JP4906529B2 - Game management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game management system, and more particularly to a game management system that counts the number of ball boxes stacked on the floor of a game hall.

  As a conventional technique, there is proposed a pachinko machine identification device for identifying a pachinko machine from which a game ball is discharged when counting game balls placed in a storage box with a counter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  In this identification device, an information storage medium is first provided in a storage box that stores a game ball. In addition, an information writing means for storing an identification symbol of the pachinko machine in the information storage medium is provided in the storage box mounting part in front of the pachinko machine. An information reading means for reading the pachinko machine identification information stored in the information storage medium is provided in the vicinity of the ball counter.

With this configuration, when the game balls placed in the storage box are counted by the counter, the information reading unit reads the pachinko machine identification information stored in the information storage medium, and the game balls are The discharged pachinko machine can be identified.
JP 2004-8527 A

  The player determines whether or not a ball is out at each gaming machine in the game hall based on the number of ball boxes loaded on the floor. Also for amusement halls, the number of ball boxes loaded on the floor is very important information for business in order to know the operating state of the entire amusement hall. Previously, there was no way to automatically count the number of ball boxes loaded on the floor, so the staff regularly looked around each gaming machine and wrote down the number of ball boxes loaded on the floor on paper. .

  Therefore, it is conceivable to monitor the number of ball boxes stacked on the floor by providing an IC tag in the ball box and reading the IC tag with an IC tag reader. However, since the number of ball boxes changes depending on the amount of balls, the number of rows and stages of ball boxes stacked on the floor change. Then, the IC tag reader may not be able to read a part of the IC tag of the ball box stacked on the floor, or may read even the IC tag of the ball box stacked on the floor of the adjacent gaming machine. Yes, the amount of balls (number of ball boxes) from one gaming machine cannot be accurately grasped.

  In recent years, an increasing number of game halls can be used to move freely to other game machines with a ball (so-called “table movement”) or to share a ball with a plurality of players. In such a game hall, if the clerk only writes down the number of ball boxes loaded on the floor on a piece of paper, from which gaming machine the ball box has moved, or from which game machine the ball in the ball box has moved I can't know if it was discharged.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a game management system that accurately detects the number of ball boxes stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine by calculating the distance between the IC tag provided in the ball box and the IC tag reader. For the purpose.

1st invention is provided in the game medium storage container which stores the game medium paid out from the game machine, and is provided corresponding to the recording medium which can transmit the stored identifier, and the game machine. A gaming machine communication device that receives an identifier of the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container in which gaming media held by a player playing a game is stored, and identifies the gaming machine from the gaming machine communication device A game management device that receives and manages the unique information and the identifier, and the recording medium receives the inquiry signal from the gaming machine communication device and transmits the identifier to the gaming machine communication device as a response signal. A gaming management system, wherein the gaming machine communication device is disposed at a lower right side of the gaming machine, and a first communication range in which a communication range with the recording medium is set to a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine. Department and A second communication unit which is disposed on the lower left side of the gaming machine and has a communication range with the recording medium set to a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine; the first communication unit; and the second communication unit Compare the received identifiers of the recording medium, and the game medium storage container is held by a player who plays with a gaming machine installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit. A game medium storage container determination unit that determines whether or not the game medium is a stored game medium storage container, and a propagation time measurement that measures a propagation time from when the question signal is transmitted to when the response signal is received The game medium storage container determination means includes an identifier whose propagation time measured by the propagation time measuring means in the first communication unit is within a predetermined time, and the propagation time measurement in the second communication unit. Propagation measured by means When the identifier is equal to or less than a predetermined time, a game medium storage container provided with a recording medium of the identifier is played with a gaming machine installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit. It is determined that the game medium is stored in a game medium storage container stored by the player .

According to a second invention, in the first invention, a substantially middle line between adjacent game machines is set as a boundary line of a game medium storage container placement area corresponding to each game machine, and the first communication unit and the first The two communication units each include communication range changing means for changing a communication range with the recording medium, and are installed on an extension of the boundary line, and the communication range changing means is located on the left of the game medium storage container placement area. From the vicinity of the boundary line to the vicinity of the right boundary line, the communication range of the first communication unit or the communication range of the second communication unit is set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect , the gaming machine communication device stores an identifier that is determined that a gaming medium held by a player is stored in the gaming medium storage container. When the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means cannot be received from both the first communication unit and the second communication unit, the identifier is stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage unit. If the identifier deleted from the identifier storage means and stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means cannot be received from only one of the first communication unit or the second communication unit, the identifier is It is characterized in that it is continuously stored without being deleted from the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect , the gaming machine communication device receives an identifier stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means from only one of the first communication section and the second communication section. If it becomes impossible, it is determined whether or not the identifier is stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the gaming machine communication device corresponding to the neighboring gaming machine, and the gaming machine of the neighboring gaming machine communication device When the identifier is stored in the correspondence identifier storage means, the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the own gaming machine communication device is deleted.

According to a fifth invention, in the first to fourth inventions, the game management device stores an identifier management storage means for storing the identifier received from the gaming machine communication device in association with the unique information, and the identifier management storage. Based on the identifier stored in the means and the unique information, the container number counting means for counting the number of the game medium storage containers placed in the vicinity of the gaming machine is provided, and the container number counting means has the identifier The identifier that is determined to be stored in the identifier management storage means by the storage time determination means, comprising a storage time determination means that determines whether or not the identifier management storage means is stored for a predetermined time or more. The number of the game medium storage containers provided with the recording medium is counted.

In a sixth aspect based on the first to fifth aspects, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are disposed in the vicinity of a gaming chair in which a player faces the gaming machine in the vicinity of the gaming machine. Receiving the identifier of the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container, or transmitting the question signal to the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container placed in the vicinity of the gaming chair It is characterized by that.

In a seventh aspect based on the first to sixth aspects, the gaming machine communication device is provided in the gaming medium storage container placed on a container placing portion provided at a position where a gaming medium is paid out from the gaming machine. A third communication unit that receives an identifier of the provided recording medium or transmits the interrogation signal to the recording medium provided in the game medium storage container placed on the container placement unit; It is characterized by that.

In an eighth aspect based on the fifth aspect , the gaming machine communication device further comprises a storage amount determining means for determining whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. And the container number counting means counts the number of game medium storage containers in which a predetermined amount or more of game media are stored.

In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect , the game medium storage container includes a storage amount detection means for detecting whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The recording medium transmits the stored identifier and the detection result by the storage amount detection means, and the storage amount determination means has a predetermined amount or more of game media in the game medium storage container based on the detection result. It is characterized by determining whether or not is stored.

In a tenth aspect based on the first to ninth aspects, the game medium storage container includes a rectangular bottom wall and four side walls erected around the bottom wall, and the recording medium is The same identifier is stored and provided on at least two of the four side walls.

According to the first invention, provided in a game medium storage container for storing game media paid out from a gaming machine, provided corresponding to the gaming machine, a recording medium capable of transmitting a stored identifier, A gaming machine communication device for receiving an identifier of the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container in which gaming media held by a player who plays with a gaming machine are stored, and identifying the gaming machine from the gaming machine communication device And a game management device that receives and manages the unique information and the identifier, and the recording medium transmits the identifier as a response signal to the gaming machine communication device when receiving a question signal from the gaming machine communication device In the gaming management system, the gaming machine communication device is disposed at a lower right side of the gaming machine, and a communication range with the recording medium is set to a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine. Through And a second communication unit that is disposed on the lower left side of the gaming machine and has a communication range with the recording medium set to a predetermined range near the gaming machine, the first communication unit, and the first communication unit A player who compares the identifier of the recording medium received by each of the two communication units and plays the game medium storage container with a gaming machine installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit A game medium storage container determination unit that determines whether or not the game medium held by the game medium is stored, and a propagation time from when the inquiry signal is transmitted until the response signal is received Propagation time measuring means , wherein the game medium storage container determining means includes an identifier whose propagation time measured by the propagation time measuring means in the first communication unit is within a predetermined time, and the second communication unit Measured by propagation time measurement means A gaming machine in which a game medium storage container provided with a recording medium of the identifier is installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit when the identifier whose carrying time is within a predetermined time is the same Since it is determined that the game medium held by the player who plays the game is a game medium storage container, the game stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine, which is important information for business, according to the propagation distance from the two communication units The number of medium storage containers can be accurately detected. In addition, by simply placing the game medium storage container in the game medium storage container placement area, it is possible to accurately determine the number of game medium storage containers stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine without any special operation by a player or employee. It can be detected.

According to the second invention, a substantially middle line between the adjacent gaming machines is set as a boundary line of the gaming medium storage container placement area corresponding to each gaming machine, and the first communication unit and the second communication unit are Each of the communication range changing means for changing the communication range with the recording medium is provided on the extension of the boundary line, and the communication range changing means is in the vicinity of the left boundary line of the game medium storage container placement area. To the vicinity of the right boundary line is set as the communication range of the first communication unit or the communication range of the second communication unit, so that it was stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine regardless of the layout and shape of the game hall The number of game medium storage containers can be accurately detected.

According to a third invention, the gaming machine communication device comprises a gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means for storing an identifier determined that a gaming medium held by a player is stored in the gaming medium storage container, When the identifier stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means is in a state where it cannot be received from both the first communication section and the second communication section, the identifier is deleted from the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means, When the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means cannot be received from only one of the first communication section or the second communication section, the identifier is stored from the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means. Since it is stored continuously without being deleted, it is not considered that the game medium storage container that has been temporarily undetected from one communication unit has been moved, so the number of game medium storage containers can be accurately detected. That.

According to the fourth invention, the gaming machine communication device is in a state where the identifier stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means cannot be received from only one of the first communication unit or the second communication unit. In the case, it is determined whether or not the identifier is stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the gaming machine communication device corresponding to the adjacent gaming machine, and the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the adjacent gaming machine communication device is stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means. If the identifier is stored, the identifier stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means of the gaming machine communication device is deleted, so that the game medium storage container moved to the adjacent gaming machine can be surely grasped. And the number of game medium storage containers can be accurately detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the game management device stores an identifier management storage unit that associates and stores the identifier received from the gaming machine communication device and the unique information, and the identifier stored in the identifier management storage unit And a container number counting means for counting the number of the game medium storage containers placed in the vicinity of the gaming machine based on the unique information, wherein the container number counting means has the identifier stored in the identifier management storage means. A storage time determination unit for determining whether or not the data is stored for a time or more is provided, and a recording medium for the identifier determined by the storage time determination unit to be stored in the identifier management storage unit for a predetermined time or more is provided. Since the number of the game medium storage containers is counted, for example, when the game medium storage container is temporarily detected, such as when moving in a passage, the game medium storage container is stored. Does not the container and aggregation of the target can be accurately detecting the number of game media storage container. Further, since the target of aggregation is determined based only on the recording time, it can be aggregated by a simple method without requiring any special operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the first communication unit and the second communication unit are the game medium storage containers placed near a gaming chair where a player faces the gaming machine in the vicinity of the gaming machine. Receiving the identifier of the recording medium provided in the game, or transmitting the question signal to the recording medium provided in the game medium storage container placed in the vicinity of the gaming chair. It is possible to accurately detect the number of game medium storage containers stacked in the vicinity of each gaming chair.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the gaming machine communication device is configured to record the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container placed on the container placing portion provided at a position where the gaming medium is paid out from the gaming machine. Since the third communication unit that receives the identifier or transmits the interrogation signal to the recording medium provided in the game medium storage container mounted on the container mounting unit is provided, the container mounting unit includes If the game medium is stored in the placed game medium storage container, not only the game medium storage container stacked in the vicinity of the gaming chair but also the number of game medium storage containers mounted on the container mounting part In order to detect, the tendency of the amount of balls can be grasped.

According to an eighth invention, the gaming machine communication device includes a storage amount determination unit that determines whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and the number of containers The counting means counts the number of game medium storage containers in which a predetermined amount or more of game media are stored. Therefore, when the amount of game media stored in the game medium storage container is less than the predetermined amount, the game medium storage container Since the number of game medium storage containers is detected without including the number of games, it is possible to grasp a more detailed tendency of the amount of balls to be played.

According to a ninth aspect, the game medium storage container includes a storage amount detection means for detecting whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and the recording medium Transmits the stored identifier and the detection result by the storage amount detection means, and the storage amount determination means determines whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game media is stored in the game medium storage container based on the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately detect the game medium in the game medium storage container, and it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the amount of the game medium is a predetermined amount or more.

According to a tenth aspect, the game medium storage container includes a rectangular bottom wall and four side walls standing around the bottom wall, and the recording medium includes the four side walls. Since the same identifier is stored and provided on at least two side walls, and when the recording medium is provided on the side walls facing each other, the game chair can be used without considering the direction of the game medium storage container. A game medium storage container can be stacked.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration around the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration around the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  In the amusement hall, a plurality of gaming machines (pachinko machines) 1 are installed side by side with the front frame 101 facing the front. When the gaming machines 1 form a plurality of rows, an island 10 (see FIG. 4) is configured in the game hall.

  A counter 11 is installed on the front surface of the gaming machine 1. The top plate of the counter 11 is arranged substantially horizontally with the floor of the game hall.

  In addition, a chair (gaming chair) 2 is installed in front of the gaming machine 1. The chair 2 is disposed between the islands 10 to face each gaming machine 1. That is, between the islands 10, two rows of chairs 2 with their backs facing each other are installed. A single chair 2 on which a plurality of players (for example, the same number as the number of gaming machines 1) can be seated may be disposed so as to be opposed to the plurality of gaming machines 1.

  The chair 2 includes a seat surface 21 on which a player sits, a backrest 22 that stands upright from a side on the back side of the seat surface 21, a column 23 that extends from the center of the lower surface of the seat surface 21 toward the floor surface, and The base 25 is provided at the lowermost part of the column 23.

  Since the base 25 is normally fixed to the floor, the player or the game hall employee cannot change the arrangement of the chair 2. The player can play the game while sitting on the gaming machine 1 by sitting on the chair 2.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the front-rear direction of the gaming machine 1 is shown with the front frame 101 side in front. Moreover, the back-and-forth direction of the chair 2 is shown with the backrest 22 side as the back (back).

  The front frame 101 of the gaming machine 1 is attached to the main body frame 102 via a hinge 103 so as to be opened and closed. A game board (not shown) is accommodated in the front frame 101, and a substantially circular game area (not shown) is formed on the surface of the game board.

  When a game ball (pachinko ball) is launched from a ball hitting device (not shown) toward the game area, the game machine 1 starts a game. The launched game balls flow down the game area while changing the rolling direction by means of direction changing members (not shown) arranged at various locations in the game area. Then, a general winning opening (not shown), a start winning opening (not shown) or a large winning opening (not shown) provided in the game area is won, or an out opening (not shown) provided at the bottom of the gaming area. Is omitted).

  When a game ball wins a general winning opening, a starting winning opening or a grand winning opening, a predetermined number (for example, 5 when a gaming ball wins a starting winning opening, or 15 when a gaming ball wins a large winning opening) The prize balls are discharged from a gaming ball payout device (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine 1 to an upper plate 104 provided on the front frame 101 of the gaming machine 1.

  When the upper plate 104 is filled with game balls (full tank state), the game balls paid out from the game ball dispensing device are provided below the front frame 101 without being discharged to the upper plate 104. It is discharged to the lower plate 105. The game balls stored in the upper plate 104 are discharged to the lower plate 105 by operating an upper plate lever 106 provided above the upper plate 104.

  When the lower plate 105 is filled with the game balls paid out from the game ball payout device, the payout of the game balls from the game ball payout device is stopped, and the game balls are placed in the general winning opening, starting winning opening or big winning opening. The prize ball will not be discharged even if wins.

  However, the game balls stored in the lower plate 105 are discharged from the lower plate 105 toward the counter 11 by operating a lower plate lever (not shown) provided on the side wall of the lower plate 105. That is, since the payout of the prize ball is stopped when the lower plate 105 becomes full, the player operates the lower plate lever to be stored in the lower plate 105 before the lower plate 105 becomes full. The game ball needs to be discharged downward.

  When the game balls are discharged from the lower plate 105, a ball box (game medium storage container) is placed on the container mounting portion 13 which is the game ball payout position so that the discharged game balls do not fall from the counter 11 to the floor. ) It is necessary to place 3 to accept game balls. The container placing unit 13 is located on the upper surface of the counter 11 and directly below the lower plate 105.

  The configuration of the ball box 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The game balls paid out from the gaming machine 1 are stored in the ball box 3 placed on the container placement unit 13 by the above procedure. When one ball box 3 becomes full, the player needs to move the ball box 3 to another place and newly place an empty ball box 3 on the container placement unit 13. is there. At this time, the ball box 3 in the full state is loaded on the floor on the back side of the chair 2 by the employee so as not to hinder the game of the player.

  When the number of ball boxes 3 loaded on the floor increases, the employee may place the cart 4 near the chair 2 and load the ball box 3 on the cart 4. The carriage 4 includes a mounting plate 41 for mounting the ball box 3 and a wheel 42 provided on the lower surface of the mounting plate 41. By loading the ball box 3 on the cart 4, the employee can easily move the ball boxes 3 from the gaming machine 1 to the counter 7 (see FIG. 3).

  In this specification, the ball box 3 stacked on the floor on the back side of the chair 2 is referred to as “ball box 3 stacked near the chair 2”. It is assumed that the ball box 3 loaded on the cart 4 is included in the “ball box 3 loaded near the chair 2”. Further, in this specification, the ball box 3 placed on the container placement unit 13 and the ball box 3 stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2 are combined to form “ball box 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1”. Call it.

  When the amount of game balls (out) that the player has acquired from the gaming machine 1 through the game increases, the number of ball boxes 3 stacked near the chair 2 of the gaming machine 1 also increases. Accordingly, the player or employee can estimate the amount of the game machine 1 to play based on the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2.

  The container placement unit 13 may be provided with a placement IC tag reader (third communication unit) 12. When the ball box 3 held by the player (the ball box 3 in which the game balls held by the player are stored) is placed on the container placement unit 13, the placement IC tag reader 12 is connected to the ball box 3. It communicates with the IC tag 31 and reads the ID number of the IC tag 31 (hereinafter referred to as “ball box ID”).

  By providing the placement IC tag reading device 12 in the container placement section 13, if game balls are stored in the ball box 3 placed in the container placement section 13, a ball box stacked near the chair 2. 3, the number of ball boxes 3 placed on the container placement unit 13 is also detected, so that a more detailed amount of balls can be known.

  On the island 10, lower product IC tag readers (first communication unit and second communication unit) 24 are provided at predetermined intervals below the counter 11. The lower product IC tag reading device 24 is provided on an extension of the boundary line between adjacent gaming machines 1, and a ball box 3 held by a player of the gaming machine 1 sandwiched between two lower product IC tag reading devices 24. Among them, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 placed within a predetermined distance from the lower product IC tag reader 24 can be read. Note that the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side toward the gaming machine 1 is referred to as a first communication unit, and the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side toward the game machine 1 is referred to as a second communication unit.

  The two lower product IC tag readers 24 provided on the right and left sides of the gaming machine 1 each have a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine as a communication range. Then, when the ball box 3 is installed within the communication range, the lower product IC tag reader 24 communicates with the IC tag 31 of the ball box 3 and reads the ball box ID of the IC tag 31. When the same ball box ID is simultaneously read by the two lower product IC tag readers 24, the ball box 3 provided with the IC tag 31 of the ball box ID is read from the two lower product IC tag readers. It is determined that the ball box 3 is stacked near the chair 2 of the gaming machine 1 between the devices 24.

  As described above, the lower product IC tag reader 24 is provided on the extension of the boundary line between the adjacent gaming machines 1 below the counter 11, and each of the lower product IC tag readers 24 reads the ball box ID. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, which is information important for business.

  In addition, the lower product IC tag reader 24 is not the lower part of the counter 11 on the extension of the boundary line of the adjacent gaming machine 1 but the upper part or side surface of the counter 11 on the extension of the boundary line of the adjacent gaming machine 1 or The game machine 1 may be provided on the boundary line. By doing in this way, it is not necessary to extend the electric wiring for supplying power to the lower product IC tag reader 24 to the lower part of the counter 11 or to provide an installation hole in the island 10, so that the electric wiring is simple. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the placement IC tag reader 12 reads the ball box ID of the ball box 3 placed on the container placement unit 13, and the ball box ID of the ball box 3 stacked near the chair 2 is lower. The product IC tag reader 24 is configured to read, but when the placement IC tag reader 12 is not provided in the container placement unit 13, the lower product IC tag reader 24 is placed on the container placement unit 13. The communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 may be set so as to read the ball box ID of the ball box 3 placed.

  Each IC tag reader (placed IC tag reader 12, lower product IC tag reader 24, counter IC tag reader 71 (see FIG. 3) or separate product IC tag reader 91 (see FIG. 3)) As described later, the communication range is limited by adjusting the reception sensitivity, frequency, and transmission output of each IC tag reader. Note that the antenna of the IC tag reader may be limited by providing directivity, or the communication range may be limited by the structure and type of the antenna. As described above, the communication range changing means is configured by the IC tag reader limiting the communication range.

  In the present embodiment, the placement IC tag reader 12 is in the vicinity of the container placement portion 13 (for example, a range of about 30 centimeters from the placement IC tag reader 12), and the counter IC tag reader 71 will be described later. In the vicinity of the counter 7 (for example, a range of about 70 centimeters from the counter IC tag reader 71), the two separate product IC tag readers 91 are in the vicinity of the separate storage place 9 (see FIG. 3) (for example, separate product). It is desirable to limit the communication range so as to communicate only with the IC tag 31 in the range of about 100 centimeters from the IC tag reader 91. The communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The lower product IC tag reading device 24 includes a decoration device constituted by a lamp, an LED, or the like. When the lower product IC tag reader 24 receives the ball box ID from the IC tag 31, the decoration device lights or blinks to notify that the ball box ID has been received.

  Moreover, the lower product IC tag reader 24 may include a sound output device constituted by a speaker or the like. In this case, when the lower product IC tag reader 24 receives the ball box ID from the IC tag 31, a sound (for example, a beep sound or a voice) indicating that the ball box ID has been received is output from the sound output device.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the plate 5 is inserted inside the side wall 32 (between the game ball stored in the ball box 3 and the side wall 32) in the ball box 3 stacked near the chair 2. Of the side walls 32 of one or a plurality of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2, the plate 5 has the side wall 32 that is located on the rightmost side when the ball box 3 is viewed in a state of facing the gaming machine 1. It is inserted into the side wall 32 located on the left side.

  On the plate 5, a character or a pattern (for example, a character of “big explosion”) reminiscent of a large amount of balls being discharged from the gaming machine 1 is displayed on the surface. By inserting the plate 5 into the ball box 3, it is possible to appeal to other players that a large amount of balls are discharged from the gaming machine 1.

  An information display device 6 is provided above the gaming machine 1. The information display device 6 is provided with a display screen 61 composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (CRT). Below the display screen 61, a data switch button 62 for switching information displayed on the display screen 61 and a call button 63 for calling an employee are provided.

  The display screen 61 displays the number of jackpots that occurred on the day of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the information display device 6, the number of start times of the variable display game, the number of jackpot occurrences of the previous day, in-store information, and the like. The display screen 61 displays the number of ball boxes 3 stacked near the chair 2 corresponding to the information display device 6. The display on the display screen 61 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, a pachinko machine is used as the gaming machine 1. However, the gaming machine 1 is not limited to a pachinko machine, and a game is played while the acquired game media (for example, coins) are stored in the game media storage container. If it is the gaming machine 1, for example, a slot machine gaming machine or a coin gaming machine may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of the game management system according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  An internal network is provided in the game hall, and a hall management device (hall computer) 8A and a ball box monitoring management device 8B are connected to the internal network.

  Note that the ball box monitoring management device 8B may be directly connected only to the hall management device 8A without being directly connected to the internal network. In this case, the ball box monitoring management device 8B communicates information only with the hall management device 8A.

  The game management device is configured by the hall management device 8A and the ball box monitoring management device 8B, or other management devices that manage information related to these management devices and games. In addition, it is good also as one apparatus which integrated the function of 8A of hall | hole management apparatuses and the ball-box monitoring management apparatus 8B.

  The internal network provided in the amusement hall is configured by, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter). Addresses are set for devices connected to the internal network, and communication between devices (for example, transfer of data to specific devices and transmission of command signals) and broadcast communication to a plurality of devices (for example, multicast) Or broadcast). Note that the network connection shown in FIG. 3 is logical, and each device is physically constructed by one Ethernet.

  The gaming machine 1 and the counter 7 are connected to the hall management device 8A. The hall management device 8A collects game information from each gaming machine 1, collects game ball counting results from each counter 7, and monitors these operation states.

  A gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, a counter ball box monitoring device 75, and a separate ball box monitoring device 95 are connected to the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The ball box monitoring management device 8B receives a gaming machine number (unique information) for identifying the gaming machine 1 from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. In addition, the ball box monitoring management device 8B receives the ball box ID of the ball box 3 from the placed IC tag reading device 12 or the lower product IC tag reading device 24 via the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. When the ball box monitoring and management device 8B stores the ball box ID, the ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 are managed by the ball box monitoring and management device 8B.

  Further, the ball box monitoring management device 8B receives the ball box ID of the ball box 3 from the counter IC tag reader 71 via the counter ball box monitoring device 75. The ball box monitoring management device 8B stores the ball box ID, whereby the ball box 3 counted by the counter 7 is managed by the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The ball box monitoring management device 8B includes a ROM that stores a CPU, a program, and the like in advance, a RAM that is a memory used as a work area when the CPU is operating, and a storage device (HDD) such as a hard disk that stores various data. Provided.

  The RAM temporarily stores various data (for example, a management storage area 81, a movement storage area 82, ballless information, movement information, or additional information), and data necessary for the operation of the CPU is temporarily stored. Is provided with a work area to be stored.

  These CPU, ROM, RAM and HDD are connected by a bus. The bus includes an address bus and a data bus used by the CPU for reading and writing data. The bus is connected to a network communication port and an I / O port for controlling input / output with the outside.

  The network communication port is a data input / output unit for performing data communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and is connected to the internal network.

  The I / O port includes a display that displays the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 and which gaming machine 1 the ball box 3 has moved through, and a speaker. An output device is connected. Further, input devices (camera, microphone, keyboard, mouse, etc.) for operating the ball box monitoring management device 8B are connected to the I / O port.

  The separate storage area 9 is a place for installing the ball box 3 when the ball box 3 cannot be stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, and is located at a place other than the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 (for example, the end of the island 10). Provided.

  In the separate storage area 9, a separate ball box monitoring device 95 including two separate IC tag readers 91 is provided. Each of these two separate product IC tag readers 91 has a communication range in the vicinity of the separate storage site 9. When the ball box 3 is installed within the communication range, the separate product IC tag reader 91 communicates with the IC tag 31 of the ball box 3 to read the ball box ID of the IC tag 31. When two separate IC tag readers 91 simultaneously read the same ball box ID, the ball box 3 provided with the IC tag 31 of the ball box ID is loaded on the separate loading place 9. It is determined as a ball box 3.

  The separate IC tag reader 91 and the separate ball box monitoring device 95 may be separately provided without being integrally configured.

  The employee inputs the game machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player who owns the ball box 3 is playing when loading the ball box 3 in the separate storage area 9 to the separate ball box monitoring device 95. May be. In this way, it is possible to easily determine which gaming machine 1 is owned by the player who plays the ball box 3 loaded in the separate storage yard 9. In this case, the separate product ball box monitoring device 95 transmits the input gaming machine number and the ball box ID received from the separate product IC tag reading device 91 to the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The separate ball box monitoring device 95 includes a plurality of separate storage spaces 9, and each of the multiple separate storage spaces 9 includes two separate IC tag readers 91. When an employee stacks the ball boxes 3 owned by a plurality of different players on the separate storage yard 9, the employees load the ball boxes 3 of the respective players together in the vicinity of the different separate storage spaces 9.

  The ball box monitoring management device 8B receives the ball box ID of the ball box 3 from the separate product IC tag reading device 91 via the separate product ball box monitoring device 95. The ball box monitoring and managing device 8B stores the ball box ID, whereby the ball box 3 loaded in the separate storage space 9 is managed by the ball box monitoring and managing device 8B.

  In addition, the ball box monitoring management device 8B is connected to the information display device 6 via the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 and the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 and the balls stacked in the separate storage yard 9. The total number of boxes 3 is displayed.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is connected to the information display device 6, the mounted IC tag reading device 12, and the lower product IC tag reading device 24. The placed IC tag reading device 12, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, and the lower product IC tag reading device 24 constitute a gaming machine communication device.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 uses the ball box ID received from the mounted IC tag reading device 12 or the lower product IC tag reading device 24 together with the gaming machine number set in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. Transmit to the monitoring management device 8B.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is provided with a one-chip type microprocessor incorporating a CPU, a power supply circuit, and a data input / output terminal. The common bus for the address and data to which the CPU is connected includes the HDD, RAM, EEPROM and ROM as memories used for the CPU, and a network communication port and I / O for input / output from / to the outside. The port is connected.

  The RAM is a memory used as a work area when a program is executed by the CPU. The RAM stores various data (for example, a left reading storage area 152, a right reading storage area 153, a gaming machine storage area 151, a question signal transmission timer, a question signal timer, a propagation time timer, a reception timer, no ball information, movement information or additional information. A storage area for temporarily storing information and the like, and a work area for temporarily storing data necessary for the operation of the CPU. These various data may be stored in the HDD.

  The gaming machine 1 is connected to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 so that the installation location can be specified. For example, when the gaming machine 1 and the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 are connected in a one-to-one relationship, the gaming machine number set in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is stored in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. Gaming machine balls, such as the identification code, the communication address given to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, or the identification number (for example, MAC address) unique to the chip built in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 The installation location of the gaming machine 1 is specified by associating a unique identifier with the gaming machine 1 in the gaming hall possessed by the box monitoring device 15.

  A configuration in which one gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is connected to a plurality of (for example, two) gaming machines 1 may be used. When the gaming machine 1 and the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 are connected in a many-to-one relationship, in addition to the identifiers described above, a plurality of network communication ports or I / Os provided in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 are used. The installation location of the gaming machine 1 is specified in association with the O port. In this case, a plurality of storage areas corresponding to various data of each gaming machine 1 are provided.

  The counter (game medium counter) 7 is provided at the end of the island 10 or at a suitable place in the game hall. When the player finishes the game, the game ball acquired through the game is thrown into the counter 7. The inserted game balls are counted by the counter 7.

  The counter 7 is provided with a counter (not shown) on the front surface. The counter is provided with a counter IC tag reader 71. The counter IC tag reading device 71 reads the ball box ID of the ball box 3 when the ball box 3 to be thrown into the counter 7 passes over the counter IC tag reader 71.

  The counter 7 is provided with a ball number writing button (not shown). When the ball number writing button is operated, a counting sheet on which the counting result is printed is issued. The player can exchange the acquired game balls for prizes according to the number by bringing the counting sheet to the prize exchange in the game hall.

  The counter 7 is provided with a counter ball box monitoring device 75. A counter IC tag reader 71 is connected to the counter ball box monitoring device 75. The counter ball box monitoring device 75 transmits the ball box ID received from the counter IC tag reader 71 to the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The counter ball box monitoring device 75 is provided with a one-chip type microprocessor incorporating a CPU, a power supply circuit, and a data input / output terminal. The common bus for the address and data to which the CPU is connected includes the HDD, RAM, EEPROM and ROM as memories used for the CPU, and a network communication port and I / O for input / output from / to the outside. The port is connected.

  The RAM is a memory used as a work area when a program is executed by the CPU. The RAM includes a storage area for temporarily storing various data (for example, a counter storage area 751 and the like), and a work area for temporarily storing data necessary for the operation of the CPU. These various data may be stored in the HDD.

  The separate product box monitoring device 95 is connected to a separate product IC tag reader 91. The separate ball box monitoring device 95 transmits the ball box ID received from the separate IC tag reading device 91 to the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The separate ball box monitoring device 95 is provided with a one-chip type microprocessor incorporating a CPU, a power supply circuit, and a data input / output terminal. The common bus for the address and data to which the CPU is connected includes the HDD, RAM, EEPROM and ROM as memories used for the CPU, and a network communication port and I / O for input / output from / to the outside. The port is connected.

  The RAM is a memory used as a work area when a program is executed by the CPU. The RAM includes a storage area for temporarily storing various data (for example, a separate product storage area) and a work area for temporarily storing data necessary for the operation of the CPU. These various data may be stored in the HDD.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, the counting machine ball box monitoring device 75 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 is configured to be directly connected to the internal network. 15. A relay device that relays information from the counter ball box monitoring device 75 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95, for each island 10 in the amusement hall, for each floor, for each passage 16 (see FIG. 4), or for a predetermined You may provide for every block. In this case, the relay device relays information from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, the counter ball box monitoring device 75, or the separate ball box monitoring device 95, and transmits the information to the internal network.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a part of the island 10 and the passage 16 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  A plurality of islands 10 are independently formed in the game hall. Between the two islands 10 adjacent to each other, the chairs 2 are installed in two rows with their backs facing each other.

  Between each island 10, a passage 16 is formed between the two rows of chairs 2 through which a player or employee can come and go. When the player finishes the game, the employee carries the ball box 3 held by the player to the counter 7 in order to count the game balls. At that time, the ball box 3 is held by hand, or if there are a large number of ball boxes 3, the ball box 3 is loaded on the cart 4, and the path from the gaming machine 1 where the player has played to the counter 7 Move on 16.

  The passage 16 is partitioned from a ball box mounting area 173 of each gaming machine 1 described later by a boundary line 171 (indicated by a broken line). Two lines are provided on the floor between the islands 10 in parallel with the moving direction of the passage 16 (longitudinal direction of the islands 10).

  For example, the two boundary lines 171 are provided from the backrests 22 of the chairs 2 arranged in two rows between the islands 10 by a distance corresponding to one ball box 3. In this case, the length of one ball box 3 refers to the length between two hand-held portions 35 (see FIG. 5) provided at both ends of the ball box 3 in the longitudinal direction. That is, between the boundary line 171 and the chair 2, the ball boxes 3 with one hand-held portion 35 facing the gaming machine 1 and the other hand-held portion 35 facing the passage 16 are arranged in a row parallel to the passage 16. Can only be loaded.

  Note that the boundary line 171 may be provided at a distance of at least two ball boxes from the backrest 22 in accordance with the width of the game hall and the width between the islands 10. Thereby, two or more ball boxes 3 can be stacked between the boundary line 171 and the chair 2.

  In addition, the boundary line 171 may be provided at a distance from each backrest 22 by the length of four carts.

  In addition, a boundary line 172 (indicated by a broken line) orthogonal to the boundary line 171 is provided between two gaming machines 1 adjacent to each other. The boundary line 172 is also a boundary line between adjacent gaming machines. Each boundary line 172 is provided to a position extending from the island 10 and contacting the boundary line 171.

  The area defined by the island 10, the boundary line 171 provided behind the chair 2, and the boundary line 172 provided on the left and right floor surfaces of the chair 2 is a ball box placement area of the gaming machine 1 ( A game medium storage container placement area) 173 is formed.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1, the communication range (shown by a one-dot chain line) of the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side and the communication range (shown by a one-dot chain line) of the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side overlap. A ball box detectable area 17 (indicated by hatching) of the gaming machine 1 is formed. The ball box detectable area 17 is set to a range in which the ball box 3 installed in the ball box placement area 173 can be read. When the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side and the lower product IC tag reader device 24 on the left side detect the same ball box at the same time, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 sets the ball box in the ball box detectable area 17. 3 is determined to be placed. In other words, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 and the two left and right lower product IC tag readers 24 constitute a game medium storage container determination means.

  For example, the ball box detectable area 17 includes a first area whose distance from the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side is within a predetermined range and a distance from the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side which is predetermined. The second area within the range overlaps the third area where the sum of the distances from both the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side and the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side is within a certain range. Set to the combined area. In addition to this area, an area where the ball box placement area 173 can be approximated by the two lower product IC tag readers 24 may be set.

  The boundary line 172 is provided not only between the two adjacent gaming machines 1 but also at both ends of the island 10. The boundary lines 172 provided at both ends of the island 10 define the ball box placement areas 173 of the gaming machines 1 installed at both ends of the island 10.

  The boundary lines 171 and 172 are formed by applying an adhesive tape to the floor surface or painting the floor surface. Note that the boundary lines 171 and 172 may be formed by other methods as long as the boundary lines 171 and 172 are clearly visible and are not easily obscured.

  A ball box detectable region 17 is also formed around each separate IC tag reader 91 in the separate storage area 9. Specifically, two lower product IC tag readers 24 are provided in the vicinity of the different product IC tag reader 91, and the different product IC tag reader is read by the area where the communication ranges of the two lower product IC tag readers 24 overlap. A ball box detectable region 17 around the device 91 is formed.

  In the ball box detectable region 17 around the separately-integrated IC tag reader 91, a range in which only one carriage 4 can be placed is set. However, the ball box detectable region 17 may be formed to have an area that is twice or more the area of the mounting plate 41. When the employee fills the ball box 3 in the full state in the vicinity of the chair 2, the employee places the ball box 3 in the ball box detectable area 17 of the gaming machine 1 where the player holding the ball box 3 plays.

  In this way, the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 can be accurately detected by simply placing the ball box 3 in the ball box detectable region 17 without performing a special operation. On the other hand, by limiting the communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 and detecting the ball box 3 by the two lower product IC tag readers 24, the gaming machine corresponding to the two lower product IC tag readers 24 It is possible to prevent reading up to the ball box ID of the ball box 3 stacked near the chair 2 of the gaming machine 1 other than 1. Therefore, it is possible to accurately collect only information related to the ball box 3 in which game balls held by one player are stored.

  Two boundary lines 172 may be provided between two adjacent gaming machines 1 with an equal distance (for example, 5 centimeters) between each gaming machine 1. That is, the ball box placement areas 173 of the two adjacent gaming machines 1 are formed with a certain interval. By doing in this way, even if the ball box 3 is placed on the boundary line 172, the ball box 3 does not enter the adjacent ball box placement region 173, so the lower product IC tag of the adjacent gaming machine 1 It is possible to prevent the reading device 24 from reading the ball box ID of the ball box 3. Further, although the ball box mounting area 173 is formed by the boundary lines 171 and 172, the area indicating the ball box detectable area 17 may be indicated by a boundary line.

  When the lower product IC tag reading device 24 reads the ball box ID and the ball possession information of the ball box 3 stacked in the ball box detectable region 17, the ball box ID and the ball possession information are read from the game machine ball box monitoring device. 15 to send.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ball box 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The ball box 3 is formed in a substantially box body having an upper surface opened by a material having radio wave permeability (for example, synthetic resin, urethane, rubber). Specifically, it is composed of a rectangular bottom wall 38 and two trapezoidal side walls 32 and 33 erected from four sides around the bottom wall 38 and gradually opening upward.

  Of these, the side wall 32 is a pair of opposing side walls that are erected from the long side of the periphery of the bottom wall 38, and the side wall 33 is opposite to the erection of the bottom wall 38 that is erected from the short side. A set of side walls.

  An extension wall 34 having a predetermined width extending outward from the peripheral edge is formed in the opening. In addition, the extending wall 34 extending from the upper end of the side wall 33 has a central portion extending longer than the other extending walls 34 to form a hand-held portion 35. A player or employee can easily carry the ball box 3 in which the game balls are stored by holding the hand-held portion 35.

  An IC tag (recording medium) 31 is attached to the lower surface of the hand-held portion 35. The IC tag 31 stores an ID number (identifier) that uniquely identifies each ball box 3. Two IC tags 31 storing the same ID number are attached to one ball box 3.

  The IC tag 31 may be mounted on the upper surface of the hand-held part 35 or may be embedded in the hand-held part 35.

  Further, the IC tag 31 does not need to be provided on the lower surface of the hand-held portion 35 as long as it is in a position where it can communicate with each IC tag reader even when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the ball box 3. For example, the side surface of the hand-held portion 35 (position where the IC tag 31A is provided), the upper center of the side wall 33 (position where the IC tag 31B is provided) or the side surface of the extension wall 34 (where the IC tag 31C is provided). The IC tag 31 may be provided at a position where the Further, the IC tag 31 may be provided on the side surface of the side wall 32.

  Thus, when each is provided on the side wall 33 (or 32) that faces the IC tag 31, the ball box 3 can be stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2 without considering the directionality of the ball box 3. That is, the lower product IC tag reader 24 can read the ball box ID of the ball box 3 regardless of which direction the ball box 3 is stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2.

  Further, the IC tag 31 may be attached only to one of the opposing side walls 33 (or 32). However, when the IC tag 31 is provided only on one of the side walls 33 (or 32), when the ball box 3 is loaded near the chair 2, the side wall 33 (or 32) provided with the IC tag 31 is attached to the gaming machine 1 side. The side wall 33 (or 32) where the IC tag 31 is not provided is stacked toward the passage 16 side.

  Further, when two IC tags 31 are provided in one ball box 3, it is not always necessary to provide the IC tags 31 on opposite side walls, and they may be provided on one of the side walls 32 and one of the side walls 33. By providing the IC tags 31 on the side walls orthogonal to each other in this way, when the ball box 3 is stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2, it may be placed in the vertical direction (the direction in which the longitudinal direction of the ball box 3 is orthogonal to the passage 16). It can also be placed sideways (the direction in which the longitudinal direction of the ball box 3 is parallel to the passage 16).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the side walls 32 and 33 in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 of the empty ball box 3.

  The ball box 3 is provided with a magnetic sensor 36 on the side wall 33 and a magnet 37 on the side wall 32. Each IC tag reading device, IC tag 31, magnetic sensor 36, and magnet 37 constitute a storage amount detection means.

  The magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 are provided at substantially the same height from the bottom wall 38 so as to face each other around an angle at which the side wall 32 and the side wall 33 are orthogonal to each other. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 are provided at the corner where the side wall 32 and the side wall 33 are orthogonal to each other.

  When there is no object (for example, a metal game ball) that blocks the magnetic force of the magnet 37 between the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37, a magnetic field is applied from the magnet 37 to the magnetic sensor 36. A signal is output from the IC chip 311 (FIG. 6D).

  When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the mounted IC tag reader 12, the IC tag 31 confirms the state of the signal output from the magnetic sensor 36. In this case, since the output signal from the magnetic sensor 36 is large, the ball signal composed of a predetermined code is not transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12, but only the ball box ID is transmitted. Therefore, it is determined that the ball box 3 is empty. The “spherical signal” here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In this specification, “empty ball box 3” means a ball box 3 in which no game balls are stored, and a ball box 3 in which the amount of game balls stored is smaller than a predetermined amount. Shall be included.

  FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the side walls 32 and 33 in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 of the ball box 3 in which game balls are stored.

  When there is an object that blocks the magnetic force of the magnet 37 between the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37, no magnetic field is applied from the magnet 37 to the magnetic sensor 36, and thus no signal is output from the magnetic sensor 36 to the IC chip 311.

  When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the mounted IC tag reader 12, the IC tag 31 confirms the state of the signal output from the magnetic sensor 36. In this case, since the output signal from the magnetic sensor 36 is small, a spherical signal composed of a predetermined code is transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12 together with the ball box ID. Therefore, it is determined that the game ball is stored in the ball box 3.

  In this manner, whether or not a metal game ball is stored in the ball box 3 can be detected based on whether or not a game ball exists between the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37.

  FIG. 6C is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottom wall 38 and the side wall 33 in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 36.

  A magnetic sensor 36 is provided on the side wall 33. An IC tag 31 is provided on the lower surface of the hand-held portion 35. The side wall 33 is provided with a communication line 313 that connects the IC tag 31 and the magnetic sensor 36.

  For example, the magnetic sensor 36 is provided at a height of approximately two game balls from the bottom wall 38. Thereby, when the number of game balls stored in the ball box 3 is less than two layers, the ball box 3 is determined to be empty. When two or more game balls are stored in the ball box 3, it is determined that the game balls are stored in the ball box 3.

  When the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 are provided at high positions (for example, the height of four game balls), the amount of game balls serving as a reference for determining that the ball box 3 is empty increases. Further, when the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 are provided at a low position (for example, the height of one game ball), the amount of game balls serving as a reference for determining that the ball box 3 is empty is reduced. That is, by adjusting the height at which the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37 are provided, it is possible to adjust the “predetermined amount” of the game ball serving as a reference that is determined to be empty.

  FIG. 6D is a block diagram illustrating a communication state between the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31.

  In the IC tag 31, an IC chip 311 including a CPU, a memory, and a power supply circuit and an antenna 312 are connected by a communication line 313. A magnetic sensor 36 is connected to the IC chip 311 via the communication line 313 outside the IC tag 31.

  The IC chip 311 stores an ID number. Further, a signal from the magnetic sensor 36 is input to the IC chip 311. When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the mounted IC tag reader 12 via the antenna 312, the IC tag 31 confirms the state of the signal output from the magnetic sensor 36, the ID number stored in the IC chip 311, and the magnetic sensor The output state 36 is transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12 as a response signal. The mounted IC tag reader 12 receives the ball presence information or the ball absence information (detection result by the storage amount detection means) from the IC tag 31 based on the output from the magnetic sensor 36.

  In FIG. 6D, the communication state between the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31 has been described, but other IC tag readers (the lower product IC tag reader 24, the counter IC tag reader) 71 or the separate product IC tag reading device 91) and the IC tag 31 in the communication state, the configuration is the same and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, whether or not a game ball is stored in the ball box 3 can be detected based on the presence or absence of a game ball between the magnetic sensor 36 and the magnet 37. Further, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the ball box 3 loaded in the vicinity of the game machine 1 or in the separate storage yard 9 by the storage amount detection means. Then, the amount of game balls stored in the ball box 3 can be known, and a more detailed amount of balls can be known. Further, not only game balls but also metal medals can be detected.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another form of the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the side walls 32 and 33 in the vicinity of the contact plate 39 of the empty ball box 3.

  The ball box 3 is provided with a contact plate 39 on the side wall 32 and the side wall 33. Each IC tag reading device, the IC tag 31 and the contact plate 39 constitute a storage amount detecting means.

  The contact plate 39 is preferably subjected to the same surface treatment as that of the game ball, and specifically, is preferably formed of chromium or an alloy of iron and chromium. In addition, the contact plate 39 may be made of an iron plate, a copper plate, or a stainless plate, and may be subjected to the same surface treatment as that of the game ball.

  The contact plate 39 provided on the side wall 32 and the contact plate 39 provided on the side wall 33 are at substantially the same height from the bottom wall 38 and are centered on an angle at which the side wall 32 and the side wall 33 intersect (for example, orthogonal). As opposed to the above. 7A and 7B, the contact plate 39 is provided at a corner where the side wall 32 and the side wall 33 are orthogonal to each other, but may be provided at another corner of the corner of the ball box 3.

  When there is no object (for example, a game ball) that makes the contact plates 39 conductive between the contact plates 39 facing each other, no current flows between the contact plates 39, and the IC chip 311 opens between the contact plates 39. Detect that

  When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the placed IC tag reader 12, it checks the state of the current supplied from the contact plate 39. When a predetermined amount of game balls are not stored in the ball box 3, no current flows between the contact plates 39, so the IC chip 311 is configured with a predetermined code by detecting the opening between the contact plates 39. The ball presence signal is not transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12, but only the ball box ID is transmitted. Therefore, it is determined that the ball box 3 is empty.

  The “spherical signal” mentioned here will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the side walls 32 and 33 near the contact plate 39 of the ball box 3 in which game balls are stored.

  When there is an object that makes the contact plates 39 conductive between the contact plates 39 facing each other, a current flows between the contact plates 39, so that a signal is supplied to the IC chip 311.

  When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the placed IC tag reader 12, the IC tag 31 confirms the conduction state of the contact plate 39. When there is a game ball that connects the contact plates 39 to each other, a signal is supplied from the contact plate 39, so that a ball signal composed of a predetermined code is sent to the mounted IC tag reader 12 together with the ball box ID. Sent. Therefore, it is determined that the game ball is stored in the ball box 3.

  In this way, whether or not the game ball is stored in the ball box 3 can be detected based on whether or not the game ball exists between the contact plates 39.

  FIG. 7C is a longitudinal sectional view of the bottom wall 38 and the side wall 33 in the vicinity of the contact plate 39.

  A contact plate 39 is provided on the side wall 33. An IC tag 31 is provided on the lower surface of the hand-held portion 35. The side wall 33 is provided with a communication line 313 that connects the IC tag 31 and the contact plate 39.

  For example, the contact plate 39 is provided at a height of approximately two game balls from the bottom wall 38. Thereby, when the number of game balls stored in the ball box 3 is less than two layers, the ball box 3 is determined to be empty. When two or more game balls are stored in the ball box 3, it is determined that the game balls are stored in the ball box 3.

  When the contact plate 39 is provided at a high position (for example, the height of four game balls), the amount of game balls serving as a reference for determining that the ball box 3 is empty increases. In addition, when the contact plate 39 is provided at a low position (for example, the height of one game ball), the amount of game balls serving as a reference for determining that the ball box 3 is empty is reduced. In other words, by adjusting the height at which the contact plate 39 is provided, it is possible to adjust the “predetermined amount” of the game ball serving as a reference that is determined as empty.

  FIG. 7D is a block diagram illustrating a communication state between the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31.

  In the IC tag 31, an IC chip 311 including a CPU, a memory, and a power supply circuit and an antenna 312 are connected by a communication line 313. Two contact plates 39 are separately connected to the IC chip 311 via the communication line 313 outside the IC tag 31.

  The IC chip 311 stores an ID number. When the IC tag 31 receives the interrogation signal from the mounted IC tag reader 12 via the antenna 312, the IC tag 31 confirms the conduction state of the contact plate 39, the ID number stored in the IC chip 311, and the conduction state of the contact plate 39 ( Sphere presence information or sphere absence information) is transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12 as a response signal. The mounted IC tag reader 12 receives the conduction information of the contact plate 39 from the IC tag 31 as the presence information.

  7D, the communication state between the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the IC tag 31 has been described. However, other IC tag readers (the lower product IC tag reader 24, the counter IC tag reader) 71 or the separate IC tag reader 91) and the IC tag 31 in the communication state, the configuration is the same, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, whether or not a game ball is stored in the ball box 3 can be detected based on the presence or absence of the game ball between the contact plates 39. Further, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the ball box 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 by the storage amount detection means. Then, it is possible to know the amount of outgoing balls of the gaming machine 1 excluding the empty ball box 3.

  The storage amount detection means is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 or 7, and for example, a proximity sensor may be provided in the container placement unit 13. In this case, a plurality of proximity sensors are embedded in the container placement unit 13. When the ball box 3 is placed on the container placement unit 13 and the game ball is stored in the ball box 3, the proximity sensor detects the game ball via the bottom wall 38.

  However, if any one of the plurality of proximity sensors does not detect the game ball, it is considered that the game ball enough to fill the bottom wall 38 is not stored in the ball box 3. Can be judged empty. On the other hand, when all of the plurality of proximity sensors detect the game ball, it can be determined that the game ball is stored in the ball box 3. Further, a sensor that detects the weight or a sensor that is turned on by the weight of the game ball may be provided on the bottom surface, and this may be used as the storage amount detection means.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the storage areas (left reading storage area 152, right reading storage area 153, gaming machine storage area 151, and counter storage area 751) according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of storage areas (a left reading storage area 152, a right reading storage area 153, and a gaming machine storage area 151) provided in the RAM of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  The left reading storage device 152 stores a ball box ID 1521 of the ball box 3 read by the lower product IC tag reading device 24 provided on the left side of the gaming machine 1.

  In the right reading storage device 153, the ball box ID 1531 of the ball box 3 read by the lower product IC tag reading device 24 provided on the right side of the gaming machine 1 is stored.

  In the gaming machine storage area 151, the ball box 3 that is read by the two lower product IC tag readers 24 on the left side and the right side and is determined to be installed in the vicinity of the chair 2 of the gaming machine 1, and the placement IC The ball box ID 1511 of the ball box 3 read by the tag reading device 12 is stored.

  The ball box ID 1511 is the ball box ID of the ball box 3 read by the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24 of the gaming machine 1.

  For example, the ball box ID is composed of a four-digit symbol combining numbers and English characters. The ball box ID may not be four digits. Moreover, ball box ID may be comprised only with a number or an English character.

  An IC tag 31 to which a different ID number is assigned is attached to each ball box 3 used in the game hall. However, as described above, the IC tag 31 storing the same ID number is attached to one ball box 3.

  For example, the left lower product IC tag reader 24 reads the ball box IDs A332, A831, and B124, and the ball box IDs A332, A831, and B124 are stored in the storage areas of the left reading storage area 152, respectively.

  Similarly, ball box IDs A332, A831, and B213 are read by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side, and ball box IDs A332, A831, and B213 are stored in the storage areas of the right reading storage area 153.

  When there is a ball box ID in the left reading storage area 152 and a ball box ID in the right reading storage area 153, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 adds the ball box ID, the gaming machine number, and the addition. The information is transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B (step S38 in FIG. 11) and stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 (step S39 in FIG. 11). In this way, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 stores the identifier in the gaming machine storage area 151, thereby configuring the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means.

  The additional information indicates that the mounted IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24 has read the ball box ID of the new ball box 3 in which the game balls are stored.

  Further, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 reads the left when the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left and right sides of the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 1511 does not read. Move except when stored in either the storage area 152 or the right storage area 153 or stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 of the adjacent gaming machine 1 Information is transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B (step S43 in FIG. 11), and the ball box ID is deleted (step S44 in FIG. 11).

  The movement information indicates that the ball box ID of the ball box 3 in which the game balls are stored can no longer be read by the placed IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24.

  When one gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is connected to a plurality of gaming machines 1, a left reading storage area 152, a right reading storage area 153, and a gaming machine are connected to each gaming machine 1, respectively. A storage area 151 is provided.

  The ball box ID of the ball box 3 read by the separate product IC tag reading device 91 is stored in a separate product storage area provided in the RAM of the separate product ball box monitoring device 95. Since the separate product storage area has the same configuration as the gaming machine storage area 151, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 8B is a configuration diagram of the counter storage area 751 and is provided in the RAM of the counter ball box monitoring device 75.

  The counter storage area 751 stores a ball box ID 7511.

  The ball box ID 7511 is the ball box ID of the ball box 3 read by the counter IC tag reader 71 of the counter 7.

  For example, when the counter IC tag reader 71 reads the ball box IDs B467, A531, and B520, the ball box IDs B467, A531, and B520 are stored in the storage areas of the counter storage area 751.

  When the ball number writing button is operated, the counting machine ball box monitoring device 75 transmits all ball box IDs stored in the counting machine storage area 751 to the ball box monitoring management device 8B (step of FIG. 14). S76).

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the management storage area 81 and the movement storage area 82 according to the first embodiment of this invention, and is provided in the RAM of the ball box monitoring management apparatus 8B. The management storage area 81 and the movement storage area 82 constitute an identifier management storage unit.

  When the ball box monitoring management device 8B receives movement information from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 for the ball box ID stored in the management storage area 81, the information related to the ball box ID ( Management information) is moved from the management storage area 81 to the movement storage area 82.

  Further, when the ball box monitoring management device 8B receives additional information from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 with respect to the ball box ID stored in the movement storage area 82, the ball box monitoring and management device 8B relates to the ball box ID. The information is moved from the movement storage area 82 to the management storage area 81.

  The management storage area 81 includes a ball box ID received from the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, and a gaming machine corresponding to the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24. The gaming machine number of 1 and the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player in the gaming machine 1 has played in the past are stored.

  Specifically, the management storage area 81 has a ball box ID 811, a current gaming machine number 813, a previous gaming machine number 814, a second previous gaming machine number 815,. The machine number 81n (n is a positive integer) is stored.

  The ball box ID 811 is the ball box ID of the ball box 3 read by the placed IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24. For example, A154, A278, or B089 is stored.

  The current gaming machine number 813 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the placed IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24 that has read the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811.

  That is, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811 is currently loaded (when the ball box ID is read by the separate IC tag reader 91) Is a gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 before moving to the separate loading yard 9).

  For example, 128 is stored in the ball box ID of A154. In this case, it can be determined that the ball box 3 whose ball box ID is A154 is currently stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 128. Further, 305 is stored in the A278 ball box ID, and 008 is stored in the B089 ball box ID.

  If the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811 is read by the lower product IC tag reader 24, it is determined that the ball box 3 of the ball box ID is stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2. it can. If the ball box ID is read by the placement IC tag reader 12, it can be determined that the ball box 3 of the ball box ID is placed on the container placement unit 13. If the ball box ID is read by the separate product IC tag reader 91, it can be determined that the ball box 3 of the ball box ID is loaded in the separate loading place 9.

  The previous gaming machine number 814 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player in the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the current gaming machine number 813 played the previous gaming machine number 813.

  That is, the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 loaded immediately before the current gaming machine 1, and for example, the ball box ID of A154 226 is stored. In this case, it can be determined that the ball box 3 whose ball box ID is A154 is stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 226 immediately before the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 128. Then, it can be determined that the game balls in the ball box 3 are discharged from the game machine 1 with the game machine number 128 or 226.

  Note that the previous gaming machine number is not stored for the ball box IDs of A278 and B089. That is, the game ball in the ball box 3 with the ball box ID A278 is discharged by the game machine 1 with the game machine number 305, and the game ball in the ball box 3 with the ball box ID B089 is the game machine 1 with the game machine number 008. It can be judged that it was discharged.

  The previous gaming machine number 815 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player in the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the current gaming machine number 813 has played two times before. That is, the game machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the ball box 3 with the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811 is loaded two times before the current gaming machine 1 is used.

  The n-th gaming machine number 81n is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player in the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the current gaming machine number 813 has played n times before. That is, the game machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the ball box 3 having the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811 is loaded n times before the current gaming machine 1 is used.

  Note that for any ball box ID, the two previous gaming machine numbers and the n previous gaming machine numbers are not stored.

  In the management storage area 81, information relating to the ball box ID (ball box ID, current gaming machine number stored corresponding to the ball box ID, the previous gaming machine number, the previous gaming machine number, ... And n-th previous gaming machine number), and the time when the information related to the ball box ID is stored in the management storage area 81 is also stored.

  Then, only information related to the ball box ID stored in the management storage area 81 for a predetermined time or more from that time is extracted and totaled, and the totaled result is displayed on the information display device 6 (step S92 in FIG. 15).

  Upon receiving movement information from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 for the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 811, the ball box monitoring management device 8B moves and stores information related to the ball box ID. The information regarding the ball box ID stored in the area 82 and simultaneously stored in the management storage area 81 is deleted (step S67 in FIG. 13).

  As described above, when there is a ball box ID that cannot be read, information about the ball box ID is temporarily stored in the movement storage area 82 so that the player or the employee moves between the gaming machines 1 with the ball box 3. In this case, the information regarding the ball box ID is not deleted and stored in the management storage area 81 together with the gaming machine number of the destination gaming machine 1.

  The moving storage area 82 includes a ball box ID received in the past from the mounted IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to these IC tag readers, the gaming machine concerned The gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the player at 1 has played in the past is stored.

  Specifically, the movement storage area 82 includes a ball box ID 821, a movement source game machine number 822, a previous game machine number 823, a second previous game machine number 824,. A gaming machine number 82n is stored.

  The ball box ID 821 is the ball box ID stored in the management storage area 81 and has been read by the mounted IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, but is no longer read. ID. For example, C114, A228, or B125 is stored.

  The moving-source gaming machine number 822 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the placed IC tag reading device 12 or the lower product IC tag reading device 24 that lastly read the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821. is there.

  That is, the gaming machine in which the ball box 3 of the ball box ID is loaded immediately before the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821 is not read by the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24. For example, 122 is stored in the ball box ID of C114. In this case, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID C114 is stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 122. Further, 354 is stored in the ball box ID of A228, and 407 is stored in the ball box ID of B125.

  The previous gaming machine number 823 is a gaming machine in which a player who has played in the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the original gaming machine number 822 has played before the gaming machine 1. It is a gaming machine number of 1.

  That is, the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 loaded immediately before the moving source gaming machine 1, for example, the ball box ID of B125 Is stored with 018. In this case, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID B125 was loaded in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 018 immediately before the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 407. Note that the previous gaming machine number is not stored for the ball box IDs of C114 and A228.

  The previous gaming machine number 824 is a gaming machine in which a player who has played with the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the moving gaming machine number 822 played before the gaming machine 1. It is a gaming machine number of 1.

  That is, the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821 is the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 loaded two times before the game machine 1 of the movement source, for example, the ball box ID of B125 Stores 050. In this case, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID B125 was loaded in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 050 immediately before the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 407. Note that the previous gaming machine number is not stored for the ball box IDs of C114 and A228.

  The n-th gaming machine number 82n is a gaming machine in which a player who has played with the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the source gaming machine number 822 played n times before the gaming machine 1 It is a gaming machine number of 1.

  That is, the game machine number of the gaming machine 1 in which the ball box 3 of the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821 is loaded n times before the game machine 1 of the movement source. Note that the n-th previous gaming machine number is not stored for any ball box ID.

  In the movement storage area 82, in addition to the information related to the ball box ID, the time when the information related to the ball box ID is stored in the movement storage area 82 is also stored. Information about the ball box ID stored in the moving storage area 82 is deleted from the moving storage area 82 even after a predetermined time has elapsed from that time (step S82 in FIG. 14).

  Also, when the ball box ID stored in the movement storage area 82 is read by the counter IC tag reader 71, the information regarding the ball box ID is deleted from the movement storage area 82 (step S79 in FIG. 13). ).

  When receiving additional information about the ball box ID stored in the ball box ID 821 from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95, the ball box monitoring management device 8B manages and stores information related to the ball box ID. The information related to the ball box ID stored in the area 81 and simultaneously stored in the movement storage area 82 is deleted (step S61 in FIG. 12).

  As described above, when there is a ball box ID read again, information related to the ball box ID is stored in the management storage area 81, so that in addition to the current gaming machine number, the previous gaming machine number, two The previous gaming machine number and the like can be stored in the management storage area 81. That is, it is possible to grasp which gaming machine 1 the ball box 3 with the ball box ID has moved, and the tendency of movement of the ball box 3 between the gaming machines 1.

  When the ball box ID stored in the management storage area 81 is no longer read by the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, information regarding the ball box ID is stored in the movement storage area 82. Instead, a movement flag may be set in the information related to the ball box ID in the management storage area 81. In this case, if the ball box ID is read again by the placement IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, the movement flag is canceled.

  The management storage area 81, the movement storage area 82, the movement information, and the additional information constitute movement history information. Then, the ball box monitoring management device 8B acquires the movement history information, and collects (aggregates) the history of movement of the gaming machine 1 by the player based on the acquired movement history information. The total results of the movement history of the player's gaming machine 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the ball box ID storage process according to the first embodiment of this invention. This ball box ID storage process is executed by the CPU of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  First, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 transmits a question signal to the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24. In response to this, the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24 execute the reading process of the IC tag 31. The question signal is not transmitted from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 to the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24, but the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24. However, the reading process of the IC tag 31 may be executed periodically.

  After executing the reading process of the IC tag 31, the placed IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24 transmit the results to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  Then, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 determines whether or not the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the left side of the gaming machine 1 has been received (S11). If the ball box ID has not been received, the process proceeds to step S15. At this time, the ball box IDs of all the ball boxes 3 detected by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side are received.

  When the ball box ID is received, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not the ball box 3 corresponding to the received ball box ID is an empty ball box. That is, when the ball presence information is received together with the received ball box ID, it is determined that it is not an empty ball box (game balls are stored), and the process proceeds to step S14. If the ball presence information is not received together with the received ball box ID, it is determined that the ball box is empty (no game balls are stored), and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In this way, the game machine ball box monitoring device 15 constitutes a storage amount determination means by determining whether or not the amount of game balls in the ball box 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

  In step S13, the ball box ID determined to be an empty ball box among the ball box IDs already stored in the left reading storage area 152 is deleted.

  In step S14, the received ball box ID is stored in the left reading storage area 152. If the received ball box ID is already stored, the received ball box ID is overwritten and stored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Next, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 executes the same processing as steps S11 to S14 described above for the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the right side of the gaming machine 1.

  First, it is determined whether or not the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side of the gaming machine 1 has been received (S15). If the ball box ID has not been received, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. At this time, the ball box IDs of all ball boxes 3 detected by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side are received.

  When the ball box ID is received, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined whether or not the ball box 3 corresponding to the received ball box ID is an empty ball box. If it is determined that the received ball box ID is not an empty ball box (the game ball is stored), the process proceeds to step S17. If it is determined that the received ball box ID is an empty ball box (no game balls are stored), the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S17, the ball box ID determined to be an empty ball box among the ball box IDs already stored in the right reading storage area 153 is deleted.

  In step S14, the received ball box ID is stored in the right reading storage area 153. If the received ball box ID is already stored, the received ball box ID is overwritten and stored. Thereafter, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  As a result of the above processing, the ball box IDs read by the left and right lower product IC tag readers 24 are stored in the left reading storage area 152 and the right reading storage area 153, respectively.

  The ball box ID read by the mounted IC tag reading device 12 is stored in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of ball box ID information processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. The ball box ID information processing is executed by the CPU of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed after executing the flowchart of FIG. 10 described above or periodically.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 first acquires the current gaming state from the corresponding gaming machine 1 and determines whether or not the gaming state is a big hit end (S31). When the gaming state is the big hit end, when the gaming state is not the big hit end (in the case of the big hit state), the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S32).

  After a predetermined time has elapsed, the ball box ID stored in the left reading storage area 152 is compared with the ball box ID stored in the right reading storage area 153 (S33). Then, it is determined whether or not the same ball box ID is stored in the left reading storage area 152 and the right reading storage area 153 (S34).

  If it is determined that the same ball box ID is stored, all the determined ball box IDs are acquired (S35). On the other hand, when it is determined that the same ball box ID is not stored in the left reading storage area 152 and the right reading storage area 153, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S36, it is determined whether or not there is a ball box ID that is not stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 among the acquired ball box IDs.

  If it is determined that there is a ball box ID that is not stored in the gaming machine storage area 151, the process proceeds to step S37, and a command to output a reading notification sound is transmitted to the lower product IC tag reader 24. In addition, a display to the effect that a new ball box 3 has been added is displayed on the information display device 6. On the other hand, if it is determined that the acquired ball box ID is already stored in the gaming machine storage area 151, the process proceeds to step S40 without executing the processes of steps S37 to S39.

  Next, in step S36, the ball box ID not stored in the gaming machine storage area 151, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, and a new gaming machine. Information indicating that the ball box 3 has been added (additional information) is transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B (S38).

  Next, the ball box ID not determined in the gaming machine storage area 151, that is, the ball box ID of the newly added ball box 3 determined in step S36 is stored in the gaming machine storage area 151.

  When a new ball box 3 is added to the ball box detectable area 17 of the gaming machine 1 by the processing of steps S37 to S39, the fact is notified, and the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is changed to the ball box ID. The monitoring management device 8B is notified and stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not all the ball box IDs stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 are included in the ball box ID acquired in step S35. If it is determined that all the ball box IDs stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 are included, the processing of this flowchart is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that all the ball box IDs stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 are not included, the process proceeds to step S41, and the ball box ID that is not included is stored in the left reading storage area 152 or the right reading. Whether it is stored in one of the storage areas 153 is determined. If it is determined that the data is not stored in any storage area, the process proceeds to step S43.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that one of them is stored, the process proceeds to step S42, and the ball box ID that is not included in the ball box ID acquired in step S35 is the adjacent gaming machine 1 (adjacent game machine 1). It is determined whether or not it is stored in the gaming machine storage area of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 corresponding to the left and right gaming machines 1) installed. If it is determined that it is stored in the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 of the adjacent gaming machine 1, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S42 that the game machine ball box monitoring device 15 of the adjacent gaming machine 1 is not stored, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In the process of step S42, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is connected to the adjacent gaming machine 1 (the left and right installed adjacent to the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 via the network). An inquiry is made to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 corresponding to the gaming machine 1). The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 that has received the inquiry responds to the inquiry.

  In step S43, the ball box ID not stored in either the left reading storage area 152 or the right reading storage area 153 is stored in either the left reading storage area 152 or the right reading storage area 153. Then, for the ball box ID stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 of the adjacent gaming machine 1, a process of deleting the ball box ID is executed.

  Specifically, the ball box ID, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine 1 corresponding to the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, and information indicating that the ball box 3 has moved from the gaming machine to another location (movement Information) is transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Then, the ball box ID is deleted from the gaming machine storage area 151 (S44).

  When the ball box 3 is moved from the ball box detectable area 17 of the gaming machine 1 to another place among the ball box IDs already stored by the processing of steps S40 to S44, the ball box 3 The ball box ID is notified to the ball box monitoring management device 8B and is deleted from the gaming machine storage area of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  At this time, if it is clear that the ball box 3 has moved to the adjacent gaming machine 1, it is deleted from the gaming machine storage area.

  As described above, by the processing of this flowchart, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 placed in the ball box detectable area 17 of the gaming machine 1 is stored in the gaming machine storage area 151 of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, and The ball box ID is notified to the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device reception process according to the first embodiment of this invention. The gaming machine ball box monitoring device reception process is executed by the CPU of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  The ball box monitoring management device 8B first determines whether or not additional information has been received from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 (S53). If additional information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S66.

  When the additional information is received, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 received at the same time as the additional information is a gaming machine number other than the gaming machine number received at the same time as the additional information as the current gaming machine number 812. It is determined whether it is stored in the management storage area 81 (S54). That is, it is determined whether or not the added ball box 3 of the ball box ID is stored in the management storage area 81 as being held by a player who plays with another gaming machine 1.

  When the ball box ID received in step S53 is stored in the management storage area 81 as the ball box 3 held by a player of another gaming machine 1, the ball box 3 having the ball box ID is different from the gaming machine 1 It is detected in. In this case, an error has occurred in the game management system, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is duplicated, or the ball box 3 is placed near the boundary of the ball box detectable area 17 and happens to be next to it. There is a possibility that the ball box 3 is detected only by the lower product IC tag reader 24 of the gaming machine 1.

  Therefore, the process goes to step S55 to notify the hall management device 8A that the same ball box ID is stored in the two gaming machine storage areas (S55). In addition, you may make it notify not only to the hall management apparatus 8A but to the employee of a game hall directly. After this process, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S54, when the received ball box ID is not stored in the management storage area 81 as the ball box 3 held by the player of the other gaming machine 1, the ball box ID is obtained from the separate ball box monitoring device 95. It is determined whether or not it has been received (S60). When the ball box ID is received from the separate ball box monitoring device 95, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID cannot be stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 and has moved to the separate storage area 9.

  However, while the ball box 3 moves from the gaming machine 1 to the separate storage yard 9, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is not read by any IC tag reader, so information on the ball box ID May be stored in the moving storage area 82.

  Therefore, the received information regarding the ball box ID is stored as it is in the management storage area 81 and deleted from the movement storage area 82 (S61). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S66. By this processing, the ball box monitoring and management device 8B can know the number of ball boxes 3 that are the sum of the ball boxes 3 stacked in the separate storage yard 9 and the ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1.

  When the ball box ID is received from the separate ball box monitoring device 95, a different product flag is set in the information related to the ball box ID, or the ball of the ball box 3 loaded in the separate storage place 9 A storage area for storing information related to the box ID may be provided separately, and information related to the ball box ID may be stored in the storage area. By doing so, it can be determined whether the ball box 3 stored in the management storage area 81 is stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 or is stacked in the separate storage yard 9.

  In step S60, when the ball box ID is not received from the separate ball box monitoring device 95, that is, when the ball box ID is received from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15, the ball box ID is stored in the moving storage area 82. It is determined whether it is stored in (S62).

  If it is not stored in the moving storage area 82, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID has been newly added, so that the ball box ID is assigned to the ball box ID 811 of the management storage area 81, The gaming machine number received simultaneously with the box ID is stored in the current gaming machine number 813 in the management storage area 81 (S63). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S66.

  When the ball box ID is stored in the movement storage area 82, it can be determined that the ball box 3 with the ball box ID has moved between the gaming machines 1, and therefore the ball stored in the movement storage area 82. The distance and the gaming machine number of the ball box ID received in step S53 are added to the information related to the box ID and stored in the management storage area 81 (S64).

  Specifically, the distance received at the same time as the ball box ID is stored in the distance 812, the gaming machine number received at the same time as the ball box ID is stored in the current gaming machine number 813, and the moving gaming machine number 822 is stored. The previous gaming machine number 814, the previous gaming machine number 823 stored in the previous gaming machine number 823, the previous gaming machine number 815, and so on. The gaming machine number stored in the previous gaming machine number 82n is stored in association with the ball box ID in the (n + 1) previous gaming machine number 81 (n + 1). Then, the information regarding the ball box ID is deleted from the movement storage area 82 (S65).

  Next, it is determined whether or not movement information has been received from the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box monitoring device 95 (S66). If the movement information has not been received, the process of this flowchart is terminated.

  When the movement information is received, it can be determined that the ball box 3 having the ball box ID is moving between the gaming machines 1 or being transported to the counter 7 or the separate storage yard 9. Information relating to the box ID is stored in the moving storage area 82 as it is and deleted from the management storage area 81 (S67). Then, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  As described above, when the ball box ID received simultaneously with the additional information is stored in the movement storage area 82, the information regarding the ball box ID is moved to the management storage area 81. When the movement information is received, the information regarding the ball box ID received simultaneously with the movement information is moved to the movement storage area 82. By doing in this way, the tendency of the movement between the gaming machines 1 of the ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 can be grasped. In addition, by grasping the tendency of the movement of the ball box 3 between the gaming machines 1, it can be used as a reference when determining the arrangement of the gaming machines 1 in the game hall.

  In the present embodiment, when there is a change in the ball box ID read by the placed IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 or the separate ball box The monitoring device 95 transmits various types of information (additional information, movement information, etc.) to the ball box monitoring management device 8B. The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 and the separate ball box monitoring device 95 are mounted IC tags every predetermined time. The ball box ID and ballless information read by the reading device 12 or the lower product IC tag reading device 24 are transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B, and the ball box monitoring management device 8B monitors the addition or movement of the ball box 3. May be.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the IC tag reading process and the counter ball box monitoring apparatus receiving process according to the first embodiment of this invention. The IC tag reading process is executed by the CPU of the counter ball box monitoring device 75, and the counter ball box monitoring device reception process is executed by the CPU of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  In the IC tag reading process, first, it is determined whether or not the counter 7 is counting game balls (S71). If the game ball is not being counted, the process is terminated.

  When the game balls are being counted, the counter IC tag reader 71 transmits an inquiry signal to read the ball box ID of the ball box 3 in the vicinity of the counter IC tag reader 71 (S72). And it is determined whether ball box ID was received (S73).

  If the ball box ID is not received, the game ball is being counted by the counter 7, but at this time, it can be determined that the ball box 3 has not passed over the counter IC tag reader 71. The process proceeds to step S75 without storing any ball box ID in the counter storage area 751.

  On the other hand, when the ball box ID is received, it can be determined that the ball box 3 is passing over the counter IC tag reader 71, so the ball box ID is stored in the counter storage area 751 (S74). .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the ball number writing button is operated and set to ON (S75). If the ball box writing button is not set to ON, it can be determined that the counting of the game balls has not ended, and thus the processing ends.

  On the other hand, when the ball number writing button is set to ON, it can be determined that the counting of the game balls has been completed, so the ball box ID stored in the counter storage area 751 is transmitted to the ball box monitoring management device 8B. (S76). Then, the ball box ID stored in the counter storage area 751 is deleted (S77). Thereafter, the process ends.

  In the counter ball box monitoring device reception process, first, it is determined whether or not a ball box ID has been received from the counter ball box monitoring device 75 (S78). If the ball box ID has not been received, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the player receives the ball box ID, the player who owns the ball box 3 with the ball box ID can determine that the game has ended, so the information related to the ball box ID stored in the movement storage area 82 is deleted. (S79).

  As a result, information related to the ball box ID of the ball box 3 that is no longer used due to counting of the game balls is deleted from the moving storage area 82, so that the ball box 3 can be moved to another game without any special operation. It can be newly used with the machine 1.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the migration storage area process according to the first embodiment of this invention. The moving storage area process is executed by the CPU of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  In the moving storage area process, first, it is determined whether there is information relating to the ball box ID stored in the moving storage area 82 for a predetermined time (S81). Whether or not the information related to the ball box ID is stored in the movement storage area 82 for a predetermined time is determined based on the time stored in the movement storage area 82.

  If there is no information related to the ball box ID stored in the moving storage area 82 for a predetermined time, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is information on the ball box ID stored in the movement storage area 82 for a predetermined time, the information on the ball box ID is deleted from the movement storage area 82 (S82). Thereafter, the process ends. In this way, the storage time determination unit is configured by determining whether or not the ball box monitoring management device 8B stores more than a predetermined time.

  For example, while the player is moving between the gaming machines 1, suppose that the game ball in the ball box 3, which has been stored only about half, is moved to another ball box 3 and the ball box 3 is emptied. .

  However, information regarding the ball box ID of the empty ball box 3 is still stored in the movement storage area 82. Therefore, when the empty ball box 3 is newly used in another gaming machine 1, the management storage area 81 is as if it has moved between the gaming machines 1 with the game balls stored in the ball box 3. The ball box ID of the ball box 3 and the past gaming machine number are stored in the box.

  Therefore, information relating to the ball box ID that has been stored for a predetermined time is deleted from the moving storage area 82. As a result, the ball box 3 that has been emptied by moving the game ball to another ball box 3 while moving between the game machines 1 is different from the original game machine 1 without any special operation. It can be newly used in the gaming machine 1.

  Note that the predetermined time in step S82 is a sufficient time (for example, 5 minutes) until the player finishes the game on one gaming machine 1 and starts the game on the other gaming machine 1.

  When the placement IC tag reader 12 is not provided in the container placement unit 13, when the ball box 3 is moved from the vicinity of the chair 2 to the container placement unit 13, information regarding the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is obtained. It is moved to the moving storage area 82.

  In this case, even though the same player continues to use the ball box 3 in the container placement unit 13, when a predetermined time elapses after being stored, the movement box 82 stores the ball box 3. Information about the ball box ID is deleted.

  However, when the ball box 3 is stacked again in the vicinity of the chair 2, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 may be stored in the management storage area 81 again, and no particular problem occurs.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of floor area information total display processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. The floor area information total display processing is executed by the CPU of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  In the floor area information totaling display process, first, only information relating to the ball box ID stored in the management storage area 81 for a predetermined time is extracted (S91).

  For example, the ball box 3 that is transported by the employee and is moving through the passage 16 is read the ball box ID every time it enters the communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 of the gaming machine 1 facing the passage 16. There is a case. However, since the ball box 3 is moving, it passes through the communication range of each lower product IC tag reader 24 in a short time.

  Therefore, the period during which the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is read by the lower product IC tag reader 24 and stored in the management storage area 81 is short. That is, since such a ball box ID is not stored in the management storage area 81 for a predetermined time or longer, the ball box ID is excluded in step S91.

  The predetermined time in step S91 is set to a time sufficient for the employee to pass through the communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 extending to the area of the passage 16 (for example, 10 seconds).

  In this way, the information on the ball box ID that has not been stored in the management storage area 81 for a predetermined time or more is excluded, and the information is totaled, so that the ball box ID of the ball box 3 moving in the passage 16 is read as the lower product IC tag When the apparatus 24 reads, it is possible to accurately detect the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 without including the ball box 3 of the ball box ID.

  Further, since it is possible to exclude the information about the ball box ID of the ball box 3 moving in the passage 16 only by determining whether or not it has been stored in the management storage area 81 for a predetermined time, it is possible to use a simple method in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1. The number of the stacked ball boxes 3 can be accurately detected.

  Next, various information (for example, the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 and the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 from the information extracted in step S91. 1, the total number of ball boxes 3 moved from 1, the total number of ball boxes 3 for each type of gaming machine 1, the gaming machine number or model to which the ball box 3 loaded in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 has moved, or The tendency of movement of the ball box 3 between the models is tabulated, and the tabulated result is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B (S92). Further, the totaling result is displayed on the display screen 61 of the information display device 6 via the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15. In this way, the ball box monitoring management device 8B counts the number of ball boxes 3 to constitute the container number counting means.

  The displayed aggregation results will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a totaling result of the number of ball boxes 3 for each model according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16C, the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 is equal to the number of ball boxes 3 storing the game balls discharged by the current gaming machine 1 ( Divided into the number of ball boxes that have been released by the current gaming machine 1) and the number of ball boxes 3 that have stored the game balls discharged by other gaming machines 1 (the number of ball boxes that have been issued by other gaming machines 1). indicate.

  The number of ball boxes 3 is totaled as follows. First, if no gaming machine number is stored in the previous gaming machine number 814 with respect to the gaming box ID stored in the gaming box ID 811, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine number 814 is changed to the current gaming machine number. The number is counted as “the number of ball boxes released by the current gaming machine 1” of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the number 813.

  In addition, when a gaming machine number is stored in the previous gaming machine number 814 with respect to the gaming box ID stored in the gaming box ID 811, the gaming machine number corresponding to the gaming box number 814 is changed to the current gaming machine number. The number is counted as “the number of ball boxes delivered by other gaming machines 1” of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number stored in the number 813.

  FIG. 16A shows the result of counting the number of ball boxes 3 of model A and is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  A total of ten gaming machine numbers 101 to 110 are installed in the gaming machine 1 of model A.

  A total of 22 ball boxes 3 are stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of model A. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machines 1 having the gaming machine numbers 101 to 110) is 19, and the number of ball boxes 3 that are put out by the other gaming machines 1 is three. The number of gaming machines 1 on which the ball boxes 3 are stacked is four (the gaming machines 1 with the gaming machine numbers 101, 103, 104, and 107). The breakdown is as follows.

  Twelve ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 101. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been issued by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 101) is 12, and there is no ball box 3 that has been issued by other gaming machines 1.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 102, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  Five ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 103. Of these, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 103) is five, and there is no ball box 3 that has been put out by other gaming machines 1.

  Three ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 104. Among them, there is no ball box 3 that was released by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 101), and the number of ball boxes that were issued by other gaming machines 1 is three.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machines 1 of the gaming machine numbers 105 and 106, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  Two ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 107. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 101) is two, and there is no ball box 3 that has been put out by other gaming machines 1.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machines 1 of the gaming machine numbers 108 to 110, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  FIG. 16B shows the total result of the number of ball boxes 3 of model B, and is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  A total of ten gaming machine numbers 111 to 120 are installed in the gaming machine 1 of model B.

  A total of 33 ball boxes 3 are stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the model B. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been issued by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machines 1 of the gaming machine numbers 111 to 120) is 30, and the number of ball boxes 3 that are issued by the other gaming machines 1 is three. The number of gaming machines 1 on which the ball boxes 3 are stacked is seven (the gaming machines 1 with the gaming machine numbers 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 119 and 120). The breakdown is as follows.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 111, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 112, eight ball boxes 3 are stacked. Of these, the number of ball boxes that have been issued by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 112) is eight, and there is no ball box 3 that has been issued by other gaming machines 1.

  Six ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 113. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 113) is six, and there is no ball box 3 that has been put out by other gaming machines 1.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 114, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  Two ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 115. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 115) is two, and there is no ball box 3 that has been put out by other gaming machines 1.

  Six ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 116. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 116) is three, and the number of ball boxes 3 that are put out by the other gaming machines 1 is three.

  Two ball boxes 3 are stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 117. Of these, the number of ball boxes that have been issued by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 117) is two, and there is no ball box 3 that has been issued by other gaming machines 1.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 118, the ball box 3 is not stacked.

  Six ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 119. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been put out by the current gaming machine 1 (the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 119) is six, and there is no ball box 3 that has been put out by other gaming machines 1.

  Three ball boxes 3 are stacked near the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 120. Among them, the number of ball boxes that have been issued by the current gaming machine 1 (gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 120) is three, and there is no ball box 3 that has been issued by other gaming machines 1.

  The ball box monitoring management device 8B counts the number of ball boxes 3 for each model as described above at predetermined time intervals. The amusement hall can check the total result with the output device, and can also print the total result. In addition, the game hall may display the totalization result at a suitable place in the gaming machine 1 or the game hall in a state that the player can recognize.

  When the player counts the game balls discharged from the gaming machine 1 immediately after the game starts, or when the player moves with the game balls between the gaming machines 1, the ball box 3 in which the employee is stacked near the chair 2 If you simply write down the number on the paper, the amusement hall cannot know whether or not a particular model has a game ball. However, by counting the information on the ball box IDs stored in the management storage area 81 as described above, it is possible to accurately detect the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of each gaming machine 1 that is important for business. it can. In addition, it is possible to know the amount of balls for each model.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the totaling results of the movement progress of the ball box 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The game hall inputs the gaming machine number using the input device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Then, the detailed movement progress of the ball box 3 stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 of the inputted gaming machine number is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Here, a detailed movement process of the ball box 3 when the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 116 is designated will be described.

  FIG. 17 (A) is a total result of the movement progress of the ball box 3 between the gaming machines 1, and is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 116, six ball boxes 3 are stacked in three rows and two rows. In the bottom two ball boxes 3, game machine numbers 026 and 156 are displayed. That is, it can be determined that the bottom two ball boxes 3 have moved from the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 156 to the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 116 via the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 026.

  A gaming machine number 026 is displayed in one of the middle boxes 3. That is, it can be determined that the ball box 3 has moved from the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 026 to the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 116.

  In other words, the game balls stored in the two lowest ball boxes 3 are discharged by the game machine 1 with the game machine number 156, and the game balls stored in one of the middle boxes 3 are the game machines with the game machine number 026. It can be determined that the gaming balls discharged by the machine 1 and stored in the other three ball boxes 3 are discharged by the gaming machine 1 of the gaming machine number 116.

  By displaying the result of the above counting, the game hall is discharged by any game machine 1 in which the game balls stored in the ball box 3 are moved, and the ball box 3 is moved via any game machine 1 thereafter. Can know.

  FIG. 17B is a total result of the movement progress between the models of the ball box 3, and is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  In the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 with the gaming machine number 116, six ball boxes 3 are stacked in three rows and two rows. A model C and a model D are displayed in the lower two ball boxes 3. That is, it can be determined that the two lowest ball boxes 3 have been moved from the gaming machine 1 of model D to the gaming machine 1 of gaming machine number 116 via the gaming machine 1 of model C.

  The model C is displayed in one of the middle boxes 3. That is, it can be determined that the ball box 3 has been moved from the gaming machine 1 of model C to the gaming machine 1 having the gaming machine number 116.

  That is, the game balls stored in the lower two ball boxes 3 are discharged by the model D gaming machine 1, and the game balls stored in the middle ball box 3 are discharged by the model C gaming machine 1. Thus, it can be determined that the game balls stored in the other three ball boxes 3 are discharged from the game machine 1 of the game machine number 116 type.

  By displaying the above-mentioned total results, the game hall knows which model the game balls stored in the ball box 3 are discharged and after which the ball box 3 moves through. Can do.

  In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the movement progress of the ball box 3 is shown by displaying the gaming machine number in the schematic diagram of the ball box 3 on the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Is not limited to this, and for example, the number of ball boxes 3 and the gaming machine number through which each ball box 3 passes may be displayed only in characters.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a totaling result of the movement tendency of the ball box 3 between the models according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The game hall inputs the model of the gaming machine 1 using the input device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Then, among the gaming machines 1 installed in the game hall, the total result of the movement tendency of the ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of all the gaming machines 1 of the input model is output from the ball box monitoring management device 8B. Displayed on the device. Here, the total result of the movement tendency of the ball box 3 when the model A is designated will be described.

  FIG. 18A is a tabulated result of the movement tendency of the ball box 3 from one model to another, and is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  Here, the game machine 1 of the model A to the game machine 1 of the model B has 3 ball boxes 3, the game machine 1 of the model C has 8 ball boxes 3, and the game machine 1 of the model D has 12 boxes The ball box 3 is moving. That is, a player who has played a game on the machine A of the model A has a strong tendency to move to the game machine 1 of the model D among the models B, C, and D, and has a low tendency to move to the game machine 1 of the model B. .

  By displaying the above totaling results on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B, the game arcade, for example, when the layout of the gaming machine 1 is changed, the gaming machine 1 of the model A and the gaming machine 1 of the model D It can be used as a reference for determining the arrangement of the gaming machine 1 such as facing each other close to each other.

  FIG. 18B shows the total result of the movement tendency of the ball box 3 from another model to one model, which is displayed on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B.

  Here, the model B gaming machine 1 to the five ball boxes 3, the model C gaming machine 1 to the three ball boxes 3, and the model D gaming machine 1 to the eight ball boxes 3 are model A The game machine 1 has been moved. That is, among the models B, C, and D, a player who was playing with the game machine 1 of the model D has a strong tendency to move to the game machine 1 of the model A, and the game played with the game machine 1 of the model C The tendency for a person to move to the gaming machine 1 of model A is weak.

  By displaying the above totaling results on the output device of the ball box monitoring management device 8B, the game arcade, for example, when the layout of the gaming machine 1 is changed, the gaming machine 1 of the model A and the gaming machine 1 of the model D It can be used as a reference for determining the arrangement of the gaming machine 1 such as facing each other close to each other.

  FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of the display screen 61 of the information display device 6 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  In the display screen 61, a range (display range) in which various information can be displayed is divided into a plurality of blocks, and different information is displayed in each block.

  In the upper left of the display range, the number of big hit states (number of big hits) (for example, 15) that occurred in the gaming machine 1 on the day is displayed.

  In the lower left of the display range, the number of start times (for example, 153) of the variable display game after the previous big hit state occurrence of the gaming machine 1 is displayed.

  In the upper right of the display range, the number of probability variation states (probability variation number) (for example, 10) that occurred in the gaming machine 1 on the day is displayed.

  In the lower right of the display range, the number of ball boxes 3 (the number of floor ball boxes) stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2 out of the ball boxes 3 currently held by the player who plays with the gaming machine 1 (for example, 9) is displayed.

  In this way, by displaying the number of floor ball boxes on the display screen 61, the number of ball boxes 3 stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2 becomes clear, so that the player can play the ball boxes stacked in the vicinity of the chair 2. It is possible to grasp the number of ball boxes 3 owned by the user only by confirming the number displayed on the information display device 6 without counting three. Further, by displaying the number of ball boxes 3 on the information display device 6, it is possible to appeal the payout rate of the gaming machine 1 to other players.

  The information displayed in the display range is not limited to these. Further, the player can switch the displayed information by operating the data switching button 62.

  By identifying the gaming machine 1 on which each ball box 3 is stacked using the above game management system and further identifying the player who plays with the gaming machine 1, the ball box 3 can be prevented from being stolen. Also good. That is, by specifying a player who holds a game ball stored in the ball box 3 using the present invention, a person other than the player counts the game balls in the ball box 3 or the ball box 3 It is possible to prevent other gaming machines 1 from playing using the game balls.

  As described above, in the game management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the ball box ID of the ball box 3 is read by the two lower product IC tag readers 24 on the left and right of the gaming machine. It is possible to accurately collect the position of the ball box, the presence / absence of the ball, etc. without performing any special work.

  In the first embodiment, the lower product IC tag readers 24 are provided on the left and right sides of each gaming machine 1, but one lower product IC tag reader 24 may be used for both the left and right gaming machines 1. Good. That is, the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the left side of one gaming machine 1 functions as the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the right side of the gaming machine on the left side of the gaming machine 1, The product IC tag reading device 24 may function as the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the left side of the gaming machine on the right side of the gaming machine. By doing in this way, the number of parts of the lower product IC tag reader 24 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, the lower product IC tag reader 24 is provided on the extension of the boundary line between adjacent gaming machines 1 below the counter 11 of the gaming machine 1. The communication range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 is determined in advance as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the detection method of the ball box 3 by the lower product IC tag reader 24 is changed to set the communication range to be changeable. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart of question signal transmission processing according to the second embodiment of this invention. The question signal transmission process is executed by the CPU of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 first determines whether or not a question signal transmission timer set in step S103 described later has expired (S101). If the question signal transmission timer has not expired, the process ends.

  When the question signal transmission timer expires, a predetermined time has passed since the previous question signal was transmitted, so that the next question signal is transmitted to the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24. (S102). Then, a question signal transmission timer is set (S103).

  The inquiry signal transmission timer is set to a time longer than the reception time described later. By setting the interrogation signal transmission timer, interrogation signals are transmitted from the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24 to the IC tag 31 at predetermined time intervals.

  Next, a propagation time timer is started (S104). Thereafter, the process ends.

  The propagation time timer receives the ball box ID from the IC tag 31 in step S111 of FIG. 21, which will be described later, after the placement IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24 transmit a question signal in step S102. Measure the time until.

  The question signal transmission process is also executed by the CPU of the separate ball box monitoring device 95. However, in the separate cardboard box monitoring device 95, among the interrogation signal transmission processing executed by the gaming machine ballbox monitoring device 15, the mounted IC tag reader 12 and the lower product IC tag reader 24 are read out separately. The question signal transmission process is executed in place of the device 91.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of ball box ID reception processing according to the second embodiment of this invention. The ball box ID reception process is executed by the CPU of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  In the ball box ID reception process, first, it is determined whether the mounted IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24 has received a ball box ID or the like from the IC tag 31 (S111). If no information is received from the IC tag 31, it can be determined that there is no ball box 3 in the vicinity of the gaming machine 1, and thus the process ends.

  When the ball box ID or the like is received from the IC tag 31, the propagation time is measured from the propagation time timer started in step S104 of FIG. 20 (S112). The propagation time is a time required from the IC tag reader 12 or the lower product IC tag reader 24 sending a question signal until the ball box ID or the like is returned as a response signal from the IC tag 31. is there.

  Next, the distance between the IC tag 31 that transmitted the response signal and the lower product IC tag reader 24 is calculated from the propagation time measured in step S112 (S113).

  Next, the ball box ID, the ball existence information received from the IC tag 31 and the distance calculated in step S113 are temporarily stored in a predetermined register area (S114). Note that if the ball box 3 with the ball box ID received from the IC tag 31 is empty, no ball presence information is received, and therefore only the ball box ID and the distance of the ball box ID are stored in step S114.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 measures the propagation time by the processing of this flowchart, thereby constituting a propagation time measuring means.

  The ball box ID reception process is also executed by the CPU of the separate ball box monitoring device 95. However, in the separate ball box monitoring device 95, the mounted IC tag reading device 12 or the lower product IC tag reading device 24 in the ball box ID receiving process executed by the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 is changed to the separate product IC tag. The reading is replaced with the reading device 91, and the vicinity of the gaming machine 1 is replaced with the separate storage yard 9, and the ball box ID receiving process is executed.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the ball box ID storage process according to the second embodiment of this invention. This ball box ID storage process is executed by the CPU of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15.

  The gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 first determines whether or not the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side of the gaming machine 1 is received in step S111 of FIG. S121). If the ball box ID has not been received, the process proceeds to step S125. At this time, the ball box IDs, ball existence information, and distances of all ball boxes 3 detected by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the left side are acquired.

  When the ball box ID is received, the process proceeds to step S122, and it is determined whether or not there is a ball box ID whose distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance among the received ball box IDs. If it is determined that there is a ball box ID greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, the ball box ID is deleted (S123), and the process proceeds to step S124. If there is no ball box ID longer than the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step S124.

  In step S124, it is determined whether or not the ball box 3 corresponding to the received ball box ID is an empty ball box. That is, when the ball presence information is received together with the received ball box ID, it is determined that it is not an empty ball box (the game ball is stored), and the process proceeds to step S126. When the ball possession information is not received together with the received ball box ID, it is determined that the ball box is empty (no game balls are stored), and the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, the ball box ID determined to be an empty ball box among the ball box IDs already stored in the left reading storage area 152 is deleted.

  In step S126, the received ball box ID is stored in the left reading storage area 152. If the received ball box ID is already stored, the received ball box ID is overwritten and stored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S127.

  Next, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 executes the same processing as steps S121 to S126 described above for the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reading device 24 on the right side of the gaming machine 1.

  First, it is determined whether or not the ball box ID read by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side of the gaming machine 1 has been received (S127). If the ball box ID has not been received, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. At this time, the ball box IDs of all ball boxes 3 detected by the lower product IC tag reader 24 on the right side are received.

  When the ball box ID is received, the process proceeds to step S128, and it is determined whether or not there is a ball box ID whose distance is a predetermined distance or more among the received ball box IDs. If it is determined that there is a ball box ID greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, the ball box ID is deleted (S129), and the process proceeds to step S130. If there is no ball box ID longer than the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, it is determined whether or not the ball box 3 corresponding to the received ball box ID is an empty ball box. If it is determined that the received ball box ID is not an empty ball box (the game ball is stored), the process proceeds to step S131. If it is determined that the received ball box ID is an empty ball box (no game balls are stored), the process proceeds to step S132.

  In step S131, the ball box ID determined to be an empty ball box among the ball box IDs already stored in the right reading storage area 153 is deleted.

  In step S132, the received ball box ID is stored in the right reading storage area 153. If the received ball box ID is already stored, the received ball box ID is overwritten and stored. Thereafter, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  The ball box ID information processing (FIG. 11), the gaming machine ball box monitoring device reception process (FIG. 12), the IC tag reading process and the counting machine ball box monitoring device reception process (FIG. 13) are the first implementation described above. Since this is the same as that of the embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the gaming management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine ball box monitoring device 15 measures the propagation time of the lower product IC tag reader 24 to thereby read the lower product IC tag. The distance between the device 24 and the ball box 3 is calculated, and the ball box 3 having the ball box ID is installed in the ball box detectable area 17 corresponding to the ball box mounting area 173 according to the distance. It is determined whether or not. Therefore, a predetermined range can be set as the ball box detectable region 17 from the lower product IC tag reader 24 without being limited by the shape of the ball box placement region 173.

  For example, the shape of the game hall varies, and for example, the interval between game machines, the width of the passage, and the like differ depending on the hall. Therefore, by setting the measurement range of the lower product IC tag reader 24 without limitation, it is possible to cope with only a minimum change (correcting the relationship between the propagation time and the distance) even in a differently shaped game arcade. It becomes possible.

  Further, the measurement range may be set by combining the distance and the propagation time from the lower product IC tag reader 24 by combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In addition, the measurement range may be set in consideration of the shape of the chair 2, the player, or other things that may exist between the lower product IC tag reader 24 and the ball box 3.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  As described above, the game management system according to the present invention counts the number of ball boxes stacked in the vicinity of a game machine in a game hall where a game machine such as a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, or a slot machine is installed. It can be applied to a game management system.

It is a front view which shows the structure around the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a right view which shows the structure around the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a system configuration figure of the game management system of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial block diagram of the island and the channel | path of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the ball box of the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the mounting IC tag reading apparatus and IC tag of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of another form of the mounting IC tag reader of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and an IC tag. It is explanatory drawing of the storage area of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a management storage area and a migration storage area according to the first embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a ball box ID storage process of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of ball box ID information processing of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the gaming machine ball box monitoring device reception processing of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the IC tag reading process and the counter ball box monitoring apparatus reception process of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the movement storage area process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the floor area information total display process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the total result of the number of ball boxes for every model of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the total result of the movement progress of the ball box stacked in the vicinity of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the total result of the tendency of the movement of the ball box between the models of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the display screen of the information display apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the question signal transmission process of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of ball box ID reception processing of an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of a ball box ID storage process of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Chair 3 Ball box 8A Hall management apparatus 8B Ball box monitoring management apparatus 10 Island 12 Mounting IC tag reader 13 Container mounting part 15 Game machine ball box monitoring apparatus 16 Passage 17 Ball box mounting area 24 Lower product IC tag reader 31, 31A-31C IC tag 32, 33 Side wall 36 Magnetic sensor 37 Magnet 38 Bottom wall 39 Contact plate 81 Management storage area 82 Moving storage area 151 Game machine storage area 171, 172 Boundary line 173 Ball box mounting area 313 Communication line

Claims (10)

A recording medium provided in a game medium storage container for storing a game medium paid out from a gaming machine, and capable of transmitting a stored identifier;
A gaming machine communication device that is provided corresponding to the gaming machine and receives an identifier of the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container in which a gaming medium held by a player who plays with the gaming machine is stored;
A game management device that receives and manages the unique information for identifying the gaming machine and the identifier from the gaming machine communication device;
The recording medium is a game management system that, when receiving a question signal from the gaming machine communication device, transmits the identifier as a response signal to the gaming machine communication device,
The gaming machine communication device is
A first communication unit disposed at a lower right side of the gaming machine and having a communication range with the recording medium set to a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine;
A second communication unit disposed on the lower left side of the gaming machine and having a communication range with the recording medium set to a predetermined range in the vicinity of the gaming machine;
The game medium storage container is installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit by comparing the identifiers of the recording media received by the first communication unit and the second communication unit, respectively. Game medium storage container determination means for determining whether or not the game medium held by a player who plays with the gaming machine is a stored game medium storage container;
Propagation time measuring means for measuring the propagation time from transmitting the interrogation signal until receiving the response signal ,
The game medium storage container determination means includes
An identifier whose propagation time measured by the propagation time measuring means in the first communication unit is within a predetermined time, and an identifier whose propagation time measured by the propagation time measuring means in the second communication unit is within a predetermined time. In the same case, a game medium possessed by a player who plays a game medium storage container provided with the recording medium of the identifier with a gaming machine installed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit is provided. A game management system, characterized in that it is determined as a stored game medium storage container . Set a substantially middle line between the adjacent gaming machines as a boundary line of the game medium storage container placement area corresponding to each gaming machine,
The first communication unit and the second communication unit each include a communication range changing unit that changes a communication range with the recording medium, and is installed on an extension of the boundary line,
The communication range changing means sets the range from the vicinity of the left boundary line to the vicinity of the right boundary line of the game medium storage container placement area as the communication range of the first communication unit or the communication range of the second communication unit. The game management system according to claim 1 , wherein: The gaming machine communication device is
A game machine corresponding identifier storage means for storing an identifier determined to store a game medium held by a player in the game medium storage container;
If the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means is in a state where it cannot be received from both the first communication unit and the second communication unit, the identifier is deleted from the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means. ,
When the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means cannot be received from only one of the first communication section or the second communication section, the identifier is stored from the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means. The game management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game management system stores the information continuously without deleting it. The gaming machine communication device is
A gaming machine communication device corresponding to an adjacent gaming machine when the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means cannot be received from only one of the first communication unit or the second communication unit Determining whether or not the identifier is stored in the gaming machine corresponding identifier storage means of
When the identifier is stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the adjacent gaming machine communication device, the identifier stored in the gaming machine correspondence identifier storage means of the own gaming machine communication device is deleted. The game management system according to claim 3 . The game management device includes:
Identifier management storage means for storing the identifier received from the gaming machine communication device in association with the unique information;
Based on the identifier stored in the identifier management storage means and the unique information, the container number counting means for counting the number of the game medium storage containers placed in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
The container number counting means includes:
Storage time determination means for determining whether or not the identifier is stored in the identifier management storage means for a predetermined time or more,
2. The number of game medium storage containers provided with a recording medium of the identifier determined to be stored in the identifier management storage means for a predetermined time or more by the storage time determination means is totaled. 4. The game management system according to any one of 4 to 4 . The first communication unit and the second communication unit are provided in the game medium storage container disposed in the vicinity of a gaming chair where a player faces the gaming machine in the vicinity of the gaming machine. receiving the identifier, or any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that transmitting the interrogation signal to the recording medium provided in the game medium reservoir placed on a chair near for the game The game management system according to item. The gaming machine communication device receives an identifier of the recording medium provided in the gaming medium storage container placed on a container placing part provided at a position where a gaming medium is paid out from the gaming machine, or any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a third communication unit which transmits the interrogation signal on the recording medium provided in the game medium reservoir that is mounted on the container mounting part The game management system described in one. The gaming machine communication device is
A storage amount determination means for determining whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is a predetermined amount or more;
6. The game management system according to claim 5 , wherein the container number counting means totals the number of game medium storage containers storing a predetermined amount or more of game media. The game medium storage container includes a storage amount detection means for detecting whether or not the amount of the game medium stored in the game medium storage container is a predetermined amount or more,
The recording medium transmits the stored identifier and the detection result by the storage amount detection means,
The game management system according to claim 8 , wherein the storage amount determination means determines whether or not a predetermined amount or more of game media is stored in the game media storage container based on the detection result. The game medium storage container is
A rectangular bottom wall;
And four side walls erected around the bottom wall,
The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the recording medium is provided with the same identifier stored in at least two of the four side walls. .

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