JP5518361B2 - GAME SYSTEM AND GAME MEDIUM MANAGEMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system and a game media management device, and in particular, is communicably connected to a prize exchange device used for exchanging game media and prizes possessed by a player, and each player possesses it. A game medium management device for managing game media with a plurality of accounts, and for withdrawing a game media corresponding to the prize from a player's account corresponding to a prize exchange request received by the prize exchange device; The present invention relates to a gaming system including a prize exchange device.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a gaming system introduced into a gaming store such as a pachinko store, there is a gaming system that manages a gaming medium held by each player in association with a card issued to the player. In this gaming system, an account is provided for each player to manage the quantity of game media held by that player, and all player accounts are stored by a game media management device (hereinafter simply referred to as “management device”). I manage.

  In this type of game system, the types of game media managed by the management device have been diversified with the diversification of services provided by pachinko parlors in recent years. Therefore, the management device associates a plurality of types of game media possessed by each player with a single card issued to each player, and establishes an individual account for each type of game media, thereby providing each player's game Manage media.

  For example, a game store that has been installed corresponding to each pachinko machine and that can perform a process of counting balls acquired by the player (hereinafter referred to as “CR unit”). In this case, the management device counts the storage card stored by the member in the amusement store and the CR unit on the membership card issued to the player who has registered as a member in the amusement store (hereinafter referred to as “member”). The counting balls are associated with each other, and the storing balls and counting balls held by each member are managed by two types of accounts, that is, an account for storing balls and an account for counting balls.

  In addition, a prize exchange device used for exchanging balls and prizes held by a player is provided in a game shop in which such a gaming system is introduced. This prize exchange device has a vending machine type device that accepts a prize exchange operation by a player and automatically pays out a prize, and a prize management function for managing history information etc. of prize exchange based on operation of a store clerk. There are types of devices. In the case of a device operated by a store clerk, delivery of a prize to a player is performed by hand of the store clerk.

  These prize exchange devices accept the membership card issued to the player when the prize exchange request is accepted, and receive the identification information of the accepted membership card and the number of balls corresponding to the prize desired by the player. The settlement request including it is transmitted to the management device.

  When the management device receives the payment request from the gift exchange device, the amount corresponding to the prize from the storage account is selected from the storage account and the counting account associated with the identification information included in the payment request. The prizes are settled by pulling out the balls (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-229111 A

  However, in the above conventional gaming system, when the player has both the storage balls and the counting balls, when the player exchanges the balls and the prizes by the prize exchange device, the management device always uses the account for the savings balls. Since the ball equivalent to the prize was drawn, it was not possible to flexibly respond to the needs of game shops and players.

  That is, depending on the amusement store, there are stores that want to use the stored balls positively for the payment of prizes, and other stores that do not want to use the stored balls positively for the payment of prizes. In particular, game stores that use a system that collects a predetermined fee when returning the stored balls to the player as balls used for games tend to want to use the counting balls for the payment of prizes rather than the stored balls. is there.

  The amusement store that collects a fee when returning the stored ball collects the fee that would have been collected if the stored ball was used as a ball to be used in the game if the stored ball was used to pay for the prize. Because you can't do it, you will suffer from that.

  Also, in the case of a game system in which the management device always withdraws balls corresponding to prizes from the account for savings, for example, a player whose number of savings is less than the number corresponding to prizes is counted more than the number corresponding to prizes. Even if you have a ball, you may not be able to exchange prizes. In this case, the amusement store misses the opportunity to sell premiums and suffers a disadvantage.

  Counting balls are balls (actual items) that are at hand in the conventional system, so there are some players who need to feel free to use them preferentially in exchange of prizes (cigarettes, beverages, etc.) during the game. For such a player, there is resistance in the usage mode that prioritizes saving money, and inconvenience such as the need to input a personal identification number is also hated.

  In addition, the types of game media possessed by a single player are not only the above-described two types of storage balls and counting balls, but have been further diversified in recent years. For example, in the case of an amusement store that sets a plurality of ball lending rates when lending balls to a player, for example, a low rate of lending 1 ball for 1 yen and 1 ball for 4 yen Assuming that a high rate to be rented is set, the management device, for a ball acquired by a player who is not a member, on a general card pre-loaded in the CR unit, one counting ball of 1 yen, 1 yen 4 A maximum of two types of game media called counting balls are associated with each other and managed in separate accounts.

  In addition, when a player uses a membership card, the management device refers to a membership card of 1 yen for each member, 1 yen for 1 yen, 1 yen for 1 yen, 1 yen for 4 yen, and 1 yen for 4 yen. Associate up to 4 types of game media and manage them with different accounts.

  Among the amusement stores that set a plurality of types of ball lending rates in this way, there are stores that desire to exchange prizes from stored balls, and stores that desire to exchange prizes from counting balls depending on the ball lending rate. However, the conventional gaming system cannot flexibly meet different needs for each gaming store.

  In addition, the preference for whether to use a stored ball, a counting ball, a low-rate ball, or a high-rate ball for prize exchanges is naturally different depending on each player, In this game system, regardless of the player's preference, the stored balls are always used for exchanging prizes, so it is not possible to flexibly meet the player's needs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when a game medium held by a single player is managed by a plurality of accounts, the management device makes a ball withdrawal target when paying for a prize exchange. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming system and a gaming medium management device that can flexibly meet the needs of gaming stores and players regarding accounts.

Therefore, in the present invention, each device is provided corresponding to each game machine and can count the game media acquired by the player, and the game media and prizes possessed by the player. a prize exchange apparatus used in replacement of, the communicably connected to the respective base corresponding device and the prize exchange device, said counting game medium each player who is counting process in each table corresponding device's and貯遊technique the number of media as well as managed by mouth seat, there game media corresponding the player's account corresponding to the replacement request of the prize which the prize exchange apparatus has received the prize in the game system comprising a withdrawal and to game media management device Te, the game medium management apparatus stores a plurality of accounts to manage the individual car corresponding device by counting the processed number貯遊technique medium counting game medium number and the recreation tourists each lending rate of each player, respectively A seat storage unit, the priority setting means for a plurality of accounts stored in the account memory unit, said game medium management apparatus according to the request of the player to set the priority of the account to be debited target game media It was decided to provide a gaming system characterized by having

  Also, in the present invention, in the gaming system, the gaming medium management device, when performing withdrawal of gaming media, if there is a shortage of gaming media in the withdrawal target account, The game medium is withdrawn from the account with the highest priority next to the existing account.

  In the present invention, the gaming system further includes setting operation means operated by a player to cause the priority setting means to set the priority.

  Also, the present invention is characterized in that, in the gaming system, the priority setting means changes and sets the priority according to the balance of game media in each account.

Further, in the present invention, there is provided a device corresponding to each of the game machines, capable of counting the game media acquired by the player, and each game machine and the game media and prizes possessed by the player. is communicably connected to the prize exchange apparatus used in exchange, the counting game medium speed and貯遊TECHNICAL number media each player who is counting process is held in the base corresponding apparatus as well as managed by mouth seat, the prize exchange A game medium management device that withdraws a game medium corresponding to the prize from a player's account corresponding to a prize exchange request received by the apparatus,
Account storage means for storing a plurality of accounts that respectively manage the number of game media counted for each player's lending rate counted by each device and the number of game media stored by the player; and the account storage means providing for a plurality of accounts stored, the game medium management apparatus, wherein the game medium management apparatus; and a priority setting means for setting the priority of the account to be debited subject of game media to It was decided to.

According to the present invention, a plurality of accounts that respectively manage the number of counted game media and the number of stored game media for each lending rate of each player counted by each device corresponding device are stored. Since the priority of the accounts for which the game media are to be withdrawn is set according to the player 's request , the prize exchange is performed even when there are a plurality of counting game media with a plurality of lending rates. At the time of the game, the game media will be withdrawn preferentially from the account desired by the game store or player, and the type of game media used for prize exchange should be flexibly responded to the needs of the game store or player. Can do.

  Further, in the present invention, even when a shortage of game media occurs in the account to which the game media is to be withdrawn when exchanging the prize, the game from the account with the next highest priority is not interrupted without stopping the exchange of the prize. Since the medium can be withdrawn, the amusement shop can increase sales by giving away prizes.

  Further, in the present invention, when the number of game media held changes or the preference for game media to be used for exchanging prizes changes, the player operates the operation means to make an account for which the game media are to be withdrawn. Can be arbitrarily changed according to the player's own preference.

  Further, in the present invention, for a plurality of accounts held by each player, the priority order of the accounts to be withdrawn from the game media can be set according to the balance of the game media. If it is set to be ranked, it is possible to actively use the type of gaming media that has a small balance and is not used for gaming, so it is possible to actively exchange prizes for game stores, so that sales of prizes increase for gamers. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the remaining little game media.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing data transition when a prize exchange device equivalent to 300 yen is exchanged by a prize exchange apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing data transition when a prize exchange device equivalent to 800 yen is exchanged by the prize exchange apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing data transition in the case where a free gift equivalent to 300 yen is exchanged by the free gift management apparatus. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each device included in the gaming system of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the management apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure of a settlement process performed by the management apparatus according to the modification. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of the adjustment process performed by the management apparatus when a fraction occurs.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, in a game store such as a pachinko store, a prize exchange device used for exchanging a pachinko ball (hereinafter simply referred to as “ball”) held by a player and a prize, and communication with the prize exchange device are possible. The game media management that manages the balls held by each player in multiple accounts, and withdraws the balls corresponding to the prizes from the player's account corresponding to the prize exchange request accepted by the prize exchange device A case where the present invention is applied to a gaming system including a device will be described as an example.

  The game system according to the present invention can be applied to a game system that handles arbitrary game media such as medals used in so-called pachislot machines in addition to balls used in pachinko machines.

  In addition, in a game store that introduces the game system of the present embodiment, as a ball lending rate to a player, a first lending rate for lending one ball for 1 yen and a ball for 4 yen There are two types of lending rates, the second lending rate to lend, a low rate corner where you can play with balls that are rented for 1 yen each (hereinafter referred to as “1 yen coins”), and 4 each A description will be given on the assumption that a high-rate corner capable of playing with balls lent out in yen (hereinafter referred to as “4-yen coins”) is provided.

  Also, at this amusement store, the balls acquired by a player who has registered as a member of the amusement store in advance (hereinafter referred to as “member”) are stored as storage balls, and the storage balls are returned when the player visits the store at a later date. This makes it possible to play a game with a stored ball (a replay of the stored ball). The game store collects a predetermined number of stored balls as a fee when returning the stored balls to the player. However, the game store does not collect a fee when the player exchanges the money and the prize.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system S according to the present embodiment includes a management device 1, a gift exchange device 2, a gift management device 3, and a CR unit 4.

  The CR unit 4 is a device corresponding to each device, which is installed corresponding to each pachinko machine P and has a ball counting function for counting the balls acquired by the player. The CR unit 4 includes a banknote receiving unit 41, a display operation unit 42, a ball paying unit 43, a card receiving unit 44, a ball counting unit 45, and the like.

  The bill accepting unit 41 is a processing unit that accepts and identifies a bill inserted by a player to borrow a ball and takes it into the CR unit 4. When a bill is accepted by the bill accepting unit 41, the CR unit 4 associates the value corresponding to the bill as a prepaid value with a card (member card or general card) held inside the card accepting unit 44.

  At this time, when the membership card is held in the card reception unit 44, the prepaid value is associated with the identification information (member ID) of the membership card. On the other hand, when the membership card is not held in the card reception unit 44, the prepaid value is associated with identification information (card ID) of a general card loaded in the card reception unit 41 in advance.

  When the player presses the ball lending button provided on the pachinko machine P in a state where the card associated with the prepaid value is held in the card reception unit 44, the ball throwing part inside the pachinko machine P A predetermined number of balls are paid out to the upper plate of the pachinko machine P, and the value corresponding to the number of balls is subtracted from the prepaid value.

  The display operation unit 42 is an icon image that functions as various operation buttons operated to receive a return of stored balls or a ball counted by a ball counting unit 45 described later (hereinafter referred to as “count ball”), a game It is a display apparatus provided with the touch panel function which displays information, such as the number of stored balls which a person holds.

  The ball payout unit 43 is a processing unit that pays out stored balls and counting balls to the pachinko machine P in accordance with the operation of the display operation unit 42 by the player. When a ball is paid out from the ball paying unit 43, the CR unit 4 subtracts the number of balls from the number of stored balls or the number of balls associated with the card in the card receiving unit 44, and the processing result is displayed on the card. Temporarily stores until return operation is performed.

  The card receiving unit 44 is a processing unit that receives and holds a member card or a general card inserted by a player, and reads a member ID or a card ID from these cards. When the member ID and the card ID are read by the card receiving unit 44, the CR unit 4 acquires information on the number of stored balls and the counting balls managed by the management device 1 in association with those IDs from the management device 1.

  The ball counting unit 45 is a processing unit that receives prize balls and the like paid out from the pachinko machine P from the lower plate of the pachinko machine P and counts the number of balls. When the counting process is performed by the ball counting unit 45, the CR unit 4 adds the counted number of counting balls to the number of counting balls associated with the card in the card receiving unit 44, and the processing result is displayed on the card. Is temporarily stored until the return operation is performed.

  When the card return operation is performed by the player, the CR unit 4 has the ID (member ID or card ID) of the card (member card or general card) held in the card reception unit 44 at that time, and the ID. The information on the number of stored balls and the number of counted balls temporarily stored in association with is transmitted to the management device 1. These pieces of information are transmitted to the management apparatus 1 via the island controller 46 that is a relay apparatus, and are managed by the management apparatus 1.

  The management device 1 is communicably connected to the prize exchange device 2, the prize management device 3, the CR unit 4, and the like, and functions as a game medium management device that manages information relating to stored balls and counting balls held by each player. It is a device to do. The management device 1 and the CR unit 4 are connected via an island controller 46.

  The management device 1 includes a display unit 11 for displaying various information managed by the management device 1, an operation unit 12 such as a keyboard and a mouse operated to input various information, and each CR via the island controller 46. A storage / counter ball DB (database) 131 or the like that stores the ID received from the unit 4 in association with the number of stored balls and the number of counting balls is provided.

  The specific configuration and operation of the management device 1 will be described in detail later. The management device 1 uses a storage ball / counter ball DB 131 to individually store a plurality of types of balls held by each player in a plurality of accounts. To manage. Specifically, the savings / counting ball DB 131 includes a savings account for managing a 4-yen coin for each ID (member ID or card ID) of each player's card (member card or general card), A savings account for managing 1-yen coins, a counting account for managing 4-yen counting balls, and a counting account for managing 1-yen counting balls are provided.

  In addition, when the management device 1 receives a payment request for a premium exchange from the premium exchange device 2 or the premium management device 3, the management device 1 uses the player account corresponding to the premium exchange request received by the premium exchange device 2 or the premium management device 3. Then, the number of balls corresponding to the prize to be exchanged is withdrawn (subtracted) to perform a settlement process for prize exchange.

  The gift exchange device 2 is a vending machine (vending machine) type device that stores premiums such as drinks and cigarettes in the inside and pays out a gift in exchange for cash, storage balls or counting balls. The prize exchange device 2 includes a prize selection unit 21 that is operated by a player to select a desired prize, a card reader 22 that reads an ID (member ID or card ID) from a member card or a general card, and the like. The specific configuration of the gift exchange device 2 will be described later in detail.

  The prize exchange device 2 makes a prize exchange request when the player selects the prize selection unit 21 corresponding to the desired prize and the card reader 22 reads the ID of the card associated with the stored ball or the counting ball. It is determined that the payment has been accepted, and a settlement request including the read ID and value information corresponding to the prize selected by the player is transmitted to the management apparatus 1.

  Thereafter, when the prize exchange device 2 receives a withdrawal completion notification indicating that the exchange of the prize exchange is completed from the management device 1, the prize exchange device 2 pays out the prize selected by the player.

  The prize management device 3 is installed at a prize counter in the amusement store and manages the inventory status of the prizes stored in the prize counter or the backyard, the history of exchange of prizes that the store clerk hands to the player, and the like. . In the present embodiment, the premium management device 3 and the premium exchange device 2 described above correspond to the premium exchange device according to the present invention.

  The prize management device 3 includes a prize selection unit 31 that is operated by the store clerk to input the kind of prize verbally transmitted from the player, and a card reader 32 that reads an ID from a card associated with the number of stored balls and the number of balls to be counted. A display unit 33 for displaying the number of balls corresponding to the prize, a priority setting unit 34 described later, and the like. The specific configuration of the prize management device 3 will be described in detail later.

  Then, when the type of the prize is input by the store clerk and the ID of the card associated with the storage ball or the counting ball is read by the card reader 32, the prize management device 3 determines that the prize exchange request has been received, and the read ID And a settlement request including value information corresponding to the input premium are transmitted to the management apparatus 1.

  Thereafter, when the prize management device 3 receives a withdrawal completion notification from the management device 1 indicating that the payment for the prize exchange has been completed, the prize management device 3 displays that on the display unit 33. Thereafter, the clerk hands the prize to the player, whereby the prize exchange using the prize management device 3 is completed.

  In particular, in the gaming system S of the present embodiment, the management device 1 is provided for a plurality of accounts provided by the management device 1 for each player (cards associated with the number of balls and the number of balls for each player). It is configured to be able to arbitrarily set the priority order of the accounts to be withdrawn from the balls when paying for a gift exchange.

  When the management device 1 receives a premium exchange payment request from the premium exchange device 2 or the premium management device 3, the management device 1 withdraws the balls from the selected account according to the set priority. Here, an example of data transition in the stored ball / counting ball DB 131 when a ball is withdrawn from an account selected by the management apparatus 1 according to the priority order will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data transition when a free gift equivalent to 300 yen is exchanged in the free gift exchanging apparatus 2, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data transition when a free gift equivalent to 800 yen is exchanged in the free gift exchanging apparatus 2. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 are explanatory diagrams showing data transition when the prize management device 3 exchanges prizes equivalent to 300 yen.

  As shown in FIG. 2, here, a card C has 1,000 4-yen coins, 100 4-yen coins, 1000-yen coins, 1000-yen coins, and 1-yen coins. A case where 300 balls are associated will be described.

  Here, the priority of the accounts that the management device 1 is subject to withdrawal of the balls is the highest in the 1-yen counting ball account, the next higher account is the 4-yen counting ball account, and the next higher account is It is assumed that a 1-yen coin account and an account with the lowest priority are set to be a 4-yen coin account.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the prize G1 equivalent to 300 yen is selected by the player and the ID is read from the card C, the prize exchange device 2 determines the payment request including the ID and the value of the prize G1 (300 yen). Is transmitted to the management apparatus 1. This settlement request is input to the control unit 15 provided in the management apparatus 1.

  The control unit 15 of the management device 1 refers to the account stored in the storage / counting ball DB 131 corresponding to the ID included in the settlement request and the priority order of each account. Here, since there are as many balls as necessary for the settlement in the 1-yen counting ball account with the highest priority as the target of withdrawal, the control unit 15 is 300 from the 1-yen counting ball account. The process of pulling out the balls is performed. As a result, the number of 1-yen counting ball accounts is 0.

  Thereafter, when receiving the payment completion notification indicating that the payment has been completed from the management device 1, the prize exchange device 2 pays out the prize G1 equivalent to 300 yen selected by the player, and ends the prize exchange process. To do.

  As described above, in the gaming system S of the present embodiment, when the management device 1 pays for the exchange of prizes, it is possible to arbitrarily set the priority order of accounts to be withdrawn from the balls. The priority order of the counting balls can be set higher than the order.

  By setting priorities in this way, the management device 1 preferentially withdraws counting balls from a plurality of types of balls held by the player when the player exchanges prizes. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the stored balls to be used for the settlement of the prize exchange.

  As a result, the game store has more opportunities to use the stored balls for replaying the stored balls rather than paying for the exchange of prizes, so the opportunity to return the stored balls to the player and collect fees will increase sales. it can.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, a data transition in the case where a player whose 1-yen counting ball has become 0 as shown in FIG. . When the prize G2 equivalent to 800 yen is selected by the player and the ID is read from the card C, the prize exchange device 2 transmits a settlement request including the ID and the value of the prize G2 (800 yen) to the management device 1. . This settlement request is input to the control unit 15 provided in the management apparatus 1.

  The control unit 15 of the management device 1 refers to the account stored in the storage / counting ball DB 131 corresponding to the ID included in the settlement request and the priority order of each account. Here, the control unit 15 performs the withdrawal of the ball from the account where the prize can be exchanged in accordance with the priority order for which the ball is to be withdrawn.

  At this time, the control unit 15 first refers to the 1-yen coin account having the highest priority. Here, since there are no balls in the 1-yen coin counting account, the control unit 15 refers to the 4-yen coin account having the second highest priority.

  There are 100 coins in the 4-yen coin account, but the value of 100 4-yen coins is 400 yen, and there is not enough balance to settle the 800-yen prize. Therefore, the control unit 15 refers to the one-yen coin account having the third highest priority.

  Since there are 1000 balls in the 1-yen coin account, the control unit 15 determines that the prize can be exchanged, and withdraws 800 balls from the 1-yen coin account. As a result, the number of balls in a 1-yen coin account is 200.

  After that, when receiving the payment completion notification indicating that the payment is completed from the management device 1, the gift exchange device 2 pays out the gift G2 equivalent to 800 yen selected by the player, and ends the gift exchange process. To do.

  As described above, in the gaming system S of the present embodiment, when the management device 1 pays for the exchange of prizes, if there is no ball in the highest priority account, or the balance of the ball in the account referenced according to the priority order. Even if there is a shortage, if there is an account that has enough balls to settle the prize, the prize can be settled by withdrawing the ball from the account.

  As a result, the amusement store can complete the exchange of the prize by withdrawing the ball from the other account without causing the prize exchange device 2 to stop exchanging the prize even if the balance is insufficient in the specific account. Sales can be increased by exchanging premiums.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a case where the player exchanges prizes equivalent to 300 yen using the prize management device 3 will be described. The prize management device 3 of the present embodiment is configured such that the management device 1 can change the priority order of the accounts to be withdrawn from the balls when paying for a prize exchange, by the operation of a store clerk based on a request from a player. .

  In the standby state, the display unit 33 of the free gift management apparatus 3 displays a standby screen on which character information such as “You can exchange free gifts” is displayed as shown in FIG. Then, when the player who has visited the prize counter for exchanging the prize hands the card C to the store clerk, the store clerk causes the card reader 32 to read the ID from the card C.

  When the ID (in this case, ID: 0001) is read (read) from the card C by the card reader 32, the prize management device 3 is stored in association with the ID: 0001 as shown in FIG. Information regarding the number of balls in each account is acquired from the management device 1 and displayed on the display unit 33 as an account selection screen.

  Next, the player makes a request for exchanging the prize by telling the store clerk the desired prize (in this case, a prize equivalent to 300 yen), but the prize management apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is the player at this time. If requested, it is configured so that the priority of the account from which the ball is withdrawn can be changed by the operation of the store clerk.

  For example, when a player requests a store clerk to use a 4-yen coin preferentially over a 1-yen coin and to use a stored ball preferentially over a counting ball for exchanging free gifts, the store clerk sets priority of the free gift management device 3 By operating the unit 34, the priority order desired by the player is set.

  In this case, the prize management device 3 determines the priority of the account to be withdrawn based on the operation of the store clerk as a 4-yen coin account, 4-yen counting account, 1-yen coin account, 1-yen coin. A request for changing the priority order of the counting ball accounts is sent to the management device 1.

  At this time, the prize management device 3 transmits to the management device 1 an ID for identifying the card C of the player who has requested the priority change together with the priority change request. Based on the priority change request received from the prize management device 3, the management device 1 changes the priority setting of the account to be deducted.

  After that, when the prize management device 3 accepts the selection operation of the prize desired by the player, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the 4-unit coin storage account with the highest priority is displayed as an exchange screen on the display unit 33. The number of balls (1000 balls), the number of 4-yen coins corresponding to the prize desired by the player (75 balls), and the number of remaining balls after the prize exchange (925 balls) are displayed to allow the player to confirm.

  On the other hand, when the player requests the store clerk to use the counting ball preferentially over the stored ball and to use the 1 yen coin preferentially over the 4-yen coin for the free gift exchange, the prize management device 3 determines the priority by the store clerk. Based on the operation of the setting unit 34, the priority of the account to be withdrawn is set to 1 yen coin counting account, 4 yen coin account, 1 yen coin account, 4 yen coin account The order change priority request is transmitted to the management apparatus 1 together with the card C ID. Based on the priority change request received from the prize management device 3, the management device 1 changes the priority setting of the account to be deducted.

  After that, when the giver managing apparatus 3 accepts the selection operation of the giver desired by the player by the store clerk, as shown in FIG. The player displays the number of balls in the counting account (300 balls), the number of 1-yen coins (300 balls) corresponding to the prize desired by the player, and the number of remaining balls after the prize exchange (0 balls). Let me check.

  The prize management device 3 accepts the contents of the exchange screen by the player and performs a settlement request operation by the store clerk, and sends a settlement request including the value of the selected prize to the management apparatus 1 together with the ID of the card C. Send.

  When the management apparatus 1 receives the settlement request, as shown in FIG. 4E, the management apparatus 1 has the highest priority according to the priority order changed based on the priority order change request, regardless of the priority order set in advance by the game shop as a default. A ball equivalent to 300 yen is withdrawn from a high-ranking account, and a withdrawal completion notification indicating that the payment has been completed is returned to the prize management device 3.

  The store clerk confirms that the withdrawal completion notification has been received by the prize management device 3, and then hands over the prize requested by the player to the player to complete the prize exchange operation.

  As described above, in the gaming system S of the present embodiment, when a player exchanges prizes using the prize management device 3, the store clerk operates the priority setting unit 34 of the prize management apparatus 3 according to the player's request. As a result, the management device 1 can change and set the priority order of the accounts for which the balls are to be withdrawn when paying the prize, so that the number of balls that are held can change or the balls that are used for the exchange of prizes. When the player's preference regarding the type of the player changes, the priority can be arbitrarily changed according to the player's own preference.

  Next, the configuration of each device included in the gaming system S of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each device included in the gaming system S of the present embodiment. In the figure, only the components necessary for explaining the features of the management device 1, the gift exchange device 2, and the gift management device 3 are shown, and some descriptions of general components are omitted. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the prize exchange device 2 includes a prize selection unit 21, a card reader 22, a prize payout mechanism 23, a communication interface 24, a control unit 25, and the like. The prize selection unit 21 is a selection switch provided corresponding to each prize that can be paid out by the prize exchange device 2. Each switch, when pressed by the player, outputs a signal indicating that to the control unit 25.

  The card reader 22 is a processing unit that reads an ID (member ID or card ID) that can identify each card C from a card C (member card or general card) held by the player and outputs the ID to the control unit 25.

  The prize payout mechanism 23 includes a prize storage unit 231 that stores each prize. When the prize exchange device 2 receives a payment completion notification from the management device 1, the prize is selected by the player according to the control of the control unit 25. Distribute prizes to the outside. The communication interface 24 is a processing unit that transmits a settlement request to the management apparatus 1 and receives a withdrawal completion notification from the management apparatus 1 under the control of the control unit 25.

  The control unit 25 includes an information processing device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads various programs from the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area. By using and executing, the operations of the premium payout mechanism 23, the communication interface 24, and the like are comprehensively controlled.

  When an operation signal indicating that a prize has been selected is input from the prize selection section 21 and an ID of the card C is input from the card reader 22, the control section 25 receives the ID of the card C and the selected prize. A settlement request including information indicating value is transmitted from the communication interface 24 to the management apparatus 1. Thereafter, when the communication interface 24 receives the withdrawal completion notification from the management device 1, the control unit 25 drives the premium payout mechanism 23 to pay out the premium selected by the player.

  The prize management device 3 includes a prize selection unit 31, a card reader 32, a display unit 33, a priority setting unit 34, a prize information storage unit 35, a communication interface 36, a control unit 37, and the like. The prize selection unit 31 and the priority order setting unit 34 are operation units configured by a keyboard. When a store clerk operates in response to a player's request, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is output to the control unit 37.

  The card reader 32 is a processing unit that reads an ID (member ID or card ID) that can identify each card C from a card C (member card or general card) held by the player and outputs the ID to the control unit 37.

  The display unit 33 includes two display devices, a display device that displays information toward the store clerk side (inside the prize counter) and a display device that displays information toward the player side (outside the prize counter). Thus, under the control of the control unit 37, the above-described standby screen, account selection screen, exchange screen, etc. (see FIG. 4) are displayed by these display devices.

  The prize information storage unit 35 is composed of a nonvolatile storage device that can write and rewrite information. The prize information storage unit 35 stores the stock status of various prizes stored in the prize counter or in the backyard, and the prize management device 3. Information related to the exchange history of prizes exchanged by use is stored.

  The communication interface 36 is a processing unit that transmits a payment request, a priority change request, and the like to the management device 1 and receives a withdrawal completion notification from the management device 1 according to the control of the control unit 37.

  The control unit 37 includes an information processing apparatus having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU reads various programs from the ROM and executes them using the RAM as a work area, whereby the display unit 33 and the communication interface 36 are executed. The overall operation of the prize management device 3 is controlled by performing the above-described operation control, writing information into the prize information storage unit 35, rewriting information, and the like.

  The management apparatus 1 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and a control unit 15. The display unit 11 is a display device that displays information such as the number of balls held by each player, and the operation unit 12 is used for inputting various information including setting of an account to be withdrawn from the ball when the prize is settled. An input device such as a keyboard and a mouse operated to perform the

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard disk drive) device, and an ID (member ID or card ID) of a card C (member card or general card) issued to the player. The number of balls possessed by each player in association is stored.

  Specifically, the storage unit 13 includes a storage / counter ball DB 131 that stores the number of stored balls and the number of counting balls of each player. The storage ball / counting ball DB 131 includes a storage area of a storage ball account 132 for storing the number of balls stored for each player and a counting ball account 135 for storing the number of balls for each player. Further, the storage account 132 includes a storage area of a 1-yen account 133 that stores the number of 1-yen coins stored and a 4-yen account 134 that stores the number of 4-yen coins stored. The counting ball account 135 includes a storage area of a 1-yen account 136 for storing the number of counting 1-yen coins and a 4-yen account 137 for storing the number of 4-yen counting balls.

  Under the control of the control unit 15, the communication interface 14 receives a settlement request transmitted from the prize exchange device 2 or the prize management device 3, a priority change request transmitted from the prize management device 3, and a card transmitted from each CR unit 4. It is a processing unit that receives information on C ID, the number of stored balls, the number of held balls, and the like and outputs the information to the control unit 15. In addition, the communication interface 14 transmits a payment completion notification, an impossible notification described later, and the like input from the control unit 15 to the premium exchange device 2 and the premium management device 3.

  The control unit 15 includes an information processing apparatus having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU reads various programs from the ROM and executes them using the RAM as a work area, whereby the display unit 11 and the communication interface 14 are executed. The overall operation of the management apparatus 1 is comprehensively controlled by performing operation control such as the above, writing information to the storage unit 13, and rewriting information.

  This control unit 15 is input when the ID of the card C transmitted when the CR unit 4 returns the card C to the player and information indicating the number of balls and the number of balls are input from the communication interface 14. The value of each ball number stored in the storage unit 13 in association with the ID is updated.

  In addition, the control unit 15 receives a payment request transmitted from the priority setting processing unit 152 for setting the priority of the account to be deducted at the time of payment of the gift exchange, and the gift exchange device 2 or the gift management device 3. A payment processing unit 151 that withdraws balls corresponding to prizes from an account stored in the storage unit 13 in correspondence with the ID of the card C included in the payment request when input.

  The priority order setting processing unit 152 is a processing unit that sets the priority order of accounts to be withdrawn from balls when paying for prizes based on the operation of the operation unit 12. In addition, when the priority order change request transmitted from the prize management device 3 is input, the priority order setting processing unit 152 sets the priority order of the accounts to be deducted according to the priority order change request. .

  When the settlement request is input, the settlement processing unit 151 selects the account from which the ball is to be withdrawn according to the priority set by the priority order setting processing unit 152, performs the settlement of the prize, and the withdrawal of the ball is completed. In this case, it is a processing unit that sends a reply to the device (premium exchange device 2 or premium management device 3) that has transmitted the payment request.

  Further, the settlement processing unit 151 transmits a settlement request when there are not enough balls corresponding to the value of the prize in the account stored in association with the ID of the card C included in the settlement request. A non-payable notification is sent back to the other devices (premium exchange device 2 or premium management device 3).

  Next, processing executed by the CPU included in the management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the management apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Here, processing related to the prize exchange will be described, and description of other processing will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the management apparatus 1 is powered on, the CPU of the management apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “CPU”) first, based on an operation signal input from the operation unit 12. It is determined whether or not a priority setting operation has been performed (step S101).

  If the CPU determines that a priority setting operation has been performed (step S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when determining that the priority order setting operation has not been performed (step S101: No), the CPU determines whether or not a priority order change request has been received from the prize management device 3 (step S106).

  If the CPU determines that a priority change request has been received (step S106: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if the CPU determines that the priority order change request has not been received (step S106: No), the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S <b> 102, the CPU sets the priority order of accounts to be deducted at the time of prize payment based on the priority order setting operation by the operation unit 12 or the priority order change request received from the prize management device 3. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a payment request has been received from the gift exchange device 2 or the gift management device 3. If there is neither a priority setting operation nor a priority change request, processing is performed according to the default value or the previous setting contents (priority).

  If the CPU determines that a settlement request has been received (step S103: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when it is determined that the settlement request has not been received (step S103: No), the CPU ends the process and starts the process again from step S101.

  In step S104, the CPU can withdraw the ball from the account with the highest priority for withdrawal from among the plurality of accounts stored corresponding to the ID of the card C included in the settlement request. If it is determined whether or not withdrawal is possible (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105.

  On the other hand, if the CPU determines that it is not possible to withdraw the ball from the account with the highest priority (step S104: No), is it possible to withdraw the ball from the account with the next highest priority? It is determined whether or not (step S107), and if it is determined that the ball can be withdrawn (step S107: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the CPU performs a withdrawal process of subtracting the number of balls corresponding to the value of the prize included in the checkout request from the account determined to be able to withdraw the balls in step S104 or step S107. Thereafter, a withdrawal completion notification including the completion of the withdrawal of the ball and the processing result of the withdrawal process is sent to the device (premium exchange device 2 or premium management device 3) that sent the settlement request for processing. And the process starts again from step S101.

  On the other hand, if the CPU determines in step S107 that it is impossible to withdraw the ball (step S107: No), it is determined whether or not the priority of the account determined to be incapable of withdrawal is the lowest order. A determination is made (step S108).

  If the CPU determines that the account has the lowest priority (step S108: Yes), it sends a payment request notification indicating that payment cannot be made to the device (premium exchange) Device 2 or the prize management device 3) (step S109), the process is terminated, and then the process is started again from step S101. On the other hand, if the CPU determines that the account is not the lowest priority account (step S108: No), the process proceeds to step S107.

  As described above, in the gaming system S according to the present embodiment, when an employee of a game shop operates the operation unit 12 of the management apparatus 1, the management apparatus 1 makes a target for withdrawal of a ball when paying a prize. Account priorities can be set arbitrarily, so that when a prize is settled, balls will be withdrawn preferentially from the account desired by the amusement shop, and the needs of the amusement shop regarding the types of balls used for prize exchange Can respond flexibly.

  Further, in this gaming system S, the player tells the store clerk the type of the ball he / she wants to use for the prize exchange at the prize counter, and asks the store clerk to operate the priority setting unit 34 of the prize management device 3, thereby Since the priority order desired by the player can be arbitrarily set for the account to be withdrawn, it is possible to flexibly deal with the needs of each player regarding the type of balls used for prize exchange.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the management device 1 performs the payout process of the prize, even if there is a ball in the account selected as the target of the withdrawal, the total value of the balls existing in the account will be settled. If the value of the prize is less than the value of the prize to be settled and the total value of the balls in the account is equal to or greater than the value of the prize to be settled Although the case where a ball is withdrawn from the account has been described, the settlement process by the management apparatus 1 may be changed as in the modification described below.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of the settlement process performed by the management device 1 according to the modification. When the management apparatus 1 according to the modified example performs the checkout process of the prize, if there is a ball in the account selected as the target for the withdrawal of the ball, the management apparatus 1 starts from each account where the ball exists according to the priority order. Sequentially withdraw the balls and settle the prize.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, for a certain player's account, a 1-yen coin account, a 4-yen coin account, a 1-yen coin account, a 4-yen coin account The order of priority is set in the order of 0, the highest number of 1-yen savings account is 0, the number of 4-yen counting account is 100, and the number of 1-yen savings account is 1 In the case where the number of balls in the storage account of 1000 balls and 4 yen coins is 1000 balls, when this player exchanges a prize equivalent to 800 yen using the prize exchange device 2, the management device 1 according to the modification example Performs the checkout process in the following procedure.

  In this case, the management device 1 first selects a 1-yen coin counting account with the highest priority as an account to be withdrawn. Here, since there is no ball in the 1-yen coin counting account, the management device 1 selects the 4-yen coin account having the next highest priority as the account to be withdrawn.

  Since there are 100 4-yen coins in this account, the management device 1 once withdraws 100 4-yen coins from this account. As a result, for a prize equivalent to 800 yen, the value for 400 yen is settled, and the remaining 400 yen remains as unsettled.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the management device 1 selects a 1-yen coin storage account with the next highest priority as an account to be withdrawn. Since there are 1000 1-yen coins in this account, the management device 1 withdraws 600 1-yen coins from this account and completes the settlement process.

  In this way, by changing the checkout process by the management device 1, since it is not used much in games and the number of balls is small, a type of ball that cannot be used for gift exchange only with balls existing in the account is given. Since it can be used for exchange, the balls held by the player can be used effectively. In addition, for the amusement store, balls that are not used frequently are used for prize exchange, so that the sales of prizes can be improved.

  Further, when the management apparatus 1 withdraws the balls according to the priority order, if a fraction is generated, the management apparatus 1 may perform the following settlement process. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of the adjustment process performed by the management apparatus when a fraction occurs.

  Here, when the priority set for each account of a player and the number of balls in each account are in the same state as shown on the left side of FIG. A case where a prize exchange equivalent to 310 yen is performed using the apparatus 2 will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, the management apparatus 1 first selects a 1-yen counting account with the highest priority as an account to be withdrawn. Here, since there is no ball in the 1-yen coin counting account, the management device 1 selects the 4-yen coin account having the next highest priority as the account to be withdrawn.

  Since there are 100 4-yen coins in this account, the management apparatus 1 withdraws the 4-yen coin from this account. At this time, the player requests a prize exchange equivalent to 310 yen, but if the management device 1 withdraws 78 coins of 4 yen, the value equivalent to 4 yen x 78 balls = 312 yen will be withdrawn. Thus, the player loses 2 yen. On the other hand, if the management device 1 withdraws 77 coins of 4 yen, the value equivalent to 4 yen × 77 coins = 308 yen will be withdrawn, and the game shop will lose 2 yen.

  Therefore, if a fraction occurs when the management device 1 withdraws a ball from the account of the first lending rate (4 yen / ball in this case) selected according to the priority order, the management device 1 calculates the value of the prize from the account of the first lending rate. After the maximum number of balls is withdrawn, the amount of the shortage is withdrawn from the account of the second lending rate (here, 1 yen / ball), and the premium is settled.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the management device 1 withdraws 77 coins from a 4-yen coin account, and then, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), By deducting two 1-yen coins from the savings account, the ball is withdrawn without excess or deficiency and the settlement process is performed.

  As described above, when a fraction is generated when the management apparatus 1 withdraws the balls from the account of the first lending rate, the balance is settled by withdrawing the deficient balls from the account of the second lending rate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fraction from being generated during the settlement process, and it is possible to prevent a profit or loss due to the fraction from occurring in both the player and the game store.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the priority setting processing unit 152 of the management device 1 stores the storage / counting ball DB 131 based on the operation of the operation unit 12 of the management device 1 or the priority setting unit 34 of the prize management device 3. Although the case where the priority order of the account to be withdrawn from the ball is set for each account being described has been described, in addition to the operation of the operation unit 12 or the priority setting unit 34, the balls remaining in each account The management apparatus 1 may be configured such that the priority order setting processing unit 152 dynamically changes the priority order according to the number.

  In such a configuration, when the control unit 15 of the management device 1 receives the payment request from the gift exchange device 2 or the gift management device 3, first, a plurality of accounts associated with the ID of the card C included in the payment request. Refer to the priority and number of balls.

  And the control part 15 of the management apparatus 1 sets the priority of the account to the highest order, when there is an account whose balance is a predetermined number of balls (for example, 100 balls) in the referred account, and to that effect Is transmitted to the device (premium exchange device 2 or premium management device 3) that has transmitted the settlement request.

  When the device that has received the priority change information informs the player of the contents, and when the player accepts the change of the priority, the approval information is transmitted to the management device 1 and the change of the priority is rejected. A rejection signal is transmitted to the management device 1. In this case, the prize exchange device 2 and the prize management device 3 are provided with a notification unit for notifying priority change information and an operation unit for selecting permission or rejection of priority.

  The payment processing unit 151 of the management device 1 selects an account according to the priority order based on the permission information or the rejection information received from the gift exchange device 2 or the gift management device 3, and preferentially withdraws balls from the account. .

  By configuring the gaming system S in this way, it is possible to actively use the types of balls that are few in number and are not used for gaming in exchange for prizes. For the person, it is possible to effectively use the few remaining balls that are held.

  Further, if the priority setting processing unit 152 is set so that the account with a larger balance has a higher priority, the shortage of the balance of the balls is less likely to occur at the time of the prize exchange, and the profit by the prize exchange at the amusement store is increased. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the priority order setting unit 34 is provided only in the prize management device 3, but the priority order setting unit 34 may be provided in the gift exchange device 2. In this way, the player can change the priority order of the account to which the ball is arbitrarily withdrawn according to the player's own preference when the prize is exchanged by the vending machine type prize exchange device 3.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 15 of the management device 1 performs the premium settlement process, the account is referred to according to the priority order, and the ball is withdrawn from the account that can be withdrawn. For example, if the prize exchange device 2 or the prize management device 3 is set so that the prize can be exchanged only with either one yen coin or four yen coin, the balls in the storage / counting ball DB 131 The management apparatus 1 may be configured to perform the above transition.

  In the case of such a configuration, the control unit 15 of the management device 1 may be configured such that, when a shortage of balls occurs in the account selected according to the priority order, the shortage of the deficient balls from the next highest priority account is generated. The ball is withdrawn after moving to.

  At this time, the control unit 15 of the management device 1 converts the loan rate of the transfer source account into the transfer rate of the transfer destination account when the transfer rate of the transfer source account and the transfer destination account are different. Move the ball.

  In this way, by allowing balls to be transferred between accounts that are normally prohibited only at the time of payment for a prize exchange, the player is not compatible with the prize exchange apparatus 2 or the prize management apparatus 3. Since the prizes can be exchanged using the balls, the amusement shop can improve the sales by the prize exchange.

  In the present embodiment, when the management device 1 receives a payment request from the gift exchange device 2 or the gift management device 3, the ball withdrawal is performed based on the payment request. When the ID of the card C is read by the prize management device 3, information on the number of balls of each account managed in association with the ID is acquired from the management device 1, and the prize exchange device 2 is obtained for the information. Alternatively, the ball may be sent to the management apparatus 1 after performing the ball withdrawal process on the prize management apparatus 3 side. In this case, a payment processing unit 151 and a priority setting processing unit 152 are provided in the gift exchange device 2 and the gift management device 3.

  In the above embodiment, the counting ball account and the savings account are managed by the single management device 1, but the counting ball account and the savings account are managed by different management devices, and the linkage is taken from the account with the highest priority. You may make it subtract.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Management apparatus 15 Control part 151 Settlement processing part 152 Priority order setting process part 131 Savings and counting ball DB
2 free gift exchange device 21 free gift selection unit 22 card reader 3 free gift management device 31 free gift selection unit 32 card reader 33 display unit 34 priority setting unit 4 CR unit

Claims (5)

A device corresponding to each of the game machines and capable of counting game media acquired by the player, and a prize used for exchanging game media and prizes held by the player and switching device, wherein is communicably connected to the respective base corresponding device and the prize exchange device, wherein at each base corresponding counting game medium count each player's that have been counted processed by the apparatus and貯遊TECHNICAL medium number mouth seat A game system including a game medium management device that manages and withdraws a game medium corresponding to the prize from a player's account corresponding to a prize exchange request received by the prize exchange device,
The game media management device includes:
Account storage means for storing a plurality of accounts for managing the number of counted game media for each player's lending rate counted by each of the corresponding devices and the number of stored game media of the player,
Priority order setting means for setting the priority order of accounts to be withdrawn from game media according to a player 's request for a plurality of accounts stored in the account storage means ;
Gaming system, comprising a. When the game medium is withdrawn when the game medium is withdrawn, if the game medium is deficient in the account to be withdrawn, the priority is next to the account to be withdrawn. 2. The game system according to claim 1 , wherein a game medium is withdrawn from a high account. 3. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising setting operation means operated by a player to cause the priority setting means to set the priority. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the priority order setting means changes and sets the priority order according to a balance of game media in each account. Provided in correspondence with each of the game machines and capable of counting the game media acquired by the player, and the exchange of prizes used for exchanging game media and prizes held by the player is communicatively connected to the device, the well as managed by the individual car counting game medium count each player who is counting process is held in the corresponding apparatus and貯遊TECHNICAL medium number mouth seats, of the prize which the prize exchange device is accepted A game medium management device for withdrawing a game medium corresponding to the prize from a player's account corresponding to the exchange request,
Account storage means for storing a plurality of accounts for managing the number of counted game media for each player's lending rate counted by each of the corresponding devices and the number of stored game media of the player,
Priority order setting means for setting the priority order of accounts to be withdrawn from game media according to a player 's request for a plurality of accounts stored in the account storage means ;
Game medium management apparatus characterized by having a.

Images