JP4711737B2 - Game media rental system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming medium lending system that lends gaming media to gaming machines by accepting money, and in particular, when unlocking a lock of a money handling unit that stores inserted money. It is related with the game media rental system which can perform the unlocking of the money processing part used as unlocking object reliably by managing this determination with a management apparatus.

  Currently, when playing a game in a game shop where a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine is installed, a magnetic card (recording medium) such as a prepaid card is once purchased from a card issuing machine and associated with this prepaid card. A game media lending system (card system) that borrows game media such as pachinko balls and medals in accordance with the value of value is generally adopted.

  In this conventional game medium lending system, a card processing unit for inserting a prepaid card is juxtaposed at a position adjacent to the gaming machine, and the card processing unit and the card issuing machine are connected to a management device such as a terminal controller (TC). ing. A system for managing the total sales amount of the amusement store by collecting card sales information by the card issuing machine and card usage information by the card processing unit has been constructed.

  Conventionally, in addition to the game medium lending system using a card medium such as the above-mentioned prepaid card, a game medium lending system for lending a game medium to a gaming machine by inserting a bill is also known. Here, the lending processing machine that lends the game media by inserting the banknotes is equipped with a money processing unit that stores the banknotes inserted by the player. When the store is closed, etc., the banknote is collected by being unlocked and taken out from the lending processor body. However, in the past, since the money processing unit was locked with a key, it was necessary to unlock the key of each lending processing machine when collecting the banknotes, so it took time (hours) to collect the banknotes. There was a problem in terms of efficiency.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, as a conventional technique, an unlocking signal is transmitted to the lending processing machine to be unlocked by an operation (input) by the input device (keyboard) of the management device, and the banknote Or the technique which performs the unlocking operation which makes the money processing part which accommodates the card | curd protrude, and collect | recovers banknotes is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2003-190611 A

  However, in the case of the unlocking method of the money processing unit in the conventional lending machine described above, there are the following problems. That is, according to the technique described in the above-described conventional publication, it is necessary to designate (input) the unit number of the money processing unit to be unlocked by the operation (setting) by the input device (keyboard) of the management device each time. There is. For this reason, since the administrator who operates a management apparatus needs to grasp | ascertain the serial number of the rental processing machine used as unlocking object beforehand, there exists a problem in terms of management.

  Also, in actual operation, the staff of the gaming hall informs the administrator of the machine number of the loan processing machine to be unlocked by income etc., based on the notified machine number of the loan processing machine, Judgment of unlocking is performed. For this reason, even if a clerk in the game hall accidentally informs the administrator of the machine number of the lending machine that is not subject to unlocking, the administrator will not be aware of this error, which may cause incorrect unlocking. There is a problem that it takes time because it is necessary to inform the administrator again of the machine number of the lending processor that is desired to be unlocked.

  Furthermore, when a money processing unit that is not subject to unlocking is unlocked due to erroneous unlocking, there is a problem in terms of security because the money processing unit may be stolen by a malicious third party.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and manages the lending processor to be unlocked based on the unlock permission request notification transmitted from the lending processor. An object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending system that can easily and reliably perform the unlocking operation of the banknote processing unit by specifying the device and accurately determining the unlocking permission by the management device.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention lends one gaming machine to each gaming machine, and lends gaming media to the gaming machine by accepting money. In a game medium lending system comprising a game medium lending processor and a management device for managing payment information for the game medium lending processor, the game medium lending processor stores the money inside, and the money A money processing unit that can be shifted to a position where it can be taken out and a position where it cannot be taken, a lock mechanism unit that locks the money processing unit at the position where money cannot be taken out, and a request to unlock the lock mechanism unit from outside An unlock request receiving unit, an unlock control means for controlling locking / unlocking by the lock mechanism unit according to an unlock permission / non-permission signal from the management device, and the management device Includes a communication I / F unit for receiving the transmission or unlock permission / non-permission signal to unlock request signal, and a money storage state detection means for detecting the money in the accommodated state within the money handling unit, the management When transmitting the unlock request signal to the device, the money storage state in the money processing unit is also transmitted, and the management device receives the unlock request signal from the game medium lending processor or the A communication I / F unit for transmitting an unlocking permission / non-permission signal, a display unit for displaying from which game medium lending processor the unlock request signal from the game medium lending processor is received, An unlocking permission / non-permission input operation unit that inputs whether or not to unlock the locking mechanism of the money handling unit of the game medium lending processor that has transmitted the lock request signal, and the display unit The money storage status of the money handling department And wherein the Shimesuru.

Further, in the present invention according to the above-described invention, the management device automatically makes a determination when receiving the unlock request signal in accordance with a preset unlock permission condition or an unlock permission condition, and the result is obtained. It transmits to the said game media rental processing machine, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the game medium lending processor automatically unlocks the lock mechanism section when receiving the unlock permission signal from the management device.

Further, the present invention is the above invention , wherein when the gaming medium lending processor receives the unlocking permission signal from the management device, the gaming medium lending processor waits for an unlocking operation instruction, and in the unlocking operation instruction waiting state again, When the unlock request is received, the lock mechanism is unlocked.

In the present invention, the unlock request to the unlock request receiving unit is made by a wireless remote control device that transmits a predetermined signal to the game medium lending processor. And

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the gaming medium lending processor has a display means for distinguishing and displaying whether the signal transmitted from the management device is unlocking permission or unlocking permission. .

Further, according to the present invention, the gaming medium lending processing machine stores money in the money processing part that can be transferred to a position where money can be taken out and a position where money cannot be taken out, and a money processing part, a position where money cannot be taken out. A lock mechanism unit that is locked by the lock mechanism unit, an unlocking request receiving unit that receives an unlocking request for the locking mechanism unit from the outside, and an unlocking permission / non-permission signal from the management device. The unlocking control means for controlling, the communication I / F unit for transmitting the unlocking request signal or receiving the unlocking permission / denial signal to the management device, and the storage state of the money in the money processing unit And a money storage state detection means for detecting , when transmitting the unlock request signal to the management device, the money storage state in the money processing unit is also transmitted together. Reception of lock request signal or permission / disabling of unlocking A communication I / F unit that transmits an enabling signal, a display unit that displays from which gaming medium lending processor the unlocking request signal from the gaming medium lending processor, and the game that has transmitted the unlocking request signal Since it has an unlocking permission / non-permission input operation part for inputting whether or not to unlock the lock mechanism of the money handling part of the medium lending processor , the display unit also displays the money storage state of the money handling part , Since only the money handling unit instructed by the management device is unlocked, it is possible to accurately unlock only the money handling unit that is to be unlocked, and the lock operation can be simplified, so when closing the store In this way, the banknotes can be collected efficiently. Furthermore, since it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous unlocking of a money processing unit that is not subject to unlocking, it is possible to expect an improvement in security. In particular, it is possible to reliably identify the lending processor to be unlocked based on the specific information of the lending processor notified from the unlock request operation means, so all the machine numbers of the lending processors installed in the hall are all There is no need to grasp, and there is an effect that the determination of unlocking can be performed accurately and reliably.

  According to the present invention, when the game medium lending processor receives the unlock permission signal from the management device, it automatically unlocks the lock mechanism, so that the lending processor transmitted from the unlock request operating means. Based on the specific information, it is possible to reliably identify the lending processing machine to be unlocked, so there is no need to know the identification ID (unit number) of the lending processing machine installed in the hall, and the determination of unlocking The effect is that it can be performed accurately and reliably. In addition, there is an effect that the unlocking determination can be performed accurately and reliably in accordance with the unlock permission request notification transmitted from the lending processor.

  In addition, since the state of the money handling unit can be accurately acquired, the effect of being able to accurately and reliably determine the unlocking is achieved.

  In addition, there is an effect that a gaming medium lending system capable of efficiently collecting banknotes can be obtained while ensuring the security of the banknotes stored in the banknote processing unit. According to the storage state of the banknotes in the money handling unit, it is possible to give an instruction for accurate unlocking, and it is possible to perform the unlocking determination accurately and reliably.

  Further, according to the present invention, the game medium lending processor has a money storage state detecting means for detecting a storage state of money in the money processing unit, and when the unlock request signal is transmitted to the management device, The money storage state in the department is also transmitted, and the management device also displays the money storage state of the money processing part on the display unit. Therefore, the display unit (monitor) displayed on the management device displays the object to be unlocked. The identification ID (unit number) of the lending processing machine can be confirmed with certainty, so it is not necessary to grasp all the lending processing machine numbers installed in the hall, and the unlocking judgment can be made accurately and reliably. There is an effect. Moreover, according to the storage state of the banknote in the money processing part displayed on the display means, an accurate unlocking instruction can be issued, and the unlocking determination can be performed accurately and reliably.

  Further, according to the present invention, the unlock request to the unlock request receiving unit is made by a wireless remote control device that transmits a predetermined signal to the game medium lending processor. There is an effect that it is possible to easily and reliably unlock the lending processing machine including the money processing unit to be unlocked.

  Further, according to the present invention, the lending processor has a display means for distinguishing whether the signal transmitted from the management device is unlocked or unlocked, so that the management is performed according to the display type of the display lamp. There is an effect that it is possible to easily and surely visually determine whether the unlocking permission determination notification transmitted from the apparatus is an unlocking permission notification or an unlocking permission notification.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium lending system according to the present invention applied to a pachinko game will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the main terms used in the present embodiment will be described first, and then the outline and features of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment will be described. Subsequently, the configuration of the game medium lending system will be described. Next, the unlocking process procedure for the money processing unit (BV unit unit) in this game medium lending system will be described.

  Here, main terms used in this embodiment will be briefly described. The “manager” used in the present embodiment refers to “unlocking permission notification” or “unlocking permission notification” for the BV unit unit 50 (described as a money processing unit in the claims) by the management server 200 (management device). ”Indicates the owner or manager (store manager) of the amusement store having the authority to notify“ ”.

  The “clerk” means “unlock permission request notification” by the ball lending processor 20 that desires to unlock the management server 200 and the management server 200 by a remote operation device such as the remote controller 90 (FIG. 8). Refers to a hall staff member such as an executive clerk of an amusement store having the authority to transmit a “unlocking instruction signal” to the ball lending processing machine 20 when the “unlocking permission notification” is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the BV unit 50 is unlocked by transmitting an “unlock request signal” to the ball lending processor 20. In addition, the above-mentioned “administrator” can concurrently serve as the “person in charge”.

(Outline and features of game media lending system)
First, the outline and features of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 200.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this gaming medium rental system, a plurality of gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machines”) are provided for each group called “island” in the gaming store, In each of these pachinko machines 10, game medium rental processing machines (hereinafter referred to as “ball rental processing machines”) are installed so as to be sandwiched between the pachinko machines 10 so as to be paired one by one. Further, as shown in the figure, the plurality of ball lending processing machines 20 installed on the island are connected to one island controller 300, and the plurality of island controllers 300 are connected to one relay machine 350. Yes.

  Thereby, the payment information by the banknote (cash) inserted into each ball lending processing machine 20 by the player is transmitted as sales information to the management server 200 connected via the island controller 300 and the repeater 350, The management server 200 is configured to individually manage the sales information (amount) of each ball lending processor 20.

  The management server 200 is a device that functions as a terminal controller (T / C), and is actually connected to a card company (not shown) that is a third-party organization. The sales information of each ball lending processor 20 is transmitted to the card company and managed by the central management computer of the card company.

  The management server 200 also has a function of managing the entire game medium lending system, such as card management, system management, aggregation of various data, and sales management. In the present invention, in particular, the unlocking permission / unlocking permission is determined according to the “unlocking permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 90 by the staff, and the ball The lending processor 20 is provided with a function of transmitting either an unlock permission notice or an unlock disapproval notice.

  The ball lending processing machine 20 generally accepts a card medium (for example, cash of 1000 yen bills) or a prepaid card inserted by a player and transfers the game medium (pachinko ball) to the pachinko machine 10. It has a function to throw out. Details of the ball lending processor 20 will be described later.

  One repeater 350 (HUB) is connected to each of the plurality of island controllers 300 (usually one in an amusement store), and functions as a concentrator that bundles network cables in each “island”. I have. In this embodiment, each repeater 350 is configured by serial connection (daisy chain).

  Here, in the present invention, the ball lending processor 20 requests the management server 200 to permit the unlocking of the BV unit unit 50 locked by the BV lock mechanism unit 54 (FIG. 5) (“unlocking”). Permission request notification ") is transmitted, and the management server 200 determines the unlocking permission / unlocking permission according to the" unlocking permission request notification "transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, and determines the unlocking permission notification. / Unlocking disapproval notice is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20, while the ball lending processor 20 receives the unlocking permission notification from the management server 200 and is unlocked by the remote controller 90 owned by the attendant. The main feature of the unlocking control process is that the BV unit 50 is unlocked when an instruction to unlock is sent (“unlocking instruction notification”).

  The main features of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. In such a game medium lending system, the ball lending processor 20 unlocks the BV unit 50 by a person in the game hall. The operation of the “individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8)” provided on the remote controller 90 toward the ball lending processor 20 that desires to unlock the unit 50 is “unlocked” to the management server 200. Send permission request notification.

  On the other hand, when receiving the “unlock permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, the management server 200 receives the unlock permission notification / unlocking based on the identification ID transmitted from the ball lending processor 20. Any of the permission notices is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20.

  Then, the clerk performs the actual unlocking by transmitting the “unlocking instruction notification” by the remote controller 90 to the ball lending processing machine 20 to which the “unlocking permission notification” has been transmitted from the management server 200. Yes. That is, the manager who operates the unlocking of the BV unit 50 by the management server 200 does not need to manage the unit number of the ball lending processor 20 including the BV unit 50 to be unlocked. be able to.

  Further, the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment additionally has the following features in relation to the main features described above. In other words, in this embodiment, when the staff member sends a notification to the management server 200 to request permission to unlock the ball lending processor 20 (unlock permission request notification), the “unlock permission request notification” is sent. In addition to the identification ID that identifies the ball lending processor 20 to be unlocked, the storage state of the banknotes in the BV unit 50 is also transmitted. This bill storage state is “normal” indicating unlocking by collection time, “state that banknotes are full”, “banknote jam”, and “abnormal unlocking notification with no element to be unlocked” indicating abnormal state. Show.

  More specifically, the “unlocking permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 to the management server 200 includes an identification ID that identifies the ball lending processor 20 and the banknotes stored in the BV unit 50. The information is also transmitted at the same time, including the storage state (specific information such as a normal or abnormal state in which the number of stored sheets is full, banknote jam).

  On the other hand, upon receiving the “unlock permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, the management server 200 permits unlocking according to the identification ID transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 and the storage state of the banknotes. Either notification / unlocking permission notification is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20.

  As described above, according to the game medium lending system of the present invention, the administrator of the management server 200 grasps the state of the BV unit unit 50 of the ball lending processing machine 20 to thereby notify the unlocking permission to the BV unit unit 50. Alternatively, it is possible to select an unlocking disapproval notice and give an accurate unlocking instruction. That is, this makes it possible to efficiently collect the banknotes while ensuring the security of the banknotes stored in the BV unit 50 at a higher level.

  Further, even when an “unlock permission notification” is transmitted from the administrator (management server 200) to the BV unit unit 50, the BV unit unit 50 of the ball lending processing machine 20 is in a locked state (locked). The actual unlocking can be executed by “unlocking instruction notification” by operating the remote controller 90 by the staff. That is, as a result, the security of the banknotes stored in the BV unit 50 can be ensured and the banknote collection operation can be performed efficiently.

  Moreover, even if the administrator does not grasp (manage) the unit number of the ball lending processing machine 20 including the BV unit unit 50 to be unlocked, the administrator can specify the specific information of the ball lending machine 20 to be unlocked. , Can be obtained from the ball lending processor 20. That is, the specific information (unit number) of the ball lending processing machine 20 to which the BV unit unit 50 to be unlocked is attached is not a conventional notification by an attendant or the like, but in the memory 55 of the ball lending processing machine 20 Since the machine number (identification ID) stored in (FIG. 5) is transmitted, the specific information of the ball lending processing machine 20 to be unlocked can be accurately acquired.

  In the present embodiment, the state of the BV unit 50 of the ball lending processor 20 is automatically determined from the banknote storage state of the BV unit 50, and the unlock permission notification / unlocking is automatically performed based on this determination. A lock disapproval notice is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20. In other words, this allows the BV unit 50 to be unlocked to be unlocked reliably without requiring a complicated input operation by the management server 200 even when the manager is absent.

(Details of configuration and function of management server 200)
Next, the configuration and functions of the management server 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The management server 200 generally controls each device constituting the gaming medium lending system, and has a function of acquiring deposit information by banknotes inserted into each ball lending processor 20 as individual sales information. I have. Specifically, based on the identification ID of each ball lending processor 20, a function is provided for collecting and managing, as sales information, payment information by banknotes inserted for each ball lending processor 20.

  Furthermore, as a function closely related to the present invention, when the “unlock permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 is received based on the unlock instruction notification from the remote controller 90 (remote control device), this “ Based on the identification ID and the bill storage state information transmitted together with the “unlock permission request notification”, the unlock permission / unlock permission determination section 295 determines whether or not to unlock the BV unit section 50. The determination result is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20 as an unlock permission notice or an unlock disapproval notice.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the management server 200 displays a management server database 210, a communication I / F unit 220 for communicating with the ball lending processor 20, a menu screen and sales information. Display unit 230 (monitor), display control unit 235, input unit 260 that receives various instruction inputs, output unit 270, control unit 290 for overall control of the management server 200, and unlocking permission / unlocking permission A determination unit 295.

  The management server database 210 is a database that stores the payment information associated with the identification ID of the ball lending processor 20 as specific information for each ball lending processor 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the management server database 210 has a game store code (A001) for individually identifying each game store, a transaction date indicating the date of transaction (when a banknote is inserted by a player), and a ball lending process. Six fields are provided: a main body identification ID (xxx1) for identifying the machine main body, a machine number of the game machine (pachinko machine 10), a sales amount, and a transaction identification ID set at the time of transaction.

  The sales amount of each field of the management server database 210 is checked based on the sales information associated with the identification ID notified from the ball lending processor 20 and the sales updated by the update process. Information (amount) is transmitted to the card company by real-time communication, and is centrally managed by the central management computer of this card company.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the communication I / F unit 220 indicates that the unlocking of the BV unit unit 50 locked by the BV lock mechanism unit 54 (FIG. 5) (unlocking permission signal) of the ball lending processor 20. A function of notifying the ball lending processor 20 via the communication I / F 28 (FIG. 5) and a function of receiving sales information from the ball lending processor 20 by communication are provided.

  The display unit 230 has a menu setting screen 240 (FIG. 10) for setting information, operation guidance, and various management items in the management server database 210 (FIG. 9) for the “manager” who operates the management server 200. It is an output means for outputting, as a display screen, an unlocking instruction setting screen 250 (FIG. 11) for performing unlocking instruction setting in response to an unlocking permission request notification transmitted from the ball lending processor 20.

  In addition, when receiving the “unlock permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, the storage state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage unit 51 of the BV unit unit 50 is mainly displayed on the display unit 230. It has a display function. The display unit 230 includes a monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The display unit 230 (monitor) may also realize a function of the input unit 260 described later as a touch panel. The display control unit 235 has a display control function for controlling display by the display unit 230.

  The input unit 260 is an operation input means (input device) such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a trackball for inputting various types of information. The input unit 260 is mainly from a person (administrator) engaged in management such as an amusement shop manager. It is used as a means for performing operation by operation. In particular, in the present embodiment, the storage state of the banknotes stored in the BV unit 50 is confirmed with respect to the ball lending processing machine 20 to be unlocked, and the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 (FIG. 11) is used for unlocking. This is used when setting the lock permission notification / unlocking permission notification, or when specifying the unlock instruction setting screen 250 with the mouse and printing it by the output unit 270 described later. In addition, it has a function of setting an unlocking permission notification / unlocking permission notification on the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 displayed on the display unit 230.

  The output unit 270 is a printing unit such as a printer. In this example, the output unit 270 has a function of printing (printing) the contents of the unlock instruction setting screen 250 displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor).

  The control unit 290 is a processing unit that has a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing necessary data, and executes various processes using these. In particular, as closely related to the present invention, an unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination unit 295 is provided in terms of functional concept.

  When the unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination unit 295 receives the “unlocking permission request notification” transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, the request is transmitted based on the state of the BV unit unit 50 and the like. The ball lending processor 20 has a function of determining a notification that unlocking is permitted (unlocking permission notification) or a notification that unlocking is not permitted (unlocking permission notification). .

  Further, the unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination unit 295 has a function of automatically determining an unlocking permission notification / unlocking permission notification regardless of an administrator's judgment (automatic unlocking permission notification). / Automatic unlocking disapproval notification processing). Specifically, based on the banknote storage state determined by the banknote storage state determination unit 53 (FIG. 5), it is possible to automatically determine the unlocking permission / unlocking permission notification. In this case, for example, even if the manager is absent, or exactly, for example, the manager is absent, the unlocking permission / unlocking permission notification is accurately sent to the ball lending processor 20. Can be directed.

(Configuration of ball lending processor 20 and pachinko machine 10)
Hereinafter, the details of the configurations of the ball lending processor 20 and the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is an external front view of the ball lending processor 20 and the pachinko machine 10 applied in the game medium lending system shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ball lending processor 20. Show. FIG. 6 is a side view of the ball lending processor 20 for explaining the unlocking operation of the BV unit 50 by the remote controller. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the BV unit 50 protrudes by unlocking.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball lending processor 20 is configured to be vertically long in appearance, and is directed to the front of the ball lending processor main body 21 and the main body 21 (right side in FIG. 6). And a BV unit portion 50 formed so as to protrude slightly. Further, as will be described later, the BV unit portion 50 is configured to be automatically removable from the main body portion 21 by “unlocking instruction operation” by the remote controller 90 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the front panel of the main body 21 of the ball lending processor 20 has a display lamp unit 22, a display unit 23, a remote control light receiving unit 24, a price display unit 25, And a card insertion / return slot 26.

  When the unlocking permission signal or the unlocking disapproval signal is transmitted from the management server 200, the display lamp unit 22 selects the unlocking permission signal or the unlocking disapproval signal with a lamp for each color. (For example, a green lamp is displayed when an unlocking permission notification is transmitted), and a red lamp is displayed when an unlocking disapproval notification is transmitted). Thereby, since the ball lending processor 20 that can be unlocked can be easily confirmed visually by the color of the display lamp displayed on the display lamp unit 22, it is possible to efficiently store bills. it can.

  The amount display unit 25 displays an amount corresponding to the amount setting. The display content of the money amount display unit 25 is actually performed in units of frequency.

  The remote control light receiving unit 24 has a function of receiving an error reset signal and an unlocking instruction signal for resetting an error state of the ball lending processor 20 based on a transmission signal transmitted from the remote controller 90.

  As will be described later, when the ball lending processor 20 receives the “unlock permission notification signal” from the management server 200 and then receives the “unlock instruction signal” again by the remote controller 90, the BV unit The lock (locking) of the part 50 is unlocked. The power supply unit 33 is a power supply unit for supplying a voltage from the AC power supply (100 V) to the ball lending processor 20.

  The card insertion / return opening 26 is an opening through which a card (prepaid card) is received and the prepaid card taken in is subjected to desired processing in the card processing unit 27 and then returned to the card.

  The control unit 29 shown in FIG. 5 has a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing necessary data, and executes various processes using these. The processing unit is provided with a ball lending control unit 70 having a ball throwing function for the pachinko machine 10. The communication I / F 28 has a function of transmitting and receiving data by communicating with the management server 200 via the island controller 300 and the repeater 350.

(Details of internal configuration and functions of BV unit 50)
As shown in FIG. 5, the BV unit unit 50 includes a bill insertion / return port 15, a bill storage unit 51, a bill recognition unit 52, and a BV unit control unit 56 having an unlock notification determination unit 57. . The bill insertion / return port 15 is an opening for accepting bills (for example, 1000 yen bills) and taking the bills into the bill storage unit 51. The banknote storage unit 51 has a function of aligning and storing banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion / return opening 15 by a player (see FIG. 6).

  In addition, in a present Example, since the banknote accommodated in the banknote storage part 51 can be collect | recovered directly by a "clerk", the banknote conveyance path | route which conveys a banknote to an island edge, and the banknote which collects a banknote in an island edge A collection box is not required.

  The banknote recognition unit 52 has a banknote processing function for storing money amount information (determination) and money amount information for banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion / return port 15 by a player. For banknotes that are accepted and identified and are determined to be normal, the identification result and money amount information are notified to the BV unit controller 56.

  The BV unit control unit 56 has a function of storing sales information in the memory 55 in association with the identification ID of the ball lending processor 20. On the other hand, the inserted banknote cannot be identified and returned through the banknote insertion / return port 15. The memory 55 functions as a storage unit, and in the present embodiment, an identification ID (machine number) that identifies the ball lending processor 20 is stored / stored.

  That is, the memory 55 stores / stores a machine number (machine number) that is an identification ID of the ball lending processor 20, and the machine number stored in the memory 55 is stored when the unlocking instruction notification is transmitted by the remote controller 90. The information is transmitted to the management server 200 together with the notification of the unlock permission request signal.

  In addition, when the BV unit control unit 56 is notified by the management server 200 that the unlocking is permitted and then notified by the remote controller 90 that the unlocking is instructed, the BV unit control unit 56 unlocks the BV unit unit 50. It has a function as a processing unit to control the above.

  Specifically, the “administrator” notifies the management server 200 that the unlocking is permitted (unlocking permission signal), and the “lock mechanism control status” shifts from the “normal state” to the “unlocking permitted state”. After that, when notified that the unlocking is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 90 possessed by the attendant (transmission of the unlocking instruction signal), the lock (locking) by the BV lock mechanism unit 54 is controlled, and the BV unit The part 50 can be unlocked.

  The banknote storage state determination unit 53 has a function of determining the storage state of the banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion / return port 15 by the player and stored in the banknote storage unit 51. The banknote storage state determined by the banknote storage state determination unit 53 is transmitted to the management server 200 together with the transmission of the “unlock permission request notification”.

  The BV lock mechanism unit 54 manages that the BV unit unit 50 is permitted to be unlocked (unlock permission notification) by the “manager” who manages the mechanism that locks the BV unit unit 50 and the management server 200. The server 200 has a function of unlocking when it is notified that the unlocking instruction (unlocking instruction notification) is transmitted by the operation of the remote controller 90 possessed by the “clerk”. The unlocking (locking) by the BV lock mechanism 54 is performed by the unlocking operation by the remote controller 90 possessed by the “person”.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the outline about the unlocking mechanism with respect to the BV unit part 50 in a present Example is demonstrated. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the BV unit unit 50 that is permitted to be unlocked by the management server 200, the “person” is directed toward the remote control receiving unit 24 of the ball lending processor 20. When the individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8) is turned ON, the BV unit 50 protrudes forward (in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the ball lending processor 20 and the bill storage part 51 opens (FIG. 8). Not shown). Thereby, the banknote accommodated in the banknote storage part 51 is recoverable.

  On the other hand, the BV unit portion 50 is mounted (locked) by pushing the BV unit portion 50 in a state of protruding forward toward the main body portion 21 side (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7) by hand. 54 can be activated.

(Configuration and function of pachinko machine 10)
Next, the configuration and function of the pachinko machine 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the pachinko machine 10 is configured by a game area and an upper plate 10 a provided below, and a ball throwing mechanism 14 is provided therein.

  This ball throwing mechanism unit 14 is provided when a ball throwing request is given from the ball lending control unit 70 of the control unit 29 (FIG. 5) and when a prize throwing request is given by the pachinko machine 10. Each of them is a portion for throwing out a predetermined number of pachinko balls to the upper plate 10a of the pachinko machine 10.

  As shown in the figure, the upper part of the front surface of the pachinko machine 10 is a game area where a player plays a pachinko game. A ball throwing mechanism 14 is provided inside the pachinko machine 10. Various operation switches (frequency display portion 11, rental button 12, return button 13) for lending balls are provided.

  The frequency display unit 11 has a function of displaying the valuable value (remaining money) of the inserted bill or the remaining frequency of the prepaid card.

  The lending button 12 is a button that is pressed when receiving the lending of the ball, and in response to the lending button 12 being pressed, a pachinko ball is thrown from the ball lending processing machine 20 to the pachinko machine 10, and the management server The remaining frequency managed by 200 is subtracted.

  The return button 13 is a button for causing the player to return the prepaid card taken into the ball lending processing machine 20 when an ON operation is performed. That is, when the return button 13 is turned on, the pachinko ball lending process is interrupted.

  The ball throwing mechanism unit 14 is used both for lending pachinko balls and for paying out prizes when winning a prize in the pachinko machine 10. Specifically, therefore, the ball throwing mechanism unit 14 is controlled by the ball lending processor 20 directly or indirectly through the controller of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, the display content of the frequency display unit 11 and the like described above is similarly updated in accordance with an instruction from the ball lending processor 20, and the operation status of the lending button 12 and the like is changed from the pachinko machine 10 to the ball lending processor 20. Be notified.

(Remote control overview and functional configuration)
Next, an outline of a remote control (remote control device) applied in the game medium rental system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an external view showing a remote controller 90 possessed by a “clerk” of the game store.

  The remote controller 90 is a wireless remote control device, and a signal oscillating unit for transmitting signals such as “unlock instruction request signal” and “reset signal” is provided at the tip of the remote controller 90. In the present invention, in particular, an infrared signal is transmitted to the remote control light receiving unit 24 (FIG. 5) of the ball lending processor 20, and the lock locked by the BV lock mechanism unit 54 (FIG. 5) is unlocked. It has a function.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, on the front panel portion constituting the remote controller 90, when an error occurs, a “reset key 92” for performing reset processing, a “setting key 93” for setting operation, and canceling the operation are performed. “Cancel key 94”, “Individual unlock button 95” for setting “Unlock instruction notification”, “Feed key 96”, “Return key 97” and other setting input sections 91 and “10 key ( 0-9) "or the like is provided.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, by pressing (ON) the “individual unlocking button 95” for setting the unlocking permission notification toward the ball lending processing machine 20, the ball lending processing machine desired by the attendant. The 20 BV unit parts 50 can be unlocked. For example, if the identification ID of the ball lending processor 20 is “125”, when the attendant presses (turns on) the individual unlock button 95 by operating the remote controller 90 toward the ball lending processor 20, “ “Unlock permission request notification” is transmitted to the management server 200. Hereinafter, when the unlocking permission notification is transmitted based on the unlocking permission notification / unlocking permission notification by the management server 200, the unlocking of the BV unit unit 50 is again performed by the unlocking instruction notification by the remote controller 90. Will be executed.

(Configuration of menu setting screen 240)
Next, the details of the menu setting screen 240 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 shows an example of the menu setting screen 240 displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor) when the management server 200 is powered on. As shown in the figure, a setting menu for selecting a plurality of management items is displayed on the display unit 230 as a menu setting screen 240. In this example, an arbitrary information management screen and registration setting screen can be displayed on the display unit 230 by selecting a desired management item from the menu setting screen 240.

  More specifically, for example, by designating (clicking) the icon of “1. unlocking instruction setting screen” displayed on the menu setting screen 240 with the mouse and then pressing the Enter key 241 (ON). , The display can be shifted to the unlock instruction setting screen 250 shown in FIG. Then, as will be described later, this unlocking instruction setting screen 250 can transmit an unlock permission notification / unlock permission notification to the ball lending processor 20 to be unlocked.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the menu setting screen 240 is displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor), and the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 is displayed by the setting (selection) on the menu setting screen 240. However, when an unlock request signal is transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, this unlock instruction setting screen 250 is automatically displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor). It may be.

(Details of unlocking instruction setting screen 250)
Next, details of the unlock instruction setting screen 250 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor) of the management server 200. That is, by displaying the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 on the display unit 230 (monitor), the ball lending processor 20 (BV unit unit 50) that actually performs the unlocking can be arbitrarily set.

  As shown in the figure, the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 includes a “date field 251”, a “time field 252” at the time of transmission of the unlocking permission request notification transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, and the collection of banknotes. Collection time display column 253 for whether it is time, “type column 254” indicating the type (pachinko / slot) of the gaming machine, “model column 255” indicating the name of the model, “machine number column 256” specifying the gaming machine , “Transmission content field 257” indicating the transmission content from the ball lending processor 20, “Status display field 258” indicating the banknote storage state of the BV unit 50, unlocking permission or unlocking permission is set. The “unlock permission / unlock permission setting field 259” and the “Enter key 260” for determining the setting on the unlock instruction setting screen 250 are configured.

  The “unlocking / unlocking permission setting field 259” includes a YES button and a NO button, and one of the YES button and the NO button can be selected. The unlocking permission / unlocking permission setting field 259 is provided for manually setting unlocking permission or unlocking permission.

  Here, the “status display field 258” has five types (items of “normal”, “abnormal”, “stacker full”, “jam”, “other”) of banknote storage status items (display lamps). When the unlock request notification is transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, one of these five types of bill storage states is lit.

  Among these, when “normal” is lit, it indicates that there is no abnormality in the BV unit 50. Further, the combination in which “abnormal” and “stacker full” are lit indicates that the banknotes in the banknote storage unit 51 are full, and the combination in which “abnormal” and “jam” are lit is in the banknote storage unit 51. Each indicates that a paper jam has occurred.

  Further, the combinations in which “abnormal” and “others” are lit indicate that some other abnormality other than “stacker full” and “jam” has occurred in the banknote storage unit 51. And in the example shown in this FIG. 11, it has shown that the accommodation state of the banknote of the BV unit part 50 of the ball | bend rental processing machine 20 (machine number, 125th) is full.

  In the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 configured as described above, the unlocking permission request notification is received from the ball lending processor 20, and the information of the ball lending processor 20 satisfies the unlocking permission conditions set in advance. If yes, the unlock / unlock permission setting field 259 may be set to send an unlock permission / non-permission notification with the “YES” icon, and if the unlock disapproval conditions are met, the “NO” icon may be set. it can.

  Specifically, of the “YES” icon and the “NO” icon, the “YES” icon is clicked with the mouse and the Enter key 260 is pressed (ON) to transmit the unlock permission notice to the ball lending processor 20. can do. On the other hand, when the “NO” icon is clicked with the mouse and the Enter key 260 is pressed (ON), an unlocking disapproval notice can be transmitted to the ball lending processor 20. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, since the stacker of the ball lending processor 20 (No. 125) is full, an unlock permission notice is automatically transmitted to the ball lending processor 20. The

  Here, the abnormal state of the BV unit 50 means that the banknote full state and the occurrence of a paper jam are abnormal states. At this time, the BV unit 50 of the ball lending processor 20 that has transmitted the unlocking permission request notification is unlocked. It is determined that the lock is permitted. On the other hand, the normal state of the BV unit portion 50 indicates a state where the banknote storage portion 51 of the BV unit portion 50 is full and a state where no paper jam occurs. In the determination of the unlocking disapproval notification, the unlocking permission / unlocking permission for the BV unit 50 is automatically determined by determining the time zone when the unlocking permission request signal is transmitted from the ball lending processor 20. I am doing so. If it demonstrates concretely, when a transmission time slot | zone is a collection | recovery time slot | zone of a banknote, it will become unlocking permission and an unlocking permission notification will be transmitted automatically.

  Here, as a condition for transmitting “unlocking permission request notification” to the BV unit 50 of the ball lending processing machine 20 by the remote controller 90 from a clerk in the amusement store, mainly (1) when performing banknote collection work ( For example, after the closing time of the amusement store), (2) when the bill storage unit 51 (stacker) is full (when full is predicted by a hall attendant), (3) bills jammed in the bill storage unit 51, etc. Such as when an abnormality occurs. For this reason, when a “unlock permission request notification” is transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 to the management device 200 when none of these conditions (1) to (3) is satisfied, it is malicious. It can be assumed that a “unlock permission request notification” is transmitted from a third party.

  For this reason, when the “unlock permission request notification” not corresponding to each of the above conditions (1) to (3) is transmitted, the administrator of the management apparatus 200 assumes that an abnormal state has occurred, and this abnormal state has occurred. This is communicated to the staff in the hall through an intercom. Thereby, the state of the corresponding ball lending processing machine 20 can be confirmed by a staff member informed of the occurrence of an abnormal state by the administrator of the management apparatus 200, which is effective in terms of security.

  In addition, as above-mentioned, in the present Example 1, based on the stand number transmitted from the ball lending processing machine 20 and the storage state of the banknote, unlocking permission / unlocking permission for the target ball lending processing machine 20 is performed. However, instead of automating, only an authorized person such as a store manager can determine whether to unlock / unlock by looking at the unlocking instruction setting screen 250. It is good also as the manual input work made like this.

(Basic control procedure for game media lending system)
Next, a basic control procedure in the game medium rental system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart showing a basic control procedure of the game medium lending system according to the present embodiment. That is, the game medium lending system of the present invention is roughly classified into (1) unlocking instruction request setting step (step SA100), (2) unlocking permission request transmitting step (step SA200), and (3) unlocking permission / unlocking. Non-permission determination step (step SA300), (4) Unlocking permission / unlocking permission notifying step (step SA400), (5) Unlocking permission / unlocking notifying notification step (step SA500) (6) Unlocking instruction It consists of six processing steps of the execution step (step SA600). First, each of the control steps (1) to (6) will be briefly described.

(1) Unlocking instruction request setting step (step SA100)
In the unlocking instruction request setting step, the clerk in the game hall instructs the ball lending processor 20 equipped with the BV unit unit 50 for unlocking by the remote controller 90 (unlocking). (Instruction notification) is transmitted.

(2) Unlock permission request transmission process (step SA200)
The unlocking permission request transmission step is a processing step of transmitting to the management server 200 an unlocking permission request signal related to the ball lending processor 20 to be unlocked and bill storage status information.

(3) Unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination step (step SA300)
In the unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination step, unlocking permission or unlocking permission is performed based on the identification ID (unit number) of the ball lending processor 20 to which the unlocking permission request signal is transmitted and the banknote storage state. This is a processing step for determination.

(4) Unlocking permission / unlocking permission notifying step (step SA400)
In the unlocking permission / unlocking permission notifying step, based on the unlocking permission determination in the unlocking permission / unlocking permission determining step, the ball lending processor 20 that requests the unlocking of the BV unit unit 50, This is a processing step of transmitting an unlocking permission notification or an unlocking permission notification.

(5) Unlocking permission / unlocking permission notifying step (step SA500)
The unlocking permission / unlocking permission notifying step is performed on the display lamp 22 (FIG. 4) of the ball lending processor 20 in accordance with the unlocking permission notification or the unlocking permission notification transmitted from the management server 200. This is a processing step of turning on the color display and notifying the staff of the notification state from the management server 200. Specifically, the clerk can confirm whether or not an unlock permission notice has been transmitted from the lighting of the display lamp 22.

(6) Unlocking instruction execution process (step SA600)
The unlocking instruction execution step is a processing step of unlocking the BV unit 50 by operating the remote controller 90 for the ball lending processor 20 to which the unlocking permission notification is transmitted from the management server 200. Actually, the remote control 90 is pointed at the ball lending processor 20, and the individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8) is pressed (ON) to unlock the BV unit 50 to be unlocked. can do.

(BV unit 50 automatic unlocking permission / non-permission processing procedure)
Next, the unlocking process procedure of the BV unit 50 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 shows an automatic unlocking permission / non-permission processing procedure by the BV unit section 50 executed between the ball lending processor 20 and the management server 200. Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 below, unlocking the BV unit unit 50 attached to the ball lending processing machine 20 whose machine number (identification ID) is “125” (collection of banknotes in the BV unit unit 50). A description will be given assuming that

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, the ball lending processor 20 is in a standby state (waiting for an unlocking instruction operation by a hall attendant) (step S100), and an unlocking instruction request (unlocking) by the remote controller 90. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8) of the remote controller 90 owned by the attendant has been pressed (ON) by determining whether or not the instruction notification has been received (step S110). If it is determined that the unlock button 95 has been pressed (ON) (Yes at Step S110), the machine number (identification ID) that identifies the ball lending processor 20 is acquired (Step S120).

  Next, the storage state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage unit 51 of the BV unit unit 50 is sequentially acquired (step S130). Here, the machine number (identification ID) is acquired in step S120 by reading the machine number stored in the memory 55 (FIG. 5). Moreover, acquisition of the storage state of a banknote by step S130 is performed by the banknote storage state determination part 53 (FIG. 5), and the determination result (normal state / abnormal state) determined by this banknote storage state determination part 53 is a banknote. Acquired as the storage state.

  As described above, the determination result indicating the storage state of the bill is one of five determination results (“normal”, “abnormal”, “stacker full”, “jam”, “other”). In this example, the following description will be given on the assumption that the machine number is “125” and the banknote storage state is normal.

  Hereinafter, the ball lending processor 20 sends “unlock permission request notification” to the management server 200, the machine number (identification ID) of the ball lending processor 20 acquired in step S120, and the banknote acquired in step S130. Is stored (step S140).

  On the other hand, when the management server 200 receives the unlocking permission request signal / machine number (identification ID) / banknote storage state information transmitted from the ball lending processing machine 20 (Yes in step S150), the management server 200 then Then, for the ball lending processing machine 20 (machine number: 125) for which the unlocking request has been made, the process proceeds to an automatic unlocking permission / automatic unlocking permission determination process for automatically determining unlocking (step S160). ). As described above, this automatic unlocking permission / automatic unlocking permission determination process is a determination process in which the management device 200 automatically permits or disallows unlocking.

  That is, first, it is detected whether there is an abnormality in the storage state of the banknote based on the storage state of the banknote transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 (step S170). If it is determined in step S170 that there is an abnormality, the abnormality determination factor is also detected. That is, as described above, the bills stored in the BV unit 50 can be detected and displayed when the bills are full (“stacker full”), the bills are jammed (“jam”), etc. (FIG. 11). ).

  If it is determined in step S170 that there is an abnormality, the management device 200 determines that unlocking is permitted, and an unlocking permission notification is automatically transmitted to the ball lending processor 20 (step S200).

  In addition, as described above, the normal state of the BV unit 50 indicates a full state of banknotes in the banknote storage unit 51 of the BV unit 50 and a state in which no banknotes are clogged. The automatic determination of the unlocking permission / unlocking permission notification is performed by determining the time when the unlocking permission request signal is transmitted from the ball lending processor 20, thereby allowing the BV unit 50 to be unlocked / unlocked. The automatic judgment is performed.

  That is, if it is determined by the determination in step S170 that there is no abnormality in the banknote storage state (No in step S170), then the transmission time zone from the banknote ball lending processor 20 is the banknote collection time zone. Is determined (step S180). If it is determined in step S180 that the time zone is a collection time zone (step S180 affirmative), unlocking is permitted, and the bill is full, as in the state where the bill is jammed. An unlock permission notice is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20 (No. 125) to be unlocked (step S200).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S180 that the time zone is not the collection time zone (No in step S180), unlocking is not permitted, and an unlocking disapproval notification is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20. (Step S190).

  On the other hand, the ball lending processor 20 waits for a response from the management server 200 after transmitting the unlocking permission request signal / identification ID / banknote storage state information to the management server 200 in step S140 (step S220). When the unlock permission notification / unlock permission notification transmitted from the management server 200 is received (Yes at step S230), the signal transmitted from the management server 200 is determined.

  Specifically, it is determined whether the “unlock determination notification” transmitted from the management server 200 is an unlock permission notification or an unlock disapproval notification (step S240). If it is determined in step S240 that the unlock instruction determination notification is an unlock permission notification (Yes in step S240), the display lamp 22 (FIG. 4) is turned on (step S250), and the clerk's remote control 90 is used. It waits for an actual unlocking instruction notification (step S260).

  If it is determined from the management server 200 that the “unlocking determination notification” is an unlocking disapproval notification (No at step S240), the display lamp 22 is turned on (step S255). However, it is preferable that the color of the display lamp 22 is different from the color at the time of receiving the unlock permission notice (different from the color of the display lamp 22 in step S260). For example, when unlocking is permitted, the green display lamp 22 is turned on, and when unlocking is not permitted, the red display lamp 22 is turned on. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the display lamp 22 is turned off (step S265).

  When it is determined that the individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8) is pressed (ON) in the state of waiting for the unlock instruction signal in step S260 (the display lamp 22 is lit) (Yes in step S270), The BV unit unit 50 is unlocked (step S280).

  Specifically, since an infrared signal (“unlocking instruction signal”) is transmitted from the remote controller 90 to the remote control light receiving unit 24 (FIG. 8) of the ball lending processor 20, the BV lock mechanism unit is thereby transmitted. The lock (locking) by 54 is unlocked. Thereby, the BV unit part 50 will protrude ahead, and an attendant will collect | recover the banknote accommodated in the banknote accommodating part 51 of this BV unit part 50. FIG.

  If it is determined in step S270 that the individual unlock button 95 (FIG. 8) is not pressed (ON) (No in step S270), then the individual unlock button 95 is pressed (ON). ) Is determined whether a certain period of time has elapsed (step S271). If the certain period of time has elapsed (Yes at step S271), display by the display lamp 22 (FIG. 4) (indication indicating that unlocking is permitted) ) Is turned off (step S272).

  Here, turning off the display lamp 22 indicates that the unlock permission notification by the management server 200 has expired. That is, the attendant can know that the unlocking of the BV unit 50 is impossible because the display lamp 22 indicating the unlocking permission is turned off.

  For this reason, as described above, since the unlock permission notification by the management server 200 has expired, the BV unit unit 50 of the ball lending processor 20 for which the unlock request has been made in step S110 is targeted. The process ends without executing unlocking (end).

  As described above, according to the gaming medium lending system according to the first embodiment, in the management device 200, the banknote storage state determination unit 53 determines the storage state of the banknotes in the banknote storage unit 51, and this determination is made. Since the unlocking notification / unlocking notification is sent to the BV unit 50 of the ball lending processor 20 that automatically transmitted the unlock request notification according to the stored state of the bills, the unlocking is automatically performed. The lending processing machine to be locked can be reliably identified, and the unlocking determination can be performed accurately and reliably based on the instruction from the management server 200, which can be performed accurately and reliably.

(Manual unlocking permission / denial processing)
Next, the detail of Example 2 which concerns on the game media rental system of this invention is demonstrated. A feature of the second embodiment is that the banknote storage state determination unit 53 determines the storage state of the banknotes in the BV unit 50 based on the unlock request notification transmitted from the ball lending processor 20. According to the storage state of a banknote, it is characterized in that the unlocking permission notification / unlocking permission notification for the BV unit 50 of the ball lending processor 20 is manually transmitted.

  The difference between the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 described above lies in the manual unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination process (from step S165 to step S195) by the management server 200. Now, the manual unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination process will be mainly described, and other detailed processing procedures similar to those in the flowchart of FIG. 13 will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, when the management server 200 receives the unlocking permission request signal, the identification ID signal, and the storage state transmitted from the ball lending processor 20 in step S140 (Yes in step S150), the management server 200 performs the management. After the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 (FIG. 11) relating to the ball lending processor 20 is displayed on the display unit 230 (monitor) of the server 200 (step S165), the setting is waited for by the administrator (step S175).

  In the determination of the unlocking permission setting input in the next step S185 (step S185), specifically, for example, when the display indicating that the banknote is full is lit on the unlocking instruction setting screen 250 (FIG. 11). The administrator selects (presses) the “YES” icon in the unlocking permission / unlocking permission setting field 259 to instruct the collection of banknotes (Yes in step S185), and then the unlocking permission / removal in step S195. Of the unlocking disapproval notices, the unlocking permission notice is transmitted to the ball lending processor 20 (step S195). Hereinafter, the unlocking of the ball lending processing machine 20 to be unlocked is performed by the processes in steps S220 to S280 described above.

  As described above, according to the game medium lending system according to the second embodiment, the management server 20 manually allows unlocking / unlocking based on the storage state of the banknotes transmitted from the ball lending processor 20. Since the non-permission determination is performed, the clerk who collects the banknotes reliably determines the ball lending processing machine 20 to be unlocked based on the unlocking permission determination notification of the ball lending processing machine 20 transmitted from the administrator. Therefore, the unlocking determination can be made accurately and reliably.

(Automatic release by unlocking notification)
Next, details of the third embodiment according to the game medium lending system of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the management server 200 targets the banknote storage state of the ball lending processor 20 to which the “unlock permission request notification” has been transmitted as an object for permitting / unlocking the BV unit 50. Unlocking permission determination is performed, and the determination result is transmitted to the ball lending processing machine 20 as an unlocking permission notification or an unlocking permission notification, and then the target is detected by an unlocking instruction operation (operation by the remote controller 90) by an attendant. The BV unit 50 is unlocked, but in the third embodiment, when the unlocking permission notification is transmitted from the management server 200, the operator operates the remote control 90 (pressing the individual unlock button 95). Even if there is no (ON) actual unlocking instruction operation), the BV unit 50 mounted on the ball lending processing machine 20 to be unlocked is automatically unlocked immediately. Door is characterized in.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, the difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 lies in the processing procedure after the unlock instruction notification is transmitted from the management server 200. The processing procedure from step S230, which is a feature, will be described, and detailed description of other processing procedures similar to those in the flowchart of FIG. 14 will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, when the unlocking permission signal / unlocking permission signal transmitted from the management server 200 is received (Yes at step S230), the determination of the signal transmitted from the management server 200 is performed hereinafter. To do. Specifically, it is determined whether the “unlock instruction determination notification” transmitted from the management server 200 is an unlock permission signal or an unlock permission signal (step S240).

  If the unlock instruction determination notification is the unlock permission notification (Yes at Step S240), the display lamp 22 (FIG. 4) is turned on (Step S250). The lock mechanism 54 is unlocked (step S280). Hereinafter, in the BV unit part 50 protruded by this unlocking, banknote collection work by an attendant is performed.

  As described above, in the case of the third embodiment, when an unlock permission notification is transmitted from the management server 200 to the BV unit unit 50, an operation of the remote controller 90 by the staff (by pressing the individual unlock button 95 (ON)). Even if there is no actual unlocking instruction operation), the management server 200 automatically unlocks the BV unit 50 that is permitted to be unlocked. And the collection | recovery operation | work of a banknote can be performed more efficiently than Example 2. FIG.

(Other examples)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the embodiments described above. Is also good.

  Further, in this embodiment, the case where the game medium lending system according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko game is shown, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko game and is preferably applied to a game system using a pachislot machine. be able to. Specifically, the present invention can be applied as an unlock control system for a replenishment door for replenishment provided in a medal lending processing machine using a pachislot machine.

  In this embodiment, the ball is thrown out from the inside of the pachinko machine (so-called CR machine method), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball lending processor passes through the nozzle. The present invention can also be suitably applied to a method in which balls are thrown out.

  In addition, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, specific name, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above-described document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured. Further, all or any part of each processing function performed in each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

  As described above, the game medium lending system according to the present invention is suitable for a game medium lending system that can surely unlock the BV unit part to be unlocked.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the game media rental system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a game medium lending system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an external front view of a ball lending processor and a pachinko machine applied in the game medium lending system shown in FIG. 2. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of a ball | bend rental processing machine. It is a side view of a ball lending processing machine explaining unlocking operation of a BV unit part by remote control. It is a perspective view of a ball lending processing machine explaining unlocking operation of a BV unit part by remote control. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a remote control. It is a figure which shows the structure of a management server database. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an unlocking instruction setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control procedure of the game media rental system which concerns on a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the unlocking process procedure which concerns on the present Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the unlocking process procedure which concerns on the present Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the unlocking process procedure which concerns on the present Example 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pachinko machine 10a Top plate 11 Frequency display part 12 Lending button 13 Return button 15 Bill insertion / return slot 20 Ball lending processing machine 22 Display lamp 23 Display part 24 Remote control light receiving part 25 Amount display part 26 Card insertion / return slot 27 Card Processing unit 28 Communication I / F
29, 290 Control unit 33 Power supply unit 50 BV unit unit 51 Banknote storage unit 52 Banknote identification unit 53 Banknote storage state determination unit 54 BV lock mechanism unit 55 Memory 56 BV unit control unit 57 Unlock notification determination unit 90 Remote control 91 Setting input unit 92 Reset key 93 Setting key 94 Cancel key 95 Individual unlock button 96 Send key 97 Return key 98 Numeric key input unit 200 Management server 210 Management server database 220 Communication I / F unit 230 Display unit 235 Display control unit 250 Unlock instruction setting screen 259 Unlocking permission / unlocking permission setting field 260 Input unit 270 Output unit 290 Control unit 295 Unlocking permission / unlocking permission determination unit 300 Island controller 350 Repeater

Claims (6)

A gaming medium lending processor that lends gaming media to the gaming machine by accepting money, and management of payment information for the gaming medium lending processing machine, respectively, in one-to-one with a plurality of gaming machines In a game medium lending system equipped with a management device that performs
The gaming media rental processing machine is
Storing the money inside, a money processing unit capable of being transferred to a position where the money can be taken out and an impossible position;
A lock mechanism that locks the money handling unit at a position where the money cannot be removed; and
An unlocking request receiving unit for receiving an unlocking request for the locking mechanism unit from the outside;
In accordance with an unlocking permission / non-permission signal from the management device, unlocking control means for controlling locking / unlocking by the lock mechanism unit,
A communication I / F unit that transmits an unlock request signal or receives an unlock permission / non-permission signal to the management device ;
And a money storage state detection means for detecting the storage state of money in the money processing unit, and when the unlock request signal is transmitted to the management device, the money storage state in the money processing unit is also transmitted. ,
The management device
A communication I / F unit for receiving the unlock request signal from the game medium lending processor or transmitting the unlock permission / denial signal;
A display unit for displaying from which game medium lending processor the unlock request signal from the game medium lending processor is received;
An unlocking permission / non-permission input operation unit for inputting whether or not to unlock the locking mechanism of the money processing unit of the game medium lending processing machine that has transmitted the unlocking request signal, and the display unit The game medium lending system is characterized in that the money storage state of the money handling unit is also displayed . The management device
The automatic determination is made when the unlocking request signal is received in accordance with a preset unlocking permission condition or unlocking permission condition, and the result is transmitted to the game medium lending processor. Item 4. A game medium rental system according to Item 1. The gaming media rental processing machine is
3. The game medium lending system according to claim 1, wherein when the unlocking permission signal is received from the management device, the locking mechanism is automatically unlocked. The gaming media rental processing machine is
When the unlocking permission signal is received from the management device, the unlocking operation instruction wait state is entered, and when the unlocking request is received again in the unlocking operation instruction waiting state, the lock mechanism unit is unlocked. The game medium rental system according to claim 1, wherein the game medium is lent. Unlocking request to the unlocking request receiving unit, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that performed by wireless remote control device for transmitting a predetermined signal to the game media lending processor The game media rental system according to one. The game media lending processing machine, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a display means signal transmitted from the management apparatus Indicate whether unlocking or permitted unlock prohibition The gaming media rental system described in 1.

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