to the payment means when operated can be provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine. According to this configuration, when the settlement instruction is given to the settlement means, the player only has to operate the settlement switch, so that each time the player finishes the game on the gaming machine as in the conventional configuration, It is no longer necessary for the field employee to go to the game machine, and the burden on the employee can be reduced.
[0021]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the settlement means may be configured to perform a settlement operation only in a state where the storage carrier is set in the lending means. According to this configuration, the settlement operation is performed. In this case, since it is a precondition that the storage carrier is set in the lending means, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the settlement operation is inadvertently performed.
[0023]
  And claims4As described in the invention, the canceling operation by the canceling unit may be prohibited when a preset upper limit time has elapsed after the settlement operation is performed. Even in such a configuration, there is no possibility that the canceling operation described above is performed without any darkness, and an increase in loss on the game hall side can be prevented in advance.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of a membership card 1 as a storage carrier used in the system of the present embodiment. The membership card 1 is issued, for example, to a player who has become a pachinko hall game member. A tape-like magnetic recording unit 2 is provided on the surface of the membership card 1 and a pachinko hall name 1a. Are formed by printing, and further, a numerical string 1b corresponding to pachinko hall and member-specific data, a character string 1c indicating the member's name, a character indicating the card effective date and a numerical string 1d are embossed. Is formed.
[0025]
In this case, the magnetic recording unit 2 includes, for example, an ID code for identifying a pachinko hall, a card number that is an ID code assigned to the member (player), expiration date data indicating a card validity date, etc. Is recorded.
[0026]
In FIG. 1, 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 in which the winning rate in the pachinko gaming machine 3 is greatly increased and the well-known probability fluctuation state are selectively presented.
[0027]
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.
[0028]
On the other hand, the lower plate 7 is also provided with a knob 7a. When the knob 7a is slid, a shutter (not shown) provided at a drop opening formed on the bottom of the lower plate 7 is opened. Thus, the internal pachinko balls flow into the guide tube 8. However, the knob 7a is provided with a lock mechanism 7b having an electric drive unit, and the operation of the knob 7a can be selectively prohibited by the lock mechanism 7b.
[0029]
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.
[0030]
That is, the ball lending machine 9 is configured in a vertically long rectangular box shape, and, for example, five ball display lamps 10 are provided on the uppermost front surface. In this case, the holding ball display lamp 10 can be lit in either red or green, for example, and based on the number of lighting and the lighting color, the approximate number of holding balls (subject to equivalent return described later). (Indicating the number of pachinko balls) can be displayed visually.
[0031]
Specifically, for example, a state in which only one bottom ball display lamp 10 is lit in red corresponds to a state where the number of balls is 1000 to 1999, and two from the bottom are red. The number of balls that are lit up is 2000-2999, the number of balls 3 from the bottom is red, the number of balls is 3000-3999, and the number of balls 4 from the bottom is red. A state where the number is 4000 to 4999 and all the five are lit in red corresponds to a state where the number of balls is 5000 or more.
[0032]
Moreover, the state where all the holding ball display lamps 10 are turned off corresponds to a state where the number of holding balls is less than 200. The state in which only one bottom ball display lamp 10 is lit in green corresponds to a state in which the number of balls is 200 to 399, and the state in which two from the bottom are lit in green has When the number of balls is 400 to 599, 3 from the bottom are lit in green, the number of balls is 600 to 799, and when 4 from the bottom are lit in green, the number of balls is 800 to 999. Equivalent to. The state where all of the five ball display lamps 10 are lit in green corresponds to a state where the number of balls is 1000 or more. Only one holding ball display lamp 10 is switched on in red.
[0033]
The ball lending machine 9 includes a remote control receiving unit 11a for receiving a signal from a portable transmitter (shown with reference numeral 11 in FIG. 2), a coin slot 12, a coin return button 13, a number of balls ( Used to input the stored ball number display unit 14 for digitally displaying the number of pachinko balls to be used for discount return (to be described later), the number of held ball display unit 15 for digitally displaying the number of held balls, and a PIN number A numeric keypad switch 16, a return switch 17, a nozzle 18 for releasing a pachinko ball, a coin return port 19, an interruption switch 20, a settlement switch 21, a card insertion port 22 for inserting the member card 1 or the gift ball card 2, A ball counter 23 (corresponding to the counting means in the present invention) to which the base portion of the guide tube 8 is connected is provided. In the present embodiment, for example, a function that can display on the above-mentioned accumulated ball number display section 14 that the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a game suspended state (a state in which the player temporarily leaves the seat). Has been granted. However, a dedicated display unit may be provided for such an interruption display function.
[0034]
The transmitter 11 is carried by a pachinko hall employee, and performs a cancel signal transmission operation using, for example, infrared as a medium in accordance with the operation. The nozzle 13 is for discharging a pachinko ball from a discharge mechanism (indicated by reference numeral 24 in FIG. 2) provided in the ball lending machine 9, and the tip is above the pachinko gaming machine 3. It is provided so as to be able to reciprocate between a normal position facing the plate 4 from above and a retracted position rotated forward, and is normally biased to a normal position by spring means (not shown).
[0035]
The ball counter 23 is configured to count pachinko balls flowing through the guide tube 8 and generate a counting pulse indicating the counting result. The guide tube 8 is provided such that its tip can be reciprocally rotated between a normal position facing 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. It is normally biased to a normal position by spring means (not shown).
[0036]
The coin check mechanism 25 provided in the ball lending machine 9 so as to communicate with the coin slot 12 has a well-known configuration having a function of determining the authenticity of the coin inserted into the coin slot 12. A determination signal indicating the determination result is given to a control unit (shown with reference numeral 26 in FIG. 2) to be described later.
[0037]
The card reader 27 provided in the ball lending machine 9 so as to correspond to the card insertion slot 22 takes in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 22 and reads the data recorded on the card. The card ejecting operation in a state of being taken in is configured to be performed by a command from the control unit 26.
[0038]
In FIG. 2 showing the electrical configuration of the ball lending machine 9, the control unit 26 has functions of a calculation means, a settlement means and a cancellation means in the present invention, and includes a CPU (not shown) and a storage section. 26a is included.
[0039]
In this case, the storage unit 26a includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a setting value table for each model as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the nonvolatile memory. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 2, the total amount of pachinko balls to be released during the special award period (however, the value when the game is played in a standard state) is different for each model. A set value table for each model stores the pachinko ball release amount (standard value) during the special award period that differs for each model as a set value for each model of the pachinko machine 3 (for example, indicated by symbols A, B, and C). It is.
[0040]
The control unit 26 receives signals from the remote control receiving unit 11a, operation signals from the ten key switch 16, return switch 17, interruption switch 20 and settlement switch 21, counting pulses from the ball counter 23, and the check mechanism 25. Determination signal, data read by the card reader 27, various signals given from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 through the terminal device 28, and various signals given from the management device 29 (corresponding to storage means in the present invention) through the terminal device 28 Control of the ball display lamp 10, the remote control receiving unit 11a, the stored ball number display unit 14, the ball number display unit 15, the release mechanism 24, the lock mechanism 7b, and the card reader 27 based on the data and the program stored in advance. And transmission / reception control of signals to / from the management device 29 through the terminal device 28. And it has a formation. The operation signal from the settlement switch 21 corresponds to a settlement instruction in the present invention.
[0041]
In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 3 generates the out ball signal Sa indicating the number of pachinko balls to be thrown along with the game, the safe ball signal Sb indicating the number of pachinko balls released as a prize ball with the game, and the special prize state described above. It is configured to output a special prize signal Sf that continuously rises during the running period, and a probability variation signal Sk that rises continuously only during the period in which the pachinko gaming machine 3 is in the probability variation state. The signals Sa, Sb, Sf, and Sk are supplied to the control unit 26 and the management device 29 through the terminal device 28.
[0042]
Further, the management device 29 manages data for each pachinko gaming machine 3 based on the signals Sa, Sb, Sf, Sk from each pachinko gaming machine 3 (the difference between the number of out balls and the number of safe balls, the output rate, And the like, and a stop control function based on the calculation result. The management device 29 includes a counter having a format as shown in FIGS. Files and card files are stored.
[0043]
That is, the counter file shown in FIG. 12 is set for each ball counter 23, and the counter state (corresponding card insertion slot 22 is associated with the counter number unique to the ball counter 23. The membership card 1 in the “not inserted state”, “inserted state”, or “game interruption state” of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3) and the membership card 1 inserted into the corresponding card insertion slot 22. It has a format in which stored ball data indicating the number of balls, a card number of the member card 1, and sales data indicating a sales amount at the corresponding ball lending machine 9 are stored.
[0044]
The card file shown in FIG. 13 is created for each member card 1 when the member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 and is deleted when the pachinko hall is closed. . Specifically, the card file is associated with the card number of the member card 1, the password set in advance in the member card 1, the card state (“not inserted” in the card insertion slot 22, “inserted” Status "," game interruption status "in the pachinko machine 3), the ball data and the ball data indicating the number of balls and the number of balls (corresponding to the first data and the second data respectively referred to in the present invention) ), A card number of the ball counter 23 corresponding to the card insertion slot 22 into which the member card 1 is inserted, and a payment ball data indicating a payment ball number which will be described later.
[0045]
Therefore, the control content by the control part 26 which the ball lending machine 9 has is demonstrated below. However, although the control unit 26 actually performs sequential processing, here, for convenience of explanation, the card processing program shown in FIG. 5, the counting processing program shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the replay processing program shown in FIG. Assume that the ball lending processing program shown in FIG. 9 is executed by parallel processing.
[0046]
In FIG. 5 showing the card processing program, the control unit 26 first determines whether or not a card has been inserted into the card insertion slot 22 (step A1). In this manner, the presence / absence of reception of an interruption cancel signal output as described above, the presence / absence of time-out of an interruption timer described later, and the presence / absence of reception of a cancellation signal from the transmitter 11 are sequentially determined (steps A2, A3, A4). If all the determinations in steps A2 to A4 are “NO”, the process returns to step A1.
[0047]
When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 (“YES” in step A1), a card insertion signal Sa is created and transmitted to the management device 29 (step A5). Wait until one of the rejection signals is answered (steps A6 and A7). As shown in FIG. 14A, the card insertion signal Sa includes a signal code for identifying the signal, an ID code and a card number read from the inserted card, and a corresponding ball counter 23. The format is a combination of a unique counter number preset for each.
[0048]
At this time, the management device 29 that has received the card insertion signal Sa rejects if the card inserted into the card insertion slot 22 is not an appropriate member card 1 as will be apparent from the following description. Answer back the signal. Further, even when the proper membership card 1 is inserted, the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the card insertion slot 22 is in a game interruption state at the time of insertion, and the inserted membership card 1 is inserted last time. When the member card is different from the member card 1 (when a member card 1 different from that of the player whose game is interrupted is inserted), the rejection signal is answered.
[0049]
In addition, when the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the card insertion slot 22 is in a state where anyone can play a game, the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the card insertion slot 22 is inserted when an appropriate member card 1 is inserted. Is confirmed when the inserted membership card 1 is the same as the previously inserted membership card 1 (when the player's membership card 1 with the game suspended is inserted) It is configured to answer the signal.
[0050]
When the rejection signal is answered, the process proceeds to step A2 after executing step A8 for discharging the card inserted into the card insertion slot 22, but when the confirmation signal is answered, the lock mechanism 7b is operated. Thus, the knob 7a provided on the lower plate 7 is switched to an unlocked state in which the knob 7a can be operated (step A9).
[0051]
That is, when the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to the card insertion slot 22 is in a state where anyone can play a game, when the appropriate member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22, and the card insertion slot 22. When the pachinko gaming machine 3 corresponding to is in a game interruption state, when the member card 1 of the player whose game is interrupted is inserted into the card insertion slot 22, according to the operation of the knob 7a, The pachinko balls in the lower plate 7 can be made to flow into the ball counter 23 through the guide tube 8, and in such a state that the pachinko balls flow in, a counting pulse indicating the counting result is sent from the ball counter 23. Will be output.
[0052]
After step A9 is executed, step A10 for enabling the operation of the numeric key switch 16, step A11 for enabling the operation of the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20, and the settlement switch 21 are sequentially executed, and then the stored number display unit 14 It is determined whether or not the display is interrupted (display that the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in the game interrupted state) (step A12).
[0053]
If the interruption display has not been performed, a loop is formed that waits until either the interruption switch 20 or the settlement switch 21 is turned on or until a cancel signal is received from the transmitter 11 (step A14). , A15, A16). When the interrupt display state is set, the interrupt display is erased (initialized), and after executing the interrupt state cancel step A13 in which an interrupt timer to be described later is reset, the process proceeds to the standby loop.
[0054]
When the interruption switch 20 is turned on in the state where the standby loop as described above is formed (“YES” in step A14), the interruption signal Sc is transmitted to the management device 29 (step A17). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), the interruption signal Sc is preliminarily stored for each signal code for identifying the signal, the card number read from the inserted card, and the corresponding ball counter 23. The format is a combination of the set unique counter number.
[0055]
After execution of the transmission step A17 of the interruption signal Sc, step A18 for displaying interruption on the stored ball number display unit 14, step A19 for starting operation of the interruption timer whose timer time is set to about 10 minutes, for example, are inserted. Step A20 for discharging the member card 1, Step A21 for operating the lock mechanism 7b to switch to the locked state in which the operation of the knob 7a is prohibited, the operation of the numeric key switch 16, the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21 are all invalidated. After step A22 to be converted is sequentially executed, the process returns to step A1.
[0056]
When the settlement switch 21 is turned on in the state where the standby loop is formed (“YES” in step A15), a settlement signal Sd (corresponding to the settlement instruction in the present invention) is transmitted to the management device 29 (step S15). A23). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 (d), the settlement signal Sd is previously stored for each signal code for identifying the signal, the card number read from the inserted card, and the corresponding ball counter 23. The format is a combination of a set unique counter number and data indicating the number of balls to be described later stored in the storage unit 26a at that time.
[0057]
After execution of the payment step S23 of the settlement signal Sd, step A24 for initializing the display state by the stored ball number display unit 14 and the number of balls display unit 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10 is executed. Steps A20 to A22 are executed, and the process returns to Step A1.
[0058]
When a cancel signal is received from the transmitter 11 in a state where the standby loop is formed (that is, a state where the member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22) ("YES" in step A16), the management device A return confirmation signal Se is transmitted to the terminal 29 (step A25), and thereafter, the management apparatus 29 waits until any of the holding ball / stored ball data and the rejection signal is answered (steps A26 and A27). As shown in FIG. 14E, the return confirmation signal Se is preliminarily stored for each signal code for identifying the signal, the card number read from the inserted card, and the corresponding ball counter 23. The format is combined with the set unique counter number.
[0059]
At this time, in the management device 29 that has received the card insertion signal Sa, the combination of the card number and the counter number in the received return confirmation signal Se is included in the card file, as will be apparent from the following description. If the combination of the card number and the counter number in the return confirmation signal Se does not match the combination of the counter number and the card number in the counter file, In the card file, the rejection signal is answered when the adjustment ball data in the record corresponding to the card number in the return confirmation signal Se is zero. Further, when each of the above matching conditions is satisfied and there is a settlement ball data in the record corresponding to the card number in the return confirmation signal Se in the card file, the holding ball / storing ball data is answered back. It has become.
[0060]
When the rejection signal is answered, for example, an error output step A28 in which an error display is performed on the stored ball number display unit 14 is executed, and then the process returns to step A14. Steps A29 and A30 for displaying the number of balls and the number of stored balls indicated by the ball and stored ball data on the number of balls display unit 15 and the number of stored balls display unit 14 are sequentially executed, and the process returns to step A14. In addition, in the above-mentioned retained ball / stored ball data, the data indicating the number of retained balls may be zero.
[0061]
On the other hand, when it is determined as “YES” in Step A2 (when an interruption cancellation signal is received from the management device 29), a settlement signal Sd (see FIG. 14D) is transmitted to the management device 29. Step A31a Then, after step A31b for initializing the display state by the stored ball number display unit 14 and the number of balls display unit 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10 is sequentially executed, the process proceeds to step A3.
[0062]
If “YES” is determined in step A3, that is, the operation time (for example, 10 minutes) set for the interruption timer has elapsed after the timer operation of the interruption timer is started in response to the ON operation of the interruption switch 20 In step S4, the process proceeds to step A4 after the alarm output routine A32 is executed. At this time, in the alarm output routine A32, for example, an alarm signal is generated by blinking the ball display lamp 10, or the alarm signal is directly transmitted to a pachinko hall employee using in-store broadcasting or a portable terminal. Is notified that the game interruption state in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 has become unnecessarily long. In actual operation, the pachinko hall employee performs a predetermined response based on such notification (for example, in-store broadcasting for calling a player having the pachinko gaming machine 3 in a game suspended state, and as necessary. For example, an operation for forcibly releasing the game interruption state in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3).
[0063]
If it is determined as “YES” in step A4 (when the cancel signal is received from the transmitter 11 when the member card 1 is not inserted into the card insertion slot 22), whether or not the alarm signal is being output. Is determined (step A33). At this time, if the alarm signal is not output, the process returns to Step A1 as it is, but if the alarm signal is output, Step A34 for transmitting the settlement signal Sd to the management device 29, the accumulated number display unit 14 And after performing step A35 which initializes the display state by the number-of-balls display 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10, the process returns to step A1.
[0064]
On the other hand, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 showing the counting processing program, the control unit 26 first determines whether or not a counting pulse is input from the ball counter 23, that is, whether or not the ball counter 23 is performing a counting operation. Judgment is made (step B1). If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step B6 described later. If "YES" is determined, after executing step B2 for invalidating the operation of the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21, The holding ball display update routine B3 and the holding ball display lamp lighting routine B4 are sequentially executed.
[0065]
In the above-mentioned ball display update routine B3, the number of pachinko balls indicated by the counting pulse from the ball counter 23 is added to the ball number storage area in the storage unit 26a, and the number of balls after the addition is determined as the number of balls. Update display on the display unit 15. Further, in the holding ball display lamp lighting routine B4, the lighting state of the holding ball display lamps 10 group is controlled based on the latest number of holding balls in the holding ball number storage area. Display approximate values visually.
[0066]
After execution of the holding ball display lamp lighting routine B4, after executing step B5 for starting the timer operation of the count end compensation timer whose timer time is set to, for example, about 1 to 2 seconds, the process proceeds to step B6. . The counting end compensation timer is a retrigger type that starts the timer operation from the initial state even when step B5 is executed during the timer operation period.
[0067]
In step B6, it is determined whether or not the input of a special signal Sf from the pachinko gaming machine 3 (a signal indicating a state in which the pachinko gaming machine 3 continuously stands up during the period in which the special gaming state is generated) is started. . If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step B13 described later. If "YES" is determined, the counting mode set in the ball counter 23 is set to the single exchange mode (ball counter). It is determined whether or not the mode is a mode in which all of the pachinko balls counted by 23 are transferred to the storage balls) (step B7).
[0068]
  If “NO” is determined in Step B7, the process proceeds to Step B13. However, if “YES” is determined, the number of difference balls (the number of shot pachinko balls and the number of released pachinko balls as prize balls) It is determined whether or not a difference operation is being performed (step B8). here"NO”, After executing Step B9 for starting the calculation of the difference ball number, the process proceeds to Step B10.YESIf "" is determined, step B9 is jumped to and step B10 is entered.
[0069]
In the step B9, the number of pachinko balls released as a prize ball similarly indicated by the safe ball number signal from the pachinko gaming machine 3 is subtracted from the number of hitting pachinko balls indicated by the out ball number signal from the pachinko gaming machine 3. The difference ball number calculation operation is started, and such difference ball number calculation operation is performed in parallel with the processing operation of the counting processing program.
[0070]
In step B10, the special prize flag indicating that the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is in the special prize state is set to “1”, and thereafter, the reserved ball compensation in which the timer time is set to about 30 seconds, for example. It is determined whether or not the timer operation is being performed (step B11). If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step B13 as it is, but if "YES" is determined, the process proceeds to step B13 after executing step B12 to stop (reset) the operation of the reserved ball compensation timer. To do. The reserved ball compensation timer is for compensating for the special prize generating function by the pachinko ball that has won the start winning hole for the special action in the pachinko gaming machine 3.
[0071]
In Step B13, it is determined whether or not the input of the special prize signal Sf from the pachinko gaming machine 3 is stopped. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step B17 described later. If "YES" is determined, whether or not the counting mode set in the ball counter 23 is the once exchange mode. Is determined (step B14).
[0072]
If “NO” is determined in Step B14, the process proceeds to Step B17. If “YES” is determined, the probability variation signal Sk from the pachinko gaming machine 3 (the pachinko gaming machine 3 is in a probability variation state). It is determined whether or not a signal indicating a state of rising continuously for a certain period of time is being input (step B15). If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step B17 as it is, but if "NO" is determined, step B16 for starting the timer operation of the holding ball compensation timer from the initial state is executed and then step B16 is executed. The process proceeds to B17.
[0073]
In step B17, it is determined whether or not the reserved ball compensation timer has timed up. If it is determined "NO" here, the process proceeds to step B19 shown in FIG. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step B19 after executing step B18 for stopping the calculation of the difference ball number started in step B9.
[0074]
In step B19 shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the reservation ball compensation timer has timed out. If “NO” is determined here, the process directly returns to step B1 shown in FIG. 6, but if “YES” is determined, it is determined whether or not the probability variation signal Sk from the pachinko gaming machine 3 is being input. (Step B20). If "YES" is determined here, the process returns to step B1, but if "NO" is determined, the count end compensation timer (a timer that performs timer operation from the initial state every time step B5 is executed) is timed. It is determined whether or not it is up (step B21).
[0075]
If “NO” is determined in the step B21, the process returns to the step B1, but if “YES” is determined, it is determined whether or not the special signal Sf is input from the pachinko gaming machine 3 (step B23). If “YES” is determined in the step B23, the process returns to the step B21. If “NO” is determined, it is determined whether or not the special prize flag is set to “1” (step B23). .
[0076]
If the special prize flag has been reset, the process returns to step B1 after executing step B24 for enabling the operation of the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21. On the other hand, when the special prize flag is set, the timer operation of the detection timer whose timer operation time is set to about 1 to 2 minutes is started (step B25), and then the storage unit 26a is started. The setting value for each model corresponding to the model of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 is read from the stored setting table for each model (see FIG. 4) (step B26).
[0077]
The detection timer generates a so-called puncture (the special prize state ends earlier than the normal end time) or a pachinko ball jam for the prize ball during the period when the pachinko gaming machine 3 is in the special prize state. This is to detect a state where the amount of pachinko balls actually released is less than the standard release amount (indicated by the setting value for each model above). The machine 23 is set to a time slightly longer than the time required to count the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the standard discharge amount.
[0078]
  After the execution of step B26, the count value obtained by the ball counter 23 is determined for each model read in step B26.SettingIt is determined whether or not the value has reached or exceeded (step B27). "Count value <for each modelSettingIf it is in the “value” state, it is determined whether or not the detection timer has timed out (step B28). If it is determined “NO”, the process returns to step B1 as it is, but “YES” is determined. In this case, for example, an error display is performed on the stored ball number display unit 14 and an error output step B29 is performed to notify the pachinko hall employee by flashing the holding ball display lamp 10 or the like, and then to step B1. Return.
[0079]
  If “YES” is determined in step B27 (“count value ≧ each modelSettingValue)), the difference calculation value obtained by the difference ball number calculation operation described above is read (step B30), and the counted value by the ball counter 23 is equal to or greater than the difference calculation value. It is determined whether or not (step B31).
[0080]
If “NO” is determined in the step B31, the process proceeds to the step B28. If “YES” is determined, the data transfer signal Sf is transmitted to the management device 29 (step B32). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 (f), the data transfer signal Sf is a signal code for specifying the signal, a card number read from the inserted card, and a corresponding ball counter 23. The format is a combination of a unique counter number set in advance and data indicating the count value obtained by the ball counter 23.
[0081]
After the execution of the above step B32, the data transfer processing routine B33 for shifting the number of possessed balls stored in the storage unit 26a to the number of stored balls, step B34 for enabling the operation of the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21, and the special prize flag After step B35 for resetting is sequentially executed, the process returns to step B1.
[0082]
In FIG. 8 showing the replay processing program, the control unit 26 waits until a password with a predetermined number of digits is input through the numeric key switch 16 or until the return switch 17 is turned on (steps C1 and C2).
[0083]
When a personal identification number is input from the standby state, a personal identification confirmation signal Sb is transmitted to the management device 29 (step C3), and thereafter either the holding ball / stored ball data or the rejection signal is answered back from the management device 29. (Steps C4 and C5). As shown in FIG. 14B, the password confirmation signal Sb is a combination of a signal code for specifying the signal, a card number read from the inserted card, and the input password. It is a format.
[0084]
At this time, in the management device 29 that has received the password confirmation signal Sb, the password (input password number) in the password confirmation signal Sb is inserted, as will be apparent from the following description. When it matches the password set in advance in the membership card 1, the stored ball / storing data stored in a state associated with the membership card 1 is answered and the password in the password confirmation signal Sb is returned. When the number does not match the password set in advance in the inserted member card 1, a rejection signal is output.
[0085]
When the rejection signal is answered, for example, an error output step C6 of displaying an error display on the accumulated ball number display unit 14 is executed, and then the process proceeds to step C2. When the retained ball / stored ball data is answered, Steps C7a and C7b for displaying the number of retained balls and the number of stored balls indicated by the retained ball / stored ball data on the retained ball number display unit 15 and the stored ball number display unit 14 are sequentially executed, and then the process proceeds to step C2. In the error output step C6, a message for prompting re-input of the personal identification number may be displayed.
[0086]
If “YES” is determined in Step C2 (when the return switch 17 is turned on), it is determined whether or not the number of possessed balls data stored in the storage unit 26a is “1” or more ( Step C8).
[0087]
If it is determined “YES” in step C8, a ball return processing routine C9 is executed. In this routine C9, the number of balls held in the storage unit 26a (displayed on the number of balls display unit 15) is a predetermined reference value Nm (pachinko that is released by one operation of the return switch 17). It is determined whether or not the reference amount of the ball is, for example, “100”) or more. Further, when the number of held balls stored in the storage unit 26 a is less than the reference value Nm, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the number of held balls is released through the release mechanism 24.
[0088]
After execution of the holding ball return processing routine C9, a holding ball display update routine C10 is executed. In this routine C10, the number of held balls stored in the storage unit 26a is subtracted by the number corresponding to the released pachinko ball (corresponding to the reference value Nm), and the display content of the held ball number display unit 15 is subtracted. Update to the number of balls you have.
[0089]
After executing the holding ball display update routine C10, step C11 for transmitting the holding ball data signal Sh to the management device 29 and step C12 for turning off the holding ball display lamp 10 are sequentially executed, and then the process returns to step C1. As shown in FIG. 14 (h), the holding ball data signal Sh is stored in the storage unit 26a at that time, a signal code for identifying the signal, a card number read from the inserted card, and the like. It is a format that combines the data indicating the number of possessed balls.
[0090]
On the other hand, when it is determined as “NO” in the step C8 (when the number of possessed balls data in the storage unit 26a is “0”), the number of stored balls stored in the storage unit 26a (this is the number of stored balls display unit). It is determined whether or not (displayed at 14) is equal to or greater than a preset specified value Nc (for example, “150”) (step C13). If “NO” is determined in the step C13, the process returns to the step C1, but if “YES” is determined, a stored-ball returning process routine C14 is executed.
[0091]
In the stored ball return processing routine C14, the number of pachinko balls obtained by multiplying the specified value Nc (= 150) by a predetermined discount rate (for example, 100 when the discount rate is 2/3) is released. The operation of releasing (returning) through 24 is performed. Note that when it is determined “NO” in step C13, the stored ball return processing routine C14 is not executed, and therefore, when the number of held balls stored in the storage unit 26a is less than the specified value Nc. The pachinko ball is not released through the release mechanism 24.
[0092]
After execution of the storage ball return processing routine C14 as described above, a storage ball display update routine C15 is executed. In this routine C15, the number of stored balls stored in the storage unit 26a is subtracted by the number corresponding to the specified value Nc, and the display content of the stored ball number display unit 14 is updated to a value corresponding to the number of stored balls after the subtraction. .
[0093]
After execution of the storage ball display update routine C15, the process returns to step C1 after executing step C16 for transmitting the storage ball data signal Sf to the management device 29. Note that, as shown in FIG. 14G, the stored ball data signal Sf is stored in the storage unit 26a at that time, the signal code for specifying the signal, the card number read from the inserted card. The format is a combination of data indicating the number of stored balls.
[0094]
In FIG. 9 showing the ball lending processing program, the control unit 26 waits until a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 12 based on a determination signal from the coin check mechanism 25 (step D1). When it is determined that a coin has been inserted, step D2 in which an amount of pachinko balls corresponding to the value of the inserted coin is released through the release mechanism 24 and step D3 in which the sales signal Si is transmitted to the management device 29 are sequentially executed, and then step D1 Return to. As shown in FIG. 14 (i), the sales signal Si includes a signal code for identifying the signal, a unique counter number preset for each corresponding ball counter 23, and the sales amount. The format is a combination of data indicating the value of the inserted coin.
[0095]
Of the contents controlled by the control unit 26 as described above, the contents related to the gist of the present invention are summarized as follows.
(1) When a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 attached to the pachinko gaming machine 3, a card insertion signal Sa including an ID code and a card number recorded on the card (see FIG. 14A) ) To the management device 29.
[0096]
(2) In response to the transmission of the card insertion signal Sa as described above, when the rejection signal is answered from the management device 29 side, the inserted card is ejected. Further, when a confirmation signal is answered from the management device 29 side in response to the insertion of an appropriate member card 1 into the card insertion slot 22, the knob 7a provided on the lower plate 7 can be operated. While switching to the locked state, the operation of the numeric key switch 16, the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20, and the settlement switch 21 is validated.
[0097]
(3) When the four-digit password is input by the ten-key switch 16 in the state where the operation of the numeric key switch 16 is enabled as described above, the card number and the input password of the member card 1 in the inserted state Is transmitted to the management device 29. The password confirmation signal Sb (see FIG. 14B) including
[0098]
(4) When the rejection signal is answered from the management device 29 in response to the transmission of the password confirmation signal Sb as described above, an error display is performed using the accumulated ball number display unit 14. In addition, when the management ball 29 is answered from the management device 29 side, the number of balls and the number of balls indicated by the data of the balls and storage balls are displayed on the number display unit 15 and the number display unit 14 respectively. To do.
[0099]
(5) When the counting operation by the ball counter 23 is started in accordance with the operation of the knob 7a, the count value by the ball counter 23 is added to the number-of-balls storage area in the storage unit 26a. The number of balls is displayed by the number-of-balls display unit 15 and the approximate value of the number of balls stored as described above is visually displayed through the group of ball display lamps 10. Further, during the period when the counting operation by the ball counter 23 is performed, the operation of the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21 is invalidated.
[0100]
(6) When the operation of the return switch 17 is validated as described above and the return switch 17 is turned on, the pachinko ball is returned (released) through the release mechanism 18.
[0101]
In this case, when the number of possessed balls stored in the storage unit 26a is “1” or more, the pachinko balls are returned based on the number of retained balls, and the number of retained balls in the storage unit 26a is calculated. The number of balls is decreased according to the number of balls returned, and a ball data signal Sh including data indicating the number of balls that have been decreased in this way is transmitted to the management device 29. In the return operation of the pachinko balls based on the number of stored balls as described above, for example, 100 corresponding to the reference value Nm (if the number of balls is less than 100, the number according to the data) Return each pachinko ball.
[0102]
That is, at the time of the pachinko ball return operation based on the number of possessed balls in the storage unit 26, an equivalent return process is performed in which the return number is controlled to be the same as the number of retained balls.
[0103]
When the number of possessed balls in the storage unit 26a becomes zero according to the above equivalent return process, and when the number of possessed balls has been zero from the beginning, the stored balls stored in the storage unit 26a The pachinko ball is returned based on the number.
[0104]
The return operation in this case is performed only when the number of stored balls stored in the storage unit 26a is, for example, 150 or more corresponding to the preset specified value Nc, and the return value is set to the specified value Nc (= 150). In contrast, 100 pachinko balls multiplied by a predetermined discount rate (= 2/3) are returned and the number of balls stored in the storage unit 26a is decreased by a number (= 150) corresponding to the specified value Nc. Then, a stored ball data signal Sf including data indicating the number of stored balls after being reduced in this way is transmitted to the management device 29.
[0105]
That is, at the time of the pachinko ball return operation based on the number of stored balls in the storage unit 26, the number of pachinko balls actually returned is a number obtained by multiplying the number of stored balls by a predetermined discount rate (= 2/3). The discount return process of controlling to be executed.
[0106]
(7) When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 12, an amount of pachinko balls corresponding to the value of the inserted coins is discharged through the discharge mechanism 18, and a unique counter number and sales for each ball counter 23. A sales signal Si including data indicating the amount of money (the value of the inserted coin) is transmitted to the management device 29.
[0107]
(8) When the operation of the interruption switch 20 is validated as described above and the interruption switch 20 is turned on, the card number and the ball counter 23 of the member card 1 in the inserted state are An interruption signal Sc (see FIG. 14 (c)) including a unique counter number is transmitted to the management device 29, and an interruption display is performed on the storage ball number display unit 14. Further, the timer operation of the interruption timer whose timer time is set to about 10 minutes is started, the membership card 1 is ejected, and the operation is switched to the locked state in which the operation of the knob 7a provided on the lower plate 7 is prohibited. 16, all operations of the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20, and the settlement switch 21 are invalidated.
[0108]
(9) When the interruption display state as described above is continued for 10 minutes or more and the interruption timer times out, an alarm signal indicating that the game interruption state in the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 3 has become unnecessarily long (the holding ball display) An alarm signal generated by blinking the lamp 10, or an alarm signal using in-store broadcasting or a portable terminal). The interruption display state is canceled when the confirmation signal is answered back from the management device 29 in response to the insertion of the member card 1, and the interruption timer is reset at the time of cancellation. become.
[0109]
(10) When the cancel signal is received from the transmitter 11 in the state where the alarm signal is generated as described above (that is, the pachinko hall employee receives the remote control of the ball lending machine 9 from which the alarm signal is generated) In the case of performing an operation of transmitting a cancel signal from the transmitter 11 toward the section 11a), the card number of the member card 1 in the inserted state, the unique counter number for each ball counter 23, and at that time A settlement signal Sd (see FIG. 14D) including data indicating the number of balls stored in the storage unit 26a is transmitted to the management device 29. Moreover, the display state by the storage ball number display part 14 and the number of balls display part 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10 are initialized.
[0110]
(11) When the settlement switch 21 is turned on in the state where the operation of the settlement switch 21 is enabled as described above, the settlement signal Sd as described above is transmitted to the management device 29, and The display state by the number display unit 14 and the number of balls display unit 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10 are initialized. Further, the membership card 1 is discharged, and the operation is switched to the locked state in which the operation of the knob 7a provided on the lower plate 7 is prohibited, and the operation of the numeric key switch 16, the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21 are all invalidated. To do.
[0111]
(12) When a cancel signal is received from the transmitter 11 in a state where the operations of the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20 and the settlement switch 21 are enabled (that is, an appropriate member card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22) When the pachinko hall employee performs an operation of transmitting a cancel signal from the transmitter 11 toward the remote control receiving portion 11a of the ball lending machine 9 having the card insertion slot 22) The return confirmation signal Se including the card number of the inserted member card 1 and the counter number unique to each ball counter 23 is transmitted to the management device 29.
[0112]
(13) When a rejection signal is answered from the management device 29 in response to the transmission of the return confirmation signal Se as described above, an error is displayed on the stored ball number display unit 14. In addition, when the management ball 29 is answered from the management device 29 side, the number of balls and the number of balls indicated by the data of the balls and storage balls are displayed on the number display unit 15 and the number display unit 14 respectively. To do.
[0113]
(14) In the state where the membership card 1 is not inserted into the card insertion slot 22, when the interruption release signal is received from the management device 29, the settlement signal Sd as described above is transmitted to the management device 29, and The display state by the storage ball number display unit 14 and the number of balls display unit 15 and the lighting state of the ball display lamp 10 are initialized.
[0114]
(15) When the special prize state generated in the pachinko gaming machine 3 that is not in the probability variation state is finished, when the counting operation of the ball counting machine 23 is performed, the count value is assigned to the model of the pachinko gaming machine 3 Accordingly, if there is a preset value for each model that is determined in advance, and a difference ball calculation value for the pachinko gaming machine 3, the card number of the inserted member card 1 and the counter number unique to each ball counter 23 In addition, a data transfer signal Sf including the count value is transmitted to the management device 29, and the number of held balls stored in the storage unit 26a is transferred to the number of stored balls.
[0115]
The management device 29 includes peripheral circuits such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. In addition to the management data calculation and stop control functions for each pachinko gaming machine 3 described above, The control function related to the pachinko ball lending operation by the machine 9 and the management of the counting result by the ball counter 23 is realized based on the transmission data from the control unit 26 on the ball lending machine 9 side.
[0116]
10 and 11 show a part related to the gist of the present invention among the contents of control by the management device 29. In the following, the control contents are responded to the control by the ball lending machine 9 side. It will be described together with the contents of the operation to be performed.
[0117]
10 and 11, the management device 29 receives the card insertion signal Sa, the password confirmation signal Sb, the ball data signal Sh, the stored ball data signal Sf, and the sales signal transmitted from the control unit 26 on the ball lending machine 9 side. Steps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 are sequentially determined to determine whether Si, interruption signal Sc, settlement signal Sd, data transition signal Sf, and return confirmation signal Se are input. Form a wait loop to execute.
[0118]
When a card insertion signal Sa (see FIG. 14A) is received ("YES" in step S1), that is, when a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 on the ball lending machine 9 side, the received card Based on the ID code in the insertion signal Sa, it is determined whether or not the insertion card is the membership card 1 (step S10).
[0119]
If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step S2 after executing step S11 for answering back the rejection signal to the ball lending machine 9 that is the transmission source of the card insertion signal Sa.
[0120]
When the rejection signal is answered in this way, the ball lending machine 9 side executes step A8 shown in FIG. 5, and the card inserted into the card insertion slot 22 is discharged. Is performed.
[0121]
On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step S10, the counter file (see FIG. 12) is accessed (step S12), and the record corresponding to the counter number included in the received card insertion signal Sa. It is determined whether or not the counter state is “interrupted” (step S13).
[0122]
If “YES” is determined in step S13, it is determined whether or not the card number in the received card insertion signal Sa matches the card number in the counter file (step S14). If it is determined to be “NO” here, the member card 1 other than the player who interrupted the game is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 associated with the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the game is temporarily interrupted. In this case, the process proceeds to step S2 after executing step S15 for answering back the rejection signal to the ball lending machine 9 that is the transmission source of the card insertion signal Sa. Therefore, even when the rejection signal is answered in this manner, the ball lending machine 9 side executes step A8 shown in FIG. 5, and the membership card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 22 is executed. The operation of discharging is performed.
[0123]
On the other hand, if it is determined as “YES” in step S14 (the player who interrupted the game with respect to the card insertion slot 22 associated with the pachinko gaming machine 3 in which the game is temporarily interrupted) If the member card 1 is inserted), a confirmation signal is answered back to the ball lending machine 9 that is the transmission source of the card insertion signal Sa, step S16, the count in the corresponding record in the counter file After step S17 for updating the machine state to “insert” is sequentially executed, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0124]
When the confirmation signal is answered in this way, the ball lending machine 9 side performs control after step A9 shown in FIG. 5, and the knob 7a provided on the lower plate 7 is unanswered. In addition to being switched to the locked state, the operations of the numeric keypad 16, the return switch 17, the interruption switch 20, and the settlement switch 21 are validated.
[0125]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the step S13, after executing the step S18 for answering the confirmation signal to the ball lending machine 9 which is the transmission source of the card insertion signal Sa, the card file (FIG. 13) (step S19), and it is determined whether there is a record corresponding to the card number included in the received card insertion signal Sa (step S20). Therefore, even when the confirmation signal is answered in this manner, the control after step A9 shown in FIG. 5 is performed on the ball lending machine 9 side.
[0126]
If “NO” is determined in step S20, the process proceeds to step S2 after executing step S21 for creating a new record corresponding to the received card insertion signal Sa in the card file. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in the step S20, whether or not the card state in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received card insertion signal Sa is “suspended” in the card file. Is determined (step S22).
[0127]
If “YES” is determined in step S22 (corresponding to the case where the member card 1 that has caused the card insertion signal Sa has been temporarily interrupted from a game in another pachinko gaming machine 3) ), The ball lending machine 9 corresponding to the counter number in the corresponding record in the card file (the player who possessed the member card 1 temporarily interrupted the game in response to the operation of the interrupt switch 20) Step S23 for transmitting an interruption release signal to the pachinko gaming machine 3 in the state) is executed, and then the process proceeds to Step S24, and if “NO” is determined, the above Step S23 is jumped to Step S23. The process proceeds to S24.
[0128]
On the ball lending machine 9 side that has received the interruption cancellation signal transmitted in this way, step A31 shown in FIG. 5 is executed, and accordingly, the display state by the stored ball number display unit 14 and the number of held balls display unit 15 In addition, the lighting state of the holding ball display lamp 10 is initialized.
[0129]
In step S24, the card state in the card file record accessed as described above is updated to “insertion”, and the counter number in the record is updated to the counter number included in the received card insertion signal Sa. After such update processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0130]
When the password confirmation signal Sb (see FIG. 14B) is received (“YES” in step S2), that is, with the appropriate member card 1 inserted into the card insertion slot 22 on the ball lending machine 9 side, When the password is input through the switch 16, the card file is accessed (step S25), and the password in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received password verification signal Sb is included in the password verification signal Sb. It is determined whether or not it matches the personal identification number (step S26).
[0131]
If “NO” is determined in step S26, the process proceeds to step S3 after executing step S27 for answering back the rejection signal to the ball lending machine 9 that has transmitted the password confirmation signal Sb. When the rejection signal is answered in this way, on the ball lending machine 9 side, step C6 shown in FIG. 8 is executed, so that an operation of displaying an error on the stored ball number display unit 14 is performed. Is called.
[0132]
On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step S26, the process proceeds to step S3 after executing step S28 for answering the stored ball data to the ball lending machine 9 that has transmitted the password confirmation signal Sb. Transition. In step S28, the ball data and the stored ball data corresponding to the card number included in the password confirmation signal Sb are read out from the card file, and the answer is returned as the held ball / stored ball data.
[0133]
When the ball holding / storing ball data is answered in this way, the ball lending machine 9 side performs steps C7a and C7b shown in FIG. The number of balls to be stored and the number of balls to be stored are displayed on the number of balls to be displayed 15 and the number of balls to be displayed 14 respectively.
[0134]
When the possessed ball data signal Sh (see FIG. 14 (h)) is received (“YES” in step S3), step S29 for accessing the card file and the retained ball data updating step S30 are sequentially executed, and then the process proceeds to step S4. Transition. In the above-mentioned possession data update step S30, the possession data in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received possession data signal Sh in the card file is updated to the number of possessions in the possession data signal Sh. To perform the operation.
[0135]
When the stored ball data signal Sf (see FIG. 14G) is received (“YES” in step S4), step S31 for accessing the card file and the stored ball data update step S32 are sequentially executed, and then the process proceeds to step S5. . In the stored ball data update step S32, an operation is performed to update the stored ball data in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received stored ball data signal Sf in the card file to the number of stored balls in the stored ball data signal Sf.
[0136]
When the sales signal Si (see FIG. 14 (i)) has been received (“YES” in step S5), the step S33 for accessing the counter file (see FIG. 12) and the sales data update step S34 are sequentially executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S6 shown in FIG. In the sales data update step S34, the sales data corresponding to the counter number included in the received sales signal Si in the counter file is updated to the sales amount in the sales signal Si.
[0137]
When the interruption signal Sc (see FIG. 14C) is received (“YES” in step S6), step S35 for accessing the counter file, step S36 for updating the counter file, step S37 for accessing the card file, After sequentially executing the card file update step S38, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0138]
In the counter file update step S36, an operation of updating the data of the counter state in the record corresponding to the counter number included in the received interruption signal Sc to the “game interruption state” in the counter file. Do. In the card file update step S38, the card file data in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received interruption signal Sc in the card file is updated to the “game interruption state”.
[0139]
When the settlement signal Sd (see FIG. 14D) is received (“YES” in step S7), step S39 for accessing the counter file, step S40 for counting file update, step S41 for accessing the card file, After sequentially executing the card file update step S42, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0140]
In the counter file update step S40, the card number in the record corresponding to the counter number included in the received settlement signal Sd in the counter file is updated to the card number in the settlement signal Sd. . In the card file update step S42, an operation of updating the counter number in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received settlement signal Sd in the card file to the counter number in the settlement signal Sd is performed. And the operation of adding the number of balls in the adjustment signal Sd and the data of the balls in the record to the stored ball data and the adjustment ball data in the record (however, the initial value of the adjustment ball data is always Zero), and the operation to initialize the ball data in the record is performed.
[0141]
That is, when the settlement signal Sd is received, the number of possessed balls in the settlement signal Sd is stored as stored ball data to be used for discount return processing, and at the same time, the retained ball data in the corresponding record is stored again as stored ball data. In addition, the total number of possessed balls in the settlement signal Sd (that is, the amount added to the accumulated ball data) and the total possessed data in the record are temporarily stored as settlement ball data in the card file. Is stored in
[0142]
When the data transfer signal Sf (see FIG. 14F) is received (“YES” in step S8), step S43 for accessing the counter file, step S44 for updating the counter file, and step S45 for accessing the card file. After the card file update step S46 is sequentially executed, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0143]
In the counter file update step S44, the card number in the record corresponding to the counter number included in the received data transfer signal Sf in the counter file is updated to the card number in the data transfer signal Sf. I do. In the card file update step S46, the counter number in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received data transfer signal Sf in the card file is updated to the counter number in the data transfer signal Sf. In addition to the operation, an operation of adding the count value in the data transition signal Sf to the stored ball data in the record is performed. That is, the count value in the data transfer signal Sf is not stored as the ball data in the card file, but as the stored ball data.
[0144]
When the return confirmation signal Se (see FIG. 14 (e)) is received ("YES" in step S9), the card file is accessed (step S47) and corresponds to the card number included in the received return confirmation signal Se. It is determined whether the counter number in the recorded record matches the counter number in the return confirmation signal Se (step S48).
[0145]
If “NO” is determined in step S48, step S52 for answering a rejection signal to the ball lending machine 9 that has transmitted the return confirmation signal Se is executed, and then step S1 shown in FIG. Return to. When the rejection signal is answered in this way, on the ball lending machine 9 side, step A28 shown in FIG. 5 is executed, so that an operation of displaying an error on the accumulated ball number display unit 14 is performed. Is called.
[0146]
On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in the step S48, whether or not the settlement ball data is “1” or more in the record corresponding to the card number included in the received return confirmation signal Se in the card file. It is determined whether or not (step S49). If "NO" is determined here, the process returns to step S1 after executing step S52. If "YES" is determined, the counter file is accessed (step S50) and the received return confirmation is made. It is determined whether or not the card number in the record corresponding to the counter number included in the signal Se matches the card number in the return confirmation signal Se (step S51).
[0147]
If “NO” is determined in step S51, the process returns to step S1 after executing step S52. If “YES” is determined, the card is included in the received return confirmation signal Se. The accumulated ball data in the record corresponding to the card number is subtracted by the value corresponding to the adjusted ball data (step S53), and the adjusted ball data in the record is transferred to the possessed ball data (step S54). Then, the retained ball data based on the above-described adjusted ball data and the subtracted accumulated ball data are returned to the ball lending machine that is the transmission source of the return confirmation signal Se as the retained ball / stored ball data (step S55). ).
[0148]
That is, when the return confirmation signal Se is received (on the ball lending machine 9 side, after the settlement switch 21 is operated, the member card 1 inserted before the operation of the settlement switch 21 is re-inserted into the card insertion slot 22. When a cancel signal is given from the transmitter 11 in the inserted state), the data that has been forcibly stored as the stored ball data in the card file (data stored as the adjusted ball data) is used as the holding data. The cancel operation of re-storing is performed.
[0149]
When the ball holding / storing ball data is answered as described above, the ball lending machine 9 side executes steps A29 and A30 shown in FIG. The number of held balls and the number of stored balls are displayed on the number of held balls display unit 15 and the number of stored balls display unit 14, respectively.
[0150]
After executing step S55, step S56 for accessing the counter file and step S57 for updating the counter file are sequentially executed, and then the process returns to step S1. In the counter file update step S57, the possessed / reserved balls that have been answered in step S55 with respect to the possessed ball data in the record corresponding to the counter number included in the received return confirmation signal Se in the counter file. The operation of adding the number of balls indicated by the data is performed.
[0151]
Thus, according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be achieved.
That is, the player can play a game with the pachinko gaming machine 3 by inserting coins into the coin slot 12 of the ball lending machine 9 and receiving a new pachinko ball lending. Further, if the member card 1 is used, the pachinko ball can be returned through the ball lending machine 9 based on the possession ball data and the stored ball data stored in association with the member card 1 on the management device 29 side. Because it can, you can also play games using the pachinko ball.
[0152]
In the case of playing a game using the membership card 1, the management device 29 side enters the ball lending machine 9 in accordance with the insertion of the membership card 1 into the card insertion slot 22 provided in the ball lending machine 9. In addition, the possessed / sold ball data corresponding to the inserted membership card 1 is transmitted and stored in the storage unit 26a in the ball lending machine 9, and displayed on the retained ball number display unit 15 and the stored ball number display unit 14. The stored data is used for the pachinko ball return operation. However, during the pachinko ball return operation based on the ball data, an equivalent return process is performed in which the relevant ball data is reduced by the number of return pachinko balls, but during the pachinko ball return operation based on the accumulated ball data, Discount return processing is performed in which the stored ball data is excessively reduced by a predetermined discount increment.
[0153]
If the proper membership card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22, the operation of the operation knob 7a is allowed. If the operation knob 7a is operated in this state, the pachinko ball in the lower plate 7 is operated. Can be counted by a ball counter 23 provided in association with the pachinko gaming machine 3, and the count result is added to the number of balls possessed area in the storage unit 26a, and after the addition The number of possessed balls is updated and displayed on the retained ball number display unit 15.
[0154]
When the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 using the membership card 1 is terminated, the settlement switch 21 provided in the corresponding ball lending machine 9 is operated. When the settlement switch 21 is operated, the number of balls stored in the storage unit 26a is stored as stored ball data on the management device 29 side, and the ball holding data stored on the management device side 29 is stored. Is settled as a stored ball data. That is, when the player changes the pachinko gaming machine 1 that is the game target, the possession data including the pachinko balls acquired by the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 that has finished the game is compulsory to the stored ball data provided for discount return Will be transferred to.
[0155]
However, after the settlement switch 21 is operated, that is, after the settlement operation as described above is performed, the member card 1 is re-set in the card insertion slot 22 of the ball lending machine 9 provided with the settlement switch 21 ( When the cancel signal is given from the transmitter 11 in the re-inserted state, the management device 29 uses the data that has been forcibly transferred to the stored ball data as described above as the possessed ball data to be used for equivalent return. The cancel operation of re-storing is performed.
[0156]
Therefore, even if the player mistakenly operates the checkout switch 21, if the player 11 performs an operation of transmitting a cancel signal to the corresponding ball lending machine 9 from the transmitter 11 carried by the pachinko hall employee, The situation in which the value of the acquired pachinko ball on the player side is reduced due to the forced change of the data to the stored ball data can be eliminated, and there is no possibility of giving the player a suspicious feeling. Of course, when the player finishes the game on the pachinko gaming machine 1, the player only needs to operate the checkout switch 21, so that the player finishes the game on the pachinko gaming machine as in the conventional configuration. This eliminates the need for a pachinko hall employee to go to the pachinko machine, thereby reducing the burden on the employee.
[0157]
Moreover, the ball counting machine 23 for counting the pachinko balls acquired by the player and the ball lending machine 9 for releasing the pachinko balls are both provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1. Therefore, the player does not need to leave the pachinko gaming machine 1 when counting the acquired pachinko balls or receiving a return of the pachinko balls corresponding to the counted data. As a result, the task of counting and returning pachinko balls is no longer complicated for the player, so that the convenience on the player side can be improved, and the pachinko hall's ability to attract customers is expected to increase accordingly. become able to.
[0158]
When performing the above-described settlement operation, setting the membership card 1 to the ball lending machine 9 (inserting the membership card 1 into the card insertion slot 22) is a precondition. It will be possible to prevent situations that occur in advance.
[0159]
In addition, when the member card 1 discharged in response to the operation of the payment switch 21 in the ball lending machine 9 is inserted into the card insertion slot 22 of the ball lending machine 9 different from the ball lending machine 9, the member card Therefore, when the player changes the pachinko gaming machine 1 to be played, the operation of the checkout switch 21 corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1 before the change is performed. The cancel operation is prohibited by assuming that it is not caused by an erroneous operation of the player. Therefore, there is no possibility that the canceling operation is performed without darkness, and an increase in loss on the pachinko hall side can be prevented in advance.
[0160]
Furthermore, since the cancellation operation is prohibited when a preset upper limit time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses after the settlement switch 21 is operated, the cancellation operation is performed in a dark manner. From this aspect, the possibility of increasing the loss on the pachinko hall side can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine and a ball lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ball lending machine and related parts.
[Figure 3] Front view of membership card
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a setting value table for each model stored on the ball lending machine side
FIG. 5 is a flowchart 1 showing the control contents of the control unit of the ball lending machine.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart 2 showing the control content of the control unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart 3 showing the control contents of the control unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control content of the control unit, part 4
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control content of the control unit, part 5;
FIG. 10 is a first flowchart showing the control contents of the management apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart 2 showing the control content of the management apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format example of a counter file stored on the management device side
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of a card file stored on the management device side;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a format example of a signal transmitted from the control unit of the ball lending machine to the management device;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is a membership card (memory carrier), 3 is a pachinko machine, 9 is a ball lending machine (lending means), 11 is a transmitter, 14 is a stored ball number display unit, 15 is a ball number display unit, 17 is a return switch, 20 is an interruption switch, 21 is a settlement switch, 22 is a card insertion slot, 23 is a ball counter (counting means), 26 is a control section (calculation means, settlement means, cancellation means), 26a is a storage section, and 27 is a card reader. , 29 indicate management devices (storage means).

Claims (4)

In a management system provided in a game hall where a gaming machine that discharges game media according to a game is installed,
A memory carrier issued to the player;
Counting means provided to count game media released from the gaming machine at a position corresponding to the gaming machine on a one-to-one basis;
The counting result by the counting means is provided so as to be stored in association with the storage carrier, and the counting result is stored in either the first data provided for equivalent return or the second data provided for discount return. Storage means that can be stored separately;
Lending means provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine on a one-to-one basis and presenting a state in which a game medium can be released based on the first data and the second data stored in the storage means;
When the game medium release operation by the lending means is performed based on the first data stored in the storage means, equivalent return processing is performed to reduce the first data by the number of released game media. A discount for reducing the second data by a predetermined percentage increment from the number of released game media when the release operation by the lending unit is performed based on the second data stored in the storage unit. A computing means for performing return processing;
A settlement means for performing a settlement operation of re-storing the first data as second data when a settlement instruction is given from outside;
When a cancel signal is given from the outside after the settlement operation is performed, the second data stored in the storage unit by the settlement unit is stored again as the first data in the storage unit. A cancel means for performing a cancel operation ,
A game hall characterized in that when a memory carrier whose set state with respect to the lending means is once released is set in a lending means different from the lending means, the canceling operation by the canceling means for the memory carrier is prohibited. Management system.   2. The game hall management system according to claim 1, wherein a settlement switch that provides a settlement instruction to the settlement means when operated is provided at a position corresponding to the gaming machine.   3. The game room management system according to claim 1, wherein the settlement means is configured to perform a settlement operation only in a state where the storage carrier is set in the lending means. 4. The game hall management system according to claim 1, wherein when the preset upper limit time elapses after the settlement operation is performed, the cancellation operation by the cancellation unit is prohibited. .

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