JP4628710B2 - Game media counting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium counting system comprising a game medium counting device that counts game media and a management device that is communicably connected to the game medium counting device, and more specifically, a counting operation is performed using an identification tag. The present invention relates to a game medium counting system for preventing illegal counting using an identification tag of a counting person outside work hours and an identification tag of a counting person outside the assigned area in the game medium counting device to be started.

  At game halls such as pachinko parlors, pachinko balls (hereinafter referred to as balls) and medals obtained through games on pachinko machines installed on pachinko islands or pachinko machines installed on slot islands are used. A game media counter for counting is installed.

  As an example of this type of conventional game medium counter, for example, a ball counter 3 described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  The ball counting machine 3 is provided with a shutter mechanism that can be controlled to be opened and closed in a hopper portion into which balls are thrown, and the shutter is closed during standby, so that the ball cannot be counted.

  When the player wants to count the acquired balls, the player calls a store clerk (counter) and tells that he wants to count.

Thus, when the person in charge of counting inserts the key card (counting card) to be carried into the member card reader 2, the member card reader 2 determines whether or not the card inserted into the member management computer 1 is a counting card. When the authenticity is inquired and the determination result that the card is a counting card is obtained, the shutter of the ball counter 3 is opened, and the ball can be counted.
JP 2001-87526 A

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, the member management computer collates the card identification information read from the inserted card by the member card reader with the identification information stored and managed in advance in the apparatus, and uses a regular counting card. It is only authenticating whether there is any (true / false judgment), and it is impossible to know which employee (counter) used the counting card to count. It was not possible to manage the counting staff, such as allowing the counting staff A to do the counting operation of the machine, but not allowing the counting staff B to.

  In the above-mentioned conventional system in which the counting person management is not performed, the counting machine is moved using the counting person's card outside the working hours, or the medal area is used using the counting person's card in the pachinko area. It is possible to count using a card of the person in charge of counting outside the area in charge, such as moving the counter, and there is a problem that illegal counting cannot be prevented.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and for a gaming medium counting device of a type that starts a counting operation using a card, a counting person's card outside the working hours and a counting person's card outside the area in charge It is an object of the present invention to provide a game medium counting system capable of preventing used illegal counting.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a game medium counting system comprising a game medium counting device for counting game media and a management device communicably connected to the game medium counting device. The management device specifies the person-in-charge identification database registered with the person-in-charge identification information of the person in charge who is allowed to count for each game medium counting device, and the person-in-charge identification information registered in the person-in-charge counting database. A person-in-charge identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the game medium counting device, a receiving means for receiving tag information transmitted from the game medium counting device, the tag information received by the receiving means, and the counting person database A determining means for collating registration information to determine whether or not the counting permission condition is appropriate, and a result of counting permission condition determination by the determining means ; And a determination result transmitting means for transmitting device, said game medium counter includes a prohibiting state setting means for setting the counting operation of the game medium to the disabled state, by the personnel identification information sending device from the management device The storage processing means for receiving the person-in-charge identification information to be transmitted and storing it in the storage means, and the proximity of the identification tag for counting persons consisting of a non-contact type IC tag in the maintenance mode are stored in the storage means. The person identification information selected from the person identification information is written as tag information in the identification person identification tag, and the counting operation set by the prohibition state setting means in the non-maintenance mode. in disabled state, the identification tag information processing means for reading tag information from the identification tag by receiving a proximity of the counting personnel identification tag, the identification tag information processing means Receiving for receiving and transmitting means for transmitting the tag information read from the identification tag to the management apparatus, the clock enable condition determination result transmitted by the determination result transmitting means from the management apparatus in response to transmission of the tag information and means, in response to the received the counting permission condition determination result by the receiving means, characterized by comprising a control means for releasing or maintaining the inhibited state of the disabled state setting means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the invention described in claim 1, wherein said game medium counter apparatus, said storage means for storing identifying store identification information gaming facility, with the shop identification information, the representative identification Of the store identification information and person-in-charge identification information read from the identification tag that stores information as the tag information, the transmission means for transmitting the person-in-charge identification information to the management device, and the information read from the identification tag By means of collating store identification information with store identification information stored in advance in the storage means to determine whether the read store identification information is appropriate, the read store identification information, and the receiving means If both of the received count permission condition determination results are appropriate, the prohibition state of the prohibition state setting means is canceled, and at least one of the store information and the count permission condition suitability determination result It is equipped with said control means for maintaining the inhibited state of the inhibit state setting means in the case of improper, the management device associates the person identification information and the apparatus identification information of the game medium counter The person in charge of counting and the person in charge of registering the person in charge identification information received from the game medium counting device corresponding to the game medium counting device in the person in charge of counting person database is registered. It is determined whether the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate by collating with the person-identification information. If the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate, it is determined that the counting permission condition is appropriate. And determining means for determining that the count permission condition is inappropriate when the count permission condition is inappropriate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above claim 1, wherein said game medium counter, the shop identification information and the shop the person identification information read from the identification tag stored as the tag information having said transmitting means for transmitting the identification information and personnel identification information to the management device, the management device associates with the shop identification information, device identification information of the game medium counter and the person identification information The counting person database in which the counting person assignment information is registered, the store identification information received from the game medium counting device, the person identification information, the store identification information in the counting person database, and the game It is determined whether or not the store identification information and the person-in-charge identification information are appropriate by collating with the person-in-charge identification information corresponding to the apparatus identification information of the medium counting device. When the person-in-charge identification information is both appropriate, it is determined that the counting permission condition is appropriate, and when at least one of the shop identification information and the person-in-charge identification information is inappropriate, the counting is performed. And a determination unit that determines that the permission condition is inappropriate.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the management device includes a time measuring unit having a calendar function, a usable time zone and a usable date corresponding to the person-in-charge identification information. In the case where it is determined that the person-in-charge person database in which information is further registered and the person-in-charge identification information are appropriate, the person in charge who has determined that the time and day of the week measured and specified by the time measuring means are appropriate It is determined whether or not the usable time zone and the usable date corresponding to the identification information are matched, and when both the usable time zone and the usable date are matched, the counting permission condition is appropriate. And determining means for determining that the counting permission condition is inappropriate when at least one of the usable time zone and the usable date does not match. And wherein the door.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the management device includes the same person identification information in the person identification information being received from the plurality of game medium counting devices. Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not there is, said counting person database further including simultaneous use prohibition instruction information for instructing prohibition of simultaneous use of the game medium counting device based on the same person identification information, and said person identification When the information is determined to be appropriate, the monitoring result of the monitoring unit is further referred to. When the monitoring unit determines that the same person identification information exists, the count permission condition is inappropriate. And determining means for determining that the count permission condition is appropriate when the monitoring means determines that the same person-in-charge identification information does not exist.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the game medium counting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, in which, when it is determined that the counting permission condition is inappropriate, the fact is given. In addition, the information processing apparatus further includes notification means for alarming.

  According to the present invention, the game medium counting device is provided with the identification tag information processing means for reading and writing the tag information with the counting tag identification tag made up of a non-contact type IC tag, and the management device has While registering the counting person database including the counting person information associated with the identification information of the person in charge who is permitted to count for each device identification information of the game medium counting device, the identification tag includes the person identification information. The game medium counting device sends the tag information read from the identification tag and the device identification information of the own device to the management device, and the management device receives the tag information and the count received from the game medium counting device. The registered information in the person-in-charge database is collated, and the determination result as to whether the count permission condition is appropriate or not is transmitted to the game medium counting device depending on whether the tag information is appropriate. The location, by counting permit conditions from the management apparatus receives the determination result that is improper, and controls so as not to perform the counting while maintaining the inhibited state of the inhibit state setting means.

  According to such a configuration, if the person-in-charge identification information read from the identification tag by the game medium counting device is not registered in the person-in-charge database corresponding to the device identification information of the game medium counting device, The game medium counting device cannot perform the counting operation using the identification tag, and the counting operation of each game medium counting device is performed depending on the correspondence between the device identification information registered in the counting person database and the person identification information. You can manage who can count.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a person in charge of counting tries to perform counting using the identification tag of another person in charge of counting, the person-in-charge identification information stored in the identification tag is stored on the person-in-charge counter database. Unless it is known which game media counting device is associated and registered, it is difficult to find and count game media counting devices that can be counted using the identification tag. Incorrect counting using the identification tag of the person in charge can be prevented.

  In the present invention, the count person-in-charge database further stores usable time zone and usable date information corresponding to the person-in-charge identification information, and the management apparatus determines that the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate. In addition, it is further determined whether or not the time and day of the week measured and specified by the timing means match the usable time zone and usable date corresponding to the person identification information determined to be appropriate. Since the determination result is transmitted to the game medium counting device, the game medium counting device indicates that the count permission condition is inappropriate because at least one of the usable time zone and the usable date does not match in the management device. If it is determined, the counting operation cannot be performed.

  According to such control, even if a proper counting person having an identification tag storing counting person identification information associated with a certain game medium counting device, the person in charge on the counting person database Depending on the setting of the usable time zone and the usable date corresponding to the person identification information, the counting operation cannot be performed using the identification tag outside the set time, and the identification tag of the person in charge of counting outside the working hours is set. The illegal count used can be prevented.

  Further, in the present invention, simultaneous use prohibition instruction information for instructing prohibition of simultaneous use of the game medium counting device based on the same person identification information can be set in the count person in charge database. If it is determined that the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate, the management apparatus uses the same person-in-charge identification information among the person-in-charge identification information being received from the plurality of game medium counting devices. Since the determination result that the counting permission condition is inappropriate is transmitted to the gaming medium counting device when there is a certain number, the gaming medium counting device cannot perform the counting operation at this time, and a plurality of the same identification tags are used. It is possible to prevent illegal counting at the same time using the game medium counting device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game store system to which a game medium counting system according to the present invention is applied.

  For example, this system is installed in a pachinko parlor, and the management device 10 and island controllers 20 (20A, 20B,...) Installed corresponding to the respective pachinko islands (hereinafter referred to as) A, B, C,. 20C,...) Via a local area network (LAN) 80, and gaming machines 40 (40A-1, 40A) among the island components installed on each island A, B, C,. -2, ...) and the ball lending processor 45 (45A-1, 45A-2, ...) are connected to the island controller 20, and each of the island components other than the gaming machine 40 and the ball lending processor 45 The device is configured by directly connecting the management device 10 and the LAN 80.

  The management device 10 is a controller (terminal controller: hereinafter referred to as T / C) that controls and controls the entire gaming system. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU 11 that is a main control unit, a storage device 12 such as a hard disk, A communication interface (I / F) for communicating with a memory 13 for storing operation programs, an input device 14 such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display device 15 such as a CRT, an island controller 20, each island component, and a printer 17. An information processing terminal such as a PC (personal computer) including the unit 16 is configured.

  The communication I / F unit 16 communicates directly with each device other than the island controller 20, the gaming machine 40 and the ball lending processor 45 among the island components via the LAN 80. The gaming machine 40 and the ball lending processor 45 communicate with each other through the corresponding island controllers 20.

  In the T / C 10, the memory 13 is a member management table 131 for managing member information, and identification information (counter in charge) that permits a counting operation corresponding to each ball counter 30 arranged for each island ( It has a counting person database (DB) 133 for managing information (counting person assignment information) to which the person in charge code is assigned.

  The control unit 11 also includes tag information received from each ball counter 30 (read from the IC tag 33 to which the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 is located) and registration information (counting assignment assignment information) of the counting person DB 133. ) To determine whether or not the tag information is appropriate, and to determine whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate (appropriate or inappropriate) according to the determination result, to each ball counter 30; A timer unit 112 having a calendar function is provided.

  On the other hand, each island (A, B, C,...) Has a ball counter 30 (30A, 30B, 30C,...) And a ball counter 30 that count balls acquired by the player as island components. , A receipt issuing machine 35 (35A, 35B, 35C,...) That issues a ball number receipt in which the ball count value by the ball counter 30 is printed together with information such as the counting date and time, the number of the counting machine, and the like. , A plurality of gaming machines 40 (40A, 40B, 40C,...), And a ball lending processor 45 (45A, 45B) that lends balls to each corresponding gaming machine 40 (in this example, a pachinko machine). , 45C,..., A ball collection mechanism 51 (51A, 51B, 51C,...) That collects balls used for gaming in the gaming machine 40, and a lifting / polishing mechanism 52 that polishes while collecting the collected balls ( 52A, 52B, 52C, ...) Supplying mechanism 53 for supplying a polished balls in each game machine 40 is installed.

  In the system configuration of FIG. 1, when a player inserts a valued membership card (or prepaid card) into the ball lending processor 45 and performs a lending operation, the ball throwing mechanism of the corresponding gaming machine 40 In operation, pachinko balls corresponding to a preset lending unit are thrown onto the upper plate of the gaming machine 40.

  When the inserted card is a member card, this investment money is subtracted from the frequency registered in the member management table 131 in advance in the T / C 10 corresponding to the card identification data (card ID). When money is directly inserted in the state where the membership card is inserted into the ball lending processor 45, it is also possible to accept money and add value to the membership card.

  In addition, the ball lending processor 45 also has a function of accepting money and lending a pachinko ball.

  A player can play a game on the gaming machine 40 using the balls lent out from the ball lending processor 45.

  During the game, balls are circulated among a plurality of gaming machines 40 on each island.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the ball circulation process on the island.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the balls used in the game in the gaming machine 40 are stored in the storage tank 512 through the ball collection passage 511 a of the ball collection mechanism 51, and then the lifting unit of the lifting / polishing mechanism 52. After being lifted upward by 521, it is polished by the polishing unit 522, and then supplied to each gaming machine 40 through the supply passage 531 of the supply mechanism 53.

  The counter 30 is connected to the storage tank 512 via the counter-side ball recovery passage 511b, and the balls counted by the counter 30 pass through the counter-side ball recovery passage 511b to the storage tank 512. After being collected, similarly to the balls collected from the gaming machine 40, the replenishing mechanism 53 replenishes each gaming machine 40 through the lifting / polishing mechanism 52.

  The storage tank 512 is provided with a storage amount detection sensor 513 for detecting the storage amount of the balls in the storage tank 512, and the detection result by the storage amount detection sensor 513 is counted as a ball count during the ball circulation process. Is sent to the machine 30.

  In addition, a clogging detection sensor 514 that detects clogging of balls is provided in the ball collection passage 511a, and a detection result by the clogging detection sensor 514 is sent to the ball counter 30 during the ball circulation process. It is like that.

  Under the ball circulation process shown in FIG. 3, when a player acquires a ball by playing with the gaming machine 40, the acquired ball can be thrown into the ball counter 30 and counted.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the ball counter 30 according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ball counter 30 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ball counter 30 includes an input unit 300 for inputting various information such as a store code, which will be described later, a display unit 301 for displaying various information such as ball counting guidance and counting results, and a ball insertion path. A shutter 302 provided to move between a shielding position and an opening position, a shutter drive motor 303 for driving the shutter 302 to move between the positions, and detection of whether the shutter 302 is opened or closed (whether it is opened or closed). The shutter opening / closing detection unit 304 that performs the detection, the counting sensor 305 that outputs the counting pulse by detecting the passage of the balls taken from the ball intake port one by one when the shutter 302 is opened, and the exchange value of the special prize after the counting is completed. Ball return unit 306 that returns balls that do not meet the requirements, abnormal detection unit 307 that detects abnormalities such as abnormal radio waves, abnormal vibrations, or cover opening, maintenance, etc. At this time, the shutter opening / closing switch 308 for manually instructing the opening / closing of the shutter 302, and the IC tag 33 carried by the counting person as an identification tag for identifying a store clerk (counting person) are brought into the tag from the IC tag 33. An IC tag reading / writing unit 309 (corresponding to “identification tag information processing means” in the claims) that reads information and writes information to the IC tag 33 that is close to the IC tag 33; a timer unit 310 having a calendar function; While communicating with the memory unit 311 that stores various information, the buzzer 312 that outputs a warning sound for notifying the counting abnormality, the power supply unit 313 that supplies power to each unit, the T / C 10, the receipt issuing machine 35, and the like A communication interface (I / F) that receives the respective detection outputs from the storage amount detection sensor 513 and the clogging detection sensor 514 (see FIG. 3). Part 314, and comprises a control unit 315 for performing ball counting machine 30 overall control.

  The control unit 315 receives tag information read from the IC tag 33 by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 when the IC tag 33 carried by the person in charge of counting is brought close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309. The information is transmitted to the T / C 10 and received from the T / C 10 as to whether or not the count permission condition based on the tag information is appropriate. When it is determined that the count permission condition is appropriate, the shutter 302 is opened. Then, a ball count is performed, and when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate, a count control unit 3151 is provided that performs control to prohibit ball counting while keeping the shutter 302 closed.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the ball counter 30 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ball counter 30 has a shutter 302 attached to a lower portion of a ball inlet 322 of a ball insertion portion (hopper) 321.

  Specifically, the shutter 302 is connected to a shutter drive motor 303 via a gear or the like, and is attached so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow a and the direction of the arrow b according to the forward rotation or reverse rotation of the shutter drive motor 303. Yes.

  During standby, the shutter 302 is positioned so as to shield the ball inlet 322 by the shutter drive motor 303 given a shutter closing command from the count control unit 3151 (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5: the shutter 302. Closed).

  After that, the count control unit 3151 gives a shutter opening command to the shutter drive motor 303 when it is determined that counting is impossible based on the tag information read from the IC tag 33 that is approached by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309. Rather, the shutter 302 is kept closed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that counting is possible based on the tag information read from the IC tag 33 that is approached by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309, the counting control unit 3151 opens the shutter to the shutter drive motor 303. Send a command.

  Based on this shutter opening command, the shutter drive motor 303 moves the shutter 302 in the direction of the arrow b until it reaches a position where the ball inlet 322 is opened (position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5: shutter 302 opened state). To drive.

  In the shutter 302 opened state, the balls thrown into the ball throwing portion 321 from the ball container are taken one by one from the opened ball take-in port 322 and rolled down along the guide, Finally, it is sent to the storage tank 512 via the counter side ball collection passage 511b.

  During this time, the counting sensor 305 generates a pulse corresponding to the detection output every time one ball passes, and the ball counter 30 performs processing for counting the number of balls based on the output pulse by the counting control unit 3151.

  When the counting of the balls ends, the count control unit 3151 displays the ball count value on the display unit 301 and sends a shutter closing command to the shutter drive motor 303.

  Based on this shutter closing command, the shutter drive motor 303 moves in the direction of arrow a until the shutter 302 reaches the position (shutter opening position) indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Drive to move.

  Thereby, the shutter 302 is closed, and thereafter, the ball counter 30 enters a state where it cannot perform ball counting (standby state).

  In the game medium counting system of the present invention, the above-described ball count permission / prohibition control (shutter opening / closing control) by the count control unit 3151 is performed by the count permission condition previously held in the ball counter 30 and the person in charge. This is performed based on the suitability determination at T / C 10 of the tag information read by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 from the adjacent IC tag 33.

  In the present invention, the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 and the IC tag 33 can be realized by, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) technology.

  That is, the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 includes an antenna and a controller, and has a data reading / writing (reader / writer) function, while the IC tag 33 is configured by a medium capable of storing data in an IC chip, By bringing the IC tag 33 close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309, the controller in the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 reads or writes the data of the IC chip in the IC tag 33 by non-contact wireless communication. To do.

  Here, as a wireless communication system between the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 and the IC tag 33, an electromagnetic induction system, an electromagnetic coupling system, a microwave system, and an optical (infrared) system can be adopted.

  As a specific embodiment, in the present invention, the IC tag 33 held as a person-in-charge identification tag by the person in charge of counting has, for example, a configuration in which a wristband 332 is attached to a tag base unit 331 as shown in FIG. Realized.

  An IC chip 333 is mounted on the tag base unit 331, and the person in charge of counting places the tag base unit 331 close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 of the counter 30 with the wristband 332 attached to the arm. Thus, the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 reads tag information from the IC chip 333.

  Then, the count control unit 3151 transmits the tag information read from the IC tag 33 by the T / C 10 to determine its suitability. Thereafter, the count control unit 3151 is configured to control the opening and closing of the shutter 302 based on the count permission condition suitability determination result sent from the T / C 10 in response to the transmission of the tag information.

  Note that the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 can also write information to the IC chip 333 of the IC tag 33 in a state where the IC tag 33 is in close proximity.

  In the present invention, regarding the opening / closing control of the shutter 302 by the count control unit 3151 described above, a counting person in charge of counting (hereinafter, a person in charge) is identified as a condition for opening the shutter 302, that is, a condition for permitting counting of balls. Identification information (person-in-charge code: 001 to 999) and identification information (store code: 01 to 99) for identifying an amusement store are used.

  Specifically, for example, while the store code and the counting person assignment information in which the person-in-charge code is set in association with each ball counter 30 are registered in advance in the counting person DB 133 of the T / C 10, The IC tag 33 carried by each person in charge also stores the person-in-charge code and the store code in advance as tag information.

  In addition, each ball counter 30 sends the tag information read from the IC tag 33 by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 to the T / C 10, and the T / C 10 receives the tag information and the count received from each ball counter 30. The registration information (store code and counting charge assignment information) in the person-in-charge DB 133 is collated to determine whether or not the tag information is appropriate, and whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate (whether appropriate or inappropriate) according to the determination result. Further, each ball counter 30 transmits to the ball counter 30 and, depending on the count permission suitability determination result received from the T / C 10, for example, if the count permission condition is appropriate, the shutter 302 is opened to count. If the counting permission condition is inappropriate, control is performed so that the counting operation cannot be performed while the shutter 302 is closed.

  According to this control, the person-in-charge code read from the IC tag 33 by the ball counter 30 corresponds to the device identification information (counter number) of the ball counter 30 in the counting person DB 133 of the T / C 10. If the ball counter 30 is not registered, the ball counter 30 cannot perform the counting operation using the IC tag 33. Therefore, depending on the correspondence between the counter number and the person-in-charge code registered in the person-in-charge person DB 133, For each ball counter 30, a person who can count and a person who cannot count can be assigned, and management of the person in charge of counting can be realized.

  In the present invention, regarding the suitability determination of the store code and the person-in-charge code, there is a method for determining the suitability of the store code at each ball counter 30 and the person-in-charge code at the T / C 10 (see Example 1 below). There is a method (see Example 2 below) for determining the suitability of both the store code and the person-in-charge code by the T / C 10.

  Hereinafter, each example will be described in detail.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control sequence between the T / C 10 and the ball counter 30 in the count control preparation stage of the game medium counting system according to the present embodiment.

  In this system, in the T / C 10, a person in charge of registration (for example, an administrator) operates the input device 14, and information on each ball counter 30 (counter number), information on the person in charge (person in charge code, By inputting the name of the person in charge and related information (counter number, usable time zone, etc.), for example, the person in charge of counting 133 is registered in the memory 13 (step S101a).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the counting person DB 133 registered in the memory 13 in step S101a.

  In the counting person in charge DB 133, the person in charge of the counting person assigned to each ball counter 30 corresponding to the number (counter number) of each ball counter 30 installed in the amusement store. The code (001 to 999) and the name of the person in charge (counting person assignment information), the corresponding usable time zone and the day of use of the ball counter 30 for each person in charge of counting are registered and the same The information (in this example, forbidden) indicating whether or not the simultaneous use of the ball counters 30 by the person-in-charge code is prohibited is registered.

  In addition, about the said usable time slot | zone, for example, within a predetermined time immediately after closing (for example, 22: 00 to 22: 15), it can be used, and for a predetermined time immediately after opening (for example, 10: 00 to 11:00). It is desirable to set the inside to unusable.

  Further, after creating the counting person DB 133 as described above, the T / C 10 extracts the person code associated with each ball counter 30 from the information registered in the counting person DB 133. The person-in-charge code is transmitted to a specific ball counter 30 (step S102a).

  Here, the specific ball counter 30 to which the person-in-charge code is sent is selected in advance in order to cause each IC tag 33 to be carried by each person in charge to carry out the work of storing the person-in-charge code and the store code. A ball counter 30.

  On the other hand, in the ball counting machine 30, when the administrator operates the input unit 300 to input the store code (01 to 99) for the IC tag, the store code is registered in, for example, the memory unit 311 (step S201a). .

  In addition, it is necessary to set this store code not only in the specific ball counter 30 but also in all ball counters 30 in the game store. Thereby, each ball counter 30 memorize | stores the shop code input by the said step S201a in the memory part 311, for example.

  Thereafter, upon receiving the person-in-charge code sent from the T / C 10 (step S202a), the specific ball counter 30 stores the received person-in-charge code in, for example, the memory unit 311.

  Next, the administrator brings the IC tag 33 close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 of the specific ball counter 30. As a result, in the ball counter 30, the person-in-charge code and the store code held in the memory unit 311 are written into the IC chip 333 of the IC tag 33 by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 (step S 203 a). .

  The process of writing the person-in-charge code and the store code in the ball counter 30 is performed for the IC tags 33 for all persons in charge.

  Specifically, in the specific ball counter 30, the maintenance mode is activated, one person in charge code stored in the memory unit 311 is selected, and the IC tag 33 is set in the IC tag reading / writing unit 309. The IC tag reading / writing unit 309 tags the IC tag 33 with the selected person-in-charge code and the store code read from the memory unit 311 by giving an instruction to “start writing” after approaching. Perform operations to record as information for each person in charge.

  As a result, a plurality of IC tags 33 in which a person-in-charge code and a store code of each person in charge are written are prepared.

  Further, the administrator gives each IC tag 33 in which the person-in-charge code and the store code are written to each person in charge of counting identified by the person-in-charge code written in each IC tag 33.

  Thereby, the operation preparation for the counting control using the IC tag 33 according to the present embodiment is completed.

  At this stage, each ball counter 30 stores a store code, and each person in charge carries an IC tag 33 in which the store code and the person-in-charge code assigned to him / her are stored. Become.

  For example, in the operation preparation completion stage when the counting person in charge DB 133 having the contents shown in FIG. 8 is registered, the ball counter 30A (counter number 001), the ball counter 30B (counter number). 002), the store code (all the same: 01 in this example) stored in each of the ball counter 30C (counter number 003), and the IC tag 33 (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) carried by each person in charge. The tag information recorded in (33e, 33h, 33j) has a relationship as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the person-in-charge codes in the dotted line frames in the ball counters 30A, 30B, 30C are not held in the ball counters 30, but are actually counted by T / C10. These are registered together in the person-in-charge DB 133.

  When the preparation for operation is completed, the ball counter 30 is placed in a standby state (FIG. 7: Step S205a).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the counting control operation of the ball counter 30 (30A, 30B, 30C,...) According to this embodiment.

  After the operation preparation is completed and the ball counter 30 is in a standby state (step S205a), the player calls the person in charge when he / she wants to count the balls acquired by the game at the gaming machine 40. Specifically, use the adjoining call device or directly say “Please count”.

  The person in charge who rushed in response to the call takes the ball obtained by the customer to the ball counter 30 that he is in charge of, and is carried by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 of the ball counter 30. The IC tag 33 is held (closed) by a method as shown in FIG.

  In the ball counter 30 in the standby state (step S205a), when the IC tag 33 is brought close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 (step S206a YES), the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 is brought into proximity. The person-in-charge code and the store code are read from the tag 33 (step S207a).

  Next, the count control unit 3151 collates the store code read from the IC tag 33 with a preset store code (step S208a), and determines whether or not the set store code matches the read store code. It is determined whether or not the store code is appropriate (step S209a).

  Here, when it is determined that the store code is not appropriate (NO in step S209a), for example, the count control unit 3151 displays a message indicating that the store code is incorrect or causes the buzzer 312 to ring. An error notification process such as issuing an alarm is performed (step S220a).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the store code is appropriate (YES in step S209a), the count control unit 3151 drives the shutter drive motor 303 to open the shutter 302 (step S210a).

  In this state, the count control unit 3151 is input from the ball container to the ball insertion unit 321, and is output from the count sensor 302 every time one ball taken in from the ball intake port 322 by opening the shutter 302 passes. The number of balls is counted based on the output pulse (step S212a) while recognizing that a ball is inserted (YES in step S211a).

  Then, when the end of the counting is recognized by a certain period of time during which the output pulse is not obtained (YES in step S213a), the counting control unit 3151 displays the person-in-charge code in the tag information read in step S207a as T / C10. (Step S214a).

  On the other hand, when the T / C 10 receives the person-in-charge code from the ball counter 30, the suitability determination processing unit 111 receives the person-in-charge code received and the identification information of the source ball counter 30 of the person-in-charge code ( The correspondence between the person-in-charge code and the counter number in the person-in-charge person DB 133 is checked using the counter number) as a key (step S105a), and the person-in-charge code matching the received person-in-charge code is stored in the sender ball counter 30. It is determined whether or not the person-in-charge code is appropriate depending on whether or not it is registered corresponding to the counter number (step S106a).

  Here, when it is determined that the person-in-charge code is not appropriate (step S <b> 106 a NO), the suitability determination processing unit 111 sends a determination result (inappropriate) that the count permission condition is inappropriate to the ball counter 30. (Step S107a).

  If it is determined that the person-in-charge code is appropriate (YES in step S106a), the suitability determination processing unit 111 then checks other conditions registered in the counting person-in-charge DB 133 corresponding to the person-in-charge code. (Step S108a), it is determined whether or not the other conditions are appropriate (Step S109a).

  In the suitability determination of the other conditions, the suitability determination processing unit 111 includes information on each usable time zone and usable date registered in the counting person in charge DB 133 corresponding to the person in charge code determined to be appropriate. For example, the current time measured by the timekeeping unit 112 provided in the control unit 11 is compared with the day of the week specified by the calendar function, and the timekeeping time is within the set available time zone and the timekeeping unit 112 If the day of the week falls within the usable date set, it is determined that the other conditions are appropriate, and the timekeeping unit 112 specifies whether the time is out of the usable time zone set. If the day of the week does not correspond to the set available day, it is determined that the other conditions are inappropriate.

  As another condition, when the simultaneous use “prohibited” related to the person-in-charge code is set in the person-in-charge person DB 133, the suitability determination processing unit 111 includes the person-in-charge codes being received from the plurality of ball counters 30. Whether or not there is the same person code is monitored, and if the same person code exists in the plurality of person codes being received, it is determined that the other conditions are inappropriate.

  When it is determined in step S109a that the other conditions are inappropriate (NO in step S109a), the suitability determination processing unit 111 indicates the determination result (inappropriate) that the count permission condition is inappropriate as the ball counter 30. (Step S107a).

  When it is determined that the other conditions are appropriate (YES in step S109a), the suitability determination processing unit 111 sends a determination result (appropriate) that the count permission condition is appropriate to the ball counter 30 (step S110a). ), And then returns to the standby state.

  On the other hand, when the ball counter 30 transmits the person-in-charge code to the T / C 10 in step S214a and receives the determination result transmitted from the T / C 10 (step S215a), the count control unit 3151 receives the determination result. Based on the determination result, whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate is determined (step S216a).

  Here, when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate based on the received determination result (inappropriate) (NO in step S216a), the count control unit 3151 proceeds to step S220a and performs error notification processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the count permission condition is appropriate based on the received determination result (appropriateness) (YES in step S216a), the count control unit 3151 controls to close the shutter 302 (step S217a). Then, the receipt issuing machine 35 is instructed to issue a receipt (step S218a).

  When issuing this receipt issuance instruction, the ball counting machine 30 determines whether there is a surplus ball that cannot be exchanged for a special prize based on the ball count value obtained by the ball counting so far, and determines a value with no surplus ball. After being sent to the receipt issuing machine 35, the excess balls are discharged from the ball return unit 306, and then return to the standby state.

  In the receipt issuing machine 35, based on the receipt issuing instruction from the ball counting machine 30, the number of balls on which information such as the ball counting value (a value with no extra balls) received along with the instruction, the counting date and time, and the number of the counting machine is printed. Issue a receipt.

  During the above processing operation, the T / C 10 determines that the person-in-charge code is inappropriate (step S106aNO) or other conditions are determined inappropriate (step S109aNO), respectively. Along with sending (Improper) to the ball counter 30, for example, a warning screen such as a message indicating that the person-in-charge code or other conditions are inappropriate is displayed on the display device 15.

  On the other hand, in the ball counter 30, when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate by receiving the determination result (inappropriate) from the T / C 10 (step S <b> 216 a NO), the receipt issuing process is not instructed. In this case, the ball counter 30 stores the ball count value acquired by the ball count that has already been completed in the memory unit 311 and performs an appropriate restoration process. After being made, the receipt issuing machine 35 is instructed to issue a receipt and issue a receipt.

  Further, in this embodiment, in the appropriateness determination process of the count permission condition in step S216a in FIG. 10, the ball counter 30 further adds the operation state of its own device as described below to the appropriateness determination requirement, Even if the person-in-charge code or the like is appropriate, if the operation condition (other conditions) of the device itself is inappropriate, the count permission condition may be determined to be inappropriate.

  The other condition (own device operation condition) suitability determination process in the ball counter 30 performed during the process of step S216a will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, when the count control unit 3151 of the ball counter 30 receives the determination result (appropriate) from the T / C 10 (step S241: step S215a in FIG. 10), first, the detection output of the storage amount detection sensor 513 is monitored. Then, based on the detection output, it is checked whether or not the storage tank 512 is full (step S242).

  Here, when it is determined that the storage tank 512 is not full (NO in step S242), the counting control unit 3151 continuously monitors the intellectual output of the clogging detection sensor 514, and clogging occurs based on the detection output. It is determined whether or not (step S243).

  When it is determined that no clogging has occurred (NO in step S243), the count control unit 3151 continuously monitors the detection output of the abnormality detection unit 307, and whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection output. Determination is made (step S244).

  If it is determined that no abnormality has occurred (NO in step S244), the count control unit 3151 determines that the count permission condition is appropriate (step S245 = YES in step S216a in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage tank 512 is full (YES in step S242), when it is determined that clogging has occurred (YES in step S243), and it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. In the case (YES in step S244), the count control unit 3151 determines that the count permission condition is inappropriate when any one of the above determinations is made (step S246 = NO in step S216a in FIG. 10).

  In addition, about each determination of whether the storage tank 512 is full, whether clogging has occurred, and whether an abnormality has occurred described in the other condition suitability determination processing of FIG. The control is not limited to the step S216a in FIG. 5, but is constantly monitored during operation of the ball counter 30, and control is prohibited when the storage tank 512 is full, clogged or abnormal. May be performed.

  Here, for example, after the prohibition of counting due to the storage tank 512 being full, it returns to the usable state when the amount of storage in the storage tank 512 falls below a predetermined value due to the circulation of the ball, and after the prohibition of counting due to clogging or occurrence of an abnormality Is returned to the usable state when the clogging or abnormality of the ball is released by the store clerk.

  In FIG. 11, the ball counter 30 itself detects whether the storage tank 512 is full or clogged based on the detection outputs of the storage amount detection sensor 513 and the clogging detection sensor 514, and determines whether the other conditions are appropriate. The T / C 10 captures the detection output via the LAN 80, and the T / C 10 performs the operation condition determination (see FIG. 11) of the ball counter 30 during the other condition suitability determination process in step S109a in FIG. May be.

  In the process shown in FIG. 10, the ball counter 30 first determines whether or not the store code is appropriate. When the store code is determined to be appropriate and the ball counting is started, the T / C 10 However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the suitability determination of the store code and the person-in-charge code may proceed simultaneously.

  In addition, the store code is determined to be appropriate both in the case where the suitability code is determined after the store code suitability determination (example in FIG. 10) and in the case where the suitability determination of the store code and the contact person code is simultaneously advanced. This is not limited to the control method (example in FIG. 10) that disables the operation when the person-in-charge code is determined to be inappropriate and does not proceed to the receipt issuing process. It is also possible to apply a control method in which the counting operation is prohibited until both of the codes are determined to be appropriate, and after the both are determined to be appropriate, the process from ball counting to receipt issue processing is continuously performed.

  Further, in the counting control shown in FIG. 10, the shutter 302 is opened, and then the ball throwing is accepted to start the ball counting, but the ball throwing is accepted before the shutter 302 is opened. Also good. In this case, the thrown ball is held by the ball throwing portion 321 and then taken in (flowed out) from the ball take-in port 322 and counted when the shutter 302 is opened.

  As described above, in the system according to the first embodiment, the counting person assignment information that associates the person in charge code of the person in charge of counting for each ball counter 30 is registered in the counting person DB 133 of the T / C 10. Each ball counter 30 (with a shutter 302 that can be driven in a closed or open state with respect to the ball passage and that prohibits ball counting by being driven in the closed state as a prohibited state setting means) While setting the code, each person in charge carries an IC tag 33 (stored in each ball counter 30) storing his / her person code and store code, and the ball counter 30 is brought close to the person in charge. The person-in-charge code and the store code are read from the IC tag 33, and it is determined by the own device that the read store code matches the set store code, and the read person-in-charge code corresponds to the ball counter 30. The prohibition state of the prohibition state setting means is canceled (the shutter 302 is opened) only when the T / C 10 determines that it is registered in the counting person in charge DB 133 and the receipt is issued. The counting control up to is executed.

  According to such control, as long as each person in charge carries the IC tag 33 storing his / her person in charge code, it is possible to perform the counting operation using the IC tag 33 on the counter person in charge DB 133. The ball counter 30 is limited to the ball counter 30 with which the person-in-charge code is registered in association with each other, and the other ball counters 30 cannot perform the counting operation.

  For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 9, each person in charge is allowed to count only for the ball counter 30 connected by a solid line, so that the counting area for each person in charge is determined automatically. come.

  Therefore, on the manager side, the countable area can be managed for each person in charge by associating the ball counter 30 with the person in charge code of the person in charge in charge on the person-in-charge DB 133.

  Further, even if an attempt is made to perform a counting operation using the IC tag 33 of another person in charge, the correspondence between the ball counter 30 and the person in charge code of the person in charge in charge on the counting person DB 133 is not known. As long as it is unknown which ball counter 30 the IC tag is suitable for, it is possible to prevent illegal counting using the IC tag 33 (an IC tag of a person in charge in another area).

  In addition, even when an IC tag of another store is used, it is determined that the store code check is inappropriate. Therefore, it is needless to say that illegal counting using the IC tag of another store can also be prevented.

  In particular, in this embodiment, whether or not the person-in-charge code is appropriate is determined at T / C 10 and the appropriateness of the store code is determined by each ball counter 30. Therefore, in the ball counting control shown in FIG. The process of receiving and holding the person-in-charge code from the T / C 10 and the person-in-charge code suitability determination process based on the comparison between the person-in-charge code held and the person-in-charge code that has been read can be eliminated, thereby reducing the processing burden it can.

  Also, in this embodiment, whether or not the conditions other than the person-in-charge code and the store code are determined as appropriate and the other count permission conditions are inappropriate, even if the person-in-charge code and the store code are appropriate. However, it is controlled not to count.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the counting person DB 133 of the T / C 10 further registers the counting permission conditions such as the usable time zone and the usable date for each person in charge (person in charge code). In T / C10, even if the person-in-charge code satisfies the usable conditions, if the usable time zone or the usable date is different, the counting permission condition determination result (inappropriate) is sent to the ball counting machine 30, and the ball counting is performed. On the machine 30 side, control is performed so that ball counting is not performed while the shutter 302 is closed based on the determination result (inappropriate). Thereby, illegal counting using the IC tag 33 of the person in charge of counting outside the working hours can be prevented.

  In addition, in the counting person in charge DB 133 of the T / C 10, information indicating whether or not simultaneous use of each ball counter 30 is prohibited can also be set as another count permission condition, and setting for prohibiting simultaneous use is possible. When the person-in-charge codes are simultaneously received from a plurality of ball counters 30 and the same person-in-charge code is present, the same person in charge is closed by closing the shutter 302 and prohibiting the counting operation. The simultaneous use of the person code by the separate ball counter 30 can be prohibited.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as a count permission condition other than the person-in-charge code and the store code, it is possible to perform control for prohibiting the counting in consideration of a condition that is not registered in the person-in-charge DB 133.

  For example, in the ball counter 30 of this embodiment, as one of the other conditions, the detection output of the storage amount detection sensor 513 provided in the storage tank 512 in the ball collection passage is monitored, and the storage tank 512 is full. Even when it is determined that there is a ball, the ball count is controlled not to be performed (see step S242 in FIG. 11).

  According to this control, even when the storage tank 512 is full, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the ball after counting is sent from the ball counter 30 and the ball is clogged.

  Further, in the ball counter 30 of this embodiment, as one of the other conditions, the detection output of the clogging detection sensor 514 provided in the ball collection passage is monitored, and the ball collection passage is clogged. The ball count is also controlled so as not to be performed even when it is determined (see step S243 in FIG. 11).

  According to this control, clogging of the ball collection passage has occurred, and it is possible to regulate counting even in an environment where counting is impossible, and operation without confusion according to the actual situation can be performed Can do.

  Further, in the ball counter 30 of the present embodiment, as one of the other conditions, the detection output of the abnormality detection unit 307 is monitored, and the ball count is not performed even when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. (See step S244 in FIG. 11).

  Here, the abnormality detection unit 307 can be realized by various abnormality detection functions such as detection of abnormal radio waves, detection of abnormal vibration, and detection of opening of the cover of the ball counter 30 main body. Therefore, the abnormality detection unit 307 is configured by any one of the abnormality detection functions described above, and when the occurrence of abnormality is recognized from the detection output of the abnormality detection unit 307, the shutter 302 is closed and counting is not performed. Unauthorized actions such as abnormal radio waves being transmitted by someone, abnormal vibrations caused by lifting the ball counter 30 or opening the cover of the ball counter 30 main body. It is possible to quickly recognize the situation that is expected to occur and prevent the fraud.

  In the second embodiment, the T / C 10 determines whether the person-in-charge code and the store code are appropriate.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence between the T / C 10 and the ball counter 30 in the count control preparation stage of the game medium counting system according to the second embodiment.

  In this system, in the T / C 10, a registration person (for example, an administrator) operates the input device 14 to create, for example, a counting person DB 133 in which the information contents shown in FIG. In addition, a store code (01 in this example) is set from the input device 14, and the store code is also stored in the memory 13 (step S101b).

  In this case, the counting person DB 133 and the store code may be held separately, but in this embodiment, the store code is also held in the counting person DB 133 (hereinafter referred to as 133b for convenience) (see step S101b). Shall.

  In addition, the T / C 10 creates the counting person DB 133b as described above, and then, from the information registered in the counting person DB 133b, the person who is associated with the store code and each ball counter 30. The code is extracted, and the store code and the person-in-charge code are transmitted to a specific ball counter 30 (step S102b).

  Thereafter, when the specific ball counter 30 receives the store code and the person-in-charge code sent from the T / C 10 (step S202b), the received store code and person-in-charge code are stored in, for example, the memory unit 311.

  Thereafter, the manager brings the IC tag 33 close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 of the specific ball counter 30, so that the person-in-charge code and the store code held in the memory unit 311 are changed to the respective IC codes. The data is written in the IC tag chip 333 of the tag 33 (step S203b). Thereafter, each ball counter 30 enters a standby state (step S205b).

  Furthermore, the administrator hands the IC tag 33 in which the person-in-charge code and the store code are written to each person in charge, and completes the operation preparation.

  The operation of writing the person-in-charge code and the store code to each IC tag 33 and the distribution of each IC tag 33 after the writing to each person in charge can be performed in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

  Thereafter, each person in charge carries, for example, an IC tag 33 in which the person-in-charge code and the store code assigned to him / her are stored, as shown in FIG. Will be engaged in the counting operation.

  However, in the system according to the second embodiment, the person-in-charge code and the store code are not stored in the ball counting machine 30, but are registered together with the shop code in the counting person-in-charge DB 133 of the T / C 10, as described above. .

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the counting control operation of the ball counter 30 (30A, 30B, 30C,...) According to this embodiment.

  After the above operation preparation is completed and the ball counter 30 is in a standby state (step S205b), when the player tries to count the balls acquired by the game at the gaming machine 40, as in the first embodiment. Call the person in charge.

  The person in charge who rushed in response to the call takes the ball obtained by the customer to the ball counter 30 that he is in charge of, and is carried by the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 of the ball counter 30. The IC tag 33 is held (closed) by a method as shown in FIG.

  In the waiting state (step S205b), when the IC tag 33 comes close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 (YES in step S206b), the ball counter 30 has the IC tag reading / writing unit 309 approached. The person-in-charge code and the store code are read from the tag 33 (step S207b).

  Next, the counting control unit 3151 transmits the person-in-charge code and the store code read from the IC tag 33 to the T / C 10 (step S208b).

  On the other hand, when the T / C 10 receives the person-in-charge code and the store code from the ball counter 30, the suitability determination processing unit 111 first stores the received store code in the person-in-charge DB 133b. (Step S105b), it is determined whether or not the store code is appropriate depending on whether or not they match (step S106b).

  Here, when it is determined that the store code is inappropriate (NO in step S106b), the suitability determination processing unit 111 sends a determination result (inappropriate) that the count permission condition is inappropriate to the ball counter 30. (Step S107b).

  When it is determined that the store code is appropriate (YES in step S106b), the suitability determination processing unit 111 receives the person-in-charge code received from the ball counter 30 and the identification information of the source ball counter 30 of the person-in-charge code. The correspondence between the person-in-charge code in the person-in-charge DB 133b and the counter number is checked using (counter number) as a key (step S108b), and the person-in-charge code that matches the person-in-charge code received is the source ball counter 30. It is determined whether or not the person-in-charge code is appropriate depending on whether or not it is registered corresponding to the counter number (step S109b).

  Here, when it is determined that the person-in-charge code is not appropriate (step S109bNO), the suitability determination processing unit 111 sends a determination result (inappropriate) that the count permission condition is inappropriate to the ball counter 30. (Step S107b).

  If it is determined that the person-in-charge code is appropriate (YES in step S109b), the suitability determination processing unit 111 then checks other conditions registered in the counting person-in-charge DB 133b corresponding to the person-in-charge code. (Step S110b), it is determined whether or not the other conditions are appropriate (Step S111b).

  In the suitability determination of the other conditions, the suitability determination processing unit 111 includes each information on the usable time zone and the usable date registered in the counting person in charge DB 133b corresponding to the person in charge code determined to be appropriate. For example, the current time measured by the time measuring unit 112 having a calendar function provided in the control unit 11 is compared with the day of the week specified by the calendar function, and the time is within the usable time zone in which the time is set, In addition, if the day of the week specified by the time measuring unit 112 falls within the usable date set, it is determined that the other conditions are appropriate, and the time measuring unit 112 is out of the usable time zone where the time is set. If it is at least one of the days that do not correspond to the set available days, the other conditions are determined to be inappropriate.

  As another condition, when the simultaneous use “prohibited” related to the person-in-charge code is set in the person-in-charge DB 133b, the suitability determination processing unit 111 includes the person-in-charge codes being received from the plurality of ball counters 30. Whether or not there is the same person code is monitored, and if the same person code exists in the plurality of person codes being received, it is determined that the other conditions are inappropriate.

  When it is determined in step S111b that the other conditions are inappropriate (step S111bNO), the suitability determination processing unit 111 indicates the determination result (inappropriate) that the count permission condition is inappropriate as the ball counter 30. (Step S107b).

  When it is determined that the other conditions are appropriate (YES in step S111b), the suitability determination processing unit 111 sends a determination result (appropriate) that the count permission condition is appropriate to the ball counter 30 (step S112b). ), And then returns to the standby state.

  On the other hand, the ball counter 30 transmits the person-in-charge code and the store code to the T / C 10 in step S208b, and then receives the count permission condition suitability determination result transmitted from the T / C 10 (step S209b). Then, the count control unit 3151 determines whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate based on the received determination result (step S210b).

  Here, when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate based on the received determination result (inappropriate) (NO in step S210b), the count control unit 3151 proceeds to step S220b and causes the buzzer 312 to ring. Perform error notification processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the count permission condition is appropriate based on the received determination result (appropriateness) (YES in step S210b), the count control unit 3151 controls to open the shutter 302 (step S211b). ) To start the counting operation.

  After opening the shutter 302, the counting control unit 3151 first counts the ball from the ball container into the ball throwing unit 321 and counts each time one ball taken in from the ball take-in port 322 by opening the shutter 302 passes. While detecting a pulse output from the sensor 302 and recognizing that a ball is inserted (YES in step S212b), the number of balls is counted based on the output pulse (step S213b).

  Then, when the end of the counting is recognized by a period during which the output pulse is not obtained (step S214b YES), the counting control unit 3151 controls to close the shutter 302 (step S215b), and then issues a receipt. Instruct the machine 35 to issue a receipt (step S216b).

  When issuing this receipt issuance instruction, the ball counting machine 30 determines whether there is a surplus ball that cannot be exchanged for a special prize based on the ball count value obtained by the ball counting so far, and determines a value with no surplus ball. After being sent to the receipt issuing machine 35, the excess balls are discharged from the ball return unit 306, and then return to the standby state.

  In the receipt issuing machine 35, based on the receipt issuing instruction from the ball counting machine 30, the number of balls on which information such as the ball counting value (a value with no extra balls) received along with the instruction, the counting date and time, and the number of the counting machine is printed. Issue a receipt.

  During the above processing operation, the T / C 10 determines that the store code is inappropriate (step S106bNO), determines that the person-in-charge code is inappropriate (step S109bNO), and other conditions. Is determined to be inappropriate (step S111bNO), for example, in accordance with sending the determination result (inappropriate) to the ball counter 30, for example, the person in charge code or other conditions are inappropriate on the display device 15. A warning screen such as a message indicating that there is a message is displayed.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in the processing for determining the suitability of the counting permission condition in step S210b in FIG. 512 storage amount, clogging, abnormality such as abnormal radio wave reception) may be determined. If these other conditions are inappropriate, it may be determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate.

  In FIG. 13, the counting operation is prohibited until the counting permission conditions (store code, person-in-charge code, and other conditions) are all determined to be appropriate in T / C 10, and after the counting permission conditions are determined to be appropriate. The ball counter 30 continuously performs the process from the ball counting to the receipt issuance process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ball counter 30 causes the shutter 302 to be opened after reading the tag information of the IC tag 33. It is also possible to apply a control method that releases the ball and starts counting the balls, and then becomes inoperable when the count permission condition is determined to be inappropriate in step S210b and does not proceed to the receipt issuing process.

  In this case, the ball counting machine 30 stores the ball count value acquired by the ball counting that has already been completed in the memory unit 311, and after a proper recovery process is performed, the receipt issuing machine 35 is instructed to issue a receipt. The receipt may be issued.

  As described above, in the system according to the second embodiment, the store code and the counting end assignment information in which the person-in-charge code is set in association with each ball counter 30 are registered in the person-in-charge DB 133b of the T / C 10. Then, each person in charge carries the IC tag 33 storing his / her person's person-in-charge code and the store code, and then reads the person-in-charge code and the store code from the IC tag 33 in which the ball counter 30 is in proximity. Only when it is determined that the person-in-charge code and the store code received from each ball counter 30 at the T / C10 and all other count permission conditions are determined to be appropriate. Each ball counter 30 that has received the count control is executed until receipt issuance.

  With this control, also in the present embodiment, the ball counter 30 in which each person in charge can perform a counting operation using the IC tag 33 and the ball counter in which his / her person in charge code is associated and registered in the person in charge DB 133b. It is possible to prevent illegal counting using the IC tag 33 of the person in charge of counting outside the area in charge or outside the working hours, by limiting to the machine 30 and preventing other ball counters 30 from counting. The same effect as Example 1 can be expected.

  In particular, in this embodiment, since the determination of the suitability of the person-in-charge code and the store code is performed by the T / C 10, each ball counter 30 uses the person-in-charge code and the store code read from the IC tag 33 as the T / C 10. , And after that, it is only necessary to receive the result of determining whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate from the T / C, and the processing load on the ball counter 30 in the ball counting control can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment. .

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example of the ball counting machine 30 that connects the receipt issuing machine 35 configured separately is given, but the present invention has an issue function that incorporates a receipt issuing mechanism and a card processing unit. It can also be applied to a ball counter.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a ball counter 36 with an issuing function used in the game medium counting system of the present embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are given to the parts that perform the same functions as the respective parts of the ball counter 30 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

  Here, the components different from the ball counter 30 of the ball counter 36 with the issuing function will be described.

  In the ball counter 36 with the issuing function according to the present embodiment, as a component different from the ball counter 30, a function for displaying information on the display panel, a button displayed on the display panel, etc. are touched by hand, for example. Display / operation 361 having a function of inputting various information relating to ball counting, etc., counting receipt issuing unit 362 for issuing a ball number receipt in response to a receipt issuing instruction from the counting control unit 3151a, receiving a membership card, storing balls, etc. A card processing unit 363 that performs the above processing is provided.

  In addition, in the ball counting machine 36 with the issuing function, the counting control unit 3151a in the control unit 315 includes the control shown in the first embodiment because of the structure in which the counting receipt issuing unit 362 and the card processing unit 363 are incorporated. It has a function of controlling both of these.

  Further, the communication I / F unit 314 does not need to communicate with the separate receipt issuing machine 35, and has a functional configuration for communicating the T / C 10, the storage amount detection sensor 513, the clogging detection sensor 514, and the like. . That is, in the ball counter 36 with the issuing function, the usage data based on the ball counting control is directly transmitted to the T / C 10 without passing through the receipt issuing machine 35.

  Moreover, in the ball counter 36 with an issuing function, a lid member that is manually moved is disposed in the ball throwing portion. However, a shutter mechanism driven by a motor similar to the ball counter 30 shown in the above embodiment is disposed inside.

  In addition, the cover member employ | adopted as the ball counter 36 with an issue function is also employable also in the ball counter 30 disclosed in Example 1,2.

  The ball counter 36 with an issuing function according to the present embodiment is installed as one of the other devices (60) in the system configuration of FIG. 1, or each pachinko island A, B, C,. It is installed instead of or in combination with the ball counters 30A, 30B, 30C,.

  As a first method of operating the game medium counting system of the present embodiment having the ball counters 36 with the issuing function arranged as described above, for example, as in the first embodiment, the counting person DB 133 is set in the T / C 10. (For convenience, let it be 133c) and set a store code in the ball counter 36 with the issuing function, and the ball counter 36 with the issuing function determines whether the store code is appropriate or not. The person in charge determines whether the person-in-charge code and other conditions are appropriate. When the issuer-equipped ball counter 36 determines that the store code is appropriate and the T / C 10 determines that the person-in-charge code and other conditions are appropriate. There is a method (first method) in which the issuing function-equipped ball counter 36 opens the shutter 302 and starts the counting operation.

  In this case, the counting person DB 133c registered in the T / C 10 includes, for example, the counter number (101, 102) of the ball counter 36 with the issuing function in the column of the counter number of the counting person DB 133 shown in FIG. , 103,...), And the person-in-charge code, usage time zone information, etc. are registered in correspondence with the respective counter numbers (101, 102, 103,...).

  In addition, the ball counter 36 with the issuing function is subjected to the same communication control as that of the ball counter 30 shown in FIG. It is necessary for the manager to hand over the IC tag that records the person-in-charge code and the store code to each person in charge.

  In addition, the ball counter 36 with the issuing function performs a counting operation with the T / C 10 according to, for example, the same processing procedure as that of the ball counter 30 shown in FIG.

  As a result, in this system, the issuer-equipped ball counter 36 reads the person-in-charge code and the store code from the IC tag 33 that is in close proximity, and the own device confirms that the read store code matches the set store code. It is determined by the T / C 10 that the person-in-charge code that has been determined and read is registered in the person-in-charge DB 133c corresponding to the identification information (ball counter number with issuing function) of the issuing function-equipped ball counter 36. In addition, the counting control until the receipt is issued is executed only when the condition that other conditions such as the usable time zone are also appropriate is satisfied.

  Further, as a second method of operating the game media counting system according to the third embodiment, for example, as in the second embodiment, the counting person DB 133 including the store code and the person in charge code in the T / C 10 (for convenience) 133d), and based on the person-in-charge code and the store code sent from the issuing function-equipped ball counter 36, the person-in-charge code and other conditions are judged to be appropriate. When the T / C 10 determines that the other conditions are appropriate, there is a method in which the issuing function-equipped ball counter 36 opens the shutter 302 and starts the counting operation.

  Also in this case, the counting person DB 133d registered in the T / C 10 may be the same as the counting person DB 133c used in the first method of the present embodiment.

  In addition, the ball counter 36 with the issuing function is subjected to the same communication control as that of the ball counter 30 shown in FIG. It is necessary for the manager to hand over the IC tag that records the person-in-charge code and the store code to each person in charge.

  In addition, the ball counter 36 with the issuing function performs a counting operation with the T / C 10 in accordance with, for example, the same processing procedure as the ball counter 30 shown in FIG.

  As a result, in this system, the issuer-equipped ball counter 36 reads the person-in-charge code and the store code from the IC tag 33 that is in close proximity, and sends it to the T / C 10. Only when it is determined that the person-in-charge code and the store code received from the above, and all other count permission conditions of the other conditions are appropriate, the ball counter 36 with the issuing function that has received the determination result issues a receipt. The counting control up to is executed.

  In the series of counting control based on the first or second method described above, the counting control unit 3151a of the ball counter 36 with the issuing function, after the completion of the counting of the balls, The receipt issuing instruction that has been issued is issued to the counting receipt issuing unit 362. The counting receipt issuing unit 362 issues a number of balls receipt based on the receipt issuing instruction.

  Further, in the ball counter 36 with the issuing function of the present embodiment, when the membership card is inserted from the card insertion slot after the counting of the balls is completed, the card processing unit 363 accepts the membership card and in this state, When the operation is performed, the storage ball processing is performed.

  In this ball storage process, the card processing unit 363 acquires the ball count value from the count control unit 3151a, and displays on the display screen of the display / operation unit 351 guidance for selecting whether or not to perform the ball count value and the ball storage. Here, when it is selected to store the ball, the card ID (member code) is read from the inserted member card, and the card ID and the ball count value are transmitted to the T / C 10.

  On the other hand, when the T / C 10 receives the card ID and the ball count value from the card processing unit 363, the T / C 10 stores the number of balls corresponding to the card ID together with the card ID in the member management table 131 registered in advance in the memory 13. Processing to update the received ball count value (storing ball processing) is performed, and when the storing ball processing ends normally, a normal end notification and a card discharge instruction are transmitted to the card processing unit 363.

  The card processing unit 363 displays a normal end message on the display screen of the display / operation unit 361 based on the normal end notification received from the T / C 10, and simultaneously inserts the member card being inserted based on the card ejection instruction received simultaneously. return.

  As described above, in the ball counter 36 with the issuing function according to the third embodiment, as with the ball counter 30 according to the first and second embodiments, the store code and the person-in-charge code read from the IC tag 33, and further to other conditions. If it is inappropriate, the prohibition state setting means (shutter 302) is kept in a state where the prohibition state is not released (shutter 302 is not opened) and control is performed so that ball counting cannot be performed. It is possible to prevent illegal counting (ball counting) using the IC tag 33 of the person in charge outside the time.

  In the first to third embodiments, an example in which a ball counter is used as a game medium counting device has been described. However, the present invention is applied to a game medium other than a ball, for example, a medal counter that counts medals obtained by a slot machine. Is possible.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the medal counting machine 70 used in the game medium counting system according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the medal counter 70 according to the present embodiment has a function of displaying information on the display panel and various information relating to medal counting by touching buttons displayed on the display panel with a hand, for example. Display / operation 701 having a function of inputting medals, a medal detection unit 702 for detecting medals inserted in the medal insertion unit, a counting disk 703 for performing a rotation operation for feeding out medals inserted in the medal insertion unit, and a counting circle A drive motor 704 that drives the plate 703 to rotate or stops the rotation drive, a count sensor 705 that outputs a count pulse by detecting each medal paid out from the counting disc 703, and a special A medal return unit 706 that returns medals that do not satisfy the exchange value of the prize, and an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities such as abnormal radio waves, abnormal vibration, or cover opening. 07. An IC tag reading / writing unit 708 that reads IC tag information from the IC tag 33 when the IC tag 33 carried by the store clerk is brought close to the IC tag 33 and writes information to the IC tag 33 that is brought close to the IC tag 33 ), A timer unit 709 having a calendar function, a memory unit 710 for storing various information, a buzzer 711 for outputting a warning sound for notifying a counting abnormality, and the like. A power supply unit 712 to supply, a T / C 10, a receipt issuing machine 35, a communication interface (I / F) unit 713 that performs communication with a medal collection mechanism, and the like, and a control unit 715 that controls the entire medal counter 70 are provided. Composed.

  In the control unit 715, tag information (read by the IC tag reading / writing unit 708 from the IC tag 33 when the IC tag 33 carried by the counting person is brought close to the IC tag reading / writing unit 708). If it is determined that the store code and the person-in-charge code) and other conditions are appropriate (the determination method includes the method described in the first and second embodiments), the counting disk 703 is driven to rotate and the medal If at least one of the store code, the person-in-charge code, and other conditions is determined to be inappropriate, the rotation of the counting disk 703 is stopped and the medal is not counted. A counting control unit 7151 is provided for controlling as described above.

  The medal counter 70 is provided with a counting disk 703 that is rotated so as to receive a medal and pass the medal counting position as a prohibition state setting means for setting the counting operation of the game medium to a prohibition state.

  The medal counting machine 70 includes, for example, a plurality of slot machines and slot machines in a slot island (not shown) which is an area different from the pachinko islands (islands A, B, C,...) In FIG. Correspondingly, it is installed together with a medal lending machine that lends medals, a receipt issuing machine 35, a medal collection mechanism, and the like, and is configured to be able to communicate with the T / C 10, the receipt issuing machine 35, and the like.

  A method of operating the game medium counting system of this embodiment having the medal counters 70 arranged as described above will be described below.

  As a first method for operating the game medium counting system of the present embodiment having the medal counters 70 arranged as described above, for example, as in the first embodiment, the T / C 10 has a counting person DB 133 (for convenience). 133e), and a store code is set in the medal counter 70. The medal counter 70 determines whether the store code is appropriate, while the T / C 10 side determines the person-in-charge code and other conditions. When the store code is determined to be appropriate by the medal counter 70 and the person-in-charge code and other conditions are determined to be appropriate by the T / C 10, the medal counter 70 uses the counting disk 703. There is a method (first method) for rotationally driving and counting medals.

  In this case, the counting person DB 133e registered in the T / C 10 includes, for example, the counter number (201, 202, 203, etc.) of each medal counter 70 in the counter number field of the counting person DB 133 shown in FIG. ...) And a person-in-charge code, usage time zone information, and the like are registered in correspondence with the respective counter numbers (201, 202, 203,...).

  In addition, the medal counter 70 records the person-in-charge code and the store code on the IC tag 33 through the same communication control as that of the ball counter 30 shown in FIG. It is necessary for the manager to give each person in charge an IC tag in which the person-in-charge code and the store code are recorded.

  In addition, the medal counter 70 performs counting operation control with the T / C 10, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, the processing operation of T / C 10 is the same as the processing operation of FIG. 10 except that the communication partner is changed from the ball counter 30 to the medal counter 70. In FIG. 16, the shutter opening / closing operation in FIG. 10 is eliminated, and the medal counter 70 performs the rotation driving (medal counting) / rotation driving stop (medal counting stop) operation of the counting disk 703.

  Of the processing operations of the medal counter 70 in FIG. 16, the processing operations other than steps S210c to S213c (medal counting operation) and step S217c (medal counting stop operation) are the same as the processing operations of the ball counter 30 in FIG. (However, the code at the end of the step number is changed from “b” to “c”).

  Accordingly, in FIG. 16, the processing operations of steps S210c to S213c and step S217c will be mainly described, and other detailed operations will be omitted.

  During operation of the counting operation in the present system based on the first method, the medal counter 70 reads the person-in-charge code and the store code read by the IC tag reading / writing unit 708 from the IC tag 33 close to the person in charge. When it is determined that the store code is not appropriate (step S209cNO), for example, the count control unit 7151 displays a message that the store code is inappropriate on the display screen of the display / operation unit 701, Error notification processing such as sounding the buzzer 711 to issue an alarm is performed (step S220c).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the store code is appropriate (YES in step S209c), the counting control unit 7151 instructs the drive motor 704 to drive and rotates the counting disk 703 (step S210c).

  After the counting disk 703 is rotationally driven, the counting control unit 7151 is inserted from a medal insertion unit (not shown), and is output from the counting sensor 705 every time one medal paid out by the rotational driving of the counting disk 703 passes. The medals are counted based on the output pulse while recognizing that a medal has been inserted by detecting the detected pulse (YES in step S211c) (step S212c).

  When the end of the counting is recognized by a period during which the output pulse is not obtained (YES in step S213c), the person-in-charge code in the tag information read from the IC tag 33 in step S207c is sent to the T / C 10. (Step S214c).

  Thereafter, the medal counter 70 waits to receive a result of determining whether the count permission condition is appropriate, which is sent from the T / C 10 through the processes of steps S105c to S110c.

  While waiting for reception, upon receiving the count permission condition suitability determination result transmitted from the T / C 10 (step S215c), the count control unit 7151 performs suitability determination of the count permission condition based on the received determination result (step S215c). S216c).

  Here, when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate based on the received determination result (inappropriate) (NO in step S216c), the count control unit 7151 proceeds to step S220c and performs error notification processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the count permission condition is appropriate based on the received determination result (appropriate) (YES in step S216c), the count control unit 7151 instructs the drive motor 704 to set the count disk 703. Control is performed to stop the rotation drive (step S217c), and then a receipt issuance instruction is sent to the receipt issuing machine 35 (step S218c), after which the remaining medal is returned to return to the standby state.

  As described above, in the operation based on the first method of the fourth embodiment, the person-in-charge code and the store code are read by the IC tag reading / writing unit 708 from the IC tag 33 to which the medal counter 70 is in proximity. It is determined by the own apparatus that the store code matches the set store code, and the read person-in-charge code is registered in the counter person-in-charge DB 133e corresponding to the medal counter 70. Counting control up to receipt issuance is executed only when the conditions determined by C10 and other conditions are also appropriate are met.

  In the processing operation of the medal counting machine 70 in FIG. 16, the timing of stopping the driving of the drive motor 704 (stopping the rotation of the counting disk 703) is after the determination result is appropriate (S216c YES), but the medal counting ends. The driving of the driving motor 704 may be stopped at any timing later.

  Further, as a second method of operating the game medium counting system according to the fourth embodiment, for example, as in the second embodiment, the counting person DB 133 including the store code and the person in charge code in the T / C 10 (for convenience) 133f), the person-in-charge code and the store code sent from the medal counter 70 are used to determine whether the store-in-charge code and other conditions are appropriate. There is a method in which when the T / C 10 determines that it is appropriate, the medal counter 70 starts the medal counting operation by rotationally driving the counting disk 703.

  Also in this case, the counting person DB 133f registered in the T / C 10 may be the same as the counting person DB 133e used in the first method of the present embodiment.

  The medal counter 70 records the person-in-charge code and the store code on the IC tag 33 through the same communication control as the ball counter 30 shown in FIG. It is necessary for the administrator to give each person in charge an IC tag that records the person-in-charge code and the store code.

  In addition, the medal counter 70 performs counting operation control with the T / C 10, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, the processing operation of T / C 10 is the same as the processing operation of FIG. 13 except that the communication partner is changed from the ball counter 30 to the medal counter 70. In FIG. 17, the shutter opening / closing operation in FIG. 13 is eliminated, and the medal counter 70 performs the rotation driving (medal counting) / rotation driving stop (medal counting stop) operation of the counting disk 703.

  Of the processing operations of the medal counter 70, the processing operations other than steps S210d to S215c (medal counting operation and medal counting stop operation) are equivalent to the processing operations of the ball counter 30 in FIG. The code is changed from “b” to “d”.

  Accordingly, in FIG. 17, the processing operation of steps S210d to S215d will be mainly described, and other detailed operations will be omitted.

  During the operation of the counting operation in the system based on the second method, the medal counter 70 reads the person-in-charge code and the store code read by the IC tag reading / writing unit 708 from the IC tag 33 close to the person in charge. Are transmitted to the T / C 10 (step S208d), and then the count permission condition suitability determination result transmitted from the T / C 10 is received (step S209d), the count control unit 7151 is based on the received determination result. Whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate is determined (step S210d).

  Here, based on the received determination result (inappropriate), when it is determined that the count permission condition is inappropriate (step S210dNO), the count control unit 7151 proceeds to step S220d and causes the buzzer 711 to ring. Perform error notification processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the counting permission condition is appropriate based on the received determination result (appropriateness) (YES in step S210d), the counting control unit 7151 controls to rotate the counting disk 703. (Step S211d), the medal counting operation is started.

  After the counting disk 703 is rotationally driven, the counting control unit 7151 is inserted from a medal insertion unit (not shown), and is output from the counting sensor 705 every time one medal paid out by the rotational driving of the counting disk 703 passes. The medal is counted based on the output pulse while detecting that the medal is detected and recognizing that a medal is inserted (YES in step S212d) (step S213d).

  Then, when the end of counting is recognized by a certain period of time during which the output pulse cannot be obtained (YES in step S214d), the counting control unit 7151 instructs the driving motor 704 to stop the rotational driving of the counting disk 703. (Step S215d), and then a receipt issuance instruction is sent to the receipt issuing machine 35 (step S216d), after which the remaining medal is returned to return to the standby state.

  In this way, in the operation based on the second method of the fourth embodiment, the medal counter 70 reads the person-in-charge code and the store code from the IC tag 33 that is in close proximity by the IC tag reading / writing unit 708. The determination is made only when it is determined that the person-in-charge code and the store code sent to the T / C 10 and received from each ball counter 30 at the T / C 10 and all other count permission conditions are appropriate. In each medal counter 70 that has received the result (appropriate), count control is performed until receipt is issued.

  As described above, the medal counter 70 according to the fourth embodiment also reads from the IC tag 33 in the same manner as the ball counter 30 according to the first and second embodiments or the ball counter 36 with the issuing function according to the third embodiment. If the store code and the person-in-charge code are inappropriate, the prohibition state setting means (counting disk 703) is kept in the prohibited state (the counting disk 703 is driven to rotate) without being able to count medals. Such control makes it possible to prevent illegal counting (medal counting) using the IC tag 33 of the person in charge outside the assigned area or outside the working hours.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, the ball counter 30 according to the first and second embodiments and the ball counter 36 with the issuing function according to the third embodiment use a shutter mechanism as a mechanism for controlling permission / prohibition of ball counting. As a seed mechanism, for example, a mechanism that covers the upper portion of the ball throwing portion and prevents the throwing of the ball, or a mechanism that blocks the ball passage to the ball counting portion may be adopted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the wristband type is used as the IC tag 33 that is a tag for identifying the person in charge of counting. However, a card-type IC tag can also be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a game medium counting system including a game medium counting device in which a counting person is called by a customer to start a counting operation, and the person in charge read from a counting person identification tag including a non-contact type IC tag. If the person identification information is not registered corresponding to the game medium counting device, the control of prohibiting the counting operation using the identification tag in the game medium counting device is performed outside the working hours or outside the area in charge. Unauthorized counting using the identification tag of the person in charge of counting can be prevented.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game shop system according to the present invention. The figure which shows the function structure of T / C. The conceptual diagram which shows the ball circulation process in an island. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the ball counter concerning this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the cross-sectional structure of the ball counter concerning this invention. The figure which shows specific embodiment of an IC tag. The figure which shows the control sequence between T / C and the ball counter concerning Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a counting person DB according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the memory | storage information of a ball counter and the IC tag which each person in charge carries. 3 is a flowchart showing a counting control operation of the ball counter according to the first embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing another condition suitability determination processing operation in S216a in FIG. The figure which shows the control sequence between T / C and ball counter concerning Example 2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a counting control operation of the ball counter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a ball counter with issuing function according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a medal counting machine according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a counting control operation based on a first method of the medal counting machine according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a counting control operation based on a second method of the medal counting machine according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Management apparatus (T / C), 11 ... Control part (CPU), 111 ... Suitability determination processing part, 112 ... Time measuring part, 12 ... Storage device, 13 ... Memory, 131 ... Member management table, 133, 133c, 133d , 133e, 133f ... counter in charge database (DB), 14 ... input device, 15 ... display device, 16 ... communication interface (I / F) unit, 17 ... printer, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C ... island controller, 30 , 30A, 30B, 30C ... Ball counter, 36 ... Ball counter with issuing function, 300 ... Input unit, 301 ... Display unit, 302 ... Shutter, 303 ... Shutter drive motor, 304 ... Shutter open / close detection sensor, 305 ... Count Sensor: 306: Ball return unit, 307: Abnormality detection unit, 308: Shutter open / close switch, 309: IC tag reading / writing unit, 310: Time counting unit 311: Memory unit, 312 ... Buzzer, 313 ... Power supply unit, 314 ... Communication interface (I / F) unit, 315 ... Control unit, 3151, 3151a ... Count control unit, 361 ... Display / operation unit, 362 ... Issuance of count receipt Part, 363 ... card processing part, 321 ... ball insertion part, 322 ... ball inlet, 33 ... IC tag, 331 ... tag base part, 332 ... wristband, 333 ... IC chip, 35, 35A, 35B, 35C ... Receipt issuing machine, 45, 45A, 45B, 45C ... ball lending processor, 51 ... ball collection mechanism, 52 ... lifting / polishing mechanism, 53 ... supply mechanism, 511a ... ball collection passage, 511b ... counter side ball collection passage DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 512 ... Storage tank, 513 ... Storage amount detection sensor, 514 ... Clogging detection sensor, 521 ... Lifting part, 522 ... Polishing part, 531 ... Supply path, 70 ... Medal counter 701: Display / operation unit, 702: Medal detection unit, 703 ... Counting disk, 704 ... Drive motor, 705 ... Count sensor, 706 ... Medal return unit, 707 ... Abnormality detection unit, 708 ... IC tag reading / writing unit 709 ... Time measuring unit, 710 ... Memory unit, 711 ... Buzzer, 712 ... Power supply unit, 713 ... Communication interface (I / F) unit, 715 ... Control unit, 7151 ... Counting control unit, 80 ... Local area network ( LAN)

Claims (6)

In a game medium counting system comprising a game medium counting device for counting game media and a management device communicably connected to the game medium counting device,
The management device
A counting person database in which person identification information of a person in charge who permits counting is registered for each gaming medium counting device;
A person-in-charge identification information transmitting means for transmitting the person-in-charge identification information registered in the person-in-charge person database to the specific game medium counting device;
Receiving means for receiving tag information transmitted from the game medium counting device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the count permission condition is appropriate by comparing the tag information received by the reception unit with the registration information in the counting person database;
A determination result transmitting means for transmitting the count permission condition determination result by the determination means to the game medium counting device;
Comprising
The game medium counting device comprises:
A prohibition state setting means for setting the counting operation of the game medium to a prohibition state;
Storage processing means for receiving the person-in-charge identification information transmitted by the person-in-charge identification information transmitting means from the management device and storing the information in the storage means;
In the maintenance mode, one person identification information selected from the person identification information stored in the storage means in response to the proximity of the identification person identification tag composed of a non-contact IC tag is used as tag information. In the non-maintenance mode, the counting person identification tag is received in the non-maintenance mode in the counting operation prohibition state set by the prohibition state setting means and receives the proximity of the counting person identification tag. An identification tag information processing means for reading information;
Transmitting means for transmitting tag information read from the identification tag by the identification tag information processing means to the management device;
Receiving means for receiving a count permission condition determination result transmitted from the management device by the determination result transmitting means in response to transmission of the tag information;
Wherein in response to the received by the receiving means counting permission condition determination result, game media counting system, characterized by comprising a control means for releasing or maintaining the inhibited state of the disabled state setting means. The game medium counting device comprises:
The storage means for storing store identification information for identifying an amusement store ;
Among the shops identification information and the shop identification information and the person identification information of the person identification information read from the identification tag stored as the tag information, the transmission for transmitting the person identification information to the management device Means,
A determination unit that determines whether or not the read store identification information is appropriate by comparing the store identification information read from the identification tag with store identification information stored in advance in the storage unit;
When the read store identification information and the count permission condition determination result received by the receiving unit are both appropriate, the prohibition state of the prohibition state setting unit is canceled and the store information or the count permission condition determination is determined. The control means for maintaining the prohibited state of the prohibited state setting means when at least one of the results is inappropriate, and
The management device
And the counting personnel database the counting charge allocation information associated device identification information and the person identification information of the game medium counter is registered,
Whether or not the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate by comparing the person-in-charge identification information received from the game medium counting device with the person-in-charge identification information registered corresponding to the game medium counting device in the counting person-in-charge database. If the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate, it is determined that the counting permission condition is appropriate. If the person-in-charge identification information is inappropriate, the counting permission condition is inappropriate. The game medium counting system according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines that the game medium is present. The game medium counting device comprises:
Have the transmission means for transmitting said store identification information, the shop identification information and the person identification information read the person identification information from the identification tag stored as the tag information to the management device,
The management device
Said shop identification information, and wherein the counting personnel database apparatus identification information and the count representative assignment information that associates the person identification information of the game medium counter is registered,
The store identification information and the person-in-charge identification information received from the gaming medium counting device are collated with the shop identification information in the counting person-in-charge database and the person-in-charge identification information corresponding to the device identification information of the game medium counting apparatus. It is determined whether or not the store identification information and the person-in-charge identification information are appropriate, and when the shop identification information and the person-in-charge identification information are both appropriate, the count permission condition is determined as appropriate, The determination means for determining that the counting permission condition is inappropriate when at least one of the store identification information and the person-in-charge identification information is inappropriate. The game medium counting system described. The management device
A time measuring means having a calendar function;
The counting staff database in which information on usable time zones and usable dates is further registered corresponding to the staff identification information;
When it is determined that the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate, the time and day of the week measured and specified by the time measuring means correspond to the person-use identification information determined to be appropriate and the usable time zone It is determined whether or not the date matches, and if both the usable time zone and the usable date match, it is determined that the counting permission condition is appropriate, and the usable time zone and the usable date are determined. The game medium counting system according to claim 2, further comprising: a determination unit that determines that the counting permission condition is inappropriate when at least one of the two does not match. The management device
Monitoring means for monitoring whether there is the same person identification information in the person identification information being received from a plurality of the game medium counting devices;
The counting person database further including simultaneous use prohibition instruction information for instructing prohibition of simultaneous use of the game medium counting device based on the same person identification information;
When it is determined that the person-in-charge identification information is appropriate, the monitoring result of the monitoring unit is further referred to. When the monitoring unit determines that the same person-in-charge identification information exists, the count permission condition is not satisfied. And determining means for determining that the counting permission condition is appropriate when the monitoring means determines that the same person identification information does not exist. The game medium counting system according to claim 2 or 3. The game medium counting device comprises:
The game medium counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an informing means for informing the alarm when it is determined that the counting permission condition is inappropriate.

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